Most Interesting Campuses in Ontario

Ontario has some of the most beautiful campuses in the country of Canada. Here is a quick description of some of them:

Queen's University located in Kingston is a picturesque town with a campus that is charming. You can actually see the ivy growing on the university and it is relatively easy to maneuver your way around the campus.

The University of Toronto undoubtedly has one of the most beautiful campuses in Canada, and yes in Ontario too. Located in the centre of downtown Toronto, the Bata Shoe Museum is close by, plus the Royal Ontario Museum and the Textile Museum. There are great places to eat that surround the entire campus and some parts of it even have cobblestone.

York University's campus is also beautiful and changing all the time. With its large quadrant that has a grassy knoll, plus a waterfall, it is huge space that has some elements of the old and the new. Just over to the south of the campus is Seneca College that also has many elements of a new design and is a building that displays its strength in understanding technology.

One of the lesser known universities in Toronto, however ones that are extremely interesting include Humber College and Guelph-Humber University. These institutions which are joined actually resemble the Pearson airport that is not too far away. At Guelph-Humber they have a wall that is filled with leaves and foliage right in the atrium. It is absolutely gorgeous for anyone who has the opportunity to see it.

Ryerson University on the other hand is like a modern village in the heart of downtown Toronto. With so much going on around it, it is amazing to think the students there actually get an opportunity to get any studying done. With its proximity to the Eaton Centre, as well as great restaurants, jewelry stores and a newly formed square close to the Hard Rock Café, there is so much going on there that it would be hard for a student looking to take a break to be bored.

Another interesting campus is Centennial College at Pape and Mortimer in Toronto that used to be the old teacher's college. That school also used to be the location where the world famous “Degrassi Juniour High” series was filmed. If you look at the show, as well as look at aspects of the school – you can easily identify some of the classrooms and location scenes from the show.

Is Journalism Education Becoming Obsolete due to Citizen Journalism?

It seems as though anyone can pick up a video camera, a microphone and start a blog today and call themselves a journalist. What does this mean for journalism education?

Journalism education does not have a long history. Actually the first journalists, such as Ernest Hemingway were not actually trained in journalism. Journalists like William Zinsser were not trained in journalism either. Journalism education is a fairly recent phenomena especially in places such as Canada, where Carleton University was the first journalism school back in the 1940s. Before that, the newspaper men and women who delivered the current events were trained in other areas.

It seems as though things are coming back to those early days. The Internet is drastically changing the access that anyone can have to producing journalism. This is known as citizen journalism. Ordinary citizens are starting to pick up video cameras, a microphone, and start blogs, as well as posting information on YouTube to get their voices heard – just like journalists. In many ways this is a good thing, however – does it continue to make journalism education relevant?

I would argue that journalism education is still relevant. Many of the successful blogs that exist today are actually about mainstream news events. This shows that the mainstream news, filled with journalists that have graduated from such schools as Carleton University, Columbia University, Northwestern University and Ryerson University are still being put to good use by adding to the blogosphere. As well, because we still live in a paper driven society where the credentials one has are extremely important in landing paid work, journalism education continues to be important for the purposes of people with interests in the media to find and keep a job. It is a reality that many people who have their own blogs do not make a lot of money from it. It is possible, although people like Matt Drudge of the Matt Drudge Report are more an exception rather than the rule.

The Internet can actually be used to help improve the level of journalism education. There is more information on the web about what journalism is about and understanding media – this information can be used by professors to make the classroom a more vibrant place.

When it comes to journalism education and getting a job in journalism, it is also important about the contacts you have. Going to a credible journalism school ensures that you will have access to people who can help you to find a job. This is something that will surely help journalism schools not to become obsolete.

When I look back on my own journalism education it was one of the best things I could have done. Most people that get into journalism do so because they want to write. Going to journalism school gave me the chance to do this and make my mistakes while I was in school so I could perform better in the job market. I received many opportunities while I was school, such as traveling to Germany, Belgium and Holland and co-producing a documentary that is now in the library of the city where I went to school. Producing that documentary helped me to be involved with other documentary projects. Just being at the school started a long working relationship I had with the public broadcaster in my country where working there was like an education on to itself. Later, when I went back to school for a graduate degree, this is what helps me to know about journalism education today and to work in the field, as well as media in general. I teach at the college level and am able to continue working as a journalist to keep current in the field.

A journalism education is important, however, it is true that for anyone that has talent they will do will in the field. Many times this talent can come through work experience that can be honed by doing citizen journalism work. Equipping yourself with a studio environment right in your home can make a difference in getting your name known and out there, making all the difference in the world when you do apply for a job in mainstream or even alternative media.

I teach at a number of schools and have taught at a number of schools in the past. I have seen great success coming out of the students I have taught. Success levels higher than what I have heard from people who did not go to journalism school. Even people that went to school, however did not study journalism is still a viable option for breaking into the field. Many people do become successful this way too.

In conclusion, I would say that although citizen journalism, web based journalism or Internet journalism is a huge phenomena that is challenging the meaningfulness of mainstream media outlets, many mainstream media outlets are actually combating this situation by “jumping on the bandwagon.” Places such as CBS plans to have many of their programs go online so they take advantage of the power of the Internet. The real answer that journalism schools need to do to find a solution to the challenge of citizen journalism is to make sure they are offering courses and programs that answer to the power of the web. Their students must be prepared to work in the virtual world and prepare to potentially receive employment that is completely web based. This is future, things will not change any time soon.

How to Start Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is an excellent experience – if you get the opportunity it is worth it in so many ways. Here are some tips on how you can start to plan for studying abroad.

Many schools have an international centre where you can inquire about studying abroad. Most schools also have links with certain universities around the world where you are able to study there. For example, the University of Toronto has a link with a school in Florence, Italy where you can study architecture and design. What a terrific experience this would be for anyone.

As well, there are certain campus based travel agencies that will give you the opportunity to study abroad.

Going on a student exchange is another option for studying abroad. You can organize this through your school and check your school's course calendar for more information.

As well, there are schools such as Seneca College that bring international schools on campus so students can find out about their options to continue their studying through travel and learning. Make use of these information sessions and when school representatives are on campus, ask as many questions as you can and find out all the information you need.

Once you have made the decision to study abroad, you will need to make sure you have the necessary health shots that may be needed depending on what area of the world you will be studying in. You will need to arrange accommodation – it is always recommended to live on campus until you get to know the city. As well, make sure you have your passport and other information in order.

