As the fall season nears, the spooky-loving souls of the world begin decorating their houses with ghouls and goblins, making orders for pumpkin spice lattes, and busting out old VHS tapes of “Hocus Pocus” for their annual rewatch. For some, the movie’s backdrop in Salem, Massachusetts, evokes thoughts of the Salem witch trials.
Suddenly, their minds are riddled with questions: Who were the accused? How did the trials end? And the biggest question of them all—why did the Salem Witch trials happen in the first place?
History suggests a combination of factors, including a smallpox epidemic in the region, economic disparities, and the looming threat of Native American attacks. However, there’s another potential factor at play: group polarization.
Grab your favorite fall-flavored beverage as we discuss the concept of group polarization and how it may have played a role in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
Can you remember a time when you experienced peer pressure as a child? Maybe your friends asked you not to talk to the new kid in class or they convinced you to ditch your plans in favor of hanging out with them. Whatever the case may have been, peer pressure is a form of group polarization, a situation that refers to how people adopt more extreme positions when they’re part of a group.
Other examples of group polarization in different contexts include:
The Salem witch trials began in 1692 when a few young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, began exhibiting strange behaviors. When doctors could find no scientific cause for their outbursts, the girls accused social outcasts Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne, along with Tituba, a servant of the Puritan town minister, of witchcraft. These accusations sparked mass hysteria in the religious and superstitious little town.
The trials soon followed, and when Tituba confessed, it only added to the town’s hysteria. At the conclusion of the trials in 1693, more than 150 people had been accused, leading to 19 hangings, one pressing, and five deaths in jail.
With only 550 people living in Salem Village at the time of the trials, it’s not difficult to see how group polarization may have played a role in the convictions of numerous village citizens. Below, we discuss some of the ways group polarization may have wormed its way into the minds of the people of Salem.
Many Salem Village townspeople were Puritans who conformed to the religious belief that witchcraft was God’s punishment for committing sins. Those who outspokenly deviated from that belief were more likely to cast themselves in a negative light in the eyes of the rest of the community.
So, instead of forming their own opinions of the accused, many individuals may have felt pressured to conform to the belief that the women were sinners, and therefore witches, even if they didn’t necessarily agree with that sentiment.
As citizens became swept up in the gossip of the accusations, it created an echo chamber effect, which occurs when people only hear one side of a story. In this case, it happened to be that the accused women were, without a doubt, witches.
Many of the townsfolk already believed this to be true, so when they heard similar stories from others, the gossip only solidified their opinions. If someone had decided to question the complainants’ stories and stand up on behalf of the accused, some townsfolk may have come to a different conclusion: Maybe the women weren’t witches. Perhaps, they were innocent.
The judges of the trials were probably under immense scrutiny to take action against the potential threat of witchcraft. A combination of building pressure from the community mixed with the desire to be seen as righteous problem solvers could have pushed them over the edge in terms of their judgment of the accused. In the end, this form of group polarization may have led the judges to make more extreme decisions than they were comfortable with.
While many of us appreciate the occasional rerun of “The Exorcist” or “The Craft” around Halloween, the idea of witchcraft and the devil was a tangible fear for the people of Salem in the 1600s. With the number of accusations increasing weekly, this growing fear created an atmosphere of complete panic. This rising dread may have caused moderately minded individuals to become caught up in the town’s collective sense of hysteria, resulting in people forming less rational judgments and pointing fingers at innocent neighbors.
Not every aspect of group polarization holds a negative connotation. Under the right circumstances, it can also lend itself to solving problems, fostering positive changes, and encouraging individuals to explore and expand their values.
If you’re interested in broadening your ethical understanding of the world around you and enlightening others, The University of Texas Permian Basin offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program that’ll help you develop fundamental skills and knowledge in the expanding field of psychology, including:
With a degree in psychology, you’ll be one step closer to achieving your dream profession, whether you aspire to be a clinical or counseling psychologist, a behavioral scientist, a researcher, or something else entirely. Your future is up to you to decide—so, start today by exploring all that our online psychology program has to offer.
Sources:
https://www.neh.gov/article/records-salem-witch-trials
https://www.simplypsychology.org/group-polarization.html
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/salem-interactive/
https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/the-salem-witch-trials
What’s happening in a child’s mind when they’re learning to read? What’s the process they go through as they transition from a nonreader to a reader? Naturally, there are plenty of theories and lots of research. Let’s review some theories of how children learn to read before looking at a generally accepted explanation and what some recent research says about how they should learn.
Some theorize that children develop the ability to read naturally, as they do with speech. This theory suggests that a child with access to a selection of books will develop basic reading skills over time. Other theories suggest that reading is clever guesswork on the part of children, who use contextual clues to narrow down the meaning of words on the page.
The ability to speak generally comes years before the ability to read, but these two essential skills develop in dissimilar ways. Children mimic the spoken sounds they hear back to others and the more accurate those sounds are—meaning, the more like the actual words they are—the more excited the people around them act and the more positive reinforcement the child receives. Most children do not easily make the connection between the letter they see and the sound they hear at first, however.
