How to Survive Summer School

How to Survive Summer School!

 By Sylvia S. adapted from the article “Amy's Survival Guide to Summer School” by Amy, a former TutorTalk Editor

Introduction 

Whether you’re a savant or novice when it comes to online learning, summer courses require a different mindset than traditional classes. This presentation will show you a step-by-step process for succeeding in an NCVirtual summer course. 

Tip: Before we get started congratulate yourself! Choosing to participate in an NCVirtual class over the summer shows great initiative and true determination. Relax, you’re going to do fine! 

Below is a presentation displaying 5 important steps for success in an NCVirtual summer course: 

  

Conclusion

It may feel like a lot, but if you can apply these steps to your summer course you will be well on your way to success! Ask any questions you have now! The PTC team is here and ready to help you. Carefully managing your summer won’t ruin the fun. With luck, your NCVirtual class will add to your summer plans rather than impede them. Who knows, you may find you prefer translating Latin from your lounge chair on the beach or next to a pool rather than hunched over your desk at home.

Click the image above to access a peer tutor! :-)

Tip: For additional information on motivational and time management strategies, check out these previous TutorTalk articles:

• http://NCVirtualpeertutor.blogspot.com/2012/05/excels-magic-word.html
• http://ncvpspeertutor.blogspot.com/2016/02/have-no-fear-time-management-is-here.html 
• http://ncvpspeertutor.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-stairway-to-success.html 
• http://ncvpspeertutor.blogspot.com/search/label/studying

What to Do During Social Distancing

By: Angelina N.

What is social distancing, and why is it important right now? 

Social distancing refers to going out minimally, avoiding physical contact with others, and refraining from large gatherings of people. It is used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The contagiousness of a disease is measured based on the R0

"R Naught Ebola and Flu Diagram" by Kiera Campbell is licensed
under CC BY-SA 4.0

(pronounced “R naught”) value, or the average number of individuals that an infected person transmits the disease to. For diseases exceeding an R0 value of 1, such as COVID-19 (which has an R0 value of about 2.2), the number of infections can multiply rapidly because each infected person will infect more than one other person. In addition, COVID-19 has an incubation period of between two and 14 days, with the average being five days. This means that after contracting the disease, an individual will not exhibit symptoms for an average of five days but will still be contagious during this time frame. Since many infected people do not realize they are infected, they can unintentionally transmit the disease to people that they come into contact with. Actively social distancing is therefore necessary to prevent people from unknowingly infecting those with compromised immune systems or older individuals, who are much more likely to experience severe and possibly fatal symptoms. By taking precautionary measures, the number of infections can be reduced significantly. This also alleviates the burden on hospitals, which may experience a shortage of supplies, equipment, or staff otherwise. 

Although practicing social distancing is beneficial to the community at large, spending most of your time at home may seem like an incredibly difficult and dull adjustment. However, instead of viewing it as a major impediment to social contact and various forms of entertainment, you should view it as an opportunity to accomplish tasks you normally wouldn’t have the time for. Below is a list of ideas of how to spend your period of social distancing in both fun and/or productive ways. 

Find a fun mental stimulus 

Doing a mentally stimulating activity is a great way to combat boredom. 

• Play a board game: Options include Monopoly, chess, Scrabble, etc. — the choices are endless! 
• Go old-fashioned: Try your hand at Sudoku, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, brainteasers, or crafts (online DIY videos are a great source of inspiration). 
• Write a short story or poem: Brainstorm ideas that you could turn into a piece of writing. 
  

Take time for self-care 

Since most events have been cancelled, your schedule is most likely cleared right now. Instead of sinking into boredom, you should see it as a calm refuge from the chaos and incessant hassle of normal life. Now is a great time for you to reflect on your mental and physical health. 

