All posts by haruka

flexible education is necessary

Japanese current education is lacking the ability to foster creativity. Not unique opinions but correct answers are wanted from students. The talents of students are hidden by current education. This is why such education system should be changed as soon as possible.

Ken Robinson says that the education practiced in almost all over the world seems to make children lose their creativity rather than develop it, and that it is no longer supporting raise childrens’. For example, schools in every country consider there are difference levels of importance in subjects. Math and language are usually considered to be the most important subjects, humanities are the second importance, and art is the least important. This difference shows that people think subjects which are necessary in getting good jobs are prior to others.

Also he criticizes that the idea that the academic ability determine one’s intelligence, and at the same time, he tries to rethink of the idea from three points of view. First, he thinks intelligence is consists of the senses such as sight, hearing, touch. Second, intelligence is very interactive and dynamic. Finally, intelligence is something so unique people cannot put all the aspects of it together into one definition. Therefore, he argues that people should reform the education system so that children can develop the true intelligence.

I agree with his opinion. It seems like the existing education system is depriving potential children of their talent. For example, teachers often say that mistaking isn’t a bad thing so students should not hesitate to make a mistake. But in fact, if students make mistakes or fail in exams, teachers don’t praise students. Not only that, teachers often criticize such students also in existing education system, and they only teach questions for which answers exist, so there is no room for supporting creativity. What I mean to say is that, true intelligence isn’t being cultivated by the existing education.

Recently, Japanese educational facilities try to change the education system. For children’s creativity, the Minister of Education Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is planning to change the National Center Tests for University Admissions. MEXT consider that flexibility and creativity is becoming more important because of the globalization. To be more specific, MEXT announced that the center test will be add an essay test and interviewing in a few years.

However, I don’t think they will be able to make any good result only by such modification. It is difficult for people to measure flexibility and creativity. But MEXT tries to measure them at the Center Test. If those who are educated by existing education system make the test and interview, this modification would not be a drastic reform.

I think if people want to develop the true intelligence, the distinction between teachers and students is no longer necessary. There is no answer in creativity. Everyone has different answers about it. By building an equal relationship, it becomes possible for people to express their opinion freely and foster creativity.

The Japanese education institution tries to change a part of the education system such as form of the examination. However, it will have little effect. To support children’s talent,   more flexible education is necessary.001_150118_2241A0

Audio essay

 

I agree with the basic conception of Ken Robinson’s speech. He believes human have the richness capacity. All kids have tremendous talents. I like these phrases and I believe it. He say the talents and creativities of children are should be improved in education. I think it is right and important, and of course I was very amazed by the success story of Gillian Lynne. However I also think his opinion is just ideal in current society. To make action and to accomplish the revolution is more difficult than expected.

 

For example, there is the education system known as yutori in Japan.

That was designed to relieve the pressures on students and broaden their perspective. Educators expected that the system would improve student’s creativities.

I am exactly a memner of the generation who received the education. I used to go to school five days a week. I took classes with thinner textbook. New subject “General studies” was introduced. The aim of the subject is to increase the time for independent. General studies are not have exam and score. It was fun for me to learn based my own interest.

Looking back over the past, I realize my childhood are free and lively. After school I had time to go swimming school, painting gallery, playing the piano and violin and playing outside with my friends. I have never gone to cram school before. On weekends, I had enough time to travel with my family because I didn’t have school.

However in recent years the education was phased out. Why it was changed despite improving children’s creativities is wonderful? It is said that one of the reasons is the rank of international exam was falling. Didn’t it focus on creativity? Are you care about the rank of exam yet? You would feel some contradictions.

 

 

I think “creativity” is something ambiguous. To keep the balance of academic studies and creative things are important but how to distinguish these subject are not clear. In case of the mathematics, who studies hard can take good score and who doesn’t study enough take bad score. That is very simple. It would make you feel easy that you can see the figure. In other words people usually want to visualize the effort and the result. But you can’t see the result of creativity easily. I think in public education the classroom teachers can’t wait until children get the great achievement by using their creativity because one teacher has many students and the time limit is one year. It took even Gillian Lynne long time to be a famous dancer.

