Education and the Learning Revolution

It sometimes seems to be the case that education in the UK often becomes a bit of a political football – so much so that there is a danger that we lose the essence of what learning is all about.

Many commentators have spoken of the need for not simply educational reform but for educational revolution.

In the 1980′s  the authors  Dryden and Vos made the observation that we were teaching young people to face a future in which they will have to solve problems that we do not know will be problems yet,  with technologies that do not exist yet and undertake roles and jobs which we have no concept of – yet.

A few years ago a presentation called SHIFT HAPPENS highlighted some of the ways in which change is happening exponentially – what we know, what we think we know – what we understand, what we think we understand – is all in a state of flux. In short technological and scientific developments are redefining the skills that we will need to engage fully in our futures.

As technology and scientific discoveries shape and mold our understanding of the world they bring with them new and different moral and ethical questions which will need to be addressed.

The real question is whether or not our current education systems, which Sir Ken Robinson maintains stifles creativity and are really ‘one long university application process’, can meet the challenge of the future.

For the most part education systems are linear, attempting to homogenize learning experiences by creating academic targets that are based upon chronological age and not social-emotional-intellectual readiness. At the same time teachers are being presented with a host of  ‘learning initiatives’ that are often little more than coverings for a crumbling system;  hence they are met with cynicism promoting a real lack of joined-up thinking.

This is not about the teachers and the quality of their work. It is more about the structures within which they are working or are expected to work.

Talk to teachers about teaching and learning and one of their first observations will be about the ‘crowded curriculum’ followed by a disheartening reflection that “admin work” is taking them away from the process of engaging with young people in learning challenges and conversations.

At the start of this academic term I was invited to talk to a group of parents and eager Year 10 students about the ‘fresh start’ they could make on their chosen examination subjects. The focus of my talk was about being emotionally engaged, and therefore, motivated by their own learning.  All went well and my presentation was well received, but perhaps would have been so much more ‘real’ if had not been preceded by a senior member of staff in the school talking about ‘target levels’,  ‘projected’ and ‘expected’ grades and the need to ensure that grades were in need of constant improvement in order to ensure that colleges of further and higher education looked favourably on future applications.

Surely there are several questions here…

The first is the motivational nature of  ‘targets’ in the first place. There is a world of difference between having targets ‘imposed’ and having targets developing from personal goals and interests.

Secondly is the assumption that further or higher academic education, based upon GCSE or A level grades, is the right path for all.

So much for personalised learning!

Of course a cynic could say that the subtext for such targets, and the striving for ‘good grades’ is not about the education of our young people, but about the political hoops that need to be jumped through in order to be recognised as a ‘good’ school or ‘excellent teacher’.

Many of those working at the ‘chalk face’ are aware of the tension that can exist between ‘teaching and learning’, as a philosophical ideal, and ‘education’ as a political agenda where funding and performance are so often linked.

Any Education Authority, School or Teacher daring to take revolutionary view of teaching and learning, must not only face the challenges dictated by central government, where academic progress (i.e. examination performance) is ‘king’, but also the perceptions of parents who cling to more traditional approaches to teaching and learning with the honest intention of wanting their children to ‘do the best they can’.

The truth of the matter is that, in terms of subject knowledge and personal skills, what was valuable in the past may not be that relevant in the future.

In essence, perhaps, there are only four key skill areas in which revolutionary educators need to focus.

1) The Ability to Access and Assess Information

2) The Ability o Communicate Effectively in a Variety of Ways

3) The Ability to Manage and Lead Self

4) The Ability to Manage Chang

Each of these areas have within them other, more generic skills, and the issue is that all can be developed within the framework of a curriculum that is not necessarily divided by ‘subjects’ but linked through ‘context’.

I heard Richard Dawkins comment recently on the decline in the standards of scientific literacy in our society, and the fact that science itself may have been marginalised by a more egalitarian education system wherein personal opinion was perhaps more valued than collective understanding based upon empiricism and reasoned argument.

In many respects I echo this sentiment.

We need to address deficits in critical thinking and encourage the fundamental question ‘how do we know’?

But this cannot be done at the expense of creativity and personal expression.

Artists do not have the monopoly on creativity and personal expression in the same way that scientists do not have the sole rights to analysis and rationality.

The Learning Revolution, the one that has stalled several times, demands that young people are asked questions about what they THINK and how the FEEL in equal measure – and be given the skills to REFLECT upon those questions.

It insists upon encouraging young people to identify their TALENTS and their PASSIONS, which may have little to do with university entrance or academic results.

