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Annette Totten, Oregon Health & Science University assistant research professor, is taking an eight-week Health Policy course from the bioethicist Ezekiel Emanuel online. Mail Tribune / Jamie LuschJamie Lusch

July 29, 2012

Without leaving Ashland and her post as an assistant research professor at Oregon Health & Science University, Annette Totten is taking an eight-week Health Policy course from prestigious bioethicist Ezekiel Emanuel and it's free.

She's doing it by "sitting" in a class of 40,000 students and streaming the course online via Coursera, a new animal on the stage of higher learning that offers 111 courses, most taught by authors and professors from tier-one research universities.

Every Monday, the new lecture for the week is posted, along with homework and test questions, which pop up onscreen and pause the lecture, forcing students to research and write their answers before proceeding, says Totten.

Drawbacks of the system are the lack of college credit though credit is starting to be offered at the University of Washington and huge class size, which forms an obstacle to authenticating who is doing the coursework and also makes it hard to grade individual students, says Hart Wilson, distance education support specialist for Southern Oregon University.

"The difference between MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) and the online courses offered here is the question of scale," says Wilson. "MOOC sounds like most of the interaction is between students, not with the professor. Our online courses have 20 to 30 students and a great deal more quality interaction."

While MOOC classes are scattered across the whole country, interaction does happen, says Totten, with five fellow students evaluating short essay responses, 200 to 300 words each, of any one student, checking off main points that should be there.

MOOC, sometimes called "Mob Open Online Courses," welcomes anyone of any age, student or not, with or without credentials, and has the advantage of connecting students with the most accomplished, creative and credible figures in their field.

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Online courses open another window to education

Yoga is more than a relaxation technique it physically helps stroke patients after rehab, according to a new study.

Researchers tested the benefits of yoga for patients who had survived a stroke six months earlier. They found that group yoga improved balance. Stroke patients often have trouble with balance, leaving them more vulnerable to falls. Survivors who took yoga also showed greater independence and an improved quality of life.

The 47 participants in the study were divided into group who had twice-weekly yoga sessions plus three relaxation sessions; twice-weekly yoga sessions with no relaxation sessions; and no treatment at all. (Post-stroke rehab typically stops after six month to a year following the stroke, so the yoga classes represented another step in treatment.) The exercises became more difficult as the eight-week program continued.

The AHA said in a statement that Yoga may be more therapeutic than traditional exercise because the combination of postures, breathing and meditation may produce different effects.

But lead researcher, Arlene Schmid, Ph.D., O.T.R., a rehabilitation research scientist at Roudebush Veterans Administration-Medical Center and Indiana University, cautioned that it was essential for prospective students to find a qualified yoga therapist.

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Yoga and Stroke Patients

By Chris Reidy, Globe Staff

Prudential Financial Inc. said today that it will be the exclusive sponsor of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston Colleges National Retirement Risk Index.

The index measures the percentage of working-age Americans at risk of failing to maintain their standard of living in retirement, Prudential, a New Jersey-based financial services company, said in a press release. As index sponsor, Prudential said it will underwrite a number of studies conducted by the Center for Retirement Research related to the index.

According to the index, the percentage of households at risk of not being able to maintain their standard of living in retirement has risen from 30 percent in 1989 to 51 percent in 2009.

In a statement, the centers director, Alicia Munnell, said, Retirement needs are increasing due to longer life spans and rising health care costs, while retirement resources are shrinking due to declining Social Security replacement rates and insufficient savings in 401(k)s.

Prudentials product offerings include life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services.

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Prudential to sponsor the retirement risk index from Boston College center

The big attraction of traditional pensions is their promise of security. They're designed to provide to a steady stream of checks in retirement to last the rest of your life. Unlike a 401k or other workplace contribution plan, what you get from a defined benefit pension doesn't depend on how much or how well you invest.

"Even during a downturn, (retirees receiving pensions) know how much they're getting on a monthly basis," said Karen Friedman, the executive vice president and policy director of the Pension Rights Center. "They know how much they can spend."

Increasingly, though, that promise of security is being broken. Lousy investment returns, changing company policies and taxpayer concerns about public retirement benefits are putting many pensions at risk. Consider:

Liz Weston

"These are the folks who thought they were totally protected, and then the company lays this on them," Friedman said. GM's move may give other companies the "green light" to consider similar actions, she said.

