How The Pomodoro Technique Can Help You
In a recent article, I touched on the Pomodoro technique as a means of being productive when it comes to revision over the Easter break. But, such a fleeting mention doesn’t do justice to just how useful it can be.
The What
The Pomodoro Technique is a strategy aimed at helping people who struggle to focus for long periods and have a short attention span. If you get easily distracted, the Pomodoro is definitely for you. Developed in the 1980s by a University student who struggled to focus on his studies and assignments, the Pomodoro Technique is a strategy for doing work in short stretches. Twenty-five minutes of focus broken up by five-minute breaks, with a longer break of 15-30 minutes after every fourth stretch. It’s a technique that’s applicable beyond revision and can be applied to how you work, manage tasks, and helps you completely remove procrastination as a problem—which is an issue many of us deal with, especially when it comes to those things we just don’t want to do. By breaking tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks to deal with systematically, that mountain in front of you is reduced to a series of steps. It makes you more efficient, mitigates distraction and ultimately makes you much more accountable to yourself.
The How
The Pomodoro Technique is designed to get work done while preventing the chance of overwhelm or the temptation of distraction. It works best with a bit of preparation and with a timer beside you (that timer should not be your phone, we’re here to remove distractions not add them). To prepare, make a list of the tasks or a single large task broken down into smaller ones. Assemble everything you need and remove anything you don’t. What you’re going to do is flip your perspective from sitting down for the long haul and instead stack a series of small wins through short bursts of focused work with breaks in between.
Once you’re ready, the process is fairly straightforward:
STEP ONE: Choose the task.
STEP TWO: Set your timer and work ONLY on that singular task.
STEP THREE: Once the timer goes off take a five-minute break. Stretch your legs, grab a drink, or check your phone.
STEP FOUR: Repeat steps one to three FOUR times.
STEP FIVE: Take a longer break of between fifteen and thirty minutes. Have some lunch, walk the dog or meditate.
Keep working through the steps like a cycle as you progress through your to-do list, and you’ll soon find yourself racing through it. It may seem deceptively simple, but that’s why it works. The idea behind this method is that the timer instills a sense of urgency. Instead of sitting back with the whole day ahead of you, finding ways to put off the work, time is turned against you. The breaks are there to help you catch your breath and not burn out.
If a task overruns, simply pick it up on the next interval, while if you have tasks that you know won’t take long at all, group them. If you have a sudden revelation of something that needs doing, simply make a note and add it to the list to do later, don’t ruin your momentum by diving into that task immediately. And of course, there are always moments of unavoidable interruption. Whether it’s a knock at the door or being informed of an important phone call, it’s not the end of the world. Simply take that break there, and then start fresh with a new interval from there.
What if you finish that task before the timer is up? Don’t call it early, use your remaining time to brush up further on whatever that task is. Research it more or go over what you’ve done; you’re focused on that particular topic at that moment so it’s important to keep that focus.
Things To Note
This technique isn’t going to change your life and solve all your problems, but it can be a huge help if used properly. With that in mind, it’s important to note that it doesn’t apply to everything and has its limitations. Long-form writing isn’t always the best for this. To really get into the flow of a piece, you do need longer to get the thoughts out of your head, so save the Pomodoro technique for research, editing and planning. Timing-wise, while the windows are relatively short, as you adjust to the technique it’s important to consider lengthening the windows of focused work. As your attention span and working mind adjust to it, you’ll likely find that the short windows begin to hinder more than help and longer stints will be more beneficial. Indeed, with that in mind, you might just come to a point where one day, you may not need it.
