Responsibility and Online Education

Saturday, December 3, 2011 by Beth McKenna
 So you are thinking about getting a degree on line? Well, as a professor of an on line course I have to ask you a few questions first. Are you motivated to get things done on your own? Are you comfortable manipulating your computer? Do you enjoy reading and writing on line? If you can answer positively to each of those questions then go for an online degree at Granite State College. There are so many on line courses to choose from, such as courses in Early Childhood Education or Project management college courses, or even courses in health care and psychology. But not just anyone can successfully manage on line courses. If you hate being on the computer then an on line course will frustrate you. If you have trouble motivating yourself to do your work without someone standing over you then the on line course is not a good idea. On line education can be an awesome experience if you are willing to take the responsibility. So be honest with yourself. We all have different learning styles. If your style is as an independent learner then you will love on line education. Check out the Granite State on line list of courses to find the perfect ones for you.

Online education

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 by Beth McKenna
Wow, have you ever taken an online course? You might think you just read the things online and submit your papers. But have you thought about forums? They are the greatest thing about an online course.

Think about the Early Childhood Certification or Elementary Education Degree at Granite State College. You are busy working in a classroom all day helping children, but you want to complete a degree, or get those courses required for a promotion. Getting to class at night is difficult but you want some support from your peers. You think online education might be too hard because you won't have contact with others in the class.  

The online forum is the perfect answer. Here you post a question or a thought about the reading you have done, and your peers respond with their answers or additional thoughts. You have an ongoing conversation with the other people in your class, right from your own computer. So consider the online college option as the perfect answer to your busy life.

Setting a Good Example

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 by Beth McKenna
In a recent class for the early childhood education major at GSC's Rochester NH college campus, we were talking about family strengths. One of those strengths revolved around encouragement and setting a good example. If parents are not only telling children that they care about how they do in school, but are also demonstrating the importance of school by taking a course they might need for work, or starting a new degree in an area that you have always been interested in is the prime way to set the example and encourage your children to value education. Consider taking courses in early childhood for your Early Childhood Certification, or maybe courses in project management, towards a Masters Degree in Project Management, or special education teacher certification. Try showing how much you value education, by getting involved yourself in either online adult education classes or face-to-face courses. Your children will learn from your example.

Amazing Weather

Tuesday, June 7, 2011 by Beth McKenna
Finally it seems that winter has left us behind and spring is giving way to summer. The flowers are in bloom and everyone wants to be outside. For me, that sunshine is also calling me to read a good book, whether in traditional book form, or on a computer screen.

Did you know that Granite State offers courses that allow you to experience the out of doors? There are science classes that allow you to travel to the Isles of Shoals. There are art classes that allow you to paint the landscape. These are some of the adult education services available to students at Granite State College.

The college also offers distance learning classes that would be perfect for you to get involved in while sitting in that warm spring sunshine. You can take online courses for adults at Granite State and enjoy the spring weather at the same time that you are studying science, math, behavioral science or early childhood education. So when you grab that good book and settle into the summer sunshine, grab a Granite State College catalog, and enjoy the weather.

Lifelong Learner

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 by Beth McKenna
Do you know what it means to be a lifelong learner? Hopefully you are one. Maybe you graduated from high school 40 years ago, or maybe you are just about to graduate. Does that mean your learning is over? Do you stop learning just because you are no longer a student? A lifelong learner is one who is interested in knowing more about the things in their world. A lifelong learner is one who is excited by the many things they come in contact with each day and they want to know more.

Granite State College has so many programs for lifelong learners - after all, it's a lifelong learning college. Whether you are someone who just wants to take a course, maybe in environmental or behavioral science because that interests you, or you are someone who is thinking about finishing a degree in Early Childhood Education or taking Foster Parent Classes or online college English classes, you are a lifelong learner.

