A lot of people confuse the concepts of usability and accessibility. The two are actually very different, and people tend to consider one to be of more importance than the other. They must each be considered seriously, and individually. However, many of the same principles govern both accessibility and usability.
Optimizing the usability of a site helps to make it more accessible, as well as providing a strong framework from which to build. Remember, if your site is not user-friendly for the average Web surfer, it will likely be impossibly complex and confusing for users with learning disabilities. Just as much consideration should given to making the site easy to use as is given to making the site accessible.
Accessibility is an important feature in several web design schools and courses. This is because the internet is the medium for the people, and web 2.0 technology is of great use.
One should give top most importance to what the user wants and remove all the ornamental materials from the Web Design pages. Keep in mind that Web pages are primarily built for people to use.
Your mission is to put the user’s needs first - forget about Flash gimmicks and high-bandwidth images; you need to deliver CONTENT. You should be clear in your mind that the need of the user is of prime importance in deciding the usability of web design, and formulating ideas or beginning to think about firing up Dreamweaver is only secondary. No matter what you are designing, the final product is what gets judged.
Do I need a student phone card?
Prepaid phone cards are a must have for students intending to make both domestic and international long distance calls. Most student phone cards can be used from any phone or cell phone (including dormitory phones) and offer several benefits, including ease-of-use and cheap rates–in comparison to traditional phone services.
What are the benefits of owning a student phone cards?
In today’s shrinking world, you may have opted to study away from your own state or country. Making calls back home to family and friends can turn out to be quite expensive. It is, therefore, extremely important that you consider the benefits of owning a student phone card.
- Convenience - Prepaid phone cards are easy to use and you can carry them around easily. If you stay in a dormitory that does not have proper international calling facilities, then you just need to own a phone card to call from your cell phone.
- Easy on the Pocket - Different companies offer various lucrative and attractive phone card offers for students at very low rates. You can search for the best options and rates available online and save a lot of money on your long distance calling.
- Boon for Parents - If you are a worried parent and want to ensure that your child can call back home any time and from anywhere, a student phone card is the best option for you and your student.
Tips on ordering and using student phone cards:
- The process of purchasing your own student phone card begins with checking out various phone card options online. Search for “student phone cards” (no quotes) on Google (google.com), or Yahoo (yahoo.com).
- Prior to ordering a student phone card, keep in your mind your calling destination, rates, fees, and customer support services.
- Look for a guarantee.
- Keep in mind that in most cases, student phone cards purchased online are instantly sent to you via email. The email you receive will contain a PIN (Personal Identification Number), access number(s), customer support number(s), and dialing instructions for domestic and international phone calls.
Ordering and using a student phone card is extremely easy. You simply need to choose the right phone card provider and pay for a fixed number of minutes of phone service, typically represented by $2, $5, $10 and $20 denominations. Once the minutes on the card are used up, you can simply buy another card or get additional minutes added to the existing card (called recharging).
If you are a student, away from your family, and want to cut down the distance between you and your loved ones, opt for a student phone card today.
About the Author:
SpeedyPin operates a leading online phone card website offering hi-quality phone cards with a 100% Phone Card Guarantee. SpeedyPin is very proud to support the world’s students by providing student phone cards with low international rates.
You may reprint this article with permission from SpeedyPin, LLC.
Is it necessary for you to actually attend college if you are going to work in medical billing?
Absolutely! Don’t fall victim to the fraudulent claims you’ve seen in the ads. No matter what you read, it is not possible to start working and making tons of money at home if you don’t have experience. Medical Billing is a highly skilled profession that is performed by people that have earned degrees.
People who make a career of medical billing carry out many tasks involving things such as:
- filling out numerous types of complex insurance claim forms
- applying their knowledge of insurance guidelines, procedures and claims submission process
- properly analyzing Explanation of Benefits (EOB) forms to ensure that insurance companies have accurately assessed and paid for charges
- following up with insurance companies and patients to ensure that bills are paid in a timely manner
- producing accounts receivable reports for clients
Receive Training In Medical Billing an Coding
In addition to having a familiarity with the above tasks, it is strongly suggested that you pursue a program that will educate you in medical billing and coding. It’s typical for schools to combine both skill sets into one training program. This is because medical coding is basically the first step in the billing process.
Copyright 2005 Adam Waxler
I often have teachers ask me what is the best approach to
classroom management?
As a veteran teacher I have seen far too many teachers fail
because of classroom management problems. (Remember, classroom
management and student achievement are directly related.)
And, all too often I see teachers resort to all types of crazy
classroom management plans trying to get a handle on student
behavior.
Unfortunately, many of these classroom management plans involve
elaborate systems of rewards and punishment. For example,
writing students names on the board with check marks added next
to the name for each inappropriate behavior. Not only is this
degrading, but the effectiveness of this classroom management
plan is short-lived at best. In fact, often times this classroom
management plan can have the exact opposite effect on student
behavior.
