ABC’s of Online Education
by Sue Scheff on Sep 03, 2010
Especially adults that have decided to go back to school will take advantage of online education. I was recently asked to post this article written by Tim Handorf of Best Online Colleges. It is a comprehensive list of considerations for an online school life.
ABC’s of Online Education
Whether you plan to go back to school to finish your degree or you’re a fresh high school graduate who’s looking to go to college for the first time, the decision to pursue an online education is certainly a good one. With more stringent accreditation practices and the exposing of diploma mills, it’s easy to find an online school that’ll meet your personal academic requirements. If you’re considering enrolling in an online college, read through the ABCs of online education listed below.
- Accessibility is an asset
Regardless of where you live and your busy schedule, you can always take online classes. Online schools are very accommodating to their students. - Beneficial to your career
You’ll also gain confidence knowing that you’re a more valuable asset to your employer, and in the future, you’ll be more likely to achieve positions of responsibility. - College – it’s never too late
Online colleges enable students to attain their degrees when they aren’t able to attend traditional brick-and-mortar schools. - Dedicated students
In order to get the most out of an online education, you must be a dedicated student. You’re on your own, and no one is there to monitor your progress. - Enlightening those who are curious
Online classes will expose you to new ideas, enabling you to understand a wide range of topics. - Flexible scheduling
The flexibility of online education gives people from all walks of life the opportunity to pursue their degrees. Classes are offered during weeknights and weekends – outside of normal work hours. - Graduation is attainable
If you didn’t finish college, you can transfer a portion of your credits – depending on the classes required for your major – to an online college and pickup where you left off. - Hard but doable
Pursuing an education online is no different than pursuing an education at a local college. It’s hard, but with the proper dedication, as previously mentioned, a degree is attainable. - Interactive while miles apart
Although you’ll likely be miles away from your classmates and professors, lectures are set up so that you’ll be able to communicate with them through chats or forums. - Joining a new online era
The internet has enabled people to accomplish almost anything without leaving the comfort of their homes, so why not pursue your degree online? - Knowledge of a discipline
Want to be an accountant? Love history? By enrolling in an online college program, you’ll become an expert in the discipline of your choice. - Learning on your own
A trait of dedicated students is their ability to learn on their own. They’ll burn the midnight oil as they attempt to fully understand a complicated concept. - Money maker
A college degree results in almost $1 million more in lifetime earnings than people with just a high school diploma. With a college degree, you’ll be more likely to achieve financial security during your lifetime. - New classes
A bevy of classes are offered at online schools, and new ones are added each semester. Their additions reflect the growing number students attending the schools. - Off-campus
Although you might miss out on the on-campus environment, you can set up your own campus of sorts, establishing an environment conducive to learning. - Professors who genuinely care
Accredited online colleges hire highly trained professors who strive to help their students achieve their goals. - Quality education
If you find the right online school, you’ll undoubtedly receive a quality education, which can be just as effective as one received at a brick-and-mortar school. - Reasonable cost
Online classes aren’t cheap, but enrolling in one is typically less expensive than regular college classes because you save on room and board, commuting, and additional fees like lab fees. Of course, some online classes are more expensive than others, so it doesn’t hurt to research beforehand. - Skills for your career and life
Not only will you learn skills that will make you attractive to employers, but you’ll also gain analytical and critical thinking skills, so you’ll view thoughts and ideas through a new scope. - Technologically advanced
Because of the obstacle of distance, online schools have been early adopters of technology, allowing them to deliver lectures and accompanying assignments efficiently and effectively. Podcasts, for example, have been used by online colleges since the beginning of their popularity. - Ubiquitous resources
Traveling for work? You can still make time to study with the online resources provided by your online school. Some – like the University of Phoenix – feature extensive online libraries. - Virtual Learning
Lessons can be viewed with the use of streaming video and audio and flash animation. The typical notes and PowerPoint presentations can be uploaded prior to a lesson in some cases; they can be accessed on a site used by the school or professor. - Well-worth the work
Students who take online classes work hard. Most tend to be older with families and full-time jobs, so the extra workload that comes with taking online classes is far from insurmountable. - X-ray technician programs are available online too
It’s 2010. If you’ve heard of the program, it’s probably offered online, and that doesn’t exclude x-ray technician programs. - Young and old students
Young and old people alike in varying stages of life enroll in online classes. The older students who would feel out of place sitting amid 18-to-24 year olds don’t have to endure the self-consciousness. - Zero regret
Students who attend online schools achieve varied amounts of success – just like with brick-and-mortar schools – but all of them gain knowledge that transcends their careers. New interests are cultivated and the thirst for knowledge never ends.