Granite State College has campuses around New Hampshire that can offer the lifelong learner opportunities for growth and understanding. You can take online college classes, or come to one of the campuses for a face to face experience. Either way, being a lifelong learner is what life after high school is all about.

Priceless

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 by Danielle Dodd

I have been thinking about the value of a dollar recently. I remember when I was younger I thought I was rich when I had $100 to my name. I was king of the world and I could buy anything I wanted. Well those days are completely gone (I just got my first cable bill and it was $200!?).

I may not be able to make $100 go as far as I use to, but I am happy with the money I have been putting into my Bachelor’s of Science degree from Granite State College. After a lot of research, I learned that Granite State College offers the least expensive Bachelor’s degree in the entire state of New Hampshire!

That coupled with the small class sizes and more individualized attention that I receive from staff and instructors (staff at the campuses know most of their students names!!!), I am very happy with my choice to return to school to pursue my adult college degree.

Did you know that most of the Instructors here teach as a second job? That means that they actually LOVE to do what they do here. Why else would you take on another job? Instructors here actually take the time to know you as an individual, not just another student in their class. I remember taking a Psychology class at one of the local community colleges and I was one of 35 people in the class. The instructor did not know who I was and did not know I was even a part of his class when I raised my hand.

Here, at Granite State College, I am Danielle Dodd, a student, a worker and a mother. My instructors take the time to ask me about my day, about my son, and to make sure that I understand the work. They take the time out of their busy schedules so that if I am having an issue understanding something, they can meet with me at a time that is convenient for ME, not just offer a time that is convenient for them. Not only that, but the instructors here have full time jobs in their field of study. We have management instructors who are entrepreneurs, Early Childhood Education instructors who have child care centers. We have other instructors who are lawyers and have their doctorates! We are learning from people who not only have the book smarts, but have firsthand knowledge of how the field that we want to enter works! Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better adult college education.

It’s exactly like those credit card commercials that always play:

            School  books: $100.

            School  supplies: $40.

            The unique education and opportunities received: Priceless

Online Education

Thursday, April 28, 2011 by Beth McKenna
What are your thoughts about online adult education classes at Granite State College? Have you taken online classes for early childhood, or online classes for criminal justice, or maybe online college english classes?
What did you think? Were the class materials easy to negotiate online? Were the assignments clear and enjoyable? Did you feel that you were learning as much, or more than you do in a face to face class at Granite State?

I am asking because as a faculty member at Granite State College, I am taking a course on creating online courses. I am interacting with a number of faculty members who teach english courses and science courses and education courses. Our discussions focus on using the best online experiences for the students enrolled in online classes. 

If you have thoughts about online classes for college or personal online education experiences at Granite State College, or want to get involved in the online courses, I would love to hear your ideas.

First Day of Spring

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 by Beth McKenna
Today is the first day of spring and, as I write this blog, I am watching the snowflakes swirl around outside my window. I ask myself how can this really be the first day of Spring? And then I think about all the important dates in our lives: Holidays, birthdays, vacations... fun days that we look forward to. But what about for college students? There are exam days and papers due days and beginning and ending of the semester days. These are special days too but not always those fun days, unless you consider them as milestones in getting you closer to where you want to be in life.

So have you considered where you want to be by next spring or next winter or next birthday? How about enrolling in classes at Granite State College. Did you know that there are online classes for almost every subject? There are also face to face classes in Portsmouth, and Rochester and Lebanon and Manchester and Littleton and Berlin. That pretty much covers the state. You can find yourself in a different place by that next special date in your life. You could be halfway through an Adult Accelerated Degree Program, or finishing an adult education certificate, or taking classes in Early Childhood Education, or any number of degree programs at Granite State College. So don't wait for Spring to arrive. Register now and be ready when that special date, the first day of spring classes arrives in April.

Parents and children

Saturday, February 26, 2011 by Beth McKenna
Have you read all the news stories lately about the Tiger Mom? The topic certainly has received a lot of press and caused many people to think about child rearing practices. Do you agree with what you have heard? Were you raised by a strict parent or one who was very permissive? At Granite State College, in a child development class, the discussion about child rearing has been an interesting one.