Likewise, rewarding students for behavior that is expected of
them sends the absolutely wrong message. Teachers should not
reward a student for acting appropriately in class. Rewarding
appropriate behavior is not effective classroom management, it
is bribery and the students will come to expect it. Don’t get me
wrong, I am not speaking about a pizza party or movie after a
week in which the students worked well in class. That type of
reward is fine as long as it is unexpected. The type of rewards
that are bad are the ones in which the teacher promises upfront
that if “you behave today, I will give you a piece of candy.”
No, the student should behave in class because that is what’s
expected. Little Johnny will not throw his pencil across the
room, because it disrupts the learning of the other students and
can be dangerous, not because he will get candy!
So, if teachers do not give rewards or punishments as a
classroom management plan, then how do teachers effectively
manage student behavior?
Easy, the key to classroom management is keeping students
actively involved in the entire lesson. This is done with just a
handful of simple teaching strategies.
Here are five effective classroom management tips you can use in
any classroom regardless of subject or content area. These
classroom management tips will keep all students actively
involved in all classroom lessons. (Remember, keeping students
involved in the lesson is the most effective classroom
management plan.)
1. All-Write: Instead of having students raise their hand to
respond to a question aloud, have all the students write down an
answer to the teacher’s question. Not only will the teacher get
much more class participation, but the quality of student
responses will also improve.
2. Pair/Share: Have students pair up with a partner and share
their answers before discussing it as a class. This gives the
students a chance to respond without the anxiety of speaking in
front of the entire class and also allows the teacher to
“monitor” the room and talk to various students about their
responses. The “pair/share” is great teaching strategy to use
right after the “all-write” strategy.
3. On-the-Clock: Give students specific time limits to complete
tasks and make sure you stick to those time limits. By putting
students “on-the-clock” the teacher helps the students stay
focused. I even use an egg timer to make this teaching strategy
even more effective.
4. Check-for-Understanding: Not understanding the teacher’s
directions is a major cause of classroom management issues and
student behavior problems. Therefore, no matter what set of
directions a teacher gives, the teacher should always
“check-for-understanding” by simply asking a couple of students
(at random) to repeat the directions back to the class.
5. Do Now: Effective classroom management starts from the second
students walk into the classroom. Therefore, the “do now” is a
short assignment that the students are to complete as soon as
they enter the classroom. Personally, I put up 1-4 review
questions on the board every day as the “do now” assignment. The
“do now” gives the students something to do right away and is a
great opportunity for review.
Remember, effective classroom management is not about rewards
and punishments. Effective classroom management is about the
teacher keeping the students actively involved in the entire
lesson. By practicing the teaching strategies above, teachers
will greatly reduce classroom management problems.
Leaving High School and going to college or university is a major change for any student. A new college or university student will find themselves in a different world to their previous time at school, a world in which they will face new challenges and opportunities in study, perhaps their first crack at independence from home, and the temptations of a potentially limitless social life.
For a High School student preparing themselves for the transition to college, there are number of factors with which it is wise to get familiar, before that first day at their new home of study. This article looks briefly at some of the differences that a student will face in their new life.
A New Class Format - Adjusting to the Lecture Style
One of the major differences students will face is the lecture style used in colleges and universities, which can seem very different to the High School recitation type of teaching. Attending lectures, and making the most of them from an educational point of view, requires a different attitude and some new study skills from the student. Making the adjustment to the college lecture room from the high School classroom is one that the student needs to make from the outset if they are to perform well.
The Quantity and Quality of Work
Any High School student probably realizes that the work they will do at college or university will be more advanced. That, surely, is what going to college is all about? However, it can still come as something of a shock to new college students, to suddenly be thrust into this new level of learning. It is best to be mentally prepared for a far more demanding level of education, which will stretch the student’s mind right from the start. There will no be time to “ease your way in”. Falling behind in the first few weeks can be difficult to recover from and achieve the grades you are seeking.
New college students should also be aware that the work required is not only of a higher quality than High School, but also much greater in quantity. Those who are not prepared for that will also suffer in the early stages of college life. The workload may seem overwhelming if you are not ready for it.
Hooray, Freedom at Last
For many students who go away to university or college, it will be their first taste of freedom from parental discipline. That is an essential step that all young people have to take at some time or another, and it can be a wonderful time of your life, when the transition to adulthood really starts to take place.
However, that new found freedom can be a distraction from study if it is allowed to dominate your new college life. It is possible to enjoy the freedom of college life, and to succeed in your primary purpose of being there; that is, get good grades and graduate with honours. Both sides of your new life require self discipline, and by applying that self discipline both to your study and college social life, you can find the right balance. It is not easy, but it can be achieved.
