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Top Tips on Why and How to Get a Psychology Degree

By
Shirley Owen
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0
psychology degree courses
psychology degree courses

Deciding to go to college isn’t always the easiest experience in life. From studying all through high school to achieve high grades, to deciding on a degree with the right college for that desired subject, you might have to overcome many hurdles.

With psychology coming in as the fourth most popular college major, there are an increasing number of job opportunities available. There are jobs directly related to a psychology degree such as a clinical psychologist, educational psychologist or forensic psychologist, but there are also jobs where your degree would be useful as for a detective, life coach, neuroscientist and so on.

Most universities to choose from will all have different requirements for accepting students. Let me share the research I have done to help you learn about the requirements and programs available to make the college/university application process easier so you can start to focus on learning about psychology. If you already have a rough idea about which profession you’d like to enter into, then bear this focus in mind when deciding on your psychology degree.

Apps To Help Learn Psychology

The link above helped greatly in my research as there’s a lot of helpful tips. So, check out this article to advance your knowledge on learning about how to get into a psychology program in college or university.

Learn about the requirements to get into college or university

psychology degree RequirementsNow, there are standard college and university requirements you must have in order to apply. Of course, as mentioned above, you must have exemplary grades from high school, or a certificate such as a GED (USA & Canada) or A levels (UK), as well as high test scores, reference letters, and a completed application.

But, if you want to go into a specific program, you will need additional evidence. Psychology degree requirements may vary from college to college, but the foundation would be the same. You should investigate volunteer work in the field of psychology before applying to a college. That way, when you write your personal essay explaining why you should be picked to be in the psychology program, you can prove to the college or university board that you have some experience and you want to further your knowledge. Similarly, it would be wise to sign up for any high school courses related to the field of psychology, not only for the application’s sake, but it would be good for you to get a taste of what the program might be about.

Learn about the different psychology programs available

In addition to applying for psychology, you might want to look at the different programs or focuses you can study within the psychology program, check the UCAS psychology subject guide for more information. For example, if you are interested in the brain, how it functions and how thoughts are affected by the nervous system and other parts of the body, then you might want to study Biopsychology.

Or if you want to learn how conditions affect behaviours, then you might want to study psychology with a focus on behavioural psychology. See more psychology short courses in the UK here to learn about the various options.

There are different fields in the study of psychology that you might find more interest in so it’s good to learn a bit about all of them. But don’t worry, you don’t have to do that all on your own. Normally, your first couple of semesters in college are filled with classes about each topic so you can get a handle on all the options before you decide.

Learn how to study psychology from home

psychology courses Online

Conversely, what if you are already in the work field, have kids, or don’t have the time to attend a college or university in person? Today that does not count you out on getting a proper college education, you can now study psychology at home via online colleges and courses. Even if you’re shuttling kids back and forth from school or extracurricular activities, or getting home in the evening from work, you can still be a psychology student. There are many accredited colleges and universities online that are specifically there for people that cannot, for whatever reason, commit to a full-time collegiate experience. Therefore, you can look online for different colleges that have impressive psychology programs to receive your degree.

Weigh your flexible psychology degree options

If you are interested in the field of psychology, there are many ways to attain a college or university degree. Once you have learned about the different programs and the requirements to get into those programs, you can feel confident in your studies.

Additionally, there are many ways to obtain a college degree no matter what stage in life you’re in. Whether you want to go to a large university or attend classes online, you will be able, with dedication and hard work, to award yourself with a degree in psychology.

Read more on our blog about pros and cons of living in a college dorm and visit our online courses page to read more about online learning and studying.

Sports award creates chance to drive home benefits of cricket for future generations

By
Shirley Owen
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0
Covered wicket inside

The profile for cricket created by Ben Stokes winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year could boost the sport for a generation.

Stokes, 28, becomes the first cricketer since Andrew Flintoff in 2005 to win the prize and earned the accolade after his Man of the Match performance in beating New Zealand to ensure England won the World Cup.

Having spent his teenage years in England in the small West Cumbrian town of Cockermouth where he attended Cockermouth School and played cricket for Cockermouth Cricket Club, laid the foundations for Ben’s sports career.

Importance of access to sports facilities and clubs

This shows that schools and clubs in this country need to make the correct decisions over where to invest to boost facilities in order to truly maximise the health and sporting opportunities for the next generations.

Ben won the North Lancashire & Cumbria Cricket League Premier Division title with the club at the tender age of 15 in 2006 and this achievement was also made possible with the community and school support he had in his hometown.

Streetspace understands the importance of the ability to perform any sports activity at school or within the community and offers a wealth of expertise for schools and clubs aiming to capitalise on the profile generated by this success.

With the vagaries of the British weather always a factor affecting sport, Streetspace can create an all-weather covered wicket to provide a warm well-lit space to allow practice right through the year.

Regular practice with any sport is critical in building a positive sporting habit into the lives of young players being coached to reach their greatest potential.

How great sports facilities can impact students and schools

StreetspaceNewly appointed Head Teacher Dayle Harrison at Revoe Learning Academy in Blackpool knew that to get this school out of Special Measures back in 2013 after an Ofsted inspection, things had to change.

