Education blog by Pearson India

Online classes have been a blessing for most students during the pandemic. Not because they appreciate or enjoy it, but because they do not have to go through the ordeal of getting up to go to school, being involved in the class activities, or paying much attention to what is being taught in the class. Sure, online learning has been around for a while. But it was not integrated with classroom learning to a greater extent. However, things have changed a lot in the last two years, and virtual learning has been conducted more actively than ever.

Online learning has many perks. It is convenient, it saves time, and it is not bound by geography. But, are these perks effective if students are not enthusiastic about learning in virtual classrooms? Online and classroom teaching differ excessively. In classrooms, you can see your students, and you can gauge their level of interest. But in virtual classrooms, the first quarter of the class goes into insisting students put on their cameras. If your students are even willing to learn, there’s a minimum to zero chance of understanding that without seeing their faces. But don’t back down.The virtual classroom can be successful too if you start using these tactics to encourage students to learn online.

1. Interact with your students

You, being the tutor, have a bigger responsibility to serve. You have to make sure you do your duties while also making sure that your students learn from your class. Creating an interactive learning experience can help you achieve that. You should keep having conversations with your students, ask them questions, and encourage them to ask you too. Besides, you should engage them in AI-based interactive learning. Don't be afraid to go beyond the curriculum and present some interesting anecdotes and facts to your students.

2. Hold class presentations

There are two main benefits to holding virtual class presentations. You get to actively involve each student in the classroom. Plus, this helps build their research, presentation, and communication skills. Some other benefits of online class presentations also include the fact that when students are engaged in such activities, you get to hear their opinions and process of learning. You get to understand how much of what you teach is learnt by them. They get to explore online resources and software to build their presentation, which helps them explore their creative elements.

3. Assign small group projects

To keep encouraging your students to learn in virtual classrooms, you must not just be concerned about your interaction with them. You should also build an environment where they get a chance to get to know their classmates. The best way to do that is to assign small group projects. You can make this a weekly or a monthly thing and create different groups each time so everybody in the classroom gets a chance to work with each other. Encouraging students to learn from each other can be a really good virtual teaching tactic.

4. Use quizzes

Kudos to digital development today that we have multiple learning sources. There are many online sites for learning programmes that give you access to interactive learning methods like holding quizzes and questionnaires. You can do that manually in your virtual class or use a third-party site to do so. These sites let you create impactful and fun learning methods. You can customize it according to your needs.

5. Form discussion groups

Discussion groups can be really helpful in learning through communication. You never know what information your students have and what skills they possess unless you try to explore them. You can form these discussion groups on Whatsapp or by using social media sites like Discord. Engaging with your students by using social media can be a fun twist to add to your teaching methods.

6. Ask for their opinions

Teaching should be communicative. And if you are not encouraging your students to give their opinions, the scope of learning decreases multifold. You should ask for their opinions with respect to education, their future decisions, their interests, etc. Plus, you should ask them what kind of learning methods they would like to explore. You do not have to ask them this individually. You can create polls or questionnaires using Google forms and just have the students fill them up. Getting an insight into the interests of your students can help you mould your teaching methods to align with their likings.

Virtual learning can be achieved independently by students themselves. All they need is the right resource. Pearson’s MyLab Mastering can be the perfect companion for students to indulge in virtual learning. It has online homework, assessment, and tutoring products that students can access at their leisure. Plus, the list of courses is diverse enough to help students find something of their interest to learn. This is the platform students need to explore the best of virtual learning.

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The rise in the importance of tech skills is a product of digitization. And our contemporary stage can be addressed as just the beginning of digital evolution, which is already flooded with many new-age tech skills. The new generation runs on these skills. Now that the education sector has also adapted to the next generation tools, learning and adapting to new age-tech skills seems like a prerequisite for today’s students to sustain in the professional world.

Some of the new-age tech skills that have garnered a lot of attention are programming, automation, data analytics, data visualization, cyber security, etc. Besides this, almost every industry sector requires their team to know the technical skills. Even though some of these sectors offer brief training about their technology, it always helps if you are a step ahead and learn new-age technology skills right from when you are in school.

Why do you need to adapt to the new-age tech skills?

1. It’s a part of the evolution

Learning and adapting is a part of human evolution. The digital ecosystem requires you to learn technology. Believe it or not, this has become a survival skill now. It's not necessary that you learn about all kinds of technology. But you should know the basic elements of it, or you can choose to be an expert in one niche.

2. The market demands

There are certain technical skills that are in extreme demand. If the subject is of interest to you, you can learn more about it. If not, you must look at the technologies used in the field of your career prospect. To keep up with the competitive environment, you need to possess new-age skills. They give you an upper hand in grabbing the best job opportunities.

