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** You can add other facts here. Just for fun! :)

 

Hey! Check this out! Just for fun :)

Note: This is an additional topic, so focus and comment first on the topic which is related to our subject.

            Note: This is an additional topic, so focus and comment first on the topic which is related to our subject.

            How happy are you―really? Here are 11 ways to live a happier life…that have nothing to do with money!

 1) Practice Gratitude

- No matter where they are or what they are doing, happy people recognize that they always have something to be grateful for. Research in the field of Positive Psychology has shown that people who practice gratitude are happier, less stressed and less depressed! Happy people can easily find gratitude in the world around them, whether they are looking at the cracks in the pavement in the concrete jungle or the sun setting over the ocean. It is possible to find gratitude even in smallest of things, like a delicious meal, a good book, a challenging yoga class, or a smile from a stranger on the street. Each of us has a choice on how we focus our attention. Choosing to focus on gratitude for the beauty and uniqueness of life instead the stressors and problems will make you feel happier and more relaxed.

 2) Find a place of Flow

- In Positive Psychology, the concept of “Flow” is defined as the “complete immersion in activity for it’s own sake.” When we are in flow, such as when we are running a race, writing a song, or reading a great book, our self-awareness dissipates, time seems to stop, and we become focused, peaceful, and attentive to the task at hand. People who frequently experience flow tend to be happy, productive, creative and focused. You can reach a state of flow by putting special attention to tasks that you find intrinsically rewarding and enjoyable. In other words, carve out some time to do what you LOVE!

 3) Smile More

- If you are feeling down or having a rough day, it is possible to cheer yourself up by simply thinking of a person, place or situation that makes you smile! Indeed, research in psychology has shown that the physical act of smiling will make you feel happier, even if you are just flexing the muscles of your mouth and not intentionally smiling!

While scientists are not yet completely certain why the simple of act of smiling makes you feel happy, it has been suggested that smiling contracts the facial muscles, leading to more blood flow to the brain’s frontal lobes, which in turn triggers release of dopamine, one of the pleasure chemicals in the brain. So bust out the comedies and get your giggle on (or maybe let someone tickle you a little bit)!

 4) Embrace Your Mistakes

- We are all perfectly imperfect in this human form, and it is only natural that we make mistakes (sometimes very often!) Living in denial about your mistakes or getting wrapped up in your ego will only you make you miserable and block you from learning valuable lessons that will help you grow and improve. By embracing your mistakes, you will be able to forgive yourself, and the bonus is that other people might actually like you more! According to Dr. Eliot Aronson’s “Pratfall effect” in Social Psychology, making mistakes makes competent people seem more attractive, and more human to others. Happy people seem to intuitively know this, embracing mistakes as learning experiences and not judging themselves too harshly.

 5) Maintain an Optimistic Attitude

- Happy people tend to respond to negative events in a more

optimistic manner than unhappy people. Positive psychologist Dr. Martin Seligman defines optimism as “reacting to problems with confidence and high personal ability,” specifically, recognizing that negative events are temporary and limited in scope. Research has linked optimism with a plethora of positive outcomes including longevity, recovery from illness, overall physical health, enhanced coping skills and problem solving in difficult situations. Overall, optimism is a central component of staying happy and healthy, so when in doubt, look on the bright side.

 6) Surround yourself with Supportive People

- Even though this life can sometimes feel like an individual journey, we need other people around us in order to feel happy. In fact, recent research has indicated that social relationships are the strongest predictors of happiness, much stronger than income or wealth. For example, according to Robert Putnam’s groundbreaking study, making a good friend causes an increase of happiness equal to tripling ones salary, belonging to a social club is equivalent to doubling one’s salary, and so on. The take home message here is that social support is a huge indicator of happiness and well-being. People with perceived positive social relationships even live longer! So be social, surround yourself with people who make you feel good, and release those who make you feel bad.

