Posted by ed on Jan 29, 2011 in
Reference and Education
Do you know what an interactive whiteboard is?
Interactive whiteboards are actually used in many schools as replacements for the traditional blackboards or flip charts. Many people may not know this, but these whiteboards are phenomenal tools that are used in enhancing the learning process. One of the most popular whiteboards is Smart Board which is a series of interactive whiteboards developed by Smart Technologies. Today, there are a number of other brands that are also widely used in the market. The realization of the importance of whiteboards has encouraged the emergence of these boards in the market nowadays.
Using such whiteboards offer many advantages. First and foremost, these boards provide ways to show students practically everything that can be presented on a computer desktop. These include educational software and web sites to name a few. Second, these whiteboards allow teachers to record instructions and post the material for students to review anytime of the day. This is indeed an effective instructional strategy for students who need to see the material presented again. Moreover, this is also very effective for students who are absent from school. More than anything else, this is a great strategy for reviewing students for examinations. Third, these boards allow students to create e-folios which would include samples of their work and narration. Again, this would allow both students and teachers to review these samples anytime.
Finally, both students and teachers can use the built in maps in learning about continents, countries, states, or capitals. There are still a number of other advantages that interactive whiteboards offer, but one thing is for certain and that is using interactive whiteboards can definitely help transform learning and instruction.
Today, these whiteboards are not only used for education but for business purposes as well. Due to its compatibility with the computer and other peripheral devices, the door to multitude possibilities is opened. In fact, interactive whiteboards are further developed to cater to the specific needs of the business world as well. Some of the newest boards already offer touch screen and data capturing features. This means that you can easily write on these boards using your fingers or a stylus. Moreover, another amazing feature that has been integrated into the interactive whiteboard is its saving and distribution capability. Information captured on the whiteboard can now be saved to a file or to an attached computer. To top it all, the information can be distributed by email, CD, or copy.
In addition, teachers can teach students new computer software applications using the interactive whiteboard. The features of the program on a personal computer can be manipulated by the teacher as the students interact with the software on the whiteboard as well. This is definitely one way of keeping pace with the advances in technology.
Indeed, interactive whiteboards is probably one of the most important advances in the field of learning and instruction. These whiteboards offer great opportunities in enhancing the learning process and making it more convenient as well.
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Posted by ed on Jan 26, 2011 in
Reference and Education
For struggling students, any way to cut costs is extremely helpful. Books can often run a student hundreds of dollars each and every semester. Many students have started wondering, “Opensource textbooks – where can I find them?”
Opensource textbooks have become more and more popular over the last few years. This is actually for a couple of reasons. Many advances in different fields have rendered current textbooks useless. Couple that with the large cost to manufacture and buy commercial textbooks, and you have yourself a large amount of wasted money.
There are a few providers of opensource textbooks. CK-12 provides customizable, free digital textbooks for grades K-12. Their books are offered in many subjects, such as science, technology, mathematics, and engineering and can be updated and posted within days of a discovered change. They can also be used with the various electronic book readers and tablet PCs currently on the market.
Flat World Knowledge creates opensource, open licensed textbooks for college level learning. They are high quality and professionally developed textbooks that are fully supported with instructor manuals and aids, as well as corresponding study guides for the students. They offer digital versions that can be used with electronic book readers, and they offer Mp3 downloads for digital players.
These are just a few of the places to find opensource textbooks. It is the way of the future, and many schools are moving toward the technology. Students will find that their days of pay astronomical textbooks prices may soon be over.
Posted by ed on Jan 23, 2011 in
Reference and Education
Aside from UK, USA is one of the preferred choices for higher education amongst students worldwide. Here are some reasons to study in USA.
USA has the most higher learning institutions in the world, and a large number of them are world-class learning institutions. Some of the top universities in USA include MIT, Harvard, Yale and Stanford, among many others. These universities are known for their cutting-edge research and worldwide journals that are produced by both students and professors, making them an enviable place of learning and discovering knowledge. Attaining a qualification from any of these universities can guarantee you a solid foundation for the future, as employers worldwide are sure to have heard of their credentials.
As USA is one of the most modern countries, the universities are where modernization often begins in. The syllabus there are often updated to suit new-found knowledge, whether as an additional part to a course, or a new course altogether. Being able to experience this keeps your qualifications up to date and yearned for. To add on, the technology there is much more advanced compared to most countries, so you can also experience it during your stay.
Furthermore, many renowned companies affiliate with these universities, thus, you can find many opportunities to train in your field while studying, giving you valuable experiences which may help in your studies and future work. With that said, the curriculum of US universities is very flexible, allowing you to design your own timetable to suit your needs to work, decide on how many subjects to study per semester, as well as choose which electives to take.
