Going forward

How does it feel to have to be saying goodbye from one place?

The initially rush of emotions of being sad, the heart torn apart feelings would probably be setting in for quite a while. I'm sure we all know about that, the transit from Primary school to Secondary. Then after the big exam, everyone split ways towards different direction.

During that departure, we often wish that time could stop there for a while more, as we try to hold on to even the faintest second. Its sensible to know its not exactly realistic or practical to do that but we still do.

Moving on from place to place has sort of become a norm to me. Be it schools, army camps or work.
Not that I've become some form of cold blooded person, its just recognizing the path that you are laying out for yourself does not necessary have to allow you to be the same as everyone else, despite you wish it could be so.


'Even if there are times we have to say goodbye, there will be a time we'll meet again.'

Nothing is constant except change I guess. I'm heading forward to where I wanna be. Are you too?

Me not very modern

Take a look around today while you are walking around the streets, taking a ride on the bus or mrt trains. Heads are down, almost for all people. Staring deep onto the devices they hold in their hands. Whether its their iPod, iPhone or just any mobile phones and mp3 players.

We shifted from lives from the tv to the computer and now to mobile devices. Lives so revolved around technology that its becoming inseparable. Take away your access to a computer or your phone for a day or two, can you imagine how it'll be like? Imaginable? Or just a nightmare for some?

I could remember twice while I was overseas and my phone was left at home so for days I did without all the usual communication. And I embrace the peace that was there without it.

Earlier this evening, I happen to be out for a drink. While on the bus, I realized that I had left my phone in my drawer. It struck that I would be not contactable at all. Did worry me for a bit. Then throwing that aside, I just focused on going for the drink and not having to be distracted by my phone. That once a while checking of sms or time.


It does gives me the feeling that compared any modern day person, I should be quite ancient.

A Social Experiment

Now that I recall, I should have conduct a social experiment while I was still able to.

Come to think of it, I've never block Facebook while I was around right?

Just imagine what if I did.

Yeah Yeah, lots of protest

Everyone is so integrated into FB now, could still remember a few years back where I was with a few friends still trying to resist the migration to FB. Now we are on it like practically as much as we are awake. This era could almost be said to have been lived on FB. Given a few years back, people sure would have marked you as crazy for saying that.

Back to the story, recently I had just experienced such an ordeal. Well, being denied access to FB was not really considered one for me since I have pretty much been able to separate myself from the account most of the time. But it sure hit me with some revelation.

1. I had been relying on FB to remember b'days and then come the sending a greeting part
2. Lots of people actually appear on my wall and I actually scroll through just to get the latest scoops
3. Sometimes I found more about what was happening around me than through reading my news feed

Looking at others, the denial of access seems to hurt a bit harder, like something was taken away. But given the current status quo, its pretty much understandable. How had FB affect your life? Is it a drug now that requires periodic dosage? Or it basically still serves as the connector to other people?

Besides that, the movie "Social Network" movie is coming up soon. Probably that might interest lots of people. Compared to the stories that talks about forefathers or how a nation was built, this movie is the equivalent the generation of the new.

Still on the point, the reason you here, probably came from a link somewhere. And where's that?

We all know that very well.




Before ending off, I can't help but place this up. And disclaimer first. I am guilty for taking this off a forum post. But I forgot who's the fella, but he is pretty humorous for coming up with this.

Relativity of the Holida-vity

Train Holiday is coming. Train Holiday is coming.

I'm sure that sounds much better than most things, especially your new jingle at the coming of your trains.

Couple of weeks seems like long, so many things to do and days pass you by.
Every was alright until you start to feel the effects of relativity.

Einstein simply put it:

"Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. 

Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity." 

 

Tough times will always seem like it last forever while play time go past you faster than anything else. The real thing is, when everything is over,

What's Left?

What did you make of that time. Its not hard to hop around in Facebook or around the net to find one article about leading a meaningful and fulfilling life. Usually by people who are late in their life looking back and reviewing the years that have passed.

Most of them seem to come to the same conclusion.

About being happy. Spending time on the right stuff. Working harder at what is important.

I'll say, experience a bit more things, you don't get all the chances ya know.

But know the consequences though.

After Departure

Seems like things have been going quiet around here.

I'm Sorry.

Had been thinking about this space. That it's meant to do something. Lessons go beyond the classroom.
So does Mr Cai.

