Tablets : The Future of Education is here

Tablets are here, and they are going to change school life, either by parents who can afford it, or by schools who take the plunge. With companies like Apple, McGraw Hill, and other technology heavyweights pushing heavily for innovative ways to introduce digital technology in classrooms, it's only a matter of time before tablets are in every school and have replaced the old fashioned textbooks. 

Tablets Will be MONEY-SAVERS:

America spends about 7 Billion Dollars on text-books per year, out of which several are out of date or will become out of date shortly. With the Tablets prices sure to go down for schools and colleges, which will obviously buy in bulk, it could result in a total of 3 Billion Dollars in savings. 

Tablets Improve Learning??

Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt tested an interactive, digital version of an Algebra 1 textbook for Apple’s iPad in California’s Riverside Unified School District. Students who used the iPad version scored 20 percent higher on standardized tests versus students who learned with traditional textbooks. The program, which replaced worn textbooks with interactive, digital versions with video, graphics and built-in quizzes that invited students to participate and give instant feedback, spurred positive comments that students using the iPad version were “more motivated, attentive, and engaged” than those with the paper algebra books.

Although it may not necessarily be true for all subjects and individuals, further research and innovation will only increase a students grasping of the subject. By providing interactive ways of learning, mind games, progress meters and a host of other features, tablets are taking over the education world by storm. 

The Best Educational Only Tablets At This Moment:

1) Kineo Tablet:

The Kineo Tablet is an 8-inch 1.3 GHz dual-core tablet aimed at schools that starts at $299. It comes from a company, Brainchild, that has been around in the educational space for two decades. According to Tim Kimbrell, a rep at Brainchild, it actually developed the first portable tutoring device back in 1993.

2) Intel Study-book:

The StudyBook will start for less than $200, a price point aimed not at besting the iPad but at competing with the One Laptop Per Child project for the hearts and minds of, not parents, but schools, especially those in the Third World.

India too, has its own tablet, in the form of the Aakash Tablet, and we are also running the race for manufacturing these wonderful tablets to benefit the lives of the Indian Youth. Tablets will take over, it is just a matter of when. 

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Apps for education: The Best Around

There are hundreds of amazing educational apps right now, and it's really difficult to pick one from the other. But we have researched these apps, and are providing the best educational apps across all platforms and for all users. We hope you can use these apps in a positive manner and enhance your true potential in terms of studies.

The best educational apps for Apple users:

 1) Edmodo:

Edmodo is the best app for teachers and students to stay connected and share information. Best of all, its a free app and has a wide range of uses like homework submissions, grade assignments, alerts and a lot more.

2) iAnnotate:

iAnnotate PDF is the most powerful annotation application for the iPad, and with their latest release they are bringing that same power to Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files – so now you can get the app that users say is “light years ahead of the other annotation apps” and go paperless with more files than ever before!

3) Grammar Up HD:

Grammar Up is the perfect app to improve your grammar and English vocabulary skills, with more than 1800 multiple choice questions and a progress meter, look no further than this app for improving your grammar.

4) Monster Anatomy:

Whether you want to become a doctor, biologist or anything related to the biology subject, this app is perfect for you. Explore 384 contiguous MR slices in the three anatomical planes with this interactive lower-limb radiology atlas.

5) Motion Math HD:

Whether you love math or hate it, its one of the most important subjects for school, university as well as your life. With motion math, you will learn to love math, as Motion Math HD follows a star that has fallen from space and must bound back up, up, up to its home in the stars. Moving fractions to their correct place on the number line is the only way to return. By playing Motion Math, learners improve their ability to perceive and estimate fractions in multiple forms.

The best educational apps for Android users:

1) Advanced English and Thesaurus:

Instead of following the standard dictionary format, the WordNet dictionary is organized with an innovative and convenient approach. Nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs are grouped into sets of cognitive synonyms, interlinked by means of conceptual-semantic and lexical relations. In addition to the straightforward definition, the dictionary shows how each word is linked to other words in terms of synonyms, opposites, and similar words, but also hyponyms and hyperlinks within the group. This app is best suited for High-School students to improve and enhance grammar along with vocabulary.

