Connect with us

Youth Development

Has technology made it easier for students to cheat? Looks like it!

Published

on

BY PAUL JUNOR

The extension of online learning/virtual schooling for students across Ontario has forced many students to resort to cheating. CP24 reported on Sunday, December 27th, 2020 that, “Cheating is a ‘ free-for all’ at virtual high schools.” The report refers to concerns by educators who are alarmed at the level of cheating. Students are now downloading apps that provide them ready-made answers.

The story recounts the experiences of Olivia Metela, who teaches high school in Thronhill.

She recalls the solutions that students provided to a question on her Math test. She states, “it was a very convoluted way of doing things. Their solution was about twenty steps. The process in class would have been around five or six.”

The report mentioned that there is a particular Math app called Photomath, which students are using. The Photomath app describes it as the # 1 app for math learning that can: read and solve problems ranging from arithmetic to calculus instantly by using a camera on your mobile device. In response to the question, “Is Photomath cheating too?” The website states that about 75% of students have used it to verify their solutions.

It states, “students should be encouraged to use Photomath to check their answers to practice problems, compare their solutions, and identify any missteps in their calculations.” It originated in 2014, and there have been about 150 million downloads across the globe, with over a million of them by teachers.

The Photomath app website states: Scan. Solve. Learn. Once s photo is taken of the Math problem the app provides a detailed solution. Jennifer Lui, a spokeswoman for Photomath reported, “the guide focuses on three core principles: reinforcing concepts learned in the classroom, providing a way to check homework assignments and accelerating individual learning,”

There is another math learning tool called Mathway that students frequently use. According to its website: www.mathway.com, it is an ‘Algebra Problem Solver’ that offers, “free math solver that answers your algebra homework questions with step-by-step explanations.” All one has to do is take a picture of a math problem and the app immediately recognizes it and provides instantaneous solutions.

Educationalappstore.com lists the following apps as the best ones that students can use:

Komodo Math
It focuses on students mastering arithmetic and mental math/math for ages 5 – 11

Rocket Math
It helps kids age 6 to 14 learn math facts

DoodleMaths
It is a math program to support kids at home

IXL Math
It is an interactive program for kids age 3 to 18

Photomath
It solves math problems by using a camera

Prodigy
It is good for kids age 6 to 14 to do practice

Splash Math
It adapts to kids level for age 4 to 14

Math Whizz
It is a Math tutor to help 5-13 learn math online

Math Learning Centre
It has free apps for kids from pre-K to Grade 7

Play: Adding
It is a math game for age 5 to 8 to learn math facts

Cheryl Costigan, a high school Math teacher, also reported that she observed that many of her students are, “cheating a lot more than they ever have in the past. It’s just a free-for-all. Everybody’s cheating all the time.” She recalled when students wrote the first test, she heard the camera clicking but afterwards they would turn off the camera sound to prevent her from hearing.

Costigan understands the enormous pressure that students are under especially during the pandemic, and from parental expectations. She observes, “their parents are putting stress that they want them to get into university. So, they kind of feel like they have got to get that mark, and they really don’t care about the cheating anymore. It’s just become second nature.”

With a last name that means “Faithful and loyal,” it is no wonder that Paul Junor has become a welcomed addition to the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper Team. Since 1992, Paul has dedicated his life to become what you call a great teacher. Throughout the years, he has formed strong relationships with his students and continues to show them that he cares about them as people. Paul is a warm, accessible, enthusiastic and caring individual who not only makes himself available for his students, but for his community as well.

Youth Development

Understanding the multiple layers involved in navigating education spaces Parents of Black Children launch Navigating the Education System

Published

on

BY PAUL JUNOR

The work of the advocacy group Parents of Black Children (PoBC) has made a significant and revolutionary difference by bringing issues to the forefront that help Black families at all levels.

For over two years now, it has organized events, workshops and initiatives that have provided important information to the Black community to bring empowerment, knowledge and deep understanding of the multiple layers of the complex dynamics involved in navigating education spaces.

There are five core principles that underlie PoBC understanding of racism:

  1. Racialization
  2. Racism is about power
  3. Critical racial theory
  4. Our stories matter
  5. Racism is founded on White supremacy

On Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021, they launched the document Navigating the Education System,” which was a very empowering, enriching and inspiring tool for diverse Black families. Kearie Daniels, one of the cofounders of PoBC and author of the document, moderated the launch. Furthermore, Claudette Rutherford, one of the cofounders of PoBC and author gave an extensive presentation of the details of the document, sharing useful insights, practical knowledge and interesting information.

PoBC shared a pdf document subsequent to the launch, which provided additional details in a fifty-three-page package. It contained relevant, contextual and vital resources. PoBC’s Advocacy Team supported the document, which includes Charline Grant and Xavier McLaughin.

In the introduction to the document the mission of PoBC is to “Provide support to parents of Black children across Canada and the United States. We advocate and work towards change and concrete action in our education system and adjacent systems such child welfare and the justice system.”