• Practice meditation: Meditation is focusing on being more present and aware in all aspects of daily life through techniques such as mindfulness. It has been scientifically proven to be conducive to both mental and physical health, with some of its benefits being lower blood pressure and stress levels, improved sleep and memory, and a stronger immune system. There are numerous meditation apps that can be downloaded with the press of a button (Waking Up, Headspace, Calm, and many more), so meditation is a practice that can be conveniently incorporated into your daily routine. 
• Self-reflect: Oftentimes, we get so caught up in seemingly endless tasks, whether that be

  

  Pixabay license- no attribution required

  schoolwork deadlines or upcoming exams, that life seems like a ceaseless “this, that, this, that” and so on so forth. During social distancing, it may seem like everything has suddenly come to a standstill, which is a chance for you to look back on the past few months and plan for the future. Take some time to reflect on your personal growth and accomplishments, as well as what you are still working towards. Set goals for yourself and determine how you will reach them. Jot these ideas down in a notebook, or type them on your computer for future reference. 
• Do what you enjoy: This last one is simple — spend time doing activities that you love! This may be different for every person; it could be spending more time with family, having a movie night with popcorn, or reading a book that’s been on your to-read list for some time. 
  

Start good habits 

It can be hard to incorporate new habits during most of the year because we are often too occupied to feel motivated to do so. Now is the time to pick up good habits that can have a positive impact throughout the rest of your life. 

• Stay active: Staying at home all day makes it easy to fall into a sedentary routine. However,

  

  Pixabay license- no attribution required

  social distancing does not necessarily mean refraining from leaving the house entirely; in fact, it’s a great idea to go outside for a walk or a run in a park or other uncrowded areas during the day. There are also many great at-home workout videos online that provide fun and engaging ways to be active. Learning creative ways to exercise and experiencing the rewards of being physically active may motivate you to include it as a regular part of your routine in the future. 
  
• Eat healthy: A great way to use your spare time is to learn about nutrition and creative healthy recipes. Experiment with various dishes, and determine what works best for you. This may help elevate your consciousness about healthy eating habits in the long-term, which will beneficially impact your life in countless ways. 
  

Do some extra studying 

Since after-school events, most extracurriculars, and transportation time have probably been taken out of your schedule, there is now plenty of extra time to study, even if your face-to-face school is requiring you to attend virtual sessions. 

• Study for AP classes: AP exam season is coming up, which means that it’s a good time to start

  

  Pixabay license- no attribution required

  reviewing information from last semester. It is also a good idea to keep up with College Board’s updates on modifications to the AP exams this year. College Board has already posted the changes to every AP course curriculum, along with the general structure of the altered exams. Make sure to check their website to avoid studying material you are no longer responsible for and to be prepared for this year’s test format. 
• Do some SAT and/or ACT practice: Use this time to read some SAT/ACT prep books, as they contain helpful techniques for succeeding on these standardized tests. Once you’ve reviewed these techniques, take a few practice exams; these are lengthy and typically difficult to fit in with other obligations, so now is the perfect time to try them. 

Learn something new 

If you’re still having a hard time deciding what to do, it may be a good idea to try something completely new and possibly discover new interests in the process. Ideas include learning some magic tricks, trying out calligraphy, or learning a new language through Duolingo. If you’re still having a hard time choosing, there are great sources of inspiration all over the Internet. 

Donate for a good cause 

Taking social distancing seriously is already a great way to protect the well-being of those around you, but you can take it a step further by donating during this time of need. 

Pixabay license- no
attribution required

• Donate blood: Due to the ongoing pandemic, blood drives have been cancelled, meaning that there is currently a severe blood shortage. If you are interested in donating blood, check out the requirements for a student blood donor using this link: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/info-for-student-donors.html 
• Donate to a food bank: Families who face food insecurity are especially vulnerable during this time, with grocery store supplies being depleted rapidly. If possible, consider donating even small instant food packages, candy bars, or personal hygiene products; although it may be difficult to donate in bulk quantity right now, even the smallest contributions can make a difference. 

Social distancing may seem extremely monotonous, but it is actually a great chance to try fun at-home activities, take time for self-reflection, and get ahead in schoolwork and studying. So take advantage of this time to plan out a list of to-dos and start checking it off! 

Works Cited 

Caddy, Becca. “Best Meditation Apps: Practice Mindfulness with Headspace, Calm and More.” 

TechRadar, TechRadar, 21 Mar. 2020, www.techradar.com/news/best-meditation-apps.

Cascella M, Rajnik M, Cuomo A, et al. Features, Evaluation and Treatment Coronavirus 

(COVID-19) [Updated 2020 Mar 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): 

StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554776/ 

Hersh, Erica. “Coronavirus Incubation Period: How Long Before Symptoms Appear?” Healthline, 

Healthline Media, 19 Mar. 2020, 

www.healthline.com/health/coronavirus-incubation-period. 

