Tips for Conducting an Online Tutoring Demo Session

Tips for Conducting an Online Tutoring Demo SessionThe beauty of online tutoring demos is that you can conduct a lesson or several lessons from any part of the world. That means if you have a learning disability, you do not need to travel to another place to attend a lesson. However, there are many different things that one should keep in mind when conducting an online tutoring demo. Below are some important tips to help you conduct your lesson from anywhere, whether you are in the US.In some interactive programs, you have to make the selections that you want to study before starting your lesson. Otherwise, you will not be able to continue your lesson. Make sure that the program does not allow you to study for several days and then stop your lesson. You will most likely miss something important during the discussion sessions while doing this. Also, you must make sure that you sign up for unlimited lessons so that you can continue your lesson at any time.Before choosing an interactive program for your online tutoring, you need to know about the features that you are looking for. There are many online tutoring programs that offer these features so that you can choose which one would fit best. For example, there are many programs that offer great audio lectures. You can listen to them while doing your lesson, taking notes or just resting. There are also programs that let you listen to the recorded lectures on CD, DVD or CD-ROMs. You do not have to worry about being bored or tired during your lesson.Another great feature of many programs is their interactive chat rooms where you can get all the help that you want. Sometimes you may have difficulty with certain subjects but through the help of a chat room, you will find answers to your questions and learn much more. You can also find support groups that offer you personalized information about learning disabilities and what you can do to cope with them.It is important that you thoroughly read the details on the offe r that you are interested in before deciding whether you are going to use an online tutoring program or not. If you do not make the right choice, you might not be able to benefit from the program. Moreover, do not forget to compare the prices offered by the different programs that you are considering.Last but not least, be sure that you ask for live chat in case you feel that you do not understand the material well enough. Then, you can suggest different parts of the text that you need to follow or you can even choose the ones that you are unable to understand. Sometimes, the chat programs may also send some sample questions to ask you. By answering correctly, you will know how you can understand the lesson or what you should do in order to make your lesson more effective.In conclusion, there are many online tutoring demos that you can conduct at home. However, you should keep in mind the following points if you want to take advantage of the advantages offered by these programs. Sin ce you do not have to go anywhere to practice, it will save you lots of time and money.

