Month: February 2020

The Rise of Co-Working Spaces in Burlington and Beyond

Photo/Credit: Study Hall
On the third floor of a 19th-century brick building on College Street is Study Hall, one of many places in Burlington where writers, graphic designers, coders, consultants, and marketers gather to work on their laptops.
Most of these professionals could work from home or at a coffee house. Instead, they chose to join a co-working space to connect with others and be part of a growing creative community of freelancers, remote workers, and small business owners in Vermont’s largest city.
Co-working spaces—defined as membership-based workspaces where diverse groups of freelancers, remote workers, and other independent professionals work together in a shared, communal setting—are popping up in Burlington, the nation, and around the world. A decade ago, communal working spaces were just getting started—the first one opening in 2005 in San Francisco. In 2013, the number of co-working spaces in the United States grew to 850, according to DeskMag.com.
“Vermont is well positioned to be a leader in creativity and community,” says Tad Cooke, who graduated from UVM in 2014 and co-founded Study Hall in 2016. “We saw a real need for a shared working space in the city. Our goal is to be more than a coffee shop, where people can come together, be creative, and share ideas. And there’s even more demand for co-working spaces than we originally thought.”

The Co-Working Community in Burlington

co-working-spaces
Photo/Credit: The Karma Birdhouse
In Burlington alone, there are close to a half-dozen co-working offices located within a three-block radius, including Study Hall, Karma Birdhouse, Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET), Hinge, and Office Squared. Every co-working environment offers something different in terms of atmosphere, space, and perks.
“When someone is looking for a co-working space to join, I encourage them to look at as many places as possible,” Cooke says. “Each co-working space has great attributes, and it’s important to figure out what feels right for you.”
According to the Harvard Business Review, new studies show that workers who seek the structure of an office-based environment and the camaraderie of colleagues are much happier in co-working spaces than the traditional office space or being at home. In a March 2017 article titled, “Will the Gig Economy Make the Office Obsolete?” Diane Mulcahy writes, “Co-working options offer workers the best of both worlds, including the control, autonomy, and scheduling flexibility of remote work combined with optional access to the structure and community of an office, if and when the worker wants it.”
Of course, the intimate atmosphere of co-working spaces may not be for everyone. Privacy can be hard to come by, and co-working spaces are less than ideal for someone who has to talk on the phone all day or needs to work in complete silence. Still, co-working spaces are finding a solid place in Burlington and beyond.
Study Hall attracts professionals ranging from marketers, fundraisers, translators, small business owners, designers, and writers (disclosure: myself included). Around the corner on Main Street is VCET, located in a former telephone company building, which is a larger space that draws more of a tech-oriented, start-up crowd.
While The Karma Birdhouse on Maple Street doesn’t have a traditional shared working area, it offers private office rentals and prides itself on being a collaborative environment for designers, web developers, start-ups, digital marketers, and writers.
“There’s a creative culture that’s emerging here in Burlington,” says Michael Jager, co-founder of Solidarity of Unbridled Labour and The Karma Birdhouse. “Co-working spaces are part of Burlington’s shared economy, where there’s collaboration, support, insight, feedback, and a real incubator point of view.”

The Evolution of Co-Working Spaces

co-working-spaces
Photo/Credit: Study Hall
Why did co-working spaces become so popular? Industry experts say it was a mix of economic forces, technology, and a desire for community.
Jager points out that the 2008 recession hit the graphic and web design industry especially hard, changing the job market landscape from professionals working full-time at an agency to suddenly being unemployed and looking for freelance work.
“The 2008 recession put a lot of great talent onto the street,” says Jager. “All of the sudden, this culture emerged that was agile and adaptable, and it completely changed the creative culture.”
One of the most popular co-working spaces in the country was started by Stuart and Karina Warshaw of Burlington. The Warshaws are the founders of Grind, a co-working start-up that first opened in Manhattan in 2011 and went on to open two more co-working offices in New York and one in Chicago.
“From a technology standpoint, cloud storage became available, Dropbox was a workable solution, and Wi-Fi was getting more sophisticated,” Stuart Warshaw says. “People could suddenly put their entire office in a backpack. At the same time, people—including freelancers, telecommuters, and entrepreneurs—also wanted community, a location to work, and a meeting space. Those worlds came together and co-working spaces were born.”
The couple, who left Grind four years ago and moved to Vermont full time, made sure when they opened their first co-working space that it would provide everything professionals needed. From desks and printers to Wi-Fi and coffee, Grind offers professionals everything they might need, including a sense of camaraderie among like-minded professionals.
“Humans need interaction, and that’s why community is so important,” says Karina Warshaw. “It’s good for the soul, and good for business.”
That sense of community and creativity is what inspired three friends to open Study Hall as a co-working space last year. UVM alumnus Cooke launched the College Street space with Jackson Latka and Alli Berry.
Since opening nearly nine months ago, Study Hall has grown from 20 to more than 70 members, who range from freelance writers to web developers to marketing consultants. Memberships start at $75 per month for use of the space up to 25 hours per week.
Over at The Karma Birdhouse, members include writers, photographers, filmmakers, and even successful start-ups like Oxbow and Mamava. “We tend to be a magnet for entrepreneurs and free thinkers,” Jager says. “People are hungry for culture and connection.”
Cooke and Jager are making sure their spaces are not all work and no play for members. Study Hall offers occasional movie nights, pop-up events, and holiday parties. The Karma Birdhouse hosts networking events called the “Karma Curiosity Sessions,” and is also home to Iksra Print Collective, the KBH Gallery, and Maglianero Café.

