IQ Level?

I just read some shocking results of some tests carried out in 1980, which were repeated again in 2008.

I’m talking about IQ tests for teenagers in Britain, of course!

But can you guess what the result is?? I already gave a clue…..whatever they are, the results are seriously shocking!!

It shows that the average points for 14-year-old dropped by more than two points over the period.

Among those in the upper half of the aptitude scale, a group that mostly consists of children from middle class families, showed an even worse result, with an average IQ score six points below what it was 28 years ago.

Can you believe it? And then the Gen Next calls it the IT hub and what not!!

The trend marks an abrupt reversal of the so-called "Flynn effect" which has seen IQ scores rise year on year, among all age groups, in most industrialized countries throughout the past century.

Professor James Flynn, of the University of Otago in New Zealand, the discoverer of the Flynn effect (which states that IQ scores rise year after years, among all age groups, in most industrialized countries.) and the author of the latest study, believes that this abnormal drop in British teenage IQ could be due to youth culture having gone down the drain.

He found that while children aged between five and 10 saw their IQs increase by up to half a point a year over the three decades, teenagers performed less well.

Other studies have shown how pervasive teenage youth culture is, and what we see is parents' influence on IQ slowly diminishing with age.

The only thankful result is that the test wasn’t conducted on Indian students (though I hope they’d have given better results) or who knows, what a heart attack the parents might have got!!

Just imagine the parents struggling day and night, and what for? Their children to get even lower grades than they did 20 years ago!

This really is distressing new guys. I just gave a loud sigh!

What do you think? Care to share your thoughts please!

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The Modern Punishment For Students

Flipping through the newspaper is an old habit of mine. And at times, it very beneficial too. If you remember my earlier post-What A Unique Way To Honor Students!, where I told you all about eco-friendly rewards for brilliant students, here is another quite fascinating information similar to that.

Yes, this is an interesting news I read, and mind you, when I say interesting, I mean it....so chill, coz I am not taking about any sensex downfall or something LOL!

The latest news is that in Agra, known for its eternal beauty and peace, The Taj Mahal, a school has decided to abide to its culture and give it's students a punishment as peaceful and beautiful as that. Don't believe? Read on and you'll know.

Down the bin go those old punishment rules of beating, caning, standing out and all, for 166-year old St. Peter's College has decided a beneficial punishment for students, YOGA!!!

Yes, yoga. That's the new in-thing punishment, and I have to agree with the principal of the college, John Fareira, that it is a kind of guru-cool punishment indeed!

It includes pranayam and other postures. This is indeed one of the greatest punishment I can think of, and hope it is implemented in all schools around the world. Not only will it help the students, but the peace of mind may help them critically analyze and understand their mistake.

This school has also gone a step further by getting rid all junk food and colas in the school canteen. Usually students not obeying or not finishing their work do yoga but occasionally when the whole class is creating some trouble, they all have to do pranayam for 10 minutes.

The principal has noble thoughts as he wants the children to be focused and disciplined and therefore emphasizes on yoga.

So what say guys?? Doesn't this health oriented punishment rock??

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Can Younger People Teach The Old?

I love debates….literally! And where do I write about topics I love? My blog, naturally! When I realized this, I decided to put up a poll on my blog (at the sidebar) about the recent topic that’s creating a racket inside my conflicting mind. I believe my esteemed readers might help me out! And yes, now that the idea has struck my mind, I am determined to continue with it more often in future!!

The topic for today stands- CAN YOUNG PEOPLE TEACH OLDER PEOPLE?

No, It's Impossible. Are You Joking? (My View)

Since unknown years past, it is our parents, grandfathers or ancestors who have been teaching us their valued morals and traditions with the treasure box of experienced knowledge. It’s them who taught us to take our first few steps and taught us to stand erect. It is they who first taught us to hold the pencil and then write.

They have taught us the highly valued ethics, principles and wisdom of their experienced past. Without them sharing their life-teaching experiences we wouldn’t have been able to survive as we do. They still remain a golden treasure box of knowledge and teachings….

Oh! Sure. Why Not? (My View)

Living in this technologically enhanced era of the 21st millennium, where each child is better than the other, don’t you think the youth are exceptionally talented? Today’s world, where the youth are laid with the responsibility of the future of tomorrow, they are certainly more mature and learned than their age. As they say, “Intelligence and knowledge is not determined by age”, this young generation possess a plethora of knowledge and information which itself continues to become outdated by the moment.

The youngsters nowadays are inborn with the ability to learn new concepts and absorb information faster and rapidly, to survive in this competitive world. So don’t you think they have the aptitude it takes to share and teach their ideas and technologically enhanced information to the elders (if they possessed the desire to learn)?

