A world rich with promise for the degree-less!
353039
For practically minded workers---those with an eye on production and delivering sterling value---the situation today is rich with promise.  Employers are waking up to the truth that University degrees---even those from prestigious universities---are as good as counterfeit.  Just one reason is that, today, anyone can go to university. And many graduates  don't even have a firm grasp of the language in which their years of coursework was conducted.  Here in Australia that language is English, of course, and the number of "English-impaired" students graduating from prestigious Australian Universities has been a big question mark.  And it doesn't stop there; I've found university coursework that was outdated, riddled with errors and learning material that I could not map to actual workplace skills.
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I once came across a text book (in use at a prestigious university) which was written in unnecessarily complicated and twisted sentences; so much so that it would make the professors who wrote it laughing stocks in international academic circles.
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The remarks of other reviewers so far---"Lee Say Keng", "'A Customer' [on August 26, 1999]" and "Gian Fiero"---are well-worth reading, and I shall not repeat those same praises here.
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To summarize, I should say simply that this book is a good starting point.  Internet based facilities (not available in 1995 when this book was published) can now be leveraged in adapting the strategies covered in this book.
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Good luck! But better still, "good strategy"!
905618
This was an absolute delight to read -- an educator truly caring for students; visionary founders taking risks so that the college could continue to put student learning first; and a positive sense of humor throughout! The illustrations also were a nice touch, showcasing the artistic abilities of the talented alumni. Paula has built something special, something that I've been able to witness firsthand, as a mother to a recent grad. My son started at SCAD after years of wandering between unfulfilling jobs and stints at other colleges. At SCAD, he found his 'why' in life -- due to the faculty, the curriculum and the support services that Paula envisioned right from the very beginning. The quality of this university, and the talents and vision of Paula, are obvious in the tens of thousands of students and graduates who have achieved their dreams. My son included.
1711193
I'm a yr 1 student at the Univ of Auckland. With the serious lack of funding/computer, absolutely lousy lecturers and the use of an outdated java textbook, I definitely would not have passed the CS course without the  help of this book.
I'm now packing my luggage and heading to the US/UK in  search for a better education and a better life.(no more anti-science,  Green/Labour nonsense) And any idea what book I'll bring along with me?
Thanks for all the good reviews posted for this book here. Thank you to  all of you! Have this book on your bookshelf ready if you plan to take your  1st Java course. Half way through the course, you'll find this book  indispensable.
1870243
I loved this book!  Dr. Carroll offers a refreshingly alternative point of view regarding careers in academia and provides the reader with clear-cut examples of successful employement strategies.
The thesis of the book is that being an adjunct lecturer need not be just a stepping stone on the way to a life of tenure, but rather, being an adjunct can be a successful and rewarding lifestyle in and of itself.  Dr. Carroll views the adjunct lecturer as a free-lance consultant, like any other business consultant, and offers clear-cut advice on what to expect in academia and how to make it work.  The examples in the book provide sample workloads and typical incomes and, especially helpful,candid discussions of the academic working environment and the types of attitudes which can be expected from others. The book also discusses the relative pros and cons of both adjunct and tenure track positions.
This book should be required reading for all graduate students pursuing advanced degrees as well as for anyone currently in the field of higher education. It lays out a simple yet effective strategy for crafting a successful lifestyle as an adjunct without the usual dire predictions for meager employement opportunities in higher education.  Kudos to Dr. Carroll for thinking outside the Ivory Tower!
4337871
This book challenges our traditional educational path.  Without formal training and education, this remote civilization manages to live their lives supporting each other and remaining in rythym with the world around them.  Even when offered the opportunity to partake of the "advanced" world outside of their native lands, they understand that there is nothing there that will improve their happiness and satisfaction.  By paying close attention to the natural world around them and within themselves, these people individually learn everything they need to know.  Unfortunately most of the civilized world does not recognize the inherent wisdom available from these sources and fails to include them in the educational experience presented to our children and young adults.
1933531
Don't let the academic-sounding title of this book fool you.  It was written for ordinary readers interested in how the United States came to be an economic superpower over a 500-year period and why a country of similar origins-Brazil-lags far behind.  The two countries are similar in size, began as colonies of powerful European states in roughly the same era, and relied on slavery for early economic development.
In this highly readable book, Dr. John DeWitt, a former foreign service office and professor of geography, explains how the U.S. gained leadership in the global economy, along with Western Europe and Japan, while Brazil remains among the countries on the periphery, struggling to penetrate the inner circle.  Other peripheral countries are Russia, China, Mexico, and India.  Those still outside the circle are poor Third World nations.  The book brings together a fascinating blend of economics, history, anthropology, sociology, and geography to tell the stories of the colonization and economic advancement of the U.S. and Brazil, starting in the14th century.
Until I read Dr. DeWitt's book, I considered global economics, history and geography too abstract and boring to hold my attention for more than a page or two.  However, because this book was lent to me by a friend, I was determined to wade through at least a chapter or two.  I've been unable to put it down.  I'm amazed by the compelling story it tells.  For the first time, I'm able to see economic development as a drama, with individual countries taking roles as interesting as characters in a Shakespearean play.
My only criticism of the book is that the title makes it sound dry.  It's not.  Dr. DeWitt's gift with words and his ability to tie complex ideas together gives untutored readers a new pair of glasses to see the world they live in.
928384
And this is why good, honest-middle class or lower class students don't get a chance to reach full potential. Really good book by the way!
1762351
"The World is Open", by Curtis J. Bonk, PhD, is tremendously filled with new ideas and innovations for education.  From the causal, on-demand learner to elementary schools and college students, this book identifies the latest trends and resources in learning.  This book has so much; it took me a long while to finish.  Every few pages I would get on the internet and look at the sites.  Wow!  Something in this book impacts everyone who is reading this review.