Managing Your Finances
Many students may not agree, but one of the most important changes from being at home and going to High School, and then going away to college, is the need to manage your own finances. This is probably something you have not dealt with before, but from now on, you will probably always have to. How you deal with your finances at college may well dictate how well you do so when you get your first job.
Your personal finances are one subject for which you can plan in some detail before going to college, so that you know what to expect once you get there. Learning about budgeting your finances will stand you in good stead for years to come.
This study skills article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner and author of the Learning Straight web site. For other success and motivation articles visit Roy’s routes-to-self-improvement web site.
The first step to getting your online degree is to apply to colleges. Research several colleges offering the degree program you need. Once you have decided on a school, you are ready to begin the application process. While the requirements may vary slightly, most colleges have similar processes. You will need to fill out an application, either online or on paper. Check with the university for application deadlines. Just about all schools charge an application fee; these fees are usually small.
You will need to include any supporting documentation required by the school where you are applying. You will find this information included with the application. All schools require original transcripts from all schools previously attended. This will include both high school and college transcripts. A few schools look for college preparatory courses in high school. Send your requests early to allow enough time for transcripts to arrive at the college. Some schools will require SAT test scores and immunization records as well.
You will have to meet the admission requirements of the college you will be attending. The requirements vary by school and in some cases can be different based on your major. Be sure to check with the university to determine the requirements. Many schools have a minimum SAT score requirement for admission, although some waive this for some programs or for non traditional students. Non traditional students are defined as older students who have been out of high school for at least five years and have work experience. Students transferring from other institutions are in this category as well.
Many schools require students pass placement tests prior to registering for classes. These tests usually have English, math and writing components. This is to determine if potential students have the reading, writing and math skills necessary to succeed in college. If you don’t pass one of the placement tests, you may be required to take remedial courses prior to starting your degree; this is not unusual for people returning to school after many years. Graduate programs will usually require additional testing, such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
When you apply to the school, you can also apply for financial aid. Talk to a representative about programs available to students in the form of financial aid and scholarships. Start the process by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete the application even if you don’t think you will qualify for federal aid. Most other student loan programs use the same application. To be able to accept federal financial aid, the school must be regionally accredited. Accreditation is a voluntary process and matters mainly for financial aid and transferring credit to other universities. Check with an admissions counselor if you’re not sure about accreditation.
Once you have completed all applications and testing, you will find out if you have been accepted into the program. Once you have been accepted, you will be eligible to register for classes and begin the journey toward your college degree. The admissions counselor at your university can assist you in scheduling your courses. There is often an order in which classes should be taken. Once you have registered, you pay for your classes, get your books and attend orientation, if required.
Katie Robbins is a professional writer, providing content to help the online student. Check out her other articles, including accredited online universities, education master degree online and criminal justice online degrees.
December is well-known for Christmas but do you know how people in countries around the world celebrate it? Here are some customs from various parts of the world.
Australia
Greeting - Merry Christmas
Santa’s Name - Santa Claus. Children leave him a piece of cake or biscuits and a glass of milk or a bottle of beer.
Food - Many Christmas dinners include roasted meats and vegetables, special fruit cakes, and puddings with a coin baked inside. Since the temperature can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, people are starting to eat cold meats and salads, tropical fruits like mangoes, and stone fruits like plums. Often, the main meal is eaten for lunch.
Gifts - These are left under the Christmas tree and opened Christmas morning.
Decorations - Shops and homes are decorated with tinsel, Christmas trees, decorations for the holiday, and special lights.
Customs - Traditional and Australian carols are sung by candlelight on Christmas Eve and are broadcast on television. On Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, two sporting events take place:
The Boxing Day Test Match (cricket game) and the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Brazil
Greeting - Feliz Natal
Santa’s Name - Papai Noel (Father Noel), who is dressed in a red, silk suit with boots.
Food - Many people eat a traditional feast with roast turkey and vegetables, while others eat chicken and rice or beans. Beer and wine are also served. Some regions begin eating around 9 PM on Christmas Eve, while others eat around midnight.
Gifts - Local charities take in donations but do not seem to have enough presents for all the children.
Decorations - Brazil has a mixture of people so Christmas is celebrated in different ways. In the northeastern area, it is common to find Nativity Scenes; in the southern part, snow is simulated with little pieces of cotton on pine trees.
Customs - Brazilians sing a number of Christmas carols.
Greece
Greeting - Eftihismena Christougenna
Food - Special holiday cakes are baked.
Gifts - Most Greek people exchange gifts on Saint Basil’s Day, January 1.
Customs - To honor Saint Basil, the holiday cakes have gold coins hidden inside them. The cakes are cut at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Whoever has a gold coin in his piece of cake will have good luck the following year.
