Learning Keeps Us Alive

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze the way you think and present evidence for your ideas, rather than simply accepting your personal reasoning as sufficient proof. 

Critical Thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. Good critical thinkers can draw reasonable conclusions from a set of information and discriminate between useful and less useful details to solve a problem or make a decision. 

Critical thinking is not a matter of accumulating information. A person with a good memory and who knows a lot of facts is not necessarily good at critical thinking. Critical Thinking skills teach a variety of skills that can be applied to any situation in life that calls for reflection, analysis and planning. 

From solving problems in class assignments to facing real world situations, Critical Thinking is a valuable skill for students to master. It can also enhance their academic performance. Researcher Jane Qinjuan Zhang writes that critical thinking enables students to assess their learning styles, strengths and weaknesses, and allows them to take ownership of their education. 

If you work in education, research, finance, management or the legal profession, then critical thinking is obviously important. Being able to think well and solve problems systematically is an asset for any career. You can also use critical thinking to free yourself from cognitive biases, negative thinking, and limiting beliefs that are holding you back in any area of your life. 

A well-cultivated critical thinker: 

• raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely; 
• gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards; 
• thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; 
• Knows how to prioritize time and resources by systematically analyzing what is useful and what is not; 
• communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems; 
• understands the experiences & views of others and enhance the ability to work with different people. 

We live in a world of accelerating change. New industries are constantly being born and old ones are becoming obsolete. It's true that automation could overtake many jobs in the future. To ensure you're not replaceable by a machine, you need strong critical thinking skills. 

A study by Ball State University estimates that 5 million U.S. factory jobs have been lost to automation since 2000. A new McKinsey report warns that machines and AI could destroy another 73 million U.S. jobs by 2030, displacing up to 800 million workers worldwide. 

According to Nick van Dam, global chief learning officer at McKinsey & Co., this is the best time for people who have the right skills and right education because there are tremendous opportunities. It’s also the worst time in history for people with ordinary skills and education. 

Citing World Economic Forum research, van Dam said the Top 10 skills that will be in demand in the near future are: 

1. Complex problem-solving 
2. Critical thinking 
3. Creativity 
4. People management 
5. Coordinating with others 
6. Emotional intelligence 
7. Judgment and decision-making 
8. Service orientation 
9. Negotiation 
10. Cognitive flexibility 

Learning in the 21st century

What is digital portfolio and how it helps students for career success

In the 21st century, we are seeing a shift in views regarding how students can be tested and assessed based on their performances inside and outside the classroom. Students can also be assessed by creating and displaying their work online through social media, YouTube, and digital portfolios. Regardless of the format of assessment, technology is becoming a critical part of learning as well as student performance. So, how we can use technology to create better assessments? 

Technologies are popping up everywhere that promise personalized learning through digital portfolio assessment, in which students showcase and assess their work and then post it online. The best digital portfolio processes do more than serve as an evaluation tool. It helps the student develop a stronger sense of themselves as a learner and see their growth over time. Students start to identify themselves as capable learners. If the digital portfolio has been maintained over several years, their progress is even more evident. 

And isn’t that the ultimate goal of education? To develop individuals who can reflect on their actions and make changes for the betterment of themselves and those around them? 

Digital portfolios came into prominence in the 1990s, around the time when computers became common place in classrooms. Digital portfolios cut the distance between student thinking and evidence of learning. There is no longer a need to represent understanding through a score or a grade. Digital portfolios allow students to learn the required material with depth and self-reflection. 

A myth in education is that we should only showcase student’s best artifacts of learning. We might think of an artist’s body of work when considering digital portfolios as an alternative assessment. Yet how did that artist get to a point of success? The development of their skills and talent didn’t just happen. Many mistakes, quiet reflection, and new pursuits of learning had to have occurred prior to mastery.

So, it would be logical to expect a student’s digital portfolio to be process oriented. This means that at every critical stage of learning, something should be documented. Not everything is published, but there is reflection and context for the work that’s attached to the artifact. Families, peers, and the student themselves come to see that understanding does not come out of thin air. The result is an appreciation for the process of learning itself that is not dependent on an external evaluation.

