Friday, March 27, 2020

Tips For Finding The Best Biology Lab Tutor

Tips For Finding The Best Biology Lab TutorIf you are in need of an SBI Biology Lab Tutor for your next Biology research project, the information presented here will be of great help. Here is a look at some of the things that you need to consider if you want to make sure that you are able to get the best possible results from your Biology research.First of all, you need to gather a good list of potential subjects that you can use as subjects for your research. You don't want to get one large project, only to discover later that it doesn't quite work. Instead, make a list of all the topics that you have an interest in. Doing this will help you narrow down what subjects you should look into first.When you get your list of possible subjects, you want to check to see if any of the subjects is feasible biology project. This means that the subjects are good enough that you won't need to worry about the subjects failing. If any of the subjects are good enough to use, but isn't feasible, it would be better if you move on to other subjects that you have more experience with.Also, it is important to make sure that you take the time to check the most obvious and possibly most popular subjects for future projects. These could include DNA repair, gene expression, genetic mapping, and genetics. If you have an interest in any of these subjects, then you might want to check them out more closely before you choose your Biology tutor. For example, if you find that there are some interesting papers that you have not yet read about, then you might want to check into them.This is especially true for the more popular subjects, such as DNA repair, which has been researched for many years. There are always new advances that come about in this area, which makes it a great subject to investigate further.A lot of your early research on Biology will depend on whether or not you can make use of Biochemistry. If you are well-versed in Biochemistry, then this can make your research a lot eas ier. You will be able to make connections between chemicals, cells, and everything else that makes up Biology. On the other hand, if you are completely unacquainted with Biochemistry, then you might want to choose a different Biology research project to focus on.So when you are looking for Biology Lab Tutors, consider the things mentioned above. You will likely be surprised how well they can help you make the most of your Research.

Friday, March 6, 2020

5 Things Your Graduating Senior Needs To Know About College

5 Things Your Graduating Senior Needs To Know About College High school is drawing to a close and your teen is probably feeling excited, nervous and everything in between. College is on the horizoneverything he or she has worked toward. It is indeed a special time of life, but there is so much coming that your teen may not even realize. Yes, your teen likely knows that college is harder and different than high school. Certainly, he or she knows the impact that college can have on his or her future. But what are some of the things your teen might not realize are coming? Here are five things for your teen to expect next year when beginning the college journey: Its all on them! One of the key differences between high school and college is the expectation that studentsnobody elseare responsible for themselves. Professors expect students to listen in class, speak up with questions if they dont understand something, and keep up with reading and homework. Students are given a lot of freedom, which means they are responsible for keeping on top of it all and reaching out for help if they need it. The consequences include academic probation for grades that fall below a certain GPA and forced withdrawal if students dont raise those grades quickly enough. Class sizes vary. Until they are on campus and in a classroom, most students might not fully grasp that the number of students in a college classroom can vary widely. A lot depends on whether a student goes to a large university or smaller college, but even at smaller schools, introductory, general education classes might have upwards of 100 students (and the number could approach 300-400 at a big university). Especially as freshmen, its important that students go to class ready to learn and take thorough notes. Its also a good idea to visit professors during office hours if they need extra help. Critical thinking skills are essential. The whole goal of college is to help students prepare for successful careersand nurturing the development of critical thinking skills is a big part of that. Professors in college want students to analyze information as they learn it, make their own inferences, and make connections about what they learn. They also want students to be self-aware about what they understand well and what they are still learning or struggling with. Now is the time for time management. College offers so many opportunities to socialize, get involved on campus and explore new interests. Its easy for students to become overwhelmed by the volume of homework and studying in addition to everything else. Time management is critical for college success. Students should plan out their weeks to ensure they have time to meet all of their academic commitments, using some sort of system, whether thats a planner, smartphone calendar, homework app or some combination of these tools. Good time managers also embrace a solid organizational system (to minimize wasted time and procrastination) and incorporate sufficient sleep and down time into their schedules. The major matters sooner than later. Teens who go into college without a major declared do have a little time to decide, but many fields of study start steering students toward a certain curriculum as early as sophomore year. Although students shouldnt feel pressured to just pick something, they should take the initiative to discover career interests that would fit their skills and personality. The college career center is a useful resource that every student should visit early and often. Theyll help undecided students explore different fields and majors and get them on the right path sooner than later. Dr. Raymond Huntingtonencourages parents to keep the lines of communication open with their college-bound teens in the months leading up to college. The transition from high school to college is a big one and its understandable that teens want to kick back and relax over summer before they leave home and begin their new adventure, he says. We always tell parents that this summer is a good opportunity to have those important conversations with their teens about the exciting and vastly different experience that is upon them. Teens who understand that change is coming but eagerly embrace a positive, motivated attitude will experience great success. To learn more about how to prepare teens for college-level academics, contact Huntington Learning Center at 1-800-CAN-LEARN. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

