Social trends have been a part of life since the beginning of time.

Society reacts to
certain stimuli, whether it is a type of music, fashion or activity. These trends are not
always created by the majority, but the majority of society does typically follow.

The 1980s brought leg warmers, neon-colored clothing and big hair, whereas the 1960s
saw social trends like bell-bottom jeans, peace signs and protests against war. Every era
offered social trends that seemed to fade away as the new decade began. As technology
progresses, the changes in social trends do as well. For instance, beepers and cordless
phones were once all the rage but were eventually replaced with cell phones and iPads.

Facebook and Twitter introduced a new social trend by introducing a new way to
connect with people from far and near. Social networking began a long-lasting type of
social trend unlike some shorter-lived trends like tennis shoes with built-in roller blades
and disco music.

Social trends are constantly changing, and many companies use their ability to
anticipate the social change as part of their business marketing campaign.

In the world of fashion, styles always seem to be changing. What is trending one season
may be passé the next. In fact, some styles don’t seem to last longer than a month, and
navigating the world of jewelry is no different. It may feel impossible to stay stylish
without breaking the bank by aimlessly following every trend to hit the market.
However, a deeper understanding of the differences between fads, trends and classics,
will enable you to put an end to the fashion fueled guessing game.

FAD, TREND: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

1) Fads

The easiest way to categorize a fad is one word: short-lived. Typically, fads last for a total
of one season, but they can also last less than a month. Fads are novelty driven fashion
choices. A fad is often referred to as “catching on” with the larger population, but will
often fade as quickly as it appeared. The easiest way to remember a fad is through a
simple alliteration: fads fade. Although engaging in fads can be fun, they are often not
worth investing a large amount of money or time.

2) Trends

Trends have a much longer lifespan than fads. In fact, they can continue to be
fashionable for years and even decades. The primary difference between a trend and a
fad is that trends have the potential to be long-term influencers on the market. In
addition, trends often involve altered classics. For example, specific colors can be
declared “trendy.” For 2014, the colors orange and blue garnered a lot of attention.
However, orange and blue are classic colors; in other words, a classic piece has been
declared a “trend.” Trends can be much more difficult to track, but the best rule of
thumb when considering whether a piece is a classic or a trend, is to ask yourself: “Will I
still love this in five years?” If the answer is a resounding “Yes,” then chances are that
the piece is either a classic or an updated classic, both of which will age beautifully.

Understanding of LAN (local area networking) 

LAN describes a network that reaches a limited area, such as a single office building,
where the computer that has network is physically adjacent to one another. A large LAN
for example on an office or corporate complex, where it can be separated into multiple
workgroup to further facilitate connections. In this case, a workgroup comprised of user
who do share the same resources, such as files, printers and application programs. For
example, on a LAN of a company you can create a workgroup to different departments,
such as sales, finance, human resources. The distance is approximately up to 10 km.

Advantages of LAN is:

1. Exchange of files (file sharing) 

2. Use the printer can be done by all clients (printer sharing) 

3. The data files can be stored on the server, so it can be accessed from any client
securities according to the authorization of all employees, which can be made based on
the company’s organizational structure so that data security is assured. 
4. Data files in / out from / to the server can be controlled 

5. The process of backing up data quick and easy

6. The risk of losing data by a computer virus becomes very small 

7. Communication between employees can be done using email and chat

Strategy Development: Social Network Analysis

ToolkitsJanuary 2009

Social Network Analysis (SNA)

 – is a research technique that focuses on identifying and comparing the relationships

within and between individuals, groups and systems in order to model the real-world
interactions at the heart of organisational knowledge and learning processes. Whereas
an organisation chart shows formal relationships of function and responsibility, SNA
aims to illuminate informal relationships: ‘who knows whom’ and ‘who shares with
whom’. This allows leaders to visualize and understand the diverse relationships that
either facilitate or impede knowledge sharing. ‘Because these relationships are normally
invisible, SNA is sometimes referred to as an ‘organizational X-ray’ – showing the real
networks that operate underneath the surface organizational structure’. After social
relationships and knowledge flows become visible, they can be evaluated, compared and
measured.

