A special monograph of the British Journal of Educational Psychology , published this month, highlights the very latest psychological research into the teaching and learning of writing.
Contributions in this edition of the monograph series include:
- Steve Graham and Karen Harris from Vanderbilt University (USA) who reviewed teaching interventions and present 13 clear but evidence based recommendations for teaching writing; recommendations recently endorsed by the National Writing Project in the USA.
- Debra Myhill from the University of Exeter, who examined the translation of thought to text, and found that poor writing often contains more oral speech characteristics; concluding that children need to be helped to move away from writing the way they talk and to shape their texts more carefully.
- Julie Dockrell from the University of London, who investigated the poor writing skills of children with specific language impairment and found that limited vocabulary, lack of fluency and very poor spelling in particular constrain these children when trying to write.
- Anna Barnett from Oxford Brookes University who introduces details of a new handwriting speed test for educational use: the DASH.
- Charles MacArthur from the University of Delaware (USA), who reviewed research on the effects of word processing technology, and assistive technology such as spell checkers and word prediction, concluding that children need to be taught how to use electronic tools in order to gain from them.
The editor of the special monograph, Vincent Connelly from Oxford Brookes University, said: "It is very important that children become competent writers. These reviews all point out that more needs to be done so that the lessons from this latest research feed through to schools in order to support the teaching of writing and help devise new teaching methods built on the latest findings."
Source
British Psychological Society
Monday, July 6, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
New iPhone Search App Allows Users to 'Flick' Through iPhone-Friendly Search Results
Key Facts:With over 1 million daily searches, Taptu (http://www.taptu.com/) is revolutionizing mobile search by providing iPhone users with the best search interface, search results optimized for viewing on the iPhone and the ability to easily share results and discover new content.
Taptu today announced the immediate availability of its iPhone app that improves search on the iPhone with an easy-to-use interface and iPhone-friendly search results.
Performing a search on an iPhone can be a frustrating task, as the results are the same as those received on a desktop search and may not be viewable on a phone, for example a Web site running on Flash. Additionally, results are provided in long lists and multiple pages.
Key Features of the Taptu App:
iPhone-Friendly Results: Taptu's iPhone app only provides results that are iPhone-optimized, which eliminates the hassle of resizing, pinching and refocusing sites.
Flick Don't Click: Instead of scrolling down a list of search results like on a desktop, Taptu iPhone app users flick through the visual previews of the results produced by Taptu horizontally (the same way that photos are viewed on the iPhone). The visual preview slides lets users quickly navigate through results and select the one most relevant.
Search Multiple Platforms: In addition to providing comprehensive search engine results, Taptu's iPhone app allows users to filter search results and find information from specific source or types, for example Twitter, Wikipedia, blogs or videos.
Share Your Results: Taptu's iPhone app lets users to easily share results via Twitter, Facebook and email.
Discover New Content: Taptu understands that mobile search should help users' expand their outlook and has made discovery an essential part of the app by presenting recommended and related searches including charts, lists and "also try's."
Quotes:
Steve Ives, founder and CEO of Taptu: "With iPhone-search continuing to grow, it is vital to make search as simple as possible while providing users with the most relevant content on their devices. Taptu's iPhone app allows users to quickly and easily search through iPhone-optimized results in an intuitive and visual interface. The launch of the iPhone app is a huge step for Taptu, as the app addresses a key need for iPhone users."
Availability:
The Taptu app is now available for free download in the iPhone App Store and is compatible with all versions of iPhone and iPod touch. If you're the owner of a mobile or an iPhone-optimized site, then ensure you're on Taptu by submitting your site here.
Links:
Go to Taptu's Web site: http://www.taptu.com/
Read Taptu's Blog: http://blog.taptu.com/
Follow Taptu on Twitter: http://twitter.com/taptu
Join Taptu's Facebook group: http://bit.ly/woxVg
Monday, June 29, 2009
Admissions Essay Site Helps Applicants Return to Grad School in Tough Economy
What's the best strategy for self-improvement when the economy slows? Return to graduate school, of course. That's what a large portion of today's workforce is doing, in hopes that the job environment will improve when they graduate. Penn & Paper, a serious admissions consulting firm, has redesigned its website to attract both college graduates returning to graduate school, and high school graduates applying to college.
