Definition of Metal in Chemistry

Definition of Metal in ChemistryIs there a definition of metal in chemistry? This has been a problem for me, and more I am seeing it in my students. They are not sure how to measure it and how to categorize metals.Basically, a chemical element is any chemical compound that has been an ionized state. In other words, this means it is one of the few elements in which the atoms have had enough energy to separate to form a new shape and one of the few elements in which the bonding is so weak that the electrons don't even stick to the atoms. These are known as solid-state compounds. This is how metals are formed.An ionic metal is a chemical element, which has a positive charge, or one that has a low electron affinity, such as lithium, oxygen, and potassium. There are also other elements which are ions with positive charges such as calcium, sodium, and magnesium. One thing that makes the difference between a metal and an ion is that when a metal moves across an atom, the ionic state forms b etween the two atoms that are joined.There are four kinds of metals: alkali metals, cations, anions, and phosphates. An ion is a metal if it has a negative charge, or a positive charge if it has a weak bond. It is a metal if it is in liquid state (not solid), in solid state (not liquid), and if it is non-crystalline (which include all the phases other than solids such as mixtures, foams, oils, and gels).These are some of the many important differences between an ion and a metal, but the way these things behave is very similar. All the other properties of a metal or an ion depend on whether it is a solid or an ion. They are also different in their behavior under different conditions.An anion is one of the most commonly found metals in nature. There are many types of anions, and they include argon, oxygen, and carbonate ions.The properties of anion metals include very good conductivity, very good thermal conductivity, and a very high melting point. An ionic metal is an easy chemistry tool to use.

Many reception shildren can not sit properly - Tutor Hunt Blog

Many reception shildren can not sit properly Ofsted report says many reception children can`t sit properly, or even hold a pencil Ofsted report says many reception children can`t sit properly, or even hold a pencil Primary schoolsRecent Ofsted inspectors have issued some dismaying news, saying that a third of five year olds lack the knowledge they should possess after completing their first year of school. Some of the skills the children are lacking are fairly basic and undemanding ones, such as how to sit properly at the table, or how to hold a pencil correctly. Ofsted have said that reading should be the focus of reception, and that it is vital teachers read stories, poems and rhymes to their pupils. There must be appropriate reading material available, so the children can practice the lessons they should be learning in their phonics. The way children have been taught to read in school has undergone drastic changes over recent years, and phonics are a big part of that shift. Working alongside guided reading, and shared reading (more traditional techniques) phonics help children identify the building blocks of words - called phonemes. In their new report `Bold Beginnings` Ofsted stress the importance of teachers using phonics, and their associated techniques, to help children learn learn to read during their reception year: `Systematic synthetic phonics played a critical role in teaching children the alphabetic code and, since this knowledge is also essential for spelling, good phonics teaching supported children`s early writing.` This report stresses the importance of laying a good foundation for a child`s education, and is explicit with its warning about the potential consequences of an ineffective first year on a child`s future: `A good early education is the foundation for later success. For too many children, however, their Reception Year is a missed opportunity that can leave them exposed to all the painful and unnecessary consequences of falling behind their peers.` The report was commissioned by Her Majesties Chief Investigator (HCMI) in 2017, and during the summer term inspectors visited primary schools `in which children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, achieved well.` The `disadvantaged children` refer to those who are eligible for free school meals, though it seems strange that their inclusion need be pointed out. Some key findings from the report as as follows:Story time is part of the daily routine, and teachers cite it for helping to develop children`s vocabulary, comprehension, and overall language skills.In well performing schools children were adept in their spelling of phonically regular words, as well as common exception words. These schools also attended carefully to children`s pencil grip, along with their posture.Reception lacks a clear curriculum, leaving teachers to develop their own teaching plans. Elg`s (Early Years Foundation) provided a framework, and teachers went well beyond the EYFSP (The early years foun dation stage profile) in their teaching.Headteachers were of the opinion that the reception year is `fundamental to their school`s success,` believing that these early steps in education will have fundamental ramifications in the child`s later life. The head of Ofsted Amanda Spielman made it clear how important she values the first year of school to be: `Reception should not just be a repeat of what children learned in their nursery or pre-school, or with their childminder. ; They deserve better than facing years of catching up. The best schools know how to design their curriculum so that children`s learning and development sets them up well for the rest of their schooling. Reading should be at the heart of the Reception year.` The learning capacity of children is truly astounding - they can learn with greater ease than adults can. If you doubt this try learning a second language past the age of 30. You may, after much time and effort, achieve some proficiency, but you will never approach the fluency a child attains in the same language. It is because of brain plasticity that babies and children (and even foetuses, according to many scientists) can learn at such a heightened level. Most of us learn our first language without any `formal` lessons - we just assimilate, as if by osmosis, the words and sentences of our parents and friends. This learning capacity diminishes rapidly with age - some scientists claim that it drops off sharply around the age of 8. This strongly suggests that we want children to have the very best education in their early years. Interestingly though (and just to confuse the matter!) many Scandinavian countries don`t enrol their children into school until the age of 7. In Finland for example, children don`t start their schooling until they are seven - and they came fifth in the 2015 Pisa science rankings - with the UK far behind in 15th place. 2 years ago0Add a Comment

