Filming with Cameras

Filming with Cameras Making Great Videos with Your Camera ChaptersWhat Type of Camera Should You Use for Filming?10 Tips for Filming with Your CameraWhat Accessories Do You Need to Film with Your Camera?“Film as dream, film as music. No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls.” - Ingmar BergmanTaking photos or video with your camera allows you to create a vision of the world. The greatest visionaries have created narratives through film and photography. 2018 saw the highest attendance levels at UK cinemas for almost 50 years with 177,001,481 attendees.   With all the other ways to now consume media, people still love the silver screen.So what about working behind the camera?You don’t need to be a famous director to start making great videos. With your digital camera, be it a reflex (SLR or digital SLR), hybrid, or compact, you can create videos.Here’s how!Which Cameras Are the Best?Choosing a camera that takes good video is becoming an increasingly common decision for everyday people. Far from the old camcorders, you can now get amazing image quality from digital devices. Most SLRs are more than capable of shooting good video. (Source: Shutterbug75)The reason for this is because so many people saw the utility in combining video and photography into a single device. Digital cameras now allow you to take great photos and videos using just one camera.The best cameras can easily film in 4k. Generally, the quality will be beyond what most users need as HD quality will be enough.The advantage of filming with a camera is that you get a lot of power in terms of depth of field. This is when you focus on a certain element leaving the background blurry. This is commonly used in photography but can also be used to great effect in cinema (usually on static shots). Cameras have become very useful devices and have helped amateur filmmakers create professional-looking footage.This is especially true with the following devices:Fujifilm X-H1Sony Alpha 7Panasonic Lumix GH5SOlympus OM-D E-M1Nikon D850All these devices can film in 4k and will film in 24 or 25 frames per s econd. Some have stabilisation built-in and also the option to film in slow motion (50 to 60 frames per second). This is quite common with digital hybrid or digital SLR cameras.That said, they tend to cost quite a bit and you can pay between £1,000 and £2,000 for them.On the other hand, there are cheaper cameras like the Sony RX100 and Canon G7X.You can get decent quality footage in a camera that you can take everywhere. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotogra phy Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Type of Camera Should You Use for Filming?Is a compact better than a reflex for filming? Which are the best types of cameras?These are the questions you’ll need to ask yourself before getting a camera. Before we move onto the answers, we’ll need to look at the difference between, compact, bridge, hybrid, and reflex cameras. Between DSLRs, hybrids, bridges, and compacts, you've got a choice to make. (Source: 350543)A lot of amateurs don’t realise what a difference the lenses can make. Reflex and hybrid digital cameras have interchangeable lenses unlike bridge and compact cameras.But the real difference between these cameras isn’t the fact you can change the lenses but rather what’s going on inside them. The sensor is a bit different depending on the model.This is the part of the camera that receives the light from the lens. The larger the sensor, the easier it is to take good photos (especially in low-light conditions). Reflex cameras tend to have the largest sensors (full-frame) and even some hybrids also have this.  Bridges and compacts tend to have smaller sensors.A hybrid doesn’t have mirrors in them but a digital SLR camera will. That’s why hybrids tend to be smaller. A mirrorless camera body tends to have a smaller sensor size.We tend to think that reflexes are the best for videos. Howeve r, it depends on how you use them. Reflexes are big and heavy and you need to get good lenses to get decent quality footage. Make sure you consider how much this will all cost before you invest. Of course, this is why reflexes and hybrids are great for professionals.There’s also a place for compacts, though. Some higher-end models can film in 4k and record at 50 frames per second. These devices are great for filming without having loads of stuff to lug around.Don’t forget to pay attention to the audio quality, too. An external microphone might be a good idea if the audio from the built-in microphone