Education blog by Pearson India

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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JEE preparation is one of the crucial phases in an individual’s life. And why not? The one exam that takes a long time to prepare for will decide the future of the career you have planned. To crack JEE with flying colours, you have to be thorough with the syllabus. That’s a given; there's no need to even mention it. But the portion is vast, and if you fail to manage your time effectively, either you will not be able to cover it in time or you will finish it but not efficiently enough.

Exam preparation is a time when you are more stressed than focused. This is bound to occur. It is a time when you can easily spiral down the road of self-doubt and question your capabilities. The chances of this happening are high if you are unable to cope with the curriculum. So, instead of rushing through the syllabus at the end or relying on your guts to perform your best, why not indulge in some JEE time management so you are comprehensively prepared?

Speaking of time management, how long does it even take to prepare for JEE?

Ideally, you need a good amount of time to prepare for JEE. Some students start preparing for it during their junior year of college, while others begin as early as 7th grade. But many factors are involved in this. One of the possibilities for not starting so early is that you did not have enough clarity about your goals in school and hence you decided to prepare for your JEE during your 11th and 12th grades. This does not mean you are late to the party.

Even when you start preparing in junior college, you have enough time on your hands to be thorough with the entire syllabus if you manage it effectively. But let’s note one thing here. Since you are preparing for JEE along with your college or school curriculum, you will have different schedules to keep up with. You will have to put in more work and effort to strike the balance between your education and personal health.

Sounds tedious, doesn’t it? Let’s simplify it for you then. Here are some effective time management tips that you can rely on for not just your JEE preparation but for most of your academic as well as professional life.

1. Set a routine and schedule

A routine keeps you in check. This is not a restricted but disciplined life that you must lead in order to devote enough time to JEE preparation. It might feel forced for a few days, but eventually, you will get into the habit of it. Divide your day based on your tasks and then further divide it based on the subjects or topics you need to study.

Always be aware of JEE exams, syllabus, and paper patterns in advance as this will help you define your preparation. And similarly, try to get the dates of your exams in school and college well in advance so you can plan your priorities accordingly.

2. Do co-ordinated learning

Since you start preparing for JEE as early as in school or college, you will come across many similar syllabuses or topics between both your curriculums. In such a case, you will save time on learning and preparation if you are aware of the syllabus. If not, you might have to relearn it for either of your curriculums. The best way to tackle this would be to be thorough with every concept, and in case you find similarities between both curriculums, you will always be prepared.

3. Learn and revise simultaneously

Constant revision is a must. It helps you build a stronger recall. Once you have learnt a concept, you should give it a few days, or even a few weeks, and then go back to revise it. It is not necessary that you go through the whole concept again to revise. You can try giving tests, mock tests, or solving question papers to see how much of what you learned you can remember. This strategy is useful for school, college, and JEE Main as well as JEE Advance preparation.

4. Spare at least a day a week for doubt-solving

If you come across doubts, you can save a day in the week to solve them. Or you can do them as you learn. But that might interrupt the flow of your studies. This is a personal choice. It depends on your style of studying. Either way, make sure to get your doubts cleared as soon as you can and do not wait until the last moment.

5. Get reliable study materials

When you are preparing for such a competitive entrance exam, your mind wanders from one source of learning to another, hoping that you will eventually find the best one. Either you will end up finding study materials that you will stick with throughout your course of preparation, or you will get stuck in a loop. But picking one source of learning at the beginning of your JEE preparation can help you stay balanced throughout.

Pearson’s JEE preparation books are designed to build the scientific aptitude and problem-solving skills of the candidates. These books cover all the groundwork concepts and theories in the most simplified ways. Right from the introduction of the basic concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics to getting topic-wise solved examples to test your knowledge, everything, you can rely on Pearson’s books.

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As the educational system and academic curriculum improve year after year, digitization in this sector has assisted institutes and students in keeping up. With innovative technologies coming into force at a rapid speed and the need to digitize the world, e-learning has become multifold more advanced than it was a decade ago. It is more than holding online classes and has proven to be helpful for students of all academic years.

