Homeschooling •

Can Social Media Support Your Home Learning? I Oxford Open Learning

Social media is often dubbed as one big distraction for young scholars. Indeed, it can be, with many influencers and marketers tailoring content to engage people for as long as possible. The manner of constant attention can be toxic, and the content can be too. However, as with many things, how you approach and utilise social media can make a big difference to how it impacts your life. There are pockets of this online space that are not only safe, but highly informative too! Even your home learn
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Buying Books You Already Own: Why New Editions Matter I Oxford Open Learning

Buying Books You Already Own: Why New Editions Matter Your reading list probably asks you for newest editions of novels and textbooks. If you own some older editions of these texts already, you might think; ‘why do I need to rebuy something I already own?’ It can be an annoying question, particularly for your parent or legal guardian. After all, it’s their money! Due to cost-of-living pressures, many parents are now spending less on books for their kids. If you have an older sibling, it’s even
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What Role Does Mythology Play In Middle-earth? I Oxford Open Learning

What Role Does Mythology Play In Middle-earth? The Lord of the Rings (1954) is a text unlike any other. While millions of readers have no doubt picked up the books to give them a read, some fans may have gotten more than they bargained for in doing so. Perhaps Tolkien experienced a similar circumstance himself in the writing of these works? After all, the three novels making up the story, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, are more than ‘just stories’. One

5 Reasons ChatGPT Will Never Replace The Author I Oxford Open Learning

5 Reasons ChatGPT Will Never Replace The Author ChatGPT is an AI language tool that can produce essays, blog posts and prose in a matter of seconds. It’s applications have been numerous already, and you’re likely familiar with the ins and outs of it too. That said, we’re all thinking about how the technology might be utilised in the future too. The consensus is often changing. Some countries have gone so far as to ban ChatGPT, and then reinstate its use later, for instance. It’s a new technolog
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Why Should You Read More Dystopian Literature? I Oxford Open Learning

Why Should You Read More Dystopian Literature? You might have heard the word ‘dystopia’ before and know it to be a term with negative connotations. Perhaps you associate the word with ‘end of the world’ type scenarios, but it can be more nuanced than that – especially when it comes to its relevance in literature. Dystopian literature seeks to examine hypothetical futures. These texts typically feature societies that are on the cusp of collapse (which can mean many things) with a downtrodden ci

Journaling To Improve Study I Oxford Open Learning

Many students are desperate to find ways to be more efficient in their studies. Some might hope that developing a strict study schedule will be enough. However, journaling can help you realise and unlock your potential in your academic career. It could give you a new lease of life, help you explore other areas of interest, and build your sense of self-awareness. Sometimes you need to check the rear-view mirror before driving forward. Let’s explore 5 ways journaling can make you a more efficient

Tips To Help Your Writing Be More Concise I Oxford Open Learning

Tips To Help Your Writing Be More Concise Much of essay writing is about persuasiveness. Often, stronger points are more concise in their structure. Of course, many young scholars will try to pad out their word counts however they can. Still, real academia is about quality, not quantity. Anyone can babble on for minutes on end – what really matters is the nuance and thought behind what you’re presenting in your writing. There is also the case that essay writing is becoming more dubious in natu
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Talking Tolkien: Why The New Amazon Series Is On Shaky Ground I Oxford Open Learning

Talking Tolkien: Why The New Amazon Series Is On Shaky Ground Adapting the literary works of J.R.R Tolkien to the screen is not quite like doing so for anything else. The man was more than just an author of a fantasy story. He was an esteemed academic and a remarkable linguist who possessed a keen cunning. Tolkien’s works are quintessential to British culture and an unrivalled part of literary history. Moreover, his works are also infused with historical and mythic elements and encompass far m

The Usefulness Of Drama In Higher Education I Oxford Open Learning

The Usefulness Of Drama In Higher Education Drama has many uses for kids, so learning the tools of this trade for GCSEs and A-Levels could be a good idea. However, this consensus is now being called into question. Recent news paints a vastly different picture, with the government proposing to cut funding for creative subjects by 50% at higher education level, including drama. Sadly, this is a crushing blow for the subject, and likely for the creative industries in general. With the viability

The Importance of Sub-genres

It seems silly to suggest that something as broad as a genre must have a tiered system. After all, everyone knows what is meant by fantasy, right? What else is there to say on the matter? Well, an awful lot to tell you the truth! There’s high fantasy and low fantasy, contemporary fantasy and ever so much more – and that’s just in the world of fantasy alone! You’ll find a whole range of sub-genres under any main genre. To be honest, it could give just about anyone a headache if they stopped to consider just how much of this stuff is out there.

