The Introverts Guide to Positive Office Politics - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The Introvert’s Guide to Positive Office Politics - Introvert Whisperer The Introvert’s Guide to Positive Office Politics Isn’t positive office politics an oxymoron? Especially for an introvert? Office politics, like many things, has its positive and negative sides. We notice the negative, which is disgusting and dysfunctional. It often harms or abuses others in the process, and the rest of us try to avoid the fallout. What we tend not to notice is the positive office politics that take place, mostly because we don’t recognize it for what it is. When it works well, it makes a group efficient, productive and satisfied. To sort this out, you first need to understand the definition of office politics. Define Office Politics In its simplest form, office politics is about building relationships to achieve some kind of end result. It’s the dynamics between people who work together that determines such things as support, engagement, and advantages for each person’s goals. It’s the basis of decision-making. It’s how things are done anytime you have a group of people working on something (which can include your neighborhood association, church, nonprofits and the list goes on). As you can see, that is a fairly neutral concept neither positive nor negative. What leans the needle in one direction or the other is the action of the players. With that in mind, how can an introvert wage positive office politics and not lose their soul or self-respect in the process? Consider this: Form Mutually Beneficial Relationships Let’s face it: we form relationships for selfish reasons, even if it is simply because we like the other person. It’s time for you to think more strategically. Who in the organization is in a position of influence or power? Who are the stars? These are good people to hang out with. Success rubs off. But, what’s in it for them? What do you bring to the party? Figure it out and then focus on that as you form these strategic relationships. Manage Up Spend time observing your boss and their boss. Figure out what’s important. Once you do, engage them in conversations and information exchanges where their interests and your job intersect. Don’t assume upper management knows anything about what you do or how you contribute â€" so, tell them! Adapt their priorities and keep them updated. It’s hard to not totally love and support someone who has your back as a boss. Be Clear About Your Goals You must have a career goal in mind for any of this to make sense. Otherwise, you’re just doing a job with no real “end-state.” Armed with goal clarity, share your destination with those bosses. When you don’t advocate for yourself, the assumption is you’re happier than a clam where you are. (Like this thought? Tweet it!) Influence Decisions This is where introverts really can shine. We prefer to form our relationships one at a time. While you’re busy chatting up your various strategic relationships, engage them and influence their thinking toward support of your needs. Obviously, you are there to reciprocate. Reciprocity is a highly influential action, and you want to plan to do it often. Read the System As an introvert, it’s very easy to hunker down and focus on the task at hand. It can be too easy to ignore what is going on around you with all of that focus. At the drop of a hat, someone can fall into or out of favor, and you need to pay attention. There are reasons for this type of shift, and you not only need to be aware of it so you can also adjust your strategy but you need to learn from it. This should inform your behavior going forward. It’s All About Reciprocity If you haven’t caught on by now, Office Politics is all about the relationships and what each person gets from another person â€" that serves their goals or agenda. You can choose to be “above” office politics and when you do, you put your future at peril. I suggest you pick waging Positive Office Politics. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer What’s your biggest hurdle when it comes to playing Office Politics? Share your thoughts in the comments! Image: photobucket

How to Develop a Growth Mindset

How to Develop a Growth Mindset What You Need to Know about Developing a Growth Mindset ChaptersWhat are the Key Aspects of a Growth Mindset?Strategies to Develop a Growth MindsetHave you ever tried to learn a new thing and stopped, thinking ‘oh, I’ll never be able to do this â€" I’m just not made for it’. Have you ever described someone else as being ‘naturally clever’? Have you ever shied away from doing karaoke, say, because you claim that ‘you just can’t sing’?If you have done any of these things, you may well have what the Stanford University psychologist, Carol Dweck, calls a ‘fixed mindset’, an attitude towards or an outlook on the world that tells you that your intelligence â€" as well as your character and your creative ability â€" is innate and that it is set in stone.Such a belief has a variety of ramifications that you can read in our article on fixed vs growth mindsets. However, briefly, the fixed mindset makes us more averse to take risks, less appreciative of the success of others, and less willing to put in effort and to persevere.W e All Have a Growth MindsetDweck tells us that we all have a bit of a fixed mindset. All of us sit on a continuum between a fixed mindset â€" the conviction that we have an unchangeable, innate ability â€" and its opposite: a growth mindset, which gives