Does Online Education Pack on the Freshman 30?

Distance education can be seen as quite a sedentary act. If you are sitting at the computer for hours on end, without any exercise...this could be something that could help someone put on weight. Even for people who go to school that is not online, reports have shown that many young people are gaining 15 pounds from eating cafeteria food in their first year at college or university. What happens if you are studying by correspondence? Does online education pack on the freshman 30?

Many students who are young people and older people who chose to sit at their computer to take their courses lead busy lives. Many times their reasons for not physically going to college or university is because it is simply more convenient for them to study and to take classes from home. They have the advantage of being part of a social network with education at its focus. It is easier to squeeze in the time to do the lessons.

Many of us also know that as we spend a lot of time at home in front of the computer, it is much easier to reach the refrigerator, order a meal or take time to cook a meal. The urge to get hungry could happen often and there may be no one around to manage our eating habits. A student who studies from home could be eating just as badly as some of the food in the cafeterias on the campuses of colleges and universities all over North America. The virtual campus is accessible by computer, plus a bag of Doritos to munch on while you are doing your homework. Doritos, added with too many servings of Kraft Dinner, plus some french fries ordered at Swiss Chalet could end up doing more damage – if coupled with inactivity. At least the freshman student on a college or university campus gets the opportunity to walk around.

The question still remains unanswered though. Does online education pack on the freshman 30? At the end of the day and at the end of your semesters, that may be more a question of how active virtual students are in their lives when they are off the computer. Are they making time to go to the gym? Are they taking time to have breaks so they can go on walks? Do they have children that are helping them keep fit by having to chase after them? Do they work in physically strenuous employment? Are they meeting with other online students to study the course material? Is the act of typing alone an exercise more physical than it is mental?

With these questions answered by each student who is studying over the Internet, it would be easier to determine if online students would actually gain more weight than students who actually have to get up and go to classes. I will attempt to use my own experience as an example.

When I was doing my undergraduate education, I lived a fair distance from the school. It would take about 40 minutes to walk there one way. Due to the fact that I did not have a lot of money when I was in school, I would walk to school to save on bus transportation costs. So I did receive exercise walking to and from school. This was different from when I was in my first year of university when I lived on campus. At this time, I avoided eating the cafeteria food and lived on Hickory Sticks and Skor bars in fear of gaining weight. I would walk through the tunnel system and spend as much time walking as I could. I also spent a lot of time in the first semester going out dancing at clubs in a city not far from the school.

In my second year though, and subsequent years, I would walk 80 minutes a day, plus work out at the school gym. This kept my weight down low. As well, when I was in graduate school, my weight was higher than it was in my first experience with higher education, however I would still take time to exercise.

Studying online is similar to working many desk type jobs. Once I got into the world of work, I would spend a lot of time at the computer and exercise became less important to me. I have found over the years that a lack of exercise is one reason why I am not even close to the weight I was at during my school days. I would imagine that the same would happen to a student who was studying through distance education and lived a non active lifestyle. Perhaps it would be possible to gain more weight through the experience of a virtual classroom compared to studying on a campus.

OK, now it is time to discuss solutions to the potential of packing on the freshman 30 through a web course or program. Now that the problem has been presented, it would be important for anyone who is studying in a virtual classroom to also make sure they are doing physical exercise. It would also be important to make sure your food choices are healthy ones, because everyone has to eat – at least most of us. Choosing fresh fruits and vegetables, versus a bag of Doritos or Lays would be the first and obvious choice. Reducing one's amount of coffee intake to a maximum of one a day would be ideal for your health. Coffee is known to stimulate all kinds of things such as diabetes. If you cannot dream of living without coffee, try tea instead. There are so many varieties out there, I am sure whether it is herbal tea or black tea, you would be sure to find one you like. As well, it is important to minimize the amount of meat you eat. It is always better in general and as a rule for even ruling out illnesses such as cancer that you try to choose fish and chicken over beef and pork.

I know these things are hard to do. I am hardly saying I am perfect at it myself even though I know what are the right things to do. Truly the key is exercise. If you can at least get a half hour walk in every day, and I mean on the weekends too, this would really help you to be healthier. If you do not enjoy walking, you can always choose an exercise that truly suits the kind of person you are. As long as you are keeping active...this is the key. This way you can prevent putting on the freshman 30 and continue to have the convenience of studying online.

10 Most Popular Tourism Programs

There are so many tourism and hospitality programs to choose from and it is definitely an exciting field to go into. Here are some of the most popular ones.

The University of New Brunswick has a strong tourism program where you can learn everything you need to know to work in this industry. Considering that tourism in the Maritimes is picking up each and every year – there would be no better place to do your education than a school like the University of New Brunswick.

The province of Saskatchewan is another place in Canada where tourism is picking up and the market is strong. At the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology they have an interesting tourism program that will allow you to work in that province, or any where in Canada.

Seeing the popularity and interest that many people all over the world have in the Aboriginal culture of Canada, the Native Education Centre in British Columbia offers Aboriginal people a chance to enter the tourism industry and to enter a field where they can share their culture with others.

Toronto being one of the busiest tourist attractions in Canada, George Brown College has a excellent tourism program that attracts many students each and every year. It is an extremely popular program.

With the Discover Ontario advertisements that play throughout Canada, it is not just Toronto where chances to get into the tourism industry exist. Canadore College in North Bay offers a great tourism program that is so popular that they have people traveling from other places around the world to take the program.

Again in the Maritimes, the Nova Scotia Community College offers a tourism program.

As well, in the western part of Canada, there are so many tourism programs to choose from. The College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, British Columbia offers a terrific tourism program. So does SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary, Alberta.

If you are looking for a fun and interesting tourism program that is a little different, you may be interested in the University of the Fraser Valley that specializes in adventure tourism. As well, moving back to Ontario, Fleming College offers an ecotourism and adventure tourism program in Haliburton, Ontario that is a program that answers to the needs of our changing planet.

10 Most Popular Media & Recording Arts Programs

There are so many terrific media and recording arts programs in Canada and the United States that are popular – it is hard to know where to start. There is a list below though.

Carleton University has one of the oldest and most respected media programs in Canada. This program has produced graduates that are in areas of media all around the globe. Some its notable graduates include the late Peter Jennings.

