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How To Learn Something New Everyday In 15 Minutes (Or Less)
| source: Apr 29th, 2019
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As children we were encouraged to learn something new every day. We did experiments at school, took part in extra-curricular activities, and joined cultural and activist groups during our college years.
Then something happened:
Adulthood. (Or really, adulting.)
We went from being curious children to adults dedicated to a 9-5 job (which the majority of us find unrewarding), adopting routines that rarely ever change.
Benedict Carey, author of the book How We Learn, says that routine limits our brain's ability to learn new skills and knowledge. This is worrisome because learning new things is important for our happiness.
Why Learning New Things Is Crucial for Happiness
You may have heard that the “brain is like a muscle.” Just like other muscles, you have to exercise the brain by learning new things. Yes, there is ample research which shows that learning helps build neuron connections and can stave off diseases like Parkinson’s. But there is a lot more to learning new things than just making the brain stronger. The act of learning actually makes us happier.
As Belle Beth Cooper writes about in her post on “Why New Things Make Us Feel So Good”, there is a section in the brain known as the SN/VTA.
The SN/VTA part of the brain is linked to the learning and memory parts, but it is best known as the “novelty center” because it lights up when exposed to new stimuli. You experience a rush of dopamine, which is one of the chemicals that motivates us towards rewards.
Here is what happens:
- You experience something new.
- The “novelty center” of your brain is activated.
- You get a rush of dopamine.
- Dopamine motivates you to follow through with the new thing.
- You get another rush of dopamine when you finish the activity.
It is no surprise then that research has found dopamine is closely linked to the learning process. In short, learning new things stimulates happiness chemicals brain.
Learning is fundamentally positive for your mental health.
Other Benefits of Learning Something New
- Learning Makes You More Interesting to Others: You’ll always have something to talk about at parties.
- Can Relate to More People: The more you know, the more likely you are to find something in common with others. Empathy also helps bridge gaps in communication.
- Builds Self-Esteem: Practice makes perfect, and when we see ourselves mastering new knowledge and skills, we build self-efficacy. Self efficacy is our own faith that we can succeed at a given task, which closely overlaps with self-esteem and confidence.
- You’ll Make More Friends: Because of the benefits of learning listed above, you’ll find it easier to meet people and make friends. Social interactions are essential for our happiness, so learning really does pay off in the long run!
- Sets a Good Example: If you want your kids and loved ones to reap the same benefits of learning, lead by example!
- Earn More Money: Depending on what you learn, you might build both technical or soft skills to advance your career.
- Find a More Rewarding Career: It isn’t money which motivates us –having a sense of purpose motivates. Learning new skills makes you better-rounded so you can more easily find what you love to do.
- Empowering: Learning gives you the information you need to make better informed decisions in life.
- You’ll Learn Easier and Faster: The more you practice learning, the denser the myelin white matter of your brain becomes and the stronger your neural pathways become.
- Learning Fuels Creativity: As Positive Psychology champion Vanessa King says, ideas come from seemingly unrelated things. Learning new things can trigger ideas in other areas.
How to Learn Something New Right Now
Learning can be broken down into short-term and long-term learning. If you don’t necessarily want to embark on a big endeavor (such as learning to play an instrument), your brain can still benefit from learning smaller bits of information on a daily basis. Here are some ways to do that.
1. Watch Ted ED
Ted Talks are famous for bringing a huge amount of topics by innovative thinkers. Ted Ed takes learning a step further with engaging video lessons. Topics range from “the scientific way to cut a cake” to “how money laundering works.”
2. Play GeoGuessr
Americans are notoriously bad at geography, but the rest of the world probably isn’t too much better. The game GeoGuessr takes a unique approach to learning geography. You are shown a Google Maps photo and have to guess where it is. You might just find yourself saying things like, “Huh, I didn’t know that Afghanistan has such green forests!” It’s free to play.
3. Train Your Brain at Lumosity
Brought to you by scientists and game developers, Lumosity has a great collection of cognitive games you can play. You might not learn a concrete fact, but your brain will be challenged and grow!
4. Follow Curiosity
Curiosity is a website which inspires people to get smarter. They do it by finding the most interesting news on a variety of topics. Just click what topic you are interested in learning about and you’ll find fascinating articles and videos.
5. Build Your Vocabulary
A large vocabulary is not only impressive, but it allows you to express yourself better. Remember the book 1984 and how they started cutting words from the language as a form of mind control? Well, that’s the power of vocab! The website Vocabulary.com has come up with an adaptive learning game to help you learn more words easily.
6. Follow Daily Infographic
No brainer right? Humans process visuals quickly: It takes less than 1/10 of a second for your brain to get a sense of a visual. Absorbing new information using infographics is a quick and easy way to learn. Visual learning not only decreases comprehension time, but sticks around longer in our memories. On Daily Infographic you can spend 15 minutes per day perusing an infographic on a topic of your choice.
7. Encourage Yourself With Good Job, Brain! Trivia Podcast
Start your day off with an intelligent jolt of positively fascinating facts, offbeat trivia, and creative challenges designed to stimulate the mind. From identifying songs in reverse to the world's weirdest history, Good Job, Brain! is the perfect podcast to enliven and inspire stimulated individuals.
8. Listen to 7 Good Minutes to Learn Yourself Better
Get yourself inspired and closer to your goals by listening to Clyde Lee Dennis's self-improvement podcast. Each day of the week, he delivers practical life-skills discussions, wellness talks, and mindset shaping discourses into everything from stopping ruminating thoughts to goal-setting, the ego, and more.
9. Get Smart, Instantly With Instanerd
Subscribe to Instanerd or visit the site for an endless supply of useful facts and information. Start the feed and flick left or right through short how-tos and factoids on everything from taking advantage of travel opportunities to origin stories for society and social icons, fascinating general knowledge and even more obscure topics. Ever wondered what it's called when you turn yellow from eating too many carrots? Instanerd has your answer.
