Q. How do I SUBSCRIBE to a BLOG? What is RSS? BONUS Computer Tool Suggestions

You can subscribe to a blog using RSS feed. If you aren't familiar with RSS feeds, then Google Reader is a great tool to start with. Subscribing to your favorite blogs and sites using Google Reader or Google Desktop keeps you posted on all of the latest at your favorite sites. You actually (or theoretically) save time, since all of the information is in one place in front of you.

My FAVORITE blog is LifeHacker.com closely followed by Consumerist.com. If you ever have to battle with Comcast, Verizon, or Dell – try the EECB (Executive E-mail Carpet Bomb) technique recommended at Consumerist.com – I had to use it with all 3 of those companies, and after hours wasted on hold and being transferred, I FINALLY had competent people CALLING ME to fix the problems; but I digress.

Somewhat off the subject of F-U-N-Training, but I believe it is a totally relevant topic since all of my clients use the internet to schedule sessions, etc.

Here are some computer tools I love (and I do not have any financial stake in any of them):

http://www.ccleaner.com/ -- a great tool to clean up your computer registry and unneeded files in order to SPEED it UP! FREE

http://www.defraggler.com/ -- Defragments your hard drive – MUCH FASTER than the MS Windows Defrag tool. FREE

http://www.mozilla.com – STOP using MS Explorer as your browser. Seriously, Mozilla Firefox is much more secure and a better product. FREE

http://www.roboform.com/ -- a safer way to keep all of those passwords and log – ins. FREE TRIAL

Given the security issues with Microsoft products, I prefer this to letting a browser "remember" my password.

http://www.clipmarks.com/ -- there may be better tools than this, but I LOVE that I can just CLIP and save a headline for future reference. Or, I can just clip and e-mail or print ONLY the part I want to send w/o all the extra garbage on the page.

*Norton 360 or MacAfee Security Center – You MUST have a COMPLETE and RELIABLE SECURITY software on your computer. BOTH OFFER FREE TRIALS, but then PLEASE be absolutely sure to PAY for your RENEWAL SUBSCRIPTION!!! I was just visiting in Florida, and I discovered my Aunt's computer was terribly slow, had no current anti-virus software, and was full of spyware. Norton now has a cool service, PC POWER BOOST, where a technician will log onto your computer remotely (with your permission) and make adjustments to your computer setup to make sure it is running as efficiently (fast) as possible. It's usually $69.99, but I received a special offer for just $29.99, which I think is a great bargain to have someone else get your computer in tip top shape. I HAVE NOT tried it yet, so be sure to check out all of the details for yourself. If the Special Offer link doesn't work for you, e-mail me, and I will just forward you the e-mail that they sent me.

 

Remember that children should NEVER be allowed to access the Internet unless they are CAREFULLY SUPERVISED. Internet Safety is a bigger issue than I have room or time for today, but be careful out there in cyberspace.

 

Independence Day -- Developing Independent Learners

INDEPENDENCE DAY certainly got me thinking about how important it is to remember that the ultimate goal of parents and teachers should always be to develop INDEPENDENT LEARNERS. UNLESS, that is, you LOVED the CO-DEPENDENCE of doing homework together this past school year -- complete with tears and frustration!

Ultimately, while some colleges MAY accept student / parent enrollment, most employers aren't hiring employee / parent teams! So, developing the ability to learn efficiently and independently is a requirement for more than making the upcoming school year more pleasant for all. LEARNING is a LIFELONG ENDEAVOR!!!

IF you've been caught saying, "WE were up (late last / all) night (doing homework / studying for a test / finishing the science project)", then you have a learner who needs to get started on the"JOURNEY to INDEPENDENT LEARNING". Developing an Independent Learner is a Journey -- NOT an instant process. However, once you have committed to the ultimate goal of INDEPENDENCE, YOU CAN GET THERE w/ effective short term goals and a comprehensive action plan.


The first step is to figure out EXACTLY "where the learner is" right now. Since this is the JOURNEY to INDEPENDENCE, we need to know our starting point as well as our ultimate destination. At F-U-N-Training, I determine that "starting point" by identifying the learner's strengths and weaknesses using a proven and comprehensive evaluation / assessment process: the Structure of Intellect / Integrated Practice Protocol ( SOI / IPP ) assessments and training programs developed by Robert and Mary Meeker and proven in over 30 years of use. The SOI / IPP tools enable me to identify both strengths and weaknesses in 27 Cognitive skill areas as well as evaluate visual and auditory processing, and sensory motor integration skills. When a comprehensive assessment is combined with parent and student interviews / questionnaires, I have a detailed map for our "JOURNEY to INDEPENDENT LEARNER", and I am ready to serve as CO-PILOT for the trip.

If YOU would like a map for YOUR LEARNER'S JOURNEY to INDEPENDENCE, please contact me immediately. I have just a few assessment appointments left in August, and THIS is not a journey to postpone.

The next steps involve working with parents to develop an action plan and working with the learner's classroom teacher(s) and school specialists to make sure that the learner's CURRENT needs are being met. These plans usually involve BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION, which is jargon to express the idea of rewarding the actions that we want to see more of.

We open the lines of communication with school personnel, so that we can track the learner's growth and make modifications to our action plan as necessary. While we may need accommodations to address CURRENT needs, our ultimate goal is always to REMEDIATE underdeveloped skills. True remediation / training of underdeveloped skills leads the learner to independence.

In future entries, we'll explore the use of Behavior Modification and how to develop a strong Parent - Teacher Partnership.

In the meantime, please check out my Parent Tips & Tools and Parent Resource List for lots of great learning activities your child could be doing RIGHT NOW!

Remember...
Learning is a Year-Round, Life-Long Endeavor!!!

Please Use Your Summer Learning Time Wisely : )