Degrees from Top Universities

“If you want to succeed, you should strike out on new paths rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.” – John D. Rockefeller

John D. Rockefeller certainly knew something about success—he was the founder of an oil company that dominated and revolutionized the industry and he became a very wealthy and influential business man as a result. However, Rockefeller didn’t start at the top—his first job was as an assistant book keeper. Because he refused to be content with the status quo, he eventually climbed to the top of American business.  

Rockefeller is certainly not alone. History is full of examples of people who pushed ahead and didn't accept things only as they were. When have advancements happened by simply following established practices in a monotonous circle? Was Alexander Graham Bell satisfied only communicating messages through telegraph? Did Dr. Joseph Lister chalk infection up to a risk of surgery for patients and move on? Did Steve Jobs look to the technology of the day and copy it? Most pioneers in a field don’t follow the path most traveled to leave their mark on the world. They take a chance, act on a hunch or instinct, and push into the unknown on their own path.

Are you tired of status quo in your life and in your career? Are you ready to take a chance and blaze a new trail for yourself by advancing your degree and your career? Get started on the path to earning your online degree with help from The College Network and top university partners like Indiana State University, Regis University, and Tulane University (just to name a few!) and open doors to career advancement and new ways to put your distinct mark on your field. You can get started right away—there is no need to wait for a new semester to begin. Contact us today and strike out on a new path to success!

…seek learning conditions that enable each individual to reach the highest level of learning possible for her or him.

—Benjamin Bloom, Hastings, & Madaus

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Over 50 years ago, between 1949 and 1953, a group of more than 30 university-level educators began meeting to discuss the development of a framework to outline the different levels at which learners are required to process information. The result of their combined efforts was a book that presented the framework to the world. The framework was named after the editor of the book, Benjamin Bloom, and is referred to by most educators as Bloom’s Taxonomy. In 2001, David Krathwohl, a member of the original group, and a group of colleagues published an updated version of the taxonomy that better represents what we know today about the highest levels of thinking and learning (Anderson et al. 2001).

Nearly two decades ago I discovered for myself what a powerful tool Bloom’s Taxonomy is for educators in that it ensures that instructional objectives, content, and test or quiz items are aligned. But I also realized it would be just as powerful, if not more so, for learners if they understood the levels of cognitive processing represented by Bloom’s Taxonomy. As learning professionals we should support our learners in applying Bloom’s Taxonomy to their individual learning processes by explaining to them what takes place cognitively at each of the six levels and providing examples of what it would look like to operate at the higher levels of the taxonomy. In some cases it might be useful to provide examples specific to the material they are studying. It should be our hope that if they encounter courses later in life that were not designed with the appropriate levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy in mind, they will be able to effectively navigate the material using their personal knowledge of the model. If we take our commitment as learning professionals seriously, it should also be our hope that our learners will utilize this valuable model when engaged in workplace learning and job performance as well. Although few can state why from the cognitive perspective, employers are generally big fans of employees who can effectively operate at the appropriate cognitive levels while engaged in their day-to-day professional endeavors. Clark (2008) states that an advantage of any organization competing in a global talent pool is innovative and creative expertise. The ability to effectively utilize Bloom’s Taxonomy allows learners and employees to continue learning beyond what we attempt to teach them and enables them to reach their highest level of learning and performance.

Additional Notes:

In a post dated April 8, 2011 and titled Don't Settle for More of the Same I suggested that learners should ask and answer the following questions:

-- What does it take to complete the assigned learning tasks?

-- At which level does the assigned learning task align with the 6 levels of learning?

-- Am I just doing more on the same level or am I improving my ability to achieve more advanced thinking/learning? 

If you're a learner and you can't respond confidently to these questions when studying I still highly recommend that you call The College Network (1.800.395.1014) so that we can help you ensure that you get a great return on the time and money you invest in your education. We can help by showing you a better way to earn online degrees from top universities while becoming a more effective learner overall.

Take Care,

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Although the unemployment rate increased slightly in October-going from 7.8% to 7.9%-the United States still added 171,000 new jobs. Amongst the top industries contributing to these new jobs was health care with 31,000 new positions added.

