Q: How do I manage passwords securely?

Question : How do I manage passwords securely? Answer : I mainly use a password manager/generator where I can store all of my password for different websites. The one I use is LastPass as it also has a Chrome extension that I can easily install in my Chrome browser. This is a must for security purposes. Though it has a free version, what I use is the basic plan and pay approx. $4/month (billed annually). If you are using the same password for everything, or easy to guess passwords, you are putting yourself at risk. LastPass helps you by generating new passwords and saving them for you. Here is a short segment from my chrome extension training video where I discuss about LastPass. How to add LastPass to Chrome: Go to the Chrome Web Store. Search "LastPass" in the search box. Select "LastPass: Free Password Manager." Click "Add to Chrome." Click "Add extension" in the pop-up confirmation window — you should get a confirmation message once it's been installed. If you have any struggles or have any feedback(good or bad) to this FAQ or any others, please let us know as they are always welcome. This will also help the entire team to continue to improve and upgrade the quality of this support documents library. To learn more, visit DotComTruths.com Thank you! The Dot Com Truths Support Team

Question 1

What is Web Conferencing and Webinars?

Accepted Answer

Meeting face-to-face is great, but it can be expensive and difficult to plan. That’s why web conferencing is becoming more popular. These systems allow a group to connect and share information using only an internet connection. This video explains the basics, It teaches:

Why face-to-face meetings are cumbersome and expensive
How web conferencing can be used to accomplish the same goals
How to create a web conference and invite attendees
What features are often used in web conferences
Why web conferencing can be more effective than normal meetings

Video Transcript:

These days, meetings are a time for people to watch presentations, discuss plans and more.

That’s why more people are using web conferencing systems, which open meetings to anyone with internet access. Here, a group of people anywhere in the world can meet online, watch a presentation, have a group discussion in real time, and more. Here’s how it works…

Imagine you work at a business that creates and sells software. Many of the company’s employees and customers work from locations around the world.

With the system in place, you can create a meeting using web conferencing software on a computer or via a website.

When you create the meeting, you can provide details and designate who should join and more.

A few minutes before the meeting time, you open the web conferencing system, upload the presentation you’ll share and test your microphone and audio. You’re ready to lead the meeting!

When showtime arrives, the attendees use the link they received in email to join the meeting.

During the meeting, you have control of what the attendees see and hear as changes happen in real time. Along with the presentation, you may be able to share links, conduct polls and more. The attendees may just watch and learn.

You may also be able to invite other attendees to become the “presenter”, which gives them control of the presentation.

Most web conferencing tools include the ability to record the presentation for future replays.

And this system can work for everyone in the company. Engineers can explain new features, salespeople can educate their clients and HR can share new policies.

Face-to-face meetings are great, and today we have more affordable options that open meetings to anyone with an internet connection.

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This FAQ library was created by Eran Bucai. Eran is an online entrepreneur who is passionate about helping people find success building a profitable business online without the high ticket prices and without the marketing hype.

Eran has a tech support membership which you can learn more about here: DotComTruths.com

Eran helps people choose the best software for their business which you can find out more by visiting EranFunnels.com/software.

Question 2

What is Identity Theft?

Accepted Answer

We all use names, account numbers and passwords to verify our identities to organizations, but these can be stolen by criminals and cause us financial ruin. The key to avoiding this problem is awareness and understanding ways to keep our identities safe. This video teaches:

Why our identity is so important in everyday life
What criminals do when they steal a person’s identity
Why sensitive documents are a risk and how to keep them safe
How criminals use phone calls, emails and fake websites to fool people
Why it’s important to review your bills and bank statements

Video Transcript:

Having an identity is just part of being human. Your name, birth date, relationships and more define who you are and help others identify you as a unique person.

The problem is that your identity isn’t very secure without attention. A criminal can easily steal it, pretend to be you and cause serious problems.

Think about it this way… Organizations like banks depend on each customer having a unique identity. They establish this with information like your name, social security number, address and birthdate.