An Entrepreneurial Spirit

co-working-spaces
A recent article in AgendaVT.com noted that back in 2012, CNN ranked Vermont as the second most entrepreneurial state in the country. More recently, the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurship ranked Vermont sixth for “Rate of New Entrepreneurs.”
Why is Vermont such a hub for entrepreneurs and creatives? Vermont is home to many iconic brands, including Ben & Jerry’s, Burton Snowboards, Seventh Generation, 1% For The Planet, King Arthur Flour, and of course, Phish.
Co-working spaces are a natural extension of the state’s entrepreneurial roots, Jager says.
“I’m constantly fascinated by this debate about the positioning of Vermont. For some people, it’s cows and maple syrup. For others, it’s technology as our future,” Jager says. “However, in reality, the positioning of Vermont is freedom of thought and freedom of being. It’s realizing that in Vermont, you can be whatever you want to be.”
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Farmer Training Alumna Makes the Leap from Science to Sheep Farming

Annie Hopper never considered farming as a career. The Houston native, who studied conservation biology at Middlebury College, was going about her life pursuing a profession in science while interning for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife agency in Washington, D.C. But something felt off. Her heart wasn’t in it and she longed to be back in Vermont.
“I’ve always had a knack for science, but I’m also the person who wants to hold animals and be outside,” she says. “I was having an existential crisis. I was applying for jobs in Washington, D.C., and hoping I didn’t get any so I could just move back to Vermont and buy some sheep.”
That soul searching prompted Annie to return to Vermont in October 2015 with hopes of raising livestock. She spent the first few months building a barn and fence on her parent’s property in Panton. She bought five sheep and a few months later she enrolled in the UVM Farmer Training Program.

The Business of Farming

UVM Farmer Training is a six-month program that gives students a chance to manage their own growing site at UVM’s Catamount Farm, learn from experts, and gain hands-on experience at local farms.
“It’s easy to figure out how to handle animals, but not how to make a sheep into a product.” Annie says. “You’re not going to learn marketing and finances from an apprenticeship working on someone else’s farm, and the Farmer Training program is where you can learn how to run a farm as a business.”
She focused on sheep because they are versatile for wool, sheepskin, and meat. Sheep are also small enough for Annie to handle on her own (she puts them in the back of her red pickup truck when she needs to transport them). She eventually added two alpacas to help guard the sheep, and four baby lambs were born on the farm in mid-April.
Annie is in the process of buying a flock of grass-fed meat sheep from Pennsylvania. About 20 of those sheep will be slaughtered on her property and processed by Green Pasture Meats, and she will sell her product to local farm stands.
Local lamb is often hard to come by in Vermont, Annie explains, as restaurants often use lamb from New Zealand. Even after shipping, lamb from New Zealand is cheaper than American lamb. (You can read about the differences between American and New Zealand lamb on thespruce.com.)
An article in California’s Press Democrat points out that most Americans don’t eat lamb. The annual national average consumption is eight-tenths of a pound per person. In New Zealand, by contrast, it’s 50 pounds per person per year, and in Australia, it’s 37 pounds. Lamb consumption in the U.S. tends to be heaviest on the country’s coasts.
“I would love to have a medium-scale production,” says Annie. “Here in Addison County, there’s a real passion for local food, but there’s not a lot of local lamb available.”
She hopes her farm will change that. “When I came back to Vermont, I was really looking to tap into a market, and lamb seemed like a good choice,” says Annie, whose grandparents were commodity farmers in Kansas. “I’m ready to make this happen.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

A Look Inside the Company that Produces the Largest Source of Brewers’ Yeast

By Lynn McIlwee
BrewingWork.com
In a recent visit to White Labs, a San Diego-based yeast-production company, BrewingWork.com had the pleasure of touring the non-confidential areas and finding out more about the company’s Yeast Vault. If you have the opportunity to visit White Labs—the largest source of brewers’ yeast—their tasting room pours multiple styles of beer made with different yeast strains. It’s a great way to see how yeast impacts the flavor profile of a beer.
White Labs president and CEO Chris White has a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of California, where he wrote his thesis on yeast biochemistry. According to an article in the Ashville Citizen-Times, White is the co-author of “Yeast: The Practical Guide To Beer Fermentation.” He founded White Labs in 1995 to manufacture yeast cultures and provide fermentation services to the brewing, wine and distilling industries. That was back when most brewers guarded their own yeasts as proprietary ingredients. The article points out that as the craft beer industry has changed, breweries have neither the time nor equipment to nurture their own yeast strains.
BrewingWork.com recently talked to Kara Taylor, White Labs Operations Manager, about The Yeast Vault.

The Yeast Vault is a unique and cool idea. How did it come about?

The Vault was developed as a way to release new, specialty strains to the public. We felt this would be a great venue for homebrewers to tell White Labs what should be made based on their preorders.

With respect to the Yeast Vault, how many strains are in the vault at any given time?

Our current lineup in The Vault includes roughly 20 different strains, but we look forward to continually adding new strains down the road.

What countries have you harvested yeast from?

For the past more than 22 years, we’ve been harvesting yeast from many countries around the world. Most of these were done during our CEO & Founder Chris White’s early days traveling around the world. A majority of the new strains we’re collecting are wild yeast, typically used for alternative fermentations or proprietary projects sent to us by customers.

Assuming you have some wild yeast in the Vault, what method(s) do you use for harvesting?

