Updated: August 25/2010
Slang Dictionary http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wrader/slang/index.html
No more, "SORRY, I FORGOT."
"You're About to Discover a Handful of Secret Techniques and Clever
Tactics That Will Dramatically Boost the Capacity and Duration of Your
Memory -- In Minutes!"
http://lifesup.
|
Live Mocha: Learn a Language, Make Friends |
|
What Is Gather? Gather Is For People Who Love To Write |
Fastest Online Dictionary in the
net - DefineItFast.com
http://www.defineitfast.com/find
ilovebacteria
- Fun science for kids!
http://www.ratlab.co.uk/index.html
Slang Dictionary
http://www.slangdictionary.com/
World Atlas
http://www.graphicmaps.com/geoquiz/thelist.htm
Microsoft WorldWide Telescope
Version: Spring beta
File Size: 21386k
License Type: Free
Operating Systems: Windows Vista, Windows XP
Who hasn't dreamed of traveling through space? Microsoft WorldWide
Telescope takes you to exotic, unimaginable locations: constellations, planets,
the San Francisco Bay Area. This slick, attractive program--now in beta--sets
you free in the universe either alone or with a guide.
--Laura Blackwell
Go to the download page now:
Microsoft WorldWide Telescope
Learn To Read http://www.starfall.com
Online Dictionary http://www.merriam-webster.com/
Free Online Calculus Course
This entire calculus text has been scanned and provided to you free online from
the Department of Math at Brigham University by William V. Smith. You'll find
lots of exercises...read
more
http://math.about.com/b/2008/11/06/free-online-calculus-course.htm
Learning
Beauty Of Math http://tinyurl.com/5r4xty
Read Books Online http://www.dailylit.com/
Bug Guide http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740
Cool Science Facts and Fun about Science for all ages http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/
Infrared Zoo Gallery http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/image_galleries/ir_zoo/
Word/Phrase Origins http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/origins.html
Book A Minute http://www.rinkworks.com/bookaminute/sff.shtml
Developing Your Intuition For Math http://betterexplained.com/articles/developing-your-intuition-for-math/
The 25 Most
Commonly Misspelled Words
http://www.businesswriting.com/tests/commonmisspelled.html
Fun With Math http://www.waxy.org/archive/2003/08/14/fun_with.sht
Math Practice Site http://www.ixl.com/
Do You Have a Brain?: Dr. Pascale Michelon dares you to answer these 10 questions correctly to prove that you have a brain.
http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2009/09/07/brain-quiz-do-you-have-a-brain/
http://www.mjjsales.com/articles/putting-wind-to-work.html
http://www.costumesupercenter.com/therenaissance.html
http://www.crestcapital.com/tax/origami_money.html
http://www.factmonster.com/homework/
http://qpn.net/coupon-encyclopedia/business-resources/the-ultimate-guide-to-finding-fantastic-fonts *this is a site specific for teachers building webpages
http://www.healthline.com/doctors
Index
Academic Earth Aug 9/10
Accelerate your child's learning April 16/08
Access my Library provides free access to libraries all over the United States and Canada March 29/10
Achieve Flow by Hacking Your Tasks May 4/07
Adjusting to a New School Aug 6/08
Adjusting to College Life November 6
Afraid to Speak Up July 9/07
Algebra: Getting Off to the Right Start Jan 29/08
Amazing space website Nov 6/09
Andrew Zuckerman: Bird March 19/10
Apply for scholarships not loans Jan 29/10
Are you ready to succeed Jan 16/07
Are you up for the Challenge Feb 25/08
Asynx Planetarium Oct 9/07
At-Home Science Lab Aug 29/08
Avoiding the Summer Brain Drain May 27/08
Back-to-school germs Sept 19/07
Back to School in 5 Trouble-free Steps August 9/07
BACK-TO-SCHOOL PREPARATION FOR ALL AGES Aug 25/08
Back-To-School Shopping Secrets Aug 25/08
Back-to-School Supply List to Get You Started Aug 6/08
Back-to-School Tips Aug 6/08
Bad Spelling March 9/07
Basic Rules of Punctuation Sept 26/07
Becoming a Perpetual Student and Allowing Difficult People and Challenging Situations to Be Your Teacher August 9/07
Become A Positive Thinker March 26/07
Before You Buy a Childs Backpack August 9/07
Being an Efficient Homework Helper Feb 19/08
Best advice for new graduates June 17/08
Best-Selling Children's Books of All Time May 14/08
Beware of the thesaurus Feb 7/07
Blooms Taxonomy of Educational Objectives April 16/10
Bodocus-Best Online Documentaries May 7/08
Body Language Tips December 4
Book Glutton -read books online for free, chat about them chapter by chapter May 6/09
Booklists for Reluctant Readers Oct 1/07
Boosting your ability to concentrate
Brain boosters June 18/07
Brain exercises to defy memory loss Feb 6/09
Brain Hacks to Learn Faster, Deeper, and Better May 3/08
Brain Rules: overview of a book March 13/09
Breaking down big dreams into little steps May 1/08
Bring clarity to writing Nov 24/08
Budget for education in 5 steps Dec 21/09
Building Confidence March 14/07
Building Parent-Teacher Relationships Oct 12/07
Can brain food make you smarter Jan 27/09
Cant miss ways to train your mind May 30/08
Changing You Into a Self-Starter March 26/07
characters like the cent sign, etc. April 19/08
Cheapskate s guide to educating yourself Dec 14/07
Children and Time: What They -- Usually -- Know When May 30/08
Childrens Guide To Poetry Feb 8/10
Christmas Math Worksheets Dec 12/07
Classroom Secrets Sept 19/07
Coffee Table Books for 2007 July 21/07
College after High School? Oct 19/07
College courses that will make you rich May 16/08
College Dorm Room Needs Checklist March 6/08
Common misconceptions about language learning July 3/08
Common sense media Nov 25/09
Concept of natural language learning Feb 4/09
Conditions for Learning November 11
Confusing words -a website Jan 21/09
Counsel to the College Bound July 16/08
Counting Games for Toddlers April 17/08
create a new story Jan 27/09
Create a Homework-Friendly Space Sept 19/07
Creating the "Future You" May 8/07
Creative Glossory -a website March 19/10
Creawriter- a website March 5/10
Cut your work week in half May 16/07
Daily Brain Exercises Oct 14/08
Daily Lit -read a book in e-mail April 6/10
Debunking 10 brain myths Jan 9/10
define your goal and devise a plan to get there March 26/07
Develop greater self confidence June 5/07
Division March 18/09
Dynamic periodic table Feb 25/10
Earth Observatory Great Website! Oct 26/07
Earthquake for kids -a website March 29/10
EASIEST WAY TO LEARN Feb 24/09
Easy Arithmetic Tricks June 11/08
Easy Math tricks Oct 1/07
Easy Steps To A Promotion Feb 25/07
edit-the-windows-live-writer-custom-dictionary Aug 9/10
Educational Toys May 16/08
Effective Listening and Note Taking March 2/07
Effective productivity for writers Feb 11/08
Efficient Time Scheduling March 2/07
encyclopedia in your pocket March 24/08
English Pronouncing dictionary with instant sound December 7
Enhance your Career Jan 16/07
Enrich your Life by Learning something new July 11/07
Everything you wanted to know about Dyslexia August 15/07
exercise your brain Jan 24/07
Exercise Your Brain-Part 2 Feb 19/07
FACILITATING LISTENING SKILLS IN YOUR CHILDREN May 30/08
Find inspiration in your writing March 6/08
Find the Work You Love April 24/07
Firefox extensions every student should use June 11/08
Focus on building your own empire June 4/07
Free Foreign Language Courses November 29
free online courses Sept 7/07
Frustration-how to deal and tools to help you May 25/07
Fun Summer Learning Activities May 27/08
Future Proof Your Career Sept 7/07
GEOGRAPHY FACTS Nov 26/07
Gesturing Helps Grade School Children Solve Math Problems Nov 19/07
Get Kids to Read Sites Oct 11/07
get the front page for newspapers all over the world March 9/09
Get Your Child Excited About Math May 16/08
Getting that dream job March 26/07
Getting Your Teen To Do Their Homework Jan 31/08
Go Online for Homework Help June 19/08
Golden Rules for Living July 9/07
Good Reads -website Oct 4/08
Grade Genie the study site devoted to helping you get the best grade you can through study tools April 3/09
Graduating in May? seven money things to do during your last semester March 22/07
Graduation gift that matters May 1/09
Graph Paper Making Website Feb 11/08
Great Mind Power Practices Jan 15/09
Guide to field birds Aug 24/09
Guide to Setting Up an Ergonomic Computer Station Feb 9/07
Guide to Writing Well Feb 12/07
Habits of Highly Successful Teens March 15/07
Help Them Build Skills That Will Last a Lifetime May 15/09
Help With Math Homework March 4/08
HOLIDAYS: SPECIAL DAYS THAT MAKE LEARNING FUN Feb 6/09
Homework Horrors March 4/08
Homework Resources Oct 8/07
HOMEWORK TIPS FOR KIDS & TEENS Oct 24/07
(The) History of St Patrick's Day March 14/07
(A) Home Library Oct 31/08
How do you learn April 7/08
How good writing skills save and earn money Aug 25/08
How higher education can make a difference Jan 20/10
How i learn any language in 3 months Jan 23/09
How Much Should I Help With Homework March 4/08
How safe are your kids online August 22/07
How the internet is changing education Nov 15/07
How to Ace a Performance Review November 16
How to Add Education to Your Summer Family Vacation Feb 25/08
How to add ram to your brain Aug 11/08
How to Answer Essay Questions March 2/07
How to Ask for a Raise January 9/2007
How to attract the work you love July 27/07
How to be a happy introvert April 20/07
How to become a highly productive night owl June 28/07
How to become a creative genius May 11/07
How to boost your brain power May 22/07
How To Build a Winning Academic and Personal Record June 11/08
How to Choose the Right Job April 20/07
How to educate yourself online Nov 3/07
How to Evaluate a Job Offer April 30/07
How to find a good mentor March 21/07
How to find what you love to do March 3/07
How to find your ideal career August 9/07
How to find your passion March 29/07
How to get a great recommendation letter August 1/08
How to help with homework September 4/07
How To Help Your Teen Ace the Test June 11/08
How to hook your readers with textual crack April 19/08
How to get over your fear of public speaking April 6/07
How to get the most out of college March 3/07
How to go from Introvert to Extrovert April 20/07
How to go from vague idea to concrete business concept May 24/07
How to Improve Reading Comprehension with a Mental Framework Oct 5/07
How to Improve Your Spelling Skills Nov 19/07
How to instill the love of reading in your child and yourself Jan 23/09
How to... Learn a Foreign Language Feb 19/07
How To Learn a Language July 9/07
How to learn a little every day May 15/09
How to learn any language in 3 months March 18/09
How to learn how to learn June 4/07
How to learn without memorizing Oct 11/09
How To Look For A Job While You're Employed March 14/07
How to maximize the power of your mind Oct 8/07
How to maximize your memory July 22/08
How to never forget anything again Sept 20/08
How To: Protect An Idea Feb 25/08
How to pull an all-nighter December 7
How to punctuate a sentence April 6/07
How to Raise a Reader April 17/08
How to read a lot of books in a short time Feb 9/07
How To Relieve School Anxiety Sept 7/07
How to Remember Figures. Jan 14/09
How to Rock Your Intellectual Game: The Top 111 Learning Strategies Nov 12/09
How to say that name -a website Dec 20/08
How to set realistic goals this school year Sept 11/08
How to start remembering everything you read Aug 6/08
How to Study May 16/07
How to Study a Foreign Language March 2/07
How to Study Math & Physics March 2/07
How to Survive a Pop Quiz (When You Don’t Have a Clue) Sept 13/08
How to survive (and thrive!) in a job you hate March 5/07
How to take risks June 4/07
How to write a cover letter Feb 22/07
How to write a killer college application essay July 25/08
How to write an effective letter Feb 23/07
How to write faster better and easier Sept 7/07
How to Write Something Worth Reading April 6/07
Human Anatomy Oct 19/07
Ideas For Reading Dec 3/07
Identify 50 Common Native North American Trees Great Website! Oct 26/07
Improve your ability to learn May 20/08
Improve your body language May 4/07
Improve your concentration power May 25/07
Improve your grammar and punctuation March 26/07
Improve Your Memory July 9/07
Improve Your Memory-Developing Your Ability to Remember July 25/08
Improve Your Mental Fitness and Make Your Brain Age Younger Feb 19/07
Improve your reading abilities May 22/08
Improve your study habits next term Jan 7/08
IMPROVING GROSS MOTOR SKILLS IN CHILDREN Jan 16/08
Increase Your Intelligence August 31/07
Intensive Reading Techniques March 2/07
Interesting facts about the brain May 10/08
IQ Tests Oct 1/07
Is E-Learning the Future or a Big Waste of Time Dec 12/07
Is My Child on Track May 16/08
Is Online Education Right for You Sept 1/09
It s easier to keep up than to catch up Nov 25/09
Jefferson's home -a website March 29/10
Job Interview Guide March 14/07
Keep Your Brain Alive and Happy for Life Jan 21/08
Keeping your brain young Dec 21/07
Keybr a website that teaches to type April 6/10
Key Skills for Academic Success May 30/08
Keys to Good Self Esteem May 3/07
KEYS FOR LEARNING April 7/08
Keys to learning Jan 14/09
Keys to perfecting your persona December 28
Keys to reading faster Nov 12/09
Keys to Successful Brain Training Feb 19/07
kid's audio books Oct 21/09
Language Development Jan 29/08
Language Dictionaries July 11/07
Learn about the human anatomy with this course Feb 13/09
Learn Faster, Deeper, and Better December 3
Learn more Study less March 18/08
Learn Out Loud! March 22/07
Learn 35 Languages for free in iTunes June 4/08
Learn to listen if you want success Feb 15/08
Learn your birds! Oct 23/07
Learning about Math Oct 9/07
Learning anything fast Feb 11/08
Left Brain, Right Brain March 26/08
(A) lesson about learning April 16/08
Lexisum Sept 1/09
Life after school: Advice to graduates May 3/08
Links to great Educational sites August 31/07
Live Science March 3/07
Looking For Your Dream Job March 14/07
Lunar Eclipse March 1/07
Make Them Love Their Homework Aug 13/08
MAKE YOURSELF A HOMEWORK KIT Nov 6/07
Making Geography Fun Feb 25/08
MAKING READING FUN FOR KIDS Oct 31/08
Master Math and Science Learning Jan 14/08
Math and kids Jan 24/07
Math Anxiety Jan 4/08
Math Games for the Active Child Jan 28/08
Math is fun March 5/10
Math Moment Feb 9/07
Math Stumpers May 29/09
Math test strategies Sept 11/08
Math Tips for Home March 4/08
Mathematics Blog Oct 9/07
MATHEMATICS Pre-School - Grade 12 Nov 28/07
Maximizing College Studying September 4/07
Meet the Alphabet Kids Jan 18/07
Memory and Learning March 9/09
Memory Improvement Techniques Oct 22/08
memory techniques around which all other memory techniques are based Oct 8/07
memory techniques July 9/07
Memory test website Nov 6/08
Mental exercises-zany but productive Dec 5/08
Merlan Webster Open Dictionary Nov 8/07
Mind Expanders March 26/09
Money Tips for College Students
Mono-Task and work more effectively may 29/09
MOST OFTEN MISSPELLED WORDS IN ENGLISH Feb 28/08
Motivating Yourself to Study March 2/07
MULTIPLICATION BINGO: Make the Tedious Task of Practicing Aug 6/08
Music Vs Workflow Feb 22/07
Myths of the Workplace May 24/07
Newseum is the Interactive Museum of News Oct 21/09
Parent Involvement in Schools Sept 2/08
PARENTS PARTICIPATION IN CHILDRENS EDUCATION Jan 1/09
Parent Teacher Conference: Make The Most Of Talk Time May 3/08
Penny Wise, Pound Foolish Should you be spending your time on the big items April 15/08
(The) perfect CV Sept 11/07
Plus de 700 outils pour vous aider August 27/07 Toutes sorte d'outils pour vous aider en francais-dictionaires etc...
