Puppetry Exercises With Musical Choral Speech Are a Tool to Enhance Memory and Learning Proficiency

Today, there are many brain exercise programs online that expect the client to have the motivation and interest to stay focused with an often tedious program. Many are random visual figure exercises to learn a series of images. The various types of visual and listening memory are not often over-viewed, and, what is presented are visual memory exercises that are difficult to complete for both the learner and instructor.

What is obviously missing from this paradigm is the crucial "listening-auditory memory" facet. Researchers have long written that auditory memory must couple with visual memory for the learner to understand or comprehend new information. Auditory/listening memory exercises must accompany the visual ones, and obtain effective results in the process.

This challenge becomes a complex measurement and evaluation process to discover what is effective and works with all learning levels and capabilities. Following years of test-train-testing iterations, puppets have been found to be an engaging, differentiating tool.

To teach rapid auditory-visual memory, and to make the training palatable and exciting, I engaged a family of historical vaudevillian ventriloquist puppets that taught sequential learning to children age 9, up to the adult learner, who appreciated "the Charlie McCarthy - Edgar Bergen retro Hollywood radio days".

Puppet characters must be carefully chosen as actors are for a play. Becoming an effective learning tool, we can learn from speaking puppets, but only when uniquely presented, are programmed effectively, and engage the learner. Students are taught how to interact and respond effectively.

Subsequently, it can not be "any puppet, with any instructional purpose, or with any filmed procedure", but should have a specific rationale and lesson objective in mind.

Puppet characters offer the following beneficial qualities:

1) They offer a non-threatening, stress free, fun-like presence, and can become a "family affair" for the learning process. The learner remains in an abstract "one-up" position. Although they can challenge your capabilities to the next level, they do not intimate. When they back-talk, you are not personally offended, as they have become your friend.

2) Their messages are rapidly understood. For example, they have been used in political cartoons and comic strips for decades.

3) Their vocal intonations penetrate the memory system for learning new material.

Always be selective when reviewing various memory exercise options. There must be a specific, time-and trial-tested inherent methodology, especially when engaging puppetry as a learning tool.

Specifically designed exercises, according to scientific cognitive theory practice, can improve our memory uniquely and easily. We can learn visual and auditory factual names, words, and sequential memories, as in learning technical procedures, having jumped past outdated, rote memory systems.

And, if we find that if we utilize puppet characters, and find that they give us "guff" as we learn new information, we really do not mind!

Can Mobile Earning Help to Enhance Student Motivation?

The mobile learning movement is gradually beginning to grow. Learning in educational institutions (and even studying at home) has the potential to be engaging with the integration of mobile resources. And as a result of this, mobile learning is becoming exceedingly popular. It was documented by Ambiant Insight that the US market for these goods had produced an amazing $958.7 million this season. Not only this, but they predicted the growth rate to be 13.7% for the next five-years, proving that the movement will continue to expand as more and more folks begin to understand its benefits.

A number of reports have suggested that mobile learning can help students to be a lot more motivated and consequently improve their efficiency. It introduces a new type of studying, different from the conventional tasks including producing paperwork, reading from your textbook, etc. This kind of variety within a learning course will increase the level of student motivation.

This prediction was tested by a State University in Ohio. Research was conducted into college student perceptions associated with mobile learning and it was found to have a beneficial effect. Pupils felt that it made the tasks set seem easier and 'more fun' which eventually resulted in an increase in quality of their work. However some folks still have reservations about how efficient it could be as a learning resource.

You will find there's is still a stigma around using phones in the classroom. Educators as well as parents have a bad assumption, reinforced by institution policy, that mobile devices are a distraction to learning as opposed to an aid. Nevertheless, this opinion is not universal. Diana Laurillard, the head of Education and learning believes that motivation is actually a key aspect of mobile learning. She went on to say 'It is clear that individuals working with mobile devices enjoy the process' which she put down to aspects like student control over their own ambitions. Not only this, but it is very easily obtainable. Students have the ability to complete tasks wherever they are. If students are aware that they can completed their work without being fixed to their desk, they would become more likely to do so.

A study by Tsinghua University in Beijing furthermore indicated an improved enthusiasm throughout students using mobile technology, but in this case the causes for the improved motivation were different. Because teachers submitted content on forums and sent e-mail to individual students, there was a more in-depth student-teacher relationship that was seen as the reason behind the increase in motivation. However, many cynics depict it to be a resources which too entertainment- based as opposed to educational: and these ideas will need to be addressed before mobile learning is able to reach each classroom.

