Anxiety

 I was still a worrier. At the age of 24, I can think back on my youth now and remember the symptoms of developing anxiety. 

Around four years ago, my stressful etiquette grew into fear. I wasn't lucky enough to hold any good friends from my schooling days, and after high school I went through a risky phase, establishing friendships with people I was better off with.

I was left practically friendless when I realized it was time to leave this process, and all the people involved in it behind. 

When completing my full time undergraduate degree, I poured all my physical resources into working full time (which included getting two jobs). This meant working seven days a week and, after finishing 12 hour shifts, completing university assignments.

I have given up every part of my social life and health in order to work these extreme hours. This meant that I had a very small number of persons with whom I associated, none of whom were women of my own generation. As I was just too busy to cook or go to the gym after work, I ate poorly and never exercised, resulting in weight gain.

In engaging with people I wasn't familiar with, my experience with coping with social anxiety is a sense of intense terror. When referring to them, I was unable to look people in the eye, and tried to keep the conversation going. I've come off as both incredibly quiet and reserved, as well as arrogant, which everyone who knows me well knows is the opposite of me. 

My self-confidence during this era of my life was at an all-time low, and every time I looked in the mirror, I felt disgusted. I kept as far away from people as I could, and felt like if I went out in public, I made myself ashamed. I had a voice in my mind continuously asking, "Why would anyone want to be friends with you?" You're disgusting and you're pathetic. 

When my partner ended his apprenticeship, life turned around, and he was fortunate enough to get a well-paid career. This meant I was no longer carrying the financial responsibility for the first time in our relationship. I have been able to spend money on items that sound so insignificant but play a major role in our self-confidence for the first time in over three years, such as getting my hair styled and purchasing some new clothing.

I did little things that changed my life so enormously. Such as forming a netball squad, going to the gym daily, and pushing myself to engage socially anytime I get the chance. In social settings, I still fail, but not near the degree of which I have struggled. Most notably, I have a partner who, when I was an incredibly difficult person to love, stuck by my side through all the anxiety attacks and sleepless crying nights, while loving me unconditionally.

I started a job recently that I felt was going to be the beginning of my future. Things aren't always fine, though, and I knew that this work caused my anxiety to reappear. I headed back down the road to the lonely spot that I had lived in for so long. I can tell that I've put my mental health first and left this job for the first time in my life.

I realize that my experience might be nothing relative to what other people face, but it was worth writing if any one person relates. 

So, if you're out there, I guarantee that things are going to get better. Try to press on, one day at a time.

Movie

                                                                The Fault In Our Stars 

I liked this story and the movie personally. It's one movie I believe has done justice to the novel. The characters are fascinating and very heartfelt and complex. Initially, I had the same reaction to Hazel's apparent disrespect towards Christ, which depressed me, but made more sense as I continued reading her opinion.

She's dying, she's been offered a horribly unjust hand in life, and I think we prefer to forget this as readers! I'm sure you'd have the same insecurities about your religion if you were dead, because you would be furious with God.

The obvious loss of integrity derives from the same thing: they are both hopeless and naive and have not been educated in faith. Having both come close to death, I understand their outlook on life is entirely different from that of a normal person.

Reading a Book

 

The Diary Of A Young Girl, by Anne Frank.

It has arisen. The thing that happened, the reason I put off reading this, happened. It hurt my heart. And I knew that would be it. Oh, I knew Anne Frank, I knew who she was, what she was doing, what was happening. She's an iconic figure, and definitely a tragic one.

But it wasn't until I read her thoughts, this diary, that I made a very personal connection. Her words again carry her to life. What a precocious young lady, so intelligent, so full of life; a life so promising, so optimistic.

She feels, even writes, like a young girl would do today. I guess that's why so many young people still have a bond to her. It isn't a fantastic literary work. On occasion, it can be boring, and repetitive. Yet it's a significant addition to history. It tells a tale that needs to be shared, not forgotten, again and again.

Yeah, Anne's words are life-giving, and they'll break your heart. But most importantly, over time and across the globe, they echo, and I hope that they always will.

