7 Ways to Use Movable Guitar Scales to Write Solos and Riffs

7 Ways to Use Movable Guitar Scales to Write Solos and Riffs Sign up successful Start by targeting the notes that are the basis of the key the song is in. For instance, if you’re playing in the key of G Major, playing the G Major scale in different positions on the neck is fun, so you target the note G in different spots on the neck. It is like connecting the dots. Now move the scale up a whole step to the fifth position on the neck but still target the note G. This is a good idea as it frees you up to improvise. Step 2. Move the Basic Scale Patterns Close your eyes and visualize the neck of the guitar and play freely. When you find a pattern you like, move it up a whole step. The reason this works is because there is only two notes difference between G Major and A Major. You will very quickly see that this is both fun and exciting as it opens up new possibilities in your playing to express yourself. If you hit a wrong note simply remove it from your solo or riff idea or slide into the next note using the “wrong note” as a grace note or passing note. Listen carefully for what sounds good. Step 3. Give The Notes Numbers We give each note of the scale a number. For instance in C Major C is 1, D, is 2, E is 3, and so on. Now it is time to begin by playing with the idea of assigning number patterns to each scale and moving the order of the notes around. For instance you might start by playing 1, 3, 5, 2, 1. Then mix it up. Your ears will tell you what works. Step 4. Make Your Guitar Sing Many of my friends and students ask me: how do you make the guitar sing? I like to sing or hum a melody out loud first and then find those notes on the neck of the guitar. It is also useful to go to the piano and find the notes in the scale of G Major or whatever key the song is in. Then sing the melody by picking the notes out on the piano and then transfer it to your guitar! This not only makes your solo more interesting but it helps you improve your ear and song arranging skills at the same time. Step 5 : Riff This Way What is a riff? A riff is a short idea played on the electric guitar that locks in with the beat. Joe Perry of Aerosmith successfully uses riffs to make songs really appeal to his fans. Listen to “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith and you will hear how Joe’s riff makes the song great and propels it forward. A great riff can even double as a hook” that keeps us coming back to the song again. The rule is learn your favorite riff from a song you love to play along to. Take your time and play it correctly even if it takes several days or weeks to master it. Step 6 : Hammer on and Pull Off Use techniques like sliding into a note, hammer ons, and pull offs to increase your tempo with grace and ease. Have your guitar teacher show you how to do this if you are not familiar with the technical aspect of playing hammer ons and pull offs. You don’t have to get it all in one day. Be adventurous and take chances. If you are not on stage it doesn’t matter if you hit a wrong note as this is part of the learning process and good ear training. Next time you have a great idea record it into your iPhone. It may be a million seller and bring joy to everyone in the world. Step 7: Rap to The Beat If all else fails do this: Rap to the beat. Choose some grunting noises or three or four of your favorite words and rap to a drum beat loop on your laptop. Now transfer your rap/grunt sounds to the guitar using any notes you like in first position on the neck. You are now a successful Riffmaster! Opening up to new ideas and new ways makes you a successful learner and guitarist all in one. Never underestimate your ability to learn something new and add it to your list of cool things to do on guitar. James W. teaches guitar, singing, and acting  lessons in Jacksonville, FL. He specializes in teaching pop, rock, and modern country guitar styles. James has been teaching for 10 years and joined the TakeLessons Team in 2010.  Learn more about James  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  ManOnPHI

Online exponent properties Tutors

Online exponent properties Tutors Exponents is the power or degree to a given variable or number. The exponent can be any real number. There are many different properties of the exponents in algebra which help in solving many types of question having exponents. Mentioned below are some properties of exponents. Multiplication rule: am * an = a(m+n) (Here the base is the same value a) Division rule: am / an = a(m-n) (Here the base is the same value a) Power of a power: (am)n = amn Example 1: Find the value of x in the equation 3(x+2) = 27. Solution: Here the given equation is 3(x+2) = 27. We need to simplify the 27 further. The number 27 can be written as 27 = 3* 3 * 3 So, 27 = 33 Now we get 3(x+2) = 33. Since the base number is 3 we can equate the exponents. X + 2 = 3 (subtracting 2 on both sides.) X = 3 2. Hence the value of x = 1. Example 2: Find the x in the equation 102 = 1/100. Solution: Here the given equation is 102 = 1/100. The fraction, 1/100 = 100-1. We need to simplify 100 here further. The number 100 can be written as 100 = 10* 10 So, 100 = 102 Now we get 10(x) = (102)-1. Using the power of power rule. 10(x) = (10-2) Since the base number is 10 we can equate the exponents. Hence the value of x = -2.

