Which UK Cities Offer the Best Photography Classes

Which UK Cities Offer the Best Photography Classes Where Can You Take Photography Courses? ChaptersWhere to Take Photography Classes in London?Photography Lessons in BirminghamTake a Photography Class in ManchesterFinding Photography Courses in LiverpoolLearn Photography in LeedsTake Photography Lessons in GlasgowPhotography Classes in Edinburgh.Photography Courses in Belfast.Photography Lessons in Cardiff.A good photographer is one who is able not to represent objective reality, but to translate the sensations and emotions felt at the moment of triggering the camera. - David DuCheminThe best photographers are those who know how to use technique to transcribe emotion.You may well have a photographer's skill and passion, but where can you turn to learn technique?Fortunately, our country has many avenues you can follow to gain photography skills: through lessons â€" either formal classes or with an established professional; in person or online.For amateurs wanting to understand depth of field, black and white photography, or photographic composition; for those weekend enthus iasts hoping to make the leap and go pro:Any amount of photographic knowledge and experience floating about the four corners of the hexagon is yours to seize.Let us now highlight a few cities where photography is massive!A night photography course would teach you how to create light trails Source: Pixabay Credit: Free-PhotosBut First, Why Take Photography Lessons?What is Photography?The strange thing about photography is that it is, in a way, many things at the same time. It’s a medium that is not really like something like painting, drawing, or sculpture â€" as these are things that, really, are limited, in our culture, to this sphere known as ‘art’.Photography, on the other hand, is different things to different people. Whilst, yes, it is absolutely an art â€" with photographers like Sebastiao Salgado, Eugene Atget, and Helmut Newton bringing the photo to its artistic potential â€" it isn’t just that.Rather its purposes and uses range from the political, the documentary, a nd the mnemonic to the mundane. It’s amazing to think, really, that the same sort of medium is used to take photos of a shopping list as it is to create an image, to document a revolution, or to remember a loved one. In this diversity, photography is a hugely rich discipline â€" something a bit like writing, which is used in similar ways.Discover the different photography courses on Superprof.So Many Photos!It’s potentially a little frustrating, then, to think that photography is used by the vast majority of people in the mundane rather than the artistic ways. A study suggested that humanity in general is taking over a trillion photos a year â€" a number that translates into a photo every other day taken by everyone on the planet. But these photos are of our cats, our meals, ourselves in the mirror or in front of the Houses of Parliament â€" and they don’t really amount to very much of value, not even for ourselves.This is particularly true when we take them on our smartphones , or have them deleted immediately through Snapchat. But the ease with which we take these images of ourselves and of our world is dramatically new â€" and may well be the defining feature of our age.So, Why Should We Take Photography Lessons?In a context in which we are all taking photos all of the time, why would we want to take a photography class?The answer to this refers to the first type of photography we mentioned in this section. Because some of us aren’t satisfied with the quality of the images that we take daily. We don’t get much pleasure out of taking a photo of a broken lightbulb so that we remember the type when we get to the shop to buy a replacement. Most of us don’t really think that this is what ‘photography’ is about. And we’d sort of be right.Because the thing about photography that excites people, that causes surprises people, causes pleasure, and incites gasps of wonder is not so much the thing it represents as much as the way in which it is represe nted.We mean here that it is the photo itself that becomes impressive â€" rather than the thing that the photo is of. It’s when the photo is most like a painting that it becomes interesting.And it’s this that takes an awful lot of skill: we have to get the right angle, the right light levels, the right exposure length and shutter speed. If you’re a nature photographer, you have to have the patience, the right location, to see exactly what it is that you are looking for. All of this is the product of learning, of training.So, it’s this that photography lessons are for. Teaching you the skill in the language of photography, rather than just pointing a camera at something and shooting.And for the Amateur?All of this is just as important for the amateur as it is for the professional. Because whilst professionals get paid to produce photos, amateurs don’t by definition â€" and so the beauty of the photo is the true motivation for those who do it for love.But amateurs need to le arn too. They need to continue to develop too. They need to keep learning and keep developing their skills to ensure that their passion remains their passion.Otherwise, the risk is that they will get bored â€" quite simply â€" that they will get stuck in a little rut, with no more motivation to keep producing the same sort of images over and over again.A teacher, a photography workshop or class, functions to keep this motivation going. They help you to find the different styles that push you, that keep you excited, that keep you wanting to keep producing the photos that you love.This is the reason why you should go to photography lessons. Because, whilst you might be the sort of person who manage just fine, many people think that they are this sort of person, but actually are not.furthering you intermediate film photography skills: London has plenty of  photography lessons for you!Starting with these fine establishments, among others, that offer a BA Honours degree after three years of study:University of WestminsterLondon Metropolitan UniversityLondon South Bank UniversityKingston UniversityLondon College of CommunicationMiddlesex UniversityUniversity of RoehamptonFair warning: most of these institutes require A levels, a personal statement and all other criteria endemic to matriculating at any tertiary education centre.They also demand relatively large sums; an average of £10,000 per year, not including books, camera  and other study materials, or lodging.If you are not in possession of those prized credentials â€" or large sums of cash, attending a photography school might serve you better.The Photo Academy London boasts an extensive range of courses, targeted to amateur photographers and advanced photographers alike, from which you could obtain a Level 3 certificate in photography.Amidst their catalogue, you will find specialised courses: in fashion photography, photojournalism, and even still life photography.They even have courses on digital image editi ng, post production, and using Adobe products!Enroling at this school will take you from fundamental camera operation all the way to darkroom developing.Are you interested in learning more about wedding photography or portraiture?For any  interest, there is a class within Photo Academy's curriculum!Prices vary according to the instruction you seek.A basic course in camera operation starts at £40 for a two-hour session; a five-month evening course on basics of photography costs £680.You could then go on to select a masterclass, either in photojournalism or fashion photography, for