In today’s highly busy world, we hardly find the time to invest in quality reading. Browsing through the headlines and reading a two-liner gist on Social Media, is considered adequate to learn about events that are going on around us. Let alone the time factor, there are numerous benefits of Speed Reading that you did not know. If you are a bookworm or even a beginner, you should give this article a read.

#1 It is good for the Brain

Comprehending the verses of articles at top speed offers your brain the exercise that it needs, in order to stay agile. We’ve heard the common phrase which says ‘Use it, or lose it’. This is applicable to brain development too. Challenging your system to grasp the context speedily, will only enhance the information-receiving process of the brain and help with memory retention.

#2 Increases vastness of Knowledge

Normal reading is done at approximately 280 words per minute, while speed readers are capable of reading between 400-700 words per minute. Speed reading through an exciting novel allows you to finish cover-to-cover in less time, thereby making time for you to purchase new books and read some more. You now have a handy tip on how to accomplish your goal of reading 70-100 books a year and gain a mammoth of information!

#3 Improves Emotional Well-Being

Reading is an immersive experience, more like meditation. Unwinding with a good book after a long workday is the best way to calm down. Speed reading in a way improves your emotional well-being because your focus is on the text and other worrisome thoughts are out of the bay. Reading Eggs is an excellent Reading Platform for kids. It has a comprehensive library that helps children choose a book of their interest and read it via the app or purchase a physical copy. Thus, Reading Eggs is quite popular in the Middle East and other developed nations where such educative apps are given preference.

#4 Habit Forming

If you do an activity over and over again, it becomes a habit. Reading is definitely a good habit to follow and once you get addicted to speed reading, it becomes a part of your everyday routine. Enjoying the process will help you become a voracious reader and even be respected for it. Friends and colleagues will come to you for recommendations on the next best book to read, and it is a matter of pride, thereby giving you the confidence to follow your passion even more deeply.

#5 Solve Complex Problems

Challenges may come unannounced and finding a quick solution to a problem needs fast thinking. Reading Buffs who are already accustomed to speed reading are equipped to tap their subconscious mind and derive a resolution almost instantly. If you don’t want to let your life problems get overwhelming, start a Reading Eggs subscription in Dubai or across UAE regions, to get started on this wonderful speed-read adventure.

#6 Better Time Management

As already discussed earlier, the most common complaint is not having enough time to dedicate towards a profound activity like reading. Often there is an internal dialogue as to how much time should you allocate to reading a novel per day. Ideally, spending 30-45 minutes a day is enough, and being quite efficient at it, you will manage to complete a considerable chunk of the book, allowing you the time to focus on other mundane daily activities. If you reside in any of the GCC regions, you may even visit a library or opt to read while having coffee at a café. Either way, you can pause – read – and continue your day as usual, if developed the correct technique of rapid reading.

To conclude we would like to add, that don’t just be a reader, be a smart reader! Keep yourself motivated to read and create an impressive impact within your community by setting an example. Knowledge never goes to waste and the market is flooded with an ocean full of books out there. So, go pick one up and get reading!

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Good grades vs. average grades, we always compare our children to others and add to their stress of already having to deal with a lot in life. At the crucial age when children are growing & developing, they discover the world around them, form social connections, explore their individuality, and further have the pressure to perform well in School and meet the expectations of their teachers & parents. What if the student doesn’t like a subject, say Science? Why is he expected to score well in a subject that is not of his interest then?

The Grading System was initially introduced with the sole purpose of accessing the Academic Performance of students and how well they have been able to grasp the topics that were taught in class. The Education system relied heavily on the percentages, which led to extreme competition to outdo classmates and be amongst the top 3 rankers. Now the question to ask is, does your child’s brilliance in the classroom really translate into success in life later? The answer could be maybe, or maybe not. Well, definitely not, if the child is being put through negative emotions like stress and anxiety early on in life, just to get good grades in school.

However, if parents understand the statement that; ‘Grades are not the focus in School, learning is the focus’, then it becomes easier for the student and all other stakeholders involved.

Most students have a phobia of studying Math as a subject, however, now this can be resolved by trying Mathletics as a fun learning platform. It is recommended by parents in the UAE and students enjoy indulging in the interesting Math modules and access a variety of video content, to ease their fear of learning. Mathletics also supports teachers and home tutors by presenting an analysis of the student’s performance and altering the pace of topics, accordingly.

Through the Blog so far, we have concluded that a love for learning cannot be ignited by creating fear or excessive worry in the child. Freedom to explore and passion for the subject matter are important aspects to be tapped upon.

The traditional education system was centered around the child having to memorize a lot of topics and then presenting them in the exam by recollecting the answers to the questions asked in the exam paper. This exercise is misinterpreted by students, as they would rut the chapter and prepare well only during exam time to get through with flying colors, but later, forget what was learned. This means when a scenario arises in real-life to apply the concepts learned, the child would struggle to do so because he has already forgotten the essence.