isn’t very good. After all, Hybrid, compact, and DSLR cameras are all designed with the photography in mind.10 Tips for Filming with Your CameraYou’ll need to know a thing or two about filming and your equipment before you can start getting good at it. You should do the following before you start filming with the camera:Storyboard or plan your scenesThink about the lenses neededP lan shotsLearn how to stabilise your cameraGet the settings right in video modeGet the lighting rightOpt for static shotsConsider the audioDo several takesConsider different angles There are several ways you can get the most out of your camera when filming. (Source: pixel2013)Creating a story-board isn’t just for making films and it can make everything a lot easier. Knowing what you need to film can make it all much easier when it comes to filming. This will work great for static shots.It can be really difficult doing travelling or tracking shots. Automatic focus isn’t as good in video mode as in photo mode. To ensure your footage is in focus, you’ll need to focus manually, which can be tricky, especially for beginners.Try making your static shots dynamics. Don’t always shoot from the same angle as it’ll make everything feel a bit monotonous. You need to move around and try different angles.Pay attention to the cuts, too. Cameras aren’t designed to shoot for long periods. In addition to battery life, you need to set up the camera for how long you’ll need to shoot.There are settings such as the framerate and the quality of the recording, especially if you want to film in Full HD or 4K.Finally, ensure that the lighting is right so you get good shots. Even if your device allows you to alter the ISO settings or has a large image sensor, you can’t underestimate how important lighting is.Learn more about filming with cameras.What Accessories Do You Need to Film with Your Camera?When filming with a hybrid or single-lens reflex (SLR), you’ll need to think carefully about the lenses you’ll use. Sometimes, the lens is more important than the camera itself. You’ll need to consider the focal distance (wide-angle, telephoto, etc.). Most cameras don't have great microphones built into them. (Source: Hitcom)When it comes to bridge and compact cameras, you need to think a lot about the lens as you can’t change it.Similarly, you might need to buy a mic. We recommend that you get a mic if you want to get good audio quality. The built-in mic for most cameras isn’t great. To make sure that you get the most out of your filming, use an external microphone that you can plug into your reflex or hybrid camera or even record the audio separately. Of course, you’ll need to sync up the audio and video during editing.Additionally, don’t forget batteries! A few extra batteries mean that you can film all day without having to worry about your camera running out of charge. Two or three extra batteries means you won’t have to stop when one runs out.The same is true of memory cards. Videos take up a lot of memory, especially when filming in 4K.Finally, I recommend that you invest in a tripod to stabilise your shots. Even if you’ve got a steady hand, there’ll still be some shaking. To get a good static shot, it’s better to use a tripod. There are also camera stabilisers you can get allowing you to move the camera while getting a steady shot.Don’t hesitate to get a backpack or camera bag for all your gear. Ideally, you’ll want something that will protect all your equipment in any situation.Find out more about accessories for your camera.If you'd like to learn more about photography and film, there are plenty of private tutors on Superprof who can help you. There are different types of tutorials for different budgets and learning styles so it's up to you which one you go for.Face-to-face tutorials are the most costly but are also the most cost-effective. With just you and the tutor, the tutorials can be tailored to you, what you want to learn, and your preferred learning style.Online tutorials are similar but instead of the tutor being there in the room with you, they'll teach you remotely us ing video conferencing software. While this is fine for academic and theoretical subjects, it can be trickier for hands-on subjects that benefit from having a tutor there in the room with you.Finally, there are group tutorials which tend to be the cheapest per student per hour. Since the cost of the tutor is shared amongst all the students in attendance, each student will be paying a smaller amount than they would in face-to-face or online tutorials.The choice is yours!