Poem Lovers Jan 25/07
Poor excuses for not learning a foreign language July 12/08
Pre-Number Concepts Dec 29/07
PRESCHOOL IDEAS: LEARNING THE LETTERS Sept 17/08
Preschooler Smarts March 24/09
Process info faster with Photo Reading July 2/07
Pros and cons of recording your class lectures Aug 15/08
Productive ways to use your free time May 25/07
Read all the Books July 9/07
read-kindle-books-on-your-computer-with- Jan 20/10
Reading Activities Make It A Joy For Kids March 10/08
Reading games Oct 11/07
Reading Material for Brain Health and Mental Fitness Feb 19/07
Reading recommendations for Children August 2/07
Reading Websites Oct 12/07
Reasons to Earn an Online Degree in a Troubled Economy Oct 10/08
Recommended books in 2008 Dec 20/08
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES -- Reading Nov 12/08
Recovering the Lost Art of Note-Taking Jan 25/07
Reduce your workload Feb 10/07
Rejuvenate Your Career Nov 3/07
Remember any name Nov 24/08
Remembering Names March 6/07
Resources for Algebra Dec 3/07
Resources for Reluctant Readers March 24/09
(A) resume that will get the right kind of attention Nov 1/07
Resume writing - the basics Feb 22/07
Rules for Back to School Aug 6/08
Rules Kids Wont Learn In School March 6/07
Salary Negotiations Jan 9/2007
Salary Negotiation Rules Feb 16/07
Save money in college July 25/08
Save Money Sending Your Child to College July 25/08
School Resources for Parents Oct 23/07
School supply list by grade Aug 15/08
School Tips Sites Oct 11/07
SCIENCE AND LITERACY April 30/08
Science Club May 22/07
Science Hack Website Dec 14/07
Secrets of Straight-A Students July 21/07
Self Help Books December 3
Sharpen your brain March 4/08
Should You Go Back to School Oct 10/08
Signs You're Doing a Good Job as a Homeschool Parent Sept 17/07
SIMPLE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS Jan 31/08
Simplify any concept Nov 24/08
Skill Building Tips Sites Oct 11/07
Smart way to say: I quit Feb 22/07
So Much Homework, So Little Time Sept 19/07
Some Things You Maybe Didn't Know March 14/07
Speed Reading Tactics: How Do You Read Super Fast and Comprehend Oct 22/08
Spelling: A Lost Art Jan 21/08
Spelling Rules March 2/07
Spreeder does is train you to read quickly Jan 10/09
Sputnik Sept 28/07
Stages of language fluency July 16/08
Starting a new School Year on the right foot Sept 17/07
Stay Focus at Work December 4
Steps to a Better Brain December 4
Story Online website Jan 31/08
Strategies to raise your GPA this semester August 31/07
Student Tips and Advice December 11
Students Creed March 8/07
study by traditional means (think flashcards), and by playing games March 6/09
Study Habits May 15/09
STUDY NATURE July 16/08
Success in foreign language learning Sept 7/07
SUCCESSFUL NARRATION Jan 23/08
Summer Is the Time for Teaching May 22/08
Summer learning critical to success during school July 30/07
Summer school: Is it the right solution for your child May 19/09
SUMMERTIME DEVELOPMENTAL GOALS FOR TEENS July 16/08
Super Charge your brain June 27/08
Surefire Tips for Succeeding in College November 4
Tactics That Will Encourage Your Teen to Read Aug 15/08
Take the Fear Out of Reading Aloud Jan 25/08
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT NATURE THROUGH NATURE BOOKS Aug 28/08
(A) Teacher’s Refrain March 6/07
TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN TO READ Aug 25/08
Ten people you need to know at work Mach 19/07
Test Your Literary Knowledge Jan 18/07
Textbook Alternatives August 1/08
The Atlas of the Universe-a website Sept 2/08
The Not-So-Starving Student Dec 5/07
There is no tomorrow April 15/08
Things all College Grad should know March 5/07
Things every college grad should know Oct 1/07
Things that should be taught in every school Oct 1/07
Things you shouldn't leave for school without August 1/08
Throw a lifeline to your future Feb 25/07
Timeless lessons on better thinking Feb 15/08
Timeless tips for college students May 20/08
Tips for Back-to-School Aug 13/08
Tips for cutting down the number of things you buy April 15/08
Tips for Making Your Crazy Schedule More Manageable Nov 12/09
Tips for Reading More. Feb 3/10
Tips for Saving Money in College Feb 25/07
Tips to Help You Hire the Best Tutor Dec 5/07
Tools for capturing ideas anywhere Aug 18/08
Tools which can help you in Writing June 1/07
translator program Jan 19/09
Tricks for Remembering Stuff Jan 29/08
Tune into the language of your intuition July 5/07
27 lessons learned May 23/07
TypeRacer teaches typing May 16/08
TYPES AND PURPOSES OF READING Aug 28/08
Types of Books that Increase Intelligence August 31/07
Typing Tutors May 10/07
Unlocking the True Capacity of Your Mind Feb 27/09
Urbasn dictionary -a website Jan 14/08
Using Associations to Improve Your Memory March 2/07
Using Commas Effectively Feb 22/07
(The) value of etiquette Feb 23/07
VerbaLearn, a Web site devoted to helping you learn vocabulary Feb 13/09
Virtual Keyboard Feb 25/07
Ways Parents can help reduce student debt Sept 13/09
Ways to Better Brainpower May 3/08
Ways to Build a Childs Vocabulary March 24/09
Ways to overclock your brain Jan 17/07
Ways to Use Your Intuition to Make Winning Decisions August 2/07
Web resources for students May 10/08
Websites to super charge your english vocabulary Aug 11/08
wePapers is to create the world’s largest study group April 17/09
What Kind of MythBuster Would You Make Jan 20/07
What language is this Sept 1/09
What Your Child Should be Learning: Kindergarten Math July 22/08
What's your intelligence type June 1/07
When School Books Get Lost April 17/08
Why you cant learn much from pas success Feb 28/07
Web Math December 28
What Employers Look For In A Resume March 14/07
When a teacher doesn't like your child Jan 23/09
When Kids Don't Learn March 18/08
When the Job Isn't What You Expected April 30/07
Where to Find Free Calculus Courses Online Feb 24/09
Where to find online tutors June 11/08
WINTER EDUCATIONAL IDEAS FOR PRESCHOOLER Dec 18/07
Wordia, a dictionary Nov 12/08
World digital library Feb 20/10
Work from home Jan 24/07
Writing Good Papers March 2/07
Writing Reports March 6/09
Writing Your Term Paper Jan 12/07
You don't have to confirm to be successful Jan 23/07
You have superpowers - it is absolutely true March 21/08
wePapers -study group website April 14/10
Whyzz- a website for children with questions August 24/09
Academic Earth
As if I don’t get enough school when I’m there, I go home and watch free
lectures on my computer too! Now that my brain has been stimulated back to life
by my college course, I just can’t stop learning! So when I found Academic Earth
I was thrilled!
Academic Earth brings online video courses from leading universities all
together into one place so that you can watch them at your leisure and learn at
your own pace.
We studied Dante’s Inferno in my Poetry class this spring, and low and behold in
the literature section of this site there is a video on it. I was so excited
that I could further what I learned in class with this video.
The categories of study include: Architecture, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry,
Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Studies, History,
International Relations, Law, Literature, Mathematics, Media Studies, Medicine,
Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, and Religious Studies! That’s quite a course
load.
A nice feature is the Dim the Lights link to darken the website around the video
so it is easier to watch. Click Lights up to return the webpage to its original
state.
After you watch a lecture, don’t forget to grade it. Click on the grade it
button that the lecture has at the top of the page, and you’ll be given a
selection of grades to pick from A – F.
I’ve lost hours at this site, and gained so much information. This one is
definitely bookmark worthy!
http://www.academicearth.org/
~Amanda
Click here to read this article in a browser
Windows Live Writer is a great tool for writing and publishing posts to your blog, but its spell check unfortunately doesn’t include many common tech words. Here’s how you can easily edit your custom dictionary and add your favorite words.
Customize Live Writer’s Dictionary
Adding an individual word to the Windows Live Writer dictionary works as you would expect. Right-click on a word and select Add to dictionary.
And changing the default spell check settings is easy too. In the menu, click Tools, then Options, and select the Spelling tab in this dialog. Here you can choose your dictionary language and turn on/off real-time spell checking and other settings.
But there’s no obvious way to edit your custom dictionary. Editing the custom dictionary directly is nice if you accidently add a misspelled word to your dictionary and want to remove it, or if you want to add a lot of words to the dictionary at once.
Live Writer actually stores your custom dictionary entries in a plain text file located in your appdata folder. It is saved as User.dic in the C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Roaming\Windows Live Writer\Dictionaries folder. The easiest way to open the custom dictionary is to enter the following in the Run box or the address bar of an Explorer window:
%appdata%\Windows Live Writer\Dictionaries\User.dic
This will open the User.dic file in your default text editor. Add any new words to the custom dictionary on separate lines, and delete any misspelled words you accidently added to the dictionary.
Microsoft Office Word also stores its custom dictionary in a plain text file. If you already have lots of custom words in it and want to import them into Live Writer, enter the following in the Run command or Explorer’s address bar to open Word’s custom dictionary. Then copy the words, and past them into your Live Writer custom dictionary file.
%AppData%\Microsoft\UProof\Custom.dic
Don’t forget to save the changes when you’re done. Note that the changes to the dictionary may not show up in Live Writer’s spell check until you restart the program. If it’s currently running, save any posts you’re working on, exit, and then reopen, and all of your new words should be in the dictionary.
Conclusion
Whether you use Live Writer daily in your job or occasionally post an update to a personal blog, adding your own custom words to the dictionary can save you a lot of time and frustration in editing. Plus, if you’ve accidently added a misspelled word to the dictionary, this is a great way to undo your mistake and make sure your spelling is up to par!
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_86.htm
Are you an expert at everything?
Of course, your answer is probably no. No matter what we do, none of us are experts at every single thing that we're responsible for. Some tasks need only a minimal amount of knowledge, while others require us to know the subject in detail. Our level of expertise largely depends on our role.
For instance, an administrative assistant may know nothing about SWOT Analysis, but his boss has asked him to learn about the topic before the next department meeting, so that he can take good notes. For this role, the assistant needs only a limited amount of understanding.
The boss, however, is planning to use SWOT during the meeting to contribute to her company's business plan for the upcoming year. Her understanding of SWOT must be much greater than her assistant's.
On the other hand, a university professor needs to decide if SWOT is a significant enough tool to use in his course curriculum. His understanding of SWOT Analysis must be particularly strong if he wants to make an informed decision for his students.
In these examples, the level of understanding that each of these people needs depends on their use of the information. To use your learning time more effectively, you must define the level of understanding you need before you start learning.
So, how can you be clear about your starting point, so that you can ensure that you reach the necessary level – without wasting time developing your understanding beyond that level?
This is when a tool like Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives can be useful.
In this article, we'll examine Bloom's Taxonomy, and we'll explore how you can use it with your team to help your people achieve their learning goals more effectively.
Bloom's Taxonomy first appeared in 1956 when Benjamin Bloom, an educational psychologist, presented the model in "Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification of Educational Goals (Book 1: Cognitive Domain)." Despite its age, this handbook is one of the most widely referenced books in education.
Bloom's Taxonomy, although rooted in education, is also useful in a business context, in that it helps you assess how much training and coaching people need to perform effectively in their roles.
Whenever we learn something new, we start at the lowest level of understanding. The more we learn about the subject, the more we "move up" to the next level in skill and complexity, and the more we're able to do with this information. At the start, we simply know about a topic – but when we reach the highest levels of understanding, we're able to make educated judgments and form well-rounded arguments to support our theories.
This can be neatly summarized in a pyramid diagram as shown in figure 1 below. Here, the most basic levels of understanding are wider than the higher levels, because many more people will have basic knowledge of a subject than have higher-level knowledge.
The six levels of Bloom's Taxonomy relate to "cognitive" functions – i.e. functions associated with knowledge, comprehension and application. Let's look at each level in greater detail, starting at the lowest:
The
pyramid representation is a later interpretation of Bloom's work, developed
by Lorin Anderson, a former student of his. Anderson worked with a group of
educators and psychologists to update the taxonomy. Published in 2000 as "A
Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing", the other big difference
was that they changed the name for each level from a noun to a verb:
|
The benefit of Bloom's Taxonomy is that it helps us identify where we, and individuals within our teams, currently are on the pyramid, so we can ensure that people are learning at the right level. We can also use the pyramid to help guide our people through the levels to reach the levels of learning and understanding that they need to do their jobs effectively.
So, how can you use Bloom's Taxonomy with your team? We'll pick up on our earlier example to help illustrate how you can apply this tool in team development.
Imagine that you're using SWOT Analysis to help shape your company's strategy for next year. You're leading a team of people who know nothing about SWOT – and until they do, you can't move forward with this work.
In our example, most members of your team probably need to reach only level 3 (Application), while you would need to understand the tool up to level 6 (Evaluation).
|
Tip: If you'd like to find out more about team development, see our articles Understanding Developmental Needs and Training Needs Assessment. |
Correctly identifying your team's level of knowledge can help you make sure your people are at the right level to ensure a project's success. Bloom's Taxonomy model will help you see clearly where your team is currently, so that you can determine where they need to be to achieve set goals.
|
|
|
James Manktelow |
Privacy
Policy:
Mind Tools will
treat your email address with complete respect and will not circulate it to any
third party.
If you are not already a subscriber to this newsletter and you would like to be
one, you can sign up at
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm
WePapers
The goal of
wePapers is to create the world’s
largest study group. Here you’ll be able to find papers on just about any
subject that you need to study. Reading papers other people have written can
expand your knowledge of the topic and shed a different perspective on what you
already know.
I have found myself using it to double check I have my formatting right, before
I turn in a paper. But it could be a great resource for expanding your thoughts
for papers you need to write.
On the left side of the page you’ll find a section called Papers We Like. You’ll
find seven papers highlighted there. While I was there, there was a great paper
on satire and Mark Twain that rocked my socks. It gave me a perspective that I
hadn’t really thought about on Huckleberry Finn.
Have a topic you’d like to learn about in mind? Then the center of the page is
for you. Type your topic into the search field and click the Go button. I think
you’ll be amazed at the range of topics that come up for the subject you’ve
looked up.
Want to contribute? Well you certainly can, but you’ll have to register to do
so. Don’t worry registration is a breeze. Click the Sign Up link at the top of
the page. Fill in the form with your name, e-mail address, and name of the
college or university you’re attending, and then create a password and prove
you’re human by filling in the Captcha. After you’ve got that all filled in, you
can click the Sign Up button.
You’ll be automatically logged in after clicking the Sign Up button. You’ll be
on an invitation page which I skipped by clicking the wePapers logo at the top
of the page to return to the main page.
Now there are two ways to contribute to the page you can: become a course
leader, or upload your own papers to share with other students. Becoming a
course leader means that you’re going to teach other people something, for
example, the course I looked at while I was here was Algebra 1. It brings
Algebra to life using realistic examples and practical knowledge. So if you have
something to teach, this is the spot for you.
To find a course, click Navigate and the scroll down until you see the Course
tab. Click the tab, and scroll down past the Google ad, and you’ll see a listing
of course offerings. Once you find the course you want, make sure you click the
join course link on its page.
Uploading papers is by far the easier way to share your knowledge. Especially if
you are crunched for time! Click the Upload button at the top of the page (its
green). Then click the Add Files button, choose the file you’d like to upload,
and then click the upload button. After you’ve uploaded the file you’ll be asked
to fill out a form about it. This form covers basic information like what
subject it is about, what style it is, etc.
Used responsibly this site could be the perfect study tool. Check it out today!
http://www.wepapers.com/
~Amanda
Making the Modern World
"Making
the Modern World brings you powerful stories about science and invention from
the eighteenth century to today. It explains the development and the global
spread of modern industrial society and its effects on all our lives."I found
this explanation in the About Us section near the bottom of the page.
You'll find the navigation of the site on the tabs across the top under the
title. The sections are Home, Stories Timeline, Icons of Invention, Everyday
Life, Guided Tours, and Learning Modules.
The Stories Timeline has a timeline dated all the way back to 1750 and ending at
2000. You can click on each block. For example, click on the gray block for
"1750 to 1820 Enlightenment and Measurement", and a drop down menu gives you
three stories: "Measuring the Universe", "Empire, Navy, and Trade", and
"Rational Manufacture." At the very bottom of the menu, there is a link titled
Read More, which will take you to a page where you can learn a little more about
the subject and access the three stories.
I like the Read More option for
navigation of the timeline and I'm greatly appreciative that they included it.
