Friday, March 27, 2020

The Definition of Chemistry

The Definition of ChemistryI wanted to take the time to talk about qualitative chemistry, a topic that I feel is very important, and will be covered in a future article. I want to look at the definition of chemistry and talk about some of the factors that affect it, and the consequences of not following it.The most important thing to remember is that chemistry is an interdisciplinary science that is constantly evolving and developing. This means that there are many different types of chemistry, so you need to be able to handle all of them, both as a student and as a chemist. So I have three things to cover in this article.The first thing that I want to talk about is the definition of chemistry. Now I want to be clear that it is a fairly simple definition, and some of you may be thinking, 'So what if you call it a science?' Well, I don't think there is any difference between this and calling it a business.The only difference is that in the scientific community they tend to refer to it as a science, rather than a business. They say that the differences between science and business are that the business uses money, and the science uses science. If we really want to make it clear, I think it would be better if we called it chemistry.The second thing that I want to talk about is that there are very few new students who go into chemical engineering and biology and get a solid degree in them. Many of these people may even go on to get PhDs in their respective areas, but their areas of study are very poor. Their idea of chemistry might be a limited one, and this means that they probably won't be able to apply their degrees to many different areas, especially in business. For example, their area of study might be one where all they do is deal with chemicals, but this is not enough for many industries.To make matters worse, many of these industries will also have very different types of chemistry. The results are that for people that want to get into these types of indus tries, they may be left out by being trained in chemistry that is just about chemicals, and nothing else.In conclusion, I believe that chemistry is a science, and the reason that it is called such is because of the problems that it has been forced to go through, and the good that it has been able to achieve. I am sure that we will continue to be discussing it, and so will we talk about what should happen next.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Airport English Tips for Check-In, Security, Customs and more

Airport English Tips for Check-In, Security, Customs and more Flying is a stressful experience at the best of times, especially at the holiday season when airports are particularly busy. However, flying is even more stressful if you cannot understand what is being said to you or what exactly it is you need to do to get on your flight. Here is a quick guide to airport English to help you out.English Airport Check-in Questions:May I see your passport and ticket please?What is the country of your final destination?What is your country of residence?How many pieces of luggage do you have to be checked-in?Do you have hand luggage?Did you pack your luggage yourself or did somebody help you?Did you, at any point, leave your baggage unattended (by itself)?Did anybody ask you to carry anything for them?(You might hear) Your luggage is over the permitted (allowed) weight, you will be required to pay a fine.Your luggage should be checked into the oversized (big or awkward) baggage section.What kind of seat would you like, window, aisle (by the corridor) or middle?Do you have any special eating requirements?We remind you that all mobile phones and laptops should be switched off during takeoff and landing.Thank you sir/madam, your gate number is __________.Your flight will be boarding at _____ am/pm.English Airport Security Questions:Can you put all personal belongings in the plastic container, please?Please remove your shoes and belt and place them in a separate container.You are not permitted to carry open food or drinks beyond this point.Excuse me, sir/madam, since you have set off the security alarm, we need to search you.Sorry sir but potentially dangerous items like knives and razors cannot be carried onto the plane. Can you please remove them from your hand luggage.Thank you for your co-operation, you can now proceed to your designated (given) gate.Airport Announcements in English:Flight _______ has been delayed. Please contact your carrier (airline) for further information.Flight _______ is now boarding at gate ______Can Mr/Ms/ Miss/Mrs ______ please report to desk ____ urgently.Flight _____ is now boarding. Would all passengers proceed to gate ____.Will Mr/Ms/Miss/Mrs please report to the nearest airport telephone.Some Things You Might Hear If Your Flight Has Been Cancelled Or OverbookedSorry sir but your flight has been canceled (due to technical problems on the plane/ unfavorable weather).You can report to your carrier to change your ticket or we can put you on standby for the next available seat on a flight to your destination.There will be a complimentary lunch for passengers in the dining area. Please ask a member of airline staff for your lunch ticket.We will shuttle passengers who live at a distance from the airport to an adjacent (nearby) hotel.The airline wishes to apologize for any inconvenience caused by the flight disruption.Sorry, but we have double booked your seat. Can we upgrade you to first class?Pre-boarding and boarding announcementsGood morning/afternoon passengers. This is the pre-boa rding announcement for flight ____ to ____.We are now inviting passengers with small children and any passengers requiring special assistance to come forward and begin boarding first.Please have your boarding pass and identification ready for boarding.We are now boarding seats _________. Will passengers with those seats only please come forward.This is the final boarding call for flight ___________. Would all remaining passengers for this flight please report to gate _____.This is the final boarding call for passengers ______ booked on flight ____ to _____. Would this passenger proceed to gate _____ immediately.Ok, now that the stressful part is over (well, hopefully) relax and enjoy your flight. Here is some classic seasonal music to help you unwind after all that: Wham’s Last Christmas.Sign up for: Skype English Lessons| Aulas de Inglês | Clases de Inglés por Skype LOIEnglish I know! But it is so funny! Marcin Stanowski Well, thats a really comprehensive list of questions! I was looking for something like that. I will just have to record audio for that or have some of my friends record that for my students! Last Christmas? Why? it should be banned!

