Education blog by Pearson India

With the age of digitization came many opportunities for businesses of all sectors, and followed by that were booming job scopes. As the global market witnessed an increase in business, the Indian market and government reciprocated by opening opportunities for many sectors through investments, global political connections, and law amendments. Along with that, the Indian education sector has also evolved to prepare students for careers in management and businesses by aligning the academic curriculum with the changing business paradigm.

There are many management courses that aspiring business students pursue in India. But along with that, students aspiring for global education and job opportunities also focus on pursuing Higher Nationals qualifications.

What is Higher Nationals and who can pursue it?

Higher Nationals are internationally-recognized education qualifications that are equivalent to the first and second years of degree colleges. They are similar to foundation degrees that give you global education and job opportunities. This qualification is recognized by universities and industrial sectors across the globe. It is further split into two qualifications, which are the Higher Nationals Certificate and the Higher Nationals Diploma.

The Higher Nationals Certificate (HNC) is a skill-based level 4 qualification that can be completed in 1 year if pursued full-time and 2 years if pursued part-time. Once you have an HNC qualification, you can choose to start working or pursue a further degree. HNC makes you eligible to enter the 2nd year of a degree course.

The Higher Nationals Diploma (HND) is a more academically rigorous level 5 qualification that can be completed in 2 years if pursued full-time and 4 years if pursued part-time. With an HND qualification, you are eligible to get a job or pursue a degree course in the 3rd year.

Higher Nationals is an ideal qualification for candidates who are focused on learning vocational skills in various sectors. Students who do not wish to pursue a degree right after school and want to indulge in practical learning about any industry of their choice can choose to pursue HNC and HND.

For candidates who are looking for a career in business roles, they can pursue Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Business. This qualification provides you with skills for success in a range of administrative and management roles in business that are designed to make you eligible for competitive industry standards. Some niche sectors that you can specialise in within BTEC Higher Nationals in Business qualifications are listed below:

• Accounting and Finance
• Business Management
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
• Human Resource Management
• Marketing
• Operations Management

However, there are different universities and institutes that offer different specializing pathways under this qualification. Depending on your goals you can choose universities that offer qualifications in sectors of your interests.

Since the core of these qualifications lies in imparting vocational learning, you are eligible for job opportunities. Many companies specifically hire students with BTEC Higher Nationals qualifications.

With your work-based learning and skillsets of Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma in Business, you are equipped for the following job opportunities.

• Consultant in Marketing and Promotion
• Sales Associate/Manager
• Project Manager
• Business Consultancy
• Financial Advisor
• Business Development Manager

These are a few of the many job roles that candidates with Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND in Business can aim for. However, there are many other factors involved in landing job opportunities, even for individuals with this qualification.

It is crucial to ensure that your skillsets align with the requirements of the company. The goal of this qualification is not limited to helping you gain global job opportunities at premium companies. You can also use your knowledge to develop your own business and expand it further.

Choosing the right career path can be intimidating. Hence, before deciding on your professional or educational path, you have to lay out a plan that suits your interests. While Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Business develops your practical skills, it is your dedication and decision-making that will shape your professional excellence. BTEC opens doors to diverse career opportunities for learners and provides them with real-life skills to meet industry demands. Click here to know more about Pearson BTECs globally recognised qualifications and courses.

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The history of engineering education in India goes back to the colonial times when the first school of engineering started from a tent which is today established as IIT Roorkee. It is interesting enough to know how much scope liberalisation has given to both engineering and education as separate as well as one entity. But the history of how India got its first engineering college is even more intriguing.

A Brief History of Engineering in India

During the 1800s, India was witnessing many development projects under British rule. However, there was not enough manpower. After the Agra famine of 1837-1838, the East India Company decided to build an irrigation system in the Meerut to Allahabad zone. That led to the beginning of training locals in the field of civil engineering. In 1845, during the construction of the Ganges canal, Lieutenant Baird Smith of the Bengal Engineers was in charge of training candidates at Saharanpur in civil engineering, and in 1846, the first engineering college began in a tent in Saharanpur, which was later shifted to Roorkee.

The journey that began there was later escalated in the post-independence and post-war development eras. In 1951, Jawaharlal Nehru launched the Indian Institution of Technology. IITs were launched with the motto of cultivating trained professionals in the fields of science and engineering to drive the social and economic development of the newly independent India. Today, India has a total of 23 IITs and they are all declared as Institutes of National Importance.

What engineering branches can you pursue?

It is hard to wrap the unceasing branches of engineering in a short listicle. But to cover some, below are a few.

1. Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering
2. Civil engineering
3. Instrumentation and Control
4. Automation and Robotics
5. Petroleum Engineering
6. Transportation Engineering
7. Computer Science and Engineering
8. Biotechnology Engineering

There are many other branches and sub-branches of engineering that haven’t made it in this list. In recent years, the branch of engineering that has gained momentum is railway engineering.

What is railway engineering?

Railway engineering is a sub-branch of civil engineering. This engineering discipline is concerned with the design, construction, and operation of railway systems. Construction, maintenance, logistics, and operations are a few of the technical and non-technical railway engineering job opportunities that one can pursue. Railways offer huge employment opportunities, and since the private-public partnership projects have increased, the job scope is expected to grow bigger.

How to pursue railway engineering education?

You can start as early as after 10th grade to study railway engineering. Depending on the railway engineering job opportunities that you are seeking or the courses you want to pursue, you can select institutions across the country and the world.

Certification courses

Certification courses can be both online or offline and do not require you to appear for any entrance exams. They are short-term courses offered by various institutes across India and the globe. They cover various railway engineering job profiles and domains, which makes them viable for working professionals too.

Some of the certification courses that you can consider are:

1. Professional Certificate in Railway Engineering
2. Railway/Metro Traction Designing
3. Certificate Course In Metro Rail Technology

You can pursue certification courses after completion of 10th or 12th grade from an accredited institute. However, some certification courses might require a graduate degree or equivalent qualification.

Diploma Programs

Diploma or post diploma courses are beneficial as they can be covered over a short span of time and you can join the professional sector right after your completion.

Some of the top diploma course in railway engineering are:

1. Bachelor Degree Qualification Experience
2. Diploma in Transport Economics and Management
3. POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA In Rail & Metro Technology (PG-DRM)

Your eligibility for admission depends on the merit list and your performance in the entrance exams of the respective institutions.

Bachelor's Courses

Railway engineering bachelor courses can focus on specialisation over various domains like transportation, infrastructure, supply chain management, etc. The span of these courses is between 3-4 years.

Some of the bachelor’s courses in railway engineering are:

1. BBA Transportation Management
2. B.Tech. in Rail Infrastructure Engineering
3. B.Tech. in Rail Systems & Communication Engineering

The eligibility criteria is a minimum of 50% marks in 12th grade from a recognized board. For some courses, there is a requirement of commerce/mathematics as a subject in 12th grade.

The eligibility criteria also depends on your performance on the following entrance exams:

1. JEE Main
2. JEE Advanced
3. BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test)
4. VITEEE (Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam)

Master’s Course

The Master's course in railway engineering can help you secure high post job opportunities. They can be academically extensive but are usually covered over a span of 1-2 years.

Some of the master's courses in railway engineering are:

1. MBA in Transportation Management
2. MSc in Railway Systems Engineering & Integration

Admissions are based on your performance on the entrance test. For the above two courses, the entrance test is NRTI PG, which is followed by an interview. The collective score determines your admission status.

How to get a job on the Indian Railways?

It is considered to be a prestigious opportunity to secure a job with the Indian Railways. The job prospects that you are looking at involve train engineer or locomotive engineer, system engineer, personnel service, protection force, traffic service, etc.

To secure a job with Indian Railways, you can be a graduate or a postgraduate in any engineering field, depending on the job profiles. Along with that, you also need to pass the entrance exams for the respective job posts.

Railways hold a lot of importance for the wholesome development of a country. They also provide many employment opportunities. With the evolution in the global education system, it is possible to pursue a systematic and strategic academic qualification to secure a job in the railway sector. BTEC opens doors to diverse career opportunities for learners and provides them with real-life skills to meet industry demands. Click here to know more about Pearson BTECs globally recognised qualifications and courses.

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In India, to be an IIT graduate or an IIT student is momentous. It is a stepping stone for many engineering aspirants. These institutes are built to offer a competitive learning environment and a bright future to their students. Every year, over a million students in India take IIT entrance exams. Even though there are limited seats, the enthusiasm is the same every single year.

Let’s learn a bit more about one of the most competitive exams in India

IIT is the Indian Institute of Technology that was founded in 1951. The first IIT college to be inaugurated was IIT Kharagpur. Even though the inauguration of the first IIT was in 1956, the term ‘Indian Institute of Technology’ was adopted back in 1951.  As of 2021, there are 23 IITs across the nation. These institutes are declared as Institutes of National Importance by the government.

These IITs have undergraduate students as well as postgraduate students. The majority of students pursue Ph.D. and Master’s programs, as explained in an interview by V Ramgopal Rao, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi director.

What is the process for IIT preparation?

IIT JEE is the national-level competitive exam that selects candidates for these reputed IITs. The JEE preparation is divided into two stages: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Any student who is appearing for class 12th or has cleared class 12th is eligible to appear for JEE Main.

