Money Making Tips for Teachers During the Summer

Are you faced with an abundance of free time and a lack of money? If you're a full-time, part-time or substitute teacher, it's easy to get bored during the summer and find yourself with a lot less "spending money." Here are some ideas to make the most of your summer and make a little extra cash while you're at it.

• Tutoring - whether in your subject area or even teaching English as a second language, tutoring is very lucrative and you can earn up to $30 + an hour in some cases.
• Grade Exams - marking exams, such as AP and year end exams, is not only a good way to earn a little extra money, but also enables teachers to prepare their students for their future exams. These types of positions range anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000!
• Teach Night Classes - there are many opportunities at high schools and universities to teach evening classes. And the hours are usually flexible and work with a teacher's schedule. Contact an organizer with your class proposal - organizers are always looking to add more courses to their brochures.
  
• Teach English Overseas - if you speak English as a first language, you can teach English as a second language! This opportunity is perfect for those looking to travel and even find a better paying position in another country or just looking to relocate.

But if you're looking to try something different and get away from teaching all together, you can always try out some of these ideas:

• Babysitting - great for K-5 level teachers! Although it's not as much money as tutoring, the hours may be much better for your schedule.
• Summer Camp - host summer camp for a week or so over the summer and plan activities for the children. If you're a mother, this is an easy way to have fun with your kids over the summer and give your friends or neighbors a break from theirs!
• Online Auctions - try selling a few items lying around your house on eBay or Craig's List. You'll be able to clean out your house and make a few bucks at the same time.
• Vacation Helper - many people go on vacation during the summer and are looking for trustworthy, reliable people to water their plants, take care of their dogs, pick up their newspaper or mail, or just watch their house. This is a great opportunity for you to take advantage of your free time and make some extra money.

Original Content By Dustin Cannon, owner of JustArticles.com
Click here to read the original article

Pro Tools 8 Includes Enhanced Notation Features

Original Content By Laura B. Whitmore

Back in December, Digidesign released Pro Tools 8, a new version of the industry standard recording software. Both Digidesign and Sibelius are a part of Avid Technology Inc., and if you are already familiar with Sibelius notation software, and even if you aren’t, you’ll be happy to know that Sibelius and Pro Tools have enhanced their partnership in Pro Tools 8, providing increased integration and functionality for Pro Tools’ notation features.

What does this mean to you? For starters, with Pro Tools 8 you can readily see and manipulate the notation for the recordings you are working on. You can choose either a full score window, which allows you to see your music as notation on the entire screen. Or, you can split the screen and select the part you want to see as notation. Then the notation appears at the bottom. You can zoom-in, edit, transpose, add chord symbols or just simply see what the notation for a passage looks like.

Editing features include inserting or deleting notes, lengthening notes, and much more. You can adjust the score spacing and layout, add more tracks to the score, or just zoom-in on parts. This is particularly useful for composition and arranging students who can connect the music notation to the score, see and hear changes immediately or just follow along. Then, when you’re all done, you can export the score to Sibelius for even further tweaking and finesse.

Educators find this feature useful for pulling out parts for rehearsals and changing scores to accommodate the instruments available in your school ensembles. Students can record their original compositions then create parts for their peers to play live. When you’re ready, you can print out notation directly from Pro Tools, too.


Check out these great deals on educational software:

- Save 50% on Pro Tools 8
- Or get Pro Tools 8 plus the Mbox 2 interface at an incredible price!
- Save 58% on the industry standard in notation software - Sibelius 6!

Microsoft Office Tips & Tricks

Whether you're a student, parent, teacher, administrator or professional, a proficiency in Microsoft Office 2007 is becoming a necessity.

Since Microsoft releases new programs every few years, it's often hard to keep up with all the trends - so Academic Superstore is here to help!

Academic Superstore has the best deals on academic software and the total training you'll need to become an expert in Microsoft Office.

And for Mac users, check out the Make it With Microsoft book bundled with Office 2008.

If you need some extra tutorials or looking for free advice, you can find a wide array of online tips and tricks for Microsoft Office here.