If you are reading this, then you have learned how to blog, or a t least how to surf the internet.  Maybe even how to use Twitter or Facebook.  This is an example on on-demand, on-line, blended learning.  For The Flat classroom project has students from Westwood Schools in Camillia, Ga., collaborating with students and schools in Doha, Qatar and Dhaka, Bangladesh for project-oriented activities judged by judges in China, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.  MIT has the open course project has their class curriculum on-line and free to use.  Since 2006, Michigan requires high school students to complete at least 20 hours of meaningful online learning to graduate and Florida has an on-line high school.

Dr. Bonk's book illustrates current trends and technologies of using Web 2.0 in learning of all types, not just education.  It really brings home the how the world will be taught in the upcoming years.  What is evident from Japan, China, Africa, South America, and Canada, is those countries are investing and using the new technology to educate and train their people, and if the U.S. does not change its educational delivery, then it will fall behind.

Here are just some of the things for learners, students, and educators Bonk lists in his exciting book:  Big Think, Teacher Tube, PLoS, SciVee, MIT, Chinswing, Connexions, Curriki, Wikispecies, MoOM, GNG, Global Kids, WEbook, Scribd, ePal, Chumby and Livemocha (which I am using now to learn Chinese).  Go by his website, google the above items, and get into the future of learning.
436144
Gene W Kelly makes the case effectively for the trades, with student debt skyrocketing and many graduates leaving college without a real world perspective about their own vocational prospects- The College Myth provides a handbook for those people, who may feel desperate about their situation.
It is a very short book (122 pages) that can be read end to end in 2 weeks, it provides the reader with information, about how to gain skills online in plumbing, carpentry, even basic engineering.

