Thursday 30 June 2016

Ing Kai's Independent Learning Log 5


Name: Kai
Class:S1-01
Index Number: 9

Source: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/activities/hiking-and-backpacking/arizona-heat-wave-hiker-deaths/

What I did: I wanted to find out how fast-rising temps, lack of water, and inexperience in the desert caught hikers in Arizona off-guard.

What I learned: The little protection from the sun hikers had on brightly colored clothing, and there was a landing spot relatively close. “Doing aerial recon looking for hazards, I saw one of the two hikers was doing CPR on the other, who was lying on the trail,” Snyder says. The pair were at least two hours' hiking time from the trailhead, and the heat was reaching the apex of the day. “By the time we got there, he had expired,” Snyder says. “His friend did as much as he could, but he was past the point where he could resuscitate him in a wilderness setting.”

Summary:  Response time is very important in the desert. It really speaks to how quickly you can get into trouble when out in these environments.

Monday 27 June 2016

Clarence_Soo_21_Independent_Learning_Log_1

Date:  10 June 2016, 11am - 11.30am
What I did: I watched X-Men Apocalypse recently and was interested in how they filmed one particular scene. This scene involves a man with the power to travel at very high speed saving everyone from an exploding mansion. I went to do a summary of the entire article. I also learnt a few new terms about filming.
What I learned: 

new terms:
green screen
digital doubles
piston setup
standout sequence

summary:

in the previous movie, Quicksilver only used his powers within the White House kitchen. in this movie, however, he used his powers throughout a whole mansion, so the filming crew had a lot more work to do. the crew used many special effects to film Evan Peters, including using multiple cameras to shoot many versions of Quicksilver running around then combining them all to make Evan Peters look like he is leaving behind a residual trail when he runs. They also blow wind on his face when he is running to enhance the effect of running very fast. the filming crew spent a lot of time and money filming this 3 minute long scene but it was worth it because it received the attention and praise of many viewers, fans and critics alike. personally, i also think this is the best scene in the whole movie.

Jonathan's Independent Learning Log 5

12 pm - 12.30 pm
17/6/16

Source:

What I did:
I read up on Global Warming as I remembered that Earth’s climate was getting worse and decided to do a short summary.

Summary:
Climate change has caused floods, droughts and heatwaves, and it is equally hard to believe that changing weather patterns are impacting food supplies. Countries like Singapore, which produce only a fraction of their own food, may only be able to cope in the short term.
In the near future, supplies from Thailand could shrink and fish could swim away to cooler waters.
A recent study noted that variations in food production around the world due to different climate are likely to become more intense and frequent, and climate change has already hit some farmers. Vietnam is struggling from the worst drought to hit the country in nearly a century which is expected to hit rice harvests hard.
A senior researcher noted that as Singapore's food supply is from around the world, supply shortages due to climate change may not be as severe as for other countries that produce their own food.
In times of production failure, exporting countries will prioritise local markets and needs.
Importing countries such as Singapore can increase food security by investing in food stockpiling, processing and storage systems so that more food can be kept longer.
A spokesman said Singapore has measures to ensure a resilient supply of safe food, such as helping to raise the productivity of local farms and a diversification strategy to import food from various countries.

Jonathan's Independent Learning Log 4

12 pm - 12.30 pm
14/6/16

Source:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-17675816

What I did:
I decided to look up on news on the illegal ivory trade as I saw a couple of posters saying that shops should not sell ivory and did a short summary on the article.

Summary:
Despite a 23-year ban on international trade in ivory, elephants continue to be shot for their tusks. The African elephant risks going extinct. Last year had the highest number of large seizures of illegal ivory for more than two decades. African conservation authorities are facing a continuing battle with poachers. Thousands of elephants are killed each year, with large seizures have amounting to tonnes of ivory that would have come from approximately 700 dead elephants. Reporters estimated the ivory from more than 200 elephants are for sale on a single day. A ban in 1989 rules out international trade, but in 2008, China and Japan were allowed to make direct purchases of legally sourced African ivory, provided there was proper regulation.
Every ivory shop has to be officially registered with the authorities and every item on display is supposed to have its own identification card. At a store in Guangzhou, an undercover team found many items with no accompanying certificate on display.
The decision to allow further legal ivory into the country in 2008 made the situation worse, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Supporters say countries that properly protect their elephants should be allowed to profit from them, while opponents argue that further sales will fuel demand for ivory.
Securing the future of Africa's elephant will mean not just beating the poachers but also tackling black-market sales on the other side of the world in China.

