Granted, these are only Republicans — but when it comes to education, the same is typical in both parties.  Also noteworthy is the fact that several of these potentials are no longer candidates for the GOP nomination for a run against Barack Obama in 2012:

A new infographic by Online Universities addresses the issues facing American schools right now. Here, you will notice that certain problems facing the education system could easily be remedied by returning the vast amount of control back to the local school districts.  Without a major overhaul, American schools will continue to decline and there will be little hope of bringing our standards up to those of other countries who now outperform American schools.

One of those ways, and the one he spent the most time going on about, is to put new teachers into classrooms, retain current teachers, and rehire teachers whose jobs were lost to layoffs.  Putting more teachers into the classrooms, he says, would make a big difference.  But how that helps average unemployed workers is unclear.  Most of the appearances he made that were advertised ahead of time as “meet and greet” were in reality mere photo ops during which none of the prominent citizens invited to appear were given the opportunity to speak with the president.  Many of them were disappointed, as they had questions about Obama’s failed jobs creation efforts.

Obama defended his plan, saying that when the Senate failed to pass it, they had said “no to you.”  He was trying to imply that an answer of no to him was the same as an answer of no to the citizens of America.  The question looming large on everyone’s minds however was “You’re the president, so why can’t you get congress to pass any of your ideas?”  They also seemed doubtful that any of the president’s suggestions would lead to the creation of a single, practical job.

1. Did not really work hard
2. Could not be held accountable for his or her performance on class assignments
3. Could not get adequate attention from instructors
4. Was more likely to cheat on exams and quizzes
5. Could somehow fake his or her way through the course without demonstrating mastery

While all of the above assumptions are understandable given the newness of online learning as a method of taking important post-secondary courses, they have all been proven to be largely untrue.  Human resources departments at most companies now agree that they look more favorably on applicants who have taken online courses or completed online college degree programs than they used to.  Many also report that graduates of online programs are no more skilled or capable of performing their career duties than students who have not set foot in a physical classroom.

Here are the current beliefs concerning online education.  It’s great to see how much things have improved and attitudes have changed.  Click to expand:

Having a secure digital nation capable of advancing our country’s economic  and national security is a growing trend in education.  There is some indication that with the national trend towards online educational opportunities will come new job markets created entirely to support new education models.  Let’s have a look at this infographic and see how trends in education are going so far, and hopefully better understand just how big education really is:

Therefore,  innovative approaches to course design are required immediately.   These should appropriately set aside outdated models of instruction in which theory often is given more weight than any actuality. Online education module developers and curriculum designers must be prepared to pave the way for true, open, online learning experiences that are not hampered by the old ways of doing things.  The new ways must embrace a faster truth, with immediate access to solid, factual, peer reviewed information.  There is no time in an instantaneous classroom for elitism when it comes to the dissemination of knowledge.

Education is no longer time sensitive as it was once.  The asynchronous nature of the online classroom throws out the idea of limited information in exchange for real time facts, updates, and discoveries. No longer are students limited only by the contents of analog books, nearly outdated the moment they are lifted hot from the press.  No longer must students wait for membership in elite learning communities for access to periodicals and reports generated by the great minds of our times.

To attract and retain the today’s most frequently encountered college-age demographic, relevant and engaging educational content must be available day and night, and courses must be fluid and capable of evolving along with the arrival of new information.  Students simply are not impressed by printed “final words,” in this world where no word is final.  These are the challenges that online curriculum advisers face in making online learning relevant to today’s students.

For eleven seasons, the television show, The Biggest Loser, has featured people who are overweight and unhealthy looking to begin a new life.  This new life means losing weight and developing healthy eating and exercise habits that will help them throughout the rest of their life.  Some of the people on the show know that if they continue on the road they are on, it will only lead to destruction, so they make a change for the better.  The show is also a competition where the contestants work to become the one who loses the most weight, or the Biggest Loser.

A newer show that features people with a desire to live healthier is Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition.  For people who have followed the Extreme Makeover shows then you will have some understanding as to what it is about.  The show features super obese people who want to take part on a life changing journey.  The people will actually be about 200 pounds or even more overweight, and the show tracks the experience for a whole year of them fighting to lose almost half of their entire body weight.

• Choose a time and place for studying: Whether you like to study in the courtyard or in your room with music playing the key is to find something you know you can do and stick to. An easily accessible place is the best.
• Prioritize your work: If you have a large paper due friday and a daily homework assignment each night then get the paper done a little at a time as part of your homework. Trying to do everything at once will cause you to forget a homework or not do the best on the paper.
• Don’t just sit through class: Classes and lectures aren’t meant for you to sleep through. They are for you to get a better understanding in the subject. Ask questions. Discuss the lectures afterwards in a study group. Do anything to get the subject perfectly.
• Find a study group: Study groups can mean the difference between getting a subject or not understanding the class. Find a group that works with your learning style and replay tapes of the lecture to hit on any points you may have missed.
• Time Management is key: We all work but time management will determine whether you are doing well or need to drop. If you find yourself heading towards needing to drop then see if there is a part of your schedule that can shift around so you can get your schooling done as well.
• Don’t cram before the exam: Staying up late and filling your head with as much as it can hold has been proven to do worse then actually reviewing and getting a good nights sleep. If you hold studying off until the end then you are setting yourself up for failure.

Social Work, Law, Homeland Security, Dental, Paralegal, Teaching, and Criminal Justice are just a few business degrees that you could get online at home in your spare time. If these look good then think what you will look like in your new job in the company of your  choice now that you meet their needs perfectly.

TECHNOLOGY & MATH

Graphic Design, Information Technology, Math, Electronics, Infomatics, Computer Networking…All these degrees are easily obtainable while you are still working to pay the bills and once you get your degree you will be the one businesses are pleading to work for them. Many companies, like those who offer cable bundles often hire employees with strong technology and math skills.

FINE ARTS

When is the last time you saw a movie and went, ” Man! that looks amazing. I wish I could do that.” Well now you can. Just look at the degrees you can get: Animation, Graphic Design, Art History, Interior Design, Music, Film Studies.

HUMANITIES

If you find yourself as the type to like history and the humanities then perhaps a degree in Philosophy, English, History, or Anthropology would be more your style. These classes are easily taken and can lead you to a very bright future.

ENGINEERING

Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering…Learn how the world works and don’t rely on another repair man again while you make those big bucks.

LIBERAL ARTS

These degrees are for the persons out there that have an interest in Communications, Sociology, Political Science, and/or Public Administration. Nothing will stop you on your path to greatness if you put your mind to it.

COMMERCE

Accounting, Economics, Finance, Business, E-commerce: All a great way to pave the way for you and your family. Whether you work full time or are a stay at home parent you can get these classes done quickly and easily and be back on the horse in no time flat.

SCIENCE

The sciences are a great career to pursue. If researching or teaching is what you want to do then I say go for it. Take the bull by the horns and pursue a degree in: Biology, Chemistry, Health Sciences, Psychology, Geography, or Environmental Science.