A Students Guide to IT Courses

A Students Guide to IT Courses Important Information for IT Training Courses in All Subjects ChaptersEssential Equipment for Taking an IT CourseHow Much Do PC Classes Cost?Where Can You Find an IT Tutor?How Can You Progress Between Your Computer Lessons?Thanks to computer training, gone are the days where installing a programme, editing a photo, or fixing IT problems can take hours.Learning to programme or how to create a web site has never been so easy thanks to the C, Visual Basic,, Java or MySQL database, HTML, CSS, or Python programming experts on Superprof's computer tutorials.Whether you’re new to computers and looking to just learn the basics like how to use Microsoft Excel to make a spreadsheet or how to create a presentation in Microsoft Powerpoint, or something more complicated like programming languages, there are plenty of skilled tutors on Superprof offering computer courses and online computer tutorials to all levels from beginners to experts.When it comes to choosing the right gear (computer hardware), you need to take your time when choosing your computer. You won't learn how to use your computer if it constantly crashes! Here are the Top 5 things to get before your first private computer class.1. A computer, of course!When it comes to IT, the computer is fundamental. Whether you choose a desktop personal computer or a laptop, Windows or Apple, there are thousands of different computers you can get in stores and on the web.If you’re going to use your equipment to edit videos or photos, watch films, or do graphic design, you should make sure that your computer has a fast central processing unit (CPU) and enough RAM to handle it. The last thing you want is for your computer to take 30 minutes to run some code you’ve written or render a movie you’ve made as these sorts of tasks can be resource intensive.Why not get in touch with a potential tutor for more information on which kind of equipment you’ll need for their tutorials? If you're going to learn basic computer skills, you won't need the latest computer technology.2. The mous e and keyboardIf you’re getting a desktop, doing an introduction to programming, or need to type text and lines of code, the keyboard is going to be more than essential (most computers will come with one). However, there are both wired and wireless keyboards available that use batteries that need to be replaced. To be fair, even if you're new to computer classes and learning a few computer basics like how to use Microsoft Word, you're still going to have to get a keyboard.The wireless versions have an advantage in that you can move them without having to worry about the wire getting in the way. However, you can expect to pay a bit more for them.You should invest in a mouse with a scroll wheel and a mousepad with a gel wrist rest since you may end up spending several hours using your computer typing up lines of code or editing videos.Learn coding by taking our programming courses online.The most comfortable mice are rarely the most beautiful. (Source: pixabay.com)3. A quality webca mIf you’re getting online tutorials, then you’re going to need a webcam so your tutor can see you.Choose a webcam made by a known brand and recommend by a reputable site. While this may seem like an expense, you should see it as an investment that you’ll get to use for every tutorial you have. Even if you have the best tutor in the world, it’ll all be pointless if you can’t be heard or seen well.4. Operating Systems: Mac or Windows?This is a never-ending argument on IT forums. While both platforms are popular, Windows is often portrayed as the operating system for professionals while Mac is thought of as the choice for those editing images and video. If you know nothing about computers, it's probably wiser to opt for Windows as it's far more common than Mac. (Intermediate or advanced users may even opt for Linux or Unix.)5. Invest in an Office Suite.Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are some of the most common programmes used for word processing, making spreadsheets, or giving p resentations.While you can get an annual licence for Microsoft Office (there’s often a discount for students), there are also free versions of office suites such as Apache’s OpenOffice. If you're doing an introduction to computers, using an office suite and learning about the parts of a computer are integral to gaining computer literacy.Another thing you should get is a printer! Even if this isn’t the “greenest” peripheral, you sometimes need a hard copy of something. Whether you want to print out some of the resources used in your tutorials like corrected exercises or just use hard copies for revising in bed, you’ll need a printer.What’s a graphics tablet for?If you’re doing digital design or working in a field where design is done digitally like being an architect or engineer, then a graphics tablet might be a worthwhile purchase. Of course, you should be careful when choosing as they can vary in price from around £100 to thousands of pounds.While it goes without saying, you can always use the internet or ask your tutor for more information about what kind of graphics tablet you’ll need for your classes.How Much Do PC Classes Cost?If you’re a tech-savvy student, there’s nothing stopping you from offering IT courses to those with less experience than yourself. You could offer digital literacy classes to senior citizens, for example, and teach them basic skills like how to save a file, clean up files and use antivirus software, or even protect themselves when browsing online.If you’re studying a master’s degree, are an IT technician, or an experienced IT teacher, there’s nothing stopping you from providing IT tutorials, either. Additionally, you can demand a higher rate per hour than an undergraduate probably could.Thanks to YouTube and MOOCs, you can get university lessons without going to class. (Source: pixabay.com)The cost of IT courses can vary wildly depending on the speciality being taught: office skills, programming in Java , IT networks, cryptography, etc. It also depends on your tutor’s academic experience: are they an undergrad, master’s student, or an experienced university tutor?Where Can You Find an IT Tutor?Have you asked all of your friends and everyone in your family? Are you sure really nobody with any IT skills in your network?Why not ask them to ask around? Surely there’s a friend of a friend who’s offering classes in IT. In situations like this, networking can be really useful.If you prefer teaching yourself and doing research, then you can learn some really important skills by heading over to YouTube and looking for free computer video tutorials. There are so many video computer classes on on using computers and how to create a web site, not to mention tutorials on programming, too.When choosing a private computer tutor, make sure you do your research! (Source: startupstockphotos.com)A quick search for “computer science” or “programming” in YouTube’s search function will even bring you videos put together by Ivy League universities in America: MIT in Boston, Harvard, etc.In the age of the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), there are plenty of digital resources for those who want to completely teach themselves a skill. Make sure that when embarking on a MOOC, you’re available when the course takes place. This is a good way to get another plus on your CV.If you have any doubts, why not get in touch with the course professors?How Can You Progress Between Your Computer Lessons?If you want to become a genius of coding, you’re going to have to get a move on and improve your computing skills!  You’ll have to start with beginners’ courses before moving onto more complicated things like studying networks, etc.If you’re a beginner, you should practice computing between classes and study until everything becomes second nature to you including using office programmes, accessing your emails, and internet basics like searching and opening and closing t abs. You should ask your tutor for a handout summarising each lesson, too.While smartwatches might be fun, they probably won't be hugely useful in your programming tutorials. (Source: pixabay.com)An advanced user will have to do the same with a new programming language like Java, Visual Basic, or with HTML or CSS if you’re planning on designing websites. Of course, this can take a lot of time, especially for those trying to learn coding.Another interesting option for those waiting for their next class, read books!  There are several high-quality books on IT and web development. Why not pick up a copy and study certain concepts between your tutorials?You don't need to spend a fortune, either. A lot of people forget that libraries still exist and you can get books for free.If you want to learn to code, you can also use videos tutorials to help you learn. While these videos and blogs are usually aimed at IT professionals, there’s nothing to stop you having a look at them if they’ re covering something you’re studying with your private tutor, and help you advance with your programming courses.

