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SPECIAL ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY
BERMUDA SUN’S SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT’S DIRECTORY 2012
& OVERSEAS SCHOOL DIRECTORY As part of Bermuda Sun’s annual Scholarship Directory series, on the 14th of September, it will be the turn of the scholarship recipients of 2012 to be highlighted. Does your company offer scholarships? Do you have the details of your recipients? Then you need to advertise in this supplement. Editorial topics will cover - What does it mean to be a scholarship recipient? What are the expectations? The achievement, hopes and ambitions of the students will be revealed. Plus feedback from the companies offering scholarships will be conveyed. If you wish to submit an editorial article to accompany your advertisement, 600 words maximum plus pix and byline will be accepted. Please advise your sales executive by Friday 17th August at the latest. This supplement is a MUST read for all students for inspiration and guidance. Book your space now! Produced in a magazine style format with colour cover and black and white content pages. Please Note: The Bermuda Sun will publish a special supplement on Friday 23rd November to promote the International College Fair. All advertisers who book into the Scholarships Recipients supplement will receive additional discounts for advertising in the International College Fair too - black and white ads will be discounted by up to 50%.
PUBLISHING: Friday, 14th September
COLOUR BOOKING DEADLINE: Monday 20th August
COLOUR COPY SUBMISSION: Monday 27th August
B/W BOOKING DEADLINE: Wednesday 22nd August
B/W ARTWORK DEADLINE: Wednesday 29th August
To book your ad space, please call or email: CARLITA BURGESS 278-1852 email: cburgess@bermudasun.bm
OLGA FRENCH 278-1851 email: ofrench@bermudasun.bm
DIANE GILBERT 278-1853 email: dgilbert@bermudasun.bm
CLAIRE JAMES 278-1855 cjames@bermudasun.bm
AMANDA DALE 278-1854 adale@bermudasun.bm
BACK TO SCHOOL A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT OF THE BERMUDA SUN AUGUST 24, 2012 PAGE 1
Returning to school needn’t be a worry BY AMANDA DALE adale@bermudasun.bm
The day is fast approaching when your child heads back to school. Whether it’s their first day at a new school or whether they are just heading back after the holiday, they are bound to have butterflies in their stomach. And probably you do too. But there is a lot you can do to help make that transition back to school easier on your child and the rest of the family. In this Back to School supplement we give you advice on how to prepare your son or daughter for the big day. Much of that means getting them into a routine a week before term starts. Make sure they feel comfortable about their first day by talking through any
problems, getting all their school supplies ready and preparing a quiet study area for homework. There are lots of products out there these days which utilize technology to ease the learning process. Those tech-savvy people at AF Smith and Digicel Bermuda offer some ideas to help make your child’s studies more enjoyable and to help them balance their school/ leisure time. It’s not just children who will be heading back to school this fall. Up to 1,200 islanders enroll in a community education class every term. Government’s Community Education and Development Programme offers a diverse range of vocational, academic, professional and personal development courses to
maximize your potential, no matter how old you are. See our article inside for more details. These days more and more people are also taking advantage of online education to attain a degree or other professional qualification. There is an abundance of opportunities out there on the World Wide Web, no matter what your circumstances are. Whether you are working full-time, are a single parent, have a disability, or are in your senior years, we offer you tips in this supplement on finding a course which is right for you. Evelyn James-Barnett, director of communications at Bermuda College, also describes the opportunities for distance education/ online learning closer
to home. In this supplement, parents can also get advice on how to choose a nursery or pre-school for their child. Hannah Simpson, a dietician with the Bermuda Hospitals Board, provides tips on preparing a healthy packed lunch, and there is also advice on bus etiquette for children. Throughout society, people of all ages can have disadvantages when it comes to learning. Whether it is life circumstances or learning difficulties, this is nothing to be ashamed of. Inside you can read about what The Reading Clinic and the Adult Education School can do to help you achieve your goals in life. So don’t let anything be a barrier to learning, and have a great school year! ■
Inside this supplement Choosing the right nursery/preschool
Pages 2-4
Preparing for the first day at school
Page 5
From primary to middle school
Pages 6-8
Tips for a healthy lunch
Pages 9-10
Bus etiquette
Page 11
First weeks back at school are critical
Page 12
The concept of ‘unschooling’
Page 14-15
Getting ahead
Page 16
The dangers of the Internet
Pages 17 & 24
Adult education
Pages 18-20
E-learning
Pages 22-25
Technology from Digicel
Pages 26-29
Tips from the Reading Clinic
Pages 30-31
Bermuda Sun 19 Elliott Street, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 10 Tel 295-3902 Fax 292-5597 E-mail feedback@bermudasun.bm This special supplement is produced and published by Bermuda Sun Limited and printed in Bermuda by Island Press Limited.
Publisher Randy French President Lisa Beauchamp Editorial Layout Sarah Lagan Editorial: Amanda Dale Advertising Sales Carlita Burgess (Deputy Advertising Manager) Olga French, Diane Gilbert, Claire James Creative Services Christina White, Colby Medeiros, Shay Ford Circulation & Distribution Nick Tavares
The Bermuda Sun publishes twice weekly and is a subsidiary of MediaHouse Limited. We are members of the Inland Press Association, International Newspaper Marketing Association and the Newspaper Association of America. We are located at: 19 Elliott Street, Hamilton HM 10; P.O. Box HM 1241, Hamilton HM FX Tel: 295-3902 Fax: 292-5597. Visit our website: www.bermudasun.bm
2 ■ AUGUST 24, 2012
BACK TO SCHOOL: A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
THE BERMUDA SUN
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NURTURING ENVIRONMENT: The Kiddie Academy in Hamilton is responsible for educating 90 children of different nationalities and caters to those aged between three months and five-years-old.
Choosing the top nursery or pre-school BY AMANDA DALE adale@bermudasun.bm
W
hen you are considering your child’s early education you want to give them the best start in life. So how do you choose a nursery or pre-school to meet their needs? This will probably come down to a number of factors, such as location, school atmosphere and environment, your own philosophies on education and your child’s character. In Bermuda there are many nurseries and preschools to choose from, both in the public sector (Government) and private. What you can be sure of is that any private school must meet strict criteria in order to receive a
‘The signs of a great pre-school/ nursery are a welcoming friendly atmosphere, a nurturing environment, stimulating curriculum and an open door policy.’ SHARON DESILVA
Owner of Kiddie Academy
Government license. This is then renewed every year, depending on passing an inspection. This will include health and safety standards, fire procedures, class size ratios of students to teachers, and the size of the premises.
Smoke detectors, fire alarms and emergency lighting and exits must all be in working order. Electrical checks are also undertaken. Staff must also be trained in First Aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Sharon DeSilva is the owner of Kiddie Academy in Laffan Street, Hamilton, and is responsible for the education of 90 children of various nationalities. The school was founded 17 years ago and caters to children aged three months to five years old.
Welcoming Mrs DeSilva said: “The signs of a great pre-school/ nursery are a welcoming, friendly atmosphere, a nurturing environment, stimulating curriculum and an open door policy. “Parents should look for written and established regulations or guidelines, such as in a handbook, and qualified, caring staff. “The facilities must be clean and safe, and licensed through the Department of Health.”