Time To Get Real New Rocksmith Game Hooks Up To Actual Guitars

Time To Get Real New Rocksmith Game Hooks Up To Actual Guitars Suzy S. Ever since Rock Band and Guitar Hero were released, there have been opposing sides arguing for and against using the game as a learning tool â€" after all, players dont use actual instruments or use correct finger placements for chords. But that controversy can be put to rest with the newest music game, Rocksmith â€" and we can’t wait to try it out! Rocksmith allows users to hook up their guitars directly to a PC, Playstation 3 or Xbox 360 through an output jack.   The program features mini-games (a “Guitarcade,” if you will) to help improve your guitar skills, including games focused on fret placement, scale patterns, harmonics and slide technique.   Advanced players can take advantage of the Technique Challenge, in which specific techniques must be repeated back, and sections that need work are highlighted and slowed down. This release got us thinking what other music games made a big impact on the industry?   CNN recently wrote up a list of Top 10 Music Games Of All Time, and here a few that caught our eye: 1978: Simon Behind the music: Launched on May 15 at Studio 54, this Jurassic forerunner to todays touch-sensitive Nintendo DS featured four colored buttons (red, green, yellow and blue) and three simple variations on its gameplay. A great memory is crucial players have to repeat back a randomized or user-created sequence of lights and tones with a simple poke. Named after the childs game Simon Says and created by Ralph Baer who also invented home console gaming with the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972 it quickly became an American institution. Why it rocks: Besides single-handedly popularizing handheld electronic entertainment and directly influencing every subsequent system from the Game Boy to the PlayStation Portable (PSP), its pattern-based action formed the basis for nearly all music-themed titles to come. 1997: PaRappa the Rapper Behind the music: A far cry from what was going on with PCs at the time, this quirky PSOne Japanese import challenged players to bust a move by pressing buttons in time to featured beats. Do it correctly and you drop mad science on martial arts masters, moose driving instructors, Rastafarian frogs and chickens that pass for chefs.   Captivating domestic audiences with its sing-song vibe, hypnotic play and psychedelic cardboard-cutout aesthetic, its still one of the freshest interactive approximations of emceeing hip-hop heads will find. Why it rocks: PaRappa brought the rhythm game category home to North American shores, which eventually gave birth to countless hip-wiggling rivals from Unison to Bust-A-Groove. And of course… 2007: Rock Band Behind the music: The first game to combine all aspects of the virtual music-making experience (singing, pounding drums, playing guitar or plucking bass) was also the initial offering to deliver peripherals for all (including microphone, plastic drum set and faux ax) in one kit.In total, over 100 million digital songs have been downloaded for the Rock Band family of games, with more than 2,700 tracks from 900 artists including Metallica, The Ramones and Fleetwood Mac available across all retail and downloadable installments, including digital distribution platform the Rock Band Network. Thousands of masters, re-recordings or alternate tracks (all playable) by artists like Rush and Weezer, not to mention countless fans who can perform as cohesive four-man bands online should ensure it remains a house-party icebreaker of choice. Why it rocks: Providing the now-defunct MTV Games a then-marquee entrée into the gaming universe, it also laid the foundations for groundbreaking tributes (The Beatles: Rock Band), cutting-edge online innovations (Rock Band Network) and future motion-controlled games (Dance Central) to come. Here at TakeLessons, were all for any games that gets kids hooked and interested in music.   Of course, the best way to learn is to work one-on-one with a music teacher, who can tailor the lessons specifically to you and your goals.   (Need help finding a teacher?   Click here to search by zip code and lesson type!) Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How to Spot A Job With Upward Mobility - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Spot A Job With Upward Mobility - Introvert Whisperer How to Spot A Job With Upward Mobility Getting off to a good start in a career isnt always easy. Its often just as difficult to find a new opportunity when looking to move on from an unsatisfying job. The truth is, though, choosing the wrong job will inevitably lead you right back into a perpetual job hunt. The key is to find a job with an organization that supports personal growth and professional development that will keep you engaged and thriving for years. Thats why its crucial to learn how to spot the qualities of a job that offers upward mobility before you begin your job search. To help you to land a great job with room for you to grow, heres how to spot a job with upward mobility. Look For Cross-Functional Positions One of the easiest ways to spot a job with upward mobility is to look at the description of the job itself. These days, its not uncommon to see employers listing open positions with the moniker Cross-Functional added to the title. If you dig a little deeper, youll find that those jobs require some interdisciplinary work that may extend beyond your core competencies. The good news is that many employers that are listing these positions dont expect you to be expert at everything, and will provide you with the training you need to succeed. That guarantees that you will be landing a job that allows you to learn new skills, and in many cases, move between departments as internal vacancies occur. Professional Development Perks Employers today realize that recruiting and retaining top talent requires more than just offering high salaries. In fact, surveys indicate that 87% of Millennials cite professional development as a key factor in their willingness to keep a job. Employers, for their part, are responding by creating multi-level employee retention programs that include generous professional development initiatives. For example, Amazon, Inc. offers all employees tuition reimbursement of up to 95% of costs to help them earn certificates and degrees in new fields. With a program like that, you could earn a masters degree in data science that would help you to move into the hottest new job category in the country. You wont find more upward mobility than that! Companies That Promote From Within Another great way to land a position with upward mobility is to focus your search on companies that have a reputation for promoting from within. Even in todays transient labor environment, there are still plenty of companies that have a longstanding culture that elevates employees throughout their organizations. Take Costco, for example. The warehouse shopping chain has been promoting existing employees up through the chain of command since their beginnings. Even their CEO, Craig Jelinek, started with the company collecting shopping carts in parking lots at the beginning of his tenure with the company. The Tools For Success If you take the time to look for positions that meet any (or all) of the above criteria, theres a good chance that youll be setting yourself up for a long, successful career. Its also a safe bet that that career will grant you the flexibility to learn new skills and grow as a person, which is so vital for personal fulfillment and happiness. All it takes is a little bit of careful preparation as you head into your job search and a willingness to be selective as you decide which positions to pursue. If you manage to land a job with the kind of upward mobility described here, theres no telling how far your career journey will take you. Author bio: Andrej is a dedicated writer and digital evangelist. He is pursuing an ongoing mission to share the benefits of his years of hard-won expertise with business leaders and marketing professionals everywhere. He is a contributor to a wide range of technology-focused publications, where he may be found discussing everything from neural networks and natural language processing to the latest in smart home IoT devices. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Need Accounting Homework Help Call To Experts

