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e-Learning

The Future is Now: Online Learning Can’t Wait

Challenging circumstances do two things. First, they force us to divorce the comfort of our settled habits and methods. Whether we are willing or not, we must endure the process of detachment to routines we spent time and effort adopting. This detachment is displacement that can occur spatially, mentally, or even collectively. Second, challenging circumstances provide us with opportunities for change that are uniquely called for. While maintaining the status quo has its benefits, there is also something to be said about how easily the need for change, improvement, or innovation, can be lost in the lull of an established “right way”. The displacement that occurs with unforeseen developments leaves us with no choice but to change, yet it also leaves us with no room for hesitation. In periods of stability and certainty, there may be a wandering contemplation of shifts, but when there is no certainty to rely on, the demands in front of us offer a remarkable focus with which to apply ourselves. 

When we consider Education research, it is essential that we keep in mind that it is not work that is completed overnight. Regardless of how many innovative ideas there are, Education research has been limited by its timed nature. Results can be as simple as the scores of one test, but how significant would those results be? Sometimes it can take up to a generation to see the impact and truth behind a method of teaching/learning. The Internet as we know it is so fresh that it is yet to establish itself as a concrete mode of learning. With schools around the globe shifting to online learning, what some schools have attempted to implement over the last decade, has been done overnight. 

The future is now. When disaster strikes, who has time to wait for an ideal future when there are more desperate and life-threatening needs right now. So if the future is now, what does Education need that just can’t wait anymore? Educators, academicians, researchers, policy makers, and students themselves have been voicing out for years the potential of online learning, and continuously doing incredible work in researching, planning, and implementing new online learning practices and systems worldwide. The global pandemic has opened up awareness of these needs, and so it is to say that experience truly is the best teacher. But we need to keep ourselves caught up. 

If there were institutions, companies, organizations, committees, or any individuals for that matter, who hadn’t gotten themselves officiated on the internet, the global pandemic has been sure to change that. But while for some people gaining access during the pandemic and staying up to date on current procedures is as simple as creating an account, for those it’s far more difficult than that. The Digital Divide, or the gap between those who have access to internet and technology and those who don’t, can be deadly. In terms of education, homes that cannot afford to access the internet required to fuel, or don’t have the equipment to facilitate online learning, are disadvantaged against their will in this regard. As reliance on internet connectivity to execute daily functions grows more common, this will disproportionately affect homes and regions that don’t have the same amenities. This is a concern that cannot wait as the days pass since learning cannot wait. 

Dece Education Services knows that Online Learning can’t wait. For that reason, we are dedicated to empowering knowledge experts to be able to provide quality education, on their terms. Similarly, we believe that learners should be able to access courses, practical skills and certifications that will help them achieve their individual goals.

 

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Academia e-Learning Education Popular

Centralization and Funding

Decision making, even for the noblest of causes, cannot escape its ties with money. Whether it’s obvious or not, whether it’s addressed now or later, money talks. Money is power, and power means getting to decide how your money works for you.

In the realm of Education, the money that is invested year after year directly influences the development of a generation. But who decides where the money goes? Centralization of an education system is often sought for economic reasons, especially for reaching greater equity of educational opportunity. However, that does not mean that centralization solves the issue of equity, nor does it create the ideal educational system. 

 

What Are The Economic Effects of Centralizing Education?

 

  1. Creates a push for private education. 

Oftentimes the purpose of centralizing is to aim for more equal opportunities for education and equitable distribution of resources. However, the outcome does not always support the initial goal. The consequence of more equitable distribution in education is dissatisfaction for those who could already afford a higher quality education. Families with higher incomes may find that a more equitable education system does not meet their expectations. This sentiment leads to a search for private education options, ones that are of course less equitable, and designed to meet the needs of higher socio-economic classes. 

Although it may seem that the government has done its part in providing greater access to education, the economic gap still persists. Private institutions will also be vying for funding and their claim will be quality. 

Students from private systems and public systems exist in the same context. This means that students attending public schools, especially those who cannot afford anything else, will continue to be faced with a gap in educational opportunities. Same issue, different perpetrator.

