What is Blooket & how can Teachers use Blooket Play in the Classroom?

December 16, 2022

Blooket is a learning-based platform that offers interactive gameplay and several classroom and learning benefits.

Unlike other quiz learning sites and online games, this one also has a more classic style – played after winning points in the questions and answers section. It adds excitement and a lot of fun, as an Ed Tech tool offering interactive online learning, and a system that’s very easy to use.

If you’re a teacher looking to engage your class of students, Blooket is without a doubt a good alternative for you and your students. It has become a popular learning tool that teachers can use to increase students’ participation while keeping them engaged and entertained through different activities.

But what is the hype about and what’s behind it?

What is a Blooket?

Blooket is a quiz and review tool that enables teachers to enhance classroom engagement. Blooket is a gamified learning platform where educators host quiz games through a set of questions, and students respond using their own devices. This tool is assessment-focused, particularly formative assessment in the form of quizzes teachers can use in the classroom.

Students who correctly answer questions gain points, which they can use to buy and sell “Blooks.” Blooks represent players and are blocks that can be used for

play! On Blooket, there are hundreds of ready-made question sets already available for you to use, or you have the choice to create your own set of questions specific to your class.

This new method of reviewing or practicing knowledge can raise student interest and engagement, but there are also limitations to it that teachers need to know about.

How does Blooket work?

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Blooket is an incredibly simple sign-up process that enables teachers to create a free account instantly with just their email address. Games can be created easily utilizing pre-built questions or entirely custom builds. In either case, teachers can assign kids a code for the game so they can join easily whenever they want.

Blooket has a typical standard quiz-style section that provides a question with several different answer options in the form of big color blocks. Once the questions are answered and points are earned, these can be used in the game before moving on to the next set of questions.

In the cafe mode, students should answer questions to earn food to serve customers in the game. Or in Tower of Doom, students choose characters to compete against one another and answer questions to win. Then there is the Tower Defense game, which most students have probably already played in some way.

Pros of Blooket

Blooket makes the learning process for students and teachers much easier and more entertaining. Here is a list of benefits that Blooket provides to both.

1. Similar questions, different game

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For every set of questions, you do not need to create a new game. Instead, you

can use a single set of questions to play several games from your teacher’s

account. Keep in mind that you can create these sets yourself or find them in the

search function on the website.

2. Ease of use

Teachers can design their own question papers and question sets and they can create various games. Students can sign up using a code and participate in real-time quizzes using their phones or other devices, after which they can easily play games. All the games on Blooket are completely safe and secure for all age

groups. All the students can participate individually or as a team in various types of games. And the student with the quickest right answer wins the game.

3. Variety of game modes

This platform has a variety of game types, and the developers excel at adding new game types based on what’s currently popular. For instance, they’ll provide exclusive Christmas or Halloween modes. Since these Blooket game modes are typically time-limited, the students’ involvement is significantly increased.

4. Self-Paced

Many of the games allow students to answer questions at their own pace.

They are not required to wait for time to pass or for everyone to finish answering a question before going on to the next one.

5. Competitive

The game options put the kids in competition with one another. The game options usually involve an element of twist and fun, which keeps students interested and makes the competition enjoyable.

6. Student Perspective

Blooket is very convenient and user-friendly for students to use and access in the classroom or at home. After creating an account, all students need to do to get started is submit their nickname and icon, along with the game ID for the game or activity their teacher assigned.

7. Racing mode

All teachers can randomly assign a quiz to their students, but they can’t

participate in the quiz with other teachers or with their students. All kinds of teachers can also randomly assign a quiz to their students, and they can win potential points to add excitement to the game. The student who responds to the quizzes or questions the quickest can receive more points. Students who provide inaccurate answers, however, receive no points.

Cons of Blooket

Blooket has a few cons, some of which are listed below:

1. Students must read the questions

The teacher cannot read every question because each student is working at their own pace, and there is no immersive reader built in. This makes this website a good option only for older students.

2. You need to include a lot of questions

For each game, you can choose whether you want each game to stop when someone reaches a given score or at a specific time (for example, giving students 7 minutes to play). The game will go on till the time you specify. This implies that, unless there are many questions in the set, students who answer quickly will see the same questions repeated again.

3. You cannot edit sets of questions other users have created

If you come across a set of questions that are close to what you need but not perfect, you will need to make your own set of questions. Hence teachers cannot

exchange questions and there are no alternatives to copy and then edit question

sets made by others.

4. You cannot see student data

You cannot view student data unless you have a paid account. In the free edition, you simply get a report that shows the percentage of questions that were answered correctly or incorrectly by each student.

You cannot see information about the questions that were missed. Blooket is now a better choice for games used for reviews rather than assessments. If you’re using a free account, there are a maximum of 60 students allowed in each game.

Blooket best Tips and Tricks for Teachers

1. Adapt what’s there

The quickest approach to get started is to search through the already-available question sets and modify them to your specifications.

2. Set the speed

Numerous games focus on speed, but you can change this in the options, so it’s not as important as it might seem. This is a smart move on the part of the students to relieve some of their pressure.

3. Reward the class

Set up a quiz game as an exit ticket for the students about what was taught in the class. You can set assignments first, and as the class finishes, they get to start the game, incentivizing them to pay attention and then start playing – which is still learning.

4. Teaching with Blooket

With Blooket, you can revolutionize the classroom learning experience in several ways. It is a fun game that helps everyone study more effectively and allows teachers to spend more time with their students.