3. To stand out

Learning the new-age skills can help you stand out from the crowd. It is even better if you start early. We all know how celebrated young talents are in today’s world! But to stand out, you also need to continue learning and adapting to new skills. Your skills help you excel in school, get into the best colleges, and stay on top of the game.

4. To work remotely

Remote working has been gaining massive momentum since the pandemic hit. If remote working fits anywhere in your future plans, you must know the most fundamental tech skills required to connect with people and conduct your work. Certain jobs require software knowledge and skills, too. If you work remotely, you may need to learn how to use them and create a compatible setup to keep up with your work.

But how can you learn these new-age skills? All you need is a basic device like a laptop or phone and the internet. But, what you also need is the willingness to learn. Here are a few guidelines you can follow to acquire new-age skills.

5. Feed your curiosity

Every individual is curious about something. We all have questions that we seek answers to. You should not kill your curiosity. In fact, attend to it at all times. That is the best way to discover new things, build new interests, and learn new skills. Even if you start by looking for something small, it can snowball into something bigger and beneficial.

6. Learn any technical skill of your choice

Is there anything that interests you? Do you like photography? Do you wonder how people build AI? Are you curious to know how people get into research work? Well, if you are aware of your interests, consider it a con and start learning about the respective technical skills required in your field.

7. Start early

We cannot emphasize this enough! We are a part of their fast-paced lives. As a student, you may always have your plate full, but there’s nothing bad about it as long as you can handle it. Learning early gives you a head start compared to those who don’t. And in this competitive world, that can be a big advantage for you.

8. Use online resources

You can find anything online, and you must make the most of it. You can learn from experts, peers, professionals, or other curious individuals like you. You should try to integrate online learning with your classroom learning. Pearson’s technology books and publications will help you have a wholesome learning experience. Amongst the array of subject areas that Pearson offers, you can pick any of your interests or explore them all. The learning materials are aligned to help you achieve a focused academic environment as they align with the higher education curriculum. You can rely on these technology books that can help you add more value to your learning.

You can learn new-age tech skills by using new-age tech resources. We owe it to digitization that finding any information on the globe is now a piece of cake. Hence, you can not only discover all about technology, but you can also learn the required skills online.

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UPSC is an entrance examination that is designed to recruit candidates for the higher Civil Services of the Government of India. You can imagine the amount of precision and long-term dedication one must have to clear this Civil Services Examination. With persistence and the right learning resources, you can prepare for the UPSC prelims at home.

To understand how to prepare for the UPSC Prelims at home, it is best to begin by learning about the prelims exam pattern. That is the only way to begin your UPSC preparation on the right note.

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern:

• The Civil Services Examination is held annually to recruit for higher government posts. The UPSC CSE exam is conducted in 2 stages: preliminary and mains.
• The UPSC CSE Prelims have objective type questions, whereas the UPSC CSE Mains exam consists of 9 subjective papers and an interview.
• The first stage of the examination, i.e., UPSC Prelim, is a screening test to select candidates for the Civil Services Main Examination. The prelim comprises 2 compulsory papers that are conducted on the same day in two sessions. These exams are conducted offline.

UPSC CSE Preliminary paper pattern

Paper	Time Duration	No. of Questions	Total Marks	Qualification
GS Paper I	2 hours	100	200	Based on cut-off
GS Paper II (CSAT)	2 hours	80	200	Based on minimum qualifying marks

• Both the papers of the UPSC CSE Prelims exam will have multiple-choice questions.
• Incorrect answers will give you negative markings of 1/3rd marks, i.e., 0.33 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
• The language of the question paper will be both Hindi and English.
• There is a cut-off for the UPSC Preliminary Exam that varies every year. However, only General Studies Paper I has qualifications based on the cut-off. If you score at par with the cut-off, you are qualified to appear for the UPSC CSE Mains.
• The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services Preliminary Exam will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
  

Now that you are through with the paper pattern, let’s look at how to start preparing for UPSC prelims at home.

1. Prepare a timetable

It is very important that you prepare a timetable even before you start your UPSC prelim preparations. Your timetable should be designed in a way that helps you cover each topic and each subject. You don’t need to prepare a long-term timetable. In the beginning, you can set a small target and prepare a short-term timetable to achieve the same. But do have a vision for your upcoming preparations too. Try to dedicate at least 40 hours a week to studying for your UPSC prelims.

2. Stay updated with news

You need to stay up-to-date with the news and current affairs as they are a part of your exam syllabus. There are also dedicated shows for UPSC aspirants that you can watch. Besides that, you should read the news daily and try to get a deeper insight into current affairs by researching them. You can watch debates and discussion panels regarding the same.

3. Read on exam-related subjects

When you are doing your UPSC preparations at home, you have to make sure that you go beyond just your NCERT books. Since the subjects are related to current affairs, history, and general knowledge, invest time in reading from other sources. You can read books, articles, published papers, or even watch documentaries. You have to be sure about your learning sources and make sure that you are consuming facts from trusted channels.