which the fees run more than £1,800If the cost of some of these courses slam the brakes on any ambitions of formal education in photography, you could direct yourself to photographic societies, to learn from members' collective experience.The Camera Club is a shining example of what you might be hoping for in a group of photography enthusiasts.Founded more than 130 years ago, at the dawn of photography's growing popularity, they host seminars, lectures and outings for anyone who wants to cultivate their skills  in any type of photography.Furthermore, members enjoy the use of the club's full amenities, which include: digital image processing software and equipment, photo printers, a darkroom and fully equipped studios.If your schedule is such that you cannot commit to formal lessons, or even membership in a club, you could still learn photography online.Digital Master Class is a fine example of a quality provider of photography lessons.If you received a digital SLR for Christmas and want to know how to use every feature and setting, DMC's accredited courses could help you achieve those goals.You could learn everything from basic composition and exposure to RAW conversions and building a portfolio, earning your certificate with your skill and artistry.If you think of yourself as a visual storyteller and want your talent behind the lens to take you to the next level â€" even if you do n't want to go pro, you could learn a lot from these masters of photography.And, of course, Superprof photography tutors are all standing by, waiting for you to reach out to them for one on one photography courses on any facet of photography training!In fact, Superprof tutors are accessible from anywhere in the country, including our second most-populated city!Photography Lessons in BirminghamIf your sincere desire is to progress in photography, getting yourself off of your camera's auto setting is job #1.Photography instructors in Birmingham know just how to help you master shutter speed, white balance and even long exposure.You could start your journey into photography lessons Cardiff through commercial concerns, such as:The Photo SchoolProfessional photographers Pete Ashton and Matt Murtagh were perplexed at the number of friends with nice cameras who steadfastly remained on auto to shoot everything from close ups to landscapes.Embracing Cartier-Bresson's philosophy for street ph otography, they formulated a quick'n'dirty lesson, priced for anyone interested in moving beyond auto-zoom.These days, Pete Ashton runs bunches of absolute beginners at photography around the streets of Birmingham most every Sunday.Booking yourself into a five-hour session costs £40 per person.Be sure to wear comfortable shoes!Participating in photography workshops can help you find which way to turn Source: Pixabay Credit: NezeplRed Cloud PhotographyAnyone, from beginner to advanced, is welcome to learn how to photograph with Red Cloud instructors!Commercial photography hopefuls, those intrigued by macro photography, and future nature photographers could all benefit from their tutorials, held in the botanical gardens.You could also attend their night photography seminars, for a cost of £35.Their day-long excursion runs at   £125, in exchange for which you would enjoy individual attention  from the professional photographers who teach the course.Count on learning about white balan ce, ISO, shutter speed and composition.Red Cloud is a good start for the fundamentals of digital photography, or honing your skill, if you are more advanced.For higher education in photography, you could earn your BA Honours degree through Birmingham City University.Unlike other schools around the country, this photography programme expects you to declare a specialty during your second year.Based on your chosen field of photography, advisors find you opportunities to apprentice with an established, working photographer.If you don't have three years and approximately £30,000 to invest in your development as a photographer, you might find courses to suit your needs online.UK Learning College is available to to teach you how to frame a shot, pose a subject and instruct live models.You can cultivate an eye for composition in the comfort of your own home!You are not required to have any prior knowledge of photography, take any exam, or show a portfolio to qualify for enrolment in this c ourse.All you need is a sincere desire to learn all about digital photography.Sorry, film photography buffs: no retouching or developing lessons for you!The fee for this course is but a fraction of what it would cost to attend university; only £399.The average per hour cost for a Superprof tutor is £15 and, depending on where you are, they might even come to your home!Take a Photography Class in ManchesterIf the right photography equipment â€" kit is important as you first engage in the art of photography, mastering technique is equally so.This is where droves of Mancunians seek out photography lessons!Of all the courses available, Alan Karl's tutelage is among the most sought out.For £105, you can retain his services at either Salford Quays or Goyt Valley â€" depending on whether the city beat has captivated you or you need the timelessness and healing quiet of nature.Nothing says you can't attend both workshops!You will be treated to tips on using tricks of light, and encourage ment to venture further than you ever thought it photographically possible. All of that and a sack lunch, too!You may need a tripod, but you should definitely bring a spare battery for your camera!Should you be inspired to follow in Mr. Karl's footsteps and seek formal development as a photographer...Manchester School of Art offers a practice-based course in photography.Part academia, part apprenticeship: you will spend most of your time in workshops, individual study or out in the field.You will have the chance to enter your work in competition with your fellow students; your best shots can then become a part of your portfolio!Building a portfolio is equally easy through online photography courses.Digital Master Class is a fine example of excellence in online teaching.Their modular curriculum addresses aspects of going pro behind the lens, even sponsoring summer meet-ups with tutors, free of charge.The best part of learning photography with Digital MasterClass is their professional photography diploma, which includes modules on how to run a photography business.It is possible to earn your certification as a professional photographer entirely via webcam, and Superprof photography tutors are available to help with any extracurricular work!So are the mentors at University of Manchester Photographic Society.If you are a purist â€" believing that film photography is the only way to express oneself through  photography, you might be astounded to learn that their club favours film over digital cameras.With your lifetime membership of £20, you can attend meetings and workshops, toddle after those more advanced in photography and learn how to develop and retouch images in the club's darkroom.Liverpudlians should be so lucky!Do Liverpool tourists know how to use every feature of their camera? Source: Pixabay Credit: Mani300Finding Photography Courses in LiverpoolThe Pool is not to be discounted with regard to photography  course offerings.Whether you want to learn abo ut your camera's features or editing digital images; or even getting started  in portraiture, possibilities for professional and amateur photographers abound.Where do they all learn photography skills from?The City of Liverpool College offers a Level 1 photography course Edinburgh to anyone