Fake Diploma’s: Know the Scams

Don't get scammed with diploma mills.

Almost everyone goes to college for the same reason: to prepare for their future career.

Of course, it is also about expanding your mind, challenging yourself, and meeting new people, but in the end it comes down to being qualified for the job that you really want. In today’s society, online degrees are more common than ever. Consequently, “diploma mills” are also more common than ever.

A diploma mill will go to great lengths to appear legitimate, making it very difficult to differentiate the scams from accredited online universities. And while the internet boasts thousands of institutions for higher learning, it also houses thousands of con artists. Diploma mills cheat you out of your money and your academic goals. While diploma mills can be tricky, there are several ways you can avoid them. An online education offers many benefits a traditional education cannot.

Here’s how you can get the online education you desire without getting scammed:

1. Check for Accreditation: To ensure that the online universities you are interested in are legitimate, you must research them thoroughly. The first step is to check to see that the institution is an accredited online university. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education maintains a database of accredited schools. Go to this site and check to see if the institution you are considering is on the list. Only schools that provide proper educational degrees can become accredited. If the school that you are interested in is not among the institutions listed by the Department of Education, you will need to do some further investigating. If government education agencies have never heard of the program, then the program is probably a scam. If it isn’t clearly stated whether the school is accredited or not, there is no way to be sure that your coursework will count towards a true degree. While accreditation is the first thing to look for in an online program, your research into the school should not stop there. Also, be weary of schools that use terms like “licensed” or “state authorized” rather than displaying legitimate accreditation.
2. Research the Accrediting Agency: While checking for accreditation is the first step to confirming the legitimacy of an online institution, diploma mills can be very sneaky. Even a school that claims accreditation and provides evidence from an accrediting agency can be fraudulent. Be sure to research the accrediting agency that the institution lists. Unfortunately, diploma mills often work closely with “accreditation mills”. These accreditation mills pose as official accreditation agencies and are often very difficult to distinguish from the real thing. Any legitimate accrediting agency will be recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
3. Check Contact Information: A big red flag should go up in your mind when an online institution’s website does not provide thorough contact information. A real educational institution (online or otherwise) will offer advisors and customer service representatives who can answer any questions you may have about the school or degree program. One of your first steps should be contacting the school to ask them questions about the program and receive a virtual tour of the institution. Diploma mills will likely only list one phone number to contact them at or provide only a fax number (always a terrible sign). Try to speak with a live person and get as much contact information as you can. Keep in mind that it takes a lot of people to run a university. If the university is legitimate there should be plenty of people to talk to and address your concerns.
4. Roaming Addresses: In addition to verifying contact information for an online institution, you should also investigate an institution’s address. If the school changes their address from one state to another often, this is a serious warning sign. Also, if the school only provides a post office box number with no physical location for the school headquarters, you are likely dealing with a scam. If a physical address is provided for the institution, look up that address on the internet and verify that it is truly the address of an online education provider. Diploma mills have one objective: to get your money. A school that only offers a post office box is hoping you will mail them a check and then have no way of locating them.
5. Check the Better Business Bureau: Another great way to identify a diploma mill is by checking for complaints to the Better Business Bureau. Although we may not realize it, universities are businesses who work for profit. You obtain an education at the cost of a (sometimes hefty) fee. Because online universities are businesses, they are evaluated by the Better Business Bureau. The U.S. Better Business Bureau is a corporation that is dedicated to gathering and reporting information on business reliability. The BBB alerts the public to frauds businesses have committed and provide information on ethical business practices. Check with the Better Business Bureau in the university’s area to see if there have been any complaints about the institution. Obviously, if there are complaints to the Better Business Bureau about invalid diplomas or internet fraud, then you should seek a different institution for your educational purposes.
6. Alumni Information: Another important aspect of a college degree program is the alumni connections made through an institution. When choosing an online degree program, search for references from the college’s alumni. Most universities are more than willing to provide prospective students with references from former students. As mentioned earlier, because universities are businesses they should try to “sell” the school to you. They should be more than happy to supply you with positive alumni references. Obviously, diploma mills posing as legitimate institutions will not have a list of happy former customers.
7. Odd Application Process: One of the most obnoxious parts of entering the world of higher education is the application process. With cover letters, essays, test scores, and academic records, applying to college can be a very tedious process. An institution’s application process can be a huge clue into determining whether that institution is a sham or not. If the school’s only acceptance requirement is a credit card number, then you should be very cautious. If it seems like you are buying your diploma, you probably are buying your diploma and nothing more. Another way to determine that an online college is illegitimate is if the degree program costs a flat fee, rather than paying for each course. Institutions like this want to get as much money out in one sitting before you have the chance to realize that you are being cheated. Moreover, if the application process does not ask for any testing scores or other educational background you should seek a different online program.
8. Negative Reviews: In today’s world, there is no limit to the number of places you can go online to complain about things. While most people stick to complaining on their Facebook statues, there are also tons of forums and blogs dedicated to discussing short fallings. When researching an online degree program, look for online forums or blogs that discuss the institution. If there are negative reviews of the school, then you should look more closely into the school’s legitimacy. Now, don’t be scared off if there are some posts about how difficult a professor or class is (these are not the complaints that we mean). But, if there are numerous complaints concerning the validity of the school, you should be concerned. Furthermore, if you do research and are unable to find any forums or blogs discussing the institution you are interested in, you should beware. If you are the only person who has heard of this online education program, it is likely that the program is a scam.
9. Sounds Too Good To Be True: As we all know, earning a college degree takes time and energy. Part of what you gain from a college education is the gratification of working hard and accomplishing your goals. So, if a degree program sounds really easy, it probably isn’t real. Diploma mills will offer degree programs that boast easy classes and fast results. Although earning a degree online offers several advantages, it is not a shortcut to a fast degree. While some online degree programs may be shorter than traditional ones, no degree can be earned in a matter of days or even weeks. Furthermore, if credit is offered for “real world” experience, you are likely dealing with a diploma mill. You should also be cautious of institutions that offer degree programs for significantly less money than most other institutions. Diploma mills offering degrees for cheap are hoping that potential students will be too excited by the insanely low cost to check the school’s credentials.
10. Poor Quality Website: Another key insight into the legitimacy of an online college is the quality of its website. If the marketing material displayed on the website has several spelling or grammatical errors, it is most likely a fake educational institution. Furthermore, if the school’s URL does not end in .edu, you should look more closely into the school’s credentials. Most legitimate educational organizations have websites ending with .edu. Also, you should carefully evaluate the name of the institution you are interested in. If the institution’s name is very similar (but not identical) to the name of a well-known university, you may be dealing with a scam. Some fraudulent companies will change minor details of the name of the institution like putting “college” when the well-known school is “university”. For example, hopeful students may think they are enrolling at “Boston College Online” when really they are really enrolling at “Boston University Online”.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Diploma Mills? Don’t get scammed by fake diplomas – Fort Lauderdale Parenting Teens | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/parenting-teens-in-fort-lauderdale/diploma-mills-don-t-get-scammed-by-fake-diplomas#ixzz1L0ZCvOYo

