Students' Welfare
Introduction
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A conducive study environment, a high level of alertness in students... By providing flexibility and rest, the School of the Future takes care of students' welfare in a thoughtful manner, but unlike a nanny, so students enjoy a varied LEARNING EXPERIENCE, but are not overtly dependent on the school.
Flexibility
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A flexible timetable allows for some headroom on the students' part in arranging of classes. Different time slots are made available for ALL subjects, so that students can arrange the lessons in any given day.
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Some students like to group their subjects together so they can concentrate on a single subject in one day. For example, Monday would be Physics Day, with theory and laboratory work, allowing for intensive study of the topic, and eliminating distractions from other subjects.
Efficiency
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Students in today's schools are burdened either by thick textbooks or numerous stacks of notes. When faced with huge stacks of notes, students often face difficulty in locating a specific item that they remembered reading about in their numerous notes. Not only that, printed media cannot be updated as and when new material is available.
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In the future, improvements to the existing book scanning technology will have been made such that anyone can do it almost instantaneously, thus allowing them to use the search function that most of us are so familiar with now to locate the specific notes they are looking for.
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Furthermore, E-books, which can be downloaded using a fast internet connection, would be the norm. They can be easily replaced with newer versions when outdated. Students in the school of the future will carry around an ultra-slim and light-weight tablet incorporating the latest 3D page-flipping interface that simulate the page-flipping of printed books, with massive storage space for E-books of all subjects, which would be much more organized as compared to huge stacks of papers.
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A search function in the tablet would facilitate quick and easy picking out of specific notes and topics. Lastly, as the tablet is also a full-fledged computing device, students will be able to conduct on-line researches. New media tools such as podcasts, video presentations, and online education will be integrated into the curriculum to provide a more refreshing learning experience. Alternative teaching tools such as video games, music, and multimedia will also be used and will help to inspire the students' passion for learning.
What E-books Might Look Like:
| A tablet with a downloaded E-book Source: Self-made using Adobe Photoshop |
The tablet has long battery life, a built-in camera and incorporates a bright screen that works even under direct sunlight Source: Self-made using Adobe Photoshop |
Eye Strain
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As students will be using the tablet described above, eye strain becomes a major problem, especially when displays with low refresh rates are used. New display methods with high refresh rates and contrast levels will be used. This would ensure that one does not experience discomfort due to tired eyes while reading non-print material.
Students' New Best Friend?
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| While computer usage does not usually lead to near-sightedness, it can cause eye strain, resulting in other discomforts like headaches. Source: Self-taken |
Fatigue
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Ever fell asleep during lessons? We are sure everyone has done it one point or another during their studies. Even if we manage to barely stay awake, we are often semi-conscious and cannot keep track of what we were doing nor form coherent thoughts. This is definitely a lose-lose situation; not only do we not learn anything, we do not get the full benefits a proper nap of the same duration offers.
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In the school of the future, all students will be equipped with a device that would be able to measure their fatigue level, and inform them when they are performing way below their full capability. The student will then be advised to take a power nap in the numerous Sleeping Pods placed strategically around the school.
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Research has shown that a 20-minute power nap can be beneficial to one's health and provided numerous benefits, such as increased alertness and productivity by clearing up useless built-up information, which improves long term memory, particularly useful when studying!
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Lessons will be held just after lunch will not involve long boring lectures but more of hands-on activities, anything that does not involve just sitting there listening to the teacher teach/lecture as human circadian rhythms make late afternoons a more likely time to fall into deep (slow-wave) sleep, which will leave most of us groggy.
Different Forms of Fatigue:
| Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/youness/3328513997/ Fatigue in materials. |
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/codedragon/56682513/ Fatigue from writing. |
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelmarlatt/3147556763/ Fatigue from computer usage. |