For most children, the process of developing the ability to read goes something like this:
This condensed explanation has exceptions, of course, and a plethora of research has been conducted and is still being conducted in order to understand how children of all abilities learn to read.
How do children learn to read in a formal educational setting? As university professor emeritus and former director of reading for Chicago Public Schools Timothy Shanahan told U.S. News & World Report in 2021, “Beginning reading instruction needs to emphasize decoding—letters, sounds, phonemic awareness, sounding out words, spelling, and oral reading fluency—and reading comprehension.” Reading comprehension includes spoken language, vocabulary, and strategies for students to understand what they’re reading.
Researchers have compared reading to working out written code, with specific letter combinations representing specific sounds. When a child is taught how to break the code, they become able to read. The research illustrates that children who have trouble learning phonics will correspondingly have trouble learning to read. Hence, the guiding wisdom is to place a heavy emphasis on phonics in reading instruction.
According to Education Week in 2019, research indicates that “reading is not a natural process” and “teaching systematic phonics … is the most reliable way to make sure that they learn how to read words.” With systematic phonics, teachers use an organized method to teach children how to read. Some of the principles are:
Reading and writing are fundamental skills that help determine our ability to be successful throughout our lives. The University of Texas Permian Basin’s CAEP-accredited online Master of Arts in Literacy program was designed for people like you who wish to empower young learners with these essential abilities. View our program curriculum.
You’ll enjoy many advantages by earning this degree:
Our program is led by highly experienced, passionate professors who are eager to help you master literacy education and prepare you for the next stage of your career.
You can complete your degree on your own schedule from any location—even around the world—while maintaining your professional and personal commitments.
Our program is aligned with the Texas Education Agency (TEA)’s reading specialist certification. Live outside Texas? Check with your state’s certification agency or email Dr. Tara Wilson to see if our program fulfills the requirements.
Wondering how to pay for your literacy degree? Check now if you might qualify for a TEACH grant of up to $4,000 per year.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that master’s degree holders nationwide generally earn about 16% more than bachelor’s degree holders and are more likely to be employed.
Get full details on our program and apply today!
Sources:
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/how-do-kids-learn-to-read-what-the-science-says/2019/10
https://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/how-children-learn-read
https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/when-do-kids-learn-to-read
If you’re interested in becoming a nurse, you’ve probably seen the terms “RN” and “BSN” pop up everywhere. ut what do they really mean, and how are they connected?
An RN, or registered nurse, is a licensed healthcare professional who provides hands-on patient care, educates individuals about health conditions, and works closely with doctors and other medical staff. While you can become an RN with an associate degree, many nurses choose to go a step further by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a degree that opens the door to broader job opportunities, higher earning potential, and greater responsibility.
So, how do you become a BSN nurse? There are two main routes: enrolling in a traditional four-year BSN program or advancing your education through an RN to BSN bridge program. Below, we’ll break down the key differences between these two paths so you can decide which one best fits your goals.
For many registered nurses seeking to advance their career, the next logical step is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This advanced degree not only opens up new avenues for career growth but can also positively impact your earning potential in future roles.
Below, we explore key factors that define the RN to BSN pathway, including who it’s for, how it works, and what it can lead to:
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program will ultimately lead to the same outcome as an RN to BSN program. However, there are some differences:
Want a side-by-side comparison of the two pathways? We’ve broken down the key differences between a traditional BSN and an RN to BSN program in the chart below:
Whether you’re just starting your nursing journey or considering going back to school, it’s natural to have questions. Here are a few quick answers to help you navigate your options.
If you’re an RN who wants to invest in your future nursing career, look no further than The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online RN to BSN program. Our 38-credit program is CNNE-accredited and prepares you for a variety of nursing roles, from becoming a clinical nurse specialist to working toward an advanced position as a medical and health services manager.
Our courses are designed and led by experienced nursing leaders, all of whom come equipped with firsthand experience (and tips) to prepare you for common challenges faced in the healthcare industry. All coursework can be completed online, with the exception of two clinical courses conducted in person with a local nurse preceptor of your choice.
Whether you’re interested in caring for children, mending hearts in cardiac care, or another specialty altogether, level up your nursing game and answer the call to make a real difference in patient care by applying to our RN to BSN program today.
Sources:
https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/top-advantages-of-a-bsn-degree
https://www.nursingprocess.org/rn-to-bsn-salary
Picture this: You’re in a hospital room, and a nurse walks in—flustered, but still smiling—with a chart in hand. This expert provider is checking your vitals, catching early warning signs, coordinating with doctors, reassuring your anxious family outside, and solving small healthcare crises in the hallway … all before lunch. Today, nurses are no longer…
Of the growing number of fields actively using artificial intelligence (AI) technology—including finance, manufacturing, marketing, and customer service—the field that arguably makes the most significant impact in our lives is healthcare. AI is supporting all healthcare sectors, simultaneously making nurses more efficient, elevating their level of care, and improving patient outcomes. Here we’ll examine some…
Every year, over 150,000 registered nurses (RNs) graduate from nursing school, ready and eager to make a difference in the lives of patients. They’ve spent up to four years preparing for this moment, poring over textbooks, completing clinicals, and mastering skills. But when it comes time to face the challenges on the hospital floor or…
Casinos don’t just rely on luck to make money—they rely on psychology. From the moment you step onto a gaming floor, everything around you is designed to keep you playing longer than you planned.