How to Improve Your Singing Voice

How to Improve Your Singing Voice Singing Lessons to Improve Your Vocal Technique Chapters Vocal Techniques: The Top 10 Singing Exercises How Can You Expand Your Vocal Range? Learn How to Improve Your Vocal Timbre How Can You Work on Your Voice Every Day?“There’s nothing more beautiful than the human voice, when it’s beautiful” Laure ConanHaving a beautiful singing voice is an amazing thing in itself. It’s an innate gift and not everyone’s got it especially not to the extent they could show it off.  However, it would be a massive waste to not use these talents. You should do your utmost to foster these gifts with the appropriate training, singing lessons online, and learning how to sing properly.Broadening your repertoire of songs, increasing your range, improving both your head voice and chest voice, and doing breathing exercises: there are plenty of ways for anyone to improve their voice, learn to sing, and increase their chances of becoming a professional singer.In this article, we’re going to do a bit of vocal coaching and provide you with some s inging tips to ensure that your voice improves. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Vocal Techniques: The Top 10 Singing ExercisesEven a really gifted singer shouldn’t rest on their laurels. A few vocal exercises are always going to be necessary. In order to perfect your voice, it doesn’t matter whether you work on these singing techniques under the supervision of a vocal coach or voice teacher in your own home or in a music school.While every singing teacher has their own preferred ways when it comes to improving your singing, here are 10 of our favourite ones.  When it comes to vocal training, there’s one word that you’ll hear a lot: repeat. Of course, don’t overdo as you’ll run the risk of losing your voice.If you want to learn to sing, you'll probably have to learn some music theory. (Source: pixabay.com)Let’s have a look at some of the most effective ways to tame your voice and avoid hitting false notes.You can never avoid warming up your voice. If you don’t warm up, you may damage your voice, lose it, or end up tensing your throat when it comes to performing in public. Warm up exercises are mainly for your vocal cords, the main part of the instrument that is the voice. Sing your entire range, with your mouth closed in order to avoid overexerting, starting with a low pitch and move towards the high notes (making sure that you're doing so in tune). Beginners can use a keyboard or piano to check they're doing this correctly. Don’t forget that you need to relax all the muscles involved with the action of singing, too: glottis, larynx, pharynx, diaphragm, your entire body, really. You should also loosen up your cheeks and your lips and practise your elocution.Breathing and abdominal muscles go hand in hand. Learn to breathe properly and focus on diaphragmatic breathing. The best way to do this (and improve your posture) is to lie on your back and put a book on your chest: you have to make sure that the book doesn’t fall as you do your breathing exercises.Make yourself heard without shouting. While, this is important in all styles of music, it’s particularly important in opera singing. Your abs are going to be used to ensure that your voice carries as far as it can. The respiratory pressure allows you to increase volume without straining too much. Almost every type of vocal range can use this technique to help their voice go much further without the need for a m icrophone. The relaxing of the muscles used when vocalising naturally causes the human body to recuperate the air lost during the process.Be aware of your nasal cavity and where the air is flowing when you sing. Try singing different vowels while pinching your nose. This can help you become aware of when you’re singing nasally.The beginning is just as important as the end when it comes to singing any song. The same can be said for every note you make. This is what seperates the men from the boys. You need to take the time to physiologically analyse every sound you make and the attack. You should focus on how each sound starts, which muscles are involved, what position your tongue is in, etc. A private singing tutor can also go over these with you to ensure that you’re not picking up any bad habits.Managing stress can help you free up your voice. This can be done by focusing on your cervical spine. By moving your head around with your nose as a pivot point, you can relax a number of the smaller muscles you didn’t even know you had.In order to sing in key, you should take the time to think about your piece before you perform it. You should be aware of the melody in your head before your vocal cords have to perform it.Too many singers forget about articulation and elocution. Just like public speaking, when you learn how to sing, practising elocution is really important. By working on this, you’ll also help to improve your self-confidence and alleviate stage frightVowels are at the heart of every vocalisation and you should be practising them. Use a variety of vowel sounds in order to relax your pharynx and larynx and work on your vocal precision without ever overexerting yourself.Focus on the positioning of your tongue which tends to be too high. Pay particular attention to where it is when you make different sounds. How Can You Expand Your Vocal Range?Does the word tessitura sound foreign to you?  