Category: Education

This year, Americans are expected to spend $4 billion on smartphone repairs.  Compared to the $59 billion they spend on new phones, this isn’t a lot.  But as the lifespans of phones increase and the cost of new devices rise, Americans are holding onto their phones longer. When we keep the same phone for a longer time, we’re more likely to see breaks happen.

Phone damage happens to the best of us.  In the US, 2 smartphone screens crack every second. 72% of people have a smartphone that’s broken in some way.  Those who have previously broken a phone are twice as likely to do it again.  Breaks usually happen on the go; nearly a third of broken phones got their scars in a car or parking lot.

Can You Repair a Broken Smartphone?

Chances are you’ve dealt with a broken phone before.  Before you rush to replace it, consider the alternatives.  Right now, the majority of people say they would rather upgrade to a new device than fix an old one.  Yet there are many benefits to repairing a broken device, especially for those who care about the environment.  When fewer new devices are manufactured, factors produce less greenhouse gas emissions.

Tossed electronic devices contain hazardous chemicals, and improper disposal can harm ecosystems.  Even dropping your smartphone off at an eco-center needs to be disposed of.  It’s still waste.  Repairing devices reduces the number of discarded devices out there, reducing smartphone pollution. And let’s face the facts!  Smartphones are not the most environmentally friendly manufactured devices in the first place.

Being Eco Friendly Also Saves You Money

Usually, caring about the environment takes more time and effort.  It can also result in paying more for products.  But this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make the effort.  When it comes to smartphones, repairing your phone can often be more convenient.  Fixing your old phone means you won’t have to adjust to a new device.

Furthermore, consumers typically spend less on repairs than they would on purchasing a replacement.  Even better than repairing your phone, you can take precautions to ensure it does not break in the first place.

Easy Ways to Protect Your Device from Damage.

We spend most of our time devoted to teaching smartphone users how to protect their data and privacy.  But here are some ways to protect your device physically. 

To start, use a sturdy phone case.  Cases guard against drops and other damage.  The best cases have shock-absorbent materials like silicone or rubber.  Another thing you can use is a screen protector.  Protectors guard your screen against scratches and most cracking.  Many new phones are made with Gorilla Glass, meaning screen protectors aren’t as necessary as they used to be.

Finally, charge your battery.  Maintain at least 50% charge whenever possible to maximize your phone’s battery life.  If you feel like you’re constantly needing to charge, it’s time for a battery check-up.  These usually happen every 2-3 years.  And yes, batteries are relatively inexpensive to replace as well.  Some people get a new phone only because their battery is toast.  That’s just plane sad.

To recap, there a many reasons to make your smartphone last. Save time, save money, and save our precious environment.  Use reasonable protection and invest in easily accessible, cost-saving repairs.

Tutoring is an effective and convenient way to learn a subject, skill, or language. And the profession of online tutor allows you to teach without leaving your home, in a comfortable home environment for both the student and the teacher.

Nowadays, online tutoring is especially widespread and in high demand. So, this article will be very useful for those who want to start tutoring learners online and who want to study online at their home convenience.  We will reveal the advantages that online tutoring includes within.  Keep on reading!

Description of the Online tutoring

The tutoring profession involves teaching learners certain subjects, knowledge, and skills. Basically, the services of teachers on the network are used by schoolchildren. Some tutoring services, such as Alchemy Tuition, offer both online and in-person home tutoring.

Slightly less often, an online tutor is hired by students and adults. This is a great way to pull up a certain subject or improve knowledge in a certain direction. Work as a tutor online takes place either on a private basis or through a specialized online tuition platform.

In the first case, the teacher can find students through announcements or word of mouth and conducts classes online through standard programs like Skype, Zoom, etc. In most cases, the lesson takes place via video communication, so that the learner and the teacher can not only hear, but also see each other.

