By William Van Zyl First published in October 2021 (edited in April 2025) On Friday, 5 March 2021, I stepped into the unknown. It was dark, humid, and very black. Yellow cat eyes stared at me from the ground. It was evenly spaced and extended way ahead of me. Where could it lead? It took… Continue reading Sensors: Maintaining the eco-equilibrium of sensitive limestone caves in New Zealand. STEM and Digital Technologies -Programming microprocessors as sensors to improve cave sustainability (Micro:bit and MakerBot – mBot).
Category: Academic work.
APA format Academic Work.
Entering a dark, humid cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down.
By William Van Zyl (March 2021) On Friday, 5 March 2021, I stepped into the unknown. It was dark, humid, and very black. Yellow cat eyes stared at me from the ground. It was evenly spaced and extended way ahead of me. Where could it lead? It took some time for my sensitive eyes to… Continue reading Entering a dark, humid cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down.
Adultery will Destroy your Liver.
Published in August 2024 By William Van Zyl Forensic scientists are challenged to determine the angle at which the broadhead arrows – used for hunting – entered the victim. To solve the homicide, they need to know the position of the shooter so police and the prosecutor can progress their investigation. See the great images… Continue reading Adultery will Destroy your Liver.
Literature Review: Action Research and the concepts of “Theory” and “Living Theory.” Including an example of “Living Theory – Education”
By William Van Zyl Published on July 21, 2024 I recommend you scan through this video before reading this article. Dr Ianis G. Matsoukas (PhD Warwick) PostDoc Cornell, ETH-Zurich, Warwick | ExecEdu Wharton, Harvard Medical School Jack Whitehead is a former President of the British Educational Research Association and Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Westminster… Continue reading Literature Review: Action Research and the concepts of “Theory” and “Living Theory.” Including an example of “Living Theory – Education”
Literature Review: 21st Century Skills Required by Employers.
BY William Van Zyl Published on July 20, 2024. In the rapidly evolving 21st-century landscape, employers’ skills requirements have significantly shifted. The World Economic Forum (2015) highlights key competencies that are essential for modern workplaces, including solving real-life problems, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, innovation, teamwork, and communication. This literature review explores these skills, synthesising relevant… Continue reading Literature Review: 21st Century Skills Required by Employers.
Literature Review (Short Summary) – ‘Developing High School Students’ Data and Graph Interpreting Skills in the Context of IoT and Greenhouse Management.’
By William Van Zyl Published on July 20, 2024 Objective: This literature review explores research on developing high school students’ data and graph interpreting skills, focusing on integrating IoT and greenhouse management. The study uses Microbit and Arduino microprocessors to monitor variables, specifically focusing on understanding the mini-greenhouse system’s temperature (and moisture) fluctuations. Keywords: Mini-greenhouse,… Continue reading Literature Review (Short Summary) – ‘Developing High School Students’ Data and Graph Interpreting Skills in the Context of IoT and Greenhouse Management.’
Enhancing Secondary School Students’ Data Analysis and Chart Interpretation Abilities (Vertical Skyfarm Design – Minecraft Education).
By William N. Van Zyl Published 20 July 2024 Are you looking for innovative ways to improve high school students’ data analysis and chart interpretation abilities? Look no further. As an experienced secondary school Technology teacher, I’d like to share my research project with you. At the end of this article, I include how you… Continue reading Enhancing Secondary School Students’ Data Analysis and Chart Interpretation Abilities (Vertical Skyfarm Design – Minecraft Education).
The First Light and Sound in our Universe – contrasting Creation and Evolution.
y William Van Zyl LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=35kaq-101efcb-pb&from=embed&square=1&share=1&download=1&skin=1&btn-skin=7&size=300 I have been pondering: what would the shortest academic paper in the world look like? After a search, I included an example: *See the example of WRITER’S BLOCK below. What would your shortest academic writing look like? APA style (American Psychology Association). What subject matter would… Continue reading The First Light and Sound in our Universe – contrasting Creation and Evolution.
MODERNISM: Terminology, Keywords, and Key Phrases for Architectural and Product Design.
By William Van Zyl (Published 15 January 2024). Overview: This resource will assist students, teachers, homeschoolers, artists, designers, sculpturers, and architects to develop their annotation skills by extending their vocabulary and understanding of key design words and phrases. Firstly, the features of Modernism (or a Modernist style or Design Era) are listed. Secondly, the most… Continue reading MODERNISM: Terminology, Keywords, and Key Phrases for Architectural and Product Design.
