Category: Contributed Posts

How To Keep Up With The Latest Advancements In Technology

A key focus of my blog is Technology. Technology continues to evolve, and our lives with it. Falling behind in the latest technologies can adversely impact our lives and it’s thus important to keep up the new advances. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Keep Up With The Latest Advancements In Technology.

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Keeping up with technology isn’t easy because it’s also changing, and new advancements are happening daily. It takes dedication and effort on your part if you want to be in the know of the latest enhancements and trends.

It’s not only beneficial for you to know about technology for your professional life but can also be useful in your personal environment as well. Enjoy learning and trying to dissect all the latest and greatest information and updates. Experiment with technology yourself to help you get a better feel for it and so you can expand your knowledge.

Explore Different Industries

One way you can keep up with the latest advancements in technology is to explore what’s going on in different industries. Avoid sticking to only what you know in the business you work in and find out what others are up to across the board. For example, there are now self-driving cars, and 3D printing aircraft parts is a growing field and worth taking the time to learn more about if you want to expand your awareness and understanding. A lot is happening in the world, and businesses everywhere are trying to keep up with the most recent developments to help stay ahead of the competition.

Follow Influencers & Business Leaders on Social Media

Another way you can become well-rounded on the topic of technology is to follow influencers and business leaders on social media. These experts are always sharing new updates and nuggets of knowledge that you can digest, and that will allow you to understand how technology has changed our lives. It’ll be so exciting to discover what the best and the brightest innovators in the field have to say when it comes to the latest advancements in technology.

Attend Related Events & Expos

There are a lot of technology events and expos occurring all the time. Buy yourself a ticket and go check out the discussions among these groups of people. Keep up with technology enhancements by going to see for yourself what’s rolling out next and what you should be aware of, and they’re working on next. It’s your chance to mix and mingle and ask questions with those who know what they’re talking about and can give you expert advice.

Make Time for Daily Reading

One of the best ways to learn and take in new information is to read daily. There are so many excellent resources out there for you to take advantage of and seek out. For example, there are tech blogs on the Internet or books at the library that are chocked full of useful data and information to help improve your base knowledge and foundation. Read about what companies are doing when it comes to technology and how they’re upgrading their business practices and products with it.

Conclusion

Technology can be tricky to grasp at times, and it’s hard to keep up with it because it’s always changing and evolving. These suggestions should help you to increase your knowledge and allow you to better understand what’s unfolding and what the experts are working on currently.

Avoid Health Hazards At Work

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. While we go to work to earn a living, there are also multiple health hazards depending on the workplace. There’s a lot of planning that management has to think about to prevent these hazards. The following contributed post is entitled, Avoid Health Hazards At Work.

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There are many hazards that can occur in the workplace and if they are not properly dealt with, it could cause a big problem and you could be paying out for compensation, insurance and more. Offices will contain health and safety hazards which need to be monitored and controlled, even outside the office. For example if you have poor paving and someone trips and breaks their ankle, you need to ensure that you have a good working environment outside also. Looking at concrete replacement could be something for you to look at https://www.keflatwork.com/concrete-repair-replacement/ to ensure that your paving is perfect.

Photo: Pixabay

But inside the workplace, you will certainly find that offices need to have hazards identified and there must be risk assessments carried out to be sure that the right measures are in place and can be implemented just in case something occurs. You must secure your office http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBigWordsBlogSite/~3/nA54f2JImMg/. Here are the most common things and hazards that you will find inside the office:

● Poor or inadequate lighting, people could trip, fall, drop things
● Ergonomic hazards;
● Extremes of temperature, if the heating is broken, it could lead to cold-related illnesses or vice versa for hot.
● Manual handling hazards which may include machinery
● Tripping and falling hazards such as poor placement of furniture, boxes being left or equipment not properly stored.
● Electrical hazards, sockets, wires, poor electrical systems that aren’t tested etc.
● Contagious illnesses spread by sick workers, because workers feel they cannot stay home and take a sick day for fear of getting behind or leaving other workers in the lurch
● Fire hazards, poor fire exits, or none at all, no real route to get out of the way should there be a fire
● Chemical hazards, cleaning products or any toxic products left around or not stored properly, or falling into the wrong hands.
● Stress hazards such as high stress jobs, tight deadlines and poor working environments that can make people suffer stress and anxiety. Stress at work is a huge thing as you can read about further here https://qz.com/work/1443824/stress-at-work-is-a-dangerous-health-hazard/