all those who have it in their possession a belief that intelligence is, in fact, a process, something that you can learn and grow. Hence the name growth mindset.Yes, despite much of the stuff that you will read about this online, there is a continuum between a growth and a fixed mindset. It’s that continuum that prevents people from harbouring the possibility of learning how to fly, or from thinking that all guitarists were born being able to play the guitar.We all have a bit of the growth mindset in us. Yet, in order to increase our chances of success in life, it is worth trying our hardest to develop this to the greatest extent that we can.Because whilst the fixed mindset tells us, when we suffer a setback, to give up, the growt h mindset tells us that every failure, every challenge is an opportunity for personal growth. It helps us in cultivating perseverance, and it helps us to praise others in their achievement and success.So, whilst you may once have thought ‘oh no, I’m not a natural singer!’ or ‘I’m just not a maths person’, it’s time to change that. Because we all can.Check out our introduction to growth mindset first if you need to - but here’s how to develop your growth mindset! Teach your child a growth mindset from an early age.The Importance of Praising and Being Able to PraiseDweck’s theory was born from the studies that she undertook in the education system as a professor. Here, on returning test scores to students, she either praised their effort or their intelligence. Those whose effort was praised went on to much greater academic achievement than those whose intelligence was flattered.The theory of the growth mindset came from this finding. Because drawing attention to the level of effort rather than the amount of intelligence drew attention to the process of learning rather than the starting point.Throughout schools in the UK, effort is one of the basic qualities to be measured in schools, rather than their ‘natural’ talents and abilities.Failure and PerseveranceOne of the defining characteristics of the growth mindset is its attitude to failure. Whilst fixed mindsets take failure badly â€" as an indictment of their natural, innate ability â€" people with growth mindsets are more likely to see failure as an opportunity for learning and growth.The fixed mindset’s belief in the way our brain works is more than just an epistemological assumption. Rather, according to Dweck, it involves all other aspects our lives too.Find out the difference between a growth mindset and fixed mindset! Develop your growth mindset in the classroom.Strategies to Develop a Growth MindsetSo, how do you go about developing your growth mindset? How can you go from believing that intelligence is innate and immovable to believing that one can develop it?The most important answer to that is that a mindset is not just an opinion you consciously hold. Because, according to Dweck, your mindset is shown through your actions: your habits of mind, the ways you respond to making mistakes, the simple ways that you go about living your life.Just as intelligence is not a static thing, nor is your mindset. And changing our mindset needs to be conceived of as a process too: you do it through your daily behaviour, not through a simple change of opinion.Having said that, let’s look at some ways in which you can change your mindset.Rethink What It Means to Be a GeniusWhat do you understand geniuses to be? People who were born smart and who changed the world just through easy thoughts and actions? Or peo ple who worked hard, who gave their life to a love of working?The stereotype of the genius is wrong â€" and you need to relearn this. Geniuses don’t have innate genius; they work at it. And you can too.Remember that Being Clever is Worth Less than Becoming BetterTo develop your growth mindset, stop that pose in which you believe you are clever and want everyone to know it.Great, you’re clever â€" who cares? Now what? Success doesn’t come through being clever at all, but what you can do with that and where you head with it. Rather than focusing on being anything at all, focus on becoming something better.Take Criticism Well (It’s Not an Attack)People with a fixed mindset are generally not very good at taking criticism. It rings in their ears like something of an attack.This shouldn’t be the case. And if you are hoping to develop your growth mindset, this is something you need to work on. If someone gives you advice, don’t get defensive. Take the value from it and use it t o help you to become a better person. Stay curious about learning with your growth mindset.Turn Failures into LessonsFailures aren’t reasons never to try again. That’s what the fixed mindset tends to convince people of.Rather, you should see failures as lessons â€" as reminders that you are not perfect, as mistakes that you never need to make again.So, when you fail â€" which you will, inevitably â€" pick yourself up and keep on keeping on.Share Your Successes â€" and Those of OthersDweck suggests that people with a fixed mindset do not like to acknowledge the successes of others. Rather, they feel intimidated or threatened by successful people.Rather, in your pursuit of a growth mindset, you should find ways to see that which is inspiring about other people. Always look for what you can learn from in others.Ditch the Desire for Instant ResultsPart of the growth mindset is knowing that results never come quickly.  And so, if you are after instant wins, remind yourself to slow down.Check out growth mindset resources!

