I refer to our conversation last week concerning our class’s Service Learning Project. The mission of the Singapore Children’s Society is to bring relief and happiness to children in need, and it reaches out especially to those who are abused, neglected and from dysfunctional families. After discussion with my classmates, we feel that befriending would be a better choice as it would be more meaningful and more convenient for my classmates.
Befriending is a better option than academic coaching because it will have a greater impact on those who are less fortunate as we can help out as role models and befriend the children rather than just to provide academic-related help. As a befriender, we can help these children in all areas in life. Some of these children may be stereotyped and neglected. By befriending them, we can widen their social network and perhaps, they might improve in all areas of life.
Secondly, befriending is also a more convenient option when compared to academic coaching as we only need to commit to at least 6 hours of involvement. For academic coaching however, students would have to commit to at least 3 sessions with the children they are assigned to. The befriending option would allow for a more flexible schedule for the volunteers as we can work with the society to draft out a timetable which can cater to everybody’s busy schedules so that all the volunteers can attend all the befriending sessions.
Next, befriending would also be a more interesting option than academic coaching as both parties (the volunteer and the children who received aid) would benefit. For academic coaching, volunteers can only choose to tutor the child in a specific English Language or Mathematics topic. In this case, only the tutored children would benefit academically. However, for befriending, volunteers could help man a telephone hotline, where they provide a friendly ear to the children who call in. This way, volunteers can gain an insight into the harsh realities of life and gain experience. Volunteers would also be able to appreciate what they already have as they begin to realise there are many who are less fortunate.
Also, volunteers would be able to perform their tasks better for befriending as they would undergo a full-day course and would be assisting and guided by an experienced counsellor. On the other hand, no help and guidance is given for academic coaching. It is essential that the volunteers receive guidance so that we would be able to perform the tasks professionally and reach out a helping hand to the less fortunate. This way, volunteers would also know what to expect and be clear as to what to do.
My classmates are very passionate and excited about this project. For academic coaching, volunteers have the option of continuing past the 3 sessions, providing free tuition to the children. However, as enthusiastic as we might be, we may not be able to commit to the sessions due to our busy schedules. It would not be very helpful to the children if we attend the tutoring sessions on an irregular basis.
However, for befriending, you have kindly offered us the option of signing up for a one-off fully-subsidised course on basic counselling after the completion of our task. This would be more feasible as it would be more convenient for the volunteers. Volunteers keen on psychology and counselling will get an opportunity to know more about it.
I hope you can grant us the approval to embark on this service learning project and make it possible for my classmates to perform a very valuable community service by befriending the children.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely
*signature*
Wong Guo Xuan
Chairman of Sec 2 Empathy
CA1 Component 3 (Corrections)
One.
In the 21st century, gender inequality is still prevalent in the world. It is obvious that in life, males have more freedom and rights than females. For examples, in some countries in Central Asea, wives are not allowed to initiate a divorce with their husbands on the basis of physical abuse without the testimony of an eyewitness. Believe it or not, a doctor’s letter documenting physical abuse just wouldn’t suffice. Also, in countries like Egypt, a woman can initiate a divorce. However, she has to renounce all rights to the couple’s finances and even repay their dowries! In simpler words, women have to pay for their own freedom. Another extreme example to show that males have more freedom and rights than the females is that they are able to restrict their wives from leaving the country. In many Middle Eastern countries which practice Islamic beliefs, men are able to write a letter to the authorities to prevent their wives from leaving the country for literally any reason. How intriguing, but sadly true. In Saudi Arabia, females are only allowed to leave the city with the permission of their closest male relative. You might find it hard to believe that such traditional laws still exist in today’s modern era, but that’s just the way it is. Besides, women also have less say in the political world. In developed countries like Singapore, we can notice that an increasing number of females are forming part of the parliament. However, not every country practices gender equality in the political world. It is estimated that women make up a bare 10% of the total number of political representatives in the world. The few in the lucky lot who have made it to the list are Hillary Clinton and President Gloria Arroyo. This, there is absolutely no doubt that males have more freedom and rights than the female counterparts as they are able to exercise more control over their spouses and have a higher status in society
Two.
