- overcast
- kindle
- potent
- hinder = impede =retard
- desist = cease
- abstain
- abrupt
- peerless
- apparel
- contrite =crushed in spirit by a sense of sin
- hasten=accelerate
- elude =escape, slip away
- lucid=bright, clear
- weir=dam, barrier across the river
- confer=discuss
- tardy=slow, late
Friday, 30 April 2010
New words that come up in Bond Papers
I keep making notes of new words tha come up, when my son does his papers. Here they are:
Thursday, 29 April 2010
English Schools in Cyprus
by Grace Turner
State Education in Cyprus
Education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 16.
Children may start school at three at state pre-schools. At the age of six, children must attend primary schools. From 12 to 18 years old children attend secondary school (although they can leave school at 16).
Every village that contains more than 15 school age children will have a school or a neighbouring village will have a school that will be able to provide for both communities.
A knowledge of the Greek language is essential if you wish your child to attend the state school system.
There are also private fee paying pre-school, primary and secondary schools available. These are regulated by the Ministry of Education and Culture but the running of the school is carried out by either religious groups or foreign bodies.
There are also International schools in the larger cities which are the best option for older children as the education will be based on the UK curriculum and taught in English.
Over 60% of all secondary school leavers attend university.
Higher education is free for Cypriot nationals. You may have to pay as an overseas student especially if you have lived in Cyprus for less than 3 years. The embassy will help with more details.
The education system falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Culture. They manage appointments, promotions, disciplinary matters and regulate the curriculum.
Private English Schools in Cyprus
There are 17 private English Schools in Cyprus:-
American Academy
Private school in Limassol following the English National Curriculum. Ages from 2 to University entrance with full range of subjects at GCSE, 'O' Level, 'A' and 'A/S' Level. Preparation for TOEFL and entry to top universities. Tel: 7777 2277 Fax: 25 387 488
American Academy Larnaca
English speaking private international school in Larnaca at Gregori Afxentiou Avenue. Primary and secondary schools. Non profit making school where pupils take internationally recognised exams. Tel: 24 815 400 Fax: 24 651 046
American Academy Nicosia
Private, English speaking Christian school. Ages range from pre-reception through to university entrance preparation for IGCSE, A Level and LCCI exams. Located in Nicosia at 3A Michael Parides Street. Principal is Dr Joe Worsham. Tel: 22 664 266 Fax: 22 669 290
Foley's Grammar & Junior School
Private, independent and co-educational British day-school providing English-language education for learners age 4 to 18 or 19 (A levels and university entrance). Licensed by the Cyprus Ministry of Education. At 40 Homer Street, 3095 Lemesos. Tel: 25 582 191 Fax: 25 584 119
G C School of Careers
Nicosia based English speaking private international school located at 96 Stadiou Street. Internationally recognised exams. Tel: 22 464 400 Fax: 22 356 468
Highgate School
Private English speaking nursery, primary and secondary school located at 25 Heroes Avenue, Nicosia. Pupils take IGCSE examinations and there are many extracurricular activities on offer.
Tel: 22 780 527 (primary) or 22 781 818 (secondary) Fax: 22 773 474
International School Of Paphos
Private English speaking international school located in Paphos at 100 Aristotelous Savva Avenue. Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary schools are all catered for in this school.
Tel: 26 821 700 Fax: 26 942 541
King Richard School
English school for the children of service personnel located in Dhekelia Garrison near Larnaca. Also accept fee paying private students subject to availability of places and security clearance. Following UK National Curriculum.l Tel: 24 744 776 Fax: 24 744 188
Logos School of English Education
Providing private individual teaching in a caring environment with a nursery and boarding facilities if required. GCSE 'O' and 'A' levels offered with an Oxford recognised examination centre at 33/35 Aegialousa Street in Limassol. Tel: 25 336 061 Fax: 25 335 578
Papantoniou Institute
Foreign language institute specialising in teaching school age students and preparation for university entrance. Other courses are available for adults wishing to learn Greek. Two locations, one in Larnaca and one in Nicosia. Tel: 22 330 391
Pascal English School
English private school with sites in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol. Run as a 6 year English secondary school (not 7 year). Entrance exams in English and Maths. Priority given to high scoring students. Internationally recognised qualifications. Tel: 22 590 270 (Nicosia) 25 333 310 (Limassol) 24 813 Fax: 22 590 214 (Nicosia) 25 339 335 (Limassol) 24 534
St. John's School Episkopi
School mainly for the children of service personnel in Cyprus, but also admitting some English speaking pupils subject to security clearance. Fees are payable for non service children.