Concordia University in Montreal also has a strong media program that has such notable graduates as Jeannie Lee with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and Scott Laurie with CTV Newsnet.

McGill University in Montreal also has a great reputation with many of its graduates working all over the world. Their strength lies in the communication programs at the graduate level.

Ryerson University has an excellent media program and in most places in Toronto, where Ryerson is located, you will find a graduate from Ryerson.

Centennial College in Toronto also has a really strong media program. They have developed some excellent journalists that are working in all parts of media and PR practitioners that are working all over the world. They are also about to start a sports journalism program beginning in January of 2009.

Humber College has a really popular media program. Their graduates go on to terrific success all over the world.

Guelph-Humber University is still a relatively new school, however has an excellent media program that has everything from public relations, image arts and journalism. Their graduates are starting to make a foothold in the field of media that proves that the school is here to stay.
mailto:Seneca@York
Seneca College at York University and in the School of Communication Arts has an excellent program that focuses on broadcast journalism. They also have a summer institute that has a strong reputation. One of the more notable graduates of their program is Melissa Grelo on CP24 with Rogers. They also have a strong independent music production program, as well as a fairly new independent digital photography program.

Sheridan College also has an excellent media program that tends to produce animators that work in such places such as the United States for Disney.

Simon Fraser University is a more academic type of school when it comes to media. Many of its graduates become well-respected scholars in the area of media and communications.

The University of Regina also has a great reputation when it comes to media education. Some its notable graduates include the award-winning journalist Rita Shelton Deverell of Vision-TV.

King's College at Dalhousie University has a fantastic reputation and many of the journalists working throughout Canada, as well as in the Maritimes are graduates of that school.

Ottawa University also has a strong media program. Algonquin College also located in Ottawa has a media summer institute that has a terrific reputation.

For French-speaking schools l'Université du Québec à Montreal has an excellent reputation for producing journalists that work in French.

Plus, back in Ontario, Durham College in Ajax has a strong media program.

Some of the more notable American schools include:

● Columbia University
● Northwestern University
● University of Missouri

10 Most Popular Health Care Programs

Whether you want to be a dentist, a doctor, a nurse, a pharmacist or any thing related to the health care field – these are some of the most popular health care programs in North America.

At many of the ivy league schools in both Canada and the United States is also where you will find the most popular health care programs. Many future health care professionals know that if they have a degree on their wall that is coming from a highly regarded school, this will improve their chances of being able to garner the best business and work in the best places in health care field.

McGill University is one of the top universities in Canada for studying medicine. Located in Montréal, Québec, the competition to get into the school is as competitive as all of these schools that will be mentioned.

The University of Toronto is another school with an excellent reputation when it comes to studying medicine. Again, the competition is rough and top marks, as well as strong experience and references are needed.

McMaster University has a terrific reputation when it comes to its medical school. Their medical school is also quite unique because they will also accept exceptional students that did not study pre-med before entry into the medical school. This gives people who have studied in another field such as psychology or even in the humanities a chance to pursue a medical degree.

The University of Calgary also has an excellent medical training program with a top-notch reputation.

York University is developing a medical school, however their nursing program has a strong reputation. As well, Ryerson University and Humber College also have reputable and popular nursing programs.

Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada also has a strong nursing program. Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario also has a good nursing program.

The University of New Brunswick has a strong nursing program and the University of Waterloo, back in Ontario can prepare many people looking to get into the health care field, as well as Wilfred Laurier University near by.

In the United States, there are many reputable institutions for doing everything from nursing, dentistry, optometry, medical school, pharmacy and many other fields in health care. Here is a list:

● Columbia University
● University of California at Berkeley
● Georgetown University
● Harvard University
● Princeton University
● Yale University
● Cornell University
● Northwestern University

10 MOST POPULAR DESIGN PROGRAMS

DESIGN IS SUCH A FASCINATING FIELD OF STUDY AND IT CAN BE HARD TO FIND THE BEST SCHOOL TO STUDY AT. HERE IS A LIST OF THE 10 MOST POPULAR DESIGN PROGRAMS IN CANADA. THERE ARE ACTUALLY A FEW MORE THAN 10 BECAUSE IT WAS SO DIFFICULT TO NARROW THE LIST DOWN TO JUST 10.

THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN (OCAD) FOCUSES EXCLUSIVELY ON EVERYTHING HAVING TO DO WITH ART AND DESIGN, AS THE NAME STATES. OCAD FOR SHORT HAS ONE OF THE BEST REPUTATIONS IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, CANADA AND HAS PRODUCED GRADUATES THAT YOU CAN FIND IN EVERY FIELD OF ART AND DESIGN. FROM PAINTERS, TO SCULPTORS, TO GRAPHIC DESIGNERS TO INTERIOR DESIGNERS, OCAD PRODUCES SOME TOP QUALITY PEOPLE AND HAS SOME EXTREMELY FAMOUS FACULTY MEMBERS, WELL-KNOWN IN THEIR FIELD. THE SCHOOL IS DEVELOPING SO MUCH, THEY ALSO HAVE ADVERTISING PROGRAMS AND MASTER'S DEGREES. THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THE SCHOOL ALSO OFFERING A DOCTORATE DEGREE IN A NUMBER OF YEARS.

YORK UNIVERSITY'S FINE ARTS PROGRAM HAS A REPUTATION THAT IS INTERNATIONAL. THIS SCHOOL OFFERS TERRIFIC PROGRAMS IN DESIGN AND EXTREMELY STRONG DESIGNERS HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE SCHOOL THAT CAN BE FOUND ALL OVER THE WORLD.

RYERSON UNIVERSITY SITUATED IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN TORONTO ALSO HAS A STRONG DESIGN PROGRAM. MOVING OVER TO THE WEST PART OF CANADA, THE EMILY CARR INSTITUTE OF ART AND DESIGN IN BRITISH COLUMBIA HAS A GREAT REPUTATION THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND HAS PRODUCED SOME EXCELLENT DESIGNERS.

KEEPING TO THE WEST PART OF CANADA, THE BANFF SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS HAVE SOME SUPERIOR DESIGN PROGRAMS THAT ARE HIGHLY RESPECTED IN THE INDUSTRY. THE BANFF SCHOOL ALSO OFFERS SPECIAL SUMMER PROGRAMS THAT HAVE JUST AS STRONG A REPUTATION AS THEIR LONGER TERM PROGRAMS.

