AP Program To Change

AP Program To Change High school students are always encouraged to pursue more-challenging Advanced Placement classes to better prepare for college and push their intellectual abilities. But, advanced placement classes are becoming significantly more difficult, pushing students harder, and sometimes losing the main focus of the program according to an article in the New York Times. The typical A.P. biology textbook has increased from 36 chapters and 870 pages 30 years ago to the current 56 chapters and 1,400 pages, plus additional videos and web-based information. Even more challenging for A.P. students is the fact that every term, every phrase, every little piece of information is fair game for the year-end A.P. exam that determines if a student receives college credit or not. The A.P. program has also grown to 30 subjects with 1.8 million students taking 3.2 million tests annually. Many experts have praised the program for giving advanced students a chance to pursue more challenging classes and get a head start on college-level work. But, other experts have criticized the program especially the science and history sections for overwhelming students too much with tedious, mundane facts and rushing classes through important topics. Because of the structure of the program, teachers will not spend an extra 10-15 minutes covering more important material, instead they will attempt to squeeze in every little piece of information. The College Board, the owner of the A.P. program and the SAT, said that the A.P. program will change. The College Board will reform the history and science programs first, limiting the amount of information that students will be responsible for and providing teachers with a curriculum structure for how classes should be set up and taught. These changes, which will occur in the 2012-2013 school year, will encourage students to think critically and analytically on major topics, rather than memorizing terms and dates. The College Board will also change the exams accordingly. We really believe that the New A.P. needs to be anchored in a curriculum that focuses on what students need to be able to do with their knowledge, said Trevor Packer, the College Boards vice president for Advanced Placement. A.P. administrators said that critical thinking skills are absolutely essential for college classes and competitive jobs after college; so they will try to bring critical thinking back into the A.P. program. The A.P. program began in 1956 and was originally much more relaxed. Its main goal was to expose high school students to the information they would see in college classes. However, as classes evolved, the program became all about the college credit test. Teachers would structure their classes so students could score high enough on the tests to gain college credit. Then, more students were earning college credit; so the College Board made the A.P. exam more difficult. Teachers then responded by cranking up the intensity of their classes, forcing students to memorize more mundane terms. The program then became less about preparing students for the rigor of college classes and more about stacking high school students transcripts with college credit. The College Board has now realized that the program has lost its focus, and it inadequately prepares high school students for college classes and future employment. Its now time to bring that focus back to the A.P. program, says the College Board.

If you dont know where youre going; youre already there.... - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / If you don’t know where you’re going; you’re already there.... - Introvert Whisperer If you don’t know where you’re going; you’re already there. If you don’t know where you’re going; you’re already there. Having a goal helps to ensure you’re moving forward rather than backward.   If you haven’t figured out how life works yet, a universal principle is that you are always moving in a direction.   You are moving forward, backward or you’re being washed side to side as the winds of circumstances occur. You will like moving forward rather than the other two alternatives and the best way to make that happen is to know where you’re going. Granted, unexpected things pop up that will detour your plans but if you know where you’re headed, it will allow you to resume your course quickly. One of the things about goals is that we don’t always think through is the real end result we are trying to achieve.   It’s easier when there is a clear and easy result that can be measured like losing 10 pounds.   When it’s more subjective we stop short of really drilling down to what we are really expecting.   An example would be if I wanted to improve my communication. Communication is a broad topic with tons of aspects to it so if I left it there, who knows where I’d end up. That’s where most people stop; little wonder why we get so cynical about making goals.   We don’t hit them and it becomes demoralizing because it seems like a failure. So, what should you do if you’ve got some subjective goals? A healthy approach is to ask a ton of questions of you.   Let me use the communication improvement to show you what I mean. Feel free to use these questions. Where do I feel I’m struggling with my communication now? Or if I’m not struggling, where do I want to see improvement? It could be the form of communication like emails, phone or speaking in a group.   It could be with certain people or specific situations. What 2-3 things can I do to address the specific communication issue? Maybe a class would help or ask a mentor to give you feedback and suggestions on the aspect of communication you want to change. What would be different if I improved my communication? Keep in mind this is YOUR goal and since its subjective, you can at least observe what would be different.   Perhaps you would notice less confusion and a reduction of repeated explanations.   It could be less conflict between you and another person.   This is really defining your goals. How will I know I’ve hit this goal? I’d suggest setting up checkpoints throughout the year not only to remind you to put some conscious thought into this goal but to see if you have a new perspective.   Often times we gain a new and better insight as we pursue a goal and would answer these questions differently.   Its ok if you tweak your goal now that you’re a bit smarter. Yep, it hurts the brain to think this much but you’ll be happy you did. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Five Tips to Motivate Children with ADHD