Check out this tip sheet for all Microsoft Office 2007 Programs, or for more interactive tutorials, Microsoft also offers webcasts, podcasts, and video tips or you can sign up for a tip a day via e-mail!

And for all of you administrators, check out these tips and tricks for Administrative Professionals.

From Total Training to 'making it with Microsoft Office 2007,' Academic Superstore has all the resources you need to keep up with today's technology!

Get Incredible Rebates on VisTablets For a Limited Time Only!

The VisTablet Graphics Tablet 12x10 is one of Academic Superstore's most popular products and now until August 1 you can cash in on a $25 rebate direct from VisTablet- on top of the almost $30 savings with your academic discount!

VisTablet is the new standard in graphics tablets. With a 12.1" wide-screen tracing surface, 29 customizable macro-fields and an incredibly slim design, this tablet is ready to become part of your creative process. VisTablet allows you to explore the internet, draw, paint, write, highlight and do professional or home photo-editing. VisTablet also opens up advanced pen features available in all the new Microsoft Office applications. Through electro-magnetic induction, information is exchanged between the pen and the tablet while your movements are translated to your computer screen.

For a limited time, you can also receive a $15 rebate on the already incredibly reasonably priced VisTablet Mini 5x7!


VisTablet is compatible with the following operating systems:
- Microsoft Windows Vista
- Microsoft Windows XP (SP 2)
- Apple OSX (10.3 and later)

Hurry and cash in on these unbelieveable Summer Specials from Academic Superstore before it's too late!

Check out the smart and affordable SolarGorilla and SolarMonkey from PowerTraveller!

Imagine... you're on a safari, in the desert, trekking up a mountain, or simply on the move and your iPod, mobile phone, laptop, netbook or handheld game suddenly loses charge and goes dead.

Fortunately, with the SolarGorilla or SolarMonkey from PowerTraveller, you can re-charge your electronic devices with the power of the sun!


The SolarGorilla's 24 volt and 5 volt USB socket make it the ultimate renewable power station and is compatible with most laptops, mobile phones, iPods, PDAs, handheld game consoles and Sat Navs. And the best part - everyone is eligible for amazing discounts on this state-of-the-art, eco-friendly technology at Academic Superstore!

Or, check out the SolarMonkey which can be connected directly to your phone, iPod, PDA, PSP and more - enabling you to recharge without the need for batteries or a main power supply! The SolarMonkey package includes the Solarnut, which reserves redundant solar energy so that if a sunny day turns cloudy while you're using your SolarMonkey, charging of your device is not affected. It will regulate the supply of power to your device, meaning yet another stress-free charge courtesy of Powertraveller!

The SolarMonkey is compatible with these most popular makes of mobile phones and devices:
- Nokia & Mini Nokia
- Samsung E900
- Sony Ericsson Wide connector
- iPod connector
- DC4.0 for Sony PSP
- Motorola V66
- LG Chocolate
- Mini USB Female USB charging tip

Check out this great deal on practical and enviornmentally friendly deals today! Avoid getting stuck without power or paying too much for it - at this low price you can't afford to pass this up!

Happy 4th of July from Academic Superstore!

Going to a fireworks show or setting off some of your own? Tired of wasting memory, film and time on blurry photos of fireworks? Capture the moment with these top ten tips on How to Photograph Fireworks!

And don't forget - August will be here before you know it, so get a jump start on all the incredible Summer Specials that Academic Superstore has to offer!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday from all of us at Academic Superstore!

After You Land the Interview, How Should You Prepare For It?

You've worked hard to put together a professional resume, cover letter and portfolio and now it's time for the big interview. Here's a short list of "Do's and Don'ts" of interview preparation, execution and follow-up.

Before the Interview
Use your network - look for friends and colleagues who are competitors, partners, vendors or customers of the company you're interested in. You can learn about the organization and discover valuable information to have the competitive advantage.
Use social media - find common connectors. Being more knowledgeable will help you to relax and sell yourself during the interview instead of trying to calm your nerves.
Rehearse the Act - if you know contacts, do a practice interview. Remember to send a thank you note if you do, though!

