The computer and internet age has pushed the envelope of traditional educational formats. Just a few years ago, Online education was a second thought, maybe not a thought at all, in the minds of traditional brick and mortar schools. Today, if an educational institution does not have online programs – they are missing thousands of opportunities and dollars from traditional and non-traditional students.

With some extra time on my hands, I thought I would explore the world of online educators – some easy extra money – Right?

Wrong! Boy, did I have a lot to learn.

Let me share my journey to becoming an Online Instructor.

To begin the journey, I set criteria for selection – 1. Must be an accredited school, regionally and national accreditation – no diploma mills! 2. Offer degrees that match my skill and experience areas. 3. User friendly online education format. 4. Good record of accomplishment in online education – good reviews from students/peers. 5. A quality training and/or orientation program for new instructors.

From these starting points, I performed web searches and identified six potential schools. By visiting their web sites, I discovered a wealth of information regarding the schools, accreditation and online degrees offered. Next, searches included using the schools name and various criteria e.g. satisfaction, alumni, etc. These queries revealed web sites and blogs dedicated to specific topics on the subject of the school. Some were positive sites; others were dissatisfied students with an axe to grind.

The next step involved telephone contacts. Making contact with the schools online experts was a challenge – most referrals were to a website or email account. At two schools, I actually spoke to a live person! (This added some points to their score!)

With information assembled – I was now ready to move forward to the application process. The information packages requested were very similar in nature for each school. They included, a detailed educational history, including submission of college and graduate school transcripts, detailed work history resume and any experiences in teaching/training of adult learners. Three references, preferably from academics were the expected norm. (It’s been so long for me, most of my professors are retired or no longer with us!)

Two schools rejected me off-hand. Their criteria for online instructors included an earned doctorate. My MBA did not fit with their instructional criteria, for graduate or undergrad instruction. Two schools requested that I develop a course – prior to any reimbursement. They required their instructors to select a textbook from their lists, develop a curriculum and all instructional supports for an online course. These schools failed my selection criteria both in terms of instructor support and remuneration. The final two schools both had good records of accomplishment in online instruction, user-friendly learning environments and good matches for my skill areas.

The final decision key- training and orientation for new instructors. School 1 presented an online manual for instructor’s preparation. Study the manual, take an online test, pass, and you were ready to go. School 2 presented a different approach – one that set it apart from all the others.

For School 2 , I was enrolled in an online instructors training course. A month long course in which I became the student/learner. All of the requirements expected of students applied to the potential instructors. Weekly assignments were graded, participation and discussion expectations were set, and methods of instruction were tested. The course was facilitated by an experienced online faculty member – one who was dedicated to quality education and setting the bar for future expectations.

A few of the class members washed out after a week – they did not realize the instructor commitments of 16-20 hours per week were the norm – not the exception.

After passing the instructors training course, I was offered the opportunity to team teach a course. This process involved working with a mentor – an experienced online facilitator. The facilitator provided a systematic process for setting up the class. The then reviewed each instructional component prior to my posting in the classroom environment. Constructive feedback on work products was frequent and appreciated. The mentor monitored all components of instruction; feedback to students, individual and team work assignments, grading of assignments and instructor online interactions.

Weekly performance evaluations were provided by the mentor. These documents provided feedback for needed improvement areas or kudos for a job well done. The students provided formal evaluations of the instructor/mentee at week three and the conclusion of the course during week six. These anonymous evaluations shared some excellent insight into my performance as an instructor. Since the majority of the students are practicing professionals – they are experienced in providing feedback for performance appraisals.

The final step included an evaluation by the Universities online faculty committee. This evaluation included all the steps in preparation for the course work, mentor evaluations and student feedback. Having successfully passed all the requirements, I was promptly offered a position to provide instruction for future classes.

The Online instruction format is not for everyone. Students must be dedicated to a level of professionalism that has not been expected in the typical classroom. Time management is crucial for success in the online environment. Both individual and teamwork skills are tested – the experience is not just an individual effort. Working in teams to solve challenges in today’s work world is critical for the success of the organization.