Gender inequality is also prevalent in today’s context in the field of education. Males are generally more educated and thus, have a higher social status. Statistics have shown that 24% of the women in the world have not undergone basic education, compared to 16% of that of men. Gender inequality in the education world is no myth and in every perspective factual. In Singapore, everyone, boy or girl, is offered a golden opportunity to undergo primary and secondary education. However, this is not the case in developing nations. In such countries, families tend to give birth to more children as they need help with chores, farming and so on. Typically, the opportunity to education will only be offered to one child as the families are not able to afford education for everyone. Boys usually get the opportunity as they are more favoured over girls as they can carry on the family line. Being illiterate will cause one to be unable to make modern decisions (in the aspects of healthcare, finance etc.) As men are typically more literate, they are favoured over women when it comes to employment. With a job, males naturally have a higher status in society. Thus, it is really not debatable that men are more educated, and have a higher social status than women.
Three.
Also, in this advanced century, we note that females typically take on more responsibilities than males. This aspect is more relevant to our local contest. For example, Singapore mandates a compulsory 4-month paid maternity leave but not a single day of paternity leave. Fertility is not only the responsibility of women, and men should be motivated to mate too. Also, when it comes to being responsible for the family, it is always the females who work harder. In my family, my mum and sister are always the ones who do household chores and take care of my younger brother, whereas, my father, as the breadwinner of the family works all day long, and I am just too obsessed with playing computer games. In many African societies, it is always the women who go to rivers and wells to fetch water to their houses. Besides that, they also have to help out with planting the crops. Figures have shown that the women in Africa work double the time than men.
In conclusion, females take on more responsibilities than males as it is shown in the above examples. You really just have no more reason not to be convinced that even right now in the 21st century, gender inequality is still prevalent in the world.
CA1 Component 2 (Corrections)
Keep your dreams under lock and key
By Wong Guo Xuan
Movie: Inception
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Jordan-Leritt, Marion Cotillord, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Tam Hardy, Dileep Ron, Tan Berenger, Michael Caine
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Christopher Nolan
Produced by: Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas
Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller
Running time: 148 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13
Release date: July 16 2010
Imagine if your dreams are invaded. Imagine if your thoughts are created, stolen or manipulated. Or even more unsettling still, imagine if an idea is implanted into your subconscious, making you believe it’s your own.
Welcome to Inception. You have arrived at the labyrinth director cum writer Christopher Nolan plotted. This action packed sci—fi thriller is sure to give you a refreshing punch so hard it’ll knock you down. Buckle up your seat belts and let the adventure begin…
This intense and intimidating plot revolves around Dom Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. With the help of a group of dream experts, the specialised spy invades the subconscious of his targets and extracts valuable commercial information while they are asleep and dreaming. Unable to return to his children, he is offered an opportunity to regain his old life in exchange for something almost unattainable – inception, the act of implanting an idea into a person’s mind. This mind boggling plot explores the concept of “dream within a dream” and all my fortune tell me you’ll be bewildered by the complicated plot.
I can somehow relate Inception to Avatar. If James Cameroon showed us the beautiful paradise – Pandora, then Christopher Nolan has immersed up deep into a world of 3-layered subconsciousness and brought us back to our conscious selves from it. You’ll have to agree with me that what’s so unique and intelligent about the plot is that it has literally no boundaries as anything is possible in a dream. The universe within is constantly expanding and there are limitless possibilities. This element itself makes the film awe-inspiring and allows it to create its own identity in the cinematic universe.
Characters are undoubtedly a crucial factor in every movie. In unnerving Inception, DiCaprio has definitely exceeded the expectations a viewer will have of him. As the team of dream experts try to go deeper and deeper into the subconscious of their targets, Cobb himself has an inner battle going on within him. What’s so brilliant is that while he is the master at distorting other’s mind, he can’t even control his own! I am also amazed at the way the storyline interweaved Cobb’s personal life into the bigger mission. The filmmakers have also put together a medley of characters, each with their own unique talents that the mission can’t do without.
There's no reason for you to not be stunned and taken aback by the various special effects throughout this puzzling film. I was highly impressed by the scene in which a fight took place in zero gravity, which was created by CG-based effects to subtly bend elements like physics, space and time. It was so incredible I couldn’t believe my eyes.
The movie was filmed at several locations, like Japan and Canada. I loved the scenic surroundings which were breathtaking and panoramic. One of the scenes set in Tokyo featured a gigantic castle surrounding by sakura trees. How magnificent!
What makes Inception stand out from other movies directed by Christopher Nolan is that it’s the only one for which he came up with the entire plot by himself. The rest of his movies were merely comic book adaptations or sequels. In addition, his writings are generally catered for the young (and the young at heart, of course).
