How Are Headaches and Stress Connected

How Are Headaches and Stress Connected Stress Management Effects on Health Print How Are Headaches and Stress Connected? By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN on February 01, 2020 Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, is an award-winning physician-scientist and clinical development specialist. Learn about our Medical Review Board Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN Updated on February 18, 2020 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Getty Images If stressful events seem to give you a headache, youre not alone. Many people suffer from headaches that appear to be triggered or exacerbated by stress. But is there a real link? and if so, what is it? Heres what you need to know. Are Headaches Caused by Stress? Many people may wonder if headaches are a direct result of stress. The answer is yes, no, and maybe. Stress can cause many headaches and they can exacerbate others. However, knowing the type of headache you are dealing with can help you to know if stress is a trigger, a contributor, or simply a by-product of the type of headache you are experiencing, so you know the best ways to focus on pain relief and prevention. While some headaches are blamed entirely on stress, there can be other factors at play as well; likewise, some headaches can be blamed on a predisposition to headaches when stress can be a primary trigger. In all cases, it helps to understand more about the nature of the headaches you are experiencing and their relationship to stress. There are three different types of headaches, two of which are not caused primarily by stress, and one that may be: Migraine Headaches: Headaches associated with migraines can be severe and even debilitating, and can last from four to 72 hours.?? These headaches are usually on one side of the head (unilateral) and worsen with daily activities like walking around. There can be nausea or sensitivity to light and sound involved, and sometimes an aura. They are not thought to be directly caused by stressâ€"sort of. While the National Headache Foundation (NHF) states that stress is not a migraine trigger, headache expert Teri Robert clarifies by saying, “Stress alone doesnt trigger migraines but it does make us more susceptible to our triggers.” So, in a way, stress increases migraines  but isn’t mentioned as a direct cause.Secondary Headaches: This is the umbrella under which fall all headaches are caused by more serious conditions such as brain tumors and strokes. They are also not directly caused by stress. Although, in the same way, that stress makes us more susceptible to illness, and those illnesses can cause headaches, stress is indirectly related to secondary headaches.Tension Headaches: These headaches, also called “stress headaches,” are experienced periodically by more than one-third of adults. They involve both sides of the head and generally feel like a tightness in the forehead or back of the neck. They’re not generally debilitating; people with tension headaches can normally go about their regular activities. Those who experience them usually don’t have them more than once or twice a month, to varying degrees.?? And, as the name suggests, they are thought to be directly caused by stress. Managing and Preventing Headaches Because the majority of headaches experienced by adults are tension headaches, and these headaches are caused (at least in part) by stress, a great proportion of these headaches can be avoided or at least minimized with effective stress management techniques. Additionally, because stress can make migraine sufferers more susceptible to their migraine triggers, stress relief techniques can help avoid many of these severe headaches as well.?? And, finally, because stress management techniques can strengthen the immune system (or keep it from being weakened by stress), those who practice regular stress management techniques can avoid at least some potential secondary headaches by avoiding the health conditions that cause them. When to See a Doctor Aside from the use of stress management techniques, many people find that over-the-counter stress relievers are also very helpful. However, particularly with migraines, heavier medications may prove to be more useful. And because some headaches can be associated with more serious health conditions, it’s important to see a doctor if you have severe headaches or if you just suspect that something may be significantly wrong.?? Either way, stress management can be helpful, but if youre concerned about your headaches and they interfere with your daily activities or you seem to need more help than stress management alone, its always a good idea to run things by your doctor to be sure there are no serious issues at play, or to find the help you need to be more comfortable in your daily life.