 7) Learn when to say “No”

- As psychologist Dr. Thema Davis so beautifully puts it, “saying yes to happiness means learning to say no to things and people that stress you out.” Happy people know that they must say NO to people, ideas, and behaviors that do not serve their highest good. Saying yes to everyone and everything can lead you to feel overwhelmed, increase your stress, and leave you less time and resources to take care of yourself! This is especially true when you agree to do things that do not resonate with you, or allow yourself to be pressured into situations you are uncomfortable with. The stress that results from feeling overwhelmed can severely dampen one’s happiness and well-being. Before you commit to anything or anyone, ask yourself, does this serve my highest good? If the answers is no, then learn to say NO.

 8) Unplug & Spend More time in Nature

- Although it may feel natural after a lifetime of conditioning, human beings were not designed to spend our day hunched over a desk with electronics plugged into our ears and eyes. No, we are meant to be spending time outside, away from the buzz of technology, the radiation from cell-phones and the blaring of screens. Happy people understand that it is their human birthright to give themselves quiet time to reflect and find serenity. According to the July 2010 Harvard Health Letter, time outdoors in nature has been linked to happiness because light elevates people’s moods, as does vitamin D, a byproduct of spending time outside. If you really want to maximize the benefits of outdoor time, spend time in green nature – even five minutes of “green exercise” can lead to improvements in mood and self-esteem, according to researchers at the University of Essex. Even better, combine your outside time with meditation, yoga, or other therapeutic movement arts. There is a plethora of research demonstrating that all of these will further enhance your mood and overall well-being.

 9) Practice Forgiveness

- This one can be challenging for the many of us who have been wronged and/or who have experienced traumas perpetrated by other people in our lives. But as my life partner, sound healer Jimmy Ohm always says, “forgiveness does not mean that what happened was ok, it just means you no longer want to carry the pain.”(11) When we hold on to anger, resentment and fear towards people, they are actually occupying a space inside of us, blocking us from feeling truly happy and fulfilled. Dr. Fred Luskin of the Stanford University Forgiveness Project has found that forgiveness is a huge predictor of happiness and well-being, explaining how “forgiveness is the experience of peacefulness in the present moment.” For more on his research, visit his website, Forgive For Good.

 10) Try New Things

- Happy people are not afraid to push their boundaries and try new things. Research by psychologist Dr. Rich Walker has shown that people who engage in a variety of experiences are more likely to retain positive emotions than people who have fewer experiences. Sure it might seem scary at first, but what’s the worst that could happen? By going beyond your comfort zone, you might actually surprise yourself and exceed your own expectations for what you are capable of accomplishing. And hey if it doesn’t go as planned, at least you still tried, didn’t you? As Dr. Alex Lickerman M.D. writes in Happiness in this World, trying something new requires courage, it opens up the possibility for you to enjoy something new, it keeps you from becoming bored, and perhaps most importantly, it forces you to grow. So what have you always wanted to try but you didn’t think you had the guts? What are you waiting for?

 11) Look in the mirror every morning and say “I Love you!”

- For many of us, self-love is the greatest challenge and blockage to happiness. Years of being told by family, educators and especially the media that we are not good enough, not successful enough, not attractive enough, not capable enough and so on has left many of us feeling beaten down and unworthy. The truth is that no matter who you are and what has happened in your life, YOU ARE WORTHY OF LOVE! Say it out loud to yourself until you believe it. Psychologists have long known that self-esteem is intrinsically connected to happiness, but how does one build self-esteem? I believe we build self-esteem through practicing self-love and self-acceptance. One of the simplest things you can do is to look in the mirror every morning and say, “I love you!” For some, this may come easy, and for others, it may be extremely challenging. I know that at first I tried and tried to do this and I would break down in tears because I felt so unworthy. Eventually through practicing daily mantras of self-love and self-acceptance, I was able to learn to love myself. And while the path to unconditional self-love is a life-long journey and not a destination, today I feel happier than I have ever felt. ☺ I hope that these happiness tips will help guide you on your journey as much as they have helped me on mine. 

Reference: http://themindunleashed.org/2014/07/11-ways-live-happier-life-according-psychologist-hint-nothing-money.html

Information Graphics or infographics are used to present information, statistical data, or knowledge in a graphical manner usually done in a creative way to attract the viewer's attention. Infographics make complex data become more visually appealing to an average user.

