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Haha alright, I guess it is a challenge to blog, with twitter and facebook.
So with immediate effect, this blog will be shut down, a new blog will come up and hopefully, a sustained new blog. :)
Friday, 10 July 2009
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Photo Reading
I am a skeptic of this method used to improve one's ability to absorb reading materials just by flipping through a book quickly, close it up and be able to remember the important points.
Here is an abstract from Wikipedia:
Skeptical Response(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoreading)
In January of 2000 Dr. Danielle S. McNamara submitted a preliminary report to the NASA Ames Research Center on photoreading. McNamara enrolled in a PhotoReading workshop under the tutelage of a photoreading expert trained by Paul Scheele. In three years this expert had trained over 150 individuals in PhotoReading. The trainee spent two months learning the PhotoReading technique.
The two participants were "(a) the PhotoReading trainee who participated in a two-day photoreading workshop, and (b) the expert who provided the PhotoReading workshop." (McNamara 4).
McNamara first conducted five baseline tests to measure ordinary reading speeds and comprehension. Then, she administered five similar tests after using the PhotoReading technique. These tests included the Nelson Reading Comprehension Test and the Verbal Reasoning section of the MCAT. This study investigates fact-based tests since "PhotoReading has been claimed to be particularly effective for this type of text" (McNamara 5).
As for the content of these texts, subjects included physiology, perception, and biology. A single idea or sentence within each text formed the basis for each question. According to McNamara "The information in the text that is targeted by the question generally requires little prior knowledge and little active processing of the text to understand" (McNamara 6). In other words, these were relatively straightforward, factual questions.
The results of the study generally follow the pattern that PhotoReading and normal reading require a similar amount of time to complete.
In one test, the expert scored 37 of 38 possible questions correct with normal reading taking 19.43 minutes to do so. Then the expert took a similar test after PhotoReading the passage and scored a 38 out of 38 possible questions correct in a time of 18.13 minutes. McNamara took the same test, and scored a 92% both times. However, photoreading took 21.30 minutes whereas regular reading took 15.80 minutes. These results do not support Scheele's 25,000 words per minute claims.
In a text about perception, the expert read normally and finished the text in 8.82 minutes and answered three questions of eight correctly. Then, the expert "photoread" the text in 0.87 minutes and proceeded to read the text for another 8.12 minutes before finishing. After photoreading, the expert scored one out of eight questions correctly.
These results do not support Scheele's assertions that Photoreading helps one study faster and with greater comprehension than with ordinary reading techniques.
To conclude the study, McNamara noted that, "In terms of words per minute (wpm) spent reading, there was no difference between normal reading (M = 114 wpm) and PhotoReading (M=112 wpm)" (10). So why is it that so many people tout photoreading? In her conclusion, McNamara states that, "One aspect of the PhotoReading technique is that it leaves the reader with a false sense of confidence.
Unless I am able to witness first hand of people who can flip through the pages within 30mins, close up the book and be able to tell me what is within that book, I accept that. Because so far, even the trainer has not been able to fully convince people with a first hand demonstration.
Here is an abstract from Wikipedia:
Skeptical Response(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoreading)
In January of 2000 Dr. Danielle S. McNamara submitted a preliminary report to the NASA Ames Research Center on photoreading. McNamara enrolled in a PhotoReading workshop under the tutelage of a photoreading expert trained by Paul Scheele. In three years this expert had trained over 150 individuals in PhotoReading. The trainee spent two months learning the PhotoReading technique.
The two participants were "(a) the PhotoReading trainee who participated in a two-day photoreading workshop, and (b) the expert who provided the PhotoReading workshop." (McNamara 4).
McNamara first conducted five baseline tests to measure ordinary reading speeds and comprehension. Then, she administered five similar tests after using the PhotoReading technique. These tests included the Nelson Reading Comprehension Test and the Verbal Reasoning section of the MCAT. This study investigates fact-based tests since "PhotoReading has been claimed to be particularly effective for this type of text" (McNamara 5).
