A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty

A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty At an early age, authors Abhijit and Esther knew already that poverty existed. Through stories and observation, they were aware about the situation yet these did not satisfied them instead it motivated them to study, to enhance their knowledge and understand why poverty is such a problem that eliminating it is very difficult. The two authors have lots of question and because of that they made this book Poor Economic: A radical rethinking of the way to fight global poverty. Affected by outstanding generalization with the undisclosed frontline solutions about poverty and economics, the authors plead to several opinions and investigation to check on how poor managed to fight poverty. They were very concerned about the situation and wishes to let us see the other side of eliminating poverty. In addition to that, why does poor people cannot entirely get away with the problem despite the full efforts of the government of technologically advanced countries and private organization? There ar e a lot of solutions but it is not completely effective or not the answer that the people really need. Spanning five continents to find solution, authors engaged in research for 15 years to investigate about global poverty and illuminate many practical and cost effective ways on fighting it. Through the years, I have always known that poverty is not a secret and is very rampant all over the world. Up to the present time and with everyone helping, why is it still there? Covering many valuable issues, this book is a great way to understand and discover the problems that many countries experience that may or may not contribute to poverty. This is a must-read book for all those people who cares about poverty, its nature and the people who is suffering from it. There are a lot of factors to consider when we tackle about poverty. A lot of issues that needs to be uncovered and solutions that needs to be evaluated over and over again to ensure its effectivity. In this book review, I am hoping that I can give justice to what these author is trying to say and giving my own opinion on the things they have discovered. My teacher told me that economics is a positive change in the fall of the production of goods and services of a certain country. I believe that it means equity, equali ty, in equilibrium with the supply and demand. Although there is a positive rise and fall in one country, it doesn’t mean that everyone or every nation are able to experience that. One country may have all the resources while others don’t have even just a clean water to drink. How can one place have an equilibrium when it actually has a little resources that affects the supply for every demand? It is in that manner that poverty really becomes a problem. The book helps us to understand why poor needs to borrow in order to save, although their children go to school they often do not learn, they miss out on free life-saving immunizations as well as paying drugs that they do not need and living on 99 cents a day. Battling poverty needs patience, careful thinking and willingness to learn. In the book, poverty trap was mentioned. As an example, poor countries are poor because they are hot, infertile, malaria infested and often land locked making it hard for the people to be productive without an initial large investment to help them deal with these endemic problems thus lack of modern technologies to help them progress. Coupled with having no possible resources for funding and payment for the ventures, these contribute in worsening poverty. I believe it is true because how can you start saving when you even can’t find a way to find income sources. A person can’t plant in an infertile soil so he has no products to sell and no investors that will finance a business providing loads of work for the local helping them earn a living. No access to good education is also stated in this book. In reality, education is a vital requirement find a decent job and make a living for yourself and for the family. As a solution foreign aid was mentioned to be the key. Billions of aid funds are being used to fight poverty, yet very small amount of work had been completed in analyzing their outcomes. Does foreign aid really help the poor countries? Is it enou gh? Based on what I have seen in the past years, there are people who really strive in working for a better life but the resources are really not enough making difficult for them to really earn enough to sustain their daily needs and wants. Indeed, some poor people managed to have their own stories of success in starting businesses but sadly it never went high enough to provide jobs to other individuals. Some have businesses but does not make much money. Although, they have monthly income but there are also a lot of deductions such as rent, daily expenses for food and other needs of the family which make it hard for them to really save. These results to unavailability of purchasing stocks for their store leading to bankruptcy. So a portion of the cause why businesses of the poor don’t grow is the nature of the businesses they operate and how they handle their profit. For the past years, foreign aid helped a lot of people all over the world making it one of the important solut ions in fighting poverty. Undoubtedly, the most significant goal why nations seek out and agree to take foreign aid is for the purpose of economic progress. Developed Countries are considered to have a moral obligation to help and to assist the poorer countries to have a sustainable progressive lives. Other advantage of foreign aid is the improvement of health through delivery of health teachings, medicines and equipment. Receiving money for investment from developed countries supports to produce more jobs for the people, improved infrastructure, and stabilize their economy. Foreign