How To Flatten A Penny

My son slipped a penny in the slot, cranked the machine, and turned his (or was it mine?) penny flat. He can't spend it now, but who uses pennies these days? We have drawers full of them. Watching him made me think of Thomas Friedman's book, The World Is Flat: A Brief History Of The Twenty-First Century (an easy recollection since I was reading the book).

Friedman writes for the New York Times editorial department. He has written Longitudes and Attitudes and The Lexus and the Olive Tree. The World is Flat completes a trilogy that validates Marshall McLuan's maxim, "We now live in a global village...a simultaneous happening."

Friedman makes global observations with wise criticism and keen understanding. For example, listen here to Friedman talk about the Iraq War, "If you don't visit a bad neighborhood in a flat world, it will visit you, " and it did.

11/9 and 9/11

 I won't give away the entire content of Friedman's book. I couldn't do it justice, and it is too long (471 pages). I will tell you that two events hinge the world for Friedman. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the rise of Windows95, and the fall of Windows on the World. Oddly, the first happened 11/9/1989 and the last 9/11/2001.

Finding Flat Pennies

 The world is flat because nothing is proprietary. What can be made, learned, constructed, and used in America can be made, learned, constructed, and used almost anywhere. Information and innovation are not constrained; the Internet, the cell-phone, and imagination have global instincts. Almost anyone can flatten a penny.

What a flat world means to your investment choices

 Friedman does not address foreign investing. He emphasizes collaboration between scientist, analysts, researchers, academics, and corporations. I encourage you to read the many examples of outsourcing, insourcing, and infosourcing articulated by Thomas Friedman. If we are to maintain a viable international presence, we must involve ourselves with other nations, their betterment, and our mutual benefits

We can make one keen observation. Investments are not ethnocentric. Intelligence is not either. Every investor must accept a future that involves opportunities in China, India, and Singapore (oriental not occidental). American companies scramble for this opportunity; the Congress and the President should avoid quasi-protectionist acts.

My Son Must Do More Than Flatten Pennies

Fortunately, he does! While doing homework, he types messages to his classmates (discovered girls recently). I told him, "When you spend time sending messages, a young man your age in China or India is working on his next math problem. He is your competition." Americans are not entitled. Encourage and warn your children and grandchildren.

"The flattening of the world is moving ahead...nothing is going to stop it. But what can happen is a decline in our standard of living, if more Americans are not empowered and educated to participate.... This is not a test. This is a crisis, and as Paul Romer has so perceptively warned, 'A crisis is a terrible thing to waste'" (The World Is Flat, page 305f).

A Singapore math article by Dougles Chan - Search Engine Guru - The best SEO company in Singapore and globally. Contact Dougles Chan @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to dc@dougleschan.com for more information on how to make your website to be the top in Google.

Top Student Loans - 5 Things to Look for

Getting a student loan is a great way to finance your education, but not all student loans are created equal. Here are a few things to look out for.

1. Check the Repayment Schedule

When do you need to start repaying your student loan? Some student loans allow you to start repaying your debt 6 or even 12 months after graduation which gives you a nice buffer to find a job. Others require you to start paying the loan back as soon as you graduate and other don't even allow that long. Make sure you know exactly when you are expected to start making payments on your student loan.

2. Interest Rate

It might seem obvious but make sure you have a student loan with a reasonable rate of interest. If you are not sure, then compare the interest rate of the loan you are considering to any of the federal student loan schemes such as the Perkins loan or Stafford loan, as they usually have quite reasonable interest rates. Don't pay too much for you loan as there are many loan providers out there and they are all competing for your business.

3. Look for "Fees"

Many private student loans will have types of fees attached to them. You need to take the cost of the fees into account before agreeing to the loan, because this can greatly influence the cost of the loan. Be sure to do the maths with the fees included to make sure the ensure amount is within your budget.

4. Compare!

If you can get better loan conditions with another lender, then don't be afraid to try bargaining with other lenders to see if they can match those conditions. It may not work all the time, but it will occasionally get you better conditions with private lenders.