Missing word error

Missing word error Sometimes writers forget to include a word thats expected in a sentence. Here are a few examples. I prepare myself and do my daily reports to know how much food I prepare. (in order to know)The men frustrated. (were)I would really appreciate if you are able to test and provide your sign off to close this ticket. (appreciate it)I suggest you to go to London. I recommend you to take the train. (suggest/recommend  that)I have been living for four years old. (living  here)During the school, I go to school by train and metro no matter the seasons. Its take me one and half hour for going to school. (school  year)I wont many opportunities to play video games because during the week. (wont  have)My friends make me smile because they are so funny and it fun to be around them. (it  is  fun)I have been the job since 2 years. (been  in  the  job,  been  doing  the  job)I had a dream where in I was an NBA player who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers versus Golden States Warriors in the final NBA. (the  final  NBA  game) Please follow and like us:

Thursday, March 5, 2020

italki is migrating our data to a new system! What it means for you

italki is migrating our data to a new system! What it means for you On Monday, January 18th, the italki website will be undergoing  maintenance  approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes (From UTC 00:40 to UTC 06:00). We apologize for the inconvenience, and want you to know that this interruption is necessary to implement several important changes to our data infrastructure. As we make changes to make our site function better and faster (as well as making it prettier and more user-friendly) we are also improving the infrastructure behind the site. After this change, you can look forward to the following enhancements to the site: Our database infrastructure will be improved, meaning faster and more reliable performance from the site. Future maintenance and changes to the database infrastructure will not interrupt your access to the site. Overall, the system will be more resilient,  meaning the site will be significantly less likely to experience interruptions. Our data  will now be housed in two separate places, allowing us to continually improve the performance of the site and service without interrupting your ability to schedule sessions and access your data. This will translate into faster implementation of the changes and improvements to the site, and should make your italki experience faster and easier. We are constantly trying to improve the system, and there are loads of cool new things coming italki that will make your learning easier and more fun (at least from the technical side, as we havent discovered technology to download vocabulary and speaking practice directly into your brain yet). Thank you for bearing with us, and if you have any concerns or questions during this maintenance period, our support staff are standing by to help. Please use this form to create a service request, or write to our support staff directly:  support@italki.com. italki is migrating our data to a new system! What it means for you On Monday, January 18th, the italki website will be undergoing  maintenance  approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes (From UTC 00:40 to UTC 06:00). We apologize for the inconvenience, and want you to know that this interruption is necessary to implement several important changes to our data infrastructure. As we make changes to make our site function better and faster (as well as making it prettier and more user-friendly) we are also improving the infrastructure behind the site. After this change, you can look forward to the following enhancements to the site: Our database infrastructure will be improved, meaning faster and more reliable performance from the site. Future maintenance and changes to the database infrastructure will not interrupt your access to the site. Overall, the system will be more resilient,  meaning the site will be significantly less likely to experience interruptions. Our data  will now be housed in two separate places, allowing us to continually improve the performance of the site and service without interrupting your ability to schedule sessions and access your data. This will translate into faster implementation of the changes and improvements to the site, and should make your italki experience faster and easier. We are constantly trying to improve the system, and there are loads of cool new things coming italki that will make your learning easier and more fun (at least from the technical side, as we havent discovered technology to download vocabulary and speaking practice directly into your brain yet). Thank you for bearing with us, and if you have any concerns or questions during this maintenance period, our support staff are standing by to help. Please use this form to create a service request, or write to our support staff directly:  support@italki.com.