Work and school had been busy for me, if you are asking. Not quite easy to take on everything. But its not a bad thing. Because this is when you really look at what you have and prioritize. Not sure about your but I think I'm a greedy person who wants to attempt everything. All these come with effort and not make it just talking only.

I guess its still exam for your so I doubt there will be visitors for this post, not for very long.
But for those who did, please pass the message that THIS SPACE will be making a come back.

Till again. Adios.

FB and me (as a student)

Looking back, I've been in this job for like a year already. Looking at 3 batches of students.

Today I find myself in the role of a student, attending a workshop, listening to the lecturer. Now trying to feel what normally those who are seated in my lessons would feel like.

Could probably say that there is a slight hint of guilt that is flowing out. So well, I'm here FB-ing through the lesson. While that has sort of got on my nerves during my day to day work, looking at groups of around 40 people, with more than half caught on FB. But how could i blame that when the whole world is practically caught in it as well. The only thing that is more comforting is knowing that the workshop is on new media tools, so being on FB is part of the lesson.

While FB is already so integrated into our everyday lives such that its hard to imagine a day without it, and not to mention a day without computers, internet and most important of all, our mobile phones. What is worrying is that, due to this widespread usage and reliance on FB, are we shifting our lives to the online world?

With this technology, no one is ever far away anymore; everyone one is within the reach of your news feeds, or they are just a poke or a comment away. So this makes people spend more time trying to connect up with others, possibly ending up having fun in games and applications. Hopefully this extra time spent does not amount to end up becoming an addiction. And rather, more importantly, people do not spend time through virtual interaction in sacrifice of the real physical meetup and connection with people.

So where do you stand?

To make a disclaimer here, for lessons i do tolerate the presence of FB for i recognize the need and purpose of FB as a communicative tool which is pretty much a essential of human needs and that of civilisation. But having games and applications is totally on a different setting. The bottom line is about not compromising on the focus of the class and being able to understand what is being taught.

What if there was no school

This title should have caught your attention somehow. Originally titled as "back to school", i thought about it and felt that it was enough to turn anyone off.

Well, holidays were here and now almost gone, the 4 weeks of break. For some i do understand, these 4 weeks were full of projects and homework. In any case, whether its a much desired or awaited conclusion, its time to get yourself together and get ready to head back.

Before i start asking about your homework(which to be honest, is not my concern, unless your starting bringing them to my class), here are a few stuff i would like to ask your first:
1) Check your new timetable yet?
2) For sec 2s, have your work on the video assignment?
3) Fine tune your body clock for school schedule?

Yeah, point 3 is really important here. Else its gonna be some torturing days with lots of repercussion when you get back. Imagine all the dozing off in class, missing out lesson contents plus punishments coming your way?

On and on i could go, being a student once myself. I'm still one, considered that learning never stops. But here's to the june holidays and see your back in class. Cheerios!

Safety Video

Holidays are here and halfway gone.

Perhaps your are still stuck at doing all the homework.

But how's the video going?

Based on what your brainstorm before school ended, maybe can take some time off to work on the idea further. Do not necessary have to start the filming, but think about the location and the cast or talents your would like to use for your video.

Under the link list, I have added the slides about the safety video.

Good luck.

Holidays. What's Yours?

Ever since the term reach an end to make way for the holidays, things don't seem to be going easy for me. With lots of things on hand to do. Though I know most of your are thinking I'm a slacker right -.-'

Be glad I'm not handling out holiday homework(well.. this doesn't really apply to the Sec 2s). But here what I would like to bring across is.

While you get yourself busy with all the assignments, have you thought about what would you like to accomplish in this month? A holiday does not mean we stop working(that's why there are still assignments), it able taking on a different pace, for some its taking a break from work, for others, its about taking on something new.

What's Yours?

Leave me a comment? Or perhaps a word on my tagboard.
Enjoy~

Survey Spree

Exams are finally over, a sigh of relief.

Post exam activities are probably fun, though you wish you were at home instead.


So here's a little bit more things to do before we call it a day.

Surveys.

Under the school portal, log in, go to Communication and select Surveys.

Secondary 1E/1NA

A Special Lesson

Today's topic were different from usual. Perhaps the first class in the morning was more or less used to it already, a once a while change in the way lessons started. To which many would address as 'emo' or 'philosophical'.

The topic this time was  about 'Never Give Up',

After a weekend of thinking, brainstorming about what to bring up in the midst of exams, the answer came to me yesterday. After a much dreaded but joyous occasion.

