I hope you have an amazing St. Patrick’s Day.

Here are a few interesting bits of information about St. Patrick.

He was not an Irishman!

He was born in western Britain.

His father, Calpurnius, was a Roman official and deacon.

Patrick, while still a boy, was captured and sold as a slave in Ireland.  He escaped to Gaul.

He probably studied in the monastery of Lerina before returning to Britain.

He received a supernatural call to preach to the heathen of Ireland, so he returned to Gaul and was ordained deacon.

Finally, he landed in Wicklow, Ireland (432) and traveled north, converting the people of

Ulster and later those of other parts of Ireland.

He died around 461 and may have been buried at Down in Ulster.

*These tidbits were primarily drawn from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase & Fable.

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What is Learning?

What is learning?

Well, this question is far too broad to be answered in a short blog – assuming that it can be answered at all.

But, generally, I think the definition of learning needs to be broadened well beyond the memorization of facts and numbers.  Some people believe that is all there is to learning, but there is so much more.

Learning is engagement, comprehension, knowledge networking, and incorporation as well as acquisition.

I don’t believe in throwing the baby out with the bathwater, however.  There is value in what has come before, but there’s always so much to learn – especially about teaching and the methods to help students (of any age) reach their goals.

Helping students with motivation and encouraging them to be inquisitive is so important because these are the qualities necessary for life-long learning.

Young children are naturally curious and inquisitive.  We’ve all experienced the “why…why…why…why” questions!  (Feels a bit like an inquisition at times – lol.)

They want to know about everything.  The problem is that they are so broad and so brief that they have difficulty reigning in all the disparate bits to develop a coherent learning experience.

That, in part, is a teacher’s job (teacher = parent, tutor, coach, & teacher). The trick is to do so without completely squashing enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.

Technology today may be increasing the duration of this “scattered” learning, so as teachers/tutors/parents, our job will be to help bring the pieces together. Technology is an amazing tool, but that’s all it is without the proper use, it fails. (Yes, I dare to use the ‘f’ word!)

So, I’ve returned to my starting point. Yes, we need knowledge acquisition (facts, information) to be part of learning; however, we also need to be able to network and incorporate these pieces of data while retaining curiosity and enthusiasm.

So learners and teachers (we should all be both), stay motivated – look for the treasure inherent in all learning.

I know you can! 

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Just Help!

Just help me get through the course!
I hear this more often than I would like.
It isn’t that I don’t want to help – I do. However, just getting through a course isn’t the true goal of education.
Too often this is the focus of both students and parents.
The grade rules all!
When in reality gaining knowledge should be the ruling factor. (If you know the material well – the grades will come anyway. Staring at the number or letter won’t make one bit of difference!)

If you are studying a course you don’t particularly like right away – and I know there are compulsory courses in which we have no choice – try to find your way in.
Look for videos, magazines, blogs, diagrams, anything related that might ease the pain.
(Hey! Even a good tutor can help.)
Sometimes, you have to fake it until you make it.

Yes.

It can happen. I have seen it happen multiple times in my years of tutoring. Students sometimes stumble upon either a teacher, book, or method that works for them and that “horrible” course becomes one of their best.
Instead of waiting and hoping to stumble upon something, why not be proactive and seek out materials that can engender interest and more excitement about the course.

The more involved you become, the more you are likely to find those pathways into the course and gain that elusive knowledge.
Gaining knowledge, making connections, developing that network of information – that is education!

So try not to be negative. Instead of saying, “Just help me get through this course,” say, “I have lots to learn, and here’s how I’m going to do it.”
Is that cheesy? Maybe – but, hey, I like cheese!


The more positive you are (or become), the more others will be able to help you. Other students, teachers, coaches, tutors – even the books and articles themselves will be more useful to you if you are engaged and eager to learn.

So, take up the challenge. The next time you hear your inner voice saying, “Just help me….” – help yourself first by turning the negative into the positive.