Firstly, that’s because it is. However, it’s a word t hat’s really important for singers to know.  Put simply, tessitura refers to the natural range of a voice (or an instrument in certain cases) in their chest voice.  This is why female singers are referred to contraltos, mezzo-sopranos, or sopranos, for example.Your tessitura is generally innate and will vary depending on your gender and age. Other factors such as puberty and menopause can also change your tessitura, effectively removing the higher notes of your range. It’s very rare for singers to drastically change their tessitura and it's even harder to teach someone to sing a song during their voice lessons if pieces isn't usually sang in their range.However, with effective training, the singer can shift and expand their range. In fact, there are plenty of exercises for those wanting to do this and singing teachers can help choose the right ones for you.Are you nervous about your singing? It might be time to enlist the help of a singing coach. (Source: pixabay.com)You should always master the lower and middle notes of your tessitura before focusing on broadening it.  As a general rule, a high note will be mastered using a head voice before it can be performed using a chest voice.Rather than being something you learn, this is something that you physically improve yourself to be able to do. This is a workout for your vocal cords and makes them more flexible and able to create frequencies that you previously couldn’t.  Of course, this involves a lot of trial and error and it’s very difficult to do this without the help of a professional. A private singing tutor, for example, will ensure that you’re doing it right.Of course, there are a number of singers like di Stefano, Callas, Pavarotti, Alagna, and Dessay who seem to break all the rules. Learn How to Improve Your Vocal TimbreYour vocal timbre is different to your vocal range. Timbre is the quality of the sound rather than the notes it can produce.  Vocal timbre is what makes us able to differentiat e one person’s voice from another’s. It’s also what makes us able to tell the difference between a recorder and a guitar as well as the differences in quality between the best instruments and some cheap rubbish you found in a second-hand shop.In addition to your singing, you should also be aware of your presence on stage. (Source: Thibault Trillet)Learning about your timbre is a way to learn more about yourself and your vocal personality. This is where we need to speak a bit musically.  Just like your vocal range, you can work on your vocal timbre. However, just like your vocal range, you shouldn’t expect to be able to drastically change it. Additionally, just like changing your vocal range, changing your vocal timbre takes a lot of time and effort.We often forget that breathing plays a large role in your vocal timbre, it makes your voice carry better, more constant, and also allows you to perform vocal techniques such as vibrato.  Once all the different aspects of the human voice have been explored and optimised, your vocal cords will be ready to show off their best qualities to an audience. That doesn’t mean you have to stop singing in the shower, though! How Can You Work on Your Voice Every Day?Of course, singing in the shower isn’t going to make you an overnight pop sensation!  Did you know that you can improve your singing with online singing tutorials?Working on your voice is something that you have to do everyday if you want to improve. There are some things that you’ll need to know in order to avoid damaging your instrument, though.Recording yourself is also a great way to improve your singing? (Source: pixabay.com)Remember that you need 6 to 7 hours of rest in order to fully recover after singing. Thus, if you don’t want to damage your vocal cords in the long term (which would be terrible for your career), you can’t overwork them. Even though surgery has made huge steps, it’s probably better to avoid it altogether rather than runni ng the risk.Take care of your throat by avoiding things that can harm it like fizzy drinks, dairy products, tobacco, and alcohol.  If you want to become a professional singer, you should consider using some (or all) of the top 10 vocal exercises we mentioned earlier in the article. These will help you improve your singing physically and mentally.You should pay attention to the detail, too. Consider furthering your career by using and consulting social media, taking extra classes, or even doing a degree, masters, or doctorate in music!Find a voice coach to help  you learn to sing:Voice coach LondonVoice coach Birmingham

