Online Understanding Calculus Tutors

Online Understanding Calculus Tutors Calculus is an important section of Mathematics which involves a detailed study about different functions and behavior of those functions. Calculus is sub-divided into two important branches which are finding derivatives of functions and finding integrals of functions. Derivatives of a function gives the rate of change of one variable with respect to the other and integrals of functions analyses the area covered under the graph of a given function. In order to analyze math in advanced level, it is very important to understand calculus as it helps us understand functions in a much detailed manner. Example 1: Use the derivative method to find the slope of the given straight line, f(x) = 5x + 2. In order to find the derivative, we can use the Power rule of the Derivatives: d(xn)/dx = n * xn-1 We can distribute the derivative to both the terms: d(5x + 2)/dx [ d(5x)/ dx ] + [ d(2)/ dx ] Using the above formula, we get 5(x1-1) + 0 = 5 Hence the slope or the derivative of the given straight line is 5. Example 2: Calculate the integral of the function, f(x) = 3x2 8x. Given function: f(x) = 3x2 8x. In order to find the integral of the given function, we can use the formula: xn dx= x(n+1)/ (n+1) Applying the above formula for the given function, we get (fx) dx = 3 * x2+1/(2 + 1) 8 * x1+1/(1 + 1) + c f(x)dx = 3x3/3 8x2/2 + c We can simplify it as: f(x)dx = x3 4x2 + c

Sq Feet to Meters

Sq Feet to Meters A Square feet (also represented as sq feet) is a unit of measurement of area and it is commonly used in the United States, Canada, and in United Kingdom. While describing the area of anything, we use this measurement and estimate the number with respect to the unit. Area determined in terms of square feet is one of the commonly used measurement values and this number can be converted from square feet to another unit. Square feet can be converted to square meters which in turn can be converted to meters. Example 1: Given area of a rectangle is 40sq feet and the length of the rectangle is 2m. Calculate the width of the rectangle in meters. Area of a rectangle, A = length * width Given: length of the rectangle, l = 2m Area of the rectangle, A = 40sq feet First we should convert the units of area from square feet to meters2. Standard conversion: 1m2 = 10.764sqft This implies Area = 40sq feet = 40/10.764 = 3.72m2 So width of rectangle = Area/length= 3.72m2/ 2m = 1.86m Example 2: Given area of a rectangle is 100sq feet and the length of the rectangle is 4.6m. Calculate the width of the rectangle in meters. Area of a rectangle, A = length * width Given: length of the rectangle, l = 4.6m Area of the rectangle, A = 100sq feet First we should convert the units of area from square feet to meters2. Standard conversion: 1m2 = 10.764sqft This implies Area = 100sq feet = 100/10.764 = 9.29m2 So width of rectangle = Area/length= 9.29m2/ 4.6m = 2.02m