THE BERMUDA SUN
Her other recommendations for parents are to look for the following signs: ■ Children spend most of their time playing and working with materials or other children. They do not wander aimlessly, and are not expected to sit quietly for long periods of time. ■ Children have access to various activities throughout the day. Look for assorted building blocks and other construction materials, props for pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, plus table toys such as matching games, pegboards and puzzles. Children should not all be doing the same thing at the same time. ■ Teachers work with individual children, small groups and the whole group at different times. ■ The classroom is decorated with children’s artwork, their own writing and stories dictated by children to teachers. ■ Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. These include the world of plants and animals, and activities such as cooking, taking attendance or serving snacks. ■ Children work on projects and have long periods of time — at least an hour — to play and explore each day. Worksheets are hardly used, if at all. ■ Children have an opportunity to play outside every day. ■ Teachers read books to children individually or in small groups throughout the day, not just at group story time. ■ The curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Teachers recognize that children’s different backgrounds and experiences mean that they do not learn the same things at the same time, in the same way. ■ Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel secure about sending their child, and the child is happy to attend; they do not cry or complain of feeling sick. So what can a parent expect in terms of their
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AUGUST 24, 2012 ■ 3
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STIMULATING: At Kiddie Academy, children aged between three months to two years old attend the baby and toddler classes which include play, music and reading. child’s education and development at a nursery/ pre-school? At Kiddie Academy, children aged three months to two years old attend the baby and toddler classes; two and three-year-olds attend transition classes; and four and five-year-olds attend pre-school. The baby class consists of baby massage, “to simulate
cognitive development”. Staff take the children on walks, play music and read to them, and play with them on the floor with soft learning blocks. “We also do peek-a-boo, which teaches object permanence and hand-to-eye coordination,” said Mrs DeSilva. Toddlers progress to finger painting, stacking blocks and stringing — for
example attaching thimbles on to a rope. “We start to focus on developing their attention span and fine motor control,” said Mrs DeSilva. “It’s learning through fun and also helps them to hold a pencil later.” Two-year-olds start to do potty training and are See RIGHT CHOICE, page 4
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RIGHT CHOICE Continued from page 3 introduced to numbers, letters, shapes and colours. “They are also allowed freedom to roam through the classroom and to take pieces of material from a shelf, so they can choose what they want in terms of shapes and colours,” she said. “They also do artwork on the theme of a letter or shape. And we do field trips in relation to this theme.” Four and five year olds are prepared for primary school at pre-school, and are taught early mathematics and literacy. “We do everything to prepare them for elementary school,” said Mrs DeSilva. “They start to trace names and learn how to physically write them. They learn how to count, using the Montessori way (an educational approach focusing on independence). “We also put on puppet shows and plays. It’s very
BACK TO SCHOOL: A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT social and very fun.” Tory Darrell, owner of Building Blocks Academy in North Street, Hamilton, said another piece of advice for parents in choosing a school was to ask others for feedback. “They should speak to other parents at the school. They will be able to give you feedback based on their own experiences,” said Mr Darrell. “That is one of the reasons why this school has grown, from six students to 55 in our first year of operation. Parents have been expressing their excitement with the school.
Qualified “We are a bit different in that we only employ teachers who have qualified degrees in their field. For example, our art teacher has an art degree and the science and social studies teacher has a geography degree. “As an employer I also like teachers who are passionate about teaching, so
for a parent that translates into staff who are excited about what they bring to young people. “They should ask about academics — at what level the school works to. All primary schools have entrylevel requirements, and a good pre-school will have that information and a curriculum based on that. “At Building Blocks we have based our classes on the entry-level curriculum for some of the private schools on the island. We have a mixed clientele, so our academics have to be good enough so our children can get into those schools. “A pre-school’s academic style is also important — does it fit in with your idea of schooling? For example, our school is not militant with academics but we combine academics and play. “Parents should also look for activities and things happening from a social standpoint. There should be interaction between children, with different organized activities where they
THE BERMUDA SUN
can come together. “Parents should also consider the size of the school they want their child to attend. Is it a bigger school with lots of interaction between children, or do you want a smaller environment where class sizes will be small, with less interaction between different age groups? “Parents should also look for a pre-school or nursery which is licensed, and which therefore conforms to Government regulations. “At licensed schools, the class size is based on age range. For example, if you have 10 children aged 18 months old, then you have to have two teachers. The ratio would be one teacher to five children. As the child gets older, the ratio of teachers to children decreases, so there are more students to fewer teachers.” The Bermuda Sun asked Government for more information on licensing standards and class sizes but received no response by the time of going to press. ■
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BACK TO SCHOOL: A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
AUGUST 24, 2012 ■ 5
Preparation is key for first day at school BY FIONA DILL My youngest daughter is starting primary school this September. She is very excited but I know as the first day of school nears we will both have butterflies in our tummies and there will probably be a few tears (mainly from me). The idea of ‘big school’ can be very appealing for children but it can also be quite daunting, so how can we help our children prepare for their debut into academic life? Regain routine: There is no doubt the family routines tend to slide in the summer. After all, what’s summer without crazy bedtimes, an ice cream habit and wearing swimsuits all day? Even if your child has had a summer camp schedule, the likelihood is that life has been more relaxed, and it can be hard to readjust to early mornings and a more regulated lifestyle come September. It is probably wise the week before school starts to focus on proper bedtimes and even eating habits, so that when school starts the new routines are established.
Prepare It helps enormously if your child has the practical skills needed for school before they start. Many of these will be learnt in the nursery school environment and will be reinforced once they arrive at school, but include things like knowing how to sit still, waiting their turn and listening. They also need to be competent in using the bathroom on their own and may need to know how to undress and dress themselves for PE or at least take their shoes on and off. Some practice might be necessary and can be encouraged in the weeks before school starts. Make sure that they can easily open the containers in their lunchbox and that they
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TOUGH TIME: A child’s first day at school can be quite daunting both for the child and the parents but preparation and communication can make it a lot easier. have all the equipment the school requires for the first day — they will not want to be the odd one out!
Communicate Talk, talk, talk about starting school and encourage your child to express themselves both positively and negatively. If they talk about being scared, don’t deny the feeling or ignore it but get them to tell you why. Acknowledge it and show you understand. Perhaps even tell them about your own first day of school. We know that feelings that aren’t talked out are often acted out, so watch out for unusual behaviour. You can probably expect some difficult behaviour and so make an effort to be extra patient and nurturing,
and give them opportunities to spend time with you. It is not uncommon for a child in their second week to not want to go to school. They’ll say: “I’ve been to school now and I don’t need to go back”. No doubt the excitement of the new pencil case and backpack will have worn off and they just feel overwhelmed with everything being so new. Whatever your child’s reaction to school, remember that the teachers will have seen it all before. Schools usually have a system to help children adjust, like a buddy system. It might help to find out what your child’s school does so you can help prepare your child by letting them know what to expect. It is important also to
recognize your own feelings. I joked earlier on about me being the tearful one, but take it from me, it can be hard to see your child lining up in the playground for the first time or sitting at a desk dressed in a uniform. The reality is that this is your child’s first real step to independence. And although you will be excited for them, you may feel ambivalent about this next stage in your child’s life. So keep in mind that the first day of school can be tough for both children and parents, but as suggested above, with a little preparation it can be easier for you both to cope. ■
FIONA DILL is a parenting facilitator, childbirth educator and a Doula.
6 ■ AUGUST 24, 2012
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The leap from primary to middle school
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ADJUSTING: Youngsters entering middle school often worry about whether they will make new friends, whether they will like their new teachers and whether they will be able to find their classes.
BY ANDREA HASSELL Whitney Institute
As a new middle school student, I am sure you have many thoughts running through your mind, such as: Will I make new friends?; Will I like my teachers?; Will I be able to find my classes?; Will I like my new school? My hope is that this article will provide some tips to help you transition from primary to middle school. ■ Tip One: You will certainly experience a new environment. In primary school you mainly had one teacher and most of your subjects were taught in the same classroom. In middle school you will have a teacher for each subject and you will be moving around the school campus for each class. You will be responsible for getting to class on time, with only a few minutes to move between classes. You will also have a teacher advisor to report to daily, and they will be the first point of contact for you and your parents. They will provide you
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with academic and social support. In addition, there will also be a year advisor who will be available to you, to assist with learning the new school rules, to offer you guidance, and to make sure you feel safe. ■ Tip Two: You must become more responsible for your learning. Just like primary school, you will receive a planner to write in your homework assignments, objectives and test dates. You will be responsible for reviewing your planner daily, to ensure that you have completed all your assignments from each teacher, and to have your parents review and sign it. In addition, you will have a class schedule which will require different notebooks for each day. You will need to bring the correct notebook to class and keep it neat and tidy. In the event that you are absent due to illness or athletic activities, it will be your responsibility to contact your teacher to obtain the work that you have missed. ■ Tip Three: You are maturing. You are transitioning into an adolescent and you are going to experience some oral and physical changes in your body. You may wish to bring wipes or a cloth and soap and deodorant on days when you have PE, to freshen up after class. You may also experience some mood changes which could result in you not wanting to do school work. When you start to experience these mood changes make sure that you reach out to your parents, teachers or counsellor. ■ Tip Four: Your friends will change throughout the school year. You will meet new classmates, and most likely gravitate to boys or girls that have similar interests as you. During this time, situations may arise where other students will spread rumours about you, or may tease or bully you. Be sure not to involve yourself in See MIDDLE SCHOOL, page 8
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TASTE OF INDEPENDENCE: Primary school students need to become more responsible for their own learning as they prepare to move up to middle school.
