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11 New Skills You Can Learn From Home

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11 New Skills You Can Learn From Home

Yesterday we went live with Learn From Home Day — a full day of learning news skills with our friends from Food52, Y Combinator, Fatherly, Splice, Twitch, Brunchwork, Skillshare, Duolingo, Headspace, and Casper, along with celebrated executive coach Jerry Colonna. We learned soooo much and we hope you did too!

If you weren’t able to join us, we’ve got you. We recorded the live event so you can watch it on your own time (and then watch it again… and again… and again).

Check out the full replay below, followed by a full list of all the skills we learned about. We’ll also share some links to extra resources in case you want to continue to learn and explore.

Before diving into all the new skills, we recommend watching the event opening and keynote! Codecademy CEO and Co-Founder Zach Sims opened the day by answering some questions from Community Manager Alyssa Vigil about online learning. Then, at the 15:00 minute mark, venture capitalist and professional coach Jerry Colonna gave an inspiring keynote on what we can learn from life right now.

At Codecademy, we’ve always been passionate about learning from home. Today, online learning is more important than ever. Being stuck at home can be monotonous, and picking up a new skill can help create a sense of empowerment. Our hope is that, through our Learn From Home Day sessions, you’ll learn at least one new skill to make your days a little bit brighter.

Check out the full list of skills below, and feel free to leave us a comment letting us know about your favorite thing you learned!

Skill #1: Learn about starting your own company with Y Combinator

Starting at 44:15, we were joined by Eric Migicovsky, Y Combinator partner and founder of Pebble for a fireside chat on startups. Eric talked about what a startup is and shared some amazing tips and tricks for anyone that’s thinking about starting their own company.

In order to build a successful startup, Eric Migicovsky recommended the following four things:

1. Build something people want.
2. Build something that’s not easily copied.
3. Be a force of nature.
4. Be on a mission that matters to a lot of people.

But that’s just the icing on the cake. To learn even more, watch the full session.

Want to keep learning? Check out Startup School. One of the resources that Eric mentioned during his session, Startup School is a free 8-week online course designed to help anyone start a company.

Skill #2: Learn how to cook pasta with Food52

At 1:14:37, right around lunchtime on Learn From Home Day, we were joined by Ella Quittner, a writer and recipe developer at Food52. Ella will show you how to make an easy recipe for Pasta with Brocoli-Cheddar Sauce, with just a few ingredients that can be substituted for things you have in your pantry.

Want to keep learning? Check out these recipes and resources that Ella shared during her session:

Skill #3: Learn about parenting during a pandemic with Fatherly

Tyghe Trimble and Patrick Coleman of Fatherly joined us 1:45:00 to answer four of the most frequently asked questions about parenting during the pandemic. Tyghe and Patrick share tips for getting kids comfortable with wearing masks, for dealing with anxiety and mental health as parents, and more.

You’ll get something out of this session whether or not you have children. If you don’t, it’ll shed some light into what your friends and family members that are parents may be dealing with, and how you can support them during this challenging time.

Want to keep learning? You can can find even more tips and advice at Fatherly.com, where you can also sign up for a newsletter full of tips and tricks related to parenting during a pandemic.

Skill #4: Learn how to make music with Splice

Have you ever played an instrument or made music of your own? At 2:16:20, Nick Chen from Splice joined Learn From Home Day to show us how to create a track using a collection of instruments requested by the audience.

Want to keep learning? Check out the Splice Beat Maker that Nick mentioned during the session to start building your own beats for free.

Skill #5: Learn how to live stream with Twitch

At 2:46:20 you can jump to a fun session with Mary Kish, Head of Community Marketing at Twitch. If there’s anyone to learn streaming best practices from, it’s Mary! She covers all the basics of live streaming for beginners, whether you want to go live on Twitch, Instagram, Facebook, or the platform of your choice.

Learn about everything from camera setups and lighting tips to how to interact with viewers who are commenting on your livestream.