 

  1. Forces Competition For Funding

Essentially, centralizing education is about shifting activities to include fewer entities involved. An Education System has many levels, and requires great collaboration between the levels so that they can work together effectively. The decisions regarding funding may belong to a single ministry, committee or state, but it is an entity that is outside of the learning process. Schools are where the learning process happens, while teachers and students are directly involved. When schools can’t decide how much money they receive, the budget they are given is prioritized over school and student needs. Everyone must make do. What about before the budget gets decided, can schools or districts influence the decision making? In some cases, state or federal governments may have select criteria that dictates where funding goes. These criteria can include enrollment, staff employment, location, socio-economic makeup, academic achievement, national/international student achievement, and more. 

In order to gain the funding that is needed to support student success, ironically, educators have to focus less on their pupil’s growth, and more on the criteria that decide the budget. For some schools, it’s about keeping the doors open year after year. Not every district or institution will have the luxury of time and money in order to go above and beyond for their students. Whatever the outcome of the budget, everyone will be affected, students, parents, teachers, staff, and the ones making the decisions in the first place.  

 

The truth is, Education does not exist in a bubble. Our education system is entangled in all of our other systems. The benefits and consequences of a centralized education system create a new set of issues, especially in terms of economic management. 

 

Also Read: Planning a Successful Personal Statement

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Academia e-Learning Education Popular Training Writing

Planning a Successful Personal Statement

So you have a personal statement that needs writing, and you have taken the time to reflect and clarify your purpose. It’s time to get to writing, isn’t it. Not Yet. Before we can get to writing the next step in creating a successful personal statement is to plan it out. This part is critical and will make your life a lot easier if you don’t rush into writing.

Now is the time to gather all your material. This post will help you plan out what you write for your statement in an easy, and practical way. We have created a helpful planning worksheet that you can use to follow up with this post. This is a brainstorming tool with which you can draw out your experiences by answering the questions provided. This is the foundation you need to prepare exactly what you have to write about and how you’re going to write it.

Planning Your Personal Statement Worksheet – Click Here to Download or Print

 

Let’s Start Planning

To start off the planning process, make a list of your professional, extracurricular, and academic experiences. List down the experiences that meant something to you. These could be times where you used any kinds of skills, maybe events that inspired you, made you feel passionate, and motivated you. They could also be times where you pushed yourself in a way that was different or new. These don’t have to be experiences that came with certificates or where you held some kind of official leadership position. All they have to be are experiences that you devoted time and energy to and that were significant to you, especially if it helped you grow.

For example, let’s say you’re someone who helps out the family business, or you tutor others when they come to you for help, or maybe you have hobbies you devote your time to like gaming, tending to plants, etc. Those are things that you can potentially use to show an organization who you are, because they are things that make you who you are. When broken down into their elements you’d be surprised at how much beneficial information can be revealed about yourself when reflecting on what means the most to you, regardless of its certification. The focus here is not on anything official, it’s about YOU.

Realistically, we might not have always had the opportunities to gain the right qualifications, or score the best grades. Life happens, but you’ve still made it this far, as the person you are now. And you’re only going to go farther. Even if you didn’t take up all the leadership roles in your student body you’ve still been doing something with your time and energy, you’ve still been growing, and you have a direction that you’re pointing yourself to. Use what you have to take you there.

Once you have your list, it’s time to break out the planning worksheet to reflect on how those experiences shaped you. We are going to be answering questions such as, what skills did you use or develop? What were the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them? Look out for any patterns or trends and why they’re there, are there some activities you choose to go after more than others? Did you spend your time trying really different things? Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what to make out of those experiences. The key is to figure out your capabilities and potential from this list with an empowered view. It’s not about what you haven’t done or don’t have. It’s about how you bring value, and your potential contributions based on your strengths.

Here is an example of how the Planning Worksheet can be filled out. We recommend letting each section develop further the section before it. It’s important to pay special attention to challenges and how you overcame them because this is what will speak about your potential the most. It will show whoever is reading your story that when confronted with the unfamiliar and difficult, you will be able to shine through and accomplish what needs to get done.

 

Take this as an opportunity to understand more deeply about yourself and where you want to go. Making this list and answering these questions will provide you with the word bank you need to write out your personal statement. You should be able to pick and choose what suits your personal statement or different personal statements once you have a look at all that you have to talk about.

If you are eager to learn more about this topic, you may also benefit from our IELTS Academic Writing Preparation Course. Taking this course will prepare you for the writing section of the IELTS and make it easier for you to do well on an exam that is globally recognized and essential in academic institutions. Not only will you be more prepared for the IELTS writing section, but you will have the chance to improve your English proficiency and communication skills beyond the exam halls.

