China readies for the Olympics and there is absolutely no place for terrorism in Beijing as seen in the presentation below.
EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY In LEARNING And TEACHING
31 July 2008
28 July 2008
LEARN KANNADA
Bangalore, or Bengaluru as it is now known,is truly cosmopolitan.One finds people from various countries here all year round because of its pleasant climate and hospitable citizens.It is also called the garden city,the IT capital of India,BT(biotechnology) capital.Lakes and gardens are what makes this city beautiful.It has become a global destination for students,professionals,tourists and patients seeking health centres and good hospitals.Easy to find places, excellent connectivity by all modes of transport, world class hotels,pubs,restaurants and great cultural heritage all make this a stopover for tourists heading down south.Many software companies and outsourcing agencies work out of here.MNC's are located here.Global brands vie with local brands at the city's many malls.Most speak English and are helpful,but for a true Bangalore experience, you can learn some basic Kannada conversation,specially if you need to use public services.
Kannada is the mother tongue of Bangaloreans.Learning the language is a priority for those coming to work and most eventually end up settling here.It was always called the Pensioner's Paradise.Most MNC's located in this city hold courses in conversational Kannada for their employees.The other alternative would be to learn online.Just find a native to become fluent.The following websites will help you pick up the basics in conversational Kannada.
Kannada Conversation
Learn Kannada through English
Basic Kannada conversation
Total Kannada
Kannada for all
Kannada Dictionary
Kannada is the mother tongue of Bangaloreans.Learning the language is a priority for those coming to work and most eventually end up settling here.It was always called the Pensioner's Paradise.Most MNC's located in this city hold courses in conversational Kannada for their employees.The other alternative would be to learn online.Just find a native to become fluent.The following websites will help you pick up the basics in conversational Kannada.
Kannada Conversation
Learn Kannada through English
Basic Kannada conversation
Total Kannada
Kannada for all
Kannada Dictionary
26 July 2008
LEARN COMPUTERS-BASIC
Computers are the basic in this age of information technology.Many are adept at the use of computers depending on what thy use it for.Students are particularly finding it useful as they complete their projects in a given time frame whether they attend a regular school or do an course online. Many retired people and housewives are found just glued to their idiot boxes watching soaps that only serve to spoil their eyes and their thinking.Some have the inclination to learn and yet, they do not pursue learning to use the computers citing excuses.They will be better off if they make that effort to improve themselves and spend their valuable time in doing something useful for themselves and others.Some only want to check emails,see news,some want to watch faraway kids and grandkids on the webcam,and they depend on somebody to help them with basic stuff.I have seen many retired men and women putting to good use the computer and internet when their children are out at work. It takes a strong desire to want to keep abreast of the world and not go into depression watching the world go by. Basic computer courses are available online and free to use. Several tutorials also are available online,but the best is the bbc website which walks you through,depending on the kind of computer you have to work on. Basic internet beginners' course and how to make the ideal search is covered in this website.You form your own community on the web,and find newer hobbies online. And of course,your offline friends envy you and they also begin to learn.Suddenly, you realize that you are a part of that revolution called information technology,and you make your own contribution to society voicing your comments on a blog,or editing a wiki,or just uploading photos,videos or podcasts.
Recommended Reading: Free Computer Tutorials Online
Recommended Reading: Free Computer Tutorials Online
25 July 2008
LEARN ENGLISH THE BRITISH WAY
English language is the most spoken and a great means of communication globally. The Queen's English from Great Britain is by far the purest form of the language. Basic conversational skills are important for the success of any enterprise.Many adults and students find themselves learning to speak the English language,as they want their fluency to improve.Several online tutors are available to help you as also many English centres in your city.But,you can also opt for self study online.There are many courses to help one depending on what exactly one wants. Business English,basic English,advanced English,etc., are all offered.
The best website I came across, was the bbc website.
You will find everything here, from online learning to support and advice. Students can find literature help,vocabulary,grammar,books,poets and writers.Plenty of resource material is available for educators of English as well. Listening and writing skills can also be enhanced. In short,as long as one has the desire to learn the language, you can pursue it and then consciously put it into practice,so as to be the best in your field.
The best website I came across, was the bbc website.
You will find everything here, from online learning to support and advice. Students can find literature help,vocabulary,grammar,books,poets and writers.Plenty of resource material is available for educators of English as well. Listening and writing skills can also be enhanced. In short,as long as one has the desire to learn the language, you can pursue it and then consciously put it into practice,so as to be the best in your field.
23 July 2008
DO WE NEED FINISHING SCHOOLS FOR OUR GRADUATES?
Finishing schools promise would-be graduates a makeover to be industry ready.Spoken and written English,skillsets are enhanced to give a more rounded personality."Colleges must encourage free thought,"says T V Mohandas Pai who is Head of Education and training, at Infosys.His observations are as follows.