The passing of my driving test, after 9 months of training and 2 failure attempts and uncountable sessions of scoldings by my instructor. I'm still unable to be one of those people who love to drive. But being in touch with the 4 wheel vehicle sure have brought me lots of lessons i wish to share here.

The morning of my test was bad, the test drive practically seemed to hint at another possible failure again. Which almost made me want to escape the place and save myself another heartbreak. Somehow i didn't manage to do that. And going ahead with the test, all i could tell myself was to do my best and make the best out of what i was given.

Somehow or rather, things went pretty well this time and i looked at myself outperform my usual days. Moments later, i was finally given my passing grade.

And so thinking, what if i really walked away at that moment and given up all hope. I'll just once again be further than what i worked hard for.

Even in times of adversity and when all odds are against you, don't ever give up, face it with courage and give the best you can.

It might be a tough period for many of you right on, strive on ahead! You'll make it.

And here's a bit more.

Exams. Wishes.

To all my dearest students

All the best for your exams!

Excel in Conclusion

This is week 6, and we are concluding the lessons for Microsoft Excel. I hope the lesson has been helpful and your are completing the assignment already.

Attached is a sample of the completed document. You are to create a duplicate as your deliverable.
You would need to add in the chart portion as well.
Link here.

Besides that, the following are stuffs your should know how when working in Excel:
1) Formatting of cells
2) Alignment, merging of cells
3) Wrap Text
4) Changing cells background and font color
5) Using formulas and functions
6) Conditional Formatting
7) Creating Charts

Voicethreading

To all sec 2 classes,

please bring in your photos so that we can work on voicethread this week.

Topics have already been briefed. So those working on Malacca trip still can produce a reflection on the trip or a travel journal, depending on what you prefer.

For those working on other topics, just make sure that your voicethread can provide insight and allow a discussion point.

spam Wave

I guess its been a while since the spam died down on my chatterbox, either due to the holiday period whereby everyone took a break from CE(including me), or it can be attributed to the blog infected by the

'getting boring because of lack of interesting content/design'


In which I'll reply, "I'll get it done over the weekend, but no promises.

So today instead of talking about schoolwork like I normally do, here is a short writeup regarding what we have experienced and sometimes detest so much.

---

spam

---

The term spam traces all the way back to 1970, which gives it a four decade long history. Used to address the abuse of electronic messaging system (e.g. tag box, internet chat, forums, SMS, e-mail) and later on bringing along the term 'spammers'.

spam has contributed to wastage of resources and lowered productivity due to the additional workload needed to deal with the nonconstructive messages. Furthermore, spam had been a tool in cyber-bullying, spreading of messages to rouse religious or political agenda, fraud and advertising.

It was a television comedy 'Monty's Python's Flying Circus' that gave birth to the term. The comedy had a episode where they portrait a cafe where all the dishes includes SPAM. During which, a song was set repeating "SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM... lovely SPAM! wonderful SPAM!", thus giving rise to the 'spam' as we know it.
 
Not to be confused with SPAM, which is a kind of canned precooked meat product. SPAM is the portmanteau (means the blend of two words) of 'SPiced hAM'. When referring to the canned food, it should be spelled out in capitals and treated as an adjective.

Well, I'm sure that has been informative and hopefully enough to deter people from spamming.

Based on articles from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_%28food%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_%28electronic%29

AMBience VII with a side note

Yes.

I know this is CE with Mr Cai. But don't forget this little sanctuary goes beyond the classroom too.

Really want to leave a note here for the band members:

The performance was great.

I'm sure everyone else who attended had a good time there enjoying the music too right.


On a side note,
gonna apologize for the slow down rate of entries coming in these days, work is catching up. So for my regular readers. Bear with me for a bit.

Back to Term 2

Welcome back everyone,
hope the holidays has been great, though it is still feels too short(but which holidays isn't that way?).

Now that we are back, its time to hit the work again.

For sec 2 classes, missed out seeing most of your during the last week of term 1, after your left for Malacca. The trip sounds good and i see lots of photos being linked around.

And that shall lead us onto our assignment in term 2: an afterthought about the Malacca trip. Basically its a reflection and look back on what you have gained in the trip(i mean knowledge, not that few pounds from the food that you eat).

This time we are going to work on voicethread, which i will cover more during the lesson.

Something about naming

Just to make a disclaimer:

this is not me trying to whine or making a complaint on a certain somebody.
Its a remark and something good to know.