College Essay Writing Anxiety Causes and Solutions

Thanks for joining us as we continue with Staying Sane through the College Essay Writing Process, an ongoing series that offers college applicants and their parents advice on how to stay on track for completing Ivy-worthy essays†¦without flying off the handle. Enjoy this next part of the series, and STAY SANE! Why students think the college application essay is hard to write: You have to talk about yourself. You have to make a good impression. You have to look into your experience to show something important about yourself when you dont necessarily think what is important about you will impress college admissions committees. You dont honestly think you know enough about yourself and the world (isnt that why you are going to college?) to write convincingly. You havent had much writing experience that calls for assessing your personal experience to make a point about your abilities and interests. Why parents have trouble helping their kids with the college application essay writing process: They focus on the competitive nature of college admissions and are so quick to judge their kids writing that they dont nourish the spark of individuality that is in early drafts. Focusing on the looming deadlines, they are quick to judge their kids as terribly behind in completing the applications, and kids dont listen to the resulting nagging. They think they know the right story to tell and want their kids to tell the one they think is best. They think they are better writers than their kids and correct drafts, making them sound too adult and often too general, and alienate their kids, who feel their experience is being falsified. They do not know the writing process themselves and, feeling incompetent as writers, they worry, worry, worry about how their kids will ever write the essay. Kids dont respond enthusiastically to worry. Or nagging. Or corruption of their story. Why its hard for kids to have their parents help: They understand their experiences differently than their parents do. They feel that by putting their experiences and thinking on the page, they may fail their parents if their parents dont find enough in the experiences to please them. Kids begin feeling their parents think they know the kids better than the kids know themselves. Therefore, having parents as a first audience can short circuit the kids own way of thinking things through. There may be disagreement about which schools students should apply to. What everyone can do to be more effective and get the essay done and done well: Have a family meeting in which students and parents honestly state their needs, fears, and understanding of the task ahead. If parents and students dont concur on the appropriateness of some of the colleges chosen, agree to put forward reasons pro and con, just so they are heard. Write down everyones suggestions about how to get through the weeks ahead and accomplish the task of writing for the college application essay.   Really listen to the suggestions and dont pooh pooh any of them. Parents listen to students state what help they most need. If parents and students decide someone elses help might work better, brainstorm names of those who might offer help, including services experienced in coaching students to write the application essay. If parents and/or students are worried about getting the application and writing tasks done on time despite a myriad of activities, spend some time discussing the chosen colleges application requirements, agreeing to and writing down a timeline, and proposing other sources of help books, professional college admissions counselors, relatives and neighbors who write well or are easy to talk with, as well as reputable editing services that work with high school kids, honoring their abilities to write and coaching them one-on-one. Become more effective by discussing ahead of time why waiting until the last minute is not a good idea, why parents bugging offspring to finish the essay is not a good idea, and why kids not communicating their progress to their parents is also not a good idea.   Discuss what sort of system can be put in place to emphasize writing time, complete the essay, and handle privacy issues during the drafting process. Be sure to designate some sort of celebration or reward to honor the finish of each application. And students, remember that physical exercise can be a great way to think of good writing ideas or clear your mind so you can continue the writing process.   Keeping a pad and pencil by your bed means you can jot ideas down if they come to you in a dream or upon waking before your mind has taken on the day. Parents dont quiz your kids on whether they have gotten any new ideas when they wake up or have come in from shooting baskets! Ideas need time to gel. They often flee when talked about too soon. By Sheila Bender, former Accepted.com editor and founder of Writing it Real, a â€Å"community and resource center for writing from personal experience.†

