Students interested in a career in the legal field are routinely awed by the cornucopia of options available to them. Whether it is criminal justice, the exciting work in the law enforcement community, or the intricate workings of a law firm, the opportunities within this field are seemingly endless. This has been recognized by institutions of higher learning as well, and many online degrees offered now do indeed pertain to preparation for careers in this field. Consider for example online paralegal degrees which prepare a student to enter a law office and work side by side with an attorney; knowing how draft documents, understanding the rules of discovery, and of course capitalizing on people skills when interviewing clients and witnesses are of the utmost importance.
Yet with this highly popular field of study it soon became apparent that there were a few far from reputable companies which sought to take advantage of eager would-be paralegals and instead of preparing them for work in a law firm, they simply sold the degree after a somewhat laughable amount of study work. Exercising care when seeking out online paralegal degrees is vital to success in the industry and when students get ready to search out reputable schools, there are some common sense tips to remember.
First and foremost, schools offering online paralegal degrees will require course work. The level of intricacy may vary, but by and large there are stringent requirements that must be followed before any student is awarded one of the online paralegal degrees. In addition to the foregoing, schools that are on the cutting edge of online paralegal education will be accredited not only by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation, but also by governing bodies within the field of paralegal studies itself. Students are well served by obtaining online paralegal degrees from such institutions since their course requirements are up to date and germane to the subject matter and will prepare students for work in the field from day one.
Online Education
The characteristics of online education are very similar to most students availing themselves of this in classroom alternative, yet it affects these students very differently. For example, most everyone knows that a student at an online education facility must possess impeccable time management skills. Yet while a single individual will be affected differently by this known prerequisite, a student with a family and even small children may view this as one of the most challenging aspects of the entire online education experience.
Another challenge experienced by some could be the necessity to work independently and without a lot of feedback or motivation from an instructor or peer support. While those already established in the workforce may not find this to be an insurmountable challenge, a younger individual who has not yet learned to self motivate may be severely hampered by this elevated need of developing self discipline. Independent work and study habits may become especially challenging when they are not deadline motivated and simply pertain to a sustained effort at becoming proficient in a certain subject which may not even have a direct bearing on the class.
Organization is of course the biggest challenge to anyone pursuing online education, and it matters little if the student is a single or married individual. While it is true that an advanced state of life experience may offer a benefit with respect to understanding the need for organization, it is little guarantee that this has actually translated into the kind of hands on commitment to keeping track of subject matters, study materials, deadlines, schedules, and extracurricular requirements that make online students successful. Although this might keep some students from actively pursuing their dream of online education, it is vital to remember that all of these characteristics can indeed be learned side by side with the subject matter of the classes!
Matter – Physical Science Unit
States of Matter
Know about the different states of matter? Matters of the heart, money matters and family matters. Well, not exactly! When you talk about states of matter, things actually take a turn towards Physics and Chemistry. And these pertain to matters like solid, liquid and gas.
What is Matter?
Before probing into the depths of matter and its state, it is worthwhile to form a concrete idea about what exactly constitutes matter. Matter is anything that has mass, weight and occupies a definite space. You are a matter and so is your dog. The table and the chairs around you, the water you are drinking and the air you are breathing are all matters. Everything in this world is a matter, the only difference is that they exist in different states.
What are States of Matter?
In Physics, a “state” is a particular phase of matter wherein they exhibit a similar set of features, physical characteristics and chemical compositions to be precise. You may not be always quite sure about the chemical properties, but similarities in physical structures (that is, what the thing looks like, in laymen terms) is apparent enough to convince you that water and beer are somewhat similar and that there’s absolutely nothing common in between that dresser and the fragrance of flowers pervading the air.
There are three commonly recognizable states of matter: solid, liquid and gas. There are some other states of matter or phases that are less common, like plasmas and quark-gluon plasmas, Bose-Einstein and fermionic condensates, liquid crystals, superfluids and supersolids.
Solids
A solid matter has a definite shape and volume and a fixed mass. These particular features of a solid arise from the strong intermolecular force existing within it. Because the molecules in a solid form a close-knit group, it is not easy to disintegrate them, either by force or by varying the temperature slightly. You may argue that metals crumple and change shape when heated, but then these are extremely high temperatures that you are considering. You cannot squeeze in a solid into any nook and cranny.
