Weeks 15/16 Tasks (TDIC Project)

Gentlemen, it’s almost over!

In week 15, please make 2+ critical comments on other classmates’ blogs. Do the same in week 16. You should post at least 10 comments in total.

Try to finish your WebCT Vista Vocabulary quizzes by the end of week 15. The deadline for completing all ten quizzes is Thursday, 1 pm, May 29. This deadline will not be extended.

Make a partner. Go to www.tdic.ae and look under “Projects”. Choose one:

1. Eastern Mangrove
2. Emirates Pearl
3. Saadiyat Island & Cultural District, Saadiyat Island
4. Abu Dhabi Creek Business Resort
5. Bridgeway at Zayed Sports City
6. Grand Corniche Hotel
7. Qasr Al Sarab
8. The Lagoon Club Hotel & Residences
9. Desert Islands
10. Al Bateen Wharf

• Read about your project at this website (www.tdic.ae) and any others you can find. Prepare a short (4-5 minute) PowerPoint, arguing that your project is the “coolest” (best). Guidelines: you need a minimum of six slides (1) cover slide/introduction 2) location/definition – what and where is your project? 3) Main reason/feature why your project is the best 4) Another main reason 5) Last main reason 6) Conclusion/review.

• Include a suitable photo on slides 3, 4, and 5 (accompanying each main point). Split the talking time equally between you and your partner. You will present your PowerPoint either Tuesday, May 20, Monday, May 26 or Tuesday, May 27.
  

• Embed your PowerPoint (use scribd.com or another method)

• Make a post entitled: “TDIC Projects”. Write a 200 (+) word comment:

- Paragraph 1. My partner (name) and I researched (Shangri-La Hotel). You can see our PowerPoint about its best features embedded below (copy paste at the end of your essay).

- Paragraph 2. The project I liked the most was (x) because … (include picture)

- Paragraph 3. The least interesting project was (y) since ... (include picture)

- Paragraph 4. Make a general (critical) comment on the TDIC projects in Abu Dhabi.

The deadline for all blog posts is Thursday, June 5, 1 pm. No extensions. I will offer feedback/editing assistance in class.

Shangri-La Hotel - Upload a doc

Read this doc on Scribd: Shangri-La Hotel

Week 14 Tasks

Hello gentlemen! This is a busy week since we have to do reading summary 3. Therefore, other tasks are easier this week.

1. WebCT Vista Vocabulary – finish up to and including quiz 8. The deadline for completion of all 10 quizzes is Thursday, May 29, 1 pm (end of week 16).

2. Blog comments. Add two more thoughtful comments to other classmates’ blogs (2 per week from week 12, so you should have 6+ by Thursday, May 15). Please spell-check!

3. Watch the Cool Cities video about developing cool cities in the UAE. Identify three good changes (adaptations) which could work well and three bad or unrealistic changes which would not work (well) in terms of practicality or environmental impact (global warming) in the UAE. You can find more arguments for and against “cool cities” in these articles from The National: "Cool ideas to beat the heat", "Building a Green Dream", and "Masder's Green Dream is not for all". Need to see the video again? Click on "Cool Cities" in the week 14 tasks of the blog project (a fast internet connection helps!).

4. Post a 140+ word blog entry called “Cool City Comments” and use subtitles “Good adaptations” and “Bad adaptations”. Write 3 main points for each (#1 below is TJ’s example only – change it!).

Good adaptations
1. Covered walkways – would reduce temperatures and not impact the environment.
2. Main point 2 – good because …
3. Main point 3 – beneficial since …

Bad adaptations
1. Using misters (water) to cool the air temperature – could be bad because water supplies are limited. It also takes energy to get water and produce mist.
2. Main point 2 – may be bad because …
3. Main point 3 - might be impractical since …

Suitable images and links to suitable videos or articles are also a plus. Try to finish #4 by Thursday, May 15 (the deadline for all blog entries is Thursday, June 6). This week, I will not be editing your work because you are only asked to write main points and, too, I am more interested in good content and critical thinking than in grammatical accuracy (although that still counts!). Plus, I will have 20 reading summaries to mark!

An Inconvenient Truth: Evaluation (sample)

In the film “An Inconvenient Truth”, presenter Al Gore, a former US presidential candidate, makes a compelling case for global warming as fact, not fiction. On the plus side, he highlights an important issue in ways that both convince and appeal to his audience. Graph after graph with alarming statistics correlating rises in temperature and C02 levels are featured, as are then-now pictures of glaciers. Furthermore, he presents in a serious but humorous manner by, for example, moving up on a machine to illustrate the projected temperature in five decades, and using cartoons throughout. Last, he weaves in sad personal events to make an emotional appeal to viewers, thereby echoing his own repeated pleas to government.

