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Category: EDCI 336 (Page 1 of 2)

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Uzbekistan Travel Wrap Up

December 1, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Well, folks, this is the end of the Uzbekistan travel series.

For this week’s post, I wanted to explore Bukhara, Uzbekistan as a final stop on my journey. According to The Diary of a Nomad blog, Bukhara has a very ancient rich history. Apparently, this city was once one of Genghis Kahn’s conquered lands. This blog offers a comprehensive list of 14 things to do while in the city. One thing I found to be helpful is their suggestion on where to eat! They recommend visiting the Chasmai-Mirob restaurant in the main square with rooftop terrace seating offering beautiful views. They offer many Uzbek dishes, with some I’ve never heard of before like: manti, lagman, shurpa, and somsa.

Another thing they suggest to see is the Ark of Bukhara built in the 5th century AD, making it the oldest structure in the city (my inner archaeologist is nerding out). This structure apparently used to operate as a city within a city inviting notable poets, scientists and mathematicians to reside there. The structure itself is immense in size and, in true Uzbek fashion, has incredible architecture to check out.

After visiting Bukhara, I will take the high speed train back to Tashkent and conclude my time in Uzbekistan. While this inquiry project has allowed me to dive deeper into the country and all it has to offer, this has only showed me that there is even more to learn! There is so much more to Uzbekistan than meets the eye and the list of things to see and do go further beyond what I have laid out in this series. I hope to continue to deep dive into different countries around the world and inspire my future students to be curious and inquisitive in the same way.

Peace out and keep travelling!

Photo attributed to AXP photography from Unsplash. This is the Ark of Bukhara!!

Week 10

December 1, 2023 / / 0 Comments

This week we had our presentations on different technology tools to use in the classroom. One of the stand out presentations for me was on Semiconductor, an AI system used to conduct a virtual music orchestra. The group presenting this tool suggested it would be a great solution to involve students with disabilities in a music classroom. I thought this tool was genius and I definitely see it being used for that in the future. It is relatively user-friendly and allows the user to feel as if they are engaged in the music-making process. In my future classrooms, I can see this tool being used to get my Spanish class more involved in the cultural aspects of the language by using it to have them create Spanish music. I could have them come up with some of their own lyrics for their song to accompany the motions of conducting through AI. Furthermore, I can see this tool being used as a game. It could invite all students to participate in a fun activity without excluding non-able bodied people in the class. One potential drawback to Semiconductor, however, is that it is not completely synced with the movements. As Rhys pointed out in the presentation, music will sometimes continue to play without any arm movements at all. The potential successes, however, far outweigh the drawbacks and I think it’s only a matter of time before some of the kinks are ironed out.

Photo attributed to: Samuel Sianipar from Unspalash

Uzbekistan Travel Itinerary Continued

November 21, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Hello! Welcome back!

This week I wanted to continue with exploring my tentative itinerary for travelling Uzbekistan. So, without further-ado, let’s dive in!

Since watching the Geography Now special from last week, I am now interested in exploring the regions of Khiva and Bukhara after I visit Samarkand. When looking at this travel blog, they provide a solid 10-day itinerary idea for Uzbekistan, highlighting Khiva and Bukhara.

First, Khiva. According to this blog, this city is off the beaten path a bit and often overlooked by travellers (tempt me more, I’m intrigued). It boasts continued beautiful architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with it being relatively easy access and affordable from Tashkent or Samarkand via train or plane. In this blog, they feature some potential accommodation options at varying price levels. I typically opt for the cheaper options while travelling to be able to extend my stays, but sometimes ballin-out a bit more for comfort is nice after extended travel on a budget. This guest house is only 38CAD/night, which is a great mid range option. It offers breakfast, a steady social environment, tours, and is right in the heart of it all! I think I’ll give it a go for a couple of nights.

Tune in next week as I explore Bukhara and all it has to offer!

Photo attributed to: AXP Photography from Unsplash.com

Uzbekistan Bonus

November 6, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Hey Ya’ll!

Welcome back. Happy to have you here.

