As a teacher and instructional designer specializing in English Language Learners (ELLs), I'm driven by a desire to optimize language acquisition. My experiences in classrooms across China have illuminated the powerful interplay of storytelling, gamification, and immersive experiences. Rethinking Repetition: Drilling, often utilizing techniques like "practice, present, produce" or "I do, we do, you do," is a common pedagogical tool. While it can be helpful for reinforcing pronunciation and memorization, traditional drilling can quickly become monotonous and disengaging for young learners.  To address this, I've experimented with integrating a narrative approach. By embedding target vocabulary within a compelling storyline, I've observed a significant increase in both comprehension and retention. From Random Words to Captivating Tales: To test this theory, I introduced seemingly random words like "brushing teeth," "sleeping bag," and ...

As a designer passionate about fostering collaborative experiences, I conceived and designed the ACT Symposium to revolutionize how creative professionals connect and innovate. ACT, which stands for Affecting Change Today, brings together designers, architects, and other creatives to explore new approaches to collaborative design within the meetings and events industry. From 300 Ideas to One Powerful Solution: The symposium centered around a design challenge: creating a visual identity for ACT itself. Over 300 logo concepts were generated, sparking a dynamic process of iteration and refinement. Through collaborative workshops and feedback sessions facilitated by my design, these ideas were distilled down to 100, then 10, and finally, a single, impactful logo emerged. This process exemplified the power of collective creativity and diverse perspectives in action. The ACT Experience: A groundbreaking event designed to revolutionize collaboration in the meetings and events industry. ACT, ...