Showing all posts in education

In education

Importance of Verbal Ability Tests and Nonverbal Ability Tests

Author RosselPosted on 2 Comments

It’s been a while since I last brag about my daughter’s achievements. Not because I have nothing to brag about, but because she doesn’t want me to post anything about her anymore. She’s smart and talented but quite shy. I asked her permission to post this and I’m glad that she said yes.

Every year, my daughter’s school conducts Verbal Ability and Nonverbal Ability Tests to each students. The Verbal Ability Tests measures the verbal-educational factor. Variety of tasks that call for the application of several processes to verbal, quantitative and pictorial content are given to students. While the Nonverbal Ability Tests measure the reasoning and abstract conceptualization of students. The Life Caoches (Guidance Counselors during my time) then evaluate and rank the students based on test results.

  Stanine   Description
     9      Very High
     8      High
     7      Above Average
     6      Little Above Average
     5      Average
     4      Little Below Averge
     3      Below Average
     2      Low
     1      Very Low

On the said tests, RJ got a Percentile Rank of 91. This means she belongs to the upper 9% of all those who took the tests. While her Stanine score is 8 (with 1 as the lowest and 9 as the highest). Stanine indicate a given student’s level of general abstract reasoning ability when the student is compared with the students of the same chronological age. To give you an idea, below are the Stanine scores and the corresponding descriptions.

With a Stanine score of 8 which is high, it means RJ performed above the typical student of her age and we are so proud of her.

Verbal Ability Tests and Nonverbal Ability Tests are important to measure the child’s verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning. It can also be an indicator of a child’s ability to learn new things, identify patterns, solve problems and discern relationships. If the child gets a low assessment, the parents should talk to the teacher or school’s life coaches to know the child’s weakest areas and help them fill these gaps. The tests also helps to know a child’s strengths. Thus, parents can help their child to improve or make the most of his/her strengths.

In education

A Quick Look at the Homeschooling Option

Author RosselPosted on Leave a comment

For most parents, education is a valuable legacy that they can leave their children. This is the reason why parents exert a lot of effort in providing for school needs and in choosing the best educational method for their child. Nowadays, there are plenty of teaching methods being used in various educational institutions. There is the traditional method, Montessori teaching, Waldorf education, and the likes. One approach to education that has been growing in popularity is homeschooling.
homeschooling

In a nutshell, homeschooling is education outside the formal settings of the school or as some call it home education. Parents and/or tutors are tasked to take charge of the child’s education in a home setting. The main appeal of this approach is its flexibility. The curriculum, schooling schedule, and teaching method can be tailored to the child’s learning style. In a traditional school set-up a specific set of subjects are taught for each school level, and the amount of time allotted for each subject is usually the same. When it comes to homeschooling, the parents can choose subjects that interest their kids even if it is not included in the traditional curriculum. The child is also given the option to learn in their own space thereby minimizing the stress in learning. Parents can adjust study periods according to the child’s performance in each subject. For example, short periods can be allotted for subjects wherein the child already excels while longer periods are given for lessons that may need more work or improvement.

One area of concern for parents who are considering the homeschooling approach is the development of the child’s social skills. Children who are confined in a home setting don’t get as much interaction with their peers as school kids who have classmates and schoolmates that they see every day. On the other hand, home schooled kids can also join support groups for fellow home school students. These groups may organize play dates, field trips, sports fest, and other social activities to foster social interaction among students.

Homeschooling is legally recognized in some countries like USA, Canada, Australia, and UK. Some even have highly regulated home education programs to help maintain educational standards. However, this doesn’t mean that homeschooling will work for everyone. This is a decision that the whole family should agree on. Each member must be committed to the program for it to work.

Image Credits:
David Castillo Dominici – FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In education, travel

The 10 Most Unique Places to Study and Live Abroad

Author RosselPosted on Leave a comment

Learning is not just academic; it is also experiential. Although parents experience separation anxiety from their children (no matter what age they are!), we all know that travel gives a different kind of education valuable to their growth and development. As parents, we cannot deny that studying abroad presents our children with the opportunity to embark on international adventures and experience other cultures, while enhancing their academic abilities.

As hard as it is to say goodbye, whether for a semester or an entire degree, leading property portal Lamudi Philippines provides insight on universities located in unique cities that might be of interest to our sons and daughters eager to discover a student’s life abroad.

Institute of Business Management (Karachi, Pakistan)

Institute of Business Management (Karachi, Pakistan)

IoBM is a leading international institute in areas, such as Innovation, Leadership, Management, and Entrepreneurship. Extensively connected to other international educational institutions, high quality education is complemented by access to top facilities and learning resources. Located in Karachi, the university also has easy access to stunning beaches, national parks, and historical architecture.