who wishes to learn about:Composition and the rule of thirdsISOHow to set aperture and time exposurean introduction to PhotoshopThis is a ten-week course, during which you will learn everything about your compact or SLR camera.The course culminates in your submitting a major photographic project in lieu of a final exam.Photography being a visual art, what is the point of any school requiring high marks on a written test to prove aptitude?The cost for these evening lessons is £220, not including course materials, and you must provide your own camera.If you are not yet sure whether Canon or Kodak cameras are best, perhaps engaging a Superprof tutor could help you decide!Any Superprof tutor you con tact could also discuss with you the various types of photography:Portrait photographyfamily, seniors and babies are all subspecialties of the blanket term portraithead shot photography â€" meant for actors or anyone building a portfoliofashion photographycommercial photographyadvertising photography and graphic design fall under this general termWildlife and nature photographyLandscape photography â€" more of a panoramic expression than nature photographyphotojournalismmacro photography â€" imaging small particles or organismsa macro photographer shoots fine detail in jewellery, food and machineryEven if there is no Superprof tutor in Liverpool, any one of them would be happy to discuss your future career in photography via webcam.You could earn a Level 3 certificate entirely online, too!The University of Creative Arts ranks high among the Guardian University League tables, both for satisfaction with teaching materials and quality of instruction.These courses are designed with the idea that everyone must be a novice digital photographer.The course starts out learning camera basics, progresses through technical and analytical skills needed to compose and shoot subject matter, and finishes with an accredited certification that will start you on the path to a lucrative career.To round out your studies, why not join a photography club?South Liverpool Photographic Society is steeped in tradition and history, and their calendar reveals a variety of planned activities, all relevant to the ardent amateur and passionate professional photographer.They welcome both film and digital photographers to their more than 160 years of excellence in photography.Photographers in Leeds have a comparable organisation through which to display their talent behind the lens!With the right tutelage, you too could learn such photography tricks Source: Pixabay Credit: James Lunnuse them for maximum effect.It costs only £40 for a year's membership, and you would be entitled to join them o n outings and submit your photos for critique and competition.A bit of friendly competition is a good thing!But not when looking for quality instruction on your future career.That is why Superprof  photography tutors are always ready to assist and advise you on choosing subject matter, framing your scene, lighting techniques and how to use Photoshop and Lightroom!Glasgow has quite a reputation for street art! Source: Pixabay Credit: CalardTake Photography Lessons in GlasgowDid you know that Glesga hosts a biannual International Festival of Visual Art?Can you see your work â€" maybe a shot of the River Clyde shrouded in fog, on display? Maybe even winning a prize?If you have an eye for composition, a knack for being in the right place at the right time and the technical skills to tie everything together, nothing says you don't have a shot at being recognised as a photographer of merit.We can think of no better place to start learning advanced photography techniques than through a wor kshop with Going Digital.If you sign up for both their beginner photography course Belfast the second phase, Developing Skills, you can enjoy a price discount, all while gaining the most knowledge of how to use your camera.There is no studio time included in this double class. However, there is a lot to be said for learning how to photograph using natural light and filters.In all, these workshops are well worth the £155 you would spend for both portions.If you are looking for something more formal, you might hit your mark with enrolment at Glasgow School of Art.Their four-year Bachelor of Arts programme was the first of its kind in all of Europe, and many GSofA alumni are now considered leaders in their respective fields of photography.To be sure, it can be quite pricey to matriculate at university, especially one of such high merit. And four years is a substantial chunk of time to devote to academic learning of an artistic subject.Is there no better way to learn photography in  Gl asgow? Of course there is!Earning a Level 3 certificate from an accredited programme online will get you on the career track much faster than even through a university job placement office.With less of a cash outlay, at that!For instance, the Institute of Photography offers a fully accredited diploma in street photography for £250.A more lucrative, marketable skill, such as wedding photography, would be just over twice that amount.IoP has tutors available to help you understand difficult concepts of photo editing and post processing, but you are limited to two hours of chat time per week.Superprof would never limit your access to your tutor!Nor would you find many barriers to communication with more experienced photographers at Eastwood Photographic SocietyThis club is for anyone interested in photography: young and old, DSLR owners and 35mm Canon cradlers alike.The best feature of this organisation is that they foster  a mentoring environment.Before pulling your hair out over an u nruly histogram, why not ask a digital camera expert at the club how to tame it?The bottom line is: no matter where you live in our picturesque land, there will always be something worth turning a camera lens to.Wouldn't it be worth your while to learn how to capture such sights to the best of your ability?Photography Classes in Edinburgh.Edinburgh is a city that is a delight for literally anyone interested in the arts. That’s anyone interested in cinema, literature, theatre (obviously), painting, comedy, and photography. Most of these are covered fairly by the numerous festivals that the city is known for: the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and the biggest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.Photography, as we are here, is probably the medium which the ‘official’ side of Edinburgh has overlooked â€" yet, the city is alive with workshops, small festivals, commercial photography studios, and public exhibitions. And, of course, nature photographers flock to the city to then wing it up north to the Highlands, which may well be a competitor for the most photographed natural space on Earth.Overall, Edinburgh is just an incredibly picturesque city â€" in the sense that it’s not hard to imagine that its designers created it so that people would come to take photos. It’s just an incredibly beautiful city.In terms of opportunities to learn the art of photography, there are plenty to choose from. Here’s a little selection:The Edinburgh College of Art has prestigious programmes for undergraduate and graduate photography. These courses are the pick of the bunch in terms of both the professional skills and assets that they’ll provide you â€" for an entrance into the commercial world of photography â€" and the technical skills that you’ll need to excel in your field. The undergraduate courses are four years long, with the opportunity to study for a year abroad.The Edinburgh Photography Works hop, down in Bonnington, is a great