How Smart TVs Can Help Teachers To Encourage Student Participation In The Classroom

If you are an educator, then it is imperative that you realise developing an ideal lesson will prove meaningless unless you are able to get your students engaged. Hence, educators need to focus on getting learners involved in various activities in the classroom which will encourage thinking, interaction and collaboration and get your students excited about learning. Believe it or not, one of the best ways to do this is using television sets in your classroom. Read on....

Why you need television in the classroom

TV sets have been used in numerous classrooms around the globe since the past 50 years to promote learning and student engagement. Initially, TVs only helped to show recorded lecture sessions and educational television shows. However, educational technology has advanced substantially since then. Many classrooms now use various forms of EdTech to help students learn better.

With the help of television, modern educators can add zing to the classroom by incorporating television and other technology to create an engaged and enhanced classroom. Now you can find a wide range of effective tools like whiteboards , Apple TVs and Smart TVs that can significantly help you in your mission. Most educators, who utilise the latest tech in the classroom, use at least one of these tools. Smart TVs are almost like traditional television sets with the added feature of being able to connect to the internet. This allows you to stream a wide range of programmes, apps and videos.

On the other hand, Apple TVs are advanced devices which you can use with iPads and projectors as well as a television set. These devices can also stream similar to the Smart TVs. However, these also the information available on the iPad to be shown or broadcast on a projector. Many teachers also use interactive whiteboards in their classrooms. Although these are not televisions technically, but you can connect them to a laptop or projector and use them along with advanced televisions in order to replace the traditional DVD players and whiteboards.

Here is how classroom technology can help you teach better-

Using multiple approaches

Technology in the classroom can allow you to effectively use multiple teaching approaches so that you can help every type of student to learn in a better way. Televisions in the classroom allow learners to interact and receive information in different ways which best suits the individual needs of learners.

Flexibility in learning

Smart TVs offers enhanced flexibility to both teachers and students in learning. You can easily use relevant pictures and videos captured by students and educators outside the classrooms on iPad or laptop can be used to encourage discussion and improve learning on a specific topic.

Access latest information

Educators now have a wide range of options in their hands to allow students to access updated and useful information online. This will undoubtedly help learners to better understand the lessons.

Encourage student participation

With the use of Smart TVs in the classroom, you will find it much easier to encourage your students to participate and collaborate effectively for an enhanced learning experience. This can also inspire shy students to share their information who are usually shy and reserved in the classroom.

One of the first things you must do as an educator is to get your students excited about learning. Using televisions and other EdTech tools can help teachers to improve the learning experience and make education a fun, engaging and valuable experience. 

What do you think? Feel free to share your experiences and ideas with us by commenting below. We would love to hear from you.

Why The Global Business World Need More Women In Top Management?

Are you planning to become a successful business woman? But do you have what it takes? The fact is the business world is primarily dominated by men globally, but if you have the right postgraduate diploma and skills you can also become a prominent business leader. In fact studies reveal that companies with women in top management positions make more money than the ones managed by men. Keep reading to learn more about how you can become a successful woman entrepreneur.... 

How Opportunities For Women Are Growing

 

A new study has found that the number of women working in middle and senior management roles worldwide has increased significantly in the past 20 years. However, it was observed that women are underrepresented in prominent management roles even today. Although the pace has been slow, but there is notable progress in bringing more women into leadership. The International Labour Organization (ILO) said that at this current pace, it will take another 100 years to achieve parity between men and women managers. 

The ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities compiled data from different parts of the globe to create the latest global perspective on women in the corporate world. The report titled “Women in Business and Management: Gaining Momentum” has ranked different nations on women in management and female board representation. 

Director of the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities, Deborah France-Massin, said “Our research is showing that women’s ever increasing participation in the labour market has been the biggest engine of global growth and competitiveness.” She added “An increasing number of studies are also demonstrating positive links between women’s participation in top decision making teams and structures and business performance.

But there is a long way to go before we achieve true gender equality in the workplace, especially when it comes to top management positions...Unless action is taken, it could take 100 to 200 years to achieve parity at the top.

Dearth Of Women At Top Management

 

The ILO study revealed that now there are more women managers and businesswomen than ever before, but a lack of women at top management still remains. Among the 108 countries that were surveyed by the ILO, in 80 nations the proportion of female managers has grown significantly in the past 20 years. However, only 5 per cent of CEOs in leading organisations around the world are women. The study said it was less likely that a woman would lead a business if the company was larger. 

Women Boost Business Performance

 

The International Labour Organization (ILO) also found that having more women managers at the top positions can actually benefit the bottom line. It said that there may not be any direct link and most businesses that have women on top tend to invest technology, innovation and research. However, The ILO added that many significant studies have shown that the participation of women in the decision-making process helps in boosting business outcomes. 

