Current Issues in Education

As a parent you want your child to do well in school, and make a lot of friends, but more importantly, they want to be sure. The first step is to stay abreast of issues that could create a safe environment for children. For more information on some of these problems and what can be done about them.

Universities admit 'soft' A-levels damage chance of top places

The best universities now issue guidance that first officially recognized in favor of students studying traditional subjects at A-.

The guide produced by the Russell Group, a lobbying group of Oxford, Cambridge and 18 other renowned universities, confirms the rumors that have circulated for years that are in favor of newer older people, such as business studies or photograph.

It also reveals a strong preference for science subjects and mathematics - even for seemingly unrelated degrees.

The new manual is seen as the Guardian, is a sign that universities will cave ministers and teachers requires a lot of information on admission requirements to determine who are the posts granted, and why.

By not considering at least two of the following subjects: - Math, English, geography, history, none of the three pure science or a classical or modern foreign language - "many degrees in universities competition is not open for you," The guide, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Career Guidance, States.

It asks students to ask why not take the traditional themes: "Are you trying to avoid a challenge," said that while there is no "reference set" of a hard "or" soft "in question, called "hard" issues such as these are the best universities prefer and are more theoretical. Offers studies in media, art and photography, design and business studies as examples of "soft" issues and says they are "professional or have a practical orientation.

"If you plan to take more of a perception" soft "issue, can a degree of caution is necessary," warns the guide.

In June, said David Willetts, the Minister of Universities, Vice-Chancellor, he had been "pushing for greater transparency in universities for some time." Advice of teenagers have received university courses were "absolutely important .. . then [they] do not miss a class or a specific place at a university in particular by not receiving the right advice at the right time, "he said. Willetts said the manual was a "positive step towards creating a level playing field for prospective students."

Just over 7.2% of pupils in England, involved in private schools, but account for over a quarter of the consumption of the 25 most selective universities, and 46.6% in Oxford. It is believed that this may be partly due to the fact that pupils in state schools do not receive adequate guidance on what it takes to get a university elite, when they are making their choices of level.

Yesterday, Executive Director Wendy Piatt Russell group admitted that the real subjects and GCSE level was "critical to whether or reduce teen maximize their opportunities and life chances."

"It 's really important that students do not give you, select a combination of subjects at a level that does not equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge of their degree course or are not able to effectively demonstrate their suitability for a particular subject, "he said.

The directors said manual means understanding qualified students could not be at a disadvantage with their peers in private schools in the implementation of major universities such as Oxford and Cambridge.

Some argue that students of private schools and grammars have the advantage because they have teachers who can specialize in building relationships with colleges and universities in the decoding requirements for access to the complex.

Most of the 61 courses in the manual that mathematics and / or science A-levels will be a requirement for a seat, or "useful".

Guide to remind students and abroad, for example, Asian countries, subjects such as math, language, science and foreign language compulsory up to 17 This means that these students and young people to compete for places in Britain.

Critical thinking and general studies recommend additional subjects on top of three or more A-level. Science and mathematics A-level recommended for degrees in archeology, anthropology and geography, among others, law degrees and do not require legislation at. History can be useful instead, the U.S. guide. For degrees in history, some universities do not require history, but think that English is useful.

Andy Gardner, as well as students in public schools and the representative of the Institute of Guidance, said that students have met the "torrent of misleading information until further notice."

Empower School Culture; Empower Learning

Take time to develop a positive school culture, and reap the benefits of students to change.

The school is over 3 Rs: reading, writing and arithmetic. The school is to teach citizenship, they are learning social skills, he is learning about yourself, it is to give children the opportunity to succeed. This goes far beyond what the program has to offer. Move students beyond the program allowing the school culture and social structure.

Celebrate Diversity

Promote multiculturalism in the school through the celebration of diversity that already exists. Graphically identify the country of origin and languages spoken in the school population by creating shows that the contribution of students. Hold various cultural events and encourage students to realize their cultural traditions. Take advantage of educational opportunities rich multiculturalism brings to the classroom for their integration into the curriculum. Study of political regimes around the world in social studies, reading international authors in English, math problems arising from growing populations and limited resources worldwide.

Recognize student achievement

To start a school wide student achievement in recognition of a regular basis. Make it a way to celebrate excellence in every month. Identify the participation of students in the school community, providing prizes academic engagement, social contributions and personal fulfillment, and find that premiums are more, students are more intrinsically motivated to do better. Make sure that the public recognition and congratulations for the extension of the house and sent a letter pointing out a victory for parents.

Embrace Philanthropy

host community in encouraging students to return to the community. Choose one of the social causes that students can work together to benefit. Students not only find meaning in their work, but will develop a sense of camaraderie to put a real effort in achieving a goal. There really is no better way to learn about the world around you interact with him directly.

Get feedback from students

Make your efforts to strengthen the school culture and social structure are known to solicit student participation. Ask students to contribute directly to the ideas they believe will improve the school culture. Place a pot session in a central location for students to abandon the ideas and give a price for 3 to ideas.

Provide opportunities for participation

Make sure there are many opportunities for students to participate in the school community. Provide a rich educational experience that extends beyond the classroom walls to help define the culture of the school. Recruit a student survey to determine the Student Union Club of Central and extracurricular activities, which would increase the existing social structure of the school. Has every opportunity to participate.

Classroom Management Strategies and Techniques

Establishment of an effective classroom management at the outset of your school year is essential to maintaining a class with success throughout the year.

When people hear the "classroom management" phrase, the consequences for bad behavior comes to mind. A plan for classroom management and the cash balance, however, must involve much more than the consequences "after the fact" should include preventive measures in the form of structured routines and practices that alleviate discipline problems before occur.

There are three main causes of discipline problems in the classroom: boredom, restlessness and difficulty understanding the program. Solving these three great problems of establishing routines in force at the beginning of your college years and always put them into practice during the year, will create a class that promotes student learning.

Boredom BustersMany discipline problems occur when students are bored. Yes, it's that simple. When students get bored with the program and teach the lessons, they feel the need to take matters into their own hands, that the class a more interesting and dynamic. These students generally tend to be more intelligent than their students find the program too easy.

This problem can be prevented by providing students, especially in the thinking of the highest of these options, which are presented in the classroom curriculum. For example, if you have problems in textbooks in mathematics for students in practice independent, then your whole group instruction, offer a "challenge" questions to students before the end. These can be problems with direct student books, teacher materials, supplementary, or problems, you do. One option would be very exciting for the students of pre-configured in the beginning to make their problems related to skill and practice.

This strategy can be used in other academic disciplines. For example, take classes in poetry, which are directly related to reading or writing skills can be taught to give students an early completion of their creative outlet. Social studies and science, is addressed to an independent research project that students can work at their own pace to ensure that you are engaging academic work with their hands.

Concern Tame second leading cause of discipline problems in the classroom is agitation. Increasingly, students must sit for longer and longer. This goes against the nature of the child to be active, mobile and social. To reduce the problems of discipline arising from the bustle of students, trying to give students a break from one to two minutes to stretch every 30 minutes of class time. During breaks to stretch, for students to stand, walk, and socialize. It is also the perfect time to ask students to sharpen pencils, spare equipment and supplies such as paper, and get water. Doing this will reduce interruptions during the hours of class work. And the students return to their offices fresh and focused, ready to work.

Demystifying severe CurriculumWhen students have difficulty grasping the program, there are inevitably problems with discipline. This is because these students feel like they will never understand what is taught, then what is the point of trying. There are several ways to help these students a sense of achievement in the classroom, their confidence built back up slowly, giving them the courage and desire to try.

