Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 6:03 a.m.

The University of California system has 10 campuses,150 academic disciplines, and 600 graduate degree programs.

An Orange County real estate broker wants to add tens of thousands of online courses to that list. And he wants to make them available to the public. For free. The Bernie Sanders-style proposal, officially submitted this week to the California Attorney General as a potential ballot initiative, is clearly a long shot.

But its author, Boyd Roberts of Laguna Beach, thinks people will be so enthused by the prospect of getting a world class education on their laptops for no cost that they'll come out in droves to help him get the measure on the November 2018 ballot.

"The first thing it does is establish the right of the public to access publicly owned higher education," he says. "More specifically, it gives them the right to audit all publicly owned higher education online."

The measure would apply to Cal State University campuses and California Community Colleges, too. It would establish a two-tiered system for access to online courses: Anyone could audit a class online, but those who seek degrees would have to pay what amounts to a break-even price for the institution involved, Roberts says.

If voters approve the measure, it would amend the state's constitution. As such, it would take585,407 valid voter signatures to make the ballot. And that's if the Attorney General approves the proposal's language for signature gathering, a process that's usually without many glitches. Gathering that many signatures almost always requires a professional firm's help at the cost of $3 million or so, experts have estimated.

Roberts, who's also running for Congress as a Democrat against Republican U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, thinks a rare grassroots effort relying on volunteers could produce a breakthrough initiative.

"I think it would be very popular with students and parents," he says. "I visualize a social media campaign like the Ice Bucket Challenge of the Women's March. If it catches hold people can sign up their friends and ask them to get signatures."

The would-be politician says the effort could be cost neutral because it would attract new students to the online degree programs. Bonds would be issued to pay for initial infrastructure, he says. "I've got it set up to not impact the taxpayer at all," Roberts says. "Schools can't make it a profit center for the state and universities, either."

The measure would also encourage instructors to use "free, open-source books," Roberts says.

Russell Poulin, deputy director of research for online education nonprofit WicheCooperative for Educational Technologies, says the measure is a good idea but that it could be fraught with complications. Chief among them is the daunting volume of courses offered by public higher education institutions in the state. Many would be redundant, Poulin says.

"The way one professor teaches Shakespeare is different from the way another teaches it, so will we have a standard Shakespeare course," he asks.The University of Georgia has approached the problem by creating "an agreed upon core of general education courses available online."

However, if one or even a few Shakespeare courses are approved for online offerings over others, "you run into issues of academic freedom," Poulin says. In other words, would offering one class over another censor a professor? And disruptive students and trolls would have to be dealt with, especially if courses are open for free to the general public, he says.

Some courses, like theater classes, medical demonstrations or physical education, might not be amenable to online versions, Poulin says. And there are myriad of "long tail" classes with relatively obscure topics and low attendance that, while important to a student body, might not be worth the cost of online broadcasting, he argued.

"You'll have to figure out the economics of it," he says.

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Free Online University of California Education for All Aims for Ballot - L.A. Weekly

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "China Online Education Industry Report, 2016-2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

China's online education industry has expanded at a rate of around 20% in recent years, with the market worth of RMB150.7 billion in 2016, a year-on-year growth of 23%. Meanwhile, user scale also increased rapidly, reaching 89.27 million in the same period, a 21.9% rise from a year ago.

Propelled by favorable policies and capital inflows, the Chinese online education market and user scale will maintain a rapid growth rate, hitting an estimated RMB421.6 billion and 241.6 million in 2021, respectively.

China Online Education Industry Report, 2016-2021 highlights the following:

Key Topics Covered:

1 Overview of Online Education Industry

2 Development of China Education Industry

3 Development of China Online Education Industry

4 Market Segments in China Online Education Industry

5 Key Players

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vs8xrw/china_online

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China Online Education Industry Report 2016-2021 - Research and Markets - Business Wire (press release)

Jordan Zabel jzabel@sekvoice.com

Education is a lifelong pursuit that radiates well outside the classroom, and takes on a plethora of vehicles. Whether it's in a formal academic setting or coming from years working the land, our minds are always learning and adapting to the challenges before us.