An Analysis of South African Economy - 1746 Words

The South African economy is second largest economy in Africa following Nigeria (which recently overtook South Africa according to the Economist) (Mail Guardian, 2014). From the early 2000s, Former President Thabo Mbeki promoted economic growth and foreign investment by relaxing labour laws, increasing the pace of privatisation, and reducing unnecessary governmental spending. His policies faced strong opposition from organised labour. From the mid 2000s, economic growth picked up significantly; both employment and capital formation increased which resulted in South Africa to be considered as an emerging market; formally joining BRICS in 2010 (World Bank, 2014). The policy exhibited over the past few years has resulted in macro stabilization successes and enhanced policy legitimacy. However, the growth and unemployment challenge facing South Africa is significant one. Investment rates are currently low, furthermore the legacy of apartheid is evident in the persistent distortions in a ll factor markets: for labour, as evident in the scale and persistence of unemployment and inadequate investment in human capital; for capital, in the low savings/investment rates (Lewis, 2012). The current challenge that the country faces relates to the problem areas of growth, jobs, and poverty reduction. The high levels of unemployment and inequality are considered by the government and most South Africans to be the most prominent economic problems facing the country. Particularly, SouthShow MoreRelatedThe Role Of Competition Law And Its Effects On The Local Market And South African Economy Essay1380 Words   |  6 PagesMy interest in this paper is to consider a complex network prospective; the application of Competition Law, and more specifically related to its effects on monopolistic competition, and its effects on the local market and South African economy as a whole. South Africa (SA) was distant from many other major markets and production centers. This made it complex for international trade to compensate for these conditions, even though trade has expanded since 1994, mainly with the European (EU) and theRead MoreAn Evaluation of South African Economy and the Countrys Growth Rate in the Past Five Years1581 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ Running Head: FINANCE Introduction Objective of this paper is to carry out the analysis of South African economy using the several economic tools to evaluate the country growth rate within the past 5 years. The balance of payment (BOP) is a statistical tool that provides a systematic summary of South African economic transactions with other countries of the world. One of the major economic and financial tools to evaluate countrys economic performances is the balance of payment and BOP isRead MoreLabor Movements Of South Africa1275 Words   |  6 Pagesthe First World War, South Africa became part of a major labor movement that involved many workers of mines, textile industries, agriculture and other major businesses that made up the economy. Labor movements played a big role in the South African society politically and economically. The movements took a major role in creating many unions and with that many protests, boycotts, and violence took place in various sectors of the South African society. 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Introduction: Foreign policy involves the goals, strategies, measures, understanding, agreements, directives and rules in which national governments conduct international relations with each other as well as international organisations and non-governmental actors. South Africa s post-apartheid foreign policy vision has become prosperous, peaceful, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and united which contributes to the world that is equitable. This essay willRead MoreThe Slavery Of The North And South Between 1700 And 17991072 Words   |  5 PagesIn the Western countries including America, most of the nations incorporated provisions for slavery within their structure of governance. As slavery took roots in the North and South between 1700 and 1799, it influenced political, social and economic structures of the two regions throughout the 18th century. Towards the end of 17th century, European masters embarked on granting independence to their colonies. 