Environment guide

In the beginning the best way to learn about how your child learns is to observe everything they do in their daily activities. Take notes, written or mental on how the child learns and approaches new learning situations. For instance, do they appear to learn more by touching and feeling, do they seem to learn more by drawing or expression?  Do they learn by watching or doing? Today there are many child development tools, books, and software available on various types of learning styles to you to get you going in the right direction. Do some online searches regarding child learning, learning activities, children’s learning tools, child learning websites…. That type of criteria. You’ll find much information on all types of learning.

An often little thought of aspect to children’s learning is what time of day does the child learn best. When is their peak learning times? This is particularly more in play with younger children.

Again all of this discussion and now research that you have done is circling back to creating an optimal learning environment for you and your child. Knowing how they learn. What motivates children to learn? When do they learn best? All of these come under the heading of learning style. It’s important to know how to break the areas down into specific knowledge for yourself to insure that you create that highly effective learning environment so the learning experience for both you and your child is a wonderful road filled with much joy and discovery!]]>

Learning Management Systems are e-systems that seek to advance employee skills in an organization through ongoing training and development. These apparatus are fast evolving as must-have tools in the e-learning scenario.

These are preferred as they are fast, convenient, consistent, effective and demonstrate high retention. But these systems are expensive and selecting the right system for an organization can be a challenge.

Several aspects need to be considered before making a choice. These are:

Define the learning strategy: The learning strategy of an organization must be understood before choosing a system. This involves understanding the target audience, their learning preferences, locations and resources. This also involves understanding corporate goals and expectations from the learning management system.

Understand the scope of work: The right system must meet core requirements initially and subsequent requirements in the future. Thus before making a purchase it is crucial to understand the scope of the entire system. Also there is a need to check how well the system integrates with existing systems, corporate intranet, administrative objectives and the security of the platform.

Tracking and reporting: Once the learning strategy and requirements have been prioritized, buyers need to check how progress will be tracked and reported by such systems.

Competition check: Today many providers offer such systems and it is vital to check the competition. Features and business models may differ and what may prove good for a large-scale organization may be a white elephant for a small and medium enterprise. It is thus vital to check the different systems and make a choice based on various factors including cost and benefits.
Seek recommendations: Often people seek recommendations from others who have purchased a system before making their choice. But this is not very advisable –as often what works for one may not necessarily work for another. Thus consider the corporate culture, organizational structure, industry, types of learning programs, number of learning programs and other factors that need to match in order to consider such a recommendation. Buying a system just because the vendor is known may be a bad idea as well.

Get a demo: Once you have chosen the system you like, make sure to have demos of the system before you make the purchase. A review team may be useful in providing good insights about the product. For example, you may not know but some vendors also incorporate evaluation processes for diagnosing the performance of the system through its lifecycle.

An e-learning management system is a lifetime investment; so choose wisely before making your purchase.]]>

By Jon Dunkerley (slaboflab)

www.web-rover.com

This article discusses two foods in paticual. For the puppy stage, Eagle Pack Puppy food and for the adult stage, Royal CaninLabrador Retriever 30

Puppy Nutrition

When deciding on the nutritional components that will determine the diet of my pups it is important to recognize and keep the following key factors at the forefront:

- The pups will mature quickly, meaning that they will need the best diet possible to allow them to safely grow with the aid of the necessary amounts of the 6 major nutrients present

- Starting at birth and lasting for the first 5-6 weeks of life, my pups will need a high quality Colostrum based formula due to them not being able to ween at birth. After researching various formulas, I have selected the following:

Artho Formula

This is a blend of New Life Colostrum (vital for the pups when first born to stimulate body functions), glucosamine sulfate, MSM, acetyl myristoleate, lipase enzyme, coated with beta-lipid.

Attributes

- Helps increase bioavailability and absorption of nutrients in the body and helps decrease the bioavailability of iron to pathogens

• MSM, a natural form of sulfur helps in the prevention of free radical damage and helps support joint and cartilage function

• Glucosamine sulfate contains sulfur, an element important to the biochemical synthesis of connective tissue

• Cetyl myristoleate helps support joint and cartilage function. It is paired with a lipase enzyme in order to help increase its absorption and assimilation in the body

Due to the importance of Colostrum, below you will find a detailed breakdown of the nutritional make up of this vital component to my pup’s healthy first few weeks of life.