In our modern world, information is increasingly becoming more readily available every day. With the advent of the internet, and the ceaseless progression of technology that continues to produce more advanced personal computers and smartphones each year, our relationship to information is evolving. While there is certainly no shortage of escapist distractions on the world wide web, this is also an ever-growing number of opportunities for online education that people of all ages can benefit from.

When we learn something new, our brains grow new cells and builds new connections between neurotransmitters. This has proven physiological benefits for problem-solving and memory skills, as well core functions like advanced pattern recognition. Learning helps improve cognitive ability and memory function, which modern studies are repeatedly showing helps ward off debilitating mental conditions such as Alzheimers disease and dementia.

Perpetuating one's active and healthy mental state through their senior years is becoming easier to accomplish. Over the past decade, formal online learning has become more commonplace among adults. While senior citizens' use of the internet is perhaps less all-encompassing as younger adults, the rapid growth of technology, along with the inevitable effect of younger users aging, suggests that the majority of seniors will be using the internet for ever-widening purposes within just a few years. According to data gathered by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, the main uses of the internet by people over 60 are: Email, news, health information, product information, family research, and travel reservations. The increased availability of accredited online learning opportunities continues to grow rapidly, and could quickly become the primary use as more people become aware of its effectiveness.

Through are a number of tools to help assist older adults in revamping their academic pursuits. A number of universities across the country will waive or significantly reduce tuition for seniors for credit and non-credit courses. According to the American Council on Education, 60 percent of accredited degree-granting educational institutions in the U.S. offer tuition waivers for older adults. A number of states also offer scholarships to seniors. There are also organizations like the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), which is a non-profit that meets the needs of individuals 50 years of age and older who want to pursue their love of learning. The government offers tax deductions up to $10,000 in a lifetime for higher education purposes, providing even more incentive.

Kansas residents 60 and older can audit courses at state institutions on a space-available basis without paying tuition or fees. Many colleges and universities allow seniors to audit a course, which means that they can attend lectures but probably wont need to do homework or take exams. Auditing a course allows one to take advantage of the social and learning benefits without the stress associated with exams, essays and homework. The downside is that you usually dont receive a college credit for auditing a course, so if youre looking to earn a degree then this option wont be of much use.

In order to audit a course you usually have to contact the school directly and also receive permission from the professor. The registration process varies from school to school. The University of Kansas and Wichita State University, for example, both require senior auditors to apply for admission. Schools dont usually advertise that they do this, but its worth it to give them a call and ask about a course that interests you.

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Online education an opportunity for seniors - Sek Voice.com

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to the latest market study released by Technavio, the online higher education market in the US is expected to grow at a CAGR of almost 20% during the forecast period.

This research report titled Online Higher Education Market in the US 2017-2021 provides an in-depth analysis of the market in terms of revenue and emerging market trends. This market research report also includes up to date analysis and forecasts for various market segments and all geographical regions.

The online higher education market in the US is anticipated to witness rapid growth over the forecast period, owing to the robust ICT (information, communication, and technology) infrastructure, increased penetration of mobile devices, rising adoption of BYOD (bring your own devices), and surging demand for employability skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. Several initiatives taken by universities and government in collaboration to promote online education in the US are also expected to boost the growth of online higher education over the forecast period.

This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

Technavios education research analysts categorize the online higher education market in the US into the following segment by subjects. They are:

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Technavios sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

The top three revenue-generating segments of the online higher education market in the US are discussed below:

Commerce and management

Commerce and management accounted for the largest subject segment in the online higher education market in the US. The growth can be attributed to increasing enrollments for commerce and management roles in degree as well as non-degree courses for both graduate and undergraduate levels.