Once more people realize the benefits, the trend of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) can move from only being applicable within the work place, to also being highly relevant to classrooms. This is already going on. For example, earlier this month the BBC reported of a school in Newport which lifted a prohibit on mobile phones as a way of 'embracing technology for learning'. The school documented that it had been 'working well' and that the time had come that schools caught up with the technological trend.

It is time for more educational institutions to follow the example set by this school and ensure they are keeping up with the most up-to-date technology to provide educational content thats relevant to our contemporary society. In doing so, student motivation will rapidly improve which would undoubtedly also help students overall learning progress.

Problems With Mobile Learning - And How They Can Be Overcome

One of the main difficulties with mobile learning apps is the possibility of pupils getting preoccupied. Mobile phones are generally banned in classrooms as they have the potential to divert students' attention. The number of apps along with games on mobile phones is constantly increasing. This causes concerns both for parents and teachers that if mobiles were allowed, they'd be abused. An article published by the Telegraph newspaper recently discussed Ofsted's plans to prohibit phones in classrooms altogether. Sir Eileen Wilshaw, chief inspector of the education watchdog described the 'low-level disruption' in sessions caused by mobile interruptions (cell phones ringing, college students texting, playing games etc.) as being the 'bigger issue' which stops effective studying. This was met by backlash from people who thought this idea was old-fashioned, considering how mobile learning might be beneficial and also complementary to classroom studying. What App builders need to give full attention to is making sure that content is interesting and engaging and so will sustain students' concentration and prevent use of their mobile phone for other purposes.

A great way to ensure student retention is by using badges and accomplishments for individuals to gain in order to keep these motivated. Moreover, you need to ensure hat the content is shown in an exciting format together with sounds and graphics. This assists to keep students interested, and so less likely to stray away from the content.

It is also seen by a lot of that people that the articles provided on the mobile devices are way too entertainment-based to actually end up being educational. This really is difficult for mobile app companies as they need to somehow get the right stability between the app staying fun and engaging (to prevent distraction) while keeping the target on learning.

The ideal set up would be to use images and sounds (as mentioned above) so the app is exciting but with the main basis being firmly instructional. This can be done by ensure that there are no gadgets, gimmicks or mini-games involved, keep it purely educational!

Another obstacle in the field of m-learning is ensuring that content is relevant. There's many internet test sites and e-learning apps available which people are able to use to learn, however a lot of the content on these sites and programs is irrelevant as well as too generalized. Learning with an app should be succinct and tied to what the student actually should know in accordance with the syllabus or an upcoming examination.

It would therefore be useful to have mobile learning apps where the content can be customized. For example, where the teacher/parent can produce and tailor-make their own learning content making it specific for their students, and thus avoid anything unnecessary as well as off-syllabus.

Generally fresh mobile understanding apps tend to be adapting to overcome the damaging myths around mobile studying. As the field develops, these challenges are becoming less relevant causing more people to view m-learning as a viable and effective learning device.

Effective Study Techniques - My 5 Tips

Here are my 5 top tips for effective study techniques that have helped me a great deal over the past months.

Firstly, some background, I have been studying the processes and skills required to successfully operate my own internet marketing operation, this has involved learning many new computer skills from creating and publishing websites to carrying out key word research for search engine optimization to writing articles. All of this involved many hours at the computer screen viewing videos online, reading books and using the absorbed information for practical exercises. I think the following guidelines can be relevant to any study subject.

Here are my 5 top tips...

1. Study with a clear head... by this I mean only study when you have taken care of any work, family or household commitments. Trying to absorb information with other things at the back of your mind can be a massive distraction.


2. Do not study past your attention span... Every one has different attention spans, I am fortunate as I have found that mine is quite long, I can study for several hours without a break and still concentrate and absorb information. Try to judge your own attention span and work to that, as soon as you find your mind wandering or you begin to feel fatigued, take a break or stop for the day to refresh your mind. As you study more you may find that your attention span increases, it also helps of course, if you have a real interest in and enjoy whatever subject you are studying.


3. Set yourself realistic targets/deadlines... If you have a project to complete as part of your studies ensure you allow yourself ample time to understand and complete the project thoroughly. Do not be tempted to rush through sections of your studies in your eagerness to progress to the next stage, doing this will inevitably result in you having to go over the section or project that you rushed through at a later stage because you did not fully digest or understand the information being conveyed.


4. Find at least one active online forum... Related to the subject being studied, this is especially vital if you are, like me, studying alone. Forums provide a means to interact with others who have an interest and knowledge in the your chosen field, forums allow you to ask questions, debate theories, gather opinions and bounce ideas around. They are a great source of information and motivation.