“185_factsheet_social_distancing.Pdf.” Santa Clara County Public Health Department. 

“What Is R0?: Gauging Contagious Infections.” Healthline, 

www.healthline.com/health/r-nought-reproduction-number.

Vongkiatkajorn, Kanyakrit, and Laura Daily. “How You Can Help during the Coronavirus 

Outbreak.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 21 Mar. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/03/21/how-you-can-help-during-coronavirus/?arc404=true.  

The Coronavirus: Do's and Don'ts

By: Shreya S.

What to Do When You Feel like School is Taking Over Your Life

By: Sonia G.

Copyright free

Does the school week ever seem like a boring routine to you? Do your days look the same? Do you have time for family and friends, or do you feel like school is taking over every aspect of your life? School should be a priority, but it should not be the only one. Your family, friends, and possibly religion are also a priority, and if you play a sport or do activities outside of school, you have even more priorities to balance. But sometimes, school and all the stress that comes along with it can feel like it’s taking over everything. 

You might feel like your projects and studying barely leave you with time to interact with family and friends. Or that all of the cumulative stress leaves you unable to function. Either way, I have developed a plan that can help you whenever you begin to feel like school is becoming your life. 

First, I would recommend that you take breaks. If you can find a way to work and then take a break, you can give yourself a boost of energy. Your break can be as quick as checking your email or as lengthy as watching a movie. Just make sure that whatever you choose, your break is not longer than your work time and still allows time for you to finish the rest of your work. 

Another idea is for you to work during times that you do not typically think of as being opportunities to do schoolwork. Depending on your school, you may have a study hall or designated time when you can work. If you’re not as lucky, I would like to point out times that you may have overlooked. For example, on the ride to and from school, you have time to read and study. At lunch, you can create a study group with other friends and study, do worksheets, or work on projects. By applying this principle to your own life, you may also find other “free periods” that you can take advantage of. This will help you free up space so that you don’t have as much to do. 

Finally, I would like to suggest that you allow yourself to relax. Take time to do things that you enjoy so that you can approach your schoolwork with a clear mind. When you are able to focus on your assignments, you are much more likely to put forth the best effort possible and do much better than you could have done when distracted. 

Brain on Paint

By: Pauline A.

It’s Friday afternoon. You hop off your bus and make your merry way home. As you enter the halls of your house, you make it straight to the TV room, drop your backpack onto the floor, and plop on the couch. You tilt your head back, fatigued from the long day of 7 hours in school, and your thoughts meander to what you’re going to do for the weekend. You take out your phone and scroll through YouTube. As you wander through the plethora of video thumbnails, you spot an old low-fidelity 1980’s looking video cover of a man in a cool pale blue sleeved shirt, with a nice soft brown afro, smiling at the camera; before him stands his easel, with a mountain before it on a backdrop of a canvas. Your brows furrow, as your finger instinctively clicks upon it with the questions: “Why’s this in my video feed?”, but more importantly, “Is that Bob Ross?”. Which now leads to the final question: “How’d he do that?!”. What Bob Ross was doing back in the 80s was painting landscapes all by himself, with no guidance whatsoever, in front of a recording camera. The soothing sounds of paint scraping upon the canvas in the low-quality video have invoked the response of “I wish I could do that!” from many people. As it turns out, you can! When your brain is on paint, a plethora of glorious emotions and thoughts can render you speechless!

It may not be obvious at first, but there are many health benefits to painting. Some health benefits include the improvement of dexterity, memory, and encouragement of concentration. When one holds a paintbrush and strokes onto the canvas, the flexibility of their wrist, fingers, and their hands is heightened. Long periods of this repetitive movement can gradually steady your hand, and thus prevent it from shaking often. However, many overlook that painting or performing any other artistic craft is often done for a long period sitting down, so stretching your hands and resting your body is essential for pleasant painting experience! 

The improvement of memory and concentration go hand in hand. A person who is painting must focus on the meticulous details of what they’re painting and think on their subject matter, whether it’s from their own imagination or if they are using real-life references. Studies have shown that this repetition of focus can help lower the risk of memory loss illnesses at an older age. 

