Ask a Medical School Admissions Expert Rishi Mediratta

Ask a Medical School Admissions Expert Rishi Mediratta Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Rishi Mediratta is co-author of the bookCracking Med School Admissions: Trusted Advice from Students Whove Been There, as well as a medical school admissions adviser. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Public Health Studies from Johns Hopkins Universityand went on to complete Masters degrees in Medical Anthropology and Public Health. Rishi attended medical school at Stanford University, and he is currently a resident physician at Stanford Childrens Health and Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital Stanford. VT: How much time should be set aside to adequately prepare for and complete a Med School application? Rishi:Start working on your applications as soon as possible so that you can turn in your American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application when it opens in June. I cannot stress this point enough. The earlier you turn in your application, the more likely it is that you will receive a medical school interview and, in turn, get accepted into medical school. For some students, completing the entire AMCAS application takes several months to one full year. The tasks required to complete the AMCAS application include: submitting your transcripts from college and any graduate work, completing and submitting your MCAT scores, writing a medical school personal statement, gathering your letters of recommendation, and writing the descriptions for the work/activities section of the AMCAS application. Don't underestimate the amount of time it takes to finish all of these components of the AMCAS application. VT: What is the single most important thing applicants should focus on with this application? Rishi:I think a student has to create a great narrative about why he or she wants to go to medical school and what makes him or her unique from other applicants. Our team often tells the students we advise to create themes for their applications. Does the student really love research? Health education? Helping special needs patients? The theme should be evident throughout multiple parts of the application from the personal statement, to a letter of recommendation, to the secondary essays. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific personal statement topic? Rishi:For the AMCAS personal statement, you should start by asking yourself these questions: What am I going to do with my medical degree? What do I want to tell the admissions committee about myself? Are there any interesting stories related to medicine or healthcare that are unique to me? What cultural experiences have I had that formed my experiences with healthcare? What do I want the reader to learn about me from reading my personal statement? Are there any skills or personality traits I want to highlight? One thing I always tell applicants is to create a story that highlights your message of why you want to become a doctor. Dont just make your medical school personal statement an extended laundry list of your extracurricular activities. In addition to the AMCAS application, there are also medical school secondary application essays. In your secondary essays, try to not write about the same topic that you wrote about in your medical school personal statement. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Rishi:Any topic is really fair game. I wouldnt say there is something you shouldnt write about. If the topic or experience is important to you, then write a compelling story about it. Our team has advised students who wrote about topics ranging from being part of Division I athletics, to conducting clinical research with patients, to helping a woman with multiple sclerosis, to working as an Emergency Medical Responder. Again, I want to iterate that your medical schoolpersonal statement should be a story that highlights your attributes and interesting personal stories. Most of thesuccessfulmedical school essays I have read over the past few years focus on one or two experiences, rather than four or five different activities. VT: What are the biggest mistakes one can make on a Med School application? Rishi:The biggest mistake a student can make is to turn in his or her application late! I have met students who have literally been told that they would have received an interview invitation if they had turned in their applications earlier. Dont be in this situation. Turn in your AMCAS application as early as possible (at the latest by mid-July) and your medical school secondary applications by mid-August. Turning in applications early will especially help those students who are worried about their GPAs and MCAT scores. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Rishi:Some schools screen AMCAS applications based on a student's GPA, MCAT scores, and the university he or she attended. Other schools do not have a preliminary screening process. The applicant then receives an invitation to submit a secondary application. Next, admissions officers choose which applicants will receive an interview. After the interview, admissions committees will discuss their applicants. If committees feel like you are a strong applicant, then you will receive an acceptance letter. Other students may also receive a waitlist or rejection decision. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a medical school, and whether they would be a good fit? Rishi:The best way to learn about the culture of a medical school is to visit the school and speak with students who go there. For pre-clinical years, some great questions to ask are: Are you graded on a pass/fail system? Are the students collaborative? Can you give examples of this collaboration? What are the most popular extracurricular activities? What is the housing situation like? Do people live in the same dorm buildings? Are people spread out? What resources are available to students if they need help with medical school classes? For clinical years, some great questions to ask are: Do most people take a year off? What clinical sites do students do their clinical rotations at? Is the school flexible as to when you take your Step 1 and Step 2 exams? VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Rishi:Grades and standardized test scoresare important, but they are only one piece of your medical school application. Students stand out through their passions, extracurricular activities, and leadership. Again, highlight these factors through your essays, interviews, and letters of recommendation. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Rishi:In regards to letters of recommendation, try to build strong relationships with your recommenders. Dont be afraid to ask for letters one to two years before you apply, right after you take a class. Schedule a meeting, if possible, to speak with your recommender about why youre applying to medical school. Come prepared with a draft of your personal statement and examples they can use for your letter of recommendation. Give your recommender plenty of time to write your letter! Some students inform their writers near the AMCAS application open date, and their AMCAS applications get processed at a much later date. Also remember to write a thank you letter to your recommenders, and to update them on the outcome of your application. VisitCracking Med School Admissionsfor more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Visiting the Arabic-Speaking World is Not Like Youd Think.