Once your identity is established, it becomes easier to work with the bank, manage your finances, withdraw money, and apply for credit cards and loans. Online, you can use passwords and PINs to access your accounts and personal information.

If a criminal steals your identity, they can fool organizations and access the same resources you can. If this happens, they can change your contact info, billing address and login information so you lose access. Then, they can apply for credit cards and loans that put you in debt and ruin your credit, before you even know there’s a problem.

Identity theft can happen to anyone and it takes years to recover. The key to reducing this risk is awareness.

In order for a criminal to steal your identity they need your personal information like account numbers, passwords, medical records and social security numbers.

This information often appears on documents that criminals may be able to find when we’re careless. Always keep sensitive documents in a safe place and if possible, have a mailbox with a lock. Be careful what you put in the trash and shred any documents that may be a risk.

Your computers and devices can also be risks. Use strong passwords and PINs, and a password manager to help make it easy.

Criminals may also contact you directly, posing as an organization, and fool you into handing over the personal information they need. Remember, organizations like your tax office and banks will NOT call you to ask for personal or account information. Be aware and never give out passwords, PINs or social security numbers over the phone.

The same is true with email and websites, where criminals are very good at appearing official. If an email looks suspicious or asks for your account information, don’t click any links. Just delete it.

Protecting yourself also means paying close attention to bank statements and bills. If something looks out of place, contact the organization immediately.

Above all, remember that your identity is a target for criminals. Don’t make it easy for them and you’ll be able to avoid years of problems.

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This FAQ library was created by Eran Bucai. Eran is an online entrepreneur who is passionate about helping people find success in building a profitable business online without the high ticket prices and without the marketing hype.

Eran has a tech support membership which you can learn more about here: DotComTruths.com

Eran helps people choose the best software for their business which you can find out more by visiting EranFunnels.com/software.

Question 3

What is Online Photo Sharing 2?

Accepted Answer

Today, we’re taking and sharing more photos than ever before. In the moment, it’s easy to forget that sharing photos can represent both fun and risk. By understanding the basics of photo sharing and how to share responsibly, we can reduce the risk and focus on the fun. This video teaches:

Why photo sharing is more popular than ever
How people often interact with online photos
What kinds of data and information are included when sharing online photos
How online photos create a digital footprint that can become a risk in the future
What you can do to reduce the risks

Video Transcript:

These days, it’s no wonder that digital photos seem to appear everywhere.

Cameras on smartphones and other devices mean it’s inexpensive, easy and fun to snap digital photos wherever you are. But what happens after the photos are taken? How you share your photos is important.

Let’s say you take a photo with a group of friends and share it on social media so your friends will see it. They learn about your life, leave comments and “like” your photo. You love to see those likes!

In some cases, you may be able to identify or “tag” your friends in the photo. You may also be able to add the location where the photo was taken. The photo itself may even have information about your phone and other data you never see.

This means your photo is much more than a pretty picture. It’s a digital marker of where you were, when you were there, whom you were with and more.

As you take and share photos online, you leave a digital trail that can become a permanent part of your online identity. The problem is that it’s difficult to know how your photos and online identity will be used in the future.

An old photo you shared could come up in a job interview. Or when applying for admission to a university. It could be used without your permission in advertising or for other purposes that reflect poorly on you. Photos shared publicly today can potentially become problems tomorrow.

The reality is that photo sharing is fun and safe for the most part. But awareness is key. Before sharing photos on apps and websites, consider the risks. You can always choose to make your account or individual photos private so only friends can access your photos.

If you’re not sure, consider sending photos in texts or private messages. Also, learn about settings on your phone and favorite apps. You can usually turn off features that add location information to photos.

And remember, when you take photos of friends, you have a responsibility to make sure the photo is shared with care. It never hurts to ask if it’s OK to share photos of them publicly.

It’s easy to forget about the risks of sharing photos. By sharing with respect and responsibility, there’s no end to the connections you could make, the fun you could have, and the likes you could earn.

