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Interesting facts from the world of education and learning
On this blog, evulpo shares reports on the latest news and findings from the field of education, as well as information about the school system in the UK.
What is Further education and what options are available?
Year 11 can be stressful enough without having to think about the options of your further education. Well, look no further! evulpo has got you covered with this article explaining some of the post-16 options available in England.
Secondary school - What to expect and how to prepare your child
The transition from primary to secondary school is a significant change for both pupils and parents alike. Not only are there new subjects to learn and a new, bigger environment to adapt to, but students are also faced with mounting social pressure as well as mental and physical changes to their own bodies. It’s not surprising that many students struggle with this change and they need all the support they can get. In this article, you can find an overview of secondary education in England as well as the main differences between primary and secondary school and how you can best prepare your child for this pivotal transition.
How to get into university
Picking a university course and the idea of going to university is daunting enough without thinking about the application process and everything that comes with it. This article will guide you through what the grade requirements mean so you’ll be fully equipped to apply!
The importance of digital literacy in the classroom
To cope with the pandemic and prevent the spread of COVID-19, schools and colleges were forced to close for months. Traditional face-to-face teaching had to be quickly replaced by digital or remote learning, using platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom or Skype. When it came to creating exercises and ways of testing students at home, tools such as Padlet or Kahoot! proved to be simple and dynamic. However, some experience or technical knowledge about how these tools work was still necessary for them to be truly useful. The pandemic has shown us that teachers need to have resources and skills not only in the physical classroom, but also in the digital world. In this article we will discuss the importance of digital literacy in the world of education.
The pros and cons of a vegan diet
In recent years, more and more people have adopted vegan or vegetarian diets. There are many reasons for this, including beliefs surrounding animal exploitation and the impacts of intensive livestock farms on the global climate. To shed some light on the topic, we interviewed Alessandra Cremonini, a Biologist Nutritionist and Naturopath with a Master's degree in vegetarian and vegan nutrition and dietetics and PNEI Master's degree in neo-alchemic rebalancing.
10 Tips to help motivate yourself
Why do you do what you do? Why do you learn? In principle, human beings behave in a certain way in order to feel good at the end, which means that they generate positive experiences and avoid negative ones. Positive events increase motivation, just as negative events can decrease it, because we want to avoid them as much as possible. In this article, you will discover 10 tips that will help you motivate yourself.
Different types of remote learning and their advantages and disadvantages
Remote learning, e-learning and online education are terms which are becoming increasingly common in modern education. These broad terms are often confused and their exact meaning isn’t immediately clear to everyone. This article aims to clear up any confusion and show the different ways it is now possible to learn online.
How does healthy eating influence learning?
How do you eat well during the school day? And what is the impact of "food trends" - for example, energy drinks, vegetarianism, veganism and dieting - on the health and performance of adolescents? To answer these questions, we conducted a fascinating interview with Dr. Charles Etterlin. Dr. Charles Etterlin is a paediatrician with many years of experience and head of the practice sihldoc4kids in Zurich (Sihlcity).
4 Criteria for writing texts successfully
Whether while studying at school, in the world of work or in everyday life, you will always be faced with the need to write texts. When writing, it’s important to make sure you’re understood. In the 1970s, researchers at the University of Hamburg studied various criteria to determine what makes a text easy or difficult to understand. They developed what is known as the "Hamburg Comprehensibility Concept”, which identifies four criteria which make texts readable. In this article, you will learn how to master these four criteria in order to know how to write a good text.
How to write a great summary
Knowing how to write useful and effective summaries is a key skill when studying and revising for exams. Writing summaries about a topic is a good exercise because rewriting a text in your own words makes it easier to remember and helps consolidate what you’ve learned. In this article, you'll learn what makes a good summary and how to write one.
How to study for a difficult subject
Have you been in the situation where you have to study for a subject that you don't like and one that never seems to go well? You might even put off studying until the last day, only to be stressed out and fail the exam anyway. Instead of wasting your time and stressing, you need to approach things in a structured way. In this article, you will find some useful tips for studying for a subject you have trouble understanding.