5. Award your achievements... When you complete an assignment, module or project, celebrate your success in some way. I very rarely drink alcohol but I enjoy a glass of wine so my reward is a celebratory glass of white wine whenever I complete a task, it can be anything that you decide, but reward yourself for every progression you make. WHATEVER YOU ARE LEARNING, ENJOY YOUR STUDIES AND USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE IN A POSITIVE WAY.

How to Use Interactive Whiteboards in Online Tutoring Sessions

Now that a large number of people are turning to online tutors, there is a great demand to provide a good tutoring experience and deliver results. Although time flexibility and resource availability are huge advantages of online tutoring, it needs to be something different in order to make a difference from classroom learning and therefore provide solutions to students who need help to fully understand concepts.

In order to provide such a solution, it is important to use technology to our advantage. One such educational technology that has been developed is an interactive whiteboard. Interactive whiteboards are a progression from traditional blackboard and chalk, and even whiteboard and markers. They do not require you to write or draw anything by yourself, and provide some really good features that can be used for a good interactive teaching session.

Interactive whiteboards come loaded with features. You can display presentations, animations, videos, graphs, tables, images, and whatever other material you wish to show your student. You don't have to do any of it by hand; you can use handy tools to make most of these resources, and can often find many useful resources for free online. You can download these resources and easily display them on whiteboards.

Interactive whiteboards are also special because they are interactive. You don't just stand by while some material is projected on a screen; you can write on it, make notes, comments, annotations, show certain maneuvers to your students - all through a touch screen or a stylus. All these can be saved for future reference.

To make your class more interesting, and do away with long hand-written assignments, quizzes and papers that you have to spend time grading, interactive whiteboards can be used again. They often come with devices which can record student responses to multiple choice questions and such like, and also automatically evaluate marks, making the teaching job much easier for you. It takes care of all the menial work so that you can concentrate on putting together some of the best material for the student.

In online tutoring sessions, tutors use a board to write down points on. However, as much is provided in schools. In order to catch the student's attention and provide them the extra input that will help them understand concepts, interactive whiteboards can be used. Videos and animations can go a long way in helping students conceptualize fundamentals of a subject. Since online tutoring as it is does not allow you to receive hard copies of written assignments, interactive whiteboards can help you there as well.

In case you do not conduct live tutoring sessions, interactive whiteboards can again be very helpful. Since you will not be present to clarify doubts to re-explain concepts that have not been understood the first time, it becomes more important to use material that can elucidate subject matter clearly. You can also record videos on interactive boards; you can use this recorded matter for passive tutoring.

Interactive whiteboards can be a very useful resource for online tutors to provide that extra understanding and clarity in concepts that may not be provided in schools. Use of technology in education can help students learn and understand in ways suited to them.

Emergency Medical Technicians - Wanted Everywhere

In CPR training classes one can get trained in the skills to perform resuscitation for just born kids, young children and grown up people. People practicing these skills will be able to get chances for protecting the precious lives of people, who are close to death thereby acting as a very useful course. Those who are unable to attend the classes due to lack of time can also learn the skills through online courses. The online course programs are of very limited duration only and those who are able to complete the programs successfully can get certificates as well. One can select the courses of his choice by browsing the websites of these institutions. Those who are desirous of becoming professionals in this field must be able to deal with the various complications of the patients in addition to having the required skills. Moreover, they must have the determination to carry out their job in the proper way even when they are facing a highly challenging situation.

These professionals who provide intensive medical treatment to victims of major accidents especially those who are fighting for life are known as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's). They must be prepared to perform Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) whenever necessary. They may have to perform several other methods of treatment as well. CPR training classes are not meant exclusively for those who are in the health care industry. All those who have the enthusiasm to practice these skills and learn more about these treatment methods are welcome to attend these classes. Those who join the online classes get the opportunity to learn the most advanced lessons. The course program consists of both practical and theoretical lessons. Those who have already completed the basic courses in EMT can join for advanced courses in EMT. Those who are interested of a career in EMS education can join for the EMS Instructor courses.

Those who have completed the online courses in EMT training can appear for the national level certification exam. Employment potential is very high for trained EMT's and paramedical professionals since the demand is very high. Those who have attended CPR courses are able to keep severe cardiac patients alive. By doing the courses in EMT the student learns the skills to deal with the worst situations. Attending to emergency calls, providing CPR and pre-hospital medical aid are the duties of EMT's. There are three different types of EMT's - basic, intermediate and paramedical. Job opportunities are in plenty for EMT's at all places.