Higher education is not just about degrees; it is about shaping life further. It focuses on specializing in skills and getting ready for the professional world. Online assessment platforms help both students and institutes formulate a more stable, quick, and accurate operational system. With so much going on, it is easier to digitize most of the process.

How do online assessment platforms work?

In simple terms, the purpose of an online assessment platform is to test the capabilities of students based on their chosen courses and subjects. Education institutes use these e-learning platforms to automate most of their assessments, which can be for both practise and examination.

Students can get access to independent online assessment platforms too, where they can go through tests and questionnaires to practise their skills and for self-assessment.

What are the advantages of an online assessment platform?

Higher education may need more practice, more time, and more dedication than the rest of the academic years. It’s a crucial stage in a student’s educational life, and regular assessment is needed to understand where they stand in terms of knowledge and skills. Online assessment platforms not only help in higher education assessment but also have other advantages, like:

• They save time for both students and educators.
• It is economical and has no geographical barriers.
• It is possible for students to make customised class schedules.
• The automated process ensures a seamless learning and assessment experience.
• Learning management system makes administration easier.

How to choose the right online assessment platform for higher education?

Here is a checklist to consider before you finalize an online-learning platform focused on assessment for higher education.

Performance analysis

The prime job of an online assessment platform is to help measure the student’s knowledge and aptitude. Hence, performance analysis is a feature that is mandatory. But not any performance analysis. You should go for a platform that provides an explicit breakdown of the learner’s performance. This is not just about giving grades or scores but helping students understand their strengths and weaknesses and find solutions to problems they do not know. The evaluation provided by the platform should be based on testing students’ conceptual knowledge, and the insights should be constructive.

Remote proctoring feature

Speaking of evaluation, during the online assessment it is not possible to have invigilators alone conduct the exams. At least not accurately. Hence, to eliminate the possibility of cheating, the AI-based integrated remote proctoring feature helps the invigilators to assess the exams as this feature has anti-cheat systems and supports live streaming, screen sharing, and audio-visual recording.

Customised question patterns

With online assessment platforms, educators or institutes should have the opportunity to create their own set of questions or patterns. Along with this feature, it is important to note that the platform also has a rich library of questions related to the courses or subjects. With this feature on an online assessment platform, it is also possible to create a personalized assessment for students on a group or individual level. In higher education, it is important to tackle each student based on their learning patterns and skills. With the feature of customized question creation options, educational institutes can easily do that.

User-friendly

The reason why digitization has progressed so much is that with each upgrade it becomes more user-friendly. When it comes to preparing for higher education, both students and educators want to spend less time figuring out how to work their way around the assessment platform so that they can spend more time learning. Make sure that the assessment platform you choose is user-friendly as it saves time and helps increase productivity.

Support team

No matter which online assessment platform you choose, they all have a support team to guide you through the various processes like installation, operation, fixing a bug, updating, customizing, etc. It is important to ensure that the support team is responsive, helpful, and available 24*7.

Pearson’s MyLab I Mastering is an online assessment tool built to help each student ace their higher education. It has a library of homework, tests, and tutorials that cater to a wide range of courses, including advertising, business environments, financial management, human resources, and many more. They are built with interactive learning features and help keep students engaged and concentrated. For a well-rounded e-learning experience, MyLab I Mastering is an apt online learning platform.

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GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is one of the most prestigious competitive entrance exams in India for aspirants who wish to enrol in post-graduate courses in the engineering or science field. This entrance exam offers you opportunities in masters programmes like Master of Engineering, Master of Technology, Doctor of Philosophy, or jobs in public sector companies.

GATE is administered by the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institutes of Technology of Roorkee, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Chennai, and Mumbai. Aspirants who wish to excel in the field of engineering or secure jobs in the public sector should appear for GATE. A good score in GATE can assure you of admissions to prestigious institutes like IIT, IISC, NIT, or any other renowned college across the country.

In spite of being labelled as one of the toughest entrance exams, a huge number of candidates apply for GATE. To sail through this passionate competition and score well in this entrance exam, you must ensure that you leave no stone unturned in your GATE preparation. It is a lot of work, but sincerity and discipline can help you get closer to your dreams.

