About this page
Below are the most effective technologies I use. This is a short, curated list of technologies that make life a little easier and safer. Some of the platforms below contain free options. Links are provided for each service, and I do receive affiliate commissions for purchases; this helps me create free projects for my students like my K-12 vocabulary resources.
Save time and increase efficiency with Acuity and LastPass
My problem with paper schedules
When I first started tutoring, I used printed calendars and penned in each appointment. When someone rescheduled, I had to cross it out and write it on another day. As you can imagine, it got a little nuts. I couldn't even fit all of my appointments on the calendar. An additional problem was that my students often forgot about their sessions and this cost them and me a lot of time.
When I first started tutoring, I used printed calendars and penned in each appointment. When someone rescheduled, I had to cross it out and write it on another day. As you can imagine, it got a little nuts. I couldn't even fit all of my appointments on the calendar. An additional problem was that my students often forgot about their sessions and this cost them and me a lot of time.
How Acuity solved my scheduling nightmare
Not only does Acuity send customizable reminders and follow up emails, it also allows me to develop a highly organized system for my students. Now, thanks to Acuity, my students receive a confirmation of every appointment, a 24-hour reminder, and (within each of these emails) a link to our online meeting room. This is the engine behind my tutoring practice that never quits. With Acuity, I can create limitless appointment types, have clients self-book, integrate the calendar with numerous applications and platforms, embed it on my website, and customize almost everything. I cannot stress enough how much time I have saved my students and myself with Acuity.
Not only does Acuity send customizable reminders and follow up emails, it also allows me to develop a highly organized system for my students. Now, thanks to Acuity, my students receive a confirmation of every appointment, a 24-hour reminder, and (within each of these emails) a link to our online meeting room. This is the engine behind my tutoring practice that never quits. With Acuity, I can create limitless appointment types, have clients self-book, integrate the calendar with numerous applications and platforms, embed it on my website, and customize almost everything. I cannot stress enough how much time I have saved my students and myself with Acuity.
How Acuity can help students and professionals
Although I pay for a business version of the software, the free version is fantastic for those who simply want a better time management system, and I recommend it to both students and professionals for this reason. For instance, a student can schedule daily practice and homework times and have a timeline of their schedule emailed to them on a regular, customizable basis. In other words, Acuity can provide an intelligent system for planning out tasks and setting goals.
Although I pay for a business version of the software, the free version is fantastic for those who simply want a better time management system, and I recommend it to both students and professionals for this reason. For instance, a student can schedule daily practice and homework times and have a timeline of their schedule emailed to them on a regular, customizable basis. In other words, Acuity can provide an intelligent system for planning out tasks and setting goals.
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The problem with passwords these days
Today, it is not uncommon to have over thirty password protected accounts. If you are a business owner, you likely use more than this. Most people don't memorize unique login information for each service they use. Instead, they use identical login information across many accounts or keep passwords written down. Both of these methods are slower and less secure than a password manager. If someone obtains an identical password, they can access several of your accounts. What's more, the time wasted entering login information may seem minimal, but it can quickly add up across a year. As a business owner, I used to spend over five minutes a day logging into numerous accounts. That's at least thirty hours spent across the scope of a year. Want an extra week of vacation anyone?
Today, it is not uncommon to have over thirty password protected accounts. If you are a business owner, you likely use more than this. Most people don't memorize unique login information for each service they use. Instead, they use identical login information across many accounts or keep passwords written down. Both of these methods are slower and less secure than a password manager. If someone obtains an identical password, they can access several of your accounts. What's more, the time wasted entering login information may seem minimal, but it can quickly add up across a year. As a business owner, I used to spend over five minutes a day logging into numerous accounts. That's at least thirty hours spent across the scope of a year. Want an extra week of vacation anyone?
The Simplicity of a Password Manager
LastPass not only saves you time, it also employs some of the internet's strongest encryption. This means that whatever system you are using to protect your accounts likely pales in comparison to LastPass. In internet terms, it's like replacing a piggy bank with Fort Knox. The company provides optional dual-authentication, involving a highly secure verification method on a second device. Once you log into LastPass, your other login information can be auto-filled with one or two clicks click. The best part is that these features are free! While they do have paid plans for $3/month (or $4 for a family of six), as of this writing, the features mentioned above come at no cost. Click the link above to get 30 days of the premium account for free.
