3 Emerging EdTech Tools That Can Spark an Interest in Learning

3 Emerging EdTech Tools That Can Spark an Interest in Learning This post is part of a month-long series to help you start 2018 on the right foot. Throughout January, visit the Varsity Tutors blog for advice, tips, and tricks on how to reignite your passion for learning this winter. Incorporating technology into the classroom provides teachers with the ability to enhance their curriculum. It also offers students a unique learning experience. The growing field of EdTech is making this possible through a variety of emerging EdTech tools, such as Newsela, CricketTogether, and Flipgrid. Interested in bringing EdTech into your classroom? Keep reading to learn about three emerging EdTech tools that can spark an interest in learning. EdTech tool #1: Newsela Newsela is an instructional content platform that can help you bring current events into the classroom. This tool is great if youve ever wanted your students to read a news articlepossibly to provide context on a national or global phenomenon, or to better engage with a difficult topicbut found that the reading level was above their abilities. You may have shared the article with your students anyway, or found another way to illustrate the information. Newsela, which has both a free and paid (or PRO) version, provides five different reading levels per article, so you can meet your students precisely where they are. Articles can be found across multiple subjects, and are from credible sources like the Associated Press, Scientific American, and The Washington Post. Students can annotate articles, or teachers can pair articles with quizzes. This past fall, Newsela released new features, including the following: Units A unit includes several articles, in sequence, and is divided into sub-topics with guiding questions. Power Words This feature allows students to access definitions of words in articles and provides vocabulary practice. Overall, this EdTech tool will help you incorporate current events into classroom learning in a way you otherwise may not be able to. Having the ability to cater articles to each individual students reading and comprehension level may greatly increase your classs level of engagement. [RELATED: How Online Learning Helps Students] EdTech tool #2: CricketTogether CricketTogether combines mentoring, pen pals, and career day all in one EdTech tool. Essentially, CricketTogether is an eMentoring platform. This platform allows access to role models, who volunteer remotely, and enables students to practice writing and critical thinking skills. The platform pairs students one-on-one with an eMentor, who is an employee of a partner company. Both the eMentor and the student read articles provided by Cricket Media, a company with a focus on child literacy. Students then discuss the topics in class with their teacher and peers, and exchange letters with their eMentor regarding the content. Teachers are able to view letters from both parties before they are viewed by the recipient to ensure a safe and productive environment. [RELATED: 4 Ways Personalized Learning Positively Impacts Students] EdTech tool #3: Flipgrid Flipgrid is a video discussion platform that allows individuals to post short videos in response to a question or prompt. Your classroom can create a grid, and then use it as an interactive discussion board. There are many ways teachers can use the class grid to spark conversations among students. Teachers can post prompts, such as having students take on the persona of a character from a book in English class. In math, students could upload videos explaining the answer to a math problem, or create tutorials for a specific math concept. Teachers can also challenge students to create discussion threads based on current topics they are learning about in class. Videos can be saved and revisited at a later date, which can promote student reflection and help students review for cumulative exams. [RELATED: 5 Benefits of Using Videos to Learn] Many of these EdTech tools work well within a single classroom, and even better when used by the entire school. If you have success with a specific tool, check with your administration to see if theyd like to implement it across grades. You might be able to increase collaboration across a diverse group of students, which is a great way to spark learning, both inside and outside of the classroom. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Campus Information Sessions Part Three Takeaways