---

So often have I been receiving files named as 'Untitled'. Be it word documents, designs, practically anything.

Thus I'll like to emphasize on the need to give a file a proper name
Here is a couple of reason to do so:
1) To provide information regarding the file
- Be it regarding the content or about the source
2) To aid in organizing files
- Can be about sorting files and searching for them
3) Both reasons will aid in saving time

Another point will be on ownership. A file not given a file name and just simply left as 'Untitled' is like an unwanted child. And after all its considered the result of some effort, it deserves to be given a name.


Here are some pointers about naming a file:
1) Do not use / \ * : ? " < > | inside your file name as they are reserved characters.

2) The name should provide some information
e.g. 'English Project.doc', 'Class Outing Budget.xls'

3) The name should not be too long, keep it short and sweet

4) Take note not to delete the file extension
e.g. .doc, .xls, .comicdoc, .jpg

That should be it. And when submitting assignments to me, please have your name and class in the file name.

End of Term

Now that we are reaching the end of term,
hope everything has been fine so far.
Feel free to drop me your feedback.

All constructive feedback are welcome.

Assignment wise,
Sec 1s: Comic life assignment if completed please send to
mail_xeno@yahoo.com.sg with your name and class as the file name
and the subject as "Comic Life Assignment"

Sec 2s: Presentation would most likely be pushed to next term. Good job so far on the planning and researching. Seriously i do hope your can really have a good gathering ahead in the year.

Sabbatical wise,
Sec 1s: Enjoy yourselves at the workshops, once again i have to say that I have tried my best to allocate to your preferences.

Sec 2s: Malacca trip sounds really fun, and that could lead us into the topics for next term CE.[hints]

Questions of the week

Question 1:
Why should we be using google documents when we have Microsoft Office already?

Ans: This question has been covered in class before but I'll just like to make my point here again.
Firstly, we may not always have the luxury of working on a computer installed with Microsoft Office. Though I know that it is a program that is integral to most computer users now.
Secondly, your files are all online so you do not have to carry it around in a portable storage device(flash drives, portable hard disk, etc)
Lastly, the ability of collaborating on a single document with many people concurrently. Hasten the pace of work and reduces the different versions that will exist from edits by different people.

Even with all this good points, we do have to note the drawbacks that comes along with it. Some of your might have experienced the internet downtime last week which proved to be very inconvenient. Google Documents requires an internet connection to access so if you are stuck without a net connection, there's no way you can access your work.

Questions 2:
Why can't I apply drop caps to the paragraph?

Ans: The drop caps function is under the 'Format' menu, it basically enlarges the font size of the first character in the paragraph, either to the size that takes a few lines worth or it will take a margin's width.
This for the drop cap to be applied, the first character must not be a spacing, or else there would be nothing for them to enlarge.

The Class Gathering Project: Finale

Sec 2s,
I know there hasn't been much post dedicated to your.

But this one is.

Thanks for all the hard work on doing the planning for your class gathering.
We are almost hitting the finale of the whole project.

Like what I've said during class, we had a document to discuss ideas, forms to collect responses and now we'll be working on the presentation.

These 2 weeks would be used for preparing your presentation materials.
Week 9 and 10 would be the presentation.

Good luck!

Next Up: Speaking Standard English

We've just concluded our assignment on Literature.

But things ain't going to just stop here.

The English Department is starting the

SPEAKING STANDARD ENGLISH

Campaign and we want you to be part of it.

Remember the enrichment lesson we had?
Alright, for classes that hasn't been through it yet. Don't worry about, we'll get you started in no time.

Once again, we'll working on a poster design for the campaign.

Here are a couple of themes/content your can base your work on.
The link is over here.
Or just remember http://tinyurl.com/englishposters

Don't forget what I've said about design:

SHOW,
NOT TELL.

Last but not least. Lesson would be in the Mac Lab(a.k.a. @And.Create)

Regarding the literature assignment

Here's a quick update on the literature assignment:

From instructions given to me,
your are to write out the journal entries from Jamal's point of view,
from day 1 to day 8.
Focus is on 'Thoughts and Feelings'.

IF your teachers have given your another set of instructions,
please follow as per what they say.
Classes under Ms Lin: please finish all 8 entries, but denote on the printout, which are the 2 entries you would like to use for grading.

Please keep all the entries in 1 single document,
do not need to separate into 1 entry per page.

Once done, your can print it in the level 4 Com Lab.

Hope that this should clear things up.