Things You Should Know About Online Diploma Courses

With the inception of online diploma courses, there is no need to attend a conventional high school. One can take the courses from the comfort of his home. Even if you are a working and shouldering family responsibilities, you can earn these diplomas at your own pace. There are several institutions or schools eager to offer courses online. A student needs a computer and internet connectivity. That's it!

How to Apply

To apply, you simply have to start browsing online for accredited institutions. An education provider that is not recognized should not be opted for even if the course fees are low.

Best Schools to Earn an Online Diploma

Penn Foster High School

A student will get a super career boost if he applies to this school. That's because a candidate would be able to study at his own convenience and pace. Studying here will also not create a dent in your wallet as the tuition fees are quite reasonable compared to the other institutions. You don't need to worry about accreditation as the institute is recognized by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council and Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. One can get the diploma in just 9 month for each year of high schooling. There are experienced instructors who will help you with the study. You simply have to email or call the support staff for applying.

The programs offered are high school diploma, diploma in building technology, information technology, health care and early college courses.

Christa McAuliffe Academy Online

This is a private non-profit online school helping students to earn a high school diploma. Students need to finish one course at a time. Before you move onto the next level, you have to pass each of the courses successfully. The fees are $3000 per student per year. Students need to be online on specified times.

Keystone National High School 

There are two options for students. One is choosing the college track and the other is the career track. College track students can study 17 subjects along with honor courses in subjects such as English, American government and Chemistry. And for the career track, one has to study business writing and computer basics. The fees are affordable as there are payment plans, discounts, and even money-back guarantee.

Orange Lutheran High School Online 

It is ideal for pupils who wish to improve their academic qualification and know about spiritual development. One can study subjects like mathematics, English, science and theology. Students cannot study at their own pace; they have to login on weekdays to take part in the courses offered. The admission process is stringent as one has to take a test, submit one essay and have an interview with a staff. The fees are $300 dollars/course.

CompuHigh

Here students can take up 2 courses at a time and complete one lesson each day in each of the course. The diploma offered is accepted by colleges and universities. The course materials are online and additional books need to be bought separately. Teachers co-operate with candidates on one-on-one basis.

Types of Advanced Diploma Courses

Besides high school diploma, there are advanced courses such as diploma in business management, legal studies, English language, environmental studies, health studies, human resources, mathematics, statistics, multimedia, and children's studies.

Advantages

The advantages are flexibility as one can study at their own pace and from the comfort of their homes. Though some schools have specified times to be online, classes are scheduled keeping in mind a pupil's convenience. They can learn as well as work at the same time. This is not possible with traditional classes where one has to attend classes in person. The tuition fees are also affordable.

Is M-Learning Helping to Improve Education in Developing Nations?

Mobile usage is far more widespread in third world countries than you may initially think. It may seem like they would be too costly or mobile availability would be limited, but yearly growth reports suggest a totally different story. For example the year-on-year growth rate of smart phone consumption throughout India is a staggering 841%. Yet India isn't alone; cellular usage continues to be expanding around the world. Reports by World Bank found that productive mobile clients have gone from less than a billion in the year 2000, to almost half a dozen billion in 2012. This is an incredible accomplishment in any case. Nonetheless, consider this: almost 5 billion of those subscriptions came from developing nations.

With so many mobile devices used today, it's no surprise that the m-learning effort is really kicking off. UNESCO believes that adding mobile learning plans will better education and works hard to achieve this aim and amend education policies around the world. They've unveiled numerous assignments within developing nations, such as 'Puentos Educativos' throughout Chile which provides professors with equipment (including a Cell phone) along with coaching about new ways to educate. The program aids 600 school instructors teaching around 10,000 children and also reported a lift in both pupil performance as well as motivation. Schemes like this help to identify m-learning as a positive and beneficial learning resource. However, UNESCO is aware that there is a lot more hard graft to be done. M-learning is only recently being regarded properly by schooling departments; so it might be a number of years before it is widely accessible within the third world.

The matter of expenses also affects education within significantly less developed countries. Many family members just can't afford to teach their children and thus they go without having an appropriate education. That is slowly altering. With portable learning increasing, vast numbers of people will be able to retrieve learning content material without having to pay absurd amounts of cash. Mobiles are less expensive when compared to other systems like laptops, so they are more commonly used. Inexpensive tariffs and accessibility mean that buying a cellular phone is economical for many people. Elsie S. Kanza from the World Economic forum, says that "Regardless of social class, everyone has a mobile phone, or perhaps two or three. Even in the most remote villages, mobile phones have replaced the bicycle or radio as being valued assets" This is great news for m-learning as well as education generally as it's currently easier to reach any broader market as well as rural and remote pupils all over the world.

