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Interview With Lawrence Goldstone, Author Of The Anatomy of Deception
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The Fruit Hunters: A Story of Nature, Obsession, Commerce, and Adventure
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Interview With Joseph Boyden, Author of Through Black Spruce
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Interview with Nino Ricci, Governor-General Award-Winning Author
Just when you thought student debt couldn’t get any worse, it does. More students today are paying their college fees on credit, and therefore carrying higher balances, a study has found. This study also shows that students are using their credit cards as opposed to seeking financial aid such as private loans and grants. Some students worry that their college debt will prevent them from buying homes in the future. Read more…
Not that it’s a popular practice, but if you’re applying to college and you have a Facebook, MySpace, or some other kind of public profile, be careful - your school-to-be could check to make sure you’re the kind of person they want representing their school. For the most part, these schools don’t have time to be checking every student’s profile, but if they receive a tip about something questionable, they might check it out. Of course, you can easily prevent this by A) changing your settings to private, where only your friends can access your profile, or B) not putting anything stupid on there in the first place. But where’s the fun in that? Read more…
NEW YORK, May 21 /PRNewswire/ — Searching for the right college can be a rigorous and expensive proposition for both students and parents alike. Doing research in advance can really help weed out the schools that may not have everything the teen and parent require. With the wealth of information online, it may be the first stop to inquire about a school. But the experience of being at the school, witnessing the campuses and activities first hand, and talking to students, professors and coaches has been virtually impossible until now. A new website LVUTV.COM (Live Video University Television) provides just that — the experience of viewing the school, campus, activities, sports and much more first hand.
LVUTV.com has the best of all worlds:
-- The data on what each school offers: application fees, tuition and dorm
fees, comparisons of schools, SAT scores, sports programs, diversity,
size, and much more.
-- 50,000 Exclusive College Videos from 200 schools of students,
professors and coaches who are at the schools and whose experience are
invaluable-these live college video testimonials were shot by
professional videographers.
-- The Top Five Rated Colleges in a host of categories that can make one's
search easier.
Experiencing the LVU’s Top Five Colleges categories may help selecting a college easier. Here’s a sampling:
-- Most Scholarships
-- University of Florida
-- Brigham Young University-Provo
-- University of Tulsa
-- West Virginia University
-- Morehouse College
-- Toughest to Get Into
-- Harvard University
-- Princeton University
-- Stanford University
-- Brown University
-- Columbia University
-- Big Time Sports
-- University of Notre Dame
-- Penn State-University Park
-- University of Tennessee
-- Clemson University
-- University of Florida
-- Most International Students (According to the Institute for
International Education, in 2006-2007, nearly 563,000 foreign students
were enrolled in US colleges).
-- Carnegie Mellon University
-- Harvard University
-- Princeton University
-- University of Southern California
-- University of Tulsa
-- Most Debt Upon Graduation
-- New York University
-- George Washington University
-- Carnegie Mellon University
-- University of Denver
-- Fordham University
-- Least Debt Upon Graduation
-- Princeton University
-- Harvard University
-- Utah State University
-- SUNY at Albany
-- University of Hawaii-Manoa
-- Party Schools
-- Arizona State University
-- Penn State
-- University of Wisconsin
-- Florida State University
-- University of Maryland
-- Most Beautiful Campuses
-- Vanderbilt University
-- University of Virginia
-- University of Notre Dame
-- Colgate University
-- Stanford University
LVUTV.com is chock full of information about each school through the amazing college videos. Potential college students will be able to access: the best nightlife, athletic programs, the Greek life, subject specialties, diversity and size-all told through their peer groups. For parents can find out what things cost, what professors and coaches say, and which school is the most politically driven. More than 200 colleges are listed with additional listings made every week.
Glenn Pere, the creator of LVUTV.com said, “I saw the need for parents and teens to gather information about where to attend college. When I witnessed the labor intensive exercise of writing or calling every college for information as well as the expense of visiting them, I realized there had to be a better way. Clearly the internet affords people a quick solution for research. But there is no other web site that provides the experiential element of students talking on or around campus.” In conclusion, Pere said, “There is no better way to find out about colleges than by talking to thousands of students attending them.”
Oxford UK and Rotterdam NL (PRWEB) January 25, 2008 — A new survey of the ‘Digital Generation’ has been launched today by workplace experts Career Innovation in partnership with AIESEC, the world’s largest student-run organisation. The research will track people’s use of new technology, analyse their motivation and enable students to find out about careers that match their profile. It is based on young people’s increasing expectation that work should be fun as well as well-paid.
“This survey will help us to see the technologies our members are using, and will show us how we need to evolve as an organization to keep up with the digital generation,” says Emanuel Gavert, Global Networks Manager from AIESEC International. “The results will also give us insight in attracting more technical students into AIESEC.”
Developed by research and technology firm Career Innovation, the Digital Generation Survey will assess people’s use of technology for learning, working and leisure. This will allow universities, employers and technology companies to monitor trends in technology and make predictions about the future world of work.
