Year: 2020

5 tips to save your posture while studying from home

You might be laughing at how the student in the picture above is sitting, but have you paid attention at your posture while you studying at home?

Here are five tips that will help keep your posture proper and avoid any pain!

1. Schedule breaks

Watch your upper and lower back. Those are the areas in which most people will feel some pain or discomfort when sitting down long hours. “A major cause of this back pain would be inactivation of glutes, so inactivation of your bum firing, which actually has a lot to play with your lower back,” explains Fitness Zone’s client service associate Alex Morehouse. The best way to solve this would be scheduling breaks to stand up and go for walks.

2. Look for the best desk setup

Keep your laptop at eye level to avoid hunching. Try using a mouse instead of a touchpad to prevent any wrist issues. The keyboard should be close to the edge of the table.

Also, consider investing in a good office chair. If you have one with arm rest, it is even better.

3. Look for the most neutral position for your arms

Try to find a desk that will have your arms in the most neutral position you can when typing. Morehouse tells that standing desks have been very popular because they allow us to be in a natural position.

“A standing desk allows us to remain in a standing position, hopefully the height of the standing desk can work well with your hands being actually relatively low, closer to your tummy height, so, you aren’t having to use your shoulders and your chest the whole time to keep your arms up to be able to type all day,” he says.

4. Keep your body moving

There are a few exercises that you can do at home and that will help you keep your body active.

“I would recommend something to train the glutes. So, something like a basic bodyweight squat, a kickback maneuver, a glute bridge, that’s a nice easy one, because you’re lying down for that. Those exercises too would also stretch the hips, which I talked about, while you’re sitting, get overly tight,” tells Morehouse.

5. Watch your posture today to avoid problems later on

Not watching your posture can affect you later in life. “When you see a lot of older citizens with a hunched over back or maybe rounded shoulders, like shoulders kind of slumped forward, the head’s kind of craned forward all the time, the granny hump, some people have called it, that could be a big sign that that person had improper posture over a long period of time, “says Morehouse.

That happens because our body will not keep our muscles strong if we stop using them. “If you don’t keep an eye on these things now, there can be long standing effects.”

Nine key tips for recording video and audio

Remote work and learning require the use of video and audio tools that we may not be used to handling in a professional manner. However, working with these digital tools does not have to be intimidating. Here are some practical tips on how to use what you have at home to look and sound good!

1 – Choosing the location

One of the first things you need to do before shooting video is finding the best location in your home or office. No matter where you film, lighting is the key.

Using natural lighting always produces a soft, natural image (and is the most cost efficient!), so if you have a window in your room, you can use it in your advantage. Always remember, natural lighting should be coming from behind your camera, and not behind what you are trying to film.

2 – How to light rooms with no windows

If you have dimmable lamps you can also adjust them to give you the best result. (See video for an example). Better results come again from positioning the lighting behind the camera source. Be wary when using lamps or ceiling lights of the angle of the light source. You may cause unwanted shadows through poor positioning.

If you are in a dark room, there is also the option of using a ring light. A ring light has the intention of lighting up your face when looking towards the camera. They are mainstays for amateur and professional youtubers. You can find ring lights starting from 20 dollars on Amazon Canada.

3 – Background composition

Once you find the perfect spot, make sure your background is not going to distract your viewers. Create a visually appealing background for a more professional look and help your audience focus on the message you’re trying to deliver.

Remove any unnecessary clutter in your frame that might be distracting and consider moving things around to balance the frame. Taking some test shots is a good way to get a feel for your frame. Try to avoid using zoom backgrounds as they can be glitchy and distracting.

4 – Framing is important

There are a few things to keep in mind when setting the position of you, your camera, and what’s around you.
Having the right spacing above your head is important for a proper composition. You want to avoid cropping your head, while also being careful not to leave too much empty space. As a general rule, place your head about 2/3’s up the frame, and if possible, leaving space between you and the background is a good way to add depth and ensuring you are the primary focus of the frame.

5 – Video quality is key

If you don’t have a good webcam, there are apps that allow you to use your cellphone or even a digital camera to record your presentations, which can maximize your video quality potential. Here you can see the difference in camera quality between four different webcam options.

