Category: ‘Alternative Education’

Vocational School – An Important Alternative for College

May 6, 2013 Posted by Kantata Taqwa

College education, as we know it, is an expensive thing that many individuals struggle to attain. With tuition fees constantly rising, it has become a ‘privilege of the few’ instead of many. A lot of high school graduates choose not to pursue higher education because of that fact. The good thing, however, is that anyone can choose not to stop their quest for better career with the help of what we call ‘alternative education programs’ or vocational courses.

A good alternative for college

If you think going to a university is difficult then you might consider enrolling in a vocational school. This is considered an important alternative for college for some important reasons, including the following:

Short-term courses are available and this means you are going to spend lesser amount of money and time for school (e.g. 3 to 6 months).

It involves practical courses that are on-demand in the industry.

Financial aids are available for qualified students – you can take advantage of this privilege.

They are usually affiliated to employers and companies in the industry so it can be a lot easier for you to land a job. In fact, a lot of programs are established based on the current demand in the labor market.

How to evaluate a vocational school that fits you

As there are a number of vocational schools nowadays, it can be a puzzling scenario in your part as to which school to choose. It is imperative that you are able to carefully evaluate your prospective schools – if they indeed fit your unique condition.

Here are some tips for you to do that:

Research – you can do this both online and offline. On the Internet, there are a lot of useful vocational school resources and vocational school finder you can review or make use of to be able to find good prospects.

Evaluate the courses offered – examine if the prospects you have on your list offer the program you want to take up. Also, the programs you see on the Internet might not be the updated one so it is a necessity to verify them offline. You can call their office or you can have a school visit for validation.

Financial aid – as I have mentioned, financial aids are offered in vocational schools so check if your prospects have them. In case they have, determine if you are qualified. Take advantage of this privilege.

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Categories: Alternative Education

Austin Waldorf School – Alternative Education in Austin

January 15, 2013 Posted by Kantata Taqwa

Austin Waldorf School - Alternative Education in AustinFor parents who want something different than what Austin Independent School District can offer, there is Austin Waldorf School. This school is located on 8700 South View Road and offers education from Kindergarten all the way up through High School. Austin Waldorf School even offers Adult education classes. Since it is a private school, there is tuition to be considered. However, many parents claim that the education their children receive at Austin Waldorf School makes it all worth it.

Austin Waldorf School is one among many different Waldorf schools all over the nation. It is part of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America and was founded in 1980. Waldorf schools are based on the educational philosophy of Austrian philosopher, scientist and artist Rudolph Steiner. He founded Waldorf Education in 1919 and today it is present in 900 independent schools in 55 different countries.

Steiner’s school system runs on a set of values that are conveyed to students through work in the classroom and without. In addition to the basic academic skills that most students learn, Waldorf students are also instructed in art and practical disciplines. There is daily individual and group instruction. The core concept behind Waldorf’s teaching methods is that each student is an individual who is passing through different life stages. A school’s job in the Waldorf method is not to conform the student to the school but to teach in a way that deals with the social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physical needs of each student.

Art is the focus of most Waldorf schools, and it’s no different at Austin Waldorf School. Children of all ages frequently participate in art, music, drama and storytelling as part of the regular curriculum. Teachers use these artistic elements, as well as other techniques to instill an inner enthusiasm from children for the subject matter.

In the preschool and kindergarten, there is no direct instruction or homework. Young children are encouraged to explore and participate in the world around them through creative activities and sensory experiences. As the child grows up through the Austin Waldorf School they are taught all the basic subjects but also are exposed to foreign languages, arts and handwork like knitting and woodworking. Unlike traditional school, the class and teacher move together from grade to grade through the entire eight years of elementary and middle school.

Austin Waldorf School isn’t for everyone, but it can be the perfect fit for families who are looking for something different in the way of education. There are nearly 400 students at the school, which grows more each year. If you’re interested in becoming part of this school, you’ll need to visit the school on a visitor morning, held in October and March. At that meeting, you’ll receive an application to fill out and turn in. The school will select students from that applicant pool base and invite some back for a three day visit to the classroom. After the in-class evaluation, you will be notified about the school’s decision.

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Categories: Alternative Education

Alternative Educational Methods

November 3, 2012 Posted by Kantata Taqwa

21st century, latest technological gadgets and modern outlook – we seem to have everything. There’s still something which we crave for when it comes to education for our little ones and that is different teaching methods. Why is it that, we, as parents are not satisfied with the teaching methods adopted by schools and colleges? Is it because children are pressurized too much into studying or is it that education in school is only limited to academics?

Whatever be the reason, parents are trying to look for alternative educational methods, wherein their children can not only learn better, but also in an easy way, without stressing them. So, what are the other methods available for parents to explore? As of now, we can find that there are 3 alternative educational methods available for parents and children. They are:

1. Montessori schools

2. Waldorf/ Steiner schools

3. Friends schools

4. Homeschooling

While the Montessori schools and Waldorf schools are gaining popularity among many, friends school and homeschooling are not much known in India. One can find that the Montessori Method of learning is fast catching up in our country as an alternate educational method. Initially, one may notice that the child is not taught on par with the subjects and topics in regular schools, but as they get used to the schedule and pattern of learning, they are exposed to more topics and subjects. With hands on experience given importance to understand the various concepts, children find that they love the very thought of going to school and learning.

Montessori methods not only emphasize on the importance of the child to understand the concepts, but also help them in their overall development. A 7/8yr old child being able to give a speech on a greener planet and global warming with data is something which can mesmerize anyone of us. Yes, this is possible through the Montessori Method, wherein children learn to deliver speeches and take part in debates as early as 8/9years.

The Waldorf method is also on the similar lines, wherein a child’s creativity is put to task to imagine and understand everything and also use analytics to analyze the same. One can also find that in this method of teaching/learning, a teacher is given the freedom to choose the syllabus and curriculum that they term fit for the students of their class. This helps the teacher decide on how much to cover in a topic and also how much can the students understand and learn.

In either of these methods, one can find that children are going to be given a chance to explore and learn and not be pressed into text book reading and learning. This not only makes them happy, but also the information thus assimilated is retained in one’s memory for a longer period of time.

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