Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Tools for online presentation.
http://innov8tiv.com/best-free-tools-to-make-presentations-online-with-animations-videos-and-images/
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Nicole Sifuentes on the mental side of competing
Mental training is often considered optional, writes 1,500m runner from Winnipeg
By Nicole Sifuentes, for CBC News
I'm still unpacking after spending five days in Edmonton for the Canadian Track and Field Championships. In my suitcase are two gold medals — I won my first and second national championships in the same weekend!
Several times in the past, I went to the national championships with the fastest time of the year, but never won. But despite a lot of disappointment over the years, I never stopped preparing for the next race.
For me, there are three main aspects in preparing for races: training, tapering, and mental preparation.
Training is the most obvious way to prepare — the weeks, months and years of physical work leading up to competition. This was the topic of my last blog, which you can read here if you missed it.
"The money's in the bank" is a pretty common expression in the running world and it refers to tapering — the process of resting up before a big race when the hard work is done.
While athletes vary in their approach to tapering, everyone can agree that it is crucial to get the best out of yourself in competition. If I've been training intensely leading up to a race, my legs will be tired before I even start. Normally the goal is to train as hard — and smart — as possible without over-training or getting injured. But leading up to an important competition, I run less and feel good about it.
Finally, there's the mental side of competition. Physical training is obvious, but often it seems that mental training is considered optional. Many athletes (myself included) have spent years training their bodies without training their minds for competition.
In the past, I neglected mental training and it kept me from reaching some of the potential that I earned from physical training. I had to begin training my mind to help get more out of my body. Part of that is visualizing a successful race ahead of time.
As a young athlete, I was taught to imagine myself running with strength, pushing myself to the limit, and sprinting to the finish.
Visualization is a valuable skill that has helped me greatly over the course of my career. I find that it's a lot easier to overcome fatigue and discomfort during a race when I have decided beforehand that I will be tough.
For a long time, visualization was the only way I addressed the mental aspect of racing, but over the past two years I've embraced disciplined mental training with the help of a sport psychologist.
I've learned that I am generally hard on myself and constantly striving to improve. That sounds great, but it is important to balance that attitude with recognition of and appreciation for the things I do well. I now make a conscious decision to stop thinking about what "needs improvement" and instead focus on my successes. Specific to racing, I make a conscious decision to stop thinking about possible outcomes and instead focus on my race plan.
Thinking purposefully has significantly impacted my life — in fact, it's the inspiration of my personal blog on nicolesifuentes.com.
In short, mental training has helped me manage nerves and emotions, and gain confidence as an athlete.
Between months and years of training, perfecting the taper, and honing a winning mindset, so much is invested behind the scenes of race day. Races are the purpose for my preparation and they are opportunities to showcase everything I've been working on.
The best thing about the investment is when it pays off when you want it most. As the 2015 Canadian 5000m and 1500m Champion, I say that with certainty!
By Nicole Sifuentes, for CBC News
I'm still unpacking after spending five days in Edmonton for the Canadian Track and Field Championships. In my suitcase are two gold medals — I won my first and second national championships in the same weekend!
 |
| Nicole Sifuentes |
For me, there are three main aspects in preparing for races: training, tapering, and mental preparation.
Training is the most obvious way to prepare — the weeks, months and years of physical work leading up to competition. This was the topic of my last blog, which you can read here if you missed it.
"The money's in the bank" is a pretty common expression in the running world and it refers to tapering — the process of resting up before a big race when the hard work is done.
While athletes vary in their approach to tapering, everyone can agree that it is crucial to get the best out of yourself in competition. If I've been training intensely leading up to a race, my legs will be tired before I even start. Normally the goal is to train as hard — and smart — as possible without over-training or getting injured. But leading up to an important competition, I run less and feel good about it.
Finally, there's the mental side of competition. Physical training is obvious, but often it seems that mental training is considered optional. Many athletes (myself included) have spent years training their bodies without training their minds for competition.