How to learn languages like a pro
There are three essential parts of learning a language. If you keep these three things in mind, learning a language can be a breeze. Firstly, you have to build up a good base of vocabulary. Secondly, in order to use the vocabulary properly, you have to study and understand the grammar that goes with it. Thirdly, to internalise a language, you have to spend time with it. In the following article you will find concrete tips and tricks that make learning a language easier.
5 Note-taking methods to improve your revision
Are you looking for a note-taking method that suits your learning style? Do you want to change the way you take notes? This article presents five different, but equally useful, note-taking methods that will change your approach to studying!
Brain food - nutrition and food for the brain
When you’re studying for an exam, you have to store a lot of information in your brain. It’s not uncommon for your energy and concentration levels to drop during exam periods. This can negatively impact your memory so it’s important to stay healthy to promote learning. There are various foods that can help keep your body and brain in tip top shape!
What to do if you child has been diagnosed with ADHD
An ADHD diagnosis can cause fear and uncertainty, especially in the beginning. However, it can be very helpful to look into the subject in order to work together with the child, and find solutions together. It is important to know that nobody is 'guilty' for the diagnosis.
Discover your learning style with the VAK test
It’s not easy to find a study method that suits every student. This is because everyone has different strengths and it is very important to understand this. Some will fill their notebooks with charts and illustrations, others will read aloud. This article will tell you how to understand your learning style and how to adapt your studying to suit your learning style.
How to learn vocabulary
In addition to regular repetition, there are other methods of memorising the vocabulary you need to learn. In this article, you can learn some of the best ways to learn vocabulary when studying a foreign language.
Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation - What’s the difference?
What drives you to do what you do? Is it external or internal factors? Understanding what motivates you to study can be helpful in analysing your activities. But what is the difference if you study maths for passion or to get good marks?
5 Tips for taking better notes in class
Imagine you're in class or watching a presentation and want to take notes so that you don't forget everything after it's finished. Taking good notes is not as simple as you might think. You might write down too much and then struggle to keep up with the presentation, or if you don't structure your notes well you may not be able to find the information you need later. In this article, you will learn tips and tricks on how to avoid these mistakes and become a pro at taking concise and efficient notes.
How to study a subject you don't like
It's always tricky getting started studying, but especially when you have to study for a subject that you don't like at all. But don't worry, you're not alone. In this article you will learn how to deal with the problem and get some tips and tricks to make sure you can pass any exam, even for a subject you're not fond of.
Improve your memory with the SCL method
The SCL method was invented by the French memory champion Sébastien Martinez. This approach aims to train your memory and help you retain information for longer by creating stories. In this article you will learn how to learn using this technique.
How learning vocabulary can improve your memory
Studying other languages and learning vocabulary has become a problem for many students. One of the possible reasons for this is that modern technology has outsourced our need to memorise information. We all have a mobile phone which to some extent replaces our memory and acts as a kind of external hard drive. In this article, you'll learn how learning vocabulary can help you exercise your memory.
How colours can help you learn
Colours make life more beautiful! But they also help you learn! Creating “colour codes” will make revision more fun and more engaging. This can be a great help, whether it is for writing a draft, analysing a text, taking notes or creating review sheets. A well-organised student is a successful student! But how should you do it so that it’s productive and not confusing?
Achieving your goals with a not-to-do list
Everyone knows about to-do lists; lists where you write down tasks and things to do, then sort them out and finally tick them off once they’re done. But have you ever heard of not-to-do lists? In this article you will learn what a not-to-do list is, how you can create one and what advantages it has.
How to improve at Maths
Struggling with Maths? evulpo can help! Many students and teachers think that Maths is a subject that you’re either good at or not. The brains behind evulpo completely disagree: everyone is capable of having a good understanding of Mathematics. This article provides tips to help you become the best mathematician you can be!
11 Apps to keep you focused
Do you find yourself struggling to stay focused and instead getting distracted by anything and everything? You’re not the only one! Many students struggle with this problem, especially nowadays when messages are constantly appearing on their smartphones. In this article, you’ll discover some apps that will help you stay focused and complete your tasks more efficiently.
How does sleep influence learning?
