Social Media by Sherman Teo

Summary:
Social media is getting more and more popular in society nowadays. There a millions of people who have active social media accounts. Social media is now a worldwide trend and many people around the world are using it. Social media such as Facebook or Twitter has allowed people to better communicate with each other. Even though social media may be fun and interactive, it may cause plenty of harm to innocent people online. People interact with others online without knowing their identities and therefore scams will start to come up.
Opinion:

I think that social media has its pros and cons. Social media enables people to be able to communicate more easily and they do not need a direct meet up with each other. This also cause may people to fight with each other in real life or they will start to cyber bully each other. In Canada, there are many cases of people getting cyber bullied through social media websites therefore leading to her death.

Social Media by Jun Tian

JUNTIAN - IN FUTURE PLS FOLLOW MY SAMPLE POST (SUMMARY & OPINION)
In recent years, the number of people with a ‘social life’ had shot up very quickly. With 1.06 billion active Facebook users and more than 200 million Twitter users world-wide, it is no surprise that teenagers make up a big portion of these numbers. Social network allows them to get a ‘life-update’ of what their friends are doing, and even international news as soon as they are publicized. Therefore, social media is often seen as something beneficial, and the number favorite source of news and also a tool of communication for teenagers.

On the flip side, social media are increasingly being abused. Many individuals have been using them as a way to get their evil intentions done. For example, a group of teenagers may use social networks to post rumors and photos of another person to defame him or her. There are also several cases of scam carried out online where people pay heavy sums to purchase ‘branded goods’, but received nothing in the end.

Therefore, as we enjoy the benefits of this brilliant invention, we must always be wary and always take note of our behavior online.

School asks: Gifted or just well-prepared? by Jun Tian

Source:
Summary: Parents are now sending their children to attend programs to help them prepare for pre-school tests that will determine if they make it to the gifted class. Parents see it as a must for their children to be in the gifted classes as they feel that it is more beneficial, and certainly reflect better on their children. Therefore, their children are sent to attend such courses to help them to be more prepared. However, over the years, there are more cases of these “gifted” students dropping out of the course they are put into because of the test. It becomes evident that they were in the class only because they were prepared for it, and not because they were really gifted. The number of children making it to the gifted course have also increased by several times, showing that the test is becoming quite useless as a gauge of a student’s true ability. The private school association is also looking into the matter now.

Opinion: I feel that this situation is not only found in the New York City, but also in most major countries including Singapore. Parents are afraid that their children might lose out to their peers, and are therefore sending them to lots of classes and courses. This however may not be the best solution since students may become over dependent, and in the future they might not be able to handle the fact that they no longer have help, affecting their results.

LiveStock Virus IN Farms by Zhi Gang

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21609335
Summary: In England and Wales, and in North Ireland, a virus has been detected in 1,531 farms, in cattle, sheep, alpacas and goats. This virus is found to be spread by insects bites by midges or mosquitoes. This disease cause fever, reduced milk yields and loss of appetite in adult cattle. It may also lead to birth defects and stillbirths in newborn sheep, cattle and goats.
Opinion: Although I understand that the England has made a vaccine for the virus but it has not been approved, I think that the government should take actions as quickly as possible. This is because, the virus will affect the farmers in England who depends on these animals to earn money for their livelihood. However, I am not saying that they should take quick actions but without taking any safety measures. The vaccine must not be harmful to our body when we eat these animals, if not our health affected from it.

Social Media by Zhi Gang

With more advancement in Sciences and Technology, people would be able to send a message just by simply using their smart phones rather than having the trouble to write a letter and send to people which would take a few days.

Social Media is also one of the advancement in the Technology whereby people gets to interact with one another through a series of online tools or website. Social Media requires a mobile technology that creates an interactive platform for people to share and communicate with one another. People depends on these Social Media website due to the convenience and fast brought about. People can chat through messenger and does not need to use letters which would take a few days to receive a reply.

However, due to the increase in Social Media, they begin to abuse what the usage of such media. On the other hand, people can also get exposed to online sexual predators, alcohol, tobacco and even sexual behaviors - especially children since they are starting to use Social Media Sites at such a young age. Face to face interaction will also decrease as more and more people prefer to use the internet. Although Social Media Sites has its good and bad. I feel that one should take self-control and use these Social Media Sites wisely due to its positive aspects and not abused it.

School asks: Gifted or just well-prepared? by Zhi Gang

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/nyregion/new-york-city-schools-struggle-to-separate-the-gifted-from-the-just-well-prepared.html?_r=0

Summary: In the New York City, the Education Department are finalizing whether to change the part of its admission exam for the Gifted and Talented Program. The Education Department were concerned about the definition of Giftedness being affected. This is because, parents are giving their children test preparation for the admission exam for the Gifted and Talented Program so that their children would be able qualify for a seat.

Opinion:  In my opinion, i think that there is a reason for everything people does. New York has a high population and thus the number of people competing for a job is a lot. Hence, parents wants to cultivate their children from a young age so that their children would be able to get a better job and gain a foothold in society.

LINK FOR NEXT WK (22-24 FEB) BLOG

Here's the link reading for next week's blog : Gifted or well prepared ? NY TIMES.
from Mdm Teoh