Monday, March 23, 2020

5 Online Math Case Studies That Will Teach You the Power of Tutors

5 Online Math Case Studies That Will Teach You the Power of Tutors Well, you are in high school and are tumbling over Algebra and Physics every day. You can use an online math tutor. This lets you score at the top level in class. Simple it is. Just open the net and see what you can do for your Math or Science. Lots of resources roll-up because you have entered the world of online math tutor. Today, you hang over online Math tutoring centers more than visiting Amazon or Flip cart. You talk and sleep e-tutoring, why breathe it! Shall we analyze the reasons? Here are 5 online Math case studies that will teach you the power of tutors. 1. Online tutoring top deals increase student engagement by 110% Summer is on and tutoring deals are more in the air. You have crash programs for subjects, orientation courses, language classes, and review sessions. The deals are more and you feel like spending half of your vacation on online classes. Their big deals, discounts, rebates and incentives-useful and enjoyable. May more than in summer camps and tents. It is very simple to do. Get a reliable tutorial and try with it- register and sign in for a deal. If it suits you and your journey starts there for no end. Tutors of your choice, favorite timings, deals at cost-effective rates lead to wise spending of money and good use of time. Great are the days ahead with tutoring deals that show up your extreme involvement in learning. @TutorPace Offers 10% Discount on Online #Assignment Help for Improved Grades http://t.co/P1NO7BttIg #backtoschool pic.twitter.com/vJs9iihJwU â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) September 10, 2015 Math is fun in this situation. Math tutoring deals are loveable for the fun and game you enjoy throughout. 2. Online Math tutoring goes viral- in person tutoring is blown to the wind Gone are the days when you went after a private tutor, sat with him for limited hours and listened to his monologues. Online Math tutor comes to your desk, talks to you in terms that are understandable, makes easy Math via strategies and leads you through difficulties in homework without threatening you. It is pleasant environment where you do Math, not memorizing its rules. You learn, do not read.  You play and understand concepts. Online Math tutoring is your lifeline and will be so in future. Relax and learn in the company of tutors, not like the private ones who flabbergast you with formulas and theorems and pour out lengthy pieces of instruction for solving problems. 3. Cutting edge tech tools increase productivity- more outputs for less money You are with your lap, desktop, mobile and are not going to sacrifice any of your excursions, picnics, social interactions for the sake of learning. Mobile learners increase in number in recent years and also the mobile tutors. Easy to interact and wonderful to work with are these tech tools. Your privacy is secure, your time is not wasted and Math queries are answered on call at any time. Tutors are friends, not persons with a superior outlook and your ideas are heard, shared and adhered to when they prove suitable. Math learners express their grievances and get them addressed at once through chat, instant message and email. Science is not an easy to learn stuff for many students if they miss the essence of the concepts and do not know https://t.co/NpN1hjxreW â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) March 29, 2016 Technology is the key factor for the success of tutoring online and its role is undeniable in successful Math learning .Online tutors spring to action in any wee hour for the sake of a needy student. 4. Positive feedback and parent cooperation- a big lead in online tutoring success Parents have equal craze for tutors online. Moms and dads along with kids wish to see how e-tutoring works, what kind of help they can get and how to make the best use of it. In the case of Math, parents are in a soup with messy problems and need to do something for homework. When they get help from online tutors, they understand how to solve problems along with their kids and get ahead with the system for more in store. Over the years, Math tutors from various quarters are receiving commendations from parents who see improvement in their kids’ grades with their naked eyes. Recording tutoring sessions and reviewing them during exams is a great tool for Math success for both parents and kids. It is a chain of response from various corners as one good word leads to the other and slowly everyone has started appreciating the dedicated services of online Math tutors for improving their kids’ knowledge. 5. One on one tutoring- a breakthrough in the tutoring methods Your kid may have Math phobia .It is impossible for her to express it in class where the teacher is the ruling authority without giving room for individual interaction. You might wonder what your kid is doing in her Math class and are not sure of teacher’s ideas about her performance. Being confident in Math learning is very crucial for keeping up with the classes and preparing for Math tests and https://t.co/VQ45EFLxmk â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) March 3, 2016 One on one tutoring session in virtual centers blows off such fears and brings the tutor and the ward face to face for personal interactions. Kid is there with the tutor, say, for half an hour or one hour and is able to express what traumas she undergoes in her Math class. The tutor takes time to understand her struggles, explains the causes for them and finds out remedies that suit the kid to the most in her learning activities. Do you need any more proof for the success of online Math tutoring? Help your kid with personalized tutors at best rates with top deals and enhance her knowledge through tech tools that are empowered for quick transmission of knowledge. It is a kingdom of empowered knowledge through tech medium that you travel around today. You can maximize your kid’s learning opportunities to allow her to grow in a learning environment that boosts her morale and inspires good educational skills in her. Want to make it today? Come to Tutor Pace for more details. The tutors wait for you to avail their help and add advantage to your kids’ Math learning. You have any other good news to be shared about online tutoring? Share with us and help more parents enter our fold.