Who can be a Maths tutor

Who can be a Maths tutor A whole plethora of skills add up to make a good Maths tutor. The subject is a mixture of analysis, logic, mental agility and basic arithmetic skill, all of which are abilities which can easily be honed in very different professions. Much has been said in recent months about an expected rise in teaching post applications as city workers lose their jobs due to the recession. This could free up an unexpected wealth of talent for private Maths tuition as city workers, especially those from the financial district, will have most of the necessary skill sets to teach Mathematics. They have strong analytical minds and are able to provide first hand experience of how theoretical problems can be applied practically. Similarly engineers, another group to have suffered in the recent downturn, can bring a strong sense of practical application to a tutoring role. Other careers that can easily convert into an aptitude for Maths tutoring include those which have a strong arithmetic element woven in. Such jobs include accountancy and actuarial work. Their experience of Applied Mathematics can be a great bonus in helping to engage and motivate students. Then there are those with previous experience in teaching the subject, lecturers, teachers and classroom assistants, who have a strong educative background in a school or university environment. The crossover of skills is high, yet the new challenges and opportunities that arise from taking on private tuition can be highly appealing to many.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

5 Campus Resources You Shouldnt Miss - TutorNerds

5 Campus Resources You Shouldn’t Miss - TutorNerds Tips From a San Diego College Tutor: 5 Campus Resources You Shouldn’t Miss Tips From a San Diego College Tutor: 5 Campus Resources You Shouldn’t Miss Every college offers a ton of excellent campus resources. Unfortunately, many of them are underused. The transition from high school to college is challenging, and students generally rush from class to work or class to a party. Once it becomes a routine, its easy to forget about all the excellent things available outside the classroom. Things such as the Athletic Center, student transportation, the Career Center, the Academic Advising Center, and the Ombudsman are often brushed aside by busy students with busy schedules. However, these resources can make the college experience complete and can also make the post-collegiate experience easier and more productive give yourself an advantage with the help of a San Diego private college tutor from TutorNerds. 1 The Athletic Complex Many students think the Athletic Complex is reserved only for athletes. At most universities, this is not the case. Although the pool will be closed when the swim team is training and the weight room is reserved for the football team during practice, its usually available to all students at no extra cost during off times. Exercise is a great way to maintain physical health in general and reduce stress for busy students. Its also a great way to take a break during those multi-hour study sessions that will occur during midterms and finals week. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of their athletic complex to maintain health and happiness during their university experience (READ: Staying Focused At Community College). 2 Student Transportation Getting to campus is hard enough, and the majority of college students dont own a car but they may be walking and cycling more than they need to. Although exercise is good, rushing from class to class carrying heavy books may not be advantageous in climates with extreme weather. Many campuses offer a free trolley or bus that transports students from one part of campus to the other. Although there will be some wait time, students who want to get from their class to the student center two miles away, may find that a five-minute wait in line will get them there faster. On-campus transportation is rarely used but it can be a helpful way to navigate larger universities. 3 The Career Center Most students dont think about the Career Center until their senior year or even after graduation. In reality, its best to stop by the Career Center before committing to a major. Many students have an idea of what field or fields they might like to study but are unaware of the specifics. It’s important to know about potential salaries, the latest and greatest job search websites, what is expected during the application process for each field, how to create an online resume, and how to be resilient if the dream job situation doesnt work out right away. Every single college student should visit the Career Center at least once! 4 The Academic Advising Center Hopefully, students visit the Academic Advising Center here and there, but most students dont go as often as they should. Choosing classes to meet general education and major requirements is only the beginning of what the Academic Advising Center can provide. Their services can be used in conjunction with a Career Center and students can determine if they should add a minor, change their major, or even complete a double major. The Academic Advising Center will also help students determine if their GPA is on track for honors or undergraduate research opportunities that could lead them to graduate school. It’s recommended that students visit the Academic Advising Center at least once a semester (READ: 5 Signs You Need a College Math Tutor). 5 The Ombudsman Most students havent even heard of the Ombudsman, however they can provide an important resource if things on campus aren’t working out. The Ombudsman’s job is to provide conflict resolution and guidance between different academic departments, students and their peers, and students and their professors. Although students hope the Ombudsman’s services are not needed, its a good idea to know that theyre available, and where their office is located just in case things dont go as planned. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

