Sunday, 12 June 2016

Faqih's learning logs

Muhammad Faqih Akmal Learning Log 1

June Holidays Week 2
6am - 7am
10-6-16


Source:
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/solar-power-profile/


What I Did:
I decide to read about how the sun is useful to man.


What I Learnt:
Words I did not know:
lauded- transitive, intransitive to praise, to glorify


Summary:
The sun is a major source of energy for the earth. It has been shining onto the earth since 4.5 billion years ago. Plants need sunlight to make food while animals feed on plants to survive. We humans use methods to generate electricity from the sun. The methods are by using photovoltaic cells or mirrors to reflect the heat onto a concentrated area for generating electricity.

Muhammad Faqih Akmal Learning Log 2

June Holidays Week 2
8am - 9am
10-6-16


Source:
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/10/travel/sr71-blackbird-worlds-fastest-plane/


What I Did:
I decide to read about how the fastest plane in the world.


What I Learnt:
Words I did not know:
reconnaissance- The act of scouting or exploring (especially military or medical) to gain information.


Summary:
Planes are a well-known transport because travelling with it took very less time compared to ground vehicles. However, the fastest plane in the world is called Lockheed SR-71. The pilots were well trained and in the end, the plane travel at a speed of 2193 mph which is about as fast as a bullet.

Muhammad Faqih Akmal Learning Log 3

June Holidays Week 2
10am - 11am
10-6-16


Source:
http://www.globalissues.org/article/165/racism


What I Did:
I decide to read about racism.


What I Learnt:
Words I did not know:
Benevolent - Having the disposition to do good. Possessing or manifesting love for humanity. Altruistic, charitable, kind, just and fair.


Summary:
Racism is everywhere in the world to the present day. Some people are racist because they want to tell the victim that their race has more power or more civilised. Racism causes conflicts or even war. Thus, many people make campaigns to stop all the racism but instead it still continues. This shows how stubborn they are and that they only care about themselves.


Muhammad Faqih Akmal Learning Log 4
June Holidays Week 3
8am - 9am
13-6-16


Source:
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/freshwater-crisis/


What I Did:
I decide to read about the freshwater crisis.


What I Learnt:
Words I did not know:
Copious - Great in quantity or number, profuse, abundant; taking place on a large scale.
Having an ample supply.
Full of thought, information, or matter; exuberant in words, expression, or style.

Summary:
We need water to stay hydrated and alive. However, some parts of the world do not have access to freshwater as only 1% of all the waters in the world are drinkable. Those who do not have access to fresh water, take their water from unhygienic sources such as drains and dirty rivers. That water has viruses or even bacteria such as E-coli. This leads to the spread of diseases and thus, a lot of people are dying due to the lack of drinkable water.


Muhammad Faqih Akmal Learning Log 5
June Holidays Week 3
10am - 11am
13-6-16


Source:
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/coasts/coral_reefs/coral_importance/


What I Did:
I decide to read about the corals under the sea.


What I Learnt:
Words I did not know:
Commerce - The exchange or buying and selling of commodities; especially the exchange of merchandise, on a large scale, between different places or communities; extended trade or traffic.

Summary:
Sea creatures depend on corals for protection against predators or searching for food. Corals also attract tourist from around the world to admire the beauty of the corals. Thus, the country has a greater revenue. The reason why some countries do not have many natural disasters is that they have coral reefs. Coral reefs prevent or minimise the chance of having the tsunami, hurricane or even storms. These are why coral reefs need to be protected by us, humans.

Learning Logs( Chloe)

ILL 1

Date:

June Hols Week 2

11th June

7.00 - 7.30p.m

Source:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/06/tiger-temple-thailand-animal-abuse/

What I did: 

I was reading national geographic magazine when I came across this article that caught my attention.

What I learnt:

Words that I do not understand:

embattled: place or people involved in a conflict

abbot: ecclesiastical title given to the head of the monastery

lactating: secretion of milk from the mammery glands and the period of time that a mother lactates to feed her young

Summary:

The famous Thai Tiger Temple faces the risk of closing down as police suspect the temple of illegal trafficking of wildlife and illegal possession of wildlife. Last week, apart from seizing 137 tigers from the temple, police also found 60 frozen and bottled tiger cub carcasses  and pelts and a cache of other endangered species parts and products. On Tuesday, police also raided a house 30 miles from the temple where they found 4 tigers in a fenced compound. The house is where police suspect that the temple used to hold live tigers before slaughtering them for their skin, meat and bones. The abbot knew nothing about the products from tigers or the frozen tiger cub carcasses as the temple personnel smuggled them in behind the abbot's back. If confirmed to be involved in wildlife trafficking, the temple's license might be revoked.