You’ve probably come across statements such as: "People need eight hours of sleep", "older people need less sleep than younger people" or "those who take a long time to fall asleep need to go to bed especially early". But are these statements true? What constitutes so-called "healthy sleep"? And can you really improve your learning through sleep? This article has all the answers you need!
How to manage stress during exam periods
Exam periods can be very tiring. There’s a lot of pressure: you have to sit at your desk every day, you have to prove yourself over and over again in exams and there’s simply not enough time to see friends and just relax. This just leads to even more stress! In this article you’ll discover tips on how to deal with stressful exam periods and how to prepare yourself for day of the exam.
How to pass open-book exams
Open-book exams are tests where you are permitted to look at some materials during the exam. For example, it might be possible to bring some notes or books to consult. These types of exams have become a lot more common in recent years, as teachers have been forced to rely on remote testing with online classes, but this is not the only reason why it is important to know about them.
Tutoring - When is it useful?
Nowadays, many children and teens have private tutors, but when is tutoring really necessary and above all, helpful? When does a child or teen need tutoring, and when not? Why do some students struggle more than others to study by themselves? In this article, you will find the answers to these questions.
8 Reading tips to improve comprehension
Reading and understanding texts is something you have to do throughout your life. Whether while studying at school, in the world of work or in everyday life, you will always come across documents that you have to read and understand. Texts and books are an important means of imparting knowledge. In this article, you will learn eight tips on how to read texts more efficiently and some techniques which can help you better comprehend the information you read.
Organisational strategies - How to manage your workload
Organisational strategies come under the umbrella of cognitive learning strategies. These organisational strategies include all the methods which can help you allocate your time, structure the material you need to cover, and learn more efficiently and easily. Planning ahead is essential to manage this successfully! In this article, you will learn how to plan out your time, the units you need to study and also the content itself.
8 Elaboration strategies - How to learn in an effective way
Together with organisational strategies, elaboration strategies fit under the umbrella of cognitive learning strategies. These strategies are designed to help you learn, process and memorise the content you have studied, as well as helping you to better understand and apply the content. In this article, you’ll discover eight techniques that will allow you to learn material easily and keep it in your long term memory.
How to master multiple-choice questions
Multiple-choice questions are often used in tests and exams. With these types of questions you are faced with either a question or a statement, several possible answers and you have to choose the correct one. Imagine you are playing "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", but at school. Unfortunately, at the end of the game, the reward is not the same! In tests and exams, this type of exercise is a very effective way to check your knowledge. Despite what some people say, these are not easy questions. You need to read a lot in a short time and make decisions quickly. In this article you will find advice on how you can master multiple-choice questions, what mistakes to avoid and how you can prepare for your next test or exam.
Are you a kinaesthetic learner?
You've probably heard that there are different types of learners. Some people learn better with visual strategies, others with auditory strategies. A visual learner is a person who learns best when reading or seeing information, for example when reading a text or watching a film. An auditory learner is a person who absorbs information best by listening. For example, when listening to a lecture or a story read aloud. There are also people who are kinaesthetic learners. In this article you will find out if you could be a kinaesthetic learner and how you can best study for an exam.
Learn smarter, not harder - An overview of learning and study strategies
Bad marks despite constant studying? Can't study any more because you already feel like you're doing your best? Adapting and improving your study strategy might help! Study is not only discipline and perseverance, it’s also technique, organisation and planning. In this article, you will find an overview of different study strategies so that you can learn more efficiently.
4 Control strategies - How to make learning visible
Control strategies are strategies which help you monitor, check, evaluate and regulate your learning processes and progress, so that you can plan better and reflect on your successes. These strategies can therefore show whether your learning methods are working or if you need to change or adapt the way you are working. In this article, you will learn about four different control strategies to optimise your study methods.
Tablets and iPads- are they worth the investment?
More and more schools and students are using tablets and other similar devices in their lessons. These devices are expensive but they offer new ways of learning, taking notes and solving exercises. Are they really worth it? And what advantages do tablets offer compared to conventional computers?