JEE Main, the first of the two stages, determines your qualification for the appearance of JEE Advanced. The results of the second stage of the exam determine your future in the IITs. You can also get admissions in B.Tech/BE courses in reputed institutes across India on your JEE Main rank.

It is important to keep an eye on the eligibility criteria every year before you appear for the exams as they tend to change after a certain period of time.

When is it ideal to start preparing for IIT entrance exams?

As it is rightfully said, "The early bird catches the worm". And in IIT, the earlier the better. Up until a few years ago, the students would start preparing for the IIT entrance exams during their classes in the 11th and 12th. Then, with the rise in competition and academic patterns, it was considered to be in the best interest of students to start preparing for IIT from class 8th.

Presently, with the progression in the education system, you can start preparing for IIT as early as 6th grade. The goal is to not just prepare you for the IIT exams. You can also appear for other competitive exams like GMAT, Olympiads, National Talent Search Examination, etc.

Physics, chemistry, and mathematics are the primary subjects covered in the IIT exams. These subjects are vast and it is best to start learning them at the early stages of your academics.

A good JEE score can also land you the opportunity to apply to other prestigious non-IIT colleges if you do not secure admission into the IITs. The focus of these entrance exams is to select the best. But apart from IITs, you have many other options to explore. Either way, it is best to start preparing as early as class 6th.

What are the best IIT foundation books?

Apart from bringing in daily habitual changes to prepare yourself for the country's toughest competitive exams, there are some of the best IIT foundation books for each class, from 6th to 10th, that you must consider getting your hands on.

Aside from NCERT, the other books to consider are the Pearson IIT Foundation series books that provide authentic and tested content for IIT preparation.

• Pearson IIT Foundation Series Class 6 Pearson IIT Foundation Series Mathematics and Science includes strong content for beginners that is focused on teaching application-based learning. They have very detailed solutions to questions that encourage you and keep you engaged by making learning easier.
• Pearson IIT Foundation Series Class 7 Since PCM is the main subject area in IIT preparation, the Pearson IIT Foundation Series includes Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics books that help you to get started on the right foot.
• Pearson IIT Foundation Series Class 8 It is believed class 8 signifies an important transition in a student’s academic life. You become more knowledgeable and aware of their education. To keep up with school academics and simultaneously prepare for IIT, the Pearson IIT Foundation Series for class 8 includes Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry books.
• Pearson IIT Foundation Series Class 9 and 10 The last 2 years of school education are crucial. And since, as an IIT aspirant, you have been preparing for the best since class 6, it becomes easier for you to deal with the competitive academic life ahead. Pearson’s IIT Foundation Series for classes 9 and 10 includes PCM books, which are ideal for keeping up with the challenging IIT preparation coming ahead.

Along with coursebooks, Pearson also offers IIT Foundation practice books for classes 7 to 10. These practice books are designed to keep students at par with their school and JEE curriculum. They contain 4 categories of tests which include Chapter Test, Unit Test, Section Test, and Full-length Test.

These practice books include cognitive level questions that are application-based and help to enhance problem-solving skills. The Pearson IIT Foundation Practice books include challenging tests, sample questions, notes, and quick revision point at the end of the chapters.

IIT exams are one of the toughest exams in this country and require wholesome dedication along with accurate knowledge. Study materials are just as important as your attitude toward learning in order to pass the IIT entrance exams. It’s a long journey, but with the right resources, it can be a successful one.

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Every year, lakhs of students either start preparing for their post-graduation studies or are about to appear for their entrance exams for further academics. One huge part of these belongs to the students who prepare for CAT exams.

CAT is the Common Admission Test that is designed to select qualified students for management programs or IIMs. This is a computer-based entrance exam that happens every year.

The eligibility criteria to appear for CAT exams are as follows:

• The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% for the general category and 45% for the SC/ST category.
• Candidates with any other professional degrees who have secured a minimum of 50% marks for the general category and 45% for the SC/ST category can also apply.
• The university that you pursue your degree from should be recognized by MHRD or UGC.
• Candidates who are appearing for the final year of their Bachelor’s can also apply.

If you are someone who is appearing for CAT this year or is planning to start preparing, there is the CAT preparation strategy that can come in handy for you. To appear for academic entrance tests can be very stressful. And when you have a lot of material to cover, it can be overwhelming. But these CAT preparation tips will help you till the end.

Begin Early

You must have heard this tip a lot. It’s not just limited to CAT preparation, but to anything in life. But speaking of CAT, how early should you start? Usually, candidates start preparing for CAT during their undergraduate years. You can start even after your degree, during your gap year, or while you are working. You do not have to invest half of your day studying for CAT. Especially for undergraduates, it is important to utilize the college years to figure out all your career options and if an MBA is something that you really want to pursue.