5. Extras

Does your loan come with an extra credit line or maybe a student credit card? This is a trap! Don't do it. Borrow what you need, but don't be enticed by such bonuses as they can easily leave you up to your eyeballs in debt. Don't be persuaded!

As with anything in life, you need to do your own research for student loans, but with a bit of diligence, you should be able to get exactly what you want and need.

A Singapore math PR article by Dougles Chan - Search Engine Guru - Best SEO companies in Singapore and globally.

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How To Teach To Different Learning Styles

If you are trying to figure out how to teach "the difficult child", this article is for you. You see we all tend to teach in the style we like to be taught. But that may not be working for the child. The Guardian personality, and the Idealist tend to want to please parents and teachers.

 However the Rationales and the Artisans (hands on learner) are not so inclined. Lets take that statement applied to each of the basic four personality types.

The Guardian Child (40 to 45% of the population)

Most teachers are of this personality. As a result, the majority of the curriculum and classrooms are designed for this learning style. So they usually do well in school, and respond to "school in a box", or "School At Home" type curriculum.

They like workbooks, flash cards, and will sit patiently waiting for instruction from figures of authority. These children are usually well organized, and are eager to help. Little personal notes of appreciation, stars on their papers, and fancy sticky figures encourage the Guardian child.

As long as parents and educators show these children appreciation, these children rarely become "difficult". But they are deeply hurt by lack of recognition for their efforts to help, and will often refuse to continue such efforts if appreciation is withheld.

The Artisan (Hands On Learner - 38% of the average classroom)

These little ones are highly active, and are eager to learn as long as it is accomplishing something. Workbooks, and long periods of sitting still are a disaster for them. As a result, they are often misdiagnosed as having learning disabilities, seen as "difficult children", and are the most likely to drop out of school as soon as possible.

They respond to hands on learning, competition, discussions, and prefer visual learning over verbal. Learning disguised as games are excellent for these kids. But they also learn from experience. Fore example:

• A trip to the grocery store can become a lesson in weighing, and math.


• Building a birdhouse or a club house can become a lesson in measuring, drawing, reading (directions) and geometry.

The Rational Child (6 to 12 % of the population)

These young ones are full of questions, not to annoy adults, but simply because it is part of their natural desire to know. Like Einstein, who was a Rational, they are often late bloomers... They often learn their phonic sounds (through games... not flash cards), but usually not ready to read at "grade level" until around third grade.

Like the Artisan, they learn from games, and from doing things, but for a different reason. You see, the Artisan must see a purpose behind the action, while the Rational simply wants to know how it works.

They are often not eager to review something they already know, and see no need to prove to others they know something they already know. Testing, certificates, and stars on their papers makes little sense to them. They can become very stubborn if they think someone is trying to manipulate them into doing something that makes absolutely no sense.

Most children are willing to participate in activities not to their liking as long as they know you acknowledge and appreciate their way of learning. So here is an example of how I work with these children (elementary level).

• I teach the Rational child phonics and reading by using reading games.


• Reading to them regularly, and playing games like taking turns reading signs and words while traveling reinforces what they have learned.


• However when it comes to them reading at "grade level", Delayed Academics is almost always the outcome.


• I provide them a small notebook, and encourage them to draw and color whatever is fascinating them at the time. It might be dinosaurs, Star War Characters, men that are half machine, or their own creations. They are usually eager to tell elaborate stories about their drawings which I encourage. Eventually I encourage them to start writing their stories along side their drawings (helping them when needed).


• From the notebook, they learn to draw, color in the lines (a writing skill), communicate, and eventually writing skills. But I also use this activity as breaks between activities they are not so inclined to do. They are more willing to cooperate with me as ling as they know I recognize, and appreciate the way they learn. We all just want to be loved

The Idealist (12 % of the population)

The idealist is interested in doing "the right thing", and (like the Guardian) will follow the rules, but only as long as the rules serve the people. They will rebel if they perceive others are being harmed by an authority figure or their rules.

They are highly sensitive, and feel the pain of others. As a result, they will often let others win so as not to hurt them. When I play learning games with these children, I am quick to announce that everyone is a winner because they completed the task.