No amount of preparation can be enough if you are not strategic about it. Here are some do’s and don’ts to follow throughout your GATE preparation that can help you perform your best.

Do’s for the GATE exam

1. Be thorough with the syllabus and exam pattern

One of the most important GATE preparation tips is to first understand what you are preparing for. Knowing the syllabus gives you direction to plan your studies. The GATE 2022 examination has 29 subjects in total, out of which you can choose one to two subjects that are relevant to your interests. If you want to pick two subjects, then you have to choose from the combinations available.

This is a 3-hour long online examination, which comes in two sections: general aptitude and your chosen subject. The questions are designed to test your abilities like problem-solving, analytical thinking, comprehension, and application. There will be a total of 65 questions, and each question may carry a weightage of either one to two marks. It is important that you check the syllabus and pattern on the official website and keep up with their updates.

2. Start preparing early

Everybody learns at their own pace. If this is your first attempt at the GATE examination, it is hard to gauge the amount of time it will take you for preparation. It is best to start preparing months before your examination date. Build a schedule for yourself and follow through with it. This will give you enough time to learn and revise.

3. Focus on strengths and weaknesses

The prime GATE preparation strategy is to focus on both your strengths and weaknesses. If you are good at one subject or certain concepts, that’s a great booster for you. But at the same time, if you are falling short of learning some other parts of your syllabus, it is important that you stay focused and confident. You will have enough time to work on weaknesses, but what’s necessary is to be aware of them and work towards getting better.

4. Pick your subjects wisely

Picking one of two subjects out of a total of 29 subjects can be overwhelming. But you can make a calculated decision by going through the syllabus and understanding the weightage and difficulty level of each paper. Above all of this, make sure that you choose a subject that you are inclined towards and that you want to master.

Don’ts for the GATE exam

1. Don’t study mindlessly

GATE preparation will involve you learning concepts, theories, formulas, etc. and working on your recall skills. Hence, it is important that you go through each section of your paper, study them meticulously, and not just mug up the entire syllabus. Critical thinking is an important part of excelling in your GATE scores.

2. Don’t skip revisions

One of the prime reasons for starting early GATE preparations is so that you have enough time to revise. But know that revisions should occur on a regular basis and should not be saved for the day before your exam. You can revise the concepts and formulas on a daily basis, solve old question papers after you have finished with your syllabus, or even just skim through the entire syllabus once.

3. Don’t skip last-minute preparations

When we talk about last-minute preparations, the focus is on brushing up on your knowledge till the last moment, instead of saving everything to learn at the last moment. Appearing for online mock tests is the best way to do your last-minute preparations. They are timed, come with a unique set of questions, and the quick results give you enough time to reflect on your performance.

4. Don’t look for multiple study materials

GATE preparation books should be definite and you should not go looking for multiple study materials as that might distract you. You can definitely use online resources to help you clarify your concepts, but keep them limited and precise.

Pearson’s GATE books can be your reliable source throughout your preparation. They have detailed explanations of concepts and use illustrations for impactful learning. The books also include question banks to help you revise and test your abilities. They also have a collection of question papers from previous years. This is your one-stop destination when it comes to GATE preparation.

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Almost every Indian student aspires to study abroad, attend a prestigious university, live an independent life in a foreign country, and start a new phase of their life. Canada happens to be one of the top prospects for such aspiring students. 26 of Canada's universities rank in the QS World University Rankings 2019 and 26 of them in the World University Rankings 2019. It’s clear that the country has one of the best education systems in the world.

Canada offers many types of courses like diplomas, undergraduate, postgraduate, vocational, master's, or even certificate courses. The duration of these courses is between 1 and 5 years. Qualifications from the Canadian education system are recognized across the world.