As I was perusing YouTube earlier this week, I came across a video creator that I have been following for a long time who provides all-encompassing videos on every country in the world. His series has been going on for some time and he works in alphabetical order, and GUESS WHAT! This week he highlighted Uzbekistan! So, we are going to take a short break from researching places to visit and things to do around the country, and instead watch and reflect on his video. Barbs from Geography Now is an enthusiastic geography wiz who engages his video audience throughout the entire nearly 40 minute video. What I really like about his country highlights are that he cover topics like: physical and political geography, social demographics, history, disputed territory, wildlife and notable people of the country. He also, if at all possible, brings in guest speakers from the country to speak on these subjects from their perspective as locals. The videos are very entertaining and filled with fun skits and banter-like dialogue. Something I learned through the Uzbekistan episode in particular are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites found in the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, with the latter two being places I had never even heard of! She highlights these sites and discusses their significance to the country, its history and its social demographics. Another interesting point made in the video I didn’t know about the country before are its economics. For example, I learned that there is one electronic company who has a monopoly in the country, making it difficult to buy things like Apple products.

As you can see, these types of resources can be beneficial on a deeper level to understanding a new country as a whole. With the local perspectives, it gives the researcher, like you and I, a better understanding of the destination. Please watch the video linked above and then I encourage you to explore more of his videos for other destinations you’re interested in! There’s always more to learn.

Happy research and chat with you next week!

Photo attributed to: AXP Photography https://unsplash.com/photos/a-couple-of-green-and-blue-domes-on-top-of-a-building-th4JBrTyb9E

Week 8

November 6, 2023 / / 0 Comments

This week the class discussed AI and its implications in education. As a future teacher, I think AI can be really beneficial to supporting a work-life balance and helping us to provide better materials and lesson structures to our students. It presents the opportunity to do the job effectively while also taking care of our own mental and physical well-being by taking on some of the work load. However, I think that its implications for students come with both positive and negative aspects. The main contender, ChatGPT, can streamline student task performance, but I feel it could also take away from authentic learning and prevent students from acquiring valuable skills that come with the work processes. ChatGPT is incredibly convincing for some of the work it produces, so it can make it difficult to properly evaluate student learning if they are relying on the chat bot to produce their work. For this class, we were allowed to use ChatGPT in our reflection. Showcasing its abilities in generating a text that meets the guidelines of the assignment, I inputed my notes into the chat and asked it to create a text that discusses the negative implications of ChatGPT on student learning. Please note how real it sounds and the incredibly educated points it makes! The text is as follows:

ChatGPT and similar AI-driven tools have their advantages, but they also come with drawbacks when used in educational settings. One significant concern is that overreliance on AI can inhibit critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students. While these tools can provide quick and convenient answers, they often discourage students from engaging in deep research and independent thought. Instead of exploring topics in-depth, students may simply look for shortcuts, which can hinder their ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information, essential skills for lifelong learning and success.

Furthermore, AI tools like ChatGPT are not immune to errors or biases. They may provide inaccurate or incomplete information, mislead students, or reinforce existing biases. Relying on AI for fact-checking without proper critical examination can lead to misinformation and a distorted understanding of subjects. Students may develop a false sense of confidence in the accuracy of the information they receive, which is detrimental to their overall learning and knowledge acquisition.

Finally, the use of AI in education raises concerns about privacy and data security. ChatGPT often collects data on users, which can include personal information and patterns of interaction. This data can be misused, exposing students to privacy risks. Additionally, AI-driven tools can sometimes be distracting, leading students to disengage from classroom discussions and face-to-face interactions with their peers and educators. The overuse of technology can diminish the quality of the learning experience and lead to a disconnect between students and the learning environment.

In summary, while AI tools like ChatGPT offer convenience, they can hinder critical thinking, introduce the risk of misinformation, raise privacy concerns, and distract students from meaningful interactions. It is crucial for educators to strike a balance between utilizing AI technology and maintaining a focus on fostering independent thinking and responsible use of technology in the learning process.