To thrive in the workforce, students must be able to differentiate themselves from other job candidates and show what they know in a way that goes beyond a transcript or static resume. The use of technology brings a job seeker to life and provides a connection point between employers and job candidates. Digital portfolios are a proven catalyst to employment for many students. The platform challenges the traditional resume and opens the door to a more holistic approach to cataloging achievements. For instance, a traditional resume allows a film student to describe a film they directed and produced, while a digital portfolio gives them the opportunity to actually show the film or clips from the film. This deliberate presentation of capabilities leads to increased confidence and accelerated progress. 

Many inexpensive or free digital portfolio tools are readily available and can provide a low-risk opportunity for educational institutions to explore and refine the purpose of their digital portfolio program while beginning to establish a digital portfolio culture on campus.

Students can create an incredible portfolios using Google Drive, Portfoliobox, Dropr and Blogger. They can decide to keep the portfolios private, invite a specific audience to view them, or connect them directly with the worldwide audience. 

Blogs offer students the opportunity to create an online portfolio that documents success, progress, and achievement. In addition to a blog page, students share projects, investigations, and a bit about themselves. The sites allow the students to catalog their educational journey and provide opportunities to

1. Demonstrate mastery of content.
2. Reflect on the process of learning.
3. Develop 21st century skills – empathy, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.

A teacher can use Blogger to host a blog to his class and allows students to be guest bloggers to share their experiences. Teacher can also include the links to each of their student’s portfolios on the blog to connect them in one place. You can check out a blog “AP Bio Rockstars” that is an example of it.

Lecturer Matthew Barr said many video games encouraged "critical thinking and reflective learning". "The findings suggest that such game-based learning interventions have a role to play in higher education", Mr Barr said.

Video games have become a part of life. They are now more than just leisure and entertainment. "Modern video games often require players to be adaptable and resourceful, and finding multiple ways of accomplishing a task. Therefore, it is not surprising that educators, policy makers, investors, and developers are trying to build games for students. However, the real reason game-based learning is so popular is not only because video games are extremely effective teaching tools; they are also relatively inexpensive to build and to distribute. 

Video Games are potentially a useful learning tool. They have been found to promote student engagement, whether video games also promote subject learning and other benefits over the traditional classroom model. Video games have the potential to inspire learning, if they are used in the right way and can help students improve coordination and visual skills.

The Benefits of Video Games for Students

Contrary to the traditional belief that gaming is merely an addictive source of entertainment and diversion, recent research has proved that gaming has numerous benefits for children and adults. The following are some of the best benefits of playing video games.

1. Improves Brain Power-Research suggests that playing video games can change the brain regions responsible for attention and visuospatial skills and make them more efficient. Games that require players to search, negotiate, plan various approaches in order to advance to a new level, and implement strategies can help improve their brain development. 

2. Improves Leadership Skills-Video games provide a place for players to express their competitive urges. In addition to building up friendly competition, many video games offer players the chance to take turns leading and following, something that can benefit them with their extra-curricular activities. The multi-player approaches allow players to participate in leading a team - a valuable skill to learn for the future.

3. Improves Decision making-Sometimes the player does this almost every second of the game giving the brain a real workout. According to researchers at the University of Rochester, led by Daphne Bavelier, a cognitive scientist, games simulating stressful events such as those found in battle or action games could be a training tool for real-world situations. The study suggests that playing action video games improves quick decision making in players. 

4. Improves reading skills-The young gamer reads to get instructions, follow storylines of games, and get information from the game texts. A study of 10-year-olds who played 12 hours of an "action" video game found it improved their reading speed without any cost to accuracy. The researchers found those who had played the video games had better attention skills than before and they were able to read faster without losing any accuracy.

5. Improves cooperation with others–Many multiplayer games such as Team Fortress 2 involve cooperation with other online players in order to win. These games encourage players to make the most of their individual skills to contribute to the team. According to a survey by Joan Ganz Cooney Center, teachers report that their students become better collaborators after using digital games in the classroom.

