A Special Education Success Story With Add and ADHD

A Special Education Success Story With Add and ADHD

The Problem

In our rapidly moving culture, special education students, diagnosed with ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are an ever-increasing challenge for teachers. Having taught in some capacity for nearly 40 years and being a parent of an active little boy, I have studied these conditions with immediate personal interest.

Holding Their Attention?

Early in my work with the attentionally challenged, I observed that if the learning activity were engaging enough, many of these students could hold attention for long periods. Special Education students diagnosed with ADD or ADHD often have the ability to attend for long periods working with computers or video games. I wondered, could the problem lie more in the pace of the learning activity? 

Give Them What They Need

Subsequently, I began to provide activities in my classroom that had some of the same qualities of the immediate response achieved in those computerized attention-holders. One of the most successful of these was the excavation of fossils. 

The Setup

Fossil excavation was a 6-week class - more of a club, really – in which students excavated a real fossil fish from a soft rock matrix. This time the class was made up of many special education students with various learning challenges, especially ADHD. The outcome of the class was remarkable. 

Getting Their Interest and Attention

We started with a sort of guessing game involving  fossils hidden in velvet bags and moved quickly into individual excavation of the fossils. Within minutes, my work was done; the students worked independently for the remainder of the two-hour class. My hardest work that day was to enforce clean-up-the students simply didn’t’ t want to stop working. 

Tools And Supplies

The only tools needed for this activity were small screw drivers-the sort that are available from any hardware store in a set of increasing sizes beginning with an eye-glass tool . I also provided magnifiers of varying types. The most sought after were the dissecting microscopes, which gave the individual the best view of the fragile fossil. However, much of the work could be easily accomplished using the naked eye or a magnifier in a stand, just to leave the hands free. 

And Then There Are the Behavioral Challenges

I was presented with a new challenge about halfway into the second class: a behaviorally disruptive student who had been removed from another class. I did what I could to introduce him to our work and bring him up to speed. His initial work was little more than digging a hole through his rock, paying little attention to the fossil it contained. 

Success!

Then a wonderful thing happened. Another boy, a challenging special education student who generally had little academic success, began to teach. You see, this boy was enthralled with digging out the fossil and he was having incredible success. He single-handedly took over and my work was done.

Students Give Rave Reviews, Almost

The final endorsement came at the end of our 6-week class. Throughout the period, I had rarely interrupted their work, but I had shown a couple of videos to give the students some additional detail about fossil preservation and  excavation, geologic history and so on. At the last class, I asked the students to verbally evaluate the class. When I asked how I could improve the class, all agreed: Only show the videos if we can continue excavating our fossils during it! 

This is a true story of success. In this six-week project middle school children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD and receiving special education services enjoyed the same success, if not more than, the other students. 

Even the most absorbing tool, the TV, was not high on these students’ list of significant work. As a teacher, I felt I had been given a great gift of learning about how to support these special students. I encourage you to try it!

Back to School Preparation for All Ages

Back to School Preparation for All Ages

If you have children, late July, August and early September represents more than summer ending, cooler weather and fall foliage.  School begins once again for millions of kids across the country.  Getting your child prepared, regardless of whether they are in Kindergarten or a senior in high school, is a must.  Here are some tips to make the transition from several weeks of summer fun to school days and homework easier.

Children in Kindergarten – 5th grade

1. About a week before school starts, have your children go to bed at the time they will when school begins.  Set their alarm or wake them up early.  It’s difficult for some kids to adjust to going to bed and getting up earlier after having an entire summer of sleeping in or staying up late.  Many young children need to be on a schedule and preparing a week or so earlier will pay off, especially if you have a night owl or late sleeper.

2. If you have a school supply list (many school districts post them on their website or hand them out the last day of school), buy the supplies early.  For the child who is not organized, this is a good way to begin the school year off on the right foot.  Label everything and get the backpacks ready the night before school starts.  Buy some extra supplies to keep at home if your child is one to lose or forget their pencils or markers at school.  They will probably need some basic supplies for homework time.  Nothing is more frustrating than sitting down to do homework and discovering the basics are missing.