Here are a few apps you can test:

Android Phone on Windows: DroidCam
Android on Mac: Limited options, but EpocCam (paid app) is the best (but not great), option
iPhone on Windows: iVCam
iPhone on Mac: NeuralCam (paid app) Live app

6 – Good audio is as important as good video

Having good audio quality is one of the most important factors in the overall success of a virtual presentation, and there are a few simple things you can do to improve your audio quality to ensure your viewers stay engaged.

The first is to reduce any ambient noise when possible. Microphones will pick up a lot of background noise that you may not have considered, such as household appliances, ceiling fans, traffic and more. It’s also important to check your audio settings and microphone input levels… which can result in distorted audio for your audience if the input level is too high. Zoom, and other conference software, also have the option to automatically adjust your microphone’s volume and limit background noise.

Lastly, choosing to use the right microphone can make a huge difference in your overall audio quality. Investing in an external mic or USB headset can be an affordable and worthwhile upgrade for your presentations. If you own multiple headphones with integrated mics, you might be surprised when testing and comparing the audio quality between them to see which will be best.

7 – Find a stable place to rest your phone

If you are recording a video with your mobile phone and don’t have a tripod, make sure you can find a good place to place your phone. No one can handle watching a shaky video, right? Here is a link to a few DIY options for phone stands.

There are some affordable versions of tripods available as well, in case you want to invest. You can find tripods on Amazon Canada starting from 22 dollars. If you are using your phone as a webcam, you can also find simple stands or clips for your phone on Amazon from less than 15 dollars.

8 – Know the channel you are recording the video for!

Landscape mode! This is how you should be holding your phone when recording most video. The only time you will need to record in vertical orientation is for a few social media channels. To be safe, it is always better to have your phone on landscape mode, but we recommend changing the orientation based on the application.

When participating in a live event like a zoom meeting, landscape mode is the default preference of the app.

For TikTok and Instagram, use vertical mode

For Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube, use horizontal/landscape mode

9 – Golden tip for looking even more professional!

To maintain eye contact while presenting to a Zoom Audience, create a makeshift teleprompter by positioning a Word or Google doc with your notes in a small window right below your camera.

Four new programs that will lead industries in Canada

If you are reading this article, it’s because the words we chose for the title caught your attention, right?! Knowing how to target an audience, and keep it, are just a couple of the things students will learn in the Bachelor of Digital Marketing Communications program, one of four new programs Algonquin College is launching in the next two years.

The Digital Marketing Communications (Honours) program will offer a mix of digital technology and the writing aspect of digital marketing, including analytics, research, strategy and storytelling. For the program’s coordinator, Karen Kavanagh, the launch comes at a critical time for the industry.

“Every year, more and more marketing communications initiatives are being promoted through digital media,” says Kavanagh. “With our current situation, with the pandemic, it’s being heightened.”

Four new programs that will lead industries in Canada

Algonquin’s approach in this program will give future professionals skills that no other program in the country offers so far, with two co-ops, wherein students will gain hands-on experience while still in school.

“Our graduates can actually work in any industry, in any company, or work independently as consultants, because every company needs to promote their services,” says Kavanagh.

On the technology side, two new Bachelor Degrees will be receiving applications next year. One with emphasis on Business Systems Development and the other focused on Digital Health. A great advantage is that the two Bachelor programs share 65% of the curriculum, giving students the option to switch between them.

The Business Systems Development (Honours) program will fill a gap in the industry, says Reginald Dyer, the coordinator of the new Technology programs.

“I was researching other programs available across Canada. In fact, I researched North America, and I could not find any program that had the same mix that we have in our particular program.”

Dyer tells students coming to the program that right from level one, they will be exposed to the foundations of business, accounting, management accounting and business intelligence.

The Digital Health (Honours) program comes at a critical time, when technology has been used more than ever in the healthcare field.

“I get chills going up and down my spine when I think of this Digital Health program and the reason I get that is because we’re right now in the mode where we have to maximize this technology aspect in the healthcare environment, and we don’t have a choice, we’re all now visiting our physician using technology,” says Dyer.

The list of new investments in education also includes a program in the School of Hospitality and Tourism, the Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Food Science (Honours) program, set to launch in 2022. This program will combine food and science, and it is the first of its kind in Canada.