Want to keep learning? Check out this resource from Twitch, which dives into the basics of building your brand and engaging your community.

Skill #6: Learn to meditate with Headspace

Midway through our day, we took some time to relax with Eve Lewis, Content Director and the female voice of Headspace. You can check out Eve’s session starting at 3:46:01. Take some time to pause, reset, and find a sense of calm in your day, whether or not you’ve ever done any kind of meditation before.

Want to keep learning? Head over to the Headspace website for a wealth of resources and information on the topics of meditation, mindfulness, and relaxation.

Skill #7: Learn how to network with brunchwork

Whether you’re currently looking for a job, plan to look for a job in the future, or simply want to start building out your professional network, Paulina Karpis of brunchwork has you covered with some wonderful tips, starting at 4:14:46.

Paulina shares a presentation on the secrets to building a world-class network that lands you a dream job faster. She covers everything from why networking is so important to how to build up your own community, the art of the approach, and more.

Want to keep learning? You can find out more about career advancement through community by signing up for the brunchwork newsletter or exploring the bunchwork website, which Paulina mentioned during her session.

Skill #8: Learn how to draw for inner calm with Skillshare

Creativity can help you through these challenging times, whether you consider yourself an artist or not. Which is why we recommend checking out Skillshare teacher Amber Vittoria for a session on how to draw your feelings, starting at 4:44:52. Grab a piece of paper or sketchbook and the writing utensil of your choice and draw what moves you while listening to Amber answer questions about art and creativity during quarantine.

Want to keep learning? If you enjoyed drawing with Amber, learn more from her on Skillshare.

Skill #9: Learn a language with Duolingo

Dr. Cindy Blanco is a language scientist at Duolingo. She joined us at 5:14:51 for a session on learning a new language from home. Whether you want to learn a language to put to use on an upcoming trip abroad, or just to make progress towards a goal while you’re at home, you’ll pick up some tips for learning a new language, including these:

  1. Set meaningful goals
  2. Vary how you study
  3. Make it personal

Want to keep learning? Head over to Duolingo.com to browse all the languages they have available and start learning.

Skill #10: Learn to code with Codecademy

Alex Kuntz and Zoe Bachman, Codecademy curriculum developers, joined Learn From Home Day for a session on learning to code, starting at 5:44:46. In the session, Alex and Zoe walk through the Codecademy course, Learn How To Code.

In the session, they dive into some basic programming concepts and then put them into action. They also answer questions from the audience about learning to code.

Want to keep learning? Learn How To Code is a free course — feel free to dive in and go through the course on your own! If you’ve already got the basics down, check out our full catalog.

Skill #11: Learn to sleep well with Casper and Dr. Frank Lipman

At the end of the day, it’s time to rest. Which is why we closed out Learn From Home Day with a question and answer session with Casper Sleep Advisory Board Member Dr. Frank Lipman.

Starting at 6:44:47, Dr. Lipman discusses the importance of sleeping well — especially now. He answers some of the most popular questions that Casper gets about sleep, including how much sleep you should get each night, how important sleep is in recovery from an illness, and how different foods impact our sleep. He also fields questions from the audience on sleeping well during the pandemic.

Want to keep learning? Check out the Casper blog for more advice and articles about how to improve your sleep.

We hope you learned as much as we did at Learn From Home Day! Please share your favorite sessions and learnings in the comments below. We look forward to seeing you at our next event! To stay in the loop, check out the Codecademy Events page and follow us on social media — you can find us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Word + Quiz: paucity

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Word + Quiz: paucity

: an insufficient quantity or number

_________

The word paucity has appeared in 54 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on Feb. 12 in “A Simple Way to Equalize the Ivies? Give Others the Legacy SAT Bonus” by Dana Goldstein and Anemona Hartocollis:

A new paper from a team of prominent economists says that a simple strategy — an SAT “bonus” of 64 to 160 points, like that effectively seen in legacy admissions — would go a long way toward decreasing economic segregation in American higher education, and give a boost to social mobility through the generations.

