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01 .24Climate: where to begin?I recently took part in a climate training program called Fresk. Fresk is an international network of facilitators who are delivering the message of climate change to people throughout the world. Recent data from the IPCC (international panel on climate change) shows the conclusions from the world's top scientists on the state of our planet. It tells us how the earth has changed in recent years and how the earth is predicted to change if humans continue living in the way that we do currently.Most people are aware that the earth is suffering and that our lifestyle continues to hurt the planet. But most people are also unaware of the details of how the earth lives as an organism - how it breathes, cleans the water, eats our trash, creates weather, etc. Most people feel overwhelmed by the messages about climate change and don't know what to do. The idea with Fresk is to educate people about the ways that the earth is dealing with human activity. It creates awareness in the hope of helping people realize that the way that we live is directly connected to the health of the planet.At first, Fresk introduces you to concepts such as deforestation, fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, etc., and asks group members to assemble pictures and cards in a diagram that shows the causes and effects of the planet's activities. After assembling the pieces of the earth's systems, participants speak together about all of the information in hope of understanding it better. Finally, everybody talks together about how they feel about what they have learned and possible solutions for how we can help the planet to become healthier. It is a wonderful workshop and I hope to share it with many people as I become more familiar with the Fresk.I went into teaching because I wanted to share my native language of English with people throughout the world so that they could have access to the planet's people and cultures. I learned that the most valuable learning is not what comes from textbooks in a classroom, but what comes from exploration of our beautiful world through travel and making connections.Along with becoming an English teacher, I focused on how to incorporate sustainability concepts into the English classroom. I feel that English opens our eyes to the world and once our eyes are open, we are able to see that the most important challenge for our time is to heal the planet. I was not sure how to best introduce the concepts of ecology and sustainability into my classes, however. Now, with my Climate Fresk training, I am very excited about this message that I can deliver to students on their quest for knowledge.In addition, I have worked with TED.com to deliver relevant, current topics to my students. I have recently discovered a new series by TED Ed called Earth School, which introduces students to the most important concepts of our precious planet in a six-week video series. How excited I am to now have these incredible resources available to share with students!I plan to talk about both TED and Climate Fresk in my BBP Communication Room. I have included the links below this blog. If you would like to know more about these ideas, please contact me anytime.https://climatefresk.org/https://blog.ed.ted.com/2020/04/21/earth-school-launched-to-keep-students-connected-to-nature/Photo Credits PixabayQuizQ1. What are the two new tools available to learn about climate change?Q2. What is the main idea or purpose of Fresk?Q3. What were the speaker's goals in becoming an English teacher?Scroll down for the answersA1. Climate Fresk, TED Ed Earth SchoolA2. To educate people and create awarenessA3. To teach students about the world and help them make connections + introduce concepts of sustainabilityAnthony Lavigne
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01 .17A fun, cheap and useful computer: the Raspberry Pi 4What is a good computer? Many would answer that a good computer is one that is very powerful. However, computers with higher memory and CPU power can be quite expensive. Do we actually need to spend so much money on a computer? To my surprise, last year I found a mini-computer that is about 10 times cheaper than a normal priced computer but can accomplish everything I need. This computer is the Raspberry Pi 4B (8GB). Although it is less powerful and requires more time to set-up, this mini-computer has become my favorite computer because of its low price, software capabilities, and utilities.First, the Raspberry Pi 4 is very cheap. Sale Kits usually include a micro SD card, a usb-c power adapter, a small fan and a Pi computer case and are usually only sold online between 15000~20000 yen (Amazon.co.jp prices). That being said, buyers need to get the final parts themselves to complete it, such as connecting it to an HDMI computer/TV screen, a usb keyboard, and a usb mouse. Setting up some of these things may be difficult at first but there are many helpful YouTube videos and online guides to help first-time buyers/users. Moreover, the learning process benefits users to further learn about and appreciate their computer(s).Second, the Raspberry Pi 4 has many software capabilities. It doesn’t use Windows, but Raspbian OS. In comparison to Windows, it is completely free as it is a part of the Linux OS (free software) family. The Pi can connect to the internet by network cable or wifi. Once connected to the internet, it is possible to download and install lots of useful software such as LibreOffice for making documents, spreadsheets and presentations, and Audacity for voice recording, both of which are also free. Moreover, you can connect it to your Google account and use online apps such as Gmail, Google Docs, and so on.Third, the Raspberry Pi 4 can be used for different purposes. It can be used as a media center to play internet or computer videos on a TV. It can be used as a server for hosting one’s own public website and/or private files over the internet. It can be used to control/program the smart devices in your house. You can use it as a personal computer to do (home)work or learn new skills like programming. Actually, it can do all of these things at the same time if you wish so. There are so many guides and tutorials online that can teach you all these things, even on such an affordable computer.Finally, I think the Raspberry Pi 4 motivated me to learn about new software, utilities, and even programming skills because I had little or no fear of making mistakes as this computer is so affordable. Even when I did make mistakes, it was very easy for me to learn from them and improve my software and programming skills.Photo by Craig Dennis from PexelsQuizQ1. What is the first reason the author thinks the Raspberry Pi 4 is a good computer?Q2. What is the second reason the author thinks the Raspberry Pi 4 is a good computer?Q3. What is the third reason the author thinks the Raspberry Pi 4 is a good computer?Scroll down ? for the answersA1. Its low priceA2. Its many software capabilitiesA3. It can be used for different purposes. / Its many utilitiesLouis Lafleur
