Category: Education

There are better ways to refine your Google research for any topic you may be seeking.  Google is a powerful search tool but most web surfers (kids and adults alike) do not know how to properly refine their search results to quickly find exactly what we’re looking for.

We all know there is a ton of information online.  There are plenty of reputable websites that can help you research a myriad of topics for an essay or an assignment.  Of course, there is a ton of misinformation as well on the internet.  Good research is all about testing your sources against that we know to be reputable.  Those sources can be found in your local or school library in something we call books.  Yes, books Jerry! Books!

So, while we can’t believe everything we read online.  We don’t want to discard this wonderful worldwide encyclopedia of knowledge either.  Wikipedia and Simple Wikipedia for Kids is an open editable resource with a lot of good information, students need to fact check the details.  In addition to your library, Google is also a great place to find other good sources, such as a government site ending in the the domain .gov.  Or an reputable educational site ending in .edu.

Refining Search Results for Research

For students doing research, not knowing how to search Google effectively can lead kids and teens of any age down a convoluted rabbit hole. Let’s be honest, search engines are designed to do more than find trivial information.  Proper research on Google means digging deep to find the best information, not only the most popular.

Sure, if you want to find information about a celebrity you just “Google It”, but think about all the other information on the web that we don’t even know is there. Important information that can fuel research on many interesting topics.

While the early days of the internet didn’t even have highly developed search engines, it didn’t take long for developers to see the need for much more sophisticated search technology.  Today, there are billions of articles and the goal of every student should be focus their Google search to find the most relevant and valuable information possible.

As you’ll see in this infographic below, Google research is much more than just entering a few keywords.

Review this Step by Step Guide to streamline your Research Results on Google!

Although it wasn’t the first search engine in existence, Google spent a lot of time and money creating a better way to access quickly the expanding world wide web. The more mouse clicks a person has to make in order to find what they are looking for, the higher the risk of landing on a website with inappropriate content… not to mention the time wasted and confusion causes when attempting to compile information.

Google was launched September 4, 1998. That’s over 20 years ago. Since that day there is a lot more information to be found online. Some of this information exists on reputable websites. It has properly researched and verified. On the other hand, much information is down right false.

It has never been more important to learn how to focus search results search engines like Google. These techniques were created to help you dig deep for information in a safe manner by filtering out unrelated websites.  Learn about Instant Answers for faster Google search results.

Evaluating Information While Researching

It’s one thing to access a wealth of information online.  Now, the challenge is to ensure that the information you find is reliable.  Watch this video to learn how to ‘think like an editor’ as your sift through articles, facts, data and information that may not be trustworthy. 

Many public schools and universities around the world have shifted from campus to distance learning. Even though online learning is a mostly-foreign concept to our kids, some seem to be loving it. Other’s struggle with the lack of personal connection from friends, as well as teachers and professors.

Still, the advancements in online education have led more students to become interested in obtaining their college degree through virtual means. Get this: 60% of eLearners believe that online classes help them improve their soft skills such as writing, paying closer attention to detail, perfecting their oral communication, engaging in teamwork, developing time management skills, and helping them with critical thinking/problem-solving.

Still, there are a bit of challenges that arise with learning online – primarily, technology access. 44% of students in low-income families don’t own a computer, and nearly 18% of school-age children don’t have at-home Internet access.

Read how to making sure kids stay happy and healthy during online classes

You’ll be happy to know that a computer may not be exactly essential to your child’s educational journey. Today, most eLearning programs are smartphone and tablet-compatible, providing students with a wider range of options to receive their new content. However, the 30 million school children relying on free/reduced lunches remain in a tough spot. 

As if the world weren’t fast-paced enough, current circumstances are changing every corner of the world as we know it. The last thing we need during times like these is for our childrens’ education to be put at risk. Luckily, eLearning has a solution.

Check out the infographic below for the full scoop on the future of distance learning.

As online learning becomes more prevalent with the growth in technology related to communication, students can often feel more stressed out working apart from friends within a classroom environment. A fall in grades may result if special attention is not paid to potential problems related to virtual education.

However, teachers and parents can work together to help students minimize their distractions and improve their remote learning experience. While technology itself can also divert the student’s attention away from curriculum during eLearning hours, there are practical things that can be done to help.

Remove Distractions

Disabling phone notifications and turning on “do not disturb” mode can help. A step further, Apple’s “screen time” and Android’s “focus mode” can help limit distractions. Screen time allows users to set time limits on specific apps and features, and focus mode allows users to block access to specific apps on a set schedule. 