Pure Colostrum Guaranteed Analysis and Nutritional Breakdown

Ingredient Amount

Moisture 7%

Ash 4.80%

Protein 60%

Calcium 0.26%

Lactose Monohydrate 15%

Phosphorus 0.24%

Magnesium 0.4%

Sodium 0.07%

Potassium 0.14%

Holine 0.12%

Cobalt 0.06%

Iron 0.06%

Lysine 7.65%

Methionine 1.88%

Cistein Trace

Arginine 4.82%

Triptophan 1.66%

Histidine 2.76%

Isoleucine 8.57%

Leucine 8.57%

Phenylalanin 4.61%

Threonine 7.45%

Valine 8.17%

Half life 16 hours

Feeding Directions

(1×480 mg tablet mixed with 3-5oz of warm water three times daily

daily total = 1440mg)

Feeding Chart

Week Amount Daily Fed/Mg

1 3×480mg = 1440mg

2 3×480mg = 1440mg

3 3×480mg = 1440mg

4 3×480mg = 1440mg

5 3×480mg = 1440mg

Some believe that proper Colostrum supplementation should consist of more than what is stated above, however, this is just opinion, and there is no evidence that proves this theory.

- The Structural Growth period (0 to 18 months) is the most important stage of the development of my pups meaning that during this phase of their lives, it is crutial for them to consume high quality premium or home prepared food.

- Along with my formula, I will be eventually feeding my pups a premium puppy food up until they are 15 to 16 months of age, (Eagle Pack Large/Giant Formula) which upon my research, appeared to be the best suited to the needs of my Labrador pups.

When considering a puppy food, one must take into account the quality of ingredients, and what these ingredients mean to the growth of my pups. For my pups to thrive, they need and will receive the best possible ingredients which when combined will produce an optimum food to enable them to grow safely, and consistently in regards to their breed specifications.

Eagle Pack Analysis

The Eagle Pack puppy food I chose has in my opinion the best combination of ingredients for consumption by my pups. Some of the key ingredients include:

- 7 skin and coat conditioners consisting of; chicken fat, flax seed, avocado oil, herring meal, lecithin, vitamin E, and biotin. This is a rare combination and is only found in top quality puppy formula. The main purpose of these conditioners is to allow for a nice shiny healthy coat with healthy skin underneath

- Premium chicken meal, rice, and herring meal provide great taste as well as extra protein and fat which allow for a great foundation for growth

In order to show the extensive process of creating a high calorie-quality puppy food, below is the entire ingredient list with the above key ingredients included:

Chicken meal, brown rice, ground rice, rice bran, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and ascorbic acid), flax seed, dehydrated alfalfa meal, avocado oil, herring meal, lecithin, brewers dried yeast, natural flavoring, monosodium phosphate, choline chloride, rosemary extract, sage extract, ferrous

sulfate, dl-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), zinc oxide, sodium selenite, manganous oxide, riboflavin supplement (source of vitamin B complex), copper sulfate, zinc methionine, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, cobalt proteinate, niacin, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin A

supplement calcium pantothenate, d-biotin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), calcium iodate, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, bromelain, papain, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation product.

Advantages

- Like most specific puppy formulated food, Eagle Pack’s Puppy Formula is designed for optimum growth. With high protein, nutrient and fat content, the building blocks for continued growth are present and I would expect my pups to do very well while consuming this product

- Low stool volume is a big advantage and is strictly due to the chicken meal and rice formula allowing for better digestibility, which in turn, allows for more nutrients and vitamins to be absorbed by the puppies

- Palatability is maintained by the presence of vitamin E and C, meaning that no preservatives are used

- Eagle Pack Puppy Formula is pressure cooked to ensure that the highest nutrient and vitamin level is present

Guaranteed Analysis

Ingredient Percentage

Crude Protein 26%

Crude Fat 16%

Crude Fibre 4%

Moisture 10%

Phosphorus 1%

Calcium 1.25%

At approximately 5 weeks of age, I will start reducing the “Artho” and introducing my puppies to the “Eagle Pack” kibble mushed in warm water.