While gambling industry groups promote responsible gaming, the subtle cues that influence behavior are often hiding in plain sight. Lighting, sounds, and layout (and yes, even décor) all work together to shape the level of risk guests take and how hard it is for them to walk away.
In this article, we’ll explore the psychology of gambling from two angles: how casinos are intentionally designed to influence behavior and how the brain’s reward system can make gambling especially compelling (and hard to stop).
While most gamblers arrive focused on winning, casinos focus on something else entirely: keeping people engaged for as long as possible.
To do this, casino designers rely on principles from behavioral psychology and neuroscience. The goal is to:
Many of these design elements work subtly, influencing attention, comfort, and decision-making without players consciously realizing it.
While gamblers are keeping their eyes on the prize (cash money), casinos employ some of their own moves to keep gamblers playing. You may win, but the longer you play, the higher the odds are that you’ll lose money before leaving the casino.
That’s why they don’t want you to leave.
Psychology plays a central role in how casinos encourage gamblers to stay and keep playing. It’s easy to identify the reasoning behind all those free drinks, meals, and even fully comped hotel rooms, but you may not recognize some other ways they encourage you to stay put.
Many casino design strategies are based on behavioral psychology and insights from former gamblers. These choices influence how players perceive time, risk, and when—or whether—to leave. This approach is often described as casino design psychology: the intentional use of layout, lighting, sound, and décor to influence attention, decision-making, and how long players remain engaged.
The bright lights and colors, music, collective hum of slot machines, and pleasant scents pumped through ventilation systems (casino scent marketing) all say, “Stay and have fun!” (Online gambling doesn’t share the same appeal and is less conducive to compulsive playing.)
These elements are a core part of casino psychology, using sensory stimulation to keep players focused on the games rather than on time or spending.Why Casinos Use Busy, “Ugly” Carpet DesignsThose ugly casino carpets aren’t the work of an interior decorator with bad taste: They have their own psychological purpose. Most of the designs are so busy” you couldn’t possibly relax, get tired, and call it a night in their vicinity. Further, they can help keep your eyes on the games.
Many casinos have no windows or clocks within eyeshot of the gaming floor, so gamblers may not realize how long they’ve been playing or that the sun has set and risen since they last saw it.
The best gaming floors are the hardest ones to leave. That’s why many are laid out in a maze-like fashion that makes a quick exit difficult.
The psychology of gambling doesn’t stop with casino design. t also involves how the brain responds to risk, reward, and anticipation. So, why is gambling addictive? The Mental Health Foundation says that it has to do with, “the adrenaline rush to win money, socialise or escape from worries or stress.”
The chance to walk away richer is an undeniably compelling reason to take financial risks. And if that wasn’t enough, the pleasure of indulging in bright games of chance causes the release of the hormone dopamine in the human brain.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, “our brains are hard-wired to seek out behaviors that release dopamine in our reward system … You feel good and you seek more of that feeling.” Risk-taking is part of what makes gambling exciting, triggering the release of adrenaline and dopamine that creates a temporary sense of pleasure and reward.
And while many of us enjoy a good dopamine rush no matter the cause, some people are at greater risk for gambling addiction, including those with mental health issues and particular personality traits.
There’s also evidence that losing motivates gamblers to start new games more quickly to recoup their losses, a phenomenon known as “post-loss speeding.” 2022 study suggests that gamblers are more predisposed to psychopathy, a “neuropsychiatric disorder marked by deficient emotional responses, lack of empathy, and poor behavioral controls …”
Americans show no signs of giving up the rush their gambling habits provide anytime soon. To the contrary, gambling establishments are reaping record revenue.
When it comes to career potential, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology is the move. A psychology degree develops core skills in analysis, communication, and human behavior that are useful across many professional fields, not just clinical psychology.
While the University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology gives you a firm foundation in general education courses, while its core curriculum takes you deeper into the human psyche where you’ll explore topics like abnormal psychology, social psychology, experimental psychology, and drugs and behavior, among other subjects.
Our program’s 100% online, asynchronous format also makes it a sensible choice for anyone who needs to juggle professional and personal responsibilities while earning their degree. No campus visits are required, and you can complete your studies on your own schedule from any time zone on the planet.
Curious where an understanding of human behavior can take you? Explore UTPB’s online BA in psychology and see if it fits your goals.