In this mind blasting blockbuster, Christopher Nolan does not wrap up every fact and present them to you in a package. By doing so, the film is able to engage and interact with its audience, and the movie becomes lively. For example, it seemed ambiguous whether the final scene was another dream or reality. Before Christopher Nolan comes in time to explain to you, the film fades out and the movie comes to an end.
Watching Inception is akin to being led by Christopher Nolan on a merry-go-round around the subconscious of his targets. Climbing up and down the primrose stairs (which represents entering a new layer of the dream) had definitely left me baffled, but it’d have definitely served its purpose. This exciting thriller made my jaws drop, and it’s certainly deserving of a 100% rating.
To end off on a lower note, remember, keep your dreams under lock and key tonight, or you might just be the next target of agent Dom Cobb.
CA1 Component 1 (Corrections)
Why’s that land laughing?
By Wong Guo Xuan
What is happiness? A number, a policy, a winning lottery ticket, work in progress, not thinking or even failure? Happiness can be everything and everyone defines happiness differently. In “The Geography of Bliss”, Eric Weiner explores the world to discover how different countries define and achieve happiness, and to what extent an individual’s happiness is related to the place they live in and their culture. He blasts off to wacky and exotic places like Moldova, Iceland and Qatar. His final chapter is written in the United States, which he finds “not as happy as it is wealthy”. Like most of his other writings, this wise, witty ramble has received countless compliments and awards.
The explorer’s first stop is Netherlands, where he visits the World Database of Happiness. He meets up with a professor who studies happiness. He tries to rank countries by how satisfied they are with their lives. This book explores the fundamentals of happiness and presents fascinating findings like “People are least happy when they are commuting to work.” The author has armed his readers with tons of thought-provoking and intriguing facts that stop the reader from putting the book down.
Weiner visits not only blissful countries, but also a few that fall into the sad camp. He views a country from multiple perspectives. For example, in Switzerland, he is grudgingly appreciative of the local toilets, as in “Swiss toilets are indeed clean.”, but neutral when it comes to tucking in to Swiss fondue, as in “Our fondue comes in a large bowl, not orange, and it’s good. After a few helpings, the euphoria is gone, but I’m feeling, I think, very Swiss. Satisfied. Neutral. Maybe this explains Swiss neutrality.” His comments are jolting and it seems as if the reader is right in his backpack, finding out what exactly happiness is.
In his book, he makes use of lots of interesting ironies. For example, he is at his funniest when he writes about Moldova, a country that is pretty unhappy according to the World Database of Happiness. He meets an old grandmother, Luba, and rents an apartment from her. A really humorous statement I’d like to share is, “Luba’s English consists entirely of the words ‘no’ and ‘feevty-feevty’, the latter of which she invariably accompanies with a see-sawing of her palm,” Does this mean that sadness offers more colour to work with? I’d probably leave you to give it some thought.
The journey comes to an end when Weiner offers a nugget of golden advice, “There’s more than one path to happiness. Money matters, but less than we think and not in the way that we think. Family is important. So are friends. Envy is toxic. So is excessive thinking. Beaches are optional. Trust is not. Neither is gratitude.” Unfortunately, we soon come to the end of this inspiring, yet light-hearted story.
In my opinion, flipping through every single page of this book is like munching on an apple. It is tasty, easy to digest, an certainly of some nutritional value. If you’d ask me whether I will read this book again, I wouldn’t give it a “feevty-feevty”, and yes, I will be sure to read it again. This book is your formulae to happiness, so hurry down and get a copy now!
e-Learning
Is it a good idea to use avatars to replace humans asteachers in schools? I feel that it is a good idea to use avatars to replace teachers in schools. The introduction of robots would reduce the teacher-to-student-ratio in schools. Currently, the teacher-to-student ratio in secondary schools in Singapore is generally 1:40 or thereabout. Learning is ineffective and students are usually not able to understand concepts well. By using avatars, there would be more teachers (virtual or human), hence, class sizes would be smaller. When class sizes are smaller, students are able to absorb more and teachers would also be able to make more time to communicate with each and every student and help them. For example, in South Korea, telepresence robots are used to replace teachers and is used for video conferencing and sports two cameras which it uses as eyes to look around the room. Although it has a human-like avatar on the screen, the teachers aren’t actually seen, it does however mimic a teacher’s facial expressions by the use of a camera. Students in South Korea have benefited since the introduction of such avatars. They have expressed that it made learning more interesting and interactive. Concluding, it is a good idea to use avatars to replace teachers in school as it would reduce the teacher-to-student-ratio in schools.