?? The Ultimate Guide To Teaching English Abroad

?? The Ultimate Guide To Teaching English Abroad The Ultimate Guide To Teaching English Abroad Have you been bitten by the travel bug? Do you want to see the world and experience new cultures? Well, you can do both and make a living out of it by teaching English as a foreign language! So if you’re ready to take the plunge and embark on the adventure of a lifetime this is the ultimate guide to teaching English abroad. Who can teach English abroad?Do I need a degree to teach English abroad?The Short answer is no. There are a number of different countries that will allow you to teach English without a degree, as long as you have attained a TEFL certificate from an accredited program. Countries such as Mexico, Spain, Cambodia and Argentina all consider a TEFL certificate and native English speaking ability to be sufficient qualification. It is worth checking, however, as some countries do specify that English teachers hold a degree due to certain visa requirements.University or college graduatesTeaching English abroad is one of the most popular ways that you, as a new graduate, can go and explore the world. It can be a great break from the grind of university life and can also help you take some time to discover what path you want to take career-wise. Plus it will count as valuable career experience and - depending on your career aspirations - it may be the added extra that helps you get that allurin g grad job.New or experienced teacherAre you an experienced teacher who is ready for a new challenge? More and more teachers and education graduates are getting the travel bug and going on to teach English abroad. Your skills are in high demand around the world and not only could you improve your career prospects, but you could also benefit financially. Fancy a career change?Teaching English abroad is the ideal job if you’re looking to change careers. It doesn’t matter what stage you are in your current career, teaching English is always an option. Many English teachers around the world have held previous professions and find that they are in high demand for teaching jobs abroad.Why should I teach English abroad?Here are five simple reasons1. You get paid to travelLet's face it travelling is expensive and not all of us get the opportunity. Teaching English abroad opens the door for everyone. 2. You can completely immerse yourself in a different cultureThere is a massive differe nce in experiencing a place on holiday and living like a local. While teaching you’ll have the opportunity to experience a completely different way of life. 3. You will gain international work experienceFor today’s hiring business’, not much looks better on a CV than someone who has taken that leap to teach in another country. It shows bravery, organisational skills, interpersonal skills and many other fantastic qualities that employers love. 4. It’s an opportunity to learn a new languageYou’re there as a teacher, but you also have the opportunity to learn! There’s no better way as an adult to learn a new language than immersing yourself in a new culture. 5. You can make a difference in the lives of people around the worldFor many young people around the world, learning English is their best opportunity in order to increase their job prospects, particularly in developing nations like Thailand and Vietnam. Your teaching will make a difference for these students for the r est of their lives. Is there a high demand for English language teachers?English language teachers are currently in high demand. By 2020 there will be 2 billion English language students in the world, and naturally, somebody has to teach them!There are growing markets all around the world for English teachers. China, in particular, is one of the fastest growing, with over 300 million people learning English there right now. The number of English learners in China is also expected to grow by around 15% every year so now is the perfect time if you want to explore this fascinating country as an English teacher.How to teach English abroad: Your foolproof 5-step planStep 1 - Get QualifiedTo teach English abroad you will need to get qualified. There are a few different qualifications you can choose from and it can get a little confusing, there's an awful lot of information out there and some of it is misleading.The first certification you have probably come across is TEFL, TEFL - “Teaching English as a Fore ign Language” - For Individuals who plan to teach abroad in countries where English is not the first language (for example Japan, Argentina, Kenya) Next, there’s TESOL TESOL - “Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages” - is more typically used when referring to teaching English to non-native speakers in native English-speaking countries such as the U.K or the U.S And then CELTA CELTA - “Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages” - CELTA is essentially the same as a TEFL course, however, it is awarded by the University of Cambridge’s English Language Assessment. This is why some jobs request it on the applicationWhichever option you go for, just make sure to double check the course is accredited and globally recognised!!Step 2 - Figure out which country you’d like to live inTime to get your atlas out! Think deeply about where you’ve always wanted to go. Do you want to explore the metropolitan culture of Europe or hit the beaches of South East Asia? It's up to you.If you have a set country in mind, read up on their job interview techniques and the preferred application route for TEFL teachers. It can be hard to choose just one country and being flexible can work in your favour. Having an open mind will open up more opportunities and allow you a greater variety of career directions.Step 3 - Apply for jobsThe search for most TEFL jobs starts online. Many schools will interview you remotely over Skype. When applying it is best to choose a reputable company. See our list below! Step 4 - Get your visaIt’s pretty much guaranteed that you will need a visa to teach English abroad. Research this thoroughly. There are some recruitment agencies and employers that will help you out with this process for a fee, it’s just up to you which route you want to go down.Step 5 - Pack your bags It ’s time to start packing!It's very difficult to pack your entire life into a backpack or a suitcase! Packing cells can help you keep organised and avoid the dreaded jumbled mess that many bags devolve into after a few days on the road. There options such as luggage shipping services that can make life easier! They specialise in helping students, expats and holidaymakers alike by sending your luggage ahead to your destination and help you avoid costly airline fees.The Best Places to Teach English AbroadThe opportunities are endless!We’ve decided the best way to get you inspired is to break this into sections, firstly starting with Europe and ending with the Middle