THE wedding season has just passed, and it was horrendous to note the increasing use of school grounds and public property as marriage venues. I would especially like to draw attention towards such blatant misuse in the area of North Nazimabad, Karachi, where school grounds as well as the Eidgah ground were consistently used to host wedding receptions.
This not only deprives the average citizens of adequate recreational activities, it also becomes a grave inconvenience for the residents of the area concerned. I would appeal to the authorities to take urgent steps to prevent such misuse in the future.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Webwatch
Securing the bits
http://www.bitdefender.com
Do you think that conventional anti-virus software, like Norton and McAfee, make tall claims but never come up to expectations? Bit Defender has a free edition you can easily download and scan your PC with. There are various other tools and fixes as well. So if you have a good idea about the specific virus or worm infecting your PC, you can download the very tool which will take care of it.
What are they saying?
http://www.edge.org/edge_video.html
If you like listening to scientific lectures, this website is for you. It features talks and lectures on selected topics by a few well-known scientists. Loads of interesting topics, dealing with the universe, genomics, heuristics, globalization and physicists, are featured. Unfortunately, there is no download link. So you will just have to listen to the lectures online.
http://www.bitdefender.com
Do you think that conventional anti-virus software, like Norton and McAfee, make tall claims but never come up to expectations? Bit Defender has a free edition you can easily download and scan your PC with. There are various other tools and fixes as well. So if you have a good idea about the specific virus or worm infecting your PC, you can download the very tool which will take care of it.
What are they saying?
http://www.edge.org/edge_video.html
If you like listening to scientific lectures, this website is for you. It features talks and lectures on selected topics by a few well-known scientists. Loads of interesting topics, dealing with the universe, genomics, heuristics, globalization and physicists, are featured. Unfortunately, there is no download link. So you will just have to listen to the lectures online.
Science project
http://amasci.com/amateur/dscope.html
If you have a science project coming up, the recipe for making a disgust-o-scope may be just the thing for you. This website features the detailed history of the instrument and how it is made. All you need are mirrors. However, it is a bit complicated, so students should make sure that they go ahead with the project only under the supervision of a science teacher.
Photos featured
http://puzphotos.blogspot.com/
Although this blog has not been updated since 2004, you can still have some fun with the entries that are there. The blogger has posted photos featuring anything and everything relevant to scientific tools and instruments. If you fancy yourself as a science geek, see how many of these 50 or so questions you can answer correctly.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Webwatch
Her story
http://library.thinkquest.org/20117/
There is no dearth of people who like to believe that science is a man’s domain. This website will definitely give them some food for thought. Featured are long biographies and interviews of women who have contributed greatly to science. You can enter your future plans if you are an aspiring woman scientist and connect with some of the women who have already done some work in your chosen field.
Jargon out!
http://www.scienceforpeople.com/
Do you also feel that technical jargon can make essays on scientific discoveries a bit too tedious to read? This website is the work of an individual who goes through scientific journals and rewrites the essays in an easy language (sans jargon) so that people without a scientific background may easily read and understand scientific research and its implications. Does it get any better?
Stuck in a jam?
http://www.amasci.com/amateur/traffic/traffic1.html
The traffic situation, especially in Pakistan, is a nightmare. However, as an individual driver you can read through the simple rules of physics which cause traffic jams. Check out this website which provides details and also presents animations and various illustrations to go with the information.
It’s all about ’how’
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/sectionarchive/how20’
Want to delve deeper into the workings of scientific phenomena in our daily lives? Check out the ‘how’ archives on this website, which presents information in the form of questions and answers. Whichever branch of science and technology you want to look up and explore, this website is likely to help you out.
http://library.thinkquest.org/20117/
There is no dearth of people who like to believe that science is a man’s domain. This website will definitely give them some food for thought. Featured are long biographies and interviews of women who have contributed greatly to science. You can enter your future plans if you are an aspiring woman scientist and connect with some of the women who have already done some work in your chosen field.
Jargon out!
http://www.scienceforpeople.com/
Do you also feel that technical jargon can make essays on scientific discoveries a bit too tedious to read? This website is the work of an individual who goes through scientific journals and rewrites the essays in an easy language (sans jargon) so that people without a scientific background may easily read and understand scientific research and its implications. Does it get any better?