Ever reach for your phone and instantly face a barrage of messages, notifications, subscription reminders, and social media updates? You’re not alone. Scientists have estimated that the average person processes about 74 gigabytes of information daily: equivalent to watching 16 high-definition movies back-to-back in a single day. Cognitive overload is real. And over time, constant stimulation quietly changes how we think, focus, and feel. In this article, we’ll explore: What Does Cognitive Overload Mean? Cognitive overload happens when your brain receives more information than…
When someone struggles with depression, homelessness, or discrimination, who steps in to help? A psychologist? A social worker? A sociologist? These three fields all address human challenges, but they explore humanity from very different angles: one from society, one from the mind, and one from the front lines. So what are the similarities and differences between sociology, psychology, and social work? This guide clears up…
The Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union lasted nearly 45 years. This period of global tension was fueled by political differences, expansionism, a nuclear arms race, and constant propaganda. But these factors were symptoms of a deeper, underlying psychological force: group polarization. Both sides steadily grew more entrenched in their opposing views,…
When people picture a day in the life of an accountant, they often envision a professional diligently tapping away on the keys of a calculator while tracking the funds coming in and out of their client’s accounts. All the better to ensure the numbers add up correctly, of course.
But thousands of years ago, when accounting was in its infancy, there were no “accounts” and there were certainly no calculators. So, what is the history of accounting, exactly? Hitch a ride on our well-oiled time machine as we journey to the past to learn more about one of the world’s oldest professions: accounting.
While modern accounting is much more technical and numbers-based than its millennia-old prototype, this wasn’t always the case. Below, we look at the start of accounting and how it’s adapted to society’s changing needs over the centuries.
Accounting made its grand entrance into the world more than 7,000 years ago in some of Mesopotamia’s civilizations. When historians found records dating to that time, they learned that some Mesopotamians kept track of goods they traded and received, such as livestock, animals, and crops.
For thousands of years, societies used the barter system, trading chickens for grains or material for clothing. Despite not using money as a medium of exchange, people still used bookkeepers to keep track of barters made between individuals. Instead of numbers, the entries read more like narratives and were brought out and used when disputes between traders arose.
Eventually, countries began making their own currencies. With a more modernized means of exchange came the need for mathematical whizzes to accurately record the numbers. Many merchants didn’t know how to record the comings and goings of their earnings accurately, so they hired bookkeepers to maintain their business accounts for them.
Until the late 1400s, these records were still largely narrative. While bookkeepers began adding and subtracting amounts from the merchant’s accounts, the records were written as single entries. For example, an entry might look like this:
Toward the end of the 15th century, the Italian monk Luca Pacioli changed the bookkeeping structure and set the stage for accounting as we know it today. He introduced the double-entry system that utilizes a balance sheet with separate debits and credits. Debits refer to the values coming into an account, whereas credits record the amounts coming out.
The expansion of the railroad and the beginnings of U.S. corporations meant that bookkeeping needed to up its ante. Enter accounting, bookkeeping’s older, more analytical-minded sibling. Where bookkeeping focused on tracking numbers and transactions, accounting took things a step further by analyzing those numbers to help companies make more informed decisions. With the help of accountants, businesses were more successful at attracting investors.
In 1887, the American Association of Public Accountants (AAPA) was founded due to the increasing demand for accountants. Then, in 1896, the certified public accountant (CPA) title was introduced, given to those who passed state exams and had three years of industry experience.
In 1913, the U.S. government began charging income taxes to citizens to use as funds to supply the country’s war efforts. Because of this change, the demand for CPAs grew exponentially, with personal and professional accounts seeking the assistance of professional accountants.
Gone are the days of recording credits and debits with a quill and ink. Instead, we’ve replaced pen and paper with technology that’s infinitely more powerful than a simple calculator. Today’s accounting software has made the job more intuitive, helping CPAs complete their job more accurately and efficiently.
Below, we’ve rounded up answers to some of the most common questions about accounting’s long and fascinating history.
Accounting has advanced by leaps and bounds in the past century alone. Who knows where these advancements will lead 20 years from now? If you’re interested in starting a career in an ever-expanding industry, The University of Texas Permian Basin can help you achieve your goals, one step at a time.
Whether you’re ready to obtain a bachelor’s degree and jump-start your career or you want to take your current skillset to the next level by earning your master’s degree, UTPB offers two AACSB-accredited online degree options:
Gain a broad knowledge base in analyzing and solving financial problems for a diverse set of organizations including non-profit, government, public, and private. With your BBA in accounting, you’re prepared to choose from a variety of career options, from credit analyst to financial risk specialist (and plenty in between).
Strengthen your strategic thinking, decision-making, and business acumen while honing your skills in traditional and contemporary accounting practices. This customizable 33- to 42-credit online program can be completed in as little as four semesters. In addition, the program offers two tracks depending on your career goals:
Contact us to find out more about our programs, or if you’re ready to get started, fill out an application today!
Sources:
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/08/accounting-history.asp
When you hear the word “accountant,” who comes to mind? Someone balancing spreadsheets and filing taxes? If so, you’re on the right track. But there’s more to it. Within the field of accounting, one credential stands apart: the Certified Public Accountant (CPA). While both accountants and CPAs manage finances, advise clients, and ensure the accuracy…
Picture this: You’re a junior accountant, and your manager asks you to tweak a report to make the numbers look better. The request sounds harmless enough—just a small tweak—but you know it’s not above board. Now you’re stuck. Do you follow orders and risk crossing an ethical line, or do you push back and risk…
You’ve always been an analytical thinker. A problem solver. Maybe a math whiz, too. There’s a career that matches your strengths. Certified Public Accountants—or CPAs—excel in these qualities. Let’s explore why a CPA is no ordinary accountant and what it takes to become one. Want to Be a CPA? Here’s What You Need to Know …
Nurses are the key to a working healthcare system and one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners have the highest projected growth rate of any occupation in the U.S., increasing by 46% by 2031. This number will likely increase even more as the population continues to age. If you’re considering a career in healthcare, nursing offers more paths, flexibility, and growth potential than almost any other field. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to level up your credentials, understanding your career options can help you make confident, informed choices.