First, organize your living room into a classroom in heterogeneous groups. This means for students registered for the students there, the average yield and under each table. This will allow students to help each other through modeling and teamwork. Find that underachieving students are good, then ask them to help their peers is a good way to start the process of trust and search.

Breaking the curriculum, whatever the subject is taught is another way to demystify the new hardware. Even high-achieving students can benefit from breaking the curriculum into easy to understand, manage tasks. For example, when the award of a research and spend a day in every part of the project and ensure that students understand before proceeding to the next.

Discipline problems in class are unfortunately an inevitable part of education. How big a problem do not become totally dependent on the teacher. Establish and maintain a management plan for balanced and effective class to help reduce the number of disciplinary incidents that occurred before they even happen, help the teacher create a safe environment conducive to learning for all students.

State Universities: Budget Cut Victims or Treasured Resources?

Public universities are the source of great pride on the part of government officials. But they face a steep reduction in the budget with only a few States dollars ignore this trend.

There should be no surprise that forty-four states and the District of Columbia are projecting budget deficits for the period in which beings July 1, 2011. In fact, this news is likely to leave some people wondering how the unemployment rate gradually lead to lower tax revenues six states - Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, North Dakota and Wyoming - has managed to avoid this crisis.

These projections are on a large deficiencies, which have been tested during the fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Thus, to find the resources to fund basic public services will continue to challenge at least the next year, January 21, 2011 Center for Budget and Policy Priorities article Elizabeth McNicholl, Phil Oliffe and Nicholas Johnson, "states are still suffering from the effects of the recession, "he says.

State funding for higher education has been reduced

And despite the fact that governors and other state officials often point to their public universities as a source of great pride, these schools are not spared from budget cuts. States are offering about $ 80 million annually for higher education, public universities are not being privatized. But no longer support these institutions as generously as in the past, endangering their financial capacity. And this trend is being felt across the country.

California's budgetary problems were widely known, leaves little doubt that frugality is the new mantra. Administrators do not yet know exactly what will happen if the state legislature approves the state has proposed $ 1.4 billion in funding cuts for the University of California, California State University and the state community colleges. But they are convinced that this decision will mean more crowded classes, fewer courses and higher tuition bills.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, meanwhile, wants to reduce public funding for universities by 20 percent and support for community colleges, of which about half deal with a U.S. $ 1.1 billion deficit for the year come. And the head of the system of Georgia State University have warned against college students that they should brace for more increases in tuition in the coming months, January 20, 2011 article in The Times-Picayune, "The higher education a target for state budget cuts across the nation "reports.

The reaction to this trend was swift and vocal. January 24, 2011 The New York Times, "public universities are based more on the price that the state money" Tamar Lewin quotes Pat Callan President National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, the concludes. "Something important is happening here I would not call it privatization, the word is used. Often the presidents of public institutions who want a blank check to increase fees but the shift to a more student funding, the question arises Who owns these places - students, because they are paying for the majority, or the state, which has invested hundreds of years, physical plant, and the mark "?

And students are still aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Among those who expect to be affected is the University of South Carolina sophomore Allison Murphy, who said: "Everything is a bit scary for someone like me who paid for college myself, Ms. Murphy who intends to be a teacher, said. "I turn 20 tomorrow, I'm already in debt, and if tuition goes up next year I'll be in a worse situation," according to the Times article.

The reverse of the trend, some states continue to support public universities

But none of these dire predictions take so hope is lost. Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine article, "50 best values in public colleges," says that some public universities are thriving to become a burden and nastier people. Their cost consciousness has allowed them to continue their high-quality education without increasing the hours of the reach of many potential students.

And the article in the Kiplinger's praises, in particular, the measure of North Carolina to continue funding the UNC-Chapel Hill, who ranks in the top of your list. He cites the Chancellor Holden Thorpe that the school saying, "There is no reason why they can not do non-academic functions as efficiently as possible."

And in an effort to do just that Thorpe has hired a consulting firm Bain to help streamline operations. Following its recommendations allowed the university to prepare a 10% administrative costs, a move that reflects its forecast of a reduction in state funding. The end result of austerity measures. "The annual cost to the state for those students with financial need is a small price to $ 5912.

Fight to make college affordable

Public colleges are also becoming more aggressive in terms of soliciting donations from alumni. These efforts were not without their frustrations as the public high schools are generally not the schools rich kids ", with graduates having large sums to contribute, and the tradition of donating to them has not been as strong as in the case of private schools.

However, success stories, 15 January 2011, article in The New York Times, Lisa W. Foderaro "In the middle of the cuts, public universities Step Up is based on alumni," he says. A decade ago, 23 universities and professional schools, which form the City University of New York raised 50 million U.S. dollars per year collectively. Today that figure is $ 200 million, and officials have set a goal of $ 3 billion by 2015.

And for those who find the cost of public four-year universities, too steep, the colleges are an affordable option. October 5, 2010 According to an article by Eric Ferreri newsobserver.com community colleges grow and bask in the spotlight, "at least half the students now visit these schools, learning skills in the market.

One Region, Two Environments

Where Faith And The City invited me to write a guest column on the physical and social environments, I welcome this opportunity. These two are closely related and both are important issues for the Atlanta metropolitan area.

When we hear the word "environment", most of us think that the natural or physical environment - the mountains, farmland, and the coast, for example. But we also live in a social environment - the human society. Social environment that exists in the wider environment and natural in a relationship of interdependence with it.

Similarly, when we hear the word "pollution", usually in the context of the environment - air pollution, water and soil, for example. Remember issues like toxic waste, global warming and endangered species. However, pollution is also a problem in our social environment. In the Atlanta area and nationally, our social environment - the healthier in many ways that others around the world - often contaminated. Much of how the land is contaminated with toxic waste problems like poverty, crime, unemployment, ignorance and hatred can contaminate our communities.

So there are two environments in which we live and two that pollute us. Are linked in many ways that clearly recognize today, and I think that otherwise we will discover in the coming years. For example, we know that economic demand, a factor in the social environment is leading to the depletion of tropical forests in the Amazon region. The result of economic demand in this case, the physical effects of the global environment.

Of course, social conditions closer to home also affect our natural environment. For example, consider how the concerns about racial tensions, public education and crime can lead people to travel within the city limits to the outer edges of a metropolitan area. When this movement creates "sprawl" - a major problem in our community greater Atlanta - the result is increased traffic congestion. A byproduct of this traffic, emissions of the now 2.8 million vehicles in urban areas pollute the air we breathe, from downtown to suburban subdivisions. The issue comes full circle back to the social environment, considering that heavy traffic and long commutes can also contribute to health problems and increased stress.

Although this example is useful, it can often oversimplify the problem. In fact, there are many causes of pollution of the physical and social. This example reminds us that often contaminate both the environment without fully recognizing the consequences, or have an impact on each other.

It also reminds us that our society hangs together - the city of Atlanta for the counties of Barrow, Pickens, Spalding, Carroll and - together with communities and beyond. We are bound by the natural environment we all share - air, water and soil. And we're together in the social environment we share - our regional economy and our citizens who travel daily in all national courts.

We should be together I think by realizing that we are a community do - that just as we need for regional cooperation to protect the physical, we must work together in excess of the limits of our jurisdiction cities and counties to solve our social environment. Only then can we address the many challenges and opportunities facing us all that our region continues to prosper and strengthen the common good of our larger regional and small communities that hug.

