Date: Saturday, September 28^th, 2024

Topic: fake news.

At the beginning of the session, we conducted a brief icebreaker activity in which each of us introduced ourselves by sharing our names, hobbies, and any other information we wanted to provide to our classmates. We then began the introduction to the topic we were going to address fake news.

During the mid-session, the teacher shared a thought-provoking quote that invited discussion about the influence of fake news on our daily lives. I actively participated, expressing my viewpoint and supporting the opinions of my classmates. We emphasized the importance of researching and consulting official and neutral media sources, as relying on social media and word of mouth can lead to gossip and, consequently, the spread of false news.

We also shared some news we had heard recently, aiming to analyze the relevance of the information and check if any false information had emerged around it.

In addition, we answered the question: "What role does the media play in shaping public opinion?" In this discussion, we addressed the responsibility we assume when consuming content on social media, especially regarding news. We talked about how some unreliable sources or users can spread events or news that quickly go viral, partly due to the preference that social media algorithms give to fake news when it generates interaction.

To conclude the session, each group member shared a summary of the provided article or material, with a duration of two minutes per intervention. In this part, we focused exclusively on the content, avoiding personal opinions, and discussed the definition of fake news and its different types, including some examples where artificial intelligence has an influence.

Date: Saturday, October 5^th, 2024

Topic: The role of artificial Intelligence in Education.

To begin the session, a guiding question was posed: “What do you think of when you hear the term ‘Artificial Intelligence’?” To respond, about three people participated, and in my case, when I hear this term, I can only imagine the future and how easy it is to access these tools nowadays.

This question led us to reflect on how artificial intelligence has become part of our daily lives and its significant impact on the educational field, both for students and for teachers. Therefore, it is essential to stay at the forefront of these topics, which greatly influence our educational process.

In the middle of the session, we discussed and shared our thoughts on the use of artificial intelligence in education by students and teachers. We talked about the various benefits, advantages, and disadvantages of its application in the educational context of Colombia, which is complex due to social, cultural, and economic factors.

During this stage, I actively participated by sharing my experience with artificial intelligence and the use of technology in my practice setting. I commented on the resistance some teachers show toward its implementation and the lack of knowledge about AI among those who attempt to apply it in the classroom.

We also shared Bill Gates’ opinion on the role of technology in education: “Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.” Based on this, we discussed the importance of teachers in the learning process. While technology can provide guidance, feedback, and education, the role of a teacher is irreplaceable and necessary at every step of the learning journey.

Next, we addressed the current applications of artificial intelligence in education. Each participant shared which application they believe has the most potential; in my case, I chose personalized learning platforms, considering the school educational context in which I work and how this tool could optimize education in Colombian schools.

Finally, each group member summarized the material in two minutes, sharing the most important aspects and the role of artificial intelligence in education.

Date: Saturday, October 12^th, 2024

Topic: What Earth in 2050 could look like

To begin this meeting, there was a briefing on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Actions that have been taken globally to contribute to the development of these goals were discussed. Additionally, there was a conversation on the negative impact that recent global warming has caused internationally, with examples like the recent hurricane in Florida, USA, and the Sahara floods. Personally, I participated actively at every stage of the meeting, contributing my own opinions or adding to those made by my peers.

On the other hand, I contributed by giving examples of wildfires caused by human irresponsibility and lack of commitment to the environment in my surroundings, as well as the negative impact that large corporations have on the environment and the lack of policies and laws that protect and defend the environment from the pollutants produced by large companies both nationally and worldwide.

We also discussed what some of the environmental impacts could be in the future, in 2050, if urgent and necessary measures are not taken to mitigate the negative effects of today’s actions, as it is selfish not to act when future generations also hope to live in a world without food shortages, extreme weather, or water scarcity.

To conclude the session, the teacher provided a 10-minute break to rewatch the video that formed the basis of the lesson, allowing us to review, clarify our ideas, and form opinions about the video's content. Each student then presented a 2-minute summary, including their personal perspective on what they had seen and heard, considering all topics discussed throughout the session.

In summary, we talked about children’s health and respiratory diseases, like asthma, that could arise without optimal air quality, the potential scarcity of food and water in the coming years, and the dangers that extreme weather poses to us as humans and to the environment.

Date: Saturday, October 19^th, 2024

Topic: Emotional First Aid: nurturing mental well-being.

In this session, we tackled a very important topic: mental health. We started by discussing what we, as students, thought Emotional Hygiene was, considering our opinions and what we saw in the video assigned for class. In this way, we also talked about the importance of seeking help, when necessary, as sometimes taking on too many negative situations can lead us to make poor decisions in our daily lives. We also discussed the influence of social media on mental health and how it impacts people both positively and negatively.

On the one hand, immediate access to information can lead young people to be easily influenced by any content, sometimes resulting in unfortunate choices. However, this exposure to information has also helped not only young people but adults as well to set aside the stigma that has surrounded seeking help from a mental health professional for years. In this sense, social media has helped normalize attending therapy or seeing a psychologist without feeling out of place.

We also summarized the assigned material, which was a TED Talk video that led us to reflect on the importance of distracting ourselves when negative thoughts overwhelm us and maintaining a positive attitude despite adversity. Personally, the video made me reconsider and rethink several concepts I thought I understood well. Listening to Guy Winch’s story was moving, as it made me realize that if a health professional sometimes struggles with their own issues, it’s normal. And so, I, who am not a professional in this field, have every right to feel overwhelmed, always keeping in mind the importance of seeking help when needed.

Date: Saturday, October 26^th, 2024

Topic: Debating

During this last session, the student teacher provided us with valuable information that will be very helpful for the development of Task 3, where we will be debating a specific motion.

Firstly, we discussed what a debate entails, including the expressions we should use to refute or give an opinion objectively. We also went over some general guidelines, such as the importance of being respectful and making arguments confidently and clearly. Additionally, we learned about the structure of the debate and the roles each participant will take on.

In the intermediate moment, we presented summaries of the material provided for the session, with each student taking two minutes to explain in their own words the most relevant information from the document.

This helped us consolidate our understanding of the content and practice concise expression.

To close the session, we did a debate simulation on the topic of the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, with three classmates in favor of this motion and three against it. We were given time to prepare two arguments each before proceeding with the mock debate.

Although the simulation was brief, it was crucial for us to understand the structure and dynamics that we will follow in the debate for Task 3. Personally, as with all the sessions, this was an important class as it served as a preparation and overview for the upcoming task. This way, I feel more familiar and confident with the debate format and what will be expected of us.