However, Gore may not practice all he preaches. To explain further, one chart on US automobile fuel “inefficiency” conveniently starts in 2002, the year Bush assumed presidency. It does not, however, show that fuel efficiency was even less in the years prior to this, when Clinton and Gore, as vice-president, were in charge. Moreover, this man may well lead a less than environmentally friendly life himself, having lived on luxurious Pennsylvania Avenue 8 years and flown all over the world, albeit for a good cause. He's even shown drinking Coca Cola in China and there’s a can on his desk in another shot. Does he often drink this American-manufactured poison? Did he get money to include it in his film? Finally, although the Gore tobacco farm did eventually close, he was actually still campaigning against labeling on cigarette packages a year after his sister's death from lung cancer and, four years later, still wanted to keep the farm (see real politics link).

To conclude, good on Gore for raising awareness of an important issue, but a few more “gory”, personal truths would make the man more real, the movie more realistic.

Week 13 Tasks

Hi guys!

Week 12 tasks related to "An Inconvenient Truth" were to a) write a summary of the movie (200+ words) and b) evaluate or review it (150+ words). If you've not finished, hurry up! (;

Week 13 tasks are

1) finish 2 more quizzes in WebCT Vista Vocabulary. That means finishing up to and including quiz 6. You also need to post 2 more NICE (but critical) comments on other classmates' blogs. That means 4 posts now -- 2 each week from week 12.

2) measure your carbon footprint at either http://footprint.wwf.org.uk or http://www.myfootprint.org/. You might want to try both quizzes! I did the first one. I thought I was very environmentally friendly but was shocked that my score was 3.59. That means I am living as if there were 3.59 earths and, too, I am above the U.K. average! For the second, my score was a horrible 10.77 (10.7 earths!). My scores were poor for food (I'm eating too much meat) and goods and services (buying too many new things) but good for home energy, transport and housing (I don't heat my apartment much, I travel by bicycle and motorbike, and I live in a small place).

3) Make a post entitled "My Carbon Footprint: Problems & Solutions" (200+ words). You should write 4+ paragraphs. Suggested format:
a) introduction (define the term "carbon footprint" and say what your score is and what it means)
b) body paragraph 1 - problems (identify 3 of your carbon footprint problems. For example, one of mine is that I travel a lot by plane, so this contributes to atmospheric pollution)
c) body paragraph 2 - solutions (identify 3 specific solutions for your carbon footprint problems - for example, I could do more travel by bus within the UAE instead of going to other countries during breaks like Eid)
d) conclusion - brief commentary on carbon footprints/global warming and future statement.

Please included 2+ nice photos to accompany your post. Links to suitable videos would also be a plus. I will check your post (#3) if you finish it by 1 pm on Thursday, May 8 AND let me know -- please e-mail me at teverest@hct.ac.ae by 1 pm.

Enjoy!
T.J.

Adding Links to Classmates' Blogs

The procedure is very simple.

1. Click on customise, then layout.
2. Click on add a page element on the top right hand side, NOT bottom centre, then linklist (add to blog).
3. a) Title: Eng 174 CTA blogs
b) Sorting: Sort alphabetically
c. New Site URL: copy-paste your classmates' blog addresses here (do it alphabetically as TJ has done)
d. New Site Name: # (01-20) + classmate's name
4. Click on add link and save changes.
5. Repeat 1-4 for classmates' 2-19 (do not include yourself). Include TJ as #20.

If you make a mistake, you can log in and edit (change) details.

Week 11/12 Tasks

Hi again guys!

Whooh! By now, your profile, critical thinking summary, and voicethread should be finished. It's time to move on to exciting new challenges.

Week 11/12. WebCT Vista vocabulary is now open! Log into your account, Eng 174, and start doing the vocabulary quizzes. The deadline for completion of all 10 quizzes is the end of week 16, so you should try to complete at least 2 quizzes each week. You need 70% in each quiz in order to receive full marks.

Besides completing 1 and 2 below, you should also add links to your classmates' blogs - I'll show you how in Sunday's class, 28/04. You can find instructions in another post as well. Check your e-mail (28/04) for the newest version of blog addresses. Please make at least two comments on other classmates' blogs EVERY week, including this week. Part of your final mark is based on making critical comments.