Revising for GCSE Geography Using Your Past Papers

Revising for GCSE Geography Using Your Past Papers Geography Past Papers: The Basics for GCSE. ChaptersThe Joys of GeographyThe Benefits of Using Past Papers when RevisingWhere to find Geography GCSE past papers?The Other Little Bits: The Exam Boards’ Specifications, Mark Schemes, and Examiner’s ReportsUsing Other Revision Sources for Geography GCSE Past PapersCombine Your Geography Revision with a Private TutorConclusion.Preparing for exams is difficult. It’s academically challenging, emotionally testing, and often more than a little boring. But, as your teacher has certainly told you at one point or another, ‘the more you put into it, the more you are going to get out’. And if exam preparation remains one of those things that you are endlessly fighting, it’s time to find a different way.

Solving by substitution Online Tutoring - Maths Tutors

Solving by substitution Online Tutoring - Maths Tutors Substitution is a very useful method in mathematics. In the method of substitution one of the variable is substituted to find the other variables and vice versa. It helps reduce the given question or solution to a simpler form. Expressions can consist of one or more than one unknown variables with different coefficients and constant numbers. Example 1: Solve by substitution the set of equations 3x + 2y = 12 and x + y = 6? Solution: The given equations are 3x + 2y = 12 and x + y = 6. Here x, y are the unknown variables. Substitute the variable x. From one equation x = 6 - y, substituting in the other equation. This gives 3(6-y) + 2y = 12; 18 - 3y + 2y = 12; 18 -y = 12; y = 6. Now substitute y = 6 in x + y = 6; x = 0. Hence the solution is x = 0 and y = 6. Example 2: Solve by substitution the set of equations x - y = 0 and 2x + 5y = 7? Solution: The given equations are x - y = 0 and 2x +5 y = 7. Here x, y are the unknown variables. Substitute the variable x. From one equation x = y, substituting in the other equation. This gives 2y + 5y = 7; 7y = 7; y =1. Now substitute y = 1 in x = y; x = 1. Hence the solution is x = 1 and y = 1

5 Ways To Enjoy Differences

Introvert Whisperer / 5 Ways To Enjoy Differences 5 Ways to Enjoy Your Differences With Others As you know, I do focus on Introverts but more than that I’m all about helping people find ways of being professionally successful and loving your work. (The two go together) A big part of your success is your interactions with the people you work with and that entails accommodating various personalities and work styles. When it comes to diversity and tolerance, it seems the next thing we need to work on is our attitude toward people whose personality doesn’t mesh well with our own. The standard response when a co-worker’s behavior doesn’t work for us, is to think something is wrong with them. To take it one step further, we often think their behavior is designed to drive us crazy or somehow directed at us. The standard response when a co-worker’s behavior doesn’t work for us, is to think something is wrong with them.