4. Watch old UPSC interview videos

Sure, UPSC prelims do not have interviews, but UPSC Mains do. When you have already made up your mind to appear for the Civil Service Examinations and serve the country, you must be prepared for everything. Watching old interview videos will give you a gist of its pattern. You can watch these videos and learn about the kinds of questions that are asked at the interviews and how the candidates respond to them.

5. Get trusted study materials

You will see many UPSC related books on the market, but only a few qualify as the trusted ones. Pearson’s UPSC examination books feature top-notch materials that are designed to help candidates with understanding the concepts and memorization. The books are written by trusted authors and cover contemporary topics that UPSC aspirants must include in their studies. When you are preparing for UPSC from home, you can rely on Pearson’s books as you can bank on their authenticity.

6. Solve practice tests

Pearson’s books have examination based questions that you can solve. Towards the last few weeks or days of your preparations, you should aim to solve as many practice tests as you can. Besides that, you should also solve the last few years’ question papers, which you can easily find online.

UPSC exams can be intimidating. But, there’s no need to panic or look down on yourself at any point in time during your preparation. Make sure you dedicate enough time to your studies and keep up with them throughout your UPSC exams.

 

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To appear for an exam as competitive as NEET, not only do you need to put in hours of time and effort, but you also need to put your heart into it. Let’s believe that you fulfil these pre-requisites. You have decided to work hard, you have made up your mind, you have gathered the best study materials possible, and you are set to begin your journey as a NEET aspirant. But before you take the first step, you must ensure that you have a certain set of qualities to succeed in this examination. If you don’t have them already, then you must prepare yourself to acquire them along the way throughout your NEET preparation.

Here are the top 10 qualities that a NEET aspirant like you should have.

1. Discipline

As a NEET aspirant, you will have to lead a disciplined life that is structured by schedules and timetables. You will have to manage your time efficiently so you can keep up with your busy schedule. Along with a disciplined study environment, you also need to regulate your lifestyle. You have to build a regimen that is not just focused on studying but also eating healthy, exercising, taking enough breaks, indulging in refreshing activities, etc. However, it is also important to understand where to draw the line.

2. Self-awareness

Self-awareness is an important quality for a NEET aspirant because you always need to know where you stand. You should be aware of your development, strengths, weaknesses, skills, because only then can you know how to invest your time in your preparation. Besides this, you should also be self-aware of your health. Preparing for exams can take a toll on your physical and mental health. But if you are self-aware, you will be able to find your way out of distress and be productive with a positive attitude.

3. Setting boundaries

Setting boundaries is a tough act. But if you manage to build this quality, you will be able to make choices that align with your future goals. As a NEET aspirant, you will need to get accustomed to a new lifestyle and bid farewell to certain leisure. Boundaries help you gain perspective, and this is one of the NEET preparation qualities that will be useful to you throughout your life.

4. Be Visionary

Nobody knows you better than you, and hence, nobody understands your goals better than you. When you are preparing for NEET, you are preparing for your academic future as well as your entire career. Hence, you need to envision your future right from the day you begin your journey as a NEET aspirant. But it is important to stay pragmatic about it. Think about various possibilities and be prepared for them.

5. Be curious

Curiosity does not always kill the cat. Sometimes, it helps you end up in the right places. You are aiming for a future in the healthcare sector. This is one of the most dynamic sectors that keeps transforming. You must stay up to date on the same. Even when you are preparing for the exam, go beyond your NEET preparation books and explore. Use online resources to learn, interact with people from the field, or just read about anything that interests you.

6. Focused attitude

If you have made up your mind to perform your best in the examination, then you must also be prepared to stay focused at all times. You should not get distracted by anything that interferes with your NEET preparation. Sometimes it may get hard, and at times like that, make sure that you take breaks to reflect on yourself. Take frequent breaks so that you stay calm and composed.

7. Smart work

Sure, the NEET syllabus is vast. But if you prepare for it strategically, the learning becomes easier. One of the top NEET preparation tips that you must know is to always check your paper pattern, weightage of subjects, question modules, etc. This will help you work smart and not just hard.

8. High concentration

This is one quality that most students struggle with. In this day and age where the media has capitalized on the habit of short attention spans, it can be difficult to stay concentrated. But you can do it right if you opt for learning methods that keep you engaged. You can use various online sources for the same. Besides that, you must learn from books that have easy and descriptive explanations. This will help you understand the concepts better, which in turn will help you stay concentrated.

9. Planning and management

You will have to plan your upcoming months, weeks, and days according to your NEET preparation and exams. Not just plan, but you also need to follow through with it by effectively managing your time, schedules, and priorities.

