May 28, 2018

Swimming and Skin Care - Repairing the Skin Barrier

by , in
Frequently pool swimmers grumble of water related skin issues. Chlorine has an acidic impact, making a disturbance the Stratum Corneum (the peripheral layer of the epidermis) the skin's boundary. This skin hindrance, was authored by Dr. Subside M. Elias of the University of California, San Francisco, a specialist on skin obstruction and epidermal science.

The Stratum Corneum capacities to frame a boundary to shield basic tissue from disease, lack of hydration, chemicals and mechanical pressure. This skin level comprises of dead cells (corneocytes) made out of 15-20 layers of smoothed cells without any cores and cell organelles. These corneocytes are installed in a lipid lattice made out of ceramides, cholesterol, and unsaturated fats.

This hindrance is delivered through a procedure called desquamation, cells shedding from the surface of the stratum corneum, and adjusting multiplying keratinocytes (cells that create keratin, a helpful protein for the body). At that point these cells relocate through the epidermis towards the surface in a trip that takes roughly fourteen days.

As such, we are conceived with a solid skin obstruction that is able to do normally keeping skin wet, and hydrated. Shockingly, after some time that layer of skin gets harmed from things like chilly climate, extreme sun presentation, delayed water submersion, wind conditions and other natural elements. These causes separate the parts of this layer of our skin and abandon it without assurance, vulnerable to pruning, wrinkly skin, irritation, microorganisms, dryness, irritation and allergens - harm.

Can Drinking Water Help to Hydrate Skin?

We are made of water (the normal grown-up human body is 50-65% water). Bountiful amounts of water from our bodies is discharged every day. Consequently, the drinking of water is critical in light of the fact that it replaces our supply. As indicated by the FDA, we are to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day to keep up what we lose. The fantasy is that by doing as such our skin is then sufficiently hydrated. For skin purposes, tragically, the utilization of water doesn't encourage all that much. Truth be told, the water we drink has a great deal to do before it even gets to the skin. Think about the long and winding way water takes in our bodies and you'll take note of what number of stops it makes to different organs, and so on., before it even shows up at the surface of the skin, for instance:

1. Freeing the assortment of poisons,

2. Supporting with our stomach related framework,

3. Helping our organs work legitimately, and so on.

Thusly, in principle, we have to apply water to the skin topically and by one means or another hold it there with a specific end goal to keep skin soggy, hydrated and wrinkle free. Lotions try to achieve this very errand.

Creams and the Skin Barrier

Regardless of what a few sponsors let us know, numerous creams accessible today do next to no to keep dampness in the skin. That is on the grounds that not very many can infiltrate the stratum corneum. With that reality, can the skin obstruction even be repaired? The uplifting news it that 'yes' it can. Since this layer of cells is comprised of ceramides, cholesterol and unsaturated fats, it makes sense that if those components are exhausted causing harmed skin at that point adding them back to the skin will enhance its surface. We achieve this by putting the missing elements of ceramides, cholesterol and unsaturated fats together in appropriate estimations (equations) with the goal that they work homogeneously to enhance the skin. The blend is key in light of the fact that similarly as we at first had them in our bodies, we should supplant them correspondingly.

Which Moisturizers Even Work on the Dermis?

1. Shea Butter - contains unsaturated fats stearic and palmitic corrosive

2. Dermalogica Barrier Repair - shea spread, evening primrose oil

3. Zerafite - sold by dermatologists as an obstruction repair confront cream and body cream. http://lesliebaumannmd.com/dr-baumann-prescribes hindrance repair-lotions heres/

4. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream 16 oz Daily Face and Body Moisturizer for Dry Skin - planned innovation permits ceramides to enter the skin

5. Water - splash your skin in new water before swimming

Shouldn't something be said about Working from the Inside Out?

1. Supplements -, for example, borage seed, angle oil or night primrose oil

2. Hyaluronic corrosive - in spite of a few cases, numerous dermatologists declare that it can't enter the dermis when connected topically https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4110621/

3. Water - drinking 8-10 glasses a day improves the skin's quality, however it sets aside opportunity to achieve the skin, as beforehand specified

Conclusion

Swimmers have extraordinary necessities that relate to saturating and ensuring of our skin. Tending to these necessities in legitimate, all around educated and steady ways can enable swimmers to appreciate the water for a lifetime. The data above does not cover all that there is known regarding this matter. There are huge amounts of more items and strategies that have been demonstrated to take a shot at a swimmer's skin. This post is a review, by and large giving knowledge on how swimmers should approach their healthy skin needs.

Attempt the creams and supplements above in the wake of addressing your dermatologists and specialists to check whether they are ideal for you. In the event that they are not, ideally the data above will lead you to the right mix of interior and outer cures intended for your requirements.

