How to Organise Tuition via a Webcam

How to Organise Tuition via a Webcam Teach Students Remotely Thanks to Academic Support Videoconferencing ChaptersBuying the Right Equipment for Remote Academic SupportPreparing Your Tutorials with Fun Online ResourcesHow You Can Stay in Touch with Your Students Between LessonsDedicate the Start of Your Lessons to Checking Homework They’ve Done OnlineDigital Resources Are Fine But Tutors Still Have to Listen!Unlike what you might first think, tutoring students remotely isn’t that different to teaching them one to one!While there are plenty of advantages to this type of class (saving money on transportation, flexible hours, etc.), you still have to help your student to progress through regular academic support.Whether you’re helping them with an exam or test prep, teaching them a new skill, or helping them succeed in school, your role is to listen to them, provide academic mentoring, and use your expertise to provide them with guidance.Learn how to provide academic support and become a tutor!over  their classes at school.Of course, don’t get too familiar!  You have to establish yo ur limits: You’re there to listen, of course, but they also have to respect you.  As a teacher, you can teach private tutorials without having to leave the house.Find tutor jobs to suit your skills (a newly-acquired webcam magic).

How to Score a 5 on the AP World History Exam

How to Score a 5 on the AP World History Exam Sign up successful 2. Know the World Map In order to get a solid grasp on the material you’re learning, you should first become familiar with the world map. Pay special attention to places that have changed over time. For example, “Mexico” used to be called “New Spain” and “East Pakistan” is now “Bangladesh.” I’ve seen plenty of students confused because, not realizing the territory has been renamed, they can’t find New Spain on the map! To make sure you have a good geographical foundation, practice drawing the world map a few times (or at least filling in a pre-drawn but blank world map). Make it a contest with fellow classmates or friends to spice up this activity. Also, there are plenty of online sites to test your “map and geography knowledge.” (Try Lizard Point Geography Quizzes.) 3. Make A Timeline Many teachers will tell you “dates aren’t that important for the exam.” In essence, I agree with this statement, especially the farther back in history you go. However, it’s important to know the general chronology of historical events. Here’s why: The AP World History Exam places emphasis on global interactions and change-over-time (there is actually a “Change-Over-Time” essay), both of which require having a reasonable idea of when things occur (not necessarily dates) and what else is going on in the world simultaneously. This emphasis makes sense: People, countries, and continents are not isolated. They may exist separately but they fluctuate together, constantly evolving. So, to really understand “time,” I suggest a timeline. Now, because so much happens in our world’s history, it’s important to have a big timeline. If there’s room in your house, put up a roll of paper from one of the wall to the other. Then you can make a line and label events as you go t hrough the world history course. Make it interactive by drawing pictures to go with significant events. If you don’t have room in your house, you can go online. I recommend Prezi.com (or a similar site with a wide open canvas that you can zoom around on, add information, and upload pictures and video). 4. Supplement Your Reading If you’re taking a class, you will almost undoubtedly be working with a history textbook. However, words on a page often have trouble sticking in our brains by themselves. What you need to do is find movies and short videos (use Youtube) that you can watch after you’ve read about an event. Then go back to the textual information and reread it, checking to see if the way you imagined the event matched up with what you saw. This helps you more than you realize. By combining reading and watching, you’re first creating an original virtual reality experience, then comparing that with the media you’re viewing, and then, during the second read through, you’re analyzing the differences. This process interweaves many facets of your brain enabling strong recall and memory with the information you’re learning. Yes, it may take a little extra time to read, watch, and then reread information on one particular concept. You definitely don’t want to do this with every significant event. To start, I recommend choosing 10 important events (spaced out over our historical timeline) that interest you. How do you choose the events? If you have an AP Review Book, they will have an “important events” list at the end of each unit, which are generally separated by time periods. Otherwise, go online, type in “AP World History Important Dates,” and choose some from a list that comes up. If you’re stuck, here’s a good starter list (but remember there are so many to choose from): 2000 Judaism begins w/Abraham 1320-1340 Spread of Bubonic Plague 1029-258 Zhou Dynasty 470-430 Golden Age of Athens 610 Rise of Islam 1492 Columbus expedition 1600-1690 Scientific Revolution 1770 Beginning of Industrial Revolution 1948 Creation of Israel 1959 Cuban Revolution Don’t forget to put all the events you spend extra time with onto your timeline. Finally, remember that world history is just one, long, ongoing story about the human race. Try to put yourself in the shoes of those you read about and recognize that understanding the concepts is far more important than knowing exact dates. Learning specific study skills for this type of memorization can be easily achieved with a tutor, so check out TakeLesson’s selection of experienced world history tutors for additional help. For more information about the test, visit The College Boards website. Tali H. tutors in various academic subjects in Olympia, WA, as well as through online lessons. Since 2010, she has worked with  numerous students in elementary, middle, high school, and college in both group settings and one-on-one. Learn more about Tali here!   Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  KarandeepSingh

Um, So What Should I Be Choosing As My First Guitar

