Best Way to Study for Project Management Professional Exams - Education & Technology News

The Project Management Professional, or PMP, certificate is one of the most important certificates that a project manager could obtain. The test is vital to ensuring that you have the necessary qualifications to interview for project manager positions, whether you are interviewing at a major corporation or a startup. Studies also show that IT professionals who obtain the PMP certificate are going to earn at least 15 to 20 percent more than individuals who are working the same job, but do not have the certificate. That shows how important professional examinations such as the PMP can be!

These benefits are why it is so important to study for examinations in the right way. It is never easy, especially when you are settled in a work rhythm. You go to the office in the day and you have time to yourself in the evening and night. It is tough to break that routine, especially for studying. But if you spend a few weeks preparing for the PMP exam, or another professional exam that relates to your ideal job, it can help you in a major way. But what is the most effective method to study for these exams? Here is a comparison of two methods.

1. Reviewing All the Possible Material

The first method is the most straightforward - you will study every bit of material that could be related to the exam. Even though this method will take you a long time, it will ensure that you are fully prepared for anything the exam can throw at you. However, not everyone has an empty schedule to study for such an exam, especially if you are working in the meantime. That is why we need something a little more efficient.

2. Studying the Exam Itself

We recommend studying the exam itself, which involves doing a lot of sample questions and taking a few practice tests. You will start by taking a complete practice test before you study anything. Then, assess your results and see what types of questions or sections were your weakest. This will give you a baseline that you can use for the remaining study days. Focus your time on the weak areas and just spend a bit of time revising those sections where you got close to full marks.

The good news is that you can find a few reputable online sites where sample questions and practice tests are available. These are legitimate sites where industry leaders are vetting and posting sample questions from the most recent editions of these professional exams.

Say you are interested in the PMP exam. You would go on the PMP page on a reputable sample questions website, and it would allow you to check out hundreds of sample questions as you prepare for the test. The best sites even include question discussion sections, where you can check out how others answered tough questions - if you are unable to arrive at the right answer yourself.

How to Keep Children Aware With Current Affairs - Education & Technology News

At present, Kids are least interested in reading and watching the news. All they care about is their video games and mobile phones through which they can chat and play games and do nothing more. It does not harm them as kids, but it isn't good for their future. When they reach adulthood, they lack the ability to read current affairs that result in generating a sleepy nation.

It creates pressure on you as a parent because it becomes your responsibility to develop their interest in watching and reading news. To help you with this task, I have come up with some unique ideas discussed below.

Before moving forward, let me tell you outdoor play is not involved and only indoor activities can help you with this task. However, you can do the activities below in open such as under a shade structure if you like.

1. Play Geographic and Political Games 
Games are a fun way of learning. The effective games such as the World Peace Game challenge to meet political goals in order to maintain peace in the world. This game makes them aware of what is going on in what country and how the problems will be solved.

2. Use the World Map 
The world map hung on your lounge or room can do more than just decorating. It can serve as a tool to better understand the world events. When you hear some news, ask your kids to highlight the regions mentioned in the clip. This will help them analyze how far the country is from them where a problem is going on and help them visualize it geographically.

3. Make Your Own Podcast 
Listen to the entertaining news while doing chores at home with your kids. Then, create a podcast about the event you heard with your kids. In doing so, children research more about the event they are covering and utilize their understanding. This helps them in developing journalism skills along with making them aware of the world.

4. Discuss the News 
Do hot debates on current events and involve your entire family in it. For instance, you can highlight the topic of "Irma" that recently hit Florida. Take your kids' opinion on that and ask them what can be done to improve the situation.

If they don't know about the event already, they will definitely Google it on their mobile phones to save themselves from embarrassment. As a result, some other important news will also catch their eyes. This makes them active in learning what's going on in the world.

5. Tell Stories 
While talking generally at home, it's good to tell some historical stories sometimes. For example, I told the Princess Diana story to my kids a few days back and they asked a lot of related questions. By doing so, I realized they got to know about the British monarchy, which, in turn, helped them in learning about the history, culture, art, and different aspects of British life back then.

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How to Show You are a Top Performer - Education & Technology News

Becoming the go-to employee for a department and/or company is tough. There are many benefits for workers who are considered the best by their managers. The easy answer to becoming a top performer is to get your work done on time, with little guidance, and without throwing a fit. However, there is more to it, so I will provide more depth. Make Sure to be Receptive to Work . I've been to many meetings where leaders and managers are looking for volunteers to participate on mission-critical projects. Surprisingly, there are often few takers. In most cases, the work is assigned because no one is willing to step up to the plate.

