General Knowledge – These apps teach and tell about the world around us. You can learn different things at your own pace and bolster your online learning experience.
• Google Earth – For online graduates in social sciences with a particular interest in geography, Google Earth offers a wealth of information. You get an understanding of terrain, roads, and borders; you can view political maps; find out about particular businesses in a region; and do much more. It is an invaluable tool that can be of great help when working on educational projects.

• iPresident – Students of history, civics, and political science can gain a lot from this application. Find out information on subjects such as a president’s political affiliation, his time in office, important dates in his life and career, educational qualification, even his salary.
• ScienceFacts – This one is for the benefit of all, but particularly medical students, nurses, physics, biology, and chemistry graduates. As the name suggests this application is a mine of information on all things science-related. Lots of helpful stuff and juicy tidbits to complement what you learn online.

Literature – If you’re a student of literature or studying arts online, there are some very good iPhone apps out there which serve as excellent references for you. If you have these apps on your iPhone, you can study and learn on the move and cut down on your visits to the local library or online reference sources.
• Aristotle’s Complete Works – An awesome application that carries all the works of Aristotle that have survived for thousands of years. Read Aristotle to understand how Western thought evolved. What we read about and learn today in subjects as diverse as science and literature springs from the thoughts of great Greek thinkers and Aristotle was right up there with the best of them.
• VocabDaily –A great tool that lets you expand your vocabulary. Learn new words; look up the meaning of arcane, archaic, prolix words to improve your epistolary skills. You can even save words conveniently. Not only this, you can also listen to the pronunciations and definitions.
• BookShelf – If you’re fond of reading and don’t wish to carry books and notes with you then this application is just the right one for your needs. Read on the go. Turn your iPhone into an e-book reader. There are tens of thousands of articlesin the public domain that you can download and read to enhance your online learning experience.

Communication – Enhance your productivity by making use of these communication tools. Reach out to your online professors and peers for doubt resolution and information. Stay in tune with what’s happening on your online campus. Save time.
• Facebook – This is almost the de jure networking site where people congregate to share their thoughts and opinions, friends can get in touch, and so can teacher and student. Chat with people and look up status updates for important information.
• Campfire – This app takes mobile communication to a new level and offers a complete user experience. It has enough use for online learners to merit a mention here. You can chat, share images, and also share and view documents using this application. You can store the transcripts of the chats and engage in group discussions.
• Skype http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-mobile/download/iphone-for-skype/ – Skype for iPhone lets you do a lot. You can chat, talk, and do video chats, group chats, and more using this application. And it works out very cheap. Reach out free of cost to anyone anywhere in the world. The Skype application for iPhone is a true accompaniment to the ideal of online studies; both are without boundaries.

Organization – The key to the success of all self-regulated endeavors is to stay organized. And studying at your own pace requires a good deal of organization. You need to have a routine to accommodate everything in your daily routine and then take some time out for your online education. Here are a few iPhone apps that will help you stay organized.
• Remember the Milk – This one is a popular task -reminding application. You can receive reminders via email and a host of IM tools. You can locate tasks to regions in the real world and organize task lists. Exchange lists of chores to be done with friends.
• FireTask – For smooth task management, use this intuitive to use application. Track tasks and break them down to smaller tasks, group them, delegate them, prioritize them, and do a lot more. Balance your study and work life with this neat application.
• Date Wheel – A nice application that tells you at a glance the amount of time remaining between assignments, use it a s a countdown calculator for any purpose. Useful for project planning and time management.

With the current trend of everything around us from laundry detergent to automobiles “going green”, may be its time that we “go green” with our careers too.
Here is a list of top 8 green careers that might be of interest to you:

Farmer
There are only 2 million farmers in America and since sustainable agriculture is possible only with local small-scale organic methods and not with non-renewable fuel based machinery and fertilizers, the demand for farmers is huge and growing. Many reputable colleges and universities offer degree programs in sustainable agriculture to pursue many promising green jobs in agriculture.