Advantages :
1. We can have a better ratio of the number of teachers to the number of students. Examples/evidence :You see, the Public School System does not have the money to do 1:1 helping of autistic children or special kids, and we know they need that. But if computer systems could help them, then maybe that might be a good way to do things? Because the computer once acquired would be able to teach the child without the teacher 1:1 and therefore you might be able to expand your class room from 7-8 to 30 with an assistant without jeopardizing quality.
2. Students’ learning would be more effective and interesting. Examples/evidence :Cyber worlds attract attention in education because of their potential benefits: communication without limitations of time and space, realistic and engaging conversations through chat and using avatars, and effective, individualized teaching and learning in an interactive 3D environment. Given the problems facing teacher practicum programs, the cyber practicum offers an interesting solution.
Disadvantages :
1. Students may not want to attend such virtual classes. Examples/evidence : Another question is whether students would "attend" virtual classes taught by the teacher candidates or just receive additional, outside-class help through the cyber practicum.
2.Avatars do not have a mind of their own.
Examples/evidence :Computers can never replace teachers completely. To begin with teachers are needed to decide and tell computer software developers what the computers will teach and how they will teach it. Also, there are many other useful features of face to face interaction between a real teacher and students that can not be replicated on computers. For example, teacher can sense when students are loosing interest in the the lecture and introduce some changes in the patter of lecture to revive their interest. This cannot be done by computer.
June Holiday Assignment
Below are my responses. I have separated them into 3 video clips.
Review 1: Cathay Pacific plane makes emergency landing
Review 2: Dead body found in Johor water tank
Review 3: Four more schools join Direct Schools Admission scheme
Please pardon me for any poor pronunciation or whatsoever! :)
CA2 Component 2 (Corrections)
Chung Cheng High School (Main)
50 Goodman Rd
Singapore 696969
11 July 2011
Mr. Lim Bo Seng
Liaison Officer
Singapore Children’s Society
298 Tiong Bahru Road
#09-05 Central Plaza
Singapore 168730
Dear Mr. Lim
Re: Service Learning Project
I refer to our conversation last week concerning our class’s Service Learning Project. The mission of the Singapore Children’s Society is to bring relief and happiness to children in need, and it reaches out especially to those who are abused, neglected and from dysfunctional families. After discussion with my classmates, we feel that befriending would be a better choice as it would be more meaningful and more convenient for my classmates.
Befriending is a better option than academic coaching because it will have a greater impact on those who are less fortunate as we can help out as role models and befriend the children rather than just to provide academic-related help. As a befriender, we can help these children in all areas in life. Some of these children may be stereotyped and neglected. By befriending them, we can widen their social network and perhaps, they might improve in all areas of life.
Secondly, befriending is also a more convenient option when compared to academic coaching as we only need to commit to at least 6 hours of involvement. For academic coaching however, students would have to commit to at least 3 sessions with the children they are assigned to. The befriending option would allow for a more flexible schedule for the volunteers as we can work with the society to draft out a timetable which can cater to everybody’s busy schedules so that all the volunteers can attend all the befriending sessions.
Next, befriending would also be a more interesting option than academic coaching as both parties (the volunteer and the children who received aid) would benefit. For academic coaching, volunteers can only choose to tutor the child in a specific English Language or Mathematics topic. In this case, only the tutored children would benefit academically. However, for befriending, volunteers could help man a telephone hotline, where they provide a friendly ear to the children who call in. This way, volunteers can gain an insight into the harsh realities of life and gain experience. Volunteers would also be able to appreciate what they already have as they begin to realise there are many who are less fortunate.
Also, volunteers would be able to perform their tasks better for befriending as they would undergo a full-day course and would be assisting and guided by an experienced counsellor. On the other hand, no help and guidance is given for academic coaching. It is essential that the volunteers receive guidance so that we would be able to perform the tasks professionally and reach out a helping hand to the less fortunate. This way, volunteers would also know what to expect and be clear as to what to do.