10. Confidence

Throughout your journey of NEET preparation, you will come across points when you question yourself, your capabilities, skills, goals, everything. And this can occur as a result of something as benign as being unable to memorise a concept or simply because you are having a bad day. On such occasions, you must reflect on why you began your journey and where you want to end up. This is one of the things that may build your motivation and help you restore your confidence. But other than that, you can contact your parents, friends, and peers. Engage in activities that make you feel good about yourself.

To add to these qualities and to help you prepare your best, you also need the right set of NEET preparation books. Pearson’s NEET objective series is one of the finest study materials for all medical aspirants preparing for NEET. They are comprised of simple explanations, sample questions, and the NCERT exemplar section. With these books, you will stay on the right track throughout your NEET preparation.

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As an IIT aspirant, you must be aware of the amount of hard work that JEE preparation and further studies demand. Planning your studies, finding the right resources to learn from, scheduling your days, and strategizing your entire life are some of the important aspects you need to focus on to succeed in your entrance examinations. Not just that, but you also need to maintain coordination between these tasks and stay consistent with them. We all know that consistency is the key. But do we also know how to stay consistent?

When you are preparing for the JEE exams, you have to leave no stone unturned. But, if whatever you do is not supported by consistency, then you might fail to perform to your fullest. Hence, here are 6 things you can practice to stay consistent throughout your JEE preparations.

1.    Prepare a timetable

We can emphasize all we want the importance of consistency. But if you have not laid down the tasks and assigned time to finish them, then you won’t even know what to stay consistent with. You have to prepare a timetable that comprises all your tasks and your studying schedule.

You can make it more detailed by mentioning the subjects or topics, or tasks like revisions so that you know exactly what to do at that time of the day. Eventually, you can build the habit of making a customized timetable a day prior. Hence, every night you can plan your coming day. This will not only help you stay consistent but will ensure that you are covering all the subjects and their topics.

2. One day at a time

Take it all in one day at a time. Consistency is a habit that can be built over time. For IIT JEE preparations, you have a lot of syllabi to cover. The best thing is to start early so you don’t burden yourself with finishing the syllabus in a short period. You can take your time, learn at your pace, and cover small fractions of the syllabus each day. Eventually, you can increase your potential by taking on more tasks or covering more syllabi as each day proceeds.

3. Don’t forget to take breaks

JEE preparation should not feel like a punishment. No rule says you have to exhaust yourself and always go beyond your capabilities. You deserve to take in as much as you can. As a responsible IIT aspirant, you are putting in all the hard work you can. But don’t forget to give yourself a break now and then. Sure, you will have to schedule your breaks too. During your leisure time, indulge in activities that please you. Spend time with your family, catch up on old hobbies, meet your friends, engage in sports, etc. Breaks keep you refreshed; they help you stay consistent with your schedule and studies.

4. Set a bunch of small goals

Small goals bring small victories. When you see yourself doing well, you like to keep up with what you are doing. Set your small goals in a way that help you achieve the big ones. Your goals can be to finish a chapter in a day or to memorise the formula in a week. Besides learning goals, you can also aim for some personal goals that help you get better. Setting goals concerning your JEE exam dates and syllabus can be very helpful. Set easy, achievable goals, before you decide to test your full potential. These little goals will get your work done and make you feel proud of yourself.

5. Track your syllabus

Speaking of the syllabus, you must always keep track of your progress. Always keep making notes and highlighting texts, as they help you to stay on track and they are helpful when you want to circle back on certain topics. You should prepare your timetable with respect to your syllabus and your exam dates. It is important to know how much of your portion has been completed and how much you have completed. Based on that, you can change your schedules and make time for revisions or tests.

6. Engage in self-evaluation

Self-evaluation helps you know where you stand. The goal of self-evaluation is to assess your merits and demerits so you can work on getting better. It will tell you what topics you are weak in, or what subjects you score the most in. To work smart, you need to understand both your strengths and weaknesses and turn them in your favour. When you have everything planned out and you are self-aware, staying consistent feels like a piece of cake.

To be consistent, you need trusted learning resources by your side. Pearson’s JEE preparation books can be your ideal choice. These books cover all the concepts in depth so you will not miss anything. They are designed to suit the aptitude of IIT aspirants. All the concepts of physics, math, and chemistry are covered meticulously. They also come with solved problems for you to go over. Throughout your JEE preparation, you can rely on Pearson’s JEE Main and Advanced series.

 

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Educational institutes are built to impart students with knowledge and skills. But it will not lead to students’ wholesome development if the teaching is limited to imparting skills like memorization and recall. An individual needs a lot more than that to succeed in life. While today’s educational institutes are focused on offering a more well-rounded learning environment, there are many other skills that all students need to be successful in life that goes beyond college and universities.

Learning can be perceived from anywhere. We live in this digital era that is continuously evolving. So to keep up with that, here are the top 10 21st century skills for students to learn without being bound by classrooms, books, and curriculums.