What is it Like to Attend University of North Florida

What is it Like to Attend University of North Florida The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Matthew is a Jacksonville tutor specializing in computer science tutoring, geometry tutoring, pre-calculus tutoring, and a number of other areas. He is currently a junior at the University of North Florida majoring in Computing and Information Sciences. See what he had to share about the University of North Florida: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Matthew: My campus, the University of North Florida, is fairly safe. It has its own police department, and there are emergency landline telephones all over campus (including the parking lots) where students or visitors can dial 911 or the local campus police non-emergency line. We have shuttle buses that run relatively late in the evening, but there are also plenty of safe places to park your car or to lock up your bike if you have either of those modes of transportation. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at University of North Florida? Matthew: The professors, academic advisers, and lab assistants are very available and easy to communicate with. In my experience, professors respond to emails within a few hours, and they have regular office hours that will meet the needs of most students. You can also make special appointments. The advisers are reachable in a similar fashion; whenever I have gone to the advising office, the staff has always been available for walk-in appointments. Lab assistants and tutoring services are frequently available even on the weekends. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Matthew: I personally have not stayed at the dorms, so I cannot provide a truly satisfactory answer to this question. However, there are a number of restaurants and cafeterias on campus. There is also a Starbucks and a gaming lounge. Students looking to socialize frequent these common areas, whereas students looking for a quiet place to study can find refuge at the library, which is open surprisingly late. In summation, there are a wide variety of options for both recreational and non-recreational areas. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Matthew: The University of North Florida supports a wide variety of degree programs. Probably the most common degree programs are STEM-related (science, technology, engineering, and math) or social science (sociology, psychology, political science, and communications) oriented. I personally studied computing and information sciences, with a focus on computer science and a minor in mathematics. The University of North Florida did an excellent job supporting my area of study. They have an entire building dedicated to computer science/information science/information technology students, complete with labs, computers, and other resources. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Matthew: It was pretty easy for me to meet people and to make friends as a freshman. Greek life did not play a significant role in my social life on campus. My degree program was so demanding that most of my social interactions occurred with people I met in my classes. I met some of my best friends attending courses at the University of North Florida, and we would work on projects together and socialize outside of our classes. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services at University of North Florida? Matthew: The local career center is extremely helpful. They assist students with creating resumes, constructing professional work portfolios, and job/internship recruitment opportunities. They host a regular career fair every semester, and regularly have reputable local companies on campus hosting workshops, seminars, and seeking to recruit the newest talent. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Matthew: The library, student union, and common lounge areas are very spacious and easily available. Despite the large number of students, they are rarely over-crowded, and they can easily serve a significantly large chunk of students. I have personally spent a large quantity of time in the library and student union buildings working and socializing. Describe the surrounding town. Matthew: Jacksonville is the largest city in the continental United States in terms of landmass. This leads to a wide variety of choices when it comes to outside establishments and sources of entertainment. Jacksonville has a bustling nightlife in the downtown area, but there is a distinct parking space problem. You frequently have to park far from where you are going and either walk, bike, or take a shuttle bus. The parking issue does dissuade some students from enjoying the downtown area, but many students still choose to enjoy the many activities that are available. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes at University of North Florida? Matthew: Our student body is fairly large at the University of North Florida. While the class sizes were a bit larger than I would have liked, I saw it as the natural consequence of the massive demand for STEM fields. There are so many available positions in my field, and so many students are looking to train and fill them that it is no surprise that the school is overwhelmed with student registration. They are continually hiring new faculty to keep up with demand, but the slow rate at which post-doctoral candidates are trained means that the problem is likely to continue for some time. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Matthew: Probably my most memorable experience was with Dr. Kenneth Martin, who taught Data Structures (among other courses). We spent a large amount of time during one class debating the pros and cons of various hashing functions for a hash table data structure. Dr. Martin argued in favor of a method which modeled each element in the table as a unique polynomial, whereas I pushed a simpler method that instead took the bitwise representation of each element in the table and used the bitwise exclusive-or function and a large arbitrary Mersenne prime number to derive a unique key similar to the process used by modern cryptography. While neither of us convinced the other, the discussion produced a great deal of inspiration for the rest of the students in the class, some of whom had yet other techniques that they favored. Check out Matthews tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

