Is surveillance necessary or a threat to democracy?
We live in a democratic country and are blessed to have a society based upon these values. Elections are being held every fourth year and are just and fair, and we know we can trust the judicial system. Yet there are more and more criminal actions and violence taken place both here in Sweden and else where in the world. Terrorism has shaken our world too many times now and has left us with a sense of insecurity and fear. Threats towards our democratic values are suddenly very near and clear. How are we going to protect ourselves and our society? One measure taken is to increase the surveillance of the citizens and their actions. We are being observed daily not only when walking outdoors in the streets or visiting shops, but also when doing our everyday chores such as checking our e-mail or paying with a credit card. Is this increasing surveillance really necessary, or is it in fact in itself a threat to democracy?
For me, this kind of surveillance is not a big issue. I have nothing to hide and I can’t see why anyone who is honest and has nothing to hide would object to being observed in this way. In some schools in the neighbourhood where I work, cameras have been installed in order to decrease the number of thefts and vandalism. I have not yet found out whether or not these measures have been successful, but in my opinion I believe that the society today needs to be surveyed for the people to feel safe and secure.
In my own school there have been quite a few incidents of thefts, jackets and bags have been stolen, and there have also been some incidents where pupils have been very mean towards each other. In cases like these it would have been very helpful to have recordings to watch. I also think that cameras might have a preventive effect, and every violent attack or theft avoided is a gain!
On the other hand, some people argue that cameras restrict one’s freedom and that they do not belong in a democratic country. They fear that the information might be misused and end up in the wrong hands, and of course that could be a disaster.
However, having a world and society like this with increasing criminal incidents, I feel that surveillance of the citizens is something we need to accept. It would be fantastic if there were no need for it, but unfortunately there is. But if all of us act according to our democratic values, maybe someday the surveillance will no longer be necessary…
söndag 26 april 2009
onsdag 15 april 2009
Let us welcome grades in Primary school!
In the eighties when I went to school, I remember how I and my classmates used to talk about and long for the day, in the eight grade, when we were going to receive our first grades. When that day finally arrived we were all very excited and I don't think anyone was surprised about their grades – everybody was well aware of what level they had reached.Today pupils don't have to wait that long for their first grades and I welcome that change! Pupils and their parents deserve to know their strengths and what to improve preferably in the end of Primary school!
The main reason is that schools together with pupils and their parents need time to work with areas that need some extra effort. Waiting too long to inform pupils and parents about the situation might decrease the chance to solve the problem. Clear and straightforward information and good communication between school and parents are crucial and focus must of course be put on the strengths of the pupil. Grades can and must not replace the important dialogue, but combined they provide the best information possible, I think.
Another reason for having grades in Primary school is that it makes many pupils work harder. Grades are for some pupils the best incentives, and their motivation increases. Today when international studies reveals that the Swedish pupils results are not as high as many other countries results, we need to make a change. One measure to take might be to put greater focus on the importance of knowledge, and to make pupils realize that school is important. Grades are one of many ways to work in that direction.
Some people who argue against grades in Primary school mean that grades make pupils feel bad and nervous, focusing too much on the results instead of appreciating and seeing the value of the process. I think that might be the case the first and second time the pupil receives the grades, but after a while he or she will get used to them and stop thinking about them too much.
We live in a global world and compared to children in other countries we don't grade our children very early. So far I haven´t heard anything about pupils in other countries feeling terrible about receiving grades at an early age, and if we want to have a chance to compete internationally I believe the Swedish school needs some changes. Finally we have taken one step towards having a school system to be proud of – and I am now looking very much forward to giving my first grades instead of receiving them!
The main reason is that schools together with pupils and their parents need time to work with areas that need some extra effort. Waiting too long to inform pupils and parents about the situation might decrease the chance to solve the problem. Clear and straightforward information and good communication between school and parents are crucial and focus must of course be put on the strengths of the pupil. Grades can and must not replace the important dialogue, but combined they provide the best information possible, I think.
Another reason for having grades in Primary school is that it makes many pupils work harder. Grades are for some pupils the best incentives, and their motivation increases. Today when international studies reveals that the Swedish pupils results are not as high as many other countries results, we need to make a change. One measure to take might be to put greater focus on the importance of knowledge, and to make pupils realize that school is important. Grades are one of many ways to work in that direction.
Some people who argue against grades in Primary school mean that grades make pupils feel bad and nervous, focusing too much on the results instead of appreciating and seeing the value of the process. I think that might be the case the first and second time the pupil receives the grades, but after a while he or she will get used to them and stop thinking about them too much.