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This FAQ library was created by Eran Bucai. Eran is an online entrepreneur who is passionate about helping people find success building a profitable business online without the high ticket prices and without the marketing hype.

Eran has a tech support membership which you can learn more about here: DotComTruths.com

Eran helps people choose the best software for their business which you can find out more by visiting EranFunnels.com/software.

Question 4

What are the risks and realities of borrowing money.?

Accepted Answer

What it teaches:

This video introduces the risks and benefits of using a bank to borrow money. It tells the story of Rachel who reaches her goal of publishing an album by making smart decisions based on interest rates and timeframes. The video includes:

APRs - the fees involved in borrowing money
Basic borrowing plans
Risks of borrowing money
Avoiding penalties and late fees

Video Transcript:

Sometimes we don’t have the money we need to accomplish a goal. Borrowing money can help, but if we aren’t aware of how the system works, it can create bigger problems for us.

Among friends, borrowing money seems easy – you just pay them back. However, we sometimes need to borrow a large amount of money from a financial institution, maybe for a home, a car, or education. Understanding how these relationships work is a key to being responsible with your money.

Let’s say you need to borrow $10000 from a bank. As long as you meet their requirements, the bank is happy to loan you this money because when you pay it back, you’ll have to pay a fee. This is how the bank makes money – it’s called “interest.” When you borrow money, the interest you pay is usually a percentage of the total you borrowed. This percentage is called the “Interest Rate.” You’ll see this rate referred to as the Annual Percentage Rate or APR, which is the interest and fees you’ll pay over a year for borrowing money.

Let’s see how this works for Rachel. She’s a musician who needs to borrow $10000 to produce her new album. $10000 plus interest is a lot of money to pay back, but she doesn’t have to do it all at once. To make it more affordable, she pays it back in monthly payments. Each month, she’s paying back part of the money she borrowed plus part of the interest. It adds up over time.

This way, Rachel can see if she can afford to pay back the loan on a monthly basis. She found one loan that had a 5% APR with a 1 year timeframe. To pay it back, she would have had payments of $856 per month. It was too much! With what Rachel earns she would run out of money in just six months.

To avoid serious problems and owing even more money, she kept looking. Eventually, she found the right loan for her – a lower APR and longer timeframe. She found that spreading the payments across a longer timeframe meant less to pay each month.

Before signing on the dotted line, she was careful to understand all the terms of her loan. She learned that some interest rates could change during the loan which could impact her monthly payments. Because she had a fixed budget, she made sure the interest rate for her loan wouldn’t change.

While Rachel was asking questions, she learned the rules as well, because breaking the rules can cause an affordable loan to become a big headache. For instance, if she pays late, she may owe the bank more money. She made a promise to herself to pay on time and avoid any late fees. It was wasteful.

It was clear to Rachel that without care, problems could snowball. Changing APRs and late fees could have made her loan impossible to afford. Because Rachel took the time to find the right loan for her, she was able to pay back the loan on time and publish her new album. Yaay!

Borrowing money can help you accomplish your goals, but only if you’re realistic about what you can afford. When it comes time to find a loan, discuss it with a financial professional and ask questions. Learn about your payments and terms. It’s up to you to make sure you know the rules and get a loan that fits your needs.

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This FAQ library was created by Eran Bucai. Eran is an online entrepreneur who is passionate about helping people find success building a profitable business online without the high ticket prices and without the marketing hype.

Eran has a tech support membership which you can learn more about here: DotComTruths.com

Eran helps people choose the best software for their business which you can find out more by visiting EranFunnels.com/software.

Question 5

How do I host videos professionally? (not YouTube)

Accepted Answer

To start with, I want to answer the question of why would you even want professional video hosting?

Typically professional video hosting is applicable when you are setting up a membership site or an online course.

There are software tools that help you with course hosting or membership sites, and some of those provide video hosting along with the service. Example of this is a company like Podia that I personally use, and they provide unlimited video hosting, unlimited courses, and so on, for $39/month.