Week 7

November 1, 2023 / / 0 Comments

This week, we looked at the concept of Gamified Learning, using games as a teaching strategy. Harnessing the intrinsic connection between learning and play can majorly benefit student development. We discussed some pioneering companies that have recognized the potential of using games to help with learning, such as Duolingo. They, for example, took the mundane and repetitive process of language acquisition into an exciting journey. Duolingo and other gamification companies leverage a reward system to have their users feel a sense of accomplishment derived from completing challenges. These elements can be integrated into the realm of education to captivate learners and foster a more versatile and engaging learning environment. I myself have been an avid user of Duolingo and have seen it used in the classroom during my Link2Practice sessions. The badges and accomplishment streaks within the game make learning languages more engaging and motivate me more to pick up the app and try for another reward. I especially like using Duolingo to learn a different language than the one I focus on in school. For example, I have studied French and Spanish throughout my formal education, but used Duolingo to learn Korean at the same time. Because it was fun and exciting, I looked forward to learning it simultaneously and didn’t feel overwhelmed. I think I will encourage my future students to do the same and hopefully it can be used to pique their interests in more languages outside of what’s offered in the BC school systems. From my standpoint, I seen gamification as a means to inspire students to become proactive and enthusiastic learners. Learning should inspire and I feel that inspirational learning comes from genuine enjoyment in the material, which is easily accessed through play.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that Gamified Learning isn’t without its obstacles. Budget constraints on teachers makes access to these resources an issue for some teachers, as well as access to technology may prove to be a challenge. Additionally, maintaining healthy competition between students could prove to be an obstacle, as some students don’t take games and light-hearted competition in an appropriate way. Mitigating the challenges of competition could be difficult for some teachers depending on the class demographics.

Photo attributed to: Andrey Metelev https://unsplash.com/photos/red-white-yellow-and-blue-plastic-dice-DEuansgqjns

Uzbekistan Deep Dive 2

November 1, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Welcome back to The Blog, ladies and germs!

This week we are going in deep. We are leaving the sparkling capital city of Tashkent and heading straight to the place I am by and far the most excited for: Samarkand! You may or may not have heard about this place, despite it being a major hub on the Silk Road (thanks failed education system) but I’m sure you have seen it. Samarkand served as a significant trading area back in its prime, linking the Mediterranean and China and today, it boasts some of the most intricate and beautiful Central Asian architecture in the world. According to my research, from Tashkent it’s a cool 2.5hr journey via BULLET TRAIN to Samarkand. This is apparently quite common and accessible for tourists, so I think I’ll be taking this option!

Known for its mosques and mausoleums, that’s exactly where I plan on starting my Samarkand experience. I found this awesome blog that highlights some of the best things to see and do in Samarkand, most of which are looking at all the amazing buildings. If you are skim reading over this blog post right now, at the bare minimum click on the link above to this blog and look at her pictures. No, seriously, go look at how STUNNING this place is. I think I’ll shoot my shot at some Instagram pictures here and impress everyone at home. One place I’m most excited for here is the Registan, the “crown jewel of the city.” This famous square appears to be a one stop shop for a full Uzbek cultural experience with architecture, food, people watching and religious ceremonies. This blog also notes that the Registan is only $4USD entry, which, for such an incredible destination, is a steal. Proof that there are perks to travelling to off-the-beaten-path destinations!

See you next week for more Uzbekistan content!

Photo attributed to: AXP Photography https://unsplash.com/photos/a-large-building-with-a-lot-of-blue-tiles-on-it-cFWmop_NfX4

Uzbekistan Deep Dive

October 21, 2023 / / 0 Comments

¡Bienvenidos a The Blog!

So now that we have established the ways to do research about a destination, how to travel around and how to look for flights, I think it’s time we look deep into what my itinerary might look like for my trip to Uzbekistan.

To start, I have consulted numerous blogs for ideas on places to visit and I think my first stop will be in Tashkent, the capital and my point of entry into the country flying from Canada! This blog had a lot of really great highlight points that I feel suit my interests, so I will pick a few of their suggestions to discuss this week!

They suggest going to the Chorsu Bazaar, which, in my past travel experiences, a bazaar or market is always a great idea to hit up when you want an authentic experience in a country. This bazaar sounds like it sells everything from food, to clothing, to trinkets and more, making it an excellent stopover for some souvenirs or to watch as the locals purchase their produce and meats!

