Role of Parents in schooling of kids

Parents play a crucial role in the schooling of their kids. They are a child's first and most important teachers, and their involvement can significantly impact their child's academic success and overall development. Here are some key aspects of the parents' role in their children's education: Supporting Learning at Home: Parents should create a positive and conducive learning environment at home. This includes providing access to educational resources, setting up a designated study space, and encouraging a routine for completing homework and studying. Instilling a Love for Learning: Parents can nurture a love for learning in their children by showing enthusiasm for education and being curious themselves. Reading together, discussing various topics, and engaging in educational activities as a family can foster a passion for learning. Communication with Teachers: Establishing open communication with teachers is essential. Parents should attend parent-teacher conferences, stay informed about their child's progress, and address any concerns or challenges early on. Encouraging Good Study Habits: Parents can help their children develop good study habits, time management skills, and organizational techniques. This will enable the child to become more independent in managing their academic responsibilities. Promoting Critical Thinking: Parents can engage in discussions that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Encouraging kids to ask questions and explore ideas can foster intellectual growth. Supporting Emotional Well-being: A child's emotional well-being can impact their ability to learn effectively. Parents should provide emotional support, be attentive to their child's feelings, and help them cope with stress and challenges. Involvement in School Activities: Being involved in school activities such as parent-teacher associations or volunteering can enhance a parent's understanding of the school environment and community, and also demonstrate to the child that education is a priority. Setting High Expectations: Setting high but realistic expectations for their child's academic performance can motivate them to strive for success. Encouragement and recognition of their efforts are equally important. Balancing Academics with Extracurriculars: While academics are crucial, parents should also support their child's participation in extracurricular activities that interest them. These activities can help develop a well-rounded personality and build social skills. Teaching Life Skills: Education isn't limited to academic knowledge; parents should also teach practical life skills such as financial literacy, problem-solving, and communication, which are valuable for their child's overall development. Remember that every child is unique, and the level and type of involvement needed from parents may vary. It's important for parents to be attentive to their child's individual needs and learning style, offering support and encouragement tailored to their specific strengths and challenges. By working collaboratively with teachers and being actively engaged in their child's education, parents can positively influence their child's educational journey and set them up for future success. Regenerate