Another example of this is Kartra, which is an all in one platform for your website, sales funnels, membership site, email marketing and so on. However, this is a classic example of limitations in video hosting. Their cheapest plan is $99/month, but they have a limit of 50 videos total. Their next plan is $199/month, and allows you to have unlimited videos. So it is important to know the pricing and features of whatever software you end up choosing and list out what you actually need.

If you are going to go with a software product like Kartra or Podia, you probably don't need video hosting.

But let's assume you want to set up your website on WordPress or ClickFunnels or EranFunnels. You may want to consider having professional video hosting for your landing page, sales page, webinar page, etc. These services are all great, but the video hosting is simply not included (with the exception of EranFunnels, there's a solution I set up for this exact problem, more on that later).

Professional hosting has hard costs, i.e. the companies who provide this service pay for storage. YouTube is free become it monetizes from advertising, but other companies require paying a subscription. There are a number of companies that provide this service. To name a few along with small input from me about having used them:

Vimeo = Great choice is you want basic video hosting. There are not special features like branding colours for your video play. If you want to see what vimeo looks like, ClickFunnels uses that for their sales pages. Here is an example from the Dot Com Secrets sales page - the video you see there, that's vimeo video hosting.

Wistia = the best choice, but also the most expensive one, a completely over-priced option in fact. It costs $99/month on their smallest plan. It's simply not worth the price in my opinion. Wistia is in fact the company that Podia partnered with. If you pay to Wistia directly, $99/month you get 10 videos limit. If you pay Podia $39/month, you get Wistia video hosting quality for unlimited videos. Makes no sense, but that's why I'm saying there's no point paying Wistia directly. To see an example of Wistia quality video hosting, you can check out a preview of one of my courses.

VooPlayer / Spotlightr = this is a new player in the market but having used their service, it is a good option and a budget option. It was previously called VooPlayer and they either rebranded as Spotlightr or another company bought them - I'm not sure which. Either way, I personally did not like their pricing complexity, there are a lot of variables, and I found the admin office a bit difficult to navigate. However, this is a great option especially if you only want up to 5 videos hosted for example, as at the time of writing this, they have a free plan for up to 5 videos and 1GB limit total. If you want to just host a few videos, it's a good option. Like I said, I'm not a huge fan of their player, but it's a good budget option for professional video hosting.

Vidello = I saved the best for last. This is the one that I personally use. I pay $297/year. Their affiliate program is set up so that buy using an affiliate link, you actually get it cheaper ($22/month). I have a full video tutorial showing the software and the inside.

Since the paid plan let's you have 200 videos, you may not need that much. Because of that, I set up a solution with EranFunnels, so users of EranFunnels can buy video hosting from me directly (hosted by Vidello) for $12/year per video. Usually this makes sense if you only need 1-5 videos. Anything beyond that, you might as well go with the full Vidello plan yourself.

To summarize:

Option 1: Set up your entire tech set up with a company like Podia or Kartra and not have to worry about buying video hosting separately.

If you want to discuss your personal circumstances, feel free to email me directly to support@eranbucai.com

Question 6

How do I manage passwords securely?

Accepted Answer

Question: How do I manage passwords securely?

Answer: I mainly use a password manager/generator where I can store all of my password for different websites. The one I use is LastPass as it also has a Chrome extension that I can easily install in my Chrome browser.

This is a must for security purposes. Though it has a free version, what I use is the basic plan and pay approx. $4/month (billed annually).

If you are using the same password for everything, or easy to guess passwords, you are putting yourself at risk. LastPass helps you by generating new passwords and saving them for you.

Here is a short segment from my chrome extension training video where I discuss about LastPass.

How to add LastPass to Chrome:

Go to the Chrome Web Store.
Search "LastPass" in the search box.
Select "LastPass: Free Password Manager."
Click "Add to Chrome."
Click "Add extension" in the pop-up confirmation window — you should get a confirmation message once it's been installed.