As swimmers, we need to plan and actualize a routine to secure our skin. Doing nothing can just disintegrate our skin hindrance after some time.

On the off chance that this post has been useful to you, please leave a remark beneath.

Much obliged to you and Go Swim!

At Swimfolk, we might want to educate the entire world to swim as a method for keeping up wellbeing in a standout amongst the most pleasant ways. We believe it's extraordinary compared to other activities around. The advantages are astonishing; expanding heart wellbeing, unwinding, low effect quality preparing, great on joints, it doesn't require costly gear (other than the pool, obviously, and there are a lot of free ones all through each city), and, it's an extraordinary method to get in shape!
May 28, 2018

Remaining Healthy and Fit

by , in
There are an assortment of reasons why individuals work out, and numerous keep on exercising day by day. Exercise has such a significant number of advantages that the rundown continues forever. A couple of reasons why you should consolidate practice into your day by day routine are:

Weight Maintenance

Weight reduction

Stress Reduction

Battle Disease and Health Conditions

Enhance Mood

Enhance Circulation

Advances Better Sleep

Enhance Sex Life

And that's only the tip of the iceberg

Beginning with Exercise

We are not all in the absolute best state of our lives. Our employments can even inflict significant damage on the off chance that we are sitting in one place for expanded measure of times. Our bodies bit by bit start to adjust to our every day schedules and afterward the declining fight starts. There are approaches to fuse practice into our every day lives without it requiring up excessively investment and vitality.

Before starting any kind of activity schedule, it is best to talk with your own doctor to make certain that the activity is useful for your wellbeing and any inclined conditions.

Starting gradually is the key with regards to starting an activity schedule. Practicing does not need to cost an arm and leg and there are schedules that can cost you practically nothing. Things like going out for a stroll a few times each day take only your opportunity. Obviously, it is critical to dress properly for the climate where you live and walk.

Exercise at Home or the Gym

These days, there are numerous individuals who would prefer not to go to the closest exercise center. Regardless of whether you are awkward being before others or simply would prefer not to pay for a rec center enrollment the choice to practice at home is constantly accessible.

There are numerous decisions for practice gear that can be utilized comfortable. Numerous stores convey a huge supply of hardware and attire for each level of wellness. The following are a couple of cases of the gear and frill accessible from this organization.

Midsection Trimmers: These wonders make it conceivable to have a more slender midriff without taking time out of your bustling calendar and can be utilized as a part of expansion to your exercise schedule. Midriff trimmers can include additional back help when you are working out and add warmth to the territory to enable consume to fat quicker. These belts are agreeable and are made with materials that can relax.

Indoor Bike Trainers: For those of us who love to ride bicycles these bicycle mentors are a perfect method to work out. Obviously, the climate and time may not generally be our ally, so the utilization of a bicycle mentor enables us to practice when we need whether it is excessively dull outside or excessively cool.

Running Shoes: Sports hardware stores and shoe stores convey the best with regards to running shoes. It is essential to destroy great running shoes while running to evade damage to our feet and body.

Treadmills: This is an absolute necessity have in the event that you are not kidding about your activity schedule. Utilizing a treadmill day by day to walk or run enables you to in any case have the capacity to practice regardless of whether the climate is excessively hot or excessively frosty. Treadmills have turned out to be more moderate in the course of recent years and are turning into a staple in numerous family units.

Regardless of whether you are anticipating strolling, running, or notwithstanding playing ball there is an organization out there to enable you to secure the rigging you require at extremely moderate costs. Numerous games gear presents to-date audits on the best choices accessible for your activity schedule.
May 28, 2018

The most effective method to Live An Overall Healthy Life

by , in
There are the undeniable manners by which you can remain solid and "carry on with a long upbeat life," however I need to discuss a portion of my most loved tips to being sound. I comprehend what it takes to be a sound individual, however it's even hard for me now and then. I read other people groups' sites here and there to give myself inspiration. Here and there your mind isn't sufficient. Now and again you require other individuals to give you that push that you have to continue onward. I've said it ordinarily previously and I'll say it once more: sustenance and wellness are not by any means the only parts of wellbeing. I get a kick out of the chance to enable individuals to be solid, however it will take more than my words and my tips for you to finish your objectives. One of my most loved tips is to cook dinners that you know will top you off. Likewise, ensure that it is something that you will appreciate eating, and that it will fulfill your longings. The most exceedingly bad groping ever is filling on a pack of nourishment and understanding that you are still "hungry," in light of the fact that you have a hankering for something more. Tune in to your body when it reveals to you it needs something sweet. There are solid things that are sweet. Eat an orange! Another tip what I have for my watchers is to be straightforward with yourself. In case you're misleading yourself, how would you anticipate that another person will be honest with you?! I'm talking trustworthiness in all angles. For instance, for one, be straightforward with yourself on the off chance that you require a cheat supper. It's alright to have a cheat supper to traverse the week. Your week will be simply unpleasant on the off chance that you are always suffocating yourself in lettuce. That is simply the physical angle about being straightforward with yourself. The psychological part about being straightforward is that you have to simply be a genuine individual in general. You draw in what you give. You would prefer not to get got up to speed with what you think you need and what you truly require. Additionally, don't put excessively on your body (or psyche) that it can't deal with. Just you recognize what is excessively, what is simply enough, and what isn't sufficient. You need to propel yourself in all parts of life however not to the point of no survival.