Um, So What Should I Be Choosing As My First Guitar The Beginner Guitarist's Guide to Making the Right Choice. ChaptersHow to Avoid Ending Up With an Inappropriate Guitar?What are the Different Types of Existing Guitars and Their Features for Beginners?Choose the Right Guitar: Buying Options.In ConclusionWith eight years of practice, I’ve often had to deal with students’ loss of motivation, simply because of an inappropriate guitar, bought too quickly or often based on an attractive design. They don't pay an attention to the playability, the fact that it sounds great, or that its features - say its headstock, body and neck - are actually made well.I’m Kelsey and I’m a guitar teacher.For some, during the first purchase of a guitar, only the electric guitar matters - because it has style, it plugs into an amp, and makes noise! Acoustics or classical guitars are generally overlooked in favour of the vision of being a cool electric guitar player.The other problem that people with a new guitar find is that they expect to be a master of their musical instrument straight away. Above all, peo ple often believe that it is easier to play before they actually learn how to play the guitar. Which is not entirely wrong and you will understand why.People put a lot of value on their first guitar, so to choose well, some key features have to be kept in mind when buying.  You should also be remembering the fact that, although your hands are itching to shred that fretboard, you are a beginner guitarist - and that you first and foremost need an appropriate guitar for beginners.Of course, you will evolve and progress during your guitar lessons near me and, at the same time, you will refine the type of sounds you are looking for. Also, you will probably desire to try several different sounds and styles after a few guitar lessons. Maybe you will become interested in fingerpicking, meaning you might find yourself wanting an acoustic or an electro acoustic guitar. You might find that the deeper, groovier noise of the bass guitar sounds great, and so you check out the electric bass. This is to say that you need to follow what you like, acoustically and in terms of the style of music.  You will then start to acquire other guitars: it’s not uncommon to meet an amateur with several guitars. He will make his choice according to the style tackled.Pay attention and don’t forget that you are a beginner. Even if it’s interesting to start with an instrument that matches your desires and musical tastes to keep the spirit up during that tough time of learning, the type of sounds coming out of the guitar should not be your first concern. Keep in mind that when you first start learning to play the guitar, you're not sure to continue... So pay attention to the cost of this first purchase: go for the low end of price, but don't compromise on quality.Also, you should have a complete guide to selecting and changing your guitar strings...What are the Different Types of Existing Guitars and Their Features for Beginners?Who is your favourite guitarist? Maybe their instrument choi ces can help you decide.There are three main types of guitars, not to mention more specific models like the Dobro for instance.The first thing that someone who wants to learn how to play the guitar should do is to choose the guitar that suits them best according to its characteristics and sound.The Classical GuitarA classical guitar is the usual choice for beginner guitarists or parents. It is perfect for styles like bossa, classical or flamenco - as these nylon string musical instruments were developed with these styles in mind. The body shape, the size of the fingerboard, and the delicate hollow body are all designed specifically for these purposes.The classical guitar is for the purists!But is not ideal for beginners. The classical guitar, as its name indicates, is initially intended to play classical pieces.However, it can also appear in other musical currents such as bossa nova, jazz or flamenco, but will be less present in styles like rock, pop, pop rock, or even funk.The clas sical guitar has a wider neck than all the others and nylon strings. Of course, nylon strings are softer than the steel strings you find on acoustic guitars, but it does not make it easier to play, quite the contrary! Depending on the material, the price of the guitar strings may vary.By default, beginners or parents tend to buy this model of guitar because it has the most affordable prices. However, the width of the neck and the more spacing between the strings can quickly hurt beginner guitar players' fingers. And the affordable price is a bit misleading: they are marketed for beginners and they are, more often than not, not great quality.    Of course, you can support your guitar while playing by choosing the right guitar strap so that your arms don't get overly tired...If you wish to play bossa nova music, classical or flamenco, the classical guitar is the one you need. But if you are looking more into playing folk, pop or rock music, forget about the classical guitar and head t o an acoustic guitar.It is purely personal and taking into account my eight years of experience in teaching guitar lessons, I advise against a classical guitar to begin with. Unless, of course, you are absolutely committed to the sound produced by these musical instruments.For others, however, after some time practiced on a guitar more adapted for you, you will refine your tastes and your pursuit for sonority. Therefore, it is not impossible that the classical guitar can correspond with you afterward. For me, I only use it occasionally when I have to record melancholy themes.Discover how to choose a guitar strap, and check out the straps that Guitar Center has to offer.The Acoustic Guitar: Great for Beginners because of its Versatility and Thinner NeckThe folk guitar is ideal for beginners.Unlike the classical guitar, the acoustic guitar has steel strings and a much thinner neck. This feature makes it a versatile guitar, adapted to play a great diversity of musical styles. It is wid ely used in pop, rock, blues, jazz, and pretty much every other style you can think of.It covers a much wider range than the classical guitar. If you want to play popular pieces that you hear everywhere, play with friends, sing together, take it with you wherever you go and if your musical influences are folk, rock, pop, pop rock, variety or blues, this is the guitar you need.Despite a slightly higher price than its little sister, the classical guitar, the acoustic guitar remains an extremely versatile instrument. It covers a much larger range of music than the classical guitar and is also much easier to play thanks to a thinner neck. It’s also more comfortable and more suited for playing current music. This is the guitar that I recommend you  begin taking guitar lessons with.You'll find that the acoustic guitar comes in all different shapes - from the dreadnought to the parlor to jumbo and grand auditorium. And you'll notice in the picture above that some have a cutaway and other s don't. These changes in body style become more important as you become more familiar with the instrument, but just note now that the size of the guitar body - and consequently of the sound hole - affects the sound: some are louder and more resonant, whilst