My classmates are very passionate and excited about this project. For academic coaching, volunteers have the option of continuing past the 3 sessions, providing free tuition to the children. However, as enthusiastic as we might be, we may not be able to commit to the sessions due to our busy schedules. It would not be very helpful to the children if we attend the tutoring sessions on an irregular basis.
However, for befriending, you have kindly offered us the option of signing up for a one-off fully-subsidised course on basic counselling after the completion of our task. This would be more feasible as it would be more convenient for the volunteers. Volunteers keen on psychology and counselling will get an opportunity to know more about it.
I hope you can grant us the approval to embark on this service learning project and make it possible for my classmates to perform a very valuable community service by befriending the children.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely
*signature*
Wong Guo Xuan
Chairman of Sec 2 Empathy
CA1 Component 3 (Corrections)
One.
In the 21st century, gender inequality is still prevalent in the world. It is obvious that in life, males have more freedom and rights than females. For examples, in some countries in Central Asea, wives are not allowed to initiate a divorce with their husbands on the basis of physical abuse without the testimony of an eyewitness. Believe it or not, a doctor’s letter documenting physical abuse just wouldn’t suffice. Also, in countries like Egypt, a woman can initiate a divorce. However, she has to renounce all rights to the couple’s finances and even repay their dowries! In simpler words, women have to pay for their own freedom. Another extreme example to show that males have more freedom and rights than the females is that they are able to restrict their wives from leaving the country. In many Middle Eastern countries which practice Islamic beliefs, men are able to write a letter to the authorities to prevent their wives from leaving the country for literally any reason. How intriguing, but sadly true. In Saudi Arabia, females are only allowed to leave the city with the permission of their closest male relative. You might find it hard to believe that such traditional laws still exist in today’s modern era, but that’s just the way it is. Besides, women also have less say in the political world. In developed countries like Singapore, we can notice that an increasing number of females are forming part of the parliament. However, not every country practices gender equality in the political world. It is estimated that women make up a bare 10% of the total number of political representatives in the world. The few in the lucky lot who have made it to the list are Hillary Clinton and President Gloria Arroyo. This, there is absolutely no doubt that males have more freedom and rights than the female counterparts as they are able to exercise more control over their spouses and have a higher status in society
Two.
Gender inequality is also prevalent in today’s context in the field of education. Males are generally more educated and thus, have a higher social status. Statistics have shown that 24% of the women in the world have not undergone basic education, compared to 16% of that of men. Gender inequality in the education world is no myth and in every perspective factual. In Singapore, everyone, boy or girl, is offered a golden opportunity to undergo primary and secondary education. However, this is not the case in developing nations. In such countries, families tend to give birth to more children as they need help with chores, farming and so on. Typically, the opportunity to education will only be offered to one child as the families are not able to afford education for everyone. Boys usually get the opportunity as they are more favoured over girls as they can carry on the family line. Being illiterate will cause one to be unable to make modern decisions (in the aspects of healthcare, finance etc.) As men are typically more literate, they are favoured over women when it comes to employment. With a job, males naturally have a higher status in society. Thus, it is really not debatable that men are more educated, and have a higher social status than women.
Three.
Also, in this advanced century, we note that females typically take on more responsibilities than males. This aspect is more relevant to our local contest. For example, Singapore mandates a compulsory 4-month paid maternity leave but not a single day of paternity leave. Fertility is not only the responsibility of women, and men should be motivated to mate too. Also, when it comes to being responsible for the family, it is always the females who work harder. In my family, my mum and sister are always the ones who do household chores and take care of my younger brother, whereas, my father, as the breadwinner of the family works all day long, and I am just too obsessed with playing computer games. In many African societies, it is always the women who go to rivers and wells to fetch water to their houses. Besides that, they also have to help out with planting the crops. Figures have shown that the women in Africa work double the time than men.
In conclusion, females take on more responsibilities than males as it is shown in the above examples. You really just have no more reason not to be convinced that even right now in the 21st century, gender inequality is still prevalent in the world.
CA1 Component 2 (Corrections)
Keep your dreams under lock and key
By Wong Guo Xuan
Movie: Inception
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Jordan-Leritt, Marion Cotillord, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Tam Hardy, Dileep Ron, Tan Berenger, Michael Caine
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Christopher Nolan
Produced by: Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas
Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller
Running time: 148 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13
Release date: July 16 2010
Imagine if your dreams are invaded. Imagine if your thoughts are created, stolen or manipulated. Or even more unsettling still, imagine if an idea is implanted into your subconscious, making you believe it’s your own.