If you have any struggles or have any feedback(good or bad) to this FAQ or any others, please let us know as they are always welcome. This will also help the entire team to continue to improve and upgrade the quality of this support documents library.

To learn more, visit DotComTruths.com

Thank you! The Dot Com Truths Support Team

Question 7

What is BitTorrent?

Accepted Answer

What it teaches:

This video teaches the basics of how BitTorrent technology works to make it easy and fast to download files from the Internet. It includes:

How files are shared on the Web and what makes BitTorrent different
The BitTorrent application and how it is used
How trackers, peers and hosts work together to deliver "pieces" of files
How anyone can use BitTorrent to share or download files

Video Transcript:

Our computer files aren't like they used to be. These days a short HD video can be over a gigabyte in size. That's huge.

The problem is that the bigger they are, the harder they are to share. Thankfully, we have options that make sharing big files over the Internet fast and easy.

Blake was so excited. He's the president of his local Sasquatch fan club and recently heard that a new video was circulating - he couldn't rest until he had the video on his computer. He tried to download it from the original website, but it was painfully slow. Because so many fans were trying to download it at the same time, The website crashed. He was discouraged.

Then a fellow fan said the video could also be downloaded via BitTorrent. She said that unlike typical downloads, files using BitTorrent actually download faster when more people are involved - and it works with any kind of file.

To see for himself, Blake downloaded BitTorrent for free from bittorrent.com. He opened the program, and was a little confused. There were no videos and he wasn’t sure where to start. But soon he realized that's because BitTorrent is a little like a web browser.

Just like a browser needs websites to be useful, BitTorrent needs special files called "torrents" to work. A quick web search pointed him to websites with torrents galore.

Soon enough he found the Sasquatch video torrent… downloaded the torrent file to his computer, and with a simple click, BitTorrent immediately sprang to action and the file started downloading. He could see it was working and he wondered how.

Later his friend made it clear by talking about how downloads typically work without BitTorrent. When someone downloads a file, it comes to their computer in a stream from a single source. When multiple people want the file, that single source can get overworked and can even shut down.

BitTorrent solves this problem by making each downloader a source… This way, they get pieces of the file, but also provide pieces to each other. Together, the downloaders become a network of multiple sources – all working to provide pieces to one another. This makes downloads fast. A couple of things behind the scenes make it happen.

First, when he clicked "Download", Blake received .torrent file. This file has all the information about the video file, like what pieces are needed to complete it – but something is missing. Blake needs a way to connect to others who have the pieces he needs for his file.

BitTorrent uses a computer called a” tracker” that helps Blake's computer find other computers called peers. The tracker keeps track of computers that are downloading or already have the whole file and introduces Blake’s computer to them.

With the connections in place, he receives what he needs and also distributes pieces to others who are also downloading. Blake got it.

BitTorrent works because it turns downloaders into sources, and more downloaders means more sources and faster downloads.

In the end, Blake’s video downloaded in no time at all. But he was a little disappointed – what he thought was a sasquatch was only a wookie. But at least he now knows that BitTorrent is a faster, easier way to download files from the Internet.

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This FAQ library was created by Eran Bucai. Eran is an online entrepreneur who is passionate about helping people find success building a profitable business online without the high ticket prices and without the marketing hype.

Eran has a tech support membership which you can learn more about here: DotComTruths.com

Eran helps people choose the best software for their business which you can find out more by visiting EranFunnels.com/software.

Question 8

What are Online Basics - Online Accounts?

Accepted Answer

This video is part of our Online Basics series designed for people who are getting started with the Internet. It explains the role of accounts on websites and how having an account unlocks features that are normally hidden. The video follows Angie through the process of getting an email account and using it to create accounts on other websites. It teaches:

Why many websites have a public and private version
How website accounts work to unlock the private version and useful features
Why email accounts are important and useful
How to create an account and username
How to create a strong password

Video Transcript:

Many useful websites and apps have two versions. The first version is public and open to everyone. This version may have services offered, business hours and contact information.