Feeding Chart

Week/Month Daily Amount Daily Caloric Intake

5-6 wks of life 2x ¼ cup 188

7 wks of life 2x ½ cup 372

8 wks of life = 2 months 2x ¾ cup 564

10 wks of life 2x 1/1 cup 744

12 wks of life = 3 months 2×1 ¼ cup 838

16 wks of life = 4 months 2×1 ¼ cup 838

20 wks of life = 5 months 2×1 ½ 932

24 wks of age = 6 months 2×1 ¾ 1308

24 wks of life-36 wks of life= 9 months of life 2×2 cup 1488

36 wks of life-48 wks of life = 12 months 2×2 cup 1488

12 months of life-14 months of life 2×2 cup 1488

Weeks of Life Pup Food Ration, Adult Food Ration

Total Daily Ration

57 wks of life = 14 ¼ months 75%, 25% 100%

58 wks of life = 14 ½ months 50%, 50% 100%

59 wks of life = 14 ¾ months 25%, 75% 100%

60 wks of life = 15 months 0%, 100% 100%

Now that phase two of my nutrition plan is complete, I need to move to phase three, which is the adult phase of life. I have always been a believer in the commonly used phrase, “you are what you eat” and with this in mind, I have researched the wide selection of adult dog food found on today’s’ market and in doing so have come across a company that goes the extra mile in regards to their research, dedication, and determination to provide the best adult dog food on the market.

Royal Canin, a dog food manufacturer based in Europe, stands head and shoulders above all other food manufacturers based on their track record, attention to detail, testimonials, and their determination to provide the best diet possible for any given breed. Yes, this company has started to provide specific diets for specific breeds based on the differing needs that different breeds incur.

Knowing this fact, made it impossible for me not to choose this manufacturer to provide my Labrador with a life long healthy diet. Labrador Retriever 30™ Formula coupled with love an all the affection I can give, will provide my Labrador the optimum foundation for a long healthy mischievous life. (I can’t wait!)

Labrador Retriever 30™ Formula

Unlike other similarly sized dogs, the Labrador tends to have less muscle mass, and an ability to gain weight just by looking at the food dish. When you combine the “labrador beg” which usually wins him something from the human supper table, with the lazy metabolism and chronic greed of the Labrador, you get the “porky Labrador.” This obviously is bad news and can promote numerous disease factors such as bloat, obesity, poor joints, etc.

Taking all these factors into account, Royal Canin set out to develop a specifically formulated food for the Labrador retriever. They determined that by Promoting high protein and low fat, the Labrador would receive the building blocks to a well balanced diet and would be most likely to hold a proper bodyweight in relation to their specific height and activity level.

Ingredients List

Chicken meal, brown rice, corn gluten, oatmeal, barley, brewers rice, chicken fat (naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural chicken flavor, beet pulp (sugar removed), cellulose, fish oil, zeolite, soya oil, potassium chloride, sodium tripolyphosphate, salt, choline chloride, chicory extract, borage oil, taurine, calcium carbonate, inositol, niacin supplement, vitamin E supplement, L-carnitine, glucosamine hydrochloride, ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), chondroitin sulfate, calcium pantothenate, marigold extract, tyrosine, zinc oxide, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), rosemary

extract, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), riboflavin supplement (source of vitamin B2), zinc proteinate, iron sulfate, manganous oxide, vitamin A supplement, manganese proteinate, folic acid, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, biotin, calcium iodate, vitamin D3 supplement, sodium selenite, vitamin

B12 supplement.