Results of SNA can then be applied at the level of individuals, departments

and organizations to:

 Identify those (individuals and groups) playing central roles (thought leaders, key
knowledge brokers, information managers, etc).
 Identify bottlenecks and those isolated.
 Spot opportunities to improve knowledge flow.
 Target those where better knowledge sharing will have the most impact.
 Raise awareness of the significance of informal networks.
 Detailed description of the process

The SNA process involves information collection by means of questionnaires and/or

interviews. Data targeted are those regarding relationships within a defined group or
network of people. Then, using a software tool designed for the purpose, responses are
mapped. Analysis of data arising from the responses can go on to offer a baseline. Using
this baseline, it is then possible to plan and prioritize changes and interventions geared
towards improving social connections and knowledge flows within the group or
network.

There are various key stages involved:


Identification of the target network (e.g. team, group, and department).
 Background data collecting, obtained through interviewing managers and key
players regarding specific needs and problems.
  Outlining and clarifying objectives and scope of analysis, and determining the
level of reporting.
 Formulating hypotheses and questions.
 Developing the survey methodology and the questionnaire.
 Using these tools to interview the individuals in the network to identify
relationships and knowledge flows.
 Using a mapping tool to map out the network visually.
 Review of the map and of problems and opportunities highlighted, by means of
interviews and/or workshops.
 Design and implementation of actions to bring about desired changes.
 Mapping the network again after an appropriate period of time.
 Key points/practical tips

It is important that SNA involves knowing what information to gather in the first place.
As a result, it is vital to put a great deal of thought into the design of the survey and
questionnaire. Effective questions typically focus on a variety of factors, such as those
that follows:

 Who knows whom and how well?

 How well do people know each others’ knowledge and skills?
 Who or what gives people information about a specific
theme/relationship/process?
 What resources do people use to find information, get feedback/ideas/advice
about a specific theme/relationship/process?
 What resources do people use to share information about
theme/relationship/process?

Example: SNA in Mozambique humanitarian relief 

In February 2000, Mozambique suffered its worst flooding in almost 50 years: 699
people died and hundreds of thousands were displaced. Over 49 countries, 30 INGOs
and 35 local organisations provided humanitarian assistance. A team of researchers
used SNA methods to examine the structure of inter-organisational relations among the
65 NGOs involved in the flood operations. The results showed a correlation between the
central role of an organisation in the social network (i.e. the number and strength of
connections with other organisations) and the numbers of beneficiaries served,
specifically during the emergency period immediately following the flooding. This
association was shown in turn to be affected by other factors, such as NGO type, sector
of engagement and provincial presence. As an example, with the exception of the
Mozambican Red Cross (which was the most central member of the network), local
NGOs in general remained peripheral to the coordination processes. This suggests that
local civil society capacity for responding to future disasters had not been developed
over the course of the crisis, and that the response may have increased dependence on
INGOs. Interestingly, the association between network position and beneficiary
numbers did not hold during the post-emergency recovery period, a fact which was
linked to the observed reduction of coordination levels during this phase.
By using social network analysis to determine how the network structure affects inter-
organisational coordination and humanitarian aid outcomes, the study showed that the
success of humanitarian aid operations ultimately depends on the ability of
organizations to work together, and that working together was built on knowledge
sharing, joint operations and projects, in an appropriate inter-organizational network
structure.

GLOBAL NETWORK : Labor and Migration

Globalization – is the process of international integration arising from the
interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture. Advances in
transportation (such as the steam locomotive, steamship, jet engine, and container
ships) and in telecommunications infrastructure (including the rise of the telegraph and
its modern offspring, the Internet and mobile phones) have been major factors in
globalization, generating further interdependence of economic and cultural activities.
Though many scholars place the origins of globalization in modern times, others trace
its history long before the European Age of Discovery and voyages to the New World,

GLOBAL MIGRATION

a situation in which people go to live in foreign countries, especially in order to find

work: Most global migration is from developing countries to developed ones. global
migration patterns.