Stuck in a jam?
http://www.amasci.com/amateur/traffic/traffic1.html
The traffic situation, especially in Pakistan, is a nightmare. However, as an individual driver you can read through the simple rules of physics which cause traffic jams. Check out this website which provides details and also presents animations and various illustrations to go with the information.
It’s all about ’how’
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/sectionarchive/how20’
Want to delve deeper into the workings of scientific phenomena in our daily lives? Check out the ‘how’ archives on this website, which presents information in the form of questions and answers. Whichever branch of science and technology you want to look up and explore, this website is likely to help you out.
The case of absentee technology
Published in Sci-Tech World
A few days ago, I was trying to watch three soaps on three different channels simultaneously. Their names were completely different, characters were somewhat different, but the plots were exactly the same. However, one common characteristic was that the lavish houses they were showing did not feature even a single computer.
It is quite surprising that of the numerous television channels only a few deal with issues in computers and the internet. As has been discussed ad nauseam, most of the local soaps and drama serials work on one theme only — love triangles and all issues related to it.
The irony of it all is that when we watch these soaps and drama serials, the general impression we get is that computers have yet to “infiltrate” even the elite Pakistani families — something that is contrary to what’s taking place of the ground.
In reality, most upper class families not only possess desktop computers but wireless computer devices too. Even in an average middle class family, there is at least one PC, owing to the fact that computer prices have gone down considerably in recent years.
But apparently, playwrights either have no idea of what is going on or they do have some clues but choose to ignore what’s transpiring. The strange part is that even if, by chance, a computer or a laptop does exist,it sits idle most of the time.
There are no fights over who gets to access the internet first, no yelling matches as one sibling wants to use the phone and the other wants to connect to the internet via dialup, and certainly no parental decrees on how and when computers are to be used.
Another dimension to this ‘technological absenteeism’ in soaps is the ‘losing contact’ phenomenon that happens all too often. Two or more people meet and then, if they are separated for some reason, they ‘lose contact’.
You may well ask here: how can you possibly lose contact with someone unless you deliberately want to, given the widespread use of email, the ubiquitous social networking websites and the instant messaging software. It is just not possible.
There is also a lack of magazine shows and programmes which focus exclusively on issues related to technology. Granted that there have been a few talk shows, which discussed the problems of pornography and cyber cafes and other related issues. Other than that, there seems to be a strange silence over technological issues even in talk and reality shows.
However, there are some notable exceptions. A recently concluded soap on one of the leading private channels featured the story of a young girl who used to chat consistently.
As the plot progressed, she divulged a lot of information about herself unconsciously to a stranger, and was only saved from a potential disaster by her brother, who discovered in time what she was up to and brought her back to her senses. Then there was a television show which was aired weekly on another private channel.
It featured not just website reviews but also an insight into the latest news from the IT industry, the different gadgets and gizmos, and a whole wealth of similar information. This show unfortunately has been closed down and a replacement is yet to be seen.
However, the aforementioned examples are simply a drop in the ocean. Also, even though some playwrights have begun taking technology into consideration, we still have a long way to go before we may claim that our media are interested in technology.
The solution to this problem may not be an easy one. To highlight various issues, playwrights need to be well-versed in different technologies and the role these have come to play in the everyday lives of people. Young writers who have first-hand knowledge in this regard can play a paramount role.
But then, production houses will need to give these young people a chance to explore the different dimensions of technologies in soaps and drama serials.
Playwrights can begin by writing about issues that have affected our people positively as well as negatively through the use of computers and the internet. The effects of internet addiction and frauds related to online dating are some of the issues that can be dealt with in detail. Playwrights should not only highlight the issues but also show how people in these circumstances actually cope with the situation.
Magazine shows can further complement such drama serials. They can show some real life cases of people who were affected, either positively or negatively, by technology. Experts can then be called to discuss the cases.
Similarly, shows can also discuss the how-to of the internet — how can a parent ensure a safe internet experience for the child is one topic that direly needs to be explored.
Role of the mass media in disseminating technological know-how cannot be denied. There are parents who have no clue what their children are doing on the internet. There are teachers who cannot tell an original piece of assignment from one that has been copied and pasted from websites. There are young people who still do not know what they should and should not divulge when chatting randomly.
