Learning & Education

All posts in the Learning & Education category

Is Blogging Really Dead?
•3 min read•

Is Blogging Really Dead?

In the AI era, is blogging dead? Pieter Levels says blogs are dead, but I believe readers will crave quality blogs with unique character - no one wants to read AI-written blogs anymore.

10 Years of Reading - A Journey of Growth

Reflecting on my 10-year reading journey, from a first-year college student to building a collection of 265 books. Each book has shaped my thinking and contributed to who I am today - from Vietnamese and world literature to personal development, business, and philosophy. This is a story of growth through reading and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

English Course Challenge in 2 Weeks - Day 12: Course Recording Experience

Sharing experiences from recording an English course about Bubble.io, including choosing Screen.Studio software for screen recording and automatic subtitle generation, lessons learned about setting goals and defining target students before selecting content, and the benefits of challenging yourself to overcome fears and complete projects. The author also introduces the 'Build your first web app in Bubble for beginners' course.

English Course Challenge in 2 Weeks - Day 7: What is Fine-tuning ChatGPT?

Day 7 progress in the challenge to create an English course in 2 weeks. The author introduces Fine-tuning ChatGPT - a feature that lets you create custom ChatGPT versions based on provided data, especially useful for customer support chatbots. The post also discusses adjusting the demo app and course direction, along with challenges using OpenAI's API in Vietnam.

English Course Challenge in 2 Weeks - Day 2: The Potential of Prompt Engineering

Sharing progress on developing a SaaS AI demo app for a Bubble course, focusing on Prompt Engineering - the technique of writing effective prompts for AI. The author introduces the standard prompt structure with 6 parts: Persona, Context, Task, Format, Examplar, and Tone, along with the idea and mockup for an app helping users write better prompts, solving a problem many people face when using AI.

Why Keep Skateboarding Despite the Falls?

Sharing experiences and perspectives on skateboarding as a way to train willpower and face challenges, helping readers understand the spirit of resilience and persistence in life, from skateboarding to important life decisions.

What Stops You from Writing?

Analyzing the psychological and practical barriers that make many people hesitant to blog, from choosing which language to write in to selecting the right platform.

Choosing Your Major and University

A fresh perspective on choosing university majors - not just based on job potential or salary, but more importantly understanding personal passions and interests. This post analyzes core questions students should ask themselves, along with practical advice about trial and error, self-discovery, and the importance of daring to change when you realize you've chosen wrong.

Ideas vs Reality
•2 min read•

Ideas vs Reality

Analyzing the difference between ideas and reality when executing projects, helping readers better understand the process of turning ideas into reality and the challenges they face.

Organizing Blog Ideas with Workflowy

Detailed guide on using Workflowy to manage and organize blog writing ideas effectively, helping writers always have topics and inspiration to write, from saving ideas to planning and completing posts.

Is Personalized Online Learning the Future?

Analyzing the personalization trend in online learning and its potential to solve current problems like high dropout rates. This post shares real experiences from both teacher and student perspectives, proposing solutions to improve learning effectiveness through personalization technology.

QC Engineer Interview Diary
•10 min read•

QC Engineer Interview Diary

Real interview experience for QC positions at various companies, including the process, questions asked, and advice for candidates looking to break into Quality Control.

Don't Like Math - Should I Study E-Commerce?

An analysis of the E-Commerce field and whether someone who doesn't like Math is suitable for it. I explain the various aspects of this major, related courses, and career opportunities after graduation like programmer, digital marketing, product manager, and many other positions in e-commerce companies.

Teaching on Udemy
•1 min read•

Teaching on Udemy

Sharing my 3-year teaching experience on Udemy with an impressive number - 357,093 minutes of students watching my videos (equivalent to 250 days). The post reflects on the benefits of creating online courses: developing curriculum skills, marketing, video recording and editing, presentation, and sales.