Visiting the Arabic-Speaking World is Not Like Youd Think. Get Ready to Travel to the Arab World. ChaptersWhy Travel to the Arabic-Speaking World?Before You Go: Get Intensive Arabic LessonsWorking Out Which Arabic-Speaking Country to Study In.Dialect Differences: The Changes in Arabic from Country to Country.Check the Safety Level of Arabic-Speaking Countries.Getting a Visa in the Arabic-Speaking World.Enrolling at a University in an Arabic-Speaking Country.Get a Scholarship or a Student Loan.Find a Flat and Flights.Get the Necessary Documents.Learn About and Respect the Local Customs.Make Some Friends: A Guide to Travelling Alone.“Travelling is returning to the essential” - Tibetan ProverbTravelling to Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East or North Africa is a great way to learn how to speak Arabic.Arabic is the fourth largest language in the world with 538 million native speakers and 246 million people who speak it as a second language.It’s commonly known that learning the Arabic writing system, familiarising yourself with different dialects, and understanding the accompanying culture is pretty tricky.Here are our top tips for studying Arabic! HalimaArabic Teacher £13/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KotaibaArabic Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SoledadArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NancyArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaouesArabic Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DinaArabic Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AbrarArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UsamaArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Travel to the Arabic-Speaking World?Whether you are hoping to learn Arabic or not, travelling to the Arab world is one of those things that, if you have the opportunity, you really should do in your lifetime.However, due to our sensitivity around issues of 'safety', a news cycle that highlights terrorism in the Arab world, and an enduring 'orientali st' attitude towards these Middle Eastern and North African countries, we tend to lump them into one homogeneous block. This, quite straightforwardly, is a mindset that we need to shake off - as the Arabic-speaking world is as diverse, varied, and surprising as any other region of the world.Presuming it is all the same is like presuming Europe is self-identical. It ain't - and no-one who has ever seen the difference between Scotland and Sicily, Belfast and Belgrade would think so.Why, then, should we travel to the Arabic-speaking world?Diversity.As we have said, the Arab world is not the self-same monolith that some in the west believe. And, as such, it is difficult to summarise all that the region offers.From the outrageous and magnificent skyscrapers of countries like the UAE, to the bustling markets and ancient history of cities like Marrakesh, Algiers, and Amman, the Arabic-speaking countries offer a huge range of experiences. You only need to compare the skyline of Doha to the souks of Tunis to understand what we're getting at.And that's just the cities. But from the Atlas Mountains to the deserts and the beaches on the Dead Sea, the region offers some of the most unforgettable natural experiences too.Find great Arabic courses London now.History.Civilisation was born in the Middle East - and so the history of the region stretches for mind-boggling temporal distances. The Sumerians, based in southern Iraq, were writing before the population of the UK was even settled (around 5000BC) - and it's for this reason, among others, that the Middle East is known as the 'cradle of civilisation'.The following seven centuries were no less eventful, and during this period the Arab world effected some of the most remarkable cultural developments in history (there's a reason three of the seven wonders of the ancient world were in the Middle East). But, in more mundane terms, the contribution of the Middle East to the development of the world has been beyond measure - as it was here that everything from toothbrushes to music, algebra to universities, coffee, and surgery were invented.Much of the cultural prestige of the Arab world is still visible today   - and a visit to the Middle East must be a historian's and an architect's dream come true.Follow the best online Arabic course.Beauty.We've mentioned the diversity of the Arab world, both in its urban and natural aspects. Yet, some of the sights you will see are enough to blow the mind.Think of Petra, or the pyramids of Giza. Consider Dubai's Palm Jumeirah or the Ziggurat of Ur. Think of the Atlas Mountains, or the dunes of the Sahara. There really isn't a region that beats it for its beauty - nor for the amazement it will evoke.Smash Your Expectations.We have an image of the Arab world that is dominated by images of war, terror, and despair. And whilst some areas have their share of violence, this is not an image that many Arabs would recognise of their home nations.One of the most important reaso ns to travel to Arabic-speaking countries is to learn more about an area of the world in which over three hundred million people live.You'll be surprised by what you find.Learn Arabic.Of course, it goes without saying that the Arab world is the best place on the planet to learn how to speak Arabic.Arabic is the fifth most common language in the world by number of native speakers - only behind Mandarin, English, Spanish, and Hindi. It is these days a hugely important global language - and a  growing number of people are learning it as a second language.You may well know some Arabic words already - although the chances are that you don't know that they are Arabic. Words like 'orange', 'safari', 'alcohol', and 'sofa' all come from the Arabic, and the influence that the language has had on English is, perhaps surprisingly, immense. Maybe not though, if you know about the role Arabs played in the growth of science.Watch out when you go to the Arab-speaking world, however. You'll find tha t not all countries speak the same Arabic (there are about thirty different Arabic dialects!). See more about this below.Lookup for Arabic courses for beginners here.Before You Go: Get Intensive Arabic LessonsIf you want to go to the Arabic-speaking world, it’d be a good idea to speak a bit of the language as it’s not guaranteed that you’ll meet Arabs who can speak English.Getting Arabic lessons before you go is a good idea. (Source: Pexels)Firstly, we recommend that you take a few Arabic language lessons or private tutorials with one of the tutors on Superprof, at university if you’re a student, or at a language school.Arabic is one of the official languages of the Arab League and knowing how to speak the language will be hugely appreciated by the locals and will also help you stay out of trouble.Arabic lessons will help you get to grips with the writing system, learn the nuances of this guttural Semitic language, master its pronunciation, and feel more comfortable when spe aking.Working Out Which Arabic-Speaking Country to Study In.Depending on whether you’re planning on studying in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, or Oman, your budget and the requirements for getting onto a course will be different.In fact, there are also different administrative steps in each country.  In terms of the language, each country has its own dialects, too.Literary Arabic is considered the standard form of the language and is generally understood by all Arabic speakers. However, a Moroccan won’t necessarily understand a Syrian when they speak Arabic, for example.Similarly, some countries are far more progressive than others. Generally speaking, society in Morocco, Algeria, and Jordan are more open than it is in Lebanon, Egypt, or Saudi Arabia.Saudi Arabia is almost completely closed off to foreigners. While you may hear that Russia and China are closed off, it’s nothing in comparison to the draconian measures for making your way into Saudi Arabia.Find A rabic language course here.Dialect Differences: The Changes in Arabic from Country to Country.As we said above, Arabic is not just Arabic. It's not the same wherever you will go - just as there are many regional differences in the language spoken in, say, Italy. Whilst in the UK we do have our own dialectic differences - Geordie, say, or 'the Queen's English' - we have a greater degree of standardisation and cross-dialect comprehension. For a learner of English as a second language, however, these differences can be challenging. And the same applies for those learning Arabic.Modern Standard Arabic is the most common form of the language - but this, as with most standard languages, is pretty much limited to a written form. Countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Syria teach this language at schools, and the literacy in this language is about seventy to eighty percent in each of these countries. This, if you are learning 'Arabic', is the language you are probably going to b e learning.However, if you are travelling in, say Morocco or other countries in northern Africa, you'll probably hear in the street quite a different language to that you will hear on the pavements of Baghdad, say, or Beirut. Make sure that, if you are enrolling with language classes in the area, you know what dialect you are speaking.There are three main dialects of Arabic: Levantine, Egyptian, and Gulf Arabic.LevantineSpoken by people in Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria mainly, as well as those in diaspora.EgyptianObviously, this one is based in Egypt, but the country's powerful cultural industries has made it understandable to most Arabic speakers.GulfGulf Arabic is spoken in the Gulf, so UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, as well as parts of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.MaghrebMore a group of dialects than one specifically, these are spoken throughout Morocco and Algeria.As between English dialects, the differences between those in Arabic range from the phonological (pronunciation) to the syntactical and grammatical. Some are also different due to colonisation, with lots of French words being used in, say, Levantine Arabic.Check the Safety Level of Arabic-Speaking Countries.It’s fundamental that you check how safe the country where you’re planning to study is.Syria, for example, has been at war since 2011. (Source: ErikaWittlieb)We wouldn’t really recommend travelling to Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Western Egypt, or border regions.Armed conflicts and political instability has made moving around large areas of certain Persian Gulf states and Northern Africa.  Terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and IS also still operate in certain places.Add this to the geopolitical battles taking place over natural resources (mainly gas and oil) between powers in the West (the US and Russia) and the conflict between Israel and Palestine, civil war in Syria, the American Gulf War in Iraq, instability following the Arab Spring (Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Syria), and sectar ian conflicts between Shias and Sunnis.In short, the safest countries include Morocco, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. HalimaArabic Teacher £13/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KotaibaArabic Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SoledadArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NancyArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaouesArabic Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DinaArabic Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AbrarArabic Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UsamaArabic Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGetting a Visa in the Arabic-Speaking World.While you can travel on a tourist visa for 90 days in Morocco, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, you’ll need to get a student visa to start a university course or a language course at a language school.  Visas are obligatory even for visiting countries in the Ara bic-speaking world.Studying in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Fujairah is often said to be an unforgettable experience. Many countries have been constructing prestigious university campuses to attract students.You’ll need a sponsor to get your student visa for Dubai and this could cost as much as £600. This is nothing compared to the fees of the university which can be around £10,000.The student visa costs around £1,500. While this isn’t cheap, a degree from one of these universities and the ability to speak Arabic will certainly help when it comes to looking for work.Would you prefer to study Arabic in Morocco?There are 14 universities in Morocco and you’ll need a residency permit if you want to stay over 90 days. That said, you do have 3 months once you get there to get one.Enrolling at a University in an Arabic-Speaking Country.Another tip for those wanting to study Arabic is to enrol on a university course in Arabic and immerse yourself in the Arabic language and culture on a dai ly basis.Saudi Arabia is quite closed off to the rest of the world for study. (Source: GLady)Imagine getting your Master’s while learning Arabic at the same time.  If you speak French, you’re in luck as there are French-speaking universities in Morocco, Lebanon, and Tunisia.You could get lessons in French, speak Arabic with your classmates, or even attend universities where lessons are taught in English in Abu Dhabi, for example.  There are also universities offering UK degrees in the United Arab Emirates.This could be useful for understanding what you’re learning in class while learning the language outside of it.Keep in mind that the dialects of Arabic differ in every country. For example, in Morocco, there’s Darija Arabic.The cost of university courses in the United Arab Emirates, for example, can cost thousands whereas, in Morocco and Tunisia, they cost much less.Get a Scholarship or a Student Loan.You can’t study abroad with your pockets empty.  If you don’t have mu ch in terms of savings, you might have to consider getting in some debt...You’ll need to work out a budget since studying in Dubai can be really expensive (between £10,000 and £15,000), several hundred for flights, and around £1,500 in monthly costs.There aren’t many students who can manage around £3,000 per month (including tuition) so many opt for a student loan or try to get a scholarship.You can also work while you study Arabic. For example, the average salary in Dubai is $3,000 per month.Find a Flat and Flights.You should check flight comparison websites like Skyscanner.Once you get to your new home, you'll need to find somewhere to live. (Source: judithscharnowski)The site can find the cheapest prices for flights, especially if you’re flexible on the dates.  This is really useful as you can save several hundred pounds.Staying in Casablanca, Marrakesh, or Tunis can be quite affordable. On the other hand, a flat in Dubai can cost a small fortune.It’s a good idea to d o your research before you get there when it comes to finding accommodation.So how do you do it?Start by checking websites for estate agents in each country.  We recommend getting a hotel room or a holiday rent (through Airbnb, for example) for the first week or so in order to give you some time to look at flats.Keep in mind that when you sign a lease in Dubai, you will probably be expected to pay for the whole year upfront. Make sure you include this in your budget.Staying in Morocco, on the other hand, is more like you’d find in the UK with monthly rent payments.  Morocco and Tunisia also cost a lot less than the United Arab Emirates.Get the Necessary Documents.Make sure you remember to get all the important documents together before you go. Here’s our advice on what you’ll probably need to bring with you.Bring the following:PassportVisaDriving licenceHealth bookletHealth insurance certificateMake sure that your passport is valid for up to six months after your expected retu rn date.  