How to Give and Receive Critical Feedback - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Give and Receive Critical Feedback - Introvert Whisperer How to Give and Receive Critical Feedback We are entering into a phase in our society where every action demands some form of feedback. If you go to a restaurant, then youre encouraged to share your Yelp reviews. If you buy something from Amazon, then youre asked to rate that product. Even a post on Facebook allows for an instant Like or corresponding emoji response. How many Likes do you give out in a day? How sad do you feel when you dont get as many Likes in return? But even outside the ever-expanding cyber walls of social media, critical feedback is a vital aspect of the workplace and academia. We all need to know how were doing, and we’re often called upon the share our critiques of someone elses performance. What often gets lost in that sea of Likes are the responsible ways to give and receive critical feedback. Here are some helpful reminders to improve your critiquing skills. When Giving Feedback: Ask the Recipient to Rate Themselves Before delivering your honest assessment on something, ask the recipient of that review how they would rate themselves. This can open the door for a positive exchange, especially if that person recognizes they could have done a better job right from the start. It might also support your criticism if you are merely building upon something they already see as a problem area to work on. Find the Good A tenet of professional review writing is that you should try to find something positive to say about the piece, even if it’s a small something. When presenting a critique to a specific person, it would help to follow your criticism with praise. This doesnt mean you have to make things up, but you should try to find some words of encouragement to layer in with the corrections. This will help promote a sense of cooperation between you and that person. You dont ever want to send anyone away completely demoralized. That’s not good for the workplace or the classroom. Base Your Critiques on Actionable Substance A critique should serve as the foundation for improvement. If someone follows your sage advice, then it should make whatever theyre working on better. It will help if the critique is based on actionable substance, as opposed to vague sentiments. You merely have to watch the Judges Table critiques during any episode of Top Chef. Those judges dont just say, “I didnt like the chicken.” Instead, they say, “The chicken lacked seasoning or was undercooked.” The next time that chef prepares a chicken, you can bet theyll be busting out the salt and meat thermometer. Also notice how that statement focuses on the chicken, not the cook. Spin It Back to Yourself We all make mistakes. Although it could help the person youre sharing feedback with to hear that, it might be stronger if you can relate to them by sharing some of the mistakes youve made in the same area. This will make what you have to say more relevant and wont alienate that persons feelings about their own shortcomings. When offering advice, it’s also helpful to use statements like “I would” rather than “you should.” When Receiving Feedback Take It All In Unless prompted, you dont really need to defend your actions. It is clear something went amiss, at least as far as the perspective of your critic is concerned. You can only understand where they are coming from if you take it all in. If youre formulating a response in your head, then you might miss half of what theyre saying. Active listening is a skill that can change all your relationships for the better. Focus On the Benefits Writers are constantly being critiqued by their peers, editors and even family members who they share their work with. When several people point out the same failings on a particular project, then it would appear that there’s something worth looking into. If the reworking of the project makes it better, then the feedback was really helpful. Stay focused on the goal of making improvements, and youll soon forget all about the negativity of a critique. Ask for Clarity After reading this post, youre going to be a brilliant critical feedback giver and receiver. However, not everyone will have the benefit of this sage advice. You might need to ask for clarity to better understand the critique coming your way. Go back to the Top Chef example. If someone merely says, I didnt like it, then ask them to dig deeper and get specific. Two things might happen. They could land on a specific point to help with those improvements, or they could discover that their criticism lacks merit. Yes, that can actually happen, and it’s something else to take in. It’s also helpful to ask an open-ended question for direction, like “What can I do to improve?” Or “How would you have handled this situation?” Finally, you want to thank the person for providing feedback. However painful it might have been to hear it, they still took time out of their day to give the review. That time has value, and they should be thanked for sharing it. Guest Author: Sarah Landrum Guest Author Bio: Sarah Landrum is a business and career writer with a background in Marketing and Economics. Her blog, Punched Clocks, helps professionals find happiness and success in life and at work. Be sure to subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on social media for more great tips! 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: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Calculus Problems and Answers

Calculus Problems and Answers Calculus Problems and Answers are basically the solved calculus problems. It involves calculus solved problems especially the solved differential calculus and integral calculus. This will help also help in practicing the same. And it is advantages because one can verify the solution after solving the problem. The answers of Calculus problems are generally defined separately from the questions. The better clarity can be developed from the examples and its solution. The examples are as shown below:- Example 1:- Find the derivative of the function f(x) = x4/x2 Solution 1:- Given function is f(x) = x4/x2 To find: - d/dx f(x) We know that, d/dx (x4/x2) = d/dx ( x4-2) Therefore, d/dx (x4/x2) = d/dx (x2) = 2x So d/dx (x4/x2) = 2x. Therefore, d/dx (x4/x2) = 2x Hence d/dx (x4/x2) = 2x is the solution. Example 2:- Find the integration of 1+x3 dx Solution 2:- Given function is 1+x3 Here we have to find the integration of 1+x3 Now we know that, xn.dx = xn+1/ n+1 + c, Here c is constant of integration Therefore, 1+x3 dx = 1. dx + x3 dx= x + (x3+1/ 3+1) + c = x+ x4/4+ c So the integration of 1+x3 dx = = x+ x4/4+ c , here c is constant of integration. This is one of calculus problem and example. In this case, it is basically a integral calculus and its answers

Where Can I Learn How to Paint

