Article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13836332
Summary:
Thousands of pages from the largest collection of historic book is soon to be found on the internet. The Britisch library has made a deal with google. It allows readers to view, read and copy more than 250.000 text dating back to the 18th century. The library gets more than one million visitors a year and now want to "make the texts available to the whole world. We believe that we are building on this tradition of giving access to anyone, anywhere and at any time".
Reaction:
It think this is a really interesting article. I like the fact that the Britisch library has made a deal with google. We live in a modern world where you are able to find almost everything on the internet. It is a little bit out of date to still have to go to the library to find certain texts. Not a good thing for the libraries though. I work in a library myself and the internet and all the e-readers are making me to having to find another job soon. People don't go to libraries, they look on the internet.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Harry the parrot is lovesick
Article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13760667
Summary:
Harry is an African Parrot, who has lived with his owner David all his life. Suddenly, he started vomiting. His owner thought he was sick so he took him to the vet. There they found out that Harry was lovesick. He is in love with his owner David! At first, he thought they had to be seperated but the vet had an other idea. They found a partner for Harry and it worked! Harry stopped vomiting and he and David remained good friends.
Reaction:
I think this is a very cute story. I like the fact that they also put little stories like this in the newspapers, a relief between all the stories about war, death and crisis. I hope David and his two parrots live hapily ever after!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13760667
Summary:
Harry is an African Parrot, who has lived with his owner David all his life. Suddenly, he started vomiting. His owner thought he was sick so he took him to the vet. There they found out that Harry was lovesick. He is in love with his owner David! At first, he thought they had to be seperated but the vet had an other idea. They found a partner for Harry and it worked! Harry stopped vomiting and he and David remained good friends.
Reaction:
I think this is a very cute story. I like the fact that they also put little stories like this in the newspapers, a relief between all the stories about war, death and crisis. I hope David and his two parrots live hapily ever after!
Animal experiments
Article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/9705039
Summary:
The welfare group Animal Aid has launched a campaign to boycott 4 leading medical charities. They are accused of supporting horrific animal experiments. Animal Aid is asking the community to stop donating to Cancer Research UK, the Britisch Heart Foundation, the Alzheimer's Society and Parkinson's UK. Those charities are said to use mice, monkeys, pigs and dogs for experiments. In a reaction, the director of Cancer Research UK says: "Research involving animals remains essential to to understand, prevent and treat cancer. For those experiments, we use maggots, fruit flies, mice and rats only.
Reaction:
I think this has always been an interesting discussion point. Everyone is shocked when they see images of animals in medical experiments and want to take action against that. But on the other hand, when the charities will have to stop doing research to find a medicine against cancer because they can not do tests on animals and there is simply no relyable alternative, the community is mad again. They should look at it from different angles. If those people would kill a fruit fly or a mouse when they found one in their home, they should not say anything if experimenting on those same animals could find us a medicine against cancer!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/9705039
Summary:
The welfare group Animal Aid has launched a campaign to boycott 4 leading medical charities. They are accused of supporting horrific animal experiments. Animal Aid is asking the community to stop donating to Cancer Research UK, the Britisch Heart Foundation, the Alzheimer's Society and Parkinson's UK. Those charities are said to use mice, monkeys, pigs and dogs for experiments. In a reaction, the director of Cancer Research UK says: "Research involving animals remains essential to to understand, prevent and treat cancer. For those experiments, we use maggots, fruit flies, mice and rats only.
Reaction:
I think this has always been an interesting discussion point. Everyone is shocked when they see images of animals in medical experiments and want to take action against that. But on the other hand, when the charities will have to stop doing research to find a medicine against cancer because they can not do tests on animals and there is simply no relyable alternative, the community is mad again. They should look at it from different angles. If those people would kill a fruit fly or a mouse when they found one in their home, they should not say anything if experimenting on those same animals could find us a medicine against cancer!
No time to feed and wash the elderly
Article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8585086/Home-help-so-poor-for-elderly-it-threatens-most-basic-human-rights-claims-report.html
Summary:
Home help for the elderly is so poor nowadays that it 'threatens the most basic human rights'. The visits of the carers are just 15 minutes in some cases, leaving the people to choose between a cooked meal or a wash. It also happends often that people are left in bed for 17 hours. One woman claims: "I was put in bed at 5pm and was not helped to get up until 10am". The level of care is putting the basic rights such as the right to life and the right to live free of inhuman and degrading treatment, at risk.
