Time management can be a problem for many students, and particularly so for online students. Let’s face it, it can be hard to stay motivated and get your work done when you aren’t surrounded by other students doing the same. Many online students are taking their courses online because of family and work commitments; juggling all those responsibilities can become overwhelming without a plan. For starters, you need to talk with your family and your employer and let them know how your online courses might affect your responsibilities at home or in the office (you’ll need help with chores, you won’t be able to stay late at work).  You’ll also need to be sure to set aside specific hours for your schoolwork each and every day.  Avoid distractions such as television, social media, as well as your phone and make sure that when you sit down to study that is the only thing you are doing. Here are some other time management and study tips that might be useful for online students. Tip 1: Log into Class Daily Logging into your class each and every day can help keep you on track and up-to-date on your coursework. It will also prevent you from missing assignment changes and news shared by your instructor or students online. Tip 2: Set Due Dates and Deadlines Maximize your study time by keeping track of deadlines and working backwards to ensure that the appropriate amount of work is being done in the weeks leading up to that deadline. Don’t wait until the day before an assignment is due to start working on it, in fact, give yourself some lead time and aim to have the assignment completed well before the actual due date. Create a list of steps that need to be done and check them off once they are completed. Tip 3: Maximize Every Possible Moment Online students balancing work, family and school commitments should take every possible opportunity to get ahead with their studies. While it’s possible to check in on your courses with your cell phone, investing in a laptop or tablet will give you more freedom and enable you to fill gaps in your time by working on assignments no matter where you are. You can make good use of time that would typically be lost, such as time during your morning commute on the train or bus, waiting in the carpool line or while waiting for an appointment at the doctor’s office. Tip 4: Prioritize your Coursework and Reward Yourself There will be many things vying for your attention. Make your online courses a priority as much as possible.  However, make sure to reward yourself for a task completed or a job well done by going out for a cup of coffee or running to the park with your children. If you are on top of your coursework, it’s okay to set aside some tasks to complete later. With diligence and a strict schedule, you will know if you have free time in your calendar for a little play time. Tip 5: Use Various Study Strategies Explore different study styles and optimize your learning when completing coursework. Because online courses typically only use your visual and auditory senses, find creative ways to engage the other senses of smell, touch and taste. Write your notes on colored, textured paper, have a candle next to you while reviewing for an exam. Mix up the locations where you study; outside, in a coffee shop, in different rooms of your home. Read your textbook out loud (if even to your cat) to help cement the knowledge more firmly in your memory. Tip 6: Don’t hesitate to ask for help Online course instructors are happy to help students when they need it! Don’t be afraid to contact your instructor as soon as you start feeling unsure about a lesson. And if you notice yourself falling behind in your course, let your instructor know immediately.  Follow the tips above and set yourself up for success from the start! Ed4Online understands the way adults want to learn and how they learn the best. Each of our courses are designed by top level curriculum designers, and structured in a user friendly and logical format.  Visit our website today and discover the Ed4Online difference!   Sources: http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/slideshows/10-time-management-mistakes-online-students-make/11BLOG - http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2012/01/13/4-time-management-tips-for-online-students http://bestonlineuniversities.com/7-important-time-management-tips-for-o...       

Every organization and agency have goals to meet. Whether short-term or long-term, goals are essential in keeping employees and members of an organization encouraged and motivated. Apart from an organization’s overall goals, there is also training goals. Although training can be costly and time-consuming, it provides long-term benefits and having training goals can help you meet those benefits. These long-term benefits may include the decrease in employee turnover rate, overall growth and development, maintenance of permanent employees, and increase employee improvement and retention. When creating training goals, we always want to make sure that the goals are realistic and measurable. If we want the right training program, we must remember to be SMART. SMART is an easy and effective way to assist you in creating your training goals. S - Specific M - Measurable A - Attainable R - Realistic T - Timely Still not sure how to create your SMART training goal? Here’s a good example of a SMART goal: "Within a 3-week period, newly hired employees will learn and understand the safety and health issues and preventions in the workplace. Within 1 week of that period, I will create an online training course on the issues and preventions using Ed4HHS’s Learning Management System. After 3 weeks, employees will be able to prevent and report safety and health issues in our organization." Doesn’t that sound strong, specific, and achievable? Training goals provide employers and employees with a complete understanding on what the purpose of the training is. Now, it’s time to evaluate your training program. Does your training program have goals? If so, is it SMART goals?   Sources and Resources: http://topachievement.com/smart.html http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html       