The Ranking of German Universities

The Ranking of German Universities The Best Schools in Germany! ChaptersTypes of Universities in GermanyThe Best German UniversitiesIn addition to how easy it is to find work in Germany, the German education system is very popular when it comes to learning German on one of the country's many high-quality language courses. In fact, many British students are leaving their home country to study at both private and public universities in Deutschland.The education in Germany is top notch and it's hard to find a uni in Germany that isn't highly recommended or doesn't feature highly in the World University Rankings.Additionally, since Germany and the UK are currently members of the European Union, you currently don't need to get a residence permit or a student visa to study at a German university or higher education establishment.With this status subject to change in the near future, it mightn't be worth putting off going to a German university if you want to learn the German language and boost your career prospects.Whether you want to go to a German un iversity for your whole degree course or just part of an Erasmus exchange for an academic year, every applicant will need to prove they have the necessary language skills.You can sit internationally recognised exams like the TestDaF or the Goethe-Zertifikat provided by the Goethe Institut to prove to your university that your German is good enough.Living in Germany as an international student can give you the opportunity to go to some of the best schools around as Philipp, a French student of medicine studying in Berlin said in 2014:“Germany doesn’t require complicated entrance exams like in France. Supply and demand regulates the market for university places. There’s plenty of it. [...] Once you’ve finished your specialisation, it’s very easy to get your degree recognised in the EU.”Furthermore, the biggest German universities are public and there isn't a tuition fee, even for foreign students.Here’s our advice for choosing the right university and degree courses depe nding on your field of study. SönkeGerman Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClaudiaGerman Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SefaGerman Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HilaryGerman Teacher 5.00 (16) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LisaGerman Teacher 5.00 (8) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChrisGerman Teacher 5.00 (19) £39/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors WendyGerman Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HowardGerman Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTypes of Universities in GermanyBefore applying to study in Germany, you need to know a few things about the German education system.German universities promote art, music, and film. (Source: Daian Gan)When it comes to studying in Germany, there are several types of universities you can go to:German Universities: Over 1.3 million German and foreign students go to German universities every year. Courses can last between 3 and 8 years. These establishments offer research scholarships for doctorates.The Fachhochschulen: These applied science institutes offer practical courses in order to prepare students for the working world. There are 2-year courses and master’s level courses. Fachhochschulen graduates tend to easily find a job once they finish their studies. There are currently 500,000 students in Fachhochschulen.Art, Film, and Music Colleges: 30,000 native and foreign students attend a German “college”. These schools allow students to focus on arts, music, and cinema. There are 3-year courses up to doctorates.In addition to choosing the type of establishment, you can also choose whether you want to go public or private.Students at private universities can expect to pay €20,000 a year in tuition fees though scholarships are available. Students can also expect to facilitate their entry into the working world. In fact, large private G erman universities have very strong links with some of the country’s biggest firms.Students who go to these renowned universities can expect to command a higher wage when they leave than their public university counterparts.Find out the advantages of working in Germany.  Learn about the German work mentality.The Best German UniversitiesIn 2016, the education site Top Universities published its QS World University Ranking.  The institute based its rankings on the following criteria:University reputationEmployee reputationAssociated prestigeAccess to foreign studentsStudent successOf the 800 best universities in the world, 42 of them are German.German higher education has an impeccable reputation amongst world universities but this can make it even more difficult to find the right university in Germany for a prospective student.Choosing the best German university depends on your academic expectations. Here are our choices for the best German universities.Technical University of Muni chThis school founded in 1868 is part of the famous Eliteuniversität  (Elite Universities) in Germany which is like the Ivy League or Oxbridge of Germany. There are 30,000 active students.The Technical University of Munich is a free school and is open to everyone and to be accepted onto a course at the TUM, a foreign student must:Have