ILL 2

Date:

June Hols Week 2

11th June

8.30 - 9.00p.m

Source:
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-china-sea-fish-wars

What I did: 

I wanted to learn more about what was going on in our world currently. I thought that the topic of the South China Sea was an interesting topic to start on.

What I learnt:

Words that I do not understand:

allure: to tempt with something desirable

affluent: flowing freely or in great quantity

Summary:

Tension in the South China Sea has greatly grown among countries who fish in the South China Sea, including, Indonesia, China, Philippines and Vietnam. Countries have been known to sink fishing boats or vessels poaching in its waters by blowing them up. However, the great demand for fish is driving fishermen farther from their shores and closer to other countries' shores. Although fish can be farmed ad bred, only certain fishes can survive in breeding conditions. Other prized types of fish such as, Tuna and Swordfish cannot be bred and cannot survive breeding conditions. The growing competition is fuelling rows over maritime borders and fishing rights. The countries are locked in tense territorial disputes.

ILL 3

Date:
 June Hols Week 2

12th June

8.30 - 9.00a.m

Source:

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/all-electric-taxi-fleet-may-hit-the-roads-soon

What I learnt: 

Words that I did not understand:

mileage: distance covered or travelled in miles

Summary: 

Singapore's LTA has confirmed that it is accessing an application from a local firm to be the first to launch an all- electric fleet of taxis. The LTA said that they are working with Economic Development Board to launch an island- wide sharing EV-sharing programme with 1000 cars and 2000  charging points.  According to LTA figures, there are currently about 120 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. While taxis account for only 3% of the total vehicle population, they account for about 15% of vehicle emissions. Emissions from taxis could be reduced by 27% if 85% of taxis go electrical. The island's taxi fleet, expected to grow to 30,000 by 2050, could be a combination of battery electric vehicles(60%), plug-in hybrid electric cars(25%) and fuel cars(15%).


ILL 4

Date:

June Hols Week 2

12th June

9.00 - 9.30p.m

Source:

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/explosion-rocks-shanghais-pudong-airport-report

What I learnt:

Words that I did not understand:

disgruntled: angry or dissatisfied

Summary:

On June 12, at about 2.20p.m, a man hurled homemade explosives at the main international airport in Shanghai. 4 others were injured, while the suspect is in critical condition after slashing his neck, he is now being treated at the hospital. The injured included a man from Philippines and a chinese man and woman. Flights were not affected. Many nervous Chinese are speculating on the motive of the attack , with many pointing to a terror attack.

ILL 5

Date:

June Hols Week 3

13th June

10 - 10.30a.m

Source:

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/moe-no-penalty-for-using-singlish-appropriately

What I learnt:

Words that I did not understand:

Nil

Summary: 

MOE has decided that students will not be penalised if they use Singlish appropriately. The ministry said that for formal communication ing general, Singlish should still not be used in its written or spoken form. However, there are exceptions. For example," I have decided to sabo my friend and play a nasty prank on him." Several parents who were interviewed were relieved that their children would not be penalised if they used Singlish appropriately. They said that students were able to express themselves better and Singlish also added a little of colour to the essay. Some, however, noted that some people who are not familiar with the Singaporean culture of using Singlish, may not understand what the Singlish terms mean.



Thursday, 9 June 2016

Gabriel Yap Learning Logs

ILL 1

Date:

June Hols Week 2
9 June 2016
5.00 pm - 5.30 pm

Source:

What I Did:

I decided to read up on some headlines worldwide to increase my general knowledge. I went to the Straits Times website and read this article about the Japanese Government abetting illegal ivory trade and wanted to do a summary of the article. I also wanted to learn some new words in the article. 

