Global Schooling: What’s an International Approach to Education?

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January 24, 2023

a-woman-on-wheelchair-talking-to-another-woman

An estimated 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the global population, experience a significant disability. All these people use the products and services of businesses every single day, whether it’s supermarkets, retail websites, banks, or healthcare centres.

But despite this, it is remarkable how many organisations fail to make their business suitably inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities. Accessibility is more than just a wheelchair ramp or elevator. There are countless forms of disability, many of which are invisible.

It’s important that businesses large and small, take steps to make people with disabilities feel welcome, valued, and accepted. Too often, when buildings are erected or websites created, accessibility is seen as an afterthought at best. If true systemic change is to happen, inclusivity must be at the heart of all businesses.

If you own a small business and are wondering how you can make your company more disability-inclusive, there are so many things you can do. It’s important to remember that while physical access is crucial, it is only a small part of the solution.

What is really at the heart of the matter is equal service and ensuring that those with disabilities feel respected and empowered.

Here are a few tips for different kinds of disabilities to get you started.

1. Easy Parking

Most people without a disability don’t think about the considerations a disabled person has to make when choosing a business to fulfill their needs. Those with wheelchairs and reduced mobility will tend to opt for those with the most accessible parking spaces. This applies to everything from shops and cinemas to law firms and accountants. Parking in a busy town or city can be difficult for anyone, but for people with disabilities, it is often a dealbreaker.

Don’t let your lack of accessible parking cost you, customers. When choosing an office space to rent or erect your premises, this should be a major consideration. Designated handicapped parking spaces need to be laid out and marked in a particular way, as well as being wider and as close as possible to the main customer entrance.

2. Clear Pathways

Those with mobility impairments must be able to get around easily, both outside and inside your store or offices. Ensure all pathways are wide enough for wheelchairs, crutches, guide dogs, or human assistants.

A disabled person should be able to get from their transport to your premises with ease, but this shouldn’t stop at the front door. Interior passageways should be wide and kept clear at all times. Most people underestimate the need for hallways and corridors to be clutter-free.

It’s common in many offices to see cardboard boxes casually placed on the floor, or garish product displays set up right in the middle of a supermarket. But for a disabled person, this can be a huge inconvenience. Not to mention a dangerous hazard for someone who is vision impaired.

The layout of your office or store should be factored in, and there must be space for a wheelchair to pass through, turn around, and navigate corners with ease.

3. Good Lighting

There are far too many trendy stores and restaurants that attempt to create an atmosphere by keeping the lighting as low as possible. For many consumers, this is a minor annoyance, but for people with vision impairments or reduced mobility, it can be a real danger.

It’s important to make sure your store or office interiors are well-lit, so anyone can see their way around at any time of the day or night.

If possible, try to allow as much natural light into the building as possible, by leaving blinds and curtains open during the day and removing any obstacles from windows.

If necessary, supplement this with additional lighting, especially in passageways and other high-traffic areas.

4. Minimal Noise

A lot of businesses play loud music at all times of the day, but this can be incredibly distressing for those who are hard of hearing. It makes it far more difficult for them to have a conversation or get help from a member of staff.

Although there’s nothing wrong with playing music at a low level, make sure it is not overwhelming and consider people on the spectrum of autism for example, who are hypersensitive.

5. Easy-to-Reach Products

If you own a shop, you want disabled people to be able to reach the products they need without help. High shelves are a major inconvenience for those in wheelchairs, little people, and others who may have trouble seeing or reaching the products on display. Generally, anything above four feet off the ground is not going to be accessible for many people.

The same applies to restaurants, and it is increasingly common to see dining establishments with high tables and service counters. Most buildings are designed and built by non-disabled people, many of whom are taller than the average person and don’t factor other needs into account. This can make life difficult for shorter people and exclude wheelchair users entirely. Generally, try to keep the things you want your customers to see at a lower level.

6. Accessible Toilets

Navigating public toilets can be difficult for disabled people, especially if they are in an unfamiliar building or location and don’t know what the facilities are like. Some disabilities mean an individual will need to use the toilet more often than most, so it’s important you have accessible bathrooms to cater to the disabled.