It requires parents, teachers and politicians to recognise that the skills and knowledge that served them for the NOW may not be the same as those demanded by a society of the FUTURE

“A student can win twelve letters at a university without learning how to write one” – Robert Maynard Hutchins

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How To Find Home Based Business Leads

Working from home has become the goal for many individuals. They want to get away from the every day office job. They want to be their own bosses. Before they can quit their jobs, though, they need to have a job lined up. This is where knowing where to find legitimate home based business leads can come in handy. This short guide will give you the tools you need to make it in the home business world.

Before you can start looking for leads, you need to know what kind of businesses are out there. For almost every interest you will have, there will be at home business to match it. Writers, and those interested in the medical field have a head start, as there are many home jobs available in those fields. That does not mean you won’t find something for you. Take the time out to do some researching. It’s certain you will find something that will interest you.

Now you need to figure out what businesses are legitimate. This a two step process. The first thing you want to do is talk to someone who is already successful at a home business. They can provide a wealth of knowledge that will be useful in your own search for a career to succeed at from home. They will be able to guide you past the scams, and straight to the top successes.

Then you are going to want to do your own research on the subject. Check the Better Business Bureau or other agencies that keep records on legitimate businesses. This is your first step to weeding out the scams out there. Once you have done that, you can search through the remaining jobs to see if anything catches your interest.

You can also find legitimate job leads through various sources. One of the major sources these days are social networking sites. These sites attract thousands of users all over the world. Many of these people are recruiters, looking for people to work on things from home. This is a great place to start.

You can also check out blogs on the topic. Many people write blogs about their work experiences with various companies. These are the blogs to visit. They will be sure to mention the good and bad points about working for various people and agencies. You can get brilliant insight from these individuals.

Finding home based business leads is fairly simple if you follow these tips. Many people have found success in the home. They are their own bosses, and the set their own hours. It just takes a little bit of time and patience to get started. Once you have gotten set up, your success will depend solely on you.

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Home Based Business Opportunity – Things to Remember When Creating Your Business Plan

If your objective is to make money with your new home based business opportunity, it is important for you remember certain things. To have a successful business enterprise, it is imperative for you to write a good business plan.You will need to devise the business plan in such a way that it serves as a roadmap taking care of all the aspects of your home business.Legal requirements:Make sure that you have mentioned about acquiring the licenses, various insurances and other legal clearances before you set up your home based business opportunity.Finalize your products and services:You now need to give a detailed description about the kind of products and services you are going to offer to the people, how you would package them and at what prices you wish to sell. Will you manufacture the products yourself or have them supplied to you?Creating a website:You will need to mention if you will set up a website for your home based business opportunity or buy and hold onto your domain name – so that someone else does not get hold of it.Funds analysis:Be very realistic about your finances. It is better that you write down all the money that you will pay out every month for various business expenses. At the same time calculate how much money you will practically bring in each month. A good business plan can help you secure a business loan as well.Set your goals:It is vital that you clearly state both your long-term and short term goals. The short-term goals may include some important tasks for your business, such as securing office space, finding a business name, applying for business licenses etc. You may mention about the income that you expect to earn in the first year of your business.For long-term goals, mention the objectives you want to achieve in next three to five years. You may mention about your future products and services, your future marketing strategies etc.Marketing:Make a list of all the places where it will be possible for you to market or advertise your new business.The possible areas for marketing your products and services include: a website, blog, articles in newspapers, press releases, submitting articles with online article sites, giving presentations at local organizations and groups free of charge and appearance on cable-access television.Who will be your potential customers?You will need to describe in detail the following:o Whom you want to market your products and services to?
o Where you can find your potential customers?
o What are they looking for?
o Why should they buy your products?What about your competition:Mention about your chances for success in the face of fierce competition in the market. Zero in on the areas where there is less competition or the arenas which your competitors have not yet conquered.If you include the above mentioned things in your business plan, you will surely achieve success in your home based business opportunity.

What Makes A Top Home Based Business?