Where Can I Learn How to Paint A Guide to Art Classes and Painting Lessons in the UK ChaptersLearn How to Paint through an Art Club or AssociationFinding Specific Art Classes or Painting Courses OnlineArt Classes for Free - Study Art at A-Level!Learning to Paint at Art School!Definitions - Learning to Paint'Begin by learning to draw and paint like the old masters. After that, you can do as you like; everyone will respect you.' ?  Salvador DalíIn the UK, you have the luxury of being able to take a stroll through the city and discovering some of the country's most beautiful watercolour paintings, impressionist oil paintings, portrait paintings, landscape paintings or even digital paintings.Let your imagination run wild as you wander around contemporary art galleries, such as the Tate Modern and rub shoulders with some of the  47 million annual visitors to the UK's art galleries and museums.Learning to PaintLearning to paint and learning to draw are activities anyone can partake in - despite what you might think! Of course, not everyone can become a professional painte r of the same calibre as the likes of Van Gogh or Rembrandt but it is possible to learn drawing and painting skills by taking art classes.Art and painting classes will teach you the basics of oil painting techniques, acrylic painting techniques and drawing techniques, mixing colours, perspective, shadows, layers, scrumbling and still life painting skills.Yet some people will obviously be a lot further off from becoming a master painter and reeling off acrylic art masterpieces than others   (yes, I'm talking about me here ^^)…Once you have got to grips with basic painting techniques and painting with different kinds of brushes you will be able to start on your next watercolour or oil paint artistic masterpiece!Professional Painters and Amateur ArtistsThere are a number of different ways to learn to paint and different paths will apply to those looking  to paint professionally and those simply wanting to start painting classes in order to develop a hobby.Get your watercolour palette and brushes ready because this article will help you find out which route is best for you! FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearn How to Paint through an Art Club or AssociationBe it abstract art or representational art, take in your surroundings and let your imagination do the talking! (Source: Visual Hunt)Art Course CostsThe amount of money involved in the Art industry is enough to turn head s when it comes to selling a particularly rare canvas but when it comes to paying for painting lessons it can put quite a few people off.But that is not to say that just because art with a capital A  is a completely inaccessible market for the majority of people that the same also goes for painting classes.A number of community painting clubs, associations and organisations run beginners' painting courses at very affordable prices. You won't have to tighten any purse strings if you want to be an oil paint and acrylic paint pro or create a magnificent watercolour painting or landscape painting after all!And to convince you, here a few advantages of learning to paint at an association  near you:The cost -  certain organisations provide 2-hour long painting classes at around £30 a month. The majority of these types of organisations also allow art lovers to pay solely for use of the facilities and just bring their unfinished artwork with them. They also offer concessionary prices for the unemployed, seniors and students.The friendliness -  the atmosphere in a public or community painting class is usually more relaxed than in an art school! Offering mutual support to fellow artists is one of the key values of this kind of organisation and can really help to improve your technique in oil painting, acrylic painting or watercolour painting and you may even learn about painting by helping others with a composition.Creative freedom -  a lot of art organisations and clubs require art students to bring their own incomplete artwork and personal projects with them to class and encourage them to use a bit of artistic licence to finish projects using a variety of art materials, such as coloured crayons, watercolours, oils, pastels or paints. Taking art classes in a community organisation will thus enable you to learn to paint step by step whilst at the same time fostering creativity.Personal tutoring - community art classes are often very small and allow you to have the ben efit of one-on-one interactions with the art teacher. This kind of art instruction is sometimes almost like having a painting tutorial and you can really improve a lot under this kind of art instruction.Community Art Courses vs Art SchoolSome people believe that beginners' community course art teachers lack the strictness and quality of those of art schools.However, they can provide some helpful painting tips and are usually highly qualified, assessed on their artistic talent in their own right and for their ability to lead painting workshops before they are chosen. Like any other art teacher, the majority of their wages are funded by the art course fees paid for by the students.If you are concerned about the quality of an abstract painting, life drawing or painting and drawing class then why not try a trial session. It is the best way to get rid of any false preconceptions you may have and to see if the class suits you.Finding Specific Art Classes or Painting Courses OnlineEven the greatest painters had to start somewhere! (Source: Visual Hunt)Finding a painting teacher online can seem complicated with all the different adverts that flash across the screen whenever you open a new page. However, in reality, all you need is to be organised enough in your search for the perfect match!Grab a pen and jot down a few essential criteria that you will require of your future acrylic painting course!Art Course CriteriaGeographical location  Level taught - are you a total beginner or would you ideally like to try out an arts course that lets you perfect various artistic techniques?Level and qualifications of the teacherType of arts course proposed - one-on-one  classes by yourself, in a group, via a webcam or in person...Speciality  still life, working with gouache or watercolour paints, sketching, Chinese painting,   esquisse, sculptingResponse timeBudgetAll of the above criteria will not only help you find an art course perfect for you but will also affect the hourly c ost of classes  for learning how to draw. Make sure that you have adjusted your criteria according to the price that you want to pay for classes before you start your search.Art Class Equipment MaterialDon't forget that purchasing painting and art equipment materials will also be quite costly! You will need to buy or prepare an easel, canvas and pieces of scrap cloth as well as a paintbrush (or a set of paintbrushes), paints (watercolour/acrylic/oil/gouache),  crayons, marker pens, chalk pastels, clay or