Iphone vs Android

As of May 2019 the market share for phone operating systems is really only a two horse race - iOS and Android, with Android controlling just over 75 percent of the market and iOS with just under 23 percent. Kai OS and some others like Nokia’s OS were next with a negligible market share. It’s become a matter of fact that in this world there are Android fans and iOS fans, and people don’t tend to cross over to the other side. We all know folks who would never give up their iPhone for say, a Samsung, and we all know people who tell you iPhones are overpriced and more of an accessory than a necessity. But which operating system is really the best? That’s what we’ll try and find out for you. Before we get to the pros and cons of each system let’s first have a look at the history of these two OS’s. We’ll start with Android. The company Android Inc. was founded in 2003 by a bunch of guys, but the one you’ve most likely heard of is Andy Rubin At first the idea was an operating system developed for digital cameras, not phones, but soon the creators changed their minds and announced that their technology would soon rival Microsoft Windows Mobile. Not many people believed that and it wasn’t easy getting this company going. In fact, it’s been reported that they were so broke they couldn’t afford to pay for their office space and even the founders’ closest friends didn’t really believe they were on to something. Google however, did believe in their OS and acquired it from Android Inc. along with key members of the company. There was a lot of secrecy surrounding Android and its acquisition but the rumors started to get out that Google was developing its own software for mobile phones, and little did we know how quickly this software would be in most of our pockets. Then in 2007 Apple dropped a bombshell and released its iPhone. Prior to this, Google’s operating system was developed only to run on standard phones, not ones with touchscreens. When the iPhone came out Android team knew that they had a lot of work to do. That same year a group called the Handset Alliance came together and made the bold statement that they would create “the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices.” Members of this alliance were Google, Samsung, HTC and Motorola as well as others. They weren’t just full of hot air either, and soon we saw a bunch of different versions of Android. These were "Cupcake", "Donut", "Eclair", and "Froyo". Later we got “Kit-Kat.” You might be wondering why computer software was named after things that you eat, and Google later answered that saying it was because the mobile devices running this software made life sweet. The first Android phone was the T-Mobile G1, or HTC Dream as it was called outside of the USA. The reviews were mixed, but many people did say that theOS had lots of potential. Now for the iPhone and iOS. In 2005 the one and only Steve Jobs had a huge job to do - shrink the Mac and make the perfect handheld device. In 2007, Apple announced this new phone along with its operating system. The first of the systems was called iPhone OS 1, and unlike Google, Apple didn’t go for sweet-sounding names and just kept counting up in numbers. So far we have only mentioned phones, but as you know both operating systems ran on various mobile devices. The first iPhones were praised as a spectacular device and only added to the mystique of Jobs who for some was like a techno-god. You just have to read those early reviews to find fawning praise about how the iPhone was sleek, fantastic, innovative, a superb device for surfing the web, like nothing else before it Gizmodo wrote, “I'm thumbing through my own iPhone like a teenager with his first Playboy.” It was in a league of its own. It wasn’t perfect and lacked a few features, but hey, no one was saying negative things about this device except perhaps one thing. This was the fact it was so darn expensive, coming in at a base price of $499. Compare that to the first Android phone which launched at $179. But the price didn’t matter to many as iPhones were being hailed as the future of mobile devices. That’s kind of been the story ever since, but as we’ve seen in the years since, many high-end Android phones are also now very expensive. They might have cost a lot of cash, but that didn’t stop people buying the iPhone. If you look at the best selling phones of all time you’ll see that it’s topped by early Nokia phones. And it makes sense, you could throw them against a wall and they wouldn’t break and the battery lasted longer than any human could stay awake. That said, the third phone on the list is the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and it beats any Android phone by a long way. 220 million people bought that phone, which is more than impressive. The best selling Android phone of all time is the Samsung Galaxy S4, and that sold just 80 million units, a long way behind. It ran Android 4.2.2 "Jelly Bean". But then just below that you have the iPhone 5 and iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus which sold 70 and 65.9 million units respectively. The iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S aren’t too far behind that, while various versions of the Samsung Galaxy have done ok too. If you look at the historical market share of operating systems you’ll find in 2009 Android was barely getting out of the blocks and iOS was in front. The operating system called Symbian, used by a bunch of big manufacturers like Nokia, was ahead of them both, but that soon changed. What you see in the years ahead is Microsoft Mobile taking a huge nosedive and Android rocketing to the top. We will say, though, that over the years iOS has taken some small dips and rises but mostly it’s stayed quite stable. Only lately has the iPhone been in a bit of trouble. That might say something about its dedicated users over the years. But since about 2013 Android has enjoyed an 80 percent market share, give or take a little now and again. No one can deny that Apple has very devoted fans, but it’s impossible to contest that Android is king of the market. However, just because something sells more doesn’t mean it is better. As we know, the iPhone is very expensive which we’re sure puts a lot of people off. We went to an article by Fast Company and along with staff at the website some designers and technology big thinkers talked about what phone they thought was the best of all time. The article was released in 2018. And you know what, the list of phones selected was mostly populated by various versions of the iPhone. Some old school phones such as the early Blackberry got a mention, as did those poplar Motorola flip phones and old Nokias. We couldn’t even find an Android phone on the list. Maybe those guys were just fond of the good old days... or maybe there just hasn’t been an almost-perfect Android phone yet. What about 2019? We looked to see what people were saying were the best phones you could buy in 2019. Well, now it seems Samsung phones running Android top the list, although some lists do include the iPhone XS. It doesn’t matter where you look, Samsung Galaxy phones top the lists right now, with various types of Galaxy phones filling most of the top spots give or take the odd Huawei phone. 06:53 Some of the top ten lists right now don’t even include the iPhone, which is surprising given similar lists you would have found published a few years ago. From what we can see, according to the experts, Android phones whether Huawei, Samsung, Xiaomi or One Plus, are favored over the iPhone. While the iPhone was almost always at the top of reviews not that long ago, these days people are talking about the fall of the phone. That seems to have begun in 2018. It looks like these days that sleek design is just too expensive for some people and they think you can get a better machine for a cheaper price with an Android phone. This still doesn’t tell us which is the best operating system, though. Again, the experts have chimed in, not just about which phone is best but what operating system is best. The first thing most people point to is that Android gives the consumer more variety. That’s why it sells better, there are just so many phones out there with all kinds of features and at all prices. But it’s more than that. The number of apps available for Android is approximately 3.5 million, while for iOS it’s 2.5 million. Wait, though, because while there are more free Android apps and a greater variety, at least one reviewer says Apple has the better quality apps, especially if you play games. Some people also say that Apple is better at weeding out questionable apps than Android and the App Store is better to navigate than the Play Store. Another big deal is maps. We looked at a few comparisons of Apple Maps and Google Maps and not one person said Apple Maps was better. Most reviewers did say that Apple Maps is getting better and better and isn’t far behind, but in the end you just have to go with Google. What concerns a lot of people, too, is the battery life of their device. It’s a huge thing as no one likes seeing their battery run out on them when they really need that phone working. Again, it’s all about variety. The iPhone doesn’t have a bad battery at all, but you can find many Android devices out there with a superior battery. The experts the public agree on this one. It’s looking like Android wins in most areas, but where Apple looks to be superior is offering updates. When it comes to adding new features, some bug fixes, and also security updates, Apple is ahead Two other things talked about are how you can customize your phone and how easy it is to use. In terms of customizing, Android just has more options, as you’d expect when there are so many phones. But in terms of sheer simplicity, most people seem to think that Apple wins here. But what if you want to sell your phone and buy a new one? Which system holds its value better? There is only one answer to this and no one disagrees. It’s the iPhone. You can still get a fairly decent amount of money for a phone two years old. You might also know people using iPhones even older than that which still work very well. In the end, it seems like most people said that it’s all about personal preference and there is no definitive better OS. If you prioritize volume of choiced range of customization then you have to go for Android, but if you value design and ease of use then you can’t go wrong with an iPhone…if you can afford it But no matter if you prefer Android or iOS, there’s only one answer when it comes to building your website - Wix. Wix is in a class of its own when it comes to designing your personal website, where you can use any one of the hundreds of their fully customizable templates, all with an easy to use drag and drop interface. Or take advantage of their incredible ADI feature which can create a unique site all of your own just by answering a few simple questions. Let us know which is your favorite OS in the comments, Android, iOS, or one of the other.