Less often, online classes are held only through voice communication. If the tutor works through one of the many services for online training, then the lessons are conducted either on the website platform, or also in Skype, but with an agreement through the service. This option is better because of the reliability of the service and the fact that you can see the grades and reviews of other students. But any service necessarily takes a commission or a specific fee, most often from teachers.

How Online Tutoring is beneficial?

There are online tutoring websites that connect students with tutors who are qualified in chemistry, physics, biology, and maths, just to name a few.  In addition, tutors can help students prepare students for university entrance and medical degrees. Here are a few reasons why tutoring is beneficial for all ages and grade levels.

Innovative and Interactive

The first benefit we have in our pocket is that online tutoring holds the capacity to engage extensive learners. These days, he children are digital-oriented and prefer to learn or practice in the virtual environment. Hence, they are likely to get adapted to the technology easily.

In addition, the methodologies or the tools that are easily accessible in these online learning platforms improve the learner’s learning experience. Like; whiteboards, sharing screens, and additional interactive features are responsible for assuring collaboration among the learner and the tutor. Saying that the classes will not be boring anymore is indeed true!

Extending Educational Horizons

Online tutoring is not limited to the learners of the same country or region. It allows tutors to teach all around the globe. From general science and biology to chemistry and maths, learners can find a tutor on platforms like Tutor Hunt, get connected with them, and start their journey of learning.  This helps to improve the experience by providing convenient options to extend educational horizons, despite the location.

The tutors will learn about the new curriculum and have the chance to develop their communication skills by communicating with learners from various countries.

Self-paced customized tutoring

The online classes are generally individualized which makes it convenient for the tutor and the learner. The student can ask the query or clear the doubt on the topic many times if they are unable to understand without any hesitation. When hiring a tutor, students can prepare for upcoming exams and receive focused personalized help.

As compared to the conventional classroom, learners do not need to keep up with the rhythm of the whole class. Instructors can spend time at their own pace to strengthen the areas where students need more hard work. Tutors can prepare lesson plans at their own convenience as per the requirements of students, converting learning more customized.

No mismanagement

The reports have revealed that online tutoring has improved the overall effectiveness of the tutors because every course is properly managed according to the learners’ requirements.  When online teaching is provided in a customized way, learners will benefit more and avoid any mismanagement.

The tutor does not need to track the number of learners present in the class, therefore distractions or the tutor not concentrating on one person actually does not exist.

Tutoring at home convenience

That is why online tutoring is far better than tutoring in-person. The main advantage is that the classes can be carried out easily. You are only required to have a laptop or a reliable internet connection to use Zoom or any other video application for online courses.

The tutors do not need to travel the long way to interact with the students and certainly, it saves a lot of time and money. You don’t need to bother about cleaning your home, just sit down at the table and you can start the online classes right away. The biggest advantage is to avoid the terrible commute to work.

Economic high-quality online classes

The skilled tutors offer 24X7 assistance to the learners. When you decide to conduct online tutoring while proceeding to work, they can choose an online tutoring service. The learners do not need to spend more time visiting the tutor. The online course’s affordability is very inexpensive and saves transportation and time costs. Several online platforms provide appealing discounts on online tutoring services by choosing the package for more subjects and months.

Concluding Remarks

Tutoring is a worthwhile supplement for any learner wishing to achieve the most educational success. It fills in any gaps that might occur in the busy school period and strengthen skills that may not be strong enough.

STEM leaders have made countless contributions and inventions that have changed the world around us. Children need to learn about a variety of STEM leaders so they can understand that there are plenty of STEM opportunities depending on likes and interests.

From computer programming to finding cures for diseases, everyone can find a type of STEM that interests them.

1. Alan Turing

Making significant contributions to both mathematics and technology, Alan Turning is a STEM leader whose work continues to change the world. During World War II, he worked as a codebreaker by decoding German military intelligence that the Allied forces could then use. After his time as a codebreaker, he spent time creating an electronic computer and laying the groundwork for artificial intelligence. His prototype, the Universal Turing Machine, is what many consider the first modern computer.