This is where drama serials, soaps and magazine shows can come in. Soaps and drama serials are extremely popular and by actually portraying real-life situations, they can very effectively put a series of important messages out.
It is sad to note that our mass media have not taken the initiative yet, but considering the number of talented young people entering this industry now, the day is not far off when due attention will be paid to this issue.
A few days ago, I was trying to watch three soaps on three different channels simultaneously. Their names were completely different, characters were somewhat different, but the plots were exactly the same. However, one common characteristic was that the lavish houses they were showing did not feature even a single computer.
It is quite surprising that of the numerous television channels only a few deal with issues in computers and the internet. As has been discussed ad nauseam, most of the local soaps and drama serials work on one theme only — love triangles and all issues related to it.
The irony of it all is that when we watch these soaps and drama serials, the general impression we get is that computers have yet to “infiltrate” even the elite Pakistani families — something that is contrary to what’s taking place of the ground.
In reality, most upper class families not only possess desktop computers but wireless computer devices too. Even in an average middle class family, there is at least one PC, owing to the fact that computer prices have gone down considerably in recent years.
But apparently, playwrights either have no idea of what is going on or they do have some clues but choose to ignore what’s transpiring. The strange part is that even if, by chance, a computer or a laptop does exist,it sits idle most of the time.
There are no fights over who gets to access the internet first, no yelling matches as one sibling wants to use the phone and the other wants to connect to the internet via dialup, and certainly no parental decrees on how and when computers are to be used.
Another dimension to this ‘technological absenteeism’ in soaps is the ‘losing contact’ phenomenon that happens all too often. Two or more people meet and then, if they are separated for some reason, they ‘lose contact’.
You may well ask here: how can you possibly lose contact with someone unless you deliberately want to, given the widespread use of email, the ubiquitous social networking websites and the instant messaging software. It is just not possible.
There is also a lack of magazine shows and programmes which focus exclusively on issues related to technology. Granted that there have been a few talk shows, which discussed the problems of pornography and cyber cafes and other related issues. Other than that, there seems to be a strange silence over technological issues even in talk and reality shows.
However, there are some notable exceptions. A recently concluded soap on one of the leading private channels featured the story of a young girl who used to chat consistently.
As the plot progressed, she divulged a lot of information about herself unconsciously to a stranger, and was only saved from a potential disaster by her brother, who discovered in time what she was up to and brought her back to her senses. Then there was a television show which was aired weekly on another private channel.
It featured not just website reviews but also an insight into the latest news from the IT industry, the different gadgets and gizmos, and a whole wealth of similar information. This show unfortunately has been closed down and a replacement is yet to be seen.
However, the aforementioned examples are simply a drop in the ocean. Also, even though some playwrights have begun taking technology into consideration, we still have a long way to go before we may claim that our media are interested in technology.
The solution to this problem may not be an easy one. To highlight various issues, playwrights need to be well-versed in different technologies and the role these have come to play in the everyday lives of people. Young writers who have first-hand knowledge in this regard can play a paramount role.
But then, production houses will need to give these young people a chance to explore the different dimensions of technologies in soaps and drama serials.
Playwrights can begin by writing about issues that have affected our people positively as well as negatively through the use of computers and the internet. The effects of internet addiction and frauds related to online dating are some of the issues that can be dealt with in detail. Playwrights should not only highlight the issues but also show how people in these circumstances actually cope with the situation.
Magazine shows can further complement such drama serials. They can show some real life cases of people who were affected, either positively or negatively, by technology. Experts can then be called to discuss the cases.
Similarly, shows can also discuss the how-to of the internet — how can a parent ensure a safe internet experience for the child is one topic that direly needs to be explored.
Role of the mass media in disseminating technological know-how cannot be denied. There are parents who have no clue what their children are doing on the internet. There are teachers who cannot tell an original piece of assignment from one that has been copied and pasted from websites. There are young people who still do not know what they should and should not divulge when chatting randomly.
This is where drama serials, soaps and magazine shows can come in. Soaps and drama serials are extremely popular and by actually portraying real-life situations, they can very effectively put a series of important messages out.