Creating Infographics Using Piktochart

1. Create a Piktochart account by going to www.piktochart.com and click sign up.

The Sign Up button of Piktochart is located on the upper right of the screen.


2. Fill up the information on the Sign Up page; alternatively, you can connect with Google+ Facebook:

Piktochart's Sign Up page

3. Once you have created an account and logged in, select a template for your Infographic. Since your data relates to marketing or sales, simply hover over the Presenta Board theme under Free Themes then select Create.

4. The Piktochart editor will open. The Presenta Board theme consists of three blocks (parts). Select the blocks and input the information as you fit.

So now, you can explore Piktochart by yourself! Enjoy! If you have questions about this, feel free to comment. Thanks! :)

          Creating a web page is like creating a work of art. There are certain things that you need to consider in order to get your message across.

1. Balance. The visual weight of objects, texture, colors, and space is evenly distributed on the screen.

An example page of balance and emphasis

2. Emphasis. An area in the design that may appear different in size, texture, shape or color to attract the viewer's attention.

Movement

3. Movement. Visual elements guide the viewer's eyes around the screen.

Pattern, Repetition, and Rhythm

4. Pattern, Repetition, and Rhythm. These are the repeating visual element on an image or layout to create unity in the layout or image. Rhythm is achieved when visual elements create a sense of organized movement.

5. Proportion. Visual elements create a sense  of unity where they relate well with one another.

Proportion

Principle of Variety Design

6. Variety. This uses several design elements to draw viewer's attention.

       Worldwide research has shown that ICT can lead to improved student learning and better teaching methods. A report made by the National Institute of Multimedia Education in Japan, proved that an increase in student exposure to educational ICT through curriculum integration has a significant and positive impact on student achievement, especially in terms of "Knowledge & Comprehension" · "Practical skill" and "Presentation skill" in subject areas such as mathematics, science, and social study.

However, you can see that there are many education technology solutions provided in the world which may cause confusion among educators about how to choose the right ICT solution. Let's have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of ICT tools for education and discover what kind of education ICT solution is suitable for your school needs.

3 MAIN ADVANTAGES OF ICT TOOLS FOR EDUCATION

1. Through ICT, images can easily be used in teaching and improving the retentive memory of students.

2. Through ICT, teachers can easily explain complex instructions and ensure students' comprehension.

3. Through ICT, teachers are able to create interactive classes and make the lessons more enjoyable, which could improve student attendance and concentration.

3 MAIN DISADVANTAGES OF ICT TOOLS FOR EDUCATION

1. Setting up the devices can be very troublesome.

2. Too expensive to afford.

3. Hard for teachers to use with a lack of experience using ICT tools.

TRENDS IN ICT

       As the world of ICT continues to grow, the industry has focused on several innovations. These innovations cater to the needs of the people that benefit most out of ICT. Whether it is for business or personal use, these trends are the current front runners in the innovation of ICT.

1. Convergence

       Technological convergence is the synergy of technological advancements to work on a similar goal or task.

2. Social Media

       A website, application, or online channel that enables web users to create, co-create, discuss, modify, and exchange user-generated content. According to Nielsen, a global information and measurement company, Internet users spend more time in social media sites that in any other type of site. With this, more and more advertisers use social media to promote their product.

    There are 6 types of social media:

         1. Social Networks

         2. Bookmarking Sites

         3. Social News

         4. Media Sharing

         5. Microblogging

         6. Blogs and Forums

3. Mobile Technologies

       The popularity of smartphones and tablets has taken a major rise over the years. This is largely because of the devices’ capability to do tasks that were originally found in personal computers. Several of these devices are capable of using high-speed internet. Also, mobile devices use different operating systems:

a. Android

        

    

b. iOS

c. Windows Mobile

d. Windows Phone

e. Blackberry

4. Assistive Media

       A nonprofit service designed to help people who have visual and reading impairments. A database of audio recordings is used to read to the user.