Icons of Invention has information on the inventions that have changed our
world. It's divided into three sections: Science, Technology, and Medicine.
Beneath that, you can browse the Icons of Invention either from clicking on the
examples provided or by scrolling through the pages with the page numbers at the
bottom.
If you choose the Browse Category option above each section, you can view the
icons of invention through another timeline setting. I really love this option
because it gave you a real feel for the progress that was made over time. Take a
look at that Apple I Home Computer! It's amazing to think how far just computers
have come since their invention.
Everyday Life shows inventions that have changed (you guessed it!) everyday
life. Everything from appliances and toothbrushes to synthetic fabrics. I am so
amazed by this section and I adore the three examples that they put right out on
the front. The first is about the Singer Sewing Machine, the second is about
re-inventing a shovel, and the third is about house plants. Beneath that are
more sections – Personal, Home, Work, Leisure, Control, and Health. Each of
these sections is again set up in a timeline so that you can see the time
progression. There's even a button for an audio version of the stories!
Guided Tours has three pages of tours, each tracing a different aspect of
progression. From the impact that woman have had in science to advancements in
healthcare, you'll find a lot of interesting information presented in pictures
and text. I found Making Modern Health interesting as it tracks the progress of
healthcare, from the x-ray to pharmaceuticals.
Last, but not least, is the section Learning Modules. Here you will find
demonstrations, activities and media designed on a level to be used by just
about everyone. This section is broken down into separate areas, like Biology,
English, Chemistry, History, Geography, Mathematics, and Psychology. My
favorite, Psychology, talks a lot about stress and stress management. Everyone
has stress at some point in their life, but not everyone manages stress in a
healthy way or knows how to channel it out of their system at all. This section
was really useful.
This site is a great way to stimulate your brain.
http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/
~ Amanda
Keybr
This site was ridiculously hard to write up! I couldn’t stop trying to test my
typing skills; eventually I just closed the site and sat down to write this. And
even now, I’m fighting my weakness for typing tests.
What I really love about this version of it is that the phrases that they give
you are not predictable. You have to actually think as you type.
To begin click the keyboard. Then click the box next to Language/Layout, and
select the language and keyboard style you want. Then click the box next to
Tutorial and select the typing level you want, and what kind of text you want
(the one I like is random text). The typing levels start at one and go to three,
with three being the most comprehensive.
Now you’re ready to start typing! After you’ve tested your skills you can click
the Chart button to see a graph of how you’re doing, and you can click the Keys
Map button to see what keys you’re having trouble with.
This is a super fun way of polishing up your typing skills! Check it out today!
http://www.keybr.com/
~Amanda
Daily
Lit
You would think that with school I’d get enough reading to satisfy my inner
bookworm, and I thought I did – until I discovered this site. Now I
can read a book in my e-mail as
many times a week as I want. Pleasure reading ahoy! Best of all it is 100% free!
To get signed up click the Register link at the top of the page. This will take
you to the registration form. There you’ll need to fill out the form by creating
a username and password, and then providing a working e-mail address. This is
the e-mail address that your reading will come to, so make sure you pick an
address you check. You can also choose to instead link your account to one of
the social networking platforms that are listed (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and
then just choose your username for the site, and provide the e-mail address you
want to read at.
After you register you’ll need to go check your e-mail address and click the
confirmation link. This is will activate your account. You are now ready to
setup your profile, choose the books you want to read, and how often you want
them e-mailed to you, and at what time of day you want to receive them. Once
you’ve selected a book to read you’ll need to go to your e-mail again, because
they send you a confirmation e-mail for the book to make sure that your spam
filters don’t filter your reading out.
Besides delivering great reading to your inbox, you can also keep a booklist,
and use the site to share over social networking sites what you’re reading. I'm
rawrpounce if you want to check out my profile and what I'm reading. Check this
one out today, it’s a keeper!
http://www.dailylit.com/
~Amanda
Wordnik
I am a word nerd! With that said, this site is exactly my cup of tea.
Wordnik is devoted to not only defining words, but providing you with the
pronunciation, related words, an example sentence, images, statistics, and even
user commentary!
It may look a little daunting when you load the site up, and all these whacky
words greet you beneath a search field – but don’t let them put you off! I was
taken aback by them when I visited the first time too!
You can register for an account here. It is really easy, and it allows you to
save your favorite words, record pronunciations, add commentary, suggest related
words, etc. It is completely free, and you don’t have to sign up to use the
site. So you decide if registering is something for you. I signed up because I
like the idea of being able to save word lists. Registration is easy; just click
the Sign Up link at the top of the page. Then fill out form with a username and
password you’ve created, provide a working e-mail address, decide whether you
want to opt in to their newsletter and the word of the day e-mails, and then
fill out the captcha field with whatever words are displayed, then click the
Sign Up button and you’ll be instantly logged in and ready to go!
The easiest way to navigate is to just type in a word you want to look up and
click the magnifying glass button. At the bottom of the page, there are other
great sections to check out though like:
Random Word – this is exactly what it says it is. If you click this you get
taken directly to a random word. This is a fun way to explore words!
Zeitgeist – this is where you can put your finger directly on the pulse of what
is going on the site. You can see the most recent user comments, word posts,
recent lists, what has been recently viewed – commented on – favorited –
pronounced, and even what has been vied the most or commented on the most.
Word of the Day – if you didn’t want to sign up for the word of the day via
e-mail, you can always come and check it out here!
Blog – stay in touch with what is happening with Wordnik by checking out their
blog. There you’ll learn about coming improvements, check out announcements
(like secret word Wednesday) and so much more.
Let the word geekery begin!
http://www.wordnik.com/
~Amanda
Access my Library
Access my Library provides free access to libraries all over the United States
and Canada, as well as, free access to over 30 million articles from premium
sources.
On the front page you’ll see all the categories of information that you can
browse. They are: Arts & Humanities, Business, Consumer News & Advice, Culture &
Society, Education, Government & Law & Politics, Lifestyle & Personal Interests,
Medicine & Health, News & Current Events, Science and Technology.
As you can see they have just about everything you might need right here. All
you need is a valid e-mail address, and a zip code. You don’t need a library
card of or anything. If you have more questions about that – check out the FAQ
you’ll find a link to it at the bottom of the page.
This is a great free resource, check it out today!
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/
~Amanda
Monticello -Jefferson's home -a website
I’ve had to do research on Thomas Jefferson this year as part of my course work
and I was delighted to find this website, where you can explore Jefferson’s home
Monticello.
There are four sections to the site:
First-Floor Tour – here you can take a room by room tour of the first-floor of
Jefferson’s home. Pick the room you want to visit, and you’ll learn all about
that room, what Jefferson did there, and how it was furnished. You can travel to
the other room by using the menu on the right side of the page. This section
whets my appetite for the next section!
Monticello Explorer – here you can visit Monticello in 3-D! This section will
require you to have the flash player installed and is well worth it. This
section could also be a standalone site based on its content. Here you can watch
videos, learn about domestic life at Monticello, and even explore the gardens.
Monticello FAQ – here you’ll discover the answers to some of the most frequently
asked questions about Monticello.
Image Galleries - I love stopping by the image gallery. Here you’ll find photos
of the interior and exterior of Monticello, as well as, aerial photographs,
drawings and models, and even images of the necessary things like the cook’s
room and beer cellar in Dependencies. Check this spot out for great pictures!
This is a fantastic look into the place where Thomas Jefferson called home.
http://www.monticello.org/house/index.html
~Amanda
Earthquakes for Kids
With the
earthquakes this year, I’ve had quite a few questions from the children in my
life that wanted to know how they happen and why they happen. So in response to
that I thought maybe I could find some answers online. In the course of research
with my little munchkins, we found this site.
What the site does is provide puzzles, animations, games, interesting facts and
combine them with scientific explanations, earthquake history, and news to help
explain to them all about earthquakes.
In particular I loved Earthquake ABC’s. It’s a children’s book of earthquake
feelings and facts, and you can view the whole thing online. Just click
Earthquake ABC’s, and then click the animated ABC image to open up the story. It
opens in its own window, and then you use the alphabetical navigation or the
story navigation to click through it. For example: A is for aftershock and
afraid.
More and more today children are aware of what is happening on a global level.
So when natural disasters occur they may get scared and worry that it will
happen to them – this site helps them understand what earthquakes are all about.
Check it out today!
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/
~Amanda
Andrew Zuckerman: Bird
I cannot begin
to tell you how awesome this site is. I think it quantifies beyond words. But I
can tell you how to navigate it, and see for yourself how amazing it is!
Start by clicking the OK button at the bottom of the page, this will take you
into the site proper. The navigation menu consists of the following categories:
Photographs – here you will find a listing of each individual bird that was
photographed for the book Bird. Not only can you see them individually, you can
hear them too! If there is a little speaker next to the numbers for the
individual photos click it to hear what that bird sounds like. You can also
click the words Bird Information and learn about that bird specifically.
Films – I watched all the films here, and I would recommend that you start with
the film entitled Aviary, and then watch the rest of the videos. I would start
with Aviary because it explains how the photo shoot came together, and how they
achieved such glorious images.
Book – here you can look at the actual book, cover to cover. Use the numbers to
along the top to navigate through the book’s pages.
Info – here you can find all sorts of information, including how to get to
Andrew Zuckerman’s site where you can see more of his work.
So what happens when Andrew Zuckerman visits the National Aviary? Pure magic!
Check out these amazing images today!
http://www.birdbook.org/
~Amanda
Creative
Glossary
This is a glossary that revolves solely around terminology that has to do with
creative endeavors. I can’t begin to tell you how much in love with it I am.
There are several ways to navigate. You can use the category menu on the left
side of the page. If you click the category name it expands to show you what is
lumped under that category specifically. Or you can choose the alphabetical
listing across the page, just click the letter you want to explore and you’re
good to go.
Your other option is to type in a word into the search engine and see if there
is an entry for it. For example, I typed in crochet into the search engine. And
it came up with an entry for Irish Lace Crochet. I went to that entry and learn
about what it is, but the really neat thing is, that entry just serves as a
starting point. From that entry, I could jump to many different categories that
were somehow related to what I entered! How cool is that?
So go explore the glossary and see what you can discover!
http://creativeglossary.com/
~Amanda
Creawriter
There are a lot of aspiring writers out there. If I had a dollar for every time
I heard someone say how great it would be to become a full time writer and sit
in a quaint little coffee shop somewhere penning down the next great American
novel, I'd be a very rich man.
The first bubble bursts when the person sits down on their laptop with MS Word
open and nothing comes to mind. It doesn’t feel like the romanticized version of
being a writer you had in your head, does it? Not ten minutes have passed by and
you are already checking your Facebook, then you follow a link to go check out
videos of funny things babies do on YouTube which eventually leads to browsing
random Ebay auctions. So much for focusing on writing, huh?
Fret not; at least until you finish reading this article. Let me introduce you
to Creawriter, a unique ‘writing’ program for Windows that is bound to have an
instant effect on your writing productivity as well as creativity. How so you
may ask ? Let me explain.
Firstly, take a look at the screenshot below.
That’s the main screen of the software. That’s it ! No clutter and no zillions
of menu options. It serves its purpose by employing two rather unorthodox
approaches: It’s a full screen program which hides everything behind it whether
it’s your Firefox windows or the Yahoo messenger. This ensures that you don’t
get constantly distracted by other things happening on your screen.
One important thing you will notice is the lack of toolbars, buttons etc. The
idea is to provide only the very necessary features to make a simple unobtrusive
interface. This helps you pay more attention to the actual writing than towards
selecting the perfect font from a library of 2000 fonts or to spend an hour
selecting color schemes. The small menu only appears when you move your mouse
pointer towards the top right area.
As you can see in the screenshot below, the menu provides you with only the
necessary options and is very easy to navigate through even for a novice.
Onto the second unorthodox approach. Visual and aural stimulation. Creawriter
has a background images and background sounds feature. The idea is to make
writing an experience, and provide a distraction free writing zone enhanced by
background visuals and ongoing sounds like rain, faint music, the beach, etc.
It’s pretty easy to change the background images and sounds based upon your mood
for the day or based on the subject on which you are going to write. Using the
transparency feature you make the background image visible at all times,
especially if visual stimulation is your jug of tea.
So, if you've always wanted to write sitting next to a river in a picturesque
cabin in the mountains, this is the closest you're going to get. Simply change
the background picture and sounds to suit your needs.
Creawriter hides the productivity killing distractions behind its full screen
interface and instead provides you with visual and aural stimulation to get you
in the right mood for writing. Give it a spin and see your writing productivity
reach a new level.
You can download Creawriter
here. The link is at the bottom of the page.
~Yogesh Bakshi
Math
is Fun
You may not think that math is fun, but this site can prove that it is! Here you
will find all sorts of fun math games to play and challenge yourself with!
This site would be especially great for getting kids interested in Math. I wish
there had been something like it when I was a kid! I am a fan of anything that
makes math easier to learn.
Here you’ll find math help in algebra, percentages, money, geometry,
measurement, and much, much more. You’ll also find games, calculators, a
dictionary, and a handy dandy search engine!
I think this site is bookmark material – even for adults – I’ve found myself
using the measurement section and calculators all the time! Check it out today!
http://www.mathisfun.com/
~Amanda
Dynamic Periodic Table
This is a periodic table like you’ve never seen before. It is completely
interactive and super fantastic!
To navigate just scroll your mouse over the elements on the table, and it will
highlight the one your mouse is hovering over bigger. If you click on an element
it pops up with the information for that element on Wikipedia.
If you mouse over the different labels (Metalloids, Non Metals, and Metals)
you’ll see the corresponding elements are highlighted on the table. And you can
uncheck extra display information at the top of the page.
Along the top of the page there are tabs that provide more navigation options:
Properties, Orbital, and Isotopes. Next to those tabs is a drop down box with
even more navigation options for you to choose from.
Check out this awesome periodic table today!
http://www.ptable.com/
~Amanda
World Digital Library
This is an amazing online library of digital media from around the world. What
does that mean exactly? It means that you will find amazing recordings, texts,
photographs, and more from around the world, thus allowing you to take a walk
into the culture of another country from the convenience of your computer chair.
Not only can you study different cultures this way but you can select the
language you’d like to learn about them in. So you’re not stuck with just
English to browse in.
You can browse in different ways too. You can select to browse by Place, Time,
Topic, Type of Item, and Institution. I like the option of browsing by Type of
Item, that way if you only want to see Motion Pictures, or Sound Recordings you
can. Or if you just want to browse Maps or Photos you can.
This is a fantastic source of primary source material that you can view for
yourself without leaving the house. Check it out today!
http://www.wdl.org/en/
~Amanda
http://www.999inks.co.uk/children-guide-to-poetry.html
What is a poem? A poem is a short piece of writing that comes from the imagination. It is usually laid out in a special structure or rhythm of lines, some rhyme and some do not. This special line structure often rhymes, but doesn’t always have to. There are many different types of poems, such as Limericks, Haiku, Cinquain, Sonnet and Free Verse.
A Limerick is a type of rhyming poem that is usually funny. The poem is made of five lines. The first and second lines rhyme and are usually longer (about eight or nine syllables), the third and fourth lines are shorter (about five or six syllables) and rhyme with each other, and the last line is the same length as the first two and rhymes with them. Limericks also usually have a twist or punch line at the end like a good joke.
A Haiku is a very short poem that comes from Japan. A Haiku poem is usually about nature or the seasons and is made up of only three lines. The first line has five syllables, the second line has seven, and the last has five syllables like the first. Unlike a Limerick, the Haiku poem rarely rhymes.
A Cinquain poem is very similar to a Haiku. This poem most often describes a person, place or thing and was invented by an American poet in the early 20th century. A Cinquain contains five lines and can be written according to a certain number of syllables for each line or a certain number of words. Like the Haiku, a Cinquain poem does not have to rhyme.
A Sonnet is very different from both the Haiku and the Cinquain. A Sonnet is a lot longer, almost like a song, and typically contains fourteen lines. This type of poem follows a strict rhyme scheme and a structure of stressed and unstressed syllables within the fourteen lines. There are also several different types of Sonnets, including English, Italian and Occitan. William Shakespeare wrote many English Sonnets, and the painter and sculptor Michelangelo was a poet of Italian Sonnets.
Unlike most forms of poetry, the Free Verse poem does not have many rules. Free Verse poems don’t have to rhyme, and usually use a distinct rhythm instead like many popular songs on the radio today. A Free Verse poem also isn’t confined to a line-by-line structure; it can be written in paragraphs or single words or any way the poet likes. Free verse is great because it allows the author lots of room for creativity.