Need Accounting Homework Help â€" Call To Experts 0SHARESShare Knowledge of Accounting is imperative for a businessman or entrepreneur to get along the lines of success and profit in their business. Without an Accounting department, it would be a tough task to monitor the cash inflow, payments, payrolls and profit and loss status of a business concern. Online tutors can help you offering personalized accounting homework help. Expert Online Accounting Tutors Are Ready to Help You. Accounting managers are part of the success of a growing organization as they provide source for internal monetary controlling systems in an organization. Importance of Accounting Homework Help People always have a penchant for business transactions one way or the other and hence businesses thrive somehow or the other, despite their ups and downs. Eventually, any student who takes up an  accounting homework help has fine employability and large scope for getting good positions in any of the organizations which are industry oriented. Or, if you have a mind for a business set up in future, it helps you a great way knowing the Accounting basics and ideas related to it. Thus you really have a bright future for you with your specialization in Accounting. How to learn Accounting? Minute details in Accounting would take you to task as you basically deal with numbers all the time. A slow and steady approach in dealing with columns could bear fruitful results for you while dealing with balance sheets and income statements. Problem solving too could be hectic with their varied details and lengthy solutions. It would be safe to take recourse to a tutoring portal that would offer accounting homework help to lessen your stress. Tutor Pace offers help with easy break up methods to analyze the problems in Accounting and provides unique strategies to cope with tough topics in an easy way. It is good to take up Accounting learning with the help of an online Accounting tutor for your best results. [starbox id=admin]

AP Exam Prep 2013 at AJ Tutoring

AP Exam Prep 2013 at AJ Tutoring Worried about preparing for the upcoming AP exams in May 2013?   AJ Tutoring is here to help with a variety of group class and one-on-one tutoring options!AJ Tutoring offers group classes for the AP US History and AP English Language exams.   The AP US History group class includes 8 hours of group instruction and two full-length practice tests; the total cost is $350.   The AP English Language group class includes 6 hours of group instruction of two full-length practice tests; the total cost is $250.   Both classes take place at AJ Tutorings Palo Alto office.AJ Tutoring also offers one-on-one tutoring for AP US History, AP English Language, and most other AP subjects, including calculus, statistics, biology, chemistry, physics, and European history.   All AP prep students currently enrolled at AJ Tutoring are welcome to take proctored AP practice tests free of charge at our Palo Alto office.   The dates for the proctored tests are as follows:Sunday April 21, 2013,   1:30-4:45 pmSunda y April 28, 2013,   3:30-6:45 pmSunday May 5, 2013, 10 am-1:15 pmSpace is limited in group classes and one-on-one tutoring, so register today!   Email info@ajtutoring.com or call (650) 331-3251 to speak with a director about your students AP exam preparation.

Past Perfect and the Woman Who Lived in the Wall

Past Perfect and the Woman Who Lived in the Wall Past perfect is a difficult tense in English. It may not seem that hard at first, but we notice that many students dont use it in conversation, even students who are otherwise advanced English speakers. Learning to use it correctly will make your English sound much more natural, and help you talk more understandably about actions that occurred at different times.Below, weve created a video that explains some of the basic rules about using the past perfect tense. Watch it and see if you can do the exercises. After that, weve got a great listening exercise for you to try. Its a podcast from RadioLab about a woman who seemed to have lost her mental abilities after being hit by a truck in New York City, and what her boyfriend did to try to save her. Its a great story!Past Perfect Video1) When I arrived at the cinema, the film (start). .2) She (live) in China before she went to Thailand. .3) After they (eat) the shellfish, they began to feel sick. .4) If you (listen) to me, you would have got the job. .5) Julie didn’t arrive until after I (leave). .6) When we (finish) dinner, we went out. .7) The garden was dead because it (be) dry all summer. .8) He (meet) her somewhere before. .9) We were late for the plane because we (forget) our passports. .10) She told me she (study) a lot before the exam. .Listening ExerciseYou can listen to the first 5 minutes, then answer the questions below, or you can listen to the whole recording. Its great! 1. How long were they dating for?2. Truth is they _____ known each other for a while.3. What did she do at the age of six?4. What did she leave her family for?5. Has Allen ever called Emilie’s mother before?6. What was her first question to Allan?