Traditional pensions are on the wane, but plenty of people still have them. Private plans cover nearly 44 million people, according to the PBGC, and public plans cover about 23 million (15 million active members and 8 million annuity recipients), according to the Census Bureau.

If you're one of them, here's what you need to know:

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Retirement protection: Is your pension safe?

BALTIMORE -- The Ravens were hoping Bryant McKinnie would show up for the start of training camp slimmed down and in better shape.

Instead, the troubled left tackle didnt show up at all and its unclear when or if he will. Given little choice, the Ravens placed McKinnie on the reserve/did not report list after he didnt show up for Thursdays first full-squad practice of training camp.

His absence cast his future with the Ravens very much in doubt and added even more questions for an offensive line that is in flux as camp opens.

He contacted us through a representative. Hes dealing with an issue right now, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. I dont really want to speak for him on that. Ill just let him speak for himself on that when the time comes.

Asked if McKinnies absence could be a long-term issue, Harbaugh said, In all honesty, I really dont know. We should know more here soon.

However, Harbaugh did not sound like a coach expecting an imminent return. He said Michael Oher, who started every game at right tackle last season, is the left tackle until further notice, and there will be a training camp competition at right tackle.

My point is we have to find a right tackle, Harbaugh said.

McKinnie and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata were the only two unexpected non-participants in Thursdays official start of training camp, which played out in front of a couple of hundred fans at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills and in stifling temperatures that hovered around 100 degrees.

Ngata, who talked during the mid-June mandatory minicamp about playing at a higher weight this season after he felt like he wore down last year, tweaked his hamstring and was unable to pass the teams conditioning test. He was subsequently placed on the physically unable to perform list and will likely be out a little while.

Were going to take it slow and make sure hes OK, Harbaugh said.

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Bryant McKinnie a no-show for personal matter; no timetable for arrival

When Danny Boyle was asked to produce the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, he thought about his father.

My dad was a mad Olympics fan. I mean seriously lunatic, the acclaimed British film director told reporters Friday afternoon. Boyle recalled how his father, Frank, sat up late into the night, watching Games coverage from Mexico and other far off places. He introduced me to the Olympics, he said adding that Frank would have turned 91 Friday. Sadly he died about 18 months ago, he added. He didnt quite make it.

Explore Canada's summer Olympic medals, 1900 to today

For Boyle the opening ceremonies represent a personal take on Britain, its history, culture and contributions to the world. And it is a varied rendition, covering everything from Shakespeare and the industrial revolution to Peter Pan, James Bond, pop music and even a tribute to the National Health Service.

We are almost unique in having universal health care, he explained.

Its very near and deer to peoples hearts.

Boyle said he created the show he wanted and didnt cater to the whims of politicians or organizers. You do it for yourselves, he said noting that he started planning the performance with three other people two years ago. I did it because Ive never done anything like this before. You want to keep testing yourself.

The program is certainly ambitious. It includes 10 separate scenes, 40 farm animals, 7,500 volunteer performers and 70,00 pixels for each member of the audience to wave and create special effects. Paul McCartney will sing Hey Jude, JK Rowling will read from Peter Pan and actor Rowan Atkinson will offer a skit. Theres also appearances by Mary Poppins, Cruella de Vil and Captain Hook.

Boyle said he knows not everyone will enjoy it and some will find parts genuinely baffling. He also had to cut out one sequence involving a bicycle routine because the show ran too long. And he had dust ups with Olympic organizers over camera positions and other artistic issues.

But he said his intention over all was to create a portrait of Britain as a proud, but modest country.