Gaming and learning - Video games and school
Video games have become an integral part of teens’ lives. Despite the time they spend in the virtual world, most of these teens still go to school and need to perform well. Many parents are concerned that video games and studying are incompatible. Are their concerns well-founded? What influence do games have on teens’ school life, behaviour and learning?
Apps which can help you study and stay organised
Do you often get easily distracted when you should be focusing on a task? Nowadays, this is a common problem since there always seems to be notifications waiting on your phone. In this article, you will learn about some free apps which can help you stay focused so you're able to complete whatever tasks you need to in an efficient manner.
Managing stress during exam time - How can parents help their children?
Stress is the body's response to being under pressure, or to feeling threatened or overwhelmed. Stress is an increase of physical and mental tension which can happen before or during a situation where a person is worried about the outcome, for example an exam. It is therefore important that parents stand by their children in stressful situations and support them as much as possible. Although stress means different things to different people and can be caused and expressed in various ways, it can be successfully managed.
The perfect spot for homework
Doing homework and studying regularly is key if students wish to succeed at school. This practice get kids used to working independently and in a structured way. Therefore, it is important to choose the right space for doing homework in order to create a good working environment. In this article, you'll learn what makes a spot perfect for studying and doing homework.
Tips for exams
Everyone reaches their limit when it comes to exam time. Not sleeping enough, getting stressed and feeling a lack of motivation are common issues when faced with revision and exams. In this article, you will learn some strategies to deal with these problems and get the best grade possible.
How to better understand texts using the SQ3R method
The SQ3R method is a way of getting a better understanding of a text. The goal is not to read a text faster, but to get a better grasp of the content of a text and to be able to retain the information. SQ3R describes the order in which a reader must work on a text or book to understand it. The acronym SQ3R stands for: survey, question, read, recite and review.
The Pomodoro Technique
Unfortunately, when it comes to learning, there is no 'one size fits all' method. Everyone has to find out for themselves how they learn best. It can be frustrating not having a good learning technique, but once you find a method that works for you, you'll save a lot of time and effort. That's exactly what the Pomodoro Technique can do if you're struggling with procrastination.
What is stress and how can it be managed successfully?
Almost everyone has felt completely overwhelmed while studying for an exam, or lost focus during a test because they were afraid they weren't doing well enough. This is stress. But how can you successfully overcome stress and use the nerves to your advantage?
Tips for sleeping well during exam periods
Exam periods require you to be focused, and there's often a lot of stress and a heavy workload which often stands in the way of a good and restful night's sleep. So what can you do to sleep peacefully, get enough rest and ace your exams? In this article, there are various tips and tricks which can improve your sleep quality.
How sports help you study
Everyone knows that physical activity has many positive effects on the body and mind. That's why the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least one hour of moderate physical activity per day! However, this isn't always easy to do during exam time as you tend to focus more on studying than on your well-being. Nevertheless, being physically active during exam periods actually helps a lot. In this article, you will learn why it is so important to be physically active even during the exam period and why exercise improves your ability to study.
Common mistakes when studying and how to avoid them
In stressful exam periods, it's important to keep a cool head so you don't waste any time, make silly mistakes or even study the wrong thing entirely! In this article you will learn about some of the most common mistakes when studying and how you can avoid them.
Study groups
As the name suggests, a study group is a group of people who study and learn together. Group studying can be a good way to review material and prepare for a big exam. However, this only works if the group has a plan and if a few rules are agreed upon, because otherwise a study group can become a drain where you can waste a lot of time and energy. In this article you will find out when it makes sense to form a study group, what the possible advantages of being in a study group are, and what rules must be set up so that a study group can be productive.
How to stop procrastinating
What is procrastination? The word comes from the Latin 'procrastinare' which means ‘postpone until tomorrow’. So when you procrastinate, you are putting something off. You might do this at school, at work or even when it comes to everyday chores such as doing the washing or finally making an appointment with the dentist. It can be harmless, but when procrastinating begins to affect your life negatively then you need to make a change. In this article, you will discover the causes of procrastination and get tips on how to deal with it.
Tips for studying
How can you improve your study skills? Do you want to learn to focus better, or learn how to reduce exam stress? In this article you will find ten tips on how to study more effectively and successfully.