For instructors, the same criteria hold true. To approach this instructional methodology is not an easy task. It requires dedication to the model and a true enthusiasm for sharing your acquired skills and experience. Personally, I have found my online instructional experience both rewarding and challenging. A vocation I look forward to enjoying for many years to come.

Online Instruction – Is It For You?

If you are a mortgage broker or loan officer who has purchased mortgage leads from mortgage lead companies in the past, you are probably familiar with the pain of not getting your money’s worth from the mortgage leads you have bought.

If you are still on the market for a mortgage lead company, here are a few tips on how to spot a good one.

For starters, check out their web site and read it thoroughly. Be sure the appearance and content is professional. Also, make sure their terms and conditions along with their return policy is fair and reasonable.

Once you are satisfied with what you have read on their web site, pick up the phone and call someone in customer service or the sales department.

Find out where the mortgage leads come from. This is key to finding good quality mortgage leads.

In order to receive good quality mortgage leads, be sure the mortgage lead company you are considering is obtaining their mortgage leads through web sites that they own and operate.

Stay away from the mortgage lead companies that obtain their mortgage leads through third party venders or spam campaigns or you will undoubtedly end up receiving junk leads or customers who thought they were filling out a survey.

Also, look for the mortgage lead companies that allow for low minimum deposits. This is a good way to test run some of their leads without having to commit to a large investment.

And look for the mortgage lead companies that offer full money back guarantees if not fully satisfied on first time deposits for new customers. The guarantees are usually according to the mortgage lead companies conditions but it is better than nothing, and shows a commitment on the part of the mortgage lead company.

There are good mortgage lead companies out there to work with. It is all a matter of taking your time, doing the research, and finding the one that best fits your needs and budget. Best of luck.

When there are so many opportunities to get money through loans available easily, then it is pretty much expected to see that debts are created for borrowers with an equal ease. The reasons for this may be numerous but the point lies in getting rid of them. So to remove these debts, it is easier that the borrower takes a debt consolidation loan for the purpose.

Through this loan, the borrowers can take up money for their purpose of removal of debts. This can be done by the repayment of the debts that are pending on them. The borrowers can use this opportunity for removal of their debts if they amount up to more than £5000 with two or more lenders.

This loan can be taken up by the borrowers in the secured as well as the unsecured form. It totally depends upon the amount that is owed by the borrower to the lenders. If the debts of the borrower amount up to £25000, he can take up the unsecured form of the loan. For this, the borrower does not have to pledge any asset with the lender. The money is obtained collateral-free and has to be repaid through monthly installments in a term of 6 months to 10 years.

If however, the borrower has debts more than an amount of £75000, then he has to pledge an asset like his car or house with the lenders to get the secured form of the loans. This form of money is required to be repaid to the lenders in a term of 5-25 years. The rate of interest for this form is however lower than the unsecured form due to attachment of collateral with the loan deal which assures the retrieval of the loan amount. Lower rates can be obtained with the help of online research and comparison.

With a debt consolidation loan, the borrowers can easily get the money that they need to repay all their prior dues. Financial issues can be easily stabilized through this way.

Students who do not meet federal requirements for financial need can use the route of a private student loan. Apply for a private loan is free. The loan is based on the student’s creditworthiness and not the need for aid as does the federal loans.

Many lenders offer private student loans to students or their parents and the application process is simple and free. The loan requirements are usually less stringent and the repayment options are affordable for young professionals. A private student loan is a great way to finance the education of any student that needs financial help. Below you will find things that you should know and things you should consider.

Things You Should Know:

1. Student loans can be used not only to pay the fees but also for lab fees, dues for associations and housing.

2. A student can have an educational loan even though the tuition is covered by a grant.

3. A student who is eighteen years or above in age, can apply for a student loan.

4. Most of the student loan is deferred for repayment until the student completes the education or leaves the school.

Things You Need To Consider:

1. Private loans for students are not given without a co-signer or a credit report.

2. Credit unions give student loans if a vehicle or a boat is provided as collateral.

3. During the cumulative credit period, a student has the option of paying or not paying the interest part of the loan. It should be noted that paying the interest on the loan while attending school will significantly reduced the amount due when the student starts paying the loan after leaving the institution.