Five Tips to Motivate Children with ADHD For parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it can be very challenging to figure out exactly what motivates their students to study and complete homework. CEO Co-Founder Eileen Huntingtonof Huntington Learning Center says that parents should help their children get to know themselves as students and embrace techniques that work for them. While parents will find it difficult, if not impossible, to change their childrens behavior, modifications to their study habits and learning environment are far more likely to be helpful, says Huntington. To motivate children to strive toward academic success, she suggests these five tips: Establish good organizational habits. Nothing will hamper an ADHD childs ability to succeed like weak organizational skills. At a minimum, children must maintain an orderly desk and backpack and create a reliable system for keeping track of papers and making sure they hand in all work. Parents should keep an eye on their childrens organizational skills and work with them to make adjustments whenever needed. Follow a schedule. Time management can be hard for the ADHD student. A student planner with all test and project due dates is a must, but more important are the habits of using such a tool. Parents should help their children get used to estimating how long tasks will take and planning their time accordingly. They should also teach their children to pull out the planner at the beginning and ending of every class and record all assignments, due dates and other reminders. Write it down. Whether an ADHD student has a smartphone or a paper planner, its critical that he or she gets into the habit of writing down important things the moment the student hears them. Parents can teach their children to keep a pad of sticky notes on them at all times, make good use of the reminder function on their phone or use some other method. Having a master to-do list (in addition to a more structured schedule in the day planner) is a good starting point when students set out to create a daily action plan. Break tasks down. Learning to prioritize homework can be difficult for ADHD students. Its best to divide longer, harder assignments into smaller steps that students can assign themselves and check off one at a time. This type of approach gives students manageable to-dos, which discourages procrastination and is less daunting. Adopt the right study habits. Parents must help their children recognize the way they study and learn best and stick to those habits. Its important to remember that an ADHD students preferred study methods are likely different than those of his or her parents. This is fine and to be expected. The point is that children need to do what is most effective for them. ADHD students with strong impulsive/hyperactive tendencies might work best when pacing or sitting on a balance ball. Those with mainly inattentive type ADHD likely focus best in a distraction-free room. Its wise to test out different approaches and pay attention to what does and doesnt work. It can be a challenge to find ways to successfully motivate children with ADHD, butHuntington reminds parents that establishing good routines is key. It takes practice for children with ADHD to stay on top of established habits, but with diligence, these students will be successful, she says. With each small accomplishment, they feel good about what they have achieved and motivated to sustain those positive feelings. If you are the parent of an ADHD child who needs help motivating to do his or her best work in school or is otherwise struggling, call Huntington at 1 800 CAN-LEARN. About Huntington Huntington 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 succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2018 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. These entities were not involved in the production of and do not endorse either program.

Linking Words and Phrases in English - English Lesson via Skype

Linking Words and Phrases in English - English Lesson via Skype Linking words in phrases in English are really important as they help you to join ideas together and create more complex sentences.We can use them in many situations such as adding

Beijing Aston Educational Consulting Company Limited

Beijing Aston Educational Consulting Company Limited Beijing Aston Educational Consulting Company Limited Aston English Aston English is the flagship division of The Aston Educational Group. Aston English started in the city of Dalian in 1996. From the humble beginning of a single school it has flourished into one of the largest ESL operators in China with over 122 schools in 70 cities across 22 provinces. Locations We have schools across the whole of China, from Inner Mongolia to Guangdong, Xinjiang to Jiangsu. This gives teachers a choice as to the kind of lifestyle they want when they come to experience China. We currently have schools in 7 of the top 20 cities for foreigners to live in China as voted in International Talent Magazine. Curriculum Syllabus We have spent many years developing our own curriculum and syllabus. Our primary focus is on spoken and listening English with reading and writing as a secondary. Teachers will have full support with regard to text books. They are given a Teachers guide, Text book and Workbook for each level that they are responsible for teaching Class Levels We have two level sets, Kindergarten and Pre School levels and then Primary school through to High school levels. Training and Development Before teachers start their contract they are required to go on a compulsory training course called TCERT training. This is an induction and orientation course where the newly employed teachers are introduced to the course books and materials they will be using during the course of their employment. They will also have the opportunity to share ideas in workshops and do practice classes to get them warmed up and some initial classroom experience. Teacher development is very important to Aston. During the course of a teachers employment they will have the opportunity to request coaching or observe peer classes to help them improve or develop as teachers. Classroom Environment Currently Aston English is undergoing an upgrade. We have our traditional Aston English Schools and then we have what is called Aston 3.0 which utilizes interactive whiteboards, activity rooms where children can use and develop their English in real life situations while also stimulating their creativity. View our Brochure