others are more gentle.If you are starting out, the best acoustic guitar might not be the dreadnought - as these are very large.The Electric Guitar More expensive and bulky than the others; less suited for beginners unless you only dream of playing rock.Choosing your first guitar is hard - but don't fret too much.The electric guitar is a guitar without a sound box: it’s the main difference with acoustic guitars. The microphones placed under the strings produce the sound.The electric guitar became a mythical instrument in the 20th century, thanks to legendary guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and BB King.The electric guitar strings are quite similar to the acoustic guitar strings (steel strings), although they are gene rally softer. The electric guitar is used for playing  a vast variety of styles, from jazz to hard rock. The electric guitar's very thin neck and very low tension of the strings make it one of the easiest guitars to play. Its disadvantage, however, is that it must be connected to an amp so that the volume is correct: this implies additional purchases.The electric guitar's price also remains affordable. While it may be easier to play, it is, however, more difficult to move and involves purchasing an amp. It is not the guitar that I recommend to begin with, unless you greatly appreciate its unique style.Choose the Right Guitar: Buying Options.Acoustic: Epiphone DR-100A very good acoustic from a well-regarded brand: nice design, good playability, and great sound for the price.Acoustic: Seagull S6A new brand that makes incredibly good instruments. Pricier than other beginner instruments, but a dream to play - both for amateurs and experts.Electric: Yamaha Pacifica PAC112VOne of the most respected brands in beginner musical instruments. Classic Stratocaster shape with great price.Electric: Epiphone Les Paul Special II PackA good option for those looking for a stylish axe but with all of the accessories.Classical: Cordoba Iberia C5From the best of classical guitar manufacturers, the perfect beginner guitar.Classical: Yamaha C40A great, reliable instrument from one of the most-loved guitar brands out there.In ConclusionThe classical guitarAdvantages: Has a very soft sound, ideal for bossa nova, jazz, and flamenco.Disadvantages: It's limited in terms of style and difficult to play.The folk guitarAdvantages: A versatile guitar, adapted to playing almost any style. It has a thin neck that makes it easier and more comfortable to play. Ideal for learning to play the guitar.Disadvantages: It has steel strings, it's less flexible than nylon strings and hurts the fingers in the beginning, but that can be overcome quickly.The electric guitarAdvantages: It has a very thin neck and very weak strings that make it easier to play. It's suited for all styles (a multitude of sounds).Disadvantages: It's less portable than the folk guitar, and you also have to buy an amplifier to go with it.Now that you have all this information, you just need to decide which guitar you want to play and get started learning on the guitar that best meets your expectations: how to choose the guitar of your dreams thanks to these few recommendations.Once you’ve found your dream guitar, find a guitar class around you thanks to Superprof.And for more guitar accessories?

The Boston University College Experience

The Boston University College Experience Shannon earned her bachelors degree in math education from Boston University. She specializes in math tutoring, geometry tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Boston University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Shannon: Boston University (BU) is an extremely urban campus located right in the city of Boston. Our campus is a 1.7 mile stretch down Commonwealth Avenue. Being in the city, there is no need for cars and most students walk to class, as the academic buildings are all centrally located near each other. If you are not up for walking, there are many other modes of transportation as well. BU does run its own shuttle that has eight stops on the main campus and three on the medical campus. It is free to all students and there is a mobile app to track it. Also, because BU is located in the heart of Boston, we have the MBTA (subway) Green Line run down our campus. There are seven stops on our campus and you can use the T to either get to class or take it to various destinations in Boston. As for safety, I never felt unsafe at Boston University, but that is not saying you dont have to be smart. The university itself and campus are very safe and offer many different programs to keep you safe. The campus itself has a blue light system that has phones attached that call directly to Boston University police department, which are about every 100ft from the last one. On the back of every student's ID, there are numbers for BUPD, Health Services, and an escort system that, if you are leaving the library at 2 AM and dont want to walk across campus alone, will send a male and female student to walk with you. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Shannon: Every professor and teaching assistant is required to have as many office hours as they teach, but this is not the only time they are available. I have never had any issue just emailing them and saying I cant make their office hours or I would like to meet more. The professors want you to succeed, so if you need a little extra help, they are certainly willing to do so. Sometimes you may click better with your teaching assistant, as they were students in this class once. Generally graduate students, TAs are super helpful and can sometimes relate better than a professor can. As for advisors, they are usually teachers as well, so you will have to work around their own class schedule. My advisor was a godsend with all my questions, even answering my emails at midnight. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Shannon: Dorms are great. BU has no exclusive freshman dorms, but there are some that are mostly freshmenWest Halls and Warren Towers. These dorms are both the large dormitory style with the communal bathrooms on the floor. These dorms each are located above dining halls, laundry, and mailrooms so you dont have to go far to do anything. What makes these dorms great is their sense of community. In Warren Towers there is a common room on every floor that connects the sides of the floor. This is a great place for everyone to hang out and get to know each other. When I was a freshman, getting to know my entire floor of 40 people and have 40 new friends before I even started my first class was the biggest relief in the world. So there are some benefits to large dormitory style dorms. But those arent the only options. At BU we also have apartment (with kitchen) and suite-style living (with its own bathroom). We have houses called Brownstones that are like living in a typical house on the s treets of Boston. They have 8-15 rooms in them and 4-5 bathrooms depending on the building. Less underclassmen live in these, but they are definitely a viable option. I myself lived in one as a junior and I loved it. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Shannon: Boston University is very into research, so if you want to delve into a major and do research, we have the tools for you. For example, Boston University is one of the leading researchers in brain trauma and neuroscience, so there are tons of opportunities for learning in that particular field. That being said, within BU there are so many colleges and schools that it's hard to say one is not supported by its own college. For instance, our College of Communications is #2 in the country and our School of Hospitality is #1, so they clearly have programs and supports set in place. I had friends in just about every school, from the School of Business to the School of Fine Arts, and every single one of them loved their programs and loved the opportunities they had. As for my experience, I majored in Math Education in the School of Education and I never felt unsupported. My school was constantly checking in on me, making sure the program was working for me, and generally getting to know me as a person. Being in the second smallest school at BU, I was able to really know my professors on a personal level. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Shannon: BU has over 1,000 clubs and sports, so its easy to find what you like and become a part of that community. At the beginning of the year we have an event called Splash where all of the clubs and sports set up booths, and freshmen can wander around, gather information, and sign up. It makes it easier to see what clubs BU has and learn more about them. I myself was part of the Dog Pound, the student pep club, and I met most of my friends through this club. As a freshman, I probably signed up for 20 clubs and then I narrowed it down to the few I felt truly fit me. Aside from clubs, we also have 21 division one sports, club sports, and intramurals that you can also sign up and join. Lastly, we do have Greek life at BU, but its not large, clocking at only around 11 percent. However, we do certainly have Greek life available if you want to join. I was not in a sorority myself, but I had friends who were and they loved it, so its all about what you want. BU has so many different opportunities to find your niche within the university. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Shannon: Several of the colleges atBU have their own Career Center, as well as a career center for the whole university. They will help with a variety of things, like resume review and applying for jobs. I went to the career center for the whole university as a senior and was shown lots of tools for how to find education jobs. As for recruiting, that really depends on the individual school or college. I know that there are several career fairs each year in all of the schools and several opportunities to meet with potential recruiters, both within each school and the university as a whole. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Shannon: There are libraries in each school, as well as study lounges in every dorm. Depending on the size of the dorm/school and time of day, the lounges and libraries vary in fullness and noise levels, so its about what environment you like to study in. There are tons of places to pick from, so if one is full because its exam week, there is always another place to go. Describe the surrounding town. Shannon: BU is in the city of Boston, not on the outskirtsit is fully immersed in the city. That being said, as a student you have the entire city and a world of opportunities at your disposal, and BU students tend to take advantage of that opportunity. Theres nothing better than picking something to do in the city and going out and exploring. You have many things to do, from pro sports to some of the best museums in the world. There is so much to do that it's really hard to get bored. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Shannon: We are a medium sized university with 16,000 undergrads. So, we are smaller than a big state school and larger than a small liberal arts school. That being said, it does not feel big. Walking down the street everyday, I see tons of people I know everywhere and always feel comfortable. As for classes, the average class size is around 25 people, but you do have some large classes of 100 people in introductory classes. Those large, 100 people classes are required to have discussions later in the week. These discussions are generally around 10-15 students and you have a chance to meet with the teaching assistant, go over anything you dont understand, and ask questions. After you start to delve into your major, it becomes more rare to have classes that big and most classes have around 10-30 people. I never felt overwhelmed by class size. If I was having questions in a class, there were so many ways for me to get helpfrom the discussion classes to office hours. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Shannon: I came to BU undecided about my major, so I originally started in the College of Arts and Sciences. About halfway through my freshman year, I decided I might be interested in the School of Education. In order to transfer or even see if you wanted to transfer into the school, you were required to take ED100an introduction to the department. Professor Phil Tate taught this class. Professor Tate is the first professor that students are introduced to in the School of Education, so in some ways, he has the ability to make or break it for you. During my first class, Professor Tate began with a fun little anecdote about what hat you will wear as a teacher. He began his crazy introduction by putting on different hats and talking with different exaggerated accents. But as crazy as his little speech sounds, it worked. As he talked, I immediately knew I had found what I wanted to do. He had this essence about him that pulled me in and reassured me that being an educator was one of the greatest things I can do. After that class, I knew what I wanted to do with my career. Check out Shannon'stutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Opening the Lines of Communication