A Student Review of University of California-Berkeley

A Student Review of University of California-Berkeley The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Aakash is a San Francisco-Bay Area tutor and 2013 graduate of University of California-Berkeley. He holds a Bachelors degree in Public Health and Psychology and tutors several subjects, specializing inAlgebra tutoring, Geometry tutoring, and Physics tutoring. Check out what Aakash had to say about his time at University of California-Berkeley: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Aakash: University of California-Berkeleys campus is rich, in all senses of the word with various extracurricular opportunities and countless classes, spans of green grass and nature, and some of the best food! I would describe the campus as more urban than rural. While there is a lot to do in the city of Berkeley, as with most places, there are places that a student should avoid at night for safety reasons. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Aakash:In my experience, teaching assistants are almost always available to meet and help you whenever you are stuck on an assignment or are having a difficult time in class. However, with academic advisers and professors, it varies. Some professors tell you to email them to set up an appointment, while others hold regular office hours. With academic advisers, it really depends on what your major is and what college you are in. The larger colleges, such as the College of Letters Science, do usually have a long wait to meet with academic advisers. If you are in a smaller college, the wait is sometimes shorter. If you have already declared your major, it is usually easier to meet with your academic adviser. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Aakash:The dorm life was awesome! It was a great way to meet new people and make many new friends beginning in freshman year. While the rooms are pretty small at University of California-Berkeley, it was not that much of a problem, considering that you are always out and about somewhere. The dining options varied depending on the place you went to eat and the time of day, but there are always great options throughout the city. Since a lot of people live together in a dorm, it is very easy to socialize and interact with other students. Even outside the dorm (through extracurricular activities like clubs and organizations), University of California-Berkeley is very friendly. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Aakash:Some majors that I think are best represented and supported are Engineering, Business, and Computer Science. I decided to study Public Health and Psychology, while also taking the prerequisite courses to apply to medical school. I was interested in the preventative, upstream approach of medicine, while also concerned with how behavior and cognition influence it. I found that the university did a good job in supporting my particular area of study, and it provided me with a strong foundation to build on both inside and outside of the classroom. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Aakash:Given the closeness of the dorms and the various Welcome Week activities, I would say that it was very easy for me to meet people and make friends as a freshman. Some of my closest friends to this day are people who I had the opportunity to meet during my freshman year. Greek life plays a significant role in the campus social life. Over 80% of students are involved in some type of fraternity or sorority. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Aakash:I utilized the Career Center once to look over my resume and to help with writing my medical school personal statement. Although I never attended the job fairs on campus, I know that many reputable companies come out to recruit students for internships and post-graduate jobs. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Aakash:It varies. Libraries get very crowded during dead week. However, throughout the year, space is available. When libraries get crowded, there are also other spaces within other buildings for students to study in. Dorm lounges are usually spacious and easily accessible, but they are not always the quietest study locations. The campus also has many cafes with lots of space (and free wifi) for students to study in. The same is true of the city. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Aakash:The campus is situated in the heart of the city of Berkeley. Many great restaurants, bars, and parks/trails are a short walk or bike ride away. Berkeley is also conveniently located a bus ride away from Oakland and a BART ride away from San Francisco. This makes it easy to get away if you are getting tired of campus. My friends and I have definitely gone to the city on Friday nights to get away. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Aakash:The student body is fairly large, and the typical class size can vary depending on the course. If it is a class that everyone wants to take, it can get to be about 700 people! However, we always have discussion groups of about 20-25 people, which allow for individuals to share and discuss the course content, as well as go over material in a smaller setting. While it is easy to get lost in the sheer numbers of the university, the large volume presents countless opportunities for work, study, and fun. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Aakash:To fulfill an Arts and Literature requirement, I signed up for a Music of India course. Not knowing what to expect, I showed up to class on the first day and learned that we would be critically analyzing classical Indian music throughout the term. With no musical background, I was terrified. I spoke with the professor, and she assured me that no experience was necessary and that it would be a fun way for both of us to learn something more about music. I took her advice and decided to stick with the class. Fortunately, I thoroughly enjoyed the class, and she quickly became one of my favorite professors in college. It was particularly fun working with her to write my final paper in the course, which analyzed the similarities between modern electronic music and traditional Indian classical music. Check out Aakash's tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

