English Grammar Software – Can it Improve Our Writing Skills?

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Up to a decade ago writing skills were most commonly developed by extensive exercises and home assignments; however technology brought an enormous change to the method of learning, maintaining and improving our English writing skills.

Today, writing skills are developed in response to videos, class discussions, research, and by using advanced English grammar software solutions. Better writing is not about learning the rules of English grammar, or being bored by nouns, pronouns and split infinitives, it is in most cases about memorizing and practicing basic grammar and writing rules.

English writing is but one of many communication skills essential for personal and professional success. Strong writing skills are essential for success in school, college, and on the job. Writing clearly and correctly will ensure your messages and ideas are understood and give the right impression to your reader.

Learning to write well takes time and practice; effective, concise English writing and editing leads to effective, concise essays, web content, emails, instant messages, and more.

The use of English grammar software for example is a good method to improve a person’s English writing skills as it automatically notifies and corrects the user’s text in means of correct sentence grammar structure, correct spelling, punctuation etc.

When you are automatically notified for any grammar, punctuation or spelling errors by using advanced English grammar software, it easily helps you to memorize these errors and avoid repeating them in the future. One of the best practices to improve your English writing skills is about memorizing and learning from an automatic “grammar guide” that instructs and notifies you on any grammatical problems found in your text while you write it.

What Businesses Should Know About Training Metrics

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There comes a certain point in time when a company would have to hold training sessions for their employees, whether old or new. This is because at the fast pace the business world is at, there are certain technological advancements and whatnots that would really demand for training. Using and getting by the modern products brought about by technological advancements can be easy for the typical techie. However, you cannot say for sure that all members of your workforce are techie by nature. And training is not just about the new gadgets and gizmos bobbing all over the industry, for there are also modern methodologies and procedures that are being introduced as well. Thus, a lot of things can certainly encompass training. All of which, however, aim to equip the members of the workforce with newfound knowledge towards the goal of being more productive in their respective positions in the company. It is then safe to say that training can make any employee perform better and become more effective in completing their tasks and responsibilities. This is the primary reason why companies should invest in developing a systematic method of training metrics.

Metrics are quantifiable measures used to determine the efficiency of certain aspects in the work setting. In this context, metrics are the quantifiable aspects that are used to determine just how efficient a certain training program is. It is very important for companies to develop training metrics of their own so that they can ensure that the training sessions they hold are indeed effective in achieving their purpose. Furthermore, if the metrics indicate that the training sessions are effective, then it goes to show that the employees would become more productive and efficient in their respective jobs.

Now that the advantages of employing training metrics have been laid out, let us move on to the process of choosing which particular quantifiable measure to choose as training metrics. If there is one thing businesses should know about metrics is that no two companies can employ similar metrics all throughout. You have to understand that the metrics involved here should actually be in line with the goals and objectives that the company itself wants to achieve. Since no two companies can have the same goals and objectives all throughout, then it is safe to assume that no two companies employ the same set of metrics, particularly training metrics.

Choosing the appropriate training metrics to use can also be a bit confusing. However, this does not mean it is not doable at all. For the most part, it would actually be the human resource department of a company who would develop and choose the training metrics to use. This is of benefit because it is also the human resource department that would handle training sessions held by the company. Thus, they would have deeper insights on what quantifiable aspects to use as training metrics, to determine just how efficient and effective the company’s training programs and sessions are. Just remember to choose the metrics that are relevant to the purpose, as well as those that support the corporate goals and objectives.

Sunday School Activities

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The story of Noah is great for including a variety of Sunday school activities in your next lesson plan. Since the story of Noah’s ark is very engaging and interesting for the children, I split the lesson into two parts. For the first week I focus on Noah’s obedience to God as the factor that saved his life. For the second week the underlying message is that God made a promise.

