Charlotte Picardo, Author at New Heights Educational Group, Inc. https://newheightseducation.org/author/charlotte-p/ The New Heights Educational Group promotes literacy for children and adults by offering a range of educational support services. Tue, 25 May 2021 17:09:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://newheightseducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/nheg-tree-logo-57x57-32x32.png Charlotte Picardo, Author at New Heights Educational Group, Inc. https://newheightseducation.org/author/charlotte-p/ 32 32 Is education important for kids to succeed? https://newheightseducation.org/educational-articles/is-education-important-for-kids-to-succeed/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-education-important-for-kids-to-succeed Tue, 25 May 2021 17:01:33 +0000 https://www.newheightseducation.org/?p=9813 Education has become such an integral part of all our lives; however, it’s important to be aware of our privileges. Some students may not have access to this facility/service due to their parents’ lack of finances. This topic has been quite controversial in political debates and in general conversations as well. I thought it would […]

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]]> Education has become such an integral part of all our lives; however, it’s important to be aware of our privileges. Some students may not have access to this facility/service due to their parents’ lack of finances. This topic has been quite controversial in political debates and in general conversations as well. I thought it would be great to discuss to what extent an education is important for kids to succeed. This is a point of view from a student in Grade 12. 

This topic could be explored on many levels, such as by considering the different types of schools students have access to and to assess whether these schools help students with their education and moving forward in their career.

  1. Compulsory schools: Schools that students are required to attend as imposed by a rule from the government. 
  2. Home schools: Also known as homeschooling or EHE (elective home education), education takes place at home rather than in school or other institutions.
  3. Charter schools: A type of school that receives funding from the government but operates independently from the school district it is in.
  4. Grammar schools: This is quite different from the usual schools available, and pupils are selected to attend this school based on their overall academic performance, making it extremely prestigious.
  5. State schools: Also known as public schools, they tend to educate students without a fee. They  offer in-person and virtual learning in several parts of the world. 

We all study and look at things differently. Learning techniques allow the coordination of students in grasping concepts effectively and efficiently. This helps boost confidence as students are able to solve problems by coming up with solutions. This can affect learning in order to communicate well and improve performance.

Visual learners

Visual learners are able to grasp knowledge through visual figures, such as drawing, mind maps, diagrams, directions, presentations, pictures, posters and anything to do with images. 

In this case, I would say that education contains all the aspects that visual learners prefer. It makes students view situations differently, such as during a debate class, answering exam questions, and giving opinionated views when delivering presentations on the same topic. It helps us think outside the box. Education gives us knowledge about the world around us. Learning helps personal growth and opens doors to endless career possibilities. 

Auditory learners

These students aren’t afraid to speak up, since they love the learning style of listening. They tend to learn subject matter reinforced by sound rather than reading written notes. Listening plays an important role in our lives as it demonstrates how closely we pay attention to details and thoughts. Especially in education, listening to teachers’ lectures helps us communicate our thoughts and opinions to another individual, which is key in establishing relationships with those around us. 

Kinesthetic learners

These students grasp studies by performing physical activities and practically experiencing concepts. Some examples favored by this learning style include games, making things with hands and gestures, remembering words by writing them several times and using whiteboards. Education is a form of acquiring knowledge, skills and morals, which can take place through a variety of techniques including practical work. For instance, this work can include making a chart or a poster for a presentation, a skill that is vital even in the workplace as clients or directors may often ask that information be explained in a way that is much more appealing and attractive to customers. 

Reading/writing learners

Most educational systems commonly include essays at some point, whether it be in English literature,  geography, economics or sociology. Students who prefer reading over the information rather than listening to it fall into this category. This learning style can be observed in several ways, some of which are through the form of writing essays, doing research and reading books and articles. Reading and writing are basic forms of learning even in a new language, and are also skills that are important for school, work and home. It also helps to broaden vocabulary to communicate effectively to others.