From fast-track licenses to leadership roles, nursing careers come in many forms, and each one plays a vital role in patient care.
Most nursing students can start working after completing a two-year associate degree and can gain direct experience with entry-level positions such as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). These nurses provide direct care to patients under the supervision of a registered nurse. Many CNAs choose to further their studies to become licensed practical nurses or registered nurses.
Becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) may be a good option for you if you want to fast-track your career. An LPN training program can be completed in as little as 12 to 15 months, and once you pass your examination and earn your licensure, you’ll be able to provide basic patient care.
Registered nurses (RN) can provide a higher level of care and educational support to patients. To become an RN, you’ll be required to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree or other diploma from an accredited nursing program—and, like LPNs, you’ll need to make sure you’re licensed in the state you plan to practice in.
RNs are considered the backbone of the healthcare system and enjoy a median pay of about $93,600 a year, compared to an LPN’s average earnings of about $62,340 per year.
Registered nurses with a BSN or master’s degree in nursing can pursue a multitude of advanced career options. Best of all, you don’t have to stay in one career: Your knowledge and experience is applicable to many other nursing professions.
A nurse practitioner provides primary and specialty care and often works in collaboration with a doctor. Some states even allow NPs to open their own clinics. NPs are the fastest-growing profession in the United States and enjoy a median annual pay of $132,050.
Students interested in becoming a midwife will need to be a licensed RN and complete at least a BSN. Nurse midwives deliver babies, provide gynecological exams and family planning services, and advise women throughout their pregnancies. They enjoy an annual salary similar to NPs and can expect to see similar job growth.
RNs with a passion for teaching may consider becoming a nurse educator and training the next generation of nurses. Nurse educators usually work both in the classroom and clinical settings and earn a mean annual wage of $82,040.
Nurse informaticists integrate technology and information science with patient care. These professionals work to manage projects, develop systems, and analyze data in hospital settings. A nurse informaticist can expect to make around $86,844 a year. According to a 2020 Nursing Informatics Workforce Survey, about 51% of nurse informaticists report being highly satisfied with their position.
Health policy nurses integrate healthcare into public policy and the government. These kinds of nurses examine policies and practices in the healthcare system and can expect to make about $117,469 a year.
Nursing managers and other health services managers oversee, plan, and direct the business activities and workflow of healthcare professionals in each department. Nursing managerial occupations are a great option if you’re planning on taking on a leadership role in healthcare, with an annual salary of around $117,960 per year and expected job growth of 29% by 2033.
About 37% of nurses in hospital settings work in critical care and intensive care units (ICU).
These nurses usually perform direct care for critically ill or injured patients and provide immediate medical interventions for pre-surgery or post-surgery critical cases. CCNs can make up to $119,500 with a job growth outlook of about 6% by 2032.
Travel nurses are RNs with varying clinical backgrounds who are often on short-term assignments. If you enjoy new environments and the flexibility to move, this career path can be both adventurous and rewarding.
In addition to the opportunity to work in different states—and sometimes even internationally—travel nurses typically earn 10% to 15% more than permanent nursing staff, thanks to high demand and the temporary nature of their roles.
Wondering which nursing specialty fits your goals and your budget?
The chart below breaks down eight top nursing careers that require a BSN or higher, including their estimated median annual salaries as of 2024. Use this side-by-side view to help inform your next step in the nursing field.
Registered nurses who are interested in furthering their career may want to consider our CCNE-accredited RN to BSN. Our courses are entirely online and designed and taught by nursing leaders with firsthand knowledge of the challenges experienced in the healthcare field. Our online RN to BSN program can provide the education you need to pursue virtually any career path in healthcare.
In addition, most of our courses are asynchronous, which means you control the pace of your education. Study after shifts, during the weekends, or whenever you can make time.
Join the next generation of healthcare leaders at The University of Texas Permian Basin. Apply to our online RN to BSN program!