Friday, March 6, 2020

How To Take Violin Lessons

How To Take Violin Lessons Playing The Violin Takes Lots Of Practice ChaptersChoose A Violin Course Online Or At Home?Choosing A Violin Teacher According To Their Experience!What To Expect From Your Violin Lessons?How Much Does A Particular Violin Lesson Cost?The only way to raise your proficiency in the violin is to practice. In the world of the string instruments more than any other, practice makes perfect. There is so much to learn and so many ways to learn the violin. You will need to employ targeted focus to your violin lessons to allow yourself to progress as quickly as possible. On the road to becoming a professional musician the only thing that can stand in the way of your progress is you. Let’s take a look at how you can take violin lessons and accomplish your dream of becoming a violinist.how you can take violin lessons. Photo Source: Unsplash TomViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsChoose A Violin Course Online Or At Home?The are many ways to learn to play the violin, but the most popular styles are to learn online, learn with a free resource via self-study or to follow the traditional route of private one to one lessons with a violin instructor.Each route comes with its own pros and cons. The direction that you ultimately select will highly depend on your goals for yourself and your music. If you want to be a professional musician, you would definitely study differently than if you were just learning the violin as a hobby.Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways you can learn the violin and take a step closer towards becoming a musician.The Pros And Con Of Online Violin LessonsThis is a very engaging form of study as when you work online you get access to the online  world of violin teachers and you can choose anyone anywhere in the world to be your teacher. As long as you both have a good internet connection, Wi-Fi ready devices and high-quality microphone and camera. You will be able to have successful lessons.Pros Of Learn Violin OnlineYou can learn anywhere with any one of your choices.You can record your lessons and watch them back as often as you would like.Great to study music theory and practice specific areas.Cons Of Online ViolinNot great for the beginner as they will need more hands-on support.You need to have the exceptional equipment.It is easy for the teacher to miss small habits that you are developing.The Pros And Con Of Self-Study Violin ClassesWhen you search online for ‘learn to play the violin’ there are no less than 41,000,000 resul ts. You can watch millions of videos with musicians sharing everything from how to hold the bow for beginners to how to play a concerto. There is free sheet music for every song you can think of, free ebooks to teach you about music theory or popular blogs groups and communities where you can integrate yourself and your self-study routine.Pros Of Violin Self StudyGreat for intermediate musicians or enthusiasts.You need to be highly motivated as learning to play the violin takes time.There is lots of free material online that can support your study.Cons Of Self StudyNot great for people with low levels of discipline.Too challenging for a beginner or very young students.The lack of guidance may support bad habits.The Pros And Con Of Private Violin LessonsPrivate violin lesson are the traditional route that most violinists take. The reason for this is not just because having a private violin tutor carries prestige. But learning how to play the violin is not just about how to use your b ow and the strings to create the best sound.If you are serious about becoming a violinist, then you need to bring together all of the elements of a talented musician.This includes your posture, finger placement, reading music, the hold of the violin and bow, tuning, violin maintenance and many more points of attention.Pros Of Studying The Violin PrivatelyFantastic route for the learner of all ages.Teachers can adjust your posture, placement and violin maintenance.The teacher can help you get rid of bad habits.Cons Of Traditional Violin ClassesPrivate lessons can be expensive.Your selection of teacher is limited to your local area.If you travel, you will miss the lessons.Following in the footsteps of the majority of classically training violinists. Photo Source: UnsplashChoosing A Violin Teacher According To Their Experience!When you are ready to find your violin teacher, you will need to look for the perfect mix of skills and experience. As well as a person that you enjoy working wi th towards your goals. Learning the violin, can take many years and so it is wise to find someone that you enjoy working with who has the know-how to drive you towards your goal of being a violinist.Top Tips For Finding Your Violin TeacherAsk about which violin method