Connections are another gigantic viewpoint to carrying on with a general sound life. You acknowledge the adoration you think you merit. That is the reason it's so essential to not just have a solid body, and a wellbeing mind, yet additionally an adoration for yourself. You need to love yourself enough to recognize what you merit. On the off chance that somebody isn't making any positive commitments to your life, at that point in all reality, they have no reason for being there. Likewise, if there are more negative angles to a relationship instead of positives, it's an ideal opportunity to give up. Antagonism in your connections impacts you more than you understand. It impacts your certainty and your general prosperity. Shockingly, you are setting the standard for the greater part of the accompanying individuals to enter your life. They need to know how they have to treat you so as to remain in your life. In the event that you enable individuals to trample you, they're going to.

Something else that I need to address is family. A few people throughout your life will go back and forth. Companions will probably travel every which way. Beaus/lady friends will go back and forth however family is blood and family is until the end of time. You can't dispose of them. You were put with them for a reason and they are there to get you through the circumstances when you feel as though you have nobody. Truly, you may battle with your family. Truth be told, I battle more with my family than I do with my companions. In any case, I likewise pardon them significantly speedier than any other person. I realize that they know me superior to any other individual. They've known me longer than any other individual in my life thus has your family. While here and there you may feel just as they don't realize what you need... they recognize what you require and that is more imperative.

Another immense piece of carrying on with a solid life is rest. I'm certain you realize that you should get enough rest each night, yet did you realize that an excess of rest is horrendous for you? Did you realize that there is a huge connection between's an excessive amount of rest and weight pick up. I don't have the foggiest idea about the whole purpose behind that, however I do realize that skipping breakfast is terrible for your digestion so I'm certain that that has a comment with it. For me, on the off chance that I realize that I have a difficult day in front of me, I ensure that I get the chance to bed truly. As far back as I got a Fitbit, I saw how appalling my dozing designs are. In some cases I'll go to bed around 10 and wake up at 8 despite everything i'll be depleted. In this way, I check my Fitbit and I see that I just got 5 hours of rest. I am fixated on my Fitbit in light of the fact that it is so precise. My father wears one as well and his says he gets great rest, so it is distinctive for everybody except I am glad to the point that I got one, since now I know why I have been so drained for the duration of the day in the wake of reasoning I got 8+ hours of rest.

In this way, with the greater part of that being stated, I need everybody to be the best individual they can be. Take after all parts of wellbeing and don't simply center around the physical highlights. A sound personality can mean a solid life, as well. I think everybody needs to concentrate more on the diverse parts of wellbeing. Actually, I would contend that weight is only a number. Muscle measures more fat. Individuals need to quit seeing the numbers on a scale as a portrayal of wellbeing. I figured out how to be content with my weight, since I realize that my body contains a great deal of muscle. By and by, thank you for tuning in.
May 28, 2018

IQVIA Holdings: A Database for Healthcare

by , in
IQVIA Holdings (IQV) is one of the biggest worldwide suppliers of information and administrations to the medicinal services industry, clarifies industry-driving development stock master Stephen Leeb, manager of The Complete Investor.

With a social insurance database that far surpasses the capacity limit of supercomputers, it gives restrictive data and investigation on 85% of the world's pharmaceuticals. It works in around 100 nations and is always refreshing its database from 120,000 information providers.

Its administrations are basic to endeavors by created nations with maturing populaces to control social insurance costs and similarly basic to creating nations looking to increase human services.

Development in worldwide human services spending, right now around $8.5 trillion a year, is relied upon to keep on outpacing worldwide GDP development. With social insurance depending always on huge information, IQVIA's market, which today is an expected $230 billion, ought to effortlessly outpace development in medicinal services spending.

The organization's two noteworthy divisions are business arrangements and innovative work arrangements. The principal incorporates extraordinary data on pharmaceutical deals and patterns that traverse in excess of 90 nations.

