What is blended learning

LMA, how would you introduce blended learning?

:At its core, blended learning is a teaching technique that combines traditional classroom time and the use of technology. Blended learning can be like a student smoothie! There are many educational sciences behind the different learning “mixes” and the 21st century learner must know how to choose according to their personal tastes.

But is technology still in play?

Yes, whatever the mix, it always includes some amount of technology: a school computer, your own laptop, tablet or smartphone. When setting up a course, we decide how much time is available online in addition to classroom learning and where we want to install the technology.

Is there, say, a “classic” blended learning technique?

Yes, there is one. Classic blended learning is a way to increase targeted learning time by using the school's computer lab to supplement hands-on exercises. Many US colleges count time spent on computers – both in and out of class – as “contact” time. This focused time, ideal for grammar, listening and reading skills, is an important part of a student's study regimen. (Remember the smoothie!)

What are the other techniques?

There is also the flipped classroom. The teacher implemented flipped lessons so that online reading or listening time at home feeds into the in-class lesson. The “inverse” involves having students do their homework before class. It's just perfect for students who want to feel prepared and comfortable with the upcoming lesson content.

Flipped language learning typically uses videos (watching a great TED talk, then discussing the ideas back in class) to build students' vocabulary and encourage them to actively engage with the topic.

I have also heard of the “hybrid class”…

In a hybrid classroom, the teacher will dedicate some time to computer activities using a system designed as a complement to the course material. In many schools, this means enriching the classroom with multimedia work on an interactive whiteboard that brings presentations to life and helps explain difficult ideas using animation and interaction.

Most course books come with learning content and practice materials that the teacher can use to allow students to practice individually, with teacher support.

Can students use their own devices in class?

Of course. In this session, called Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), students use their own smartphones or tablets in class, but it is the teacher who organizes their learning. In this case, the school does not provide computer labs or interactive whiteboards.

Here, students enjoy the convenience of using their own device – like a tablet – to create a group video, or their phone to take an online quiz.

This is suitable for students who are most comfortable with the technology they are familiar with and want to try activities again after class to review work.

Are apps and mobile content considered in a blended learning “regime”?

It's entirely possible. With a technique like Mobile Language Learning (or MALL), the focus is on the student having everything in their pocket to power their own learning anytime, anywhere. Done right, good mobile learning is like a between-meal snack in a student's learning regimen. Learning apps, such as EF Words, allow students to practice quickly and consistently.

Research in applied linguistics tells us that regular and targeted use of the mobile phone can particularly improve vocabulary and pronunciation.

Can teachers combine these techniques?

With practice and in a well-equipped school, it is possible. With micro-blending, students are assigned to an expert teacher who realizes the benefits of different types of blended learning in a well-equipped school.

The teacher mixes different technologies to ensure students have a varied regimen that includes all the types of learning mentioned above; depending on the subject studied by the students, their language level and the type of group they are working with.

The teacher will let students choose the best way to work on a particular part of their lesson; the mix will therefore vary from lesson to lesson and session to session, providing students with the best possible learning.

How can teachers choose the mix that suits them best?

This is a matter of personal preference intended to improve your teaching style. Teachers can determine if they like the reliable and stable structure of the classic mix or if they prefer a more adventurous flipped classroom. They might like to know the variety of learning a micro-blending class can create for their students.

But never forget your students' learning preferences: as a teacher, you need to consider what's best for your institution, as well as your students' preferred learning styles.

The Winter's Tale: A Play of Love, Loss, and Redemption

The Winter's Tale is a play by William Shakespeare that tells the story of King Leontes of Sicily, who is driven by jealousy to falsely accuse his wife, Hermione, of adultery. Hermione is imprisoned and gives birth to a daughter, Perdita, who is abandoned in the wilderness. Sixteen years later, Perdita is found by a shepherd and his son, and raised as their own. Meanwhile, Leontes has come to regret his actions and seeks to find his daughter. The play ends with the reunion of Leontes and Hermione, and the marriage of Perdita and Florizel, the son of King Polixenes of Bohemia.

