Of course, the reading level and content of a book will determine the amount of concentration necessary to comprehend the material. Few readers would argue that it requires greater focus to understand the contents of a Biology textbook than a work of commercial fiction.

For this reason, we suggest varying one’s reading among lighter, pulpy books like those found on the supermarket bestseller novel racks and weightier texts such as political biographies, classical works of fiction, and historical non-fiction.

Similar variation can also be practiced with shorter written pieces. For a complete reading experience, one should endeavor to move gracefully across the full spectrum of articles from the light and quick bits found in People Magazine and many newspapers  to the slower, denser works found in magazines like The New Yorker, The Economist, Harpers, and other publications which feature articles requiring higher level comprehension from their audience.

Regular reading across this spectrum should increase one’s mental capacity for linear focus and long term concentration.  Enjoying the streaming feeds of electronic media coming from televisions, iPods and MP3 players will utilize one’s capacity for short term attention. At this time in history, long and short term concentration are both important and useful skills.  

The successful minds of the future will likely possess well developed capacities for sustained linear thinking which can be further developed through activities such as reading, study, and meditation as well as the non-directional, short term focus which is stimulated by engagement with electronic media devices.

As suspected, this mother had decided to restrict her daughter’s use of cell phones, personal music devices, home video game consoles, television, and non-academic computer use for an extended period of time in hopes that it would increase her child’s concentration.

Sure enough, after the first week of the media break, the child’s primary teacher had already witnessed her improved class participation and better focus when carrying out assignments. Mom too, noticed that her daughter seemed more energized overall, was engaged during conversations, and followed directions without resistance or attitude. 

Apparently, despite the fact that electronic media devices are highly useful and often entertaining (especially for children), they can also sap much needed energy from people which might be better spent in meaningful or lighthearted conversation, activity and play. Most kids would not welcome a media break now, but may thank you later (perhaps when raising children of their own).

For more information on the benefits of media breaks, check out the following websites:

Center for Screen Time Awareness on National TV Turn Off Week

New York Times Article on Media Breaks for Parents

WebMD on Video Game Addiction

When continued over the long term, this simple exercise results in students developing a deep comfort with the process of writing.  Sitting for just a short time with pen and paper every day forces students to think creatively and organize those thoughts in a linear fashion, develops direction and discipline in the writing process, and boosts confidence as they become more adept in expressing themselves academically.

The benefits of Daily Writing are longterm.  As adolescents grow into high school and perhaps college students, they will continually employ the skills of both creative and academic writing, no matter where their interests lead them.  Having the tools and confidence to produce written work effectively and efficiently will greatly improve and enhance their scholastic journey.

For more information on the benefits of writing and journaling, take a look at the following sites:

Basic benefits of writing from EHow

A Writer’s Take on the positive effects of writing.

Writing helps people going through stressful experiences in Psychology Today

While some students are capable of keeping up with the assignments and time deadlines associated with taking high school classes online, others benefit greatly from the accountability provided by an online high school learning center such as Independent Education.

Our office provides students with the oversight, guidance, and one on one tutoring they need to take full responsibility for their own academic success. Attending fifteen hours per week or three hours per day, students are able to stay on top of their high school work and get help with more complex subjects. Additionally, Independent Education coaches students through the college application process, and assists with practical matters such as drivers’ licenses, resume creation and job searching.

Students seeking an alternative to high school will find it at Independent Education. We also consult with families interested in home schooling their high school age children.

Homebound students such as expectant mothers who have left high school early to raise their children can complete their schoolwork at our private offices in a number of months and receive their diplomas.  

Many young mothers make a split second decision to stop or delay their high school education in order to raise their children. Through the use of our offices though, these students receive the support and direction to follow a part-time school schedule (3 hours per day, 3 to 5 days per week).

Their studying soon results in completing their entire high school work and receiving an accredited diploma. With this diploma, students have the freedom to enroll in college and continue their education at an appropriate time.

This holiday season, we are chaperoning several activities with our clients that happened to be organized under the themes of service and ice.