The Best Online Resources to Review the Concepts of Physics

The Best Online Resources to Review the Concepts of Physics Online Physics Revision Resources ChaptersThe Most Noteworthy Applications to Acquire the Fundamentals of PhysicsBest Podcasts to Learn More About PhysicsInstrumental Tips to Successfully Revise Physics“Teachers need to integrate technology seamlessly into the curriculum instead of viewing it as an add-on, an afterthought, or an event.”  -  Heidi-Hayes JacobsWe are currently living in the 21st century (in case you  were living under a rock and hadn't been advised), and our teaching and learning methods need to reflect this fact.Educators have the immense responsibility  of encouraging pupils to implement technology to acquire new academic concepts. We cannot be ignorant and continue to use archaic methods in the classroom; the youth of today seem to born with electronic devices in their hands and respond positively to e-learning.Websites, e-books, applications and podcasts can all be utilised in the classroom and afterwards to complete homework assignments.  Since we are living in the information age, the interne t has plenty of options to ensure student success in a wide variety of academic disciplines. However, the primary issue  seems to be the overabundance of educational alternatives making it challenging to find an option that suits your unique learning style.Have no fear Superprof is here!We have searched the internet far and wide to find the most highly recommended mobile phone applications and podcasts to master the fundamentals of physics inside and outside the classroom.And what would an article about reviewing physics be without some useful suggestions? Therefore, you guessed it, some additional tips from qualified experts about how to adequately consider the concepts of physics have been provided in this article to make the experience of studying physics something beneficial and enjoyable.There are a wide variety of educational applications available for download on the primary application stores that help individuals learn a new language, a foreign concept or more about an acad emic discipline.We will analyse some of the most highly recommended applications that are essential in grasping the basic concepts of physics.Online learning is not enough? Hire a  math and physics tutor.Khan AcademyThe Khan Academy is a non-profit organisation that seeks to instruct all interested ones about any academic discipline that may be of interest. Khan Academy's mobile app allows students to learn more about anything on the go.There are plenty of videos and articles that help students learn more about the basics of physics. There are also practise questions that include step by step hints to ensure success. The application even features offline access to valuable information about physics to keep learning while on your commute to work or school.The application is completely free, extremely educational, and highly recommended for students wanting to learn more about physics from all ages.  Pocket PhysicsA fantastic application to have at your disposal that purely focuses on learning more about physics. The app is 100% free and concentrates only on the key topics that are necessary to succeed.All critical concepts, equations and formulas of physics are included to help students refresh their knowledge after class or prepare for an upcoming examination.Considered by many as the best app about physics available on the Android market. Essential topics of the physical world include linear motion, force, gravity, waves, elasticity, electricity, thermodynamics and astronomy.Android users would be wise to use the Pockets Physics application daily to excel in physics throughout the school year. Remember small study periods every day are better than an afternoon of reviewing once a week.PhyWiz Physics- Physics SolverA helpful application to aid struggling students with their homework. There is step by step questions for over 30 physics topics such as forces, gravity and quantum physics to name a few.The application has a 4.6 out of 5 rating on the Google Play S tore and offers key features that users adore such as the ability to help solve problems quickly and logically, over 100 equations at your fingertips and the option to ask any physics question and get an answer instantly.High School PhysicsAre you in secondary school and needing help with physics? The solution is the High School Physics application that covers many essential topics offering simple definitions about concepts from the physical world.Some pupils claim that physics is too hard because there are too much maths used in physics. Therefore, the developers of the High School Physics application have thought about this concern and created a great tool that permits students to concentrate on physics without becoming discouraged by the heaping amount of mathematical equations.If you prefer to use physics revision books than applications, check out Superprof's article about the most highly recommended books to use when reviewing physics.Best Podcasts to Learn More About PhysicsP odcasts have helped everyday people learn more about academic concepts. (Source: pixabay)Podcasting has become increasingly popular in recent years; it is a free service that allows listeners to download audio files from podcasting websites to listen to them on their personal computers or digital audio players. The term is a combination of the words iPod and Broadcasting.Podcasting started to became readily used and relevant in 2004 and a wide variety of categories can be listened to such as arts, beauty, business, comedy, health, hobbies, music and education.  