3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV

Issue #204, 4th June 2024

How has technology impacted how citizens access information and engage in the political process? What are the potential benefits and risks of using social media platforms for political discourse and mobilization? How can technology be leveraged to increase transparency and accountability in government? What measures should address misinformation and fake news on digital platforms? How can cybersecurity measures be implemented to protect the integrity of electoral processes and prevent foreign interference? What ethical considerations surround data analytics and targeted advertising in political campaigns? How can technology facilitate direct democracy and citizen participation in decision-making processes? What is the role of technology in promoting accessibility and inclusion in the democratic process for marginalized communities? How can we address the digital divide and ensure equal access to technology for all citizens? What are the potential implications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, on the future of democratic governance?

Shall we ask? Shall we discuss this with our students, children, educators, and parents? Democracy in Society and Democracy in Technology. Here are some thoughts.

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Three images of the week

Two Thoughts of the Week

“A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy, educated, participatory followership, and an educated, morally grounded leadership.” Chinua Achebe 

“Everybody counts in applying democracy. And there will never be a true democracy until every responsible and law-abiding adult in it, without regard to race, sex, color or creed has his or her own inalienable and unpurchasable voice in government.” Carrie Chapman Catt 

One Video of the Week

We don’t have to sacrifice our freedom for the sake of technological progress, says social technologist Divya Siddarth. She shares how a group of people helped retrain one of the world’s most powerful AI models on a constitution they wrote — and offers a vision of technology that aligns with the principles of democracy, rather than conflicting with them.

Reading with Ms. Meenu: Tip of the week

Create a Joyful Classroom Community:

Transforming the Classroom World: The children in our classrooms will have the power to change our world. To prepare learners for the future and help them navigate the present, we teach them much more than content or the “what” of learning. We spend ample time modeling, practicing, and discussing the how and why. The purpose of the read-aloud experiences today is to build a foundation by sharing the What, how, and why of literacy learning in a joyful classroom community. As we layer experience upon experience we will do the following:

·         Use and explain key comprehension strategies.

·         Teach literary language.

·         Develop student’s social and emotional learning.

·         Foster a growth mindset.

Lately we all are discussing deeply about social emotional learning. There are many resources that would open conversations about some of the issues. We all know that helping children recognize their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interrelated is an early step towards self-awareness and empathy for others. In coming weeks please stay tuned for choosing literacy resources  on how to move children towards becoming more self-aware, while at the same time scaffolding their understanding of literary terms and developing their facility with key comprehension strategies. 

Happy Reading!

Meenu Gera

Consulting home and school librarian and reading guide.

Student career counseling: Opportunities and approaches.

Student X, a brilliant yet introverted individual, approached us in June 2020 during her grade 12 year, seeking guidance to navigate the university application process and meet its requirements. Despite her exceptional academic performance, which earned her the title of top student in psychology, she lacked additional achievements to showcase in her profile. X harbored aspirations of attending Ashoka University, OP Jindal University, and Flames University. With a deadline of December looming for applications, we had approximately four to five months to prepare.

To tackle this challenge, we proposed that X undertake a short research project within the limited time frame. She enthusiastically agreed and selected the topic “No Plastics” for her research. X diligently worked on various tasks, including literature reviews, drafting primary research questionnaires, collecting data, and writing the paper. Her dedication paid off, as her research paper was published in a reputable journal.

In addition to her research endeavors, X also prepared for the Flames University entrance exam. Ultimately, she chose to pursue her higher education at OP Jindal University, successfully demonstrating her academic prowess and newfound research capabilities.

Case study provided by: Fermata Career Solutions,  www.fermataco.com

Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. At the same time, I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.

3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter you can subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.

And Finally…