10. Stay Informed With 60 Second Science
Scientific American's 60 Second Science is the fastest way to stay informed regarding science, activism, and global interest issues. The refreshing, short format grips big topics, dissecting them during each podcast into condensed, relevant facts that fit great into any day regardless of how busy you may be.
11. Flex Your Mind For 5 Minutes Using Brain Training Podcast
Two games of three rounds each takes care of brain exercise for the day in under five minutes, thanks to the Brain Training Podcast. The show is described as an audio workout for your head that teaches you how to memorize things effectively while having fun.
12. Discover Unknown History By Listening To The Way I Heard It
Get the low-down on some of the most significant pop culture topics, the world's greatest inventions, influential politics, prominent people, exciting places, and other icons of modern society. Mike Rowe's podcast is short, to the point, and perfect for anyone with an enquiring mind.
13. Take A Tip From The Functioning Minimalist And Live Happier
The practical tips provided by the Functioning Minimalist will have you listening to each podcast over and over again. Integrate sustainability tips while training yourself to grow more content in the moment each day. It's the exact bite-sized inspiration that every busy professional needs.
14. Let Highbrow Teach You Via Email In 5-Minutes A Day
Select from hundreds of topics and then let Highbrow deliver a five-minute lesson to your email inbox every day. From the arts and philosophy to entrepreneurship, marketing, personal growth, productivity, and even life hacks for travel and productivity – you're ensured a fascinating selection of courses subdivided into ten daily episodes each.
15. Grow Your Current Knowledge With Big Think
Shine a light on complex, scientific topics with a global impact. Big Think teaches you topics like forced empathy and how to negotiate better. There's discussions, presentations, and lessons on subjects that matter across all fields, making this resource indispensable to lifelong learners.
16. Get Hooked On Trivia Crack App
Ever discovered just how addictive a good session of trivia is? Trivia Crack will leave you hooked on questions from across six categories as you compete against other human players from around the world. A winner is found in 25 rounds or less, cramming a surprising amount of interesting info into a brief period. Now, that's fun learning.
17. Learn How to Solve Cryptic Crosswords
When solved regularly, cognitive word games like cryptic crosswords improve lexical memory. Improve your ability to remember words and languages by using the Learn How to Solve Cryptic Crosswords app until you're adept at working through one of the world's favorite puzzles effectively.
18. Learn A Dance Move From Steezy Studio
Step out of the boundaries of conventional learning experiences and pick up a new dance move every day with Steezy Studio. A selection of the world's best dance tools makes sure that everyone from complete beginners with just a few minutes a day to seasoned, high-energy dance professionals have something new and fun to learn every day.
19. Break Down And Read A Book In 15 Minutes With Blinkist
Discover thought-provoking new fiction with Blinkist. Each book is condensed into a 15-minute summary that is ideal for finding new authors and subjects. Free users are provided a random summary every day with Blinkist's Random Pick, and you are free to read summaries offline. There's no faster way to explore the literary world and find things you'd like to read.
Ways to Learn Long Term Skills
Ready to take on a bigger challenge? Learning new skills that require a longer-term commitment can be even more rewarding and stimulating for the brain. Every day, you build on what you learned the day before until you reach a level of mastery. Here are just some ideas of things you can start learning and where to start.
Online courses have the benefit of being comprehensive, guided learning experiences set at your own pace. One of the biggest hurdles of signing up for online courses is completion. Instead of finding larger blocks of time to power through courses, try to set aside a minimum of 15 minutes a day to work through courses. Steady wins the race!
20. Hone Creativity with Creative Live
Art, photography, creativity get a boost with classes on Creative Live. Whether you're a beginner or an established artist looking to refine your skills and even build a business with them, this platform provides courses in a simulated live format.
The approach focuses on learning via interaction, which means that the online classroom also features a studio audience that appears on camera. The in-studio students, usually ranging from three to 15 people, interact with the instructor the way a live classroom would, creating a rich virtual experience.
Browse Daily Free On-Air Classes!
21. Pick Up Career Skills With Skillshare
A January 2018 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that on average a person changes jobs 10-15 times, and that number is only increasing with increasing job mobility. Better job mobility also comes from more opportunities to learn new skills.
Skillshare features personalized, on demand classes in categories like animation, graphic design, web development, business analytics, entrepreneurship, and marketing, to name a few. Productivity and lifestyle classes help you to make those skills go even further.
22. Master New Skills at Udemy
On Udemy, you can find over 55,000 online courses on topics ranging from web development to music training. Many basic level classes are free but there are paid courses as well.
23. Learn Coding at Udacity
Udacity is one of the most popular places to learn coding for free. They have videos, quizzes, and instructions so you can earn a “Nanodegree.” The courses are made by expert programmers and big companies like Google so they are definitely relevant to today’s job market and tech trends.
24. Take Interactive Online Courses At BitDegree
BitDegree differentiates itself through offering interactive & gamified courses, especially in the blockchain space. Universities are already embracing blockchain courses on campuses, based on growing interest from students. The cryptocurrency phenomenon is a global one, powered by bitcoin's meteoric rise. Courses offered cover skills ranging from programming, marketing, machine learning to blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
25. Learn Digital Marketing with Primer
All small business owners and entrepreneurs need to know digital marketing techniques if they are going to stay relevant. Created by Google, Primer teaches marketing skills and delivers them in digestible 5-minute segments.
26. Take Online Courses at Coursera
Coursera is one of the best places to find free online courses in higher education on just about any topic. The courses are offered by top universities in the US, helping you to extend your education from the comforts of your own home. Certificates are available for a fee. As an alternative, Iversity.org provides development courses from experts all over Europe. usually on very specific topics.
27. Learn Leadership Skills at MindTools
Today’s top companies aren’t just looking for skills like coding. They want people with soft skills like leadership, team management, creativity, and decision-making. MindTools has a great collection of mini courses which teach you these skills.
28. View Instructables
Not sure what you want to learn today? Just visit Instructables and view any one of the great DIY tutorials to learn a new skill.