THE BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IS ANOTHER PLACE THAT HAS A POPULAR DESIGN PROGRAM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO STUDY A DESIGN VIBRANT CITY SUCH AS MONTREAL, YOU MAY WANT TO CHOOSE ACADÉMIE INTERNATIONALE DU DESIGN INC. OR DAWSON COLLEGE. NOT FAR FROM MONTREAL IN OTTAWA IS A DESIGN PROGRAM AT ALGONQUIN COLLEGE.

HEADING OUT EAST, THERE IS A DESIGN PROGRAM IN HALIFAX AT THE NOVA SCOTIA COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN.

TORONTO HAS MANY EXCELLENT DESIGN PROGRAMS AT CENTENNIAL COLLEGE, DURHAM COLLEGE IN AJAX (NOT FAR FROM TORONTO), GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE, HUMBER COLLEGE AND SENECA COLLEGE ON YORK UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS, ALSO KNOWN AS Seneca@York IN THE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION ARTS.

10 Most Popular Culinary Arts Programs

Looking to make cooking part of your career? There are many terrific culinary arts programs throughout North America where you can turn your flair in the kitchen into a profitable lifestyle choice.

George Brown College has one of the most reputable culinary programs in Toronto, Canada. Many of its graduates have gone on to work in some of the most famous kitchens in Canada and around the world, as well as opening their restaurants. In many of your favourite restaurants you will find a George Brown graduate who either owns it or works there.

Humber College is another school with an excellent culinary arts program. Located in the outer limits of downtown Toronto, the students get a chance to test out their culinary skills at many of the great eating places right on campus. This brings real life experience before they hit the job market.

If you are interested in studying culinary arts in the United States, there are a number of schools that offer associate's degrees. They are:

● The Art Institutes
● Atlantic Culinary Academy
● Scottsdale Culinary Institute

Coming back to Canada, the Globe and Mail has listed the Vancouver Community College as having one of the most popular culinary arts program in the country.

If you are looking to study in the capital city of Canada, Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute offers a comprehensive program with many terrific restaurants from cultural backgrounds around the world to work in after graduation in the city.

For major American cities, the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts offers a program in how to become a chef. In New York, The French Culinary Institute at the International Culinary Center. There are so many great restaurants in a city like New York, with a culture that likes to go out to eat, there would be no end to places where you could work after graduation and also finding employment would not be a problem. Chicago is another city where its residents like to go out to eat and Kendal College Culinary Arts School in that city would be a great place to learn the art of cooking.

Montréal, Québec with all of its varied restaurants and being like New York and Chicago where many of its residents enjoy going out to eat, you can study at the Pearson School of Culinary Arts in Lasalle, Québec. This school has also been featured on the public broadcaster's CBC Montreal.

Paralegal

A paralegal does the administration work for a lawyer, working under the lawyer’s direct supervision. Everything from criminal to corporate to family law – you can find paralegals. They are hard at work to make sure the multiple and time-consuming tasks of a lawyer are handled well.

Both private and public colleges offer courses to become a paralegal. There are also opportunities to pursue more advanced degrees to become a paralegal such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree that would help you earn more money with your starting salary.

Statistics in the United States report that the average annual salary for a paralegal is above $45,000 USD as recent as May of 2006. Many paralegals that work for governments in North America can earn about $53,000 a year. State and local governments pay about $34,000 USD. The big money is in the corporate world where a paralegal can make over $100,000 USD.

The profession of a paralegal is a growing and thriving field.
Many paralegals do become certified through such organizations as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) in the United States. The Canadian Association of Paralegals is just one of the ways to become certified too.

Other related fields and useful searches include:

• Community college
• Contract attorney
• Lawyers

You can find all the information that you need at www.edulocator.com.

Online Education

There is still an increasing debate over the validity of online education, especially when it comes to higher degrees.

Most people tend to believe that education is still at its true value when done face-to-face. Some people find the ease of online education with their busy lifestyles a lot easier to manage than having to attend classes at a university or college. Online education also gives the flexibility to do course work that is outside of the area where you live. Schools such as the University of Phoenix are famous for offering online graduate degrees to busy professionals.

When it comes to higher degrees such as masters and doctorate degrees there are a number of online universities in North America that offer these kinds of courses. Schools such as Athabasca University in Canada have an extremely strong reputation. There have been a number of problems with some of the accrediting policies with schools in the United States. One university that is accredited in the states is Capella University, however some people have had bad things to say about it on the Internet.

In order to do PhD-level work, there is a university called Charles Sturt that is based in Australia where you do not need to do course work and simply work on your thesis or dissertation. Depending on the reason why you would want to do your PhD, it may or may not be seriously recognized in academic circles. There is another school called Texas Tech in the United States that also offers online graduate degrees, even at the PhD-level.

If you decide that you would rather go the traditional route with your education, many U.S. schools offer great stipends that can pay for your tuition and your rent if your grades have been high in previous education. It would mean making the major transition to uproot your life, however more colleges and universities throughout North America are starting to ask for PhD-level education to get your foot in the door of academia. Many Canadian schools also offer the same incentives in scholarships, bursaries and teaching assistantships, as well as the opportunity to teach a class sole-responsibility.

Medical Transcription

Medical transcription involves transcribing the voice recordings of dialogues between a doctor, or group of doctors and the patient. Skills in understanding different kinds of accents, as well as knowledge in English as a Second Language can be extremely useful in this field. These requirements are just secondary to knowing how to type really, really fast.

It is important that when the medical transcription, or MT as it is also known is done; the document is formatted and presented well. These documents need to be clear and easy to read by various healthcare professionals who rely on this information to provide the best care to their client and/or patient. Accuracy is extremely important.

Many doctors will send digital sound files of their meetings with the patients via the Internet to the MT so the transcription can be done. There is also special software available to the MT to help in their work. This is a huge change and improvement from the days when this work was done with a typewriter and tape player. Most MTs can type at the alarming rate of 200 words per minute – about the speed of the average voice speaking.

The educational requirements to do medical transcription are not high. A high school diploma, or GED in the United States, coupled with one to three years experience working can garner this job. There are some schools that offer extra training and some MTs look to become certified to add more credibility to their work.
The pay for medical transcription can vary widely. Generally to start you can expect to make about $8 USD to $12 USD per hour. With about two years of experience it can range anywhere from $12 to $20. With an increase in years of experience, there is also an increase in the hourly rate of pay.

Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist is a specialist when it comes to oral hygiene. He or she helps the dentist provide the client with preventive dental care. US statistics report that the median hourly wage for a dental hygienist is about $30.00 USD.

Dental hygienists deal with local anesthesia, scaling and root canals, radiography, dental sealing, bleaching and fillings. Although most people are afraid to go to the dentist, good oral hygiene is part of complete health and as a dental hygienist you would be part of a health team for your patients.

Working under the supervision of the dentist in charge, the dental hygienist would undergo some of the more detailed work related to oral care such as root canals. When it comes to the basic cleaning of the teeth, the dental hygienist may even get the opportunity to work unsupervised.

Some other duties of the dental hygienist include:

• Assessing and gathering data about the patient’s medical history
• Performing a dental hygiene diagnosis: this would include interpreting data from materials such as ex-rays
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the oral health plan performed for the patient

To become a dental hygienist, formal education is required. There are many private and public colleges that offer programs to become a dental hygienist. The program can take anywhere from one to two years.

Other related occupations include:

• Dental assistant
• Dental therapist
• Dental technician
• Dentist

Business Administration

This job is all about giving service to business. Working in business administration includes organizing staff; making sure the business where you work is running smoothly, and basically being the mediator between staff and upper management. Education in business administration can also prepare you for a management position, as well as running a business yourself.

Some of the titles associated with education in business administration include: general manager and company secretary. The general manager or company secretary would report to the corporate board of directors ultimately and their direct supervisor would be the executive level of management. Education in business administration coupled with job experience can prepare you to obtain positions in executive management, as well as be one of the corporate board of directors.
In these roles, you can make anywhere from $100,000 CDN plus. The starting salary of a general manager or of a company secretary is usually about $50,000 CDN.

Sometimes, business administration work is viewed as the people who look after the bureaucratic or operational functions within a business. This can include repetitive office tasks that are suited for some people. It is consistent and steady work for those looking for a firm and secure foundation for the future.

Some of the duties a business administrator would perform include:

• Mapping out short-range and long-range goals for the company or institution
• Some human resources work such as choosing whom will fill positions within an organization may be included, as well as delegating tasks to existing staff
• Leadership skills are also required since business administrators are often lending ideas to further the development of an organization
• Business administrators also deal with budgetary concerns
• Business administrators may also be involved with the external and internal communications within the organization

If you are looking to reach the executive levels and/or board of director positions within an organization, in today’s competitive job market, having a master’s in business administration could help a great deal.

Some of the related fields to business administration include:

• Public administration
• Central administration
• Chief administration officer

Top 10 Things that Make Your Professor Great

There have been professors who can help you decide what profession you want to get into based on the enthusiasm and commitment they bring to their work. Here are some tips on what makes a professor great:

1.The professor makes time to answer your questions. They always seem to make themselves available for any concerns you may have and do not seem bothered when you ask too many questions. There is a saying that is “no such thing as a stupid question.”
2.The professor returns your assignments in a timely manner and does not take weeks to give you back your grades. It is important that you know how you are doing in your course and your marks are an indication of this.
3.Having office hours or being able to meet with your professor face-to-face is really important.
4.A professor that is willing to write you a recommendation letter if you have done good work and truly do deserve one is something that can help you either further your education or land that dream job.
5.A professor that seems organized and knowledgeable during the lecture time in-class is extremely important.
6.A professor who encourages group work and fun things to do in your class time with him or her is always a bonus.
7.A professor who recommends textbooks that are actually used in the class is important. You should not be spending your money on course materials that are not even used in the class.
8.A professor that discusses the practical matters of your profession that you are training for and not just all theory is a definite advantage.
9.A professor that is great at leading interesting class discussions is a huge benefit to the classroom environment.
10.A professor that discusses some of his or her more personal aspects of themselves, as well as gets to know you as well as he or she can will help you to feel more “at home” in your school environment.

Getting an A: Top Ten Study Tips

It starts from even before the class starts. You can make a significant difference in your grades by following these useful tips to getting an A in school:

1. When you find out about the course outline, which is usually before the class starts…look it over and try to do as much advance reading as you can. This will help you to be a step ahead when it comes to class discussions related to the required text and other course materials.

2. Do your research about your professor. Find out some of the quirks and quarks of this person you will be spending a semester with. Interview some of their past students. This may help you to get a sense of the kinds of things the professor does and does not like.

3. Always show up to class, unless of course you have a valid reason such as a family emergency. As well as always showing up to class, always make sure you show up on time. There may be vital information given to students, right at the start at the class that you would miss by being late. This will also leave a good impression on the professor when later you may want to ask for a recommendation letter.

4. Ensuring that you make it to class on time and that your mind is fresh and alert to participate in engaged learning, make sure you do not party the night before your classes. Always make sure you have had good rest, as well as a good breakfast before you go into class. This will make sure your mind is alert for class discussions and any in-class exercises you may have.

5. This is a really important one; please make sure you do not procrastinate when it comes to getting your homework done. As soon as it is assigned, you should start working on your assignment. Also make sure you make the best use of class time by asking questions to clarify any misunderstandings you may have about the assignment.

6. School is expensive…this is quite true…however, now that you have committed to studying, do not fill all your spare time with so many activities such as work and extracurricular activities that you cannot do your homework. Make sure you have time to do all the work associated with your school.
7. At the same time you should make time for your school work, “all work and no play” makes anyone dull. Make sure you do make time to have a social life and work part-time too.

8. You may want to consider getting into study groups to increase your chance of passing tough exams. This is also a great way to make friends too. Just make sure your study groups are actually more about studying than socializing.

9. For essays, make use of the writing centres that are usually available on campus. This can be a great way to make sure a second pair of professional eyes catches any mistakes you have made and to increase your grades on the assignments.

10. Always know your professors and teaching assistants are there to help you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask them. Get to know the rules of the school and your rights as a student. You will find out that you are in an excellent position to succeed at school by using all of the resources available to you.

Here’s to you getting an A!