According to Jhansi Mary, a lead K-12 and higher education research analyst from Technavio, Opportunities from the banking sector, marketing sector, and people management roles tend to attract students, resulting in rising admissions in the bachelor's courses offered by universities in fields including finance, marketing, operations, and HRM. Students with limited financial backgrounds are also opting for non-degree management courses and certifications to apply for entry-level positions in fields such as marketing, sales, and others.

STEMS

STEM subjects accounted for the second largest subject segment in the online higher education market, owing to the increasing number of online enrollments in degree and non-degree courses offered by universities in different disciplines such as computer science, electronics and instrumentation, information technology, medical sciences, and health.

Increasing opportunities from the nursing and healthcare sectors have led to the surging online enrollments in courses offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in science-oriented subjects. Moreover, increasing emphasis by educators and parents on STEM education in schools develops an interest in them, which has resulted in the majority of students opting for STEM courses, thereby compelling the higher education institutes to offer degree courses in STEM education, adds Jhansi.

Arts

The online higher education market in the US by arts is expected to witness a considerable growth over the forecast period, owing to the increasing opportunities from the non-technical fields such as bachelor's and master's in literature, painting, visual communications, humanities, liberal arts, fashion, culinary skills, and others.

The growth can also be attributed to the promotion of arts by the US government. For instance, in 2014, Michelle Obama spoke in regarding the importance of arts in schools, in the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards held at the White House. As a part of the Reach Higher initiative, Michelle Obama hosted 150 students for Fashion Education Workshop, aiming to promote education and enable young fashion enthusiasts to pursue careers in the fashion industry.

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About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavios report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

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Online Higher Education Market in the US - Forecasts and Analysis by Technavio - Business Wire (press release)

Aug 31, 2017 Jason Gabak News, News, Skaneateles Press

The value of SEF goes beyond checks written to the district

By Heather Carroll

Executive Director of the SEF

Matthew Oliver is pursuing a career in music technology because of Mr. Rileys class in audio engineering. Because of his experience in the hydroponics lab with Mr. Stagnitta, Josh Zajac is going on to study food science and sustainability.

Skaneateles Education Foundation [SEF] started awarding teacher grants to supplement the curriculum when incoming seniors were in 4th grade. Investments in quality education made by people in this community have allowed SEF to fund the hydroponics lab, audio engineering technology, LEGO Robotics, the Zoom Room video lab, chemistry and physics vodcasts, musical theater workshops, Distance Learning technology, the Art Masterpiece program, 3D printing, professional learning experiences, inspirational guest speakers and so much more.

The SEF board of directors, staff and many volunteers are passionate about the role of the education foundation to engage in meaningful partnerships that create powerful opportunities extending far beyond the checks we write to the district.

SEF sees its role as fulfilling these four Cs: Connector to community resources, collaborator with strategic partners, convener of courageous conversations and conduit by which community can invest in education.

The first of these, connector to community resources, is the primary focus of the foundation for this coming year. Through discussions with the districts administrative team, SEF has been asked to reach out to the community through our extensive list-serve to build a volunteer corps, a Talent & Skills Inventory if you will, of all kinds of experts from our extended Skaneateles community. The goal is to connect our teachers and students with professionals, parents, alumni and retirees who have applicable skills and knowledge to enhance real-world learning experiences in the classroom.

To this end, the foundation will build communications with our greatest resourceour own Skaneateles Alumni. Starting with the Class of 17, we are developing a database to monitor impact of grants and connect students and alumni with a networking resource for job-shadowing, internships and employment.

In our second role, collaborator with strategic partners, SEF has worked with the Parent Teacher Committees (PTC) and the Skaneateles Music Guild & Boosters to fully fund numerous grants that fit the mission of all our organizations, thereby providing teachers with additional resources via one-stop shopping, simplifying their application process. Other strategic partners include the Peter and Elsa Soderberg Charitable Foundation, the Skaneateles Festival, the Schweinfurth Museum, Chase Design, Patience Brewster Inc., the Allyn Family Foundation, the Winkelman Foundation, the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce, the Skaneateles Polar Bear Club and the Jean Graham Fund.