The admissions firm, which was founded by a journalist and Ivy League expert, China Okasi, can be found online at PennandPaper.com. The company offers counseling to undergraduate and graduate applicants who need personal statement help. They say they want to ensure that both young people and adult applicants who have been out of school for a while, can reap the benefits of admissions help from consultants with extensive experience.
According to the CEO, who has three Ivy League degrees herself, "Penn & Paper provides admissions consulting to anyone who understands that competition is about standing out from the crowd." The company advises applicants not to shy away from the uniqueness they bring to their application pool. "If you have worked at a newspaper for 12 years, and you're thinking of applying to business school or law school, for example, we'll help you communicate to admissions officers that your background is special..." Okasi said.
Several reports show that the value of Penn & Paper's services is well worth the consumer expense. The company's application essay help, along with premium access to an admissions consultant, can run less than $200, which is an impressive deal, considering the quality of assistance that Penn & Paper provides. The company uses a dynamic strategy in helping applicants: it identifies problems with their personal statements, provides the creative help needed for stronger essays, and then sends back essay edits that increase their chances of acceptance into many competitive colleges, universities or graduate school programs. Overall, Penn & Paper's admissions counseling service tends to be personal and focused, which can be valuable when the world seems to be bombarding admissions offices with their applications.
The admissions firm, which was founded by a journalist and Ivy League expert, China Okasi, can be found online at PennandPaper.com. The company offers counseling to undergraduate and graduate applicants who need personal statement help. They say they want to ensure that both young people and adult applicants who have been out of school for a while, can reap the benefits of admissions help from consultants with extensive experience.
According to the CEO, who has three Ivy League degrees herself, "Penn & Paper provides admissions consulting to anyone who understands that competition is about standing out from the crowd." The company advises applicants not to shy away from the uniqueness they bring to their application pool. "If you have worked at a newspaper for 12 years, and you're thinking of applying to business school or law school, for example, we'll help you communicate to admissions officers that your background is special..." Okasi said.
Several reports show that the value of Penn & Paper's services is well worth the consumer expense. The company's application essay help, along with premium access to an admissions consultant, can run less than $200, which is an impressive deal, considering the quality of assistance that Penn & Paper provides. The company uses a dynamic strategy in helping applicants: it identifies problems with their personal statements, provides the creative help needed for stronger essays, and then sends back essay edits that increase their chances of acceptance into many competitive colleges, universities or graduate school programs. Overall, Penn & Paper's admissions counseling service tends to be personal and focused, which can be valuable when the world seems to be bombarding admissions offices with their applications.
5 Essential Tips for Success in Social Media
Social Media has definitely become the subject to discuss online and everywhere else . . . whether it's Twitter or Social Networking there seems to be a number of people writing "knowledgeably" and from an "expert's" point of view about the rise in the use of all these social media channels.
The problem for a marketer, or a digital agency looking to learn more about it, is that there are so many people out there who now claim to be expert in Social Media that it's difficult to know who really is qualified and who is ‘bluffing'. Social media is more than a ‘bolt on' for a PR agency and it is more than just another medium for a digital agency . . . it takes time to learn how to harness it for real client benefit.
We want to offer some advice in terms of what you should look out for before setting out on a social media campaign:
1. Firstly we suggest that any marketer who is considering following the social media route, do some proper research into which area of social media they think they'd like their brand to feature in, perhaps based on where they've noticed their target demographic being vocal.
2. Secondly, in extreme cases, a brand can risk losing credibility if mistakes are made in terms of social media choices. Understanding the legal and ethical frame work of social media marketing alongside experience will avert a campaign backfiring, or proving to be a wasted investment.
3. Thirdly, and I suppose we would naturally say this, but if you come directly to a Social Media specialist agency then you are going for a ‘low risk' option. For example, we at agency:2 have been around since 2007 and have a number of tried and tested methods of implementing our clients' strategies. These are borne out of experience and we would be able to demonstrate through real case studies and testimonials how our clients have benefited from working with us – any other specialist should have the same kind of confidence in their past working knowledge of how social media works.