Freshers are recruited based on 4 factors.
Our students are into rote learning,and know nothing about problem solving.Skills related to problem solving in business are necessary.
Most of the students are docile,they must be told what to do,and they will not ask.They do not ask questions to find out what they must do to solve problems.
50-60% lack confidence.Probably because of their background.Since they must work in global companies and in global workplaces, they are trained at a state-of-the-art campus in Mysore and hi-tech offices,so that they will be comfortable working in global workplaces with clients.
Colleges must encourage to think and argue on a variety of subjects.Participation in extracurricular activities must be encouraged as the students learn to socialize and get along with others.Debates allow to think while essay writing teaches you to organize your thoughts and write them down in a structured manner.Drawing and painting make you creative, making you think laterally.Plays teach you to understand human emotions,and develop empathy. A good manager must possess all these.Reading books also teaches about human life,which is emotion and sensitivity.
Sports teaches students how to compete and how to be team members and how to handle victory or defeat.Sports reflect life.
Debates,essay writing,drawing,literature,painting,reading books and taking part in plays all prepare you for a wonderful career and most importantly you end up becoming a good personality.
Freshers are recruited based on 4 factors.
- High level learnability
- Basic articulation skills
- A pleasing personality
- Knowledge of technology
Our students are into rote learning,and know nothing about problem solving.Skills related to problem solving in business are necessary.
Most of the students are docile,they must be told what to do,and they will not ask.They do not ask questions to find out what they must do to solve problems.
50-60% lack confidence.Probably because of their background.Since they must work in global companies and in global workplaces, they are trained at a state-of-the-art campus in Mysore and hi-tech offices,so that they will be comfortable working in global workplaces with clients.
Colleges must encourage to think and argue on a variety of subjects.Participation in extracurricular activities must be encouraged as the students learn to socialize and get along with others.Debates allow to think while essay writing teaches you to organize your thoughts and write them down in a structured manner.Drawing and painting make you creative, making you think laterally.Plays teach you to understand human emotions,and develop empathy. A good manager must possess all these.Reading books also teaches about human life,which is emotion and sensitivity.
Sports teaches students how to compete and how to be team members and how to handle victory or defeat.Sports reflect life.
Debates,essay writing,drawing,literature,painting,reading books and taking part in plays all prepare you for a wonderful career and most importantly you end up becoming a good personality.
22 July 2008
BRINGING UP TWINS
Twins are always fun to watch.In Helsinki,my daughter had the pleasure of watching several pairs of twins come in for competitions at a famous mall.
A great many myths are attached to pairs of twins and what they like and dislike,apart from feelings and emotions.On Sunday, we saw a pair of 2 year old twin girls at church.We could not resist asking the mother questions that always intrigued us.
1.Do you always dress them similarly?
#No,we want them to be different.(They were wearing different colours as well.)
2.Do they prefer toys of same colour?
#They have to have toys of the same colour or else there will be a fight.They do not like to share.
3.Does the other get hurt if we pinch one?
#No such thing,but if one catches cold, the other also will, because they will be together all the time and this happens with other siblings as well.
The mother also told us that her brothers were also twins and that they also were like this-individualistic.
Another two pairs of female twins we meet quite often are individualistic as well.Very, very different personalities indeed!I have a pair of twin cousins-one is a man and the other a woman.They are very,very different in every way.Nonidentical all the way!
A great many myths are attached to pairs of twins and what they like and dislike,apart from feelings and emotions.On Sunday, we saw a pair of 2 year old twin girls at church.We could not resist asking the mother questions that always intrigued us.
1.Do you always dress them similarly?
#No,we want them to be different.(They were wearing different colours as well.)
2.Do they prefer toys of same colour?
#They have to have toys of the same colour or else there will be a fight.They do not like to share.
3.Does the other get hurt if we pinch one?
#No such thing,but if one catches cold, the other also will, because they will be together all the time and this happens with other siblings as well.
The mother also told us that her brothers were also twins and that they also were like this-individualistic.
Another two pairs of female twins we meet quite often are individualistic as well.Very, very different personalities indeed!I have a pair of twin cousins-one is a man and the other a woman.They are very,very different in every way.Nonidentical all the way!
21 July 2008
EDUCATION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA
The use of technology in teaching is being increasingly welcomed globally.Even remote villages in India are being hooked on to the internet to be taught by teachers from city schools which take it up as a project.This is definitely a welcome sign considering that today,some farmers' children are found working in software companies as engineers and also as doctors.Some have gone abroad for higher studies and are doing very well.Some of them come back to help set up a school or college in their village and improve their village considerably.Corporates are increasingly adopting a school or village wherein they teach good habits of hygiene, for a few hours each week.A few software engineers and bank staff that I met recently confirmed that though it was entirely voluntary, all members looked forward to this as an opportunity to give back to the society.They felt a sense of accomplishment every time they saw the report card of a child they have been sponsoring and shared in the joy of the villagers when a few children passed the X grade.
There are many universities today that offer online courses much like the correspondence courses offered earlier.IGNOU(Indira Gandhi National Open University) is one of India's best and today they have even lectures on video available on the youtube channel. It is the largest mega university of the democratic world.Today, it serves the educational aspirations of nearly 1.8 million students in India and 32 other countries through twenty-one Schools of Study and a network of 58 regional centers, more than 1804 study centers/tele-learning centers and around 46 overseas centers.
Girl students are being encouraged to opt for higher studies since it has been seen through decades that girls always outbeat boys at every level,be it X grade(SS LC)or XII Grade(PUC).It has been seen that,of late childless couples are more open to the idea of adoption,and a girl child at that.There is a broadmindedness towards female students and colleagues since the past few years.In fact,a survey conducted last year showed that girls were the preferred candidates for selection at placement interviews for MBA's.Women are increasingly found occupying places of leadership in many corporates and are respected for their consistency,perseverance and integrity.We see a good many entrepreneur women doing extremely well in their chosen field.Scholarships are awarded to the deserving single girl child to pursue a Master's degree.Bicycles are distributed to the 8th grade girl students by the government to enable them to get to school from their villages.Girls are certainly a favoured lot these days.Women also get certain tax exemptions and benefits as an entrepreneur.
There are many universities today that offer online courses much like the correspondence courses offered earlier.IGNOU(Indira Gandhi National Open University) is one of India's best and today they have even lectures on video available on the youtube channel. It is the largest mega university of the democratic world.Today, it serves the educational aspirations of nearly 1.8 million students in India and 32 other countries through twenty-one Schools of Study and a network of 58 regional centers, more than 1804 study centers/tele-learning centers and around 46 overseas centers.
Girl students are being encouraged to opt for higher studies since it has been seen through decades that girls always outbeat boys at every level,be it X grade(SS LC)or XII Grade(PUC).It has been seen that,of late childless couples are more open to the idea of adoption,and a girl child at that.There is a broadmindedness towards female students and colleagues since the past few years.In fact,a survey conducted last year showed that girls were the preferred candidates for selection at placement interviews for MBA's.Women are increasingly found occupying places of leadership in many corporates and are respected for their consistency,perseverance and integrity.We see a good many entrepreneur women doing extremely well in their chosen field.Scholarships are awarded to the deserving single girl child to pursue a Master's degree.Bicycles are distributed to the 8th grade girl students by the government to enable them to get to school from their villages.Girls are certainly a favoured lot these days.Women also get certain tax exemptions and benefits as an entrepreneur.
16 July 2008
TO TUTOR OR NOT
Google Trends is a new tool from Google Labs and one can get comparative trends of searches made in any category on Google search.Since I am interested in tutors, online tutoring and homeworkhelp,I ran a search volume index of the said terms.And I found that there is an ever increasing search made for tutors rather than just homework or homeworkhelp.
See the graph below.
So, teachers and wannabe tutors are welcome to join the community.All it takes is a passion for teaching.You can choose your level of comfort with respect to the curriculum ,subject and age of students.Remember teaching sells whether it is academics,languages,art,dance,cookery, flower arrangement,personality,etiquette,interior decoration,to name a few.Whatever skill sets you possess can be marketed effectively and there are takers in every field. So while you teach someone,you earn and also learn that which you always wanted to.Life styles are fast changing and it is wise to equip yourself with new skill sets as you move along.Satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment makes you a happier person.
See the graph below.
| Searches Websites |
 homeworkhelp  homework  tutor  online tutor | |||||||||||||||
 Rank by |
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So, teachers and wannabe tutors are welcome to join the community.All it takes is a passion for teaching.You can choose your level of comfort with respect to the curriculum ,subject and age of students.Remember teaching sells whether it is academics,languages,art,dance,cookery, flower arrangement,personality,etiquette,interior decoration,to name a few.Whatever skill sets you possess can be marketed effectively and there are takers in every field. So while you teach someone,you earn and also learn that which you always wanted to.Life styles are fast changing and it is wise to equip yourself with new skill sets as you move along.Satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment makes you a happier person.
10 July 2008
TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMS
Speed, accuracy and real time interaction for teachers and students is available today either free or inexpensively, because of technology.Virtual classrooms are being setup and online tutors are being recruited from all parts of the globe. Universities are offering online courses and many are benefiting out of all this.One can learn as well as teach online today.I have come across several who tutor a particular subject that they are good at, and they also learn conversational English from another tutor.