Blooket is the best choice for effective learning, and there are questions and quizzes available for every school subject. In Blooket, you can explore the following topics:

Science questions related to scientific phenomena and earth
Math questions, like algebra, geometry, expressions, and equations.
Fun & holiday activities, like movie-based quizzes, anime, sports, public holidays, self-esteem, etc.

It is worth mentioning that Blooket empowers the learner’s game in several ways:

Students receive direct feedback right after answering the quizzes.
The different game modes assist students in demonstrating their learning skills without getting frustrated or bored by traditional learning.
Students have the choice to customize their learning environment by developing their Blooks as they desire.
Teachers can check student progress at any moment throughout the year.
Blooket also enables students to connect with each other even if they are not in the same physical place. The same game ID provides them with the opportunity to access the game from anywhere and at any time.

Final Thoughts

If you want an engaging way to interact with your students in the classroom, especially to combine assessment with fun, check out Blooket and add it to your repository of suitable Ed Tech resources for your class.

Blooket is a handy tool to utilize in the classroom because of its versatility. It can be used for topic reviews, homework, or even as a creative approach to introducing new information to boost students’ grades. It’s simple for students to use and access from anywhere, and it’s a great way to keep them engaged in school learning.

iSpring Solutions Inc. launches Quiz Maker 11

UK Education News Publisher

November 23, 2022

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iSpring Solutions Inc., a global leader in the eLearning software and services sector, launched iSpring Quiz Maker 11 – a convenient, functional, and easy-to-learn quiz creation tool with an intuitive interface. Interactive HTML5 and SCORM quizzes and surveys, and publish them to the web or an LMS.

It’s possible to use templates with 14 question types and illustrate the content with graphics and animations.

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Additional key features of iSpring QuizMaker 11:

Customizable Quiz Design. Slide View mode for designing quiz slides. Users can choose one of the pre-designed themes or create one by customizing the layout, color, background, and fonts.
Branching scenarios. Users can build interactive experiences for the examinees: take them to different questions or info slides depending on their answer choices.
Individual Feedback. Create custom feedback messages for each answer choice and enhance feedback with images, videos, or detailed instructions.
Audio-based questions. Educators can use audio-based questions in their quizzes.
Quizzes and tests with equations. With the built-in Equation Editor, users can create quizzes and tests with mathematical symbols and expressions: square root, power, integral, and many more.

Educators can create new tests with iSpring Quiz Maker or import existing ones from the Excel tables.

About iSpring Solutions

iSpring Solution is a global leader in creating award-winning eLearning software. For over 20 years, the company has developed more than ten stand-alone eLearning tools, including iSpring QuizMaker, iSpring Converter Pro, and iSpring Cam Pro. These tools are highly anticipated among eLearning professionals both separately and together — in iSpring Suite, an all-in-one authoring toolkit. iSpring is recognized for its beautifully engineered products and exceptional customer service.

Over 59,000 customers in more than 170 countries choose iSpring for its high level of performance and reliability. The customer list includes thousands of freelance Instructional Designers and teachers, almost 200 Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and educational institutions worldwide, some clients being Microsoft, SAP, Boeing, Dell, Adidas, Procter & Gamble, University of California at Berkeley, Harvard University, and Stanford University. For more information, visit the official website.

For more news about educational technology head to ed tech | UK Education Blog (clickdo.co.uk).

How to survive on £250 a Month? Tips For Family Claimants That Apply For Universal Credit

Shirley Owen

November 21, 2022

The cost of living in the UK is more expensive than in 80% of countries in the world with single person estimated monthly costs at £2,201.

In these conditions, claiming Universal Credit to help with living costs is common with more than 5.8 million people claiming UC in England, Scotland, and Wales.

We will tell you:

How much Universal Credit allowance you can get
Tips to cut down your essential costs to £250
Additional benefits of Universal Credit you can avail

Universal Credit Allowance – What you can claim

If you are out of work or low-income (lower than UK’s 60% median income), you can qualify for a standard allowance:

The single claimant under 25: £265.31 per month
Single claimant 25 or over: £334.91 per month
Joint claimants both under 25: £416.45 per month
Joint claimants either aged 25 or over: £525.72 per month
Each child: £250 – £290.

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Let’s take a household for instance with two adults and two children. Universal credit will give you an allowance of around £1000 – £1500. The average disposable income in the UK is £31,400. With Universal Credit, you are nowhere close to this number. If you have a couple outside Greater London, you have a £20,000 a year cap, and inside Greater London, you have a £23,000 a year cap.

The solution is learning to live on the bare minimum in this time of crisis.

In this article, we will help give you tips on how to cover your essential costs like food and water for under £250 a month. It does not include rent which can be anywhere from £800-£1200.

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This is how a UK household spends £585.60 per week. Let’s focus on where we can cut down.

5 Tips on reducing Spending to keep Costs under £250

1. Cut down Food Costs

Households are spending £62/week on food and 51/week on restaurants. Eating in restaurants is not an option on your budget.

One person can actually survive on £15-20/week when it comes to balanced food. This comes to £60-£80 a month.

Cut down on restaurant costs by packing yourself lunch if you must go to work. You can also do weekly budget meal prep, cook in large batches, and freeze the leftovers.

Prepare more raw food dishes to save on energy for cooking meals.

Tip: View this video to learn how you can prepare a £6/week meal prep plan. You can find other videos and tips from chefs like Jamie Oliver as well that will help you prepare cheap nutritious snacks and meals.