Its Who You Know 5 Networking Resources For Your Internship Woes

It's Who You Know 5 Networking Resources For Your Internship Woes Image courtesy of Flickr Having said that, I still apply to random online positions that I find interesting on the off-chance that the employer likes what I have to say enough to get me on the phone or something. I think Hughes would agree that the point of his advice is not Stop applying to random internships that sound interesting, but it is rather to emphasize a different approach to the process. Bringing on a familiar face, after all, is easier than hiring whoever it is you gauge from a resume and perhaps a cover letter. Tufts knows this as a practice common across each step in life, not just internship and job searching: We conduct research every day. When you’re applying to college, you don’t rely on online resources; you talk to teachers, guidance counselors, family members, and students at your target schools. Later, when you’re moving off campus, you ask for advice about realtors and apartments. When your family comes to visit, perhaps you get tips about good restaurants in Boston. Each of these scenarios involves collecting useful information. When applied to career search, networking is a process of asking people for information about occupations, employers, and industries. With each person you speak, you learn more about the world of work and where you best fit. People are your primary sources. There you have it When I think of outlets for networking available to college students I think of the five that Ive written about below. Go ahead and keep using LinkedIn, Intern Sushi and even Facebook to find internships because they are still viable options; however, real people are the key to the secrets of the real world. As our title above already stated, its all about who you know. 1. Alumni Image courtesy of Flickr Now that I am a part of the Tufts Alumni Admissions Program, I get how much wisdom we acquire over our four years in college. An alum from your own school, especially, has insight into his/her past (your present) and the future. Chances are, you can find a willing alum out there who can help you along in your internship search. Most schools offer some sort of resource to help connect current students and former students. Some schools organize meet-ups and luncheons to meet alums. Go with a friend if youre nervous youd be surprised how friendly and willing alums are to give their advice and contact information. It helps when these alums are in your field of interest, of course. As a biopsychology major, for example, I know there are not a whole lot of schools who offer that degree. Sure, you could double major in biology and psychology, but it is different. Talking with some recently graduated seniors who also had that major gave me a pretty specific and informative perspective on my options. Devin Merullo, someone I interviewed for a previous article (go check it out), gave me some good advice on graduate programs and said hed put in a good word at a Tufts lab I was trying to intern at last year. I didnt get the gig, but it was cool to have that reference. One could even put classmates into this category since what we do on a daily basis in classes is working together. With Facebook nowadays, we take for granted how connected we all are, but later in life, we may find our former classmates able to help in the same ways an alum might. 2. Professors Obviously, part of this process is up to your ability to judge peoples personalities. Do not confide in alumni whom you knew as an undergrad if you remember that person as a mean human being. Same goes here: dont force a relationship with a professor you do not like. Take the good with the bad. Of course I would never recommend you to pass up an opportunity, but there are few things worse than pretending to be nice to someone you abhor. With that said You can always hold on to that professors name and contact information and, down the road, could always whip it out if need be. If you like a professor, do your best to participate in class and perhaps ask them to be your academic adviser if you havent selected one yet. My adviser has given me a lot of good advice and an experienced ear to throw ideas off of. When I mentioned I was looking to get more hands-on experience in my sophomore spring, she suggested I help with some research being done in her lab. That semester I worked with one of her graduate students who has now gone on to do pretty well in the field of spatial psychology. 3. Family Members Maybe you want to be a lawyer and Mom has a friend from high school who just happens to have a private law firm. Maybe Mom can ask her friend if you could intern there one summer. No? At the least, Mom can give her friend your name and vice versa. Maybe Moms friend has a buddy who actually needs some help around his office These things happen more often than you might think. Luckier still would be if Mom herself was a lawyer and could open up a few doors for you. 4. University Career Services Image courtesy of Wikipedia Use these places while you can. As a senior, Im just now realizing the qualities of Tufts Career Center. They have free drop-in times every day of the week where you can do pretty much anything during those allotted times with one of the career center employees: a resume check, internship search or just a talk about your future. They might even give you names of people who have contacted them about opportunities. For networking services specifically, Tufts has multiple programming events for students: Tufts Career Advisory Network, Tufts Career Internship Fairs, Career Internship Connection, Campus Events, Social Media Outlets, etc. Obviously, you have to seek this information out, but part of working on your networking is just that work. For the professionals hired at your universitys career center it is their job to help you along your way after graduation. There is an enlightened self-interest involved here since they do so and care about you mainly so they can bolster their post-graduation employment numbers, but hey, what do you care? If theyre going to give you top notch assistance, you should be happy. 5. Past companies Through Uloop I have made so many connections with fellow writers across the nation. I was able to pursue a three-month internship with Bleacher Report because of Uloop. Not in the I put it on my resume way, but because Hughes directly put me in touch with the internship program director over at Bleacher Report. This one may require you to remember your manners at your current job. After all, no one wants to help out that guy who never did his work, never contributed, etc. Be a team player and who knows what doors your peers or employers might fling open for you. Run your own business, get control of your future, make an impact on your life. To learn more about College Pro, click here or call 1-888-277-7962.