charcoal pencils depending on what kind of art project you would like to undertake.Finding an Art Teacher Near MeHere at  Superprof, we have more than 1,500 art teachers  who are based all over the UK and ready to provide you with painting and art classes and courses. The platform is really handy as it is so easy to use and the majority of our teachers offer the first lesson or hour free! Taking a trial lesson is a good way of getting to know if you are a good fit with the teacher a nd if the course will meet your expectations. FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsArt Classes for Free - Study Art at A-Level!A-Level or Extracurricular Art?If you studied Art and Design or Design and Technology (DT) at GCSE (or even if you didn't) it is still possible to do art at college. If you are thinking of doing painting professionally or you think it will complement your other subjects in a way that will help you follow your desired career path you can take Art and Design or DT as one of your AS or A-level subjects.If you are not quite sure what you want to do or want to take up humanities or scientific subjects then you could always choose art as one of your optional modules to study outside of your main subjects a few hours a week. Most colleges also offer extracurricular art classes and clubs that run on a weekly basis.Considering sculpting? Remember to take photos of your sculptures and use them in your oral presentations or portfolio! (Source: Visual Hunt)Art at Sixth-Form CollegeNot many people really learn how to start painting at Sixth-Form. Most people already have a sound grasp of how to paint or draw before they embark upon A-level art and use the course as a way to define their own artistic style and put together a portfolio of work from sketches and drafts that eventually become full-blown projects.Specific drawing, painting sculpting or modelling techni ques can be refined during the  5-6 hours of weekly art lessons,  which is the minimum amount of study time but you will still need to spend long hours outside of class time studying other works and finding themes that can be applied to your projects.In most colleges, AQA AS and A-level Art and Design exams and portfolio visits by an external examiner take place around June time:AS Level Component 1 (Portfolio) - the portfolio of work constitutes 60% of the Art and Design AS and is calculated with full marks being 96 marks. There is no time limit for the portfolio as it is not conducted under exam conditions, which means you can take it home or even to the park to complete!AS Level  Component 2 (Externally Set Assignment)  -the externally set assignment constitutes 40% of the overall Art and Design AS and is also calculated with full marks being 96 marks. The assignment is conducted under exam conditions with a preparatory period and  10  hours of supervised time.A-level Component 1 (Personal Investigation) - like the portfolio at AS, the personal investigation constitutes 60% of the Art and Design A-level and is calculated with full marks being 96 marks. There is no time limit for the personal investigation as it is not conducted under exam conditions.A-level Component 2 (Externally Set Assignment)  -  the externally set assignment constitutes 40% of the overall Art and Design A-level and is also calculated with full marks being 96 marks. The assignment is conducted under exam conditions with a preparatory period and  15 hours of supervised time.If you do not pass or did not get the marks you hoped for with regards to elements of your AS level, you can always retake them during the January resit period. If you think you deserved a higher grade then you were given for either of your exams and think you were unfairly marked then you can always request that your work is sent off to be remarked.Optional Art ModulesNo matter what A-level or AS subjects you choose, almost all colleges offer the option to also take additional classes in art as part of your optional module.Optional modules usually constitute one or two hours a week of study and are very often not assessed at the end of the year but simply offer you a way of enriching your studies for free.Optional art courses that you have taken are also a handy thing to mention in your personal statement when it comes to applying for a university as they show that you are a creative and well-rounded individual.Learning to Paint at Art School!If you pursue your studies in fine art, painting or any other type of art at an art school then you have probably already decided that you would like to take-up art professionally.Inspiration can be found in the strangest of places - in realist paintings, decorative paintings, landscape paintings, or even in your back garden! (Source: Visual Hunt)Art School ApplicationAn art school will help you to progress in your artistic work and help to improve your st yle, whatever material you are using - whether it be watercolours, pastel chalk, coloured pencil or whatever else it may be. Before you are accepted onto a course you will be assessed accordingly and will, therefore, be required to have a solid foundation in painting and drawing.The process of getting accepted into an art course can seem quite complicated as more than just a specific type of profile, they are looking for people with their own personalities whose values match those of the art school and who have a certain sensitivity and cultural and artistic awareness.Pre-ApplicationBefore you even apply, remember that at some of the most prestigious art schools, such as the Royal College of Art, which is not only ranked best in the UK but also in the world, you will need to be capable of working long hours and working independently, willing to persevere and be highly demanding of yourself. Curiosity is obviously an important quality to have when trying to get into an art school.Tak ing a course in Art and Design at A-level whilst you are at Sixth-Form College can help you to find your own style and build up a portfolio of work to present during the application process. Make sure that you also develop your own general artistic cultural background at the same time.Taking a year out after you finish your A-levels to take foundation art courses  where you can understand more about colour theory, colour mixing and other techniques all whilst further developing your portfolio is advised. Gaining inspiration through travel is also not a bad idea and may you in order to get the best chance of being accepted.Choose carefully when it comes to selecting an art school and do not apply to too many at the same time or you risk sending off an application that is too general and gets rejected.Target the art schools that correspond most with what you are looking for, for example, graphic art, visual art, animation, etc.Art School Assessment CriteriaPreparing for the interview process is essential!Even though each art school has its own