Solve Calculus Problems

Solve Calculus Problems Calculus is one of the most useful and important branch of Mathematics. Calculus is the study of functions and its different characteristics. Calculus has its own set of different formulas and methods used to solve various questions Calculus is applied to find the lengths, areas, volumes, graphs etc. of 2-D and 3-D shapes by using techniques of Differentiation and Integration. Calculus consists of two sub-branches which are called as Differential Calculus and Integral Calculus. Example 1: Find the derivative of the function, f(x) = 5x3 + 2x2. Solution: To find the derivative, the Power rule of the Derivatives says that: d(xn)/dx = n * xn-1 First step: We can distribute the derivative to both the terms: This gives; d (5x3 + 2x2)/ dx = [ d(5x3)/ dx ] + [ d(2x2)/ dx ] Using the above formula, we get: (5 *3 * x3-1) + (2 * 2 * x2-1) = (15 * x3-1) + (4 * x2-1) = (15 * x2) + (4 * x1) = (15 x2) + (4x) Hence the derivative of f(x) is f(x) = 15 x2 + 4x. Example 2: Find the anti-derivative of the function f(x) = 20 - x? Solution: Here the given function is f(x) = 20 - x. Power rule states anti-derivative of xn is equal to xn+1/(n+1). The anti-derivative of x is 1/2 x2. Using the power rule the anti-derivative of 20 needs to be found. 20 can be written as 20x0. Therefore, the anti-derivative of 20 x0 is 20x1. Hence anti derivative F(x) = 20 x -1/2 x2.