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For this reason, South Carolina became the first to secede six weeks after Lincoln became president and later on more states to follow the secession (lecture). The states who seceded became known as the Confederate states and the conflict resulted in the civil war whichRead MoreData Analysis Of Sub-Saharan African Countries893 Words   |  4 PagesThis section will discuss the main themes and present the findings which arose from the interview process and subsequent data analysis. This section will define and discuss GDP per capita based on the World Bank’s 2016 data. Sub-Saharan African countries that are currently worked in by chosen NGOs are then categorized as disadvantaged, mid-advantaged and advantaged based on GDP per capita. The GDP data of countries that NGOs are funding is important for this research because it contributes to myRead MoreSouth Cooperation : A Bright Blueprint For The Future Of Underdeveloped Countries1646 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction: South-South cooperation can date back to the Bandung Declaration in 1955. The non-aligned movement first envisage a bright blueprint for the future of underdeveloped countries. In 1987, South Commission was established by a group of 28 individuals who all came from the South. As Julius K. Nyerere (the former President of Tanzania) stated, on the basis of current situation, analysing the difficulties the developing countries face, the solutions they have adopted for solving them and

Avoid Over-Fertilizing Your Trees

Well-meaning homeowners who want to stimulate growth or promote health in their landscape trees often feed them with fertilizers. Unfortunately, too much of a good thing can have the opposite effect and can actually harm your trees. In normal landscape soils, many trees require no feeding at all, and if you do feed them, its critical that you use the right fertilizers in the right ratios.   The Right Fertilizer With the Right NPK Ratio Trees are usually grown for the appeal of their green foliage, so the best fertilizer is one with a relatively high ratio of nitrogen, which promotes green growth. Unless your soil is deficient in potassium or phosphorus (a soil test can tell you this), fertilizers for trees should have a high nitrogen number in the N-P-K designation.   A good choice is a fertilizer with an N-P-K (nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus) ratio of 10-6-4, preferably in a slow-release formulation.  Slow-release formulations are usually non-liquid products that use granules that are released gradually into the soil.   Although balanced fertilizers, such as 10-10-10 products, can be helpful for many flower and vegetable gardens when used with discretion, such fertilizers can have a bad effect when applied to the soil beneath trees. Excessive amounts of these nutrients can create too much mineral salt in the soil, which will harm the beneficial soil microorganisms  necessary to healthy trees.   Stay at less than .20 pounds of nitrogen per 100 square feet of root zone application area, depending on tree species and size. Any time you exceed this recommendation, you will create a situation for on-site contamination or the potential for runoff pollution into lakes and streams. Extreme contamination of soil can harm the site for a very long time. The Effects of Excessive Fertilization on Trees You can actually kill a tree if you apply too much fertilizer. Applying high levels of quick- release nitrogen can burn the roots when applied to the soil and can burn the foliage when applied as a foliar spray or drench. And if the fertilizer contains too much potassium and phosphorus, it creates excessive soil salts that trees may be unable to tolerate.   The most common ways to over-fertilize a tree include: Over-use of fertilizers that contain an equal ratio of all three essential nutrients (nitrogen, potassium,  and phosphorus)Applying more fertilizer than the standard recommended application rate suggestsUsing fast-release rather than time-release fertilizers Any or all of these mistakes will increase the chance of root damage to your tree. Too much fertilizer introduces toxic salt levels that not only harm the tree  but also make the site unsuitable for future planting.   Symptoms and Treatment for an Over-Fertilized Tree Symptoms of a tree that has been over-fertilized include: A crust of fertilizer visible on soil surface beneath the tree drip zone (the area of the ground beneath the spread of the branches)Yellowing, wilting, and browning on the trees foliage, starting at tree leaf tips and marginsA tree that starts to drop leaves before dormancy  begins.   The tree may survive and the site can be much improved if you do a fairly simple, three-part treatment as quickly as possible: Remove the dying or wilting leaves, if you have any, to reduce fertilizer remnants in the tree itself.Water the fertilized area of the soil thoroughly to a flushing point. Copious supplies of water will be necessary to flush excess fertilizer from the soil.  Cover the critical root zone with a natural plant-based mulch—preferably composted leaves and grass.  Perform a second water flush over the composted mulch.