place to take casual photography classes, with likeminded people from across the city. The teacher has been a professional photographer for years, and the courses specialise in everything from night photography to seascapesPhotography Courses in Belfast.Every year, Belfast gets taken over by the Belfast Photo Festival, the annual event for international photography. It’s a great opportunity to see some of the work of the best contemporary photographers and to get some ideas to use in your own photographs. And it’s brilliant that it happens, because the culture of Northern Ireland is more than just the images of the Troubles â€" those images that are still the most famous images of the nation.Beyond all this, Belfast has plenty of wonderful places to develop your interest in photography. From its prestigious Belfast School of Art â€" which has been rated one of the best photography institutions in Europe â€" to the little community arts centres , such as Crescent Arts and Belfast Exposed.All of these will give you the training you need in which photography style you want to develop. And, whilst the first in that list is for the committed photographers, the latter two will welcome photographers of any level, from beginner to advanced.Photography Lessons in Cardiff.Most people who don’t live in the city write Cardiff off a little. But we know as well as you how much the city has to offer. With the buzzing university scene and the festivals popping up all year round, Wales’s little capital actually punches above its weight.In terms of the opportunities for learning photography on offer, there are plenty to choose from â€" ranging from the community centres to the big international universities.Find a photography course in Cardiff!So, let’s have a look at what you’ve got to play with:Cardiff Met’s nice photography degree is a winner for those of you intending to take your photography all the way. Here you’ll learn the ins-and-outs of studio work and photography on location. You’ll also be instilled with the practical wisdom you need to thrive in the cut-throat world of commercial photography beyond.Sarah J. Evans is more for the person looking for a bit of fun. Based outside of Cowbridge, she is an experienced professional photographer who gives lessons outdoors around her studio. If you are based in Cardiff and are looking for professional experience in outdoor photography, she’s the person to talk to.Learn photography in Edinburgh too, or join a photography class in Belfast.

Ask a Private School Admissions Expert Amanda Uhry

Ask a Private School Admissions Expert Amanda Uhry Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Amanda Uhry is the founder and owner of Manhattan Private School Advisors, which helps up to 1,600 families per season in regards to preschool and K-12, boarding school, special needs admission, and college preparation. Before founding Manhattan Private School Advisors, she attended the University of Pennsylvaniaand Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. What is the typical timeline for private school admissions? Amanda: Getting in is a one- to two-year process before acceptance. Our many preschool and K-12 applicant families begin preparing for admissions one year in advance. Applications are due between October 15 and December 1. During that time or the spring before, parents tour schools and attend open houses and students are observed (younger children) or interviewed, a process which may go on until January. Parents are also interviewed separately at most schools. Final decisions are mailed or emailed in mid-February for continuing schools or early March for preschools. Parents have a number of days or weeks to make final decisions before schools go to wait lists. What is the typical process admissions officers go through to evaluate applications? Amanda: It depends on the school and the admissions director or staff, but all are generally looking for a child and family that might be a good fit for the school community. Children applying to kindergarten are often evaluated at a group or individual visit to the school, by school reports from preschools, and, at some schools, by AABL entrance exam testing. Children applying to older grades are evaluated via individual interviews or visits, transcripts and recommendations from teachers at present schools, and by scores on the ISEE or SSATentrance exam or often, both. What are the most important things children need to have represented on their applications? Amanda: Applicants need to represent who they really are and the same is true of parents in their parent statement. It is pointless to tell a school that a child is a brilliant, budding mathematician if he or she actually neither likes nor does well in math, just as it is a shame not to tell a school that an applicant is interested in any subject even if a parent thinks its silly. Classrooms are made up of all kinds of kids with all kinds of personalities and interests. Parents should not be afraid to discuss a childs weaknesses or areas that are emerging: this is the hallmark of an honest parent, not a flawed child! What are common mistakes parents and/or their children make when applying to these programs? Amanda: Children rarely make mistakes they are simply children. Parents make tons. They lie about their childs talents or interests. A five-year-old who likes to sing is not really the next Lady Gaga, just as a ten-year-old who won the science fair prize is not going to go for the Nobel Prize anytime soon. Parents also tell schools what they believe the schools want to hear and it often sounds silly and false. Parents need to work with qualified sources not get their info on schools and admissions from haunting parenting websites that often provide more disinformation on high-stakes schools admissions than usable or even reasonable advice. Just be yourself. Can you imagine spending K-12 at a school positioned as someone who is not you, not your kid, and not really your family? How should parents go about determining the culture of a private school, and whether it would be a good fit for their children? Amanda: The best way we have found is to connect applicant families with families who have students already at the schools. Parents at a school have nothing to gain or lose by being honest about that schools community. How important are standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Amanda: That depends entirely on the school. At some schools, testing is very important. At some other schools, it is not important at all and some schools do not test. What is universally important is that subtests of admissions tests do not have glaring discrepancies. In the ERB for younger kids, for example, it is far better to have average scores on the verbal and performance portions of the test rather than high scores in one area and low scores in another. What are the most important things parents need to represent about themselves when meeting with admissions officers? Amanda: Once again, honesty is always the best policy. If you feel progressive education is a waste of time, dont go tell the admissions director at a progressive school you think its marvelous and vice versa regarding traditional education. Remember that if you get in, faking it til youre making it may not work in a school community. You could wind up transferring out and doing the entire nightmarishly-competitive private school admissions process all over again. How competitive? Well, a good number of schools have reported receiving more than 1,000 applications for an average 60 kindergarten spots, and it gets worse moving