 

In short, we need long time and big effort to change the system, to continue  it and to ingrain it. Then what should we do? I think the cooperation of home and  school is key success factor. The parents should be interested in their children’s lives in school and shouldn’t say complaint to teachers all the time. They don’t forget their home is the first education place for children.

To change the social system is difficult but to change our own mind and action is easy. I hope I can support children who make the future in the whole society as well as the school education.

My thought –Venezuela government weighs in on ice-cream shop row

Summary
In Venezuela, there is serious shortage of ingredients. An ice-cream shop are closed because of lack of milk. The ice-cream shop is famous for the many kinds of flavors and popular for tourists. However the government don’t admit the shortage of milk even if the scarcity index stood at about 30% in March. This number means that out of 100 goods, we always can’t get 30 goods everywhere. It is said that there are two reasons of the shortage. One is that unreasonable businesspeople stock up the food. The other is that some goods are being smuggled into Colombia.

My thought
The shortage of ingredients are caused by not only her economic crises but also complicated international problems. Venezuela is depends on the products made from petroleum. Her economy is in the critical situation because the price of the oil is falling internationally. In addition, inflation and severe currency control make the shortage worse. The president approved the plan to rise the gasoline price. I think that political situation become more unstable. When the gasoline price rises in price, other public utility charges would become high. I think the President should act more carefully and consider the complicated diplomacy problem.

Australian food will be safer than the alternatives―reaction

Summery

This article is about  Australian economy. It is thought that agribusiness is one of the next waves of growth in the many industries because China has great demand for food. There are potential value about next wave in Australia. Australian laws are trusted by foreign countries and Australian government interference is minimum. This is why foreign countries think Australian food is safer than other countries’.

After Australian mining boom, Australian growing industries are tourism, agribusiness, wealth management, international education and gas. Domestically, the average life span will be long so servicing senior citizens will be more important. Also, by increasing incomes private schooling and health care will become more important.

 

My opinion

I’ll talk about food safety. In this article, Australian food have a good reputation to foreign countries. Such reputation will profit Australian economy. In agribusiness, Japanese industries should model itself on Australia. However there are some problems in Japan.

The important one is rumors caused by the accident in Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant. After the accident, many countries carried out import restrictions against Japan. At present, the relationship between Japan and foreign countries has recovered. However, once Japan has lost trust from other countries about food safety, other countries will have a strong doubt for a long time. The lowered reputation of Japanese food is not only in foreign countries but also in Japan.

Recently, the media reported some extraneous material was found in instant food and fast food. Such news makes people anxiety about food safety.

This is why Japanese food industries should make special effort to improve reputation.

Real Wimmie the Pooh owner’ footsteps retraced by great-granddaughter

Winnie the Pooh is the story of honey-loving bear’s and his friends. It is based on the bedtime story in London. Now it have been translated into more than 40 languages and it became the Disney’s movie loved by everyone. The motif of Winnie the Pooh is the cub in the London Zoo donated by Cpt Harry. The young boy in the stories, Cristopher Robin, was named after author’s son. The real Cristopher Robin like the cub as well as the the boy in the stories. These days, Cpt Harry’s great-granddaughter met the cousin of the late Cristopher robin Milne. She was very moved and commented that a real bear and a fictional bear affected the narratives of their lives.

 

I love Winnie the Pooh so much that I used to watch the video twice a day when I was in a kinder garden. The attraction in the Disney Land which I take the first is always Pooh’s Honey Hunt. But to my surprise, I don’t know the back ground of the story.Literatures sometimes have some hidden truth and another story like a criticism against the society and a political message. Although Winnie the Pooh wouldn’t have such a hidden subject, it is interesting to think how it was made. In addition, I realized that literatures have a power to connect people when I read the news. I am happy if I can meet an author of my favorite book or relatives and would like to talk about my great-grand father.

