Black Swan Events: how what Donald Rumsfeld called 'unknown unknowns' can change our view of the world.
This worksheet provides ideas for economics, psychology, critical thinking or similar classes. Based on Taleb's Black Swan theory. Linked to http://bigideasinbrief.blogspot.com/
The Dust Bowl of the 1930s resulted from years of drought that dried out soil in the Central Plains states, making it susceptible to wind erosion. Farmers had depleted the soil by overplanting wheat, and the drought caused massive dust storms that engulfed the region. Over 250,000 people were forced to migrate west to California in search of work to escape the Dust Bowl conditions of failing farms, dust pneumonia, and poverty. Authors like John Steinbeck documented the extreme hardships faced by migrants.
An introduction to Asperger's Syndrome, outlining key features and issues. Powerpoint linked to Introduction to Asperger's document which includes links to video clips and journal articles etc.
The document discusses several new approaches to teaching English, including Universal Grammar, the Direct Method, the Acquisition Learning Hypothesis, learner strategies, pragmatics, the Common European Framework, feedback, scaffolding, lingua franca, extensive reading, register/genre, and projects/webquests. The Common European Framework describes language competence through six levels and provides self-assessment tools. Extensive reading is recommended as the more someone reads, the more fluent they become. Register/genre looks at the type of language used defined by factors like context and participants.
Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly, cold-hearted man who cares only for money and sees the poor and those in need as burdens. He is visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. These spirits show him how his selfish ways have isolated him and will lead to his lonely death if he does not change. Scrooge realizes the importance of human connection, charity, and keeping the Christmas spirit all year. He vows to honor Christmas in his heart by spreading generosity and goodwill to all people.
FAQs about the English Language: VocabularyESL Reading
The document discusses various topics related to the English language vocabulary:
1. There is no definitive count of words in the English language, though estimates range from 600,000-1,000,000 words. The Oxford English Dictionary defines over 600,000 words.
2. While Chinese has the most written characters, estimates suggest English has the largest vocabulary among European languages due to its openness to importing words from other languages.
3. Irregular verbs, which do not follow standard conjugation patterns, are estimated to make up around 180 of the most commonly used English verbs. They are believed to be "fossils" that have survived from ancient Indo-European languages.
4.
In 1871 a deserted ship is found drifting in the sea. The captain and the crew have disappeared...
Aimed at young learners but of general interest. Linked to learning activities & video here: http://ghoststories.eslreading.org/ghost/maryceleste.html
More English language learning materials here: http://www.eslreading.org/
The Dust Bowl of the 1930s resulted from years of drought that dried out soil in the Central Plains states, making it susceptible to wind erosion. Farmers had depleted the soil by overplanting wheat, and the drought caused massive dust storms that engulfed the region. Over 250,000 people were forced to migrate west to California in search of work to escape the Dust Bowl conditions of failing farms, dust pneumonia, and poverty. Authors like John Steinbeck documented the extreme hardships faced by migrants.
An introduction to Asperger's Syndrome, outlining key features and issues. Powerpoint linked to Introduction to Asperger's document which includes links to video clips and journal articles etc.
The document discusses several new approaches to teaching English, including Universal Grammar, the Direct Method, the Acquisition Learning Hypothesis, learner strategies, pragmatics, the Common European Framework, feedback, scaffolding, lingua franca, extensive reading, register/genre, and projects/webquests. The Common European Framework describes language competence through six levels and provides self-assessment tools. Extensive reading is recommended as the more someone reads, the more fluent they become. Register/genre looks at the type of language used defined by factors like context and participants.
Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly, cold-hearted man who cares only for money and sees the poor and those in need as burdens. He is visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. These spirits show him how his selfish ways have isolated him and will lead to his lonely death if he does not change. Scrooge realizes the importance of human connection, charity, and keeping the Christmas spirit all year. He vows to honor Christmas in his heart by spreading generosity and goodwill to all people.
FAQs about the English Language: VocabularyESL Reading
The document discusses various topics related to the English language vocabulary:
1. There is no definitive count of words in the English language, though estimates range from 600,000-1,000,000 words. The Oxford English Dictionary defines over 600,000 words.
2. While Chinese has the most written characters, estimates suggest English has the largest vocabulary among European languages due to its openness to importing words from other languages.
3. Irregular verbs, which do not follow standard conjugation patterns, are estimated to make up around 180 of the most commonly used English verbs. They are believed to be "fossils" that have survived from ancient Indo-European languages.
4.
In 1871 a deserted ship is found drifting in the sea. The captain and the crew have disappeared...
Aimed at young learners but of general interest. Linked to learning activities & video here: http://ghoststories.eslreading.org/ghost/maryceleste.html
More English language learning materials here: http://www.eslreading.org/
Everyone has trouble with English irregular verbs. So why do we have them? And why are all new verbs regular?
Related learning activities here: http://englishlanguage.eslreading.org/english/irregularverbs.html
Part of a series of articles on the development of the English language found here: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yb52dxs
Teaching Second Language Learners On Mainstream CoursesESL Reading
Things to consider when teaching ESOL students on mainstream courses. Includes tips for simplifying assignment briefs etc.
Aimed primarily at those in the UK education system but with some wider application to other courses where English is the medium of instruction.
Everyone has trouble with English irregular verbs. So why do we have them? And why are all new verbs regular?
Related learning activities here: http://englishlanguage.eslreading.org/english/irregularverbs.html
Part of a series of articles on the development of the English language found here: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yb52dxs
Teaching Second Language Learners On Mainstream CoursesESL Reading
Things to consider when teaching ESOL students on mainstream courses. Includes tips for simplifying assignment briefs etc.
Aimed primarily at those in the UK education system but with some wider application to other courses where English is the medium of instruction.
Teaching Second Language Learners On Mainstream Courses
Black Swan Theory
1. SUBJECT: CRITICAL THINKING
http://bigideasinbrief.blogspot.com/
Black Swan Events
Introduction
There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are
known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know.
But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't
know.
Former US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on February 12, 2002
Something to think about
1. What is a 'known unknown'? Give examples.
2. What is an 'unknown unknown'. Give examples
Work in small groups
1. You are planning an open-air gig/concert to raise money for a charity.
• A popular band has agreed to play for free but you will need to pay other costs.
• You have a very small budget (£200) but hope to raise at least £2,000.
Prepare a case for one of these options.
- an open-air concert in a local park. There will be no hire cost but you will have to pay for cleaning
and other costs. You cannot sell tickets but can collect money
- hire a local hall. The cost is £600 with 30% payable in advance. You can charge for tickets and the
hall will be responsible for cleaning, insurance, security and other costs.
1. Prepare a risk assessment for each option. Risks should be graded as one of the following:
highly likely/ likely/possible/ possible but unlikely/ highly unlikely
Consider 'known knowns', 'known unknowns' and 'unknown unknowns'. An ‘unknown unknown’ can be unlikely
but must be plausible - no alien invasions from Mars!
2. Decide which option offers the best chance of raising the most money while avoiding the most
dangerous risks.
3. Present your case to the class.
Extension Activity; Find out more about Taleb’s Black Swan theory. You could start here:
http://bigideasinbrief.blogspot.com/
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DURATION: 50 MINUTES