For instance, a study from McKinsey & Company found that European-listed companies with more women managers had 17 per cent higher stock price increase from 2005 to 2007. Moreover the average operating profit of these organisations was nearly twice the industry average. The ILO study added that now women manage and own over 30 per cent of all businesses, from small companies to medium and large enterprises. 

It stated “They represent around 24% of all employers in all regions except the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) where they are around 6%.” 

Can You Become A Successful Woman Manager?

 

Of course you can! If you have the required determination, skills and education, you can also climb up the corporate ladder to top management positions. If you ask me, apart from gaining relevant work experience, earning an accredited level 7 diploma in management will help you take advantage of excellent career opportunities and leave your mark as a businesswoman in the world of men. 

By pursuing a level 7 postgraduate diploma in management online you will learn about different aspects of business management like information systems, finance, human resource, marketing etc. An online management diploma will allow you to pursue your studies and concentrate at work at the same time. 

Moreover, you will be able to access study material easily from your smartphone, tablet or laptop. As you will gain a solid knowledge about your industry and business in general, you will improve your chances of becoming a woman manager and succeed in the highly competitive business world. 

What Are You Waiting For?

 

As a woman in the corporate world, you will surely face a lot of hurdles and obstacles. Your online qualification will enable you to hone your skills and gain required knowledge which will enable you to boost your career. 

Do you have what it takes to be a woman manager?? Share your views and opinions in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you.

7 Educational Apps That Can Make Reading Fun For Your Students

Are you looking for ways to make learning more engaging and fun in your classroom? Well here we are going to talk about 7 great apps that make reading an exciting activity for educators and students alike. Keep reading... 

Storia

The new and improved version of Storia will provide easy and quick access to several Scholastic books for your classroom. You can create reading groups, allow kids students to use indivdual shelves, assign reading, set automatic quizzes for students, and track their progress for comprehension and vocabulary. 

Shmoop’s English & Literature Guides

 

The free literature guides available from Shmoop provides funny and

simple voices which encourages the students and respect the participants. This app allows kids to look for reference online and provides helpful guides for an array of books. 

Audiobooks from Audible 

 

Does any of your students struggle with studying, reading texts or attention? Then this app will be very helpful for you and your learners. This is highly useful for dyslexic students who constantly struggle to keep pace with loads of homework. 

Best Books for Tweens

 

Tweens study very differently than younger kids, which can be rather

challenging for parents and teachers to understand. This amazing app allows students, who are aged 10 to 12, of 5th and 6th graders to easily access and use information and book reviews for various tween books. It also includes options for bookmarking and allows for emailing all the lists. 

Shakespeare Pro

 

The excellent education app helps learners to gain access to the entire works of Shakespeare anytime anywhere via their smartphones and tablets. Students can also opt to cross-search important key phrases look for phrases that are similar. 

Aesop’s Quest

 

If you want to teach your students about classic fables, then this is the right

app for you. This app allows kids to read various tales and stories and play games, answer quizzes and questions from the stories. This app helps kids to learn quicker and better. 

Reading Trainer

 

As kids become older, they need to get better in reading faster without compromising on understanding. This app enables high school students to use exercises that improve not only retention, but speed of learning. 

What other apps are helpful for your classroom? Want to add to list? Then simply comment in the box below.

Is Academic Tenure The Reason For Degradation Of American Higher Education?

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Do you think that the American secondary education system can be considered the best worldwide? Well I surely don’t. Apparently, many education leaders and analysts agree with me as they believe that the prevalent primary and secondary education in the US has become rather unpromising. However, these people will also claim that tertiary education in the United States is unrivalled. That may have been true once, but does it hold true even today? 

The Advent Of Tenure

 

A few years ago, US universities were the hub of prominent teachers and researchers and it provided the educators an opportunity to climb to the top. However, things started to change with the introduction of tenure. If you ask me, brilliance in teaching is not the right way for you to achieve tenure. If you wish to get tenure then you need to invest more time in campus politics, research and publishing. I don’t think teaching is one of the requisites as most see it as merely a distraction. I have known many professors who think that being a university professor is a great job; the only downside is dealing with students. 

Is Tenure Necessary? 

 

I don’t really know. I think it is only a refuge for teachers who are incompetent. But the sad truth is today the academic sphere in the United States of America is steered only by tenured educators. These teachers spend most of their time doing research and being present in the library. Although they will not admit, but most of these teachers believe that students approaching them, whether for additional guidance, asking about grade issues or submitting assignments and papers for grades, is an obstruction to what professors consider to be their actual work. 