8 Beautiful Opera Arias for Beginner Singers

8 Beautiful Opera Arias for Beginner Singers Suzy S. It is always exciting when a vocal student is ready to start studying his or her first operatic aria! One of the best things about being a classical singer is knowing you have so many great years ahead of you. After all, you’re considered in your prime in your 40s. That being said, realize that the voice you have now and the repertoire you’ll first study will be very, very different from  what you sing later on in your career. It’s absolutely crucial that you sing repertoire that is not too heavy for your young voice, or you may damage it. Fear not here is a list of some of the most beautiful opera songs, organized by the different voice types. Keep scrolling below the video to find even more options! Opera Arias for Sopranos “L’ho perduta” This cute little aria is from one of Mozart’s greatest hits, “The Marriage of Figaro”. The character singing it is Barbarina. Believe it or not, the soprano who first sung this role was 12 so this is indeed suitable for a young singer with operatic aspirations! “O mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” This is another short but wonderful aria that everyone knows and loves. It’s beautiful and perfect for a lighter, lyric voice. Do be careful to avoid dragging the tempo: many sopranos have taken it too slowly. Opera Arias for  Mezzo-Sopranos “Voi che sapete” from “Marriage of Figaro” This charming aria, sung by the page boy Cherubino, is a terrific intro to the “trouser roles” often sung by mezzos. With a lilting melody and a chance to show off some chest voice, it’s a true winner. “Must the Winter Come So Soon?” from Barber’s “Vanessa” This is a beautiful  aria from an American opera that  is not performed too often. It may not be a long aria, but the vocal line is gorgeous. It’s essential that young singers prepare a few arias that are in English. SEE ALSO: Its Time to Refresh Your Arias When   Opera Arias for Baritones “Se vuol ballare” from the “Marriage of Figaro” Lets face it: this opera has an aria for everyone! This aria, sung by Figaro, is a solid choice for beginning baritone. Its a perfect moderate tempo and also has a few high notes. “Vecchia zimarra” from Puccini’s “La Boheme” It may be another short aria, but it packs a powerful punch since it’s from a very dramatic opera! This one is a favorite for a reason. Puccini didn’t write an awful lot for baritones! Opera Arias for Tenors “Quanto e bella” from Donizetti’s “ L’elisir d’amore” This moderate tempo aria is ideal for a light lyric tenor! The character is the lovestruck Nemorino, and this opera song  has been sung by many of the greats, including Luciano Pavarotti. “Lonely House” from Kurt Weill’s “Street Scene” Weill’s music may be challenging to learn, but this haunting aria suits a young singer’s voice. This aria will also give a strong actor a chance to set himself apart from other tenors that just want to stand there and sound pretty. Want more song recommendations by voice type, beyond opera? Check out our song ideas  here, including best picks for auditions, talent shows, and gigs. Your voice teacher is another great resource for suggestions. He or she will undoubtedly have many more ideas  for you. If classical singing interests you, its very important to be working with a voice coach, as opera is a lot tougher to sing than many other genres. Have fun exploring the rich and wonderful world of opera! To continue learning, check out our Ultimate Guide to Singing Styles and Genres! Readers, what are your picks for the most beautiful opera songs? Let us know in the comments!   Post Author:  Molly R. Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013.  Learn more about Molly  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  Jas?n

Ten Best French Podcasts Targeted to French Learners

Ten Best French Podcasts Targeted to French Learners French Learners Listen to These Ten Best Podcasts ChaptersLearning the Language via PodcastA Word on PodcastsRounding Out the Top TenLanguage learners these days have so many resources at their disposal, from the traditional classroom setting to immersion programmes in the countries that speak the language they study.Our ancestors had those selections as well, but they did not have web-based tools.They had no opportunity to learn French online and, while they may have heard occasional broadcasts in French, there were no such things as podcasts in those days.By comparison, our airwaves are saturated with a glut of language learning, and we have our choice of