User talk:Amelioa288/sandbox

Article Evaluation
Jimmy Wales Article

At first glance, the article visually looks well-balanced. The paragraphs are relatively the same in terms of length which shows that one subtopic isn't more in depth than another. There really aren't any claims that are made within the article seeing as it is about Jimmy Wales and how he got to his position as founder of Wikipedia. All you are reading is facts stated from his journey to his position plus his personal life as well. All of the links I clicked at the bottom of the article took me to the websites easily without any problems. I only clicked on a handful, but from that small amount I was able to see that a lot of the websites used were home to different Newspapers. These are some of the most reliable sources so the information in the article is far more accurate than what you could find from a random website with a non-credible author. For the most part, you can't find much bias throughout the article because it mainly states what Wales did, what he received, where he went. The Newspaper websites probably didn't show much bias either considering they are reporting information based on Wales' actions in his career. The talk page showed a few modifications made to the links of the sources, but other than that there wasn't much talk about any other problems with the article as a whole. Some people shared their opinion on the adjectives used to describe Jimmy Wales, but it seemed more biased than an actual correction to factual information. The article appears in multiple WikiProjects and is rated as "B-class". I'd say that's an above average rating so it could be helpful for anyone looking for facts on Jimmy Wales. Normally, in class we are expected to appeal to our audience when writing about a topic, but in the case of Wikipedia you are no longer doing that. You aren't trying to appeal to anyone but rather share factual knowledge that you've learned about.

History of Writing Article

After skimming the article it is clear that all subtopics are related in some way to the history of writing and the different forms of writing that have evolved over the years. I do appreciate that the article is in chronological order as shown with the different eras of writing it describes. I didn't identify any claims that were made, but what I did notice was the fact that some subtopics were heavily fleshed out while others were only a sentence long. There is some imbalances of information and leaves me wondering more about the different styles of writing that were briefly talked about. Most of the sources the author(s) used were books and some journals, but some were abstract pieces taken from a larger article that wasn't used. I feel as though if they are going to write a factual article such as this one, then they should be using the full text to break it down into their Wikipedia page. Also, some of the websites I was brought to made me question the reliability of the source. They were small scale websites that didn't seem to have much meat to them that would prove to give much information to the author. Some sections even have text boxes that state the paragraph(s) don't contain any citations and that we should try to add in some reliable sources; automatic red flag. To no surprise, the article was rated into the C-class and is involved in very few WIkiprojects. The talk page shows a lot of discussion about the lack of expansion on most subtopics, some untrue statements, questionable chronology, weak introduction, and some inconsistencies between paragraphs. The talk page contains feedback that I questioned too which turns me off from using this article as an 100% reliable source for the history of writing.

Amelioa288 (talk) 22:11, 20 April 2017 (UTC)

Schools for the Deaf Article: Brainstorming

 * I feel like this is a significant topic that could use some added information to it.
 * What their school life is like?
 * Are there schools strictly for them or are they mixed with other students?
 * What does their school work entail?
 * Are they in school longer than regular students or for a shorter amount of time?
 * Are these schools common?
 * What are the start and end ages?
 * Are there colleges for the deaf as well?
 * Maybe find examples and state how they run their system.

Amelioa288 (talk) 22:10, 20 April 2017 (UTC)

Education in the Bahamas: Brainstorming

 * There is not much in the Talk page for the education in the Bahamas, but I believe that since it's a place just like anywhere else, we should know how people learn there
 * Is there a separate language/symbol/slang that is taught?
 * Does the material taught at their schools resemble the material taught anywhere else, like the US for example.
 * What is the starting age and ending age of their school process?
 * Are their colleges to attend after High School?
 * Are their very few schools on the island?
 * Is school prioritized? Or is it just learning the basics so you could eventually start right in the work force?
 * What are the class sizes like?