aid has other advantages, such as fighting hunger, saving lives and providing civilians with shelters, clean water and medicine. Although it is quite easy to believe that, some people argue the capability of foreign aid to really help combat the insufficiency in food, shelter, job and other resources needed by the poor individuals. Foreign aid’s usefulness is usually unassessed or even though it is being assessed, the approached may sometimes not convincing at all. Some also argue that it prevents people to search for their own solution. It makes sense that because of foreign aid, some people tend to wait for rich countries to help without even trying to search for possible solutions. It builds a culture of dependency that is keeping poverty difficult to fight and as a result poor remains poor. Aside from that, anti-aid people does not believe about the presence of poverty trap which I do not agree. Indeed, there is a presence of different views which I think both have point to share. An inconvenience of foreign aid is a higher percentage of dependency from the rich nations. The leaders of poor countrie s that accept aid gains reliance on a secured movement where they can support the people of their nation, they can also put money to other areas of the country which require funding. Foreign help can also be used to situate poor nations in political or economic pressure leading to being in debt with the supporting country. What could be really the effective way to abolish poverty? Moreover, solutions come with problem like for example, the reluctance to take risk and difficulty in trusting a possible investor, the poor wasted an opportunity. As mentioned in this book, poor nations usually have a very large family size. Absence of family planning and access to contraception methods in overpopulated families makes fighting poverty difficult. As a result, many experienced increase financial burden leading to low education rates and medical care. Politicians all over the world, private citizen, economists and every people who are trying to help, fail to recognize the exceptional reasons that lead to poverty for example attempting to erase it that usually attempts to eradicate it are usually foolish. Contrary to what we think, poor individuals need more of something than just food or money. In reality, the poor need programs that allows them to have a chance to succeed and fight poverty. To support that statement, I strongly agree to give these individuals the necessary opportunities, lots of them, yet they still need to work for it. In addition to that, I consider poverty a weakness but not a disability that will weaken your spirit in doing something for yourself. For example, if your land is infertile, sight other resources that you may use aside from that useless land. I strongly believe that all problems have their own sets of solutions, it’s a matter of discovery and resourcefulness. Besides many people are trying their best to help and give support to each individual who are suffering. The book is designed to answer questions and help us understand why fighting poverty is not easy. It tackled a lot of solutions not being used or understand properly. Helping through funding is good as long as choosing the right kind of project will be prioritize. For example food for the indigent, pensions for the elderly and clinics for the diseased infected areas where everyone making sure figuring how best to run it. Deciding on helping the less fortunate when we can will make a difference, understanding that poverty is merely not just having money but not really having enough capability in realizing their full potential as a human being are just some realization I have learned from this book. I believe there are a lot of things to be considered and properly planned to ensure that what we think poor people needs is really what they are needing. Aside from that, both public and private actions should be done. In addition, proper planning for more accessible pathways should really be considered for every poverty causing factors. For education, the government should have encouragement programs to ensure parents compliance in making their children go to school. Roadways should be accessible and safe for everyone especially for the students. Free education is really a big help and should be instilled its importance to the poor. Funding health teachings through seminars, conference, and house to house visit about family planning is a must also. Everyone has the right to progress and poverty is just an obstacle. Although it is very hard but I believe everything has solution that still needs to be discovered in the near future that will really eradicate poverty completely. As long as everyone will help one another genuinely and the presence of the people who takes time to study and search for an answer, it will never be that far. In correlation, I believe that poor people in poor nations should also do something for themselves and merely not accept the fact that th ey are poor, they must not just wait for us to give something or help them to achieve something for themselves. They must acquire valuing their own strength and actions in order to realize that absence of action there is no development. Development needs skills and cleverness, when inhabitants feel safe and assured adequately, they will invest in their kids and let them leave home to get new occupations in the metropolis. These possibilities might be wrong but trying to do these will develop the lives of the deprived and merely not waiting for economic evolution which remains unbearable. To the degree that we distinguish how to get rid of poverty, there is no purpose to endure the waste of lives and ability that poverty passes with it. As this book presented, even though we have no charmed potions to wipe out poverty, we do recognize a number of things about how to develop the poor people’s lives.