Canada has student intakes throughout the year. However, it varies from one course to the next. Regardless of whether you enroll for fall, summer, or winter intakes, it is preferable that you start making plans to study in Canada almost a year in advance or at least half a year before your academic year begins.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for Indian students to study in Canada

1. Pick you universities

Depending on your interests, eligibility, and qualifications, you can shortlist at least 10 universities that offer courses suited for your stream of study. Every university or institute is different and has its own set of benefits. Hence, you should go through multiple options before narrowing it down to one. Plus, it is always best to have backups.

2. Plan your finances

When you are planning to move to study in Canada from India, you also have to consider the finances, which are not just limited to the term fees of your academic year. The expenses include food, travel, accommodation, visas, online tests, etc. Even with a 100% scholarship, you will have many expenses covered by yourself. Hence, while you are picking your universities, you should take your budget into consideration and explore your ways to arrange finances through options like savings or loans.

3. Prepare for the entrance tests

Depending on your course and the institute, there is a chance that you will need to appear and pass some entrance exams with a minimum required score. They could be as generic as courses like GMAT, SAT, GRE, etc. Preparing and appearing for these entrance exams might take at least a year’s time. You may not be able to clear these in a single attempt. But that’s completely okay. All you need to be careful about is that you plan everything ahead. Hence, make sure to go through the eligibility criteria of your preferred universities and start preparing for entrance exams if required.

4. Take the English proficiency test

Throughout Canada, English and French are the two languages that are prevalent. However, this also depends on the territory you choose. If you decide to go to a university that has English as its primary language, you will need to take an English proficiency test. The PTE test for Canada is the most standardized test accepted across the globe. To get admission into any Canadian Designated Learning Institute (DLI), you will need a good score on your PTE test. This is a mandatory SELT test to get a regular permit to study in Canada for Indian students.

5. Send your application and wait for confirmation

Now that you have cleared all the eligibility requirements, you can send your application to the universities, and all that’s left for you to do is wait. If you get accepted into multiple universities, then you have to narrow it down to one. After that, you can begin the process of applying for a study permit.

6. Apply for a student visa

You can apply for a visa online through the government of Canada’s website. Make sure you have soft copies of all the documents like admission papers, identity proofs, guaranteed investment certificates, bank statements to prove that you have sufficient funds, medical examination certificates, etc. For more details, you can check the website. Make sure you have all the documents before sending your application, as an incomplete application may lead to a delay in approval or rejection.

7. Select your accommodation preferences

Once you have your Canadian student visa in hand, you can start planning your accommodation. You can choose to stay on the college campus or live by yourself. Here, budgeting and your comfort zone play a huge role. If you are on the campus, you have a safe, secure environment and you do not have to do much by yourself. But if you decide to live outside the campus by renting your own place, you will be responsible for house hunting, laundry, groceries, cooking, cleaning, etc. If that is something you want and you are capable of, then you should definitely go for it.

8. Get ready to soar

Once everything is in place, it’s time to book your flight tickets, pack your bags, and say your farewell. Make sure that you do not enter the country before your visa permit begins. Get all the essentials you need and prepare for the new chapter of your life.

Moving away from education can be a difficult decision. But what comes after may be life-changing and ultimately prove to be the best decision of your life. Studying in Canada is a precious opportunity, and if you get it, you should make the most of it.

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PTE is a reputed examination that is accepted at various institutes and colleges across the world. This examination is designed to test your fluency in English. Even though you are an individual whose native language is English, you must prepare well for this examination if you aspire to score your best.

The PTE examination has three sections, including speaking, writing, and listening. They are all concerned with determining your proficiency in the language. Most colleges have a pre-requisite of PTE scores to prove your efficiency in the language. In addition to that, a good PTE score helps you get aids in exploring many opportunities and is an important aspect of the process of immigration to certain countries.

One might think, "How difficult can it be to pass an English test?" Ideally, that depends on your skills, but it is wise to not underestimate PTE because it is focused on the technical aspects of the language. It takes months of preparation to secure good scores in the PTE exam.

Can you prepare for the PTE test at home?

It is completely possible to prepare for the PTE test from the comfort of your own home. All you need is a digital device, preferably a laptop or a computer, and a good internet connection, you can independently study for the test using online resources.