Are High Schools Failing Their Students?

Need

Win a guarantee that a diploma high school diploma is ready to work and school? It is suitable for very practical reasons. The conditions for admission to colleges has increased. Employers expect more. Students must be able to communicate effectively, think critically, analyze and interpret data and evaluate a variety of materials. Sixty-seven percent of new jobs in the market today require continuing education (Achieve Inc., 2006).

Despite these requirements, many high school graduates adequately prepared to continue their education or the workforce. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), at least 28 per cent of students entering four-year public colleges in fall 2000 were required to take special education when they started, especially in mathematics and languages, as did 42 percent of those admitted in two years of public colleges (NCES, 2004). Employers have also noticed that many recent high school graduates lack the basic reading, writing and math skills they need to function at work and to provide remedial classes to solve this problem costs employers millions of dollars each year (American Diploma Project [ADP], 2004).

Growing concern about the academic skills of high school graduates has placed education reform at the forefront of the political agenda of education. Critics have begun to question the degree of academic rigor at the colleges of our country, and many states and school districts are seeking ways to solve this problem. This month explores the issue of academic rigor and highlights the ongoing efforts to challenge and support students.

A rigorous curriculum, all

It is no secret that a challenging program has a positive impact on students after high school. The study was published in the SU Ministry of Education (Adelman, 1999), for example, stated that "the academic intensity and quality of the studies the student was a much stronger predictor of graduation in order to obtain class rank, average or test scores. And this effect is "worse" for the African-American and Latino students than any other group. A rigorous program of study also provides the skills to work more and more potential employees. Extensive research into the ETS said 84 percent of highly paid professionals and 61 percent "well-paid, white collar, professionals had taken Algebra II or higher mathematics courses at only 30 percent of low to moderately skilled and low-income workers had done (ADP, 2004). These results are strongly supported by schools nationally to offer to all students, not just enrolled in "college prep" with an ambitious academic program.

What looks like a rigorous curriculum?
A collaborative effort of Achieve Inc., The Education Foundation and B. Thomas Fordham Foundation, the American Diploma Project (ADP) was established to investigate reform programs in secondary schools. In 2004, he published Ready or Not: Creating a high school diploma that counts, it describes in explicit terms "in English and mathematics [skills] that graduates must master at the time of leaving secondary school if they expect to succeed in

post-secondary education or high performance, high-growth jobs "(p. 10). The EPA concluded that the requirements of a rigorous curriculum than four years of math, not only algebra and geometry, but also data analysis and statistics and four years of English, including courses on "language, communication, writing, research, logic, informational text, media and literature" (p. 22). It is recommended that school districts establish high levels of study in line with state standards and required courses for the first year of entering colleges and universities within their states.

Both Texas and Indiana have played a leading role in implementing this strategy of reform of the curriculum. Texas Recommended High School Program has aligned its curriculum with the criteria recommended by the EPA (Texas Education Agency, nd). Indiana Core 40 Curriculum (Indiana Department of Education, 2006) is a product of Indiana's Education Committee Roundtable, whose members include leaders in K-16 education, business, community, government and parent organizations . This common core requires school graduates take four years of English courses, including literature, composition, and communication, and at least three years of math, including Algebra I, II, Algebra, and Geometry. And articulation of a high level, Indiana's Education Roundtable (2003) emphasizes the equally important need to align standards, curricula, and assessments of the entire state education system, from primary to higher education.

Both Texas and Indiana require students who wish to withdraw from these programs and placed in a general education program for approval of a guardian and / or school counselor.

Educating Our Youth

The United States is a great nation, the most powerful and richer than ever. Why then, when it comes to academic success, our country is ranked at the bottom of the list of world's richest nations - the number 18 of the 24 countries?

And why Georgia ranks last among 50 states Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score mean? It's not that Americans do not spend enough on education. We spend billions - a percentage of our national income is roughly the same as the average for the 23 other rich countries studied. But again, we rank number 18 in education. And Georgia, in fact, spends more per pupil than 10 other Southern states, which all Post Wed average higher scores than ours. So why do we delay - as a nation-state?

Maybe it's because you're spending more of our money, but spend less of our time and ourselves - to educate our children. Many of us are terribly busy right up. Others are worried about a challenging career, and the urgency and the unprecedented prosperity of modern life. The downtown airport is another factor. When well-off families to change the city to the suburbs, they often leave behind a family affl LINEAR less - and less human and financial resources in the schools of the city. Wealthy families who want to live in cities often send their children to private schools, including public schools takes away vital resources.

Clearly, the challenge of educating our children today are too complex for simple analysis and easy answers. However, educators and communities across the country are implementing effective solutions that meet specific needs in specific places. Despite these successes provide a wealth of ideas for many other communities, a message is very clear: that citizens of this great Nation, as residents of various communities and as members of different religious traditions, to act.

Historically, religious communities have played a crucial role in the creation and support of schools. Colonial Americans founded the forerunner of today's public schools to teach children to read and understand the Bible. Religious organizations established in virtually all our nation's earliest colleges and universities.

Similarly, today, people's faith is to work in ecumenical and interreligious partnership and cooperation between government, businesses, communities and other organizations to improve our education system. Religious leaders have faced major public support for education - in messages to their faithful and the community on matters of public debate. People of all faiths need to speak and to adopt the service and management positions is essential anti-public education.

Of course, there is no substitute for parents of public school children are actively involved in their children's education. But the responsibility of ensuring the future of our country must be shared by those who have no children in public schools. For example, parents of children in private schools, people without children and the elderly may help schools in their neighborhoods. You can spend your time, donate books, computers and expertise, and serve in many other ways. The fact is that problems related to education of children in our nation will continue to entire communities, including congregations, to invest more commitment and involvement in our public school system and individual school district. In fact, the question is not fi nancial, but moral. This is not about money, but interest and participation. The question is not whether we have the resources to ensure the future of our country - but if we care to do so.

College Success: 10 Common Reasons Why Students Don't Graduate

College Success: There is not much mystery to a high school diploma. There are 10 common causes and 10 ways to help ensure that does not happen.

Did you know that over 25% or more first-year college graduates ever? A quarter! Why? There is no mystery about it. The academic reasons are not secret. What is more surprising is that some college students seem to learn from those who fought and failed before them. It is repeated year after year.

Yes, some drop out for financial, health and family reasons. Some are homesick or have conflicts with work. Most, however, leave for very similar reasons.

Many years of college and university students, here are 10 of the most common reasons I've seen, why students do not go through years of their first year, 10 permanent indicators how you can give it your best effort you Not one of dropouts.

Reason1:

College Success: Study SkillsHow to read a manual. Take notes in class. How to understand what directors really want. What kind of learner you are and how to learn in spite of it. Do not wait for your review of the first failure. Get help early. Attend student events successful. Develop study skills for a day.

College Success Reason 2: 

Management SkillsLack time and project management skills can kill the best intentions of the student. Hope to time, make a plan and then cultivate it, all practices. Whenever you enter a classroom or online journal in a class, your changing business priorities. Then your plan must be adjusted. We need a society of students' skills do not possess. Create your profile!

College Success Reason 3: 

Requirements for Self-DisciplineThe for college means making choices that put universities first day. This means more opportunities to make a second or third. It takes almost unwavering focus on academic goals and career, particularly students and those with part-time jobs to full time. Not unless you do best.