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BACK TO SCHOOL: A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
THE BERMUDA SUN
MIDDLE SCHOOL Continued from page 7 bullying, teasing, gossiping or any other activity that will make others feel uncomfortable and disliked. And, if you should observe this behaviour, immediately tell a teacher and of course, your parents. There is a zero tolerance for this kind of behaviour in middle school. ■ Tip Five: Have fun and explore new opportunities. Middle school provides you with new opportunities to get involved in extra curricular activities, where you can experience personal development while having fun. There are athletic activities, after-school programmes, drama clubs, drum line, sailing, just to name a few. Explore these extra curricular activities to expand your possibilities. Remember you are gifted and talented beyond what you have experienced thus far in life. ■
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AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS: There are lots of fun extra curricular activities at middle school. ANDREA HASSELL is the M1 mathematics teacher at Whitney Institute. She holds a Master of Science degree, with a concentration in Childhood Education — Mathematics,
Science and Technology. She recently received her Cambridge Certification with Distinction. In 2012, she published her first children’s book Anthony the Ant, which encourages children to have
faith, to remain focused and follow through with their goals. Mrs Hassell is married to Reverend Terry Hassell and has three children — Teniko, TeAnn and Tenae.
THE BERMUDA SUN
BACK TO SCHOOL: A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
AUGUST 24, 2012 ■ 9
Tips for healthy packed lunches
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GET CREATIVE: Because packed lunches are versatile, there are plenty of ways to make sure they are healthy.
BY HANNAH SIMPSON Bermuda Hospitals Board
It’s that time of year again: Back to school and back to learning. Parents need to make sure all that brain activity is well-fuelled in their children. First, make sure your kids don’t miss out on breakfast. Breakfast is important for them to get started in the day and to be ready to focus in class. Children who skip breakfast tend to be heavier than those who eat a good breakfast, perhaps because when your child misses breakfast, he or she may end up eating more high fat and sugary snacks during the morning. Sending your children to school with a packed lunch has several advantages. It will certainly save money,
you can be as creative as you like and you can reuse leftovers. Because packed lunches are versatile, there are plenty of ways to ensure you include healthy items. All you need is a little planning and preparation, a storage container and a cool bag with an ice block or thermos flask. You may want to ask your children to help in making their lunch and to ensure they select healthy items they will eat. When youngsters are involved in choosing and preparing meals, they are more likely to enjoy eating them. Last May, the Department of Health issued the Bermuda EatWell plate. This visual guideline demonstrates how to balance meals properly and to
ensure a variety of healthy foods are consumed at each meal. (See following page). The EatWell plate can be followed when preparing your child’s packed lunch and includes vegetables or salad, lean proteins (meat or meat alternatives), starches and grains, dairy products and fruits. Make sure the portions are the right size — a serving of most foods is roughly the size of the individual’s handful or fist. It is important not to over or underfeed your children. The key to a healthy lunch is to choose one item from each of these food groups. ■ Starches/grains: Always include a wholegrain starch such as whole wheat breads, pitas, wraps, pasta, bagels, English muffins, brown rice, couscous, baked potatoes, corn or
noodles. ■ Proteins: Choose lean meats, skinless poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, low-fat cheese and soya products. Avoid processed meats such as hot dogs, bologna, salami, pepperoni and poor quality cold cuts. Make sure you haven’t added fat or salt during cooking, and make sure you have seasoned well using herbs and spices, but not salt. A sensible portion is about the size of your palm (not including your fingers). ■ Vegetables or salads: Make sure there are always one to two servings of vegetables or salad in your child’s packed lunch. This could be salad in sandwiches or wraps, vegetable or salad sticks, salsa or a See HEALTHY EATING, page 10
10 ■ AUGUST 24, 2012
HEALTHY EATING Continued from page 9 small mixed salad using a variety of vegetables. ■ Fruits: Add fruit to your packed lunch. Choose fresh fruit such as an apple, pear, peach, orange, a handful of grapes or berries, a slice of melon or small Bermuda banana, fruit cups in juice or dried fruits like a small box of raisins or dried apricots. Choosing a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables will provide optimal nutrition in your packed lunches. Avoid adding lots of butter or mayo to meals. Use small amounts of a low-fat variety if needed. Never add salt to children’s foods, but do use herbs and spices to add flavour. Make sure to pack a drink. Choose water, low-fat milk or a milkshake, fresh fruit juice diluted with water or non-sugary drinks. Your child’s requirement of
BACK TO SCHOOL: A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT fluid increases in warmer weather. Mix things up. A packed lunch doesn’t have to mean the same boring sandwich every day. Try pasta or rice mixed with meat or beans and vegetables, choose nut butter and banana one day on a bagel, tuna with sweetcorn and peppers stuffed in a whole wheat pita the next, leftover meat with salad on whole wheat bread another day, or chopped egg with tomato and spinach in a wrap. Don’t forget to include a small snack and drink for morning recess. Good choices include fresh fruit, dried fruit, a small handful of nuts, plain popcorn, a healthy cereal bar, a slice of fruit cake (palm sized) or a handful of dry wholegrain cereal. Dairy or dairy alternatives also make good snack choices and include low-fat cheese, yoghurts, fromage fraise or low fat puddings. Use calcium-fortified soya products if you are lactose intolerant. With just a bit of planning
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HEALTHY PLATE: The Bermuda Hospital Board’s Healthy Plate —a recommendation for each meal based on your plate size. Half of the plate should be made up of vegetables, a quarter made up of starches and grains, and a quarter made up of meat or meat alternatives. There should also be a serving of fruit and dairy. and a dash of creativity, you can send your child off to school with an appealing, delicious and healthy packed lunch. ■
HANNAH SIMPSON, RD, is a clinical dietician with Outpatient Services at the Bermuda Hospitals Board.
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AUGUST 24, 2012 ■ 11
RESPECT: The conduct of students on the buses is becoming a concern in Bermuda. ■ MCT IMAGE
Keep a check on your bus etiquette BY DAN SIMMONS Department of Public Transportation
T
ravelling on Bermuda buses is renowned for being a pleasant experience, with passengers showing courtesy and consideration to one another. But the island’s traditional bus etiquette seems to be slowly eroding among the younger generation. Seldom do we see students offering their seats to a standing adult, or stepping aside to allow adults to board the bus ahead of them. Over the years, the behaviour of students has also become a growing concern for the Department of Public Transportation (DPT), school principals, PTAs (Parent-Teacher Associations), parents and the travelling public. Although the concerns involve a minority of students, the negative feedback reflects on the entire community. To the staff of the Department of Public
Transportation, passenger safety and comfort are paramount. Therefore, requests and directions by DPT employees should be taken seriously and adhered to. Collectively, we have a responsibility to instill a sense of pride within our young people in the way in which they interact with others. As parents, grandparents, older siblings, aunts or uncles, we must educate and discuss with our children the importance of self-respect and in showing respect towards others and their personal belongings. As we approach a new school year let’s discuss with our children the importance of being ambassadors, not only for their families, but also their schools and local communities. Code of conduct: Here is a guide to the expected conduct of passengers on public transportation in Bermuda. ■ Seats are for customers’ — not feet or belongings. ■ Be nice and offer seats
to parents with small children. ■ When talking to others, please do not be loud or use abusive language. ■ Practice cellphone courtesy by setting ring tones to vibrate, using an ‘inside voice’ and avoiding putting the conversation on loudspeaker. ■ Use earphones or headphones for your listening pleasure; set on low. ■ Cooked or prepared foods don't mix with transit travel; take your meal home to eat. ■ No trash — please carry all your waste with you when exiting the bus. ■ Soliciting or loitering is not allowed at any Department of Public Transportation facility. ■ For safety do not run through the bus terminal area. ■ When boarding buses from platforms, form an orderly line and wait your turn. ■ Please do not rush the doors — allow disabled riders and senior citizens to board first. ■ No fighting.
■ Do not stand in front of the yellow line when the bus is in motion. ■ Do not position your arms or head out of the windows. ■ Do not throw objects out of bus windows. ■ Wait for the bus to pass before attempting to cross the street. The conduct of DPT employees: All DPT employees are expected to be professional and friendly. They are also expected to abide by the same standards as our passengers. If you have any questions or concerns about public transportation, contact the Department of Public Transportation at 292-3851, extension 2208. Provide the bus operator’s name, bus number and route, along with the time and date you were riding. Compliments or suggestions can also be submitted on this contact number. ■
DAN SIMMONS is the director of the Department of Public Transportation, Government of Bermuda.
