My Firsts...

Sunday, August 29, 2010

The National Day Rally Tweets

Briefly... more than 50 tweets within 2 hours...

#ndr Done! Thanks to the internet, I sat through the National Day Rally :) cheers! 4 minutes ago via web
#ndr The Fighting Spirit matters... Size doesn't matter... #ithink #iinterpret 7 minutes ago via web
#ndr recapping the nation's pride :) 10 minutes ago via web
#ndr oh! a new complex beside the MOE building - it's the NERVE centre - named after Dr Goh 15 minutes ago via web
#ndr talking about us exercising our global responsibilities 22 minutes ago via web
#ndr doing extreme sports at 'extreme' parks? 23 minutes ago via web
#ndr rescuing horseshoe crabs to save the environment? Hm... 23 minutes ago via web
#ndr oh! using technology as an analogy... ah! would the 'dinosaurs' able to make connections? #iwonder 24 minutes ago via web
#ndr Talking about our National Pledge... We got to maintain our Singaporean Call - The singapore spirit - keeping an open architecture... 25 minutes ago via web
#ndr ok... now into NE #ithink 26 minutes ago via web
#ndr Keeping our nation's identity - shared values, shared loyalty & commitment, shared memories, etc... 26 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: now, talking about donation (after giving out angpows in the earlier segment) Hm... 27 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: What? Matching 3 to 1? That's really generous!!! existing programme worth less: Matching 1.5 to 1 (hm...) 28 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: having scholarships, loan schemes, etc... to help "WHO" - locals or foreigners? #iwonder 30 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: NTU branching into medical fields? Hm... in order to train more docs? oh!? training BOTH singaporean and foreign docs? 30 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: Oh! a university town? village? at clementi? 31 minutes ago via web
@dancescapes maybe it's by an imported talent? 32 minutes ago via web in reply to dancescapes
#ndr on education: Opening Pathways, Building Peaks. 2 special schools highlighted - Northlight and Assumption Pathway. Kudos! 36 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: Going to NT is also a "good option"? to prepare them to do well in ITE... oh, what a way to put across 38 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: for the less academically inclined - the NT specifically - enhancement carried out so far worked well. 38 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: The new 7 sch will have dual track! Life is getting more complicated; it's becoming more complicated! oh no!!! 39 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: Expanding the IP (Integrated prog)? For 3 years, 11 schools on board. Oh! 7 more schs into it! Which are they? 39 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: Popular schools, popular programmes.. talking about replicating programmes in all schools? 40 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: Talk about choices of secondary schools. Fret not if don't do well. Competitive programmes wait for you no matter where.. 41 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: Seeing exam in perspective! It won't determine the whole future of the child... not a live or die matter #ilike 42 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: paying more attention to PE, Art and Music? Oh no! that specialist ought to be coming to us soon??? 42 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: OK... the msg is to 'tell' parents, all schools are doing the same, nurturing the whole child. No need to choose pri sch? 43 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: Camel trekking... ok.. that sounds exciting. DNA profiling in life sciences. Robotics, yes..about the annual NRJC. 44 minutes ago via web
#ndr on education: oh... why so much about Art? Dances? oh? Our students perform in HK Disneyland? Hm... #iwonder about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr on education: art & gardening. Music - Fusion orchestra - oh! our rojak culture! that's Singlish art? Hm... #iwonder about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr on education: Let's hear a whole range of things done all over the sch - 1st group, about art - oh! mural instead of graffiti! about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr on education: All schs are well equipped with modern facilities and well staffed - in any neighbourhood sch, kids are exposed and given about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr on education: Talents in many dimensions... how the system nurture them? including those less academically incline? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Now, into education... Singapore's education system - when students leave the education system "BIlingual" (hm...) about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr how to keep door open and yet protecting the interest of Singaporeans? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr bonding through common interest.. oh! that's an exchange of ??? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr still... talking about accepting the foreigners in the Singapore society, Singapore community about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Population and Talent Division @ PMO - like PSD to do what? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Those who earn a bit more than $8000 but can't quite afford private property will get housing grant... er? neither here nor there... about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Oh yes, HDB will speed up... so, you mean "building flats" can also spped? I thought only pilots can speed in the air! about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr how are we going to manage immigration so that Singapore is not overcrowded? Oh yes, HDB flats at a dear price for locals? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr basically, the speech revolves around foreigners and immigrants - on transport, on housing, at work, property prices & on schooling!!! about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Circle line Phase 3 will be completed by next year... ok... NS line & EW line - 120s now(?) to 100s next year... ok, some maths again about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr NE line - one extra train in the morning.. ok... let's do the mathematics... to what extent (%) it helps to alleviate the conjestion? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Talking about peak hours crowd in the MRT train! What? The green part is ok? Can't believe, you mean Tamines area not crowded? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr upgrading our system so that everyone would get good education... must open years wide wide... now, about Transport first... about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Last time, baby bonus... now NS man "bonus"??? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Another new initiative - a national service man award? about 1 hour ago via web
@kevinkjang oh yah... when I 'missed' the train and late for work! haha about 1 hour ago via web in reply to kevinkjang
#ndr Will one day Singaporeans thought of coming back to Singapore as a visit to another tourist attraction? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr A handbook can help one to 'become' a Singaporean? #iwonder about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Unbelieveable??? Commuters asking for their 'personal' bus driver... Still can't believe it! about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr there are immigrants who come with social graces, there are also some 'ugly' ones... does the govt make an effort to do some filtering? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr talking about integration into our Singaprean society... hm... at the MRT, one could identify the "foreign talents" straightaway about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Are Singaporeans really getting better deals? Are we enjoying the "competition" from foreigners? #iwonder about 1 hour ago via web
@dancescapes haha... u watching/ listening at the same time too? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Now, talk about reality, the reason for having foreign workers... Making a distinguishable difference in who we accept here? about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr what??? the 3rd reason for welcoming immigrants is because of Singapore's low birth rate? No! No! This is definitely no good reason! about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr ... unless they are truly singaporean... #ithink about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Frankly speaking, there's still so much to do in terms of sports. While they fly the SIngapore flag, it's still very different unless.. about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr oh! When talking about imported talents, we would never forget talking about our imported sports talent.. about 1 hour ago via web
@dancescapes Certainly, Singaporeans work very hard to reach where we are today, and now we are capable of buying services worldwide :) about 1 hour ago via web in reply to dancescapes
#ndr Talking about how Microsoft draws talents from all over the world about 1 hour ago via web
#ndr Look at the maps! ah! PM's not using GoogleMap... it's customised! about 1 hour ago via web
Ah!!!! I missed it! Just crossed the 3000th tweet! #Ijoy #ilike about 2 hours ago via web
@dancescapes Well, anyway was told that there's minimal immigrant in Japan... about 2 hours ago via web in reply to dancescapes
#ndr Immigration: Embracing Diversity, Growing Roots about 2 hours ago via web
#ndr What's exactly the immigrant's role in the country? Are there more plus than minus? about 2 hours ago via web
#ndr Drawing parallel in terms of concerns raised else where (e.g. US)... also drawing out how they could contribute to the residing country about 2 hours ago via web
#ndr Immigrant matters - setting the context. Singapore is not the only one with foreigners. It's worldwide phenomenon. about 2 hours ago via web
#ndr Talking about immigrants... why we need them... and how does the nation manage the influx about 2 hours ago via web
#ndr Now, moving from productivity to immigration... the next big topic of the rally about 2 hours ago via web
#ndr bravo PM Lee! U are giving a lecture on deep sea operations!... #ilike about 2 hours ago via web
#ndr we have world class corporates #ilike about 2 hours ago via web
#ndr Talking about economics, talking about mathematics... #ilike about 2 hours ago via web