Harvesting wild yeast from nature isn’t as easy as it seems. You need to collect it via wort or some other type of medium, preferably in an area with some type of flora. Then, you will need to determine if it’s something that ferments maltose and will produce enjoyable flavors. Properly identifying the flavor production is the most difficult part.

How does it work? Do you have a relatively small sample of the strain and then propagate the yeast when you have enough orders?

All White Labs yeast cultures are stored via ampules in a -80C freezer. When strains from The Vault hit 250 orders, we will begin our propagation process, which typically takes 10-17 days to complete.

Once the Yeast Vault is open and 250 orders released, do you retire that strain?

No, when a strain is a big hit, we re-add it to The Vault.

Can you give a couple of examples of some cool yeast strains you’ve collected?

Although we didn’t collect it, one of the coolest strain we’ve been able to work with is a Saccharomyces eubayunus strain. It’s been thought to be one of the original species that hybridized with ale yeast to form our current lager strains. The flavors it produces are very unique, and it’s like brewing with a little piece of history.

What’s been a popular Vault strain?

WLP611 New Nordic Yeast Blend has been one of our most popular strains from The Vault. It was isolated from spontaneously fermented apples on a remote island off the coast of Denmark in the fall of 2009. This specific culture is a unique blend of three yeast strains, two of which belong to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae family and one to Torulaspora delbrueckii.

Has the reception from commercial and home brewers been positive?

Homebrewers have definitely been excited to see some new and unique strains from White Labs. Since we haven’t really had a lot of opportunities to release these strains in the past, The Vault has evolved into our specialty line of yeast for homebrewers.
And there you have it. Wild yeast strains and other unique cultures will be making their way into homebrew and perhaps, commercial beers.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

UVM Is: Terry Bradshaw Helping Students Navigate the Realities and Rewards of Farming

While growing up on a farm in the small town of Chelsea, Terry Bradshaw learned from a young age the value of expertise and outreach.
To help keep his family’s farm running smoothly, his parents often asked state and regional agriculture officials for guidance on a variety of farming issues. That support system gave the UVM alumnus a foundation for his career as a tree fruit and viticulture specialist and UVM College of Agriculture and Life Sciences research associate and professor.
“Outreach is my pet cause,” says Bradshaw, who earned his undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees from UVM and works primarily on specialty crops research, outreach, and education. “I grew up on a farm so I know value of expertise, especially these days as farmers face the realities of climate change.”
Apples are the second largest specialty crop industry in Vermont after maple syrup, and grapes for winemaking are making gains in the state. Bradshaw works with growers to address everything from pricing to production. The two groups of people he focuses on are Vermont farmers and students in UVM agricultural programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
“I find that as we increase our focus on food systems, often times the food production end of things is considered last when, in reality, it should be thought of first,” Bradshaw says.
“Every time you grow food, you’re creating an artificial system,” he adds. “By that I mean that you are sticking a shovel in the ground and deciding to do something different from what’s already there. When you create this new system, you need to ask, ‘How am I going to do it in a way that is most efficient, that is fair to workers and farmers, provides food with as low an environmental impact as possible, and keeps costs low enough for consumers?’”
Bradshaw is also the director of the UVM Horticulture Farm and Catamount Education Farm and teaches UVM Plant and Soil Science Ecological Agriculture courses. He is also a guest lecturer for the UVM Farmer Training Program, a six-month program that gives students a chance to manage their own growing site, learn from experts, and gain hands-on experience at local farms.

UVM Sustainable Agriculture: The Realities and Rewards

Bradshaw prides himself on playing the role of “farmer realist” to students, and explaining the most difficult realities in agriculture: weather and money.
“It’s wonderful to see a new generation of farmers coming through UVM. We need that because farmers are getting older and farms are shutting down,” he says. “Farming is not a sexy profession, and there are real economic realities to it. What I like so much about Farmer Training students is that it’s not a pie-in-the-sky concept for them because they’re out there doing it. “
The most rewarding part of his job?
“To know what you’re teaching is getting put to use,” Bradshaw says. “Knowing that I have the responsibility to direct public resources to help growers and students produce food for all of us is a pretty powerful thing.”
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Alumna Learns the Rewards of Medicine in UVM Post-Baccalaureate Premed Program

UVM alumna Joy Benner ’15 started medical school in August 2017 at the UVM Larner College of Medicine. We talked Joy, who completed the UVM Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program, about her time studying at UVM, conducting research, volunteering for the Art for the Heart program, and working in the UVM Medical Center Emergency Department.

Why did you decide to study medicine at UVM?

I had switched to pursue medicine late in my undergraduate career. I decided to major in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) because my mother and sister are Deaf, and I saw the impacts this field had on their lives while I was growing up. I was exposed to the healthcare field through my major, as we were given many opportunities to observe the clinical aspects of audiology and speech pathology, which are career paths many students with CSD degrees choose to pursue.

Why are you drawn to medicine?

I love the connection and the relationship that grew between patient and provider, but I was also interested in learning more about the science behind the diseases that can influence or cause patient conditions. Through various experiences, I became fascinated with the field of medicine, but I hadn’t completed all of the necessary prerequisites to apply to medical school. I began to take some of these my senior year of college, where I met several UVM post-bac students. We all studied together, and I felt like I was a part of a community of individuals on the same path. I also grew up in Vermont, and knew I would be happiest and most successful in the post-bac program at UVM.

Tell us about your time volunteering in the Art for the Heart program.