… The 6.2 million people included in the study are approaching 40 years old, but Professor Friedman said the findings remain relevant, given the continued paucity of low-income students at highly selective colleges. At Ivy Plus institutions, there have been more students from families in the top 1 percent of earners than students from the entire bottom half of the income distribution.

_________

What’s the Craziest Thing You Did as a Kid?

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What’s the Craziest Thing You Did as a Kid?

What you were thinking, or not thinking, at the time? Were there any consequences of your actions?

The driver of the SUV swerved on the freeway at about 32 miles per hour when a trooper for the Utah Highway Patrol spotted and pulled him over.

The trooper could not see a head above the seat’s headrest, and thought the driver might have been impaired.

But when he approached the driver’s side window on Monday, the trooper was surprised by what he saw: a young boy wearing a gray Utah Royals soccer hoodie.

“You’re 5 years old. Wow!” the trooper, Rick Morgan, said in the dash camera video of the traffic stop. He then asked him, “OK, where did you learn how to drive a car?”

The boy, who was not identified, had managed to drive about two to three miles from his home before he was pulled over in the southbound lane of Interstate 15 in Ogden, a city about 38 miles north of Salt Lake City, according to the authorities.

The Highway Patrol shared video and details of the episode on social media, where it quickly gained attention. Like the trooper, people wondered: How did the boy manage to get so far without injury or damage to the vehicle? Where was he trying to go? And where did he learn to drive?

During a news conference Monday, Trooper Morgan said that “when the window came down, I wasn’t quite sure what to think.”

“It absolutely was not what I was expecting when I saw the driver,” he added.

He said the boy was sitting on the front edge of the seat “so that he could reach the brake pedal.” It was not clear how well he could see through the windshield. The trooper helped the child to put the car into park position and to shut it down.

At first, he thought the boy appeared to be 8 or 9 years old.

“But he insisted he was 5, and his family confirmed he’s 5 years old and he will be 6 next month,” Trooper Morgan said.

The boy, who gave short or one-word answers, was on the verge of tears during the stop, the trooper said. The boy explained that he left home after an argument with his mother, according to the Highway Patrol.

“She told him she would not buy him a Lamborghini,” the Highway Patrol said in a tweet. “He decided to take the car and go to California to buy one himself.”

Trooper Morgan said that the boy probably realized something was wrong with the situation, though he might not have understood it completely. “I do think he’s probably had a life lesson,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll see him in the situation again soon.”

Teenage Drivers

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Teenage Drivers

Last month, Georgia waived its road-test requirement for most drivers in an effort to help fight the spread of the coronavirus. In early May, the state said it had issued driver’s licenses to thousands of teenagers without one. Wisconsin is doing something similar.

Though in Georgia the teens all held permits and had completed the state’s mandatory driver education requirements, many worry that the results could be “catastrophic.”

What do you think? Do you have your license? Was passing the road test an important part of your process in learning how to drive competently? Why or why not?

Weekly News Quiz for Students: Unemployment Rate, Dropped Criminal Case, ESPN

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Weekly News Quiz for Students: Unemployment Rate, Dropped Criminal Case, ESPN

Above is an image related to one of the news stories we followed over the past week. Do you know what it shows? At the bottom of this quiz, you’ll find the answer.

Have you been paying attention to the news recently? See how many of these 10 questions you can get right.

Lesson of the Day: ‘What We Know About the Shooting Death of Ahmaud Arbery’

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Lesson of the Day: ‘What We Know About the Shooting Death of Ahmaud Arbery’

After video footage of Mr. Arbery’s killing was leaked this month, two men were arrested and charged with murder. Widespread protests and 2.23 mile solidarity runs ensued, posted on social media with the hashtag #IRunWithMaud.

In this lesson, you’ll investigate the facts of this case. You’ll make connections between this case and a larger narrative about life in America and, if you choose, find creative ways to honor Mr. Arbery’s memory.