Having a separate accessible toilet for the sole use of those who are disabled is ideal. If your establishment has a single toilet cubicle for disabled and non-disabled customers to share, this can lead to long wait times and cause anxiety. Someone with a disability is unlikely to patronise a business with inadequate toilet facilities.

It’s essential you ensure you have a toilet that is accessible and comfortable. Make sure you get input from disabled people in the process, so you know everything you need to include.

7. Staff Training

Some members of your staff may not know people with disabilities or be aware of the challenges they face. Although they no doubt mean well, this may make it difficult for them to provide the service a disabled person may need. It’s possible they may display signs of ableism – whether intentional or not – that can make someone with a disability feel unwelcome and insulted.

As an example, a shop employee may not know how to interact with someone who has a visibility impairment and will ignore them because they don’t know what to do. On the other end of the spectrum, many people with disabilities have experienced people being overly condescending and attentive when their help is not required.

Actions like moving someone’s wheelchair without permission are an extreme invasion of one’s personal space, yet those who carry out this behaviour often don’t realise they are doing something wrong.

The solution is to ensure your staff undergoes full training in inclusivity and diversity. For those who are customer-facing, it is essential that they can meet the needs of the entire business clientele, providing an excellent service to all customers, disabled or not.

Training should ensure your employees are knowledgeable and sensitive to the requirements of disabled people while making them aware that some disabilities are not visible. The training can also focus on soft skills as they are important for any customer-facing member of staff.

8. An Accessible Website

When thinking about accessibility, most business owners don’t consider the importance of their company website. But using the internet is a challenge for many disabled people, especially those with vision impairments, reduced motor function, or learning difficulties like dyslexia.

Making sure your website is inclusive to these individuals will only necessitate minor changes on your part but will make a world of difference to a disabled person. Things like breaking up content into digestible chunks or making the font larger will ensure it is easier to read.

Optimise and upgrade your website for keyboard navigation, as this will improve the user experience for those with motor difficulties that have trouble using a mouse. Write helpful alt text on images so those with impaired vision can understand the content and be careful with your use of colours.

Offering live chat functionality is a great way to enable many disabled people to contact your business, as they may not be able to visit you in person and it is a lot simpler than using the phone or email. Take a look at some of the best chat solutions for websites.

9. Company Culture

It’s not only important that your business is inclusive to its customers, but also to its employees. There’s a high chance that one or more of your staff have a disability, so as an employer, you must be sensitive to that fact. It is your responsibility as an employer to cultivate a work environment that is transparent, positive, and inclusive.

Closing Thoughts

You want to foster a workplace in which those who are disabled feel comfortable sharing their experiences and challenges. Make a conscious effort to hire people with disabilities and promote learning and change across your organisation.

Not only will you be creating a welcoming environment for those with disabilities, but you will also be helping your business by expanding your customer base.

The 6 Benefits of Standing Desks for Teachers & Students

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January 20, 2023

In today’s classrooms, standing desks are becoming increasingly popular to improve student learning and engagement and the well-being of all.

In a study released by the Office for National Statistics in 2018, one of the four most common reasons for sickness absence of musculoskeletal problems (including back pain and neck and upper limb problems).

With many education settings grappling with student absenteeism and increased staff absences, standing desks could improve the situation. Standing desks are not only beneficial for students’ and educators’ physical health, but they can also help to create a more productive learning environment, improve focus, and promote better posture.

In this article, we will explore the benefits of using standing desks in the classroom and discuss why they are becoming an increasingly popular choice for educators and schools.

The top 6 Benefits of using Standing Desks in Education

1. Better Physical Health

Standing desks can help to improve students’ and educators’ physical health by reducing the amount of time they spend sitting in one position. This can help to reduce the risk of developing poor posture, back pain, and other health problems associated with prolonged sitting.

Additionally, standing desks can help to increase students’ and educators’ energy levels and alertness, which can lead to improved focus and engagement in the classroom.