List of Best Video Games in 2017

15. Sniper Elite 4

14. Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle 

13. Yakuza 0

12. Destiny 2

11. What Remains of Edith Finch

10. Metroid: Samus Returns

9. Resident Evil 7

8. Nier: Automata

7. Assassin’s Creed Origins

6. Nioh

5. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus

4. Horizon Zero Dawn

3. Persona 5

2. Super Mario Odyssey

1. Zelda: Breath of the Wild

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Attend Your Classes Virtually

4 Amazing Benefits of Reading Books

Smart Tips and Habits to Reduce Stress

Self-made billionaire Bill Gates reads about 50 books a year. “Reading is my favorite way to indulge my curiosity," he writes on his blog. "Although I'm lucky that I get to meet with a lot of interesting people and visit fascinating places through my work, I still think books are the best way to explore new topics that interest you."

Reading has many benefits, and just 4 Amazing benefits of reading are listed below 

Acquire Knowledge 

Gaining knowledge by reading is one of the best options that you have. Reading feeds your hungry mind with an endless supply of knowledge and can help to broaden your mind. When you don't stimulate the mind with new information, it can lead to boredom and a mundane way of life. 

Everything you read fills your head with new information. The more knowledge you have, the better-equipped you are to tackle the challenges of your life. 

Reduce Stress and Improve Health

Of course, day-to-day life makes it impossible to eliminate worries and stresses completely, but there are many strategies to reduce them and stop them from becoming a serious health issue. One of the best strategies is reading. 

Reading is the best way to relax and even six minutes can be enough to reduce the stress levels by more than two thirds, according to new research. No matter how much stress you have at work, in your personal relationships, or countless other issues faced in daily life, reading can help you to feel better. 

“It really doesn’t matter what book you read, reading reduces worries and stresses, boosts intelligence and improves sleep quality. 

Improve Vocabulary and Communication Skill

Reading is an important step to increasing your knowledge of words. At least fifteen minutes a day of concentrated study on a regular basis can bring about a rapid improvement in your vocabulary skills. People who read more tend to have a better vocabulary with a greater understanding of the usage of those words, which in turn can increase your ability to communicate effectively and confidently. 

At work, a better vocabulary will make it easier for you to communicate with customers, coworkers and supervisors. Whether you read for entertainment or education will improve your vocabulary and enhance your communication skills. 

Stronger Analytical Thinking Skills

Reading helps you to become smarter and intelligent. The advantages of reading are limitless, one of the big advantages of reading a book is, it can stimulate your analytic thinking abilities and skills. 

Critical thinking skills are essential, even in real life. They can be used at work, at home, with your family, friends and even your kids to solve problems. Books are small and compact; you can take a book with you anywhere you go. Active reading stimulates and expands your brain and allows it to think in new ways. 

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Attend Your Classes Virtually

Online classes, however, are different from regular classroom ones because they are 100 percent virtual and are attended at home. Because of this, you are way more vulnerable to distractions that can make it hard to be motivated to sit down at your desk for an hour or so and dedicate time to your online class. A great way to fuel your motivation is to write out a schedule of tasks to do each day for your online courses; include a time period and the length of time it will take you to accomplish your task, as this will help you to hold yourself accountable and stay on top of your to-do list! 

2. Cut distractions

Speaking of distractions, when you are engaging in your online class, try to take preemptive measures to reduce distractions. Social media, texting, music, and television are all huge distractions that can affect your participation in online classes. One of the biggest tips I can offer is to take breaks when you feel that you deserve one, perhaps to get a snack or something, and set a timer. During your break you can have the freedom to be consumed by all of your distractions; however, once that timer ends, get back to work! Doing so again helps build self-discipline and pushes you to get your work done faster.

3. Evaluate the routine of your teacher/course

4. Be engaged

A great learning goal for online courses, though simple, is to be engaged. Review your course documents regularly, engage with students on a steady basis (not at the last minute every time), and participate not just when you need to, but when something sticks out to you in the material! Not only will this show your professor that you are interested and invested in the course, but it will also enhance your own learning experience!