Top 10 Mistakes in Choosing a Career

1.Our parents love us dearly and they mean well, however choosing a career because your parents have forced you into one is not the wisest thing to do. You really have to do what you love because you are not your parents and life changes in such a way that you will not live the life they have lived. They may have good advice, yet make sure the final decision on what you are going to do with your life is yours.

2.Many people go into a profession because they think the money is going to be great. In general, unless you are going to be a doctor or a lawyer…there is no guarantee of this. As well, even some doctors have to work in remote regions to make really good money. Some lawyers have to choose to go into corporate or criminal law instead of family law to make the kind of money that will help support their lifestyle. Choose a career because it is what you love to do…perhaps it is true that the money will come eventually. Actually, this does tend to be true.

3.Choosing a career without any concern of the lifestyle it may bring you is a major mistake that many young people make. You need to realize that some jobs practically expect you to work 100 hours a week. Are you ready for that kind of commitment? If you are looking for a career that will allow for a social life and give you the freedom to explore other interests and hobbies, carefully consider your career decisions.

4.For the same reason that some people will choose a career because they think it will bring them a lot of money – is the same reason you should also make sure you are choosing a career with monetary rewards that fit your needs. Strive to get what you are worth – having realistic goals can really help.

5.Many young people have this false impression that they can land a job that is going to pay them a million dollars right out of college or university. This is not often the case. You have to remember that the people who are older and in high positions have worked extremely hard to earn the kind of living they have. You too, if you work hard, can have what they have.

6.Another major mistake young people make in choosing a career is not getting the proper training needed for the profession they want. If you want to be a doctor, there are different standards and expectations to get into medical school depending on whether you live in Ontario or Quebec. Know the rules…know what is expected of you for your profession and get the credentials you need.

7.A major mistake many young people make in choosing a career is not doing enough research on the career before entering the field. You need to know what you are getting yourself into and educate yourself not only to work in the profession, but also about the profession.

8.When it comes to mistakes in choosing a career, remember that many people change careers at least five times in a lifetime. What research have you done in how your initial career will prepare for other careers you are interested in? Make sure you arm yourself with this knowledge and it will give you the competitive edge in your career search and development.

9.One of the major mistakes many young people make about choosing a career is picking one because you feel you are getting too old to just “bum” around. You think time is passing you by and you just choose one in a hurry and in a rush – just to get it over with. Everyone has their own time schedule, you do not have to make decisions at the same pace or time as your brother, sister, friends – anyone for that matter. Take your time…what your life’s purpose is will come to you.

10.Choosing a career that you are not in love with but is something that your school counsellour, school advisor or a recruiter has talked you into is not a good idea – this is a mistake. You have to love your job.

Personal Support Workers

General Information about Personal Support Workers

Making about $15.00/hr. minimum, personal support workers are not regulated health care providers. They do work under regulated health care professionals or in an independent living environment with clients. Their work week consists of 40 hours with other benefits.

Their duties are to help older people or anyone who cannot take care of themselves through the tasks of their daily lives and to provide home management solutions. Personal support workers are responsible to their supervisors and their clients.
Once you graduate from your personal support worker studies, you would be ready for an entry-level position in institutional, as well as community settings. The people you would work with have physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural challenges.

How long does it take to become a Personal Support Worker?

If you are going the route of a non-college, your courses would be accelerated. They can take a mere eight months to complete.

With an accredited college throughout Canada, most courses would take a little longer. You could complete the course anywhere from four semesters, taking up about one year, or up to two years. This is the exception of accelerated colleges that can take up to a year and a half.

Your course load would be about 30 hours a week (including homework and studying time), making it possible to take on a part-time job to help pay for school. Most courses would be offered during the daytime hours of 9 to 5. This would make evening and weekend work possible.

There is the option to do night courses as well. The length of time to complete the course as a personal support work would increase to about three years. This would then make it possible to take on daytime work to help pay for school.
How to pay for going back to school as a Personal Support Worker?

If you need to take out a loan to pay for school and you live in Ontario, for the time you are in school studying personal support work – you will not have to pay back your loan.

After you graduate there is something known as the Interest Relief program. With this program, you receive six months interest relief from re-paying your loan while you look for profitable work in the field as a personal support worker. Even when you do find a job and if it does not work out, you can request through the lending institution to receive interest relief again to lower the payments you would need to make for your loan.

If you find that your debt is too much to handle, there is also something called student loan consolidation that will help you make payments you can afford and manage.

You can consult the links below for more information about how to pay for your schooling as a personal support worker:

Province of Ontario Student Loans - Interest Relief Program
AMSA Student Loan Consolidation Primer
Canada Student Debt FAQ
CanLearn - Official Gov Site Dealing with Student Loans, Student Debt Consolidation, etc
Canadian Federation of Students
School Student Loan Debt Consolidation Institutions
Citi Financial Canada Loan Application
National Credit Consolidation
Wells Fargo Canada
Shield Credit of Canada

Private Tutoring

Private tutoring can be a great way to improve your grades and for a professor or anyone who teaches to earn extra money.

Take a look at a website like Craigslist.org and you will see a number of teachers offering their services so you can improve your grades. If you are in high school and are looking to make your marks more competitive so you can enter with a scholarship, this is a great way to go.

There are even tutors that can help you with your application to get into university, or for graduate school or professional programs. There are even tutors that can help you with special exams such as the SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT and other specialized exams that you may need to enter university, graduate school or professional programs. This could turn out to be a terrific option for improving your chances of receiving that acceptance letter in the mail.

Organizations such as Kaplan also offer classes to help with different specialized exams. Many of them are expensive, however you will get out of it what you put in and the money could be well worth it in the end when you find yourself making $100,000 CDN a year starting salary as a corporate lawyer.

In major cities such as Toronto, Canada, there are so many companies that offer essay help and special tutoring. One of them is called Essay Experts. Make sure that you are going with a company that offers help with your essay…not to write them for you. This way you will make sure that you are truly preparing yourself for the rigor of education.

The United States also offers tutoring, sometimes even online. There is an organization called Smarthinking.com that is based in Washington where people with bachelors, master’s and PhDs can help you to find solutions for your homework problems.

There is a lot of help out there for people who are looking for it. Try Googling some places or following some of the tips given here – this could be the start of turning your B grades into A grades and A grades into A+ grades.

Getting a Job in Academia

For many of you working on a graduate degree, you can turn that into a lucrative career by teaching. There are some things to keep in mind if you are going after an academic job.