As for the content of these texts, subjects included physiology, perception, and biology. A single idea or sentence within each text formed the basis for each question. According to McNamara "The information in the text that is targeted by the question generally requires little prior knowledge and little active processing of the text to understand" (McNamara 6). In other words, these were relatively straightforward, factual questions.
The results of the study generally follow the pattern that PhotoReading and normal reading require a similar amount of time to complete.
In one test, the expert scored 37 of 38 possible questions correct with normal reading taking 19.43 minutes to do so. Then the expert took a similar test after PhotoReading the passage and scored a 38 out of 38 possible questions correct in a time of 18.13 minutes. McNamara took the same test, and scored a 92% both times. However, photoreading took 21.30 minutes whereas regular reading took 15.80 minutes. These results do not support Scheele's 25,000 words per minute claims.
In a text about perception, the expert read normally and finished the text in 8.82 minutes and answered three questions of eight correctly. Then, the expert "photoread" the text in 0.87 minutes and proceeded to read the text for another 8.12 minutes before finishing. After photoreading, the expert scored one out of eight questions correctly.
These results do not support Scheele's assertions that Photoreading helps one study faster and with greater comprehension than with ordinary reading techniques.
To conclude the study, McNamara noted that, "In terms of words per minute (wpm) spent reading, there was no difference between normal reading (M = 114 wpm) and PhotoReading (M=112 wpm)" (10). So why is it that so many people tout photoreading? In her conclusion, McNamara states that, "One aspect of the PhotoReading technique is that it leaves the reader with a false sense of confidence.
Unless I am able to witness first hand of people who can flip through the pages within 30mins, close up the book and be able to tell me what is within that book, I accept that. Because so far, even the trainer has not been able to fully convince people with a first hand demonstration.
Saturday, 6 June 2009
My Sem 2 AY08/09
Been a month ever since the last semester ended, and been a week since the release of the exam results, well I must say that this semester has been a a tough one, nevertheless I pulled through and I am glad that I can strive to bring myself to greater heights.
Track record don't lie. The math can show.
Reaping what you sow. Yes, you can yaya papaya, but even papayas do rot at some point in time.
What do I mean by reaping what you sow? A piece of wonderful land is given, but farmers chose to neglect the land, instead of sowing quality seeds for the vegetables and flowers to bloom, farmers expect the land to take care of itself throughout the four seasons.
When farmers are happy and return to the land to pick the flowers in summer, they see nothing. Then they kao bei why the land is not productive.
Seriously, such land in developing countries are better off with another tenant. No piece of land wants to start off with diminishing marginal returns even with zero variable factors.
Think it is time to make the land mobile. It can't rely on incapable farmers. Or maybe it is time to urbanise. In such a situation, engineers are more reliable.
Track record don't lie. The math can show.
Reaping what you sow. Yes, you can yaya papaya, but even papayas do rot at some point in time.
What do I mean by reaping what you sow? A piece of wonderful land is given, but farmers chose to neglect the land, instead of sowing quality seeds for the vegetables and flowers to bloom, farmers expect the land to take care of itself throughout the four seasons.
When farmers are happy and return to the land to pick the flowers in summer, they see nothing. Then they kao bei why the land is not productive.
Seriously, such land in developing countries are better off with another tenant. No piece of land wants to start off with diminishing marginal returns even with zero variable factors.
Think it is time to make the land mobile. It can't rely on incapable farmers. Or maybe it is time to urbanise. In such a situation, engineers are more reliable.
Friday, 29 May 2009
I disagree
Let me put this straight: I think that the PAP is caving into public pressure.
Guarantee nine seats in Parliament for the opposition? Then what's the point of holding an election every five years? We might as well hold a national referendum to seek the people's approval over a resolution where the PAP will hold 75 seats, while the rest of the seats will be reserved for the opposition.
By doing so, we can save our time over elections, we save on campaigning funds, we can donate it to the needy in times of crisis like this, with the financial crisis and flu going around in Singapore. The PAP and the opposition will be harmonious forever.
But I choose to disagree, this cheapens the PAP image, and cheapens the opposition's image. It is as if the opposition cannot win anything, and that we must pity them in terms of seats in Parliament. This is akin to buying any small toy from Toys R US just to placate a small child.