Amelioa288 (talk) 22:11, 20 April 2017 (UTC)

Education in the Bahamas: Rough Bibliography
http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/portal/public/About%20Us/Bahamian%20Education%20System/!ut/p/b1/vZXJjqtIEEW_pT6AIiETMEvAYMBMZjDDBpnBTMbGNmb6-uduldRqdb-qzRMZq5Ru6oSOIpR4hAd4dD0NVXHqq9v1dPnrHtHxgQcHR2MhBxDFAU6QFO1AeIQnAdzHAzdE7BYpo6gksVA8a9oRC_3e2SqmFvKOm7qEEOoEOHv-EQ922nbwGW8uUw7Czvfsequot5B-DVR6PniNqOiXFyvOwr0fS35KrrzglSU1bhDlTpin0ZSZX8TZF1k7Sa9mrYMpsOYkTXKMvGaYkO0ygPS000wn7urkMjZBgXHdDZtsRE6M35GzX9v0abxnu64tXJF0CkJSeYJrGsmXikTTnwjYyXBO45Hfl0VNviWEbwngN4cD3zqC6Ov9N4EfHUd_RyDY6RyHNvqOAjRQPEvjLEYmTQS-At-1-C3EZfDwHWB-3ySFu3gAUOzUc6cszWLXYDJ0N4WG2E5ABITbMK7hioTT24Ze6xA0YO63_N5IRNCDUjf6s5UdbY_nhEcWGdQPQBWtDaTXBsKVgTxYG0iuDVx7SnlmZaD959dCxaMqaT_HtP0EnwxiEKQZGhIksaFphB_V8DVtC6UURTsunRdpZZHj01Y2nRNzqrbP3HFGUaq32Dl1HnlitGjO2WSvUrxehLu-Z_UNIssDz04V4l4nR95zS_hyXCHjWqnVbHaKn7f2zNFBxF6tTQ6s9OmqwLTZi8fOz2PYPO-PBL6jlS0EJP3SUgKV5mNOzCE-RkTOwa1EULJccB-4Id_a_AeFzP-swTg5i2Ho3qQRImEY4vJWKCkOG70VciPhemNfv3UuHDSW94_RW18Kt_UZu1s_AYm1gXBloIHWBq6t1PjzSv-9dxCQGwKyAFIkICgSP9YeNp0Kfdpa5NFfRjJ9Zo0DhkR1pO1emhdehVY5kmQkz7RpXZnqZgsXsL-ysSsC-BLkBy04RhOeyOmR2L48yPu0TmBra-bUndUbo1RCWg25r6fNtbDNDCpHWoGZzDLWY4wzcl-Gs9MzQTPcjiq7YXN7M1GGabo6UYNLkGBW5Qmq26ONFzHHDhbZmVCZoWPCrcaq7H24C1xgiNjLo2DvlFYuxfJyiBfheBMnHwlVIkVebUunOYyW4nixOO_ka7cz3Jfxogeg9WF8iNDSmj7etcNeo215Cf5T-W5o_ynu4-MXEbFROg!!/dl4/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/
 * 1

http://go.galegroup.com.cod.idm.oclc.org/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T002&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=2&docId=GALE%7CA394184282&docType=Article&sort=Relevance&contentSegment=&prodId=AONE&contentSet=GALE%7CA394184282&searchId=R4&userGroupName=cod_lrc&inPS=true
 * 2

http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Inclusive_Education/Reports/kingston_07/bahamas_inclusion_07.pdf
 * 3

https://www.educoas.org/Portal/bdigital/contenido/interamer/BkIACD/Interamer/Interamerhtml/Millerhtml/mil_beth.htm
 * 5

http://www.19ccembahamas.com/single-post/2015/06/17/THE-PATH-TO-PRESCHOOL-A-FOCUS-ON-PRESCHOOL-EDUCATION-IN-THE-BAHAMAS
 * 6

http://www.ub.edu.bs/about-us/history/
 * 7

Amelioa288 (talk) 16:20, 19 April 2017 (UTC)

Improvement Notes for Education in the Bahamas Article
Breakdown of the article:

--insert structure of bahamas education chart-- -insert total amounts of all the schools on the island-
 * Structure of the Education Systems in the Bahamas
 * Early Childhood Preschool Education
 * Primary Education
 * Secondary Education
 * Tertiary Education/University of the Bahamas
 * Special Institutions
 * The Technology Disconnect

Amelioa288 (talk) 01:20, 20 April 2017 (UTC)

Source 1.1 Notes
HISTORY

The Bahamas have come a long way since the 1950's with their education systems.

