TaNuj^’s Weblog

Many times we take things for granted and do not appreciate the help provided. The only time we realise… “what great thing it was”…is only after we lost the privilege to use it. This topic brings upon a question… What would the world look like if the Internet was never invented?Visualize a world with no Internet. Seriously, close your eyes and try it. No email, no Twitter, no SL or MySpace. No Youtube and certainly no Internet research. For many this sort of scenario would sound like a nightmare, but really would there only be negatives if there was no Internet… c’mon there is got to be some positives…lets embark on a journey to compare and contrast upon this issue…
In small span of time Internet has dramatically changed our ability to gain access to information regarding the whole world, but off course sharing and collaborating information with many throughout the world, has brought upon new way of teaching and learning. Slowly but steadily we are seeing a rise in a system where education is being passed on in a more PBL or PLP type of manner. This is a sort system, heavily depends on sites such Ning, Google docs, Teamspace, Workconnect, Wiki, Wetpaint and Feedmyapp to collaborate, share and experience enjoyable learning. All of this links into a bigger image where it’s right to say students are responsible for their own learning. Alongside other peers and colleagues become the helpline (instead of teachers), side by side its fascinating to see mates criticizing and providing with well analysed feedback.

Internet has a major impact on nearly all the aspects of our life, for example our social life heavily stands upon the foundation built from 8 letters, that’s right its Internet. We use sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Faces, Friendster, and Plurk to stay in touch with friends and family members, alongside we get a chance to meet those who share same interests (eg. same work industry). Again we start to link in with collaboration, it could be either friend-chat sort of a thing or a more deepened conversation with people upon an important aspect.

As the time races past, the younger generations are expected to grasp as much information as possible and further develop upon general knowledge. This is another area, which is immensely affected by Internet. Online research plays such an important role in all of our lives, maybe its an assessment or a question you don’t have an answer to, whatever the case maybe, Internet research comes to our rescue when ever we seem to be trapped.

However no online help. Blocked from collaborating and sharing information. No more of visual and interactive learning. Forget the thought of talking, writing or interacting with an old mate or a professional in your field of interest. All of this sounds as though all the happiness and joy has been stolen away. Its time to step in the ‘darkside’….

In past, books have been an answer to the mean of gathering and gaining information, books have been our first preferences to find answers for various questions. Books are guide with a heap load of valuable, contextual and content based information, they not only increase our general knowledge but also become great references in future life. I would say if there wasn’t to be any Internet I guess books would the answer for receiving education and knowledge. Alongside, newspaper would become a medium to pass on information about events occurring throughout the world. So in summary reading and making notes from various books or newspapers would certainly become a positive aspect if there wasn’t to be any Internet. After all, reading is an essential skill…

As for communicating what better than the old dog and bone (telephone), it would only cost few bucks. Alongside using the post services to send documents and other materials around the globe.

Other positives… No Internet= No Paedophiles+ No Fame Hunters

Well offcourse there are few things that are virtually impossible to be done without the Internet…check out the video it’s amusing…

In the end its fair to say that Internet brings along the fun, interactive and enjoyable mean to spend time, no matter if it’s educative or just for entertainment. Life without Internet would be just so boring, bland and lacklustre. I guess we would eventually learn to live without it, but it will take quite a long time to get used to life with no Internet…

The term religion is defined in numerous ways, being a member of Marist community, I have been privileged enough to build upon my knowledge about Catholicism everyday. My last few days in Cath. Tec have been based upon grasping knowledge and information on Bible and its contents. My education is not only based upon learning the fundamentals but also applying them in real life scenarios. The most beneficial part of my education is based on the basis of reflecting on my learning, everyday in my Cath. Tec I’ am pushed to strive for academic excellence, moreover I am expected to go beyond my teachers expectations.As I highlighted earlier, reflecting is the key to my learning and today I have been posed a couple of questions based upon my learning of catholic education.

First question looks at the aspect of linking beatitudes to parables but then also relating them to real life situation. -”What current real life story do you think could be used as a parable to teach a specific beatitude for Christian followers?” When I come to think about the term parable, instant words that pop up in my mind are based upon, stories containing a moral (deep meaning). Similarly In my opinion, beatitudes are a cluster of words which put together highlight the pathway, which leads to heaven.

When I close my eyes and visualise this question, my mind simultaneously shows me an image of Glen McGrath. McGrath was a Australian cricketing legend, he is an individual who in recent time has travelled through a road of sorrow, especially after loosing his wife to breast cancer, much rather hiding away his own sadness, he has devoted himself to helping others suffering from breast cancer. He has worked day and night providing financle and emotional help to those in need, in more recent days he has shown the glimpse of light to all by issuing the statement, “Together we can make a difference.”

“Jane McGrath fought recurrent battles with breast cancer. Glenn and Jane jointly established the McGrath Foundation, for which Glenn McGrath utilized his public figure to raise money to fund more Breast Care Nurses in rural and regional Australia, alongside educate young women to become more aware of this horrible disease. Sadly Jane lost a bravely fought battle on 22 June 2008 from complications following a cancer surgery.”

For a human being to be so humble and put aside a loss, of an individual who was meant to be a life-long partner and come out to promote the awareness for the diseases, really is quite inspirational and motivational for all. Events and actions that occurred in Glenn’s life certainly highlight the beatitude, which states, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“These are people who are humble and who do not think of themselves more highly than they ought. Jesus once said that whoever humbles himself as a little child would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. In the book of Proverbs we read that a man’s pride will bring him down, but a lowly spirit will bring him honour. “
Change of topic, now it has come upon to look at the second question which was posed to me – “If you were given the opportunity to write a chapter for the bible what would you write about? What messages would you want your readers to take away?”

As I read this question, I’m reminded of the saying, “Treat others, as you want them to treat you because what goes around comes around”. So certainly in my aspect if I were to be given an opportunity to write a chapter in bible, I would compose it based around the topic ‘respecting humanity’. Much of the content, would be clustered, based upon things, such as, taking note of other’s perspective, giving individuals an equal right to express their own opinion and moreover respecting others as human-beings. My messages would be depicted via using the means of examples, as it would make this theme much more easier to understand.

The reason behind my decision to go along with this topic was because if humans are able to understand the deep meaning of this topic, indirectly it will erase terms such as violence, murder, and terrorism. Meaningful understanding of this content would also help in constructing good, healthy relationship amongst individuals, but also this theme would set upon the foundation, which will help a human-being develop socially and emotionally.

“Respect is taking into consideration the views and desires of others, and including it into your decisions. When you respect another, you factor and weigh their thoughts and desires into your planning and balance it into your decision-making.”