Hungary
Santa’s Name - Actually, the Baby Jesus is said to bring presents on Christmas Eve. A bell sounds signaling that the Angels have brought the tree and gifts.
Customs - On December 5, children leave out their shoes. During the night, Mikulas and Black Peter come to fill them with goodies for well-behaved children and switches for naughty children.
India
Decorations - Sometimes, houses are decorated with mango leaves; mango or banana trees are also decorated. Small, clay, oil-burning lamps are placed on the edges of flat roofs as decorations.
Israel
Greeting - Chag Semeach (Happy Chanukah)
Santa’s Name - Actually, parents, grandparents, and other family members give presents to the children.
Food - Because oil is an important part of the holiday, many foods are prepared with it. A favorite is potato latkes (pancakes).
Gifts - Since Chanukah lasts for eight days, children may receive one present each night.
Decorations - Jewish stars, blue or silver foil garlands,
dreidels (spinning tops), Chanukah gelt (chocolate coins), and pictures of the Macabees (Jewish army that recaptured the Holy Temple and Jerusalem from the Assyrian Greek King Antiochus) are found around the house.
Customs - The menorah (candelabra) is lit each night. On the first night, one candle is lit; on, the second night, two candles; and so on until all the candles are lit on the eighth night. After lighting the candles, families eat a festive meal, dance, play games, and open presents. They also attend Chanukah parties.
Japan
Greeting - Kurisumasu Omedeto
Santa’s Name - Santa Kurohsu. He does not appear in person but is pictured in advertisements as a kind old man with a round sack on his back.
Food - Depending upon the family’s custom, they eat turkey on Christmas Day or on Christmas Eve. Japanese families also eat Christmas cake.
Gifts - Stores sell merchandise for men, women, and children; and on Christmas Day, families exchange gifts.
Decorations - More and more artificial Christmas trees are beginning to appear. They are decorated with small toys, gold paper fans, dolls, lanterns, paper ornaments, and wind chimes. A popular ornament is the origami swan. Other decorations are mistletoe, evergreen, tinsel, and lights. An amulet is put on the front door for good luck and children exchange ‘birds of peace,’ pledging there must not be anymore war.
Customs - The daiku, or Great Nine, refers to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and is performed many places.
Mexico
Greeting - Feliz Navidad
Customs - Beginning on December 15, some families carry colorful lanterns and walk from house to house in their neighborhoods, each night, until Christmas Eve. This is called La Posada, which means ‘the procession.’ On each of the nights, the families are invited into different houses where they become guests at a party. There is plenty to eat and drink. Children play the pinata game, trying to break open the papier-mache figure with a stick while blindfolded; when it is cracked open, candies and small gifts fall out.
Netherlands
Greeting - Hartelijke Kerstroeten
Santa’s Name - Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas), who wears a red bishop’s hat and bishop’s cloak and has white hair and a white beard. He arrives on a white horse with his servant, Black Pete, to put small gifts in children’s wooden shoes.
Food - The Dutch people eat lots of marzipan, spiced ginger biscuits, tall chocolate letters, and ‘bankletter’ - initials made of pastry and filled with almond paste. When they are around the Christmas tree singing songs, they eat ‘Kerstkrans’ - a Christmas ring.
Gifts - On December 6, after hearing a knock at their door, children find a bag full of toys, nuts, and gifts.
Decorations - The Christmas tree is known as the Paradise Tree. Decorations of the season include dolls, musical instruments, fruit, candies, and lights.
Customs - The Dutch sing carols, the most popular one being “O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree.”
Sweden
Greeting - God Jul
Food - Coffee, cakes, and special buns are served on Santa Lucia Day, December 13.
Customs - Santa Lucia Day honors Saint Lucy, who helped blind people. The oldest daughter in each Swedish household dresses in a white gown with a red sash, wears a crown of evergreen
with seven candles in it, awakens the family with a song, and serves the coffee, cakes, and buns. Each town and city also chooses a young woman to be Lucia for the day. She then serves coffee and food to the townspeople at schools, hospitals, and other public buildings. From these women, a national Lucia is chosen; followed by a parade, feast, and dance.
Now that you have this data, let your children put the information in a comparison chart. Label the left side with the names of the countries and the bottom with the various information (ie: Greeting, Food, and so on). Then fill in the boxes!
Let your children do research to find out the information I left out.
Conduct research to find out the same customs for other countries, especially the heritage countries of students in your class or your own family.
However you celebrate the holidays, have a safe, wonderful season and a Happy New Year!
I hope these ideas are useful and inspire your own creative thinking.
And remember…Reading is FUNdamental!
Freda J. Glatt, MS, retired from teaching after a 34-year career in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Her focus, now, is to reach out and help others reinforce reading comprehension and develop a love for reading. Visit her site at www.sandralreading.com. Reading is FUNdamental!