Yuzuru Hanyu collided with Chinese skater at Cup of China-My reaction

Summery

Yuzuru Hanyu who is an Olympic champion was injured on his chin and had a concussion of his brain because of his collision.

The Cup of China was held at the Shanghai. The accident happened while athletes were preparing for their free program. Hanyu collided with chinese Han Yan. Hanyu was bleeding from his chin.  He couldn’t stand up for a while. Hanyu’s coach, Brian Orser told him to take care of himself. However, he decided to take part in the free program. He skated with “Phantom of Opera” and finished in second place. He scored 237.55. Hanyu was extremely surprised when he looked at his score so he bawled and appeared overjoyed.

 

My reaction

I’d like to discuss this topic from two points of view. The first point is whether figure is a sport or not. Second is about the most important thing for athletes.

First, figure is different from other sports, such as soccer and basketball. In most sports, athletes shoot at the goal, but in figure, judges give a decision on their performances. This is why it is often said that figure isn’t a sport.

However, I think figure is a kind of sport because athletes don’t contend with men and women together in competitions. For example, in competitions of painting or playing the piano, prizes are given to artists and performers without distinguishing by their sex. On the other hand, female and male athletes are divided in sports including figure.This is why I think figure is a sport.

Secondly, which is more important for an athlete, his health or his pride? Hanyu finished his performance to the end so audience were strongly impressed. On the other hand, his coach and people were involved in the competition were worried about Hanyu’s physical condition. Some people said that Hanyu shouldn’t participate in the competition.

I think Hanyu’s judgment was right. If he had given up skating, experience of accident would have become a trauma. Before causing a severe trauma, he had to overcome his fear.This is why I think Hanyu had to take part in the competition not only for his pride but also his future.

 

 

Brain repair `may be boosted by curry spice` my reaction

Summary

It is already known that curry is capable of promote healthy.

Furthermore, a German study shows turmeric accelerate the growth of neuron which is thought to be a part of the brain’s repair kit. Turmeric is expected to become drugs for Alzheimer’s and other diseases, but it is ongoing study so it isn’t clear whether it works for humans.

The German institute is studying aromatic-turmerone. Rats injected with this compound is used for and sufficient parts of their brains which are related to neuron growth seem to be activated. A scientist says that the compound may accelerate the increase of brain cells.

In another study, it is proved that neural stem cells can transform to any type of brain cell. Scientists suggest that the effect can be used to repair wounds and disease.

They say it is possible that human enjoy the benefits of this study in the future.

 

Reaction

I’ll talk about Japanese achievements in the study of turmeric and problems on scientific technology in japan.

This article is related to japan deeply. In fact, Musashino university originally specified the effective of turmeric. Prof Abe focused on the fact that there are less patients of Alzheimer’s disease in India. He supposes that the cause was their eating habit. He made a inquiry of spicy including curry.

Finally, he confirmed the ability of prevent turmeric to prevent brain damage.

I think Japan can be proud of this discovery.

However, I also think that this study has a problem. The problem is the little budget on scientific researches in Japan. In this article, Germany studied the effects of aromatic- turmeron, but if the Japanese government invest more studies, Japanese scientists may be more successful.

This is why I think people need to be more interested in scientific research and understand the role played by science and technology.

First US Ebola case Thomas Duncan ‘critical’ -My Reaction

Summary
The first patient suffered from Ebola in US is being treated at hospital. He is native Liberia. He is in critical condition. Ebola is contagious, spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of someone who has the virus. Therefore there is the only way to stop spreading is to separate people from the patient. There have been about 7,500 infected people in the world so far. In West Africa, some Muslim festival were postponed and many public places is empty. Meanwhile, a French nurse who got the virus has recovered by the experimental treatment that give her the pill made by Japanese company. It is for influenza originally.