Literature Assignment

While we are all partying/enjoying time away during the festival, holidays, do take note that the literature assignment has to be printed by week 7(21 Feb to 25 Feb) and submitted to your literature teachers by week 8.

Please have the 8 entries consolidated into 1 single document to facilitate the printing process, but you would have to denote down the individual entries (day 1, day 2, etc...)

Remember
1) avoid internet slang(e.g. LOL, WTH, ROFL)
2) avoid singlish
3) focus on thoughts and feelings
4) take note of length of writing

good luck and enjoy the holidays!

Questions of the week

Questions 1:
Why do we get banned from the chatterbox?

Ans: To answer this question from a technical point of view, there are 2 parts which have to be explained.
First of which concerns the school network. Within the network, there are numerous computers but they can all be regarded as utilizing a common internet address.
Second portion is about traffic towards the chatterbox. Once the server hosting the chatterbox receives an influx(flood) of messages from a specific address, it will block off further messages from the address. This is a defensive measure against would-be cyber attacks.

Question 2:
How do I retrive the deleted content from my document in Google Docs?

Ans: Go the specific document, under the file menu, choose 'Revision History', after which you will be redirected to a page showing the copies with the different 'Revisions'/changes made. Choose and compare which is the copy you would like to revert back to. Then choose the 'Revert to version' to complete the process.

Lesson Affected

Here are the classes having lessons affected from schedule this term:

12 Feb: 2/2, 1/3, 2/1
15 Feb: 1/2, 1/4
16 Feb: 1/8, 2/8, 2/5
10 Mar: 1/7, 1/1
11 Mar: 2/3, 1/5
12 Mar: 2/4, 2/2, 1/3, 2/1

Please take note.

Sec 1 Enrichment Classes

As what I have told your during previous lessons,
there would be enrichment classes held in the coming weeks.

Schedule are as such:
Sec 1/1: 2 Feb
Sec 1/2: 4 Feb
Sec 1/3: 9 Feb
Sec 1/4: 11 Feb
Sec 1/5: 18 Feb
Sec 1/6: 23 Feb
Sec 1/7: 25 Feb
Sec 1/8: 2 Mar

Location: @And.Create (Mac Lab, Level 3)
Time: 3pm to 5pm

We'll be working on posters design.
Here's the theme for your to ponder on before we head to the lesson:

8 student development framework action statements.
1. I am able to handle my feelings everyday.
2. I have friends and we support one another.
3. I make responsible decisions.
4. I love my family, my school and my community.
5. I can face challenges confidently.
6. I am a part of the global society.
7. I am able to come up with creative solutions when faced with a problem.
8. I do my best to achieve excellent results.

Don't forget the dates!

Questions of the week

Question 1:
What is the 'Lab Color' found in Photoshop?

Ans: Lab Color is another color setting found along side the commonly used 'RGB' and 'CMYK'. Designed to mimic the human perception of colors and possessing maximum color flexibility. Its made up of 3 channels, L for 'lightness', a and b for color range.

Question 2:
What is 'Gutter' under page settings for Microsoft Word?

Ans: Gutter is an addition margin in documents set aside for the part of the paper made unusable due to binding.
Refer to picture for better explanation.

Sec 1 Literature Assignment

For those who are actively coming here for spamming of my chatterbox updates, here is something new.

I We do know that the Microsoft Word lessons is probably killing your through boredom. So for next week on, we'll be working on your literature project for CE. During which I will touch on more into Microsoft Word and teaching your how to make your assignment more deserving of a better grade interesting.

So the instructions for the literature assignment is here.
By the way, go and read up on 'Boy Overboard' so that you have an idea what to write.

Login Accounts

Everyone, as much as possible please use your own account.
For sec 1s, I'll inform your once your accounts are ready.

Those who have forgotten password or account expired already,
can drop me a note with your NRIC number, name and class,
I'll get the TA to reset your account.

Surveys

To all sec 1s,
please go and complete your surveys on the school portal.

Sec 1 Sabbatical
- Rank them in order of 1 to 14 with 1 as the most preferred
- More details on some of the workshops here

Sec 1 Drama
- Pls answer every single question. If nothing to write put 'NIL'
- By the way, question 7 has been fixed, now u can choose as many choices as you like

The Class Gathering Project

Here's the project brief and proposal template for the module on Google Document:

Project Brief

Proposal Template

For future lessons, we'll look into creating spreadsheets for collating attendance and compiling lists of items.