A good approach is to be proactive. I recommend that you stay connected with your manager. You can take this angle: "Hi, Nicole... I heard that the leaders are looking for people to participate on the compliance project. I wanted to let you know that I will make the time to be on the team. I understand that I must keep up my regular work, and that will not be a problem."

Managers appreciate it when people volunteer for work, especially projects that are of high-value to the organization. Let's assume that you're not selected for the project because you lack the unique experience and skills required. You can rest assured that your manager will be pleased with your commitment to do what it takes to help the company do well.

Stay Away from the Petty Stuff,The most successful people in any organization operate at a level that is free from pettiness. They are focused on the work that must get done. When someone falls shorts of expectations, they avoid blaming the person. Instead, they go to the individual and ask how they can help with future work.

It's smart to take a problem-solving approach. When most people are complaining about why they're not advancing, we can take a proactive approach to finding the answers. I want to remind you that one's compensation is based on the level of problems they solve. The easier it is to find a solution, the less one will make. However, the people who solve the big problems earn the highest possible pay.

Before you decide to become a top performer, you must know that it will increase the level of work that you perform. Also, at some point, you will be assigned highly-visible work, which means that you will interact with high-level people. The benefits of doing this type of work is obvious, but be aware that there is little room for error.

To get the ball rolling, look for opportunities to volunteer on projects. Your manager will know if you can handle the work. If the manager has doubts that you are ready for the work, but you feel that you are, make your case. There's a big need for individuals who are willing to accept challenges. As you get busier with work that is valuable to the organization, you will realize that you no longer have time for the petty stuff that plagues many organizations. This is when you know that you're heading in the right direction.

Apple's iPhone 7 - Latest News - Education & Technology News

Apple's new iPhone 7 will be released  in September and we all are expecting this device to be utterly different from their iPhone 6s inside and out. It is likely that the iPhone 7 will feature a brand new and improved Jony Ive design. Plus, everyone is looking forward it to be the thinnest and satin Apple device so far with good looks and some brand new features with it.

Recently last month, Apple unveiled their iPhone sales which had decreased and they lost £140 million in the market value of Apple's shares. This means that Apple will have to work hard in order to convince their existing iPhone users so that they upgrade to their upcoming iPhone 7 this September and also compete with Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy S7 which is also releasing this year.

Let's just start and analyse the latest news and rumors about Apple's soon to be released iPhone 7.

Latest news and rumors claim that Apple might use a dual camera setup for their new iPhone 7 Plus, but it could be that the dual camera display could be the same size as a Plus included with the new dual camera. It is expected to be called the iPhone 7 Pro and could be featured as a supercharged phablet and Apple might also release three different versions of the iPhone 7. Having three iPhone models appears to be beyond belief, but so did the Apple's larger Plus version device which turn out very well.

Features:

Few months back, it was rumored that the iPhone 7 could be charged wirelessly, but this rumor seem less likely now. Apple is currently working on wireless charging but it is way too far from conventional, according to Bloomberg. Instead, Apple is developing on "cutting-edge" technology which will allow iPhones and iPads to charge without cables or charging mats. But it won't be here until 2017. Unfortunately, we won't be able to see this feature on the iPhone 7. It is very hard to comment on rumors of this new technology.

It is also rumored that iPhone 7 will feature a totally improved camera for this handset. Apple's new iPhone 7 will use a new dual camera system with an Optical Zoom and 2-3x magnification, according to Apple's Analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI securities. This new system/feature reportedly is from Linx. This company was brought by Apple a year ago. However, this new dual camera system is configured to be featured only on the iPhone 7 Plus.

It is also predicted that Apple's new iPhone 7 will feature a built-in Touch ID and will have a screen made of sapphire glass. Apple already is using this for their Apple Watches and they might be ready to import this element into their devices.

Apple's new iPhone 7 might move to glass-on-glass screens which possibly will have a QHD or even a 4K display. Many Android devices already have QHD screens and the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium has a 4K display, therefore it is likely that the iPhone 7 might jump up the resolution. If this is true, then the iPhone 7 might also get bigger and could see a 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 7 models.

Regarding the price for the new iPhone 7, there isn't any price rumors. However, it is likely that the new iPhone will be costly and it could be around £539/$649.

Waterproof:

There are many news and rumors that the iPhone 7 will be waterproof. Apple has filed a patent for ports that ejects water, this is the main challenge to make a waterproof handset.