Just recently, the IB or International Baccalaureate culture is picking up pace and many traditional educational institutes are moving from state boards to IB. In cosmopolitan cities like Dubai, where expats from all over the world migrate for work, the School culture is changing rapidly. Foreign students mostly drift to IB learning, as it is more hands-on and the focus is placed on learning and not mugging to get grades.

The IB curriculum focuses not only on the usual subjects like; Math, Science, Language, and Social Studies, but goes beyond to inculcate relevant subjects like Robotics, Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Music, and Computer Science, which is the need for the hour. Students even get to choose the Subject they like and drop one that does not interest them.

Apart from Academics, IB schools focus on making the student an all-rounder by enforcing the importance of the following skills; confidence building, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, and social responsibility All these real-life skills are extremely needed to survive and thrive in the digitally connected 21st-century world that we live in.

Students are encouraged to participate in seminars, inter-school competitions, and conduct presentations, for which marks are assigned. This allows the child to express his talent and earn rewards for it, versus writing boring lengthy exam papers by hand. In the Middle East alone, there are about 1,500 English-Medium schools that offer IB Diploma Programs. Since the curriculum follows such a holistic approach, College Universities are able to assess the child’s overall personality and capabilities, rather than just knowing their academic scores. If your child does well in IB, there are chances of easily getting-through top colleges not only in your region of GCC but globally, since the program is recognized all around the world!

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Mathematics has always been a daunting subject in schools in Dubai. But if you look at it with concentrated clarity, it is actually very easy and stimulating. Maths is for everyone and everywhere. You use it when you go shopping, to calculate dates as well as project financial profits for business houses, etc. Maths is a very important skill to have that we use without realising in our daily lives. Maths is a subject that is the foundation upon which other subjects are built such as physics, chemistry or, even advertising. You need this skill to pursue most other careers.

Maths is best done with a fresh mind and in a place where you can quietly concentrate. Once you have the basic principle right, you can do it anywhere and anytime. You will see the world around you with a mathematical eye. You will begin to see shapes in town squares and angles on buildings. A quick brush up with Maths every day improves your calculation skills, your memory and even reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Maths is such a subject that it requires you to practice it every day. It is not something that you can excel at by rote learning. You need to solve a variety of questions on each topic to gain command over the concept. It is imperative to understand where and how the equation was derived from. Maths has reasoning and logical application to solving it and understanding the derivatives makes it easy. Maths is a subject that builds upon the basics. Therefore, having a firm understanding of the key concepts becomes important before moving on to the next topic. Maths is hence called a sequential subject.

Today everything is available online and Maths is no exception. Tutorials, solutions and worksheets are all easily available with a basic Google search. There are also many games available online as well as on our phones that are related to Maths. Schools in the Middle East rely heavily on online platforms to supplement math practice at home and at school. Wowzers is transforming the way you learn maths with its powerful online platform. It allows the student to learn at his own pace, provides support when it detects that the student is struggling and guides them with feedback so that they have a better understanding of their progress. The Wowzers app is available on any device and can be linked so you can access it from anywhere. Its customised curriculum is mapped to both state and common core math standards. Its assessments provide trackable progress and support the student’s graduation to the next level. Wowzers busts the myth that maths is boring or scary with its engaging context and interactive programmes.

There are also many tutorial videos available online on various topics that explain the topics you find comparatively difficult to grasp. Watching these videos and writing down the core concepts and formulae is a great way to form muscle memory. Pinning up flashcards of these formulae on the board in front of you will help you to inadvertently learn every time you glance at it. GCC schools require students to make colourful charts with the basic concepts of maths and have them put it up where they are glanced upon daily to absorb the concepts. Being creative with visual aids also helps in eliminating the ennui that students sometimes feel when it comes to maths.

Taking the help of your teacher, parents or peers to clear doubts will eliminate struggling with concepts in the long run and make it easy and fun to learn as well. These are also the people who can help you to apply maths to real-life situations whether it is checking the restaurant bill with mum or calculating the income tax on your home loan with dad. In the UAE, splitting the café bill with your friends is the best way to learn percentages.

Maths is a subject best learnt by understanding the root cause rather than the solution. You can’t memorise it as every problem has its own uniqueness. But if you know the concept and its application then solving it becomes a breeze.

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The application of mathematics in the modern world is a complex and ever-changing field. In the Middle East, there are many businesses and governments that rely on mathematical expertise to make their decisions. Some of the most common applications of mathematical expertise in the modern world are in business, finance, and engineering. In business, mathematical expertise can be used to calculate financial ratios and statements, to analyse data, and to make predict future financial trends. In engineering, mathematical expertise can be used to design and build products, for data analysis, and to make predictions.