East. The world really is your oyster once you are a qualified English teacher!Teaching English in Europe JobsMost jobs in Europe are in private language schools that offer after-school and evening classes. Teaching contracts normally run for the school year from September to June. Public schools prefer EU citizens who can speak the local lingo, so this is something to consider. There are also short-term teaching jobs available through summer language camps. You could go down the private tutor route, but this is a very competitive market so it’s a good idea to have another job as a backup. You can only teach at an international or IB school in Europe if you are already certified or a licensed teacher in your home country with teaching experience. When to lookFebruary is normally the best time to start looking so that you can start for the new academic year in September/October. Plenty of jobs will also be available as the new year approaches and you sometimes get the odd last-minute openings.Average SalaryEach country varies and the wage will depend on your experience and training. The re may also be deductibles if you are living in housed accommodation on campus. On average in the Czech Republic, you will make between £550 - £800 per month. For Germany it is between £850- £1800 a month and for Spain around £950 - £1450 a month.Teaching English in Asia JobsAsia is the perfect destination for ESL teachers. Students learn English from primary school so there is high demand. There are also government-run teaching programs that look for TEFL qualified teachers for both public and private schools. There are many different types of ESL schools offering lessons from conversational English to Business English. International schools in Asia will predominantly hire experienced, accredited teachers with an educational background or degree. There are also plenty of volunteer opportunities with both international charities and local NGOs, but remember that these are often unpaid but very rewarding. When to lookThere is no set hiring season, with opportunities available all year round. There are some exceptions, with the JET programme in Japan who start recruiting from April until June and again from October to January. And the EPIK programme in South Korea which starts its recruitment drive in springtime. Average SalaryWages again vary dependin g on the country and you will have to factor in the cost of living for Japan, however with the average wage in China you will be able to live comfortably and save money. Japan averages £1150 - £1600 a month, China averages at £950 - £2250 a month, South Korea £1450 - £1700 a month and Thailand around £650 a month.Teaching English in Central and South America JobsPositions here tend to be in private language schools aimed at teaching adults. There are many TEFL providers that you can gain certification with, that will guarantee job placement, so this is something to consider. There are also many volunteering opportunities if you want to gain experience. If you are already certified and have the experience, you can also apply to international schools. When to lookIn South America, March is the start of the school year and is the best time to be hired. However, in Central America schools start looking for teachers in either June or July. Unlike Asia or the Middle East, where hiring in advance is common practice, in Central and South America face-to-face interviewing is the norm, so something to bear in mind when applying. SalaryThe cost of living is substantially lower, and the wages will reflect this. An average monthly wage in Mexico is £400 - £650 in Argentina it is from £470 - £870 and Chile £600 - £800.Teaching English in the Mi ddle East JobsThere is a high demand for certified English teachers in the Middle East. You will be able to pick from a variety of positions in government programs, international schools, private language schools, vocational schools or colleges and universities. If you have a lot of experience under your belt you can expect a lucrative salary and generous benefits package. When to lookPositions are open all year round, however, the prime time for public school positions is during spring and summer.Average SalaryThe average wages are high in the Middle East and you can expect to live comfortably. In Bahrain, you can earn from £1200 - £2400 a month. In the UAE £1400 - £4000 a month and Qatar £1250 - £3200 a month.The Best Teaching English Abroad ProgramsEven if you’re all ready, you have a destination in mind and you’ve got all your qualifications. It can still be overwhelming and difficult to find a job. After all, how do you where to start searching for jobs in a country you’ve ne ver visited before? Thankfully there are a number of great programs that will help you find a job, and be safe in the knowledge you’ll have your paycheck at the end of each month and that you’ll have the support you need if you encounter any issues in your travels. Here are a few great programs to get you started!Teaching in Japan - The JET Program Managed by the Japanese government, JET has been operating since 1987 and have had global 66,000 participants. The JET Program is a competitive employment opportunity that allows young professionals to live and work in cities, towns, and villages throughout Japan. Most participants serve as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and work in public and private schools throughout Japan; some also have opportunities to work as Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) as interpreters/translators.Teaching in China - The Explore Program There are positions available all over the country and beyond world-famous Beijing and Shanghai, it†™s worth checking out lesser-known destinations for a unique cultural experience. Eastern city Suzhou. Depending on the program you choose, benefits on the Teach Away Explore program include health insurance, housing, return airfare and Mandarin lessons.Thailand - Entrust TEFL An award-winning program, with an internationally accredited TEFL course. They have over 6000 teachers in the beautiful country and culturally fascinating country of Thailand. They also organise amazing excursions to the jungles or beaches for members as well as cultural trips and Thai language training.Worldwide - International TEFL AcademyCertifying 5,000 people per year to teach English overseas and our graduates teach professionally in 80 countries worldwide. In addition to earning an internationally accredited qualification recognised worldwide, all of our students receive lifetime job search guidance and access to a full array of alumni services and networking opportunities. ITA also enjoys an A+ rating from the Better Business BureauWherever you end up, stay safe and happy travels!! This article was written by Stuart Cooke, a blog Editor at MyBaggage.com a luggage delivery service helping make big international moves that little bit easier.

