Bridging knowledge gap through online learning

Among all the technological marvels and their roles in our lives, the
most revolutionary contribution of technology has to be the
democratisation of knowledge all around the world.
Online courses on a wide range of topics are provided openly and for
free by premier institutionsof the world. As these courses reach
larger audiences, they will mitigate the huge gap in knowledge created
due to lack of fundamental resources and varying methods of teaching.
Thesecourses would not only benefit students but will also prove to be
touchstone for teachers.
Among the open educationcourses available on the Web, the most popular
oneis OpenCourseWare (OCW) run by Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT), which provides all itseducation materials from
undergraduate level to graduate level for free. As of now, more than
2,080 courses are available online. Many of them include lecture
notes, interactive Web demonstrations, textbooks written by MIT
professors and streaming video lectures. Details of the available
lectures can be found at http://ocw.mit.edu . Along with MIT's own
site, video lectures are also available on YouTube and iTunes and can
be streamed online or can also be downloaded for viewing offline.
MITx, a recent online learning initiative by MIT, offers a portfolio
of its courses through online interactive learning platform. It has
been designed keeping in mind all aspects of difficulties that might
be faced by students on the online platform. It would not onlyoffer
online laboratories, student-to-student communication, but wouldalso
provide a chance to earn certification of completion award by
MITx,based on the mastery of the subject.
Other options
Among the courses offered by other universities, videocourses of
Harvard, Yale University, University of California – Berkeley, and
Stanford University are worth checking out, but unlike MIT OCW, these
are restricted in number.
In 1999, the idea of havingan enhanced learning programme involving
the Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of
Management was conceived by IIT Madras, which was subsequently funded
by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Today, it is known as
the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL).
As of now, 260 courses are available online, but this number is set to
reach 1,000 in the next phase of the programme. With more than 4,900
hours of classroom course, illustration of concepts via animations,
links for reference books, discussionforums and case studies, it has
enough potential to disseminate quality education among Indian
students. In the era of ubiquitous mobile phones, 3GP format of video
courses are especially made for mobile phone users.
Virtual Labs is a new initiative to provide remote access to labs in
various disciplines of science and engineering ( www.vlab.co.in )
taken up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. At a time when
a majority of institutions are facing a crunch in testing equipment
and resources, this would provide a platform where resources can be
shared.
The integration of NPTEL with Virtual Labs will provide a complete
package for education by bridging the gap between theory and practice.
The hurdle
A major hindrance in taking the online education programme to the
remotest of places is lack of infrastructure. Two things that are
prerequisitefor the programme's success are affordable computer
devices and availability of adequate Internet speed.
The low-cost Aakash tablets seem to be a strongstep towards online
education revolution. However, its availability and reliability are
the issues the government must sort out as soon as possible. Making
courses available on DVDs and harddisks for affordable prices can
mitigate the problem of online streaming of videos on low-speed
Internet.

Tourist Place - Marina Beach - madras, INDIA

Marina Beach is among the longest beaches in the world and it
comprises of sun, sand and surf. Countedamong one of the longest
beaches in Asia, it is stretched across a 12-km long area. This beach
was given a makeover by Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff in
the early 1880's, and is Chennai's major tourist attraction today.
Adjacent to the Bay of Bengal, Chennai has one of the loveliest
beaches in India. A walk along the Marina, whether in the morning or
evening, re-energizes one. The old buildings dotting the otherside of
Kamarajar Salai, a main road along the Marina, bring back memories of
good old British Raj. The Senate House of the University of Madras and
the old buildings now housing government offices, such as Ezhilagam
and the Director General of Police office. They wear a mysterious look
in the morning when the Sun rises.
Walk along the beach bordered with a green lawn will entice you to go
on a leisurely stroll. At the intersections of this promenade stand
beautifulstatues of Tamil scholars, patriots, and noted personalities.
The Statue ofLabour is a beautiful sculpture depicting the efforts of
a team of laborers who are at strenuous, manual work.
¤ Activities At Marina Beach
Located on the eastern sideof Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal is
the mesmerizing Marina beach.Watching the sun set and rise from the
beach is a fascinating experience.
Bathing and swimming canbe dangerous here, as the undercurrent is very
strong. But still people come for swimming here. The beach also offers
a lot of water sports opportunities, like, para-sailing, gliding,
windsurfing, cruising, etc.
In the evenings, the beach turns into a fair ground with various kinds
of entertainment and food stalls lining the beach. One can even shop
around the beach, buying shell and glass baubles to kites and fruit
juices. The Marina, is also the venue for important state functions,
accommodate a good number of visitors. There are also facilities of
pony rides at the beach site, which attract the children'sinterest the
most.
¤ Aquarium
Aquarium is located close to the Marina beach, which has some of the
most exotic collection of tropical sea fishes and fresh water fishes.
The aquarium offers a chance to have a closer look at the aquatic
life. TheIce House, which was used to store ice brought from Great
Lakes in North America, is south to the Aquarium.
Situated on the beach, good number of visitors everyday.
¤ Attractions Around Marina Beach
Beautiful buildings in Chennai such as the University of Madras,
Senate-House, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College, P.W.D office and Ice
House are located on the beach drive. At the other end of the beach is
the new lighthouse. In between, sentinels on the promenade, are
several statues of Tamil scholars and two splendid bits of sculpture-
the Victory of Labour/