4. Also, because we've had time to test our methods, we have also had time to build up a number of tools, methodologies and processes to track our social media effectiveness - there won't be many social media ‘experts' who have just joined the party who can demonstrate this level of experience or prove ROI.
5. Finally, don't believe the hype – social media is not as new and untested as it may at times appear. It has been around for a while and, as such, it is possible to enter into a social media campaign with confidence in it as a viable alternative to or complement to traditional digital marketing methods. Your ‘expert' or ‘specialist' should be able to show you how social media can work in tandem with another digital avenues and give you guidance for example on how CTR's compare, eg social media vs banners or social media vs e-mail marketing. This information is key for budget and ROI marketing planning. See http://www.agency2.co.uk/resources/ for more information.
In summary, social media can provide marketers with limitless opportunities to develop their product offering, develop relationships and ultimately boost their sales. It is, however, important to take a little bit of extra time before getting started on ensuring that you're working with the right partner.
Source: About agency:2 , http://www.agency2.co.uk
The problem for a marketer, or a digital agency looking to learn more about it, is that there are so many people out there who now claim to be expert in Social Media that it's difficult to know who really is qualified and who is ‘bluffing'. Social media is more than a ‘bolt on' for a PR agency and it is more than just another medium for a digital agency . . . it takes time to learn how to harness it for real client benefit.
We want to offer some advice in terms of what you should look out for before setting out on a social media campaign:
1. Firstly we suggest that any marketer who is considering following the social media route, do some proper research into which area of social media they think they'd like their brand to feature in, perhaps based on where they've noticed their target demographic being vocal.
2. Secondly, in extreme cases, a brand can risk losing credibility if mistakes are made in terms of social media choices. Understanding the legal and ethical frame work of social media marketing alongside experience will avert a campaign backfiring, or proving to be a wasted investment.
3. Thirdly, and I suppose we would naturally say this, but if you come directly to a Social Media specialist agency then you are going for a ‘low risk' option. For example, we at agency:2 have been around since 2007 and have a number of tried and tested methods of implementing our clients' strategies. These are borne out of experience and we would be able to demonstrate through real case studies and testimonials how our clients have benefited from working with us – any other specialist should have the same kind of confidence in their past working knowledge of how social media works.
4. Also, because we've had time to test our methods, we have also had time to build up a number of tools, methodologies and processes to track our social media effectiveness - there won't be many social media ‘experts' who have just joined the party who can demonstrate this level of experience or prove ROI.
5. Finally, don't believe the hype – social media is not as new and untested as it may at times appear. It has been around for a while and, as such, it is possible to enter into a social media campaign with confidence in it as a viable alternative to or complement to traditional digital marketing methods. Your ‘expert' or ‘specialist' should be able to show you how social media can work in tandem with another digital avenues and give you guidance for example on how CTR's compare, eg social media vs banners or social media vs e-mail marketing. This information is key for budget and ROI marketing planning. See http://www.agency2.co.uk/resources/ for more information.
In summary, social media can provide marketers with limitless opportunities to develop their product offering, develop relationships and ultimately boost their sales. It is, however, important to take a little bit of extra time before getting started on ensuring that you're working with the right partner.
Source: About agency:2 , http://www.agency2.co.uk
Monday, June 22, 2009
Newly Launched HumanWrites Offers Worldwide Wisdom from the Worldwide Web
The newly launched HumanWrites.com provides the first website resource seeking to develop a global consensus on issues that reflect on our collective humanity. Its mission is to confirm that there is a base set of human concerns and conditions common to us all once you've stripped away political, religious, and ethnic influence. Explore and confirm our collective humanity and discover how solutions to so many seemingly un-resolvable global issues can be found with less talking and more listening.
Human Writes Questions highlight our individuality and the glories of the Human Condition
First; the site offers a series of questions that go to the heart of what makes us who we are as individuals; namely, our dreams, goals, perspective on family, relationships, and personal philosophies. We compile your responses by age, gender, and country of origin and will publish them in Human Writes Journals.
These journals, built around your responses to our Human Writes Questions, support our theory that our human-nests ultimately transcend all racial, ethnic, and geopolitical influences. At our core as a family of man, our deeper sensibilities will always overshadow the influences of external forces.