Podcasts are a fantastic tool for persons who want to learn new things on their commute to work, while taking a walk or while exercising.  To meet the demands of individuals interested in the basic concepts from the physical world, there have been various podcasts developed that touch on essential topics of physics. Without further ado, we will now consider some of the most highly recommended podcasts covering the fundamental s of physics.The Titanium Physicists PodcastDr Ben Tippett and his team believe that anyone can understand physics. Complex physical concepts are explained used fun metaphors, explanations and experiments.There are over 70 episodes that can be download and listened to at a time most convenient for you.Visit their website to subscribe and listen to there scientific podcasts on a regular basis.Khan Academy PhysicsA fantastic educational podcast that should be subscribed to immediately! There are 117 episodes available on the iTunes Podcasts store. Episodes usually last 9-10 minutes and discuss essential physics topics such as magnetism, fluids, motion, Newton's laws and thermodynamics.This well-developed podcast from Khan Academy is a perfect solution for students struggling with physics and have a tight schedule. A physics podcast a day keeps the bad grades away!Physics by Yale UniversityWant a taste of Ivy League education on your way to work? Look no further, the extremely informat ive physics podcast developed by Yale University features professors, lecturers and distinguished speakers discussing physics, quantum mechanics, and the mysteries of the universe.If an educational lecture in physics in American English doesn't bother you, there are six podcasts available on the iTunes Podcast store that range from eight to ten minutes in length. Physics topics such as dark energy and the force of light are reviewed by experts.Physics from the Imperial College LondonThe Imperial College London is a world-class university that delivers excellence in a wide variety of academic disciplines and physics is no different. Their physics podcast is informative and comes highly recommended.According to the iTunes Podcast Store, 79 podcasts are varied in length and perfect for reviewing some essential physics topics.Instrumental Tips to Successfully Revise PhysicsSince physics, along with chemistry and biology, is one of the most challenging academic disciplines studied by pup ils during secondary school and university, helpful tips are always welcomed with open arms to ensure success.To succeed in physics effective study strategies are needed.  Without further ado, the following are some of the most beneficial suggestions to revise physics and ace exams successfully:Think Conceptually:  the academic discipline is unlike other subjects such as history and language arts where memorisation is essential for  success. When studying physics, pupils need to use big-picture conceptually thinking. The basics need to be correctly understood before moving onto more complex concepts. Having a conceptual approach aids students to break down problems into simple steps. Remember, Rome was not built in a day; it was made brick by brick or stone by stone. The same is true with physics; working through the small steps will effectively help students to solve more massive physical problems,Have a Study Schedule:  turn your phone off, find a quiet place and avoid extrinsic d istractions. By finding a quiet area, studying physics will become more productive. If you're using a recommended site to review physics, make sure email notifications and other distracting things are turned off. Remember that scheduling a few minutes each day to review physics is essential for academic victory,Develop a Love for Maths:  it is proven that students excel on subjects they enjoy. Therefore, develop an appreciation for mathematics since it is a prerequisite for success in physics. Viewing mathematical equations as a painful chore will only make matters worse and discourage you from developing your maths skills. If you are having trouble motivating yourself in math class, hire a dynamic private tutor to cover the necessary basics of algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.Reviewing physics does not have to be a traumatising experience. With the help of modern-day learning tools such as podcasts and applications, developing a firm grasp of the fundamental concepts of physics can be done triumphantly!