Jonathan's Independent Learning Log 3


What I did:
I felt sorry for the bomb victims in Iraq but I missed the article on the newspaper so I decided to look it up on a reliable source (in this case CNN) and do a short summary on paragraphs 1-3 and 6-9.

Summary:
Paragraph 1-3:
The terrorist group ISIS claims responsibility behind the series of attacks in Iraq's capital which left more than 90 people dead. At least 64 people were killed when a car bomb went off in Baghdad. Another 87 people were wounded in that attack in Shiite. The aftermath of the explosion was disastrous.
Paragraph 6-9:
Experts have said that a lapse in security has opened in Iraq. Their government struggles to battle ISIS while continuing to address problems related to Iraq's economic and political wounds from war. The Prime Minister’s office said he increased efforts to prevent future attacks.

Jonathan's Independent Learning Log 2


What I did:
I am quite bad at vocabulary and sometimes misspell so I went to look up on quizzes to help me improve. Here are some screenshots.


Screen Shot 2016-06-19 at 11.30.04 PM.png

Screen Shot 2016-06-19 at 11.38.57 PM.png

In the end, my vocabulary may still be quite bad, but I see it as an improvement from the first time I tried the quiz.

Jonathan's Independent Learning Log 1


What I did:
I decided to read up on some recent news on the Music. I went to The Guardian and read up on this article about “reviving” vinyl records and wanted to do a short summary of the article.

What I learned:

Summary:
When BBC Music went looking for a TV identification last year, they found that Vinyl made their music sound warmer. If any format is growing in the digital age, it’s the analogue record. It has been a loudly acclaimed revival, but separate charts for vinyl music will at least hint on what is available on vinyl discs. Until now, no one has had the facts to back up the rise in vinyl sales. These days records are more than mere product when music is free to listen to digitally, but a vinyl record has a physical feel to it.  Besides, it’s a more enveloping experience than hearing music on a mobile device.The increase in demand for vinyl has outgrown things like a limited edition discs to increase sales. Elsewhere, some stores have started selling record discs to the younger generation who probably had never seen a record player before.

Sunday 26 June 2016

Reuben Ng_17 independent learning log

Article 1
1.25pm- 2.25 pm
14/6/16

Source:Straits Times 

What I did:
I decided to buy newspaper and read. I was flipping through it, hoping to find an article that interests me. Then I saw an article on haze so i decided to read it. I also decide to do a summary of the article. I also saw some new words and search them up the dictionary.

What i Learned:
 Words that i Don't understand:

transboundary:  something that indicates bounds or limits; a limiting or bounding line

multilateral: agreed upon or participated in by three or more parties, especially the governments of different countries

bilateral: involving two parties, especially countries.

controversial: giving rise or likely to give rise to controversy or public disagreement.

Summary: Singapore wants to take legal action against those who cause the forest fires in Indonesia but the Indonesian Vice-president said that if there was an offence, Singapore can take action, but the offence occured in Indonesia that is the concern. And there was an ASEAN agreement on transboundary haze pollution is a multilateral one not a bilateral pact between Singapore and Indonesia, therefore Singapore cannot step further into Indonesia legal domain. But the Indonesians do not understand that we Singapore are trying to help them by getting the directors of the companies to own up and take responsibility for what they have done.


























Article 2
2.30pm-3.30pm
14/6/16

Source: Straits Times 

What I did: 
I look for articles in the “Home” section. I saw an article on an animal and started reading it. I will also do a summary.

What I learned:
words I learned: 

wantonly: without regard for what is right, just, humane, etc.; careless; reckless

parapet: a low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony.

Summary: There was someone who threw his or her cat down ( there is no suspect so far ), and a deliveryman saw it and called the SPCA and now the SPCA are looking for witnesses to bring the evildoer to justice.





































Article 3
3.45pm-4.45pm
14/6/16

Source: Straits Times

What I did : I browsed for interesting articles. I saw some words and I recognised it but don’t know the meaning so i checked the dictionary. I also did a summary.

What I learned:

A few new words

cache: a collection of items of the same type stored in a hidden or inaccessible place.

televised: record for or transmit by television

Summary: Omar Mateen did a lone-wolf attack at a gay nightclub killed 49 people and injured many more. Investigations are still going on and the ISIS militant group has confessed that they had ordered Omar to carry out the attack and that Omar has pledged alliance to ISIS before the attack. The police are now investigating if Omar had made any contact with the militant group, ISIS.

































Article 4
5pm-6pm
14/6/16

Source: BBC Knowledge magazine 

What I did: Look for interesting articles. I also did a summary. 