italki presented at the 2014 SouthWest Conference on Language Teaching

italki presented at the 2014 SouthWest Conference on Language Teaching Erin OReilly, one of our Professional Teachers who has been teaching on italki for over a year now  recently presented Going Global: Using italki to Connect with Native Speakers at the 2014 SouthWest Conference on Language Teaching in Snowbird, Utah, USA last month. We were honored that she presented on  our behalf.  Below she shares her presentation with a guest blog post: The Changing Language Classroom April 24-26, 2014 by Erin N. OReilly Language teachers  love technology.  Arguably, they probably love technology more than teachers from most of the other traditional subject areas.  This may be because until the advent of the Internet, getting authentic language learning materials meant travelling abroad and schlepping back yellowing newspapers, outdated magazines, and bulky cassette tapes.  Talking with native speakers?  Never a possibility unless you lived in a major metropolitan city. For the past year, I have used the italki platform as a language teacher, connecting with language learners and enthusiasts around the globe. While their goals and reasons for learning a language vary widely, their passion and enthusiasm to connect with native speakers is immediately obvious. Enter italki â€" the platform that makes it all possible. This past week I had the opportunity to join with language teachers from around the South Western region of the United States at an annual language teacher conference. I shared with them the research behind live, online language lessons as well as best-practices and creative ideas to get started. As language teachers, we’ve historically been limited to classroom learning. Creating opportunities for meaningful practice with native speakers has always been limited by geography. Today the tools exist to go beyond the classroom, to connect with a world of learners and teachers. However, breaking out of the classroom mindset to engage with the language authentically and on a global scale is not something that language teachers naturally consider when designing or delivering their language courses. Looking forward, I challenge the classroom language teacher to experiment with ways to build and integrate global friendships, partnerships, and connections into the traditional curricula. As one conference attendee commented, “Wow! They’re using real language.” And this is what language learning is all about! “Wow! They’re using real language.” And this is what language learning is all about! Erins  2014 SouthWest Conference on Language Teaching Presentation  Going Global: Using italki to Connect with Native Speakers   Going Global: Using italki to Connect with Native Speakers from Erin OReilly, Ph.D. italki presented at the 2014 SouthWest Conference on Language Teaching Erin OReilly, one of our Professional Teachers who has been teaching on italki for over a year now  recently presented Going Global: Using italki to Connect with Native Speakers at the 2014 SouthWest Conference on Language Teaching in Snowbird, Utah, USA last month. We were honored that she presented on  our behalf.  Below she shares her presentation with a guest blog post: The Changing Language Classroom April 24-26, 2014 by Erin N. OReilly Language teachers  love technology.  Arguably, they probably love technology more than teachers from most of the other traditional subject areas.  This may be because until the advent of the Internet, getting authentic language learning materials meant travelling abroad and schlepping back yellowing newspapers, outdated magazines, and bulky cassette tapes.  Talking with native speakers?  Never a possibility unless you lived in a major metropolitan city. For the past year, I have used the italki platform as a language teacher, connecting with language learners and enthusiasts around the globe. While their goals and reasons for learning a language vary widely, their passion and enthusiasm to connect with native speakers is immediately obvious. Enter italki â€" the platform that makes it all possible. This past week I had the opportunity to join with language teachers from around the South Western region of the United States at an annual language teacher conference. I shared with them the research behind live, online language lessons as well as best-practices and creative ideas to get started. As language teachers, we’ve historically been limited to classroom learning. Creating opportunities for meaningful practice with native speakers has always been limited by geography. Today the tools exist to go beyond the classroom, to connect with a world of learners and teachers. However, breaking out of the classroom mindset to engage with the language authentically and on a global scale is not something that language teachers naturally consider when designing or delivering their language courses. Looking forward, I challenge the classroom language teacher to experiment with ways to build and integrate global friendships, partnerships, and connections into the traditional curricula. As one conference attendee commented, “Wow! They’re using real language.” And this is what language learning is all about! “Wow! They’re using real language.” And this is what language learning is all about! Erins  2014 SouthWest Conference on Language Teaching Presentation  Going Global: Using italki to Connect with Native Speakers   Going Global: Using italki to Connect with Native Speakers from Erin OReilly, Ph.D.

Dont Even Think About Leaving Your Dorm Order Food Online!

Don't Even Think About Leaving Your Dorm Order Food Online! pexels.com Find Local Restaurants The locavore movement has been steadily picking up steam, especially across college campuses nationally. A locavore is usually someone whose diet consists only of principally locally grown or produced food but it does not have to be limited to that. This movement also means supporting mom and pop-like stores, restaurants that are local to your college town and do not exist anywhere else. You can always order from the national chains that exist in every area but you can also often type in your zip code and see which restaurants directly in your area are still open and that you can order from. You can support the businesses that you are interested in! Variety of Options When you order food online, you have myriad possibilities of where to order from. Any restaurant that offers food delivery is fair game. And there are so many different kinds of food cuisines to choose from! Want Indian? Chinese? Japanese? American? A combination of all four? Whatever cuisines your city has to offer you can most likely order online and have delivered to your house. And you can order different items from different menus and have it all delivered to your doorstep. Get exactly the food that you want to eat. Get Coupons/Specials Ordering online can provide you with another perk as well: coupons and special deals that you otherwise would not get. There is almost nothing as satisfying as typing in a coupon code and seeing your total amount dwindle down. It might be dependent on the restaurant(s) you are ordering from or the online service through which you are ordering your food but often enough you can find a way to get that price dropped in a way that would be impossible if you were ordering on location and in person at the restaurant itself. pexels.com Order For Free Many online ordering services will allow you to order your food online without adding any charges. There are no hidden fees or the extra effort taken by the restaurant and service driving up your final price. You just get to do you, ordering the food you want, affording it, and eating it. And that is the best part, right? Convenience One of the most obvious but underappreciated perks of ordering food online is the convenience it affords you as a consumer. All you need is an internet connection and presto, blammo, you have got food on the way! You do not even need to turn on your laptop or computer your cell phone will work just as well. You can also have your food delivered to you, no matter where you are. Obviously you need to be within a reasonable distance of the restaurant but besides that it can be free game. Having a late night cram session in the library? They can meet you on the library steps. Home late from a party and craving a particular kind of food? They can bring it straight to your dorm. In a late night rehearsal? They can bring the food wherever you are rehearsing, whether it be the theatre doors, the music building practice rooms, or more. It allows you to feed yourself in situations where you otherwise or usually might have been forced to go hungry, unable to get food while you are otherwise occupied. And if the weather is poor, guess what? You do not have to be the one to go out in the pouring rain to get your food. Some poor, hapless delivery driver will bring your food directly to you while you lay toasty and warm in your bed. But remember to tip your delivery driver well for your convenience!