“It is hard to judge how social networking, interactive games and the increasing portability of technology will affect the way we work” commented Jonathan Winter, Founder of Career Innovation, “But we can be sure of one thing – wherever young people set the pace on technology issues, employers will have to follow. So it is vital that employers and technology providers watch these trends closely.”
The survey analyses motivation by using models from the computer gaming industry. As a result, every respondent receives a personalised “fun profile” revealing where they get their energy, in work and leisure. It then provides example matches to specific jobs that might interest them, based on this profile.
By taking part participants will also be supporting two charities that help young people. Leading hotel group Marriott International has kindly agreed to donate $2 for every completed survey (up to the first 5,000 responses). Two IBLF charities will benefit equally: Youth Career Initiative and Digital Partnership.
The survey will be run amongst 25,000 AIESEC members across 100 countries during January and February 2008. The results are expected to be announced in Sao Paulo at the AIESEC International Congress, August 2008.
The Global Sponsors of the 2008 Digital Generation Survey are: Marriott International, UBS and Unilever.
About AIESEC – www.aiesec.org
LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire - January 24, 2008) - If you’ve ever heard, “The scholarship requires a small fee,” or, “We need your credit card or account information to hold your scholarship,” chances are you’ve been the victim of a scholarship scam.
During the months of January and February, millions of students will begin applying for financial aid, both through federal sources and scholarships. Some individuals and organizations have made it their business to deceive students and parents into paying for financial aid information and services that could easily be found at no cost.
To help students and families, ALL Student Loan, a nonprofit student loan lender, is promoting “College Financial Aid Scam” awareness. The campaign aims to educate students and parents on how to obtain valid and useful financial aid information, as well as how to spot the tell-tale signs of a scam.
ALL Student Loan staff is distributing materials to schools and community groups, and we have financial aid experts available who can help students or parents find valid, useful information. To obtain a campaign poster or information, write to reachingallyouth@allstudentloan.org or call (888) 271-9721.
About ALL Student Loan
ALL Student Loan (www.allstudentloan.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of students, families and schools by increasing affordable access to higher education.
Since 1980, ALL Student Loan has made more than $4 billion in affordable financing available to over 400,000 borrowers. In addition to affordable loan products and superior customer service, ALL Student Loan increases access to education by conducting free financial aid workshops for students and parents, supporting the work of other education-focused nonprofit organizations, and awarding scholarships.
BELMONT, MA–(Marketwire - January 15, 2008) - Students choose boarding schools for multiple reasons. Small classes, extracurricular opportunities and an edge in college admissions rank highly in the minds of many. Of course these are not the only boarding school benefits. The list below offers key reasons for attending boarding schools.
Boarding School Life
Boarding schools provide a great opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities, some of which you may never have tried — from athletics to debate. You don’t just go to class. You’re on an athletic team, play in the jazz band and work as student tour guide for the admission office.
Smaller Scale Academics
Small classes, personal attention and relationships with teachers mean not getting lost or overlooked in the classroom. Be prepared to participate by asking questions and knowing your material.
College Counseling/Academic Guidance
Many boarding schools have dedicated college counselors to guide you through the competitive college admission process. They help you explore the possibilities and zero in on the schools that best fit your talents and interests.
Relationships Beyond the Classroom
You get to know your teachers as people. They don’t go home at three o’clock when classes are over; they live with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The classroom is just a small part of a boarding school experience. Some of the most important learning takes place outside of the classroom.
Family Atmosphere
Boarding schools are committed to fostering a tight knit community. Warm, friendly, family-like atmospheres are found in many boarding schools.
A Busy Life
Boarding schools provide structure outside the classroom. Afternoon requirements (athletics, arts, etc.) and evening study hours keep you engaged throughout the day.
Parental Communication
Boarding schools communicate the good and the bad with parents — a phone call from a teacher or advisor at early signs of struggle isn’t uncommon. Nor is it out of the ordinary to hear from the school when their child excels. Parent participation is encouraged — they want to hear from you.
About AdmissionsQuest
AdmissionsQuest serves as an online resource for students researching and applying to boarding schools. AQ provides school search tools, articles about boarding schools and the admission process and information on affording boarding schools. AQ also offers boarding school placement services through AQ Educational Consulting.
ARMONK, NY–(Marketwire - November 6, 2007) - IBM today introduced a new video game designed to help university students and young professionals develop a combination of business and information technology (IT) skills. Thousands of universities around the world now have access to Innov8, IBM’s new “serious game,” available at no charge.
Serious games are computer and video games used as educational and training tools. Just as airline pilots initially learn using flight simulators, many corporations and universities see serious games as an effective way of teaching new skills to a generation that has been brought up in the video game era. In fact, according to The Apply Group, by 2012, between 100 and 135 of the Global Fortune 500 will have adopted gaming for learning, with the U.S., United Kingdom and Germany leading the way.