What I learned:

Summary: There are astronauts who are training to be on Mars by living in the desert as the desert area is quite remote and is quite similar to Mars except that the average temperature on Mars is -63 degree celcius. The astronauts have a new suit which has better performance compared to the older ones. In the article, it also stated that the astronauts might have to be vegetarian as bringing tin canned meat will be too heavy and vegetables can be grown on Mars. They can also 3D print some edible food but it will need some kind of gel to make it edible and nutritious.







































Article 5
7pm-8pm
14/6/16

Source: BBC knowledge magazine

What I did : look through the magazine for interesting topics. I wrote a summary too.

What I learnt

mammograms: an image obtained by mammography.


Summary: People have trained the pigeons to read mammograms to see if the female has breast cancer. After 2 weeks of training, the pigeon can tell if the person has breast cancer correctly 85% of the time. But even physicians with years of training still find it difficult to correctly interpret mammograms.

Elrond Learning Log

Name: Elrond Hu Kangsheng                                
Class: S1-01                            
Index Number: 11

Independent Learning Log 1

Week: T_W2
Date:  6/6/2016
Time: 7pm to 7 30pm

Source:

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/five-facts-about-the-great-singapore-sale


What I did:

I wanted to learn more about the Great Singapore Sale that takes place in Singapore every year.

What I learned:

-It usually goes on for 8 weeks but this year it will be going on for 10 weeks.
-Merchants do not need to register to be part of the sale
-Merchants can decide what offers or discounts they want to have
-Merchants do not have to have sales for the entire GSS period
-The Singapore Retailer’s Association established this event


Summary:

The SRA only created this event and does not have control over what merchants do during this GSS period.

Name: Elrond Hu Kangsheng                                
Class: S1-01                            
Index Number: 11

Independent Learning Log 2

Week: T_W2
Date:  8/6/2016
Time: 7pm to 7 30pm

Source:

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/underwater-world-throwback-5-things-you-may-not-remember-about-the-sentosa-aquarium






What I did:

I wanted to learn more about Underwater World since it would be closing down.

What I learned:

-Underwater World has been around for 25 years
-It will be closing on 26th June
-It was the largest tropical fish oceanarium when it opened in 1991
-The Dolphin Lagoon, where pink dolphins, fur seals and otters performed was set up in 1999 with six pink dolphins acquired from a Thai marine park.
-Underwater World Singapore was first developed by the Western Australian government.



Summary:


Underwater World has been around for a long time and has been a centre of attraction of many years.


Name: Elrond Hu Kangsheng                                
Class: S1-01                            
Index Number: 11

Independent Learning Log 3

Week: T_W2
Date:  10/6/2016
Time: 7pm to 7 30pm

Source:

http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/can-spore-match-taipeis-rail-reliability


What I did:

I wanted to learn more about Taipei’s transport system and how it is much more reliable than Singapore’s.

What I learned:

-In 2003, Taipei’s rail system mean distance between failures was around 100,000 train-km
-Cash bonuses were awarded to employees of Taipei’s rail system who outperformed other employees in keeping glitches at bay.
-Taipei's system is nationalised, there is only one operator. There are two private operators in Singapore.


Summary:

Taipei’s rail system is much more reliable than Singapore’s as it gives out cash bonuses to employees, which inspires them to work harder and Taipei’s rail system is ran by only one organisation.

Name: Elrond Hu Kangsheng                                
Class: S1-01                            
Index Number: 11

Independent Learning Log 4

Week: T_W3
Date:  13/6/2016
Time: 7pm to 7 30pm

Source:

http://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/muslim-funeral-service-begins-for-muhammad-ali






What I did:

I wanted to learn more about the legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali as he had just recently passed away.

What I learned:

-He passed away at the age of 74
-The funeral was held in Louisville
-Muhammad Ali is very significant to the Muslim community
-For millions of Muslims around the world, Ali symbolised the true face of Islam, promoting peace and tolerance


Summary:

Muhammad Ali, although his job involved violence, was in fact a very peaceful and tolerant man. He indeed symbolised the true face of Islam, unlike the terrorist that killed people in the name of Allah.

Name: Elrond Hu Kangsheng                                
Class: S1-01                            
Index Number: 11

Independent Learning Log 5

Week: T_W4
Date: 22/6/2016
Time: 7pm to 7 30pm

Source:

http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/spore-coffee-festival-off-to-rousing-start


What I did:

I wanted to learn more about the Singapore Coffee Festival.

What I learned:

-The Singapore Coffee Festival is organised by Sphere Exhibits
-It is the first ever Coffee Festival held in Singapore
-It will be on for 4 days


Summary:

Singapore’s Coffee industry is growing and there will be many such coffee-related events to come.