Tel: 25 963 888 Fax: 25 963 708
The American International School
A private, co-educational, day school for primary, "Middle School" and secondary (or upper school) education. The curriculum fulfils requirements for MSA accreditation and the IBO (International Baccalaureate). At 11 Kassos Street, Nicosia. Tel: 22 316 345 Fax: 22 316 549
The English School Nicosia
English private secondary school based just outside Nicosia. Internationally recognised exams. Entrance is by examinations. Tel: 22 799 300 Fax: 22 799 301
The Grammar School Nicosia
English speaking private international school located in Nicosia at Anthoupolis Highway. Secondary school only, with entrance by examination. Exams taken are internationally recognised O and A Levels. Tel: 22 695 695 Fax: 22 623 044
The Heritage Private School
Private English speaking international school in Limassol at 15 General Makriyiannis Street. Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary schools within the system. Pupils take internationally recognised exams and are taught under the English National Curriculum. Tel: 25 367 018 (Primary) or 25 362 224 (Secondary and Fax: 25 359 977
The Junior School Nicosia
Private English speaking school in Nicosia, covering pre-reception, infant and junior ages (three and a half to twelve and a half). Following the British National Curriculum. Tel: 22 664 855 Fax: 22 666 993
Grace Turner is a Director of http://www.mortgage-calculator-group.com/ - the website for mortgages in Europe.
For more information about living in Cyprus, visit www.cyprus-property-today.com [http://www.cyprus-property-today.com]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Grace_Turner
State Education in Cyprus
Education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 16.
Children may start school at three at state pre-schools. At the age of six, children must attend primary schools. From 12 to 18 years old children attend secondary school (although they can leave school at 16).
Every village that contains more than 15 school age children will have a school or a neighbouring village will have a school that will be able to provide for both communities.
A knowledge of the Greek language is essential if you wish your child to attend the state school system.
There are also private fee paying pre-school, primary and secondary schools available. These are regulated by the Ministry of Education and Culture but the running of the school is carried out by either religious groups or foreign bodies.
There are also International schools in the larger cities which are the best option for older children as the education will be based on the UK curriculum and taught in English.
Over 60% of all secondary school leavers attend university.
Higher education is free for Cypriot nationals. You may have to pay as an overseas student especially if you have lived in Cyprus for less than 3 years. The embassy will help with more details.
The education system falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Culture. They manage appointments, promotions, disciplinary matters and regulate the curriculum.
Private English Schools in Cyprus
There are 17 private English Schools in Cyprus:-
American Academy
Private school in Limassol following the English National Curriculum. Ages from 2 to University entrance with full range of subjects at GCSE, 'O' Level, 'A' and 'A/S' Level. Preparation for TOEFL and entry to top universities. Tel: 7777 2277 Fax: 25 387 488
American Academy Larnaca
English speaking private international school in Larnaca at Gregori Afxentiou Avenue. Primary and secondary schools. Non profit making school where pupils take internationally recognised exams. Tel: 24 815 400 Fax: 24 651 046
American Academy Nicosia
Private, English speaking Christian school. Ages range from pre-reception through to university entrance preparation for IGCSE, A Level and LCCI exams. Located in Nicosia at 3A Michael Parides Street. Principal is Dr Joe Worsham. Tel: 22 664 266 Fax: 22 669 290
Foley's Grammar & Junior School
Private, independent and co-educational British day-school providing English-language education for learners age 4 to 18 or 19 (A levels and university entrance). Licensed by the Cyprus Ministry of Education. At 40 Homer Street, 3095 Lemesos. Tel: 25 582 191 Fax: 25 584 119
G C School of Careers
Nicosia based English speaking private international school located at 96 Stadiou Street. Internationally recognised exams. Tel: 22 464 400 Fax: 22 356 468
Highgate School
Private English speaking nursery, primary and secondary school located at 25 Heroes Avenue, Nicosia. Pupils take IGCSE examinations and there are many extracurricular activities on offer.
