Thursday, March 19, 2020

Evaluating the Internet Essays

Evaluating the Internet Essays Evaluating the Internet Essay Evaluating the Internet Essay Internet is one of the most influential tools in the world today. This technology advancement has caused changes on how people study, communicate, and shop. With its capacity to spread information at a faster phase, the Internet provides various links to different websites to locate more easily research materials and resources (Johnson). The Internet also links people who are separated by distance via communication advancement (Comer 4). On-line shopping also benefits professionals who cannot find time to go to the mall (Comer 198). Thus, there is no doubt that the Internet can be evaluated by discussing its impact on communication, education and shopping. Douglas Johnson’s online article mentions how technology is really effective in processing and producing necessary information (Johnson). As a result, education is made easier by the Internet via online university programs. Nowadays, students are more exposed to â€Å"word processors, databases, spreadsheets, presentation programs, multimedia authoring tools, e-mail, video production equipment, digital reference materials, electronic indexes, and network search engines† (Johnson). The Internet is indeed helpful in getting students to do their homework easily (Johnson). Moreover, productivity is increased because more time is saved in doing online researches compared to library researches (Johnson). Aside form the benefits of the Internet to students and education, communication is also enhanced by the Internet by changing the stereotypical way of people’s connection. The Internet makes communication more convenient, reliable, and faster (Comer 167). Paper mails are changed into e-mails or electronic mails, while long distance calls are changed into instant messaging and on-line voice calls (Comer 158). Since easy access is achieved by people in communicating with their loved ones abroad, they feel more connected and will be less mindful of the distance between them. Consequently, the Internet has brought people closer, supporting families, organizations, and communities in the process. Work can also be done at home using the Internet and company websites (Comer 198). It also allows people to meet and greet new people on-line using forums and websites like MySpace and many more (Comer 207). Web camera connection is also one good feature of the Internet since it provides a seemingly face to face interaction between two people who are far from each other. Hence, the Internet does not only pave the way for communication development but for socialization as well. Many shoppers now do their shopping on line because they find it hard going to malls and buy things for themselves. Working professionals can shop for things online, pay using credit cards, and just wait until it is shipped to their houses. The Internet also allows people to access online auctions like eBay where almost every needs and wants are posted and put on sale (Comer 243). The Internet has also led to new sources of revenue. Advertisements are posted in the Internet for a fee since more and more people are using this technology everyday (Comer 255). Meanwhile, networking makes it possible for people to earn even at home by just clicking their mouse and interacting with others (Comer 260). Internet is revolutionizing people’s lives by making enormous changes in governments, businesses, schools, and homes worldwide (Comer 4). Internet technology has worked so well in resulting in sudden success in the fields of communication, education, and business. It is an invention that has capabilities beyond human capacity. It stores more than what humans can memorize, it sends out messages faster than what is expected, and it gives more profit for businesses by reaching out international clients. The Internet has grown so much, and its growth has really involved and impacted much of the world. Comer, Douglas E. The Internet Book. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000. Johnson, Doug. â€Å"Evaluating the Impact of Technology: The Less Simple Answer.† From Now on: The Educational Technology Journal 5 (January/February 1996). 23 June 2008 http://fno.org/jan96/reply.html

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Julia Donaldsons The Gruffalo Picture Book Review

Julia Donaldson's 'The Gruffalo' Picture Book Review Its not surprising that The Gruffalo, first published in 1999, continues to be a popular read aloud. The author, Julia Donaldson, has written a good story with such strong rhythm and rhyme that it just begs to be read aloud. The illustrations by Axel Scheffler are filled with bold color, detail and appealing characters. Summary The Gruffalo is the story of a clever mouse, three large animals that want to eat him and an imaginary monster, a Gruffalo, who turns out to be only too real. Whats a mouse to do when on a walk in the deep dark wood, he is confronted first by a fox, then by an owl and, finally, by a snake, all of whom seem to be intent on inviting him for a meal, with the mouse as the main dish? The mouse tells each of them that he is on his way to a feast with a Gruffalo. The mouses description of the fierce Gruffalo  who would want to eat them scares the fox, the owl, and the snake away. Each time he scares one of the animals away, the mouse says, Doesnt he know? Theres no such thing as a Gruffalo! Imagine the mouses surprise when the monster of his imagination appears right before him in the woods and says, Youll taste good on a slice of bread! The clever mouse comes up with a strategy to convince the Gruffalo that he (the mouse) is the scariest creature in this deep dark wood. How the mouse fools the Gruffalo after fooling the fox, the owl and the snake makes a very satisfying story. A Good Book to Read Aloud Besides the rhythm and the rhyme, some of the other things that make The Gruffalo a good book for reading aloud to young children are the repetitions which encourage children to chime in. Also, the story arc, with the first half of the story about the mouse fooling the fox, then the owl, then the snake with tales of the imaginary Gruffalo and the second half of the story when the mouse misleads the real Gruffalo with the unsuspecting help of the snake, the owl, and the fox. Kids also like the fact that the 1-2-3 order of the mouses meeting the fox, the owl, and the snake becomes a 3-2-1 order as the mouse walks back to the edge of the woods, followed by the Gruffalo. The Author Julia Donaldson grew up in London and attended Bristol University where she studied Drama and French. Before writing childrens books, she was a teacher, a songwriter,  and a street theater performer. In June 2011, Julia Donaldson  was named the 2011-2013 Waterstones Childrens Laureate in the UK. According to the 6/7/11 announcement, The role of the Childrens Laureate is awarded once every two years to an eminent writer or illustrator of childrens books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field. Donaldson has written more than 120 books and plays for kids and teens. The Gruffalo, one of Julia Donaldsons first childrens books, is also one of her most popular childrens picture books. Others include  Room on the Broom, Stick Man, The Snail and the Whale and What the Ladybird Heard. The Illustrator Axel Scheffler was born in Germany and attended the University of Hamburg but left there to move to England where he studied illustration and earned a degree at the Bath Academy of Art. Axel Scheffler has illustrated some Julia Donaldsons books in addition to The Gruffalo. They include  Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale, Stick Man and Zog. Book and Animation Awards Among the awards the creators of The Gruffalo picture book have been honored with are the 1999 Smarties Gold Medal Award for picture books and the 2000 Blue Peter Award for The Best Book to Read Aloud. The animated version of The Gruffalo, which is available on DVD, was nominated for both an Oscar and a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award  and won the audience award at the Canadian Film Centres Worldwide Short Film Festival. Delight Your Child With a Story Sack If your child loves The Gruffalo, youll want to create a story sack for of crafts and related items. These can include other books by Julia Donaldson about the Gruffalo; mouse, owl, snake and fox crafts; a monster craft and more. Review and Recommendation The story of the clever mouse and the Gruffalo is one that children ages 3 to 6 love hearing again and again. The rhythm and rhyme of Julia Donaldsons story, along with the strong story arc, make The Gruffalo an excellent read aloud. Children quickly learn to help the reader tell the story, and that adds to the fun for all. The dramatic illustrations by Axel Scheffler, with their bold colors and appealing characters, from the little mouse to the colossal Gruffalo, add significantly to the books appeal. (Dial Books for Young Readers, A Division of Penguin Putnam Inc., 1999. ISBN: 9780803731097) Sources: Childrens Laureate siteJulia Donaldson siteChildrens Book Illustration: Axel Scheffler, The Hollywood Reporter