Students enrolled in Early Childhood degree programs and Behavioral Science classes and degree programs have engaged in a discussion about what aspects of parenting are important. In Foster Parent Classes at Granite State College, the conversation is similar. Research tells us that parents who are accepting of their children, and encourage exploration, while providing stability and love can help children to develop into healthy adults.

It's certainly an interesting discussion to be a part of in our adult and continuing education classes here at Granite State College.

Gender Differences

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 by Beth McKenna
We had a great discussion the other night in my Child Development course.

Think for a moment about an infant. What adjectives would you use to describe a baby girl? What about a baby boy? Did you use the same words? Did you know that gender differences start right at birth with parents and others describing boys and girls differently? Research has found we use words like "sweet" and "petite" for girls and "strong" and "robust" for boys when describing infants. The discussion brought up lots of interesting things about gender differences. It was a fun discussion.

To participate in great discussions like this one, you should think about taking an Early Childhood Education course at Granite State College. There are many different Early Childhood, Teacher Training Education, Behavioral Science or Elementary Education courses to choose from, all with great discussions to get you thinking. And when you are picking course titles, think about whether they sound like courses traditionally for boys or girls.

Part Time Classes

Monday, January 31, 2011 by Beth McKenna
Are you a busy person? Most people would say yes! Are you an ambitious person? Again, most people would say yes! Are you an adult who thinks college is something kids do after high school because they don't want to go to work, or they don't know what they want? To that, I hope you answered no.

What if I were to tell you that many of the people who come to classes at Granite State College are a lot like you? They are adults interested in adult education courses. They may have found a program they are interested in but most are not going to school full time. They are taking part time classes or even online adult education classes to further their education. That is pretty ambitious because they are working during the day and coming to class at night.

But classes only meet one night a week. So, just think, one night a week you could come over after work to a campus in Portsmouth, or Rochester, or Concord, or Manchester, or Berlin or Littleton and take a class instead of crashing in front of TV.  

Right now I am teaching a child development course. Two people are taking the course for their Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood, one is taking it for a degree in Behavioral Science, another for an associates degree, and one person is taking it because he thought it would be interesting to know about the theories of child development. 

There are so many reasons to come to Granite State College. I hope you will find a reason and I will see you in a class next semester.


Online education

Sunday, December 5, 2010 by Beth McKenna
What are you doing today? Maybe you are an early childhood educator. You go to your job, which you love, but you wish you could do more. Maybe you are a paraprofessional and you wish you could take on more responsibility. Then you think of how you could do more. That would mean going back to school. School?? AHHH!!  Then come the excuses. I am too old. I am too tired. I work all day. I have my own kids to worry about at night. 

But have you thought about online education classes? Maybe you knew that Granite State College had online college english classes and online classes for criminal justice. But did you know that many of the classes for Early Childhood Education are also online? Just think, you could come home from work, have your supper, get your kids to bed, put on your pjs, climb into bed and go to school. 

Wow! Wouldn't that be great. Just think, you can take online classes at Granite State College in so many areas. You could get your whole Associate's Degree without ever leaving your room. Or maybe you just need a course or two. Check it out. The online courses at Granite State are designed for working professionals just like you. 

Early New Year's Resolution

Friday, November 26, 2010 by Beth McKenna
Now that you have eaten the Thanksgiving turkey and all of those pies, you may be thinking about enjoying December and then making the regular New Year's Resolution to go on a diet. Well, how about something more lasting this year? A resolution that will really change your life?