Area of a Hexagon

Area of a Hexagon Area of a Hexagon Geometry is a branch of Mathematics which deals with studying shapes of various dimensions and analyzing their properties. In this study of shapes, the polygon family is one of the most commonly studied figures. Polygons are closed 2-dimesional flat objects which have straight sides. The polygon consisting of 6 sides and 6 angles is known as the Hexagon. Any closed flat 2-dimensional structure with 6 straight sides will be referred to as a Hexagon. The word hex means 6 and gon refers to angle. As shown in the diagram below, a hexagon has 6 sides or edges, 6 angles and 6 vertices. Area of a hexagon is the space occupied within the boundaries (or sides) of the hexagon. Using the side and angle measurements, we can find the area of a hexagon. Hexagons can be commonly observed in different forms in our beautiful nature around. The below figure shows us the shaded portion inside the boundaries of the hexagon which is called the Area of a Hexagon. Types of Hexagons: Hexagons are classified primarily into 2 types: Regular Hexagons and Irregular Hexagons. 1) Regular Hexagon: A hexagon which has all of its 6 sides equal in measure is known as the Regular Hexagon. Along with its 6 equal sides, it also has all its 6 angles equal in measure. Therefore when a regular hexagon is divided into triangles by joining its diagonals, 6 equilateral triangles are formed as shown in the figure below. (Note: Diagonal is a line segment formed by joining any two non-adjacent vertices as shown in the figure on the right). Area of a regular hexagon can be easily calculated by considering the 6 equilateral triangles formed inside. 2) Irregular Hexagon: A hexagon which does not have 6 equal sides is known as the Irregular Hexagon. This type of hexagon does not have 6 equal angles as well. If the vertices of an irregular hexagon point outward, then it is known as a Convex Irregular Hexagon, and if the hexagons vertices (or at least 1 vertex) points inward, then it is known as a Concave Irregular Hexagon as shown in the figure below. Since the sides and angles measurements are unequal, hence we have to use different strategies to find the area of an irregular hexagon. Area of a Hexagon: Area of a hexagon is the space occupied by within the sides of the hexagon. The method to calculate area of a regular hexagon differs from the method to calculate the area of an irregular hexagon. Area of a Regular Hexagon: A regular hexagon has all the 6 sides and 6 angles equal in measure. When diagonals passing through the center of the hexagon are drawn, 6 equilateral triangles of equal size are formed (as shown in the figure below). If the area of one equilateral triangle is calculated then we can easily calculate the area of the given regular hexagon. If a convex regular polygon has n sides, then the sum of all its interior angles, S = (n 2) * 180 Therefore, sum of all the interior angles of a convex regular hexagon S = (6 2) * 180 = 720 If a convex regular polygon has n sides, then Each Interior angle = (n 2)/ n * 180 Therefore, each interior angle of a convex regular hexagon = (6 2)/6 * 180 = 120 Given a regular convex hexagon as shown in the figure above, where point C is the center of the hexagon. Triangle ABC is an equilateral triangle, as all the angles inside triangle ABC are equal to 60 (half of the interior angle 120). Hence all its sides are also equal. Therefore, let the side lengths of AB = BC = CA = s CM is the perpendicular drawn to the side AB. Let CM = h As M becomes the midpoint of side AB, hence MB = s/2 (half of the side length of AB). Now in triangle CMB, we can apply the Pythagorean Theorem to get the relationship between the height h of the triangle, and the side length s. Hence, h2 + (s/2)2 = s2. This implies h2 + s2/4 = s2. This gives h2 = s2 s2/4 So, h2 = 3s2/4 == h = (3s2/4). Therefore, the height of the triangle ABC , h = s* 3/2 Now, Area of triangle ABC = 1/2 * base * height. This implies, Area A = 1/2 * s * h == A = 1/2 * s * (s * 3/2) == A = s2 * 3/4 Therefore, Area of triangle ABC = s2 * 3/4. Now, a regular hexagon consists of 6 such congruent equilateral triangles. Hence, Area of a Regular Hexagon = 6 * s2 * 3/4 which can be further simplified as: Area of a Regular Hexagon = 3/2 * s2 * 3 Example 1: What is the area of a regular hexagon whose side length is 8cm? Given that the side length, s = 8cm Area of a regular hexagon, A = 3/2 * s2 * 3 Hence, Area = 3/2 * 82 * 3 = 963 which is 166.3cm2 (approximately) Example 2: If the area of a regular hexagon is 12 square feet, then what is the side length of the hexagon? Given Area of a regular hexagon, A = 12 square feet and this can be further simplified as 23 ft2. Area of a regular hexagon, A = 3/2 * s2 * 3. Therefore, 3/2 * s2 * 3 = 12. This implies s2 = 2/3 * 12/3. This gives: s2 = 2/3 * 23/3 (123 can be also written as 23). Hence, s2 = 4/3. This implies s = (4/3) = 2/3 = 1.15 (approximately) Therefore, the side length of the regular hexagon is 1.15ft (approximately) Area of an Irregular Hexagon: Finding the area of an irregular hexagon is not the same as finding the area of a regular hexagon. Area of a regular hexagon can be easily calculated using the formula we have above, but for an irregular hexagon we use various methods according to the given information to find its area. Let us look at an example below where the information is given in the figure. Example: Find the area of the irregular hexagon shown in the figure below. In the given figure, we observe that the side lengths are given and the lengths of the diagonals are also given. We can see that the irregular hexagon is split into 4 triangles A, B, C and D. Since the side lengths of each triangle are given, we can use Herons formula. Herons Formula: If a triangle has side lengths as a, b and c, then s = (a + b+ c)/2 Then, Area of the triangle = [s* (s-a)* (s-b)* (s-c)] Triangle A: s = (10+ 6 + 10)/2 == s = 13 Now Area of triangle A = [s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)] = [(13* (13 -10) * (13 6) * (13 -10)] Area of Triangle A = (13 * 3 * 7 * 3) = 28.6m2 Triangle B: s = (10 + 11 + 7)/2 = 14 Area of triangle B = [(14 * (14 10) * (14 7) * (14 11)] = (14 * 4 * 7 * 3) = 34.3m2 Similarly using Herons Formula as shown above, we get the areas of triangles C and D as well. Area of Triangle C = 16.9m2 and Area of Triangle D = 19.9m2 Now, Area of the Irregular Hexagon = Area of Triangle A + Area of Triangle B + Area of Triangle C + Area of Triangle D Area of the Hexagon = 28.6 + 34.3 + 16.9 + 19.9 = 99.7m2 Perimeter of a Hexagon: Perimeter of a hexagon (regular or irregular) can be easily calculated by adding all the side lengths of the given hexagon. Perimeter of a Regular Hexagon is equal to sum of all its side lengths. Therefore, Perimeter of a Regular Hexagon of side length s (as shown in the figure on the right) = s + s + s + s + s + s This gives us Perimeter of Regular Hexagon = 6s Perimeter of an Irregular Hexagon is also sum of all its side lengths. If a, b, c, d, e, and f are the side lengths of an irregular hexagon (as shown in the figure on the right),then Perimeter of an Irregular Hexagon = a + b + c + d + e + f

