June, 2010
30
Jun 10
Summer Reading List
School may be out for the summer (for those in the northern hemisphere) but that doesn´t mean you need to be videogaming nor facebooking 9 hours a day. Instead, settle into a comfortable place, kick off your flip flops and lose yourself in a good book. Reading never goes out of style and it keeps the mind sharp.
Here is a list of a few good summer reads:
- The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Steig Larson. This is the third of a best-selling series by Larson.
- Blindness by José Saramago. Saramago is a nobel prize winning author from Portugal, who recently passed away at age 87.
- The Passage by Justin Cronin. A current New York Times Best-Seller.
- I know I am but what are you? A compilation of essays by comedian Jon Stewart, who is, by most people’s standards, a very entertaining human being.
- The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver. This is Kingsolvers 13th novel which won the Orange Prize for Ficition.
- Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin. If you haven´t already read this one yet it is a must! Inspiring summer read and best-seller.
This is just a short list and there are tons of great books not mentioned here. Feel free to add your suggestions and recommendations by making a comment.
28
Jun 10
Wine Sommelier – Course of the Week
Wine tasting. Photograph Regis Duvignau/Reuters
Do you love wine, people, and the finer things in life? If so, the career of wine sommelier may just be right for you. A sommelier is a wine steward with expert knowledge about a variety of wines, the foods they pair best with, serving wine and providing expert advice to customers. When you dine in an elegant restaurant and you want to order a bottle of wine with your meal, you can ask the sommelier for their recommendation. Generally, working in a restaurant and attending wine tastings will get you started and though sommelier is a job title potentially anyone may claim, becoming a certified sommelier requires classes, loads of studying, tasting and an examination. Various sommelier schools, usually in the wine-producing countries, offer sommelier certification programs for wine-lovers. Most programs are also taught in English:
The Old World Wines: Career in Sommelier Consulting, Wine University in Drôme, France
The New World Wines: Career in Sommelier of the Argentinean wines, Argentine College of Food and Drink in Buenos Aires, Argentina
After completing a sommelier program you can work as an expert wine consultant in restaurants, hotels, resorts and casinos. You can manage sales programs for import/export agencies, you can instruct courses in wine/beverage education, host wine tours abroad or develop wine training programs for restaurant and hotel staff.
However, if your dream is to own a vineyard and pursue wine production, we would suggest that you undertake this distance education course in Wine Technology and Viticulture Graduate, where you will learn about winegrowing and financial management for agribusiness. It’s awarded by The University of Melbourne, Australia.
The only requirement for starting this career is that you must be 19 years of age or older! Sorry!
25
Jun 10
DNA Testing University Students
The University of California Berkeley is facing a significant amount of negative feedback for their new “On the Same Page” program, which encourages first year students to submit a sample of their DNA. The university plans on sending out cotton swabs by mail to their incoming freshman to invite them to become part of the project that would test them for their genetic responses to three different substances; alcohol, folic acid and lactose. Representatives of the program claim that the information is purely to give students an idea about genetic influences and to give them a chance to better know themselves from a scientific point of view. These three substances were chosen because students should not feel traumatized regardless of the results. UC Berkeley genetics professor Jasper Rine was quoted in an email saying “Our view was to select genes in which a student could either ignore what they learned, and be no worse off than they were before, or could use the information constructively if they choose, such as to tune their intake of dairy products.”
Critics claim that, although a privacy protocol has been designed to keep the results completely private to anyone but the genetic owner, this kind of information is very volatile and could end up in the hands of the wrong people. Many pharmaceutical companies and life insurance companies actively seek this kind of information and thus these tests should not be taken lightly. Even if these tests appear to be of benign use they could be taken out of context and could violate the privacy of the students.
Proponents of the “On the same page” genetic testing program say they did not expect such strong opposition from the community. “We didn’t choose the topic to provoke a wave of publicity,” said Mark Schlissel, the dean of biological sciences in Berkeley’s College of Letters and Science. He added, “We thought that talking about genetic testing and personalized medicine would be most engaging if we got students involved.”
