Ceaphas Stubbs | DP

Coursera co-founder and Stanford professor Daphne Koller speaks at College Hall. She hopes Coursera will contribute to the future of online education long-term.

Less than a year ago, 20 people were injured and one killed in a stampede over admission to South Africas University of Johannesburg.

Daphne Koller, co-founder and CEO of the free online course provider Coursera, hopes to end the education scarcity that produced this tragedy. Koller spoke to a full audience in College Hall Thursday afternoon about her companys mission.

Her presentation, entitled The Online Revolution: High-Quality Education for Everyone, began with the social justice implications of Coursera. We have come to the point in this modern world where it is very difficult for a person to make a good life for themselves without access to good education, she said. Coursera aims to bring this access to anyone in the world with Internet connection.

Today, there are 33 universities around the world offering a total of 198 classes through Coursera. Unlike most online course options, Coursera attempts to offer mass education without sacrificing quality. They have selected the best professors from the best universities, said College and Engineering senior Pratham Mittal, who has already taken three classes through Coursera. They havent compromised even a little bit on that.

However, Koller recognizes that there is more to a classroom experience than great professors, since students learn best from active participation. But do large lectures actually give students this opportunity?

When I ask a question in class, 80 percent of the students are still scribbling down what I just said, said Koller, who teaches at Stanford. Theres that group in the back row thats on Facebook, and then theres a smarty pants in the front row who comes out with the answer before everyone has the chance to realize that the question has even been asked.

She added, So the question is answered, the class moves on, and very few people had a chance to really engage with it.

Because it is online, Coursera also allows its students to learn at their own pace. You can actually go back and see the lecture all over again, pause or take a quiz in the middle of class, Mittal said. You also get really good feedback, which is not really common with other online learning platforms. Coursera employs a number of grading methods, including multiple choice and numerical answers.

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Coursera CEO discusses benefits, future of online education

The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, founded by Swami Vishnu-Devananda and led by Swami Sitaramananda, is offering intensive meditation retreats.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 04, 2012

This course is ideal for people at all levels in their meditation practice. In addition, participants will practice yoga postures, Yoga breathing and meditation twice per day, participate in daily Kirtan chanting sessions, enjoy 2 delicious organic, vegetarian meals, and learn about the specifics of meditation from an experienced meditation teacher.

This meditation course is the only one of it's kind in Northern California, based on the traditional methods of Classical Yoga meditation from ancient India.

Benefits of meditation include:

Increased focus and concentration

Lowers blood pressure, naturally

Balances both right and left hemispheres of the brain

Natural energy boost

Increased problem solving ability

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Meditation retreat in California offered in November at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm

Hopkinton's Lesley Reilly recently became one of less than 100 yoga teachers nationally to earn the RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) 500 certification, a Registered Yoga Teacher milestone from the Yoga Alliance, representing 500 hours of certified training.

Reilly is the owner of bCalm Power Yoga in Hopkinton, MA, a Baptiste affiliate studio. Yoga Alliance is the national education and support organization for yoga in the United States. Formed in 1999, it provides standards for yoga teachers and is recognized as a premier designation of certification for yoga teachers. The Yoga Alliance 500 hour standards incorporate technique training, teaching methods, anatomy and physiology study, yoga philosophy and ethics, as well as hands on teaching and observation.

With the 500 hours under her belt, Lesley's enthusiasm about her yoga practice and continuing education is clear.

"I am committed to providing our community with the highest standard of Power Vinyasa yoga. With each hour of training, not only does my own practice deepen, but I feel truly fortunate to pass along that experience to people in the community as well."

bCalm Power Yoga offers a flexible schedule of classes, as well as specialty workshops and teacher training and mentorship. For more information visit http://www.bcalmpoweryoga.com.

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Lesley Reilly earns yoga milestone

Distinctive online fitness site CoreFitnessByJana.com launches Corporate Health & Wellness fitness offerings targeted to small and mid-size companies. The low cost programs can be implemented almost instantaneously in keeping with CoreFitness' mission of making exercise affordable and accessible to everyone, anytime and anywhere.

New York, New York (PRWEB) October 04, 2012

Corporate Health & Wellness programs have been shown through numerous studies to decrease health costs, workers comp and disability claims, reduce absenteeism, and increase employee morale and retention. A recent study has now also proven a significant Corporate Wellness ROI.

CoreFitnessByJana.com's introduction of a low cost Corporate Fitness option recognizes that small and mid size companies need to be able to capitalize on the social and financial benefits of wellness programs within their space and budgetary constraints. And to be effective in today's virtual office environment, wellness programs need to address remote, work from home and traveling employees.

In a recent Humana sponsored survey of 1,000 small business owners, more than 93% of study respondents consider their employees physical and mental health to be important to their financial results, but only one-third express confidence in their ability to help employees manage their well-being.