(Types of Migration)

Internal migration. 

This refers to a change of residence within national boundaries, such as between states,
provinces, cities, or municipalities. An internal migrant is someone who moves to a
different administrative territory.

International migration. 

This refers to change of residence over national boundaries. An international migrant is

someone who moves to a different country.

Advertisements
REPORT THIS AD
Social trends have been a part of life since the beginning of time. Society reacts to
certain stimuli, whether it is a type of music, fashion or activity. These trends are not
always created by the majority, but the majority of society does typically follow.

The 1980s brought leg warmers, neon-colored clothing and big hair, whereas the 1960s
saw social trends like bell-bottom jeans, peace signs and protests against war. Every era
offered social trends that seemed to fade away as the new decade began. As technology
progresses, the changes in social trends do as well. For instance, beepers and cordless
phones were once all the rage but were eventually replaced with cell phones and iPads.

Facebook and Twitter introduced a new social trend by introducing a new way to
connect with people from far and near. Social networking began a long-lasting type of
social trend unlike some shorter-lived trends like tennis shoes with built-in roller blades
and disco music.

Social trends are constantly changing, and many companies use their ability to
anticipate the social change as part of their business marketing campaign.

In the world of fashion, styles always seem to be changing. What is trending one season
may be passé the next. In fact, some styles don’t seem to last longer than a month, and
navigating the world of jewelry is no different. It may feel impossible to stay stylish
without breaking the bank by aimlessly following every trend to hit the market.
However, a deeper understanding of the differences between fads, trends and classics,
will enable you to put an end to the fashion fueled guessing game.

REPORT THIS AD

FAD , TREND: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE ?

1) Fads

The easiest way to categorize a fad is one word: short-lived. Typically, fads last for a total
of one season, but they can also last less than a month. Fads are novelty driven fashion
choices. A fad is often referred to as “catching on” with the larger population, but will
often fade as quickly as it appeared. The easiest way to remember a fad is through a
simple alliteration: fads fade. Although engaging in fads can be fun, they are often not
worth investing a large amount of money or time.

2)Trends

Trends have a much longer lifespan than fads. In fact, they can continue to be
fashionable for years and even decades. The primary difference between a trend and a
fad is that trends have the potential to be long-term influencers on the market. In
addition, trends often involve altered classics. For example, specific colors can be
declared “trendy.” For 2014, the colors orange and blue garnered a lot of attention.
However, orange and blue are classic colors; in other words, a classic piece has been
declared a “trend.” Trends can be much more difficult to track, but the best rule of
thumb when considering whether a piece is a classic or a trend, is to ask yourself: “Will I
still love this in five years?” If the answer is a resounding “Yes,” then chances are that
the piece is either a classic or an updated classic, both of which will age beautifully.

Understanding of LAN (local area networking) 

REPORT THIS AD

LAN describes a network that reaches a limited area, such as a single office building,
where the computer that has network is physically adjacent to one another. A large LAN
for example on an office or corporate complex, where it can be separated into multiple
workgroup to further facilitate manejemennya. In this case, a workgroup comprised of
user who do share the same resources, such as files, printers and application programs.
For example, on a LAN of a company you can create a workgroup to different
departments, such as sales, finance, human resources. The distance is approximately up
to 10 km. Advantages jaingan LAN is 
1. Exchange of files (file sharing) 

2. Use the printer can be done by all clients (printer sharing) 

3. The data files can be stored on the server, so it can be accessed from any client
securities according to the authorization of all employees, which can be made based on
the company’s organizational structure so that data security is assured. 