For some candidates, 6 months of focused and consistent studying has helped them crack the exam. But it is recommended that you begin preparing 12 to 18 months before you appear for the exam. This is an ideal time frame for anyone who is ready to invest a couple of hours studying every day. The CAT is an exam that cannot be passed with hurried preparation. You need to stay true to your goals and compromise with your leisurely lifestyle. However, it is different from person to person.

Focus On The Right Skills

There are many skills that you need to pass the CAT. But one skill that you don’t need or need to drop if you possess is learning without understanding. The skills you need are:

• Basic knowledge of mathematics.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Good reading comprehension skills.
• Quick mind calculations.
  

The other soft skills that you need are staying time-bound, developing a habit of taking notes, reading, enhancing vocabulary, and setting a routine. These qualities should not be limited just to CAT preparation but should be carried throughout your life.

Practice as much as you possibly can

As you get closer to your CAT exams, you should start practicing for them by taking mock tests. These tests give you a glimpse of what your actual entrance exam would be like. You should take your mock test with utter seriousness because that performance will prepare you for the CAT exam.

You should set your timer and practice within the time limit as it prepares your brain to function faster and be more efficient. Moving forward, you should also solve previous CAT exams and again, with complete sincerity. Don't be concerned about the questions you can't answer; instead, focus on the ones you can and build your confidence. With time, you are bound to get better.

Follow a structural study pattern

Every student has their own way of studying. Some like to study at night, some in the early morning. Some like taking notes, highlighting the main points, pasting them on the wall. You can do whatever works for you. But if you need some more suggestions, here you go!

• Prepare an excel sheet of the questions or topics that are difficult for you.
• Keep your formals in place and practice them every day.
• Every time you finish a paper or mock test, analyze your performance.
• To enhance your verbal skills, don’t choose mindless reading. Instead, look for reading comprehension materials online and solve them.

Lastly, Study Materials

It is critical for anyone with ongoing CAT preparation for 2021, as well as future candidates, not to become overwhelmed or caught up in too many study materials or sources. It is necessary that you stick to the ones that work best for you and take guidance from trusted sources.

Pearson has the most reliable and tested CAT preparation books for all the subjects. They cover all the fundamentals of each subject and are highly practice-oriented.

• Quantitative Aptitude The book contains all contents to enhance your numerical skills, accuracy, and speed. It also teaches basic and elementary mathematics. You can get better by solving their model papers, mock tests, and campus recruitment examination tests.
• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation As this subject is about problem-solving skills and is highly conceptual, the book not only covers all the relevant topics but has ample practice tests ranging from foundation to advanced level for you to practice.
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension The focus of this subject is to test your English fluency, vocabulary, and grammar. The book covers all the aspects of enhancing the language and working on the errors. There are previous CAT papers, mock tests, and other MBA papers that you can solve to assess their ability.They also have another book, Master Number System, which is ideal for all MBA entrance exams like CAT and GMAT. The book is designed to help you understand the number systems and their applications. It also helps you develop your critical thinking skills.All this preparation will bring you good results if it is accompanied by sincerity and a positive attitude. CAT is a tough examination, but there’s nothing you can’t achieve with a little hard work.

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Each year a lot of aspirants come forward to prepare academically for a career in teaching. The only eligibility criteria for becoming a qualified and certified teacher is by appearing for CTET exams, i.e., the Central Teaching Eligibility Test, which is administered by the Central Board of Secondary Education of India.

CTET is a national-level eligibility test conducted twice a year. This entrance exam is bilingual, which gives candidates the option of choosing either Hindi or English as their language. Before 2021, the examination was conducted online. But CTET 2021, the 15th edition of this exam, will be conducted online. In fact, from this year, this entrance exam will be conducted online. The goal is to get aspiring teachers accustomed to digital technology.

What are the eligibility criteria for CTET?

CTET exams are conducted in two phases: Paper I and Paper II. Candidates who aspire to teach the primary section can apply for Paper I, and those who wish to teach the elementary section can apply for Paper II. Aspirants who teach both sections, i.e., from classes 1 to 8, can apply for both, Paper I and Paper II.

The eligibility criteria for CTET are very diverse and both papers require different qualifications.

CTET Educational Requirements for Paper I

Each candidate must have passed their 12th grade with a minimum of 45% or 50% marks.

The candidates with a minimum of 45% marks should also have the following further qualifications:

• They should have passed or are currently in the final year exam of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education, in accordance with the NCTE Regulations, 2002.