GCSE Chemistry Revision Bonding, Structure And The Properties Of Matter

GCSE Chemistry Revision Bonding, Structure And The Properties Of Matter Revision Is The Best Way To Ensure You Understand The GCSE Chemistry Syllabus ChaptersGCSE Chemistry 101: What You Need To KnowWhy Are Topics Like Bonding Important In GCSE Chemistry?How To Get Ahead In Your GCSE Chemistry RevisionWhile it might not be many people’s idea of fun, revision is sadly almost a necessity for students the world over when exams are on the horizon.Regardless of how you like to revise â€" whether you’re a last-minute panic-and-cram person or you prefer to take your time and revise slowly over a period of months â€" revision is often crucial if you want to do well in exams.This is because revising:Helps prepare you for exam-standard questions;Consolidates your knowledge of the subject’s syllabus; andGives you an opportunity to revisit any areas  or topics that you may previously have been unsure of.What’s more, having an effective revision plan in place just might mean the difference between going up a grade, or even two, when you do finally sit your exam.Getting the best results possible is really important, particularly when it comes to subjects such as chemistry, as often future employers and even future universities like you to have at least passing grades when it comes to English, mathematics, and sometimes even the sciences, depending on the role or degree you're applying for.Although the importance of revision is true for any subject you sit exams for â€" whether that’s GCSE biology, history, maths, or even A-Level and university exams â€" it doesn’t mean that having good revision technique isn’t also important when it comes to revising for your GCSE chemistry exams.Each examining body has its own GCSE chemistry curriculum. As with any subject, there are certain chemistry topics within that curriculum that many students can struggle with. In turn, there are areas that students usually find a little bit easier to learn.One of the topics that should be a part of your revision plan for GCSE chemistry is bonding, structure, and the properties of matter, particularly if you follow curriculums set by bodies such as AQA and Eduqas, among others.There is a lot to learn when it comes to GCSE chemistry! (Image Source: CC0 1.0, PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay)Metals and alloys; andCovalent substances.Why Are Topics Like Bonding Important In GCSE Chemistry?There are numerous reasons why the topic of bonding, structure and the properties of matter is taught as part of a GCSE chemistry syllabus. For one, this topic area provides students with a greater understanding of atoms, ions, and molecules â€" an understanding that is crucial to have if you wish to do well within chemistry as a subject.Additionally, learning about this topic is important for anyone looking to study chemistry further down the line, whether at A-level or perhaps even at university or beyond. This is because the topics that you cover at higher levels of education often build upon the laws and theories that you’ve studied at GCSE level.Below are just some of the things that you might learn about when studying or revi sing the topic of bonding, structure and the properties of matter.Good revision and study techniques are important when it comes to GCSE chemistry. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, geralt, Pixabay)The States Of MatterVery simply, there are three different states of matter, which you will more than likely be familiar with prior to commencing any chemistry-specific studies. These states are known as solid, liquid, and gas.In each of these states, particles are arranged in different ways. For instance, solids feature particles that are very close together, while in a gas state particles are the furthest apart.Additionally, it is possible for a substance to change state and move from a solid into a liquid, or even a gas. Evaporation and condensation are great examples of how a substance can change state.When studying about the states of matter, remember that you may also have to learn about melting and boiling points.Covalent BondingIn essence, a covalent bond occurs when two atoms share a pair of electrons. A covalent bond can result in the formation of molecules, or they can form a giant covalent structure. Good examples of giant covalent structures are graphite and diamond, which are both formed from carbon.The melting and boiling points for molecular substances and giant covalent structures also tend to differ. Usually, molecular substances have relatively low boiling and melting points, whereas giant covalent structures usually have much higher boiling and melting points.MetalsWhen learning about metals in your GCSE chemistry classes, you’ll likely have learnt a variety of things, including the facts that:Metals often have high melting and boiling points;Metals are often good conductors for both electricity and heat; andYou can combine a metal with one or more elements, thereby creating an alloy.Although the above areas are just some of the facts you should look to revise as you prepare for your GCSE chemistry exam, they aren’t the only ones. Equally, to do well i n any exam you need to make sure you have a solid revision plan and good exam technique.Finding a revision technique that works for you is very important when it comes to revising for GCSE chemistry. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, kmicican, Pixabay)How To Get Ahead In Your GCSE Chemistry RevisionWhether you’re struggling to learn about bonding, structure and the properties of matter, or there’s another area within the chemistry syllabus that has you scratching your head, such as:Chemical atomic changes;Chemical and structural analysis; orAtomic structure and the periodic table,You can take some comfort in the fact that you should have enough time to revisit these areas if you plan your revision effectively and make the most of whatever time you have left to revise - whether that's a matter of days, weeks, or even months.Make Use Of Revision ResourcesAlthough a crucial part of any revision plan is to make sure that you have enough time before the exam to actually revise all of the areas within the GCSE chemistry syllabus that you’d like to, it’s also worth being aware that there are lots of materials out there that are designed to help you as you progress with your GCSE chemistry revision.For instance, there are lots of books and revision guides out there, whether in paperback, hardback, or online, that are dedicated to helping students with their revision work. What's more, you can use websites such as the BBC to help you revise. The BBC, for example, offers “bitesize” overviews of chemistry topics, which are also broken down according to the examination body you are sitting your exam with.Search for the best chemistry tutors  on our platform now.Past Papers Are Your FriendAnother invaluable resource for anyone revising for a GCSE chemistry exam is past papers. Past papers are a wonderful revision tool because:They can give you an idea of the kinds of questions you may be asked in the exam;If you mark your answers, you can see whether you are on track for your predicted grade; andYou may become familiar with the types of topics that are often examined during a GCSE chemistry exam.Initially, you might want to work through a past exam paper at your own pace and see how you fare with the questions.However, when it comes closer to the date of the exam, you should ideally complete any past papers in exam conditions, meaning that you should also complete the exam within the time limit that you’ll be given on the day of the exam.Completing, and hopefully passing, a past paper under exam conditions should give you the confidence you need when going into your GCSE chemistry exam, and should hopefully make the whole examination process a lot less daunting.Make Revision Work For YouUltimately, if you do find yourself struggling when it comes to chemistry revision, then you can also reach out to your chemistry teacher or even a tutor for more help.Superprof has a wide network of tutors with experience working with students preparing for their GCSE exams across a range of subjects, including chemistry, biology, physics, and maths, among others.Many Superprof tutors offer group as well as individual tuition, so it’s a case of deciding whether you would prefer to revise alone or with friends, and then finding a chemistry tutor that has the experience to help you succeed in your GCSE chemistry exam. Happy revising!Now see what you can do about finding A Level chemistry tuition...