Tel: 22 780 527 (primary) or 22 781 818 (secondary) Fax: 22 773 474
International School Of Paphos
Private English speaking international school located in Paphos at 100 Aristotelous Savva Avenue. Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary schools are all catered for in this school.
Tel: 26 821 700 Fax: 26 942 541
King Richard School
English school for the children of service personnel located in Dhekelia Garrison near Larnaca. Also accept fee paying private students subject to availability of places and security clearance. Following UK National Curriculum.l Tel: 24 744 776 Fax: 24 744 188
Logos School of English Education
Providing private individual teaching in a caring environment with a nursery and boarding facilities if required. GCSE 'O' and 'A' levels offered with an Oxford recognised examination centre at 33/35 Aegialousa Street in Limassol. Tel: 25 336 061 Fax: 25 335 578
Papantoniou Institute
Foreign language institute specialising in teaching school age students and preparation for university entrance. Other courses are available for adults wishing to learn Greek. Two locations, one in Larnaca and one in Nicosia. Tel: 22 330 391
Pascal English School
English private school with sites in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol. Run as a 6 year English secondary school (not 7 year). Entrance exams in English and Maths. Priority given to high scoring students. Internationally recognised qualifications. Tel: 22 590 270 (Nicosia) 25 333 310 (Limassol) 24 813 Fax: 22 590 214 (Nicosia) 25 339 335 (Limassol) 24 534
St. John's School Episkopi
School mainly for the children of service personnel in Cyprus, but also admitting some English speaking pupils subject to security clearance. Fees are payable for non service children.
Tel: 25 963 888 Fax: 25 963 708
The American International School
A private, co-educational, day school for primary, "Middle School" and secondary (or upper school) education. The curriculum fulfils requirements for MSA accreditation and the IBO (International Baccalaureate). At 11 Kassos Street, Nicosia. Tel: 22 316 345 Fax: 22 316 549
The English School Nicosia
English private secondary school based just outside Nicosia. Internationally recognised exams. Entrance is by examinations. Tel: 22 799 300 Fax: 22 799 301
The Grammar School Nicosia
English speaking private international school located in Nicosia at Anthoupolis Highway. Secondary school only, with entrance by examination. Exams taken are internationally recognised O and A Levels. Tel: 22 695 695 Fax: 22 623 044
The Heritage Private School
Private English speaking international school in Limassol at 15 General Makriyiannis Street. Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary schools within the system. Pupils take internationally recognised exams and are taught under the English National Curriculum. Tel: 25 367 018 (Primary) or 25 362 224 (Secondary and Fax: 25 359 977
The Junior School Nicosia
Private English speaking school in Nicosia, covering pre-reception, infant and junior ages (three and a half to twelve and a half). Following the British National Curriculum. Tel: 22 664 855 Fax: 22 666 993
Grace Turner is a Director of http://www.mortgage-calculator-group.com/ - the website for mortgages in Europe.
For more information about living in Cyprus, visit www.cyprus-property-today.com [http://www.cyprus-property-today.com]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Grace_Turner
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Monday, 26 April 2010
A Brief Biography of Paul McCartney's Early Years
by Jason Hobbs
Being known as the "cute Beatle," James Paul McCartney was born in Liverpool England on June 18th, 1942 as son to father James and mother Mary McCartney.
Paul's mother, whom he was very close to, was a midwife, a skill that she learned while working as a nurse in the Maternity Ward at the same hospital that her son Paul was born in, Walton General Hospital in Liverpool. His father worked during the day for A. Hannay Co. as a cotton salesman, and then as a jazz musician with Jim Mac's Jazz Band at night.
At school, Paul was an exceptional student. After breezing through primary school and junior school with flying colours, he passed a test called the 11-plus exam, which got him into a sort of elite type of high school known as the Liverpool Institute. This is where he first met his band mate and friend, George Harrison.
In 1955, when he was just 14, Paul's mother died tragically from breast cancer, after suffering an embolism, likely due to a post mastectomy operation to stop the spread of her cancer. This incident greatly affected him, and was a large aspect of the bond that he and John Lennon, who also lost his mother at a young age, formed. (his mother was killed on Menlove Avenue by a car driven by a drunken, off-duty police officer).
