pm2.5, how does it look like?

we know pm2.5 particulates are so small that it could be harming us when we cant see it coming, literally. here’s perhaps an illustration of what could be going into our respiratory system if we are not protecting ourselves with N95 masks:

2015-09-16 21.53.12

the ‘mickey mouse ears’ are a pair of filters from junior’s totobobo mask. the white one below is a brand new piece from the packaging. want to see more? check out a Chinese documentary below:

here’s the version with English subtitles (go straight to 5min 50sec):

[update 20/10]

some weeks ago, there’s this commentary on MyPaper touching on PM2.5 visibility issue. good to have a link to it (:

[//update]]

TLCSL 2015 paper

in a few days’ time, the 4th International Conference on the Teaching and Learning of Chinese as a Second Language (TLCSL 2015) with SCCL as main organiser will be held.

Screenshot 2015-09-04 TLCSL 2015

以下是我们将在本次大会上宣读的论文,欢迎下载:

《新加坡华文教师基于资讯科技的混成式专业进修方式初探》
(An Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-based blended learning approach to Singapore Chinese Language teachers’ professional development: A preliminary look at a pilot project; by TAN, Yuh Huann; TAN, Yan Ni; CHOW, Fong Yee)

Screenshot 2015-09-05 18.36.57

feel free to leave your questions and/or comments after reading the paper. we thank you for your time and interest, 谢谢 😉

//update Sep 9, 2015

click here to find the set of presentation slides (:
在此下载报告中所用的简报 (:

// end update

to cite:
Tan, Y.H., Tan, Y.N., & Chow, F.Y. (2015). An information and communications technology (ICT)-based blended learning approach to Singapore Chinese Language teachers’ professional development: A preliminary look at a pilot project. Paper presented at the 4th International Conference on the Teaching and Learning of Chinese as a Second Language, Singapore. Retrieved from http://edublog.net/files/papers/150904-tlcsl2015.pdf

陈育焕、陈雁妮、周凤儿. (2015). 新加坡华文教师基于资讯科技的混成式专业进修方式初探. 第四届华文作为第二语言之教与学国际研讨会,新加坡。下载自 http://edublog.net/files/papers/150904-tlcsl2015.pdf

confidence, where does it belong?

was discussing interpretation of data with yanni this morning, and we came upon a quote that touches on 信心 confidence. but where does it belong? a quick search placed it under beliefs, specifically self-beliefs.

and how is confidence related to learning? chanced upon Saga Briggs’ article, where she cited Kansas State U’s Professor Candice Shoemaker:

“Confidence is a measure of one’s belief in one’s own abilities and is considered a psychological trait that is related to, but distinct from, both personality and ability traits,” she says. “An interrelated construct is ‘self-efficacy,’ which refers to a person’s belief in one’s capabilities to learn or perform behaviors. Research shows that self-efficacy influences academic motivation, learning, and achievement. “

Briggs added, “Although confidence and self-efficacy are interrelated, she says, a defining aspect of self-efficacy, which distinguishes it from the more general construct of confidence, is its domain-specific nature.”

so in summary, confidence is a one’s belief in oneself without a specific domain, and self-efficacy treats confidence in the learning domain. and since self-efficacy may affect learner’s motivation, the act of learning, and achievement in learning, it shows how important a learner gains confidence 信心 while s/he learn. yes, a related qn would be how do we build/increase confidence of a learner? this is something important to explore, next (:

confidence photo(acknowledgement: geralt)