For more tips and help with your studies, check out the website or contact me (Ron) to set up some sessions:

www.tutoringcentral.com

e-mail:  tutoringcentral@hotmail.com

 Skype:  tutoringcentral

Summer Learning Loss

 

Stop Summer Learning Loss 

but

Don't Stop Learning!

Studies vary concerning learning loss over the long summer holiday; however, they all do show substantial losses for those students who are struggling in the first place.
Even straight "A" students tend to show some loss if not engaged over the months away from learning.

How to avoid summer learning loss: 

       Read  !
This cannot be overstated
Reading is so important.  The choice of reading material is less a factor than the act and the follow-up.
Don't read "blindly" - engage yourself with the material by talking about what you've read with others, look to learn more about the topic, write about what you've read, comment or blog about it.  Use any method you like to make sure that you aren't forgetting as fast as you are reading.
Also, remember the library - often free reading material of all kinds there!

       Write !
Write a journal.
Write about what you have been reading (see above).
Start a blog about your favourite topic.
Write letters (astonish your friends and the world!).
Write some poems.

Parents

Engage your children with daily / weekly chores.
Plan grocery trips with a list.  (They can make the list.  They might even be able to help plan the recipes for  the week and then work on the list with you.)
Math can be practised when cooking with a recipe (especially if you are halving or doubling the recipe, etc.)
Ask for opinions and comments on T.V. shows or Internet/video games, etc.
NOTE:       Be sure to ask open questions not closed questions.
An open question invites more conversation, whereas a closed question generally illicits only a  "yes" or "no" response.
Example:   
      Open question -   "What did you like about the main character ?"
      Closed question - "Did you like the main character?" 

Don't be too quick to judge opinions (despite the lack of logic or maturity). It is just important to keep paying attention and engaging with material.  A great deal of learning comes from talking it out and hearing one's own ideas aloud.  Self-correction tends to happen in stages.

Tutoring

Of course - a couple hours of tutoring per week can also help retain past lessons and help to prepare for the next year! 

Come see what a professional tutor and personalized program can do for you or your child!
www.tutoringcentral.com

New Programs !

I am pleased to announce that I am offering new programs. 

I am especially looking forward to incorporating some of the Reading Assistant™ programs. 

While I don't think computers should take over the learning process, they are an excellent tool to assist in gaining ground - particularly in repetitive technical practice. 

Also  Summer Tutoring will soon be starting - check website for further information:

www.tutoringcentral.com

 The Reading Assistant™ program

combines advanced speech recognition technology with research-based instruction

helps students strengthen their reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension

feedback to participants is supportive and individualized 

The Fast ForWord® program

Accelerates learning for students across a wide spectrum of ages and abilities

Applies proven research on how the brain learns

Builds cognitive skills in the areas of memory, attention, processing, and sequencing

Learners can realize rapid achievement gains 

For more information, don't hesitate to call or e-mail:  

519 824 0982 

tutoringcentral@inbox.com

1984

I just finished re-reading George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Despite the date of the title, there are still many relevant themes.

                         Telescreen - Facebook / Twitter anyone ?

Some modifications -but who knew so many people would be willing to forgo their privacy.

Also, ideas around the haves and have-nots.  There is lots of fodder for conspiracy theorists as well.

                        reality control - spin
   
       correcting history - politically correct translations of classic texts.

Still lots to think about! 

Christmas decorations

 Here are a few interesting bits of information from Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable. 

A long time ago the Roman festival of Saturn was held in December and the temples were decorated with greenery. 
The druids are associated with mistletoe, and the Saxons used holly and ivy. 
These customs have been transferred to the Christian festival. 
The decorated Christmas tree was in use among the Romans and was introduced to Britain from Germany soon after Queen Victoria's marriage with Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in 1840.

Reading & Brain Function!

The importance of reading cannot be underestimated for learning.

Now even more research indicates that reading is not only beneficial for obvious reasons, but that it helps develop stronger listening and observing skills as well.  This attentiveness will, in turn, develop even better readers, but it will also ensure that the student is able to learn via other means.

