Thursday, March 26, 2020

The Benefits of Learning Chemistry While at Work

The Benefits of Learning Chemistry While at WorkLike most all adults, you probably have to take a chemistry class at some point in your life. Why? Well, this is the best place to pick up information and new ideas, especially when you are getting ready for chemistry exams. The good news is that you can easily learn about this subject without spending hours in school.In school, we learned about what elements are, the different elements in nature, the properties of these elements, and the basic units of chemistry. We also learned how atoms are made up, chemical bonding, bonding molecules, and we learned some basic elements. These things are taught in a formal class or in an honors class, but generally in high school, you are taking a general science class.You also learned a little bit about different chemical compounds. As we learned more about chemistry, we learned that there are many different chemical compounds and we learned a little about the compounds that we encounter everyday. T his includes the chemical compounds in soda pop, the chemical compounds in medicines, and the chemical compounds in foods.It is also a good idea to learn about the different chemical compounds and the compounds that we come in contact with every day. Many people can't take the time to get this information, so it is a good idea to look online and find sites that provide information about compounds, and give some very useful pointers.However, there are some tips that can help you out in taking chemistry tests, especially when you are on the job market. One of the best things that you can do is to start a library of books and learn about chemistry. If you have time, start studying more about the elements, their properties, and the different compounds that we come in contact with. You may also want to learn about the different chemistry units that you will need to study for.Finally, after a while, you will want to study all the things that you are learning, so that you will remember the m when you are taking the classes that you want to take. Some of the common things that you will want to learn about are properties of elements, properties of compounds, bond mixtures, and all of the different things that you learn in a chemistry class. The best thing about this is that you can read it from any book you like, it is not limited to just one book or one teacher, and you can learn it even while you are working.The best thing about this is that you can always find a good book and a teacher and you can continue to keep yourself prepared for your test. Keep practicing and reading and you will find that you don't have to spend hours in school or even go to a formal classroom and study.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Should I Go To Oberlin College