Guaranteed Analysis, Feeding Method

Ingredient Percentage

Crude Protein 30%

Crude Fat 13%

Crude Fibre 5.7%

Moisture 10%

Vitamin E 600mg/kg

Vitamin C 300mg/kg

L-Carnitine 200mg/kg

Lutein 5mg/kg

Glucosamine 780mg/kg

Chondroitin 220mg/kg

Feeding Method Calories Per Cup

Portion Controlled 293

Amount Fed Daily Calorie Intake

2x 3 cup 879×2 = 1758

Advantages

- Contains numerous skin and coat conditioners to help maintain a nice healthy shiny coat

- Contains antioxidants such as glucosamine and chondroitin to aid in joint maintenance

- Contains taurine which has been proven to aid in heart health

- A high protein level allows for muscle mass maintenance

- Specific components when combined together have been proven to slow down the aging process. Some of these include; vitamins C and E, taurine, zinc, selenium, chondroitin, and other antioxidents

- Meets all standards provided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)

The final stage of my nutrition plan is based on the nutritional requirements for my dog when he becomes a senior. (9-10 years of age) Although we do not like thinking of our dogs one day becoming seniors, getting old is one of life’s few guarantees and it is because of this fact that we need to look out for the well being of our pets when they reach this point of their lives.

After researching the hundreds of possible senior based dog foods, I have decided to keep my Labrador on the Labrador Retriever 30™ Formula. I have decided this because this food has all the necessary components that senior dogs need and I feel that my Labrador will do very well on this food in his elder years. Also by not switching food, I avoid the potential of temporary setbacks during the transition from adult to senior foods.

Advantages

- We all know that as dogs get older, they tend to spend more of their time sprawled on the couch: therefore, by feeding my couch potato Labrador Retriever 30™ Formula, his fat intake will remain low and his protein intake will remain high to help him retain his muscle mass

- Joint protection will be aided by the presence of glucosamine and chondroitin

- In order to aid the digestive tract chicory extract has been added to help regulate this vital body system. (fructo-oligosaccharides)

Has your dog been a really good boy lately???]]>

Add more legitimacy to your business. We have all met people with advanced degrees that, for all the years they spent as students, really aren’t worth much in the real world. But people like to know that the people they are working with know what they are doing, and more often than not education is the indicator they look for. Just because you do not have a Master’s or Ph.D. does not mean you can’t demonstrate the level of education people trust. Join professional organizations or seek certification in the industry you work with. At the very least, being able to talk the talk will go a long way in letting people know you are competent and trustworthy.Become an industry leader in your community. If you’re running a small business, it is likely that your reach does not extend beyond the local area where your business is located. The internet has gone a long way in expanding the boundaries within which you can successfully operate your business. No matter how big your business reach is, staying abreast of changes in your industry in absolutely essential to maintaining a successful home business. Continuing education can be the edge you need to become the industry leader in your area. People naturally flock to the business they trust will do the best job for the best price. Where Can I Continue Learning?Local and Community Colleges likely have classes available in a field related to your profession. They are typically very willing to work with continuing students, and the classes they provide can often rival university courses. Even if you can’t find a course in the exact field that you’re working in, there are always business classes available.Online college courses often have more classes available in more diverse fields. One of their greatest advantages is that they allow students to study at their own pace and at their own convenience. Prices vary between schools, but are typically very reasonable. Courses taken online may apply toward a graduate degree.Online articles are often replete with cutting-edge information on just about every topic. A simple Google search on your chosen topic plus the word “article” can yield pages and pages of material. Take everything you read online with a grain of salt though, especially if you don’t know the qualifications of the author. Though you may not be a student in the traditional sense of the word, reading online articles can help you stay abreast of changes in your industry and get ideas for future research. E-books offer the same advantages as articles while providing more in-depth information. Authors of e-books, because of the time investment involved in writing them, usually have a higher standard of qualifications; again be cautious with how much merit you give any information without consulting more authoritative sources. E-books are typically more inexpensive than regular books; depending on your industry, they may even be free.Industry and company websites often serve as portals to huge amounts of information. The information presented often comes from scientific or statistical studies, so the level of reliability can be greater than other sources of information online. If you’re really strapped for time, finding a website you like and going there each day can save you from having to spend the time to search the internet for new information.In the end, continuing students are those people who take time each day to provide the best service or product that they can. Spending just 20 minutes each day reading online can go a long way toward that goal.]]>