To start things off, read a short version of the Noah story from your preferred Children’s bible. Make sure to focus on the promise God made to Noah, and how God illustrated this promise with the beautiful rainbow that arched across the sky following the flood. Give the kids a chance to ask questions first before proceeding to the Sunday school activities which will dominate most of the lesson.

Sunday School Song

The first of the Sunday school activities is a short song that will help children to remember each other’s names. Sung to the tune of “Did You Ever See a Lassie”, the simple verse is as follows:

Thank you God for (child’s name)

For (name), for (name)

Thank you God for (name)

We’re glad (s)he is here

As each child’s name becomes the focus of the song, have them stand up.

The next set of Sunday school activities are rainbow-themed crafts for both the younger and older children in your class. The younger children will make fashion rainbows from handprints while the older members of your class form rainbows from perler beads.

Sunday School Activity for Younger Children

For the younger children’s craft, you will need construction paper or white paper and tempra paint in all the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. If you are using construction paper, have your kids partner up and trace each other’s handprint outlines on the different colored paper. If you’ve opted for tempra paint, have each child make a series of paint handprints in each color of the rainbow.

To make a full rainbow, your students will need at least 5 prints in each color. Arrange the prints in a rainbow shape and glue them to a piece of white paper. If you are pressed for time, each child can trace 1 print in each color and arrange them in an arc shape.

Sunday School Activity for Older Children

In the meantime, the older children will be using perler beads with a circle base which can be picked up at any local arts and crafts supply store. Have each child arrange the beads in a rainbow-shaped arc on the base. Once the rainbow beads are on the base, place a sheet of wax paper to cover the beads completely and press on the paper with an iron for the amount of time indicated on package for the perler beads.

If desired, poke a hole through the top of the rainbow with a pencil tip or safety pin while the beads are still warm. Thread a piece of string through the hole and tie it around a silver key ring, which can also be picked up at an arts and crafts store.

Note: I always let the craft supply store know I am purchasing craft supplies for a sunday school lesson, often they can provide bulk or reduced pricing for churches (So Ask!).

Learn Guitar Fast Online – The Truth Uncovered

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You will find many courses on the Internet that claim to allow you to learn guitar fast online. There are both positives and negatives when looking to learn the guitar quicker than normal. In this article I am going to explain the good points and bad points in learning to play the guitar in this way.

The advantages

One of the main reasons people look to learn guitar online is because they have a lack of spare time on their hands to practice. A course which takes less time to complete will therefore be more tempting than one which is more time-consuming.

Online guitar lessons are often more dynamic and there so making you more focused than other methods of learning the guitar do. This is a big positive for those of us who lose concentration.

Not everyone wants to become a guitar superstar, in fact many just want to be able to play a few songs in front of their friends and to learn a few of their favourite songs. For this you will need to learn the basic and intermediate levels of guitar playing which can be provided by many online courses.

The final and to many most important advantage of going online is that they tend to be a lot cheaper. Although having private tutor does increase the chances of you successfully learning to play the guitar it will also cost you a lot more.

Disadvantages

When learning to play the guitar it is good to get some kind of feedback so that you can learn from any mistakes you are making and also to build your confidence if you do things well. Sadly this is one thing you will not online.

Another disadvantage is that you are taking the same class as everybody else. With a private tutor who would get a course specially designed for your needs and thus you are more likely to succeed.

Conclusion

If your main aim of learning the guitar is to become a pro then I would highly recommend you get a private tutor as this is the best way to go about it. If on the other and you are learning for your enjoyment and perhaps you lack the funds and time and then learning guitar fast online is a fantastic way to learn the guitar.

A Brief on Indian Administrative Services

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Civil Services Exam or Indian Administrative Services acts as the inner strength of Indian government system that runs the local administration of different states. The job profile comprises of a wide variety of jobs in diverse departments with highly competitive and challenging area. However, in contrast with private sector, the job of civil services is highly rewarding and offers job security. Along with the power, comes kudos for these top-jobs that offers a definite reason for everyone to join the same. One of the reasons that make this profession a lucrative one is that it offers facilities like good salary, allowances such as healthcare, housing, conveyance etc.