2. Increased Focus

Standing desks can help to improve student and educator focus by allowing them to move around and change positions throughout the day. This can help to reduce fatigue and increase engagement in the classroom.

Additionally, standing desks can help to reduce distractions by allowing students to stand away from other students who may be disruptive.

3. Improved Posture

Standing desks can help to improve students’ and educators’ posture by encouraging them to stand upright and maintain good posture while at school. This can help to reduce the risk of developing poor posture, which can lead to a variety of health problems.

Additionally, good posture can help to improve students’ focus and concentration, which can lead to better academic performance.

4. Higher Productivity

Standing desks can help to increase student and educator productivity by encouraging physical activity which stimulates the mind and brain activity. Engaging in theoretical activities combined with physical movement activates muscle memory as well.

Memorization and recall are enhanced and lead to higher productivity when engaged in tasks or assignments.

5. Increased Energy

Standing desks can help to increase energy levels in the classroom by allowing students and educators to move around and get their blood circulating. This can help to keep students alert and focused, leading to better learning outcomes.

The EZ Shopper standing desk for example is an adjustable desk, which is designed with a wide range of heights, so students and educators of all sizes can find a comfortable position to work in. It also features a spacious work surface, making it easy for its users to spread out their materials and work efficiently.

Additionally, it is easy to assemble, making it a great choice for educators who want to quickly and easily set up a standing desk in their classroom.

Why is standing up while learning more effective?

Standing up when answering questions, doing quizzes or exams helps the student stay focused and engaged in the lesson. It also helps to create a sense of order in the classroom and can help the teacher to better assess the student’s well-being.

Additionally, standing up when answering questions can help to increase the student’s confidence and self-esteem, as it shows that they have the courage to speak up and be heard in front of the class.

Finally, standing up can also help to improve posture and blood circulation, which can lead to better overall health and well-being.

Is it better to sit or stand while studying?

A lot of research has been done on the effects of sitting and standing on learning outcomes.

Generally, the consensus is that standing is better for learning than sitting. Studies have shown that standing desks can improve concentration, reduce distractions, and increase engagement.

Additionally, standing can help to improve posture and reduce back pain. A standing desk can be more beneficial if used properly, by alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day and by following the recommended height guidelines for a more comfortable posture.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to sit or stand while studying should depend on the individual and their needs. Some people may find that they are more productive while sitting, while others may find that they are more productive while standing.

It is important to experiment and find out what works best for everyone. However, to maintain a good posture throughout the day and taking regular breaks in order to keep the mind and body engaged while at school is a key elements of a healthy lifestyle.

How to build a football career with football training for jobs in football?

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December 22, 2022

FCV International Football Academy

England is one of only 8 countries to ever have won the World Cup.

But the money and glory aren’t just in playing in the World Cup. The European football market is huge at 21.9 billion pounds. The size of the industry guarantees a place for someone with adequate football training.

Proper football training is indispensable for anyone pursuing a career in football in England.

In this guide, we’ll explain the different stages of undergoing proper football training in England.

Football training as a youth

Most footballers start their journey young. Here are some ways your child can do it as well.

1. Start out at football schools

Football training can start at the age of 4. As a parent, you must focus on your child’s training, exercise, and nutrition.

With this, enroll your child in a football school. It is recommended for children between the ages of 4-12.

The school can provide healthy competition and growth in a structured learning environment for your child. They will be in the hands of professional coaches who will help them become well-rounded and versatile footballers.

Famous football schools in England can be found in almost every city that has a football club. Additionally, you can find football academies that are not part of an FC:

Nike Academy

David Beckham Academy

Academy of Light

Arsenal F.C. Under-23s and Academy

Chelsea F.C. Under-23s and Academy

Liverpool F.C. Reserves and Academy

Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy

Newcastle United F.C. Reserves and Academy

Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Under-23s and Academy

For international football:

Manchester International Football Academy

You can find many local football training academies in your vicinity as well.

If a football school is not an option, don’t forget that there is football taught at every public and private school in the UK and football clubs are usually offered too. Encourage them to try for the school team. Like Jordan Pickford whose only experience before signing to his hometown club aged eight was playing for his school.