This program is not only about teaching people advanced skills in cooking and baking, but also teaching them food science and food safety.

“This gives another option for the experienced people that have been in the industry to get involved in food manufacturing and food processing,” says Michael Bakogeorge, the Chair of Culinary Arts, School of Hospitality and Tourism at Algonquin College.

Bakogeorge explains that chefs, cooks and bakers haven’t often been involved in this industry in the past, it was mostly people from food science programs. Now, they are seeing an influx of knowledge coming from the people that have worked in the food and beverage and food processing industries.

“Students will get the opportunity to be given a butter chicken sauce from a local restaurant and say, ‘We’d like to take this product and make it refrigerated or make it shelf-stabled or have it frozen’ and then they go back to the lab and they get to play and figure out, ‘Okay, so, what do I have to do to get this to work?’,” says chef Cory Haskins, professor and coordinator of the Culinary Management program.

What to expect with remote learning

We all know some advantages of remote learning such as being able to attend class anywhere you want and, often times, whenever you can, when classes are recorded. But, online platforms have much more to offer and there has been even more research and investment in finding resources that can enrich the remote classroom experience.

An article published by the University of Chicago highlighted that remote learning is changing education. “It doesn’t replace the classroom, it shrinks distances and supports teaching in new and interesting ways,” said one of the university’s professors, Randal C. Picker.

So, we did a bit of research on what professors and institutions are saying about remote learning and we have listed some of the main benefits mentioned by them:

Learning opportunities

Bringing guest speakers from anywhere in the world to one or several classrooms at the same time is a great advantage of remote learning. While this is not something completely new people are now much more familiar with virtual visits and more willing to talk to people through a screen.

Students’ participation

An article published by Forbes lists some surprising benefits of the virtual classroom. One of the professors at Duke university said that through Zoom, it is easier to know when students have not understood the concepts discussed in the classroom. Using the polling function students that might have been too shy to say it in person are now more participative, enabling the professor to have more chances to help and assist them.

Retention rates

Research shows that the retention rates for e-leaning (25-60%) are higher in comparison to classroom retention rates (8-10%). This is because in the remote learning, students have more time to go back and review a concept, while also being able to skip something they are confident about to concentrate more time in something they need more study time.

Technology

Remote learning is also forcing institutions to invest more in digital technology, therefore enriching the learning experience for students. Research from Google on education shows that 82% of US teachers think that technology helps students become more prepared for future careers.

The addition of virtual reality and augmented reality as part of the lessons are some examples of resources that can make students more excited about learning a subject.

5 Useful tools for writing and proofing assignments

When we read our own work several times, it gets harder and harder to find spelling or grammar mistakes. We have selected 5 great online resources to help you make sure your assignments will look and read fabulous!

1-The Coaching Lab

This is an Algonquin College resource and is our number one tip! The Coaching Lab provides support for writing, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Math! This resource is part of the Student Learning Centre and offers Algonquin students individual or small group coaching, and you can book your session online. The writing sessions cover grammar, brainstorming and outlines, formatting a paper, citation, self-editing techniques and much more. The ELS sessions cover oral presentation and communication, reading comprehension and basic writing skills. The service is free to all Algonquin students and you can book 2 sessions per week!

2-Grammarly

This is one of the most popular online resources for proofreading, and offers a free version, as well as a paid version. The free version will help you with spelling mistakes and poor use of vocabulary, while also suggesting words that will improve the readability of your document.

3-Hemingway Editor

This tool will rate the readability of your document. It will identify, for example, sentences that are too long, as well as differentiating between passive and active voice. The final goal is to give a perfect flow to your writing making it more enjoyable and easier for the reader.

4- Ludwig

Ludwig is a sentence search engine that will help you correct your writing sentences based on examples from reliable sources. You can get definitions and synonyms, paraphrase your sentences, discover missing words and much more!

5- Spell Check Plus

This simple tool will let you paste you’re your writing in a text box, which will then highlight spelling and grammar mistakes followed by a suggestion of correction. It is a great start in the proofreading task.