they use.Decide where you would like to study.Get recommendations.Compare rates to get the best price.Interview them about how they will help you reach your goals.Ask for referrals on community pages.Stay safe if meeting privately.Use a music school who works with violin tutors.What To Expect From Your Violin Lessons?When you go for your violin lesson, you are likely to be studying using the traditional violin teaching methods, the Suzuki violin teaching method or even a blended mix of the two. The technique that you learn to play the violin with makes some difference to how you will learn. The method you chose will depend on you, but both methods come with pros and cons.The Traditional Violin Learning TechniqueThis te chnique can be seen in lots of teaching methods, music students may learn differently, but all of them will be taught how to read music as a foundation for this style of teaching.The Pros:Students learn how to read musicStudents study only with a professional tutor, parents don’t have much input.Study aids help with precision which is excellent for beginnersThe Cons:Not easy for very young students who cannot read yetMulti-tasking reading music while playing can be very challenging and a bit of an overload especially for a new student to the instrument.Proactive learning only takes place when the student is with the tutor.The Suzuki Violin Learning TechniqueThis technique comes from the idea that we all learnt to speak our native languages without being taught and so we should be able to learn music in the same way. Invented by a violinist called Shinichi Suzuki, this method takes a natural approachThe Pros:Students can place all of their attention on playing music as they don’t need to learn to read sheet music.Parents are heavily involved in the process which creates an intensive learning environment and allows parents and children to work together.You get to learn faster due to the focus on increasing confidence.The Cons:Not reading sheet music can limit the options for children to join orchestras or music groups.Learning to read sheet music so late, may impede the student from incorporating it into their playing.What To Expect From The ViolinIt can take years to get good with this instrument.You will likely find 4-year-olds who can play better than you, remember it’s not about competition but your personal practice.You can join a community of students and professional musicians who all play the violin.Your violin requires a lot of care and maintenance.You should practice daily.Your posture is an integral part of playing the violin.Musicians sharing everything from how to hold the bow for beginners to how to play a concerto. Photo Source: UnsplashHow Much Does A Particular Violin Lesson Cost?The cost of learning the violin can vary greatly depending on how you choose to learn and your current level.Learning To Play The Violin: Self StudyIf you choose to learn to play the violin by yourself, then you will have access to lots of online resources for free or almost free. You will also be able to connect with online communities, mobile apps made especially for musicians and lots of books. The benefits of learning to play the violin independently are that it encourages an excellent work ethic if you are naturally self-motived with some knowledge of music it can really help to propel you forward. The cost to Self Study is from FreeLearning To Play The Violin: OnlineIf you choose to learn to play the violin online, then you will join your violin teacher in an online environment and use chat software like Skype to communicate. The benefits of learning online are endless a key advantage is that you can meet with any violinist anywhere in the world and have lessons for as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection and compatible devices. The cost to study online is from £20Learning To Play The Violin: PrivatelyIf you choose to learn to play the violin in one to one lessons. Then you will be following in the footsteps of the majority of classically training violinists. The benefits of private lessons are that you will get personalised feedback on how to improve your form and intonation. Any habits that you have developed will be noticed, and the teacher will be able to help you understand the correct form physically. The cost to study online is from £35If you want to take violin lessons, then you will be in it for the long haul. Gaining proficiency in this instrument takes time, focus and dedication. If you aren’t passionate about the violin, it could be a challenge to rise to the professional level. But If you dream of being a professional musician is then learning the violin will bring your musical goal within your gr asp. Let’s Make Music!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Introducing Varsity Tutors Student of the Week Program