Can you think of any profession around the globe which offers you a lifetime guarantee of employment if you simply work for 7 years, excluding at a university? Me neither. The truth is you will have to perform at your job irrespective of whether you are a lawyer or a doctor. However, if you are a university professor in the US and if you have tenure, you will never need to prove your merits or skills ever again. Unless you plan on becoming a criminal, you have an assured job for your lifetime. 

The Greatest Bubble

 

The truth is academic tenure is a comparatively recent issue in the American education system. If you ask me, the justification of academic freedom for providing tenure sounds rather absurd nowadays. Why would a physics professor need to have tenure for life to depict hi beliefs on gravity in the classroom? Do you think an accounting professor needs tenure to guard his opinion on assets and liabilities? The rationale for tenure is a rather ludicrous justification for providing for lifetime employment. 

I think that tenure for life is undoubtedly a facet of the American exceptionalism which makes the US tertiary education one of the most notable and largest bubbles of our era. 

What do you think about tenure in US universities? Feel free to share your feedback and thoughts by commenting below. 

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UK Higher Education Financing System Is Risky, Says Study

Are you planning to earn a UK degree? Although a recognised degree from a UK University can substantially help you in advancing your career, but with rising tuition fees many students are now having second thoughts. In this scenario, does it make sense to get a degree from UK? Is there any other alternative that will help you to avoid student debts? 

Let’s have a look.... 

Rising tuition fees and risky financing options have become a serious challenge for many aspirants who wish to earn a university degree from the United Kingdom. According to a recent report, drastic changes in financing higher education in the UK in the last 2 years have made the scenario more complicated. The report has been prepared by the Higher Education Commission which comprises of representatives from education and business and a group of MPs. 

Experts Say Higher Education Is Risky...

 

The study reveals that the existing system of student loans and tuition fees is the worst around the globe and it is impossible to sustain this system in the coming years. The report states “An experiment is under way, with potential consequences for English HE stretching decades into the future.” It points out that although heavy investment is being made by the government, it is receiving no credit whatsoever. The students believe that there is no possibility of earning affordable UK university degree as they are ending up paying considerably more in spite of getting their debts written off. Moreover, universities are rolling in money received from tuition fee; when grants have been reduced and fee income has been unable to escalate with inflation. The report claims “We have created a system where everyone feels they are getting a bad deal and this is not sustainable.” 

Ruth Thompson, the author of the report and ex-senior civil servant in charge of higher education, believes that the level of consensus was remarkable bearing its political importance. She thinks it imperative that we confront these issues. Thompson said “If everybody were to ignore the importance of debating what to do next and everyone said nothing needed doing, that everything is as it should be, that would be concerning.” 

We Need A New Approach...

 

The Higher Education Commission study believes that a new model is required. It requests the government reassess, re-evaluate and also to follow the recommendations made by the committee. Thompson claims that the commission approves the notion of both the state and students contributing. Moreover it believes that the current higher education funding system in UK is sturdy enough to face some instability. However, there is serious cause for concern when we consider the scenario in the next 5 years, she says. Thompson adds “This is a long-term area where if we don’t learn and think and deliberate in advance, we can run into trouble.”

But as the government and experts strive to find out a better solution, what can you do to earn a UK degree by avoiding huge debts? How can you acquire an affordable degree from UK University without paying high tuition fees? 

Go The Smarter Way

 

If you wish to progress your career ahead by earning a UK qualification and avoiding student debts, then the best option for you is to get UK university degree online at an affordable price. By going online, you will easily get to avoid high tuition fees and risky financing options that might jeopardise your future career. Online higher education programmes from UK colleges and universities follow high standards of education which assures that you will get the best learning experience. You will earn accredited degrees and diplomas that are accepted and recognised by institutes, businesses and employers worldwide. 

With an online degree you will acquire the necessary skills and knowledge which you can apply effectively at your work. This will boost your professional efficiency and performance. So if you are keen on earning an easy-on-the-pocket qualification from UK, then online UK education is the way to go. 

What do you think about earning a UK degree? Share your views and opinions with us. We would love to hear from you.

9 Universal Skills That Your Students Must Learn

Our society is progressing at an exciting pace thanks to continuous advancements in technology and the growth of business worldwide. To keep pace with this incessantly developing world, our young learners need to acquire various skills and knowledge to keep ourselves updated. 

Here you will find a list of some universal skills which every young individual must know about- 

How To Become A Self-Directed Learner 

 

Students must know how to find and utilise resources, both in a classroom setting and online, to learn and develop their interests. Self-directed Learning helps in acquiring various skills so that our students can confidently respond to the challenges and changes in life. 