Opening the Lines of Communication Here are a few tips to enhance communication between you and your child: Spend time together. At times, finding a moment alone with your child may seem impossible between your busy work and school schedules, extracurricular activities and homework time. However, children may not feel comfortable talking about their problems at the dinner table or in front of their siblings. Seek opportunities to spend time with your child outside of the house. Whether you are shopping, playing a sport together or going out for ice cream, your child may let their guard down when the two of you are simply enjoying one another's company. Ask the right questions. Instead of asking questions that warrant one-word answers (How was school? or Did you have a good day?), try phrasing your questions in a way that encourages your child to elaborate (What was the best part of your day? or What did you like about school today?). And don't stop there. When your child answers that he or she enjoyed an experiment performed in science class, ask why. Listen attentively. If children feel that their parents are truly interested their lives, they will be more likely to talk to them about the good as well as the bad. First, just listen. Children who are struggling in school may feel extremely uneasy discussing the topic, so if a child does open up, the first and most important thing to do is listen. Acknowledge his or her feelings. Don't offer words of wisdom or immediately formulate a plan to solve the problem. Simply listen to your child in order to better understand. Showing empathy will make your child feel more comfortable and less ashamed. Remember to praise. While it is natural for parents to be disappointed with poor grades, frequent discussions about their children's failures in school can be damaging to their self esteem and motivation. Addressing such problems is important, but more vital is the plan forward. Work with your child to define steps to help him or her, and remember to take frequent notice of your child's successes and improvements along the way, no matter how small. Doing so will reinforce hard work, provide encouragement and boost your child's confidence. Face problems sooner rather than later. Ignoring the warning signs that your child is struggling in school will not make the problem disappear. If you rarely see your child working on homework, offer your help. If the end of a semester has passed and your child has not produced a report card, request to see it. Stay in touch with your child's teacher and school to ensure you are aware of any issues that your child may not be sharing with you. When problems do crop up, seek tutoring or other help. Learning to communicate with your child is a process that takes commitment and practice. By cultivating a relationship of trust, understanding and openness, you are encouraging your child to turn to you for help in school and in other areas of his or her life. If your child is struggling in school, call Huntington today. We will work with you and your child to uncover the root of the problem, helping your child do better in school by tailoring a program that will focus on the areas where he or she needs the most assistance.

Calm Your Mind Understanding Managing Stress

Calm Your Mind Understanding Managing Stress Improving Academic Performance “A bit of stress in short doses is useful in improving our memory and enhancing performance. However, too much, too regularly, is extremely damaging to our mental and physical well-being.” From https://www.headspace.com/science/stress, a web-site founded by globally recognized mindfulness and meditation expert Andy Puddicomb Just because you have no major or minor diagnosed mental health disorder, doesn’t mean you have a completely healthy mind. If school, work, sports, orsocial situations tend to make you nervous and stressed, your performance suffers. You’ve probably heard that the right amount of stress is a good thing, but too little or too much stress is a bad thing. The idea is that if you are too care free, you may let important tasks fall through the cracks, and end up dropping the ball on that big school project. At the same time, if you are extremely nervous about performing poorly and get really worked up before a big test, you might find yourself having a lot of trouble concentrating or thinking clearly. Too little stress or too much stress is bad, but the right amount of “stress” can lead to clear thinking, appropriate focus, and a generally extremely helpful sense of calm and confidence that allows you to execute on test day or deliver a great presentation in school or at work. Here’s an incredibly short primer on the science behind the above paragraph. We humans can control part of our nervous system: thoughts, muscle movement, etc. But, after that, lots of our nervous system is beyond our conscious control. We know how our body works, but can’t directly control it. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is the part of our nervous system which we can’t directly control. It regulates thinks like kidney function, liver function, healing, etc. The ANS itself can be broken down into two sub-systems, the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). The SNS is what gets activated when we are extremely excited, afraid, or stressed out. It’s the evolutionary “fight or flight” response you may have heard of. If a man jumps out of a dark alley and punches you, the SNS will increase adrenaline, and decrease blood to any part of the body that isn’t good at helping you fight or run away. So, the immune system, libido, and brain get less blood are partially “deactivated” while the muscle tighten up and your arms and legs receive more blood. In other words, your immune system, libido, and brain kind of turns off, while your arms and legs and heart turn on. You are ready to fight or fun, but not to think. Obviously, this is bad for academic performance. The PNS system, on the other hand, is the bodies “relaxation response.” When the PNS is activated, essentially everything we just read about with SNS is reversed. You aren’t ready to run or fight, but you are much calmer, breathing slower, and receiving more blood to the brain. Ready to calmly think and problem solve. Whereas the SNS dominated state is good for fighting and fleeing, the PNS dominated state is good for focus, concentration, recall, and analyzing information. When it comes to academic performance, taking tests, or performing well at work, you need your SNS to keep you awake, but not for much more. In general, you’ll perform better when the PNS system, which again helps you focus, analyze, and problem solve, is in control. In other words, roughly, when we think of “stress” in layman’s terms, the SNS system is what creates stress, while the PNS system is what reduces it. “….chronic stress also exerts a strong and adverse effect on the brain even altering brain cells, brain structure, and brain function. Research has shown that unmanaged stress: Diminishes short, and long-term memory Inhibits the formation of new memories Diminishes