3. If you have a Kindergartener, walk to school two or three days before school begins (or drive if they take a bus or you will be driving them).  This helps acquaint them with what they will actually be doing that first day and can work wonders for alleviating the first-day jitters.  If your child is especially anxious, ask if you can let them visit their new classroom for five or ten minutes the day before school starts.  Many principals will let the Kindergarteners come to the campus prior to school starting.

Middle School

1. Many sixth graders will be attending a new school for their middle school years.  Oftentimes, the campus is much bigger and can be intimidating.  Of course pre-teens may not admit they are nervous, but most parents are.  Suggest a bike ride over to the school sometime during August just to look around.  Many middle schools conduct orientation anyway a couple of days before school actually begins, but an extra trip without all of their peers might be worthwhile.   

2. Just as in elementary school, it is important, if not more so in middle school, to have all the school supplies ready, especially an organizer.  Some schools make it mandatory for the students to purchase an organizer directly from the school. Get in the habit from day one of checking it and being sure homework assignments are recorded.  Visit the school website and see if homework and grades will be posted on the site.  This is an excellent way to stay involved with your child’s progress throughout the year.

3. If your student struggles with the basics; math or language arts, consider hiring a tutor for some review sessions before and during the first semester. Also, it is quite common in middle school for students who are excelling to be moved to Honors classes sometime during the year.  Being in an accelerated class is a good way to prepare a student for Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school, which count as college credit.

HIGH SCHOOL

1. Find out when the PSAT and SAT exams will take place.  If your student is not a good test taker, consider enrolling them in a test prep class.  As colleges become more and more competitive, test scores make a difference.  One can take the exam more than once if they are not happy with the score, so plan ahead and register early.

2. Stay tuned in to your student’s school and social schedule.  There is a tremendous amount of freedom in high school and even the most academically gifted students can be distracted by all of the things that are associated with the teenage years.  Establish a curfew for school nights and limit the amount of time that is spent at a part-time job or involved in sports, especially if time management and study skills are not your child’s forte.  

3. If your son or daughter is college-bound, start doing your research and be sure to attend the college nights that many high schools sponsor.  Know what is expected on college applications.  It is no longer a simple process like it was for the baby boomer generation.   Test scores, a formal essay, volunteer hours, and class selection in high school are all important factors in getting into college.  Take advantage of the many companies that exist today solely for the purpose of assisting you and your student select the right college for them.

Regardless of the age and grade of your children, stay involved.  Volunteering on any level, whether it be reading stories to your elementary aged child’s second grade class, helping in the computer lab in middle school, or being on a committee for peer counseling in high school, it is important to know what is happening at the place your children spend a large part of their week.  With so many parents working, many Parent Teacher Associations have their meetings in the evening, so more parents can attend.  There are activities that need volunteers that do not involve daytime hours such as calling parents in the evening for a fundraiser or helping with a weekend car wash at high school.

These tips can help your children get back to school the right way and prepare them for a year of learning and fun.  For additional articles on raising kids, starting a business, or educational issues go to http://www.hometutoringbusiness.com.

A review of the University of Maryland Online MBA Degree

University of Maryland Online MBA Degree

The University of Maryland University College offers an online Master of Business Administration degree. Named one of the “Top 20 Cyber Universities” worldwide by Forbes magazine, the MBA program is fully accredited by the Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

The program is designed to integrate into students’ lives and to be applicable to their current job situations right from the start. Its accelerated pace is helpful in allowing students to utilize what they have learned in the program as quickly as possible in their work environment. The courses are designed to explore management and organization processes and apply them to a global business environment.

The MBA program is 43 credits and consists of a 1-credit foundation course and seven 6-credit seminars. Each seminar is 14 weeks long. Students have 3 weeks off between each seminar. Students are grouped into a cohort of about 30 students who stay together during the duration of the MBA program. A facilitator is assigned to each cohort.