Additionally offered is examination of various treatment conventions, for example, symptoms and expected results when different medications are coordinated with specific infections.

Cloud-based programming for overseeing clinical trials, help in conforming to consistently changing government directions, and approaches to secure individual protection are a piece of business benefits too.

The innovative work section is to a great extent committed to overseeing clinical trials. Coordinating and looking at the steady stream of information over numerous locales with past investigations is a gigantic errand.

It requires one of a kind access to monstrous data and diagnostic devices that scarcely any pharmaceutical or biotech organizations can oversee inside. Introduction of results to administrative bodies is another basic administration offered by this division.

IQVIA came about because of the 2016 joining of IMS Health Care Holdings, the world's driving supplier of human services information, and Quintiles, a noteworthy clinical trial outsourcer.

The mix has been smooth, and 2016-17 combination costs will offer approach to vast income and cost collaborations this year. Income are relied upon to achieve a record level of roughly $5.50 an offer, 33% higher than 2015's high water characteristic of $4.04 joined for the two elements pre-merger.

Long haul development in the mid-teenagers, high free income, a humble P/B proportion, and a worldwide nearness make for a convincing story. Our 2020 target is $150.
May 28, 2018

Propelling social insurance through computerized innovation

by , in
Jasper Westerlink is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Philips Africa. Westerlink who filled in as the Managing Director, Philips' Personal Health, Indonesia, joined the African Organization in 2016, with the desire of quickening improvement in Philips' Health Technology in Africa. In this meeting with ADAKU ONYENUCHEYA, the CEO discusses the condition of human services in Nigeria and how advanced innovation can be use on to drive arrangements in the medicinal services advertise.

Reports on the province of Nigeria's social insurance framework have kept on being negative, with a few difficulties and less any expectation of accomplishing positive result, what do you believe isn't right?

Much the same as numerous African nations, Nigeria is at a stage where, in the working of the medicinal services framework, despite everything it needs to go a significant long way. In the event that you take a gander at where we are today, it is assessed that to be at standard with other creating nations, Nigeria would require around 450, 000 extra doctor's facility beds. As a matter of fact, there are just a single in eight of the human services experts – specialists, which are as of now accessible. So I think it is vital to begin fabricating that, which the legislature is now doing, and thusly, it builds the quality, in light of the fact that huge numbers of the strategies done regulates should likewise be possible here and I trust Nigeria can catch that. There is dependably space for exceptionally specific treatment, and you can't expect each nation, locale and Africa to have that. Be that as it may, when all is said in done, a nation of this size of Nigeria with the possibilities ought to have the capacity to have an exceptionally strong, solid adequate medicinal services framework.

A few reports demonstrates that Nigeria still loses under-five kids and ladies of kid bearing age to death, making the nation the second biggest supporter of maternal and kid mortality. What is Philips acquiring this respect?

All through Africa, maternal and childcare is a test and as Philips, we have really built up a program, group life focuses, which are essentially pointed on access and quality. Access as in, we need to permit and offer access to individuals all through the nation, while quality is to ensure that the conventions and results are essentially institutionalized in the same. What's more, why this is so essential is that, what you right now observe is that, moms' for this situation will hold up till they have genuine inconveniences to look for therapeutic help since it isn't generally near to, it's excessively costly, too far away, you have to influence a trek and when you to hold up that long – typically, the odds to have a fruitful treatment have lessened a considerable amount, so in our locale life focuses, we endeavor to guarantee that there is access all through the nation with the goal that pre-natal sweeps, for example, ultrasounds should be possible auspicious to truly distinguish who is in danger, and afterward to ensure that there is great referral.

The procedure of early location, even the requirement for referrals, rather than holding up till there are inconveniences and afterward past the point of no return looking for help is vital, so what we are doing is setting up facilities as a component of our locale life focuses, which is independent, so you have settled structures, yet you likewise have holder based structures and we have even created sack packs for wellbeing laborers just to go out into the groups and to do – for this situation identified with pregnancies, various outputs that enormously decrease mother and tyke mortality. We began this in Kenya and other African nations; this is where we see an immediate effect on mother and tyke mortality.

We trust that each mother and kid merits the most ideal care – previously, amid, and after an infant enters the world. We are additionally dedicated to conveying clinically demonstrated Developmental Care arrangements and instructive administrations, through each stage and each progress. We enable you to build up an evidence‐based system of care intended to help and support mother and child in the most ideal way that could be available. Through an extensive variety of items including maternal and fetal observing amid pregnancy, neonatal situating, quieting and calming answers for the NICU, and encouraging and checking for the progress home, we help to improve the lives of newborn children from the begin.