It is sad to note that our mass media have not taken the initiative yet, but considering the number of talented young people entering this industry now, the day is not far off when due attention will be paid to this issue.
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Who wants to Edublog?
Weblogs or blogs have proven themselves to be a very fast and convenient means of online communication. In no time at all, blogging has gone from an individual and personal capacity to specialised and collective activity. It should come as no surprise that the educational sector has also jumped on the bandwagon. Blogs dedicated to education, or Edublogs were never noticed as a category in themselves till the first Edublog Weblog Awards were given out. Now, Edublogs are widely recognised and well-respected.
However, Pakistani bloggers still have a long way to go in this category. With only a handful of Pakistani Edublogs, most people this writer came in touch with expressed coming to a total loss for ideas when it comes to Edublogging. Well, here are a few suggestions to get your specialised Edublog up and running in no time.
2. A student looking to blog individually can take up any educational issue and post up random thoughts and links to news stories related to that issue. Various educational issues that have recently been in the news include combined examinations at matriculation and intermediate level, removal of certain subjects from the syllabi and rampant unfair practices during examinations
3. A teacher and her students can create a blog to share their ideas and post up their questions related to the subject in question. Web resources can be posted, and examination questions can be discussed in thorough detail. Students studying the subject the world over can benefit from a blog of this type.
4. Teachers can blog individually or as a group, sharing their experiences with the students, working out solutions to the problems they face and the administrative issues they would like to discuss among themselves.
5. Edublogs can be career oriented. Students or teachers of a specific subject can create one of these blogs with the potential title of “So you want to be a…” This blog can be updated with the requirements of the course, universities offering this subject, pre-requisites in terms of skills needed and of course the admission procedure. University students of various disciplines can create one or more of these blogs, depending on their subject and level of information.
6. Blogs can be subject-specific. Students or teachers can post information on any specific subject like economics or chemistry. This information can include new and interesting websites, links to news stories, online lecture notes, helpful textbooks etc.
7. Blogs can be problem-oriented. Teachers or students can create a blog to post up their random thoughts on any problem they are currently facing in their educational institute. This can be anything ranging from an administrative problem to student politics.
8. Teachers are into curriculum development can make their own blogs to post up information regarding problems with textbooks, proposed solutions to the lack of students’ confidence on Pakistani textbook authors, how to improve the layout of textbooks and of course, a discussion of the revised textbooks.
9. This one may sound a little far fetched, but judging from the fact that many institutes do not update their website in line with their announcements in the newspapers; an educational blog can be dedicated to various announcements related to both public and private sector institutes. This would simply mean linking to the relevant news stories as they come in the newspapers, but students for sure will benefit a lot from it if it is in one place.
10. EduBlogs can be exclusively dedicated to disseminating information about study skills. As it happens, the educational system relies on rote learning, so why not give students alternative learning methods by reaching out to them through blogs?
The above should make things clear as to what to Edublog about. The possibilities of course are endless. But the overall theme for an Edublog ultimately will depend on your level of dedication to the ultimate cause: dissemination of information, healthy interaction and effective improvement in the educational system.
The International Edublog Awards Winners 2005
If you are still stuck for ideas on what to Edublog about, then check out the Edublog Awards 2005 winners and their blogs.
Most innovative edublogging project, service or programme 2005
Edublogs
www.edublogs.org
Best newcomer 2005
Blog of proximinal development
www.teachandlearn.ca/blog/
Most influential post, resource or presentation 2005
Connectivism: Learning as Network-Creation
www.elearnspace.org/Articles/networks.htm
Best designed/most beautiful edublog 2005
D’Arcy Norman Dot Net
www.darcynorman.net/
Best library/librarian blog 2005
Joyce Valenza’s NeverEnding Search
joycevalenza.edublogs.org
Best teacher blog, joint winners 2005
Blog of proximinal development
Edublog Insights
anne.teachesme.com/
Best audio and/or visual blog 2005
Ed Tech Talk
edtechtalk.com
Best example / case study of use of weblogs within teaching and learning 2005
Polar Science
www.polarscience.ca/
Best group blog 2005
Dekita.org
dekita.org/
Best individual blog 2005
OLDaily
www.downes.ca/news/OLDaily.htm
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