What is the Year 1 Phonics Test

What is the Year 1 Phonics Test We all know how important it is for children to learn literacy. And early learning of the phonics has become a very important part of a child's reading journey. The Phonics Screening test was first launched by the Department of Education in June 2012 and schools will administer the test the week beginning 13 June for this year. The test is defined by the Department of Education as short, light-touch assessments that usually take between four and nine minutes for each child to complete. The Phonics Screening Check The Phonics test or Phonics screening check is compulsory for all year 1 children and is used to determine whether they have learnt phonic decoding to the proper standard. It identifies children that may need extra help in improving their reading skills and allows the school to step in and make sure these children meet the appropriate standard. The test itself consists of a list of forty words which the children read to a teacher and tests the ability to use letter-sound knowledge to correctly read and pronounce written words. The words used are twenty real-words and twenty non-words (made-up words). The reason for the non-words are so that there will not be a bias to those children with a good vocabulary. The non-words are shown alongside a picture of a fictional character and the children are told that the non-word is the name of that fictional creature or character allowing children to understand that the non-word should not be included in their existing vocabulary. Children who are able to read non-words should have the skills to decode most unfamiliar words. Phonics knowledge is taught to children from Reception class helping them to recognise and read familiar words and to be able to read words that are completely new to them. They learn about the way graphemes (written words) relate to phonemes (spoken words) and how to sound out the words. The International phonetic alphabet The following table shows the International Phonetic Alphabet that is used to explain the pronunciation of pseudo-words used in the Phonics Screening check for year 1 children (words that are not included in the test are in red whilst the words in blue indicate that the grapheme-phoneme correspondence only applies to certain regional pronunciations): Consonants Vowels Phoneme Example Phoneme Graphemes /b/ bad /??/ father, arm /d/ dog /?/ hot // this // cat /d?/ gem, jug /a?/ mind, pie, high, fine /f/ if, puff, photo /a?/ out, cow /g/ gum /?/ hen, head /h/ how /e?/ say, came, bait /j/ yes /??/ air /k/ cat check, key, school /??/ cold, bone, coat, mould, blow /l/ leg, hill /?/ hit /m/ man /??/ beer /n/ man /i?/ he, bead, see, scheme, chief /?/ sing /??/ launch, raw, born // both /??/ coin, boy /p/ pet /?/ book, cup, could /r/ red /??/ tour /s/ sit, miss, cell /u?/ stew, room, you, blue, brute /?/ she, chef /?/ cup /t/ tea /??/ fern, turn, girl /t?/ check /?/ farmer /v/ vet /w/ wet, when /z/ zip, hens, buzz /?/ pleasure Source: satpapers.org The Threshold and results In 2012 when the first testing began the threshold was 80% and continues to be around this mark. This means that children need to correctly identify and read 32 words out of the total 40 words to be considered to have met the necessary standard. The test determines whether children are correctly able to identify sounds associated with different letters, and letter combinations, and consequently blend these sounds together to correctly say the word on the list, regardless of whether the word is a real-word or a non-word. The combinations of the letters become more complicated as they move down the list of words meaning the words become increasingly harder. The threshold mark is conveyed to schools usually at the end of June so that teachers can then mark the test. Parents are then informed of how their child did although the results are not published. If a child fails to meet the standard they are given extra help in their phonics understanding and can then retake the test in year 2. What can you do to help? The best way to ensure your child will meet the standards of the phonics screening check is to enhance their vocabulary. Read new books with them and introduce them to new vocabulary. Play word games with them and make sure they are correctly sounding out the words. There are plenty of free resources for practising phonics with your child; the Schoolrun website offers some great information and the Department of Education website offers more information and some practice assessments. A private tutor can also be a great help in aiding your child's learning of the phonics.