2) Flash Card Maker Pro:

 With text-to-speech capability and advanced gesturing functions, Flash Card Maker Pro uses multi-sensory learning techniques to help improve memory. Best suited for high school students, looking to improve ways in retaining memory.

3) Gutenberg E-Reader:

This app gives the user access to the entire Project Gutenberg eBook library, allowing users to search by author, subject, and titles to find the book they need quickly. Perfect app for students who want to do research without purchasing a book.

4) Tick!

The perfect app for students who want to time their studies and write practice exams with perfect timing. Best for students while practicing for their exams.

5) Trippo Mondo:

A language translator, Trippo Mondo translates any phrase and speaks it out loud in the language chosen. Perfect app for students learning multiple languages or interested in learning foreign languages.

The best educational apps for Windows users:

1) Programming Tutorials:

This app makes available a collection of programming tutorials – in video format – covering various programming languages including C#, C++, HTML5, PHP or Windows 8 Apps. The front lists the latest tutorials that have been added indicating that new contents will be added regularly to the app. Perfect app for students who are interested in programming and want to make that as a career.

2) Phonetics- A students Handbook

Phonetics can be very helpful when you are trying to learn a new language. You have probably seen the phonetic spelling of words in dictionaries which help you pronounce words correctly even if you have never heard them before.

The application gives you an introduction to phonetics, from the original meaning of the word and the areas of study to the phonetic alphabet, terminology and how we speak.

3) Speed Reading:

If you want to read faster, speed reading is what helps you achieve that goal. The application offers information about the theory behind speed reading, exercises to train your eyes and an option to record your speed reading progress.

4) Sky Map:

Space. The Final Frontier. If you are interested in constellations and astronomy, then this app is for you. This app lets you explore stars and constellations and is an amazing app for astronomy, displaying more than 13000 stars.

5) English Club:

English Club offers two English learning modules, Business Terms and Advanced English, and a selection of English word games like Word Search or Hangman. Amazing app for improving English Language Skills and Vocabulary.

These are some of the best educational apps around for Apple, Andorid and Windows users and these apps are definitely going to help you to cope with your studies and transform the way you learn.

For more Apps check out: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/04/50-best-apps-chidren-smartphones-tablets

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Nutritional Tips During Exams

If you’re like most students, test and exam time eating often sends you into a slump. Nutrition becomes a nightmare as you take in your quota of “junk” food. Getting control of your eating during these stressful times is possible though.

Here are some really useful tips for eating during exam time:

 

 1. Eat small, frequent meals to keep your blood sugar and energy levels steady.

2. Have easy, convenience meals and foods on hand. Avoid living entirely on snacks as they usually won’t energise you as much as a real meal.

3. Choose meals and snacks that emphasise protein over carbohydrates. Protein-rich meals and snacks keep your energy levels even. For example, snack on cheese, crackers and skim milk instead of crackers and juice. Top your pasta with grilled chicken strips rather than pasta and sauce alone. You can even scramble some eggs!

4. Water, water, water! Keep a cup and a litre of ice water at your desk to help maintain your energy. Drink at least that amount of water for every two hours of studying.

Avoiding Extra Calories:

1. Make yourself get up to snack. Don‟t bring the snacks to your study place. Eat snacks in the kitchen or another part of your room, away from the desk.

2. Make sure your room/apartment is stocked with healthier snacks. Here are some ideas: nuts, raisins, cheese sticks, low-fat yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat milk, crunchy fresh fruits and veggies (add dip for the veggies), frozen juice bars, hearty low sugar breakfast cereals, oatmeal, low-fat popcorn, protein-rich nutrition bars etc.

3. Remember that thirst can be confused with hunger. Try drinking a glass of water if you are unsure of the origins of your hunger.

4. Only eat when you are physically hungry, not because you’re in need of a study break! When heading for the kitchen, look for true hunger signals, like stomach pangs, to be sure you’re physically hungry.