"Dr. Dehaene and his colleagues compared the brain function of adults who can read with those who had never learned to read.
What they found was that regions of the brain that all of us use to process visual information were enhanced among the adults who were readers; both those who had read from childhood and those who learned to read as adults.  They also found that listening skills were better among both groups of readers than among the adults who did not read." (Burns, Martha PHD [2011]: How Learning to Read Improves Brain Function)

Listening to a lecture, social learning, picking up on cues, all appear to be better developed in readers.
These skills are not only useful in academic settings but also in the workplace and individual development as well. 

Of course, these are broad strokes - individual cases are always subject to variations.  Overall, however, there is powerful evidence that improving students' access to reading material and giving them the ability to read will positively affect the breadth of their learning experience far beyond the mechanics of sounding out words and reading phrases.

Changing Leaves !

As the days get shorter and frost starts to appear in the morning, those deciduous trees start preparing for winter - giving us some brilliant colour !

What causes this change ?
Without sufficient light and water, photosynthesis shuts down, and trees must live off food stored during the growing season.

As photosynthesis ceases, the leaves lose their chlorophyll, which gives therm their green colour.  Without chlorophyll, other colours emerge - yellows, oranges, and reds.
In sugar Maples, the red happens because glucose remains.
The yellows and oranges are normally in the leaves but the chlorophyll overshadows them until photosynthesis stops.

At any rate the poetry of colour is beautiful to behold!

Well, Back to School !

For many students this is an exciting time.
Time to get new supplies, clothes, etc. and head back to meet up with friends scattered since the summer holiday.
Some students are even eager to get back to learning!

For others, however, it isn't such a great thought.  They aren't looking forward to time in classrooms, teachers' expectations, and ........."work."

For them and for parents (equally inclined), I suggest trying to turn thought patterns into something more positive.  Don't think of it as "work" but more of an opportunity - a chance to expand your knowledge and your understanding not just of history, geography, math, English, etc., but of the whole network of knowledge and how it connects you to the world.
The more you know - the more you can know, and the more opportunities will open up for you time after time.
Turn your thoughts to the idea that school is for you - a tool you use to help yourself.
Once you are in more control, the challenges are acceptable, and you may look forward to proving yourself up to the task.

Being engaged is more than half the battle!

So give it a try.   Turn negative thoughts into positive ones, "work" into challenges, "tests" into games to be conquered.

You can do it !

Brainstorming

Credit photo to: zirconicusso

Don't forget to use brainstorming to help you get started on any writing assignment.

Whether you are writing a book report, speech, essay, or fiction story, brainstorming can help you get started, get organized, and get that final draft quicker!

You should take a few minutes to brainstorm for ideas.
Sit down with a piece of paper and jot down any ideas that come to you when you think about the topic.

For example, if you need to write an essay based on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, you might brainstorm for ideas you could use to help generate a thesis.  Don't waste time - start scribbling down your thoughts.  Later you will discard those ideas you don't like and narrow down your focus.
              Example:
                      Atticus - just man
                         - willing to sacrifice
                        - too good to be true ?
                        - model parent
             Novel written from child's point of view
                          - flaws in perception ?
                         southern racism and conflict
                    religion vs morals vs law
            Boo - scary character or innocent ?

Your list could be much longer.  Once you have decided on a thesis (or your teacher has given you one) you can brainstorm again to find supports.

You might ask:  "Why do all this chicken-scratching on scrap paper, writing and storming my brain?"

Primarily because "It gets one started."

Looking at a blank page for hours (or days in some cases) waiting for the perfect inspiration to come is the true waste of time!

Also, these thoughts can be used to help you organize your article.  I have read many essays in which the author had a good thesis and some solid supports, but they are written as they come to mind rather than in an organized, planned fashion.  At best, the article seems confused and tricky to read.  At worst, the author's meaning is completely lost in a mish-mash of ideas without unity and coherence.

So don't be afraid of the blank page - use brainstorming to get you started.

Fourteen years !!

It's hard to believe that it has been fourteen years!