New Orleans The Confederate Era Monuments - 1283 Words

New Orleans Monument Takedown The confederate era monuments in New Orleans have been a hot topic of debate. People on both sides feel passionately about whether these local historic landmarks should remain standing or be torn down because of the atrocities the men they honor committed well over one hundred years ago. Whether over racial or personal beliefs there are strong motives on either side. As of now the future of the cityscape lays in limbo. Will history prevail over emotion? In 2015 there was a racially motivated shooting at a historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina (Horowitz, Corasaniti, and Southall). There was a total of nine victims total that died (Horowitz, Corasaniti, and Southall). Local Church leaders felt that there was no other explanation than racial discrimination (Horowitz, Corasaniti, and Southall). Later investigators ruled the shooting a hate crime fueling the fire on the confederate monument removal. New Orleans, Lo uisiana is a city known for its historic beauty. Everything in Down Town New Orleans has a long history. Whether the histories are beautiful or distasteful they tell our city’s story. In 1960 Jackson Square was declared a national historic landmark due to its growing popularity. New Orleans was built around Place d’Armes which was the original name of Jackson Square (Wegmann). Place d’Armes was changed to Jackson Square shortly after Jackson’s death in honor of him (Wegmann). A few shortShow MoreRelatedMitch Landrieu Speech Analysis1642 Words   |  7 Pagesspeech Speech Upon the Removal of Confederate Monuments by Mitch Landrieu, the Mayor of New Orleans, the removal of the Confederate monuments in New Orleans is discussed. The speech emphasises the fact that the Confederacy was wrong pertaining to their treatment of African Americans, and instead of teaching history, the Confederate monuments convey an image of inequality and violence. Mitch Landrieu a rgues for the deconstruction of historic Confederate monuments through his allusions to past historicRead MoreThe Great City Of New Orleans2217 Words   |  9 PagesIn this great city of New Orleans, we have so many extravagant elements that distinguishes us from other cities. From Mardi Gras to the French Quarters to Canal St., they all play an important part in this city s history. The different historical statues we have scattered about the city also cause major attractions and either people love or hate them. Lately, four specific statues have been getting a lot of attention around town from not only the citizens, but from our very own mayor, Mitch LandrieuRead MoreEssay about Kentuckys Divided Loyalties During the Civil War4664 Words   |  19 Pagesand Mississippi rivers for transporting their produce wanted access to both waterways and the international port of New Orleans. If the South separated itself from the North, this free access would be impeded. On the other hand, i nfluential plantation owners and state rights advocates sided with the Confederacy. As a result, Kentuckians could be found in both Union and Confederate armies. What side was the State of Kentucky on and was she truly neutral in the beginning. Lowell H. Harrisons argued

Bullying, Online Predatory Action And Identity Theft

With the increase in technology in schools and at home, teacher need to be more aware and have more knowledge on cyber safety. Cyber safety includes many elements including; bullying, online predatory action and identity theft. With the rise of technology online bullying is becoming an ever-growing problem. This is because it not only allows for a student to be bullied at school, but can also be taken home as well. Online bullying can have many negative effects including; depression, anxiety and fear. Teachers need to be prepared on how to effectively deal with this. Some strategies for teachers to put in place may include; sharing real life examples of people who have been affected by cyber bullying, knowing how students can use the†¦show more content†¦There are a few programs that have already been implemented into many schools across Victoria. eSmart is a program that was developed by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation it is a program that schools once signed up are sup ported to; create their own plans, policies and procedures, access the latest resources, tools and information and record, track and report on their progress in achieving eSmart status. This allows schools to take a holistic approach to cyber safety as is allows you to monitor students’ online activity. Cyber safety needs to be promoted not only at schools but at home as well. There are many programs and information sites that parents can use to promote cybersafety. Life educational studies show that 41% of teenagers spend more than two hours a day on a mobile device. They have created bCyberwise with the support of Intel Security. It is an interactive cyber safety program targeted to 8 to 13 year old’s. This provides opportunity for students to learn about cyber safety through games and activities through applications on smart technologies. The app teachers young people a number of cyber safety skills which include; How to be responsible and respectful when using online technology, the importance of keeping personal information safe and not telling other people private passwords or arranging to meet withShow MoreRelatedHome Purchase And Sales