The candidates with a minimum of 50% marks should also have one of the further qualifications:

• Candidates should have passed or currently appearing for the final year exam of the 2-year Diploma course in Elementary Education.
• Candidates should have passed or currently appearing for the final year exam of the 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.EI.Ed).
• Candidates should have passed or currently appearing for the final year of the 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education).
• Bachelor of Education (B. Ed)

CTET Educational Requirements for Paper II

The candidates must fulfill one of the following qualifications:

• Candidates should be graduates and have passed or currently appearing for the final year exam of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education.
• Candidates should be graduates with a minimum of 50% marks. They should also have passed or currently appearing for a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed).
• Candidates should be graduates with a minimum of 45% marks. They should also have passed or currently appearing for a 1-year Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) in accordance with the NCTE Regulations.
• Candidates should have passed 12th grade with a minimum of 50% marks. They should also have passed or currently appearing for a 4-year Bachelor in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed) course.
• Candidates should have passed 12th grade with a minimum of 50% marks. They should also have passed or currently appearing for a 4-year B.A/B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed course.
• Candidates should have graduated with a minimum of 50% marks. They should have also passed or currently appearing for a 1-year B.Ed (Special Education).

What are the subjects in CTET?

CTET Paper I exam subjects are as follows:

• Child Development and Pedagogy This subject is focused on giving aspirants an opportunity to learn about the educational psychology of teaching. It teaches aspirants about the parameters of being a good knowledge provider, communicator, and being interactive with their students.
• Language 1 and Language 2 These are two separate subjects focused on different but correlated aspects. Language 1 is about developing the skills to hold command of the language of teaching. Whereas Language 2 is about communication and comprehension. These two subjects require you to focus on a lot of reading materials from CTET books. The language chosen for each paper should be different from each other.
• Mathematics This subject is about learning problem-solving abilities, data handling, and concepts. To prepare for this subject, you have to be thorough with the mathematics of classes 1 to 8. Error analysis, simplification of problems, and evaluation are some other important aspects of this subject.
• Environmental Studies This subject, as the name implies, teaches aspirants about practical applications. The subject topics include food, nutrition, environmental issues, as well as, principles.

CTET Paper II exam subjects are as follows:

CTET Paper II includes similar subjects to Paper I, which include Child Development and Pedagogy, Language 1, Language 2, and Mathematics. It has two more subjects, which are as follows:

• Science This subject focuses on conceptual learning about topics like human physiology, kingdoms of life, and methods of science. The questions revolve around the NCERT syllabus for classes 6 to 8.
• Social Studies This includes the study of factual knowledge about history, politics, geography, and critical thinking. The questions are from the NCERT syllabus on similar topics from classes 6 to 8.
  Now that you are aware of the subjects you are going to cover, here are some CTET preparation tips that will come in handy for you.
• Know the exam pattern Each subject carries the weightage of 30 marks each, from Paper I as well as Paper II separately. Hence, each paper marks a total of 150. There are a total of 150 questions, meaning each question is worth a mark. There are no negative markings in this examination. The qualifying marks for the CTET examination are 90 marks for each paper. If you score equal to or more than the qualifying limit, then you pass your exam.
• Keep learning and stay up-to-date It is important that you constantly keep learning about the subjects or the sections you aspire to teach. For examination purposes, you can limit your study materials to the recommended syllabus, but as a teacher, it will always be your job to feed their curiosity. The best books to keep up with the curriculum are Pearson CTET books. They are available in Hindi as well as English and are complete resources for your CTET preparation books.
• Practice mock tests Appear for mock tests as they prepare you for the competitive environment that is this entrance test. Keep your exams time-bound and focus on your weaknesses.

These little tips and strategies can prepare you for your exams and for the teaching you aim to impart further. Be consistent and relevant with the latest education patterns, teaching as well as learning materials and technology. Lastly, don’t let your hunger for knowledge fade.

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If you are a teacher looking for ways to improve yourself, you should know you are already a great teacher. Teachers are best when they have an innate desire to learn and impart that knowledge to the next generation with a passion.

Education is a never-ending process, especially for teachers in this progressing world. It is important that there is room for encouragement towards professional development for teachers so that the students have the best learning resources and teachers are satisfied at their workplace.

