February, 2010
26
Feb 10
Siestas May Improve Learning
Foto - The Hindu
It seems like something out of a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel, but it turns out taking naps can improve your life in more ways than previously thought. A new study has found that young adults who slept for 90 minutes after lunch increased their learning. Their memories were more able to absorb new facts.
The discoveries were presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in San Diego.
“You need to sleep before learning, to prepare your brain, like a dry sponge, to absorb new information,” said Matthew P. Walker, lead investigator and assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley.
The study used 39 young adults and divided them into two groups. All were asked to remember 100 names and faces at noon, and then to remember a different set of names and faces at 6 p.m. The 20 volunteers who slept for 90 minutes between the two learning sessions improved their scores by an average of 10 percent, while the scores of those who didn’t nap actually dropped by 10 percent.
Let’s all hope that colleges and universities will bring back nap time (juice and animal crackers too).
Reference |
25
Feb 10
Educaedu Launches in the United States
Educaedu has officially launched in the United States! As our 19th country, the U.S. is one of the most exciting releases we have had to date.
Users will find a wide variety of programs (short courses, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, certification programs, MBAs and Masters, and even doctorate degrees). Given the growing popularity of online programs, students can also discover almost any program in an online format.
Many students in the U.S. are looking to study abroad and even more students from around the world can now use Educaedu to find their ideal program. We feel this new release is a big step to connecting educational institutions and prospective students on a global scale.
The site is still a work-in-progress as the education possibilites in the U.S. are so vast. As we continue to find more exciting courses and programs the site will grow and develop, so check in with us now and again to see whats new at Educaedu!!
Here are some courses on our brand new United States website… get your learn on:
Undersea Photography Course at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California
Radio DJ Training Course at BMG Broadcasters Mentoring Group in Agoura Hills, California
MBA in Global Leadership – Online at Delaware Valley College in Delaware
Click here to explore all your options in the United States.
24
Feb 10
Back to School in Your 50s
Stephanie in her garden.
All around the world a growing group of adults in their 50s and up are choosing to go back to school. Some are looking for further training, while many are stepping into college and university classrooms for the first time. At the age of 53, Stephanie Scott decided to become a Certified Master Gardener by completing a program at Oregon State University in the United States.
Before the first class she was feeling excited, but also anxious regarding tests, understanding material, and feeling comfortable with the group. She did not know how her age would affect her return to school. Would people treat her differently because she was older? Interestingly enough, Stephanie discovered upon entering class that she was actually one of the youngest students. The majority were women in their 60s.
As far as whether or not school was harder or easier, Stephanie can only say that her desire to learn was stronger. Her biggest challenge was retention of material. She was forced to read texts over and over again to remember for exams.
As a Master Gardener, Stephanie volunteers in the community giving gardening tips to those who are having problems. Now the garden in her backyard is quite large and she frequently has to give her vegetables out for free to neighbors.
Stephanie’s advice to other adults looking to go back to school: Do it!!! You will find it exhilarating and challenging, but you will never regret the decision!!!
The Master Gardeners at the Annual Rose Festival Parade in Portland, Oregon.
23
Feb 10
Morning Workouts Help Kids Focus
Students work out at Etobicoke’s James S. Bell public school. ANDREW WALLACE/TORONTO STAR
Instead of studying after the morning announcements, students at a public high school in Canada have a 20-minute workout. This new idea is being implemented after a growing body of research is showing the ties between physical activity and improved learning.
Starting three years ago, the program was funded by various grants for students with behavioral problems. The teacher at the school provided gym clothes, running shoes and deodorant. She even worked out with the students. After a time, the results blew her away. Kids who once disrespected her were now running beside her, competing with her to run faster. Many lost weight and quit smoking. And this is not even mentioning the academic improvements. Whether it was test scores or higher reading levels, everyone had improved in some way.
A professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, said that a study he conducted found a correlation between regular, vigorous physical activity and less psychological distress in teens, such as depression and anxiety.
With the success of this program, schools across Canada and the United States have created similar ones. Pretty soon, treadmills might be a familiar sight in many schools across the world.
22
Feb 10
Course of the Week – The Sky as a Cultural Resource
The Eagle Nebula
Ever look up at the sky and just wonder why it’s there? 2009 was the International Year of Astronomy and to celebrate, the University of Glamorgan has created a 20-week short course called The Sky as a Cultural Resource.
In this course you will not only learn about the sky from an astronomer’s point of view, but also its culture, anthropology and natural philosophy. You will cover topics such as naked eye astronomy to modern telescopic observation, from constellations to planets, and from nebulae to galaxies.
Whether you are an amateur astronomist or just going through an existential crisis, this course could be the answer to your questions.
19
Feb 10
Goldie Hawn Brings Buddhism to Schools in the UK?
The British government is currently talking to the French government, Sweden´s International English Schools (IES) and even actress Goldie Hawn´s the Hawn Foundation, about joining the public school system in England. The idea is to provide the kind of schooling available at some private schools but in the public arena, to allow children from poorer backgrounds access, and a better chance, to enter higher education.