http://www.snapjunky.com

With such a fantastic device as the digital camera for the recreation of magic in arts, a lot of care needs to be taken so as to maintain the perfection of the end product. This perfection is not only obtained by the artistic feeling of the photographer but also with the intricate knowledge of every minute aspect of the medium of creation of art (in this case the digital camera). And these minute aspects play a vast role in defining the ultimate perfection. The digital camera, light and depth of field are one such factor that would come into light in this subsequent discussion. Basically, the depth of field is a measurement of the acceptable sharpness. Yet this is very strictly a personal preference, and varies from person to person. Thus to be more formal, the depth of field can be defined as the area inside an image that demonstrates an ample sharpness that can be considered more or less in focus. So the depth of field is the range of distance, measured along the lens axis, as per which the image is caused to be sufficiently well and sharp in the photograph. The rest is as follows!

The depth of field defines the zone where all elements show clearly from foreground to background. Three factors control the depth of field in an image, they are the distance of the subject, the focal length, and the aperture used to capture the photograph. For people using compact digital cameras, one of the subjects of out of the ordinary interest is the depth of field because depth of field is more easily said than done to control with a compact digital camera than with earlier conventional analog film cameras. The minute imaging sensors of compact cameras need the use of short focal lengths, and this in sequence gives these compact digital cameras an extraordinarily long depth of field when compared to other cameras. Thereby, with intent obtaining a shallow depth of field is more complicated.

Considering a general acceptable fact, the depth of field decreases, as the image gets nearer to the camera. This means that as the focal point reaches closer to the lens, the achievable scope of the depth of field ebbs. On the other side, if the image is far enough distant from the camera, and for digital cameras, this must not be very far, the depth of field approaches out to infinity. Another important point to be noted is that the depth of field is proportional to the lens opening.

Having discussed the above important aspects of the light and depth of field of a digital camera, it is clear that the minute details make such great subjects whose knowledge becomes equally important for making appropriate use of the fantastic device, the digital camera! And the digital camera, light and depth of field comes out to be such important factors that can make all the difference if a photographer remains oblivious about this knowledge. A small factor thus can meal a big divergence!]]>

Linguaphone has a range of language courses that will suit your needs, whatever your reasons for learning a new language. It might be that you want to learn it for your next trip abroad, whether that’s a day trip to France or two months off the beaten track in India. Finding that bargain in the market or booking a restaurant becomes a pleasure, not a task, when you can communicate with the locals.

With the rapid growth of the global economy, having a second language at your command can pay dividends in business life too. How better to win that contract or clinch that promotion!

And of course, you don’t need to be going abroad to enjoy discovering a new culture and people. Many people take up a second language for the chance to brush up their own skills and help their children get off to the best possible start at school.

With Linguaphone, you choose how far you want to go.

With over 90 years of experience, we know that anybody who can speak one language has the ‘talent’ to learn another. There are no gimmicks or magic tricks. No complicated grammar tables or endless lists of verbs. Simply a practical course that has already helped 7 million people to speak a language.

Linguaphone’s proven method - Listen, Understand, Speak - provides the most natural and effective way of learning to speak a foreign language.

The courses are also designed so that you can constantly monitor your progress. From basic phrases through to fluent conversation, you’ll be surprised how quickly a second language becomes a second nature.]]>

There are many factors a teacher considers which will affect whether they accept a position. The most obvious factor would be the content of the position. What is the school asking of you as a teacher? You must ask yourself if the job is interesting and fits into your career plans as a teacher. The person you will be working for is also an important consideration so you must take the time to talk to them either via email or phone. It would also be beneficial to ask to speak to other teachers from the school to find out their impressions. Knowing what the job is and whom you will be working with are the first step in deciding whether to pursue it further.

Some may say that the most important consideration would be salary and benefits but these should be a secondary consideration to what you want to do and who you will be working with. Regardless of the salary paid, most people will not stay at a position where they feel unsatisfied or have no growth. In addition, the people you work with or for have an enormous impact on your job satisfaction. However, when considering salary and benefits, do not focus as much on the starting salary but rather on the potential for growth and increases. Does the school have growth potential for you as a professional? Do they spell out cost-of-living increases and meritorious raises? Benefits are other areas that can supplement a position where the starting salary is not as good as you would have wished. Get a list of benefits from the company and formulate any questions you may have regarding them so that you can better discuss the position with management and other teachers at the school.