How is South American Food Adapted Around the World

How is South American Food Adapted Around the World South American Cuisine in the Global Kitchen ChaptersA Brief History of South American FoodHow is Latin American Food Influenced by South America?South American Recipes Around the WorldTry Some South American Cooking at HomeAmerican cuisine and American recipes tend to only be viewed as those that originate from the North American continent. However, the history of food in the Americas is filled both with heavily diverse ingredients and history.A testament to this are the many South American recipes, from chicha to stewed meat dishes, which can find their origins in ancient, domesticated agricultural ingredients, European imports and the food habits and traditions of the various immigrant groups that have moved to the continent.From braised meats to the use of palm oil, this guide will walk you through how the food from the continent has been influenced by and inspired other dishes around the world.With the majority located in the southern hemisphere, South America is geographically diverse GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £ 25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsA Brief History of South American FoodIn order to truly appreciate the deliciously varied gastronomy of South American countries, you can start by understanding both the historical and cultural aspects that have shaped eating habits and customs. Typical narratives of South American history often start with western concepts such as the “pre-Columbian” Americas â€" this brief history lesson will instead start by putting the very noti on of a continent into question.From the Andean mountains to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, from countries like Paraguay and Bolivia to Peru and Uruguay â€" you might think you know what the continent of South America is. However, the seven continent model the majority of countries around the world teach in their curricula wasn’t actually proposed until around the 1950s. While the countries that constitute the South American continent share many differences, including the language that is spoken in each, the geographical term that binds them depends more on their cultural similarities rather than precise science.These intra-state differences can be staggering â€" just looking at how many languages are spoken on the continent can give you the right picture. While Brazilians communicate in Portuguese, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana’s primary languages are English, Dutch and French, respectively. Besides the various indigenous languages that can be found throughout the regio n, many of the countries which speak the same language hold major differences. Chilean Spanish, for example, can be much different from Colombian Spanish.The reason why it is so important to highlight the disparities between these countries is because it has contributed to the wide variation of dishes in the region. Not only is it home to dishes influenced by ancient American peoples, but also by differences in biodiversity, colonizers and immigrants.Because of the variation in culture and language, food culture on the continent spans from seafood dishes like Peruvian Ceviche all the way to the delectable Uruguayan sandwiches, chivitos.Find cooking courses London on Superprof.Make sure to try some plantain dishes during any South American toursHow is Latin American Food Influenced by South America?In order to explore the food in the region, it’s easiest to start by looking at the regional variations of South American cooking. Whether it’s street food or comfort food, South Ameri can countries often hold some of their most prized recipes in common.One of the best examples can be seen through arepas. Arepas are a cornmeal patties that are fried and typically mixed or served with cheese, beans or meats. You’ll be able to find the best arepas in either Venezuela or Colombia, where it is often hailed in both countries as the national dish. While Venezuelan arepas are typically served similar to a sandwich, filled with ingredients like avocado, cheese and beans â€" Colombian arepas are usually mixed with cheese and meats.While that is by no means an exhaustive list on the regional variations of dishes on the continent, it’s enough to give you a sense of how the many countries of South America tailor many dishes according to their unique diet and agricultural needs.What can also be helpful to understand in your journey to learn more about South American food is how the continent has influenced the rest of Latin America. Looking to Peru, ceviche is to Peruvian food what Machu Picchu is to Peruvian history. The dish is so prized, it has its own national holiday.While you may have tried ceviche in many of the American countries, the dish stands out amongst the standard seafood fare of clam chowder, fish stew or oysters. While the origins of the dish are hotly contested, the recipe is pretty standard, involving a medley of fresh fish, citrus, chili and herbs.Mexico, Caribbean and Central American countries   have all drawn inspiration from this delicious dish. In