1. Observational Skills

To have good observational skills means being aware of your surroundings, gathering information, and applying it when necessary. Observation helps you learn things from reality. By being observant, your brain is continuously trying to absorb and analyze information. It affects your thought process and enables you to read your environment while passively observing.

2. Critical Thinking Skills

At every stage of life, we have to make decisions. Be it choosing your favourite flavour of lollypop as a kid or your major in school as a student, critical thinking skills help you make more precise and calculated decisions. Furthermore, they help you indulge in logical reasoning and build problem-solving skills. As a student, you need critical thinking skills to make decisions throughout your academic life that will eventually shape your future in the professional field of work. It also helps you develop intellectually and enhances your creativity.

3. Research Skills

The goal of developing research skills should not be limited to achieving good grades in your academic projects. Research helps you stay curious, exposed to new knowledge from time to time, helps you find answers to varied questions or hypotheses, and stay updated. Research can be on general topics or on a particular field of knowledge. Developing high research skills will help you find answers to all your questions and learn about people and their cultures. This skill further helps you acquire another set of skills as you are continuously exploring various subjects and collecting information.

4. Networking Skills

Networking has a range of benefits that help you move ahead in life. It always helps to know the right people. Through networking, you can get into innate circles, join a community, and be exposed to people with different kinds of expertise. You can start developing networking skills right when you are in school. Building contacts and relationships with people can get you places. That is a true fact! However, don’t limit your networking skills to just meeting people in person. Online networking has taken the world by storm. Use social media platforms to network with people from your field of interest and from across the world. They can introduce you to new ideas, opportunities, or even skills.

5. Collaboration Skills

It is good to be able to do things independently, but in life, you need to move ahead with other people. You will need to work alongside your colleagues, so it’s best that you start by working along with your fellow peers in schools. By working in collaboration, you are learning to be patient, tolerant, and more empathetic towards other people’s thoughts and ideas. You learn to co-exist. And that is one skill that has gotten humans so far in evolution.

6. Digital Skills

Digital skills have high value and add to your college applications as well as work resumes. You should try to learn as many sets of digital skills as possible. It could be learning how to use excel, building presentations, or digital marketing. Digitization has expanded tenfold in the past decade, and it will continue to. Hence, you must adapt to it and keep learning digital skills like online searching, emailing, programming, etc.

7. Technical Skills

As a student, you may or may not have clarity about your professional goals. Either way, it always helps to learn technical skills. If you know what field you wish to excel in, you should start learning the required technical skills while you are still in school. But even if you don’t have that clarity, you can use your research skills to find out about fields of your interest and the technical skills required for the same. It always helps to start early.

8. Communication Skills

It cannot be emphasised enough that good communication skills can get you far ahead in life. It helps you put yourself out there. You learn to convey your thoughts appropriately. You need to work on your verbal as well as non-communication skills. One of the important aspects of this skill is that it also develops good listening skills. That’s how you will be able to carry on two-way communication.

9. Time Management Skills

In school and in life, you will always have your plate full. Sometimes you will need to choose your priorities, but most of the time you will just need effective time management skills. This skillset helps you with personal management and organization. If you aim to always stay occupied and in action, then good time management skills will help you accomplish your goals.

10. Leadership Skills

At some point, every individual has to take the responsibility to lead, and when you find yourself in that position, good leadership skills will help you do an excellent job. To be a good leader means maintaining integrity, being there for your team, working together, and delegating rightful credit to your teammates. As a leader, you are not just thinking about yourself but also about your teammates as individuals and as a team.

To achieve these life-altering skills, you need to start on the right foot, and that can be done by engaging in learning in school. Pearson offers blended learning solutions that not only help you develop academically, but also let you explore a new dimension of online learning. Schools are the right place to explore your learning approaches, and Pearson is the right platform for the same.

 

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The world as a whole has come very far from primitive times through the constant development based on technology. Each sector of society has been struck by the digital whirlwind. One such sector happens to be the education sector. Today’s educational methods are driven by next-generation tools.

Educational institutes have started integrating digital learning into their academic structure. This starts as early as the primary school years. E-learning has diversified manifold in the past couple of years. That has not only affected the teaching methods but has also massively influenced the assessment methods. As a result, schools, colleges, and universities are now using online assessment tools to evaluate students.

What are online assessment tools?

Online assessment tools are designed to test the abilities of individuals based on the instructions and guidelines provided by the conductor. This method is used to evaluate and gauge people’s credibility, cognitive knowledge, aptitude, and other skills. Online assessment tools are not just limited to educational sectors; they are used by recruiters in professional fields.

Teachers can use online assessment platforms to combine creative, digital learning methods with the classroom curriculum. Learning should not feel constrained and rigid. Each student has different goals and approaches to achieving them. Online assessment tools provide interactive evaluation methods like game-based tests, quizzes, case studies, polls, etc.