Time Management Tips for In-Class Essays

Time Management Tips for In-Class Essays In-class essays can be stressful, especially if theyre timed. Although they are short and sweet, they can also be a great way for you to show your knowledge of the topic at hand. Here are four time management tips for in-class essays. 1. Look for keywords Before diving into the writing, read the essay question carefully, looking for keywords that will guide the structure and content of your piece. Pay special attention to the verbs in the question, such as compare and contrast, discuss, evaluate, summarize, or justify. Looking for directives and knowing what they mean should help you formulate a gameplan and feel more confident about the essay youll write. Try annotating the question itself; underline and circle important words in the essay prompt itself to make sure you dont miss anything important. This is especially useful when the question is long and/or includes more than one part, and it may help to quickly jumpstart your essay. 2. Jot down notes After reading the question, take time to quickly jot notesdown of whatever comes to your mind related to the prompt. Write down quotes, thoughts for and against a topic, and concrete examples. Think of this as a free-write: a way to gather ideas without the pressure of organization or accuracy. Keep your mind open and use associative logic dont worry too much about whether or not youll end up including all of these ideas; the point is to gather as large of a pool of ideas as you can that youll be able to draw from later. 3. Make an outline This is arguably one of the most important time management tips for in-class essays. Once youve finished note-taking, start organizing your thoughts into an outline. You may feel tempted to immediately start writing the essay, but outlines are a great time management strategy: they help you structure your writing and give you a solid direction to follow so youre able to write more efficiently in the long run. Depending on the essay question itself, youll probably want to write two to four body paragraphs. When making your outline, decide on your thesis and a few points to back it up, which will be the topic sentences of your body paragraphs. Also, while youre outlining, dont forget to think about a logical order for your body paragraphs think about how your points build on each other in the most effective way. 4. Budget your time Keep track of your timeas youre planning and writing your essay. First, ensure you know how long youll be given and how youll keep a time check: the wall clock, your watch, or, if youre using a computer, the time in the corner of the screen. Some teachers and test proctors will keep time on the board or will give a five or 10 minute warning before the end of the allotted writing period. Once you know the total time given, plan approximate amounts of time for note-taking, outlining, writing, and proofreading/editing. Youll want to spend the bulk of your time writing, and dont forget to budget around five minutes for proofreading and editing. In addition to the above tips, pay close attention in class for similar assignments that can mentally prepare you for in-class writing. Try writing to a timer at home if youre prone to nervousness in class. Ask your teacher for guidelines or any advice. Then, once youre in the situation itself, you should know how to succeed.