Assessing your cultural competence A checklist for culturally responsive teachers

Assessing your cultural competence A checklist for culturally responsive teachers As classrooms become increasingly diverse, cultural competency has quickly become a key concern for educators all over the world. When it comes to creating a culturally-inclusive learning environment and closing the achievement gap in our classrooms, culturally responsive teaching is, arguably, more critical than it’s ever been before. In our society, it’s common for people either to hold cultural biases or to fail to acknowledge the differences in cultures around us. And while teachers aren't immune and may also subscribe to these attitudes, it is always to the detriment of their students. In schools, especially within the classroom, it’s crucially important that educators consciously work against putting up metaphorical blinders to other cultures. To truly engage our students, we need to remember that their culture matters. Looking to make your classroom a more culturally-inclusive space? Here are some important questions to start asking yourself when assessing your level of cultural competence: Are you aware of your own cultural bias and behavior? In order to be open to other cultures, we need to have an understanding of our own culture and how it has affected us. You’re constantly immersed in your own culture, and it’s easy to become numb to how it’s affecting your behavior as an educator. Understand what makes your culture unique, so you can also appreciate the differences in others. Are you ready to challenge any assumptions or stereotypes that you may hold? Are you aware of the assumptions you may hold about people from other cultures? Let go of any stereotypes you may have been holding and encourage an open mind for yourself and your students. This is not an instant process, but consistency is key and will pay off in the long run. Can you acknowledge how culture impacts the daily life and activities of students? Your hobbies, daily routine, preferred entertainment, job - there’s an endless list of things that culture affects every day. Are you accepting and willing to learn to understand how a student that recently immigrated from another country seems to be struggling with the school routine? Bear in mind that a student's culture can affect their everyday life, through religious commitments or simply their daily schedule. Although you may not understand or be aware, it’s important to recognize that a student may be used to spending their day differently. Can you understand how cultural norms influence communication? Did you know that in Japan, direct eye contact is seen as a sign of disrespect? Or that sitting cross-legged is considered offensive in Ghana and Turkey? Students from different cultures communicate in many different ways and it’s important to acknowledge that some forms of communication may be very different from yours. Rather than perceiving these negatively, use these cultural differences as a learning opportunity rather than passing judgment. Do you make an effort to learn about other cultures? You cannot become culturally competent if you don't learn about other cultures. Ask questions and be open to hearing stories rather than making assumptions. This is a perfect opportunity for students to teach you something, in turn! Can you effectively intervene when you see a student behaving in a discriminatory manner? Teachers must be able to identify when conversations in the classroom have taken a wrong turn, and be able to defuse the situation. As someone in a leadership role in the classroom, teachers should quickly address derogatory comments and use the situation as a teachable moment for their students. Are your teaching styles adaptable to students of multiple different cultures? Are your lessons structured to be understood by students of many cultures? Now more than ever, teachers will likely be teaching students from many different nationalities and cultures. Does it seem like students in your class who are relatively new to the country are struggling with grasping concepts? Teaching styles that may be easy to follow for one student may be totally foreign to another. Do you allow for communication between you as your students' families? Familycan obviously have a huge impact on a child's behavior and interactions with others. Establish open communication with families and educate them on what their child will be doing in school, and take this as a chance to learn from them as well. Remember, cultural competence is a continually-evolving practice and is something you continue to learn over the entirety of your teaching career. Cultural competency in schools is more than achievable, and the change starts with teachers who want to make their classroom a welcoming place for all students. Did you find yourself ticking a lot of the checklist above? Or do you realize that maybe you should start making some changes towards a more culturally-inclusive teaching style? Let us know in the comments below!