Energy Efficiency Builder
With the growing concerns of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, there is a great demand to convert existing buildings and build new buildings to be energy efficient. To make this possible, not only highly skilled architects and engineers but a huge workforce of retrofitters is also required to convert energy guzzling buildings into energy efficient ones.

Urban Planner
Urban as well as regional planning is probably the most needed skill in America’s quest to lower its carbon footprint. Career opportunities in this sector have been projected to increase by about 15% in the next six years. Courses for urban studies and planning are offered in several top rated universities.

Environmental Engineer
This is one of the top green jobs with rising opportunities for obvious reasons. The fundamental object of this job is to prevent our planet from deteriorating any further. The scope of this job is wide ranging and includes limiting the effects of soil erosion, acid rain, greenhouse gases, car emissions, ozone depletion and global warming. It is estimated that environmental engineering careers will rise by 25% in the next 7 years.

Conservation Biologist
A promising green career that is not just limited to lab coats and test tubes. With the responsibility of preserving the integrity of our ecosystems, conservation biologists can look forward to growing opportunities in research, teaching, field work and several government and non-profit organizations.

Sustainability Systems Developer
For the green economy to prosper, specialized system developers and engineers are a must to design, build and maintain the stochastic framework to support the renewable energy resources like smart energy grids and wind farms. Software developers skilled in web 2.0 applications and open source have ever increasing opportunities to make their careers “green”.

Wind Turbine Fabricator
Manufacturers of wind turbine are in great demand as wind is the fastest growing source of renewable energy. This green job has promising and growing opportunities that you might want to look into.

Solar Power Installer
This is a fast growing career that is suited for those looking to start fresh and for those with construction background looking to make a transition to green careers. You don’t have to worry about opportunities as this career is in great demand wherever the sun shines.

It is important to remember that while the median income of an associate degree holder is higher than that of a high school diploma holder, you should be careful about the degree you choose – it shouldn’t be that you select a degree that pays well but does not have much scope for growth. Select an associate degree that has scope for both academic and professional growth so that you can pursue a bachelor and then a master degree should you wish to.

Also, before you get down to reading about high-paying jobs that you can land with an associate degree, remember that along with the job it is the person that holds the job who makes a difference. Your intelligence, dedication, problem-solving skills will all count. Ask yourself if you have the aptitude for a given job and where you see yourself professionally a decade down the line.

Healthcare is a growing field and there is burgeoning demand for qualified professionals; here are some well-paying jobs in the healthcare sector that you can consider.

A high school diploma and college entrance test scores are usually needed to enter a dental hygienist degree program. While in school, you will take classes in anatomy, physiology and radiography, to name a few. Nearly all states require dental hygienists to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and clinical exam. A typical dental hygienist program takes two years to complete. Dental hygienists rank among the fastest growing occupations. Job prospects will remain excellent as employment is expected to grow 30% through 2016.

• A dental hygienist associate degree assures you of an hourly wage of $30/hr. But getting the degree entails hard work. You have to clear a written and clinical exam to be able to get this degree.

• A diagnostic medical sonographer manages ultrasound equipment, scans patients and forwards these to the physician along with technical notes on the scans taken. There is an increasing requirement for sonographers as diagnostic techniques play an increasingly important role in the treatment of a condition.

• Occupational therapists rarely find themselves out of work. Their work involves taking care of the injured and helping those with disabilities. An associate degree is required to qualify for this job. If you plan for an online associate degree in occupational therapy then you should check if there are any requirements for fieldwork and the duration of fieldwork.

• Cardiovascular technicians find themselves in great demand to cater to the needs of an ageing population as people now live longer and have to deal with the heart problems that occur invariably. Invasive cardiology, echocardiography, or vascular technology are the three areas of specialization for cardiovascular technicians.