up. That is not including siblings and legacies. Know before you go and discuss what you want as a family. Dont be afraid to be funny and relaxed in your parents interview; its a marvelous ice breaker. Also, do not do not, and I repeat do not assume admissions officers and staff whom you meet are your new friends. They are nice to everyone and professionally distant with all. That is because, in the end, they have to reject or waitlist up to 90% of the applicants! How does networking and having in-school connections affect one's chances of admission? Amanda: Its helpful and nice, but it doesnt always result in an acceptance not at all. Connections to board members who know you, your family, and your child are helpful. Connections to active families at the schools are helpful, but somewhat less so. Connections to teachers and staff at a given school are often not helpful at all in an admissions decision. How can a student best prepare for admissions interviews? Amanda: Your student can be his or herself. Children should also get used to speaking with adults because this is often an issue. Looking a teacher or admissions person in the eye while speaking to them, shaking hands, and saying simple greetings and farewells goes miles in a student interview. Additionally, so does having the student think about one or two school experiences he or she has enjoyed recently at his or her own school and being able to recount and discuss this with poise and passion. Visit Manhattan Private School Advisorsfor more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Using Technology To Engage Students

Using Technology To Engage Students Falling asleep in class, theres the hooded sweatshirt pulled over the head, hide your eyes as you rest your head on your hand or the-Im-just-going-to-hope-teacher-doesnt-see-me approach, is something that just happens at times, despite actual effort or interest. However, teachers are wising up and using new ploys to catch and wake up students, ploys more effective than the if-you-sleep-or-daydream-I-will-catch-you ploy. Teachers, in attempts to keep students awake, paying attention and engaged in their classes, are now armed with technology. Professors and teachers are now giving their students small hand-held devices called clickers that resemble TV remotes to monitor their students attention spans and quiz them, according to an article in The New York Times. Each clicker has a series of numbered buttons on it, and every 15 minutes or so a professor will give short quizzes that correlate with the current lecture, requiring students to first be paying attention and second push one of the buttons to correctly answer the quiz question. Heres how it works: John Jacobs Jr. is sitting in his 8 am Economics 101 class. Mr. Jacobs Jr. had a late night last night, staying up studying for other tests. Mr. Jacobs Jr. is growing increasingly more tired as Professor Dr. Preston Hulcuth is lecturing on supply and demand correlations and how they relate to the world of micro economics. Mr. Jacobs begins to nod off in the back row of class as Dr. Hulcuth periodically quizzes his students using the clickers. Dr. Hulcuth, stuck on supply and demand curves, announces a sudden quiz that will count toward each students grade. He asks, True or false, generally speaking, price and demand are inversely related meaning as one increases the other decreases and vice versa. Press the button labeled one for true and button two for false. Then students who are awake and paying attention would press button number one, correctly answering the question as true. However, John Jacobs Jr., and other students who are not paying attention, will incorrectly answer the question or sleep through it, getting points off their final grades. Professors can also ask multiple choice questions with the clickers and take attendance. Students can push a button on their clickers to inform the professor that they are confused about something in the lecture or provide other information. Northwestern, Harvard, Ohio State and other universities have already implemented these clickers into classes, asking students to answer quiz questions and provide feedback every 15 minutes, keeping them paying attention and engaged in classes. Administrators also hope that these devices will keep students off their cell phones and other gadgets during classes. Early studies at Harvard and Ohio State suggested that using these devices or other gadgets (making iPads and BlackBerrys, etc into class-ready clickers) increases students learning of new material. Professors can then display students responses to questions and the feedback they give on overhead monitors at the front of classrooms. Some students feel that these products unnecessarily monitor students in a big-brother fashion; however, others enjoy the increased interactions with professors.

7 Tips On Creating Workplace Motivation - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 7 Tips On Creating Workplace Motivation - Introvert Whisperer 7 Tips On Creating Workplace Motivation Motivation is one of those interesting things.  We think it should just drop out of the sky like magic but it never really does.  We also don’t really think about how to create motivation for ourselves but we really can with the right tools. First, let’s get on the same page about what motivation is.  Motivation is what causes you to take action.  Clearly, you’re at work so you do have some motivation because your action is going to work and performing your job.  What we are talking about is feeling engaged and inspired about the actions you do take.  Let’s look at some of the tools you can use to get fully engaged and motivated in the workplace: Change â€" Nothing like changing things to really get the juices going.  You don’t want to change things just for the sake of changing; however, you want to change things that don’t work well.  With that, you must have a vision of what the right outcome would be and then you apply your steps to create the action for change. Goals â€" Many times the lack of motivation is due to a lack of direction or goals.  Sit down and figure out what would really get you up in the morning and make that your goal.  Having a goal isn’t enough, it has to be a goal that you yearn for or have some emotions about.  Once established, put together a plan for how you will achieve your goals. Keep in mind SMART for goals = Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Resonate, Time-bounded if you really are going to shot for something worth having Be accountable â€" The vast majority of us want to do things but we’re really lazy about doing them.  It’s often easier to diet or workout with someone because we have a person that is looking for us to perform. Find someone to hold you accountable to yourself and be willing to trade off the favor. Clean up your own internal litter â€" We all have baggage but sometimes we have so much of it cluttering up our life that it bogs us down and we fail to see what’s possible.   Surround yourself with the right people â€" Yes, your mother was right…it is important to hang out with the right people.  In this case, hang out with people who are inspired and motivated as it will be contagious. Research the issue â€"  Find out from others what motivates them.  In the process, you may hear something that would really be great for you.  Don’t be afraid to copy what works. Cop an attitude  â€"  Motivation creates more motivation.  Look for it and it will be there.  We often get hung up about our ability to control things in the workplace.  The one thing we can control is our attitude and approach to various workplace challenges. These tools for workplace motivation are simple to do which means there is nothing but you holding you up from trying them. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Why I Volunteer - Jodies Story