Mexico, the fresh seafood mix normally utilizes octopus or shrimp and is served on top of a large, circular tortilla chip known as a tostada.Variations of this dish that use black conch can be found in El Salvador and Nicaragua, while in Costa Rica it can often be served with ketchup or mayonnaise. Looking towards the Caribbean, both Cuba and Puerto Rico prepare ceviche with tuna or even coconut milk.Empanadas are another great example of how South American food has spread throughou t Latin America. While the origins of the empanada can be found in Spanish, Italian, French and Arabic cuisine, its early proliferation in South America also led to its spread throughout Central America.In Bolivia, they are actually considered by many to be the national dish. Called Bolivian saltenas, these empanadas are made of wheat flour and filled typically with beef, chicken, and olives. Another variation can be seen with Argentinian empanadas, which can be baked or fried, filled with meat or cheese, and can even be made sweet.Both of these South American empanadas stand in stark contrast with those made in Belize, where empanadas are actually known as “panades” and are, instead, made up of a corn dough called masa. Here, they are normally deep fried and served cabbage and salsa.South American Recipes Around the WorldWhile the popularity of South American food has risen around the world, form Ecuadorian churrasco to the Argentine dulce de leche, many of the dishes that have made the continent notorious around the world haven’t so much been adapted by the locals as they have been celebrated for their uniqueness.The fact of the matter is that much of food that is celebrated as typical of South America has actually been brought about by a mix of ancient food practices with the forces of colonization and immigration. This, however, makes it extremely interesting to compare how different dishes around the world have developed in a similar fashion to the iconic dishes we eat today.Looking back to the wildly delicious and popular empanadas, this dish a diverse number of preparations around the world. In the Philippines, for example, the filling is often enhanced by adding potato or raisins and can even be found in a flakier, fried variety.Looking towards Sicilian cuisine, the preparation is usually sweet and is often referred to as an “impanatiglie.” On the other side of the world, empanadas can often by found in American restaurants in US cities with large, Hispanic communities. Sometimes, it can even be compared to the Middle Eastern fatayer because both dishes can be considered a meat pie.Moving on towards ingredients, while many tend to think of plants like cassava or preparations like hominy when thinking of traditional South American agriculture, plantain probably has the most interesting origin story.Eaten fried, sweet, with beans and rice or with sugar â€" the endless variations of plantain recipes that can be found in South America has solidified the food as a staple ingredient of the continent’s diet. However, the fruit actually made it into the homes of South American families through the African slaves that themselves originally imported them from Southeast Asian countries.Luckily for everyone who loves the starchy fruit, this banana can be found prepared in many different ways throughout the world. While in Central America and the Caribbean, plantain is eaten as a side and prepared by either being fried or boiled, South American countries typically cook it in a crisp-like fashion known as tostones or patacones.In West Africa, however, the plantain can be served with cabbage or fish stew. In the Ivory Coast, aloco typifies a popular way of preparing the banana, fried and mixed with tomato sauce and served with grilled fish.Looking towards India, the plantain chips are actually fried with coconut oil and is a popular snack in the south. Similarly, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore all have a fried version that is usually served as a dessert.From Lima to Copacabana, South American food and topography is extremely variedTry Some South American Cooking at HomeWhile this is by no means a definitive list of the recipes you should try, this simple list can give you a better idea of the kinds of food you can incorporate into your weekly diet. From Lima to Rio de Janeiro, here are some of the tastes of South America.ChimichurriWhile Peruvian cuisine tends â€" from pisco to ceviche â€" to be highlighted on the world stage, its neighbors to the south are beginning to get international recognition for the beautiful traditions and delicious food they deliver. While Paraguayan and Chilean food are especially creative, it’s Argentina’s chimichurri sauce that earns a spot on this list for the ease in which you can prepare it.   Here are some basic ingredients:ParsleyWine vinegarGarlicOlive oilOreganoFeijoadaMany of the foods typical of South America, like tamales and chorizo, are easily recognizable on the global level. However, Brazilian feijoada is not only simple but has many variations around the world. The basic ingredients for this black bean stew include:Black beansOnionGarlicHamBacon