Mac Configuration for Learning iOS
•2 min read•

Mac Configuration for Learning iOS

Detailed guide on choosing the right Mac to learn iOS programming, from premium options to budget solutions for beginners. This post answers the common question 'Can I learn iOS without a Mac?' and offers practical suggestions on specs and models suitable for every budget so you can start your iOS development journey.

Understanding Promise in JavaScript

This article introduces Promise - an important concept in ES6 widely used in modern JavaScript frameworks and libraries. I share a series of 11 videos explaining Promise in detail, from basic to advanced, helping learners master asynchronous handling in JavaScript.

Practice English Speaking with Elsa Speak AI App

This post introduces and reviews the Elsa Speak app - an English pronunciation learning tool using AI. I share my personal experience with features like the entry test, specific pronunciation error analysis, and compare it with traditional methods like finding native speakers on Italki, while discussing the pricing and effectiveness of the app.

Do You Understand Loops in JavaScript?

A comprehensive look at iteration methods in JavaScript from basic to advanced: traditional for, forEach, map, filter, and more. This post clearly explains each syntax with practical examples to help developers optimize their code.

Vietnamese Programming Learning Sites

Compilation and review of the best Vietnamese programming learning platforms today. This post introduces Techmaster, CodersX, Viblo and many other sources in detail, helping learners easily access programming knowledge in their native language.

Introducing New Course: Advanced JavaScript

This article introduces the Advanced JavaScript course, explaining why JavaScript is worth learning with its wide applications from web and mobile to IoT. I analyze the difficulties when learning JavaScript and the effective approach, focusing on understanding the language's essence rather than learning multiple frameworks or related technologies simultaneously.

Q/A What is NodeJS?
•4 min read•

Q/A What is NodeJS?

Easy-to-understand explanation about NodeJS in Q&A format, helping beginners familiarize with concepts like JavaScript engine, event-driven, non-blocking I/O and package ecosystem.

Read the Documentation
•3 min read•

Read the Documentation

Sharing the importance of reading official documentation when learning new technologies instead of just relying on video tutorials. I analyze the habit of being lazy about reading docs, the difference between good and bad documentation, the common 'give me resources' phenomenon in the programming community, and encourage reading original docs to deeply understand technology.

Learn JavaScript 4: Understanding Creation and Hoisting

This article explains the hoisting phenomenon in JavaScript - how JavaScript handles variable and function declarations during code execution. I analyze in detail the Creation Phase and Execution Phase stages, while providing illustrative examples to help readers understand how JavaScript moves declarations to the top of the scope before execution.

Learn JavaScript 3: Global Environment and Global Object

This article explains the Global Execution Context in JavaScript, how it creates the Global Object and the this variable. I demonstrate how to run JavaScript code in a browser, analyze how the Global Object is created as window in the browser environment, and the differences when running in other environments like NodeJS.

Learn JavaScript 2: Name-Value Pair and Object

This article explains two foundational concepts in JavaScript: Name-Value Pair and Object. I present definitions, how they work, and the importance of these concepts in understanding JavaScript data structures, while providing visual examples for easy comprehension.

'Can I Do This?' - The Dumbest Question in the Solar System

Analysis of the psychology behind the common 'can I do this?' question in programming communities. This post explains why this is an ineffective question, reflecting a mindset of avoiding challenges and lacking confidence. Instead of asking 'can I do this?', learners should focus on experimenting, learning from failure, and developing proactive learning attitudes.

5 Tips for Beginner Programmers

Discover 5 golden tips to overcome the initial barriers when learning programming - from continuous practice to teaching others, all proven strategies!

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What to Learn to Build Software

This article, excerpted from the book 'Programming for Everyone with Swift,' introduces the basic technical knowledge needed to develop software. I present the importance of programming languages, IDE, libraries, frameworks, and platforms in the process of learning and building software.

Javascript is Everywhere
•3 min read•

Javascript is Everywhere

Introducing the prevalence and versatility of JavaScript in modern technology. From frontend web development, backend with Node.js, mobile apps with React Native, desktop with Electron, to IoT. I share about JavaScript's flexibility and why it's become the most widely used programming language today.