We have all found the subject of maths to be daunting and challenging. Despite its reputation, mathematical skill is one of the most coveted skills due to its role in the modern world. We all use it in some form or the other. From paying for groceries to calculating a tip in a restaurant to building a smartphone; maths has found its way into every aspect of life.

Mathematics has made a significant contribution to the study of climate change by allowing researchers to better comprehend the Earth’s climate and the impact of global warming. It helps in understanding the dynamics of the Earth’s natural systems concerning infectious diseases, their origins, their spread and control.

In the GCC areas, Maths is also part of Social Studies as it helps in exploring the social dynamics of the country and helping to identify income inequality and political polarisation. Using mathematical data they can identify underlying patterns and predict future trends more accurately.

The world as we know it today, would not be possible without maths. It aids us in problem-solving and critical thinking – two very essential skills in today’s technology-powered generation.

Schools in Dubai believe that learning maths opens up a world of opportunities. It is basically the foundation of many fields such as science, engineering, economics, and computer science. It is extremely relevant to the current school curriculums and being deficient in mathematical skills means underperforming in other subjects as mentioned above too. This would translate into limitations when it comes to future employability.

Maths is the foundation of almost every subject. Every aspect or form of mathematics such as algebra, complex numbers, trigonometry etc., influences our lives every day. You will always see an influence of the same in the field you work in, be it in medicine, meteorology or cryptography etc. Astronauts use it to determine the probability of life in outer space, statisticians rely on data to predict population trends and accountants use it to determine whether a company is doing well or making losses. Being proficient in maths opens a lot of doors for job seekers.

Without mathematics, the world would not have made the giant strides it has made today as it is crucial to understand the natural world as well. Maths describes the behaviour of particles and waves, the flow of fluids, and the dynamics of complex systems.

To assist in easier comprehension of this intimidating yet crucial subject, many schools in the UAE offer STEM learning which focuses on individual learning styles and interests. STEM courses develop children’s cognitive abilities and facilitate quick problem-solving. They are working towards their goal of ensuring that every student graduate is tech-savvy and STEM-literate. Recognising this, Blake E-learning along with 3P Learning created Mathletics which is the perfect early learning maths program to form a strong base for math students. It is convenient to use as it syncs with all your devices and hence you can use it anywhere at any time. This platform offers a personalised path with downloadable worksheets and a self-paced curriculum. Enjoyable characters and lessons use real-world examples and escort you through your learning journey while providing immediate assessments and reports so you are aware of your progress.

So if you have not signed up with a maths tutor yet, then do it right away as Maths is one skill that you cannot be without.

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In this day and age, data is as precious as Gold! Corporates, educational institutes, research centers, and government bodies store information that is used for various operational purposes. A programmer combines his knowledge of coding and uses data analytics skills to make sense of the data. Private and confidential track records of employees and secret strategies of organizations, together make it a risky affair to have your data leaked. What if some mischief-monger wants to get access to the information and use it against you? What if the system shuts down and there is no chance of reviving old data?

Because of all these reasons, it is immensely important to handle data with care and this is possible with the advent of Data Security. As already stated earlier, data is the company’s most valuable asset, and protecting it from cyber threats is the first responsibility of any firm, which may not necessarily be a software company. 

There are different types of cybersecurity, so let us understand each one of them in detail:

#1 Cloud Security

We have heard this fancy term ‘cloud’ maybe a dozen times before, but what does it actually mean? Well, the cloud is linked to data that is stored in large cloud servers, across data centers located remotely. So, one can borrow cloud storage from tech giants such as Google and Amazon, to run your company in the UAE. Cloud computing is associated with cloud storage, which means, IT professionals need not set up a physical data center service, but pay for usage of a third-party cloud provider, as and when needed. Think about it this way, now that you are trusting another cloud company to store your valuable information, but not using insurance or protection for it! This isn’t advisable at all. A cloud strategy includes solutions, policies, and protocols, to help protect an organization’s cloud project (applications, data, infrastructure, etc.) against attack.

#2 Network Security

Network security is another type of cybersecurity that keeps theft at bay! For individuals, their financial data and for corporates data related to accounting and finance, can all stay secured thanks to advanced network security. Some illegal hackers try to get into your system and leak data to their advantage, but network security acts as a shield or a barrier that makes it impossible to crack the password. Advanced network security has many sub-layers which are associated with terms such as; Data Loss Prevention (DLP), NGFW (Next-Generation Firewall), IAM (Identity Access Management), and NAC (Network Access Control), amongst others. This ensures safe usage and hassle-free recovery. Various Next-Gen Antivirus software such as Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR), are available in the market, which does the job just right.