The Winter's Tale is a play of love, loss, and redemption. It explores the power of forgiveness and the importance of family. The play is also notable for its use of magical elements, such as the statue of Hermione that comes to life.

The play was first performed in London in 1611. It has been adapted for film and television several times, and it continues to be performed by theater companies around the world.

Here are some of the themes explored in The Winter's Tale:

The power of jealousy: Leontes' jealousy of Polixenes leads him to make a terrible mistake. He falsely accuses Hermione of adultery, and his actions ultimately lead to her death.

The importance of forgiveness: Leontes eventually comes to regret his actions and seeks to find his daughter. He is able to forgive Hermione, and they are reunited at the end of the play.

The power of love: The love between Leontes and Hermione is ultimately stronger than the forces that try to tear them apart. Their love is tested by jealousy, loss, and time, but it ultimately prevails.

The importance of family: The Winter's Tale is a play about family. It explores the bonds between parents and children, siblings, and friends. The play shows how family can provide love, support, and forgiveness in times of need.

The Winter's Tale is a complex and moving play that explores the human experience in all its beauty and ugliness. It is a play that has something to say to everyone, and it continues to be relevant today.

If you're interested in learning more about The Winter's Tale, I recommend reading the play itself or watching a performance. You can also find many resources online and in libraries.

History of Kacha golla (Natore) 500 word essay

History of Kacha golla (Natore)

In the 1760s, Madhusudan Pal's sweet shop in the Lalbazar area of Natore town was a famous shop in the region. Madhusudan Pal used to make sweets like pantua, chamcham, kalojam etc by pouring 1.5-2 maunds of chhana everyday in big pots in his shop. There were 10-15 workers in the shop. One day, suddenly the artisan who makes sweets didn't come to the shop. Madhusudan was in distress thinking what to do with so much chhana! Worried about the impending loss, Madhusudan Pal asked to pour sugar syrup on the chhana and heat it. After heating, when tasted by mouth, the chhana mixed with sugar had an amazing taste. He instantly named it Kachagolla. A new sweet was created. 

In 1760, during the reign of Maharani Bhawani of Bengal, the fame of this Kachagolla started spreading. At that time, there were very few sweet shops in Natore. Apart from the famous Kachagolla, other noteworthy sweets at these shops were Abaak Sondesh, Raghobshahi, Chomchom, Rajbhog, Rasmalai, Pantua etc. But Kachagolla rose above all. As a result, this famous Kachagolla was used at that time to please the jamidars. Even the royal family of Britain used to get this Kachagolla. It used to go all over India.

For a long time, this heritage sweet Kachagolla had been sold in distorted shapes in different parts of the country. But the people of Natore did not have much to do about it. Last February, a renowned food manufacturing company of the country started selling round Kachagollas at their sales center in Natore. It sparked intense criticism on social media.

On request from the civil society of Natore to take steps regarding distortion of Kachagolla, initiatives have been taken to obtain GI certification for Kachagolla. It is hoped that this distorted production will stop after getting GI recognition.

Former Natore District Administrator Shamim Ahmed told Prothom Alo that finally the GI recognition has come. He is delighted to have played a role in getting this heritage delicacy of Natore recognized.

Jay Kali Mistanna Bhandar, a heritage sweet shop in Natore run by four men associated with the sweets business. In response to the announcement of GI recognition, current owner of the shop Prabhat Kumar Pal told Prothom Alo that the GI recognition application should have been made long ago. Because sweets of various inferior types are sold in different parts of the country in the name of Kachagolla. It damages Natore's reputation. He said now with GI product recognition, production in distorted shapes will stop. People of the country will be able to recognize original Kachagolla.

Good quality Kachagollas sell in the sweet shops of Natore at around 600 taka per kg. But sweets named Natore Kachagolla are also sold at 300 taka. But the original taste of Kachagolla is not found in those.

