Category Archives: Teaching Tips & Strategies

Use Animations in Microsoft PowerPoint to Enhance Your Teaching

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Many students learn by watching and viewing rather than just writing and listening. One of the best ways to enhance student learning is by using animations in Microsoft PowerPoint during your presentations. If you’re not used to using animations in Microsoft PowerPoint, it may take you a little time to adapt. Here’s are a few key factors to keep in mind as you get used to this new style of teaching.

using animations in Microsoft PowerPoint
Source: Wikimedia Commons

There are two different types of animations in PowerPoint:

  • Preset Animation Schemes already control the way that all of the content comes into the slide. All you have to do is add your content, and it will follow the preset scheme.
  • Custom Animations let you apply a different animation scheme to each individual item on a slide. This is the more common choice among PowerPoint users, since it gives you more control.

Common animation schemes that you may find useful during your lectures include:

  • Setting animations that allow one bullet point to be added to the slide at a time. This will keep students’ focus on the point you are currently addressing.
  • Add arrows and other marks to a slide as you explain a complex process or flow-chart type illustration.

For more ways to utilize software to enhance student learning, contact us at Labyrinth Learning today to learn more about our programs that benefit both students and their instructors.

Teach Students the History of Accounting

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history of accounting
Source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Accounting is undoubtedly a very important field, but students sometimes struggle to become engaged with the material in their early accounting classes. A great way to increase interest in the subject is to start your Accounting 101 class with a discussion of the history of accounting. This discussion sets the stage to learn basic accounting principles, framing the subject matter in a light that is more likely to hold student attention.

A one-class discussion of the history of accounting could include the following high points:

The early use of double-entry bookkeeping by Venetian merchants

This system was first described by Luca Pacioli in the 1400s. He included in his description details about the use of debits and credits in ledgers. Today’s accounting systems still rely on these basic systems, and your students will be interested to know where they originated.

The rising need for advanced accounting systems during the Industrial Revolution.

Corporations were developed during this period, and more sophisticated accounting systems were needed to manage shareholders’ interests in firms.

The creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the 1930s.

When this commission was created, it became mandatory for publicly-traded companies to file reports with the SEC.

The Impact of the 2001 Enron scandal on the accounting industry.

Following this event, tougher restrictions were placed on consulting accountants to deter future scandals.

If you’re looking for a great way to teach your students the history of accounting, as well as its advanced applications, contact us at Labyrinth Learning.

Help Students Learn Windows 8.1 Skills

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Essential Window 8.1 Skills One of the most important subjects of education in this day and age is the ability to use computers and computer software. For example, learning Windows 8.1, which is Microsoft’s newest operating system, will help make it easier for students to perform computer-related work. The best way to do this is by using the Essential Window 8.1 Skills textbook.

The Essential Windows 8.1 Skills textbook is an excellent introduction of Microsoft’s new operating system and provides a great overview of all of its new features, which include full-screen apps and the touch screen-friendly approach of tiles. The textbook will help students learn Microsoft’s new interface and boot operations as well as how to work with files and programs, manage photos and music, interact online via social media, and more.

The textbook accomplishes this through nine different lessons that require minimal reading in order to reach as many students as possible. The skills needed to use Microsoft’s new operating system will be developed with hands-on exercises. There are two options for how the Essential Windows 8.1 Skills textbooks is available – you can purchase it as a physical textbook for $52 or you can download an e-book version complete with video instructions for only $31.25.

To help your students get the absolute most out of Microsoft Windows 8.1, you’ll want to use the Essential Windows 8.1 Skills textbook to provide in-depth knowledge on how to use the operating system. For more about learning Windows 8.1, contact us at Labyrinth Learning today.

Effective Ways to Motivate Your Students

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how to motivate your students
Source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Learning can either be fun or boring, and where it swings depends on your approach as a teacher. As a general rule, the more motivated students are, the easier they find learning — even if the subject matter you’re teaching isn’t necessarily easy.