I began L.T.L. Tutoring back in the fall of 1996. At that time, we were living in the south end of Guelph on Wilsonview Avenue - not far from College Avenue Public School and College Heights and Centennial Secondary Schools.

Of course, just as now, students came from all over Guelph and a few from outside of Guelph, too.

I feel very lucky to have been able to tutor students from 4 years old to older adults and every age in between.

Most of the students have been grade school or secondary school students aiming to improve their skills and grades; however, there have been others.

One summer, a brother and sister from Saudi Arabia came to improve their English skills.

Other adults have come to Canada from China, Libya, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone - to name a few, and have arrived at L.T.L. to improve English skills as well.

Several adults have come to change jobs or improve their writing skills (and sometimes math skills) for their current job.

The students from Canada are most prevalent of course - and they have all been entertaining, enjoyable, and educational for me.

That's not to say that a few of them haven't been challenging, difficult, and stressful! Of course, education brings all those bits and pieces with it.

Still, to be able to watch students as they begin to weave their way into understanding - while trying to become more understanding myself - has been rewarding to date.

I look forward to the next fourteen years!

Epictetus

I wanted to say a little more about the quotation on the website for July:

Only the educated are free

Epictetus (Greek Philosopher)

Epictetus was born around the year 55 (slightly before I was!) and was originally a slave.
He was eventually freed. (He may have considered himself free long before he was physically freed.)

He lived and studied in Rome (first as a slave) then became a teacher with his own school in Nicopolis in Greece.
He was a stoic and seems to have followed the older stoics.

In addition to the quotation above, his philosophy is very interesting in its ability to help guide people to a happier life.
We see many of the stoic ideas in more modern form - including Albert Ellis and his Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.

Epictetus believed that we are able to choose - even though he believed many things belonged to fate - the way we respond to them is up to us.

"No one is master of another's prohairesis [moral character], and in this alone lies good and evil. No one, therefore, can secure the good for me, or involve me in evil, but I alone have authority over myself in these matters." (Discourses 4.12.7–8, trans. Dobbin)

Our thoughts and our responses are within our control - and we can choose to be calm and take an active role to improve the events that happen to us, or not.

Now I am not suggesting that I agree with everything the Stoics, or Epictetus, said; however, I do think there is a lot to be learned from them.
Nor am I suggesting that I, myself, can always choose the right thoughts or responses to disturbing events.
What I do suggest is that we are all learning ( or should be!) and can find our better paths in time - and perhaps with a little guidance.
Those who choose not to learn or change will forever stay wallowing in their own self-pity and despair.

Education - learning - can be freeing on so many levels.

Keep learning, keep growing and exploring the world!

Journal Writing

I often recommend that my students keep a journal, but keeping a journal is good advice for anyone.
Sitting down to write something everyday helps focus your thoughts.
It is a pleasant way to revisit the day's events and to make sense of them for ourselves.

Start off small and easy.
You don't need anything fancy to keep a journal.
A small notebook and a comfortable pen - along with your thoughts.
Don't be hard on yourself. Let the thoughts flow, and don't worry about grammar & spelling at first.

Of course, you can write a journal on a word processor. This method gives you the advantage of grammar check and spell check; however, it might not be the best method for correcting your spelling and grammar long term. (Even good writers tend to admit they get lazy using the technology - and sometimes the technology is incorrect!)
Using it as an aid, however, may be ideal to correct your own written version.

Just a few benefits of journal writing:

• develops logical thinking skills
  
• aids in basic writing skills by accessing the writing world each day
• over time, most people tend to try writing more clearly - playing with words, being more inventive
  
• refines your thoughts, hopes, and beliefs which helps develop better speaking skills as well
• can be therapeutic, a cathartic release of everyday tedium or occasionally more traumatic events
• of course, recording joyous events lets you relive them for a moment or two - nothing wrong with feeling grateful for the good things in life!
• over time, you might look back at past journals and enjoy seeing what your thoughts were and how they have changed

Most of all, have fun with your journal!

Just as with reading, the more fun you have doing it - the more you will want to do it!