Why You Should Take A Hot Bath

Why You Should Take A Hot BathHot water baths are not so unlike cold baths. And that's good news because they can be used to lower your cholesterol and lower your blood pressure. The reason they are used to help in these two areas is because of the different chemical changes when heated water enters your system. That has been scientifically proven by research over the years.At the time when you take a warm shower or take a hot bath, you are using a lot of heat to get you through the day. But, when you take a warm bath, you don't use as much heat. That's why taking a warm bath can lower your blood pressure much more than you could possibly imagine.In fact, a lot of the medical research about lowering your cholesterol using hot water has shown that after you take a warm bath, your body is able to make a couple of molecules of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a hormone that is known to be linked to heart disease.When you use hot water in a hot bath, the dihydrotestosterone can be flush ed out of your body and the chemicals in your blood are cleaned. When it comes to cleaning your body, your blood vessels are probably the first thing that come to mind.Because your blood vessels are clean, they are now getting better oxygen as well as nutrients. Oxygen and nutrients to help in your fight against those nasty molecules that contribute to your cholesterol issues. The substances in the hot water helps clean out those cells that are clogging your arteries.After you take a hot bath, your body also becomes cleaner and more efficient at removing those impurities that may have settled on your skin. These impurities are now helping the body get the blood it needs to run efficiently. If your body has all the nutrients it needs to heal itself, then you are less likely to experience muscle cramps or other types of problems.So if you are thinking about taking a hot bath or shower, try to do it right after a nice meal. That will help your body to flush away the impurities and it w ill cleanse you of the cholesterol you have.

Podcast For Beginners - Do You Start With Podcasts For Beginners?

Podcast For Beginners - Do You Start With Podcasts For Beginners?I have a big problem with people who only start with Podcasts for beginners. It is completely the wrong thing to do.The first thing you need to learn before you can be successful at anything is your fundamental skills. Without this, you can't even get by in the world of work. That is why everybody always looks for somebody else to teach them something new. And because they can't afford to hire someone else, they go to a person who can teach them something that is free.So, when it comes to your Podcast for beginners, make sure that you first learn some of the basics of the language that you want to learn. If you don't, there is no way that you will be able to overcome the language barrier that you are going to face and the problems that you are going to face in the future.But, even if you want to put that skill into practice, make sure that you understand how to put it into action. That is not possible if you just go to the computer and click the button that tells you what you want to hear.Make sure that you take the time to look for some of the basic language lessons that you can find online, and listen to them. This will give you a feel for what it feels like to speak fluently and make you realize that you have a lot of ground to cover.These podcasts for beginners also need to make you realize that you don't have to be an expert in order to improve your understanding of the language. There are certain basics that you have to get used to.I hope you found this article helpful. You need to make sure that you keep a full head start on everything.