So what are some of the things people look for when they are seeking to own and operate a top home based business? What is most important to them, and how do they ensure that the business opportunity they are considering possesses these critical elements? Let’s take a brief look at what you want to get from a top home based business opportunity.Be Your Own Boss – Perhaps the most pressing reason people want to strike out on their own is the ability to leave their old boss behind and be in control of their own work destiny. If you have been working for others for as long as you can remember then you are probably more than ready to start enriching yourself instead of others! Most self-made millionaires didn’t get there by working for others, rather they were self-employed business people, taking advantage of all the perks, tax advantages, and income opportunities that a small business can afford.Good Money Making Opportunity – Leaving the relative security of a “job” is a bit scary and shouldn’t be considered unless there is a good opportunity to make more money in your own top home based business. There’s no sense in starting up a business only to make equal or less than you were before, with a lot more responsibilities that you already have in your current position. The tradeoff for the extra work involved in running your own business requires is usually the extra money and perks you’ll be getting. If they’re not there, why bother?Freedom From Conventional Employment – Leaving the boss behind offers more than meets the eye at the outset. Besides not having to put up with insufferable superiors (or people who thought they were!) you also have advantages such as no more commutes to the office, no more work wardrobes or uniforms, no union dues, no office drama, no more un-reimbursed expenses and more. I’m sure you have your own list!Reclaim Your Time And Your Life! – Taking on your own business gives you a sense of freedom like no other. You don’t have to be anyplace you don’t want to, and of course you are free to schedule your own time as you see fit. Perhaps you want to work around your kids schedule so you can spend more time with them while they’re growing up. You can! Maybe you need to take care of an aging parent. Not a problem. The only downside to this is that you actually have to do the work, and you are the only one responsible for getting it done!Owning and operating your own home based business has far more pluses than minuses. The tax advantages alone make it worth your while, and the freedom from the nine-to-five slavery and the requisite slave driver come in a close second. Start investigating how you can come up with a top home based business today and before long you’ll wonder what took you so long!

Home Based Businesses – Starting a Home Based Business

IntroductionThe mention of a home based business elicits different thoughts. Amid all the discussion, the main point here is that one will be in a position to set up a project that can earn them some much needed income from the convenience of their home. A business does not have to subscribe to the traditional business ideas. One has a chance to get creative and tap into uncharted waters.Reasons for startingWhile the thought of earning extra income is the main reason people site when starting such a business, there are other reasons. The need to diversify sources of income and increase one’s financial muscle is also a good reason to initiate a home based business. Some get inspiration from every day experiences including what they feel at their work place. They get convinced that they can a better job hence end up initiating such an enterprise. Other reasons include the need to make use of one’s spare time in addition to investing some idle cash. Sometimes one comes a cross an opportunity that they consider juts too hard to take hence a home based business is born.Examples of business ideasThere are no limits that one should think when starting a home based business. Ideas range from photography services to web site design, development and hosting. Outside the information technology world, one can also think of advertising, sales and marketing as well as various forms of writing for their home based business. They can also engage in real estate, forex trading in addition to operating a bureau for several services.Elements of a good home based businessThese revolve good business practices. The fact that one is working from home does not stop the enterprise from being an ordinary business. Good preparation and long term planning are other essential attributes of a good home based business. One should not forget to carry out research prior to staking off. Time management will also lay a big role in how successful one becomes.Raising capitalThis can be a tricky part of the whole operation if one does not have a substantive chunk of money to invest. However one could model their home based business according to the amount of capital they can raise. This does not stop one from considering other avenues of raining the start up for their business.Business planA business plan is essential in every business activity that one engages in. The home based business is not an exception. The plan will provide a reference point for all activities the business entails. A business plan is easy to make. If one is stuck making it they can either learn how develop business plans via an online forum or get one made for them at a cheap rate.ConclusionA home based business plan can take any form and may be built on any idea. The most important idea is to stay committed to the short term and long term strategy as provided for in the business plan. However, one can modify any aspect of the business with time to suit current socio-economic factors.

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The Top Home Based Business Idea in 2010 – Here it Is!