2. Join a football boarding school

Once you have tested the waters with football schools and think your child has what it takes, send them to a high-performance football boarding school.

These boarding schools are geared around creating professional footballers and football is part of their daily routine. These schools will develop your child’s raw talent and teach them the soft skills needed for jobs in football.

One such boarding school and academy is Ertheo where Calaum Jahraldo-Martin spent 2 years in the academy learning everything there is to know about professional football.

Other famous football academies and boarding schools in England are:

Bradfield College

Millfield School

Shrewsbury School

Brooke House College

Conduct research about the nearest boarding schools to you, meet the teachers and coaches, check the facilities, and go with the one you feel is the best match for your child.

3. Participate in football tournaments

Once your child has the training needed, it’s time to test their abilities on the field.

Encourage them to take part in tournaments. Just in 2023, there are three types of football tournaments coming up:

Tournament Nationals – A regional grassroots competition for U7 to U15 boys and U9 to U13 girls.
The One. 11v11 Nationals – A national one-day tournament for 11v11 teams U13 to U18 boys and U14 and U15 girls.
One Tournament England Experience played at St. George’s Park National Football Centre for U8 to U11.

They can also register for football festivals like ESF 2023. It is the biggest football festival operating since 1989.

Your child will be able to meet legends like Robert Pires, John Barnes, Ian Wright, Kevin Keegan, Casey Stoney, Teddy Sheringham, Jordan Nobbs, and Danny Murphy.

Starting a career in football

Being a professional footballer is the dream job for many. It promises fame, wealth, luxury and so much more.

Here are a few steps to follow to get on track for jobs in football.

1. Join a team

Football is a team sport, so if you want to play and learn the game, you must join a team.

To maximize your visibility to scouts during your development, you must play games frequently.

Additionally, don’t be scared to switch teams. While it is good to support a local team, if they lack excellent coaching or perform at a high level, it serves no use for you personally.

You must be willing to look for the best setting for your skills to flourish if you want to succeed as a professional.

How can I join a football team?

You can use the Find England Football website to find the type of team that you are looking for and join them for competitive leagues and tournaments.

2. Create a football CV

It is a good idea to put together a CV listing your:

Positions
Qualifications
Accomplishments, and
Graphic highlights, if any exist.

Not only does it give recruiters and future employers a profile of you, but it also fosters self-reflection, which may help you figure out your strengths and limitations.

Consider your resume as a personal statement outlining both the football player you are today and the one you hope to be in the future. You can use it as a tool for setting goals in that regard. In the digital age, it is also recommended to have an online portfolio or CV website.

3. Get an agent

Football, like many other professions, places a strong emphasis on networking. An agent can help you make contacts within the industry.

Although agents play a variety of roles, their primary responsibility is to match you with appropriate teams and make sure you are treated fairly.

In many instances, agents or agencies will approach you in an effort to represent them. But you can also go look for them.

When looking for an agency, you should do your research because not all of them are close with managers or club officials.

How can I find a good football agent?

Go to the list of FA Registered Intermediaries. You can compare and pick an agent you find suitable and get in touch with them. To make them interested in you as a player, send a highlight video of yourself and make sure the first few seconds include your best plays.

4. Go to a football trial event

A prospective footballer’s club trial might be one of the most important moments in their career.

It’s an opportunity to demonstrate football skills to a potential employer and possibly land a job.

It is advisable to take the trial very seriously, showing the qualities that brought you there in the first place, but also to make an effort to enjoy it.

Do your best throughout the practice and games while showing respect for the staff, coaches, and other players.

Don’t give up even if your trial doesn’t lead to a contract offer. Keep trying.

5. Play football at university

You can also try for a football scholarship at a university. You will get to play on the team and receive higher education.

Clubs keep an eye on collegiate football, and some universities have close relationships with clubs. So, you have a chance to join that club.

You can conduct your football training outside college as well.

For example, Matt Smith gained non-league football experience with New Mills, while studying at the University of Manchester. Subsequently, he made his debut for New Mills in the North West Counties Premier League.

