The way we learn is changing faster than ever before. With the Internet, digital libraries and online encyclopedias it seems as if all the world’s information is at our finger tips. This makes learning new things very easy and indeed is changing the way we view knowledge and education. Even traditional schools, colleges, universities and specialty schools are now using online strategies similar to those used in corporate training.
No longer will children with illnesses or injuries be denied their schoolwork, as they can do it all online. Online education has even more uses in such things as Home-Schooling or those wishing to go back and get a degree part-time working at their pace.
As distance learning grows more popular, parents are beginning to consider home education for their children. As the youngest generation grows up online, the future of education looks more digital than ever. Completing a course online gives young students a chance to discover the advantages of distance learning. As a result, more students are prepared for the online format, and more willing to take courses online in college. An online university student can learn something one evening and put their knowledge to work the very next day.
Online educational institutions are growing in number and enrollments because they offer the working class a chance to advance in their careers, develop a higher level of personal confidence, and fulfill life-long dreams.
In the past, working adults weren’t able to further their careers because of time restraints; including, but not limited to, working overtime, business travel, and caring for families. Online education takes away those time restraints by offering a completely virtual learning experience.
The Internet is moving well beyond e-mails and e-commerce. Predictions of an Information Age are proving prophetic as the information superhighway carries more and more vehicles transporting ideas opening the door to an education that may have been denied to many. Online education has resulted in thousands of virtual classrooms that offer the possibility for accomplishment and advancement for all.
In an age where everyone and everything is stretched too thin it is refreshing to know that the Internet provides legitimate resources that allow almost anyone to learn about almost anything. You can now feel confident that life and opportunity are not passing you by. Higher education is now available to any person with the drive, the desire and a personal computer.
Whatever your choice, if you have the opportunity to take an online course, do not ignore it. Life is a long-term learning stadium where you are given the tools that other generations would have appreciated.
January 12th, 2009 at 1:33 am
Special Education Teachers and Compensation?
I am currently in thr process of working towarda a four year degree in education. I love teaching, and would not change the path I have chosen for the world. I have been thinking about getting a special emphasis area in special education. I was wondering whether or not special ed teachers earn more money or go up the payscale any quicker. I have been tryng to find information about this online and I am getting inconsistent information. Any help or recommendations for resources?
January 12th, 2009 at 6:35 am
I'm a Sped teacher and I don't get paid any more than any other teacher. If you have additional degrees…you should be in a higher pay scale.
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January 12th, 2009 at 6:37 am
A special ed teacher gets paid just like every other teacher—
by his/her education status and years experience.
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i taught special ed for 28 years in public schools.
January 12th, 2009 at 6:39 am
My friends are correct in saying there is no additional compensation for special education teachers through the public school pay scales. All schools increase compensation for additional degrees (only some for Ph.D.s), for years of service, for entering the administrative ranks, and sometimes for taking on additional responsibilities that exceed your contract. Some schools provide increased compensation or a signing bonus for National Board certification.
This is a topic of debate in higher education and I encourage you to pursue it in your research and writing. As you probably noticed, special education teachers are expected to know everything a general education knows and then possess additional, specialized knowledge and skills. In a capitalist economy, it would follow that SpEd teachers would earn more.
Pay from school district to school district varies, and is largely based on the property assessments for the locale. If you look at area school systems, the schools that pay the most will generally have the most resources, and you may find the work easier.
Additionally, I have found that special education teachers have more opportunities to work in private special education schools, where pay can be higher and/or the work year-round, and the administration more informed and supportive.
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January 12th, 2009 at 6:41 am
I work in a public school and I earn about $1800 more a year than a general education teacher with the same level of education. We go up the pay scale at the same rate, but obviously, I will continue to be higher. Education and classes taken towards a master's degree also increase pay.
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January 12th, 2009 at 6:43 am
I dont know if you will make any more money, but I will tell you the way the trend is going, more and more children with special needs are being integrated into gen ed classes so your education in this area will be helpful but you will not be compensated for it greatly if I had to guess….
Also, If you are strictly teaching special needs, as I am a parent of a special needs student, I totally respect my Good special ed teachers as they are being asked to put up with alot of C H A L L E N G I N G behaviors… hit, bit, spit, and these are not vocab words… these are just a few of what my son do in a day in the educational setting… not at home.. but at school, he is being asked to do something–like learn…
Good Luck…If you are looking at it from an investment point of view… Id guess it wont pay you back, but I could be wrong…
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