Monthly Archives: October 2013

Why Your Accounting Department Should Start Using Quickbooks

October 31, 2013Featured, UncategorizedBettering a Business with Technology, computer accounting methods, tips for teaching computer skills, Uses and applications of Quickbookslablearning

People who have studied accounting understand the tedious and time-consuming effort needed to complete even a single financial statement. Not to mention the frustration of having to start over because of a single mistake, which can render an entire document useless. For businesses, using a robust and easy to use accounting software like QuickBooks is a great solution.

Why Your Accounting Department Should Start Using Quickbooks — Utilize Quickbooks to better manage the accounting in your business.

QuickBooks is the number one rated accounting software in the United States for a good reason. Here is a small selection of the reasons to start using QuickBooks:

QuickBooks can help accountants produce the same results in much less time compared to manual calculation. Better still, its speed means that new information can be incorporated into its financial statements as soon as it comes in, meaning that businesses will have up-to-date information for use in their decision-making processes at all times.
The chance of human error is reduced because QuickBooks can pull information straight from common business programs.
Considering the benefits of using QuickBooks, it is relatively inexpensive.
QuickBooks is scalable because it can continue providing businesses with the same benefits even as their operations expand and increase in number. At the same time, QuickBooks is versatile because it can be customized to meet the needs of organizations ranging from non-profits to retailers and manufacturers.
Given both the length of its existence and the number of its users, there can be no doubt that QuickBooks is reliable.
Learning to use QuickBooks is simple so as to minimize the disruption to businesses from switching over.

For more on QuickBooks, contact us at Labyrinth Learning.

Image Source: jannoon028 (freedigitalphotos)

Speed Up Microsoft Outlook with Simple Tips

October 30, 2013Teaching Tips & StrategiesLabyrinth Learning, Microsoft Office 2013, Tips on Using Microsoft Outlooklablearning

If you are familiar with Microsoft Outlook and have been using it for quite some time, you know that Outlook can slow down. If Outlook is not looked after properly, it can be just about useless to utilize. However, do not despair, because there are certain effective ways to speed up Outlook. Use these following tips to improve your Microsoft Outlook:

Update Your Windows

Most people do not realize that Microsoft Office updates are always hidden, when it comes to standard Windows updates. Nevertheless, keep in mind that besides Office updates, you should allow other updates to go through in order to speed up outlook.

Download All Complete Items

When you connect your Outlook with POP3 or IMAP, you should set the Outlook to download all complete messages, instead of only the headers. If this isn’t practiced, Outlook will not have to synchronize with the server each time you click on new items.

Archive the Inbox

To speed up outlook, always archive all emails in your inbox. If this is not done, it can cause major issues with your Outlook.

Make Use of Cached Exchange Mode

If Cached Exchange Mode is used in Outlook, you efficiently take all the data files from the PST and cache it onto the OST (local machine). This can help towards speeding up Outlook, because it does not have to scan through all the data files across a particular network.

For more tips about speeding up your outlook, contact Labyrinth Learning today.

Image Source: Stuart Miles (freedigitalphotos)

How Windows 8.1 Will Improve Office Life

October 28, 2013Uncategorizede-learning resources, Labyrinth Learning, New Microsoft Windows Software, The Best Software for an Officelablearning

Although Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8.1 has its appeals for private consumers, it is also going to be powerful enough to fulfill the needs of modern businesses. No matter the exact duties and responsibilities expected of your position, Windows 8.1 in the office will help make it easier to live up to them.

Here are some of the features introduced in Windows 8.1:

Work Folders let you work with any device you want at any time. Even if you bring your work home on an unconnected device, your progress will be uploaded to the central server as soon as the device is connected to the Internet. In short, Work Folders give employees more freedom, without getting in the way of IT.
Windows 8.1 is meant to be more secure than its predecessors. One example is how Windows Defender is going to include network behavior monitoring, providing the OS with additional native protection against unauthorized intrusion. Furthermore, Microsoft has promised a decade of support for Windows 8.1, which will help keep its protections up-to-date for that period.
Microsoft is including native support for VPN clients, making it much easier for businesses to protect their data.
There are also numerous user experience improvements that will help make your office life more comfortable. For example, Windows 8.1’s search capabilities are going to be integrated with Bing, making it possible for you to search for anything from your user interface.

For help with the office software meant to go with Windows 8.1, please contact us at Labyrinth Learning.