Tags: College Online, Education, Higher education, Online Education, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff
Labor Day Weekend Blast: Don’t Drive Drunk or Buzzed! Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
by Sue Scheff on Sep 02, 2010
As another long weekend approaches and many have off from work, plans for parties and end of summer picnics are planned.
Did you know that in 2008, just over the Labor Day holiday weekend, 194 people were killed in crashes involving an impaired driver?
This Labor Day Weekend, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council are trying to remind people to plan ahead and designate a sober driver for any Labor Day celebration because “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”
Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Getting behind the wheel after even just one too many drinks can lead to disaster. It is critical to be prepared. One of the best ways to be prepared is to know your options for alternative transportation.
Check out the list of sober/safe ride programs across the country. Find one in your area, and save the number in your cell phone so you always have it on you.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer teens! Remember, underage drinking is illegal!
Watch video. You could save a life.
Tags: Buzzed Driving, Drunk Driving, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Drinking, Teen Help
Homework: Is it Your Teen’s Priority?
by Sue Scheff on Sep 01, 2010
Schools are opening – teens are trying to get back into the swing of a schedule of classes. Especially High School students who will be applying to colleges, are they aware of importance of homework and exams? Many can pass the tests yet neglect their homework and end up failing. Don’t let this happen to your teen. Another timely article from Connect with Kids to help you parent your teenager.
Source: Connect with Kids
Homework First
“You come home from school – you do homework first, then you have free time.”
– Darlene, a mother
A new school year… new teachers, new classmates, new homework assignments. The homework debate will likely continue… too much or too little? But the assignments will still be due. For too many families, a new school year means new homework battles.
New research from the University of Michigan reports that students who understand how adult earnings are related to education spend more time on schoolwork – seeing homework as an investment in their future, not a chore.
When 16-year-old Christian and 10-year-old Christopher arrive home from school, the rule is homework comes first. “We tried it other ways, and they ended up not getting their homework done,” explains the boys’ mother, Darlene Duvall.
Homework is first, but there’s no yelling and no pestering from mom or dad.
“They let me do what I have to do to finish my homework. They won’t beat down on me, be like, ‘you gotta do your homework, you gotta do your homework,’” Christian says.
It’s a kind of freedom that teaches responsibility. But what if your child abuses the freedom?
“Then the parent says OK, you said I could trust you to do this on your own, to leave you alone, and you’ve messed up. Now, it’s not going to be that way anymore,” says Bob Macris, a high school curriculum director.
Macris says parents should start by telling their children they can’t play until the homework is done. Then, check their work and ask questions. “Do they really understand? You know Johnny, you wrote this down. What exactly does this mean?” Macris says.
The problem is, sometimes that just starts a fight.
“The time to take a second look at homework is when a child and a parent get to a level when they really are just yelling and screaming at each other and not communicating,” Macris advises.
If that happens, the key is to find someone else to whom your child will listen: the other parent, an older sibling or maybe a tutor.
“And the kids will feel a lot better about it, and so will the parent. But the parents should still follow up and make sure that the kid is doing what he or she is supposed to be doing,” Macris says.
What We Need To Know
What should you do if your child hates homework and doesn’t complete assignments on time or at all? The U.S. Department of Education has some advice. The department’s National Parent Information Network (NPIN) suggests that parents call someone at school when homework problems arise. Everyone needs to work together – the school, teachers, parents and the student – to solve the problems. If your child refuses to do assignments, call his or her teacher. If you and your child can’t understand the homework instructions, call the teacher. The teacher may also be able to help you get your child organized to do the homework. The NPIN says different homework problems require different solutions:
- Does your child have a hard time finishing assignments on time? Maybe he or she has poor study skills and needs help getting organized.
- Is the homework too difficult? Maybe your child has fallen behind and needs special help from a teacher or tutor.
- Is your child bored with the homework? Maybe it’s too easy and your child needs extra assignments that give more challenge.
The NPIN suggests asking your child these questions to combat any problems about homework that may arise:
- What’s your assignment today?