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What is the role of School and Teachers in Student's Life

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#1 Harvard University, United States Cambridge, MA

      

      Global Score-100

#2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States Cambridge, MA

      Global Score-97.3

#3 Stanford University, United States Stanford, CA

      Global Score-92.3

#4 University of California--Berkeley, United States Berkeley, CA

      Global Score-90.8

#5 University of Oxford, United Kingdom Oxford

      Global Score-87.3

#6 California Institute of Technology, United States Pasadena, CA

      Global Score-85.7

#7 University of Cambridge, United Kingdom Cambridge

      Global Score-85.3

#8 Columbia University, United States New York, NY

      Global Score-84.6

#9 Princeton University, United States Princeton, NJ

      Global Score-84.2

#10 Johns Hopkins University, United States Baltimore, MD 

In his keynote address at the Council of the Great City Schools conference in Cleveland this week, the Microsoft co-founder reflected on some lessons learned about education reform, along with plans to “invest close to $1.7 billion in U.S. public education over the next five years.”

Magdalena Slapik, a photojournalist working on an oral-history book project, has been interviewing public-school K-12 students across the country over the past several years to see what they have to say.

The Hechinger Report, which produced this project in partnership with The Atlantic, is running longer excerpts for 10 students, exploring questions such as: What do kids really think about school? How would they change it? Do they agree with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s conclusion that the U.S. school system is a “mess”? The Atlantic has published an abridged version of those excerpts to zero in on what students think their schools, teachers, and educations are for.

Ifetayo Kitwala, Grade 11-Baltimore School for the Arts—Baltimore, Maryland

What role should school and teachers play in students’ lives?

I feel like the teacher and the school share a similar role. When a student goes to a certain school, they all come from different backgrounds. I feel like school should be a place where I can learn about their culture and where they came from and them learn about mine. 

If you don’t do it young, then you’ll never do it, in my opinion. If we don’t start appreciating the kid next to you who has a completely different family style or family structure and life experience, then you won’t do it when you’re older. You’ll look at it in a single-track way. I feel like that’s the role of a teacher and school as an institution. Just to create a space where students can fail, and still be like, “OK, I’m gonna try again, but in a different way.” Instead of saying, “Ok, I failed. I’m not going to be anything. Let me just quit.”

Jadaci Henderson, Grade 12-Dumas New Tech High School—Dumas, Arkansas

What do you think is the purpose of education, and what role should school play in a student’s life? 

The role of school is to educate me, so that when I go out into society I can become productive. I can be a functioning member of society who can work, who can educate someone else, who can be a role model. That’s what I always thought it was. Now, I’m seeing the role of school—of education—[as] basically a pastime, like a public babysitter for whoever feels their children should be here.

Caleb Carman, Grade 11-Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School—New York City

What is the role school and teachers should play in students’ lives? 

The role of education and the role of teachers is to empower students not just to do what they want, but to make mistakes. The more often you make mistakes, the more likely you will be to do something important. Messing up is something that we have to foster. Because, that’s how expressing yourself works—it’s when you get the chance to be wrong and to, you know, just sort of have a go at random things.

Emilia Olson, Grade 11-Palmetto Scholars Academy—North Charleston, South Carolina

What do you think the teacher’s role should be in students’ lives? 

I think the teacher’s role is to engage the student and find what makes the student interested in the subject. It’s about finding passion, and I think this school does a really good job of that—allowing you to really search out what you want to do and find your passion. They don’t care if that’s in academics or art or sports. If you can’t find something that you’re actually interested in, you’re going to be living a life of lack, just going by. It’s the same with how I think the public-school system really fails with standardized testing. You’re just learning to take a test. You’re not learning to actually be happy.

Shamus Hayes, Grade 9-Mount Abraham Union High School, Bristol, VT

What do you feel is the purpose of education? 

I think education is important, but it also depends. I don’t feel like you need to have an A+ in whatever, calculus, to just be able to work a normal job and make above minimum wage or anything. They teach you about all this stuff that happened hundreds of years ago, which, I like history, but they don’t really teach you about how to go and get a job, how to live on your own, pay this, pay that, when you actually have to do it. Or [they don’t] actually [prepare] you for college and dealing with that.

Lilianna Salcedo, Grade 10-USC Hybrid High School—Los Angeles

What role do you think school and teachers should play in students’ lives?

I think the role of teachers and education in general is to help us progress as a society. Not only in our smarts or technology, but to help us progress as a human race: preparing us to tackle the issues that [our predecessors] couldn’t defeat.


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