2. Find cheap Clothing

One household spends £25/week on clothing. Locate good charity shops like Oxfam Shop and local thrift stores around you.

You can find T-shirts for as cheap as £3. Alternatively, you can use secondhand shops or apps where you can buy used clothes in good condition for often half the price.

3. Reduce your Household Bills

The major household bills you need to pay are electricity, heat, and water, about £80/per week for an average household.

Price comparison websites are your best friend. Find the cheapest resources by comparing prices.

A four-bed house with an occupancy of four people can actually manage with £120-150 a month. This means £30-40/per person. And if you can use more sustainable energy sources like solar, you can make additional savings.

4. Use more affordable Transport

Abandon your dreams of a car. There is no set figure of what you can cut your transport costs too because it depends on where you can commute. A household spends £80/week on commuting. Which means one person spends £80/month.

Here is how you can save money on transport:

Railcards are £30 per year, and they could save you up to a third of the cost of your rail ticket.
Find carpool services online.
Use services like Trainsplit that split the tickets for you.
Bikes are your best friend. Use them for short-distance commutes.

5. Learn from Students

If we take transport to be £60/month, clothing £40/month, food £80/month, and bills £40/month, we are at £190/month.

This gives you room to plan for entertainment. There is no doubt that you have a social life and need to go out with other people even when you are on a budget.

Students have the best tips on saving money for entertainment activities.

Have healthier yet more filling meals such as potato or rice dishes before going out so that you don’t have to buy expensive takeaway food later.
Prepare food for yourself before you go out.
Use apps like Bigdish to find cheap food and discount offers.

3 Additional Benefits of Universal Credit to be claimed

1. Disabled Child Allowance

You may get extra money if your dependent child is disabled. This amount is paid at a higher or lower rate based on your conditions.

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2. Childcare Cover

Regardless of the hours you work, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with the costs of childcare.

You can claim up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re eligible for Universal Credit and meet some additional conditions. The amounts you can receive in childcare costs are:

A maximum of £646.35 per month for one child
A maximum of £1108.04 per month for 2 or more children

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3. Extra Support

You can apply for Universal Credit and get non-monetary perks as well.

Help with health costs, including prescriptions and dental treatment
Additional help towards housing payments if your Universal Credit payment is not enough to pay your rent
Free school meals
Free early education for two-year-olds
SureStart maternity grants
Cold Weather Payments
Support with travel costs to attend job interviews or start work
Support with the provision of clothing to start work
Support with upfront childcare costs until you receive your first wage

Read more about the additional benefits that you might qualify for.

You can use these calculators for information on more benefits:

Gather your household information about your savings, income including your partner’s (from pay slips, for example), existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you), outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments), council tax bill to see how much Universal Credit, you can qualify for.

These tips should help all families that are likely to struggle during this recession and energy crisis and there are many things families can do to reduce their spending. If you have children that are students, you can check out these successful student finance blogs too for more inspiration.

A Guide to writing Oxbridge Personal statements to apply to Oxford and Cambridge University

Manuela Willbold

November 14, 2022

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If you want to get into a good college or university, you need a convincing personal statement. But if you want to get into prestigious universities like Eton, Oxford, or Cambridge you need an extraordinary personal statement.

In this guide, we will provide tips on how to write your Oxbridge personal statements perfectly.

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Cover the main areas the universities want you to focus on.

1. Your reasons for applying

There are two things you must cover: your reason for applying to Oxford/Cambridge and the reason for applying to the specific course.

To make a case for the specific university, don’t just talk about the reputation of the course. You need to show that you have done your research. Write about the specific courses you are excited about or the professors you want to work with. You should also mention any journals or any other special facilities the college will provide you with. You can also talk about the vision/motto of the university.

But don’t just mention it. The key is to connect. Connect it with your personal academic vision. For example, the course in Islamic literature will give me an in-depth understanding of the culture in the 90s which will help me analyze the sentiments of the Islamic culture in my dissertation and help me make connections in the current political scenario.

To make a case for the course, demonstrate your understanding of the course and why you want to study it. Your reasons should ideally be academic in nature.

2. Your ability to present a coherent case in proficient English

This refers to the structuring of your personal statement. You can’t afford to have an ill-written Oxbridge personal statement.

Divide your statement into paragraphs and each paragraph should address a different part of the personal statement. Make sure that your ideas have a flow, and that you don’t jump from one thing to another. The easiest way to achieve this is by outlining first and going through at least 2 drafts before submitting your final statement.

Ask a professor, teacher, or peer to proofread your Oxbridge personal statement. This will remove any unnecessary fluff, typos, or incoherency.

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3. Your commitment to the subject, beyond the requirements of the degree course

The course will require you to submit certain assignments, write a dissertation and attend a few conferences. But Oxford and Cambridge don’t have applicants who do the bare minimum.

They want you to go beyond. Show them how you can do it.

You can express the sentiment by mentioning events that you would like to attend outside the course, projects, or workshops that you are excited to take in the university and outside it.

4. Your preliminary knowledge of the subject area and research techniques

In this section, you can provide an outline of a research idea. Almost all courses expect you to write a dissertation, especially at a graduate level.

Having an outline of the dissertation will show that you know about the course and have the ability to come up with an original research idea.

You should make the best effort you can to demonstrate the extent of your research question, sources, and method at this moment.

5. Your capacity for sustained and intense work

Your Oxbridge personal statement needs to assure the committee that you are capable of an academically rigorous course.