Venita W. hired trig tutor Habib of Leola, PA

Venita W. hired trig tutor Habib of Leola, PA This morning, July 13th, Venita W. hired our tutor Habib Daneshvar in order to get help with trigonometry. In her email message, Venita writes as follows: Good morning Mr. Wagner,We have decided to work Mr. Habib. Thanks so much for all of your help and recommendations. I will definitely continue to use Tutorz for any additional tutor needs that I may have.Have a great day and weekend!! Venita W. TutorZ founder Dirk Wagner responded to Venita in the following way: Thank you so much for your words of appreciation. You selected a kind and positive tutor and a TutorZ Gold Apple member. So, youre in good hands, Venita. Here is a short bio of our Gold Apple tutor Habib Daneshvar. This is Mr Daneshvar. I am a Profession Tutor and Past Instructor at Certain Community Colleges and Universities in PA and MD for past 33years and have been quite successful in handling all academic subjects and providing set of skills to many different students of different Cultures Ethenicities across United States and Abroad including eight years experience Tutoring on line in an Easy, Secure and Professional Manner . I have been Mentor for quite some years as well. I am Penn State Alumni with M.S degree in Engineering Science and Computer Info System in 1995. I also received certification in Lean Management from in 2004 My Goals and Objectives in Tutoring are pretty clear and goes like this: I like to assist any students from any background in my specialties which are Math, Physics, SAT, SET OF skills and etc in United States Gold Apple Tutor Habib Daneshvar of Leola, PA