2. Dr. Charles Drew

Dr. Charles Drew might be a science leader you might not be familiar with, but his contributions to the medical field probably have impacted your life. He developed the first blood bank and led significant research on blood transfusions and storage. Not only was Drew the leading pioneer in blood collections and storage, but he was also an accomplished surgeon who taught many other doctors. While his work was done to save soldiers during World War II, his work is still saving lives decades later.

3. Rear Admiral Grace Hopper

Not only was Rear Admiral Grace Hooper an accomplished naval officer, but she was also a technology pioneer by providing contributions to computer programming and software development. Leading a team of programmers, she created the first computer language compiler and the first computer programming language based on English commands. Hopper’s work with computer programming changed how computers were used, and her work’s legacy continues today.

4. Henry Ford

While most people associate Henry Ford with the Ford Motor Company, he is responsible for countless other contributions to society. Ford didn’t invent the automobile but created the Model T, which was an automobile that was more accessible to Americans. He was able to lower his costs by using his engineering skills to create the first assembly line which revolutionized factories and mass production. Without his engineering skills, auto travel and manufacturing would look quite different today.

5. Tu Youyou

Tu Youyou’s determination to science is something that should be an example to us all. Without a doctorate or medical degree, she made one of the most important medical discoveries…a cure for malaria. After contracting tuberculosis as a child, she knew she wanted to study diseases, and she used ancient Chinese text to help discover that artemisinin was the key ingredient needed to develop a cure. Because of her findings, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and she was the first mainland Chinese scientist to receive a scientific Nobel Prize.

6. Mario Molina

As a child, Mario Molina was fascinated by the microscope and spent endless hours studying it, and as an adult, he was able to use his learnings to help the environment by figuring out what was causing a hole in the ozone layer. Due to his findings and advocacy for environmental reform, he was even awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Using both science and mathematics, Molina was able to help save the environment and limit the amount of damage to the ozone layer.

7. Charles Babbage

Even though his computer looked much different from what we use today, Charles Babbage is credited with creating the first automatic digital computer. Known as the Father of Computing, he invented the Difference Engine Number 1, the first machine to calculate and print math tables, and he started work on the Analytical Engine, a machine which intended to retain data that could be used for calculations, but lacked the funding to finish it. Babbage used science, mathematics, and engineering knowledge to create one of the first forms of technology that paved the way for the technology we use today.

8. Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who used her skills to help send the first man to the moon. As a way to double-check the computers, she calculated the trajectory of the spaceships, and her calculations were always accurate. Because of her bravery, she was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Despite having to overcome both gender and race discrimination, she became an inspiration to girls and women as a celebrated NASA mathematician.  The have been a movie, Hidden Figures, and numerous books based on her work.

STEM leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and have diverse experiences, but their differences are the reason for their contributions. It’s crucial that children know that no matter what their circumstances are, they too can become a STEM leader and change the world. In times of personal challenges, virtual counseling for teens can provide the support they need to stay focused and motivated.

About the Author:
Valerie Cox is a contributing writer for LOC Scientific. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and volunteering in her local community.

There’s no escaping the fact that we live in a technologically enhanced age. This has had a significant effect across various facets of our society. For our children, it has become a constant presence not just in their social lives and family time, but also within their classrooms.

It’s certainly true that there are incredible benefits to this. The introduction of technology at an early stage of their development means that students are better prepared for its use in their personal lives, university, and the workplace. They are digital natives, after all, and these tools will play a key role in how they live, and their ability to contribute to society in a relevant and even innovative way.

However, it’s also important to understand that there are limits to the positive influence technology can offer. It’s not innately harmful, but there are potentially problematic areas unless digital safety measures are introduced to protect students in all areas of their learning journey.