Exploring React Native - Beyond Hello World

A detailed walkthrough of learning and exploring React Native, from setting up the environment to building real applications, helping readers understand how to approach and develop mobile apps with this framework.

Learning Java on Coursera: A Review

This article reviews two Java specialization programs on Coursera from Duke University and the University of California, San Diego. I compare the content, approach, and benefits of each course, while also sharing my experience with applying for financial aid on the platform.

Dumped Because I Didn't Know What Big O Is

Explaining the concept of Big O in programming through hilarious and easy-to-understand examples from love stories to transferring movies. This post helps you master algorithm complexity with a fun approach, from O(1), O(log n), O(n) to O(n^2) without needing advanced math.

Does IT Need a College Degree?
•3 min read•

Does IT Need a College Degree?

An analysis of why a college degree is still very important in IT, from providing a solid foundation of knowledge, networking and internship opportunities, to facilitating job searches, further education, and long-term career development in the tech industry.

Lost in Life - A Programming Learning Roadmap

A step-by-step programming learning roadmap for beginners, from learning English, basic programming, OOP, data structures and algorithms, to GUI programming and databases. I share personal experience and practical advice for those feeling confused about choosing a direction in IT.

What Future for Swift
•4 min read•

What Future for Swift

Detailed analysis of Swift's future, comparing syntax with Objective-C and exploring potential application areas, helping readers understand Swift's development potential in the Apple ecosystem and other platforms.

Why You Need a Personal Blog
•8 min read•

Why You Need a Personal Blog

A detailed analysis of the benefits of maintaining a personal blog, from learning new skills, improving writing ability, to creating career opportunities and building personal brand, helping readers understand the importance of blogging in career and personal life.

How I Learned Math
•4 min read•

How I Learned Math

Sharing my personal experience with learning math in university, from the difficulties understanding the essence of mathematical concepts to finding effective learning methods through online courses. I emphasize the importance of inspiration and motivation in teaching and learning math.

Udemy - Where Practical Programming Thrives

Evaluating the Udemy online learning platform, focusing on practical and project-based programming courses. Analyzing Udemy's advantages over Coursera and Pluralsight, especially providing hands-on knowledge, latest technologies, and ability to create complete products from the start, suitable for beginners.

2 Challenges When Learning to Code and How to Overcome Them

This post analyzes the two biggest challenges when learning to code: doubting whether you chose the right major and struggling to grasp new concepts like functions, pointers, and algorithms. I share practical solutions from my 2 years of learning experience to help beginners overcome these early hurdles and develop effective programming skills.

[Ebook] Finding Native Speakers to Practice English

A detailed guide on methods to find native speakers for online English speaking practice. The post introduces three main approaches: joining learning groups on Paltalk, using the language exchange site italki.com, and hiring native teachers. The author shares personal experiences, tips for choosing the right teacher, and interesting topics for conversations with native speakers.

Don't Take Advice - The Truth About 'Advisors'

An analysis of the nature of advice and those who give it. The author argues that advice often reflects the advisor's personal views rather than being suitable for the recipient's circumstances. Through examining contradictory proverbs and real-world examples, this post encourages readers to listen to themselves and make their own decisions instead of depending on advice from others.

Unity3D Tutorial: Clone Duck Hunt Game

A tutorial on developing a duck shooting game with Unity3D version 5.3, part of my project-based Unity3D tutorial series. I'll introduce how to use Unity's physics system, create game objects, and program gameplay similar to airplane shooter games.

How to Apply for Financial Aid on Coursera

A detailed guide on how to apply for financial aid on Coursera. I share my personal experience and tips for effectively answering the three important questions in the application, helping learners access quality courses for free and earn certificates.

What Technology Should I Learn Now?

This article discusses the challenge of choosing which technology to learn in IT with its diversity and rapid changes. I share my personal experience of falling into the 'Search Maze' when looking for direction, and offer advice on effective approaches to professional development.