Introducing Varsity Tutors’ Student of the Week Program At Varsity Tutors, we believe that asking for help is a sign of strength, and that choosing to improve yourself as a learnerat home, in school, or in the workplaceis a goal thats worthy of attention. We also know that behind every improved grade and mastered concept is hard work and dedication. Thats why were pleased to announce our Student of the Week program. This new program recognizes students who are striving to reach their learning goals and who have demonstrated plenty of effort and a positive attitude while doing so. Each week, well select one person as our Student of the Week. To be eligible, you or the person you nominate must be a current client on the Varsity Tutors Live Learning Platform. Students of all ages, at all educational levels, are welcome to apply. Whether youre pursuing a formal degree or a personal learning goal, we want to hear your story. To nominate yourself or someone else, youll need: The nominees first and last name An email address for contacting the nominee or the nominee's parent The nominees location (i.e. city and state) The nominees grade (if applicable) A brief description (100 words or less) of the nominees learning goal and why they deserve to be recognized You can submit this information here. Each Student of the Week will receive one free hour of tutoring. Students of the Week will also be recognized on the Varsity Tutors blog and will have the opportunity to participate in local media coverage. We hope to see your nomination soon!

The Benefits of Academic Appraisals

The Benefits of Academic Appraisals How to Focus on Your Studies and Career Path ChaptersWhat Is an Academic Appraisal?Who is an Academic Appraisal for?How to Do an Academic AppraisalWhere Can You Do an Academic Appraisal“All children in some form or another have genius; the trick is to bring it out in them.” - Charlie ChaplinNearly a third of students believe they’ve chosen the wrong degree. This might be due to a lack of information or support when choosing their studies.  However, there are ways to better understand what you need to study, the right degrees to choose, and the right career for you. You might consider appraising your skills and ambitions and using this appraisal to get help from an organisation or service dedicated to career choices.In this article, we’ll be looking at academic appraisals, how they can help you improve your study skills, study methods, time management, and how they can lead to academic success!Find personal development training with a coach on Superprof. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.93 (9) £25/h1st lesson free! Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarriePersonal development Teacher £24/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Is an Academic Appraisal?An academic appraisal is when you evaluate your exam results and performance at school so that you have a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, what you like to study, and what you’d like to do in the future. Thanks to the appraisal, you might discover a new career path that you hadn’t previously thou ght about. Even if you have really good grades, an academic appraisal can help you work out what to do with them. (Source: freephotocc)Your academic appraisal, along with questions about your personality, likes and dislikes, and ambitions, will help you work out exactly the best jobs for you in the future and the subjects you can study.  A student’s academic appraisal is also useful if they opt for academic support coaching as it will give the tutor an idea of their strengths. Similarly, this can also work for their professional life, too.Do you think you’ve chosen the wrong path in terms of your studies or career?An appraisal could help you reorientate yourself.Find out more about career resources.Who is an Academic Appraisal for?It’s never too early to think about your professional future. It might be a good idea to start thinking about it before your GCSEs. To be fair, you’ll be regularly asked about your future while you’re in school. If you're wondering what you're doing at university, it might be time to get in touch with someone about an academic appraisal. (Source: Wokandapix)During this time in their lives, students can change a lot in a short space of time. This is why they should be regularly thinking about what they want to study and do in their lives. Different learning styles require different learning strategies.For example, you may love test-taking and have some great note-taking strategies to ensure you can recite everything from memory on the day of the exam or you may struggle to recall key information during an exam but remember everything the teacher said in a particular class.There are advisors and tutors at school that can help them by asking them what they like to do and what they’re good at.  However, primary school students can also consider an academic appraisal before they go to secondary school.After an academic appraisal, academic guidance tutors could help you with several things:Writi ng a covering letterLooking for your first jobReorientating studentsApplying to degreesCatching up with studiesDeveloping effective study skills such as taking good notes, making flashcards, mind maps, or index cards.  