MENTAL health and wellness provider UWill today has acquired student telehealth company Virtual Care Group, further expanding its burgeoning student client base of more than 2 million.

UWill is an online mental health service which ‘matches’ university students with a licensed counselor for personalised online care.

It is partnered with more than 300 colleges around the world, but mainly in the US, its clientele includes Babson College, the University of Michigan, and Columbus State Community College.

The company hopes the acquisition of Virtual Care Group will enhance its reach and extend its digital offerings to more institutions.

Michael London, founder and CEO of Uwill, said: “Virtual Care Group has a well-earned reputation as a trusted partner for college leaders and students alike. Together, our reach, popularity, and digital capabilities meet the needs of any college in the world.”

Addressing student mental health

According to the American College Health Association (ACHA), an estimated 77% of college students now struggle with mental health.

However, research suggests that half of students with a mental health condition never access care, and a third of students report that they do not know who, or where to turn while experiencing a mental health crisis.

London said: “College students globally are grappling with a range of mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, and depression related to academic pressures, life challenges, and future uncertainty.”

He added: “While the core issues tend to be consistent, the intensity and specific challenges can vary by region and time of the academic year.”

As well as offering a matching service, UWill’s complete solution includes access to crisis and psychiatric support with trained and licensed medical practitioners, and access to wellness resources for yoga and meditation. It also has a data and analytics service where students can access their mental health reports and track their progress.

London said: “Online and digital mental health tools are crucial because they provide accessibility, flexibility, and immediacy, which are often barriers in traditional mental health services. Students can access support from anywhere, at any time, which is particularly important for those with busy schedules or who are studying remotely.”

Danny Zusman, founder and CEO of Virtual Care Group, said: “This acquisition marks a significant achievement for the digital mental health sector within higher education. Through the integration of our extensive nationwide reach with Uwill’s focused technological investments, we aim to enhance the support and resources available to the students, faculty, and staff we are dedicated to serving.”

If you found this article helpful, check out How to safeguard students’ mental health while learning from home. 

Featured image: Valeriy_G, iStock. 

The post Uwill Acquires L.A.-Based Mental Health Startup appeared first on eLearningInside News.

Economics is a lucrative subject with many career opportunities, and it is important to understand and crack the concepts of it with ease.

Undergraduate degrees in economics are ranked in the top fifteen for most U.S. universities, and students majoring in it have been found to have a salary boost as high as $22,000 more than their second-choice majors.

For academic success, choosing the right Economics tuition online is crucial to getting the most out of the subject in higher education.

With the gaining popularity of the subjects across the US and beyond, online tutoring for economics has also grown, with tutors of all levels of expertise readily available to teach basic economic principles, including taxation, inflation, and supply and demand.

Overlooking Qualifications and Experience

The most common mistake people make when choosing an economics tutor is to overlook or ignore their educational qualifications and industry experience. A teacher’s educational qualifications and teaching background will affect their knowledge.

If there are specific principles and topics a student would like to learn in economics, verifying the credentials of tutors before saying ‘yes’ will save a lot of time and money. Search for tutors with advanced college degrees in the subject, along with years of teaching experience, teachers are plentiful on tutoring platforms like Wyzant and Apprentus.

Experienced tutors have knowledge of practical applications of theories and concepts that provide real-world value, and PhD students and candidates are in the unique position of offering expertise on specific research concepts.

Most importantly, students should look up references and reviews from past students to understand the tutor’s effectiveness.

Ignoring Teaching Style and Compatibility

Another critical aspect that goes unspoken is the teaching style and compatibility between the student and teacher. Every student is different, study at different paces, and has unique learning styles.

Before committing to a tutor, students should shop around and ensure the tutor of choice understands their unique style and modifies their methods to see what works best for them. While some tutors use structured learning through lessons, others use interactive modes of discussion-based studies.

You can assess the compatibility by requesting a demo class. This will give you a clear picture of how the tutor is adapting to your child’s learning style.