What do you already know — or think you know — about the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery that has recently gained public attention? How did you learn about it? What questions do you have about what happened?

Use a K/W/L chart to record what you know and what you want to know. As you read the article, add what you learn to the last column.

Read the article, then answer the following questions:

1. Mr. Arbery was killed on Feb. 23. Why is his case only getting public attention now?

2. What new information did you learn about Mr. Arbery and how he was killed? Add these key facts to the last column of the K/W/L chart you began in the warm-up activity.

3. Why did George E. Barnhill, the district attorney in Waycross, Ga., argue that there was not sufficient probable cause to arrest Gregory and Travis McMichael? What do Mr. Arbery’s defenders say? On which details do the prosecution and defense differ specifically?

4. What role has the video played both in this case and in the court of public opinion? Why?

5. Mr. Fausset writes that this case “is resonating in troubling and familiar ways.” Why do you think the nation has reacted so strongly? What connections can you make to your own life, current events or history?

6. What is your reaction to what you have learned about the shooting death of Mr. Arbery? What do you think should be done?

In a Letter to the Editor, Cody Lyon from Brooklyn writes:

That it took months before the men were arrested is further proof the country’s justice and law enforcement apparatus is racially biased. There clearly was no sense of urgency among officials in the case.

If not for the video footage and subsequent media reports that stirred the country’s collective outrage, the chances of justice for Mr. Arbery would have probably remained distant. That in itself is a chilling commentary on life in America today.

What do you think this event says about life in America today? Write your own letter to the editor using evidence from the article, other sources or your own experiences to support your opinion.

Get more tips for writing rich reader responses here. And you can submit your final letter here.

Do something creative to honor Mr. Arbery’s life and memory. Try one of these ideas or come up with one of your own:

What to learn during lockdown

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What to learn during lockdown

As the COVID-19 lockdown continues, many of us find ourselves with more free time than usual. We’ve already outlined some ideas for how to find a new hobby in lockdown, but for those who’d specifically like to study, we’ve put together some further suggestions to help you get started.

 What do you want to achieve with your learning?

Before we delve into the details of what to learn during lockdown, let’s first take a look at what your aims might be. There’s never a bad time to learn something new, but having a goal in mind before you start can help you on your journey. Here are some popular learning outcomes to help you choose a goal. 

Although the world of work seems a little chaotic for many of us right now, things won’t always be so up in the air. When you’re considering what to learn during lockdown, you may want to improve your professional skills, ready for when the world reopens. 

With new technologies and processes being created at a fast pace, closing the skills gap can give you a significant advantage in your career. Whether you’re learning a totally new skill or improving on an existing one, it’s the kind of thing that can make you stand out from the crowd.

You don’t have to delve deep when you first start on your learning adventure. By taking an introductory course or studying the basics of a new subject, you can get a feel of whether it’s the right fit.

There are all kinds of hard and soft skills that you can start learning about. Even a small amount of study can support your existing knowledge and broaden your horizons. From there, you can think about the types of areas that will be most beneficial or interesting to you.

  • Improve your understanding of world issues

Many of us have been gripped by the coverage of current affairs related to COVID-19, with the feed of information almost constant. However, it can sometimes be difficult to focus on global issues aside from the headlines.

There are plenty of topics worth exploring that can give you a more detailed understanding of the world we live in. Studying the environment, human rights, ethics, religion, and other ideas and concepts can all help to give context to current affairs. 

  • Build better relationships

If you’re not quite sure what to learn during lockdown, it’s worth giving some thought to improving your relationships. Emotional intelligence is an invaluable skill that can positively impact all areas of your life. Similarly, improving your communication skills can help in your personal and professional relationships.

Taking the time to work on your own wellbeing can bring significant improvements to your everyday interactions with the important people in your life. At this time of uncertainty, it could be just the thing you need.