To get the class interested to learning, here are some helpful tips on how to motivate your students:

  • Work with the strengths and weaknesses of your students. Give them rewards for their strong points while finding ways to strengthen their weak points.
  • Make the lesson interactive by encouraging questions and asking for feedback. It’s a good way for your students to be more involved.
  • Free up your schedule for consultation before and after the class, and also during breaks. Let your students know they can approach you for any question they have about the lesson.
  • Divide the topic in cycles 15-20 minutes long to sustain attention. Any longer than that, and your students will have a more difficult time focusing.
  • Use different teaching techniques aside from standard practices. Interactive student discussions, group activities, hands-on demonstrations, and film showings are a few things you can try in the classroom.
  • Show your students the practical application of what you’re teaching. It’s a great way to stir up student curiosity.

Here’s another important tip on how to motivate your students: Use multimedia tools to encourage interaction and streamline the whole teaching process.

We at Labyrinth Learning offer various titles for different courses, so contact us to know more about them.

Enjoy the Benefits of Word 2013 CourseCARD

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Word 2013 CourseCARDWhether you’re completely new to Microsoft Word or just to Microsoft Word 2013 (the latest version), the Microsoft Word 2013 CourseCARD is a great resource to have by your side. As a quick start guide for beginners, this particular CourseCARD offers well-explained information on the Word interface, along with essential functions and features you need to know for creating and formatting your documents.

The guide is composed of three sections: Quick Reference, Basic Topics, and Advanced Topics. Quick Reference goes over the Mini Toolbar and the different Ribbon tabs, while Basic Topics and Advanced Topics cover matters of increasing complexity — anything from inserting symbols to creating building blocks.

Aside from these, you also get access to Top Productivity Tips and Solutions, a page full of tips on how to make templates, apply effects on text, and customize Word, among other topics.

Priced at only $6.50 if purchased online, the Microsoft Word 2013 CourseCARD is an affordable and practical way to help you learn how to use Word 2013 efficiently and effectively. Please take note that a digital copy of this resource is not available at the moment. However, it comes in textbook form which can be delivered straight to your doorstep after you have placed an order.

We offer other CourseCards for various software applications that Microsoft offers. To learn more about our products, please contact us at Labyrinth Learning with your inquiries.

Learn the Helpful Options in the eLab Course Management System

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eLab course management system
Source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

One major advantage of partnering with Labyrinth Learning is the ease, convenience and malleability of our eLab course management system. Flexible options abound when it comes to teaching any of the eLab courses offered because our system allows easy accessibility with the same licensing key. Depending on the textbook selected, there are three different eLab courses available:

Course-in-a-box: This requires no additional setup. This selection includes pre-built lesson plans, assignments, and tests. All these options plus the additional pre-populated learning devices allows you to easily make your selections with no complicated set-up tasks. No modifications are necessary unless you choice to implement them, though additional customized tests and assignments can easily be added if you desire.

Custom course: This option comes complete with easy to use online tools so you can quickly select the lessons, pre-built tests and assignments you want to include. While we do offer a wide variety of accounting education resources, we realize some instructors need the option of being able to create their own instructional guides and exams. Our eLab management system allows this to be done on the course-in-a-box selection and the custom course option.

Our build your own system is perfect for instructors who prefer total control over their eLab course content. You have complete flexibility over what content to include, and there are no preloaded exams, assignments, or lesson plans.

Are you interested in learning more about the Labyrinth Learning eLab course management system?  Please contact us today for additional information.

Enhance Your Teaching With Windows 8 CourseCard

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Windows 8 CourseCard
Windows 8 CourseCard

Change is hard and when a computer operating system hasn’t been modified in several years, it makes it that much more difficult for people to adjust. Since the new Microsoft Windows 8 now offers touchscreen apps and a higher level of desktop productivity, it raises the bar on multi-tasking, making it a very attractive option.

All these changes are now creating quite an interest in students wanting to become proficient very quickly. As with anything new, the last thing you want is for your students to become bogged down trying to remember the latest essential features and keyboard shortcuts. That’s why Labyrinth Learning is proud to offer the Microsoft Windows 8 CourseCARD and the Microsoft Windows 8 FastCARD to assist your students in learning and retaining everything they need to know concerning this updated operating system.

Beginning with the Windows 8 FastCARD, students will be able to follow along as you instruct them on the basic skills they will need to master. This handy guide includes instructions on how to navigate and configure the start menu, what jump lists are, operating the recycle bin, where the notification area is and how it functions and finally how to maneuver the specific taskbars.

The Windows 8 CourseCARD has helpful tips on customizing and formatting this new style of desktop, as well as learning how to manage all those necessary files and folders.