Comprehensive Classroom Technology Plan Essay

Section One: Vision Statement As an educator I will encourage the students to do their best in the classroom leading to academic growth. Utilizing new technology to enhance what is taught from the textbook will help the children reach academic plateaus and beyond. Research has shown that technology is being used for communication in the educational environment. This advancement has allowed for new possibilities in regards to collaboration and sharing of information and knowledge that will be expected to expand over time. New forms of technology â€Å"have the power to improve parent-teacher relationship by providing easy, efficient, and effective methods of communicating information regarding students† (Zieger and Tan 30-54). Section Two: Mission Statement I will provide all of my students a safe and nurturing environment to allow them to thrive and grow both academically and personally. Every student will be given the upmost respect which will teach them to reciprocate these behaviors amongst themselves. Through the creation of an environment conducive for learning the students can utilize the many resources available so they may achieve their academic goals. These resources include numerous educational websites, in addition to other technological resources, that will help students surpass academic standards. A class web site is an informative tool that provides access to what is being taught in the classroom and can be presented through pictures and videos. This means of communication helps to reinforce, to the student, lessons they have been recently taught. The class web site is a solid link, when utilized by parents, between home and school. The site often includes the parent  handbook, homework assignments and class activities. This advancement in technology allows the parents an opportunity to stay connected with the school community (Vitalaki, Anastasiadesm and Tsouvelas 125-135, 2014). Class web sites reach out to the local and global communities as well. The school accountability committee encourages and provides opportunities for citizens â€Å"to be involved in the planning and evaluation of the school’s instructional program and quality improvement process† (Vitalaki et al). Planning for unexpected emergencies is something every school must consider and have protocol in place for contacting parents. An important element of the protocol is the emergency contact list. This information is necessary to implement student release procedures and should be updated every school year. This will ensure timely communication between the school and parents/guardians if the student should get sick or injured during school hours. As an educator, I have Found EPALS to be an educational tool to connect my students to the global community. This resource allows teachers and their students to participate in collaborative projects. Through this opportunity the children are connecting with students around the world while taking part in educational activities, discussions, and games. One of the projects through EPAL is sharing cultures- a collaborative project between China and the United States. This project gives American school children the opportunity to learn about China while sharing their experiences with students from another country (Vitalaki et al). The cyber world can be a very scary place, but one that isn’t going away. For this reason, shielding children from negative portions of the internet has been a growing concern over the past few years for both the parents and the educators. Teachers today have the responsibility to inform their students on how the internet can be used as a resource for finding information in a safe manner. â€Å"Misleading and inappropriate information on the web is one of the major problems that children tend to have while navigating the internet† (Marcoux 67-68). Internet safety is an issue I will discuss early in the year with my students. During the discussion I will teach them that some people that are online have bad intentions. These people could be bullies or predators. Cyber bullying is a serious problem that takes on many forms such as sending mean messages or threats to a cell phone and spreading rumors online. â€Å"Cyber bullying can be damaging to adolescents and teens. It can lead to anxiety,  depression, and even suicide.† Young people who have been a victim of cyber bullying are between two to nine times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims (Marcoux 67-68). To help alleviate this problem it is the responsibility of educators to discuss this with their students as part of their internet safety discussion. Through the efforts of educators across the country we can promote internet security and encourage â€Å"safe surfing†. Communication through technology serves many purposes in the educational setting. The many benefits range from improving relationships with parents using various means through an emergency plan when the unexpected happens. These advances, plus many more, enhance the educational experience of students today. Section Three: Integrating Instructional Technology Developments in technology have found their way into many aspects of our daily lives. Integrating instructional technology into the 21st century classroom is no exception and is essential in providing the teacher and student with the resources needed to be successful. The importance of this integration has been recognized to the point that, â€Å"for more than three decades, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders have promoted computer technology use within and across learning environments to enhance teaching and learning† (Walery). The integration of technology in the classroom increases academic achievement and encourages creativity. Teachers are expanding their use of technology for learning because they believe it enhances their ability to communicate with the children and offers stimulating, interactive access to the numerous resources offered on the internet. Through the integration of technology students are encouraged to collaborate, provide input, and share ideas. The students are requesting permission to install educational apps on their IPads which generates an increased level of excitement for learning for the student in a digital era. Teachers and students alike are always looking for the next great idea or the latest app, software or