Journey Back to Health

A one-armed bandit is what I refer to myself at this point in my life.  I am a victim of sedentary lifestyle which is the newest and most deadly disease. It is the new smoking., I have come down with three things associated with a sedentary lifestyle: obesity, decrease in skeletal muscle mass, plus, anxiety and depression associated with sedentary lifestyle. Now am on the journey back to health, thanks to a broken arm. This will be included in the online education because I work at home and this an area that isn’t discussed very often. This is the negative side of working at home.

As I stated above, I broke my arm as a result of fall in my home. I tripped over something, a small growth of arthritis in my left leg which causes my leg to lock at the most inconvenient times. Since my balance is off and my leg won’t move I fall. I have done this several times, hurting my hand, arm or just cause embarrassment. Unfortunately, in this case I fell, hit the edge of the wall and fractured my shoulder.   

I have a Humeral Head fracture. Right now, my arm is in a sling. I will have a CT scan in order to determine if there are any other injuries to my arm.

citation: Orthroinfo.com

My arm is in a sling, I’m on pain pills and ice is my new best friend.  I’m very happy that m working at home so I can take meds as needed, rest as needed, and just do what I need to do without having to work it out with anyone else.

 The flip side is that I don’t believe that I would have fallen if I worked outside the house. I believe that I would not be living this sedentary life.  The most activity that I do or did was to walk my dog. I eat a lot.  Now I have a litany of illnesses and physical ailments that I can trace back to its origin or when I started working full time here at the house.

The sedentary lifestyle is the new smoking and is the type of lifestyle involving little or no physical activity. A person living sedentary lifestyle engages in activities like reading, using mobile phone or computer for much of the day. It means light movement. This may contribute

  • to anxiety and depression
  • certain cancers  cardiovascular disease   
  • coronary heart disease  
  • overweight or obese
  • decease in skeletal muscle mass
  • high blood pressure an elevated cholesterol

So, follow me and we will see how it comes to pass. My first goal is to make significant improvement by January 31, 2020. I will post about this every week. k.

What is TESOl, TESL, TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, ELL & ESL: How does it differ from English as a Second Language (ESL)? And ELL What’s the difference? What do they mean?

Teachers who want to teach ELL students online or in a public classroom will need a minimum of a state teacher certification and an ELL Endorsement to be qualified to teach ELL students. This article will discuss the differences between the acronyms listed in the title. Also,  keep in mind that is important to get a certification that will meet the teachers’ goals and to do that, ask the following questions:   What do I want to do with the certification?  Where do I want to teach?

Let’s begin with   acronyms, ELL and ESL and how they are connected to teaching students who are second language learners.  The acronyms ELL and ESL are not certifications, it is shorthand to determine if a student requires specialized instruction and whether the organization and their teachers are properly accredited to teach them.  These abbreviations are used to identify students who are non-native English speakers.  An English Language Learner (ELL) is a student who is a non-native English speaker and therefore requires specialized instruction in an ESL or an English as a Second Language (ESL) Classroom. These will be the acronyms used in this article as we seek to determine which certification is best for an online ESL teacher.

Now it is time to answer the questions:What do I want to do with the certification?  Where do I want to teach?” Once those questions are answered then you will know which type of certification make the most sense and will fulfill your teaching goals. Some of the endorsements will get you in the door and others will keep you in the organization, plus advancement.    

 TESOL: (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language) A TESOL course draws on broader elements of each of teachers’ certification to provide the base for teachers to teach in both nonnative English countries and within English speaking countries.    

TESL: (Teaching English as a Second Language) TESL prepares teachers to teach English to non-English speakers. The significant difference in this certification is the intended teaching location. A teacher with this certification would teach nonnative English speakers in an English-speaking country.

CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, now known as Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) TEFL courses aim to equip teachers with the knowledge as to how to teach English to students living in a country where English is not the native language

Still Confused?   There is a difference between each of the certifications, however minor.    The accreditations vary between the type of course and the length of time invested in getting your certification.  Some accreditations involve coursework and practicums that will take up to 18 months and others will take as long as a week.  Let’s begin by breaking down each certification by answering the first question: “What do I want to do with this certification?”