Why I Volunteer - Jodie's Story Jodie is one of our new recruits through our partner TeachFirst. As she studied History at university, Jodie will start her teacher training next year in hopes to become a History teacher. She will be teaching high school students, but chose to take part in Tutorfair’s “Stretch Academy” volunteer programme teaching at primary level, as a way of easing her way into the education system. Jodie has so far given 12 hours of her time to Wilbury Primary School students, teaching a small group in year 5, helping them with their numeracy and literacy - focusing on verbal and nonverbal reasoning. How has your experience been so far? It's been such a good experience so far, as I truly feel that I am making a difference to these children's lives. How did you find working with the students? I've really enjoyed working with children in such small groups as it's allowed me to really get to know them all individually. It also means that when a child is struggling, I can go through the topic as slowly as he/she needs and therefore no child is left behind.  All of the children are highly motivated and are so keen to learn, which makes it so enjoyable to teach them. What will you gain from the experience? Teaching such young children has made me aware that educational difficulties begin from the start of children's education and how important it is to tackle these problems from an early age. This will ensure that no child is left behind and that children from all backgrounds have the same start to life. It has also given me confidence and drive for when I start Teach First later this year. Tutorfair and Stretch Academy Over 50 kids piled into the gymnasium at Wilbury Primary School to receive free tutoring run by the Stretch Academy with Tutorfair volunteer tutors. Stretch Academy founder,  Alex Lee  takes us behind the scenes of this truly inspirational programme. If you're a tutor, teacher or an aspiring educator looking to make a difference, please come find out more Find out more about Tutorfair's work with the Stretch Academy

Medical School 5 Moves that Will Get You On the Right Track

Medical School 5 Moves that Will Get You On the Right Track MCAT Medical School Admissions If you are thinking about going to med school, congratulations. You are to be admired for aiming so high and taking on a challenging field with many rewards. You'll need to be completely committed and driven to achieve your goals. Certainly, scoring in the75thpercentile or higher on theMCATwill be critical. However, there are a variety of others things you can and should start doing today to prepare. Start out by taking 5 moves that will get you on the right track today. 1. Hit the Books You need to be serious when it comes to making the grade. Your high school and undergraduate performance need to be beyond the normal level of expectations. You must excel in all of your courses. Beef up on math and science courses, proving that you can handle the intense load that lies ahead. When it comes to medical school, you can't just decide one day that you want to go and expect to get in. Whether you realize it or not, your past grades and performance with have a huge effect on your ability to get into the medical school you are hoping to attend. However, if your past performance in school hasn't been the best and you are still determined to go to medical school, you can start to work to bring your GPA up and get serious about school. 2. Get Some Experiences in the Medical Field To have an edge over other prospective students, demonstrate your devotion by gaining some experience in the field. Go above and beyond by volunteering to job shadow at the hospital or local clinic. Assist in efforts with the Red Cross. Apply to be an office assistant during the summer in a busy medical office or for amedical supplycompany. Look for opportunities and make yourself available. Whatever experience or practice you can get before applying to medical school will really give you a leg up on the other students you are competing against. You need to be willing to do internships and other jobs that might not pay a lot (or might not pay at all) in order to gain this experience. In many cases, the experience you gain before medical school can be priceless, so be willing to put in the time and work necessary to gain it. 3. Do Your Homework (Research) Become a part of research. Contact universities and hospitals that are performing clinical trials and ask to be a part of a research team. You might be the gopher, but you'll acquire valuable information and show initiative. This is another activity that looks great on your application. You can learn a lot from being a part of a research team, and it is a great way to gain experience. Oftentimes, you can get class credit for participating in research either as a patient or as a part of the research team, so make sure to look into options like that so your time will be well spent. 4. Give to Your Community If you are going to be a doctor, you need to demonstrate that you have compassion and a willingness to help others. Find opportunities to give the gift of your time in your community. Contrary to popular belief, your volunteer work doesn't necessarily have to be directly related to the medical field. Volunteering proves that you have the capacity for generosity, and it always looks good on your application. If you can find a volunteer opportunity that relates to the medical field, that could earn you bonus points, but it will be hard to find a volunteer position where you are actually doing medical work since most of those jobs need to be done by a professional. 5. Don't Put All of Your Eggs in One Basket Even though you may have a medical school of choice, keep your options open. Apply to a host of schools and treat each one as an opportunity to open the door to your future. As you are invited for interviews, make sure that you can clearly express your expectations and why you have chosen to enter this admirable field. While you are in the preparation stages, keep an open mind about other schools, and do research or make visits to the school. Focusing on one school could lead you to be devastated if you don't get in, and only applying to one school is foolish. Yes, applying to medical school can be expensive, but find a couple of other schools you would consider going to in case your first choice is not an option. Competition is fierce for med school and getting in won't be easy. Each school is looking for the cream of the crop. Do everything possible to make yourself stand out when you walk in the door. Keep your eye on the prize and continue to work diligently toward your goal., but if you haven't started yetâ€"get going today! hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

How to Level Up Your Skills with the Best Foreign Language Audiobooks