Some chapters do tend to rely on well worn methods like networking- that seem to me to be rather the same territory, as the ubiquitous university seminar, but you can tweak this, and just absorb the dominant, practical massage the book is conveying. which is an extremely timely one about how many college students and their parents, have completely unrealistic expectations about what their degree will get them in the marketplace!
4078810
Despite many decades of relief efforts, global poverty is more severe than ever, and climbing fast! Food, clothing and medical care help, but they're only a temporary bandaid. The world needs a real solution, not more handouts! Now finally, there is an answer. Using the most successful economic model in history, Kirk Magleby and his colleagues are traveling the world, teaching the poor how to rise up out of their poverty through the miracle of Microfranchising!
In this no-nonsense, hard-hitting, "real-life" book, Kirk Magleby will give you the straight facts behind the "true" causes of world poverty. For example, you will learn how donations of food and clothing can actually devistate a community's already fragile economy! And most importantly, you will learn how we can actually end global poverty in our lifetime! Kirk's world-tested solution is real, and it works! If you've ever wanted to really do something to help the world's poor, this is your handbook!
3532904
"Above Expectations - My Story.." recalls the extraordinary academic achievement of author S.L. Young who earned multiple college degree's in business study and management, before becoming a dedicated college professor committed to student advocacy and learning.

It was in high school that Mr. Young found tremendous difficulty to reach his graduation milestone. With no academic interest, skipped school to chill with friends, and barely remembers his mother's disappointment in his immaturity and dismal progress.  Barely graduating, and unhappy with low wage work, he realized a college education would be vital to his success. However, with his poor academic record, and several attempts to continue his college education after quitting for awhile, he fianlly became a proud college graduate!

This is certainly an inspiring story. Professor young discussed the educational system and its failure to provide instruction for optimal student learning and opportunity. He spoke of the teachers that strived to inspire and made a difference for their students-- he was one of those educators. A defining moment in his life was a nomination for an award by his colleagues, he didn't win, but it was still quite an honor to be considered. There was a noticeable absence of storyline connection and dialogue with family, friends, colleagues that would have made this story more memorable. With thanks to the publisher for the e-ARC for the purpose of review.
3105763
Before reading this book, I was convinced some people had an innate ability to learn anything without having to study or work very hard while others were not nearly as lucky, but Lucas Miller's book disproved this notion. He lies out a number of techniques that make it possible for any individual to learn any given material. After reading his book, the time I spend studying has become extremely more efficient, giving me unprecedented free time to rest my brain. Highly recommend this book to any academia looking to enhance their study skills!
1219235
I bought this book for my Social Studies Class in college and I loved it! It shows pictures from families all over the world with their possessions. I found it very enlightening and educational, and I think this would be a great way to teach students about the world that we live in. I hope there is an updated version of this book soon!
4569479
Anyone who has spent time in a university eventually gets to thinking: why  is this university organized in this way? Why does it offer the classes that it does? One simple answer is the functional answer: universities teach us what we need to know. But if the university curriculum fills a functional role, shouldn't the curriculum in Kenya be different from the Harvard curriculum? It turns out that college curricula are nearly the same all around the world. I found that this book offered a global and suprising thoughtful perspective on the history of the university, which is really just the history of how we all think. The writing was superb.

I was a little surprised that social science has grown so much (in terms of faculty positions) in the past century, and natural science has not. I would have thought that the natural sciences were coming to dominate everything, but I was wrong.