The Interview
Appearance matters - clothes and accesories should be conservative. If you look and feel good, they're likely to feel the same way about you.
Watch your body language - have good posture, shoulders back and head up. Also, remember that eye contact and smiling translates to confidence, enthusiasm and energy.
Give a good handshake
Watch the voice and volume of your speech
Utilize your vocabulary - your word choice reveals your communication skills and ability to interact with others.
Don't use "non-words"
Avoid grammatical errors - don't slur your speech or drop the endings on words.
Speak slowly - it will help you avoid these problems and give the interviewer more time to process what you're saying. Don't be afraid of silence.
Avoid "weak speak" - "hopefully," "perhaps," "I feel...," "Kind of," etc. all convey that you're not confident. Instead use words like "I'm confident that," "I recommend," "My goal is," etc.

So, Why Should We Hire You?
What they're really trying to say is: "What can you do for this company?" Use this question to summarize your accomplishments but make sure that you also tell them what makes you unique and how your specific skills and experience will help their company. Think of yourself as the product - Why should they buy you? Market yourself as the solution.

Do You Have Any Questions?
You should! Remember to ask questions at this point - but make sure they're insightful. Recruiters are looking for candidates with good questions in order to learn more about their analytical skills. Questions are a sign of enthusiasm and intelligence. Avoid generic questions.

Think of Your Interview as a Compelling Conversation
Prepare to relax - this may sound contradictory, but the more knowledgeable you are about a subject, the more conversational and smooth you'll sound.
Never memorize or have "canned" answers - if a question stumps you, take a minute to answer and admit that it's a difficult question - don't just make up an answer to fill the silence.

Remember to Send a Follow-Up Letter
Sending a professional follow-up letter will definitely set you apart if the employer is currently trying to make a decision. Even if you don't get the job, you never know when you might need them or someone they know in the future. Don't burn any bridges - a well-written letter could never hurt.
Other Resources:
Interviewing Articles From Monster.com
100 Potential Interview Questions

Hot Tip in Music Software!

By Laura B. Whitmore

Scrubbing in Finale
This favorite playback feature in Finale makes it possible to instantly solo an instrument at any point in the music and control the tempo as well. It’s the fastest way to hear a specific section of the music. Plus, the music will play back forward or backward at a speed controlled by the mouse. We call this “scrub” (or scrubbing) playback. In older versions of Finale this was called Audio Spot-Checking. This current feature is named after a technique used by the audio recording world during the days of the multi-track tape. The tape would be manually moved back and forth across the playback head of the recorder to listen to sections of the recorded music and help to determine the best place to make cuts or other physical edits to the tape.

How does this work? With Finale, a shortcut is pressed (the cursor will change to a speaker), and then the mouse is moved across notes on the page. Do not “click & drag.” Simply move the mouse across the notes. As you do this, the notes on the page play back. The speed of the playback depends on how fast you move the mouse. The faster you move the mouse, the faster the notes play back. The direction of the mouse determines if the notes play forward or backward.

Shortcuts:
Mac – Hold down the Option & Spacebar keys, then drag the mouse. This plays the entire score when you drag the mouse across specific music. Next, press the Option & Spacebar, then add Shift as well. This solos the part. Move the mouse across the notes to hear the notes play.
Windows - Press Control & Spacebar, then move the mouse across the music. Add Shift to solo a part.

Check out these great deals on Finale 2010 Academic from Academic Superstore!

Or get the best bang for your buck with the Finale 2010 KeyStation 61es Bundle which combines Finale's famous notation software with the M-Audio 61es KeyStation MIDI Keyboard!

Helpful Sony Software Tips

Love software but need help knowing how to use it? Here are a few tricks and pointers for everything Sony!

Need help with Sony Creative Software like Cinescore, Sound Forge and ACID Pro? Click here to view helpful seminar clips so you can get the most out of your software!