Reaction:
I think this is a really interesting article with shocking facts. The elderly who can not do anything on their own, should be getting good caretakers. It is ridiculous that they have to choose between a cooked meal and a wash! But I do agree with some of the reactions I have read on the website. Where is their family? I have worked with elderly as well and often I was the only person they saw in weeks, that is really sad. If there are not enough caretakers, the family members should go visit them and cook or clean the house!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8585086/Home-help-so-poor-for-elderly-it-threatens-most-basic-human-rights-claims-report.html
Summary:
Home help for the elderly is so poor nowadays that it 'threatens the most basic human rights'. The visits of the carers are just 15 minutes in some cases, leaving the people to choose between a cooked meal or a wash. It also happends often that people are left in bed for 17 hours. One woman claims: "I was put in bed at 5pm and was not helped to get up until 10am". The level of care is putting the basic rights such as the right to life and the right to live free of inhuman and degrading treatment, at risk.
Reaction:
I think this is a really interesting article with shocking facts. The elderly who can not do anything on their own, should be getting good caretakers. It is ridiculous that they have to choose between a cooked meal and a wash! But I do agree with some of the reactions I have read on the website. Where is their family? I have worked with elderly as well and often I was the only person they saw in weeks, that is really sad. If there are not enough caretakers, the family members should go visit them and cook or clean the house!
Prince Harry returns to Afghanistan
Article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/8578644/Prince-Harry-to-return-to-Afghanistan.html
Summary:
Prince Harry has often expressed the desire to return to the active front line. Now he is going back to Afghanistan next year, when he has finised his Apache pilot training. Harry will fly a £40 million AH-64 attack helicopter in operations. Only the top one in every 50 pilots is able to fly one of those and Prince Harry is one of those. He has been told by his instructors that he has a 'natural flair' for flying.
Reaction:
I found this a really interesting article. I am happy for Harry that he can do what he wants, serving his country in Afghanistan. Usually, members of the royal family are protected by lots of bodyguards wherever they go and I can imagine that they would think this is too dangerous. He is the next one in line ifsomething happens to William. But still they let him go there and I really like that.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/8578644/Prince-Harry-to-return-to-Afghanistan.html
Summary:
Prince Harry has often expressed the desire to return to the active front line. Now he is going back to Afghanistan next year, when he has finised his Apache pilot training. Harry will fly a £40 million AH-64 attack helicopter in operations. Only the top one in every 50 pilots is able to fly one of those and Prince Harry is one of those. He has been told by his instructors that he has a 'natural flair' for flying.
Reaction:
I found this a really interesting article. I am happy for Harry that he can do what he wants, serving his country in Afghanistan. Usually, members of the royal family are protected by lots of bodyguards wherever they go and I can imagine that they would think this is too dangerous. He is the next one in line ifsomething happens to William. But still they let him go there and I really like that.
Monday, 20 June 2011
Pupils should study maths to 18
Article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8572959/Pupils-should-study-maths-to-18-say-experts.html
Summary:
According to experts, it is necessary that pupils are forced to study maths until they are 18 to prevent students from leaving school with extremely low math skills. Universities have become more mathematical in the past years but the number of students with the appropriate level of math skills has not risen enough to match this. The level of mathematical skills of the students aged 18 in Britain is lower than in other developed countries. Professor Julia Higgins says: "All young people should study some form of mathematics to the age of 18 in order to better prepare them for higher education and the world of employment".
Reaction:
I agree with letting pupils study maths until they are 18. Math is a very important subject at school, not only in school but also to reach the right level of higher education and have sufficient calculating skills in their further life as an employer. In high school, I have only learned to do maths with a calculator and that is not a good thing. The students get used to having the calculator and have problems with counting and calculating without a calculator. I think it would be a good idea to introduce this idea everywere. Studying maths will help everyone in their further life.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8572959/Pupils-should-study-maths-to-18-say-experts.html
Summary:
According to experts, it is necessary that pupils are forced to study maths until they are 18 to prevent students from leaving school with extremely low math skills. Universities have become more mathematical in the past years but the number of students with the appropriate level of math skills has not risen enough to match this. The level of mathematical skills of the students aged 18 in Britain is lower than in other developed countries. Professor Julia Higgins says: "All young people should study some form of mathematics to the age of 18 in order to better prepare them for higher education and the world of employment".