What I Learned:

Words I Did Not Understand:

  • Abetting - encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong, in particular, to commit a crime or other offence
  • Covertly - without being openly acknowledged or displayed; secretly

Summary:

Conservation activists claim that Japanese Government is abetting ivory-traders who smuggle elephant tusks to China. There were two pieces of evidence,  one a covertly-filmed video, which showed four different ivory traders who showed no hesitation to export ivory illegally to China for money; and two an investigation conducted by an Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) agent. Based on those videos, the activists accuse the Japanese Government of purposely creating loopholes in Japanese law against ivory trading by not making registration of elephant tasks compulsory, if it was not to be sold; and by not requiring registration for cut up pieces of ivory. The ivory traders could easily just cut up the ivory and then sell it, as they were not selling whole elephant tusks and did not need to register for cutting up ivory. This practically reverses China’s efforts to stop ivory trading. Japan’s trade ministry said that authorities are closely monitoring registered traders.


ILL 2

Date:

June Hols Week 2
10 June 2016
11.00 am - 11.30 am

Source:

What I Did:

I decided to read up on some headlines worldwide to increase my general knowledge. I went to the Straits Times website and read this article about an Indonesian maid murdering her employer and wanted to do a summary of the article. I also wanted to learn some new words in the article. 

What I Learned:

Words I Did Not Understand:

  • Allegedly - used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place, although there is no proof
  • Remanded - place (a defendant) on bail or in custody, especially when a trial is adjourned

Summary:

An Indonesian maid allegedly murdered her female employer at her employer’s semi-detached house, despite working for her for two months. The deceased was found lying on the floor, motionless, by her husband. The suspect and the deceased’s husband were admitted to Changi General Hospital with injuries to their heads and hands; and neck, forehead and leg respectively. A district judge granted the police prosecutor’s request to remand the suspect at Changi Women’s Prison for psychiatric assessment, upon her discharge from hospital. The Indonesian Embassy has appointed a lawyer for the case, as the suspect could face the death penalty if convicted of murder with intention.


ILL 3

Date:

June Hols Week 2
10 June 2016
11.30 am - 12.00 pm

Source:

What I Did:

I decided to read up on some headlines worldwide to increase my general knowledge. I went to the Straits Times website and read this article about cases of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Singapore and wanted to do a summary of the article. I also wanted to learn some new words in the article. 

What I Learned:

Words I Did Not Understand:

  • Median - denoting or relating to a value or quantity lying at the midpoint of a frequency distribution of observed values or quantities, such that there is an equal probability of falling above or below it

Summary:

In Singapore, HFMD cases are soaring to near-record numbers, the 18,241 infections exceeded by the 21,102 cases in 2012 only. In contrast, the median number for the same period over the past five years is 8,193 only. At KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, more than 200 children have been hospitalised, according to Associate Professor Chong Chia Yin, a senior infectious disease consultant at KKH. "Most of these children were admitted for fever and poor feeding, mild dehydration or febrile fits due to their high fever. None suffered serious complications," she said. Serious complications from the disease are rare, though if it does happen, the brain, lungs or heart could be damaged. Symptoms of HFMD include fever, ulcers in the mouth and on the tongue, blisters on the hand and feet, poor appetite and lethargy. It may also hurt to drink water, which would cause dehydration.


ILL 4

Date:

June Hols Week 2
10 June 2016
12.00 pm - 12.30 pm

Source:

What I Did:

I decided to read up on some headlines worldwide to increase my general knowledge. I went to the Straits Times website and read this article about the Prime Minister announcing that it is necessary to cut internet access to maintain security and wanted to do a summary of the article. I also wanted to learn some new words in the article. 

What I Learned:

Words I Did Not Understand:

  • NIL

Summary:

After being advised by security experts, PM Lee decided to cut internet access from public servants’ computers, so that the government database cannot be hacked. Even though public servants have to go through the hassle of using a second computer to access links, PM Lee managed to survive this since the beginning of 2016. Not the entire government will have to adopt this measure, for example,  teachers can still browse the internet as per normal as schools do not have much sensitive information. But the rest of the government, like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) who have already been practising this, will have to adopt this practice gradually. 


ILL 5

Date:

June Hols Week 2
10 June 2016
12.30 pm - 1.00 pm

Source:

What I Did:

I decided to read up on some headlines worldwide to increase my general knowledge. I went to the Straits Times website and read this article about the effectiveness of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) between Singapore and Mexico and wanted to do a summary of the article. I also wanted to learn some new words in the article. 

