Friday, April 2, 2010

Board Exam Tips For Students: Put Your Best Foot Forward

“I quit being afraid when my first venture failed and the sky didn't fall down.”
Allen H. Neuharth

I always get tensed and nervous when I enter the exam hall and even forget some answers...I get all the more tensed and even start shivering when I think of how am I going to face the board exam pressure?
Well, these are some general problems often faced by students during the Board Exam season. But a simple reply like “Relax! take a deep breath and avoid the test panic.” suffices all the worries off their heads.

There can be some basic reasons that in spite of good preparation and practice, students don’t perform well or give their 100% in their exams.
The nervousness and anxiety can be tied to varied specific events such as the first day of school, taking a test or going on a first date. For some students, this anxiety becomes so overwhelming that they face difficulty in concentrating during the test or forget the information which they had studied.

Some interpret it as butterflies, shakiness or a racing heartbeat during an exam…while others experience a full-blown panic attack when faced with a testing situation. Scientifically, psychologists name it as test anxiety, which is a psychological condition wherein people experience extreme distress and anxiety in testing situations. This can handicap the student’s will power to perform, no matter if he has studied or not. The severity of test anxiety can vary considerably from person to person.
Symptoms of test anxiety can be classified under three major groups: physical (sweating, shaking, rapid heart beat, dry mouth, fainting and nausea), cognitive and behavioral (avoidance of tests, blanking) and emotional (depression, low self-esteem and anger). Students also develop gregarious attitude by hurting themselves, taking drugs or indulging in destructive activities.

Taking all these things into account, there are certain does and don’ts which every student should adhere to when preparing for the crucial board exams.

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint’, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced”.
 Vincent Van Gogh...

It is strictly recommended for students to stop getting panicked…and should rather develop a feeling that they are appearing for another set of ordinary exams no matter even if it’s the arduous Board Exams. Here, the key funda which they mustn’t forget is that the easiest way of winning a battle is to win the battle first in the mind.

Students can conquer the exam fear by formulating blueprints and implementing them practically in their routine life. They can at anytime, anywhere refer to the eLearning portals as per their convenience and use online materials such as solved question papers backed by logical and coherent reasoning for constant practicing. The test papers too help them know where exactly they are lacking. All these will steadily develop the required proficiency and hold over weak subjects which are the most crucial elements demanded from them during the Board exams.

A student is suggested to always ask himself as to where exactly he is going wrong and should develop the habit of learning from his previous mistakes. He should persistently talk to his friends and relatives to know the root cause of such hindering reasons.

They should try to study at least four subjects out of total five per day, which will eventually keep their memory sharp for all subjects. Spending one hour religiously for each subject will mean giving four hours daily for all four subjects. But remember not to study continuously.

Also, they are advised to take small breaks after every hour which they can utilize by either watching a TV or interacting with friends without getting into study related discussions. This is vital for revitalizing one’s tired soul.

Again, students shouldn’t easily get worked up and worried if thoughts like forgetting previous chapters cross their minds. They should rather wipe out such destructive thoughts by concentrating on new concepts with a fresh mind and full dedication. This will help them in getting disillusioned and at the same time will boost their confidence on themselves.

Students are highly recommended to perform yoga and meditation if facing extreme stress. This will in due course enhancing their concentration power, since, yogic exercises are known for removing the antioxidants from the body and refresh the entire human system.
Healthy eating habits incorporating nutritious foods are a must do in the list while junk foods are a strict no-no.

Last minute preparation always results into a total chaos and may deliver catastrophic results. In such circumstances, students are advocated to carry all the necessary materials with them such a pen, pencil, board roll number, etc. as they leave for the exam centre.

Last but not the least, they should remember not to let other’s expectations overpower them…rather should have complete faith in themselves, a mandatory requirement as they gear up to face the grueling exam session.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Trends of E-learning education

As the new academic year sets in, new hopes and aspirations blossom in minds of students. New books are bought; backpacks have new crisp notebooks- above all, a new energy in the heart and mind of the child. They start afresh with new resolutions to set new records with outstanding performance in exams throughout the year.

Students are participating in on-line learning at institutions of higher education in the India. There are many websites, which provide online education for senior secondary school students, and they provide interactive and lucrative offers for student. By using these offers students get highest score in upcoming examination. Only few of the websites are offering annual study packages for student to can get unlimited access for a year. One of them is Extramarks.com, providing unlimited services at a reasonable price.

Private institutions have become more involved with on-line presentations as the cost of instituting such a system is gradually decreasing. Properly trained staff must also be hired to teach students on-line. These staff members need to understand the content area, and also be highly trained in the use of the computer and Internet. Online education is rapidly increasing, and online doctoral programs have even developed at leading research universities

E-learning services have evolved since computers were first used in education. These trends are moving towards blended learning services, where computer-based activities are integrated with practical or classroom-based situations.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Etutoring: The Growing Virtual Trend Wooing the Netizens!!!

Elearning, a term coined in the 21st century with the advent of the Internet, is an umbrella term meant for describing innovative learning done through a computer. It is usually connected to a network, thus, giving ardent learners the opportunity to learn almost anything anytime, anywhere. With the World Wide Web, it has become quite plausible now to reach to the remotest corner of this global village and quench the thirst of knowledge-seekers.