A Maze of Educational Tech for Tutors, Teachers and Students

A Maze of Educational Tech for Tutors, Teachers and Students We visited Bett (British Educational Training and Technology) show this year, and were amazed by the sheer mass of people, products and passion all in one room. Bett certainly was what it said on the tin: ‘The global meeting place for the educational tech community’, with over 700 exhibitors, over 400 speakers and over 300 hours of content. Bett 2014 brought educational thinkers, developers, entrepreneurs, students and teachers all-together to look to the future and discuss how technology really can make a difference in education. Tutorfair’s Edd Stockwell at Bett From the latest apps to audio ‘Teacher Feedback’, from video conferencing to using twitter as an educational resource, (and from 3D printers to MOOCs according to Michael Gove), the variety of educational innovation displayed was endless. Bett really did celebrate its 30th birthday of powering learning in style with fantastic guests such as Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the world’s greatest living explorer. Who could ask for more? Within this maze of educational technology, the Bett exhibition allowed everyone to take part in the debate with seminars and panels occurring all over   - in the real world and of course the virtual ‘twitter world’. Tutorfair was lucky to be a part of two of these discussion panels   - the edtech panel session and the EDUKWEST and Macmillan Digital Education panel . The latter panel was all about tutoring in the UK and held a lively discussion about traditional agencies, online marketplaces, face to face and online tutoring. Tutorfair’s very own Edd Stockwell loved being a part of the debate. Inside ExCeL at Bett “Inspiring the next generation” Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, opened the Bett show 2014 with a look to the future. He clearly expressed his enthusiasm for an education system “open to innovation, which can use technology creatively to advance learning”. He also emphasised the importance of the new ICT curriculum which will teach “not just how to work a computer; but how a computer works and how to make it work for you” so that our youth will be prepared and develop the skills needed for the jobs of the future - and the present for that matter. Gove wants not only equip to “young people with crucial computing skills and knowledge” but to “inspire them with incredible possibilities opened up by science and technology”. “Technology is transformational” Matthew Hancock, MP, Minister of state for skills and enterprise also shared his excitement for the prospects of technology in education. He listed a range of benefits that technology can bring to education so that the “drudge” of teaching will be removed, “allowing teachers to focus on inspiration”. Hancock was keen to highlight that when technology is used properly in education, standards will rise. Tutorfair is excited to be part of technology in education by using online technology to create educational opportunity. Our website is the first of its kind in the UK, allowing parents and students to find the best tutor for their requirements. Not forgetting our ‘child for a child’ promise of course â€" for every student who pays, Tutorfair supports one who can’t. As Matthew Hancock would wish, Tutorfair uses technology for the benefit of students. Want to book a Tutorfair tutor? Visit the website here to find out more. Feel like you need to be more clued up on computers and technology? Why not book a session with one of our computing tutors? Tony D - Experienced tutor creates an appetite for learning: Computing, Programming, ICT and Microsoft Office Ian M - Game and app developer: Computing, Computer programming, Computer graphics and game development

A Changing Work Force Listening Exercise

A Changing Work Force Listening Exercise This is an interesting video about the changing workforce in the United States. As we become a world economy, it shows how we will depend highly on immigrant workers. It shows how our economy and job force is changing in the United States and I think supports the idea of learning a new language to expand your opportunities in the world. Try the listening and writing exercise below:1. Think of the United States workforce as a _______ _____ _______. 2. How many people are in the workforce in the US? 3. But over the next two decades they will be leaving it in _______. 4. What percentage of the US workforce will immigrants account for? 5. Immigrants and their children helped _____ our railroads, _____ our cities, and _____ our information age. 6. What business did Ricardo and Elizabeth start? Where are they from?Writing Exercise: How is the workforce in your country changing? Where will people be working over the next 20 years?