12 ■ AUGUST 24, 2012
BACK TO SCHOOL: A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
THE BERMUDA SUN
First weeks back at school are critical BY DOYLE BUTTERFIELD Oxford Learning Bermuda
It’s back to school time again. In order to head back to school geared up for learning, it is necessary to get the cognitive wheels turning as soon as possible. Mentally preparing to head back to the classroom is especially important after a summer spent by the pool
or beach, mornings spent sleeping in, and afternoons spent on the soccer field. The sooner children get ready to learn, the easier the transition to the classroom will be.
Structure Summer schedules are greatly different from the structured academic-style schedule that students
encounter at school. Transitioning between the two can be difficult for students. Kids can spend up to two months simply adjusting to academic schedules — sitting at a desk, taking notes, listening to the teacher — rather than jumping into learning from day one. The first weeks of school are a critical time. Children who begin a new school
year ready to learn from day one have a considerable advantage over students who spend the first month or so reviewing and merely getting up to speed. There are a few things that can be done during the early days of school (and even in summer) to help make the transition back to the classroom smoother for all students. ■
Back to school parenting tips ■ Reinforce
the use of a day planner to record daily homework assignments, deadlines, after-school activities, and upcoming quizzes and tests. Consider using an agenda during the summer to keep track of social activities, chore times, bed times and team sports — it’s a great habit that will benefit students all year round. ■ Keep set bedtimes and morning routines. If your child doesn’t have an alarm clock, the summer is a great time to introduce one. Implement wake up times and morning routines so when the first day of school rolls around, your child will be ready to roll out of bed — no rushing required. ■ Start homework, even before it’s assigned. Don’t wait for the teacher to send homework home to get into the habit of hitting the books after school. Begin by making it a habit to review the day’s notes, organize the book bag and binder, and prepare for the next day. In the summer, students can write in a journal or read a book. ■ Meet with your child’s teacher and get to know the upcoming grades’ schoolwork and activities. Ask about reading lists or special projects that may be assigned. The early days of the school year may not be homework-intense, so why not use this time to get ahead in some reading? ■ Have a quiet place to study at home that is free from distractions. Keep reference materials, books, dictionaries, encyclopedias and school supplies such as calculators, pens and pencils nearby. The earlier that families begin to implement solid back to school routines, the easier the transition into the classroom will be. Good back to school routines lead to a successful school year. ■
■ ISTOCK PHOTO
WISE UP: The early days of the school year may not be homework-intense, so why not use this time to get ahead in some reading? DOYLE BUTTERFIELD is the centre director of Oxford Learning Bermuda. For more information on how to make this back to school season a success, contact him on 296-6060 or e-mail ber-
muda@oxfordlearning.com. Oxford Learning Bermuda is now enrolling for fall programmes. See www.oxfordlearning.com/locations/bermuda
THE BERMUDA SUN
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BACK TO SCHOOL: A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
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14 ■ AUGUST 24, 2012
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We find ‘unschooling’ a more Sophia Cannonier explains why she has chosen
■ MCT PHOTO
UNCONVENTIONAL APPROACH: “Unschoolers” teach their children at home yet maybe as philosophically separate from other homeschoolers as they are from conventional schoolers.
BY SOPHIA CANNONIER It’s that time of year again: back to school time, or in my family’s case: Not Back to School Time! It saddens me when I hear parents expressing their relief to be rid of their children after a long summer with them. For my family, we all cheer at this time of year for very different reasons. Why? Because we’re “unschoolers” who are now going to be spending even more time together. Unschooling (quick defini-
tion): living life as though as they are from advocates school doesn’t exist; life of conventional schooling. long learners; autodidacts While homeschooling has (dictionary.referbeen subject to wideence.com) spread public debate, The term little media attention "unschooling" was has been given to coined in the 1970s unschooling in parand used by educaticular. tor John Holt, widely Popular critics of regarded as unschooling tend to the "father" of view it as an extreme CANNONIER unschooling. educational philosoWhile often considphy, with concerns ered a subset of homeschool- that unschooled children ing, unschoolers may be as lack the social skills, strucphilosophically separate ture, and motivation of from other homeschoolers their peers, especially in
the job market, while proponents of unschooling say exactly the opposite is true: self-directed education in a natural environment makes a child more equipped to handle the "real world." ■
SOPHIA M. CANNONIER is a certified midwife assistant, birth doula CD (DONA), Birthing from Within Mentor as well as director and founder of The Bermuda Integrative Health Co-op and LOTUS: Mind Body Spirit Wellness Center.
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natural learning environment the teaching method of ‘70s educator John Holt Here are some highlights about Unschooling for our family: â– We don’t have to get involved with the lines (or costs) at “back to schoolâ€?sales or worry about whether our children have the “rightâ€? clothing or supplies. â– Unschooling has saved us the headache of trying to figure out how to fit the Institutional model of education into our family life We are not running ragged trying to find classes that will fulfill someone else’s idea of what our children should be learning. â– We don’t have to begin the process of winding down our children’s summer activities so they will be ready for an upcoming shift to a school focused life. â– We don’t have to worry about how we are going to face yet another year of chiding our children to do their homework, getting to bed early or getting them up in time to catch the bus for school. â– In fact, we sort of look forward to slowing down after a very busy summer which has been punctuated by an onslaught of activity brought on by “summer vacationâ€?. â– Back to school seems to me to be our family’s call to slow down to a life that is more natural and that is based on the flow of our children’s interests. Each “back to schoolâ€? season that comes our way brings with it questions about what we are doing as unschoolers. But with each passing year the questions we ask seem to answer themselves more readily. â– Our children are growing into interesting individuals who display a natural curiosity about the world.We are all happy not to be ‘Back to schoolâ€? â–
â– MCT PHOTO
CAREFREE: ‘Unschoolers’ say they are saved the headache of trying to figure out how to fit the Institutional model of education into family life.
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THE BERMUDA SUN
Get ahead before school starts BY DOYLE BUTTERFIELD Oxford Learning Bermuda
For most families, back to school means heading to the mall for new school supplies — new clothes, book bags, binders, etc. Unfortunately, new gear doesn’t help kids to prepare their brains for the new
school year. Studies show that children lose about 2.6 months worth of learning during the summer. This means that they often spend up to six weeks reviewing and simply getting back into the swing of things when school starts
again, rather than learning new material. Being ready to learn from the first day of school gives a student a considerable advantage over other students. A student who starts the new school year off ahead is more likely to stay ahead for the entire year.
While kids who keep learning all summer are cognitively primed for a better start, there is still plenty that parents can do right now — whether school is in session or not — to help jumpstart their children’s brains for the new school year. ■
Six tips to prepare kids’ brains for back to school ■ Use
the ‘s’ word: Help kids get into the school frame of mind by talking about school. How many days is it until the first day? What are they looking forward to? What’s their best memory from last year? Kids may need some conversational prompting, so reference highlights from last year, and be sure to keep it positive to build excitement. ■ Hit the sheets: Nothing makes an early morning routine worse than a lack of sleep the night before. Plus, kids need a full night’s sleep to stay mentally alert all day in class. Start implementing bedtimes now, even for older kids. It makes learning (and morning routines) that much easier. ■ Get on schedule: The school year is all about scheduled timing. Start times. End times. Recess. Lunch. Hometime. Re-introducing reliable routines before school starts ensures that there will be no adjustment shock when the school bells ring once again. ■ TV off, homework on: During the school year, TVs and computers are kids’ biggest homework distractions. Start eliminating bad homework habits by turning off the TV during the afterschool hours, coming to the table, and engaging in brain-challenging activities. ■ Review: Pull out last June’s report card to review teacher comments and grades. Talk to the kids about expectations, and have them write out some learning goals for the school year. This will get them thinking about grades, and it helps them to take ownership of their
■ PHOTO SUPPLIED
REFRESH: Pull out last June’s report card to review teacher comments and grades. Talk to your kids about expectations and have them write out some learning goals for the school year. This will get them thinking about grades, and it helps them to take ownership of their learning process. learning process. ■ Read.