You can draw on your undergraduate/school experience. Write about a challenging semester and how you balanced college work with an internship or how you kept up your grades even in academically challenging times.

You can also mention if you have taken extra projects, worked on any independent projects, or engaged in volunteering.

6. Your reasoning ability

To demonstrate your reasoning ability, you can draw on your undergraduate thesis/ school project.

You don’t have to go into detail about your research. Focus on your paper’s objective, procedure, and the learning or outcome of it. You can also mention if you have participated in any conferences or published your paper.

The most important thing to remember while writing an Oxbridge personal statement is to focus on your academic achievements and interests rather than personal achievements, interests, and aspirations unless mentioned otherwise. So, make the statement that will determine your future.

How to write a Personal Statement for Master’s Applications at UK Elite Universities?

Manuela Willbold

November 14, 2022

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If you want to get into an elite university in the UK like Eton, Imperial, UCL, LSE or King’s, you must submit the perfect personal statement.

You can’t slack off and get away with general statements like ‘I am a suitable candidate because I graduated at the top of my class.’ Specificity is key.

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There are four different parts of making a successful application:

Personal Statement – A necessary prerequisite for all applications.
Letter of Recommendation – Some colleges may only ask for one LOR.
CV – Optional in most cases.
Academic writing sample – Optional in some cases.

A good personal statement is what all the universities care about the most. In this article, we will provide you with personal statement help so that you can give universities what they are looking for.

Personal Statement for Masters Applications – Focus Sections

1. Why do you want to study the course at graduate level?

Generally, there are two reasons why students apply for a Master’s, either they are switching fields, for example, going for an MA in Education after a BA Econ. or they want to specialize in an area for example choosing MA in Ancient History after a BA in Humanities.

Mention the category you fall into and then specify why you want to switch fields or why you want to expand your knowledge.

Unlike a bachelor’s SOP, for a graduate course colleges expect you to already know about the field. So, it would be helpful to draw on your undergraduate dissertation or existing research in the field to express sincere academic interest.

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Take inspiration from Oxford’s ‘Why Study Further’ section?

2. What you can bring to the programme

You will enter the program with a very specific skill set. You need to tell the university how those skills align with its motto.

For example, here are two principal themes of UCL.

Academic leadership grounded in intellectual excellence.
Addressing global challenges through our disciplinary excellence and distinctive cross-disciplinary approach

Tell UCL how you can contribute to these principles. Go into specifics of how your research can potentially address global challenges.

3. What particularly attracts you to this programme?

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‘This program’ doesn’t just refer to the course but also the course in the college. Write about how specific modules and courses you are interested in and how they contribute to your bigger goals.

4. How does your academic or professional background meet the demands of this programme?

This is the section where you can prove to the academic committee that you can do well in the program.

Look at the specific demands of the program. Most programs expect you to write essays, and reports, design, create practical projects, do group work, and presentations.

Tell them how you have done the same during your undergraduate or in your professional capacity. If there are any prerequisites for the course, cover your proficiency in the area.

5. What are your plans academically or professionally after this degree?

This question is very open-ended because let’s face it, most students only have a vague idea of what they want to do.

If you want to go for a Ph.D., saying that isn’t enough. Write about what you want to do a Ph.D. in, any thesis ideas that you might have, and if you want to apply to the same college for a Ph.D., mention that as well.

If you are planning to apply for a job, you can mention the designation and companies you want to apply to. Write about how getting your degree will open doors in the specific employment sector.

6. An initial outline of an area that you may want to focus on for your dissertation

Most graduate students are expected to write a dissertation and should outline this in their statement. This will set you apart from the other students and make the admission committee confident in your abilities.

Focus on the methodology and sources for your dissertation if you don’t have a thesis.

Hopefully, you have received the personal statement help that you needed. Keep these focus areas in mind while answering their questions and if you have the option, always upload a supplementary personal statement. The supplementary statement should be 1-2 pages of an A4 sheet paper in point 12 format. Happy writing!

Manuela Willbold

November 3, 2022

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Online learning provides many advantages and opportunities to those who enthusiastically embrace them. Like real-world learning, people get as much out of these circumstances as they put into them.

Still, many adults can be skeptical and cautious of what they read online. After all, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. School pupils have also struggled with this mode of learning, dealing with other difficult circumstances where online learning has been framed as a last resort more than a golden opportunity.

Whatever the context, adults should embrace online learning and take full advantage of their fortunate position. Here’s why.

A Boost to Credibility

Workers can sometimes view online training as a mandatory chore. The things that they learn may not truly be valued or even remembered.

However, iHASCO provides over 150 eLearning courses that are fully approved and accredited. That means all their teachings around compliance, health, safety, and more can be fully trusted and have practical applications for a person’s business. The short-format courses can bring long-term benefits to the business environment, upskilling workers excitingly and credibly.

The wrong provider of eLearning courses can simply bombard people with hastily put-together content. More promising competitors of theirs will meet regulatory standards, set benchmarks for quality, and ensure only practical and reliable information is given. If stiff upper lip regulators can embrace eLearning courses, any other adult can too.

Constant Career Progression

While many people are content in their roles, others are hungry for further opportunities. The right eLearning course provider can be a gateway to those all-important prospects.

Many eLearning course providers offer specialist insights into different topics and industries. Some are also open to suggestions on what future course content their customers would like to see them provide. It’s important not to underestimate the potential of this approach. As workers are constantly underutilised and undervalued, engaging with a responsive course provider can help people finally gain traction in their careers.