To begin your PTE preparation at home, here are some key factors that you must keep in mind

1. Define your schedule

When you are preparing for PTE at home, you do not have the pressure of learning or attending compulsory classes. This can either keep you on your toes or make you lazy. Hence, it is important that you prepare a schedule for yourself and stick to it. The best way to begin your scheduling is to understand the syllabus of the PTE test as that will help you allocate time to your daily tasks and study more precisely.

2. Aim for your desired score

It is good to aim high, but it is also wise to stay pragmatic and study strategically. When you are doing PTE home preparations, you need to study according to your goal. If you are studying to secure admission to any academic institute, you can go through their pre-requisites and find out the minimum passing score required for them. You can keep that as your base goal and prepare to at least achieve that score. However, do not limit yourself to that.

3. Study at your own pace

The liberty of preparing at home by yourself for your PTE test is that you can choose to rush through or slow down. You can choose to go over and over one particular topic if you are not through with it. Or if you have confidently finished a concept on time, you can move on to another. When you are preparing at home and not in a class, you have nobody else to keep up with but yourself.

4. Read books, newspapers, articles

This is not just one of the PTE preparation tips, but a life tip. Reading builds your knowledge, gives you perspective, and helps you enhance your vocabulary. And all of that is collectively important for you to score well on your PTE test. To do so, don’t limit yourself to just your study materials. Go beyond that and read from various sources. The more diverse your sources, the better it is for you.

5. Listen to audiobooks, podcasts

One of the segments of the PTE test includes listening, and the other one includes speaking. By listening to audiobooks, podcasts, speeches, or even interviews, you will be exposed to new words that are not only good for your vocabulary but also enhance your listening skills and improve your pronunciation. Some words are naturally hard to pronounce, while some words are personally hard to pronounce. In either case, if you keep listening and learning, you will get better.

6. Get online coaching

There are multiple online courses you can pursue to prepare for your PTE test. But it is important that you narrow down your sources and only stick to the reliable ones. You do not necessarily need to indulge in every online source you come across on the internet regarding PTE preparations.

7. Give online mock tests

Online mock tests are a perfect way to revise before your PTE test. For your last-minute PTE preparations, you can focus on spending more time on giving online mock tests, as this is the best way to actively test your knowledge and get scored for it like on the actual PTE test.

8. Rest enough

When you are preparing for an examination on your own, you might not know when to stop and breathe. But do ensure that you take some time out for yourself on a regular basis, as well as during the last few days before your PTE test. Staying healthy and sharp is of prime importance to scoring well on any given exam.

Pearson’s official coursebooks for PTE Home is a collection of online study materials that are designed particularly to help candidates prepare at home. It has online lectures, questionnaires, mock tests, and handbooks. They have online mock tests that deliver quick results, which help you gauge your performance and predict your scores before your exam. Pearson’s coursebooks can help you with end-to-end PTE preparation.

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Learning structures in today’s times are not as rigid as they used to be. There are no restrictions on where or who you can learn from. Since the introduction of online education, learning is not bound by uncompromised, hectic college hours. Today, digital learning has excelled to the point that it is considered mandatory by most individuals as well as educational institutes. And for higher education, it is believed that blended learning can give you more scope than offline or online learning can give you individually.

There was a time when we thought that, in terms of blended learning, we could go as far as using calculators in classrooms. But now the integration of offline and online learning has gone beyond many unpredictable scopes.

Higher education is a crucial phase in the academic years. Hence, it’s relevant for learners as well as teachers to combine traditional and digital learning methods. When it comes to online learning, most of the responsibility falls on the learners. But when integrated with offline learning, one can have a multidimensional approach to studying.

Here’s how teachers can implement highly engaging blended learning in higher education.

Decide on a learning model

You can use different learning methods for blended teaching. They all have different objectives and benefits. You can choose one that fits well for your students or your class.

• Lab Rotation: You can dedicate specific time for lab learning as it gives students an opportunity for experiential learning.
• Flex Learning: The flex learning method gives students a chance to work with the teachers on digital courses while simultaneously receiving personal mentorship.
• Flip Rotation: Through this learning method, students are first introduced to concepts at home through online learning, and the same is discussed or practiced in offline classrooms.