29. Learn First Aid from the Red Cross App
First aid is something that everyone should know and refresh regularly. The American Red Cross has come up with a great app to help. It isn’t a substitute for an in-person course, but it does have bite-size courses on basics accompanied by videos and instructions.
30. Learn a New Language with Duolingo
Duolingo is an app which makes it easy to learn a new language thanks to its interactive method and how it breaks down lessons into small chunks. There are dozens of languages to choose from and the app is free to use!
31. Become a Better Writer with 750 Words
Writing is fundamental cornerstone of communication and remains one of the most in-demand skills that employers look for. The app 750 Words helps you become a better writer by having you write a minimum of 750 words of stream of conscious writing per day – a practice which is said to improve writing fluency and also help you learn about yourself in the process.
32. Further Career Goals With LinkedIn Learning
Formerly Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning focuses on career oriented subjects with like business, design, and technology. These expert taught classes are meant to add skills to help you in your job.
33. Learn Gratitude with Mojo
Gratitude is key for happiness in life. What a lot of people don’t realize is that gratitude actually has to be learned and worked on. The app Mojo helps you rewire your brain to be more grateful by encouraging you to write at least five good things per day, rate the day, and add photos.
34. Pick A Mental Workout From Brain Metrix
The next time you find your mind wandering and are in need of a diversion, head to Brain Metrix. Pick from a range of extensive cognitive tests designed to boost mental flexibility and fitness. Improve concentration, reflection speed, memory and mental reflexes through strangely addictive mental exercises.
35. Steer Your Mood and Mind With Moodfit App
Make the changes that you need to your mood, mind, lifestyle and habits to improve your mental health and improve every area of your life. Moodfit may not be free, but it offers 30 days to try the world's top-rated mental health app's full functionality. You'll have everything from tools to help you manage immediate stress to tracking for sleep, therapy, gratitude and goals. There's no better way to take control and understand your emotions.
36. Let Peak Brain Training Make Cognitive Exercise Fun
Peak Braining Training is an app that'll push your cognition, training you through a series of stimulating, challenging mental workouts. Fun, fast and personalized for you – the Peak app can help you improve your focus, memory and overall mental agility. Developed in tandem with scientists from Cambridge, Yale, UCL and King's College London, it keeps you motivated while offering training programmes reaching advanced levels of memory and attention.
37. Speak A New Language Conversationally With Babbel
Introduce yourself to a new language and learn just how simple becoming fluent can be with Babbel. Both a web and mobile app are available. Exercises are to the point, teaching you phrases that you'll use in practical day-to-day situations. Babbel isn't free, but it's highly affordable and has some of the best lessons, prompts, and podcasts around.
38. Learn Any Language With Rosetta Stone
The world's most famous language learning tool is an award-winning language learning solution. From giving you a focused interface to learn practical words and phrases to fine-tuning pronunciation with the help of Rosetta Stone's TruAccent Speech recognition, few apps can compare. Try it out for three days for free and see how Rosetta Stone will help you pick up a new language more intuitively than ever.
39. Use Drops To Try A New Language In Only 5 Minutes A Day
Drops is a learning app brought to us by Kahoot! that lets you learn practical aspects of a range of different languages in just five minutes a day. Pick from one of 41 various languages, and visual character learning immerses you in vocabulary that you'd commonly use when traveling. Lessons are spread across 11 topics, and each session builds to a lasting understanding of a new language.
40. Communicate Better With The Help Of Elevate App
The once-winner of Apple's App of the Year presents an impressive range of fun exercises to train your brain and work on social skills. Elevate helps you speak better while honing focus and cognition. The whole experience is customized according to the way you interact with Elevate, with the 35+ games learning how to help you better each time you play.
41. Learn Faster With Kahoot! Interactive Quizzes
Kahoot! Has over 50 million interactive quizzes and games on-demand that make learning fascinating at any age. Whether you're discovering a new topic, exploring a complex concept, or putting skill into practice, Kahoot! makes sure your full attention is on training while having more fun than you ever thought possible.
42. Use BrainScape's Smart Flashcards to Condense Learning
BrainScape may be designed for students, but the smart flashcards sure do make it easy to compress a vast amount of knowledge into an exciting learning experience for adults. The science of spaced repetition keeps your mind alert, processing and retaining knowledge effectively. It's an app that offers a great way to be introduced to new subjects.
43. Set a Score In Curious And Grow Your Knowledge
Curious video lessons and a personal Curious Quotient (CQ) score ensure that you're learning something new every day in 5, 15, or 30-minutes. Pick the subject that you want to learn from a growing collection of over 25,000 lessons. New CQ workouts are suggested daily to sharpen your creative, practical, and academic skills.
44. Learn More About Your Tendencies With Queendom Tests
Queendom is a platform filled with scientifically developed and validated quizzes that help you learn more about yourself and your hidden tendencies. From testing your affinity for childcare to determining coachability, and even more fun tests like determining devotion, kinkiness or your level of personal hygiene – Queendom offers a fascinating way to spend 15 minutes a day learning something new.
Tools to Further Your Career
Staying competitive in today's ever-evolving world calls for self-growth and constantly learning new skills. With these tools, you're sure to be armed with everything that you need to get your job done better than ever while opening yourself to a far broader range of business options. Keep working hard at yourself as a professional in your field, and you’re sure to further your career quickly.
45. Prepare To Pass Your PMP Using Brain Sensei
Pass your Project Management Exam (PMP) with flying colors, with a little help from Brain Sensei. Serving up an innovative selection of test prep courses using animated stories, this online video PMP training course makes preparation fun and easy. Storytelling puts across bite-sized components of information that condenses the PMBOK into something that anyone can grasp given devoted attention.
46. Raise Your Student Score With Some Help From Kranse Institute
If you're looking for a surefire way to up your SAT, ACT, or GMAT score, the Kranse Institute should be a prime consideration. Bite-sized video lectures take you through digital test preparation using a syllabus proven to increase your average test scores. The Kranse Institute's program was developed and is taught by perfect score student, Shaan Patel who won Shark Tank and joined forces with billionaire investor, Mark Cuban.