Get Ready for Six LSATs a Year!

Get Ready for Six LSATs a Year! LSAT Law School Blog This June, the LSAT announced that during the 2018-19 school year the number of LSATs will expand from four to six administrations annually. This is undoubtedly excellent news for test takers who will obviously appreciate the added scheduling flexibility. However, there is an even bigger benefit for prospective law students looking to improve upon a previous score â€" beginning with the September 2016 exam there will no longer be any limit on the number of LSATs a test taker can record over a two-year period. The Law School Admission Council has announced these changes as part of an ongoing effort to reduce the barriers to entry into law school. New and veteran LSAT students alike should welcome this news. For those students who are just beginning their prep, it could give them a chance to fine tune their schedule if they are targeting the 2018 application cycle. Veteran LSAT takers on the other hand will also no longer feel the Sword of Damacles dangling above them on their third attempt in 18 months, if they’ve not quite yet reached your target score. 2017-18 â€" The Transition Year Because LSAT test dates are announced a year in advance, test dates through February 2018 will not be changing as part of this announcement. In addition to the recently completed June 12, 2017 exam, those dates are as follows: September 16 / September 18 (Saturday Sabbath Observers) â€" 8:30 AM December 2 / December 4 (Saturday Sabbath Observers) â€" 8:30 AM February 10 / February 12 (Saturday Sabbath Observers) â€" 8:30 AM 2018-19 â€" Six Tests Begin The 2018 LSAT testing year will still begin in June with the annual Monday exam at 12:30 PM on June 11, 2018. Then, there will be subtle shifts in the calendar beginning in the fall as the gaps between 2018-19 administrations begin to shorten to ultimately allow six exams in total: September 5 (Saturday Sabbath Observers) / September 8 â€" 8:30 AM November 17 / November 19 (Saturday Sabbath Observers) â€" 8:30 AM January 26 / January 28 (Saturday Sabbath Observers) â€" 8:30 AM March 30 / April 1 (Saturday Sabbath Observers) â€" 8:30 AM Monday June 3, 2019 â€" 12:30 PM The June 2019 test will also be considered as part of the 2018-19 testing calendar, as the start of the testing calendar will shift to July for the 2019-20 year. 2019-20 will then kick off with another Monday test July 29, 2019 at 12:30 PM, with another five tests to be announced next summer. What Does this Mean for LSAT Students? More than anything, it means there is significantly less wait time for the average potential law student. Gone are the days of having to plan for any test administration at a minimum a whole season in advance. Now, this doesn’t mean that like the GMAT or GRE there are tests being held on a nearly weekly or daily basis in the major metropolitan markets, but it does mean that if a student must reschedule because of an unexpected life or career conflict they can do so in a more rapid fashion. The other beneficiaries of this change will be students who feel they underperformed. There will still be the 3-4 week delay on score reports, but now, within two months, students will be able to take the test again and without the fear of potentially only having one chance left to take the exam for two years! This will also enable students to maintain their prepping momentum as they ready themselves for a repeat attempt, rather than having to try and extend their focus for an additional 2-4 months minimum. MyGuru experts are prepared to assist students in either camp prepare for their next LSAT whether it’s coming up this September or a longer term goal looking towards 2018 and beyond. About the Author Stefan Maisnier is one of our most experienced test prep and LSAT tutors, as well as our Director of Online Tutoring.