Should I Go To Oberlin College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Sasha received his Bachelors degree in Neuroscience and Philosophy from Oberlin College. He is currently a tutor in Chicago specializing in philosophy tutoring, Spanish tutoring, and several other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at Oberlin College: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Sasha: I attended Oberlin College, in Oberlin, OH. The campus was extremely easy to get aroundit was arranged in a grid, which was only slightly longer than it was wide. Many people bike, and there is a bike co-op that is all about learning to repair bikes, and increasing bike accessibility (more on co-ops later). Coming from Philadelphia, the campus felt very quiet, and it is perhaps the safest place I will live in in my life, and certainly in the foreseeable future. There were, of course, crimes, but relative to city life, they were sparse and significantly less violent. At night, there is a free shuttle that you can call for a ride if you feel unsafe walking. Safety and Security also provides this service 24/7. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at Oberlin College? Sasha: I could not imagine the professors being more available. I scheduled meetings for later in the same day, and I often found that directly after class, professors would make time to talk. Beyond just providing their time, professors generously shared contacts and advice, and they were genuinely supportive people. Beyond the classroom, I have had meals with professors, both on campus and in their homes, and I organized multiple social events that included both faculty and students. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Sasha: The dorms at Oberlin College are quite diverse in terms of cleanliness, upkeep, and, for some, programming. Dorms are assigned based on a lottery system, which is randomized within semesters in-residence. Your number is constrained by how long you have been on campus, and it determines your pick order. There are some very nice dorms, and there are some more antiquated dorms. These do tend to be the first year dorms, however, the experience of living in them is likely worth it. First year dorms provide an easy place to meet people, and to hang out with your neighbors. That being said, it is not the vibe everyone wants. If you desire a strong social system, but are not one for the crush of humanity that is living in the first year dorms, the co-ops may be a good choice. Admission to the Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA), which is not owned by the college, is also run by lottery. However, it is totally random, and semesters in-residence do not matter. OSCA is owned a nd run by its members, and it functions largely independently of the college. OSCA offers more affordable housing and dining, along with an extremely dedicated and close-knit community. Living or dining in a co-op does commit you to a few hours of work each week, largely in the upkeep of the space, or in preparation for meals. There are also programmed dorms, if youd like shared cultural heritage or hobbies to help determine your neighbors. Outside of dorm life, opportunities for socializing abound. There are hundreds of clubs, spanning a massive set of interests. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Sasha: Politics, English, and biology are probably the most popular majors in each of the three divisions (social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences). Beyond these, comparative American studies, classics, and neuroscience are some other popular and well-supported majors. I studied neuroscience and philosophy because I wanted to approach the questions I had and continue to have from multiple directions. Oberlin College, through its faculty, made me feel very supported in my studies, and I was often asked difficult and necessary questions. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Sasha: Freshman year, it was very easy for me to meet friends, many of whom I am still close with, and a few of whom I live with. There is no Greek life at Oberlin College, which I think is fantastic. The lack of a de facto social scene means that people are, in general, more intentional about seeking the sorts of friendships they want. People are also much more friendly than I was used to, so talking to strangers quickly became easy. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services at Oberlin College? Sasha: Im not especially qualified to speak to this, as I made minimal use of the Career Center and other support services. The Registrars office was quite helpful when I needed them, as was the Office of the Student Union. The rest I cannot really speak to. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Sasha: The libraries are large, and the librarians work hard to make them useful, productive spaces. The student union is a big mish-mash of room types, and it is used for all sorts of things. It could do with some redecoration, but it serves its purpose well. These sorts of buildings are well located on campus, and they rarely feel over-full. Describe the surrounding town at Oberlin College. Sasha: The town of Oberlin was founded after the college (if only by a few years), if that gives you a sense of its size. There are some great stores in town, but dont expect much diversity within any category. There is a hardware store, a general store, an antique shop, a theater, etc., but not more than one of these sorts of things. The restaurants are inexpensive if you are coming from a city, but cost more than other small towns in Ohio. The town of Oberlin is fun if you can structure your time and be creative. There are things to do, but the town isnt going out of its way to amuse you. People live there, and do cool things, but you need to be proactive about finding them. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Sasha: The student body is about average size (without doing any math) for a liberal arts college, and it feels likes it (that is, small). That was never a bad thing for me, but if you want to only see the same people once a month, look elsewhere. Faces will likely become familiar, even if you dont know everyones name. I liked the sense of community that arose from this, as I think many of the students do. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Sasha: A memorable experience in my senior year, I took a seminar called The Neurobiology of Addiction. As you can infer from the title, the class was both science-heavy, and of significant social importance. About halfway through the semester, following discussion with the class, my professor decided to cancel the remaining oral presentation. She did this so that we could spend our time preparing a series of activities to teach the local 8th graders about addiction in a factual and approachable way. I already knew I liked teaching, but having a chance to teach a subject that is so often mired in fear mongering and misinformation was rewarding and exciting. The 8th graders and their teachers responded very favorably, as did my classmates. My professors desire to make what we were learning useful, instead of just checking off boxes on the syllabus, was an experience I wont soon forget. Check out Sashas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

De-centralised Learning with Meetnlearn

De-centralised Learning with Meet'n'learn Tutors are in demand from a growing number of students who would previously not have had the opportunity to access this privilege. Instead, there is a rise in peer-to-peer learning between high school and university students that are pulling each other up. As they realize that they have skills that may be different, but complimentary they recognize ways in which they can learn from each other. Often it is the case that there is not enough availability of teachers or professors for each student to give individual support. So many students have taken it into their own hands and decided to find other methods so that they can learn from each other. Meet’n’learn is empowering these students to take learning into their own hands. Students can fill out their profiles online themselves and immediately get students who are sometimes their own age, at other times younger, that is introducing peer-to-peer learning. For those students that are at University, they can find a way to teach the subjects that they are becoming specialist in. By tutoring others they are able to learn better and deeper themselves. Without this opportunity that Meet’n’learn presents for students to teach and learn their own subject, through a safe and easy to use platform then, students both at University and also at high-school may find themselves having to take on part-time jobs that are not relevant to their careers or specialist subjects such as working as a waitress or delivering food, papers or any other number of low-wage and skilled jobs. The question of quality comes into play when students themselves are tutoring others. Quality is measured by the students who are able to measure how good the tutors are for them, by their improvement in that particular subject at school. For example, one student who was struggling in her physics exam found that she was able to pull up her marks from a 6--that is the worst mark you can achieve in Germany in a subject--to a 3. This was a huge improvement and she could measure the quality of the tutor against her school success. Meet’n’learn like TutorFair believes in accessibility for all. Tutors can set their own fee, however, they can choose the possibility to give special offers to those that cannot afford the price set. This encourages more students to navigate and discuss specific situations and needs with those tutor on the Meet’n’learn platform. Bilgehan Arikoglu who since January 2015 has been managing business development for Meet’n’learn has developed partnerships with Sprachschule Beck-up that is the biggest YouTube channel in Germany for math-videos and Die Neue Schule, to name a few. With over 1300 tutors active in Austria and Germany having reached over 1500 tutors in October 2015, Czech Republic and Slovakia combined have over 5000 tutors it`s clear that Meet’n’learn that was founded by Juraj Svincak and Tomáš Palkovic in 2012 have developed an wonderful opportunity for peer-to-peer and intergenerational tutoring that can be found over a quick and easy platform that is user-friendly for both parents and students alike. Written by  Jessica White: Freelance EdTech Consultant

