Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Comment organiser
Saturday, June 27, 2009
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The benefits of the new Firefox browser
You probably heard of the new Firefox browser version 1.0 recently released by Mozilla. If you are currently using Internet Explorer or Netscape, you are probably wondering if Firefox is better and why is it better. In order to answer these questions it is necessary to take a look at all the benefits that Firefox offers you as a user.
First of all, Firefox is free, which is definitely a plus. It is an open-source web browser based on the Mozilla code foundation and will work for Windows, Linux and MacOS X operating systems. These are the technical specification, but what is more interesting to you as a user is that Firefox is very fast, secure, and is easy to use and navigate. The user interface is straightforward and uncomplicated.
There are numerous benefits that Firefox has. One of them is the popup blocking capability. You no longer have to see all those frustrating popup windows since the browser will take cake of them. You also don't need an alternative popup blocker program. Firefox also allows you to use tabs to open new web pages instead of using a new window. This feature is similar to the one that Netscape offers. However, with the Firefox, you can also open web pages in the background.
If you are trying to download some file, it will be automatically saved to your desktop. If you are using Google search engine for your search needs, you will appreciate the built in Google toolbar. Your Firefox toolbar will also include usual features like bookmarks, history, and text size and is customizable to include additional tools and features. If you would like to have an access to an email client you will need to download the Mozilla Thunderbird mail client software.
You don't have to be a computer professional to install this new browser. The installation and setup are very simple and straightforward and were designed to minimize the amount of work that needs to be done by the user. All your settings will be imported into Firefox. For example, you will see the same favorites as you saw when using Internet Explorer. Firefox is also available in several languages so if you prefer to use some other language then English, you can just install your language version of this browser.
In addition to all the benefits described above, Firefox browser is also offering you a higher level of security. For example, spyware and adware programs cannot automatically install in the Firefox browser.
About the author: Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.centernet.dk. Visit his website for the latest info on search engine optimization.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
How to Teach to a Diverse Classroom of Students
Each year teachers are faced with the daunting task of teaching to a classroom of 20-30 individual students, each with their own learning styles, interests, and abilities. Providing optimal learning for such a diverse group can seem overwhelming. But, there is a simple approach that can be used which will enable all students to succeed, and that approach is simply using variety and choice. Not only does this approach address the multiple learning styles of students, but it also aides in making them independent learners.
While the classroom still needs to have structure (routines, rules, procedures), providing variety within that structured environment can aide in providing optimal learning for all students. Using a variety of instructional approaches such as lectures, PowerPoint presentations, inquiry-based instruction, hands-on experiments, project/problem-based learning, or computer aided instruction, not only addresses the various learning styles of the students in the classroom, but it can help learners become more flexible in their learning. Most learners do have a preferred learning style, however this does not mean they are strictly dependent on that style to learn. They are also comfortable with and able to learn from several other styles as well. Exposing students to a wide variety of learning styles will enable them to become more flexible learners.
It is also beneficial to vary the input devices used and the resources made available in the classroom. Children have a wide variety of preferred learning devices, therefore making as many available as possible provides for this diversity. For example, when presenting information use audio (songs, speeches, interviews, etc.), video, books, posters, hands-on manipulatives, food, and smells. Technology has made available a wide range of resources, such as PowerPoint presentations, live video feeds, chats, and communication. PowerPoint presentations are a great way to present information using a mixture of audio, video, animations (movement), and text. These presentations can also be made available to the students via the computer for them to review at their own pace. The internet/ computers also offer interactive learning activities that combine movement, visuals, and sounds, such as virtual science experiments. These allow students to conduct experiments never before thought possible due to danger or lack of equipment. Virtual experiments can be found at http://www.explorelearning.com .
Pre-exposure to material also aides in learning. The more familiar students are with a subject the easier it is for new learning to occur. Therefore, providing students with a variety of pre-exposure materials can better prepare them for new learning units. For example, monthly calendars that list the upcoming themes, a classroom website with links to various websites related to upcoming themes, books, magazines, maps, posters, computer software, and manipulatives can be provided for students to browse at their leisure. Providing a variety of materials takes into consideration the learning preferences of all students.
Novelty can be used to gain and keep students' attention. People usually only pay attention to things that are of value or things that are personally meaningful. Therefore, relating learning to your students' real life experiences or interests can catch and keep their attention. 'Shock' them with an unusual noise, experiment, video, song, etc. You can also present them with a problem or project that relates to their real world in order to gain their attention and interest at the beginning of a unit. Issues such as environmental problems, problems with long lines in the cafeteria, designing the perfect playground, planning a field trip within the budget, local traffic issues, etc. can all be considered. Making learning meaningful, relevant, and interesting to your students not only gains their initial attention, but keeps it throughout the lesson.
When planning your lessons it is beneficial to try to include as many of the senses and/or Gardner's multiple intelligences (verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, kinesthetic, visual- spatial, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist) as possible. You can do this by using a variety of activities in your plans such as songs, games, experiments, field trips, real world experiences, interviews, guest speakers, physical movement/exercise, small group activities, individual activities, partner activities, cooking/food/snacks, hands-on experiences, etc. Providing a variety of activities will enable students of all ability levels to succeed.
Not only do students have diverse learning styles but varying bio-cognitive cycles as well. Some students learn best in the morning, some in the afternoon. Therefore, having a flexible classroom schedule can provide for these differences. Also, varying the times and types of assessments can give all students a fair chance of showing their true abilities.
