What is the Praxis II: PLT like?
This is standard in every state as it is a part of the no child left behind act. For the PLT you will be given a lot of case studies with a variety of information and then be asked an essay question about how you would respond to a certain situation about the student whose case study you have reviewed. My advice is to look at the questions first and then pay close attention to the docs you will need to reference in your answer. Also, do not try to write a lengthy essay. You need to be concise so that you will have enough time to finish. There is also a multiple choice section that will ask you about theory. I answered these first so that I could focus on the essays. Finally, look at Barnes and Noble or Borders books and find the Kaplin book for the tests you need. There are actually a lot of different books but these have the best study guides and they will give you a lot of techniques and strategies for passing the test.
Anyone taken the Praxis PLT (principles of learning & teaching) test? Advice?
I just took the test. I would say to make you understand the format and time yourself. when you give your constructed answers, make sure you talk about things that you would do in a "dream" classroom. Don't talk about a real classroom. Most of the situations is what really happens in the real-world and half the things that they teach teachers cant truly be applied in a realistic classroom. I think that it is hard to truly study for these types of test, because you don't know what they are going to ask you. Review a study book. But don't stress on memorizing different things. My friends took the test on a different day than me, and their questions were completely different.
Why study theory of computation?
You will learn the limits of computation, what can be computed and what can't be computed. You will learn about problems that currently have no efficient algorithms to solve them. You will learn about some elementary computational models, what they can do, what they can't do. It's a great class, and a lot of fun, but also pretty hard.
Should I study the theory of general/special relativity? Could Einstein be 'wrong' and it could be a waste of time and effort?
If you’re asking this question, then studying relativity is definitely a waste of your time.I have no idea why you want to know about relativity. If you’re hoping to get The One And Only Truth That’s True Forever And Ever And Answers Every Question, then we can save you a lot of time: this isn’t it. Done. Go spend your time doing something else. Play Metal Gear Solid 17, or bake croquembouche, or play the harmonica.If you want to participate in the process of science, working at the limits of high energies and large scales, then you have to study relativity. Not because it’s right, but because it’s wrong. Science works by successive approximations to the truth. It always-always-always proceeds by people who learn the last successive approximation, and extend it — sometimes by big leaps, more often by small ones. Either way, it always starts from the edge, taking a good-but-not-perfect theory and turning it into a better-but-still-not-perfect theory.Scientists are people who want to participate in that process. If you want to participate, you learn relativity. If you just want answers handed to you, and they have to be final answers, then the answer is a straightforward You Can’t Have It. Go entertain yourself while the scientists work on it.
What are the differences between the work of theoretical computer scientists and mathematicians?
The subject matter mostly. Many people (including me) consider theoretical computer science a branch of mathematics. In reality, theoretical computer science is a branch of both applied and pure mathematics.Generally, theoretical computer science includes the pure math branches of Recursion Theory, Complexity Theory, Automata theory, Formal Languages, Type Theory & Math Logic, and Graph Theory.Theoretical computer science also includes the applied math branches of Combinatorial Analysis of Algorithms, Computational Geometry, Cryptography & Number Theory, and Programming Language Theory.Mathematicians in other branches tend to also study non discrete things, such as topology, analysis, measure theory, set theory, algebraic structures, category theory and model theory.The overlap between people who call themselves mathematicians and people who call themselves computer scientists at the moment seems to be the people studying items in the category of theoretical computer science, where the object of study is not directly a computer (type theory but not complexity theory).Side Note lots of people think systems computer science (which is just math given the curry howard correspondence) is the branch of math studying codata, while every other branch of math studies data. Understanding this requires some thinking about formal logic. Given that category theory shows us that if a theorem is provable, then the co-theorem is provable using the co-proof of the original proof, systems programming and mathematics really are the same thing.
What is the difference between political thought and political theory?
Political theory: it is a broader topic consisting of explanations, critical analysis, examination and in depth study of various political concepts like liberty, equality, justice, sovereinty, state, ideologies etc. And how these concepts evolved with time. And views of different thinkers on it i.e political thought.Political thought: simply it is the study of various political thinkers and how they put forth differnt political concepts, their theories, analysis of their thought in the context of their lifetime and the present as well. Ex. Plato, Aristotle, Marx, Gandhi, Rawls, Locke, J.S.Mill, Hegel, Hannah Arrendt etc.I hope it helps to give you some clarity of thought!
Anyone else have difficulty with Praxis PLT?
I am a Math major from India. i took the PLT exam recently in March. I also failed because I have a problem pacing the exam-I am somewhat slow in writing the answers. I missed out answering the last 2 sections (Case studies) based on 'Instruction and Assessment' and 'Teacher professionalism'. In this exam, in addition to the above case studies, emphasis was given on 'students as learners' and 'communication techniques' because these were the basis of the case study. I had asked the same question as you have now, and was advised to take training/prep courses for the exam. Praxis is not just about knowing the theory but proper application of these in a limited timeframe. Most fail , not because they dont know the theory but because they arent able to finish on time. Practice using a lot of question sets from study guides. I dont know the passing criteria for your state. My state required me to score 168, while average performance was between 164 and 172.
Which test would be easier: IELTS or PTE (Pearson Test Of English)?
I believe PTE is easier and hence I gave this exam. Also, I am more comfortable with computers than humans. A person judging my English or any skills make me bit uncomfortable and I start to stutter/stammer.Also, I believe PTE to be more fair and true test of English. There are 71 questions in PTE Academic in 20 formats divided into 4 sections. PTE computing engine evaluates everyone equally and fairly irrespective of your dressing sense, ethnicity, age or physical appearance as it is algorithm based unlike humans in IELTS evaluating (read ‘judging’) you, based on preconceived notions arising from your attire, body language and facial expressions.Also, there are rumours that as IELTS is humans based (humans need far more resources than computers and hence they charge salary), British Council (parent organization of IELTS) have low profits due to salary and other management costs. Hence, to generate more profits, they play with test-takers money. Most of the people, have taken IELTS at least 2 times. I do not claim or support these rumours, in my belief tests are conducted fairly but the theory does make sense atleast economically.Logically, try giving PTE first and not the other way around. Taking IELTS will waste a lot of time too. You won’t get an appointment immediately and on the examination day, your almost whole day will be gone.Most importantly, it is easier to score in PTE Academic. 65+ in PTE is equivalent to 7.0 in IELTS. Trust me 65+ is fairly easy with 7 days of practice and learning and practice. Follow these 2 answersAshish Jain (आशीष जैन)'s answer to What is the best way to prepare for PTE (Pearson Test in English)?Ashish Jain (आशीष जैन)'s answer to How can I improve my 'Enabling skills' score in 'PTE Academic'?and you will secure 70+ at least, if you are at IELTS 6.0 level.If you are at IELTS 7.5 level, trust me with right techniques which is mentioned in above 2 answers, you can very easily get 79+ in PTE Academic.Below, I am giving some general differences between: PTE Academic, IELTS & TOEFL iBTThe differences in test format of PTE Academic, IELTS & TOEFL iBTScores comparison between PTE Academic, IELTS and TOEFL iBTGood Luck !!