Now that you have an overview of the types of education institutions available and the learning styles, it’s good to be aware that no matter which of the above is your preferred learning style, education remains the uppermost priority because of all that it helps us do in our careers. I would say that education is important for kids to succeed, especially given the fact that we all communicate through reading, writing and speaking, which are all involved in education itself. Understanding and being able to respond also helps us determine the difference between the right and wrong. Hence, New Heights Educational Group strives to focus on providing this service to all – education is close to our hearts. Our group promotes literacy for children and adults by offering a range of student support services for their educational needs.

Helpful links to check out:

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]]> How can students stay motivated during their education?  https://newheightseducation.org/student-corner/how-can-students-stay-motivated-during-their-education/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-can-students-stay-motivated-during-their-education Mon, 08 Feb 2021 19:18:33 +0000 https://www.newheightseducation.org/?p=9493 Junior and senior years can be daunting with completing college applications in the US, personal statements in the UK, recommendation letters, etc. But it is important to survive these years smoothly and happily without burning out. In September 2020, many younger students reached out to me with the question, “How do I survive senior year?” […]

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]]> Junior and senior years can be daunting with completing college applications in the US, personal statements in the UK, recommendation letters, etc. But it is important to survive these years smoothly and happily without burning out. In September 2020, many younger students reached out to me with the question, “How do I survive senior year?” I wrote to them that I was already aware that year 12 is a big step ahead from year 11. So I highly suggest you think about it as a way to higher success that requires lots of hard work and effort. In order to get the most out of grade 12, it’s very very important to be organized and have time management skills. I’m not saying you need to be multitasking; rather, you should find a way to balance out those 24 hours a day with both academics and extracurriculars.  

 Extracurriculars are so important. They become a huge element of resumes for jobs, work experience and internships and of personal statements to get into college. Grab onto opportunities that you feel you are capable of doing and have time to commit to. Don’t take on all extracurriculars at one time as doing so will shift the balance away from your school exams. Extracurriculars are very important because they show that you are well-rounded and focused on more than just studies. They bring out other capabilities, such as teamwork, leadership and creativity, and show that you are balanced in everything you accomplish. I would highly suggest having at least one to three extracurriculars to show you are focused on things you love but you don’t overexert yourself.  

 Be organized: I love using Trello to track meetings and ideas or a simple book and pen for my to-do lists for the day. Allow time for personal leisures: If you ever feel tired, take a break, close your eyes and relax. Study beforehand: Create a useful study timetable and make sure to follow it. When I say “useful,”I mean it should be one you are able to follow for at least six months. Lastly, enjoy and value the process of maturing and gaining lots of knowledge before you go on to college or an apprenticeship. Our teacher told us, This is a challenging year but a rewarding experience. I’m looking forward to how year 12 changes my life. 

 I do understand that the Covid-19 pandemic has added more pressure on staying motivated, but It’s essential to understand that the world is not perfect; hence, ups and downs are always going to be there. I recently attended a mental health event where we were discussing the symptoms of mental health issues, advice for mental health and the importance it has on our day-to-day lives. Here are some of the tips I’d like to share. I understand that tackling mental health issues is subjective, but trying the tips listed below may help relieve some stress and help you stay motivated: 

  • Create a timetable/to-do list to regulate your days (email me for a personalized template) 
  • Spend less time on your phone before bedtime. 
  • Speak to someone you trust (statistically found to help overcome some issues faced) 
  • Meditate (breathing exercises, yoga, transcendental meditation, etc.) 

To give you a short summary of the things you can do to stay motivated: 

  • Do activities that excite you, whether sports, arts, writing, playing musical instruments, etc. 
  • Have a motivational goal in mind constantly that pushes you to do things that you didn’t wish to = see the big picture in front of you. 
  • Spend time with loved ones, whether family members, neighbors, relatives or friends. 
  • Reach out for help, support and guidance without hesitation = communicate effectively. 
  • Take small steps, as success doesn’t come within seconds = work in progress. 
  • Assist in a humanitarian cause, such as by volunteering or fundraising: being involved in an environment and working on projects that benefit the welfare of society will make you feel better. 
  • Travel to explore the world. 
  • Listen to inspirational podcasts or music. 