4. Data files in / out from / to the server can be controlled 

5. The process of backing up data quick and easy

6. The risk of losing data by a computer virus becomes very small 

7. Communication between employees can be done using email and chat

Strategy Development: Social Network Analysis

ToolkitsJanuary 2009

Social Network Analysis (SNA)

 – is a research technique that focuses on identifying and comparing the relationships

within and between individuals, groups and systems in order to model the real-world
interactions at the heart of organisational knowledge and learning processes. Whereas
an organisation chart shows formal relationships of function and responsibility, SNA
aims to illuminate informal relationships: ‘who knows whom’ and ‘who shares with
whom’. This allows leaders to visualise and understand the diverse relationships that
either facilitate or impede knowledge sharing. ‘Because these relationships are normally
invisible, SNA is sometimes referred to as an ‘organisational X-ray’ – showing the real
networks that operate underneath the surface organisational structure’ .
After social relationships and knowledge flows become visible, they can be evaluated,
compared and measured. Results of SNA can then be applied at the level of individuals,
departments or organisations to:
Identify those (individuals and groups) playing central roles (thought leaders, key
knowledge brokers, information managers, etc).

REPORT THIS AD

Identify bottlenecks and those isolated.

Spot opportunities to improve knowledge flow.

Target those where better knowledge sharing will have the most impact.

Raise awareness of the significance of informal networks.

Detailed description of the process

The SNA process involves information collection by means of questionnaires and/or

interviews. Data targeted are those regarding relationships within a defined group or
network of people. Then, using a software tool designed for the purpose, responses are
mapped. Analysis of data arising from the responses can go on to offer a baseline. Using
this baseline, it is then possible to plan and prioritise changes and interventions geared
towards improving social connections and knowledge flows within the group or
network.
There are various key stages involved:
Identification of the target network (e.g. team, group, department).

Background data collecting, obtained through interviewing managers and key players
regarding specific needs and problems.

Outlining and clarifying objectives and scope of analysis, and determining the level of
reporting.
Formulating hypotheses and questions.

Developing the survey methodology and the questionnaire.

Using these tools to interview the individuals in the network to identify relationships
and knowledge flows.

REPORT THIS AD

Using a mapping tool to map out the network visually.

Review of the map and of problems and opportunities highlighted, by means of

interviews and/or workshops.

Design and implementation of actions to bring about desired changes.

Mapping the network again after an appropriate period of time.

Key points/practical tips

It is important that SNA involves knowing what information to gather in the first place.
As a result, it is vital to put a great deal of thought into the design of the survey and
questionnaire. Effective questions typically focus on a variety of factors, such as those
that follow:
Who knows whom and how well?

How well do people know each other’s’ knowledge and skills?

Who or what gives people information about a specific theme/relationship/process?

What resources do people use to find information, get feedback/ideas/advice about a

specific theme/relationship/process?

What resources do people use to share information about theme/relationship/process?

Example: SNA in Mozambique humanitarian relief 

In February 2000, Mozambique suffered its worst flooding in almost 50 years: 699
people died and hundreds of thousands were displaced. Over 49 countries, 30 INGOs
and 35 local organisations provided humanitarian assistance. A team of researchers
used SNA methods to examine the structure of inter-organisational relations among the
65 NGOs involved in the flood operations. The results showed a correlation between the
central role of an organisation in the social network (i.e. the number and strength of
connections with other organisations) and the numbers of beneficiaries served,
specifically during the emergency period immediately following the flooding. This
association was shown in turn to be affected by other factors, such as NGO type, sector
of engagement and provincial presence. As an example, with the exception of the
Mozambican Red Cross (which was the most central member of the network), local
NGOs in general remained peripheral to the coordination processes. This suggests that
local civil society capacity for responding to future disasters had not been developed
over the course of the crisis, and that the response may have increased dependence on
INGOs. Interestingly, the association between network position and beneficiary
numbers did not hold during the post-emergency recovery period, a fact which was
linked to the observed reduction of coordination levels during this phase. By using social
network analysis to determine how the network structure affects inter-organisational
coordination and humanitarian aid outcomes, the study showed that the success of
humanitarian aid operations ultimately depends on the ability of organisations to work
together, and that working together was built on knowledge sharing, joint operations
and projects, in an appropriate inter-organisational network structure.