If you’re not hungry but still desire to eat, take a 10-minute time out and try to figure out what you really need (i.e. study breaks, stress relief, pep talk, etc.) Try to get those needs met without using food. Do something physical to get the blood circulating to the brain.

Don’t watch TV for a study break. The commercials for food will send you straight to the kitchen!

EXAM STRESS!!!

Its pouring outside and pretty gloomy, you are bang in the middle of tests, exams and presentations, and life is completely stressed out.

Coping with exam stress, is not easy, but if you can manage to cope up, then its really helpful to managing your life now and in the future.

This week, we will be talking about how to deal with stress related to studies and how to excel when the going gets a little tough.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

Today we’ll answer a few questions regarding exam stress and exam anxiety.

Q)  Is it possible to avoid being stressed before an exam?

Ans) The simple answer to this is, that it is not possible to be completely de-stressed about exams. The reason for this is, that exams are a test of what you have done throughout the course, and obviously there will be stress because there is a lot at stake. However, the stress can reduced to a bare minimum, with hard work, organization and planning.

Q)  How do I minimize being stressed?

Ans)  Minimizing exam stress is definitely possible and should be practiced to ensure your exams go smoothly. There are various things you can do to minimize exam stress. Here’s  a list of what you can do:

 1)  Organization:

 Being organized is the key to success. If you find out exactly what you’re facing, you can work out a plan for dealing with it, and this will go a long way towards putting your mind at ease. Get hold of the right  information from the start. Make sure you know how you will be examined, and what you’ll be examined on. If you can, get a copy of the syllabus. Catch up with anything you've missed, so that you've got all your notes up to date. Find out about the resources available to help you. School and university teachers are an expert resource.

 2)  Plan a timetable:

Having a time-table is really useful, as it gives you a picture of where you stand currently and how you need to prepare for the exams. It tells you how many hours, you need to put in and how many revisions will be possible. Planning your time-table depends on your personal understanding capabilities. You may be able to learn history much faster than mathematics, therefore you will need more time for maths. The time-table thus helps you in realizing your strengths and weaknesses and you can constantly tweak your time-table depending on how the preparations are going. Everyone needs time off, and it’s a bad idea to abandon your social life and sporting activities, but for a period near the examinations, you may need to cut down.

3)  Breathing Techniques:

You don’t generally associate breathing techniques with exams, but they are a great way to de-stress body and mind. Stress can make you start breathing with quick, shallow breaths and make your heart beat faster than usual. If this happens, sit down somewhere comfortable, if possible. Place one hand on your stomach and check how quickly you are breathing. If it’s one breath every couple of seconds, take a deep breath and start counting steadily. Breathe out slowly and try to get the last of the breath out on about five seconds. Carry on doing this until you are doing it naturally.

Relaxation routine:

Close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply.

Locate any areas of tension and try to relax those muscles; imagine the tension disappearing

• Relax each part of the body, from your feet to the top of your head.
• 
  
• As you focus on each part of your body, think of warmth, heaviness and relaxation.
• 
  
• After 20 minutes, take some deep breaths and stretch

4)  Physical Activity:

Regular exercise is an excellent way of coping with stress. As little as 10 or 20 minutes a day spent walking, cycling, or at the gym can make a big difference. (See The Mind guide to physical activity for more information about the benefits.)

5)  Sleep:

Sleep is essential for your mind to stay fresh. Without sleep, the mind does not work smoothly and lack of sleep has a large number of side-effects. If you’re tired, worries can get blown out of proportion. If you’ve been finding it difficult to get to sleep, try cutting down on stimulants (tea, coffee and alcohol, for instance) and make sure you have time to unwind before bed. A warm bath, with perhaps some added aromatherapy oils, can help. Some people feel very stressed about not getting enough sleep. It’s worth remembering that people can still function very well without any sleep for short periods of time. (See Mind’s booklet How to cope with sleep problems.)

Check out http://www.mind.org.uk/help/ for various FAQ’s relating to stress, anxiety and a variety of topics.