If you start feeling a bit lost and your grades start slipping, an academic appraisal might be worthwhile. After all, the goal is to guide the student from school to work.Once you've decided on what you want to do with your life, you can start looking more closely at different degrees. To find the best universities, consider looking at the QS World University Rankings and don't just narrow your search to universities in the UK. After all, there are a lot of universities that accept lots of international students!Wondering what you can do with certain degrees?Check out Prospects.ac.uk.How to Do an Academic AppraisalYou can take your first steps towards your career as early as your GCSEs when you choose what to study. For example, you pick whether or not to study foreig n languages, art, history, etc. Appraisals aren't as complicated as you might think. (Source: rawpixel)Guidance counsellors or tutors can help you to think about your future and are accessible throughout the year. However, you mightn’t have as much time to meet with them during school or at every moment you need to so an appraisal might set you on the right path.There are many ways to study and an academic appraisal can help you work out what you want to study, help you review your notes, and help a lot with test preparation.Applying to university?Find out more about UCAS.Preparing an Academic AppraisalIf the student has an idea of what they want to do, several things may help them feel more comfortable about their choice than meeting with a counsellor:Check that they fully understand what they want to study or the job they want to do. Sometimes, students will have a romanticised idea of it. For example, many may be interested in law but have no prior experience of what that entails. Make sure they don’t get ca rried away with what they see on TV and in films. After all, studying law can be very demanding.Put their motivation to the test. If the student wants to become a doctor, they need to be very driven. It can be difficult to get onto courses and when they do, they’ll need to work hard. Will the student be able to cope?Teach them more about the entry requirements for certain degrees and jobs. Some courses and careers are more accessible than others. They might end up changing their mind. It’s something you need to take into account.Avoid shortcuts. They might need to go back to the fundamentals.If they don’t know what they want to do with their life, the appraisal will be useful for establishing what they enjoy.  Whether you're studying the humanities, social sciences, liberal arts, or hard sciences, you can improve your academic performance by working out your strengths and weaknesses, how to apply them to your areas of study, how to create a study space that works with your stu dy strategies, and how to avoid bad study habits, like cramming and procrastination.If you find yourself struggling after a study session, it might be time to do an academic appraisal.How to Create a Professional Orientation TestAn academic appraisal could be a great way to work out what you need to study and the best jobs for you. It's all about finding ways to help you work out what you want to do with your career and outlining ways to help you study, be it through note-taking skills, active learning, or avoiding distracting yourself when you're supposed to be studying.Nothing is stopping you from making one for yourself.Need more career advice?Find out more about the services available from the National Careers Service.Where Can You Do an Academic AppraisalYou’ll find plenty of personality tests and career tests online. These might be a good first step on working out what you want to do or reaffirm what you already thought. Guidance counsellors could help you with doing an acad emic appraisal. That said, this may mean that it focuses on academic results too much. You can get academic appraisals from guidance counsellors and private career tutors. (Source: Free-Photos)If you’d like a balanced appraisal, there are careers services. There are also advisors you can meet with and work on an appraisal. You can often get a free appraisal.  You can even do a skills appraisal while studying. Students studying a degree might need to learn how to study, work with a particular learning style, or taking notes.You’ll also be able to get in touch with an academic support tutor from online platforms like Superprof. You’ll get personalised and bespoke academic guidance to help you through your choices. You may have to pay several hundred for an appraisal from a specialist or consultant.If you need more help with study techniques, suffer from test anxiety, or just need some useful study tips, there are three different types of tutorial available from the tutors on Superprof: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Study groups could benefit from group tutorials at a lower cost. After all, the cost of the tutor's time is shared among the students in attendance.If you want to learn how to study effectively, you might want to consider getting face-to-face tutorials. As the only student, you can get bespoke tutoring and help with writing skills, reading strategies, and other academic skills.Finally, online study support is useful for those on a budget as they tend to be cheaper than face-to-face tutorials. After all, the tutor doesn't need to travel and can fit more lessons into their schedule. Similarly, you can get a tutor from anywhere in the world as long as you both have a webcam and a decent internet connection!