the ability to learn new things Diminishes problem-solving abilities Diminishes the ability to concentrate” Joshua David O’Brien, founder of the Mindfulness Community of Central Pennsylvania In one study, individuals were placed into two categories: 1) high stress and 2) low stress, and then given a series of problem solving and memory tests. The low stress group performed 2x better. So, what can you do to activate your PNS and manage your stress? The answer to stress management is a little odd to some. Healthy eating, appropriate nutrition, a positive attitude, and constantly maintain perspective on events in your life are hugely important factors. However, recognition of the power of the breath, which naturally extends into what is called “practicing mindfulness” and sometimes “meditating” are important underused solutions to over-stressed lives, particularly in western countries. The following is borrowed from Joshua David O’Brien, founder of the Mindfulness Community of Central Pennsylvania “Mindfulness Meditation is a practice of being fully and attentively present in the moment. In the same way one might practice a musical instrument or martial arts form, we practice being mindful and aware through skillful meditation. In formal practice we use the breath as an object of awareness. We follow the physical sensations of the breath as it flows in and out of the body. We allow the breath to flow naturally without controlling it as you would in a breathing exercise….one of the first things we learn when we try to do this practice is how easily distracted the mind can be. All sorts of thoughts, ideas, feelings, and sensations call for our attention and we find we’ve forgotten all about the breath.” Simply practicing mindfulness for 10-15 minutes a day can lead to significant benefits in a relatively short period of time. Again according to https://www.headspace.com/science, after as few as 11 hours of accumulated mindfulness practice, the brain changes structurally to improve focus and self-control, people are able to stay on tasks longer, anxiety and stress was reduced, and the list goes on. Clearly, all of these benefits are directly applicable to improving academic performance. I think that if we taught ourselves and our children how to practice mindfulness, we’d see better grades, higher test scores, and better overall performance in and outside of school. To read more about being mindful, consider reading - Get Some Headspace: How Mindfulness Can Change Your Life In Ten Minutes a Day â€" by Andy Puddicombe Mindfulness: An Eight Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World â€" by Mark Williams and Danny Penman Here is a popular “TED” talk about the benefits of taking 10 minutes out of your day to be mindful. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'f08a3c58-464f-4164-a82e-313b7951bbb2', {});

Get Downloading! 17 Language Learning Apps for Becoming Fluent

Get Downloading! 17 Language Learning Apps for Becoming Fluent Get Downloading! 17 Language Learning Apps for Becoming Fluent You bring it with you everywhere you go.You use it to pretend youre busy so you dont have to talk to people.Its practically glued to your hands.Yes, your phone may be one of the best things thats ever happened to you (or one of the worst), but can it be one of the best things that happens to your language education?Of course it can!With the right  language learning apps, phones become powerful tools for teaching your target language.And with the right app, you wont have to whip out your phone to pretend to look busyâ€"youll actually be busy learning useful language skills.Heres everything you need to know about how to learn a language with apps. How to Select the Best Language Learning Apps for YouPay attention to what languages are offered.Obviously, all apps offer different languages. Some apps may offer nearly any language you can name, while other apps may focus on just one language. Make sure you choose an app that teaches your target language!If youre studying to be multiling ual, there are other things to keep in mind, too. Lets say youre about to spend money on an app. Its crucial to find out whether one account gives you access to all the apps languages or you have to download and pay for a separate app for each language.Try multiple apps.Each language app  has a unique style and focus, so finding the best app for you will require some experimentation.Youll want to find an app that works with your level, goals and personal preferences. Luckily, testing out a variety of apps can help you improve your language skills and find the best apps to keep using.Test out all the features.When you find an app, dont just try one activity. Explore all of them.Even if the apps main feature doesnt float your boat, you might find that another feature makes the app worth keeping. For instance, some apps may have lessons that are just so-so, but they have useful learning games.Read reviews.Reading reviews of apps can give you additional insight into the pros and cons of each resource. This can be a quick way to preview what you can expect from the app.How to Get the Most Out of Language Learning AppsUse multiple features of each app.It can be tempting to just use your favorite feature, but this could limit the scope of your studying. Many apps, particularly ones that offer multimedia courses, are designed to support well-rounded skills. However, to do so, youll probably need to use more than one feature.For instance, if you only study vocabulary in the app, you might be missing out on valuable speaking and listening practice.Pair several apps together.Not every app is perfect for every skill, so your best bet might be to group several apps together. For example, you could pair an app that focuses on reading with an app that focuses listening so that you can develop both skills.Even if you have one go-to app that you feel gives you all the skills you need, using additional apps is still beneficial. Each app can provide a different context and forma t. Experiencing your target language in a new light can make your language skills more flexible.Enable notifications.Some apps offer notifications. If so, go ahead and enable them! These notifications serve as useful study reminders that can ensure you work some studying into your schedule every day.Get friends in on the act.If you have other friends who are studying your target language, encourage them to download the same app as you! You can discuss the material, challenge each other to learn more quickly and hold each other accountable on progress toward your goals.With apps that offer multiple languages, you might even be able to partner with friends studying a different language than you. While you wont be able to discuss the material, you can still challenge each other and create greater accountability.Get Downloading! 