Thursday, May 17, 2007
Article Review 4- Talented Pulpils Get Bigger Chance At Direct Entry Into Secondary 1
Link: http://enewslink.asia1.com.sg/brsweb/read_6.brsw?this=result&QDT=1&QFLST=HD%3AHG%3APD&DB=BT%3AST%4005-07&QSTR=%28%28education%29%29.HG.&DTSTR=%28%28PD+%3E=+20051216%29+and+%28PD+%3C=+20070518%29%29&PSZ=10&MAXL=200&SUMY=1&HLT=0&LSTN=0&ID=000021803@ST07
Summary of Article: More schools are now offering Direct School Admission and pupils talented in field such as sports or the arts now have an increased chance of getting into secondary schools through this system. The DSA system was introduced three years ago in order to provide schools with more flexibility. Students identified to have extraordinary talents or skills undergo a series of thorough examination before being admitted regardless of the PSLE score. Many students who have been thus admitted into schools are now thriving in their respective fields of expertise. Moreover, they seem to be able to keep up with the other pupils in their midst.
Comment:
I believe that the introduction of DSA was a very good move that will certainly aid the development of many talented individuals. In the article, it is mentioned that DSA allows schools to gain more flexibility, and this is very true indeed. Schools are now able to be more all-rounded and thus able to compete harder for championships. Thus, schools are not only able to enhance areas they are already strong in; they can also complement their weaker areas with fresh talent.
However, education has been and remains a constant concern when students are taken in through DSA. It could be true that they are talented and special, but it would be meaningless if they were put into a school which offers a level of education so high that the directly admitted students would not learn anything.
There are various reasons for students taken in through DSA not performing in academics. One of these is simply intelligence. DSA students are not required to meet the PSLE examination expectation for the school they join. Therefore, there is a chance that they could fall behind during lessons because their classmates would be capable of learning at a quicker pace than them.
Commitment is another reason for directly admitted students performing poorly in studies. Since they are brought in for their specific talent (e.g. sport, arts, etc), they may believe that they are not required to study in the school. After all, they may believe that the school wishes to nurture their skills rather than improve their grades.
Many students admitted through DSA are also given responsibilities and have expectations heaped upon them early. They are also expected to practice their trade often in order to improve it to perfection. Thus, not only is a faster rate of progress expected, DSA students are also required to serve as examples for the other students. Hence, they are involved in their field of expertise, very early, much earlier than a usual student would be.
However, I believe that if directly admitted students understand the importance of education, they will put in that extra bit of effort and desire that is required to allow them to do well in their studies as well. Despite what area they are talented in, they must comprehend that without education, they cannot possible get anywhere. The higher you get in the echelons of education, the higher your chances of getting a job and future of your choice. Thus, education is something that must be taken seriously and given attention to.
As testimony to this, there are students present who can balance their commitments and their studies such that both benefit. I know of many people, some of them my friends in my school, who entered through DSA but are still excelling in studies. It is possible to understand that while DSA students could be left behind in academics, they could also be swept along with the normal students, taking their intelligence to a new level. This illustrates the potential genius of DSA, not only could it help students nurture their talents, it could also help them improve in academics, thus transfusing two essential parts of life to form a balanced human being.
(499 words)
Summary of Article: More schools are now offering Direct School Admission and pupils talented in field such as sports or the arts now have an increased chance of getting into secondary schools through this system. The DSA system was introduced three years ago in order to provide schools with more flexibility. Students identified to have extraordinary talents or skills undergo a series of thorough examination before being admitted regardless of the PSLE score. Many students who have been thus admitted into schools are now thriving in their respective fields of expertise. Moreover, they seem to be able to keep up with the other pupils in their midst.
Comment:
I believe that the introduction of DSA was a very good move that will certainly aid the development of many talented individuals. In the article, it is mentioned that DSA allows schools to gain more flexibility, and this is very true indeed. Schools are now able to be more all-rounded and thus able to compete harder for championships. Thus, schools are not only able to enhance areas they are already strong in; they can also complement their weaker areas with fresh talent.
However, education has been and remains a constant concern when students are taken in through DSA. It could be true that they are talented and special, but it would be meaningless if they were put into a school which offers a level of education so high that the directly admitted students would not learn anything.
There are various reasons for students taken in through DSA not performing in academics. One of these is simply intelligence. DSA students are not required to meet the PSLE examination expectation for the school they join. Therefore, there is a chance that they could fall behind during lessons because their classmates would be capable of learning at a quicker pace than them.