GLOBAL NETWORK : Labor and Migration

Globalization – is the process of international integration arising from the

interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture. Advances in
transportation (such as the steam locomotive, steamship, jet engine, and container
ships) and in telecommunications infrastructure (including the rise of the telegraph and
its modern offspring, the Internet and mobile phones) have been major factors in
globalization, generating further interdependence of economic and cultural activities.
Though many scholars place the origins of globalization in modern times, others trace
its history long before the European Age of Discovery and voyages to the New World,

GLOBAL MIGRATION

- A situation in which people go to live in foreign countries, especially in order to find

work: Most global migration is from developing countries to developed ones. Global
migration patterns.

(Types of Migration)

Internal migration. 

This refers to a change of residence within national boundaries, such as between states,
provinces, cities, or municipalities. An internal migrant is someone who moves to a
different administrative territory.

International migration. 

This refers to change of residence over national boundaries. An international migrant is

someone who moves to a different country.
Planetary Networks: Climate Change

Climate change, also called global warming, refers to the rise in average surface
temperatures on Earth. An overwhelming scientific consensus maintains that climate
change is due primarily to the human use of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide
and other greenhouse gases into the air.

Effects of Climate Change

Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers
have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have
shifted and trees are flowering sooner.
Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result from global climate change
are now occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense
heat waves.

Change will continue through this century and beyond

Global climate is projected to continue to change over this century and beyond.
Global climate is projected to continue to change over this century and beyond. The
magnitude of climate change beyond the next few decades depends primarily on the
amount of heat-trapping gases emitted globally, and how sensitive the Earth’s climate is
to those emissions.

Temperatures will continue to rise

Because human-induced warming is superimposed on a naturally varying climate, the

temperature rise has not been, and will not be, uniform or smooth across the country or
overtime.
Because human-induced warming is superimposed on a naturally varying climate, the
temperature rise has not been, and will not be, uniform or smooth across the country or
over time.
Frost-free season (and growing season) will lengthen.

The length of the frost-free season (and the corresponding growing season) has been
increasing nationally since the 1980s, with the largest increases occurring in the western
United States, affecting ecosystems and agriculture

The length of the frost-free season (and the corresponding growing season) has been
increasing nationally since the 1980s, with the largest increases occurring in the western
United States, affecting ecosystems and agriculture. Across the United States, the
growing season is projected to continue to lengthen.

In a future in which heat-trapping gas emissions continue to grow, increases of a month

or more in the lengths of the frost-free and growing seasons are projected across most of
the U.S. by the end of the century, with slightly smaller increases in the northern Great
Plains. The largest increases in the frost-free season (more than eight weeks) are
projected for the western U.S., particularly in high elevation and coastal areas. The
increases will be considerably smaller if heat-trapping gas emissions are reduced.

Changes in precipitation patterns

Average U.S. precipitation has increased since 1900, but some areas have had increases
greater than the national average, and some areas have had decreases

Average U.S. precipitation has increased since 1900, but some areas have had increases
greater than the national average, and some areas have had decreases. More winter and
spring precipitation is projected for the northern United States, and less for the
Southwest, over this century.

Projections of future climate over the U.S. suggest that the recent trend towards
increased heavy precipitation events will continue. This trend is projected to occur even
in regions where total precipitation is expected to decrease, such as the Southwest.

More droughts and heat waves

Droughts in the Southwest and heat waves (periods of abnormally hot weather lasting
days to weeks) everywhere are projected to become more intense, and cold waves less
intense everywhere.

Droughts in the Southwest and heat waves (periods of abnormally hot weather lasting
days to weeks) everywhere are projected to become more intense, and cold waves less
intense everywhere.