computer program to enhance the learning process (Walery). To effectively integrate technology into the classroom instructors need to understand how to match appropriate technology to the learning goals and expected student outcomes. As with any topic there are pros and cons and integrating instructional technology into the educational setting is no exception. As an educator I feel the positive side of technology in the  classroom is the excitement that it brings to the student. There are many interactive websites available that brings learning to life and they are able to work independently and at their own pace. Students today are no longer sitting at their desk flipping through the pages of a textbook. Education in the 21st century has become more interactive and engages the student in the learning process. The down side to the integration of technology in the classroom is the vast amount of information available through the internet. It would be very easy for a student to get lost in â€Å"the sea of information† that is available. Doing research, even as an educator, requires determination and patience. To make research easier for my students I would provide a list of recommended online resources and allow them to make the choice on which ones suit their needs the best. Students today have access to technologies at home and school, especially in the form of mobile technology such as smart phones and iPods. Wireless classrooms are evolving to keep pace with mobile technology. A wireless classroom utilizes the use of I pads which is a mobile computer that can access the internet (Walery). . This resource allows students to send e-mails through a secure site to their teacher and to communicate, for educational purposes, to another student. In addition to this many apps are availab le that can be used as management tools by teachers and students. Some of these resources include a calendar and calculator. A wired classroom, in contrast, has multiple desktop computers. While you have the availability of the features in a computer you do not have the freedom to be â€Å"mobile with technology†. The integration of technology in the classroom is essential to support and improve the teaching ability of the instructor and the learning that takes place within the student. Without technology integration in the 21st century classroom our students would be unable to compete in the â€Å"real world† upon completion of their high school education. Section Four: Software to Support Assessment Assessments, formative and summative, allow teachers to collect information to improve student learning. These assessments are an ongoing and continuing process with the major goals being to figure out where students are struggling and put more emphasis on those areas. Assessment in the classroom setting helps the teacher examine the expectations he/she has for the  students. The assessment process also provides administration, teachers, and support staff to evaluate the curriculum. When a thorough assessment program at the classroom level balances formative and summative pupil learning/achievement data, a clear picture arises of where a student is in relationship to learning goals and standards (Garrison & Ehringhaus). There are two types of assessments used to evaluate a student’s progress, formative and summative. Both assessments are central portions of the collection of information and allow educators to get a balanced picture of a student’s strengths and weaknes ses (Ehringhaus). According to Heritage, Kim, and Vendlinski (2007), formative assessment is a â€Å"systematic process to continuously gather evidence about learning and if incorporated into the classroom practice it provides the information needed to adjust teaching and learning while they are happening.† The data is then used to identify a student’s capacity to understand, learn, and adapt lessons to help the student to reach the desired learning goal. In the formative assessment the students are active participants along with their teacher. The student shares their learning goals expressing an understanding on how their learning is progressing in addition to how well the material is being mastered. During the assessment process the student receives feedback which serves two functions: to identify problem areas and to provide positive reinforcement of successful achievement. One of the tools used in the formative assessment, which contributes to the success of the child is the student conference During the conference the pupil sits down with the teacher for a couple of minutes to ensure there is a sufficient level of comprehension with the lesson being taught. Instructor feedback serves to identify the degree to which the instructor was successful and to identify needed changes in instruction that need to be made to assist the student in mastering the material. Other tools used in the formative assessment include the formation of a graphic organizer and having a student turn in sentences identifying the main point of a l esson that has been taught. These tools allow the teacher to check the student’s comprehension of the material that has been presented. A summative assessment, in contrast, is used to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit to determine what a student knows and does not know. This type of assessment is more formal and at the district/classroom level is an accountability measure that is part of  the grading process (Garrison). The student’s comprehension through the summative assessment is measured by an exam, project, or paper. The information that is received from this type of assessment is important it only helps in certain aspects of the learning process and can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of school programs, school improvement goals, alignment of the curriculum or student placement in specific areas. Think of the formative assessment as â€Å"practice† and do not hold the students accountable unlike the summative assessment in which plays a role in the students mark at the end of a grading period. There are several advantages to using technology when an instructor needs to assess student learning. When assessing a student via a computer the process is more rapid and productive. When using a computer the students work is graded as the assessment is taken. Another advantage is the human element is removed from the equation. An instructor could