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (Amman, Jordan)

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (Amman, Jordan)

As the first private university in Jordan, the Al-Ahliyya Amman University welcomes students from all around the world.Courses offered range from Information Technology to Architecture and Design to Law to Arts & Sciences giving many options and opportunities to hone diverse interests. It is an alternative to studying in Abu Dhabi or Dubai for students interested in learning Arabic and about the fascinating Middle Eastern culture.

UniversidadPopularAutónoma del Estado de Puebla (Puebla, Mexico)

UniversidadPopularAutónoma del Estado de Puebla (Puebla, Mexico)

It is not only Mexican food that makes studying in Mexico attractive. Puebla is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with breathtaking architecture, including some of Mexico’s treasured Spanish Colonial buildings and the Cathedral of Puebla, dominating the city’s colonial center. If this is not encouraging enough, studying in UPAEP offers courses taught in English in the following departments: medicine, humanities, science, business, and engineering.

University of Mauritius (Moka, Mauritius)

The University of Mauritius is the oldest and largest university in the country. Students get to participate in workshops like Computational Metagenomics and Research Week to break the monotony of regular classes. Students can also take advantage of free transportation and free healthcare services. The cost of living is low, which is perfect for the paying parents on a budget.

Al Akhawayn University (Ifrane, Morocco)

Al Akhawayn University (Ifrane, Morocco)

Imagine extracurricular activities, such as skiing, a day trip to nearby Fes, and exploring the local springs and lakes. This is what the student life in Al Akhawayn University is like, as Ifrane is located in a ski resort. Academics-wise, the university focuses on a liberal arts curriculum, including courses in humanities and social sciences, business, and science and engineering.

© All photographs taken from the Universities’ websites

In education

How to Teach Children Fire Safety

Author RosselPosted on Leave a comment

Most adults are familiar with the dangers of fire and they know what to do in the event of one. However when it comes to teaching children about fire safety, they tend to struggle. It is a difficult conversation and one that many no one enjoys. You don’t want to scare your kids but you want them to know exactly what to do in a worst case scenario. It is a tricky subject but here is a little guide on how you can help your children.

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1.Before throwing them in at the deep end, introduce them to the topic. This may sound silly but watching the children’s tv programme, Fireman Sam is a great introduction. The programme shows the main character fighting fires and explains how they were caused. It is good to introduce the topic from an early age and a visual can help explain the dangers of fire. If this doesn’t seem age appropriate there are also online games and colouring in activities to aid you in your explanation.

2.Secondly after you have introduced the topic and they know the dangers, teach them about prevention equipment. Most houses should contain a smoke alarm and a fire blanket or extinguisher. Prevention is cheaper than the cure and while an extinguisher might seem unnecessary, it is useful to have one on hand. Show the child the smoke alarm, explain its position and let them heard the sound. Making them aware of the sound helps them to understand what is happening in the event of a fire.

3.Explain to children that fire fighters are heroes and that they shouldn’t be scared of them. This will help feel more comfortable and in the event of the fire they need to know not to run away from them.

4.Make a plan. Show your children what to do in the event of a fire, teach them an escape route and practise following the route. Teach them more than one option so talk them through opening windows as a back up and explain to them that they may have to feel their way out of the building. Explain the safe way to open door handles in case they are hot and tell them that when they get out, they need to stay out. Don’t leave any area unturned. Fire safety is necessary and although it might not be our favourite topic especially when talking to our kids, in the case of a fire you will be glad you prepared them.

5.After going through everything they need to know, reward your child with a certificate. Make a fire safety certificate for them to show they’ve learnt important skills and to highlight just how important the information you’ve given them actually was.

Author bio:

Jason Kidd works for www.firesafetystore.co.uk, Online fire safety and protection retailer based in the UK. Jason has many years experience working within the fire safety industry.

Image Credit:
Bandrat – FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

In education, kids, parenting

Spark Your Kid’s Passion for Reading with eReaders

Author RosselPosted on Leave a comment

e readerPoor RJ. She needs to carry two bags everyday in school…one for her 10 notebooks and other school supplies while the other one is for her 12 big books not to mention the packed lunch, water and milk that she has to bring.  Can you imagine how heavy are those for a 12 year old? I just hope their school would allow e readers next school year.

There are schools now that use e readers instead of the ordinary books because of its many benefits and advantages. The kids can compile the contents of all their books in just one handy e reader that can be carried and read everywhere with ease.  Kids can also easily search for information instead of turning page after page which will save them time to do other projects and assignments.  You can also upload alternative learning tools that are useful to your kids. These are just few of the many advantages of e reader.

I know most of you still want to smell and feel the paper and hear the turning of each page. But let’s face it, many children nowadays spend most of their time infront of the computer.  For them, it is more exciting to use electronic gadgets than read books so why not spark or develop their passion for reading again by integrating it with technology?

Would I allow my daughter to have an e reader? Obviously my answer is yes. RJ loves reading so much and she is excited to have an e reader.

Image Credit:
Naypong – FreeDigitalPhotos.Net