There are plenty of great reasons to keep learning and the widespread availability of online courses means that adults can now explore any subject, anytime, and for the rest of their lives. Here are eight wonderful reasons why you should always keep learning: 1. Improve Your Self-Confidence Self-confidence can be influenced by two things; your trust in yourself as well as your level of competence, which comes from knowledge, experience and the skills that you possess. Taking an online course and learning new skills can provide a tremendous boost to your self-confidence. 2. Fight Boredom Staying challenged helps fight boredom. Take every opportunity to enrich yourself and learn something new; take a course, read voraciously, watch TED conferences online or attend webinars in your field of interest. 3. Keep Your Brain Healthy and Your Mind Sharp  A study conducted by the University of California at Irvine in 2010 revealed that learning keeps your brain functioning at a high level. The brain is a muscle; continue to keep it in shape by giving it new challenges and opportunities for learning and growth. According to Science Daily, mental facilities are best protected when they are used often and continued learning can slow the physical process of Alzheimer’s Disease. 4. Learn Practical Life Skills Besides the professional knowledge we acquire through school or work, it’s important that we learn practical skills such as handling our finances, improving our communication skills, as well as basic computer skills. Courses on these subjects and more are readily available online for students of any age! 5. Model Positive Behavior for Your Children Set a good example for your children by letting them see you work hard at self-improvement and continuing your education. Working alongside each other towards individual goals will increase the chances that you both will be successful! 6. Learn for Leisure Take a course in a subject you enjoy such as cooking, photography, beading or writing. You never know what other interests you might discover! 7. Sleep More Soundly  Just as when you exercise your body and it gets tired; when you exercise your mind, your mind gets tired. Give your mind a workout by studying a new subject! 8. Stay Healthy There are some not-so-obvious health benefits to learning. Becoming organized and practicing time management techniques can help reduce stress in your life. Learning the basics of nutrition may help you to make improvements your diet. Exploring health and fitness courses may inspire you to take better care of your body. You get the picture! The benefits of life-long learning are many. It’s been said that great people never stop learning. Won’t you be one of them? Ed4Online offers courses on a variety of subjects; for career growth, personal enrichment and professional development. View our complete catalog here: https://ed4online.com/.   Sources: http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/10-reasons-to-keep-learning-once-youre-done-with-school/ http://thecollegeinvestor.com/8565/10-reasons-learning-college/ http://blog.online.colostate.edu/blog/value-of-education/top-8-reasons-to-keep-learning-david-letterman-style/           

Whether you are just entering the workforce, are currently employed or are in transition between jobs, you should be doing little things each day to help you grow as a professional. Whether it’s taking a class or simply reading a book, continuous learning is a great way to enhance your career opportunities. 1.  Grow in Your Career  It’s important to keep learning about your field even after you’re hired. Employees who show that they are eager to learn and who stay abreast of current trends and information in their career are more likely to receive promotions and/or raises. Online courses afford the opportunity of enrolling in certified programs that allow students to keep skills and knowledge up-to-date. 2.  Boost Yourself into a Higher Pay Bracket Employers want to see that you’ve taken the initiative to better yourself, as an individual and as a professional. Some employers offer pay incentives to employees who continue their education while employed. The initiative shown by signing up for courses in your field will put you ahead of the curve when it comes time for your employer to promote within the company.   3.  Develop a New Career We recently published a blog where we asked, "Is there one career for me?" No, the truth is that there are many careers that might appeal to you and that you might be suited for. If you find yourself in an unsatisfactory career, take steps to obtain the skills and training for a new one. You can take a single class, enroll in a comprehensive program and/or obtain certification in other fields. 4.  Keep Abreast of Technology If you’re not constantly learning new things about technology, you’re falling behind. You may miss out on social, business and technological opportunities simply because you didn’t keep up. By investing yourself as a continuous learner, you’ll be able to adapt better to new trends and technologies introduced to the workplace. Truly talented and successful people have a passion for learning. It’s worth joining them in this passion - for the betterment of yourself as well as your employment opportunities.  Ed4Online has courses and programs designed for the continuous learner.  Check out our course catalog today! https://ed4online.com/ Read more at: http://thecollegeinvestor.com/8565/10-reasons-learning-college/ http://blog.online.colostate.edu/blog/value-of-education/top-8-reasons-to-keep-learning-david-letterman-style/       