If you are unemployed or just looking for a more stable career, health care is an excellent choice, and The College Network can help get you started down this new path. We have several different programs for you to choose from to earn an online degree in the health care field:

Associate's Degree Programs

• LPN/LVN to RN
• Paramedic to RN

Bachelor's Degree Programs

• LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• RN to BS in Nursing
• Health Care Administration
• Health Information Management
• Healthcare Management

Master's Degree Programs

• RN to MS in Nursing
• MS in Nursing

The College Network offers academic support for our portion of these degree programs from leading universities, so when you enroll with us, you are never alone. Your success is just as important to us as it is to you, and we will work with you as much as you need our help to ensure that you master the knowledge you are learning. There has never been a better time to begin a career in the healthcare industry, so if you would like more information on our online degree programs call 1-800-395-1014.

If you're thinking of going back to school to earn an advanced degree, you are probably weighing the costs as part of your decision process. In addition to the expensive tuition fees associated with many universities, are also a lot of miscellaneous fees that people often forget to factor in their budget.

The good news is, with an online degree from The College Network, you will not have the majority of those extra expenses, making it not only convenient but more affordable to advance your education. The info graphic below shows many of the hidden expenses associated with attending an actual brick-and-mortar school.

If you're looking for a no non-sense way to earn your degree, The College Network can help you get started. We offer online degree from top universities. You can begin at anytime-no waiting lists to get started-and you can earn your degree in as little or as much time as you prefer. For more information, visit our website or call 1-800-395-1014.

"In America, the stories we tell ourselves and we tell each other in fiction have to do with individualism. Every person here is the center of his or her own story. And our job as people and as characters is to find our own motivations and desires, to overcome conflicts and obstacles toward defining ourselves so that we grow and change." 

What do you want your story to be? Will the protagonist be the strong, self-determined individual - uncompromsing and unwilling to fall short of the goals set ahead of them? Being the hero of your own story doesn't take supernatural power, Herculaen feats of strength, or Einsteinian intelligence; the true test is one of willpower and whether you have the desire and discipline to not only set your goals, but meet and overcome the obstancles that impede your progress.

Start writing your story today by furthering your education with online degrees from top universities offered by The College Network. 

There are people just like you who have some of the same questions about The College Network®.  We thought we would give you the top five questions to help you learn more about us.

1.  Is The College Network a school?  No, we are not a school.  We are an eLearning company that has developed Comprehensive Learning Modules™ to help our customers learn the material they need to pass equivalency exams for college credit.

2.  How long will it take for me to earn my degree?  This answer is different for everyone.  You see, you study at your own pace and it is up to you to schedule your exams when you are ready.  You can move through your program as quickly as you want to--it is in your hands.

3.  How do I take my exams?  Will I have to go to a testing site?  Not necessarily. The College Network now offers proctored online testing so you can take your exam from anywhere you have an internet connection depending on the degree program you choose to pursue.

4.  How does it work?  Once you enroll you will receive an academic guidance call.  We will work with you to help you determine your learning style and develop a study plan.  You will have access to our Online Resource Center™ where you can access your Comprehensive Learning Modules™ for your courses. You can also communication with our Academic Support Team via chat, and utilize a lot more learning tools to help you in your studies.

5.  Will my degree come from a university or college?  Yes, definitely.  You degree will be awarded from one of the leading universities that accept credits from our programs. And, you are even invited to attend your graduation ceremony.

Do you have more questions for us?  We will be happy to answer them for you.  Call us today at 800-395-1014 and we'll discuss the programs that can help you achieve your goals.  

If you've read my blog before, you'll know that I have a passion for history and quotes, and Marcus Aurelius' Meditations satisfies both of these interests. In book ten of his compilation, the emperor wrote, "What is the very best that can be said or done with the materials at your disposal? Be it what it may, you have the power to say it or do it...a mind and a reason can make their way through any obstacles, as their nature enables them and their will prompts them to do."

What is your mind capable of? Have you ever thought yourself not "smart" enough to do something and let that thought prevent you from pursuing your dream? Listen to the words of the philosopher emperor, and know that your mind can overcome any obstacle. Sure some obstacles are more difficult and may seem insurmountable at first, but with time and patience, any problem can be solved when you put your mind to it.

Earning an advanced degree has many obstacles that have to be overcome, but The College Network helps eliminate several of them with online degrees from top universities and allowing you to bypass many of the inconveniences of learning in the traditional classroom setting. Marcus' words were as true 2000 years ago as they are today; never convince yourself that you're incapable of acheiving; it will take a lot of time and energy, but like all great things, it's worth the effort.