Opinion
I think the basic facilities in hospital are stretched in Africa despite many patients are there. Plenty of isolation units and protection for doctors and nurses are needed to stop spreading Ebola but there are only usual beds and drip infusions. In French a patient were recovered thanks for highly special medical treatment. However the number of intensive care units are limited. Japan take measures to cope with Ebola, shoreline operations, but I don’t think it is enough to defend. The government need prudent measures and plenty of facilities and should prepare for the epidemic in not only in Africa but also in developed countries.

This I believe

What I believe is  importance of life, especially small life.

One day, small grandmother woke up dragging the left leg which dosen’t move.

She walked slowly to a bait box  and ate breakfast. After a meal, she went back to her favorite place to sleep in  genial sun light.

When she was young, her body was covered with a fine coat of fur. She used to climb the trees and chase some mice. But now she never run free.

When I stroke her on the back, her warmth makes me smile. But I am complicated when I feel beat of heart and  her weaken body.

Pets are aging as well as human.

Dogs and cats now live in about 15 years because of pet food which is well-balanced in nutrition and advanced medical treatment. If they were human, they are about 80 years old. Every owner would want to live as long as possible with them. However, you should not forget there are some problems  caused by aging.

The big problem in a human society is also common in the animal kingdom, for example dementia.

In the case of dogs, if they cannot distinguish day or night,  they are barking all day in loud voice. It somtimes  become a neighborhood trouble.

In the case of large dogs, it is difficult to take them to the toilet if they get feeble in the legs.

To care aged pets is very tough. Therefore some owners bring them into a health center or, sad to say, throw them away.

I have grown up with my cat at since I was three years old.

She came in my house as a lost cat. We were friends and family. We used to sleep and play together. She was once my baby and I was an elder sister but now she is my grandmother.

Five months ago, I caught sad news with one photograph of her. She rested peacefully in heaven surrounded by flowers. Tears fell from my eyes, recalling her figure sleeping in the sunshine and dragging the left leg.

If she were wildness, the life would have been already completed several years before. Who expanded the span  of her life are us, human beings.

We have to do our best for them until the breath ceases, instead of taking away freedom and some various things from them.

When I thought that, closing my eyes, I seemed to hear her voice and see her smiling.

I hope all of animals passed away live peacefully somewhere.

This I believe

I believe we know what the important things in our life are. But we sometimes forget because we take them for granted. Appreciation is one of them. I don’t want to have such situation that people will forget appreciation and the phrase of “thank you” someday.

When I was a high school student, my teacher gave me a message: “You owe what you are today to the people around you. So don’t hesitate to express your appreciation to them at any time.” This message reminds me of being supported by so many people like my family, friends and teachers.

In society, we are supported by someone and express our appreciation for it unconsciously. Through such a normal interaction, we can create a bond with each other. This kind of relationship expands rapidly, from small one to all Japan and from all Japan to all over the world. It builds up strong bonds among people over the border.

Do you know “Peace Village International” in Germany? It is a non-profit charity operating a medical facility. They accept children who can’t get any medical treatment in their own country because of the war or crisis areas. It is being run by contributions only and there are many staff from all over the world. In other words, this facility is supported by the hope and good will of people who believe this is essential for innocent children. After finishing the treatment, children return home and try to contribute to the Peace Village International in their own way. They keep the hope for “peace”, which is way they appreciate it. And the staff always have appreciation for the children and other staff working there. This is the important element that the project has kept on over 40 years. The feeling of appreciation makes an emotional connection among all their people. It is most decisive evidence that this project is expanding worldwide in the ways of the “succession” and “cooperation” day by day.

What can we do for keeping appreciation in our mind? The answer is to continue to say “thank you” to others. This phrase is like a light to keep in our mind the importance of helping and supporting each other. I think it is now the most necessary phrase for this world filled with sad news. The individual appreciation may not be so strong, but every person has it. The way to express it depends on the one. So the important point is to show the appreciation in a visible way to others. When you feel happy and thankful for them, tell them “thank you”. First of all , let’s start to appreciate the small things around us.  028_140712_2021A0