?? Our Top 25 Inspiringly Educational Technology Gifts for Christmas 2017

?? Our Top 25 Inspiringly Educational Technology Gifts for Christmas 2017 Our Top 25 Inspiringly Educational Technology Gifts for Christmas 2017 It’s the most wonderful time of the year and magic is in the air! It’s also the time of year when parents, family and friends struggle to pick out the perfect gifts.That’s why we scoured the web, searching far and wide to pull together this list of awesome, but inspiringly educational, tech gifts. It not only saves you the hassle of searching, but also means you can find a gift with purpose, one that’ll introduce your loved ones to a new skill, or perhaps help them to develop new lifelong interests!Fancy winning some of our top picks from below? Every day this December we're opening a box on our Educational Advent Calendar!Visit our competition page and enter now for a chance to win every day!So, if you need some last minute shopping ideas, here are our top picks for Christmas 2017:1. Tech Will Save Us Gamer Kit Why we love it: The Tech Will Save Us Gamer Kit is the perfect present for kids who love video games. This wonderful console allows you to code your own games and comes with simple instructions. With over 15 retro games available to create, this is the perfect mix of video gaming and learning.This kit is exactly what we wish we had as kids. The ability to create and play your own games is not only incredibly fun, but gives you a real sense of achievement. Once you’ve mastered the games included in the instructions, you can go on to invent and create your own. There’s also a multitude of projects online, with new ones released every week, meaning if you aren’t quite ready to create your own games just yet, there’s always more to look into. Where to buy: Tech Will Save Us Price: £89.992. Anki Cozmo Why we love it: Say hello to Cozmo, a gifted little guy with a mind of his own. He’s a real-life robot like you’ve only seen in movies, with a one-of-a-kind personality that evolves the more you hang out. He’ll nudge you to play and keep you constantly surprised. Cozmo’s your accomplice in a crazy amount of fun.Everyone loves robots, right? Cozmo is a self proclaimed ‘supercomputer on treads’ and he definitely lives up to that. Although he may not be the biggest robot you’ve ever seen, he sure packs a punch. With a drag and drop code lab for programming beginners, to a more advanced software development kit, you really can explore a world of experiences with him.Where to buy: Anki Shop Price: £199.993. Kano Computer Kit Why we love it: This kit isn’t just about learning to code. Before you can do that, you get to build your own computer - which is awesome. Building your computer step by step gives you great insight into the components needed and gives you a feeling of accomplishment every time you turn it on. Once you’ve finished building your computer, you can start learning how to code. With great features such as story mode, it turns learning programming into a game. With the choice of different programming languages such as Python and JavaScript, this Kano Computer Kit gets our seal of approval.Where to buy: Kano Store Price: £229.994. Raspberry Pi 3 Why we love it: We remember how excited we were when the original Raspberry Pi was released - a tiny, super cheap computer that helps teach programming and computer science principles with infinite use possibilities. In its latest iteration, the Raspberry Pi 3 boasts more components and computing power, including bluetooth and wireless connectivity, meaning even more functionality straight out of the box. For kids (and adults!) of all ages with an interest in learning about computers and coding, a Raspberry Pi kit is perhaps one of our favourite gifts to give. Various re-sellers around the web offer pre-packaged kits that will teach you to turn your Pi into miniature arcade gaming cabinets, hidden cameras, tiny controllable robots and more!Where to buy: The Pi Hut / Pimoroni Price: £32.00+5. BBC micro:bit Why we love it: The BBC micro:bit is the perfect way for kids to start coding and making. Designed with the BBC for kids ages 11 and up, the micro:bit gets them hands-on with hardware while also teaching creative problem-solving skills.Similarly to the Raspberry Pi, the BBC micro:bit is one of our favourite tech gifts. It’s affordable for everyone, has tonnes of free online resources and can be used to make all sorts of cool stuff! Our friends at Tech Will Save Us and Pimoroni offer a bunch of different resource packs that help turn the micro:bit into different types of robots and vehicles, or to use craft materials to interact with technology - fusing the physical and the digital.Where to buy: Tech Will Save Us / Pimoroni Price: £19.99+6. Puzzlets Why we love it: Puzzlets is a physical bluetooth accessory for your tablet or computer used to play Puzzlets-specific games. Each game focuses on a traditionally “challenging” STEAM subject, such as coding, math, or color theory.Half of the games are played on a screen while the other half are played on the Puzzlets play tray, creating a perfect balance of the digital and the real world. Allowing children to continue learning away from the screen is what made Puzzlets catch our eyes.Where to buy: Puzzlets Store Price: $997. Ardusat Space Kit Why we love it: So many kids dream of becoming an astronaut one day, going on a journey into space and exploring the world above us, but it’s never as easy to do as you hope! Which is why this kit is so brilliant. Not only do you learn how to code and programme, but you get to learn the sensors that are sent into Orbit on Spire CubeSats.Providing beginner level experiments makes this the perfect kit to start your programming journey. Once you’re more comfortable with what you’ve learnt, the possibilities are endless with what you can create.Where to buy: Ardusat Store Price: $1508. DashDot Why we love it: With coding becoming a more vital aspect of future jobs, it’s always best to kids start learning early, and this is exactly what DashDot does. From