To create a positive focus, he worked with Streetspace to create a covered all-weather sports area. After an initial consultation, he chose Streetspace’s all-weather sports canopies because of the advanced tensile membrane cover system that can create a purpose-built facility at a fraction of the cost of a traditional build.

The school can now offer a wide variety of sports, a space for drama performances, outdoor learning, and assemblies. Additionally, the covered area provides the community with a space for evening, weekend and one-off events, like summer fairs and Christmas markets.

In February 2019, Revoe Learning Academy was rewarded with a “Good” rating by Ofsted – see the full case study here: https://www.streetspacegroup.co.uk/sports-pitch-led-drive-to-fresh-view-of-school/.

This case study beautifully demonstrates how covered pitches and multi-use games areas achieve increased activity use compared to those open to the elements and that this is a great way to boost sports at a school or club.

Even greater use can be achieved if the covered pitch is opened to the wider community through evening or weekend use, should an additional income stream be needed to cover building costs.

outdoor canopyA stylish outdoor canopy will not just provide practical support to encourage sport, but also be an inspiring facility that will leave a lasting and positive legacy for decades for students and upcoming athletes, because:

  • Up to 35 per cent light transmission is achievable through tensile membrane fabrics, which also cut out harmful UV rays.
  • Streetspace all-weather sports canopies have a 20-year warranty and include high-performance coatings to provide exceptional resistance to UV penetration and airborne grime.

For more information on how your school or community can benefit from and improve through Streetspace products like outdoor canopies, walkways, street furniture or all-weather sports canopies, check out more of their amazing case studies.

 

Does good schooling open horizons?

By
Manuela Willbold
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0
importance of schooling

The final bell rings, and children scurry off to their classes or the early morning assembly as a daily ritual, leaving the school building in pride.

Children might not open their books to the benefits of schooling, but we will be lying if we said that good education doesn’t help us win over obstacles and face challenges head-first. Life greets us with a ton of stepping stones, making us realize and accept the truest essence of acquiring skills and knowledge as days proceed.

The Importance of Good Schooling and Its Impact on Children

Good schooling, whether it is conducted by a reputed academic institution or through reinforcement at home by parents, guardians or tutors, helps set the base and foundation of a child’s ultimate intellectual growth. Schools that allow children to indulge in the exchange of unsolicited ideas and extra-curricular activities, along with imposing studies, help shape them as future assets of the society.

Some topnotch private schools involve parents to be a part of their students’ journey. Good schooling will never leave the parents in hindsight. They not only keep them informed about their child’s whereabouts in the class, but also make parents understand the importance of a flexible education – complete with the basic teachings of key subjects like languages, science, and history altogether.

This article looks at how good schooling matters and influences the lives of students by helping them incorporate efficiency, productivity, and punctuality in all walks of their lives.

  1. A Resource of Career Opportunities

    Apart from acquiring the necessary skills, good schooling helps nurture and prepare children for making their ultimate career choice.

    Career Opportunities - good schoolingSince schools allow children to acquire both scientific and non-scientific education, a child isn’t forced to make a career decision based on loose ideas. From performing practical scientific experiments in labs to running for the track on the field, good schooling allows children to test their abilities until they realize what they’re best in.

    Through this process, a pro athlete, a backdoor or alley scientist, or even a teacher who has an interest in all subjects and prefers to help others get an education to emerge as children grow up. Good schooling also opens a treasure trove of career opportunities. Some schools are affiliated with selective training programs or have the privilege of providing soft skills along with the teaching of core subjects. Some schools even have exchange student programs that allow children to stand out to explore their capabilities before spending extra or too much money.

  2. Promotes Confidence and Personal Growth

    Usually, reputed schools hire teachers that focus on their students’ personal growth and confidence rather than just sitting through a lecture in the hope of receiving an apple as a token of appreciation. Good schooling provides children with the opportunity to acquire an education that helps shape up their morals and thinking, and boosts their personal growth and confidence.

    Confidence - good schoolingGood schooling allows you to tackle theories and topics that you might not pursue in your career, but this doesn’t mean that the learning will go to waste. Since learning at a school is always broad-spectrum, you do not only grow academically but also personally. Each course contributes to your assets, at least that’s what we have come to acknowledge.

    You might take up painting and draw for the mere fun of it, but soon you realize, you can channel your inner Van Gogh through your strokes, giving you a profound reason to adore art and culture. You might have never wondered about writing a few lines on your own, but by incorporating creative writing, you unleashed a part of your soul that’s dripping with creativity and ingenuity.

    Taking up a course where you thought you might fumble helps boost confidence like no other. You get to prove yourself that your mind is capable of getting out of its comfort zone, and that’s way beyond text-book concepts. You slowly grasp confidence in your creativity, allowing you to make peace with your art, words, and intellect in a world unparalleled with the competition, bias, and stigmas.

  3. Helps to Battle Gender and Racial Bias

    Good schooling helps to eradicate bias in society by helping you learn about social constructs or socialism as a whole, politics, and gender or racial diversity. A good education enables you to respect and engage with people – irrespective of their crass, creed, colour, or profession – and makes you the person you can have pride in as you grow up.