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What You Need To Know About AI: A Beginner’s Guide To What The Future Holds by Brian David Johnson
Artificial Intelligence is a bit of a big topic at the minute. A couple of years ago it was just a villain in science fiction, but now it seems like evil sentient robots are here and ready to take over the working world… and do your homework for you. For a lot of people it’s a scary topic because it’s something we see and hear about in the news and online but don’t understand what AI is. Is it really going to take over the world? Or is it actually going to help us achieve some really cool things? Well, artificial intelligence expert Brian David Johnson is on hand to help with his book, aimed at younger minds, What You Need To Know About AI. It’s a beginner’s guide to artificial intelligence, starting off with a very youth-friendly explanation of what it is (fortunately it is not a collection of sentient toasters looking to take over the world) and then dipping into what it can be used for and where it may help us in the future.
Reader-Friendly
As its title says, the guide helps you learn everything you need to know about AI, from how it helps us discover the epic stuff up in space or under the sea, to whether it will help you build your very own dinosaur, and why. It’s presented in short and easy bites of information, with some great little illustrations to go alongside. It’s not a big, long, boring essay full of words you won’t understand, but written in such a way that the understanding will come easily. You’ll probably understand things so well after reading it that you’ll be able to explain everything to somebody who’s never even touched a computer!
Over the course of the book, you’ll learn where AI came from, and how it’s already being used in the world of sport, space, medicine, animals and more. You will discover the amazing possibilities of AI, that might shape the future. Along the way, you’ll learn super cool facts, bust some myths, and gain a balanced and informed view on one of the the biggest topics of our time. Mixed in with it all is a message about how you can use AI positively and help engineer a better future. So if you or anyone you know is a little bit scared of what AI is, you can use this book to put those fears to rest!
Get Ahead Of The Trend
This book has been a great help to plenty of teachers across the world in understanding AI and is a great starting point for young, curious minds looking to the future and how the world might look when they’re older. It will be of great interest to those who might be thinking they want to work in computing or some other field of Science and technology when they’re older. AI will certainly play a an ever-increasing role within those sectors.
And no, artificial intelligence didn’t write this to try and fool you all. Prove it, you say? Chicken nuggets, Spider-Man. A robot wouldn’t write something daft like that now, would it?
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Nikola Tesla was a famed inventor best known for his work in developing the alternating-current (AC) electrical system and Tesla Coil. He was a brilliant but modest man who spoke eight languages and had a photographic memory. His inventions changed the lives for future generations; we can power our homes with just the flick of the switch, listen to our favourite songs delivered on radio waves and buy electric cars branded in his name. Yet despite these incredible achievements, Tesla has often been underappreciated for his work and spent most of his life in poverty.
The History Behind The Man
Nikola Tesla was born in Smiljan, Croatia (formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian empire) in 1956. Even before immigrating to the United States to start his career as an inventor, Tesla always aspired to become an engineer. His dreams were met with resistance from his father, a priest of the Eastern Orthodox Church, who insisted he follow in his footsteps. His mother, however, spurred on his interest in electrical devices and the world of invention; She herself invented small household appliances during her spare time. Nikola followed his calling and went on to study mechanical and electrical engineering at the Polytechnic school in Graz, Austria.
The Early Work Of Nikola Tesla
Tesla was constantly inventing. Even while working as a telephone line repairman, he would tinker around with the equipment and through this invented a precursor to the loudspeaker – although he never filed a patent for it. It was, unfortunately this lack of business acumen that affected his financial success throughout his life. In 1884, Nikola moved to America and started working with the famous American inventor, Thomas Edison.
Their working relationship was, however short-lived; Edison was a businessman who had strong ideas for developing his direct current (DC) and also took advantage of Tesla’s own designs and work. After helping Edison to overcome a series of engineering problems, Tesla was offered very little in the way of remuneration and was also refused a pay rise. Because of their personal and scientific differences, they parted ways after just a year of working together.
The Battle Of DC vs AC
Soon after his departure, Tesla went on to develop his polyphase system of AC dynamos, transformers and motors at Westinghouse Electric Co. Edison believed that DC was the future for electricity distribution – which at the time, was the standard form of electricity supply in the USA. Tesla however, believed that due to the difficulty DC had travelling long distances and its voltage inflexibility, AC would provide the answer by overcoming these issues. With the help of promotional events, including the illumination of the Chicago World Fair in 1893, Tesla finally convinced the nation to adopt AC electricity.