grade a test poorly based on their m ood or because the student has poor handwriting. The downside to giving an assessment using technology is that computers cannot read written answers therefore the test would have to be provided in multiple choice formats. Another downside to assessing students on the computer is that this form of technology is unable to grade projects that are submitted by the children. Technology, like so many things we use in our daily routine, has its perks but does not replace a qualified teacher in the classroom setting. There are many websites and programs available for student assessment. Some of these resources are free while others offer a trial period. Some of these educational sites, which can be used in formative or summative assessments, include Voice-over, PowerPoint games, Blogs, Interactive time lines, and Podcast. To keep children involved in learning teachers have a responsibility to explore every available avenue for formative and summative assessments to ensure the students is reaching their academic goals. The technological resources that can be utilized as a teacher are the online gradebook and e-mail. The online gradebook gives parents 24-hour access and allows the parents and students to track information regarding grades and upcoming assignments. Teachers, through the use of the online gradebook, can create assignments with specific dates for when their work is due. The ability to see when a particular student is not doing well because they do not complete work to be done at home or is having difficulty with  assessments gives the teacher the opportunity to adjust due dates to accommodate the students specific need s. The online gradebook provides an adequate amount of vision into the educational setting for parents and is a tool I look forward to utilizing to enhance the education of my students. E-mail, which improves communication for parents and teachers, is a requirement for students to be successful in their endeavors at school. Epstein (2008) observed that â€Å"more students earn higher grades in English and math, improve their reading and writing skills, complete more course credit, set higher aspirations, have better attendance, come to class more prepared to learn, and have fewer behavior problems†¦Ã¢â‚¬  when parents are active in their children’s lives. â€Å"Parents and teachers indicated that emails worked most effectively to communicate about grades because the messages involved simple, concrete information† (Thompson). E-mail is a resource I am looking forward to utilizing as an instructor as it is an effective means of communication with parents which is important for the academic success of their children. I do not feel that technology should be used exclusively for assessments. Assessment, as we have learned, involves more the just test ing and grading assignments. What goes on in the student’s life outside the classroom can affect how they perform at school. When parents choose to be active in their children’s education, they believe their efforts will have a positive impact on their children’s learning (Anderson and Minke). Rogers and Wright (2008) found that â€Å"the main reasons that parents did not use technology to communicate with schools were that they either did not have the technology at home or they did not have the skills needed to use the technology to communicate.† As educators, we need to find the balance between incorporating technology in our classrooms to keep our students engaged in 21st century learning while realizing the importance that face to face communication has in education. Section Five: Technology In The Classroom The internet offers numerous learning opportunities and is loaded with an abundance of information. The concern for educators is how to encourage children to take part in constructive and imaginative learning while safeguarding them from inappropriate material, the possibility of coming into contact with people they do not know. Internet safety entails balancing  perceived advantages against tolerable risk. There are many benefits to allowing students to engage in surfing the net. As educators we need to incorporate a â€Å"Safe & Ethical Internet Surfing Handbook†. The handbook will contain guidelines and a student use agreement form in which the students helped generate. The handbook will also contain information on how to make informed decisions on how to make ethical decisions while surfing the net. This includes proper citation to avoid copyright infringements. Involving the student in the creation of the handbook will facilitate a deeper understanding of the expectatio ns. Utilizing the internet the children gain valuable skills such as creativity, leadership, team building, confidence, communication, innovation, and initiative (Green and Harmon, 2007). To allow my students the many benefits offered on the internet I will create a Curriculum Resource Page. This tool is an instructor created document that consists of hyperlinks to various websites that have been evaluated and chosen by the teacher. The links provided on the resource page support and enhance the learning that is taking place in the classroom setting. An important aspect in utilizing the curriculum resource page is that it reduces the chance that the children will be able to gain access to a website that may be deemed inappropriate. The curriculum resource page is a valuable tool; however, the most important thing an instructor can do is observe the students while doing their lessons. Through observation the teacher can ensure the online safety of the students by making sure inappropriate material is not being viewed. The key is that ethical behavior is not a one or two day lesson, but theme educators discuss throughout the year (Jacobsen & Smith, 1998, paras, 5-6). There is valuable web site that can be incorporated into the classroom discussion regarding internet safety.SafeKids.ne.gov. has lessons, worksheets, and PowerPoint presentations that help reinforce the lessons of online safety to the children. This resource is valuable as it incorporates role playing. This allows the students to be active participants in the lesson of online safety. Youth today are unlikely to think twice about committing a cybercrime (Newman, para.6) and is a growing concern with school-aged children. The use of â€Å"paper mills†, which are websites that deliver term papers which students can