Natore District Administrator Abu Naser Bhuiyan told, that producers make Kachagolla maintaining the heritage of Natore. But it is often heard that distorted Kachagollas are sold outside. The district administration will take a stand against it.

Harnessing Social Media as a Double-Edged Sword

Harnessing Social Media as a Double-Edged Sword: 

The Benefits and Distractions for Student Learning

keywords:

- social media 

- student learning

- undergraduate education

- educational technology

- online collaboration

- student engagement

- digital distractions

- critical thinking

Q1.  What role does the abstract play in the publication of an academic paper?       

A short overview of the article is the abstract. It is not an introduction to what follows. The main elements of the study methodology and the major results of the research are also described in full and succinct. The abstract is typically the initial interaction with a research or report by the reader and is at times the sole portion that is collected and/or examined in scientific databases. This feature offers the first and frequently most crucial impression that the study topic and outcomes have their own potential worth or significance. If the abstract is correctly written, readers should be asked to receive a copy of the entire manuscript that is included in the discovered ones. If the abstract is properly written, readers will be encouraged to receive a copy of the entire text included into those found. If the abstract is not worded properly, the study might be disregarded or even forgotten.

Q2.   What is the main focus of the study? 

The incorporation of Internet technology into education has offered various possibilities for study accessible to everyone worldwide. In addition to textbooks and classroom lectures via social media, students currently experience the sharing of ideas, resources and information as well as a tools for Undergraduate student learning. Online information and communication are provided free of charge to students on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and many more platforms. The study discuss how social media use can improve learning.

                                                                                                                             

Q3.  What are digital natives? Discuss whether there are digital natives in your home country. 

 

Every person who was born in 1980, the digital natives, who have a direct touch with technology in their biological and social development. There are some behavioural changes and everyday habit that affect their schooling, job plans, and living objectives in an ever larger context for this generation, which was born around technology. No wonder as a part of globalisation my home country has digital native. Their habits, behaviours and preferences in consumption have guided the strategies of numerous brands that want to distinguish themselves on the market, companies that strive to improve communication and institutions of education which attempt to adapt their educational techniques to digital lifestyles.

Q4.  What does the term ‘social media’ mean?  Do you think the use of social media will change in the future?    

Social networks facilitate social relationships and interact between individuals, groups or organisations, which share the same values or interests. The internet and social media development have broadened this notion.  After all, a social network's fundamental role is to connect individuals inside the virtual world, either to develop new social links or to maintain current social ties. There is no denying the achievements of the social networks we know, like Facebook and WhatsApp. Without their presence, we can scarcely conceive of our social contacts and this illustrates the power of these platforms, which take the world as we know it.

Social networks represent all the improvements in technology that society has accomplished and must consequently include social actions. Artificial intelligence research are already underway to assist blind people understand photos. Another initiative seeks to facilitate diagnosis, through the examination of photographs of the patient, of illnesses such as skin cancer.

                                                                                   

Q5.  Discuss the positive and negative effects of using social media in class. 

     Many kids cannot deal with the wide-ranging web-based knowledge. Many consider what they read on the web as the absolute truth, and this affects the learning process and the formation of a critical view of what is given. The social networks' popularity and the pace of online interactions have brought about new methods of writing and speaking, transformed and revealed Portuguese. This might impair the writing quality of these young people since the internet language in our culture has not yet become normal and is still restricted to the online media. Socialization is an evolving activity - we are seeking interaction with certain individuals on social networks rather than immediately addressing those who are accessible around us at any given time. Special attention should be paid to this behaviour, which undergoes a lot more difficult and rapid changes than ever before. Technology is a tool that needs to make the interaction easier, more efficient—in short, media. It is important to be conscious that it is not the mechanism that guides our decisions. Generally speaking, this happens when we utilize a technology without knowing the influence it has on our own conduct completely.

                                                                                                                               



Q6.  Explain how the researchers collected their data. Was this an effective means of doing it?         