Commitment is another reason for directly admitted students performing poorly in studies. Since they are brought in for their specific talent (e.g. sport, arts, etc), they may believe that they are not required to study in the school. After all, they may believe that the school wishes to nurture their skills rather than improve their grades.
Many students admitted through DSA are also given responsibilities and have expectations heaped upon them early. They are also expected to practice their trade often in order to improve it to perfection. Thus, not only is a faster rate of progress expected, DSA students are also required to serve as examples for the other students. Hence, they are involved in their field of expertise, very early, much earlier than a usual student would be.
However, I believe that if directly admitted students understand the importance of education, they will put in that extra bit of effort and desire that is required to allow them to do well in their studies as well. Despite what area they are talented in, they must comprehend that without education, they cannot possible get anywhere. The higher you get in the echelons of education, the higher your chances of getting a job and future of your choice. Thus, education is something that must be taken seriously and given attention to.
As testimony to this, there are students present who can balance their commitments and their studies such that both benefit. I know of many people, some of them my friends in my school, who entered through DSA but are still excelling in studies. It is possible to understand that while DSA students could be left behind in academics, they could also be swept along with the normal students, taking their intelligence to a new level. This illustrates the potential genius of DSA, not only could it help students nurture their talents, it could also help them improve in academics, thus transfusing two essential parts of life to form a balanced human being.
(499 words)
Article Review 3- Antarctic 'Treasure Trove' Found
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6661987.stm
Summary of Article:
Research expeditions have recently been conducted as part of the Andeep (Antarctic benthic deep-sea biodiversity) project. As the name implies, it involved an international team of people diving at the Antarctic in an attempt to shine light on the dark realm of ignorance that has engulfed this region. The result of the research was astonishing: the area was teeming with life forms, with more than a thousand different species of marine life discovered, many of which were previously unknown. For years, scientists harboured the thought that Antarctic waters were too hostile and would contain little biodiversity; but these were shattered by this latest development.
Comment:
Summary of Article:
Research expeditions have recently been conducted as part of the Andeep (Antarctic benthic deep-sea biodiversity) project. As the name implies, it involved an international team of people diving at the Antarctic in an attempt to shine light on the dark realm of ignorance that has engulfed this region. The result of the research was astonishing: the area was teeming with life forms, with more than a thousand different species of marine life discovered, many of which were previously unknown. For years, scientists harboured the thought that Antarctic waters were too hostile and would contain little biodiversity; but these were shattered by this latest development.
Comment:
Firstly, I must mention that I was absolutely stunned when I first read this article. I, too, had believed that there was little, if any at all, chance of such diverse life being present in the seas of Antarctica. I am sure that many others will surely experience the same feelings when they read this article for the first time. Yet, it illustrates yet another misconception of mankind, and how much we really know about our world.
There is little doubt that man remains ignorant to much of the world around him. There is only so much we have learned so far about the Earth and the creatures that inhabit it. However, there is no denying that we have tried. This article is testimony to the fact that even though we still have much to learn, humans are still making a Herculean effort to brave the harsh conditions that can be imposed upon them to unlock, albeit slowly, the maze of eternal secrets that is the Earth.
Humans have managed to map the whole world, and have discovered millions of different species of life. This in itself is praiseworthy, tribute to the curiosity and desire for knowledge that are one with every human being. The momentum with which humans are making every new discovery, the speed with which they are increasing their knowledge, is simply amazing.
Key to this is the humans’ unique ability to use past experiences and discoveries to derive what could happen in the future. This skill could be either a blessing or our bane. The ability to foresee the future could certainly aid us in our journey for knowledge, for every discovery we make could lead to the formation of numerous theories about other things which would greatly simplify matters.
However, it could hinder humans as well. If any one part of our prior knowledge is flawed, it could lead to the creation of a thousand mistakes. Using this example, many people had always assumed that Antarctic waters would not provide a very hospitable environment for life. However, this has been proven wrong.
Thus, the world as we know it today may, in reality, not be true at all. For all we know about the earth is based on observation (induction) and derivation. We have no way of knowing that what happens today will happen tomorrow. In the same way, it would be impossible to tell if what was found yesterday could apply to the next day. So what of our knowledge is true? What are we taking for granted that may actually be false? These are questions that will haunt mankind for eternity.