Photo by geralt on Pixabay is licensed under Pixabay License

From an artist’s perspective, I encourage anyone of any age to start painting (though this can be applicable to any hobby)! One of the main reasons why is because it encourages perseverance.  Making paintings enforces trial and error (believe it or not) and researching techniques. Additionally, being surrounded by those who are better than you is a beneficial experience. While many people are intimidated by this, it is ultimately one of the key points that lead to improvement. An essential point to learn is that failure isn’t such a terrible thing to experience. In fact, it can often help pivot an artist in the most successful path towards growth. 

Second, painting allows the expression of emotion. You have free will of what you can paint. From landscapes, to people, to characters, or just splashing stuff that’s on your mind at the moment onto the canvas is a safe outlet for expressing your ideas and pushing your imagination!

Photo by Ryan Hickox on Flickr is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Third, your perception of reality will evolve gradually over time. Studying and painting/drawing (whatever craft in the fine arts you choose), allows a person to see the world in different perspectives. If an artist has studied and built upon their craft, they are more likely to be able to deconstruct basic visual appeals in our daily life: from how the sunlight casts over trees/organisms, how everything one can see can be deconstructed into shapes, and how one can understand the textures of mundane objects. It’s details like these that build up from crafting pictures on the canvas. 

However, many choose not to start painting because it can be too overwhelming at once. Painting has a plethora of approaches and may not seem too linear for a beginner to understand or start on at first. Second, it doesn’t seem “technical” or applicable in many jobs. Paintings are often seen as just pictures on the wall, but they help branch out in different types of artistic careers, from an illustrator at a comic book company to a graphic designer for a marketing firm. Or, they can be used as simple decorations for houses. Last, painting supplies range in price. Like anything else, the better quality products are more expensive than the low-quality ones. A lot of beginners are overwhelmed on deciding which paint brands to choose, paint brushes to buy, and which canvases should be used. 

Photo on Pxhere is licensed under CC0

Although painting can seem overwhelming at first, you should try it out! It can help alleviate boredom, and it allows you to step out of your comfort zone! From personal experience, I got into drawing and painting by looking up “how to draw” and “how to paint” videos on YouTube. This helped a lot by showing me the different ways painting and drawing can be approached; plus, it offered a good introduction into the hobby. These videos are mostly aimed at people who’ve not drawn for long  or picked up a paintbrush, so there’s no need to worry about making something good right away. With materials, it’s a good idea to just buy cheaper materials (like in Walmart or your local dollar store), or “student-quality” materials (products aimed at the most affordable price), to explore your options and to get a feel of what you would like to paint. However, this doesn’t mean you should stick with cheaper qualities forever. Lastly, this is a controversial but common phenomenon, but believe it or not, many artists start out copying their favorite artist(s).  There’s no shame in copying or redrawing/repainting a piece so long as the artist is credited/recognized AND it is not being made for profit! 

Overall, whether or not you want to try out painting or a new hobby is all up to you! But just remember, with the vast Internet, many resources are at your fingertips. It’s up to you whether you use them to your advantage to develop your artistry. 

Art by zatsukii (Pauline A.) on Instagram. You can find her here: https://www.instagram.com/zatsukii/?hl=en

Artwork used (in clockwise order): https://www.instagram.com/p/Bgcfr6xlM5u/, https://www.instagram.com/p/BrZQlnwBUBQ/, https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsgx21LhGtv/ 

Creating Your Ultimate College List

By: Gracie B.

Although college application season is coming to an end, now is the perfect time for juniors, sophomores, and even freshmen to begin planning for college. In fact, you can take the first step in the application process today by creating a college list. There is no perfect formula for creating the ultimate college list, but there are several important factors you must consider to create a list best suited to your individual needs and goals. 

"Main Building, University of Notre Dame DDZ_0009" by NDomer73 is

licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

 What Exactly is a College List? 