Last but not least, as people from all over the world try to get into the top universities in USA, it creates a multi-national group of students. Knowing people from all over the world gives you the opportunities to expand your contacts which may come useful in the future. You are also exposed to different cultures, where you can learn about them and increase your cultural awareness.
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Posted by ed on Jan 20, 2011 in
Reference and Education
That Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS (1874 – 1965) was a great man is not in dispute. But what are the reasons for his greatness?
Churchill was born to aristocratic parents at a time when the British Empire was at its height. Yet he lived to see it fall into decline.
He had a famous ancestor, John Churchill, I st Duke of Marlborough, who rose from obscure origins to become a distinguished general, and who served several monarchs, before reaching his zenith in the reign of Queen Anne. His military success help Britain to achieve major power status.
Winston had a privileged education at the famous public school of Harrow where he was considered a dullard, and languished in the lower forms. He had a good memory and had the basic principles of good English drummed into him.
It was not until he went to the military academy of Sandhurst that he started to shine. He loved the practical work of building fortifications. He had a passion for horse riding and excelled at polo.
When he was posted to India he started to write for the newspapers to pass the time. He also was part of a very successful polo team. It seems even at this age having Churchill around increased your chances of success.
He became a war correspondent and found ways of getting to all the conflicts that the British Empire faced. He was a man of action. Posted to the 21st Lancers, and acting as a War Correspondent for The Morning Post, Churchill took part in the last British cavalry charge at the Battle of Omdurman. He wrote books on his campaigns but failed to win a parliamentary seat.
During the second Boer War whilst acting as a War Correspondent for The Morning Post, Churchill hitched a lift on a British Army Armored Train that came under Boer attack. Showing his natural leadership qualities, Winston took charge, and freed the engine and half the train. The wounded escaped but he was taken prisoner and sent to a camp in Pretoria. To cap it all he then escaped and made his way to safety after many adventure.
He entered parliament and eventually became Home secretary taking personal charge of a shooting incident when some anarchists took over a building’ Later, Churchill became First Lord of the Admiralty and drove military reform, including tank development and naval conversion from coal to oil.
The disastrous Gallipoli landings on the Dardanelles during World War I led to his resignation and rejoining the army. He served on the Western Front.
His final call to greatness came at the beginning of WWII. His determination to defeat the Nazis and free enslaved nations, and the ordinary German people, saved the word from an evil dictator. His skills as an orator rallied the British people and helped bring America into the war.
He wrote several successful history books. In his later years he became an accomplished painter. He also built a brick wall around his property at Chartwell that would be the envy of any bricklayer. Add to that a Nobel Prize for literature.
So where did his greatness come from? He was the right man at the right time. His Churchill ancestors accomplished much that helps to explain his natural bravery and courage. On his mother’s side his grandfather, Leonard Jerome, was a famous newspaper owner and editor of “The New York Times”.
We see in Churchill physical bravery and a gift for words that seem to be inherited. He was a man of his time and place. A privileged background and plenty of contacts enabled him to use his God-given gifts and opportunities to serve mankind.
He was not a saint. He loved a good drink and a big cigar but he had the powerful constitution to cope with it. Living to over 90 years after a full, risk-taking, adventurous, fruitful life takes some beating. Winston had the all-round qualities of what he delighted in calling “The Bulldog Breed”. Courage and tenacity in the face of danger.
A great oak owes its size and magnificent spread to its genes and its location. A great man is similar with the addition of a noble spirit.
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Posted by ed on Jan 17, 2011 in
Reference and Education
With advancement in technologies and in avant-garde gadgets, the students aspiration related to career is also observing a positive change. Earlier the students only had alternatives of choosing medical or engineering for higher education. However, nowadays a person can aim for becoming a web designer, game designer or even multimedia expert. game design courses are gaining popularity among students as they provide excellent career prospects. Game designing professionals merge together the creativity and advanced technologies for producing international work that is reckoned worldwide.
Along with exceptional alternatives, it also supplies immense erudition and education opportunities to the youth. One can find the use of game design courses in various fields like TV media, print advertising, corporate presentations, television and movies. They are also quite useful in video editing, medical presentations and software development. A person can search a broad assortment of institutes which provide these courses in many countries. One can study a range of software applications. The job chances in this field also augment the attractiveness of animation and multimedia.
It is an attractive career prospective. There are several numbers of institutions providing game design courses so as to make students prepare to gain an expert outlook. The industry of video gaming is up and is coming as a popular market segment. It is witnessing a fast growth since from the past years. Similar is the demand for professional game designers as many of the corporate giants are coming across professional’s dearth. This is the market field where amusement and technology work side by side. If a person has any idea regarding the gaming market, one might have observed that hit movies instantaneously follow the game versions. There are also the educational games that are played by the professionals to increase significant know regarding the actual game or market rules. The examples of these are stock market games or blackjack game. Game design courses provide basic information and allow a person to remain in touch with recent developments which are happening in the world of gaming.