 If the answer to this question is vague, i.e. “I just want to teach ELLs and I need to be certified.” “I need for my online job.” or along those lines.  The TESOL: (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language) certification is your answer. This training will allow you to teach students who are English Language Learners and help you determine your direction. The course will take about a week to complete and the fee is usually $50 – $100. This doesn’t mean that once the payment for the course is completed, you will receive the certification. It means that the course to will teach the broad elements of how to teach nonnative English learners in either a country where English is the first language or in a country where English is a not a first language.

The other certifications require a definite answer to the second question: “Where do I want to teach?” In other words, “Yes, I plan teaching ELL students online.” Or “Eventually I plan on traveling abroad and want to teach English.”   The TESL (Teaching English as Second Language) certification would meet your goals if you just want to teach online or in an English-speaking country.  A teacher would be able to work with ELL student in an online classroom or in a public school in a country where English is the first language. 

However, if you want to teach in another country, where English is not the first language, then TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, now known as Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) would be your best bet. This certification takes into consideration that the teacher speaks English, has a teaching certification and doesn’t know the language of their students. The TEFL programs vary greatly: they can be as short as one intensive weekend, or about 20 hours of class time. The training can also include several months training, which includes up to 300 hours of class time. The training doesn’t usually require the participant to work with students who are second language learners.

TEFL will not take as long to attain as a CELTA, but of the two the CELTA endorsement is the most recognized and respected.    In order to receive a CELTA certification, the requirements usually include a combination of theory and deep understanding of the English language. CELTA requires students to complete 120 hours of class time and six hours of student teaching (practicum) with real ELL learners. In addition, it will take about four weeks in order to conclude the training.  This certification is usually required by organization who hire the ESL teacher for their employees or students, inside or outside of the country.  This endorsement is considered the most through training for teachers who want to make teaching ELL students their careers.  The CELTA course provides a comprehensive understanding of the different stages of the English language, but the training emphasizes working with adults, The TESL training is not as intense and at the most will require about 9 hours of training and 2 hours of using those skills in a classroom.

At the end of the day, an instructor who requires training in order to learn how to teach students in either an online ESL classroom or in a public school. They will need a certificate to document that they have received this training.  Do your homework and seek out a reputable TESL, TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA program. A portion of that research should include speaking with an individual who is doing the job that you would like when you complete your studies.  If you do all of this, in the end regardless of which certification you decide to pursue, you will get a great education.

Create a Perfect Product

Those of you, (I know there are only a few) may remember that I wanted to be a newspaper columnist. Erma Bombeck was my hero, but there were many others that wrote columns that I read and enjoyed. For whatever reason they stopped, but Erma Bombect was always there until her death.

This has been a dream of mine since I started reading the newspaper in elementary school. Over the years, technology became part of my life and it started in middle school, because I loved being an audio-visual tech. It was great to be called upon and asked to fix a problem that the teachers couldn’t fix. Now I want to combine the two, technology, writing and education. It was a great combination in my opinion.

In addition, to this blog, I am developing a Teacher Store where my products can be sold. I need a beta group to help me develop products that online/hybrid teachers need. My goal is to help teachers who are an online teacher or hybrid teachers and develop the materials and resource that the need to be good teachers Brick and Mortar, Hybrid and Online Teachers have require similar materials but they need to be tweaked for their delivery. Over the next few blogs, I will develop the specific kind of beta group that I need to help me make the products that they need.

Can you help me?

Please think about it and continue to read my blog. I really want this to be specific to online/hybrid teachers.

A Week in Review 2/17/2019

Five years ago I realized that I was not as young as I though I was, I was not. This is not where I thought I would be at this stage in my life. I thought my writing career would be further along, I did think I wold be working at home, but I thought I would be earning more than I am currently.

However, I’m not making it a woe is me type situation. Although, well, that’s for another time and another blog. :

“May we never despise small beginnings

Instead, we can embrace the place God has us. We can serve faithfully & joyfully without clamoring or demanding for more.

Because our early days of preparation aren’t small. They’re necessary. And God’s ways and timing are always best.”

There are several parts of this verse that apply to my current situation and place in life. I just never thought that I would at this low level. I fell like I am experiencing the theme of the movie “Groundhog Day.”