After all, few things can be as demoralizing as stagnating in a dead-end position. Working adults can sense they are taking their future into their own hands here, even if their employer has orchestrated the opportunity. The courses can also be accessed via any device, so they have a constant connection to further learning opportunities that will help them thrive.

Fostering a Broader Mindset

eLearning courses can come from anywhere. Engaging with them gives people a broader range of teachings and considerations to mull over.

After all, some online courses may detail concerns that impact an international workforce. Health and safety eLearning courses might have been caringly curated by an expert in the field. Virtual collaboration components could also be included as well. If there’s a digital class, new connections might be made with fellow learners, expanding one’s professional network.

While superiors in the workplace should teach their workers a great deal, it’s vital to engage with the thoughts and opinions of those outside the business too. More than the start of an eLearning course can be enjoyed, but potentially, a new lease on one’s life too. It can all lead to further interests and enrichment, starting a process of enlightenment that never ends. And we all know how valuable soft skills these days are.

A Comprehensive Guide To The Pros & Cons Of Volunteering

Shirley Owen

November 2, 2022

Volunteering, whether locally, domestically, or internationally, can be incredibly rewarding.

Choosing to volunteer can help a person to achieve their aspirations to make a difference. It can also have practical applications by improving your CV and helping you to stand out when applying for job roles.

There are a lot of worthy causes, charitable organisations, and non-profits to volunteer for.

However, it is important to do your research on where to volunteer to ensure it’s a rewarding experience on both sides. Keep reading to learn more.

Always Do Your Research

Before you commit to any volunteer opportunities, it is paramount that you do your research, especially if you want to volunteer internationally. You need to take the time to investigate the issues at play that require the need for volunteers, as well as the expectations of the role, and the work carried out by the organisation and the community within which you will be volunteering. In addition, you need to understand the socio-economic and cultural factors at play in the community.

When it comes to researching the organisation, there are several things that you need to be looking out for. First, what are the ethics and morals of the organisation? Do they align with your moral stance? What work does the organisation do? You should follow the money; where do the donations go? Is everything all above board?

In some instances, you might be able to find reviews or testimonials from others that have volunteered. This can provide you with an insight into what it might be like to volunteer with that organisation.

Lastly, you need to think about where you can personally make the most impact. What volunteer roles do your skill set, experience, and knowledge base suit you for? Some people take volunteering incredibly seriously, even making a career out of it and gaining certificates in things like public policy analysis from renowned institutions like the London School of Economics and Political Science, which can provide you with the knowledge you need to really affect change.

This can help to make you a more effective volunteer as an international student. Still, it can also help to provide you with more opportunities should you want to work with the organisations in a professional capacity.

Ethical Implications

The ethical implications of your volunteering are also something that you might want to consider. Obviously, you will want to choose a volunteer position with an organisation, charity or non-profit that has the same ethical standpoint as you.

This is where your research will prove important. Some volunteer organisations allege that they are sustainable or ethical, but this is not always true. These organisations tend to be more centred on making a profit regardless of whether that means that they continue to harm communities, habitats, people, or animals.

You might also want to consider the ethical implications of your actions too. When volunteering overseas or with poor communities, your actions can come across as self-serving, patronising, and even damaging in some cases.

Think about the white saviour complex and the ensuing conundrum. Your intentions might be innocuous enough, but that doesn’t mean that the resulting actions will be. This is something that you might want to bear in mind. This isn’t meant to put you off from volunteering, but it is important to consider your actions in a wider cultural context.

Paying to Volunteer vs Paid Volunteers

Within volunteering, there are a couple of different types of volunteer work. Depending on when and where you choose to volunteer, you might encounter paid volunteer positions, or you might be asked to pay to volunteer. The phrase ‘paid volunteer’ is an oxymoron, it is essentially a job, and therefore, you aren’t volunteering.

Organisations that make you pay to volunteer should also be regarded with suspicion. If you want to volunteer overseas, then encountering fees is much more common, but it should still be approached with caution. Before you commit to paying anything, you should have already done some research into the organisation, but you need to look into how the money is used. Where do the donations go?

Does it all go straight into the project and the goal? If so, this might be why you are asked to pay a fee to volunteer. Most of the time, organisations prioritise transparency, and therefore they will outline the practices and why you are being asked to pay and what it will be used for.

Finding the Right Role

When it comes to volunteering, the role that you choose to fulfil can make or break your experience. Obviously, the roles themselves will vary depending on the organisation, but you should remember to consider your own skills and experience. Is the volunteer role that you are considering going to utilise them? Does it make the best use of your specific skills?

For example, if you have graphic design or photography experience, then would designing leaflets be the best fit for you? There are roles of all classifications available depending on the organisation, of course. If you can’t find a role that fits with what you had in mind, you can always get in touch with the organisation directly and outline what you would like to do to see if they can tailor a volunteer position to you.

In addition to thinking about how well you are going to fit the role, you also need to consider how well the role is going to fit you. There are a few ways to find volunteer work depending on what you’re looking for. You will first have to consider some questions. What sort of time commitment is the organisation looking for? If you are volunteering locally, this might be a couple of hours a week. Some volunteering involves manual labour, which some people might find difficult.

You need to think about what the role entails and whether that works with what you can give. Volunteer work is often unpaid, and so a lot of people must fit their volunteer work alongside their paying job and any other responsibilities that they might have. Some people also choose to volunteer on a more casual basis, there are roles out there that only need filling occasionally or when an event is on.