CoreFitnessByJana's unique approach to Corporate Fitness benefits incorporates online workouts,health and wellness information, as well as, options for on-site group classes and personal training. .CoreFitness' Corporate online fitness videos are accessible to all employees regardless of location and can be done virtually anywhere with little to no equipment. So there is no need for an in-house fully equipped gym. Employees can access the benefits at work in their office, conference room or outside, at home or while on the road. The 10-30 minute workouts are perfect to fit in before, during or after the workday. In addition the CoreFitness health and wellness blog provides information and links to expert advice on fitness, nutrition, injury prevention and motivational insights.

In addition: CoreFitnessByJana can provide live on-site personal training and small group Pilates, Cardio, Boot Camp and Resistance/Sculpting classes as well as discounts for employee in-home private sessions (New York City Only).

CoreFitnessByJana Corporate Fitness Programs can be implemented as an Affinity Program at no cost to the Company or as pmpm Corporate sponsored or subsidized benefit.

About Jana and CoreFitnessByJana:

Certified Pilates Instructor and ACE Certified Personal Trainer Jana Sanford provides private individual and small group training, teaches group classes through her PilatesInThePark program and studios in Manhattan and also developed an online fitness site to provide effective workout options to anyone, anytime and anywhere.

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CoreFitnessByJana.com Launches Corporate Health & Wellness Fitness Programs for Small and Mid Size Businesses

04 October 2012 | last updated at 01:09AM

The club features three different types of studios in its 1,600sq m of space.

The Mind, Body, and Energy studios are specially designed to focus on yoga and pilates; group exercise; and spin classes, respectively.

This is the first health club to have state-of-the-art equipment, Queenax, which allows the ceiling, walls and floor to be used in training as it accommodates suspension and functional training.

To help members burn more calories, they also use the high-tech Curve treadmills. These are said to be better than conventional treadmills.

The club runs short sessions of a 15-minute, 30-minute or 45-minute workout routine for those who are pressed for time.

Jatomi Fiitness chief executive officer Elaine Jobson said the club offers programmes unlike any other fitness club because they are designed to suit individuals of all ages as families are welcome to join the club.

She said this is to revolutionise the health and fitness of every Malaysian.

"Our staff have excellent knowledge and are encouraged to help our members to achieve their goals.

"With our simple MINDfit, EATfit and MOVEfit programmes, we are confident that the members will enjoy their experience at the club and achieve better results," said Jobson, who has been in the health club industry for 20 years.

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New health club sets itself

Saturday

Run for the Fund: Join 1,000 participants in sprinting, jogging or walking through SeaWorld, 10522 Sea World Drive. Proceeds are donated to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. 8 a.m. Oct. 6. http://www.seaworldparks.com/runforthefund. $45 through race day.

Action Kidney Day: Learn about kidney disease and how it affects the local community through free kidney health screenings, cooking demos, fitness, free food samples and the Kidney Action Day Walk. 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. http://www.kidneyfund.org. Free.

Jazzercise: Jazzercise Downtown is offering a free week and a three-month special through October. Lunchtime classes are held 12:15-1 p.m. Monday through Friday; 5:30-6:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Walk-ins welcome. 403 Ave. E (First Presbyterian Church. Call 210-265-7960 or jazzercisedowntown@gmail.com for details.

Upcoming

Reiki: Briana Brooks leads an open forum to help explore this holistic approach to health and fitness. Reiki treatments will be given free of charge. 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 9. Brooks Community Classroom, 6323 Sovereign St., Suite 186. 210-365-1400.

Mental health: The St. George Episcopal Church Mental Health Family Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 10. The church is located at 6904 West Ave. Patients, family members, providers and friends are welcome. 210-342-4261.

Ongoing

Juicing support group: Adam McManus leads a weekly support group 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Starbucks Legacy, 1723 N. Loop 1604 E, Suite 102. Contact McManus at talkradioadam@gmail.com or 210-373-7499. Free.

Food addicts: Are you having trouble controlling your eating? Regular meetings of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous can be found at http://www.foodaddicts.org. 210-561-1809 or 210-310-4609.

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Health & Fitness calendar: Oct. 1

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Michael Schumacher announces retirement - Video

The release of Football Manager 2013 is just around the corner, but I'm a fan of one the old classic editions of the game. Football Manager 2007 remains my favourite, but I will, of course, reserve judgement for the new game.

Whatever version of the game you are playing, signing players in likely to be paramount to your success or failure as a manager. Clearly, an important component of this is to rely on your scouts giving reliable information when recommending players.

Like most managers, I also have a list of potential signings that I would like to bring in. It is important to make signings in every transfer window to keep your squad fresh. My usual strategy for contract negotiations is to try to save the club as much money as possible; this means trying to remove signing on fees and bonuses whenever possible.

This is something that is easy to do at the beginning of June and when there isn't any competition for your targets. However, it is much harder at the end of August, or in the very time restrictive January transfer window.

Therefore, I have learned that it is better to offer something close to the player's demands in these circumstances. It is usually possible to remove a signing on fee and a minimum release fee clause, but bonus payments can sometimes cause a problem.

It should be noted that it is possible to get a player to agree a deal even when not meeting his wage demands, but if removing something elsewhere, then you may want to improve the basic wage to sweeten the deal.