Keep the brain primed for academics by reading regularly. Reading is the best-known way to develop vocabulary and reading comprehension skills, both of which keep the cognitive wheels turning and pay off big time in the classroom. ■
DOYLE BUTTERFIELD is the centre director of Oxford Learning Bermuda. For more information about getting your child ready to have a great school year, contact him on 296-6060 or e-mail bermuda@oxfordlearning. com. Oxford Learning Bermuda is now enrolling for fall programmes. See www.oxfordlearning.com/locations/ bermuda
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AUGUST 24, 2012 ■ 17
■ MCT PHOTO
CYBER BULLYING: If you are sent a hateful message from a cyber-bully resist the urge to respond. A reaction is exactly what a cyber-bully is looking for.
Spam, cyber bullying and phishing — beware the dangers of the Internet BY MAURICE LOWE Warwick Academy
Technology is what we have; civilization is what we do with it. The purpose of this article
is to inform you about Internet safety and how to communicate safely. It is not exhaustive and any additional measures you may deem necessary are encouraged.
Advice for young people ■ Do
not post anything that is very private. If you have something really private to share, it is best to talk to the person face-to-face or on the phone. Messages can be misled or sent to the wrong person unintentionally and then be used by cyber-bullies to harass you. If you are not willing for others to see it or read it, then don’t post it. Courts allow others to read your e-mails under special circumstances and recruiters often Google their applicants to see what kind of a person they may hire. What goes online usually stays online, so it is best to Google yourself from time to time to see what pops up. If there is anything that could damage your reputation or lure a cyber-bully,
Many of the experiences that make the Internet so valuable and enjoyable also require us to share information about ourselves. The Internet makes it
then start taking action to remove it. ■ Always check the TO: field. Make sure that you are sending the message you want to send to the right person. ■ Do not be gullible. Just because someone posts online that they are 13 years old, it doesn’t mean that they actually are. Or that a girl is really a girl, or a child is really a child. The problem with the Internet is that anyone can hide behind a computer, so you can never be sure who you are communicating with. ■ Do not respond to an angry message with anger. It is best to step away from the computer and cool down. Think before you send a message. Spontaneous and emotional messages can turn out to be offensive and hurtful. More times than not, you will regret
easy to shop, bank and communicate online, but it also puts people at risk of threats from spam, phishing, identity theft and cyberbullying. ■
an angry message you may have sent. Sending angry messages, which threaten or harass another makes you a cyber-bully. If you are sent a hateful message from a cyber-bully resist the urge to respond. A reaction is exactly what a cyber-bully is looking for. He or she relishes in the feeling of power and control through fear and anxiety placed on their victim. You will show more power by ignoring them rather than in reacting. ■ Never open messages from strangers. Your mother always told you to not talk to strangers on the street. Well, the same applies to online communication. If you don’t know who the sender is, delete the message immediately, no matter how curious you are. See safe INTERNET, page 24
18 ■ AUGUST 24, 2012
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You can learn new skills or find a new
■ MCT PHOTO
CULINARY SKILLS: The Government Community Education and Development Programme has a large variety of different youth, adult and senior courses from cookery and computing to hair care to canine obediece classes.
BY AMANDA DALE adale@bermudasun.bm
H
ave you ever wanted to tango or learn how to speak French? Maybe you just want to improve your job prospects by perfecting your CV or updating computer skills. Or perhaps you have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to set up your own business. Whatever your area of interest, there is a course for you in Government’s Community Education and Development Programme. Teenagers, adults and seniors can learn new skills at a minimal cost, on courses ranging from $55 to $105 per term. It doesn’t matter where
‘The concept of community education is about lifelong learning.’ DR PATRICIA CHAPMAN
Executive officer
obedience class. you live on the There are also free island, as courses classes on workrun in the east, west place skills such as and central parishes. team building, time The choice of classmanagement and es ranges from cookinterview etiquette. ery to computing, Dr Patricia hair care, carpentry, DR CHAPMAN Chapman, execuphotography, dance tive officer of the and sport. Community Education and You can learn how to Development Programme, become more assertive, and said: “The concept of comeven how to control a waymunity education is about ward dog through a canine
lifelong learning. You’re never too young or too old to learn something new, so we provide programmes and courses for youth, adults and seniors. “Our Just for Youth section has a slew of diverse course offerings for students aged four to 18.” This includes preparatory and developmental English and mathematics, in partnership with Bermuda College. “This is for students who have graduated but who need to brush up on English and maths prior to going overseas or registering at Bermuda College,” said Dr Chapman. “It has proven very popular as it makes the transition that much
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AUGUST 24, 2012 ■ 19
career through community courses easier.” There is also a new course in Entrepreneurship aimed at under-18s, after teenagers approached staff asking how they could learn how to set up their own business. For adults, the Entrepreneurship course has proven one of the most popular, due to the recession. “It has been very popular among unemployed people who are looking to set up their own business,” said Dr Chapman. Adult community education classes cater to anyone aged 19 to 59. Languages, business administration, bookkeeping and accountancy courses are among the most popular. As well as professional qualifications, you can also take personal development classes, such as writing your resume. “We have many courses which can help someone out of work to retool or someone to retrain for another career or job,” said Dr Chapman. “Because of the economy the way it is, people are taking more advantage of community education classes, to help them find employment. “Before, our leisure classes were very popular, but now people are taking up work readiness courses to improve their mobility or to get a job. They are now seen as courses of necessity.” As for leisure classes, there is an array of sports on offer, such as beginners’ golf, archery and tennis. Dance classes include Zumba, Soca, ballroom dancing and salsa. “These are all priced at competitive rates and are a fraction of the cost of private classes,” said Dr Chapman. Seniors over-60 can enjoy free classes altogether, with the exception of computer courses which cost $55 per term. The subjects include learning how to surf the Internet and how to use Microsoft Word to create letters and flyers.
There is even a free seniors’ class on budgeting, providing tips on how to make the most of your pension. Recognizing that most islanders have to budget these days in these tough economic times, the community education programme has special discounts on enrolment. When you register at the start of each term, if you pay for one course you can get a second half-price. This discount also extends to your family and friends, so you can encourage them to take up something new.
Courses on demand The team of eight staff at the Community Education and Development Programme are constantly monitoring the interests and needs of Bermuda residents, so they can add new courses on demand. Dr Chapman said: “We ask for feedback at the end of each term to see where there are any gaps. We ask students to complete a questionnaire, to evaluate how we are doing and whether we need to make any changes. “The programme is very much guided by what the community says it needs. It’s critical that we continue to up the ante, to enhance people’s personal and professional development, their quality of life and well-being.” If a course is over-subscribed, staff will add an alternative night or venue to try to meet demand. “We don’t like to turn people away,” said Dr Chapman. Up to 1,200 islanders enrol in a community education class each term, and each receives a handsigned certificate from Patrice Minors, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. There are four terms throughout the year —fall,
winter, spring and summer. The summer term however, focuses more on courses for young people, such as an internship programme which introduces 15 to 18-year-olds to the world of work through vocational placements. This summer, there is also a landscaping and gardening course for male high school students. And high school graduates can take preparatory and developmental English and maths classes to fast-track them ready for Bermuda College registration in September. Dr Chapman wants to encourage people of all ages to enrol for a class this fall. New course offerings include: Permaculture Design; Conservation Tips; Budgeting 101; Work Life Balance; Vibrant Health; and Gardening. Dr Chapman said: “As adults we must increase our capacity for lifelong learning, whether it’s through academic or recreational courses, or personal or professional development. “In this day and age we just don’t know where we are going to end up, so if we are prepared, it
‘Language courses are among the most popular.’ DR PATRICIA CHAPMAN
Executive office
makes any personal or work transition that much easier. It’s very important that we bring our ‘A game’ to the table, in order to remain competitive.” ■
INTERESTED IN TAKING a community education class? People can register online at www.communityed.gov.bm or call one of the three community education offices: 292-7735 for the Central Area; 236-0829 for Warwick; and 297-0007 for St George’s. Course brochures and registration forms are available at any Post Office. Registration for the fall term starts on September 10, with courses starting October 1.
■ FILE PHOTO
SMILE: Government’s Community Education Programme includes courses on photography.