Poetic Tips Activities
Most important of all, don’t take poetry too seriously. Reading and writing poems should be fun!
Every Wednesday is Tip Day.
This Wednesday: 12 tips for reading more.
Of my hundreds of happiness-project resolutions, one of my very favorite resolutions is to Read more.
Reading is an essential part of my work. It forms an important part to my social life. And far more important, reading is my favorite thing to do, by a long shot. I’m not a well-rounded person.
But reading takes time, and there aren’t many days when I can read as much as I’d like. Here are some strategies I use to help me get more good reading done.
1. Quit reading. I used to pride myself on finishing every book I started. No more. Life is short. There are too many wonderful books to read.
2. Read books you enjoy. When I’m reading a book I love—for example, I’m now reading A. S. Byatt’s The Children’s Book—I’m astonished by how much time I find to read during my day. Which is another reason to stop reading a book I don’t enjoy.
3. Use TiVO. It’s much more efficient to watch shows on TiVO, because you skip the commercials and control when you watch. Then you have more time to read.
4. Skim. Especially when reading newspapers and magazines, often I get as much from skimming as I do by a leisurely reading. I have to remind myself to skim, but when I do, I get through material much faster.
5. Get calm. I have a sticky note posted in our bedroom that says, “Quiet mind.” It’s sometimes hard for me to settle down with a book; I keep wanting to jump up and take care of some nagging task. But that’s no way to read. Incidentally, one of the main reasons I exercise is to help me sit still for reading and writing -- if I don't exercise, I'm too jumpy.
6. Don’t fight my inclinations. Sometimes I feel like I should be reading one book when I actually feel like reading something entirely different. Now I let myself read what I want, because otherwise I end up reading much less.
7. Always have something to read. Never go anywhere empty-handed. I almost always read actual “books,” but I carry my Kindle with me everywhere, so that I know I’ll never be caught without something to read. It’s a great comfort.
8. Maintain a big stack. I find that I read much more when I have a pile waiting for me. Right now, I have to admit, my stack is so big that it’s a bit alarming, but I’ll get it down to a more reasonable size before too long.
9. Choose my own books. Books make wonderful gifts – both to receive and to give – but I try not to let myself feel pressured to read a book just because someone has given it to me. I always give a gift book a try, but I no longer keep reading if I don’t want to.
And some tips from great writers and readers:
10. Randall Jarrell: “Read at whim! Read at whim!”
11. Henry David Thoreau: “Read the best books first, otherwise you’ll
find you do not have time.”
12. Samuel Johnson: “What we read with inclination makes a much stronger
impression. If we read without inclination, half the mind is employed in fixing
the attention; so there is but one half to be employed on what we read.”
Maybe you don’t love to read, so finding more time to read isn’t a happiness challenge for you. The larger point is to make sure you’re finding time to do whatever it is that you find fun. Having fun is important to having a happy life, yet it’s all too easy for fun to get pushed aside by other priorities. I have to be careful to make time for reading, or, even though I love to read, I might neglect it.
Have you found any good strategies to find more time to read – or to do whatever it is you find fun?
Apply for Scholarships (Not Loans!)
Posted: 27 Jan 2010 09:00 PM PST
(This is a guest article by Caroline Fraissinet*)
Let's face it.. most college students are always a little short on cash. That
means that the opportunity to get a little money is always welcome and very much
appreciated. One of the best ways to get some money to finance your education is
through scholarships: it not only serves the purpose of paying for all the
necessary expenses and allowing you to finance more ambitious goals and
projects, but it’s also a great thing to put down on resumes because it shows
that the student is hard-working and skilled in a particular field. It doesn't
hurt either that scholarships don't have to be paid back, making them a far
better option that taking out an education loan! Here are a few types of
scholarship opportunities available to college students to consider:
Scholarships are a great way to get money to finance your education. They range
from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, which can help to achieve all of
your educational goals and help keep debt at bay. When looking for scholarships,
work from more specific to more general to get the perfect fit for your needs
and eligibility. Scholarships look great to future employers and show that you
take initiative and aim to excel in a particular field or skill set. And of
course, your future self will thank you for not having to worry about paying off
the loans. When it comes to ways to gain a little extra cash in college,
scholarships are one of the best directions to look.
*About the author: This is a guest post by Caroline Fraissinet, a student
at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, majoring in Film/Video with a minor in
TV Production. More articles by Caroline can be found
here.
*Image Credit: Photograph by
acycakes [via Flickr Creative Commons]
Click here to read this article in a browser
Do you already own a Kindle or thinking about purchasing one? To day we look at a free E-Reader app from Amazon that allows you to purchase and read books from the Kindle Store, and makes syncing your computer and Kindle easier.
Note: Windows Only. Mac version coming soon.
Kindle for PC
This handy E-Reader is completely free and installs quickly.
Once it’s ready to go, you’re prompted to sign into your Amazon account. If you don’t have an account and don’t care to sign up for one, you can continue without registering.
After signing in you will see the user interface with a couple of balloon tips to get you started. The interface is very slick and intuitive compared to other E-Readers out there.
After you have a book loaded, you’ll get navigation controls, bookmarking, and “Go To” which lets you jump to a particular section of the book.
There are 10 different font sizes available.
You can bookmark any page in the book as well.
![sshot-2010-01-18-[00-45-10]](Education_files/image050.jpg)
You can navigate through the pages with your mouse or simply use the arrow keys.
You can access the Jumplist on the Windows 7 taskbar and choose from recent books and other options.
Click on the Menu option on the upper right to access settings, sync items, manage your registered Kindle, and send feedback about the app.
Because it’s in Beta the developers want to hear from you how they can improve it.
Buy and Download a Book
To browse the Amazon store, click on Shop in Kindle Store from the Kindle for PC interface.
When you find something you like, click on the Buy now with 1-click button and make sure its set to deliver to your Kindle for PC.
Then on the order confirmation screen click on the Go to Kindle for PC button to pull up the E-reader.
The Home page of the Kindle comes up and you’ll see what books have been downloaded and can monitor the download progress of the one you just bought.
Notice in the lower left corner of the reader you’ll see that it’s synching and checking for new items.
Another cool thing about the Whisperync feature is it lets you go to the last page you read of a book on the PC, a kindle device, or the iPhone app. So no matter where you read your books, there won’t be the hassle of finding where you left off.
You can sync and check for new items at any time from the button next to the Menu.
Once you start getting a larger collection of books, you can sort them by Title, Author, and Most Recent.
It’s still in Beta, and there isn’t a search feature or the ability to make annotations yet, but overall it works pretty well and is easy to use.
Conclusion
As of this writing it will run on XP, Vista, and Windows 7 but they have a Mac version on the way. Amazon does say the ability to create notes, search, and rotate images in the near future. Another thing to mention is it can make use of the Windows Touch feature in Windows 7, so if you have a touch screen laptop it essentially turns it into a free Kindle too. If you’re holding off on buying a Kindle and want to get a feel for how it all works, Kindle for PC is a good way to get started.
How Higher Education Can Make A Difference
Posted: 16 Jan 2010 08:59 PM PST
(This is a guest article by
Mary Acheson*)
There are a number of reasons why higher education plays a vital role in
furthering your career; no matter what profession you plan to pursue. Some
careers and career advancement opportunities will be limited - and sometimes
eliminated - by not having sufficient post-secondary schooling. Even in careers
that don’t require specific post-secondary education, having more qualifications
and knowledge will give you a step up on your competition.
Screening applicants
Employers screen new job applicants all the time. They are constantly looking
for candidates that have the knowledge and skills that they need to perform the
functions of the job they are hiring. No news there. However, many employers are
also looking to the future when they’re hiring new employees and job seekers
sometimes forget about this.
One thing most employers know is that keeping great employees in the long term
will determine the future success or failure of their company. One way that they
can tell that you are serious about a particular position in their company is by
showing them that you have spent significant amounts of time (and money)
studying in that field. Higher education shows commitment and employers like
that.
To recap – post-secondary education demonstrates to your employers the
following:
These are just two reasons why higher education can be an important deciding
factor during the hiring process.
Higher education = higher income
A huge advantage of higher education is that it will benefit you financially.
Many employers use your level of education to determine the salary that you will
receive when you are hired. At lots of companies, promotions, and pay raises are
also tied to the completion of courses and programs specifically designed for
career advancement. So even if you are able to get an entry-level position at a
company, without a post secondary education it will be difficult to move up or
make more money.
Statistics show that people with higher education make as much as $200,000 more
over a lifetime than those with lesser education.
A qualification of higher education is necessary in many careers including
dentistry, medicine, engineering, and architecture. Other professions such as
law or speech therapy will require you to have a postgraduate qualification
before you can practice.
College and university graduates are also more likely to have access to better
healthcare and dental benefits that come with more established careers.
Life experience
Another thing that people often forget is that college or university allows you
to experience a rich social and cultural scene, and meet all kinds of different
people while pursuing a field you love.
It will also allow you to see different places, and for many people it is their
first chance to live on your own.
Options
Monster.com and other job sites have thousands of different job postings every
day. Most of these jobs require you to have some form of post-secondary
education and without that education you have less options when it comes to
finding a great career.
Studying also allows you to improve your reading, writing, and math skills that
will help you with all aspects of your life. Improving these basic skills can
help you do the following:
It also allows you to study in a field that interests you and to follow an area
of study that you are passionate about. Pursuing things that you are passionate
about and gaining confidence with an education will help you lead a healthy and
fulfilling life.
*About the author: This is a guest post from education writer Mary
Acheson. Mary works for a number of websites on education and insurance
including
LifeInsuranceCanada.org, a Canadian life insurance website.
Think about this: How can anyone take care of his or her brain when every week brings a new barrage of articles and studies which seem to contradict each other?
Do supplements improve memory? Do you need both physical and mental exercise –or is one of them enough? Which brain training approach, if any, is worth one’s time and money?
Our new book, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness, addresses these questions and many others. As stated in the Introduction, what the book wants to do first of all is to debunks 10 myths on brain health and brain training:
Myth 1. Genes determine the fate of our brains.
Facts: Lifelong neuroplasticity allows our lifestyles and actions to
play a meaningful role in how our brains physically evolve, especially given
longer life expectancy.
Myth 2. Aging means automatic decline.
Facts: There is nothing inherently fixed in the precise trajectory of
how brain functions evolve as we age.
Myth 3. Medication is the main hope for
cognitive enhancement.
Facts: Non-invasive interventions can have comparable and more durable
effects, side effect-free.
Myth 4. We will soon have a Magic Pill or
General Solution to solve all our cognitive challenges.
Facts: A multi-pronged approach is recommended, centered around
nutrition, stress management, and both physical and mental exercise.
Myth 5. There is only one “it” in “Use It or
Lose it”.
Facts: The brain is composed of a number of specialized units. Our life
and productivity depend on a variety of brain functions, not just one.
Myth 6. All brain activities or exercises are
equal.
Facts: Varied and targeted exercises are the necessary ingredients in
brain training so that a wide range of brain functions can be stimulated.
Myth 7. There is only one way to train your
brain.
Facts: Brain functions can be impacted in a number of ways: through
meditation, cognitive therapy, cognitive training.
Myth 8. We all have something called “Brain
Age”.
Facts: Brain age is a fiction. No two individuals have the same brain or
expression of brain functions.
Myth 9. That “brain age” can be reversed by 10,
20, 30 years.
Facts: Brain training can improve specific brain functions, but, with
research available today, cannot be said to roll back one’s “brain age” by a
number of years.
Myth 10. All human brains need the same brain
training.
Facts: As in physical fitness, users must ask themselves: What functions
do I need to improve on? In what timeframe? What is my budget?
Budget for Education in 5 Steps
Posted: 18 Dec 2009 12:05 PM PST
(This is a guest article by Courtney Stewart*)
If you are thinking about going back to school but are put off by the cost of
higher education, don’t let that deter you. Here is a step by step guide to
reworking your budget to help you afford that degree. Education can be
expensive, but it is a worthwhile investment!
It seems like a lot of work, but you’ll find that making room in your budget for
education is the best investment you can make in terms of future earning
potential, personal growth, and career success. Good luck!
*About the author: This guest post was contributed by Courtney Stewart,
who writes extensively about
online colleges and universities for EarnMyDegree.com.
*************************************
Common Sense Media
In a world where technology surrounds and is racing forward in a hurry it can be
hard to stay on top of all the choices that are available for your kids. This
site puts it all into perspective by offering parents advice and reviews of the
media that is floating around in your kid’s stratosphere.
Whether you have a toddler or a preteen or a teenager this site has stuff that
will help you help them make smart choices. Kids learn first and foremost from
their parents. Check out the Advice section for great information on how to meld
technology into your child’s life safely, what time are good for them to have
access to media, and what sort of habits you should build up in your child’s
life. You can get all that advice and more in the Parent Advice section.
Another section that is great is the Find Reviews section. This section reviews
media so that you don’t have to guess when you agree to let your child download,
read, or watch something. The more you know about it, the easier those decisions
will be. An adjunct to this section is the next tab over, By Age; this allows
you to sort the reviews by the age of your child.
I’m a big fan of the Educators section as well. This section talks about how you
as an educator can help parents be media savvy, and aware of threats like cyber
bullying and their children’s internet activities. If you’re an educator be sure
to check out this section and get a lot of great tips on how you can help your
student’s parents out.
This is an awesome site for parents, grandparents, and teachers alike, check it
out today!
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
~Amanda
******************
By Dr. Alan Zimmerman
Over the years, I've learned there are indisputable laws of nature ... such as the laws of gravity and motion. If you step off a building, you're going to go down, no matter how good your attitude is. And if you get moving, you'll probably keep on moving.
But I've also learned there's a set of unquestionable laws of success. If you know them, if you follow them, you're going to do just fine. In fact, those laws form the basis of my two-day program, the "Journey to the Extraordinary." Today I'll address three of the success laws.
1. The Law of Continual
Education
It's a simple fact. If your competitors keep on learning and you don't, guess
who has the upper hand when the two of you meet? It won't be you. And despite
this simple fact, most people are intellectually lazy and surprisingly sedentary
in their acquisition of new knowledge and information. They naively think they
already know it all ... or at least enough to get by. If you fall into that
category, I have a word of advice for you: "If you think you know it all, you
probably know less than you think."
Other folks will boastfully exclaim they "don't need no book learnin'" or any of those "motivational seminars." After all, they tell me they prefer to learn through experience.
Oh, you can learn from experience all right, but the tuition cost is awfully high. As baseball player Vernon Law put it, "Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards." Personally, I subscribe to Dr. Beatrice Berry's advice. She says, "It's more important to know well than to be well known." So I read dozens of books and newsletters every year, listen to hundreds of educational and motivational CDs as I travel, and attend at least 10 days of training every year. It has worked wonders in my life.
So I urge you to take advantage of every training opportunity you get. And when you're about to attend a training program, make sure you get the most out of it by doing some of the following:
Once you've got the Law of Continual Education working for you, you need to follow ...
2. The Law of Intentional
Application
In other words, it's not good enough to keep on learning. You have to have
every intention of applying what you learned. After all, there's nothing more
pathetic than a knowledgeable, educated person, sitting on his butt, refusing to
use the knowledge he has gained.
If you're going to take that approach, you might as well skip the learning. As spiritual business consultant Swami Sukhabodhananda puts it, "To know is the first step towards transformation. To know and not act on what we know is equal to not knowing."
You need to get excited about the things you learn. After all, "Knowledge is power, but enthusiasm pulls the switch." according to Ivern Ball. And when you get excited about the things you learn, when you plan on using your learnings, you close what author H. Jackson Brown, Jr. calls "the biggest gap in the world." As Jackson says, "The biggest gap in the world is between 'I should' and 'I did.'"
When you're pursuing the Law of Continual Education, when you have the Law of Intentional Application working for you, then you need to use ...
3. The Law of Action
You've heard people say that "knowledge is power." But I beg to differ.
Knowledge isn't power, but the application of knowledge is.
Goethe talked about that hundreds of years ago. He said, "Knowledge is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." And the Law of Action says you HAVE TO DO SOMETHING with what you learned.
Consultant Chris Clarke Epstein affirms that when she says, "Expertise is not about what you know but what you do with what you know." She's right. So I recommend three ways you can apply the Law of Action to your life...
As I continue to speak around the world, as I lecture on the laws of success, I keep on telling people, "Do not confuse activity with accomplishment." Follow the Law of Continual Education, adopt the Law of Intentional Application, and use the Law of Action, and you'll be okay.