***
What do you think about genetic projects involving students? Is it naïve to think that these tests will be carefully controlled with individual privacy respected? Although the testing is voluntary, do you think the name “On the Same Page” puts pressure on all students to participate?
Reference : The Los Angeles Times and The Daily Californian
23
Jun 10
Namibian Teachers Tell Their Story
Since 1999, the ACS International School in the UK has been sending students to Namibia, Africa, to help support local schools and education facilites. Recently, the headmaster and a teacher of the Kutenhoas Primary School in southern Namibia spoke about the everyday life in their school, and how it differs from the education expereince in the UK:
“In the morning the school children don’t have any breakfast – some do, but most come to school on an empty stomach. There is a government programme called the National Schools Feeding Programme, and it provides the kids with one meal and day, but it’s just porridge that has been cooked at the school. For most of the students this is the only meal of the day – they eat it and have to last until the next day without food.
They walk to school, even though some live very far away. And in the afternoon they have to walk back home. The school day starts at 7am, then they knock of at 1pm. We sometimes have extracurricular activities, like sports, and on some days they learn traditional life skills, where they are taught by the parent community how to do needlework, and working with beads and wires.
Source: Flickr Creative Commons - ^@^ina
But most of the time they are free in the afternoons. This is because they have to look after their family’s livestock, or do household chores like fetch firewood or water. We don’t have taps in the houses – instead there are certain collection points for the whole community to use.
Coming to school is a pleasure for the children and we don’t have much absenteeism. Maybe it’s because of their lifestyle at home – always having to do household chores – it’s nicer to be in another type of atmosphere. Also, the prospect of one meal a day attracts them.
With so many students learning on empty stomachs we have to be sensitive to certain things. We have to know a lot about the background of each child, and know why each one behaves the way they do. This is our biggest challenge.
We have a high rate of illiteracy because most of the students drop school after grade seven, at the age of 14 or 15. Then they have to look for work to feed themselves. It doesn’t help that their parents and siblings often can’t read either. It means we have to put in more as a teacher.
The school is like a big family. We don’t encounter behavioural problems like you do here in the UK. Usually if someone creates a problem there is another student who can help to calm them down. Problematic children are usually only those who are not getting enough attention…
In our classroom, maybe we’ll joke with the kids for five minutes and then it’s finished. No more talking! I’m steering the boat and you will listen, and afterwards you will tell me what I taught you.
We teach all subjects – we are jack of all trades and master of none. The main subjects are maths and English, natural science and Namibian languages like Nama.
The two of us speak good English because we were fortunate to come from good families. I learned English from the age of nine. My parents spoke it and put pressure on me to speak it.
One thing I’m going to take back to Namibia is English punctuality. If people are on time then everything runs smoothly. It’s what I’ve experienced here – people say they will start at 7 o’clock and they start at 7 o’clock. With us, our lack of punctuality is sometimes caused by the parents. They have to look after their goats. We might have an after-school programme on and we’ll have to wait for a parent to arrive. If we say 8pm there is always someone who will come at 10pm.
But something that is absent in our school is the involvement of the parents. In England, the parent community assists with so much. Also, the planning here is very good. And I like the way people smile at us when they see us”.
By Jeremias Goeieiman and Ronald Engelbrecht from The Guardian
21
Jun 10
Soccer Referee – Course of the Week
Spain, England and Brazil are just some of the many countries competing for fame and glory in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. They are striving to make their dreams come true, to bring pride to their nations, to become a part of history. All eyes are turned towards them. But out there in the shadows are another group of men, respected by some, hated and feared by others: the referees. They may have been unpopular kids at school and trauma has pushed them towards this career. They may have dreamt once about becoming football players themselves before realizing they were not fast enough to be successful. Or more probable, football is simply their true love and they are motivated by the cheering crowds and the competition and emotion on the field. Only the referees themselves know the real reason, but it´s a fact that soccer referees are a crucial part of this game and industry that breeds passion and circulates billions of dollars every year.
If you’d like to become a referee you should contact your local Football Association to register your interest. They will provide you with details of local courses, dates and venues. The Football Association in Great Britain for example, organizes various referee courses from beginner to advanced levels.
