Articles

What’s in your tool belt?

Published

6 years ago

August 21, 2018

BY: KATHY McDONALD

As parents, guardians, and caregivers we are charged with an awesome yet arduous task. We are responsible for nurturing, guiding molding and ensuring that our children and wards are equipped to be the best that they can be. This means that we should be committed not only to their spiritual and physical development but their educational growth as well. As parents or anyone that has a genuine desire to see students succeed it is crucial that we adequately equip ourselves. We must diligently make sure we have the right tools to navigate the vast educational system that our children have to traverse in order to graduate.

The United Achievers’ Club UAC hosted an informative workshop on August 11th in Brampton. The participants were provided with a wealth of knowledge to help them prepare to support their children for the 2018/2019 school year. The highlight of the event was the great discussions that were generated following the panel’s informative presentation. The panelist were; Abigail Hamilton, the executive director of ResQ Youth International; Claudette Johnson, a former guidance counselor, and Rasulan Hoppie, the principal of Castlebrooke Secondary School. By all accounts, this community discussion was a valuable tool which will assist the parents in attendance in supporting their children’s success in school. I would strongly encourage parents to continue to attend similar workshops and seminars that aim to empower and inform caregivers, community members, and parents. As lifelong learners, we must continually seek out information, especially in this fast-paced and ever-changing world.

Information is power, and knowledge is transferable. It was interesting to hear the myriad of reasons parents were reluctant to attend the workshop. Too often parents think by attending a workshop they are admitting that they are somehow inadequate. When it’s actually the opposite. By attending workshops to empower your children you are letting them know that they are important. and their education is so important to you that you are willing to learn how to help them be the best version of themselves.

Did you know that my Blueprint is not even blue? My Blueprint is a great educational planning tool that the Peel District School Board (PDSB) and several other boards use to help students and their parents plan for their future. This tool can be accessed in middle school to help students plot out the best subject choices that will help them fulfill their career objectives while nurturing their interests. While operating procedures may vary slightly between school boards the aim of the program is the same. My Blueprint “follows a comprehensive education and career planning process that meets the learning needs, interests and aspirations of all students”

On the PDSB website, there are several resources that are readily available for parents and students. There is a step by step guide for parents to set up an account which can be linked to your child’s account. There is also a guide for students and instructions how students can link their account to their personal device. This enables students to always have access to this information. There is also a very useful resource that helps them get started on course selection.

The PDSB website poses four questions that students should consider when navigating the my Blueprint page. They are: Who am I? Who do I want to become? What are my opportunities and What are my plans to achieve these goals? I would also like to add a fifth question that students should ask; Who will I ask to mentor and guide me to achieve my goals? When a student accesses my Blueprint, they will be able to “discover their learning style, narrow in on areas of interest, learn more about their unique personality, set goals, explore careers and research and compare options after secondary school.”

There are several other educational planning tools that are available by a few strokes of a keyboard. I would strongly suggest that parents sit with their children and utilize these prodigious tools. There is so much power in identifying your child’s strengths and interests and working towards a goal. If your child does not know exactly what career path he or she wants to pursue my Blueprint can help select courses that interest your child. When your child participates in courses that they find meaningful and interesting they will excel in such courses.

Even if you attended school in Canada or if your child appears to be excelling, the rate of change of information and the different resources that are available to your children constantly changes. It’s good to check-in from time to time. As a mother of four children, birthed over fifteen years, I can attest to the great difference in each of my children’s educational journey. I am constantly learning and being exposed to new and innovative educational stratagem.

Knowledge is the best weapon one has to empower oneself to live successfully in today’s world. Whether it’s through experiential, theoretical or practical learning, it is essential for parents, caregivers and guardians and the community at large to arm themselves with as many utensils that can aid them in helping students charged in their care to be the best that they can be. So, journey with me as I strive to make sure that all students including Black, Caribbean, and students of African heritage live up to their full potential. Walk Good. Belle Marché.

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Junior Contributors

How are current trends shaping our world? Foreshadowing 2025

Published

1 week ago

December 19, 2024

TOCaribNews

Credits: raw.pixel

BY AMARI SUKHDEO

As we look toward 2025, it’s natural to wonder how current trends will shape our world. Drawing from technological advances, societal shifts, and environmental challenges observed in 2024, we can outline some plausible developments. By connecting these to existing evidence, we can better understand why these changes are likely.