language courses for our listening pleasure.How can anyone be expected to find a steady staple of quality French speaking out of that morass?Let Superprof filter results of the series of podcasts available for the beginner, the intermediate French speaker and for those who understand advanced French. All to help you along in your French lessons.Our forebears did not have the tech nology to learn French that we have today Source: Pixabay Credit: Ryan McGuireRead about finding your ideal online French teacher. AnnieFrench Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CarolineFrench Teacher 5.00 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriFrench Teacher 5.00 (9) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarianneFrench Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThibautFrench Teacher 5.00 (3) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickFrench Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DéborahFrench Teacher 5.00 (10) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamyFrench Teacher 5.00 (2) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearning the Language via PodcastThe thing about learning French in particular is that resources abound! In print and online, you'll find no lack of French learning materials, especially as compared to many other languages.The key to effective l earning would then boil down to what suits your learning style.We hope you will find a gem or two in these...FrenchPod101First, a disclaimer: Innovative Languages publishes language 'pods' in Spanish, in Chinese, in Italian... in 34 different languages. Thus we cannot call it a site dedicated exclusively to the French language.However, each language they present has its own web address, denoted by the language name, followed by pod101.Why 'pod', you wonder? Hint: it has nothing to do with a figurative pea pod...Podcasts were originally meant for download exclusively to Apple products, specifically the Ipod.  These days, you can listen to podcasts on any device you want.  With that in mind, you can download any and all of FrendPod's casts, to listen to and replay at your leisure.When you create your account, the first question you will be asked is what your level of French is. The selection runs from absolute beginner to advanced.From there, you would have your choice of learning pat hs, organised into topics.For example, you might choose Mastering Level 1 French and, starting at Lesson 1, you would progress through all of the lessons until that module is finished.This linear progression learning method is optional. You may also skip around until you find exactly where you need to be, and start your learning from there.Everything on FrenchPod101 is downloadable: the audio, the video and the lesson notes.Indeed, they thoughtfully provide notes for every installment that you can keep and refer back to.Isn't that considerate of them?News In SlowThis podcast series uploads a new topic weekly, generally dealing with some current event.Their pages are well organised, providing links to the various features they offer, such as a grammar overview, and a list of expressions used in the audio discussion.There is also a series of flashcards available for download!At the very top of the page, you would select what level you can understand French at, and then it is just a ma tter of applying yourself to the materials at hand.What if you are beyond beginner French but don't quite understand intermediate?The best part about News in Slow is that they discuss current events so, even if you don't catch every word, there is a good chance you know something about the topic at hand.Besides, that gives you more new language to study!One major difference between FrenchPod and News in Slow is the emphasis on French grammar.FrenchPod's philosophy is that absorbing grammar will be the inevitable result of hearing French conversation.News in Slow dedicates an entire page, linked to each lesson, in order to expound on grammar particulars for that podcast.If you are the type of language learner who needs to assimilate language mechanics in order to grasp language functionality, this would be an important distinction for you.If you are more of a free agent, you might appreciate this next French site...You can download a word of culture and language to your smartphone th rough podcasts Source: Pixabay Credit: FunkyFocusTalk in FrenchThis is more of a freestyle, random topic podcast site. Unlike the others discussed thus far, it tends to be targeted more toward advanced French speakers, and it does not provide a