17 Language Learning Apps for Becoming FluentLanguage Apps with Multimedia CoursesMemriseAvailable: iOS | AndroidIf youre looking for a multimedia language cour se that keeps you on your toes with varied activities, Memrise has you covered! Memrise offers tons of awesome features to help learners develop well-rounded skills.Want to improve your pronunciation? Memrise allows you to record yourself and compare your pronunciation directly against that of a native speaker.Need some listening practice? Memrise offers on-the-street video clips with native speakers.Want to take a break from studying without taking a break from learning? Memrise offers  practice games that test vocabulary and listening skills.You can even download your course to learn offline, making Memrise a convenient option for your next plane trip.Memrise is formatted to allow you to study just five minutes a day, but obviously, you may want to study for longer than that.FluentUAvailable: iOS | AndroidLearning with authentic materials is a great way to learn real language skills. However, it can also be super challenging.FluentU can help you bridge that gap by using real-world videos as powerful learning tools. FluentU offers authentic videos, like commercials, news, music videos and more.But if you cant pick up everything you hear, no worries! Each video comes with annotated subtitles, so youll always have easy access to any words definition, example sentences and images. If you want to see a word in a different context, FluentU can even show you other videos across the site that use that word. Want to study the word more? Just add it to your vocabulary list.When youre ready for a break from watching videos, try FluentUs quizzes! Quizzes combine videos, images and example sentences into interactive activities and flashcards for an engaging learning experience.Whatever your current learning level, FluentU can help you advance your skills. FluentUs algorithm tracks your learning to present you with level-appropriate questions that build on what youve already learned. That means everyones experience is 100% unique!You can also enjoy FluentU however its con venient for you, whether you use FluentU online, check out the iOS app or download the Android app.busuuAvailable: iOS | AndroidCrunched for time? Try busuu!This app aims to help you learn to speak a language in just 10 minutes a day. To do so, it provides over 1,000 lessons and some great features, like speech recognition and personalized study plans.If you need a more personal touch, you can even connect with other users, including native speakers, for feedback on your reading and speaking.And dont worry about entering a dead zone! You can just download lessons to enjoy without Wi-Fi.BabbelAvailable: iOS | AndroidBabbel wants you to become conversational quickly.With lessons that replicate real-life interactions and audio by native speakers, youll likely find yourself getting more comfortable with your target language pretty quickly. Not only that, speech recognition technology enables you to participate in the dialogues, thereby building your speaking skills.Have you ever forgott en material you worked so hard to learn? Babbels review sessions can be a great tool to prevent that from happening again.Mango LanguagesAvailable: iOS | AndroidIf you like to move at your own speed, check out Mango Languages for a self-paced option.Mango Languages offers an array of great learning features. For instance, native-speaker dialogues and simulated real-world conversations aim to provide useful language skills you can use in everyday life.You can also record your pronunciation and compare it directly to that of a native speaker to fine-tune your accent. Plus, through Mango Languages, you can learn about vocabulary, grammar and culture.And theres a major bonusâ€"while Mango Languages is a subscription service, your local library may already have a subscription, so check to see if your library card gets you free access before signing up on your own!Mango Language offers 70 language options, so theres a strong chance your target language is one of them.MondlyAvailable: iOS | AndroidA combination of speed and well-rounded learning set Mondly apart as a unique app you may just fall in love with.Mondly aims to provide a balanced learning experience, seeking to build your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills through lessons, speech recognition and native audio.The main focus of Mondly is learning through realistic conversations, which is a great way to develop functional language skills you can use in real life.Mondly offers 33 languages. And unlike most learning apps, you can select the language you speak. This means if you would rather receive your instruction in a language other than English, you can, which is particularly useful for non-native English speakers looking to learn languages.DokiAvailable: iOS Dont like grammar? Dont want to read? Doki might be the app youve been looking for.Doki focuses on helping users develop language skills through animated scenarios and interactive activities. Its intended to teach both children and adults everyday vocabulary that they can use in real life.The focus is on basic skills, so Doki is most appropriate for beginning learners. It focuses on speaking and listening and provides plenty of travel-related scenarios, so its particularly useful for those looking to learn a language for a trip abroad.Rosetta StoneAvailable: iOS | AndroidRosetta Stone is a big name in language learning, and its features dont disappoint!Rosetta Stones mobile apps offer interactive lessons in clear context, making it easy to see how what you learn could apply in the real world. Because the app is meant to simulate immersion, it can be an effective and engaging learning tool.Plus, Rosetta Stones apps are designed to be use for just 10 minutes per day, so its easy to squeeze in language learning.Language Apps for Gamified LearningDuolingoAvailable: iOS | AndroidDuolingo is a free learning option that acts a lot like a game.Each lesson offers a mixture of interactive activities to hone your reading, writi ng, speaking and listening skills. You dont do the same type of activity twice in a row, so Duolingo keeps you on your toes. The app is appropriate for beginning through advanced students, though advanced students will have to complete tests to prove their skills.With Duolingo, youll earn lingots you can use to purchase special features, so youll have extra learning incentive.50LanguagesAvailable: iOS | Android50Languages is a learning app that teaches beginning students basic vocabulary. And what better way to do so than through games?Thats rightâ€"in addition to more conventional lessons, 