Action:
What are 3 things you have learned in the past month? And what are your plans
for doing something with those learnings?
Best-selling author and Hall of Fame professional speaker, Dr. Alan Zimmerman has transformed more than a million people into better managers and leaders in the office and in the marketplace. For even more tips on how to build relationships with employees and customers that last a lifetime go to DrZimmerman.com and get his free e-book that's filled with his most popular articles.
******************
Posted: 10 Nov 2009 02:08 PM PST
Photo by
Nathiya Prathnadi (see her
camera tote and
simple jewelry)
By Scott Young
Want to read faster?
In this article, I’m going to share the lessons I learned that doubled my reading rate, allowed me to consume over 70 books in a year and made me a smarter reader. I’m also going to destroy some speed-reading myths, to show you it isn’t magic but a skill anyone can learn.
My first introduction to the concept of speed reading was from a book, Breakthrough Rapid Reading. I’ve since moved away from a few of the concepts taught in the book, but the core ideas were transformative. In only a few weeks, my average reading speed went from roughly 450 words per minute, to over 900.
More than just words per minute, speed reading helped instill a new passion for reading. Because I gained more control over my reading abilities, my desire to read went up. That new motivation made me a voracious reader, in one two year period, I had read over 150 books.
Here are a few of the lessons I’ve learned from several years of speed reading:
Your eyes don’t actually stay fixed in one spot. They are frequently making brief twitches away from your center of focus to gather more information. These movements are called saccades and they represent the first tool novice readers can use to read faster.
Normally, when your eye twitches away, it must relocate in its previous position. Unfortunately, when you read, this position is constantly moving. Saccades (and just general distractions) cause you to slow down as you must search for your current reading position. The solution is to use a pointer.
The easiest pointer is just the tip of your finger. Simply place your index finger below a line of text and move it as you read. Initially, using a pointer will be slower than regular reading. But after you’re used to the motion, you can read more effectively.
Note for Advanced Speed-Readers: You can further increase your speed-reading rates by keeping your pointer 1-2cm away from the margins of the text. Your eye can catch the words in about a 1″ radius, so this can shave off a bit of reading time.
I dislike the way speed reading is often presented because it makes the skill seem to be only about increasing your top speed. As a result, many people are quick to judge that people can’t physically process more information or point out that comprehension goes down while speed reading.
To me, these arguments miss the point. Speed reading is about controlling your reading rate, not just going faster. If you’re in a racecar, top speed is important, but even more important is the driver’s skill at adjusting speeds to make careful turns. The ability to control your speed will make you a much more efficient reader than just blazing through text.
A pointer helps with control because instead of just using your eyes, you can physically move your hand to adjust your reading speed. If you move your hand faster, you will be forced to read faster. Also, if you slow your pointer down, your reading will slow. This kind of control allows you to carefully read confusing or important sections of text and go faster through obvious text or pieces of fluff.
For example, in a book I’m reading right now, the author frequently resorts to the same 3-4 paragraphs of description to explain a recurring idea. The paragraphs aren’t identical, but similar enough that I can use my pointer to skim through the content and still get the message.
When most people first learned to read, they spoke the words aloud. “Jill goes up the hill,” each word being pronounced earnestly by the young student. Eventually, you graduate from speaking aloud because it slows your reading speed. However, most people still vocalize the words inside their head, “Jill goes up the hill,” silently repeated in our minds.
Subvocalization isn’t always a bad thing. It helps us understand and follow a narrative. Just realize it isn’t strictly necessary for comprehension. Jsut as msot poelpe cna urndesnatd tihs secntene, most people don’t need to grasp every single word to get the meaning of a sentence.
Being able to read without subvocalizing is like adding an extra gear to your engine. It can open up the top speed of your reading rate, which is particularly useful for easy to understand or text with a lot of fluff. It isn’t the same as skimming, you’re still moving your pointer across every word. It’s a method speed readers can use that most normal readers don’t.
Practice moving your pointer faster than you can read words inside your head. This will break you of the habit of automatically subvocalizing.
Most people read passively, that is, reading a book hoping the information will strike them across the forehead and declare, “Learn Me!” This is a fine practice when you’re just reading for sheer entertainment, but what if your reading serves a specific purpose?
Speed reading requires active reading. That means, instead of just assuming the information will jump out at you, you become an inquisitive, seeking animal. Before you start reading, prime your mind by asking what you’re hoping to get out of your reading session. Even if you aren’t 100% sure of what you’ll learn, this priming exercise allows your brain to notice relevant details more quickly.
Active reading also means stopping to think about what your reading, as you read it. Stopping to think may not sound like much of a speed reading tactic. It’s not, but it is a smart-reading tactic that everyone should employ. If you find something interesting, pause either to reflect or even note the information in your book.
Would you rather read something today and forget it tomorrow, or read it deeply and make it a part of you?
As I mentioned in key #2, speed reading is about control, not just speed. Many people I’ve talked to after introducing them to speed reading brag about how quickly they dashed through a book. But, these same people later confess that they remember little about what they read.
Just as it is sometimes useful to speed up to move quickly through writing with a low information density, you often need to slow down to catch the important or confusing bits. Let’s view reading as if you are driving a car: If you’re on a straight, well-maintained divided highway, feel free to speed up. But if you’re doing hairpin turns on a dirt road in the mountains, slow down.
More than anything else, speed reading should give you an awareness of your speed. Most people read information with only 2 speeds: skimming and reading. Speed reading is about opening up all the intermediate layers. Now you should be able to skim, read without subvocalizing, read rapidly, read, read slowly and even crawl when faced with confusing or difficult ideas.
I know, it sounds impossible. How can you possibly make statistics/accounting/Jane Eyre interesting?
But you can make material more interesting if you put some effort in before you pick up the book. No, you can’t make boring topics come alive as if they were the latest thriller fiction. But you can make them interesting enough that you can stay focused while reading.
I know it sounds like something out of a Tony Robbins‘ seminar, but attitude matters. When you’re approaching a book, imagine if you changed your perspective from, “Oh no, here’s some junk I have to read,” to “What could I gain from reading this, if I was really creative about it.” It’s not about confessing a secret love of accounting, it’s about keeping an open mind as to what accounting could teach you.
If you find the material more interesting, you’ll be able to read with complete focus. Complete focus can cut the amount of reading time in a third, without any loss in comprehension. That should be incentive enough to tweak your attitude.
Although less glamorous than subvocalization or pointer-enabled reading techniques, the best speed reading technique is this: read more to read faster. When you regularly read a book per week, your reading rate will improve.
First, if you aren’t reading in your first language, language proficiency will be your biggest obstacle to high reading rates. I’m an intermediate with French, and my French reading is a crawl compared to my English reading. That’s because every paragraph contains a new word or unfamiliar grammatical construction.
Once again, the way to overcome low proficiency is through practice. Even if you are reading in your first language, some authors will throw big words down you may not understand. My suggestion is that if you encounter such words frequently, look them up. I used Google’s define feature (example, “define simple“) religiously when reading through all of David Foster Wallace’s verbose tome, Infinite Jest.
Second, if you read more frequently, you get a better sense of what speed to go for the type of content and your purposes. NASCAR racers weren’t made that way. They became great at adjusting speeds through practice. Similarly, if you aren’t sure how fast to read a textbook or a novel, those intuitions can be strengthened with practice.
I also suggest for new speed readers to practice reading rather than just read. Practice reading involves taking a fresh book and using the techniques of a pointer and eliminating subvocalization to scroll faster than you can comprehend. This can help train your upper speed-limit reading speeds.
Want to know your current reading speed? Pick up any book and do the following:
Try the above steps with your regular reading pace, and after practicing several tips from above, try the measuring steps again to see how much you’ve improved. Let us know how you did!
* Got speed reading tips of your own? How did you do after trying some of these tips? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section. See you there!
If you enjoyed the article, please join TSN on facebook (add Tina here) or follow us on Twitter. And we’d love it if you can share this article on twitter, thumb it on StumbleUpon or bookmark it on del.icio.us. Thank you for your support. :)
Tips for Making
Your Crazy Schedule More Manageable
We all know we are super-busy nowadays. So how can we make our crazy schedules
more manageable? Here are ten tips:
1. Double up
* Cooking a pasta dish or casserole for supper this evening? If you are already
cooking the first dish, why not make more for a second meal and freeze it for
later?
* Batch cooking items, such as ground beef, can be cooked/fried in advance,
wrapped, and frozen for later meals.
2. Decide and stick to limits
* Given the fact that the number of hours in a day is unable to be changed, what
are you capable of doing? Be honest with yourself. If you can't currently
complete everything on your To Do list, there's probably too much on the list.
* Sometimes you are assigned or given a task you are unable to do or that you
are uncomfortable doing. If this is the case, pass or delegate this task to
someone else.
3. Be realistic about your schedule
* Take time in the morning or evening and create a realistic schedule. Review it
daily.
* Be sure to pad time in between tasks.
* Prioritize items on your to-do list, and block out time for these activities.
* Use a scheduling method that makes you comfortable, whether it's a paper
calendar, PDA or a large calendar on the fridge.
4. Find time for yourself
* In order to be at your best and help others in your life, you must be able to
take care of yourself.
* It's truly a personal choice how you decide to relax. It may include a bubble
bath, exercising, a manicure or pedicure, a massage, a good book or magazine, a
computer game, a walk outside, maybe taking a class or learning something new.
* Find out what helps you relax and make sure you schedule time for it in your
schedule daily.
5. Give yourself permission to use the word 'No'
* You cannot do it all, all the time. You can delegate and give tasks to others.
* If you don't respect your time, others won't either.
6. Prioritize
* Make a to-do list and rank the items by priority A. Urgent, B. Important but
not urgent, C. Not urgent or important. It might help to label tasks such as A1,
A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 and so forth. It might also help to color code the A, B, and
C tasks to help distinguish them.
* Make sure to include items from each category to help ensure balance within
your list.
7. Delegate
* There are often tasks on our lists both at home and at work that can be
delegated to others. Many of us find it difficult to ask for help but it is an
important skill to learn.
* If you are new to the idea of delegating tasks to others start with simple and
easy tasks that you know others will be able to accomplish.
* Provide clear and concise instructions.
* Play into others strengths and skills. For example, asking a person who is
really good with their hands and likes to do home repairs may be able to take
items such as replacing a door or window off of your list.
* You can also delegate tasks to professionals who can be hired to do some items
on your to-do list.
* Don't forget you can also delegate to electronics, such as a voice mail
service for answering your calls.
8. Multi-tasking
* Multi-tasking is appropriate in situations that involve simple tasks that you
are familiar with.
* Do not multi-task if: 1. the task is new 2. the task is difficult/complicated
or 3. the task requires a lot of attention.
* Examples of good multi-tasking opportunities are:
--exercising and catching up with a spouse
--loading the washer while waiting for a pot of water to boil
--doing some light reading or letter writing while waiting at the doctor's
office
9. Tricks and tips for cutting down the time involved in chores and errands
* Is there a teenager in your neighborhood who is willing to help out with
chores or errands in exchange for some spending money?
* A neighbor in which you can trade babysitting duties or car pooling for
various child activities?
* Instead of spending time at the grocery store, some companies will let you
order the food and deliver it to your house for you.
* Group your errands together (make a map that keeps driving to a minimum).
* Designate a set errand day.
* Delegate errands and chores to other family members.
10. Recognize that nobody's perfect
* No one is perfect, we might all try to be, but the reality is we are not
perfect.
* If you realize this and accept it, then others will too.
* Remember the old advice, Do your best.
Managing a schedule can seem like a full time job all by itself, don't let your
schedule rule your life. You can do it and make it more manageable.
http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/tips-and-tools/top-learning-strategies
Let's face it—sometimes real life is just too much. We've all been there, staring at the face of our boss or professor, knowing words are coming from his mouth, but hearing nothing, absorbing nothing, learning nothing. Well, we'd like to help you out with that. We've compiled the best 111 tricks to keep you on top of your intellectual game. With these tips, you'll remember more, come up with better ideas, and be able to communicate your thoughts better.
Improve Memory
1. Use mnemonic devices
These learning tricks, like acronyms and rhymes, make remembering lists and details easier.
2. Eat Ginkgo Biloba
This natural supplement enhances memory and concentration and can be found in traditional Chinese cuisine.
3. Do brain exercises
Brain exercises stimulate the pre-frontal cortex and improve memory.
4. Avoid excessive drinking
Too much alcohol impairs memory and problem-solving ability.
5. Seek treatment for depression
Depressed individuals have high levels of cortisone, which can diminish function in multiple portions of the brain.
6. Avoid caffeine
Caffeine affects blood flow to the brain and can impede memory function.
7. Reduce Stress
Stress taxes your body's systems and affects overall brain functioning.
8. Reduce Cholesterol
Elevated cholesterol levels can increase the chances of developing dementia. Try eating more garlic and less red meat.
9. Eat brain foods
Nutrient-rich foods help with brain development and maintenance. Try eating more salmon, blueberries, and vegetables for starters.
10. Increase your vocabulary
Learning new words not only exercises your memory, but it will also help you form and communicate your ideas better.
11. Write, don't type
Writing requires more time and concentration than typing does, which improves your chances of remembering the content.
Increase Your Concentration
12. Get rid of distractions
This minimizes the time you spent on unimportant things and also forces you to focus on the task at hand.
13. Focus on one thing at a time
Focusing on a single task makes it easier to master one thing and also stops you from being overwhelmed.
14. Identify the essentials
When you can identify the most important aspects of a problem, it's often easier to tackle it effectively.
15. Cut down on TV
TV can waste time and fill your head with unimportant information.
16. Slow down
Taking your time can help you see you things properly.
17. Solve puzzles and riddles
Puzzles improve your problem solving skills and also exercise your concentration.
18. Keep a journal
Keeping a journal helps you figure out what's important and what deserves your attention.
19. Take breaks
Breaks rejuvenate you and get you ready for the task at hand.
20. Vary your activities
Switching gears will keep you from getting bored.
Clear Your Mind
21. Go for a walk
Walking gets your blood flowing, relaxes you, and rejuvenates you.
22. Meditate
Meditation helps you to relax and let go of distractions and stress.
23. Use visualization techniques
When you visualize yourself achieving goals, it makes it easier to reach them.
24. Listen to soothing music
Music can improve your mood and help you feel calm.
25. Take a nap
You can't be at the top of your game if you're exhausted. Taking a nap can re-charge and energize your mind and body.
26. Do yoga
Yoga releases tension and promotes feelings of well-being.
27. Find a quiet place
A quiet place of your own provides comfort and security to help you learn.
28. Focus your breathing
Focused breathing slows your heart rate and calms you down.
29. Go outside
A natural setting can be a good change of pace and can help change your mindset.
30. Talk it out
Venting can help you sort out your thoughts and can also make you feel better.
Improve Your Health
31. Drink more water
Hydration keeps your heart healthy, gives you energy, and prevents and cures headaches, among other things.
32. Eat breakfast
Eating breakfast helps to moderate your blood sugar and keeps your brain fueled.
33. Check your medications
Keep track of your medications and pay special attention to side effects that may impair your ability to learn.
34. See your doctor
There's no better way to make sure your body and brain are functioning properly than to have regular check-ups with your doctor.
35. Avoid excessive sugar
High blood glucose levels negatively affects your memory center and impairs overall brain functioning.
36. Take vitamins
Vitamins help you fight illness and improve your overall health.
37. Eat a balanced diet
A good diet helps you keep your blood sugar levels, immune system, and energy in check.
38. Eat regularly
Regular meals help your metabolism and keep your blood sugar levels low.
39. Pay attention to your body
If you're feeling tired or sick, you won't be a good learner. Paying attention to your body helps you sense problems so you can solve them before they get worse.
40. Get a flu shot
The flu keeps millions of people out of work and school every year.
Increase Your Motivation
41. Remind yourself why you want to do something
Your reasons for learning will help motivate you and remind you of why you should keep at it.
42. Reward yourself
When you look forward to a reward, you'll work harder and remember more.
43. Challenge yourself
When tasks are challenging, you're less likely to get bored and more likely to stay focused on the task at hand.
44. Divide tasks into smaller parts
A large job will seem less daunting when divided into smaller, more manageable parts.
45. Praise yourself
Praise is an excellent motivator, so if you're not getting enough from your co-workers or boss, give it to yourself.
46. Plan your tasks
By planning ahead, you'll be better able to monitor your progress and see your accomplishments.