In addition, I would like to say to anyone who feels that this is not the place they thought they would be at this stage in there life. This is one of the reason I chose increase as my word this year. Increase in all areas, especially in confidence in myself and position in life.

This is my thought for this week. Have a great week!!

Appreciation Week

Week ending October 6, 2018

Appreciation Time

Verse of the Week:

John 14:27: “I leave peace with you, I give you My peace. I don’t give it to you as the world gives it. Don’t feel troubled or afraid

 

Harvest what you sow!

Time to Decide What Goals Should be Completed:

The Fourth Quarter for the year 2018 has started.  W3 have just finished the first full week of this Fourth quarter. As a result, there are 12 weeks left to determine what and how you would like to end 2018.

I chose the above verse, because one of the ways that you can determine how to end the year would be to sow what you want harvest by December 31, 2018. To help you decide to ask yourself “What can I do to reap a good harvest?” or determine what it is your want or need to accomplish and reach out to someone else.  This will boomerang a harvest back at you.

I know what I want to reap before the end of this year.  However, I have spent a lot of time writing and telling myself what I want, what I need and why when I have been working so hard it hasn’t been happening?  Well, John 14:27 has given me my answer.

Now I need to find people who want what I want and help them get it without being prideful.

Give it a go and have a great week!!

Distance Education

Distance education is a growing trend in education and training and is therefore, rapidly transforming the field of training that companies will offer their employees as well as, education for students birth to 100. The defined of distance education “as institution-based, formal education where the leaning group is separate, and here interactive telecommunications systems are used to connect learners, resources, and instructors (Simonson, Smaldiino, & Zvacek, 2015) provides a basis for what distance education. However, the definition should also include “separated by geography and sometimes time (Laureate Education, n.d.)”. As both a student and my career as an educator has been impacted by distance education.

The four components of distance education:
A. Instructionally based
B. Separation of Teacher and Student
C. Interactive telecommunications
D. Sharing of data, voice, and video experiences (Simonson, Smaldiino, & Zvacek, 2015)

Are part of my experience in education, first as a student I received my degree in special education by attending weekly classes at a local school, where the instructor was visible to us on a large screen. Not only did he instruct our group of students, but another group of student in another city. We all received the same lecture and as stated in the definition, we received the same resources. If a student wanted to speak during the discussion or ask a question, we had to push button that allowed both groups and the instructor to hear the comment or question. The class was conducted in real time. All of our assignments were sent via email and tests were in the classroom or via computer.

Next as a freelance educator, I conduct lessons with individual students or groups of students in real time, but they are in another part of the country and world. In addition, all other communication is completed via email or a special app. I develop curriculum and work as an adjunct professor for a institution in Florida. I developed the material for the class and recently did a Facebook live as an introduction to the class. Methods of delivery do not limit themselves to a large screen or a video camera, but also Google hangout, zoom, and Facebook just to name a few. In addition, I have conducted webinars (both synchronously and asynchronous ly) as part of professional development for other educators in the US.

Distance education provides a cost effective means for individuals to learn and study at their own pace, with the assistance of real time instructor who can answer questions, provide materials and help them to progress with their education or training. I think Dr. Simonson is correct in his view that distance education will become the “traditional method” of education and training for the next generation.

References:

Distance Learning Timeline Continuum. Laureate Education (Producer) n.d. Distance Education: The next

generation (Video file) https://class.waldenu.edu

Simonson, M., Smaldiino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015) Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance

Education (6th Ed) Information Age Publishing, Inc.

Contract Online Teacher

I have officially started making my living online!!.  I am very excited and nervous about the situation. In the next 60 days I need to renew my teaching certification and attain my TESOL certification so that I can continue with this job!  For a very long time I have wanted to make my living online.
The whole purpose is to make a living, but as long as I have a stable Internet connection I can work out of our mountain cabin and our travel trailer.

There are so, so many people who do this . . work online, remote, virtual position where they make the same kind of money that they did when they got up, dressed etc. . and drive to work .  I don’t want to do that anymore.  I do want to teach, design instruction, develop curriculum and write . . . all online. However, I have to make sure the internet connection is stable wherever I am.  This weekend i will be checking out the internet connection at the cabin.  The next step is to check out the connection on the RV.  I will have to purchase a internet enhancer!

