Sunday, March 22, 2020

ACT Reading Online ACT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace

ACT Reading Online ACT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace Master ACT Reading with Tutor Pace Online Tutoring! Although most students who take the ACT have been reading for years, the test requires specific reading skills that can stump even proficient readers. The key to having a high score on the reading portion of the exam is to understand exactly what the questions are testing you for and then working to improve those skills through guided repetition. Tutor Paces online ACT Reading tutoring gives you access to a tutor with extensive experience helping students succeed on standardized tests. What makes Tutor Pace unique is that our tutors are available 24/7 for personalized, one-on-one sessions to prepare you for the exam. Once you sign into your account, you have access to a wealth of information that will help you excel on the Reading portion of the ACT. Our tutors cover following ACT reading topics: Prose Fiction Humanities Natural Science Social Science ACT Reading Help that covers all the Bases An effective ACT Reading tutoring program has to address everything you will encounter in the actual test. Our tutors are familiar with all of the core concepts of the ACT, and they can expertly guide you through the maze of test preparation. Tutor Pace will help you gain proficiency with: Breaking down a passage into its parts Understanding both the direct and implied meaning of a text Reasoning through passage contents in order to create comparisons and grasp cause and effect relationships Creating an analysis of the voice and method of the author/narrator Making generalizations about the passage in order to answer questions For comprehensive training that offers unparalleled value, Tutor Paces online ACT Reading tutoring is the only service that can completely prepare you for a higher score on your examination.

Friday, March 6, 2020

4 Promising Time Management Tips for Introverts Everywhere - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 4 Promising Time Management Tips for Introverts Everywhere - Introvert Whisperer 4 Promising Time Management Tips for Introverts Everywhere Managing time when youre an introvert can be hard sometimes because of the distractions and pressure that comes your way. Being an introvert is not that easy because you are continually living in a world where your socialization is being done by everybody, which can be a problem for you since youre not used to socializing with other people. Managing your time can also be challenging because you will have to do things that are outside your comfort zone. Those things can have a significant impact on you, making you less productive. There are many ways you can do to manage your time without being stressed too much. Here is a list of 5 things an introvert can do to manage your time. Set a Time For Important Things If youre an introvert and youre having problems managing your time, the best thing you can do is to set aside time for important things such as chores and other important things. By doing this, you will not be confused anymore at what time you need to finish them all, and you can have more time doing other important stuff. Setting a time for doing essential things can be very fun as well. You will be more productive in the morning because your body and mind are not tired yet. After doing all the tasks that you planned on doing, you should also set a time for other things that will help you relax and rest. You can spend the rest of the day reading books or playing your favorite sport. Take a Moment to Nap Sleeping all day is one of the things that most people do. But sleeping too much will not help you accomplish things. You will need to have a proper sleep so that you wont be sleepy when you wake up. You can take a nap now and then to help you refresh your body. Having a good sleep or nap can make you more productive. If you have plans to go out and socialize with other people, you should set aside a time to nap at least an hour or two before you go to the said event so that you will be energized and you can interact with them appropriately without yawning or frowning in front of them. Having a proper rest can help you function properly. Have the Courage to Invite Friends Going out with friends can be fun but also tiring as well. If you want to enjoy without worrying about where to go next, you can try inviting your friends to your home and do fun things such as watching movies, having a game night, and cooking your favorite meals. You dont have to be alone in your comfort zone, you can always call someone to be with you. Inviting friends to your house is also one of the effective ways to avoid interacting with other people in public. Youll be able to move freely, and youll have more confidence in interacting with your friends because you know that you are in a place where you can be yourself without other people judging you. Set a Day for Yourself You dont have to tire yourself every day by doing tasks such as cleaning. You should pick a day every week to do all the things that can make you happy. You should also treat yourself by eating in your favorite restaurants, buying clothes, and going to places that help relaxes you. You dont have to worry about the things you need to do at home, you need to enjoy yourself. Theres no need for you to be pressured during that day. All you have to do is take your time and have fun. Trying new things is also a good idea. You need to spend the rest of the day without stressing yourself with the problems at home. Takeaway Introverts might be less socialize active than other people, but they still experience the same problems ordinary people do. They also face struggles in life, which can be worse for their part since most of them are okay being alone. Times like these can be confusing, thats why setting aside time for doing things is essential. These four examples are just a few of the things you can do to manage your time correctly. You can also ask other introverts for advice and tips on time management. Managing your time to complete tasks should be your number one priority Author Bio