download at no cost and then turn in as their own original work. These sites have been increasing at an astonishing rate. In  March of 1999 approximately 35 of these sites existed and by the end of 2003 the number had jumped to more then 250(Newman, para.9). Steube (1996) stated â€Å"as more and more schools venture onto the internet, incidents of plagiarism and copyright infringement that were once limited to classrooms are reaching an international audience (para.4). Plagiarism is viewed by the young as a low risk behavior and as educators it is our responsibility to teach the students that this behavio r is unacceptable and comes with serious consequences. To ensure my students are respectful while utilizing the internet I will implement a student use agreement form that each child along with their parent/legal guardian will be required to sign as parents need to be involved in their child’s behavior while surfing the net. This agreement will contain a code of conduct, in which the children can contribute their thoughts, which will incorporate issues concerning copyright, privacy, and proper use. As an educator I will instruct my students on the correct, ethical, use of computer know-hows as I introduce other age appropriate skills. Some of the areas I will place strong emphasis on are honesty, being trustworthy, and respecting the privacy of others. In addition to these areas of concern I will stress the importance of honoring copyright laws to avoid plagiarism. To ensure my students are aware of how to avoid plagiarism I would present a Power Point teaching the proper way to cite resources. I would show this resource intermittently throughout the year to make sure the concept is not forgotten. Through my effort my students will become responsible cyber-citizens (Baum, 2005). The incidence of plagiarism has become more become more widespread because it is easy to get the information by visiting websit es on their specific topic. Other less known Codes of Computer Ethics I will address include is the use of all capital letters is considered yelling and therefore impolite, and that humor and sarcasm are viewed as criticism and therefore should be used sparingly or avoided all together. References Aronin, A. and O’Neal M. Twenty ways to assess students using technology. Science Scope 34.9 (2011): n. page. Grand Canyon University Fleming Library. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. Baum, Janna J. Cyber ethics: The New Frontier. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning 49.6 (2005): 54-78.Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. Cakir, R. (2012). Technology Integration and Technology Leadership in Schools as Learning Organizations. Turkish Online Journal Of Educational Technology – TOJET, 11(4), 273-282. Garrison, C. and Ehringhaus M. Formative and Summative Assessments in the Classroom. Association for Middle Level Education. N.P., n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. Herro, D., Kiger, D., & Owens, C. (2013). Mobile Technology: Case-Based Suggestions for Classroom Integration and Teacher Educators. Journal Of Digital Learning In Teacher Education, 30(1), 30-40. Hussain, Ashiq1, et al. Assessment Model: How To Assess Students’ Learning? International Journal of Science in Society 2.4 (2011): 85-97. Omni File Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Wed. 6 Apr. 2014. Lambert, K. (2012, April). Tools for Formative Assessment. Retrieved April 19, 2014, from http://www.levy.k12.fl.us/instruction/Instructional_Tools/60FormativeAssessment.pdf Marcoux, E Betty. Cybersecurity and School Libraries. Teacher Librarian 38.2 (2010): 67-68. Education Research Complete. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. Pilgrim J . Bledsoe C. and Reily S. New Technologies in the Classroom. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin 78.4 (2012): 16-22. Education Research Complete. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. Riemenschneider, Cynthia, K. Lori N. K. Leonard, and Tracy S. Manly. â€Å"Students’ Ethical Decision-Making In An Information Technology Context: A Theory Of Planned Behavior Approach.† Journal Of Information Systems Education 22.3 (2011): 203-214.Business Source Complete. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. SafeKids.ne.gov – Internet Safety Information for the Whole Family. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2014, from http://www.safekids.ne.gov/lesson_1.html Sharples, M. et al. â€Å"E-Safety and Web 2.0 For Children Aged 11–16.† Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 25.1 (2009): 70-84.Education Research Complete. Web. 13 Apr. 2014, Darrell, W. Wireless Technology in K-12 Education. Net Lingo The Internet Dictionary: Online Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms. N.P., Mar.-Apr. 2004. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. Shelly, Gary B. Gunters A. Gunter J. Teachers discovering computers: Integrating technology in a connected world.07. Web. 13. 2014 Stull J. Varnum S. Ducette J. and Schiller J. The Many Faces of Formative Assessment. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 23.1 (2011): 30-399. GCU Fleming Library. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. Vitalak E , Panagiotes S. Anastasiadesm Tsouvelas G , and Tsouvelas G. Factors Influencing Parental Control For The Safe And Pedagogical Internet Use Among Primary School Students. Problems Of Education In The 21St Century 42.(2012): 125-135. Education Research Complete. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. Zieger, Bardroff L. and Tan J. Improving Parent Involvement in Secondary Schools through Communication Technology. Journal of Literacy & Technology 13.2 (2012): 30-54. Web. 23 Mar. 2014

The Eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815

