SavvySugar

Udacity and 14 Other Free Sites For Online Learning

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:51:42 PST

After seeing the success of a personal experiment offering a free Stanford University-certified artificial intelligence course (23,000 people completed the class!), Sebastian Thrun left his prestigious professor position to dedicate himself to teaching on a much larger scale. His new program, Udacity will offer free university-level computer science classes to anyone interested in advancing their tech knowledge.

The two courses currently up for the taking are "CS 101: Building a Search Engine" and "CS 373: Programming a Robotic Car." But that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to free online classes. Here, a list of places to point your web browser for free classes online, so you can soak up all the knowledge your brain can handle.

Yale Open Courses - Named one of Time magazine's top 50 websites of 2011, Yale's classes allow anyone to browse through lectures and course materials in subjects including engineering, chemistry, astronomy, sociology, Spanish, history, and more.
MIT OpenCourseWare - With over 2,000 courses available at your fingertips, MIT OpenCourseWare should be your first (and maybe your only) stop in online learning.
Online Education Database - This website offers up a list of 200 free classes you can take online. Take some physics classes and learn about the phenomenon of superconductivity, or retake that algebra class you struggled with in high school.
OpenCulture - This website offers up a list of free classes from top universities like Stanford and UC Berkeley, and even some video lectures you can find on YouTube.
Harvard Open Learning - Watch videos of lectures on computer science and abstract algebra, among others
Princeton Web Media - Browse through and take in archived lectures from Princeton's math, science, and engineering departments, and lots, lots more.

See more websites to get your online learning on after the break.

Final Exam Tips For Mom Students

OnSugar Blog — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:27:15 PST

Need to cram for an exam? Whether you're a mom or just a full-time student, check out these tips that OnSugar blogger marybabysteps shared on The College Mom.

Wow, the end of the semester is actually here. Where'd the time go? I'm sure you're saying the same thing. With so much on your plate, you may be wondering how in the world you're going to find time to prepare for final exams, never mind how you'll actually manage to survive them. Trust me, mama, you can do this. Take a deep breath and consider these tips to help you get a handle on your test anxiety during this crazy time.

Schedule Study Time

I've talked about this aspect of time management, but it's especially important at finals to make sure you've set aside plenty of time for study. Write it down in your agenda or planner, and be sure to stick to it - just like any other appointment. You'll find that you're far less stressed if you know you've got the time set aside.

Break It Down

Decide which subjects are most difficult and tackle those first in your study session when your energy level is highest. Also keep in mind that it's impossible to study absolutely everything. Decide which topics are most likely to be on the exams and focus on those. Often professors will provide you with study guides. Take a moment to review the study guides, highlighting the topics that are toughest for you. Breaking things down always makes them seem less overwhelming.

More tips after the break.

5 Steps to Rocking Your Grad School Interview

Emily Co — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:05 PST

Many of my friends are applying to business schools right now and a couple are interviewing. I've picked up a number of useful tips from friends and people with graduate degrees, so read on to find out how you can prep for your interview.

Know Your Reason For Going. Why do you want to go to school? You need to figure out your reason for going because it'll help in your interview and essay-writing process. Go into your interview with a clear objective and be sure to have examples to back it up with. You need to be convinced before you can start convincing the admissions officer why you really want to be accepted.
Showcase Your Diversity. There are going to be a lot of people with similar backgrounds so try to dig deep to find that extra something that will make you stand out. Is there a cause you're passionate about? A side project that might surprise (in a pleasant way) interviewers? Think long and hard and it'll make your case even stronger if you can display some leadership abilities.
Practice Makes Perfect. You should practice with a couple of people before interviewing. Alternatively, you can learn a lot from the interviews you do with the other schools you're applying for.

For more tips, read on.

Do You Qualify For Obama's Student Loans Program?

Emily Co — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:00:11 PDT

Last week, President Obama announced the "Pay as You Earn" plan, which is supposed to make it easier for about 1.6 million students to pay back their loans. Right now, the student loan debt in the US totals up to over $1 trillion, which is even more than credit card debt. And the burden seems to keep growing - students who graduated in the Spring of last year had about $25,250 in loans each, which is up five percent from the previous years, reported The Project on Student Debt.

What is it exactly?

In 2014, borrowers will be allowed reduce their loan payments toward all major types of federal student loans to 10 percent of their discretionary income through the Income-Based Repayment plan. The IBR was passed last year, and the "Pay as You Earn" plan that was proposed by the president on Oct. 26 is the accelerated and improved version of it.

With the "Pay As You Earn" plan, 1.6 million students can start to cap their loan payments next year, and after 20 years of payment, their balance will be forgiven. Further, six million borrowers will be allowed to consolidate loans and reduce interest rates in January.

Who qualifies for it?

You qualify for it if your student loan debt is high compared to your income and family size. There's an online calculator at the US Department of Education website in which you can plug in numbers to see what your chances are. The calculator comes up with your monthly payment under the plan, and if it is lower than the monthly payment you're going to be paying on your eligible loans under a 10-year standard repayment plan, you will be eligible to repay your loans under the income-based repayment plan.

Read on to find out how to start.

Is New York's Sex-Ed Too Sexy?

Tara Sharp — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:22:00 PDT

Beginning next year, sex education is going to be mandatory for middle school and high school students in New York City, but the new sex-ed curriculum includes some controversial lessons. The Department of Education's recommended workbooks include:

Comparisons of prices and features of different condom brands at stores.
Research of the confidentiality policy at clinics that provide birth control and STD tests.
Discussions about the safety and risks involved in having sex with a condom, mutual masturbation, French kissing, oral sex, and anal sex.
Resources like Go Ask Alice, which covers sex positions, sadomasochistic sex play, fetishes, bestiality, and more.