Depending on whether you are going for something full-time or part-time, there are many opportunities to teach at college and university. Lately, to get your foot in the door of a college, having a PhD does help, although people with master’s degrees do receive jobs. It truly depends on the program your coordinator is thinking of hiring you for.
Some people make the mistake of approaching the chair of a department to inquire about teaching. The chair many times is not responsible for hiring decisions – if they are, keep in mind their job is has a heavy load and if they take some time to get back to you, this is the normal process of how slow the academic job search can be.

The main person to deal with is the coordinator of the program. They are usually highly approachable and good at returning phone calls and e-mails – this is part of their work. In larger programs, it is the coordinator who is responsible for hiring and making a connection with this person can be your way of getting into academic teaching, either at the university or college level.

If you have prior teaching experience this really helps. Having patience helps a lot too because of the nature of the academic year; it may take quite a bit of time before everything works out in such a way before you are hired. Obtaining part-time work can be rather easy – it is getting the full-time work that is much harder. First securing part-time work can lead to full-time work down the road – this can definitely happen.

Good luck with your academic job search.

Understanding Part-time Professors

Some of the professors you may have in university and college may be part-time and there are special things you need to keep in mind about having professors as this. There are advantages and disadvantages.

Some of the advantages of having a professor that is part-time is that most likely they are active in the industry that you are seeking to work in and can serve as an excellent reference for you. They may even be able to help you to get a job.

Some of the disadvantages are that the professor may not be as available as a full-time professor would be because they are not on campus as often. It may be a little bit more difficult to reach a part-time professor, however the benefits may outweigh the disadvantages.

Make sure that if you do have a professor that is part-time, you get all their contact details and try to keep in touch with them when you need to. Also, try to understand the part-time professors are trying to make a living and if they do not get back to you right away, it may be because they are busy making a living elsewhere than just the college and university environment.

The above photo is cover art for The Education Generation which I have wrote. You can buy it at: http://stores.lulu.com/kakonged, along with many other books.

The Big Business of Education

Education is big business. Many new programs that schools come out with are designed to raise the profile and to raise the profits of the school. This is why it is important to get your money’s worth.

Making sure that at the start of your application process with the school you are dealing with good administrative staff is important. These are the people you would need to deal with from time to time, so you want to make sure they provide excellent customer service. If you are finding that the administrative or support staff is not helping you to get what you need, you may want to try another school with more supportive staff.

The professors at the school are also important. It is part of the faculty’s responsibility to make sure you feel like you are getting educated. Education is big business; however the price you are paying will help you to advance your career and is an investment that will pay off in the end. Make sure your professors are there to help you. Equally important is making sure the school has writing centres, a good library and other resources that will help you to get the most out of your money.

One major thing you need to keep in mind is to ask as many questions as you can think of. Do not be afraid to ask questions of the administration, support staff and your professors to get what you need and want. School is big business and it is a major investment. You should be made to feel that your needs are being met at all times.

As well what is important is to make the best of your experience. As hard as you work is how much you will get out of the experience. School, although it is a moneymaker for many people, is also a wonderful time for growth and most of time an extremely ethical business to invest in and something that will secure a future for you. Work hard and it will pay off.

Professors’ Perspective: Ending the Class Well

So you have made it through yet another semester with a fresh group of students, or either this is your first time teaching and you are amazed you made it through. How do you end the class on a high note?

If it is a yearlong course or even a course for either 14 or 15 weeks in a post-secondary school, sometimes everyone, that includes both the students and the professor, lose some of their initial enthusiasm for the course. This is when a professor really needs to start to think creatively about how to infuse more life into the class. Here are some tips:

· Field trips are not something that are just for students in grade school. Field trips can be a great way to infuse some life into a class that has gone on for many weeks and stir things up quite a bit
· Bringing in a guest speaker in the few final weeks of the course can be a great way to break up some of the monotony of the course material. Let’s face it too, sometimes students may get bored of seeing the same professor week after week, sometimes even as much as every day depending on the program – this can be a great way to introduce them to a new face and give the professor a well needed break to make sure the class finishes strong
· Keeping in touch with students through convenient devices such as e-mail can be a great way to make sure that student attendance does not suffer in those final weeks of the course. If a professor notices that a student has not been coming to class, they should contact the student to find out what is going on, as well as letting them know they care
· Organizing classroom activities such as debates and interesting games in language classes can be a great way to spice things up in the final weeks of a course
· Depending on the program a professor is teaching, the final weeks may serve as a perfect opportunity to have a more flexible schedule when it comes to the student needing to attend the class. One-on-one consultations can be planned with students where they have an opportunity to fully develop a project they are working on and have the professor’s full attention to ask questions. Many students would probably really appreciate this teaching method because they would be so bogged down with homework from their other courses

When that last day of class does arrive, keep in mind that is not appropriate for a professor to go out to any special place, such as a restaurant or café where alcohol is served. If you choose a campus cafeteria, this may be a great way to say a fond farewell and also to conclude the class in a more relaxed environment.

The final class can also be a great way for a professor to let their students know of any upcoming activities, courses, research or work-related projects they may be involved in. At the same time, it is good time to find out what the plans of the students are. Many professors should encourage their top students to ask for recommendation letters at the end of the class when the instructor would have a good sense of the student’s final grade – this way it avoids the need to write a reference letter for the student years after a professor may have forgotten about their performance in the class.

For more information about how to end a class well, please visit www.developfaculty.com.