47. Enroll In Video Coding Courses Treehouse
Treehouse video courses on in-demand topics make learning advanced subjects like coding, design, technical and soft skills easy. The unmistakable Treehouse learning system condenses education into interactive videos, workspaces and quizzes that are as informative as they are intuitive and addictive. Instead of relying on standardized tests and exams, code and projects are peer-reviewed, making sure that you know how to apply the things you learn.
48. Use 360training To Cruise Through Workforce Exams
If you’re looking for an app to help you prepare for any workforce training exam, look no further 360training. Giving access to over 6000 courses with new, relevant certifications added by the day, 360training is comprehensive and easy to use. It acts as a single resource for multiple-tests, ensuring that driven employees are empowered with current regulations and 24/7 access to learning material across all devices.
49. Learn IT Skills From QuickStart
QuickStart should be your go-to learning resource for all online IT certification courses and programs. Being partnered with institutions like Microsoft Gold, Cisco and Citrix makes QuickStart one of the world's only IT training and work readiness vendors supported by all the latest emerging technologies. There are courses to help teams reach their goals better, professional aptitude assessments, personnel insight courses, and all types of personalized learning modalities available.
50. Do Better Business And Listen To The 15-Minute Strategy Podcast
Ever wished you had a thought leader at your side to help you decipher the next, best course of action for your career or business? Tune in to the 15-Minute Strategy Podcast brought to you by Hubspot's Sprocket Talk, and look forward to actionable advice and practical next steps from top professionals across all fields.
51. Trade Virtual Stocks With Wall Street Survivor
Visit Wall Street Survivor to enjoy what's considered by many to be the world's best stock trading simulator. Join the practice league and spend as much or as little time as you can on playing a virtual stock market. Wall Street Survivor teaches you how to invest in stocks through a selection of easy-to-understand prompts and pointers.
52. Teach Yourself Coding For Free With SoloLearn
From around the clock peer support from a dedicated, busy community to a selection spanning thirteen languages – SoloLearn has everything you need to make learning coding easier. There's no faster way to cement all those core concepts into memory than through this intuitive app's multiple-choice learning prompts.
53. Learn to Code Anywhere With Mimo
Mimo is an app designed to make on-the-go coding accessible to anyone learning a language. Bite-sized exercises make grasping advanced concepts easy, while goals and streaks keep you on track and growing your programming know-how steadily.
Why 15 Minutes a Day?
It doesn’t have to be 15 minutes a day that you dedicate to learning something new. It could be 30 minutes, one hour, or even as little as 5 minutes per day. What matters is that you:
- Dedicate a specific amount of time daily for learning new things.
- Hold yourself accountable.
The reason the time-frame unit is so important is because people are more likely to stay motivated and succeed if they break goals into smaller units.
Use Effective Learning Strategies
To reinforce skills, utilizing specific techniques can help you learn faster. These include testing yourself regularly, finding ways to gain practical experience, rewarding yourself, and teaching others. Here are a few other common strategies:
- Dual Coding – This method most often represents using images next to text. Or learning sign language as you're learning a verbal language. Having 2 different codes for the message further reinforces learning.
- Association – Grouping concepts together helps the memory keep related information together. Sorting and categorization are the building blocks of cognition.
- Spacing – Cramming is the mortal enemy of this technique. If you plan ahead, chunking material into pieces and learning something over time offers more consistent results. Then you have the chance to forget some information and actually relearn it.
- Retrieval – After learning something new, whether it's from a textbook or online, put the material away and try to recall it. Interacting with the material without actually having it in front of you is a form of testing yourself.
Learning is most effective when it enters long term memory. The path to get there is best with a few twists and turns. Trial and error often works well – just find what works best for you!
Implement What You’ve Learned!
Using these tools to learn something new every day is a great start. But the reality is that we are already bombarded with information on a daily basis.
How much?
According to Niklas Goeke, we consume 74.92 gigabytes of data every day. That’s enough to fill 9 DVDs with data – or 74 pickup trucks filled with paper!
All of the information we consume isn’t helping us achieve happiness or wellbeing in life. Instead, excessive info consumption drains us and fries our brains.
Of course, most of this info consumption is done during our (brain-killing) routines. Simply by breaking routine and making a point to learn new things is going to help you retain and utilize the info better.
But, to really reap the life-changing benefits of learning new things, follow this one important tip:
Share what you’ve learned with others.
It can be on a daily learning blog. Or on social media. Or just make a point to tell your spouse what you’ve learned that day while you eat dinner together.
It may be difficult to find all that time. But the simple act of sharing your new knowledge and insight will help it stick and make the benefits of learning even more life changing.
Image credits:
“Grow” (CC BY 2.0) by crdotx
“Blue Denim and Pink Brain Anatomy Mini H” (CC BY 2.0) by Hey Paul Studios
Six Creative Ways Of Using Posters
| source: May 7th, 2021
A beautiful and well-decorated home is not only a marvel for the host but also the guests. Using decorative prints and posters is an intriguing way of achieving such a home. Understanding the different styles of using posters allows you to make your home even more alluring.
There are six main ways of using posters during decoration. Each style lightens up your home and gives it its distinctive feel. This article discusses these six ways and how they help to improve the look of your home.
- Framed posters
Although framing posters is quite pricey, it is worth the effort and money put into it. Hanging large or medium-sized framed posters on your walls creates an intimate feel to your home. Additionally, it makes the room feel sophisticated and vintage. The benefit of hanging framed posters is that they appear organized and well-maintained.
- Using binder clips
In business rooms or home offices, using binder clips offers a cheaper and stylish alternative to framed posters. Binder clips have recently become a fashion statement in most offices attributed to their multiple functions. Therefore, you can tap into this fashion by using binder clips to hang your posters in the office.
Binder clips come in different colours like gold, which blends beautifully with posters. All you need to do is use push pins to hold the binders in place. Afterward, hang your poster with clips or a wire. The style creates a perfect complement to any modern home or office.
