How to Motivate and Engage Students in Learning

How to Motivate and Engage Students in Learning 0SHARESShare Lots of academic institutions and educators work to motivate students not only to improve the test scores but intend to retain students in the same institution. There is not a single theory that increases student’s motivation. It is the strategy laid down for the students to create a desire to learn the topic with interest, enjoyment, and self-fulfillment and thus achieve mastery in the subject. Here are the strategies implemented by several academic institutions which showed great results: Make classroom live with learning activities that connect the subject with student’s culture, interest, social lives and current happenings and events. Offer choices and options to the students when they feel monotonous learning. Let them have their own voice by allowing them to choose a lab partner or selecting alternative assignments. Be supportive by encouraging the students by listening to their questions and showing empathy being responsive to them. Create challenges for students to master the subject. Give small opportunities where they discover the fact of having capabilities to succeed. Especially this works well with students who lack confidence. Balance the challenge for students to maintain the zeal and expectations from the  online tutor. Too easy task may create boredom communicating a message of low expectation where the tutor is unaware of a student’s capabilities. Difficult task may create anxiety in the student. Help to develop strategy for students who are struggling with poor academic scores resulting in lack of confidence. Make them learn about how to learn. Spend some time to discuss and review what was learned and how the student will undergo more practice. Develop and achieve short-term goals to come closer to develop long term goals. Online tutoring  serves the best keeping students engaged and highly motivated with strategic planning. [starbox id=admin]

A Guide to the International Baccalaureate Program

A Guide to the International Baccalaureate Program The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit organization offering holistic and intensive curricula to students aged three to 19. There are many benefits to participating in an IB program: Students in the Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes frequently outperform non-IB students. Additionally, IB Diploma Programme students are more likely to apply and enroll at top colleges and universities. These benefits, coupled with the global worldview and independent thought encouraged through the programs, leave students in a great position for further success. Want to learn more about IB options? Weve created a guide to the International Baccalaureate Program, so that you can learn more about the IBs four programs and how to get involved. About the Primary Years Programme The Primary Years Programme was first introduced in 1997 for children aged 3-12. Rather than being academically rigorous for young children, the educational goals of this program are holistic development and to encourage an interest in lifelong learning. The curriculum prepares students to be active learners and participants both in and out of the classroom. About the Middle Years Programme In 1994, the IB adopted the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students ages 11-16. Although challenging, the MYP curriculum is intended to be inclusive of all academic abilities and interests. The program forces students to draw practical connections between their studies in class and reality beyond the classroom. MYP is generally a five-year program for students; however, some students may find themselves in an abridged version of the program, consisting of two, three, or four years of study. Students that participate in the Middle Years Programme are well positioned to succeed in the IB Diploma Programme or Career-related Programme. About the IB Diploma Programme The most well-known IB program is the Diploma Programme (DP). Students who have previously completed the MYP are prepared to do well in the DP, but the program is designed so that students can succeed, even if their first IB program is the Diploma Programme. The DP was founded in 1968 and is geared toward high school students aged 16-19. The DP, just like the prior programs, offers a holistic approach to education. High school students in IB courses should expect to complete research, community service, and an extensive essay as part of the programs core requirements. He or she would then select courses from six core subject areas: studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts. Upon completion of coursework, students take exams that may qualify them to earn college credit, similar to AP courses. About the Career-related Programme First offered to IB schools in 2012, the newest IB offering is the Career-related Programme (CP), which is available to students ages 16-19 and aims to prepare students for specific internships, apprenticeships, and careers. It is similar to the Diploma Programme, but differs in requirements and focus. The CP is best suited for students who have a specific career path in mind, as students will participate in a two-year professional program of their choice. CP students will complete a minimum of two Diploma Programme courses, in addition to career-related study and the CP required courses. The CP curriculum ends with written exams to ensure students have met the requirements of the program. How to get involved in the International Baccalaureate Program In order for a student to enroll in the IB curriculum, his or her school must be approved to offer IB programs. If you are interested in such a curriculum, ask your advisor if the school provides IB instruction. If so, find out how to sign up. If not, you or your parents can talk with school administrators about seeking authorization to teach one or more of the programs. You can also search for the nearest IB World School through the IBs website, if your school is unable or unwilling to provide IB curriculum. IB has a lengthy history and offers many educational choices for students of all ages, with a reputation to match. If you are interested in pursuing an IB Diploma or other program, dont be shy about asking your school to get involved. Interested in IB tutoring? Check out our gallery of available IB Extended Essay tutors and IB Theory of Knowledge tutors.