3 Surprising Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language at Home

3 Surprising Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language at Home 3 Surprising Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language at Home Weve all heard it before:The best way to learn a foreign language is to live abroad.You need to immerse yourself if you ever want to really learn.There is no way to master a language without spending a long time overseas.Therefore, if you want to learn a language and cannot move to another country, you may feel like you have lost the battle before you even stepped out into the field.When it comes to learning a foreign language, the benefits of moving abroad are well-publicized. Unfortunately, it leaves many with the notion that learning a language is not only easy overseas, but that it is almost impossible to really learn in your home country.What gets less attention is how much it can actually benefit you to try to learn a language at home. Living in a foreign country will not necessarily give you a huge advantage. You can learn a language no matter where you are in the world. In some ways, you actually do not need to work as hard if you learn a  foreign language  in your home count ry. 3 Surprising Advantages of Learning a Foreign Language at Home1. You Have More Control over  Your Language-learning EnvironmentA few years ago, I moved to Seville, Spain to attend an intensive language program. Even though the purpose of the program was specifically to immerse its students in castellano (Castilian Spanish), I quickly realized that alone would not be enough to obtain the level of proficiency I desired. There are tons of  misconceptions about language immersion, and I was fortunate to figure many of them out quickly.Moving to Spain had been a goal of mine for several years, so I was not going to let these challenges stop me. Devotion, creativity, and efficiency played a huge role in my reaching a “superior” level of Spanish in a few months. Without that clear, fervent dedication to achieving my dream, living in the country wouldnt have necessarily given me a huge advantage.Location Does Not Equal ImmersionAmong native English speakers at least, the belief th at you will automatically learn a foreign language by simply living abroad is pretty strong. We have all heard that living in a foreign country is the key to learning a language. However, since  relatively few of us are multilingual, we typically do not know much more than that.  Many people believe that living in a foreign country is the key to fluency, just because you live in said country. As if there’s something in the water.Here in Spain, its common for expats to arrive with next to no knowledge of Spanish. Many think that living among the natives and drinking enough  cañas  will be enough to pick up the language in a few months, a year tops! Sadly, its not uncommon for months to pass before they realize that they still dont speak much Spanish. Some of these people  decide to enroll in a class, others think  they just dont have what it takes and give up. They wonder where they went wrong, shouldnt they be fluent by now? The answer isno, not necessarily.One of the biggest mis conceptions about language immersion is believing that your location determines the amount of immersion you can receive. When you move abroad, it’s easy for your language goals to take a backseat to the hustle and bustle of daily life. Between the stress and logistics involved in living a new country, and the misconception that fluency in the target language will “just happen,” it’s easy to get complacent.We native and fluent English speakers have an additional challenge.  As speakers of English,  learning  the local language can often range from slightly less essential for survival to unnecessary if you speak English. Locals often jump at the  opportunity to practice their English, and foreigners often befriend each other and speak in English as well. Much of your free time can easily be filled with English conversation.But when you do not move abroad, however, you are aware of the work that is required to learn a language from the very beginning. You know that your environ ment is not going simply give you the proficiency you desire. You’re making the decision to actively learn instead of passively absorb a language.Therefore,  youre the one in control of your language-learning environment.  You can choose the best strategies, resources and materials for you, and give yourself the best chance of reaching your language goals.Personalize Your Language-learning EnvironmentLearning a foreign language is unlike learning anything else. Language is what we use to experience the world, plain and simple. Just as no two people view the world in exactly the same way, there is no one correct way to learn a language.Determining your learning styles can be a good way to figure out just what resources work best for you. While there are various ways to categorize  learning styles, were going to look at  the seven learning styles that coincide with the Theory of Multiple Intelligences:Visual (spatial): You prefer using pictures, images and spatial understanding. Aur al (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music. Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing. Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch. Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems. Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people. Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.Do you prefer to learn with music? Do you like to use logic and reasoning to figure out a problem? Do you like learning in a group, or would you rather learn by yourself?Once you recognize and understand your learning styles, youre able to find techniques that work best for you.  Countless resources are available  for practically  every language and type of learner, from online courses  to movies  to books.  With thousands of resources and strategies available, you will surely find some that best fit your unique styleâ€"which will lead to faster, more efficient lang uage learning!FluentU is a fantastic  place to start. FluentU is an online immersion platform that takes  real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons. FluentU takes a step back from the traditional textbook approach and encourages you to learn languages in a more natural way.In addition to providing videos, FluentU also offers downloadable audio dialogues and transcripts to use later when youre offline.  Plus, the program provides plenty of tools which can be used to actively practice your vocabulary and grammar, like multimedia flashcards, running vocabulary lists and more.If you need a little inspiration, various polyglots have challenged themselves to learn a language outside of the countries in which it is spoken. Benny Lewis of Fluent in 3 Months  moved to Brazil  to learn Egyptian Arabic  using materials written in French.  Talk about being up for a challenge!Luca Lampariello of A Polyglot Dreamâ€"who learned to speak fluent American English without ever visiting the U.S.â€"  interviewed  another polyglot, Jana Fadness,  about  why living abroad isnt necessary to learn a language.In one case,  Olly Richards  of I Will Teach You a Language admittedly failed to learn much Cantonese, his seventh  language, while living in the Middle East.  Here he explains what went wrong,  and how he updated  his methods for future language-learning missions.You can also look to his Grammar Hero and Conversations courses to get a jump on the whole language learning processâ€"if youre going to pick someones brain about the learning process, start with Ollys!As  youre trying to conquer a foreign language from the comfort of your home, youre able to experiment without worrying about cultural mishaps on foreign territory. You know you need to put forth active  effort from day oneâ€"not after month six of passively learning overseas. When youre able to customize your language-learni ng environment, its not unlikely that you will learn quickly and efficiently.2. You Have the Home Court Advantage and Can Fit Immersion  into Your Regular RoutineHere  at home, you speak English every day, so you know that  you need to learn your target language in your free time.  