47. Set goals
Sets of goals work like checklists; once you get a couple done, you'll want to just move ahead and cross them all off the list.
48. Stop procrastinating
You can't learn something if you don't ever get it a chance; stop wasting time and just get to it.
49. Set a deadline
A firm deadline will keep you on track and make sure you get done what needs to get done.
50. Learn about your tasks
When you know exactly what's expected, you're more likely to be comfortable taking them head-on.
Boost Your Energry
51. Sleep more
This one's simple: your body needs rest to feel eneergized each day.
52. Do diaphragmatic breathing
Deep breathing helps to circulate oxygen-rich red cells throughout your body, which gives you energy.
53. Exercise regularly
Exercise increases production of endorphones.
54. Keep a schedule
A regular schedule helps your body regulate its cycle and keep your energy levels high throughout the day.
55. Get more sunlight
Exposure to sunlight triggers production of seratonin.
56. Take herbal supplements
Bee pollen, gutu kola, and maitake can help boost energy.
57. Try acupuncture
Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, which has been shown to increase energy.
58. Get a massage
Chakra energy massages use foot reflexology to tap into chakras, enegy centers, that are located in the feet.
59. Take a hot shower
A hot shower is invigorating and refreshing.
60. Laugh
Laughter makes you feel more positive and gives you a boost.
Use Visual Aids
61. Make charts
Visual representations of ideas can help you understand and remember.
62. Make outlines
Organizing information can make it easier to learn.
63. Make sketches
By sketching the finished product, you'll have a better idea of what you're working toward.
64. Spread out
Arrange your notes and materials around you on the floor or table. Being able to see everything at once may help you come up with new ideas.
65. Use symbols
Use symbols to represent words or formulas. This stimulates different parts of your brain and improves memory.
66. Make checklists
Creating checklists helps you organize your thoughts, arrange your priorities, and keep you pushing through your work.
67. Use flashcards
Flipping flash cards can helpy you memorize key terms and ideas.
68. Use flowcharts
Flowcharts can help you put your ideas in a logical sequence.
69. Use post-its
By putting your ideas out where you can see them, you'll be more likely to remember them.
Use Verbal Techniques
70. Talk out loud
For some, hearing information makes it easier to remember.
71. Brainstorm
Talking it out with your colleagues can help you come up with new ideas and also cement old ones in your mind.
72. Teach someone else
By teaching another person, you will gain a better understanding of the subject.
73. Rhyme
Making rhymes can help you remember key terms.
74. Use word association
By associating new words with familiar words, you will find it much easier to remember the new ones.
75. Use repetition
Sometimes repeating an idea can help you memorize it more quickly.
76. Sing it
People have a natural affinity for songs, so if you can insert your ideas into a tune you know, you'll be more likely to remember it.
77. Ask questions
Asking the right questions can help you learn extra, unexpected facts.
Use Auditory Techniques
78. Listen to music
Music is shown to increase recall; playing a song you were listening to when you learned something brings back that memory.
79. Record yourself and listen to it
Hearing your own voice say things makes it easier to remember them.
80. Learn a second language
Learning a second language helps you to better understand the mechanics of speech in general.
81. Tell stories
Putting the facts in a fictional story can help you associate and remember them.
82. Listen to podcasts
With podcasts, you can learn on-the-go and learn anywhere; being constantly exposed to information can help it sink in.
83. Close your eyes
Repeating facts without looking at them can help you remember them.
84. Record and replay lectures
When replaying information, you may hear facts that you missed the first time.
85. Sound it out
Divide phrases into words and words into syllables to help you remember the whole thing.
Personality
86. Be positive
Positive thoughts and feelings make learning more fun, which increases your motivation.
87. Be persistent
Persistance allows you to achieve your goals.
88. Be curious
Curiosity helps you continue learning and lets you look at things with new eyes and a fresh perspective.
89. Be a copy cat
Emulating the habits of successful people is one of the best ways to learn.
90. Be critical
Being critical of your work allows you to make improvements.
91. Be flexible
Being willing to change at the drop of a dime makes you better prepared to learn new concepts.
92. Be patient
Don't give up! If you keep trying, you'll get it eventually.
Improve Your Environment
93. Create a study area
A designated place to study will help you to focus.
94. Clean your desk
A clean desk allows to maximize your space.
95. Re-organize
Getting rid of unneccessary stuff gives you a clear desk and a clear mind and puts the right things at your fingertips.
96. Get the right tools
You'll be able to work quickly, and without distraction, when you have all the right tools within reach.
97. Get comfortable
When you're physically comfortable, you can focus on learning.
98. Improve your lighting
Proper lighting will reduce eye strain and allow you to work longer without getting tired.
99. Decrease noise
A quiet environment will minimize distractions and help you concentrate.
100. Get inspired
Make your work space attractive, colorful, or whatever inspires you--this will help keep you excited about your work.
101. Use aromatherapy
Certain scents like citrus are uplifting and energizing, while other scents like lavender are relaxing--use them to your advantage.
Miscellaneous
102. Practice
Practice makes perfect--it's as simple as that.
103. Always carry a notebook
Good ideas come at random times and having a notebook means you'll never forget them. It will also help organize your thoughts and help you remember things by writing them down.
104. Read a lot
Reading stimulates all sorts of regions of the brain and helps you become a better learner.
105. Problem-solve whenever you can
When you run into roadblocks, problem solving techniques can help you work through.
106. Role play
By working through real-life situations, you'll be able to more fully understand your ideas.
107. Collaborate
Working in groups allows you to share ideas and get ideas from others.
108. Try to enjoy learning
It's much easier to devote your time to something you enjoy. so get your head in the game!
109. Review
Regularly review what you've already done, so you don't forget later.
110. Find examples
Find examples of your finished product, and you'll get a better idea of what you need to accomplish.
111. Take notes
Take notes, so you can remember questions and ideas later.
Sincerely,
Nathan Grimm
Program Manager – Reach Network
(425) 605-8898
123 Lake Street S Ste B-1
Kirkland, WA 98033
Amazing Space
This site is simply, well, amazing. There are tons of cool things to do
while exploring their Online Explorations:
Planet Impact — Discover the force of gravity and pelt Jupiter with a comet.
Mission Mastermind — NASA needs your help planning Hubble Servicing Mission.
Galaxy Hunter — A cosmic photo shoot.
Comets — Whip up a batch of comets.
Comets, Myths and Facts — Explore comet facts and myths.
The Truth About Black Holes — Learn all about black holes.
And that is just a handful of the things you can do on this site. You can also
get homework help, and Capture the Cosmos.
My favorite things were: Capture the Cosmos, a totally cool online adventure
where you can learn all about the things that make up the cosmos. The Black Hole
section was great. I learned so much about what they are and how they form.
This site is Out of This World!
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/
~Amanda
Newseum
Newseum is the Interactive
Museum of News. There is a lot to check out here. You can read the headlines
from over 200 newspapers for this morning in "Today's Frontpages". This site is
a gem that you're going to want to add to your favorites.
If you scroll along the pictures at the top you'll notice that they are both
clickable and that they roll over. These allow you to see things that are
currently featured. Things you should check out: a very nifty section on Women
Photographers of National Gepographic, not to mention the Pulitzer Prize
Photographs that were simply stunning, or the sections on Iraq, the Holocaust,
and the exhibit on the
Berlin wall.
You can also check out "Cyber Newseum", which is also full of nifty topics like:
The War in Iraq
- "See how the world reacted to the
U.S.
missile strikes that launched the war in
Iraq
in this online exhibit featuring more than 200 national and international
newspaper front pages from March 20, 2003."
President Kennedy - "Learn how journalists covered the assassination of
President John F. Kennedy in a new book from the Newseum."
NewsMania - "Play NewsMania, the Newseum's news trivia game that's as fresh as
today's headlines, with your host, Rita Laboudit. The game is different each
time you play. Show what you know and you may win a press pass!"
Running Toward Danger - "What was it like for the journalists who covered the
September 11 terrorist attacks?"
Those are just my favorites, this section is large by itself let alone including
the rest of this Museum.
I think you'll really enjoy how seamlessly this site is brought together with
different type of media, they even have different connection speed choices for
those of us still on dial-up. Which is just fabulous for a media site.
Read all about it!
http://www.newseum.org/
~Amanda
Kid’s
Audio Books
When I was growing up audio books were a real treat to me. I can remember
checking them out of our local library, and being sad when I’d gone through all
the ones available at our branch. With the arrival of MP3’s on the scene, audio
books became even easier to obtain and listen too. Here at Kid’s Audio Books
you’ll find over 300 titles to download and enjoy with the whole family!
To get started you can either click the MP3 Downloads button, or click the
Complete Listing link on the main page. I like the MP3 Download link better
myself, it takes you to the A-Z index. The letters are shaped with blocks and
it’s just so fun looking! It would be more fun for a child to explore, at least
in my opinion. The Complete Listing link takes you to exactly that - a listing
of all the titles in alphabetical order!
Once you’ve found the title you’d like to download, click its link and if it is
a series you’ll then be able to choose which book you want to download. If it is
a single title, you’ll be taken to its page where you can click the download
link. Each story has a time next to it letting you know how long the reading is.
This site is going to be super fun to explore with your kids, or grandkids at
that! Because not only does this site offer audio books but you can also check
out the Coloring Books and Reading Books.
http://www.kidsaudiobooks.co.uk/
~Amanda
Audiolicious! rate or add to this Cool Site here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/kids-audio-books
How to Learn Without Memorizing
Posted: 07 Oct 2009 06:29 PM PDT
Photo by
Edwin Stemp
By Scott Young
Rote memorization is an inefficient way to learn. Just retaining a single formula can mean pounding the same information into your skull dozens of times. If your computer hard drive had this accuracy, you’d probably throw it out.
Unfortunately, you’re stuck with your brain. The good news is that you don’t need to learn by memorization. The vast majority of information is better stored in your head using a completely different system - learning through connecting ideas together.
A few years ago, I noticed that smart people seemed to learn differently than most other people. While most people would review the same information dozens of times, smart people only needed to review once or twice. While most people would apply ideas to problems in the ways that they had been taught, smart people used the ideas in many different contexts.
While there are undoubtedly some genetic advantages that allow some people to learn effortlessly, I think part of this difference in success comes down to strategy. While most people were trying to memorize, smart people were coming up with creative connections between ideas. These connections made the ideas easier to remember, so less memorizing was required. Additionally, the new connections made the ideas easier to understand, so learning itself was faster.
A computer stores information as thousands of electrical 1s and 0s in a linear fashion. Your brain doesn’t. Your brain is made up of billions of neurons connected together. Many people try to learn as if there brain were a computer: by memorizing the information in a sequence.
However, your brain isn’t a sequence of bits and bytes, so this approach doesn’t make sense. It makes more sense to learn the same way your brain is designed, by connecting ideas together into a web, rather than trying to store them with rote memorization.
What I’d like to advocate in this article is a more creative, spontaneous form of learning than the style you were probably coached for in school. Instead of repeatedly scanning the same information for minimal benefit, invest your time learning in creating connections with the information you are learning. Not only is it a more natural way to learn, it isn’t painfully boring like most memorization tasks are.
There are lots of ways you can learn creatively:
1. Through Metaphor
Connect ideas together by relating them to something you already understand. Relate complex physical equations to their real life counterparts. Imagine a derivative as the speedometer on a car. See a binomial equation as a game of Plink-O.
You can do the same thing with less technical subjects. When I read the book The Prince, I related Niccolo Machiavelli’s thoughts on politics to my own social life. If you relate an abstract example to something more commonplace it is easier to understand. You are effectively creating a bridge between what you understand intuitively and the things you struggle with.
2. Through Diagram
Create diagrams showing the relationships between ideas. This is a manual way you can create connections. The importance is that you explore as many different ways to connect ideas as possible, not just repeating the same diagrams. If you have varied connections, then if you happen to forget one, you’ll remember the ideas through another.
Diagram ideas based on time and place, author or other similarities they have. If you’re learning a comprehensive subject, like chemistry or physics, why not diagram out how all the ideas relate. Many equations are counterparts or derivations of each other, so you can learn complicated formulas more easily by connecting them to simpler forms.
3. Through “Like, But…”
Another way to link ideas is to relate one piece of information to another, noting their difference. “It’s like this, but it has that instead.” Using this method of understanding can link ideas together, even if you don’t have a perfect metaphor or relationship to diagram.
Examples:
The relationships don’t need to be perfect. You aren’t trying to build a perfectly accurate map of the surrounding, just a sketch. Creative connections, even if they are only 80-90% accurate are more memorable than dry connections that have 100% accuracy. If you understood the subject when you were learning it, then the specific accuracy of a metaphor won’t be as important as the connection itself.
4. Through Visualization
Another way to make ideas more concrete is simply to imagine them in a visual format. When I was learning computer programming, I often tried to connect the abstract concepts of variables, functions or polymorphism into more vivid, visual descriptions. If a variable becomes a jar or a function becomes a crazy pencil sharpener, you’re more likely to remember the relationship later.
If you are a non-visual learner, you can apply the same strategy to your other senses. It may be more meaningful for you if you mentally attach sounds or sensations to the ideas you’re trying to store.
5. Can You Explain it To a Five-Year Old?
Another trick to connect ideas together is to connect a very difficult idea, to something you understand easily. If you had to teach whatever subject you’re learning right now to a five-year old, what would you do?
This exercise forces you to simplify. Instead of dealing in abstracts you now have to deal in concretes. I’m not suggesting you can teach senior level chemistry courses to a first-grader. However, if you get in the habit of simplifying things for yourself, it will be easier for you to understand it yourself. Teaching something is often the best way to learn it.
I once heard a story about a prominent university professor who was writing a paper in his field. Instead of using the normal academic speak, he decided to simplify the findings and terms of the article as much as possible. His goal was that, by doing this, the article might be accessible to journalists who don’t have academic training.
To his surprise, however, his article became one of the most cited works within his field, from other academics. It appears that the extra simplification of concepts was helpful not only to journalists, but other researchers with doctorates in his field. The lesson: we often underestimate the simplification required.
When you juggle ideas only at an abstract level, you make fewer connections. It’s like trying to weave a basket using two ten-foot pole rods, while the basket is suspended off your roof. Make connections and bring the basket down to earth so you can grab it with your hands and make more tangible connections.
6. Childhood Creativity Meets University Courses
I’m suggesting you bring back the same crayon-box imagination you had when you were five. Back then, nobody told you it was incorrect to link weird and bizarre combinations of ideas together, you did in naturally. However, at some point the system encouraged you to conform, so you started asking what the correct answer was, rather than the most interesting answer.
Don’t give up your critical thinking, just enhance it by allowing yourself to explore ideas more thoroughly before you decide what they look like. What would happen if you inserted a minus sign in the middle of your physics equation? If you had to explain the formula in terms of real world objects, how would you do it?
These aren’t time-wasting exercises, they are keys to better understanding. The smartest people I’ve encountered are often the people with the easiest time generating creative descriptions of whatever they need to learn. If you didn’t have to review every idea 5-10 times before learning it, then a creative approach would probably save you time, rather than waste it.
7. With a Group
Most memorization is a solo pursuit. But connecting ideas doesn’t have to be. If you get several people together and work to try to explain a subject to each other, you get the benefit of several brains forming connections to the same topic. This is applying the wisdom of brainstorming to help you learn faster.
As with brainstorming, accuracy isn’t as important as volume. You aren’t trying to remember every specific connection you make, so it doesn’t matter if they aren’t perfect. You are, however, trying to better understand and remember the subject itself, so group exercises where you share ideas are great for this purpose.
Whenever I try to learn anything on my own, I strive to maintain a 70% rule. This means I try to achieve 70% understanding and memory of a set of ideas before moving forward. Even though I’m missing 30% of the information, I can cover ground more quickly. Besides, I can always come back to reacquaint myself with something that was missed in the first pass.
The reason this approach works is that it takes as much effort to learn the last 20% of information as it does to learn the first 80%. By moving forward, you can ensure you’re focusing your learning efforts on what really matters, and not the minute details of a subject.
This approach isn’t practiced in school because, for most purposes 70% is a C+ or a B. In some programs, 70% memory could qualify as an F. So following this rule to the letter probably wouldn’t result in an exceptional GPA.
However, you can modify this rule when creating connections between ideas. Understand something to 70% proficiency, then dive deeper and understand the ideas around it. Here are some examples:
If you use this approach to study, you can start building those connections earlier. Instead of waiting until you have something memorized before you start connecting ideas, you start exploring immediately. This reduces the burden of memorization and helps you learn faster.