The Department of Education claims the curriculum enforces that abstinence is the best option for avoiding teen pregnancy and STDs, but parents are upset that it may go into too many sexy details for preteens and teens. The question is, would it be more preferable for kids to learn about safe sex practices in a healthy, school environment than the possible misinformation they'd receive from their peers and TV? How much is too much?

4 Ways to Make Your Master's Education Worth Its Money

Emily Co — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:00:15 PDT

Going back to school is looking more attractive with a growing number of employers requiring a master's degree. Apparently, an undergraduate degree just isn't enough these days.

But it's dangerous to assume that an advanced degree is a guaranteed ticket to cushy jobs. Not so much. The tale of the Starbucks barista with a JD is unfortunately all too common. If you decide to take the plunge and enroll in higher education, follow these four tips to make your grad school education worth its while:

Build ties with faculty. It's important to get to know your professors, because some of them may have job leads and can play a central role in your professional development. "Students need to talk to faculty. I hear about jobs all the time that I wouldn't put on the listserv, because I want to make sure that I connect my source with an appropriate talent." says Marcel Pacatte, professor at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. "I don't want either party coming back to me later complaining."
Try new things. Take advantage of your time in grad school to explore new things; it may even result in a new career path. "While you're in grad school, I think it's important to sample everything it offers. One student came here and had never held a video camera - never even entered his consciousness - and because of his Medill experience, he's now a documentarian," Pacatte says. Picking up a broad array of skills and experiences will make your resume look less cookie cutter, which is to your advantage.

Read on for more tips.

10 Student-Teacher Relationships That Cross the Line

TresSugar — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:52:30 PDT

At what point does it become acceptable for a student to date a teacher? It's obviously a no-no if the student is 13, but last year even Yale banned student-teacher sex, and coeds called the policy unrealistic. For years, the topic has fascinated filmmakers far beyond the made-for-TV movie about Mary Kay Letourneau. Here are 10 student-teacher liaisons that cross the line from cute to questionable or just plain creepy.

OnSugar Blog: Some Facts About Community Colleges

OnSugar Blog — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:15:12 PDT

OnSugar blogger the college mom gives the lowdown on why community colleges are great choices for busy adults.

Community colleges are a phenomenal educational choice for busy adults. Classes are offered at various times, you can often find one close to home and the price is usually much less expensive than four-year institutions. Some people may worry that the quality of education is not as high at community colleges as that of traditional schools, but the truth is, the majority of community colleges require similar accreditation to four-year schools. And if you're looking for a specialized degree in a technical or industrial field, the education received at community colleges is often top-notch, offering the newest equipment, devices and technology.

In addition, a community college education is versatile. Working with your academic adviser, you'll be able to choose liberal arts courses that should transfer seamlessly to the four-year school of your choice. If you're not planning to obtain a Bachelor's degree, community colleges offer numerous Associate degrees and certificate programs that can open the doors to the career path you're looking for. As a former community college academic adviser, I may be a little biased, but I truly believe that community colleges provide excellent educational options to the community, particularly to adult students.

Here are some quick facts about community colleges from The American Association of Community Colleges:

As of January 2011, there are 1,167 community colleges in the U..S.
During fall semester 2008, 12.4 million students attended community college - 40% full-time, 60% part-time.
In the 2007 - 2008 academic year, the average age of community college students was 28, with 45% being between the ages of 22 - 39 and 15% who were 40 and older.
In the fall of 2008, 58% of community college students were women.
As of fall 2008, community college students made up 44% of all U.S. undergraduates.
In the 2007 - 2008 academic year, community college students received 46% of financial aid.
The average academic year tuition for in-district community colleges in 2007 - 2008 was $2,713 compared to $7,605 for in-state, public 4-year schools.

The figures show that community colleges are a popular choice for a great number of students pursuing higher education. It's likely you'll find people just like you with common interests attending these institutions. The education is affordable, with financial aid that is available. Why not schedule a visit to your local community college and see if it's the right fit for you?

To read other great posts, visit the college mom blog. You can start your own OnSugar blog for a chance to be featured on the PopSugar Network.

Forever 21's "Allergic to Algebra" Shirt the Latest to Discourage Young Girls

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:12:31 PDT

Oops, someone's done it again! Back to school is a time to get kids excited about school and learning, but if two of the nation's most popular stores with teens have their way, today's girls are just too cool for school these days. Following JCPenney's attempt to sell a t-shirt emblazoned with, "I'm too pretty to do homework so my brother does it for me" (the company pulled it after moms took to social media to deride the shirt), Forever 21 is now featuring shirts that read, "Allergic to Algebra" and "School Is Fun - When It's Over." ($12) There's no question that the shirts send young (and smart) girls the wrong message, but the fact that more than one store is pushing these shirts may be indicative of a larger problem. Do we have an issue with our attitude toward girls and education?

College Sells Groupon For Cheaper Tuition

Emily Co — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:26:04 PDT

Students at the National Louis University can give their wallets a little break. The Chicago-based school is offering a Groupon for an introductory teaching course for graduate students, and buyers can save up to 57 percent off the tuition of one course. There are only four days left till the deal closes, and up to 15 coupons available - two of which have already been bought. The course normally totals up to $2,232, but people who purchase the daily deal can buy it for just $950.

If you're interested in the details, the class starts this Fall, and students will meet once a week on Monday nights for three hours. There are only 25 spots available for that class, and students will receive three credits that they can use toward the 36 credits needed to graduate from the program.

Now, if only other graduate schools started selling their courses on Groupon . . .