The Idealist learns best through discussion, and role playing, but will adjust to various methods of teaching (Eclectic) as long as it is serving the people involved, and not perceived as cruel or exclusive.

Because of the diversity of learning styles in the average classroom, educators are often challenged, especially in large groupings. However if one uses the eclectic approach it is far easier than one might think. In so doing, it actually teaches the children to appreciate and recognize the different personalities which is essential to their future success.

A Singapore math PR article by Dougles Chan - Search Engine Guru - Best SEO companies in Singapore and globally.

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Creative And Fun After School Activities Your Kids Would Love

Parents want to engage their kids to a wide range of learning opportunities. Probably the most ideal time to pursue this is after school hours. Get them excited to learn and explore new talents that are not actually taught in a regular school curriculum. This can help them develop self- confidence and excel better in whatever they do.

No matter what they are designed to teach, make sure that the activities your child will do are fun and engaging. Keep in mind also that after a long day at school, most children are already tired. They will be able to pick up the lesson you are trying to teach them if the activity looks more like a play and not a classroom setting again.

Here are some creative after school activities that can help your child learn and enjoy more.
Art courses. Children are very creative. Their imaginations are beyond reach. Determine which area your child is most interested with and support him or her. There are many after school programs offering art courses like painting, acting, playing musical instruments, singing, dancing, drawing, writing and so on.

Understand other culture and learn a new language. Technology today has made it possible for people of different nations to exchange cultural ideas. There is a great opportunity to interact using another language. The love for history is deepened.

Explore nature and let them participate in scientific experiments of their own. The love for science is stressed through this kind of program. Some kids are excited to see how spiders make web under that green leaf. Others are interested in heavenly bodies and rocketry. Take them to outdoor activities like hiking, gardening and visiting science museums.

Get your child physically active. Involve them in sports, martial arts, dance party, yoga or other physical activities to fight obesity. You can also turn chores into exercise. Make exercise a goal for everyone in the family. Health and proper nutrition starts at home. Prepare healthy snacks together and present it creatively in a plate.

Instil a business mindset. Teach them how to budget their allowance. Allow them to plan, invest and save their own money. They will have a better understanding of the economy. Number skills are one of the best skills to acquire. While many kids deal with math anxiety, this can be overcome by learning math the fun way and letting them see its application in real life situations.

 Mastering math more effectively is possible through the non-traditional method of teaching that most tutorial programs use.

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The Making of a Teacher

Brandon McNair always wanted to be a teacher. When he was small he asked his mother if he could be a teacher when he grows up. Brandon had no idea why he wanted to be a teacher... there were no teachers in the family, or even in the family history.

Brandon has been sitting in the lobby of Highrise Hall for hours -- he and his luggage. He'd driven hours in blizzard conditions though the sky had been clear when he started out last night.

He sits patiently waiting to be processed into the men's dormitory of the prestigious teachers college he'd been accepted to. Brandon is no stranger to dormitory life... he grew up sleeping in the dining room of a once elegant, upscale railroad apartment overlooking a park.

There was no such thing as "Brandon's room" in the crowded McNair household. He shared the dining room with two brothers... 3 beds, 3 armoires, 3 small tables, and all the love in the world.
The dining room had an ornate, gas fireplace with a beautiful, green marble base and a huge window that flooded the room with light. The brothers could see forever from the lofty room. The sky was full of blimps, in those days -- You could see them until they were tiny specks on the horizon.

Brandon is a bright, humble young man from a large family who is leaving home and family for the first time to go away to college. His family pooled their finances to make sure he had a car to take with him.

As Brandon waits, the dorm administrators prepare a suitable room and roommate -- why they ultimately place a boy from New York City together with a boy from the Nevada desert is a mystery.

Timothy Dennis from Nevada listens to Glen Yarbrough sing... Brandon from New York listens to Charlie Parker play. They get on well enough. Brandon is studying to be an art teacher and Timothy, a math teacher. They have separate interests.

Brandon doesn't recall exactly when he first met Chris Charles but he ended up roommates with him after that 1st semester on campus. Chris is an exchange student from Central America... a very intelligence, very well liked, friendly guy.