Standardized Testing 101 What Parents of Young Students Should Expect

Standardized Testing 101 What Parents of Young Students Should Expect Standardized testing is incorporated into a younger students education for a variety of reasons, including state requirements and helping teachers gauge progress. If youre the parent of a young child, keep an eye out for parent notifications about your schools specific tests, and proactively ask your childs teacher for details. Parents of young students should expect a few things from standardized testing periods, including a change in your student's schedule, a shift in classroom regulations, and an impact on students assigned homework. It is important to be prepared and to understand that there are certain things you can anticipate from standardized testing at the elementary school age. Here is what parents of young students should expect when it comes to standardized testing: 1. Know that standardized testing can prompt a change in your students schedule Standardized testing can last from several days to multiple weeks, depending on the type of exam and how your childs school has decided to administer it. This means that most of your students regular classes may be suspended. If he or she usually switches classrooms for different subjects throughout the day, he or she may instead stay in just one or two rooms. Keep an eye out for teacher communication that will tell you what will be different about the week, and go over any questions your child might have. The bulk of testing may happen in the morning or early afternoon, with a regular class or educational game at the end of the day. Be sure to know when testing will be finished, and what happens if your child needs to miss and make up an exam. Generally, theres a day or two allotted for this purpose at the end of the testing period. [RELATED: How to Help Your Elementary School Student Cope with Test Anxiety] 2. Inquire about classroom regulations during standardized testing periods Classroom rules are likely to shift during testing week. Talk with your student about what will and wont change. For example, discuss rules about talking to classmates, asking teachers questions, getting out of his or her seat, and asking to go to the bathroom. Discuss the different kind of attention needed for testing blocks, as well as behavior that will help your child and his or her fellow classmates have a successful experience. 3. Understand how standardized testing affects homework Fewer classes means less homework (usually)! During testing week, many teachers lighten the homework load or give no homework at all, which is a great break for your studentboth mentally and physically. Anticipate a possible change in your childs mood; he or she may come home more energized or more tired from a day of testing. Encourage your child to: Stretch his or her legs Play outside Do a project Read a book Play a game. Dont forget to encourage early bedtimes as well, so your student will be well-rested for the next day. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help with Elementary Homework Challenges] 4. Research when you will receive standardized test scores Depending on the type of exam, scores might come out in the next month or even in the next academic year. Be sure to know when you can expect them, and how they will (or wont) affect your child. When the scores do come out, discuss with both your students teacher and your student what the numbers mean, and what you and your child can take away from them. In addition to the above tips, dont forget to have a balanced breakfast ready for your student, and make sure he or she has all of the supplies needed for testing week. Talk about the seriousness of the test, and if he or she is nervous, talk about the tests function in the grand scheme of things. Should you have any questions, contact your childs teacher or principal, who would be happy to discuss requirements with you before testing week. [RELATED: SSAT Prep Tips for Your Child] 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.

