Good quality products may not always be bought at a high price. Gone were the days when a box of 12 coloured pencils cost $5 - $10. Open international trade and diversity of suppliers have benefitted Australians. These days, school children (and their parents) are spoilt for choices when making purchases.
No longer do we have to wait for overseas trips to stock up on certain types of essential stationery. Clear plastic letter files that open on 2 sides and document wallets with button are available in Big W (only some items are available at Woolies). This is the best buy in town - a couple of dollars for a pack.
Not all paper are the same including some that claim to be "premium quality". At the minium, you should get the 800 gsm white paper so as not to jam your printer. Good quality paper are not usually sold at chain stores that cater to the mass market and may not have QC checks. It may be worthwhile checking out printers and office suppliers close to commercial-industrial estates. They are only a little dearer but well worth it for the quality.
The lowest rate for photocopying is at Officeworks, much cheaper than private setups, universities and public libraries. Even though you may have chosen to use the self service machines, helpful staff are always close by to offer advice if you encounter any technical difficulties. They also cater to customers who require more sophisticated printing.
- c g
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Burqa / Niquab - a Middle Eastern cultural heritage
To "infidels" there is often some difficulty in grasping why the burqa, an Arab cultural heritage suited to desert conditions during ancient war times, should be relevant in Australia.
Undoubteldly, a great religion and a compassionate God, Almighty Allah, would accommodate different cultures, not just those from a certain regions. Australians need a lot more convincing rationale to be moved.
There are many reasons behind strong resistance against the ban on the burqa in Australia.
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/its-unaustralian--rally-condemns-push-to-ban-burqa-20100919-15hy0.html
At first sight, communities would agree that the brainwashing of women followers has been very successful. A strong belief may not necessarily be an indication virtuousness. What is certain is the achievement of propaganda to protect the powers of being sometimes at the expense of deluding the supportive majority.
Even if some Muslim women may want to disenfranchise from these constraints, they are too afraid to defy and disrupt the patriachal order, fear of being ostracised, intimidated, or even threatened with physical harm and shame they will bring upon themselves or their families. Unless they are prepared to totally severe ties and disown their families and community, which is difficult given their minorities status in Australia.
To wait for progressive changes from within Islam as some moderate voices have suggested, will take a very long time. Most cultures simply do not have the tenacity to balance the regimental and unquestioning doctrines. The Christian reformation took centuries to moderate itself with the proactive push by educated leadership, supported by state institutions. Many of these factors are either absent or too weak to bring fundamentalists more relevant to modern times. Positive change can only come about through building bridges and compromises on the part of various stakeholders, not consistently giving in to the steadfast.
Migrants who have come to Australia are accepted on the understanding that we will try to adjust and live without conflicts with the rest of society. Obeying the laws in the secular system is an obligation which confer rights in return. It is an unwritten social contract. Those who have benefitted from the free and fair system should not turn around and bite the hand that feeds them. It should be queried whether ardently holding on to traditions would pose problems for security issues and harmonious living with the rest of society.
Every individual has a personality and facial expressions are an essential part of communications. Fiascos in marriages and robberies could be avoided if everyone were to show most of their face if they wish to dress modestly and conservative.
Let's end on a light note to defuse emotional tensions.
There are many reasons behind strong resistance against the ban on the burqa in Australia.
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/its-unaustralian--rally-condemns-push-to-ban-burqa-20100919-15hy0.html
At first sight, communities would agree that the brainwashing of women followers has been very successful. A strong belief may not necessarily be an indication virtuousness. What is certain is the achievement of propaganda to protect the powers of being sometimes at the expense of deluding the supportive majority.
Even if some Muslim women may want to disenfranchise from these constraints, they are too afraid to defy and disrupt the patriachal order, fear of being ostracised, intimidated, or even threatened with physical harm and shame they will bring upon themselves or their families. Unless they are prepared to totally severe ties and disown their families and community, which is difficult given their minorities status in Australia.
To wait for progressive changes from within Islam as some moderate voices have suggested, will take a very long time. Most cultures simply do not have the tenacity to balance the regimental and unquestioning doctrines. The Christian reformation took centuries to moderate itself with the proactive push by educated leadership, supported by state institutions. Many of these factors are either absent or too weak to bring fundamentalists more relevant to modern times. Positive change can only come about through building bridges and compromises on the part of various stakeholders, not consistently giving in to the steadfast.
Migrants who have come to Australia are accepted on the understanding that we will try to adjust and live without conflicts with the rest of society. Obeying the laws in the secular system is an obligation which confer rights in return. It is an unwritten social contract. Those who have benefitted from the free and fair system should not turn around and bite the hand that feeds them. It should be queried whether ardently holding on to traditions would pose problems for security issues and harmonious living with the rest of society.