In the past, I neglected mental training and it kept me from reaching some of the potential that I earned from physical training. I had to begin training my mind to help get more out of my body. Part of that is visualizing a successful race ahead of time.
As a young athlete, I was taught to imagine myself running with strength, pushing myself to the limit, and sprinting to the finish.
Visualization is a valuable skill that has helped me greatly over the course of my career. I find that it's a lot easier to overcome fatigue and discomfort during a race when I have decided beforehand that I will be tough.
For a long time, visualization was the only way I addressed the mental aspect of racing, but over the past two years I've embraced disciplined mental training with the help of a sport psychologist.
I've learned that I am generally hard on myself and constantly striving to improve. That sounds great, but it is important to balance that attitude with recognition of and appreciation for the things I do well. I now make a conscious decision to stop thinking about what "needs improvement" and instead focus on my successes. Specific to racing, I make a conscious decision to stop thinking about possible outcomes and instead focus on my race plan.
Thinking purposefully has significantly impacted my life — in fact, it's the inspiration of my personal blog on nicolesifuentes.com.
In short, mental training has helped me manage nerves and emotions, and gain confidence as an athlete.
Between months and years of training, perfecting the taper, and honing a winning mindset, so much is invested behind the scenes of race day. Races are the purpose for my preparation and they are opportunities to showcase everything I've been working on.
The best thing about the investment is when it pays off when you want it most. As the 2015 Canadian 5000m and 1500m Champion, I say that with certainty!
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Renzo Tjon A Joe makes 100 m. frestyle final in Toronto PanAm games
Renzo Tjon A Joe has made the A final for the 100 meters freestyle. He had the sixth fastest time and set a new Surinamese record 49.47. The top eight make the A finals and swim for medals.He was third in heat 2 which was the fastest heat.
He swims tonight in lane 1 at 7.15 pm Canada time EST. 8.15 our time in Suriname.
Send him thoughts of excellence and success.
His friends at AlphaMax Academy and at Oasis swim club are willing him on to get a medal.Of course the The Auburn Pan Am team is looking real good! 100 Free A-Final Tonight #Auburnfast #Wareagle #Toronto2015
Results of the three heats (first three):
Heat 1
1. Canada CONDORELLI Santo
48.88
2 Canada KISIL Yuri
49.07
3 Trinidad and Tobago CARTER Dylan
49.29
Heat 2
1.Argentina GRABICH Federico
48.60
2. Brazil CHIERIGHINI Marc..
48.92
3.Suriname TJON-A-JOE Renzo
49.47
Heat 3
1.Venezuela QUINTERO Cristian
49.07
2.Brazil SANTANA Matheus
49.52
3.Cayman Islands FRASER Brett
49.58
 |
| Renzo in Toronto |
He swims tonight in lane 1 at 7.15 pm Canada time EST. 8.15 our time in Suriname.
Send him thoughts of excellence and success.
 |
| Auburn Pan Am Finalists. |
His friends at AlphaMax Academy and at Oasis swim club are willing him on to get a medal.Of course the The Auburn Pan Am team is looking real good! 100 Free A-Final Tonight #Auburnfast #Wareagle #Toronto2015
Results of the three heats (first three):
Heat 1
1. Canada CONDORELLI Santo
48.88
2 Canada KISIL Yuri
49.07
3 Trinidad and Tobago CARTER Dylan
49.29
Heat 2
1.Argentina GRABICH Federico
48.60
2. Brazil CHIERIGHINI Marc..
48.92
3.Suriname TJON-A-JOE Renzo
49.47
Heat 3
1.Venezuela QUINTERO Cristian
49.07
2.Brazil SANTANA Matheus
49.52
3.Cayman Islands FRASER Brett
49.58
Suriname Swimmers Pigot and Tjon A Joe swim 100m freestyle today in Pan AM Games Toronto
Chinyere Pigot who was flag bearer for the Suriname team and Renzo Tjon a Joe , Auburn University professional swimmer will compete for Suriname in the 100 meters freestyle at the Pan AM Aquatic Center at the University of Toronto.