Timeline of Changes to the SAT and ACT

Timeline of Changes to the SAT and ACT Have you ever wondered where the SAT and ACT tests came from? Or how long theyve been used by U.S. colleges and universities to evaluate students for admission? Heres a quick overview of the history of both exams: The SAT 1900 The College Entrance Examination Board (today simply the College Board), a group of 12 colleges and universities, was formed to simplify the application process for students and college admission offices and administer annual exams to be used for college entrance evaluation. 1901 The first College Boards were administered in June at 67 U.S. locations and two European locations. Most test takers were from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and more than one-third came from private schools, more than one-fourth came from public high schools and the remaining 13% were from other institutions. 1923 Carl Brigham published a book called A Study of American Intelligence, which concluded that American education was on the decline. He was hired to create an exam for Princeton University freshmen and Cooper Union, a New York technical College. The College Board subsequently hired Brigham to develop a test that could be used by many schools, which ultimately became the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). 1926 The SAT was administered to high school students for the first time and replaced the College Board exam. 1934 Harvard University began requiring all candidates for admission to take the SAT. 1947 Educational Testing Service, a nonprofit organization, was founded by the College Board, the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to take over testing activities for those organizations exams, including the SAT, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and others. 1994 The SAT went through a major update, altering the verbal section, increasing passage-based reading sections and renaming a section Critical Reading. The Math section was also updated to include free-response questions and allow calculator use. 2005 The College Board revised the SAT to rename the Verbal Reasoning section as the Critical Reading section and add a Writing section. The score scale of the new SAT became 600-2400 (with three sections: Critical Reading, Math and Writing). 2014 The College Board announced plans to overhaul the SAT, the biggest changes since its 2005 update. The test went back to a 1600 scale (200-800 for math, 200-800 for reading), the essay became optional, a no-penalty-for-wrong answers policy was implemented, and the testing of obscure vocabulary words was removed, among other changes. 2016 The newly revised SAT was administered for the first time in March. The ACT 1959 The American College Testing Program was formed to administer the ACT Assessment, which was designed to help students make better decisions about which colleges to attend and which programs to study, and provide information helpful to colleges in the process of admitting students. The exam was administered for the first time in November, with more than 75,000 students taking the exam. 1989 ACT introduced a revised exam, replacing the Social Studies section with a Reading section and renaming the Natural Science section as Science. Updates to the Math and English sections were also made and the overall ACT became longer. 2015 ACT changed its scoring methodology. Students began receiving four new subscores for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), English language arts, career readiness and text complexity. In addition, the optional ACT Writing test changed, giving test-takers three perspectives on a topic and inviting analysis of those three perspectives. 2019 ACT announced that in 2020, students would be able to test online during national ACT test dates, take single section retests, and report their best individual section scores, also known as superscoring. Of course, both the SAT and ACT have gone through many other changes through the years: splitting into different sections, addition/removal of various content, scoring methodology changes and more. If you have a teen preparing to apply to colleges, well help you learn everything you and your teen need to know about the SAT and ACT, including how to prepare effectively. Learn more about the current iterations of the SAT and ACT by contacting Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. History of ACT exam (ACT.org) ACT timeline History of the SAT (PBS.org)