I think this book will take its rightful place right at the top of intellectual histories of the university, and therefore of human knowledge. For another great perspective on the history of disciplines and professions, see Andrew Abbott's The System of Professions.
3503381
Effortless Living is a wonderful introduction to ancient Chinese philosophy. I have studied western philosophy and mystic traditions and Buddhism, but could never quite grasp the Chinese wisdom, given the vast language differences. In Effortless Living, I discovered that Jason Gregory has an innate talent for acting as a sort of translator in bringing this knowledge forth in a way I could grasp with ease! The idea of Wu Wei is an amazing offering to our western way of life and offers s glimmer of a path that could actually help humanity find its way again. For now, it has certainly brought clarity into my world about following an organic path based upon the ease of trusting one's heart & the universe, as our primary guides here in this realm. My only wee criticism, is that I would have preferred to access the Wu Wei insights and then the breakdown of Confucianism and Lao Tzu's differences, instead of having the first part of the book focusing mostly on these two...a minor issue overall. Thank You!
2735048
This purchase of the Amazon kindlebook  titled Pay Off: How One Millennial Eliminated Nearly $80,000 in Student Debt in Less Than Five Years (Kindle Single) by Shannon Young stemmed from my own determination to repay my student loans by the year 2030 (2035 at the latest) and Im craving inspiration on how to make student loan payoff possible while still independently living on your own (whether on your own if  single or with a spouse/partner depending on if you are married or unmarried but in a long-term relationship).  I must preface that I had my own mind made up about pursuing my dream of going to college and have dreamed of doing so ever since I became a straight A student in the sixth grade and having my mind made up to eventually pursue my dream of going to college for sure after I made class valedictorian in eighth grade (out of around 389 students). I preface my valedictorian achievement not to be nostalgic but to imply why I have wanted to go to college at an early age as well as having a goal in mind since that age to eventually become an accomplished career woman (because Im well aware that some well-meaning people may think that my education and college dreams may have originated from other people besides myself).  Anyhow, I enjoyed how the author admitted to finally obtaining a lucrative chance to make a dent on her student loans once  she relocated overseas to Hong Kong.  This is an impressive accomplishment because she bravely admitted to having borrowed $80,000 to attend Colgate University while majoring in English (which definitely gave hope to me that I can repay my student loans before 2035 regardless of how my major is viewed in the general public).  I also think that it was generous of her to share how much she made each month to help her repay her student loans within five years (I know some people will say Duh but I actually saw a good intentioned written story a few days ago where an accomplished person did at least share that they paid back their student loans while living on their own-which is an outstanding achievement- but there was missing information on how much they made each month to make that a reality). Anyhow the author courageously admitted that she made $4,870 a month but then it was adjusted to $2161 per month after her housing assistance allowance was factored in. Fortunately, I do not have a co-signer on my student loans which makes them completely erased upon my death (which fortunately gives me peace of mind especially for my friends, family members, and my husband who matter to me). However, whether I live until my 90s or die young I would prefer to die knowing that I truly did the best I can to live up to my professional/financial potential regardless of how popular and/or obscure I am while Im alive.  I must avoid saying more out of courtesy for people who have not yet purchased the kindlebook titled Pay Off: How One Millennial Eliminated Nearly $80,000 in Student Debt in Less Than Five Years (Kindle Single) by Shannon Young.
4951222
"Universities have forgotten their main purpose, which is to help students `learn who they are, to search for a larger purpose for their lives, and to leave college as better human beings.'"

"The students are not soulless, but the university is."

"We need to stop releasing our students into the wild without systematically challenging them to take an inner as well as an outer journey."

There was a time not long ago when people purchased a house for a simple reason, to live in it. They were thinking about their family and the memories they would make in a new home. They certainly were not concerned about a return on investment and flipping the home at the right time.

There was also a time not long ago when people obtained a college education to learn and find a purposeful career. They were thinking about changing the world and creating a promising future. They certainly were not concerned about a return on investment or having a higher salary than their less-educated counterparts.

The real estate world has seen its fair share of troubles and higher education has experienced its fair share of criticisms. Getting back the very nature of higher education is essential.

Parker Palmer and Arthur Zajonc have written another volume into the advancement of higher education. The authors call for an integrative education. They call for an education that incorporates the whole person: intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and so forth.

The book is very philosophical. Palmer and Zajonc present very articulate yet very idealistic perspectives. They attempt to balance the idealism with practical, real life examples found throughout campuses across the nation.

Though I love the book's message, I found myself easily distracted while reading. This may be a symptom of summer busy-ness, but I never felt attached to the book. Unfortunately, this is now a trend for me when it comes to Palmer's writings, apparently he is not my style.