How to Use Technology to Keep Your Child Learning All Summer

How to Use Technology to Keep Your Child Learning All Summer How to Use Technology to Keep Your Child Learning All Summer In todays digital world, technology tools are at our fingertipsand our childrens, too. If your family has a tablet, computer, smartphone or all of the above, your child has access to all kinds of great learning programs. This summer break, you can offer your child opportunities to learn on the go, while beating the heat inside, during a family road trip, or just about anywhere you can access the internet. Here are a few great activities for your child to enjoy this summer from the comfort of his or her mobile device, tablet or computer: Build a website. These days, building a website doesnt require computer programming skills, but rather, creativity and a willingness to learn. There are lots of website builders out there that offer customizable templates. Your childs summer learning project could be to create a websitethe budding artist or photographer could showcase his or her work, or the foodie could create a recipe blog. What about a family blog to which each member of the family contributes posts a few times a week, sharing your summers adventures? Download learning apps to practice skills. While reviewing homework and assignments from the prior year is an excellent way to keep your child fresh, if you didnt save your childs work, there are other great alternatives to deter summer learning loss. Check out Reading Rockets for some of the best apps for vocabulary, writing and spelling practice and reading comprehension. Common Sense Media (free) ranks all kinds of apps, including math apps with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, geometry and logic games and practice tools. Before the school year ends, also ask your childs teacher for recommendations. Learn to program. For imaginative and mathematically or technically inclined students, websites like Scratch (www.scratch.mit.edu) are excellent learning tools. Created for children ages 8 to 16 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Scratch is a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games and animation. Other websites to check out include www.alice.org, a 3D programming environment that makes it easier for students to learn object-oriented programming, and Hackety.com which teaches students the Ruby programming language. For beginners, check out apps such as Lightbot Jr. ($2.99) coding puzzle (and later, Lightbot) and Catos Hike ($4.99). Download a podcast (or five). Whether your family is planning a few road trips this summer or your child enjoys audio learning, podcasts can be great fun for children of all ages. Your child can download and listen to podcasts on any mobile device or computer. What interests your child? Try searching the iTunes store for podcasts on various topics (www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts). Also, check out these great podcasts: Bookwink (which reviews books for kids ages 8 to 14/ Grades 3-8), Global Wonders (which introduces children to different world cultures), Reading Rockets Meet the Author (which interviews top childrens book authors and illustrators) and Brains On! (a science podcast). Think about what your child is into. The great news about the world we live in today is that there are so many mobile technologies that if your child has an interest, there may very well be an app or other technology program to teach or fuel that interest. Is your child curious about learning a new language? Check out one of the many foreign language learning apps out there such as Little Pim. Is your child a hands-on learner who enjoys creating? Dont miss DIY, an app that has children complete skill-based, hands-on challenges. Technology has changed education foreverand has provided todays students some incredible learning opportunities. This summer break, explore the many programs available to your child and incorporate a few such tools into your learning repertoire. Not only will you encourage your child to keep learning this summer, you will also be emulating 21st century classroom teaching. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.

