Why Elementary Workbooks Are Effective Learning Tools

Young children have the capability to learn at a rapid pace. In a sense, children are learning machines, constantly acquiring new knowledge as they see, feel, listen, discover, bang, talk, run, drop, poke, sing, rummage, break, and interact. At the same time, early learning develops the neurological connections in a child’s brain, which shape their ability to learn for years to come. Because of this, the early years of education are integral to the future intellectual development of a child.

As scientists develop a better understanding of how children learn, methods of teaching are becoming more effective than ever. Many methods being developed are groundbreaking in their approach, yet some can also be costly. Interactive television, DVDs, and websites can all be engaging and effective resources, however, they can be expensive and therefore less accessible. One way that many parents find effective and economical is elementary workbooks.

Preschool and kindergarten were once the places where children learned the most basic aspects of math, reading, and spelling. Children are now expected to have a basic understanding of the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes before they begin school. Workbooks can be used to teach these basic skills before children enter the classroom. Workbooks can also be used to test skills learned in school, reinforce skills during summer vacation, or even teach new skills to keep children ahead of the pack.

By using a pencil and paper, skills are learned more effectively and concepts are reinforced. When looking at elementary workbooks, important factors to consider are the clarity of instructions and sequencing of skills relevant to the school’s curriculum. The best elementary workbooks provide simple instructions and are organized to parallel the lessons taught in most schools.

The best workbooks are also more than just educational; entertaining characters, games, and puzzles make them fun for children to complete. After all, learning will come naturally when it is an activity children enjoy. When children develop a passion for learning at an early age, they will have that thirst for knowledge the rest of their lives.

School Zone Publishing Company’s elementary workbooks are designed with all of these elements in mind. As a result, School Zone has seen the success that only top-quality workbooks can bring. Coupled with multimedia CDs and online programs, School Zone Publishing’s workbooks provide a full sensory learning experience for children.

School Zone Publishing Company is a leading provider of educational products for preschoolers through sixth graders. Since 1979, this family-run, Midwestern-based company has sold over 315 million educational workbooks, learning card sets, and software applications. Trusted by teachers and parents, School Zone leads the industry in quality content at affordable prices.

Sonography Technician Certificate

With a sonography technician certificate, sonographers can prove they are registered and that they have undergone a formalized process to complete their preparation for this important profession. Many schools offer courses that will end in the granting of an sonography technician certificate. These course programs include both academic and clinical training that gets students on the way to their new career path as quickly, effectively and successfully as possible.
You may choose to complete a sonography technician certificate program, or complete an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree with a focus on ultrasound and sonography, depending on where you want to work and what you specifically want to do. The certificate is the fastest type of program, which can often be completed in as little as one year with a full time course of study. The associate’s degree may be completed in two years, and the bachelor’s degree may be completed in four years, all assuming the student takes a full load of classes and passes them all every semester.
After completing the sonography technician certificate, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree, graduates can then register with the American Registry of Diagnostic Sonographers to give themselves additional professional standing. The registration is not required, but it can increase your employment opportunities and wages. In order to register with the ARDS, you must have attended a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or the Canadian Medical Association, or attended an unaccredited program and completed one year of work study in a clinical setting. In the latter scenario, the clinical setting must be supported by the Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
While you complete your sonography technician certificate or degree program, you will be trained in anatomy, medical ethics, patient care, physics, physiology, terminology, and ultrasound instrumentation. You may also undergo training in a specialized area such as abdominal sonography, obstetric gynecologic sonography or neuro-sonography. And even after you are working in the field, you will probably have to continue your education in order to stay on top of changing technology and to stay certified.

Undergrads, Executive MBA Students tackle campus parking problem with green solutions

Undergrads, Executive MBA Students tackle campus parking problem with green solutions

Students, faculty, staff, visitors and neighbors vie for parking spots on and near urban campuses everywhere.

At Washington University in St. Louis, teams of Olin Business School students have tackled the parking dilemma with an eye on the environment as part of the first Olin Sustainability Case Competition (OSCC).

“This inaugural competition is the fruition of over two years of planning by the MBA Programs Office and several MBA student organizations,” says Owen Bochner, a second year MBA student at Olin and one of the organizers of the OSCC. “The goal is to raise awareness of and engagement with sustainability among the Olin student body.”

Over 100 students entered the competition, representing every level of study at the business school from undergraduate BSBA to Executive MBA students. Sharon Yoon, associate director of MBA student affairs, says the participation “exceeded our expectations.”

“We were thrilled with the interest,” Yoon says. “The quality of the entries was generally quite strong. We saw a lot of very creative suggestions and unique approaches to solving the on-campus parking challenges at Washington University.”

One finalist proposed an automated parking facility with robotic valets that would decrease carbon emissions, save energy and increase safety. Bike-sharing systems and an increase in the existing WeCar sharing program were also featured in many of the sustainability plans.

From an original field of 30 teams, four advanced to the final round. Armed with power point presentations and hours of research and analysis, the teams took turns on stage to “sell” their proposals to a panel of judges.

The top prize went to the team that targeted a specific segment of the university population – graduate students in nearby university housing – as the most likely to use public transportation and bicycles if services and pathways were improved. They argued that grad students were most likely to make the behavioral changes necessary to reduce the number of cars on campus when given proper incentives. They posited, if successful, this group could be a role model for other constituencies on campus to follow.

The judges said the winning team’s survey of students about transportation choices led them to feasible solutions and compelling results. The winning team with four MBA students received a $5000 cash prize, free WeCar hours, and an opportunity to present their recommendations to university administrators, including Chancellor Mark Wrighton.

The case study for the competition, “Where have all the parking spots gone?” was prepared by Olin MBA ‘09 alumnus, Everett J. Hullverson. It outlines the ramifications of the parking dilemma for all constituents. Financial constraints such as the $45,000 construction cost per space in underground garages and compliance with zoning requirements in four jurisdictions where the campus is located are addressed as major concerns for the university’s strategic planners along with environmental impact and community relations.

The Washington University in St. Louis community is currently reviewing an operational sustainability strategic draft plan. With the plan, the university hopes to become a model for other large universities and institutions of sustainable operations that have a positive environmental impact.