Thursday, March 5, 2020

What is it Like to Attend University of California, San Diego

What is it Like to Attend University of California, San Diego The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Derek is a San Diego tutor specializing in History tutoring, Literature tutoring, GRE prep tutoring, and much more. He graduated from University of California, San Diego in 2008 with a Bachelors degree in Economics and Music. Check out his review of his alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Derek: UCSD has a massive, sprawling campus with a lot of open space and greenery. There is even a forest in the center of the campus that most students have to cross each day getting from one class to another. It is always possible to get somewhere within 15 minutes, but sometimes you have to really hike. Half of the campus is at a somewhat higher elevation, so each day there is a lot of walking uphill and downhill. It saves a lot of time to bike or skateboard across the campus, but almost all students walk. There is a campus loop bus that is a godsend when you have to get from one edge of the campus to the other. And beyond this, there is a set of UCSD shuttles that go into the nearby town (University Town Center and La Jolla) for students who want to go off campus to get supplies or hang out. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Derek: Undergraduates are divided into six colleges (subdivisions), and each student gets academic advising from his/her college. As a result, it seemed to me that advisors always develop a personal relationship with their students. However, if you do not have a clear simple academic plan for example, if you are a double-major, or you plan to minor in another subject, or if have not yet decided on a major (undeclared) you may encounter some wrinkles in the system. Academic advisors are just used to helping students fulfill requirements for one major, and you may have to visit your advisor more often if you are still figuring out your preferences. But the advisors will always be happy to help you figure out the best course of action to fit your needs. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Derek: There are many activities and it is really easy to do a range of different athletics, but the campus is pretty quiet. What I noticed was that you may not love your roommate or dormmates, but you gradually become close with them without noticing it. Dorm life is sometimes maddening, because you have to tolerate a lot of quirks, but you end up relying on your dormmates and helping them as well. For students who are still adjusting to the shock of leaving home, I think the quiet and predictable feel to campus life is comforting. But for students who like parties, energy, and socializing, UCSD might be a bit frustrating. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Derek: At UCSD, science majors are generally better supported and best represented. UCSD has excellent non-science programs as well, but the sciences especially biology, pre-med (biochem, cell biology), and psychology are well-funded and popular at UCSD. Generally, as with most UCs, UCSD tries to be competitive and prestigious across all disciplines, including math, humanities, and fine arts. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Derek: This is probably one of the weaker aspects of UCSD. While incoming freshmen cannot avoid meeting new people and making new friends (they usually live with dormmates and meet people in orientation), UCSD does not necessarily help make it easy. The campus is spread out, so it is hard for the student body to congregate in one main area. Also, there is a gloomy (but beautiful!) atmosphere to much of the campus: there is lots of shade, tall dark trees, dark-colored buildings, and its always foggy and cool. Beyond this, there is no famous UCSD sports team or other symbol to create campus spirit. You mainly meet classmates and make friends working and studying together. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Derek: The Career Center is excellent at UCSD and very well-organized. I always felt comfortable going to them with any question, which was a relief considering how uncomfortable I was about job hunting and life after college. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Derek: During most of the year, there are plenty of options for study spaces. Geisel Library, the largest library on campus, is absolutely enormous and an excellent place to study. However, during final exam week, the libraries are packed literally 24 hours a day, especially the ones with computers for student use. There is a student center that is run by student co-ops and a student center with corporate and university-owned stores and restaurants. Dorm lounges are extremely varied. Some dorms were built in the early 1960s, and others in the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s. I personally liked the dorm rooms in Muir and Revelle colleges (the oldest ones) most of all they seemed cooler in the hot months, and were surrounded by giant pine trees. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Derek: The surrounding town is University Town Center (UTC) and northern La Jolla. It is mostly high-income residential area. There is a Trader Joes very close to the campus, and plenty of other food and supplies stores. The only thing that requires a slightly longer drive is Target/Walmart type stores, which are about 15 minutes drive on the freeways. By far, the most important local attraction is the beach, which is 10-20 minutes walk time away from the campus. Apart from the beaches, UCSD is in a very scenic and beautiful part of San Diego. And in San Diego there are many great attractions: Sea World, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, and further south, Tijuana (which can be dangerous for tourists, be warned). VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Derek: The student body is relatively large; I think it was near or above 30,000 students. In some classes, you are one of 300 students. However, in many classes, you are one of maybe 7 students. So the student body size can sometimes, but not always, affect class size. I believe that in some cases, this same dynamic can make it hard to get to know some professors, but easy to know other ones. I think that the huge size of the student body may be a reason that there is not a strong UCSD identity we are too big and too spread out to feel united. But this is not necessarily all bad: it can be nice to feel anonymous and part of a giant community. Also, the largeness of the student body means that there are more opportunities to meet like minds and develop interesting, varied relationships. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Derek: Keep in mind that the majority of professors at many universities are there because of their research and intellectual contributions, and not their social skills. As a result, many professors are specialists or geniuses in really unique specific subjects, but can be very strange people. A few years ago, I was in a required music theory class, Rhythm and Meter, taught by Ed Harkins, a famous avant-garde trumpeter. Professor Harkins was known to be one of the weirdest, wackiest professors in the music department. True to his reputation, each day of that class was weirder than the last. Prof. Harkins an elderly man at the time would start off some classes sitting upright in a chair with one leg behind his head. He would punctuate his calm lectures with random, abrupt screams. We learned how to read and perform some of the strangest, most impractical rhythms ever conceived. And, to make the final exam the weirdest day of our lives at UCSD, we each had to perform Pygmy music (comprised of complex rhythms of screams and whistles) in duets with a partner from class. One would scream, the other would whistle. At the time, I wondered if Prof. Harkins had escaped from a mental institution, but now I realize that he was giving us an unforgettable and incredibly rich education. I still have and take pride in my knowledge of complex rhythms, and I recognize that had there been more normal, seemingly-sane professors at UCSD, I would have learned much less. Weird and dramatic experiences like this gave all of us curiosity and character, and I think freed us from a limited, conformist way of thinking. Now that I have graduated, I miss those years where each day was guaranteed to be a strange and unforgettable exploration. Check out Dereks tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Online Square Root of 250 Tutors