We watched "An Inconvenient Truth", featuring Al Gore. I assigned two tasks which you should complete by the end of week 12:

1. Post name: "An Inconvenient Truth: Summary". Write a 200+ word summary of the film. You should organise this like Task 4 in the reading summary (short intro, 2+ body paragraphs) and a short conclusion. Think about what themes are involved - it's not just problem-solution but also has an argument slant as well as autobiographical element.

2. Post name: "An Inconvenient Truth: Evaluation". Evaluate the film in 150+ words. This should be similar to Task 5. You mention your opinion and say what you liked and disliked about the film. Support your ideas with evidence. You can read some other evaluations(commentaries) here:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/inconvenient_truth/?critic=columns

Please spell-check 1 and 2: I will edit 1 or 2 if finished by the end of week 12 (1 pm, Thursday, May 1) but will NOT edit posts after that.

Happy writing!
T.J.

How to share your Voicethread

There are many ways you can share your Voicethread. If you are really tech-savvy, you can even try "embedding" it in your blog. The basic ways, however, are just making it 1) private 2) public. See below.

PRIVATE
1. Sign into voicethread.com
2. Click on the star (right-hand corner) for your Voicethread.
3. Click on “edit”.
4. Click on “add a friend”. Fill in the information.
5. Click on the eye picture (allow), giving your friend permission to view your Voicethread.
5. Click on “Invite”. Send e-mail to your friend (e.g. classmates or teacher: teverest@hct.ac.ae or tjeverest@gmail.com )

PUBLIC
1. Sign into voicethread.com
2. Click on the star (right-hand corner) for your Voicethread.
3. Click on “edit”.
4. Select “This voicethread is public” – choose comments or no comments.
5. Post your Voicethread link on your blog (Note: you MUST choose "public" - if you just copy and paste the link but your Voicethread is private, people will not be able to see it ... unless you invite them. See "private" above). Here, for example, is one of my public voicethreads (notice that I have hyperlinked it): http://voicethread.com/#u82592.b112146

Note: this way could be more fun since everybody in class can then see your Voicethread. However, so can everybody in the world!

Week 9/10 Tasks

Hi guys,

By now, your 400 word profile should be complete, at least in its rough draft stage. I have checked all the profiles which were posted by April 5 (afternoon) -- that's long after the deadline set and extended. Most of you finished. Congratulations! I will return edited profiles tomorrow (April 7) in class and you can then edit your post and publish a perfect final draft.

If you did not write a profile yet, well, catch up fast! Sorry, but I will not be proofreading this assignment if you finished late and nor will I proofread upcoming assignments that are published late.

Hey, remember, I also want to see at least two pictures posted on your blog. Pictures of you as a child are particularly appreciated - remember how cute Mohamed Al Marzouqi's picture was?! I also posted some childhood pictures.

Well, here's what we still need to do in weeks 9 & 10 ( from : http://www.admc.hct.ac.ae/hd1/blog/cool/index.htm)

• Look at the updated Critical Thinking Powerpoint here (495kb), or watch it online in Flash here
• Work in groups and study the PowerPoint, then summarize it and make a Voicethread (http://voicethread.com/) explaining to Emirati secondary school students why critical thinking is so important.

* We'll take a look at the Critical Thinking PowerPoint in class together, then you can

a) summarise its contents (write a 100+ word post entitled Critical Thinking Summary - spellcheck please!)
b) make a 4-5 minute Voicethread - give the link in your post. Well, to be honest, I'm only learning Voicethread now, but I know Rashed will figure it out instantly and can teach us!

Below are a few useful phrases you can use for your Voicethread to explain why critical thinking is important. Note that you should give at least 3 reasons (main points) and some specific examples (details) to support your points - just like in those lovely essays you write for Mr. Roger.

Photo 1
Hello. My name's "Ahmed" and I'm going to give you an overview of critical thinking and explain why it's important. (list levels in Bloom's taxonomy)
Critical thinking is defined as ...
Photo 2
There are a number of reasons why it's significant.
One reason is that ... (give one level and match it with a practical application. E.g. analysis - important for solving math problems)
Photo 3
Furthermore, this way of thinking merits consideration because ... (mention another level)
OR additionally, people need to think critically since ...
Photo 4
Finally/Last ... (choose one more level)
Photo 5
In sum, critical thinking ...

I would suggest using one photo (image) for each main point -- you have one minute of talking time for each photo you post. So, five slides could be suitable: one for the introduction, 3 for main points (3 main points), and one for the conclusion. You can also include a picture of yourself if you like. Include a link to your Voicethread and/or invite me (teverest@hct.ac.ae) and your friends to view it.