A college list is a plan of which universities you will apply to your senior year of high school. Most students interested in attending a four-year university should apply to at least three colleges. Your list of colleges should include safety, match, and reach schools. Safety schools are colleges that will most likely offer you acceptance. When choosing safety schools, look for colleges that have high acceptance rates (generally over 50%). Your test scores, GPA, and course rigor should significantly exceed those of the average students accepted into your safety schools. For instance, a school with a 70% acceptance rate, an average SAT score of 1200, and an average unweighted GPA of 3.4 would be a great safety for a student with an SAT score of 1450 and a 3.9 unweighted GPA. However, the same school might be a reach for a student with an SAT score of 950 and a 2.5 unweighted GPA. Your test scores, GPA, and course rigor may be below those of the average students accepted into your reach schools. Additionally, schools with acceptance rates under 15% tend to be classified as reach schools for all students because their applicant pools are filled with high-achieving students, making their admissions extremely competitive. Nevertheless, low acceptance rates should not discourage you from applying to reach schools. Keep in mind that colleges also consider your background, extracurricular achievements, and unique personal characteristics. Any one of these factors might impress admissions committees enough to earn you acceptance into one of your reach schools. Due to the unpredictability of admissions decisions at selective colleges, it is also important to apply to match schools. Your test scores, GPA, and course rigor should be roughly equivalent to those of the average students accepted into your match schools, and the schools’ acceptance rates should exceed 15%. Choose these schools carefully, as most students will end up attending one of their match schools.

How to Choose the Right Colleges

Once you understand the basic components of a college list, it is time to start creating your own application plan. A college bound student may have hundreds of potential safety, reach, and match schools. The difficult part is choosing which universities are are best suited to your own needs and interests. One important factor to consider is cost. How much can you afford to pay for college? Do not be deceived by the high sticker prices of some private colleges. For example, Ivy League universities are known for their high tuition and fees, which can be more than double the cost of public state universities. However, these private colleges are also known for their extremely generous financial aid packages, and some qualified low-income students can attend top schools for free. Most universities have official financial aid calculators. You can fill in your family’s financial information to estimate what it will cost you to attend a particular college. Another factor to consider is location. Do you want to attend a college close to home? Do you prefer an urban or a rural environment? Do you prefer cold or warm weather? If you’ve lived at the beach your entire life, you may regret attending a college in a town that receives more than sixty inches of snow per year. Also consider college size. Would you prefer to sit in a large lecture hall or a small classroom? It is important to ask yourself all of these questions when deciding which schools to add to your college list. The next factor is perhaps the most important: you must consider the individual programs each college offers for your intended major or field of study. While one school might have a very prestigious engineering program, it may be lacking in the performing arts department and would be a poor choice for a student interested in majoring in theatre. Some majors, such as financial engineering and actuarial science, are only available at select universities. If you are committed to a specific field of study, it is very important that you apply to colleges with strong programs in your intended major.

 To Apply Early or Not to Apply Early?

Once you have created the ultimate college list, you must decide when to apply to colleges. For four-year colleges in the U.S., there are three main application plans: early action, early decision, and regular decision. Applying to a college early (usually in the fall of your senior year) often increases your chance of admission. Be cautious when applying to a college on an early decision plan. Early decision applications are binding contracts. When you apply to a college under this plan, you make a commitment to attend that school if you are accepted. This means that you can only apply to one college on an early decision plan: you should be sure that this college is your top choice. Note that some early decision programs at selective schools will allow applicants to also apply to public colleges via the early action plan. Early action plans are non-binding. Some early action plans are restrictive and prohibit students from applying early to other schools. Regular decision admission plans are non-binding and are great backup plans for students who have already been released from early decision contracts at other schools via deferrals or rejections. Regular decision applicants apply in the winter of their senior year and receive their admissions decisions after early decisions are released. A general rule of thumb is that non-restrictive early action is usually superior to regular decision. It increases your chance of admission and thus gives you more options. Only apply to a college via early decision if you are sure that particular university is your top choice. Once released from any binding contracts, you may apply to other colleges on your list via regular decision.

As you can see, creating the ultimate college list requires a significant amount of research. However, if you have read this article, you have already taken the first step towards earning admission to your dream college!

Sources:
Pippen, Carolyn. “Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision: What's the Difference?” Vanderbilt University Undergraduate Admissions, 13 Aug. 2013, admissions.vanderbilt.edu/vandybloggers/2013/08/early-action-early-decision-and-regular-decision-whats-the-difference/.

 

Community Service: How and Why

By: Angelina N. 

Although it is important to study intensively, discover your interests, and pursue your aspirations in high school, it is also crucial to acknowledge the significance of giving back to the community. It is undeniable that the quality and welfare of the community depends on the individuals within it. If the members of a community readily contribute to it, then the community will have a thriving and healthy environment, but if the members of a community only focus on their own individual pursuits, then the community will have a much more distinguishable characteristic of inequality. To prevent this, you can begin at a local level by doing community service, which will not only benefit numerous members of your community but will also increase your appeal to college committees. 