Although students were still able to learn, they had difficulty thriving in the classroom due to the lack of updated materials provided by the schools. They used what resembles a white board to take all their notes on instead of a journal or workbook for each of their classes. This system proved to not be efficient because students were struggling when it came time to learning handfuls of material without proper storage for their notes.

The average school not only lacks materials, but the ratio of student to teacher is unbalanced: 40:1.

The Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) were the ones who acted to create some reform for their weakening education systems. The island has an Education Act that was revised in 1996 and is under control of the Prime Minister. As of 1996, the Education Act states that education is free for children between the ages of 5 and 16.

-TAKE TOTAL AMOUNTS OF SCHOOLS ON ISLAND CHART FROM THIS SOURCE-

Amelioa288 (talk) 22:08, 20 April 2017 (UTC)

Source 1.2 Notes
'''BAHAMAS TODAY/TECHNOLOGY DISADVANTAGES '''

One educator at a technical college in the Bahamas discusses how although the teachers have access to technology such as smart boards or computers, the students do not. Education is becoming more technology based and younger teachers that are coming into the education workforce are equipped to teach with such technology, but with students having a lack of knowledge about the advances, the teachers can't do this.

Another instructor at a local college argues that the government will see a positive outcome if their students were able to take advantage of online learning. Most students spend a majority of their time online outside of class, so it is likely that they would be more inclined to participate in class projects. The future is projected to be very dependent on technology and the student's will gather the tools they need once they are more exposed to how it works.

There have been attempts to try and fix this issue with the education system, but their have been many bumps in the road. Institutions have come across a lack of funding when trying to teach the instructors the process of actually demonstrating to the students how to use the online programs. Not to mention, teachers weren't expecting all the overtime hours they would have to put in when learning the online programs in addition to teaching their regular classroom hours. Many of them opted out of learning the programs which leaves a huge disconnect if all the teachers aren't interested in participating.

Most recently, the Bahamas government has discussed the importance of technology, especially when students enter the workforce. For example, if a student enters the medical field, it is possible they will need to be educated on how to use certain equipment or technology that their job may require. The government recognizes this concern, but has yet to make any big moves about requiring technology in the classrooms. Some families have computers in their homes while others can't afford the luxury. The goal of the future Bahamas is to make technology accessible to all through whatever means it takes to get them there.

Amelioa288 (talk) 16:34, 21 April 2017 (UTC)

Source 1.3 Notes
'''Structure of the Education System '''

The Bahamas education includes primary education, secondary education, tertiary education, with a more recent addition of preschool institutions before those three stages. All education that is given to the students in the Bahamas along with their policies are made by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture.

The Ministry of Education is led by the Minister of Education and a few other council members that are in charge of various tasks for the education system as a whole. The Minister of Education strictly handles policies and guidelines that have to do with private and public schools. The Permanent Secretary is assistant to the Minister of Education in organization and administering the tasks of The Ministry of Education. The individual who is in charge of the Department of Education is the Director of Education and also education officer of the Minister of Education. The actual Department of Education deals with tasks being given out to schools and the guidelines their systems need to follow.

'''-STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION CHART FROM HERE- '''

As of today, it is required that all children from the ages 5 to 16 years old are to be signed up for some sort of educational facility. Despite private education, public education is free to all people who wish to enroll. There are no racial, gender, or economic background limitations when it comes to who receives education as well. In 2007, about 66,000 students were in enrolled in some kind of institution that is public. Over half of that number are already in their primary education stage.

'''Special Institutions '''

The Bahama's education system does all it can to make sure that all of their students receive some form of access to education whenever possible. They have a Special Services Division who recognizes the needs of the disabled students and creates an environment where they can thrive in. Special Education schools, located on New Providence and Grand Bahamas, provide this type of environment as they are strictly for children with mental and physical limitations.

On the other hand, not all handicapped students are recommended to go to these schools. Students who are autistic or even hearing impaired are encouraged to attend the public schools because educators want a blended environment with no child being left out. Additionally, the students will receive realistic scenarios because they weren't sheltered from other people. Teachers are well-equipped with various counseling, guidance, and psychology tools to refine the learning material in the classrooms.