passed a higher education entry qualification (like the SAT in the US) or have previously studied in a Studienkollegs, a German prep school which offers admission exams for the universities.Choose a course in accordance with the qualifications they have from their own country.Have qualifications (A Levels) that line up with the equivalent German qualifications.The Technische Universität München is particularly famous for its teachers. Thanks to its teaching, over 70% of foreign students are postgraduates.You should check out some of the most important German expressions to learn!CoursesThe university offers a variety of technical and scientific cour ses.You'll probably learn a thing or too about beer though not at the uni itself. (Source: pixabay.com)Across three campuses (Munich city centre, Garching, and Freising), the students can apply to the following departments:Economic ScienceArchitectureMedicineCivil EngineeringElectrical and Computer EngineeringAgribusinessPhysicsMaths, etc.The researchers at the Technische Universität München can study natural and hydraulic phenomena. One of the most studied areas is the Sheireik Dam and  20% of the university’s students are foreign.Why not discover the 5 best student cities in Germany?Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich for Social SciencesFounded in 1472, the LMU is one of Germany’s oldest universities. 34 Nobel Prize winners were taught here.  Pope Benedict XVI also studied here!As one of Germany’s best universities, it welcomes European Union students that meet the following conditions:Apply before 15 July for winter termApply before 15 January for summer termProve your level in German with a language certificateProvide a professional CVPass a university entrance exam.The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich has 35,000 students and 5,000 of them are foreign.There are no tuition fees but students must pay €52 for the Studentenwerk.CoursesThe LMU is famous for its social science research. It’s one of the world’s most famous universities for philosophy.You can study to be a vet at LMU. (Source: pixabay.com)Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich has the following departments:Art HistoryLawCatholic and Protestant TheologyCultural StudiesPhilosophy of Science and ReligionEducational ScienceAdministrationLanguage and LiteratureThanks to its global reputation, the LMU has been home to famous students like Pope Benedict XVI, the writer Thomas Mann, and the sociologist Max Weber.You should also find out more about the German attitude to work...Technical University of Berlin for EngineeringWhy not take German lessons in Berlin?The German capital’s biggest university is also one of Germany’s most international universities. 20% of the Technical University of Berlin’s students are foreigners.Foreign students wanting to attend the TU Berlin need to:Pass a recognised German language exam (DSH, Goethe Certificate, TestDaF 4, Deutsche Sprachprüfung II, etc.)Provide a copy of their British qualificationsPass a university entrance examProvide a professional CVWith 2.9 million books available, the TU Berlin’s library is one of the biggest in Germany.Reading is also a great way to boost your German. (Source: negativespace.co)There are 20,000 students at the university, 4,000 of whom are foreign.CoursesThe TU Berlin is specialised in engineering and technology. It also helps students move into the world of professionals.There are 7 departments at the university:Human SciencesMaths and Natural SciencesProcess EngineeringIT and ElectronicsTransportArchitecture and EnvironmentEconomics and Management388 of the university’s profess ors are foreigners.The Technische Universität Berlin excels in maths and statistics and has provided a number of Nobel Prize winners including the mathematicians Frank Breisig and Olga Holtz.You’ll learn to useful German expressions there, too!Want to get ready for the German Universität? Try German courses London or Glasgow to prepare! Alternatively, learn german online.University of Constance/Konstanz for PoliticsOften nicknamed “Little Harvard” by the German media, the University of Constance/Konstanz is much more modern than its counterparts having been founded in 1996. The students and staff are from 80 different countries and the university administration prides itself on providing an international environment.So apply to Little Harvard, you have to:Participate in an exchange programme.Have a B1 level in German or English.Pay the signup fee (€400)Send a copy of your undergraduate or postgraduate degree.Tuition is free. For between €280 and €350, foreign students can live on campus in student accommodation and eat in the university cafeteria for between €120 to €250 a month.CoursesIt’s one of the world’s most famous universities for politics.  Many famous international politicians have taken courses here including Zoran Dindic, the Serbian prime minister, and Asha-Rose Migiro, the former foreign affairs minister of Tanzania.There are three main departments in the University of Constance/Konstanz:ScienceHuman ScienceLaw, Economics, and PoliticsStudents have the opportunity to work with other famous universities like Yale, UC Berkeley, and the University of ZurichThanks to the German education system, you’ll be sure to find a university that meets your professional needs!