Moreover, you must check the interpersonal dynamic between the student and the teacher. An ideal tutor will motivate the students, make them comfortable, and encourage them to ask questions.

Focusing Solely on Cost

Inflation and the global cost of living have pushed cost and affordability to the forefront of private and personalised tutoring. According to TutorCruncher, the average cost for a tutor can range from $15 to $80 per hour.

Yet, the cheapest option may not be the best option, and students could compromise the quality of services for pricing.

However, high fees also do not guarantee positive results, which is why, referring back to a previous point, it is important to shop around and acquaint yourself with a tutor before committing to one. Online platforms like Wyzant and MyTutor usually include a tutor profile which will list their credentials, experience, and expertise.

With a topic as wide and ever-evolving as economics, finding the right tutor requires effective planning and not doing your research into what you want to learn could be costly and compromise your understanding of economics.

If you found this article helpful, take a look at Improving math skills with private tutoring. 

The post Choosing the right economics tutor appeared first on eLearningInside News.

This article was written by Sandra Fineman, MPAS, PA-C. She is the associate vice president and and an associate professor for the Center for Interprofessional Studies at Marshall B. Ketchum University. 

Online and remote modalities of education have become more popular in the last decade. The recent pandemic created multiple new avenues for effective remote instruction, adapting to the evolving educational environment. However, it’s important to understand and never lose sight of the simple truth that hands-on education is the absolute cornerstone to a successful career for the health care professional.

As a longtime healthcare educator and provider, I believe in the art of medicine as well as the science of medicine. Obviously, the science of medicine refers to the collected body of knowledge as represented by textbooks, and you cannot skimp on that.

But the art of medicine is just as important in the journey to becoming a health care professional wherein the student learns to listen to the patient’s chief complaint as one piece of their larger story, as well as their medical and social history to ultimately determine how best to provide appropriate care for that unique individual, blending compassion and skill.

Without hands-on educational experiences, it is impossible for the student to learn the art of medicine. Additionally, in-depth research and online reading can be influential as well, allowing you to learn more about things such as different careers in medicine and the difference in healthcare administration vs. healthcare management.

From the Comfort Zone to the Growth Zone

Edgar Dale’s well-known Pyramid of Learning states simply that people remember 10% of what they read, 20% of what they hear and 90% of what they do. The truth of this observation has been born out time and time again, and when you consider how high the stakes are for what we are asking healthcare students to remember, that truth becomes even more important.

When the person reporting the weather is wrong about rain, we are inconvenienced; if a healthcare provider is wrong about a diagnosis or a treatment, the consequences are potentially far greater.

Because of this, it is imperative to give students a great deal of hands-on training. One of the primary reasons that hands-on training is so effective is that no other learning method is as useful for getting students out of their comfort zones. It would certainly be more “comfortable” for some students to learn remotely, whether that means from the back of the classroom or at home watching a live-streamed lecture.

Pulling students from that comfort zone may even put them into a bit of a fear zone, where they are unsure about what to expect and nervous about making mistakes. But beyond the fear zone is where learning happens, where they truly begin to understand the medicine and the concepts undergirding it, and beyond that is the growth zone. That’s when they begin to mature into the caring and exceptional healthcare providers that we want them to be.

The Two Pillars of Hands-On Health Care Education

Simulated laboratory training and clinical rotations are the two pillars of hands-on healthcare education, and both methods provide ample opportunity for students to move from their comfort zones to their growth zones.

Simulated labs are the first places where students begin to understand the variety of treatment methods in the real world that go beyond what they learn in their textbooks. They can observe how different faculty members perform different skills, and the different philosophies behind them and then practice their own skills in a safe environment where they are protected from beginner mistakes.

Eventually, students advance to their first clinical rotations, and many are definitely entering the fear zone at that point!