They split the rent on a 2 bedroom apartment, walking distance from the school, and spend the next 3 years until graduation there. Chris was gone most time so Brandon and his girlfriend, Lorna, usually had the place to themselves.

Chris, Timothy, Brandon, Lorna, and most of the friends they'd made over the years donned cap & gown and graduated from the teachers college on a bright, beautiful, May afternoon... a brand new, fresh crop of teachers ready to take on the world.

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Educational Bingo for Teachers

Most teachers are always looking for challenging and engaging things for their students to do in class. Activities that encourage participation in class discussions, are always especially welcome. Ideally classroom activities will be fun too - which is one reason why games are popular - although of course we must never forget that the purpose behind all these activities is to encourage and assist learning.
However being interesting and educational is not enough by itself.

 An activity must also suitable to be adapted for different lesson plans, different ages of students, and, of course, different school subjects. Furthermore, in today's educational environment cost considerations must necessarily play a part: teachers are both unable and unwilling to spend money on expensive materials that can only be used rarely, or even just once.

One idea that is worth considering is bingo. The basic idea is to play the game using specially prepared bingo cards containing items related to the subject. For example, in a chemistry class you might use the names of elements, compounds or chemical processes. In a math class, you might use mathematical problems. In a geography class, you might use the names of countries, states, provinces, cities, rivers or mountains. And in a foreign language class, you could play bingo using words of French, German or Spanish vocabulary that students are learning.

The beauty of bingo is that you can adapt the game to almost any subject or age range of students. Additionally, you can play the game in a variety of different ways: you could play a "normal" game with the teacher as caller, you could have the teacher call out "clues" instead of the items on the cards, you could ask students to explain the items as they check them off from their bingo cards, or you could even have class discussions during the game after each item is called.

Bingo is also compatible with the cost restrictions that today's teachers must work under: you can simply print the bingo cards from your computer rather than sending off for expensive supplies. There are two main ways to do that: either you can download ready-made free educational bingo printables from the Internet (available on a variety of subjects), or you can purchase inexpensive bingo card printing software (which will allow you to print bingo cards on any topic, whenever you want).

Furthermore, if you find yourself playing bingo on a regular basis, you can even save on your printing costs - simply print once on to good quality paper or card, use the school's laminator on these, and when you play in class, students can put counters over the squares on the bingo cards rather than writing on them.

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What's Happened to Education? - One Teacher's Perspective, Part One

Three hours of English classes, two hours of math, and a P.E. class. How motivated would you be to do your best if you were 11 years old and this was your life five days a week, 10 months a year? Welcome to the world of public education as designed by No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and the designation of a Program Improvement School in California.

At the beginning of NCLB, each school was told what test score their students had to reach. After a few short years, that number began to go up each year. Every year the number is raised.

I'll bet you're wondering what's wrong with expecting students to become more competent. But, let me ask you if you (or anyone else you know) continue to improve at everything you do on an annual basis. And, are you expected to finally reach 100% competence in all areas of your life? The designation is based on one test given in arguably less-than-ideal conditions over a period of 2-4 days?

Do our law makers in Sacramento hold themselves to such a high standard? If so, how do you explain the financial disaster that is the states economic situation? But I digress.

Are you beginning to feel the concern so many California teachers struggle with on behalf of their students, your children? In competing for Federal Education dollars, we are doing our children a grave disservice.

To be fair, students who speak a language other than English have a third English class, ELD, if they don't score high enough on their entry CELDT test. Students who speak only English at home are not required to take the CELDT, nor are they required to take the ELD class. They end up with two English classes, the non-native English speakers have three.

My ELD students feel that they are being discriminated against because they have classes based only on their nationality. (Their take on the situation, not mine.)
It creates an unequal situation for the many students who have lived in the United States all their lives. Being a foreign language speaker is not their problem. Many of these students are poor readers, or have other learning difficulties. Most students see this as punishment, not extra assistance.

We were required to follow this plan last year and our scores went down. It does not create children ready and willing to sit for hours at a time taking a test the Principal and their teachers say is important. It isn't to them.

A Singapore maths article by Dougles Chan - Search Engine Guru - One of the best SEO companies in Singapore and globally.

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