Office Politics 101 Play Positive - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Office Politics 101 Play Positive - Introvert Whisperer Office Politics 101: Play Positive What’s the worst Office Politics you ever witnessed play out around you? Share in the comments! Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What is it Like to Attend Virginia Tech

What is it Like to Attend Virginia Tech The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Caroline is a Washington D.C. tutor who specializes in ACT prep tutoringand Biology tutoring. She is a 2013 graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelors degree in Microbiology. See what she had to say about her undergraduate experience: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Caroline: A lot of the charm of Virginia Tech is its rural campus. The town of Blacksburg is small and friendly, and I have never felt threatened walking across the campus or down Main Street. There is a fantastic, free bus system for students that runs to the major apartment complexes and to several stops on campus. There are also many bike racks and fairly light traffic so that biking is not daunting. Tech is also unique because freshmen are allowed to have cars on campus, which is a bit of a rarity in larger universities. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Caroline: People are daunted by the class size of Virginia Tech, but the professors are remarkably available. They are required to have set office hours that you can attend with questions and most professors frequently encourage their students to take advantage of them. Most classes have TAs, though you will interact the most with them in lab classes (I was a Biology major, so I had lots and lots of labs). My academic adviser was my best resource at Tech, and also became my boss when he allowed me to work in his lab. We are still in contact and he is always available if I have questions or need advice. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Caroline: Virginia Tech freshmen are required to live on campus their first year and I believe that it was a very valuable opportunity for me. The freshman rooms are typical, small dorms with two people per room. Some have air conditioning, though most dont. This is really only an issue at the beginning of the year however, because by September its usually cooled off and all rooms have very efficient heating. If a student decides to stay in dorms for the rest of their academic career, they can live in very nice suite- or hotel-style dorms. All of the academic buildings are on one side of the campus and dorms (and food!) on the other, so it really does feel like a large community when walking around on the student side of campus. No dorm is more than a 15-minute walk away from class and no more than five minutes from food. The dining halls are amazing, and include one buffet-style and many other a la carte options in multiple dining halls including lobster, Chik-Fil-A, Pizza Hut, and Dunkin Donuts! VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Caroline: The largest majors at Virginia Tech are the Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, and Computer), and Design (Industrial and Architectural). I was a Biology major with a focus in Microbiology. Virginia Tech is a research university, meaning that many professors are required to perform research as part of their job. Finding research opportunities in Biology was simple and really has helped my career potential after graduation. Professors of Biology were passionate and engaging, and were some of my favorite people outside of the topics they discussed. There are many clubs for all Natural Sciences and Engineering as well. VT: 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? Caroline: Freshman year was a rush of meeting new people in my dorm, classes, and clubs. Every freshman is there to look for friends and with over 20,000 undergraduate students, there is very likely to be someone at Tech whom you will become close with. Greek life is present and very active at Virginia Tech, with many of the major organizations represented, but it is not overbearing. The houses are set apart from campus and I never felt any pressure to follow the typical Greek path. I became a brother of Alpha Chi Sigma, the professional chemistry fraternity, and still keep in contact with other brothers and miss the many events that we sponsored in the Blacksburg community. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Caroline: Another perk of a large research university is the diversity of well-known companies that recruit at Tech. Major STEM companies recruit frequently, and there are separate job expos for engineers and other well-represented groups on campus. The Career Center is a very good resource to use to prepare for the interactions at these expos as well as for interviews after graduation. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Caroline: Dorm lounges are frequently filled with groups of friends on the weekends, but tend to thin out and quiet down during the week. It is very common to see people studying on weeknights, though it is still a more active area than the library would be. The student union is very nice and spacious, and many students choose to meet in small groups there to work on projects or grab some food while they study (there is a Sbarro for tasty pizza, as well as a couple of other food options). The library is an excellent place to study and is truly massive. It has more than enough computers for everyone and tons of table space. The wi-fi is strong across campus and very fast in the library, so you can bring your laptop and scope out a table quickly. There are even study rooms that are free for any student to use. You can shut the door for an intense study session, and they even have large whiteboards for working on practice problems or organizing your ideas. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Caroline: Blacksburg is a small, rural town with many less people than the student body of Virginia Tech. If you want a large, fast-paced, urban environment, then Blacksburg is not for you. However, I adored it because of the numerous hiking opportunities nearby (youre literally in the Appalachian Mountains and will often run into hikers doing the full Trail or parts of it). My favorite doughnut place in the word was right down the street from my apartment, and was a local business that had been there for decades. The restaurants downtown are fantastic. Downtown Blacksburg really picks up on the weekends and especially on game days. I absolutely love going to Hokie Football games, and the town swells in size as alumni flood in from every bordering state to support their favorite team. If downtown and sports arent your thing, however, you can always hang out on the Drillfield (a massive quad) in the middle of Techs campus and read or participate in club sports that practice there ever y evening. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Caroline: As Ive mentioned, Virginia Tech is a pretty large university. Coming from a small private high school, I was afraid the large class size would be daunting and uncomfortable. Instead, it pushed me to work harder and try to stand above the average. In more general classes, like Intro Chemistry, a class size of 300-400 is not uncommon. However, as you become a more specialized student, your classes will shrink. My 400 level senior Biology classes frequently had 30-50 people, which was an ideal learning environment for the more challenging material. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Caroline: In one of those large classes I was talking about, Ecology, there were about 300 other students. The professor was gregarious, passionate, and engaging, but the material was difficult for many people. He would make a point to test you on your understanding of concepts, not memorization of facts, and most of his test was reasoning through questions that you hadnt been hyper exposed to in lecture. I would study as much as I could, take tests, and go home feeling like I had failed. Somehow, the subject just clicked with me, though. I got high scores on all of my tests and ended up explaining concepts to classmates when they realized that I understood them. At the end of the semester, I placed out of my final exam because of my high average grade. On the last day of class, our professor walked in with an armful of roses. He told us that it was his tradition to give something back to the hardest working students in his class every semester. He called out names one by one, and gave out a rose to the students (male and female!) with the highest averages in the class. When he finished giving out single roses, there was one full bouquet sitting on the table in front of him. He called out my name, shook my hand, and gave me an armful of flowers in front of the class. I had managed to get the highest average score and I could not have been prouder of any experience at Virginia Tech. Check out Carolines tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