The most rewarding aspect of the Art for the Heart Program was, by far, seeing the impact that we had on patients and their families. As an undergrad, I worked as an individual assistant for a toddler with bilateral cochlear implants, and through that experience I was shown how much of an effect one individual can have on a child’s life. For most children, a stay in the hospital can be overwhelming and stressful, and art is one of the best ways to allow them to make decisions, engage, and express themselves however they feel they need to. For many parents, this can be an equally distressing time, and we provided an outlet for them as well. It was always an incredible feeling to see that great big smile when a patient or family member saw all of the different art supplies they could use.

What did you do while working in the UVM Medical Center Emergency Department?

The Emergency Department provided a different experience, and was most rewarding in how much I learned. As a scribe in the Emergency Department, I worked directly with physicians and helped complete charts for the patients that they saw. This experience gave me immersive exposure to the field of medicine, as I was present for nearly every aspect of a patient’s visit to the ED, whether that was when the physician took the patient history, conducted a physical exam, interpreted laboratory and imaging results, or performed a procedure. I started to learn key things that physicians look for in common diagnoses and what they rule out. It was fascinating to see from start to finish the process that leads a physician to a diagnosis.

Which research programs particularly resonated with you in the program?

It’s hard to pick just one, but one project I worked on used animal models and looked at the effects of cyclophosphamide—a chemotherapy treatment—on taste. One of the many unfortunate side effects of chemotherapy is loss of appetite or loss of taste, which can lead to malnutrition and weight loss and has the potential to negatively impact the recovery of patients treated with chemotherapy. The study I worked on was evaluating the impact cyclophosphamide has on taste cells and the ability to discriminate salty tastes. This project was so great because I learned about how research can affect the way clinicians treat patients and how important it is for their ultimate treatment plan. It resonated with me so much because it has direct implications to improving the quality of life of patients being treated with chemotherapy.

Why did you choose to study at UVM?

I grew up in both Massachusetts and Vermont. I attended UVM as an undergraduate. I loved the prospect of being close to home and fell in love with UVM when I visited. It is an incredible school with so much to offer and so many resources
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

UVM Is: Beverly Colston Helping Students Succeed

The best part of Beverly Colston’s job is helping students experience personal growth and thrive in the community.
As director of the UVM Mosaic Center for Students of Color (formerly the ALANA Student Center) for 15 years, Colston’s goal is to create a diverse and rich community of empowered, engaged, and enthusiastic students of color.
“The Mosaic Center for Student’s of Color (MCSC) is about helping students succeed, blossom, thrive, and know who they are racially and ethnically,” Colston says. “We’re engaged with the holistic growth of our students, and that is a tremendous opportunity.”
For 20 years, the center has prided itself on providing a wide variety of programs and services, including student advising, leadership retreats, and events.

Creating a Community at the UVM Mosaic Center

The center began at UVM in 1973 as the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Back then, the office’s mission was to train UVM staff members to make campus more inclusive on an institutional level rather than focusing on students of color in the community. It later became the African, Latina, Asian and Native American (ALANA) Student Center in 1996, and was renamed the Mosaic Center for Students of Color in 2016.
In an interview last fall with The Cynic, Colston said the recent name change had been discussed for 15 years because the old name—ALANA—didn’t accurately represent the community.
“A mosaic is an intricately designed art piece constructed from assembling small, gemlike, colorful pieces of glass, stone, beads or other materials,” she told the Cynic. “While each piece retains its individual nature it also becomes part of a larger and beautiful whole.”
The center recently moved from the Redstone campus to a new space in the Living and Learning Center. The new location includes a kitchen, computer lab, meditation space, and a study lounge.
Students of color make up about 12 percent of the population at UVM, Colston says. The goal of new space is to offer a more central location and be more accessible to a greater number of students.
Colston is optimistic about the role the Mosaic Center for Students of Color will continue to play in students’ lives.
“The students are why I’m here. There’s nothing like the honor of being engaged with students’ lives and being part of their support network,” Colston says. “When it comes down to it, higher education is all about learning who you are, what you value, and how you can serve the world.”
-Our “UVM Is” series celebrates University faculty, educators, and the campus community.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Lynn Sipsey Finds Herself Drawn to the Art and Science of Medicine

Lynn Sipsey, right, during a summer global health trip to Vietnam in 2015.
Medical student Lynn Sipsey was studying to become a scientific illustrator when she decided to shift gears and pursue a career in medicine. Lynn, who completed the UVM Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program and is now a student at the Larner College of Medicine at UVM, talks about the rewards of medicine and the power of empathy.

You majored in fine arts and scientific illustration and minored in biology as an undergraduate. How did you make the leap from art to medicine?

When I started my undergraduate program, I was certain that I would ultimately go to a graduate medical illustration program. Medicine wasn’t even on the radar. However, by the time I had finished my degree, I had taken more biology courses than were required and accidentally minored in biology. I found that to become a better scientific illustrator, a thorough understanding of the subjects was required.

What drew you to medicine?

As I spent more and more time learning those foundational concepts, I realized how much I loved biology. After some time working as an illustrator, I knew that I loved the educational aspect of the work, but I never really got to see the direct impact of my work. Sitting in a studio drawing all day was wonderful, but it did not feel gratifying—I still wanted to use my knowledge base to educate, to make meaningful connections, and be able to see the impact of my work in people’s lives.

What kind of illustrations did you create?

