Welcome to our first issue of 2012!

Following a year where a movie about the phenomenon that is Facebook, 'The Social Network', was a worldwide smash with young and old alike, the use of laptops, iPads and smart phones in our classrooms has also never been more prevalent.

While it is possible to obtain a quality education without these modern resources, students with full-time access to the latest digital equipment begin their academic lives with a clear head start. 

In this month's edition we'll take a look at examples of schools that have most effectively integrated and utilized the current technology to maximize academic performance without it becoming a distraction. We'll also explore where we may be headed with regard to technology's role in the educating of our children and the issues associated with that.

At Academic Success, we maintain a broad perspective which not only takes into account the current educational landscape, but also how it might evolve in the future. 

Please call with any questions at (310) 823 4398 or, in this digital age,

All the best,

Jamie

"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary people. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary person." 

                                                    - Elbert Hubbard 

With the technological transformation of our schools moving more quickly every day, US News & World Report recently ranked the country's most 'connected' classrooms. From digital whiteboards to handheld clickers sending immediate feedback from students to instructors, students are now learning in manifold ways with impressive results.

The Textbook: An Endangered Species? 

With textbooks having consistently grown in size over the past thirty years, students may finally be able to look forward to a lighter backpack. IPads and other tablets are replacing textbooks at a rapid rate, with good reason: a student using online textbooks on their tablet can save thousands of dollars annually. 

  Embracing the Future  

Not everyone is convinced that technological aids are required for a high-quality education in today's world. Featured in this article is the Silicon Valley-based branch of the Waldorf school, which adopts a philosophy that is becoming more and more outside the mainstream: that computers and schools don't mix. 

The Majority Rules   

In spite of the varied pockets of resistance, most educators now believe that not only has technological innovation made a positive impact on their students, it has also increased the volume and standard of productivity, something the statistics bear out. Read here for some helpful tips on doing "e-research".

Getting Onto The Front Foot      

While many students avoid falling into the trap of leaving most of the work til the last minute before crucial midterms and finals, there are also many students with a good work ethic who still struggle to stay on top of their workload and consequently often feel that they are playing "catchup" in their studies. 

There are many simple strategies and techniques available to studentsthat that can equip them for the big exams ahead, giving them confidence and a foundation from which to work. Taking time to gather and organize notes and source materials collected during class or homework allows a student to dive right into their study, saving time and confusion. Arranging meetings with teachers to address areas of struggle can also be hugely beneficial and increase confidence. Related to that is good time management, involving a commitment to devote a certain amount of nightly study time to difficult subjects, ensuring that the student will continue to tackle them earnestly and improve. Taking practice exams can also raise a student's expectations and inspire them to work even harder. In addition to meeting teachers, students can arrange study groups with peers on a particular topic, creating a mutually supportive environment where they can help each other with their weak points. 

Learning to prepare in this fashion does not only raise the probability of good grades; the vast majority of students who develop a strong ethic of getting ahead in their work at an early stage go on to find much greater success in their chosen careers.