Learning Algorithms on Coursera - My Experience

Real experience learning the Algorithm Specialization on Coursera - from greedy algorithms to dynamic programming. This post shares details about course structure, teaching quality, exercise system, and how to apply for financial aid to learn for free. An ideal choice for those wanting to learn algorithms systematically from top instructors.

IaaS, PaaS, SaaS and BaaS Explained with Examples

A detailed explanation of cloud computing service models IaaS, PaaS, SaaS and BaaS, with concrete examples for each type. Helping readers understand the differences between these models and choose the right one when developing web applications.

Stop Reading the News
•2 min read•

Stop Reading the News

An analysis of the 'Locus of Control' (LOC) concept - the distinction between things we can control and things we cannot. The author argues that reading news is often a waste of time because 99% of news relates to events beyond our control, and encourages readers to focus on activities that are more beneficial to themselves.

Clean Code Part 1: Names Reveal Character

The opening post in a clean code series, focusing on the art of naming variables, functions, and parameters. I analyze common mistakes like cryptic names, outdated data type prefixes, overly long names, and mixed language naming. Plus, a quick guide on using Visual Studio's Refactor feature to rename things efficiently.

E-Myth Revisited - A Great Business Book Worth Reading

An introduction to E-Myth Revisited - a book analyzing why small businesses fail. The author shares real examples of sales innovation and the story of Sarah - a woman who started a bakery and faced many challenges. The book uses specific, easy-to-understand situations and provides valuable lessons.

How to Use [System.Serializable] in Unity

A detailed explanation of how to use the [System.Serializable] attribute in Unity to display classes and properties in the Inspector, helping developers easily customize values and manage data in games.

Variables and Inspector in Unity
•2 min read•

Variables and Inspector in Unity

Basic guide on declaring and using variables in Unity to display and adjust values through the Inspector. This post clearly explains the benefits during game development, helping you test and adjust parameters without modifying code.

[Book Review] The Miracle Morning: Wake Up Early

Review of 'The Miracle Morning' by Hal Elrod, introducing the method of waking up early and practicing S.A.V.E.R.S (Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, Scribing) to improve your life. The author shares personal experiences applying this method and the benefits it brings for personal development.

A Brief Introduction to Scripting in Unity

This article provides basic guidance on how to create and use scripts in Unity. I explain the role of scripts as the 'brain' controlling other components, how to create new scripts, and important functions like Start() and Update() with practical examples on controlling objects in games.

Should You Teach What You Just Learned?

Sharing my thoughts on teaching knowledge you've just learned to others, based on my personal experience making programming tutorial videos. I analyze the benefits of sharing knowledge as a way to review, improve presentation skills, and give learners access to different perspectives. This is not just about helping others but also an effective method for self-development.

•1 min read•

Number Guessing Game with UI

A guide to upgrading the number guessing game from console to graphical interface with Unity UI. The article presents steps for creating a project, saving scenes, adding UI Text, and customizing Buttons - helping learners get familiar with user interface components in Unity.

How to Learn English Online with italki

This article shares my experience learning English online with native speakers through the italki platform, which helped improve my communication skills, pronunciation, and cultural knowledge. I also share tips on preparing ideas before lessons to optimize time and cost, and introduce learning opportunities for those who don't have access to foreigners in person.

Does Learning English Through Movies Actually Work?

An analysis of whether learning English through movies is effective, with reasons like exposure to real language, natural pronunciation, and vocabulary in context. I share my personal experience and evaluate this method compared to traditional textbook learning.

Finding Foreigners to Speak English With

Guide on finding foreigners to practice speaking English, introducing platforms like Paltalk with 24/7 online learning rooms managed by Vietnamese people in America. The author explains the importance of practicing with native speakers to overcome fear and improve listening and speaking skills.

How to Learn English with Flashcards

A guide to effectively learning English with Flashcards, introducing the science behind this method and sharing my personal experience of learning 300 phrasal verbs in one month. Includes specific steps for creating and using flashcards for vocabulary learning.