Musically, Paul started out on the trumpet, probably due to the fact that his father would often take him to local brass band concerts to expose him to music. He quickly traded the trumpet for an acoustic guitar however after a style of music called Skiffle became popular.
Skiffle music was a type of music that combined an influence of both folksy and bluesy styles. It was an interesting music that combined conventional instruments like the acoustic guitar and piano with unique object such as the washboard, the comb, a musical saw, etc. One of the most famous skiffle stars was the late Lonnie Donegan.
Paul found that playing his first acoustic guitar was nearly impossible being a lefty, until he saw a poster of a famous musician of that time (Jimi Hendrix) playing left handed with the strings being strung the opposite way.
At 15, Paul met John Lennon, who was actually playing in his own little Skiffle band called the Quarrymen (Named after Quarry Bank Grammar School which they attended). The two were introduced through a mutual friend named Ivan Vaughan.
On 6 July 1957 the band played at St. Peter's Church garden fête.In the afternoon they played on a temporary stage in a field behind the church. After the set, Ivan Vaughan, an occasional tea chest bass player with the band, introduced Paul McCartney to John Lennon while the band was setting up in the church hall for the second set. McCartney showed the band how to tune a guitar and sang Eddie Cochran's "Twenty Flight Rock" and Gene Vincent's "Be-Bop-A-Lula", and a medley of Little Richard hits to his own guitar accompaniment. The evening show started at 8 p.m. and cost two shillings admission. Audience member Bob Molyneux recorded part of the evening performance on a Grundig portable reel-to-reel tape recorder. Two weeks later, meeting McCartney while cycling through Woolton, Pete Shotton, on behalf of John and the group, invited McCartney to join them.
Nigel Whalley, the ex-tea chest bass player who was currently managing the band, got the Quarry Men a booking at Lee Park Golf Club in Liverpool. Alan Sytner, owner of the Cavern club, was a member of the golf club. The band subsequently appeared several times in what were billed as "Skiffle Sessions" and in August 1957, their name was first mentioned in the Cavern's advertisement in the Liverpool Echo, by which time Pete Shotton had left the band. Rod Davis followed a short time later as school commitments prevented him from contributing as fully as he would have liked.
Paul McCartney made his debut with the band for a Conservative Club social, at The New Clubmoor Hall on Back Broadway in Norris Green, Liverpool, on Friday, 18 October 1957, when he returned from his summer holidays. The band had been booked by local promoter Charlie McBain and they wore matching outfits with long-sleeved cowboy shirts, black string ties and black trousers. John and Paul wore white sports-coats. Paul played lead guitar but botched a solo, embarrassing himself and the group. To save face with John, during a break he played him "I've Lost My Little Girl"--his recently-finished first song, which inspired John to also start writing. The other members of the band that night were Hanton on drums, Garry on tea-chest bass and Griffiths on guitar.
Not long after, the Quarrymen were practicing in Paul McCartney's living room. This shows the support that Jim McCartney had of his son, even though at the time he didn't much care for the fact that Paul was hanging out with the apparently troublesome Lennon.
The Quarrymen went through a progression of names -- Johnny and The Moondogs, Long John and The Beatles, The Silver Beetles (derived from Larry Williams's suggestion "Long John and the Silver Beetles") -- and eventually decided on 17 August 1960 on "The Beatles". There are many theories as to the origin of the name and its unusual spelling; it is usually credited to John Lennon, who said that the name was a combination word-play on the insects "beetles" (as a nod/compliment to Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets) and the word "beat". He also later said that it was a joke, meaning a pun on "Beat-less".
Through an endless stream of band member changes as well as name changes, eventually George Harrison was brought into the band on guitar, Paul moved from guitar to bass (to replace Stuart Sutcliffe who died of a brain haemorrhage). Not long after, the guy usually known as "the fifth Beatle" Pete Best was asked to leave and in came Ringo Starr... and the rest was history.
Jason Hobbs has been a fan of Paul McCartney for over 25 years and runs a Paul McCartney related lens at Squidoo - CLICK HERE to view Lens
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Hobbs
Being known as the "cute Beatle," James Paul McCartney was born in Liverpool England on June 18th, 1942 as son to father James and mother Mary McCartney.