Are we sure that by placing nine opposition members by default in Parliament, we can have diverse opinions? This is Singapore, not some other country where we can have an equally strong opposition, such as the Democratic Party of Japan(DPJ) and the Liberal Democratic Party(LDP) in Japan. We need a strong parliamentary majority to take bold steps in remaking Singapore constantly.
On the other hand, I agree with the proposal to do away with big GRCs. Assuming we need to ensure representation from all four races, we can have smaller GRCs of 3 or 4 people. I agree with that.
I really hope that Singaporeans will continue to be wise at the polling stations, even with this small yet significant change to the political system. If we were to vent our anger over petty little issues against teams that are doing well for Singapore, we might be heading down towards a divisive society. The AWARE saga has shown us that we are not mature enough in making diverse opinions.
As the saying goes, if it's ain't broken, why fixed it?
Guarantee nine seats in Parliament for the opposition? Then what's the point of holding an election every five years? We might as well hold a national referendum to seek the people's approval over a resolution where the PAP will hold 75 seats, while the rest of the seats will be reserved for the opposition.
By doing so, we can save our time over elections, we save on campaigning funds, we can donate it to the needy in times of crisis like this, with the financial crisis and flu going around in Singapore. The PAP and the opposition will be harmonious forever.
But I choose to disagree, this cheapens the PAP image, and cheapens the opposition's image. It is as if the opposition cannot win anything, and that we must pity them in terms of seats in Parliament. This is akin to buying any small toy from Toys R US just to placate a small child.
Are we sure that by placing nine opposition members by default in Parliament, we can have diverse opinions? This is Singapore, not some other country where we can have an equally strong opposition, such as the Democratic Party of Japan(DPJ) and the Liberal Democratic Party(LDP) in Japan. We need a strong parliamentary majority to take bold steps in remaking Singapore constantly.
On the other hand, I agree with the proposal to do away with big GRCs. Assuming we need to ensure representation from all four races, we can have smaller GRCs of 3 or 4 people. I agree with that.
I really hope that Singaporeans will continue to be wise at the polling stations, even with this small yet significant change to the political system. If we were to vent our anger over petty little issues against teams that are doing well for Singapore, we might be heading down towards a divisive society. The AWARE saga has shown us that we are not mature enough in making diverse opinions.
As the saying goes, if it's ain't broken, why fixed it?
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Giving Hope, Improving Lives
Lunch break, had spare time, decided to buy a hope at the cost of $1.
i PROMISE if i win S$5 000 000 tomorrow from Singapore(Swimming) Pools, i will treat my family and NUS friends to bangkok for a splashing holiday.
PROMISE.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Pervet with high level of transparency/ And HDB's new condo
Source: Stomp.com
This pervert looks at the girl(is it a chio bu?)while placing his hands into his pants. Yes, i think he is masturbating while fantasising about the girl. Wonder what happens if the girl happens to turn around?
Well done lah. I am utterly "amazed".
Source: Stomp.com
Most of us should know that HDB builds DBSS(Design Build and Sell Scheme) flats. These flats have condo style facilities, but without the internal swimming pool, gym and FENCE.
But apparently, this new DBSS flat since January by SIM LIAN GROUP, has a fence, that kind of metal fence that is being put up to cordone off a construction area. I don't know why they have not taken it down.
But I guess this fence can further satisfy people who die die must live in condo, but cannot afford to. That's why this fence is here, to replicate the fence that "non-pirated" condos have. Erm, sorry, we don't have guards for such fence. Maybe hire a guard dog.
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
North Korea has a challenge: By Christiano Ronaldo
North Korea recently launched their Taepodong II missile.
But we have a greater missile launcher at Old Trafford.
He unleashed one to obliterate Porto, and launched another to wipe out Arsenal from the champions league map.
My goodness, did ronaldo imported missiles from them and fix it onto his legs?
Watch out Barca or Chelsea.
But we have a greater missile launcher at Old Trafford.
He unleashed one to obliterate Porto, and launched another to wipe out Arsenal from the champions league map.
My goodness, did ronaldo imported missiles from them and fix it onto his legs?
Watch out Barca or Chelsea.
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