Indian Administrative Service (IAS) was founded in the year 1946 and is one of the three All India Services, with the other two being Indian Forest Services and Indian Police Services. The cadre size of IAS is 5159 posts (direct recruitment – 66.67%, promotion 33.33%) and the cadre controlling authority is Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Department of Personnel and Training. Those who get selected have their training ground at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.

All India Services is designed logically with two folds- the officers will have a national perspective for encouraging unity and integrity as well as the courage of conviction to face the assaults of illogical politicians and will be able to protect public interest without fear of persecution. Although IAS, IPS and IFS are All India Services, but to a large extent they are treated as State Service as the officers have to spend a maximum period of their careers in the states allotted to them. Talking of functions that IAS officers have to perform; IAS officers handle government affairs that involve framing and execution of policy in discussion with the concerned Minister like supervise and even travel to different places where discussions are taking place.

Execution of such policies entails disbursement of funds, which calls for personal supervision. The officers are answerable to the Parliament and State Legislatures for any irregularities that may take place. Additionally, the functions and responsibilities of the IAS officers change at different points of their careers. During the beginning of their careers as an IAS officer, they join the state administration at the sub-divisional level, as a sub-divisional magistrate and ensure that processes like law and order, general administration and development work in the arena under their supervision are carried out smoothly.

The post of District officer or District Magistrate, district collector or Deputy Commissioner is the most prestigious and renowned posts held by the members of the service. At the district level, these officers are concerned with district affairs that include implementation of developmental programs. As a part of regular course of their careers, officers serve in the State Secretariat or as Heads of Departments or in Public Sector Undertakings.

Officers move from positions at the state, under depuration to centre and back again. At the top of hierarchy of IAS officers at the centre is the cabinet secretary followed by Secretary/Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary and these posts are filled according to rank. The main work of IAS officers at Centre includes formulation and implementation of policies pertaining to a particular arena such as finance, commerce etc. While formulation of policy and making decision, officers at various levels like joint secretary, deputy secretary contribute in offering final shape to the policy with the concurrence of concerned minister or cabinet as per the importance of the issue.

How Educational Toys Can Stimulate the Minds of Gifted Children

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Educational theorists often define intelligence as the capacity to learn new knowledge and then the ability to apply this knowledge to create new things or to deal with new situations. As Trudee Romanek puts it in Aha!: The Most Interesting Book You’ll Ever Read about Intelligence, “intelligence is really about how well you cope in the world.” Parents definitely want their children to do well in the world, so what can they do to ensure that their children become as intelligent as possible?

Children are born with a certain potential to become intelligent. Then, as Romanek notes, “how intelligent a child actually becomes depends on how hard he or she works his or her brain!” It is in a child’s best interest, then, to challenge him or her constantly and always be exposing him or her to new learning experiences. As Romanek points out to children, “the more you do and learn, the more intelligent you’ll be.”

Some children are naturally gifted, with a potential for intelligence beyond the norm. It is especially crucial for these children to have their brains stimulated by exposure to new knowledge, challenges, and activities. Otherwise, they can become bored and unmotivated and eventually start underachieving in spite of their enormous potential to succeed.

Of course, parents of gifted children want what’s best for their children. But, as Nancy M. Robinson, Ph.D., Sally M. Reis, Ph.D., Maureen Neihart, Psy.D., and Sidney M. Moon, Ph.D. note in their article “Social and Emotional Issues Facing Gifted and Talented Students” in The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children, these well-meaning parents “often feel at a loss to know how to best support their child’s development. They want help…in widening and deepening their children’s learning through family activities, outside tutors, or coaches.” Basically, they could use some suggestions for how to help their children learn outside a school environment.