So, What You Say?

Now from the conflicting points of view in my mind, question still remains, is the youth capable enough with their updated knowledge in the 21st century or the elders still surpass their younger generation in spreading their knowledge and teachings?

So you tell me, by comments and votes, (I've put up a poll in the sidebar- you can even type your own answers by typing in the box below the option: OTHER) as to what you think…..Can Young People Teach Older People? Your comments are highly valuable so don’t let your words/thoughts go waste….nor the click of your mouse at the poll :D

Does I.M Language Affect Grammar Of Students?

Hello to all. Hope you all remember about the survey on IM Language that I had told you about. I know that I’m a bit late in posting this; but as you know it’s better late then never!

What Is IM Language?

Now, what do you mean by IM Language, some of you might ask! According to me, IM language is Instant Messaging or texting language used primarily by kids using internet/mobile phones for IMing, sending e-mails and SMS etc.

I am of the view that excessive usage of texting/instant messaging by children influences their grammar, spelling, etc., but I’m not opposed to it when I'm on the net. I don't always write everything out completely and use phrases like "brb", LOL etc.

The Findings

I had earlier published a post 'IM Language Improves Grammar & Vocabulary!' and put a survey to know the view of my readers on this subject. According to the result of this poll, majority of the people said that NO, IM language doesn’t affect the grammar of the students. I can not agree with this completely, but part of the reason that the survey resulted into such an outcome may be because of the fact that many of my readers are teenage boys & girls who use IM exhaustively!! I cannot help on this front, LOL!

But to make it doubly sure and to substantiate my results, I’ve done some detailed study and I can point to you the research conducted by some Canadian Researchers. You can read the article “IM language is not spoiling English, say Canadian researchers” It disputes a popular belief many of us have about the effect of IM on grammar.

Observations

Today’s world is a technology oriented world. With all those computers or the cell phones that have made into the modern world, it is understood that there will be a change in language too. The modern society is driven by fast cars, fed on fast-food and educated by news briefings rather than entire, informative reports. This is reflected in the IM language.

Oh yes! Students are very much bored in class and so they need a medium to have fun. This is provided to them by IM language. In classrooms it does help in better communications between the teacher and students. Thus, it enhances the teacher and student bonding. This is the kind of language that kids enjoy as IM language was mostly invented by teens and is their own creation. As a fact, it is much easier and a million times faster to write.

Now that you know that these are the various advantages of the dot.com language I’m sure all those who disagree would want to know their drawbacks too!

I don’t disagree with the fact that IM language is a major disadvantage too (especially in the classrooms). It has been observed that students who use the net tend to use IM language in their assignments too. They use short terms like “brb” (be right back) and “lol” (laugh out loud) during verbal speaking and in written assignments also. Most teachers believe that IM language is the major cause of the alarming rate of increase in improper usage of the language. IM can be a distraction in the classrooms, especially when it's not supposed to be used. The use of such a language can cause students to focus more on their conversations than the task at hand in class.

I wonder if kids would write much at all if they weren't presented with the "fun" forums of im and text messaging? So, it might be like that writing something is better than writing nothing, isn’t it?

To sum it up, language requires a certain place and time, and as long as kids understand that IM language stays in e-mails and chatting and academic language belongs in school, then hopefully all kids like me won’t be affected in their grammar by IM language. And as long as educators accept it for what it is and teach standard written English well, I don't think that IM’ing will change all writing. It will most likely remain a type of shorthand.

All this is the result of the little research I did, so many of you must be having different schools of thought. And also if you want to add something to what I have written you are most welcome to do so.

You all can express your views by posting your comment below. For now, I gotta go frnds but hope 2 brb :D!

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IM Language Improves Grammar & Vocabulary!

technorati tags: language school grammar english internet children

IM Language Improves Grammar and Vocabulary!!

People all over the blogosphere say that development of improper language used in IM and e-mails has resulted in adversely influencing the grammar of children.

There are two schools of thought on this issue. What is your opinion? Do you oppose the IM language? Or are you of the opinion that IM language is not the downfall of written language? Please let me know and give your valuable opinion.

I am planning to write a detailed article on this subject (from a child’s point of view, of course) after conducting a comprehensive study within a month’s time. Therefore, your opinion on this shall be highly appreciated.

Wats ur thought, huh? U shld tell me abt it pleaseeeeeeeee! He…..he…. gr8 topic isn’t it?? Waitng fr ur ansrs……..lol! bb.

I have also put a poll survey on the left side of this blog to get your response. You are requested to vote on this issue and ALSO give your opinion in detail by making comments below.