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Creating a Study Table

Creating a study table and strictly following it could be the competitive edge for your exam scores. So today, we'll be focusing on creating a time-table one week prior to your exams. Clear your normal schedule for at least 1 week before your first final. Minimize work, skip parties and shop for supplies prior to planning your study time. Give yourself plenty of time for studying and revision which is key. 

Step 1:

Create a written schedule you can refer to over the course of finals week. Whether you use a computer program, handheld device or just a piece of paper, make sure you have something with you at all times that will keep you on track. Prioritize classes based on the amount of time you need to prepare for each. If you feel more comfortable in one course than in others, you probably do not need to schedule as much time for studying that subject. Make sure you give yourself a bit of time for the easy classes too. Have hours blocked out to prepare for each exam.

Step 2:

Create time for group and individual studying. Pick effective study groups to maximize your time. A bad group will waste your time, so leave it off your schedule. Balancing individual and group studying lets you focus on your weaknesses for each subject. Stay on track by including key concepts you need to review on your study schedule. Planning ahead what you will study helps focus each hour of time on material you need to cover.

Step 3:

Plan study breaks, including eating, sleeping and exercising. Many students study through meals, but you will feel better mentally and physically if you give yourself breaks. Adjust your schedule during the week of studying to refocus your attention on material you need to work on more. Do not add in more time for socializing, shopping or goofing off, which will not help you prepare for your tests.

You need to stick to your schedule to do well in your exams, and keeping a schedule always helps keep discipline and a set routine for such crucial times. Remember to make a timetable for your exams, and we hope you do well. Here is an example of a time-table:

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Exams in 3..2..1..NOW!

It's the time of the year where all your efforts will be tested, and hopefully you will come out a winner. To help you do well in your exams, we are updating a series of articles and videos across our platforms   about everything related to exams,ranging from topics like de-stressing to last minute revision(although we do not recommend it) and we hope for you to succeed in your examinations. 

Today we'll give you a few tips in general, and tomorrow on-wards, we'll begin with detailed plans, timetables and a lot more. 

Tip 1: HAVE NO FEAR!
If you have studied well, and given it your best shot, there is no need to be scared of the dreaded exams. At the end of the day, these exams are just a test of your ability and if you are confident and don't double guess yourself, you will do well. 

Tip 2: DON'T STUDY WITH THE TV ON!

No need to explain this point. Study atmosphere has a very important role. Can anyone study well while watching TV? NO! So select a place where you feel comfortable and will not be distracted. Also  you have to make sure that while you are studying a subject you are concentrating on it only, so keep the books of other subjects away from your eyesight so that you won't be upset about the things you have to learn. It is better to study early morning when everything is quiet and you can concentrate more. Concentration and focus is key.

Tip 3: DON'T BE HUNGRY!

To study well and and remain focused, you need to eat and sleep well. Your body needs its appropriate rest time and you will not be able to put in long hours without rest and food. So, EAT WELL AND SLEEP WELL!

Tip 4: WRITE, WRITE AND WRITE!

Always practice what you are learning, in writing. It gives you an estimate of how much time you will need for that particular answer, and help remember it better. Writing is always the best form of practice and is much needed for exams like Maths, Accounts and anything practical. 

BEST OF LUCK

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The Taj Mahal Story

Whether you've studied it in history, seen it a movie or just are a general citizen of India, you know about the Taj Mahal. With its beautiful structure, and intricate designs, its an architectural delight to view. Today we'll speak about the story behind this monument and why it's one of the seven wonders of the world. 

Located in Agra, the Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and is the finest example of Mughal architecture , a style which combines elements from Persian, Ottoman, Turkish and Indian architecture. It was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal, the third wife of the emperor. After Mumtaz died, during the birth of their 14th child, the emperor was grief-stricken and depressed out of his mind. It is for her, one woman, that such a colossal monument was built.   