What about editing with Vegas Pro software? We've got you covered with 10 tips for lightning-fast editing!

How about helpful hints for on-the-go users of the Sony Vegas Movie Studio? For everything from getting the most out of your video when you're abroad to batteries, check out these 11 helpful tips!

Get everything Sony Creative and so much more with your unbeatable educational discount at Academic Superstore! Click here to see what you could be saving at Academic Superstore!

Summer Specials on Academic Software That Can't Be Beat!

For a limited time, you can save THOUSANDS of dollars on some of the most popular products from Academic Superstore!

Microsoft Office Pro 2007– Save $320!
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 w/ Painter 11 - Save $750!
QuarkXPress 8.0 - Save $600!
Adobe Photoshop Extended CS4 w/ Painter 11 - Save $1,050!
Adobe CS4 eLearning Suite – Save $1,200!

Whether you need to create projects with Microsoft Office or just exploring your creative side with Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW or Painter 11 – these academic software discounts can't be beat!

Big Savings on Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro Education Software!

For a Limited-Time ONLY save over $350 on...

ADOBE ACROBAT 9 PRO

Acrobat Pro 9 allows you to complete a wide range of tasks such as:

Create and reliably share PDF documents
Easily convert any document that prints to PDF to preserve formatting and ensure document integrity.

Easily convert files to PDF
Convert documents to PDF with one-button ease from Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Project, Visio, Access, and Publisher, as well as Autodesk, AutoCAD and Lotus Notes.

Scan to PDF with OCR
Scan paper documents to PDF and automatically recognize text with optical character recognition (OCR) technology to create compact, searchable PDF documents.

Convert e-mail to PDF
Archive e-mail or e-mail folders from Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes as PDF files to facilitate easy search and retrieval.

Enhanced Capture web pages as PDF
Convert complete web pages, or just the portions you want, including or excluding rich and interactive media. PDF versions of web pages are easy to print, archive, mark up, and share.

Convert and share 2D CAD
Convert DWG files to Adobe PDF files without using AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.

New Insert video in PDF files

Insert FLV or H.264 video in PDF files for direct playback in Acrobat and Adobe Reader.

New Work with Acrobat.com
Use Acrobat.com services with Acrobat to store and share large documents, collect form data, and review documents with virtually anyone, anywhere.

Regular Price: $449

Academic Software Discount Price: Only $98.95
You save: 78% or -$350.05

Student Study Abroad: An Educational Chance of a Lifetime

Original Content By Caitlin Cecic

Thought you had a few more years before your son or daughter asked for permission to travel abroad? It's a frightening thought for some parents, but he or she could get more out of the experience than you might think.

Student study abroad is an option for more than just college students. Programs are available for children as young as 10, but most only accept junior high and high school students.


Your biggest worry is most likely setting your student loose in another country. But unlike college study abroad programs, most programs for high school students offer 24-hour supervision and require students to observe curfews.

Another one of your worries could be how to pay for everything. Going to another country often means expensive airfare. In addition, boarding fees, meals and general expenses add up. The good news is your student can offset these costs by applying for study abroad scholarships. And telling him or her to apply for scholarships in order to travel out of the country will give you an idea of how much your teenager really wants to go.

Huge Benefits:
- Educational benefits like learning another language

- Intercultural development from your student's interactions with people from other cultures

- A greater "feel" for the world outside of their safety net

...and much more!

Determining a Program for Your Student:
- Summer Camps - instead of 50 miles away, send them 5,000 miles away!
- Educationally focused - often language courses are based on your student's academic proficiency level so they can learn at their own pace. Other types of classes are also usually offered for credit
- Choosing between student residence hall living or with a host family. Student residence halls come with meals, rooms and other students while a host family gives your student a greater opportunity for total immersion and educational benefits in language and culture

Now, where to?
- Before you send your student on their educational journey, remember to consider different countries' languages and cultures and then determine where to send your student based on their interests, goals and, of course, their safety

Helpful Resources:

http://www.amerispan.com/teenager_programs_abroad/
http://www.teenagersabroad.com/