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, each year over 60 million Americans experience some form of mental illness. That’s one in four adults!  Millions more are touched by mental illness in the lives of family, friends and loved ones.  Mental health awareness month serves to highlight the important issues: to improve access to treatment, to fight the stigma around mental health, to provide support, to educate the public and to advocate for equal care. Mental Health America is one organization that is working to raise awareness about mental illness and the importance of mental wellness for all. This year’s theme is B4Stage4 and will focus on how people can address their mental health early, rather than at "Stage 4" - when symptoms are more severe, and recovery a longer process. According to Mental Health America, these are the four stages of a mental health condition: Stage 1 Mild Symptoms and Warning Signs At Stage 1, a person begins to show symptoms of a mental health condition, but is still able to maintain the ability to function at home, work or school—although perhaps not as easily as before they started to show symptoms. Often there is a sense that something is "not right." Stage 2 Symptoms Increase in Frequency and Severity and Interfere with Life Activities and Roles At Stage 2, it usually becomes obvious that something is wrong.  A person’s symptoms may become stronger and last longer or new symptoms may start appearing on top of existing ones, creating something of a snowball effect. Performance at work or school will become more difficult, and a person may have trouble keeping up with family duties, social obligations or personal responsibilities. Stage 3 Symptoms Worsen with Relapsing and Recurring Episodes Accompanied by Serious Disruption in Life Activities and Roles At Stage 3, symptoms have continued to increase in severity, and many symptoms are often taking place at the same time. A person may feel as though they are losing control of their life and the ability to fill their roles at home, work or school. Stage 4 Symptoms are Persistent and Severe and Have Jeopardized One's Life By Stage 4, the combination of extreme, prolonged and persistent symptoms and impairment often results in development of other health conditions and has the potential to turn into a crisis event like unemployment, hospitalization, homelessness or even incarceration. In the worst cases, untreated mental illnesses can lead to loss of life an average of 25 years early. Credit: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/b4stage4-changing-way-we-think-about-mental-health To learn more, visit http://www.nimh.nih.gov/ and http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/ Ed4Online is proud to offer an extensive catalog of courses for individuals interested in learning more about behavioral health and for those who want to work as a direct support professional. Please visit our website here to learn more: http://ed4hhs.com/       

Are you planning on taking vacation time this summer? If not, you will be among the 75% of Americans who fail to take all the paid vacation they are due each year. In a poll of 2,300 workers who get paid vacation, the career website Glassdoor found that only 25% of workers said they use all their paid days each year and 61% said that they continue to work even while they’re on vacation. "Rest, relaxation, and stress reduction are very important for people's well-being and health. This can be accomplished through daily activities, such as exercise and meditation, but vacation is an important part of this as well," said primary care physician Natasha Withers from One Medical Group in New York. Here are seven ways vacation can be beneficial for you: Better physical health - The stress of working can take a serious toll on your heart.  The American Psychological Association has documented several potentially stress-induced health threats, including increased cardiovascular risks. Improved mental health - U.S. News and World Report reported that experts feel that one of the main benefits of vacation time is that it can improve your mental health. Feelings of calm arise and relieve the stress, allowing the body and mind to heal. More productivity - Upon returning from vacation, employees are often refreshed and better able to catch up on work they may have missed, according to The New York Times. Prevent/Cure burn out - According to PBS, employees nearing burnout have depleted their cognitive, physical and emotional resources. Vacations can help prevent or even cure burnout, which is the last state of chronic stress. Increased mental power - Everyone needs time to rest their minds. Research by the University of California Irvine’s Gregory Hickok found that our brains don’t have a reserve pool to gather energy and power from. Therefore, it's important to give your mind a break! Gain newer perspectives - CNN reported that when you take a break and step away from the problems and stresses you’re facing, you are bound to gain a new perspective. Perhaps you will come back from vacation with answers to issues that have been plaguing you. Build relationships - Vacations promote bonding among family and friends; we can often look back at vacations with great fondness and warmth because of shared moments with loved ones. Even memories of the mishaps can bring laughter in future years! It’s important that we slow down our pace in order to lead healthier lifestyles, including rest and relaxation for stress reduction as well as making time for the enjoyment of family and friends. Source:  http://national.deseretnews.com/article/2169/7-benefits-of-taking-vacation-time.html#RCbLCsvrlcAh9GRf.99         

Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May and originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it also marks the beginning of summer. Decoration Day On May 5, 1862, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month.  "The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land," he proclaimed. The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle. For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971. Red Poppies In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem: We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies. She then came up with the idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers and donated the money to benefit servicemen in need.  Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans’ organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In1948 the US Post Office honored Ms. Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it. National Moment of Remembrance The "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that on Memorial Day, at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps." Final Thoughts In a recent CNN commentary about Memorial Day, Retired Army Staff Sgt. Luke Murphy lamented that many American’s seem to have lost sight of the real reason for Memorial Day celebration. He commented, "If they [non-family members and non-veterans] really wanted to show respect for veterans, and the price they paid, they'd attend a service to hear somebody speak. If they felt moved, maybe they'd go to a website like Homes for Our Troops and make a donation. Or find a nonprofit that takes care of the fallen service members' families, like Gold Star organizations." He also commented, "Memorial Day is supposed to remind Americans what other people have sacrificed for them." Let's make sure that we remember - this Memorial Day and every day.   Sources and additional information: Retired Army Staff Sgt. Luke Murphy served two tours with the 101st Airborne Division's 187th Infantry Regiment. He was catastrophically wounded in 2006, when a roadside bomb blast resulted in the amputation of his right leg. He is the author of "Blasted by Adversity: the Making of a Wounded Warrior." Find him at LukeMurphy101.com. http://www.usmemorialday.org/?page_id=2 http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history         

Between family and work obligations, many of us make that same excuse that we don’t have time to be and stay healthy because we are just too busy, overworked or overstressed. With such a busy lifestyle, we don’t realize how damaging this lifestyle can be to our long-term health. Finding time for ourselves or even just to relax is now seen as a luxury that many of us can’t afford to get. Life can be hectic, and being able to find time to be healthy is important for children, teens, adults, and elders. We need to start taking control of our unhealthy lifestyles and start discovering a new and healthier lifestyle. We know that it is easier said than done! But, with complete planning and preparation, we can achieve a safer and healthier lifestyle. With some guidance and support, this goal is within your reach. Here are four simple steps to get you started. 1. Get enough sleep: Despite the unexpected surprises that we may meet, for the most part, we have a set schedule each day. With that in mind, plan accordingly, so that you are able to get enough sleep to prepare you for the next day. Getting enough sleep benefits your mental, emotional, and physical health. Do you know how much hours of sleep you should be getting each day? Sleeping hours by ages 2. Physical activity: It’s surprising how easy it is to encompass exercise into your busy schedule once you know what to do. The routines and tasks you do every day can turn into an exercise each day. Taking the stairs or even doing hand and wrist stretches while at your desk are just two ways. But, here are some fun and effective ways for you to get physical at work, school, and even at home on that busy schedule.    3. Replace unhealthy meals with fruits and vegetables: We know that it is much quicker to grab a fast food meal or a quick snack than cutting up fruits and vegetables or even preparing a healthy smoothie. However, if you are able to plan and prepare ahead such as preparing fruits and vegetables on the weekends for during week is a great way to avoid eating unhealthy. The biggest advantage is that fruits and vegetables boost your metabolism rate so that you are able to burn more calories and keep up with that busy schedule. 4. Stay hydrated: Instead of grabbing a soda, grab a bottle of water. Because more than half of our body is made up of water, we need to stay hydrated to keep it functioning properly and effectively. Try carrying a bottle of water each day or even keeping one at your desk. You won’t believe the difference it can have on your life especially in weight loss, digestion, fatigue, and your overall health. Don’t let your busy schedule take control of you! Start taking control of your lifestyle. Once you are able to put that into your routine and schedule, it will become a part of it.  Sources: http://greatist.com/health/health-benefits-water http://www.savoryliving.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&pageId=580 http://greatist.com/fitness/deskercise-33-ways-exercise-work http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/how-much-sleep-durations-changes_n_6581628.html       

This month we kick off a series of "Staff Profiles" - introducing you, our reader, to the talent behind Ed4Online.  We could think of no better way to start this series than to start with the founders of this company, Dr. Rusty Barrier and Dr. Tricia Seymour.  Below is an excerpt from "A Letter from the Founders of Ed4Online", written by Dr. Barrier and Dr. Seymour. "We believe in the power of education and specifically online education to challenge us and help us grow. We both have PhDs in counseling psychology and understand the need for lifelong learning. We see the best in people and hope that they will always want to grow in both wisdom and knowledge. We started our journeys in private practice as psychotherapists but quickly realized the need for ongoing education to improve one’s chances for a happy, healthy, and successful future. We both entered the education industry as a way to support our desire to assist people in their growth and to attain their goals in life. Since the early 1980s, before online education was available, we taught in secondary education, at the college level, and in corporations leading people to a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. We were both early adopters of technology, incorporating it into our lives as soon as it was available to individuals in their homes and offices and as soon as online education became accessible we embraced the technology of education. By the year 2000, we quickly understood the value of the internet to provide equal opportunities to quality education for people all over. We saw that you could be in the military stationed in a foreign country and still be able to complete your college degree or be a psychotherapist in a rural setting and still access the latest ongoing continuing education. We also saw the need for continuity in the learning approach for the adult learner. This journey led us to create Ed4Online. We were able to combine our love of education, technology, and psychology to develop online education that makes sense to the adult learner.  Our hope is that we all continue to learn and grow to both better ourselves and the world around us. Come and join us in this educational revolution!" Ed4Online has assembled a top-notch team of individuals dedicated to providing the highest quality online learning experience to students everywhere. We hope you enjoy "meeting us" over the upcoming months as much as we enjoy getting to know you, our students and readers, through classes and correspondence. Read more: https://ed4online.com/letter-ed4online-founders       