How, then, can a parent help a gifted child in a practical way? Kenneth R. Chuska, Ph.D., suggests in Gifted Learners K-12: A Practical Guide to Effective Curriculum and Teaching that parents ask themselves, “Does our home provide a stimulating environment? Does our home provide supplemental or extended offerings that aid in the offerings of our child’s school?” After all, an environment full of appropriate and stimulating opportunities for learning is one of the most valuable things a parent can provide for any child, gifted or not. And one way this environment can be created is through the thoughtful selection and use of educational toys.

How to know which toys are best suited to develop the intelligence of a gifted child? Chuska explains that all gifted learners share some qualities, such as being self-motivated, delving more deeply into school topics than their teachers require, and wanting to apply new knowledge to concrete projects. In a nutshell, they are students who don’t just learn new knowledge, but who want to do things with this new information.

Beyond these common characteristics, however, gifted learners are usually gifted in specific areas. Chuska cites a federal government study that splits gifted learners into the:
Academically Gifted: children who do well learning new knowledge in specific content areas.
Intellectually Gifted: children who exhibit great general thinking skills, such as the abilities to observe, hypothesize, and think about things in new ways.

Creative Thinking Giftedness: children who like to come up with original and independent solutions to creative problems.

Visual and Performing Arts Giftedness: children who have good control of their motor skills, can express themselves though art, are good at perceiving spatial relationships, and who like to produce their own creations instead of copying what others do.

Psychomotor Gifted: children who possess stellar physical coordination and excel at athletic endeavors.

Parents of gifted children, therefore, will want to pick toys geared toward stimulating and challenging their children in the areas in which these children are gifted:

An academically gifted child would enjoy games that help him or her practice memory skills, learn new facts and information about the world, or use his or her specific knowledge in the area in which he or she is gifted. For example, a child who is academically gifted in language will enjoy games that allow him or her to play with letters and words, such as the Word Spin games.
An intellectually gifted child might enjoy using thinking skills to figure out ways to assemble geometric shapes like Foxmind’s Cliko, or using science kits and science process skills to study and draw conclusions about things in nature.

A child exhibiting creative thinking giftedness will love the open-endedness of a set of building blocks, playing word games like Apples to Apples, and logic games that require players to solve problems.
A child exhibiting visual and performing arts giftedness should be provided with toys according to his or her particular area of interest. For example, if his or her interest is in visual arts, he or she should be given clay, origami paper, paint, and other art supplies. If it is performing arts, he or she should be provided with role-play toys like figurines, play sets, costumes, and other props for imaginative play.

A psychomotor gifted child should be given athletic equipment and other toys for physically active play.

Along with keeping the above in mind, parents should take some general issues into account. Even though a child is mentally gifted beyond his or her years, he or she is still a child and any toys given him or her should contain only age-appropriate content and be safe for a child of his or her age to handle.

Parents should also take into account a child’s learning style. Kinesthetic learners learn new things best by doing them in a “hands-on” approach. Auditory learners master new information best by hearing or reading it. Visual learners do well by being presented new information in visual form, through pictures or actions.

With a little knowledge and care, parents can help any child, gifted or not, develop his or her intelligence to the best it can be. What will ultimately help any child the most is knowing that his or her parents care enough to create an interesting and stimulating play environment that is tailored to his or her growing and changing intellectual needs.

Learn Spanish Course

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Why are you looking into taking a learn Spanish course? Maybe you plan on moving or visiting a Spanish speaking country soon? You may even be involved in a relationship with a Spanish speaking person and would like to learn to strengthen your relationship. Everyone should learn Spanish quickly because jobs are paying almost double if you are bilingual. Spanish is basically the second language in the United States and within a few years over half of our population could be speaking Spanish, so why not be prepared?