The real key to quick signings is having your scouts constantly working for you. That way you will always have a list of targets. The information on potential transfer fees and how interested they would be to join your club is often invaluable. It is important to focus on the players that are most likely to want to join your club.

However, you still have every chance to make a deal happen until the transfer window slams shut. It can actually be easier to make signings right at the end of the transfer window, than right at the beginning.

The game will stop regularly on transfer deadline day to help you get a last minute deal done. Therefore, it is always worth making that late offer for that player you have always wanted to complete your squad.

Remember that if you agree to an expensive contract to get the deal done, you can always renegotiable the contract at a later date.

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Personal Experience: Signing Players in Limited Time on Football Manager 2007

CPI(M) toes Buddhadeb line, bats for industrialisation The CPI(M) will not only facilitate land acquisition for private projects, it will even play the role of a ?provider?, Gautam Deb Ishita Ayan Dutt / Kolkata Oct 04, 2012, 15:10 IST

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee may not be the lone voice in favour of industrializing Bengal within the CPI(M), any more. For him, its always been a personal battle for Bengals development; or, at best a battle fought by him and his deputy, Nirupam Sen. No longer, though. Going by what former housing minister, Gautam Deb, said recently, the CPI(M) will not only facilitate land acquisition for private projects (if it is back in power) , it will even play the role of a provider.

Deb was not alongside Bhattacharjee, when he courted big private capital (foreign and domestic) openly. Not that Deb was ever against private capital, his claim to fame being the township at New Town in Rajarhat.But defeat appears to have brought them on the side.

Land, considered to be scarce for industrial projects in Bengal, is available, but there are no takers. For instance, of an 1150-acre industrial park at Kharagpur, only 540 acres has been allotted, and Telcon accounts for half of it. At the 1458-acre Panagarh Industrial Park, Matix has been allocated 500 acres and H&R Johnson 66 acres. The rest is available, according to the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) website.

So is industrialization CPI(M)s poll plank for panchayat elections? Of course, we will talk about it. Why should we not? Forget about fresh investments, they (the Trinamool Congress government) couldnt even keep the projects that we had bagged, a CPI(M) leader said.

The party, however, will build an argument for industrialization. The dismal state of the rural economy, reflected in farmer suicides, will be highlighted, and industrialization will be projected as the only alternative to come out of the stagnation in rural development.

Will people buy the argument? Will the fact that Singurs unwilling farmers are yet to get back their land make them reconsider their position? Will a united CPI(M) succeed in presenting a better case for industrialization. As of now, its anybodys guess.

Excerpts from Buddhadeb Bhattacharjees article on industrialization in Bengal published in January, 2007:

The opposition accuses us of having agreed to capitalist development. Is it possible to talk of socialist development in one state of our country? What we can do at the most in this structure is to bring in some alternative Left policies. This comprises land reforms, protecting public sector, some initiatives in education and health, and so on. The Party Congress and the Central Committee have said that this means there is no need for foreign investment where we have the technology. We are not to allow FDI in retail trade. Do we need foreign entrepreneurs to sell our agricultural products as one Indian entrepreneur told us some time back?

IBM, Cognizant, and GE Capital have evinced interest in investing in the IT sector and we need their units. We will await the final denouement of the software debate. We must do something about our young men and women who are computer-literate and know English.

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CPI(M) toes Buddhadeb line bats for industrialisation

THREE Faversham Swimming Club squad members received speeding tickets during the recent Dover Development Gala.

These tickets are presented to swimmers who exceed the race entry times as specified by the Amateur Swimming Association.

MAKING A SPLASH: Faversham swimmers finished fifth overall at the Dover gala

Young Molly Stemp collected her ticket for a dynamic dash in the girls' 11yrs 50m breaststroke, touching home in a personal best time of 47.18.

Emily Holt's sprint in the girls' 10yrs 50m backstroke earned her a ticket with a personal best time of 45.17.

Joseph Russell, meanwhile, collected his ticket for a high powered performance in the boy's 10yrs 50m backstroke, stopping the clock with a time of 45.50.

A number of Faversham swimmers recorded first place finishes. This included the 10yrs and under 4 x 25m mixed medley relay team, Ben Wall in the boy's 10yrs 50 metre freestyle, Harry McKenna in the boy's 10yrs 50m butterfly (a personal best time of 47.16), Rebecca Crouch in the girls' 1515 yrs 50m freestyle (another personal best, 30.76).

Second places went to Harry McKenna (boy's 10yrs 100m individual medley, pb 1.41.42), Rebecca Crouch (girls' 15yrs 50m backstroke, pb 38.08) and Ben Collins (boy's 15yrs 50m backstroke, pb 35.08).

Further personal best times were achieved by Lauren Scott (girls' 100m individual medley, 1.43.76, and 50m breaststroke, 58.06), Harry McKenna (boy's 50m breaststroke, 56.27), Emily Ing (girls' 50m freestyle, 46.41), Alice Searley (girls' 50m butterfly, 44.14, 50m freestyle, 36.91).

Faversham head coach Sharon Wenn said: "We only had 15 swimmers that could attend the gala and they all swam really well."

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Speeding youths get their tickets