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Tutorfair has been recognised by Insights Success!

Tutorfair has been recognised by Insights Success! ‘They have given thousands of students access to free tuition and inspired many of the UK’s top tutors to join the Tutorfair community.’ Tutorfair is back in the news! This time we have been recognised for our technological vision, making  education and tutoring more accessible. Tutorfair has been shortlisted, amongst a small number of other outstanding and exceptional solution providers, in Insights Success  The 10 Fastest Growing Education Solution Provider Companies issue.   Like Tutorfair, all these education solution provider companies are using technological advancements as its best and are standing strong while proving their mantle. ‘Educational Transformation with the help of Technological Upgradation’ Featured as part of  The 10 Fastest Growing Education Solution Provider Companies series, Insights Success discusses the Tutorfair journey, Andrew, our CEO’s vision for Tutorfair, the hurdles we’ve overcome and the promise we have as a foundation. Tutorfair: Giving Every Student Fair Access to Excellent Tutors ‘Tutorfair was launched by Andrew Ground, Mark Maclaine, Edd Stockwell, and Patrick Verdon in 2012 and is based in London, United Kingdom.’ ‘Tutorfair offers professional development opportunities through tutor training, volunteering, and observation. Students can look for tutors by subject, and browse their profiles to view their videos. Registered users can make their own shortlist, book tutors and message them.’ ‘They offer  Paid Tutoring, where a small donation is made to the Foundation with each lesson purchased through Tutorfair;  Professional Training, where some of the most experienced tutors in London share their best practices; Volunteer  Programs, where tutors work with inner-city students in small group tutoring or university application workshops.’ Andrew Ground: Finding Solutions for the Real Life Problems ‘As with every good idea it started with a problem, the story of Tutorfair began when  Andrew Ground, CEO and Co founder  of  Tutorfair,  started to find a tutor for his son. Andrew had just finished being CCO at LOVEFILM (the Netflix of Europe), which had sold to Amazon. At LOVEFILM Andrew had helped create an incredible product that could help users pinpoint the ideal film to watch next.’ ‘Andrew found it surprisingly difficult to find a tutor for his son. He realized that his need for a tutor was a similar informational need to his previous product, and one that the web would be perfect to solve; and he cared much more about helping his child succeed, than he did about what to watch next.’ “One For One” Promise ‘After a little research, Andrew realized that he was not alone in this journey. Both the Americans and Germans had already established tutor marketplaces. He presented the idea to an early investor who suggested the “one for one” promise; for every student who pays they would give tutoring to a child who can’t. This was a big idea that could transform the way people saw the tutoring business; it attracted a team who wanted to make waves within education, and formed their name “Tutorfair”.’ Overcoming the Hurdles ‘Andrew and his team set out to create a Minimal Viable Product (MVP), but it took a lot of troubles to make it viable.  Their MVP was launched in January 2013 but it certainly was not viable, not even close. The team manually signed up tutors by showing them mock-ups on paper of what the website would look like, and set up volunteering projects in local schools. Their friends soon found out about what they were up to, and put in their tutoring requests. They would call up the tutors to arrange the lessons and send an invoice. They had a business, a community of tutors, a brand and a clunky website. It was a thrill for the team to see a few users trickle through and use the site â€" but 80% of their business was offline.’ ‘Andrew took this as validation of the concept, and raised £150k to employ a full-time developer to fix the product. Having an in-house developer sped up the entire process, they tackled even the worst bugs and became confident adding in features that were initially left out. They began to feel good about the progress they were making.’ Easy way for Tutors to reach Students ‘For tutors, Tutorfair is free to join â€" they set their own hourly rate and the subjects they want to teach with subjects ranging from English, Maths and Science to chess, music and drama. Tutorfair charges a variable rate of commission on top of their hourly rate depending on the number of Tutorfair hours they have completed.’ ‘The Tutorfair Foundation arranges for tutors to go into inner-city London schools, helping children who otherwise would not be able to afford tutoring.’ ‘What started as one man’s overreaction to the problem of finding tutoring for his own children is today helping thousands of parents find their own tutors.’ Access the full article as part of The 10 Fastest Growing Education Solution Provider Companies  series  here Looking for a tutor? Find a tutor at Tutorfair.