How to Ace Your First Day at a New Job

How to Ace Your First Day at a New Job Image via: www.pexels.com Don’t let this psyche you out! After all, out of an entire hiring pool, your employers decided that you were the perfect fit for the position based on your resume and their experiences in interacting with you. So keep calm and carry on. Keep reading to learn how to act on your first day at a new job. Image via: www.pexels.com Step One: Dress to Impress Pick out an outfit the night before your first day of work. Doing so will allow you time to dig through your wardrobe and decide what would be fitting for your first day on the job. When in doubt, overdress. It’s always better to be too dressed up than not be dressed up enough. Dressing up demonstrates that you have respect for the office and your position. Think back to how the other employees were dressed when you came by for your job interview or whatever you wore to the interview and dress along those same lines. If you still aren’t completely sure what the dress code is, there is no harm in contacting the HR office to see what’s appropriate just to be on the safe side. Image via: www.pexels.com Step Two: Timing is Everything Being timely will demonstrate to your supervisor and fellow coworkers that you’re responsible and excellent with time management. Doing so will require some practice. If you aren’t familiar with the area surrounding your new workplace, practice driving there during rush hour. You will learn quickly what time you will have to leave to get there at a reasonable time. Speaking of time, you will want to arrive somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes, but no more than 20! You don’t want to come off as overly eager. Showing up 10 to 15 minutes early will show your supervisor that you’re passionate about the position and excited to get started. Being early allows you to calm your nerves before you walk through the door as well. Image via: www.pexels.com Step Three: Perfect Elevator Pitch An elevator pitch is a term used to describe a proposition that’s short, sweet, and to the point. It’s something that can be proposed within the length of an elevator ride. However, you’re not using it to sell anything. Practice a 30-second elevator pitch to quickly introduce yourself to your fellow coworkers, explaining who you are and what your previous work experience is. Keep it short and sweet. After all, rambling is likely to bore your coworkers and distract you from your work. Even though you’ve passed the interview process and the elevator pitch days seem long behind you, you should still brush up on those skills. When introducing yourself to others, maintain eye contact and have a firm handshake. Doing so demonstrates confidence and maturity, two things that are crucial for getting by in the workplace. Be sure to project your voice and enunciate your words very clearly. Don’t be shy! Your coworkers just want to get to know you, so be the best version of yourself. Image via: www.pexels.com Step Four: Socialize Speaking of getting to know people, the importance of socializing in the workplace, especially on the first day, cannot be stressed enough. The best insight you can get into a work atmosphere and environment is through the eyes of people who have already worked there for some time. Be friendly and ask tons of questions. Do your best to remember names, but if you can’t remember, be patient with yourself. Jot down names and small details for you to remember in the future. If you should forget a name, apologize, but make a small, polite joke to lessen the tension and lighten the mood. Also, don’t be afraid to go the extra mile. Aim to make one friend before you clock out at the end of the day. Make yourself available to anyone who needs help. If your supervisor or your coworkers ask you to join them for lunch, go with them! Your packed lunch will forgive you. Showing interest in spending time with coworkers shows that you’re interested in the position for something bigger than a LinkedIn update or a recommendation letter. To make the best impression in the workplace, you need to get around the office and spread your kindness and professionalism all over. Image via: www.pexels.com Step Five: Be Professional Speaking of professionalism, it’s important to retain a sense of decorum no matter how friendly you become with your supervisor and/or coworkers. Keep your phone silent and out of sight. Be ready to do anything your supervisor needs you to do at the first day of your job. It’s likely that your supervisor might hand you a difficult task on your first day as a test, so handle it professionally and calmly by asking questions and being diligent. Pay close attention when people are speaking to you in order to avoid missing important information or instructions. Take notes throughout the day to retain everything you have learned. At the end of the shift, you might think that you need to impress your supervisor by working overtime. Don’t. Go home and get some rest. You will need all of the time to reflect on your first day at your new job and prepare for day two. Good luck!