They are treating real patients with real problems, and you can’t get more hands-on than that. But they still have the crucial safety net of a knowledgeable clinical preceptor who is overseeing them, so they still have room to make mistakes and experience the successes by which they will begin to truly grow as a healthcare provider.

I recall one student who requested to be put on the one rotation with a patient population that he was least comfortable with at the very end of his cycle, with the hope that he would be better prepared to succeed in that rotation at that point. I made it his very first rotation.

I knew he was a brilliant student who would flourish, but I also knew that he needed to prove it to himself. If he had started with a different rotation, where he felt more comfortable, there’s no doubt in my mind that his growth would have been stifled.

Even though I understood he had a bit of fear about that rotation, I knew that fear wasn’t smothering, and that the challenges he faced in that difficult setting would cause him to grow in ways that amplified his skills in each successive placement.

The Privilege of Being a Health Care Provider

I often tell my students: “Your patients don’t read the textbooks!” Patients don’t know all the science of medicine; all they know is themselves and their symptoms. They bring their own stories to each visit, and they are often coming to us on their worst days.

They will often make us “uncomfortable.” But each individual patient is so much more than their chief complaint, so we are obligated to bring our best to them. Being able to move from discomfort and fear to learning and growth is one of the crucial ways that we honor the privilege of caring for people, and it’s an important and invaluable benefit of hands-on training for the healthcare provider.

If you thought this article was interesting, check out Online Math and English Games to Help Kindergarten Students.

The post Why Hands on Education is the Key to Healthcare Career Success appeared first on eLearningInside News.

This article was written by Shantanu Bose, Ph.D., Chief Academic Officer and Provost at DeVry University. 

Higher education is on the cusp of an AI revolution. Artificial intelligence has the potential to fundamentally transform higher education for the better, including how we teach, what we learn, and the skills needed to be successful in a world shaped by AI.

By infusing AI into learning platforms and courses, colleges and universities can make the educational experience more adaptive, personalized, engaging, and impactful for students.

Universities are not moving fast enough.

Yet, many colleges and universities are moving cautiously and slowly towards the promises of AI. A report released this year by Ellucian, a leading higher education technology solutions provider, reveals that despite the recognized benefits of artificial intelligence, its use in higher education is not as widespread as perceived.

The comprehensive survey gathered responses from 1,140 higher education administrators across 768 institutions. Its findings bring to light the unrealized potential of AI in higher education. Despite the gap between the perceived and actual use of AI, over 70% of respondents view AI favorably and about half of them expect the positive effects of AI will span the student experience, from better supporting the student journey to improving student outcomes at their institution.

How is AI changing the employment landscape?

Both students and employers are grappling with their own uncertainties and realizations about AI’s capabilities and its impact on jobs. College graduates are worried about their work readiness and potential to secure jobs due to the rapid emergence of generative AI, while employers acknowledge how the hiring landscape is being changed quickly by the new technology, according to Cengage Group’s 2023 Employability Report. Educators and employers need to do more to prepare today’s workers, the report added.

Higher education has a profound duty to keep up with technological advancements that impact the learning needs and employability of students. DeVry is an institution that has a legacy of combining education and technological innovation, along with a mission to close the opportunity gap in tech-focused careers. Thus, DeVry launched its AI Lab focused on ensuring our programs and curriculum are preparing learners for a world shaped by AI.

AI as a supplement to learning.

As AI continues its rapid advancement, students expect their learning experiences to keep up. Personalized and customized content is the new norm. AI-powered software can empower learning experiences due to its ability to analyze huge amounts of data to gain insights into how students learn best and what teaching methods are most effective.

AI-powered platforms offer adaptive learning, tailored lesson plans and coursework to individual students based on their strengths, weaknesses, and preferred learning styles, while also tracking their progress, engagement, and performance.

Similarly, AI-powered virtual assistants can provide instant answers to many frequently asked questions thus leaving more time for students and faculty to focus on higher value-added interactions and learning. Through its AI Lab, DeVry is experimenting with emerging AI technologies such as Retrieval-Augmented Generative (RAG) conversational AI solutions to enable a personalized learning experience.

