When one considers learning and study, one should always keep in mind that there are three aspects that are of importance:
STUDY SKILLS:
The ability of any learner to study successfully depends to a great extent on his fundamental study skills, i.e. his ability to concentrate, to perceive correctly and accurately, as well as the ability to remember what has been perceived.
Study skills should not be confused with study techniques and study methods. The difference between these can be explained by using the game of soccer as example. In order to be a soccer player, a person FIRST has to master the fundamental soccer skills, e.g. passing, heading, and dribbling the ball. Only after that can he be taught techniques and methods. In the same way, in order to be a good student, a learner FIRST has to master the fundamental study skills.
Mnemonics training is often done without keeping this sequential fashion of learning in mind. A mnemonic is a specific reconstruction of target content intended to tie new information more closely to the learner's existing knowledge base and, therefore, facilitate retrieval. There are a variety of mnemonic techniques, including keywords, pegwords, acronyms, loci methods, spelling mnemonics, phonetic mnemonics, number-sound mnemonics, and Japanese Yodai methods. An example of an acronym is to remember the word HOMES to recall the names of the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. The purpose of number-sound mnemonics is to recall strings of numbers, such as telephone numbers, addresses, locker combinations or historical dates. To use them, learners must first learn the number-sound relationships: 0=s; 1=t; 2=n; 3=m; 4=r; 5=l; 6=sh, ch, or soft g, 7=k, hard c, or hard g; 8=f or v; and 9=p. To remember the date 1439, for example, the learner uses the associated consonant sounds, t, r, m and p, and will insert vowels to create a meaningful word or words. In this case, the word tramp can be used.
There are, however, at least two problems in improving memory by means of mnemonic instruction. The first problem is -- as already stated -- that it overlooks the sequential fashion of learning. Mnemonics instruction is, to a large extent, instruction in memory techniques, which should be taught only AFTER the skill of memory has been learned. It can be compared to a person being taught soccer tactics, such as the wall pass, while he has not yet adequately mastered the skill of passing the ball. As stated in Knowabout Soccer, No matter how good your passing technique, if the quality of your passing is poor, your technique will not be effective. The second problem is that by teaching memory crutches only, the result is, as stated by Scruggs and Mastropieri, on more complex applications, generalization attempts [are] less successful. If the SKILL of memory is taught, however, the learner can apply it in any situation.
STUDY TECHNIQUES:
There are three learning techniques that can be employed to make study more successful.
1. Association: This is probably the most important and most effective of all the learning techniques, of which mnemonics is probably the most commonly used association technique.
2. Thinking in pictures: One is able to remember much better what has been seen in the mind's eye than what has been thought in abstract terms. Therefore, one should always consciously try to think in terms of pictures.
3. Reduce frequency of brain waves: The brain usually vibrates at 20 cycles per second or higher. Dr. Georgi Lozanov was probably the first who discovered that, if the frequency of the brain waves is reduced, more effective study becomes possible. He found that playing slow Baroque music could reduce the frequency of brain waves. Jos Silva was probably the first who discovered a method to reduce the frequency of brain waves at will.
STUDY METHODS:
Most learners have the bad habit of only studying the day before a test or exam. There are two serious disadvantages attached to this method of study:
1. There is never any regular practice of study skills.
2. It has been found that within 24 hours -- on an average -- one forgets up to 80% of what one has learned. If, however, the study material is reviewed after 24 hours, it takes 7 days before 80% is forgotten again, and if another review is done at this point, then it takes 30 days to forget 80% again.
Research has shown that, if the correct pattern or review of studied material is followed, memory consolidation is enhanced significantly, and the overall time spent in learning is slashed dramatically. The following pattern of initial study and subsequent review will certainly deliver excellent results:
1. Set up a timetable that is divided in study periods of 30 minutes each. On the first day on which this new timetable will be implemented, take the first study period to learn some study material thoroughly. It must be brief enough so that it can be absorbed in only about 15 minutes. Once the full study program is in operation, as you will soon realize when you read further, one only has about 15 minutes in each study period of 30 minutes in which to study and absorb new material. The rest of the time is spent on reviewing previously learned material. The piece of work must be summarized and thoroughly studied in these 30 minutes. Take a rest of 5 minutes at the end of the study period.