- Use motivational quote posters and prints.
Everyone needs a little motivation now and then, and nothing does this better than a poster with a motivational text. Looking at such text motivates by reminding you that you can make it through any situation. Such posters and prints also make a room have depth and look desirable. Although motivational quotes are the most common, you can also decide to use any other text.
- Using posters of fine art
You might lack millions to purchase a piece of fine art made by great artists and have it hanging on your wall. However, the good news is that you can get high-resolution prints of such works with a bit of money to spare. The National Gallery of Art allows open access to selected art pieces after payment of a prescribed fee.
The gallery also allows you to download high-resolution images of selected artworks. After downloading, you can then print beautiful posters and hang them in your home. Such posters will leave your home looking beautiful and expensive.
- Creating a gallery wall
Have you ever desired to decorate your home using your family pictures? A gallery wall is easily the best way to achieve this. To create a gallery wall, all you require are a bunch of your family photos. The next step is to have those photos printed out as posters.
After printing the posters, have them framed and then hung them decoratively on your wall. To increase the dramatic effect of the gallery wall, make use of pictures with a specific theme. The best places to have a gallery wall are the living room and the bedroom on the wall above the head of the bed. Take note to use the minimal number of posters when creating a gallery wall since overdoing it might lead to colour clashing.
- Use different printing paper.
Different art and pictures appear differently on various printing papers. When an image agrees with the printing paper, the resulting poster is more attractive. Therefore, when printing or choosing posters for your home, always consider the type of paper.
For example, if you enjoy automotive, bikes, or racetrack posters, go for the ones with metallic paper. This paper will give the images more pop and shine. If you are a sucker for soft pictures with natural light, pick posters with deep matte paper. This paper presents the images with an artistic soft feel that leaves your home looking beautiful and radiant.
Takeaway
To sum it all up, there are lots of styles to use posters and prints to improve the appearance and feel of our homes. Each of the ways has a distinct function that will leave your home looking more attractive than before. However, it is critical to ensure that you use posters moderately without overdoing them to avoid colour clashing and redundancy.
Blog Posted In Health
Five things to consider before purchasing CBD
| source: Apr 30th, 2021
CBD products have rapidly grown in popularity; this is attributed to increased research on the potential health benefits. The positive feedback from the study led to the legalization of hemp and cannabis-derived products in some states.
The legalization has led to a dramatic increase in the quantity of CBD products in the market. Therefore, overwhelming customers who wish to purchase the product. This article provides insightful discussion helping potential customers in choosing an appropriate CBD product as follows:
- CBD
Before you purchase any product, you first need to understand it. Similarly, one must appreciate what CBD is, its benefits, and its effects on the body. You might be asking yourself, why get a medical marijuana card infographic? The answer is quite simple; the infographic contains all the necessary information you need to know about CBD before purchase.
Cannabidiol(CBD) is the second most dominant compound in the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol acts on the body in various ways and produces different effects. Some of these effects include:
? Anti-convulsive
? Anti-inflammatory
? Sedative
? Anti-psychotic
? Analgesic
? Anxiolytic
The research ascertaining these medical benefits is still at different stages. However, anecdotal evidence reveals that CBD products offer relief to various health conditions. Additionally, CBD doesn’t cause any form of dependence or abuse.
- Terpenes
Apart from cannabinoids, the cannabis plant also contains other compounds like terpenes. Terpene is a chemical compound responsible for the plant’s scent. Scientists although not confirmed the chance that cannabis terpenes might offer therapeutic benefits. This aspect of CBD products provides a great experience to customers seeking to relax and unwind.
- CBD terminologies
To avoid getting confused by the wide varieties of CBD products in the market, you need to understand the terms commonly used. Some common types include
? CBD isolate. This type of product solely consists of cannabidiol compounds.
? Broad-spectrum CBD. These are CBD products that contain compounds from others such as CBN, CBC, or terpenes in addition to cannabidiol.
? Full-spectrum CBD. These products typically contain similar compounds as broad spectrum. However, they also have low levels of THC, usually under 0.3%. This quantity of THC is not adequate to cause the high effect commonly associated with cannabis.
- The entourage effects and potency of CBD
Before purchasing any CBD for medical use, you should always consider the entourage effect. The entourage effect is a medical hypothesis. Simply put, the presence of multiple chemical compounds in cannabis reduces its health benefits.
The hypothesis was proved after conducting a study in plant science. Therefore, it would be helpful if you select products containing specific compounds as opposed to many compounds.
Generally, the potency of most CBD products varies depending on your needs. You must consider the potency of CBD products before purchasing. Usually, experts measure dosages in milligrams.
As there is little to no research on the potency of CBD, a guide to standard dosages for various conditions doesn’t exist. Therefore, it is advisable to start with low doses and progressively increase for effective performance. Once you have found the correct dosage for you, use it continuously until you recover fully.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
COA is a quality control style that helps confirm that the products contain the qualities claimed by the manufacturer. It is among the most crucial factors you need to consider before purchasing CBD products.
To avoid mere puffs and enhance authenticity, a third party must conduct a COA, not the manufacturer. It should focus on any possible contamination by pests or heavy metal.
Takeaway
There has been growing approval among American citizens, with a recent survey showing a staggering 91% supporting the complete legalization of marijuana. This guide will provide appropriate information before buying any CBD products.
Blog Posted In Entertainment, Recreation
The Most Popular Games at the Online Casino
| source: Mar 15th, 2021
Due to the assistance of advanced technology and demand for thrilling games online, the online gambling market is worth billions of dollars.
In 2019, the market amounted to $53.7 billion and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5% to $127.3 billion by 2027.
Modern technology, changes in legislation, and shifting attitudes towards gambling have also helped the market progress. For instance:
- 4g connectivity and the recent roll-out of 5g will make iGaming platforms faster and more convenient to use.
- Countries, states, and provinces' opinions of gambling are changing. With the prospect of increased employment opportunities, tax funds boosting the economy, and the prevention of illegal gambling. More governments are making room to legalize and regulate online casino games.