Online Square Root of 250 Tutors Square root of 250 is written using the square root radical sign as 250 and it can be simplified further by splitting the number 250 into its prime factors. 250 is split into its prime factors as 2 * 5 * 5 * 5 which implies 250 = (2 * 5 * 5 * 5). Now we can simplify this further by pulling out the number which is multiplied to itself. This gives 250 = 5 * (2 * 5) = 510. Therefore the square root of 250 is 250 = 510. Example 1: Find the value of the expression, 40 + 250. Here each square root radical should be simplified further. 40 = (2* 2* 2* 5). Now pull out the number which is repeating twice inside the radical. This gives: 40 = 2(2* 5)= 210 and similarly 250 = 510. So, 40 + 250 = 210 + 510 = (2 + 5) 10 = 710. (They are like terms since they have the same radical 10 and hence can be added). Hence the value of the expression, 40 + 250 is = 710. Example 2: Find the value of the expression, 250 - 10. Here each square root radical should be simplified further. 10 = (2* 5)and it is already in its simplified form as no number is repeating twice inside the radical to be pulled out. And we have 250 = 510. So, 250 - 10 = 510 -110 = (5 1) 10 = 410. (They are like terms since they have the same radical 10 and hence can be added). Hence the value of the expression, 250- 10 is = 410.