Another factor that may come into play with many teachers when evaluating a position is the resources provided by the school. Teachers spend a large majority of their time preparing for upcoming lessons. This requires readily available resources such as teacher books, computer, printer, internet access, and preferably a reference library. In addition, there should be a work area set aside for teachers to plan and prepare. You should also look at whether the school already has a set curriculum/syllabus and student books because you may be asked to help to create these resources for your school year if they are not provided. I have known many teachers that have felt the need to move on because of the demands of planning for a school year without adequate resources.

To help you find that perfect (or near perfect) job, you should ask these questions to all prospective employers:
1.What is the salary?
2.How many months is the contract?
3.Do/Can you sponsor me for all paperwork, including teacher’s license, work permit, and visa extension?
4.How soon can you get this paperwork processed?
5.How many hours will I be teaching?
6.What kind of insurance is on offer?
7. When are the starting and ending times for work?
8.About how many events a month are teachers required to attend outside normal working hours (teachers’ meetings, parents’ meetings, school festivals, seminars, etc.)?
9.Does the school have/provide books?
10. Does the school have whiteboards or chalkboards?
11. Does the school provide all teaching materials needed? What are the items provided?
12.Does the school require that I attend/teach a summer camp?
13.Is there a discipline policy? What is it and how is it enforced?
14.What are the details of contract “extras” such as:
a.Resigning bonuses
b.Biannual or annual plane tickets to visit home
c.Housing allowances (if no housing allowance then ask about help finding accomodations along with cost in the school area)
d.Internet access both in and outside the school
e.Raise schedules

Searching for a position is difficult. After spending many hours on a search, making a careful decision regarding a job offer is important. Getting an offer does not necessarily mean you should take the job. Most employers will not expect you to make a decision on the spot. You will probably be given a few days to a week to make up your mind. If they are unable to provide you with the time to make a decision then you should not consider this as a viable position. On the other hand, if you decide to go with a school without finding out the proper information, don’t blame the school when the position turns out not to be what you expected or wanted. Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the job will help you make a more informed decision, rather than deciding on impulse.]]>

When you’re in the hunt for better information relating to cooperative learning, you’ll find it’s complex extricating the best information from misguided cooperative learning suggestions and directions so it is imperative to know how to judge the information you are presented with.

What follows next are a few tips which we think you should use when you are searching for information about cooperative learning. Bear in mind the recommendation we give is only appropriate to internet information concerning cooperative learning. We do not offer you any direction or assistance when you are also conducting research offline.

Look for cooperative learning
Find cooperative learning at one of the best sites the Internet has to offer!

An interesting tip to pursue when offered information or advice on a cooperative learning web page would be to confirm the sites ownership. This may show you who owns the site cooperative learning credibility The easiest way to reveal who owns the cooperative learning site is to look for the ‘about’ page.

All highly regarded sites providing information about cooperative learning, will almost always provide an ‘about’ or ‘contact’ page which will list the people behind the site. The details should make known some key points concerning the owner’s requisite knowledge. This enables you to make an assessment about the vendor’s education and practical knowledge, to offer help regarding cooperative learning.]]>

What are Polymers?

Tiny molecules strung in long repeating chains form polymers. Why the chemistry lesson? Well for one thing, your body is made of them. DNA - the genetic blueprint that defines people and other living things - is a polymer. Proteins and starches in the foods we eat, the wheels on our skateboards, and even the tyres on our bikes and cars are polymers. In fact, we are surrounded by polymers every day, everywhere we go. Polymers also form one of our recyclables, which is good for the environment.

Polymer Curing - How stamps are made with chemistry!

In polymer chemistry and process engineering, curing refers to the toughening or hardening of a polymer material by the cross-linking of polymer chains; this is brought about by chemical additives, ultraviolet radiation or heat. Rubber stamp polymer is supplied as a liquid and is cured using ultraviolet radiation. Although natural sunlight can cure polymer, liquid stamp polymer requires precise exposure to UV light to make rubber stamps.