Hence, humans are on a quest for truth. Nothing we see, nothing we know, may be true. Yet, undoubtedly, humans are on the right track, as this article shows. A long-lasting misconception of humans has just been corrected, and one could wonder how many misconceptions we already harbour that need to be rectified. Knowledge without truth is valueless. However, I believe that with the progress we are making, not only will our knowledge expand; we will also get a better idea of what around us is true and what is not.
(498 words)
Friday, March 2, 2007
Article Review 2- School Closed After Arson Attack
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/6407595.stm
Summary of Article:
Longfields County Primary School in England was closed after three classrooms and the roof were severely damaged by fire. Fortunately, no one was injured. However, two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of arson.
News such as this is increasingly becoming common. Teenagers of today seem to be engaging themselves in all sorts of wild, reckless activities that often land others, if not themselves, in danger. This incident that occurred in England serves as proof to this.
Arson, vandalism, assault, drink driving, and many other crimes are often linked with teenagers. There has to be a reason for this. Being a teenager myself, perhaps I could understand how other teenagers feel. Most teenagers tend to feel detached from life. They simply do not care about what they do or whether their actions could have unpleasant consequences or repercussions. Also, teenagers often feel bored, and perhaps the above-mentioned crimes are ways in which they try and do something exciting.
These are believed to be associated with the major changes that take place in the human’s body during the teenage years of thirteen to nineteen. Although I may understand how these teenagers feel, I believe that they cannot be forgiven for their actions. Yes, the teenage years probably make people more volatile, but do we see all teenagers committing crimes? This shows that the teenager’s actions are also influenced by his character. Teenagers with strong character are likely to be more able to keep control of their behaviour.
On more occasions than one, I have been left gaping open-mouthed, feeling both baffled and infuriated by the stupidity of teenagers when they do absolutely unreasonable things. One example of this was when I read a newspaper article a few years ago of two teenagers assaulting their teacher for failing them.
It is during the teenage years that a person’s future is moulded. Your actions when you are a teenager will decide what sort of life you will live. The teenage period is the transition between childhood and adulthood. This is why it is essential to build a strong character and keep well away from trouble when you are a teenager.
Studies have proven that high percentages of teenagers who are arrested grow up into criminals. As teenagers, we must try and avoid making any major mistakes at all. Although every mistake made is a learning opportunity, during the teenage years, it may be too late to learn from a mistake. In order to make the world a much better place to live in, the crime rate needs to decrease. And in order for this to happen, teenagers, major contributors to it, need to change. Self-control is a skill that teenagers need to master so that they can keep out of trouble. We can all do our part by helping teenagers who lack this talent, either directly or by setting an example. Hopefully, this issue regarding teenagers will soon cease to be an issue altogether.
(490 words)
Longfields County Primary School in England was closed after three classrooms and the roof were severely damaged by fire. Fortunately, no one was injured. However, two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of arson.
News such as this is increasingly becoming common. Teenagers of today seem to be engaging themselves in all sorts of wild, reckless activities that often land others, if not themselves, in danger. This incident that occurred in England serves as proof to this.
Arson, vandalism, assault, drink driving, and many other crimes are often linked with teenagers. There has to be a reason for this. Being a teenager myself, perhaps I could understand how other teenagers feel. Most teenagers tend to feel detached from life. They simply do not care about what they do or whether their actions could have unpleasant consequences or repercussions. Also, teenagers often feel bored, and perhaps the above-mentioned crimes are ways in which they try and do something exciting.
These are believed to be associated with the major changes that take place in the human’s body during the teenage years of thirteen to nineteen. Although I may understand how these teenagers feel, I believe that they cannot be forgiven for their actions. Yes, the teenage years probably make people more volatile, but do we see all teenagers committing crimes? This shows that the teenager’s actions are also influenced by his character. Teenagers with strong character are likely to be more able to keep control of their behaviour.
On more occasions than one, I have been left gaping open-mouthed, feeling both baffled and infuriated by the stupidity of teenagers when they do absolutely unreasonable things. One example of this was when I read a newspaper article a few years ago of two teenagers assaulting their teacher for failing them.
It is during the teenage years that a person’s future is moulded. Your actions when you are a teenager will decide what sort of life you will live. The teenage period is the transition between childhood and adulthood. This is why it is essential to build a strong character and keep well away from trouble when you are a teenager.