Campus Information Sessions Part Three â€" Takeaways After attending campus information sessions at your prospective colleges and universities, you and your family might be feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of the decision. If you have yet to attend these, catch up on Part One and Part Two of this series for tips on how to prepare and what questions to ask. Once you have completed those steps, it is time to identify the major takeaways from each session. Determining the big takeaways from these sessions can help you come to an informed decision about which school youd ultimately like to attend. Doing this will involve comparing notes from each schools session to your individual goals, and then carefully assessing the importance of all the factors. How should you start this process? Read on Quantify the factors Putting aside the actual information from the colleges for a few minutes, take a moment to revisit or create a list of what you want from a college in the first place. List or review whats important to you about the next four years, including things like tuition, quality of education, department offerings, study abroad and internship opportunities, class size, elements of campus life, and location. Is there anything youd like to add now that youve learned more about a few schools? Rank each factor in order of its importance to you. Then, compare each university to the list youve made, and be honest about whether a school measures up and offers everything you truly want. Rank the schools themselves based on how well they meet your needs. Factor in the unquantifiable One of the perks of visiting a college is the opportunity to contemplate the je ne sais quoi factor did the place leave you feeling warm and comfortable? Did you like it there, or did it seem weird and strange? Did you make any friends during the session or meet any current students you liked, or did everyone seem stressed out? The vibe you get from a place is important and can help you picture an experience you might have there. Consider life after college Usually after matriculating, graduates have most of their connections in two places: their university town, and their hometown. Think about where you might like to live and work after graduation when making this decision the smaller school in a small town might leave you with fewer options for major company positions or internship opportunities, or the big-city university might keep you in cold weather far away from your family. Also, think closely about whether or not this university will help you achieve your long-term goals. If youve always wanted to be a journalist, the schools ability to help you do that will be a major component in your long-term satisfaction. If youre unsure, look at the breadth of course offerings, as well as the schools ability to support students who switch majors by providing good academic counseling and interesting exploratory opportunities. While choosing a university or college is a major decision, its ultimately a choice driven by a students personal goals and tastes. Take time to assess what you truly want from the next step in your education and personal growth and honestly appraise each school through that lens. Facts and figures from the information sessions can help you make the decision, but its up to you to determine what matters most in your own journey. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Importance Of College Degrees

Importance Of College Degrees The American workforce is changing rapidly as more and more employers are beginning to make college degrees a prerequisite for jobs, according to an article in The New York Times. In 2018, many more jobs will demand at least a two-year associates degree opposed to only a high school diploma. In fact, the number of these types of jobs will outnumber the people who are qualified with the proper amount of education by three million, according to a report that will be released by the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University. The report was cited in The New York Times. The trend of more necessary education to fill jobs is causing a dramatic shift in the socioeconomic classes of America. In 1970 nearly 75% of Americans considered middle class had no degree higher than a high school diploma. However, in 2007, at least 60% of middle class Americans had some college education. These figures are also consistent with masters degrees. Jobs that currently only require a bachelors degree are beginning to demand more education for their employees. The competition for jobs will continue to grow, which will greatly increase how much education is necessary for jobs. The amount of experience required for certain jobs is increasing as well. Jobs that currently have the same responsibility and pay similar to the figures regarding education are now requiring more experience. High school graduates and dropouts will find themselves largely left behind in the coming decade as employer demand for workers with postsecondary degrees continues to surge, write Anthony P. Carnevale and the reports other authors. Some experts believe that the economic downturn caused over-competition because it dried up the job market. Others state that companies are filling jobs with more-qualified foreign employees that were traditionally filled by Americans.

Solving Calculus Problems Tutors

Solving Calculus Problems Tutors Calculus is one of the most useful and important branch of Mathematics. Calculus is the study of functions and its different characteristics. Calculus has its own set of different formulas and methods used to solve various questions Calculus is applied to find the lengths, areas, volumes, graphs etc. of 2-D and 3-D shapes by using techniques of Differentiation and Integration. Calculus consists of two sub-branches which are called as Differential Calculus and Integral Calculus. Example 1: Find the derivative of the function, f(x) = 5x3 + 2x2. Solution: To find the derivative, the Power rule of the Derivatives says that: d(xn)/dx = n * xn-1 First step: We can distribute the derivative to both the terms: This gives; d (5x3 + 2x2)/ dx = [ d(5x3)/ dx ] + [ d(2x2)/ dx ] Using the above formula, we get: (5 *3 * x3-1) + (2 * 2 * x2-1) = (15 * x3-1) + (4 * x2-1) = (15 * x2) + (4 * x1) = (15 x2) + (4x) Hence the derivative of f(x) is f(x) = 15 x2 + 4x. Example 2: Find the anti-derivative of the function f(x) = 20 - x? Solution: Here the given function is f(x) = 20 - x. Power rule states anti-derivative of xn is equal to xn+1/(n+1). The anti-derivative of x is 1/2 x2. Using the power rule the anti-derivative of 20 needs to be found. 20 can be written as 20x0. Therefore, the anti-derivative of 20 x0 is 20x1. Hence anti derivative F(x) = 20 x -1/2 x2.