learning how to make your Robot sing and dance to the hundreds of puzzles, challenges and projects available to choose from, DashDot covers all bases.You can download apps to go with your DashDot that will help your kids learn all about coding and the different ways they can go about it. You can also purchase awesome accessories to go along with your robots - such as turning them into a projectile-launching machine (not as dangerous as it sounds - honest).Who wouldn’t love that?Where to buy: Wonder Workshop Price: £154.999. Ozobot EVO Why we love it: The Evo bot, a first-of- its kind smart and social robot, empowers gamers and learners to better connect, explore, collaborate, and share at home, in the classroom, and on-the- go. A pocket-sized coding robot with proximity and optical sensors, a built-in speaker, and Bluetooth ® Smart capability, Evo comes to life with the push of a button. What makes the Ozobot different, is the ability to control it with a marker pen and stickers - simply draw lines for your bot to follow using sensors. You can also program the Ozobot using OzoBlocky, which helps incorporate learning the programming with a device that some kids may prefer to do. With over 20 STEM activities included, this is the perfect present for your little heroes!Where to buy: Ozobot Store Price: $9910. Osmo Genius Kit Why we love it: The fact that these games are award winning already gives you an idea of how great they are. The Osmo genius kit transforms your iPad into 5 smart games to help your child with different aspects of their development. These aren’t your typical iPad games however, as they all come with tiles and pieces for children to use whilst playing the games. This is what made this kit stand out to us as it creates a fun way to learn coding while introducing a new aspect to playing games on your iPad.Where to buy: Osmo Store Price: £9911. SAM Labs Inventor Kit Why we love it: From learning how to master morse code to creating alarms, this kit has some amazing projects to create (sorry parents, they all create noise). You’ll receive 4 SAM blocks in your kit along with 5 step by step projects. Using the SAM Space app allows you to create and master these products with ease.That’s not all though - once you’ve mastered your first set of projects, there’s many more to be found online at the SAMLabs website. With loads of awesome features, this kit is definitely a must have!Where to buy: SAMLabs Price: £9912. Bloxels Star Wars Why we love it: Star Wars and video games rolled into one...need we explain any more? Not only will your kids get to play these retro, pixelated Star Wars games, they get to actually create them! Yes, this is the present you’re looking for.Let imaginations run wild as they create their own corner of the Star Wars universe before playing missions featuring iconic characters from the movies. More still, when you create new missions and games you can share them online for other players to use. Bloxels highly encourage this worldwide collaboration between players and have some amazing creations readily available.So what are you waiting for? Go get your little troopers a Bloxels kit for Christmas, and may the force be with you!Where to buy: Bloxels Store Price: $49.9513. Cubelets Six Pack Why we love it: How many robots can you create with 6 cubelets? Over 500!! We bet you weren’t expecting that?That’s what makes Cubelets so awesome. The pack comes with 6 different Cubelets that all have various functions such as drive, flashlight and battery. Using the Cubelets app, with its simple drag and drop interface, kids can learn about the world of programming and create hundreds of variations of their own robots. With additional add-on Cubelets, you can create even more versions and discover a world of possibility.Where to buy: Mod Robotics Price: $119.9914. Meccano M.A.X. Mechanoid Why we love it: Meet M.A.X., a 12-inch tall advanced robot packed with a multitude of fun, educational features. Designed for budding engineers and tinkerers aged 10 years and older, this robot-building kit offers a challenging yet rewarding build consisting of 332 parts. Once he’s assembled, M.A.X. functions as a friendly robot companion and personal assistant. He engages kids in conversation, learns from every interaction, remembers important dates, and more. M.A.X. even features a built-in gaming platform whilst customisable programming allows kids to personalise M.A.X. to meet their own specifications so that every assembled M.A.X. robot is truly one of a kind.Where to buy: Amazon / Argos Price: £149.9915. K'NEX Robotics Building System Why we love it: Teach your children to build and program their own robot with the K'NEX Education Robotics Building System Set. This kit provides enough K’NEX parts to create 9 different robots with all sorts of different functionalities - and that's without bringing your imagination into the mix to create new combinations.The kit contains all sorts of motors, sensors and doo-dahs to learn programming and robotics principles, and then continue on to learn more advanced concepts making this kit an excellent gift for all ages, and something that will stand the test of time and grow with them.Where to buy: Amazon / Argos Price: £129.9916. LEGO BOOST Why we love it: Ideal as a gift for aspiring engineers, boost your LEGO building experience by building and customising Vernie, your own personal talking robot friend. Code its behaviour and complete fun activities with the included play mat or speak to Vernie and it will respond with facial expressions that reflect its mood. Vernie can move in all directions at variable speed on its large tracks, see objects and colours, sense distance, grip and carry accessories, make hand gestures and launch darts from its shoulder mounted shooter, making for an impressive array of abilities you can program to perform different functions.Rebuild Vernie to create the M.T.R.4 (Multi-Tooled Rover 4), Guitar4000, Frankie the Cat or the auto builder, all controlled via your tablet with the free downloadable app that also includes digital LEGO