We live in a global world and compared to children in other countries we don't grade our children very early. So far I haven´t heard anything about pupils in other countries feeling terrible about receiving grades at an early age, and if we want to have a chance to compete internationally I believe the Swedish school needs some changes. Finally we have taken one step towards having a school system to be proud of – and I am now looking very much forward to giving my first grades instead of receiving them!
torsdag 2 april 2009
The climate change
What are the reasons for not doing everything we possibly can to help saving our planet?
The latest years research after research have emphasized the need for a big change in the world’s attitude towards pollution. The global warming is increasing more rapidly than expected and we can already see the consequences as floods, hurricanes and landslides are more frequent than earlier years. Still there are many people who seem not to realize that we all need to take responsibility and work together in order to slow down and eventually stop this dangerous development. What excuses do we have for not doing everything we possibly can to help saving our planet?
One excuse I’ve heard from several friends is that it isn’t really as bad as scientists say. The changes in the climate are just a natural change, they say, which has occurred earlier. During periods of time it will get warmer and then it will get cooler again. I find this argument very hard to believe, and if people read more about this they would find out that this kind of changes have not occurred earlier, and at least not this rapidly.
Although there are some ignorant people, I think most of us today are aware of the situation. But even though we are concerned it is sometimes very hard to change habits and stop doing things we are used to. For instance many families travel abroad at least once a year and are also used to having access to one or two cars. Having to take the train is for some people a major change, a change that might affect their life a great deal, and that is perhaps not an option. Maybe that would force people to move in to the bigger cities, closer to the jobs, to make every day life run smoother. The climate change hasn’t affected us that much yet that we are willing to give up our comfortable lives, and luxury habits.
A third reason for the slow change in people’s behaviours might be that in order to live climate friendly we need to do things in another way, as mentioned above. Often that is, at least to start with, more time consuming than the ways we are used to do things. Taking care of garbage and recycling as much as possible isn’t difficult but it takes some time and today time is something we have very little of.
I’m afraid I can’t say I’m an expert in this area, nor can I say that I do everything I possibly can to help stopping the global warming. Although I’d rather travel by train than by plane, I have to admit that it has more to do to my fear of flying than to me feeling responsibility for the climate change. I don't know what it takes to make all of us realizing that we have to start acting now, instead of making silly excuses for our lazy behaviours and lack of time. If we don't, I’m afraid that soon the planet won’t have much time left either.
The latest years research after research have emphasized the need for a big change in the world’s attitude towards pollution. The global warming is increasing more rapidly than expected and we can already see the consequences as floods, hurricanes and landslides are more frequent than earlier years. Still there are many people who seem not to realize that we all need to take responsibility and work together in order to slow down and eventually stop this dangerous development. What excuses do we have for not doing everything we possibly can to help saving our planet?
One excuse I’ve heard from several friends is that it isn’t really as bad as scientists say. The changes in the climate are just a natural change, they say, which has occurred earlier. During periods of time it will get warmer and then it will get cooler again. I find this argument very hard to believe, and if people read more about this they would find out that this kind of changes have not occurred earlier, and at least not this rapidly.
Although there are some ignorant people, I think most of us today are aware of the situation. But even though we are concerned it is sometimes very hard to change habits and stop doing things we are used to. For instance many families travel abroad at least once a year and are also used to having access to one or two cars. Having to take the train is for some people a major change, a change that might affect their life a great deal, and that is perhaps not an option. Maybe that would force people to move in to the bigger cities, closer to the jobs, to make every day life run smoother. The climate change hasn’t affected us that much yet that we are willing to give up our comfortable lives, and luxury habits.
A third reason for the slow change in people’s behaviours might be that in order to live climate friendly we need to do things in another way, as mentioned above. Often that is, at least to start with, more time consuming than the ways we are used to do things. Taking care of garbage and recycling as much as possible isn’t difficult but it takes some time and today time is something we have very little of.
I’m afraid I can’t say I’m an expert in this area, nor can I say that I do everything I possibly can to help stopping the global warming. Although I’d rather travel by train than by plane, I have to admit that it has more to do to my fear of flying than to me feeling responsibility for the climate change. I don't know what it takes to make all of us realizing that we have to start acting now, instead of making silly excuses for our lazy behaviours and lack of time. If we don't, I’m afraid that soon the planet won’t have much time left either.
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