People find web-based, online learning much more convenient simply because of its’ many advantageous features, as the usage of latest technology and ingenious concepts to satisfy a craving mind. They are provided with a unique opportunity where they dive deep to unravel the mysteries of the universe and explore learning and attain knowledge as never done before.


Etutoring: Gateway to Myriad of Knowledge

With eLearning, eTutoring, another highlighting feature, has come into existence which has successfully transcended the traditional classroom learning, thus, making itself much more creditable for generation N. Easily accessible, eTutoring or virtual classes have effortlessly carved for itself a vast niche audience which finds the modern teaching style coupled with technological evolution much more salubrious and profitable.


Virtual class or eTutoring offer learners a way to stay ahead of the information tide of an expanding knowledge base. This gives them the privilege to have learning program as per their convenience. Online learning offer real-time learning in a vast number of subjects and topics for individual instruction which further adds charm to this growing learning tool. Be it students, parents or teachers, all are provided with flexible learning processes not found in any other learning mechanism.

Etutoring does not outright negate the importance of traditional learning style, rather accentuates it through its much beneficial features designed especially for a student’s aspiring future. It aids a learner with sufficient devises and skills to implement the gained knowledge in the best possible manner he could.

With virtual classes, online experts are given the leverage to share their vast ocean of knowledge with knowledge seekers anywhere at their own pace. Unlike other form of education, eTutoring is equally seen as rich and as valuable as the classroom experience and its’ unique features impart an invaluable experience that leads to comprehension and mastery of new skills and knowledge, just like its traditional counterpart.

Internet, a priority in any occupation, has helped set a perfect platform for eTutoring and eLearning, vital for any beginner to access to and essential for having a firm grip in his field of knowledge. Years of refinement and perfection using established teaching principles have aided in imparting the right dosage of information and which has eventually forced educational institutes, businesses, and organizations worldwide to have Internet learning, a mandatory tool in their routine learning.

Advantages

Etutoring or virtual class is not without its’ own set of beneficial features, must for augmenting its overall role as a user-friendly learning tool. These chiefly incorporate:

  • An interactive online lesson module

  • Can access from anywhere, at anytime

  • Just requires a web browser

  • Functions as a great home school, an easy substitute for school education

  • Effective one-to-one learning

  • Accredited generally by nationally and internationally recognized accrediting agencies

  • Offers online quizzes and exams with instant feedbacks

  • Does not require additional materials or textbooks

  • Have abundant lesson modules and are constantly upgraded

Henceforth, it’s proved that eTutoring or virtual class functions as a pivotal learning tool keeping in mind the fast paced contemporary society. For the 21st century students, it is definitely seen as a valuable technological advancement designed specifically to meet the constant changing demands at one’s own suitable time and comfort.

Friday, January 9, 2009

ELearning Technology Blended with Education

In todays fast pace world when time is becoming a critical factor, the pattern of learning is also undergoing major transformation. Populace want and need to learn according to their schedule, anytime, anywhere, so learning must be available on a 24x7 clock, with just-in-time delivery to the office, home and holiday spots. In this context information technology has emerged as a revolutionary vehicle, giving rise to inventive mode of learning, eLearning. Any learning that utilizes a network (LAN, WAN or Internet) for delivery, interaction, or facilitation and the medium of instruction in computer is eLearning or Electronic Learning.

ELearning is an umbrella term that includes distributed learning, online education, Computer Based Training (CBT) delivered over a network, and Web Based Training (WBT). As eLearning is self-paced, hands-on learning, it endows with very rich learning experience that can even surpass the level of education one might experience in a crowded classroom. It can be synchronous, asynchronous, instructor-led or computer-based or a combination of both.

Coupled with the communicative powers of technology, today eLearning has influenced different facets of education & training. It is now used, as an option by companies for training, disseminating information and other information management needs for their employees. By using this mode of instruction, companies can save millions of dollars in education and training their employees.

Although used for various purposes, eLearning is one of the most promising innovations to improve classroom teaching and learning after the school hours. ELearning permits teachers to develop study materials using the worldwide resources of the Web and communicate information in a more engaging fashion. Availability of wide-range of texts, diagrams and images with video and sound, including virtual reality technology makes teaching an interesting and effective process that holds the interest of students in the classroom.

As learning is a continuous, cultural process, so access and opportunities to learn should be available to students in real time after the school hours. eLearning fosters self paced learning whereby students can access the study support round the clock at their pace and convenience. A real time study support to students through subject experts via Virtual Classes further solve the queries of students and make them more proficient in the subject. It is highly appreciated by the teachers and students for its economic value as it eliminates the travel time and costs without compromising the quality and requirements.

Amidst all such benefits, eLearning has a major pitfall, viz. lack of face-to-face interaction between the students and the professor. But the quality education at economic cost available as per the convenience and flexibility of learners conceal the snag in eLearning and makes it a foremost choice of today’s knowledge driven generation.

Elearning, an innovative and revolutionary way to improve learning technique has become the mantra of the 21st century. Technology’s latest communicative power has taken the world by storm with its distinctive features making learning quite economic and convenient.