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01 .10Taking Control of TimeWhen I was younger, I didn’t think too much about time. For me, the day-to-day activities were enough, and often I found them pretty boring. I get up, have breakfast, walk to the bus stop, go to school, and then endure high school. I was a quiet student who didn’t always fit in very well, and was ready to move on from the drama of high school.Not surprisingly, when I got to college I still had drama. This time the question wasn’t so much me living with a schedule decided for me in high school, but the drama of choosing my own time. That was a difficult moment for me. I hadn’t had any previous members of my family who graduated from college, and I didn’t just want to do exactly the same thing as the person to my left or right. I wanted to understand what I wanted to do.Because I wasn’t so sure at first, I slowly decided just to set achievable goals. First it was simply to get through the day, then get through the next day, then get through week, and just keep adding to that. Eventually that led to a semester, which was the biggest hurdle I faced. After that, I had a sense that I could do it, but I knew there was more to do.In many ways, how I try to control time hasn’t changed so much since then. While it may not be from the same crazy feeling I had to just survive back then, now I have a better idea of what I can handle and what my priorities are. Focusing my time on what I can manage helped me to not lose sight of why I was doing everything in the first place. The times I felt the least in control were when I doubted myself. Even in mistakes where I chose self-doubt, I had something to learn from.Everyone’s path is not going to lead them to the same place. It can be easy just to look at the people to your left or right, and then just go along with what they’re doing. However, maybe they’re making the same uncertain choices you are. Sometimes that’s a good thing: you can have an experience that draws you closer to another, sharing in success or failure, and understanding life together. Even still, at the end of the day, when you’re alone in bed, it’ll still just be you answering the question, “how am I doing today?”Years later, as someone who is married and with young children, that hasn’t changed. The choices I make, the way I act, how I talk to strangers or loved ones - they all boil down to how I feel about my time. Does it control me, or do I control it? The best time to decide is now.Photo Credit stazknop@pexels.comQuizQ1. How would you describe the writer's feelings about high school?Q2. What helped the writer in handling time in college?Q3. What does the writer think is the benefit of making choices with others?Scroll down ? for the answersA1. He was ready to graduate.A2. Setting achievable goals.A3. You can share experiences together and better understand life.Jesse Patterson
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01 .07Study Abroad: Tips and AdviceStudying abroad can't be all that difficult, right? You've got eager advisors full of answers, brochures and all the program descriptions, and you've even read reviews from past participants and chatted with study-abroad-alum friends and classmates.And although in your head you can logically say "I got this," there is still a tiny voice in the back of it saying, "But do you really?" Truth be told, there is a lot that goes into an international adventure. But don't worry, here are three useful tips that might help you prepare, feel safer and more confident.1. Cultural sensitivityStudying abroad comes with some responsibility on the student's part. As you will be living and functioning within another culture, it is important that you keep in mind the local cultural norms. This might influence the way you dress, the way you speak, and the way you interact with the locals. It is important for travellers to practice sensitivity throughout their journeys, as your behaviour may otherwise offend others unnecessarily or bring a bad name upon all travellers. A great first step in showcasing your interest in the local culture is to pick up some simple phrases (or more) in the local language. You'll be surprised and pleased with the pleasant response to your Spanish or Italian greeting versus a casual "hello."2.Consciously protect your valuablesYou will likely be traveling with a few of your most prized possessions in tow, maybe your laptop, your smartphone, your iPod, your passport, some nice jewellery, or money. It is essential that you actively make an effort to keep track of your belongings.While theft isn't necessarily a greater risk abroad than at home, you will likely be more distracted (due to all of the awesome fun you are having!). Before you leave your dorm, apartment, or homestay, place your money in a money belt or in various places on your person. Lock up any possessions you leave behind! Avoid wearing flashy clothes or accessories that draw instant attention to your economic status.3. Prepare for the jetlag!Jetlag is a blanket term to describe when you're tired after a long-haul flight. As your body adjusts to your epic time travel, you will find it difficult to adjust to a new time zone. It can take up to one or two weeks to fully settle into a new time zone, so be patient as your body adapts. Avoid taking naps and embrace your inevitable early bedtimes or early risings.Photo credit Tima@Pexels.comQuizQ1. Why is it important to be a culturally sensitive traveler?Q2. Why should we avoid wearing flashy clothes?Q3. What is jetlag?Scroll down ? for the answersA1. Unbecoming behavior may reflect badly on other travelers from your home country.A2. This is a good way to avoid any unwanted attention about how much money you may have.A3. It’s the feeling of tiredness we experience after a long airplane trip.Anonymous