Summer temperatures are projected to continue rising, and a reduction of soil moisture,
which exacerbates heat waves, is projected for much of the western and central U.S. in
summer. By the end of this century, what have been once-in-20-year extreme heat days
(one-day events) are projected to occur every two or three years over most of the nation.
Hurricanes will become stronger and more intense

The intensity, frequency and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as well as the
frequency of the strongest (Category 4 and 5) hurricanes, have all increased since the
early 1980s

The intensity, frequency and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as well as the
frequency of the strongest (Category 4 and 5) hurricanes, have all increased since the
early 1980s. The relative contributions of human and natural causes to these increases
are still uncertain. Hurricane-associated storm intensity and rainfall rates are projected
to increase as the climate continues to warm.

Sea level will rise 1-4 feet by 2100

Global sea level has risen by about 8 inches since reliable record keeping began in 1880.
It is projected to rise another 1 to 4 feet by 2100
Global sea level has risen by about 8 inches since reliable record keeping began in 1880.
It is projected to rise another 1 to 4 feet by 2100. This is the result of added water from
melting land ice and the expansion of seawater as it warms.

In the next several decades, storm surges and high tides could combine with sea level
rise and land subsidence to further increase flooding in many of these regions. Sea level
rise will not stop in 2100 because the oceans take a very long time to respond to warmer
conditions at the Earth’s surface. Ocean waters will therefore continue to warm and sea
level will continue to rise for many centuries at rates equal to or higher than that of the
current century.

Arctic likely to become ice-free

The Arctic Ocean is expected to become essentially ice free in summer before mid-
century.
The Arctic Ocean is expected to become essentially ice free in summer before mid-
century.
Democratic Intervention

The Democratic Intervention is a Portuguese left-wing political association founded in

order to promote and defend socialist ideas in Portugal and other countries. Members of
it take part as independents in the electoral alliance Unitary Democratic Coalition, along
with the Portuguese Communist Party and the Ecologist Party “The Greens”.

IMPORTANCE OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, & GOVERNANCE TO

DEVELOPMENT

Human welfare is defined not only in terms of freedom from hunger and poverty but also respect
for individual dignity. 

USAID recognizes that long-term, sustainable development is closely linked to sound democratic
governance and the protection of human rights.  We view the democracy, human rights, and
governance (DRG) sector not in isolation but as a critical framework in which all aspects of
development must advance together. 

Our projects in health, education, climate change, and food security will not be effective and
sustainable unless we work to:

Support legitimate, inclusive and sound governance.

Protect the basic rights of citizens.

Support stable and peaceful democratic transitions.

Former USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah called for a “united approach” to integrate democracy,
human rights, and governance considerations with socio-economic sectors in pursuit of broader
U.S. development objectives. 

The Administrator recognized that inclusive, accountable, and democratic governments are
necessary and critical for ensuring that communities can withstand conflict and/or other shocks
and that development gains are not lost, as well as creating stable partners for the United States. 

DRG goals in politically restrictive countries can often be more effectively advanced through
integrated programming led by other sectors.  Integrated programs are not intended to replace
core DRG programming or to dilute the efforts of socio-economic sectors.  Rather, they are
intended to be complement and reinforce. 

An integrated approach is rooted in existing Agency practices throughout the program cycle.
Moreover, integration is consistent with a number of key policy documents:

Domestically, with the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR), National
Security Strategy, and Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development.

Internationally, with the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the Accra Agenda for Action,
and the Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation. 

Integration further promotes the principles of USAID Forward’s Implementation and

Procurement Reform for increased engagement of host-country systems and local capacity
development. 

The Administrator signed a new policy to include democracy, human rights, an governance
integration in program-cycle guidance and practices and to establish an Integration Fund in
support of an Agency-wide staff trained in democracy, human rights, an governance cross-
sectoral approaches.

We are investing in collaborative efforts in democracy, human rights, and governance because
strong institutions and democratic participation, and well-trained staff and a solid evidence base,
are essential to the long-term success of our work in areas such as global health, climate change,
and food security.