3 Endpoint Security

Endpoint security is a way to secure the end users by making sure their devices such as laptops and desktops are protected. This security is possible with data and network security controls, and threat prevention techniques. Anti-phishing and anti-ransomware, are major focus points for endpoint security

#4 Security of the IoTs (Internet of Things)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the most talked about technology these days. IoT makes things talk to each other with the help of the internet. Cars, and home application devices that have become popular in Dubai, are all powered by IoT to increase productivity. These devices are vulnerable to threats and to protect them, we need to use IoT security solutions. It prevents an attack from causing havoc and offers ultimate security in return.

From the above examples, we can see how a safe space is created to protect internet usage and data authenticity. These security features must have been developed by some genius. Usually, Coders and Cyber Security Experts create this software and sell it to the audience at large. These days everything is possible with coding and without having appropriate coding skills, one feels lost or left out. So, starting young, Code Monkey is an excellent platform available in the GCC regions and all across the Middle East to introduce coding to kids as young as 4+ to 14. Students get to work on projects and learn real-time Java, Python, and CofeeScript languages via this platform. Its main features are; easy to use, fun & captivating, and rewarding experience. So, are you ready to catch Bananas for monkeys, while learning the essence of Coding to create unbelievable Cyber Security products for the future?

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Math phobia is as real as it can get! Children are paranoid about numbers for some reason, and to top that, if the Math teacher doesn’t make the lessons fun, it may get boring to study the subject. But how can Schools make a subject like Math interesting? Well, there are plenty of teaching aids available today, thanks to the creativity and inventiveness applied.

We bet your child would change his statement from ‘I hate Math’ to ‘I love Math’ as soon as you introduce these new teaching techniques to them. Hands-on learning is so much more fun and if backed by fancy material, while learning becomes a piece of cakewalk.

Here are some Math related Teaching Aids for Students;

#1 Number Rods

These alternate red and blue rods are spotted on most shelves in Montessori environments. How exactly do they work? Well, number rods are particularly enjoyed by children of ages 4 years and above. At the time when students are still learning to master their motor skills, number rods serve dual purposes of teaching kids Math, while enhancing their grip. These teaching aids, come in a set of 10 number rods. Now ask the child to pick up the smallest rod which is like a red block piece. Place the rod on the mat and say this is one! Take another rod which has 1-red and 1-blue, place it on the mat and say, this is two, and so on. This continues until 10 is reached. Test the child by asking them questions like, show me 5, now show me 7. Isn’t this an excellent activity, plus, learning method! If you need a break from number rods, try out the Mathletics platform that provides digital Math resources in a game-like manner to entice students to spend time on their tabs more productively.

#2 Abacus

This one’s a classic Math manipulative used since quite a long time. The colorful beads on rods makes for a pleasurable experience for learners, as they perform multiplication. Instead of making a huge multiplication table from 1 – 20, simply use an abacus this time and try out how well it works. The beauty of using an abacus as a teaching resource is that, easy multiplications 2×2 and difficult one’s like; 16×19, are both done with ease, thanks to the easy trick of counting beads, staking them, and sliding them appropriately, to get the answer. Awesome, isn’t it!

#3 Spindle Box

Learning to count is a lot more fascinating with the Spindle Box. Wondering what it looks like? Well, imagine a shoe box having sections and each is numbered from 1-9. The box comes with wooden dowels (or rods) and the child has to count them and place them appropriately in the correct compartment. Example; count 5 dowels and place them in the box that is numbered 5. The Spindle Box is easily available online on Amazon or any education toy store or stationary shop in Dubai and GCC regions.

#4 Numbers and Counters

If you’ve played poker, you would know what chips are. No, these are not edible! Chips are like round coin-sized discs and they are to be sorted correctly to perform Math functions. The kit comes with square wooden blocks, each with a different number on them. Now, children are asked to do different Math calculations. For example (place wooden block 9 x (multiplication sign) and wooden block 7). So, find the answer to 9 x 7! The child takes the round chips and places 9 chips under 9 and 7 chips under 7 and then multiplies 9 by 7 times, to get the answer. At the end, the child places 63 as the number which is the correct answer. Hands-on tools are such a cool way to get students involved, and thus most IB schools that follow the modern STEM curriculum in the Middle East, make use of tangible teaching aids.

#5 Golden Bead Box

This is among the most favorite material for students and teachers. That’s because the learner can easily grasp numbers as big as 1000 digits with the help of this compact kit. The kit comes with golden beads which are tied to each other. So you have a single golden bead, a stick of 10 golden beads, a square of 100 golden beads, and a cube with 1000 golden beads. It becomes so easy for children to understand visually that the 10 stick is made of 10 individual 1’s put together and the 100 square is made out of 10 sticks (having 10 beads each), such that 10 x 10 = 100). The 1000 square is decoded by telling students that there are 10 squares (having 100 beads) tied together, such as (10×100=1000). Nothing can beat the Golden Bead Box! So simple, so efficient, and super intriguing to play with. You can even purchase this set for home tutoring purposes, as it is shipped and available across the UAE.

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