Q&A: ideas to turn information into inspiration



	VOLUME 2 ISSUE 16

Legend has it that infants who were touched on the lips by a particular insect would become great speakers, poets, storytellers, and philosophers. Which of these insects supposedly had the magic touch?

A. Dragonflies
B. Butterflies
C. Cicadas
D. Bees

Click here for the Quiz answer.

10 April 1919 – Mexican Revolution leader Emiliano Zapata is shot and killed by government forces in Morelos.

15 April 1912 – The RMS Titanic sinks at 2:20 AM, a few hours after hitting an iceberg.

30 April 1975 – The Vietnam War ends with South Vietnam's surrender to North Vietnam.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

What's your problem and how do you plan to fix it?

Do you relish the chance to tackle a thorny problem, or does the very thought of facing a problem make you nervous? Assess your problem-solving skills by taking a Chatterbean online quiz. John Hayes' overview of the problem-solving sequence — from The Complete Problem Solver — may also help you determine where you need improvement: "Finding the problem (recognizing that there is a problem to be solved); representing the problem (understanding the nature of the gap to be crossed); planning the solution; carrying out the plan; evaluating the solution (asking 'How good is the result?'), and consolidating gains (learning from the experience of solving)."

According to R. Buckminster Fuller, "A problem adequately stated is a problem well on its way to being solved." This important stage in problem-solving strategy is addressed in The Art of Problem Posing by Stephen Brown and Marion Walter. Study Guides and Strategies recommends a flexible approach to problem solving – being ready to gather information at every step from problem recognition to solution implementation and to redefine the problem or find alternatives to unworkable solutions, if necessary. Don't let creative solutions be limited by unnecessary constraints. "Assuming that you have to choose one view over another may be an unnecessary constraint," says S. Ian Robertson in Problem Solving. "There may a third way." Find more tips from Robertson and other experts in Questia's comprehensive resources on problem-solving.

For kid-friendly search, it's safety first

The Internet can be a treasure trove of information for kids who know where to look. But it can also be a dangerous place. Whether they're searching for answers to a homework assignment or for fun, kids — as well as their parents and teachers — must know and follow safety guidelines that will protect them and their privacy. Learn the "rules of the road" for safe searching and identifying kid-friendly sites.
Do it Write

How to write a poem

For many students, it's the most dreaded assignment of the year: Write a poem. Whether you're working on a school project or you want to expand your understanding of literature in verse, this month — National Poetry Month — is the perfect time to bring poetry into the spotlight. Discover useful tips for finding your poetic muse. Ask Nancy

Dear Nancy,

I'd like to review some of the materials in the Questia collection as it was initially published with the original line breaks. Is it possible to do this?

Seeking a Different Point of View, Lookout Mountain, TN

Click here for Nancy's response.