Learn from the best: Habits of highly successful people

Success means different things to different people. To some, it’s about thriving on the world stage. To others, success lies in finding personal fulfillment.

Whatever your goal, however you envision yourself succeeding, there are a few common threads that will help get you there.

Top performers across all industries share several key traits and habits that empower them to succeed at work and in life. Have a look to see which ones you recognize in yourself and which you’d like to improve on.

Highly successful people:

Know what they want. They’ve made a point of identifying their goals and they understand their motivations. Having a strong internal compass helps them maintain commitment and prioritize objectives.

Think long-term. They’re determined to carry out their vision and they align their daily practices toward attaining the big-picture goal. High achievers realize that lasting success is more important than instant gratification.

Have confidence. Those who have success in life believe in themselves and take steps to pursue what they want. They don’t talk about getting things done; they just do them. And they aren’t afraid to aim high, whether it’s for a job, a specific project or a personal accomplishment.

Think positive. The most successful people are highly optimistic. They focus on the up side and never dwell on negativity or doubt.

Take risks. Successful people know that “failure” is a learning opportunity and that high risks can bring high rewards. They don’t let minor setbacks or frustrations sway them from their course, and they’ll keep trying until they achieve what they want.

Say “No.” They don’t get pressured into doing things they don’t want to do or that will steer them off course. That includes knowing when to say “No” to themselves; successful people understand the importance of prioritization and don’t take on more than they can handle.

Persist & persevere. Successful people know that persistence is the key to getting things done. They know that consistency and determination lead to success, so they don’t give up.

Communicate & listen well. Much of success is about building great relationships. Successful people know how to communicate their message clearly and effectively. They’re also open to hearing feedback and respect new ideas.

Give generously. They care about bringing value to other people. One of the secrets to long-term success is to find ways to give, not to get. Whether it’s their time, knowledge or resources, high achievers are happy to provide.

Prioritize sleep & exercise. Successful people think holistically. They understand that to reach peak performance, they must keep mind, body and spirit in top shape.

Unplug from technology. Successful people realize that taking time out from the digital world helps improve productivity and overall well-being. They make it a regular practice to meditate, daydream or enjoy unfocussed thinking — without their devices — so they can reflect on the day and plan for the next. Even just 10 minutes a day of “power-down” time can enhance creativity and boost resilience to life’s stressors.

Embracing these habits and characteristics will help position you to deliver your best work and live your best life. Find the ones that resonate most and see how you can incorporate them into your daily routine.

The main thing to remember is that success is a mindset. To succeed on your terms, you need to identify and create a life that matters to you.

10 cool gadgets and office supplies that will make your study space more fun

We know that studying at home can be tricky at first. Not everyone has an extra room in the house that can dedicate to their studies, but get a nice desk, a comfortable chair and with a personal touch you can make your study space more fun and welcoming. Check out some gadget ideas:

1-Mini desktop vacuum cleaner

This ladybug vacuum is cute and useful! You can use it to easily remove the dirt caused by an eraser or dust.

2-Snack box

Who doesn’t like to snack while studying? There are a few companies who ship snack boxes right to your door and some of them have healthy options on the menu!

3-Cool sticky notes

They help us highlight and remember things and they can be fun too, right?

4- Fun mouse pad

Why not choosing a mouse pad that will make your study space more fun and personalized?!

5-Inflatable balance disc

This is great for people who have to stay seated for long periods. It strengthens the core and improves posture! The disc can also be used for exercises.

6- Drink holder

Do you like to have your coffee or tea by your side? The drink holder saves you some space on your desk and also help you to avoid spilling it!

7-USB fan

For those hot days of Summer, nothing is better than having your personal fan right in front of you!

8-Your own personal fridge

Pack your favorite cold drinks or your favorite fruits and have them right beside you in one of those cute little fridges. That will also keep you healthy and hydrated!

9-Foot hammock

This will let you rest your feet in different positions while sitting at your desk all day!

10-Desktop basketball

This is the cutest basketball game you will ever see! For when you need a break but cannot leave your desk!

Finding — and maintaining! — your work–life balance

When you’re learning remote, it can be a challenge to figure out how much time you should spend studying. If you’re juggling studies with work, family or other commitments, it can be even harder.