Non-transferable sicknesses are the main source of passings worldwide and are on the ascent. Could mechanical advancements be utilized to address the threat?

As a rule, we see an ascent of way of life related illnesses and more enlisted frequencies like malignancies – bosom, prostrate and others. What is vital is training and aversion, so on the off chance that you take a gander at Nigeria, where a large portion of the populace is underneath 30 years – we have a colossal populace who is beneath 40 year and it is imperative to understand that with instruction today on the most proficient method to eat and live sound and furthermore settle on keen decisions, you can diminish the hazard factors. What's more, the motivation behind why this is imperative is that, on the off chance that you think about the gigantic populace, and if half of the general population, which is underneath 30 years, on the off chance that they don't get the correct training on the most proficient method to counteract hazard factors, you can envision that in 10 a long time from now, the weight will be huge. On the off chance that you discuss tumor, we realize that early identification, right finding and right follow up design are vital. Furthermore, what we can share is that, we have really completed a great deal on oncology, where ID, right determination, are being bolstered by innovation to show signs of improvement and right analysis, and obviously the development.

In any case, the most vital part is early recognition and imaging arrangements, which works hugely with that. What's more, on the off chance that you think about the difficulties in all the more creating nations, tele-wellbeing, remote-wellbeing is winding up more accessible, so as opposed to expecting that in each town or territory you have restorative expert, which isn't conceivable, in light of the fact that there are not all that many, you can utilize facilities to really do the screening, so you can go to a center and picture is taken, this is taken a gander at obviously with help of manmade brainpower, which additionally helps human judgment. For this situation, when radiology stays here, he can take a gander at pictures from the whole Nigeria, or a locale, to really ensure that at a beginning time you catch a patient, if necessary, in light of the fact that with early identification you increment altogether the survival rate. What's more, what is all the more critically too, is whether you have counterfeit consciousness, a radiologist can be upheld in the basic leadership, so it expands proficiency so he can see more patients or pictures in 60 minutes, contrasted with that, he needs to audit every one of the photos and again if assets are rare, which they are in Africa and all inclusive, this can have a colossal effect.

Framework and cost of treatment are real difficulties in Nigeria's medicinal services framework, how might Philips Africa overcome any issues?

The spotlight would have been on gear and its business, which means offering ultrasounds, which is an incredible item required in healing facilities and centers. Where we are today, where the business is today, I think Philips is driving that for some degree, we rather have dialogs vigorously association with governments, where we really recognize what we need to accomplish, so it is significantly more about clinical results, and we need to have these organizations, on the grounds that in actuality, it's not just about hardware, there should be foundation, similar to development of structures, street, power, water and others important, so what we have seen is that what we call arrangements, where we co-make together with pertinent partners. You really take a gander at what you need to accomplish, yet the primary building pieces are what you need to accomplish to achieve that, and afterward how to execute and make it substantial like in Kenya.

The Kenyan government did not have ICUs, as far as care units. They understood that running an ICU requires a considerable measure of information and it is forthright and tremendous venture, so they need to assemble in this association. We have made what we call a colossal triple administration where Philips offers, works and runs ICUs, so we ensure that the ICUs are there – power, the building and key gear is there for a settled expense, so it implies that we assist the legislature with avoiding an enormous forthright installment since they comprehend what they will pay each month. We even have provision in there, that if costs are bring down in actuality, we pay back a tad to them, so it is a key association, that you look, not just at a scanner, and MRI or for this situation tolerant checking, in any case help settle the aggregate framework, both building, get to, and furthermore the budgetary perspective to get it going

Philips Africa as a team with Forbes as of late had a roundtable exchange with open and private partners in the wellbeing segment on the territory of Nigeria's human services framework. What arrangements are required to enhance the framework?

We encouraged and occupied with the exchange about condition of wellbeing in Nigeria. What we have done is that, we have solicited 500 Nigerians a number from inquiries to get a tad around a thought on how the truth and observation or the input matches and what I found, despite the fact that, there are couple of things very intriguing, yet what I discovered exceptionally promising is that, when requested that on how burn through cash, I think 48-49 percent of Nigerians would like to center around being deterrent, on getting more data; how to deal with an in the wellbeing area and screen their wellbeing themselves, which to me demonstrates that there is a need to which we ought to find out about what we can do to settle on solid decisions, to take in more about how we can diminish hazard, so it is a talk went for understanding where we are today and how the eventual fate of human services in Nigeria could resemble, and what the part of innovation could play there.

With accentuation put on utilizing innovation to address the difficulties confronting the human services framework in Africa, what new advancements is Philips conveying to Nigeria?