transcript, or lesson for lesson grammar page.It does include a grammar notebook, free for download when you subscribe.If you are at intermediate level or higher, this would be a great podcast to listen to, even if you don't yet know all of the vocabulary.By listening to this fluent narrative, you could really train your ear to pick up French slang expressions, also known as verlan.If you are ready to jump into advanced language and culture discussions, this might be the best podcast for you!Although it is subscription based, there are a number of sample podcasts you can listen to for free, just to see if it would be a good fit.On those free podcast pages, you may take advantage of their free French learning package!A Word on PodcastsBefore w e continue with our list of best French podcasts, let us go over some benefits of podcasts in general.Some people who learn language cannot see the point in exercising only one aspect of French study â€" listening comprehension, while being given no chance to speak French themselves.That is a valid point. After all, nobody has ever asked 'Can you listen to French?'.The question is usually 'Can you speak French?'Nevertheless, there are tremendous benefits to be had in subscribing to an effective, intimate means of immersion into the French language, such as:portability â€" you can download a segment and take it with youtime-efficient: listen to podcasts while doing other things, such as household chores.Money-saving: you would have to go to a classroom or abroad to get this level of immersionpersonal: The French language goes directly into your ears, if you use earbuds, or surrounds you if you play it in your caron-demand: you do not have to tune in for your next lesson, or rush to a ny class. Podcasts will be there, ready for you to download and make use of, whenever you want them.All of these make excellent points for podcasts, but them being on demand is really the clincher, isn't it?That, coupled with the fact that most French podcasts we've investigated come with transcripts, grammatical notes, lists of new words and phrases, exercises and quizzes make this type of learning essential for the serious student of French.You may choose to download several French podcasts Source: Pixabay Credit: PIX 1861Rounding Out the Top TenDaily French Pod originates in France, and covers a variety of topics, from sniffling to China's relationship with France.Each segment comes with a downloadable transcript, a French vocabulary list and an exercise page. They are most suited to beginners.These French lessons are by subscription only.Another French for beginners podcast is Podcast Français Facile. Perhaps the best aspect of this site is that the lessons are organised accord ing to your level of fluency, as ranked by the French proficiency exam structure of the DELF.The possible downside is that the entire page is in French. As it is meant for beginners, there might be some difficulty navigating it.French etc. is in English, but the topics discussed are in conversational French.All topics are narrated by a native speaker of French, and are preceded by a short lesson in grammar.You can practice your spoken French by reading along with the transcript as your francophone host speaks.The bar at the top gives you the option of choosing what level  of French you can understand, and even offers a dictation exercise.If you have trouble with French verbs, there is a page to help make the subject clearer.There is a measure of free study materials, but a subscription will give you access to premium learning tools.To get away from language lessons, our final recommendation is to listen to news commentators discussing current events in French.France Info News specia lises in informative reporting, often adding humour and satire to their broadcast.If you are more advanced in your French studies, listening to these personalities is sure to give you an in-depth understanding of the history and culture of France.Even if you are not quite so advanced in your French learning, listening to these podcasts will introduce you to the rhythm and flow of French words, as spoken by someone whose native language is French.There are so many online resources available for online French learning that we could not possibly review and critique them all.However, we can direct you to a summary page with links to relevant podcasts, so that you might try them out for yourself, and select the best ones for your learning needs.We accept your heartfelt merci!Find out about the best French dictionaries and translators for learning French.