We recommend that you also make a digital copy of all these documents and send them to yourself via email in case you lose any of them. It might also be worthwhile to have paper copies of them, too.Can you come back to the UK without a passport?Don’t worry!  You can get an emergency passport for your return to the UK from the consulate.Notify the British AuthoritiesAs we said, some areas can be dangerous.It’s a good idea to let the necessary authorities know in case of an emergency.The UK Government website provides information on travelling abroad. This includes information such as:Information on safety and securityWhere to contact in case of emergencyLocal laws and customsConsulates can also help foreign students to:Get money from family membersProvide certain legal protections in case of arrestContact a doctor in case of medical problemsGet legal assistant (lawyer, interpreter, etc.) in case of problems with local authoritiesRepatriationPay for certain expensesWhile many accidents are uncommon, you can’t eradicate all risk.Learn About and Respect the Local Customs.The last advice for anyone staying in a foreign country is to respect foreign customs!This might seem obvious, but you need to keep them in mind.  The Arabic speaking countries are culturally very different from Western countries in certain respects.For example, you shouldn’t criticise Islam, throw any edible bread, or wave at someone with your left hand.  Family is important in these countries, too, and families can hold a lot of sway over their family members.This could explain why Arabic-speaking countries have some of the lowest suicide rates in the world.Here are some basic rules you can follow:Don’t wear miniskirts or shorts and don’t show any cleavage.Do not throw your litter on the ground.Bargain in the souks.Always greet people (As-Salaam-Alaikum)Remove your shoes when entering a mosque or a house.Accept an invitation to have tea or eat.Don’t openly criticise the m onarchy (Morocco).One last piece of advice is to take Arabic lessons before you go and bring some notes on basic phrases.Make Some Friends: A Guide to Travelling Alone.Anyone who has done it knows that travelling alone can be hard. But, for those who have never done and are considering it, you should also know that it's one of the best things that you can possibly do in life.When you are alone, you are much more open to building new relationships. If you are with friends or a partner, there is less impulse to put yourself out there and meet new people. However, it is the latter group that suffers in this: if you are open to it, when travelling, you can meet some of the most brilliant, inspiring, and most intimate friends you'll ever meet in your life.But how do you do it? and how do you get through those nights in when you are alone? The right attitude goes a long way - so, be open and friendly, and remember that a night off is really quite a normal thing.Firstly, it is worth being aware of sites like Couchsurfing, Meetup, and Craigslist, on which you can organise group outings. These are really helpful resources to have in your pocket - particularly Couchsurfing - because you will find that there are many like-minded people in the city you've ended up in that feel exactly like you do.If you are attending a language school or a university, parts of the social pressure will be off. The institutions themselves might organise social events, whilst, if you are in classes, make sure that you make friends with your classmates!There are hostels all across the Middle East and North Africa. If you are staying in one of these, then the social game's an easy one for you. Hang around in the social area and let it happen!

Tips for Classroom Organization

Tips for Classroom Organization An organized teacher is an effective teacher. Here are eight tips to keep your classroom orderly and running smoothly: Create a daily folder. Whether you plan on the weekends or go into school early each day, spend time organizing what you will do in class each day of the week and putting any materials in a labeled folder for that day. Keep an agenda. A detailed agenda will keep your day from veering off course, whether you teach one class of third-graders or several class periods of math students. Set up inboxes for important papers. Pick a corner of the room where students can turn in completed classwork, completed homework, parent notes and other important papers in separate, labeled inboxes. Organize your desk. Your desk is an easy catch-all for all other paperwork. Get ahead of the clutter by labeling trays for grading, filing, distributing, reviewing, shredding, or other. Have a place for everything. Designate spaces for everything students use, from laptops to pencils, from books to disinfecting wipes. Use laminated posters to make it easy for students to glance at an area and see what belongs there. Label it all. Clean-up time is easier when students know exactly where you keep supplies and dont have to ask you over and over. Use jars, tins, boxes, crates, baskets, or whatever you prefer to keep everything tidy. Spend time every day cleaning up. With 20 or more students a day in and out of your room (more if you teach a subject multiple times a day), its easy for rooms to get messy and disheveled. Even a few minutes a day putting things away and having students do the same will help. The more organized you are, the better teacher youll be. Commit to organization and youll notice a big difference in your stress level and effectiveness.