Turkey Trip

In Central Anatolia, Cappadocia is a region better known for its unusual moon-like scenery. Named fairy chimneys, the unusual rock formations for which the area is renowned were formed by extreme volcanic activity and erosion over the millennia.

Two types of rock consist of them: a harder outer basalt and a lighter inner volcanic tufa rock. Sculpted over thousands of years by the elements, the tufa erodes at a higher pace, forming dark mushroom-like caps of these alien-looking spires.

It didn't seem like we were getting out of a bus when we first arrived in Cappadocia. Much like we were stepping off a spacecraft, it seemed. With its mushroom-capped fairy chimneys and cities carved in stone, it was the oddest-looking scenery I'd ever seen.

The cave dwelling in Cappadocia has a long history, so people compared its scenery to the Flintstones, but it looked more like the surface of the moon to me, totally exotic and not of this world. The regional range was one of the things that shocked me the most about Turkey. 

Yet Cappadocia topped them all for me. It's elegance that's out of this dimension, as you'll soon see. And if you think it's gorgeous from the field, wait before you see it from the clouds.

Healthy Lifestyle

These five areas were picked because recent research found that they had a substantial effect on the likelihood of premature death. This is how to describe and calculate these good habits: 

1. A balanced diet focused on the recorded consumption of healthy foods such as vegetables, bananas, nuts, whole grains, healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as unhealthy foods such as red and processed meets...

2. The level of healthy physical activity was assessed as mild to intense daily activity for at least 30 minutes a day. 

3. Healthy body weight is classified as a regular index of body mass (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9. 

4. Smoking, well, no safe amount of smoking is available. "Healthy" meant that he had never smoked.

5. Moderate consumption of alcohol, measured in women as between 5 and 15 grams per day, and in men as between 5 and 30 grams per day. Generally, approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol is present in one beer. That's 12 ounces of standard beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits that have been distilled.

These 5 steps I have taken them into consideration in changing my lifestyle, during the lockdown I have lost almost 14kg in 2 months, my way in eating had changed, and the most important thing that helped me in loosing 14 kg is that my activity during the day had increased. 

Everyday I walk about 10,000 steps and make workouts about 1 hour daily, this helped me in not gaining any weight again even if I ate burgers, sugars, or even pizzas... 

EDUC 561

 EDUC 561

Educational Media and Technology: I took this course in 2020 Fall Semester. In this course, I have learned how to discover and use technology to educate, inspire, and motivate learners. It is crucial that as a student I have the opportunities to learn good technological and digital literacy skills as technology becomes ever-present in our lives. Via online learning, I exercised these talents, while also concentrating on key academic subjects and without the need for external funds.

Because of Covid-19 technology effect the world. Technology, particularly for young children and adults, has become a central part of our social lives. Via personal exchanges, online forums, and diverse social media, as a student I learned communication skills every day. Yet our universe is much smaller and less integrated without technology than it should be.

Dr. Amal Farhat had shared with us several online tools that can help our life to be much easier. These tools can be used by teachers, students, researchers, workers etc... Some of these tools are like: Google Form, Padlet, Whitboard, Zoom, Jamboard, Goformative, Kahoot....

Padlet is an online free service that is best described as a notice board online. Students and teachers may use padlets to post comments to a shared list. Links, photographs, photos and text files can be in the notes shared by teachers and students.

Formative is an evaluation method in which students will type, sketch, or upload photographs to illustrate their comprehension. And yes, Formative is the actual name of the site, but GoFormative is easier to monitor online (Twitter, Facebook, Google).

Zoom is a web-based video conferencing tool which allows users to meet online, with or without video, using a local desktop client and a mobile app. Zoom apps, all in one easy-to-use platform, can opt to record sessions, work on projects, and post or annotate on each other's screens.