Survey is a very frequent technique of study by which researchers themselves enter the field to gather data. Research in the field can be utilized as a dissertation technique of research and gathering of data. Different methods, such as surveys, interviews and observations, may be utilized. In order to gather the exact data needed to answer research questions and to test hypotheses, the researcher will.

Q7.  What were the five research questions?  Give an explanation of each one. 

1. What social media accounts do undergraduate fine arts students have? 

2. How often are these students accessing social media accounts? 

3. To what degree do these students use social media for educational purposes? 

4. To what degree does social media use contribute to these students’ education? 

5. To what degree does social media use distract these students from their college education?

Q8.  In the following reference what is ‘In Education’ and what is ‘15(1)’?     

Hoffman, E. S. (2009). Social media and learning environments: Shifting perspectives on the locus of control. In Education, 15(1), 23-38. 

‘In Education’ is the name publisher and what is ‘15(1)’ is volume number      

Q9.  What are your opinions on the use of social media in class?  Has the use of social media helped you in your studies? 

Social media has mixed impact on my study sometimes it accelerate the information gathering process other times it creates a lot of distraction. Its require a huge self control to stick to the study while using social media.  

Q10.  Overall, what conclusion did the researchers reach?  Discuss whether it is justified quoting examples from your own experience. 

         

 The Results showed that Facebook was the most popular account, followed by Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, that is similar to my using pattern. Logging on to their top social media accounts was a combined total of 32.82, while the weekly average was a combined total of 226.39. That is also similar to my usages.  Of the students surveyed, 49% marked agree or strongly agree that they used social media for educational purposes, I would agree if I was asked the same. A total of 39% of surveyed students responded that they had a class that required use of social media. Which I agree. and the final research question which is the  comparable levels of distraction from social media use (78.65%) compared to face to face interactions (74.27%) is also similar to me                                                                                                                          

Q1. The abstract provides a short overview of the key elements of a research paper. It summarizes the main points of the study including the methodology and major findings, without going into too much detail. The abstract gives readers a first impression of the research and helps them decide if they want to read the full paper.

Q2. The main focus of the study is on the use of social media as a tool for undergraduate student learning. It examines how students are using social media for educational purposes and how it contributes to or distracts from their learning. 

Q3. Digital natives are those born after 1980 who have grown up with technology. They have different behaviors, habits, and preferences shaped by digital technology. Yes, there are digital natives in my home country as a result of globalization and widespread access to technology. 

Q4. Social media refers to online platforms that allow users to create and share content, interact, and develop social networks. I think social media will continue evolving in the future with advances in technology like AI to enhance accessibility and capabilities. But the core function of connecting users will remain.

Q5. Positives of social media in class include easier access to information and collaboration. Negatives are potential distractions, improper online behavior, and overreliance on unverified online sources instead of critical thinking. 

Q6. The researchers collected data through an online survey completed by undergraduate students. This seems an effective means of gathering information directly from the target demographic. 

Q7. The five research questions focused on: 1) Types of social media accounts students have 2) Frequency of social media use 3) Use of social media for education 4) Contribution of social media to education 5) Distraction of social media from education

Q8. 'In Education' refers to the journal name. '15(1)' indicates it is Volume 15, Issue 1 of that journal.

Q9. I think social media can help access information quickly, but it requires self-control to avoid distractions. It has helped my studies but also sometimes distracts me. 

Q10. The study found high social media use among students comparable to my experience. Around half used it for education and found it contributed to their learning, which aligns with my opinion. However, levels of distraction were also high, consistent with my observations. The conclusions seem justified based on my own experiences as a student.