How to Study - Easy Homework Exam Tips - Private Tutoring

How to Study - Easy Homework Exam Tips BobbiM Sep 14, 2015 Learning how to study is a process and takes some time to figure out.  Once you understand how and when you study best, youll be amazed at how much better you do in school as being able to spend less time studying because youve actually got a system and setup in place that works. An example of this is my son He started at his school in middle school.  He was a decent student at his prior school and he applied himself in the exact same way he had previously.  Well, his grades were in the low C range.  I was not happy!  He then started to learn  not only his subject matter but HOW to STUDY.  And that has made all the difference in the world!  What used to be a 2-4 hours p-a-i-n-f-u-l process is now down to 1-2 hours depending upon the time of year.  No moans, groans and delay tactics.  Oh, and the results?  Well after learning the best way to study and how to study that works for him, hes made Honor Roll.  I dont know about your child but for me, thats definitely a marked improvement and a success story! You Might Also Be Interested in: I Got A C In 9th Grade Math, Now What So weve created some easy, short and simple tips compiled from sources all around the web to help you become the best student you can and to know how to study.  Test one, some or all and see which makes a difference in your studying!  Wed love to hear your results in the comments below or share your stories with us on Facebook or Twitter! If you enjoyed this post, please pin it to Pinterest, share it on Twitter or Facebook and stumble it on Stumbleupon!  Thank you!

Abacus, the oldest calculator - ALOHA Mind Math

Abacus, the oldest calculator 3 Likes Using a tool to do math and transact business has been around since 2700 BC in the Mesopatamia region. Also called a counting frame, the Abacus, is the oldest calculator in existence. Our article today will discuss the various types of abaci and why we have selected the one we use at ALOHA. Abacus, the oldest calculator One uses an abacus for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It is used by manually sliding counters along rods bound by a frame, hence the name, counting frame. The beauty of a device like this is that it helps students with learning a basic number system, borrowing and carrying numbers, combinations of five and ten, and visualization of math and mental calculations. One of the additional benefits of an abacus is that it can be used by visually impaired individuals. Sumerian Abacus created in the 2700-2300 BC time period in Mesapotamia area. This is the oldest form of the counting device. The image to the right represents this type of abacus in the form of a clock. It is also referred to as a sexigesimal system that has a 60 count platform. That could be why it works so well with our current time keeping practices. Could you imagine wearing this on your wrist? Reconstruction of a Roman Abacus RGZ Museum in Mainz, 1977 The bronze original is at Bibliothèque nationale de France Paris. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Roman Abacus was really more of a table with three different types called the dust abacus, the line abacus and the grooved abacus. Imagine trying to do division with Roman numerals. For example the number 1943 would beMCMXLIII. Now divide that by LXVII and you get what? XXVIIII. That takes a great deal of thinking for me! Suanpan This is the version of the Abacus used by the Chinese. It has been in use since the 2nd century BC. The appearance is frame construction with 2 beads on each row above a dividing bar with 5 beads below. The Suanpan allows for the basic arithmetic functions along with square root and cube root function. Russian Abacus The Schoty is what the Russians call their abacus. There are 10 beads on each rod. Calculations are performed by moving all the beads from the right side to the left side. Each wire has 10 beads on bowed wires. The row with the 4 beads is used for quarters of a kopek or ruble.These abaci were used regularly in Russia until the 1990s. There is a version used in many Western countries similar to the Russian Schoty. Soroban Abacus The photo to the right is an example of a Japanese abacus. It features one bead at the top and either 4 or 5 beads below. The Japanese abacus is named a Soroban. The Soroban has an odd number of columns. Typically there are a minimum of 9 columns denoted with a dot every three columns.Using visual imagery of a soroban, one can arrive at the answer in the same time as, or even faster than, is possible with a physical instrument. There is a great correlation to mental imagery of this abacus. We use the Soroban Abacus for our ALOHA programs.