4. Student loans are to be repaid in ten years. Nevertheless, longer repayment facilities are provided to large student educational loans.

It is not difficult to finding lenders, because most financial institutions offer some form of student loan.

Always take the time to investigate lenders in your immediate area and find out exactly what kind of loans they offer. Compare the different interest rate and terms to get the best offer available.

By now, most Americans have heard about the growing healthcare shortage. As Baby Boomers start to retire, the demand for healthcare services is increasing at the exact time that the number of healthcare workers is decreasing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare industry is the fastest-growing in the country. Right now the biggest shortfall is in the number of nurses; there are currently 200,000 unfilled registered nurse positions and by 2020 this gap is expected to reach one million. However, virtually all healthcare occupations have begun to experience shortages.

What most media reports don’t mention, however, is that this shortfall represents a huge opportunity for people looking for a great career. In desperate bids to attract and retain healthcare employees, employers are offering much larger salaries than in the past, along with hiring bonuses, perks, benefits, and flexible schedules. The well-qualified healthcare job seeker has a serious advantage in this market. The opportunities are endless. You can pursue a rewarding career helping others and making the world a better place – and be sought after by great employers offering rising salaries and excellent job security at the same time.

Right now, one of the top priorities for hospitals, clinics, and the government is to increase the number of healthcare students. The federal government has even passed an initiative designed to help students get nursing degrees – check out the Nursing Reinvestment Act. However, there are a number of barriers that potential students confront . One is a shortage of nurse educators, which leads many qualified candidates to be turned down. Many potential healthcare students are also unable, for one reason or another, to attend traditional schools. Maybe you are already employed and looking for a career change. Maybe you are staying home with your kids and planning on entering a healthcare career when they go to school. Perhaps you live in a rural area, or an area that doesn’t have very many educational options – these areas are often even more in need of healthcare professionals. Maybe you already work in healthcare and you know that continuing education will get you to a higher level.

One solution is to pursue healthcare education online. You can take courses to give yourself a competitive edge for entering a traditional program, or you can take the entire degree online. This allows busy adults to prepare for their career (or career change) according to their own schedules, at their own pace, and from wherever they happen to be. In addition, many online students use supervised internships in order to get the hands-on training they need. Learn about the options, learn about the careers, and get ready for those healthcare opportunities.

Can’t remember how many times I’ve been asked “What is a reverse mortgage”? Reverse mortgages are a great way to get a loan using your primary asset. As in all cases of financial lending, the flexibility comes at a price. A reverse mortgage is a loan using your house and is referred to as a “rising debt, falling equity” kind of deal.

To compare reverse mortgage to a more traditional one, the type of mortgage commonly used when buying a house can be classed as a “forward mortgage”. To qualify for forward mortgage, you must have a steady source of income. Because the mortgage is secured by the asset, if you default on the payments, your house can be taken from you. As you pay off the house, your equity is the difference between the mortgage amount and how much you’ve paid. When the last mortgage payment is made, the house belongs to you.

On the other hand a reverse mortgage process doesn’t require that the applicant have great credit, or even that they have a steady source of income. The major stipulation is that the house is owned by the applicant. Generally, there is also a minimum age required as well, the older the applicant, the higher the loan amount can be. As well, reverse mortgages must be the only debt against your house.

Differing from a conventional “forward mortgage”, your debt increases along with your equity. Instead of making any monthly payments, the amount loaned has interest added to it – which eats away at your equity. If the loan is over a long period of time, when the mortgage comes due, there may be a large amount owed. Furthermore, if the price of your home decreased, there may not be any equity left over. On the flip side, if it was to increase, this could allow for an equity gain, but this isn’t typical of the marketplace.

When deciding how to draw money from the reverse mortgage, there are a few options; a single lump sum, regular monthly advances, or a credit account. There are conditions in this kind of mortgage that would warrant the immediate repayment of the loan; the mortgage will be due when the borrower dies, sells the house, or moves out.