Welcome to Inception. You have arrived at the labyrinth director cum writer Christopher Nolan plotted. This action packed sci—fi thriller is sure to give you a refreshing punch so hard it’ll knock you down. Buckle up your seat belts and let the adventure begin…
This intense and intimidating plot revolves around Dom Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. With the help of a group of dream experts, the specialised spy invades the subconscious of his targets and extracts valuable commercial information while they are asleep and dreaming. Unable to return to his children, he is offered an opportunity to regain his old life in exchange for something almost unattainable – inception, the act of implanting an idea into a person’s mind. This mind boggling plot explores the concept of “dream within a dream” and all my fortune tell me you’ll be bewildered by the complicated plot.
I can somehow relate Inception to Avatar. If James Cameroon showed us the beautiful paradise – Pandora, then Christopher Nolan has immersed up deep into a world of 3-layered subconsciousness and brought us back to our conscious selves from it. You’ll have to agree with me that what’s so unique and intelligent about the plot is that it has literally no boundaries as anything is possible in a dream. The universe within is constantly expanding and there are limitless possibilities. This element itself makes the film awe-inspiring and allows it to create its own identity in the cinematic universe.
Characters are undoubtedly a crucial factor in every movie. In unnerving Inception, DiCaprio has definitely exceeded the expectations a viewer will have of him. As the team of dream experts try to go deeper and deeper into the subconscious of their targets, Cobb himself has an inner battle going on within him. What’s so brilliant is that while he is the master at distorting other’s mind, he can’t even control his own! I am also amazed at the way the storyline interweaved Cobb’s personal life into the bigger mission. The filmmakers have also put together a medley of characters, each with their own unique talents that the mission can’t do without.
There's no reason for you to not be stunned and taken aback by the various special effects throughout this puzzling film. I was highly impressed by the scene in which a fight took place in zero gravity, which was created by CG-based effects to subtly bend elements like physics, space and time. It was so incredible I couldn’t believe my eyes.
The movie was filmed at several locations, like Japan and Canada. I loved the scenic surroundings which were breathtaking and panoramic. One of the scenes set in Tokyo featured a gigantic castle surrounding by sakura trees. How magnificent!
What makes Inception stand out from other movies directed by Christopher Nolan is that it’s the only one for which he came up with the entire plot by himself. The rest of his movies were merely comic book adaptations or sequels. In addition, his writings are generally catered for the young (and the young at heart, of course).
In this mind blasting blockbuster, Christopher Nolan does not wrap up every fact and present them to you in a package. By doing so, the film is able to engage and interact with its audience, and the movie becomes lively. For example, it seemed ambiguous whether the final scene was another dream or reality. Before Christopher Nolan comes in time to explain to you, the film fades out and the movie comes to an end.
Watching Inception is akin to being led by Christopher Nolan on a merry-go-round around the subconscious of his targets. Climbing up and down the primrose stairs (which represents entering a new layer of the dream) had definitely left me baffled, but it’d have definitely served its purpose. This exciting thriller made my jaws drop, and it’s certainly deserving of a 100% rating.
To end off on a lower note, remember, keep your dreams under lock and key tonight, or you might just be the next target of agent Dom Cobb.
CA1 Component 1 (Corrections)
Why’s that land laughing?
By Wong Guo Xuan
What is happiness? A number, a policy, a winning lottery ticket, work in progress, not thinking or even failure? Happiness can be everything and everyone defines happiness differently. In “The Geography of Bliss”, Eric Weiner explores the world to discover how different countries define and achieve happiness, and to what extent an individual’s happiness is related to the place they live in and their culture. He blasts off to wacky and exotic places like Moldova, Iceland and Qatar. His final chapter is written in the United States, which he finds “not as happy as it is wealthy”. Like most of his other writings, this wise, witty ramble has received countless compliments and awards.
The explorer’s first stop is Netherlands, where he visits the World Database of Happiness. He meets up with a professor who studies happiness. He tries to rank countries by how satisfied they are with their lives. This book explores the fundamentals of happiness and presents fascinating findings like “People are least happy when they are commuting to work.” The author has armed his readers with tons of thought-provoking and intriguing facts that stop the reader from putting the book down.