Blog: Become a Healthier You by Evelyn on Bloggers

Blog: Become a Healthier You by Evelyn on Bloggers

Communicating in the Classroom

When communication is effective, both the student and the teacher benefit. Communication makes learning easier, helps students achieve goals, increases opportunities for expanded learning, strengthens the connection between student and teacher, and creates an overall positive experience.

Self Esteem

• In general, people want to be heard. If a teacher shows interest in a student's opinions, that student will feel that their thoughts or ideas are appreciated. This increases self esteem and confidence. A confident student is less likely to second guess his answers on tests, and a self-assured student is more likely to speak up in class. Class participation leads to increased learning for the entire class.
  

Class Performance

• Teachers who reward student communication and class participation will notice an improvement in overall class performance. A teacher can gauge the effectiveness of a lecture by student feedback. By asking questions, a teacher can determine if students were able to retain the imparted information. If there are a lack of responses from the class, it is likely that the students were unable to understand the lecture. This can lead to poor performance on exams.
  

Professional Growth

• A degree of communication is required in every profession, and communication skills are necessary at even the most preliminary stages of career growth. For example, an applicant must be able to communicate her skills and abilities during an interview in order to acquire a job.
  

Teachers Communication to families about assessment results

Conveying assessment results to families can be one of the most difficult jobs for a teacher. The results themselves can be difficult to understand. It may be hard to decipher whether the results are passing or failing just by looking at the numbers. There is also the question of what the results mean to the student and parents. Teachers need to use enhanced communication skills with families to convey the results without causing any misunderstandings.

 

Proactive   

• Teachers and schools want families to understand assessment testing and the results. Being proactive is a good way for teachers to reach out to families. Instead of waiting for the families to read the scores or to contact them to find out results, teachers should proactively schedule conferences to discuss the results. As soon as the results are issued, teachers should send home a letter to families setting a date for a conference to discuss the results. Any delay can cause families to worry, which can lead to miscommunication. 

   Personal  

• Communication between the teacher and families regarding assessment results should be personal. The best form of communication is a face-to-face conference. Emails or written form letters can sound cold and uncaring. They can also lead to miscommunication because the families may not understand the substance of the letter. Written communication is also not a good format for being able to ask questions. Assessment results bring up a lot of questions that need answers including what the results mean, what it specifically means for the student and what should be done next. 

Explain 

• Explanations for families about assessment results should be short and concise. The communication should be solely about the assessment testing and how the student performed. Communication works best when it is structured to the appropriate audience. In this case, it would be to specific families. If English is the family's second language, a translator may be needed. The teacher should also speak in words that the family understands and not speak over their heads.

