Exploring the Global Footprint of the American Empire

American Empire on Metaphorician presents an interactive historical map and timeline showing the global influence of the United States through military, political and economic activities from 1900 to today. Instead of using broad claims alone, the tool visualizes where and when the U.S. has maintained military bases, intervened abroad and engaged in political or economic actions that shaped international relations over more than a century.

By combining different types of intervention — such as troop deployments, coups, sanctions and long-term military installations — the resource allows users to see how U.S. foreign policy has evolved and how its presence has spread across regions and decades. Each type of action is categorized and colour-coded, offering a dynamic way to understand the historical patterns of American engagement in the world beyond simple statistics or narrative descriptions.

Overall, this page is useful for educators, students and anyone curious about geopolitics who wants to explore the history of U.S. influence in a visual and data-rich format.

https://metaphorician.com/american-empire

ChatGPT Translate

ChatGPT Translate is a translation tool by OpenAI designed to help users communicate accurately in different languages, whether for work emails, travel, or everyday situations. It can translate text, voice, and images into more than 50 languages, but its main strength lies in understanding context, tone, and nuances such as idioms or colloquial expressions. Instead of simply replacing words, it aims to capture the intention behind the message, reducing the risk of misunderstandings.

Unlike traditional translators that often work with isolated words or phrases, ChatGPT Translate is powered by an advanced language model that analyses the whole text and the communicative situation. This makes it especially useful for complex or ambiguous texts. Another key feature is its interactive nature: users can ask follow-up questions, request a more formal or informal version, or ask for explanations about specific translation choices. The translation process becomes a dialogue rather than a one-off action.

The tool is also flexible in how content is entered. Users can type or paste text, dictate using their voice, or upload images such as signs, documents, or letters, which the system reads and translates. After receiving a translation, users can continue interacting within the same conversation to refine or adapt the result. Overall, ChatGPT Translate works as a language assistant that offers greater control, clarity, and precision than many conventional translation services.

https://chatgpt.com/es-ES/translate/

Etymonline: Online Etymology Dictionary

Etymonline is a popular online resource dedicated to the origins and history of English words. Rather than just providing definitions, this site traces how words have developed over time, revealing where they came from, how their meanings have changed, and how different languages have influenced English. It’s essentially an etymological dictionary — a tool that explores the roots of words in Old English, Latin, Greek, and other source languages, and shows how they evolved into the forms we use today.

Writers, teachers, students, and language lovers often turn to Etymonline when they want to understand not just what a word means, but why it means that, and how its usage reflects centuries of linguistic change. The entries are presented in a clear, accessible way, often with examples from historical texts and comparisons to related terms in other languages. Whether you’re curious about a specific word’s background or want to explore the fascinating story of English vocabulary, Etymonline offers a rich and approachable way to unlock the deeper history behind everyday language.

You can explore it at:  

https://www.etymonline.com/

App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/etymonline-english-dictionary/id813629612

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.etymonline.app&referrer=utm_source=download_app_down

Sexism and the English language

The Economist's language expert Lane Greene explores the gender stereotypes used in everyday speech.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uaBwAe2BhY

AI and the future of education: disruptions, dilemmas and directions

UNESCO’s AI and the Future of Education: Disruptions, Dilemmas and Directions is a major 2025 publication that explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education around the world, and what this means for learners, teachers, schools and policymakers.

The document examines three interconnected themes:

Disruptions: how AI is reshaping classrooms, learning and teaching by acting as tutor, co-teacher and even companion in some contexts. It looks at both the opportunities (personalised learning, wider access and support) and the risks (inequality, over-reliance on automation and ethical concerns).

Dilemmas: the difficult decisions educators and leaders face, such as balancing AI use with human development, investing in technology versus human resources like teachers, and managing AI’s broader social impact responsibly.

Directions: a proposed path forward that places people at the centre of AI in education, emphasising equity, ethics, teacher empowerment, culturally relevant design and international collaboration to guide AI’s role in education positively.

Rather than offering simple answers, the report frames a global conversation about AI’s potential and pitfalls, advocating for thoughtful, human-centred policies and practices that protect education as a public good while harnessing AI’s benefits in inclusive, ethical ways.

Visit:

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000395236

Questioning for Teaching and Learning Webinar hosted by Kate Jones

In this inspiring webinar, educator Kate Jones explores how powerful questioning can transform teaching and learning. The video shows that asking the right questions is not just about checking what students know, but about helping them think more deeply, reflect on their learning and stay engaged in lessons.

Kate Jones shares practical strategies that teachers can use to design better questions and to use them more effectively in class. She explains how well-planned questioning can support understanding, encourage discussion and provide valuable feedback about what students are really learning. The session is useful for teachers at all levels, from early years to secondary and further education.

The World’s Writing Systems: A Global Alphabet Gallery

Have you ever wondered how many ways humans have found to write language? The World’s Writing Systems is an incredible online resource that brings together glyphs and basic information about the many scripts used throughout history and across the globe. It’s part of a long-term effort called the Missing Scripts Project, which aims to document all known writing systems, including those not yet encoded in the Unicode standard and therefore not widely supported on computers. 

The website showcases hundreds of writing systems (from ancient scripts like Proto-Sinaitic and Ugaritic to modern ones like Latin, Arabic or Ethiopic) and allows users to explore them by region, time period and Unicode status. Each entry includes a representative character and background context, making the site a fascinating visual catalogue and reference for anyone interested in linguistics, typography, history or world cultures.

https://www.worldswritingsystems.org/

Physics Simulations. MyPhysicsLab thanks to @NaoCasanova

If you’re curious about how the physical world works or want to bring science to life in your classroom, MyPhysicsLab is a fantastic free online resource to explore. It offers interactive physics simulations that let you experiment with motion, forces, energy and more — all right in your web browser.

Designed for students, teachers and anyone who loves science, MyPhysicsLab provides simulations of classic physics topics such as pendulums, springs, collisions, gravity, circuits and oscillations. What makes it special is the hands-on approach: you can adjust parameters like mass, velocity and friction, watch how systems behave, and see the results in real time. This turns abstract concepts into visual, intuitive experiences.

For educators, these simulations are a powerful tool to supplement lessons, spark curiosity, and encourage inquiry-based learning. Students can test hypotheses, explore “what if” scenarios, and build a deeper understanding of fundamental principles by seeing physics in action.

https://myphysicslab.com/