20 ■ AUGUST 24, 2012
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THE BERMUDA SUN
A second chance to gain your GED BY DONNA DANIELS The Adult Education School
The Adult Education School (AES) provides a second chance for young and mature adults to become literate and numerate, and achieve a high school equivalency diploma — the GED. Each year the AES provides a range of academic programmes that include Wilson Reading, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Pre-GED, GED preparation, and college prep. Adult learners take an assessment in reading, writing, grammar usage and mathematics to determine their strengths and the areas for development. Based on the assessment results, the learners will be placed in the most appropriate programme that best meets their needs. How we achieve success AES achieves success because it provides a strong sense of community and a
safe haven for the learner. All learners are valued and all learners are accepted. Non-readers or struggling readers quickly find out that there is nothing to fear, and that staff are very sensitive to their needs. Once the learners engage in the reading process and see that they can read, they become empowered and self-sufficient. They often request more classes and a longer time in the programme. There is an intentional focus on creating a non-judgmental environment. The learning is personalized, the classes are small, and the schedule is individualized and flexible. Each year the AES boasts the highest number of GED graduates on the island and celebrates their academic achievements. How we address the social and emotional needs of the learner The AES also recognizes the importance of meeting
the social and emotional needs of its learners. As of September 2012, the AES will offer on-site support services. These will include social skills groups provided by the Family Centre and therapeutic counselling services and case management provided by Bermuda Youth Counselling Services. How we support community organizations The AES has a partnership with the Bermuda Hospitals Board and a satellite programme where BHB employees can take classes on-site before or after work, or during their lunch hour. These classes are fully funded by BHB. We also have a partnership with the City of Hamilton. COH employees take classes during their work day or after-hours. These classes are fully funded by the COH. We also partner with Sandys 360, to provide academic services at the sports
centre in the evenings. How you pay for services We have seen an increase in the number of learners who cannot pay for school fees and who require financial assistance. The AES provides Opportunity Scholarships to those adult learners who demonstrate financial need. School fees are also reduced to make them affordable to those who have the capacity to pay, or who do not meet the criteria to be awarded a scholarship. School fees are subsidized through scholarships. The school will re-open for classes on September 10. If you have any questions, please e-mail info@ aes.edu.bm or contact the school during the week of September 3. ■
DONNA DANIELS is the executive director of the Adult Education School, 16 Dundonald Street, Hamilton. Contact 292-5809.
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22 ■ AUGUST 24, 2012
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E-learning offers more flexibility There are numerous benefits to online education BY AMANDA DALE adale@bermudasun.bm
O
nline education is growing in popularity around the world as a means of attaining a degree or other qualifications at less expense and with more flexibility. With university and college expenses soaring it is a way of minimizing costs, as you can achieve the same results living in the family home as you can by paying out for on-campus student accommodation. Not only does learning via the Internet cut down on the costs of room and board, but it can also reduce those heavy book expenses. Online learning has democratised education. It doesn’t matter how old you are, you can still study for a degree. E-learning has opened up education to people of all ages, backgrounds and location, through Internet technology, e-mail, video streaming and videoconferencing.
No barrier It also means that high academic grades and affluent financial resources are no longer a barrier to learning. Lifestyles and family responsibilities are also no longer a barrier. Single parents and people with disabilities generally find it easier learning from home, and to their own schedules. The flexible nature of e-learning means they don’t have to leave their children to attend class. These days there are many accredited courses and institutions to choose from. Online education is growing — according to the Babson Survey Research Group survey of US colleges and universities, 6.1 million students took at least one online class during fall 2010 — a 10 per cent increase on
■ FILE PHOTO
COST-SAVING: Online learning not only cuts down on the cost of room and board, it can also reduce those heavy book expenses.
the year before. Almost a third of higher education students are now taking at least one course online. Online learning used to have an image of being ‘inferior’ to traditional university and college courses. But, according to a report on USNews.com, some online students are faring even better in their studies. The website reports on a recent study by consulting company Ithaka S+R, which took 605 students on a statistics course at six US public universities last fall and compared teaching methods. Researchers split the students into two groups. One completed the course in a traditional format and the other completed an online component, with just one hour of in-class instruction each week. They found that “hybridformat students did perform
slightly better than traditional format students” in their final exam scores and the overall course pass rates. Also, according to the Babson Survey Research Group’s annual survey, 67 per cent of academic professionals rated online courses as the same or superior to traditional classes. But, before you embark on an e-degree, you need to do your research. If opting for a degree at a US institution, it is recommended you choose an online school accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies. The US Department of Education lists the accredited schools on its database. You should also ask about the institution’s credit transfer policy, as you may be able to use previous college coursework or life/ work experience as credits.
You should also do some background research on your instructor. For example, are they proficient with a variety of software systems, such as Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010? Your instructor/teacher needs to be ‘user-friendly’ with the software technology you use on your computer. Also, will they be readily available by e-mail and able to respond quickly to any questions? Do they hold ‘real-time’ discussions with their students on programmes such as Skype, Second Life or Adobe Connect? Are they understanding of adults who may have to balance full-time jobs and family responsibilities with their studies? Does the college also have a helpline for any technical or academic queries?
THE BERMUDA SUN
When it comes to your own commitment, you will need to be able to commit at least 10 hours a week to your studies. This means managing your time efficiently and avoiding distractions around the home. Just because a course is online, it doesn’t mean you can cheat by ‘cutting and pasting’. Most online schools have anti-cheating software such as Turnitin. com to catch students out. You must also be prepared to work as a team with other students, such as on joint projects. Perhaps most importantly, you will need to consider whether you can afford to pay for the course in the first place. Some colleges ask for a lump sum upfront whereas others charge by a credit, hour or course. A credit from Oregon University costs about $418. You will need to find out how long the course will take once any credits have been taken into consideration, and what the total cost is likely to be. As well as tuition fees, there may be charges for technology, books, learning materials, activities, and so on.
Digital books Some courses may require both digital books (from an online bookstore) and traditional books. Bear in mind that you won’t be able to make written notes in an e-book. A 2008 study by the Babson Survey Research Group concluded that online students pay roughly the same tuition and fees as on-campus students. So it’s a good piece of advice to look for the best education you can get. But one of the main advantages of online learning is that you can continue working while you study, even in a full-time job. There are also some free online education programmes out there. Khan Academy is a nonprofit education organization which posts YouTube ‘micro-lectures’ on academic subjects. Last fall, professors at Stanford University
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‘Online learning has democratised education. It doesn’t matter how old you are, you can still study for a degree.’ offered a series of free computer science courses which attracted hundreds of thousands of students. Two professors, Ng and Daphne Koller, then founded Coursera, an online company which offers free courses from prestigious universities. This includes the universities of Michigan, Princeton, Pennsylvania and Stanford, and has attracted a million students since the spring. Video lectures are broken down into segments, with online quizzes to ensure that the students understand the material. Another source of online
education is the University of Phoenix. Founded in 1976, it aims to provide adults with higher education options on a universal level. The university has 20 year’s experience in online education and has dozens of programmes to choose from, available around the world. It has several colleges, an academic social network, a digital library and computer simulations. Associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees are all available. For more information, call 866-7660766 or see www.phoenix. edu.
AUGUST 24, 2012 ■ 23
If you are interested in an academic, vocational or professional qualification, ICS Learn (International Correspondence Schools) also provides distance learning. Founded in the UK in 1890, it also has a US branch, called the Penn Foster Career School. It operates under ICS Learn in the UK and Canada. The organization offers GCSEs, A Levels, degrees, and vocational qualifications in business, childcare, construction, engineering, retail, IT, education, hospitality and travel, as well as professional qualifications from various institutes. Go to www.icslearn.co.uk to find out more. ■
FOR A LIST OF online education programmes, university/college course rankings and other helpful advice, see www.usnews.com. Other useful sources are the Online Education Database at oedb. org, OnlineEducation.org and WorldWideLearn.com
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SAFE INTERNET Continued from page 17
HATE MAIL: If you don’t know who the sender is, delete the message immediately, no matter how curious you are. Not only can it be hate mail, but usually viruses are sent this way.
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Not only can it be hate mail, but usually viruses are sent this way. Keep your computer safe, and ignore strangers. If you are not sure what to do, ask your parents or an adult. ■ Proofread your messages. As there is no tone of voice in text messages, people may interpret things differently from what you intended. Read your message again, and if there needs to be some explanation then add an emoticon, or word it differently so that your message comes across as you want it to.