Factoring Online - Online Tutoring

Factoring Online - Online Tutoring Factoring Online calculator is an online tool which can be used to factorize the numbers, expressions and polynomials. It finds all the prime factors of the numbers. The expressions are to be solved by finding the common terms in the expressions. If the expressions have equal sign then it is called the equations. The equations are to be solved to find all the values of the variables. Polynomials may be quadratic or having any degree of x. The polynomial which has two terms is called the binomial. Polynomials which have three or more terms are known as the polynomials. The quadratic equations can be solved by breaking the middle terms and by making the perfect squares. The online calculators or the tools are used to solve the complicated equations quickly and efficiently. The modern online calculators have only one window for the input and the output. The expressions for which the factors are to be found are entered into the input window. Let us take one example of factoring. Example: - Let us have to factorize the square of the number 150 and 100. Solution: - We have to find 150 - 50, to solve this problem, we can suppose one hundred and fifty is equal to x and fifty is equal to y. The following formula can be used to find the solution. x y = ( x + y ) ( x y) , by plugging the value of x and y 150 - 50 = (150 + 50) (150 50), to add and subtract 50 from 150 is very easy. We get 200 and 100. The multiplication of the two factors is twenty thousand as shown below. = 200 X 100 = 20000

I Feel Like Im Bribing my Child! Whats the difference between bribes and rewards

I Feel Like I’m Bribing my Child! What’s the difference between bribes and rewards Children with ADHD often need rewards and structure to help them succeed at challenging or mundane tasks and learn new behaviors. While rewards are a valuable ADHD management tool, its not uncommon for parents who use rewards to say that feel like they are simply bribing their child to get them to meet basic expectations. Its important to remember that kids with ADHD actually need rewards to help with motivation. However, bribes and rewards are two very things with very different effects on behavior. Rewards are something your child earns for their hard work and effort. They are established ahead of time, paired with clear expectations, and given only after the child has followed through. Rewards are part of a plan that parents are ultimately in charge of managing, and lead to positive interactions that foster feelings of accomplishment. When children are rewarded after a behavior they are more likely to repeat that same behavior again. Bribes, on the other hand are typically given to a child before they follow through desired behavior. Often they are used as a last resort, and as a result they frequently come about during a power struggle or negotiation. They rarely lead to long term changes in behavior. In fact, they often accidentally encourage negative behavior! Consider this example: A child is at a restaurant with his family. While hes waiting for his meal, he whines and complains about being bored, and is up and out of his seat bothering the diners at the neighboring table. This is an uncomfortable, common situation for many parents, and one everyone wants to change as quickly as possible. If you respond by pairing a reward with clear expectations youll remind your child that you agreed before dinner that first he would stay seated for the entire meal, and then as a reward he would be able to order dessert. Youll then give him an activity to keep him busy and praise his good behavior during the meal. Hell earn his reward, feel good about his effort, and have more motivation to stay seated the next time hes in a restaurant. If you respond by using a bribe, youll first ask your child repeatedly to stop getting out of his seat. When he doesnt comply youll feel frustrated and maybe even worry that the family dinner will be ruined. So, you resort to a bribe by asking your child if he will sit down if you give him a piece of candy. He takes the candy, sits down for one minute and then is up out of his seat again. In this case the bribe actually reinforced the childs negative behavior. He received candy while he was out of his seat, and was not required to first meet any expectations. Once the candy was finished, he stood up again because he was bored and restless, and had nothing motivating him to stay seated. Chances are hell leave the restaurant feeling bad about his behavior, and will not be motivated to behave differently next time. So, how can you avoid bribes and instead focus on constructive rewards? Set clear expectations ahead of time whenever possible, and share these expectations and the possible reward with your child. Using a When-Then statement can be helpful, When you stay seated for the entire meal, then youll be able to order dessert. Dont allow your child to negotiate about the reward in the moment, and make sure to provide rewards only when theyve been earned. This shows your child that you are in charge of the plan, and removes their ability to negotiate or engage in a power struggle. When rewards are used correctly, they can set your child up for success, reduce family conflicts, and teach your child that they can accomplish challenging tasks when they have the right motivation. So, rest assured that when you stick to a behavior plan that includes rewards, youre not bribing your child. Instead, youre using a valuable tool designed to help them manage their ADHD symptoms. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Optimizing Flipped Classrooms For Students With ADHD