College Success Reason 4: 

Freedom-being able to properly handle college life freedom is a major reason for lack candidate. Daily, there may be disturbances and temptations are not related to expectations in the classroom and professional goals. Online and face-to-face socialization is often the path to academic success. There may be an endless stream of invitations to do something, but the study and prudent course requirements. wrong choice can be an epidemic among students.

The reason for the success of the School 5: Priorities

Some students think that their time at school undergraduate is an interlude between life before and after college. Somehow, this time is not related to real-world requirements for success. Between the two, it is to party and pleasure. Professionally, it will not work.

College Success Reason # 6: 

DetachedFailure to attend school regularly is a murderer of disconnection from reality university. For example, some students really believe in the dream is more important than attending a conference session or laboratory. They think they can catch up with someone else's notes. It is not realistic. What is the role of "participants" the university, do you think are not?

The reason for the success of the School 7: Support

Too much freedom, too much fear or a misunderstanding of what is "smart" does for some students, it is not seeking help early enough to make a positive difference in their academic performance. In the first weeks of a course, it is wise to identify partners in the study, counseling, or simply ask the instructors for clarification of a better understanding of course material.

The reason for the success of the School 8: Investment

Lack of time and effort devoted to the study, may be part of the misconception that the college is like high school. It is not, and some students are shocked by this difference. Put before academic expectations of socialization or any other, is crucial.

Reason for success of the College 9: Liability

Take personal responsibility for your education is an important requirement as the basis for the success of the college. Learn more directors, knowing the time of the class expectations, understanding and setting goals and planning and implementation are just some of what is fundamental in your college life. Nobody can do for you.

The reason for the success of School 10: Motivation

There just is not enough motivation for some students to succeed, not just for the purpose and direction is not enough. Perhaps this comes from being in college only to meet the expectations of someone else. Without it, the challenges can be avoided academic grind. It seems as soon as possible.

College Success: Think About It
On learning, study and test successfully taken are not made by a kind of natural osmosis, ie be on campus, sitting in a classroom with a book in your bag backpack or the trunk of your car does not equal the success of the college. Paying tuition does not mean that the review is automatic. It is not a right. It takes all commitment, every day, day after day.

The study skills, self-management skills and project management can be improved with training and practice. The motivation must come from your head and your audience. All other reasons not to do in college can be summarized in few words: motivation, maturity and attitude. What about yours?

College Success: 15 Ways College May Demand More From You

University can be difficult for some students. There are at least 15 ways the university can expect more of you than high school ever did. You can do something about it!

Entering the College may ask for contingencies to basic education. In college, you're in transition, preparing for a different world, as well as a range of opportunities and expectations for themselves after graduation. Thus, even if you already have field of study. So to succeed in school, you should expect anything other than your high school experience can be shown to you. My measure is at least 15 significant differences.

Individual responsibility

You will be one in its own budget, time and money. Parents and school teachers and principals will not be kept within reasonable limits and boundaries. No one will force you to meet deadlines.

Think Ahead 

You'll expected to express your opinions in a logical and a sound basis, not just throw baseless statements. Make it a habit to do a thorough job before starting your machine to speak in the classroom or even in informal conversations.

Motivation
You have more freedom and independence and be their own time and regulatory activities. When I study, what books to crack, and projects to do, will you. Waiting too long time to get their act together can be costly.

Big Pond - Small FishYou could be in big classes that meet for longer periods and less frequently. People in some dormitories might be larger than the host cities or colleges college some residents. You will be expected to adapt to the "big city" life.

No liability Holding The hand know the rules, regulations, procedures and expectations will be your one and only. Educational administrators and teachers, of course, write and distribute catalogs and lesson plans for students, but you are the ones to read and understand everything.

Protesting Heard You'll not expected to read and write more than you've ever done in your life in high school. Projects and activities (and their due dates) will be hell for you quickly. Complaining does not help, even if threateningyour for social and leisure calendar of events.

Intellectual Regulation

Critical thinking and constructive will be an integral part of the interaction at the university. Logical thinking and conscious discourse will require different tools you can find for your brain to run in than when you were dragging your high school classes.

Standing in its own

You can expect less feedback and to test more often and more complete. Ask and make sure you're on the right track if you are unsure. You can ride for parents trying to protect you like in high school, but it's still your game to play.

More resources

There will be more academic challenges. Because only one class, whereas you can have two manuals and books, and online resources, and other parts by hand on reading. Such load management, and more will be conscious planning.

Workplace Comparison Just as in the real world of work, your task should be in time and with quality. Slackers will not survive. Whining, finger-pointing and lame excuses are probably not on the list of response or an acceptable value.

Social and team skills of college gives you the opportunity to interact with people with different values, cultures, interests, religions and ways of working. And having everyone does their part will test your flexibility and adaptability.

Tolerance Tests Appreciating skills and perspectives of others remain healthy, until you realize that the smartest person or the best idea, not necessarily the next room or a place in the bedroom or even behind the podium. Carefully weighed in with new ideas.

Beyond Comfort Zones You might be surprised and even shocked. Intolerance and rigidity that seems to be the opposite of the free exchange of ideas you might have expected in the academic world would be exposed. How do you say may very well define your ability to survive and succeed.

Requires uncomfortable

Can you multi-task with changing priorities and deadlines varied? Are you mentally and functionally able to re-organize your list of tasks to comply with newly assigned projects? academic expectations may simply feel uncomfortable with your conflicting wishes.

Getting out of Yourself 

Part outside their academic and work environment should include off-campus involved with the community through internships and external internships, volunteer work and socializing at school and work after school in their major field of study.

Big Question

 Basically, college is all about brain training, expand your consciousness and your skills and become more mature intellectually, socially and professionally. It is positive to distinguish themselves from everyone in your career plan. When you're in college, you indicate that you want to change. And you indicated that you want to help plan a different future for you that you are able to do on your own. That's the big difference. You see, the college will not prepare you for a job or career. Not at all. But will they help men and women who want to prepare for a job or career.

Great response

Think about it. What will you do with your time college? What are your dreams, expectations and objectives? What do you expect to have been made before the end of his time in college and have attended and completed a series of courses? And if you need help with a job well done, to meet these expectations that go? The answers to these questions will be the plan to design and execute itself. This is their education and training. Nobody can do for you.

Top 15 Best Colleges in U.S.

Harvard once again tops U.S. News' best colleges rankings.

This year, Harvard University alone again for the top spot in USNews & World Report Best Colleges 2011 ranking universities. Last year, Harvard and Princeton University tied for first, but fell to Princeton in 2011 according to the rankings of these major research institutions. Williams College can boast once again that it is the nation's top-ranked national arts schools college class place greater emphasis on basic education, the man was put in front of the school of arts at Amherst College in Massachusetts for the second year row.


This is the year that the U.S. 27 News has published the rankings of universities. Although schools rated highly successful gathering, sorting does not occur simply for the sake of students who are considering attending institutions such as Harvard and Williams. U.S. News using their data network on universities to provide students of diverse academic and socio-economic. A list of the best schools for student B, the ranking of historically black colleges and universities as well as the ranking of national universities more diverse. And if the worst financial crisis seems to have passed, and finds a value in the world of higher education becoming more expensive is still one of the largest - if not the most important factors in choosing a school. To meet this need, U.S.