How to Level Up Your Skills with the Best Foreign Language Audiobooks How to Learn Faster with the Best Foreign Language Audiobooks Want to level-up your language skills?First tip: give your headphones and speakers the workout of their life.Now listen up while we convince you that audiobooks are an awesome  language-learning tool to get you on track with those ambitious goals youve set.Think about it! Audiobooks can help you:Take advantage of wasted time. You can listen to them while doing  almost anythingâ€"commuting  to work or school, walking the dog, cleaning the house, even shopping.Learn new vocabulary words and everyday phrases you can put to use right away.Practice your listening  and speaking skills at the same time.Improve your pronunciation.Learn more about the culture  of people who speak your target language.And the best way to learn with audiobooks is to choose a book that interests you and is at the level that suits you the best.Need  some hints?All right, you win.Here are some tried-and-true tips on how to get the most from learning with audiobooks, along with some guidelines  for finding the best foreign language audiobooks at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. 5 Study Tips  to Make Audiobooks Work for YouFirst, a  few general tips to  give you a great head start.1. Take notes. If you hear new words you want to remember, write them down. This will help you retain information and make it easier to reference in the future. Its much easier to find a word in a notebook or computer document than it is to search through an  entire  audiobook to find the place you heard it!2. Get a hardcopy. Choose  an audio language course with an accompanying hardcopy book, or try to find a hardcopy of the childrens or adult book you are listening to. Even though you shouldnt get into the habit of reading along every time you listen, having  the hardcopy material available is helpful when you come across  new words and  phrases that you just cant catch.3. Listen first. Written material can help you learn and retain information, but it can also be a crutch. One of the advantages of an audiobook is that it forces you to learn by listening, a skill you need in order to communicate  that a lot of people underestimate. Use your notes, a hardcopy book and a dictionary as you learn, but try to listen to an entire section or chapter before you start to rely on written material.4. Repeat again and again. The more you listen, the more  youll learn. Most audio language courses are designed to repeat material for this reason. If youre listening to  a childrens or adult audiobook entirely in the foreign language youre studying, you will  need to repeat sections for yourself. Listen several  times so that  you grow  comfortable with what youre hearing.5. Practice in real life. If youre taking a class or meeting with a conversation partner, bring along your list of new vocabulary words, and practice using them with a native speaker. Engage your friends in conversation about the audiobooks youre listening to, and learn more about what they think. When you practice words in different contexts, you help yourself remember them better.How to Learn Faster with the Best Foreign Language AudiobooksBeginner Level: Audio Language CoursesThe best type of audiobook for a beginner is an audio language course. Theyre  typically tailored for beginners and travelers  who need to learn phrases quickly so that they can  communicate on a  trip. Youll find that an audio course teaches you useful everyday words and phrases in a pleasant, enjoyable format, while giving you lots of practice listening to native speakers.Youre probably familiar with audio language courses, since these are the most common and accessible foreign language books available. Youve probably even impulse-bought  an audio phrasebook of some kind  before!To choose the best audio language course:Check out your favorite library, bookstore or website. Its easy to find audio language courses for most of the commonly studied foreign languages. Look for titles like Spanish for Dummies, Pimsleur, Collins or Earworms.Take advantage of  textbook CDs or audio files.  Many textbooks offer access to online audio files for practice listening. Investigate this option if youre already using a textbook to study.Ask your friends for recommendations.  If you know someone who has studied a foreign language (even if its not the one youre studying), ask which audio language course they liked best.Once youve got  your audio language course, turn it on and start  learning! But before that,  here are some more little tips to ease the process.Make it work for you:Supplement with grammar materials. The everyday words youll learn with an audio course will help  you ask simple questions and understand the answers. But most audio courses focus on stand-alone phrases and dont provide detailed grammar instruction. If you find yourself wanting to say not  just, Im going to the museum, but, Yesterday I went to the museum, you may have to look further than your audio course.  Build on the phrases in  your audio book by supplementing with a grammar book or website that explains grammar rules.Dont be afraid to skip ahead.  If you discover that the material most important to  you is in one of the later chapters of an audio course, skip right to it! Although most audio language courses build on the material taught in previous chapters,  theres no reason why you need to wait if what you want to learn most is 45 minutes into the audio course. Go ahead and listen to what youre drawn to!Make an  audio course part of your larger language-learning routineâ€"not the entire routine.  Most of us retain information best when we get it from a variety of different inputs. Look up new words in a dictionary, use a textbook for additional learning, watch videos online and talk with a conversation partner for a complete picture of how the language is used in different contexts. The more varied your language inputs, the better chance you have of retaining information and learning how words are used in differen t situations.Intermediate Level: Childrens BooksIntermediate-level language learners are ready to move beyond the basics and will probably enjoy the challenge of authentic audio materialsâ€"the type of audiobooks native speakers might use themselves.An adult audiobook in a foreign language can  be daunting even to the most confident language student, so its best to start with childrens books. Youll find that they are approachable, fun and remarkably useful for learning.To choose the best  childrens book  for you, follow these suggestions:Have fun! Childrens books are meant to be fun. Luckily, most are designed to be engaging, educational, and interesting, so it shouldnt be too difficult to find a good one.Ask native speakers which books they like best.  What do native speakers read to their children? What books do they remember from childhood? Choosing books that are beloved by native speakers is a good way to ensure you dont pick a dud and may mean that youll find an audience inter ested in discussing it with you.Avoid archaic language. Some of the best childrens stories are folktales, poems and stories passed down for centuries. While these provide wonderful opportunities for cultural learning, its best to avoid archaic language when you first start out. Archaic  language is likely to be confusing to language learners and will not be as useful if you plan to use phrases you learn to speak with people on an everyday basis (you probably dont want to tell your friend the equivalent of, I bequeath you this piece of cake). Start with more  modern stories, and work your way up to stories with more complex language.Of course, the easiest  way to start learning with  an audiobook is to simply turn it on and listen. But having a plan and some resources will help you keep on track.Make it work for you:Focus on the story.    Dont worry about looking up every single word. Instead, look up a few key  words and then listen again to see how much more you can understand. It might  be overwhelming if you try to look up every word you dont know.Learn like a child. Childrens stories form the basis of language and reading development. Children usually pick up phrases from books and try them out in new settings.  