Paul's mother, whom he was very close to, was a midwife, a skill that she learned while working as a nurse in the Maternity Ward at the same hospital that her son Paul was born in, Walton General Hospital in Liverpool. His father worked during the day for A. Hannay Co. as a cotton salesman, and then as a jazz musician with Jim Mac's Jazz Band at night.
At school, Paul was an exceptional student. After breezing through primary school and junior school with flying colours, he passed a test called the 11-plus exam, which got him into a sort of elite type of high school known as the Liverpool Institute. This is where he first met his band mate and friend, George Harrison.
In 1955, when he was just 14, Paul's mother died tragically from breast cancer, after suffering an embolism, likely due to a post mastectomy operation to stop the spread of her cancer. This incident greatly affected him, and was a large aspect of the bond that he and John Lennon, who also lost his mother at a young age, formed. (his mother was killed on Menlove Avenue by a car driven by a drunken, off-duty police officer).
Musically, Paul started out on the trumpet, probably due to the fact that his father would often take him to local brass band concerts to expose him to music. He quickly traded the trumpet for an acoustic guitar however after a style of music called Skiffle became popular.
Skiffle music was a type of music that combined an influence of both folksy and bluesy styles. It was an interesting music that combined conventional instruments like the acoustic guitar and piano with unique object such as the washboard, the comb, a musical saw, etc. One of the most famous skiffle stars was the late Lonnie Donegan.
Paul found that playing his first acoustic guitar was nearly impossible being a lefty, until he saw a poster of a famous musician of that time (Jimi Hendrix) playing left handed with the strings being strung the opposite way.
At 15, Paul met John Lennon, who was actually playing in his own little Skiffle band called the Quarrymen (Named after Quarry Bank Grammar School which they attended). The two were introduced through a mutual friend named Ivan Vaughan.
On 6 July 1957 the band played at St. Peter's Church garden fête.In the afternoon they played on a temporary stage in a field behind the church. After the set, Ivan Vaughan, an occasional tea chest bass player with the band, introduced Paul McCartney to John Lennon while the band was setting up in the church hall for the second set. McCartney showed the band how to tune a guitar and sang Eddie Cochran's "Twenty Flight Rock" and Gene Vincent's "Be-Bop-A-Lula", and a medley of Little Richard hits to his own guitar accompaniment. The evening show started at 8 p.m. and cost two shillings admission. Audience member Bob Molyneux recorded part of the evening performance on a Grundig portable reel-to-reel tape recorder. Two weeks later, meeting McCartney while cycling through Woolton, Pete Shotton, on behalf of John and the group, invited McCartney to join them.
Nigel Whalley, the ex-tea chest bass player who was currently managing the band, got the Quarry Men a booking at Lee Park Golf Club in Liverpool. Alan Sytner, owner of the Cavern club, was a member of the golf club. The band subsequently appeared several times in what were billed as "Skiffle Sessions" and in August 1957, their name was first mentioned in the Cavern's advertisement in the Liverpool Echo, by which time Pete Shotton had left the band. Rod Davis followed a short time later as school commitments prevented him from contributing as fully as he would have liked.
Paul McCartney made his debut with the band for a Conservative Club social, at The New Clubmoor Hall on Back Broadway in Norris Green, Liverpool, on Friday, 18 October 1957, when he returned from his summer holidays. The band had been booked by local promoter Charlie McBain and they wore matching outfits with long-sleeved cowboy shirts, black string ties and black trousers. John and Paul wore white sports-coats. Paul played lead guitar but botched a solo, embarrassing himself and the group. To save face with John, during a break he played him "I've Lost My Little Girl"--his recently-finished first song, which inspired John to also start writing. The other members of the band that night were Hanton on drums, Garry on tea-chest bass and Griffiths on guitar.
Not long after, the Quarrymen were practicing in Paul McCartney's living room. This shows the support that Jim McCartney had of his son, even though at the time he didn't much care for the fact that Paul was hanging out with the apparently troublesome Lennon.
The Quarrymen went through a progression of names -- Johnny and The Moondogs, Long John and The Beatles, The Silver Beetles (derived from Larry Williams's suggestion "Long John and the Silver Beetles") -- and eventually decided on 17 August 1960 on "The Beatles". There are many theories as to the origin of the name and its unusual spelling; it is usually credited to John Lennon, who said that the name was a combination word-play on the insects "beetles" (as a nod/compliment to Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets) and the word "beat". He also later said that it was a joke, meaning a pun on "Beat-less".