Next place they mention is the Hazrat Imam Complex, which displays some of Uzbekistan’s finest architecture. Here there is a library of oriental manuscripts that apparently is worth a look inside. To me, this is right up my ally. The older the building and its contents, the cooler it is!

According to this blog, these destinations are all easily accessible via the metro system in the city, which is an attraction in itself as they have beautiful light fixtures and art on the walls. They are reminiscent of old Soviet times too, so once again, waling through history!

Tune in next week as I explore more points of interest in the country!

Photo attributed to: APX Photography https://unsplash.com/photos/a-large-domed-building-with-arched-windows-iqd1KZOyb2M

Week 6

October 21, 2023 / / 0 Comments

This week we discussed accessible learning in an online classroom and the tools that play a key role in fostering inclusivity within the learning environment. We watched an informative video dedicated to Universal Design for Learning (UDL). UDL, as a pedagogical approach, aspires to create a classroom atmosphere that caters to the diverse needs of each student and supports equitable education. We engaged in a classroom discussion about how to adopt the UDL approach and how it allows flexibility in molding teaching methods. Personally, I find the UDL approach to be particularly enticing in the modern context, as it resonates with the evolving landscape of our world, which increasingly prioritizes accessibility. There will always be students who require accommodations to learn to the best of their abilities and it’s our responsibility, as educators, to provide them with the tools to do so. To me, UDL symbolizes a tangible manifestation of this shift.

As class progressed, we were presented with a heartfelt video featuring students who grapple with disabilities sharing their experiences and insights on how educational environments that actively strive to accommodate their needs can be transformative. Their perspectives shed light on the profound impact of inclusivity and how, in the absence of such efforts, they often felt like burdens or outsiders. This served as a reminder that, as an aspiring educator, I aspire to be empathetic and considerate of the unique requirements of my students. It’s important to me to initiate dialogues with my students, collaboratively striving to maximize the accessibility of both my classroom and course materials.

Here is a link to the UDL guidelines in a visually-engaging format.

Photo attributed to: Grab https://unsplash.com/photos/a-woman-in-a-wheel-chair-with-a-green-cooler-_fXBLAOa5js

To Tour or Not to Tour: Uzbekistan

October 18, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Hey, hey, hey!

Welcome back for another weekly post about travelling Uzbekistan!

This week I want to talk a bit about some options to consider when looking at travelling a new destination: taking a tour through an organized company or travelling independently. Both of these have several pros and cons and can be determined depending on the complexity and logistics of a country vs experience of the traveller.

Taking a tour can be a great option for those who are not as confident in their abilities as a traveller and are looking for their trip to be done with ease. Tours will usually include stops at popular sites, which can be a good thing if you’re looking to see all the main points of attraction. They often have transportation covered, too, which can sometimes prove to be the most difficult aspect of travel. However, tours can come with a hefty price tag and typically occur with other masses of people touring the same popular points of interest. In my opinion, they offer a less authentic experience of a destination. But, and I cannot stress this enough, sometimes there is a time and place for tours. For example, a tour for the entire country of Morocco would be insufferable for me, but a few day tour to the Sahara Desert within my independent travel in the country, was totally worth it and appropriate! The logistics of driving myself into the desert and camping independently as a non-Arabic speaking foreign woman would be a nightmare.

In the case of Uzbekistan, I think I would do a combination of tours and independent travel, such as I did with Morocco. I feel confident in my travel abilities thus far and feel that I want to experience Uzbekistan in an authentic way. I would fly myself there, tour myself around the cities, and arrange my own accommodation and food, but I might consider a tour for more rural excursions, for example. Another great time for a tour can be if you’re planning on crossing multiple boarders or checkpoints, where the tour operator handles all of the logistics. In a place like Central Asia, a tour that handles all of these affairs can be extremely helpful with all of the complications that can arise from land-boarder crossing. Here is a cool tour I found that crosses “The Stans.”

Tune in next time for more!

Photo attributed to: Federico Mata https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-concrete-building-under-blue-sky-during-daytime-e7WPAbCzGnw
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