Distracted Driving Teens with ADHD

Distracted Driving Teens with ADHD For teens, passing a road test and receiving a drivers license are exciting milestones. As drivers, teenagers gain the freedom and autonomy that they crave, and their parents are happily released from their carpooling duties! While there are many positives that come with driving, there are also significant risks that cant be ignored. It is widely known that newly licensed adolescent drivers are at high risk for motor vehicle accidents. In fact, the risk of being in an accident is almost 3 times higher for teenagers than it is for adults over the age of 20.1 This risk explains why insurance rates are much higher for adolescent drivers, and why many states have graduated driver licensing programs in place (e.g., driving is only allowed until 9pm, no passengers are allowed in the car, etc.). Texting and using a cell phone while driving only compound these risks, and cell phone use accounts for 10% of all fatal car accidents.2 Despite laws in many states banning text messaging while driv ing, over 44% of teens say that they still text and drive.3 While the risks are already high for teen drivers, they are even greater when ADHD is added into the mix. The cognitive skills involved in driving a car are the very skills that are impaired in kids, teens, and adults with ADHD. ADHD is associated with deficits in the executive functioning skills responsible for staying focused, planning ahead, managing emotions and impulses, and reacting quickly to changes in the surrounding environment all of which come into play while driving. With this in mind, its not surprising that the rates of car accidents, speeding tickets, and other traffic citations are even higher among teens with ADHD than teens without ADHD.4 Recent studies using driving simulators have found that teens with ADHD had difficulty staying in their lane and driving at a consistent speed. In simulator tasks that included texting, both the teens with ADHD and the teens without ADHD drove more poorly but the texting-related impairment in teens with ADHD was significantly worse than in the teens without ADHD.4 Knowing that driving risks are higher for teens with ADHD, parents are encouraged to take extra steps to help their adolescents develop safe driving skills. Effective treatment with ADHD medication improves teen driving. ADHD medication has been shown to improve teen driving skills during driving simulator tasks. If your teen takes medication for ADHD, require them to take their medication consistently once they start driving. Teach your teen about the risks of driving with ADHD. Feeling invincible is a hallmark of the teenage years, and many teens with ADHD underestimate the negative effects that their ADHD symptoms have on every day activities including driving. Make sure your teen is aware of the increased risks that come with having ADHD, and the reasons why his or her driving will become even more impaired if he or she texts or faces other distractions while driving. Lack of sleep will impair driving abilities. The effects of sleep deprivation on driving performance are profound, and under extreme conditions can be as impairing as alcohol. Poor sleep also negatively impacts ADHD worsening the symptoms of inattention and impulsivity, and slowing down reaction times. Mix poor sleep, ADHD, and driving in teenagers and the result is a very risky combination. Encourage your teen to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night, and when he or she cant, consider not allowing him or her to drive that day. Develop your own house rules around driving. Many states limit the time of day when teens can drive and the number of passengers allowed in the car. While these limits are protective, teens with ADHD may need even more stringent rules. If you think that your teens ADHD symptoms are interfering with his or her driving ability or he or she is not demonstrating the level of maturity needed for safe driving, then create your own driving rules. Consider requiring more practice driving hours than what is mandated by state law, not allowing friends in the car even after the state-based limits have been lifted, limiting driving to short distances and only on weekdays during daylight hours, and having your teen use an app that reduces cell phone distractions while driving. Create a driving contract. Work with your teen to draw up a driving contract that outlines driving rules that you can both agree to. Whenever possible involve your teen writing the actual contract. Your teen will be more invested and respectful of the contract if his or her input was valued when it was created. ADHD symptoms pose a serious risk for teen drivers, but there are steps that parents can take. Encouraging your teen to take his or her ADHD medication daily, get good sleep, and work collaboratively to develop driving rules and a driving contract, can help keep your teen safe on the road. 1 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Fatality facts: teenagers 2015. Arlington (VA): The Institute;http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/teenagers/fatalityfacts/teenagers 2 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2017). Traffic Safety Facts: Summary of Statistical Findings. Washington D.C.: NHTSAs National Center for Statistics and Analysis; https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/812_381_distracteddriving2015.pdf 3 Olsen, Shults, Eaton (2013). Texting while driving and other risky motor vehicle behaviors among US high school students. Pediatrics, 131, e1708-e1715, 4 Narad et al. (2013). Impact of distraction on driving performance of adolescents with and without ADHD. JAMA Pediatrics; 167, 933-938. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Tutoring Oxbridge candidates

Tutoring Oxbridge candidates Gifted students aiming for Oxford and Cambridge have just submitted their applications and are now nervously awaiting that all-important interview in early December. If you are tutoring a student going through this, how can you best help them prepare? As well as intelligence, the Oxbridge interviews are testing potential for academic development, the ability to think through a situation and develop a valid and justifiable opinion. Therefore, it can be highly useful to run discussion-based tutorials in the run-up to interviews, encouraging students to work through problems posed verbally rather than in written or essay format. A wider knowledge of the desired subject will also stand the candidate in good stead and tutors can valuably aid their students by providing recommendations of background reading in the run up to interview. If possible, tutorial time should be given over to discussing this reading and how it fits into the student's current work. Students should know prior to their interview what form it will take. If any form of exam is involved, then tutors can help preparation by simulating these conditions in a tutorial. For example, mathematicians may have to solve lateral-thinking problems off the top of their heads, while English candidates may be required to undertake analysis of a previously unseen text. Practical help in developing these skills can greatly assist confidence on the day of the interviews. The interviews are designed to be challenge students to think for themselves. By encouraging this in tutorials, inviting questions and opening up avenues of debate and discussion, you could make a real difference to one of the most important tests a student can face.