WiZiQ Blog

Multiple File Uploads and Embed Educational Tutorials Using WiZiQ Content

We upgraded WiZiQ Content yesterday. WiZiQ now enables teachers, experts, learners to share a wide variety of files : pdf documents, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, audio files, video files, Flash files as well as embed web assets [videos, pdf, doc, excel, audio, podcasts] on WiZiQ.

You can upload these files on WiZiQ content to share with students and learners:

1. doc - docx
2. pdf
3. xls-xlsx
4. ppt-pptx-pps-ppsx
5. swf-flv
6. mov-avi-mpeg-wmv
7. wav-wma-mp3

You can upload up to 20 MB files for doc-docx, pdf, xls-xlsx, ppt-pptx-pps-ppsx, swf-flv and 50 MB for mov-avi-mpeg-wmv and wav-wma-mp3.

You can embed content from almost any website in the world. Some of the websites where you can find relevant educational content are:

1. authorStream
2. Scribd
3. Slideshare
4. YouTube
5. TeacherTube
6. AcademicEarth

For any questions or comments, please drop us an email at support@wiziq.com or comment on this post.

Create Your Own Free Online Public Classes - Yourself

Currently, if you want to schedule a Public Class, you can send us the details using the Public Class Request Form. We normally respond to all requests within a day. This allows us to check what class is being presented [eliminating fake or offensive content], and also to help the teacher present this better [by providing them training and resolving any queries or issues they might have]. However, some of the teachers using WiZiQ wanted the functionality to schedule their free public classes themselves, as they are now scheduling more public classes than ever before. And now, this is possible.

We have given select teachers the functionality to schedule their own free public classes. They can select the topic, date/ time, fill in the description of the class and choose to make the it public [all this can be done under "Schedule a New Session" once you sign in to WiZiQ]. If you are a teacher who does not have this access, you might be thinking - "All this is fine, but how does WiZiQ decide, which teachers should have this functionality of creating their own public classes?" We consider the following factors:

• Your teacher profile shows us you are real and serious. We recommend at least 60% teacher profile filled with a photograph.
• Private classes/Public classes conducted : The more classes conducted, the better it is. We know you are comfortable with the technology, and again, you are serious about your online teaching reputation and career.

This should get you functionality to create your free WiZiQ Public Classes. If you would like to conduct your own Paid Public Classes - then wait for our next Blog Post Tomorrow :-)

That's it. If you feel you meet the criteria above, get the functionality to create your own public classes - Now!!!

Help on GRE, GMAT’s Analytical Writing Assessment

GRE, GMAT’s AWA Section often becomes an uphill task for aspirants.  The very thought of writing a critique gives goose bumps.  PUG as I call it, is the secret to your success. 

P - Practice
U - Understanding
G – Guidance

Practice and understanding have to be a self undertaking. But for guidance, here are some tips on cracking the Analytical Writing Assessment section:

•    Polish your writing skills. Before you actually foray into the domain of AWA, it is pertinent to know the basics of Effective Writing. This will make your writing more articulate. One session on Effective Writing Skills was delivered on 13 Oct 2008. Click the link below to see the recording of the session:

GRE and GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment : Effective Writing Skills

•    Develop critical thinking skills. Think critically and logically. Have an eye to analyze and examine objectively.

•    Understand analytical or persuasive essays. Since AWA is targeted at analytical writing, it becomes imperative to understand this genre of writing. A detailed discussion on the topic can be seen by clicking on the given link:

What is GRE and GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment?

•    Understand the difference between the two questions. The two questions given in the AWA are very much different, though both belong to analytical writing. A candidate must understand the nuances of tackling both the questions:

Looking Deeper into GRE and GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment

• Preparing for the Issue Task. Getting to know the steps that can be taken to prepare for the Issue Task so that before actually embarking upon the project, the candidate is familiar with the strategies for tackling the question. The score relies heavily on the choice of the issue topic. Which topic should a candidate choose and how he/ she should develop it is vital to the score. See the recording of this class here:

Attempting Issue Task in GRE and GMAT AWA

•    Manage Your Time: Another important aspect of AWA, is time management. The aim of AWA is to test the candidate’s ability to think logically and present it in words. At the same time it also assesses to what an extent a candidate can utilize the given time effectively.

 Split 30 minutes in – brain storming, writing and editing.

 When you practice, give yourself a time deadline and work according to the time line.

•   Understand fallacies: It is very important to understand logical and rhetorical fallacies in order to think and write critically. These will help you in writing strong evidence and identify weak reasoning in an argument. 

•   Research and prepare: You can build your repository of topics by surfing the net. Think on the topics.

•    Practice: In order to get a good score in AWA, you need constant practice. You just can’t think of jumping into it a few days before the D-Day.