News has compiled lists best value for national universities and national liberal arts colleges, which ranks schools based on the average cost to participants - grants based on need to take into account - compared to their academic standing


National universities and national liberal arts colleges do lists are just two of many locations that are part of the review U.S. News' Best Colleges. Regional colleges and universities, which tend to draw much of their region and tend to have sparse doctoral programs offered are ordered separately. Villanova University, Rollins College, Creighton University, and Trinity University is ranked first among regional universities - schools that offer master's degrees and was classified as "universities master" in the past - in the North, South, Midwest and West, respectively. The senior regional colleges - schools that offer undergraduate studies and were classified as "Baccalaureate Colleges" in the previous rankings - is the United States Coast Guard Academy in the north, Ouachita Baptist University, South Taylor University in the Midwest and the United States Air Force Academy west.

Although the system of public education in California is plagued by economic uncertainty and budget cuts, schools from the two states are ranked in the top national public universities. University of California, Berkeley, who is ranked 22 among national universities, is the tip of the head a public school, after which the University of California, Los Angeles. Among the top five groups: University of Virginia, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

While the top ranked schools deserve praise for their excellent academic standards, should not have all the credit. U.S. News asked the name of the college administrators in schools in which they believe has made a marked improvement in academics and campus facilities. Based on the results, the top U.S. News "Up and comers" in several categories. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, was chosen to be the fastest improvement of the national universities and Hendrix College has received top billing National Liberal Arts universities. Promising the best regional universities in Wagner College in Elon University in North-South Butler University in Abilene Christian University in the Midwest and West.

1. Harvard University

City: Cambridge, MA
Total Enrollment: 19,411
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $38,416
Application Deadline: 1/1

2. Princeton University
City: Princeton, NJ
Total Enrollment: 7,592
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $36,640
Application Deadline: 1/1

3. Yale University
City: New Haven, CT
Total Enrollment: 11,593
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $38,300
Application Deadline: 12/31

4. Columbia University

City: New York, NY
Total Enrollment: 24,230
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $43,304
Application Deadline: 1/1

5. Stanford University (tie)
City: Stanford, CA
Total Enrollment: 18,498
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $39,201
Application Deadline: 1/1

6. University of Pennsylvania (tie)
City: Philadelphia, PA
Total Enrollment: 19,311
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $40,514
Application Deadline: 1/1

7. California Institute of Technology (tie)
City: Pasadena, CA
Total Enrollment: 2,130
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $36,282
Application Deadline: 1/1

8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (tie)
City: Cambridge, MA
Total Enrollment: 10,384
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $39,212
Application Deadline: 1/1

9. Dartmouth College (tie)
City: Hanover, NH
Total Enrollment: 5,987
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $40,437
Application Deadline: 1/1

10. Duke University (tie)
City: Durham, NC
Total Enrollment: 14,350
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $40,472
Application Deadline: 1/2

11. University of Chicago (tie)
City: Chicago, IL
Total Enrollment: 12,332
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $41,091
Application Deadline: 1/2

12. Northwestern University
City: Evanston, IL
Total Enrollment: 18,834
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $40,247
Application Deadline: 1/1

13. Johns Hopkins University (tie)
City: Baltimore, MD
Total Enrollment: 20,483
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $40,680
Application Deadline: 1/1

14. Washington University in St. Louis (tie)
City: St. Louis, MO
Total Enrollment: 13,575
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $40,374
Application Deadline: 1/15

15. Brown University (tie)
City: Providence, RI
Total Enrollment: 8,574
2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $40,820
Application Deadline: 1/1

Top 10 Latest Inventions of 2010

1. Lockheed Martin Improves its Robotic Exoskeleton Called HULC

The HULC Robotic Exoskeleton MK II developed by Lockheed Martin has been upgraded. The company carried out a number of evaluation tests of its new exoskeleton.

Now the hydraulic "power-suit" features improved protection and is much easier to adjust than the previous model. In addition, the exoskeleton boasts an increased run-time and new control software.

It is worth mentioning that HULC (Human Universal Load Carrier) is just one of several exoskeleton developed for both the military and civilians.

Soldiers equipped with HULC are stronger and faster, and can carry heavy loads of up to 200lbs through a rough terrain at a speed of 7mph with 10mph bursts. The machine can register a range of 12 miles at lower speeds.

In order to lift loads the exoskeleton uses power-assisted straps. According to Lockheed Martin, HULC has a better operational runtime, which was achieved with the help of military-standard rechargeable batteries, reports Gizmag.

The company believes that its improved exoskeleton could be used in various industrial applications and even in healthcare.

2. OrtusTech Unveils World's Smallest High-Res Display

The company called OrtusTech has developed what it claims to be the world's smallest full HD display.

The new device measures 4.8 inches and its panel has a resolution of 1,920 × 1,080.

The high-end resolution was create with the help of advanced HAST (Hyper Amorphous Silicon TFT) microfabrication technology, developed by OrtusTech.

In order to get high resolution in such a small size, the company squeezed in 458 pixels per inch.

Being able to support 16 million colors, the device also provides a viewing angle of 160 degrees, informs NewLaunches.

Some of the uses of the new device from OrtusTech include HDTV equipment, screens, monitors, smartphones and handheld video consoles.

3. Cargo Planes Used to Plant 900,000 Trees a Day

Lockheed Martin decided to use its fleet of decommissioned C-130 Hercules cargo aircrafts, which were previously used to drop land mines, as foresters.

Thus the military innovation company managed to turn the 25 year old idea, proposed by former UK RAF pilot Jack Walters, into reality.

Each cargo plane will be equipped with the necessary tools to be able to drop up to 900,000 trees in one day.

The aircrafts will fly at an altitude of 1,000 feet at a speed of 130 knots. Using the same technique as before (but with cones instead of land mines), they will be able to plant 3,000 cones each minute.

It is worth mentioning that the cones are created in a way to bury themselves after hitting the soil. The casing of the tree bombs will dissolve and the trees will take root, having all that is needed for a tree to grow, including moisture and a measure of fertilizer, informs TreeHugger.

Today there are about 2,500 unused C-130 planes in 70 countries around the world.

4. Cybertecture Interactive Mirror with Numerous Applications

Although the interactive display technology is not new, each time a new product comes up it almost instantly catches the attention of the public.

A new device that complements the series of interactive home furnishing equipments is Cybertecture Mirror display.

The device represents a mirror that can be controlled with the help of a remote. The operative system of the reflecting display allows the user to connect to their cloud stored information.

It also includes messaging, weather and a number of applications like the fitness-tracking utility that connects to a bathroom scale, informs Akihabara News.

It would be interesting to note that the mirror is made of 800 x 500 x 5mm fog resistant glass. It also boasts Wi-Fi connection and 10W stereo speakers. The price tag of this contraption is $7,700.

5. Implantable Flexible LEDs for Medical Monitoring

A team of scientists from the United States, China, Korea and Singapore decided to create flexible ultra-thin sheets of LEDs and photodetectors that can be implanted under human skin to help perform different biomedical applications such as activating photo-sensitive drugs.

In addition the light emitting diodes and photodetectors can be used for medical monitoring.

The lead researcher of the project, which was published in Nature Materials, is John Rogers of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the US.

According to Mr. Rogers, the part of the research that required the largest amount of time was the development of the organic LEDs (OLEDs), which are very sensitive to water and oxygen.

Researchers say that their flexible LEDs could be used to create implantable patches for monitoring wound healing. In addition, the team's latest invention could be used for making diagnosis or spectroscopy, informs Physorg.

These LEDs could also be used in robotics. Currently Rogers is working on the possible commercialization of the invention.

6. TDK Presents 1 Terabyte Optical Disc

This year, the annual tradeshow and the largest IT and electronics exhibition in Japan, CEATEC, witnessed a number of very interesting devices. One of them is a sleek optical disk from TDK.