The top five advantages of using online assessment tools to evaluate students

Quick results

Gone are the days when it would take a fortnight for students to receive results from their tests and exams. Using online assessment tools, they can receive quicker results without having to wait for days or weeks. There are many online tests that even provide real-time results. The purpose of the evaluation is to assess students’ achievements, understand their skills, and learn about their learning status. Evaluation helps both the teachers and students improve their teaching and learning skills, respectively.

Assessment is an important part of education, and losing days or weeks waiting for results is not the mantra of modern education. Tests and exams are recurring activities that happen throughout the academic year. It is best to use online assessment tools to cut down on the waiting time between exams and results and instead utilize that period for more learning opportunities.

Saves manual efforts

Conducting an exam involves a lot of administrative work. The teachers have to manually prepare the question paper. They have to assign seat numbers, classrooms, and an invigilator or two for each exam hall. Post which they have to manually evaluate the exam papers, host an open house, display the results in the classroom, or allocate them personally. As opposed to this tedious process, using an online assessment tool, teachers can just create a bank of questions on the platform itself. Everything gets digitally assigned to students just through a link and login credentials. Online assessment platforms can be used to conduct formative as well as summative exams.

By using online assessment tools, the time invested in conducting, monitoring, and evaluating an exam manually, can be otherwise used to create new learning methods. The teachers themselves can indulge in more learning to enhance their teaching skills and develop their knowledge.

Customization of test modules

As it is rightfully said, "There is no one way to teach or learn," there is also not just one way to evaluate students. The traditional examination consisted of question papers with objective or subjective answers to be written by students. While that still remains as one of the examination patterns, there are many other ways teachers can evaluate their students.

The online assessment tools give teachers an opportunity to create their own test modules. This brings diversity and creativity to regular assessment methods. Using these tools, the paper patterns of examination can be diverse. They can be set according to themes, technology, subjects, or skills of the students.

Geographically flexible

One of the prime benefits of online assessment tools is that they are not bound by location. It has a worldwide reach. Teachers can teach from anywhere, and students can learn from anywhere. Similarly, the tests can be conducted from anywhere. Not just that, but these online assessment tools are also linguistically diverse. So, even if the assessment questions are in one language, they can be translated into the other as per the convenience of the examinee.

Online learning and assessment are also flexible in terms of time and pace of learning. Students can take online tests whenever they want. They can do it over and over again. They can do it at any hour of the day and at any time of the year. This gives an opportunity for personal evaluation. And if they are not satisfied, they can take another test with another set of unique questions.

Environment friendly

When today’s education system highlights the importance of the environment and its endangerment, it only makes sense if the learning methods are also environmentally friendly. Online assessment tools save paper and energy. If you look at this on a micro-level, you will understand that by going paperless, schools not only save paper but the manufacturing energy, raw materials, fuels used for transportation, water, etc.

Pearson’s K-12 Education is a blended learning tool that is designed to empower both students and teachers. It has many learning resources like audio, videos, games, online study materials, case studies, etc. that are customized according to the curriculum of CBSE, ICSE, State and International Boards. It is based on integrated and interactive learning methods like live sessions, animated lessons, online tests, etc. For a wholesome learning and evaluation experience, Pearson’s K-12 Education is ideal for anyone looking to expand their horizons through the best digital learning methods.

 

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Proficiency in the English language can be helpful for personal, professional, as well as academic development. Proof of English proficiency is required for purposes like admissions to educational institutes and immigration. For such situations, there are English language proficiency exams that you can take. To learn or to get better at the language, here are some tips that you can follow through with by indulging them in your daily life.

1. Watch English content    

One of the most effective ways to enhance your English language skills is to watch English movies, series, videos, etc. Today, we are surrounded by all sorts of video content and they are all available in English, besides other languages. Consuming various kinds of video content in English exposes you to all levels and diversity of the language. This helps you learn many aspects of the language and it improves your listening as well as speaking skills.    

2. Read English books    

This is one of the most widely suggested ways to improve English proficiency. However, it also depends on how you read your books. Rushing through the book with the aim of finishing piles of them in less time will not get you anywhere. In fact, you should take your time reading through every chapter, understanding the context, and learning the foreign words that you come across. This is the ideal way to read a book if you wish to excel in your vocabulary and enhance your English.    

3. Read blogs    

If reading books is not for you, then you should definitely consider reading blogs. You can read blogs on any niche, any topic of your interest. There are many online platforms today where you can read. The advantage of reading blogs is that you are introduced to contemporary writers across the world. You come across many writing styles, analogies, vocabulary, catchphrases, idioms, etc. The variety of reading content available online in the form of blogs is one of the best ways to improve English language proficiency.    