Through an endless stream of band member changes as well as name changes, eventually George Harrison was brought into the band on guitar, Paul moved from guitar to bass (to replace Stuart Sutcliffe who died of a brain haemorrhage). Not long after, the guy usually known as "the fifth Beatle" Pete Best was asked to leave and in came Ringo Starr... and the rest was history.
Jason Hobbs has been a fan of Paul McCartney for over 25 years and runs a Paul McCartney related lens at Squidoo - CLICK HERE to view Lens
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Hobbs
Friday, 23 April 2010
Personal tip
My personal tip taken from my own experience (looking at my children' s performance):
Get any books that require your child to pracise subtraction up to 100 and more complicated division e.g. 1056 : 245. Ask your child to average his answer to certain integers.
I went to the library to see if I could buy any maths practice sheets, but I found them far too easy. My son is much further in his studies, but he still needs more practice.
Get any books that require your child to pracise subtraction up to 100 and more complicated division e.g. 1056 : 245. Ask your child to average his answer to certain integers.
I went to the library to see if I could buy any maths practice sheets, but I found them far too easy. My son is much further in his studies, but he still needs more practice.
Thursday, 22 April 2010
According to me technology is useful at all stages of education - even primary school pupils need to research various subjects and prepare a simple presentation- my son was very eager to search more information about ancient Greece.
As with everything, computer usage can't be exaggerated. Time tables still need to be learnt by heart...and you don't need computer to do it.
As with everything, computer usage can't be exaggerated. Time tables still need to be learnt by heart...and you don't need computer to do it.
The use of classroom technology in secondary schools
Article By: Andrew Regan
Interactive classroom technology is available at all stages of education, but nowhere are the benefits felt more greatly than in secondary education. Today's tech-savvy students can enjoy instant access to a wider range of learning resources than ever before in classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards, with a wide range of educational software available for download to enhance lesson plans in all areas of the curriculum and help students work towards their GCSEs and further education.
This new technology makes it easier than ever for teachers to obtain access to the most up-to-date lesson plans online, as well as serving to make teaching a more enjoyable and rewarding experience for all. Benefiting from interactive presentations, in-depth information and instant access to further reading, educational software is the future of teaching, and integrates perfectly into modern secondary school environments in which students have grown up with technology all around them.
Interactive whiteboards equipped with educational software evolve the learning experience into something more vibrant, entertaining and engaging, whatever the subject being taught. By using digital education tools, teachers can gain access to flipcharts, audio and video presentations and other activities to take lessons beyond the textbook and offer innovative ways for students to get more out of their education, by bringing subjects to life.
In classrooms with interactive whiteboard tools, the digital approach to education can also help students feel empowered in taking greater control over their own education, interacting with data displayed to see real-time results. This can be especially useful in subjects that were previously difficult to grasp, such as maths and the sciences, now made easier to understand thanks to educational software and classroom tools.
There are further benefits for teachers, who can discuss and share ideas with other teachers in online communities, helping to find the best educational software suited to their personal teaching style. Not only does classroom technology make teaching easier and less hassle, but the benefits can also serve to make the occupation even more rewarding, with minimal training needed to obtain fluency with the technology that can even be taught at home.
Educational software can even offer a solution to homework, as students can download a personal version to work on at home and reinforce the day's learning, or work towards revising for exams. Even beyond the subjects themselves, offering students access to interactive software at school and in their homes helps develop their IT skills in relevant ways, providing a further boost to their education and future employability.
Original Article URL: The use of classroom technology in secondary schools
Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
Interactive classroom technology is available at all stages of education, but nowhere are the benefits felt more greatly than in secondary education. Today's tech-savvy students can enjoy instant access to a wider range of learning resources than ever before in classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards, with a wide range of educational software available for download to enhance lesson plans in all areas of the curriculum and help students work towards their GCSEs and further education.
This new technology makes it easier than ever for teachers to obtain access to the most up-to-date lesson plans online, as well as serving to make teaching a more enjoyable and rewarding experience for all. Benefiting from interactive presentations, in-depth information and instant access to further reading, educational software is the future of teaching, and integrates perfectly into modern secondary school environments in which students have grown up with technology all around them.