    Battle Gender - good schoolingWomen are battling the stereotypic culture of not acquiring an education due to the supremacy of the feudal system. In 2013 alone, there were around 775 million illiterate women who didn’t have access to good schooling or primary education as a whole, depriving them of their rights and understanding of gender equality.

    Today, education provides equal – and perhaps 10 -20% higher growth and income-earning opportunities for women, allowing them to take their part of the limelight that they were deprived of before.

  4. Helps Incorporate Teamwork

    Group discussions or projects seem like a drag at first as children feel they can’t achieve the limelight that’s rightfully theirs by working together. Good schooling helps children to understand discrimination at school, allowing schools to make required efforts so that every child can be heard.

    Team Work - Importance Of SchoolingTeamwork allows children to realize the importance of acquiring input from the one who doesn’t seem to appear interested at all and to provide credit to everyone present – either emotionally or physically. By incorporating teamwork from a level that promotes personal growth and influences the shaping up of ideas, children can learn the importance of working together and staying harmonious even when faced with challenges in life.

    As children grow up, they begin to realize that teamwork is not only a part of the workplace but perhaps one of the pivotal assets without which a struggling startup or even an established industry cannot survive.

    Whether you’re appointed as a doctor or a supervisor at a construction site company, you realize you cannot tackle situations without taking the help of your nursing team or architects, general contractors, and engineers, respectively.

  5. Allows You to Strive for Punctuality

    Waking up early in the morning at the beginning of a new school year is usually greeted with excitement or preplanned frowns and groans, especially when children have to drag themselves out of bed. But look at it this way – isn’t waking up every day for school helping children to be punctual and on time for the crucial things in their life? This punctuality will soon help shape them up as essential members of society where they’ll join the workplace or even the cabinet when they grow up.

Good schooling helps to improve a person’s position, their contacts, their learning and monetary situation in society. It sets the foundation for a long-lasting career and enables them to make decisions that they resonate with and make peace within their life.

15 ways to improve your English skills for PTE Academic

By
PTE Academic
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0
PTE-Academic-test-scoring-requirements

Whether you’re in the middle of preparing for an English language test or you’re considering studying in an English-speaking country, you won’t be able to escape the task of proving your English skills in a widely recognised language test.

The Pearson Test of English, PTE Academic, marks a candidate with an automated scoring software that analyses the entire test without any human interference. for example. 

In other words, your PTE-A test has no home window for psychological compassion that may impact your rating whatsoever. While you can always attempt a few PTE Mock Tests simulated like real examination, in this article we are going to focus on what more you can do to improve your English so that you’re best prepared to pass. 

Any hint of expression in your solution will reflect your overall score. If speaking the English language is an issue for you, the only remedy is to enhance it truly. You have to exploit your strengths and improve your weaker abilities to get the maximum score in your PTE Academic Test.

Follow these steps for the best PTE Academic results:

Improve Reading Skills

It is a procedure of the brain, and it requires time to develop. Your mind has to make connections with the words, phrases and expressions represented by symbols, plus reach the ability to comprehend the grammar and structure of the language. If you establish solid analysis abilities, it’ll be beneficial for your future reading skills also in other languages. You can review:

  1. Books in English and articles on the web. Possibly, books you have already read in your mother tongue or which have been turned into motion pictures with subtitles. Try to begin with easy books, even youngsters publications and comics: The images will certainly assist you to understand  unfamiliar words, terms and sayings. 
  2. Switch the operating system of your mobile phone, your desk top or tablet computer right into English. Associating a function with a specific word will boost your vocabulary.

Improve Writing Skills

Even though it might be intimidating to a lot of individuals, any person can get used to writing incredibly well with a little self-control and a readiness to learn.

  1. Document words or expressions you assume beneficial with their definitions and examples. If you notice them in sentences, you will remember them better. You can use them if you keep a journal. If you enjoy using online tools, take photos on your smartphone and save them in management apps like Evernote. 
  2. Compose remarks in English blogs. Today blogs are websites that resemble journals. Great deals of individuals use them to reveal their concepts on a particular topic or to clarify things– from just how to weave a scarf, to extremely challenging ones where technological or thoughtful subjects are dealt with. One standard function of all these blog sites is that they are interactive: the viewers can make comments or debate the ideas mentioned on the blog site. Even if you are not a blog fan, you may find some content that encourages you to participate. Just do it! Communication in your target language is key to practicing your writing skills. 

Improve Listening Skills

This plays a vital part in learning any language.

Active listening enhances specific understanding, and it helps improve precision when talking, to name a few things.

How can you improve your attention skills? By paying attention actively, i.e. taking note not only on what is claimed but also precisely how it is claimed. So, listen:
1. To English songs– old or modern; whatever type you prefer, however, take notice of the verses. (in some cases checking out the lyrics may aid you to comprehend the song – simply search songs with lyrics on video streaming platforms like YouTube).
2. To English movies, television shows, audio books, news, radio– attempt the classics. You can see films on demand numerous times. Enjoy them with subtitles first and then, when you feel extra comfortable, re-watch it without them. You can listen to English radio channels online on your smartphone or computer. Even f you are not paying attention to it, your ears will undoubtedly become accustomed to the sound of the language.
3. Participate in plays, exhibitions, talks, and so on in English organized by English speaking institutions or communities.