I recently read an old Aesop fable that reminded me of eLearning. A crow, dying of thirst, suddenly saw a flask under a tree. He hoped to find water, and happily flew down. However, there was only a little water in the bottom of the flask. The crow tried very hard to reach the water, but he could not. At last he had an idea. The crow collected stones one by one with his beak. Then he dropped the stones one by one into the flask. Soon the water came up to the top of the flask where he could drink it.

Up until a few years ago, higher education was a distant dream for most people who were stuck with a high school diploma and unable to further their career because of a lack of education. As time has progressed, more and more people have been able to fulfill their dreams of an advanced degree, but at the ever-increasing cost of obtaining a diploma from a traditional institution. The cost was something that you had to accept until The College Network was established in 1992 to circumvent much of the cost of many college courses by providing comprehensive learning modules to those interested in earning college credit without having to pay the university's price for the course. With TCN's implementation of the online Resource Center, studying and earning college credit has never been more efficient or convenient. If you're like the crow and you need some help getting to something that you desire and need, research The College Network to find your solution.

Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books once said, "Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful." I think for someone debating whether to go back to school and earn an advanced degree there isn't a more encouraging quote.

The decision to go back to school is a life-changing one. It takes a great deal of time, energy, and effort, but as you know, the benefits are well worth the investment. A greater potential for finding a career, higher pay, maintaining a higher quality of life, and increasing the possibility for promotions. You can't put a price on education, and with The College Network, you'll be getting the most out of your investment. With online degrees from top universities, the courses you take through TCN may be transferred to degree programs with some of TCN's partners in education. To learn more, visit TCN's web site.

In 333 B.C. Alexander the Great, at the age of 23, had invaded Asia Minor and arrived in the central mountains at the town of Gordium. In the town there was an ox cart, which had been put there by the King of Phrygia over 100 years before. The staves of the cart were tied together in a complex, rumored untieable, knot with the ends tucked away inside.

Having arrived at Gordium it was inconceivable that the young, impetuous King would not tackle the legendary Gordian Knot. Alexander climbed the hill and approached the cart as a crowd of people gathered around. They watched intently as Alexander struggled with the knot and became frustrated.
Alexander, stepping back, called out, "What does it matter how I loose it?" With that, he drew his sword, and in one powerful stroke severed the knot.

Does higher education seem like a Gordian Knot to you? With the myriad programs, degrees, courses, etc...how is one supposed to make a sound, informed decision independently? How do you untie the Gordian Knot of higher education? Take a lesson from Alexander the Great and don't fall into convention and tradition because you'll end up the same place as everyone else. Dare to be different and take the initiative to cut through all of the unnecessary burdens of the traditional classroom. The College Network provides online degrees from top universities and can help you conquer the courses and earn the credit you need to help you on your path to becoming a college graduate.  

In this sluggish economy many people are looking for ways to be more competitive in today's job market. This is often easier said than done but in a new study released recently, we find that many people are finding an advantage with certificate programs.

According to an article found on MSNBC.com, "Post-secondary certificates are giving some job seekers an advantage and they take less time to earn than a traditional four-year bachelor's degree."

The article goes on to describe that rising education costs could be partly responsible for the rise in popularity of certificate programs. Over one million certificate programs are earned each year, and they can often offer significant increases in salary with some certificate holders out-earning people with bachelor's degrees.

The College Network offers self-paced education and training in the form of a variety of certificate programs from top schools like Boston University and Purdue University. Many of these program can be completed in a short time relative to four year degrees - some in only 8 weeks. Visit our website to learn more about the programs available to you. 

If you are a shy person, you may cringe at the thought of having to speak in front of crowds or networking for job opportunities. Fortunately, we've come across a list of the top careers shy people should consider pursuing on Yahoo! Education and the education for two of them can be completed entirely through distance learning with the help of The College Network.

#1 - Paralegal Studies

The College Network works with Boston University to provide an 14-week Paralegal Studies Certificate. With this certificate program, you will learn from practicing attorneys and complete courses in litigation, research, legal writing, corporate law, probate, real estate, and legal technology. Find out more about how this certificate can prepare you for a career as a paralegal. 