Disadvantages Of Online Learning

I have introduced this topic in my blog, since I faced several issues during my online sessions, most of the issues that I faced during online sessions are:

1.  Inability To Focus On Screens: One of the main difficulties of online learning for many students is the inability to remain on the computer for long stretches of time. There is also a larger potential for students to be readily distracted by social media or other platforms by online learning. To help students remain focused on the lesson, it is also imperative for teachers to keep their online classes crisp, entertaining, and interactive.
2. Technology Issues : Internet access is another primary problem in online courses. Although internet penetration has risen over the past few years in leaps and bounds, a reliable connection with sufficient speed is an issue in smaller cities and towns. There may be a lack of consistency of learning for the boy, without a reliable internet link for students or teachers. This is counterproductive to the process of schooling.
3. Sense Of Isolation: By living in the company of their classmates, students will learn a lot. There are limited physical encounters between students and teachers in an online class, however. For the pupils, which also results in a feeling of loneliness. It is imperative that the school allow alternative means of contact between pupils, classmates, and teachers in this scenario. Online messaging, emails and video conferencing should be used, which would encourage face-to-face contact and minimize the sense of isolation.
4. Teacher Training: Online learning requires a basic comprehension for teachers of the use of interactive ways of learning. This, though, is not always the case. Teachers very often have a very fundamental view of technology. Often, they don't even have the tools and instruments required to teach online courses. It is important for schools to invest in educating teachers with the latest technological upgrades to combat this, so that their online classes can be held seamlessly.
   
   
   

Advantages Of Online learning

Online education is favored by individuals who, for different reasons, may not be able to do so for classes in a typical brick and mortar style of college. We'll explore some of the advantages of this interesting education for these students below.

1.  Flexibility: As students are not bound to a set timetable, students have the ability to juggle their jobs and education. Class meeting hours are fixed in a typical classroom setting, and the student has no authority on this, requiring them to work their timetables around these dates.
2. Reduced Costs: Due to a number of variables, online education will cost less. There is no charge for driving, for instance. The online student is not affected by assorted costs related to travel, such as petrol, parking, vehicle repairs and public transportation costs.
3. Networking Opportunities: Online education also creates the ability for students to network with peers around nations or even continents. In terms of coordination with other people in the completion of a mission, this also leads to other possibilities. Around the same time, considering their exposure to other cultures, it makes them culturally adaptive and able to adapt into other societies comfortably.
4. Documentation: All the information you'll need will be stored securely in an online archive. This entails items such as live discussion notes, tools for preparation and emails. It ensures that the student will be able to view these records easily if there is ever something that needs to be explained, saving precious time. This is extremely beneficial for people who need to carry out research for a project and send their reports to a jury.

What Is Online Teaching?

Because of Covid-19 our world had changed as well as our education also had changed, we can't go to schools or universities practically because of this virus. 

I decided to introduce this topic to know more about online teaching during the lockdown.

 The method of educating others via the internet is online teaching. It is possible to use various approaches, such as one-on-one phone calls, community video calls, and webinars. It is possible to teach nearly any topic or ability online, but common subjects include languages, mathematics, sciences, and business.

For the education that you like, on a timetable that fits your life, from anywhere in the world. 

Online learning is where, instead of in a real classroom, you take classes online. If your life makes it impossible to attend school, if you want to study at your own speed or if you live far from campus, it may be for you to learn online.

With online learning, it is possible to: 

1. Earn a degree or diploma in a physical classroom without setting foot 
2. Full-time jobs as you research 
3. Set your own schedule: study early in the morning, or even in the middle of the night after your lunch break. 
4. Communicate with learners from around the world 
5. Get a better education without leaving your home city.

Webinar

 

Online Teaching: Strategies for Becoming an Engaging Instructor.

How do you keep your students involved in a virtual classroom, with the need for virtual education during the new COVID-19 quarantine, and ensuring they remember what they learn? 

I Learn tips and strategies for attracting pupils, enhancing engagement, and improving the results of learning. This one-hour webinar provides me with tips and tactics for leading online classes, training, or services for professional advancement.

Now, more than ever, educators need to know how to lead their virtual students through online learning to ensure that they get the best out of their classes. This means teaching the 4 C's: connectivity, teamwork, creativity, and critical thought. How does a teacher incorporate these critical abilities of the 21st century into an online curriculum?

During the webinar I learned how to set my students up for success today, as well as in their future careers, they provide me with suggestions for activities, assignments, and tests to use in my virtual classroom.