building instructions for all five models, plus cool activities and ideas to spark your imagination.Where to buy: Amazon/ Argos Price: £149.9917. Cubetto Why we love it: With the Cubetto being created for ages 3 and up, it really is a perfect beginner toy to introduce kids to coding.The super simple user interface mixed with the playful programming language really does make for an amazing toy. Using blocks of different colours/shapes, you can set up a ‘queue’ of instructions for your Cubetto to follow and explore all the new ways in which you can control your toy. This is an awesome toy to help get younger children into programming!Where to buy: Primo Toys Shop Price: £19518. KIBO Kit Why we love it: This is the perfect kit for children who love art and creativity. Not only do you get to learn programming, you also get to build and decorate your robot.With no need to use any apps or websites to code your robot, this is also a great kit for parents who like to keep their kids screen time at a minimum. Programming is done with the amazing programming blocks and helps kids learn all the concepts of coding and creating sequences.Where to buy: Kinder Lab Robotics Price: $22919. Sphero SPRK+ Why we love it: With a brilliant app to help kids learn programming, undertake hands on activities and share your creations, the Sphero SPRK+ is a seriously cool robot.The ability to create mazes for your Sphero, program paintings, swim on water or race your friends means that you can have endless fun thanks to Sphero. What’s more, with a scratch resistant UV coating, you can rest assured that your kids won’t go breaking it easily. Where to buy: Sphero Store Price: $129.9920. JewelBots Bracelet Why we love it: Friendship bracelets have been reinvented beautifully for the 21st century by JewelBots. Allowing you to set up your bracelets to flash your chosen color when you and your friends are together, send secret messages or even make games, these are the friendship bracelets all children will love!Don’t forget that these are still an amazing tool to help learn programming. You can master coding your JewelBot, share it with your friends and help each other out - making the perfect way to learn while having fun.Where to buy: JewelBots Price: $6921. Pi-top Why we love it: The pi-top isn’t your standard laptop - it’s the perfect laptop for all those little inventors out there. With a beautifully designed sliding keyboard, you reveal your built in modular rail where you can build and test out your own creations.As you build your inventions, the pi-top will help walk you through how to create the code behind it. Whether you want to make music or create a smart robot, you can have endless fun with the pi-top and become an expert in programming amazing inventions in no time.Where to buy: Pi-Top Store Price: $264.9922. goHenry Why we love it: Ah, pocket money, the most exciting thing when you’re a kid. We remember heading out to wash the cars every weekend in exchange for enough change to fill the piggy bank. Would you believe us if we said it just got more exciting?goHenry is a prepaid card for your children that puts you in control. From setting spending rules for where it can be used, to the amount that can be spent at once, you really are in control. What makes this stand out even more to us, is the ability to set chores for your kids to earn extra cash, notifications to keep up to date and in general, have total control while also allowing your kids to feel like a grown up with their own card. Plus, if they’re really lucky, you can pay a one-off fee to get a custom designed card with whatever they want on it. Adults don’t even get that!Oh, and we forgot, you can also block and unblock cards if your kids misbehave…(sorry kids)Where to buy: goHenry Website Price: From £2.99 per month23. Zip an d the Misty Mountain Why we love it: The Neurosky headset is a perfect representation of how amazing technology in the 21st century really is. Created to help improve focus and relaxation, this headset really is revolutionary.Using the headset with the attached Zip and the Misty Mountain iPad game, kids have to use their focus and concentration to control the characters. Not only is it a fun game for kids to play, it can help your brain retrain to focus more and displays attentive zones and focus meters so you can see how focussed and relaxed they are while playing and what areas they can improve further in.Where to buy: Cortechs Price: €24624. Coji Robot Why we love it: The Coji Robot isn’t just a robot. No, this is the awesome emoji robot! What could be more fun than learning how to code using the language of emojis?Using the supporting app, kids learn coding by problem solving and using emojis to control the actions of their Coji Robot. This is a fantastic introduction to the world of coding for younger children and will definitely provide them with endless fun. Where to buy: Wowee Store Price: $59.9925. Synth Kit Why we love it: Do you have some budding little musicians in your family? Do you enjoy making music yourself? The LittleBits Synth Kit is definitely the must have musical coding toy.This is definitely one of the best musical toys available. Allowing children to learn the science of sound and combine it with making their own music is what made this kit stand out to us. You can even create your own musical instruments with the Synth Kit, some examples of this are the key-tar and a synth spin table, both of which you can see over on the LittleBits website.We know that this one is going to be a favourite among a lot of adults too. Where to buy: Amazon Price: £139.99So, that’s the end of our favourite educational and tech gifts for Christmas 2017. Hopefully it’s opened your eyes to the wonderful array of choices out there, and inspired you with some ideas for gifts to support the budding coders, robotics experts and technologists of the future!Anything you’ve spotted that you thin k deserves to be on our list? Drop a comment below and we’ll take a look - after all, there’s still a few weeks to go until the big day. Happy Holidays!