Failure to pay your property taxes or insurance on the home will undoubtedly lead to a default as well. The lender also has the option of paying for these obligations by reducing your advances to cover the expense. Make sure you read the loan documents carefully to make sure you understand all the conditions that can cause your loan to become due.

Hope this helps clear up the term reverse mortgage.

Ken Chukwell
http://www.online-loans-pro.com/

If you are behind on your bills and on the receiving end of collection phone calls, you will probably hear collectors make some very threatening statements. While most debt collection professionals try to stay within the boundaries defined by the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), many others cross the line on a regular basis. Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) received more than 58,000 complaints about debt collectors, a figure which represents 17% of the total number of complaints received by the FTC. Consumers complain about the collection industry more than most other industries combined.

Collection professionals would probably respond that the enormous size of the industry and the sheer volume of collection activity accounts for the large number of complaints. However, only a small percentage of violations are actually reported by consumers, so the data collected by the FTC represents only a tiny fraction of the true scope of the problem. Even so, a pattern of abusive and illegal collection activity has been well-documented by the FTC, and it is getting worse instead of better.

Here are some common threats made by debt collectors:

“We’re going to take your house unless you pay this bill immediately.” This is a bogus threat. Unless the debt being collected is secured by the house in question (i.e., a mortgage or home equity loan), the creditor does not have the power to take your house away from you.

“If you don’t pay this bill today, we’re going to have a warrant issued for your arrest.” Nonsense. Failure to pay a debt is a civil matter, not a criminal matter. Threatening a debtor with jail time or accusing them of committing a crime is totally against the rules.

“We don’t care that you sent a cease communication notice. We’re going to call you anyway.” The FDCPA gives you the right to terminate contact efforts by a debt collector. Failure to respect a cease communication notice is a clear violation of Federal law.

“We’re going to garnish your wages to recover this debt.” A collector can only threaten action it has the legal authority to take, and the vast majority of collection agencies have zero legal authority. Your wages can only be garnished by a creditor after they have won a judgment against you in a lawsuit.

“We know where you live, so you better pay up.” Yes, threats of violence still happen in this industry. Nearly 300 complaints against collectors received by the FTC last year cited the threat of violence as the cause of the complaint. This is absolutely illegal.

Aside from the usual bogus threats, collectors also use other tactics that are illegal. For example, discussing your debt with a third party is a clear violation of the FDCPA. Yet collectors routinely call neighbors, relatives, and employers to obtain information on debtors. So long as the collector does not discuss the actual matter of the debt, they still have their toes on the right side of the line. But as soon as they mention or even hint that they are calling about a debt, they have crossed the line.

Since many debtors have taken to screening their phone calls at home to cut down on the relentless barrage, debt collectors frequently call at work when they can obtain an office number. In theory, a consumer can get the collector to stop calling at the office simply by stating that they are not allowed to receive personal phone calls at work. That puts the collector on notice that such activity constitutes interference with the consumer’s employment, which is not permitted. In practice, however, collectors routinely ignore this rule and continue to call at work.

There are many other techniques of harassment and intimidation that cross the line from permissible to impermissible collection activity. Use of obscene or profane language, shouting, constant and unrelenting telephone calls, failure to respond to written disputes, and publication of debtor information all constitute illegal activity as defined by the FDCPA.

So if you are on the receiving end of illegal collection actions, what can you do to protect yourself? First and foremost, it’s important to know and understand your rights as a consumer. A description of your rights under The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act may be obtained directly from the FTC (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm).

If you believe that a collector has violated your rights in their attempt to collect from you, then you should not hesitate to file formal complaints with the Attorney General for your state (www.naag.org) as well as the Federal Trade Commission. If enough complaints are received about a particular collector, then these authorities are empowered to bring an enforcement action against them, which may result in expensive fines that will make the agency or collector think twice about using such tactics in the future. You also have the right to bring a lawsuit yourself against a collector that harasses or abuses you, or otherwise violates your rights under the law.