selection and assessment process, most follow basic procedures when it comes to application assessments:Drawing AssessmentGeneral Culture AssessmentInterview - where you show your portfolio or defend your artistic work and explain your inspiration and aims (10-15 pieces of work done with different mediums).There may even be a foreign language assessment  and another supervised group work assignment in order to observe your personality when working with others and the way that you work. This is important as being an artist is actually quite a solitary activity but at school, we are constantly taught to work in teams and as part of a group!Art School and University Tuition Fees in the UK can be quite astronomical with rates as high as £9,000 a year, which can really set you back a bit even if you are eligible for a student loan. A cheaper alternative is to head for warmer shores and study somewhere on the continent where ev en fees for world famous schools, such as the School of Fine Art (Ecole des Beaux Arts) in Paris are next to nothing.Beware, competition is rife though!If you don't really fancy going to art school you can also take art foundation classes at vocational colleges, such as Cambridge Regional College, or attend a university art course offered by universities such as Leeds Univerisity.Doing an art course at an art school or university in the UK can be quite a costly ventureOf course, this will be a little more pricey than venturing abroad and can be just as competitive!Definitions - Learning to PaintIf you not new to the world of arts and crafts and have already been learning how to paint for some time now, terms such as glazing, ink wash or literati painting, pigments, graphite, turpentine oil and impasto (Italian art categorized by thick paint) will probably already be part of your everyday artistic vocabulary!What is a Posca?Posca is almost like a cross between watercolour paints and a brush for painting. It is a water-based marker pen that can be used on a wide variety of textures (wood, textile, slate, porcelain, etc.).It is available in a range of colours, both primary colours and a whole range of secondary colours from white to titanium to deep sea blue and can be used for blending, creating tones and mimicking strokes of a watercolour brush to create really realistic and precise effects.What is Turpentine Oil?Turpentine oil is an essential oil obtained through purification and distillation of turpentine. It is an excellent solvent to use on fatty materials and is therefore essential for oil painting! It is, however, less commonly used for other forms of painting like watercolour painting or acrylic painting, which use paints that are not as thick as oil paints.Most painting beginners do not know this handy painting tip that turpentine oil actually helps to speed up the drying process - so you'll no longer have to carry on watching paint dry!

Study Tricks to Learn Vocabulary

Study Tricks to Learn Vocabulary Numerous techniques for conquering vocabulary extend beyond the standard method of memorizing a list of words. Certain techniques are predictable, while others are more imaginative. Regardless of how you choose to learn unfamiliar terminology, ensure you allow yourself ample time in which to do so. Truly enhancing ones vocabulary is not something that occurs overnight. Whether you decide to learn independently or with an English tutor, the study tricks below can help you ultimately learnvocabulary terms. Divide vocabulary lists into small portions First and foremost, it is very important that students do not overwhelm themselves with new terms. Memorizing an intensive list of vocabulary within a short timeframe is likely to be ineffective and frustrating. Instead of attempting to remember a large number of words at one time, attempt to learn one term well each day. The key to successfully expanding ones vocabulary is consistency; this means you should review each day, but not for an extended period of time. Little by little, you can incorporate an astonishing number of words. And you will not exhaust yourself, either. You may also want to consider these 5 random items to help you study. Use vocabulary words in context Utilizing a new vocabulary word in a relevant context is just as essential as learning the terms definition. If you have memorized the meaning of a word but do not understand how to apply it within a sentence, the term will not be of much help to you. So, once you have mastered a words definition, you should aim to use that term at least once during the day. Studies show that an individual is far more likely to recall a new word if he/she was able to employ it in a fitting situation. Read as often as possible Another excellent way tolearnvocabulary is by reading literature. This includes articles, magazines, newspapers, novels, and so forth. Classic novels, in particular, are known for their extensive and lofty lexicon. However, it should be noted that reading is not a rapid method for mastering vocabulary. Instead, reading is a long-term approach to increasing ones terminology. You should not expect to see vast improvements immediately. Annotate passages Certain students form a habit of brushing past unknown words when they encounter them in their readings. Though it may be tempting, this is a practice you should avoid if you wish to broaden the scope of your vocabulary. Instead, circle words in your readings that are unfamiliar to you and then determine what they mean. Keep a dictionary near when you read so that you can easily search for definitions and record them. This is a wonderful way to increase your vocabulary and your understanding of the reading material at the same time. Here are some tips on how to annotate text. Learn a foreign language Many words in the English language are derived from Latin. Studying foreign languages, especially the romance languages, may aid you in learning additional words in English. For example, the Spanish term sagaz means shrewd, which is extremely similar to the word sagacious in English. Not surprisingly, sagacious also means shrewd. This is just one of a countless number of words that are alike in both English and Spanish. The same can be said of French and Italian, as well. Foreign language study is reputed to assist students significantly on the vocabulary portions of the SAT. If you pay more attention in foreign language class, you just might improve your grade in English, too! Here are 5 tips for learning a foreign languagethat you may find helpful. Get to know the English tongue Another practical technique to learnvocabulary is studying morphology. Morphology is a field that analyzes the structure and parts of words. It is always a wise idea to be well versed on common English prefixes, roots, and suffixes. For example, recognizing that the prefix inter means between can aid you in understanding a number of words, even if you have never encountered those terms before. Perhaps interdependent is an unfamiliar word to you, but you are likely familiar with the word dependent. Thus, if you know what the prefix inter implies, you will be able to deduce that interdependent means dependent on one another. When it seems impossible to memorize your vocabulary words, turn to morphologyand the above techniquesto ease the process.