Apparently, the patent shoes a connector which is covered by a self-healing elastomer, according to Electronic Device with Hidden Connector. The patent includes the elastomer to penetrate of a probe and self-seal once the probe is removed. The port is isolated from the elements at all times which still allows easy and quick access for charging the handset or use the headphones.

Li-Fi internet:

Several news claim that the company wants to include a superfast Li-Fi internet on their iPhone 7. Li-Fi transfers information in a dual technique by using light. Not like Wi-Fi which uses radio waves. Li-Fi creates a network by using light spectrum. This will allow data to be communicated through light bulbs rapidly which will have 1GB/sec transfer speed, way faster than Wi-Fi.

However, this feature it not so clear. Usually, Apple waits for a while before they introduce a new technology to their products and Li-Fi is currently on its testing phases.

A10 Processor:

The next iPhone is predicted to feature the latest A10 processor and RAM of 3GB. This will make the new device even more energy- efficient and even faster than their predecessor.Apple's new iPhone 7 will be released  in September and we all are expecting this device to be utterly different from their iPhone 6s inside and out. It is likely that the iPhone 7 will feature a brand new and improved Jony Ive design. Plus, everyone is looking forward it to be the thinnest and satin Apple device so far with good looks and some brand new features with it.

Recently last month, Apple unveiled their iPhone sales which had decreased and they lost £140 million in the market value of Apple's shares. This means that Apple will have to work hard in order to convince their existing iPhone users so that they upgrade to their upcoming iPhone 7 this September and also compete with Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy S7 which is also releasing this year.

Let's just start and analyse the latest news and rumors about Apple's soon to be released iPhone 7.

Latest news and rumors claim that Apple might use a dual camera setup for their new iPhone 7 Plus, but it could be that the dual camera display could be the same size as a Plus included with the new dual camera. It is expected to be called the iPhone 7 Pro and could be featured as a supercharged phablet and Apple might also release three different versions of the iPhone 7. Having three iPhone models appears to be beyond belief, but so did the Apple's larger Plus version device which turn out very well.

Features:

Few months back, it was rumored that the iPhone 7 could be charged wirelessly, but this rumor seem less likely now. Apple is currently working on wireless charging but it is way too far from conventional, according to Bloomberg. Instead, Apple is developing on "cutting-edge" technology which will allow iPhones and iPads to charge without cables or charging mats. But it won't be here until 2017. Unfortunately, we won't be able to see this feature on the iPhone 7. It is very hard to comment on rumors of this new technology.

It is also rumored that iPhone 7 will feature a totally improved camera for this handset. Apple's new iPhone 7 will use a new dual camera system with an Optical Zoom and 2-3x magnification, according to Apple's Analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI securities. This new system/feature reportedly is from Linx. This company was brought by Apple a year ago. However, this new dual camera system is configured to be featured only on the iPhone 7 Plus.

It is also predicted that Apple's new iPhone 7 will feature a built-in Touch ID and will have a screen made of sapphire glass. Apple already is using this for their Apple Watches and they might be ready to import this element into their devices.

Apple's new iPhone 7 might move to glass-on-glass screens which possibly will have a QHD or even a 4K display. Many Android devices already have QHD screens and the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium has a 4K display, therefore it is likely that the iPhone 7 might jump up the resolution. If this is true, then the iPhone 7 might also get bigger and could see a 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 7 models.

Regarding the price for the new iPhone 7, there isn't any price rumors. However, it is likely that the new iPhone will be costly and it could be around £539/$649.

Waterproof:

There are many news and rumors that the iPhone 7 will be waterproof. Apple has filed a patent for ports that ejects water, this is the main challenge to make a waterproof handset.

Apparently, the patent shoes a connector which is covered by a self-healing elastomer, according to Electronic Device with Hidden Connector. The patent includes the elastomer to penetrate of a probe and self-seal once the probe is removed. The port is isolated from the elements at all times which still allows easy and quick access for charging the handset or use the headphones.

Li-Fi internet:

Several news claim that the company wants to include a superfast Li-Fi internet on their iPhone 7. Li-Fi transfers information in a dual technique by using light. Not like Wi-Fi which uses radio waves. Li-Fi creates a network by using light spectrum. This will allow data to be communicated through light bulbs rapidly which will have 1GB/sec transfer speed, way faster than Wi-Fi.

However, this feature it not so clear. Usually, Apple waits for a while before they introduce a new technology to their products and Li-Fi is currently on its testing phases.