The seminars required to complete the online MBA program are: MBA Fundamentals (1 credit); The Role of Managers and Organizations in Society (6 credits); The Dynamics of Individuals and Groups in Work Organizations (6 credits); The Marketing of New Ideas (6 credits); Technology and Operations Management (6 credits); Economics of Management Decisions (6 credits); Organizations and the External Environment (6 credits); and Strategic Action Planning/Elective Component (6 credits). In addition all students are required to complete a noncredit course, Introduction to Graduate Library Research Skills, within their first 6 credits of study.

The seminars are taught by experts in the field. The faculty members all have extensive professional and management experience. In addition, more than 89 percent of them hold a doctorate degree. Students also have a facilitator assigned to them who will stay with them throughout the entire program.

U of MD University College MBA program has a streamlined general admissions process that can be completed online. Admission into their online MBA program does not require the completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). There are also no residency requirements.

To apply, prospective students need to complete the online application for admission, send in the application fee, and write a personal statement. Once the application is received, applicants will receive further instructions on submitting their transcripts and other pertinent information. The status of an application can be tracked online.

Upon completion of U of MD University College MBA program students have the option of continuing on to earn a dual degree. During any point of the MBA program students may inform the college that they are interested in pursuing a second degree in the following areas: Master of International Management; Master of Science in E-Commerce; Master of Science in Health Care Administration; or Master of Science in Management. Students have a full seven years from the date of completion of the first graduate course to complete their dual degree.

Simple Review Of The Regis University Online MBA Degree

Review Of The Regis University Online MBA Degree

As a member of the 125-year-old distinguished Regis University, the online MBA program draws upon the schools’ world-class teaching expertise. One, which has led the U.S. News & World Report, to rank it a Top Tier Western University for the past 11 consecutive years.

The university is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), which count prestigious Jesuit schools such as Georgetown, Boston College, Fordham University, and the University of San Francisco, as members.

Online Regis University is the largest multimedia-based MBA program in the country today. All of this is due to the university’s ability to utilize the most modern technologies and software, to bring its excellent teaching methods, materials, and faculty expertise to the net.

The online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program seeks to educate students about the domestic and international business environments, identify the elements that influence the dynamics, as it provides students the strategies, skills, and tools; they will need to make intelligent decisions.

The Regis MBA curriculum, with its 11 courses is certainly reflective of the program objectives. Each of these courses is structured to complement the knowledge gained from the preceding courses.

The Regis University online MBA degree curriculum, accomplishes this aim, with the use of four course levels.  

The first course is appropriately called the FOUNDATION COURSE, and is a required course for all MBA students.

Essentials of Business Development I & II 

At the end of these two foundation courses, the student will have an enhanced grasp of basic business concepts & principles, statistical modeling macro and microeconomics, business financials, cash flow and management, through lectures and case studies.

The second level is composed of CORE COURSES. These are required courses for all MBA students and the course emphasizes the use of critical business skills.

The Economics of Management

At the end of this course, the student will have the improved ability to utilize methods, concepts and models both quantitatively and qualitatively, from a managerial perspective.

Ethical and Legal Environment of Business 

This course focuses on the ethical strategies the MBA student can utilize when confronted by issues for the public’s good. Such issues as labor laws, product liability, public issues management and administrative procedures, are covered.

The EMPHASIS COURSE is the third level course. There are seven courses for each MBA program and they are more generally known as degree -specific courses.

These course titles are revealing of subject’s focus.

· Issues in International Business

· Financial Decision Making


· Marketing Management

· Electronic Business Systems


· Managing Change

· Managerial Leadership


· Innovations in Operations

Strategies in a Global Environment 

This is the last level, called the CAPSTONE COURSE, and is required of all MBA students. By the end of this course the MBA student will have superior management skills to identify and critically examine how international economic, political, business and financial factors, affect the long-range plans of the company.

In short, a Regis University online MBA degree, will improve the graduate’s ability to become an outstanding leader, enjoy career advancement, income and personal satisfaction.

5 Ways To Pay For College Course

5 Ways To Pay For College

One of the most stressful things about attending college is figuring out how to afford it.  Paying for college doesn’t have to be impossible and students don’t have to be wealthy in order to get a quality education.  There are a number of ways that almost anyone can afford to pursue the career of their dreams with the education they deserve.