The Education Technology Revolution in K 12 Education

The Education Technology Revolution in K 12 Education 0SHARESShare The lack of strong evidences leads some educators to doubt the efficacy of incorporating educational technology and discard the urgency of investing in unproven strategies. In contrast, proponents of technology investments do not want to wait for any concrete research showing the progress and future commitment of educational technology. Here are the major benefits of educational technology when it is deliberately used in teaching and learning: Besides learning core academic subjects, integrating technology in instruction build the skills of 21st century. Educational technology engages students to create and publish their content in front of worldwide audience making school academics more relevant showcasing the high level of achievements. With no use of educational technology, school fails to provide sufficient access to extra study material, guidance from domain experts and absence of virtual communities like social media. Technology is used to provide solutions that help K-12, college/graduate level students under comprehensive learning environment that engage students regardless of intellectual ability, physical disability, social and economical background. Educational technology is one of the most effective strategies to decrease dropout rates especially among high school students. Technology helps online tutors to provide personalized just-in time support and help which is crucial service for under performing or physically disabled students. Use of technological tools, computer labs and visualization tools are essential for demand based learning in subjects like mathematics, science, engineering, technology and lots more. Online tutoring using internet accessible personal computers, laptops and mobile devices offers learning beyond traditional school hours and physical classrooms. Use of technology enables online tutoring services to access quality tutors who offer on-the-go, job-embedded professional development. Technology helps better communications with students and parents giving real-time guidance and feedback on the performance. Technology leveraged by online tutor gives the opportunity to prepare students with new kinds of skill sets that are in-demand in the growth of emerging industries. [starbox id=admin]