Why College Applicants Need to Look at the Big Picture - TutorNerds

Why College Applicants Need to Look at the Big Picture - TutorNerds 4 Things to Help College Applicants Look at the Big Picture College applicants have either received their acceptance letters or will receive them soon. The lull between college applications and acceptance letters can be a time of uncertainty and anxiety, but students are encouraged to think about the big picture and not worry too much about the specifics of their current situation. Of course, this is much easier said than done but there are some things students can think about that will encourage them to look at the big picture and maintain a positive attitude our private San Diego college admissions consultants are here to help you get into the university of your dreams. 1. A college education The most critical thing college prep students should remember is that they are applying to college so they can get a post-secondary education. This will help them with their career, earning potential, stability, and overall life opportunities. In the end, there are so many different ways to get a 4-year degree. Students can attend their dream school, attend their safety school, or go to community college for two years and transfer. The important thing is that college admittance, to any university, can help a student reach their goals. 2. Earning potential When students are looking at financial aid options and scholarship opportunities it can become daunting to think about the remaining balance they will have to pay out-of-pocket. Even students who receive scholarships or financial aid will likely have to get help from parents or family, get a part-time job, or take out substantial loans to pay for their education. Students are encouraged to think about how these four years can help their overall earning potential for the rest of their lives. In the meantime, students can look for the hundreds of small and large scholarships available and should apply for every one theyre eligible for (READ: San Diego College Tutoring Tips: 5 Great Ways to Help Pay for College). 3. Studying within their chosen field At this point, students dont know which colleges and universities they will be accepted to. It can be very nerve-wracking to be waiting on important information such as this, but students are encouraged to focus on the fact that they will have an opportunity to study within their chosen field. Students can get a business degree or a teaching degree, for example, from countless different universities or can work towards the first two years of general education while theyre thinking about which major they want to choose. 4. Holistic admissions process Students are encouraged to remember that most colleges and universities use a holistic admissions process, meaning they focus on the whole student. They will, indeed, look at test scores and GPA but they will also look at the student’s statement and supplemental essays as well as their community service and recommendations. Students who are feeling unsure about their GPA or test scores are encouraged to remember that colleges are looking at them as a unique individual and that they will have a lot to offer the college they end up attending. If students apply to a balanced list of schools, they will likely be looking forward to some good news in the spring. Are you starting you college application process? Our San Diego private college admissions consultants are here to help. Members of the TutorNerds team and our private tutors write every blog post. If you have any questions about our blog, please email us at pr@tutornerds.com.

5 Online Courses That Will Give You a Leg Up in the Job Hunt

5 Online Courses That Will Give You a Leg Up in the Job Hunt via Pixabay 1.       Learn Spanish Course: FluentU There are more than 37 million Spanish speakers in the United States, which makes Spanish the most widely spoken non-English language in this country. The language is growing fast in the United States, which means the ability to speak both Spanish and English is becoming more and more desired by employers. FluentU offers real, authentic videos and quizzes that will improve your Spanish and is simple enough for true beginners to start. 2.       Computer Programming Course: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming This course was created by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is hosted for free over on the website edX. Computer programming skills are essential for job applicants to have with how important technology has become in our society today. This course is aimed at beginner’s and will give all who participate a basic understanding of computer programming. 3.       Adobe Software Course: Adobe KnowHow Adobe KnowHow is a website that offers beginners of the Adobe suite free lessons that are meant to give you basic knowledge of most of the Adobe software. The free courses include lessons that cover Photoshop, InDesign, and Premiere. Since Adobe products are some of the best image and video editing programs out there, having the knowledge to be able to work them should prove favorable for you in the future! 4.       Resume Building Course: How to Write a Resume Did you know that how you write your resume can be considered a skill itself by potential employers? It definitely is! That’s why many people spend days going over and rereading their resume. Any tiny mistake will stand out to employers and you want to make sure that yours is mistake-free. Not only is content important, but design can play a big role in the decision of whether you’re hired or not. If you’re looking to become a graphic designer with a company, a boring, black-and-white resume might turn off someone who is looking through your resume. On the other hand, if your resume is bright, full of color and cool objects, your resume will stick out as well as your designing capabilities. This course is designed to help you make your resume the very best it can be. 5.       Management Training Course: Master Class Management and Leadership Training If you’re looking to make your way to a leadership position in the future, it’s necessary to have the skills and thinking that a leader has. To build on your leadership skills, Master Class Training’s website offers individuals a free course meant to develop your leadership skills and help you succeed in management. This course will go over things like knowing your company’s services, improving organization, handling conflict between employees, business writing, and marketing. Each lesson concludes with a quiz to help you really test your knowledge and see how well you’re doing. At the end of the course, you have the option of purchasing a completion certificate. There goes our list! I hope that these online courses will help you get a leg up in the job hunt and that you will gain many skills from them that you will be able to use to bolster your resume and impress your future employer!