Of course, you may just want to study something purely for the joy of learning. There’s a lot to be said for picking a topic you don’t know much about and getting to know some of the basics. Lifelong learning is something that can bring benefits to all areas of your life, and you never know where it may take you.

To borrow from Dr Seuss, ‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.’

So, you hopefully now have a goal or two in mind for your lockdown learning. The next thing to do is to actually choose a subject to begin studying, but where to start?

We’ve put together a list of some ideas – each with a free online course you can take – that align with all of the main goals we’ve outlined.

Learning to boost your employability

The most in-demand hard skills: 

Let’s start with professional development. Whether you’re working from home, furloughed, or waiting for the job market to start moving again, now is a good time to boost your CV. There are both hard skills and soft skills you can work on, both of which can bring benefits to your career.

As we take a look at some of the learning opportunities available, remember that many of the courses we’ve outlined provide certification upon completion. Such an acknowledgement of your studies can strengthen your CV and show your dedication to continued learning.

A recent LinkedIn study looked at the most in-demand hard and soft skills. This is a great place to start.

Blockchain

You’ve no doubt heard of terms like cryptocurrency and Bitcoin. The latter had a meteoric rise and fall during late 2017 and early 2018 and continues to be an interesting prospect to this day. Blockchain technology is what powers the Bitcoin digital currency. It’s one of the cutting-edge financial technologies of the moment, and knowledge in this field is highly sought-after.

Cloud computing

Cloud computing is one of the technologies that will be the future of many businesses. Already, it’s a popular way of delivering data storage, software, analytics, and more. Essentially, it’s the use of the internet to offer fast and innovative computing services.  

Analytical reasoning

Data is now the most valuable commodity for businesses, and companies across the globe are finding new and unique ways to make sense of it. Emerging fields such as web analytics and big data are growing at a rapid pace. As such, those people who can analyse data and give insights to its meaning will find they’re in high demand.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was once a science-fiction dream. Now, it’s very rapidly becoming a reality. Robots and AI can supplement and augment the way we work and live our lives. Those with an understanding of machine learning, big data, and other associated topics will find plenty of opportunities in the future.

UX design

User experience design is a field that focuses on how users interact with a product or service. Whether focused on apps, websites, or machines, UX design relates to the ease of use for the user. It takes into account aspects of design, market research, psychology, technology and business.

Business analysis

As companies generate more and more data, there is a need for people who can identify the business needs that arise from such data. Business analysts are the problem-solvers of modern organisations.  If you’re wondering what to learn during lockdown, taking a course in a field such as big data analytics could be seriously beneficial.

Affiliate marketing

Social media and influencers are starting to replace traditional advertising. Whether it’s social selling, leveraging industry experts, or promoting other companies’ products, affiliate marketing is one of the hot new skills businesses are on the lookout for.

Sales

Companies always have and likely always will need good salespeople. Whether you want to learn about customer insight or customer engagement, you can find a course that’s going to boost your knowledge of the sales process. 

Scientific computing

Continuing in the theme of technological advancements, scientific computing relates to a wide variety of professions. For newcomers to the field, a course on how computers work might be a good starting point. For the more experienced, we have an array of computer science courses on offer.

Video production

Video is becoming an increasingly popular medium for all things related to business. Customers love watching videos, so being able to produce high-quality content is a valuable skill. You can learn some of the fundamentals in our explore filmmaking course.

The most in-demand soft skills:

Some skills are hard to teach, quantify and measure, yet remain essential in the workplace. These soft skills are often known as interpersonal or people skills. Many businesses look for candidates with strong hard and soft skills, so it’s worth spending the time to develop both.

Creativity

Being able to connect ideas, come up with unique solutions, and generate original concepts is valuable in all areas of life and business. A course in creative problem solving could be just the thing to help you flex your creative muscles during lockdown. If you’d like to look at a few more options, we have a collection full of courses designed to help you get creative. 

Persuasion

Whether you’re negotiating, leading a team, dealing with suppliers, or any other business task, persuasion is a sought-after skill. Communication skills are useful in general, and none more so than being able to persuade. Check out our course on successful negotiation if you’re looking for inspiration.