Michael Gove, Shadow Children’s Secretary, explained how they were looking into Sweden´s IES to take over schools that were not doing well. They are talking to the French about establishing more schools based on the Lycée Français, in South Kesington, London, and Goldie Hawn is keen to expand her foundation´s work by opening a school in the UK. The IES has a traditional and conservative outlook on education, valuing disciplne and having high expectations. The Lycée provides a French education for French expatriates and British parents who want their children to grow up bilingual, while the Hawn Foundation emphasise social and emotional progress over academic testing and use simple breathing exercises to boost learning power, based on Buddhist techniques.
There are still questions about funding and regulations to keep in line with British education standards and beliefs, but it´s definitely an interesting development in the public education sector.
You can learn more about the Hawn Foundation´s values from this interview with Goldie Hawn:
18
Feb 10
Warsaw – A Surprise Study Abroad Destination
Downtown Warsaw
It may come as a surprise to many, but Warsaw, Poland is the city with the greatest number of higher education schools in Europe. In fact, one in three adult Varsovians holds a university-level degree. At any moment there are 300,000 university students in the capital city, including 3,775 foreign students. Students from Europe constitute the biggest group – many from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Norway and Sweden. A large number of students also come from the United States. As for Asian students, most of them come from Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, India and China. Having such a high concentration of young people has had a cultural impact on the city, there are dozens of active student clubs enhancing Warsaw’s artistic and cultural attractiveness. Poland’s capital has a thriving nightlife, with many bars and clubs. Warsaw also attracts many young and independent designers, artists, directors and performers who add to the city’s theatre, music, design and architecture.
If you are looking to study abroad, over 15 learning institutions offer courses and studies dedicated especially for foreigners. With Educaedu Poland you can browse for the one that suits you best: The Ryszard Lazarski School of Commerce and Law has the biggest number of foreign students studying for their bachelors and masters in Economics and International Relationships.
You can study Human Rights and Genocide Studies at the Collegium Civitas.
You can also choose one of many MBA programs taught in English at various universities like a European MBA at the Kozminski University.
A summer university course in Economics and Management provided by the oldest business school in Poland, Warsaw School of Economics, is also highly recommended.
17
Feb 10
Computer Engineer Barbie
The average person will have 5 to 6 different careers in their lifetime. Barbie, however, is on her 126th. You have seen her in dresses and in swimsuits, but now she also comes with a smartphone and a Bluetooth headset. Mattel recently asked people to vote for her new career, choosing between computer engineer, architect, environmentalist, news anchor and surgeon. Interestingly, they chose a career that not many women choose – Computer Engineering.
Barbie still has many of her normal attributes, such as her body porportions, her feet permanently ready to put on high-heels, and her blonde hair. And while some might criticise for not making more changes, Barbie has come a long way from being the girl who once said, “Math class is tough.”
If you aspire to be like the new Barbie, here are some Computer Engineering programs around the world:
Computer Engineering Technician – Centennial College in Canada
Bachelor of Computer Engineering Distance Program – Wilhelm Büchner Hochschule in Germany
Computer Engineering Graduate Program – Yeditepe University in Turkey
16
Feb 10
Foreign Languages in U.S. Classrooms – Is Chinese the New Fad?
In the last decade public and private school systems in the U.S. have seen a decline from kinder to college in their foreign language programs. Thousands of schools have already phased out French, German and Russian. Tight budgets coupled with the No Child Left Behind Act has drawn more and more resources from the foreign language programs over the years. Chinese, however, has managed to stay afloat and even expand due to the fact that the Chinese government is paying part of the salary for Chinese language teachers. This fact has been met with mixed emotions. Some parents, students and educators think that this is a positive step forward in education as many recognize that speaking Chinese may open doors due to China becoming increasingly important in world politics. Skeptics believe that this is a potentially damaging practice, saying that the school systems should not be selling out education to the highest bidder.
Regardless of these two opposing attitudes, it is safe to say that it is unfortunate that students in the U.S. now receive even less schooling in foreign languages. After all, isn’t communication the fabric of world order, peace and progress?
Your thoughts…
If you are interested in trying out a Chinese coures, here are some options:
Certificate in Modern Chinese Language (Mandarin) and Culture - Columbia College in Canada
Diploma in Modern Languages (Chinese) - University of Melbourne in Australia
15
Feb 10
Course of the Week – Contemporary Wig Making
Of all the different types of schools and courses, who would have thought that there could be an entire school centered around the making of wigs? Well, there is and Educaedu has found it.
Perukarstwo Bodagar in Warsaw, Poland is a school devoted to wig making. Their Contemporary Wigs Making Course is quite intensive. It consists of classes 4 days-a-week, 8 hours-a-day for a total of 7 months! After something like that, anyone would become a wig expert.
In the course you will learn to make wigs for television, film and theatre as well as events such as weddings. A large portion of the wigs made go to people who have lost their hair for medical reasons. At the end of the course you will receive a Professional Wig Maker Certificate.
Some topics include:
- Wig Making Techniques
- Wig Hairdressing
- Wig History
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