Weiner visits not only blissful countries, but also a few that fall into the sad camp. He views a country from multiple perspectives. For example, in Switzerland, he is grudgingly appreciative of the local toilets, as in “Swiss toilets are indeed clean.”, but neutral when it comes to tucking in to Swiss fondue, as in “Our fondue comes in a large bowl, not orange, and it’s good. After a few helpings, the euphoria is gone, but I’m feeling, I think, very Swiss. Satisfied. Neutral. Maybe this explains Swiss neutrality.” His comments are jolting and it seems as if the reader is right in his backpack, finding out what exactly happiness is.
In his book, he makes use of lots of interesting ironies. For example, he is at his funniest when he writes about Moldova, a country that is pretty unhappy according to the World Database of Happiness. He meets an old grandmother, Luba, and rents an apartment from her. A really humorous statement I’d like to share is, “Luba’s English consists entirely of the words ‘no’ and ‘feevty-feevty’, the latter of which she invariably accompanies with a see-sawing of her palm,” Does this mean that sadness offers more colour to work with? I’d probably leave you to give it some thought.
The journey comes to an end when Weiner offers a nugget of golden advice, “There’s more than one path to happiness. Money matters, but less than we think and not in the way that we think. Family is important. So are friends. Envy is toxic. So is excessive thinking. Beaches are optional. Trust is not. Neither is gratitude.” Unfortunately, we soon come to the end of this inspiring, yet light-hearted story.
In my opinion, flipping through every single page of this book is like munching on an apple. It is tasty, easy to digest, an certainly of some nutritional value. If you’d ask me whether I will read this book again, I wouldn’t give it a “feevty-feevty”, and yes, I will be sure to read it again. This book is your formulae to happiness, so hurry down and get a copy now!
e-Learning
Is it a good idea to use avatars to replace humans as teachers in schools?I feel that it is a good idea to use avatars to replace teachers in schools. The introduction of robots would reduce the teacher-to-student-ratio in schools. Currently, the teacher-to-student ratio in secondary schools in Singapore is generally 1:40 or thereabout. Learning is ineffective and students are usually not able to understand concepts well. By using avatars, there would be more teachers (virtual or human), hence, class sizes would be smaller. When class sizes are smaller, students are able to absorb more and teachers would also be able to make more time to communicate with each and every student and help them. For example, in South Korea, telepresence robots are used to replace teachers and is used for video conferencing and sports two cameras which it uses as eyes to look around the room. Although it has a human-like avatar on the screen, the teachers aren’t actually seen, it does however mimic a teacher’s facial expressions by the use of a camera. Students in South Korea have benefited since the introduction of such avatars. They have expressed that it made learning more interesting and interactive. Concluding, it is a good idea to use avatars to replace teachers in school as it would reduce the teacher-to-student-ratio in schools.
Advantages :
1. We can have a better ratio of the number of teachers to the number of students.
Examples/evidence :You see, the Public School System does not have the money to do 1:1 helping of autistic children or special kids, and we know they need that. But if computer systems could help them, then maybe that might be a good way to do things? Because the computer once acquired would be able to teach the child without the teacher 1:1 and therefore you might be able to expand your class room from 7-8 to 30 with an assistant without jeopardizing quality.
2. Students’ learning would be more effective and interesting.
Examples/evidence :Cyber worlds attract attention in education because of their potential benefits: communication without limitations of time and space, realistic and engaging conversations through chat and using avatars, and effective, individualized teaching and learning in an interactive 3D environment. Given the problems facing teacher practicum programs, the cyber practicum offers an interesting solution.
Disadvantages :
1. Students may not want to attend such virtual classes.
Examples/evidence : Another question is whether students would "attend" virtual classes taught by the teacher candidates or just receive additional, outside-class help through the cyber practicum.
2.Avatars do not have a mind of their own.
Examples/evidence :Computers can never replace teachers completely. To begin with teachers are needed to decide and tell computer software developers what the computers will teach and how they will teach it. Also, there are many other useful features of face to face interaction between a real teacher and students that can not be replicated on computers. For example, teacher can sense when students are loosing interest in the the lecture and introduce some changes in the patter of lecture to revive their interest. This cannot be done by computer.
June Holiday Assignment
Below are my responses. I have separated them into 3 video clips.
Review 1: Cathay Pacific plane makes emergency landing
Review 2: Dead body found in Johor water tank
Review 3: Four more schools join Direct Schools Admission scheme
Please pardon me for any poor pronunciation or whatsoever! :)
Thanks
Guo Xuan