A10 Processor:

The next iPhone is predicted to feature the latest A10 processor and RAM of 3GB. This will make the new device even more energy- efficient and even faster than their predecessor.

How to Pick the Right IT Company - Education & Technology News

When Asked you the right questions to select the best IT support company, you will have greater ease during the whole process. It is essential that you cover all the areas that may worry you so as to ensure that services are professionally and timely delivered. There are some ways that are worth some considerations before an IT support company is appointed and they include:

Testimonials

This is a very easy method, especially when you know of someone who has used services from the company in the past and had a great experience. A testimonial may not be able to guarantee that the services that you receive will be similar to those of the past. However, it is much better to use this path as opposed to choosing a company randomly.

The physical address of the company

A reputed company always has a physical address where their main business is operating in. It is important to exercise caution and don't trust anyone working from home. When you know a physical address, you will breathe easy as you know they will still be around even after the job is completed. When a business gets a fixed and professional premise, it shows just how committed the company is and that's why they take some time to invest in their infrastructure that can have senior staff as well as technical support.

Web site

You need to take your time to go through the IT services website so as to get a feel of how professional they really are. This is the place where you will find all the services that they offer as well as their contact details in case you need it. Customer feedback and testimonials is something that you should look at too.

Pricing is just one of the factors worth considering

It is a good thing if you do find a great bargain deal. However, it is important to note that you always get that which you pay for and this is very true where IT companies are concerned. Smaller companies that are home based may be able to offer low prices but are you sure that the services will be worth it? You should look at  company would lose from not getting the important services against what the IT Company is offering at a price for services. Usually, bigger companies with more staff working under them charge much more as compared to the small companies.

Number of senior staff

Support is very important for any company. There are lots of technicalities that need to be handled for an IT company. When there are lots of people working for the company, you can have the same guy assigned to handle your issues all the time and this comes with lots of advantages. The technician will be able to understand the network as well as the software setup and so noting exactly where the problem lies after he fixes the first time becomes very easy. This means you get faster services than would have been possible if you are assigned a new person every time.

The world has become highly computerized and this is why we need IT support from time to time to handle some of the technicalities that require an expert's hand. Look at the services you require and match them up with what a company has to offer and you will be on your way to achieving great heights.

Increasing E-Learning and Digital Technology - Education & Technology News

What is the point of learning? Why do organizations and individuals invest significant time and resources in educational opportunities each year? Though many people have surely endured trainings that felt so irrelevant and meaningless that these very same questions came to mind, in reality the purpose behind most learning investments is to influence a desired outcome or change. Whether the desired result is progress toward subject mastery required to earn a degree or employee performance improvement to impact a company's bottom-line, achievement of that outcome relies on newly-acquired knowledge being applied in context(s) outside the learning environment. In other words, for instruction to fulfill its purpose beyond the classroom, learning transfer must occur.

Achieving effective learning transfer is actually pretty hard to do, though, even in well-facilitated face-to-face instructional settings. When you take instruction fully online, real knowledge transfer can be even more difficult to attain. And, too often, when eLearning participants fail to master and apply new skills, the online environment itself is blamed for the failed learning transfer rather than the instructional design.

ELEARNING DESIGN BEST PRACTICES FOR OPTIMAL LEARNING TRANSFER

It is not impossible, however, to deliver virtual learning content that supports and even accelerates learning transfer. Is it often difficult? Sure. Does it require a unique and deliberate instructional design process? Absolutely. But it can be done. Here are five tips for designing eLearning to maximize learning transfer:

1. Complete a thorough assessment of the organizational goal(s) and the targeted learner

This might sound like common sense, but it is shocking how often this critical first step is left incomplete or is skipped altogether. Before you can design any effective eLearning program, you must understand the learners who will be engaging with it. The technical capabilities & access, existing skills & skill gaps, any prior knowledge that should be called upon during the learning process (part of instructional scaffolding), and the context in which the learners are likely to apply new knowledge are all factors that should greatly inform instructional design decisions.

It is also important to have extreme clarity around the organizational end-goals inspiring the investment in new eLearning content. It is not at all uncommon for a company to think it simply needs to beef up its customer service training in order to solve a declining customer satisfaction rates but, in the end, the root issue is more systemic. Still solvable, just not with the customer service training they originally sought. Don't be afraid to ask questions that get to the why-behind-the-why before you go down a specific design path. A complete and accurate assessment at the outset ensures the final product facilitates learning transfer that will actually impact the organization's desired outcomes.