A Guide to A Level English Courses

A Guide to A Level English Courses Why Study English at A Level? ChaptersA Level English LiteratureEnglish Language A LevelA Level English Past PapersExam Timetables/Grading for English A LevelA Level English Courses For AdultsYou may be asking yourself why English as a subject is so important; what more can you possibly learn about the UK’s primary language after speaking it fluently as a result of growing up in Britain or by learning it at school for all of those years? More importantly, why choose it as one of your A Level choices when there is a diverse range of subjects on offer?Learning English: A Core Skill For BusinessEnglish is a core subject up to GCSE level in the United Kingdom, and with good reason. The majority of employers in the UK will require candidates to display at least a pass in English and Mathematics as an indication of their overall academic competency, with their English result being a good indicator of their ability to communicate well.A proficient English speaker will open themselves up to far more opportunities for w ork abroad, since the language is widely spoken across the globe and is particularly important in business.Find a GCSE English tutor on Superprof.English: An important language in business. Photo via VisualHunt.comNot only is a good acquisition of English vital in the international workplace, other countries in Europe and beyond see the English language as an authoritative language, which makes a solid grasp of the rules of English all the more powerful.By obtaining a better understanding of its make up â€" including spelling, punctuation, grammar and sentence construction - you may also find it easier to learn foreign languages by applying the same rules.Looking for an English tutor in London?What Skills Can You Expect To Develop By Studying English?So, why focus your efforts on English Literature? Studying literary texts helps you to sharpen your observatory and analytical skills. Being able to identify themes and connect them with historical events and cultural influences opens y our mind up to complex ideas and theories.Moreover, English Literature can be like five lessons in one, teaching you about History, Culture and Philosophy, whilst highlighting behavioural changes in humans from one century to another.A Level English Language, whether being taught at college or as a distance-learning course, ultimately helps to develop a student’s ability to understand, speak and write in English for a variety of purposes. Literature-based courses additionally encourage students to engage with a range of texts whilst analysing complex varieties in language across the times.Coursework and exam grades from your first year of study may not count towards your final result, however they will still be determining factors in your predicted grades.Exam Boards Assessing English LiteratureThe principal exam boards that assess English Literature at A Level are AQA, Edexcel and OCR, meanwhile Eduqas and WJEC are also popular choices in some schools and colleges across the coun try.Each board has a slightly different approach to assessment yet they share a common purpose - to encourage wide reading and to develop the student’s love of English Literature.Career Opportunities For English Literature GraduatesBecome a writer or blogger. Photo via VisualHunt.comThough many believe that studying English Literature only lends itself to a teaching profession, the subject does in fact open up a vast range of career opportunities.Aside from the obvious links to professions in teaching and writing, English graduates can apply the skills they have acquired to any position that requires analytical thinking, strong communication or imagination and creativity.English Language A LevelAn Introduction to A Level English LanguageStudying towards an A Level in English Language enables you to get a better grasp of what is known as the number one business language. The course will help you to convey your thoughts and opinions concisely and allow you to distinguish subtleties in speech and writing.Being a native or fluent English speaker does not make you an expert in the language; throughout your course you will identify the ways in which language changes according to audience, context and the user’s intent.In addition, you will learn about the development of the English language over time, different dialects, how children learn to speak English and, finally, you will develop your own writing skills.English Language A Level Course ContentThough courses vary from one exam board to another, the core topics and themes will have similarities no matter which you are enrolled on. These may include the study of Spoken English, Identity, Language and Gender, Early Child Acquisition, Language and Diversity, Reading and Writing, and many more.You will ultimately discover language during the course, including the ways in which it can be used plus different methods of interaction, not forgetting the investigation of linguistic variations and historical changes.Ty pical Workload For English Language A LevelUnlike A Level English Literature, English Language students are not required to carry out extensive reading, but they are expected to get to grips with some advanced linguistic terminology in order to achieve the higher grades.Secondary reading is always recommended to help you expand your vocabulary of terminology and also to put you in a better position to participate in analytical discussions and debates, whether assessed or not.Exam Boards Assessing English LanguageEdexcel, OCR and WJEC are once again the predominant exam boards chosen by mainstream schools and colleges in the UK. Despite the syllabi all showing similarities in content, students may notice disparities when it comes to assessment, as all three adopt differing exam and coursework marking schemes. What you can be sure of is that all exams will incorporate the knowledge you have accumulated during the course of your AS year, as well as your more recent A Level modules.Care er Opportunities For English Language GraduatesAn A Level in English Language is a great asset to any individual looking to study English at university and/or hoping to pursue a career which involves verbal or written communication.The qualification is key to many professions, including Journalist, Writer, Blogger, Editor, Translator, Teacher, Linguist and Publisher.On the other hand, the skills acquired will also benefit a range of jobs in other industries, since language and communication skills are