Amelioa288 (talk) 16:47, 21 April 2017 (UTC)

Source 1.5 and 1.6 and 1.7 Notes
Early Childhood Preschool Education

Centers for children who fell in the early childhood category didn't have access to the education they do now. The government of the Bahamas assisted in implementing preschool centers for children under the age of 5.

SOURCE 1.6 NOTES:

They also took action to make daycare centers and private preschools for the significant amount of children who were in need of it. The importance of the expansion of preschools was based on the fact that children needed to be more equipped when entering first grade. Most of them don't have the fundamental skills that would allow them to comprehend what is going on in that next level.

In order to guarantee success in the preschools, it was necessary for the government to establish the Preschool and Daycare Centre Council. They oversee all systems and functions that take place in the daycares and private preschools across the country. 64 preschools that are stand alone or a preschool unit, an addition to a primary school, reside all across the Bahamas today.

Every couple of years the Council reevaluates the curriculum of these preschools to stay updated with the changing world around them. Their curriculum is the standard reading, writing, and numeracy, but the Council continues to strive to bring technology in the mix. Technology makes up most of the workforce that they will eventually enter into, so it is crucial for them to be ready for when they use it in their primary and secondary schools.

PRIMARY EDUCATION

With the number of children living in urban areas of the Bahamas rising, it was about time for primary schools to make an appearance. Primary Education begins at age 5 and lasts for six years. Most students speak English by this point in their studies, but there are occasions where a child is still coming to understand English as their second language. The primary schools heavily reinforce English as their second language so from that point on, there is a commonality among all the students. As a result, primary school teachers are taught the mechanisms used to teach the students English in addition to their regular everyday studies. Those include: math, science, language arts, reading, etc.

At this stage, educators are guiding the students to become problem-solvers and make connections from the curriculum to real life.

'''SECONDARY EDUCATION '''

Secondary Education is a total of three years, but is divided into two equal parts of the time they spend there. The first half, considered junior high, accommodates students from ages eleven to fourteen. The second half of those three years, considered senior high, accommodates ages fourteen to seventeen. The reason for this split is merely because the schools don't want any bullying taking place on the younger students and, in turn, affecting their focus on their schoolwork.

The secondary education curriculum was designed to expose the students to cultural subjects as well as vocational and technical subjects. The hope is the students will be presented opportunities that integrate them socially and culturally to fully comprehend life out of the institution.

By the end of grade nine, students are administered a Bahamas Junior Certificate examination that they must pass this exam in order to move onto their next level. The Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education is given to students as an exit exam at the end of grade 12. It is expected that students make it all the way to grade 12 once they enroll in the first grade. Most students complete secondary school with no problem, but it is up to them if they wish to purse a post-secondary school institution.

TERTIARY EDUCATION/UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS

There are a number of small-scale community colleges across the country that are open to any student looking to further their post-secondary education. As expected, there is an application process that students must complete before being accepted.

In 1974, one of the larger colleges within the Bahamas opened it's doors with offerings of associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. The College of the Bahamas was an equivalent of a state school in terms of how prestigious it was. As time went on, the Bahamas realized that in order for them to keep up with the competitive edge of universities, they would have to expand their programs. Various bachelor degrees were added in fields of Nursing, Business, and Education around the early 1990s which accelerated their program developments.

The College Council continued to grow their institution by adding various buildings to provide educational environments for the different career fields. All of the expanding they were doing was what set off the idea of creating an upgraded College of the Bahamas: University of the Bahamas. A committee was created to handle all of the planning that would go into the future University and by August of 2006 a plan was finalized. The transition was one that took time, but by August of 2016 the President of the University's academic committee, Jerome Fitzgerald, announced that the College of the Bahamas was officially the University of the Bahamas.

The University expresses that it's mission is to promote a higher education for their students that will benefit them in all aspects of their careers. University of the Bahamas strives to build the commonwealth of their country, so it is more than worth it to them to have built something as large-scale as the new institution.

Amelioa288 (talk) 03:06, 23 April 2017 (UTC)