SEF is often the first point of entry for conversations, the third C, about themes in education that parents are passionate about coding, character education, computer science, leadership, STEM and the arts. Superintendent Slentz calls SEF the Research & Development arm of the district for our ability to fund pilot programs and innovation, supporting the districts growth mindset while assuming the initial financial risk. SEF funding and quick turnaround allows teachers to dream. If their projects are successful and worth continuing, the district then has time to adopt them into the next budget cycle. Investments in human capital through professional development opportunities supports teachers growth and adds personal value to working in Skaneateles Schools.

Finally, for those who are passionate about quality education, SEF provides a Conduit by which community can invest in our local public schools. Skaneateles joins thousands of other communities nationwide that are fortunate to have education foundations stewarding private funding for educational excellence. For Matt and Josh, the impact of community investments in education via SEF are very real, and the ripple effects for all our students are vast.

To donate your time, talent or treasure, please visit skanedfoundation.org.

SEF is a community supported organization created to supplement public funding to enhance the quality of education in the Skaneateles School District. Foundation grants fund the dreams of teachers in programs and curriculum that will ignite the passion, creativity and problem solving of all our students. SEF supports pilot or one-time programs and projects that have positively impacted more than 2,000 students by providing over 100 grants since 2009 in humanities, STEM, wellness and the arts.

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Skaneateles Education Foundation lends valuable support - Eagle News Online

Bitcoin PR Buzz August 28, 2017 11:34 am

Russian blockchain start-up BeOne is implementing blockchain technology to online education and course delivery through the development of a distributed ledger backed platform. The BeOne platform is created with the intention of offering users with varying educational backgrounds, a range of online courses across a broad spectrum of domains.

The platform, currently undergoing closed alpha testing has announced the launch of its ICO campaign to raise funds necessary for building a comprehensive finished product.

Users of BeOne platform will be able to teach or learn a wide array of skills, including cooking and photography. The platform has been designed with the intention of keeping the needs of students and instructors at its core. The platform aims to simplify the process for online teachers to create and share informative, educational content of various types at a fraction of the cost while receiving higher returns than other similar platforms.

Another benefit is the massive pool of content available to online students at a comparatively small fee. Users of BeOne can participate in the webinars hosted on the platform, receive one-on-one consultations and get an immediate response to their queries. When it comes to courses, they can purchase a particular module of significance based on their needs, rather than being forced to buy an entire course that may not be of any use to them.

BeOne also enables its users to search for like-minded people and join interest groups to learn in teams. For instructors and course creators, BeOne has a broad range of monetization models that currently charge the lowest commission in the industry, with a cap of 10%.

The BeOne ICO is set to go live on August 28, 2017, at 12:00 (MSK). During the month-long crowd sale, investors can purchase the platforms tokens by depositing BTC, ETH, LTC or DASH. The BeOne tokens serve as the mode of transactions on the platform. The platform has set a maximum cap of 10 million tokens out of which 9 million will be available for purchase during the crowd sale.

BeOne has a bonus option in place for early bird investors, with individuals who invest during the first three hours of the ICO receiving a 50% discount on the token purchase. After the first allotment, investors stand to get a 20% discount for the following 72 hours.

From all the raised ICO funds, BeOne will invest 50% in marketing, 20% for development, 20% for onboarding instructors and the rest 10% for operating expenses.

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BeOne Streamlines Online Education with Blockchain Technology, Announces ICO - Bitcoinist

Silicon Valley will tell you that the future belongs to those who can code. Tales are always trickling in about some 20-year-old at a tech startup raking in six figures a year, about employers courting skilled programmers with all the voracity of sports recruiters hunting down the next Olympic athletes; in todays machine-driven world, programmers are easily one of the most desirable and high-salaried workers.