All health and safety hazards must be properly identified, and then you will need to ensure that there is a risk assessed and that then you can implement the new rules and regulations to keep your workers safe. To do this you need to look at the likelihood of the risks causing any serious injury and then prove that you have put the necessary things in place to stop them from occurring. Workers may file a complaint if this is not done or things don’t change, after all they too want to protect themselves from issues within the workplace.

Then, once the systems are implemented, you must control the measures, keep an eye on them and monitor them closely as it is essential that you keep on top of them all to ensure that they remain effective for some time and that nothing is sliding back into old ways. Moving forwards will help everyone and ensure a more productive workspace, inside and outside of the working office. You can find more information online about how to implement this but it’s also best to assess yourself first.

You’re Never Too Old To Learn

A key focus of my blog is General Education. There is no age on learning. For every stage of our lives there are opportunities to learn more skills or even to go back to school. If you’ve haven’t been in school for a while, there are ways to get back into the educational arena. The following contributed post is entitled, You’re Never Too Old To Learn.

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Past papers are an ideal resource for children approaching their exams. However, those reaching the end of their compulsory education are not the only ones that can benefit from such a resource. Adult learners, of all ages and abilities, can also benefit from acquiring past papers to support their learning and exam revision.

Whether you are looking to update your skills to better support your children, getting qualifications to improve your career, or simply learning for fun, past papers can help. Using them aids in both building your confidence in your existing abilities and improving your exam techniques.

If you’re involved in education and you don’t provide past papers as part of your service or marketing efforts, you’re really missing out. The guys over at KW2 can shed further light on this and how to reach the right people.

Build Your Confidence With Past Papers

There are many reasons why individuals reach adulthood without school-based qualifications. For some, the school was just not the right environment for learning, for others their teenage years were too difficult to even consider the importance of their schoolwork. Whatever the reason, many individuals decide in adulthood that the time has come to gain control over their learning and get those qualifications at last.

One of the benefits of learning as an adult is that there are many different routes that can be taken. However, whichever route you choose, you still need to develop confidence in your own abilities; this can often be the biggest stumbling block faced by adult learners. Any confidence you do have in your ability to achieve the results you want is constantly fighting for space with doubt, lack of time, work and other commitments, and everything else that comes with being an adult. However, all is not lost, and by supplementing the route you have chosen with revision past papers, you can build your confidence in the peace and quiet of whatever time you have available.

Having access to past papers and other online resources means that you can study whenever is convenient for you. You don’t need to be surrounded by other people – you don’t even need to leave the house. You can use your past exam papers first thing in the morning, before work; or stay up that extra half an hour and study when the house is quiet at night. You can even take you past paper to the library, the coffee shop, or the local pub; wherever you feel confident and settled.

Improve Exam Technique

It is not just children that struggle when it comes to exam techniques. The struggle is even more real for adults who still have the memories of past exams. While teaching strategies, subject coverage, and technology may have changed, the basic exam rules have not. So, how do you lay the ghosts of the past to rest, and approach your new exams with the right techniques? The answer lies in access to past papers. You can perfect your technique and increase your confidence by doing so.

Are You the Reason Your Business’s Growth Is Stunted?

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. When you launch a business, it’s important to think about what’s working and what’s not working. In some instances, wounds and losses are self-inflicted. The following contributed post is entitled, Are You the Reason Your Business’s Growth Is Stunted?

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Entrepreneurs hate to think about it, but it’s entirely possible that you’re the reason that your business’s growth has halted. There are countless different factors that could affect your business’s success. From changing your target audience to creating the right website content, there are plenty of ways for you to change your business and gear it for success.

But what about the possibility that you’re the one stunting business growth? Here is a list of potential situations where you could be the one causing your company to slow down its growth.