The Moral Quandaries of Huckleberry Finn I Oxford Open Learning

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a revolutionary book that still holds much relevance today. The powerful friendship of young Huck and runaway slave Jim highlighted many of the great racial injustices of the past, and astounded generations of readers the world over. The work was written retrospectively in 1833 after the abolition of slavery in the United States, but it captured the inhumanity of that period through a spectacular use of satire. The tale is about a young white

Dimensions of Lore I Oxford Open Learning

Best created in fictitious literature, and by nature over the course of a series, lore is artfully crafted to add new meaning and depth to imaginary worlds. It’s wandlore in Harry Potter, detailing how the quasi-sentient instruments of witches and wizards are handled and utilised. It’s also how Middle-earth was created by music, before the elves of Valinor waged war on the first dark lord, Morgoth. Understandably, some are put off slightly by lore in their literature. Often, it’s vast and overw
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The Values of Volunteering I Oxford Open Learning

If you’re learning from home, then perhaps you’re starting to get itchy feet. It’s understandable in these times to feel a need to get back out there and put some good into the world. Well, volunteering can be a great way to throw yourself into some new activities and experiences, and better yet, it can even help your home-based studying in various ways too! Whether you want to aid others in need or you’re simply just very bored, there are plenty of organisations out there that need a helping h

Remote Learning: 5 Ways of Asking For Help I Oxford Open Learning

Remote Learning: 5 Ways of Asking For Help Asking for help can make some people feel self-conscious and afraid of judgement. After all, being nervous of asking for help can start at school and carry on through university, with a mixture of fear and pride holding students back from taking that all important step. Still, if you can conquer these feelings of inadequacy early, your quality of education will improve. From there, the sky is the limit! Of course, the ways you can ask for help will ch
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Literature's Best Film and TV Adaptations I Oxford Open Learning

The old saying is quite true; there really is nothing like a good book! However, onscreen adaptations of these texts can sometimes come close. This is especially true when they’re well-made, with every frame a heartfelt homage to the source material from which it came. Of course, there have been misfires in cinema and television history when it comes to adaptations. So how do you separate the good from the bad? Well, luckily for you, we’ve done it for you! Here are 5 screen adaptations (not inc
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Perfect Books for Summer Reading I Oxford Open Learning

When the sun shines, it’s time to hit the outdoors and bury yourself within a good book. Many of us circle back to our own personal favourites, tabling fresh material for another time. But what if you’re looking to expand your reading? A lot of us are looking for a way to jump-start our summers in these testing times, and a shiny new reading list is a great way to start. Dame Jacqueline Wilson has led the charge in this year’s summer reading challenge, with the theme being ‘Let’s Get Silly’ in
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10 Wedding Venue Questions You Need to Ask | CHWV

Allow us to help you determine which wedding venue questions you should ask when planning your dream day! Choosing the right setting for your wedding is never easy, as most venues look stunningly flawless. However, with the right questions for your wedding venue, you'll soon find the place that is perfect for you. But what queries should you be making? 1. What is the capacity of the venue? It might be that the dream setting of your wedding can only host a fortunate few, or it could be that yo
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Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours l CHWV

Planning a sustainable wedding? Take a look at these eco-friendly wedding favours that are perfect for your special day! If you’re planning an environmentally friendly wedding, then it’s only natural for you to offer eco-friendly wedding favours. Luckily, there’s a lot of options out there to choose from, and we’ll help you narrow them down to a compact list of great ideas! Affordably bought from practically any garden centre, succulents are easy to pot and look after. These pretty plants can
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