2. Provide ample opportunities for practice

Regardless of the content category, the only way to ensure learning transfer in eLearning is to include lots and lots of practice. This is especially important for building-block knowledge, theoretical principles, and dependent processes upon which the course's terminal learning objectives are based. Practice opportunities should be varied, in both format and cadence, to maximize the potential for transfer to long-term memory.

Regular practice exercises also provide early and consistent insights into how each learner is digesting and understanding the eLearning content, which provides opportunities for both individual intervention and content optimization, based on trends observed at the cohort-level.

3. Make content relevant and linked to real-world application

For knowledge to stick, it needs to be applied to appropriate scenarios in different contexts. With certain process-oriented knowledge, this is fairly easy to do in an online environment. But attaining contextual parity for more interactive environments requiring the application of critical thinking skills is not so simple.

To expose learners to authentic application-based eLearning, incorporate interactive case studies and branching scenarios that allow for individualized decision making and feature personalized feedback at specific decision-points throughout the learning path.

4. Utilize collaborative instructional strategies and tools

There are more virtual collaboration tools out there today than existed just a few years ago. And experts in learning transfer agree that collaborative activities are especially instrumental in knowledge retention.

In addition to the familiar collaborative tools from Google (Docs, Hangouts) that support collaborative eLearning strategies, there are many exciting new options to enrich the online learning space. Here are just a few:

OoVoo: A fluid (and free!) video chat tool

Conceptboard: Easy-to-use, virtual whiteboard to enable effective online group work

Cacoo: Allows multiple users to work on flowcharts, mind maps, wireframes, and much more in an intuitive and real-time environment

5. Design an appropriate learning assessment strategy

How do you know if learning transfer is actually happening unless you are actually looking for it? In addition to practice opportunities and relevant application throughout the eLearning content sequence, a well-designed assessment strategy that targets the end-goals of the eLearning initiative and the participants' ability to reliably (and continually) achieve those goals, is perhaps one of the most important considerations in eLearning design.

The standard-setting model for assessing whether learning transfer has actually occurred is Kirkpatrick's Assumptive Assessment Theory. Based on this model, it is only possible to know that learning transfer occurs in level 3 evaluation (Can Learners apply the knowledge and skills beyond the course or training?). So it is important to develop an assessment strategy that not only includes in-course testing and assessment, but also post-training evaluation. Some options for an effective post-evaluation include learner surveys, comparative performance bench-marking, and surveys/interviews with organizational members/departments impacted by the training.

DESIGN STRATEGY IS KEY

Delivering training online is an increasing necessity in today's global, telecommuting work world. And eLearning content that is engaging, relevant, and promotes effective learning transfer is possible with the right instructional design strategy. Just as with anything worth doing, eLearning design is worth doing well.

Tips for Effective Delivery Online Education - Education & Technology News

Online teaching is a process which is demanding, requiring your utmost attention for the delivery of the most suitable online class. In case you want to know how to sell a training course, first, you need to make it effective and appealing to the vast majority of students. If you cannot keep them engaged and motivated, there is no reason why they should continue using your own videos. Instead, they will look elsewhere. Here are some things that you will find intriguing when it comes to sell training options:

First and foremost, you ought to make sure that you prepare the online class as well as you can. This means that you need to transform some of your class material because not all fits in an online course. You do not want to bore your audience with uninspiring educational material when you can adjust your resources to the contemporary needs of your students.

Another thing that you ought to focus on is the ongoing 

communication and frequent feedback as to the progress of each student. You must be kept approachable, as this is the backbone of how to sell a training service. With feedback and notes on progress, every student is able to see how he performs in the class. As a result, students will know if they are doing OK and if they can do anything to improve over time.

You need to assign projects and exercises to the students, obliging them to complete them and send them over for evaluation. If you do  stress out the mandatory character of these assignments, chances are that many students will actually complete them. Keep in mind, though, that more time is needed for online assignments to complete than it would in a regular course.

Motivate your students and be strict as to deadlines. Online Teaching can either turn to be tedious or chaotic, in terms of deadlines. Make use of the timeline you have set on your mind at the beginning of the class and stick to it. Let all the students of you know in advance when their assignments are due and when they will take their final tests. Offer them motivation and increase collaboration among them.

Finally, keep things simple. Even though you may be tempted to use sophisticated modules and advanced technology for your online class, you will be better off with something simple and straightforward. When you sell training material online, you ought to be sure of the impact on your students. Do not baffle them with overly difficult interface and details that do not matter to them.