How to Pick the Right Technology for Your Classroom

October 26, 2013Teaching Tips & Strategiescourse management software, e-learning resources, Labyrinth Learning, technology in the classroomkwalker

With the boom of education technology (or ed tech), there are now more solutions for the classroom than ever. It’s great to have plenty of tech options to choose from, but it can also be confusing instituting them in a class.

The next time you find yourself wondering what solution to pick, simply view the situation from your students’ point of view. What will they find interesting and engaging? What will motivate them to study harder? What will they find easy to use?

Remember that even though ed tech is steadily growing, using technology in the classroom is still not fully mainstream. Some of your students may find it challenging to transition from traditional methods to tech solutions, so it’s advisable to anticipate what their concerns will be.

Also, don’t forget to check if the tech solution you’ll pick actually addresses the needs of your students. It’s easy to be impressed by sleek designs and cute graphics, but it takes close attention to determine if a tech solution serves its intended purpose.

To discover more ways to make learning easier for your students, visit us at Labyrinth Learning and drop us a line. We’d love to hear from you!

What’s New in Windows 8.1

October 24, 2013Uncategorizede-learning resources, New Microsoft Windows Software, technology in the classroom, Windows 8 updatelablearning

Mere days ago, Microsoft brought its newest installment to market, Windows 8.1. From design to functionality, here are the essential differences in the new Windows operating system:

Return of the Start Button. Users who are fans of the iconic Windows Start button will celebrate its return. However, if you were hoping for a Windows 7-esque retreat, then apply the braes. The new Start button leads to the start screen rather than the customary program menu.

Improved UI interface. For the experienced Windows user, there’s a constant clash between the new Windows start screen and more traditional desktop interface. Windows 8.1 users will feature less contention between the two.

Enhanced functionality for mouses and keyboards. Taking into account that not everyone is using a touch screen, Windows 8.1 has adjustments to ensure that keyboards and mouses work adequately with the system.

New IE. With the addition of the new system comes an update to one of the most popular web browsers. Internet Explorer, now in its eleventh installment, is projected to be faster and adds new features.

Microsoft made it clear these updates are a direct-response to consumer feedback. Though experts don’t quite deem Windows 8.1 a new system, they agree it’s more than a band-aid on Windows 8’s presented deficiencies. If you are a Windows 8 user, the great news is that you can enjoy this system update free-of-charge by visiting the Microsoft Windows store.

Labyrinth Learning stays up-to-date with the latest technology developments to ensure that learning is effective and engaging. Contact us today for more information.

Lighten Up with These Fun Uses for Microsoft Excel

October 22, 2013Featured, Teaching Tips & Strategiescourse management software, e-learning resources, Learn How to Use Excelkwalker

Lighten Up with These Fun Uses for Excel — Source: freedigitalphotos

Excel users have found that the software can be used for much more than just spreadsheets. Have fun with Excel by trying some of these creative ideas that will help students and employees become more familiar with the software.

Turn photos into spreadsheets. Through utilizing the conditional formatting feature, you can convert photos into spreadsheets to make pixel art.
Create works of art. With the shapes and illustration tools in Excel, you can create beautiful pieces of artwork. The only limit is your imagination.
Create animated GIFs. By treating every cell in the spreadsheet as a pixel, you can make form cartoon pictures that can be easily transformed into animated GIFs.
Play a game. Arena.XIsm is a free role playing game created for Excel featuring more than 2,000 enemies at different difficulty levels, 12 pre-programmed arenas, and four endings to the story. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can even modify the game.

For more ideas for teaching software in your organization or school, contact us at Labyrinth Learning.

Labyrinth Learning Provides Assessment Tools to Help High-Reaching Students

October 3, 2013Featured, News & Eventsassessing student performance, e-learning resources, Labyrinth Learning, teaching computer literacy, tools for studentskwalker

Education is changing rapidly due to technology for students and many bright teenagers would like to move quickly through the secondary school system. A new bill introduced in the Wisconsin legislature would allow middle school children to earn high school class credit, similar to the advanced placement programs in many states that allow high school students to take community college classes for credit.

Student Assessment Computer Software — Source: Shutter Stock

12 and 13-year old kids may be lacking in the essential computer skills needed to use word processing programs or spreadsheets. These programs are necessary in high school and college. Labyrinth Learning has the resources to help bridge the gap between what students have learned and what they need to know and help them more easily excel in their new environment.

In addition middle school teachers need tools to evaluate computer technology skills and work with students as facilitators while students learn and improve their skills. This facilitation will be made easier with technology for students that can be implemented in the classroom for these students who are excelling.

Labyrinth Learning has the necessary resources to bring young students and teachers together for a positive learning environment.