Liquids
A liquid matter definitely has some mass but it doesn’t have any shape or a definite volume. This is because the molecules within a liquid are not that closely bound like that of solids and it is easier to split them up. And because it is relatively easy to break the bond between the liquid molecules, a liquid matter can take the shape of the container that it is poured in.
However, in this context one thing needs to be mentioned. The intermolecular attraction in a liquid is not too flimsy either. And this gives the liquid matter its definite volume. For instance, you cannot fit in 1-litre of water in a half-litre container. This is something we are all familiar with and you don’t need to conduct an experiment with elaborate apparatus to ascertain it.
Gases
In its gaseous state, a matter neither has a definite shape nor a definite volume. This is because the molecules in a gas are very loosely tied, so that it is quite easy to pull them apart. This is why any gas will take on the form of the container it is being pumped into. And not only this, their versatile volume ensures that you can fit in a certain amount of gas in a variety of variously sized containers.
Even a slight change in temperature can bring about massive alterations in the volume of a gas.
Being well up on the fundamental states of matter is the stepping-stone to your understanding of the physical world.
Online Courses
We have a number of online courses up and running, and
have plenty more in the pipeline.
Get your education through our online education database and get your degree at your convenience from home or anywhere else you have Internet access.
All of the courses can be taken by adults wanting ideas
on what to do with their kids. Some of the courses are specifically designed for
kids. Children under the age of 13 may only take these courses if an adult signs
them up and takes the class with them. Browse through the titles and see if any
interest you.
How
to Teach Using Unit Studies
This is an extremely popular class, run by Belinda
Mooney. Belinda has 7 kids (no, not a typo!) and years of experience as a
homeschooler. This class teaches you how to plan, research and implement a unit
study. So far, well over 300 students have enrolled in the class. Many have completed it,
and all have found it useful and fun!
Animal
Antics 1 ~ Level 1
Another really popular course. This one is done
by Belinda and Hanan Ammar. Hanan is a science major, second grade class teacher
and Mom to five inquisitive girls. Learn how to teach about different animals to
children using a variety of fun lessons and projects. Classroom resources are
for 2nd to 4th grade level children. There are many children taking the course,
but remember children under 13 must have an adult take the course with them.
Vikings
a Unit Study
This course, run by Belinda, is packed with loads of
information and activities on the Vikings. Take the course for ideas on how to
teach your kids about Vikings, or sign the kids up to take it!
Meet
the Scientists 1
This course, run by Belinda and contributed to by Hanan,
demonstrates a different way of approaching science. Learn about science through
the lives of the men and women who lived it. The course is designed for students
grade 5 and up, but you can adapt it for younger kids.
Animal
Antics 1 ~ Level 2
This course, run by Hanan and contributed to by Belinda,
takes a more in depth look at animals. Learn about habitats and adaptations as
you learn about the animals.
More Science Lessons
We are pleased to be able to offer quality science
units.
We are busy formatting and uploading them.
Keep checking back!
| Ready Now | |
| Physical Science: Matter Unit (Grades 1-3) |
Earth Science: The Solar System & Weather (Grades 1-3) |
| Facts about Zebras
(Grades 3-6) |
Birds of Prey
(Grades 1-4) |
| Coming Soon |
|
| Life Science: Living Things Grow and Change |
Ostriches |
If you would like to be notified of science units as
they become available, please email
us. We will then send you an update each time we add a unit.
Research University
If you are ready to head on to and institution of higher learning, be sure to do your research! University recruitment counselors are well paid to sway parents and future students to come to their schools as opposed to any of the competitors, yet at the same time they are bona fide sources of most valuable information. Sure, left to their devices they will most certainly tell you that you cannot do any better than coming to the school they are representing, but if you have done your research, university paid admission counselors will have inside information to add to the facts you might have gleaned elsewhere that is truly one of a kind.
As a matter of fact, when you are doing your research, university public relations depend very much on the questions you might be asking! Consider for a moment that the declared goal of any public relations department worth its salt will have to be an anticipation of questions potential students may ask and thus will seek to answer them succinctly in their literature, downplaying any disadvantages, and ensuring that the advantages of their institution of higher learning will indeed be coming to the forefront.