2. Review after 5 minutes. Take 3 minutes of the next study period to review the study material of the previous study period, before new material is again summarized and thoroughly studied.
3. Review after 24 hours. Take 3 minutes to review the material that was studied the previous day. Then take 3 minutes to review the work that was studied 5 minutes ago, before again studying and summarizing new material.
4. Review after 7 days. Take 3 minutes to review the work that was reviewed 7 days ago, before reviewing the work that was studied the day before, and then reviewing the work that was studied 5 minutes ago.
5. Review after 30 days. Take 3 minutes to review the work that was already reviewed 30 days ago, before reviewing the work of 7 days ago, then that of 24 hours ago, and then that of 5 minutes ago.
6. Review after 120 days. Take 3 minutes to review the work that was studied 120 days ago, then the work that was studied 30 days ago, before reviewing the work of 7 days ago, then that of 24 hours ago, and then that of 5 minutes ago.
Visit Susans website http://memory.learninginfo.org for information on fundamental study skills.
¶ 10:30 PM 0 comments
How to buy a Car
Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our life.
There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste and style, our economic status and our character. Some women even claim that a car is a mans extension of his reproductive organ. One the other hand (the good hand :-) there are women out there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they fall in love with a certain car model.
There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making.
In our modern life its almost impossible to function without one and its expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain.
Buying a Used Car
The question I would like to bring up here is whether its wise to buy a used car or to make an additional effort and buy a new car.
If you look at it purely from an economical stand point then its quiet obvious that due to the fact that you miss out on the heaviest depreciation hit the average car absorbs in the first two and three years its wise to buy a used car. A car of two or even three years on the road is basically a new car and in some cases didnt even finished the manufacturers original bumper to bumper warranty. (Not included labor :-(
On the average you might save on a used car anywhere between
$3,000 to $8,000. In case you know how to do it via a car dealer that will buy the car for you at a car auction limited to car dealers only (for a couple of hundreds of Dollars commission(you might even get a real bargain. See: http://www.carbuyingtips.com/auto-auctions.htm
Another good reason to buy a used car is the fact you can put your hands on a bigger or better or in other words more car for the same budget as the new smaller car would have cost you.
More and more manufacturers offer "certified pre-owned" programs. Cars sold as certified pre-owned (CPO) bridge the gap between new and used. They are subject to a rigorous inspection and repair process, and usually are covered by a warranty from the manufacturer. CPO cars will usually cost a bit more, but the added warranty and peace of mind makes them a good value.
If you want to get extended warranty look at: www.carbuyingtips.com/warranty.htm
Where do you get the market value of the cars, thats pretty easy, all you have to do is follow this link: Blue Book - Used Car Values at: www.cars.com/go/index.jsp
When purchasing a used car you should protect yourself from buying a flood damaged vehicle by doing a little research and by having the vehicle thoroughly checked by a mechanic. Rain, thunderstorms, swelling rivers and seasonal hurricanes hitting the coastlines all contribute to flooding disasters that can mean serious water damage to vehicles in those areas.
Water damage from 1999's Hurricane Floyd ruined approximately 75,000 vehicles and more than half of those ended up back on the road. Tropical Storm Allison damaged another 95,000 in 2001 and Hurricane Ivan left more than 100,000 vehicles water-logged. The numbers for Hurricane Katrina are expected to skyrocket above half-a-million and safety experts warn that many of these flood damaged vehicles also will be dried out and offered for sale. Hurricanes and tropical storms, however, are only part of the problem.
Flooding can occur throughout the year and in any part of the country; however, auto industry analysts caution consumers that the risk of buying a flood damaged car is not limited to these areas. Flood damaged cars are often repaired cosmetically, and moved to adjacent states or even across the country where they are sold to unsuspecting consumers. These floodwaters can cause damage to vehicle computer and electrical systems, as well as potentially causing anti-lock braking and airbag systems to malfunction . World Trade Center Damaged Cars, thousands of cars were damaged in New York City on 9/11/2001. It's a prime example of disasters having long term effects other than the initial death and destruction. These cars will no doubt be salvaged, rebuilt, sold at car auctions and have their titles rebuilt, most likely out of state.
An important help is the nationwide history data base of the cars in terms of damages, salvaged, lemon, flooded, fraud, accidents, rental etc you can look it up at: www.carfax.com/
In addition its recommended you have a mechanic check it out A certified, trusted mechanic will test the electrical and safety systems, two of the major components that water can affect. They can also look for signs of water damage that may not be visible to the untrained eye.
