I have not done much work recently for english and know i am behind my peers so i am starting the daunting task of picking up my english for the exam, i just did this prac exam and thought that i would get some of you VCENoter's help on my english...Obviously time is an issue for me and i know i have a whole lot of other worries but im sure i will hear em soon enough. Cheers in advance also if it would be alright give each piece an /10 so i know how much work i need to do...
Full Insight 2009 Practice exam.
Language analysis piece
Are Computers Compromising Education?
From the Principal
Dear parents,
Many of you are aware of Hightower’s recent decision to ban all computers from our classrooms with the sole exception of Information Technology-related subjects. I have received many letters from concerned parents on this matter, more than on any other issue. Understandably, some parents are worried that Hightower’s new policy on computers will cause their child to be left out of Australia’s ‘education revolution’. But these fears are unfounded. As it is important to get the facts straight on this issue, allow me to explain the rationale behind our decision. We believe that the so-called ‘technological revolution’ in the classroom has sold students short. There is little evidence in support of computer-centred learning; in fact, much of the evidence is against it. Studies have shown that an excessive focus on computers compromises children’s ability to learn, while providing few benefits.
The problems caused by computers go further. Every dollar spent on the purchase and
maintenance of a computer is a dollar taken away from quality teachers – the one element of a classroom that we simply cannot afford to skimp on. By short-changing our teachers, we rob our children of a future. We all know that teachers are the most important element in a child’s educational life. Teacher-to-student learning provides children with the essential social and intellectual skills that they need to flourish in the adult world. By contrast, excessive computer use stifles these vital qualities in individuals, fostering negative traits such as narcissism, shallowness and superficiality. Laptops in classrooms represent an ongoing and wasteful expense for the school. The cost of ‘down time’ – where the computer is being repaired – far exceeds the initial purchase cost of the unit. The unreliability of computers represents an unaffordable inconvenience in a modern classroom, disrupting the flow of learning and placing a huge burden on staff. The main case against computer-centred learning is based on a more worrying phenomenon.
Computers have actually been proven to have a detrimental effect on children’s learning abilities. According to Todd Oppenheimer, a leading social theorist in the US, a computer-centred classroom means “downplaying the importance of conversation, of careful listening, and of expressing oneself in person”. In other words, too much emphasis on computers over humans is turning our children into adults who are unable to successfully interact with other people. Students’ brains are becoming deadened by constant exposure to distracting and attention-grabbing visual fireworks, rather than being nourished by traditional texts, which require a much higher level of sustained concentration. The internet is, of course, of central concern in this respect. While it is a useful tool, it is definitely not a suitable mentor for impressionable minds. The risk of students accessing unsuitable material in class far outweighs the potential benefits. The web also discourages students from undertaking proper, library-based research – an essential skill for any student, but one that is sadly being lost in today’s technological age. Students currently spend much of their time at home with computers and television. If they come to a computer-centred classroom every day, they have spent most of the day staring at a screen. This is obviously unhealthy. The constant visual focus reduces ability to concentrate, and could have other damaging effects on the brain. We are not prepared to compromise the learning abilities of Hightower’s students in support of a fad. The computer-based ‘education revolution’ represents a false promise to the Australian public, which has been sold a lemon by the Government. We need to resist the temptation to dumb down the classroom, and reinstate a more responsible and human environment for our children. The real world is inhabited by people, not machines, and our classrooms should reflect this reality.
Yours sincerely,
A. Jones,
Principal, Hightower College
Language Analysis-
Debate has surfaced at Hightower College regarding the use of computers in the school, after numerous letters from concerned parents the school has decided to remove computers from classrooms. Principal of the college, A. Jones, sends out a letter to parents justifying the banning of computers. In this letter Principle Jones uses a logical and passionate tone to contend that computers in classrooms are detrimental to the healthy learning and natural development of students. A. Jones aims to persuade other parents that do not share a similar view to concur with the schools new policy so that there will be minimal resistance to the change.
In an effort to calm concerned parents Jones rationally logically asserts that education is over rated and that computers place a large tax on the schools resources. By using quotation marks, Jones writes “We believe that the so-called “technological revolution” in the classroom has sold students short”, Jones is able to sarcastically attack the technology he has just recently banned. It appears that concerned parents in their letters have used the term “technological revolution”, by sarcastically attacking the term he is able to imply it is a misguided term. This effects readers against the ban by causing them to think twice about how they think about the “technological revolution” Jones follows this statement by writing “Every dollar spent on the purchase and
maintenance of a computer is a dollar taken away from quality teachers” this statement appeals to the readers logic. Readers upon reading this may now associate computers with poor teachers or lack of teachers causing doubt in their minds whether computers are a positive tool in aiding their child’s learning. Jones also states that “The unreliability of computers represents an unaffordable inconvenience in a modern classroom, disrupting the flow of learning and placing a huge burden on staff” this statement reinforces his previous previous arguments about the toll computers place on the schools resources. This effects readers as they come to understand the effort required to maintain the computers. This statement will help Jones gain support for the banning of computers as more readers realize the hindrance that computers place on the school. Readers may also feel relieved that the computers have been removed from the school as they realize that much of their school fees are being used in the maintenance of computers.