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/IgUR1iX0mqM (CC0)

You’re not pivoting your services and products for newer audiences

In order to grow your business, you need to consider appealing to a wider audience by pivoting your products and services. This can be challenging if you don’t have a vision of where you want to take your business.

You’re not learning new skills to improve your knowledge

Growing your own skills is important if you want to grow your business and lead a team of loyal employees. You may want to sign up for oil and gas revenue accounting training if you have gaps to fill in your financial department, or you might consider studying the technical side of your business so that you have an easier time finding the right suppliers and third-party services that could grow your company.

You’re refusing to take risks that could propel your business

Taking risks is an important component of any successful business. In order to grow, you have to be willing to take risks that could lead to failure. If they do fail, then you’ll have to muster up the strength to learn from those failures and apply them to future risks.

You’re too afraid to take a loan or search for alternate sources of funding

Loans are a great source of funding, but some business owners can understandably be wary about borrowing money. Unfortunately, it’s one of the best ways to grow your business because the injection of cash can be used on many things such as hiring new employees, developing new products or even starting a new business location.

You’re scared of firing or reassigning team members that aren’t being productive

Some business owners dislike the idea of firing team members, especially if they’ve been with the company for a long time. If you’re not willing to let someone go then it’s a good idea to consider reassigning them or even investing in their skills to place them in a more productive role. However, if a team member isn’t helping your business grow, you need to have the courage to let them go.

You’re failing to invest in your employees and their wellbeing

Lastly, make sure you’re willing to invest in your employees and their wellbeing. From kitting out their office with ergonomic furniture to putting them on a course to learn new skills, there are lots of different ways to invest in your employees so that they become more productive members of your team.

How To Make The Most Of Your Car Commute

A key focus of my blog is Career Discussions. Many of us spend significant amounts of time every week commuting to and from work. That time can actually be used constructively if properly planned for. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Make The Most Of Your Car Commute.

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Pixabay. CCO Licensed.

Some of us spend hours a week commuting to work. This can often feel like time wasted – especially for those of us who drive to work. While those using public transport may be able to read a book or play on their phone or even get work done on a laptop, you can’t do this while driving a car. Fortunately, there are still ways in which you can occupy your time and be productive without taking your concentration off the road. Here are just a few ways to make the most of your car commute.

Entertain and educate yourself with audiobooks

While listening to music is a reliable way to occupy a car journey, audiobooks could be an alternative way to pass the time. These could be audiobooks as a form of entertainment such as novels or autobiographies – or they could be educational audio-guides such as language learning audiobooks. There are lots of platforms from which you can download and stream audiobooks. There are even places where you can download free audiobooks as listed at this site Book Riot. Not everyone is able to concentrate on audiobooks while driving, but for many it can be a relaxing way to pass the time.

Take advantage of voice command and smart technology

Using a smartphone while driving is dangerous and in most cases illegal. However, voice command and smart technology have made it possible to use many phone functions safely and legally. Many modern cars are able to be linked up via Bluetooth to your phone – using voice command you can then do everything from making calls to setting calendar reminders to even dictating texts hands-free. Even if your car doesn’t have this technology, you may be able to use wearable tech such as Amazon Echo glasses to link to your phone. In fact, you can also link up this technology to other smart devices that you own. This could include your home’s heating or even your home’s garage door – using voice command, you could turn on the heating remotely while driving back home so that you get back to a warm home, as well as using voice command to open your garage door as you pull up so that you don’t have to get out your car or press any buttons.

Buy yourself a thermal flask

Being able to drink coffee on your way to work could help you to stay energised and offer some comfort. With a thermal flask, you can keep your coffee warm for the whole journey. Of course, coffee isn’t the only thing you can put in a flask – you could also put soup in here or even porridge. Take some time shopping around for the most decent flask you can find and consider buying a clip-on cupholder if your car doesn’t already have one (this will ensure your flask doesn’t spill and that you can easily access it while driving).

Sueciety: The Modern World’s Obsession With Going To Court

A key focus of my blog is Current Events. In today’s world there is an obsession with suing one another and taking each other to court. It makes for unique circumstances for everyone in society and it’s important to know how to navigate such conditions. The following contributed post is entitled, Sueciety: The Modern World’s Obsession With Going To Court.