Many traditional colleges and universities offer a convenient payment plan, which can be divided up into 10-12 months.  After determining the entire yearly cost, that figure would be divided by the number of monthly payments and paid at the college’s billing office.  Payments are usually determined from one year to the next and students must finish paying for one year of college before entering into a payment arrangement for the next.  An example would be a college that would cost $12,000.00 per year in courses, meals and living on campus.  In this scenario, many students can pay $1,000.00 per months for one year.  For many families, a payment plan is much easier than trying to come up with a lump sum payment upfront.

Every year, many students qualify for federal student loans.  Applications and information can be obtained at a high school guidance counselor’s office and/or the college of interest’s billing office.  Applications for student loans are accepted each year and are generally required to be submitted at, or near, each new year.  In order to be considered, student’s must be willing and able to provide documented income for themselves and their family so that their loan application can be properly assessed.

Local businesses, organizations and even colleges often provide scholarships to students who they believe will excel at college studies.  These scholarships are usually available to high school seniors and are based on a number of factors, including grades, participation in school activities, employment and a personal interview.  In order to be considered for a scholarship, students must apply by obtaining an application at their high school guidance counselor’s office or from the organization granting the scholarship.

For students who are not eligible for the above options, but still want to attend college, there is an alternate option that will gradually help them to work toward their degree.  College courses are offered at a certain cost, which is calculated on a credit hour basis.  Many colleges allow students to enroll in several classes without becoming a full-time student and being required to pay the full tuition.  These students can often pay as they go, which means they only pay for the course(s) they are taking at the time and this will be a much more affordable way to pay for college.  It will take longer to obtain a degree, but anything worth having is worth waiting for.

Anyone who wants extra cash to pay for college may find that a part-time job will help, along with selling items at online auction sites, such as eBay and Yahoo.  Many students have financed their college tuition through these auction sites without taking too much time away from their studies.

A Guide To Choosing A University Course

A Guide To Choosing A University Course

University courses and degree programs take around four years of study to complete. Nevertheless, some students may need more time to complete the university course. It is also possible to shorten the university courses by studying in the intersession of spring and summer.

An average student has to spend three hours of study for every hour spent in class. Fifteen hours per week is the average time for a university course. Depending upon the university course’s subject, classes may be held during the evening, afternoon or in the day. To support the academic university courses, they may also have to attend the clubs, athletics, recreational activities and societies.

The overall requirement for the degree along with the degree elements will be explained to the students by the faculty advisor. The advisor should be kept informed if the student has any specific area of interest or careers in mind while selecting the university courses. The university courses can be chosen by the students based on their degree requirements, schedules and their interests.

During the transition to the university course, there will be a peer mentor or an upper class student studying in the same degree program to assist the first year students undergoing the university course.

Study skills are enhanced by free workshops conducted through out the year. By appointment and during the regular hours of office, the professors will also assist the students to overcome any problems faced by them during their university course period. For specific classes, tutorials and labs facilities will also be available for the students. In case of difficulties, the students studying a university course are encouraged to contact professors, faculty advisors or counselors to overcome their problems.

The cost of university courses depends upon the area of study and the lifestyle of the student. The technology fee, student fees and tuition fee are standard and must be paid by the students.

Each university course focuses on its studies. To cite an example, languages, politics, history, psychology are people oriented university courses in the Bachelor of Arts program. Where as the university courses under Bachelor of Science programs such as statistics, mathematics or biology are not people oriented.

Within a university course, in the degree program, a major should be chosen by the students. Within the overall degree, this is a specific study area. The majority of the courses will be related to the specific discipline when a major subject is chosen by the student. A student selecting history as his major in his university course will be studying more history related material than any other areas of study within that course.

Whilst selecting the university courses, try to find out the courses disliked during high school and concentrate more on the courses liked. To find more about the interesting university courses, make an appointment with the liaison officer for a discussion. Take a tour of the universities and colleges to find out more about the courses available.