Other factors that make online casino games more attractive than land-based casinos games include:
- Generous signup offers, including matched bets, free spins, and sometimes free cash to play.
- iGaming platforms eradicate the need for players to travel to their local casinos.
- Instant access online, from many locations across the world, means players can spin the reels or analyse their hand in poker without the fear or pressure of onlookers watching over their shoulder.
- Casino companies invest extensively in perfecting online casino games to ensure the aesthetics, sound effects, and gaming variation is appealing and exciting for gamers.
Online casinos in the west are growing in popularity with many citizens in the United States now being able to access casino games online due to the relaxation of laws. Online casinos have been popular for a while in Canada with their laws allowing citizens to gamble with offshore providers. Here is a list of some the most popular casino games Canadians are playing at online Casino Canada courtesy of 888:
Slots
Slots tend to occupy a large portion of an iGaming platform's collection. The demand for slots is unprecedented, primarily because they are cheap and straightforward to play.
Plus, the unreal animations, sound effects, and of course, the potential to win a jackpot prize add to the appeal.
Slot games online are available in every theme imaginable, from imagery and sound effects depicting ancient Egypt to film themes such as Jurassic Park.
Traditional slots have three reels and a smaller combination of pay lines, with symbols such as cherries and the number 7 on-screen.
However, the introduction of modern slot games with five pay lines and multiple symbols that trigger bonuses and free spins. Has increased the popularity of the slot gaming genre.
Poker
For individuals who enjoy a game requiring strategy, focus, and commitment, the sport of poker is a choice game for the highly competitive.
In 2019, 100 million people were playing online poker. Most with a view of succeeding their opponents, building a career in poker, and earning a cash prize. Some are even striving to join official tournaments such as the world series of poker (WSOP) with dreams of becoming a bracelet winner.
Online casino sites use live video recording to provide players the opportunity to indulge in games such as poker in real-time through their screen. With the ability to see the dealer and chat with other players on screen. In turn, poker has, for many, become an immersive experience for players.
Popular variations of poker include:
- Texas hold'em
- Pineapple
- 5-card draw
Roulette
At first glance, roulette may seem complicated. However, it's one of the easier casino games to learn and play.
The wheel is the centrepiece that players observe patiently in hopes their chosen selection of numbers wins a return. The quick turnaround of each game is a captivating aspect for players who are eager to see if they've won a return.
There are a wide variety of roulette games to choose from, such as:
- European roulette
- American Roulette
- French Roulette
- Mini Roulette
- Multi wheel roulette
- Live roulette
New iGaming Variations
While physical casinos are restricted on space to house new and exciting games slots or table games, creating and adding games to an iGaming site is easier.
Which often means online casinos have hundreds of more games to choose from than physical casinos.
iGaming Innovations of The Future
Over the years, casino owners have successfully used modern technology to evolve the casino from a land-based activity to the online realm.
From harnessing the internet in the early '90s. To crafting user-friendly apps for touch screen phones and creating multiple variations of casino classics to sustain engagement from members.
Technology is a significant driving factor allowing the online casino sphere to reach new heights in popularity and prosperity.
It's expected the development of virtual reality tech and the integration of blockchain technology will present newer and safer varieties of iGaming for customers.
Other advancements expected to transform online casino gaming include:
Facial recognition: Biometric software will allow games to create digital representations of players to personalize the iGaming experience.
Voice Recognition: Voice commands will become an integral part of casino gameplay. Meaning users will not need to touch a controller or screen to place bets or spin the slot reels.
Wearable Gaming Gear: From glasses to smartwatches, wearable gadgets that incorporate programs related to, for example, fitness will redirect some of their efforts towards offering entertainment, which could include gambling.
For gamers unsure what sites and popular casino games to try. Head for licensed sites with a generous signup offer and try out different games of interest.
For the apprehensive online casino newcomer, a slot game is an excellent place to build experience and confidence in the iGaming world.
But, for those wanting to dive in at the deep end, by all means, join a game of Texas hold 'em, but don't forget to read up on the rules of the game first!
Understanding the Differences Between Traditional Learning and Online Learning
| source: Mar 12th, 2021
Education has changed significantly over the decades. Every few years, there is a noticeable shift in how most things are done. We are talking about the techniques used in teaching and the tools used in the classroom. The job market has also transformed and, as a result, led to a skills gap.
This has forced learning institutions to be agile and conform to ways to prepare learners for the market. Classrooms have become smart, with a wide range of educational technologies being used to deliver information.
Learner-educator engagement has also taken a different shape; there is increased accessibility. The changes experienced in this sector have improved the quality of education, with a rise in the graduation rates realized over the years.
There has been a change in perception of education, with people embracing the modern classroom and choosing flexibility. This has seen the rise of online learning, and hence the debate on which one works better the traditional or online education.
A comprehensive comparison of the two will shed light on the benefits and drawbacks of both models.
1. Location
This is where the primary difference between the two lies.
Online learning takes place over the Internet, and it can take different approaches. Classes over the Internet can occur in the presence of a moderator or educator. Alternatively, learners can use pre-recorded material to get information.
Learners can also find their learning materials and work through a course outline and prepare for examinations. There are no face-to-face interactions with lecturers or their peers. However, communication over digital devices and collaboration can take place.
Traditional classes take place in a physical location, be it a lecture hall or classroom. The educators and tutees have a face-to-face interaction whereby educators play the vital role of guiding the classroom. The instructor directs the flow of information to the students and often creates the lesson and study plans.
Online learning has some benefits over the offline model. It allows the students to attend classes anywhere and anytime. The traditional setting can be limiting as the learners have to work with their instructors' schedules even if it does not work for them.
2. Teaching Materials
Online classes provide room for the utilization of a wide range of learning materials. Be it videos, podcasts, softcopy notes, infographics, write essay for me platforms, and other audiovisual mediums. The resources used in the modern setting are interactive and can be personalized depending on individual academic needs.