Collaboration

The ability to combine ideas and collaborate on finding solutions is something that makes humans unique. When applied to the workplace, being able to work with others is almost universally required. Why not try our course on collaboration, communication and remote working to brush up on your skills? 

Adaptability

The fast-paced and often unpredictable nature of modern life means that adaptability is essential to thriving in the workspace. The ability to change direction on the fly and still deliver results is a soft skill that employers frequently look for.

Emotional intelligence

It’s always useful to be in tune with your own and others’ emotions. It helps to build relationships and create a sense of togetherness. This emotional intelligence can help you understand others, resolve conflict, and make more informed decisions. 

Learning to expand your horizons  

If you’d rather spend your free time developing skills away from the world of work, there are plenty of options you can choose from. These skills to expand your horizons come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, meaning you can work on all kinds of areas of knowledge.

Languages

Learning a new language brings many benefits. It can help you connect with new people, give you a leg up in your career, improve your cognitive skills, and allow you to travel. By taking a language course now, you can put your new skills to the test once lockdown is over. How’s that for motivation?

Cultures

Studying other cultures can be an interesting way of expanding your horizons during lockdown. Our course on cultures and identities in Europe, for example, gives you the chance to develop a greater understanding of Europe and its people. Alternatively, you could choose to study culture in the digital age to see how technology has impacted our lives.

Coding

Coding and programming are tools that are becoming increasingly relevant and important. Studying in this field can give you a greater understanding of how technology works. It also gives you the chance to work on all kinds of projects, whether for personal or professional advancement.

Nature & environment

The natural world around us is ever-changing and fascinating. Studying in the nature and environment sector gives you the chance to explore topics such as sustainability, extinctions, upcycling and the value of the ecosystem.

Study skills

If you’re not quite sure what to learn during lockdown, why not study the art of studying? By brushing up on your study skills, you can make sure you’re performing at your best when you next choose a course to study. These are skills that can be useful both professionally and when you’re in a formal, academic study environment.

Learning to understand world issues

During the coronavirus pandemic, many of us have watched the global story unfold through the news and media. Although the virus has dominated headlines, there is still plenty to understand about the world.  Choosing to learn about some of the key issues facing us today can be highly rewarding.

Climate change

As one of the most pressing issues of modern times, climate change is something that we’re going to have to face and overcome together. Learning about the causes of climate change as well as some of the solutions can help you stay informed about the latest developments in this area.

Crime and criminology

The true-crime fascination of the last few years continues to influence our TV, podcasts, books, and other media. Whether it’s a subject you’re already interested in or you’re a total newcomer, crime and criminology is a fascinating and relevant area to learn about. 

Social issues

Our societies are rich, diverse and complex. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, societies can also be radically changed in a short space of time. Learning about some of the social issues that impact our lives can give you a greater understanding and appreciation of our cultures and values. 

Politics

Like it or love it, politics are something that has a huge influence over our lives. By learning about how the government and politics work, you can make sure you understand how certain key issues impact society. It’s a varied field too, with topics as diverse as international development and gender identity. 

Healthcare

The attention of the world is on our various healthcare systems and how they’re holding up during the pandemic. Now is the perfect time to learn about healthcare, especially with courses such as nursing in times of crisis and pooling healthcare data around the world. 

Learning to build better relationships

During the lockdown, we can all appreciate how important relationships are in our life. Although it can be difficult not seeing the people you care about, working on your relationship skills can yield many benefits.

Communication

The ability to effectively communicate with our friends, relatives, co-workers, and other people in our lives is often underappreciated. Yet it’s what brings us together and lets us understand each other. With courses available such as this one on intercultural communication, you can learn why communication is so valuable, and how you can improve your own skills.

Wellbeing

Taking care of your physical and emotional wellbeing is always a positive move. In terms of your relationships with others, it can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, understand others’ thoughts and feelings, and boost your mental health.