Reaction:
I agree with letting pupils study maths until they are 18. Math is a very important subject at school, not only in school but also to reach the right level of higher education and have sufficient calculating skills in their further life as an employer. In high school, I have only learned to do maths with a calculator and that is not a good thing. The students get used to having the calculator and have problems with counting and calculating without a calculator. I think it would be a good idea to introduce this idea everywere. Studying maths will help everyone in their further life.
Super Grade
Article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8581926/New-super-grade-to-mark-out-brightest-pupils.html
Summary:
Britain's biggest exam board is introducing a new "super grade" for exceptionally high performance in maths. They fear that there are too many students that are already on a A-level or an A*-level. Introducing the "A* with distinction" for the very highest performers will help to motivate them to try to master the most difficult skills and be rewarded for this. The new grade will be introduced by AQA in September. Researchers from Cambridge University say; "once one exam board does this, the others will follow".
Reaction:
In 1974, they introduced the A*-level to pick out the brightest pupils. Nowadays, 7,5% of the students are being awarded this grade. I think it is a good idea to introduce a "super grade" for the highest performers on universities. Students that are already on a high level usually did not feel motivated to study even more because they would get the highest grade anyway. The A* with distinction is a motivation for those students to get back to work and make sure they get that high grade.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8581926/New-super-grade-to-mark-out-brightest-pupils.html
Summary:
Britain's biggest exam board is introducing a new "super grade" for exceptionally high performance in maths. They fear that there are too many students that are already on a A-level or an A*-level. Introducing the "A* with distinction" for the very highest performers will help to motivate them to try to master the most difficult skills and be rewarded for this. The new grade will be introduced by AQA in September. Researchers from Cambridge University say; "once one exam board does this, the others will follow".
Reaction:
In 1974, they introduced the A*-level to pick out the brightest pupils. Nowadays, 7,5% of the students are being awarded this grade. I think it is a good idea to introduce a "super grade" for the highest performers on universities. Students that are already on a high level usually did not feel motivated to study even more because they would get the highest grade anyway. The A* with distinction is a motivation for those students to get back to work and make sure they get that high grade.
Britisch Students are Heading to America.
Article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/8582332/Go-west-why-British-students-are-heading-to-America.html
Summary:
This article describes why Britisch students are heading to America. The number of Britisch students applying to top American universities has risen by one third in the past year. The main reason is the fees. American universities were far more expensive but now that the fees for universities in Enland are trippled, that idea has changed. Other reasons are: living and food is far less expensive in the USA, there are higher scholarships and they have better weather. Reason enough for Britisch students to go oversees.
Reaction:
I can understand why Britisch students would apply to an American university. There are so many reasons. If there is no diffence now between the school fees and America has cheaper food, living and better weather, I would also go oversees if I were a Britisch student.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/8582332/Go-west-why-British-students-are-heading-to-America.html
Summary:
This article describes why Britisch students are heading to America. The number of Britisch students applying to top American universities has risen by one third in the past year. The main reason is the fees. American universities were far more expensive but now that the fees for universities in Enland are trippled, that idea has changed. Other reasons are: living and food is far less expensive in the USA, there are higher scholarships and they have better weather. Reason enough for Britisch students to go oversees.
Reaction:
I can understand why Britisch students would apply to an American university. There are so many reasons. If there is no diffence now between the school fees and America has cheaper food, living and better weather, I would also go oversees if I were a Britisch student.
Runaway dads should be shamed
Article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jun/19/runaway-dads-drink-drivers-cameron
Summary:
The prime minister David Cameron states that runaway dads should be made to feel the full force of shame for their actions. He says it isn't acceptable for mothers to be left to bring up their children on their own. He want to introduce tax breaks for married couples. If couples are divorced, he wants fathers to support their children financially and emotionally, spending time with them at weekends. If they don't want that responsibility, they should be looked at like drink-drivers by society. People who are beyond the pale.