essential to many roles. Far from limiting your choices in the future, English Language offers you many options.Revision Guides For Different Exam BoardsRevision guides, along with past papers, can be found on most exam board websites. Be sure to consult your own exam board though, as the marking scheme will differ from one board to the next meaning that revision tips may diverge.The AQA website, as an example, has a dedicated online resource centre, however official revision guides pu blished in conjunction with the exam board can be bought from shops like Amazon.Where To Find Online Revision Help For English A LevelAs an English pupil, you may be accustomed to reading books as part of your revision. However, some of the best revision help for English exams can be found online.Student discussion boards are a great way to discover fresh ideas and opinions concerning your chosen texts, and it may additionally help for AS students to get advice from peers working towards their final A Level exams.As well as online forums, English students can find helpful revision tips across a range of educational sites. These websites are often set up by or created in conjunction with teaching professionals with experience of the latest syllabi.Exam Timetables/Grading for English A LevelFind A Level English Exam TimetablesProvisional timetables, including those for English Language and Literature, will be given to your teacher or English tutors in advance, along with any other imp ortant dates. Final exam timetables will later be confirmed, highlighting any major amendments.Students may also consult the exam board for assessment-related queries, including exam duration and regulations for candidates. OCR, for instance, lists all of its exams and the dates on which they will be carried out in .pdf format via its website.It is imperative that you know exactly where you need to be, on what date and at what time when taking exams.If you are late for your A Level exam for any reason, you risk being forbidden to take part in the assessment. This could well affect your final grade. If you intend to travel to your exam centre by car or public transport, ensure that you leave in plenty of time to reduce the risk of being caught up in traffic.Equally, if you plan to walk, practise your route the day before so that you are confident in how long your journey takes. The worry of arriving late is the last thing you need on the day of your exam!What Do English A Level Grade s Mean?A Level results are awarded differently to GCSEs. At this higher level, anything above an ‘E’ grade is classed as a pass, with the newly introduced ‘A*’ being the highest achievement. Each grade is subsequently equivalent to a certain number of points, which is relevant to those considering a university degree.To find out the minimum grade you need for your desired course and how many UCAS points you require, you can consult the body’s website which offers more information for prospective students.At one time, your AS Level year counted towards your final grade, which seems a good idea since there are less distractions and fewer reasons to feel stressed. Now, however, exams are the preferred method of assessment for A Levels.On the other hand, students should bear in mind that universities will still see their AS grades, and those results will have been used by tutors to predict their final grade (which, as you know, is what universities base their offers on).How Is English A Level Marked?As we now know, to pass your A Level you will need to achieve a grade in the region of ‘A*’ - ‘E’ (an ‘Unclassified’ or ‘U’ grade unfortunately means that you have failed the course). But how are these grades worked out to reveal your final qualification in the subject? Do certain modules count for more than others? These are questions that you should be asking your teacher or tutor. In the unlikely event that they cannot help with your queries, you should consult your exam board to find out about their assessment methods.The majority of exams follow a Uniform Mark Scale (UMS), which defines grade boundaries for A Level subjects. An average UMS mark of 90% across all A2 modules results in an ‘A*’. Meanwhile, 80%+ is an ‘A’, 70-79% is a ’B’, 60-69% is a ‘C’, 50-59% awards a ‘D’ grade and, finally, 40-49% is the equivalent of an ‘E’. Anything below 40% is deemed off the pass scale and will result in course failure.As you can see, it is vital that you achieve good grades in all modules to keep your average score up. Those who excel in certain areas but struggle in others might find that their weaknesses bring their overall grade down. The importance of knowing your mark scheme can therefore not be reiterated enough.A Level English Courses For AdultsStudying English at A Level is no different for older students; they too are encouraged to read widely and develop a love for English Language and Literature. Colleges across the UK offer opportunities for enrolment, but if it is a distance course you require then your best bet is to research and consult an Open Study establishment of your choice.English A Level courses for adults. Photo via VisualHuntCourses vary in price however most course leaders are up front about the financial requirements of enrolment. You may be required to submit your existing qualifications, to check that you qualify for the course.How To Independently Enrol On English A Level Co ursesMature students are able to enrol on English A Level Courses by funding an online course or by paying for tuition at an independent college.If you are completing a distance-learning course, you will more than likely be required to arrange and pay for your examinations at an approved centre, a list of which is normally provided by your personal tutor. It is possible to take the A Level exam without receiving mentoring yet this is discouraged as tutors are trained to guide you through the course and help you to work towards your desired grade.The Benefits of An English A Level For AdultsA good English A Level result is essential for those looking to further their studies in the subject, for instance if enrolling on a degree course linked to English. However, an A Level can also be a very valuable qualification if you are looking to progress in your current employment or retrain for a new career path.Furthermore, many adults choose to re-sit their secondary education exams for the ir own personal achievement or gratitude. Regardless of your reasons, an English course is guaranteed to make you think and feel things in different ways than before.