Can I cite Wikipedia as a source

Can I cite Wikipedia as a source No. Not a good idea. Nope. Just no. Right, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let me tell you how you CAN use Wikipedia when researching a paper, project or presentation. Encyclopedias of one type or another have been relied upon for general information since at least the ancient world. From Pliny the Elder’s Naturalis Historia from the 1st century CE, to Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariyya al-Razis encyclopedia of science from the 10th century CE, to the 28,000 folio volumes of the Yongle Encyclopedia completed in China in 1408 CE, to the monumental French Encyclopédie published between 1751-1772 CE, to the encyclopedias of the 20th century CE like Britannica and World Book, repositories of general knowledge have been required as humans strive for understanding of the world. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits and challenges of studying history, you can read more blog post on the topic here!Now those of us of a certain age will remember the time before internet se arch engines, where we were taught that a starting point for our research paper was our school or local library’s encyclopedia collection. There we could find general information about our topics of choice, and then we would take that new knowledge to the card catalog or librarian to start looking for books on our topics. Now I clearly remember teachers explicitly telling me and my fellow students “Do not use the encyclopedia as one of your sources!” when we visited the school library to find sources for our papers. This, in my mind, echoes the teachers of today who frequently tell their students “Do not use Wikipedia as one of your sources!”. The difference though, as mentioned earlier, is that the teachers of my childhood would recommend we start with encyclopedias, especially when we knew little or nothing about our chosen topics. People today seem to automatically dismiss the usefulness of Wikipedia though, which I find short sighted. Of course a student should not cit e Wikipedia, just like the students of the past were not allowed to cite print encyclopedias. Wikipedia is the primary modern encyclopedia, and it has just as many flaws and biases as print encyclopedias of the past. Just like many book encyclopedias, Wikipedia has a severe lack of female editors or even pages about significant women of history or even present day. So saying that Wikipedia has sometimes inaccurate and biased information, while true, does not negate its usefulness since all other sources out there suffer from similar issues. The key is to teach students how to spot the biases, the exaggerations, the inaccuracies and then how to handle them. Teachers then need to remind students that it is not just print sources or articles from digital databases that have biased or imperfect information, it is also seemingly neutral sources like Wikipedia. A key aspect of the DBQ essay of the AP histories is to engage with the biases of the sources while making an argument. Asking qu estions like: Who is the audience for this source? What is the author’s purpose? What is the author’s background? What information are they potentially leaving out either consciously or unconsciously? Students are then taught to think about how the answers to these questions affect the sources’ information so that they can effectively qualify it and use it helpfully in their essay. Just because a source is biased or factually problematic does not mean it is not a useful source that should be ignored. Similarly, students should be taught that resources they use to get to source materials should be equally examined for bias and other issues. Thus, just because Wikipedia is also often biased or otherwise problematic it should not be ignored as a resource (NOT a source), since similar resources and actual sources themselves are just as biased.Our humanities tutors excel at helping students develop the core skills of research, critical thinking, and writing that are crucial for suc cess in English, in history, and in life. If you’d like to help your student develop these skills or get support in English, history, or social science coursework, please contact us today!Despite bias, Wikipedia is a great starting place for research because it can help students find key search terms and even potential sources. Say a student wants to write a paper on the Sepoy Rebellion for their world history class, but while they know that it is an example of Indians (not Native Americans) resisting British imperialism sometime in the 1800s, they may not know much else. Going to Wikipedia will give them not only the exact date (1857 CE), but also information like other names for the rebellion including: the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Sepoy Mutiny, the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion, the Revolt of 1857, the Indian Insurrection, and the First War of Independence. Therefore when they are searching for information in a digital database of academic articles or searching truste d historical websites, they will have other alternative terms to search and hopefully find more information. They will also find other specific information that they could use as search terms in more academic sources like the names of people involved (one of the most interesting being Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi, a queen who is now a cultural figure of resistance to British rule), the exact regions that rebelled, the reasons for rebellion (more than just the British exploiting the Indian people), and beyond. Finally, Wikipedia often has references at the bottom of an article and even direct citations that students can then track down. Even if students cannot find the exact same sources that are listed in the article, they can at least get the names of scholars or authors who write on the topic the student has chosen, which can also help them when searching for source materials.So Wikipedia, like any other encyclopedia, is a great starting point resource for students. It is certai nly not a source, and should therefore not be cited, but it is a helpful resource. For those of you wanting an overview of the Sepoy Rebellion along with lists of fascinating secondary and primary sources please see this Wikipedia article about it.If you’d like to learn more about how our humanities tutors work with students to develop core academic skills in a customized, 1-on-1 environment, please give us a call.