How about enrolling in Adult Education classes at Granite State College. You have debated taking a class, finishing a degree or maybe getting an Adult Education Certificate. Now is the time. Granite State College has face-to-face and Online Classes in many areas. Maybe you are interested in an Adult Accelerated Degree Program, or Online Classes for Criminal Justice. Maybe you are interested in Childhood Education Classes or Behavioral Science Classes. Check out all the offerings at Granite State College and then make a New Year's Resolution to further your education. Classes at Granite State are offered in the evenings and people like you are coming from work to learn more and further their careers. The people are friendly and ready to learn. So, make a move and make a New Year's Resolution that you will enjoy keeping. You can register on line today.  And, as for that diet, just watch that third piece of pie! 

Thankful for

Saturday, November 13, 2010 by Beth McKenna
What are you thankful for? We hear that phrase a lot each November. And people respond with things like family, friends, health. Those are all such important parts of our life. But sometimes we are also thankful for the opportunities we are given in life.

I have to say that in addition to my family and friends, I am thankful for the opportunity I have to teach Early Childhood and teacher training education courses at Granite State College at the Rochester NH college campus. I have met so many wonderful people at Granite State. College I have met students who are excited about their work with young children. I have met people who have been in the field of childhood education for many years, but need a course or two to maintain their professional position. I have met people who have had a career in business but have always wanted to teach.

One man comes to mind. He was nearing retirement in the business world but had always wanted to teach. He was working his way through a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. He has since graduated from Granite State College. He called me recently to tell me that he was now almost through a Master's Degree in Education. Another woman was pursuing a degree in Behavioral Sciences. She wanted to work with special needs children. Now she is in a position where she can impact the lives of young special needs children. Yes, when I think about the opportunity I have had to play a role in the further education of so many people who are now teaching young children, I am very thankful.

Online update

Saturday, November 13, 2010 by Beth McKenna
Did you read my last post about Online courses at Granite State College?

Did you think about how being an older adult, maybe this online adult education idea is not for you?

Well I have good news for you. I am an older adult. (Not that I like how that sounds!) And as an older adult involved in the Early Childhood and Teacher training education programs at Granite State College, I have found out that managing the online education system really isn't all that difficult. I have almost finished putting an entire course online. I have had excellent help from faculty at Granite State College and I have also used the online tutorials. I have overcome my fear of this new system for the younger adults and I actually am having fun mastering an online course. So I want to encourage you, if you are interested in an adult education diploma, or online college English classes or any form of online education courses at Granite State (and check out all the offerings) and you are an "older" adult, I am telling you that you can do it. Go for it! You will find that it is lots of fun.

Online Courses

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 by Beth McKenna
If you are thinking about taking a course online, but you are not sure you know how to navigate a whole course online, just realize that as a student at Granite State College, whether you are looking for online classes for early childhood education or online classes for criminal justice or online college English classes, you are not the only one who has to learn to navigate the online system.

I am currently creating my first online course and I will tell you it was a bit of a challenge at the beginning. My first look at the Blackboard system was almost enough to scare me away from online classes at Granite State forever. I thought, there is no way I am going to be able to put a whole course onto the computer. But with the patience and assistance of the Blackboard resource people at GSC, I have almost finished writing my first online course. I have been teaching for a long time, at Granite State and in other places but I guess I am still not too old to learn new things and neither are you.

So be brave, step out of the familiar and into the new and exciting world of online adult education classes at Granite State. See you online!

Great Teachers

Sunday, October 10, 2010 by Beth McKenna
 Have you ever thought about teacher training education? Have you wondered how people become teachers at the early childhood or elementary levels? Childhood education classes are what makes it possible for teachers to become teachers. If individuals do not take education classes they are likely to just copy what they saw in school themselves. So look back at your own learning career. You probably had some great teachers and some ordinary teachers. Unfortunately you may have had more ordinary teachers. Yet if you want to teach, you want to be one of the great teachers. And that doesn't just suddenly happen. You need to become involved in childhood education classes that challenge you to think and to expand your knowledge. You need to be equipped to change with the times. 
Classes at Granite State College make that possible. The classes are scheduled in the evenings so you can work during the day and expand your skills at night. You can enroll in just one class, at a local campus such as  Portsmouth NH classes or Rochester NH classes, or you can take online classes. 
Recently a student at Granite State College observed in an elementary school classroom and saw the teacher handing out worksheet packets while students got into trouble. She decided that the lesson was a good lesson until she was challenged in her evening class at Granite State to think about what could have been done differently to reach the many needs and learning styles in the classroom. Her thinking was challenged and with her classmates she discussed other options. Now and in the future her own students will have the benefit of her learning and experience. That thinking and reflecting is what makes ordinary teachers great.