Create customized learning patterns

Every student is different. They have different goals, different approaches and objectives towards learning. You can give them an opportunity for blended learning through online sources. You can assign individual or group learning projects. You can introduce your students to resources that best suit their interests. They get the advantage of studying at their own pace, at their own time, and also receiving face-to-face guidance through offline learning.

Use multimedia tools

The best part about digital education is that it is driven by creative and innovative learning methods. While the traditional book and pen are still celebrated, using multimedia tools like VR, case studies, audio-video, AR games, etc., has proven to complement their learning abilities. It helps build better recall and gives a chance for students to learn through interactive methods.

Assign online research and coursework

While the learning may occur in classrooms, you can give students a chance to go beyond their boundaries by assigning more online research, homework, and projects. This gives them an opportunity to learn independently, explore on their own, and use more digital resources to educate themselves.

Encourage independent learning

Speaking of independent learning, you can introduce students to concepts and information through offline learning and encourage them to use digital learning solutions for advanced learning. This helps you, students, to find your own direction and come back to the classrooms with a lot more information to ponder. Independent learning gives students the chance to build and follow a schedule on their own. During higher education, students tend to indulge in as many learning activities as possible. Independent learning will give them a chance to keep up with it at their own will and prioritize their choices better.

Hold both online and offline discussions

Digital learning is very diverse, and so are the interests of students. Encouraging them to share their offline and online learning in both environments will bring diversity to learning. Face-to-face and online discussions each have their own benefits. Different learning methods can help students figure out the ones that benefit them the most. Having open discussions about the same will make students discuss their concepts, doubts, and ideas in an offline classroom. This gives you a better vision of how to integrate blended teaching that helps your students in the best way possible.

Pearson’s digital learning solutions are designed for blended learning. Their resources include many learning methods that can be integrated into classrooms or the curriculum. It includes course books, question banks, mock tests, homework, and projects that students can pursue independently and discuss the same in the classroom. Their interactive learning comprises many practical case studies that give students an opportunity to enhance their critical thinking. Pearson’s digital learning solutions offer a wholesome experience of blended learning.

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Online learning has been around for a while now. But some would say that it got a massive push during the Corona times when classroom sessions turned into Zoom sessions. However, that is only a glimpse of the substantial potential of online learning. It is not limited to shifting from offline classes to online ones; it goes beyond that.

Online learning plays a crucial role in studying for the academic curriculum as well as the professional field. Since digital learning has been incorporated into the very early years of schooling, the scope of learning has expanded multifold. As the objective and discipline of learning change each year, it is no surprise that in today’s tech-savvy world, online learning solutions are the future of higher education.

To make the most of your academic years, it is beneficial to make optimum use of online learning resources. Here are the top five reasons why you should opt for digital learning solutions for higher education.

Reduced costs, increased flexibility

A lot of people consider online learning as their best option because it does not cost a fortune or costs relatively less than offline courses. Due to financial barriers, it might not be possible for everyone to get into prestigious universities or opt for the best offline institutes. However, that does not limit the scope of learning. Since there are a variety of online learning options available, it is possible to get access to the best education on a budget.

Online learning provides you with the freedom to learn at your own pace. You can learn things in the comfort of your own learning capabilities without the fear of lagging behind other students. You can visit and revisit your classes or get access to learning materials at any time and anywhere.

A wide selection of programmes

The Internet is a vast space and is not dominated by only a few academic disciplines. There are various courses with different objectives from which you can choose. You can opt for shorter or longer programmes depending on your plans. Digital learning is not bound by the idea of learning in only one discipline. You can choose multiple programmes that are either related or not related to each other. It all depends on your ability to consume and your willingness to learn.

Multi-tasking made easier

Many students in higher education prefer to start working in their chosen professional fields. It can be for the purpose of learning through internships, maintaining a lifestyle, or providing for your family. It is possible to carry on with your work and studies through digital learning.