Winning friends how to meet new people while teaching overseas

Winning friends how to meet new people while teaching overseas We know from speaking with teachers who have been placed through Teach Away to teach overseas that many of them have been worried about being able to settle in and make friends while abroad. This is a completely normal concern: everyone wants to connect with others on some level. Having friends is an important part of daily life while abroad -- in many cases, your friends will act more like family while you’re teaching away: you’ll share holidays together, classrooms, and sometimes even apartments! Expanding your friend circle can seem like a daunting task. How difficult it is to meet new people will vary from country to country. In some countries you’ll find locals to be really warm and welcoming, and in others, you’ll have to stretch yourself a little further. But we’ve put together some helpful tips to get you started: Class meetup: try asking your students (if they’re adults, of course!) if they have a favorite local restaurant that they’d like to take an after-school field trip to together. This is a good chance to get to know your students on a more personal level and talk with some of them about things other than schoolwork. Fill your calendar with events: try local festivals, art openings, and cultural events to get exposed to more people with similar interests. Find a coffee shop haunt: or a favorite place for an after-class beer. Whatever it is, the more you show up at one spot, the more likely the shopkeepers will be to chat you up. Connect with friends’ friends: use the connections you have to make new ones you might not even know about. Write to your friends who have traveled where you’re headed and ask them to connect you with any friends that they may have made while abroad. Be a ‘yes’ man (or woman!): when you get invited to something, go, even if it doesn’t seem immediately appealing to you. Who knows who you’ll meet and what doors the invitation will open! But be safe about this -- don’t accept invites to someone’s house if you’ve just met them. Join a class: whether it’s a language class, an exercise class, or even a volunteer group that meets weekly, it’s a great way to connect with the same group of people each week and maybe make a connection with one or two individuals. Try Facebook groups: find groups in your area that cater to your specific interests or your career. It shouldn’t be hard to find TEFL groups in Hong Kong or one that connects expats living in Thailand. Try a language exchange: there are all kinds of websites (like Conversation Exchange) that help connect locals with English speakers in an effort to learn language in affordable, conversational ways. It’s also a great way to connect with locals and make new friends. Are you teaching overseas? Share with us how you’ve made some of your friends thus far!

Kinderprep Ivy Bound International

Kinderprep Ivy Bound International Kinderprep Ivy Bound International Kinderprep by Ivy Bound International School is a newly founded language academy for pre-kindergarten aged children. The mission of this school is to empower children for long-term school success. Kinderpreps programs offer children with learning experiences and teaching methods that are researched-based and grounded in accepted principles of child development. Teachers at Kinderprep teach Englishthrough a variety of programs whichinclude: Baby Sign Language, English through Music and Movement, Early English Reading, Public Speaking, and Preschool Prep. Children are grouped into classes based on their age and skill level; ages range from 6 months old to 6 years old. Children 2 years old and under will have one parent in the classroom withthem. The programs aremade easy for any teacher to come into the school and use, as materials and lesson plans are already prepared. All programs also have on-site training and training videos. Qualified candidates must be native English speakers, and have a strong background workingwith children. This job requires patience, enthusiasm, organization, and a strong desire to fulfill the mission of the school. Relevant post-secondary education is desirable, but not necessary.