Mindfulness

This is a topic that’s closely linked to wellbeing. Mindfulness is the act of being present in the moment and connecting with your feelings. Activities such as practising mindfulness can help you feel calmer and more appreciative about the important people in your life.

Management and leadership

The people we work with are often some of those we spend the most time with. It’s therefore worth the time investing in building relationships with them. Not only can learning about management and leadership help with that process, but it can also improve your career prospects overall.

Psychology

Psychology is a broad and interesting field. Learning about the inner-workings of the mind can help us appreciate the way we and others think. This understanding can help you build your relationships with others.  

Learning for pleasure 

Of course, many of us enjoy learning for the sheer enjoyment it brings. There are a whole host of topics we could include here, as well as all the ones we’ve already covered. However, we’ve tried to pick out some of the popular subjects that people are interested in right now.

History

It’s always fun to learn about history. The world that was has shaped the world that is, so it’s fascinating to look back and piece the puzzle together. We have a fantastic range of history courses on offer, covering British and Irish history, archaeology, military history and many more areas.

Creative arts

Whether you’re a film buff, culture vulture, budding photographer, or journalist in the making, the creative arts have plenty to offer. If you considering what to learn during lockdown and you’re feeling a bit creative, this is the perfect field to delve into.  

Literature

If you’ve always wanted to learn more about literature past and present, you’ll find a wealth of courses and resources available to you. You can learn about the importance of words and the power they hold to help shape the world.

Music

Whether you’re learning a new instrument or studying musical theory, there are few better ways to get your creativity flowing during lockdown than with studying a music course. Find out how to write your first song or gain a better understanding of how musical scores work.

Game development

Playing video games is a pastime that many of us have indulged in during lockdown. With that in mind, now might be a good time to turn that hobby into a more creative one. A game development course could be just the thing to take on for your lockdown learning project. 

If you still haven’t found a topic that you’re interested in, perhaps you can find the right course by browsing our short courses and seeing what piques your interest.

Category Current Issues, Learning

Free Rules for Daughters Printable

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Free Rules for Daughters Printable

Rules for Daughters Printable Poster ready for download

Last month we got an email from one of our visitors asking about printable similar to our famous house rules poster. She had an excellent idea for printable containing rules for her daughters. Because of that, instead of charging her for creating this printable, I did it completely free. We decided together to make it available for all of you as a free download. It is how the rules for my daughters printable was created.

One or more?

No matter how many daughters you have, there is a version of this printable for you!

In this download, you will find a total of eight posters! Four for proud parents of one daughter and four for families with multiple girls.

All posters included in the Rules For Daughters printable package are in A3 size, so there should be no problem with reading all the rules.

Finally, I could not decide which colors to include. Because of that, I added them all. So there are black/white and black/white/pink color combinations.

Different versions of Rules for Daughters Free Printable

Download Free Rules for Daughters Printable

For Personal Use Only.

If you are looking for more printables, make sure to check our free printables library

We would appreciate it if you can share this printable because it helps us a lot! Just click on the buttons below. It is entirely free for you but helps us grow and produce even more content.

Share and help us grow. Thanks!

Font used in this free rules for daughters printable is called Geometrica.

Looking for something specific?

If you have an idea for printable, let us know in the comments! We are always looking for inspiration. If you decide to print today’s freebie, make sure to share photos of your decorated room with us via Instagram or Twitter.

P.S This post includes affiliate links. By clicking them, you are supporting us. Thanks!

Word + Quiz: ad hoc

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Word + Quiz: ad hoc

adjective: for or concerned with one specific purpose

adjective: often improvised or impromptu

adverb: for one specific case

_________

The term ad hoc has appeared in 168 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on May 6 in “Small Clubs Are Where Rock History Is Made. How Many Will Survive?” by Ben Sisario:

In interviews with 11 independent proprietors, most said they felt crippled by uncertainty about what lies ahead. Without some form of government aid, many said, they would go out of business in six months to a year.