The Tesla Coil
On top of his other inventions, Tesla imagined a method of transmitting electricity around the world without the need for wires or cables. It was here that he unveiled one of his most important inventions – the Tesla Coil – a high-frequency transformer capable of creating a very high voltage at a low current. Early radio antennas were able to harness the ability of the coil, which could transmit and receive radio signals that were tuned to resonate at the same frequency. The coil was so effective that it is still used today in modern day radio technology.
Throughout his lifetime, Tesla had filed over 700 patents, although many of ideas weren’t brought to fruition. He made a profound impact in the scientific world and with his invention of AC electricity, helped Thomas Edison bring the electric light bulb to the masses.
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Trending: The Pursuit Of Viral Fame
In the digital age, social media has revolutionised the way we communicate, share, and connect with one another. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have not only changed the way we interact but have also given rise to a new phenomenon – the pursuit of internet mass-popularity. However, the quest for online fame and the addictive nature of trending social media have a dark side, impacting both individuals and society at large.
Concept Connotations
The concept of “trending” on social media is all about content that gains rapid popularity and widespread attention. It can be anything from viral videos, memes, challenges, or hashtags that capture the collective imagination of users. The allure of participating in or creating trending content is undeniable, as it promises a surge of likes, shares, and followers. However, this pursuit of virality often blurs the line between authenticity and sensationalism. In the race to generate the most buzz, individuals may engage in exaggerated behaviour, fabricated stories, or risky stunts. This can lead to the creation of misleading or harmful content, with the pressure to outdo oneself becomes a relentless cycle.
The psychological factors at play here are complex. Social validation, the thrill of instant gratification, and the desire for attention all contribute to this phenomenon. Seeing posts go viral, accompanied by the influx of likes and comments, triggers the release of dopamine in our brains – the pleasure chemical. This reinforcement keeps users glued to their screens, constantly seeking that next viral hit.
Trending Down
The dark side of social media trends also extends to the impact on mental health. The constant comparison to others’ highlight reels can lead to feelings of inadequacy, depression, and anxiety. The drive to maintain a curated online image can result in digital personas that are distant from our authentic selves.
Moreover, social media trends can quickly escalate into online mobs or cancel culture. A trending topic may lead to mass shaming or harassment, where individuals face public scrutiny and backlash. The consequences can be severe, including online bullying, job loss, and even legal action.
From a societal perspective, the overwhelming focus on viral content can often overshadows important real world issues and news. The attention span of users is becoming increasingly fragmented, making it challenging to address critical global challenges. This trend can create a shallow and sensationalist online environment, ultimately affecting the quality of public discourse.
Striking A Balance
The dark side of trending on social media is a stark reminder that while the digital world can be a source of connection and information, it can also be a breeding ground for sensationalism, inauthenticity, and mental health challenges. As we navigate this ever-evolving landscape, it is crucial to balance our digital lives with a healthy dose of scepticism and self-awareness, ensuring we don’t lose sight of our authentic selves amidst the allure of online virality.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a prominent 19th century British engineer, known for his innovative designs and outstanding contributions in the areas of railway engineering, bridge building and naval architecture. His lifetime’s work included the construction of twenty-five railway lines and over one hundred bridges. In a 2002 BBC poll for The Greatest Briton, Brunel came in second only to Winston Churchill.
Background
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was born in Portsmouth in 1806. Influenced by his father, a renowned civil engineer, he developed a keen interest in engineering and innovation from an early age. When he was 16, he joined his father’s engineering firm, where he gained significant experience while developing his methods and ideas.