Improve Speaking Skills

Talking and pronouncing properly certainly is the hardest of the four language skills, but as quickly as you can speak a little English, there are lots of means to boost these promptly and have lots of fun:

  1. Join articulated conversations. Innovation has advanced a whole lot in regards to social media so, any place you live, you’ll find a chat room or online forum/group to join.
  2. Talk and record yourself. This might appear amusing, but it will assist you to recognize just how you can boost your speaking skills by repeating the recording several times until you rejoice with the results. There are plenty of apps available for voice recording. 
  3. Speak with your classmates in English when you are not in class. You can even set up a group to play games, eat or get together. An alternative are language forums where you can find people willing to converse in English with you. 
  4. Stay clear of all doubts, umms and aahs. This is a part of normal, daily speech that is inappropriate in the PTE. One of the most obvious things you can do is to reduce them by finding other ways to provide your brain with time to consider the words you are going to state next. Often words topple out of our mouths willy-nilly, so being fully knowledgeable about what you are claiming can be a painful experience. It’s a little bit like becoming aware of your breathing or blinking. Nonetheless, make use of doing this whenever you exercise ahead of your test. If you are recording your speech on your own, go back to the beginning and attempt it repeatedly until you notice improvement. Do this, and you will undoubtedly observe a significant distinction in your PTE oral fluency score.

Other suggested tips:

  1. Discover the pronunciation and appropriate usage of words. When you are trying to improve your English vocabulary, do not perplex it merely with learning the meaning of words. You must additionally learn the appropriate usage and pronunciation of all these words. Record your own articulation of these words in the sentences and compare it with the standard pronunciation on a site like dictionary.com.
  2. Discover to use words in a variety of situations. Lots of words can be used in different ways in various situations. It is as a result of great importance to find out just how to use them in various circumstances. Try to come up with 3 or 4 instances in which you can make use of these brand-new words.
  3. Invest some time in the language analysis every day. An efficient method of improving your vocabulary is to listen to new English sounds or check out brand-new English write-ups for some time daily. Even if you spend just 15 ~ 20 minutes everyday analysing something on an information website, it will add up to numerous hours of developing the method over the years. You will undoubtedly be exposed to not merely new words yet likewise new syntax and language application ideas.  
  4. Maintain a listing of words you are learning. Keep a check list of words that are brand-new for you, that you discover each day. Review this list every couple of days. If you do not do this, you will forget the brand-new words after a week or two. This listing is likewise something that you must examine on the day before the examination.

      In a nutshell, a little initiative that you place in boosting your vocabulary will undoubtedly go a long way in obtaining you a high rating in PTE Academic. A vast vocabulary is essential for obtaining a high score in the PTE Academic. Understanding additional words and understanding how to use them appropriately will offer you an edge in all four areas of PTE — Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening.

      Top 10 Mistakes Students Make With Writing Academic Content

      By
      Manuela Willbold
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      0
      Mistakes in academic writing

      A lot of college and university students do not have an awareness of plagiarism.

      They often believe that copying content is not wrong in any way. This is because such students do not have any idea of why plagiarism is banned and how it can be prevented. Some students may consider to buy a custom essay to get professional academic writing support for the best results.

      Students should always realize the seriousness of academic paper submissions of any form such as a PhD thesis. If any chapter or section of the paper is copied, it would be immediately rejected without any further consideration.

      Using manual methods, it is not possible to get complete assurance about content uniqueness. In addition to that, when you are reading through each part of the academic paper, a very long time span would be needed increasing the risk of missing the deadline.

      Here are 10 mistakes students make with plagiarized content

      1. Not enough knowledge of plagiarism

        A lot of college and university students do not know what plagiarism is. Hence, they do not check the paper for copied content before they make a submission. If you are studying at the college level or for an undergraduate degree, you should know about plagiarism and the different forms it can take. This would help you with avoiding it.

      2. Lack of awareness about plagiarism forms

        Simply copying content is not the only form of plagiarism. If your content has not been paraphrased properly, it would be counted as plagiarized. To avoid plagiarism, you should be well aware of all its forms.

      3. Lack of paraphrasing skills

        Once you have enough content in accordance with the requirements of an academic paper, you have to paraphrase the arranged information. This is important because when you are using a source to collect information, due credit has to be given to the author who worked hard to produce it.

        This is done by rephrasing the content and preventing plagiarism. In case of an academic assignment, the submission cannot be made if you have not paraphrased and referenced the content properly.

      4. Missing deadlines

        Deadline - Writing Academic ContentMost college and university students do not have sufficient skills for managing academic paper submissions and assignments in a timely manner. They do not plan the submission and then struggle when the deadline is near.

        It is a fact that timely submission is important, but students have to concentrate on other important factors as well. For instance, content originality is a critical factor for scoring a high grade.

      5. Adoption of shortcuts

        It is hard to pick an option which requires focus and hard work. In case of academic paper writing, students opt for shortcuts so that they do not have to work hard and invest most of their time.

        One mistake made is selecting incorrect sources.  A lot of websites may be offering information according to what they are searching for, but there may be reliability problems. In other words, the information on the website may not be authentic or well-researched and backed up. Students should therefore always double-check the content before submitting. 