Information and Communications Technology

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
- is an extended term for information technology (IT) which stresses the role of unified
communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless
signals), computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audio-
visual systems, which enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information. 

The term ICT is also used to refer to the convergence of audio-visual and telephone networks
with computer networks through a single cabling or link system. There are large economic
incentives (huge cost savings due to elimination of the telephone network) to merge the
telephone network with the computer network system using a single unified system of cabling,
signal distribution and management.

However, ICT has no universal definition, as “the concepts, methods and applications involved
in ICT are constantly evolving on an almost daily basis.” The broadness of ICT covers any
product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a
digital form, e.g. personal computers, digital television, email, robots. For clarity, Zuppo
provided an ICT hierarchy where all levels of the hierarchy “contain some degree of
commonality in that they are related to technologies that facilitate the transfer of information and
various types of electronically mediated communications”.Skills Framework for the Information
Age is one of many models for describing and managing competencies for ICT professionals for
the 21st century.

Advantages of Using ICT in Learning-Teaching Processes. Information and Communication

Technologies have recently gained groundswell of interest.

With the aim to draw evidences regarding the advantages and benefits of ICT in schools
achievements. It seeks to measure the impact of ICT on students’ outcomes

DISADVANTAGES:

1) Cost 

More and more resources are being put into ICT in schools – the cost of laptops, wireless
broadband, projectors for example contribute a large percentage of the school’s budget.
A $850 million Standard ICT Operating Environment (SOE) system has begun in 2012, enabling
students to tap onto wireless networks in their schools with speeds up to 1Gbps to do their school
online assessments or research for their projects – particularly in the secondary and tertiary levels
of education.

2) Misuse of ICT
Instead of using their laptops or tablets for their studies and online tests, more often than not
students stray away and visit social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

Then, listening to the teachers in lessons are no longer their main priority – they would be too
focused on playing games or visiting social networking sites. 

This would result in lower academic grades. However, should the student be focused to their
studies, such activities may not play out and that would mean ICT is an advantage to them.

3) School Bags + Laptops?

Crescent Girls’ School, one of the 5 Future Schools in Singapore, requires each student to own a
laptop. Coupled with heavy textbooks, notes and homework, the laptop is quite a burden to the
students’ back. 

An average laptop weighs about 2.0kg. Although homework is online, there are often times that
the homework is to be printed out and handed in. 

Schools are becoming more dependent on e-learning (learning on the internet) but textbooks are
mostly print publications. Hence, the weight of this laptop, textbooks, and homework may bear
health consequences in the near future.
Neural and social networks.

neural network

In information technology, a neural network is a system of hardware and/or software patterned

after the operation of neurons in the human brain. Neural networks — also called artificial neural
networks — are a variety of deep learning technologies. Commercial applications of these
technologies generally focus on solving complex signal processing or pattern recognition
problems. Examples of significant commercial applications since 2000 include handwriting
recognition for check processing, speech-to-text transcription, oil-exploration data analysis,
weather prediction and facial recognition.
Social Networking

Social networking is the practice of expanding the number of one’s business and/or social
contacts by making connections through individuals, often through social media sites such as
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.

Based on the six degrees of separation concept (the idea that any two people on the planet could
make contact through a chain of no more than five intermediaries), social networking establishes
interconnected online communities (sometimes known as social graphs) that help people make
contacts that would be good for them to know, but that they would be unlikely to have met
otherwise.

Depending on the social media platform, members may be able to contact any other member. In
other cases, members can contact anyone they have a connection to, and subsequently anyone
that contact has a connection to, and so on. Some services require members to have a preexisting
connection to contact other members.

While social networking has gone on almost as long as societies themselves have existed, the
unparalleled potential of the Web to facilitate such connections has led to an exponential and
ongoing expansion of that phenomenon. In addition to social media platforms, the capacity for
social interaction and collaboration is increasingly built into business applications.