On Monday, December 21, several students volunteered to do a clean up at the Russell Home’s thrift store in downtown Orlando. All proceeds from the store go to help fund the Russell Home, a non-profit group housing severely handicapped children that has operated in central Florida for over fifty years.  

On Monday, December 28, our students will be  ice skating outdoors in Florida, a virtual Christmas miracle, at the rink which the city of Winter Park set up in the Park Avenue commons.

On Wednesday, December 30, in keeping with our “frozen water in Florida” theme, students will be travelling to the annual ice sculpture show at the Gaylord Palms resort and conference center in Orlando. The aptly named show, Ice, boasts over two million pounds of handcrafted ice sculptures carved by 38 artisans from Harbin, China.

The new year will see the kids returning to service based work when they travel to Lakeland, Florida for a dayof grounds clean up at the Florida Baptist Children’s Home. Unfortunately, the children in the home will have already returned to school by that time and will not have a chance to meet the Independent Education students. Nevertheless, many of the kids are eager to do the landscape and painting work that awaits them at the home.

During the week starting January 4, our students will be picking up books, and mapping out the study/work/domestic/socialization schedules they will be following this spring. College classes resume promptly on Monday, January 11.

Dan and the staff at Independent Education wish all of you a wonderful holiday season. See you in 2010!

The online coursework and early graduation assessment services provided at Independent Education allow students to leave their high schools and complete remaining coursework in a professional office with supervision and one on one tutoring. Computers and basic school supplies are provided for students. Our students complete their coursework inside a calm, quiet professional office in an environment free from distraction.

Who is a good candidate for early graduation?

Students fourteen and older who are interested in exiting high school early.

Students seeking to enter the work world ahead of their peers.

Students unsatisfied with their present high school experience.

Advanced students bored with high school seeking the challenge of college.

Average students wanting to get ahead in their academic process.

Single mothers unable to attend high school.

Struggling students who have fallen behind and want to catch up with their peers.

Learning disabled students with difficulty concentrating in crowded classrooms.

Adults seeking high school diplomas in order to pursue college.

Adults looking to get their high school diplomas for personal or employment reasons.

How long does the early graduation program take?

The early graduation program typically takes between one and six months to complete all degree requirements and receive an accredited high school diploma. There are no time limits or deadlines regarding how long students take to get through their courses. Most students can complete all 24 subjects in less than three months by studying three hours per weekday.

Is the diploma accredited, and will it be accepted by colleges?

Graduating students receive accredited high school diplomas, not GED’s. All degrees are accredited by both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA), two well known accreditation associations recognized and accepted by most all colleges in the United States and other world nations.

Can I get credit for high school classes I’ve already taken?

Students will receive course equivalent credit for prior classes that directly match our graduation requirements. Students do not have to retake requirements which have been met via transfer credit. Prior classes that do not directly match graduation requirements are only awarded elective credit.

What are the courses like?

The twenty four required courses represent a condensed high school curriculum covering the basic elements of standard high school classes. Each course comes with a study guide containing all information necessary to complete assignments and pass the assessment. Students complete several assignments followed by an assessment based on contents of the study guides.

Can I redo assignments, assessments and courses if I do poorly the first time through?

All assignments, assessments, and courses can be attempted an unlimited number of times in order to achieve mastery and passing grades without penalty or extra tuition charges.

Will I be missing out on important learning by graduating early?

Many subjects covered in high school are required courses at colleges. Additionally, most community colleges offer high school equivalency courses in the areas of math, reading and composition. Students needing refreshment skills in these areas can take all needed classes at local colleges. Most two and four year colleges have core curriculums requiring students to take roughly two semesters of English Composition, Math, Science, History/Humanities, Politics/Sociology, and Foreign Languages. Often these classes are only slightly more difficult than the same subjects as taught in high schools.

The convention includes seminars on many issues which home school students and families encounter along the alternative education highway. Additionally, the convention plays host to hundreds of home school related product and curriculum vendors as well as local schools which cater to home school students of all ages and their families.

The 2010 convention is being hosted once again in Orlando. It will take place at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort from May 27 – 29.

IE - East Orlando Sun