Sources:
https://www.registerednursing.org/nursing-careers
https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/article/careers-for-nurses-opportunities-and-options.htm
https://www.registerednursing.org/nurse-educator
Picture this: You’re in a hospital room, and a nurse walks in—flustered, but still smiling—with a chart in hand. This expert provider is checking your vitals, catching early warning signs, coordinating with doctors, reassuring your anxious family outside, and solving small healthcare crises in the hallway … all before lunch. Today, nurses are no longer…
Of the growing number of fields actively using artificial intelligence (AI) technology—including finance, manufacturing, marketing, and customer service—the field that arguably makes the most significant impact in our lives is healthcare. AI is supporting all healthcare sectors, simultaneously making nurses more efficient, elevating their level of care, and improving patient outcomes. Here we’ll examine some…
Every year, over 150,000 registered nurses (RNs) graduate from nursing school, ready and eager to make a difference in the lives of patients. They’ve spent up to four years preparing for this moment, poring over textbooks, completing clinicals, and mastering skills. But when it comes time to face the challenges on the hospital floor or…
“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure …”
— Gandalf in “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien
Adventure calls and a hero answers. Along the way, they encounter unlikely allies, formidable foes, and trials that will test their resolve. Against all odds, they prevail, and the world will never be the same.
Sound familiar?
This is the hero’s journey: a story structure followed by virtually every bestselling novel, blockbuster movie, and hit TV show. Spoiler alert! We’re here to talk about how the hero’s journey has shaped the craft of storytelling. Join us as we spoil every plot point and twist ending you’ll ever encounter!
The hero’s journey comes from author Joseph Campbell and his seminal work “The Hero With a Thousand Faces,” which was published to widespread acclaim in 1949. In it, Campbell presents the concept of the monomyth: a narrative pattern shared by all heroic tales, transcending historical, cultural, and regional differences. (Shoutout to James Joyce for coining the term.)
Myths reveal universal truths about human nature, with themes “appearing everywhere in new combinations while remaining, like the elements of a kaleidoscope, only a few and always the same.” Myths, Campbell believed, inspire us to live a blissful life in harmony with our inner selves.
We’re all searching for the meaning of life. So are our mythical heroes, “who must travel to an unknown world and do battle with the powers of darkness in order to return with the gift of knowledge.” The hero’s journey breaks down the monomyth into stages, outlining the transformative quest a hero undertakes to overcome whatever challenge they’re presented with.
Campbell described anywhere from 17 to 31 stages in the hero’s journey. Inspired by “The Hero With a Thousand Faces,” Hollywood story consultant Christopher Vogler developed a condensed, simplified version of the hero’s journey that can be applied to almost any story, particularly screenplays.
The 12 stages of the hero’s journey, as described by Vogler, are:
Scriptwriters and storytellers have for decades used the hero’s (and heroine’s) journey as a blueprint to craft stories that resonate with all audiences. Famously, George Lucas took inspiration from “The Hero With a Thousand Faces” when making “Star Wars: A New Hope.” A more contemporary example can be found in “The Hunger Games” and its heroine, Katniss Everdeen. (Luke is trained by the wizened Ben Kenobi, while Katniss is mentored by the jaded Haymitch Abernathy. Can you spot any other parallels?)
The hero’s journey has influenced countless books, films, and TV shows. If, however, you’re worried it leaves little room for originality, don’t be. Think of the hero’s journey as a tool, highlighting the common elements of modern storytelling. And like any other tool in a writer’s repertoire, its effectiveness depends on how it’s used.
Whether you’re an aspiring writer or avid reader, there’s so much more to learn about literature, visual arts, and the cultural, historical, and psychological elements that influence these works. If you have an insatiable appetite for storytelling, we recommend studying English online at The University of Texas Permian Basin.
We offer two English degrees: A Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in English, both of which are offered entirely online. Gain a deep understanding of the English language by looking at modern and classic literary works. Study your favorite movies in one of our film courses, or enroll in a literature course to examine the works of British and American authors. (Check out Literature and Mythology for more on the mythological allusions found in pop culture.)
Stuck in the Ordinary World? Visit the above program pages to learn more about online learning at UT Permian Basin. If, however, you’re ready to answer the Call to Adventure, apply to one of our online English programs.
Sources:
https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:qGPBdNK8njwJ:scholar.google.com/&hl=en&as_sdt=0,10
https://bornagaintechnologies.org/ohs/moodledata/8/Summary_of_Hero_s_Journey.pdf
At some pivotal moment in our professional journey, many of us harbor a remarkable idea or long to embark on a path of independence and self-expression. Yet, most of us wonder: “How can I transform this dream into reality?” In fact, upwards of 27 million Americans dream of pursuing self-employment, but many are unsure of how and where to start.
Becoming an entrepreneur is an exhilarating pursuit that requires a combination of determination, passion, and strategic thinking. In this article, we’ll explore various pathways to entrepreneurship, catering to diverse ambitions and aspirations.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to entrepreneurship, and your path may vary based on your business idea, product, leadership style, and work strategy. Let’s examine some of the options available to you.
The most traditional and direct path toward self-employment is to secure an investor and build your own business from scratch. Currently, the most popular small businesses launching are in retail and business services. On the upside, potential small business owners already have a product and a plan and waste no time pursuing their dream. But beware of the potential downsides: You’ll bear responsibility for more complex business skills like finance and marketing and the risk of losing your investment if your business doesn’t thrive.
Startups are innovative, rapidly growing small businesses built to disrupt the local market, attract significant investment, and garner a lot of media attention (think Silicon Valley). If you like to take lots of risks and are attracted to quick growth and rapid expansion, consider creating or joining a startup. Many social entrepreneurs, for example, start their initiatives in startups to implement innovative solutions to social issues and scale their impact quickly.