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Opening ceremony represent Boyle’s personal take on Britain

http://www.tacticalsalestraining.co.uk Sales Training Video - Pre-Closing Advertising Pre-close advertising is an essential skill for all effective sales people and you need to be doing this. Sales Training Video by Tactical Sales Training In our sales training courses we highlight the value in what we call 'pre-close advertising' This is where we communicate that intention to proceed back to as many people as we can in the company. These are obviously people who have been involved in the sales process, been your champion or will ultimately benefit from the purchase of your product or service. A Great News Thanks So Much stance is a good one to take here. If you find that opportunities are falling out between getting the go ahead and getting the money in the bank, try this. More Sales Training Videos via Tactical Sales Training YouTube channel. http://www.tacticalsalestraining.co.uk info@tacticalsalestraining.co.uk 0044 1202 606 010 01202 606 010 http http://www.youtube.com http://www.facebook.com twitter.com Sales Training Video | Sales Training Videos | Tactical Sales Training | Tactical Sales Training | Sales Training Video - Pre-Closing Advertising

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Sales Training Video - Pre-Closing Advertising

According to a Gallup survey, speaking in front of an audience is No. 2 among Americans' greatest fears.

Just below snakes.

But the most fearful part of Danny Takeuchi's experience with the Bradley University Summer Forensics Institute might have come before his arrival two weeks ago.

The 14-year-old traveled alone by airplane from his home in Boise, Idaho, to Peoria to attend the institute, a speech camp intended for high school students. Takeuchi won't begin high school for a few more weeks.

"I guess it's kind of a head start," Takeuchi said Friday at Bradley's Global Communications Center, the hub of the camp.

Takeuchi's itinerary took him from Boise to Denver to Chicago to Peoria. He gave Peoria a better grade than he did Austin, Texas, where he participated in a camp earlier this summer. That time, his mother accompanied him.

"It's certainly cooler than Texas, even if it's in the 100s still," Takeuchi said.

It wasn't quite that warm Friday, but it was a little toasty for dark suits and evening dresses. That's what most of the 100 campers wore as they prepared to present programs in small groups all over the Global Communications Center.

The camp culminates this weekend. More performances are scheduled Saturday in three genres of forensics - public address, in which students write, research and deliver their own speech; interpretation of other authors' works, including poetry; and limited preparation, an off-the-cuff talk that usually is about current events.

According to co-director Michael Chen, the institute isn't a competition. It's more a celebration of talent, albeit not an easy one.

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Bradley camp lets high school students improve forensic skills

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Exercise & Fitness for Senior Citizens

Group Yoga Helps Stroke Victims Improve Function, Balance

Helps patients long after stroke; cost effective; may help them be more active; oldest over 90

July 27, 2012 Group yoga can improve motor function and balance in stroke survivors, even if they don't begin yoga until six months or more after the stroke and no longer receive rehabilitative care, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Stroke. One patient was in his 90s.

In a small pilot study, researchers tested the potential benefits of yoga among chronic stroke survivors -- those whose stroke occurred more than six months earlier.

"For people with chronic stroke, something like yoga in a group environment is cost effective and appears to improve motor function and balance," said Arlene Schmid, Ph.D., O.T.R., lead researcher and a rehabilitation research scientist at Roudebush Veterans Administration-Medical Center and Indiana University, Department of Occupational Therapy in Indianapolis, Ind.

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Group Yoga Helps Stroke Victims Improve Function, Balance

By DR. RANDY CALE For The Saratogian

Recently, I was phone coaching a separated couple in Seattle as they are struggling with some challenging teen behavior.

The dad works 50+ hours a week, mows the lawn, transports the children to multiple sporting events. Mom works, also takes care of the home, and is struggling with a serious life illness. Together, they are over-whelmed with life.

Yet, their three teenage boys cant pick up their clothes, will not do a chore around the house and spend any free time with friends or playing video games.

Both parents are asking for help with the disrespect and lack of response to the simplest request.

When I began to dig into their philosophy on responsibility and parenting, an interesting and somewhat common comment emerged. Mom related, Well, at least they arent using drugs or stealing from our neighbors. Dad affirmed with, Yes, we are both happy about that.

More and more I work with families who have very few expectations of their children, as it relates to life responsibilities. And, at the same time, these parents are often living a hectic, hurried life with no time to enjoy their children.

In essence, these children are raised in a world where they expect to get it all while contributing very little to the family.

In my view, we have become comfortable with setting standards that are too low, when it comes to participation in the responsibilities of life.

Lets be clear; I am not suggesting that your child should spend every free moment mowing lawns, cleaning floors, and so on. No. I am suggesting that there is a serious consequence that comes from setting basis standards that are too low.

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Terrific Parenting: Parents' expectations are too low for their children