How to Get Started With Cell Biology Lectures

How to Get Started With Cell Biology LecturesWhat is Cell Biology? Cell Biology is a branch of Biology that deals with the structure and behavior of cells. We know that cells are in every living thing, but not everything we know about cells comes from the study of cells. Cell Biology is the study of all the structures and functions of living cells.Cell physiology: This one is pretty self explanatory. You will learn the different types of cells in the body, how they work, and how you can use this knowledge to help treat illnesses and improve our quality of life. You will also learn about the structures of the different cell types, which in turn will allow you to develop a better understanding of how to make them more efficient. In fact, some very successful pharmaceutical companies were started by scientists who focused on developing new drugs and drug treatments using cell structure as part of their success.Tissue culture: If you want to know more about Cell Biology, this is where yo u start. While Cell Biology is very detailed, it still relies on the study of cells as well as their different abilities. This means that any knowledge that can be learned from this area will be useful.Molecular Biology: When you get to Molecular Biology, you will learn all the molecular secrets of the body. This includes studying how various proteins interact and how this relates to the body and how the body's health is affected by the interaction of various proteins.Bioinformatics: This is where you learn about genetics, physiology, anatomy, and the formation of organs. In addition to this, you will learn how to use this knowledge to take advantage of these tools to help you diagnose diseases, manipulate cell line cultures, and build new tools that can help with research.Bioinformatics is the study of everything from gene regulation to cell biology, and the way the information about cell biology that is being used in these fields relates to each other. In fact, the scientific comm unity is increasingly focusing on this field as an area that needs more attention.To get a good grasp of Cell Biology, you need to get a good education in biology. Getting a bachelor's degree is usually your best bet, but if you cannot afford a lot of time and money, you may consider getting a PhD in Cell Biology or a MS in Cell Biology in order to specialize in your career.

Tips for Video Admissions Interviews

Tips for Video Admissions Interviews Congratulations on landing yourself a video admissions interview! Thanks to technology, university officials and students hundreds of miles apart can be brought together to discuss a prospective college. While there are certainly benefits to virtual interviews, they do not come without their own brand of quirks. Here are some pointers to make the best of your video admissions interview: 1. Make sure your internet connection is stable Perhaps the most important factor in a video admissions interview is ensuring you have a stable internet connection. Without a stable connection where interviewers can see and hear you properly, your preparation, credentials, and enthusiasm could all be overshadowed. [RELATED: What NOT to Discuss During a College Interview] Before your admissions interview, find out which areas in your house (or wherever you plan to perform the interview from) have the strongest signal. You can do this by wandering around with a laptop and looking at the number of signal bars, or by video chatting a friend and asking where the connection is most consistent. Maybe the best place for your video admissions interview is not your own house but a cousins or friends house. If your home does not get a strong internet signal, consider holding the interview elsewhere; you could reserve a private room in a library or other community building, for instance. 2. Be aware of your surroundings When you are accustomed to seeing something every day whether it is a band poster in your room or a stain on the wall in your kitchen its easy to forget that it may be unsightly to a new eye. Take a look from the interviewers perspective before settling on a spot to hold your interview; think about how the interview environment will look from his or her point of view. Most platforms for video chatting have a test function that allows you to see yourself on screen, so take advantage of this feature; do not just guess which parts of the room will end up on screen. Again, you could also video chat with a friend to ask him or her for feedback on the rooms appearance behind you. The background for your video admissions interview should be professional, tidy, and plain. Clean up any piles of clothes, papers, or garbage that might be visible to the interviewer. Also, ensure there is nothing behind you that the interviewer could find distracting, such as noisy patterns, large print signs, or even free-roaming pets. You want the interviewer to be solely focused on you and what you have to offer. 3. Still dress to impress Since you might be doing your video admissions interview from home, you may be tempted to dress comfortably and keep a snack or cup of coffee within arms reach. However, the video admissions interview should be held in the same regard as any other interview, where your goal is to impress. Dress in semi-formal attire and make sure you are as well-groomed and presentable as you would be for any other interview. Its acceptable to have a water bottle nearby since you will be talking a lot, but any other drink or food item (soda, chips, etc.) is not recommended. Most importantly, turn off your cell phone! If you keep your phone on and within sight, you could be tempted to look at it. Ringtones and vibrations can be easily heard through video chat, so save yourself the embarrassment. Just hit the power or silence button; your texts and calls can wait. [RELATED: 3 Things You Must Do After an Admissions Interview] Video admissions interviews deserve as much attention as classic in-person interviews. However, the complications that may arise are a bit different. By taking care of the technological and visual components of the process, you will be on your way to a successful video admissions interview. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