If you have a lot of money (or an investor) at your disposal, you may want to consider taking over a business that has an existing customer base and products. It provides an easier foray into business ownership and provides a head start on many of the complex (and sometimes tedious) tasks required to launch a business for the first time.
You can also acquire a business by buying into a franchise. However, a franchise owner follows strict guidelines according to the franchisor’s rules, such as paying fees and relinquishing creative and managerial control.
If you prefer to find a mentor and grow into a trade, consider an incubator. Incubators are organizations that provide support, resources, and guidance to early-stage startups and hopeful entrepreneurs. Incubators help startups grow by offering mentorship, networking opportunities, resources to funding, workspaces, and more. Entrepreneur First is a leading incubator to check out.
According to a study by Xero, 58% of entrepreneurs work in a corporation prior to starting their own business. Philanthropist and billionaire entrepreneur Pierre Omidyar worked for years in different tech companies before launching his globally renowned auction website eBay, which revolutionized the e-commerce industry.
Working full-time before starting a business can provide you with skills, ideas, and a supportive network, but it may limit your personal investment, since you’ll be spending a lot of time working for another company.
An intrapreneur is an employee within a company who acts like an entrepreneur. Intrapreneurs demonstrate proactive behavior and implement new ideas, products, or services within the organization they work for. If you’re keen to test the waters of innovation but not ready to start a business, you may want to pursue this path.
Team up with like-minded individuals, combine your diverse skills and resources, and spread out the workload. This type of collaborative entrepreneurship promotes high creativity and problem-solving situations. According to a 2019 report by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), one in five entrepreneurs own or manage a business with a family member.
If you’re talented and knowledgeable about a certain service or product, you may even want to consider working as a “worker for hire,” or independent contractor. Gain experience, clients, and income on a flexible schedule.
Imagine honing your business knowledge with a transformative degree while conceiving your dream venture at the same time. Our AACSB-accredited online Master of Business Administration explores the latest trends, cutting-edge strategies, insights on investing, brand marketing, and how to effectively manage a company. With an MBA, you can unlock your full potential and pursue any business pathway you envision.
Complete your degree in as a little as a year—no lengthy commitments—at a fraction of the national average for MBA tuition. Classes are asynchronous and entirely online, meaning you can study on your own terms, wherever you want. Choose from a wide array of entrepreneurship-focused courses and develop expertise in finance, marketing, brand building, organization, and team management.
Some of the invaluable entrepreneurial skills you’ll learn:
Ready to become a business leader? UT Permian Basin will equip you with the abilities, networking, and resources to make your vision a reality. We offer online MBA specializations in marketing, finance, and accounting as well as an additional certificate in energy business. When you’re ready to start your journey, apply here!
Sources:
https://www.gemconsortium.org/report/gem-2018-2019-global-report
https://www.embroker.com/blog/entrepreneur-statistics
Whether you’re an educator structuring an engaging curriculum for your English language learners (ELLs) or you’re thinking about checking an item off of your bucket list by learning a second language, one thing is for sure—mastering a new language isn’t for the faint of heart.
From language-learning apps to one-on-one lessons with a personal tutor, adults often choose the mode of learning that’s most effective for them. Students in the classroom, however, aren’t always as lucky. Moving to a new country with new customs, cultural differences, and a completely different language is often disorienting and can make for an arduous learning experience. This begs the question—what challenges do ESL students face?
Below, we discuss four difficulties many ESL learners encounter and review some tips for creating an inclusive learning environment for everyone.
Many students who move to the United States have little to no background in speaking English. When they’re thrust into a classroom that uses an entirely different vocabulary, it can be both stressful and difficult to understand or communicate effectively.
It’s common for students to experience frustration as they strive to master the new words, pronunciation, grammar, and syntax associated with a new language. As such, it’s not uncommon for them to become discouraged and fear making mistakes or embarrassing themselves in front of their peers. That’s why it’s essential to motivate and encourage students learning new languages during every step of their journey.
Within any classroom, there are often a variety of ELLs: students brand new to the language, mid-level learners, and nearly proficient speakers. New students are more likely to feel self-conscious while testing their new abilities, while the highest-level learners may feel like they have mastered the language and can focus their efforts elsewhere.
With differentiated materials and multiple modes of learning available, it becomes easier to provide each learner with content that will challenge them appropriately and increase their proficiency in vocabulary, grammar, and overall comprehension.
With a growing number of ESL students in the classroom comes an increased need for ESL teachers. Without proper support, these students are more likely to experience an achievement gap compared to students that are native English speakers. ESL students may have difficulty comprehending course materials, feel excluded from class discussions, or feel unequipped to demonstrate their learning during assessments.
With approximately 10% of public-school students falling into the category of ELLs, it’s essential to incorporate effective strategies that enhance their ability to learn alongside their English-speaking peers. Below, we discuss a few helpful tips to promote learning for ELLs of all proficiency levels.