Interactive whiteboards equipped with educational software evolve the learning experience into something more vibrant, entertaining and engaging, whatever the subject being taught. By using digital education tools, teachers can gain access to flipcharts, audio and video presentations and other activities to take lessons beyond the textbook and offer innovative ways for students to get more out of their education, by bringing subjects to life.
In classrooms with interactive whiteboard tools, the digital approach to education can also help students feel empowered in taking greater control over their own education, interacting with data displayed to see real-time results. This can be especially useful in subjects that were previously difficult to grasp, such as maths and the sciences, now made easier to understand thanks to educational software and classroom tools.
There are further benefits for teachers, who can discuss and share ideas with other teachers in online communities, helping to find the best educational software suited to their personal teaching style. Not only does classroom technology make teaching easier and less hassle, but the benefits can also serve to make the occupation even more rewarding, with minimal training needed to obtain fluency with the technology that can even be taught at home.
Educational software can even offer a solution to homework, as students can download a personal version to work on at home and reinforce the day's learning, or work towards revising for exams. Even beyond the subjects themselves, offering students access to interactive software at school and in their homes helps develop their IT skills in relevant ways, providing a further boost to their education and future employability.
Original Article URL: The use of classroom technology in secondary schools
Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Is maths needed?
All this studying may sound daunting and uninteresting to your child...However, yesterday, we had a hand on experience with the usage of percentages. My husband needed to calculate some percentages to update a price list. Just to check, if our son was capable of helping, we asked him to calculate a few of them.
He sat down a bit uneasy and performed the first calculation. We checked it, he did it right. So he continued. Once he finished, we went over his results. He got all of them right. "See, ", I said to my son-"it's one of the situations when you apply maths!"
He sat down a bit uneasy and performed the first calculation. We checked it, he did it right. So he continued. Once he finished, we went over his results. He got all of them right. "See, ", I said to my son-"it's one of the situations when you apply maths!"
Monday, 19 April 2010
Mental maths again
Did you notice how your child is counting? Can he do simple calculations in his head, or does he need a piece of paper or his fingers to add?
Children without a basic, sound knowledge of maths are struggling later on in life with absolutely everything. If your child does not know maths and does not like it, there is a reason for concern. Find out what the problem is. It may be trivial. e.g. he may be bored because he is stuck with something simple and he cannot make any further progress . Or he may not like the teacher. Get some simple maths books and ask your child to solve some problems. It should give you an idea, where he stands with his education. Unfortunately, maths has to be practised every day to become fluent in it. And you have to understand what you are doing and why.
Start at the bottom with some simple tests and work your way up. Browse through any mathematics' exercise books that you can find. You do not have to become another Carol Vorderman, but you do need to improve your maths and you can do it.
Children without a basic, sound knowledge of maths are struggling later on in life with absolutely everything. If your child does not know maths and does not like it, there is a reason for concern. Find out what the problem is. It may be trivial. e.g. he may be bored because he is stuck with something simple and he cannot make any further progress . Or he may not like the teacher. Get some simple maths books and ask your child to solve some problems. It should give you an idea, where he stands with his education. Unfortunately, maths has to be practised every day to become fluent in it. And you have to understand what you are doing and why.
Start at the bottom with some simple tests and work your way up. Browse through any mathematics' exercise books that you can find. You do not have to become another Carol Vorderman, but you do need to improve your maths and you can do it.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Simple equations
Today was the maths' day and the problem like this: 3x (a+b+c) = 66 If a=5, what does (b+c)/3 equal?
I urge you to explain to your child how to solve this type of equation. If your child knows basic mental maths, he should not have any problems with understanding this problem.
Hint: Stress that any number (or an unknown) that is moved from the left side of the equation to the right one, changes the sign.
I urge you to explain to your child how to solve this type of equation. If your child knows basic mental maths, he should not have any problems with understanding this problem.
Hint: Stress that any number (or an unknown) that is moved from the left side of the equation to the right one, changes the sign.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
After the break..
I had a break from the pc, but not my son. He did not skip a single day from preparing for 11 plus exam.