Optimizing Flipped Classrooms For Students With ADHD Flipped classrooms turn the traditional model of instruction upside down by migrating in-person classroom lectures into videos that are watched independently by students on their own time. Class time that had traditionally be spent listening to lectures is now replaced with interactive assignments designed to reinforce the previously-viewed video presentations. In effect, the activities of homework and class time are flipped lectures are watched at home and assignments are completed during class. For students with ADHD who struggle to complete homework assignments efficiently and consistently, the flipped classroom model is appealing for two reasons: Classroom-based lectures are not an optimal strategy for teaching students with ADHD. Didactic instruction via lectures is rarely an effective teaching style for students with ADHD. Many students with ADHD struggle to focus and process verbal information quickly during lectures, and have poor note taking skills. They often leave class having missed key points from the lecture and have sparse, ineffective notes to refer to when completing assignments or studying for exams independently. Homework is a struggle for students with ADHD. As any parent or teacher of a child or teen with ADHD knows, homework is an ongoing struggle for these students. Even under the best of circumstances kids and teens with ADHD have difficulty completing their homework efficiently and consistently. This is due in part to the time of day when homework is completed (in the evening when fatigue is setting in and ADHD symptoms are worsening and when ADHD medication has worn off) and the lack of support from peers and teachers during homework time. Flipped classrooms at least partially address both of these problems for students with ADHD. When lectures are provided in video format, students can watch them at their own pace. They can rewind if their attention drifts and they can listen again to catch key points that they may have missed. Taking notes becomes easier when they are able to slow down the pace of the lecture, and notetaking may become less essential if teachers and classmates can serve as resources when assignments are completed during the class period. When assignments are completed in class instead of at home, students with ADHD may be less fatigued, will have the advantage of their ADHD medication still being in effect, can receive individualized instruction from the teacher as needed, will have the social and intellectual support of their classmates, and ideally, the assignments will be more interactive and less tedious than in traditional homework. Even with these clear benefits, optimizing flipped classrooms for students with ADHD requires special considerations: Homework will continue to be a challenge for students with ADHD. In flipped classrooms, homework does not altogether disappear, it is simply replaced by video lectures. Students with ADHD will still struggle to focus on the videos, they will still procrastinate, and they will still miss key points during the lectures. Optimize the use of video lectures by incorporating elements that are known to increase engagement and compliance for students with ADHD: Keep the videos as brief as possible. Small, digestible chunks of information will be absorbed more readily than lengthy presentations. Incorporate interactive features. Insert pop-up questions and activities throughout the lectures and grade students on their responses. Provide immediate feedback to students about the accuracy of their responses. Set due-dates and measure progress. Set clear due dates for lecture viewing, and monitor progress. If a student skips a video, follow-up and brainstorm strategies for getting back on track. Reward students for meeting deadlines. Give students points for watching videos, and tie these points to meaningful rewards. Allow students to track their progress toward earning rewards, and incorporate game-like features whenever possible. Remember that praise is also very rewarding! When you notice that a student is consistently watching videos and meeting deadlines, let them know that youre impressed and encourage them to keep up the good work. Encourage the development of notetaking skills. Notetaking remains an essential skill for students throughout high school and college. Since students with ADHD struggle to take effective notes, provide specific instruction on notetaking, and require students to take notes during video lectures. Review the notes and provide feedback about things the student has done well and areas where he or she can improve. Flipped classroom assignments present unique challenges for students with ADHD. Students with ADHD who struggle to complete assignments at home will also have challenges with classroom assignments. Provide individualized instruction whenever possible. One of the benefits