What is the top home based business idea in 2010?There are many home based business ideas floating around all over the internet. Many of them are legitimate, but for every legitimate program you find, there are 10 dishonest people selling products that they definitely wouldn’t sell to their mother.It bothers me that so many dishonest people are trying to prey on new online marketers, but unfortunately that is just how the world works these days. It shouldn’t be like that, which is why in this article I want to share with you the top home based business idea in 2010, and show you how you can make money with it in 2010, 2011, 2012, and beyond!The top home based business for 2010 is not new, because chances are something new is just a fad that does not have any track record of success! In this article I am going to discuss a concrete and legitimate business model that I have been using since 2008 to earn a nice income online.What is this business model you ask? Well it involves selling other people’s stuff online, and getting paid a commission for each sale. Before you stop reading, I know right now what you are probably thinking: Either you don’t want to sell products because you think you may have to store physical goods in your home and office, or you don’t want to sell anything because you do not want to sell to people face to face.The business model I use is commonly referred to as affiliate marketing, and since I am going to show you how to sell items that can be digitally downloaded, you will never have to talk to a customer, personally take an order, or stock any sort of inventory whatsoever!When I first heard about affiliate marketing I thought that it was too good to be true. I mean who wouldn’t want to sell products and services, have a third-party company process all of the orders for you, and get paid 50-75% commissions on digital products!I think you are beginning to see why this is without a doubt the top home based business idea in 2010. I do want to be completely honest with you however, and tell you that in order to set things up correctly you are going to have to learn some new skills with regards to internet marketing.Working online is much like owning an offline store. In order to get people to purchase the digital products that you are offering as an affiliate marketer, you must get people to see your offers. This is the same as getting customers in your “store” to buy products and services. If you owned a restaurant you would need hungry people to come eat in order to make money, right? The same is true if you want to be successful with the top home based business idea in 2010.In order to attract online consumers to your offer, you are going to have to use a variety of marketing methods. Since affiliate marketing is 100% free to start, you can focus any money that you want to spend (you don’t have to spend a dime if you do not want to) on generating “traffic,” or customers to your website or blog where you will promote your product.You will need a blog to get started, but setting up a blog is very easy, even if you have no technical skills. When I first started marketing online all I could do was check emails, but after watching a few YouTube videos I was able to design a free blog using blogger (free blog service offered by Google) in no time!After you have set up your blog (Part 1 of the top home based business idea in 2010) you must get people to view your blog, where you will link to your affiliate product! Instead of telling you how to do it, let’s use the example method to clarify things.For instance, let’s say that I found a golf product that I want to sell. It is a digitally downloadable book (e-book), and I need to get people to my blog where I am selling this product. In order to get traffic to your blog, you could:Write articles and submit them to article directories.Create short videos and upload them to YouTube.Post classified ads on golf websites.Post a link to your blog in golf forums (don’t SPAM!).Using a combination of these methods, you can start seeing hundreds of people coming to your blog daily, and some of them will buy the product that you are selling!I know this may all seem new and overwhelming, but I truly believe that affiliate marketing is the top home based business idea in 2010, because I have been using it successfully for almost 2 years! If you want to make money online, then you are going to have to sell something. Selling digital products (software, ebooks, etc.) is the easiest way because:You do not have to store anything.Products are already created, so you do not have to create or invent anything yourself!You can receive up to 75% commissions from popular affiliate networks (I use ClickBank).You don’t have to process refunds.You get paid every 2 weeks consistently (with ClickBank).I have no problem telling people that affiliate marketing is the top home based business idea in 2010, because I truly believe that. If you want to start your own home based business, then choosing a reliable, web based business model is the way to go. Affiliate marketing will help you reach your goals, you just have to figure out exactly how to do it!Do you want to see how I do it?

Small Home Based Business Opportunity

Are you one of the many looking for a small home based business opportunity but not sure what to do? Don’t fret! There are ways to do this.Some people get side tracked when they go online and look for a business opportunity. They start out looking for a small home based opportunity but get taken in by the flashing lights and the promises of earning tons of money. What happens next? They realize they have gotten caught up in a scam and write off the hope of finding a legitimate home based business.Owning your own small business can be very rewarding. It not only allows you to do something you love, but also offers flexibility and freedom in the hours you work. And being your own boss is great!A small business can either be locally based or internet based. The advantage of the second option is that you can take your business with you if you move. So, you can live wherever you want and still be earning money while you’re moving and getting settled in.A few ideas for starting a home based business:Offer a Service – this could be something like dog walking or doing some editing work or transcription online.Sell a Product – this can be your own product or you can sell other people’s products through affiliate marketing. It can all be done online if you choose. You can also sell through buying wholesale and reselling at retail.eBay – sell on the worldwide marketplace of eBay. There is a huge group of people searching to buy things!Start a membership site – find a niche topic where people are searching for information and resources (and willing to pay for them) and then offer it to them for a monthly fee. This is a nice way to build up a steady monthly income.Starting a small home based business can add purpose to your life. It is especially good to do as you are nearing the retirement years where you normally have extra time on your hands and also are in need of some supplemental income.There are many ways to start a business but always do your research before entering into a business opportunity. Make sure there is a market out there who is looking for what you want to offer and is willing to spend money on it. Avoid markets that attract those seeking everything for free.Check out the business opportunity you are considering with the Better Business Bureau and also do a Google search and read multiple reviews on the opportunity. What is the general consensus?The right small home based business opportunity is just waiting for you! Take the step and start a whole new venture.

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Property Management Accounting Software

Property management accounting software is a computer program that streamlines the accounting process for a property management company. All property works are primarily planned through the application of software. They not only give the virtual image of the whole property, but also the errorless calculations and accounting works, cost factors, management planning and other works.