The launch of this vital document is a culmination of all the advocacy and activist work that PoBC has been extensively involved in. It serves to remind members of the Black community that there are resources, tools and supports available to ensure that Black children are able to thrive academically, excel mentally and flourish intellectually in spaces that may not be welcoming to their presence.

The document states that the navigate guide is “Geared towards families in Ontario, but the information can be applied to any jurisdiction where there are Black children and families.”

The document “Table of Contents” is useful and helpful. There is vital information on:

  • School board terms you need to know
  • Education organization you need to know in Ontario
  • Black families and the Child Welfare System
  • Black families and the education system
  • Black students and Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
  • Black students in High School.
  • Developmental delays in learning exceptionalities
  • Supporting students with learning exceptionalities
  • Selecting a school system
  • System abuse

PoBC presented a webinar on “System Abuse”. The document states,

“The system is not neutral. These systems were designed as part of a colonial framework that must be dismantled.” Furthermore, the document “Serves as a means to demystify the pitfalls within the education system and light a path towards a decolonized education system.”

Continue Reading

Youth Development

Toronto prepares families for COVID-19 vaccination of children

Published

on

Photo by Charles Deluvio Library on Unsplash

BY PAUL JUNOR

There have been concerns, fears and anxieties as parents, caregivers and guardians anticipate the possibility of having their children under twelve vaccinated.

The Boston Globe reported on Friday, October 29th, 2021, that the FDA approved the administration of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children between the ages of five to eleven. These children will receive one-third of the dose administered to teens and adults.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention met on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021, in order to finalize details with respect to which children should be vaccinated first. In anticipation of these developments, Team Toronto has initiated a series of outreach and education sessions, as well as town halls in order to inform the Toronto community.

Parents of children between the ages of five to eleven who attend public schools will be receiving an email and an invitation to respond to a survey to “Support vaccine planning.”  This invitation will also be extended to parents whose children attend private independent schools as well. The survey will be administered by Toronto Public Health (TPH) and the City of Toronto VaxTO in order to “Better understand parents’ intent to vaccinate their children, how they would prefer to have their children receive their COVID-19 vaccine, and to obtain critical information on socio-demographic factors such as race and income.”

John Tory, Mayor of Toronto, is optimistic and positive about this development. He states in the press release, “While our work to get 90% of eligible residents vaccinated is continuing, we are also readying for when the vaccine will be available to protect kids five to eleven. We want to hear from parents, so we made sure we designed a vaccination program that works for kids and their families. This is just one more example of the outreach we are doing to prepare for this effort. This work is so important and will help us get kids vaccinated so they have the best protection against COVID-19 and so our schools can be as safe and as open as possible.”

Councillor Joe Cressy, Chair of Toronto’s Board of Health who has been at the forefront of advocating for the vaccination of margnizalied and at-risk communities is supportive of this campaign. He states, “At every stage of our immunization campaign, connecting with people on the ground has been critical to our success. Now, as we prepare for the rollout of vaccines to children aged five to eleven, we’re committed to engaging directly with parents, families, and community leaders to have active conversations about vaccinations for kids.”

In addition, Dr Eileen De Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health is a strong proponent of this campaign. She states,” When vaccines are approved for use and when we have supply we will ensure that we bring every resource to bear on this critical component of the vaccination campaign.”

The survey will be available as of Sunday, November 7th, 2021. It consists of fifteen questions that will be available online at s.tphsurvey.chkmkt.com in multiple languages. Parents and guardians will receive them from their children’s public school boards. In addition, there will be town halls for specified multilingual communities as well as neighbourhood-based telephone halls to ensure that the public has access to timely, necessary and relevant information for informed decision-making.

Continue Reading

Youth Development

Act as if what you do makes a difference. IT DOES

Published

on

BY SABRINA S. – 12 YEARS OLD

The school year is coming to an end, I’m sure that this year was hectic for everyone. Last year, we had a pandemic strike in the middle of the year and the world was sent into lockdown.

We didn’t get to go to school for the rest of the year.

Many students got to choose if they wanted to do school in-person or online, I chose online since I didn’t feel safe.

First day of school was very weird, most people don’t turn their cameras on, don’t even get me started on the wifi issues. I would lag out of the google meet many times and miss most of the instructions on the assignment. That is when friends come in handy, though I don’t get to see my friends that often, we still connect with some online games and phone calls through snap chat.

I don’t know where the time went, it just flew by. Last month was September and suddenly, I feel like we skipped eight months. I only have a week of school left! Because it is the last week of school, I have a lot of homework and final assignments to do but I know I’ll get through them and finish the school year.

I haven’t had time to go outside as well, I’ve been too busy with my assignments.

If my school year was this hectic, imagine the teacher’s year. I’m very grateful for everything my teachers have done for me and my classmates this year, they definitely deserve the three-month summer break. I’m sure my teachers doubted teaching online, but everything went okay and I learned lots.

“No matter how hard it is, or how hard it gets. I’m going to make it!”

Continue Reading

Trending