This is exactly what you should do.Emulate the narratorâ€"but not too much. Childrens book narrators are fantastic storytellers. Emulating the narrator is great practice, but just remember that  you dont want to sound like youre talking to children every time you speak!Advanced Level: Novels and Non-Fiction for Young Adults and AdultsWhen youve got the hang of childrens audiobooks, its time to start listening to novels and non-fiction.Give a little thought to what you plan to listen to. It will likely be much longer than a childrens book, so its important to select something that will hold your attention.Here are some things to consider:Choose  a book  native speakers are reading. Look for lists of top-selling books in your target language, and as k  native speakers what they like to read. A book that native speakers have appreciated is more likely to be interesting and will offer more opportunities for discussion with native speakers than an obscure book will.Consider starting with a book youve read in your native language.  Youll already be familiar with the characters and plot, so you may be able to follow along easier without looking up as many words. If youve read a book in translation that was originally written in your target language, this is an ideal book to start with. Reading the book in the language it was written in will provide you with a new and more complete perspective of the story.Take a gander at young adult novels.  Young adult novels often have mass appeal and are written in plainer language than adult novels. These can be fun to read and a little bit less daunting than starting with an adult audiobook.Avoid classicsâ€"at least for a while. Classics are enduring stories and have great cultural value, but they can be difficult to understand, even for native speakers.  Unless you know that a certain classic novel is written in language thats easy to understand, its best to start with books written in more colloquial language. After youre familiar with the audiobook format, then you might start trying to listen to classics.After youve selected the audiobook youre going to read, its time to get started!Make it work for you:Get a hardcopy in your native language, if possible. Although you shouldnt rely on the book in your native language, having one to consult may help you feel confident you are following the story correctly and getting all the nuanced information. Just  remember not to attempt to translate word-for-word or even sentence-for-sentence because the exact phrasing may be different.Move on!  Listening repeatedly improves your comprehension and helps you memorize new words, but a full-length book is too long for you to spend too much time on any one section. While you may be able to listen again and again to a childrens book, an adult book is much more about flow and overall comprehension than it is about the specifics of any single section.Focus on the big picture. Your goal should be to understand the story and learn a few new words in the processâ€"not to look up every single word you hear. You will hear some of the same words repeated again and again and will begin to form an idea of what these words mean and how theyre used in different contexts.  Recognize that its okay to get the gist of it without understanding all  the nuances.Audiobooksâ€"whether language courses, childrens books or adult booksâ€"are a great way to learn and practice your language skills. Theyre fun, inspirational and may  fill a void in your language-learning routine.As you begin to listen and become more comfortable with the best foreign language audiobooks, consider trying increasingly difficult  ones. You may surprise yourself with your level of comprehension and will lear n a lot in the process.Time to level up! And One More ThingIf youre digging these learning strategies, youll love using FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.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 learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoA nd 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.

Edukwest Talking with Kirsten Winkler about italki

Edukwest Talking with Kirsten Winkler about italki If you dont know who Kirsten Winkler is, you really should. She is a professional language teacher who has become an expert in the field of online language education. Between her blog and her E-Teachers Academy and conferences, I think there are few people who understand the evolving space of online language education as well as she does. You could say Kirsten is the equivalent of techcrunch for online language learning. One of her main projects is called Edukwest, and she has been interviewing a lot of inspiring people in the online language learning space. She asked to interview us at italki, and we gladly took the opportunity. Heres the direct page to the interview http://www.edukwest.com/kevin-chen-of-italki-com/ And heres that interview embedded (youll need a proxy to view it if youre in China): We covered a lot of topics in the interview, and one thing we hope that is clear is that it is an exciting time to be a startup in this area. The technology and the market is evolving very quickly, and were only just seeing the start of these new and potentially world-changing ideas. I believe everyone shares this core belief that technology can play a critical role in improving the old way of language learning. The impressive thing about Kirsten is that she has actually met and interviewed a lot of these people! Again, if you want to know all the latest news, as well as engage in the latest debates about online language education, read Kirstens blog or follow her on twitter (@kirstenwinkler). And of course, you can also get involved and influence the shape of things to come just by commenting on a blog or sending emails! Edukwest Talking with Kirsten Winkler about italki If you dont know who Kirsten Winkler is, you really should. She is a professional language teacher who has become an expert in the field of online language education. Between her blog and her E-Teachers Academy and conferences, I think there are few people who understand the evolving space of online language education as well as she does. You could say Kirsten is the equivalent of techcrunch for online language learning. One of her main projects is called Edukwest, and she has been interviewing a lot of inspiring people in the online language learning space. She asked to interview us at italki, and we gladly took the opportunity. Heres the direct page to the interview http://www.edukwest.com/kevin-chen-of-italki-com/ And heres that interview embedded (youll need a proxy to view it if youre in China): We covered a lot of topics in the interview, and one thing we hope that is clear is that it is an exciting time to be a startup in this area. The technology and the market is evolving very quickly, and were only just seeing the start of these new and potentially world-changing ideas. I believe everyone shares this core belief that technology can play a critical role in improving the old way of language learning. The impressive thing about Kirsten is that she has actually met and interviewed a lot of these people! Again, if you want to know all the latest news, as well as engage in the latest debates about online language education, read Kirstens blog or follow her on twitter (@kirstenwinkler). And of course, you can also get involved and influence the shape of things to come just by commenting on a blog or sending emails!