Although the best property management professionals are hired for the projects, computer software gives a detailed analysis of the plan, including calculations and statistical implications. There is even web-based software to manage and facilitate the handling of properties in terms of accounting. Property management accounting software solutions are helping people across the country in the newest and most innovative ways to perform real estate accounting management tasks more efficiently than ever.

Property management accounting software solutions alleviate many problems that residential property managers face every day. The accounting software has helped many companies get rid of independent property accounting systems, as these software solutions provide comprehensive accounting features within their web-based solution. Nonetheless, the modules of standard accounting software for properties can be summarized in the following ways:

a) Income Module: their basic features are calculating date wise reports of the rent received and due, including the late fees, and format-based tabulation of rental information of properties.

b) Expense Module: their basic features are concerned with the consolidated expenditure property expenses. And lists of expenses based on customized parameters.

c) Reports Module: their basic features are unit turnover, unit profit and unit loss, unit type listing, profit and loss, activity report and others.

Real Estate Agents In Chicago – Selling Your House

There is a fortune out there in property deals waiting to be made by real estate agents in Chicago, New York, London, Mumbai, and Shanghai. This group is a very talented group when it comes to making money. The huge gap in property supply and demand is what is driving the increasing importance of real estate brokers in these markets. There is a great shortage of quality properties in these cities and it is coupled with the large increase in disposable income of the highly-paid professional classes. This has resulted in a large increase in interest in real estate.

Real estate agents function as go-betweens, assisting both a property’s purchaser and its seller. They do that by displaying to the potential purchaser properties which fulfill his or her requirements at a satisfactory price. Concurrently, the agent is assisting the seller by displaying his or her property (including advising on ways to show the property to its best advantage) and by working to ensure that the seller is properly compensated. The broker comes to be considered truly indispensable when the deal turns out to be in everyone’s best interest.

If you are working in any big metropolis like Chicago, and you have the right resources at your disposal; you would certainly want to invest in Chicago real estate such as a new house. Such an investment ensures that you beat inflation through price escalation of property and at the same time affords you the opportunity to live in a better apartment in a better location.

You can search for real estate agents in any metropolitan city like Chicago through dedicated web sites dealing with the real estate industry. You must check the background of such real estate agents before making use of their services. This also facilitates that you land up getting a good deal as when you compare the services of a number of real estate agents, you can have a wider option of choosing the best deal.

A wise consumer will make a point of learning real estate law in a certain area so that he can evaluate the offers real estate agents make to him. Like in any other profession, there are unscrupulous real estate agents who promise their customers anything just to make a sale. It is far better to study property laws than to be conned by an agent into a transaction which isn’t honest and aboveboard. A little time spent in research can save you thousands of dollars and a huge amount of stress

Remember that your chances of securing a good real estate deal gets enhanced by employing the services of real estate agents, subject to your smartness in dealing with them and your ability to sieve through their talk.

How To Succeed At Online Product Creation The Easy Way

Product creation could be a frightening subject for a lot of Internet marketers to face. Some folks who get in the game with the intention of making a full time income are completely ignorant as to how an online business operates. One of the most profitable ways to create online cash is by creating a product that others are happy to pay for.

Product creation is legitimate method of generating money through internet marketing but many entrepreneurs get it wrong. They start by imitating their Internet marketing gurus by creating information products on Internet marketing in hopes of getting rich the way their heroes did. The problem is that they usually don’t know what they are doing and enter a highly competitive niche with very little marketing experience or connections.

Here are a few tips for effective product creation that may help you get on the right track:
Start by finding a profitable niche with low to moderate competition. If you conduct some rudimentary market research and keyword research, you’ll find many opportunities in areas that will surprise you. Amazon and eBay are two great places to brainstorm for product ideas.

Developing Your Product does not have to be a difficult project. You can find experts in the right field for your niche and pay them to write the material while an artist designs the packaging and website or blog. You can outsource the entire product creation part of the project after you conduct the research and testing to ensure profitability.

Sales and marketing strategies should be created while developing the product and learning about the market. Some experienced marketers use pay per click to drive traffic to their offer page; some folks outsource the entire marketing campaign to affiliates through ClickBank or other affiliate programs.

Product creation does not need to be hard, particularly when the merchandise is electronic. E-books, videos, audio and multi-media products sell very well. They are distributed immediately to customers electronically. Once you have a good feel for a niche market, try to service your customers with associated products and upgrades. If you want to earn money online through product creation, you must understand supply and demand. The majority of new online marketers fail miserably because they go after highly competitive markets or forget to research their chosen niche properly. You have to create your products according to the needs, wants and desires of the prospective customers.

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