As his reputation and talent as an engineer grew, so did his desire for larger projects. One of his great achievements was the design and construction of the Great Western Railway, connecting London to Bristol via a series of bridges and tunnels.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
As a young engineer in 1829, Brunel submitted a bridge design to a competition organised by a Bristol based wine merchant; he proposed a suspension bridge across the Avon Gorge. He won the contract, which became his first major commission, and construction of the Clifton Suspension Bridge (pictured) started in 1836. Due to financial constraints however, the project was postponed and much of the ironwork was sold off. It wasn’t until after Brunel’s death that the work was continued by his engineering colleagues, and it now stands as an iconic structure in Bristol.
Maidenhead Railway Bridge
In 1830, Brunel built the Maidenhead Railway Bridge, a crucial brick arch bridge that carried the Great Western Railway across the River Thames between Maidenhead and Taplow. This project presented several challenges; the location of construction had a variable water level and the soft riverbed made it difficult to build secure foundations. To overcome this, Brunel used cofferdams to work beneath the waterline.
Royal Albert Bridge
Expanding the Great Western Railway line into the southwest, Brunel came up with the design for the Royal Albert Bridge in 1841, connecting Devon and Cornwall across the River Tamar. Here, he introduced an innovative tubular design, featuring two main spans that incorporated large iron tubes. These helped support the railway tracks while minimising the bridge’s weight.
Chepstow Railway Bridge
Brunel designed the Chepstow Railway Bridge over the River Wye in 1852, which connects England and Wales. This unique bridge combines both suspension and tubular principles, using wrought iron chains and a horizontal tube to carry the railway tracks. Its construction demonstrated Brunel’s willingness to experiment with different bridge designs.
Brunel passed away in 1859 following a stroke at the age of 53. However, his engineering prowess, visionary thinking and bold approach to design left a lasting impact and today his achievements continue to be celebrated as significant contributions to British engineering heritage.
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The Emergence Of Influencer Culture In Education
The world has changed drastically in the last decade and the way people communicate and interact with one another is no exception. With the rise of social media, new forms of communication have emerged such as influencer culture. Influencer culture involves people with a large online presence, who have the power to influence the thoughts, opinions and behaviours of their followers. This form of communication has become increasingly popular due to its potential to reach a large audience and create an impact on society.
In the education sector, influencer culture is starting to shape the way students, teachers and school administrators interact with one another. For example, many universities and colleges are utilising influencers to promote their institution and create an atmosphere of excitement amongst potential students. Influencers are also being used to promote certain courses, create student engagement and encourage students to participate in activities such as sports, clubs and societies.
Developing Skills In Tech And Communication
In addition, influencer culture is being used to promote the development of leadership skills amongst students. Influencers are being used to deliver motivational speeches and seminars on topics such as communication and teamwork. This can help to cultivate a culture of collaboration and innovation among students and equip them with the skills necessary to become successful leaders themselves.
Furthermore, influencer culture is being used to help students connect with each other and with their teachers. They often engage with students and teachers through social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, creating a more personal and interactive learning experience. This can help to create a sense of community among students and foster meaningful relationships between students, teachers and administrators.
Finally, and perhaps most obviously, the culture of influencers is being used to promote the importance of technology in education. They can demonstrate the power of technology in the classroom, helping to show students how best to use it, promoting it as a tool, and equipping them with the skills necessary to stay ahead of the digital curve.
Trending Up
In conclusion, influencer culture is having a significant impact on the way education is being delivered. If used effectively, this culture will help to create an increasingly interactive and engaging learning environment that encourages students to reach their full potential.
Nobody knows for sure what tomorrow’s post-Covid work environment will look like, but there are several very likely scenarios…
- Economic Recession
- Remote working will remain the norm for the foreseeable future
- A move away from the traditional 9pm to 5 pm working hours
- Increased Use of Automation and Robots
- Reduction in jobs offering business travel or overseas assignments
- Traditional in face to face meetings; being replaced with email, chat and video technology
- Most business will be going through some form of digital transformation, with a growing demand for digital skills
- Increased use of green and sustainable transport methods
It is going to be a very turbulent time, but chaos is a ladder and young people (who tend to be hit hardest by economic slumps of this nature), need to become skilled climbers, able to exploit critical opportunities for both survival and success. I have outlined a few such opportunities below to help put you on the right path to career and personal success:
- Develop digital competencies or start offering digital services in light of the increased demand for those digital skills. The world is your oyster so start applying for remote jobs throughout the UK and the world (on sites like Flexjobs, Remote.co, Werk and so on), as demand for remote workers will only grow.