Looking for a skill to learn that let’s you create with unlimited freedom? Or are you wanting to make your resume look better? Check out the Build Apps With React course offered by DECE. This hands on training will help you not only understand REACT and Javascript, but it will also give you the tools needed to build and deploy any kind of application for any audience.

DECE Education Services believes in empowering learners to reach for personalized goals with education that is tailored to their needs. We offer online classes on practical and employable skills taught by qualified professionals. This IELTS Writing course is just one of our offerings that is geared towards gaining skills that will give you an edge in the market.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to attain valuable skills for life. Check out our courses and register today at www.mydece.com/courses-2

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Academia Education English Language Popular Writing

Successful Personal Statement: Clarifying Your Purpose

This post is the first in our Successful Personal Statement series, come along with us on this ride and get closer to achieving your goals!

 

Writing a successful personal statement can be daunting and you might not want to start due to how overwhelming it appears to be. However, it is crucial that you give yourself enough time to do your best. Firstly, you need to give yourself enough time for the sake of application, the sooner you can submit, the more time you have before the deadline if there is one in case something needs to be addressed. Generally, you don’t have to start writing right away, but start the process as soon as you can, and that process is going to include, clarifying purpose and expectations, planning, writing, and editing. 

Let’s break down what should go down before you start writing the piece that is going to be your key to doors of opportunity!

Purpose 

You may be intimidated by the idea of writing a personal statement because you think you don’t have anything to talk about, or anything worthwhile. But that’s not the point of the task. You will be getting in your own way by holding back or putting yourself down. The point isn’t always to be the best, it’s to show that you fit with what the organization is looking for. Whatever position or institution you’re applying to, more likely than not you’re writing to them because you want to grow in some way. If it’s academic, you may want to be accepted into their program, if it’s a job you may want to be hired and gain the experience. 

First of all, before you begin, clarify what is your purpose in applying, in writing this statement. Being clear on your purpose will help you present yourself as a focused and dedicated candidate. Also, it will help guide your process and be consistent with your goals, writing, and results. 

When it comes to the other party receiving your application, what is their purpose, what are their objectives? At the end of the day, they’re not judging you on a personal level, the people looking at your applications have some need they need to fulfill and have criteria for doing so. They’re going to want someone that will fit with their institution, they want someone that’s going to bring them value. 

 

How do you figure out what they want? 

There are several things you can look at 

  1. The Prompt 
  2. The Organization
  3. Successful Applicants

 

The Prompt is the question you are answering or their requirement. It’s your biggest hint as well as the most significant criteria that you’ll be judged on. Whether you addressed the question or requirement will make or break your application. After looking closely at the prompt you’ll see that it’s no secret what they want from you.

The Organization can take the guesswork out of figuring out what they want by examining resources such as their official website, and publications. What do they offer? What do they do? What do they aspire to do? Learn more about them from their, their values, mission, vision, or similar programs. Use this to help you clarify what their expectations are.

Successful Applicants are the going to serve as real life examples of what works and what doesn’t. Granted, every person is different and may have a different experiences before and after attaining the position. Past applicant or alumni experiences can help give you better picture of what it would be like if you were to succeed in your own application. Using this information to write a personal statement may allow you to across as more prepared to be accepted.

 

Bring together all the insight you have gathered and come up with the image of their ideal candidate. What traits and skills would they have? For your own reflection, how would you be able to embody those traits with your unique attributes and background. This is not to say, be somebody that you’re not just to please them. What we are trying to do is understand what they’re looking for and show them how you can provide them that.

If you are eager to learn more about this topic, you may also benefit from our IELTS Academic Writing Preparation Course. Taking this course will prepare you for the writing section of the IELTS and make it easier for you to do well on an exam that is globally recognized and essential in academic institutions. Not only will you be more prepared for the IELTS writing section, but you will have the chance to improve your English proficiency and communication skills beyond the exam halls. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to attain valuable skills for life.

DECE Education Services believes in empowering learners to reach for personalized goals with education that is tailored to their needs. We offer online classes on practical and employable skills taught by qualified professionals. This IELTS Writing course is just one of our offerings that is geared towards gaining skills that will give you an edge in the market.

Check out our courses and register today at www.mydece.com/courses-2