Taking a gander at the condition of human services in Nigeria today, there is as yet far to go, you need to consider how to make something practical in the groups, carrie
May 28, 2018

Why social emotional learning matters for migrant students and how schools can help

by , in
By Andreas Schleicher, Director, Directorate for Education and Skills
and John McLaughlin,  Deputy Education & Early Childhood Development Minister, New Brunswick

Photo credit: Feliphe Schiarolli/Unsplash

The world is experiencing major geopolitical, economic, environmental and social shifts resulting in increased international migration. In turn, migration flows are having a snowball effect on cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity in many of today's classrooms, particularly in cities and large metropolitan areas. As a result, calls for schools to help their students develop social and emotional skills – in addition to strong academic skills – are growing louder. Social and emotional skills are crucial for a child’s ability to thrive in complex, interconnected and highly diverse environments in and outside of school. Additionally, the OECD’s own work has shown that these skills are crucial assets for the working environments of the 21st  century.

We should view migration flows not only as a challenge, but also as an opportunity. If we work together to support our teachers and principals while having an open mind, a bold and ambitious heart, and a kind and welcoming spirit, we can reshape our schools and adapt our classrooms – and ourselves – to better meet the needs of today’s children and tomorrow’s citizens.

As a result of the unique challenges immigrant and refugee children face, many have distinct social and emotional needs. For example, some students may have experienced trauma fleeing war-torn countries during their migration. Others may have been separated from their immediate or extended family, leaving them with feelings of guilt and shame about loved ones left behind. Community ties were broken for all children who have experienced migration,  and the resulting stress can have a lasting impact on their socio-emotional development. Even when parents are present, they might be overwhelmed by their own experience of displacement,leaving them unable to support their children’s social and emotional development.

Migrant children have to negotiate new roles and identities in an unfamiliar cultural context. Some are called to demonstrate allegiance to their native or host country when choosing which language to speak, which sport to practice, which music to listen to, or which social group to join. They also have to juggle the attitudes and stereotypes of numerous different social groups and find where they fit in. Adjusting to their new environment can be a long bumpy road, but through the support of teachers, school principals, other education professionals and communities migrant children can navigate the difficult transition.
Diversity can be an opportunity for students without an immigrant background to develop social and emotional skills.
At the same time, diversity can also be an opportunity for students without an immigrant background to develop social and emotional skills. This includes self-awareness  of their own attitudes, stereotypes and emotions; social awareness, which enables them to empathise with others from diverse environments; the capacity to manage diverse social relationships by making constructive choices about how to act and behave in social interactions; and social engagement, which reflects their desire to contribute to the well-being of their school and community.

In an effort to address these challenges, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development of New Brunswick in Canada, the Directorate for Education and Skills at the OECD and the Council of Education Ministers in Canada have organised a policy forum on the theme: “Social Emotional Learning to Foster a Sense of Belonging for Immigrant and Refugee Learners”.  On May 31stand June 1st, a group of international experts, practitioners, school leaders, teachers and policy makers will convene in Fredericton, Canada to consider how learning from past practices could help change the future of education and support the social and emotional learning of migrant and refugee children.

In the spirit of the OECD’s Strength through Diversity initiative, international and Canadian participants will bring  a wide range of perspectives to this forum, given their diverse roles, responsibilities and backgrounds. The aim is not only to advance our understanding of what has happened so far and discuss what may come next; we also hope to create an international community that promotes effective school policies and practices to support migrant and refugee learners.

This forum will be the fourth in a series organised by the OECD’s Strength through Diversity project. Speakers will introduce key themes during small group discussions and exercises, as well as roundtables and panel discussions. The meeting will cover five key themes:

  • The role of education in social and emotional learning and sense of belonging; 
  • Language for social cohesion; 
  • Culturally responsive teaching practices;
  • Retention of immigrant children and education for global citizens; 
  • Whether ICT and digital technologies are tools for fostering or threatening integration. 
The programme will, for the first time in the series, include school visits,  and on the first evening, participants will have the opportunity to meet community leaders, community organisers, and students from immigrant or refugee backgrounds, at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery reception.

The keynote address will be given by Dean Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, Wasserman Dean at the Graduate School of Education and Information Services, University of California – Los Angeles. Other speakers will include:

Lessons arising from the meeting will be shared in a proceedings document published on the Strength through Diversity website. We encourage all to read the proceedings when they are published, and we invite everyone to follow the meeting through live broadcasts on May 31st (13:00 GMT to 23:00 GMT) and June 1st (17:00 GMT).

In the spirit of the motto “stronger together”, we wish a productive forum and insightful discussions to all those who will travel to Fredricton. And to those joining us remotely: enjoy the show!


