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My 4 year-old is obsessed with superheroes. It's largely my fault. However, one positive benefit is that, after years of toothpaste-swallowing, he was finally convinced to spit his toothpaste out when I compared it to Superman's super-cold breath. What other life skills could I teach my child by analogizing them to superhero abilities? [more inside]
posted by HeroZero at 6:25 AM - 11 answers

My liberal friends are about to move to Cincinnati and want to avoid their kids ending up in a totally conservative community there - where should they send their kids to school? [more inside]
posted by 168 at 6:07 PM - 5 answers

How can I improve my grammar, writing, vocabulary, and communication skills without reading textbooks or taking classes? [more inside]
posted by loveandhappiness at 8:28 AM - 28 answers

So I took the GRE for the third time yesterday. I got the same grade on math, a 149. As a computer science graduate this is really disheartening, more importantly as someone who spent an inordinate amount of time and money($2000+) on this thing, I just don't know what to do. I had to put almost everything on hold because of this test. I stopped going to the gym, I stopped programming in my free time, I stopped learning about finance, I stopped going to events I cared about. I did all of this so that I would have time to study. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 4:30 PM - 13 answers

I'd like to shift from a heavily discipline-specific applied ethics text to one that has better general cross-context applicability. Further details below... [more inside]
posted by yellowcandy at 12:03 PM - 1 answers

Does online language practice exchange still exist for Spanish/English? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 8:01 PM - 6 answers

I am looking for advice from academics in humanities fields on how to strike a balance between pushing yourself and taking breaks in grad school. [more inside]
posted by myitkyina at 12:52 PM - 12 answers

I am a mentor with our local FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) team. Due to a lot of kids graduating out, we will have a relatively young and inexperienced team for the next year or two. I need help getting a couple talented 8th graders a good solid introduction to Java programming. (Challenge: must be offline) [more inside]
posted by xedrik at 9:14 AM - 4 answers

I'm in grad school for TESOL and I'm currently taking a Linguistics class. Our textbook has lots of exercises but there is no answer key included. I'm struggling to understand the material without a way to check my own understanding. I found the answer key book online. [more inside]
posted by Shadow Boxer at 4:15 AM - 12 answers

How can I find out how many copies of a specific textbook have been sold? What is its adoption rate? Or what rank, or share of the market, does a particular book occupy? [more inside]
posted by Kabanos at 5:25 PM - 5 answers

I'm on the fundraising committee for a parent-led nonprofit daycare. We would like to raise money from businesses for need-based financial aid. How do we do that? [more inside]
posted by john hadron collider at 7:23 AM - 10 answers

I am wondering if a university certificate in financial management is worth it if I do not have a bachelor's in finance/STEM? I am wanting to get into a government kind of job down the line possibly. [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 10:12 AM - 2 answers

If you have experience with teaching/tutoring adult English Language Learners, which published resources do you consider to be essential? For the purpose of this question, I’m only looking for PRINT materials that deal with any/all aspects of English Language Learning for adults—day to day survival skills, workplace , health, etc. I’m looking for print resources that would be used by educators, as well as by students. Suggestions for materials for learners at all levels are welcome. Thanks!
posted by bookmammal at 5:20 AM - 5 answers

My partner is in college for the first time, balancing school with work. He's not getting any financial aid outside of loans-- is there anything we should be doing differently, or is that just the norm? [more inside]
posted by geegollygosh at 7:53 AM - 18 answers

I am enrolled in a master's programme for history, I applied to this particular programme for its focus on a particular region. Now the professor who usually teaches a survey course (that provides a sweeping overview of the region) is a bit of a superstar in his field and he's away this year -- so the course is being taught by a youngish prof who as nice as he is doesn't really know how to lead discussion seminars. [more inside]
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 8:57 AM - 12 answers

I'm giving thought to this qualification, and I'm interested in soliciting opinions as to its value (or lack of it). Snowflakes below the fold. [more inside]
posted by chappell, ambrose at 10:22 AM - 5 answers

I would like to get my masters degree but most programs do not appear feasible for me right now. After some online research, I found many accredited programs which are several orders of magnitude cheaper and would work better with my schedule with young children and working full time. [more inside]
posted by seesom at 8:17 PM - 12 answers

Have you done one or the other? Tell me what it was like and what you wish you'd done/regret/are so happy you did, please! Trying to make my final decision. [more inside]
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 8:36 AM - 12 answers

My son is looking for Goldilocks: a small college (5k-10k) in New England (less than four hours from Providence, say) with some green space on campus (to play frisbee with friends), where he can study (probably mechanical) engineering. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 6:21 AM - 30 answers

Where can I find middle schools and high schools that offer a quality education without tests, grades, excessive homework, or a competitive environment befitting a sports tournament? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 1:22 PM - 17 answers