What I Learned:

Words I Did Not Understand:

  • Multilateral - agreed upon or participated in by three or more parties, especially the governments of different countries
  • Bilateral - having or relating to two sides; affecting both sides
  • Inaugural - marking the beginning of an institution, activity, or period of office

Summary:

The TPP, which was signed between 12 countries, including Singapore, Mexico, the United States, Vietnam and Japan, has yet to be ratified. Both Singapore and Mexico are eager for the quick ratification of the first trade pact linking the two countries, as both parties feel that they wanted to make to good use the pact. As both countries see each other as hubs in their respective regions, Singapore wants to show Mexico how important we see them as. On top of that, the Singapore Film Festival is a good way to give Mexicans a glimpse into life in Singapore, as Dr Maliki puts it, “The political and economic links between two countries will plant the seeds of the relationship, but it is cultural interactions that will help the flower bloom.”

Yew Chin Siang's Learning Logs

June Holidays Week 2:

12:30pm-1:30pm

9/6/2016

Sources: The Straits Times

What I Did: I read some of the articles

1st Article:

What I Did Not Know:
1) Trevally: A type of fish

Summary:A tiny fish was trapped in a jellyfish but it was still alive and the person who witnessed this decided to let nature run its course and not interfere with what was happening.

2nd Article:

What I Did Not Know:
1)Curated: To take charge of or to pull together
2)Smattering: Slight or superficial
3)Stint: To be frugal

Summary:An extremely expensive bag worth about $400,000 was auctioned and it was bought in a mere four seconds

3rd Article:

What I Did Not Know:
1)Netizen: A user of the internet

Summary:A lady who started off making dumplings just as a hobby turned it into a delicious dumpling that was a big hit with the people

4th Article:

What I Did Not Know:
1)Taint: A trace of something bad

Summary:A maid mixed the employer's baby's milk with her urine and she got discovered when the employer's wife wanted to drink some water and realised that it was odd that it smelled weird and tasted weird.

5th Article:

What I Did Not Know:
1)Concurrently: Simultaneously
2)Endemic: Confined to a particular place

Summary:A Malaysian man smuggled six puppies into Singapore with no proper care or license and the puppies are now quarantined and taken special care of to ensure no diseases like rabies will start spreading.


Sunday, 5 June 2016

Lucas Tan Learning Log 5

June Holidays Week 2
11am - 12pm
6/6/16

Source:
The Straits Times 

What I Did:
I decided to read the news.

What I Learnt:

Words I did not know:
ensconced - establish or settle(someone) in a comfortable, safe place.

Summary:
The Unicode Consortium has approved 72 new emojis for smartphone users to use, and they are hoping to release them by 21 June. The Unicode is the standard for text, numbers and emojis across all platforms. There are many emojis including a selfie, a rolling on the floor laughing emoji and many more.

Saturday, 4 June 2016

Lucas Tan Learning Log 4

June Holidays Week 1
11am - 12pm
5/6/16

Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1R1z9ipFnM

What I Did:
I decided to go to the Ted website to look for some interesting videos to watch.

What I Learnt:

Words I did not know:

interweaves - weave or become woven together

Summary:
For an animation to look interesting, there is something that helps it to look life-like and real. The computer can make the 3-dimensional world, but what makes the scene actually look realistic is the lighting. For example, if there was an underwater scene, you would need to know that the further away it gets, the less clear it gets. The animators actually filmed an underwater scene just to recreate the lighting in the animation, during the production of Finding Nemo. They also need the lighting to help to show focus on a certain character, or what time of the day it is, and even the reflection in something's eyes.

Friday, 3 June 2016

Lucas Tan Learning Log 3

June Holidays Week 1
12pm-1pm
4/6/16

Source:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/europe/france/the-best-unesco-world-heritage-sites-in-france-bordeaux-vezelay-carcassonne-chartres-gulf-of-porto

What I Did:
I decided to go to the national geographic website to read up about some articles.

What I Learnt:

Words I did not know:

gawk - stare openly and stupidly.
osprey - a large fish-eating bird of prey with long, narrow wings and a white underside and crown, found throughout the world.

Summary:
France is the country with the 4th most amount of UNESCO world heritage sites. It has a total of 41 UNESCO sites and falls behind Italy, China and Spain.  There are many interesting UNESCO heritage sites like the Carcassonne, Chartres Cathedral and many more. All these were built during the medieval times and people who are fans of the 'knights in shining armour' concept would enjoy these places.