Read more: 

May 28, 2018

9 Ways To Make Student Work Authentic

by , in

Since the advent of formal education, many students have questioned the validity or relevance of the work they are doing. The question of “when am I going to use this?” has been launched at most veteran teachers countless times. Indeed, making learning more “real” has long been a goal of those who have promoted everything from project-based learning to career technical education. Both learners and learning facilitators want learning where the ‘why’ is an integral part of the process. It’s this desire to be “real” that has now found its way into our vernacular as AUTHENTICITY. Authentic learning can be the guide to not only make learning more real, but also more maximized and optimal for all learners. In a world where authenticity is often elusive in everything from our food to our entertainment, we are now holding our teaching and learning to a new standard of authenticity. Project-based learning practitioners, as well as those truly working on a more 21st century, personalized learning approach, are using authenticity as a foundational metric of both pedagogy and success.
So, what are the way to make student work more authentic? Naturally, I have a list. However, when one creates a list like this, it does not mean that all projects, pursuits or student work has to include all 9 of these at any given time. However, working to include as many of these in one effort will certainly contribute to our students’ work as more AUTHENTIC. And this more authentic work might lead to deeper learning, collaboration and opportunities.
Authentic Problems / Challenges
One of the best ways for learning to be authentic is to use real world problems, challenges and questions as the primary pursuit. Real world challenges are everywhere, but typically not in textbooks or standardized curriculum. However, they are in the news, industries, our local communities and all around us. It’s a real problem if others are one acknowledging that it’s a legitimate issue or problem, as well as professionals are spending their time, resources and careers going after solutions. Often, solutions to these problems can change the world, create new career opportunities, lead to new products and services, and rewrite cultural norms and expectations. Personally, I don’t like the term problem solving because I don’t know if we ever solve most of our real world problems. Do we ever solve, fix or eliminate poverty, racism, pollution, homelessness, drug abuse, sexual abuse and assault, etc.? We don’t typically, but we hopefully move the needle, address the challenge or problem, learn new information and applications and hopefully make someone’s life better, different or improved. But I do believe in students attacking real world problems and generating their most authentic real world solutions (not for solving, but attacking and addressing). Finally, having students tackle real world challenges not only leads to more authentic learning, but is how our best jobs our created going forward.
Authentic Audiences
Who is going to see our students’ final work? We all know that at one time, and unfortunately still in all too many cases, only the instructor was going to see our work. Next level up was our peers. However, we live in an age know where that is just simply not enough. We want more people to see our students’ work for a variety of reasons. One, it can potentially motivate or focus students based on how many will see their work. But two, it’s the real world. Most of us work in environments where someone, often many different someones, see our work. And because of that we care. We have an authentic reason to produce higher quality work. If no one was ever going to see or use our work, we might not care about producing our personal best. So, how do expand the real audiences for our projects and student work? We need to think beyond the classroom. We need to engage other members or our school communities (staff, administrators, parents, community members, etc.) as a start. We can extend beyond that and include industry and business partners, government officials, higher education partners, community groups, non-profit organizations and others. All of these groups represent an expanded audience and those that can have a direct impact on the quality of the student work, as well as the many opportunities that can arise when we produce higher quality work. Finally, technology and things like social media platforms allow us to truly expand our audiences globally. More on that later when we talk tech.
Authentic Partners
In addition to working with one’s teachers and advisors, as well as one’s peers, authenticity is now influenced by the number of diverse partners a student can collaborate with in a variety of capacities. Student work, as well as their future careers, can be positively affected and altered by the distinct partners that get involved. The potential partners are many. They include, but are not limited to industry professionals, business leaders, government and civic leaders or officials, community leaders, non-profit leaders and staff, parent volunteers, higher education partners, entrepreneurs, alumni and more. What can these authentic partners offer our educators and their students? Again, the list includes, but is not limited to advice, critique and feedback, expertise, evaluation, judging competitive events, resources, equipment and technology, more partners, event coordination, access to their websites and social media for student work, actual problems and challenges they are currently working on, networks, audience members and more. Collaboration is the most important career readiness skill so let’s give our students lots of opportunities to collaborate with a variety of partners. Their work will improve and so will the opportunities, the relationships and our communities.
Authentic Clients