Spanish History at a Glance

Spanish History at a Glance The History of Spain ChaptersSpain During the Antiquity: Roman HispaniaThe Medieval Period between Muslims and ChristiansModern Spanish History: Colonialism and DecadenceContemporary Spanish History: From Franco to DemocracyThe history of Spain is full of events including Catholic monarchies and civil wars that have made the country one of the richest in terms of history. From Andalusia to Cantabria, the Iberian Peninsula has gone through some turbulent times to get to where it is today.As you probably know, the history of Europe wouldn’t be what it is today with the role played by Spain, especially during the time of the Holy Roman Empire.In this article, we’re summarising the entire history of Spain from the colonisation of the area by Phoenicians during the Antiquity to Franco’s dictatorship during the modern era and all the important dates in between. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all o ur tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSpain During the Antiquity: Roman HispaniaSpain was populated by Neanderthals during the Lower Paleolithic era but it wasn’t until the 2nd millennium BCE that it was populated by Phoenicians and Greeks. During this time, Celts populated the north of Spain.There are still a lot of Roman ruins in Spain like the Roman amphitheatre in Mérida, Extremadura. (Source: Luisfpizarro)Let’s jump forward to the 3rd century BCE when the Carthaginians, weakened by the Punic War against Rome, started to expand their territories. Thus, Hamilcar Barca founded Barcelona.He was defeated by the Romans but his son Hannibal took the helm and took back Saguntum in 219 BCE, starting the Second Punic War. Rome would win this war and the subsequent spoils. Rome founded the city of Italica in Spain in 206 BCE.Spain, which was called Hispania at the time, was completely Roman apart from a number of indigenous peoples. In 77 BCE Pompey was put in charge before Caesar Augustus was named governor.It wasn’t until 19 BCE that Spain was integrated and became one of the provinces of Rome. This large territory was administered without too many problems and Hispania was studied and mapped by historians.By the 5th century, the Roman Empire was under thread from the Goths. The Visigoths were the first to penetrate Spain in 415. These populations were regularly in conflict with Rome.In 475, the Visigoth Euric received Spain and part of Gaul from Romans wishing for peace. This, along with the fall of Ravenna in 476 would lead to the fall of the Roman Empire.Thus, by the end of the Antiquity, Spain was under Visigoth rule. The Barbarians had gained control of the Iberian territory.Find out more in our quick guide to Spain.The Medieval Period between Muslims and ChristiansIn 477, the Visigoths became the masters of Spain. While their approach was based on war, they did provide a certain level of security during the time they occupied Spain.Medieval Spain, like elsewhere in Europe, was constantly a battlefield which led to the construction of many castles. (Source: jackmac34)At the start of the 6th century, the Visigoths were driven from Southern Gaul by Clovis and were solely concentrated in Spain. They ceded the South of Spain to the Byzantine Empire in 554.The Goths were followers of Arianism. The main difference between Arianism and Christianity is that the Arians believe that Jesus was a human that possessed some divinity, a demigod of sorts. In 587, the Visigoth king Reccared I abandoned Arianism and converted to Christ ianity.654 was an important year for the Visigoths as they published the Liber Ludiciorum, or the Visigothic Code, the first set of laws in the Visigoth Kingdom.The end of the Visigoth Empire came in 711 after a defeat to the Saracens. This is when there was a time of independent Spanish kingdoms, a time that would last until 1474.The Arab conquest was stopped in Poitiers in 732 by Charles Martel. They decided to settle in Spain.One of the first Muslim kingdoms was created in Cordoba in 756 and ruled by Abd Al-Rahman I. The Kingdom of Pamplona, which was occupied in 476 by Visigoths, was occupied by Moors in the 8th century until 778 when they were driven out by Charlemagne.The Reconquista was launched in Spain by Alfonso III (conquering Porto in 868 and Coimbra in 878) and carried on by his descendants such as the Count of Castile Diego Rodríguez Porcelos.However, Arab victories led to the creation of a caliphate in Cordoba led by Abd Al-Rahman III. Salamanca was retaken by the Ar abs in 941 and they even ransacked Barcelona in 985 and Santiago de la Compostela in 997. In fact, the latter was destroyed in 1022 by Al-Mansur.In 1031, Ferdinand I of Leon and Castile annexed Leon and in 1055, they started the Reconquista of Muslim kingdoms. In 1072, Alphonse VI was the king of Leon and Castile. He later became the king of Toledo and Galicia through conquest and heritage. Thus, the Spanish kingdom was slowly reuniting.Alphonse VI counted on El Cid, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, as Prince of Valencia from 1094 for five years. The city was retaken in 1102 by Almoravids who reunified Muslim Spain in 1103.Of the 12th-century Muslim victories, the most notable include Ucles (1108), Zaragoza (1111), and Barcelona (1114).From 1118 onwards, the Christians started taking back territory. In 1128, Portugal gained its independence but it wouldn’t be until 1139 that it’d get its first king, Alphonse I.The Muslim and Christian kingdoms battled regularly during the 13th century. H ere are some of the major victories for Castile and Aragon.1229: Majorca1235: Ibiza1236: Cordoba1238: Valencia1246: Jaen1248: Seville1265: Murcia1282: SicilyThe Medieval Era in Spain ended with a complete victory