Can Drinking More Water Help Kids Stay More Focused

Can Drinking More Water Help Kids Stay More Focused Im sure you know the basics: water is an essential part of good health and were encouraged to drink eight 8-0z glasses a day. We all associate water with physical health, but did you also know that water is a critical component of mental health? A researcher at Georgia Institute of Technology recently published an analysis of 33 different studies looking at water and mental health. The findings? Overall, in studies where participants were asked to complete tasks when dehydrated, they made 12% more errors that when not dehydrated. People who are mildly dehydrated really dont do as well on tasks that require complex processing or on tasks that require a lot of their attention, according to study author Mindy Millard-Stafford. Mildly dehydrated. Thats just 1.5 2% dehydrated, according to the researchers a level so mild that we wouldnt even feel thirsty yet. What does this mean for a child with ADHD? While researchers havent specifically studied the impact of hydration on the ability to focus or complete complex cognitive tasks in kids with ADHD, the fact ADHD causes weaknesses in these specific areas of cognitive functioning suggests that staying hydrated could be even more important when a child has ADHD. In addition, for kids with ADHD who are already struggling to keep up with their peers academically, a 12% drop in performance from mild dehydration could mean the difference between passing and failing or grasping a new concept quickly or falling behind the rest of the class. So, as the new school year begins, commit to helping your child stay hydrated to help fuel his or her mental performance. When it comes to drinking water, kids with ADHD are likely to fall into two categories at any time throughout the day. First, when they are at school or doing homework, kids with ADHD may ask for a drink of water repeatedly as a procrastination strategy, a reason to escape a boring activity, or an excuse to get out of their seat and move around. In this situation, parents and teachers are quick to deny that trip to the faucet or drinking fountain. Alternatively, if they are engaged in activity they enjoy, they may be so busy or hyperfocused that they forget to drink any water for hours on end. As a result, getting a child with ADHD to drink water consistently throughout the day can be a challenge. Here are 8 ideas to get you started: Start your day with water. Help your child get in the habit of reaching for a glass of water first thing in the morning. Water with every meal. Serve water (or another hydrating beverage) with every meal, even if your child says they are not thirsty. Make water accessible. Kids will drink water when they see it. Make sure they can easily access cups and the water dispenser or faucet at home. At school, work with your childs teacher to build water breaks into your childs schedule. This will help ensure that your child gets the water he or she needs even if the teacher is in the habit of denying the trips to the water fountain that he or she has repeatedly asked for. Water on the go. Make sure to bring water bottles in the car and have them on hand when your son or daughter is at after school extracurricular and tutoring activities. Make water fun. Start off with a water bottle of your childs choice (get a new one to kick off the school year) and consider things to brighten up water like frozen berries in ice cubes or fresh-fruit infused water. Dont forget: fruits and veggies are great sources of water. Load up lunches and snacks with things like watermelon, strawberries, celery, cucumbers and other watery snacks. Water is especially fun when its frozen! A great snack or treat can be a homemade or no-sugar-added fruit popsicle. Make it a game or a family competition. Youve likely seen first-hand the power of sticker charts and rewards with your child. Build in fun incentives and rewards for your child or the whole family. You can use a Marble Jar where everyone adds a marble whenever they drink a glass of water. When the jar is full, the family earns a fun reward (a trip to the water park?!). Or you can have a family competition using sticker boards to see who can drink the most water (within reason!) in a week! End your childs day with water. At bedtime, have a glass (or water bottle) of water on the nightstand by your childs bed and encourage your child to have a drink after they brush their teeth or right before bed. It takes a few weeks to develop new habits but following just a few of these tips will help your child get off to a great start! 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.

What to Do When Your Child Has Conflicts With Classmates

What to Do When Your Child Has Conflicts With Classmates Getting along at school: What to do when your child has conflicts with classmates At this point in the year, children have had the opportunity to make friends and adjust to the classroom environment. The school-age years are unique in that kids are only encouraged to socialize with children right around their age. Of course, when students finish their education they will get to know all sorts of different people in different stages of life but, while in school everybodys going through the same emotional stage. These growing pains can cause plenty of conflict with classmates that can make the educational experience negative. On the bright side, learning how to deal with these types of conflicts can help children gain valuable social skills that will help them cope with their personal and professional life later on. 1.   What causes conflict? A silver lining of conflict at this age is for a child to learn how to deal with frustration. Every single person will encounter plenty of stress and frustration throughout their life; its how they cope with it that will determine their quality of life. When children learn what, specifically, makes them frustrated or causes them to lose their temper, they learn what it is they need to cope with. This is one of the most valuable social skills a child can develop. 2. How to cope with conflict Once a child learns what it is that frustrates them, they need to learn how to cope with it. Classroom teachers and teaching assistants are a great resource when it comes to developing excellent coping mechanisms. They’re in the classroom environment every day and will be able to communicate if theres stress coming from another group of students, academic issues that need addressing, or an overall stressful environment. Also, learning coping skills has a trial and error element to it. Elementary school is a fantastic time for kids to experiment with how to cope with their stress and frustration, so they have an idea of how to be successful and overcome stress as an older student and adult (READ: 5 Ways for Students to Adjust to Post-Holiday Education). 3. Learning about different personality types When kids first enter school, they’re exposed to dozens of different personality types for the very first time. Overall, this is a fabulous opportunity for them to make new friends and get along with different kinds of people. However, socializing with different types of students can be overwhelming in the beginning. Students will need to share and take turns, work on group projects, and get along well during lunch and recess. 4. Socialize outside the school environment For many children, socializing within the strict environment of the classroom can be too much to handle if a conflict is already in place. One way to counterbalance the stress is to allow students to socialize outside of the classroom environment while still maintaining some structure. Coaches offer a great opportunity for students to learn how to work as a team outside of school. There are arts and music programs available that provide some structure in an otherwise creative and free environment. The classroom environment asks a lot of younger children, so its important they have a chance to refine coping skills in a low-pressure setting. 5. Baby steps For most kids, school is the first time they’ll have any major conflict with someone outside of their family. Of course, children will clash with their parents and siblings from time to time, but its a very different situation once they start kindergarten. Its a good idea to be in contact with the teacher to see if the child is making progress in regards to healthy and happy socialization. Sometimes it may seem like they arent getting it together as quickly as is ideal but young students are learning how to deal with everything in life for the very first time. Taking things one step at a time, as long as there is some improvement, is one of the best ways to learn how to identify and cope with social conflict. The New Year is just around the corner. Whether your child did poorly or excelled in the previous semester, its never too early to start thinking about a Orange County academic tutoring. From test prep to college admissions, TutorNerds is here to help you succeed in 2017 and beyond. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