The Basic Referee Course includes knowledge and application of the rules, recognition of offences, body language and communication, management of people and situations, fitness awareness and encouraging training togetherness/bonding.
You can also study for a referee certificate in various sport academies like the AIS Australian Institute of Sport or in the University of Teesside, School of Sport & Exercise in the United Kingdom.
We wish the referees luck during this year´s World Cup!
18
Jun 10
HIV Education Through Soccer
Photo: Grassroot Soccer
Who would have thought that the FIFA World Cup and education went so well together, but it seems that the 1GOAL campaign isn´t the only one receiving attention during the tournament. Grassroot Soccer is a globally run program that educates kids about HIV and AIDS through the game of soccer. The organisation was founded in 2002 by former professional soccer players, and they are using the 2010 World Cup to further promote their mission, which is:
“Using the power of soccer in the fight against HIV and AIDS, Grassroot Soccer (GRS) provides African youth with the knowledge, life-skills and support to live HIV-free” (Source http://www.grassrootsoccer.org/who-we-are/).
The organisation trains African soccer players, coaches and teachers to implement awareness and learning about HIV for children, through soccer. For example, if a child hits a cone it´s 3 pushups, if he does it again, it´s 3 pushups for the entire team, and the cone represents an HIV related illness. Soccer is something that the children can relate to, and the interactive activities and discussion topics include making healthy decisions, avoiding risks, building support networks, reducing stigma and discrimination, increasing knowledge about testing and treatment, addressing gender issues, and assessing values. Grassroot Soccer bases their methods on 3 principals:
- Children learn best from people they respect
- Learning is more effective when children actively participate
- It takes support from the community to really make a difference in the long term
With the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Grassroot Soccer have begun an ambitious campaign to reach 1 million children with their work before the 2014 World Cup begins. If you want to find out more, visit the Grassroot Soccer website.
16
Jun 10
Natural Health Practitioner – Course of the Week
One of the trends that has been gaining more and more popularity these days is the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy body is not just about getting enough exercise, it is also about eating right. The Spa & Wellness industry is experiencing rapid growth, which in turn is driving the requirement for professionally trained and experienced practitioners in areas such as: Aromatherapy, Day Spa, Massage, Reflexology, Acupuncture, Reiki, Hypnotherapy and Natural Health Practices. A number of institutions including spas, hotels, medical clinics, schools and hospitals need to have someone trained in natural health and nutrition on hand. Most of the Natural Health programs are based on the principles of traditional naturopathy – that healing will occur naturally in the human body if it is given what it truly needs: fresh air, sunlight, suitable diet, clean water, exercise, rest and relaxation. Naturopathic Medicine is one of the many areas of alternative medicine that emphasizes the healing power of nature, a ‘life force’ which drives the regenerative cure mechanisms of the body.
According to the American Bureau of Labor Statistics, educational requirements for those who would like to start a career in Spa & Wellness can vary but formal education is often a must. In Canada, after completing certificate programs you will be able to get a business license to work in the industry. Professional associations ratify courses and recognize their graduates as legal practitioners. The British Naturopathic Association for example, recommends BSc Health Sciences: Naturopathy at the University of Westminster in London. There are numerous programs that can ensure a good start towards your dream career:
A two year Diploma in Exercise and Wellness at Camosun College in Victoria, Canada prepares you for a career in wellness education, exercise, and physical leadership.
Master of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine at the American College of Healthcare Sciences in Portland, USA.
Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness an online study program from Kaplan University, USA.
If you like the idea of promoting a healthy lifestyle, get started on your way to becoming a natural health practitioner today!
14
Jun 10
1GOAL – Education for All
It´s round 2 in our series of blogs about the 2010 FIFA World Cup and education. This time we are focusing on the 1GOAL campaign that is being promoted during this years World Cup. 1GOAL addresses the issue that there are 72 million children around the world that are denied the chance to go to school and receive an education. The initiative stems from the United Nations pledge in 2000 to ensure that all boys and girls have the chance to complete primary school by the year 2015. Since this project started many countries have joined the fight, and in the last 10 years the number of children now attending school that previously were not has increased by 40 million.