Teacher Spotlight Finding Music Inspiration

Teacher Spotlight Finding Music Inspiration Suzy S. Music inspiration can come from anywhere, even if it doesnt seem conventional traveling, or even exposing yourself to new experiences in your own city can give you a fresh attitude toward creating, learning and teaching. Read on as New York City music teacher Jesse S. shares how a trip to Brazil changed his outlook In the winter of 2008, after playing a concert at Juilliard, I was asked by a cellist in the orchestra if I wanted to go to Brazil that upcoming spring break.   Without even thinking about it, I said yes.   I then realized that I should probably ask what we would be doing in Brazil. Annie, the cellist, knew a conductor in Salvador, Brazil who had started a youth orchestral program called Neojiba.     The conductor and founder of Neojiba, Ricardo Castro, had invited Annie and other musicians from Juilliard to fly down to Brazil during spring break and spend a week working with the students in the youth orchestra.   Neojiba is an amazing program provides instruments and musical training free to low-income youth.   The students range in age from early teens to early 20s. That following March, on a freezing blizzardy day, nine of us boarded a plane headed for Brazil.   After being picked up at the airport, where it was over 90 degrees and thick with humidity, we headed to our amazing hotel, which overlooked the Atlantic Ocean.   We then walked to the Castro Alves Theater to hear the orchestra rehearsal and meet our students for the first time.   Before going to Salvador we were told that most of the students spoke English very well, and there should not be a problem regarding language.   This turned out to be false. As a teacher, this week turned out to be the most amazing musical experience of my life.   The language barrier tested my ability to teach without verbal communication.   I grew as both a teacher and a player in ways I didn’t think I was going to.   Despite not knowing much about classical music, these students had Brazilian music coursing through their veins.   I tried to channel that amazing, effervescent rhythm and energy to Mozart and Beethoven, and they in turn showed me how to bring exciting new life and energy to my classical repertoire.   I was experiencing a true cultural exchange. Although I thought I was going to Brazil to teach, I was the one who became the student.   The students in Neojiba taught me so much.  They showed me true hard work.   After a full day of school, some traveled up to two hours to go to rehearsal every day.   This completely blew my mind.   They taught me a kind of music I had previously not been exposed to.   They showed me passion. The following year we returned to Brazil.   The orchestra had completely transformed.   They were playing beautifully and preparing for an upcoming tour.   I felt I was there more as a fan and observer than a teacher, cheering on a group of amazing musicians and people who had welcomed us into their homes and showed us love.   In Portuguese “iluminado” means enlightened, I can’t find any better words to describe my experience. Like this post? Dont miss out on any of our tips, tricks and advice! Sign up for a free email subscription and get updates right to your inbox! You might also like 4 Inspirational TED Talks for Musicians Jumpstarting Your Music Career: 5 Tips Nobody Talks About How to Be a Rock Star: Learn the Rules Before You Break Them Jesse S. teaches flute, piano and music theory lessons to students of all ages in New York, NY. With a Masters degree in Flute Performance from The Juilliard School, Jesse has several years of experience performing and teaching. He joined the TakeLessons team in November 2012. Find out more about Jesse,   or search for a teacher near you! Photo by Mosman Council

Heart Math Tutoring Kicks Off Spring Funding Initiative - Heart Math Tutoring

Heart Math Tutoring Kicks Off Spring Funding Initiative - Heart Math Tutoring Heart Math Tutoring Kicks Off Spring Funding Initiative Heart Math Tutoring Kicks Off Spring Funding Initiative March 22, 2017 Heart Math Tutoring kicks off its spring funding initiative today with a boost from The Leon Levine Foundation, who has awarded Heart a $350,000 capacity-building grant! The grant is payable over three years as Heart offers one-on-one tutoring to more students, scales its work, and becomes more sustainable. $130,000 of the grant goes towards Heart’s current funding initiative, which seeks $880K to partner with 18 schools in the 2017/18 school year. This funding would mean that over 900 students will be matched with one-on-one tutors and will build needed skills and confidence. “We are proud of what our volunteers and donors are accomplishing for Charlotte students, particularly in growing Heart’s reach while student outcomes are also increasing,” says executive director Emily Elliott. “We invite the community to join our fundraising effort to ensure all students build the strong foundation in math and enthusiasm for academics needed for long-term success.” Read the full press release here, and see more about Heart’s funding progress here. To become a weekly volunteer tutor with Heart, read FAQs and sign up! Heart provides a structured curriculum and a coordinator on-site to make the experience positive and successful. Email uehrti to discuss further. To make a donation in Heart’s spring funding initiative, mail a check to “Heart Math Tutoring, PO Box 30623, Charlotte NC 28230” or donate online at www.hearttutoring.org/donate.