Providing our students with the client relationship is invaluable. If we use our partners - especially in the private and public sectors - they can provide real services and products created and designed for real needs and challenges they have. Students will care more about their work if they believe that a real person or persons will use their work and maybe benefit from it. In this client relationship, they will not only be more invested in the pursuit of high quality work due to the authenticity, they will also be improving all of their employability skills. They will have experience an authentic ways to experience and learn the Four C’s and more. Why manufacture a random, arbitrary deadline when a client partner can give you their real one? Why create random challenges when clients can provide their real ones? Why create imaginary or simulated products when clients can offer up real ones that the students will identify with for sure?
Authentic Skills
We are starting to experience the transition between two worlds (economies as well). Simply, we evaluated student success based on what someone knew rather than what someone could do. Well, we have now realized that we are in a performance - based world. It’s not enough for our students to know something. They need to know how to apply what they know. And this represents the renewed emphasis on skills acquisition. We have technical skills, soft skills, technology skills, academic skills and much more. Project-based learning allows students to learn and improve across skill areas simultaneously. However, we need to identify the skill goals for the students, while offering them timely, regular and effective feedback on the development of these skills. So when working to produce high quality student work, focusing on authentic skills will move that forward. For example, students need to know that collaborative skills (teamwork) is not only the most prized skill to folks like the Fortune 500, but that it’s something we can practice, improve. understand deeply and be assessed one as well. What else represents authentic skills? Could be technology skills (such as Adobe applications, Google applications, specific software), new literacy skills (social media), presentation skills and much more.
Authentic Tech / Authentic Gear
Just like the rest of us, students want to use professional equipment and the latest technology. Let’s face it, if the the gear is authentic, then there seems to be more credibility automatically. Until not that many years ago, school equipment was fairly standard and did not reflect the real world counterpart of their work. But naturally the tech revolution and more have made a huge impact. As an example, do we really want students to still make posters for their presentations or professional slide presentations complete with images, videos, links, survey tools, resources and more? Let’s consider things that make our work more professional and relevant - authentic. Consider things that would not probably be available at home. Although things like 3D printers are becoming more affordable and available for home use, what about welders, plasma cutters, high-end cameras, studios, specialized software, maker spaces, STEAM/STEM labs and so much more? Schools should be seeing what is happening both in industry and the real world and offer students that access at school. All of our schools need to have pro labs in a variety of areas that cannot be found at home or online. If not, students may feel that their work is not of the same value or relevance like that of their professional counterparts - authenticity my friends.
Authentic Products / Authentic Outcomes
Project-based learning, and other deeper learning approaches, focus on having an actual public product that students can not only be proud of, but that can also be seen, shared, heard, experienced and even critiqued. The potential list of authentic products is endless, but just think about what professionals produce as their final work. It can be something that is designed and built. It can be a presentation, video or public service announcement. It could be printed materials, as well as a new website, logo or blog. Maybe it’s a new company or organization that is created. Maybe it’s an event or series of events. Again, professionals tend to make, build, create, design, produce and present things that others can often use, purchase or experience. Students tend to care about their work more when there are public expectations of their final products. And their final products often combine many of the authentic elements here such as authentic problems and challenges, technology and gear, audiences and collaborators and more. As educators, we care about the learning process and metacognitive journey that students will engage in by trying to produce their best public product.
Authentic Competition
Let’s be perfectly clear. I’m not advocating that all projects need to have a competitive component. That being said, it’s one avenue that can create more interest and authenticity for students. Why have athletics, performing arts and other co-curricular endeavors always been so successful? There are many reasons but the fact that they are competitive in nature is part of it. Those in the visual arts (video, media, art, graphic design) have long enjoyed participating in various local, regional, national and even international contests. Career Technical Education realized long ago that contest - such as Skills Challenge USA - were just one of the many ways to engage students, as well as make their work seem more real, relevant and applicable. Well, we can now add or create the contest, or competition, in all areas of student work if we choose. If we’re addressing a school or campus concern, maybe the administration can offer incentives, award the winning team or implement one of the solutions. Can our business and community partners add a competitive component such as awards, scholarships, internships or more? What if our student products, presentations and work used Shark Tank like tactics and allowed public audiences and collaborative partners to choose, as well as partner with, selected final works? There are literally thousands of online contests for almost every imaginable endeavor. Sometimes we just need to include this as option or make our students aware.
Authentic Time
Finally, the term “real time” has been used to mean a variety of things. But in this context, let’s think about how time is relevant to authenticity. First, project ideas and challenges can and should come from issues and needs that are current and timely. Think about all of the projects that probably were tackled this year related to timely issues in the news (things like the students speaking out against gun violence, the #metoo reaction and so many others). Many issues will probably be in our current news for a long time (think sustainability, poverty, racism, food insecurity, homelessness, etc.), but they may see greater attention due to an incident or big new story. We need to strike when the proverbial iron is hot in order to maximize our students’ interest, as well as the authenticity.
Wrapping Up
As always, this not intended to be an exhaustive list, but rather a series of reminders, starting points or check-ins. The continual pursuit of connecting learning and the real world will only get more vital and intense. These various paths to authenticity can help solidify that connection.

My Instagram