The amplified use of computers and internet in the daily walks of life, one of the best alternatives for a promising career in today’s scenario is the choosing web designing at school level. By taking admissions in reputed collages or institutions which provide latest knowledge about the methods and tools that are used by the web designers are tutored in order to become a proficient web designer. In this specific field there is no shortage of jobs as every single day new web sites are being launched. One can also design websites by just sitting at home. Most of such design courses are for a few months and also have a promising future if taken up seriously.
Posted by ed on Jan 14, 2011 in
Reference and Education
Education is a very important element to people. It is very essential to every business, technology and social group. For you to build a good name in a certain business industry or society, you have to be seen as someone valuable. An accredited college or university could provide you the credentials and the certification you need in earning the degree you want.
Before students would go to physical colleges or university and would spend most of their time and money for their tuition fees and transportation. But the modern technologies have changed the way education and training are delivered to students. And in this new way of earning a college degree is called online education or distance learning. There are already millions of online students taking courses via the virtual world from reputable accredited universities and colleges. More and more people fascinate to have online education because it is considered as an excellent way of enhancing your skills and gain more related knowledge you need to become competitive in this fast-paced-world.
There are many advantages that an online education could provide to its students. This mode of learning is usually low cost, accessible and could give you the convenience you are looking in earning a college degree. Each student should have the computer and Internet service that are essential in the distribution of course contents and lectures. A student should know to manipulate computer softwares and know way around the virtual world. Being able to work comfortably around these technologies will eventually complete their tasks efficiently with no issues on online learning. Since online education is available 24 hours 7 days a week, a student could work on their choice of time that would fit on their working schedules. They could also choose a course degree in line with their interests and learn at their own pace.
This mode of learning attracts a lot of people because they could study at the comforts of their home. But in order to finish a course degree online, you also have to exert a little of your effort and have self-discipline so that you can set aside certain distractions that comes your way. You should also develop self control since their are many distractions that may affect your concentration in learning such as television, telephones or your family.
There’s no such easy way of achieving success in life unless you exert an effort and time. It is a matter of managing your time well and deciding what is best for you. Online education could be your best option that could change your way of life for the better.
Posted by ed on Jan 11, 2011 in
Reference and Education
You’ll find teachers in all fields of education from beginning till the end. They are referred to as professors when holding a special degree, doctorate for example, along with research capabilities. A lower level of academia does not pay as much as a higher one, in schools and colleges generally. Due to this, university level teachers have a higher pay than primary school teachers. This is a justified method since the time and effort gone into becoming a university level teacher is more than that of a primary level teacher.
One can find no law saying that the amount of degrees and accomplishment determines whether people are better or worse than one another. Teachers at primary and tertiary levels have different agendas to fulfill. Those at primary must provide a child with the three R’s of Reading, writing and arithmetic while tertiary level teachers put a strong finishing touch so children can finish basic education and become good individuals. Both teachers therefore have an almost equal amount of hard work which they must execute to make sure the child is to their credit.
Entering the level of tertiary education can be terrifying for those who encounter strict, scary teachers. However, most teachers only intend to teach well. Students sometimes misunderstand a teacher’s strictness as their hate but that really isn’t true in most cases. Teachers have the heady job of constantly imparting education and finding new, better ways for children to absorb it. It is important also, in this fast-paced era of technology, to keep adding certificates and degrees to their name. A university teacher’s salary may eventually be dependent upon deliverables like the amount of passing and failing students.
If the future holds such measurements then a person will have to totter between education’s price and its prize. Parents will have to be extremely careful about the choice they make.
Posted by ed on Jan 8, 2011 in
Reference and Education
The first place in which children have their educational lesson is in the house and as parents you need to be sensitive in their learning. There are parents who are having a hard time in teaching their children because children tend to be bored most of the time. There are so many ways you can do as parents to teach your children in order to prepare them for school. Children are easily bored especially in serious matters. You can use math manipulatives in teaching your children so that they can have fun while learning something at the same time. It is used for common children because they can be surprised with different ways in which math works in their daily lives.
Math manipulatives were created so that your child can have the interest in learning and at the same time they can have the fun they want. You can use different math materials in teaching your kids so that they will not be bored. If children are bored with what you are doing for their learning they will become hard student and they will lose their desire for learning in school. It would be best if you can train your child even in young age to have the desire in study so that it will be easy for you to send them to school when they reach the right age. It takes a lot of effort to get the attention of children when it comes to their education and as parents you need to be mindful of that. Math manipulatives can be a great help for you in teaching your kids.