If there is no change, there is no change...

The book "Teaching the Digital Generateion - No more Cookie-Cutter High Schools" ends with the following (Summary, 255).

If you always believe

What you have always believed;

You will always feel

What you have always felt.

If you always feel

The way you have always felt;

You will always think

The way you have always thought.

If you have always think

The way you have always thought;

You will always do

What you have always done.

If you have always do

What you have always done;

You will always get

What you have always got;

If there is no change,

There is no change.

- Author Unknown.

If everything stands still... all remain stagnant... what's going to happen? What if man still live in caves? Hunting remain the sole business for survival? What if...

Would we be the one who 'made' time stand still?

Would there be a time when we put a full-stop to 'History'?

Would there be a time when we live in 'History' forever?

.....

It resonates...

Would they end up like those frogs in the slow cooker?

Found this when reading a book "Teaching the Digital Generation - No More Cookie-Cutter High Schools" by Frank S Kelly, Ted McCain and Ian Jukes.

Was doing some reading to gather ideas about design of learning activities as well as organisation of learning activities to create the kind of ecosystem to support the desired kind of learning experiences of our students today.

But what exactly caught my eyes was something quoted at p69:

"There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things, because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new."

Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince (1513/2005, p 27)

I was totally amazed! This was exactly who we experienced in a recent hosting of fellow educators!

We assumed that we all have the same goal - that is exploiting the power of technology to elevate the learning outcomes and learners' experiences! But we were caught, by total surprise that these handful of educators mindsets were those of the said-enemies (by Niccolo Machiavelli). They were out there to prove that old ways were better and more 'powerful' in delivering the desired outcomes. They were here to 'prove' that technology was just some fanciful stuff to add colours to the education landscape!

I thought, it should be giving further suggestions and even wild ideas on how we could further leverage on the established ecosystem to move the technology use to the next level! Well, I must say, it was a total disappointment after the session - not because we have yet lived up to what we promised to deliver (as that takes time and I felt we are heading the right direction); it was the mindset, the thinking of this handful of educators who were still living in the old times when technology was a far-and-hard to reach privilege.

After reading what Niccolo Machiavelli penned down more than a century ago, one conclusion - there "were" people who are far-sighted and were able to envision what's ahead (and they are to stay), there "are" also who lived in the old paradigm and even ages before their times... So, it's again, a sweeping statement to say, mankind progresses... 'cos there were those who enjoy the comfort of success created through old ways.

Hm... when change has gone unnoticeable to them, then, would they be ended up like those frogs who are slowly cooked in the soup? Hm...

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Why You Need to Really Care About Touchscreens

Read the article "Why You Need to Really Care About Touchscreens" by Gary Stein at http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/1729779/why-you-need-really-care-about-touchscreens

The article talked about the seemingly increasing trend of Touchscreen technology - in particular with the recent waves of iphone and ipad.

Well, I think interesting points he mentioned... food for thought...
"Touchscreen technology gives us the chance to start pulling away from that and into a new level of design, simply by removing the tool (mouse) from the equation."
"Touchscreens, then, are really the most welcome of all technologies, in that they don't make things more complex or force us to try to learn how to use them. Instead, they make something easier and more natural."

These set me thinking:

Is there a trend to 'revert' back to "basics"?
It seems like, inventions when first invented to solve problems or to improve livelihood, they are usually more complicated because it has yet reach a stage of stability before a breakthrough.
So, this was well illustrated through this example of mouse and (even) keyboard - when they were invented to enable to the user to interact with the computer. These were done through actions like click and drag, and even text.
As time progresses, we no longer need to communicate via such devices. Instead, we could simply use our 'fingers' to communicate :)

So, let's bring this further... we tend to set up structures (and sometimes generate lots and lots of protocols for everyone to adhere to)... so, is it also time to start considering adopting/ adapting some 'primitive' ways when dealing with processes?

I wonder...

No Arms, No Legs, No Worries

It isn't the first time I watch this video... but each time I watch, it reminded me of the strength one could possess... if there's a will, nothing is impossible... with regardless of the degree of challenge one faces or how difficult a situation one is immersed in... Full salutation! Full admiration. The perseverence!

Of course, I believe that the environment plays a big part in what we see in Nick Vujicic today.

Encouragement and Support, and love from people around him ... definitely are key elements to today's success...

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Dinner @ Tampopo, Liang Court

It's an unplanned for dinner (eat out)... initally thought of checking out some eatery at Outram area, but landed up at Liang Court! haha...

Look! Guess what's the highlight of this eatery? See that nice... tender... piece of meat? ah! that's the shop's signature 'meat' 黑豚! what I have was ramen came in thick seafood soup! Oh yes! it came with dried shrimps that contribute to the sweet and fragnant soup base!