Responses to the questions posed, as well as articles submitted and blogs posted, will contribute to the Journals, and thoughtful insights may be chosen for publication in them. Become part of this global effort to catalogue shared experiences and solutions through understanding.
HUMAN RIGHTS issues highlight the continuous existence of Man's inhumanity to Man
Secondly, but just as importantly, please post a HumanWrites blog as a conduit for gathering and compiling thoughts on daily events and activities that shine a light on the good and bad of how we treat one another in this global community. Be heard on matters of consequence, be they personal insights or external observations.
Submit original articles that speak to our humanity and/or share articles from other sites. This free neutral space is offered to expand our diversity in search of solutions to issues faced across the globe.
Contribute to the search for understanding. HumanWrites needs creative insight to succeed. Whatever the topic, shared wisdom. Teach others how to cope; share techniques for enduring or overcoming a hardship and watch the evolution.
Human Writes Questions highlight our individuality and the glories of the Human Condition
First; the site offers a series of questions that go to the heart of what makes us who we are as individuals; namely, our dreams, goals, perspective on family, relationships, and personal philosophies. We compile your responses by age, gender, and country of origin and will publish them in Human Writes Journals.
These journals, built around your responses to our Human Writes Questions, support our theory that our human-nests ultimately transcend all racial, ethnic, and geopolitical influences. At our core as a family of man, our deeper sensibilities will always overshadow the influences of external forces.
Responses to the questions posed, as well as articles submitted and blogs posted, will contribute to the Journals, and thoughtful insights may be chosen for publication in them. Become part of this global effort to catalogue shared experiences and solutions through understanding.
HUMAN RIGHTS issues highlight the continuous existence of Man's inhumanity to Man
Secondly, but just as importantly, please post a HumanWrites blog as a conduit for gathering and compiling thoughts on daily events and activities that shine a light on the good and bad of how we treat one another in this global community. Be heard on matters of consequence, be they personal insights or external observations.
Submit original articles that speak to our humanity and/or share articles from other sites. This free neutral space is offered to expand our diversity in search of solutions to issues faced across the globe.
Contribute to the search for understanding. HumanWrites needs creative insight to succeed. Whatever the topic, shared wisdom. Teach others how to cope; share techniques for enduring or overcoming a hardship and watch the evolution.
EBSCO Publishing Makes Footnote.com Available to Libraries
EBSCO Publishing (EBSCO) and Footnote have announced a distribution deal making EBSCO the exclusive worldwide distributor of Footnote.com for libraries and institutions. Footnote.com combines original historical documents and personal histories, creating a unique historical and genealogical resource.
The Footnote.com collections feature over 55 million images available from a content partnership with The National Archives and other regional archives—most never before available on the Internet. These digital images of records, preserved in the National Archives, represent a growing collection of historic documents.
Footnote includes material relating to the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, US Presidents, historical newspapers and naturalization documents. A recent review rated Footnote.com higher than all other genealogy resources and called it “cutting-edge in every way."
Eric Keith, the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Footnote, says, "We are thrilled to be working as partners with EBSCO. Their worldwide sales and customer service teams are second to none when it comes to working with libraries. We are confident that our current and future library clients will be in good hands with EBSCO."
In addition, libraries subscribing to Footnote.com will be able to provide remote access to patrons looking to research their family genealogy or explore the images of the original source documents that are available online.
EBSCO Publishing's Vice President of Archive, Literature and Proprietary Products, Michael Laddin, says, "Working with Footnote lets us provide our customers access to a leading historical and genealogical database. Footnote has an unprecedented, vast array of valuable and unique content of interest to historians and genealogists alike."
The Footnote.com collections feature over 55 million images available from a content partnership with The National Archives and other regional archives—most never before available on the Internet. These digital images of records, preserved in the National Archives, represent a growing collection of historic documents.
Footnote includes material relating to the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, US Presidents, historical newspapers and naturalization documents. A recent review rated Footnote.com higher than all other genealogy resources and called it “cutting-edge in every way."