The Bottom Line

Volunteering is often incredibly rewarding and worthwhile for the volunteers. However, committing to a volunteer position or an organisation without doing your research beforehand can mean that the experience is not worth your time. The factors above should be taken into account and used when making your decisions regarding volunteering. A lot of people want to volunteer because, ultimately, they want to make a difference in the world, and volunteering can certainly help, but you need to manage your expectations. Remember that volunteering is about providing help in a meaningful way to create sustained changes in the world.

13 Most Inspiring Gifts For Students From Teachers

Manuela Willbold

October 31, 2022

some-students-and-teachers-are-in-class-room

Are you a teacher, tutor, instructor, or educator?

Then you may be seeking suggestions for presents for your precious students throughout the academic year for various occasions.

This is not always that easy and we all know that teachers and educators don’t have much time on their hands, so we have some unique student gift suggestions compiled for you right here. They can be used for end-of-year gifts, special rewards, or birthday pressies.

We focused on two factors when choosing these gifts: cost and purpose.

Educators want their presents to be thoughtful yet economical for their limited budgets (head to our teacher discounts post to discover savings).

We want our student gift ideas to be as helpful as they can be, ideally something that will boost the pupils with their love of learning.

Let’s dive right in.

Disclaimer: All prices quoted are subject to change.

1. Retractable Ballpoint Pens

Affordable, vibrant ballpoint or gel pens with cutting-edge ink technology always come in handy for any student, especially the creative ones that love to scribble and draw. With little palm pressure, InkJoy consistently produces sharp, clear lines.

This pen is incredibly comfortable to hold because of its expanded rubberized grip and comes in 8 different coloured pens per bundle. Given that its price is only $2.78, it is a great gift for numerous students.

Find more here.

2. Delicious Erasers

Food-themed erasers are always popular with youngsters, and these are especially cute! While having fun is the focus of these, they will also be functional for homework.

Creative Tip: Motivate students by including a “Mistakes Help Me Grow” postcard that is printable in several sizes in a bag with an eraser.

Find a wide variety here. Each eraser costs approx. $1.

3. Beachy Bookmarks

Bookmarks are a wonderful gift for students and promote reading. They are also quite economical.

These “Don’t forget to read this summer” printable gift tags include space for inspirational messages. Or print any of the many printable bookmarks available online on some lovely card stock. Total price: from $8 to $10 for each bookmark.

Find it here

4. Bubble Wands

Bubble wands are a favourite among all students all year round. They are a terrific last-minute present and the ideal way to appreciate the magic of science.

It’s wonderful to leave children with a motivational message. The attached gift tags will let them know that they “blew you away this year.”

A pack of 5 costs you $20, find it here.

5. Gift Bag with S’mores

This is a fun and simple student-present idea, regardless of whether they’re taking a camping trip or just camped out over the kitchen stove. They’ll miss you, S’more. ** Just this printable template is included in this product.

Buy chocolate, crackers, marshmallows or any other of your student’s favourite treats at the grocery store. If you don’t have access to a printer, just use the catchphrase on a homemade card. They will cost you $25 each.

Find it here.

6. Popsicles

How does a cabin get on the internet? It LOGS in! 😆⁰Let us know in the comments how many Popsicles can you find 👇https://t.co/HXRODHeHmF pic.twitter.com/nPYBiDBz7q

— Popsicle® (@Popsicle) January 20, 2023

Want to keep costs low by keeping things straightforward? The student present every kid will love is a freezer pop! Kids, in all honesty, are so easily satisfied.

Creative Tip: Add a gift tag to make them into a present. You may either write your own or use one of these “have a cool summer” printable tags.

Find it here for $5 each.

7. Decorative Succulents

Make your weekday shine with #succulents! pic.twitter.com/BYFaYQCxTZ

— succulentmarket (@succulentmarket) July 29, 2020

If you care for the environment and it is on your agenda, then these vibrant succulent pots are the ideal student gift. You can plant the succulents together and decorate the pots to make it a unique student-teacher experience.

These bulk cuttings and some planting soil are available here at $10 each.

8. Frisbees

The young active crowd will go crazy over these fantastic frisbees that are perfect for any class party. You could even take them outdoors and play a team frisbee game.

Attach a gift tag that is appropriate for a frisbee, such as these free printable “the year just flew by” tags.

Price ranges from $23–$28 per pack, find it here.

9. A Personalised Gift Tags

These unique and personalised gift tags make a fantastic addition to mail-order presents for distance-learning students or handovers at the final day.

Overall cost: $30, find it here.

10. Customized Pencils

This festive assortment of red, white, and green pencils features fun holiday-themed imprints like “Rebel Without a Claus”, “”You’re Sleigh-In it,” and more! Available exclusively on https://t.co/zOnJYEE6rL for orders of $20+ through 12/16. pic.twitter.com/V0mZ75wH99

— Pencils.com (@pencilscom) December 13, 2022

You may buy branded pencils from a variety of sellers like eBay and Etsy. Every child’s stationery case must have a pencil, so receiving one with their name on it from their teacher would be memorable. Every pencil could say something like “Thank you for being excellent (student name). With love, Miss Smith.”

You can also purchase them separately from some retailers, although the cost will probably be higher. One of the nicest farewell gifts from teachers to their kids might be this. Every time they use their unique pencil, they’ll think of you!

Find it here for $2 each.

11. Dough-lightful Activities

Consider additional pursuits that might provide the parents with a brief period of tranquillity. They will enjoy doing some fun activities their teacher has provided them with play dough.