The future of AI-assisted education

AI-powered learning systems are beneficial to not only students but also the outcomes that higher education wants to achieve. This is because, as Domoscio notes, “Learners feel valued and motivated when they are placed at the center of their own learning journey.”

As AI continues to evolve, colleges and universities that implement artificial intelligence thoughtfully and responsibly will be poised to deliver learning experiences that are truly tailored to students’ needs. The future of higher education will rely on a harmonious partnership between human insight and AI.

If you liked this article, check out How Technology Can Facilitate Early-Stage Education. 

Featured image: Tzido. 

The post Higher Education: Using AI to Meet Student Needs appeared first on eLearningInside News.

Studying for a Master’s degree isn’t easy, but with a little hard work and perseverance, you’ll be graduating with your MFA (Master of Fine Arts), MBA (Master of Business Administration), or MSc (Master of Science) degree in no time. In comparison to high school and even college, graduate school is incredibly intellectually invigorating, so you’ll definitely want to be prepared!

The days of passive learning are over. By attending graduate school, you’ll be immersing yourself in an intensive, fast-paced environment of reading, writing, lab work, and assignments that demand extreme dedication and focus. For this reason, knowing how to properly study for a Master’s degree is very important. Let’s take a look at some tips you can use to see it through below.

Schedule Milestones Instead of Due Dates

It’s easy enough to just mark all of your final due dates down on your calendar, but why not adopt a more efficient approach to staying on top of deadlines?

We’d recommend breaking down your projects and assignments into smaller, more manageable chunks. This will make your assignments seem a lot less overwhelming, as well as give you a better chance of making sure you turn in your assignments on time.

You can also schedule downtime and breaks. It’s really important to take some time to clear your mind and recharge, otherwise burnout is a real possibility.

Something that a lot of students find helpful is using Google Calendar to track their school events, assignment deadlines, breaks, and downtime. Google Calendar is super easy to use, and it’s free — so you won’t have to worry about forking over a ton of money just to stay on top of your schoolwork. You can even access Google Calendar from an app on your phone, which is super convenient.

Stay Focused on the Bigger Picture of Your Career (e.g. as a Psychologist)

Again, obtaining a Master’s degree isn’t exactly going to be a walk in the park, but it’s definitely worth it. When studying for your Master’s degree, you should try to stay focused on the bigger picture (i.e. what you want your future career to be).

For example, if you’re interested in getting a job as a psychologist out of graduate school, you can use that as your motivation to study hard and learn everything there is to know about psychology.

Thankfully, jobs with a Master’s in psychology are fairly easy to come by, so once you have your Master’s degree under your belt, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a career in your field of study. Psychologists are very needed these days, so it’s important that you keep yourself motivated and follow the rest of the study tips discussed in this article!

Build a Support System

One of the main things that differentiates most graduate programs from undergraduate programs is that all sorts of people of different age groups and backgrounds will be attending your classes.

You should look at this as a chance to network and build connections with people who you could potentially be working with post-graduate school. Who knows? You might even get the opportunity to sit next to a CEO or practicing psychologist in one of your classes.

You should also, of course, meet with your professors during their office hours whenever you need assistance (or just want to build rapport, for that matter). When it comes to studying for a Master’s degree (and attending graduate school in general), you’ll want to be prepared, so don’t procrastinate any longer!

You need to take control of your education, it doesn’t matter what type of degree you are doing, It could even be an online teaching degree that you decide you need, in addition to your master’s because you would like to teach. You must use every opportunity to network so you can have a support system in your profession.

If you found this article helpful, check out Digital Age: How Technologies Aid the Wellbeing of Children and Young People.

Featured image: Yutthana Gaetgeaw, iStock. 

The post Studying for a Master’s Degree: 3 Powerful Tips to See it Through appeared first on eLearningInside News.