      6. No citations provided

        In case of academic papers, students have to be cautious about the provision of citations. This is a very important factor and should not be ignored in any circumstance. When an academic paper is submitted, it is checked in every aspect before being finally graded.

        The assessor or judgement panel would check the sources being used to compile the paper content. Low or unreliable standard sources should be avoided, and credible options should be used to prepare the content of an academic paper. Other than that, proper citation should be provided for each of the sources.

      7. Not using plagiarism checkers

        You cannot submit an academic paper until you are 100% sure about its originality. Even if you have a slight doubt that the content has originality problems, do not submit the paper.

        Plagiarism - Original ContentHow can you get an assurance that the content of your paper is not copied? The best way to be sure is using a plagiarism checking tool. A check for plagiarism procedure should be in place to make sure that the content is well written and unique.

        When the content of your paper has been compiled, use a plagiarism checker to ensure that there are no plagiarism traces. Using a plagiarism checker is quite simple and any user can manage it. All you have to do is upload the content and the tool will scan it for plagiarism.

        If there are any traces of copied content, they would be highlighted. Using a reliable checking tool means that you are not taking any chances of failing your assignment or course. Plagiarism checking tools are quick and easy to use and will save you a lot of time and headache. Just Google them and compare them first. Choose the one you find works best for you. 

      8. Not enough attention on paraphrasing

        A lot of students have the opinion that paraphrasing is not an important factor. They leave this task for the last moment which creates a problem. Other than that, rephrasing the content manually is not the most comfortable option. You can use a paraphrasing tool and get the content rewritten quickly without any accuracy doubts. This is a smart strategy to prevent plagiarism and submit an original paper.

      9. A hasty approach for content submission

        Students mostly have a hasty approach for handling assignments. The situation becomes more stressful for them when they are working on multiple submissions. When students are running out of time, they compromise the quality of the paper.

        In other words, they copy content and submit it without any paraphrasing. Academic assessors and research supervisors use high standard tools to check the content for plagiarism. Thus, if your paper has copied the content, it would certainly be identified.

      10. Absence of proper planning

        A high percentage of students do not plan their academic paper in the correct manner. When the tasks are not planned properly, time is wasted and the stress of not making a timely submission is created. To meet the ends, students take plagiarism checking lightly and submit copied content.

      Here is How To Write High-Quality Papers And Essays More Quickly while avoiding these 10 mistakes.

      If you have submitted a plagiarized paper, it is worse than not submitting anything as you will have put in a lot of time and effort, which wouldn’t be rewarded. It is therefore highly advisable to prevent silly mistakes like plagiarism that will cost every student a lot more than just a loss of time and pride.

      How To Write High-Quality Papers And Essays More Quickly?

      By
      Dinesh
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      0
      how to write good essay

      There is simply no getting around it. It doesn’t matter if you are in school, interning for the summer, or working your first job, there probably will come a time when you are required to write some kind of paper.

      Sure, with the technology and reach of the Internet, you can spend hours researching the dullest of topics and come out with a 20-page paper or more. But, how do you know that this paper is any good and does it really deserve 20 pages or more?

      In order to save yourself a bundle of time, you need to learn to write high-quality papers in the most concise and quickest way possible. That is exactly what you are going to learn below.

      Learning to do so will not only make you a better writer overall, but it will make you stand out amongst the everyday ordinary writers in your industry.

      Develop A Sound Strategy

      Anything that gets done efficiently and effectively is done so with proper planning. No one just goes into a project blindly and succeeds with flying colours the first time around. Okay, there are some individuals that are lucky enough to get these results, but most of the time this is not the case at all. This is why you need to take the time to sit down and plan out your paper. Figure out what the paper is going to be about, how much time you want to spend on each section of the paper, and when you are going to work on the paper. Knowing these things ahead of time will help you go into the situation more prepared.

      how to write quality essaysPrepare An Outline

      An outline is somewhat similar to developing a strategy or sitting down and noting all your brilliant ideas. It is like developing a flow chart that you will later use to complete the paper. Creating a concise outline will help you decide where you are going to start as well as give you a good idea of how you are going to finish. And, the best writers know that the beginnings and ends are two of the most crucial components of any paper. An outline can be used as a cheat sheet and it is something that you do not want to be caught without.

      Don’t Be Afraid To Get Help

      There are a lot of regulations and restrictions on college papers these days. And, yes there are ways to get help even if you feel helpless and overwhelmed. Many universities and colleges provide academic writing guidance and all tutors and professors are happy to provide assistance with academic writing. If you need help with writing a paper, you can simply reach out to academic writing advisors that will provide you with the best answers to all your questions around essay writing.

      Avoid The Distractions

      Your phone, as well as the laptop, might be great research tools, but they can also be major distractions. This is especially true if you are constantly logged in to social media or other social services. Make sure that you either log out of these services or completely do away with your phone and laptop before sitting down and writing.

       

      5 Things To Consider Before Teaching English Abroad

      By
      Manuela Willbold
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      0
      Teaching English Abroad

      If given the opportunity, most of us would jump at the chance of teaching English in another country.

      Living and working abroad gives you the chance to open your mind and immerse yourself in a culture that you are not used to. Teaching English abroad offers this and so much more.