Focused Training The Key to Building Academic Skills and Improving your IQ

Focused Training The Key to Building Academic Skills and Improving your IQ Improving Academic Performance Over the past few years I’ve been doing a lot of reading, and a fair amount of writing on this blog, around what truly drives academic performance. One of my favorite (and most important) insights has been that IQ, or natural intelligence, is far less important than people assume it to be. This article considers that insight from a different angle, and introduces an interesting new book about how it may be possible to improve your IQ through targeted training. Put succinctly, it appears that although IQ is less important than most people think in determining how one performs in school, it obviously still matters. However, it turns out that IQ itself is something that can be improved with practice, just as academic skills are built through sustained effort and deliberate practice. What matters more? Effort or IQ? Or Strategy? I think it’s safe, for the purposes of this discussion, to consider “intelligence” or “natural talent” or “IQ” as fundamentally very similar ideas. They are, in theory, all unchangeable traits that you are either born with or not born with. The average person seems to believe that, for example, there are math people, who probably have a very high IQ, who have a natural talent for math. These people are the ones who do very well in high school mathematics, end up in Calculus classes in high school, and are far more likely to become mathematics majors and then mathematics PhDs, or professional actuaries, etc. But, the general theme that seems to be emerging from lots of recent research, contrary to what the average person might still think is true, is that IQ or talent might matter, but other concepts related to how much and how we practice are more important in determining whether you are successful. In other words, how much and how we practice (i.e., do you engage in deliberate practice when studying?) intersects with our natural intelligence to determine how well we perform or how “good we are” at something. The evidence that specific types of hard work and approaches to learning might matter more than talent or IQ seems to be mounting. Carol Dweck teaches us that simply having a growth mindset, meaning you think about your intelligence as something malleable, not something fixed, makes it significantly more likely that you’ll excel in school, because you’ll keep an open mind and keep trying to learn new things. Angela Duckworth introduces us to the importance of grit and plain old-fashioned perseverance in determining who succeeds academically. She has developed a grit score where you can measure your personal level of grittiness. Barbara Oakley’s book “A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel in Math and Science” offers strategies for how to engage in math and science in new ways to increase your chances of efficiently learning new material. She writes about how to progressively turn ideas into chunks or groups of larger ideas (and thus become better at recalling and manipulating them), why conducting frequent “mini tests” is important, and how to take notes by summarizing concepts vs. copying what you hear verbatim. The Mathematics PhD teaching you Calculus during your freshman year of high school might find mathematics easy and intuitive, but he might not. He may have studied very hard and in the right ways, sticking with problems for a long time until he understood them, and constantly challenging himself, such that over time, his mathematics skills grew far beyond what the average person could imagine is achievable without some sort of special gift. All that really exists are mathematics skills, which are acquired through practice. Natural math “talent” doesn’t really exist. For example, Cal Newport, an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University with a PhD from MIT, runs a blog for high school and college students called Study Hacks. In it, he notes that he personally took AB Calculus AB during his senior year of high school, struggled a little bit, and earned a “4” on the AP AB Calculus exam. The highest AP exam for Calculus is called BC Calculus, and the top score is a 5. Some high performing high school students take BC Calculus during their junior year, score a 5, and then take more advanced mathematics classes at local colleges during their senior year of high school. But there’s Cal, taking AB Calc, earning a 4, and then going on to earn a PhD in Computer Science from MIT. I might direct you to this previous article we wrote about whether effort or IQ matters more. In it, we discuss a formula that involves talent, skill, and effort. The gist is that even if natural talent exists, it gets combined with effort to determine your skill. And then your performance in a class is determined by your skill and the amount of effort you put forth. Because effort shows up twice in this story, it can be thought of as mattering twice as much as talent or IQ. Finally, across all disciplines, including academic ones, I further believe that employing strategies is critical to being successful. Employing a strategy simply means you set a goal, and consciously choose what to do, and what not to do, in your quest to reach that goal. All that said, IQ still matters. It’s obviously an important factor in determining academic success. But all of the above does make you wonder. Has the pendulum swung perhaps too far in one direction? Sure, hard work, persistence, and specific study habits can lead to success in math and science. But I’ve personally never thought that pure intelligence or “IQ” wasn’t important. I don’t believe it’s the most important factor, but it’s an important factor, in determining who does well in school. Mathematics skills might be something you acquire through practice, and the harder you work and the more you practice, the more mathematics skills you’ll acquire. That said, doesn’t it make sense that the higher your natural propensity for learning, the higher your fluid intelligence and IQ, the easier it will be to build math skills (or skills in any other academic subject)? In other words, the higher your IQ, the more you’ll learn in any given hour of studying â€" meaning the more likely it will be that you’ll achieve a particularly high level of skill in a given subjec t? IQ may not be fixed. It can likely be improved. In Smarter, The New Science of Building Brain Power, Dan Hurley suggests we’ve gone too far in minimizing the importance of IQ or intelligence (another common term and synonym to IQ is “fluid intelligence” or the capacity to reason and solve problems, independent of any prior knowledge.) However, the main theme of his book is that, just as one can adopt a certain mindset, practice deliberately, and have grit to succeed academically, one can also take steps to improve their IQ or fluid intelligence. In other words, IQ matters. It might matter a lot. But, it isn’t fixed. With hard work, it too can be improved. In his book, Hurley discusses how, up until 2007 or so, most academic researchers agreed strongly with the prevailing societal belief that IQ was a fixed trait that could be measured. Around that time, however, research started to emerge that performance on tests of fluid intelligence could be improved over time through training of various sorts. Hurley goes through a fair amount of science behind how fluid intelligence operates. But most interestingly, he reviews the various strategies and tools that can be employed to improve your IQ. Some of the strategies he reviews are what one might call “direct” braining training tactics that involved paying attention to numbers or images and identifying patterns and following movements of images on a screen. These strategies seem like ways to directly improve your cognitive function. Others are more “indirect” and involve, for example, getting more exercise, eating better, or learning a musical instrument. Hurley discusses and reviews the following strategies, which, to one degree or another, scientific evidence suggests can improve your IQ (the book discuss the science in detail of each strategy below): Online brain training from Lumosity In-person brain training from Learning RX Common activities most people recognize as generally healthy anyway but which also appear to improve IQ: Regular exercise Eating right Sleeping enough Practicing mindfulness meditation Learning a musical instrument Taking certain drugs In the book, Hurley shows how, by reviewing the above strategies and choosing to adopt those that appeared most promising, he improved his IQ by an impressive 16%. Summary There is strong evidence that performance in most academic subjects is within your control. A growth mindset, hard work, deliberate practice, specific learning strategies, and substantial grit can, certainly when combined, overcome an average or below average IQ. But interestingly, your IQ can actually be improved directly through targeted training. To learn more about how and why that’s true, you can check out Hurley’s book.

