In an economy marked by rampant layoffs and the slow death of entire industries, many adults are wondering if now is the time to go back to school for further technical training, to finish a bachelor's degree, or to pursue a graduate or professional degree. The answer? It depends. It depends on your reason for going back to school. To update your skills?

Most teachers in the U.S. have gone back to school by now, but I don't start teaching until Monday. This fall I'm teaching at two very different institutions: the large University of California campus where I also consult with faculty to improve their teaching, and a small private university where I'm an adjunct instructor in museum studies. It's my ninth year teaching at the university level, but I find the longer I stay within higher education, the more conflicted I feel about U.S. education in general and about higher education specifically.

Before moving to Georgia, the back-to-school issue that constantly stuck in my craw was dry-erase markers, of all things. Yes. Every child was required to bring a 4-pack of dry-erase markers as part of their supplies, at the kids' old school.

We have reached the last weekend of summer.  That can only mean one thing in this house.  We have reached the last minute panic as I inventory closets and drawers to see if I really do have to make that journey to the mall for the yearly Back-To-School shopping torture experience.  After two hours and 5 stores, I left the mall with a teenage son who bought a new pair of shoes, some socks and one shirt.  My tween?  He had one pair of jeans and one shirt.  That's all.So much for getting prepared ahead of time this year!

First day of school photos are a tradition around here. They were a tradition before we blended our families and became a bigger tradition post blending.

Schools use technology, students use technology. What do you need to buy your student in addition to spirals and ballpoint pens to make sure they are technologically supplied and ready for school? We'll look at some software and security essentials for computers first, and then talk about hardware for students who are still at home and for students who are in school away from home.

It's that time of year, time to send your children back to school. Whether you're looking forward to school or dreading the end of summer it's important to think about safety now, before your kids go back to class. WebMD says Crocs are not great school shoes. What do you think?

It's that time of year again. Back to school. Some Moms are thrilled. Some Moms unsure. Some are just in a state of shock over the hit the wallet takes. One thing consistent about it all: there are moans from kids heard around the country that their summer is ending. But the Moms? Ahhhh, the Moms have other ideas. Personally, I always get a bit freaked out as if it was my first day of school when they start up. But that probably has more to do with the fact that they have not yet instituted a "start at noon" school day with our public school system. Now that would rock my socks off! Alas, my cries to let my kids (and when I say my kids, I of course mean me) sleep in late and then go to school.

Last night Revolution Health sponsored another one of those great phone calls that provides bloggers with a chance to talk to health professionals about important health and wellness topics. The topic this time was Immunizations. Good timing since this is National Immunization Awareness Month.