Singapore is one of Asia’s largest economies despite being a small island country. The city-state is known for its intensive trading practices and is famous for being one of the best places to live in on Earth.

As the eighth most technologically advanced country in the world, and the only Asian nation to have one of its universities in the QS World University Rankings 2024 (National University of Singapore), Singapore has become a catalyst for technology and education.

This article delves into the career possibilities awaiting graduates in Singapore, exploring industries that are in high demand, the process of obtaining work permits, and the importance of networking in securing promising job opportunities.

What can a graduate do in Singapore after education?

Pursuing a Master’s in Singapore opens the doors to a world of exciting career prospects and job opportunities. As an international education hub, Singapore offers a conducive environment for Master’s graduates to thrive in various industries.

Singapore’s robust economy and thriving job market create a conducive environment for Master’s graduates.

According to the Ministry of Manpower Singapore, the overall employment rate for Master’s graduates reached 92.3% in 2021, reflecting the high employability of these graduates.

Job opportunities for graduates

Singapore’s diverse economy presents a wide range of industries with excellent job prospects for Master’s graduates. Some key industries that are particularly sought after include:

Finance and Banking: As a global financial hub, Singapore offers numerous opportunities in banking, investment, and financial services.

Information Technology: With a growing tech sector, graduates with IT-related Master’s degrees are in demand, especially in areas like cybersecurity, data analytics, and software development.

Biotechnology and Healthcare: Singapore’s focus on biomedical research and healthcare innovation opens doors for life sciences, biotechnology, and healthcare management graduates.

Engineering: The city-state’s emphasis on innovation drives demand for engineering graduates in electronics, aerospace, and sustainable energy fields.

Work Permits

Foreign Master’s graduates interested in working in Singapore need to obtain a valid work permit to be able to work in the city. The Employment Pass (EP) is commonly used for highly skilled professionals and is typically granted to those with job offers from recognized companies.

The Power of Networking

Networking plays a pivotal role in securing job opportunities in Singapore. Building professional connections with peers, industry experts, and potential employers can open doors to unadvertised job vacancies and increase visibility in the job market. Networking events, career fairs, and online platforms are excellent avenues to expand your network.

In Conclusion

Pursuing a Master’s in Singapore not only offers a world-class education but also opens doors to a plethora of career prospects and job opportunities.

The city-state’s thriving economy and diverse industries create a conducive environment for graduates to flourish. Graduates can find opportunities in finance, IT, biotechnology, engineering, and other high-demand sectors.

Also, securing a valid work permit is crucial for foreign graduates looking to work in Singapore, with the Employment Pass being a common option. Additionally, networking plays a pivotal role in connecting graduates with potential employers and unadvertised job openings.

By actively engaging in networking events and building a strong professional network, Master’s graduates in Singapore can maximize their career potential and excel in their chosen fields. So, whether you’re already pursuing a Master’s degree or considering studying in Singapore, embrace the exciting career prospects that await you in this vibrant city.

Enjoyed this? Check out Ten Reasons to Join a Leadership Development Program. 

Featured image: kitzcorner, iStock. 

The post Career Prospects for Graduates in Singapore appeared first on eLearningInside News.

College is the ideal time and an excellent chance for students to develop and learn more while living away from their families, despite any myths about it.

Thanks to student housing, they live independently and face the hardships of the real world.

It’s undoubtedly a learning experience that cannot be equaled, teaching them how to maintain their place, shop for food, and stay within their monthly budget. Additionally, it offers individuals the independence to run their lives independently and a sense of grownup existence.

Below are several factors that contribute to the positive impact of student accommodation on the overall college experience.

Finding Accommodation

Finding housing is one of the most difficult tasks for every student leaving for college. Many prospective living alternatives are available because many college students are studying abroad.

It’s good to rank crucial features that fit your ideal student housing requirements to determine which is best for you.

Dorms or on-campus lodging may be ideal for entering as freshmen or experimenting with a new place. With so many other students living in close quarters, social connection is encouraged, making it simpler to make friends outside the classroom or in extracurricular activities.