Do You Need a Tutor for Your Teenager

Do You Need a Tutor for Your Teenager Alarming Signs that reveals Your Child Need a Tutor: Do you want bright future of your child? Here we are going to discuss an amazing opportunity for your children to have it. When students are confused in their studies and family schedules are too saturated, then a need for a Tutor is arisen. If you believe that your child can score extra marks while studying at home with your guidance, then hiring an expert Tutor is best option for you to adopt. Here we will discuss the benefits of tutoring process in detail. Why has this practice become so popular nowadays? Lets start from understanding your needs. Alarming Signs that reveals Your Child Need a Tutor: First of all, you will have to recognize the needs of your child. Although some children perform quite well at school, some of them need extra care to increase their grades. That is the case, when experienced tutor is required How to recognize the issue? Decline in Grades:   If notice that your childs grades are slipping continuously while he is doing a lot in class and at home, then you should have to hire a well-educated Tutor immediately. He will gradually help your child in clearing his ways in studies. Time Management Issue:   If your child gets confused in balancing his project preparation and homework, then he definitely face a time management issue. Also your child can struggle to balance his efforts between several different subjects. In both cases hiring a tutor is a solution Lack in Confidence:   Does your child feel blue? Doesn’t he explain his problem in studies well? Then Tutoring is the best way for him/her to cope with these problems. It will enhance his/her confidence. with the help of an expert tutor your child will become self-assured. Therefore this is one of the reasons for tuition in primary school. Decline in Parental Supervision:   It is impossible for parents to pay enough attention to their child`s homework while working. Thus, for this sake, a professional tutor can really help in solving this problem while supervising your child as an expert. Disabilities in Learning Process:   Tutor is a good choice when your child is affected badly by the problem of learning disability. Some disorders like Dyslexia, ADHD and visual difficulty will be conquered child to stop focusing on his studies. A professional tutor will work over here for such special cases. Tutoring is getting Fame these Days. Why? Tutoring will give your child needed attention that cant be provided while teaching   in a crowded environment of any class. Quality of education in most schools are not really up to the mark therefore tutoring process will help your child while providing basic and qualitative education. Through the tutoring approach, all your child’s learning needs will be fulfilled. School teacher doesn’t have enough time to supervise each and every pupil personally. Hence, an expert tutor will supervise will help your child with an individual approach. Professional Tutor is taking responsibility for the quality of education of your child as well as ignites your childs interest in specific subject. Performance of your child will be improved with the help of tutoring process as good Tutor will help him/her in difficult subjects. With the help of tutoring your child will get higher grades. This will increase his self-esteem and confidence. Great Personalities Inspired by Tutors: Brian Williams, a famous news anchor and managing director of NBC credits his success to his English Literature teacher named Mr. Bob Kitzin. He says that his tutor had turned around towards success. Patti LaBelle, an award-winning singer puts special devotion to her teacher Ms. Eileen Brown who helps her in her singing career. President Bill Clinton holds a special place in his heart for his tutor Mr. Virgil Spurlin who improved Clintons identity in his music life. Conclusion: Hence, we can say that Tutoring is also the best way to assist students whose grades are declining or those, who face difficulties in the distribution of effort among various subjects. Tutors will help them by creating a reasonable balance. Tutoring is no doubt great way of teaching. The process of tutoring is always beneficial for all students who seek expert’s guidance. If your child encounter problems during your studies then tutoring process is the best idea for you to take. A specialized tutor will help your child in finding information and understand the child`s problems in learning effectively. We highly recommend you adopt tutoring for your child not only for his bright future but also to help him in coping with other challenges.

The Top 10 Universities In The UK - 2015

The Top 10 Universities In The UK - 2015 The Complete University Guide, has released it's annual 'University League Table'. An aid to help students find the best university choice for them. The ranking is determined by 4 factors, Entry Standards, Student Satisfaction, Research Assessment and Graduate Prospects. For four consecutive years running, Cambridge University has topped the table with an overall score of 1000 points. Oxford University falls slightly short, but still with an impressive total score of 993. The London School Of Economics, (unheard to many) scores 957, 76 points of which are purely for graduate prospects. Imperial replaces Durham University in the top five as the North East institution slips to sixth position, while the universities of Bath and Warwick are both up one place to seventh and eighth respectively. The University of Exeter, the University of Surrey and University College London reach the top 10, with Exeter climbing one place, Surrey jumping up two spots and UCL dipping two places. If you are looking into which university is best suited for you, have a look at the League Table and our Preparing For University Guide.