5 Things to Do After a Parent-Teacher Conference

5 Things to Do After a Parent-Teacher Conference Parent-teacher conferences provide an excellent opportunity to assess your students academic progress and to encourage an open line of communication with your childs teacher. However, the days and weeks following the conference are just as important as the days leading up to the meeting. After parent-teacher conferences, review your post-conference notes, discuss the conference with your student, and develop a strategy for success. How can you maximize your time after a parent-teacher conference? Keep reading to learn five things to do after parent-teacher conferences. 1. Review your post-conference notes Parent-teacher conferences often involve a wealth of information, and it can take time to digest the full discussion. Review any notes that you took before, during, and after the conference, and then ask yourself the following questions: Did you cover the areas and issues you hoped to discuss during the conference? Did you discuss any strategies or plans with your students teacher that you will implement, either in school or at home? What are the main areas you hope to improve moving forward? In order to maximize the conference, its important to fully understand the information gained during the meeting, as well as how you, your student, and the teacher can implement strategies to promote future success. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help Students Setand AchieveAcademic Goals] 2. Discuss the parent-teacher conference with your student Share with your student what information was gathered during the conferencethe good and the areas for improvementand hear their thoughts on it. For example, if your students teacher notes that your child often has challenges in math class, sit down with your student to delve deeper into the issue and to pinpoint ways to improve. This may be through tutoring, extra credit projects that the teacher provides, or creative study strategies specific to your childs needs that you can implement at home. Be sure to discuss both positives and negativesits important for your student to understand that while there may be a few areas where they can improve, there are also many things that they are doing well in school. [RELATED: 4 Questions to Ask Your Child About School] 3. Ask your student if there are any issues that weren't covered during the parent-teacher conference Once youve discussed the results of the conference with your student, inquire if there is anything else bothering them about school that wasnt brought up. For example, he could have an issue with another student or in a particular class that they have been hesitant to discuss with you before now. Utilize this discussion time to encourage your student to be open with you about anything on their mind. Additionally, see if there are any areas your student feels particularly strong in that werent discussed during the meeting. Your student could feel that theyre doing a great job in social studies class, and it can be beneficial to understand that youre happy to discuss the positives as well. 4. Develop a strategy for success After reviewing the notes from the conference with your child, work together to develop a game plan. Strategize ways that you and your student can develop and implement positive habits at home that relate to topics discussed during the conference. Break down the plan by subject for older students, noting both areas your student can use improvement in and areas of success that your student would like to maintain. Strategies may include a weekly discussion with your student to identify what theyre learning in each class, or developing a stricter homework routine. 5. Follow up after a parent-teacher conference with notes to your students teacher This is a great way to continue to foster positive communication, and it allows for easier communication moving forward. Its also a good opportunity to reiterate any parts of your meeting to verify youre both on the same page, or to ask any questions regarding the feedback you received that you may not have thought of while in the meeting. Reach out periodically to check in and to let the teacher know youre excited to be an active part of your students education. [RELATED: 3 Questions to Ask Your Students Teacher Before The School Year Ends] At the end of the day, its key to remember you and your childs teacher are on the same team. During the hustle and bustle of the school year it can, at times, be easy to forget this. Parent-teacher conferences provide the perfect opportunity to connect, while both having your students best interests in mind. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Should I Go to The University of Oklahoma