Each day he did something different: Bond Paper's Maths, Bond Paper's Verbal Reasoning, Mental Maths and English. This is the key to good results: preparation- meticulous and constant. Step by step. Small amounts of practice, but done frequently. There is nothing worse than trying to feed child's brain with a large ampount of knowledge at the last minute. Plan and organise and you will see results.
Each day he did something different: Bond Paper's Maths, Bond Paper's Verbal Reasoning, Mental Maths and English. This is the key to good results: preparation- meticulous and constant. Step by step. Small amounts of practice, but done frequently. There is nothing worse than trying to feed child's brain with a large ampount of knowledge at the last minute. Plan and organise and you will see results.
Friday, 9 April 2010
Spelling in public places lives much to be desired!
I have just asked my 7 year old to find a spelling mistake in a basic, public swimming timetable. It read as follows: "partys". My child immediately pointed to this word and said: " It should be spelt: PARTIES".
Shame on you grow-ups. How can we expect children to achieve anything, if adults make such spelling mistakes?!
Shame on you grow-ups. How can we expect children to achieve anything, if adults make such spelling mistakes?!
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Maths for today
Another test was done. Result: 50/50. Bond Papers 11-12. You should have seen this pride on my son's face! And it boosted his confidence. He knows he is able to achieve more. He wants to achieve more. So why stopping the children in development? What is the point of it? You are not pushing too hard. If your child is able, let him go for it. The sky is the limit. Your fear of maths does not have to be his!
By the way, a great programme to watch with the children: "Wonders of the Solar System" still available to watch on the BBC website.
By the way, a great programme to watch with the children: "Wonders of the Solar System" still available to watch on the BBC website.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
English 11-12
My son carries on with his study. One day it is Maths, the next verbal reasoning. Today it was English. He did it with a bit of hesitation. He still needs encouragement, but starts seeing "the end of the tunnel". He is no longer "put off" by English papers.
Hint: If your child is weak at some subject, he will always moan about it and won't like to do any papers on the subject. Help your child to overcome this feeling by doing more papers, reading more, explaining difficult parts and taking notes of new words. I had the same problem with my son't maths- he didn't like it. Because of it, I forced him to do even more maths while explaining it all along. He can't stop doing maths now!
Hint: If your child is weak at some subject, he will always moan about it and won't like to do any papers on the subject. Help your child to overcome this feeling by doing more papers, reading more, explaining difficult parts and taking notes of new words. I had the same problem with my son't maths- he didn't like it. Because of it, I forced him to do even more maths while explaining it all along. He can't stop doing maths now!
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Some more resources (timetables)
http://www.teachingtables.co.uk/
http://www.programmingart.com/free/games/multiply/
http://www.mathsisfun.com/tables.html
http://www.mathsisfun.com/timestable.html
I haven't checked any of these links, but you may find them useful.
http://www.programmingart.com/free/games/multiply/
http://www.mathsisfun.com/tables.html
http://www.mathsisfun.com/timestable.html
I haven't checked any of these links, but you may find them useful.
Monday, 5 April 2010
Maths practice
We did some maths today. My son (without any complaint) solved all the questions from Bond Papers 11-12 and was really pleased when he discovered it was all well done: 50/50!
To be honest, I got him to the stage, where he enjoys maths and is looking forward to more challenges!
Hint: Practise maths with your child on a daily basis, as primary school lacks practice!
To be honest, I got him to the stage, where he enjoys maths and is looking forward to more challenges!
Hint: Practise maths with your child on a daily basis, as primary school lacks practice!
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Some more practice
My son finished paper 5 from 11-12 Bond Papers. He got 85%, was a bit too slow, as he had admitted himself. But still very pleased with the achievement.
Hint regarding this paper: if your child finds new words, write them down and put the sheet of paper with them in a folder (in case he needs to go over the words again). For one logical question, which may sound confusing, draw a table (just a sketch) naming columns: A, B, C, D and E. Name the other colums as r.dress, g.dress and so on and ask your child to put the ticks in approprite places. He will immediately see answers to the questions.
Hint regarding this paper: if your child finds new words, write them down and put the sheet of paper with them in a folder (in case he needs to go over the words again). For one logical question, which may sound confusing, draw a table (just a sketch) naming columns: A, B, C, D and E. Name the other colums as r.dress, g.dress and so on and ask your child to put the ticks in approprite places. He will immediately see answers to the questions.
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