Hurt feelings Feelings may be hurt and backlashes taken if you are misinterpreted. If you accidently hurt someone’s feelings, immediately apologize and explain. It will save someone from turning into a cyber-bully. In conclusion, whether it is Facebook, MSN Messenger, Skype or any other form of social networking, we know our young people are, and will be, using it. We need to teach young people the way to use technology appropriately. Hopefully these techniques will help. ■ MAURICE LOWE is the network manager at Warwick Academy.
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Online learning is a popular alternative BY EVELYN JAMES-BARNETT Bermuda College
Distance education, or online learning, is a form of education where the lecturer or instructor and student are separated by geographic distance and/or time. It has proven a popular and convenient alternative to traditional learning for those who find it difficult to physically attend a classroom on a college campus. At Bermuda College, the separation is bridged and courses are delivered using the Internet, the College Course Management system and Moodlerooms. Moodlerooms is a company which provides institutions with solutions to deliver the e-learning software platform Moodle. Moodle (Modular ObjectOriented Dynamic Learning Environment) is a Course Management System (CMS), also known as a Learning Management System (LMS) or a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It is a free web application that educators can use to create effective online learning sites. Bermuda College employs a hybrid approach to distance learning, requiring students to meet on campus at least three times during the semester for tests and a final examination. Just about everything from science to hospitality courses are available online at Bermuda College. And the quality of instruction is second to none. Bermuda College subscribes to Quality Matters: Inter-Institutional Quality Assurance in Online Learning, an international organization that certifies the quality of online courses and their components. Here is a sample of the courses on offer this Fall. Please note that some courses may have prerequisites attached. The courses include: Preparatory Biology; Introduction to Life
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BERMUDA COLLEGE’S distant learning courses include Hospitality, Sales, College Math, and Introduction to Business.
‘Bermuda College employs a hybrid approach to distance learning, requiring students to meet on campus at least three times during the semester for tests and a final examination.’ Sciences; Principles of Chemistry; Business Application of Computers; Programming for Information Systems; Freshman English; Hospitality, Sales and Marketing; Preparatory College Math; and Introduction to Business Management. Each course lasts approxi-
mately 14 weeks and costs the same as a traditional, classroom course. Considering an online course? You should have a basic knowledge of word processing skills, and basic to intermediate computer and Internet skills. A computer speed of at least 256 kbps (kilobits per second) allows unhindered
work on the Bermuda College online system. After initial enrollment, a general orientation for all distance education students is held to acquaint them with the objectives of the online course, the available resources, and to introduce them to the online lecturers. Individual class orientations are also held to discuss course expectations and to orient students with course technology and the syllabus. For more information about getting started with online courses, contact Emma Williams at the Bermuda College Information Desk on 2369000 ext. 4087. ■
EVELYN JAMES-BARNETT is director of communications at Bermuda College. The college provides associate degrees, certificates and diplomas. For more information on courses contact the college at 236-9000.
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■ TECHNOLOGY / AF Smith Products
Tecnology gives me the freedom to explore BY MORGAN SMITH I used to think ‘Back to School’ meant the end of summer and the end of my freedom. Sure, I’m always excited to see my friends again and my teachers (well okay, just some of them). But the prospect of taking lots of notes in class, and having my backpack stuffed with heavy books, listening to lectures and retreating to hours-and-hours of study can be an unexciting prospect. Don’t get me wrong, I love learning. I feel like my brain, at this point in my life is only five five per cent full. If it were an elastic band I think I could just keep stretching it with more and more knowledge. So I began thinking: Why should going back to school mean the end of my freedom? And what freedoms am I talking about?
THE NEW IPAD: Introducing the new iPad. With a stunning Retina display, 5MP (megapixel) iSight camera, and ultrafast 4G LTE. The device that changed everything is now changing the classroom. The iPad inspires creativity and hands-on learning, with features you won’t find in any other educational tool, and on a device that students really want to use. Powerful built-in apps and apps from the App Store like iTunes U, allow students to engage with content in interactive ways.
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Summer holidays allow us to be, well, us. That is, young people exploring who we are as well as the things and people around us. Summers give us the opportunity to slow down a bit and to discover things we knew little or nothing about when the holiday began. I can almost feel my brain cells that handle creativity doubling in size or number (biologically speaking, I’m not sure which it is) during the two month break from school. And, I notice I take time to communicate more with family and friends during summer holidays. Of course my thought processes, being what they are, became even more wildly intrigued with this concept of freedom. My life has become almost completely immersed in technology. The way I interact with my world is with technology.
I know the debate still rages as to whether or not our dependence on technology is destroying our social skills but, I’m not going to go there. Let’s face it, today’s students have grown up completely immersed in technology. Can you imagine what our schools would be like if we could use laptops and iPads all the time? School wouldn’t be so boring, that’s for sure. Research has shown that the top ten ways to inspire others to be their best are to be a good example, to care about others, encourage others, be inspired yourself, share your experiences, be vulnerable, tell stories, be a good communicator, challenge people and to read. Technology helps me in a real way to inspire others. The next brain wave I had this summer came when I was on my iPad. I realized that it was my Apple
products that allowed me all the freedom to explore, discover, create, collaborate and to communicate. And just because summer has ended it didn’t mean my freedom had to go too. After all, I still have Apple. Now join me in exploring this subject of brain cells and creativity. Maybe my biology teacher will have a Multi-Touch textbook on iPad. That would be cool. ■
MORGAN SMITH is the 15-year-old daughter of Tim Smith, CEO of AF Smith. For more information on back to school products and to learn how Apple is engaging students, see www. afsmith.bm or call 2921882. AF Smith is located at 7 Tumkins Lane, off Woodlands Road, and at 8 Reid Street, Hamilton. Life’s short. Love your (school) work. Here are some items from AF Smith store.
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School materials from AF Smith: â– Classic
colour Crayola crayon packs, $1.50 per box â– Bright, quality Crayola crayons in peggable box produce brilliant, even colours. Each crayon measures 3.5/8 inches long x 5/16 inches diameter. The crayons are permanent, waterproof and certified AP Non-Toxic, conforming to ASTM D-4236. â– Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Scientific Calculator, $209 â– The TI-84 Plus Scientific Calculator offers a built-in USB port, an improved display and preloaded applications designed to maximize student performance in numerous subjects. This includes geometry, statistics, algebra, physics, chemistry and biology. Preloaded calculator software applications include topics in Algebra 1 and Vernier EasyData.
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SCHOOL TOOLS: Crayola crayons. This calculator has 480K (kilobytes) of flash memory, 24K of RAM memory, an internal clock with date and time display, 14 interactive zoom features and an eightline by 16-character display. It also includes TI
Connectivity Cable. The builtin USB port and external cable allow easy, fast data transfers between linked calculations and computers, as well as unit-to-unit file sharing capabilities. The calculator graphs have
AUGUST 24, 2012 â– 27
10 rectangular functions, six parametric expressions, six polar expressions and three recursively defined sequences. Powered by four AAA batteries, there is also a Silver Oxide battery back-up to protect the RAM memory during any change of the main battery. ■The new iPad, from $699 Introducing the new iPad. With a stunning Retina display, 5MP (megapixel) iSight camera, and ultra-fast 4G LTE. The device that changed everything is now changing the classroom. The iPad inspires creativity and handson learning, with features you won’t find in any other educational tool, and on a device that students really want to use. ■AF Smith, 7 Tumkins Lane and 8 Reid Street, Hamilton. To order online go to www. afsmith.bm. Any questions? E-mail help@afsmith.bm or call 292-1882.
J a c k s o n S c h o o l o f Pe r fo r m i n g A r t s
FALL 2012 REGISTRATION Mondays- Wednesdays-Fridays
12:00-2:00 pm Offering Classes In
Ballet/ Jazz/ Tap/ Modern/ New’ boys funk tap class/ Hip Hop/ Pilates Mat Classes/ Pilates Apparatus Classes/ Barre One (ages 3 years to adult classes)
Jazz Dance Store
offers a full range of dancewear, costumes, and dance shoes. PLEASE CALL THE JACKSON SCHOOL FOR MORE INFORMATION &962%&= 786))8 ,%1-0832 ˆ 8 ˆ * ) .%'/7327$2368,63'/ &1 ˆ ;;; .%'/73277',330 '31
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■ TECHNOLOGY / Digicel Smartphones
We’ll give you the scoop on technology BY AZIZA AHAD FURBERT Digicel Bermuda
Technology, like fashion, is subject to trends. Luckily, you have the inside scoop on what’s “in” this season, just in time for heading back to school.