So the explosion of coding bootcampsvigorous, high-intensity curriculums that cram years worth of programming education into mere weeksmakes sense. What makes much less sense is this: To learn an entirely computer-based skill, why do you still have to attend a bootcamp in person?

A recent article in the New York Times (paywall) highlighted some coding schools that are currently testing blended models, combining in-person and online instruction in order to increase flexibility and accommodate more students. But by and large, most coding bootcampsan industry that in 2017 is graduating 10 times the number of students that it did in 2012, according to a study from Course Reportare bricks-and-mortar institutions. While the Flatiron School, a leading name in the space, debuted an online-only version of its signature program in late 2015, the advantages are questionable: Tuition is only a little cheaper ($12,000 for eight months compared to the $15,000 15-week in-person bootcamp) and its difficult to track students engagement.

Online boot camp is an oxymoron No one has figured out how to do it yet, Ryan Craig, a managing director at the startup investment group University Ventures, said to the Times.

In the end, online coding bootcampswhile a great idea in theorysuffer the same pitfalls of online education at large. They can be much less engaging than a real classroom.

They dont bring students any of the energy and interaction of sitting in a room with ardent, excitable peers, which is particularly important for the supposedly collaborative and forward-thinking field of programming. Some schools like 42, a coding school backed by a French billionaire that plunges students into a four-week pool of training, build their reputation off the interaction of talented and dedicated students. Existing coding schools dont want to risk diluting their brand by offering a subpar online product; new ones dont want to be online-only because they risk spending all their money on expensive technology only to see it fail.

The coding school industry is presently a $266 million market, with ample room still to grow. And unless some radically inventive new education software hits the streets to replicate all the heady spirit of an in-person bootcamp over the internet, it will continue to do so solidly offline.

Read this next: The complete guide to not going to college

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Coding bootcamps you can take online are an "oxymoron" no one ... - Quartz

A tuition-free online university called University of the People has long offered a haven for undocumented immigrants and refugees, and student interest is growing as the Trump Administration considers ending an Obama-era program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which allows undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children to apply for work permits, social security numbers and protection from deportation.

We have definitely seen an influx of DACA and undocumented students in the U.S. enrolling at UoPeople lately, says the universitys president, Shai Reshef. University of the People is nonprofit andaccredited but tuition-free, with a mission of opening the door to higher education for those who cant get access through traditional channels. We stand with all students who find their futures threatened by this possible directive, regardless of their legal standing inside or outside the U.S.

Theres no federal law banning undocumented immigrants from entering postsecondary institutionsin fact, 20 states (including California, Florida, Texas and New York) offer in-state tuition to undocumented studentsbut most universities require applicants to submit a high school diploma, if not proof of U.S. citizenship. Young immigrants who fall under the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Acts requirements are now able to apply for documentation, thanks to DACA, which started in 2012.

DACA has more than 800,000 participants and continues to grow, according to University of Houston law professor Michael Olivas, who advocated for the legislation and has since studied its impact. Clearly, its met a substantial need.

Even though theyre legally allowed to work and live in the U.S., refugees also encounter obstacles if they decide to pursue higher education. Since refugees are fleeing from war or political oppression, they represent a relatively small number of college-eligible people because education is not their primary goal in relocating, says Olivas. Those who do want to pursue higher education face the same kinds of impediments undocumented immigrants doineligibility for federal funding and in some instances state funding, and often extreme political and economic hardships.

A refugee from Somalia, 33-year-old Ahmed Burale, says he heard about the online university while he was living in a refugee camp in Kenya. Id finished high school in the camp and wanted to go to college, Burale says. Expenses were a problem, so Burale started searching online for scholarship opportunities. I found that UoPeople provides free tuition and only charges for the exam fees. I applied, was accepted, and started my program in 2016.