A. Jones now argues that computers actually hinder a student’s ability to learn and develop naturally. By stating that “excessive computer use stifles these vital qualities in individuals, fostering negative traits such as narcissism, shallowness and superficiality” Jones is able to appeal to the reader’s fear of being a bad parent. Readers will be influenced by the trepidation of their child becoming an arrogant and superficial brat who only cares for themselves. Parents want their children to be caring and compassionate, by Jones making them subtly relate computer use and their child becoming shallow he is able to make parents fearful and weary of “excessive computer use”. Jones later states that “The computer-based ‘education revolution’ represents a false promise to the Australian public, which has been sold a lemon by the Government.” by attacking the “education revolution” again Jones is able to free the readers from the fear of having their child miss out on the “education revolution” This permits the parents reading the letter to feel relief that their child is not going to be subject to a “lemon” or become “superficial”
Jones appeals to parents fears of having a child that becomes “dumbed down”, “superficial” or “shallow”. He is also able to rationally write to the concerned parents regarding the great effort and resources that is required to maintain the computers. By writing to the parents in a logical and passionate tone he is able to show that he once shared the parents concerns and has realized that banning the computers is in the best interest of the students and the school. This gains his credibility and trust with the parents so that he can assure them that he is making the right decision for everyone. His arguments are justified and rational as he eases the minds of anxious parents causing readers to realize the dangers of “excessive computer use”
Took me reading time + 1 hour 10 min
2nd essay...
Cosi Prompt is taken from a study guide because it wasnt in the insight exam
Prompt: Cosi is still relevant to modern audiences.
New age audiences will find Cosi despite its age still applicable.While the play within the play, Cosi Fan Tutti addresses many old traditional values and views it is still applicable to contempory audiences. The transformations that the characters under go in Louis Nowra’s ‘Cosi’ is still relevant today as we all form our own views and beliefs in an ever changing world. The play ‘Cosi’ is laced with humour which is still found comical in modern times.
Within Wolfgang Armadeus Mozart’s play ‘Cosi Fan Tutti’ many old fashioned values and beliefs arise, however while they may be old they are still relevant in modern times as audiences form their own opinion on these ideals and beliefs. Within Nowra’s play ‘Cosi’, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s play ‘Cosi Fan Tutti’ is actually performed by mental patients aided by a young university graduate, Lewis who directs. However as they rehearse and work towards the performance issues arise from the play “Cosi Fan Tutti”, the issue of love and fidelity arises as the characters Fernando and Guglielmo from the Cosi Fan Tutti test their girls friends faithfulness. Doug, a crude pyromanic responds to the topic stating that he “practices free love” but is unable to because of the mental institution. Amongst the discussion of the mental patients regarding the topic Lewis keeps to himself however he voices his opinion when he finds out that his girl friend Lucy has been sleeping with his best friend Nick. Lewis quotes Cosi Fan Tutti to Lucy saying that “Woman’s constancy is like the Arabian Pheonix. Everyone swears it exists, but no one has seen it”. The audiences realize the hurt Lucy’s infidelity has caused Lewis and it provokes thoughts within the viewers mind as it exposes them to new ideals, views and beliefs. Despite the age of the play the topic of love is just as fascinating and intriguing to audiences now as it was when it was written.
Throughout the play Cosi the characters, especially Lewis, experience a personal transformation as they work together towards the performance of the play. In modern times more than ever people are confused by what to think and how to view the world as they struggle to develop their own individuality in a world with so many diverse views. The character Lewis is introduced to us as a naive and apprehensive university graduate who is only taking the directing job because he “needs the money”. He believes he is better than the mentally ill and looks down on them however it is ironical when Justin the social worker mistakes him for a mental patient. We see he is timid and unsure of himself as he is unsettled by being surrounded by “madmen” this is evident when they are choosing the play to be performed, despite Roy suggesting a play in Italian Lewis puts up little resistance in an effort to avoid a confrontation. However by the end of the play Lewis comes to realize that the mentally ill benefit from play and they are actually being brought “out of their shells”. The audience realize the importance of the play and the patients when he refuses to participate in the moratorium with Lucy and Nick against the conscription for the Vietnam war so that he can continue the production. This personal transformation within Lewis is still applicable today as audiences will still appreciate the focus of the play and that is Lewis’s transformation. In modern times audiences are still developing their views and questioning what they have been told to believe in. In Lewis’s case his university left wing peers, Lucy and Nick pressure him to follow their blind and narrow minded views however he is able to find an inner purpose to help the mentally ill and look past there shallow political views.
Took me one hour...
Encountering conflict Prompt: ‘Conflicts are an inevitable part of life.’