A Sense of Belonging

Finding a sense of belonging at one’s institution is an important connection that can greatly impact whether a student stays enrolled, transfers to another, or drops out of higher education.

By partnering with universities, Marriott provides students with high-quality, convenient, and comfortable living spaces that enhance their college experience.

A vital component of the college experience is feeling like you belong, especially on college campuses. Students’ perceptions of colleges significantly change in a positive direction when they have a sense of belonging at their schools.

Depending on the university, students who live on campus can access various campus amenities, including the library, dining halls, recreation centers, and more.

Advantages of Student Accommodation

Living in student housing can be very advantageous because learning for students goes far beyond coursework, tutorials, and lessons and instead involves a variety of experiences, such as living away from their homes for the first time, sharing a living space, and taking part in the many creative and stimulating activities and programs available as part of university life.

Students on campus are also more likely to engage in physical activities and have a more active lifestyle, which can positively impact their physical and mental health. Additionally, projects such as eClaimLink can positively impact the health and well-being of college students, further enhancing their overall college experience.

Student housing benefits are tied to the programs offered in the residence halls and the connections rendered possible by the halls to the university community.

According to studies, students who live on campus have an instant boost in academic accomplishment compared to those who reside off campus. In a broader sense, academics, staff, and all students—residents and non-residents—profit from the availability of campus housing.

Featured image: XiXinXing, iStock.

The post The Impact Of Student Accommodation On The College Experience appeared first on eLearningInside News.

Higher education can be overwhelming for new students.  You are about to start learning a craft useful for your future career. So, you are about to make a decision that will mark the rest of your life.

With that in mind, it is important to say that you shouldn’t make any rushed decision regarding deciding which field of study you will conduct and the university you will enroll in. Of course, going through all the universities available is an absolute must.

When you decide, the next task is to study the subject properly. To be as successful as possible, you should maintain your focus as best as possible. Today, we want to provide tips that can help you stay engaged in your studies.

Come Up with a Plan

The initial thing you need to do is to create a proper plan for studying. Before you can do that, you should know the deadlines for writing essays or the day your exam is scheduled. When you have that information, you can prepare and map the plan efficiently. Of course, there are different aspects that you need to cover in your plan.

For example, you must do different things, such as revising, writing, reading, and researching. All of these segments require a certain time and effort. Therefore, it would help if you were as careful as to map them out. All these elements are made up of many different ones, and all require your attention.

The best way to do that is to use a wall calendar or a diary. You can mark all the important dates and create some deadlines using these. For example, you can focus on certain chapters of the material. With that in mind, you will know exactly how much time you have left to study for the exam and understand how to do it.

Create Connections

When you are at the university, you will be around many fellow students. Meeting and connecting with many of them is beneficial for you long-term. We are talking about being able to talk with your fellow students about their future careers. You might get some good ideas about what moves you should make to create a good career.

But this is not the only benefit you can reap. Connecting with other students is a great opportunity to stay engaged with your studies. Humans are social creatures, after all. By doing so, you will discuss the topics related to the subject you are studying, and you can even learn about a new perspective you haven’t been aware of before.

The most efficient way for you to do so is to meet with your fellow students outside school hours. You can even organize sessions where a couple of you will study together. Not only that you will be able to talk about the subject with them, but you will also make the whole process much more engaging, which is quite important.

Create a Studying Space

Having your own space where you study is one of the best things you can do. The reason is quite simple; students need all the comfort they need while learning. Therefore, everything you need should be within your arm’s reach, and you must ensure you have enough of all the necessary items, such as papers, markers, and all other useful items.

Besides that, you should also focus on a couple of other things. For instance, ensure that your studying space has enough natural light. Many students prefer to learn at night, but having enough natural light will benefit them much more. Furthermore, students should focus more on having a natural nose than listening to music.