English Modal Verb Video 2 Might

English Modal Verb Video 2 Might The second video in our series on English modal verbs covers might. This is a modal verb that is very frequently used by native English speakers, but rarely used by students. Learning to use it will make your English sound more like a native speaker.After the video, try doing some of the modal verb exercises below.Rewrite the sentences below using might.I am possibly going to visit Argentina next year.If it is nice out, Ill probably go to the park.You may want to bring an umbrella today, I think its going to rain.If I had been a better student, I could have been fluent in Spanish when I went to Argentina.It would be fun to go somewhere warm this winter.Youll find our first video on English modal verbs here. ghdir I might visit Argentina next year.If it is nice out, Imight go to the park.You may want to bring an umbrella today, I think it’s might rain.If I had been a better student, I might be fluent in Spanish when I went to Argentina.It might be fun to go somewhere warm this wint er

How to Fight Plagiarism in the Digital Age

How to Fight Plagiarism in the Digital Age Plagiarism isnt a new problem, but it has become a more obvious issue in todays digital age, where a world of information is at every students fingertips, and its too easy to copy, paste, and save. How can you teach your students not to plagiarize and deter this unethical behavior? Here are a few suggestions: Educate them about it. Your students have grown up using technology, but dont assume that they know what it means to plagiarize. Explain that stealing others work, intentionally or not, is cheating and will get them in big trouble. Give examples of work that has been improperly cited or copied verbatim (or close). Create a handout so that there is no confusion. Give clear guidance. Articulate your expectations of students. Clearly, you dont want them stealing paragraphs from the internet, but when and how should they cite sources? Are there situations where it is acceptable to incorporate ideas shared by others into ones own work without crediting the source? Discuss the consequences of plagiarism. Your school and/or district probably have guidelines in place regarding the punishment for academic dishonesty and plagiarism. Go over these rules as well as your own with students. Use plagiarism checkers when grading. There are plenty of software tools and websites out there that will help you check that your students are not copying work from any published sources. Ask your school technology department if they have a recommendation or if your school already has a subscription to a tool. Talk about the importance of not copying other students work, too. With social media and photo text messaging, its easy for students to help each other out with a quick snapshot of homework or notes. Let students know that you are watching for writing assignments and written responses that look identical or very similar and that the consequences of copying each others work are the same as plagiarizing published work. Ultimately, its important that you remind students that those who plagiarize are only cheating themselves. Establish rules, educate your students on best writing practices, and use tools to help you keep your students honest.