Car Donation
It is estimated that every year, more than a million Americans donated their cars. Why do they donate their car? Well, few reasons: A. The proceeds go to charity organizations and it provides for the donor a good feeling of contributing to society. B. its tax deductible (Less than it used to). C. The car is being towed or driven away by the company who arranged the deal.
Unfortunately, whether through ignorance, confusion or greed, a substantial percentage of car donors have been deducting the full "suggested retail price" - what a dealer would get for reselling your trade-in instead of the fair market value. That's far more than the IRS had intended, costing the government millions in lost tax revenue.
The charities weren't making much, either. Most of the donated cars were sold by the charities for a pittance at auction, and middlemen who administered the programs on behalf of the charities took a large percentage of those meager profits.
So IRS changed the rule last year. From now on, if your car is valued more than $500, the deduction is limited to the charity's actual selling price. The donor must attach a statement of sale to the tax return in order to receive the deduction. (The charity is obligated to provide the statement within 30 days.) You are not entitled to know the deduction amount before donating your car. Although the IRS has closed the loophole in the law, there is still a way to deduct full market value of your vehicle: If the charity uses the car itself to further its specific purpose.
------Author Resourch Box - Must be Included with your copy----
MBA - International Trade & Finance - Heriot-Watt University. Bsc. Computers and Information Systems - Long Island University - C.W Post Campus.
Hobby: Photography.
Married with two Children.
Owner Editor of: http://www.Cars-I-Like.com
¶ 5:52 PM 0 comments
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¶ 1:17 PM 0 comments
Teeth whitening has become a trendy subject for many people today and is an extremely popular and safe type of cosmetic dentistry. Whiteners are ideal for individuals who have healthy gums and healthy teeth with no fillings. Teeth whitening techniques have been used by dentists for decades to give patients fast results for teeth that are stained and discolored. Dentists offer a variety of options for whitening teeth during a single office visit. There are also natural whitening products and at-home kits available on the market.
Whitening Teeth Naturally
Many people prefer to avoid the use of chemicals for whitening their teeth by utilizing products and techniques for natural teeth whitening. Techniques which require herbs and other natural products have been used for centuries, long before man-made products became available on the market. Although natural products may not work as quickly as chemically based products, they are far more beneficial than some of the chemical products that may cause harm.
However, "natural" does not always mean "useful". For example, some people believe that acidic solutions like lemon juice are effective for cleaning their teeth. But, using acid can cause serious damage to both the teeth and gums. You may have to search the market thoroughly for natural products that are both safe and effective, but they can be found. Just be sure that these products do not include lemon juice or any other form of acid.
Whitening Teeth with Lasers
There are a variety of dental procedures available for whitening, the most popular being laser teeth whitening. Laser whitening is a fast, cost effective, and painless process which can make teeth up to 10 shades lighter in less than an hour. The procedure is quite simple. Most dentists will perform a traditional cleaning before beginning the laser treatment. The dentist then applies a hydrogen peroxide whitening gel to the teeth and shines a laser to activate the solution. A reaction occurs in which the laser breaks down the hydrogen peroxide gel. This allows oxygen to enter the enamel and dentine of the tooth in order to bleach away discoloration. All this is effectively done without changing the structure of the tooth at all. This is perhaps the most effective teeth whitening solution available.
Whitening Teeth from Home
If you do not want to bother with making a trip to the dentist or waiting a long time for a natural product to work, then you may want to try using an at home teeth whitening system. These systems are available either from a dentist or from one of many retail outlets. They vary in quality from simple whitening toothpastes to more complex systems that include solutions and other paraphernalia. At home systems are less expensive than other teeth whitening options, but they typically are not as long-lasting or effective as professional whitening.
Keep in mind that all teeth whitening techniques do not produce the same results on all types of discoloration. However, whitening does not have to be expensive or ineffective. Whether you choose natural methods, laser whitening, or an at home system, you are sure to find an option that works best for you.
Anna Nissic has been around the dental field for many years and is very familiar with the common dental problems people have. He has written many articles explaining common remedies for the teeth. You can find further teeth remedies at http://teethwhitening.acousticmusicnews.com
¶ 5:30 AM 0 comments