Here are some of the scholarships you can apply for. Once you have chosen a scholarship, visit their official website and check if you meet their criteria.

Variety of jobs in football

Jobs in football don’t just entail playing for a team or in a club. There are tons of other options and let’s explore them.

1. Youth coach

You will work at the grassroots level.

With instructing kids in football, you also have to inspire them to play, watch, or coach football for the rest of their lives.

You will obtain the certifications and credentials required to instruct their sport, such as the FA badges for football coaches, allowing your players to take part in engaging, instructive, and hands-on lessons.

You will need to pursue one of the following degrees at the renowned University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) and Global Institute of Sport at the Wembley and Etihad campus to become a youth coach.

BA (Hons) Football Coaching (Blended)
BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Management
BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Talent Development
MSc Football Coaching
MSc Football Coaching (Blended)
MSc Football Coaching & Analysis
MSc Football Coaching & Analysis (Blended)
MSc Performance Analysis in Football

2. Academy coach

You will work from the grassroots to the professional level for the footballer’s development.

Every level has unique duties that call for unique skill sets. You can pursue degree programs, or several industry certifications to improve your employability. This also includes football-related credentials from The FA and UEFA.

Such Academy coach degrees at the UCFB include:

BA (Hons) Football Coaching (Blended)
BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Management
BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Talent Development
MSc Football Coaching
MSc Football Coaching (Blended)
MSc Football Coaching & Analysis
MSc Football Coaching & Analysis (Blended)
MSc Performance Analysis in Football

One of the first people a young player will interact with when they sign up with a professional club is an academy coach. You will be in charge of overseeing their anticipated growth.

You will also be essential to the management structure of the first team.

3. Performance analyst

The perfect job for football fanatics.

You will analyze each play from every game that a club participates in, and that of the opposition week in advance.

You will print copies for the players and coaching staff to study as they get ready for the upcoming big game.

The coaching staff must have all the resources available to them to prepare their team. It is your job to work around the clock to make sure of this.

Like scouts, you will record the athletes’ performance and fitness levels using tools like Scout7, STATS (previously ProZone), and data gathered by companies like Opta.

Performance coaches typically have degrees from UCFB in the following fields:

BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Talent Development
BA (Hons) Football Coaching (Blended)
BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Management
MSc Football Coaching
MSc Football Coaching (Blended)
MSc Football Coaching & Analysis
MSc Football Coaching & Analysis (Blended)
MSc Performance Analysis in Football

4. Scout

Do you have an undying love for the game? Work as a scout and you can see thousands of players of all ages and levels over a season and unearth tomorrow’s talent.

You should have a natural eye for spotting talent in any position as a scout, and a voracious appetite for football at all levels.

Stats, data, and software now play a significant role in scouting new talent in the twenty-first century.

Finding the next generation of talent is made easier by programs like Scout7 and STATS (previously ProZone) and gathered by companies like Opta.

You can pursue either of these degrees at UCFB to become a scout:

BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Talent Development
MSc Football Coaching & Analysis

So what’s next for you?

England loves football with unimaginable passion. Exactly how popular is football here in England?

A Statista survey revealed that in the 2020/21 academic year, around 33.3 percent of children aged between 5 and 16 had played football in the week prior to the survey.

So, there’s a tremendous opportunity and competition in the UK to build a football career, not to mention possible fame and wealth. Lace those boots, give up excuses, gather the information you need, and get going.

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

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December 16, 2022

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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?

what-is-blooket Source

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

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

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UK Education News Publisher

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November 23, 2022

ispring-solutions-launches-quiz-maker-11 Source

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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.

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

By

Shirley Owen

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November 21, 2022

how-to-survive-on-£250-a-month Source

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.

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.

universal-credit Source

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

how-to-survive-on-£250-a-month Source

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

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November 14, 2022

how-to-write-a-great-oxbridge-personal-statement

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.

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.

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?

By

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November 14, 2022

tips-for-writing-your-personal-statement

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.

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.

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?

‘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!

Why Should Adults Embrace eLearning Courses For Personal & Professional Development?

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November 3, 2022