Summer Jobs for Teens

Summer jobs are beneficial for teens in many ways.

Where Teens can Find Summer Jobs

There are any number of places where you can look for a good summer job:

• Local merchants: local stores often need good help – and not just in the summer.
• Small businesses: most towns have a number of small business offices – and your family or friends probably know several owners or office managers.
• Corporate offices: many have established summer jobs and internship programs, but often these are the most competitive.
• Stores at the mall: have a favorite store you like to shop at in the mall? Maybe now is the time to get a job there –- just be careful not to spend all your earnings buying their products.
• Hotels and resorts: summer is the busy season for most hotels and resorts.
• Tourist attractions: even if you don’t live in Florida or California, most states have tourist attractions that especially need help during the busy tourism season.
• Golf & Tennis clubs: as the weather improves, these clubs are usually looking for part-time help.
• Grocery stores: maybe not the most exciting jobs, but probably the most convenient -– and not just for summer.
• Fast food and restaurants: local restaurants always need good help -– and while not the most glamorous, it’s still a job.
• Parks and recreation departments: city, state, and national parks and recreation departments often develop special summer programs, and thus have job opportunities.
• Local government summer job programs: often various government agencies sponsor different kinds of summer youth work programs.
• Summer camps: okay, you went to camp as a kid – now you can go back as a counselor and get paid while being at camp.
• Working for yourself: there are all sorts of jobs/businesses you could develop for yourself in your neighborhood –- Check out, Job Ideas for Teens 15 and Younger: Beyond Babysitting.
• The Web: especially if you want to work outside your neighborhood, or even your state, the Web is the place for you to explore all sorts of summer job opportunities -– so go visit Quintessential Careers: Summer Job Websites.