The disk unveiled at the 2010 Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies boasts a capacity of 1 terabyte.

According to Tetsuo Nozawa of Nikkei Electronics, the company was able to create the disk with such a capacity by forming 16 recording layers, each having a capacity of 32GB on both sides.

Nozawa mentioned that TDK created a disk using a material with a high light transmittance. One layer has a light transmittance of 95.1 percent, while the entire disk has a light transmittance of 72.6 percent.

"The material has already been used for part of a Blu-ray disc - and it does not have a problem of durability," said Nozawa.

The new disk from TDK could be used for various applications like home-use recordings, backups and broadcasting, informs TGDaily.

7. Surgical Robot that Offers Tactile Feedback to Surgeons

Although a surgery assisted by machines is steadier, more accurate and less invasive, one of its main disadvantages is that the controls of the robot don't provide a sense of touch, thus the surgeon is unable to feel any of the resistance put up by the tissues of the patient.

In order to solve the issue, Linda van den Bedem from Eindhoven University of Technology decided to create a surgical robot that offers tactile feedback. The researcher's latest invention is called Sofie, which stands for Surgeon's Operating Force-feedback Interface Eindhoven.

The machine can be controlled with the help of joysticks found on the control panel. It would be interesting to note that the joysticks are harder or easier to move depending on the level of pressure applied by the robot's surgical instruments against the tissues.

It is worth mentioning that such an invention could be used for several tasks such as making stitches, informs Gizmag.

In addition, Van den Bedem's latest invention is more compact if compared to other surgical machines used today. It can be mounted on the operating table, thus if the table is moved the robot moves with it.

In five years the researcher hopes to start commercializing her latest invention.

8. Device that Uses Waste Heat Energy to Power Electronic Gadgets

A team of researchers from the Louisiana Tech University, led by Dr. Long Que, managed to create a device that converts the waste heat energy from electronic gadgets into power which is then used to recharge these gadgets.

The team's latest invention is called the CNF-PZT Cantilever. It features a carbon nanotube on a cantilever base of piezoelectric material.

It would be interesting to note that the device is very small, which allows researchers to include thousands of small CNF-PZT Cantilever devices into different gadgets. It will allow gadgets to use their own energy to charge.

Researchers were able to show that a device is able to produce enough energy to operate a number of low-power microsensors and intergrated sensors, informs Treehugger.

9. New-Gen Exoskeleton from Berkeley Bionics

Berkeley Bionics, a company based in California, presented at a press conference its latest invention - eLEGS exoskeleton. The device was developed for paraplegics and is controlled via an onboard computer. It helps those afflicted with paraplegia to get out of their wheelchairs, stand and even walk.

One can wear the eLEGS over clothing. The device is built in a way to allow people get in and out of it in just one or two minutes.

Besides, eLEGS can be adjusted in order to fit people between 5'2'' and 6'4'' (157 and 193 cm), and weighing under 220 lbs (100 kg).

When the user got in the exoskeleton, the computer makes use of built-in sensors to monitor their gestures. Based on the gestures, it then analyzes user's intentions and reacts accordingly in real time.

The exoskeleton weights 45 lbs (20 kg). It includes a battery that can hold for about 6 hours, under normal use. The device registers a walking speed of about 2mph (3.22km/h).

Researchers will carry out the first clinical tests early next year. In the second half of 2011 a number of such exoskeletons are expected to be offered to some American rehabilitation clinics.

The company also wants the device to be available for home users. It is worth mentioning that Berkeley Bionics is the developer of the Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC), an exoskeleton that is available on the market and which makes it possible for the able-bodied soldiers to carry loads weighting up to 200 lbs (91 kg).

10. Lexus Unveils the Most Advanced Driving Simulator in Car-Making Industry

Engineers from the luxury vehicle division of the famous Japanese car manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation, Lexus, are carry out safety tests of new vehicles using the world's most advanced driving simulator.

Lexus decided to present its driving simulator to the public as part of the company's new advertising campaign.

It is worth mentioning that the device can be found on the Toyota research campus in Japan. The driving simulator has a Lexus LS 460 installed on top of a turntable on a 15-foot-high domed structure that moves in all directions.

With the help of a track system, the car can tip forward, backwards, and side-to-side. In addition, according to the engineers, the device can simulate cornering, handling, and speeds the reach 186mph in a 360-degree road environment, informs Fast Company.

According to Dave Nordstrom, Lexus's vice president of marketing, a number of Lexus safety features were developed after the company's specialists carried out a number of tests on the new driving simulator.

Orang Minyak "The Curse of Oily Man"

In the 1960’s a large number of young women were raped in several Malaysian towns. The attacker was described as a naked man, covered from head to toe with oil. Some said that Orang Minyak could appear invisible to non-virgins. Mass panic ensued, and many young women of the region began wearing sweaty, stinky clothes so the Orang Minyak would mistake them for male and leave them be.

Some speculate that the Orang Minyak was in fact a regular human criminal, who covered himself with oil to camouflage himself against the night, and to make him especially slippery to catch.

Sightings of the “Oily Man” have continued through the decades, with the last sighting in 2005. 

The Orang Minyak is one of a number of Malay ghost myths. Orang Minyak literally means 'oily man' in Malay.

According to one legend, popularised in the 1956 film Sumpah Orang Minyak (The Curse of the Oily Man) directed by and starring P. Ramlee, the orang minyak was a man who was cursed in an attempt to win back his love with magic. In this version, the devil offered to help the creature and give him powers of the black arts, but only if the orang minyak worshipped him and raped 21 virgins within a week. In another version it is under control of an evil bomoh or witch doctor. Another movie based on Orang Minyak was produced in 2007.

According to legend, in the 1960s the orang minyak lived around several Malaysian towns, where he raped young women. The orang minyak of the 1960s was described as human, naked and covered with oil (supposedly to make it difficult to catch). However, there were also stories of the orang minyak where it was supposedly supernatural in origin, or invisible to non-virgins, or both. The mass panic has also led to unmarried women, typically in student dormitories, borrowing sweaty clothes to give the impression to the orang minyak that they are with a man. Other defences supposedly include biting its left thumb and covering it in batik.

In short, the orang minyak is a supernatural serial rapist that is hard to see and hard to catch. Some have speculated that the orang minyak is a regular criminal who uses black grease as a night-time camouflage. Due to the use of black grease, it makes the orang minyak hard to catch, as pursuers would not be able to hold on to him. However, in some encounters with the orang minyak, the situation is not explainable from a non-supernatural angle.

Reputed sightings of the orang minyak, or events later ascribed to it, have continued with reduced frequency into the 2000s.

In 2005, there have been cases of rapists covered in oil roaming around, armed with knives.

Orang Minyak

Sex Demons "PLEASE BE GUIDED UPON READING THIS PAGE MOST OF THE CONTENT ARE SATANIC, I POSTED THIS PAGE ONLY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND NO OTHER REASONS"

Throughout history and all across the world, people have reported sexual contact with all manner of supernatural beings. Many people believe “sex demons” were born out of a need to explain away subjects that were generally considered taboo. More often than not, things such as unexpected pregnancy, abortion and promiscuity were met with anger and persecution. As a result, society came up with a number of mythical creatures, ten of which are listen below.

