Why Has Folklore Endured? I Oxford Open Learning

Folklore predates recorded history. At its base definition, folklore is communal stories and traditions that have been passed down through generations via word of mouth. That means many avenues of oral storytelling can be reasonably defined as folklore; ballads, proverbs, riddles, oral epics (Homeric poems), and plays to count a few. The list goes on. There are easy answers to how some aspects of folklore have survived today. After all, we all tell stories often, and enjoy lending an ear to rumo...
Homeschooling •

Transitioning From School To Home School I Oxford Open Learning

Learning from home can be a big adjustment after time spent in public schooling. Every family has a different reasoning for exploring home schooling as an option, too, and each has a different experience of it. After all, these changes aren’t just about preferential treatment anymore. Sometimes, the case for homeschooling can be as important as protecting a child and their well-being. Whatever your situation might be, there could be ways to make the change easier on you. So, how can you better t...
Homeschooling •

Tips For Finishing A Book You Don't Like I Oxford Open Learning

We’ve all found ourselves staring at a book that part of us wishes we never picked up. However, that doesn’t always mean we should put the book down! Some people claim that not finishing a book gives them a sense of joyous freedom, but in truth, that’s probably a short-term sensation and a hollow victory. It’s not always an option, either. After all, there are many reasons you might need to power through a book you don’t like. Perhaps you need to get through the book as part of your academic stu...
Homeschooling •

SEO: What Is It? I Oxford Open Learning

Studying is no longer just about retaining information. It’s also about staying safe online. There are new laws being implemented to keep children safe on the internet. However, the first lines of defence should always be your own precautions. There can be a lot of anxiety around using the internet for looking up information today. AI has further muddied the waters. How do we know everything we’re viewing is trustworthy? To help you feel safe online during your studying, an understanding of sear...
Homeschooling •

How Did Home Schooling Start In The UK? I Oxford Open Learning

Sometimes, to better appreciate a journey you’re on, it’s a good idea to think about those who came before you. What were their experiences like? Are they the same or different to yours? How did it all begin? There’s a long and storied history of home schooling in the UK. In 1977, there were twenty families in the UK being educated primarily at home. By 2009, that figure had risen to 80,000. Interestingly, 10,000 children entered the home schooling system in Autumn 2023 alone. The main reasoning...
Homeschooling •

Home Schooling Socialising I Oxford Open Learning

Home schooling comes with many perks. Your learning schedule can be more flexible, and you also get lots of one-on-one time with your tutor. However, it might seem hard to interact with your peers when you’re at home studying. Socialisation is an important part of growing up, as it can teach you all about how to make friends, teamwork, and network. To be social is to have a healthy lifestyle. Still, being home schooled doesn’t mean you have to miss out on being social. It just means you need to...

What Can You Learn From A Debate? I Oxford Open Learning

We all debate most days in some form. This is especially true for teens, who spend much of their time contesting topics with either peers or parents! It may also be true to say that the state of public discourse is in tatters. There’s endless amounts of vitriol flooding into cyberspace, as well as inflammatory statements made by those who are supposed to have the coolest heads and most sensible outlooks. Where do you fit into this picture? Well, it’s important to watch how people settle their di...
Homeschooling •

Maximising Home Schooling Field Trips I Oxford Open Learning

Everyone enjoys good field trips. However, for homeschooled pupils, the opportunity to get out of the house and see the world can be very exciting. Field trips are amazing. Depending on the nature of the trip, you may get to see how all your textbook learning bares relevance in the real world. From witnessing the application of your academics to better understanding the context of your wider learning, it can all bring with it a fresh perspective that revitalises your motivation to study. As with...
Homeschooling •

Ways To Adapt If Studying In A Heatwave I Oxford Open Learning

Effective studying requires your undivided attention. Even minor distractions can throw you off your game. While there are many articles out there about how technology and noise can interfere with studying, something that’s not mentioned too often is the weather. After all, studying typically takes place indoors, and being indoors means learning conditions can be better controlled. However, the intensity and frequency of heatwaves is now breaking records year-on-year. While one might expect to e...
Homeschooling •

The Joys Of Little Free Libraries I Oxford Open Learning

The Joys Of Little Free Libraries Everything we have comes from books. While we all have varying opinions on the quality of different texts, literature has established a global understanding that the exchange of ideas is sacred. Whether it’s our media or our science, it all starts with the written word. However, we’re now living in a time where public libraries are being closed by councils to balance the books. Campaigners fight on to reverse these decisions. Even should they fail, the love of
Homeschooling •

Study, Exams And Hay Fever I Oxford Open Learning

To have persistent allergies can seem like a good dose of bad luck. However, to be dealing with things like hay fever during a high-pressure exam season is beyond pale. Itchy eyes, running noses, itchy throats – it’s a huge challenge to process anything properly when hay fever is bad enough. For those suffering, the disruption to their learning schedule can be very serious. Hay fever season used to typically begin around May or June time. However, recently there has been speculation that the h
Homeschooling •

Dune: Why This Story Still Resonates I Oxford Open Learning

Every so often, there’s a narrative that changes storytelling forever. Published in book form in 1965, Frank Herbert’s Dune became counted among them. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely seen all the praise that the film Dune: Part Two has been receiving online, and deservedly so! Perhaps you’ve even seen the epic yourself, or its predecessor, or read the books. Whichever stage of the Dune journey you’re on, there’s still a question you may be struggling to put your finger on;...

4 Historical Figures People Often Misunderstand I Oxford Open Learning

Knowing history is a point of pride for many people. There’s a lot to be learned from the trials and tribulations of those who came before us. Learning about it all can be a show of respect for their plight, too. Many Americans, in particular, yearn to feel closer to their heritage, and value history on that basis too. However, it’s also true that many nations only teach ‘their version’ of history in school. In 2021, an e-petition was launched calling on the government to teach more of Britain’s
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
Homeschooling •

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
Homeschooling •

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
Homeschooling •

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
MEN'S STYLE BLOG •

Who Can Help With Unauthorised Use Of Your Branding? — MEN'S STYLE BLOG

Branding is everything in business. It builds familiarity between companies and their consumers, further facilitating feelings of trust and goodwill. A firm's prospects can take a hit when its branding is stolen. Individuals responsible for these heinous acts can tarnish the good name of hardworking entrepreneurs and leave business owners feeling isolated in their suffering. Moreover, these incidents are more common than you might think, too. If you're a business owner who has encountered unauth...
Load More Articles