The tremendous eruption of Mount Tambora in April 1815 was the most powerful volcanic eruption of the 19th century. The eruption and the tsunamis it triggered killed tens of thousands of people. The magnitude of the explosion itself is difficult to fathom. It has been estimated that Mount Tambora stood approximately 12,000 feet tall before the 1815 eruption when the top third of the mountain was completely obliterated. Adding to the disasters massive scale, the huge amount of dust blasted into the upper atmosphere by the Tambora eruption contributed to a bizarre and highly destructive weather event the following year. The year 1816 became known as ​the year without a summer. The disaster on the remote island of Sumbawa in the Indian Ocean has been overshadowed by the eruption of the volcano at Krakatoa decades later, partly because the news of Krakatoa traveled quickly via telegraph. Accounts of the Tambora eruption were considerably rarer, yet some vivid ones do exist. An administrator of the East India Company, Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles, who was serving as governor of Java at the time, published a striking account of the disaster based on written reports he had collected from English traders and military personnel. Beginnings of the Mount Tambora Disaster The island of Sumbawa, home to Mount Tambora, is located in present-day Indonesia. When the island was first discovered by Europeans, the mountain was thought to be an extinct volcano. However, about three years before the 1815 eruption, the mountain seemed to come to life. Rumblings were felt, and a dark smoky cloud appeared atop the summit. On April 5, 1815, the volcano began to erupt. British traders and explorers heard the sound and at first thought it to be the firing of cannon. There was a fear that a sea battle was being fought nearby. The Massive Eruption of Mount Tambora On the evening of April 10, 1815, the eruptions intensified, and a massive major eruption began to blow the volcano apart. Viewed from a settlement about 15 miles to the east, it seemed that three columns of flames shot into the sky. According to a witness on an island about 10 miles to the south, the entire mountain appeared to turn into liquid fire. Stones of pumice more than six inches in diameter began to rain down on neighboring islands. Violent winds propelled by the eruptions struck settlements like ​hurricanes, and some reports claimed that the wind and sound-triggered small earthquakes. Tsunamis emanating from the island of Tambora destroyed settlements on other islands, killing tens of thousands of people. Investigations by modern-day archaeologists have determined that an island culture on Sumbawa was completely wiped out by the Mount Tambora eruption. Written Reports of Mount Tamboras Eruption As the eruption of Mount Tambora occurred before communication by telegraph, accounts of the cataclysm were slow to reach Europe and North America. The British governor of Java, Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles, who was learning an enormous amount about the native inhabitants of the local islands while writing his 1817 book History of Java, collected accounts of the eruption. Raffles began his account of the Mount Tambora eruption by noting the confusion about the source of the initial sounds: The first explosions were heard on this Island in the evening of the 5th of April, they were noticed in every quarter, and continued at intervals until the following day. The noise was in the first instance almost universally attributed to distant cannon; so much so, that a detachment of troops were marched from Djocjocarta [a nearby province] in the expectation that a neighboring post was attacked. And along the coast boats were in two instances dispatched in quest of a supposed ship in distress. After the initial explosion was heard, Raffles said it was supposed that the eruption was no greater than other volcanic eruptions in that region. But he noted that on the evening of April 10 extremely loud explosions were heard and large amounts of dust began to fall from the sky. Other employees of the East India Company in the region were directed by Raffles to submit reports about the aftermath of the eruption. The accounts are chilling. One letter submitted to Raffles describes how, on the morning of April 12, 1815, no sunlight was visible at 9 a.m. on a nearby island. The sun had been entirely obscured by volcanic dust in the atmosphere. A letter from an Englishman on the island of Sumanap described how, on the afternoon of April 11, 1815, by four oclock it was necessary to light candles. It remained dark until the next afternoon. About two weeks after the eruption, a British officer sent to deliver rice to the island of Sumbawa made an inspection of the island. He reported seeing numerous corpses and widespread destruction. Local inhabitants were becoming ill, and many had already died of hunger. A local ruler, the Rajah of Saugar, gave his account of the cataclysm to British officer Lieutenant Owen Phillips. He described three columns of flames arising from the mountain when it erupted on April 10, 1815. Apparently describing the lava flow, the Rajah said the mountain started to appear like a body of liquid fire, extending itself in every direction. The Rajah also described the effect of the wind unleashed by the eruption: Between nine and ten p.m. ashes began to fall, and soon after a violent whirlwind ensued, which blew down nearly every house in the village of Saugar, carrying the tops and light parts along with it. I n the part of Saugar adjoining [Mount Tambora] its effects were much more violent, tearing up by the roots the largest trees and carrying them into the air together with men, houses, cattle, and whatever else came within its influence. This will account for the immense number of floating trees seen at sea. The sea rose nearly twelve feet higher than it had ever been known to be before, and completely spoiled the only small spots of rice lands in Saugar, sweeping away houses and every thing within its reach. Worldwide Effects of the Mount Tambora Eruption Though it would not be apparent for more than a century, the eruption of Mount Tambora contributed to one of the worst weather-related disasters of the 19th century. The following year, 1816, became known as the Year Without a Summer. The dust particles blasted into the upper atmosphere from Mount Tambora were carried by air currents and spread across the world. By the fall of 1815, eerily colored sunsets were being observed in London. And the following year the weather patterns in Europe and North America changed drastically. While the winter of 1815 and 1816 was fairly ordinary, the spring of 1816 turned odd. Temperatures did not rise as expected, and very cold temperatures persisted in some places well into the summer months. Widespread crop failures caused hunger and even famine in some places. The eruption of Mount Tambora thus may have caused widespread casualties on the opposite side of the world.