Why Studying History is Important (and Why Its Fun)

Why Studying History is Important (and Why It's Fun) Chances are you’ve had to take at least one history class before, and your thoughts at the end might have gone something like “this is boring - when am I ever going to need to know when the Battle of Hastings happened?” (1066, by the way). The history we are taught in our classrooms can feel like an endless barrage of names and dates, battles and wars, historical figures and political leaders. Who cares? What you’re learning isn’t history. Sure, those things happened, and yes they’re important, but history is so much more than just an event and a date, and maybe a war here and there. History shows us why things happen and how things happen; how we go from knights and castles to tanks and bunkers; how empires are built and how they are town down; how states are founded and how they fall. History is a story: history is the story of conquest and of conquerors, of empires and emperors, of exploration and adventure, of love and betrayal, of trust and deception. History fills our human need for tales about ourselves and about the things that we have done. History is every bit as fantastic and as exciting as a novel. You need look no further than the Russian Tsars, the Egyptian Pharaohs, or the French Revolutionaries to see that history is a thrilling tale. What does that make history then? History is, in short, the study of change, and this makes it one of the most useful of disciplines. The world is driven by change, which is continuously shaping our lives in ways that we don’t even realize. Change affects us from the highest levels of governments and countries down to the most trivial details. Studying history is the key to understanding how these forces shape our lives today - the past is the key to the present. History provides context for everything that we see around us today, and the key to understanding the world we find ourselves in now is to look at how it came to be. Here are ten reasons why history is crucial to our education.1. History he lps us understand other cultures. Why are other cultures different from ours? Why is it that some cultures are antagonistic with each other, while others coexist in harmony? Why are there different customs, different traditions, and different religions from culture to culture? The answer to all of these questions lies in history. Without history, it is impossible to understand how cultures come to be. As the study of change, history identifies the driving forces behind cultures. A culture’s history is integral to the shared identities of its members, and you can’t see the full picture of a culture without understanding the history behind it.2. History helps us understand our own society. Similarly to how we can understand others through the study of history, we can also come to understand ourselves. Why do we do things the way we do? How did these social structures and traditions come to be? Looking at history in this light illuminates the forces acting on our own society throug h history and into the present. The student of history draws on politics, sociology, economics, and anthropology, all of which feed into the history of individuals and societies. In order to successfully navigate our society in the present day, it is essential to know what came before, the driving forces of change that shape our lives, and the individuals of the past who shaped our society.3. History helps us understand our own identities. History isn’t just a collection of famous names and events woven into a story that takes place in the past. History is the story of the past, and of everybody in it. Every individual had a place in shaping the historical narrative we know today, and every individual today has a place in molding the history that unfolds today. In order to understand our place within society, within our culture, and even within our own family, it is essential to realize that our present is the product of what came before, and the past provides a context for everyt hing we do as an individual. Knowing where you fit into history gives you a context for yourself, your culture, and your world today. History gives you an understanding of your own identity.4. History builds citizenship. Why are we good citizens? Because we have an understanding of a shared past and a communal identity, and we get this shared experience through our common knowledge of our history. Learning about how we came to be as a community informs how we see ourselves as a group in the present day, and we do this through knowing our history. Knowing how our shared experience came to be and what has defined us in the past gives us a reason to work towards a better society today. This is why American history is taught in school: it tells us why we are American, how we got to be American, and what it means to be an American today.5. History gives us insight into present-day problems. Without understand the root of a problem, there is no hope of solving it. This is what history doe s: it identifies the driving forces of society, of government, of individuals, of change, and it traces these features of the past to contemporary features of the world. We can’t confront international crises without one of the most basic tools in our belt, namely understanding how the crisis arose and what forces shape them. Conflict cannot be resolved without comprehending the historical roots of a situation. If we want to stand any chance of confronting the pressing issues of our world, we need to start at the root of the problem: we need to know history.6. History builds reading and writing skills. In many ways, history is as good as an English class at developing reading and writing skills because it employs many of the same techniques, as well as adding several other elements. Studying history involves reading different sources - be they documents, letters, or even novels - and pulling out themes and patterns, motifs and details, and making sense of what these features tell us about the past. This is similar to the task of the English student, but even more, history adds layers of politics and social change that inform the modern world. Writing is the vessel to communicate the exciting discoveries and keen observations of the history student, and as such history teaches us to read thoroughly and write well.7. History builds interpretation and analysis skills. History is based on the records left behind in past decades and centuries, so the study of history is inherently an act of analysis and interpretation. Similarly to how one reads classic literature in order to understand something about the author and society from which it originates, one looks at historical documents and letters, and indeed novels and art, to understand the time period that created them. This gives the history student several skills that carry over into every walk of life and are among the most useful tools to carry into the world. We learn how to compare conflicting interpretati ons and identify biases. We learn how to see an issue from multiple perspectives. We learn how to assess evidence and determine its value. A good understanding of history will leave any student with this indispensable inventory of skills that can carry anybody far in life.8. History helps us understand change. History is the study of change. The world around us is in a constant state of change, and understanding the role of change in society plays a pivotal role in being able to interpret the world that we see now. Without understanding why things used to be different and how they interacted to shape one another, it is impossible to get a complete picture of the here and now. History will give us a firm grasp on why things change, the mechanisms that drive change, the significance of some features of change to others, and the different magnitudes of change. Conversely, by giving us an understanding of change, history also helps us comprehend stability and the continuities that exist from past to present and from society to society. In short, history is a tool to understand the world.9. History allows us to learn from the past. “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” This oft-quoted saying tells a great truth: history has patterns. One of the continuities in history is the mistakes that are made century after century as people live in pursuit of the same self-interested motives. Wars are fought for the same reasons. Regimes topple through the same shortcomings. Riots and revolts accompany the same abuses. Men and women take stands against the same oppression time and time again. This is why history is essential to the repertoire of the politician and the ruler, because understanding the failures of the past puts us one step closer to addressing the shortcomings of the present.10. History is the greatest of stories. History has so many practical uses that it’s easy to forget that history is also a story, a thrilling adventure that takes p lace across the world and through the ages. This story encompasses the great empires of China, Rome, and Britain, the conquests of Alexander the Great and Napoleon, the explorations of Marco Polo, and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. It’s a story of romance in the royal courts of Europe, of honor in the Japanese samurai, and of spycraft in the American Revolution. There is the devastation and tragedy of two World Wars, the rise and fall of dictators and oppressors, and the fight for rights and liberties in a world of abuses. History is a tale that spans the entire human experience, and it is a tale in which we all have a part to play.