The Benefits of STEM for Young Students - ALOHA Mind Math

The Benefits of STEM for Young Students The Benefits of STEM for Young Students The Benefits of STEM for Young Students The pace of technological advancements is increasing rapidly. An interdisciplinary approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) can be critical to applying those concepts to the real world. Grouping these academic disciplines has increased the difficulty in learning for many students. STEM programs for students have helped in the development of these foundations for even our youngest students. Those lessons that are prepared through integrated concepts provide students with improved critical thinking skills, the importance of teamwork and collaboration, inventiveness, problem solving, and more. Still need a reason to introduce STEM to young children? Here are some of the benefits. Helps in forward-thinking Technology is imperative to our daily lives. Just look at people in the street and count how many have a smartphone in their hands. Most jobs require employees to use some sort of software, machinery, office equipment, etc., and all of these require STEM to develop and employ. STEM helps children to think ahead when it comes to technology which is ever-changing. STEM helps students better understand the advanced concepts driving technology and can help them be more creative thinkers. Teaches innovation and creativity Through STEM, new ideas can be transformed into innovations. Creativity is a critical benefit that arises from understanding STEM. With interdisciplinary learning, STEM boosts creativity and innovation in many students as they combine different subjects together. It provides students with the opportunity to experiment with their ideas and push their boundaries. Develops problem-solving skills Developing problem-solving skills in young students helps make their minds sharp and develops new ideas. Introducing students to real world problems and helping them solve these problems develops critical thinking and confidence. STEM programs for students should start at a young age so that students can develop long-term foundations to build upon and appreciate the academic benefits that come with interdisciplinary learning. Improves confidence in students STEM develops confidence in students by giving them better critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It provides students with opportunities to work through issues systematically and arrive at solutions through measurable steps. This confidence applies to all areas of academics so the benefits are not just confined to STEM subjects. Whether it is elementary, middle, or high school, STEM offers a variety of curriculums that can suit your children and their current performance level. Ready to excite your students with creative and analytical learning? Adopt STEM programs and help students engage with their futures.