Polymer Stamps - Make your own stamps without any skills whatsoever!

How many times has this been said in the past! Polymer stamp production has always attracted people trying to make a quick dollar out of the process. We have seen salespeople selling briefcase size polymer stamp machines to the unsuspecting stationery store and newsagent owner plus more recently the DIY kits sold over the internet aimed at craft people. If you are serious about stamp production you should be wary of some of the claims made about stamp making using liquid polymer.

Polymer in a bag

The most exciting development of recent is a new innovation where polymer is injected into a flat rectangular sealed bag; this new product does away with backing sheets, foam tape and coverlay film normally required for stamp production. Processing times are reduced by about 50% when using these new bags; this reduced labour cost negates the extra cost of the bagged product. The bags are available in a range of sizes to suit production demand. Polymer in a bag has also eliminated the problem of air bubbles during processing; this common objection to polymer stamp making has now been overcome.

Where the Polymer Rubber Stamp Industry is Heading

You have two distinct markets for rubber stamps. The first is the traditional business stamp market where stamps are affixed to handles and self inking units. The second market that is growing rapidly is the craft industry; these stamps are affixed to wooden or clear acrylic blocks and used for card making and scrapbooking. Craft stamps such as an artist’s range of stamps that follow a theme are traditionally made using the vulcanizing process due to it being more suited to mass production of the same stamp. Nowadays card makers want custom designs and clear see through stamps of which polymer is making some significant inroads into this market.
Another problem has arisen where polymer ‘jelly’ stamps are being sold to the craft industry, these polymer stamps have no structural backing allowing the polymer stamp to adhere to an acrylic block without adhesives. In theory this works well, the problem is that distortion of the stamp can occur as well as the possibility that the stamp can tear.
Thankfully a new clear silicone based product called InstaGrip has solved this problem so a polymer stamp with a sound structural backing can be adhered in the same way, without adhesive.

So where is the industry heading?

Business stamping seems to be just as strong as it always has been, with the introduction of the bagged polymer many more manufacturers will be offering polymer stamps due to the bag’s labour saving benefits and the lower entry cost for polymer processing equipment.

The craft stamp industry will see much more polymer in the future for much the same reasons. The demand for custom made stamps through services such as www.stampsearch.com.au where you select craft artwork online and then have that image made into a stamp will help the polymer stamp industry making craft stamps develop in a positive manner.]]>

Let’s start with basic online math games. Check out Aplusmath.com at http://www.aplusmath.com/games/. This website provides games that will test and help you practice your basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. You can play math bingo and hidden picture games. This is a great way to brush up on your basic arithmetic skills. Aplusmath.com also provides flashcards, worksheets, and a homework helper. Definitely try the homework helper. It allows you to input a math problem and helps you find the answer.

Once your basic math skills are mastered try your hand at critical thinking math games. A great website is Math.com. Math.com at http://www.math.com/ can be your one stop shop for all your math needs. Math.com provides homework help, practice, tutors, calculators & tools, and math games. The last word, “games” probably peeked your interest. Yes, you can improve your math skills through games. Learning multiplication and logic skills doesn’t always have to involve a textbook and a classroom.

You can work on your logic and planning skills when playing the game “Fiver”. This game consists of a grid containing all white pieces. The goal is to change all the white pieces to black pieces. That sounds simple enough, but how does it improve my math skills? There are conditions that are imposed on you each time you change a white piece to a black piece. These conditions affect the color of the surrounding pieces. This is similar to the conditions or rules in math.

For example, when working with positive and negative numbers you have to follow specific rules when you add, subtract, multiply, and divide them. However, the puzzle takes it one step further in that you not only have to follow the rules, but plan ahead. Planning ahead and using logic is an example of higher level thinking. These critical thinking skills will help you in math, science, and business.

These are just two of hundreds of math websites to help get you started. Playing a math game is a learning experience. Math games supply the extra help needed for basic skills and extra challenge that will help you to improve your math skills.]]>