They have pleasure in using their imagination. Put the things in a goodie bag and design a sticker or tag for added excitement.

Find it here for $5 each.

12. Customized Chocolate

If you teach older students, they might be chocolate lovers who would appreciate bars of chocolate with custom wrappers. Sending them sweet goodies with a note showing your appreciation would be a great combination.

Most sellers also let you select a vibrant background, so you may pick the one you like and add a little bit of your flair.

Find it here for $10 per pack.

13. Wildflower Seeds

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A post shared by Wildseed Farms (@wildseedfarms)

Nothing compares to scattering wildflower seeds and seeing them sprout. Throughout the pandemic, many kids have drawn rainbows; this might provide the world with some more much-needed colour. It’s one of the ways they make rainbows appear everywhere.

You can even add personalized stickers. Ask the students to keep you informed on their plant’s height growth!

Find it here where a pack costs $5.

Give a student a gift to remember

The above student gift ideas should provide you with inspiration on personalised student gifts that are suitable for learners you work with in education and your budget. Many of these gifts can also be sent by mail to the kids at home where necessary and they are sure to leave a lasting memory of the time you had with them.

If you want to get in touch with us about this post or related queries, please use the form below:

14 Top Student Finance Blogs in the UK

Manuela Willbold

October 26, 2022

When it comes to sorting out your finances, the best time to start is yesterday, or better yet today.

And we’re not the only ones who believe in this mantra, which is why we have listed the best personal finance blogs in the UK in this article so that you can benefit too.

The earlier you start saving money and sorting out your finances, the earlier you can stay out of debt or even invest your money. Therefore we encourage you to check out some of these frugal blogs partly run by students or by bloggers that offer advice for students in the UK.

Learn how to be clever with your cash from the smart money blogs featured below. Understand what steps you can take to ensure that in the next 5 years, you’re reaping the rewards of your financial knowledge from these prominent finance blogs in the UK.

Disclaimer: all blogger details listed are based on the latest information available at the time this post was published

Check out our list of the top 14 Finance Blogs in the UK by and for students to find ideas, techniques, and tools to help you look after your finances:

1. Saving Scotts

Saving Scotts is a great blog designed to offer practical, spot-on insights for students.

Here you’ll find tips and articles about how to get out of debt, student job opportunities, how to run a profitable blog, and make money from your hobbies or interests.

It has a clean layout, making it easy to find the information you seek. Other blog posts include £5 dinners, saving money hacks, and tips on how to invest your money now. If you’re studying in the UK and trying to make savings and start earning more online, you should certainly gain some knowledge from these clever Scotts.

Website: http://www.savingscotts.com/

2. Thrifty Londoner

Jennifer, the thrifty London writer, targets millennials in her blog. She shares experiences and tips on how to live a thrifty life in London.

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A post shared by Laura- Money Blogger (@thriftylondoner)

She moved to London in 2016 and with the high cost of rental and living expenses, realized she would need to figure out how to manage her finances to avoid spiraling into debt.

Her tips include how to earn an extra income, how to save money, and information about budgeting schemes she learned about to keep herself on track. She also gives handy student finance advice.

Website: https://thriftylondoner.com/

3. Bee Money Savvy

The Bee Money Savvy blog, with its fun play on words, is the brainchild of Emma who writes for millennials just like herself.

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A post shared by Emma Jackson | Bee Money Savvy (@beemoneysavvy)

She posts tips on how to work from home to earn an extra income, how to improve at living on a budget, how to be a savvy shopper and more.

She gives great updated student finance tips too. In addition to information and finance/savings-related topics, she gives you a chance to win freebies!

Website: https://www.beemoneysavvy.com/

4. The Frugal Cottage

The frugal cottage is a blog that aims to inspire others with tips on how to save, budget, save more money, and how to choose investment options.

The tips shared are practical, real-life experiences and students can benefit from this blog. This is one of the most highly rated British student finance blogs and should be your go-to blog for everything finance related.

Website: https://www.thefrugalcottage.com/

5. Be Clever with your Cash

The award-winning Clever with your Cash student finance UK blog shares great tips, hacks, and deals for students and young working professionals.

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A post shared by Andy Webb | Be Clever With Your Cash (@andyclevercash)

It offers tips and practical guides on how to make the most of your money. It also has a few topics on ways you can earn extra cash, however, if you keep spending and not saving, the vicious cycle continues, no matter how hard you work or how much money you make.

It shows you how to be smart with your finances to guide you in making your money work for you.

Website: https://becleverwithyourcash.com/

6. The Money Whisperer

The Money Whisperer is written by Emma and she shares tips on how to take full control of your finances to be able to make the most out of life and enjoy it to the fullest.

Website: https://themoneywhisperer.co.uk/

7. Looking After Your Pennies

Charlotte from the Looking after your Pennies blog writes about ways to earn an additional income and she shares great tips on how to save money while adding a touch of eco-friendly living.

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A post shared by Charlotte | Financial Educator (@lookingafteryourpennies)

Website: https://lookingafteryourpennies.com/

8. Money shed

The Money Shed began as a platform for students to exchange personal finance advice and strategies for earning money. Over time, it has evolved into a blog featuring various articles on topics, including ways to earn additional income from home, cost-saving measures, and examining different career options.

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A post shared by The money shed 💸 (@themoneyshed)

It gives sound financial guidance, accountability, and encouragement regardless of where you are in your financial journey.