So, what exactly is community service and how can you acquire volunteer hours? Community service encompasses all activities relating to benefiting the community. Due to the countless possibilities of community service, it is a great way to not only improve your local area but also a great way to exercise your strengths and spend time doing your hobbies. Below is a presentation providing a list of options for community service hours depending on your hobbies and strengths: 

The choices for benefitting your community are endless, and you can view it as a way to spend time doing your hobbies while spreading your passion to others. Community service hours make your college application stronger, serve as an exemplary opportunity to exhibit leadership skills, and have a direct positive impact on those around you. 

Advice on Taking AP Classes

Tips for Succeeding in High School

By Sonia G.

When many of us think about school, we think about stress. We stress over our grades, upcoming tests, and imminent deadlines. As I sit here two weeks in, still far from the apex of the school year, I think about the worry that you as a fellow student may endure this year. Especially for rising freshmen, navigating high school can be intimidating and confusing due to the unfamiliar environment, new faces, challenging classes, and greater independence; so, I have decided to provide you with a few tips that can help you succeed this year and maybe even make it out on top.

Tip #1: Start Off Strong

Photo by j4p4n on Openclipart
is licensed under Unlimited Commerical Use

Starting off strong is the key to keeping your grades up when material becomes more difficult. Everyone starts the year with a clean slate until the teachers enter your initial grades. During the first quarter of the school year, aim to establish an A-B average that will be your cushion later on as classes intensify. If school becomes bewildering further into the semester and you make a bad grade, you won’t need to fret because your overall average will still be fairly high. Remember: “It’s hard to bring low grades up, but it’s easy to let high grades drop.” 

Tip #2: Be Respectful to All of Your Teachers 

Photo by Chrom72 on Pixabay
is licensed under CC0 1.0

Teachers are people too and first impressions can follow you. You don’t have to be a teacher’s pet but you do need to act respectful. Shake their hand, ask questions, do your work, and strive to demonstrate leadership skills in the classroom. These actions will create a positive perception of you and, in return, encourage your teacher to be patient, offer advice, explain topics, and even form a good reputation of you among other teachers. On the other hand, if you portray yourself as a troublemaker, your teacher may be less inclined to help you in class.

Tip #3: Read the Introductory Materials

Photo by Clker-Free-Vector-Images
on Pixabay is licensed under CC0 1.0

Every year, on the first day of school, teachers will pass out a class syllabus; some include the year’s calendar, due dates, rules, and other important pieces of information. Components of the syllabus may never be discussed in class because the teacher expects you to have read it. Also, ensure that you read through any document you are required to sign. This is a necessary habit to form, since many of the documents you sign as an adult are legally binding-- think leases, contracts and checks. So, read through the papers handed out on the first day carefully.

These tips are not going to make you the valedictorian or set you up to skip a grade, but they will provide a good foundation upon which you can apply the fourth and final tip: hard work. 

Does Your Teacher Give Out Candy? A Look at Reinforcement Principles in the Classroom

Before we can become better students, we must understand how we learn. The following excerpt is an overview of reinforcement principles and the benefits of applying them in the classroom. 

Reinforcement Principles in the Classroom
By: Ryan F.
Abbreviated By: Isabella S.

The following is only an overview of Ryan's research; please read his full paper here. 

   What are Reinforcement Principles?

"[B.F. Skinner] theorized that a behavior increases or decreases in frequency based upon the consequences that follow the behavior. When a behavior is followed by a positive consequence or by the removal of a negative consequence, the behavior will increase in frequency and strength. Thus, reinforcers make a behavior more likely to occur" (Ryan, 1).

Examples

"For example, dog treats would act as positive reinforcers when teaching a dog a new trick. If my dog Wesley is rewarded with a bone every time he sits, his sitting behavior will increase in frequency and strength. Negative reinforcement increases behavior by removing a negative consequence in response to a behavior. For example, getting out of bed in the morning may increase in frequency if it stops parents from nagging their children" (Ryan, 1).

Does It Work?