A traditional academic setting relies on hardcopy notes for the transfer of knowledge. The approach has been working for a long time, but not without significant challenges. The rigid system denies the instructors the opportunity to utilize practical tools for effective knowledge transfer.
E-learning programs continue to provide a versatile platform that both instructors and students can use to transfer and consume knowledge. Traditional classrooms do not provide the teachers many options unless they decide to integrate blended learning.
The interactive resources used in online classes are more engaging and keep the learners motivated.
3. Cost
Studying has never been more affordable. Online schools don't have hundreds of staff to pay at the end of every month. There are no recurring overheads to pay. This way, they don't have to factor in school fees, making education cheaper.
Students are also spared from living expenses incurred when staying on campus and commuting costs.
Running a traditional school is generally expensive. The institutions can have hundreds or even thousands of workers, depending on how big they are. There are numerous overhead and administrative costs that affect the tuition fees.
Conventional learning materials are also costly to purchase. Online learning has seen a significant drop in the cost of acquiring education, enhancing equality in the sector as more people can afford school.
4. Access
This has everything to do with location. Online, or distance learning, as the name suggests, allows students to attend lectures from wherever they are. Be it from their homes, a different state, or even different continents. All that is required is a computer and the Internet.
Traditional classes require the learners to go to where the educators are to get knowledge.
The modern approach eliminates all the restrictions brought about by distance. Students don't have to be under the same roof as their professors to learn. This can be done on the go and anywhere.
On completing their assignment, all they need to do is make another click to submit. The access benefit mainly came in handy after the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the lockdowns and other covid-related restrictions, students could still attend lectures online.
5. Learning Approach
Online learning focuses on the self-education approach. The model is featured by sustainable education, whereby the learner is independent in their academic life. The model provides flexibility whereby the student is free to design their study schedule and plan.
The students have control over their learning environment. Taking online classes, they are responsible for their academic progress and success.
The traditional model endorses dependent learning, whereby students learn from their teachers and peers. They are barely responsible for their lesson plans and have to follow the lead of their professors.
Online learning promotes the overall development of the learners. It eliminates instances whereby students feel like they are being coerced to learn. It encourages lifelong learning, boosts confidence, and increases motivation.
6. Flexibility
Online learning has addressed the issue of flexibility which has been affecting learners for decades. The approach has made it possible for the working population to advance their knowledge and skills. People with jobs can enroll in programs without the need to quit or take academic leaves.
They don't have to worry about making it to class on time as they can attend lectures from where they are. Learners also have the freedom to design their course schedules, which made it easy for this category of students to achieve a work-life balance.
Traditional learning doesn't provide that much flexibility as the students and educators have to be in the same space for learning to happen. It is therefore challenging to find a time that will be convenient for all learners.
The rigidity of the traditional approach has posed a challenge to working individuals or persons with families to go back to school and advance their skills and knowledge. Those who can enroll end up having a strenuous and demanding academic life.
7. Technical Skills
E-learning requires certain technical skills to be able to learn. Basic computer and Internet knowledge and skills are needed for the students to navigate the online learning platforms. Unfortunately, the model may not work for audiences that don't have the skills.
Online learning will, therefore, work for students who have reached a certain level of education and will be a bit challenging for the lower grades.
Traditional schooling works for everybody, even for students who do not have advanced technical skills. Though learners still need to be able to document and print their assignments using computers, they don't need to know how to use complicated software and do other tasks associated with online education.
Which Education Model Is More Effective?
It may be wrong to say that one model is better than the other. A significant share of the world's most educated people attended traditional schools. A new generation of equally educated persons that have studied online is also on the rise.
The success of the two models can only be determined by how effectively education has been delivered. The learners' focus and commitment to studying also play an important part in their academic success.
Worth noting, however, is that e-learning is an excellent alternative to conventional education. It offers the much-needed flexibility that students struggled with before. Now, work or a health condition is not an obstacle to receiving a quality education.
It has also addressed the issue of the cost of acquiring education, as it is more affordable. Students can also take part-time jobs to take care of their expenses while still studying.
Accessibility has significantly improved as students and teachers don't have to be in the same classroom to exchange knowledge.
Both models have their advantages and drawbacks. However, the rise of online learning has provided students with a wider range of options. They can now choose what works best for them, unlike initially where strategies were imposed.
Final Thoughts
Which approach works best for you will be determined by several factors. The first aspect is your budget. The course or topic will also inform your choice. Will you better understand the topic through independent learning or dependent learning? Which materials do you prefer to work with? Is it audiovisual content or hardcopy books?
The other question you need to ask yourself is how much time you have for learning. If you have a job, then you might want to consider e-learning. If you have all the time, then a traditional school will work for you.
The skills you intend to develop and the time you want to spend on the program will also inform your choice.
Blog Posted In Education
11 Ways the Pandemic Has Changed the Life of an Average Student
| source: Mar 3rd, 2021
Since March 2020, many countries have enforced lockdowns to control the spread of COVID-19. These measures have affected most sectors, including education. For the first time, learners put their studies on hold to watch how everything unfolds. Thankfully, many governments have worked out ways to ensure learning continues. The result is a paradigm shift in the average student's daily life.
Interrupted Learning
The pandemic's major impact was a suspension in educational activities across all levels. Before, learning went on as usual, with scheduled lessons, exams, and school breaks all planned. Pre-COVID-19 times were marked with certainty, and there was a sense of direction.
A few months later, everything changed. Many learning institutions closed their doors, hoping to reopen in a few weeks from March. Weeks turned to months, and before the dust could settle, half the year was gone. These unprecedented events changed the lives of students globally.
Nothing was certain anymore. International students had a challenging time facing lockdown away from their homes. Some had to postpone their courses as they hopped on flights back to their countries.
Massive Shift to Online Learning
In recent years, online learning has gained popularity globally and is now a major player in the education sector. The public's massive uptake of technology has given a lifeline to remote learning. Educational institutions were already experimenting with digital learning, either full-time or part-time. Choosing to study online or attend classes was a matter of personal preference for the average student.