#2 - Health Information Technology

The College Network has partnered with Regis University to offer a bachelor's degree in Health Information Management. A degree in Health Information Management will prepare you for the demands of a growing healthcare field. It will prepare you to work with applications systems and manage electronic health information databases. Upon completing the Health Information Management program, you will be eligible to sit for the national Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential exam. Find out more about this degree program and how it can help you become a health information technology professional. 

If you've been considering a career change but worry about finding an area that fits your shy personality, look no further. To read about other top careers for introverted people read the full article. 

Technology is a wonderful thing, and at The College Network we now have advanced our capabilities to further enhance your experience to enroll.  When you speak with one of our advisors over the phone (like myself), you can enroll in real time with the advisor helping you along the way.

Secure and legal online documents have allowed advisors like myself to skip the paperwork process and directly enroll you via your online signature through email.  Our use of Adobe EchoSign allows advisors like myself to send you the enrollment forms, stay on the phone with you while completing them, answer any questions you have, then help you sign and send them back within minutes to complete your enrollment and get started on your program.  Most times this process takes less than 10 minutes!

To enroll in any of our programs, I suggest the following:

1) Contact your advisor and discuss the program.  See if it is right for you, and obtain the information you need to make the best decision for yourself.

2) When ready to enroll, call your advisor (our number is 1-800-307-1006).

3) Have the following ready:  What program you want to begin, when you want to start (if applicable), what payment option you want to use, how you want to pay (check by phone, credit or debit card, etc.), and basic information needed for the documents (address, phone number, etc.). Most importantly, be at your email ready to receive and sign the documents.

4) Your advisor will email the forms right away and can help you fill out the forms in no time.

5) Get ready to learn and further your education!

We do not want you to fear the enrollment process here at The College Network.  Our online degrees and certificates from top Universities are even easier to enroll in than ever before.  So contact us today, and we'll be happy to help you get started!

Kevin Burton, Program Advisor, kburton@collegenetwork.com, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4734
 

Have you ever seen The Great Escape or Escape from Alcatraz? Starring Steven McQueen and Clint Eastwood, they're classic prison escape movies if you like the genre. The thing I think I love about these movies, and similar escape movies, is the strategic thinking/planning. Every movie that falls into this genre has a scene where a group of people sit around a table and discuss the plan of escape, attack, etc.   The reason scenes like this are included in movies is because it allows the viewers to gain a better understanding of the characters, like who is the smart one, bold one, rash one, and also to keep the viewer involved in the development of the plot.

What if there was a movie called Escape from the Dead End Job? (ridiculous, but bear with me) Let's say Steven McQueen and several of his friends are trapped in a career they no longer want. What would Steven McQueen do? Probably something involving fast cars and a lot of action, but lets face it, not many of us are Steve McQueen. So since you can't physically fight your way out, you need to come up with a plan of escape. How would you approach the issue of getting out of the career you're currently in and getting a new one? Not all answers are the same, and if you remember The Great Escape, not everyone was able to escape, usually the rash individual,...which is true of most escape movies.

Take the time to reflect on your options; it's a big decision to change careers. But if you're alone in your decision making process and higher education is something you want in your future, contact The College Network to learn how to earn online degrees from top universities. 

"Don't let schooling interfere with your education." It's a common Mark Twain quote heard among those who are disenchanted with the realm of higher education. They proceed to argue that with the cost of college on the rise and the inhospitable job market that investing in something like an advanced degree is not only unwise, but downright contradictory to achieving financial independence. 

What the college naysayers neglect to mention is that without a degree, your career choices will be limited for the rest of your life - your dream of becoming a doctor, or teacher, or nurse practitioner will have to be put on hold permanently. It's a dramatic statement, but the current society demands highly educated workers and the trend shows that more education and advanced degrees are becoming a necessity. 

This doesn't mean that you should run out and sign up for just any form of advanced degree. You should take the time to determine what type of advanced degree is right for you and what type of program will fit your current situation. If you're interested in earning a degree conveniently and cost effectively, you should visit The College Network's web site to learn more about online degree programs from top universities. 

You may have heard about the nursing student education dilemma that's currently happening in the U.S. There are more student's applying to nursing programs at brick and mortar schools than these institutions can accommodate. As a result, many of the students are getting turned away.