of flipped classrooms is increased opportunity for individualized instruction. Students with ADHD dont always stand out as needing individualized attention, particularly when they are bright students who can compensate relatively well for their weaknesses, and when they are more inattentive than they are impulsive or disruptive. Seek out these students and aim to give them a boost in areas where they may not be reaching their full potential. Encourage effective teamwork and collaboration skills. Group-based assignments are more common in flipped classrooms. While there are many benefits to group-based learning, students with ADHD are more likely than their peers to have difficulty participating effectively in these learning activities. Students with ADHD often lack confidence in their knowledge and abilities. As a result, they may hang back from the group and fade into the background. Conversely, their insecurities may drive them to act out and become disruptive. Focus on teaching strategies that will help them become confident, engaged members of their team, and participate in ways that enhance the group as well as their own learning process. Flipped classrooms have the potential to be far more engaging for students with ADHD than traditional instructional models. Tailoring flipped classrooms to meet the needs to students with ADHD can have a positive impact on their ability to learn and their motivation to participate in the learning process. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

4 Most Reliable Food Delivery Apps

4 Most Reliable Food Delivery Apps Image via Pixabay Seamless Reliability is basically in the app’s title: ordering from Seamless if truly a seamless process that goes off without a hitch. The number of restaurants that are on Seamless depends on the location, but if your favorite sushi place is on this app, order right now. The timing of delivery also depends on the restaurants, but the delivery drivers are usually outside your door between 25 and 40 minutes. There is very little human contact involved (thank goodness) and you can pay and tip directly on the app. The app is also good about relaying information, like substitutions and modifications to your order, to the restaurant, and their customer service is excellent. In addition, they also e-mail you with promotions all the time that will help discount your order. GrubHub GrubHub is also extremely reliable and highly prevalent on most college campuses. Similarly to Seamless, GrubHub delivers food usually between 25 and 40 minutes (however, like I said this is restaurant-dependent), and modifications to the order are relayed between the app and the restaurant 99.99% of the time. If the food/delivery is not up to standard, the customer service line is fantastic and if you call them about something that is out of their control, they are great about directing you to someone who can actually help you. They give you a number to use to communicate with your delivery driver and you can even track your order (I’m always drooling while looking at the tracking part of the app because I’m so hungry). Like Seamless, you can pay and tip directly on the app. Be sure to use an e-mail that you check regularly so that you can take advantage of the promotions and discounts that they have. Image via Pixabay Door Dash Door Dash is an app that I only discovered six months ago, and I used it a bunch at school and a little bit at home. They had many more restaurant options compared to Seamless and GrubHub, however, they weren’t as reliable as those two apps. For example, sometimes substitutions and modifications aren’t told to the restaurant, even when you explicitly state something. However, I do love their advance tracking system. It’s similar to Uber Eats where you can track the exact location of the delivery driver’s car. When I have had issues with Door Dash, they are very accommodating about refunds and will make sure that the refund goes through the minute you complain. You can use Apple Pay, which is great and easy for iPhone users, and you sometimes get a small delivery discount when you sign up using Apple Pay instead of a credit card. Uber Eats I love Uber and I love Uber Eats. They have the best delivery times compared to any of the apps I’ve used and you can track the car using the GPS feature. They are great about refunds when something isn’t up to your standard and are good at communicating with the restaurant about your order and any changes you’ve made to it. All of the delivery drivers that I have had through Uber Eats have been kind, efficient, and have been great about updating me about their location (little did they know that I was staring at the order tracking feature of the app the entire time I was waiting for my food to come). If you don’t already have Uber Eats on your phone, I recommend you download it ASAP (also, side note, if you don’t have regular Uber on your phone you should download that too because they are also reliable and efficient). Well, there you have it ladies and gentlemen. If you like ordering out as much as I do, then download these apps right now. It’s cold outside, it’s not worth it to walk in the freezing cold or drive in the snow just to get a big, warm slice of pizza. So, what are you waiting for? Order delivery now!