After the onset of the pandemic, the shift to online learning has been on a scale larger than seen before. For the first time in years, learning institutions stared at the possibility of indefinite closure. A few months down the line, most schools took measures to organize online classes and ensure students can pick up from where they left.
It was no longer about choice, and everyone had to embrace digital classes. Even with the reopening of schools, many institutions continue to educate people online. The demand for online essay writers is also at an all-time high, given that instructors don't lower their expectations.
Isolation and Less Interaction
Many learners look forward to school to meet and interact with their peers. The average student spends at least eight hours of their day in school. They make friends and form their first social networks. Sports tournaments and national competitions went on as usual before COVID-19 reared its ugly head.
After the pandemic began, students had to contend with many changes. Apart from limiting movement, these measures meant that one stays at home and does all learning from there. Isolation and lack of social interaction are problems that many students had to face during lockdowns.
Real-Time Feedback
One of the challenges of traditional learning models is giving timely feedback to the students. For effectiveness, teachers need to address any concerns as soon as possible. Depending on the class size, instructors faced significant difficulties regarding feedback. As a result, students also had a hard time getting the most out of their classroom experience pre-COVID-19.
Post-COVID-19 lessons shifted to the online space and brought positive changes in terms of giving feedback. Using the corresponding platforms and communication tools like Zoom and Google Docs, it is possible to comment on a student's performance in real time. Analyzing individual work and sharing information is much easier due to these apps.
Online Examinations
Before their closure, most educational institutions had a traditional approach to examinations. Main exams took place in school, and instructors strictly monitored them to deter cheating. Generally, there was consensus about the feeling of inclusivity among students. Grading was straightforward since everything was transparent.
Post-COVID measures have posed a major challenge to the examination process. Students from various backgrounds face difficulties keeping up with online learning demands. The home and neighborhood might not be conducive to learning for all, and some individuals feel left out.
Consequently, there are mounting concerns about leveling the field for all students to ensure fairness. Online exams are problematic when it comes to cheating. Besides, parents and guardians are wary of surveillance that threatens their privacy.
Social Distancing in School
Social distancing has become synonymous with the pandemic. Previously, regular students didn't mind sitting close to each other. The positional arrangement in class, dining, and school halls reflected normal social relations. Some schools have already been working at full capacity, and the idea of social-distancing was inconceivable.
Many governments have set up guidelines for the gradual opening of schools. Students now sit individually, separated from their classmates, following government regulations. Yet, social distancing poses a challenge for many institutions. Despite the safety concerns, enforcing such rules in learning centers is easier said than done. Some schools have fewer classrooms than necessary to facilitate social distancing.
Wearing Masks
Everybody recalls pre-COVID-19 times when masks were unnecessary for students. Some nations, especially in East Asia, were already wearing masks before the pandemic. Yet, it appeared as a new concept to many other countries. It was even ridiculous or thought-provoking seeing anyone with a mask in learning institutions.
Nowadays, many people appreciate the role of masks in preventing COVID-19. Educational institutions worldwide have made wearing face masks obligatory.
With no end in sight for the pandemic, masks remain an invaluable resource for safer learning. It brings certain discomfort and public uproar in some countries, but the uptake by learning institutions is commendable. It is a small price to pay for saving lives.
Higher Hygiene Standards
Every school had a unique hygiene routine before COVID-19. Most institutions didn't monitor individual students' hygiene habits. Learning went on without much thought on enforcing cleanliness. General cleaning procedures mainly focused on maintaining a conducive environment for all.
In 2020, an emphasis was placed on the high standards of hygiene for all institutions. In particular, hand washing and sanitizers placed at various convenient locations became a necessity. High hygiene requirements are an important preventive measure against COVID-19. Sure, young learners occasionally forget to wash their hands and use sanitizers. However, their teachers can remind them what to do to keep the infection at bay.
Increased Parent Participation
Pre-COVID-19 learning was devoid of high levels of parent participation. Apart from occasional calls and school visits, there was little to show commitment in their children's lives. Given the hectic lives modern parents lead, it is clear that they lack time to show support in schoolwork. It is difficult for teachers to engage parents in their child's studying.
With the shift to online learning, parents' support and understanding of children's learning needs have increased. For instance, parents of young learners assist their kids in using online learning platforms during lessons. With such dedicated involvement, children are more likely to attend all classes and register better grades.
Virtual Graduations
Graduation is a big deal for all learners, and it is filled with lots of joy. Parents and students all look forward to this day – the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance. Students get to celebrate it with their family members and close an important chapter in their lives.
Post-COVID-19 graduation ceremonies have taken place online across several institutions. Students dreaming about a normal graduation day had to accept that things have changed. Despite disappointment among them, many still find great relief graduating virtually after a tough academic year. Regardless of its shortcomings, virtual graduation is as life-changing as a traditional one.
Facing Educational Inequalities
Education inequalities are not a new phenomenon. They are prevalent in most countries and constitute a sad reflection of the current world. Students come from diverse backgrounds. Some of them suffer extreme poverty, while others enjoy an abundance of opportunities. Private and public learning institutions provide different education standards despite sharing a curriculum.
Pre-COVID-19 times have made these inequalities much more obvious. More people are aware that there is a discrepancy between the well-to-do and underprivileged individuals in education. For example, disadvantaged students may lack learning resources like online interaction tools and find it difficult to access the Internet.
Despite these challenges, all students pass similar exams. As a result, many stakeholders develop different strategies to promote fairness in the learning environment.
Conclusion
Life before and after the pandemic provided the average student with varied experiences. While there have been some notable gains for the education sector, there is still a need for improvement. Students explored the possibilities created by technology for learners. Despite missing out on the social aspect of learning, they were lucky to attend classes virtually when people worldwide were fighting for their lives.
There is hope for a quicker return to the pre-COVID-19 times with the development of vaccines. The changes brought by the pandemic are hard to erase, and some, like the digital migration, are here to stay. The resumption of learning is a clear sign of human resilience – finding a way to continue thriving in the face of challenges.