Schools in America,are experimenting a no-books classroom environment wherein laptops are handed out for assignments in the classroom. Interactives and multimedia is increasingly being used in engaging young minds for a better understanding of subject matter.Textbooks and the need for paper and stationary items is done away with altogether.In some cases, schools are not necessary either.Students love playing video games and when provided with animated education software to complete math assignments, they are elated.Students receive laptops at the start of each day, returning them at the end.Teachers and students maintain blogs. Staff and parents chat on instant messaging software. Assignments are submitted through electronic "drop boxes" on the school's Web site.Classwork is done in Google Inc's free applications like Google Docs, or Apple's iMovie and specialized educational software like FASTT Math.
International schools in India use multimedia presentations and allow students to email their assignments. Parents are requested to follow their child's progress at the school's website.Teachers are available online 24x7 for student related queries.
Education has taken on a whole new perspective with the use of technology to reach students anywhere. It is the duty of every teacher to adapt to new applications and keep abreast of the ever changing technology. An enthusiastic teacher with a passion for use of technology in education will never be left behind.Her students will value her teaching and retain all that was taught.
Schools in America,are experimenting a no-books classroom environment wherein laptops are handed out for assignments in the classroom. Interactives and multimedia is increasingly being used in engaging young minds for a better understanding of subject matter.Textbooks and the need for paper and stationary items is done away with altogether.In some cases, schools are not necessary either.Students love playing video games and when provided with animated education software to complete math assignments, they are elated.Students receive laptops at the start of each day, returning them at the end.Teachers and students maintain blogs. Staff and parents chat on instant messaging software. Assignments are submitted through electronic "drop boxes" on the school's Web site.Classwork is done in Google Inc's free applications like Google Docs, or Apple's iMovie and specialized educational software like FASTT Math.
International schools in India use multimedia presentations and allow students to email their assignments. Parents are requested to follow their child's progress at the school's website.Teachers are available online 24x7 for student related queries.
Education has taken on a whole new perspective with the use of technology to reach students anywhere. It is the duty of every teacher to adapt to new applications and keep abreast of the ever changing technology. An enthusiastic teacher with a passion for use of technology in education will never be left behind.Her students will value her teaching and retain all that was taught.
09 July 2008
SCIENCE AND MATH INTERACTIVES
Interactives play an important role in enhancing the teacher's teaching.The use of these interactives helps in faster learning and the students are engaged thoroughly and do not fall asleep in class.Students relate better to the topic and retain the subject matter in their memory.Activity and worksheets form the assignment part at the end of the interactive.
Math Interactives
Science Interactives
Hot Science Interactives
Astronomy Interactives
Math Interactives
Science Interactives
Hot Science Interactives
Astronomy Interactives
08 July 2008
HOW TO GIVE EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS
Students are expected to give presentations whether in school or college.Seminars are conducted and they are assessed periodically.Some enjoy presenting before their peers and some find it intriguing.Following a few basic guidelines,anyone can be an excellent presenter,student or executive.
06 July 2008
HOW TO TEACH ANYONE ANYWHERE
Teaching is an extremely rewarding profession.There is no dearth of students to any subject and any level,at any age.Today, more teachers are willing to experiment online to find more information, better presentations, and are encouraging their students to do the same. Engaging students in academic activities while online can be difficult because they would like to stray into other websites. One method is to block websites with adult content,the other is to provide them just enough time to complete a certain project online.Teachers also tutor online these days to reach students in different cities.All you need is a computer with an internet connection and headphones.Virtual whiteboards where the teacher and student share the same boards online are available on many websites.Wiziq is one such platform where a virtual classroom is used for teaching anything FREE.It is equipped with live audio and video,text chat,document and whiteboard sharing.The best part is it is available for unlimited free use and the sessions can be recorded for later viewing.
05 July 2008
HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD ADAPT TO A NEW SCHOOL
Growing up has its challenges but when a student has to change schools it can be tough on them. Most often,children change schools when parents are transferred to a different locality or city.They could also be relocating to a different country.The transition between schools can be stressful if the curriculum is also different. But,the worst of all challenges comes when a decision has to be made regarding the choice of a second language if the child is not familiar with the languages being offered for study.
Parents need to make themselves available and helping their child in adapting to the new neighbourhood particularly the new school. Students generally adapt very well to new surroundings if they do not have overbearing parents.
Recommended Viewing:
How To Help Your Child Adapt To A New School
Parents need to make themselves available and helping their child in adapting to the new neighbourhood particularly the new school. Students generally adapt very well to new surroundings if they do not have overbearing parents.
Recommended Viewing:
How To Help Your Child Adapt To A New School
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