One thing to keep in mind is that, when it comes to overall well-being, you can’t take shortcuts. It’s very easy to fall victim to the idea that the more you do now, the less you’ll have to do later. But the nose-to-the-grindstone approach inevitably leads to burnout, creating even more work further down the road.

The fact is, when people are tired and overworked, they become less productive and less creative. They’re more likely to make mistakes, which take time to go back and correct.

People are also more susceptible to sickness. When life is busy, the last thing you need is to spend a week in bed with a cold! What you need to do is work better, not longer.

Academic Balancing Act

To establish a sustainable approach to remote learning, you need to find your balance. Human beings need the right blend of work, leisure, sleep and activity to stay happy, healthy and productive. So how do you achieve that?

Master time-management

Time is your most precious commodity; learn to invest it wisely. Prioritize what you need to accomplish over the days and weeks ahead. Then come up with a schedule, and stick to it. Don’t let extraneous activities get in the way of what you need to get done each day.

Set realistic goals

Plan your workload accordingly so you can achieve excellent results without compromising your physical or mental health. Your schedule should factor in breaks, as it is a mistake to try to cram in everything at once. To prevent student burnout, try alternating between focused work and less intellectually demanding activities. And don’t shortchange sleep!

Eat well (by planning ahead)

For some remote students, one of the pitfalls of learning from home is the constant lure of the kitchen. To avoid binging on “quick fix” foods that are high in salt or sugar, keep your fridge stocked with healthy meals and snacks. It helps to plan each week’s meals in advance so you don’t have to interrupt your studies to prepare food every day.

Keep moving

Our bodies weren’t built to remain stationary all day. Take exercise breaks to loosen your limbs and strengthen your joints. You might be surprised at how much it improves your ability to study. If you already have a regular exercise routine, do your best to stick to it throughout your studies. If you’re new to exercise, don’t sweat it; you don’t have to sign up to run a marathon. Exercise can be as simple as a half-hour walk through your neighbourhood. The important part is to get moving.

Let your mind wander

While you’re letting your body out for some fun, give your mind a bit of playtime, too. This isn’t licence to spend hours a day on social media. In fact, it’s just the opposite; it’s about unplugging from your devices and seeing where your mind takes you. Daydreaming has been shown to help the brain organize thoughts and come up with new, subconscious ideas. Some of our best ideas come to mind when we aren’t actively trying to think of them. So if you’re stuck on how to tackle an assignment, switch gears. Work on something unrelated to your studies or take a quick break from work altogether. Think of it as defragmentation for your brain!

When it comes to finding your balance, the main thing is to find what works for you. Remote learning, whether it’s completing a program or simply taking a course you’re interested in, it is about improving your life for the long-term. Take steps to ensure that the learning process does the same for you now, in the short-term.

How to make the most out of learning from home

Remote learning offers many advantages, such as being able to select a course load that fits your schedule, and being able to study from home, the office or even a local café. But the key to successful remote learning lies in knowing how to structure your space — and your day — so you can do your best work.

As a remote student, you’ll receive a course outline and clear guidance from Algonquin College facilitators. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to interact with fellow online students. Still, it’s important that you be self-directed, independent and organized.

Here are a few tips to help you maximize the benefits of remote learning and avoid the pitfalls of distraction and procrastination:

Create a designated study space. Having a study space that’s separate from personal everyday activities, like sleeping or watching movies, goes a long way toward getting you in the right mindset for studying. It can be as simple as a desk, a chair and a computer. Just make sure the study space has good ergonomics, so you don’t strain your wrists or wind up with a sore neck or back. And keep it tidy; clutter gets in the way and can be distracting.

Set a schedule. Having regular working hours helps you stay on task and ensure that you don’t fall behind. Don’t forget to schedule breaks for exercise or a snack. In fact, you should make sure your schedule includes breaks; even a short walk around the neighbourhood will help you stay productive and motivated — not to mention, feel happier and better balanced.

Respect your study environment. That includes asking others to do the same. If you have a partner, children or housemates, let them know when you’ll be studying and that you expect not to be disturbed. You should also tell your friends about your study hours, so they don’t assume you’re always available to chat.