How To Search Online Effectively

 

As the internet offers a sea of information and hosts unlimited volumes of useful content, it is imperative that young learners know how to search the web in an effective way so that they can find quality and appropriate sources for their schoolwork. 

How To Improve Your Personal Learning Network (PLN)

 

Personal Learning Networks refers to network of individuals and resources which can help you learn and develop. Students need to create a global personal learning network as it will help them to learn about various topics and understand how to develop and utilise knowledge networks. 

How To Use Social Media And Manage Digital Footprint 

 

Social media can be a great place for teen students. However, they need to be cautious about potential dangers and threats which they need to avoid. They should also know about what they should and should not post on sites like Facebook, Instagram or YouTube as it might affect their academic and professional future. 

How To Assess Websites For Credibility

 

The information has loads of reliable data and information, but it also contains even more sources of inaccurate and misleading information. Hence students must learn how to evaluate the quality of resources available online. 

How To Communicate Orally Online And Face-To-Face 

 

Educators need to teach young students how to develop oral communication skills whether it is in-person or online. Oral communication instruction can help our students to verbally express themselves in an effective manner. They should also learn how to use the available digital tools like Skype, Facetime and Google Handouts to communicate with a wider group of people. 

How To Engage In Arts

 

Arts education like painting, drawing, theatre, sculpture or music, both in practice and theory, is an essential part of a comprehensive curriculum. It not only empowers students to perform better in other academic subjects and score high on critical thinking tests, but it also makes teachers happier. 

How To Identify And Solve Problems 

 

Problem-solving is one of the most essential skills of the 21st Century and it will enable young students to learn and understand various subjects, including maths, better. As the business world is changing, our students must equip themselves with problem-solving skills to build their future careers. 

How To Learn And Utilise New Technologies

 

Technology has become an integral part of our society and strongly influences different aspects of our lives from education, business to our daily lives. Hence students need to develop their understanding of computers and use them better as resource tools for learning. It is also important that we teach our students how to effectively utilise emerging technologies as well. 

Apart from these, there are many other skills that the young students must learn to get better not only in their education but also to perform effectively at the workplace. 

What other skills do you think should be added to the list? Feel free to share your ideas with us by commenting below.

6 Effective Tips To Boost Confidence And Participation Of Introverted Students

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Are you a teacher? Then you must have noticed that there are many students in the classroom who refrain from participating in brainstorming sessions. Although you take several steps, but you are still unable to get them to actively participate. However, these students are talented and can greatly contribute to the projects as their written assignments are top-notch. But still they become nervous and anxious when you call out their names. So how can you get introverted students to take part in creative projects? Let’s find out.... 

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Here we have listed some effective ways that will enable you to encourage introverts to participate in brainstorming sessions in your classroom- 

Don’t Allow Extroverts To Dominate 

Although extroverted students help to get the discussion started, but you should not allow loud voices to lead or dominate the session. Encourage every learner to speak out by asking all extrovert learners to share their ideas, then by encouraging introverted students to contribute. As asking directly might not be a good idea, you come up with questions like “Would anybody who has not shared anything yet like to add to the discussion?” 

Make Smaller Groups

 

Introvert students often feel worried in crowded and loud environments. By dividing your students in to smaller groups of introverts or extroverts to can create an environment that is controlled, encouraging and free from distractions. 

Break It In Chunks

 

Introverted students can perform best when your brainstorming sessions of any group size last for only around 10 minutes on an average. If you plan on carrying out extended sessions, make sure you take adequate breaks so that students can get time to recoup. 

Conduct “Brainwriting” Sessions Instead

 

Do you think great ideas can only be presented orally? Instead of conducting brainstorming sessions all the time, ask students in your class to express their ideas for specific projects by writing them down. The simply switch the papers among students so that they can add their own ideas to it. Make sure there is silence in the classroom throughout the session. 

Provide Role Models

 

Introverts like Steve Wozniak and J.K. Rowling, have significantly contributed towards the overall development of our society. You can help introverted students to boost their confidence by telling them about popular role models. You can also offer positive feedback to the ideas they shared to embrace their contribution. 

Don’t Compel Them To Speak Up

 

This is perhaps the most important piece of advice for any educator. Introverted students need to develop certain coping skills as they have to move through this extroverted world. Hence they will be required to take part and share their ideas in larger group settings. Hence you need to help them build confidence through positive reinforcement, instead of criticism. If you force them to contribute, they might feel uncomfortable which will prove to be counterproductive. 

The Bottom Line

 

Students who are introverts are often very creative who think deeply and need to be motivated during brainstorm sessions to enable them to share their innovative ideas. 

What else do you think should be done to encourage introverts? Feel free to share your own ideas and experiences in the comments box below. 

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