Why You Should Get a Test Prep Tutor Over the Summer

Why You Should Get a Test Prep Tutor Over the Summer Why You Should Get a Test Prep Tutor Over the Summer Summer is the perfect opportunity just to kick back, relax, and enjoy some time away from the classroom. However, students entering their college prep years may want to think about spending some of that time working on SAT or ACT prep with a private tutor. It can be overly complicated to worry about college visits and applications, test prep, advanced placement classes and so on during the school year so why not get some of that out of the way in July and August. There are lots of different ways students can work on test prep but working with a private tutor allows them to focus in on the issues they have and only the issues they have so they dont spend time reviewing subjects they already know. 1. Less time more concentration Students who work with a private test prep tutor over the summer will find that they don’t need as many hours to reach their goals are if they were in a larger classroom environment. The advantage of having a one-on-one tutor is that the tutor can assess the student’s personal needs based on a practice test and their college goals. Once this is completed the student and tutor can work together to improve the areas they have a weakness in and simply review all other areas. This can save a lot of time and frustration and allow the student to enjoy the majority of their summer (READ: 5 Awesome SAT Apps). 2. The comfort of your own home The nice thing about having a private tutor is that they can work with a student in the privacy and comfort of the student’s home. This can allow students to enjoy a summer fun schedule while fitting in test prep sessions. Theres no reason why students shouldnt be able to participate in summer sports, family field trips, vacations and so on while still working on their college goals.   Additionally, many students feel more comfortable building a rapport with a tutor who can answer questions privately instead of in front of a class. 3. Focusing on one thing at a time Preparing for advanced placement classes and general academic obligations can become extremely stressful. Working with a private test prep tutor over the summer can help reduce the amount of responsibility the student has during the school year. During the summer, students can focus on one thing at a time starting with a basic assessment and then moving on to math, English, and essays. This provides a lower pressure environment that can help high school students succeed while keeping mental stress as low as possible. 4. Working towards college admissions Working with a private test prep tutor over the summer can help students work towards their college admissions goals. A student who wait until the last minute often finds that there were one or two crucial things they forgot about. When this happens, they may end up not being able to apply to their dream colleges or may find they spend their senior year scrambling to get everything done on time. When students start early, they have a chance to work towards college admissions and improve their ACT and SAT scores, so they have a great chance when they send out their applications (READ: Switching schools? 5 Things to do this summer). 5. Extra time and multiple opportunities Working with a private tutor over the summer also allows students to have extra time to study for the test and gives them multiple opportunities to take it. If students start the summer before their junior year, they will be able to take the real test in the fall and see how they do. If they have not quite reached the score, they want they still have several months to improve. Students who leave extra time to work on test prep tend to have more realistic goals and are more likely to reach them. Its never too early to start prepping for a major test. From the SAT to the ACT, TutorNerds offers summer test prep tutoring for all major tests. Call us today for more information. 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.

