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Different Ways of Knowing: A Critical Look at How We Understand the World

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We often take for granted how we come to know what we know.   (📷:oercommons) H uman societies have long passed knowledge down through generations. From proverbs and rituals to family lore and cultural practices, tradition carries a rich mix of survival tips, social rules and values. Such traditions often evolved through centuries of trial and error and “tuning in” to the local environment [1] . In that sense, tradition can be adaptive – it preserves practical practices (like indigenous farming techniques or herbal remedies) refined over time. But traditions can also become dogma, upheld simply because “that’s how we’ve always done it.” Traditional wisdom often encodes vital lessons learned by generations [1] . For example, folk methods for preserving food or finding water usually stem from careful observation over centuries (and often receive later scientific validation). Cultural traditions bind communities with shared values [2] . Common rituals (festivals, rites of passage, p...
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How to Master Photography as a Hobby

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Photography as a hobby is a journey of creativity and learning.   (📷:technotification) I n today’s world, photography is more popular and accessible than ever. With smartphones in nearly every pocket and social networks encouraging us to share images, many people are eager to capture moments and express themselves visually. This era has made photography an essential form of communication and creative outlet. For hobbyists, the focus is on the joy of making images and connecting with others, rather than on turning a profit. 'Photography as a Hobby or Business?' ▶️53s The Hobbyist Mindset As a hobbyist, remember that photography is about passion and personal growth, not income. Professionals need to make money from their work and must invest time accordingly, whereas you can learn at your own pace without that pressure. Importantly, you don’t need the most expensive camera to take great photos – creativity and knowledge matter most. Even beginners can create quality images, ...
Location: Australia
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Teaching Listening: Current Topics in TESOL Research

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Teaching listening has become a central focus in modern language education.   (📷:ministry-to-children) L istening is the foundation of communication in any language, and learning to listen well is crucial for English learners. Studies find that we spend roughly 40–50% of our communication time listening [1] . Teachers and researchers therefore emphasise that listening should be treated as a “basic skill” in every lesson [2] . When students struggle to understand spoken English, it can undermine the rest of their language progress, since they miss large chunks of information. In fact, one review explicitly notes that listening is a vital part of ESL/EFL instruction at all levels [3] . Despite this, listening has often been the most neglected skill in classrooms: surveys report that teachers typically spend more time on speaking, reading or writing activities, leaving listening practice too sparse [4] [1] . This mismatch (between how important listening really is, and how little at...
Location: Australia
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Context Collapse: When Social Contexts Converge Online

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Context collapse flattens the usual boundaries we manage in everyday life, making it hard to tailor our message to each group.   (📷:colostate.edu) Context collapse occurs when formerly separate social contexts all come together into one audience space [1] [2] . In physical life we adjust our behaviour based on who we’re talking to (we speak differently to a boss than to old friends). But on social networks, those circles overlap. For example, a single Facebook post or tweet might be seen by your family, college friends, coworkers, and even strangers all at once. This is what Jessica Vitak calls “the flattening out of multiple distinct audiences” [1] . Because of this, information can suddenly spread far and wide (a casual comment intended for friends might end up reaching colleagues or acquaintances) [3] . 'Context Collapse' ▶️2m02s In practice, this mixing of audiences can be jarring. As one blogger vividly put it: “The best example of real-life context collapse is a we...
Location: Australia
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Effective Communication in Healthcare Settings: Building Trust and Improving Patient Outcomes

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Effective communication is a cornerstone of quality healthcare.  (📷: carlow.edu ) I magine sitting across from a doctor or nurse after days of pain or worry: the words they use and how they listen may change your entire experience of care. Communication is one of the foundations of healthcare; every patient interaction depends on it, from explaining a treatment to guiding recovery . Communication is a critical clinical competence because it establishes trust between providers and patients . When providers take time to listen and explain information clearly, patients tend to feel more at ease and errors become far less likely. Poor communication was shown to cause between 10% and 25% of patient safety incidents . In other words, talking and listening carefully isn’t just nice; it literally keeps patients safer and helps them heal. Healthcare Communication  ▶️ 2m33s Building Trust Through Empathy and Clarity Trust is the bedrock of any healthcare relationship. When patients hav...
Location: Australia
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