Bay Area Test Prep Experts - SAT, ACT, SAT Subject, GRE, GMAT, ISEE

Bay Area Test Prep Experts - SAT, ACT, SAT Subject, GRE, GMAT, ISEE Welcome Bay Area test prep students! The fall semester is upon us and so is the college application process. Does your student need one last shot to boost their application? SAT subject tests are one-hour exams offered in a variety of academic subjects.  While not required by most colleges, subject tests are a way to demonstrate your students aptitude and depth in a particular subject.  Good subject test scores provide a nice boost to your students college applications! SAT subject tests: FAQSAT subject tests are offered on the same days as the SAT, Nov. 8 and Dec. 6.  You should plan your students testing schedule ahead of time so he or she has time for both the SAT and the subject tests.SAT subject tests are offered in math, literature, US and world history, biology, chemistry, physics, and most languages.Students can take up to 3 subject tests on one day.Which SAT subject tests should my student take?Bay Area test prep students tend to perform best on subject tests in high-leve l courses they have recently completed.  For instance, if your student is currently enrolled in AP US History, he or she should take the subject test in US History in May or June.If your student is currently taking or has taken precalculus and/or trig, the Math Level 2 exam is a good choice.  For those who enjoy reading and do well in English, the Literature exam would be a natural fit.When are the SAT subject tests offered, and how can I register for them? The SAT subject tests are offered on Nov. 8 and Dec. 6, 2014, concurrently with the SAT (so students cannot take the SAT and the subject tests on the same day).You can register for SAT subject tests on the College Boards website.AJ Tutorings SAT subject test tutoring program In order to fully prepare students to take an SAT subject test, we meet with them for three or four 90-minute sessions.  During those sessions, we cover timing, guessing strategy, and question interpretation.  Using results from students practice tests, w e also pinpoint content gaps and teach students valuable concepts they may have missed in school.AJ Tutoring currently offers subject test tutoring in most subjects.  For more information, please consult  our website.If your student is planning to take SAT subject tests in November or December, now is the time to start preparing.  By starting preparation early, we can effectively space out the tutoring sessions and maximize your students content retention. Learn more about our test prep program.