Professors’ Perspective: Starting the Class Well

With the high price of education, the experience of taking a course can be greatly improved with a well-organized classroom environment that is also fun to learn in. From the professor’s perspective, here are some ways to make that happen:

· A professor needs to understand that students coming into the class may view the person as a complete stranger. That initial class is a great chance to get to know the students and let them know the experience you bring to the subject matter. This can make all the difference in the student deciding to stay in your course, or either choosing another section or another course all together
· A professor has to be interested in getting to know their students just as much as the students need to know about him or her. Creating these bonds with students makes a huge difference in student success down the road. Richard E. Lyons from his website and books linked to www.developfaculty.com, recommends creating a student profile on each student so you can get to understand the experience they also bring to the subject matter, as well as the special talents they have
· Early in the course, a professor should have an informal class evaluation so they can get to know if their teaching style is effective for the classroom environment. One of the methods that is often used in teaching is the “stop, start and continue” exercise given in class anonymously. A professor will ask all of the students to write down what they would like him or her to stop doing, what they would like the professor to start doing and also what they would like the professor to continue doing. This is a great way to find out if a professor is on the right track
· If it is an English writing class, especially in first year, it may be a good idea to ask the students to do a non-graded writing sample as their first assignment. This way, a professor can identify any writing problems in a student before those same problems affect their marks on graded assignments
· There is a movement in education known as “the art of not lecturing” and many professors are aiming to do just what this adage says. Getting students involved in discussion and the professor becoming more of a facilitator of the classroom environment, rather than a “sage on the stage” by lecturing for hours suits the sometimes attention-deficient generation we live in where is so much tugging at our concentration. Getting students involved and/or having them do many in-class exercises can do a lot to make sure they do not sit there during a professor’s lectures chatting to their friends on Facebook if there are computers in the classroom

A professor’s task is a challenging one, however with a lot of planning, preparation and thought going into the process of executing the courses they have before them, everything can turn out to be a win-win situation for everyone involved.

A professor should not be seen as the enemy, rather as part of the learning team towards the success of their students.

Professors’ Perspective: Student Evaluations

Students get a chance to voice their opinions about their professors by evaluating them in class. For new professors, this can make the difference between continuing with their career, or their career cut short.

It is only fair that students have an opportunity to evaluate the performance of their professors, considering that for the whole semester, the professor has been evaluating them. Some of the things professors are evaluated on include:

· Did the professor start and end the class on time?
· Did the professor return assignments in a reasonable length of time?
· Did the professor seem knowledgeable about their subject matter?
· Was the classroom environment suitable for the needs of the course? (This is more an evaluation of the school’s resources than the professor, however sometimes the professor influence the decision of the classroom the course is held in)
· Did the professor provide enough information about assignments required for the class?
· Did the professor make himself or herself available for consultation outside of classroom hours?
· Did the professor encourage classroom discussion?
· Does the professor answer questions in a timely and knowledgeable way?

These are just a few of the questions that are asked of students in order to evaluate their professor or instructor. Some professors do not take the student evaluations seriously, however many professors use these evaluations to improve their teaching skills.

Other ways a professor can improve their teaching skills is to videotape their presence in front of the class. This may help them to hone in on some of their strengths and weaknesses while they are facilitating the classroom environment.

There are many ways to improve one’s teaching methods that are even available online. A site such as www.developfaculty.com has a “Tip of the Week” section for professors that will help them to get the best student evaluations they can. As well, there are many books associated with that site that can help new professors strengthen their skills, as well as old professors learn some new tricks.

Professors’ Perspective: Marking and Grading

Unless the course material is something like math, marking and grading can be an extremely subjective topic. Here are some tips from a professors’ perspective on how you can best improve your grades:

· If there is a particular style guide that your professor would like you to use, try to read and understand that style guide thoroughly. Your professor will probably be using it to judge your work, this will help you to follow the style he or she likes
· Ask your professor if they are willing to review your assignments before you hand them in. If they agree, this will help you to get the highest marks you can
· If your professor will not agree to review your work before submission, there are writing centres on most campuses that can help you to improve your writing and catch flaws or errors in your assignments
· Before you hand in assignments, make sure you read your work out loud to catch any errors you may have made – this will greatly improve the flow and the quality of your work – plus, make sure that you have not made any typos
· It is also a good idea to get someone else to read your work as well. There is that old saying that “two eyes are better than one.”

If at any time you are unsure of a mark you have received and would like to question your professor about it, feel free to do so – these are your rights as a student. Professors are not perfect and they make mistakes too. Marking and grading is a difficult thing to do and sometimes there is always that margin of error where a professor gets an assignment and does not really know what mark or grade to put on it.

One foolproof way to make sure you get the best grades you can is making sure your work is clear and simple. If you try to sound smart – you are probably shooting yourself in the foot and actually damaging the kind of mark you could get. If you keep your writing plain, simple, clear and something that anyone could understand – you will make sure you are communicating your ideas clearly. This is what makes the difference between an A+ and a B-.

Plus, if you are proud of the work you have done – your professor will be too.

Professor’s Perspective: Teaching in the summer

Some professors work through the fall and the winter just waiting for their time off in the summer. Other professors really enjoy teaching in the summer.

For those professors who teach in the summer, this could provide a tremendous opportunity.

If it is your first time teaching, the summer time may a good time to get used to your new work environment, get to know your colleagues and enjoy your time with your students in better weather. Teaching in the summer is an advantage for many new professors, as well as students, because worries about needing to cancel a class due to weather conditions are minimized.

The weather may even be so lovely that you can choose to change the classroom environment to outdoors in a quad, go on field trips and feel more encouraged to hang around the campus to get to know the school community better.

The summer is also a great time to get part-time or adjunct work with a college or university. You may have a more flexible work schedule and be able to devote a few hours to a course here or there.

Students can be at an advantage by taking summer school. Professors tend to be more relaxed and in a better state of mind than other times of the year. This may also translate into the kind of grades you would receive. As well, for students, it helps to get some of those extra credits or missed credits to either help you stay on course with your studies, or advance further so you would have more time for things like work and internships later on.

For professors who are fully established with the institution or institutions they work for…summer time is a great one to teach at your best. Usually with a lighter course load, there is more opportunity to either focus on the courses you have to teach, and/or to work on other projects that are important to you. These could be projects around the home, research, writing and projects related to work. You just may find that a project you start in the summer is something that you will carry with you throughout the year.

Private Versus Public Education

In many countries, the public education system can seem so under-funded that when it comes to primary and secondary schooling – there seems to be no other choice but to put your child through private school. Here are some things to consider about a public school you may want to put your child into.

If the school you are looking at does not have these things, you may want to consider sending your child to private school:

· Does the school have a strong second language-learning program, such as French that is highly regarded in Canada, or Spanish that is highly regarded in the United States?
· What are the test scores coming from the current students of the school?
· What is the physical education system like at the school?
· Does the school offer a travel club so your child may experience educational and supervised trips at a reduced cost?
· What is the quality of the reading materials at the school?
· What tend to be the percentage of students from the school that go onto post-secondary education?
· Does the school have a fine arts and music program?

There may be a number of other things that you would want from your school and make sure you have it. If not, perhaps private school may be the best thing for you.