 

• Popobawa

Popobawa (meaning “bat-wing” in Swahili) is said to be a large, bat-like creature with one eye and a very large penis. It is said to stalk the men and women of Zanzibar, Africa, and surrounding islands. It is a shapeshifter, often taking the form of a human or animal. It usually visits households at night, and it doesn’t discriminate against men, women, or children, often sodomising an entire household before moving on. Victims are warned by Popobawa to tell others about the attack, or risk it returning.

Popobawa first appeared on the island of Pemba in 1965, and sightings have been reported as recently as 2007. There are several different theories about Popobawa’s origin. Some say it is an angry spirit created by a Sheikh to take vengeance on his neighbours. In 2007, Researcher Benjamin Radford investigated Popobawa and found that its roots are in Islam, the dominant religion of the area. According to Radford, “holding or reciting the Koran is said to keep the Popobawa at bay, much as the Bible is said to dispel Christian demons.”

Others argue (perhaps more realistically) that Popobawa is an articulated social memory of the horrors or slavery. The way in which Popobawa is said to sodomise its victims may also have something to do with the fact homosexuality is still illegal in Zanzibar. Popobawa is a creature not necessarily nailed down in terms of solid description. Some call him a ogre, some a ghost or a shape shifter. What is clear about the creature though, is that as recently as 2006 he’s been blamed for entering men’s homes and sodomizing them in their own beds. The madness went as far as men refusing to sleep at home for fear of being victimized by the winged monster.

Many believe the creature takes human form by day, and lives among the people. Others believe he’s just a lonely, horny gay monster accidentally unleashed on the public back in the seventies. Whatever he is, we have more on him right here.

Wikipedia has a horrifying opening paragraph for the legend of Popobawa:

“Popobawa is variously described as either a ghost or ogre with gigantic bat wings and a giant penis. At times he is simply known as “Imran”. He is sometimes thought to be a shapeshifter who looks like an ordinary human during the day. His presence is usually announced by the sound of scraping claws on their roof and a sharp, pungent smell. Different from other incubus legends, Popobawa primarily attacks men and only in their own beds, resulting in many men sleeping outside in streets or on porches after recent reported attacks.
“He attacks men as they sleep, overpowering them, holding their face to the floor and sodomizing them for up to an hour. People who claim to be victims of Popobawa are mostly poorer residents on the island of Pemba, though other reports have also come from other islands and coastal Tanzania. The victims are threatened with repeated, and longer, sodomizations if they do not let their friends and neighbors know of their experience.”

Usually experiences with the beast happen in one on one scenarios as listed above. In the seventies though, he publicly addressed a group of people at once, using a possessed girl as a mouthpiece. During the speech many of those present claimed to hear a car engine ‘revving and rustling’ from a nearby roof.

A strange piece of the Papobawa story is that his attacks, according to some, spike during times of public office election. The BBC elaborates:

“In recent years the residents on the semi-autonomous Tanzanian islands claimed that Popo Bawa only visited the islanders during voting, such as in the contentious general elections in 1995 and 2000.”

Some argue a political connection. One victim who has spoken to the media about his ordeal is Mjaka Hamad, a fifty-something year old farmer, who said he could feel:

“…something pressing on me. I couldn’t imagine what sort of thing was happening to me. You feel as if you are screaming with no voice. It was just like a dream but then I was thinking it was this Popobawa and he had come to do something terrible to me, something sexual. It is worse than what he does to women. I don’t believe in spirits so maybe that’s why it attacked me. Maybe it will attack anybody who doesn’t believe.”

Well if that’s the only reason the beasty needs to attack your southside, then let us publicly acknowledge his existence. He is very much alive, and may or may not have a stake in the upcoming US Presidential election.

• Trauco and La Fiura

Chiloé, an island of the south to Chile, is said to be home to the Trauco, a sexually potent Dwarf with the power to paralyze women with a look before having sex with them. The Trauco is described as being ugly and goblin-like, often wearing a hat and suit. His feet are stumps and he communicates through a series of grunts. Some repots suggest the Trauco doesn’t even need to have intercourse with his victims, that he can in fact impregnate them with his gaze.

Often, when a single woman on Chiloé falls pregnant people assume the Trauco is the father. In these cases the women are considered blameless as the Trauco is said to be irresistible to women.

El Trauco’s wife, La Fiura, is said to be a grotesquely ugly dwarf with the ability to cast a “sickness spell” against anyone who rejects her sexual advances. Her breath is so foul it can physically scar a human and turn animals lame. Despite her appearance, she is generally irresistible to men and after having intercourse with them, she drives them insane.

Trauco has some very special powers. No young or middle-aged woman can resist him. That is why sometimes if a woman gets pregnant, and she does not want to raise suspicion about who the father is, she just said that the father is Trauco.

The woman chosen by Trauco can not forget him as he has sex with her, in a way no other man can. As a symbol of sexual power Trauco carries a small hatchet. It is a local belief that he appears disguised as a priest or a rich landowner.

Men of the island are afraid of Trauco too. His gaze can be deadly. In rare situations brave man can manage to force Trauco to serve him for a whole year. This is possible if the man fixes his eyes on Trauco before he notices him.

Fiura, the same as her husband Trauco, is very ugly creature. Being his wife she is by some also known as the Trauca. She has big nose and tiny eyes. She lives in a forest dressed in moss. She is very strong.

Fiura likes to bathe in local streams. After bathing she lays naked for hours. She brushes her long hair with a crystal comb.

She also spent lot of time wandering in the bushes in search of the „Chuaras“ fruit. She is not very brave. Whenever she hears something she changes her body in quite bizarre positions.

It is very dangerous for ordinary people to look at her. It is believed that looking at her will deform your hands or legs. In some cases it is possible to cure them. First a plant called "Pahueldún" has to be found. Person has to drink a juice extracted from it. To get the juice a person must be whipped! Immediately after the treatment, branch of the plant used has to be thrown in the sea.

One of Fiura's passion is to cast spell on young woodcutters. They get confused, disorientated. She then forces them to have sex with her.

• Succubus and Incubus

The Incubus

The Description of Scotlande of Hector Boethius as translated in the first volume of Holinshed's Chronicles (1577), has three or four notable examples of these demons, which are corroborated by Jerome Cardan. One of these, concerning an incubus, is quoted in the quaint language Holinshed used: "In the year 1480 it chanced as a Scottish ship departed out of the Forth towards Flanders, there arose a wonderful great tempest of wind and weather, so outrageous, that the master of the ship, with other the mariners, wondered not a little what the matter meant, to see such weather at that time of the year, for it was about the middle of summer. At length, when the furious pirrie and rage of winds still increased, in such wise that all those within the ship looked for present death, there was a woman underneath the hatches called unto them above, and willed them to throw her into the sea, that all the residue, by God's grace, might yet be saved; and thereupon told them how she had been haunted a long time with a spirit dailie coming into hir in man's likenesse. In the ship there chanced also to be priest, who by the master's appointment going down to this woman, and finding her like a most wretched and desperate person, lamenting hir great misfortune and miserable estate, used such wholesome admonition and comfortable advertisements, willing her to repent and hope for mercy at the hands of God, that, at length, she seeming right penitent for her grievous offences committed, and fetching sundrie sighs even from the bottome of her heart, being witnesse, as should appeare, of the same, there issued forth of the pumpe of the ship, a foule and evil-favoured blacke cloud with a mighty terrible noise, flame, smoke, and stinke, which presently fell into the sea. And suddenlie thereupon the tempest ceased, and the ship passing in great quiet the residue of her journey, arrived in saftie at the place whither she was bound." (Chronicles, vol. 5, p. 146, 1808 ed)."