How To Take A Learn Spanish Course
Taking the Rocket Language learn Spanish course can get you speaking Spanish in as little as 6 days if you follow the guidelines. When you sign up for the program you get a lot for your money too. The first thing you get is the 32 lesson audio course that will help you speak fluently and confidently. You also get 31 separate language lessons that will show you how easy it really is to learn Spanish. This will help you improve your grammar and spelling for words and phrases. The Mega Vocab game however, is probably the most fun thing about the Rocket Language program. The purpose of the game is to actually help you learn Spanish quickly by helping you pronounce the words and phrases correctly. You are really learning in a fun way and that gets the information to stick into your brain. There are also games that will help you be more comfortable with verb tenses because they can often be tricky for native English speakers to tackle.

There is also a virtual professor that is online for your 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They offer this by having an open Rocket Language forum for users and administrators to talk about any issues. Plus, when you buy the program you will have a lifetime membership to the Learning Lounge which is kind of like a virtual Spanish classroom. It has tools, lessons, games and help for you to maintain what you learned. For all of you skeptics out there you still may not be convinced but this program is great for you to try too because it has the money back guarantee. You have 60 days to try Rocket Language out yourself and if you do not see improvement or learning taking place, then you can request a refund with no questions asked. There is even a free 6 days Spanish speaking course lesson that will get you started before you move onto the big program.

How long have you been considering learning Spanish because you have noticed the amount of people speaking it? This is the time to learn and Rocket Language is one of the best, and most affordable programs available out there. It is true you can learn from tutors, teachers and other programs but no one will be quicker at teaching you how to be comfortably fluent in Spanish like the Rocket Language program will.

Attending College Showcases and Tournaments Won’t Get High School Athletes Noticed and Recruited

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Below are 5 reasons why attending a college showcase or tournament won’t get high school athletes noticed and recruited.

• Due to college budget constraints coaches attend fewer events. They will drive to an event rather than fly. They may attend an event for only 1 day rather than 2 or 3 days. This limits their ability to view and assess talent. In many cases it’s glaringly visible the small number of college coaches in attendance.

• There are more showcases and tournaments in smaller geographic areas now than there were a few years ago. This additional competition means that coaches must be selective in where they spend their time and money. As a result there are fewer coaches at each event viewing the same group of athletes from the same geographic area. If there are 3 showcases within a 25 mile radius of each other, how many showcases does a coach need to attend!

• Coaches use the Internet to do their initial round of scouting, evaluation and prescreening. A coaching staff can spend a few hours in front of a computer, view profiles of a hundred athletes or more and determine who they want to see at an event. They probably won’t make an offer based on the Internet viewing but they will decide how they will spend their time and who they will scout.

• For a family, recording games, practices and skills sessions are much easier to do now than it was a few years ago. Creating a highlight video and posting it on the Internet is also easier. Coaches attend showcases and tournaments to confirm information on talent they already know, they don’t spend their limited time and resources chasing after unknowns.

• Parents don’t fully understand the recruiting process. A showcase or tournament is part of a bigger, more complex picture. If a student athlete participates in 1 or 2 local showcases and is not heavily recruited, attending 10 or 20 showcases won’t change the results. However, taking a vastly different approach will yield different results.

Most of us do things differently now than we did 5, 10 or 20 years ago. We do online banking, get our daily news from the Internet and receive our mail via email; banks, newspapers and USPS still exist. Showcases and tournaments fit into the same overall change in how we do things. They still exist, but they do not carry the same weight as they did in the past. It’s all part of change. Those who embrace the change will be successful. Those who continue to do things the same way as their parents will be left on the recruiting bench rather than be in the recruiting game.

Participating in a tournament or showcase and competing against several hundred highly skilled athletes decreases the odds of being noticed by college coaches. Marketing individual skills using mail, email, video and video-streaming, along with regular follow-up to several hundred coaches will yield totally different results. A proactive marketing approach will yield better results than attending a half dozen showcases or tournaments and the pre-work can turn a showcase into a much more positive and productive event.