Some helpful links: 

  • Notion: Notion is an application that provides components such as databases, kanban boards, wikis, calendars and reminders. Users can connect these components to create their own systems for knowledge management, note taking, data management and project management. It is suitable for web, macOS, Windows, iOS and Android: https://www.notion.so/ 
  • Trello: Trello is a web-based kanban-style list-making application that is a subsidiary of Atlassian, a collaboration tool that organizes your projects into boards. At one glance, Trello tells you what’s being worked on, who’s working on what and where something is in a process: https://trello.com/en 
  • I highly recommend you read the Forbes article “How to stay motivated and accomplish anything”: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2013/07/19/how-to-stay-motivated-and-accomplish-anything/ 
  • NHEG (New Heights Educational Group) offers a variety of educational programs, including Travel with NHEG, tutoring, tracking student growth and fundraising: https://www.newheightseducation.org/nheg-educational-programs/ 
  • NHEG has its own radio show, an Internet radio program and podcast in which the hosts cover various topics of education for home, charter and public school families in Ohio and beyond. The shows cover many aspects of education: the power of education, restructuring schools, the IEP process, tips for teens, zoology, technology, common core, history, science, reading, business, entrepreneurship, special needs, round-table discussions and reading of NHEG’s bi-monthly teen comic book series, which tackles youth issues. The show educates and inspires its audience by sharing and welcoming discussions. You can listen to it here for free: https://radio.newheightseducation.org/ 

 

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]]> The Rise of Online Learning During the Pandemic https://newheightseducation.org/student-corner/the-rise-of-online-learning-during-the-pandemic/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-online-learning-during-the-pandemic Tue, 15 Sep 2020 17:29:53 +0000 https://www.newheightseducation.org/?p=9191 The COVID-19  pandemic has brought us to the state where we must do most of our work and school tasks remotely. The pandemic has changed education forever. Although it has forced us to social distance , I think it has provided learners with a sense of connection and commitment to the community and society similar […]

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]]> The COVID-19  pandemic has brought us to the state where we must do most of our work and school tasks remotely. The pandemic has changed education forever. Although it has forced us to social distance , I think it has provided learners with a sense of connection and commitment to the community and society similar to the way social media platforms do. The sense of community that we are all connected through “social” platforms is just amazing as it sounds. Technology has transformed the world by making life easier for some people who are able to access it.

According to the World Economic Forum, three main points have been raised:

  • “COVID-19 has resulted in schools being shut all across the world. Globally, over 1.2 billion children are out of the classroom.“
  • “As a result, education has changed dramatically, with the distinctive rise of e-learning, whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms.“
  • “Research suggests that online learning has been shown to increase retention of information, and take less time, meaning the changes coronavirus have caused might be here to stay.“

The change is drastic, even though I have adapted to this new style of learning.

Here are some pros and cons to online learning.

Benefits: 

  • Education is more flexible, which in turn makes education more inclusive
  • Students with disabilities benefit significantly from the availability of online learning
  • The use of technology appeals to newer generations of students
  • Large amounts of information can be provided digitally
  • Online learning is a great way to develop skills as well.

Challenges:

  • Obligatory transition to online classes may cause lower enrollment rates in universities and colleges
  • Less attention is given to people on screens than those in a face-to-face setting
  • Technical difficulties can be a barrier to accessing and proper functioning of courses
  • Accessibility is limited

There are so many organizations, companies out there, that provide online learning in the form of Courses.

One of the best organizations out there is New Heights Educational Group

New Heights Educational Group, Inc., promotes literacy for children and adults by offering a range of educational support services. Such services include the following: assisting families in the selection of schools; organization of educational activities; and acquisition of materials.  We promote a healthy learning environment and various enrichment programs for families of preschool and school-age children, including children with special needs.