Level Up Your Language Learning with Spaced Repetition (SRS)

Level Up Your Language Learning with Spaced Repetition (SRS) Remember that time you crammed information for an exam?(Dont worry, weve all been there.)You, like many others, may have spent an all-nighter memorizing every page of your notes and trying desperately to make up for countless days you decided to hold off on studying.While you may have performed well on the exam, think about how much you recalled a few weeks after the test date.How much of that information did you remember?If youre like most humans, the answer is probably not very much. Wait, So Cramming a New Language Wont Work?You can try, but unfortunately you wont get very far if you try to learn  the Spanish subjunctive tense  in one night. Now, you may wonder, if I was able to recall information so well at the time of an exam, why has it dropped from my memory soon after?Well, theres science behind this! Research proves that cramming intense amounts of information into our brain in a short period of time is not an effective way for long-term learning.British author H.E. Gorst mentioned in his book The Course of Education that cramming is what produce[s] mediocrity. Yikes. What he means is that cramming doesnt provide us with the ability to think critically and effectively apply our knowledge in creative ways.Yet cramming is still becoming more and more popular among students of all ages.If Its So Ineffective, Why Do We Cram?Fingers point to improper time management as the number one cause. If we better prioritize our time, we can more efficiently learn new information. By cramming, we may absorb information that can be easily regurgitated the following day. But say goodbye to that information because its going to disappear at an exponential rate as time goes on.Cramming trades a strong memory now for a weak memory later. Unfortunately, we sometimes cling to short-term gratifications and fail to strive for long-term benefits. Before you banish all hope for your memory, theres an alternative method to learning that may give your brain the love it needs.In psychology, there is a theory of memorization and learning called the spacing effect. The spacing effect is the idea that we remember and learn items more effectively when they are studied a few times over a long span of time.Is Frequent Repetition the Solution? Not Quite.Since cramming is out the window, you may think its smarter to study material over and over again. Its crucial to note that, while repetition is important, not all repetition is created equally. Youll want to space out the repetitions between each time you study a set of information.But determining how long to wait in between studying can also be a tricky matter. If you practice too soon, your brain will begin passively remembering information, which will not stick over time. If you practice too late, you will have forgotten the material and have to spend extra time relearning it. Add to this the complexity of individual learning and memorization patterns, and you have a recipe for guaranteed memory loss.Thankfully , there are softwares available today to help us pin-point the sweet spot of optimal learning. Just when our forgetfulness dips below a certain level, these programs jump in and keep our brains on track. How cool is that?Spaced Repetition Software to the RescueSpaced repetition software (SRS) are computer programs modeled after a process similar to using flashcards. Users enter items to be memorized into the program, which are then converted into electronic decks that appear on-screen in a one-by-one sequential pattern.Usually, the user clicks one time to reveal the question or front of the generated card. A second click will reveal the answer or back of the flashcard. Upon seeing the answer, the user then indicates the difficulty of the card by telling the program how challenging it was.Each following cards order of appearance is not randomized. In fact, SRS programs use algorithms to space out the time intervals indicated when each card will appear again on the screen. Cards given easy ratings will appear later than cards given hard ratings, thus allowing users to spend more time studying the cards that are more difficult. The tough ones will show up more often until they are mastered, giving you the chance to actively learn them more efficiently than other learning styles.Using Spaced Repetition for Language LearningTo put this into context, lets pretend you spend an evening studying 100 Mandarin words you didnt know before. You continue studying until youve completely memorized the words. Lets say it takes you an hour to do this.Immediately after reviewing these words, your memory of them will be quite high. However, over time you will naturally begin forgetting the material you learned. And, since it was your first time learning these words, your use-it-or-lose-it brain is more likely to ditch this new material at a faster pace. The new knowledge isnt yet considered important enough to be etched into your brain cells.However, the second time you study the same words, it will take you less time to master the set than it did the first time. Perhaps this time it only takes you 30 minutes to memorize the 100 words. Congratulations! Youve completed your first spaced repetition.So, does this mean youll have to keep repeating the information you want to learn for the rest of your life? Not exactly. While it does require long-term review to keep information fresh on our minds, the time spent on review becomes shorter and less frequent over time.With each successive review, it will take you less and less time to fully recall the information. As you begin mastering a set of words, youll find yourself whizzing through each card. Eventually, information will become so memorable that we know it by heart. This is when you know youre ready to move onto a new, more challenging deck.Get Your SRS Game On!Thankfully, millions of people around the world enjoy using a variety of free applications available today that use spaced repetition learning.AnkiA nki is one of the most popular spaced repetition softwares. Named after the Japanese word for memorization, Anki allows users to create their own decks of cards or download pre-made decks by other users.One popular feature of Anki is the ability to sync decks across multiple devices, allowing users to study online or on their cell phones. Anki also stores your statistics for each deck so that you can track your progress over time.FluentUFluentU is a bit different from the other services mentioned here. FluentU takes real-world videos like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks, and turns them into language learning experiences. What makes it relevant here is that it has a very robust SRS systemâ€"based on a variation of the SM2 SuperMemo algorithm (like Anki).  What makes it different is that you are able to easily import words, and then you can automatically see images, definitions and example sentences that have been written for each of those words.And thats not al l. You can even see how the word is used in different videos throughout the site. This is all packaged in a smooth feature that tracks your history and provides new and different video clip prompts based on your previous history on FluentU. Its a smooth marriage of spaced repetition and learning through context and personalization. If youre tired of filling up your flashcards and searching for good examples, then FluentU might be what youre looking for.FluentU has a wide variety of videos like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.Interactive transcript for Carlos Baute song.You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs learn mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes  or  Google Play  store.SuperMemoSuperMemo is another learning software that uses spaced repetition learning methods. Electronic flashcards can be self-made, downloaded from a pre-made collection, or in some cases merged together. After users are presented with a card, they must respond and then give themselves a grade that reflects their recall ability. SuperMemo uses this feedback to calculate the interval length for the card to be repeated.Self-discipline Ultimately Trumps AllRemember, while these programs may have wonderful language learning techniqu es, they wont be effective unless you have the self-discipline to use them on an ongoing basis.Make it a habit to open up and use the softwares mentioned above. If you set aside some time every day to do your SRS studying, youll see noticeable results sooner than you might imagine.Frank Macri works with those looking to create off the beaten path lifestyles. For tips on saving (and making) money abroad, unique options to travel for a living,  and wisdom picked up around the world, visit  www.TheFrankLife.com.