4. Maintain a journal    

To have a well-rounded language development, you must excel at speaking, reading, and writing. If you are not an avid writer, you can start with a daily journal. This is your safe space where you can write at will about things that you like. Just writing one page each day can help you understand your weaknesses and strengths. Every day, you can learn new words and incorporate them into your daily conversations as well as your journal. If your liking for writing grows, you can start writing your own blogs or even monetize your skills with the right platforms.        

5. Think in English        

Your own private thoughts are the best way to improve your English skills without feeling judged or insecure. If you can train your brain to think in English, you can easily inculcate the same in every aspect of life. Eventually, your brain will build the habit of thinking in English rather than translating it before you speak. This helps you build your communication skills and gradually builds your confidence in your command of the language.        

6. Note things down        

Every time you come across something interesting, like quotes or phrases, or you discover new words, you should note them down. Making your own vocabulary notes will not only help you explore new words, but will also help you understand the meaning of those words. Learning the meaning of words is important because only then can you understand their implication in sentences. Noting things down will help you create your own personal dictionary that you can always refer back to.        

7. Keep researching        

Curiosity will always be the driving force in your learning journey. Every time you come across anything new, be it reading movie reviews, reading the synopsis of a book, or the Wikipedia page of any concept, keep researching and you will keep discovering new aspects.        

8. Use online study materials        

Irrespective of the fact, if you are preparing for an English proficiency exam, or you just want to expand your knowledge, you can refer to Pearson’s Mepro to improve your English in your own space. It is focused on helping candidates learn from tools based on the Global Scale of English (GSE).

Online study materials like Pearson’s Mepro help you learn English using handpicked sources that cover everything from the basics to the advanced. No matter if English is not your first language, you can still learn it efficiently with the right sources and dedication.

 

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UPSC exam preparation requires continuous effort and dedication. A competitive exam like this demands discipline, deviation, and sheer hard work. The first step towards starting your UPSC preparation is to set a schedule for yourself.

For extensive preparation, you need to start studying at least a year before your UPSC exam date. The goal is to not just start early but to make the most of your time which is achievable only with effective time management.

The first step to managing your days effectively is to prepare a timetable for UPSC preparation.

Time	Tasks	Why
6:00 AM	Wake up	Starting your day early helps you plan ahead compared to staying up late to work or study.
6:15 – 7:00 AM	Exercise, yoga, gym, jogging, walking	Any form of exercise is good. The high oxygen content in the morning is good for your health and it simply makes you feel good.
7:00 – 7:30 AM	Bath	Bathing daily is not just necessary for grooming but also to get you out of drowsiness.
7:30 – 8:30 AM	Read a newspaper (online or offline)	To stay up-to-date with current affairs is important for UPSC aspirants and what better way to do that than by reading the news.
8:30 – 9:00 AM	Breakfast	Eating habits need to be controlled. What you eat can either keep you satiated and energetic or full and drowsy throughout your schedule ahead.
9:00 – 11:00 AM	Study Time	You can start your day by glancing through your previous day’s studies or you can go through what you have studied in your coaching institute. This will help you stay on track with your completed syllabus on a daily basis.
11:00 – 11:30 AM	Break Time	Breaks are of the utmost importance and you must take them as seriously as your study time. Do things that you like but do not carry away.
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM	Study Time	You can utilize this study time to start with new topics and concepts. Pearson’s UPSC books are the study materials that you can refer to for insightful and simplified explanations.
1:30 – 2:30 PM	Lunch	Make sure you have a light lunch that keeps you energized. You can always snack on fruits or dry fruits during your study time. They keep your diet in check while keeping you satiated for long.
2:30 – 5:00 PM	Study Time	Continue with your studies by engaging in online study materials. If you are getting closer to your exams, you can also start taking online tests or going through the previous year’s papers. Make sure that you strategize your learning and revision strategies well with your daily studying schedule.
5:00 – 7:30 PM	Tea/Snacks + Refreshment	Enjoy your evening time with some tea and snacks with either your parents, siblings, or friends. Make sure to take this time to indulge in some refreshing activities like playing or hanging out with your friends and peers.
7:30 – 9:00 PM	Study Time	By the end of the day, you might not have a lot of energy left. So instead of starting on new topics, you can schedule your revisions for the end of the day.
9:00 – 9:30 PM	Dinner	Make sure to eat a full meal so you get a good night’s sleep. In case you have trouble sleeping, you can have a cup of warm tea or milk.
9:30 – 10:00 PM	Watch news/discussions	Watch quality news discussions on UPSC-relevant issues. Look up some content on YouTube or the internet to help you prepare for the exam.
10:00 – 10:30 PM	Unwind	Use this time to do things that you like. Catch up on some books, or if you have a hobby, practise that. Or you can just sit and relax listening to your favourite music.
10:30 PM	Hit the bed	Brush your teeth and have a goodnight sleep. Be ready to tackle the day with bigger force and enthusiasm.