Mercutio Monologues From Romeo and Juliet

Not to criticize Shakespeare, but the play Romeo and Juliet should feature a little less Friar Lawrence  and a little more Mercutio. You could argue that this funny, furious character should have gotten his very own play, but instead, he gets killed off (spoiler!) at the beginning of Act Three! Still, we can rejoice in the few excellent Mercutio moments and monologues. The Queen Mab Monologue In Mercutios best and lengthiest monologue, often called The Queen Mab Speech, the jovial supporting character chides Romeo, claiming that he has been visited by a fairy queen, one that makes men desire things best left unattained. In Romeos case, he is still pining for Rosaline. Little does he realize that he will soon fall for Juliet. When performing the following monologue, actors often begin very playfully, but as the speech continues, touching upon corruption and war, Mercutio becomes more frenzied and intense. MERCUTIO: O, then I see Queen Mab hath been with you.She is the fairies midwife, and she comesIn shape no bigger than an agate stoneOn the forefinger of an alderman,Drawn with a team of little atomiesOver mens noses as they lie asleep;Her wagon spokes made of long spinners legs,The cover, of the wings of grasshoppers;Her traces, of the smallest spider web;Her collars, of the moonshines watry beams;Her whip, of crickets bone; the lash, of film;Her wagoner, a small grey-coated gnat,Not half so big as a round little wormPricked from the lazy finger of a maid;Her chariot is an empty hazelnut,Made by the joiner squirrel or old grub,Time out o mind the fairies coachmakers.And in this state she gallops night by nightThrough lovers brains, and then they dream of love;Oer courtiers knees, that dream on curtsies straight;Oer lawyers fingers, who straight dream on fees;Oer ladies lips, who straight on kisses dream,Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues,Because their breaths with sweetmea ts tainted are.Sometimes she gallops oer a courtiers nose,And then dreams he of smelling out a suit;And sometimes comes she with a tithe-pigs tailTickling a parsons nose as a lies asleep,Then dreams he of another benefice.Sometimes she driveth oer a soldiers neck,And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats,Of breaches, ambuscadoes, Spanish blades,Of healths five fathom deep; and then anonDrums in his ear, at which he starts and wakes,And being thus frighted, swears a prayer or twoAnd sleeps again. This is that very MabThat plats the manes of horses in the nightAnd bakes the elflocks in foul sluttish hairs,Which once untangled much misfortune bodes.This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs,That presses them and learns them first to bear,Making them women of good carriage.This is she!(Romeo interrupts, and then the monologue concludes:) True, I talk of dreams,Which are the children of an idle brain,Begot of nothing but vain fantasy,Which is as thin of substance as the airAnd mo re inconstant than the wind, who woosEven now the frozen bosom of the north,And, being angerd, puffs away from thence,Turning his face to the dew-dropping south. Mercutio Describes Tybalt In this scene, Mercutio explains the personality and combat techniques of Tybalt, Juliets deadly cousin. By the end of the speech, Romeo walks in, and Mercutio begins to chastise the young man. MERCUTIO: More than prince of cats, I can tell you. O, he isthe courageous captain of compliments. He fights asyou sing prick-song, keeps time, distance, andproportion; rests me his minim rest, one, two, andthe third in your bosom: the very butcher of a silkbutton, a duellist, a duellist; a gentleman of thevery first house, of the first and second cause:ah, the immortal passado! the punto reverso! the hai!The pox of such antic, lisping, affectingfantasticoes; these new tuners of accents! By Jesu,a very good blade! a very tall man! a very goodwhore! Why, is not this a lamentable thing,grandsire, that we should be thus afflicted withthese strange flies, these fashion-mongers, theseperdona-mis, who stand so much on the new form,that they cannot at ease on the old bench? O, theirbones, their bones!Without his roe, like a dried herring: flesh, flesh,how art thou fishified! Now is he for the numbersthat Petrarch flowed in: Laura to his lady was but akitchen-wench; marry, she had a better l ove tobe-rhyme her; Dido a dowdy; Cleopatra a gypsy;Helen and Hero hildings and harlots; Thisbe a greyeye or so, but not to the purpose. SigniorRomeo, bon jour! theres a French salutationto your French slop. You gave us the counterfeitfairly last night. Mercutio and Benvolio In this next scene, Mercutio demonstrates his genius for mockery. Everything he complains about regarding his friend Benvolios character does not apply to the young man. Benvolio is agreeable and good-natured throughout the play. Mercutio is the one most likely to pick a quarrel for no good reason! Some might say that Mercutio is actually describing himself. MERCUTIO: Thou art like one of those fellows that when heenters the confines of a tavern claps me his swordupon the table and says God send me no need ofthee! and by the operation of the second cup drawsit on the drawer, when indeed there is no need.BENVOLIO: Am I like such a fellow?MERCUTIO: Come, come, thou art as hot a Jack in thy mood asany in Italy, and as soon moved to be moody, and assoon moody to be moved.BENVOLIO: And what to?MERCUTIO: Nay, an there were two such, we should have noneshortly, for one would kill the other. Thou! why,thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more,or a hair less, in his beard, than thou hast: thouwilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having noother reason but because thou hast hazel eyes: whateye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel?Thy head is as fun of quarrels as an egg is full ofmeat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle asan egg for quarrelling: thou hast quarrelled with aman for coughing in the street, because he hat hwakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun:didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearinghis new doublet before Easter? with another, fortying his new shoes with old riband? and yet thouwilt tutor me from quarrelling!