CTFL-2018 Topics - ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL_2018) 2023 Updated: 2024

Solutions journalism has always been an integral part of the Monitor. Today, we see that view of news spreading. The stories collected below are part of our collaboration with Sparknews, a European-based organization that promotes solutions journalism among more than 50 media outlets worldwide. Some were published on Impact Journalism Day, June 16. Others will be published – and added here – throughout the summer. The Monitor is proud to share the seeds of constructive, hopeful journalism sprouting everywhere.

Empowering storytelling through transparency

Subscribers to AP VoteCast get access to the same data that informs AP’s race calls, empowering them to report on the results of the election and tell the stories that matter most to their audience. Following the election, all AP VoteCast data is ultimately made available to the public, allowing for academic research and peer review of the survey’s results and the methods used to achieve them.

Back by popular demand, Apple authorized resellers have extended aggressive markdowns on Apple's latest 2018 MacBook Pro, delivering the lowest prices seen to date on popular models. Pick up a 13-inch Touch Bar for just $1,599 ($200 off), or save $300 on 15-inch configs with no tax collected outside NY and NJ. AirPods are also on sale for $137.50 with coupon.

NPR's Code Switch team visited Martina McGhee's course, Race and Identity through Pop Culture.

(Dec. 12, 2018) -- Topics related to race and identity are difficult to discuss in a honest and transparent manner. Students at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) have been openly discussing such subjects this fall semester in a new course offered through the UTSA African American Studies program.

The course, Race and Identity through Pop Culture (AAS 4013), is taught by Martina McGhee, a doctoral fellow in the UTSA Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching.

During the course, students listened to NPR’s Code Switch podcast, utilized other digital resources and were challenged to think about race and identity theory using these tools. The Code Switch team visited the UTSA Main Campus to attend two class sessions and to hear what students had to say about the podcast and their experience in the course.

>> Listen to the National Public Radio story about the UTSA course.

“By incorporating podcasts and different forms of media into the curriculum, I wanted to provide affordable access to education,” said McGhee. McGhee said she designed the course around the conversations aired by Code Switch to ensure the cost of the class was inclusive to all students.

The undergraduate students were also required to produce their own podcasts and would carry on the discussions they had in the classroom on Twitter by using the hashtag, #UTSAAAS4013.  

Throughout the semester, McGhee said she hosted guest speakers from different backgrounds who were able to share their experiences with students and to get their take on race and identity.

“Conversations like these aren’t happening very often in other classes,” said Zach Truesdale, a senior from Arlington, Texas, majoring in English and minoring in African American Studies.

“I didn't realize how important my voice was as an African American woman until I decided to minor in African American Studies at UTSA,” explained Michaela McClendon, a junior from Killeen, Texas who is studying psychology.  

This discussion-based course also allowed students to take part in a scavenger hunt meant to teach them about the racialized experiences some people may face when they're trying to enjoy the outdoors because of the limitations in access to sports equipment and transportation.

Students also took part in respectful conversations about issues affecting the LGBTQ community, and topics about immigration and stereotypes.

“Ultimately, I want to teach my students how to facilitate these tough conversations in a civil and educated manner. The real test will come when they’re out in the world and how they will engage and respond to others. I want to plant the seed of how to carry on impactful conversations now for them to use down the road,” said McGhee.

McGhee will be teaching this course during the Spring 2019 semester.

The convenience of a good smartwatch is hard to beat. And there are plenty of devices to choose from beyond the better-known options like the Apple Watch and Samsung's Galaxy Watch. The best smartwatch for you will depend on the type of phone you have, your spending limit and which health and fitness tracking features are most important to you. 

Most smartwatches provide basic exercise tracking comparable to most fitness trackers. But the best ones should also include advanced features such as heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking and GPS tracking, along with the ability to show phone notifications on your wrist. Many also support contactless payments, while others have LTE or cellular connectivity, which allow you to actually leave your phone at home.

If you're looking for the best smartwatch 2024 has to offer, read on. We've rounded up the top smartwatches you can buy right now based on function, price and compatibility. It's also worth considering the best time of year to buy a smartwatch. Apple and Samsung typically release new models in late summer and fall. You can also usually find compelling deals around shopping events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. 

That depends on whether you have an iPhone or Android phone. For most iPhone users, that's the $399 Apple Watch Series 9. It has a bright display, two sizes and the option to buy an LTE version so you can leave your phone at home and still be able to take calls and messages on the watch. The $799 Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best choice if you need a tougher watch with dedicated sports and safety features for athletes, plus an even brighter screen than the Series 9. 

For Android users, the best smartwatch is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. It is the first watch to run the newest version of Wear OS that promises closer integration with Google apps like Gmail, improvements to overall battery life and two size options.

This list is updated periodically with new reviews of the best smartwatch options. For more buying advice, check out our guide to how to buy a smartwatch.

Read more: Best Budget Smartwatches Under $100