Guys, a and b are due by Monday, April 21 (midnight) at the latest - and they, along with your profile, will count for the first 20% of your blog mark. If you want me to read and comment on a) and b) the deadline is Tuesday, April 15, midnight. Take your pick. Obviously, your mark will be better if you finish a) and b) by April 15 ... And if you finish after the 21st, you will be penalised for lateness -- but I know everybody will finish on time. (: Good luck!

T.J.

Photos of TJ as a child

Hi again guys! I got a letter from my mother the other day. She was cleaning up and found a lot of old photos, so she mailed some to me - yes, the old-fashioned way in the post. I scanned them so that I could show them to you.

The first picture features me in a dress that my mother made for me. Actually, she hates sewing, but I guess she was happy to have a little girl so she made this dress for me. I was one and a half years old at the time. My grandmother thought I was angelic and sweet ... She didn't know how tough I would become later! When I was a teenager, I hated wearing dresses. My mother made a rule: that I had to wear one at least once a month to church!

In the second picture, I'm a little older, about 3, and evidently quite active already (although I hadn't discovered bicycles yet). This picture was taken in the winter in Calgary near my grandparents' home.

The last picture features me reading. I was an avid reader as a child and am a "bookworm" to this day. I used to walk to the local library every Friday as a child, return many a book, and take out many new ones. I then had to lug them home -- 1 kilometre up a steep hill! I read all the time: on long family trips, in church (secretly), at school (under my desk) and in bed at night. My Mom used to come to my bedroom and tell me to stop reading when I finished a chapter. However, I was usually so engrossed in the book that I would forgot altogether and just keep reading. By the time she checked on me again, I would already be well into the next chapter, so, again, she would tell me to stop after I finished that chapter. And on it went.

Gosh, look at that long hair and the freckles (spots) on my nose and cheeks! It's hard to believe that's me, but it is! (;

My Profile (About me)

Hi guys!


In this section, I'd like you to introduce yourself. Tell us who you are. You can write about your past, present, and future dreams and hopes. 3 paragraphs or more could be suitable; please write at least 400 words and include some pictures and possibly links to interesting sites. It's a good idea to spell-check before you post!


As for me, I was born February 13, 1970 in Kamloops. This town is close to Vancouver in the most westerly province in Canada. My parents moved to Salmon Arm, my "real" hometown, when I was just a few years old. I have one brother, Tom, who is 2.5 years younger than I am. He's now married and his wife will have a baby daughter in June.




You already know my hobby: bicycle riding. My parents started me riding when I was young and it is because our family often made weekend rides together that I grew to love this sport. I made my first big trip (600 kilometres) when I was 18. My longest day so far is 232 kilometres (in Japan), and my longest trip 5,414 kilometres (in Europe). I have ridden in more than 25 countries so far and intend to keep on cycling for life!






Well, it's not my only hobby. I like all sports and am particularly keen on hiking. Again, it's probably because my parents took me camping and hiking on every summer vacation when I was young. At that time, I didn't enjoy carrying a heavy pack, but now I don't mind. I often go hiking on Jebel Qatar in Oman (near Buraimi) - yes, that's me on Jebel Qatar in the picture on the left.










One more hobby or interest worth mentioning is Servas. This is a non-profit travel organisation which encourages cross-cultural understanding. Servas members can stay for free with members in other countries and, of course, members sometimes come and stay with me. One Italian guest, for example, came to make a film about the Abu Dhabi falcon club. I've also hosted guests from Korea, Canada, and Germany. In the picture on the right, you can see Servas UAE members at a dinner party at my apartment. Ok, yes, this is kind of an "advertisement": check out http://www.servas.org/



As you guys know, my job now is teaching English at ADMC. I've been here almost four years. Before that, I taught at a university in Korea for seven years. Prior to that, I taught English to immigrants in Montreal. Naturally, I had to get some qualifications before I started teaching. I have a B.A. in English and German and a master's degree from Glasgow (Scotland) in English Linguistics. At ADMC, I also completed a diploma in language teaching (DELTA).



Now I'm taking a rest from more studies. However, I am considering a Ph.D. someday ... maybe. Actually, I think the best Ph.D. is in "life". For me, that means enjoying every moment and learning as much as possible through travel and study. In the future, Ph.D. or no Ph.D., I'd like to have a family, live in at least two more countries, and, of course, keep on travelling on my beloved bicycle!


Your turn ... Tell me about you!
T.J.