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Being taken to court for something you’ve done wrong can be a worrying prospect. The people judging you won’t go easy on you because you’re nice or because they like you, instead being just as harsh with you as they would be with anyone else. This concern is something which has only been an issue for people over the last hundred years or so. Society has changed a lot in this time, and one of the biggest differences you will see is found in people’s willingness to sue one another.

What/Why Has It Changed?

In the past, it was far more common for people to settle disputes amongst themselves than it was for people to be taken to court. If you hurt someone or damaged their property, you would work it out between you, figuring out the best way to move forwards. Unfortunately, though, in a lot of cases, issues like this are often seen as a way to make money in the modern world.

Taking someone to court can land you with compensation, can save you from making insurance claims, and will give you the satisfaction of being right. Of course, though, it also causes a lot of problems in society. Suing someone will have serious consequences for them, and it can be all too easy to overlook this when you’re thinking about how you’ve been wronged.

The Problem With Suing In Society

The biggest problem which comes with suing people too much is one of trust. Members of a community should be able to trust one another, but the way that accidents tend to go in the modern world make it hard for people to follow this route. Instead, it’s easier to install dashcams, have a team of attorneys waiting to help you, and be ready to claim that you’ve been wronged than it is to simply trust one another.

Of course, though, there is another side to this. As more and more people are relying on court to solve their differences, it’s becoming increasingly common for scammers to take advantage of this. People cause accidents on the road in hopes of getting compensation, and some will exaggerate the pain they’re suffering with when they find themselves hurt by someone else.

Protecting Yourself

It’s getting harder to make sure that you’re safe from issues like being sued. More and more people are relying on this method to get their own back, and this means that you may need professionals like a personal injury lawyer to help you out if you ever find yourself causing or being on the receiving end of an accident. Alongside this, it’s also worth thinking about the activities you perform in daily life. If there is any risk that someone else could get hurt, you need to be far more careful than usual.

Having evidence of your innocence can help a lot in these cases. Dash and action cameras can help you when you’re out and about, and taking photos after an accident will also be a very good idea. Of course, though, it will still be best to try and stay out of trouble altogether. Cameras can be a double-edged sword; they will provide evidence in any case, whether you’re the innocent party or not.

Should You Sue?

Choosing to sue someone or take them to court is a big decision. This could have a dramatic financial and professional impact on the person you’re taking to court, and this makes it worth thinking about what you stand to gain in comparison to this. It’s not worth ruining someone’s life to get your hands on some money. Alongside this, though, if an injury or accident impacts your life in the long-term, it’s not fair for you to have to live without the income you would have had. This makes it difficult to decide whether or not to sue someone, and means that you should work hard to make a fair choice when going down this path.

With all of this in mind, you should have a better idea of the impact of suing in modern society. It’s easy to let this sort of thing take over your life, and a lot of people find themselves looking for reasons to take people to court. Of course, though, you always have the option to do it the old way, working through issues with words rather than legal threats.

Four Ways To Secure Your Office Building

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Whichever type of business operation your running, one of your top concerns should be security. If you have an office building, there are ways to secure it. The following contributed post is entitled, Four Ways To Secure Your Office Building.

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As much as you may think your office building could never be compromised, it’s that laid back viewpoint that might end up causing it to happen. When it comes to the security of your building, it’s good to always look at how you can update and improve it to keep your staff safe and the workplace secure. Here are four ways to secure your office building.

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Install CCTV Surveillance

CCTV can be really handy to help you in a situation where your building has been damaged or broken into. Not only that, but it does help as a deterrence from any criminal activity a lot of the time. Depending on where your business is located and how valuable it is in terms of its financial value and worth, it’s important to have an extra layer of protection. CCTV is something that for many was not something people wanted purely because it felt like it was an invasion of privacy. However, in order to help stop crimes from happening and to deter anything bad from happening to the workplace, it’s good to have eyes on your property constantly, even when the office is closed. So invest in some surveillance where you can for the sake of your building.