Smarter AI, beyond assistants

In 2024, AI systems became more personalized and efficient, with companies investing in AI models that function locally to reduce delays and energy use. By 2025, we could see AI systems embedded in everyday tools. For instance, AI in healthcare already assists with diagnostics; next, it may empower wearable devices to provide personalized treatment suggestions based on real-time data. This isn’t just speculation; investments by tech giants like Google and Microsoft into smaller, faster AI models in 2024 lay the groundwork for this leap forward.

Climate action driving everyday innovations

Extreme weather events and rising global temperatures made headlines in 2024, pushing governments and industries to accelerate renewable energy efforts. Solar panels and wind farms became more efficient, and electric vehicles (EVs) gained broader adoption as costs fell. In 2025, we could reasonably expect community-level energy storage solutions, like localized solar grids in neighbourhoods, offering resilience against power outages caused by climate disruptions. The sharp drop in renewable energy costs in 2024 suggests this trend will only accelerate.

Job markets evolve with AI

The growing use of AI in hiring processes was evident in 2024, with more companies testing conversational bots for initial candidate screenings. By 2025, these bots could standardize equitable hiring practices, focusing on skills rather than credentials. If trends from 2024 hold, candidates might submit work samples directly analyzed by AI, bypassing biases inherent in traditional resumes.

Space exploration as the next frontier

Private companies made significant progress in space technology in 2024, with initiatives like reusable rockets and plans for lunar missions advancing rapidly. In 2025, commercial space tourism could become a niche industry, offering suborbital flights for high-net-worth individuals. More importantly, the ongoing development of satellite networks for global internet coverage—spearheaded by firms like SpaceX—may revolutionize connectivity in rural and underserved areas, fulfilling the promises set in motion during 2024.

Social media’s evolution

The spread of misinformation and rising concerns about mental health dominated conversations about social media in 2024. By 2025, we might see stricter regulations and innovations in platform design aimed at promoting responsible usage. For instance, algorithms may prioritize verified information or feature built-in mental health support, echoing growing public demand for ethical practices observed last year.

The predictions for 2025 are rooted in developments already in motion. Rapid strides in AI and renewable energy, coupled with societal responses to climate challenges, social media, and space suggest a future where technology is more integrated into daily life and becomes a norm. However, navigating these changes will require continued investment and ethical oversight.

https://www.eckerson.com/articles/predictions-2025-everything-is-about-to-change

Junior Contributors

AI can be a helpful tool, but it can’t replace the special qualities that make human storytelling unique

Published

1 week ago

December 19, 2024

TOCaribNews

Photo Credits: Diana Grytsku

BY YAHYA KARIM

It has recently been found that people take a strong dislike to any stories that are labeled AI generated, even if they were truly written by a human. This might come as a surprise, but it shows how we feel about AI in creative work, such as writing stories.

The study, led by Haoran Chu, a professor of public relations, tested out how people would feel after reading two similar stories, one written by a human and one written by an AI. The participant in the study would find a label indicating which writing was AI generated, and which was written by a human. Through the experiment they switched the labels, so the readers thought they were reading an AI version of the story, when in fact they were reading the human version.

When people saw that it was an AI generated story, they seemed less interested. Even though what was written was almost identical, people did not feel that connection with the AI writing. They felt less connected if it was written by a machine.

The study found that stories written by AI can convince people just as much as those written by humans, especially when it comes to topics like health. However, AI doesn’t make readers feel as connected or immersed in the story. This is something that human writers are better at doing.

The study shows that people still really value the “human touch” in storytelling. Even though AI can write text that is clear and logical, it doesn’t have the same: emotional touch, creativity, or personal feel that humans bring to their writing. When we read a story, we trust human writers to make it feel relatable, which is something AI struggles to do.

In the future, AI might be great for writing simple facts, or basic information, but when it comes to creating deep, emotional stories humans still have the advantage. AI can be a helpful tool, but it can’t replace the special qualities that make human storytelling unique.