Article:
I found this a reallt interesting acticle. I agree with David Cameron on this point. It is too easy for men to simply run away without responsibilities, leaving the woman alone to raise their children. I think the tax break for married couples won't work, that will not be a reason for couples to stay together. I do think it is a good idea to demand fathers to support their children financially and emotionally, even if they are divorced.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jun/19/runaway-dads-drink-drivers-cameron
Summary:
The prime minister David Cameron states that runaway dads should be made to feel the full force of shame for their actions. He says it isn't acceptable for mothers to be left to bring up their children on their own. He want to introduce tax breaks for married couples. If couples are divorced, he wants fathers to support their children financially and emotionally, spending time with them at weekends. If they don't want that responsibility, they should be looked at like drink-drivers by society. People who are beyond the pale.
Article:
I found this a reallt interesting acticle. I agree with David Cameron on this point. It is too easy for men to simply run away without responsibilities, leaving the woman alone to raise their children. I think the tax break for married couples won't work, that will not be a reason for couples to stay together. I do think it is a good idea to demand fathers to support their children financially and emotionally, even if they are divorced.
Social networks are boosting our sense of personal well-being.
Article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/jun/16/facebook-social-networking
Summary:
New research by Pew claims that people using social network sites (such as Facebook, MySpace, Linkedln and Twitter) feel that they are better supported emotionally by their online friends. "Its half the boost in total support that someone recieves from being married or living with a partner". Online friends give each other advise, information and companionship. This provides emotional support and well-being.
Reaction:
I think this is a really interesting article. I do recognize some things from the research. If someone updates their status on Facebook, they immidiately get a lot of reactions from online friends (who can also be their real friends) and they feel supported. People who are not on a social network site, do not get all the attention and reactions. I do think that there is a downside as well. People on social network sites will be needing all the reactions in order to do something. People get atticted to facebook and all the attention.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/jun/16/facebook-social-networking
Summary:
New research by Pew claims that people using social network sites (such as Facebook, MySpace, Linkedln and Twitter) feel that they are better supported emotionally by their online friends. "Its half the boost in total support that someone recieves from being married or living with a partner". Online friends give each other advise, information and companionship. This provides emotional support and well-being.
Reaction:
I think this is a really interesting article. I do recognize some things from the research. If someone updates their status on Facebook, they immidiately get a lot of reactions from online friends (who can also be their real friends) and they feel supported. People who are not on a social network site, do not get all the attention and reactions. I do think that there is a downside as well. People on social network sites will be needing all the reactions in order to do something. People get atticted to facebook and all the attention.
A film about the soldier who fought to go to school.
Article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/jun/19/kenya-first-grader-education
Summary:
"The First Grader", a film about an unlikely African hero, has its UK Premiere this week. Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge was a soldier fighting in the war of independence against the British. We Kenya announced free education in 2002, he went to school and demanded that they would learn him how to read. He was 84. This inspiring story is made into a film
Reaction:
I think this is a really inspiring story and worth to be made into a film. He didn't have anything when he was fighting for peace in his land. He wanted to go to school for them, for all who had died fighting for freedom. His story shows that it is never too late to fulfill your dreams and one should never lose hope. I really want to see this film!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/jun/19/kenya-first-grader-education
Summary:
"The First Grader", a film about an unlikely African hero, has its UK Premiere this week. Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge was a soldier fighting in the war of independence against the British. We Kenya announced free education in 2002, he went to school and demanded that they would learn him how to read. He was 84. This inspiring story is made into a film
Reaction:
I think this is a really inspiring story and worth to be made into a film. He didn't have anything when he was fighting for peace in his land. He wanted to go to school for them, for all who had died fighting for freedom. His story shows that it is never too late to fulfill your dreams and one should never lose hope. I really want to see this film!
Brian Haw, veteran piece campaigner, dies.
Article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jun/19/brian-haw-peace-campaigner-dies
Summary:
Brain Haw started his protests on Parliament Square in 2001. His tents and handwritten posters are a familiar sight on the square and several attemps to remove him and his crew failed.
Last saturday, on the 18th of june 2011, he died at the age of 62 in Germany. He was battling lung cancer and was recieving treatment in Germany. His family states: "He left us in his sleep and in no pain, after a long, hard fight".
Reaction:
On the Guardian website, this atricle got my attention right away. Me and my UKOK-group visited the demonstators on Parliament Square just a few weeks ago. All over the square, there are posters with his name on it. I think it is a really sad story. A man who set up such a big piece campaign and did so much to support human rights, dies so young. I hope they make a big statue, dedicated to him, and put it on Parliament Square.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jun/19/brian-haw-peace-campaigner-dies
Summary:
Brain Haw started his protests on Parliament Square in 2001. His tents and handwritten posters are a familiar sight on the square and several attemps to remove him and his crew failed.