One final point. The FDCPA technically only applies to third-party debt collectors, which includes collection agencies and collection attorneys. It does not apply to the original creditor when collecting their own debt. For example, if you borrow money from a bank, the bank is not regulated by the FDCPA. However, numerous other public laws protect consumers from deceptive or abusive collection practices even by original creditors, and many states also have laws that parallel the FDCPA but go further and include original creditors in the definition of debt collector. So if an original creditor is harassing you or has crossed the line, you should still file a complaint with your state’s Attorney General as well as the FTC. If a clear pattern of abuse emerges, the original creditor can be charged with unfair or deceptive acts or practices, either under state law or under the FTC Act that governs conduct of commerce in our country.

To sum up, if you are on the receiving end of collection harassment, don’t just take it. Educate yourself on your rights as a consumer, vigorously dispute debts that you don’t believe you owe, and take action yourself in the form of complaints to your Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. By standing up for your rights, you can put a stop to bogus threats and illegal collection tactics.

Student borrowers who may have missed the July 1 deadline to consolidate their student loans before the interest rate increase need to know they still can consolidate at low rates especially if students are in their grace period. NextStudent, the Phoenix-based premier education funding company, advises students with federal Stafford loans issued prior to July 1 to consolidate today and automatically receive a .6 percent reduction on already low rates.

Federal student loan consolidation bundles together all of a student borrower’s loans into one easy, manageable monthly payment. Savings over the long term can add up to thousands. NextStudent’s benefits and incentives bring down interest rates even more. In addition, with federal student loan consolidation there are no charges, fees or prepayment penalties.

Lower Rates in Grace Period

For student borrowers who had student loans prior to July 1, 2006, the initial interest rate on loan consolidation with a .6 percent rate reduction while in grace period is 6.625 percent, as opposed to the new repayment rate of 7.25 percent on student loans. The 6.625 percent rate can be reduced with NextStudent’s aggressive incentives:

• An interest rate reduction of .25 percent for student borrowers when they sign up with Auto Debit and have their payments deducted automatically

• An added interest rate reduction of 1 percent that is locked for the life of the loan following the first 36 consecutive on-time payments, OR an interest rate reduction of 2 percent following 48 consecutive on-time payments

It’s Easy to Apply for Consolidation

By bundling together all of a student’s loans and extending the repayment period, borrowers save time and money over the long term. Depending on a borrower’s balance repayment can be extended as long as 30 years. In addition, NextStudent offers the advantage of various options on repayment, including graduated repayment and income-sensitive repayment. There also are deferment and forbearance options available.

As consolidation rates are much lower than current student loan rates, now is the perfect time to consolidate and save money. Applying for NextStudent’s federal Student Loan Consolidation program does not take much time and easily is done online. NextStudent’s application is hassle-free and can be completed in four easy steps with Electronic Signature. There is no need for a co-signer and there are no credit checks. Student borrowers do not even need to know the details of their current student loan portfolio.

Now is the perfect time for student borrowers who missed the deadline to consolidate the student loans they had prior to July 1, 2006. By consolidating before the end of the grace period student borrowers can receive a low interest rate and sign up with NextStudent for other aggressive incentives to help them save even more over the long term. Student loan consolidation can rid borrowers of too many unwanted monthly bills and help make life easier and less expensive.

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and it is dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding as easy as possible. Learn more about Student Loans at http://www.nextstudent.com/.

When it comes to gaining a higher education, online opportunities are quickly becoming one of the most popular options around. If it’s not the user friendly features of online learning, then it’s the cost effective aspects that appeal to the average working adult. This is the person who is greatly interested in the benefits that come from a higher education, just not the rigid schedules and the pricey tuitions that tend to go with it. The benefits of online learning go beyond time and cost to offer a sense of accomplishment once the new Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is in hand.

With technology consistently changing the shape of the landscape of nearly everything, the history of e-Learning has evolved and continues to evolve into great legitimacy in the world of education. While conventional classrooms still have their place, the virtual classroom is seeing more and more students each year. With the accreditation of online schools offering not only a number of degrees and qualifications, the opportunity for financial aid also makes online venues even more attractive. For some, there is just no beating the practical experience one receives in online degree programs. This is especially true when career advancement hangs in the balance.