The benefits of the UPSC study plan is

1. You are not only able to plan for exam preparation, but you are also able to strike the right balance between studying and your personal life.
2. You are aware of the syllabus and paper pattern way ahead, which helps give direction to your UPSC preparation.
3. Maintaining a timetable for UPSC preparation gives you enough time to finish your syllabus and then revise it.

Your responsibility does not end with just creating a timetable. The real task begins later, when you have to keep up with it. This is not going to happen in the blink of an eye. Hence, if you fail to keep up with it, you just need to make sure that each day you start with the same enthusiasm and keep up with your hard work.

Pearson’s UPSC books will help you stay up-to-date with your preparation at each stage. The content of the books is designed in a way to help you level up your UPSC preparation. The only companion you'll need throughout your preparation is Pearson’s study materials.
 

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A student’s life is hectic. It is filled with studies, extracurricular activities, school exams, competitive exams, and projects. The list does not end there. The life of a student also includes activities like keeping up with the competition, setting expectations, keeping higher bars, staying on top, learning beyond academics, and dealing with life in general. Yes, that is a lot to take in. But all it needs is a little management from your end and then you will be able to keep up with all of your responsibilities.

As you upgrade in education, your life becomes more competitive, and to match it, you have to increase your productivity. This should not be viewed as a source of stress, but rather as an opportunity to improve. You are allowed to feel unproductive on days when you lack enthusiasm. What is important is to not let this turn into a habit and to get back up on your feet in no time. Breaks are important, but so is bouncing back.

To keep up your productivity as a student, here are 10 tips that you can always come back to.

1. Set small goals

Throughout your life, you will have goals to achieve. This is a never-ending process. And the right way to tackle this is to set smaller goals that are collectively aimed at achieving the ultimate end goals. Achieving small goals not only helps you segregate your energy and concentration but also fills you with confidence and zeal. Knowing that you can achieve the goals that you have planned makes you mentally, emotionally, and skillfully prepared for bigger goals.

2. Make time for revisions

Constant revision is one of the necessary productivity tips for students. This is determined by your abilities and goals for completing the syllabus in the allotted time. Things like formulas and definitions can be revised at the end of the day. Chapters and concepts can be looked at on one day throughout the week. You also need to segregate time for doubt-solving. Ensure that you do not stall it and get your doubts cleared on time.

3. Build a routine

One of the most Every student has a routine suitable to their personality. You too need to fix a routine that makes sure you cover all your activities in a day at the designated time. Discipline is necessary and cannot be excused if you want to stay on the right path. This routine should include everything right from the time you wake

4. Take frequent breaks

One of the most underrated productivity tips is to take enough breaks. Sure, it is important to constantly keep working hard, but you have to learn to strike a balance between that and keeping your mental and physical health in check. You should take short as well as long breaks from time to time. Do things that make you feel relaxed and composed.

5. Reward yourself

Rewards come in many forms and help you boost your enthusiasm. You can set a time limit for your tasks, and as you finish them on time, you can reward yourself with things you like to do. Besides that, you can reward yourself for anything in any way. Your rewards can include ordering food, going out to meet your friends, watching a movie, shopping, etc.

6. Build a workspace

Most students’ productivity comes from a productive environment. If you too feel the same, then you too should set up your room or your table in a way that makes you feel productive. If you are still studying straight from your bed, you should definitely invest time and effort into building a more productive space that does not make you laze around.

7. Take notes

Build this habit right from the beginning. You should make notes about everything that you feel is necessary. This can include formulas, concepts, important dates from history, names, events, doubts, etc. The benefit of making notes is that you can always go back to them whenever you want. They are personalized, and hence, you will always be able to work your way around it.

8. Go beyond academic learning

Academic learning is important, but the development of a well-rounded personality is also important. You can build a hobby, or you can pick up interests like sports, reading, gaming, art, etc. Activities like these help you explore your interests, build your aptitude, and help maintain mental stability, which is important for being productive.

9. Develop a studying pattern

Every student has a study pattern. Some have the habit of writing and learning; some prefer group studying, tutoring, etc. You too should develop your own personal study pattern that helps you learn better. Your own way of studying will keep you more engaged and help you stay productive.

10. Go digital

Using digital learning sources gives you options to explore study materials. This helps with a personal assessment. Plus, if you are looking to expand your knowledge and learn from different tutors, this is the best option for you. Digital learning is easy, quick, and can be done at your own time and pace. But do not get distracted by too many sources.

Pearson’s K-12 is built with the goal of developing a blended learning ecosystem for students from all boards. This online learning resource is ideal for you to develop an independent learning experience as it has interactive learning features. Their app is developed to cater to your learning styles and speed. It is designed for you to stay productive at all times without compromising on the quality of education.

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