The beginners guide to teaching abroad in Asia

The beginner’s guide to teaching abroad in Asia Every year, Asia continues to be a top teaching destination for teachers abroad, offering a wide array of career opportunities for both ESL and certified teachers. Right now, schools across Asia are actively recruiting new teachers for teaching jobs in Asia for the upcoming school year. While teaching in Asia is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, teachers need do their research carefully before applying for teaching jobs abroad. To help you get started, we’ve compiled some helpful information on the best places to teach abroad in Asia: China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore, including average teacher salary, benefits, typical start-up costs, cost of living, as well as the most popular areas to find teaching jobs in each country. Country Average Teacher Salary Benefits Start-up Costs Cost of Living Teaching job hot spots (urban/rural) China 10,000 - 13,000 RMB (approx. $1,500 - 2,500 USD) Airfare, housing allowance, vacation time, health insurance Initial daily expenses Low Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen Japan ¥250,000 - ¥300,000 (approx. $2,200 - 2,625 USD) Airfare, health insurance, end-of-contract bonus Initial daily expenses Low in rural areas Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, as well as rural areas South Korea 1.8 - 3.0 million KRW (approx. $1,500 - 2,600 USD) Airfare, 50% health insurance, contract completion bonus, rural placement bonus Initial daily expenses Medium in urban areas Seoul, Pyeongchon, Songpa, as well as rural areas Taiwan NT 40,000 - 62,000 (approx. $1,260 - 1,900 USD) Airfare, health insurance, housing allowance Initial daily expenses Very low Taipei Thailand $800 - 1,200 USD Airfare, health insurance Housing, initial daily expenses Very low Bangkok, Chang Mai Singapore $4,500 SGD (approx. $3,170 USD) Airfare, relocation allowance Housing High in urban areas Singapore Looking for more advice on teaching in Asia? Join our forum to connect with current teacherstoday!