It is not just curriculum that is changing and adapting but the social life and the entire schooling system has been changed since the COVID-19 lockdown. Teacher development is essential in these changing times and here are several compelling reasons why -

1. To learn something new: Taking courses on things that you are interested in will bring a bigger purpose in your life. It will enable you to step out of the role of being a teacher and help you realize that you can progress better when you are learning by the side. As a teacher, if you just keep teaching the same thing over and over again, you are not bound to make any changes or progress. Take a step back and learn something that you always wanted and bring the enthusiasm and ideas of the course back to your classroom.
2. To stay up to date with the new learning techniques: With the developing technology, you can teach the subject better through various new methods. So going on a teacher development program is essential so that you can be brought up to date with the latest resources. You can also socialize with other teachers teaching the same subjects and learn how to help students better by getting new ideas from your fellow teachers.
3. To be the student once again: After a couple of years of teaching, teachers forget what it was like to be young and a student. This gap in understanding becomes a hurdle in teaching as they can’t get through to students if they can’t understand them. Being a student in a course will help you realize and appreciate how difficult it is to pay constant attention and remember the subject matter. You can check out how other professionals teach and take a leaf out of their playbook as well when you come back to your teaching.
4. Develop skills: Teaching is a profession where every type of course can help you be a better teacher. You can learn the way other teachers plan and organize their lectures and do the same. Joining a course specifically to learn new skills that help teachers will help you gain knowledge and certificates that will help you in promotion and/or better teaching job in a different school.
5. Experience the different methods of teaching themselves: While you are doing an online or offline teacher development course, you can benefit the most by experiencing the methods other teachers use to teach. You can observe which one of their methods was best and which ones were not by checking out what you understood easily in the subject matter and what proved difficult.
6. Gain credit: If you are looking to change to a better school, you will need to stand out. The best way to show that is with certificates of different courses that proves that you are always learning and improving along with gaining experience in teaching. The knowledge and skills will set you apart from most teachers who just fulfill the duties and obligations of being a teacher. These courses need not be related to teaching. You can show that learning in different fields helps you be better in your own field as well.
7. Be better: Learning will undoubtedly help you be better in your career, but it will also help you be a better person. When you learn something new, you realize how much you don’t know in a particular field. You realize there were so many things you hadn’t even imagined are now possible for you. This humbling and liberating experience can only happen once you start learning again.

If you are a teacher looking to develop new skills, check out the Pearson website. They conduct a lot of workshops and webinars on various topics of interest that will help enhance your skills and knowledge.

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The lockdown of Covid-19 has completely changed the education game. Being in college was once associated with dorm rooms and lecture halls but now most people are opting for online classes because of convenience. There are pros and cons to both learning systems so let us explore those points so you can choose the one that is more suited to your needs.

Benefits of online schools

One of the key benefits of online schools is the convenience of time. Not only do you cut down on traveling to and for from school but some lectures are already pre-recorded so that you can learn on your own time instead of being available at a specifically scheduled hour.

This makes a huge difference in your routine as you are not planning everything around the school timings but you are learning when it is best for you. Everything you learn with an open and fresh mind is learned better than being forced on to lectures when your mind is occupied because you are not very likely to pay attention or recall the material later on.

Another thing online schools can do is show visuals and explain concepts easily in forms of pictures, videos, diagrams, etc. These visuals can capture the attention of children and make the concepts interesting enough to learn and remember.

Benefits of traditional schools

Most students learn responsibility and discipline in childhood due to their respect and fear of authority in offline schools. In childhood, most of us lack the motivation or a direction in life, and the teachers in traditional schools play a huge role in training children.

But after a point, most of us have to develop intrinsic motivation and self-discipline so as to keep up with the rest of the world. If you are someone who finds it difficult to stay motivated to study every day, social accountability of offline schools is the best option for you. If you know you will be asked to submit something in class tomorrow, you are very likely to finish it, even if you have to burn the midnight oil. Such a need never arises in online schools which means you are very likely to delay studying if you are not motivated enough.

Another compelling reason to study in a traditional school would be socializing. Children who learn to socialize in school can embrace the real world easily. Even for teenagers and adults, studying something together creates a bond like no other, and making friends is quite easy when you are all in it together. Opting for an offline school just to have people to talk to may not sound like a valid reason but being in school is more about getting an education. It is an experience that teaches us a lot of values that you can only appreciate if you have been to a traditional school.

Both types of schooling have their benefits and setbacks but there is a way to combine both and get the best out of both worlds. Pearson’s K-12 Education program has a unique blended learning ecosystem that enables teachers to seamlessly teach the students. This program will empower teachers by helping them plan better, collect feedback, and ensure that this learning can carry on anytime and anywhere without a hitch.

K-12 can adapt based on the changing times as well as to the age of the child. Schools all over India are integrating this system to help their students and teachers. The curriculum is completely mapped and customized to keep children informed and interested at the same time by igniting their imagination. The program can also help students preparing for CBSE, ICSE, and all State and International Boards.

