In this education-focused episode, hosts Edita Bandur (Business English Teacher) and Darko Mareš (Portrait Photographer) welcome Fajarudin Akbar, an English teacher passionate about educational technology, who shares his extensive experience with professional development.

Fajarudin offers practical guidance on navigating the overwhelming landscape of online courses and training programs, emphasizing how educators can maintain relevance through strategic continuous professional development (CPD). Through his experience with various educational platforms and emerging technologies, he demonstrates how teachers can balance learning new tools with maintaining strong pedagogical fundamentals.

The conversation becomes particularly valuable when addressing the integration of AI in learning management systems and how educators can overcome the fear of missing out on technological trends while focusing on what truly enhances student outcomes.

Key moments:

• Strategies for selecting quality CPD resources in the digital age
• Balancing affordability with accreditation when choosing professional development
• The role of community and peer learning in professional growth
• How much technical knowledge educators actually need versus foundational skills
• Using AI to personalize learning while maintaining critical thinking focus

A practical conversation for educators seeking to stay current with technology, teachers overwhelmed by CPD options, and educational professionals looking to integrate new tools thoughtfully into their practice.

Fajarudin's contact details:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fajarudinakbar/

Website: MOOC Guru

Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn to comment on live shows and get featured!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, hosts Edita Bandur (Business English Teacher) and Darko Mareš (Portrait Photographer) welcome Ivan Židov, an AI developer with 7-8 years of industry experience who has achieved top 1% status on Upwork, sharing his journey from neural network enthusiast to successful freelancer.

Ivan offers practical guidance on navigating the AI landscape, from selecting the right tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini 2.5, Claude 4) for specific purposes to managing client expectations around AI implementation. Through his freelancing success story, he demonstrates how technical expertise combined with strong communication skills creates opportunities in the global marketplace.

The conversation becomes particularly valuable when Ivan addresses overcoming language barriers and perfectionism in professional communication, showing how authenticity often matters more than flawless English when building client relationships and delivering high-value services.

Key moments:

• Choosing AI tools based on specific project requirements rather than hype
• Practical strategies for achieving success on competitive freelancing platforms
• Using AI to enhance resume building and professional communication
• Overcoming language perfectionism to communicate authentically with international clients
• Career advice for computer science students entering the AI field

A practical conversation for freelancers looking to leverage AI in their services, computer science professionals considering independent work, and anyone interested in building successful client relationships despite language barriers.

Ivan's contact links:

Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/ivanzidov

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-zidov/

Email: ivan@textvalue.ai

Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn to comment on live shows and get featured!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this interactive live stream episode, hosts Edita Bandur (Business English Teacher) and Darko Mareš (Portrait Photographer) answer audience questions in real-time, covering everything from the practicalities of food photography to the surprising ease of starting a podcast.

The conversation jumps organically between topics as viewers submit questions, creating a casual, behind-the-scenes look at the hosts' expertise and personal experiences.

What makes this episode particularly engaging is the spontaneous nature of live interaction, with the hosts addressing everything from business portrait advice to the realities of learning English, while sharing personal anecdotes about living in different countries and navigating cross-cultural experiences.

Key moments:

• Quick tips for capturing appealing food photography
• The realistic timeline and effort required for learning English
• Hidden gems in Croatia beyond the popular tourist destinations
• Behind-the-scenes insights into live streaming challenges

A fun, casual conversation perfect for anyone curious about the hosts' backgrounds, aspiring podcasters looking for practical advice, and viewers interested in photography tips and travel recommendations for Croatia.

Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn to comment on live shows and get featured!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.