Did you know that with The College Network's distance nursing programs, you can begin working towards your degree whenever you are ready? That's right, with our nursing programs from leading universities there is never a waiting list to get started!

Once you enroll, you can complete your degree in as little or as much time as you like. Our online nursing programs are designed with you in mind, and with the understanding that life happens. You should be able to earn your degree on your own time, and with our programs that's exactly what you can do.

We offer fully accredited online Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's in Nursing degrees from top nursing schools. If you would like to learn more, visit our web site or call and speak to one of our Program Advisors at 1-800-395-1014.

Are you currently enrolled in one of The College Network's distance nursing programs? If so you may be looking for ways to save a buck to help off set the cost of education. Here are some simple tips to help you cut costs and earn a little extra money to put towards your education.

1. Brown bag your lunch and eat your breakfast and dinner at home. Often, people don't realize how much eating out, even if only a few times a week, adds up. You can save a lot of money by cooking all your own meals. I always set a weekly budget for groceries of $60 for myself and my spouse (that's for a weeks worth of breakfast, lunch and dinner). We are able to get fresh fruits and vegetables and do not eat frozen or processed food. It's all about buying what's on sale, making a list and sticking to it! AND, never go grocery shopping while you are hungry!
2. Skip the expensive coffee shops in the morning and brew your own coffee at home. If you are set on a certain coffee shop brand, many times you can buy it in bulk at wholesale stores for less money.
3. If you have extra stuff collecting dust at home (let's be honest-most of us do) sell in on eBay or craigslist. You'd be amazed how easy it is to sell items on these sites. 
4. Following along the lines of item number three, why not have a garage sale? It's coming up on that time of year again, and garage sales are great ways to clean out your space and make some extra money doing so.
5. Limit your frivolous spending. If you're on a budget or trying to save money, don't go out and buy a new pair of jeans...no matter how good of a deal they are! Every little bit of spending adds up.

The bottom line...it's all about prioritizing. Your education is one of the most important things you will ever do for yourself, so why not make it a priority? That's the great thing about The College Network's online programs. You can earn your nursing degree from a top university, entirely online at a fraction of the cost of attending a brick and mortar school. You can learn more about our programs here.

The weather is nice in Indiana. I'll admit, I'm bragging because I'm not able to do so often when it comes to Mother Nature. High 60's to low 70's in March is not only rare, it's impressive. Usually there is still snow on the ground at this time of the year.

So you would think, with all this wonderful weather, that there would be nothing to get my mood down. But instead of being all smiles, I'm shocked to see gas prices quickly climbing once again. It seems like our annual flu. It comes and it goes, well at least we hope it does. Don't get me wrong, there are ways to protect your wallet. - You could use public transit, ride your bike, or even car pool.

Inconvenience vs a higher checking account balance.

You need your car. Not always, but there are definitely times when you NEED it. So how are you supposed to justify spending additional money on driving to school several times a week?

Well, you don't have to. There is another way.

The College Network offers online degrees from top universities. With our programs, you can test from your own home using a web cam. You do not even need to go to a testing center.

I repeat: "You do not even need to go to a testing center."

So how can you learn more about gas-free, online education? Call 1-800-39-LEARN to speak with a Program Advisor today.

We look forward to speaking with you soon!

A recent article from marketwatch.com stated, "With more than three million nurse professionals in the United States alone, nursing is the largest segment of the healthcare industry and touches every facet of care from the doctor's office to home care to hospitals." With all of the praise that doctors and physicians receive for all of their hard work, it's easy to forget the significant influence nurses have in the healthcare field.

With the advent of improved healthcare technology, the expanding role of the registered nurse has become essential to the functionality of any hospital. "Nurses have been championing quality-of-care improvements, spearheading research innovation, advocating for patient rights and generally challenging the status quo. Simply put, their impact has been enormous and will continue to be so over the coming decades." 

If you're considering the field of nursing, there has never been a better time to obtain the education and training necessary. There are myriad nursing schools and online degree programs to accommodate just about anyone's schedule, but there is only one that combines online, self-paced learning with online degrees from top universities.

Since 1992, The College Network has helped hundreds of thousands of people earn certificates and degrees, including thousands of people who wanted to earn or further their nursing degrees. Visit The College Network's web site to learn more and begin the journey to becoming a registered nurse.

A Poem About Education by Frank Williams.