NHEG Mission

We believe that a child’s high-quality school experience includes exposure to diverse people, topics and learning adventures. Therefore, our goal is to provide a social/informational framework where parents and students can share educational resources, group activities, field trips, magazines, comic book, meetings, and email/chatroom discussions or where students of any age can receive tutoring.

A few other notable companies

Coursera

“Coursera is a world-wide online learning platform founded in 2012 by Stanford University’s computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller that offers massive open online courses, specializations, degrees, professional and master track courses.”

Udemy

“Udemy, founded in May 2010, is an online learning platform aimed at professional adults and students. As of Jan 2020, the platform has more than 50 million students and 57,000 instructors teaching courses in over 65 languages. There have been over 295 million course enrollments.”

Future Learn

“FutureLearn is a digital educational platform founded in December 2012. The company is jointly owned by The Open University and SEEK Ltd. It is a Massive Open Online Course learning platform, and as of June 2020 included 175 UK and International partners, including non- university partners. FutureLearn connects people and ideas through the best free online best courses in the world.”

Lynda

“Lynda is a leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Through individuAL, corporate, academic and governmental subscriptions, members have access to individual, corporate, academic and governmental subscriptions, members have access to the Lynda.com video library of engaging, top quality, top- quality courses taught by recognized industry experts. For 20 years, Lynda has helped students, leaders, IT and design pros, project managers- anyone in any role- develop software, creative, and business skills. Now part of Linkedin, Lynda serves more than 10,000 organizations. With tutorials in five languages, Lynda is a global platform for success.”

Skillshare

“Skillshare is an American online learning community for people who want to learn from educational videos. The courses, which are not accredited, are available through subscription. The majority of courses focus on interaction rather than lecturing, with the primary goal of learning by completing a project.”

Udacity

“Advance your career with online courses in programming, data science, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, and more. Built with industry leaders.”

edX

“edX is a massive open online course provider created by Harvard and MIT. It hosts online university-level courses in a wide range of disciplines to a worldwide student body, including some courses at no charge. It also conducts research into learning based on how people use its platform.”

LinkedIn Learning

“LinkedIn Learning is an American website offering video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills. It is a subsidiary of LinkedIn. It was founded in 1995 by Lynda Weinman as Lynda.com before being acquired by LinkedIn in 2015. Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in December 2016.”

Shaw Academy

“Shaw Academy is a privately owned online education organisation based in Dublin, Ireland. Founded in 2013, Shaw Academy provides online courses which are audio/video recorded and deliver them to students through scheduled webinar times. Hone your skills & get certified in photography, design, nutrition, business & much more.”

Alison

“ALISON is a free online education platform that mostly focuses on workplace-based skills. It was founded in Galway, Ireland by Irish social entrepreneur Mike Feerick on 21 April 2007. It has 14 million registered learners, 2 million graduates and 1,500 courses available for free access in March 2020.

Free online courses with certificates. Join 2 million graduates and empower your career. Study, learn, certify, upskill with free online learning and training.”

Online learning is a great way to develop skills as well. Below are some of the types of courses you can take.

  • Learn a New Skill- Communication, Leadership, Confidence, Interview
  • IT/Coding/Games/Design
  • Learn a Language- French, Spanish, Latin, English, and more…
  • Creative/Art/Design/Media
  • Literature/Media/Writing
  • Music.
  • Sport/Fitness/Dance

As mentioned before, online learning has its own advantages and disadvantages, But, for me, it’s a lot harder to concentrate when I am around a lot of people. So it’s beneficial for me to learn in a quiet place. Although I have access to the internet and technology, I am aware that there are millions of people who don’t. I feel bad about that, and I hope I can do something for them.

Small things I am planning to do:

  • provide helpful study resources for free to people in need
  • Give free access to internet connections
  • Help educate by tutoring for free of charge
  • Post helpful and inspirational videos on Youtube channels
  • Write a lot of educational articles

Well, by starting accomplishing these small steps, I hope that I am able to create a workspace that will have a positive impact on people, not just around my community, but around the world.