Every individual has a personality and facial expressions are an essential part of communications. Fiascos in marriages and robberies could be avoided if everyone were to show most of their face if they wish to dress modestly and conservative.
Let's end on a light note to defuse emotional tensions.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Open Book Exam - the false sense of security
Touted as a more accurate gauge of students' understanding rather than regurgitating what they had rote learnt, open book examinations are becoming more popular.
The tested favour open book examinations believing that it would be less stressful with information accessible should they get stumped. However, having through a few "open book examinations", I know that it is not as "easy" as it sounds. On the contrary, it gives the examination candidate a false sense of security and not making adequate and appropriate preparations.
An open book question rarely asks of the students to 'describe’ or or even ‘explain’. That would be too easy to simply copy the answers from the books. Only at elementary levels would the examiner be interested in knowing if the candidate has good memory of the details. Instead the examiner offering open book examination is interested to know if the candidate could apply theories and rules to problem solving. Your thinking skills are expected to be exhibited to impress upon the marker. The answers may not be straight forward, but are open-ended. Candidates are therefore expected to demonstrate critical analysis in their answers.
Hence, studying in preparation for such "free" form of examinations require a lot more time. You need to know how to navigate through the books under time contraint.
Summarise all the main points of lecture notes substantiated by details from the texts, references and readings. Pay special attention to issues highlighted by the teacher. It may be a tedious process. But hey, there's not gain without any pain.
Drawing up neatly or better still if you could type and print the page index of subject matter and topics with reference to all the text books would be very helpful. More often than not, you would notice many candidates frantically flipping through the book. This will not happen if you had a handy page guide. There won't be enough time for last minute search.
Bringing in many books into the exam hall would only serve as comforter, pacifier, a toy to calm your nerves. They are just materials of last resort when you need to quote details which you have forgotten. You don't have time to start reading through the book for the first or second time in the entire course. That's a no-no. This can cause panic attacks under stressful exam conditions.
A word of caution : open book exam is not the equivalent of open to discussion exam. I feel sorry not responding to neighbouring candidates trying to signal and elicit answers. The only persons candidates could request for help are the teacher and invigilator who may apply stringent regulations on conduct during examinations. Partaking in discussions albeit in an open book exam can result in disqualification and confiscation of exam scripts. Those who don't get caught are lucky but I won't take the risk and push my luck.
As with all examinations, try not to cram in readings till the last minute. Breathing exercises and meditation five minutes before exam commenceswill help to clear your mind and perform better.
The tested favour open book examinations believing that it would be less stressful with information accessible should they get stumped. However, having through a few "open book examinations", I know that it is not as "easy" as it sounds. On the contrary, it gives the examination candidate a false sense of security and not making adequate and appropriate preparations.
An open book question rarely asks of the students to 'describe’ or or even ‘explain’. That would be too easy to simply copy the answers from the books. Only at elementary levels would the examiner be interested in knowing if the candidate has good memory of the details. Instead the examiner offering open book examination is interested to know if the candidate could apply theories and rules to problem solving. Your thinking skills are expected to be exhibited to impress upon the marker. The answers may not be straight forward, but are open-ended. Candidates are therefore expected to demonstrate critical analysis in their answers.
Hence, studying in preparation for such "free" form of examinations require a lot more time. You need to know how to navigate through the books under time contraint.
Summarise all the main points of lecture notes substantiated by details from the texts, references and readings. Pay special attention to issues highlighted by the teacher. It may be a tedious process. But hey, there's not gain without any pain.
Drawing up neatly or better still if you could type and print the page index of subject matter and topics with reference to all the text books would be very helpful. More often than not, you would notice many candidates frantically flipping through the book. This will not happen if you had a handy page guide. There won't be enough time for last minute search.
Bringing in many books into the exam hall would only serve as comforter, pacifier, a toy to calm your nerves. They are just materials of last resort when you need to quote details which you have forgotten. You don't have time to start reading through the book for the first or second time in the entire course. That's a no-no. This can cause panic attacks under stressful exam conditions.
A word of caution : open book exam is not the equivalent of open to discussion exam. I feel sorry not responding to neighbouring candidates trying to signal and elicit answers. The only persons candidates could request for help are the teacher and invigilator who may apply stringent regulations on conduct during examinations. Partaking in discussions albeit in an open book exam can result in disqualification and confiscation of exam scripts. Those who don't get caught are lucky but I won't take the risk and push my luck.
As with all examinations, try not to cram in readings till the last minute. Breathing exercises and meditation five minutes before exam commenceswill help to clear your mind and perform better.
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