Tough Stuff As a student, you’re pretty active. In addition to school, you have football, swimming, art projects, and countless fundraisers for prom. Your phone doesn’t just sit on the sidelines (well, except for when you’re in class, of course)! What happens when your extracurricular activities pose a hazard to your phone’s health? This trend has you covered, literally. Look for a phone with a protective cover to keep it shielded from the elements. Our pick for a tough phone is the Samsung S5690, fondly known as the Galaxy Xcover. Despite its sleek exterior, this Android touch screen phone is deceptively tough. Kicking up dirt while playing football? This puppy is dust tight. Forgot to take your phone out of your pocket during the car wash? No worries; the Xcover is water proof. Did you just drop your phone while running for the bus? This Samsung’s Gorilla glass is designed to protect your screen. That’s a lot of resilience in one classy phone. Of course, in addition to being a tough cookie, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover also has the perks of being an Android smartphone, making it a joy to use. The 3.2MP camera with LED flash means you can post photos to Instagram easily and – due to the durability of this phone – worry-free.
Don’t Make a Seam We already know how busy you are, balancing your school life with your extracurricular activities, your home life with
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TOUGH: The Sansung S5690 Xcover will keep your phone safe. your social life. How do you bring all your worlds together seamlessly? This trend – seamless integration – channels your inner Zen to restore order and balance to a hectic schedule. Look for a phone with integration features to merge your social networking and calendars. Another Samsung, the I5800 Galaxy 3, excels in seamless integration. Go ahead, sync your calendars. Your events from your school account will sync with your events from your phone, and even with those from Facebook. Staying on top of your schedule is easy with this Android smartphone. Do you have contacts in different places, like Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, and on your phone? Bring your contacts together so
you can find everyone in one place. The phone also sports a 3.1MP camera, which is great for taking daytime shots to post to Instagram. The Samsung I5800 Galaxy 3 is an affordable way to enter the Android smartphone market, so your parents won’t have to break the bank to bring you some balance.
Easy Access While the previous two Samsung phones had durability and seamless integration, there is one thing they don’t have: BBM. BlackBerry Messenger is a very popular way to chat to friends once the school day is out. It’s exclusive to BlackBerry, making our next trend pretty BlackBerry-centric. Look
for a phone that is easily accessible to you – it should be affordable, light, and compact – and that makes your contacts and music easily accessible too. We recommend the new BlackBerry Curve 9320. This smartphone is the first of its kind to come with a dedicated BBM button on the outside of the phone so you can get a hold of your BBM contacts in no time. Those of you who have trouble typing on a touch screen will appreciate the QWERTY keypad. The BlackBerry Curve 9320 runs the latest 7.1 operating system. Another feature for added accessibility is the headphone jack on the top rather than the side of the phone. Enjoy your music with a Curve in your pocket.
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SMART CHOICE: Above left, the Samsung Galaxy has the perks of being an Android smartphone, and above right, the BlackBerry Curve has a dedicated BBM button.
C.A.R.E. LEARNING CENTRE
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Whichever trend you choose to follow, be smart about using your phone. Keep your phone in your bag while you’re in school and never use a cell phone while riding your bike. After all, safety and smarts never go out of fashion! The Samsung 5690 Galaxy Xcover is $199, the Samsung I5800 Galaxy 3 is $99 and the BlackBerry Curve 9320 is $49 in the Back to School Promotion at Digicel for a limited time. For more information, please visit www.digicelbermuda.com or call Digicel Customer Care at 500-5000. ■
AZIZA AHAD Furbert is the marketing executive for Digicel Bermuda. For more information, see www. digicelbermuda.com or call Digicel Customer Care at 500-5000.
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New Location: Former Woodlands School, Pembroke
* ( ' 3URJUDPPH +LJK 6FKRRO 'LSORPD 0DWKHPDWLFV (VVD\ :ULWLQJ (PSOR\DELOLW\ 6NLOOV 6WXGHQW +RPHZRUN $VVLVWDQFH &RPSXWHU DQG ,QWHUQHW 6NLOOV L3DG 7UDLQLQJ For the Academic Year September 2012 – June 2013 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Monday and Thursday evenings 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
WE ALSO OFFER AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMME Monday-Friday 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
CALL 292-0915 FOR REGISTRATION OR EMAIL: carelearningcentre@myoffice.bm
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A few back to school tips for parents
BY AMY SMITH The Reading Clinic
Heading back to school can be stressful for many children. A child with a learning difference such as dyslexia may find it even harder to cope, especially with the additional anxiety brought on by feelings of inadequacy, frustration, struggles and a teacher’s well-meaning encouragement to “try harder”. Remember, cheering your child on to be excited about the new school year means that you should be excited too. If your child felt that last school year was a disappointment, let him or her know that you will be there for support, to make this year better. Go ‘back to school’ shopping with your child to help him/her get ready. Plan ahead to determine what supplies they need and how many classes they will have. Colour-coded notepads, binders and folders to correspond with each class will create a quick visual for your child as he/she reaches into their bag. Designate a homework pouch for your child. Having only one location to find and store homework means your child will not have to rummage and search for his/her assignments, and will ensure that they always have it to hand. Make sure that it is a different colour from the rest of the supplies, so that it is easily visible in their school bag. Get to know your child’s style. Does he/she shove everything into the school bag? Do they neatly clip pages into binders and take pride in pristine notes? We all have different ways of taking notes and storing them. Getting organized can help most children to be more successful. If your child crams everything into his/her backpack, buy them an accordion file instead of binders. This requires less effort
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CREATIVE: A Reading Clinic student proudly shows his picture of a Bermuda kite.
to organize everything. It may seem messy to some people, but it is far easier to find math notes when they are filed in the math pouch compared with being crumpled under unused binders and pencil cases. Take the time to organize with your child. Does the order of the binder make sense? Does it seem like they are missing important
sheets/notes? Do you need a homework log to communicate with the teacher? Does your child need a ‘studybuddy’ to call if there is confusion about a homework assignment or what to study for a test? Graphic organizers are a gift, so use them. Anything that allows your child to get out his/her thoughts and organize them will help
them to succeed. Instead of expecting them to remember all the steps in an assignment, or to plan an essay in their head, encourage them to use visuals and mapping to sort all these fabulous ideas. This will give them the opportunity to focus on spelling and grammar as they write. They can also help dramatically with
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reading comprehension. Whether they have to remember multiple character names and traits, or simply follow the plot of the story, graphic organizers help to decrease the reliance on working memory, taking important information out of the head, and on to paper. This frees up more mental energy to decode unfamiliar words and to work on fluency. Create a designated study area. This is key! This will allow your child to be free of clutter and distractions, and to have a regular spot for assignments. Fill the area with supplies to help them: Dictionary; ruler; scissors; and lists of words they commonly misspell. Get involved — look at their homework to see where teachers have given both positive comments and constructive feedback. Is it in spelling, grammar or handwriting? Instead of letting your child feel as if they have done wrong in their assignments, help
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‘Create a dedicated study area and fill it with supplies — this is key!’ them to boost their handwriting, or practice the tricky spelling words. Always point out specific things that your child has done well, such as spelling a tricky word correctly, including the correct details, or if they have had great ideas. ■
AMY SMITH is an associate member of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE), working under the supervision of a Fellow.
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GET INVOLVED: Help your child with their homework and read with the younger ones. She is currently working towards a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, and fellowship with the AOGPE. Ms Smith has been a tutor with The Reading Clinic since 2010 and provides screenings and small group interventions for
pre-school children with difficulties in emerging literacy skills. The Reading Clinic is a charity which promotes literacy and numeracy for children with learning difficulties. For more information go to www.readingclinic.bm or call 292-3938.
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Looking for a rewarding experience for your child? Then let them join..
Bermuda Sea Cadets Our primary aim is to instill in our youth the highest standard of conduct using a nautical theme based on Royal Naval customs.
AGES 9-18 MALE & FEMALE WATER SAFETY SMALL BOAT HANDLING PARADE TRAINING KAYAKING SAILING SWIMMING CHART READING FIRST AID ROPE WORK & MORE...
Commanding Officer of Somerset Unit (TS Venture) Lt. Jason Simons Commanding Officer of Hamilton Unit (TS Bermuda) Slt. Eurique Wilkin Commanding Officer of St. George’s Unit (TS Admiral Somers) Lt Mark Guishard
Website www.seacadets.bm