Influential Theorists for Action Research in Education.
By William Van Zyl (Published in September 2023). In this article I list, and summarise, the most influential theorists for Action Research in Education. I focus on researching in a High School context to provide a backdrop. I also include a research title as a specific focus to explain Action Research in simple terms. Title (STEM… Continue reading Influential Theorists for Action Research in Education.
Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye).
By William Van Zyl Published on 9 August 2023. Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye). I analyse the contrasting aspects between Bjarke Ingels’ moonbase design and the principles of Modernism in Architecture. This article delves into the… Continue reading Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye).
Modernism in Architecture – Iconic Buildings.
By William Van Zyl Published on 5 August 2023 Overview- of the article: The 3 iconic architects and their iconic buildings – Le Corbusier (Villa Savoye), Phillip Johnson (The Glass House) & Mies Van De Rohe (House Farnsworth) – will feature in this article. They embody, circumvent, and encapsulate Modernism in an Architectural context. The… Continue reading Modernism in Architecture – Iconic Buildings.
Could AI (ChatGPT) mark and comment on my writing work? Could the ‘Machine’ provide critical feedback?
By William Van Zyl Published 5 June 2023 Should you approach AI (ChatGPT) seeking an evaluation of your written work and requesting feedback, what would this reading machine offer in response? Curiosity piqued, would you like to discover what lies in store? I will not waste any time; here is my question and the response… Continue reading Could AI (ChatGPT) mark and comment on my writing work? Could the ‘Machine’ provide critical feedback?
Actual AI tools for teachers, parents, homeschoolers and Educators.
By William Van Zyl. Published 4 June 2023. I have been investigating AI’s potential for teachers, parents and homeschooling parents. I have summarised my finding for you in a convenient list form. I have also included a visual summary of 30 tools. Yes, I have said 30 different tools which could make the life of… Continue reading Actual AI tools for teachers, parents, homeschoolers and Educators.
Swallowing a Bicycle Wheel, Fishline, and Ballast.
By William Van Zyl Published on 20 May 2023 At 6:05 am, the two workmen in their high-vis vests were on duty in the street that runs past the Banco Rio in Buenos Aires. The lid of the maintenance hole situated in the road – on the side, out of the main traffic flow –… Continue reading Swallowing a Bicycle Wheel, Fishline, and Ballast.
The Weight of Words
By William Van Zyl Published in May 2023 Credit image: Contemporary Art by Sefira Lightstone – Golden Calf. In a tent in the hot desert somewhere in the middle east, a young girl – adorned with gold and silver jewellery around her neck, wrists, ankles and hair – turned and looked into a polished bronze… Continue reading The Weight of Words
True stories with unfathomable depth, rich cultural variations, and extensive contexts will develop creativity in young children.
By William Van Zyl Published in April 2023 Listen to the Podcast: https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=uh8kj-13eb31d-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=7 ‘The stories from the Bible are too violent for my young children,’ said the caring mum. ‘I prefer different stories which do not include violence,’ said another mum. ‘The stories from the Bible are probably the best stories you can ever tell… Continue reading True stories with unfathomable depth, rich cultural variations, and extensive contexts will develop creativity in young children.
When stories lose their lustre, and children’s creativity and innovation plummet.
By William Van Zyl Published in March 2023 Listen to the podcast: https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=8eq4i-13eb655-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=7 “I am tired of all these Bible stories. Reading the devotionals and doing these prayers all the time is too much for me!?” said the young Alexander. “You will sit down and read the Bible Story; you will listen and pray before… Continue reading When stories lose their lustre, and children’s creativity and innovation plummet.
Essay: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
By William Van Zyl. Published in March 2023 (several paragraphs in this APA referenced essay have been tweaked and include some AI generated text. I have included the AI text to illustrate the power of AI). Artificial Intelligence: The Rise of Intelligent Machines Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing field that involves developing intelligent… Continue reading Essay: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Die Beiteltjie (gedig) / The Little Chisel (poem)
Deur/By William Van Zyl Eerste publikasie in 2017/First published in 2017. Aangepas in 2023/Edited in 2023. Die steenmesselaar se gereedskap / The stone mason’s tools: Agtergrond: Hierdie gedig was in die Nasionale Senior Sertifikaat Eksamen (RSA) vir die Afrikaanse Eerste taal eksamen in 1976 – my final jaar op skool (Hentie Cilliers, Virginia, Vrystaat).Op daardie… Continue reading Die Beiteltjie (gedig) / The Little Chisel (poem)