10 Illuminating Quotes from Famous Language Learners

10 Illuminating Quotes from Famous Language Learners 10 Quotes to Kindle the Flame of Language Learning Theres no place like home.A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.Winter is coming.Whether you mean for them to or not, chances are your favorite quotes work their way into your daily life.But quotes dont need to be used exclusively for adding color to your daily speech. They can also help you  overcome foreign language anxiety  and cast aside  myths about language learning.Yes, were talking about  language learning quotes. These inspiring gems will keep you grounded and maybe even motivate you to become the next  amazing polyglot.So whenever you need a language learning morale boost, look no further than these 10 uplifting quotes! Why Read Language Learning Quotes?First and foremost, language learning quotes are motivational. The best quotes serve as helpful reminders of why you wanted to learn a language in the first place. And a little extra motivation never hurt anyoneâ€"language learning motivation will keep you pressing forward towards fluency.Plus, language learning qu otes are powerful. A well thought-out quote can actually be quite moving and make you feel like a language learning warrior.Finally, language learning quotes will help you look at language from a different perspective. When youre in the throes of language learning, it can be hard to see the bigger picture. With all the vocabulary and grammar rules, you might instead focus on the nitpicky details. Language quotes can help redirect your focus to why learning a language is so valuable.10 Quotes to Kindle the Flame of Language LearningThose who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own.â€" Johann Wolfgang von GoetheGood old Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. All in all, he was a pretty impressive guy. He lived in Germany from 1749 to 1832 and wore many hats, including statesman, poet and novelist. If that isnt enough to impress you, he also studied natural science.Growing up, Goethe studied several languages, including English, French, Italian, Latin, Greek and Hebrew. It sho uld come as no surprise, then, that he made this statement, which any language learner is likely to echo. Whenever you start to learn an additional language, you inherently learn more about your own.The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.â€" Ludwig WittgensteinLudwig Wittgenstein was an Austrian-British philosopher who lived from 1889 to 1951. His work focused on logic, math and (you guessed it) language.Wittgenstein linked the limits of language to the limits of philosophical thought. You can see that influence in this quote. After all, its difficult to think carefully about things that you lack words for. For language learners, this quote is empowering because you may have words in your second language to describe things you could never describe in your first language, thereby broadening the limits of your world.If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world.â€" Ludwig WittgensteinWittgenstein had a lot of great quotes about languages , so it seems fair that he made this list twice. This quotation points out the link between language and perception. Since perception is filtered through the words we know, the language you speak can actually shape what you perceive.For instance, if the language you speak has a dozen different words for shades of blue, youre more likely to notice color differences than if theres just one word for blue in your language. But language learners, take heart! By learning more languages, perhaps you can broaden your perception.The conquest of learning is achieved through the knowledge of languages.â€" Roger BaconRoger Bacon, a friar and philosopher who lived in England during the 13th century, penned this gem about languages. Its important to note that during that era the populace was predominantly illiterate. Bacon, however, was fluent in several languages and was particularly concerned with the accurate translation of old texts.While much has changed since the 13th century, this quote st ill seems to ring true today. The more languages you know, the more you can learn in general.To have another language is to possess a second soul.â€" CharlemagneCharlemagne was a European king in the 700s-800s. Hes well known for promoting literacy in an era when it wasnt popular. He himself continued to try to learn, read and write even in his older years.Charlemagne  likely spoke a Franconian language, in addition to Latin and some Greek. He encouraged translations of Christian texts and his royal library contained books on language. Charlemagnes quote will certainly make any language learner thinkâ€"how do you change when you speak your second language?If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.â€" Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela is perhaps one of the best known figures of the twentieth century. The beloved anti-Apartheid leader, philanthropist, President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize r ecipient was brilliant at bringing people together. This quote illustrates the role of language in bringing people together.Communicating with people in their native language is an undeniably valuable way to form deeper and more meaningful connections. If that isnt a good reason to keep studying a language, I dont know what is.The man who does not know other languages, unless he is a man of genius, necessarily has deficiencies in his ideas.â€" Victor HugoVictor Hugo is one of the best known French writers in history. He penned classics like Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, but this simple yet spot-on quote about language is just as powerful. It clarifies how knowing only one language can limit ones thoughts.Language shapes the way we think, and determines what we can think about.â€" Benjamin Lee WhorfBenjamin Lee Whorf was a 20th century American linguist. During his life he studied a wide array of languages, including Biblical Hebrew, Nahuatl, Hopi, Piman and Tepeca no. He also worked to develop the principle of linguistic relativity, which focuses on how language can affect ones worldview.The overall sentiment of this quote is quite similar to that of the Victor Hugo quote above: language deeply impacts both how we think and what we think about. By extension, knowing more languages might allow you to think about more things.Language is a city to the building of which every human being has brought a stone.â€" Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson was an American transcendentalist who lived during the 1800s. He wrote largely about self-reliance and individualism. It should perhaps come as no surprise, then, that this quote focuses on the role of the individual in language development.Essentially, this quote states that each person contributes to the development of a language. For language learners, its a helpful reminder that you arent just learning a languageâ€"youre also helping to shape it.It is astonishing how much enjoyment one can get out of a language that one understands imperfectly.â€" Basil Lanneau GildersleeveBesides having a really cool name, Gildersleeve was an American classical scholar who lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. His specialty was Greek, but any language student can appreciate this quote.As a language student, it can often seem that your own weaknesses are constantly shoved in your face and that anything short of full fluency is a failure. Gildersleeves quote is an important reminder that you dont have to be perfect at a language to enjoy it wholeheartedly.With these 10 inspiring quotes at your side, youll always have the extra motivation you need to push a little further in your language education.

