Technology

Why Technology In Classrooms Is More Important Than Ever Before ?

Now,  the use of technology, especially the World Wide Web that has become a crucial skill and handiness for both: students and the mentors. Internet is an easy source of information and knowledge that can be useful to the pupils in infinite number of ways. Through internet, young brains are introduced to more research based study.

As there is a vast connectivity to everything these days, it has become easy for the kids and youths to get a global approach. Topics generally discussed by the teachers in a span of 40 to 45 minutes, has become more research based by just a click away.

It helps the students to see the topics from a wider and deeper angle as the access to the search engines into the classroom can bring experience and knowledge of the subjects in various ways. Internet helps the students to connect with their batch mates across the globe through chat rooms.

Students can interact with different students across the globe and thus get engaged and involved completely to have a new perspective of their topics and chapters. This no-chalk method is more interactive and motivational when it comes to encourage knowledge and education. In a class, students have their teachers and fellows to raise their doubts, but through this global channel, students and even teachers have an access to seemingly unlimited resources.

It is seen that this technology transformation is in full force as we make the transition from print-based learning to interactive white boards and Web-based references. This revolution is widespread around the schools of the world.

There are so many technology driven devices which help a lot in examining everything closely. Both teachers as well as students can analyze issues from multiple points of view. There is an endless list of advantages of having an effective technology into the classrooms. The test scores and brain activity of the students can definitely improve if technology is used appropriately in the learning process. And this is because technology enables the young minds to have a critical thinking, advance knowledge, and entertainment simultaneously.

The students today absorb ten times what they are taught, than they used to get years ago. It’s just because the information reaches to the kids more rapidly through web and other technical developments. The benefits from the use of interactive technology are tremendous.

The only thing that should be there is a successful integration of technology. Before anything, a student first must be taught to use the equipments and the techniques appropriately and effectively. We see that there are thousands of advantages of using technology for education, and there is still a long way to go to bring it into more of practice.

Making the Grade: Tips on Being a Successful Student

Making the Grade: 

Tips on Being a Successful Student

Chances are that if you are reading this, you are already a somewhat successful student. However, the higher up you go in the education hierarchy, the more strategies you will need to stay successful. Consider these tips:

• Focus. This is the single most important strategy for success in both high school and college (and at work). Focus on what you want, on what you are doing, on where you are at the moment. If you are in college, focus on each and every class and assignment. If you are in Chem I, focus on that class, that assignment, that grade. Don't let your attention be diluted with outside interests until your schoolwork is completed. You won't do well in International Politics if you are fighting with your significant other or worrying about what to wear to the football game this weekend!
• Prioritize. Education is your #1 priority at this time in your life. All decisions must be made around that priority. Sure, it would be fun to spend your time off at the beach, but not if you have to finish a term paper. And it would be fabulous to hang out with your sorority sisters until 4:00 in the morning, but not if you have a final exam on cell mitosis at 9:00 the next day.
• Sleep. Get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet. This isn't advice from Granny; it is a practical, stay-healthy-and-you-will-do better-in-school fact. Junk food, binge drinking, doing drugs, and staying up all night do not create a successful scholar. Take care of you. Your success depends on it.
• Participate. Go to all classes all the time. Skipping class is the best way to fail. Attend every class and be a part of each one. Ask questions, visit your professors during office hours and discuss class material with other students. It's your education...so be a part of it, and strive to be good at it!

(Source :  http://www.scholarshipexperts.com)

 

How to Manage Your Time

1. Prepare yourself first, by taking 30 minutes of your time to fix yourself something to eat and relax. Then Make a list of the tasks you need to accomplish. But before you can manage your time, you need to know what it is you must manage. A list of tasks, from the mundane to the critical, will help you get a handle on what needs to get done.
   
   
   
   • ASSIGN realistic priorities to each task:
     • Priority 1: due TODAY by 6pm
     • Priority 2: due TOMORROW by 6pm
     • Priority 3: due BY THE END of the week
     • Priority 4: due during next week
   • You can further prioritize tasks within this grouping by adding a decimal place. For example, a Priority 1.0 task needs to be done IMMEDIATELY, whereas a Priority 1.5 task simply needs to be done by the end of day.
2. BALANCE your effort. Work on small portions every day of work that will be due by the end of the week, starting with the most important tasks first.
   
   
   
   • DO today's tasks. CONCENTRATE on what is at hand, do not allow yourself to lose focus. Then move on to the next daily task. Once today's tasks are completed, mark them as such, and proceed to tomorrow's tasks.
   • When tomorrow's tasks are complete, work on the other tasks due by the end of the week, and when those are complete, work on the tasks due early next week. A small portion of each is better than one huge,laborious task and will keep your time managed more efficiently and reduce stress and eliminate burn-out.
   • Make one of your final daily tasks the completion of tomorrow's task list. Each day should be ended with a new task sheet for tomorrow to keep you on track.
3. Focus on your most productive time of day. Some people work better in the morning, and some are more focused in the evening.
   
   
   
4. Manage time in increments. Play a game with yourself by competing against the clock.
   
   
   
   • Work in fifteen minute, half hour or hour intervals,scientifically it is known that 45 minutes work followed by a 10 minutes rest is the best for the average studier.
     