Are you interested in hearing more about all the specialized learning tools Labyrinth Learning has available? Connect with us today.

Help Students Learn a New Program With Outlook 2013 CourseCARD

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Learning to use different programs that are essential to a well-rounded knowledge of computers is very important in this day and age. It’s why you should go to extra lengths to make sure students are familiar with basic software programs, such as Microsoft Outlook. Thankfully, there are some excellent teaching tools available, such as the Microsoft Outlook 2013 CourseCARD.

The Outlook 2013 CourseCARD is a fantastic beginner’s guide for new users of Microsoft Outlook. Students will be able to reference all of the program’s essential features, keyboard shortcuts as well as productivity tips at any time. The Quick Reference features goes over the Ribbon interface, which is what the program now uses. Students will also be able to use the Basic Topics feature, which includes tips on using the main features of Outlook, including Calendar, Mail, Contacts, Tasks and the To-Do-Bar.

Microsoft Outlook 2013 CourseCARD
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Once students get a basic grasp of Microsoft Outlook, they can further their understanding of the program by using the Advanced Topics feature of the CourseCARD, which provides information on using the new Conversation view, color categories, electronic business cards, attachments and signatures. To become an expert Microsoft Outlook user, students can then move on to Top Productivity Tips and Solutions in order to learn how to set up automatic replies, view calendars during meeting requests, create their own Quick Steps, and use the Outlook Social Connector.

Learn the ins and outs of Microsoft Outlook with the Microsoft Outlook 2013 CourseCARD. Contact us at Labyrinth Learning for additional information.

Enjoy Teaching With the FastCourse Microsoft PowerPoint

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Microsoft PowerPoint is a tool that is not only commonly used when giving presentations in the classroom, but also out in the business world, which means it’s incredibly beneficial to learn the program. Trying to learn it on your own can be a difficult task, especially since PowerPoint has countless features that can be used. This is why the FastCourse Microsoft PowerPoint 2013: Level 1 textbook is so helpful.

FastCourse Microsoft PowerPoint 2013: Level 1 textbook
Source: Wikimedia Commons

The level one version of this FastCourse Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 textbook is perfect for introducing students to the PowerPoint software. It allows new computer users who want to get a decent grasp of PowerPoint to learn beginner-level PowerPoint skills. There are a number of topics covered in-depth within the textbook, including:

  • An introduction of the software’s Ribbon interface
  • How to use document themes
  • How to create bulleted lists
  • How to create outlines
  • How to format text
  • How to print presentations
  • How to create transitions
  • How to use clip art and graphics
  • How to do slide show delivery
  • How to use charts

The textbook teaches these topics through 4 lessons that uses a step-by-step and skill-based approach so that students can learn the program as quickly and easily as possible. Once the student becomes well versed in these beginner topics, they can move on to level 2 for learn about PowerPoint’s more advanced features.

Find out more about the FastCourse Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 textbook, as well as our other software guide textbooks, by contacting us at Labyrinth Learning today.

Reap the Benefits of the Excel 2013 CourseCARD

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Microsoft Excel 2013 CourseCARD
Visit our website for more information on the Microsoft Excel 2013 CourseCARD.

Microsoft Excel has in record time become one of the most popular programs in both the corporate and small business world, as well as for home use. However, beginners experience moments of panic when delving into the inner workings of this versatile application.

Excel offers thousands of features so creating a system of understanding how to add onto the quick access toolbar, what a ribbon is and remembering keyboard shortcuts is vital to the overall success of learning Microsoft Excel.

That is why Labyrinth Learning is pleased to offer Microsoft Excel 2013 CourseCARD. Instead of students laboring over physical note taking, frequently distracting them from the next topic being introduced, our Microsoft Excel 2013 CourseCARD provides students with a quick and easy to understand reference guide.

More than just a step by step list that students follow to solve a problem, CourseCARD explains how Excel functions and details the necessary features and tools so each worksheet can operate properly. There are also basic and advanced topic sections along with a top productivity tips and solutions page.

The basic topic section includes tips on entering information, formulating data and managing worksheets, while the more advanced section discusses some of Excel’s newer features, including sparklines and PivotChart field buttons. The solutions page is a quick reference guide on customizing methods, creating specialized templates and worksheets and how to open older versions of Excel.

For information about our additional teaching aids, please contact us at Labyrinth Learning today.