Whether opting for a particular qualification or needing to get a general education online, prospective students will find just the right courses they need in almost every subject. For some, online education can offer a chance to either broaden horizons or narrow down career options. Selecting a variety of subjects can help define a career path when a student finds they gravitate more toward certain subjects more than others. Often, online credits are considered transferable and can help in achieving one’s degree.

It is doubtful that distance learning could have ever reached the level of effectiveness that it has without the help of the internet. Though this type of learning has been in place for a great number of years, it is the information superhighway that has changed the face of education from a distance forever. Where students waited weeks and months for correspondence from distant universities, one now merely needs to take a few seconds to log on to their virtual campus to get assignments. The virtual learning environment provides not only learning tools but collaborative software featuring such options as chat, discussion boards and even audio-conferencing. This can make long distance learning seem like anything but.

The advent of computer-based testing allows for students to gauge their skills and focus attention right where they need it. This leads to another bonus in the world of online education in the form of handy online tutoring. Students will find that supplemental learning options are readily available to those who may need the extra help from time to time. Many have come to realize that the only way to get around the frustration that sometimes comes with learning new skills is understanding the material better.

Most online programs generally consist of CBT (computer-based training), WBT (web-based training), interactive media, educational animation and a whole slew of other types of educational technology. Rapidly improving technology continues to develop these features at every turn, making online learning more and more efficient. Learning management software allows students to take control of their education and organize it right down to the specifics of career planning using ePortflios.

Of all the things the internet has proven itself to be useful for, online and distance learning continue to make their appearance at the very top of the list. The ability to cut across the distances in the blink of an eye and share common information also crosses the borders of the amazing. Every new technological enhancement ensures there will be no stopping the world of continuing education.

The most popular method of financing a home purchase is with a mortgage. This is a loan that is secured over the home.

There are a number of different mortgage suppliers and you will have to shop around in order to get the best deal. Given that your home is probably the single biggest purchase you will make in your lifetime, you must make sure to take the care and attention that the transaction merits. Mortgage rates can vary greatly from lender to lender and the amount your rate is set at can make a huge difference to the amount your repayments will amount to. Even a small difference in rates could save you thousands of dollars or allow you to have your home paid off years sooner. So do your homework.

Fixed or Variable

When looking for the best loan, there are certain terms you will need to be familiar with. For example, mortgages generally come as either a fixed rate mortgage or a variable rate mortgage. The fixed rate loan will keep the same interest rate and monthly repayment for the whole lifetime or term of the loan. This will generally be for a period of 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. If the rate is fixed for a period, such as the first 2 or perhaps 5 years, and then reverts to a variable rate it is known as an adjustable rate mortgage or ARM.

When the ARM rate becomes adjustable, it will move up or down periodically according to a specified market index. These can include the Prime Rate, the LIBOR or the Treasury Index among others.

With the adjustable rate, some of the risk of changing interest rates that would otherwise fall on the bank is transferred to the borrower. They are therefore cheaper averaging somewhere between 0.5% to 0.2% lower than a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. If the rate is particularly volatile or difficult to predict than a fixed rate mortgage may not even be possible.

In the majority of cases, the savings of an ARM outweigh the risks of a rising interest rate. Especially where the mortgage is for ten years or less.

Fees

Lenders may charge various fees when giving a home loan or mortgage. These include entry fees; exit fees, administration fees and lenders mortgage insurance. There are also settlement fees (closing costs) the settlement company will charge. In addition, if a third party handles the loan, it may charge other fees as well.

Banks usually charge a valuation fee, which pays for a surveyor to visit the property and ensure it is worth enough to cover the mortgage amount. This is not a full survey so it may not identify all the defects that a house buyer needs to know about. Also, it does not usually form a contract between the surveyor and the buyer, so the buyer has no right to sue if the survey fails to detect a major problem. For an extra fee, the surveyor can usually carry out a building survey or a (cheaper) “homebuyers survey” at the same time.