If you have any questions on the topic, you are welcome to attend two more upcoming live classes on AWA, where I can answer your queries:

Analysis of Argument Question in GRE and GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment

Logical and Rhetorical Fallacies in GRE and GMAT AWA

Supreet Seher

CAT, JMET, XAT and MAT Quantitative Aptitude Preparaton : Free and Online

WiZiQ is proud to partner Bulls Eye to conduct a series of public sessions on quantitative aptitude preparation for MBA entrance examinations in India like CAT, XAT, MAT and JMET. The course should also be useful to students preparing for GMAT and GRE. The course starts August 13th. The details of the course and the sessions in the course are:

• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Number System (Random Tables, Numbers, HCF, LCF)
• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Advanced Number Questions and Basic Decimals
• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Number Systems, Decimals, Fractions and Averages
• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Linear and Quadratic Equations
• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Algebra, Inequalities and Progressions
• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Advanced Algebra and Functions
• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Time, Speed and Distance
• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Boats, Streams and Races
• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Alligations and Mixtures
• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Geometry and Mensuration Basics
• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Geometry and Mensuration Part 2
• CAT Maths Entrance Preparation : Geometry and Mensuration Final Session

How to Prepare Yourself for a Public Session

What are Public Sessions?

Public Sessions are live online teaching sessions on WiZiQ delivered by subject experts on various topics, open to the public to attend. Public Sessions offer value to attendees as they get more information and they can interact with experts on a given topic. Teachers get more exposure as subject experts when they deliver a Public Session.

Applying for a Public Session

After signing-up on WiZiQ and creating your professional profile, you can apply for a Public Session. Once your credentials are validated and session approved, it will appear on the Public Sessions page. If you have already done a Public Session, it becomes easier to request for the next session as a validated teacher; you can just request for holding the next session and it can be put up faster. 

Preparing for your Public Session

• If it is your first Public Session, ask some of your friends or colleagues to join you for a mock pre-session, where you can practice and can get some feedback from them about the whole class. 
• Write down some of your ideas you don’t want to miss from the class on a paper, and put it next to you.
•  After making your PPT presentation (if you use one), don’t forget to upload it to WiZiQ Content at least one hour before your session starts, because it needs some time to get compiled on WiZiQ. You can also upload your PPT direct from your desktop when you are in the classroom during your session, but then it takes precious session time.
• Print out the presentation in reminders so you will know which slide is coming. You can write some hints on it as well.

Marketing your session

·       Giving a Public Session will raise your reputation and you will become more popular amongst students. The WiZiQ marketing team promotes the Public Sessions through many channels to get more attendees. But to get the word out, it helps if you market your session at your end also. Some tips:

• Make a post on your blog/website with the attendee link in it, and also write a short description about the session. Put a link to your WiZiQ profile and write a few lines how attendees can sign-up for WiZiQ.
•  Tell other bloggers you know to put a link to your session on their webpage.
•  Offline-market your upcoming session amongst people around you or your students if you are already teaching offline.

Before starting the session

• Make sure that your audio and video devices are working properly (if the webcam has a microphone make sure you are using the headset’s microphone). This can be done by choosing the mike in the audio settings.
• If you are teaching in a shared environment, tell others around you not to disturb you, and to avoid downloading heavy files or videos as it takes away the Internet bandwidth and it can cause bad audio or slow video.
• If it’s a longer session, put some water next to you for refreshment.

We hope that these tips will enable you and your attendees get a great teaching and learning experience using WiZiQ.

Tamas Toth

Free Webinars Online by Educationists on WiZiQ

Our endeavor is to make WiZiQ a generic brand in online education. WiZiQ has gained significant recognition in education segments including IIT/JEE, AIEEE, PMT, CAT, GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, CLAT, CBSE Class Xth and XIIth, Civil Services examination, Management, Personality Development, Meditation and the list goes on…

Till now, we have organized over 80 ‘Public Sessions’ (online webinars) on WiZiQ. Public sessions are free live web seminars on recent interesting topics.  These are presented by prominent educationists having a huge fan following. The portal has been endorsed by celebrity teachers, authors and educationists. Some of our Public Session presenters on WiZiQ:

1.       Dr. HC Verma – The most read author of Physics , professor at IIT Kanpur

2.       Dr. P Bahadur – The most read author of Chemistry, professor at DAV college Muzaffarnagar

3.       Dr S Biswas, Dr A Biswas – Authors of Pradeep’s objective Biology

4.       Dr. DC Pandey – Author of numerous books on Physics

5.       Mark Cruthers – History teacher and Home Schooling expert, California, United States

6.       Manoj Tyra – Author of the best selling book on Quicker Mathematics.

7.       Gaurav Tekriwal – President, Vedic Mathematics forum of India, mentee of Shakuntla Devi.

8.       VP Gupta – Director, Rau’s IAS study Circle, New Delhi

9.       Sanjay Singh – Mathematics Mentor for IIT/JEE AIEEE aspirants

10.   Ananya Ganguly – Chemistry teacher for  IIT/JEE AIEEE aspirants

11.   Dr. ID Shukla – Phonetics, Linguistic and Communications  expert

12.   Rajesh Pandey – Director of  People Factor and Ex VP of HR at the Quark Media house

We have successfully connected students to the finest educationists throughout the world and are in process of establishing a relationship with educationists in varied subject areas. WiZiQ invites you to take the best advantage of our Public Sessions initiative. Check www.wiziq.com/public for viewing live, upcoming and archived public sessions. And if you are an expert in your subject you can apply for giving your own public session.

Mayank J Kumar