By William Van Zyl Published in June 2023 ‘Whizz – plink – swoosh – whirr!’ That sound? Imagine target shooting with an air rifle. A pellet strikes one of the small metal levers hanging from a wire frame. Because the lever is lightweight, it spins round and round when the projectile hits the lever. Then,… Continue reading A Pellet in my Mallet
Category: Articles.
Articles – all genres.
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
Crushing: An Unexpected Route to Greatness.
Published on June 20, 2019. By William Van Zyl Want to hear about the life story of someone who started at the very bottom and ended up at the top. Here is an exciting story of someone who followed a different path. Or, maybe not so unfamiliar. Ever thought about the invitation to become a… Continue reading Crushing: An Unexpected Route to Greatness.
LESSONS ON GREATNESS: THE LIFE OF LUCIANO PAVAROTTI.
By William Van Zyl Published in 2019. Contents Introduction. 5 Lesson #1: Keep the family together – always try to reconcile – never give up. 7 The Jailhouse Principle: 8 Lesson #2: Love people, trust people. 9 Lesson #3: Show compassion, help people – be selfless. 10 Lesson #4: Be humble and honest; enjoy the… Continue reading LESSONS ON GREATNESS: THE LIFE OF LUCIANO PAVAROTTI.
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).
Creatica: A Believers Guide to Perfectica.
By William Van Zyl Published on July 6, 2019. Edited in 2023. Before the year 3000, the earth was teeming with life. Natural life. But, catastrophically, the earth’s environment has collapsed. The destructive weight of industrial pollution, irresponsible disposal of effluent, and uncontrolled radioactive waste have crushed all life on earth as we know it.… Continue reading Creatica: A Believers Guide to Perfectica.
LED LIGHTS AND CIRCUITRY(ELECTRICITY, DIAGRAMS, AND PROGRAMMING): A LED AND COPPER TAPE GREETING CARD PROJECT
By William Van Zyl First published on October 16, 2017 Second publishing 2021. Edited in 2023. Synopsis This resource introduces a simple lesson of cardmaking with electrical circuits. STEM & STEAM focus. The project – a greeting card – includes cardboard, and an elementary electrical circuit running on 3 Volts (coin battery). The sticky copper strip circuit for… Continue reading LED LIGHTS AND CIRCUITRY(ELECTRICITY, DIAGRAMS, AND PROGRAMMING): A LED AND COPPER TAPE GREETING CARD PROJECT
Hantam staan in Steenbok-se-Pan.
Deur William & Malinda Van Zyl Geskryf en gepubliseer in 2018. Afrikaanse Gedig: Uit Dikmelk en Nettige-vet Inleiding Malinda en William skryf n gedig oor die plaas Steenbok Pan – in Bloemhof, Suid Afrika – waar Malinda groot geword het. Met verwysing na Malinda se pa Errie Kleynhans. Hantam staan in ‘Steenbok-se-pan’ Van biltong-tyd tot wit… Continue reading Hantam staan in Steenbok-se-Pan.
Die Foto se Snare / The Strings of the Photograph.
By William & Malinda Van Zyl Gepubliseer in 2018/Published in 2018. Inleiding: Malinda skryf n gedig, Malinda writes poem. Strings of the photograph Strings of the Photograph The photograph they say, tells of a thousand distant worlds… A thousand times over, and over− Someone loves that landscape and contours, you know The image sits in… Continue reading Die Foto se Snare / The Strings of the Photograph.
The Tall Building turned into a Lighthouse.
By William Van Zyl Published 18 Feb 2023. Birth and early years: Digging, marking out, and excavating young trenches. Theodolite, dumpy level, extended staff, and plumbline; dedicated measuring, aligning, and checking. Calloused hands and sweaty brows; labour from dedicated parents – shaping and shaping, Windell and Da Silva families, leading and grooming their young.… Continue reading The Tall Building turned into a Lighthouse.
Watermelon, Blueberry, and Pomegranate Platter.
By Malinda & William Van Zyl First published in 2016. Perfect for a hot summers day. The watermelon blueberry and pomegranate platter are the perfect treat on a hot summers day. It is also quick and easy to assemble. A great idea for a lunch or dinner party. It could also be a lovely, generous… Continue reading Watermelon, Blueberry, and Pomegranate Platter.
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)
Buckminster Fuller – Geodesic Shape and Form for architectural design. Designing a Vertical Urban Skyfarm (hydroponics, aeroponics & aquaponics) in Minecraft.
By William Van Zyl (Published on 5 January 2023). I have probably designed hundreds of concept buildings. Considering the work of inspirational and influential architects of the past – and future ones – I have pioneered new shapes and forms. In some instances, biomimicry had been my inspiration (‘asking nature how’). In this article I… Continue reading Buckminster Fuller – Geodesic Shape and Form for architectural design. Designing a Vertical Urban Skyfarm (hydroponics, aeroponics & aquaponics) in Minecraft.
The Machinery behind the Words.
By William Van Zyl. Published January 24, 2023. You can’t see the inside of an engine. You can hear, smell, and feel it, but you can’t see the inside rock, spin, and roll. The spinning cogs, the rotating gears and the rocking rods vibrate harmonically together to produce power. What a machine. Fire and lightning… Continue reading The Machinery behind the Words.
Leaving Your Comfort Zone Requires Courage. A Brave Move Will Make You More Efficient! A Lesson from ‘The Little Prince’ (Famous Novel by French Writer: Antoine De Saint-Exupèry 1943).
By William Van Zyl First published on January 31, 2021 Republished on January 20, 2023 From the author’s sketchbook. A brief overview of the novel: The famous novel by Saint-Ex – a children’s book written in French – is about a young prince who visits various planets in space, including Earth, and addresses themes of… Continue reading Leaving Your Comfort Zone Requires Courage. A Brave Move Will Make You More Efficient! A Lesson from ‘The Little Prince’ (Famous Novel by French Writer: Antoine De Saint-Exupèry 1943).