Have A Lock Up Procedure All Staff Now

A lock up procedure is worth having written down as an official document and taught to all those staff members who might be responsible for opening up and closing the building. That might be a select number of people who are key holders, but it also might be for those who want, on occasion, to work later than usual or on the weekend. By having a document outlining the steps on locking up properly, you avoid anything from being left unlocked and being a potential danger. Not only that, but making sure all appliances are off and therefore there’s no fire risk is also important.

Invest In A Keycard Entry System

For the main entrance of your building, it can likely be a hub of activity for the most part. However, whatever layout your business is in, whether the entrance is attended to or not, it’s good to have an extra layer of security in the form of a keycard/barrier entry system. That way you know that no one can get in without a card or fob. You can get these easily from plastic-id.com, and it’s worth having in order to help protect your staff and any guests that are in the building throughout the day.

Hire Security

And finally, if you’re a company that has a significant amount of staff and is a business that’s known very well, it might be best to hire security. Having a doorman – or doorwoman – at the front entrance of your building can be good. That extra muscle might be something that’s needed to usher out unwanted guests and to just give more peace of mind to your staff.

Securing your building shouldn’t be something you ignore, so try to find ways to make it even more secure than it already is.

5 Tips On Moving To A New Country

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a major portion of that is planning. Few things are bigger than a move, and especially moving to another country. Don’t underestimate the steps needed when considering moving to another country. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Tips On Moving To A New Country.

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So you’re packing up and heading out on a new adventure? Whether it’s for a new job or just for the fun of it, there’s plenty to organize before you get going. Creating yourself a check-list is a great way to ensure you don’t miss out any of your key tasks. To give you a good head start, remember these five tips.

1 . Organize your healthcare

When you’re planning to move to a new country, one of the most important things to do is do organize your healthcare. Research the logistics of the healthcare system, find out what the procedure to register with a doctor involves and look into the associated costs. Ensure that you have a good travel insurance package and are clued up on what it does and doesn’t cover.

2. Prep your important documents

You’ll want to prepare your essential documents well in advance so that there aren’t any setbacks. Check if your passport needs to be renewed, and apply for visas as early as possible. If you are moving abroad due to a new job, your employer may be able to help you to navigate the visa process or even front some of the costs, so it’s worth checking this.

3. Do your research

Before you arrive at your destination, it’s best to do as much research as you can. Find out which are the best neighbourhoods and which are the places to avoid. Familiarize yourself with any local customs, and find out which are the must-see places to visit, whether for sight-seeing, food or nightlife. Research the groups for fellow expats, using sites like Meetup, Internations and Facebook. When moving to a new place, it can be comforting to have a support network of those in a similar boat.

4. Practice the lingo

If you are moving to a place with a whole new language, get practicing the lingo early. The sooner you master the basics, the sooner you’ll feel safer and more at home. Apps like DuoLingo can be handy to get you started, or you could try investing in a face-to-face language tutor when you arrive. Either way, don’t put off this task as it will only become harder to build up your confidence.

5. Storage or shipping

Depending on your situation, you might like to put some of your larger items in storage. This can be particularly useful if you might be returning to your home country at a later date. If not, shipping services can be useful to move items such as cars, larger items of furniture, (or anything that you can’t fit in your suitcase)! When it comes to your vehicle, ensure that you choose the best Automotive Shipping Solutions. Look for a company with plenty of expertise and experience, to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

As with any big move, the trick is to get organized early. Choosing a new home and upping sticks is an exciting time, as long as you plan in advance!

How to “Wow” Your Clients Before They Even Walk Through the Door

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Sales and marketing are sciences. In many instances your sales are actually made before your customers come close enough to view your products and services in an up close and personal way. The following contributed post is entitled, How to “Wow” Your Clients Before They Even Walk Through the Door.

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You are always looking for ways to showcase your business and stand out from your competitors. If you’re operating a brick and mortar business, there are a number of things you can do to catch your potential clients’ eye before they even walk through the door. If you want to set your business apart, consider some of the following techniques that are bound to “wow” passers by from the get go.

Create an Excellent Exterior

The outside of your building is arguably more important than the interior. If you’re selling a product or service inside your store, you want people to stop in their tracks and walk in. If you haven’t started on the construction of your business building yet and need a crane for hire, you might want to think about how you can create an eye catching exterior. Consult a reputable architect for design ideas and your new building will soon look outstanding from the outside.