To Your Health! The 5 Most Useful Languages to Learn for Medicine

To Your Health! The 5 Most Useful Languages to Learn for Medicine The 5 Most Useful Languages to Learn for Medicine Its the stuff of nightmares.You dont feel well, and you know you need to see a doctor.But when you get there, everyone is speaking a strange language you dont understand.To make matters worse, no one seems to understand what youre saying.For countless patients, this nightmare scenario is a reality. While many hospitals and clinics have translators or translation hotlines, accessing these essential tools takes valuable time.Plus, having to communicate through an intermediary inherently ups the chances of miscommunication, putting peoples lives at greater risk.If saving lives and improving peoples health isnt a good  reason to start learning a foreign language, we dont know what is.But the question remains: What are the  most useful languages  for a scenario like the above?Well, there are plenty of useful languages that could apply. There are some that are  best for business  and work in general.  The most common languages  are useful for their sheer number of speakers.However, when de ciding which language to learn  for medicine, whether its for your own medical practice or a job as a medical worker in a specific setting, there are some factors youll need to take into consideration.Heres what you need to know when selecting the most useful language for your and your patients purposes. What Factors to Consider When Deciding What Language Is Most Useful for Your Medical Practice or JobThe first factor to consider is the region in which you intend to work or practice. Since each region has different demographics, region influences how frequently youll encounter patients who speak different languages and dictates which languages are most common.If youre in the U.S., for more information on what languages are spoken in your region, you might want to check MLA Language Map Data Center. While theres an unfortunate lack of more recent data, regional pockets of foreign languages usually remain somewhat consistent since immigrants are often drawn to areas with other immi grants from their homelands.Next, you might want to consider your specialty. Some conditions are more common in certain ethnic groups. For instance, if you want to specialize in Tay-Sachs disease, which is most common among Ashkenazi Jews and French Canadians, you might benefit from learning Hebrew, Russian, Yiddish and/or French.Finally, consider what you hope to accomplish. For instance, if you want to help under-served communities, you might consider selecting a language that, though widely spoken, isnt as widely studied. If your main goal is being able to help as many patients as possible, you might on the other hand choose from the most widely spoken languages.The 5 Most Useful Languages to Learn for MedicineFor the purposes of this list, weve combined data from Zocdocâ€"a resource dedicated to helping medical professionals grow their practices that uses their own data gathered from appointment bookings and searchesâ€"with additional resources to assess which languages are part icularly useful.While Zocdocs useful languages dont exactly represent the most widely spoken languages in the United States, there are other factors that can contribute to which languages patients want doctors to speak. For instance, many non-native English speakers are fluent enough that they dont require doctors who speak their native language. Similarly, some patients may have a trusted friend or family member who can come along to translate. The results could also be influenced by which demographics are most likely to use Zocdoc.Also, as the languages below mainly take into account factors that are relevant for medicine in the United States, you may need to consider outside factors if youre planning on working somewhere else.No matter where youre planning on working, though, you can start learning most of the languages on the list below (as well as several other popular world languages) on FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like news, movie trailers, commercials and insp iring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.Check out the Health and Lifestyle category for videos about health care, nutrition, exercise and more. Learning through authentic videos means youll be experiencing the language from the same perspective as your patients, thereby making it easier for you to connect with them from a common point of understanding.Now lets look at the useful languages below.EnglishBy and large, English is still the main language used in medicine in the United States. And it makes senseâ€"according to the census data, over 230 million Americans spoke exclusively English at home. While another 60 million spoke a language other than English at home, the vast majority of these people spoke English well. So it should come as no surprise that Zocdocs research  indicates that a whopping 99.23% of searches on Zocdoc were for English-speaking doctors.So if you want to work or practice in the U.S. and arent fluent in English, this is a great reason to master the language.SpanishIn 2016, the United States Census Bureau estimated that 40 million residents speak Spanish at home, making it the second most widely spoken language in the United States. Because the Spanish language is so widespread in the United States, its relevant for any medical professional. However, its particularly relevant in areas with large Hispanic populations.According to Pew Research Center, the states with the largest Hispanic populations are California, Texas and Florida. With 15 million Hispanic residents, California alone hosts over 25% of the nations Hispanic population.However, Hispanic residents also make up a significant percentage of residents in several other states. For instance, more than a quarter of the population of New Mexico, California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada are Hispanic.With growing Hispanic populations across the United States, the Spanish language will be particularly relevant in areas of increased growth. According to Pew Researc h Center, states that have seen the Latino population grow most rapidly since 2000 include South Dakota, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, North Dakota, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia.In fact, the need for Spanish in medicine is so extreme that some even argue that all United States physicians should speak Spanish, as discussed in an article from the AMA Journal of Ethics.RussianBelieve it or not, Russian is one of the  most searched languages for physicians after Spanish.The United States Census Bureau estimates that nearly 900,000 people in the United States speak Russian. While its not one of the most widely spoken languages in the United States, its still phenomenally useful for medicine in some places, largely because the population is more condensed than many other groups.In fact,  MLA Language Map Data Center  estimates that over 25% of the Russian-speaking population in the United States live in New York. Another nearly 17% live in California. Th erefore, if youre looking to practice medicine in these major hubs, Russian might be the language for you.ArabicArabic is also a commonly  searched language for physicians. With the  United States Census Bureau estimating that over 900,000 people in the United States speak Arabic, its no wonder so many people are searching for Arabic-speaking doctors.This is particularly true in regions with a large Arab population. Zocdoc found most searches came out of Illinois, Virginia and New York. However,  MLA Language Map Data Center  indicates that there are additional large population centers of Arabic speakers in California and Michigan.Plus, if youre interested in the historical foundations of medicine, Arabic could come in handy, since a lot of early research was done by Arab scholars.FrenchFrench is more widely spoken in the United States than you may think. The  United States Census Bureau estimates that over 1.2 million people in the United States speak French. Another nearly 740,000 speak French Creole.MLA Language Map Data Center  reports that the highest number of French speakers in the United States are located in New York, California and Louisiana. If youre looking to branch out and learn French Creole, this is most widely spoken in Florida and New York.However, French is so much more useful than the number of speakers within the United States alone would lead you to believe. This is a great language to look at if youre considering usefulness worldwide. World language resource Ethnologue estimates that there are over 76 million native French speakers in the world. However, an additional 208 million people speak French as a second language. Therefore, while you might not be able to connect with patients in their native language, speaking French could help you connect with many in their second language.Additionally, if youre interested in humanitarian work, French could come in handy. Doctors Without Borders originated in France, and French is widely spoken in countries where they work, such as  Belgium and Democratic Republic of Congo.So if youre looking to learn a useful language for medicine, consider these five languages.Your patients will thank you! And One More ThingLooking for engaging resources to learn your target language? Then youre going to love learning with FluentU!FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.  Its all stuff that native speakers  actually watch.  With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs Quiz Mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU has quizzes for every videoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.