- Practice and be ready to perform well in video interviews and conference as digital communication will be crucial to future success.
- Develop a home-office or work-station so you can work efficiently at home in a remote capacity
- Become an entrepreneur. For instance, Pop-up restaurants and food stands may be in vogue as established high-street hospitality brands go into administration. Another example could be something influenced by Social distancing, or other new policy; the government is now more actively supporting a move to green transport and this has led to soaring bike sales, making a cycle shop or bike repair service a perfect start-up opportunity.
The working world is going through a period of transformation. Going forwards the qualities of agility and adaptability will be key to you getting a job and realizing your ambitions.
The term STEM refers to a group of subjects; science, technology, engineering and mathematics. All have their own branch subjects as well, such as chemistry and physics for science, and these are considered to be STEM fields also. Obviously, then, it’s an important area of study – but does that mean STEM subjects are the best to pursue, definitively? Are they popular? Are they completely superior to all other subjects in every regard? Let’s do some further investigating and uncover the truth of the matter!
Level of Interest
We can start with the most obvious way to gauge if something really is living up to the hype: determining its popularity. No one is disputing that STEM fields are vital, and each year many talented and innovative minds gravitate towards these areas. Every breakthrough society that has been has, in one way or another, stemmed (pun not intended) from the STEM arena.
But how has that interest fluctuated as time’s gone on? Well, using data from 2013 in a 2017 study, the University of Cambridge discovered that the most popular country for STEM study was actually Germany, with 36% of their students studying in these fields. Only 19% of students in the United States followed suit. The UK didn’t fare much better, as interest waned significantly in Information and Communication technologies, with a mere 9% uptake – a sure surprise in today’s digitised and computer-centric world. Clearly, these aren’t ground-breaking figures.
It could be said that, to some degree, more creative subjects attract a higher intake of students. Lifelong passions become moneymaking opportunities, and there could be greater room for working on things that are perhaps more universally cherished (music, performance, literature, etc). In any event, STEM subjects need a popularity boost!
Discrimination and Behaviour
Needless to say, any career path or academic subject that discriminates on any basis is far from being considered ‘superior’ at all. The aforementioned study from Cambridge regarding STEM subjects simultaneously revealed that there’s a huge gender disparity at the heart of these fields. More men sign up and study these subjects than women in a heavily disproportionate number.
Through a blend of crippling stereotypes and outlandish misconceptions, STEM subjects still fail to involve many women and girls the world over. This isn’t just a minor quibble, but a major problem festering at the heart of these fields, and indeed in other professional circles too. Still, it’s worth mentioning that the arts are practically open to all and are spearheading the movement for representation and equality in all its forms.
A lot of snobbery and antagonistic behaviour can originate here too, so from an attitude and behavioural standpoint, things definitely need to improve. Some might see the unforgiving nature of the STEM field as a process of elimination in ‘weeding out the weak ones’, but frankly, that’s not an entirely helpful or welcoming culture to promote. It’s worth noting that not everyone in the STEM fields subscribes to these attitudes, but on a whole, some changes need to be made.
Job Availability
STEM subjects typically lead to better job prospects. There’s no way around this; the breadth of practical knowledge students acquire in these fields is astounding. The job market is always demanding graduates with these skills, offering great career enhancing opportunities for those who’ve gone down this route. Few STEM graduates will have a hard time finding work.