      It is an experience like no other, and there are so many benefits to be considered, too. That said, there are a few things you’ll need to know before you fulfil your dreams from packing your bags until you start your adventure there.

      Here are our top 5 preparation tips before setting off to teach English:

      1. You will need your TEFL

      In order to teach English abroad, you are required to have a TEFL qualification, on top of your bachelor’s degree in any subject. The TEFL can take as little as three months to complete and can be completed online or in class. A TEFL certification is the minimum qualification normally required for a teaching job with language schools around the world and it’s a great way to gain an understanding of what will be required of you when you do land a teaching role in a foreign country.

      1. Understand what you’re getting yourself into

      Setting off to teach English abroad is not a decision that should be made light-heartedly. It is a big commitment, and you will have to sign a contract of employment. Do go through your teaching contract with a fine-tooth comb before signing, as you will be in a different country with different employment laws, and so it is important to be aware of what you are agreeing to.

      If you’re unsure, seek advice and it’s always a good idea to have a solicitor or teacher with a similar background to look over it just to make sure everything being asked of you is in order. It’s also a good idea to do some research on the country or area you will be living in. Familiarise yourself with the culture, politics and customs of the society so that you can immerse yourself within it as much as possible.

      1. Dealing with culture shock

      When moving to a country that is new and unfamiliar to live and work in, experiencing a culture shock is inevitable. Preparing for the change should help you to settle in more easily. To do this you should do plenty of research before you leave and, on arrival, try to take some time to yourself to explore the area and to gain a better perspective on the cultural differences.

      Learning the country’s official language can also set you in good stead. One important thing to keep in mind is that you should teach, but also allow yourself to be taught. This is an opportunity to learn as much as you can about another country and to develop yourself as a person, you might not get a better opportunity for personal growth again in your career.

      1. Patience is necessary

      Patience is key when teaching anywhere in the world, no matter who your students are. You will inevitably have a range of students who will each have their own specific needs, wants and preferred style of learning.

      Remain calm at all times and remind yourself of why you are doing this. If it is for the right reasons, your struggles will soon seem minuscule when weighed up against the value of the knowledge you are imparting and the relationships you will develop with your class.

      1. Leaving home won’t be easy

      Teaching English Abroad - Video CallRegardless of how long you wish to spend working abroad, when the time comes for you to leave your homeland, it certainly won’t be easy. There’s no sugar coating it. However, do keep in mind that you can easily keep in touch with your loved ones back home via Skype and Facetime, and that you will create new, long-lasting relationships with like-minded people during your time abroad.

      Homesickness is something that most of us experience at some time during our lives but it’s all a matter of perspective. Remember to be grateful everyday to have the opportunity to live and teach in another country as that’s something that is only a dream for many.

      Feel ready now for your trip? Considering the above tips should help you feel better prepared and enable you to make the most of your experience teaching English abroad.

      Good luck!

      10 fast ways of gaining knowledge using the internet

      By
      Manuela Willbold
      -
      0
      different ways of online learning

      The beauty of the internet is that you can learn almost anything you want for free and it’s available at the click of a button.

      Because the internet has become a global network, connecting all computers, tablets and smartphones everywhere in the world over the last 25 years, it now offers a wide range of learning opportunities online.

      I know, you’re thinking this is about free online courses. But think again! People have invented many more methods of sharing their knowledge on the web.

      You wonder what they are? Then read on and find out about 10 easy and fast ways to learn something on the internet.

      1.Learning by watching – use video platforms like YouTube

      The number one source for online tutorials is YouTube. Nowadays, people share their skills or knowledge by recording and uploading videos to their own YouTube channel. They use YouTube because it has the largest share of video traffic on the internet. Some popular Vloggers are watched by millions daily. Some YouTube users often struggle to find time to stream the videos while they’re connected to the internet, because they’re working or busy doing other things. Fortunately, you can now record videos instead and watch them while you’re on the underground train for example.

      You may be wondering how to record a live stream on Mac. The answer is to use a screen recorder software. This desktop screen recorder is the best because it allows you to record unlimited screencasts. Using an online screencast recorder can be troublesome due to the long flash loading and consumption of a large amount of bandwidth.

      2. Read a Step by Step Article

      You can learn more about a subject by reading a step by step guide on a how-to website, relevant blog or online magazine. Usually, there are drawings or photos to help you understand what the guide is about. It is recommended that you use several step by step tutorials as some might miss out information or not show how to do the skills that you want to learn fully.

       3. Sign Up for an Online Course

      If you are good at absorbing academic information, you may be interested in signing up to anlearning on the internet online course. You can find free online courses on almost any subject. Free courses usually only offer an introduction to the topic with limited content. If you are serious, go ahead and sign up for a paid course. The certificate issued by a paid online course is also more valuable and recognised, especially from a university or college.

      4. Reference a Pictorial Tutorial

      You can also learn something by following a pictorial tutorial. The pictorial tutorial provides step by step instructions using photos or images only with text added at times. It is especially useful for learning hands-on skills like how to apply make up. You can find them on Pinterest, Instagram, and Google Images. When looking at an image, right-click on it and select view image to see it in the largest size on your browser. This will allow you to easily see the visual instruction clearly and follow the it correctly.