LastPass not only saves you time, it also employs some of the internet's strongest encryption. This means that whatever system you are using to protect your accounts likely pales in comparison to LastPass. In internet terms, it's like replacing a piggy bank with Fort Knox. The company provides optional dual-authentication, involving a highly secure verification method on a second device. Once you log into LastPass, your other login information can be auto-filled with one or two clicks click. The best part is that these features are free! While they do have paid plans for $3/month (or $4 for a family of six), as of this writing, the features mentioned above come at no cost. Click the link above to get 30 days of the premium account for free.
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Communicate securely and flexibly with Zoom
Why I use Zoom instead of other alternatives
Many people are happy with Skype or Google Hangouts when staying connected with friends, family, or the odd co-worker, but for those who spend a lot of time video conferencing, Zoom is a powerful alternative. I use Zoom with almost all of my students because unlike Skype or Google Hangouts, with Zoom, I have access to a built-in whiteboard, numerous integration options, and encryption to ensure that my meetings are secure. I can also schedule appointments, integrate these with a scheduler (I use Acuity), and automatically generate separate links for each appointment. I can also use the share screen option for a single window. One of my favorite features is the ability to share control of my mouse with students, so they can complete activities on my computer. This is a fantastic workaround for those living in China who may not have access to Google Documents, my cloud sharing option of choice.
Many people are happy with Skype or Google Hangouts when staying connected with friends, family, or the odd co-worker, but for those who spend a lot of time video conferencing, Zoom is a powerful alternative. I use Zoom with almost all of my students because unlike Skype or Google Hangouts, with Zoom, I have access to a built-in whiteboard, numerous integration options, and encryption to ensure that my meetings are secure. I can also schedule appointments, integrate these with a scheduler (I use Acuity), and automatically generate separate links for each appointment. I can also use the share screen option for a single window. One of my favorite features is the ability to share control of my mouse with students, so they can complete activities on my computer. This is a fantastic workaround for those living in China who may not have access to Google Documents, my cloud sharing option of choice.
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Make any internet connection secure with Express VPN
What is a VPN
A VPN, or virtual private network, creates a more secure internet connection. It works by sending all of your internet traffic to a highly secure network created by the VPN provider. This has two main benefits. First, because of the added layer of security, VPN users can use public WIFI securely. Second, because VPN users can select a network outside of their country, they can access content that would otherwise restricted. For instance, some individuals use VPN to watch Netflix content not available in their country or save on online shopping by accessing regional discounts.
A VPN, or virtual private network, creates a more secure internet connection. It works by sending all of your internet traffic to a highly secure network created by the VPN provider. This has two main benefits. First, because of the added layer of security, VPN users can use public WIFI securely. Second, because VPN users can select a network outside of their country, they can access content that would otherwise restricted. For instance, some individuals use VPN to watch Netflix content not available in their country or save on online shopping by accessing regional discounts.
Why I use VPN
I use VPN primarily for security. When I travel, I often need to use public wifi for transactions or banking. By clicking a button, I can connect to a VPN server and ensure that my data is protected, whether that is in a hotel lobby, AirBNB, train station, or cafe. I chose ExpressVPN because it was slightly faster than the competition and had strong reviews; however, this is a competitive market and several other great options exist.
I use VPN primarily for security. When I travel, I often need to use public wifi for transactions or banking. By clicking a button, I can connect to a VPN server and ensure that my data is protected, whether that is in a hotel lobby, AirBNB, train station, or cafe. I chose ExpressVPN because it was slightly faster than the competition and had strong reviews; however, this is a competitive market and several other great options exist.
Why my students use VPN
Most of my students use VPN for an entirely different reason. Because many of them are either located in China or travel there frequently, VPN allows them to use a host of mainstream services restricted by the government like Google, Wikipedia, and Facebook. In addition, they can have full access to sites that have more limited version in China, like PayPal.
Most of my students use VPN for an entirely different reason. Because many of them are either located in China or travel there frequently, VPN allows them to use a host of mainstream services restricted by the government like Google, Wikipedia, and Facebook. In addition, they can have full access to sites that have more limited version in China, like PayPal.
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