Image from Pexels – CC0 Licence

Have Brilliant Branding

You can make sure your potential clients and customers know exactly what your business is all about before they even step through the door. Your brilliant branding techniques need to be clear, concise and consistent. Think about the colors, fonts, words and logos you use to promote your brand. Consider what your ideal client would find attractive and appealing and roll with these ideas first and foremost. Branding is all about diving deep into the mind of your ideal client so make sure you carry out plenty of market research to validate your ideas.

Create a Strong Social Media Presence

If you build up a strong brand reputation before anybody even steps into your store, you are already in an amazing position. Your social media presence is so important as it will be ingrained in your ideal client’s mind if you do a good job. Spark up conversations with people who you know will visit your store and make sure you leave a long lasting impression on them. Also, make sure that your social media branding and your store branding is consistent across the board.

Ensure Excellent Customer Service

When your communication is excellent both before and after you come into contact with your ideal client they are guaranteed to come back for more. A lot of people admit to boycotting certain brands because they had a terrible experience with their customer service in the past. Don’t let your communication let you down before your client even parts with their money!

As soon as you implement these tried and tested strategies you are going to see such a huge shift in the way your business is perceived from the outside. You don’t need to make huge, expensive changes in order to see the difference. All you need to do is assess what your ideal client is looking for. From stunning signage to a beautiful building, it’s time to blow your clients away from the moment they come into contact with your business.

How the Internet Has Changed The Way We Learn

Two of the focuses of my blog are General Education and Technology. The internet has been a game changer on several fronts. Having information and the ability to conduct business with the click of a mouse has created a whole new world. One of the most significant ways it’s changed the world is in the realm of education. The following contributed post is entitled, How the Internet Has Changed The Way We Learn.

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Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash

For better, or for worse (mostly better), the internet has changed the way the world learns. Today, if we don’t know the answer to something, the majority of us will reach for our smartphones and ask Google. We are used to having information at our fingertips. Technology has changed the way we view and consume knowledge, allowing those outside the formal education structure the opportunity to learn.

Not only has the internet given the power of knowledge to everyone, but it has also changed our traditional schooling systems too. With an array of tools and technologies, students can enjoy a richer, more engaging experience.

#1 It Allows For An Immersive Experience

Knowledge is no longer simply words on the page of a textbook. Students can learn through webinars, videos, podcasts, virtual reality, and other interactive learning materials. In their blog ‘How To Enhance The Learning Experience With QR Codes’ Flowcode state that this is “a way to approximate an augmented reality experience for students”.

This interactive experience is great for encouraging learning in those that might not respond to a more traditional, book-based approach.

#2 Knowledge Is Not Just For The Privileged Few

Access to learning is now open to everyone with an internet connection. Institutions have recognized this and the rise of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) like EdX and Coursera has been huge over the last 10 years. Now, you can take courses from the likes of Harvard, MIT and the London School of Economics with no qualifications, and no tuition fees.

Online learning of this nature is gaining traction as a valuable addition to a resume when it comes to employers.

#3 Research Is A Lot Easier

Researching and revising is now a lot easier, instead of spending hours in the library, combing through books, you can now turn to the internet. Over 90% of students questioned said that they use Google to help them with their assignments. As long as the information we’re getting is from a reputable source (and not just Wikipedia), then it is a great tool to find accurate information quickly.

#4 Improved Communication & Engagement

The flexibility of blended learning means that students can communicate with their teachers and peers much more easily. If you’re absent from the classroom, you can catch up with the resources online or talk with your classmates about assignments.

By not being so focused in a classroom environment, it gives the opportunity for those people who have a different learning style, a chance to still be involved and not fall behind others. Similarly, if someone is suffering from health problems or cannot keep to a structured timetable, then they are still able to engage with the materials and other students and not be isolated.

The internet’s role in education is not without its pitfalls. For example, when it comes to book based research skills, or learning a topic in-depth rather than in bite-sized pieces on a web page. It has, however, overwhelmingly change the opportunities to learn and the ways in which we can access knowledge forever, and that can only be a good thing.