How can African schools compete in the global race for international teachers

How can African schools compete in the global race for international teachers Many of the schools I work with in Africa are overwhelmed by international competition for teachers. They feel they can’t compete with the salaries in places like the Middle East and worry that teachers consider their country poor or unsafe (or both!)? They fret, worry, and inadvertently shut out their dream teachers - because they’ve forgotten just who their dream teachers are. Sometimes, they’ve even forgotten what their school has to offer. It’s true, a teacher focused solely on their bank balance may not be interested in African schools, but there are plenty of other teachers out there with different priorities. From a love of adventure, to the desire to make a difference in a community, there is no shortage of reasons why teachers would choose Africa. It’s time African international schools pushed aside some of those worries, swung open the doors and embraced their identity. Don’t worry about the paychecks dragging some teachers to other countries, focus instead on the teachers who want to teach in Africa. 1. Your location is teacher-bait. Dangle those unique experiences where teachers can see them. One of the big mistakes schools make is ignoring the travel aspect of international teaching. I’ve seen schools dismiss wonderful teachers because they were concerned that the teacher’s only priority was travel and adventure. That’s rarely the case. Teaching is hardly a get-rich-quick scheme. And most qualified candidates are going to have the student’s best interests at heart, even if they are prone to a bit of globe trotting. International teachers have often chosen their career path because they love to travel. But these are often the very teachers I see being discriminated against in the recruitment process. Which is a shame! These are the teachers who want to embrace your culture and customs, why not hire them? It would be a lot worse if you ended up recruiting a teacher who hated adventure. They’d sulk for months, only wanting to eat McDonalds. Maybe they would insist on doing things exactly as they did them at home. Don’t think of “travel” as a dirty word - you can and should be using travel and adventure as a competitive advantage over schools in other regions. Use it to rope in the adventurers, the teachers who will love and cherish their time in Africa. Your job postings are your opportunity to sell not only your school but also your location. Africa has so many unique qualities, you would be doing yourself a disservice by not pointing them out. Make sure you highlight any unique opportunities your location has to offer travel-minded candidates - whether it’s exotic birds, boating along the Nile, watersports, a bustling marketplace, safari adventures, or a specific kind of food or drink…the list is endless! Take a step back and think about what you love about where you live, then go from there. This is your opportunity to showcase the best bits of living and working in Africa. 2. Emphasize career progression. Let teachers see your commitment to them. While salary and bonus came out on top overall in our survey of over 12,000 international teaching candidates this year, we also saw professional development and career progression featuring almost as high on your candidate’s wishlist. Great teachers want to know they can grow, develop and stretch their creative muscles. They want to know they will have autonomy in the classroom and be able to impact their student’s lives. If there are options at your school for candidates to take on additional responsibilities beyond their usual teaching responsibilities, or if your school makes a professional development a priority, then make sure your job posts are making the most of that. Give it its own paragraph! Put it in bold! Teachers are only human, and seeing that a school cares about their longterm career can influence their decision. You’ll be surprised by the response from teachers who are looking for a little something more from their next position. 2. Honesty is the only policy. Especially with Google looking over your shoulder. There’s no point lying about anything. You’re looking for teachers who can embrace the specific challenges your school faces - so explain those challenges and don’t shy away from the truth. Before a candidate will consider signing a contract with your school, they’re going to need to trust you. With under a quarter of international teaching candidates expressing concern over their personal safety when making the move abroad, you can be sure they’re doing their homework on that front. And if a quick Google reveals a couple of startling facts that you haven’t divulged, then you can probably say goodbye to that teacher. If you’re living in an area that is going through political upheaval or faces other obstacles, you’re going to have to work a little harder than schools in other locations to build trust. You need to be honest about your school’s situation and make them comfortable with challenges ahead. There are a few easy steps you can take to alleviate concerns and paint your school in a positive light: Be transparent. Outline the situation in your country, especially if it’s facing any political or disease-related issues. Teachers will appreciate the honesty a lot more than finding out themselves on the big bad Google. Ease their worries. Outline the steps your school is taking to protect staff. This should reassure most candidates. Put them in touch with other teachers at your school. Nothing goes farther than the word of a peer. Put your existing staff in touch with candidates. They can find out what life is really like both and in and out of the walls of your school. All of the above will help candidates feel secure, ease insecurities and alleviate negative perceptions. 3. Waiting until you’ve got a vacancy is too late. Stay ahead with a proactive recruitment strategy instead. In our second annual international educator survey, 24% of respondents put Africa in their top 3 preferred teaching destinations. That’s almost a quarter of teaching candidates who would be happy to teach in Africa. So maybe, when it comes to hiring overseas teachers, the problem isn’t that your school is in Africa. It’s that teachers don’t know that schools in Africa are recruiting. Schools in other countries are flooding the internet with their positions and opportunities all year round, but there’s nowhere near as much information available online about teaching in Africa. What does this mean for you? It means you’ll need to start your recruitment earlier than you might be accustomed to. Our data suggests that international educators are starting their job searches earlier and earlier and taking the time to find the opportunity that’s right for them. The unfortunate reality for African schools is that candidates may have more apprehensions than they would for schools in other parts of the world. You need to start your recruitment well in advance of your desired start dates to give candidates ample time to do their research about the region, the school, and allow them to make an educated and informed decision. At the end of the day, every teacher is different. Never forget that what is offputting to one teacher might be a welcome challenge to another. So the next time you’ve got to whip up one of those dreaded job posts, keep your dream teacher in mind, think about what should motivate them and describe the adventure that Africa has to offer. This article was originally published on LinkedIn.