The Final Exam Question

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 by Beth McKenna
Recently Harvard University announced that it was doing away with final exams. They stated that students do not really learning anything by taking final exams. They are better off showing what they know in projects, quizzes and hands on experiences.

This announcement raised an interesting discussion in the Early Childhood Assessment course at Granite State College, Rochester. Should students take final exams? The class members recounted their own experiences at Granite State College. They reported that in most classes in the Teacher Training Education department faculty relied on projects and papers to assess understanding. Most of the students had taken few final exams at Granite State College. They agreed that using projects and papers assessed their understanding of the material they were learning. They realized that final exams were appropriate in some courses but they felt that the faculty was responsive to the material being taught and they were happy that final exams were not always the only way to assess learning in the classes at Granite State College.  What is your opinion of final exams in college? 

The College Years in the Age of Technology

Monday, August 23, 2010 by Leslie Bowering
The college years of students--younger or older-- in the age of technology abound with opportunities to succeed at Granite State College.  Websites are available--every baby step of the way-- to guide students along but only if they choose to investigate them.
 
I have attached a link about Career Advice that may be helpful to students who are undecided about which course or academic direction they may want to take, whether they are attending classes in Rochester NH college, Concord NH college, Claremont NH college, or Manchester NH college campuses.

It is necessary to have a sense of what direction to take.  Perhaps the use of a website like this one could help students decide whether they have a better aptitude for the Behavioral Sciences offered through Granite State College or maybe  they are more inclined to pursue Early Childhood Education Classes there.  Either way, the technology abounds to provide information when college Advisors are not available at the end of a telephone line.  At least this website gives students someplace to start.     

http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/Getting-Started/Try-This-4-Year-Career-Checklist/article.aspx

Adult Education is all about independently acquiring information, skills, and success. Technology is available to also help students form questions they need to ask of their Advisors.

Why not click on this website, dip your toes in and get yourself organized for the the Fall Semester.  Granite State College empowers students to ask questions and achieve answers. 

Calling All Early Childhood Professionals

Friday, August 20, 2010 by John Cook
I can't say enough about the classes for Early Childhood Education that we offer at Granite State College.  Not only is this Bachelors Degree available in the form of evening college classes or online classes focused on adults, we have such wonderful Faculty as well.  I'm thinking for example of Catherine Yeaton, who is currently teaching EDU 553, Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education, which we are offering this Summer at our Rochester NH College.  Catherine runs the well-know Building Blocks School - located in southern New Hampshire.   

But here is the key detail that might surprise working childcare professionals looking for career advancement programs: Granite State College has a program that will jump start your Early Childhood Degree.  If you are employed at least 20 hours a week in a NH licensed or license-exempt child care center or family child care program, GSC will pay for half the costs of your first class, or even the full cost, depending on the class.  Click this link for details. 

Let me be specific about Fall Term, because registration is open right now.  Here are two classes that you can sign up for using the ECE Tuition Assistance Program:  

PSY 508, Child Development, 4 credits 
(GSC Rochester, Tuesday nights, starting Sept. 14th)

EDU 601, Observation & Assessment in Early Childhood Education, 4 credits
(GSC Rochester, Monday nights, starting Sept. 13th)

You do NOT need to be enrolled in a degree program to take these courses - but if you ARE interested in career advancement education, give us a call (603.332.8335) or register online.