Conflict surrounds us, it is inevitable that at some stage during our lives we will need to face and deal with it. Conflict arises from incongruent ideas, greed, fear and intolerance these are omnipresent in the modern world causing conflict to be unavoidable. While conflict is unavoidable we have learnt to associate it with pain, suffering and loss so we avoid it unless we have a strong reason to engage in it, however some people thrive on conflict and the chaos it can cause. Conflict acts as a catalyst for change which aids our race to evolve, because conflict is always occurring mankind and our world is ever changing.
Fear, clashes of opinion, greed and intolerance are always present in the world we live in, these natural emotions of humanity often lead to conflict. The reason we are immersed in conflict on a day to day basis is because of our need for more, our need to survive at all costs and our lack of empathy for those around us. We can become so self absorbed that we are unaware of the devastation that we are inflicting on those we associate ourselves with. Not everyone allows these natural instincts to control our actions however it is not necessary for both parties to act out of these emotions to spark an argument or battle. Just one party with one of these emotions controlling their actions or blinding their better judgement can cause unnecessary pain and suffering for all of those associated. In Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” the protagonist Abigail, a young girl consumed with lust for John Proctor and the desire to save herself from a whipping bring death, pain and suffering to the small town of Salem. Her greed and fear of the whipping causes ultimately the death of many innocent respected members of the theocracy. It is clear that it only requires one instigator to be motivated from fear and greed to cause havoc as it causes the individual or the party to act irrationally without fully comprehending how it will affect those involved. However if some person were to hypothetically live in the middle of the Amazon without any other human contact they would still be subject to conflict as they may have internal conflict of the psyche or battle with the landscape. It is evident that even without fear or greed the primary causes of conflict, it is still possible for conflict to arise within oneself or against mother nature.
Inevitably while growing up we have experienced conflict and many of us have realized the suffering, pain and hurt it can cause so we often avoid it unless we have a strong motivation for engaging in it. While conflict is impossible to escape completely, people have come to recognize the damage it can cause if they recklessly pursue unnecessary arguments. When confronted with a difference of opinion people judge whether or not it is worth seeking what they perceive to be justice. While one party may act out of logic and back down from the argument the other party may continue to pursue the disagreement bringing an unwanted clash of opinion before the logical party. Reason is not always the best way to act in conflict however if everyone acted out of logic there would be much less suffering as we interact with one another. This is evident in the 1960’s in America when McCarthyism was taking place, senator Joseph McCarthy caused wide spread fear of communism within American homes. The irrational punishment of “suspected communists” began to spiral out of control however some people bravely voiced their opinion regarding how the condemning of innocent men and women because they could have been “possible communist’s”. However just because they acted out of compassion and their views of the justice system did not mean a positive outcome, these brave men and women were also sent to jail because they were “aiding the escape of communists” As you can see despite acting out of compassion and sense of justice you can still be involved negatively in a conflict or even cause it to worsen.
Conflict is evidently a part of life that is unavoidable, despite conflicts often associated negative feelings and emotions it has the ability to bring about positive change causing it to be a positive force in our world. Clashes of opinion, disputes, disagreements and internal conflict all act as a catalyst for change, as after the conflict is dealt with there is a new way of thinking or a new norm. This modification of expectations or way of thinking can bring about positive advances to our development as a race. So while Conflict is unavoidable it is also essential. Conflict is crucial to how our country is governed, without conflict within the House of Representatives or Senate bills would be blindly passed without new thoughts or debates on whether they are appropriate. This actually forms the basis for our political system, member of parliament are allowed to abuse other members of parliament regarding policy’s and proposed legislation as it has become apparent over time that conflict is thought provoking and ensures that the minds of our leaders do not become stagnant with outdated ideas. This is epitomized with the naming of the 123swe4and proposed legislation as it has become apparent over time that conflict is thought provoking and ensures that the minds of our leaders do not become stagnant with outdated ideas. This is epitomized with the naming of the party that comes second at election time, they are named the “opposition” this is to promote further debate and clashes of opinion so that they can change or nation for the better.
Conflict stems from clashes of opinion which is often caused by one or more party’s acting out of greed, fear or selfishness. Because we are all unique, have different views, are acting out of greed or fear and have had a different upbringing there will always be people disagreeing in everyday life. Because we are all unique and view the world differently to one another it is inevitable that life will be full of conflict. Despite us all having a difference of opinion and may not agree with one another we often choose not pursue conflicts because of the pain and suffering it has caused us in the past, however if we feel strongly about a particular subject we will push past this pain to seek what is in our eyes-justice. While we have been taught to avoid conflict and to work together harmoniously its importance is often overlooked, it acts as a catalyst for change and ensures that we do not become complacent or stop evolving. Humans have utilized this concept of conflict aiding us towards new ideas and concepts as we utilize it within our most powerful members of society, parliament.
1 hour and 20 mins, decided to finish it anyways...
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