The second version is private and requires users to have an account with login information. Once they log in, the sites offer personalized information and tools for managing bank accounts, accessing documents and more.

A key to living a digital lifestyle is creating accounts that give you access to private parts of useful websites and apps.

Here’s how accounts work for Angie, who is getting started with the Internet:

Angie first needs a way to send and receive digital messages online. So, she creates an email account and email address, which is usually free. This is important because it’s part of her online identity and something she’ll need to create other accounts.

With an email address in place, Angie can go to websites and look for words like “create an account” or “new account”. When she clicks this link or button, a form appears that asks for information that establishes her online identity.

The website needs two types of account information: her personal information and her login information. Angie carefully fills out a form that asks for her name, email address, and personal information. This establishes her online identity and creates a way for the site to send her email messages.

Next, she creates a username and secret password for logging into the website.

This information will unlock the website’s most useful services. The username may be Angie’s email address or a unique and memorable name. Angie decides to use the username “angieonline”.

Next, she needs to create a password to go with that username – and the password deserves special care. If it is shared or stolen it could cause major problems.

Someone could use her password to log into her accounts and steal money or her online identity.

So, she follows a few rules about passwords. First, she uses a password that is difficult to guess. Names, numbers or dates that are part of her identity should not be used. Second, she includes a combination of letters, numbers and symbols, like this. And third, if her password is written down, it is hidden from view.

Now that Angie has an account and what she needs to login, she is on her way to living a more digital lifestyle and using personalized websites that are designed to help her be more connected, productive and efficient.

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This FAQ library was created by Eran Bucai. Eran is an online entrepreneur who is passionate about helping people find success building a profitable business online without the high ticket prices and without the marketing hype.

Eran has a tech support membership which you can learn more about here: DotComTruths.com

Eran helps people choose the best software for their business which you can find out more by visiting EranFunnels.com/software.

Question 9

Why does an Emergency Kit matter?

Accepted Answer

We live in an unpredictable world. Events may occur that require a family to need emergency supplies for up to 72 hours. This video explains what to include in an Emergency Kit.

What to expect in an emergency
Why a kit is needed in an emergency
What goes into a kit
Reminders for lesser-known items

Video Transcript:

We live in a world that’s unpredictable. Without warning, we may have to make quick decisions that impact the health and safety of our loved ones. It’s easy to assume that we’ll be able to gather what we need when something unexpected happens. But few of us really know what will make the difference.

Imagine that your neighborhood begins to flood in the middle of the night. You may have to leave your home quickly, or wait until local authorities can provide help. In any situation, you want to be able to take care or your family for least 72 hours. Having a well-stocked, portable, and easy-to-find emergency kit will help make sure that you have the basic supplies to keep you and your family safe, no matter where you are.

Let’s talk about what goes into that kit. In an emergency, the basic services we use everyday make not work. For example, your water, electricity, gas and telephone service may not work, and it may be impossible to access cash from a bank. When these services are not available, an emergency kit can provide the basics.

For example, we all need water. The rule of thumb is two liters per person per day for 72 hours or 3 days. It’s a good idea to use small bottles that can be carried easily. Of course, we also need food. Because yoru kit needs to be ready at all times, use food that won’t spoil like canned goods, energy bars or dried food that can be stored longer. If needed, baby formula and pet food may be a good idea. And remember a multi-purpose tool that can open those cans.

So now your kit has a good start, food and water. What else? Well, it’s dark and there’s no electricity. A flashlight and radio will be handy to see where you’re going and help you stay informed. They both need power so pack extra batteries, or even better, buy the type that can be powered manually with a crank. Of course, an emergency kit wouldn’t be complete without a first aid kit with the basics like bandages, antiseptic and pain relievers.

With these items, food and water, flashlight and radio, and a first aid kit, we’ve covered the basics, but there are some items that may not be so obvious.

For example, it may be very difficult to get prescription medications in an emergency, or even long afterward. Including a couple of weeks worth of medication in the kit will help. Sanitary products like toilet paper and feminine supplies are a good idea too.