You can start to  fit your language studies into your regular routine, but nothing else has to change.  The familiarity of your job, your neighborhood, your friends and your life in general is still there.When you move to another country, even the most simple tasks can drain your energy.  From dealing with culture shock, to adapting to workplace dynamics, to figuring out how the hot water works in your apartment, many unexpected mysteries await those who  enter a new countrys borders. Expats  need to learn their host countrys abstract customs and concrete laws. You may wonder how learning a new language and experiencing another culture is supposed to even fit into the equation.In addition, many people liv ing abroad are teaching or working in English. So even though theyre  living in a country where their  target language is spoken, theyre still thinking and speaking in English all day at workâ€"just like you. Except you dont have to worry about trying to apartment hunt, figuring out the washing machine or talking to a doctor in your target language. That means youll have more mental energy throughout the day, so be sure and put it towards your language-learning endeavors!Unlike most disciplines that are only practiced within a certain contextâ€"such as a classroom, the workplace, a kitchen or the gymâ€"virtually every situation of your life requires language. This is where language immersion takes place. Actively doing something in a foreign language that’s not related to formal language instruction is where immersion truly  happens, both in our target countries and elsewhere. Many people who obtain a high level of proficiency abide by this useful language trick, both in their tar get countries and elsewhere. You can immerse yourself, tooâ€"no matter where in the world you are!Active Language Immersion Can Happen AnywhereNo one learns to how to drive by memorizing the drivers manual. Learning how to code requires  more than reading articles about jQuery and PHP. Similarly, obtaining fluency in foreign language consists of much  more than trying to commit grammar and vocabulary to memoryâ€"you need to actively use it. Luckily, language can be usedâ€"and therefore, learnedâ€"virtually anywhere!One of the best ways to immerse yourself in a language is by participating in activities that already form part of your daily life.By picking activities that  you currently do on a regular basis,  you enjoy and/or  are relevant to your language goals, you can immerse yourself without leaving the  country or drastically changing  your everyday routine.If you like to cook, try looking for cooking classes taught in your target language. Your local Instituto Cervantes, Allian ce Française, and various cultural centers are good places to begin your search. If you’re religious, you may want to connect with a local church/temple with a predominantly foreign population (in Seville, I called church Exercise for the Brain).Maybe there’s a local immigrant neighborhood nearby. Try joining a gym there and taking dance or spinning classes taught in your target language. Sign up for their intramural basketball team. Find out what events the residents go to and sign up to join.Your local university probably has a quite a few international students. If possible, attend some of their events. You will not only learn vocabulary that is relevant to your life, but you will improve your proficiency quicklyâ€"and have fun doing so!When you participate in an activity that is imparted in your target language, you need to improve your proficiency pretty  fast. You have to understand what’s being said and be understood, same as any given interaction in your native langua ge. This puts pressure on you that is lacking from many formal language courses. This is also one of the many reasons why people who focus on a solely academic approach usually  don’t improve very quickly.Someone can study a language for years and not know anything because they have never had to actually use it! When you practice with real people in real situations, youre using language the way it was meant to be usedâ€"as a tool to experience the world. You can make this happen on your home turf, just as its done  overseas.3. You Can Make Friends as a LocalWhen people  relocate abroad, making friends can be a bit complicated at times. In many countries, its common for the locals to have had the same set of friends for most of their lives. They may be hesitant to expand their circle, particularly to someone who does not plan on living there long-term. It can also be easier to befriend other foreigners, especially when dealing with a language barrier and culture shock. Although the re is nothing wrong whatsoever with making friends with other foreigners, it can be hard to break out of that bubble and try to meet the locals.But back home, you have a pretty set routine. You can search for speakers of your target language who live nearby and arrange to hang out at ease. If these people are foreigners in your country, theyll probably be happy to meet you and to make a new friend. In such cases, befriending foreigners can be a mutually beneficial experience apart from the friendship itself. You can benefit from their foreign language and culture, and they have a local presence looking out for them in a foreign land.Dont Be a StrangerIt can be difficult to make friends with people who share the same culture, city and native language as you. Understandably, challenges can definitely arise when you combine a possible language barrier with cultural differences. Benny Lewis, who has admitted to being a shy monolingual before becoming a jet-setting polyglot,  offers tips  to break the ice  when trying to approach strangers.  Since properly befriending foreigners in your home country is typically less  stressful than when you are the foreigner in theirs, friendship is yours for the taking!If youre looking to befriend people from a particular country, language or culture, it may be beneficial to learn about non-verbal gestures and differences in communication. Its common for many things to get lost in translation, especially since some things  are not obviously foreign. As an example, Spaniards swear much more casually than Americans do. When they speak English, they tend to be more direct than native English speakers, as many phrases in Spanish directly translate as such. Generally speaking, they are less rushed than your typical native anglophone. By taking the time to learn about your friends  cultures now, you can prevent miscommunication issues  later.Whether you live abroad or want to meet people at your local cultural center, you definitely ca n and will make friends. Some of these people may be among the most interesting people you have ever met. You can make lifelong friends or even meet your future spouse.  With good friends by your side, you will learn the  language quickly, at ease and have fun doing so!In short, attitude beats latitude.As you see, not being able to live abroad does not have to hold you back whatsoever. Take advantage of these wonderful benefits of learning a foreign language in the comfort of your home country, and make real friends who speak your target  language.Make the language a part of your daily life, and dedicate your free time to language immersion.  Fluency in a foreign language is yours for the taking, but you need to make the effort to actually take it … no matter where in the world you are.