A labor force of twenty thousand workers was recruited across northern India. Sculptors from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria and Persia, in-layers from southern India, stone-cutters from Baluchistan, a specialist in building turrets, another who carved only marble flowers were part of the thirty-seven men who formed the creative unit. Soon after the Taj Mahal's completion, Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb and put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort. Upon Shah Jahan's death, Aurangzeb buried him in the mausoleum next to his wife. By the late 19th century, parts of the buildings had fallen badly into disrepair. During the time of the Indian rebellion of 1857, the Taj Mahal was defaced by British soldiers and government officials, who chiseled out precious stones and lapis lazuli from its walls. At the end of the 19th century, British viceroy Lord Curzon ordered a sweeping restoration project, which was completed in 1908. He also commissioned the large lamp in the interior chamber, modeled after one in a Cairo mosque. During this time the garden was remodeled with British-style lawns that are still in place today.

When you study about this in school, be sure to tell your classmates this story about the great emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz. 

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Greatest Indian King of all Time

Chandragupta Maurya

When you talk about Indian kings, or even think about them, the first name that should come to your head should be that of Chandragupta Maurya. One of the greatest leaders in history, his story is one to honor and respect. 

Chandragupta Maurya was just a teenager, when Alexander the Great invaded India, and although he could conquer Raja Puru, he could not convince his soldiers to take on the Nanda Empire and as a result left. However, a 20-year-old Chandragupta Maurya would accomplish that feat, and go on to unite almost all of what is now India. The young Indian emperor would also take on Alexander's successors - and win.

Early Life:

Very little is known about the early life of Chandragupta Maurya, and although there are many rumors and claims, nothing has been proven, so it suggests that he was of humble origin and only came to be known after  his conquest of the Nanda Empire. 

The Beginning:

From an early age, Chandragupta was brave and charismatic - a person who was born to lead. He came to the attention of a famous Brahmin scholar, Chanakya, who had a grudge against the Nanda. Chanakya began grooming Chandragupta on how to rule and conquer the Nanda empire. He helped him raise an army and taught him various military tactics. 

Allied with a king of the mountain kingdom, Chandragupta set out to conquer Nanda. After a series of long and hard fought battles, Chandragupta was successful in capturing the Nanda capital and bringing down the empire, to form, the Mauryan Empire. 

The Mauryan Empire:

The Mauryan Empire rapidly expanded taking advantage of disruptions of local powers. It was one of the largest empires in its times and the largest empire in the Indian Sub-Continent.  Under Chandragupta and his successors, internal and external trade, agriculture and economic activities, all thrived and expanded across India thanks to the creation of a single and efficient system of finance, administration, and security.

Personal Life:

The only one of Chandragupta's queens or consorts for whom we have a name is Durdhara, the mother of his first son, Bindusara. Bindusara is likely still remembered more because of his son than for his own reign. He was the father of one of India's greatest monarchs ever - Ashoka the Great.

Death:

When he was in his fifties, Chandragupta became fascinated with Jainism, an extremely ascetic belief system. His guru was the Jain saint Bhadrabahu.
In 298 BCE, the emperor renounced his rule, handing over power to his son Bindusara. Chandragupta traveled south to a cave at Shravanabelogola, now in Karntaka. There, the founder of the Mauryan Empire meditated without eating or drinking for five weeks, until he died of starvation. This practice is called sallekhana or santhara.

Legacy:

The dynasty that Chandragupta founded would rule over India and the south of Central Asia until 185 BCE. His grandson Ashoka would follow in Chandragupta's footsteps in several ways - conquering territory as a young man, but then becoming devoutly religious as he aged. In fact, Ashoka's reign in India may be the purest expression of Buddhism in any government in history.

Today, Chandragupta is remembered as the unifier of India - like Qin Shihuangdi in China, but far less blood-thirsty. Despite the paucity of records on his life, Chandragupta's life story has inspired movies such as the 1958 "Samrat Chandragupt," novels, and even a 2011 Hindi-language TV series.

Source : http://asianhistory.about.com/od/india/p/Biography-of-Chandragupta-Maurya.htm

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