Post 10, Final Thoughts

Hey kids, we have finally reached our tenth post, and it is time for you to reflect upon your experience of this year so far. So what things do you appreciate, and what would you like to change for the coming semester.
Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions.
You can make a list, or a top three of your best/worst of the term.
Cheers!
So, Have you had a good year, so far?

Write about:
> Good things that have happened
> Situations that haven't worked so well
> Your achievements
> Other things you want to mention

So, for me this year has gone as good as possible. Regarding my job, I felt very lucky by working with students invested in creative fields, such as design, music, architecture and theatre. There is always a special vibe when meeting people so young and at the same time so committed to themselves and their future. I learned about the high costs of working and studying, even though I still claim that studies should keep being a priority. Still, I regret not having enough time to devote to actually know them better, and understand their own personal motivations and expectations with this course. We had a really long strike, so although we interrupted our classes, we could maintain a good working climate in the end, something that I truly appreciate.
On a personal level, well, I had to adapt myself to work very early and still keep focused in my studies and personal projects, I only wish to have more time to spend with my loved ones. Anyways, a new semester is about to begin, so I am going to make an effort to connect better with my personal and professional life.
What about you, what are your resolutions for next semester?


Wordcount: 200 + 3 comments + a comment on your teacher's post.




Wordcount: 200 + 3 comments + a comment on your teacher's post.

Post 9, Free themed post: A year-round Trip

If you had 1 year to travel around the world. Where would you go? Would you go on a working holiday? Backpacking? Working as an intern? Explain your choice and how it would benefit you in the future.


(190 words)

Post 8 .Your favourite Subject this term

Write about your favorite subject this term. Among others, include:

> Name
> Describe what you do in classes
> Mention the main contents you have seen
> Explain why you like the subject 


(You can compare among different subjects)> Word Count: 180
> Make comments on 3 of your patners' posts.

Sample: 

One subject that I enjoyed learning this semester was a course called "Introduction to Soundscape" by Rainer Krausse. Rainer is a German artist that has been living in Chile since the late eighties,being  part of the Arts Department at Universidad de Chile.He is a very peculiar character, always helpful and determined to enhance our sense of perceiving reality.

What I enjoyed the most about this subject was its unique approach to the phenomenon of sound in public spaces, and the varied options we have to create unique narratives of our lives in the city, or our relation with natural habitats. 

Anyways, the course made us investigate and record many different spaces, from rooms inside our homes, up to the specific sounds that compose street activity. Each experience was a completely new discovery about our transit and interaction as city dwellers. The final project consisted on a personal creation, that should integrate different moments and registers, in order to compose a subjective yet comprehensive "soundscape" (a landscape made of sound: including voices,found music, concrete sounds, noise, etc).

I chose to record different areas of Plaza de Armas square. I had to use different technologies (like my ordinary cellphone recorder, or even professional recorders) and create narratives based on the people and actions presented at different times during the day. 

The results, even though weren't as polished as expected, taught me a new form to understand space and human interaction. Since we are such a visual culture, having the opportunity to listen in a focused and unprejudiced way, give us the chance to connect with our environment form a direct way. I totally recomend this, next time you go out, why don't you start recording all things that sound interesting, you will be amazed on the incredible amount of information (and inspiration) that you can get outside our limited forms of perception.

If you are interested in what my soundscape actually sounds like, check the following link:

https://soundcloud.com/estradadelacruz/kilometro-0-ajedrecistas/s-0zdom


This is professor Krause's latest project, called "La Isla", you should give it a look (and collaborate, it is a collective project)

http://la-isla-reconocimiento.cl/

Post 7, Talking about your favourite website/person related to your field

Dear Students, today you have to make a choice between one of these subjects. Please take you time to read mine. And don't forget to include your comments.
Post 1 (Instructions).
Write about a career-related website that you enjoy visiting.

You have to:

- provide the link
- describe the website (sections, features,etc)
- say how often you visit the site
- explain why you like the site.




>Add comments to 3 of your classmates’ blogs + a comment on your teacher's post
>Word Count: 170

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Post 2 (Instructions)
Who is a person/expert on your field that you admire?


Say:

-Who she/he is. (short biography)
-What she/he has done. (examples of their work)
-Why you like her/him.
-Include his/her image

> About 170 words
>Add comments to 3 of your classmates’ blogs + a comment on your teacher's post.