How to land a job teaching English in Italy

How to land a job teaching English in Italy Teaching English in Italy certainly sounds attractive. Of all the opportunities to teach abroad in Europe, it’s one of the most popular. Whether you’re looking for a snug rural town or a boisterous city, you’re bound to find an ESL teaching position that suits you. Let’s paint the picture (mostly because I want to talk about pasta), this is the country that brought us the epic novels of Elena Ferrante (yes, you should read them, and failing that watch the TV show), where you can spend time wandering among the artifacts of ancient Rome and where food is basically an art form. Sipping wine, indulging in the world’s best pasta, or, well, ice cream for breakfast (hello! Sicily). Italians know how to enjoy life and although you don’t need to be a foodie to teach there, you’ll probably leave Italy a fully-fledged mozzarella snob. Food aside, Italy is a stunning place to make a life. It’s not always easy to land a job, because there’s no shortage of teachers wanting to live here. But it’s still possible! And we recommend targeting areas with bigger populations. There’s more demand for English teachers in the cities and plenty of ESL schools where you can wrangle yourself a teaching position. What’s the best way to go about finding an English teaching job in Italy? You can get a good position through some of the teach English in Italy programs, but the most common way is to approach ESL schools in-country. I’ve listed some tips here that should help you make the right impression when you approach a school. These are pretty typical methods employed, so anything less will make you look a bit slap-dash! 1. It’s wise to prepare a CV. An obvious, but important starting point. Remember to highlight your experience and qualifications as a teacher as well as any Italian language skills you might have. I would even go as far as to get it translated into Italian to show them how much you care! 2. If you’re not a European citizen, then sort a visa. Most schools tend to expect teachers to have a visa before they apply. So if you’re not a European citizen, try to get your hands on a work visa before you get on a flight. 3. Have some lesson plans in your back pocket. Think of it as a portfolio and have a nicely printed folder of lesson plans or a word doc, ready to go! Nothing proves you’re a teacher better than showing it. 4. Rock up to the school. No I’m not joking! Showing a little initiative will go a long way when it comes to landing an ESL teaching position in Italy. You will need to be armed with a CV and inquire politely about opportunities. 5. Failing that - call. If you can’t get to the school or the thought of just turning up gives you the heebie-jeebies, then maybe calling to see about ESL opportunities is an idea. We’d always follow this up with an email. 6. The email. If you’re sending an email make sure you include a teaching demo video and a CV. Good schools will have no shortage of teachers expressing interest and you want your application to be taken seriously. Like many ESL teaching jobs in Europe, this requires a bit of a risk on your part. So we’re certainly not suggesting this method is for everyone. The teach English in Italy programs route is definitely a better option for any teacher that finds the idea of turning up at a school and looking for work daunting. What types of English teaching jobs are up for grabs? There’s a number of different ways you can teach English in Italy. From summer camps to language schools, there’s short-term and long-term options. Below is a quick summary of what you can expect to find. 1. Private English language schools Private English language schools represent the biggest opportunity for teaching abroad in Italy. These schools are always hiring and tend to do so on a contractual basis. This is usually project-based work (like a company that wants to ramp up its English efforts) and is often referred to as tempo determinato. Other private schools like to hire freelancers, in which case you will need to sort a Partita Iva declaring you are a freelancer and have a VAT (tax) number that they can use for their invoices. This might be a bit headache-inducing as you’re technically responsible for all your invoices and taxes. It might also require a certain amount of English proficiency. You won’t find a lot of these schools online so it will take a bit of work on your side. There are plenty of different institutes and some popular ones to look out for include the British Council Italy and Wall Street English. These companies can also offer placement issues, but you will get a much better sense of English language schools once you’re in the country. Contracts can range from 4-week summer camps to an entire academic year! So it completely depends what you’re looking for. 2. Placement programs Although most of the jobs will fall into the contractual or freelance pile, there are several opportunities to apply for a position in a more traditional way. These are programs dedicated to finding English teachers and bringing them to Italy to teach English. Some of these are short term and others span a little longer, a lot of them are amazing opportunities for students looking to get a bit of experience abroad. a. The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program (ETA) This program is internationally recognized and a welcome addition to any resume. Focusing on young professionals and recent college graduates it’s a way to apply to be an English teaching assistant in Southern Italian high schools. The placement generally consists of a 12-25 hour work week, over a 9 month period (October - June). Applicants need to speak Italian and have a bachelor’s degree. b. The English Camp Company This company tends to attract younger candidates who want to work in a summer camp and simply have their expenses covered. If you’re outgoing and energetic (and they seriously mean that!) then this is a great way for native English speakers to get a little teach abroad experience. Room and board is about all that will be provided, so you’ll need some savings to make this work. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Which Italian cities have the most ESL jobs up for grabs? This one is easy - if you’re interested in teaching in Italy, you’re probably wondering where to start. Some of the popular destinations for ESL teachers are Rome, Florence, Milan, Naples and Turin. This list is by no means comprehensive, and there are plenty of other beautiful towns and areas that will catch your eye. These cities are simply a taste of where you might find the highest concentration of jobs. When’s the best time to look for a job? You can pretty much land private teaching work at any time. But as with most regions in Europe, September/October is probably the most typical hiring season. Okay, so hit me with the requirements Requirements are a mixed bag, but there are certain things which will be expected for most English teaching jobs in Italy. A 120-hour TEFL certification (trust us, it will make all the difference) Native-level English speaking capabilities A bachelor’s degree European citizen or a work visa* Obviously if you speak Italian - let them know! Having some local language skills will really up your likelihood of landing a job. *It’s possible to work under the table - but not recommended! Taking the time to get a visa will make sure you don’t end up in any desperate work situations that could easily be avoided. What’s the money like as an English teacher in Italy? Can I actually afford a decent lifestyle? If a high salary is your main motivation for teaching abroad then maybe Italy isn’t for you. It’s possible to make anywhere between $1,000 - 1,500 per month (if you can get full-time hours). Realistically, you will just about cover your cost of living with a bit to spare for weekend trips. The cost of living is cheap, but the average ESL teacher salary will not afford you a lavish lifestyle. Aside from money for flights, we recommend saving enough to get you through the first month. Wannabe ESL teachers in Italy might want anywhere between $2,000 - 2,500 to get themselves comfortably set up.