1999-2007, UniversalClass, UniversalClass.com List of Instructor-led, online courses in GED Training . http://www.universalclass.com/i/subjects/ged-training.htm This online course will prepare you to take the Language Arts, Writing Part 1 portion of the GED (General Educational Development) test. The testing format is explained and broken down to highlight just the content the Language Arts part of the exam will cover. The class will provide study resources for students including test strategies, practice tests, practical assignments and researched netlinks attached to many exam topics to be read at your own leisure. This course will also explain the role of usage, mechanics and organization in sentences, plus show you frequent sentence structure logic and typical spelling errors. This course will focus on the Language Arts, Writing, Part 1 of the GED exam. Other courses in this preparation series include: 10767 - GED Preparation for the Social Studies Exam 13887 - GED Preparation for the Science Exam 16033 - GED Preparation for the Math Exam 14175 - GED Preparation for the Essay -or the complete study of the GED exam- 5298 - GED Preparation http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30427.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT H. Bryant This test prep course will focus on the basic skills necessary to successfully complete the GED essay (GED Language and Arts Writing Test Part 2). The majority of students preparing to take a GED test will often have the greatest problem with the essay exam. GED students often lack the confidence, the experience, and the skills required to write a passing essay. This course will provide each of these factors; and GED students will gain the confidence (because of course informational tips and strategies), and gain experience and skills (with the course writing essay practice and grammar review) to successfully tackle the GED essay test. This course will focus on the Essay portion of the GED exam. Other courses in this preparation series include: 10767 - GED Preparation for the Social Studies Exam 13887 - GED Preparation for the Science Exam 16033 - GED Preparation for the Math Exam 14355 - GED Preparation for the Language Arts, Writing, Part 1 -or the complete study of the GED exam- 5298 - GED Preparation http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30426.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT H. Bryant This online course will prepare you to take the Social Studies portion of the GED (General Educational Development) test. The testing format will be explained and broken down to highlight the content this part of the exam will cover. This course will provide many resources from strategies, practice tests, practical assignments and researched netlinks attached to many test topics to be read at your own leisure. This course will analyze how to read social studies material, the basics of interpreting tables, graphs and political cartoon, as well as guides and links to outlines in History, Political Science, Economics, Geographic and Behavioral Studies. You will not need to know all of the extensive historical information learned in all social history, you will however need to understand the framework in which these questions originate. This course will provide this framework. This course will focus on the social studies portion of the GED exam. Other courses in this preparation series can be found here . http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30422.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT H. Bryant Historical Studies This online course will prepare you to take the GED (General Educational Development) test. The testing format will be explained and broken down to highlight the five testing areas along with the content each of these sections will cover. This course will provide many resources from test tips and strategies, practice tests and recommended book preparations, and researched netlinks attached to many test topics to be read at your own leisure. The GED test covers a wealth of information within the five-test sections. These test sections include English Grammar and the Mechanics of Writing, Social Studies, Science Studies, Math Studies and Literature Studies. You will not need to know all of the information in these areas to pass the GED, but you will need to know and understand several of the main topics in each area. This course highlights, provides a brief summary/definition/ or example of each of these main topics. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30421.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT H. Bryant Algebra and Math Studies Do you need to brush-up your knowledge of the American political system? Have you forgotten or feel slightly 'hazy' about the structure of the American government, the details of the Constitution or the exact division of the three branches of government (and exactly what are those three divisions)? Are you interested in discovering how our current political parties were formed or the impact of public opinion, mass media and special interests groups on today's American policies? If you answered 'yes' to these questions, this online course can be your ideal learning resource. Written with the belief that understanding the foundations of the America system of government is necessary to fully comprehend America's current political system, this self-paced course is appropriate for learners of any age (homeschoolers, high schoolers, college students or just inquisitive people). Our easy-to-understand online format is perfect for those seeking review, extra tutoring, test prep or general educational enhancement. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30990.htm Sun, 10 Sep 2006 01:59:00 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies Biology 101 is an excellent learning resource for the college or pre-college student. This logical and easy to understand class is divided into self-paced lessons, complimented with well-written text, diagrams, pictures, critical-thinking assignments and end of lesson review exams. This course is a wonderful, stand-alone resource covering all concepts in biology, and can also be used aa comprehensive review or a personalized tutor. Join today! And let's discover the wonderful world of biology together--from the structure and function of the cell to the complexities of current ecological issues. Additional topics include: Chemistry Fundamentals, Cell Biology, Classic and Molecular Genetics, Origin and Principles of Evolution, Plant Form and Function, Animal Form and Function, and Ecology. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30768.htm Sun, 27 Aug 2006 22:43:12 GMT J. Bennett This online course will prepare you to take the Mathematics portion of the GED (General Educational Development) test. The testing format will be explained and broken down to highlight the content this part of the exam will cover. This course will provide many resources from strategies, practice tests, attached to many 'how to solve' test topics to be read at your own leisure. Topics covered will include: -Arithmetic (different forms of numbers, signs and symbols, how to perform various operations, how to solve problems with Fractions, Percents and Decimals, and much more) -Algebra (linear Equations and Inequalities, how to solve various word problems, how to simplify and factor numbers, and much more) -Geometry (Geometric Concepts and Relationships, understanding measurements of congruence and similarity, the Pythagorean Theorem, and much more) This course will focus on the math portion of the GED exam. Other courses in this preparation series include: 10767 - GED Preparation for the Social Studies Exam - http://universalclass.com/i/crn/10767.htm 13887 - GED Preparation for the Science Exam - http://home.universalclass.com/i/crn/13887.htm 14175 - GED Preparation for the Essay - http://home.universalclass.com/i/crn/14175.htm 14355 - GED Preparation for the Language Arts, Writing, Part 1 - http://home.universalclass.com/i/crn/14355.htm -or the complete study of the GED exam- 5298 - GED Preparation http://home.universalclass.com/i/crn/5298.htm http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30430.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT H. Bryant Algebra and Math Studies This online course will prepare you to take the Science portion of the GED (General Educational Development) test. The testing format will be explained and broken down to highlight the content this part of the exam will cover. This course will provide many resources from strategies, practice tests, practical assignments and researched netlinks attached to many test topics to be read at your own leisure. This course will analyze how to read material, the basics of interpreting tables, as well as guides and links to outlines in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences, and Physics. This course will focus on the science portion of the GED exam. Other courses in this preparation series include: 10767 - GED Preparation for the Social Studies Exam 16033 - GED Preparation for the Math Exam 14175 - GED Preparation for the Essay 14355 - GED Preparation for the Language Arts, Writing, Part 1 -or the complete study of the GED exam- 5298 - GED Preparation http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30424.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT H. Bryant Are you mystified by maps? Would you like to know how mountains are made? You can find out the answers to these questions by taking our Geography Course. In eleven easy lessons, you'll learn all about the different geographical features that make up our planet. You'll learn to distinguish islands from atolls and peninsulas. You'll learn how the huge tectonic plates interact to create mountains and valleys and how wind and water shape our world. You'll also learn about the way people, plants, and animals have changed the world. This course covers the way humans create order by drawing maps and creating areas that we can recognize. You'll learn how mapmakers divided the oceans and why. The lessons will touch on how culture and experience influence the way people map the world. In addition you will learn the natural processes that create specific landforms. The various spheres of the planet, the lithosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the biosphere are defined and examined in detail. You'll learn how these different layers of Earth interact to shape the patterns of the planet. Once you have finished this course, you'll find yourself looking at the world with a whole new perspective! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550048.htm Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:26:41 GMT J. Bennett This online class is intended for students who need to brush up, review or gather a basic understanding of how to perform Algebra operations. This course will benefit both current students and adults who need to know how to perform basic Algebra operations which involve simplifying, factoring, or solving equations in the form of inequalities, fractions, exponents and word problems. Knowing how to solve Algebraic problems does increase your skills which may open up many career opportunities. It is a way of thinking and figuring out how math and logic work in everyday life. So it is in your best interest (particularly in this age of technology) to learn this material. This self-paced course is divided into ten comprehensive lessons linked to practice assignments, web resources, and quizzes. This course is perfect for students preparing for Math tests (such as the GED or other college placement exams) or adults needing to improve business-related skills. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30328.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT J. Tsung Algebra and Math Studies This is a two-part class, the purpose of which is to provide you with the tools necessary to develop your own unit studies course for either homeschool or classroom purposes. Part 1 walks you through the process of building your own unit study course in general terms. Part 2 applies the concepts discussed previously to the topic of baseball and gives you a variety of suggestions for creating a unit study that covers all the major subject areas. During this course, you will learn the purpose of a unit study, how to pick a suitable topic, how to find resources to support it, how to apply your chosen topic across subject areas, and how to research and plan a unit study. These are strategies you can use to build a unit study using any topic you like. To help you apply these concepts more specifically, Part 2 uses all the principles learned in Part I to build a unit study on baseball. You will learn how to turn the sport of baseball into a way to teach U.S. History, race relations in the U.S., Economics, Comparative Social Studies, Art, Science, Music, Math, and Language Arts. You will also learn some helpful strategies for developing a capstone activity: the Field Trip. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550262.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Communication is vital in today's society. It is not enough to merely be able to speak and understand spoken English. In the United States, writing English is often a necessary skill in many job industries and fields. In order to develop practical writing skills, one must understand the basics of English grammar and sentence structure. Learning essential vocabulary and continually expanding knowledge is one of the best ways to succeed, both in personal and professional lives. Learning how to write English may be difficult for many individuals, and takes much practice and patience. ESL students as well as native English speakers who wish to improve their writing skills need to have a basic understanding of grammar structure, tense usage, vocabulary, and how to commit thought processes and ideas onto paper. This ESL basic writing course will help you improve your writing skills through lesson plans and samples that explain many grammatical style rules and functions in easy-to-understand examples and skill-building usage. This course will also help students learn to write natural and clear sentences, as well as help in composing personal and business letters to better increase job skills and communication. In today's modern world, increasing proficiency and clarity of the written language is fundamental in all human communication. In order to write well, you must practice concepts that involve grammatical structure, voice, style, and vocabulary usage. This course will carefully guide you through the basic structures and rules of the English language and focus on improving skills that are necessary in order to write clearly and accurately. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550265.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement ESL Career Development Basic Writing Skills Speed reading provides you with the tools and information you need to improve not only the speed that you read, but your comprehension and concentration as well. Speed reading will also provide you with effective tools that you can use when you're in a pressure reading situation. Throughout the course, you will find a number reading passages to test your words per minute reading rate as well as your comprehension abilities. A number of drills are also provided so that you can retrain your eyes and expand your vision, which is an essential skill for reading at a much faster rate. Far too many people still read at the same rate they were taught in elementary school and speed reading will help you to break your elementary reading habits. Additionally, you will learn how to break other bad habits that are slowing you down. This includes subvocalization, using your fingers while you read, and reading aloud or under your breath. These are bad habits that many people have developed from poor reading skills and never being taught more effective reading habits. When you learn to speed read, you are able to break these bad habits and improve your reading rate as well as your comprehension of the material. Many people believe that speed reading requires months of training and that you need to work with someone specialized in speed reading. However, with just a few minutes of practicing each day, you are able to improve your reading level, improve your reading rate and comprehension, all on your own. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550263.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement Career Development This self-paced online course will provide a review of the grammar and writing skills necessary when taking any high school or college test, or with your everyday work-related writing and correspondence. Divided up into twelve easy-to-understand lessons, this grammar course concentrates on usage, the mechanics of a sentence, spelling, and a general review of grammatical problem areas. Each lesson focuses on frequent errors, gives examples, suggests strategies, and offers further study guides. This course is ideal for all types of students who want to get an edge on taking a high school, college, or a job related English exam and anyone wishing to update their grammar skills. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550254.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement ESL This course will provide the learner with a better understanding of the underlying concepts of geometry. Through readings, lessons, quizzes and independent explorations, the learner will leave the course with more complete understanding of geometry and begin to be able to think in a geometrical fashion. Websites are also provided to help the learner further explore the topics on his/her own. At the end of this unit, the learner will be able to describe some of the basic premises behind geometric thinking, reasoning and study. They will also be able to demonstrate the following learning objectives: Objectives (based on the Van Hiele levels of geometric thought): Students will be able to demonstrate the ability identify the ways geometry is used by people in their daily lives (i.e. professions, synthetic universe, natural universe, in the home, etc...) Students will be able to recognize and name figures (triangle, square, rectangle, rhombus, parellelogram, polygon, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, kite, rectangular and triangular pyramids, prisms, cone, sphere) Level 0 Visualization Students will be able to analyze various properties of shapes (i.e. right angles, parallel sides, number of sides, number of corners, etc...) Level 1 Analysis Students will be able to construct relationships between classes of figures (i.e. rectangles are parallelograms with a right angle, etcand#8230;) Level 2 Informal Deduction Students will be able to think deductively in regards to geometrical concepts. Level 3 and 4 Deduction/Rigorous Proof http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550045.htm Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT J. Tsung Algebra and Math Studies This self-paced All-In-One Math Course reviews the basics of arithmetic, algebra and geometry. The condensed course covers the following material: -Arithmetic: ( reviewing the use of numbers, signs and symbols, how to perform various operations, how to solve problems with Fractions, Percents and Decimals, and much more). -Algebra: ( reviewing linear Equations and Inequalities, how to solve various word problems, how to simplify and factor numbers, and much more). - Geometry: ( reviewing Geometric Concepts and Relationships, understanding Measurements of Congruence and Similarity, the Pythagorean Theorem, and much more). This compact course is an ideal 'crash course' for anyone needing review or instruction in these math areas or anyone who wants to improve results on high school or college exams. If you want a jump start before starting college or just interested in learning how to solve Math problems this is the course for you. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30330.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT J. Tsung Algebra and Math Studies Essays are a vital part of writing, both in academic circles and in many professions. Being able to write good essays is a rare ability and those that can demonstrate a mastery of this writing form will quickly distinguish themselves from those who write poorly. In school, this can be the difference between a good or bad grade; in industry, it can mean being passed over for a promotion, creating a safety hazard, or even limiting an applicant's prospective job pool. Learning to write good essays will boost academic performance in school and college, but will also be a valuable skill in today's increasingly competitive job market. Creating concise, informative, and compelling essays can form the basis of many careers, such as authoring non-fiction books, getting into print journalism, writing legal briefs, rendering judicial opinions, or just creating some persuasive advertising text for a business. The ability to write a good essay is a foundational block that can unlock numerous opportunities. This course will examine the nature, history, and structure of essays; the various types of essays; and provide a refresher course in English grammar, focusing on the parts of speech and rules for good syntax. Furthermore, examples will be provided of both good and poor writing, as well as common mistakes to avoid when creating an essay. When completed, this course will enable the student to better understand how good essays are written and how to go about writing them for academic or professional use. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550264.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement ESL Basic Writing Skills Whether you are learning English as a second language or are a native speaker striving to improve your English and writing skills, understanding proper grammar rules and guidelines are the essential building blocks to creating clear and understandable thought processes and ideas. This ESL basic grammar course will provide an introduction into the basics of English grammar. We'll cover many relevant topics, including sentence structure, writing basics, as well as review basic English structure in the form of nouns, verbs, prepositions, adjectives and adverbs. English grammar is essential to promoting communication, both verbally and in writing. It is a necessary aspect of many jobs and careers. Understanding the proper way to communicate helps to promote self-confidence, increase skill levels, and ensure job advancement and promotion. While many of us were taught the basics of English grammar in elementary school, very few adults in the 21st century understand the basic concepts of how to create cohesive and complete sentences--let alone complete term papers, thesis papers, or doctoral dissertations. Native English speakers as well as those learning English will benefit from the examples and reviews of basic English grammar structure and foundations presented throughout this course. Don't think of English grammar as boring, but as a building block to greater understanding, enhanced skill levels, and stepping stones to better jobs and greater earnings. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550267.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement ESL Basic Writing Skills This ESL basic grammar and writing course will provide an introduction to the basics of American English grammar and writing. We'll be covering the following topics in detail: - review the basic English structure in the form of nouns, verbs, prepositions, adjectives and adverbs - review the proper use of pronouns, prepositions, and conjunctions - practice sentence structure and mastering subject-verb agreement - cover writing basics - improve reading comprehension - increase your vocabulary - learn how to write clearly and more effectively - learn how to organize your thoughts and write a personal or business letter Whether you are learning English as a second language or are a native speaker striving to improve your English and writing skills, using proper grammar rules and writing guidelines are essential building blocks to creating clear and understandable thought processes and ideas. Communication is vital in today's society. It is not enough to merely be able to speak and understand spoken English. In the United States, English writing and comprehension is a necessary job skill for nearly all job industries and career paths. In order to develop practical writing skills, you must understand the basics of English grammar and sentence structure. Knowing the proper way to communicate in a wide range of fields will help promote your self-confidence, increase your skill levels, and ensure your job advancement and promotion. This course will guide you through the basic grammar structures and rules as well as focus on improving the necessary skills leading to clear and accurate writing. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550269.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement ESL Career Development Basic Writing Skills From the laboratory to the real world, cell and molecular biology has a far-ranging impact upon everything from the environment to health and medical issues. Cell and molecular biology enables researchers to study the minute world of microbes and cells. This course will provide a full overview of the world of cell and microbiology. We will first provide the basic components comprised within all living things before moving onto to how organisms' internal systems work and how they coexist and contend with external elements. Further on in the course, we touch upon more complex subjects such as: DNA and RNA; protein structures; and movement along cellular pathways. And, alas we delve into some of the deeper molecular biological issues, including those of pathogens; formation of cancerous cells; and, one of today's hot topics--the facts behind the controversial issue of stem cell research. Despite the small size of researchers' subjects, cell and molecular biology continues to be an area generating sizable interest. Not only are the applications of cell and molecular biology vastly infinite, its basic fundamental principles are critical to daily life. We believe you will learn a great deal of information from this fascinating course as well as utilize its basic teachings to better understand the world around you. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550219.htm Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:55:20 GMT J. Bennett Fear fractions no more. And learn whether to add first or multiply first in a string of operations. Whether you are struggling with basic math functions in a course today, you are taking a new job that demands understanding of math, or you simply need to review or remember some part of basic math, this course will bring you up to speed. Learn to really understand addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; know how to calculate and move among decimals, fractions, and percents; figure out ratios and proportions like a pro; and learn to use a calculator for basic math functions. This course deals with the nuts and bolts of Math. Students will become equipped with a solid foundation of the mathematical tools required to solve more complex mathematical operations. This course would benefit any student (regardless of age) who requires help understanding basic math skills in order to pass a placement test, a course, a specific job, or a review or brush up on math skills. No previous education is required though understanding lesson material assumes students at least have a 7 th grade reading level. Lessons will focus on the steps involved in adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing as well as the order of operations. In addition this course will focus on the various forms of numbers such as fractions, decimals, percents, radical signs, absolute value signs exponents, ratios. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550272.htm Sun, 31 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT J. Tsung Algebra and Math Studies This course will demonstrate methods used to solve basic word problems. It is intended for students who need a basic understanding of how to set up and solve word problems that involve numbers, money, money terms, distances, percentages, mixtures and age. This self paced course provides step by step guides and links to practice exercises, web resources, and quizzes. This course is perfect for students struggling through word problems in a school environment, preparing for Math tests (such as GED or other college placement exams) or adults needing to improve business related skills. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30329.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT J. Tsung Algebra and Math Studies Geometry Class for High School (second semester) is a continuation of my first semester geometry course. This course will present a good knowledge of Geometry which includes, but is not limited to: 1. proving theorems, 2. finding the angles, perimeter, and area of polygons, 3. calculating the areas and volumes of polyhedrons, 4. solving for the angles and sides of right triangles, 5. finding the measurements of circles and segments of a circle (arcs, sectors, chords, secants, tangents, central angles and inscribed angles) 6. understanding the use of algebra in analytical geometry, (linear equations in two variables, slope, midpoint, distance formula, equation of circles, reflections, rotations, and translations). In the United States most State Boards of Education require completion of the first and second semesters of Geometry for graduation from a public or private high school. This is the second semester of Geometry. There is a required book for the course. The book information for this class may be found at www.mathinabox.com . Thanks for considering my class. Susan Johnsey Google knows me. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/15168.htm Mon, 24 Oct 2005 12:55:03 GMT S. Johnsey Algebra and Math Studies This geometry course is designed for those students, young or old, who need a thorough course in Geometry. This online course is equivalent to the first semester of high school geometry. The class and its sequel, Geometry (second semester) will prepare you well for Algebra 2 and Precalculus. The topics to be studied include : basic geometric figures, deductive reasoning and proofs, postulates and theorems for parallel lines and planes, corollaries and theorems for congruent triangles, properties and theorems for quadrilaterals, inequalities of triangles, and polygons. A particular geometry textbook is required for the course. It is used in many high schools in the US. The student may work at his own pace. He may begin at any time. Each day that an assignment or test is submitted by the student he will receive his grade and corrections within a few hours by email. The instructor, Susan Johnsey, is available daily for questions and to grade your work. Your scores and answers to your questions are answered daily and returned to you by email. Be sure your email address is valid and easy for you to check. If you have questions then please contact me, SUSAN JOHNSEY, at sjohnsey@bellsouth.net . I am a highly qualified teacher in the area of math and the book that I have selected is used in many high schools throughout the U.S. If you are a high school student that needs to review or move ahead in math then please consider my classes. If you are planning to attend college and need to review your geometry then consider my online classes. Please visit my web site for a free placement test and evaluation or to contact me. Susan Johnsey. Please visit my personal web site at www.mathinabox.com for complete information about the book. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/13538.htm Sat, 2 Apr 2005 17:11:19 GMT S. Johnsey Algebra and Math Studies This course deals with the nuts and bolts of Math. Students will become equipped with a solid foundation of the mathematical tools required to solve more complex mathematical operations. This course would benefit any student (regardless of age) who requires help understanding basic math skills in order to pass a placement test, a course, a specific job, or a review or brush up on math skills. No previous education is required though understanding lesson material assumes students at least have a 7 th grade reading level. Lessons will focus on the steps involved in adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing as well as the order of operations. In addition this course will focus on the various forms of numbers such as fractions, decimals, percents, radical signs, absolute value signs exponents, ratios. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30303.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT J. Tsung Algebra and Math Studies We will study systems of equations, rational expressions and equations, quadratic equations and functions, sequences and series, exponential and logarithmic functions, and conic sections in this course. This is the second semester to Algebra 2 or Intermediate College Algebra 1(part 2). This class requires the purchase of a required textbook. The price on the internet should be $20 to $35 (including shipping). See www.mathinabox.com for the book information. You must have completed the Algebra 2 (first semester) or Algebra 1B to enroll in this class. The instructor, Susan Johnsey, provides a free placement test service at her web site. If you are a high school student that needs to review or move ahead in math then please consider my classes. If you are planning to attend college and need to review your algebra then consider my online classes. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/8014.htm Sun, 29 Feb 2004 11:52:49 GMT S. Johnsey Algebra and Math Studies Welcome to the world of Physics! Here, we will explore the natural laws of how the universe operates. This introductory course covers all the fundamentals of Physics, and is comprehensive enough for students already familiar with the subject. Join now, and together we'll learn about momentum and energy, force and motion, gravity, particles, the five states of matter, temperature and heat, sound waves, electricity, magnetism, and light. Today, much of technology and our lifestyles is brought to us by the laws of Physics, yet surprisingly, most people don't understand the fundamentals. Acoustics, astronomy, electromagnetism, electronics, nuclear power, optics, nanotechnology are just a few of the industries requiring an understanding of Physics. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/31724.htm Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:02:02 GMT J. Bennett Algebra and Math Studies This course takes you through an overview of the wonderful world of business mathematics. The course is designed for a person of any age and anywhere in the world. All that is required of the learner are a computer, a connection to the internet, a calculator or spreadsheet, skills to use these tools, and a willingness to learn. First we begin with a comprehensive review of the decimal system and basic calculations. Next are fractions, percent, and ratios. Then we move on to exponents and square roots. In the lesson that follows, the learner sets a personal budget and reviews personal finances, including thrift buying, and calculating interest on a loan. Then there is a discussion of conservation of energy used in the home. Later we are encouraged to budget our personal time and energy as well as money. The trip then takes you into the business world of purchases and sales, then bookkeeping, with a thorough explanation of debits and credits, petty cash, and an overview of financial statements. In the following lessons, we take a look at graphs, measurements and statistics. (Is mode the same as average?) After that we find ourselves in the business office for office etiquette, netiquette, and telephone etiquette. Also the science of Ergonomics is discussed. We finally arrive near the end of the course when we emphasize lifelong learning, goal setting plus good health habits for a balanced life. From the beginning, the advanced learner is encouraged to click on web references and search for more information via the internet. And everyone is encouraged to 'surf' and 'google' the world wide web often for more fun. The course material includes plenty of examples and exercises for practice, interesting anecdotes about the character, history and origins of our math system from many parts of the world. Math can be fun! However, calculations do require practice, and then more practice to be easier, more proficient and more fun. Enjoy the course! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550069.htm Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:52:51 GMT J. Tsung Career Development Algebra and Math Studies Algebra 2 (first part) is designed for those students who need a thorough course in Algebra 2 or Intermediate Algebra. You may ask questions by email on all lessons or problems in the class. All grades and comments/replies to email are returned within 24 hours. This self-paced online course is equivalent to 1 semester of high school Algebra 2 or 1/2 of Intermediate College Algebra. There is a sequel to this class, Algebra 2 (second part). These two courses will prepare you well for your first college course. This class is very comprehensive. If you choose to take the second class also then it will require the purchase of a textbook. I can help you find one at a reduced price. You must know Algebra 1 to take this class or have already taken Algebra 2. If you are not sure you know Algebra 1 then Please visit my web site for a free placement test and evaluation or to contact me. I am a state certified teacher with 30+ years of experience and I have a Master's degree in Mathematics from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. I also have 21 semester hours of post-graduate work. I have been teaching online for over 5 years. I homeschooled my own children for over 16 years. Math is a process that requires work through problem solving. Some people learn quickly some do not, but all need practice. Rules of math build upon each other. Understanding or memorizing rules is not sufficient. You must be able to use them well to successfully move ahead. I answer all questions within one day. I have had numerous adult students complete my classes. They needed to relearn algebra because they were making career changes or wanting a promotion. I have also had home school, private school, and public school students complete my classes. I have had a few to complete all 6 courses and then go right into college algebra or precalculus at a university. Please consider my classes for yourself or your child or your grandchild. Susan Johnsey Google knows me....Just give it my name and algebra. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/3085.htm Thu, 7 Mar 2002 14:58:51 GMT S. Johnsey Algebra and Math Studies Algebra 1B is designed for those serious students who need a thorough course in Algebra 1(high school) or Introductory Algebra(college developmental). This is the second half of the course. The student taking this course must have completed Algebra 1A before beginning this course. I also teach that class here at universalclass.com. These two courses are very comprehensive. They require the purchase of one particular textbook. I can help you find it on the internet at a reduced price. But, if you have already completed Algebra 1A with me then you already own the book! If you have recently completed an Algebra 1 course, but are not sure you are ready for Algebra 2 then this course will help. But you must remember: 1. solving equations 3x - (x+6) = 2 + 5x and 3x 2 +10x - 8 = 0 ; 2. factoring polynomials: 3xy - 24xyz and 3x 2 +10x - 8 in order to take this class. Please visit my web site for a free placement test or info on the required book. www.mathinabox.com Susan Johnsey I am a state certified teacher with 30+ years of experience and I have a Master's degree in Mathematics from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. I also have 21 semester hours of post-graduate work. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/4636.htm Thu, 26 Sep 2002 17:59:07 GMT S. Johnsey Algebra and Math Studies Algebra 1A is designed for those students, young or old, who need a thorough course in Algebra 1 or introductory algebra. You may ask questions by email on all lessons or problems in the class. I personally answer all email daily. Few online classes offer this service. All grades and comments/replies to email are returned within 24 hours. This online course is equivalent to 1 semester of high school Algebra 1 or 1/2 of Introductory Algebra in college. There is a sequel to this class, Algebra 1B. The same book is used; no need to buy another. These two courses will prepare you well for your first college course. This class is very comprehensive; there are 30 lessons and 6 tests in Algebra 1A. If you are a high school student that needs to review or move ahead in math then please consider my classes. If you are planning to attend college and need to review your algebra then consider my online classes. I have had numerous adult students complete my classes. They needed to relearn algebra because they were making career changes or wanting a promotion. I have also had home school, private school, and public school students complete my classes. I have had a few to complete all 6 courses and then go right into college algebra or precalculus at a university. Please visit my web site for a free placement test and evaluation or to contact me. Susan Johnsey. Google knows me. Just give it my name and algebra. I am a state certified teacher with 30+ years of experience and I have a Master's degree in Mathematics from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. I also have 21 semester hours of post-graduate work. I have been teaching online for over 5 years. I my own children for over 16 years. Math is a process that requires logic and problem solving abilities. Rules of math build upon each other. Understanding or memorizing rules is not sufficient. You must be able to use them well to successfully move ahead. Some people learn quickly some do not, but all need practice. I have chosen a textbook (it has been in publication for over 15 years) that is excellent for several reasons. It contains hundreds of examples and thousands of problems to work. The book is required for the class. For all examples, the answers and the steps to work the problem are given . The answers to all odd problems are also given. At the end of each chapter is a review and a test. The answers to these are also given. The organization and layout of the book is very good. The latest edition of this book is used in several universities. I use the 3rd or 5th or 6th edition which can still be found on the internet at a used book price. Sometimes the books are slightly used sometimes they are almost new with varied prices between $20 to $35 that is including shipping. Write me for information about ordering the book. Most colleges offer this class, but do not give college credit for it. Why pay an enormous price for a class for which you can not receive credit? The knowledge of Algebra 1 is what you need so that you may then enter into a college credit algebra class. This class is very affordable and will be well worth your money. It is much cheaper than private tutoring or a college class. Please consider my classes for yourself or your child or your grandchild. Let me know if you have more questions. Google will find me or my web site. Susan Johnsey . http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/3269.htm Sat, 16 Mar 2002 17:02:56 GMT S. Johnsey Algebra and Math Studies Do you need a review of Algebra 1 this summer? In this class you will receive prompt replies (daily emails) to any algebra question you have as well as receive a review of solving equations, multiplying and factoring polynomials, graphing lines, finding slopes of lines and creative ideas of solving word problems. I personally answer all email within 1 day and grade all work submitted within the day . If you see any statements that you can ask only 15 questions then please ignore that. I have changed the course so that you can ask any number of questions by email. There are at least 16 full algebra Lessons. Each Lesson has 1 or 2 assignments for you to complete and submit to me. I grade all assignments and tests the day that they are submitted to the classroom. I answer all email within a few hours, but often it is in just a few minutes. The topics to be reviewed include solving linear equations, multiplying polynomials, factoring polynomials, money word problems, graphing lines, finding the slope of a line and finding the midpoint and length of a line segment. You must already know how to add, subtract, multiply and divide integers and know how to use well the Order of Operations. You may take a free placement test at my personal web site to see if you are ready for Algebra 1 or Algebra 2. Please visit www.mathinabox.com or email me: sjohnsey at bellsouth.net http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/10322.htm Thu, 8 Jan 2004 23:32:11 GMT S. Johnsey Algebra and Math Studies 'Accounting and Bookkeeping 101 for Everyone' is a course that covers the fundamentals of accounting with the newcomer in mind. Accounting is more than just memorizing terms and procedures; it's a whole new way of thinking about finances. This course assumes students have no prior knowledge about accounting or finance, and delivers lessons and examples to build accounting skills. Specifically, this class addresses accounting terminology, revenue, expenses, net income, the accounting equation, debits, credits, and balancing the accounting formula, the accounting structure, the accounting cycle, journals, ledgers, the trial balance and more. It also guides students to learn how to read financial statements properly, and how to grab meaningful information from the balance sheet, income statements and cash flow statements. After completing this course, you will have a solid understanding of accounting in today's world. By applying the concepts learned in this course, you will understand the processes behind Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, you will understand how and why financial transactions are documented, you will know what cash flow is and how to improve it, you will know what profit is, how it's interpreted, and what influences its growth. Moreover, you will know where the money in the company you work for, or own, goes. Learn accounting now and achieve a skill that is an invaluable (if not required) asset to your professional development. This course is complete and comprehensive, and covers all the fundamentals of accounting, and includes full video to help you master the concepts covered! So join us today! And let's learn the fundamentals of accounting! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30302.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT J. Tsung Career Development Algebra and Math Studies Beginner to Intermediate Algebra is intended for students who need to gather a basic understanding of how to perform Algebra operations. This course will benefit current students and adult learners who need to know how to perform basic Algebra operations which involve simplifying, factoring, or solving equations in the form of inequalities, fractions, exponents and word problems. This online course takes the student's knowledge of arithmetic and extends it by introducing the concepts of variables and functions. These new concepts allow students to solve a range of problems involving unknown quantities in areas such as geometry, probability and statistics, and various real-world scenarios. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550270.htm Sun, 31 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT J. Tsung Algebra and Math Studies From character and plot-conflict development to infusing a unique style and specialized writing techniques, the steps to writing a novel--while not utterly impossible--do require a dedicated, disciplined approach. By committing to the steps outlined within this course, aspiring (and even experienced) novelists can find the structure they need to create a well-crafted manuscript, one they will be proud to shop to potential agents and publishers. While some creative types may balk at the idea of adhering to a framework, the truth is that following such guidelines actually frees up writers to focus on the genesis and flow of ideas as opposed to be bogged down by the myriad of format and publishing style particulars. That is why we have provided you with insights into how, from start to finish, you can develop the varying elements of your novel: characters, plotlines, setting, tone, conflict, climax, and resolution/denouement. Labeled as dramatic construction, every novel ought to have a foundation in these basic principles. Plus, we will help take you one step further by offering you the specifics as to what is required to submit your completed work to potential agents and publishers. With an end goal in mind, this will help inspire you to actually finish your novel. Outfitted with both practical and creative writers' tools, there is no reason you can not successfully write a novel and get it published. If indeed you are truly committed and willing to invest the necessary time and effort to put your literary skills to the test, there should be nothing, absolutely nothing, stopping you from producing memorable prose. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550282.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement Basic Writing Skills Become a Skilled Proofreader or Copyeditor If you're looking for a new career path or if you're a writer who wants to improve your writing skills, learning how to proofread and copyedit with our easy to follow, in-depth course, may be just what you need. Learning these specialized skills will help improve your overall writing ability and may provide a career path that is both lucrative and in high demand. In today's world, proofreaders and copyeditors are sought after not only in the corporate environment and Internet-related ventures, but also by start-up companies, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. Freelance proofreading jobs are bountiful, and many companies offer work-from-home opportunities as an additional benefit. This online course will cover: Exactly what proofreading and copyediting will entail. The tools you need to be an efficient proofreader or copyeditor. The basic skills you need to learn, taught to you in an easy-to-understand manner. Step-by-step instruction on how to proofread or copyedit. How to apply your newly learned skills. Tips to make you a professional proofreader or copyeditor with just a little practice. How to proofread and copyedit different kinds of writing such as fiction, blogs and articles. How to proofread and copyedit your own work. How to secure employment as a proofreader or copyeditor. How to start your own proofreading or copyediting business upon completion of the course. Current salary information. Practice exercises to implement your new skills. This course is designed for everyone, regardless of education, experience, or background. No matter who you are or what you want to achieve in life, gaining proofreading and copyediting skills will improve your written communications, help you think more clearly, and perhaps start you on the road to a brand new career. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550008.htm Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:10:43 GMT S. Patel Writing Improvement Career Development Basic Writing Skills Do you long to write but feel like you're too busy? Writing for children can be the answer. Children's stories are generally far shorter and simpler than stories for adults. You can draft an 800 word children's story during a couple of lunch hours or during your child's nap times. Many noted children's authors started writing in short bursts when their own young children were sleeping or playing nearby. Writing for children is by no means easy, however. Children's book and magazine editors expect well developed characters, engaging plots, and vivid description, all in a very small package. Good children's writers learn to make every word count. Communicating effectively with kids means using language they can understand but not talking down to them, and this is easier said than done. In this course, we will look at the elements that go into an effective children's story, from initial idea to finished manuscript. If you've always wanted to write but don't know where to start, we'll cover that too. And once you have a few good stories under your belt, you'll want to find publishing outlets for them. We'll go over the basics of submitting to publishers and even of publishing books yourself. Writing stories for children can be a fascinating hobby or a challenging career. You can write for your own kids, or publish stories and books that will reach thousands of eager readers. Either way, you will gain the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of children who hear or read your words. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550284.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement Basic Writing Skills 'Creative Energy-Flow and the Written Word' is an attempt to capture what cannot be held in hand or thought--the elusive riddle of human creativity as we find it in our writing. Here we look at various forms and genres (books, dramas and plays, poetry, essays, film-writing, stories in general, etc.) as they relate to the creative impulse. We also talk about the Writer's Voice and personality, writing as therapy, illusions about writing, legend and mythos, and other areas where a creative writer may find inspiration, advice or enlightening conjecture. This self-paced course is offered to writers everywhere with hat-in-hand, for what it may be worth. Test and review questions, and also lesson exercises are included at the end of each lesson to build mastery. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550281.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement Basic Writing Skills Communication influences all factors of your life. From daily interactions with strangers on the street to the way you present yourself in the board room, the way you communicate is a reflection of who you are and the way you establish relationships with those around you. Although there are many sides to communication (including verbal interactions, nonverbal cues, and even using technology to maximize impact), there are a few basic fundamentals that span across the nation and around the globe. By understanding the way you communicate and increasing your knowledge of conflict resolution and negotiation, you can increase your probability for success with others. Whether you are working in the business community, strengthening your personal relationships, or simply seeking to increase your comfort in reaching out to others as a whole, effective communication is your bridge from potentially hazardous misunderstandings to personal--and professional--success. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550121.htm Sun, 25 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Mithaug Career Development Basic Writing Skills It doesn't matter if you've never used MS Word before or you just want to familiarize yourself with MS Word 2003. This course teaches you all the basics of MS Word, from doing simply functions like typing in the text area to formatting text, to give the beginner all the instruction needed to be proficient. To make it even easier, screenshots are provided to help you navigate and see first-hand the many features of MS Word 2003. However, this course doesn't stop there. After explaining and reviewing the basics of MS Word 2003, it goes more in-depth and covers advanced tools and techniques. Learn how to: Navigate MS Word 2003 Format text Do simply editing tasks Proofread using MS Word 2003 Create charts, diagrams, and tables Create mailing lists Add security to documents And much more! If you're an experienced Word user, you will vastly improve your skills by learning new shortcuts and features in MS Word 2003. And if you're an amateur, don't worry about a thing! You're just 11 lessons away from being able to use MS Word 2003 like a pro! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550091.htm Sun, 6 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development Basic Writing Skills If you're a reader and thought you might like to try your hand at short story writing but just don't know how to get started, this course will help! We'll take you through the entire processand#8230;preparing your mind, getting ideas on paper, and help you through the editing and proofing process. You'll learn new skills, and find new ways to express yourself. As you advance through this course, you're going to learn the correct way to write a short story. More than that, you're going to learn the aspects of every good short story as well as learn how to create your own wonderful works! Amateur short story writers try to write their stories like miniature novels. Their stories read as either an excerpt or a condensed novel. Unfortunately, undisciplined writers do not write short stories that are complete. They overlook the fundamentals--such as--what sets the short story apart from a novel, and why one can never be substituted for the other. This course will show you how to write effectively and creatively. So join us today! And let's write some short stories that people will want to read! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550283.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement Basic Writing Skills This Microsoft Word 2007 course is not only designed to give the experienced MS Word user a tour of the new version of Word, but to also introduce new MS Word users to a comprehensive look at the features and utilities that this word processing software offers. It doesn't matter if you're new to MS Word or an experienced user, this comprehensive course teaches the most basic features as well as focuses on the more advanced tools that all students will find useful. Additionally, this course introduces new features exclusive to MS Word 2007, as well as includes detailed instructions on how to use them. You'll learn: Your way around the toolbars and menus. Basic editing features. Comprehensive editing features. How to insert items into a document. How to create and edit tables. Macros. And much, much more! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550073.htm Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development Basic Writing Skills We know that effective writing will help students in their coursework but it's equally important to write well in the workplace. If a job interviewer is considering two qualified candidates, the candidate who can write well will have the edge. If you're interested in improving your basic writing beyond correct grammar and punctuation, this course will help you. The more you write, the more confidence you will have in your abilities as a writer. The best grammar and punctuation in the world can still produce average or even poor writing if you don't know how to use the sentences properly or which type of sentence works best to get your point across. By the same token, if you can write lyrical sentences but you string them together into paragraphs that are a tangled mess, the sense and impact of each sentence is lost. This course is designed to give students the most flexibility and independence. You set your own schedule and learn at your convenience. Just because this course is online doesn't mean you're left on your own. The instructor will be reviewing and grading assignments and is always available to answer questions through email. This course assumes you have a high school reading and writing level in English, and that you understand sentence structure, grammar and punctuation. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550261.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement ESL Basic Writing Skills Most CPAs will tell you that the number one mistake people make in starting a new business is that they fail to write a business plan. Without a written set of plans and directions, a new business will struggle on many levels. You may start out doing well only to find yourself shipwrecked a year into your work. On the other hand, you may sit and struggle to ever get your business off of the ground and productive. You may find yourself struggling with small things that have simple solutions and for which the answers are easy to implement. But if your plan is not written, then you don't have a clear vision in a very literal sense of the word. A well written business plan takes time, patience, detail, research, and a right approach to presentation. This course will walk you through the process of writing your business plan. You will learn why certain details are vitally important, which parts of your business plan can make or break your finance query with investors, and how to sharpen your public presentation of your company and its business. You will also learn some writing tricks to help you create a polished written plan without necessarily having to hire someone to write it for you. At the end of this course, you should have enough information to make a well informed effort in writing your business plan. Happy planning! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550132.htm Sun, 8 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT C. Addington Career Development Basic Writing Skills Most of us learned spelling and grammar in elementary school and brushed up on the rules occasionally in junior high or middle school. Once we entered high school, it was assumed we knew and remembered all of the essentials -- and slowly we discovered that although there were some rules we just had to look up, we simply stopped worrying about 'the minor details.' It's time to relearn those 'minor details' that can help you write, and read more effectively. But it's hard to fix something unless you know how it works. This self-paced, stress-free course was developed not only for students wanting to improve their basic writing skills, but also for business writers, creative writers and office staff wanting to improve poor work related writing and avoid embarrassing their boss and themselves. Our innovative course is designed as a refresher course for those who need to brush up on their skills and a reference for anyone who wants to be able to look up the rules for confusing grammatical questions quickly and easily. After you've reviewed the basic rules of grammar and spelling, you can move on to the lessons on writing style for tips on improving your sentence and paragraph structure, how to polish your writing and how to avoid common errors. And because the course is online doesn't mean that you'll be left on your own. The instructor will be grading assignments and tests and is available through email to answer questions and provide guidance. Why not join us, learn at your own pace and your own schedule and reap the benefits? http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550258.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement ESL Career Development Basic Writing Skills Speaking in front of a group of people is one of the most common fears people experience. In fact, it may be more feared than death...or even spiders . Yet being able to present ourselves, our companies, our ideas and products to others is one of the most essential skills to have in life. The ability to communicate our ideas effectively helps other people catch our enthusiasm--and without that enthusiasm and support of others, many great projects would never get off the ground. During the course of this training, we will discuss exactly what a presentation is and how improving your public speaking skills can positively influence many different aspects of your life. We will talk about understanding the situation at hand, knowing your audience, and believing in your subject matter. Then, we will present strategies for researching, organizing, and developing your presentation. We'll also discuss some techniques to help you deliver a confident presentation and review what you can do in the future to improve your presentations skills for the long-term, making each future presentation you do, easier on you and more rewarding for those attending. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550101.htm Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Mithaug Career Development Basic Writing Skills This course will provide the learner with a better understanding of the underlying concepts needed to improve the reading skills in children and adults. Through readings, lessons, quizzes and independent explorations, the learner will leave the course with more complete understanding of the development of reading skills from preschool through adulthood and begin to be able to think about specific strategies which could be utilized to increase the skills and development of anyone's reading. Websites are also provided to help the learner further explore the topics on his/her own. At the end of this unit, the learner will be able to describe some of the basic underlying principles of reading development, activities which can be incorporated to increase skill levels, and the importance of developing reading throughout life. Those undertaking this unit will also be able to demonstrate the following learning objectives: Students will be able to identify the purpose and value of improving reading skills. Students will be able to identify and define the major components of reading instruction Students will be able to apply strategies to improve reading skills in each of the major components of reading instruction. Students will be able to transfer knowledge learned about reading development into their own personal experiences or that of others to increase reading skills. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550266.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Basic Writing Skills Reading is the process of absorbing the written word. Whether in English or another language, reading is an essential part of communication between human beings. Reading comprehension is the ability to process, think through and connect ideas that are expressed on paper. Reading may be achieved through a variety of methods and techniques that best suit individual learners and students of all ages and levels. This reading basics course is designed to help students increase their reading speed as well as their ability to comprehend content, directions, and absorb materials for retention. Whether a student is taking this course to increase reading skills as a second or foreign language or by native English speakers wishing to increase their comprehension of a wide variety of materials, students will be introduced to different techniques and materials to do so. Whether a student needs to increase his or her comprehension for work environments, pleasure, or school, styles of approach, engagement, as well as the potential of using a wide variety of resources and tools are explored in this course. From learning the basics of reading comprehension such as decoding and retention to understanding how vocabulary is created and using the Internet to improve reading skills, this course offers students a basic and solid foundation in reading multiple types of materials for a wide range of daily living scenarios and needs. Understanding the difficulties that may face many students, as focused on helping students gain the most from their reading experiences, this reading basics course is designed to encourage students to excel in their reading adventures and endeavors. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550268.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Basic Writing Skills Technical writing is the art and science of translating technical information into readable, accessible writing usable by a wide audience. If you have ever read the user's manual for a piece of software or equipment you've purchased, you've seen technical writing in action. Creating manuals, help and technical support systems, online help systems, and instruction manuals are some of the main projects technical writers take on. Since nearly every business in every industry imaginable has at least an occasional need to bring technical information to its users and customers, technical writing is found in nearly every business, government agency, and non-profit organization. If you work in a high tech industry, technical writing may be a part of your job description and daily duties. If you love to write, enjoy learning, and have an interest in technology, technical writing can be an exciting, rewarding career in itself. Job opportunities in the field are expected to grow as technology continues to advance. Whether you are called upon to communicate technical information to clients and coworkers, or you are thinking of technical writing as a new and interesting career, this course is designed to help you get started. We'll talk more about the kinds of products technical writers get involved in, and discuss the kinds of skills that successful technical writing requires. We'll talk about ways to approach and organize a technical writing project, and look at the kinds of materials technical writers produce, from written manuals to video tutorials. For those looking at technical writing as a new career, we'll discuss ways of improving your skill set, getting training, making contacts, and breaking into the field. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550201.htm Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:50:51 GMT D. Mithaug Writing Improvement Career Development Basic Writing Skills This poetry course is created for the lover of poetry who wants to learn how to appreciate the art even more. It is also for student poets who want to improve their craft. This course is thorough in teaching all students everything they need to know about reading, interpreting, and writing poetry. This course is a must-take for any budding poet out there who wants to hone their skills and learn to write high quality, great poetry that others will appreciate. Through various assignments and essays, each student will learn to do the following: Determine and understand the meanings of poems. Recognize and utilize the devices used in writing poetry. Understand the theory and history of poetry to strengthen their skills and appreciation. Write different types of poetry. Become a skilled, knowledgeable poet or lover of the art. Identify different types of poetry. Create a chapbook suitable for publication. And much more. Poetry is a verbal art form that requires both understanding and appreciation to master. Simply reading a few poems and having their meanings explained to you is not nearly enough to fully appreciate poetry and#8211; or to become a great poet. That is why this course will provide each student with a great deal of lessons, explanations, essays and assignments to deepen understanding and apply what has been learned. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550295.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement Basic Writing Skills One of the most important and intimidating steps in the job search process is writing a solid resume that gets the attention you want and need. Unfortunately, many job seekers get overwhelmed before they even get started. The result is poorly-written resumes that are built on top of templates that don't do the job seeker any good. Today, resumes must appeal to potential employers while also being optimized for the electronic age. Whether you are handing a resume over in person or are emailing an electronic copy to be added to an online database, the words you use and the formatting you choose will make a big difference in whether or not you get that interview. This course teaches you not just what a resume should look like, but what it should say. It walks you step-by-step through the creation of the most common sections found on resumes in today's job market. In addition to helping you determine what information should be included, it also goes a step further to help you realize what pitfalls to avoid when creating this powerful, job-searching tool. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550211.htm Tue, 3 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT S. Patel Writing Improvement Career Development Basic Writing Skills Do you hear stirring speeches that inspire to go out and take to heart what the speaker was talking about? Do you wonder how some people can sell nearly anything simply by how they talk? If you do, then chances are you are wondering about being persuasive. Being persuasive is one of the greatest skills you can have, because a true master of persuasion can convince people to do nearly anything. Every great politician, army general, business leader and community organizer have been experts at persuasion because they have to inspire you to follow them. You too can be an expert at persuasion. In fact, you can learn to be an expert in the most difficult type of persuasion: written persuasion . Being an expert at written persuasion means you have the ability to convince people not with your verbal skills, but with your written skills. Whether it is a business proposal, letter to the editor, advertisement, or even an essay, you will have the ability thanks to this comprehensive online course on how to persuade people with your written words. By utilizing the tools within this Persuasive Writing Techniques class, you will find everything in your life increases, from your potential pay as you begin impressing bosses with your persuasive writing, to purchasing cars because you will know the persuasion tricks before they happen to you. Learning persuasion techniques can be one of the best skills you ever develop for yourself. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550210.htm Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT C. Addington Writing Improvement Career Development Basic Writing Skills Do you use your Spell Check on your computer obsessively? Are you afraid to write anything without a dictionary or computer spelling program? Are you receiving low grades on schoolwork because of poor spelling? Are your business emails filled with embarrassing spelling errors? Well then, it sounds like you can use this online course! Spelling 101 will help improve your spelling abilities in American English. This course will teach you how to avoid misspellings by recognizing spelling errors quickly. We'll review not only the basic rules of spelling but also the most common spelling 'trouble spots' (commonly missed words and word patterns). We'll also discuss those tricky synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, suffixes and prefixes. This class is self-paced and practice exercises are reviewed by the instructor with feedback. You set your own learning schedule so there's no pressure. Why not learn to write error-free English, and improve your grades or help with the quality of your professional writing? So join us today, and let's improve your spelling skills. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550259.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement ESL Basic Writing Skills Do you need a refresher course in basic punctuation and grammar? Is your business writing, school writing or personal writing a disaster and you're tired of stressing over mistakes? Improper grammar and punctuation is a sign for some people, right or wrong, that you may be less educated or less intelligent. Your writing reflects more about your personality than you realize: it reflects your attention to detail, your education and how you think. Even the most basic writing -- like thank-you notes and emails -- can be sabotaged by just one grammatical error. In the business world, this can give clients the impression that you aren't careful. If your work is as sloppy as your writing, you aren't the person they want to hire or promote. This self-paced course will help you learn what you need to polish your grammar and punctuation skills. Punctuation and Grammar 101 has over 13 lessons divided into two subjects which focus on grammar and punctuation topics. At the end of each lesson will be a brief quiz and/or assignment based on the lesson material. Your knowledgeable and caring instructor will review and grade all work and you can ask questions anytime. Isn't it time to finally master the critical writing skills of grammar and punctuation? So join us today. As always, you can attend this course at the times that fit your schedule. Our system requires no special software or hardware, so why not enroll today and become informed and inspired? http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550260.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement ESL Basic Writing Skills The famous Ayn Rand once wrote, 'Like every human activity, writing requires practice and knowledge. But there is nothing mystical about it. Any person who can speak English grammatically can learn to write nonfiction.' This is as true today as when Ms. Rand first penned it, and you will find it true for you as well as you begin to venture into the world of writing. Nonfiction writing is the most common and broadly dispersed form of writing known to mankind. Nonfiction is based in truth, experience, events or in all of them. It is what the reporter reports; what the biographer writes; what the course writer explains. Everything that is not imagination and invented by the creative mind is nonfiction. This course is designed to take you beyond the basics and to guide you through the writing process to the finish line. In the course, you will learn how to think like an editor, how to choose your subject matter and examine your competition. You will learn how to structure your writing and what to do when you inevitably hit the infamous 'writer's block.' If you have basic writing skills and if you follow the course content, you should be ready to submit your writing by the end of the course material. You will know what to do with your article or book when you are finished and how to polish it for presentation to a publisher. Remember, 'Writers Write' and#8211; so get to writing! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550291.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement Basic Writing Skills Writing a romance novel is the dream of many people all over the world. It's no wonder: as the most popular fiction genre in the United States for the past three decades, there are more opportunities in romantic fiction than ever before. What's unique about the romance genre is that it is a very specialized industry. There are standards for plot, characterization, novel length, and even formatting that are required before most literary agents or publishers will even consider turning your manuscript into a published novel. Most readers know exactly what they expect from a romance novel, and you have to meet these expectations in order to succeed. This course will take you through everything you need to know to write the kind of romance novel that gets noticed. From creating a hero and heroine that sizzle to understanding point-of-view and knowing where to go for more resources, you'll get access to insider information on making the most out of your manuscript. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550290.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement Basic Writing Skills Wedding Planning Basics is the basic wedding planning source for anyone getting married or just thinking about starting your own Wedding Planning Business. In this course we will start planning a wedding from the time we say 'I Do' until the honeymoon. This is a great course with lots of vital information to help plan that perfect wedding! From sending out the invitations, choosing reputable vendors, and keeping families happy, this course gives you the opportunity to be able to plan a successful and stress free wedding. In this course, you will be able to download wedding files that will assist you while you plan your special day. If you are considering becoming a wedding planner, this course dedicates a special lesson just on what it takes to become a professional wedding planner. If you need help planning a wedding or just want to see if you would like to start a wedding planning business then this course is for you! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/9036.htm Wed, 10 Sep 2003 10:07:55 GMT P. Hansen Career Development As we move into a new era of lending, one in which there will be increased regulations and scrutiny of loan officer activities, it is very critical to have well educated and trained professionals in place capable of knowledgably working with clients and guiding them on their process to secure a loan. Regardless of whether your goal is to work with mortgages/home loans, automobile loans, school/college loans, small business or personal loans, this course will provide you with the tools to help you better understand the overall lending industry and the specific responsibilities undertaken by loan officers from evaluating client's credit histories and financial data to seeking out appropriate lending sources and preparing final loan documentation. Also important for potential loan officer candidates to understand is that the lending environment has a great deal of options with respect to the types of loans available to clients. With varying payment structures, there is a loan type that is custom fit for each and every individual based upon his/her individual earning styles and motivations for paying off the loan with a defined period of time. And, pertaining to the loan officer's earning, there is also a range of incentive structures via which to earn money based upon one's performance as opposed to being relegated to earn a flat fee on an ongoing basis. This is just a sampling of the many options that exist within the wide world of lending. An exciting and worthwhile career, our course has been designed to act as a guide to help you to get a foothold in the industry. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550143.htm Sun, 8 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT J. Borland Career Development Whether you are looking for a part-time job, a summer job, work to help you through college, to supplement your family income, or a possible career, working in the restaurant industry as a waiter or waitress can be your answer. This course will discuss all the necessary information for you to learn what the job is about, how to prepare for it, what you need to know, and whether or not you have the personality to do the job well. Waiting tables is a time-honored tradition that started long ago in England and Europe, and came over to America and continues to this day. At one time, serving others for money used to be viewed as a lower-class line of work. Today there are people who make an excellent living waiting tables, pulling in nearly two thousand dollars a week. Interviews with waiters, waitresses, hiring managers, and restaurant owners provide the information that you need to supply what they are looking for in a good waitress. Whether you wish to work in a family-style restaurant, or you want to work in a fine dining establishment, this course will guide you through the information you need to have in order to make a good decision about your work, and possibly whether or not you can improve your situation by waiting tables. In this course you will learn who you work with and why, what your job is in different restaurant settings, the various serving methods that have their origin in other countries, etc. You will also get some insight into serving alcohol, learning the requirements of your patrons and how best to serve them and their desires. Lastly, the course will reveal the very great need for safety and proper sanitation in order to avoid contaminating food that you will be serving to your customers. Waiting tables will turn you into a student of human nature. By the end of this course you will be prepared to apply at even the highest end restaurant. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550098.htm Thu, 5 Feb 2009 14:22:21 GMT S. Walker Career Development This course is designed to get you up to speed on the basics of business budgeting and cost cutting. You will be introduced to the different aspects of business financial tools and will have an essential primer to current business trends in cost cutting and increasing profits. At the conclusion of this course, you will understand important budgeting concepts, time tested strategies, and be able to see and easily implement savings for your company. These topics will be discussed: Business Budget- We will discuss the different aspects of a business budget and how to implement a discipline for your budget that will be reasonable for your staff. Cash Flow and Related Issues- We will cover the basics of cash flow, short-term cash flow, long-term cash flow, how they affect your PandL statement and profit sheets. Business Savings and Cost Cutting- We will discuss the various areas of savings and cost cutting to explore in your company. We will also discuss employee involvement and motivation and non-traditional areas to examine. Payroll Budgeting- We will cover the basics of payroll budgeting, essentials to keep in mind, and both the trend in handling them and some non-traditional methods. Tax Concerns- We will discuss effective strategies for managing taxes is to establish a budget for your company's taxes. Business Plan- We will cover the importance of creating a business plan, how to create one and how to make it a strong presentation. Business PandL Reports- We will take an overview of your Profit and Loss Reports, what goes where, how to read them and the essentials for a successful business manager to know. Profit Margin Guarantees and Staying in the Black- We will cover basic and popular theories and practices in the business world. Balance Sheets and the Business Cycle- We will cover the importance and uses of the company's Balance Sheet and we will briefly visit the concepts of the Business Cycle. Traps and Mishaps- We will address the dilemma of overcoming our inevitable errors in business and managementCompany Savings- We will focus on savings and how to make the most progress toward savings by utilizing the good will and brain power of your staff. You will have an overview of how to continue to increase your company's savings and how to encourage sales and staff members with rewards without giving away the savings. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550130.htm Mon, 6 Oct 2008 12:19:03 GMT D. Salazar Career Development Managing time effectively is fundamental to success. It also factors into achieving balance in our lives. Today, we're busier than ever--at work and at home. Having enough time for things that are important, things we want or need to do, or even to have enough time to devote to a special project, there just isn't enough time to go around. This course is a practical 'how to' that will guide you through the maze of conflicting priorities, self-doubts, disorganization, over-commitments, and limitations that in the past have kept you from successfully managing time. It offers a step-by-step format for achieving balance between your personal and professional lives. As this course shows, managing time isn't just about making lists. It's about everything that encompasses your daily routine. Discover how beliefs and values factor into success. Find out what part sleep and nutrition play. Learn how including yourself in your 'to do's' helps create time for 'special' projects you've put on the back burner. See how to stop wasting time on annoying situations. Learn to carve out more time for friends and family. If life is in the details, then manage them well. This eleven-session course encompasses a variety of tools that, if used, will help you achieve what we all want--more time for things that matter and a better ability to manage it all. Making the time for this course could just be the key to creating enough time for you. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550056.htm Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Mithaug Career Development With the opportunities to work in the healthcare field, particularly that within the Medical Transcriptionist (MT) arena, foreseen to be on the rise for the next ten years; it makes a great deal of sense to acquire specialized training within the field. Within our Medical Transcription course, we provide a comprehensive look at what the profession entails from translating physicians' dictations to learning a significant amount of medical terminology. Further, we have identified the supplies you will need to embark on a successful career as an MT, as well as, the resources available to help you get a strong foothold on what has all the makings of being a most stimulating and rewarding career. Whether working from home (Medical Transcription has been ranked as one of the top ten growth industries for home-based businesses) or within a hospital or physician's office, the duties of an MT are best suited for those persons who are able to concentrate for long periods of time, excel at using reference materials and have an ear for various dialects and accents. Bear in mind when you decide to become an MT your work will not only be assisting physicians and medical facility administrators but also that of patients who rely upon the accuracy of medical information in order to receive quality care. Thus, while both diversified and scientific in nature, the profession of medical transcriptionist is one of which you could be most proud. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550070.htm Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:54:33 GMT S. Kahre, RN Career Development Do you want to become a Sales Manager or improve your management skills? Then this course is for YOU! Motivating employees is often tiring and time consuming work. As a manager, you provide incentives, set goals, acknowledge top producers, even use consequences or threats. Yet, when that external stimulation is no longer present, people have a tendency to slip back into their old ways: not moving unless someone is there to push. In this course I will present you with the 'basic' principles and practices of sales management. You will see that as a sales manager, you wear many hats; in a way, a sales manager needs to be a 'jack-of-all-trades.' Sales managers are planners, strategists, tacticians, organizers, forecasters, personnel specialists, trainers, communicators, motivators, leaders, data analysts, salespeople, employees, bosses, decision-makers, and often spouses and parents. So take the first step to gain the knowledge needed to: become a better manager and lead a high performance, self-motivated team that takes the initiative without having to constantly push Communicate more powerfully and permanently eliminate communication breakdowns. Use 'pull strategies' rather than 'push strategies' to accelerate team productivity and motivate employees Identify and eliminate unproductive management habits that actually create the problems you are working so diligently to avoid. Develop a greater level of awareness that will enable you to anticipate and prevent problems that slow down productivity, damage good will, cause stress and waste time, money and energy. Dramatically reduce turnover. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/15289.htm Thu, 6 Oct 2005 18:32:04 GMT T. Velasquez Career Development This course describes Good Clinical Practices requirements for the sponsor and the investigator as it relates to receiving, storing, dispensing, and returning or destroying investigational drug products. Additionally, attendees will learn how to do drug accountability, drug reconciliation and maintain the proper records in case of FDA or regulatory agency inspection. Who should attend? This course is designed for all who interact with investigational drug supplies. Specifically, Clinical Monitors (i.e. CRAs), Clinical Research Coordinators, Principal/Clinical Investigators, Sub-Investigators, Auditors, Project Managers and Sponsors. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/33637.htm Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:27:05 GMT S. Wilson Career Development Owning a home business can be one of the most rewarding career moves you will ever make. Not only do you get the freedom of answering only to yourself, but our increasingly Internet-savvy society makes reaching out to worldwide consumers easier than ever. Whether you are tired of a nine-to-five work schedule or you are bursting with ideas for ways to make money, there are countless reasons to consider working from home and being your own boss. However, small businesses are not always successful. Oftentimes, a lack of poor financial planning is at fault. Sometimes it's not having the right permits or licenses. Other times, it's simply that you don't know how to manage your time or where to look for help. These should never be a reason for failure. This course is designed to provide you with everything you need to know to start on your path toward home business success. From determining whether or not you're suited to become a business owner to providing information on the tax implications of hiring employees, this Home Business E-Course is a comprehensive source of tips, tools, and tricks of the trade. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550094.htm Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT C. Addington Career Development Have you ever been involved in a complex project that just did not go the way you wanted? Often failure is pre ordained due to the approach to the project. The concept of project management exists because it helps assure completion of a project successfully. This course covers the basics of project management where you will learn what project management involves and how to approach it successfully. While project management can be a very complicated and dry subject, we have attempted to make the subject easy to comprehend and identify the necessary skills and learned behaviors a project manager needs to succeed. We cover the major subject areas of the topic and provide valuable information and insight in to the how's and why's of dozens of important subjects such as: why a plan is so important to the success of a project. the importance of good teamwork and how to select the right members of a team for a project. what tools are available to help you be a better project manager. and much more. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/33432.htm Fri, 5 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT D. Salazar Career Development If you have a talent for organizing and want to find out how to set up your own Professional Organizing business, then this course is where you need to begin. Not only will answers be provided on what a professional organizer is, potential earnings and possible clientele, and various organizing tips; this course will also provide information about available resources and how to begin the nuts and bolts of writing up your business goals. Provided Marketing strategies and tips will wrap up this informative course and get you ready to begin! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30140.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT C. Glenn Career Development The home inspection field is one that has been rapidly growing since its inception in the mid-1970s. Not only are they an important part of every home buying purchase, but the industry also relies upon people that are knowledgeable in the field. This course covers all aspects of home inspections and is a great educational tool for anyone considering hiring a home inspector, and more importantly, someone looking to become one. Lessons in this course cover everything from the basics of what is included in an inspection, and in-depth information as to what inspectors look for when it to comes to plumbing, electrical, and all other areas of the home, both inside and out. Students taking this course can expect to learn home inspection 101, the basic tools of the trade, the role ethics play in home inspections, and how to conduct an inspection. Students will also learn about red flag issues such as mold, radon, and carbon monoxide, as well as how routine maintenance can extend the life of a home. The course rounds out with everything one needs to know in order to start their home inspection business and keep it successfully running. This course features helpful checklists, examples, links to sites of interest and videos, and an introduction to everything one needs to know about the home inspection field. Whether you are someone interested in knowing more about what it takes to be a home inspector, how it can help you in the home purchasing process, or are ready to start your own home inspection business, this course has you covered! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550108.htm Sun, 4 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT J. Borland Career Development This course is for professional licensed nail technicians to refresh, extend, or master their skills and knowledge in their nail care services. As a valuable resource guide, this course contains information of what defines a 'Master Nail Technician' such as increasing your income, usage of the best products available on the market, how to perform easy- to -use service techniques that many technicians have found hard to master, how to expand your clientele and promote your services and much more. If you have a drive to becoming a 'Master Nail Technician' that clients will flock to because you know how to perform top quality services, in all phases of nail care using the best products and easy-to-use service techniques , then sign up now and receive your 'Master Nail Technician' continuing education. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/31381.htm Thu, 16 Nov 2006 11:23:51 GMT B. Thomas Career Development The purpose of this course is to help you understand what PowerPoint 2007 can do for you, whether you are familiar with PowerPoint 2003 or new to the application altogether. One of the most noticeable changes is the new user interface called the Microsoft Office Fluent which allows for the creation of dynamic, professional presentations in a much shorter period of time than earlier versions of PowerPoint. The Fluent interface has all commands, toolbars and task panes categorized into tabs and related groups. For the purpose of this course, we will call the Fluent user interface the 'ribbon.' In general, the Ribbon tabs are separated into three levels (see corresponding numbers in Figure 0.1): The general type of task (i.e., Home) Categories of sub-tasks (i.e., Slides) Specific commands (i.e., New Slide) Figure 0.2 shows the Insert Tab, which displays PowerPoint 2007's larger, easier to read icons along with an overall view of the application's new look. Among the many new options offered by PowerPoint 2007 are new themes and quick styles, custom slide layouts, Smart Art graphics, more advanced graphic effects for text, pictures, objects, charts, graphs and tables, more effective proofing tools, user-friendly collaboration and permission features, and much more. This course will walk you through PowerPoint 2007, beginning with the basics and lead you through to some of the most advanced features available, offering additional helpful tips and hints along the way. Course Goals After completing this course, students will be able to: Demonstrate understanding of the terminology and elements of presentations Distinguish between the different options available for creating a presentation Utilize the basics of a slide show including goals and effectiveness of a presentation Create and manipulate text and text boxes using available tools and features Employ the use of themes, styles and backgrounds Create, format and make use of charts, graphs and tables Insert, format and edit Smart Art, pictures and clipart Incorporate sound, video and animation into a presentation Create macro enabled presentations Utilize the quick access toolbar and the slide master Troubleshoot error messages and utilize both online and offline help files Package and publish a presentation on the web and in other Office 2007 applications Course Structure This course is broken down into twelve lessons to take you through each of the tools that PowerPoint 2007 offers the user. Each lesson will cover learning goals and each goal is associated with one aspect of PowerPoint 2007. You will be able to confirm your knowledge and understanding through a series of mini quizzes at the end of each Lesson. Answers to the quiz are at the back of this course. We recommend that you practice with PowerPoint 2007 to gain the best understanding of each lesson. Each lesson will also include hyperlinks for you to find further information online along with hot tips. As with all software, not everything runs smoothly all the time in PowerPoint 2007 and in each lesson we will also alert you to common errors or 'pitfalls' to watch out for. Before you begin: If you are a current user of Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 or an earlier version, before you download 2007 we recommend you uninstall these programs. PowerPoint 2007 may not download properly if you are operating a previous version. While this course is aimed at both beginners and advanced users, we take for granted that you already know how to turn your computer on, use your mouse and can understand in basic terms how to operate your computer. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550082.htm Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development Credit governs everyone's lives. It is what allows people to buy a house, get a car, have a credit card and generally live a life they cannot really afford. Sadly, many people get into a debt spiral that soon goes out of control. They have trouble keeping their head above water, and soon they fall under as the weight of debt drags them down. Thankfully, credit can be managed and all it takes is having the ability to change how one lives their life. By implementing the lessons explained in this course, an individual will be able to take their credit and repair it. This is not to say that it will be easy. If anything, it will be very difficult to do. They will be struggling to keep their head above water, but as they persevere, they will be able to slowly fix their credit and get credit relief. The statistics are staggering with how many people suffer from credit problems. Millions, with that number growing because of the economy, are actually using credit to keep their heads above water. This is a losing strategy that only results in them losing nearly everything they have as the water quickly pulls them under and the debt rock shows no signs of letting go. There are many ways that a person can get rid of debt, and they are covered in this course. These include: Understanding Credit Understanding a credit score Understanding how credit is affected Understanding Credit Cards Understanding Foreclosure Understanding Bankruptcy Understanding the Debt to Income Ratio Understanding the Debt Spiral Finding Debt Counseling Finding Debt Consolidation Learning to live within one's means Learning how to budget Knowing how to stay on track Understanding Credit Reports Fixing Credit Errors These must be done right, and cannot be rushed. To get out of debt and realize credit relief, one has to work hard to do so. This course will explain how to repair credit using the tips that have helped millions of other people raise their credit score hundreds of points through know-how and determination. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550109.htm Sun, 4 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT J. Borland Career Development This all in one training course will provide comprehensive instruction on three popular MS Office programs: MS Word 2003, MS Excel 2003, PowerPoint 2003. MS Word 2003 T his course teaches you all the basics of MS Word, from doing simply functions like typing in the text area to formatting text, to give the beginner all the instruction needed to be proficient. To make it even easier, screenshots are provided to help you navigate and see first-hand the many features of MS Word 2003. However, this course doesn't stop there. After explaining and reviewing the basics of MS Word 2003, it goes more in-depth and covers advanced tools and techniques . Learn how to: Navigate MS Word 2003 Format text Do simply editing tasks Proofread using MS Word 2003 Create charts, diagrams, and tables Create mailing lists Add security to documents And much more! If you're an experienced Word user, you will vastly improve your skills by learning new shortcuts and features in MS Word 2003. And if you're an amateur, don't worry about a thing! You're just 11 lessons away from being able to use MS Word 2003 like a pro! MS Excel 2003 This section is designed to teach you the features of MS Excel 2003 to have you using it like a pro. This course is designed to walk you through MS Excel 2003, showing you how to use this popular spreadsheet program to do anything from making a list to calculating complex equations in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. We promise you that even if you've never used a spreadsheet program before, you'll come away with this course with advanced knowledge and comprehension of MS Excel 2003. Topics include: andmiddot; Introduction to MS Excel 2003 andmiddot; Worksheets and Workbooks in MS Excel 2003 andmiddot; Entering Information into MS Excel 2003 andmiddot; Formatting a Worksheet in MS Excel 2003 andmiddot; Adding Elements to a Workbook in MS Excel 2003 andmiddot; Charts and Diagram in MS Excel 2003 andmiddot; Formulas and Calculations in MS Excel 2003 andmiddot; Managing Data in MS Excel 2003 andmiddot; Lists in MS Excel 2003 andmiddot; Security and Protection in MS Excel 2003 andmiddot; Sharing Worksheets and Workbooks in MS Excel 2003 PowerPoint 2003 By the time you're finished with this section of this course, you'll be able to put together advanced slide shows as well as create and deliver board room-style presentations with ease. You'll also feel so comfortable with PowerPoint that you won't be able to believe you didn't use it more before! MS PowerPoint 2003 can be used in much the same way as video creation software, but without all the headaches and complications! This course is designed to teach you all the fundamentals that you need to know, as well as advanced tips to give you a head start with the software. You'll learn: The MS PowerPoint 2003 interface How to create presentations How to add special effects How to insert movies and pictures into your presentations How to create and run slide shows The various features of PowerPoint 2003 that make your presentation a professional masterpiece. No matter if you're being asked to take this course for work or doing it on your own to stay up-to-date, you'll find this course will make using these popular software programs easier than you could have ever imagined. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550160.htm Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development Qualified restaurant managers are always in demand. They earn salaries far above the national average ($45K-$60K and higher), receive generous benefit packages and bonuses, rapid promotions and opportunities for travel. But that's really just the 'icing on the cake'. Restaurant managers learn, apply and continually improve myriad business skills adaptable to scores of other industries. Sales, marketing, human resources, customer service, shipping and receiving, maintenance, food and beverage preparation and accounting are all in a day's work...you'll truly 'have a finger in every pie'. In addition, you'll meet, interact with and satisfy every conceivable restaurant guest, and have the opportunity to be a true leader, a role model and a positive force in the lives of hundreds of your associates. And let's not forget those autographed photos of you with Jack Nicholson or Tiger Woods, thanking you for one of their best nights on the town in a long time. Ready to Dig In? http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550157.htm Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT J. Borland Career Development The field of law for a secretary is one of the best positions to have in the world of office work. A good legal secretary will, quite frankly, never be out of work. It is a high paying job with many rewards and benefits. Salary ranges for legal secretaries can enter the three digit range in some parts of the world, particularly New York City . This course is designed both for those who are already in the field and want to hone their skills in order to demand a higher income and for those who wish to enter the field but are not sure where to start or what aspects of secretarial work are important to be hired by a good firm. While a legal secretary's job can often be quite demanding, it is rarely boring or uninteresting. You will always be busy and things often must move rather quickly at the spur of the moment. You can expect to work occasional weekends and evenings, but don't let that daunt you, as law offices are often generous with holiday time off (when courts are closed) and short work days when things are quiet. There are numerous areas of law that those in the profession may focus on whether it be litigation, divorce, real estate or criminal law. This course will cover each prevalent area so that you might get a better idea of which is best for you to pursue. It will also tell you about what skills are vital for winning that prized position you are after, or making yourself more valuable to the attorney or firm you are currently working for. For those who lack experience, the trick is often getting your 'foot in the door,' this course will show you how. For those who have experience, it is often difficult to become 'unstuck' and earn what you feel you deserve, this course will sharpen your skills so that you may either request a raise or be prepared to move on to another firm or sole practitioner who pays more. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550015.htm Fri, 5 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT S. Patel Career Development Starting and operating a business is a minefield of rules and regulations. The regulations set in the moment you decide to start your own business. You need to get licenses and permits from the authorities. There are restrictions on the type of business you can operate in a neighborhood. Tax and employee regulations are perhaps the most strictly enforced regulations. Non-compliance can even lead to cancellation of the business license and at times, imprisonment. This course will guide you on the main requirements of the regulations so that a business can develop a strategy for compliance. This course will also provide guides on how to protect the intellectual property of the business , the types of insurance a business must generally have in place, and sources of funding. Every business has its own assets. You must know how to protect the assets of your business, such as: registering the intellectual property right of the business with the appropriate authorities; insuring the business against losses; growing your business with funding. Find out what you need to know so that you can focus on making your business successful. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550083.htm Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:25:11 GMT C. Addington Career Development MS PowerPoint 2003 is probably one of the most convenient software applications in the Office suite because it allows you to do so much and#8211; easily. Whether you want to create professional presentations for the office or just brush up on your skills, you'll find MS PowerPoint 2003 not only useful, but fun to learn. By the time you're finished with this course, you'll be able to put together advanced slide shows as well as create and deliver board room-style presentations with ease. You'll also feel so comfortable with PowerPoint that you won't be able to believe you didn't use it more before! MS PowerPoint 2003 can be used in much the same way as video creation software, but without all the headaches and complications! This course is designed to teach you all the fundamentals that you need to know, as well as advanced tips to give you a head start with the software. You'll learn: The MS PowerPoint 2003 interface How to create presentations How to add special effects How to insert movies and pictures into your presentations How to create and run slide shows The various features of PowerPoint 2003 that make your presentation a professional masterpiece. In addition to teaching you everything you need to know to easily use MS PowerPoint 2003, this course will also give you: Public speaking tips Tips to make your presentation more interesting and effective And rehearsal tips No matter if you're being asked to take this course for work or doing it on your own to stay up-to-date, you'll find this course will make using MS PowerPoint 2003 easier than you could have ever imagined. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550145.htm Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development Want to become a massage therapist? According to US Department of Labor, massage therapy job opportunities are poised to grow at double the rate of other jobs. This practice-based course will teach you everything about the massage therapy and how to perform those massage techniques. Students will learn the history of massage therapy, methods and types of massages, practice-oriented massage techniques, ethics of massage therapy, how to set up massage business, massage marketing tips, etc. This course is divided into the following 16 comprehensive lessons: History of Massage Therapy: An Introduction Basics of Human Anatomy and Physiology Types of Massage Methods of Massage I, II, III, and IV Massage as Alternative Treatment I and II Massage Therapy for Women Massage for Babies Eco-Friendly Massage Practices Ethics and Good Practices in Massage Setting up of Massage Therapy Business Frequently Asked Questions and Resources Glossary Terms This course offers a learning platform for massage therapy students and practitioners to develop and enhance skills in applying massage techniques, such as Hot Stone Massage, Foot Massage, Back Massage, Relaxing Hands and Arms Massage, and Fur massage to name a few. If you are interested in learning the massage therapy or upgrading your massage skills, this course will exceed your expectation by making you an expert in massage therapy. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/33895.htm Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:43:49 GMT B. Wills Career Development Sexual harassment is a hot topic in today's world--both in the corporate arena and in the personal arena. In this online class we will explore the concept of sexual harassment and look at solutions. Most of the ideas here will be directed toward the corporate arena, however many of the definitions and concepts apply equally to both arenas. Be aware that many aspects of the rules and concepts governing sexual harassment are part of law. That means they must be respected and followed, but it also means that they are changing--constantly. Any sub-topic within the legal field is part of a living code, that means the code has been set out but is always being refined, talked about, tested, renewed, and sometimes discarded. Fifty years ago, online sexual harassment wasn't an issue; today it is. So be aware that this course is not going to replace solid legal council in the area of sexual harassment. Instead, this course will be a guideline to help you understand and end sexual harassment in the workplace. To that end, we'll provide practical advice, suggestions, and ideas on how to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, and moreover, we'll go into the necessary procedures/guidelines your personnel/HR department should have in place (and posted) in case there is an instance of sexual harassment. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550240.htm Sat, 4 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT M. Money Career Development Microsoft Excel 2007 is Microsoft's latest version of its very popular business productivity application for the management and manipulation of data. Microsoft Excel is often packaged as part of Microsoft Office that includes other applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Outlook. Other desktop applications such as Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Tools have also been added in recent releases of Office. Since its launch in 1985, Microsoft has released 24 Excel application versions for Windows, Macintosh, and OS/2 based computer systems. Each successive release incorporated new functions and features that allowed the user to customize how data was displayed, and to do more and better data management. However, Excel 2007 is by far the most powerful and versatile of them all ! In addition to a whole new look and feel, Excel 2007 has modified its underlying technical foundation that enables businesses to expand the uses, integration and reach of Excel. Microsoft has also has continued to improve security, plug security gaps, and address functional issues. All this has helped to make Excel a very stable and reliable business application. Many new features await the Excel 2007 user. Below are just a few highlights: Horizontal 'ribbons' that display commands left-to-right instead of the traditional vertical water-flow look. More rows and columns to help manage your really massive spreadsheets! Memory management increased from 1GB to 2GB's which allows for faster computations and increased performance . New options for applying themes and styles which enhance the look of your spreadsheets and graphics. And, Excel now supports up to 16 million colors ! Easier creation and use of formulas . New Pivot Table User Interface to help the user more effectively use pivot tables. With the right training and understanding of Excel 2007, businesses and individual users can unlock the world of opportunities that this powerful business application offers. This Excel 2007 Online Training Course does just that and more! It assumes users have no prior experience with Excel or other spreadsheet programs. We start with the basics, and move up from there. So join us today, and lets learn the fundamentals of Excel 2007! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550072.htm Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development There has been a sharp increase in vacation destinations over the past 50 years. With that increase, the concept of timeshares has blossomed. Owning a timeshare allows travelers to occupy accommodations for a period of time each year. This long-term strategy has become a travel industry standard and has provided vacationers with an option to hotel stays. This 11-lesson course takes you from the history of the vacation timeshare industry through the process of buying and selling a timeshare. We begin by briefly examining where and how the concept developed. Then we'll discuss properties and characteristics of timeshare ownership. Lesson II provides guidance about where to find timeshares and preparing for a purchase. Next, we go through the process of buying a package. Lessons IV, V and VI cover legal rights and responsibilities, the various types of ownership, and financial considerations. We move on to industry organizations you should know about. In Lesson VIII, you will learn about the scheduling aspects of timeshare ownership. We cover a variation of ownership called fractionals in Lesson IX. Lesson X deals with exchanging and renting a timeshare unit. The series concludes with Lesson XI discussing important information about selling a timeshare. We include a glossary of common industry terms for reference. This course will give you a broad understanding of timeshare ownership, but does not contain every detail pertaining to this subject. Once you complete the course, we encourage you to discover as much as you can about this appealing concept of 'owning your vacation.' http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550049.htm Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development Stress is one of the most common words used in society today and a phenomenon that each one of us will experience at some point in our life. Stress affects people of all ages, professions and life situations. While we have an innate understanding of stress and what it feels like to be stressed, defining stress can be tricky because we all react to it in different ways. However, stress can be defined as a physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension caused by our exposure to different incidence or occurrences in our lives. When we respond positively to these incidence or occurrences we do not feel stress. However, the minute we are faced with an incidence or occurrences that we feel we cannot handle, we may feel our stress mounting. Stress is subjective to each individual; what can be considered a stressful event by one person may be less stressful to another. Therefore, stress is not caused by the event itself, but how an individual interprets the situation and deals with it. When an individual cannot cope with the demands placed on them and begins to feel negatively, this is considered a stress response. Even though stress has become part of our everyday life; excessive stress can affect a person's health and emotional stability. It can also affect our overall quality of life by reducing productivity, creating, or exacerbat ing , existing health problems, and contributing to premature aging. So what do we do about stress in our lives? How do we deal with it? Prevent it? This course comes in. Working through the lessons in this course will help you understand the origins of your stress and provide you with a practical approach for reducing stress in your life and thus, improving your health and emotional well being. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550250.htm Sat, 4 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT M. Money Career Development Hotel Management will provide a realistic look at every major portion of the hotel business which will help anyone planning or currently pursuing one of the many different career opportunities available in this burgeoning and dynamic industry. A great hotel manager leads by example. Like any business intent on survival and success, the hospitality industry requires insight into the financial aspect of every facet and every detail. Hotel Management is a course for those who wish to enjoy both personal and professional success in the hospitality industry; and need to have a more than casual understanding of the business and financial operations of the industry. Hotels and motels are not only places where a guest can obtain tasty food and comfortable lodging, they are an integral part of community life, with facilities for meetings, entertainment, and personal services. The career choices for a person seeking a job in the hospitality industry are vast: guest service manager, head chef, front office clerk, security officer, banquet manager, bookkeeper, concierge and many more opportunities that can be personally satisfying and financially rewarding. Renewed business travel, and domestic and foreign tourism will boost employment growth of lodging managers in full-service hotels. Additional demands for managers are expected in suite hotels. Business customers are willing to pay more for rooms with kitchens and suites that are spacious enough to conduct small meetings in. Other trainee and managerial opportunities will be available in large full-service hotels offering restaurants, fitness centers, ample meeting rooms and play areas for children, among other amenities. The hospitality industry offers today's young men and women an interesting and exciting career. Management of a hotel or restaurant calls for a wide range of capabilities. For those wishing a rewarding and challenging life of service to others, a future in the hospitality field should be seriously considered. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/33024.htm Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:34:16 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development Whether you've used MS Excel before and just want to learn more about Excel or are completely new to the program, this course is designed to teach you the features of MS Excel to have you using it like a pro. It's a fact that a lot of people just like you shy away from learning MS Excel because it seems so complicated. Those who do eventually use it only know certain aspects of the program and are not aware of all it can do. But there's good news for you! MS Excel is even easier to use that past versions with more toolbars and commands to simplify even the hardest of tasks. This course is designed to walk you through MS Excel, showing you how to use this popular spreadsheet program to do anything from making a list to calculating complex equations in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. We promise you that even if you've never used a spreadsheet program before, you'll come away with this course with advanced knowledge and comprehension of MS Excel. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550100.htm Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development Today, knowing how to type fast is almost a necessity in the business world. More and more corporate-world employees are being asked to create reports, sales letters, business plans, blogs, web content, forecasts and more. Knowing how to type can save you hours of valuable work time, increasing your productivity. This course, Typing and Keyboarding for Business Professionals, is entirely self-teaching. Each lesson is short, simple and easy to master, with easy-to-understand text and custom-designed typing drills. Here are some features you will like about this course: 1. Cumulative Reviews: At the end of each lesson, you will be quizzed on the most important points to remember. This will help to reinforce your understanding of those keys before you go on to the new ones. 2. Accuracy and Speed-Building practice: Learning how to type faster means nothing without the accuracy that goes along with it. Weand#8217;ve created special practice drills that will help you master both. 3. Learn Business Correspondence Formats: This course helps you learn and understand the correct format and etiquette for the most common letters, documents and notes used when communicating in the business world. 4. Speed and Accuracy Tests: Weand#8217;ve provided tests that allow you to see how your words per minute (wpm) rate and your accuracy have improved over the course of the class. 5. Online Typing Aids: To help you continue to practice, weand#8217;ve provided links to several websites offering free typing games and tests. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550009.htm Wed, 6 Feb 2008 13:02:46 GMT S. Patel Writing Improvement Career Development Event planning is one of the hottest new fields available to people from all walks of life today. Although some event planners may possess a college degree in business or a related field of study, a college degree is not required to be an event planner, nor is a certificate or any other formal training--although any training and/or education you can receive would certainly be very beneficial and give you an edge over others just starting out. Those who are brand new to the field of event planning can earn excellent money in this career path, and the benefits and salary only increase with the event planner's contacts, networking and skill level. Those at the top of their game can earn in excess of millions per year. Event planning is an exciting, lucrative and interesting career choice; however, it is not for everyone. Those who have a lot of energy, are comfortable with self-promotion, enjoy talking to and socializing with strangers, who are well organized, can handle multi-tasking and have an eye for detail will enjoy this career. If you are laid back, shy and prefer to be 'behind the scenes,' you may want to choose another profession. This course will give you a great basic understanding of event planning. It will also explain some of the details of how the business works and what an event planner does exactly. Lastly, it will give you the basics to help get you started in this exciting, rewarding and often fun filled career. There are ten comprehensive lessons written in an easy to follow, informative manner. The end of each lesson will provide you with multiple summary review questions so that you may effectively test your new found knowledge. We encourage you to use these self-test questions to determine whether you are ready to move on to the next lesson or if you should review portions of the preceding lesson before taking the next step. Don't rush yourself. Take the time to read all portions of the lessons and complete the exercises and self-tests. Making full use of this course, in its entirety, is the first step in getting more of what you want in life and business. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550035.htm Tue, 8 Apr 2008 17:49:50 GMT T. Long Career Development Did you realize that you are most probably an experienced grant writer already? 'NO' , you say, 'I've never written a grant in my life before' -- but you have. Most people out there have asked somebody, at some time, for something in writing (one way or another), so you have most likely followed some of the basic principles and procedures of putting a good case forward for something you want (and not necessarily for money). And basically that is what a grant proposal is all about. Okay, there's a little more to it than that--but the techniques you consciously (or unconsciously) learned when putting together those requests, when submitting them and SUCCEEDING, are a fabulous place to begin. BUT obviously you need to polish up that gem by building on the basics, learning the techniques, and following the requirements and conditions for writing successful grant proposals. And there is no better place to start than with this course. It doesn't supply all the answers, no one source does, but it's approach to the subject of grant writing is clear, straightforward, and easy to understand. It doesn't matter whether you are looking at grant writing just as a means of helping your child's school, or looking at it as a part or full-time career. You can and will be successful if you set your mind to it and invest a little of your time in carefully going through this course, researching sites suggested in it, and building from there. Join us today, and let's learn how to write a successful grant proposal! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550155.htm Thu, 5 Feb 2009 14:23:09 GMT D. Mithaug Career Development Have you ever wondered why some people can convince you to do anything? It comes down to persuasion techniques. Aristotle said that persuasion is amoral only good people should be trained in communication. This course is designed to teach the everyday individual how to become a more competent communicator and techniques of how to persuade. This course is for the individual who needs some help in the art of persuasion; this course is not designed to teach you everything there is to know about persuasion and communication, but is an excellent start to persuasion. There are no special requirements for the course and it would be an excellent edition to any continuing education program. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30608.htm Mon, 7 Aug 2006 19:29:15 GMT A. Kinder Career Development Anyone interested in beginning a profession as a travel agent should first determine the type of skills, training and certification necessary to provide travel services for clients--whether you work at an established travel agency, as an independent contractor, or as a home-based travel agent. This course offers both the history and future prospects of the travel industry as well as discusses different types of travel enjoyed by individuals, including domestic and international travel and travel by land, air, and sea. Popular travel services will also be explored, including escorted and self-directed tours and cruises. We'll also talk about travel technology that helps not only travel agents but also clients to get the most for their money regardless of their chosen type of travel. This travel agent course also introduces students to the office and business needs of a home-based travel agent. It will show you how to make use of computer reservations systems, and how to bank your business, develop small business know-how and will provide tips and strategies that will enhance the success of your new business while at the same time offering clients well-planned vacations. Students of this course will also learn the basics about passports and visas and various regulations and restrictions determined by embassies around the world--offering customers and clients up-to-date travel warnings and alerts that ensure ultimate safety and security. Additionally, students completing this course will understand how a travel agent is able to match travel and personalities to a multitude of travel options and opportunities that take into consideration budgets, needs, and desires of the traveler. Avoiding problems or conflicts with clients and helping clients deal with unforeseeable situations are also covered, as is the importance of consistently researching new technologies in the travel industry that will help build and enhance your career as a successful travel agent. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550206.htm Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT D. Kapoor Career Development Dealing with a difficult or toxic personality can be damaging both emotionally and physically, particularly if the person is your boss or sitting in the cubicle right next to you. Confronting those who compromise your comfort and job security can be very difficult for many people, but standing up for yourself is essential in the workplace. If you can't stop thinking about a problem with someone at work- be it a bullying boss, a subversive coworker, or a sexist client- it's important to know that you can take control of the situation. This class will allow students to explore what feeds these kinds of behaviors, ways to address these situations, and when to call for outside assistance. In 11 easy to follow lessons, students will learn to identify various types of difficult personalities and address conflict before it begins to chip away at their well-being and job satisfaction. Course material includes: An overview of your rights in the workplace Simple tips for reducing stress on the job Establishing boundaries Effective collaboration Conflict resolution Interpreting body language Coping with aggressive behavior Dealing with critics and power freaks Working with slackers and energy vampires Avoiding the gossip mill Gender differences in the workplace What to do when prejudice rears its ugly head Standing up to a bullying boss http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550249.htm Sat, 4 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT M. Money Career Development Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that is designed to help you improve your life personally and professionally. The Chinese believe that your environment has a large effect on you mentally and your physical well-being. When you are unbalanced in your life, you open yourself up to negative emotions and illness. However, when you are balanced in your life, you open yourself up to greater wealth and health. Much of what is utilized in feng shui is interior decorating designed to align your home or office with the various elements of the universe and create harmony in your life based upon your specific personal requirements. Throughout this course, you will learn how to use feng shui in your personal life step by step. Each lesson will guide you through the next step in the process of feng shui. From determining whether you are yin or yang, what type of occupation you have, to the type of personality you have based upon your birth stars, you will learn how all of these elements combine and how to harmonize them in your home. Additionally, you will be able to assess other members of your family living in your home and harmonize your birth stars and element with the others in your home. This harmony is created by learning how to determine which elements in your home work for you or against you, as well as the various colors and types of surfaces that should be used within your home. Finally, you will learn how to cleanse your home of not only clutter, but also ill spirits and memories that may be inhibiting you. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550111.htm Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:27:46 GMT S. Walker Career Development We all want that dream job..so what is keeping you? In this course I will show you how to get the job you want. You will learn how to research the job market, create a winning resume, learn interviewing skills and techniques; and find how to know if the job is for you. In today's job market many people are unhappy because they are not in a position in which their personality type fits with their job duties. This class will test your job personality and show you which jobs are right for you. Life is too short to be unhappy or not able to find work so l et's go get that job you want! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/11117.htm Wed, 17 Mar 2004 21:45:09 GMT P. Hansen Career Development Whether you are seeking to raise funds for your non-profit group, a worthy charity, political or religious organization, your local school or to provide community specific aid, this detailed course will provide you with everything you need to know about the basics of fundraising. Although Fundraising 101 is geared towards the novice, even those with past fundraising experience will find useful ideas and the latest information. Fundraising is a fulfilling and worthwhile endeavor, it can also be overwhelming and confusing if you are not sure where to start or how to stay on track. With the magnitude of charities out there soliciting funds from givers it also becomes a difficult task to make your own group stand out from the others. Convincing potential contributors to rally to your cause requires the efforts of several dedicated individuals and substantial organization long before you ever ask that defining question--'Would you please help with your donation?' Making full use of this course in its entirety is the first step in turning the dreaded response ' I gave at the office,' into the much desired 'Sure, I can donate!' http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/32862.htm Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT D. Mithaug Career Development Introduction to Fundamentals of Business Management The world of business management offers an array of career opportunities unparalleled among income earning possibilities. Industries from mining to waste disposal have management-level positions in many companies. Business management requires a combination of skills and knowledge, coupled with good judgment and leadership qualities. There are several fundamental aspects of operating a business and#8211; whether you run your own small business or hold a management position in a national corporation and#8211; that a manager should be aware of. Our course takes you through some of the various requirements you may encounter while managing a business. We begin by examining the various disciplines and levels in business management and give you hints on how to get a management job in your company. In lesson 2 we cover areas of financial management such as types of capital, debt and equity financing alternatives, a business plan and a budget. Lesson 3 deals with legal and regulatory compliance issues. Human resources and personnel issues are discussed in Lesson 4. Sales management fundamentals and#8211; the sales cycle, customer relationships and pricing and#8211; make up lesson 5. We examine the marketing functions (lesson 6) right after sales functions because the two disciplines work hand-in-hand to drive business. Lesson 7 covers some key accounting principles and practices. Inventory control techniques make up Lesson 8, focusing on the role of inventory control, the processes involved and control mechanisms used. Lesson 9 'Taxes and Your Business Organization' delves into types of organization and some key business tax requirements. Order fulfillment follows the purchase from sales inquiry to delivery in Lesson 10, and explains how fulfillment is important to customer relationships. We finish with lesson 11 explaining the importance and function of information technology. Once completed, you will have a basic understanding of how to manage a business. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550114.htm Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Salazar Career Development Bartending and bartending skills are always in demand. If you're planning on hosting a cocktail party at your home, or thinking of starting a new career, or just want to learn how to make a certain drink, Bartending 101 is a must for all do-it-yourself bartenders . This self-paced online course can help you be an impressive bartender by showing you everything you need to know about tending a bar; such as the difference between Highball and Lowball drinks; how to shake, stir, strain and pour; the most effective remedy for hangovers; how to set up a bar; plus recipes and useful tips. Take the mystery out of mixology and learn to put together a perfect martini or create the coolest cosmopolitan. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30004.htm Sat, 15 Apr 2006 12:09:36 GMT L. Z. Career Development Wellness coaching is a relatively new field, intriguing anyone who desires to get all areas of their life into balance. This Wellness Coaching course is a general survey course designed to give you a well-rounded introduction to this exciting discipline. This self-paced class is designed to appeal to both potential clients of wellness coaching, as well as anyone interested in pursuing this career opportunity. Explore the main concentrations of wellness coaching--physical wellness, mind wellness, spiritual wellness, and financial wellness. While it's not necessary for every person to work on all of these areas, it is a wonderful and comprehensive profession for anyone with a wide variety of interests and the desire to be in charge of their own career. Wellness coaches can set their own schedule, pay rates, choose their clientele, work from nearly any location, and enjoy unlimited creativity and flexibility in their coaching approach. For potential wellness coaching clients, it's important to know what wellness coaching can and cannot offer. This course can also teach you enough basics that you may be able to apply the lessons to yourself and get the help you need without further expense or consultation. Wellness coaching can help you identify and set realistic, measurable goals, remember and act on the joys and positive memories of childhood through exploration of the five senses, and unlock the creative energy that lies in each of us. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550138.htm Sun, 25 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT K. Choy Career Development The basic facts and reasons of finance: What it is supposed to do. What general ideas does it propose. What you are supposed to do! Using the Web as your research tool in finances. From budgeting to financial planning and using financial calculators. Buy or lease, save or put on credit are questions that will be covered. What are loans, stock, mutual funds? This class is just the beginning of your knowledge! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/11267.htm Tue, 20 Apr 2004 17:25:15 GMT R. Newton Career Development Preparing for your job interview could very well be one of the most important moments of your career. Landing the perfect job can be a challenge, but with the determination and passion you will need to begin a successful career, you can easily overcome this challenge, and bring a lot of valuable experience with you to the next interview if you don't get the job. Just a little preparation and thought ahead of time can have wondrous effects on your interviewing skills. This course will go over the issues and provide an in-depth analysis of the interviewing process. With some independent practice, this course can help you prepare successfully for any job interview! Topics will include: Common Interview Questions What Employers Want Attitude and Effort Body Language Research The Mock Interview Phone Interviews Behavioral Interviews Closing the Interview Thank You Notes http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550092.htm Mon, 5 Jan 2009 13:42:09 GMT S. Patel Career Development Good customer service is not about satisfying the cu stomer, it is about 'wowing' the customer! It's about making the customer walk in, do business, and walk out again absolutely stunned that their transaction was so enjoyable. Customer service is a crucial buzzword in the corporate world today. Just about every company seems to understand just how important customer service is and many have started to find ways to improve and measure customer service. In this course we are going to look at what customer service is and isn't and identify how you can understand and provide good customer service. Many businesses want to achieve 'good customer service'. Right now that's the brass ring of business training and vision-casting and many companies are analyzing their current mission and realigning it to be increasingly customer-focused. Do you give return business to a company that provides poor customer service support? Probably not! You and everyone else want better customer service, and it's one of the driving forces of why consumers shop at one place and not another. This course will show you and your employees how to give not just 'good' or 'average' service but great customer service. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/31686.htm Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:12:53 GMT D. Salazar Career Development 'It's surprising how much of a memory is built around things unnoticed at the time.' - Barbara Kingsolver, novelist Memory is one of the most basic and important functions of the human brain. In fact, without memory we can't learn. Most people think of memory as how we recall past events, but it is also the building blocks for almost everything we do in the present and future. Our memories provide us with a sense of our own personality and give us the information we need to function properly in the everyday world. Communication, problem solving and relationships all rely to some extent on memories that we use to inform us as we take action. Of course, our brains can't remember everything. Brains simply don't have the capacity; if they tried to remember everything we experienced, there wouldn't be room for anything else. Involuntary muscle function, thought processes, the senses and numerous other activities would be crowded out. There are dozens of variables that affect how much we remember, how long we retain it and whether we can recall it. Fortunately, we can learn ways to improve how much we remember and enhance how long we remember it. This course will explain how memory works, and will also cover these topics: - Strategies to improve Memory - Peg Memory Systems - The Loci Method - Memorizing Numbers - Mnemonics - SCAD: Learning to Become an 'Expert Witness' - Faces and Names - Powerful Public Speaking - Everyday Memory Aids The class is self-paced and you can take it when it fits your schedule. So why not join and learn how to maintain a healthy memory and learn some memory improvement strategies! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550096.htm Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Mithaug Career Development The idea of running one's own business is the dream of hundreds of thousands of Americans. The reasons for opening your own business are myriad; to be your own boss, to set your own hours, to do what you want to do, to provide a product or service where you perceive a need, to follow your passion. Any one of these reasons are good ones for opening your own business. There are really only a few real reasons for not just jumping into the process and opening your doors to new customers and your heart to an entirely new and wonderful way of life. The biggest reason is fear; fear based on lack of information. When you do not know how to do something, there is underlying fear that it will likely be done wrong. In order to tackle your fear, you need knowledge and that is what this course on Retail Business will give you. By going through Retail Business you will discover whether or not you have the true entrepreneurial spirit to leave the corporate world and all that goes with it, and enter into your new world of Business Owner. The beauty of being a business owner is that you will never be bored, you will spend time doing the things that you love, and perhaps even with the people you love if you decide to join forces. This course will take you through the lists of things that you need to do or consider before you open your doors. Once you have completed the course, you will have enough information to decide whether or not business ownership is for you. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550124.htm Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:07:23 GMT J. Borland Career Development Do you find yourself intimidated by computer jargon? Would you like to have a clearer understanding (in non-jargon language) of how your computer works? Computer Basics 101 will both demonstrate and explain how your computer works in an easy-to-follow, self-paced format. This class is designed for the first time computer user, but it's also intended for those whose familiarity with computers is limited and who want a better understanding of the basics. It's also geared towards anyone who has not grown up with a personal computer and now needs to acquire the same assuredness of the younger 'internet-surfing' generation. When you complete this course, you will be able to navigate your computer system, be familiar with some of the most popular software, know how and where to find difficult information quickly, and navigate the internet with the utmost confidence. Whether you're a novice or simply someone facing a daunting basic computer skill challenge, this course will give you a greater understanding and confidence in your technical skills--whether on your home or office computer. So why not join today and let's take the stress out of using your computer! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550038.htm Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:18:49 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development Diversity training is not a new concept, but one that many organizations have been implementing into their training programs. The idea is that when employees are exposed to a variety of different cultures, individuals with different sexual preferences and people with various personalities, conflict may occur. Diversity training is designed to assist people in dealing with these various situations so that civil rights violations do not occur. Diversity training has been utilized in the workplace for quite some time, but often under different names such as: Race Relations Training Cross-Cultural Training Multicultural Education Diversity extends far beyond race relations in the workplace. It is not only the acceptance of people of color that upper management and CEOs are worried about, it's the acceptance of women, homosexuals and even aging individuals in the workplace. Although there are often several complaints that exist due to the diversification in employees who are hired, such as older employees don't feel as though things work as smoothly as they used to; white males complain about being overlooked for promotions; work isn't as much fun with all of the sexual harassment laws and the many other complaints that people can come up with when presented with a diverse workplace. However, diversification ensures that with properly managed employees and managers in leadership positions, the business can do nothing but grow when they expand the personalities, the racial backgrounds and the genders in the workplace. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550245.htm Sat, 4 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT M. Money Career Development If you're interested in pursuing a career in crime scene investigation, this course will introduce you to the basics of practical crime scene investigation procedures and techniques. Covering the history of forensic investigation from the ancient Chinese culture to the phenomena known today as the 'CSI-Effect' on the general population, this course explains the methods and protocol involved in the crime scene investigator's two prime directives: protect and preserve the evidence. This course covers such topics as how to initially approach a crime scene; the importance of following proper procedure and protocol in searching, collecting, and packaging crime scene evidence; how to insure the integrity and chain of evidence rules that will be acceptable in a court of law; how to identify and collect various forms of evidence ranging from biological fluids to weapons and firearms; and how to document a crime scene as well as explain different techniques for handling evidence. This crime scene investigation course also offers techniques for interviewing witnesses and family members as well as understanding such terms as victimology and equivocal crime scenes. We'll also study the basics of blood spatter interpretation, wound anatomy, and how to observe a crime scene properly. From initial arrival at a crime scene to testifying in court, this online class offers students the basics of one of the most fascinating jobs within the field of law enforcement. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550011.htm Sat, 2 Feb 2008 12:43:00 GMT M. Coburn Career Development Business ethics is an important part of any industry. Students or managers, unfamiliar with many ethical challenges, behaviors, or regulations will find themselves struggling in business industries that include finance, accounting or human resource management, marketing and retail. Today's managers must necessarily concern themselves with ethical issues, because unethical behavior creates legal risks and damage to businesses as well as employees and consumers. Business ethics have become an integral part of business education in general. A student or manager who is well-versed in ethical behavior in practices, not only in the domestic market but internationally, will find him or herself better prepared to deal with issues or situations that may arise that don't always involve easy answers or decisions. Each one of us, from the individual consumer to the CEO of an international corporation, is affected in some way by business ethics during the course of his or her life. Therefore, everyone has a stake in the ramifications resulting from unethical business decisions. This business ethics course offers an introduction into the concept of values, morality, as well as cultural beliefs and upbringing in all areas of business, from consumer rights to corporate social responsibility. Decisions made by shift managers or corporate presidents may affect thousands of individuals or entire communities. Consumers today expect and demand integrity, honesty, and transparency in all levels of their environment. Understanding those expectations is the key to communicating core values and behavior not only to employees, but society in general. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550088.htm Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:32:09 GMT D. Salazar Career Development In order to be effective at any business endeavor learning how to negotiate properly is not simply a 'nice skill to have,' it has become an essential requirement in career advancement. This course will teach you what you need to know in order to become accomplished at finding that perfect 'middle-ground' in any deal. For those who relish the idea of engaging in what some call the 'dance' of compromise, you will also profit from the beneficial information contained within this course. Lastly, those who tend to overshoot their mark will learn how to be more restrained in their negotiations. There are ten comprehensive lessons written in an easy to follow, informative manner. The end of each lesson will provide you with multiple summary review questions so that you may effectively test your new found knowledge. We encourage you to use these self-test questions to determine whether you are ready to move on to the next lesson or if you should review portions of the preceding lesson before taking the next step. Don't rush yourself. Take the time to read all portions of the lessons and complete the exercises and self-tests. Making full use of this course, in its entirety, is the first step in getting more of what you want in life and business. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550241.htm Sat, 4 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT M. Money Career Development Are you interested in a cosmetology career? Are you confused by all the different claims and advertising language of cosmetology schools? This self-paced online course can help! It's packed with information on the hottest careers for beauty professionals, including what to expect from each, and how to select a career path. Cosmetology Careers has been specifically designed to give you an overview of all the factors needed to evaluate each career plus information on earnings potential, educational requirements, how to choose a cosmetology school and a description of the typical work environment. Within this course's seven lessons, you will be introduced to the various specialties that are part of this fast-growing industry, You will also be given an in-depth look at many of the specialties within the cosmetology industry such as hair stylist, barber, nail technician, esthetician, day spa employee, massage specialist and make-up artist . You'll learn about training and licensing requirements, and get an idea of what you can earn as a fully licensed cosmetologist. Before you begin a course of study om a brand new area, why not learn if you have the personality suited for the career and before you spend money on tuition, why not find out salary range and cost of the total education? Take this course and save time and money and stress! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/33250.htm Thu, 6 Sep 2007 18:00:13 GMT B. Wills Career Development Etiquette 101 is an overview of today's etiquette rules, updated for today's fast-paced lifestyles and ever-changing codes of conduct for work and leisure. The role of etiquette has changed over the years. At one time, it served as an indicator of each person's proper station in life. Today, etiquette helps smooth the path of our daily activities, whether it's meeting others in our daily interactions, talking to someone on the phone, offering condolences properly or understanding how to talk to colleagues at a business conference. In Etiquette 101, you'll learn the rules of good behavior for today's most common social and business situations, including the common courtesies of life that many of us have forgotten or may not have learned, from when to offer your seat on a bus to a stranger to how to share a cab. It will also go over telephone etiquette, with the updated rules for cell phone use and the new rules for office calls. Correspondence, including emails, entertaining and being a polite guest, giving and receiving gifts and life's big events are all covered, with examples and#8211; both good and bad! There is also a section on life situations that are never easy, such as death and divorce, with etiquette suggestions that will help you navigate the minefield of emotions surrounding these situations. Finally, a section on workplace etiquette covers the details of everything from how to relate to your boss and subordinates to keeping your social life and work separate. Etiquette 101 will teach you everything you need to know to move graciously through today's world. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550110.htm Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:28:57 GMT T. Long Career Development The Blueprint Reading for Machinists course is a comprehensive guide to interpreting drawings commonly found in manufacturing. This is the 'short course' of 'need to know' information for blueprint reading in machine trades. Beginning with the background of blueprints, looking at the types of lines used on a drawing, and how parts are shown in different views. Dimensioning and Tolerancing are explained, as well as an introduction to Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing. This course is intended as an introduction to understanding blueprints and being able to visualize and understand the intent of the designer or draftsman as presented in a blueprint. The first step in making quality parts or assemblies is interpreting the drawing correctly and applying the given information to the final product. Completing this course will enhance the learner's ability to gain employment in a manufacturing/machining area and/or increase their chances of advancement in related areas. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/8683.htm Fri, 12 Sep 2003 10:17:20 GMT J. Clayton Career Development The 'Antiques Roadshow,' and 'Treasures in your Attic' along with numerous other shows have produced a groundswell of interest in antiques and collectibles. Almost everyone has hidden treasures in their home that are collecting dust and are often hidden away in the back of the closet. Savvy 'pickers' routinely turn those dusty relics into big money. One man bought a painting at a yard sale for $25.00 and later sold it for $250,000! This course will teach you how to discern the junk from the diamonds in the rough. You will learn how to recognize valuable items even before you know exactly what they are. You will learn how to quickly research items you have found and how to find the best way to sell at a profit. This course is for those who have an interest in antiques and collectibles and recognize the value in them but don't know where to begin to cash in. Beginners in this field often make costly mistakes and it is my hope to help you avoid those as much as possible. While I do not hold regular online discussions or 'office hours,' I am always available by email to answer your questions as you progress. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/15269.htm Mon, 14 Nov 2005 17:39:16 GMT R. Morse Career Development Have you ever been reading a newspaper or listening to a commentary and been confronted with a word you didn't know -- like for instance, plethora ? Over the years, you've seen and heard this word 20 times but you don't quite manage to remember the definition or use the word yourself when writing or speaking. You were supposed to have learned all this vocabulary stuff in high school or college but maybe you were absent that day? Well, It's never to late to fill in some of the gaps. Increase your vocabulary at your own pace! Memorize just 10 words a day - or a week - whatever works for your schedule. In some cases it's not really memory work - it's just 'refreshing'. Amaze your business associates, family, friends, and (more importantly) yourself by enhancing your conversational skills. Not only will you avoid the embarrassment of misusing or mispronouncing words, but also with the right vocabulary you may impress others with your dexterous and inventive handling of important concepts without being considered a show-off. Plus vocabulary enrichment does wonders for your self-esteem and certainly has the added benefits of helping with crossword puzzles and Trivial Pursuit. Through these interactive lessons, which have divided up ten different words in twenty lessons, you will learn interesting and relevant vocabulary. Words used frequently by 'experts' to describe various cultures, words used in restaurants, words used in economics and business, legal words, technology terms, psychological jargon and much more. You'll not only practice using the words in a sentence you create, you'll also be writing short paragraphs with some of the words. Although the course emphasis is on vocabulary building, you'll have the added bonus of receiving some general writing assistance. So join the class and retain some of those words you once learned and promptly forgot. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550253.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement Career Development The idea of leadership is one that seems to constantly change. What was once valued in a leader in past centuries, is no longer valued in our modern era. So then, how do we define leadership? And is leadership the same as supervision ? In this Leadership and Supervision course, you will learn not only what makes a great leader, but how a person's attributes and skills can affect their leadership abilities. We will also address the roles of problem solving and planning in the scope of leadership, as well as define the role supervision plays in leadership (and vice versa). This course features several historical examples of real-life leaders and how their skills were able to cement their place in history as some of history's greatest leaders. All the leaders are addressed in-depth to give those taking this course a practical example to base their own leadership traits. For anyone who thinks they may be a leader, and for all of those who want to be one, this course will give you a practical guide to becoming a powerful and respected leader. At the end of this course, you'll be able to apply what you have learned in a final exam that can show you if you have what it takes to be a leader that history will remember. So...what kind of leader are you? And what can you do to improve upon your leadership skills? Join us today, and let's find out. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550075.htm Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Salazar Career Development The purpose of this course is to help you understand what Outlook 2007 can do for you, whether you are familiar with Outlook 2003 or new to the application altogether. This course has been developed to be of benefit to new users of Outlook, individuals migrating from previous versions of Outlook and individuals wanting to learn to use the advanced functionality of Outlook 2007. Course Goals After completing this course, learners will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental features of Outlook 2007 Set up new email accounts along with understanding how to convert their previous Outlook information to 2007 Utilize the toolbars and navigation panes in Outlook 2007 Understand how to operate the email tools in Outlook 2007 Demonstrate an understanding of how to customize email options and tools Perform personal information management tasks Manage and utilize Outlook 2007's contact management tools Understand and utilize Outlook 2007's calendar, tasks, notes and journal entry tools Demonstrate an understanding of the collaboration and remote access tools in Outlook 2007 Course Structure This course is broken down into eleven lessons to take you through each of the tools that Outlook 2007 offers the user. Each lesson will cover between five to six learning goals and each goal is associated with one aspect of Outlook 2007. Each lesson will also include hyperlinks for you to find further information online along with hot tips. As with all software not everything runs smoothly all the time in Outlook 2007 and in each lesson we will also alert you to common errors or 'pitfalls' to watch out for. Before you begin: We recommend you back up your current Outlook information including your inbox/folders/address book using the File menu/export/.pst files. If you are a current user of Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 or an earlier version, before you download 2007 we recommend you uninstall these programs. Outlook 2007 will not download if you are operating a previous version. While this course is aimed at both beginners and advanced users, we take for granted that you already know how to turn your computer on, use your mouse and can understand in basic terms how to operate your computer. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550113.htm Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development If you have been at the mercy of the negative consequences that result from mishandled anger, Anger Management 101 will provide relief. This insightful course is filled with both practical wisdom and application that will end the anger trap for good. Everyone occasionally gets angry and anger is a natural reaction to the things that happen: to you, around you, to someone you care for. Anger is a normal emotion unless the result of your anger is such that your reaction becomes uncontrollable, violent, or destructive. When anger becomes your reaction of choice to even the most minor of situations, or if you find yourself lashing out unnecessarily at people you love, respect, or care for, your anger may be spiraling out of control. Out of control anger can lead to many psychological and emotional issues, as well as many difficulties with your career, important relationships, and friendships. This course will provide the information you will need to end the anger cycle and live up to your true potential. We will discuss these topics: What are Various forms of Anger What are the Responses to Anger How to Control Anger Developing Empathy Passive Aggressive Behaviors Stress Factors Anger in Relationships Professional Help Resources Breathing and Relaxation Exercises http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550244.htm Sat, 4 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT M. Money Career Development Whether a full-time mom, a young business person or simply someone looking to build a growing and viable business, an errand service is ideal for those with an entrepreneurial spirit. Small upstart dollars, flexibility and a growing industry are just some of the benefits to this business. This course will help you to get the upstart information under your belt necessary for starting your own personal concierge service. You will gain practical business knowledge, insights into what is driving this new industry, information on how to best position yourself within it, how to market yourself and much more. You will learn what to do to make yourself stand out in the crowd and how to grow your new business. The business is ideal for stay at home mothers, part-time artists and others who want a different pace to their livelihood. A personal errand service can be started with relatively small capital and can be expanded to your personal comfort level and in your timing. And remember, if you run your service as a business, then you will eventually expand it, eventually hire others to do the daily errands that you begin doing, and eventually become truly an executive of your own business. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550099.htm Mon, 8 Sep 2008 10:19:51 GMT S. Walker Career Development Whenever the field of medicine is mentioned, people generally think about doctors and nurses. In fact, not that many years ago, those medical practitioners just about covered the subject. In recent years, however, the field has grown beyond imagination. In this course, we will look at Careers in Healthcare as a guide for planning an exciting future. Specialization in the medical profession has produced a need for many trained personnel in specific areas. Even physicians have specialized in one field because over the past few decades the amount of knowledge in medical practice has become so vast that one person cannot know everything. Unfortunately, this trend has produced an overabundance of specialists and a shortage of primary healthcare physicians (General Practitioners). As the medical field grew, there arose a need for more support staff in hospitals, doctor's offices, and related areas. Whole careers sprang up in the healthcare profession from Medical Billers to Patient Advocates. This course will discuss some of these areas of specialization within the field as an educational guide for Healthcare Career Planning. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/31677.htm Tue, 5 Dec 2006 10:25:07 GMT D. Olson Career Development Becoming a Nursing Assistant is one way to have a career in the healthcare field without spending tens of thousands of dollars and years of your life on a college education. In this course, you'll learn exactly what a Nursing Assistant is and the duties of a typical day. You'll also learn the procedures, knowledge and training that are essential to being a successful nursing assistant. Chapters will include information on basic anatomy, crucial testing procedures, the most common ailments a nursing assistant will see in her patients, personal care needs, and proper guidelines for patient mobility. We will also cover topics such as patients' emotional needs, your own emotional health when working with patients who are suffering and legal and ethical issues you may face during your career. Each chapter will end with a brief review in the form of questions about what you've learned. These will help you understand each chapter more fully and prepare yourself for the certification exam required by most health care organizations for employment. You can refer back to this material as a refresher whenever you feel the need to brush up on particular topics -- keep it as a reference guide after taking your certification exam. A nursing assistant fulfills a complex role in the life of patients. She is a caregiver who provides compassion, emotional support, physical mobility and day-to-day dignity in addition to basic medical needs. If you have chosen to become a nursing assistant, you are a special individual. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/33205.htm Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT S. Kahre, RN Career Development Concentration is a part of our daily lives. We concentrate on our work and our life situations, either consciously or subconsciously. Is focus the same as concentration, and if not why are the terms often used so interchangeably? Why can some of us read a book, listen to music, and think about the day all at once? Why can some of us simply focus on the task at hand and find it difficult to think about anything else? How does age play a role? Are your concentration skills and ability to focus improved or taken away from based on your age? This course consists of eleven distinct lessons that will explore the process of concentration, factors that affect and enhance concentration, and ways of improving the concentration process. We will delve into the thought process, and how different circumstances can affect one's ability to focus and concentrate effectively. Furthermore, we will investigate the relationship between focus and concentration. Studies indicate that diet and the way we exercise our brains now can decrease the risk for Alzheimer's later. Certain foods and vitamins have also been reported to increase brainpower and improve the power of concentration. Lastly, the method and environment for your concentration will depend on the task that you need to accomplish. Not every task requires a loud music filled environment, nor does every task require a quiet library like setting. Can your concentration skills use some fine-tuning? We invite you to find out! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550156.htm Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Mithaug Career Development Retirement for many of us can already be a fact of life. For others, it is looming on the horizon and the closer we get the more uneasy we feel about that next step. We are filled with questions about just how we will pay for our retirement. What will it cost? How much will you get from Social Security? What if you do not wish to quit working entirely, but are being forced into retirement by your company? Are you ready for retirement emotionally? There are many questions about retirement, mainly because retirement is now considered a phase of our lives rather than a couple years spent marking time after we stop working. The latest statistics indicate that most people who retire today can look forward to decades of time spent in retirement, and with that much time on our hands, it is imperative that we plan carefully. We need to develop a financial plan. We need to develop a health and exercise plan. We need to develop and emotional and social support plan. This online class will address a number of these issues and give you a place to start. Financial concerns regarding IRA's, insurance, and what you should do with your house will be addressed. Specific health recommendations will be made to maximize your physical condition during retirement. And what about your social and family relationships? Most of us have allowed these very important relationships to lapse when our happiness during retirement is actually based on them. Finally, we will talk about how to prepare for retirement and what you will do with your time. There are many of us who really wanted to do something else with our lives. Once you retire from your 'real' job, you may be very pleasantly surprised to realize that you can now finally pursue the life of your dreams. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550163.htm Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT M. Coburn Career Development The paralegal field is highly rewarding for those who seek to be a part of the justice system. On a day to day basis, the paralegal is the attorney's right hand. From the perspective of the law, the paralegal is a sort of junior attorney in so far as she must know a lot of what he knows and she creates and presents his documents for execution upon his approval. She is his detail person, and she is necessary for him to follow up on his communications, check his court dates, check client backgrounds, client relations, law office to law office relations, check every detail and every reference in all of his documents, research applicable laws and case references, prepare all of his court documents, and generally keep him going. Trial paralegals also prepare the case interrogatories, file with opposing counsel for discovery, prep the client for deposition and accompany the attorney to court. Although the work is quite detailed, in practice a paralegal's work is anything but secretarial and many have equal use of their attorney's secretary so that the paralegal can follow up on the details of her work. Some paralegals also have legal assistants junior paralegals to whom they delegate details of their responsibilities. The Paralegal Studies course is designed to give you information you need to be a successful paralegal. It will take you through a survey of what is needed to become a paralegal, how you may choose to go about it, all of the business details which are generally not known until you are into the firm, and some of the social skills and information you will need to survive and thrive in a firm. It also covers issues which will never be said to you by anyone in your firm; some of the material cannot be said by members of your firm without putting them in legal jeopardy because they possess licenses or practice in certain areas of law. If you already have your paralegal certification, then this course will be beneficial if you are seeking your first firm position. You will get an insider's scoop on common mistakes and pitfalls, and you will know how to avoid or overcome common faux pas. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550162.htm Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT S. Patel Career Development MS Office 2007 will provide a comprehensive tutorial of these programs- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. MS Word 2007 It doesn't matter if you're new to MS Word or an experienced user, this comprehensive course teaches the most basic features as well as focuses on the more advanced tools that all students will find useful. Additionally, this course introduces new features exclusive to MS Word 2007, as well as includes detailed instructions on how to use them. You'll learn your way around the toolbars and menus, b asic editing features, how to insert items into a document, how to create and edit tables, Macros, And much, much more! MS Excel 2007 Microsoft Excel 2007 is Microsoft's latest version of its very popular business productivity application for the management and manipulation of data. With the right training and understanding of Excel 2007, businesses and individual users can unlock the world of opportunities that this powerful business application offers. This Excel 2007 Online Training Course does just that and more! It assumes users have no prior experience with Excel or other spreadsheet programs. Many new features await the Excel 2007 user. Below are just a few highlights: Horizontal 'ribbons' that display commands left-to-right instead of the traditional vertical water-flow look. More rows and columns to help manage your really massive spreadsheets! Memory management increased from 1GB to 2GB's which allows for faster computations and increased performance . New options for applying themes and styles which enhance the look of your spreadsheets and graphics. And, Excel now supports up to 16 million colors ! Easier creation and use of formulas . New Pivot Table User Interface to help the user more effectively use pivot tables. PowerPoint 2007 The purpose of this section of this course is to help you understand what PowerPoint 2007 can do for you, whether you are familiar with PowerPoint 2003 or new to the application altogether. One of the most noticeable changes is the new user interface called the Microsoft Office Fluent which allows for the creation of dynamic, professional presentations in a much shorter period of time than earlier versions of PowerPoint. The Fluent interface has all commands, toolbars and task panes categorized into tabs and related groups. Among the many new options offered by PowerPoint 2007 are new themes and quick styles, custom slide layouts, Smart Art graphics, more advanced graphic effects for text, pictures, objects, charts, graphs and tables, more effective proofing tools, user-friendly collaboration and permission features, and much more. This course will walk you through PowerPoint 2007, beginning with the basics and lead you through to some of the most advanced features available, offering additional helpful tips and hints along the way. Outlook 2007 This section has been developed to be of benefit to new users of Outlook, individuals migrating from previous versions of Outlook and individuals wanting to learn to use the advanced functionality of Outlook 2007. After completing this section, learners will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental features of Outlook 2007, set up new email accounts along with understanding how to convert their previous Outlook information to 2007, u tilize the toolbars and navigation panes in Outlook 2007, understand how to operate the email tools in Outlook 2007, demonstrate an understanding of how to customize email options and tools, perform personal information management tasks, manage and utilize Outlook 2007's contact management tools, u nderstand and utilize Outlook 2007's calendar, tasks, notes and journal entry tools, and d emonstrate an understanding of the collaboration and remote access tools in Outlook 2007. Before you begin this course: It is strongly recommended you have MS Office 2007 or have access to this version. If you are a current user of Microsoft Office 2003 or an earlier version, before you download 2007 we recommend you uninstall these programs. MS Office 2007 may not download properly if you are operating a previous version. While this course is aimed at both beginners and advanced users, we take for granted that you already know how to turn your computer on, use your mouse and can understand in basic terms how to operate your computer. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550161.htm Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development Marketing a company's products and services to potential and existing customers is not only necessary, but a key ingredient to growing sales. Outreach marketing is the facet of marketing in which a company representative actively seeks out potential leads by meeting with local businesses or the public, speaking at local events, or getting involved with the local chamber of commerce. By networking and creating a lead base you are opening doors for your business and others. You need not spend an immense amount of money all the time to market your products and services, but by working smarter, and connecting with the right people you can generate business and that is priceless. Marketing in a sense is building relationships, and through those relationships you can gain viable resources that will contribute to your success. In this course you will learn how to increase business sales. Topics covered include: Outreach Marketing for Your Business Type, How Outreach Marketing Can Drive Sales, Approaching Outreach Marketing Contacts for the First Time, Follow Up and Maintaining a Rapport, Marketing and Advertising Working Together, Incorporating a Referral Program into Your Marketing Plan, Outreach Marketing Via Online Sources, Tracking Outreach Marketing Success, and Other Marketing Successes. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550171.htm Mon, 5 Jan 2009 13:44:20 GMT C. Addington Career Development Team Management Is -- Designing and Developing a Team Committed to a Common Purpose 'No man will ever make a great leader who wants to do it all by himself or to get all the credit for doing it.' (Andrew Carnegie) 'Managing' used to be just telling people what to do and getting merchandise out the door. But as time marched on, workplace conditions changed again and again -- and workplace complications paralleled the pace of these changes. Today's working world requires much more of the average supervisor or manager than simply setting goals backed up by ultimatums. Managers need to be team leaders. They need to understand and accommodate their employees' different working styles and personalities. In a team oriented atmosphere, individuals contribute to the overall success of an organization while working with other team members to attain the objectives of the team and organization as a whole. A team is not just a collection of individuals. It is so much more. The total 'team' being far greater than the sum of its parts. A properly developed and managed team synergistically harnesses its individual members' talents, experience and energies. It really is the together part that makes a great team. For example: R Teams intensify focus on the task at hand R Teams do work that ordinary workgroups can't do. R Teams make better use of resources. They are a way for an organization to focus its most important resource, its brainpower, directly on its problems. R Teams mean improved production. As they straddle all the functions contributing to a process, teams naturally understand all steps needed to improve production. Join our insightful Team Management in Business course today! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550168.htm Sat, 7 Mar 2009 10:20:26 GMT D. Salazar Career Development Memory, concentration, focus, communication, problem solving and relationships all interconnect and interact to give us the information we need to function properly in the everyday world. T his course will focus on these topics and explore how memory works, factors that affect and enhance memory, strategies to improve memory, the process of concentration, ways of improving the concentration process and how different circumstances can affect one's ability to focus and concentrate effectively. Studies indicate that exercises for the brain now can decrease the risk for Alzheimer's later. Certain foods and vitamins have also been reported to increase brainpower and improve the power of memory and concentration. Find out how you can improve and maintain a healthy memory and increase concentration skills today. Topics covered include: How Memory Works Healthy Habits and Memory Peg Memory Systems The Loci Method Memorizing Numbers Mnemonics SCAD: Learning to Become an 'Expert Witness' Faces and Names Powerful Public Speaking Everyday Memory Aids Concentration and the Brain Concentration Frustration Exercising Your Brain The Sound of Music Food for Thought Concentration Barriers Concentration Helpers http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550175.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Mithaug Career Development Public relations can contribute immensely to the success of a business large or small. In short, it is a message, an image, a story or a brand, that is vital to communicate and can grow a business. A solid and well thought out public relations plan can bring awareness to a company's products and services. But can also provide a wealth of exposure that is necessary to keep a business alive. Not only can public relations be your number one fan, it can provide low cost or no cost advertising that is easy on a budget. The role that public relations will play for your particular business, or organization will depend on your goals and what you intend to accomplish. In a marketing plan there are four major components a. public relations b. marketing, c. advertising and d. selling. These are four distinct areas that are interrelated but play unique roles. While we will briefly touch on the relationships of each and how they affect one another, this course will primarily focus on the Public Relations actions your business can take that can contribute to business success. Topics will include: Tools for Public Relations, Your Message, Your Story and What You are Trying to Accomplish Using the Internet, Putting Together a PR Plan, Sample Press Releases, and the Importance of a Media List and Media Relationships, Reaching Your Audience, Events that Draw Press, and Media Attention, Avoiding Bad Customer Service Can Mean Avoiding Bad Press, The Role That Marketing Plays in Your Business http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550174.htm Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT C. Addington Career Development Estate planning was once a buzz phrase reserved only for the wealthy. However, today many people are beginning to realize that estate planning is important for everyone. Anyone who has assets, no matter how small or wants their medical wishes carried out should have an estate plan. If you have no easily identifiable heirs, the lack of a proper estate plan and/or will could result in all your property ending up in the hands of the government rather than in the hands of those you designate. Your life insurance policy may clearly assign the beneficiaries of that money, but it does not account for the other assets you may have, including cash, your home, real estate, car, bank accounts, valuable collections and other belongings. Without a proper estate plan you could be kept on life support indefinitely, or be forced to endure painful life saving procedures that would only serve to prolong a debilitating terminal illness. Some find the idea of estate planning morbid or negative and prefer to ignore it rather than think about it, but this is simply avoidance of the facts of life. Others take a 'lets just get it over with' approach to estate planning; this is also not recommended because errors could be made when creating a 'rushed' plan. It is wise to put a well thought out estate plan in place that you feel confident about, put it aside, and get about the business of living and enjoying your life. It will give you peace of mind to know that when the time comes your assets will be distributed as you desire and your medical wishes will be carried out in accordance with your beliefs. Creating a simple estate plan is much easier than you think and can be done in a relatively short period of time, if you know how. This course will teach you how. You will be given information on particulars of estate planning such as how-to properly plan for the future distribution of your assets, how-to establish a power of attorney, create a Will in Testament and prepare a Living Will. This course will also cover trust funds, how best to incorporate charitable giving into your plan and how-to take proper inventory of the assets you have now. Lastly, there is a lesson for singles and their special requirements. Making full use of this course, in its entirety, is the first step in setting your future affairs in place so that you may fully focus on enjoying your life to the fullest. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550178.htm Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT C. Addington Career Development There are many aspects that need to be covered when running a successful business. One of the most important aspects in any business is of course, payroll management. The members of the business involved in payroll management have unique responsibilities to ensure that the business operations can maintain momentum. In essence, the payroll management team are at the heart of any business. While managing the payroll may seem easy enough, it is actually a complicated process involving finance and record keeping. Payroll Management 101 provides you with the information and guidance to become a key member of the payroll management team. The curriculum is designed to give an overview of all the core skills you will be required to attain in an easy to read manner. Most importantly, Payroll Management 101 provides you with the tools to quickly start using your new vocational skills in an operational environment. By covering the topics contained in Payroll Management 101, you can be assured that you will have the necessary skills and abilities to tackle just about any payroll projects you are assigned. The course has been designed to assist not only people involved solely in payroll management, but also for small business owners, and business people looking to get the edge over their competitors. Written for both seasoned professionals and business newcomers Payroll Management 101 is sure to provide you with all you need to know. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550184.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Salazar Career Development Today's business marketing efforts require an internet presence, an active campaign and a steady attention to the details of your company's internet marketing efforts. Don't let your company get left behind in the marketplace of ideas and sales. UniversalClassand#8482; offers this terrific introductory course to internet marketing to help you get up to speed on this important and detailed topic. You don't have to be a computer genius to make internet marketing work for your company, and you don't have to spend a boat load of marketing dollars to have a decent online presence. This course will help you to easily understand the importance of such things as your company's email marketing list, search engine advertising and blogs. You will gain an understanding of how to make your B2B relationships help you to build an increased internet presence and how such relationships help to build your online marketing efforts. You will walk away from this course with a working knowledge of how to plug your company into social networks, e-books and Adwords. You will know how to implement full SEO for your company's site; what to pay for and where to find good help with it. You will learn how to carve out an internet niche for your company and why that is important to your online success. This course covers these basics along with link exchanges, expanding business relationships, using your personal network to expand your internet marketing, details and#8211; important details, and so much more. So, relax, learn and know that at the end of the course you will no longer be intimidated by the technicalities of the web and its marketing avenues; indeed, you will be ready to plunge your company forward into this important marketplace of 21 st century capitalism. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550188.htm Mon, 1 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT C. Addington Career Development Administrative Assistant Fundamentals 'A clueless boss gives you a wide-open field. Learn what's important to your boss, understand what your company is looking for and help the fool meet those expectations.' ( John Hoover) Oh how times, and people, have changed in the world over the last few years. Presently and into the foreseeable future, business people will not only have to continue picking up the pace but will need to adapt to new methods, systems and responsibilities that would have seemed unsustainable a few years ago or even just last year! Due in part to the recession--technology and necessity has amplified the requirements and pace of this change. It's not all bad news though, the truth of the matter is that the recession is providing opportunities to people in certain segments of the business world--administrative assistants are one of them. AA's are now, and will in the future, be performing roles that middle managers would have done only a year or two ago. They are acting on behalf of their bosses on a regular basis and have full authority to do so. Whether you are returning to the workforce after a number of years away or you are new to the administrative side of the business world, there are some great opportunities out there for administrative assistants, especially the new kind of administrative assistants--i.e. those who are skilled, prepared to take on extra responsibility and don't mind taking a risk or two. This is a 3 Part Course , which will begin covering some very important basics before going on to deal with the importance of training others to fulfill the position. We will then focus on the innovative role which has a place both in the present and future--that of a Virtual Assistant ! This course will open your eyes wider in regards to the choices you have available in an Administrative Assistant career, as well as introduce you to the business sector and the opportunities that now exist in this demanding field. This course provides a basis on which you can build your new future, so join us today! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550190.htm Tue, 19 May 2009 13:03:21 GMT S. Patel Career Development The individual who pursues a career as a mediator can look forward to a job that is personally satisfying and financially rewarding. With its emphasis on fairness and cooperation, this career is an ideal choice for those who are empathetic and want to help others bring their conflicts to a positive resolution. Mediation allows the parties involved to reach resolutions more quickly, inexpensively, and amicably than may be possible through the court system. This Mediation 101 course is not only geared toward those who are interested in learning what it takes to become a professional mediator, but it also makes a great tool for those who will be involved in any aspect of mediation. By explaining the stages involved in the process, as well as clearly outlining the roles each party plays, this online class can help reduce anxiety and answer any questions that might have arisen over the issue of whether or not mediation is the right alternative for a particular case. From the basics of defining just what mediation entails, to the more in-depth issues surrounding mediator liability, this course creates an excellent starting point for those who would like to have a solid understanding of the process. This class also covers the types of information necessary to determine whether or not a case is a good candidate for mediation, the confidentiality issues involved, and what follow-up activities can be expected. Additionally, each section concludes with a quiz that allows you to assess your comprehension of the information presented. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550251.htm Sat, 4 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT M. Money Career Development This course focuses on workplace safety, health, and inspection. Throughout this course you will learn what workplace safety is, why it is important and how it affects a business. Common areas of workplace safety are discussed, including office safety, workplace hazards, and other areas. Additionally, you will learn preventative measures to help create a safer work environment which will benefit everyone. We will also deal with mental health issues, workplace violence, health and wellness initiatives, and drug free workplaces. You will also learn the ins and outs of conducting a routine inspection, filing reports, and the importance of creating a workplace safety committee. Tips, lists, suggestions, and helpful tools will be provided so by the time you finish this course you will have a thorough understanding of what is involved in workplace safety and how to create a safer and healthier work environment. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550195.htm Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Salazar Career Development Whether you are already running a business, have yet to start one or have been hired to support a business owner, it is important to know the basics of the business administrative process. This course will trace a path through the inception, setup and growth of a typical business. It is separated into three sections: Getting Started, Setup/Administrative and Growing Your Business. Each section has valuable information including: creating a business name, whether or not to write a business plan, office supply lists, checklists and much more. So, no matter what part you play, by the end, you should have a firm grasp of what it takes to start, run and grow a business. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550194.htm Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Salazar Career Development How can you make a significant difference in your organization? One way is to be part of a project that improves the company's performance or launches it in a new direction. The business analyst (BA) plays a key role in the development and execution of company projects. Maybe it's a new product launch or a change to a more efficient software package. The BA is responsible for gathering input, analyzing the needs of the project, documenting the criteria to be met, sharing information among project team members and presenting findings to company executives. This course will provide a solid foundation for a career in business analysis. We explore the strategy, phases, components and process a BA uses to develop a project. From conducting an enterprise analysis to assessing the solution's implementation, you will learn the basics of how to manage the process and determine the appropriate parties to be involved. We look at project requirements (the needs that must be fulfilled to complete the initiative), how to develop a communications plan, distributing work responsibilities, creating a business model and more. The course finishes with a discussion about tasks that the BA encounters when the solution is put into place. When you are finished, you'll have a broad understanding that can launch your career in business analysis. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550200.htm Tue, 19 May 2009 13:02:19 GMT D. Salazar Career Development Managerial accounting is not as widely used as other forms of accounting, nor is it as known. While companies concern themselves with financial accounting methods like audits, budgets and financial statements, they often completely ignore the forward-thinking methods of managerial accounting. Managerial accounting is a form of accounting that deals not only with financial information, but information that is not always easy to quantify into numbers and reports. Things like employee performance, efficiency, product rates and customer satisfaction stats are all things that managerial accountants deal with. They take that information and put it into reports that are easy for managers to understand. By doing this, managerial accountants help managers make the important decisions to turn the company in a new direction, or help it continue on as a profitable and respected organization. Financial accounting looks at the company as a whole. The net profit of the company, the revenue and expenses of the company and more. It does not look at the parts that make up the whole. This is what managerial accounting does. It takes the company and breaks it into parts that can be studied and analyzed. Maybe one department is bringing down the rest like a lead weight attached to a strong chain. If this is happening, the methods of managerial accounting will find it and that will help managers take the information and use it to make the company better and more efficient as a result. Managerial accounting is not new, but it is revolutionary and despite originating over 100 years ago, companies are only now realizing the true power of this amazing form of company management. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550197.htm Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT D. Salazar Career Development Learn the basics of Employment Law , the potential pitfalls and ways to keep yourself out of court so that you can grow your business by hiring, evaluating, and managing employees. This course will discuss all the necessary information you need to know about employees and independent consultants, what benefits you are responsible for, taxes, discrimination issues, unionization, and workplace safety. You will learn the ins and outs of how to advertise a job position, and how to effectively interview so that your hiring process goes smoothly. Learn good evaluation techniques and how to resolve problems before they become really big issues. However, not everyone is in the right place, and you may have to terminate someone from your employment, and this class will help you to do it the right way. Employment laws are both at the federal and state levels and every business owner is responsible for them. While this course is NOT a replacement for knowing and understanding the employment laws that affect your business, this course will reveal the most common employment laws and how they can affect the way you do business. This course is a must for anyone who wishes to learn how to be an effective employer, supervisor, or manager and will be of benefit to any small business owner or a corporate executive, manager, supervisor, or human resource specialist. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550199.htm Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT D. Salazar Career Development Business Credit 101 provides potential and current business owners with the necessary knowledge to successfully use credit within their business. There are many reasons why business operators rely on credit to maximize their business potential, but it is necessary to have an insight into the business credit arena to ensure that business credit is used effectively. This course takes you through the basics of business credit giving you an opportunity to understand what business credit is, how to obtain business credit, the best type of business credit and even explores the taxation aspects of business credit. Business Credit 101 will provide aspiring and current business owners the necessary knowledge to effectively manage their business credit and financial needs. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550203.htm Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:52:38 GMT C. Addington Career Development Are you in the dark about how the Internet works? Do you wonder how in the world it is possible to communicate with someone on another continent in the blink of an eye? This straightforward course clearly and plainly lays out the basics of the Internet in a light and interesting way. It also offers valuable information about how to protect your computer, your family and yourself from the inevitable dangers that naturally arise in a system so open, and so very powerful. With a tool as elegant and robust as the Internet, it is good to know what you are looking at when you see or hear about things like 'TCP/IP' and#8211; it's not all complex programming language, but often just logical abbreviations for simple terms that best describe the process. You will be more comfortable using the Internet after taking this course. You will be able to hold a meaningful discussion, not only socially, but with technicians and computer geeks. Get online and get informed with our Internet Fundamentals class! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550204.htm Tue, 19 May 2009 13:01:57 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development Since as far back as Ancient Greece and Rome, there has been a system in place in all civilized societies to compensate those individuals who have become injured or disabled due to a work-related accident. The laws and regulations governing what is known today as Workers' Compensation have changed dramatically over the last 1700 years. This course will take a close look at the entire Workers' Compensation system, from the filing of an initial claim, to a detailed look on how to choose the right doctor and lawyer, how to represent yourself in the absence of a lawyer, and, most importantly, a detailed look into the specific federal, state, and private benefits that are available to people who have become injured in their workplace. Filing a Workers' Compensation claim need not be a daunting task. Every worker must seek the advice of qualified professionals. This course will provide an understanding of the core concepts in a Workers' Compensation claim, as well as education on where to get further information. Being injured in the workplace can mean a significant change in one's life, and it is important to ensure that one's rights and#8211; either those of an employee or an employer and#8211; are being fully protected. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550193.htm Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT D. Salazar Career Development These days, everyone can benefit from an online presence, and that means developing a website. This course covers a basic introduction of how to create your own website page-by-page using HTML, a common website coding process. From basic HTML definitions to different types of websites, this course offers novice website builders information regarding the foundation of HTML basics and the difference between using HTML to design your website and using popular forms of webpage building software. The course also explains the difference between different graphics and images, and when to use each. Learn how to lay out and format your webpage, as well as some common mistakes to avoid when designing a website. From the five most important tags necessary for web page creation to search engine optimization, this course gives new webpage builders enough information to get started. When you're finished building, you're going to need to know how to enhance your website as well as launch it. The course offers students information regarding registration of websites to finding the right web host. From internal links to outbound links and from organizing your webpage structure to choosing the right heading and font sizes, this course will help any student get started creating webpages and offers enough HTML to help you on your way to developing a well thought out, organized and attractive website that will suit almost any need. We'll teach you the difference between HTML and WYSIWYG and provide you with the tools to know which is best for you. Have some fun and design your own website starting with the basics offered in this course. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550192.htm Tue, 19 May 2009 13:01:20 GMT S. Mellencamp Career Development This Personal Protective Equipment Course is designed to help those working in the various industries that utilize PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as a means to protect the worker from the natural harm that comes into their work area. This online class discusses the various hazards that personal protective equipment is designed to protect the worker from and outlines the various pieces of personal protective equipment, such as hand wear, footwear, face protection, eye protection, garments, partial garments and other equipment used to protect the physical body, eyesight and hearing for workers who work in various capacities. The types of personal protective equipment vary with job descriptions and are described in detail, according to body parts protected. Each item is defined in terms of its use, its common function, and the materials utilized to make the various parts of personal protective equipment. This course also includes separate modules for different job descriptions--such as firefighters, construction workers, beekeepers, the military and even the police department. Those working in firefighting, as is shown in the course, wear completely different personal protective equipment as do workers working in a chemistry laboratory or in a beekeeping facility. The equipment is explained, the materials they are made of is discussed and the standards to which they must adhere to is explained. Personal protective equipment must be tested for its ability to maintain its integrity and properly do its job. Standards are discussed in this course and vary depending upon which type of equipment a person is dealing with. We'll identify the standards and their varying degrees of protectability for various uses. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550185.htm Tue, 19 May 2009 13:01:44 GMT J. Borland Career Development There you are, cold-calling yet another sales prospect. Your verbal pitch is pure gold; your prospect is attentive--interested--and seems ready to buy. But just as you're about to close the deal, you hear that eternal refrain: ' Send me something in writing!' And the line goes dead. What do you do now? Oh, we're so glad you askedand#8230; This SALES, MARKETING and ADVERTISING WRITING course will demonstrate that virtually every sale depends on the written wordand#8230;ranging from a three-word caption in a movie poster, to a multi-page booklet that covers every conceivable aspect of a product. It will also demonstrate that when used properly, the written word can be your least expensive yet hardest-working employee, willing to work in any number of formats to bring in millions in revenue. When used improperlyand#8230; or not used at alland#8230;the written word can cost you millions. The ability to write all three subjects effectively is crucial to success in any businessand#8230;and, in fact, life itselfand#8230;for what is a resume if not an and#8216;advertisement' for oneself? While Sales, Marketing, and Advertising are often considered separate entities within the business world, they do in fact influence each other, and are dependent on each other. Without properly written Marketing materials, crucial time and resources are lost as a product or service is presented to the wrong consumersand#8230;.or the right consumers in the wrong manner. Without effective Advertising copy, consumers are oblivious to the product or service's existenceand#8230;or, worse, notice it in a negative light. A savvy sales professional may be able to initiate a sale through mere spoken words, but without well-written sales materials to back them up, such sales will be few, and the company and#8216;dies on the vine' for lack of income. Proper business writing can, and should, combine these three elements. But since these three crucial business elements tend to flow sequentially--a product or service is marketed, then advertised, then sold--the course will duplicate this and#8216;flow', with examples of marketing writing, advertising copy, and sales materials. We will define each element and its influence and dependence on the others, then demonstrate its place in the business cycle. We will show you the words to use, and as many formats as possible. Mastery of these three elements of business writing will ensure you're a creative employee that your company can't afford to lose, or will ensure that your own business soars to the top. It can also enhance your life in other ways--the properly written and#8216;personal ad' might just catch the attention of and#8216;Mr. or Ms. Right'! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550287.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement Career Development Can you predict which direction corn prices will go? Are you the type of person who enjoys taking risks? Do you want to be a part of an often fast-paced, emotional environment? A career in futures trading can lead to a great income and a large bank account. You can trade with your own account or manage a portfolio for a group of clients. When trades go the right way, it can be one of the most exciting industries to be a part of. But it's not for everyone. There are significant financial risks, and trading without a firm knowledge of the marketplace can lead to a rapid loss of money. Not sure how it works? Well, if you're looking for a general understanding of the commodity and futures market, this course is for you. Commodity Markets and Futures Trading is a 13-part course that takes you through the history and regulations of the marketplace, how trading works, exchanges and trading participants, and trading strategies and systems. You'll learn the lingo and how to read a chart. When you complete the course, you'll have the knowledge to take the next steps in becoming a futures trader. If you think you have the patience to hold on while the market moves against you; if you can stomach a disappointing loss and move ahead with your trading strategy; if you have money to risk while you learn the ropes, then you may have the qualities to become a futures trader. Start by learning the basics with this informative course. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550212.htm Tue, 3 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT J. Borland Career Development We live in world where communication is paramount to survival. In a work environment where communication is equated with the professionalism and efficiency of an individual, would you jeopardize your career because of bad writing? Do you want the embarrassment of sending out a poorly written email to your peers? Can you risk sending out badly written communications to customers and putting your company's reputation on the line? Of course not, no one aspires to be a bad writer. No one wants to communicate badly. This crash course in business communication may help remedy your writing woes. From the basic do's and don'ts of business communication to the nitty-gritty of formatting, punctuation, tone and language--this course covers all the fundamentals. As a one stop guide to a professional's writing career, the class is ideal for assistants, secretaries, executives, managers, and senior managers of any company or organization. Learn about the common mistakes we make when writing a business letter. Learn how often people mistake 'affect' for 'effect', and 'except' for 'accept'. Learn about how to write business emails. This course will also give you insights into your reader's mind. Who are they? What do they want? How can you effectively reach out to them? So join us today! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550257.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement ESL Career Development Every small business owner or new entrepreneur knows that the success of their company will depend largely on the effectiveness of their sales team. After all, if you are not selling something, then you can hardly call yourself 'in business' since business is by definition an exchange of goods or services for money. The key to increasing your company's exchange with the buying world rests with your salespeople. Creating an effective sales team, however, is more than just wanting a good team or hiring strong personalities. In many ways it is an ongoing process and simultaneously a work of art in progress. A team that flows well together, serves the public and the company and is highly motivated for their own purposes is one that will perform and exceed your goals. But there is even more to it. In this course, you will learn how to conduct a staff search, how to screen your applicants for top selling personality traits, how to avoid character traps by looking for right attitudes and right thinking patterns, how to retain a top seller and much more. This course addresses generational and cultural concerns along with issues of sex in the workplace. We will cover issues of motivation which vary depending on personality and age as well as how to find the best and the brightest for your company. At the end of this course, you will know what to look for in top salespeople, how to recruit them and how to retain them. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550216.htm Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT C. Addington Career Development Today's consumers have a variety of options for shopping, obtaining services and getting the help they need. They can use catalogs, the mail, the Internet and face-to-face contact, yet telephone customer service is still the first choice for most customers when they have questions or a problem that needs to be resolved. In order to ensure your customers or clients are happy with the customer service they receive, it's even more important for you to provide exceptional customer service, including outstanding telephone service. Consumers expect better service than ever before, and the limitations of telephone communications don't exempt you from offering them the satisfaction and resolution they demand. This course focuses on honing outstanding telephone customer service skills in order to meet customer needs and presenting a professional, knowledgeable image that reflects well on your company. When you have finished this course, you will know everything you need to make your customers feel valued and satisfied even under the most difficult circumstances. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550225.htm Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:49:15 GMT C. Addington Career Development Quality in a service or product is not what you put into it. It is what the client or customer gets out of it. (Peter Drucker) We are exposed to customer service (of one kind or another) at least once a day, every day of the week, fifty-two weeks of the year. There is times when individuals, organizations and companies take the provision of good service, and the people who deliver it, for granted. We should not and#8211; giving top quality Customer Service is an art form. Customers love and cherish companies that treat them the way they (the customer) want to be treated. People are now prepared to pay more for good service. So the providers of the good service and#8211; YOU and#8211; are gems beyond price these days. Whatever your reasons for considering this course, we can promise you that you will get even more than you might have thought from its contents. You will most likely pick up things you might not have considered before, or even been aware of and#8211; CRM for example! This course will focus on these topics: 1. A Customer Centered/Focused Organization How important is good customer service really? The evolution of Customer Service, TQM, Perceptions, The and#8216;Hot Button' of the and#8216;90s 2. Taking an honest look at your own customer service Your current customer service profile, Self-evaluation and#8211; honestly! How does your company rate? Protocols, How do you and your company deal with Feelings? 3. Your company's Customer Service focus In-focused, Customer-Focused, The 3 Basic Elements of Excellent Service, Are you friendly to customers? Customer Friendly Reflections, Expanding your understand of your Company's Definition of Service 4. Developing a Winning Customer Service Strategy What are your current Customer Service Strategies? Key Strategies , Top Down Approach, Actually using the Feedback you ask for, Know thyself and it shall be true! The creation of client centric practices, The sheer economic necessity of Top Customer Service 5. The 'Plus's' of exceptional Customer Service Critical success factors , Consistency, Criteria, Recognizing Excellence/Reward and Recognition Factors, Awareness, Education 6. The WOW Customer Service Training and Service Excellence The wisdom of choosing appropriate training, Brainstorming and Problem Solving Customer Service Enhancers, TIPS - The Coaching Approach, The Listen and Learn Approach 7. Which is the way to go: Surveys/Questionnaires, Interviews or Focus groups? Surveys, Questionnaires, Interviews, Focus Groups, Who should conduct or run them? Which one should you use? HOW TO prepare a Top Customer Service Survey 8. Acquiring Customers and Keeping Them Put yourself in the customers shoes, What does my customer actually want? Standards and#8211; making, measuring and managing, What you can measure you can manage, Reinventing your processes to suit the customer, Quality Groups What NOT to Do if you want to keep your customers 9. Those and#8216;Extras' and Miscellaneous Factors Body Language, It's How You Say It that really counts, Your computer isn't always your best friend, The differences between data and information, The 2 'E's' and#8211; Ethics and Espionage 10. When the Going Becomes Rough -- What to Do! When you need to say NO and how to say it! Seeing Red and Dealing with It! Take the Initiative and Bounce Back 11. Working in the World of the WEB! The Internet has changed the rules and HOW! Automating the personal touch? Clicking with your Customers, Developing Trust and Loyalty and#8211; online, Customer Acquisition, Some rules for staying on the road to Success with E-Commerce 12. CRM and#8211; It's not just an Option and#8211; It's here to STAY! Exactly what is CRM? Is it the Latest and Greatest? How do we use it? Automating the personal touch, Defining the technical requirements, Choosing the right CRM tools, The amazing power of CRM, The correct CRM program for you, What defines success with CRM? 13. Customer Service Management Options of the Future! People Orientated? Technology Orientated? Strategies, How to best organize Customer Service for the future http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550271.htm Sun, 31 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT D. Salazar Career Development Without a doubt, one of the most important events in all world history (not to mention American history) was the American Revolutionary War. Through the battles that were to take place between Great Britain and its American Colonies, the face of the world would be changed forever with the birth of a new nation. The Revolutionary War and the significant events that transpired immediately before and after are essential to understand. The American Revolution set the stage for the creation of the United States of America, one of the most powerful and influential countries in the history of the world. Throughout the years that followed the American Revolutionary War, the fledgling nation would form, expand, and grow to become a dominant power in world affairs by the early twentieth century. This course will describe many of the key aspects of the war: the precipitous events that led up to the war, the shot heard around the world, the Battles of Lexington and Concord, portraits of American patriots and loyalists, the Battle of Long Island, portraits of Redcoat (British) generals and leaders, Valley Forge, the Battle of Yorktown, the Treaty of Paris, and more. Each lesson will focus on particular aspects of the conflict, drawing to light important facts and other information relevant to the events at hand. This course is ideal for those seeking review, extra tutoring, test prep, or the non-academic hobbyists and life-long learners. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/33498.htm Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:17:23 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies World War II was a conflict like no other in human history. Everything that had made the First World War such a monumental event was soon eclipsed by the colossal scale and impact of the next. World War II involved more nations and soldiers than any major war before or since. The technology was grander and more deadly. The villains were easily identifiable, worthy adversaries bent on global domination. The resistance to the Axis Powers; comprised of Germany, Japan, and Italy; was pushed to their limit in terms of providing soldiers and war materiel. The epic battles of World War II on land, through the air, and at sea were waged with ferocity unlike any other war--on two fronts. The political and economic fallout from the First World War and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles did not bring about the lasting peace that was hoped. Rather, the outcome of World War I left the German nation a major power in Europe--and bitter over their defeat. The worldwide effects of the Great Depression had a major impact on the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany, but the effects were most notably felt in Germany. This discontent led to the rise of Adolf Hitler, his Nazi Party, and the creation of the Axis. Determined to re-establish Germany as the true superpower in Europe, the Germany military sprung into action, conquering large amounts of Western Europe before many of the neighboring countries could realize what had happened. At the same time, Italy invaded North Africa and Japan began to expand its influence by conquering many islands in the Pacific. The effects of World War II cannot be underestimated, as they still impact lives and nations to this very day. The political re-structuring that occurred following the defeat of the Axis Powers left the world a very different place: the creation and use of nuclear arms, the establishment of the nation-state of Israel, the division of much of Eastern Europe, the rapid expansion of Communism throughout much of Asia and Europe, the division of Germany, America's rise to superpower status, and far more. Clearly, the impact of this greatest of wars cannot be emphasized enough. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550052.htm Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies Is there intelligent life on other planets? Have we been visited by aliens here on earth? Are they walking amongst us? What are the explanations for the saucers in the sky? To date, no one has, or is willing, to give final proof or solid answers to any of these questions. The purpose behind this course is to help you keep your mind and eyes open. The big question is if there really is intelligent life out there, where is it ? And what kind of evidence do we have today to prove it? With so many of the planets in our solar system seemingly too hot or cold, or proven to have no life of any type, our hope appears to be in other parts of the universe. The Center for UFO Studies categorizes contacts as 'close encounters' of the first, second or third kind: First encounters are objects or unexplained lights in space; second encounters are marked by the UFO having a type of physical effect on the Earth such as radioactivity or burn marks; and third encounters are reports of interactions between the witnesses and crew of an alien spaceship--often this relates to stories of 'alien abductions'. Evidence that would convince most scientists of visitors from the sky is lacking, although there are stories about visual things in the sky since ancient times, and the idea still has appeal. There are fantastic stories--and yes, even some imaginative hoaxes! And there is even some compelling evidence to give credibility about the rumors the U.S. government actually possesses a crashed alien spaceship and alien bodies. Take this course and with the information provided, you'll be able to decide for yourself if there is a real phenomenon at work that warrants more scientific investigation; or perhaps you'll come to the conclusion that we are simply alone and unique in the universe. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/32234.htm Wed, 11 Apr 2007 11:09:51 GMT C. Nichols Historical Studies Economics is an inherent part of our world. And, with every passing day, economics becomes more and more pivotal to our survival. From the items we buy at the store and our personal banking accounts to the types of industries in which we work and the resources government employs to sustain our communities, we are surrounded by economically-based challenges on a daily basis. With this course, our goal is to equip you with a working understanding of economics and its myriad of business and personal applications. As such, we have crafted an easy-to-understand course comprised of economic's principle tenets while specifically highlighting such central ideas as: supply and demand, interest rates and inflation. True, economics can be a complex subject. Yet, it remains highly pertinent to our modern-day lives not to mention a most stimulating topic. From gaining a sense of the forces that drive the economy to understanding how statistical and economics come together to forecast future monetary trends, this course offers a great deal of valuable information for both business and personal purposes. Knowing how the system operates has a range of benefits from the practical-why we pay taxes to the more lucrative possibilities and#8211;tips for investing within the money markets. Regardless of whether you want to become more familiar with economics so that you can better budget your household expenditures or so that you can became the entrepreneur you have always dreamed, has the fundamentals to guide you without overtaxing your brain. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550063.htm Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies There have been few environmental issues that have polarized a nation as much as Global Warming. From those who predict that the Earth will eventually get so hot that it will self-incinerate to those who believe that the entire notion of a warming planet is something manufactured by political operatives anxious to please their constituents, Global Warming is an issue that has been and will continue to be hotly contested in both public and private arenas. Unlike many other hot-button issues, however, Global Warming is widely misunderstood by the general public. Confusion surrounding Global Warming comes at many levels: there are some who steadfastly believe that it is entirely a man-made issue while others equate Global Warming with the expanding hole in the atmosphere's ozone layer (a condition widely believed to be caused by widespread use of aerosols). In this course, we will learn exactly what Global Warming is, why supporters believe it is a real problem and the ways in which it is thought to affect the world in which we live. Along the way, we will learn a little bit about the climatic history of the Earth and take a look at some of the ways in which we can help to reduce the warming effects of some of our activities . To be sure, the issues surrounding Global Warming are complex and there is still a great deal that we don't know about how the Earth will respond to changing conditions. This course is not intended to teach you everything you need to know about Global Warming -- such a course probably doesn't exist. What this course will provide, however, it an overview of the issues as they are currently known which should help to provide a basic understanding of the topic. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/33313.htm Tue, 8 Jan 2008 11:45:44 GMT N. Fields Historical Studies This self-paced history course will examine the ancient civilizations that dominated historical records between the time periods of 3000 B.C. to 1200 B.C. The class will focus on Ancient Egypt Civilization, Sumerian Civilization, the Indus Valley Civilization, Ancient China Civilization, and the Aegean Civilization. In this class, students will not only di scover where and why these civilizations formed, but also explore the history, culture, daily life and the impact these ancient civilizations have on the cultures of today. The course is ideal for learners of all ages; from the school age student studying history to the adult learner interested in enhancing personal knowledge. Everyone is welcome to enroll and explore these ancient mysteries! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/30423.htm Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT H. Bryant Historical Studies Do you feel totally clueless when it comes to Greek Mythology? Do you often say to yourself: 'It's all Greek to me'? You were supposed to learn this stuff in school but classical mythology isn't really taught anymore in elementary or secondary schools. This basic self-paced course can help. Greek Mythology will give you an overview of the huge collection of stories explaining the creation of the world and the lives of the gods, goddesses, heroes and heroines. The scope of the Greek myths is astounding. Starting with the birth of the world, through bloody wars like Troy and Thebes , heroic acts of Hercules and childish pranks by Hermes, and the touching stories of mother love in Demeter and Persephone. Greek myths have passionate love stories, adventure stories, superhuman tales, fairy tales, magical stories, tales of gods and monsters and beasts and stories of witchcraft and sorcery. We've inherited these myths in the form of art and literature. It's really entertaining to discover them. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/31958.htm Sun, 14 Jan 2007 16:20:13 GMT D. Kapoor Historical Studies The average individual knows very little about economics and tends to believe whatever was seen or heard on television. However, we all contribute and are impacted by economic factors and need a basic understanding of how this works as economics becomes more and more pivotal to our survival. With this course, our goal is to equip you with a working understanding of economics and its myriad of business and personal applications. As such, we have crafted an easy-to-understand course comprised of economic principle tenets while specifically highlighting such central ideas as: andmiddot; History and Various Forms of Economics andmiddot; Schools of Thought andmiddot; Ten Major Principles of Economics andmiddot; World Economic Systems and Comparative Economics andmiddot; Components in Societal Economy andmiddot; Basic Tenets of the U.S. Economic System andmiddot; Global Economies: Ranking National Economies andmiddot; Micro and Macro: Styles of Economics andmiddot; Federal Reserve System: aka 'The Fed' andmiddot; Managerial Economics andmiddot; Gross National Product (GNP) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Regardless of whether you want to become more familiar with economics so that you can better budget your household expenditures or so that you can became the entrepreneur you have always dreamed, has the fundamentals to guide you without overtaxing your brain. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550051.htm Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies In this introductory course Part 1, we consider what archaeology is, and how it fits into the scheme of anthropology. Learn something of early Australian anthropologists and how archaeology developed in Australia. Consider the formative processes of the earth, and look at how plate tectonics effected biogeography. You will gain knowledge about various theories of Hominid dispersal, like Out of Africa and Multi-regionalism. Discover facts about the Ice Age and fluctuating Pleistocene sea levels. Find out when and how Australia was first colonized, was it 40,000 or 60,000 years ago? Archaeology is a multidisciplinary science, and this course exposes you to archaeology papers, with the benefit of discussion through the forum or interaction with the instructor. This course is designed for anyone interested in Australian archaeology, or archaeology in general. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/6371.htm Fri, 24 Jan 2003 22:41:30 GMT S. Ewings Historical Studies If you have ever wanted to know where your ancestors came from, but became frustrated when there are no results after searching for hours, days, and even months. This course will show you how to find, where to look for specific results and organize your genealogical records into a written record. The Internet is an excellent tool for researching your ancestors. Each lesson will show you how to find and locate specific results about your family members and organize your genealogical records into a written record. Join now and you can start receiving information on conducting your own genealogical research. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/13590.htm Tue, 15 Mar 2005 18:23:59 GMT C. Densmore, MA, ABD Historical Studies In this course, the major issues and causes of World War l and ll will be discussed, along with a summary of the major battles, powers, and personalities (both military and political) that shaped the events and ultimate outcome of both epic struggles. This information will give the student a working understanding of the basic history of these wars With World War l we will learn about the developing political climate in Europe that caused the formation of Alliances, wars were fought over disputed territories, and bitter rivalries were established. What resulted was an epic-scale struggle for the domination of a continent and, perhaps, the world itself. For the first time in the history of warfare, aerial combat was used extensively. The trench-style warfare, complete with artillery fire, barbed wire, and chemical weapons, was unlike any conflict ever seen before. The aftermath of this brutal war would resolve little and, ultimately, pave the way for establishment of Nazi Germany and the next World War. Everything that had made the First World War such a monumental event was soon eclipsed by the colossal scale and impact of the next. World War II involved more nations and soldiers than any major war before or since. The technology was grander and more deadly. The villains were easily identifiable, worthy adversaries bent on global domination. The resistance to the Axis Powers; comprised of Germany, Japan, and Italy; was pushed to their limit in terms of providing soldiers and war materiel. The epic battles of World War II on land, through the air, and at sea were waged with ferocity unlike any other war--on two fronts. The effects of both World War I and II cannot be underestimated, as they still impact lives and nations to this very day. The political re-structuring that occurred following the defeat of the Axis Powers left the world a very different place: the creation and use of nuclear arms, the establishment of the nation-state of Israel, the division of much of Eastern Europe, the rapid expansion of Communism throughout much of Asia and Europe, the division of Germany, America's rise to superpower status, and far more. Clearly, the aftermath and impact of these events cannot be emphasized enough. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550097.htm Sun, 6 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies Unlike anything that had gone before it, the first great conflagration of the twentieth century was to set a precedent for all wars to follow. Involving nations from around the globe, the world had never seen a military conflict on this scale. This brutal struggle is known by many names: 'the Great War', 'The War to End All Wars', 'the First World War', and 'World War I'. Beginning in 1914 and lasting until 1918, this event would change the face of the world forever. Fought primarily in Europe, World War I claimed the lives of over nine million people and was one of the most deadly military conflicts in history. Much more than just an isolated incident in the history of humankind, the developing political climate in Europe had been brewing for a very long period of time. Alliances were formed, wars were fought over disputed territories, and bitter rivalries were established. What resulted was an epic-scale struggle for the domination of a continent and, perhaps, the world itself. For the first time in the history of warfare, aerial combat was used extensively. The trench-style warfare, complete with artillery fire, barbed wire, and chemical weapons, was unlike any conflict ever seen before. The aftermath of this brutal war would resolve little and, ultimately, pave the way for establishment of Nazi Germany and the next World War. In this course, the major issues and causes of the First World War will be discussed, along with a summary of the major battles, powers, and personalities (both military and political) that shaped the events and ultimate outcome of this epic struggle. This information should give the student a working understanding of the basic history of the war and how it helped set the stage for the next tragic global conflict. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550012.htm Wed, 6 Feb 2008 13:11:55 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies World Religions 101 provides a clear and concise introduction to the major world religions. You'll learn about the people, places, practices and philosophies shaping today's events. Some religions might be familiar, some strange and some you may never have heard about but why not discover karma, nirvana, yin and yang and the Holy Trinity? Although many of us think of religion as a belief system practiced through faith, obedience, prayer and worship, you'll find that some religions are more than just a belief in a deity, but an entire philosophy and way of life. Explore the religions that have shaped history, civilizations and your next door neighbors views. You will learn about the founders, the history and essential teachings of each of these major religions: Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, and Taoism, plus brief descriptions of other religions and religious practices. Why not join this self-paced course and learn about the diverse spiritual paths humanity has taken? Everyone is welcome! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/32276.htm Mon, 7 May 2007 22:44:32 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies Welcome to a study of the unusual, the eerie and the unexplained. It's widely believed that there are forces acting upon us every day from the spirit world--forces we could learn to use to our advantage, if only we knew how to interact effectively with the spirit world. That's quite a challenge, when we have yet to even prove it exists! Whether or not you believe in the paranormal, you can still enjoy the ghost stories that send a chill down your spine sitting around the campfire. Our love of scary stories has inspired horror movies and scary television shows, creepy novels and ghostly folk tales. We visit haunted houses and take flashlight tours of spooky cemeteries, all in the hopes of catching a glimpse of a ghost or catching a supernatural thrill. Harmless fun. Whatever your reasons for delving further, there is fuel for learning more about the spirit world. After all, there was a time we thought the world was flatand#8230; so how can we be sure our sixth sense can't be trusted? Who's to say whether or not ghosts are real? To make a final decision, it seems we should at least take a close look at the evidence that surrounds us. This course on hauntings is an overview of 15 locations around the world that are popularly described as haunted. Students of the paranormal can use these stories as an introduction to the subject and a foundation for further study. The lessons are specifically designed for beginners, and the locations were carefully chosen to represent a variety of different types of hauntings and their accounts. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550044.htm Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT C. Nichols Historical Studies The field of cryptozoology is considered a true science by some and by others it ranks somewhere in between UFOlogy and paranormal research. Our goal with this course is to provide students with the most accurate and factual information available, presenting it in an unbiased format so that students can decide for themselves if each cryptid (a creature of cryptozoology) is real, a myth, a hoax or a misidentified animal. The course begins by introducing students to cryptozoology and examining the true definition of this interesting field of research. While many who are unfamiliar with the field may dismiss it as 'ridiculous', there is a scientific basis for its merit, including the discovery and capture of animals that were once thought only to be of myth and legend, like the platypus, for instance. Section two of the course focuses on the most popular cryptid of all time: Bigfoot. This huge, hair-covered creature has mystified mankind for centuries. Students will be able to read intriguing stories of sightings, see still photographs of evidence and read what experts have to say about Bigfoot's identity. The third part of this course focuses on other famous cryptids, including the Loch Ness Monster, Chupacabras, Mokele-Mbembe or 'living dinosaurs', and Thunderbird. Each has its own cult-like following of believers intent on proving that their beloved creature does indeed exist. The last part of the course deals with cryptids that are specific to one area but whose stories have been sensationalized all across the nation. Whether it's the catchy name, like 'Dover Demon' or the twilight zone-like stories, these cryptids are known worldwide and most locals are proud to live in their made-famous-by-a-cryptid town. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550037.htm Tue, 1 Apr 2008 12:29:22 GMT C. Nichols Historical Studies Terrorism, is it the scourge of our time? Are you fearful of being involved in a terrorist attack? Quite frankly it almost depends on where in the world you live. It is often because a safe place today is a terror target tomorrow. With the desire on the part of the terrorists to obtain weapons of mass destruction, i.e. chemical, biological, or even a dirty bomb or nuclear bomb, the potential for a massive destructive attack increases exponentially. This course looks at the recent history of terrorism from the early twentieth century to today. You will learn: - The extent to which terrorism has become a part of life in the twenty-first century. - Why there is not a generally accepted definition of terrorism. - Acts of terrorism in the old world, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the new world. - Who in the world is acting to fight terrorism, or acting to support terrorism. - What the world is doing to combat terrorism. - The known terrorist groups and what are their goals. - The momentous influence that religion plays in terrorism - The continuous problems with political and military tactics in defeating terrorism. If you're p ursuing any career involving the field of political science or criminology, or if you are interested in understanding the reasons for terrorist acts, or want to know what the prospects are for the future of terrorism, this course will provide lots of disquieting but interesting information http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/33314.htm Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:48:26 GMT M. Coburn Historical Studies One of the most divisive and important events in American history, the Civil War (also called the War Between the States) pitted countrymen against countrymen in the new and developing republic of the United States of America. Among the many issues at stake were the role of central government, state's rights, slavery, and the fate of the Union itself, which had borne our fledgling nation through the American Revolutionary war and the War of 1812. Grim, brutal, and utterly personal, the Civil War claimed more American lives than any other war fought before or since the founding of the United States . No other war contains such philosophical and emotional impact, since the issues and concerns that were on the hearts and minds of the politicians, statesmen, combatants, and ordinary citizens of the late nineteenth century can still be seen in evidence even in modern times. No modern politician can ignore or discount the attitudes and mindsets the were forged in the Civil War and expect a measure of success--for many of those attitudes for both the North and the South still thrive in American society, culture, and debate. This course attempts to briefly summarize and present the major events and battles related to the War Between the States in chronological order. In addition, this course will set forth the major political issues and philosophies that set the stage for the Civil War, sustained the conflict, and continue to linger on to this day in the hearts and minds of most Americans. Finally, a list of the major figures related to the Civil War will be presented to highlight each notable person's contributions to the struggle itself and to the overall development of our nation. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/32964.htm Sun, 6 Jan 2008 11:19:45 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies American History has been significantly shaped by two major wars: The Revolutionary War and The Civil War. This course will focus on both of these historical events. The American Revolution set the stage for the creation of one of the most powerful and influential countries in the history of the world. Key aspects of the war will be covered: such as the precipitous events that led up to the war, the shot heard around the world, the Battles of Lexington and Concord, portraits of American patriots and loyalists, the Battle of Long Island, portraits of Redcoat (British) generals and leaders, Valley Forge, the Battle of Yorktown, the Treaty of Paris, and more. The Civil War will present the major events and battles in chronological order, discuss the major political issues and philosophies that set the stage for the Civil War, sustained the conflict, and continue to linger on to this day in the hearts and minds of most Americans. A list of the major figures related to the Civil War will also be presented to highlight each notable person's contributions to the struggle itself and to the overall development of our nation. Both of these wars were grim, brutal, and utterly personal. The issues and concerns of both wars had great philosophical and emotional impact that continue to influence and inspire the hearts and minds of politicians, statesmen, combatants, and ordinary citizens even in modern times. No modern politician can ignore or discount the attitudes and mindsets the were forged in the American Revolution and The Civil War --for many of these central beliefs and attitudes continue to thrive in American society, culture, and debate. Each lesson will focus on particular aspects of the conflict, drawing to light important facts and other information relevant to the events at hand. This course is ideal for those seeking review of American History, extra tutoring, test prep, or the non-academic hobbyists and life-long learners. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550144.htm Sun, 1 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies When the word ' metaphysics ' is mentioned, a wide variety of possible meanings springs to mind. For some, it is often considered part of the science of physics; to others, it might mean something mystical; to others still, it might represent a branch of philosophy or merely an incomprehensible mass of theoretical musings that could only be understood by professors with patches on their elbows living in an ivory tower somewhere. While all of these notions may have some merit to them, they only touch upon the true scope and purpose of the field of metaphysics. Since the beginning of philosophy--indeed, perhaps since the beginning of man's quest to learn about himself and the universe that surrounds him--there has been the discipline of metaphysics. While it may not have always been called such, it is nevertheless an important aspect of being human that everyone has dabbled with to one degree or another. Metaphysics, while sounding very complex or obtuse, is really nothing more than thinking about what exists and what the ultimate reality of the universe is (Geirsson and Losonsky, 1998). Questions within the field of metaphysics involve many of the 'big' issues in life: Is there an absolute right and wrong? Does God (or a creator) exist? What is the universe made of? Does free will exist or are we traveling on a predetermined path? All of these concepts and more, as well as their implications for human thought and life, are part and parcel of the philosophical discipline of metaphysics. While most people may not think in terms of 'doing metaphysical thought'--at least not in the strict philosophical sense--the fact remains that all thinking human beings have some sort of metaphysics that guide their lives everyday--a 'worldview' in essence. This course will look at what metaphysics is; what the key concepts and terms within the topic are; the practical ramifications of metaphysics; and very briefly discuss the history, development, and major schools of thought from the ancient Greeks to Roman times. By the conclusion of the course, it is hoped that the student will have a better understanding of metaphysics and perhaps a increased desire to study further. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550151.htm Mon, 4 May 2009 15:26:59 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies Genealogy is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States. According to some experts, nearly 75% of Americans are interested in discovering their family history. There are many reasons for this: some people are interested in learning more about their heritage, others want to preserve their family's history for future generations, while still others become involved as a means of spending time with older relatives. Whatever the reason, based on the number of books, web sites, and software programs devoted to this topic, there is widespread interest that continues to grow. While taking on the task of researching your family tree can appear and#8211; and in many cases actually be and#8211; a daunting task, it is far from impossible. Thanks to the increasing availability of information online, many people can easily conduct a great deal of their research from the comforts of their own home. In this course, we will present tips and strategies for beginning the process of constructing your family tree. In addition to describing the various records and sources available for finding information, we will help you to understand some basic genealogy terms and tools. We will also discuss the steps that you can take to permanently preserve your family's records and history. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550202.htm Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT S. Walker Historical Studies For many centuries, scientists generally held the belief that the Universe was truly infinite--it had neither a beginning nor an end. The question of how our Universe began is one of the fundamental questions that all peoples of all cultures have wondered for millennia. Although much of what we know today is still regarded as speculation, scientists and astrophysicists have made significant discoveries in the last century that have given us a much clearer view of the Universe's history. While these discoveries have led us to better understand our origins, they have also prompted us to pose even deeper questions. This is the very nature of science and cosmology, the study of the Universe. Our understanding of the physical world around us, and indeed the Universe itself, is constantly expanding. This course will explore the very beginnings of our Universe and examine its fundamental components. We will explore the formation and basic elements of our own solar system, and we will reach out from there--deep into the darkness to explore the sometimes exotic and always fascinating elements of space. We will also peer into other worlds in search of life on other planets, and we will learn about the exciting discoveries that have been made throughout the centuries by some of our greatest thinkers. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550209.htm Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT J. Bennett Historical Studies This course will provide you with a great amount of information about our world, our universe, and beyond our Milky Way. With our guidance, you will be able to investigate many fascinating theories and explore many exciting concepts regarding the history, origin, and evolution of our universe. In Cosmology 101, you will enjoy learning about a fascinating array of topics, including: 1. DISCOVERING THE EARLY UNIVERSE A Definition and#8211; what is Cosmology? Contemplating the early beginnings, The Human Element, Searching both early religion and science for their explanations, The Historical Explanation, The Modern Definition 2. THE ORIGINS AND EARLY DAYS OF EXPLORATION Seeing our World through the eyes of the Ancients, The Greeks, The Copernican Rebellion, Early Scientific Views, Pythagoras and#8211; not only theorems! Wandering stars , Aristotle, Sky Gods, Where was the Sun? 3. SIZE, SHAPE and AGE OF OUR UNIVERSE Observing the heavens, Orbits and Ellipses , The Laws of Motion, Speculating on the Laws of Gravity, The Impact of Newton's theories, Defining our Universe, Bending our Universe and#8211; space and time, Colors, The Milky Way, Relativity, Classifying and Contradictions 4. COSMOLOGY ISN'T THEOLOGY OR SCIENCE FICTION OR EVEN JUST SCIENCE Cruising through the alternative theories and#8211; various beliefs, Life on earth and beyond, Where, when and how did life begin, Why is our Universe so suited to our Life?, How can we best calculate Life on Earth? 5. OFF WITH A BANG and#8211; POSSIBLY DOWN WITH A CRUNCH? An explanation: Exactly where do Galaxies come from, Is there such a thing as Ancient Radiation?, Radiation Types, What are the Ingredients for an expanding Universe, Big Bang, Big Crunch, Can gravity be reversed? 6. BUILDING OUR OWN UNIVERSE Creating It Bit By Bit, The Basic Ingredients of our Universe, The Electron, The Atom, Quantum Mechanics, Max Planck, Karl Heisenberg, Antimatter, Particle Accelerators, Quarks 7. NATURAL FORCES AND THE ROLE THEY PLAY The Natural Forces, The Weak Force, The Strong Force, Holding it all together , You could and#8216;see' the force everywhere , Particles, Quantum Gravity 8. IN THE DARK Dark Matter, WIMPs, MACHOs , Dark Energy, Constants , Gauging the piece of string 9. IS THE UNIVERSE REALLY JUST A BIG CHEMISTRY SET? The chemicals elements that make up our entire Universe , After the Big Bang, The formation of heavier elements , Chemical barriers 10. MAKING STARS, SOLAR SYSTEMS and GALAXIES - and THAT'S ONLY A START! Stars are born, The Origins of stars and their galaxies, The Star Nurseries, Classifying our stars by their chemical make-up , Supernovae and their types, The Milky Way, The Stories some stars can tell, Black Holes and#8211; creating, categorizing, looking inside and breaking through 11. TIME TRAVEL The Past, The Present and The Future , Einstein's work on time, The Speed of Light and can it possibly and#8216;slow down'?, Turning Time Back, Before the Big Bang Is the Universe Infinite? 12. THE GREATS and WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR OUR WORLD, OUR THE UNIVERSE Pythagoras, Galileo, Newton, Einstein, Stephen Hawkings 13. THE GREATEST COSMOLOGICAL ADVANCES COBE CERN, Hubble Telescope, WMAP, Keck Telescopes, Others 14. THE END What happens if our Sun burns out? The Big Chill, The Big Crunch, The Big Rip. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550217.htm Thu, 2 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT J. Bennett Historical Studies One of the most divisive military efforts in United States history since the Civil War was the Vietnam War. A subject of widely-differing opinions at the time, the controversy rages still today over whether or not America should have involved itself in this bloody and hard-fought conflict. The primary aim of our involvement in Vietnam was to contain the spread of communism in Southeast Asia following the events of the Korean War and the Chinese Civil War of 1949. The United States officially backed the anti-communist Republic of South Vietnam (South Vietnam) against the forces of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), also called the 'Vietcong'. The North Vietnamese received military and economic assistance from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the People's Republic of China (Communist China), which greatly prolonged the conflict and created a significantly more difficult obstacle for the U.S. Armed Forces to surmount. What followed was one of the most brutal and unique wars ever fought by America. This course will examine the history of the Vietnam War. It will provide the student with the historical background that set the stage for the conflict, the events that led directly to the war, the major issues involved at home and abroad, and an overview of the major battles. Further, this course will also cover the non-military aspects of the war, such as the changing political climate in the United States during the late 1960s, that had a profound impact on the outcome of the struggle. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550223.htm Thu, 2 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT E. Mackerson Historical Studies Are you interested in building your vocabulary? Do you feel that your writing or your speaking vocabulary is below average? The purpose of ' Vocabulary Building ' is to beef up your everyday vocabulary with words that you could use in everyday conversation. A strong vocabulary will not only give you the tools to say and write exactly what you mean it can also help you on a job interview, communicate better with a doctor or your lawyer and certainly help you with school work. A good vocabulary makes you sound smarter, feel more assured and practically guarantees you'll be a better writer and speaker. The purpose of this vocabulary class is to beef up your everyday vocabulary with words that you could use in everyday conversation. The larger our vocabularies the more clearly we can communicate with others and understand what others are trying to communicate to us. This course will introduce some simple ways to learn new vocabulary words by practicing reading in context, by writing sentences using the words and by doing practice exercises and quizzes. The class is not a beginning or advanced vocabulary course. It's that 'in between' course where so many people's vocabulary skills fit. So if you're interested in expanding your vocabulary skills in a self-paced, no stress format where an instructor actually reviews and corrects your sentence writing, why not give it a try? Enrich your life by enriching your vocabulary. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550256.htm Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT A. Raley Writing Improvement Getting a book published can be one of the most exciting things you will ever do. It can also be one of the most frustrating. Not only is the book industry incredibly specific about how they want you to go about approaching editors, literary agents, and other publishing professionals, but you have to compete with thousands of other aspiring authors. This course will explore what you need to do to transition from a completed manuscript or nonfiction book idea to book publication, including traditional avenues, options in self-publication, and even ebook applications. It includes everything you need to know about crafting the perfect query letter, creating a nonfiction book proposal, and even what to do in the face of rejection letters. With a comprehensive list of resources to top it all off, there is no better place to turn for learning how to get your book on the shelves and into the hands of readers. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550273.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement It doesn't matter if you're a famous politician, suburban homemaker or someone in between, the fact of the matter is that everyone has a personal story worth telling. Whether you want to honor someone who's made a difference in your life, heal old wounds, document unique experiences or travels, record your family history, or leave a legacy to future generations, 'Journaling and Memoir Writing' is a comprehensive step-by-step guide that will demystify the process of finally putting your story on paper. No matter if you're a novice or a professional writer interested in the memoir form, 'Journaling and Memoir Writing' is designed to help you decide what story to tell and the best way in which to tell it. Whether you are interested in writing a memoir exploring your personal struggles such as addiction, abuse or divorce or a travelogue based on your experience backpacking through Europe, this course will help you narrow the focus of your life story and define the underlying theme that will connect you with an audience. You will also learn how to find your true voice that will make your story unique and authentic. Through varied and comprehensive writing exercises you will learn how to sharpen your instincts and hone your storytelling craft. 'Journaling and Memoir Writing' will also teach you how to dig deeper into your life and mine important memories that will enable you add incredible depth and richness to your story. In addition to the extensive writing lessons, you will learn what to do with your memoir once it is finished. Whether your goal is pass on your memoir as a family heirloom or to become a New York Times best seller, 'Journaling and Memoir Writing' will address the various publishing options available to you. Everyone has a story to tell. Let this online class help you write yours today. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550285.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement If you have ever dreamed of being a freelance writer this course is for you. Get started today learning about this exciting field and in no time you can be on your way to earning a living, extra income, and more, by doing something that you love and#8211; writing! Chock-full of all the inside information you need to understand the career field and be successful in it, this course can teach you what freelancing writing is, how much you can expect to make, how to find markets, creating successful queries, what to do once you get an assignment, and how to market your skills. You will also learn some of the tools of the trade that will help you be successful, such as how to build a portfolio, where to get ideas and topics from, common writing rules that are outdated, and various ways you can increase your earnings as a writer. This course will not only give you a look at everything you need to know to become a freelance writer, but when you finish, you will be ready to put what you learn into action to build a freelance writing career. Whether you would like to freelance on a full time basis, do it to supplement your current income, or learn freelance writing skills to get your product or service noticed, this is the place to start! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550289.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement Have you ever admired the rhythm and rhymes of famous poets such as Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson? Have you ever wanted to express your ideas in sharp, concise language? Have you ever wanted to express your feelings to friends or loved ones, or create a special poem for an event or gathering? If so, then this Poetry Writing Basics class is right for you. In this class, we will be looking at the basic tools of poetry, such as imagery, metaphor, concrete language, rhythm, and description, as well as different schools of contemporary poetry. We will be using assignment prompts and model poems to help you to write your own poetry and come up with ideas for future work. For this class, a basic interest in poetry and proficiency in English is required. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/33593.htm Mon, 3 Dec 2007 16:33:06 GMT L. Trent Writing Improvement A pair of hands on the keyboard, a blank screen, and a single wish: You want to write the Great American Short Story! You've read many of them -- Poe's 'Black Cat,' Cheever's 'Enormous Radio,' Welty's 'The Worn Path' -- but have you come close to writing a tale that lingers with readers after the last page is turned? In this class, you will gain the inspiration and the discipline to write a short story of 1000 to 8000 words. We will use examples from all genres, exploring the techniques of plot, style, flow, voice and tone that will make your fiction sing. This close reading of master works is accompanied by tried and true methods for putting words on the page, revising, and handling criticism from others. One thing's for sure: Your stories are ready to tell themselves to you. And, if all goes well enough, they'll tell themselves to the world as well. So, are you ready to start writing? http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550279.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement This course will teach you the best places to find book reviews online. It will also cover writing book reviews and marketing them to publications. The only requirements for the course are a love of reading and decent writing skills. Thanks to the popularity of the Internet and electronic books, book reviewers are needed more than ever before. So it's good skill to have if you want to be a writer, and even if you don't want to be a professional writer, learn how to write what you want to say about your favorite book, and wow them on Amazon.com reader reviews or in your book clubs. Remember book reviewers often get free books. The instructor Niki Taylor has degrees in English and Library Science and is a freelance writer/book reviewer who has written reviews for websites and magazines. You can work at your own pace with this course. There's no set class time. Let her take you from reader to reviewer. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/3830.htm Mon, 22 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT N. Taylor Writing Improvement Humor Writing There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you. (Will Rogers) Laughing- the salve of the soul. When we feel at our lowest sometimes the only thing that can turn our mood around and lift us up is a good hearty laugh. The comedy capers of some people can at times save our sanity. We envy those who can readily laugh and even more so those people that can make others laugh. This course will help you join this group, by covering things such as the advantages of keeping your humor in flow, how to guarantee laughs, the power of shock value, the importance of preparation and humor as a group effort -- and that's all just for starters! Writing- when we think back to the things that have moved us deeply, that have stirred us emotionally, many of those have been pieces of writing. It takes skill to create a piece of writing, one word after another, one sentence after another and put it together in such a way that people really want to read it. During this course you'll not only be given advice on how to write, but what not to write, how to market your material in a way that gives you the best possible chance of establishing a continuing comedy writing career and some tips you can utilize to assist you in writing good humor. This course is not like many others, in that it is not exercise after exercise and so-called hot tips guaranteeing to give you instant writing success, there is no such thing. What it will do for you is give you the best possible advice on how to build a solid foundation for your humor writing future, i.e. a career in writing that lasts! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550293.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement Do you dream of writing poetry, short stories, or novels? Have you ever watched a movie or a play and felt the desire to write a script of your own? Or have you already done some writing but want to find ways to bring more creativity, more originality, to your writing? Have you ever read a so-so novel or seen a lousy movie and told yourself, 'I bet I could do better?' Do you find yourself excited and intrigued by words, and by their sounds and meanings? If you said yes to any of these questions, then this course is for you. A creative writer makes art just as a painter or sculptor does, but with different tools. Instead of brushes, canvas, and pigments, the writer uses words. While the painter produces a painting we can see in front of us, the writer makes magic of a different sort. With a simple palette of letters and punctuation - just lines and symbols scratched on paper or scattered on a computer screen - the writer can create pictures and even entire worlds within a reader's mind. There are many forms of creative writing, from fiction, to poetry, to stage play and screenplay. Within each form there are countless genres and flavors. As a writer, you can (and should) try your hand at as many forms as you like, or you can specialize in one. There are techniques and practices that are common to all forms of creative writing, and we will discuss those here. We will also touch on the challenges and techniques that make writing in the different forms unique. Throughout this course, you will find numerous exercises designed to get your brain - and your hand - moving. http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550286.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement Travel writing is a fun, interesting and fulfilling career. If your goal is to become a full-time travel writer who is able to live off your income from writing alone, it is important to understand that travel writing, like any other career, requires you to develop specific skills and to have perseverance in order to succeed. There is a lot of competition in the field of travel writing. Some highly successful writers in this genre have compared their climb to success with those who aspire to become actors, songwriters or musicians. In other words, most aspiring writers work at other jobs while they build a reputation strong enough to financially support themselves on payment for their writing alone. How long it takes you to achieve that goal is dependent upon how ambitious you are and how well you write, but the average is between three and six years. Alternatively, you may only wish to earn extra money as a travel writer and continue working in the field you are already in; perhaps you travel frequently for your current job and feel you have a lot to share with others about the places you visit. You can create a great additional source of income as a travel writer this way. Whether it is a full or part-time profession you desire, this course will help you get started, provide you with the necessary information you need to build a strong portfolio, as well as improve your overall skill set required to succeed in the travel writing industry. So join us today! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550222.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement This course is perfect for those who have an interest in either Creative Writing or the Mystery Genre . If you love to write and want to move into this popular genre, or you love to read a great mystery and have often thought you could do it, this course is for you. Taking you through the processes of creating your Mystery Novel, this course begins by looking at the mystery genre itself and examining this type of writing attribute. We'll then move on to helping you become inspired and motivated as you get started. We'll also focus on some of the important elements of a good mystery--the setting, the characters, the plot, etc.--and help you to become familiar with all the tools the mystery writer uses to create multi-layered, addictive mystery fiction that a reader just cannot put down. Our innovative writing exercises will get your creative juices flowing by bringing out the writer in you and sparking new ideas. Additionally, there are questions after each lesson which will allow you to recap what you have learned and test your knowledge. The entire course is designed to offer you great information in a way that will get you thinking about your own mystery and personal writing practices. Whatever your age, experience or level of ability, this course constantly challenges and informs you so that your writing can't fail to improve and you will learn how to stay motivated and inspired through the entire writing process. For new, aspiring writers--become the mystery writer you have always wanted to be! And for seasoned writers looking to expand their horizons--we'll help strengthen your writing abilities with this very informative course. So join us today! http://www.universalclass.com/i/crn/7550292.htm Sun, 1 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT M. Merritt Writing Improvement