The best part about Pearson, apart from the K-12 program, is that they understand students and their needs. They know that learning is best done when students enjoy it thoroughly. So to up their potential, they have built the Pearson ActiveApp that brings a plethora of digital resources that will provide uninterrupted learning anywhere and anytime. Due to its user-friendly interface, animations, games, interactive activities, quick recapitulation, and self-paced learning system, the app will be easy to get used to and very difficult to put down. Learning new things will be second nature for students who use ActiveApp.

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India has an immense requirement for a skilled workforce with its growing economy, ever-changing technology, and increasing international trade. To develop a skilled workforce, there is a need to adapt skill-based educational practices. Recognising the value of skill development is a requisite for the competitive job market. Skill development can be defined as the time invested in improving proficiency to stay future-ready and be able to complete a task with higher rates of success at the right time. Skill development is an essential practice as skills determine one's ability to execute their plans with success.

Skills development in India:

India has a literacy rate of around 70%, while only 20% of them are employable. Literacy is not just restricted to education as it also expands to the concept of skills, which comprises technical expertise, transferrable skills, vocational skills, digital skills, and other such knowledge and abilities required for employment and livelihood. According to a survey, only 25% of the Indian workforce has undergone a skill development program. India needs a higher number of skilled workforces to change the narrative.India is experiencing a rise in the role of technology, climate change, urbanisation, demographic shifts, and the globalisation of value chains; as a result, it is changing the nature of work and demand for a skilled workforce.

To thrive in the 21st-century job market, one needs a comprehensive skillset comprised of:

• Technical skills: An acquired knowledge and expertise to perform a specific task with the help of required technology or tools.
• Socio-emotional skills: The ability to navigate through interpersonal and social situations efficiently, and include leadership, teamwork, self-control, and grit.
• Cognitive skills: The ability to understand intricate ideas, adjust effectively to the environment, learn from experience, and reason.
• Digital skills: Skills that carry on all the above skills, and describe the ability to reach, manage, learn, integrate, communicate, assess, and create information safely and appropriately.

Workforce development in India:

Workforce development puts 'people' at the centre stage of business development. This approach contributes to the strategies required to improve the potential of an individual in the workplace and career trajectory. Workforce development not only improves their chances in life but also leads to increased benefits for businesses.

Workforce development has a myriad of positive implications in the life of an individual and the business. The value of workforce development is that the employees benefit from retraining, and the employers enjoy a higher-skilled team.

Below are some of the main benefits of workforce development:

• Increased operational efficiency
• Increased job satisfaction
• Lower turnover rate
• Enhancements in innovative thinking
• Improved productivity
• Proactive problem-solving

Hence, workplace development plays a crucial part for a business, as an empowered workforce is like an asset to their employer. However, when employees feel overlooked or neglected by their management team, they may start looking for employment elsewhere.

Pearson has recognised this requirement and value of skills and workforce development in India and devised Pearson BTEC courses to prepare learners for a successful career in their chosen industry with hands-on practical learning. BTEC opens doors to diverse career opportunities for learners and provides them with real-life skills to meet industry demands. Click here to know more about Pearson BTECs globally recognised qualifications and courses.

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When we think of sports, we imagine a scene from our favourite cricket match or an iconic goal in football, or a range of other physical games which require exceptional skills and athletic ability for playing. However, the realm of esports is rapidly becoming one of the most popular forms of entertainment and competition in the country. The esports sector is still in a developing stage in India while emerging trends lead to the fact that this industry is all set to grow by leaps and bounds and will soon rival the traditional sports leagues in India.

What is esports?

esports can be described as the world of competitive, organized video gaming. Competitors from different leagues or teams face off in the same games that are popular with at-home gamers.

Emergence in India

Globally esports and Gaming are the largest entertainment sector, dominating the revenue of traditional industries like movies and music. With an increasing number of tournaments, active viewers, and engagement around esports activities in the country, India is catching up fast with the trend. Owing to India's much younger gaming demographic and relatively late arrival into the world of gaming, India is set to be one of the largest potential esports markets for the coming decade.

Scope in India

India ranked 16 on the Forbes list, making it a multi-billion-dollar industry. It has successfully taken over the Indian market because of the promotion and campaign on various online streaming platforms like YouTube. India has successfully hosted some of the most notable tournaments in esports, such as PUBG Mobile Series 2019 and the Electronic Sports League, joined by Dota 2 players from different parts of the world. Another significant point to remember is the scope of esports in India is not limited to the players only but extends to various other roles and support services around esports. The infrastructure that supports and continues to propel esports consists of producers who employ teams of editors, photographers, hosts, interviewers, analysts, esports journalists, product managers, game testers, tournament referees, entire production crews etc. Hence the scope of esports in India is immense and is only going to increase.

What are different skills required to be able to work in the esports industry?