What is Trending, Fading and on the Horizon for Campus Technology? At universities across the globe, technology marches on.  According to an article written by Matt Zalaznick earlier this year and published in University Business, here is an overview of what is trending in campus technology: Trending Alternative reality games in the classroom: Using the real world as a platform and delivering a story that may be altered by players' ideas or actions. AppleTV for wireless projection in the classroom. Apps that forecast GPAs, or that locate specific snacks in specific vending machines, as well as provide interactive maps of your campus. Artificial intelligence, both in digital learning software and research. Personalized learning:  Educational programs, experiences and instruction intended to address the distinct learning needs, interests, or cultural backgrounds of individual students.  Fading Computer labs: Labs are becoming obsolete as students bring powerful laptops and tablets to campus. Paper: Storing and managing information becomes IT’s responsibility as departments increasingly go paperless. On-campus data storage: Thanks to the cloud, campuses are exploring other, more cost-effective, storage options.   What’s on the Horizon? The 2015 Technology Outlook report, from Open Universities Australia and the not-for-profit New Media Consortium, says that big data, augmented reality, wearable devices and cloud-based apps are among the revolutionary developments that universities are expected to adopt. Here’s their projected timeline: A year away or less Bring your own device (BYOD): Already implemented at some universities, BYOD allows students to work with technology they are already familiar with. Cloud computing: Much cheaper and more flexible for universities than using traditional data centres. With cloud computing, multiple users can access a single server to retrieve and update their data. Flipped classroom: Students learn the key material outside of the classroom through online lectures, videos, online discussions, podcasts, and e-books. Class time is spent in discussion, working together, delving deeper into topics and putting learning into practice. Learning analytics: Using "big data" techniques to analyse students' progress in learning, to identify those who are struggling and improve the course for future students. Nicole Engelbert, Director of Industries Research and Analysis for Ovum IT states that learning analytics can provide a time "where we finally exploit technology for the betterment of teaching and learning, as opposed to just using technology to recreate what happens in a traditional class." Continual refinement of online learning: Higher education should see a wave of online learning advancements, including more rigorous curriculum development, and expanded use of social networking and collaborative tools. Two to three years away Mobile learning: Using mobile devices with education apps allows teaching and learning to extend to spaces beyond the traditional classroom. Students can learn anywhere, anytime. Wearable technology: New devices such as the iWatch and virtual reality goggles are expected to be incorporated into online learning technologies. Open licensing: Increased use of open licensing so that learning materials are easily shared and more accessible. Open programs provide a simple, cost-effective way to acquire the latest information and technology. Badges: Recognizing smaller units of learning with "badges" that certify a student's achievement. Four to five years away Adaptive learning: Online learning platforms which continually respond and adapt to the unique needs of each learner. Augmented reality:  Computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, and graphics are blended with real world environment in an easy to comprehend format for students. Quantified self: The movement to amass large quantities of information about one's everyday life is likely to be adapted to education. Telepresence: Refers to a set of technologies which allow a person to feel as if they were present, to give the appearance of being present. Teleconferencing offering the illusion that remote users are present, allows body language to be seen and interpreted. What does that mean for universities? It means that they must boost the power of their networks.  "We are finding internet connections being placed into many, many different things," says Theresa Rowe, CIO at Oakland University in Michigan and leader of Educause’s CIO Constituent Group. "If everything a student carries comes with something that expects to connect, that means our network has to grow." Sources: http://www.universitybusiness.com/article/outlook-technology-tech-renaissance http://afr.com/technology/apps/education/in-five-years-time-you-wont-recognise-the-university-20150528-ghb734