Setting a new life schedule can be helpful, too. It’s easy to let normal schedules slip when everyone is home, but you don’t have to keep your old schedule to have a consistent routine. Students with schedules built around a type of activity rather than specific plan may have greater success improving each child’s focus during online learning.

Furthermore, a schedule with announced transitions to keep your child engaged when switching tasks.

Give time warnings before a transition, and stick to them.

Get your child’s attention, give directions, then say “go.”

Using a visual timer can help your child understand how much time is left before switching gears. Try the “Time Timer app” for this.

Incorporate Fun

When learning is fun, it’s easy to get kids engaged. Schedule virtual playdates for your child to catch up with friends, let students collaborate and help each other with school work through digital, and keep in touch with other parents to share ideas on what works.

Find more tips to enhance home learning in the infographic below.

Lost Learning Time during the Covid Era, how worried should parents be?

College may be a long way off for your young kids, but what will higher education look like in the future? Technology and the availability of virtual learning is already changing how teens view education. At the time of this writing, 1 in 6 high school seniors who planned on attending full-time college are now rethinking their decision.

The vulnerable state of many universities combined with the psychological effects on students who may feel disconnected from others are primary fuelers to this. For a few years now, kids, teens and young adults have been experiencing the replacement of personal human interaction with ease of communication through technology. As a result, the value of traditional education may be fundamentally affected.

Education Interupted

Worldwide, as of April 2020, 1.6 billion students saw their education interrupted. Despite drastic changes to the college experience and a move to online learning, the price hasn’t shifted. In March 2020, the American Congress allocated nearly $350 million of a Relief Fund to colleges with “significant unmet needs.” However, this was only able to help less than 3,000 students, leaving prospective students stressed over how they will afford higher education.

On top of that, the psychological effects of remote learning presented the graduating class of 2020 with many challenges. For example, isolation has led many to experience PTSD and depression. Even more catastrophic, younger adults have experienced a 10x increase in serious mental distress. The fuelers behind the mental obstacles? No physical classes or guidance toward their career of interest.

Knowing this, the future of education for your teens may be different than ever before. Not only will the economical value of education change, but also the classroom dynamic. Prepare your student for the future of education by becoming privy to how future classrooms will operate before they step into them.

Integration of In-Person and Online Learning

For example, mixed-location classrooms. Several experts predict a surge in integration of in-person and online learning. Now that the convenience of living and working online as been introduced, many tools like Zoom and Slack may be crucial in the future of online and in-person classes. 

Furthermore, colleges may take a major shift towards innovation. Some teaching methods were old-school and based on outdated technology. However, many are now quickly searching for innovative methods for distance learning. In China, for example, 120 million students now access learning material through live TV. However, students report feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and helpless in these scenarios. Expect this to be re-imaged in the future.

According to the American College Health Association, colleges can expect changes for at least the next 12-18 months. In the meantime, keep an eye out on the higher education economy for the best approach in preparing your teens. Pay attention to the dynamics of online learning, credit transfers, and avoid falling for scams.

Redefining the Role of Educators in Virtual Learning Environments

As virtual learning becomes more prevalent, the role of educators will undergo a significant transformation. In traditional classroom settings, educators play a central role in facilitating discussions, providing guidance, and imparting knowledge. However, in virtual learning environments, educators may need to adopt new strategies to engage students effectively.

In the future, educators may become facilitators of knowledge, leveraging advanced technology and interactive platforms to create immersive learning experiences. They may utilize virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to simulate real-world scenarios, enabling students to apply theoretical concepts in practical settings. Additionally, educators may focus on personalized instruction, tailoring learning pathways to individual student needs through adaptive learning platforms and data-driven insights.

Embracing Skill-Based Education and Lifelong Learning

With the evolving landscape of job markets and the demand for specific skill sets, colleges may shift their focus towards skill-based education and lifelong learning. Traditional degree programs might become complemented or even replaced by shorter, more targeted courses or certifications that emphasize practical skills. This shift aims to equip students with the necessary tools to adapt to rapidly changing industries and navigate a dynamic job market.

Colleges may collaborate closely with industry partners to design curricula that align with the current and future needs of the workforce. These partnerships may include internships, apprenticeships, and mentorship programs, providing students with real-world experience and enhancing their employability.

In addition, the concept of lifelong learning may become deeply ingrained in the educational system. As the pace of technological advancements accelerates, individuals will need to continually update their skills throughout their careers. Colleges may offer flexible learning pathways, allowing students to upskill or reskill at any stage of their professional journey.