The most important thing you should do is eliminate all the distractions, like mobile phones. As you know, a lot of online content can distract us from the task at hand. Also, communication through social media is something you should avoid while you study. Of course, communicating with friends is more entertaining, but entertainment is not why you study, right?

Reward Yourself

Staying focused and motivated is key during studies. To do that, reward yourself occasionally, especially when you are content with your work for the day. Of course, you can reward yourself in many ways, and they can be either small or big. Sometimes, having a square of chocolate is enough to make you feel content.

Conversely, you can reward yourself by watching an episode of your favorite TV show after reading one or more chapters. Still, there is something you should be aware of regarding these rewards. First, make sure you do not overdo it. In that case, you can break your focus frequently, which will be a problem in the future.

To prevent that, we advise you to do this solely when you believe you have done a good job. The best way to do this is to have a night out with your friends after passing an exam. You will reconnect with those you love, which is one of the best ways to reward yourself.

Take Frequent Breaks

Lastly, we want to address the question of taking frequent breaks. Some students avoid these because they think this is the easiest way for them to break their concentration. However, taking purposeful breaks, usually five minutes or an hour long, can positively affect your productivity, ability, and energy.

Doing so will make you feel fresh enough to continue your studies. The thing you should be careful about when it comes to these is that they shouldn’t be too frequent. Students who do this get too comfortable, which affects their focus. Instead, it would help if you chose only purposeful breaks to provide you with the necessary rest.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, staying engaged with your studies doesn’t have to be a nightmarish task. Here, we present you with tips to help in this case greatly. By implementing these in your studies, we are certain your focus will be on the level needed for successful studying.

Featured image: fizkes, iStock. 

The post How to Stay Engaged in Your Higher Education Studies appeared first on eLearningInside News.

As the traditional school year comes to an end, many high school students and recent graduates are thinking about a gap year—a period of time when they take off from their studies or career path.

It’s a popular idea for those looking to explore their options before choosing a college major, travel around the world, gain new skills and experiences, or simply take some time out of their busy lives to spend with family and friends. But there is much more value in taking a gap year than meets the eye.

Time To Think

The most obvious benefit of taking a gap year is having some breathing room between graduation and starting college. A few months away can help students get clarity on what they want to study, who they want to become, and how they want to live.

Having an extended period of time to think, reflect, explore, and make the right decision can help students make the most informed choice for their future.

Gaining Perspective

Taking a gap year also provides students with an invaluable opportunity to gain perspective on the world and its place in it.

Immersing themselves in different cultures and developing connections with people from all walks of life can open their eyes to new ideas, dreams, values, beliefs, and ways of living—all of which can shape their understanding of who they are and what they want out of life.

Learning New Skills

A gap year is also a great way to develop skills that don’t necessarily come from textbooks or textbooks alone.

Whether it’s working a job, volunteering in the community, taking on an internship or apprenticeship, or simply pursuing interests and hobbies outside of school, gap years can provide students with practical lessons in personal responsibility, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and creative thinking.

Becoming More Independent

Taking a gap year also gives young adults a chance to become more independent. They have the opportunity to take control of their own lives—from budgeting and managing finances to making decisions about where they want to go or what they want to do.

This independence can help them transition into adulthood with confidence and self-assurance that they have what it takes.

Exploring The Market

Finally, taking a gap year can help young adults get an insider’s view of the job market. Through internships, non-traditional work opportunities, and exploring their own interests, students can gain valuable insight into how companies operate and how to best position themselves for success when they enter the workforce.

Gig-style jobs have become extremely popular and can give students a chance to network and get their hands dirty in the industry. A good example of gig-style jobs is taking jobs through Draiver, founded by Zarif Haque. These gigs effectively give you rewards without a long-term commitment, perfect for someone at a crossroads.

Overall, a gap year is an empowering experience that gives students the time and space to explore their options and develop skills that will shape their future successes.