In another case related by the same author, the incubus did not depart so quietly. In the chamber of a young gentlewoman who was the daughter of a nobleman in the country of Mar there was found "a foule monstrous thing, verie horrible to behold." For the love of this "Deformed," nevertheless, the lady had refused sundry wealthy marriages. A priest who was in the company began to repeat St. John's Gospel, and "suddenlie the wicked spirit, making a verie sore and terrible roaring noise, flue his waies, taking the roofe of the chamber awaie with him, the hangings and coverings of the bed being also burnt therewith."

Jean Bodin, author of Démonomaie (1580) cites the case of Joan Hervilleria, who at age 12 was solemnly betrothed to Beelzebub by her mother, who was afterward burned alive for contriving this clandestine marriage. According to the story, the bridegroom was respectably attired and the marriage oath simple. The mother pronounced the following words to the bridegroom: "Ecce filiam meam quam spospondi tibi." Then, turning to the bride, she stated "Ecce amicum tuum qui beabit te." Joan was not satisfied with her spiritual husband alone, however. She became a bigamist by intermarrying with real flesh and blood.

In another story Margaret Bremont, in company with her mother and others, was in the habit of attending diabolic trysts. She and the others were burned alive by Adrian Ferreus, general vicar of the Inquisition.

Magdalena Crucia of Cordova, an abbess, was more fortunate. Suspected by her nuns of magic—an accusation convenient when a superior was at all troublesome—she anticipated their charge. Going before Pope Paul III, she confessed a 30-year intimacy with the devil and obtained pardon.

The Succubus

Old rabbinical writings relate the legend of how Adam was visited during a 130-year period by female demons and had intercourse with demons, spirits, specters, lemurs, and phantoms. Another legend relates how, under the reign of Roger, king of Sicily, a young man was bathing by moonlight. He thought he saw someone drowning and hastened to the rescue. Having drawn from the water a beautiful woman, he became enamored of her, married her, and had by her a child. Afterward she disappeared with her child, which made everyone believe that she was a succubus.

The historian Hector Boece (1465-1536), in his history of Scotland, relates that a handsome young man was pursued by a female demon who would pass through his closed door and offer to marry him. He complained to his bishop, who enjoined him to fast, pray, and confess his sins, and as a result the infernal visitor ceased to trouble him.

The witchcraft judge Pierre de Lancre (1553-1631) stated that in Egypt an honest blacksmith was occupied in forging during the night when a demon appeared to him in the shape of a beautiful woman. He threw a hot iron in the face of the demon, which at once took flight.

• Encantado

In Brazil, and the rainforests of the Amazon Basin, the Boto river dolphin was believed to have shapeshifting powers. It could turn into a very charming and beautiful man called Encantado, or “the enchanted one.” Encantado would take women back to the river, retake dolphin form, and impregnate them. Young women of the region were wary of any man wearing a hat because, according to legend, Encantado always wore a hat to cover up his blowhole.

In many parts of Brazil it is considered bad luck to kill Boto river dolphins. If you kill one, or in some cases just look them in the eye, it is said you will suffer nightmares for the rest of your life. 

There are three elements that best characterize encantados: superior musical ability, their seductiveness and love of sex (often resulting in illegitimate children), and their attraction to parties. Despite the fact that the Encante where they come from is supposed to be a utopia full of wealth and without pain or death, the encantados crave the pleasures and hardships of the human world.

Transformation into human form seems to be rare, and usually occurs at night. The encantado will often be seen running from a festa, despite protests from the others for it to stay, and can be seen by pursuers as it hurries to the river and reverts back to dolphin form. When it is under human form, it wears a hat to hide its prominent forehead, that does not disappear with the shapeshift.

Besides the ability to shapeshift into human form, encantados frequently wield other magical abilities, such as the power to control storms, "enchant" or haunt humans into doing their will or becoming encantados themselves, and inflict illness, insanity, and even death. Shamans and holy men are often needed to intervene and ameliorate the situation, but sometimes the spell is so great that it can not be completely cured.

• Lilu

Jewish folklore tells of Lilu, a demon who visits women while they sleep. His feminine counterpart is Lilin. These demons were a particular source of anxiety for mothers because they were known to kidnap children. Ardat Lili was another succubus who would visit men at night to ensure the continuation of her demonic race. The incubus was Irdu Lili, who would visit human women to ensure they would produce his offspring.

• Liderc

In the Northern regions of Hungary there was said to lives a creature called the Liderc (or ludvérc, lucfir, or ördög depending on the region). It hatches from the first egg of a black hen, and is often said to hide in people’s pockets. It enters its victims homes through the keyhole. Once inside, the Liderc shapeshifts into a human, often taking the form of a dead relative of the intended victim. It rapes its victim, and then makes the house very dirty before departing. Some reports say that Liderc becomes attached to its victims and never leaves. The Liderc can be exorcized by either sealing it inside a tree hollow, or persuading it to perform a near impossible task, such as carrying water with a bucket full of holes. It is common even today for children in Hungary to stomp on eggs taken from a black hen, or leave the eggs on doorsteps to cause mischief.

The first, more traditional form of the Lidérc is as a miracle chicken, csodacsirke in Hungarian, which hatches from the first egg of a black hen kept warm under the arm of a human. Some versions of the legend say that an unusually tiny black hen's egg, or any egg at all, may become a Lidérc, or that the egg must be hatched by placing it in a heap of manure. The Lidérc attaches itself to people to become their lover. If the owner is a woman, the being shifts into a man, but instead of pleasuring the woman, it fondles her, sits on her body, and sometimes sucks her blood, making her weak and sick after a time. From this source comes a Hungarian word for nightmare -- lidércnyomás, which literally means "Lidérc pressure", from the pressure on the body while the being sits on it. Alternate names for the Lidérc are iglic, ihlic in Csallóköz, lüdérc, piritusz in the south, and mit-mitke in the east. The Lidérc hoards gold and thus makes its owner rich. To dispose of this form of the Lidérc, it must be persuaded to perform an impossible task, such as haul sand with rope, or water with a sieve. It can also be destroyed by locking it into a tree hollow.

The second variety of the Lidérc is as a tiny being, a temporal devil, földi ördög in Hungarian. It has many overlapping qualities with the miracle chicken form, and it may also be obtained from a black hen's egg, but more often it is found accidentally in rags, boxes, glass bottles, or in the pockets of old clothes. A person owning this form of the Lidérc suddenly becomes rich and is capable of extraordinary feats, because the person's soul has supposedly been given to the Lidérc, or even to the Devil.

The third variety is as a Satanic lover, ördögszerető in Hungarian, quite similar to an incubus or succubus. This form of the Lidérc flies at night, appearing as a fiery light, a will o' the wisp, or even as a bird of fire. In the northern regions of Hungary and beyond, it is also known as ludvérc, lucfir. In Transylvania and Moldavia it goes by the names of lidérc, lüdérc, and sometimes ördög, literally, the Devil. While in flight, the Lidérc sprinkles flames. On earth, it can assume a human shape, usually the shape of a much lamented dead relative or lover. Its footprints are that of a horse. The Lidérc enters houses through chimneys or keyholes, brings sickness and doom to its victims. It leaves the house with a splash of flames and dirties the walls. Burning incense and birch branches prevent the Lidérc from entering one's dwelling. In the eastern regions of Hungary and beyond, it is said the Lidérc is impossible to outrun, it haunts cemeteries, and it must disappear at the first crow of a rooster at dawn.