Burale came to the U.S. in May 2016 and was able to continue his computer-science degree program at the university during and after the transition. The universitys online platform has provided the flexibility hes needed as during a cross-cultural move, adjusting to a new culture and needing to work full-time to provide for his family. Online education is the best thing for refugees, because we need to have some kind of income, Burale says. I can work during regular hours and do my studies anytime. I dont have to pay for textbooks or go somewhere to attend a class.

According to Reshef, the university exists to serve people like Burale. Were dedicated to providing higher education for those who dont have that opportunity elsewhere, he says. We have students coming to us because they cant afford universities or because they live in places where there arent any. For these people, weve opened the gates and created a university thats accessible and affordable.

While the University of the People is technically tuition-free, the institution does require students to pay a small fee$100for each final exam they take. There are a limited number of scholarships available to those who cannot afford the exam fees, Reshef says. To gain admittance, students must either submit a copy of their high school diploma or take an entrance exam. We basically open the gates to everyone, but screen them while theyre coming in, Reshef says. Study with us, and if you do well, we dont care about your high school diploma. The university doesnt require applicants to prove their legal status, either.

Courses are nine weeks long and include reading assignments, homework and online discussions. Because students live in many countries, theres not a specific time when the classes meet, although professors post new assignments every week. The instructor checks in with the class every day, reads everything and responds to posts in the discussion forum, says Reshef. But while their professor is there for them every day, the model is based on peer-to-peer learning. We want students to engage in discussions and learn from each other. By the end of the week, they take a quiz to ensure understanding, and peers anonymously assess all homework assignments. Instructors proctor final exams in real time.

Currently, the University of the Peoples 10,000 students hail from 194 countries, although half of them are in the U.S. Forty percent of our students inside the U.S. were not born heretheyre immigrants or refugees, Reshef says. More than 40 percent of them are first-generation college students, and 50 percent come to us with student debt. All the courses are in English, but the University of the People offers a course for English language learners.

Like Burale, many immigrants and refugees are attracted to online higher education because its portable. Were a university in a box, says Reshef. If you study at a local university, you cant move.

A number of the universitys refugee students are living in war-torn countries, like Syria, venturing to Internet cafs to check in with their classes and submit homework. Were a different kind of university, Reshef says. A lot of our students come to us because they dont have any other options.

For immigrants and refugees who come to the U.S., University of the People wants to act as a doorway for them to study at a brick-and-mortar university, if they choose. After two years with us, theyll have an accredited associates degree, says Reshef. They can then transfer to a traditional U.S. university, such as Berkeley.

While critics question the quality of online-only higher education, Reshef emphasizes the backgrounds of theUniversity of the People's leaders. Our deans are from New York University and Princeton, and administrators from Duke, Vassar, Berkeley, and Oxford set up the standards of the university, he says. Many of our students are coming from hardship, and we do our best to accommodate everything they needand well continue to provide them with accessible, affordable higher education and a chance for a better life, even if President Trump ends DACA.

Immigrants have always played a vital role in United States history, and despite recent political debates, foreign-born Americans continue to make their mark. Since 1980, the U.S. has resettled about 3 million refugees from other parts of the world. More than 1 million people immigrate legally to the U.S. every year, and about 11 million undocumented immigrants live here.

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In Time of Uncertainty for Undocumented Students, One Tuition-Free Online University Sees Surge - EdSurge

Self-help books could offer good advice, if you know what youre looking for.

The intent of self-help books is to give you advice and instruction on how to improve some aspect of your life. Whether youre looking to make more money, change your career or have more substantial relationships or any topic in between theres almost certainly a book out there with advice.

Some of them might actually give advice worth reading, but others might not be so helpful.

Self-help books are not new. In fact, some people think self-help advice began when humans developed beyond basic survival and procreation expectations so we could structure our lives to be lived in the best way possible. There are a variety of different self-help segments, from stress management to personal coaching to motivational speakers. In the U.S., the self-help industry is valued at $11 billion.