We’re going to take a closer look at the risks of technology as an aid in K-12 education. Where can it drift from useful to problematic, and how can teachers and parents best respond?

Technological Reliance

One of the areas that concern parents and teachers a lot of the time when it comes to technology, is the potential for students to become too reliant upon it. While these tools will factor significantly in their lives, and some — like Google Workspace — straddle both educational and professional fields, they aren’t the be-all and end-all.

When addressing this, it’s important to take stock of how tech is used, rather than just declaring arbitrary limits. The internet of things (IoT), in particular, plays an increasing role in K-12 education. This ecosystem of connected objects helps teachers and students collaborate in the classroom and remotely, scan and share important documentation, and keep the curriculum organized and accessible for everyone involved.

There are also innate risks in cybersecurity and costs, but being able to get a good idea of how far-reaching the benefits are helps us to be vigilant of potential overuse. We can see what elements of day-to-day learning and administration technology are used for, and make informed decisions about how to mitigate the risk of reliance.

Striving for balance can be a positive approach

Educators and parents should work together to assess which tools are being used in the classroom, which skills they’re providing students, and which abilities may be neglected as a result.

If students primarily utilize search engines to research, are they also being provided with the skills to manually research in libraries or critically examine the credibility of their sources?

If assignments are accessed and provided via the cloud, are teachers also introducing them to be proactive about finding alternatives should the system fail?

Make it clear that these tools should support students in their endeavors rather than being the only options.

Health and Accessibility Problems

While we can consider technology a generally positive presence in schools, we also have to take into account technologies impact on students’ well being. There has long been some debate over whether incorporating technology into children’s lives can have adverse effects in this regard. While it is unlikely that the mere presence of technology in the classroom can be damaging, there are health risks that teachers, parents, and students should be aware of.

Among the most prevalent of these risks is directly related to screen use. In K-12 classes, there will be various types of screens that will be in use throughout the students’ day — laptops, television monitors, projectors, even smartphones for educational apps or during recess periods.

Staring at screens for prolonged periods may be instrumental in causing or exacerbating vision issues in developing eyes. Teachers and parents should be watchful for the early signs of eye problems — squinting, poor attention spans, and persistent headaches are all common symptoms here. Where possible, they should limit the amount of time screens are in use during learning or encourage the installation of blue light filters.

Aside from causing health issues, technology may well be problematic for students that already live with accessibility challenges. As such, schools and teachers need to consider whether the tools they are using can be operated by all students. This should include compatibility with assistive technology, but also extend to whether websites are designed for accessibility. Can they be read by screen reading software? Is there a contrast ratio of 4.5:1, which is the minimum recommended under web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG)?

Privacy and Social Issues

There is a lot of uncertainty about whether technology impacts kids’ social development, but it does open them up to developing or being subjected to detrimental behaviors. Among the most common of these is cyberbullying. This isn’t just concerning from the perspective that bullying can be undertaken anonymously and subject students to disruptive and dangerous abuse.

When there is technology in every facet of their lives, including in the classroom, the student can feel as though these attacks are relentless and inescapable. Not only do teachers and parents need to be vigilant for the signs of cyberbullying, there must also be a focus on ensuring the classroom can be a safe space away from it.

Aside from the prospect of bullying, there is the potential for students’ privacy to be impacted, too. Every time students interact with applications and websites there is the potential for their personal and behavioral data to be collected, shared, and sold. Sometimes this is undertaken legitimately by businesses, at others it may be stolen by cybercriminals. This opens them up not only to targeting by advertisers, but also potential fraudulent use of their identities. If technology is to be used in the classroom, there must also be an emphasis on teaching safe behavior, and how to protect themselves against these risks.

Conclusion

Technology is an essential tool for students from kindergarten to grade 12 as it plays such a central role in their lives. However, it is important to be fully aware of the various risks involved. Teachers and parents must work together to help students understand these, and be provided with the tools and knowledge to better mitigate the potential negative consequences.