We're so close to the end of term and already starting to plan and think about next semester. New courses are being written just as marking is being completed on the current run, it's just non-stop.
I was tickled by a Twitter thread this week that asked for an uncomfortable truth in your field. Dave Cormier was quick to reply.
After untold chaos in his feed, along with some minor vitriol from learning designers and educational researchers, the discussion became a fascinating push and pull between two camps of thinking.
It caused me to reflect on the students that I'm still in touch with, who years after I taught them finally tell me the penny dropped. Certainly, I think you can measure successful learning outcomes, but can you really capture insight into the successful synthesis of learning?
I'll leave this here...
People, Places, and Things
This study commissioned by Round Square and led by a team of researchers from Research Schools International and the Harvard Graduate School of Education ranks the best methods to nurture intercultural mindsets among U.S. students.
A new list of Chinese Language MOOC providers from Class Central suggests a growing number of platforms and a huge amount of investment and development in courses.
There's been a great deal of discussion about the term "World Music" as outdated and offering only a Western view, certainly many music websites and labels are changing their language. Bandcamp has removed the tag entirely from its catalog and actively promoting musicians whose music challenges the convention of cultures and influences.
This week I've been listening to Carl Gari & Abdullah Miniawy a trio of German musicians made up of Jonas Yamer, Till Funke, and Jonas Friedlich, working with Abdullah Miniawy is an Egyptian musician and poet, currently based in France. I first heard the music on Bandcamp radio, which is refreshingly curated to showcase new music and emerging artists.
On Screen
Guaxuma by Nara Normande (click the CC button for captions in French or English)
Conference interpreter Barry Slaughter Olsen explains what it's really like to be a professional interpreter. From simultaneous and consecutive interpretation to chuchotage and décalage, take a peek behind what it really takes to be a professional interpreter.
Thank you for reading, we really appreciate your support and would love to hear more about what you like and what you've seen that might be useful to share. If you have anything you'd like to include in future issues, let us know.