Finding an online high school can be a challenge; many schools make big claims but few live up to their promises. Parents generally have two options for their children: private online schools or public online schools. Private online schools function much like traditional private schools, while public schools must follow national and state regulations.

Private Online High Schools

For the most part, private schools act independently of government regulation. Just like traditional private schools, they create their own regulations and have their own learning philosophy, which varies greatly from school to school. Tuition is often high since parents are charged for all costs related to their child’s education, including hardware and software.

These high schools may or may not be accredited by the proper regional association. If you choose a school that is not accredited, check with the academic advisers of a few colleges to make sure that the schools’ transcript will be accepted should your child apply to attend a college.

Many well-established universities are beginning to offer online high schools; these schools are probably the best bet since they are tied to credible institutions that have been around for years. A few schools to consider include:

Allied National High School
Penn Foster High School
Keystone National High School
Christa McAuliffe Academy Online
More online private high schools…

Online Charter Schools

If your state allows charter schools, you may be able to enroll in an online high school for free. Charter schools are publicly funded but have more freedom from government control than regular public schools. This is one of the best deals out there, since public schools are not allowed to charge tuition and are generally accredited by the proper organization. States such as Minnesota and California have provisions in their state laws that permit students to enroll in charter programs that are paid for by the government. Schools Blue Sky in Minnesota offer students the chance to earn a diploma without paying for classes or materials. Choice2000 in California is completely online, completely free, and completely accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Some schools even provide computer equipment and hands-on materials free of charge.

Find a no-cost program in your area by searching the directory of online public charter schools.

Transitioning to an Online Program

Whether you choose a private school or a public school, do a little investigating before you enroll your teenager. Interviewing the school of your choice can be a great way to make sure that you’ll get the resources you need and checking with the correct regional accreditation board can ensure that your school is properly accredited. Finally, make sure your child is emotionally and academically prepared to learn through the internet. Many students struggle being away from social events and friends, and have difficulty avoiding the many distractions in the home. But, if your teenager is prepared and you choose the right school, online learning can be a great asset to her future.

Article Source: About.com

Colleges are offering more flexibility in order to meet the needs of their changing student dynamics. Through online classes and satellite learning, colleges are making it easier than ever for people to go back to school and pursue their degree.

The good news is that scholarship programs have changed too. The scholarship and grant opportunities available are as diverse as the students who receive them. Special interest groups, organizations and institutions of higher learning all offer aid based on everything from scholastic merit, heritage, area of study and special interests. So there really is something out there for everyone.

If you are currently enrolled in college or are interested in pursuing higher education, look into scholarship programs that will assist you with some or all of the cost. Online resources are a great place to start. By entering a little bit of information about yourself, your educational goals and interests search engines can identify the programs that you qualify for. They can also assist you in selecting the right college and coursework to meet your educational goals and needs.

Financial assistance through scholarships and grants affords many non-traditional students the opportunity to achieve the dreams they never though possible. Going back to school is within your means if you utilize the right resources. Find out what programs you qualify for today.

Get free student scholarships now and claim thousands of dollars in cash to pay for school. Apply for money available to new and returning students that never has to be paid back.

Article Source: Gina Delgado, EzineArticles.com

Fact: Many women feel hopeless when they are not able to achieve their educational dreams.

Fact: A $10,000 private scholarship is now available to help all women go back to college.

Fact: Any money that you receive from a scholarship or grant does not have to be paid back and you only have to be 18 years of age to qualify.

This money can be used for educational or noneducational expenses, this means that you could use your money to buy a laptop, pay past due bills, or even take a small vacation before you attend college.

If you do not want to go to university there are many online colleges that can help you get a degree in any field that you wish from art to nursing, and becoming a part of medical community. Any woman who is thinking of going back to college should apply for as many scholarships and grants as possible as $10,000 is a lot of money to receive for free that never has to be repaid.