On the 25th September 2008, the United Nations launched the Class of 2015, supported by world leaders, celebrities and the FIFA World Cup. This new initiative is to accelerate the progress of reaching the global education goals by 2015. The 1GOAL campaign for the World Cup stems from this, and is receiving huge support from players and fans everywhere. The video below talks more about the Class of 2015 and their goals:
The President of South Africa supported the campaign with these words:
“We support the footballers and their fans in calling on all world leaders to do their part to ensure every child can go to school. We need to see action at the World Cup and beyond. By acting now, together we can ensure education for all.” ~ President Jacob Zuma, South Africa, Host 2010 FIFA World Cup (Source: http://www.join1goal.org/about-1GOAL.php).
The coach of England´s Leicester City team Chris Powell is going to the World Cup as an ambassador for the 1GOAL campaign, as are many other people. He will be visiting townships around South Africa, including Johannesburg and Cape Town, to spread the word about the campaign and bring awareness to the cause both in South Africa and globally.
The World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world, so its great to see people taking this opportunity to increase awareness for something that is important and relevant to everyone. To join the goal of education for all, visit the 1GOAL website and show your support.
10
Jun 10
The World Cup vs Education
Photo: Flickr Creative Commons - Niloy
There are only two days to go until the start of the event that is going to bring the world to a standstill: The 2010 FIFA World Cup.
For many countries it´s just another sporting event, but for some it affects their daily lives, as they change their schedules to be able to follow the games of the team that they love. But it´s not only the local fanatics that are involved; take Argentina for example. The National Congress has decided not to meet during the World Cup matches. The president Cristina Kirchner proposed to buy televisions for schools that don´t have them, so that no student will be excluded from the World Cup celebrations. In Brazil, the student’s are excused from classes and nobody goes to work when their country is playing.
The World Cup is definitely an opportunity for students to learn more about other cultures, for example, learning about the customs and traditions of the teams that their countries will play. But is it going too far to buy televisions and suspend classes for the games? Should countries in Latin America like Argentina, buy televisions for schools when basic things like heating in some classrooms are not provided? Is this the correct way to channel funding? It´s certainly good to inspire morale and unite a country but maybe this is taking it too far.
For the football fanatics, it surely seems like a good idea, but for the critics, all this trouble just for a game? But is it just a game? That can be the subject of another post entirely…
8
Jun 10
The Circus and The Performing Arts – Course of the Week
Spellbound- the Britain's Got Talent 2010 Winner
Have you been following the latest editions of the shows America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent on TV? If your answer is yes, you would know that the circus, gymnastics and performance art is not dead and is doing well amusing and entertaining people. Gymnastic troop Spellbound, formed by gymnasts aged from 12 to 25, won this year’s Britain’s Got Talent. They train every day before and after school at Brooklands College in Ashford where they study Performing Arts. The group has come away with a prize of £100,000 and a show at the Royal Variety Performance. Contemporary circus is a sort of performing art that developed in the later part of the 20th Century, in which a theme is conveyed through traditional circus skills. Common acts include a variety of acrobatics, gymnastics (including tumbling and trampoline), aerial acts (such as trapeze, aerial silk, corde lisse), contortion, stilts and juggling and clowning arts.
There are many world renowned schools where you can study Circus and Performance Art:
Circus Art program at the National Circus School in Montreal, Canada comprises general education along with subjects specific to the circus arts and practical training in performing arts and the 5 major disciplines of the circus arts: aerials, balancing, acrobatics, juggling and clowning.
The Bachelor of Circus Arts awarded by The National Institute of Circus Artists, is a vocationally oriented degree aimed at providing talented performing artists with skills, knowledge and creativity. The course is based at NICA, on the Prahran campus of Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.
The Great Moscow State Circus employs several hundred artists who perform and teach over fifty specialized acts, ranging from clowning, juggling and aerial gymnastics.
We hope to see you in the next talent contest! Good luck!
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