- Is the assignment clear? (If not, suggest calling the school’s homework hotline or a classmate.)
- Do you need special resources (a trip to the library or access to a computer)?
- Do you need special supplies (graph paper, poster board, etc.)?
- Have you started today’s assignment? Have you completed it?
- Is it a long-term assignment (a term paper or science project)?
- For a major project, would it be helpful to write out the steps or make a schedule?
- Would a practice test be useful?
What kind of “homework help” should parents give their children? The Chicago Public Schools offers this advice:
- Encouragement: Give your child praise for efforts and for completing assignments.
- Availability: Encourage your child to do the work independently, but be available for assistance.
- Scheduling: Establish a set time to do homework each day. You may want to use a calendar to keep track of assignments and due dates.
- Space: Provide a space for homework, stocked with the necessary supplies, such as pencils, pens, paper, dictionaries, a computer and other reference materials.
- Discipline: Help your child focus on homework by removing distractions, such as television, radio, telephone and interruptions from siblings and friends.
- Modeling: Consider doing some of your work, such as paying bills or writing letters, during your child’s homework time.
- Support: Talk to your child about difficulties with homework. Be willing to talk to your child’s teacher to resolve problems in a positive manner.
- Involvement: Familiarize yourself with the teacher’s homework policy. Make sure that you and your child understand the teacher’s expectations. At the beginning of the year, you may want to ask your child’s teacher these questions – What kinds of assignments will you give? How often do you give homework? How much time are the students expected to spend on them? What type of involvement do you expect from parents?
Resources
- Chicago Public Schools
- National Parent Information Network
- University of Michigan Homework Wars: How Parents Can Win
- Solutions for Homework Hassles
Tags: Connect with Kids, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Teen Depression
2010 Power of Education Campaign – Show Your Support for Your Favorite Nonprofit
by Sue Scheff on Aug 31, 2010
GreatNonprofits, the leading source of user reviews for nonprofits, and GuideStar, the premier donor research site on the web, are launching the 2010 Power of Education Campaign this September to highlight the many nonprofit organizations working in education fields and issues.
Any nonprofit receiving at least ten positive user reviews during September will be listed on our 2010 Education Nonprofits List, which will be published at the conclusion of the campaign.
Follow my Blog for more updates and information for the 2010 Power of Education Campaign!
Visit www.greatnonprofits.org.
Tags: Charities, Community Service, GreatNonprofits, Volunteering
Blast from the Past: 10 Things the Class of 2014 Hasn’t Experienced
by Sue Scheff on Aug 30, 2010
What a fantastic guest post from Ken Martin from Match a College.com. I find it fascinating as well as a reminder of how much things have changed – for everyone! I recall when the “microwave” was the latest and greatest gadget. This is a fun article and one that will really spark your past lives…. Thanks Ken for allowing me to share it!
Every once in a while, it hits you – “Man, I’m old.” Many of us are having the same experience as we realize the incoming class of college freshmen was born in 1991 and 1992, when Clinton was in the process of becoming the 42nd president, the first Iraq War was a resounding success and you were slow jamming to Boyz II Men. Today, we have our first African American president, we’re mired in a now seven-and-a-half year war in Iraq, and Lady Gaga is making us forget about Madonna. Other aspects of our lives have changed as well, making our day-to-day activities easier to accomplish. Below is a list of the 10 things the class of 2014 hasn’t experienced, or more accurately, the 10 things a majority of 18-year-olds haven’t experienced firsthand.