When applicable, it is beneficial to give students choice in activities and assessments. This provides students opportunities to showcase their individual talents and can aide in classroom management as well. If students are constantly dictated to and not given a voice or choice they can grow resentful and 'act out'. Provide a variety of classroom activities for students to choose from during structured and unstructured times, give them several projects such as posters, PowerPoint presentations, reports, interviews, videos, brochures, etc. to choose from when assessing their knowledge. Giving students choice provides them with a sense of empowerment over their learning and can aide them in deciding what learning styles and assessments work best for them, thus helping them become more responsible for their own learning.
It would be a pretty boring world if all learners were the same. Diversity makes the classroom more interesting and exciting. Teachers should honor and respect the uniqueness of each student by offering variety and choice in their classrooms. Not only will this address the diverse needs of the students, but it will also help them to become independent learners as well. After all, is that not the goal of education?
About the author: Tina O'Block holds a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has been teaching for 13 years.
She is the author of Now I Know My ABCs and a Whole Lot More: Alphabet Activities for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners which is available at http://www.oblockbooks.com and the article, How to Help Your Child be Successful in Kindergarten (http://www.oblockbooks.com/article.htm ).
Sunday, June 21, 2009
How To Prevent Unwanted Windows Programs From Loading At System
We all have them in our system tray, programs that load up and use precious memory resources and take up valuable space on your taskbar. Some of them you need, but most you can do without. Take charge and clean them out.
Some of the kinder and well written programs are configurable and allow you to change the settings that starts them up. If this option is available, then this is the best approach.
There are, however, many programs that do not give you the choice and no matter how many times you remove them, they return. Two that I find really annoying are the "Windows Messenger" and the "Quicktime Task". Both sit in the system tray and I don't need or want them there. I'll show you how to get rid of them forever if you have Windows XP Pro or Windows 2000. For those with Windows XP Home, this solution will not work.
First and foremost, however, I'd like to discuss a little gem of a program called Startup Control Panel, written by a young chap called Mike Lin from Boston. The program is available as freeware from www.mlin.net and Mike takes donations from those who want to contribute to his efforts.
This program works under all versions of Windows and is a vital part of any Windows installation. It's a program that will allow you to control exactly what programs load at system startup. This is one of the first things I install after setting up a computer with Windows. The program can either be loaded as a standalone program or incorporated into your Control Panel. I prefer the latter, but both work equally well.
When you invoke the program, there are a series of tabs across the top. The 4 that you should be concerned about are labelled, "Startup (user)", "Startup (common)", "HKLM/Run" and "HKCU/Run". These represent 4 different methods by which your computer can run programs when the system first starts. There are 3 other tab, which are not as important and are self-explanatory anyway. Note that the tabs may be on 2 levels depending on the windows size. I usually drag the window and make it wider so that all the tabs fit natly across on the page in a line.
Going through each of the 4 tabs, look at the checked items that will run. To stop them from running, uncheck the box. If you are unsure about a program, uncheck it and see what the effects are. You can awlays revise this later if something stops working. As an exercise, run the Windows Task Manager (by hitting the Ctrl, Alt and Del keys simultaneously) and note down how much memory is taken up by your system on a fresh start. The figure is listed on the status bar of the Task Manager under "Mem Usage". After unchecking all the unwanted programs, restart your system and compare the number and see how much less memory is being used. This is the amount you have saved and all things going well, you'll notice that your system is snappier and definitely less cluttered.
You will soon find that some programs do not like being unchecked. Yes, you guessed it, the two that I mentioned above, "Windows Messenger" and "Quicktime Task". They will reappear everytime you delete them. Worry not for there is another way for those running Windows 2000 or Windows XP Pro on the NTFS File System.
The NTFS File system comes with security built-in meaning that access to files, folders and programs can be limited. This is precisely the method which we will use to stop these pesky programs from loading.
Open up a Windows Explorer window and navigate to where these programs reside. For "Windows Messenger", it should be in your "C:\Program Files\Messenger" folder and is called "msmsgs.exe". Right click on the file and click on the "Security Tab". The security settings will show. Basically you want to apply the "Deny" access for all users and administrators. Do this by selecting each group and then clicking on the "Deny" checkboxes. When finished, click on the OK and you're done. The next time you restart the system, this program will be denied access to run. There are many who will rightly point out to me that there is an easier way to do this and that is to run Windows Messenger, navigate to the Tools menu and turn off the startup option. I have done this in the past but find that when a service pack or patch is loaded, that this program sometimes notoriously starts up again, so the Deny option works permanntly. Windows Messenger is a useless program and is superseeded by the MSN Messenger program.
Repeat the same for the Quicktim Task program which you can find by doing a search for "qttask.exe". You should find it in the "C:\Program Files\Quicktime" folder.
You can deny access to any program that you don't want to run. This is a powerful method of controlling your environment. It can be reverted by unchecking the Deny boxes at any time.
For those running Windows XP Pro, by default the Security system is disabled. This is easily fixed by opening up "My Computer" and selecting "Tools, Folder Options, View". The item either last on the list or close to last on the list will read something like "Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)". Uncheck the box and click OK and your system will now have full security settings on all file or folders. The properties window of any file will then have the "Security" tab.
There is also the possibility that you have a Windows XP Pro system running the FAT32 file system instead of NTFS. The FAT32 file system does not have the in-built security of NTFS and will not allow you to allocate Deny permissions on files, folders or programs. You can however, easily convert the FAT32 file system to NTFS though using tools in XP. To find out how, do a Google search for "convert FAT32 to NTFS".
I wish you all the best with your computing experiences.
About the author: Balraj Dhaliwal is an Internet Consultant for BSD Domain Registry, a well respected and liked domain and hosting provider because of its no nonsense simple approach to getting things done. Visit BSD Register at http://www.BSDRegister.com