And education isn't just tied to school conditions. Additional mobile software is getting developed to teach overall health and also basic knowledge at the same time. For example according to mobiledia.com a new iPhone app called 'Nine Minutes' has been produced which educates women on pregnancy along with the maternity cycle. This kind of important knowledge as well as health marketing campaign is groundbreaking and means that there are no restraints to precisely how beneficial m-learning might be in instructing the globe.

Holistic Skills Development For Professionals Through Executive Programs

Rapid changes are shaping businesses today. Heightened opportunities and challenges due to growing consumerism have lead to the demand for increased and improved skills and dynamism in the workforce. Businesses are flourishing, and so are the workforce requirements. Professionals today are expected to display certain traits in order to stay competitive. It has become imperative that working executives keep themselves apprised of the developments in not just their respective industries, but also other industries that spell trends in their industry.

There has been a growing need for professionals who not only work diligently, but also smartly. There is a need for professionals who can apply holistic thinking and unique problem solving ability in order to take care of the issues that crop up on a day to day basis. With everything going global, more and more avenues have opened up for different businesses. This culture has fostered growth and expansion, at times even at a cross-country level. The flipside of this trend has been greater unprecedented challenges that call for uncommon leadership.

This need for keeping abreast with the latest developments in ones' field is met with the vast sea of options available in the form of executive education. Executive courses prepare executives from all over the world for new levels of leadership in their careers and within their respective organizations. Executive courses prepare a professional to take on new and critical business challenges, developing and strengthening competitiveness and thus contributing to the growth of the organization. Such courses inculcate broad minded approach to problems and challenges confronting the business.

Moreover, taking up an executive course gives a professional the opportunity to actually engage with fellow participants and discuss and learn from each other's challenges. It helps build relationships and is a great opportunity for scouting talent and business associates or prospective clients. The diverse background of participants delivers a richer experience in the classroom. Multi-dimensional knowledge is acquired through various activities, study groups and peer-to-peer learning.

This need for such executive courses has been realized globally, owing to which a number of reputed and top colleges in the country have initiated programs to involve professionals who aspire to add to their skills through further learning, but are unwilling to leave the comfort of their jobs. These programs have been successful in engaging some of the top officials and industry experts, who join such programs to keep pace with the latest happenings in their field. As a result of an extremely detailed selection process for each course, the quality of study group and effective communication is ensured. Professionals from every discipline of work can supplement their knowledge and get insightful perspectives through such programs.

How Does Online Tutoring Work?

While the education system's effectiveness is up for debate, there is no denying the most beneficial way to educate someone is in a one-on-one setting. Up until now, it was believed you had to be face to face in order to receive a quality tutoring session; the times have certainly changed.

Children today are what we call digital natives. In their eyes, life could not exist without the internet and all of our advanced technologies. Facebook, Twitter, Skype, video games, etc. have created a culture in which young people magnetize to technology. Schools and parents all over the country are using the internet to boost academic success by utilizing online tutoring services in an attempt to close or even create achievement gaps.

How exactly does this all work? It might not be as complicated as you would think and your tech savvy son or daughter would catch on to the concept almost instantly. It all starts with finding a good online tutor. Once you have found a tutor and set up meeting times, you will be given access to the virtual classroom via a link that is emailed to you. You would then click the link at the appropriate time and enter the virtual classroom for the tutoring session.

The virtual classroom has a fantastic set up. The tutor can use a video and audio feed to communicate with the student during the session. Participants also have the ability to chat with each other live in a chat box. Each virtual classroom has a whiteboard available in which both the tutor and the student have the ability to manipulate. Tutors can also upload PowerPoint presentations, Microsoft Word documents and YouTube videos directly in the classroom and use these resources to provide high quality instruction. Tutoring in the virtual classroom opens up several instructional avenues that simply don't exist in the traditional tutoring setting.

The days of traveling to the library to meet with a tutor who can only do worksheets are long gone. No more cleaning the house or using extra gas to meet at an inconvenient location. All of the tutoring takes place from the comfort of your own home. Kids love it too! They don't feel intimidated or incompetent when they meet with the tutor because they are in a comfortable setting; online via the computer.

Tutoring online, however, is a rather new practice. Finding experienced tutors in the online setting can be somewhat difficult. The key is to look for a tutoring business or individual tutor who has at least 2 years of experience educating in an online classroom. A competent online tutor has training, experience and skill in the online education setting. Before committing to any services, be sure to ask the tutor questions regarding how it all works. The tutor should be well versed and educated when describing the process.

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