Research Paper1021 Words   |  5 Pagesyour home via a short sale. Some options include: †¢ Using a loan modification defense †¢ Postponing foreclosure auctions †¢ Challenging bank foreclosures †¢ Using a predatory lending violation defense †¢ Rescinding unlawful foreclosures †¢ Assisting you in filing bankruptcy †¢ Placing restraining orders and injunctions against banks Predatory Lending and Mortgage Fraud Today, it is not uncommon for banks and servicers to repeatedly mishandle mortgages and violate the laws. Problems may include errors inRead MoreKids and Social Networking: Danger at Their Fingertips? Essay1141 Words   |  5 Pagesstating that there is no danger? There are noticeable flaws within these social networking websites. Such flaws can lead to horrific danger, and it is at a person’s fingertips! Even though, kids have an easier way to communicate with their friends online through social networking; kids under 16 should not have a social networking account because kids suffer from cyberbullying by using social networking websites, and this is causing kids to commit suicide at an alarming rate. One major flaw nearlyRead MoreSocial Media and Youth4787 Words   |  20 Pagesshould be given the opportunity to develop and negotiate shared comprehension of reasonable and safe online behavior patterns. There is a need for a better understanding of how youths are using social media and how it is likely to affect their lives. It is therefore, noteworthy that the medium is understood. Reading this paper will give an insight as to why youths spend more of their time online as well as how they cope with it. There is a rapid change in social media technology and the socialRead MoreThe Growing Problem of White Collar Crimes in India19963 Words   |  80 Pagesdemand for money or other consideration under threat to do bodily harm, to injure property, to accuse of a crime, or to expose secrets, Bribery--When money, goods, services, information or anything else of value is offered with intent to influence the actions, opinions, or decisions of the taker, Cellular Phone Fraud--The unauthorized use, tampering, or manipulation of a cellular phone or service, Computer fraud--Where computer hackers steal information sources contained on computers such as: bank information

Literature Justification for Blended/Reverse Instruction Free Essays

string(73) " term used in this study to refer to active engagement with the content\." The concept of a reversed classroom is a logical next step from discovering the benefits of more time on task, direct instruction, reduced lecture time, and modifying homework tasks. If teachers are to find time to increase time on task and direct instruction; and greater comprehension is shown from shorter lectures over longer ones; and if homework is more beneficial when it is reduced into manageable portions; then the best division of labor is to assign the short lecture as homework to give teachers that time in class actively engaged in the application of the lesson(s. Rigorous literature on the reversed classroom is still in its infancy, but literature on its various beneficial parts is offered here along with it. We will write a custom essay sample on Literature Justification for Blended/Reverse Instruction or any similar topic only for you Order Now Key terms: Blended instruction – teaching pedagogy that uses both virtual and face-to- face instruction. Reverse instruction – a classroom method that appoints the time for lecture material to an at home assignment, while completing practice material during classroom time. Time on task – the amount of time actively engaged in assigned learning. Homework – coursework that is assigned to be completed outside classroom attendance, usually at home. Direct instruction – a teacher centered model of instruction that includes high levels of teacher support/scaffolding, ongoing evaluative monitoring with feedback, and strong student-teacher engagement of the material. (Stein 1998) Podcast/vodcast – audio or video/audio files that can be downloaded from the internet for personal use. Literature Justification for Blended/Reverse Instruction Introduction Jonathan Bergmann and Aaron Sams began a movement. They didn’t intend to; they simply responded to the needs of their own classrooms and collaborated on an idea that was initially intended for their absent students. Then it grew into a method that freed them up to be more actively involved with students during their class periods. It involved video recording their lectures for at home use, and practicing the material and assignments with direct instruction and guidance during class time, thus â€Å"flipping†, or reversing, their use of instruction time (Bergmann 2009. The results were so positive that many others are replicating the method across the nation and tech companies are filling the need with products, (see appendix), that go far beyond PowerPoint ® for formatting the lectures they deliver to their students. This concept has been called by a few names: reverse classroom, reverse instruction, flipped classroom, and/or blended instruction, however, the opportunity created by the â€Å"flip† to increase t eacher-student interaction during class time is what characterizes its success (Bergmann 2009). As the use of this concept increases parents, teachers, and administrators are asking for research testing its efficacy. Those who are trying flipped classrooms state that increased learning does not