American Author Brian Herbert,  has a famous saying: “The capacity to learn is a GIFT; the ability to learn is a SKILL; the willingness to learn is a CHOICE”. This proves that learning never stops, as we are capable of attaining a tremendous amount of knowledge.

Highly Recommended Links: 

  • New Heights Educational Group (NHEG) online learning 

https://school.newheightseducation.org/

  • New Heights Educational Group (NHEG) online courses

https://school.newheightseducation.org/online-courses/

  • Coursera (Online Course- Paid platform, but you can apply for student aid)

https://www.coursera.org/

  • Udemy (Online Courses- Free Platform)

https://www.udemy.com/

  • Future Learn (Online Course- Free platform)

https://www.futurelearn.com/

  • Lynda (Online Course- Paid Platform)

https://www.lynda.com/

  • Skillshare (Online Course- Free Platform/ Need to pay to get Premium Membership)

https://www.skillshare.com//

  • Udacity (Online Course- around 200 are free/ other’s are Paid)

https://www.udacity.com/

  •  EdX (Online Course- Free Platform/ Pay to get a Certificate)

https://www.edx.org/

  • LinkedIn Learning (Online Course- Free for 1st month/ Need to pay after a Month)

https://www.linkedin.com/

  • Shaw Academy (Free access for 1st 4 weeks/ Need to pay after that)

https://www.shawacademy.com/ 

  • Alison (Online Course- Free standard accounts/ Optional Paid- Platforms are available as well)

https://alison.com/

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]]> Managing Stress During COVID-19 https://newheightseducation.org/student-corner/managing-stress-during-covid-19/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=managing-stress-during-covid-19 Thu, 16 Jul 2020 18:37:35 +0000 https://www.newheightseducation.org/?p=9085 Among many global health, economic, and societal disruptions, the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak has forced millions to physically isolate as this is not just a city’s, state’s or a country’s problem. It has become a WORLD PANDEMIC. Combine this with  the extensive news coverage on the pandemic and an unknown future, it’s no wonder that anxiety […]

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]]> Among many global health, economic, and societal disruptions, the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak has forced millions to physically isolate as this is not just a city’s, state’s or a country’s problem. It has become a WORLD PANDEMIC. Combine this with  the extensive news coverage on the pandemic and an unknown future, it’s no wonder that anxiety is on the rise.

As a student, I am able to self-isolate in a safe environment and have access to resources to ensure my well being. Still, I too have experienced feelings of stress during this time. I have realized one important thing. I am extremely lucky to have resources to help me through this pandemic. I cannot even begin to fathom the insurmountable stress being experienced by those without such resources. This is all that we have been hearing in every word reported on the insensible and ruthless radio. Sure, we all think about needing to manage stress, but it doesn’t ever come easily. We are only humans with emotions. In the world we are living in today, it makes sense that we all have some amount of stress. Hans Selye, a prominent Canadian endocrinologist who conducted important scientific work on the hypothetical non-specific response of an organism to stressors states that, “It is not stress that hurts us, it is our reaction to it.” Dr. Selye was the first who discovered stress and gave it its name. I love this quote because it highlights just how much impact we have on our own stress levels. Therefore, I believe that we shouldn’t pressurize ourselves.

The way I see things is that it is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis. The NHS hospital has stated that “Talking to people you trust can help. Contact your friends and family” as a way to encourage relaxation. News reports in ‘The Telegraph’ have encouraged us to “Close your eyes, breathe the fresh air and relax yourself…”

The UK government has also stated “If you are not a key worker, it is kindly urged that you must stay at home.” I agree, and I recommend that instead of being idle and getting bored at home, you try maintaining a healthy lifestyle – including proper diet, sleep, exercise and social contacts with loved ones at home and by email and phone with other family and friends. I know this list seems long, but once you start this “to-do list,” I assure you that it will bring back that smile again. Consider that you could also “draw on skills you have used in the past that have helped you to manage  life’s adversities and use those skills to help you manage your emotions during the challenging time of this outbreak.” I believe that in a constantly changing environment, having life skills is an essential part of being able to meet the challenges of everyday life. To cope with the increasing pace and change of modern life, students need the ability to deal with stress and frustration.

