Black Education

Black education easily can be taken for granted. Many of us do not feel the need to study black history and culture, perhaps because we live it every day. If we stop and think about it, we may see that Western education is the study of Europe and its effects on the rest of the world, past, present and future. These aspects must be studied every day at school and college. If Westerners place such a strong emphasis on studying themselves, then the study of oneself must be of great value. This is an example of Western culture that we may do well to emulate.

Need more convincing? Let's go back in time for a bit and try to see where we may have gotten off track.

Nearly 500 years ago, most European scholars were 100 percent certain that the earth was the center of the universe and that the sun revolved around the earth. Today, we know that this thinking was completely backwards, but this is only because something took place to change it. In 1514, Nicolaus Copernicus began circulating the theory that the earth was not the center of the universe and that the earth actually circulated around the sun. As shocking as this news was at that time, it eventually destroyed the old belief and created a new direction of thought, influencing the historical time line.

In 1609, Galileo Galilei built a telescope powerful enough to see the Milky Way. In 1687, Isaac Newton provided his understanding of gravity. In the 1700s and 1800s, an Industrial Revolution emerged. In 1905, Albert Einstein gave us his understanding of relativity. And, in the 1950s and 1960s, the U.S. started its space exploration program. Now, can you see how one event influenced others over a long period of time? Stick with me. Black education does fit in here.

Imagine that Copernicus' news had been crushed so that Europeans never knew the exact position of the earth. What sort of time line do you think would have emerged? Do you think European science would have gone very far? The Milky Way probably would not have been identified. The knowledge of gravity probably would have remained undiscovered. The knowledge of physics probably would have been lost. And, today, there probably would be no cars, computers, cell phones, nuclear missiles, and so forth. Without the knowledge that Copernicus provided, one might even say that Europeans, and therefore, Americans might never have developed beyond the horse and cart.

Now, unfortunately for black peoples, we have had some interference with our own time line and it has changed our development. Some crucial information has been deleted from our black education - information as crucial to us as understanding the correct positions of the sun and earth has been to modern science.

Stock Market Education For Beginners

Have you spent a considerable time looking for some good Stock Market for beginners information? I have found that the getting right advice for you stock investments is becoming harder and harder. Finding someone you trust and who isn't going to charge you an arm and a leg is virtually impossible.
Recently I was pondering the reasons as to why the 'rich get richer and the poor get poorer'? The obvious answer is because they use their money to make more money but I came to the decision that their money is used to gain knowledge that the poor don't have access to. Most rich people get their information in two ways. They either know other rich people who specialize in finance or if they don't they have enough money to 'buy the time' of a professional. This is the main reason why the poor stay poor - because they don't have access to an investing or stock market education.
"Would you be a better investor if you could spend an hour a week with Warren Buffet?"
Imagine the experience and stock market training you would receive if you could spend time with investors who are making huge returns year after year? This knowledge and the investment strategies that you would learn could completely change the way you live. How would your life change if you were earning 70% interest on all of your investments. Or earning $100,000 plus and paying only $5 in tax?
What would you do if you got your hands on this information and knowledge?
The question you really need to be asking is How can I get access to this information? Well there is some great news and some bad news. First of all these incredible wealth creation strategies, property and online stock market secrets are finally available to the everyday person. The bad news is that most people simply don't want to make the effort to learn this stuff. The everyday person is happier sitting at home watching reality TV.
If you are one of the few people who actually want to make a difference to your financial future (the fact that you read this entire article shows that you definitely have some level of dedication) then what do you need to do? It's time to increase your knowledge. Find these great investment strategies that have allowed the rich to earn passive incomes for years.   Take advantage of the Internet, it is full of free investment material. Find someone who is achieving the results that you want and see if you can copy exactly what they are doing. There has never been a better opportunity for the 'poor' or middle class to join the rich. Which class do you belong to?

Virtual Learning in K-12 Education

According to the Sloan Consortium, which monitors online education in K-12 schools in the United States, online learning is on the rise. According to their report, "the overall number of K-12 students engaged in online courses in 2007-2008, is estimated at 1,030,000. This represents a 47% increase since 2005-2006".
That's a big jump, by any standards, but hardly surprising. The internet has become a place to do many things but above all it remains the place where people turn for information. With ever-faster broadband available to more and more people and innovations in web technologies marching on, it's not longer just about looking up that information, as you would with a book. Static pages are old hat. With the interactive possibilities of Web 2.0 the possibilities for using the internet in innovative ways in education are multiplying exponentially.
That's great news for students everywhere. It's also great news for anyone with the knowledge to pass on their skills, by becoming an online tutor. Online tutor jobs are an ideal solution for educators of all kinds to help others and make a living (or supplement their existing income) in financially challenging times. As long as people want and need to learn, jobs for tutors will always be available.
If you're considering applying for online tutor jobs, the main requirements are excellent knowledge of your subject and the ability to communicate that knowledge effectively. But there's a bit more to it. Just because there are plenty of tutor jobs available doesn't mean you can just set up shop. Anyone considering applying for online tutoring jobs needs to get a grip on the medium and its potentials.
Online learning is obviously not quite the same as traditional teaching, even though tutors can interact with students in real time, perhaps using video. The first years of online education were based on replicating traditional, instructor-led teaching practices. Often learning was based on modules or educational packages that learners worked through in their own time, before hooking up with instructors for assessment, feedback and guidance.
With Web 2.0, e-learning is all about making the most of the interactive possibilities available. Its about learners using the possibilities that computers offer for simulating environments that permit practical learning. Online learning communities stimulate learning through participation, through webinars, forums and sharing of experiences. Computers offer ways of making learning engaging and fun. Some educational institutions have even set up virtual classrooms on Second Life!
If you are planning to get yourself online tutoring jobs, it's worth noting that the best tutors are those who understand how online learning works and how the internet has the capacity to enhance the educational experience. An online tutoring job isn't only about teaching others. For most online tutors it will be a learning process in itself, as technology changes teaching strategies and we learn more about how online learning can outstrip traditional pedagogical methods. One thing is for certain. Those who master the medium will tell you that online tutoring is a rewarding one.