Last saturday, on the 18th of june 2011, he died at the age of 62 in Germany. He was battling lung cancer and was recieving treatment in Germany. His family states: "He left us in his sleep and in no pain, after a long, hard fight".
Reaction:
On the Guardian website, this atricle got my attention right away. Me and my UKOK-group visited the demonstators on Parliament Square just a few weeks ago. All over the square, there are posters with his name on it. I think it is a really sad story. A man who set up such a big piece campaign and did so much to support human rights, dies so young. I hope they make a big statue, dedicated to him, and put it on Parliament Square.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Article on Privite schools in line to become free schools: Summary and Reaction
Article: "Private schools in line the become free"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/apr/12/private-schools-conversion
Summary:
A lot of Private Schools in the UK are in the line to get the Free School Status. Head teacher Derek Cassels of the Maharishi School in Lancashire is keen to share the experience of their special (expensive) Private School: “"We would like as many people as possible to benefit from our system of education, children from all backgrounds. We want to expand and not have people miss out because they can't meet the fees”. Nevertheless, there are a lot of people against the government’s plans. They a particularly worried about the future of state schools.
Reaction:
I thought it was an interesting article. Sometimes a little bit difficult to read because of the language used. But it is still an interesting subject to read about. The writer asks both arguments of people agreeing and disagreeing with the subject, that gives an honest image of the subject. It has a strong picture to go with the article. A clear outline to get more structure into the long article.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/apr/12/private-schools-conversion
Summary:
A lot of Private Schools in the UK are in the line to get the Free School Status. Head teacher Derek Cassels of the Maharishi School in Lancashire is keen to share the experience of their special (expensive) Private School: “"We would like as many people as possible to benefit from our system of education, children from all backgrounds. We want to expand and not have people miss out because they can't meet the fees”. Nevertheless, there are a lot of people against the government’s plans. They a particularly worried about the future of state schools.
Reaction:
I thought it was an interesting article. Sometimes a little bit difficult to read because of the language used. But it is still an interesting subject to read about. The writer asks both arguments of people agreeing and disagreeing with the subject, that gives an honest image of the subject. It has a strong picture to go with the article. A clear outline to get more structure into the long article.
Article on the London Marathon: Summary and Reaction
Article: "London marathon: Thousands join recordbreaking elite"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13107523
Summary:
On Sunday the 17th of April, thousands of people joined the London Marathon. Kenya’s Emmanuel Mutai broke the London record in two hours, four minutes and 39 seconds. Another Kenyan, Mary Keitany won the woman’s race in 2:19.17. Other runners were BBC Newsreader Sophie Raworth, singer Will Young and David Rathband, a Northumbria Police Officer who was blinded in a gunfight. A spokesman for Guinness World Records said 28 records have been confirmed, ranging from the fastest man juggling to the quickest marching band. A lot of money was made for charity. Reaction:
I think it is a good and interesting news article. Apart from the Kenyans who set the records, they interviewed a lot of special people, ranging from celebrities to normal people who got married during the race. They used good photos and movies to go with the article. They also mentioned funny facts, like the 28 Guinness World Records that were set on the 17th of April, the fastest man juggling and the quickest marching band.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13107523
Summary:
On Sunday the 17th of April, thousands of people joined the London Marathon. Kenya’s Emmanuel Mutai broke the London record in two hours, four minutes and 39 seconds. Another Kenyan, Mary Keitany won the woman’s race in 2:19.17. Other runners were BBC Newsreader Sophie Raworth, singer Will Young and David Rathband, a Northumbria Police Officer who was blinded in a gunfight. A spokesman for Guinness World Records said 28 records have been confirmed, ranging from the fastest man juggling to the quickest marching band. A lot of money was made for charity.
I think it is a good and interesting news article. Apart from the Kenyans who set the records, they interviewed a lot of special people, ranging from celebrities to normal people who got married during the race. They used good photos and movies to go with the article. They also mentioned funny facts, like the 28 Guinness World Records that were set on the 17th of April, the fastest man juggling and the quickest marching band.
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