Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and CEO, along with his wife Dr. Priscilla Chan continue to improve education and expand personalized learning with the newly created Chan Zuckerberg Initiative LLC. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is a limited-liability corporation that will channel funds into the couple’s philanthropic efforts. This is part of Zuckerberg and Chan’s promise to eventually donate 99 percent of their Facebook shares to various causes, nearly $45 billion.

Zuckerberg and Chan’s main focus is on personalized learning, primarily through the development of software that can figure out how students learn best and what areas they need to focus on more. Personalized learning programs also allow students to tailor their education to meet their personal needs. They can work at their own pace, spending more time on subjects that interest them and practice subjects they find challenging.

Schools that have adapted a personalized learning strategy note a smaller gap in academic achievement between students and overall improved learning across the board. Zuckerberg and Chan aren’t the only tech billionaires interested in improving education. Many others, including eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, have donated money to invest in the future of education. With new ways of learning becoming more and more prominent, it’s exciting to be able to explore new opportunities. Next Step Academy is one opportunity that allows you to pick and choose topics that interest you most and find out if they’re a good fit for you and your future path.

Start today by taking careers-in and life skills courses for free at NextStepAcademy.com!

Online learning has increased in popularity in recent years. It’s a convenient choice for those returning to the classroom or just beginning their education. It allows people to continue to work full-time, while still being able to get an education. According to Dr. Steve Perry, a revered education expert, nearly half (45%) of the 21 million students in the United States took at least one online course.

Although it’s gaining popularity, online learners will have some challenges when pursuing their degree or certificate. Here are three tips to help make online learning effective:

1. When looking at programs, make sure to choose a school that has an up-to-date curriculum. Traditional classroom learning and technology-based learning are two very different environments. Perry suggests that an online curriculum must address these differences and prepare students for the challenges they will face in an Internet-based environment. Clearly communicated goals and learning objectives, successful use of technology and the opportunity for personal interaction with instructors and other students all point to the success of the online student. The best online program will be the one that has up-to-date curriculums that reflect the current trends happen in the desired sector.

2. Make sure to still polish life skills.  Learning online is a different environment. Since communication with instructors and peers is conducted online, learners miss out on face-to-face communication. In that way, having the ability to communicate effectively in a digital environment is an essential skill to possess before enrolling in an online learning curriculum. Also, according to Perry, 4 in 10 college graduates do not possess the complex reasoning skills to manage white-collar work. The ability to make decisions and solve problems and the ability to obtain and process relevant information are skills most desired by employers. Make sure the online program you pursue allows you to develop those skills and, if not, supplement those skills in an alternative learning platform. 

3. Stay motivated. It may be difficult to to do homework and study when going to school online. In traditional learning, distractions are set aside because students are in the classroom. While learning online, nothing is stopping students from being pulled away by other demands. In order to combat those distractions, make sure you pay attention to your syllabi which will help you plan out your study and homework schedule in advance. Try setting up a structured plan with deadlines in a planner or on a calendar. Before getting pulled away, look at what’s due and decide if time can be spent elsewhere.

> Next Step Academy offers a variety of online courses dealing with life courses. The quick and easy 10-minute courses will help improve these skills that employers expect a potential employee to have.

When you start something new it can be easy to get caught up in the stress after it isn’t new anymore. You wonder why you began in the first place. Maybe it’s a new workout routine or going back to school, but no matter what your “new” adventure is… NEVER FORGET WHY YOU STARTED!

Your end goal should be your main focus. Dig your heels in. Get emotional about your decision. Leap with your whole heart.

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“Back to School: 1,001 Facts You Learned and Forgot in High School” by Benjamin Smith is the book every learner needs to pick up before possibly heading back into the classroom.

Written by a former high school principal and teacher, Smith enjoys reminding people of facts they already learned.

The book is written in larger type and broken up into periods, reminiscent of the periods used during high school. The first period covered is English, moving on to science, geography and so on — only to end on the last chapter: the final exam. Twenty quick multiple choice questions greet you at the end to validate your time spent with the book.

The chapters about sports and foreign languages are interesting and add a well-rounded approach to the book. When working with textbook-style facts, this book could have been a lot to digest, but the author instead makes it easy to want to read it — and learn something!

Whether you are going back to school or maybe just want a refresher about what your kids are talking about at the dinner table, this easy read will be sure to bring back memories of the lessons you forgot you already knew.

You can find this book on Amazon.

> For refresher courses to polish your soft skills, check out Next Step Academy’s Life Skills courses.

Welcome to Next Step Academy, an online school for people of all ages at every stage in life. We are on a mission to help learners like you get where you want to be.

Ready for college? You’re in the right place to discover opportunities available to you, from career choices and program options to critical life skills like Interviewing Skills and Time Management.

Going back to school? It’s never too late to follow your dreams. Find out what it takes to earn that degree you’ve always wanted and take your career goals to new heights.

Looking for a career change? If you’ve been wanting to try something new and are ready to make a move, Next Step Academy can help you take the first step toward the life you’ve always wanted.

Not sure what you want to do? Don’t sweat it! We are here to help you figure it all out. Take a look at our extensive and ever-growing suite of courses. And, if you don’t find what you’re looking for, let us know! We just may create the course you’re looking to see.

Our exclusive online courses offer critical information and clear direction. All courses are organized into two categories:

• “Careers In” courses help facilitate intent as learners explore potential degree, program, and career opportunities.
• “Life Skills” courses help learners gain the knowledge and wisdom they need to hit the ground running both personally and professionally in order to fulfill their life’s potential.

Next Step Academy is a non-accredited educational resource. Each course is packed with valuable information and presented in an effective and engaging way. The courses are quick, easy and designed to be used across a variety of devices—including smartphones, tablets, laptops and more.

So, what are you waiting for? Register today and begin taking your next steps to a brighter future! We’re excited to be a part of your journey.