Understanding Business Algebra Help

Understanding Business Algebra HelpLearning business algebra help for the first time can be a daunting experience. When you first start to learn, you get a sense of pride and accomplishment and start to feel that you are on your way to success. But as you progress through the courses, the level of difficulty and understanding starts to increase. It can be quite frightening for someone who has no prior experience in this area.There are many reasons why someone might choose to learn business math for the first time. There is a wide range of reasons. Some may want to complete their degrees with their associates in business at a particular college or university, while others want to obtain their bachelor's degree in the business field from a professional school. Others may just want to better understand what it takes to become successful in the financial world. Whatever the reason, there are certain things you can do to help you through the process of learning business math.One of the be st ways to help with your learning business math is to use a website that can offer a one-on-one approach to teaching you the concept. Many websites that are designed to teach online offer step-by-step guides that walk you through each step. They also make it clear that you are not expected to know everything before the end of the program. Instead, you are given the opportunity to start from the very beginning so that you can improve over time.Another resource to help you through your learning business math is a book. These books typically feature a large glossary of terms and a number of worksheets that include formulas, charts, and images. These books will help you understand the concepts, but it may be more difficult to find a friend who is willing to help you out during the process.Another thing to consider when using a book is to read the book before you start your course. This will allow you to become familiar with the format and even take some time to practice and hone your s kills. Don't forget to keep notes and review them periodically to ensure that you are paying attention. Any mistakes you make will probably be picked up by the online professor, and if you fail to re-read your notes or do enough practice tests, your grade could suffer as a result.While it is true that business algebra help is not as difficult as the classes in an undergraduate program, it does require you to put in a little extra effort. This is because you will be having to learn how to properly apply the concepts to specific business scenarios. For example, if you want to work as a stockbroker, you will need to be able to use simple formulas to analyze the trends and transactions in a stock exchange. With this knowledge, you can then turn those values into very profitable profits. It's definitely not going to be an easy process, but it is definitely worth your time.Learning business algebra help is not an easy task. It will require you to exert a little more effort than doing the same coursework with a tutor, but the rewards are definitely worth it. Use these tips to help you through your learning process.

Pokemon Soul Silver Moves Tutor - Learn to Win!

Pokemon Soul Silver Moves Tutor - Learn to Win!Pokemon Soul Silver Move Tutor is a guide that will help you learn the best moves in the game. Most people tend to stick to what they know because when it comes to Pokemon, it's just the way you are and the way you were taught to do things. However, you need to think about your playing style and get as much experience as you can in battle.Let's face it. Pokemon Soul Silver has a lot of content to learn, but at the same time, it's not exactly as challenging as it was originally. This is because most of the unique moves come from certain trainer classes. However, this doesn't mean that you can't have fun with them.The first thing you need to do is get yourself a guide of Pokemon Soul Silver Move Tutor. It's not just some walkthrough. It'll teach you how to use the trainer classes, the trainers, and how to beat them. With a good guide, you can build up a lot of time beating the hardest trainer class in the game, the Elite Four.It's not a lo ng or difficult process to learn how to beat them, just like the other trainers. One of the best parts about getting used to the trainers and their strategies is, you can keep trying different classes. And because Pokemon Soul Silver has a lot of different game types, you don't have to keep fighting the same people over again.Your guide should have a strategy that incorporates every trainer class in the game. You'll be able to fight your way through each one and beat them at their own game. This is the best way to enjoy the game because it gives you variety, challenge, and keeps it exciting.As long as you keep trying different classes and new moves, you should be able to beat each and every trainer class in Pokemon Soul Silver. As long as you use the guide and learn from your mistakes, you shouldn't have any problem doing so. Once you beat the hardest trainer class, you'll never have to use a trainer class ever again.Whether you're new to the game or are looking for a challenge, get yourself Pokemon Soul Silver Move Tutor guide. And get yourself more time to grind out experience in order to beat the Elite Four. You'll see a lot more quality time and gold in your game, too.