Studies have proven that high percentages of teenagers who are arrested grow up into criminals. As teenagers, we must try and avoid making any major mistakes at all. Although every mistake made is a learning opportunity, during the teenage years, it may be too late to learn from a mistake. In order to make the world a much better place to live in, the crime rate needs to decrease. And in order for this to happen, teenagers, major contributors to it, need to change. Self-control is a skill that teenagers need to master so that they can keep out of trouble. We can all do our part by helping teenagers who lack this talent, either directly or by setting an example. Hopefully, this issue regarding teenagers will soon cease to be an issue altogether.
(490 words)
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Article Review 1- Britain Experiences Second Warmest Winter
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6401063.stm
Summary of Article:
Summary of Article:
In 2006, England experienced its second warmest winter on record. In comparison with recent years, the last winter was also much wetter. This change has not come as a surprise to many, as it had already been predicted that future years would not only see the global temperature rise, but also that there would be warmer, wetter winters and drier, hotter summers.
Global warming is by no means a concept new to us. For long it has been discussed, and the years have seen the global temperature increasing. In fact, the last five years have been the warmest years on record. Ten of the hottest recorded years have occurred in the last fifteen years. This is a clear indicator that the climate is indeed changing and that we need to take action to save the future generations.
Even though many are aware of this gradual increase in temperature, most are not willing to take action, probably because they are not convinced that it is a problem that needs immediate solving, or indeed, that it needs solving at all. All I can say is that I simply cannot understand the way they think. First and foremost, it is us who are digging graves for our descendants. The main cause for global warming is the large amount of carbon dioxide being emitted from all sorts of places in the world. What right have we to endanger the lives of millions of people in the future?
Perhaps it is the ignorance of the majority of Earth’s population towards this fact that has resulted in their inaction. There are also other reasons why we should work towards stopping global warming. Despite having abstract knowledge of the process, I doubt many people can truly appreciate what a great threat it is to us. Spreading diseases, flooding, droughts and fires will occur more frequently the worse global warming gets. If that is not enough, the expected rise in sea level will cause most of Bangladesh, home of more than 13 million people, to be below sea level. That is the true reality of the situation.
I understand that saying this is probably easier than taking action; that other people probably have more to consider than I do before deciding to commit themselves to stopping global warming. This should be the reason why very little action is being taken despite widespread acknowledgement that global warming is a grave danger.
I believe that this situation must be changed. And it must be us, teenagers, who lead the way. Older people may find it difficult to adapt, but we, teenagers, the leaders of tomorrow, have the power and responsibility to change the world, to save the world. It falls on us to facilitate the smooth lives of the future generations of not only humans, but all living things. It may seem far-fetched, but believe me, what I say is true. Make no mistake about it, this is a problem we must solve, and soon.
Global warming is by no means a concept new to us. For long it has been discussed, and the years have seen the global temperature increasing. In fact, the last five years have been the warmest years on record. Ten of the hottest recorded years have occurred in the last fifteen years. This is a clear indicator that the climate is indeed changing and that we need to take action to save the future generations.
Even though many are aware of this gradual increase in temperature, most are not willing to take action, probably because they are not convinced that it is a problem that needs immediate solving, or indeed, that it needs solving at all. All I can say is that I simply cannot understand the way they think. First and foremost, it is us who are digging graves for our descendants. The main cause for global warming is the large amount of carbon dioxide being emitted from all sorts of places in the world. What right have we to endanger the lives of millions of people in the future?
Perhaps it is the ignorance of the majority of Earth’s population towards this fact that has resulted in their inaction. There are also other reasons why we should work towards stopping global warming. Despite having abstract knowledge of the process, I doubt many people can truly appreciate what a great threat it is to us. Spreading diseases, flooding, droughts and fires will occur more frequently the worse global warming gets. If that is not enough, the expected rise in sea level will cause most of Bangladesh, home of more than 13 million people, to be below sea level. That is the true reality of the situation.
I understand that saying this is probably easier than taking action; that other people probably have more to consider than I do before deciding to commit themselves to stopping global warming. This should be the reason why very little action is being taken despite widespread acknowledgement that global warming is a grave danger.
I believe that this situation must be changed. And it must be us, teenagers, who lead the way. Older people may find it difficult to adapt, but we, teenagers, the leaders of tomorrow, have the power and responsibility to change the world, to save the world. It falls on us to facilitate the smooth lives of the future generations of not only humans, but all living things. It may seem far-fetched, but believe me, what I say is true. Make no mistake about it, this is a problem we must solve, and soon.
(495 words)
If you really wish to do your part in stopping global warming, you may refer to this website:
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