Show up ready to work. Remote study is serious business, so treat it that way. Before sitting down to study, get dressed and make a cup of tea or coffee. Try to create a clear transition between personal activities and the start of your workday. You might be surprised by how much it sets the tone for more focused, effective learning.

Minimize distractions. When you’re studying from home, make an effort to tune out anything that will interrupt your focus. If you have pets, keep them away from your study space or put them in a crate. And don’t feel the need to answer the door or pick up the phone. Just because you’re home, it doesn’t mean you’re available. You should also resist the temptation to check texts or emails while you’re working, unless they’re related to your studies. Save the socializing for your breaks!

Get to know your online community. Algonquin College offers a rich learning environment designed to enhance your studies as well as your personal fulfillment. Make use of the many resources at your disposal to create a learning experience that meets your needs. Reach out to fellow students and course facilitators; visit discussion boards and forums, or send emails and instant messages. Learning from home doesn’t have to be isolating, so don’t let it be!

Overcoming the digital overload

If you have taken online courses before, you’re probably familiar with the advantages of learning remotely. You can choose where and when to study, and progress at your own pace. But if this is your first time having remote classes you might also be trying to adjust to the new routine.

Although online learning offers several benefits, too many digital advantages can become digital overload. Here are some tips on how to make the best use of digital tools in your life and study routine.

The Dangers of Too Much Digital Exposure

Odds are good that you go online for more than just studying. These days, social media and the Internet are a big part of staying socially connected. And if you’re fitting in your studies around an office job, you’re likely spend a good part of your workday online as well.

All of that can add up to too much of a good thing. When people spend hours every day staring at screens and texting or emailing, it has the potential to create a number of problems, including:

Increased anxiety. Many people feel compelled to respond instantly to emails and messages, creating a hair-trigger response whenever they hear those all-too-familiar pings and tones.
Disrupted focus. Constantly stopping your studies to check messages or scan social media interrupts your concentration, making the learning process inefficient and less productive.
Inadequate sleep. If you use a tablet, smartphone or other electronic devices too close to bedtime — or worse, in bed — it can negatively affect your sleep, leading to further distraction during the day.

Online addiction has become so pervasive that people might not even be aware of how often their focus strays from the task at hand.

If you think you’re susceptible to digital overload, or are already feeling its ill effects, there are steps you can take to reclaim control over your online habits.

The Five-Step Program to Better Online Health

Designate time for focussed learning. Carve out a few hours, either every day or each week, to fully concentrate on your readings and assignments. During that time, you should study without stopping to check your phone or email. Multitasking is often hailed as a competitive advantage, but it can interrupt concentration and often diminishes overall efficiency and productivity.
Turn off platforms that aren’t related to your studies. Frequently looking at texts or social media while studying will slow down your progress. The best way to combat the compulsion to answer texts and messages right away? Don’t get the alerts in the first place. You can always log-in between study periods. But by turning off the alerts, you decide when it’s time to check your messages — not the audio cue on your device! Another option is to leave your phone in a different room altogether.
Take regular breaks. It’s important to unplug throughout the day, even if only for 10 minutes at a time. Make it part of your regular routine to go for a walk or step away from your workstation, and be sure to leave your mobile devices behind.
Set a digital curfew. Staring at screens just before bedtime can have a detrimental impact on your sleep. They’re bright and stimulating — the last thing your brain needs when you’re trying to wind down. Even devices as small as a smartphone give off enough light to confuse the sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to fall asleep. Late-day screen time has also been shown to reduce the overall quality and duration of sleep, leading to daytime drowsiness. Give yourself enough time between turning off all devices and getting ready to sleep. The ideal time varies from person to person, but you should aim for at least one hour; two hours is even better, and if one hour isn’t realistic for you, power down at least half an hour before going to bed.
Plan technology vacations. When your study and work schedules permit it, don’t be afraid to unplug for a few days or a weekend at a time. You’ll come back refreshed, not behind. You may even have a renewed appreciation for the digital world!

Technology and the Internet are wonderful tools, and essential to working and studying in the modern world. Find a way to use them strategically to connect with fellow students and course facilitators so you can get the most out of your online learning experience.

Remember, technology is here to serve you — not the other way around.

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