More than thirty colleges and universities have already incorporated the game into their program plans. Starting today, over 2,000 universities around the world can download the game from IBM’s website and begin using it in their classrooms.
“The best kept secret in the world of computer and video games is the rise of a movement — now in the thousands — of gamers, universities and corporations dedicated to applying games to serious challenges such as education, training, medical treatment, or better government,” said David Rejeski, director of the Serious Games Initiative which is housed at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. “IBM has established itself as a pioneer in serious gaming by enabling universities to educate students using the gaming medium they understand, enjoy and embrace.”
Games in the classroom
IBM has created Innov8 as a new way to teach business students and young IT professionals — many whom have grown up playing video games — about competing successfully in business.
Innov8 is an interactive, 3-D educational game designed to bridge the gap in understanding between IT teams and business leaders in an organization. This type of serious gaming — simulations which have the look and feel of a game but correspond to non-game events or processes such as business operations — has emerged as a successful method to train employees or develop new skills.
Most MBA programs are already heavily based on projects that reflect how individuals and teams need to interact in the real world. Innov8 takes that a step further by actually allowing students to step into a real, dynamic business environment. The game is based on advanced commercial gaming technologies and allows players to visualize how technology and related business strategies affect an organization’s performance. Together, users can visualize business processes, identify bottlenecks, and explore ‘what if’ scenarios before the technology is deployed.
Innov8 was designed to be delivered in a one hour learning lab to supplement courses like Business Process Management, Corporate Strategy, and Operations and IT Management. The idea for the game resulted from an annual IBM-sponsored competition among graduate business students at Duke University and the University of North Carolina.
Addressing a Skills Shortage
75 percent of CEOs surveyed by IBM cited education and the lack of qualified candidates as the issues that will have the greatest impact on their business over the next three years. With a growing number of jobs and professions requiring a combination of technology and business skills, Innov8 can be an effective way of developing this new, hybrid skill set.
A recent study also found that 56 percent of IBM customers cited lack of skills, mainly individuals with a blending of IT technical understanding and business process acumen, as the leading inhibitor to service oriented architecture (SOA), a $65 billion market opportunity. Innov8 will help students and young professionals develop these crucial skills.
“IBM views serious gaming as a new and exciting way to develop the skills that are required as business and IT become more closely aligned,” said Sandy Carter, vice president, IBM SOA and WebSphere strategy, channels and marketing. “Innov8 was designed to address this specific skills shortage while also helping universities realize the benefits of using serious games as a powerful tool for teaching today’s students.”
Innov8 is now available through IBM’s Academic Initiative, a program offering a wide range of technology education benefits to meet the goals of colleges and universities. As a member of this initiative, participating schools receive free access to IBM software, discounted hardware, course materials, training and curriculum development. Nearly 2,000 universities and 11,000 faculty members worldwide have joined IBM’s Academic Initiative.
For further information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com/soa
BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ — With two weeks to go until the annual National School Backpack Awareness Day, occupational therapy practitioners across the United States are gearing up to help students “Pack It Light, Wear It Right!” The event, sponsored by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), is set for Wednesday, September 19, 2007.Occupational therapy practitioners, researchers, and students are holding events across the United States to educate students on the proper way to wear a backpack and how much weight to carry. More than 40 million students in the United States carry backpacks. According to one study, 6 out of 10 students ages 9-20 reported chronic back pain related to backpacks.
AOTA has published ten tips to avoid backpack-related health problems:
1. Never let a child carry more than 15% of his or her body weight. This
means a child who weighs 100 pounds shouldn't wear a backpack heavier
than 15 pounds.
2. Load heaviest items closest to the child's back and arrange books and
materials to prevent them from sliding.
3. Always wear both shoulder straps. Wearing only one strap can cause a
child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or
discomfort.
4. Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Too much pressure on
shoulders and necks can cause pain and tingling.
5. Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly to the child's
back. The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower
back, never more than four inches below the child's waistline.
6. Wear the waist belt, if the backpack has one, to help distribute the
pack's weight more evenly.
7. Check what your child carries to school and brings home to make sure
the items are necessary to the day's activities.
8. If the backpack is too heavy, consider using a book bag on wheels if
your child's school allows it.
9. Choose the right size pack for your child's back as well as one with
enough room for necessary school items.
10. If a student is experiencing back pain or neck soreness, consult your
doctor or occupational therapist.
Teaching proper backpack ergonomics is just one of the many ways occupational therapy practitioners can help students stay healthy and succeed in school. Occupational therapists also have expertise in correcting handwriting problems, helping children learn social skills, and teaching students effective and efficient ways to learn in school. These health care professionals work with students in every school district in the country.
To find out more about National School Backpack Awareness Day, visit http://www.promoteot.org/AI_BackpackAwareness.html . Contact the AOTA press office to connect with a local backpack event in your area.