1. Communication: Be it playing on an esports team or working for one, the job requires you to be able to convey your thoughts in a concise yet speedy manner as many things can be happening at any given time. Coordinating these different thoughts together to give the team a synchronised mindset is critical to achieving victory. Good communication allows for better synergy with others which makes for some excellent highlights.
2. Research: Playing the esports game of your choice matters a lot, but one of the components to esports that should get as much coverage is the research aspect. From learning new techniques, knowledge on how to take down a particular character to the mechanism behind the game are mostly achieved through research.
3. Critical thinking: It is one of the most powerful skills you can have while working in esports. A part of critical thinking within esports includes the ability to get inside the head of your opponents and try to read their minds. The battles are not only played on screens but also in the minds of the players.
4. Multitasking: esports equip some of the best multitaskers as many games take the players on such levels that they must multitask to guess the next moves of their opponents. During a match, players have to keep track of many moving components while paying attention to different bars and meters to gather every piece of key information within the game to defeat their rivals. And in this way multitasking becomes a part of the everyday routine.

The growth of the esports market will definitely create more career opportunities for passionate individuals. In the coming years, the growth and engagement in the esports industry are going to increase.

Pearson recognises the need and value of different types of emerging skills and workforce development in India. Pearson BTEC courses prepare learners for a successful career in their chosen industry with hands-on practical learning. BTEC opens doors to a variety of career opportunities for learners and provides them with real-life skills to meet industry demands. Click here to know more about Pearson BTECs globally recognised qualifications and courses. 

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Studying can be fun, playful, informative, and important, but many school students find studying intimidating and often run away from it. Even for the students who like studying, it can be a time-consuming process where they have to do assignments, schedule their time, and even pause or push other activities in order to complete their given schoolwork. And all this may feel like a burden to the students who don't enjoy studying. Effective studying requires various skills and strategies to complete the assignments on time and without procrastination, and these skills often are not taught explicitly. With the increased self-sufficiency commanded by virtual education, school students that do not enjoy studying can acquire some useful studying techniques to manage their goals and effectively increase their knowledge.

1. Create a learning environment: Environment and surroundings have a significant impact on the learning habits and response of the students to studying. The environment can either encourage learning or affect it negatively and distance students from studies. Every student has different abilities, and it is crucial to understand that. Incessant nagging, shouting, reprimanding, and pressurising students to study would only lead to them loathing school and avoiding studies. Therefore, it is essential to create a healthy environment that is favourable to learning. Removing the distractions and forming a daily routine with scheduled time for studies and other recreational activities can create a balance for school students. This way positive learning environment can help students to enjoy their studies.
2. Find out how they like to learn: In order to form useful studying strategies, it is crucial to understand the ways students like to learn and how they can absorb the content better. One way is to ask the students how they would like to study to maximize the benefits of study time. They are likely to have different answers, once you have a simple idea, you can persuade them gently towards developing new approaches. Encourage them to combine their own study methods with some other useful strategies such as proactive thinking, learning through games, taking small breaks between study etc. When students think they are studying on their own terms, it can make them enjoy their process. Also Read: How To Develop 21st Century Skills through Blended Learning
3. Avoid distractions: In the day and age of technology and virtual learning, students can find many things at their disposal that might distract them from studying. Understanding these things is crucial to create a distraction-free zone for effective studying. That could mean everything from locking away all the distracting devices to studying in absolute silence and anything and everything in between. Everyone has a different approach and preferences. Creating a distraction-free study zone can encourage the students to study more effectively. 
   Facilitating communication and problem solving:When school students don't enjoy studying, most of the time it is because of some underlying issues they are dealing with, which does not allow them to focus and concentrate on their studies. It is very essential that there is an open conversation, between student-parents and student-teacher, about the challenges they face and provide a supportive atmosphere to create a trusting relationship.
4. Encourage the achievements: Creating small achievable milestones and goals is an encouraging strategy to adopt to form effective study habits in school students who don't enjoy studying. When the students know that there is some goal or an endpoint in sight while studying it can hold their attention to the point. Allow students to make a list of tasks for themselves that they can check off as they do their work. There are psychological rewards in completing tasks and visually striking them off. Doing so provides a sense of both organization and accomplishment. Students that are studying in groups can set a milestone system in place to help keep each other motivated. Online task managers can help with this.

The above useful studying strategies can help the students that don't enjoy studying in ways that they can give the studies a chance and learn at their own pace with the help of positive reinforcement and support from their teachers, parents, and peers.

Learn more about the Pearson K12 and its unique blended learning ecosystem that enables seamless integration and knowledge sharing for the learner. Click here and open doors to Pearson products and services to ignite the interest and imagination in the minds of the students and keep them tethered to learning.

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