- A world without the internet
Not only do new college students not know a world without the internet, but many also haven’t endured the screaming modem connecting through a telephone landline. A dropped connection or the fear of it limited your enjoyment and inhibited you from accomplishing much. But as the internet has evolved, connections have become faster and almost everything has become available with the click of a mouse. Teenagers are able to sign up for SATs, apply for college, apply for financial aid, select their classes, find a dorm, find a roommate and join a club all before they set foot on campus. The legwork that came with making such a life transition two decades ago has been eliminated. - Consistent email correspondences
It’s tragically unhip to use an email for anything other than formal correspondence. It has become an archaic form of internet communication and it has been supplanted by social networking sites. Email is rarely used to facilitate conversations by young people because it’s too slow and too impersonal. Instead, it’s used for formal messages with bosses and professors, and as a tool for signing up for websites. - Life without cell phones
College freshmen now are connected to their friends every minute of every day thanks to their smartphones. They can maintain constant contact with each other by texting and Facebooking – the latter of which has made high school reunions less anticipated because graduates from the last several years already know what their classmates are doing with their lives. Many college students have never used a payphone, which was the main communication device to use when you were out and about in years past, though you couldn’t make the call if you didn’t remember the number. - Cameras with film
The class of 2014 will be taking plenty of pictures in the coming years, capturing the memorable and not-so-memorable moments that occur during college. But before the advent of Facebook, when picture-taking was less of a priority to young people, a camera was only as good as the film that accompanied it. There was no immediate gratification after taking a round of photos because you couldn’t upload them onto your computer. Instead, you dropped the roll off at the drugstore and waited until the photos were developed – it was the only way you would see the photos. - Using a paper map
Now, commuters are less likely to get lost with the presence of a GPS. The only time a paper map is unfolded, trial and error is used or verbal directions are requested during a trip is when the GPS hasn’t been updated in a while, and it steers you to an empty field. So when students from the class of 2014 embark on their first college roadtrips, the absence of wrong turns and unexpected detours will result in more time to have fun. - Driving manual transmission cars
Although cars with manual transmissions are still manufactured, few young people bother to learn how to drive them. The phase-out began a couple of decades ago, but for a while, many parents took it upon themselves to teach their kids how to drive a stick shift because it was still considered a useful skill. Cars with manual transmissions are usually cheaper, and car enthusiasts will tell you they’re more fun to drive. But driving has become a chore, and young and old people alike prefer to keep it as easy as possible. - Thumbing through an encyclopedia, dictionary or thesaurus
The time-consuming activity of thumbing through an encyclopedia, dictionary or thesaurus made research papers a dreaded part of the college experience during the pre-internet era. It was a given that you would spend hours upon hours in the library, and if you didn’t, your GPA would suffer. For home use, Encyclopedia Britannica and Webster’s Dictionary were reliable options. Now, definitions can be easily found by googling the term, and Wikipedia has become an informal source of information despite its inaccuracy. Library time is spent surfing the internet, unless a professor gives an assignment that requires for certain books to be cited. - Returning videotapes
Through the ’80s and ’90s, college students would spend late nights perusing the aisles of video stores, looking for the latest and greatest hits to view during their downtime. It was imperative they returned the videotapes in a timely manner; otherwise they would face late fees, which would put a dent their nearly empty bank accounts. And, of course, the tapes had to be rewound. Students today use torrents and sites like Netflix, and they never have to leave their dorm suites. - Cash only
No longer are trips to the ATM a necessary weekly occurrence. There are very few situations in which cash is needed, so few people carry bills in their wallets. Everyone with a bank account owns a debit card, so wads of cash aren’t needed by college students for activities like barhopping. Instead, they use their debit cards for everything, including bar tabs, which grow as more beer and shots are downed, causing future meals to be sacrificed due to the limited funds that remain. - Reliance on a wristwatch
Cell phones have ensured that people no longer uses wristwatches for time-telling purposes. Watches are no different than any piece of jewelry – they’re aesthetically-pleasing items that are worn fashionably. But it doesn’t seem to be a trend for 18-year-olds to own one, and with their cell phones always in their palms, they always know the time.
Reprinted with permission by Ken Martin. He can be reached at kenmartin83@gmail.com .
Tags: Ken Martin, Match a College, Parenting, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff
Distracted Riding: Biking and Texting – A Dangerous Combination
by Sue Scheff on Aug 28, 2010
The dangers of distracted driving are well known as Oprah promoted her No Phone Zone campaign and First Coast News is sponsoring the Great Hang Up! However we rarely see the dangers of bicycling and texting or talking on your cellphone. Should we call it distracted riding?
As school has opened on the First Coast (Duval, Clay and St. Johns County) you can see many teenagers biking to school or their neighborhood bike spot. How many of them have you seen reading a text or typing one while biking with one hand on handle bars.
According to the recent Nielsen Study, Florida ranks fourth in the country for cellphone usage and it was clear in the report that teens rule when it comes to texting. Do they text while biking? Two wheel texting is more common now since school opened, while teens arrange meeting their friends and planning the social events of the day.
Start watching today, how many teens are you witnessing texting, talking and biking? When you see this, be sure to use extra caution while approaching. God forbid there is an accident, in many cases the driver of the car will be held accountable when it was the teen that drifted into the road by being distracted.