50Languages offers games to help language learners practice their vocabulary and test their skills. Youll experiences quizzes, find-the-opposite activities and more.DropsAvailable: iOS | AndroidIf youre an avid gamer with a need for speed, Drops might be your perfect fit.Drops focuses on interactive activities designed to help beginning language students learn vocabulary. Youll find yourself spel ling words, connecting an image to its meaning and swiping frantically.Drops uses five-minute sessions, which provide extra motivation to stay focused the whole time. Its super easy to fit into busy schedules!ClozemasterAvailable: iOS | AndroidWant a challenge? Clozemaster can fit the bill.Clozemaster will ask you to complete sentences with the appropriate words. Meanwhile, your score will add up. Theres a leaderboard, so competitive language learners could really get a lot out of Clozemaster.And because Clozemaster offers a nice selection of vocabulary and sentences, its appropriate for beginning through advanced language learners.FlashAcademyAvailable: iOS | AndroidWith FlashAcademys bright colors and fun activities, it could certainly appeal to children studying languages. However, the app is also terrific for adults who like a good time.FlashAcademy offers interactive word games, comprehension practice and more. Lessons are designed to take just five to 10 minutes, so its great for anyone who doesnt have much time to commit to studying.FlashAcademy is appropriate for beginning through advanced students, so theres no excuse not to start playing right away!Language Apps That Develop Special SkillsBeelinguappAvailable: iOS | AndroidDo your reading and/or listening skills need some work? Then Beelinguapp is an unbeelievable option for you.Beelinguapp focuses squarely on reading and listening practice. The app provides side-by-side texts in your target language and English, making it easy to refer to the English text for some quick help.But the learning doesnt stop there! The texts are also accompanied by an audiobook. The text is highlighted in a karaoke-like style, making it easy to read along as you listen.Because you can lean on English text as much or as little as you want, Beelinguapp is appropriate for beginning through advanced students.TripLingoAvailable: iOS | AndroidLooking to learn a language for your next vacation? TripLingo is a great option.TripL ingo is designed specifically for travelers. The language instruction it provides focuses on phrases travelers may need, including slang. The app also provides quick translation and a handy phrasebook you can use in a pinch.In addition to the language materials, TripLingo provides additional resources travelers can use to make their trips go more smoothly, including cultural lessons, a currency conversion calculator and more.LingvistAvailable: iOS | AndroidLingvist is an app dedicated to building your vocabulary. With thousands of words in the app, theres plenty to learn!To help you learn vocabulary, Lingvist offers some useful features, including flashcards, speech recognition and pronunciations by a realistic virtual voice.Lingvist adapts to your level, so its appropriate for any level of language learner. The app currently offers French, German, Russian and Spanish, so if youre studying one of these popular languages, Lingvist could be a good app option for you.Léa KnowsAvailabl e: iOS | AndroidDo you ever wish you would never forget a word in your target language again?  Léa Knows has the same goal for you!To help you pursue that goal,  Léa Knows brings you a helpful flashcard app to reinforce vocabulary.But this isnt just a standard flashcard app. It also has a built-in dictionary! Any time you look up a word in that dictionary, it will automatically be added to your flashcard set so you can study it more later.Now, this sounds a little dangerous. What do you do once you have too many flashcards? Well, theres nothing to worry aboutâ€"you can just organize your flashcards using lists, making it easy to access your words of choice whenever you want.With these 17 apps for learning languages, your phone can offer you so much more than a quick escape from the world around you. It can infuse your everyday life with unparalleled language learning!

Indifference to Differentials

Indifference to Differentials So, my boss had suggested, since I have a math degree, why not write an article about differential equations. Well lets be honest now, it was a MINOR in math, so that doesnt really count does it? Anyone who has read one of my articles would wonder, what’s funny about differential equations? Exactly!   In fact, when I think about this subject my stomach gets tied up in knots.   And I don’t care if their ordinary, partial, and linear to the harrumph degree, I prefer not to go back there. Not without a tutor, that’s for sure! Now the first and more or less most famous discussion of differential equations is Newton’s Second Law of Motion. You know, Force equals Mass times Acceleration. I learned that one the first time I plowed my car into a wall late one weekend night. Now I totally understand that the faster I’m going the more it will hurt. But, let’s get back to the equation. So we understand that acceleration is variable motion that is likely to change constantly. Well that sounds more like a teenager than a scientific statement. We know that acceleration is a derivative of the velocity and the unknown position of the body, both of which are a function of time. So remember, where ever you go, there you are! The study of differential equations crosses many fields which include applied mathematics, engineering, meteorology, and of course physics among others. I should mention one rather famous partial differential equation, Laplace’s equation. Laplace’s equation is known as one of the simplest examples of elliptic partial differential equations A solution of Laplace’s equation is known as harmonic functions. You will find this used in many areas including fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, astronomy, and even optical physics. But you won’t see it in a comedy club. OK.OK. Just one physics joke; so…….. , a photon walks into a hotel and says “I need a room”. The clerk asks “Do you have any luggage?” and the photon says “No, I’m travelling light!” Alright I didn’t say it was a funny joke. The point to all of this is you can pass the most difficult courses at any level with help from the right people. I did. But it’s a good thing I’m not a physicist. That is why TutorZ is so amazing. I could get help in everything from telling a joke (I know I need help there), to solving a differential equation . Whether you’re working on the inverse of an integral or saying “A guy walks into a bar and…” Tutorz.com can help you accomplish your goals.