Inspiration for Your Cake The Best Books, Sites and Social Media Accounts to Follow

Inspiration for Your Cake The Best Books, Sites and Social Media Accounts to Follow Where Can You Find Inspiration for Your Cake Designs? ChaptersThe Best Books for Cake DecorationWebsites for Cake Decorating InspirationThe Must-Follow Instagrams for Cake DecoratingHave you ever drifted into a bakery, drawn in by the enticing smells emanating from within only to be completely flummoxed by the astounding creations on display?Or maybe you read, hungry eyes devouring every printed word describing Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake, picturing it in your mind... but your imagination couldn’t quite meet the reality of the tiered cake that generated so much print.Where do people get all of the ideas that they execute, making the sugar arts such a competitive arena?It’s not like a painter who sees a person and renders their likeness in oil or watercolour; who sees a poignant landscape and commits it to canvas, one brushstroke at a time.Cake decorators seem to pull ideas out of thin air. They do things with baked dough, buttercream, sprinkles and just a few decorating tools that cause you to question how they can see the pos sibilities those few elements present.No idea arises out of a vacuum.Arguably the world’s greatest visionary, Leonardo da Vinci, modelled his designs on existing concepts: winging birds were the inspiration for his flying machine and one might argue that his design for a ‘war machine’ was borrowed from the turtle.So, in presenting these resources for ideas and inspiration for cake design, we’re not goading you into cake plagiarism; rather, our goal is to arm you with cake decorating ideas that you can embellish, improve on or otherwise make your own.It’s perfectly legal; there is no such thing as a patent on a cake design (but names can be trademarked, so be careful what you call you creations!). In fact, more than one cake decorator actively invites you to copy their design, as we will soon see.Settle in! Superprof now highlights some of the best sources of inspiration for birthday cakes, wedding cakes and cakes for any special occasion you can think of. GiovanniCooking T eacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Best Books for Cake Decoration From the simple to the sublime, you can always find a good book full of cake decorating tips Image by Jill Wellington from PixabayNow, in the Age of Alexa (HomeMax, HomePod...), when one can simply shout an instruction and hear a compliant robotic response in return, one might wonder about the quaintness of books in the kitchen.Even great chefs keep cookbooks in their kitchen, although possibly for the look of them rather than any practical purpose.Still, if you’re looking for inspiration for cake decorations, there is nothing wrong with looking at pictures of decorated cakes in books, complete with instructions on how to decorate your next layer cake.The proof is in the pudding â€" William CamdenWe’ll not be eating any pudding; our topic is cakes and cake decorating. The proof in question is the number of books published each year that detail cake decorating techniques, usually accompanied by full-colour pictures.Even more telling is the fact that those books are targeted to spe cific audiences; we found books for beginner cake decorators all the way up to those authored by bakers who have made cake artistry their profession.We now look at a selection of titles voted the best by bakers, pastry chefs, and cake aficionados who teach cake decorating classes.For Beginners:Artisan Cake Company’s Visual Guide to Cake Decorating by Elizabeth MarekHow to Cake It by Yolanda GamppThe Complete Photo Guide to Cake Decorating, by Autumn CarpenterThe Contemporary Buttercream Bible, by Valerie Valeriano and Christine OngThat last title is slightly longer than listed above; it includes ‘the complete practical guide to cake decorating with buttercream icing’.Buttercream is notoriously hard to work with, especially for the uninitiated. The authors, both self-taught bakers, have managed to tame the traditionally messy buttercream into delectable creations they invite you to replicate.Other books, not classified by level of skill or ability include:Decorating Cakes, a Re ference and Idea Book, by Anne JarvieThe Essential Cake Decorating Guide, by Wendy StephenCakes in Bloom: Exquisite Sugarcraft Flowers for All Occasions, by Peggy Porschen50 Easy Party Cakes, by Debbie BrownAdditionally, you can confidently invest in any cake decorating book by Alan Dunn, Lindy Smith and Colette Peters.Colette is one of the hottest cake designers today; her cakes have featured in prominent publications such as the New York Magazine â€" you should see the one she made to look like The Queen’s hat!Another big name in cake decorating, Wilton, offers Cake Decorating You Can Do â€" a