Technology is great!  However, I am learning one thing about teaching online, the world becomes a WHOLE lot closer.  I teach and work with people who are learning English who are 14 hours ahead of me. I have applied for jobs where the time is local or 1 hour behind me or two hours ahead of me.
I knew this to be true or rather had an idea when I studied online, my study partner (assigned by our teacher) what 7 hours ahead of me.  That was interesting!  Anyway, I will continue because I am getting up at 4:30 to teach online at 5:30.

In the meantime I will could really get used to this . .  working at home.  My schedule is set . . by me. The housekeeping is done, no one listens while I talk on the phone. No students interrupt, because my classes last 45 minutes.

The situation doesn’t mean I am completely on my own, I still have to plan, teach, be evaluated, and will eventually get paid, for teaching online.  Also, I do need to dress professionally and keep a clean background.

Book Review: Forgiveness

Synopsis

God says there are no limits to forgiveness toward others or ourselves. And when Matthew West set out on a journey asking people to share their true life stories, Renée shared about how she chose to forgive the drunk driver who hit and killed her daughter.

This remarkable story and others like it bring peace and healing to the one needing and the ones giving forgiveness. Fifty powerful stories share forgiveness through divorce, betrayal, addiction, abandonment, death, and more. Each story ties into the promises of God’s faithfulness and healing, and ends with the story of God’s ultimate forgiveness through the message of salvation

Book Review

I really like this book!  The book is based on his experiences from the letters he received when he was writing the song Forgiveness. I thought that the letters he received were very heartbreaking.  It is amazing to me how much pain some people can endure. This book illustrates some of these stories and I think it is a good example as to why people should forgive and it’s just for the other person, but a way for your get on with your life.

I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Acting White

Synopsis

What does it mean to “act black” or “act white”? Is race merely a matter of phenotype, or does it come from the inflection of a person’s speech, the clothes in her closet, how she chooses to spend her time and with whom she chooses to spend it? What does it mean to be “really” black, and who gets to make that judgment?

In Acting White?, leading scholars of race and the law Devon Carbado and Mitu Gulati argue that, in spite of decades of racial progress and the pervasiveness of multicultural rhetoric, racial judgments are often based not just on skin color, but on how a person conforms to behavior stereotypically associated with a certain race. Specifically, racial minorities are judged on how they “perform” their race. This performance pervades every aspect of their daily life, whether it’s the clothes they wear, the way they style their hair, the institutions with which they affiliate, their racial politics, the people they befriend, date or marry, where they live, how they speak, and their outward mannerisms and demeanor. Employing these cues, decision-makers decide not simply whether a person is black but the degree to which she or he is so. Relying on numerous examples from the workplace, higher education, and police interactions, the authors demonstrate that, for African Americans, the costs of “acting black” are high, and so are the pressures to “act white.” But, as the authors point out, “acting white” has costs as well. (summary take from the publisher.)

Book ReviewScreenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

Although the book mostly involves African American examples, the book clarifies the extra burden that people of color must confront to navigate the racial landscape present in all types of predominantly white institutions. It really discussed the issue that we all feel, predominately African American.  The is  highly informative and entertaining, but sobering, read. I think it is a good way to try to understand the racial landscape in this world.

This book was given to me from the publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for a honest review.

 

T

Let’s Salute the Week!

Let’s Salute the Week!!

Welcome!  Welcome!  The day is Sunday and it beginning of the week.  I know that a log of you will be reading this on Monday.

Book Reviews:  

Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

So many books to read!  So many Blog Tours!  There are so many

parts to this aspect of writing a book review!

 

aid15870-v4-728px-Improve-Your-Writing-Skills-Step-19-Version-3Writing Skills

This week will begin writing skills and parts of the book. These are all the things I want to do for my writing skills.  Every year, not just 2015, but every year since!!!

 

 

Book ReviewsScreenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

There will be at least four book reviews and several blog tours this month.  This is one area that I love.  Reading!! Find something you love and figure out a way to get paid for it.  Please respond to the blog with comments!!

 

 

Have a GREAT Week!!!

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