Sample  

• Due to the complex nature of assessment results, it can be helpful for a teacher to communicate the results by using sample tests as examples. Visual aids can be better forms of communication than simply using words. Showing sample questions and answers can help a teacher explain why the student performed well on a test or performed below average. The teacher can also show simple mistakes that the student made to explain why the results were lower than the parents might have expected.

Effective Teacher Communication

Effective communication is the foundation on which teaching is built. It's the quality of communication in the classroom that helps the students understand new concepts and information and learn. Without effective communication in teaching, students and the educational system itself will suffer. Students will be confused and frustrated, parents will be dissatisfied, and teachers will be unfulfilled in their job. Ensuring the communication used by teachers is clear, concise and effective is essential to successful learning.

 
Significance

• The significance of effective teacher communication is that it is the medium that carries important messages intended to educate, inspire and teach each student. The educational system could not exist and be effective without teachers communicating successfully. Effective teach communication is the cornerstone of education.
  

Types

• Effective teacher communication comes in various types. Communication only is effective when the teacher is able to verbally or non-verbally translate information in such a way that the students fully understand. Different types of communication are more effective with different learning types. Visual aids, hands-on demonstrations, group discussion and lecturing are all various ways to communicate in the classroom. Using different types of teaching communication will ensure each student has the opportunity to grasp the information.

Misconceptions

• A common misconception is that effective teacher communication is simply lecturing in more detail. A teacher actually can talk the entire class period in great detail and still not have been effective in communicating the lesson. Effective teacher communication only is successful when each student has grasped the concepts and is able to internalize and apply the information independent of the teacher or a book. Another misconception is that test scores are a good way to measure a teacher's success in communicating effectively. Too many factors, including the student's choice to apply the information, are involved for test scores to evaluate a teacher's communication ability.

Benefits

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  Benefits of effective teacher communication include effective learning, students who are engaged and eager to learn, and pleased parents. A teacher who uses effective communication in teaching will have students who are excited to attend the class and learn. Learning is an adventure. If the majority of a class is unmotivated, it's typically because of the lack of effective communication in the classroom.

Considerations

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  Individual behavior influences applications of theories of communication. Communication involves complexities such as a person's life experiences, pre-determined assumptions and communication barriers. If a particular student is resistant or not performing well, other factors may be affecting her life, and her problems may not be reflective of classroom communication.

Communication skills needed for a teacher with parents

A teacher who has to deal with students' parents regularly needs excellent communication skills in talking, listening, writing and reading. Teachers need to be able to explain clearly, to reassure, to persuade and to motivate parents. Most of the time this will be in face-to-face situations, but teachers also need to communicate via the written word with letters and reports.

1. Talking

   • Teachers need good verbal communication skills in order to discuss children's progress with their parents. Sometimes the discussion will center on sensitive subjects, such as bullying or educational under-performance. In these situations, teachers will need to display empathy and explain personal failings or tricky circumstances directly but with sympathy. Sometimes teachers will need to communicate to large groups of parents so presentational skills are also important. Parent-teacher conferences are an ideal opportunity for teachers to communicate any concerns or praise about the child to his parents.
     

   Listening

   • Teachers often have to listen to parents' concerns about their children. These can range from food allergies to a marital break-up and its effect on the children. Teachers need to hold back from giving advice and jumping into the conversation and listen purposefully to understand what the parent is saying. Indeed, it might be what the parent is not saying that is important. Sometimes a parent will simply want to unburden her worries and the discussion might veer away from the child's educational performance. Listening is a vital skill that enables the teacher to gain a greater understanding of both the parents and children.
     

   Writing

   • Teachers need to communicate effectively and clearly in all their written dealings with parents. For example, if the class is going on a field trip or a day visit the teacher needs to get some critical messages across in a letter home, such as the time of pick-up and return, and what the parent needs to provide on the day. Teachers also need to write sensitively and accurately about children's performance and grades during their school experience. Parents tend to place a lot of value on teachers' written comments about their children, so teachers need to choose their words carefully in report cards and school-to-home notebooks. Newsletters are an effective communication tool as they can keep parents up to date with news and events.
     

   Reading

   • Teachers need to read any communication from parents, whether this is a letter, note or email message, with care. If a parent has been moved to write to a teacher, then the subject is obviously important. As in the more passive communication skill of listening, teachers need to read between the lines in a letter or note. The information in the letter might be significant enough to prompt a discussion with colleagues or the principal. Sometimes the teacher might need to set up a meeting with the parents as a result of the written communication. Attention to the words themselves, and any underlying meaning, is vital.