The amount of self-help products is staggering, and more authors bring their opinions and works to the industry every year. Knowing which ones are helpful and which ones are not can be a confusing task and not all are worth your time. Below are a few things to look for when buying self-help books.

1. Will the Book Motivate You?

The only way a self-help book is going to be effective is if you want it to be. It can contain the best advice and be written beautifully, but if the information doesnt apply to you, then its worthless. Take the time to decide if what the book is about applies to your life and circumstances and whether youre willing to apply the advice it offers to your life.

2. What Are the Authors Credentials?

Anyone can write a self-help book. There are no gatekeepers who tell those without experience that their work wont fit in the genre or that theyre peddling bad information. However, just because the author doesnt have acronyms after their name or years of experience in the field theyre writing about, that doesnt mean their advice is unworthy. On the other hand, it should make you question whether it lives up to your standards and ideals.

Most self-help books have some science to back them up and they need to if they are going to give you helpful information that has been proven to work. Yet, even individuals without a scientific degree who have lots of life experience can have valid and applicable advice. More than likely, though, those who dont have the education or experience to back up their claims should be scrutinized as to whether or not they are giving good advice or just trying to cash in on the self-help industry.

In the end, it boils down to what you want to accomplish and who youre going to trust to set you on the right path. Knowing what the authors credentials are gives you the ability to decide if theyre worth reading or not.

3. Can the Book Function as a Therapist?

A 2010 study found some self-help books can recreate the relationship that can form between a therapist and a patient. Things to look for in this type of book are as follows:

In addition, its important the author sets up a relationship with you so you feel confident their advice is helpful, they are responsive to your feelings and you get feedback on your thoughts and actions. These are difficult tasks, considering a book cant actually interact with you. However, if the author can create that authentic relationship, the book might be worth reading.

4. Is the Writing of Good Quality?

If youve decided to read a book from a professional, youll want to ensure the writing isnt too academic or confusing. A good self-help book can take institutional and/or technical jargon and present it in a way that is easy for almost anyone to understand. At the same time, you dont want a book that is too easy to understand or gives you advice about things you already knew to be true.

The self-improvement industry is booming, which means there are a lot of helpful books but theres also a lot of fluff. You have to decide what is going to help you and what youre willing to invest in and follow through with to improve your life.

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What to Look for When Buying a Self-Help Book - HuffPost

At first, Dale Carnegie was not interested in writing a book about leadership.

According to Peter Schwed in the publishing history Turning the Pages, the erstwhile Missouri farm boy saw no reason to give away in a $2 book what he was successfully selling to thousands of people as a $75 lecture course, his 14-week series at the Dale Carnegie Institute of Effective Speaking and Human Relations. Simon & Schuster executive Leon Shimkin had attended the series and had been so impressed, he broached the idea of a book with Carnegie. Eventually, Shimkin prevailed, convincing him to write it.

How to Win Friends and Influence People was first published in October 1936 and would go on to become one of the first best-selling self-help books ever, selling more than 30 million copies. Its quoted on Twitter and shows up constantly in interviews with business titans (a 15-year-old Warren Buffet discovered the book on his grandfathers shelf and found that all of the books advice helped his social life in high school, according to biographer Alice Schroeder, who writes about it in The Snowball). The book was even included in a 2016 Library of Congress exhibit called America Reads, which celebrated 65 books by American authors that had a profound effect on American life.

So why does its popularity endure more than 80 years after its publication?

Nothing in the book is particularly shocking or unconventional; theres no gimmick to it, just really sound advice and a pretty keen understanding of human nature A persons name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language, writes Carnegie, who changed his name from its original spelling, Carnagey, to encourage association with the (unrelated) Gilded Age Carnegie family.

Other tidbits include avoiding criticizing others Criticisms are like homing pigeons. They always return home and on taking a gentle approach even in times of trial, Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain, he writes, And most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving ... Success in dealing with people depends on a sympathetic grasp of the other persons viewpoint.

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This 81-year-old self-help book is still the best - New York Post