for the Catholics with their heads of state being Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, major figures in Spanish history.You can also improve your Spanish by watching the best Spanish series.Modern Spanish History: Colonialism and Decadence1492 wasn’t just the year where the Reconquista ended. This is also the year in which the sovereigns of Castile and Aragon financed Christopher Columbus’ expedition. He’d land on the island of Hispaniola at the end of the year.While public opinion of Christopher Columbus is shifting, he remains an important part of Spanish history. (Source: eminens)The Spanish empire also continued to expand, starting a golden age for the Spanish. In 1494, Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, splitting the new world in two.T he same year, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon were given the titles of Catholic Queen and King respectively by Pope Alexander Vi. Isabella died in 1504 after a long and fruitful reign. She left behind her Joanna of Castile, also known as Joanna the Mad, who was incapable of leading. Ferdinand took control of the kingdom.When he died in 1516, it was Charles I of the Habsburgs. In 1519, as Cortes was landing in Chalchiuhcuecan in Mexico, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire died, leaving Charles I (of Spain) to become Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire.The next year, the Spanish left the Aztec Capital Tenochtitlan, following a revolt from the natives. The Spanish spoke of the Aztecs with quite some disgust.If they couldn’t educate them, they would have to force them. In 1521, Tenochtitlan was taken by Cortes. Cortes returned to Spain a hero having pillaged and massacred local populations.The reign of Charles V included a number of important events:His rivalry with Franci s I of France.His conflicts and alliances with Henry VIII.His marriage to Isabella of Portugal, giving him sovereignty over the territory.The loss of lands to the Antipope Clement VII during the Western Schism.The conquest of the Incan capital, Cuzco, by Pizarro.The revolution in the Netherlands, which was quelled by the Spanish and Pragmatic Sanction.His retirement towards the end of his life, leaving Phillip II in charge.It wasn’t until 1561 that Madrid became the capital of Spain.The modern era was marred by several conflicts with France, Spain, the Dutch Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. The Unsinkable Armada was also sunk in 1589 by the English!The 17th century was a period of decline for Spain after the death of Phillip II even though the arts (including Cervante’s Don Quixote) continued to thrive. In terms of economy, diplomacy, and politics, Spain was weakened.It wouldn’t be until the end of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1713) that Spain found its feet with P hillip V. However, Spanish sovereigns could no longer claim crowns to other countries. The 18th century included economic growth and international trade.Find out more about other famous Spaniards.Contemporary Spanish History: From Franco to DemocracyThis era started with a counterrevolutionary war between Spain and France. However, the Spanish were quickly overrun by Napoleon who occupied the peninsula from 1808 to 1814.Modern Spain as a democracy has only existed for less than half a century! (Source: papagnoc)The 19th century was rife with political instability in Spain and regular coups d’état. The first republic was unsuccessful, lasting just two years between 1873 and 1875. The result was a parliamentary democracy which lasted until 1923 when Primo de Rivera led a coup d’état.This was also the same year that General Franco was named commander of the Spanish foreign legion.Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship lasted between 1923 to 1930. Censorship, institutions under the cont rol of the army, and the suppression of parliament: all authoritarian tactics that inspired Mussolini’s regime. Primo de Rivera wanted to restore Spanish society, boost the country’s economy, and install a strong sense of nationalism.However, his dictatorship was considered too soft and the populace tired of it. The 1929 economic recession was the final nail in the coffin for the regime. Primo de Rivera stepped down in 1930 and died a few weeks later in exile.A fragile 2nd Republic was put in place in 1931 and it seemed full of promise following several important social reforms. However, political and ideological division and a disastrous economy led to violence in 1936.In 1936, Franco led a group of nationalists. On 1st October, Franco declared himself “Caudillo” and began in a civil war against “Red Spain”. In 1937, he unified the nationalist political parties under his banner.Thanks to nationalist and Christian propaganda as well as the support of Nazi Germany and Fas cist Italy, Franco won the war in 1939 and became the leader of Spain:“Generalísimo Francisco Franco, Caudillo de España por la Gracia de Dios”His regime lasted for 36 years. It was an authoritarian autocracy which was paradoxically quite open to the rest of the world. His goals included economic modernisation, a common tactic of modern dictators.In 1975, Franco died, allowing the Spanish royal heir, Juan Carlos, to retake the throne. In collaboration with his prime minister, Adolfo Suárez, he led a transition towards democracy between 1976 and 1982. The democratic Spain we know today is actually very young!You should now know more about the history of this great country and the events that took place on its soil.To learn more about the subject, consider learning Spanish with a Spanish tutor and checking out our other articles on Spain, learning Spanish, listening to Spanish music, and getting ready to travel to Spain.