      5. Listen to Podcasts

      Learning from podcasts may be best suited to you if you are a good listener and can catch and memorise every word that people say. If you want to download a free podcast, look it up on search engines. For example, if you want to download a free SEO podcast, search for “SEO podcast” on Google. You will see that a lot of websites are providing some of the best podcasts. You can click through and review the podcast on the list to decide which one to download. They can then be played and enjoyed anywhere from you mobile device.

      6. Take an Online Quiz

      You can take online quizzes to learn a subject. There are lots of websites and apps such as Sporcle that offer free quizzes with tons of questions relevant to the topic. Even if you have never read anything about the topic at all, you can still do the quiz and learn from the wrong answers. Usually, it will provide the correct answer and a detailed explanation for the questions you got wrong.

      7. Download eBooks

      You can download eBooks on any topic you want to learn online. Professors, famous authorsebook academic and factual learning guides and experts write many eBooks these days as they’re quicker and easier to publish. Search for eBooks in the formats that are supported by the tablet or eReader you use – like PDF, ePub, and Kindle. PDF and Kindle eBooks are the most popular. There are lots of sites that offer free PDF eBooks, like PDF Drive. The best thing about PDF is that they are like a real book; if you open your PDF in the PDF viewer on your tablet, the pages will flip like the authentic pages of a book. They are also displayed in the same style. Plus, you can also highlight text, save it or share it online. Kindle also allows you to find synonyms for words or explanations.

      8. Study Infographics

      Reading information about a topic on an infographic is the best for you if you need to go through the quick facts. Infographics creatively use graphics, charts, and text with different colour and sizes to convey the information. It is easier to go through the information on the infographic than reading an article. There are colourful pictures on the infographic to help you absorb key facts faster.

      9. Watch PowerPoint Slideshows

      Watching PowerPoint slideshows can help you get the information you want fast. Usually, slideshows are produced by instructors who have experience in teaching the topic. It can be helpful if you don’t understand what you are reading in a textbook. It lists quick facts in short sentences so that you can easily remember what you read.

      10. Post Your Questions in a Forum

      You can make use of an online forum to ask questions about something you need to know more about. It works on any online platform that allows you to post a message like social media and blog comments. There are lots of people who will take the initiative to post an answer to help you with the issue or the administrator of the website will provide one. See the famous TES forum as an example: https://community.tes.com/.

      Hopefully these 10 online learning methods have given you inspiration to test a few and see if you can achieve the learning outcomes you are looking for ideally. Learn something that will fulfill you and allow you to thrive.

       

      Improving future education by making budgets go further

      By
      Nigel Deacon
      -
      0
      Outdoor learning and future education

      On 20 June 2019 Lord Agnew spoke at the Festival of Education at Wellington College in Berkshire, England. In his speech, he considered the current state of education in the UK, as well as looking at how far it has come and where it needs to get to. This wide-ranging overview also included plans on how the Department for Education (DfE) aims to meet its long-term goals.

      Future Generations need better education and resources

      Lord Agnew highlighted not only the role of education in developing future generations, but also current national problems concerning industrial productivity and social mobility. The answer, he said, lies in our schools and colleges and in order to improve Britain’s productivity he commented:

      “we need a major upgrade in the nation’s skills”.

      To achieve this, Lord Agnew pointed towards the DfE’s Industrial Strategy to invest in individuals, innovation and infrastructure. Among other things, this will encompass:

      • focusing on school autonomy and trusted leaders to run their schools;
      • teacher retention and reducing their workloads;
      • reforming the curriculum and introducing the English Baccalaureate (EBacc).

      Schools and colleges can only support students with the best talent and infrastructure

      Looking to the future, the aim for all schools to become academies was still strongly advocated and Lord Agnew stated that

      “we must be ambitious for the future of our schools and colleges, not just for the next year but for the next generation.”

      Colleges were highlighted as the critical infrastructure of the Industrial Strategy, and the Post-18 review of education and funding in May 2019 was mentioned as “[arguing] compellingly for much greater investment in further education – both talented teachers and the essential infrastructure, such as buildings and equipment, that underpins the sector.”

      This final point backs up Lord Agnew’s view that

      “Schools and colleges need to have the resources to support the development of healthy, happy children.”

      This won’t be news to anyone working in education because, like many other public sectors, funding has been a longstanding issue for many years, with school leaders continuously looking to stretch their budgets ever further and make every pound count inside and outside of the classroom.

      Innovation for improved outdoor education and well-being

      This means that traditional ways of doing things are always under review and innovative Canopy for better outdoor learning and activitiesapproaches are sometimes adopted, particularly where they can be shown to offer cost savings. One example of this is in the increased use of canopies for sports areas and dining spaces. Streetspace, UK’s innovative and successful provider of covered space projects to education and leisure organisations, have worked with numerous schools and colleges over many years and installed all-weather canopies at a fraction of the cost of a traditional build.

      The benefits of installing a cost-efficient dining area canopy include

      • increased dining revenue,
      • less overcrowding,
      • healthier meal choices by students,
      • less supervision and cleaning being required.

      All-weather sports canopies will enable activities and games to continue even during the worst of the British weather and they also offer important UV protection from the sun.