Will Be Gracing The Classroom

5 New Technologies That Are/Will Be Gracing The Classroom image via blog.presta.com Technology is advancing right under our noses. One minute, we are all writing with pens on paper and then BAM, we are suddenly leaving that behind and turning toward technology to get the work done for us. So what can you expect to find being used in a modern-day classroom and in the near future? Here are a few things that you should familiarize yourself with: image via www.padgadget.com 1)  Tablets When I got to college, I assumed everyone would have their nose buried behind a laptop screen, just like it is in the movies. Though many students do use laptops, iPads are starting to sprout up as the new note-taking device/ classroom best friend. You can buy a keyboard if you are speedy at typing, or buy a stylus and still get that “taking notes by hand feel. There are even apps, like NotesPlus, where you can write it by hand with a stylus, and the program will type it for you. When taking notes with an iPad, you can put direct screen shots of important slides into your notes, so you will be able to reference them when you go back to study. Students also have the option to record a lecture as they type/write, which is awesome because we all know how hard it is to write and listen at the same time. iPads are much lighter than computers, another quality that is helping them gain popularity among college students. Some schools have even begun requiring students to have iPads.Who knows how long it will be before pen and paper dont exist? 2)  SMART Boards My sister, who is currently in high school, came home one day and was telling us about this new thing called a  SMART Board, and I had no idea what she was talking about. image via www.plymouth.edu Basically, it is a whiteboard that is interactive, allowing teachers to write digital notes that will be saved and students will be able to access (perfect for if you are absent or slow at taking notes). It is being introduced to colleges as well, when the funding is allowed. Word or PDF documents can be transferred from a computer onto the SMART Board screen, allowing the professor to highlight, circle and write onto the document as much as their heart desires. This is awesome, because it will help students know exactly what the teacher is referencing and provide better communication. 3)  PowerPoint PowerPoints are another great way for professors to get their lectures across, especially if they have bad handwriting! PowerPoints have advanced so much and provide a great note taking experience. image via blogs.nvcc.edu It allows the professors to elaborate on their notes and give more attention to the students, rather than having their backs to the students as they scribble something down every five seconds. Zach Beckman, a third year theater student at UC Santa Cruz, said “it’s great to have videos in class [via PowerPoint] because it is far more stimulating.” Focusing for over an hour is always a struggle for students, so having something to focus on that is actually moving will definitely help. Beckman also mentioned, however, that there were a lot of internet problems in his classroom, which of course does not coincide very nicely with PowerPoint. His teacher would have to refer the students to the videos a lot instead of getting to show them in class. “This particular class was fairly dependent on visual example because it was the medium of set design and the absence of professor commentary was a letdown,” Beckman said. He described technology as being a “double-edged sword” in this case, which is the danger of technology. We love advancement, but there are always things that can go wrong. 4)  Social Media Facebook, really? Yes, and not just for passing the time; Facebook is actually starting to make appearances in an academic setting. Many students will form Facebook groups with class/section mates and their T.A.s in order to get extra help. Students can post documents with study guides, ask each other questions, give advice and get to know one another! I mean, youre always on Facebook anyway, so why not kill two birds with one stone and actually get some studying done as well? image via www.deepspacemarketing.com Abby Ventura, a second year biology student at UC Santa Cruz, had to make a Twitter account for one of her classes, because her professor wanted to be able to inform them via a social media site, but did not want to add everyone on Facebook. He would update his Twitter about tests, homework and other things that students could easily check. Lindsay Banks, a second year psychology student at UC Santa Cruz, had to make a Tumblr account for her art class, and had to upload pictures of her pieces so her T.A. could see them and make sure that everything was being completed on time. Even though we are all so engrossed in our social media sites, it is still a strange concept that soon our professors will all be tweeting us that class is cancelled instead of sending out an email or simply posting a note on the door. Feel old yet? I sure do. 5)  Augmented Reality image via jacket2.org Last year, for our winter Living Writers’ Series at UC Santa Cruz, there was an author named Amaranth Borsuk, who wowed us with her digital pop-up book of poems, Between Page and Screen. Looking at the actual page, you just see a square with some shapes in it, but once you hold the book up to your web cam, the words come to life! And not just as boring old text; the words will spin, make cool shapes, shatter down the pageyou never know what to expect. Though this technology isnt in effect in classrooms yet, I really hope it will be. This will add a whole new realm to the learning experience, and will actually encourage students to read since it will be like uncovering a mystery. The different effects of the text (shapes and such) also add more meaning to the text, and give the author the ability to share so much more with the reader. The software for this awesome reading experience utilizes  FLARToolkit  to project animations in an augmented-reality. The application also uses the  Robot Legs  framework,  Papervision  3D engine,BetweenAS3  animation engine and  Jiglib  physics engine. Want to know more and get your hands on the book? Heres the link. Technology is awesome, but dont forget how to write things by hand either! You never know when good old pen and paper will come in handy. 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