…. To stay afloat, and distract from gloom, operators have gotten scrappily creative. In Wichita, Kan., Adam Hartke turned his club Wave into an ad hoc food-delivery hub for local farms.

Will Eastman, the owner of U Street Music Hall, a dance club in Washington, started selling T-shirts, which became an unexpected hit — the 700 sold in the last two weeks has provided enough cash to extend the club’s life a month longer than he’d estimated.

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Should Students Be Monitored When Taking Online Tests?

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Should Students Be Monitored When Taking Online Tests?

In “Keeping Online Testing Honest? Or an Orwellian Overreach?,” Shawn Hubler writes about universities trying to ensure academic integrity in online testing:

In an April survey by Educause, a nonprofit organization focused on technology and education, 77 percent of 312 institutions polled said they were administering, or planning to administer, take-home tests online with some sort of remote monitoring, ranging from human surveillance via webcams to software that lets a test temporarily take over a student’s browser.

It is not only students who are cringing at the online monitoring.

“There has to be a better way,” said Sue Escobar, a professor of criminal justice at California State University, Sacramento. Ms. Escobar said she would not use the webcam option the university added last month to its online testing software, finding it “invasive.”

“Sure, we want to minimize cheating, but how far do you go?”

Academic integrity is not a new concern in remote learning. In surveys, about one in three students say they have cheated in online tests — about the same as the proportion who admit to cheating offline.

For nearly two decades, Respondus, an educational technology firm in Redmond, Wash., has been marketing a customized browser that prevents test-takers from seeking answers in a new tab while their exam is in progress. As online instruction and web access have expanded, the online proctoring market has become more crowded.

Companies like ProctorU in Birmingham, Ala., and Examity in Newton, Mass., now offer remote oversight by live proctors who watch students take tests via Skype and webcams. Proctorio in Scottsdale, Ariz., uses artificial intelligence to monitor and flag body language and background noise that might point to cheating.

The article continues:

Social media has exploded with complaints and workarounds for cheaters. The University of California, Berkeley banned online exam proctoring, concerned that poor and rural students lacked sufficient access to high-speed connections and compatible laptops. Meggan Levitt, the assistant vice provost for technology at University of California, Davis, said the school was set to expand its live proctoring deal with Examity when the coronavirus shut down the company’s India facilities.

Others simply report being annoyed and intimidated by the sense, even in the Zoom era, that they are being spied on. Thera Boonyamarn, a 20-year-old U.C.L.A. student who flew home to Thailand when her campus closed, said that every time she sneezed into a Kleenex because of allergies, the testing software would “flag” her for seeming to look away while holding what appeared to be paper.

“It’s creepy,” said Hailey Arzaga, a 22-year-old psychology and criminology major at Cal Poly Pomona who worried about what the webcam would reveal as she took a recent quiz on qualitative research methods. “Like, we have you on video and audio and we’ll record you if you screw up.”

Mr. McFarland of ProctorU acknowledged that the live surveillance “is something to get used to.” But the proctoring services say they do not sell students’ data to third parties and that they purge it after it is sent to the school unless a cheating investigation requires that they preserve it.

ProctorU drafted and posted a Student Bill of Rights after the privacy concerns at the University of California, Santa Barbara. At the University of California’s campuses where proctors are being used, faculty generally have assured students that alternate arrangements can be made for those concerned about proctors.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

  • Have you taken any tests since transitioning to remote learning? Did you feel tempted to look up answers online or in your notes, or to compare your work with your friends’ answers?

  • Do you think students should be trusted to complete remote tests without cheating? Why?

  • Is it ethical for teachers or outside proctors to be able to see students on video or to monitor their computer screens while they are taking tests? Why or why not?

  • Has the coronavirus pandemic changed how you view testing? We asked students if they think schools should change how they grade students during the pandemic. Do you think the pandemic should change how schools use testing to evaluate academic progress?

Students 13 and older are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

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