The two swimmers are competing today for a place in the 100m freestyle final tonight at 7.05 pm for Women's Final B ; 7.10 for Women's Final A;7.15 for Men's Final B and 7.20pm for men's final A.
The heats to qualify for the finals take place this morning. The women's event has four heats from 10.05 am to 10.14.
Jamaican swimmer Allia Atkinson, Auburn University team mate of Renzo Tjon A Joe in in heat 2 with the best qualifying time.
Chinyere Pigot is in heat 3 with the 5th best qualifying time.
The men's three heats run from 11.45 to 11.48am. Renzo is in heat 2 with the 4th best qualifying time of 50.11which is a Suriname national record.
Renzo won a silver medal in November 2014 at the 22nd Central American and Caribbean games. Gold was won by George Bovell of Trinidad and Tobago.
Renzo Tjon A Joe is an AlphaMax Academy Graduate and Oasis swimmer. He won the 2013 Suriname Sportsman of the Year award. Renzo is the National champion in the 50m and 100m freestyle Long Course and Short Course. He holds the Surinamese national records in these events.
Chinyere Pigot is lives in Miami, Florida. She attends the University of Connecticut and participates on a collegiate level. Pigot represented Suriname at the 2008 Summer Olympics at age fifteen.
You can probably view these events at www.cbc.ca. The streaming is designed only for Canadian views. You may be able to bypass this by first downloading Hola and setting your computer location to Canada. Then go to the CBC site.
 |
| Renzo in Dubai |
The heats to qualify for the finals take place this morning. The women's event has four heats from 10.05 am to 10.14.
Jamaican swimmer Allia Atkinson, Auburn University team mate of Renzo Tjon A Joe in in heat 2 with the best qualifying time.
 |
| Renzo Silver medallist |
The men's three heats run from 11.45 to 11.48am. Renzo is in heat 2 with the 4th best qualifying time of 50.11which is a Suriname national record.
Renzo won a silver medal in November 2014 at the 22nd Central American and Caribbean games. Gold was won by George Bovell of Trinidad and Tobago.
Renzo Tjon A Joe is an AlphaMax Academy Graduate and Oasis swimmer. He won the 2013 Suriname Sportsman of the Year award. Renzo is the National champion in the 50m and 100m freestyle Long Course and Short Course. He holds the Surinamese national records in these events.
Chinyere Pigot is lives in Miami, Florida. She attends the University of Connecticut and participates on a collegiate level. Pigot represented Suriname at the 2008 Summer Olympics at age fifteen.
You can probably view these events at www.cbc.ca. The streaming is designed only for Canadian views. You may be able to bypass this by first downloading Hola and setting your computer location to Canada. Then go to the CBC site.
A Tribute for Graduation Day-Kaye Dunn ACT Education Solutions Ltd.
A Tribute for Graduation Day, 29th June 2015
From Kaye Dunn Senior Academic Manager (Global) ACT Education Solutions, Ltd.
I would dearly love to be with you today on this wonderful occasion –your graduation from the Global Assessment Certificate (GAC)! This year’s cohort has worked hard with their teachers to develop the skills that will help them to succeed in their future studies, career and life.
Although I have never met you, I do feel that I know each of you very well and have in many ways been on the GAC journey with you. I have observed your academic and personal development from afar throughout this academic year. I have read all of the assessments that come into our shared Dropbox folder and watched with great pleasure your role plays, oral presentations and seminars. Now I do have to admit one guilty pleasure – I always look forward to moderating assessments from AlphaMax Academy as they always demonstrate confidence and a willingness to examine complex and difficult issues. This can only come from a supportive educational environment that encourages all those involved to push the envelope. Through your written and spoken work I have been privileged to be participant – in a small way – in preparing you for a life in a new and changing world. I am confident that you will all make great contributions in the coming years. It has also been a great pleasure to continue learning about Suriname and I look forward to visiting in person!