It provides young adults with the opportunity to think carefully about what they want out of life and discover how to get there—all while gaining confidence in their abilities to take on the world.

The post Why Students Need Gap Years appeared first on eLearningInside News.

Most students face many challenges when it comes to correctly citing their sources. They have to find, synthesize, organize, evaluate, and document the sources. Unfortunately, they have no other option but to learn how to cite their sources correctly.

Even though they might be familiar with some common citing styles such as MLA, which is used in most junior courses, they might find different strategies and styles at higher levels of education. In addition, instructors might also have different requirements when citing sources.

However, as an instructor, teacher, or lecturer, you can teach your students to cite their sources correctly.

1. Help Them Understand How To Use Sources in Different Writing Styles

Students read different types of materials. They have come across many books, journals, and online resources for students before getting to where they are. All these materials cite sources in their content, and students can recognize them. However, they do not understand them.

You should, therefore, help them understand the styles of citations used in all these materials. In addition, ensure that they know why a citation style was used in a certain piece of writing and not in another.

This will be vital in ensuring that they know how and when citations are supposed to be used and how everything works. In addition, they will understand the type of sources to cite in their work. For instance, health science might require sources like population studies, systematic reviews, and case studies.

2. Try Out Citation Generators in Class

Citing sources correctly might not be easy for some students. While you can teach some of them within a few days or weeks, it might take longer for some students to understand everything correctly, even though they still have assignments to work on.

In such situations, you can try out citation generators in class. These generators are accurate and require users to enter a URL address, journal article, and book, among others, and then create the citation for free.

You can also ask your students to use the citation generators when comparing their manual citations with the ones generated by these tools. For instance, if you are teaching them about the APA citation format, you can ask them to use a free APA citation generator to compare notes and see how accurate their manual citations are. This will help them understand how to cite their sources correctly.

3. Ask For Sources in Early Drafts and Small Assignments

Your students work on different things while in school. For instance, you might ask them to write an essay at the end of every topic. Some might bring in their drafts for guidance on how to structure their essays.

In addition, you also assign them some work at the end of every day or week. Did you know that these are great resources for you to teach your students how to cite their sources correctly? You get to see how far each student is and what is needed to get them up to speed.

You can also ask them to summarize a source every day, depending on the citation style you are teaching them, to evaluate their progress. This will give you insights into their understanding and their capability to cite sources without copying text directly from the sources.

4. Discuss Where and When Citing Information is Used

Different types of reading use cite information differently. Take a few course readings and then tell your students to identify where and when a citation is used. This is one of the most essential tips in ensuring they understand how to cite their sources.

You can start by asking them how the writing content is provided by the source materials. In addition, ask them to differentiate how source material is used in the different course readings. They should also identify the features that persuade a writer to use a certain citation style.

This will help them see the different characteristic features that determine how writers cite their sources. In addition, it can help them identify the correct citation style to use in their writing work without any assistance.

5. Identify a Citation Style

Identifying a single citation style might be unnecessary if you want to teach your students different styles. However, if you are interested in one citation style, such as APA, then things get easier for you.

Choose the citation style you want and ensure that your students perfect it. This will simplify teaching and assessment.

6. Let Students Identify and Correct Errors

As much as you would like to ensure that your students are pros when it comes to citing their sources, they will make errors before getting to where you would like them to be. You should not correct them if you realize they are producing common errors.

For instance, when going through their early drafts and small assignments, you will most likely come across citation errors. Instead of correcting them, use annotated examples that show the common errors.

In addition, you can use a marking strategy that allows you to identify citation errors and their numbers. You can then tell students the number of errors that they have, and ask them to identify and correct them on their own. By doing so, your students will most likely never make the same mistake again.

Teaching students how to cite their sources correctly might be a difficult task for some instructors or teachers. However, if you follow the tips discussed in this article, you will find the process straightforward.

Featured image: fizkes, iStock. 

The post 6 Tips for Students on How to Cite Your Sources appeared first on eLearningInside News.