Using Aggarwal Chemistry to Create New Things

Using Aggarwal Chemistry to Create New ThingsAggarwal Chemistry has made a large impact on the way we look at creating and looking at new products. It is so much more than just a science of turning substances into ones.Aggarwal Chemistry is not just about using chemistry to make something. It is about using chemistry to look at what you are working with in an entirely different way. It is about looking at the materials that we use every day and seeing how they interact with other materials, how they form and decay.How can these materials be used in new ways? Where will they fit? Where can they be combined with other materials to create something completely new? The answer to all of these questions is 'in chemistry'.When we think of Chemistry it often takes the form of a vat with masses of ingredients suspended in a liquid. Aggarwal Chemistry is about is seeing how these mass materials are used in different ways. For example, in Chemistry the process of mixing two substances is known as mixtures.Aggarwal Chemistry looks at how these mixtures are created. Is it better to combine a compound with one substance or with another? Aggarwal sees the principles of mixtures and how they are used and transform this idea into something more tangible. It is about using Chemistry to combine and build up new objects.Aggarwal Chemistry is more than just mixing chemicals together. It is about applying Chemistry to other living systems. It is about understanding how life works and figuring out what to do with it. It is about creating new things.What makes Aggarwal Chemistry so special is that it looks at the materials that we use every day and creates new things. There is no substitute for Aggarwal Chemistry.