What is it Like to Attend University of Colorado Denver

What is it Like to Attend University of Colorado Denver The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Dallas is a Denver tutor specializing in Biology tutoring, Chemistry tutoring, German tutoring, Spanish tutoring, and a number of other areas. He is currently a junior at University of Colorado Denver majoring in Biology. See what he had to share about University of Colorado Denver: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Dallas: The campus is in an urban setting with three different academic institutions on a single shared campus. The shared campus is called the Auraria Higher Education Center, and it includes University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Community College of Denver. The campus is extremely safe (with 24-hour surveillance by the police department) and extremely accessible. There are two light rail stops directly on campus, as well as a multitude of bus lines that drop students off around campus. There is a parking lot for commuter students, and many students ride their bikes since a bike is able to go onto the light rail trains and the buses. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Dallas:The professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants are available when you need to speak to them. Like most universities, you do need to schedule an appointment to see a professor during office hours, but most professors will answer a question via email as soon as they possibly can. Some classes have LAs, which are learning assistants who were students in that same class the previous semester or year. They are available for help sessions or quick questions. The teaching assistants are great because they will normally find time to answer your questions and help you out as much as possible. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Dallas:University of Colorado Denver does not have a traditional dorm life since we do not have dorms that are owned by the school. All of the student housing is contracted out to private companies, and they are apartments. My apartment is approximately a ten-minute walk from the student union, and the rooms are great. I have a studio apartment, which is a great size for a single student. I know of students who have a 2x1 apartment. The 2x1 is a two-bedroom apartment that shares a common area (living room), kitchen, and bathroom. The apartments are fully furnished, and their location is optimal. Campus Village holds student activities all of the time. These activities can range from how to become a better student, a Halloween dance, or a night out in Golden, Colorado. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Dallas:University of Colorado Denver is known for its academics. We are the only school in Colorado to have a medical school, and it is one of the best in the country. Our medical school ranks in the top six for pediatrics. Any science major (as well as Animation or Public Health) is well represented and supported by the school. I am a Biology major on a pre-medicine track, and I am minoring in both German and Public Health. Most Biology majors elect to become Public Health minors since most Biology majors aspire to go to medical school. The university is doing an excellent job in supporting my areas of study. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Dallas:As a transfer student, making friends was quite simple. Most of my friends live in the apartment complex with me, and I have a few that I met in class. The students on this campus are quite nice, and we are all studying to better ourselves. Greek life does not play a significant role in the campus setting since all of our fraternities and sororities are in Boulder, Colorado. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Dallas:The Career Center is extremely helpful when you are trying to find a job. They have walk-up options available during certain hours to review your resume and make you more marketable for the job market. The student support services are all based in the shared student union, and they are more than willing to help you with anything. We constantly have job fairs for companies to recruit new candidates. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Dallas:When it comes to a campus that holds over 60,000 students, we do everything in extremes. Our student union is extremely large - large enough for a two-story bookstore, a full pool hall and game room, a pizza restaurant, a food court, a brewery, and much more in its six floors of space. Our library is in the center of campus, and it holds volumes for all of the universities and schools on the Auraria campus. The library is extremely large and also houses classrooms, computers, outdoor patios, and a large display area. There is more than enough room for all the students on campus. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Dallas:Denver has more than enough to keep one busy. We have an aquarium, zoo, botanic gardens, the state capital building, historic landmarks, breweries, amusement parks, and one of the largest water parks in the country. We have plenty of shopping, and anyone can find something to interest him or her here. Students are always going downtown because our campus is only about four blocks from downtown. We are called the downtown campus by locals. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Dallas:The size of the student body depends on what university or school you are attending. University of Colorado Denver has approximately 29,000 students, and the class sizes depend on the subject matter. For example, a general Chemistry class or introductory Public Health class may have 100 or more students in lecture, whereas the recitation or lab will have only 30. A first year Spanish course will have approximately 25 students in it. University of Colorado Denver is known for having a 17:1 student to faculty ratio. I am generally pleased with the class sizes because of the amount of help that is available to students. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Dallas:In my Chemistry lab, we had a wonderful lab instructor. She was fair and loved to teach students to the best of her ability. During one lab, we were experimenting with a chemical that created a toxic byproduct to conduct a test on cations. During the lecture portion of the lab, she made sure that everyone knew that if she smelled rotten eggs we were all going to run out of the lab. Of course we had one group decide to open the chemical hood too far, and it allowed for the toxic gas to seep into the lab. I will never forget how fast the instructor ran to close the hood and to get all of the gas out of the lab. She warned us and saved us from a disaster. I cannot forget her because of how amazing she was. Check out Dallasstutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

