Hello followers! I know it's been a long while, but I'm back and here to stay...it's been a long time coming, that's for sure!
Today I thought I would share some information on a less-publicized topic...that of adult financial literacy. We so frequently talk about the financial literacy of youth and young adults as part of a formalized education program. However, adult financial literacy is equally important. Because of our rapidly evolving economy and the introduction of new financial instruments and obstacles in the world today, adults equally need financial literacy education and growth tools simply to understand everything that is out there as well as to support the financial literacy of youth and young adults.
The Institution for Financial Literacy (https://financiallit.org/) is committed to providing standards and tools viable for the adult financial literacy movement. One of the Institute's major accomplishments has been the development of the National Standards for Adult Financial Literacy Education (TM).
For educators in the post-secondary environment, promoting adult financial literacy is a national imperative, especially seeing that so many adults today are underserved and lack even basic financial literacy skills to be successful at life itself. Since our nation's economy changed drastically over past several years, countless adults are returning to college to pursue new careers or simply to strengthen skills. Adding financial literacy education into the curriculum of post-secondary education programs is something colleges and universities today must undertake sooner rather than later.
In addition, adult financial literacy must be achieved in a "delivered as needed" environment. For example, when applying for a mortgage, applicants should have to go through a short financial literacy program on understanding mortgages, mortgage types, and knowing where to go should problems arise once a mortgage is undertaken. As a business society, we all too readily accept that everyone must know about a process if they undertake that process. However, as we have seen in recent years, that has been proven tragically wrong.
Please share your views and ideas on adult financial literacy as a comment to this post! I look forward to seeing what other have to say about this movement in America today.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
A cool financial literacy course for all ages!
I was sitting around the house relaxing on this Easter morning and checked out a great online financial literacy course offered by Wells Fargo. The best part about it...it has lessons for all ages, even young adults and adults! The resource is called Hands-On Banking (http://www.handsonbanking.org/).
Another great feature of this program is the pre- and post-tests available for the young adult and adult levels. In addition, you can report the results of these pre- and post-tests through the Hands-On Banking website to help compile results data on your students. I think this is a great feature!
Even better, this resource is completely FREE! There are shareable instructor guides, and much, much more! Check out this resource and let us know how you are using the materials with your students. With resources like this available, I expect to see some good results!
Another great feature of this program is the pre- and post-tests available for the young adult and adult levels. In addition, you can report the results of these pre- and post-tests through the Hands-On Banking website to help compile results data on your students. I think this is a great feature!
Even better, this resource is completely FREE! There are shareable instructor guides, and much, much more! Check out this resource and let us know how you are using the materials with your students. With resources like this available, I expect to see some good results!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Thoughts on financial literacy as a graduation requirement...
I want to take this opportunity to share my belief in financial literacy as a requirement for graduation from high school.
As one of the most valuable content areas a student can learn in high school (Thanks to Brian Page (@FinEdChat) for this paraphrased statement!), why don't all states require financial literacy content as a graduation requirement? Does every student use history education 20 years after high school? Maybe if they are a contestant on Jeopardy! How about chemistry? A foreign language? While students may (and I emphasize may) use bits and pieces of traditional content areas later in life, EVERY student will use financial literacy concepts over and over again throughout their life.
Make a stand! Join professional associations and private interest groups in getting financial literacy content in front of every student in every state and taught by qualified educators. Contact your state board of education. Write to legislators. What ever it takes, we must do a better job in this country of preparing young people for effective financial decision-making. Without financial literacy education, we have failed as an educational system of preparing students for real life.
Share your thoughts on making financial literacy education a graduation requirement. Tweet me @MCWhiteOH today! I look forward to your thoughts and views on this very timely and important educational issue.
As one of the most valuable content areas a student can learn in high school (Thanks to Brian Page (@FinEdChat) for this paraphrased statement!), why don't all states require financial literacy content as a graduation requirement? Does every student use history education 20 years after high school? Maybe if they are a contestant on Jeopardy! How about chemistry? A foreign language? While students may (and I emphasize may) use bits and pieces of traditional content areas later in life, EVERY student will use financial literacy concepts over and over again throughout their life.
Make a stand! Join professional associations and private interest groups in getting financial literacy content in front of every student in every state and taught by qualified educators. Contact your state board of education. Write to legislators. What ever it takes, we must do a better job in this country of preparing young people for effective financial decision-making. Without financial literacy education, we have failed as an educational system of preparing students for real life.
Share your thoughts on making financial literacy education a graduation requirement. Tweet me @MCWhiteOH today! I look forward to your thoughts and views on this very timely and important educational issue.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Got iPad?
Would you like to make better use of your iPad while in the classroom? Well, you can! Mobile technology is quickly becoming part of 21st century learning. Plus, there are a multitude of useful apps you can use to engage your students whether teaching business courses or math or English courses, too!
What are the best ways to harness the power of the iPad in the classroom? Well, here are a few tips:
1. Explore! Set aside some time to browse the App Store. There are tons of free apps that can be used for classroom assignments or instruction. For example, I was browsing the other day and found an app called SnapGuide. It's a free app and can be used to create professional how-to guides through an easy-to-use interface. That's just one example!
2. Join a professional organization that emphasizes technology for the classroom. There are a number of such organizations that are specific to content areas. For example, I have been a member of OBTA--An Association for Business Technology Educators (http://www.obta-ohio.org/) for 8 years and have gained much insight into technology in the classroom through my membership.
3. As a last resort, there is always the training class to learn more about apps and how to maximize the use of your iPad. I don't recommend this option unless you truly have no other option at your disposal. Options 1 and 2 are much more economical and also involve you with like-minded educators that are looking for the same thing.
So, that is my short post about using the iPad in the classroom. I would love to hear how you have integrated the iPad into your classroom. Simply respond to this post or tweet your idea(s) to me @MCWhiteOH. Stay tuned for more information on this trending topic!
What are the best ways to harness the power of the iPad in the classroom? Well, here are a few tips:
1. Explore! Set aside some time to browse the App Store. There are tons of free apps that can be used for classroom assignments or instruction. For example, I was browsing the other day and found an app called SnapGuide. It's a free app and can be used to create professional how-to guides through an easy-to-use interface. That's just one example!
2. Join a professional organization that emphasizes technology for the classroom. There are a number of such organizations that are specific to content areas. For example, I have been a member of OBTA--An Association for Business Technology Educators (http://www.obta-ohio.org/) for 8 years and have gained much insight into technology in the classroom through my membership.
3. As a last resort, there is always the training class to learn more about apps and how to maximize the use of your iPad. I don't recommend this option unless you truly have no other option at your disposal. Options 1 and 2 are much more economical and also involve you with like-minded educators that are looking for the same thing.
So, that is my short post about using the iPad in the classroom. I would love to hear how you have integrated the iPad into your classroom. Simply respond to this post or tweet your idea(s) to me @MCWhiteOH. Stay tuned for more information on this trending topic!
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