You are free to pursue other interests which can or cannot be education-related. You can choose to travel and explore the world while learning simultaneously. Higher education is the academic year of experimentation. You can do that without the fear of missing out on learning, as you have unlimited access to your study materials in the comfort of your own time and palace.

Personalized learning experiences

Online learning has teachers and peers too. But it gives you a chance to create your own learning decorum. Online learning solutions are so diverse that you can choose or create your own learning methods and get access to various tools and materials that suit your needs the best. Everybody has a different approach to learning, and if you want to explore yours, you can do that with digital education.

It's easy to incorporate with offline learning

Many students who opt for learning online along with offline classes do so for many reasons, like accessing advanced learning or different study materials. If you get e-learning opportunities that align with your offline course, or if you want to learn about different streams of your interest, you can do so by easily integrating your offline and online learning. This not only gives you a chance to learn more, but you also get to go beyond the four walls of your classroom and learn from as many sources as you can.

Pearson’s digital learning solutions are designed to provide low-cost programmes that are suitable not only for students but also for educational institutes as well as their faculties. They have extensive learning materials that are driven by innovative learning methods to suit the diversity of students across the globe. They have a plethora of coursebooks, multiple educational disciplines, and virtual classrooms. Pearson’s digital learning solutions take you beyond traditional learning and introduce you to many other learning opportunities.

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Every examination generally has three phases of preparation. Learning comes first, followed by practising everything you've learned, and finally last-minute preparation. No matter how much you have studied or how well you have prepared, those last few days or the last few hours of preparation give you a morale boost. If you skip, then chances are that it might leave you worrying and wondering if you missed out on something.

PTE preparation needs to be given at least a few months time. It is an examination that tests your proficiency in the English language and opens your path to global opportunities for jobs, studies, and immigration.

Even if you are someone whose first language is English, you will need to set aside enough time to prepare for the PTE exam if you want to score high. Its qualification depends on how accurate your command of the language is and guages many of its technicalities, including grammar. Hence, it won’t be beneficial to rely on your daily communication language since it is not as accurate as the examination requires it to be.

Preparing with the right study materials can help you pass the exam with flying colours. And to boost your confidence even more, here are some PTE exam tips that you can follow.

1. Go over your notes

Throughout your PTE exam preparation, you have to make sure to take down notes about everything. You can make notes about topics that you are good at, topics that you are weak it, important information that you think you might need to glance at the last minute, note it all down. Make an excel sheet if you have to and keep it organized.

You can make vocabulary notes about new words you discover or words you find difficult to pronounce. Make sure to take notes of grammar lessons too. Keep everything simple enough to skim through and recollect the information.

2. Check your equipment

One of the factors that most PTE candidates neglect are checking their equipment and gadgets. Earlier, it was mandatory for candidates to appear for the exam only through the designated centre. But now, you can appear for the exam from anywhere if you have the resources. You will need a computer, a speaker, and a microphone.

No matter if you are giving the examination from the centre or from your home, check if all your devices are functioning properly. Especially your microphone or earphones. Since one of the rounds of the PTE test involves speaking, you have to make sure that your mic is not faulty so your answers are recorded correctly.

3. Do activities that calm you before the exam

Now, most candidates will think that this is not a part of the PTE preparation. But that’s not true. It is important that you are not only academically prepared but also mentally at peace to appear for the exam. Exams are bound to stress you but do not let them panic you.

Listening to songs, going for a frisk walk, talking to someone, or watching your favourite video are some of the things that can help you calm a few hours or minutes before you appear for your PTE examination.

4. Be well-rested

Exam stress cannot be avoided but it also should not be neglected. Do not exhaust yourself mentally or physically before your D-day. Eat well, sleep enough, and stay sharp because that your mind needs to do a lot of thinking for a couple of hours.

If you are not well-rested, you will be agitated, and that can negatively affect your PTE score. We don’t want that, do we? So, do not feel guilty to give yourself a good rest a day before your exam.