As we mentioned it may be difficult tohttps://eranbucai.com/ get cash from banks, so include small bills and change as cash registers may not work.

Lastly, keeping important documents like copies of birth certificates, wills, passports and insurance policies in your kit can make it easier to stay organized in an emergency. Other documents to include are copies of your emergency plans, maps and contact information for friends and family.

We all hope that emergencies don’t occur and your kit goes unused, but that’s no reason to delay. It’s your responsibility to start gathering supplies and thinking about what your family will need for at least 72 hours in an emergency.

Having an emergency kit is an easy way to have more peace of mind in an unpredictable world.

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This FAQ library was created by Eran Bucai. Eran is an online entrepreneur who is passionate about helping people find success building a profitable business online without the high ticket prices and without the marketing hype.

Eran has a tech support membership which you can learn more about here: DotComTruths.com

Eran helps people choose the best software for their business which you can find out more by visiting EranFunnels.com/software.

Question 10

What is Project Based Learning?

Accepted Answer

Education can be more interesting and effective by focusing students on work that matters. Project Based Learning focuses on involving students in projects that teach a variety of skills. Key points in this video are:

How critical thinking, collaboration and communication help everyone in the real world
How PBL helps develop these skills in students
An example of a teacher who uses PBL in the classroom to get students involved in asking questions, doing research, collaborating and communicating
The impact of learning a subject in-depth via PBL and presenting the results to others

Presentation Note: This video is courtesy of BIE.org and includes a title slide at the end of the video.

Video Transcript:

You remember what it was like in school. IT WAS BORING! You sat in class, memorized as much as you could and tried to pass a test at the end. But is that good enough? These days school can be more interesting and effective by focusing students on work that matters.

Most adults live in a world of projects. Whether it’s a job assignment, home improvement or planning a wedding, we need to actively solve problems. But unfortunately, schoolwork looks more like this than this.

Let’s take a look at this Project Based World. Meet Claire. She was recently presented with a challenge. Her company, Super Suds, makes soap and it was up to her to find the most earth-friendly way to produce it in the future. Her boss gave her a budget and a few requirements - and it was up to her to come up with a solution. She organized and managed a team who researched the options and created materials summarizing the issues. Claire’s team asked for feedback and presented their findings to the boss.

Claire came out of the project looking like a rock star and she learned a lot about green products. If you look closely, Claire’s success involved critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Things that aren’t often taught in traditional classrooms.

The world needs more Claires. So how do we get them?

The answer is Project Based Learning or PBL. By focusing students on a project, teachers put them on a path that deepens their knowledge and builds skills they’ll need in the future.

Here’s what I mean. Mr. Simmons has always been a good science teacher and his students do well on Fridays’ tests. Unfortunately, what they learned was gone by Saturday morning. That wasn’t good enough for him. Soon he learned about Project Based Learning and decided to give it a shot.

Mr. Simmons got the idea for his first project on microorganisms when nearly half of his students were suddenly absent with the flu. He asked his students why they thought so many of their classmates got sick at the same time. That lively discussion produced a lot of good questions and a list of things the kids wanted to know. Mr. Simmons then announced their project was to help elementary schools kids understand - How can we not get sick?

After dividing the class into teams, he got them started on the project. It was up to the students to ask questions, research, collaborate, give each other feedback and figure out the best ways to make their points clear to children. One team chose to make an educational video on the connection between hand washing and avoiding the flu. Another chose to create posters to show how viruses spread.

The project teams showed off their final work to an enthusiastic audience of parents and their children at a nearby elementary school. Sitting in the front row was our good friend and local rock star Claire, who saw a bit of herself in the students. It was clear that the project was a success for the students, the audience, and Mr. Simmons.

His students practiced critical thinking, collaboration and communication. The project wasn’t about memorization, but learning in-depth about viruses and how to prevent spreading disease - A lesson they will never forget.

At the end of the presentation, Claire introduced herself to the students and told them that they were rockstars, and that the world needs more people who can think like them.

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