Like all rules, the practice of connecting ideas has places where it doesn’t work terribly well in. When you need to remember bulk information, with no particular meaning, sometimes rote memorization is the best way to go. Human brains are meaning-makers, and learning through connections is an approach built off that function. So when you have to understand copious amounts of information that have no logical relationship, you may struggle to form connections.
I hesitate to say this, however, because 95% of information isn’t meaningless, otherwise you wouldn’t bother learning it. There is a pattern, and if you invest some time in finding it, you greatly increase the chances it will stick to the inside of your skull.
* Got any tips for retaining information that’s worked well for you? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below. See you there!
Editor’s Note: Speaking of slipping the rules, while Jeremy was editing this article, he stopped at one point, to colorfully curse out the upstairs neighbor for making loud bizarre noises. Then we both looked at each other and laughed at the irony. Another lesson learned.
If you enjoyed the article, please join TSN on facebook (add Tina here) or follow us on Twitter. And we’d love it if you can share this article on twitter, thumb it on StumbleUpon or bookmark it on del.icio.us. Thank you for your support. :)
50
Clever Tutorials and Techniques for Traditional Drawing
Okay, I’ve always wanted to draw. But I have to admit my talent runs
into the stick figure variety. Yet, I’m still drawn to learning how to draw and
while these tutorials show a lot of how to draw one thing. I think if you’re
clever you can apply the techniques you learn drawing those things into the rest
of your work.
I particularly like the Gordon Ramsey tutorial – because it fills you on how to
pick a high quality photo to work from for best results. Better yet what you
need to look for to pick a photo that will really benefit you to work from.
I also really love all the hand and feet tutorials because having talked to a
lot of artists around school they can be one of the most difficult parts of a
drawing.
No matter what your level of drawing is you can find something to try your hand
at. I think this is a great collection of tutorials that you can walk away with
some interesting information from.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/09/08/50-clever-tutorials-and-techniques-on-traditional-drawing/
~Amanda
Everyone can use this Cool Site! Rate or add to it here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/50-clever-techniques-for-traditional-drawing
5 Ways Parents Can Help Reduce Student Debt
Posted: 07 Sep 2009 02:42 PM PDT
(This is a guest article by
Gary Foss*)
Often when a child leaves to enter further education, they will not have had to
budget or manage their own money before. This can be quite a shock to the system
and some young adults will deal with this more responsibly then others.
Unfortunately, some will leave with considerably more debt than others. In many
cases, this will be because the temptations of having money are all too much.
Many parents may not be able to help their children by providing money and
helping to pay for their education and, for this reason, there is a lot that
parents can do to help build their child’s financial independence before they
leave.
1) Teach Them to Become Financially Independent
One of the best things that you can do is to encourage your child to save their
money from an early age and to see and enjoy the benefits of saving. Often this
will also result in the child feeling less inclined to spend their money in one
go or on items that they do not really need.
It can be a good idea to encourage your child to have a small job when they are
old enough, as again, this teaches them responsibility for their own money. It
will also further reinforce the idea of saving and hopefully they will take
pride in being able to manage their finances independently.
2) Point them in the right direction to fund their education
There are a number of ways to find money for education these days. Help your son
or daughter identify these avenues:
a) Student Loans – Government student loans are the standard way to
acquire money for your education. If you or your child have enough to pay for
their schooling then you might not even need to go this route.
b) Scholorships & Bursaries – Most colleges and universities in North
America offer a vast array of scholorships and
bursaries that you can apply for. There are a number of resources on the
internet and your school will be able to point you in the right direction for
these as well.
c) Family Assistance – Often a relative will be willing to put up a
portion of a student’s education to help them cover the costs. This is not
always possible but it certainly helps your child get a head start on the
financial planning that goes along with eduction.
d) Commerical debt – Tell your children to avoid this type of education
funding as it can be the most expensive and dangerous. If you are very diligent
you can take advantage of commercial debt for education but it is a risk that
may not be worth pursuing.
3) Help them stay on top of their finance
You may also find that suggesting they keep track of all their income and
expenses will teach them how to budget their money, which is an essential skill
for the future. Once your child has begun full-time education it is advisable to
sit with them and establish some form of budget.
This could be simply working out how much money they have per week and then
taking out only this amount from the cash machine to avoid overspending.
Something like this can really make a difference to how much debt they will have
when they eventually leave. You should also advise against obtaining store and
credit cards as these can provide too much temptation and cause them to
accumulate debt.
4) Encourage them to get a part-time job
Some students don’t have the time or the energy to pick up a part time job on
top of their studies but many can and should. If it’s possible, encourage your
children to get a part-time job or even a full-time job during the summer
vacation from school.
A job will give them a chance to earn a bit of money to go towards their
education but it will also give them a sense of how much things actually cost. A
student that never works doesn’t understand the costs of their education and the
things that come along with it (Ie. housing, food, clothing etc.)
5) Help them if they’re having trouble
Lastly, you should always encourage your child to talk to either yourself or
someone in a relevant department at their University or college if they do find
they are struggling with their finances. Often, students will struggle on and
get themselves into even more debt because they did not want to admit that they
could not cope.
You might also need to bail them out by lending them money to cover their
education debts – you obviously want your child to be able to stand on their own
two feet but sometimes they might need your help to save them from financial
disaster.
*About the author: This is a guest article by Gary Foss from
SIPPS.org.uk - personal pension and finance specialists.
*Image Credit: Photograph by
upsuportsmouth [via Flickr Creative Commons]
Is Online Education Right for You?
Online learning, also known as electronic learning, distance learning, and
online education, can be simply defined as technology assisted learning. The
definition of online learning also depends on the context in which it is used.
In most schools, online learning refers to a course or program where students
study online and rarely, if ever, meet with each other or have access to
physical campus facilities.
Online learning can easily begin as early as Kindergarten with sites like “Rich
Kid, Smart Kid” (www.richkidsmartkid.com)
that teach children financial intelligence and empowerment via games. While
online learning shares the same goal as traditional classroom learning, to
provide education, it differs in benefits, drawbacks, and methods.
Some major benefits and drawbacks of
online learning are:
1a: Affordable quality
education – While anyone can share or communicate education online, there are
many credible organizations or institutions that offer education. In most cases,
the instructors profile is provided along with the educational material to
assure learners that the lessons they are about to receive are being taught by
someone with the appropriate credentials. Also, the advancement of technology
enables instructors to share information with students at a minimum cost.
1b: Credibility is king
– However, since some instructors and classes do not transition well from
traditional classrooms, it is up to you, the student, to perform due diligence
in researching the teacher’s, and school’s, credentials to verify that you are
indeed receiving the highest quality of education for your minimum cost.
2a:
Environmentally-friendly – Since online learning takes place in a virtual
environment, it promotes the reduction of both paper usage and travel, thus
reducing overall carbon output.
2b: Self-isolation –
Keep in mind though, if you’re a social butterfly, that peer interaction is very
limited and you will not be able to have that complete “College Experience” of
fraternities, sororities, sports, etc.
3a: Convenience and
flexibility for students – Online learning is more convenient for students since
it allows self-paced education. The learning sessions are usually made available
24x7, enabling a working individual to learn at their convenience.
3b: Sometimes too
convenient – As long as you have all of the hardware, and software, requirements
for your classes they can be quite convenient – sometimes too convenient. Ever
heard of the “Sophomore Slump”? For those who require external motivation, a
higher level of instructor interaction, or do not like to rely on computers you
may want to seriously reconsider.
There are several methods used for online learning. Some of the more commonly
used methods are:
1: CD-ROM or DVD. Some
institutions or organizations provide instructional material via CD-ROM or DVD.
While most of the lessons may be free, a student may have to pay a minimum fee
to cover for shipping and handling.
2: Downloadable media.
Some instructional materials come in the form of downloadable media – eBooks,
audiobooks or even videos. This allows a student to choose their preference for
learning the subject matter. Individuals who prefer to focus on "listening" and
"watching" during lecture do not have to worry that they are missing important
concepts while scrambling to take copious notes. They can focus on understanding
the material and concepts as they are presented. Individuals with attention
difficulties, or those who get overwhelmed by organizational tasks, also benefit
since the grouping and preparation of materials provided indicate what items are
most important. Educational fees for this type of method often vary in form from
free downloads or nominal subscription fees to pay per download plans.
3: E-mail, blogs, wikis,
or discussion boards. This allows a learner to exchange ideas or information
without being dependent on other participant’s involvement. Each individual can
view other’s answers and learn through the exposure to different perspectives.
This benefits the learners because they can combine new opinions with their own,
and develop a solid foundation for learning. Exchanging of ideas or sharing of
information may be moderated -- ranging from no moderation up to read-only.
4: Conference calls,
online chat, or Web conferencing. The instructional material is socially
constructed and allows the learners to interact with each other -- providing an
innovative new way for students to write and talk to one another.
There are also several incentives for online learning. Many higher education and
for-profit institutions value degree or certification courses, like those
offered at www.W3Schools.com. This encourages individuals to complete the
course, giving them the necessary qualification to apply for a more advanced
position in their company, while still maintaining their normal work hours. Some
online learning sites offer cash or merchandise incentives for excelling in
online assessments. Other incentives come in the form of reduced or discounted
fees for early registrants or participants.
In summary, online learning can be defined as an approach to teaching and
learning that utilizes Internet technologies to collaborate in an educational
context. This includes technology that supplements, and often replaces,
traditional classroom training with Web based components and learning
environments where the educational process is experienced online.
~Cory Buford
All great information to know! Remember to rate or add to this tip here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/is-online-education-right-for-you
Lexisum
I love this site more than I love Wikipedia! What this site does is – allows you
to type in a keyword and then it searches Wikipedia and finds the best match and
summarizes it for you so that you don’t have to wade through the whole Wikipedia
article to get the gist of it.
For example why don’t you type in: Starling. This will bring up a summary for
the entry on the bird. Below the search field you will find options for how you
brows the information. My favorite viewing options were Antique and A4 Small.
Click through until you find the one that is the easiest for you to read.
Once you’ve searched for your keyword and gotten your summary, you can also
print out the information. To do so you need to select which display style you
want it to print out in, (it is set to default) and then click the Print this
Article link to send it to your printer.
This site is a great time saver that keeps you from having to mine through the
Wikipedia articles by giving you a great summery of the article instead. Check
it out today!
http://www.lexisum.com/
~Amanda
Wiki-wiki! Things just
got easier! Remember to rate or add to it here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/lexisum
What Language is This?
Have you ever run across a language online and wondered what it is? Well now you
can identify it!
Just highlight and copy the text you want to identify and paste it into the
empty text box. They recommend that you have at least 250 characters so that it
is easier for their application to identify the language. That is roughly six
lines worth of text in their text box. You can do it with less. I’ve identified
with only 92 characters.
Once you’ve pasted the text into the box, you need to click the Click to
Identify button. The name of the language will then appear below the button you
clicked.
Should it not correctly identify your text, you can leave the author a
suggestion in their Suggestion box by clicking the link at the top of the page.
Check it out today!
http://ruphus.com/identify/
~Amanda
Great Cool Site, Amanda! Let us know what you think by rating or adding to it
here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/whats-that-language
Field
Guide: Birds
Are you ready to take a stroll through the forest? Did you see an interesting
bird in your yard today? Now you can check out this great field guide to Birds!
My love of bird identification comes from my childhood. My father would always
point out the different types of birds we saw around town, in our yard, and at
the metro parks in our area.
There are two ways to navigate the site, if you know what you are looking for
check out the search field. Just type in the bird you’re looking for more
information on and then click the Go button and it will search the field guides
for the information you’re seeking.
If you don’t have a clue what you’re looking for check out the category
navigation. It is divided up into fifteen different categories of birds. Chose
the category that best fits the bird you’re looking for and begin your hunt! The
results will display like search engine results but each entry will also have a
thumbnail picture of the bird making it much easier for you to identify if you
are on the right track.
While I’m bringing you the field guide on birds, if you pull down the drop down
menu you’ll find many other field guides on other topics like: butterflies,
seashells, fish and flowers!
http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/intermediate.asp?curGroupID=1
~Amanda
*************
Whyzz
Children provide a bevy of questions, they always want to know why, how, what –
about everything. Children don’t have the market on it though; I still ask those
questions every day. I think so long as you have an innate curiosity about the
world and the way things work, you’ll stay young at heart. This site is devoted
to helping answer the questions: what, why, and how.
The easiest way to use the site is to just use the search field. Type in what
you want to know about and click the ? button. The results will come up then
giving you an assortment of answers to check out.
Another way to browse this site is to check out the Featured Answer, Most
Recently Answered, and Category sections. You’ll find them below the search
field. The categories are: Nature, Animals, World, Science, Human Body, Serious
Issues, Creativity & Imagination, Fun Stuff, Current Events, and whyzz
community.
You can even help answer questions that have been posed to the site! Click the
Open Questions link beneath the search field to see what has been asked.
This site is a great tool that provides a fun way you can help answer all your
kid’s whyzz!
http://www.whyzz.com/
~Amanda
What a great Cool Site! Remember to rate or add to it here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/whyzz
Do you have a cool, non-commercial site that you
want to share?
Send it to Amanda at
amanda@worldstart.com
Mono-Task And Work More Effectively
Posted: 27 May 2009 07:21 AM PDT
A few years ago,
“multi-tasking” was a big buzzword. When people wanted to sound busy, the common
response was, "I am multi-tasking". However, trying to write emails, talk
on the phone, finish that big report and check Twitter all at the same time, is
a sure recipe for doing all of them badly. Without focus, results suffer and
thus multi-tasking has been relegated to a convenient excuse to procrastinate.
When you’ve got a difficult project to work on, you need to
mono-task. Here’s a step-by-step
mono-tasking plan to achieve true effectiveness in your work:
If you feel like you spend most of your days dealing with a series of “emergencies”, or if your email seems to take up all of your time, give mono-tasking a try (it’s particularly effective at the start of the workday, before you’ve checked email and before there are many calls coming in). And if you’ve got a mono-tasking tip – or success story – let us know in the comments.
|
|
Written on 5/27/2009 by Ali Hale. Ali is a professional writer and blogger, and a part-time postgraduate student of creative writing. If you need a hand with any sort of written project, drop her a line (ali@aliventures.com) or check out her website at Aliventures. |
Problem solving questions. Math related problem solving.
6 Coins Stumper
Math Stumpers, 6 Coins Stumper. Math problem of the week.
Math Stumper: Pails of Water
Math Problem of the Day Math Stumper
Triangle Sums Stumper
Math stumpers, triangle sums stumper
Use 2 Squares to Make Separate Pens for the 9 Pigs
Math stumper and brain teaser
How Many Squares? (Deductive Reasoning)
2 Math stumpers - How many squares puzzles.
Double Sums
Math Stumpers, brain teasers
How Many Rectangles
How Many Rectangles? Math stumper. Math brain teasers.
The Farmer's Problem - Crossing the River
Problem Solving in Math
Not Shorter Than You
This problem solving question is a great 'trick' question that promotes thinking
skills! Great for all ages.
How Many Handshakes?
This classic problem stumps us initially, it's a slight bit harder than one
would initially think!
The Horse Problem
This popular problem sounds easy yet stumps many. Ever wonder how so many people
can come up with a different answer? This problem will do it every time!
By Robin McClure, About.com
Summer school used to be associated with
remediation only. A kid in summer school meant that he was struggling
academically, and required extra summer schooling to catch up with his peers.
But no longer. An increasing number of parents are sending their kids to summer
school (or using a summer tutor) as a way to keep their skills current over long
summer months, to play catch up where they may have struggled with certain
concepts or subjects, or to gain an educational advantage for the upcoming
school year. Whereas in the past, summer school was sometimes considered
"punishment" by kids, with increased specialty instruction, small
student-teacher ratios, and enrichment-style learning in many cases, suddenly
summer school is often considered "cool!"
Why consider summer school?
· Summer school helps prevent "brain drain" of topics learned over the previous year. Since school is a stepping stone where each year provides the foundation for new skills the upcoming year, forgetting basic school-level skills is a real problem for teachers every year.
· Since class ratios are very small, or even one-on-one, students benefit from receiving quality instruction with fewer distractions.
· Target tutoring allows students to benefit right where they need it the most.
· Students with low self-esteem or academic concerns benefit greatly from summer school. While their report cards may show an A, the may be fearful about new concepts to be learned and whether they will be able to grasp the content as quickly as their peers.