occur just by reversing homework and lecture time alone, but by seizing the opportunity to guide and interact with students more. The technology of vodcasting by itself is not a silver bullet for our educational woes; educators must teach with sound methodology and quality regardless of what medium, or time, they choose to lecture in (Roblyer 2009. ) With that in mind I propose the following research questions about a reverse classroom study: 1. Will more direct instruction increase measurable comprehension of subject matter as reflected in test scores? Studies so far have had promising results, (Stein, Carnine, Dixon 1998), and include mastery of material through formative evaluation before moving on in coursework, (Overmyer 2010), extra use of worked examples, (Carroll 1992), and more use of discussion, (Matthews 2008. ) 2. Will students have greater compliance in homework because is consists of lectures instead of practice? Benefits from homework are directly proportional to how much compliance demonstrated in completing it, (Keith 1982. Homework compliance at Clintondale High in Macomb County, MI increased because a short lecture is easier; applied practice has been less frustrating with support later in class, (Buffenbarger 2011). This model of education changes the character of homework from usually studying alone trying to remember and apply lecture material, to doing the work alongside other students with guidance. At home the student can be prepared to learn through the lecture without the pressure of application until und erstanding of the material is confirmed and supported. This echoes Ecclesiastes 4:9 â€Å"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls down his friend can pick him up. But pity the man who has no one to help him up! † (New International Version) 3. Will more time on task, due to less lecture time, reduce behavior management issues in reversed classrooms? Clintondale High, again, has shown dramatic reduction in referrals to the office for discipline, (Higgins 2011), in the first year of reversed classrooms and school-wide emphasis on this use of time; â€Å"Students are less frustrated and disruptive in class because there is someone on hand to help one-on-one. (Buffenbarger 2011) Discussion of key terms Blended instruction is really a broad category under which the focus of my proposed study falls. It is not just any use of technology by the school for record keeping or parent communication, although those things support education. This â€Å"blend† is referring to how content is be ing delivered to the student for instruction. When a teacher has students read and respond to material online, they have blended their face to face instruction with computer instruction. When they have delivered an asynchronous lecture or lesson outside of class time, or assigned pre-recorded information by someone else for them to find and view or listen to it is also blended instruction. In extensive meta-analysis it has been found that a combination of both virtual and face to face instruction is likely to be more effective than either one alone, (US Dept. 2008. ) Reverse instruction is a category of blended instruction named according to when virtual content delivery occurs as opposed to when application and practice of the material happens. Rather than using classroom time for content delivery, the instructor uses that time for guiding application and practice, while assigning the lecture/lesson as homework, (Bergmann, 2009). Time on task, not to be confused with mere seatwork, (Siefert 1984), is a term used in this study to refer to active engagement with the content. You read "Literature Justification for Blended/Reverse Instruction" in category "Literature" This can be during collaborative work with fellow students, involvement in discussion, (Matthews 2008), with the instructor as a class, or individually. It can include time used for assessment, lab work, practice, or use of interactive software or textbooks, (Higgins 1992); but it is always referring to the students’ efficacious work with the class content. Homework is any assigned coursework meant to be completed outside of the classroom, usually at home. It is often a topic of study in education because of its impact on grades and tests. (Keith 1982) In recognition of the value of family life, time for friends and the pursuit of personal interests, studies are often focused on how much is needful vs. reating a balance of these things. To keep it minimal and balanced with personal life, other studies attempt to measure which types of homework are the most effective for the amount of time invested in them. (Murphy 1989) Direct instruction is a teacher centered model of instruction â€Å"that integrates effective teaching practices with sophisticated curriculum design, classroom organization and management. † (Stein 1998 ) This includes high levels of teacher support/scaffolding, ongoing evaluative monitoring with feedback, and strong student-teacher engagement of the material. It is the intention of this study to increase this type of instruction as replacement of the reversed lecture time, and in support of more time on task, (above. ) Podcast and vodcast are audio, and video with audio, files that can be downloaded from the internet. They are the most common form of lesson, or lecture time, assigned as homework in the reverse classroom model. (Schaffhauser 2009) These are available in many subjects through YouTube ®, supportive websites like Khan Academy, (see appendix), or can be custom made by each instructor for his or her class. Overmyer 2010) They are made readily available for students via CD, DVD, flash drives, or internet. (Bergmann 2008) Other forms of reverse classroom homework are interactive sites or software made available through the students’ school. Reduced lecture time and increased time on task The educational standard of a lecture-based classroom has received much criticism as our use of technology increases. Prior to the late 1800’s the lecture consisted of reading verbatim text with students taking notes to reproduce the same. As it evolved into personal interpretation of text and uthorship of original ideas, student requirements of recitation in classical education shifted to explaining a synthesis of ideas presented in lectures and textbooks (Freisen 2011). Modern students now grapple with an explosion of sources of information, and so the lecture from their teacher fades into the perspective of one person when there are so many ways to gain the required information of each class. In the information age, lecturing has been proven more effective in brevity (McFeeley Milner 2009) Matthews Farmer 2008). So, what then should the lecture become? Norm Friesen described it eloquently as a much needed bridge to merge information and â€Å"oral communication with writing and newer media technologies. † (2011. ) McFeeley Milner call for it to become kernels of information, â€Å"5 minutes or less,† with time in between to allow students to understand and apply the necessary tools of their subjects (2009. ) The times of understanding and application are what I have already described as time on task, which has been attributed with higher levels of learning and test scores, (Matthews Farmer 2008) (Stein et. al. 1998. ) Homework studies. The short lecture is an ideal assignment for homework. Easily accessed and portable, its length makes it an attainable goal to accomplish as homework. Practice and written assignments, however, vary in time commitment according to each student’s understanding of the material and their ability to complete it. Short lectures are certainly able to increase learning while still respecting the personal time of students and their families, both stated goals in assigning homework. Whether it is given in class or at home, decreasing time for lecture frees up more time for direct instruction from the teacher. Blended learning and the reverse classroom Whether or not to use technology no is longer the question. Technology is such a pervasive part of modern life that it has integrated itself into education. So, in that sense, all classrooms are more or less utilizing blended learning; it is only named â€Å"blended† when it has become intentional as a method for delivering or manipulating the constructs of the lessons. For instructors to fail to include and capitalize on this vast store of information and resources could result in failure to reach this generation of learners. The purpose of the type of reverse classroom that I am proposing is to gain more time for teachers to assist and coordinate learning from a variety of sources; to be more actively involved in each student’s comprehension and feedback. Just replacing ourselves as lecturers by podcast(s) gravely misses the point. Conclusion/Summary The reversed classroom is already happening in schools at increasing rates in both K – 12 and higher education classes. It is proving itself as a viable option for increasing direct instruction time and learning. Only when the at home lectures are too long, or when they are an attempted replacement for teaching without the beneficial increased engagement during class, is student dissatisfaction expressed, or test scores and learning level off or drop. Research would be well invested if it began to decipher which technologies are the most effective for students, and user friendly for instructors in material delivery. While surveys show that many teachers hesitate to utilize technology in their classes, starting out with it outside the classroom is a gentle step towards its use without fearing fumbling around with it in front of a student audience. In fact, teachers of distance education classes have stated that tech-based teaching has improved their overall ability and methods as instructors: â€Å"Findings from a study of teacher perceptions indicate that three quarters of teachers who teach in both virtual and traditional environments felt that virtual experiences improved their practice in face-to-face classrooms. † (Roblyer, et. al. 2009) New studies could help refine which kinds of teacher training will be the most valuable, determine best infrastructure and IT support for schools, and improve parent-teacher communication about tech-based homework. Education has always grown and shifted as culture and technology change. While lectures used to be about preserving the knowledge gains of mankind as â€Å"the task of educational institutions to preserve this vulnerable heritage from one generation to the next,† (Friesen 2011), it grew into a synthesis of information and instruction, and in twenty first century learning it is changing towards teaching skills for students to navigate and utilize the enormous body of information available in our age. The effective use of a reverse classroom model is a natural fit. How to cite Literature Justification for Blended/Reverse Instruction, Essays