I am very happy that our son is pursuing his education, but recently one assignment had me stumped – the need to check one’s credit score.

Why This Particular Assignment?

It’s not that it’s a bad thing for a college course to teach its students the value of knowing where one stands in the financial world. The odd thing was he had already been asked to do this same task in a prior semesters’ class (which had much more to do with credit scores and real-life scenarios then the current one). That particular course was a broad-based class to “prepare the student for the real world.”

But, the current course was either web design or something to do with Linux systems. My brain had a hard time wrapping around the need for a teacher in either of those classes to expound upon the value of investigating his credit score. Maybe there was an ulterior motive, or maybe my son just didn’t fill me in on the details? But it’s days, nay weeks later, and I still cannot comprehend that particular need to check his credit score for that particular class – does it make sense to you?

On the Plus Side of Credit Score Checking

Luckily though, getting your own free credit score is very easy online. In fact, use either link in this post, and you’re more than halfway there already

Having already done the assignment once, of course it was simple for him to accomplish the second time around. Actually it was highly beneficial. The first time a teacher asked, he didn’t have any credit; however, semesters later and sure enough, he’s “in the system.”

Of course he was thrilled to find out there were no problems. In fact, he’s quite proud of his credit score and, with luck, he’ll keep it that way for years to come!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Flatworld Knowledge for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

This is a subject near and dear to my heart – the ability for students to use the most current, most informative textbooks for their study. Giving teachers the ability to use textbook customization. Too often, students are forced to learn subject matter from out of date textbooks. In a world where being at the cutting edge is so important, don’t you think having leading edge material is the best way to learn?

Flat World Knowledge Provides Living Breathing Textbooks

Teachers and students now have a choice. They can suffer along using static material, or explore new territory. Flat World Knowledge makes this possible with their “living, breathing dynamic learning platform.” Simply put, textbooks on a wide range of subjects, written by experts in their field and published under the Creative Commons open license are available for free when used online or a small fee for downloading and accessing offline.

Teachers and Students Using Only the Best of the Best Textbooks

Using a platform that Flat World Knowledge calls “Make It Your Own” (MIYO) tailoring a textbook has never been easier. Chapters and sections can be dragged and dropped, thus arranging the course the way the teacher would like it presented; edited to keep the book current and alive; and even insert new material including video and audio multi-media for true interaction. The latest relevant material from YouTube and BlipTV can even be inserted into any given textbook.

Once the textbook has been modified to the instructor’s liking and published, the textbook becomes available in a wide range of options:

o In HTML format, fully functional with features like search, the ability to take notes, and multi-media support

o In PDF format for easy printing (what is called a softcover version in b/w) on demand

o ePub and .mobi file format for mobile readers and devices (iPad, Kindle)

o As an audio book, and

o Digital Braille ideal for individuals with print disabilities.

Watch this video to see how unique and wonderful the world of textbooks can truly be:

Textbooks for Free or a Small Fee

All online access to Flat World Knowledge textbooks is free. Offline access (downloading the textbook) costs a fraction of the price most educational bookstores charge starting at just $25 for most formats and $35 for the printed version. This is the way education can and should grow. Out with the outdated and in with the new. Textbooks that take on a life of their own where teachers can truly teach and students can truly learn.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CoursePark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Today I have the opportunity to tell you about a strategy that will not only help your career development by honing your skills, but it is also free to join CoursePark!

I did just that, taking CoursePark up on their offer to allow me a look inside what they offer by way of eLearning, and frankly I’m amazed. I knew from reading the landing page that they offered more than 3,500 courses. I knew ahead of time by the material I’d read that I’d be able to pick and choose the courses most applicable to me. I also was aware that they offer free and low cost coursework, but I’m stunned at how very low their prices are… I’m talking totally affordable for a majority of today’s population.

What I wasn’t expecting was what I found inside (to my delight)! Whether you need the training yourself, or for your employees, or even for your clients, the scope and depth of what is available is nothing short of incredible.

Here’s what I found. After acknowledging the Welcome message located under Notifications once I logged in, I headed straight to their CourseMarket. I wanted to verify for myself that their e-learning center really holds material worth telling you about – and I was not disappointed.

For example, my son is taking classes through our local community college, and for the degree he is currently interested in pursuing, there were some Information Systems (IS) courses he had to get out of the way. Imagine my surprise, when inside CoursePark I found, under their “Software Applications” many of the same courses my son’s college requirements included.

One of CoursePark’s available, self-paced, online classes is Microsoft Office 2007. The course includes 21 subcategories and 52 courses. In fact, upon further investigation, CoursePark covers exactly what our local college spends half a semester presenting (at triple the price per course!).

Then I checked CoursePark’s IT e-learning category. There you will find 18 subcategories, with a total of 97 possible e-classes to take to increase your skills.

CoursePark isn’t all about software and information systems either. You’ll find a wealth of business-related courses, leadership and management, communications online learning, and even human resources (HR) training.

Now here’s an odd twist on why many people would benefit tremendously by signing up for CoursePark for free and taking a few courses say within Human Resources (HR). At the low price of just $29 a course you very well could put yourself ahead of all the other job seekers by delving into the mind and strategies HR applies when it comes to interviewing. A real “behind the scenes look” at what goes on when you sit across the desk from a person who easily has your fate in their hands. Will you or won’t you get the job?

With a course or two under your belt through CoursePark, getting that job may be a whole lot easier than you ever imagined

And, don’t forget that CoursePark is an ideal solution for low-cost business training.

Okay, that’s it for now. I want to continue investigating for myself.

Just don’t pass this opportunity up, join CoursePark for free and start your 2011 out right!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC. All opinions are 100% mine.

Consider that even though you may be gainfully employed, the numbers of unemployed are staggering. Why did, and do, some people keep their jobs while others have lost their income? Does continuing education account for the difference? And, more importantly, ask yourself, “Could this happen to me? Could I lose my job?”

If you’re questioning which above category you fall into – whether you keep your job or find yourself without a job – either way, one obvious solution is to pursue furthering your education. While numerous industries have taken a hit, there remain fields such as teaching, that will always need more educators.

However, setting yourself apart from the crowd is also an even better idea. This means selecting the best of the best when it comes to getting your Master’s degree.

Of course the challenge of time is a variable most people cannot afford to overlook. However, with the internet, nothing makes it easier to earn a Master of Arts in Education degree then doing so online. Which brings us to the USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC program, where you gain the advantage of highly-interactive learning along with field-based experience.

The USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC program information is easy to access (just click that link). You’ll find that their accelerated system allows you to complete your Master’s degree in just 12 months. Yes, one year from now and you’ve earned yourself a leading edge degree, and you open up another level, one where teaching positions pay more, sometimes much more.

Earning the AACTE Award for “innovative use of technology in education”, the MAT@USC program is, obviously, highly regarded. And, to make it easier for you personally to attend, they have developed assistance by way of a tuition reimbursement program.

Attaining your Master’s from a university ranked #22 in the country (and #9 in private universities based on a U.S. News and World Report), gaining access to the top USC faculty who are recognized for their contributions in education, and becoming one of the USC Trojan Family Elite are just a few of the many benefits MAT@USC provides its students.

Time and distance no longer matter, not since you can attend your classes online, and work at your own pace from the comfort of your home.

In addition, as a MAT@USC student, you have the identical full status and access to benefits just as those who attend via a campus setting receive. Yes, this includes commencement ceremonies and a lifetime free Alumni Association membership.

Enhance your job security, or switch professions, quickly and easily. Investigate what USC Rossier has to offer.