· Summer school is a great confidence builder, in that a student entering a grade where fractions will be learned, for example, can enter into the classroom already having that base understanding to feel better about overall school success.
Summer school program options
Summer school programs are targeted for different ages of children, so kids as
young as preschool who are struggling with emergent reading skills or basic
concepts such as letters, numbers and early math will benefit as much as an
older, school-age child. More traditional summer program options for students
who are considered "at risk" for success at the next grade level or who want to
prepare for college entrance tests are also available.
The key is to find a summer school program that is right for your child. Many
summer school programs are disguised as "enrichment camps," but provide quality
learning while including some creative ways to teach the concepts that may not
be practical in a regular school setting. Programs such as Mad Science, Number
Sense, or various reading or special-interest clubs accomplish the goals of
working on targeted skills without kids feeling like they are in school all
summer.
Check with your child's teacher about whether you feel summer tutoring or a
summer school program may help your child be better prepared for the next year.
In many cases, teachers are delighted to discuss ways to keep kids learning
during times they are not in the classroom.
Consider your child a candidate for summer school if he/she:
· struggled with some basic concepts taught over the current school year
· talks about not wanting to go to school, resists doing homework or has lost interest in school
· struggles to fit in socially or academically
· if your switching schools next year, and especially if enrolling in a more academically-rigorous program
· loves to learn, and is constantly seeking out new ways to gain information
· has a particular subject of great interest, and you want to reinforce or hone those skills
· says he is "stupid" or that he "can't" do certain skills
· takes more time to master content, and you want to provide an edge
· suffers from low or "fragile" self-esteem and you want to ensure the new school year gets off on the right foot
· is making lower grades than you expect
· has poor organizational and study skills
IF you do choose to enroll your child in a summer school program, make sure you present it as a positive opportunity and an academic advantage. If your child is particularly reluctant, seek out a program that seems as most unlike a regular classroom as possible or offers reward incentives for achieving certain academic levels. Make sure your child takes the summer school or summer tutoring seriously, and that you both will take great pride in the results for hard work and effort!
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
How to Learn a Little Every Day
Posted: 12 May 2009 03:04 AM PDT
Something can be said for knowing a little bit about a lot of things. Being an
everyman or everywoman can propel you to a more efficient, productive and
fulfilled personal and professional life. Whether it’s keeping up on current
events, a new hobby or interest or simply any new idea, taking a small amount of
time to learn something every day is a great way to add to your personal
knowledgebase.
Incorporating bits of learning into your every day experience puts you on a path
to lifelong learning. Lifelong learning keeps you engaged in your environment,
builds your knowledgebase, ensures that you use your mind, provides a sense of
accomplishment and simply makes you feel good. The knowledge you gain, tools you
get and experiences you have with learning a little bit everyday all work
together to achieve real personal advancement.
Here are a few thoughts on how to incorporate learning a
new thing each day into your routine.
Make it part of your routine and give it 20
minutes
Are you a “getting things done” kind of person? Devote a
small amount of time each day, 20 minutes, to reading some new article or book
chapter or watching a video. On average we are all doing way too much in our
daily experience. However, a great way to feel good about your day is to start
off with an accomplishment by learning something new, exercising or completing a
work task. You might try all three before you start your “real” day, but let’s
stick to the learning a little bit a day theme.
If you can’t start your day with a little time for
learning something new, try doing it at lunch time or at the end of the day.
Take an article to lunch or add a video to watch to your iPod. After you have
shut down your computer for the day pull out your “learning” file and read a new
article.
Think of learning a little bit in your daily routine as
simple compound interest on your personal knowledgebase. If you were to put away
money every day in an account that earned simple interest the balance on the
account would accumulate exponentially by the daily addition of principal. The
same concept works for your knowledgebase, add to it daily and your personal
abilities will benefit exponentially.
Think About What Interests You and Surprise
Yourself
What ideas, information or things interest you? Answer
that question for a moment. Once you have your answer - find resources
(hopefully free, see below) on those subjects. Organize your interests whether
on paper or electronically in a way that can deliver bits of new information to
you on a regular basis. For example, keep a folder of articles either physically
or electronically. Pick something out of that folder and dig into it at least
once a day.
By the way, web videos of skate boarders smashing through
plate glass windows for the sheer fun of it, doesn’t necessarily add to your
lifelong learning experience - unless you add it to the what not to do in life
column. So, make sure you choose some piece of information that fits within your
personal goals or might simply add value to your knowledgebase.
Once you have your interests settled - surprise yourself.
At least every few days choose something to learn that may not be on the top of
your list as an interest or might not even be on your list at all. These things
tend to be really useful later - if not directly then indirectly. For example, I
would venture that most folks reading this article are not heavily into Japanese
Origami. However, twenty minutes of learning how to fold a paper swan might come
in handy years later as a way to change what’s on your mind and bring some focus
back into a really stressful work day.
Use free resources
Organized education can be expensive even though a
necessity. However, learning a little bit everyday can be virtually free if you
take the time to
find valuable resources. Use the web but also understand its limitations and
use your public library.
When using the web, recognize that there are incredible
bits and pieces of information to learn from all over the web from established
media outlets, universities, governments, and other sources. Once you found some
of these resources that interest you, see if they serve up their information
through Really Simple Syndication –
RSS.
RSS feeds can be a great way to find little bits of new
information. Practically, all e-mail programs support RSS and there are many
web-based and desktop programs that also support it. An RSS reader can help you
organize your “learning folder”, in fact it could be that folder.
Public libraries are an incredible source of free
learning. Find your local library, get your card and take the time to find books
and other information that fit your interests.
Overall, it doesn’t take long to find a small bit of
useful and interesting information that you can retain.
Take notes, spend some time reviewing
Learning something new also requires you to retain all or
some of what you’ve learned. You need to make the most of those 20 minutes of
everyday. So, take some notes - in a journal, on the article or on a sticky
note.
One of the most effective ways of making sure you retain
something is by getting that piece of learning past your short term memory. A
good way to do just that is by taking some action beyond reading or watching.
Note taking can accomplish that by requiring your brain to process the
information in another way. Gather those notes because you are going to use them
later.
Once in a while, at the end of a week or month, use your
20 minutes to look back at your notes. Looking back at your notes will ensure
that your knowledgebase was added to and that you have gotten past short term
retention.
Try these few simple tips for learning a little bit every
day and enjoy the added value you have created in your personal knowledgebase.
|
|
Written on 5/12/2009 by Ari J. Markenson, J.D., M.P.H. Ari is a healthcare attorney, graduate school professor and writer who regularly tries to learn something new as a goal toward personal and professional achievement. |
I am an avid reader. I just wish there were more hours in a day available for reading! But what I love more than just reading, is sharing my thoughts about what I’ve read. Sharing a reading experience with other people is awesome, because it allows you to see the material you just read through someone else’s perspective. It can be eye-opening and thought provoking.
Here at Book Glutton not only can you read books online for free, but you can also chat about them chapter by chapter if you want. You don’t even have to be a member in order to read the books here but I think that the registration process is so easy that being a member is easy and rewarding.
To register just click the Login link, this will take you to the login page where you can then click the Sign Up link. It’s so easy – all you have to do is fill out the form and click the Submit button then you’ll be automatically logged in and ready to go.
If you click Books on the navigation strip at the top, you’ll be whisked away to the book section where you can find random reads, as well as, directions on searching for books and uploading books to the site. If you click the Surprise me button, you’ll be automatically sent to a random book.
I love the look of the books on the site. The background is neutral, so it doesn’t distract you from the work. The panels for chatting, and leaving notes are closed so that you can read privately if you’d like. The book is center on the screen and you’ll notice two blue tabs on either side, one is labeled Talk, the other is labeled Mark. Talk is the chat screen (you must be logged in to chat) and Mark is the place where you can leave your thoughts about a particular passage. To turn the page, click the pointing hands at the bottom of the page.
You can even set up Groups. You’ll find directions on how to do this on the Groups page, which you can get to off the main navigation strip at the top of the page.
This site makes reading a community experience that allows you to share your thoughts as you read. Go enjoy a book today!
Did you like this Cool Site?
Want some more? Let us know by rating or adding to this tip here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/book-glutton
A Graduation Gift That Matters
Posted: 28 Apr 2009 01:00 PM PDT
When I graduated from high school - and again when I graduated from college - I received quite a few gifts from friends and family members. Most of them fell into two categories: money inserted into graduation cards, or items intended to help with my life in the near future (like a gas card or a laundry bag or a shower kit or a microwave oven).
Just a handful of gifts fell into a third category, and those were the most memorable. Great sentiments on handwritten notes. Long dinners with real conversations. Thoughtfully-given books with some suggested passages to start with. A nearly-invisible helping hand to get my career going on the right path.
To put it simply, the best graduation gifts for me were ones that were thoughtful, ones that were inspirational, and ones that actually opened doors for me.
For the most part, these gifts didn’t cost the giver very much at all in terms of money. Instead, the value of the gift was delivered via time and thoughtfulness, and that always means much more than a twenty dollar bill stuffed inside a forgettable card.
The best part is that most great graduation gifts won’t cost you much money at all. Instead, they require some thoughtfulness and some planning. Here are four things to think about as graduation season approaches.
A Thoughtful Conversation
The best way to understand what exactly a graduate is thinking about for the
future is to sit down with that graduate and have a real conversation. A great
way to do this is over dinner - invite that graduate to your home or take that
graduate out to dinner. If that doesn’t work for you, a telephone call also
works.
The key is
not to bury them in advice and
your own anecdotes. Instead, you should seek to get the person to talk about
what they’re thinking about doing in the future. Some good questions:
+ What are you going to do after graduation?
+ Where are you going to college?
+ What are you thinking of majoring in?
+ What do you enjoy doing?
+ Do you have a job lined up, or any prospects?
+ What would you like to be doing?
Listen to what’s being said. Many students feel an urge to tell a particular story about their dreams, aspirations, and post-graduation plans that doesn’t really reflect their true story. Listen carefully and try to seek out the things that they really enjoy.
More important, give encouragement to the graduate. Tell them that they can do anything. Offer a few specific pointers, but don’t drown them in advice. Let them do most of the talking.
Don’t drown them in personal anecdotes, either. A few are fine, but the focus is on what they’re doing, not on what you did.
Your goal here should be to figure out where the graduate really wants to be going - and whether or not they’re on their way. Pay attention. Listen to what the graduate is saying. Be positive about the things they’re passionate about. Let the graduate do most of the talking. And, when you’re done, make sure you’ve taken away two or three things about the graduate’s dreams and future that are clearly true and that the graduate is clearly excited about.
A Telephone Call
Once you have that source material, look through your contacts. Do you know any
people that are doing anything close to the area toward which the graduate is
focusing? Call them up. Explain what’s going on. Ask for their thoughts.
If there are opportunities for the graduate, pass them along. Let the graduate know of any opportunities you discover for them. Even better, if you have the chance to make a positive case for that graduate, do so. Grease the rails for them so that those early, tentative career steps go quite easily.
Most likely, though, you’ll gather some useful insights about their direction and you might also gather an additional contact or two.
Take all of the information you discover and deliver it to the graduate. Tell them that you called an old friend of yours who’s doing that kind of work and here’s what he/she had to say. Pass along any useful contact information if you can.
In short, help the graduate (if you can) by getting their foot in the door. Every bit helps, and if you can help that graduate open a door, you’ve changed their life.
A Single Key Reflection
Taking together all you’ve learned about the graduate and where he/she is
headed, spend some time thinking about the
one piece of advice you’d like to
give that student. Don’t just go with your first instinct - don’t be afraid,
even, to jot down several ideas and think about them, but stick with just one -
the real home run.
The graduate won’t remember the $20 bill you stuck in the card. But they might remember something insightful and useful that you wrote, especially if it clicks with them. That $20 will be lost in the mists of time, but a useful bit of knowledge pays dividends forever.
Surround that one piece of advice with some strong positive reinforcement. Let the graduate know that you see great potential in him/her and that you look forward to their great future.
Words like this can really have an impact. I still remember the advice and similar sentiments that people gave to me in graduation cards, but I don’t remember who gave me $10 and who didn’t a decade ago. The advice stuck with me and helped me to grow - a truly great graduation gift.
A Follow-Up
Most people limit their congratulations and help to the graduate to the days
around the actual ceremony. When that graduate will probably need help, though,
will come a while down the road.
Touch base with the graduate a few months after graduation and see how they’re doing. Are they still struggling with finding their place? Or have they found a happy home?
You may find that you can offer much more help early in their career than at their graduation. Encouragement can be key in the midst of early challenges. A little helping hand can be much more useful after the glow of graduation has come off and the realities of professional life are starting to appear.
If it seems potentially useful, get ahold of your contacts again and see if anything has changed. Are there any new opportunities? Pass these along to the graduate.
Here’s the big thing: graduation and entry into professional life is often a huge shock for people, but the support they get usually just comes in a burst at their graduation party. If you really want to give something with impact, give them time, both before and after graduation, and help pull a few strings for the graduate. It won’t cost you much at all - and it can make all the difference to a motivated graduate.
Good luck!
The goal of wePapers is to create the world’s largest study group. Here you’ll be able to find papers on just about any subject that you need to study. Reading papers other people have written can expand your knowledge of the topic and shed a different perspective on what you already know.
I have found myself using it to double check I have my formatting right, before I turn in a paper. But it could be a great resource for expanding your thoughts for papers you need to write.
On the left side of the page you’ll find a section called Papers We Like. You’ll find seven papers highlighted there. While I was there, there was a great paper on satire and Mark Twain that rocked my socks. It gave me a perspective that I hadn’t really thought about on Huckleberry Finn.
Have a topic you’d like to learn about in mind? Then the center of the page is for you. Type your topic into the search field and click the Go button. I think you’ll be amazed at the range of topics that come up for the subject you’ve looked up.
Want to contribute? Well you certainly can, but you’ll have to register to do so. Don’t worry registration is a breeze. Click the Sign Up link at the top of the page. Fill in the form with your name, e-mail address, and name of the college or university you’re attending, and then create a password and prove you’re human by filling in the Captcha. After you’ve got that all filled in, you can click the Sign Up button.
You’ll be automatically logged in after clicking the Sign Up button. You’ll be on an invitation page which I skipped by clicking the wePapers logo at the top of the page to return to the main page.
Now there are two ways to contribute to the page you can: become a course leader, or upload your own papers to share with other students. Becoming a course leader means that you’re going to teach other people something, for example, the course I looked at while I was here was Algebra 1. It brings Algebra to life using realistic examples and practical knowledge. So if you have something to teach, this is the spot for you.
To find a course, click Navigate and the scroll down until you see the Course tab. Click the tab, and scroll down past the Google ad, and you’ll see a listing of course offerings. Once you find the course you want, make sure you click the join course link on its page.
Uploading papers is by far the easier way to share your knowledge. Especially if you are crunched for time! Click the Upload button at the top of the page (its green). Then click the Add Files button, choose the file you’d like to upload, and then click the upload button. After you’ve uploaded the file you’ll be asked to fill out a form about it. This form covers basic information like what subject it is about, what style it is, etc.
Used responsibly this site could be the perfect study tool. Check it out today!
~Amanda
Did you enjoy this Cool
Site? Want some more? Let us know by rating or adding to it here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/wepapers
Welcome to Grade Genie the study site devoted to helping you get the best grade you can through study tools.
Registration is easy. All you have to do is fill out the form, select the school you are attending, and agree to the terms and conditions. You can login immediately afterwards.
Once you’ve logged in you will be asked to setup your schedule. Follow the directions they give you to set up your schedule. If it can’t find the classes you’re taking through the search engine you can add them.
Now that you have your schedule added, you can upload notes for that specific course by clicking the upload button. If you don’t have any notes to add at this time to share with other users you can skip this.
To search for Notes – go to the search field and select Notes from the drop down menu. This will give you a search engine to use. Type in the title or tags you want to look for. You can also change the school you are searching for the notes in by changing it from My Schools to one of the other schools listed.
This is an awesome study tool. The more you add notes, and check out the notes that other people have added – the better you are going to do in your classes!
http://www.gradegenie.com/index.do
~Amanda
Like this Cool Site? Don't
like it? Let us know by rating or adding to it here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/grade-genie
by Olivia Fox
Helping our kids to use their imaginations
You don't need to spend gobs of money on art or music lessons, or even computers and batteries, to encourage a young child's imagination. Use easily gotten stuff and mix in a little whimsy.