The medical doctors have also stated to “limit worry and agitation by lessening the time you spend stressing and doing work, instead give some time to spend with your lovely, caring family by watching movies or listening to music.” It’s my belief that even if you’re alone, perhaps you should start doing something you love and enjoy, something that makes your heart as joyous as possible. Some of my recommendations include:

  • Playing a sport
  • Researching
  • Being updated with news around the world that is relevant
  • Studying 
  • Listening to music, drawing, painting, dancing
  • Cooking and/or baking delicious food
  • Volunteering virtually

I know it isn’t easy to be “normal” during this time. But even the UK government recommends “to not invite people to your house and have parties. It is the time that we deal with this situation with patience and maintain social distancing.”

Cleanliness also plays a role in this pandemic. I have seen a YouTube video which I thought might be interesting to share with you all about washing your hands with an anti-bacterial handwash for at least 1 minute. Singing ‘Happy Birthday’ while doing this will help you keep track of time. Isn’t this something we all can try?

The ‘UK government’ does encourage “to roam in your own house garden, or surrounding area. Go out only when an emergency or to buy essential household groceries. Obviously, food plays a significant part in living.” But this means that you also have options for wellness and joy right where you are. Take advantage of your time sheltering in place by gardening, reading, meditating, etc. And when you need to leave, do it thoughtfully by planning out your necessary stops. 

Exams have been cancelled in some parts of the world, while others have no news about what’s going to happen in the future – the biggest news that has shaken all of us students. I understand that this was the worst part, as every student has been preparing for years and awaits to do their boards. The Study Tube Project suggests, “Try and use your time wisely. Why not start preparing for your next year if your current exams have been cancelled?“ I feel that this will make your life a lot easier when you go back to school as you will already know the basics of the content. Remember what Denis Waitley, a prominent American speaker, writer and consultant said, “Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field.”  That’s so true, and is what keeps me constantly motivated.

I believe that having involvement in the things that you love to do and truly enjoying having it done is a key way to deal with stress. Developing skills can create a positive mindset and attitude as it allows you to focus on the goal you want to achieve. Following social distancing rules is very important as in this way you are not only helping yourself, but also others who are around you by delaying the spread and lowering your risk of catching the virus. In the ‘Conversation’ article, which spoke about why we “shouldn’t worry about cancelled exams” we learn that “We should do whatever we can to bring joy back to the classroom – or, as it is now, the virtual classroom. We must trust our teachers to teach the curriculum and to assess students’ progress and abilities. The well being of students, their parents and their teachers would benefit from it.” I certainly agree with this as it is what it is. Now we have the chance to support each other through this difficult time.

Below are some useful links:

  • Covid-19 FAQs  

https://www.bipolaruk.org/blog/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions

  • 5 key steps to staying well  

https://www.bipolaruk.org/blog/bipolar-coronavirus-5-steps-to-staying

  • Tips if you are worried about Coronavirus- 

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips/

  • 10 tips and activities during lockdown – 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/coronavirus-tips-mindfulness/

  • Happy Handwashing song-

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHPQrYthn6M

  • “Don’t worry about cancelled exams” article

https://theconversation.com/dont-worry-about-cancelled-exams-research-shows-we-should-switch-to-teacher-assessment-permanently-134709

https://teenlineonline.org/

  • if you need any help (UK)- 

             https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/stress/

-Helpline: 01708765200
-Email: info@supportline.org.uk

No matter how much falls on us, we keep plowing ahead. That’s the only way to keep roads clear. Stay safe and take care of your loved ones.

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