3 Winter Art Crafts for Kids

3 Winter Art Crafts for Kids With winter upon us, you may be looking for activities to keep your student entertained and excited about learning. Luckily, there are many winter art crafts that kids can enjoy during the cold weather season. Winter art crafts for kids can include a waterless snow globe, a fun twist on the popular snowflake craft, and a creative way to experiment with melting ice. Looking for fun crafts to engage your student this winter? Keep reading to learn about three of our favorite winter-themed art crafts for kids: Winter art craft #1: Coffee filter snowflakes What youll need: Large coffee filters, preferably white Scissors Plastic cups Watercolors What youll do: When creating these snowflakes, start by folding the coffee filter. Youll fold your filter in half, and then fold one side at a 60-degree angle. Repeat that fold on the other side of the filter. Youll finally fold the filter in half one last time. Once you have completed your folding, its time to add color. Set up plastic cups for each paint color, and then dip your folded snowflake in to whichever colors youd like. Its important to remember to paint your snowflake before you cut it. Before the watercolors dry, cut your coffee filter in various places. Last, gently open your snowflake, and let it dry. Viola! You now have colorful, tie dye snowflakes. [RELATED: 8 Gifts That Will Inspire Students This Holiday Season] Winter art craft #2: Waterless snow globe What youll need: Clear plastic ornaments that snap into two pieces Glitter snow Small Mason jar lids Cotton balls Glue Ribbon Two-inch discs cut out of cardboard Small decorative toys or figurines What youll do: With this craft, you and your student can create a child-friendly snow globe. Your student can design his or her own snow globe that he or she can shake at willwithout any risk of it shattering into a million pieces. First, you will take your cardboard cutout and use this as a base for your winter scene. Stretch out the cotton balls until they look like fluffy snow, and then glue them onto the cardboard. Next, add your figurines or toys. You can use (or make) miniature trees, reindeer, and snowmen. Before you glue your pieces down, youll want to glue your cardboard into one half of the ornament: Take the ornament and open it vertically. Place your glue on the back outside edge of the cardboard, and secure it onto one half of the ornament. Youll notice some empty space under the cardboardyou can use cotton balls to fill in that space. Once this is done, glue your figurines down, and add your glitter into the globe. Snap the other side of the snow globe into place, and glue it to the Mason jar lid, which will act as the base of the globe. [RELATED: Educational Road Trip Games for the Whole Family] Winter art craft #3: Melting ice experiment What youll need: Bowls to make ice in Large tray that has sides Salt Food coloring or liquid watercolors Droppers (for food coloring) or spoons What youll do: This craft helps your student learn about the science behind melting, and it incorporates a fun art element. Take bowlshaving a few bowls of different sizes can make the craft more excitingfill them with water, and let them freeze overnight. The next morning, take the ice out of the bowls (this can be accomplished with the help of warm water), and lay the ice forms on a large tray with raised edges. Have your child sprinkle saltrock or table salt will work wellover the ice forms. The salt will cause the ice to melt in interesting wayscreating pathways in the ice block. As soon as you see the salt melting the ice, its time to grab the watercolors or food coloring. Ask your student to drop watercolors or food coloring onto the ice domes to accentuate the crevasses and tunnels that are forming. This project lets your child not only learn about how melting works, but also create a beautiful swirl of colors on the vanishing ice. [RELATED: 3 Ways to Get Ahead on Your Students Science Fair Project] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.