Stop, talk, repeat, talk again – you can never talk enough about the dangers of distracted biking or driving. Remember parents, be an example to your kids!
Be an educated parent, you will have safer teens!
Watch video for potential ban on texting and biking. Read more.
Tags: Cell Phone Safety, Distracted Texting, Parenting, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Texting
Back to School Homework Frustrations
by Sue Scheff on Aug 27, 2010
Many schools are back in session. Teens that have been swimming, surfing, enjoying the beach, traveling or simply sleeping in over the summer are now faced with studies, homework and deadlines.
Students are trying to get back into the routine of early rising and homework blues, however it doesn’t have to be the blues, you can turn it around.
What can you do as a parent to help them overcome this hump?
8 Ways Parents Can Help With Homework:
1. Offer encouragement. Give your child praise for efforts and for completing assignments.
2. Be available. Encourage your child to do the work independently, but be available for assistance.
3. Maintain a schedule. Establish a set time to do homework each day. You may want to use a calendar to keep track of assignments and due dates.
4. Designate space. Provide a space for homework, stocked with necessary supplies, such as pencils, pens, paper, dictionaries, a computer, and other reference materials.
5. Provide discipline. Help your child focus on homework by removing distractions, such as television, radio, telephone, and interruptions from siblings and friends.
6. Be a role model. Consider doing some of your work, such as paying bills or writing letters, during your child’s homework time.
7. Be supportive. Talk to your child about difficulties with homework. Be willing to talk to your child’s teacher to resolve problems in a positive manner.
8. Involvement. Familiarize yourself with the teacher’s homework policy. Make sure that you and your child understand the teacher’s expectations. At the beginning of the year, you may want to ask your child’s teacher these questions – What kinds of assignments will you give? How often do you give homework? How much time are the students expected to spend on them? What type of involvement do you expect from parents?
Sources: Chicago Public Schools, Connect with Kids
Tags: Homework, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Teen Depression, Teen Help, Teen Issues, Teen Stress
Parenting Teen Girls and Tweens – Pink Locker Society
by Sue Scheff on Aug 26, 2010
The PINK Locker Society is launched and tweens are talking about it! Many are thrilled to have a website that answers many questions and feelings that are difficult or sensitive to talk about.
From creating your Dream Locker with an interactive pop-up, to answering questions about your boy crushes or what to wear, The PINK Locker Society is fun, educational and offers a vast amount of information to help girls go from tween-hood into teen-hood.
Some of the most popular questions that are asked and answers are questions about getting their periods, boy crushes, and breast issues. As a parent, may have talked to their tweens about these sensitive subjects, however having a group of peer to talk to can really help understand they are not alone. Let’s face it, this is a trying time for them and being able to see others (their peers) are struggling too helps them see their questions are not stupid.
Let’s get cooking! The PINK Locker Society also offers recipes for your girls to create and make. Helping your daughter build her self-esteem is a major part of growing up and making good choices.
If you have a tween, get ready for the launching of The PINK Locker Society book that will be released September 14th. Click here to pre-order today!
Be an educated parent, you will have healthier teens!
Tags: Parenting, Parenting Resources, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Pink Locker Society, Sue Scheff, Teen Health, Teen Help, Teen Issues
Back to school, back to homework and back to exams! Teen Cheating High-Tech
by Sue Scheff on Aug 25, 2010
Back to school, back to homework and back to exams! With all the techy gadgets out there – are they in the classroom? In most cases, yes they are. Does this increase the percentage of students that are using technology to cheat? Here is a great timely article from Connect with Kids with good parenting tips!
Source: Connect with Kids
High Tech Cheating
“It is kind of obvious, but teachers don’t really notice. They just think you are listening to music.”
– Danny, 16 years old
We see it walking down the street, in the mall, at the dinner table – we know kids today seem to be constantly texting. A new survey of young people from Textplus shows teens are sending text messages during the school day, as well. And what they’re sending might be considered by some as high-tech cheating.
According to survey results, 43 percent of teens 13 to 17 say they text during class… and nearly 80 percent of say they’ve never gotten in trouble with their teachers. But perhaps just as troubling – some kids are using their cell phones and iPods to cheat.