dated tome because they are moving more into the digital realm.So are we! Let us now find the best cake decorating ideas in cyberspace.Did you know you can look online to find the best cake-making and decorating supplies? You too can learn to make gumpaste flowers with tutorials online Image by Jeremy Wong from PixabayWebsites for Cake Decorating InspirationThe aforementioned Wilton website is chock-full of ideas for cake decorating: by season and by occasion; by theme and by type of treat.Type of treat?Indeed! You may not want to place elaborate sugar flowers on your nightly hobnob â€" there would be more icing than biscuit and it would be very unsavoury to dunk into tea.You can, however, design novel cupcake toppers, create funny looks for cake pops and, yes, even the humble biscuit can be spiffed up.Besides Wilton cake decorating ideas, you can fire your imagination for cake decoration at Cake Central. They invite you to browse their gallery of cakes, share your cake ideas and talk with other decorators via their forum.Global Sugar Art’s homepage has an ‘Inspirations’ tab where you can ogle their finished products, find video tutorials on how to make them and learn how to work with gum paste and fondant.Earlene Moore, a Texan with more than 50 years of experience in the sugar arts, is still so popular that her website has been voted one of the best for inspiration in decorating circles.Although no new designs have been uploaded recently â€" she retired several years ago, she maintains her site just so that you can gaze in wonder at the depth of her imagination and the breadth of her skill. And so that you can draw inspiration from her work, of course.Would you like to become a cake decorator like Earlene or any of the others mentioned so far? Discover what steps to take in our companion article.The Must-Follow Instagrams for Cake Decorating You don't need any special cake decorating tools to make this cake, but you do have to have the know-how Image by sarahdev from PixabayLet’s face it: it is a new day. Books have their place â€" we’ve proven that by the expansive list above but, these days, innovative sugar artists are going online.Why not? It is much more efficient to simply snap a few pictures with your phone or tablet and upload them.Granted, you don’t get the descriptions, instructions or commentary that you would if you were looking at a website or a book. Still, if all you’re looking is for an idea that your creative vein can run away with...Not surprisingly, some of the best Instas for cake decorating originate right here in the UK. They are:Primrose Bakery (@primrosebakery): if ever you were looking for cupcake decorating ideas...Crumbs and Doilies (@crumbsanddoilies): cupcakes, wedding cakes and more.Lily Vanilli (@lily_vanilli_cake): cakes that are (almost) too beautiful/cute to eat!Other follow-wort hy cake decorating Instas:Amanda Rettke (@iambaker): American author and baker turns out some of the most tempting treatsNadia Colella (@nadiaandco): This Toronto-based sugar artist wows with her inspired cakesHilary Stone (@theartfulcaker): a San Francisco sugar artist whose creations please the eye and the palateMike McCarey (@mikemccarey): This Washington State guy’s cakes are out of this world!Emily Aumiller (@laelcakes): a New York cake decorator that makes vegan look especially deliciousZoë Lukas (@whippedbakeshop): Famous in Philadelphia for baby birthday cakes, among other delightsDuff Goldman (@charmcitycakes): Based in Baltimore, he designs cakes with moving parts! Erin Gardner (@erin.bakes): Colourful â€" the best way to describe this New Hampshire-based innovatorErin and many others on this list also maintain websites where they load their recipes and tutorials.Some also sell baking products through their sites while others invite you to pose your baking and decoratin g questions, which they will answer... as soon as they pull their latest creation out of the oven.Pinterest is another great site to find cake decorating inspiration on; after all, sharing and inspiration are what they built their business on.It is less of a social media site than a modern-day version of the classic scrapbook; those who comb the World Wide Web to find cake decorating ideas post them on Pinterest for all to see, making it, in effect, a one-stop-shop for everything cake.Typing in ‘cake ideas’ in their search bar, we were treated to oodles of mouthwatering cakes, some of which defy gravity and reason â€" can that really be a cake? Helpfully, the top of the page was lined with links: to cute cakes, to sugar flowers, to ruffle cakes and cake wrecks.One such wreck had us laughing to tears...The inspiration is out there. The desire comes from within you. How far will you go to decorate the perfect cake? And, more importantly: will you Insta so other cake makers can fol low you?Now learn more about the art of cake making...