My portfolio has a wide breadth of subject matter, style, and medium. I had made model eggs for the Birds of Vermont Museum, had a diagram published in a scientific journal, and had collaborated with a ceramic artist who bought the rights to some botanical illustrations.

Why did you choose UVM?

I grew up in Lincoln, Vermont. As a scientific illustration major, medical school didn’t seem like a possibility, but I had several wonderful mentors that encouraged me to consider it. When looking up post-bac programs, UVM was at the top of my list. The in-state tuition can’t be ignored, but also I had read about the quality of the advisors in the program, and knew of several of the students that went on to the Larner College of Medicine at UVM. When entering the program, I wasn’t sure whether I was interested in a PA, RN, NP,MD, or DO track. I liked that UVM’s program had flexibility and that I was able to tailor my schedule to my goals as they became clearer.

What are some similarities between illustration and medicine?

Though many see art and science as a dichotomy, my experience has shown they are two interdependent entities. Scientific innovation is not possible without creative thinking, and artistic expression wanes without observation and the scientific method. Both scientific illustration and medicine seek to reach similar goals: to use scientific knowledge and artistic skill to repair nature’s deficits, and to create a more “ideal” specimen. A large part of medicine is observation. The patient’s story is the single best tool for diagnosis, followed by physical exam. Both of these are tools that can be carried further with astute observation and directed inquiry.

Tell us about your respite caregiver internship at Howard Center in Burlington.

I was working as a respite care giver for the developmentally disabled. Serving a diverse client population—ranging from those in need of total personal care, and medication administration, to sex offenders and individuals requiring behavioral modification—was a rich and challenging experience. I practiced being present, compassionate, and patient. My belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual and the human capacity for growth and development became a clear value. I found the art of medicine. Like my studio practice, there is no absolute protocol to reaching a solution, each situation and subject must be regarded with the utmost care. Acute awareness, empathy, and understanding must be brought to each client every day.

What do you enjoy most about being a medical student at UVM?

Active learning and integration are really emphasized in the curriculum here. Many of the faculty are genuinely invested in student wellness and quality of education provided to us.
What do you find most rewarding about medicine?
It is a privilege to be present in difficult times in people’s lives, it is an even greater privilege to be in a position to help people through these times. I also really love patient education—just taking the time to make sure the patient actually understands what will be happening to them and why. Education empowers patients to take better care of themselves and make decisions that make the most sense for them
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Today I am going to discuss the Properties of Language in Pedagogy class for I year B.Ed. students.

Definition of the following features of language:
Vocal-auditory channel: Human language is produced orally and is received through the ear.
Reciprocity: Human beings communicate by sending and receiving signals.
Specialization: Linguistic signals have only one purpose—of communication.
Non-directionality: Linguistic signals can be picked up by anyone within the range of the signals.

How does human language differ from animal languages?
Human languages differ from animal languages in many ways. Some of the major features of human languages are 1) displacement, 2) arbitrariness, 3) productivity, 4) cultural transmission, 5) discreteness, and 6) duality. Animal languages do not possess these features.

What is meant by displacement feature of human language?
A major difference between animal language and human language is the displacement feature of human language. It means that human language can overcome the limitations of time and space. Animal communication is designed for here and now. But, human language can relate to events removed in time and space.

What is meant by arbitrariness of human language?
A major difference between animal language and human language is the arbitrariness of human language. It means that human linguistic signs do not have any natural connection between its form and meaning. The only exceptions are the onomatopoeic sounds. In the animal communication, the signs they use are synonymous with meaning.

What is meant by productivity of human language?
A major difference between animal language and human language is the productivity of human language. This refers to the human ability to combine limited linguistic signs to produce new sentences and expressions. Animals are incapable of this as animal signals have fixed reference.

What is meant by cultural transmission of human language?
A major difference between animal language and human language is the cultural transmission of human language. While animals get their language genetically, human beings acquire language. Human languages are passed down by the society in which one lives and grows up.

What is meant by discreteness of human language?
A major difference between animal language and human language is the discreteness of human language. This refers to the uniqueness of the sounds used in human languages. Every language use a set of different sounds. Each of these sounds is different from the rest and are combined to form new meanings. A sound can be repeated, or combined with another to form a new meaning. But, animal languages do not have this feature of discreteness.

What is meant by duality of human language?
One major difference between animal language and human language is the duality of human language. This is not found in animal languages. Human language can be both spoken and written. Even the languages that do not have alphabet can be written down using some symbols. Animal languages are only spoken.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

UVM Drone Training Gives High School Students an Opportunity to Soar

Jaron Cummings first became curious about drones when he was in elementary school. In fifth grade, he was given his first toy drone, and his interest only flourished from there. These days, the Essex High School junior owns a professional drone he uses for taking photos and videos.
Last summer, Cummings enrolled in the Natural Resources: Drones for Environmental Mapping as part of UVM’s Summer Academy Program for high school students.