NEWS - ~ Torrential rain hits central, southern Taiwan

China > HK/Taiwan
Torrential rain hits central, southern Taiwan
~
2012-06-12 01:29:33 GMT 2012-06-12 09:29:33(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
~
People on an electric bicycle move on a flooded road in Neipu Town,
Pingtung County, southeast China's Taiwan, June 11, 2012. (Xinhua)
Photo taken on June 11, 2012 shows the site of a landslide caused by
torrential rain in Wutai Town, Pingtung County, southeast China's
Taiwan. (Xinhua)
A villager walks on a flooded road in Wutai Town, Pingtung County,
southeast China's Taiwan, June 11, 2012. (Xinhua)
People go to a temporary shelter to escape the torrential rain in
Wutai Town, Pingtung County, southeast China's Taiwan, June 11, 2012.
(Xinhua)
The central and southern parts of Taiwan were hit by torrential rains
in recent days. In the mountainous areas of Kaohsiung and Pingtung,
over 2,000 villagers have been evacuated.

My Child's Mistakes

In this article, we will complete the guidelines of behavioral change
to be followed so that we can make a real change in the behavior of
our children, andconvince them to help us make that change.
5- Listen to him attentively.
In order for the adolescent to tell you about what is in his/her mind,
you have to listen to him/her well to the end. By so doing, you would
be able to make an accurate assessment ofthe situation, on the basis
of which you would suitably direct him/her to the right course of
action. You should note that Allaah The Almighty has created two ears
and one mouth for you so you can listen twice as much as you talk.
The skill of listening should be learnt, and there are ways to express
to the adolescent that he is being listened to well, including:
1- To look attentively but not staring in the face of the adolescent.
2- To show understanding of what he is saying, by nodding the head and
employing simple facial expressions showing the emotions, positively
or negatively.
3- To reduce any factors that may interrupt the talk, such as to look
at or engage oneself with something else other than the adolescent, or
getting up to do something and then returning to him, or any similar
action.
Here, the correct understanding of the meaning of the words thechild
or adolescent should be accurately verified, by raising the following
questions which imply attention on the one hand, and confirm the
correct understanding on the other hand:
1- Give me an example to illustrate what you want to say.
2- How do you feel about this situation? What would you like to do?
3- What is the significance of this word/movement/behavior?
4- How important is this incident?
5- Do you have anything else to say?
6- Give him freedom of choice
If you want to get a good outcome from the dialogue, let your child
actually share it with you.
Why do you not give him an opportunity to share his opinion even in
the manner in which he will be punished for his mistake and
negligence?
Areas of choice:
A - The way of solving the problem
B - The amount, kind and duration of punishment
C - The amount and kind of reward, and how it is obtained
D - How to implement your command.
Beware of humiliating the adolescent, or dashing his hopesand
ambitions on the rock of reality. Give the adolescent an opportunity
to dream and try to realize his dream. Help him move forward, and do
not frustrate him. Beware of accusing him of stupidity and lack of
understanding.
To the parents who are"specialized" in ruining hopes and ambitions I
say: Lift your hands from your children. If you do not support them in
their hopes, at least, do not help the devil in ruining them and
destroying their ambitions and dreams.
7- Reward for achievement and punishment for negligence
What is intended here is to teach the adolescent that there is no
action without a corresponding reaction: if he does well, he will be
rewarded; and if he does badly, he will be punished.
Rewarding is to give the adolescent what he likes and wishes for in a
way that is equal to the work he has done. Similarly, the forms of
punishment should be determined, such as to forbid him from something
he likes, punish him with a verbal reproach or corporal punishment
within the due limits of the Sharee'ah (Islamic legislation), look at
him (with a disapproving look), deprive him of some rights especially
those promised to be given to him as areward for achievement.
8- The door is open so come to us (at any time you like)
Since the gate of repentance will remain open until the sun rises from
its place of setting, then, why should we close the gate of atonement
in the face ofour children? Why do we reject their repeated attempts
at reform, but instead hasten to have them lose all hope?
9- Supplication
You should keep in mind that your invocation (of evil) upon your child
is responded to by Allaah The Almighty, as stated inthe Prophetic
Hadeeth (narration). What, then, would the case be if it is a
supplication of good for him? Thus, do not let this opportunity escape
you, but stick to it and persevere instead.
You should have a good assumption of your Lord that He will respond to
you (as confirmed by Him in His Saying what means): {And your Lord
Says: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you."} [Quran 40:60]
10- A compassionate paternal touch along with a motivating word
To touch the hair of the head and the face, to kiss, to embracethe
child, and say to him such words as "I want to understand you", "I am
proud of you", "I am here whenever you need me", "Ilove you": and
other such words motivate children to strive their utmost, even though
they cost you nothing.