What do Employers Look for in Teens

Employers want motivated teens who are going to arrive to work on time, have a positive attitude, work hard, work well with others, show leadership qualities, work their full shift, and do the best job they can. You need to show your employer that you are a good investment, both for the current position, as well as for any potential future positions.

Final Words of Advice

Jobs are jobs. You are going to have to work, no matter how “cool” the job or company, so be prepared for some days to not be as great as others. The keys to remember are that you are earning money, you are gaining experience, and you are making good contacts (and references)!

Source:  Dr. Randall S. Hansen of Quintessential Careers

Lifeguarding is a great summer job and career for teens and young adults.  Contact your local American Red Cross or your local YMCA  for more information on getting certified.

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Struggling Teens: Teen Help and Safe Resources

There is help, don't ignore problems that could escalate.

It is all the kids he/she is hanging out with, it is not my teen.  If it weren’t for those bad influences, my child would never act like that – or smoke pot…..

Really – you want to believe that so badly, but in reality if your teen that is making the choice not only to hang with that negative peer group, he/she is also part of it!  So another parent of a teen he/she is hanging with is saying the same thing.

Your teen has choices, he/she is making a choice of who their so-called friends are.  Your teen is making the decision to smoke pot.  Your teen is making a choice to stop studying and heading down a negative path.

It is no different than a parent making a choice to be friends with their neighbor, who may not be the biggest gossip in the town.

If your teen is making bad choices that are escalating to a point that you are no longer able to control him/her, it is time to look at parent choices.  Seeking local therapy, youth groups, outpatient facilities and even looking for help from relatives – exhausting all your local options.

Don’t get stuck in the blame game circle!  It isn’t your fault – parenting is not easy, and we do our best to give our children the best.  Entitlement issues have become a trend of today.

If you come to the conclusion you need residential therapy, do your homework – this is a major decision that is not only financial, it is an emotional one.

Visit www.Helpyourteens.com.

10 Latest E-Learning trends grades K-12

E-learning, like most aspects of the applied sciences and education, is a rapidly growing and changing field. New technologies are constantly being implemented that let students and teachers better interact both in the classroom and outside of it — not only at the college level, but in K-12 schools around the world. If you’re an educator trying to keep up or a college student who wants to emerge on the market well-versed on the latest educational technology trends, here are some things you should certainly keep your eye on today (and in the coming years).