Should I Go to The University of Oklahoma The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jeff graduated from The University of Oklahoma in 2013 with a bachelors degree in petroleum engineering. He specializes in GMAT tutoring, math tutoring, and science tutoring, among other areas. Check out what he had to say about being a student at The University of Oklahoma: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Jeff: The University of Oklahoma campus is in the heart of Norman, Oklahoma, just outside of Oklahoma City. The campus is densely packed with beautiful buildings, foliage, and art. It is easy to get almost everywhere on campus by walking or biking. If you have to commute to campus, there are parking and shuttles available as well. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at The University of Oklahoma? Jeff: It depends on the subject. The freshman-level courses are large, and it can be difficult to have a good relationship with your professor. However, the higher-level courses that are more specific to ones major are much smaller and the professors of these courses are generally more available for each student. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jeff: There are several great dorms at OU that all have dining facilities located within them. There are cafeterias and fast food restaurants within the student union as well, including Canes, Wendys, Chick-fil-a, and Quiznos. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Jeff: I studied Petroleum Engineering because Petroleum Engineers were in high demand after I graduated from high school. Petroleum Engineering is one of the best degrees that OU offers. OU also has excellent engineering, business, and meteorology programs. OU supported Petroleum Engineering quite a bit while I was a student there. 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? Jeff: I would say Greek life is fairly big at OU and one of the best ways to meet other people, but there are plenty of other social groups on campus. I pledged a fraternity my sophomore year after having a pretty boring freshman experience; you dont have to go Greek to meet other people or find things to do at OU, but it certainly helps. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Jeff: Hundreds of excellent companies recruit through the Career Center at OU. The Career Center offers a lot of support for students looking for internships and full-time employment, and all of my employment offers came through the Career Center. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges at The University of Oklahoma? Jeff: The Bizzell Library can be a bit crowded, but is usually a great study location. There are several smaller libraries located on campus that are also excellent study locations. My personal preference was the library at the Sarkeys energy center. Describe the surrounding town. Jeff: Norman, Oklahoma, is the epitome of a college town. The whole city revolves around the university and the campus. There are several great restaurants in the city with most of them located at Campus Corner, just across the street from the campus. Norman is also a short commute from Oklahoma City. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jeff: The student body at OU is quite large. The class sizes can be overwhelming at times for freshmen, but the class sizes generally shrink as the classes get more and more specific to ones major. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jeff: Id say that the best classes I had at OU were the ones where I was challenged to lead and to think outside of the box rather than just memorize information. The same can be said for the best professors I had at OU. My best experience at OU was my involvement with the Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth (or CCEW). CCEW is an economic development organization at the University of Oklahoma specializing in technology commercialization, software business development, social entrepreneurship, and agile product design. In my opinion, CCEW is the premier extracurricular organization at OU. Check out Jeffs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Listening Exercise A Discussion on Dialects

Listening Exercise A Discussion on Dialects This is an interesting English listening exercise partly because it may be challenging for students more familiar with a North American neutral accent.One of the unique qualities of LOI English is our teachers come from several different English speaking countries. Taking classes with teachers that have different accents will strengthen your overall listening abilities and prepare you for exams.The IELTS, TOEFL, CAE, First Certificate, and PET love to have different accents in their listening parts of the exam. Some of the accents are even difficult for native English speakers to understand  at first. Listen to this amazing actor and his accent. One thing to note is the Idris Elba is a master at changing his accent from British to North American to South African.Answer the questions below in comments and we will respond.1. What is the first question that Idris Elba asks? 2. What role do many hope is in Idris Elbas future? 3. What were his concerns with playing the character in Beasts of a Nation? 4. What does he consider every character? 5. What was similar between himself and the character he played, Stringer Bell? 6. Why did he choose his uncles voice for the character he played in Beasts? 7. Does he want to do more dark roles?Do you think that Idris would make a good James Bond? Why or why not? How many different dialects/accents does your language have?

March 14th Pi Day Hangouts - Heart Math Tutoring

March 14th Pi Day Hangouts - Heart Math Tutoring March 14th Pi Day Hangouts March 14th Pi Day Hangouts March 3, 2019 March 14th is Pi Day (3/14), and representatives from Heart Tutoring will be hitting the town for informal/optional gatherings all day with any tutors, donors, friends, and staff who want to meet. Check out who, when, and where below. 8 9AM coffee at Panera on Fairview (w/ Sally) 8 9AM coffee at Amelie’s on College Street (w/ Emily) 9:30 10:30AM coffee at Dunkin Donuts on Independence (Linda + Alexis) 11:30AM 12:30PM lunch at Panera in the University Area (Alexis) 12 1PM lunch at Zoe’s in South Park (Sally) 12 1PM lunch at Seventh Street Market (Emily + Sarah) 6-7PM Legion Brewing in South Park (Sally + Cydney) 5:30 6:30PM Unknown Brewing Company (Emily) Anyone is invited for this casual time to hang out with others involved in the cause. See you there! Heres a throwback to Pi Day 2017 when Wilsons World came to Montclaire Elementary!