Should they fail to find a role that suits them, some of these graduates then strike out and launch their own start up tech businesses instead. In that sense, it’s far easier for them to create their own opportunities too, due to the plethora of knowledge they have at their disposal. Admittedly, some creative graduates could likely follow suit and start their own firm depending on their skills, but many of them unfortunately get stuck in a rut after graduation day and find themselves unemployed or being overqualified for the jobs they’re in.
Rate of Pay
Students who enrol on STEM courses will also have an easier time in securing a high rate of pay. The skills they learn are highly specialist, and the jobs themselves often involve enormous amounts of responsibility. While the arts are fulfilling in their own way and pay ludicrously well for the lucky or famous few, it’s the STEM fields that truly change the world with each passing day. Consequently, the pay in these areas skyrockets accordingly.
Unfortunately, it tends to be quite the reverse for those in the arts. Reportedly, arts graduates cost the taxpayer £35,000 each, simply because countless art graduates never earn enough money to pay back their student loan in full. Obviously, this is a rather concerning discovery, and means that many people enrolled on a creative degree won’t ever earn a truly impactful wage. In fact, numerous art graduates end up earning less than non-graduates, who spent those three years pursuing a career through alternative means.
Of course, pay isn’t everything. What’s more important; having a big house and a nice car or feeling a sense of enjoyment, happiness and pride in every piece of work you produce? It all comes down to perspective. Some STEM workers absolutely despise what they do but do it for the pay, whereas those in the arts sometimes earn very little but adore their passion. Still, it can’t be disputed that, on average, STEM workers do earn more.
Conclusion
It does seem to be the case that STEM fields offer more room for career progression and higher earnings. However, these perks are mostly available to men. Once some of the snobbery fizzles away and more equality arrives in the field, STEM will be deserving of the respect and admiration its enthusiasts already believe it has.
Education is constantly evolving. Billed as one of the fastest growing tech markets in the UK, our schools collectively spend more than £900 million a year on education technology, or edtech as it’s commonly dubbed. Neither does the sector show any sign of slowing down.
Curriculums change through the years, and with them the means of presenting their educational content to school pupils. We’ve already seen chalkboards exchanged for interactive whiteboards and projectors, and textbooks largely swapped out for laptops and computers. We’re all familiar with these developments, but ground-breaking progress continues to be made.
On October 16th, 2018, the BBC published a report on a parliamentary meeting that served as a landmark event for technology in education. Based at Middlesex University, a robot named Pepper sat down with MP’s to discuss the impact that robotics and artificial intelligence have had on education, and how things could move forward in the future. While all the questions and answers were predetermined, the main thrust of the conversation with Pepper was to encourage a blend of technology and human oversight, rather than replacing one with the other.
This merger focuses on viewing technology as something that is of service to teachers and pupils rather than something to be subservient to. An LSE study has already proven that banning smartphones in schools significantly improved results, but the question worth asking is; can technology be repurposed for education’s sake?
Though robotics and AI are being introduced to the learning environment, for now they largely handle the more administrative tasks in the schooling arena. For example, they’ll record test results or manage student data. That said, the robot Pepper facilitated duties in front line learning too, such as aiding special needs children with their numeracy development. Clearly, this edtech is all of enormous help to teachers, who have been notoriously overworked for years, resigning and even falling ill from the stress of their exploited roles.
An App called Kahoot! has also made waves amongst school pupils both in the UK and the US. It allows teachers to create their own digital games that their pupils can access through the app, enhancing their learning through a fun use of technology. The app had a recorded 50 million monthly users in June 2017, which shows just how quickly edtech can gain traction in popularity. Under teacher supervision, apps enable the learning experience to become exciting and interactive in a way that textbooks, unfortunately, can’t be.
To some degree, edtech allows children to have a more prominent hand in their education. It gives them greater agency in terms of not only what they learn, but how they learn it. Technology is something that young people are very familiar with, and that same familiarity can spur their engagement in the classroom. Edtech use means that learning becomes a less passive experience; pupils can now get involved using their screens, instead of listening to teachers monologue in ways they can’t fully comprehend.