What the UVM Summer Academy Drone Training Offers

The course, offered on-campus and online, covers five main topics: safety, flight operations, data processing, analytics, and dissemination. The goal is to give students an in-depth understanding of drone technology and how it can be applied for environmental assessment. The course is technical in nature but is designed to be accessible to anyone who is interested in drones and the environment.
In the course, students are exposed to a variety of technologies, including drone platforms, drone sensors, flight planning software, image processing software, desktop Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and web mapping. Students work closely with members of the UVM Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) team, one of the most experienced drone groups in the United States.
The course is part of UVM’s Summer Academy, a four-week residential and online program offered to high school juniors and seniors who want to explore areas of study and earn transferable college credit.
Cummings, who is interested in a career in civil engineering, found the drone course helpful. For him, memorable experiences in the course included flying drones over the UVM Redstone campus and the McNeil Wood & Yard Waste Depot in Burlington to map and analyze data.
“I liked learning how to perfect a drone flight, and then how to use the information to make accurate maps and models to survey and analyze,” he says. “I liked making new friends and learning about what I want to do in the future.”
Natural Resources: Drones for Environmental Mapping will be July 8-18, 2019 on campus and July 20-August 2, 2019 online.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Money Making Ideas – Convert Hobbies Into Business

Money making is the passion of every individual, but most of them only depend on Government jobs and only a few likes to do something extraordinary. The main purpose of writing this post is to familiarize you with some money making ideas in a simple way. After reading this post, you will say we are already doing the same for so many years but might not convert your hobbies into business yet. Yes, do convert your hobbies into money-making and profitable businesses. Let’s start the journey of converting hobbies into the business.

Money Making Ideas – Antique Re-decoration

Antiques are the famous items of their times, and many antique lovers like to purchase them at any cost. Therefore it is an ideal money making business for people who love antiquing. So perform the following steps to start a handsome money making business;
  • Take worn-out antique home with you
  • Invest the time to renovate those old antiques
  • Search online selling places
  • Share them on Amazon, eBay, etc
  • Share their snaps on Flickr
  • Resell them at a profit
Money making through antiques is very easy but need patience. It will take some time to reward you, but its reward will be beyond your imagination. Do try it.

Blogging

It is the best money making the idea for all, especially for ladies. If you are educated, have some knowledge of computer and internet, you must start blogging to earn more. What you need for blogging;
  • Writing skills
  • Topic you are passionate about
  • Internet facility
  • Patience
  • That’s it
Blogging is the best way to convert your writing abilities into the money making business. The key to success in blogging is consistency. Be consistent, and you will see the amazing results.

Candle making

Candle making is very easy, and you can use it as the money making an idea to excel the local and online market. There are so many events where candles are required in a big amount. It is a business with less investment but more profit. It is a great little technique to learn, and you can often easily sell the candles at local shops and also through online like Etsy.com.

Catering

Catering is another great money making the idea for those who love cooking and have administrative skills. If you are a good cook and only have the specialty in one or two dishes, do try this money making the idea. There are many mobile food vehicles in USA and UK, and people are earning from their cooking hobbies. The key factor in catering is planning to time and place to boost your income.

Cleaning services for Businesses

Cleaning services for businesses is another great money making idea because many businesses and public institutions need persons who will offer cleaning services at a low cost. Cleaning service is a great side business for those who can spare few hours late at night or on weekends.
Money making is an art, and only those are succeeded who learned it quickly. In next post we will discuss some more money making ideas you can apply to make your livings comfortable.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Get Help With the Do’s and Don’ts of Pioneer Careers

You’ve seen the announcements and the posts about our exciting new platform for Pioneer Careers.  Still need some help in learning how to use it? We’ve created 4 short videos to help you maximize the useful tools in Pioneer Careers:
We are continuing to update and refine the functionality to help you on your career path.  Watch the Pioneer Career Blog for news and system updates!