Math is the most important part of the learning of your kids. If they can learn math in their young age it can be of great advantage when they go to school. There are students who really struggle when it comes to math problems in which are very common in schools. In order for your kids to be wise and make them as you want them to be, it would be best if you can use math manipulatives as part of their learning. They can develop a lot of skills with this kind of style of teaching and also they can increase their resolving skills and the will becomes wise in their lives. You can have different kinds or ways of teaching in your children and if it is not effective anymore it would be best to try new style. You can consider math manipulatives for the fast learning of your kids.
Posted by ed on Jan 5, 2011 in
Reference and Education
Once you’ve taken a few exams you start to understand what studying strategies and locations work for you and which don’t. Here are some popular places to learn and get the creative juices flowing.
1. While doing exercise:
Physical exercise not only releases endorphins, but it also helps clear one’s mind, and as a result can be the perfect way to reflect on things you’ve learnt or inspire new creative ideas. A lot of people like to break up long study days with physical activity for this very reason. Information, like food, needs to be digested, by doing a bit of exercise between long study period’s people are better able to make sense of the content they’ve just reviewed and put it into context.
2. First thing in the morning:
For most students exam time can be really stressful, and rightly so, as day-long study periods are enough to make anyone’s head spin. Even the most focused people will search for ways to distract themselves. And those who aren’t looking for them, face them anyway, with phones ringing, people chatting, and hunger cravings. That’s why waking up really early and getting some studying in while the house is still quiet can be an effective way to work.
3. In a remote area:
If a quiet morning isn’t enough time to get everything done, than how about a quiet weekend? Those lucky enough to have a cabin outside of the city might choose to go there and get some work done. With no friends or family around, there’s nothing tempting your time away from your books. Moreover, these settings tend to be optimal for walk breaks and little hot chocolates in town.
4. A classroom:
Much like your personal desk at home, some people like to study in places that they are familiar with, places that they are used to working. If you have assigned seating in your class and the room is free you might want to go sit in it and do your work there. Sitting in the same seat as where you always learn about that subject should put your mind in the very space it needs to be to properly get down to work.
5. Outside:
For some the birds, bees, and outdoor street sounds might be distracting, for others it might be the perfect background noise to help them tune into their work. Like going for a run, learning outside clears your mind and allows information to seep in.
Everyone has study routines and environments that they swear by, what are some of yours?
Posted by ed on Jan 2, 2011 in
Reference and Education
Before getting a PMP certificate, you must first take a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Exam. But, as we all know, this exam gives us another stressful responsibility. This is also the reason why most professionals who practices in this field didn’t take this important exam. To avoid that situation, here are some fundamental guidelines you can learn in order to help lessen up your fears and obtain greater possibility to pass the test. Let us start with the basic requirements.
PMP Basics and the Exam:
First, you should know that the exam is composed of 200 multiple-choice questions – contains 4 possible answers. You are only given 4 hours to finish answering all of them.
Second, there is 40% of the total exam called “situational questions” which tests your ability to solve certain given problems even surrounded by a stressful environment and be able to find a solution as fast as you could.
Third, the PMI (Project Management Institute) requires all applicants to take at least 35 hours of Project Management Training before they are qualified to take the test.
And here are some guidelines that may help you have greater chances in passing the test. Also, remember that you can’t achieve anything without hard work, determination and perseverance. Set your minds upon the reason of taking this exam: to test your skills, knowledge and abilities in project management according to the PMI’s standard.
PMP Guidelines:
Expand your knowledge – as you take a PMP Exam Prep Course, you will see that you are required to read more books and other resources available. It should be closely related to the training you have taken. However, most courses associate materials specifically made just for that course. There are online programs or PMP prep course who offers PMP material which fits for 35 hours of study, so, it is not that hard to search for places where to take the course.
Be calm – the PMI ordered you to have full training from institutions which have their approval and provides the PMBOK manual to easily find the answers to the exam. With these, the PMI is making sure that you will pass the test and comes out to be an expert in project management. You can feel at ease, they even lowered the passing grade just for you to be able to get the required score.
Best answer – the technique in answering the test is to find the best suitable answer. You might encounter a question that has 2 possible answers. Think thoroughly. See what answer fits the particular question or problem. Always choose the best. To be easy for you to check the right answer, during your training, search for exam simulators. These are mock exams that help you practice answering to familiarize the pattern of the exam.
Memorize – in the PMBOK manual, you will not only learn words, but also formulas and acronyms. You need to understand and memorize them for they will come out in the exam. If possible, use your own tactics in memorizing. You could jot them down in a piece of paper and keep on repeating them until it store in your brain.
Answer – during the exam, there is a rule that if you left at least 1 question unanswered, it will be deducted to your total points. So, make sure that you will answer all of questions. Just start answering with the easier ones and go back to the difficult questions. If you lack of time, use the guessing method. There are still chances to get the correct answers than suffer with deduction.
Do your best in the exam and as you follow these tips, with matching diligence, perseverance and dedication to pass; you will surely obtain the PMP Certification.