      The overall well-being and health of the students and teaching staff can be improved by providing more learning opportunities outdoors and spaces can be utilized more efficiently.

      Extra financial support through the Condition Improvement Fund

      Helping to balance the school or college budget even further, there may also be opportunities to gain capital funding for projects to install a canopy – for example, through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) or an operating lease.

      By taking advantage of such public funding schemes, schools and other educational settings can make reasonable and effective changes now that will improve education and learning in the future. In a time where digitalisation draws humans further away from the outdoors, it is especially crucial to rethink and reshape outdoor learning as physical activity will play an important part in the overall health and well-being of our future generations.

      Being prepared for the challenges of future education

      So, it seems that the education sector will continue to evolve under the government’s direction and innovations. It is yet to be seen what the impact of some of these changes, such as the EBacc, will be, but there will inevitably be long-term effects. As Lord Agnew said in his closing remarks:

      “Now is the time to think big, not small. Long-term not short term. To ensure that we can fix the generational challenge of productivity and that our world class education system continues to improve and be available to all children.”

       

      Distance Learning: Fastest Ways to Get an Online Degree

      By
      Manuela Willbold
      -
      0

      Everything we need is at the tip of our hands. Hungry? Order food from Uber Eat. In a shopaholic mood? Shop online. Missing someone? Face time them. Many things that a human requires are now at the tip of our fingers using our mobile phones.

      From banking to housing everything we need is available to access on the internet, so why let education stay behind?

      Currently, more than 6 million U.S college students have enrolled themselves in at least one type of online degree course. Previously when people would think about online courses, most meant internships, language courses or extra short courses. But now you can complete a bachelor’s degree course online.

      The reason why online distance learning is booming is that not everyone fits into the traditional school model and the online programs provide other ways of meeting the diverse and often unique needs of students worldwide.

      Online learning is not just attractive for students from the age of 18 -25. Online distance learning can be the only way where more mature people can access the learning they desire in a flexible manner.  There is no age limit for learning, and long-distance learning is the growing learning trend to educate people struggling to access education with the traditional models.

      As technology changes so do our methods of learning. As John Dewey said: “If we teach today’s student as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.”

      How Does an Online Degree Work?

      Even though online distance learning is more than a decade old, the term and its usage are still new to most of its users. If you are looking forward to distance learning you should know the various opportunities it offers to align yourself with your preferences.

      Online Courses: The online courses offered by universities and community colleges should not be confused with full-time classes. These courses are designed to provide personalized growth and certification and offer flexible tutoring sessions online for completion in the student’s own time.

      Online Degree program: These programs are like a full-time degree, but they are a unique way to acquire an online degree. You might be required to have some field work experience, conduct an internship, do exams or fieldwork.

      Hybrid Program:  As the name suggests it is the hybrid version of the two mentioned above.

      Massive Open Online Courses: These programs were basically launched by MIT and other colleges but are now followed by various universities. The format is open (no need to enroll) but might require fees for certification.

      Where to look for online learning programs?

      If your goal is to gain fast online degrees, there are many programs that offer 5 week, 6 week and even 8 week courses in the following field:

      • Accounting
      • Business Administration
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Criminal Justice
      • Education & Teaching
      • Emergency Management
      • English
      • Environmental Policy
      • Finance
      • Fire Science
      • Forensics / CSI
      • Health Science
      • Healthcare Administration
      • Human Services
      • Information Technology
      • Legal Studies
      • Liberal Arts
      • Management
      • Marketing
      • Nursing
      • Nutrition
      • Psychology
      • Public Administration

      Things to Consider

      Fast online degree classes help you take twice as many courses as you would with a normal degree course. The shorter programs which are between 5-8 weeks give you more opportunity to cover many credit hours.

      Online courses on Udemy for example, offer you the freedom to work whenever you choose to. So, you can either work from home or have your normal work and complete your course after work. You’re basically killing two birds with one stone.

      Some programs will let you finish a degree along with other factors (work and life) as you can take breaks in between while others will require you to finish the assigned jobs. These can be specific hours and credits, fieldwork, minimum grade points, and even volunteer experience.

      Lucrative online courses are designed for everyone whether you are an employee looking forward to adding extra certificates to your CV or a high school graduate who wants to try a new approach and save time and money. These programs are designed to complete your degree in a shorter amount of time, therefore, will require your most attention and dedication while completing them.

      Try online courses and see what works for you

      Online education is like a rising tide, it’s going to lift all boats. But what goes up must come down. If you take online programs with less dedication and attention, that might create a problem soon.

      An online program uses many formats and methods. Selecting programs must be made keeping the accreditation and state requirements. Before deciding, one should have prior knowledge of their own preferred learning style, preferences, and educational needs. These programs are designed to provide information which can be used for future benefits and professional development. Remember that results emerge over time, not overnight. Work hard, stay consistent, and be patient and enjoy the new flexibility and freedom online learning offers.

       

      Author Bio

      Ray Charles is a freelance writer and copywriter specializing in the education sector. He has 10 years of experience in teaching and academic writing. He has written many research papers on academic subjects. He is currently writing for many educational informational websites including Mydegreeguide.com.

       

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