I am going to talk about a very useful tool for increasing my English skills.
To begin with, I consider myself just a casual Internet user, who gets to there for very basic things such as checking my email,  read some facebook feed and reading some Wikipedia articles. But I admit that there is this pretty nerdy thing that I usually do. That is being an avid podcast listener. Podcast as a genre was quite popular during last decade, but I never felt interested in them. It was my cousin who introduced me to the world of podcasting when I visited him some years ago. I first noted that he used to listen to things other than music or the news when preparing for work. One night I asked him what kind of radio programs he was into, and he mentioned that he preferred online shows, which you could choose and download into your cellphone. I didn't like the idea at first, but after giving it a try I became addicted. The cool thing about Podcasting is that there are so many to choose from, ranging all kinds of topics and audience. For instance, if you are into Design, Architecture and Technology, you can try 99% invisible.  Or if science and great questions about Humanity is your thing, you should check Radiolab. I listen to them almost every day.
The secret of these shows' popularity is the way they are told. A good narrative is a central thing in this genre, so you would find it quite different from your regular live talk show, or newsreel. The best thing is that these shows are not aimed to an expert audience, so it is very easy to learn from them.
In my case, I strongly recommend you to check this  site https://www.radiotopia.fm/

It is home to a conglomerate of alternative shows, ranging from Music to Personal Stories, each show has its own style and personality.
If you want a small peek, please take your time tonight and choose any one.
As a side note, for me, podcasting is a fun way to keep myself informed and practise my English listening skills. So what are you waiting for?

Web Quest 1

Hey Guys, this morning we will try something different;  you have to do some research and plan a quick trip to London.

You are going to complete a chart  indicating the activities, dates and expenses among other things (this will be checked by me)

Before all that, watch the following video to make yourself an idea of visiting London as a tourist_

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F4GDdanQNA

Then visit  : https://www.visitlondon.com/ (take your time to check the options)

Here is a detailed list of activities, they are divided between half day and full day:

Half Day Outings (They take half of your day to visit)

London Eye

http://www.londoneye.com/

The British Museum

http://www.britishmuseum.org/

The Tower of London

http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/ (including Crown Jewels)

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum

http://www.madametussauds.com/london/

The Natural History Museum

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/

The Tate Modern Art Gallery

http://www.tate.org.uk/

Full day (It takes a whole day)

Kew Gardens

http://www.kew.org/

Camden Market

http://www.camden-market.org/

For each location say:

• What day you will visit,
• How much you will have to pay to get in,
• Which Tube station you will travel to (nearest to location), and the zone it is in.

(Here's a map showing different zones) (check addresses on each website)

 

• What will you do on the rest of your days?  (Divide them between full or half day activities)

Search the web for other things to do in London.

What is the total cost? (Try to make the best out of your money and time)

Why did you choose those activities?

I hope you enjoyed this make believe activity, I am sure it will help you next time you want to plan a trip to a new city. Cheers! 

(Remember to complete your chart and give it to me)

Post 6, Free Themed Post: Paranormal Events

Today, We are writing about paranormal events/experiences. Do you think are real? Why?Why not?

Include:

Your opinion
Reasons (facts)
Experiences (or examples), you can link them in your post

(Minimum 160 words)

Post 5, An important photograph

Dear Students, this week's topic is talking about an important photograph that you consider special.
The important thing is to explain the story of that particular picture and why it is still relevant to you.

In my case, I am going to present you a picture I had half-forgotten from my facebook photo folder.
In there, It appears Pedro Cid (R.I.P.) and myself, many years younger. The reason I wanted to talk about this picture is to pay homage to this young man, with whom I belonged to a short-lived band. I cannot say that I was close friends with Pedro, we just met during rehearsals and what not, but It is a strange bond the one that it is formed between band members. He was the DJ, and I played bass. Even though we came from different worlds and lifestyles, I can say for sure that we always enjoyed sharing our views on music and on life. He was a very serious and driven musician. During the rest of the time, he worked in odd jobs, and also in outdoor activities.
Well, regarding the picture, It was taken in Cine Arte Alameda, in Santiago, during the winter of 2009. I think It was the first time for us playing there. I was quite inexperienced and nervous, but I remember Pedro keeping its cool at all times, he was a very reassuring person, and you can tell that on how concentrated he is at that moment.
We played for a few years, and when the band disbanded, we lost contact. Some years ago, I received the news that he was gone, he had died in a very tragic event. So, getting together as a band again is impossible. Nevertheless, The music and the memories remain.


Don't forget to comment below. Also, check and comment on your partner's posts (3 at least)