Monthly Archives: October 2013

What is the Essence of Homework?

Why Homework?

Ever wonder why children are given homework?

Homework plays an important role in education and is an effective source of empowerment when properly done. While children learn in school in a classroom setting, homework is designed to review and drill what has been taught in class. To understand the essence of homework fully are some useful insights:

1. Homework develops good study habits. When a child gets used to reviewing lessons at home, he or she will grow up with a valuable life skill.
2. Homework teaches our children to work independently. Parents may provide supervision but should not help their children “answer” homework. Spoon-feeding will defeat the purpose of developing independence.
3. Homework teaches a child responsibility.
4. Homework hones your child’s skill in research by using resources, such as reference materials to access information.
5. Homework integrates different skills in activities such as science projects or book reviews.
6. Homework can spark the student’s interest and prepares him or her for the next class.
7. Homework can give the parents an idea what their child is learning in school.

Based on the above insights it is vital that teachers should only give thoughtful and engaging assignments. When this is the case, students are more apt to complete it in all diligence and education in Nigeria will take a turn for the better.

Increase Intelligence by Reading

Why I Love Reading

One thing I have appreciated most in my childhood is that I was taught to love reading even as a little child. I have always believed that reading opens whole new worlds. As a child, my parents always encouraged us to read not just school textbooks but any book that we would find interesting. My favorite trip was always to the bookstore, where I was allowed to buy a new book, as long as I was willing to discuss about it with my parents after I must have read it. Needless to say, our house was like a mini library, with friends coming over to read and enjoy.

Now that I am a teacher, I have not lost my love for reading. You can imagine me sleeping in a bed with more books than pillows in it. Reading is a good way to keep our minds active and vibrant, without even mentioning the joy that reading brings. And my desire is to sow that same love for reading with my little students. Children who are taught to love reading early on will embrace life with profound understanding and they will also be able to appreciate the value of self-learning and of exploring things for the love of learning and not just for schoolwork compliance.

Finding Strength In Your Weakness

It is perfectly normal to be good at certain things and not so good in other things. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses. What is not acceptable however, is making a weakness an excuse for nor doing something or for performing badly. As a student for example, you may find yourself to be good in English but be miserable in Math, or vice versa. But is it acceptable to do poorly in your waterloo?

The first step to improvement is to know exactly what your weakness is. When you are aware that you are struggling in a particular area, you can then find ways to improve or seek help when needed. A weakness will only remain a weakness when you do not do anything about it. However, if you take constructive steps towards finding a solution, work hard on it and be persistent, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you can possibly achieve. And this is going to be the start of a strong you.

Using Technology As A Learning Tool

The advancement in technology is not just a cool thing. It is a powerful learning tool that can boost empowerment through education. Many children do not appreciate it this way. They are more focused in using the internet for social networks and games.

It is the responsibility of adults to maximize the advantage of technology in teaching little children. Education in Nigeria can be more relevant if innovative approaches are used to make learning simple, fun, and interactive. Teachers should be supported with learning materials that are more responsive to modern learning. Education is more effective when children are able to learn by doing rather than routine memorization.

Teaching Your Child The Art Of Multi-Tasking

Small children are normally taught to focus on a certain task in order to enhance concentration skills. This is very important so that they will appreciate the value of doing their best in finishing a task. As children grow older however, it is also important that they learn the art of multi-tasking. Again, it should be emphasized that multi-tasking is not an excuse for turning over a mediocre performance.

Multi-tasking will be effective if the student also has the right appreciation for time management and proper organization. Without these two important skills, multi-tasking can be overwhelming and the student can easily get burned out. Adults should guide the students how to organize their activities and to manage their time effectively so that even doing several things at the same time and producing excellent results is possible

Teaching Your Child The Art Of Multi-Tasking

Small children are normally taught to focus on a certain task in order to enhance concentration skills. This is very important so that they will appreciate the value of doing their best in finishing a task. As children grow older however, it is also important that they learn the art of multi-tasking. Again, it should be emphasized that multi-tasking is not an excuse for turning out a mediocre performance.

Multi-tasking will be effective if the student also has the right appreciation for time management and proper organization. Without these two important skills, multi-tasking can be overwhelming and the student can easily get burned out. Adults should guide the students on how to organize their activities and to manage their time effectively so that doing several things at the same time and producing excellent results is possible

What Does It Take To Be A Student Leader

The school is a fertile ground to plant and hone leadership qualities. In any given school there will always emerge from it, students who are willing to take charge and to take responsibility. Teachers should be keen observers of potentials like this so that these students can be groomed for future leadership roles in the community. And the school is a perfect place where these students are taught of what characteristics good leader should possess.

It is important that these young minds develop the values of integrity, genuine concern, and self-reliance. These, together with other good values are the cornerstones to good community leadership in the future. The future leadership belongs to the youth of today and how they are prepared and groomed today will certainly influence their leadership styles later in life.

A way which most schools go in order to harness these potentials is in choosing school prefects. Head boy/senior boy, head girl/senior girl, social prefect, laboratory prefect etc. What are the traits to look out for?

Common Challenges of a Nigerian Publisher

Publishers in Nigeria are confronted with a lot of publishing challenges. Some of the most common are severe lack of infrastructure and undercapitalization. Although there are local publishers that are willing to provide the services, more people still prefer imported books. Also, some bookstores do not want to stock up on books that have not been recommended by the ministry of education.

If you want to publish a book, you have to contend with these problems. However, you can also be assured that there is a lot of qualified and highly experienced staff. Another window of opportunity is the increasing number of educational institutions in the country. Hence, despite the seemingly gloomy picture of the publishing industry in Nigeria, it is only a matter of time before the industry will be growing in leaps and bounds.

Increasing Student Engagement in Class

For a teacher, nothing is more fulfilling than seeing your students enthusiastically engaged in their work. When students get to work and are able to ask profound questions regarding the lesson, this means they are now in the flow.

One of the best ways a teacher can encourage student engagement is to create a culture of explanation rather than going outright to the correct answer. A right answer will mostly be forgotten after an examination but when the student understands the reason why it is so, retention is better and application of the principle is optimized.

For this to happen, a teacher should be well prepared. The worst that could happen in a classroom is when students feel that the teacher is inept. This will not only erode respect and confidence of the students,  it may also demotivate them  to participate in discussions.

In Pursuit of Excellence: First Veritas

Publishing a book is not an easy process. A book that comes out of the press is a reflection of both the author and the publisher. Books say a lot of about the persons or the institutions behind its publication. A lousy book shows that it has been prepared by novices and inept people while publications that are of high quality reflect the creators’ commitment to excellence. The latter is the pursuit of 1stVeritas.

Publishers in Nigeria are continually upgrading in order to meet the demands of the new system of education. The frontrunner First Veritas has introduced innovations that are designed to maximize the learning potential. Their strength lies on the expertise of the people who are working to make these books possible.