“[Students] will be looking at the test, and they will just have their iPod on their desk, and they will be scrolling down the information on it,” says 16-year-old Danny.
Because the latest iPods display word documents, some students will download cheat sheets.
“I know somebody who does it all the time, and he hasn’t gotten caught yet,” says Carlton, 18.
Other kids will speak the answers into their iPods while studying, then play them back during a test.
“It is kind of obvious, but teachers don’t really notice. They just think you are listening to music,” says Danny.
“Except for maybe the young teachers, I don’t think the older teachers know much about iPods or any new technology,” adds Joie, 16.
While many texts may be about weekend plans or the latest gossip, according to teens surveyed by Textplus, 22 percent say they have texted answers to classmates… and 20 percent said they themselves had been “saved” by such a text.
Still, some kids say that cheating with an iPod is uncommon, partly because it takes too much work.
Nick, 18, says it’s just too much trouble. “If you are going to be wasting your time finding out how to get answers on an iPod, you might as well just study.”
Blake, 16, says there are easier ways to cheat. “I’d rather just go in and copy off of someone else.”
Experts say parents should make sure their kids understand that cheating has consequences.
For example, says 18-year-old Marquis, “I heard of some kid who was taking the SATs and his sister recently passed it. She texted him the answers or something, and he got expelled.”
Amber, 16, says the biggest deterrent is her own conscience. “It makes you feel guilty. It makes me feel guilty when I cheat.”
What Parents Need To Know
A recent edition of the “Report Card on the Ethics of American Youth,” a comprehensive national survey on the ethics of young people administered by The Josephson Institute of Ethics showed the following concerning high school students:
- Nearly two-thirds (71 percent) admit they cheated on an exam at least once in the past 12 months (45 percent said they did so two or more times)
- Almost all (92 percent) lied to their parents in the past 12 months (79 percent said they did so two or more times)
- Over two-thirds (78 percent) lied to a teacher (58 percent two or more times)
- Over one-quarter (27 percent) said they would lie to get a job
- Forty percent of males and 30 percent of females say they stole something from a store in the past 12 months
These statistics seem to be indicative of a drift away from the morals and values that parents traditionally associate with society in the United States. In the press release accompanying the preliminary result of the survey, Michael Josephson, founder and president of the Josephson Institute of Ethics and CHARACTER COUNTS!, called on politicians to recognize the vital importance of dealing with “shocking levels of moral illiteracy” as part of any educational reform package. Saying the survey data reveals “a hole in the moral ozone,” Josephson added: “Being sure children can read is certainly essential, but it is no less important that we deal with the alarming rate of cheating, lying and violence that threatens the very fabric of our society.”
When discussing issues of morality and values, how can a parent illustrate what it means to be a person of character? The Center for the 4th and 5th R’s provides the following examples of characteristics of an individual with a positive character. For example, a person of character …
Is trustworthy:
- Honesty – Tell the truth. Be sincere. Don’t deceive, mislead or be devious or tricky. Don’t betray a trust. Don’t withhold important information in relationships of trust. Don’t steal. Don’t cheat.
- Integrity – Stand up for your beliefs about right and wrong. Be your best self. Resist social pressures to do things you think are wrong. Walk your talk. Show commitment, courage and self-discipline.
- Promise-keeping – Keep your word. Honor your commitments. Pay your debts. Return what you borrow.
- Loyalty – Stand by, support, and protect your family, friends, employers, community and country. Don’t talk behind people’s backs, spread rumors, or engage in harmful gossip. Don’t violate other ethical principles to keep or win a friendship or gain approval. Don’t ask a friend to do something wrong.
Treats all people with respect:
- Respect – Be courteous and polite. Judge all people on their merits. Be tolerant, appreciative and accepting of individual differences. Don’t abuse, demean or mistreat anyone. Don’t use, manipulate, exploit or take advantage of others. Respect the right of individuals to make decisions about their own lives.
Acts responsibly:
- Accountability – Think before you act. Consider the possible consequences on all people affected by actions. Think for the long-term. Be reliable. Be accountable. Accept responsibility for the consequences of your choices. Don’t make excuses. Don’t blame others for your mistakes or take credit for others’ achievements. Set a good example for those who look up to you.
- Pursue excellence – Do your best with what you have. Keep trying. Don’t quit or give up easily. Be diligent and industrious.
- Self-control – Exercise self-control. Be disciplined.