Important Tips While Hiring a Bus Or a Coach

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When it comes to hiring a bus or a coach, there are a number of aspects that need to be thought about before taking the right decision. A little preparation before deciding on the firm will ensure that the holiday is hassle-free and is thoroughly enjoyable. The write-up below deals with the tips to think about before hiring a bus or coach for the Adelaide bus tour. There are some points to ask yourself and also asking the right questions is vital before actually deciding on the coach or the bus and they are:

o One can inquire among the relative and the acquaintances on the reliable firms to hire the bus or the coach from. The internet can be very helpful when looking for the right firms to rent a vehicle from.

o The amenities that will be provided on the vehicle should be inquired and considered before booking that vehicle. Some of the buses come equipped with facilities like entertainment systems, personal audio systems and even bunks for sleeping purposes, etc. making sure of the facilities before booking the vehicle will avoid any kinds of misunderstandings whatsoever later on when the vehicle is picked up on the booked date.

o If the vehicle has video facilities, then can it be used by sports teams to review their strategies or those of their opponents while they travel?

o The payment policies must be crystal clear from the beginning. This helps in a more organized working method and will keep the customer in light about the payment status and the ways of the same.

o If a driver is to be involved, then his accommodation and his meals are to be asked about. Are those costs involved in the package? If not, then who is to bear them? If in a group, then the person who bears this cost is to be decided or it can be contributed into.

o When comparing the packages of two different companies, then they should be compared at the same level. This is just like comparing one fruit to another. Some companies are known to charge extra sums for a experienced driver, maintenance of the equipment which account to the experience along the trip on t he road. So, thinking about this aspect is indeed very important.

o It has to be seen that the itinerary is understood fully by the firm so that you can plan the trip way you wanted to. Even they should be involved in the final planning so that any problems due to the misunderstanding are avoided at the later stage.

o If embarking upon a long journey, then it should be essential that the driver is well rested and if you might need more than one driver during the whole trip. Lives depend upon the driver’s safe driving after all.

o If traveling in a group, then you might need more than one bus. IN this case, you are entitled to a fair deal and it is not wrong to ask for a discount. Do not be shy and ask for it.

How to Avoid Career Misery

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Unhappiness in the workplace, along with measly salaries, make up a large portion of job shifting in our country today. If you feel that you are in a position with good pay yet a miserable atmosphere, staying there may be your only option until something falls into your lap, until the time when your wild card turns up. Career misery is often an avoidable situation if you simply keep your work area colorful, build rapport with your co-workers, and communicate freely across the company. Here are some tips to avoid career misery and change the atmosphere where you work enough to survive:

Make Your Desk Home
You have to be at a desk 2,080 hours a year on average, so why not make it home? You’d be surprised how small intricacies, such as a plant, funny photographs, soft music and even your children’s aspiring Crayon art can give you the right amount of inspiration to make it through the day, and remind you just how many people would die for your job. Small mementos like decor from home can give you inspiration to show up at work without dread or regret, even if your mind is still thinking of other options.

Remember Why You Applied
There is some primary motive for your application to the job you have now, most likely related to income. You didn’t have to take the job you have now, yet the offer was lucrative enough to lure you in. Remember back to the day you applied, and keep in mind the numerous resumes on the interviews desk that could have been selected instead of yours.

Communicate Effectively
Most issues at work stem from a lack of communication with co-workers or upper management. Most people go into ‘fight or flight’ mode when dealing in situations that truly twist their skin, causing the bulk of issues to go unaddressed to happen that are costly to their job. Nip all small issues in the bud.

Understand Your True Worth
Getting the infamous raise at work is obviously a goal every employee wants to master, yet sometimes gets confused with actual worth of position or work involved. If you went to grad school for business management and obtain a position that requires no managerial knowledge, do not expect managerial pay. Sure, your degree may state the education you have, but it didn’t force you to take a lesser job. Positions pay based on delivery and role, chiefly; if you are putting out great stories, products, or marketing pitches and have consistent on-time delivery, then perhaps your worth to the company will rise due to your output. Gauge what you are doing, the expertise you have accumulated, your own attendance, and see if you should even bother to approach the management for more money quite yet.