The first step to creating an effective learning environment for ELLs involves curating a safe classroom setting for each student. You can do this in a number of ways, including:
There’s never one “right way” to learn a new concept. So, when you incorporate multiple modes of instruction, your ELL students are more likely to find a strategy that helps them best absorb the material.
Here are some multimodal learning strategies to consider adding to your lesson plans:
Offering structure and support can go a long way in encouraging ELL students to work toward grasping new material. To do this, it’s helpful to break down complex assignments into smaller, easier-to-complete tasks.
One strategy teachers often use to scaffold lessons into manageable chunks is called the gradual release method. This strategy utilizes three separate steps:
With the number of ELL learners in the U.S. rising from 4.5 million in 2010 to 5 million in 2020, ESL and bilingual educators are in high demand around the country. These educators give ESL students the best chance at learning a second language and feeling confident in school and beyond.
At The University of Texas Permian Basin, you can level up your education and career with a Master of Arts in Bilingual/English as a Second Language (ESL) Education. You can complete this affordable and completely online 30-credit online program in as little as one year, and there are two concentrations to choose from:
Apply to UTPB’s bilingual/ESL education program today!
When it comes to recent shifts in global temperatures, changes in precipitation totals, and the imminent loss of species on land and sea, climate change is the large, disruptive elephant in the room. Caused in large part by the excessive levels of fossil fuels used to power cars and generate electricity, climate change has led many countries to consider cutting back on the amount of fossil fuels they use.
The solution? Implementing cleaner forms of energy to slow the progression of climate change.
With so many countries switching to clean energy, however, there are bound to be a few noticeable impacts felt by citizens and governments around the world. After all, nothing worth doing is ever easy. Today, we’re reviewing some of the possible impacts of moving to clean energy too quickly.
Clean energy refers to the development and use of sustainable forms of energy to power our homes and cars. Some of the most popular forms of clean energy include:
By taking advantage of clean energy options, not only can humanity slow down the effects of climate change globally, but we can improve the quality of our air, create new job opportunities, and protect Earth’s natural resources and ecosystems.
Despite the long-term advantages of making the switch to cleaner energy, there are a few potential repercussions that could occur if we move to clean energy too quickly. They include:
While transitioning to clean energy fuels and other sustainable resources will provide plenty of career opportunities for those in the field, it is also likely to leave employees of coal mines, natural gas power plants, and oil refineries without jobs. Many newly unemployed individuals will find work in other industries, but the loss of jobs could result in a temporary economic downturn while they search for other forms of employment.
Certain types of clean energy depend on ever-changing weather conditions. For example, solar power relies on consistent sunlight while wind power is dependent on—you guessed it—the wind. Both of those resources are indispensable, but they’re also not completely reliable. One day, you may find yourself with a blustery day ideal for churning out energy. The next? Not a breeze for miles.
If we make the switch to clean energy too swiftly, it could be challenging to find a consistent supply of energy to generate enough electricity for entire cities and countries. The result could be unexpected blackouts or power shortages until Mother Nature decides to bestow her gifts upon solar panels and wind turbines again.
A substantial amount of capital is required to purchase the materials needed for a rapid expansion of clean energy. While estimated long-term financial benefits include lower monthly electric bills for businesses and individuals alike (approximately $500 a year), those high upfront investment costs have the potential to lead to a short-term surge in energy costs for consumers.
In addition to the large upfront cost associated with getting clean energy up and running, there’s also the potential challenge of locating enough materials to establish the entire clean energy infrastructure. From the excessive minerals required to build wind farms and photovoltaic (solar) plants to the batteries needed for energy storage, some locations may face supply chain constraints as they search for the necessary components to quickly establish clean energy resources.
Whether you’re just starting your career or honing your skills to excel in your current role, UTPB offers three entirely online graduate programs that center around the energy industry:
Graduate Certificate in Energy Business
In as little as two semesters, you can complete this 12-credit program and gain both a graduate certificate and an exclusive set of skills relevant to the rapidly growing energy industry. If you’re looking to advance your career or move into an analyst or managerial role, this is the perfect certificate for you.
MBA with Certificate in Energy Business
This 36- to 45-credit AACSB-accredited online program can be completed in as little as four semesters and provides the knowledge and leadership skills needed to give you an edge in this competitive field. Our MBA with a certificate in energy business also prepares you for a diverse range of roles in the energy industry, deeply examining the intersection of energy and business so you understand this complex field from every perspective.
Master of Science in Energy Business
Our Master of Science in Energy Business is designed specifically for energy industry professionals and is one of very few programs of its kind in the United States. This program gives students a robust foundation in financial principles by offering courses that focus on energy finance, financial management, financial derivatives, and corporate finance and strategy. With this master’s degree, you’ll obtain not only an impressive credential but also all the expertise that today’s energy industry leaders need to succeed.
With UTPB’s flexible online format, you can complete your coursework 24/7 from almost anywhere. Start your journey toward a career you’ve only ever dreamed of and apply to one of our energy business programs today!
Sources:
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/clean-energy-will-lower-household-energy-costs/
https://www.iea.org/articles/the-cost-of-capital-in-clean-energy-transitions