Eric Keith, the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Footnote, says, "We are thrilled to be working as partners with EBSCO. Their worldwide sales and customer service teams are second to none when it comes to working with libraries. We are confident that our current and future library clients will be in good hands with EBSCO."
In addition, libraries subscribing to Footnote.com will be able to provide remote access to patrons looking to research their family genealogy or explore the images of the original source documents that are available online.
EBSCO Publishing's Vice President of Archive, Literature and Proprietary Products, Michael Laddin, says, "Working with Footnote lets us provide our customers access to a leading historical and genealogical database. Footnote has an unprecedented, vast array of valuable and unique content of interest to historians and genealogists alike."
Monday, June 15, 2009
How to Write a Reference Letter - 5 Vital Tips in Writing an Persuasive Reference Letter by Michael Lee
Knowing how to write a reference letter for someone can be a daunting task. After all, you know that it plays a big part in that person's chance of getting accepted. Luckily, this article is here to provide you with tips on how to write a persuasive reference letter that will leave people satisfied.
1) How do you know the person in question?
Here's the first vital step on how to write a reference letter - it is important to state your relationship with the candidate - how you know him or her. Are you a teacher, a colleague or even a former supervisor?
It is also important that you indicate how long you have known that person. There's a big difference in knowing a person for three months and knowing a person for three years.
2) Back up positives with specifics.
Even if you sing praises about the candidate, having no specific example to back them up will do you no good. Perhaps it is a wise idea to ask for a list of the person's accomplishments (in case you don't remember any). This is a tremendous plus in any reference letter.
3) Don't write anything negative.
Not everyone is perfect. However, that should not be reflected in your reference letter at all. Stick to the positives and let the candidate answer for his or her weaknesses during his or her interview with the employer.
Listing the person's not-so-brilliant qualities might only prevent him or her from getting short-listed.
4) Separation is key.
When knowing how to write a reference letter, you must recognize what separates the candidate from the rest of the applicants.
This is one of the more crucial points of the letter that employers really want to know. Write down characteristics that make the person stand out (in a positive way) from the rest.
5) Proofread.
When writing a reference letter, it is highly important that the message contain no typographical or grammatical errors. One single misplaced vowel can have dire consequences for the candidate.
Being asked to write a reference letter is really an honor. And it's easy to know how. It shows that the person in question has a profound respect of your opinion. It is only polite that you do your best to write it well.
If you want to easily earn $10,000 or more every single month through freelance writing jobs, then go to http://www.20daypersuasion.com/5figurewriter.htm and discover the secrets to earn massive amounts of money continuously... even if you're not a gifted writer.
1) How do you know the person in question?
Here's the first vital step on how to write a reference letter - it is important to state your relationship with the candidate - how you know him or her. Are you a teacher, a colleague or even a former supervisor?
It is also important that you indicate how long you have known that person. There's a big difference in knowing a person for three months and knowing a person for three years.
2) Back up positives with specifics.
Even if you sing praises about the candidate, having no specific example to back them up will do you no good. Perhaps it is a wise idea to ask for a list of the person's accomplishments (in case you don't remember any). This is a tremendous plus in any reference letter.
3) Don't write anything negative.
Not everyone is perfect. However, that should not be reflected in your reference letter at all. Stick to the positives and let the candidate answer for his or her weaknesses during his or her interview with the employer.
Listing the person's not-so-brilliant qualities might only prevent him or her from getting short-listed.
4) Separation is key.
When knowing how to write a reference letter, you must recognize what separates the candidate from the rest of the applicants.
This is one of the more crucial points of the letter that employers really want to know. Write down characteristics that make the person stand out (in a positive way) from the rest.
5) Proofread.
When writing a reference letter, it is highly important that the message contain no typographical or grammatical errors. One single misplaced vowel can have dire consequences for the candidate.
Being asked to write a reference letter is really an honor. And it's easy to know how. It shows that the person in question has a profound respect of your opinion. It is only polite that you do your best to write it well.
If you want to easily earn $10,000 or more every single month through freelance writing jobs, then go to http://www.20daypersuasion.com/5figurewriter.htm and discover the secrets to earn massive amounts of money continuously... even if you're not a gifted writer.
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