Leadership and Organizational Culture at Nitol Niloy Group: How Leaders Shape Shared Values and Drive Adaptability | 522 WORDS ESSAY

Leadership and Organizational Culture at Nitol Niloy Group 

How Leaders Shape Shared Values and Drive Adaptability

 Nitol Niloy Group PRODUCTS

Nitol Tata follows the Functional Organization model whereby each division, headed by a Executive Director. The new firm quickly established itself as a key participant in the commercial vehicle industry, and it has continued to develop since then. The firm began as a car trade company with the principles of quality, honesty, and efficiency (Nitol Motors Limited, n.d.). International firms attracted its strong sales figure and Nitol Motors Ltd. became Bangladesh's exclusive distributor in 1989. In 1991 a joint venture was created between TELCO and NITOL, called Nita Company Ltd., for the assembly in Bangladesh of TATA cars. Nitol-Niloy Group literally became a domestic brand in less than 20 years from a trading firm in the early 1980s. The Nitol Niloy Group adopts the paradigm of a Functional Organization, which focuses on its distinct functional objectives by each division led by a Managing Director with a considerable education and industrial experience. The thesis on the Nitol Motors Limited section and its service department has been brought to the fore. Culture is established via values, beliefs or perceptions shared inside an enterprise by personnel. In practice it is a collection of rules and standards which, via words, interpersonal connections and gestures, lead to the cultural assumptions of its members. Image shows the three components, artifact, shared values and assumptions of organizational culture It's learned collectively. Image of 3 components, artifacts, common values and assumptions in corporate culture the members of the organization, but particularly the leadership, who play a major part in its awareness, learns and transmits it collectively. Because the activities of workers are influenced significantly in times of development or adaptation to change (Tata Motors in partnership with Nitol Motors launches the all-new Tata LPT 1212 light commercial vehicle in Bangladesh, n.d.). Managers also form and bear the responsibility for the development of the culture: they establish mission, vision and purpose, build the framework that guides and empowers the business. And they will be accountable for leading those who lead to it once formed.  

The leaders of the companies spread the culture of the firm to their teams and groups (Hossain, 2016). They guarantee that all characteristics described as the culture of the firm are matched by the personnel and operate in accordance with the goals of the organization. Furthermore, the leader works together to prevent staff from deviating from what is anticipated. In some institutions, the responsibility of management to help create a culture that reflects the goals of the institution and guides everyone on the same road is not fully defined yet. The leader enables their employees to discover satisfaction.  

The culture of the Nitol Tata is formed through leaders' activities. When values are dysfunctional, leadership helps the team to unlearn certain inefficient cultural assumptions and adopt new models. Otherwise, the sectors cannot adjust to the required changes without the figure of a leader who centralizes the team (Business Structure Comparison Chart for Bangladesh (LegalSeba, n.d.). The same traditional ideals so remain intact and the firm is not adapted to changing strategic circumstances. But it is a deadly mistake to keep up with the same positions in a continually shifting market. Tech periods like this require fluid information, process agility and adaptable ability. It is also important that the leader is active providing continuous feedback to every employee and lists the items that merit attention to be low-performance and the elements in which the team works effectively. Without this, employees believe that anyone higher up the hierarchical pyramid may read them as a mere number. The manager becomes united with the group and preserves the organizational culture at best by fostering a roundtable with work colleagues.

References

Business Structure Comparison Chart for Bangladesh LegalSeba. (n.d.). LegalSeba. Retrieved August 26, 2021, from https://legalseba.com/business-structure-comparison-chart-for-bangladesh/

Hossain, M. (2016, July 17). A guide to corporate culture. Dhaka Tribune. https://www.dhakatribune.com/feature/2016/07/17/guide-corporate-culture

Tata Motors in partnership with Nitol Motors launches the all-new Tata LPT 1212 light commercial vehicle in Bangladesh. (n.d.). Bangladesh. Retrieved August 26, 2021, from https://www.tatamotors.com.bd/press/tata-motors-in-partnership-with-nitol-motors-launches-the-all-new-tata-lpt-1212-light-commercial-vehicle-in-bangladesh/

Welcome to Nitol Motors Limited. (n.d.). Www.nitolmotors.com. Retrieved August 26, 2021, from http://www.nitolmotors.com/about