5. Appear for practice tests

Practice tests begin in the second phase of your exam preparation, but they must continue till the end. It helps to stay alert, to learn, and to keep your mind working. Plus, it helps you perform well in a time-bound examination that is part of PTE Academic. A few days or weeks before your examination, you should invest as much time as you can in appearing for unique practise tests. This keeps you competitive and you never stop learning.

Pearson’s PTE Academic coursebooks have all the practise test questions that you can ever need to prepare for the exam. They also have online tests which give you your score in 2 business days. Hence, you have enough time to gauge your performance and strategise your preparation further.

The purpose of these last-minute PTE tips is to help you achieve a well-rounded preparation. You should not solely rely on these and invest a good amount of time in studying from the relevant materials before you jump to last-minute preparations.

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The intimidation of appearing for an exam knows no discrimination. Every individual goes through it. And when you appear for an exam as competitive as the PTE, you are bound to go through phases of intimidation. You will try looking through various sources to get the best learning materials, discover every hack you can, skim through every question paper from previous years. This is an excellent strategy to learn and perform your best. But you should have a strict gatekeeping method to figure out which of these sources, tips, and tricks are reliable.

The PTE exam assesses your command of the English language. The qualification for this exam depends on your accuracy in listening, writing, speaking, and reading English. Irrespective of whether English is your first language or not, this can come across as a tough examination to clear. But does that mean you should hold back? No, it simply means you need to learn precisely and save yourself from the PTE myths floating on the internet.

Let’s bust some myths so you not only know the do’s of preparing for the PTE Academic but also know the don’ts.

1.  Backspace can make you lose score

When you are appearing for the writing format of the PTE test, you are bound to spare some time thinking, writing your answer, and through the process, you might want to change your answer or fix a spelling error. Don’t hesitate to backspace your whole answer if you have to, as it does not affect your final score.

What you have to be careful about is that you are thoughtful in your answer and that it is relevant to the question. You do not have to settle for an answer that you are unsatisfied with. If you have enough time left, you can always backspace and correct your entire answer or just the bits of it.

2.  Finish your answer long before the timer ends

PTE exam formats are time-bound. There’s no need to panic about it because you will have time to think about your answer. It doesn't matter if you finish your answer long before your timer ends or right on time. It will not affect your PTE score in any way.

However, you have to practise thinking and acting quickly. The time span to answer each question is limited but also enough. So, it is important to keep this factor in mind when you are for PTE Academic.

3.  Use complex vocabulary

This is a myth that not only prevails in the PTE examination but also in daily life. The goal of this exam is not for you to learn the most difficult English words or the most complex sentences. You have to be able to put your thoughts across in a non-colloquial language that is easy to understand.

You can add reading as an essential part of the PTE examination so you can enhance your vocabulary and learn its precise application. Don’t invest time in finding the difficult words because of the myth that they make you look smart. Communicating in simplistic and understandable language is the key.

4.  Accents help you score better

A PTE exam score can help you get a global job, a visa, or an academic opportunity. Hence, the myth is that if you are someone who knows many accents, you are bound to score better in the speaking format. But that’s not true.

To deliver an impeccable performance in the speaking round of PTE, you have to learn to speak clearly, pronounce words accurately, and have a subtle voice range that is loud enough but does not sound like you are screaming.

5.  Select all the options if you are confused

The format of the PTE MCQs depends on the sole idea of selecting one correct answer throughout the exam. If you are confused and do not know the answer to the question, selecting all of the options is not going to help you score in any way because you think that at least one of them is the correct one.

Take time to think, analyze, and then pick your answer. That’s the only way you can score on the exam. If you select all the options, that particular question will not be counted in your PTE score.

There are many ways you can prepare for your PTE exam. You can look through the internet to find study materials or learn from the alumnus of this examination. But one of the most reliable and certified sources is to get Pearson’s PTE Academic official coursebooks. They cover every aspect of learning and practising that you need to prepare for the exam. They also have mock tests that give you a taste of the official examination.

Learning the right way is the core to qualifying for PTE Academic. As a result, it is only prudent to study from reliable sources rather than fall prey to myths propagated by untrustworthy websites or study materials.

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