Key Trends for 2018: Innovation in Educational Technology

For several years now, innovations in educational technologies (edtech) have impacted how business professionals want to learn. Edtechs such as virtual classrooms, mobile devices, digital readers, on-demand video, online gaming, and cloud-based LMSs have fed a market that has been, and continues to be hungry for innovation. Traditionally, most investments for product innovation in edtech was focused on the higher education market. But recently, investors have looked across the traditional market boundaries beyond higher education and toward corporate training.
A key driver for innovation is the adoption rate of new technologies by the millennial community. Millennials entering the job market bring a new set of expectations on how to learn and collaborate. They are teaching leaders of training organizations that learning is best achieved in small ongoing increments, over time, accessed on-demand, using multiple devices, over multiple forms of media. The greatest lesson millennials have taught us is we need to focus on speed and how to make learning efficient and effective.
Because of these changes, investment is flowing into the edtech market at an unprecedented level. Entrepreneurs and established edtech companies are recognizing the opportunity to leverage innovative products across market boundaries and are designing tools for the “adult” market, instead of education versus corporate.
The key trends for 2017 reflect how the training industry continues to evolve. And the trends we see are not those which are flash in the pan, short term, hot applications – but rather, changes to the market that will have a lasting impact for years to come.
Investment in Educational Technologies Continues to Increase
Fueled by the learner’s ability and need to consume content fast, when and how they want it, investment in educational technologies is translating into a level of innovation we’ve never seen in corporate training. Tools for content development and delivery, digital readers, virtual delivery, reinforcement, content libraries, gaming and cloud-based administration systems, all are bringing a level of innovation that is at an all-time high for corporate training. Much of the investment is coming from companies that have traditionally invested in public and post-secondary education but are now shifting their focus to the corporate market. The main reason for this shift is best practices for developing and consuming knowledge-based content transcends age levels, as well as market boundaries for adult education and corporate training.
The Ubiquity of Learning Libraries
With the influx of mobile devices and the demand for short, object-based content increasing, learning libraries have grown rapidly. This rapid growth means that learners have access to virtually any type of learning content they want any time they want it; on virtually any device they choose. Having this abundance of information available can be a positive thing for learners, but training professionals must have a strategy in place to ensure learners are consuming the content designed specifically for their job requirements. The good news is training professionals can more easily meet the needs of learners through learning libraries for roles with competencies that are more market generic. The training leaders challenge is to better manage the content that is proprietary to the corporation to fill the gaps from ubiquitous learning libraries.
Adopting Campaign Marketing to Enhance Learner Engagement
Training professionals have the unique responsibility of supporting the needs of the business while understanding the needs of the learner, and bringing both together to improve performance. This responsibility is similar to that of marketing. Marketing must understand customer and client needs, while marketing products and services that meet those needs. Adopting a marketing-based approach to understand the needs of learners by using analytics and demand-generation strategies allows the training organization to target competency-based content directly to those who need it. Training organizations can then develop, promote and implement learning initiatives based on a profound understanding of learners’ needs and can help training organizations brand themselves and engage their learners more effectively. This is not about marketing the availability of courseware for the purpose of increasing the consumption of content. It is about using analytical data and intelligence about the learner’s needs to better target content directly to the learner who needs it.
Adaptive Learning
Identifying ways to improve the learning experience while minimizing the impact on employee downtime have been challenges across the industry. Adaptive learning is about personalizing the learning experience. By using adaptive learning techniques, we can reduce the time it takes learners to become proficient, eliminating the need to cover content they already understand. This improves the effectiveness of our programs because the learner only focuses on what is absolutely needed. Traditional approaches to content design involved developing courseware in a one-size-fits-all approach and then expecting the learner to consume the content. Adaptive learning is about adapting the content to the learner’s needs. For many years, the training function has been interested in personalizing the experience, but now they can accomplish this objective by letting the platform adjust information based on a learner’s previous responses. The future success of adaptive learning is not only in the design of the technology, but in the design of content. Content must be shortened and modified into learning objects, so it can be consumed based only on what the learner needs.
Multimodal Learning
Research related to the science of learning has taught us that one of the most effective techniques for increasing retention and application is to reinforce content over an extended period. Extending the learning experience pre- and post-training requires multiple touches throughout the learning experience. Technology is changing the way content is accessed and consumed, and changing how training leaders look to design learning experiences. In a 2016 study, 79 percent of training leaders told us that offering alternatives for training modalities is vital to their success. From mobile apps and e-learning, to job aids and simulations, employees need multiple touches and ways to consume information and drive behavior change. Essentially, these multiple touches transform training from an event into an extended learning experience.
Burst Training Campaigns Growing for Sourcing Engagements
As the outsourcing market for large-scale, comprehensive BPO deals are declining, we are seeing more growth in project, mission or initiative-based training engagements. We refer to these as “burst” engagements. A training “burst” is where the supplier is contracted to manage any or all processes associated with a defined training initiative – such as a product launch, technology implementation or change management initiative. When the initiative is completed, the supplier engagement ends. The primary difference of this from traditional BPO engagements is those are “process” oriented. Burst engagements are project-based, and the terms of the contract are more directed at the deliverables related to completing the initiative. Burst engagements provide an innovative option to the training leader and substantially reduces the risks of traditional process outsourcing engagements. 
Shifting to a Culture of Coaching
As the workplace continues to evolve with the emergence of new generations and technologies, there has been a gradual shift toward developing a more inclusive learning culture. One where companies value the internal development of future leaders, and where institutional knowledge is passed on to up and coming talent. One of the most effective ways to transfer proprietary knowledge is through mentoring and coaching. And the old saying holds true, that the best way to learn something new is to teach it. Mentoring not only develops the ones who follow in the footsteps, but it is also a wonderful way to develop current talent for leadership roles. The challenge is we haven’t done as much as we should to develop structured ways to develop the mentors. Cultures that value coaching are ones that emphasize the value of the talent, and provides a systematic approach to developing mentors and a culture for coaching. 
Evolution of Gaming Theory and Mechanics  
Game-based learning enhances motivation, engagement and knowledge retention. Early implementation of gaming focused on replacing the classroom experience with a game. The next evolutionary step in gaming saw us learning how to embed gaming programs within the learning program. We are now learning that at the heart of every engaging game (e.g., video games) lies an enticing story that pulls players in, appealing to their motivations and emotions. The evolution of gaming theory has found that using the principle of storytelling and engagement is key to appealing to learner emotions while enhancing learner engagement and recall.
Smaller Class Sizes
As virtual delivery platforms and online training programs have increased in popularity and adoption, average class enrollments continue to reduce in size. In the days of traditional classrooms, the objective was often to increase class sizes to amortize the fixed costs associated with an instructor and classroom across multiple students. There was always a conflict with the notion that smaller class sizes were better for students; while larger class sizes were more efficient for the business. Now the business’ needs and learners’ needs are aligned with the idea that training is becoming more affordable to deliver in smaller groups.
Insourced Spend Increasing
Driven by a performing economy, buy-side companies are hiring more internal staff for training than in previous years. This is driving up their mix of internal to external spend. Just a few years ago, the average spend for buy-side companies was around 58 percent for internal resources and 42 percent for external. Our most recent study showed that over the last two years companies have moved the balance to more of a 60/40 or an expected 61/39 split in 2016. So while the overall corporate training market is still growing, we are seeing a relatively flat spend occurring with suppliers, especially with large scale BPO engagements. This trend may be short-lived depending on the future global economy. Our experience has shown that as the economy improves, companies tend to hire more staff for training. As the economy declines, companies tend to move full-time resources to variable resources.