Is fair and just:
- Fairness – Treat all people fairly. Be open-minded. Listen to others and try to understand what they are saying and feeling. Make decisions which affect others only on appropriate considerations. Don’t take unfair advantage of others’ mistakes. Don’t take more than your fair share.
Is caring:
- Caring and kindness – Show you care about others through kindness, caring, sharing and compassion. Live by the Golden Rule. Help others. Don’t be selfish. Don’t be mean, cruel or insensitive to other’s feelings. Be charitable.
Is a good citizen:
- Citizenship – Play by the rules. Obey laws. Do your share. Respect authority. Stay informed. Vote. Protect your neighbors and community. Pay your taxes. Be charitable and altruistic. Help your community or school by volunteering service. Protect the environment. Conserve natural resources.
According to experts at CHARACTER COUNTS!, character building is most effective when you regularly see and seize opportunities to …
- Strengthen awareness of moral obligations and the moral significance of choices (ethical consciousness).
- Enhance the desire to do the right thing (ethical commitment).
- Improve the ability to foresee potential consequences, devise options and implement principled choices (ethical competency).
When trying to instill morals and values to your child, experts at CHARACTER COUNTS! say it is important to …
- Be consistent – The moral messages you send must be clear, consistent and repetitive. Children will judge your values not by what you say but by what you do and what you permit them to do. They will judge you not by your best moments but by your last worst act. Thus, everything you say and do, and all that you allow to be said and done in your presence, either reinforces or undermines the credibility of your messages about the importance of good character. Over and over, use the specific language of the core virtues – trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship – and be as firm and consistent as you can be about teaching, advocating, modeling and enforcing these “Six Pillars of Character.” When you are tired, rushed or under pressure you are most tempted to rationalize. It may help to remember that the most powerful and lasting lessons about character are taught by making tough choices when the cost of doing the right thing is high.
- Be concrete – Messages about good attitudes, character traits and conduct should be explicit, direct and specific. Building character and teaching ethics is not an academic undertaking; it must be relevant to the lives and experiences of your children. Talk about character and choices in situations that your children have been in. Comment on and discuss things their friends and teachers have done in terms of the “Six Pillars of Character.”
- Be creative – Effective character development should be creative. It should be active and involve the child in real decision-making that has real consequences (such as teaching responsibility through allocating money from an allowance or taking care of a pet). Games and role-playing are also effective. Look for “teaching moments,” using good and bad examples from television, movies and the news.
Resources
- Textplus Survey on Teens and Texting
- The Josephson Institute of Ethics
- Center for the 4th and 5th R’s
- National Education Association
Tags: Connect with Kids, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Help, Teen Issues
Teens Hanging with Less Than Desireable Peers – Teen Gangs
by Sue Scheff on Aug 23, 2010
Teen Gang and Gang Violence has taken on a new light in today’s age.
Gangs prey on the weak child that yearns to fit in with a false illusion they are accepted into the “cool crowd”. With most Gangs as with Teen Cults, they can convince your child that joining “their Gang or Cult” will make them a “well-liked and popular” teen as well as one that others may fear. This gives the teen a false sense of superiority. Remember, many of today’s teens that are acting out negatively are suffering with extremely low self confidence. This feeling of power that they believe a gang or cult has can boost their esteem; however they are blinded to the fact that is dangerous. This is how desperate some teens are to fit in.
In reality, it is a downward spiral that can result in damage both emotionally and psychically. We have found Teen Gangs and Teen Cults are sometimes hard to detect. They disguise themselves to impress the most intelligent of parents. We have witnessed Gang members who will present themselves as the “good kid from the good family” and you would not suspect their true colors.
If you suspect your child is involved in any Gang Activities or any Cults, please seek local therapy and encourage your child to communicate. This is when the lines of communication need to be wide open. Sometimes this is so hard, and that is when an objective person is always beneficial. Teen Gangs and Teen Cults are to be taken very seriously. A child that is involved in a gang can affect the entire family and their safety. Take this very seriously if you suspect your child is participating in gang activity or cult association.
If you feel your teen is in need of further Boarding School, Military School, Residential or Program Options, please complete our Information Request Form.
Learn more at www.helpyourteens.com.
Tags: At Risk Teens, Parenting, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Sue Scheff, Teen Gangs, Teen Help, Teen Issues, Teen Violence