Website: https://blog.themoneyshed.co.uk/

9. Mind over money matters

The Mind Over Money Matters is a financial blog to assist young professionals and college students in beginning their financial lives.

To maximise the benefit and fun of the money you spend each day, it focuses on teaching readers how to spend smarter and travel smarter.

This blog assists you in managing your own financial decisions so you can get out of debt, make more money, know how to start investing, and much more.

Website: https://mindovermoneymatters.co.uk/

10. Money Bulldog

Adam, the creator of Money Bulldog, aims to educate students on financial matters, including debt elimination, investment, and saving techniques. His expertise in finance motivates him to share the valuable knowledge and experience that he gained during the financial crisis.

The blog covers a wide range of personal finance issues, from the major ones like investments, ISAs, pensions, and mortgages to simple strategies for students to save money each week.

Every month, the blog will walk you through one step of the process and provide you with some helpful suggestions for putting it into action.

Students can use this website as motivation to get a great start on making wise financial decisions ahead in life. It’s time to stop daydreaming about making profits on investments and start living it.

Website: https://moneybulldog.co.uk/

11. Savvy In Somerset

Fiona from Savvy In Somerset shares her expertise in “extreme cost-cutting methods” to provide advice on saving money. She tries to demonstrate areas where students and individuals can reduce their spending without giving up all the things they value and provides some ideas for extra income generation.

The blog shows how everyday financial behaviours can add up to significant savings for students and individuals. Savvy in Somerset is an excellent resource for finding ideas on how to save money on things like food, household expenses, clothes, and accessories, as well as how to take advantage of loyalty cards and deals.

Website: https://savvyinsomerset.com/

12. Mouthy Money

Mouthy Money is a financial website established in the UK that provides several resources for millennials wishing to improve their finances and invest their money. The website offers a variety of content, including articles that cover a wide range of financial topics.

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A post shared by Mouthy Money (@mouthymoney)

The Mouthy Money provides advice and resources for students wishing to make investment plans, such as information on various investment accounts and methods for building a great portfolio.

Website: https://www.mouthymoney.co.uk/

13. This is Money

This is Money is a personal finance website that provides tips, news, and advice on various financial topics. They are known for offering knowledgeable, in-depth research and practical advice, making them the perfect resource for students trying to get their financial condition under control.

This is Money offers analysis and up-to-date news on various financial topics, including interest rates, government policies, and the stock market. The website offers online calculators to assist students and individuals in calculating their mortgage payments, determining how much they require to save for retirement, and more.

Website: https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/index.html

14. Foxy Monkey

Foxy Monkey offers a variety of personal finance subjects, with an emphasis on investments. Foxy Monkey’s founder, Michael, wants to demonstrate how people can manage their finances more wisely, particularly by using investments that generate passive income.

The attainment of financial independence is a central topic on his blog, as the author aspires individuals to accumulate sufficient wealth to reach their goals. He shares his knowledge on several strategies that students and individuals can invest their money to increase their income. Foxy Monkey offers advice and knowledge he has learned along the way, including simple money-saving strategies and ways students can make extra money through investments.

Website: https://www.foxymonkey.com/

Ready to stash that cash?

The internet can provide a lot of valuable information to students via amazing blogs as listed here, providing useful tips for saving, frugal living, making some extra cash, and starting to invest. Be sure to only read and follow bloggers that are established, like the ones mentioned here, as they truly provide valuable advice tested and approved by many of their readers and other bloggers.

If you want to learn more about how to make or save money as a student then read some of our other guides on this topic:

How to finance being a student in England

And for the ultimate guide to earning money online check out the extensive reads listed here:

Make Money Online ClickDo Guide

How To Start A Blog In 2023 And Make Money Blogging (5 Step Guide)

If you want to get in touch with us about this post or related queries, please use the form below:

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UK Education Blog

UK Education Blog

UK Education Blog

What is a Blooket?

How does Blooket work?

Pros of Blooket

1. Similar questions, different game

2. Ease of use

3. Variety of game modes

4. Self-Paced

5. Competitive

6. Student Perspective

7. Racing mode

Cons of Blooket

1. Students must read the questions

2. You need to include a lot of questions

3. You cannot edit sets of questions other users have created

4. You cannot see student data

Blooket best Tips and Tricks for Teachers

1. Adapt what’s there

2. Set the speed

3. Reward the class

4. Teaching with Blooket

Final Thoughts

Universal Credit Allowance – What you can claim

5 Tips on reducing Spending to keep Costs under £250

1. Cut down Food Costs

2. Find cheap Clothing

3. Reduce your Household Bills

4. Use more affordable Transport

5. Learn from Students

3 Additional Benefits of Universal Credit to be claimed

1. Disabled Child Allowance

2. Childcare Cover

3. Extra Support

1. Your reasons for applying

2. Your ability to present a coherent case in proficient English

3. Your commitment to the subject, beyond the requirements of the degree course

4. Your preliminary knowledge of the subject area and research techniques

5. Your capacity for sustained and intense work

6. Your reasoning ability

Personal Statement for Masters Applications – Focus Sections

1. Why do you want to study the course at graduate level?

2. What you can bring to the programme

3. What particularly attracts you to this programme?

4. How does your academic or professional background meet the demands of this programme?

5. What are your plans academically or professionally after this degree?

6. An initial outline of an area that you may want to focus on for your dissertation

Top 5 GCSE Online Tutors in the UK

1. The Profs

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2. MyTutor

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3. My GCSE Tutors

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4. First Tutors

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