Must Have Resources For Students Going into Health and Human Services

If you’re considering a career in health and human services, there are several resources to support you in learning more about the industry, as well as, the job or internship search. Common job titles include social worker, therapist, counselor, public health administrator, community outreach director, research assistant, nurse, physician, or physical therapist, just to name a few.
While there’s a host of information about these professions online, hearing directly from individuals who work in these fields will be far more illuminating; as such, be sure to leverage your alumni network via Pioneer Connect to identify DU alumni with whom you can arrange for informational interviews. In the process of making those connections and gaining more insight into the industry, you just may open the door to job or internships opportunities you might not have found simply by searching online postings.
Job and Internship Search Resources:
 Professional Associations:
Keep in mind that most professional associations have job boards, as well as great resources for networking in the field, and professional development opportunities.

Today is the birthday of Frank Herbert

Franklin Patrick Herbert, Jr. was an American science fiction writer best known for the novel Dune and its five sequels. Though he became famous for his long novels, he was also a newspaper journalist, photographer, short story writer, book reviewer, ecological consultant and lecturer. Wikipedia
 
 
Born: 8 October 1920, Tacoma, Washington, United States
Died: 11 February 1986, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
Movies: Dune, Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience
 
 

His famous quotes

 
Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.
 
The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand.
 
Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.
 
A process cannot be understood by stopping it. Understanding must move with the flow of the process, must join it and flow with it.


This is a list of works by the science fiction author Frank Herbert
 
 
 
Try any one of his works…..

Why I Don’t Regret Leaving Social Work After Going to Grad School for It

Why I Don’t Regret Leaving Social Work After Going to Grad School for It was originally published on The Muse, a great place to research companies and careers. Click here to search for great jobs and companies near you.
“I’ve always had a lot of questions about the traditional American workforce, the whole 9-5 structure,” Morgan Silverman said frankly, not 10 minutes into our conversation about her intriguing career journey from social worker to real estate agent in less than a decade as a working professional.
“I wasn’t sure it was for me.”
You can’t say she didn’t try though. Silverman worked in her field of study for two and a half years before determining, once and for all, that it wasn’t a “lifestyle” she was interested in. In spite of great management, tons of learned skills, and stage-setting for her career, Silverman chose not to stay with it, opting instead for a work-life balance most people can only dream of (and few are brave enough to go after).
“It’s 2:45 on a Tuesday, and I’m sitting in my kitchen talking to you. I’m making more money than I was before. I’m free,” Silverman said without a hint of arrogance when I questioned her current state of contentment.
Her self-awareness didn’t surprise me—after all, she does possess a masters’ degree in social work, and she did cope in an incredibly stressful environment for a period of time—but I still found it refreshing. Of course, that didn’t stop me from throwing her a couple of hardballs related to her career change.
“Do you regret going to grad school? Do you ever miss being a social worker?” I asked.
“Part of me felt like I was selling out a little [when I made the career change], but I’m happy and I do use some of the same skills.”
She allowed that her feelings might be different if she was saddled with student loans, but without those weighing her down and combined with the fact that she’s both good at what she does and happy doing it, there was really only one answer: “I have no regrets.”
To get the full picture of Silverman’s career path, read on.
Can You Explain How You Ended Up in Real Estate?
In 2013, I completed my MSW from The University of Michigan. While at Michigan, I specialized in more micro-level social work (referred to in social worker terms as interpersonal practice and mental health).
I completed my practicum in the counseling department of Jewish Family Service, a wonderful sounding board for my career that also offered excellent supervision.
My partner and I (boyfriend at the time, husband now) moved to Toronto not long after I completed my degree for his job, but I couldn’t get work there.
I volunteered some and took continuing education courses in the social work department at the university. After about six months of mainly doing yoga and eating carry-out, I decided I wanted to move back to DC because I was bored and felt unaccomplished—so I started applying for jobs and interviewing remotely.
I was offered three different positions and opted to accept an offer as a case manager at Community of Hope, a nonprofit organization helping underserved families in the DC area.
How Was That Experience?
I met great co-workers, and in the beginning of my time there, the management was helpful and pro-active. I stayed for one year. The work entailed long hours for minimal compensation, and I found it difficult to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
When I was offered a job at a private psychotherapy, I took it. After about a year there, though, I started slowly transitioning to real estate.
Can You Talk About How That Transition Took Place?
My husband I were buying a house in DC, and I have family in real estate, so it wasn’t a huge jump in that sense.
I remember thinking, “This is something I’d be good at.”
I cold-called top real estate agents in the area and asked if they needed an assistant. One of them did. He hired me and became my mentor. I shadowed him, literally went everywhere he went. He was instrumental in helping me to succeed.
I got my license after about a year of being an assistant, and soon I started taking on clients of my own. It was a slow transition though; doing both jobs part-time helped me determine if real estate was the best track professionally. It turned out it was.
You Mentioned Using Skills Learned in Social Work in Your Real Estate Role. Can You Elaborate?
Communication. In each field, you have to convey your point in a concise way so that people understand you. This is what I did with the families I was working with and it’s what I do now when I’m taking clients through the process of accepting an offer.
Also, conflict resolution. Stress management. Those serve me well now.
Do You Have Any Career Advice for Wannabe Career Changers?
Be willing to do things that are pretty undesirable in order to learn. As an assistant to a real estate agent, I would literally lick and stamp envelopes.
Want to read more career-changer stories? There are plenty of them out there, but here are a couple of our personal favorites:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1