1. iPads in the classroom. Apple’s tablet computer, the iPad, has proven to be popular with not only everyday consumers but educators as well. Grants from both public and private sources have allowed schools across the nation to provide them to students. These tablet devices are easy-to-use and perfect for classrooms involving a wide variety of learning styles. Students can complete assignments on the iPad, share their work with teachers and peers, read textbooks, take notes, blog, play educational games, write papers and much more. Teachers are also able to easily monitor progress and even grade papers right through their device, saving time, paper and allowing for better feedback. Students who take classes outside of the school setting, or who are homeschooled, may also find the gadget useful in learning, as it is incredibly portable and powerful. There are some who criticize the use of iPads in the classroom, but with hundreds of thousands of them available to students, they’re unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon.
2. More mobile devices. Smart phones and iPods were once seen as contraband in classrooms, but today more and more educators are turning to them as interactive and cost-effective tools to get kids interested in learning. They can use these devices anywhere and anytime to engage with peers, keep up with grades and even learn a thing or two – something more and more educational programs are beginning to embrace. Experts estimate that over the next two to three years, there will an explosion of use of these devices for e-learning and classroom-based activities, allowing both students and teachers to interact in new and potentially advantageous ways.
3. Tech-based monitoring of student progress. Programs like Blackboard and online grade-tracking systems are making it easier than ever for teachers to follow student progress, no matter where they might be. Online and offline courses alike are making use of this great new technology and the explosion of available programs and websites. Tracking student progress comes with a wide range of benefits. It allows teachers to quickly share grades and evaluations as well as easily keeping in touch with parents who may push their children to do their homework when they see grades and missing assignments instantly. An added bonus? They’re often easy to use and provide instant access from anywhere– even on a mobile device.
4. Cloud computing. You’ve likely seen the “to the cloud!” commercials on TV, but probably didn’t consider the advantages of this type of computing for students and educators. For one, it allows easy collaboration on everything from simple homework assignments to in-depth presentations – and it makes it much harder for students to forget a homework assignment when it’s easily available to pull up on the web. Additionally, cloud computing provides access to a wide range of educational materials without students actually having to be on-site. They can access any resources they need from anywhere with an internet connection– and that’s a powerful force when it comes to equal access in education. It may also be better for the bottom line, requiring less equipment for both students and schools. With a world rapidly moving towards ubiquitous wi-fi, cloud computing in both e-learning and classrooms is going to be around for years to come.
5. Truly educational gaming. There have always been educational games for students to play at home or in school, but these days that variety and accessibility is growing rapidly. Educators hoping to increase interest in subjects like math, history and science have begun bringing games into the classroom, allowing students to play while they learn. Often online or on mobile devices, students can access these games from anywhere making them perfect tools for e-learning at all grade levels. With surveys showing over 93% of students playing video games, it only makes sense to push for some of those games to be educational. And that’s just what educators are doing. Students can work on solving math problems, do online science experiments or even see what that lives of historical figures were like– all at the touch of a button.
6. Social networking for learning. Blogs and sites like Twitter are becoming more and more popular among educators all over the nation. They let students collaborate and help give even the most shy of students a voice. Better yet, these social sites are perfect for online education, allowing students who can’t get classroom access to enjoy some of the same benefits as their counterparts who can. While some parents may worry about privacy issues, sites set up specifically for education are often closely guarded, helping to keep kids safe while they learn. To date, thousands of classroom and homeschool blogs have been created from kindergarten up to college, and many more are likely to pop up as teachers increase their knowledge and understanding of the technology.
7. Adaptive learning environments. Programs that are able to change and adapt to the needs of their students may just be the next big thing in e-learning for the K-12 set. These adaptive learning environments react to preferences designated by the students as well as helping identify places where they need additional support and help or for lessons to speed up or slow down. These programs allow teachers to pinpoint student needs and to help them out, without having to embarrass them in front of the class as they would in a more traditional setting. It’s personalized, private and highly effective, but many educators believe this trend still has a long way to go to make a significant impact– something that may just well happen in the coming years.
8. Electronic, interactive textbooks. Traditional textbooks can be great, but they can’t match the power of new, interactive reads found online and on mobile devices. These textbooks, popular in both classrooms and in e-learning, can supplement the classic text and photos with videos, audio clips and even interactive activities for students to complete. Users can also take notes and highlight material right on the document, making it simple to mark areas they didn’t understand, have questions about or want to review later. Interactive textbooks are something publishing companies have been playing around with for quite some time, but the latest technology has finally made it possible to improve the quality and effectiveness of these programs.
9. Online summer school. For students who miss out on or need to repeat classroom material, they may not need to head to school over the summer– just to a computer. More and more schools are implementing online summer school programs allowing students to complete the necessary work or credits they need without the additional costs associated with having them in the actual classroom. The cost savings of these programs and their effectiveness may just translate to shorter school days and more classes being moved to the virtual realm for the rest of the year as well.
10. Simulation learning. Experts say that simulation in education isn’t just a passing fad, and it can be a real an essential key to helping students understand both lessons in the classroom and the world at large. They may have a point, as this newfangled method of hands-on learning may just have what kids need to help them grasp abstract or complex concepts. Long used in training for astronauts and pilots, simulations can help students learn to grasp cause and effect and more easily see how events relate to one another in a real-world setting, something that’s hard to teach any other way. As education moves more and more onto the web, these simulated environments may yet become invaluable tools and something every teacher will want to add to his or her repertoire.

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Teen Drug Use: OTC (Over the Counter) Medicines and your Teens

Parenting teens.  Is there a job more challenging today?

From text lingo that can make you blush, to sex language that turns your stomach, there is no denying it – raising teenagers in today’s techno and substance abuse generation is a struggle to keep up with.

Who would have thought that today’s medicine cabinet could potentially be a danger zone?

Cough medicine abuse is a situation of ‘good medicines, bad behavior.’ The fact of the matter is that teen cough medicine abuse does not happen by accident; it involves intentionally taking large amounts of medication to get high. The ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines that teens are abusing is dextromethorphan, or DXM. While DXM-containing medicines are safe and effective when used as directed, they can be dangerous when abused in large amounts.

The makers of OTC cough medicines containing DXM have introduced an educational icon on their medicines’ packages. The icon helps raise awareness about the teen abuse of cough medicines and provides the StopMedicineAbuse.org website as a resource for more information. It also provides a great conversation starter with your teens about cough medicine abuse.

StopMedicineAbuse.org created Home to Homeroom Digest with valuable information about what today’s teenagers are using and how to help prevent drug abuse.  Education is the key to prevention and this website is full of priceless articles, tips and resources to help you be an educated parent.

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