I would also like to applaud you because now you are part of a large global family of high-achievers who can proudly claim, “I survived the GAC!” and as you know from experience, this is a well-earned achievement and not for the faint at heart! I am sure that there were times you thought you would never get to this day! You have worked your way through the sometimes seemingly endless expectations of the GAC and are now ready for the next stage of your life. You can be sure that all the academic and social skills that you have developed over the course of this academic year in the GAC have prepared you for a successful future in whatever course you choose to follow. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said; “The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education.” It is my hope that GAC has provided you with the building blocks that will foster your ongoing growth and development as you move through life’s journey.
As you embark on this new journey I would ask that you keep three things in your mind and heart:
First of all, NEVER lose faith in yourself and what you can do. Follow your heart and your intuition. Let them lead you towards to person you really want to become and help you achieve everything you really want to achieve. Believe in yourself and follow your heart! As Steve Jobs once said: Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice, heart, and intuition
Secondly, don’t ever compromise your basic values – do only what you truly believe is the right thing to do. Even if everyone else is doing something else, trust in yourself and the values you have been taught by your parents, your community, your school and your teachers. Define your values – commit to your values. As Time Cook, CEO of Apple said: “Your values matter. They are your North Star. You don’t have to choose between doing good and doing well. It’s a false choice, today more than ever. Your challenge is to find work that pays the rent, puts food on the table, and lets you do what is right and good and just. Find your North Star. Let it guide you in life and work and in your life’s work.”
And finally please remember to dream! After all, as Mark Twain said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
And so to each of you in this graduating class of 2015 – Congratulations and Good Luck!
And many congratulations to your wonderful teachers who have guided and nurtured you through this stage of your education with a great deal of care and dedication.
Congratulations and best wishes to all of you!
From Kaye Dunn, Senior Academic Manager(Global) on behalf of Ros Washington, the Academic Director and all the staff of ACT Education Solutions Ltd.
From Kaye Dunn Senior Academic Manager (Global) ACT Education Solutions, Ltd.
I would dearly love to be with you today on this wonderful occasion –your graduation from the Global Assessment Certificate (GAC)! This year’s cohort has worked hard with their teachers to develop the skills that will help them to succeed in their future studies, career and life.
 |
| Michelle Chow GAC Graduate and Valedictorian |
I would also like to applaud you because now you are part of a large global family of high-achievers who can proudly claim, “I survived the GAC!” and as you know from experience, this is a well-earned achievement and not for the faint at heart! I am sure that there were times you thought you would never get to this day! You have worked your way through the sometimes seemingly endless expectations of the GAC and are now ready for the next stage of your life. You can be sure that all the academic and social skills that you have developed over the course of this academic year in the GAC have prepared you for a successful future in whatever course you choose to follow. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said; “The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education.” It is my hope that GAC has provided you with the building blocks that will foster your ongoing growth and development as you move through life’s journey.
As you embark on this new journey I would ask that you keep three things in your mind and heart:
First of all, NEVER lose faith in yourself and what you can do. Follow your heart and your intuition. Let them lead you towards to person you really want to become and help you achieve everything you really want to achieve. Believe in yourself and follow your heart! As Steve Jobs once said: Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice, heart, and intuition
Secondly, don’t ever compromise your basic values – do only what you truly believe is the right thing to do. Even if everyone else is doing something else, trust in yourself and the values you have been taught by your parents, your community, your school and your teachers. Define your values – commit to your values. As Time Cook, CEO of Apple said: “Your values matter. They are your North Star. You don’t have to choose between doing good and doing well. It’s a false choice, today more than ever. Your challenge is to find work that pays the rent, puts food on the table, and lets you do what is right and good and just. Find your North Star. Let it guide you in life and work and in your life’s work.”
And finally please remember to dream! After all, as Mark Twain said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
And so to each of you in this graduating class of 2015 – Congratulations and Good Luck!
And many congratulations to your wonderful teachers who have guided and nurtured you through this stage of your education with a great deal of care and dedication.
Congratulations and best wishes to all of you!
From Kaye Dunn, Senior Academic Manager(Global) on behalf of Ros Washington, the Academic Director and all the staff of ACT Education Solutions Ltd.
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