Education in Jamaica

Recently Education Minister Andrew Holness has made the news on many occasions whether it be grading primary school principals or expressing what he really thinks about the GSAT examination. Andrew Holness has not been forceful in his capacity and also has not led in the right areas as the Minister of Education.
When in opposition Holness served as Opposition Minister of Education which would have given him adequate knowledge of the inefficiencies within the ministry and would have provided him with a working framework to change policies. What have we seen of this Minister? Holness appears in the news blaming everyone else but himself for not leading to eradicating the inequity and changing policies at his ministry. We owe it to the younger generation to develop an education system that is fair and one that will provide them with the best education to make them productive for this rapidly changing world.
Clearly, there are problems with the curriculum of the GSAT examination which must be fixed. Annually, we complain of how stressful the curriculum is, and the many faults the exam has where students at grade six are judged on topics that will be covered at higher levels. Next year around this time we will still be discussing the faults within the examination. Are we seeing a cycle here?
Blaming teachers' colleges for accepting teachers that are not up to par cannot be accepted. Holness has the power to influence teachers' colleges to improve on their standards to benefit the education product. I am frustrated with Holness pushing the blame around highlighting the facts we already know. Holness should stand firm and effect the changes that ought to be made to make our education system improve giving our children the best opportunities.
Next year at this time we should be stating that requirements at the teachers' colleges were improved upon; changes to the curriculum were implemented making the exam relevant for grade six students; the ratio between teacher and students were reduced among other things. When are we going to get serious and hold Andrew Holness accountable for the shortfalls in the education ministry? After all, he is responsible.

Screening Educators is Critical

One of the great ironies about the education industry surrounds how little attention is given to screening educators. The irony lies in the fact that teachers and their aids have an enormous amount of exposure to those who arguably need the most protection: children. School districts often do only the minimum required to conduct background checks and verify past employment. Unfortunately, unsavory details including criminal records, sexual harassment complaints and other crimes frequently slip through the cracks.
On February 27th, 2007, an investigative report from a TV news team in Pennsylvania uncovered a startling case. Police had been looking for a woman who had been charged with criminal conduct that included stalking, harassment and vandalism. After she ignored her court hearing, an arrest warrant was issued. The news team eventually found her: she was working in a preschool classroom. These types of cases are more common than many people realize.
Screening Educators For Student Safety
Because of students' exposure to teachers, aids and other school employees, school districts have a high level of liability in the event that students are victimized. There are several cases in which teachers have been charged with assault, trafficking drugs and even rape. Students are particularly vulnerable. They're entrusted to the care of school employees who are largely unsupervised. That's why conducting comprehensive background checks is imperative in the education industry.
Screening Educators Reduces School Liability
Ensuring the safety of students (and staff) should be a top priority for any school district. If the hiring practices of a school don't include stringent employee screening processes and a thorough background check for every new hire, that school runs the risk of being held liable when someone in their care is abused. That can lead to lawsuits and community distrust. For a private institution, it can decimate enrollment and eventually lead to the school's closure school.
Ongoing Employee Screening
Many teachers and other school personnel have worked in their positions for many years. Because most schools neglect to perform ongoing background checks, these employees can hide criminal charges that were filed after their initial hiring. As a result, there are many teachers, aids and security guards who currently pose a threat to students and staff. To combat the problem, some states are beginning to require that school's perform annual background checks on employees. Unfortunately, the screening methods that are used are often broad, imprecise and extremely limited in scope.
The Importance Of Screening Educators
Students naturally trust their teachers, aids and other personnel. This makes them even more vulnerable to employees who have the capacity to do them harm. The problem for the education industry is that the employee screening methods that are used don't go far enough. The background checks are often limited by geography or category. This is why criminals often slip through the system and gain exposure to students. To protect students and reduce a school's liability, it's critical that exhaustive screening and background checks are conducted on a regular basis. If your school isn't able to perform this level of employee screening, consider working with an experienced service who can manage the task effectively.