School reports not telling the truth for fear of angering parents - Tutor Hunt Blog

School reports not telling the truth for fear of angering parents School reports not telling the truth for fear of angering parents School reports not telling the truth for fear of angering parentsSchoolsAside from taking exams, the moment I most dreaded during my time at school was report day. In the evening my parents would travel to my school, and have a short meeting with my teachers, each of whom would tell them in clear and frank terms how good (or bad) I was performing. I can remember sitting at home in trepidation, waiting for my parents to return, listening for the sound of the key in the lock, the slam of the door, and my name being called. Even though I was a fairly good student, my parents never seemed to return home in a good mood from any of these report evenings. My school seemed to use these sessions as a way of expanding their sphere of discipline, attempting to induce even competent students to work as hard at home as at school by giving them a less than perfect report. It seems many school these days work according to a different philosophy, with parents evenings and report cards containing little more than false praise and vacuous jargon, failing to give parents any credible information about their children`s performance. The reason for this seems to be that schools don`t want to face any kind of backlash from pushy parents, who might complain and make a scene if they think their children are being criticised. Dr Julian Murphy, headteacher at the Loughborough Amherst Private School, has said that reports are largely `waffle`, and don`t provide any meaningful information about the student. In an interview Dr Murphy explained how standards have slipped - `when I went to school you would get reports that say `so and so is extremely lazy or arrogant`. But now no one says that as it would upset parents.` `It is a cultural change now parents are more likely to say to teachers: `You have upset my child, you have damaged their confidence, the problem isn`t my child, it`s you`.` I have spoken to colleges of mine regarding this issue - all of them secondary school teachers in London - and most admitted that they would exercise caution before censuring a pupil, either behaviourally or academically, for fear of provoking a backlash from their parents. Some of them told me that they have even been physically threatened by parents when they detained their child, or issued them with a poor school report. There seems to have been an attitudinal shift in recent years - instead of parents respecting a teacher`s opinion, and understanding that there are times when a pupil needs to be disciplined, many parents will see the teachers as creating the issue, and consider their child to be wholly innocent. Of course this attitude is extremely detrimental to the pupil - not only does it sanction bad behaviour, but it also undermines a teacher`s authority and control within the classroom. Dr Murphy said the problem of teachers placating pupils may be more endemic in private schools than state ones, for the simple reason that `we don`t want to lose customers`. Through conversing with my colleagues I have learnt that the use of euphemisms in reports can facilitate criticising a pupil in a subtle and inoffensive way. `Energetic`, `chatty` and `high spirited` are terms apparently employed to describe a pupil who is disruptive. In November last year a Government advisory panel reached the conclusion that lengthy school reports are `incredibly burdensome` for teachers, and need to be replaced by more concise versions. The Education Secretary Damian Hinds was only able to find `limited evidence` that long and detailed reports provide any real benefit for the student. `Lengthy written reports to parents and carers are usually burdensome for teachers to produce, and there is insufficient evidence to suggest that this is the best or only way to engage parents and carers in education.` Many people believe that school reports provide a vital opportunity for teachers to communicate with parents concerning what is good and bad with their child`s performance. The director of The Good Schools Guide, Bernadette John, explained how reports gave parents and guardians the chance to `to gain a better understanding as to how a child is doing at school` and could give `the first indications that things are not going to plan`. 14 months ago0Add a Comment

Tips on Choosing a Book For Your Child to Read

Tips on Choosing a Book For Your Child to ReadA lot of parents will find that they are looking for ways to get children to learn how to read from an early age, and one way of doing this is to get their child a help book. The following is a look at what to look for when choosing a book to learn from and some more helpful tips. Hopefully, you will discover that it is possible to help your child with this skill as well as other skills that are important to growing up.Look for books that offer a little bit of everything. If you are looking for a book that offers you the basics of learning to read from an early age, then you want something that has a little bit of an educational angle as well. This can be a great way to get your child excited about reading. You should also be careful not to overdo it on the subject matter though. A good book can teach children to read without going into too much detail about what it means to learn to read.If you are looking for a book that helps to develo p your child's writing skills, then you may be looking for a book that features the illustrations from the Patterson books. Patrician and Treasure are two of the best books on learning to read that there are, and are recommended by many experts and parents alike. Patrician, for example, provides lessons in phonics and at least the outline of a dictionary for all the sounds in the English language. Once you have completed this, you can then move on to the development of sentences and the use of punctuation marks, which will help to develop a more systematic way of doing things.While all three of these books will benefit your child and help them learn to read, they are all targeted to a particular stage of development, which is the beginning stages of learning to read. They are also targeted at different levels of reading comprehension, so they can also be used to make sure that your child gets the most out of what they are learning. If you go for books that have an understanding of d ifferent levels of literacy, you will find that you are actually helping your child to develop a skill that they will not forget easily, especially if they are using the books to help develop their writing skills.The other thing that you should do is to check out some of the parent review websites that have been set up around the Patterson series. There are several of these on the internet, and some are more helpful than others. Some sites offer simple reviews while others may not have all the information that you would need to decide if a book is right for your child. When you visit the websites for these books, take the time to check out the material that is on them and see what other people think of them.Finally, when you are shopping for a book for your child, make sure that it is going to be easy to read. This is a skill that can be developed, but if it is difficult to learn, then you will not be able to make any progress. Reading from a book with easy-to-read text is an excell ent idea for many reasons. These books will also make it easier for your child to learn to read all sorts of materials, including books, magazines, or newspaper articles. The earlier that you start teaching your child to read, the sooner they will learn to read everything that they encounter.If you are looking for tips on choosing a book for your child to read, you will probably want to keep these guidelines in mind. By knowing what you want in a book, you will be able to choose from the wide range of options available. This can make a big difference in your child's life.