How research, university PR, and future student success depend on one another is far from just being a symbiotic relationship but also somewhat of an adversarial one! Even though by and large students and their parents have to rely on the readily available information about the schools of their choice, the very fact that each and every school is offering up such information has led to an increasingly more aggressive marketing campaign. Yet at the root of this kind of marketing must be a marketable product and so in many ways this has led to increasingly more competitive educational programs both online and with respect to brick and mortar schools.
School Certificate
If the folly of youth is tempting you to drop out without earning your high school certificate, it is time to think again! Sure, it sounds enticing to finally be rid of the drudgery of classes, homework, pressure from parents and peers, not to mention the constant nagging of teachers and school administrators, but when comparing dollars to donuts, it is worthwhile to look around and realize that life as a high school dropout is not exactly a cakewalk either.
For starters, any job you might even consider applying for will indeed ask for your high school certificate. This is not so much a matter of believing that only a high school education will qualify you for any given job, but instead it is a testament to your willingness and ability to stick out a trying time and buckle down and study when needed. At the same time, it is the business’ little nudge that lets them know that you might be the candidate for advancement!
Dropping out of school without a high school certificate is a costly mistake not only because of the job opportunities you will lose but also because eventually you will recognize that there is a dire need for this achievement. It is then that you will decide you want to go ahead and get your GED or maybe even go back to night school, but at this point in time you will need to not only pay for this privilege, but also juggle a job and quite possibly a family of your own.
When you consider that you could save yourself all of this trouble simply by staying in school and earning that high school certificate, is it not worth it to grit your teeth just a little longer? You will be glad you did!
Paralegal Degrees
Paralegals are an integral part of the legal system. Working side by side with lawyers and other legal professionals, they are frequently mistaken for a cross between a legal secretary, an office assistant, and the quiet gopher during a trial. Even as this is a gross underestimation of the worth these paraprofessionals enjoy, it is a sign of the times that misjudges the holders of paralegal degrees and does not give them their professional dues.
As you explore which doors will open for candidates with paralegal degrees, you will at first be surprised to learn that the career options for a skilled and educated paralegal are virtually without limits! Frequently they are involved at the onset of client contacts and sit in and even conduct client interviews and conferences; paralegals research legal matters and also prepare legal documents, incorporating evidence uncovered during investigations and culled from other sources; most importantly, candidates with paralegal degrees are commonly entrusted as being the hub of information in a law office and will have staff, investigators, and others reporting directly to them.
To find out where to use paralegal degrees for career advancement outside the law office, you need to look no further than the court system, the penal system, and of course the consumer advocacy groups that are plentiful and relying on consumer relations to provide the safety and security for the population they serve. Taking their expertise out of the law office, paralegals are grassroots advocates and activities and also assist in venues where client participation in the legal process is self directed, but help in the preparation of court filings is nonetheless required. Although the possession of paralegal degrees does not permit for the practice of law and paralegals are not permitted to dispense legal advice, they services are much sought after and in highest demand.
Psychology Degree
One of the least frequently glamorized degrees is the psychology degree. While law degrees are routinely made out to be the most desirable credentials – next to becoming an M.D. of course – a psychology degree is more often than not underestimated. Putting your psychology degree to work, against popular lore and stereotypical cartooning, does not require you to invest in a couch and “shrink” others head!
To learn about career options a psychology degree opens up, you do not have to look much further than the field of clinical psychology. Sure, you could go into private practice, but many degreed psychologists find it far more rewarding to take on work in areas where they can actively help those traumatized by certain life events, such as warm abuse, death, and divorce. Outpatient – as well as inpatient – counseling centers are populated with candidates who are putting their psychology degrees to work in this manner.
Yet it is noteworthy that the usefulness of a psychology degree does not end there. Privately owned companies and also public employers have seen the wisdom of having a trained counselor on their human resources staff and in addition to offering private counseling for employees, the services of these professionals have helped improve the work environments for legions of workers.
Advertising agencies have also found that there is a lot of value to having psychologists on staff who will provide that little edge to their campaigns that can make all the difference in the world when it comes to crafting a working ad campaign. Even car manufacturers are seeking out help from highly trained and degreed psychologists in an effort to find ways of making their offerings more appealing to a consumer group that is beginning to turn away from gas guzzling vehicles and clamoring for more environmentally friendly solutions.