   • Give yourself a time goal to complete a portion of a task or the entire task.
5. Take a break. Clear your mind and refresh yourself to refocus.
   
   
   
   • Decide beforehand on a 5, 10 or 15 minute break and stick to that decision.
   • Breaks provide incentive by giving you something to look forward to having.
6. Keep track of your progress.
   
   
   
   • Cross things off the list as they are completed.
   • You'll feel more relieved and relaxed just by getting through the daily tasks. Not only will you be getting things done, finishing tasks will give you a sense of accomplishment and spur motivation.
7. Reassess the list. Rewrite and prioritize your list on a regular basis.
   
   
   
   • Add new tasks to the list. This should be done on a daily basis, especially when you are just getting started with a time management regimen.
   • Eliminate or adjust tasks that are completed, or fall in priority.
   • Delegate tasks to others. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to do it all. You can be much more effective if you can delegate tasks as necessary.
   • Use technology to complete tasks more quickly, efficiently or accurately. Today's mobile technology features dozens, if not hundreds of apps that will help you manage—and even accomplish—your tasks efficiently.
8. Leave time for fun. While there are times when we just need to power through a large project, it's important to give yourself time to let loose. Not only will it refresh your mind, it's good for your body, too. It doesn't have to be a lot of time but make sure that you do!
   
   
   
9. Sleep for 6-8 hours every night. Getting the proper amount of sleep will help keep you alert and energetic, able to think clearly, and function at a high level.
   
   
   

( source : http://www.wikihow.com/Manage-Your-Time )

Medical Benefits of Fasting (Ramadan)

Most Submitters (Muslims) do not fast because of medical benefits but because it has been ordained to them in the Quran. The medical benefits of fasting are as a result of fasting.

Fasting in general has been used in medicine for medical reasons including weight management, for rest of the digestive tract and for lowering lipids. There are many adverse effects of total fasting as well as so-called crash diets. Islamic fasting is different from such diet plans because in Ramadan fasting, there is no malnutrition or inadequate calorie intake. The caloric intake of Muslims during Ramadan is at or slightly below the national requirement guidelines. In addition, the fasting in Ramadan is voluntarily taken and is not a prescribed imposition from the physician.

Ramadan is a month of self-regulation and self-training, with the hope that this training will last beyond the end of Ramadan. If the lessons learned during Ramadan, whether in terms of dietary intake or righteousness, are carried on after Ramadan, it is beneficial for one’s entire life. Moreover, the type of food taken during Ramadan does not have any selective criteria of crash diets such as those which are protein only or fruit only type diets. Everything that is permissible is taken in moderate quantities.

The only difference between Ramadan and total fasting is the timing of the food; during Ramadan, we basically miss lunch and take an early breakfast and do not eat until dusk. Abstinence from water during this period is not bad at all and in fact, it causes concentration of all fluids within the body, producing slight dehydration. The body has its own water conservation mechanism; in fact, it has been shown that slight dehydration and water conservation, at least in plant life, improve their longevity.

The physiological effect of fasting includes lower of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure. In fact, Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity and essential hypertension. In 1994 the first International Congress on "Health and Ramadan," held in Casablanca, entered 50 research papers from all over the world, from Muslim and non-Muslim researchers who have done extensive studies on the medical ethics of fasting. While improvement in many medical conditions was noted; however, in no way did fasting worsen any patients’ health or baseline medical condition. On the other hand, patients who are suffering from severe diseases, whether diabetes or coronary artery disease, kidney stones, etc., are exempt from fasting and should not try to fast.

There are psychological effects of fasting as well. There is a peace and tranquility for those who fast during the month of Ramadan. Personal hostility is at a minimum, and the crime rate decreases. ... This psychological improvement could be related to better stabilization of blood glucose during fasting as hypoglycemia after eating, aggravates behavior changes. ... Similarly, recitation of the Quran not only produces a tranquility of heart and mind, but improves the memory.

[2:185] Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.

Excerpts from Shahid Athar, M.D (Dr Athar's website is: http://www.islam-usa.com/)

(Source:   http://www.masjidtucson.org)

Lailatul Qadr

Why is Laylat-ul-Qadr the most important night of the Islamic calendar?

Laylat-ul-Qadr

(meaning the Night of Power) is the commemoration of the initiation of the final divine revelation, the Qur'an. This event, which is annually celebrated by Muslim in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan, occurred in the 40th year of the Prophet Muhammad's life, or 610 C.E. While he was meditating in the cave of Hira near Mecca, Muhammed received, through the Archangel Gabriel, the first of a series of revelations that were to continue for 23 years. The mission of the last emissary of God was thus inaugurated on

Laylat-ul-Qadr

in the month of Ramadan, which ushered in a new and final phase in human history.

In Chapter 97 of the Qur'an, titled "

al-Qadr

," it is stated that

Laylat-ul-Qadr

is grander than a thousand months. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, "The month of Ramadan is a blessed month, a month in which Allah has made fasting obligatory. This month contains a night greater than a thousand months. Whosoever deprives himself of the blessings of that night truly denies himself tremendously." (An-Nisa'iee)

Many Muslims spend these nights in prayer, thanking Allah for His bounties and beseeching His forgiveness. 

(source : http://www.beliefnet.com)

What is Ramadan?

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.

Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.

During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.

Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.

( source: http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/f/ramadanintro.htm )