Obama has made many grant programs available and now private companies have jumped on the bandwagon and offering free money to help women only go back to school.

Article Source: Miranda Watson, EzineArticles.com

Twitter’s site crashed on Thursday at about 3pm BST due to a “denial of service” attack – thousands of remote-controlled virus-infected PCs trying to contact the site. Though the site came back up after an hour, the company said it was “continuing to defend against and recover from this attack”.

As a result lunch plans, breaking news, links to obscure web pages, news about your cat, the thoughts of celebrities, and wondering on Twitter why your tweets aren’t appearing – all had to be put on hold. The loss will have been felt most keenly in London, which Twitter’s co-founder and chief executive Evan Williams revealed on Wednesday has more Twitter users than any other city in the world.

The company’s status blog says that: “We are defending against a denial-of-service attack, and will update status again shortly.”

Denial-of-service attacks – also known as DDOS attacks, for distributed DOS – happen when the controllers of “botnets” consisting of many thousands of virus-compromised Windows PCs decide to target a site. In the past banking, gambling and news sites – and even Google – have been the target of DDOS attacks.

The attacks use the electronic equivalent of ringing the site’s doorbell and running away: the targeted site’s server wastes its resources answering the call. In a typical DDOS attack, there may be millions of such fake approaches.

The aim is often to blackmail the site: sometimes the owners are told that unless they make a payment, the attacks will continue. Gambling sites have often suffered DDOS sites ahead of major sports events, and been warned that the same will follow when the event happens – their key time for bets – unless they pay protection money.

Whether that is the aim of this attack on Twitter is not known: the status blog, updated at 3.40pm BST, gives no other details.

Twitter has become one of the fastest-growing social networking sites in the world. In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight program on Wednesday night, Evan Williams said that the UK had the second-largest user base after the US, and that London has more users than any other city in the world – even ahead of San Francisco, Twitter’s home town.

The UK is reckoned to have about 2.4 million Twitter users according to a recent Ofcom report, though its explosive growth may mean that even that figure is out of date.

DDOS attacks have become relatively commonplace online, but this is believed to be the first time that Twitter has been targeted. As companies get larger and more geographically distributed, they can handle such attacks because their servers are remote from each other. Twitter however is still comparatively small, with most of its resources in the US.

Article Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk

In such a situation, if you’ve just started college, you’re probably going to be wondering if it is worth pursuing an education, especially if it’s at a high personal cost. You may be borrowing money and making many other sacrifices to put yourself through college, so it’s only natural that you may have doubts about your decision.

Would it have been better to try and get a job straight away? Or do you wait and take your chances in three or four years? The answer is not simple, but, the truth is that a degree is a good idea, even in a recession.

If you’re in college right now, here’s how you can make the most of your experience:
• Live in the present: There’s no need to add stress to your life by obsessing over what is going to happen when you graduate in three or four years’ time. Make the most of your academic life by focusing on your education and your social life. There’s going to be enough time to worry about a job in your final year or when you get out. Besides, the economic situation is bound to improve in a couple of years, at least to a point better than the present.
• Plan your future: While this may sound like the direct opposite of the previous point, the point I’m trying to make is that you need to plan for your future without worrying about it. If you lay the groundwork when you’re still a student, you don’t have to waste time once you graduate doing the same.
• Manage your money wisely: A recession is good in that it teaches you to tighten your belt and practice thrift, a habit that stands you in good stead for life. When you’re used to spending wisely, you don’t have to worry about managing your money once you graduate and find a regular job.
• An education is always valuable: No matter how bad the economy is, an education is the most valuable asset you can possess. It does not desert you when the going is tough, and helps you further your career with another degree or more. Remember this when you’re in college, and ensure that you focus on learning practical skills in your chosen profession.By-line:

This article is written by Kat Sanders, who regularly blogs on the topic of top online engineering degree at her blog The Engineering A Better World Blog. She welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: katsanders25@gmail.com.