"Despite the backlash and criticism, research has supported the effectiveness of using reinforcement principles in the classroom. An overwhelming number of studies have shown that reinforcement principles can enhance learning when applied correctly. Lysakowski and Walberg (1981) analyzed the results from 39 studies that examined the relationship between student achievement and reinforcement. These researchers concluded that reinforcement had positive effects on student achievement and that these effects appeared across age, grade, race, public vs. private schools, and community types... Another study conducted by Bear and Richards (1980) delved into the effects of reinforcement on academic performance if students, in grades 5 through 8, were given extra time for recess. It was discovered that student achievement drastically improved over the baseline period. In another study, when tutors were trained in reinforcement and feedback techniques, these strategies impacted first graders’ achievement levels more than tutor skill or tutor expectations (Conrad, 1975). Finally, studies have shown that even IQ scores can be increased using reinforcement principles (Clingman, Auerbach, Bowman & Parrish, 1977). All of these studies provide a good argument for how positive reinforcement can be used effectively in the educational system to improve student performance" (Ryan, 3).

Success

"There are many separate behaviors that make students successful. For example, participation, effort, and achievement are all important but different behaviors. Depending upon which of these behaviors is reinforced, the result will be different. Tobin and Capie reported that junior high students were more engaged and performed better when effort (or motivation) was reinforced (as cited in Cotton, 1988)..." (Ryan, 4).

So What?

"Correctly applying behavioral principles is complicated. One needs to be aware which behaviors need to be reinforced (for example, reinforcing motivation over achievement). But also, one must find what is actually reinforcing to the subject (for example, my dog will not do a trick for pomegranate as he apparently does not find this fruit tasty). Rewards that work with elementary school children are not likely to work with high school students (Kansas)... In order to examine the question about what is actually reinforcing to high school students, [Ryan] conducted [his] own informal survey where a random sa

mple of twenty high school students were given a questionnaire that asked them to rank reinforcers, from least motivating to most motivating" (Ryan, 6). The following is an overview of Ryan's research. 

How Do YOU Learn? "A Learning Style for Everyone" Revisited

Original Piece By: Noah H.
Updated By: Isabella S.

Editor's Note: This "throwback" post from 2010 is worth the read, especially before starting a new semester. Take a few minutes to find out what your learning style is and make studying for all of your classes easier!

Learning styles are the fingerprints of the mind; they are as unique as the person using them and as varying as all the people in the world.

There are several generalized categories of learning styles and all influence how a student learns. Understanding them is the best way for a student to better their classroom experience and the effectiveness of their studying. 

A learning style is the way in which a person learns. There are several different theories as to how learning styles work, but the most common divides them into four categories: visual, auditory, reading/writing-preference, and kinesthetic/tactile learners.

The most common learning style is visual. This learning style focuses on pictures, diagrams, movies, and other forms of visual media, even visual demonstrations are helpful. The second most common learning style is auditory. These learners benefit from listening to someone talk to them and from lectures or video/audio setups. Reading/Writing-preference learners are most comfortable learning from books and texts. These students may retain more information from a textbook than a lecture and often benefit from taking written notes. Lastly, kinesthetic/tactile learners are people who learn through “hands-on” experience and interaction with classroom material. 

One element to consider when examining learning styles is their ability to coexist within a single individual. No student is wholly auditory, visual, tactile, nor reading-writing preference when it comes to learning. Someone may be a 10% reading, 30% visual, 50% auditory and 10% kinesthetic learner; however, you should try to study the best way for you. The person above would most likely want to watch a video in order to capitalize on their ability to retain information they have heard and seen (visual and auditory). Another meaningful feature of learning styles is their ability to change over time. Usually babies start out learning through touch (tactile), but as they grow they will learn to use visual and auditory learning more and more.

Knowing your learning style is important, because as soon as an individual discovers which type of learner they are they can begin to adjust their studying to utilize their strengths. For example, if a student knows they learn well from videos then they should look for tutorials on YouTube or some other video site rather than trying to decipher a Wiki. Another way a student can better their learning experience is in the way they ask for help. An auditory learner may want to call their teacher over the phone for assistance while a reading/writing-preference learner will want to send an e-mail. All these factors lead to an easier online class experience.

To find your learning style visit EducationPlanner.org. 

Reading/Writing-preference Learners: We hope you enjoyed this essay!

Visual Learners: Check out this graphic about learning styles!

Auditory Learners: Click here to install a free Google Chrome extension that reads-aloud any online text, including this article!

Tactile Learners: Check out this free online tool for creating three-dimensional models!