GET YOUR CHILD ON TRACK FOR READING SUCCESS

GET YOUR CHILD ON TRACK FOR READING SUCCESS Fortunately, many schools are now emphasizing phonemic awareness in their reading instruction, particularly for young children. Yet parents should still be highly alert for signs that their children are struggling. As noted in Why Kids Can't Read: Challenging the Status Quo in Education, by Phyllis Blaunstein and Reid Lyon, here are some signs that a child may be in trouble: Great difficulty in understanding that words are made up of individual sounds that can be pulled apart and combined to make words: for example, that batboy can be pulled apart into bat and boy and that the word bat can be broken down still further and sounded out as: b aaaa t; Struggling to read and sound-out common, one-syllable words, such as dog, cat, hop, nap. Frequently mispronouncing complicated words, leaving out parts of words or confusing the order of the parts of words, saying amulium instead of aluminum, for example; Stumbling when reading multi-syllable words, without coming close when trying to sound out the full word; Omitting parts of words when reading, so that it sounds as if there's a hole in the word, reading convertible as conible, for example; Poor performance on multiple choice tests, and an inability to finish tests on time; Disastrous spelling skills. Signs of Effective Reading Instruction If your child is experiencing these problems, it's important to look closely at the reading instruction he or she is receiving. Here are the qualities of sound, proven instruction for phonemic awareness: Children are learning the sounds of language, and teachers are helping them practice with sounds that make up words. Children are learning how to put sounds together to make up words, and how to break words apart into separate sounds. Children are learning the letters of the alphabet, and can recognize the names and shapes of letters. Children's teachers are reading to the class and talking about what the students are reading. Children are learning phonics - how sounds and letters are related - and practicing phonics by reading books that focus on the letter-sound relationships they're learning. Children are being asked questions to help them think about the meaning of what they're reading, and are learning the meanings of new words. Children are learning to expand their vocabulary by using the dictionary, using known words and word parts to figure out words, and using clues from the rest of a sentence to better understand the meaning of words. Teachers are checking to see if students understand what they're reading by asking questions about the story or the material.

Instructivist vs Constructivist Instructional Design

Instructivist vs Constructivist Instructional Design Who would you hire? In this serious game, imagine you were asked to hire an instructional designer for your college or company. Who would you hire? Use the audio players below to hear the candidates talk about their views on instructional design. At the end of the first part of the interview, the candidates will ask you if you have any questions. Think of a question, ask it, and click play on the second part interview. Who would you hire? Barbara Bill Press the play button to hear this candidate talk about her approach to instructional design. Your browser does not support this audio Press the play button to hear this candidate talk about his approach to instructional design ??Your browser does not support this audio Ask this candidate a question and then hit the play button to hear this candidate talk some more. Your browser does not support this audio Ask this candidate a question and then hit the play button to hear this candidate talk some more. Your browser does not support this audio Actively Engaged at College and Actively Engaged on the Job  from Bokomaru Publications were carefully designed using a combination of instructivist design and constructivist design principles. Every week, learners are provided with a series of sequenced ESL activities to prepare them for constructivist learning tasks.  In this way, learners benefit from both types of learning activities, satisfying a range of learning preferences. They finish the course with a body of knowledge about linguistic forms and communicative functions, and they are more patient problem-solvers, too. About the task I created these Who would you hire? candidates for a Learning Theories class. We were using Driscolls book and had just finished talking about Gagné. The lesson was on Constructivism, but I didnt want to use an instructivist lesson to teach constructivist principles. I devised this little task instead. (The voices, by the way, are both me, but I used Audacity to raise and lower the pitch of the recordings to make them sound different.) In groups of 3, students were first asked to imagine a context where training is needed, to set a budget and delivery date, and then convene a hiring committee. The first audio was played for each candidate. They were then told to ask each candidate a question, and I played the second audio. While they were deliberating in groups, I gave each group one of these messages from Head Office at random to complicate matters: 1) The boss has decided to increase spending on training. Your training budget just got bigger. 2) The boss has decided to reduce spending on training. Your training budget just got smaller. 3) The boss has decided to give you one more month to develop your project. 4) The boss has decided to move the deadline up by a month. You have to work faster. Depending on the task, budget, learner population and timeline, groups chose the candidate that they like best and justified their answer. Please follow and like us: