Sunday, 7 September 2008

Relative pronoun and clauses

1- The beach is a place that I go to if I am feeling a little depressed and it always makes me feel better.
2- Kamelia, who is one of my closet friends, always know how to console me.
3- Poligamy is a notion that I will never be able to accept.
4- An old ring, which is probably my most treasured possession, was given to me by my grand mother.
5- Few people have heard of Hicham Elgerouj who is a runner, but he is very famous in my country.
6- London which I've always dreamed of visiting, now seems to me like any other city.

Saturday, 6 September 2008

Modal Verb Exercise


This exercise of Modal Verbs was found on the Jim's blog which is really great, I scored 72% in first attempt and could be quite useful for us in order to prepare our selves for the test on wednesday. Exercise can be found by clicking HERE

Friday, 5 September 2008

Presentation Planner


Ahhaaa!!!


Here we go... I found a very good link on Steve's blog about the presentation, how can we plan about our presentation which is going to be on tuesday. Presentation Planner is a very good site to go through in order to prepare the presentation. The other thing I would like to refer to is Jim's Guidelines for presentation which focuses on Simplicity is the key, so its worth having a look before we prepare our presentations.

Word Family


Another very useful website about word families found on Jim's blog with the number of words over 100 Million and usage of these words in different types of sentences and structures. The website is called British National Corpus. We can find any english word's family here just by typing the word and their usage in different types of sentences and structures.

Thanks to Jim for his really hard work to penetrate some really good knowledge into us this month.

Verb Tenses


I found this online exercise on Jim's blog about verb tense review, my reslut was 67% in first attempt. I still have some problem with my verb tenses. Never mind 67% is not bad enough I think. The exercise on verb tenses can be found by clicking this link, Verb Tense Exercise

Reporting Verbs


I found these reporting verbs on the internet which can be used to report anything either taken from other sources to support our argument in academic writing. These words are divided into to parts stronger reporting verbs or weaker reporting verbs.

These reporting verbs with the idea of how the can be used to express different ideas can be found HERE

Tuesday, 2 September 2008

First draft of Essay as it was supposed to be


‘Summarise the main effects of globalisation and discuss to what extent they are beneficial to software development industry.’

1 Introduction (198 words)

It is widely believed that international trading and communication have become the most conversed topic nearly by everyone in developed and the countries who are in their development course recently, during the last couple of decade. It is commonly assumed that globalisation has affected almost more than half of the world in various ways according to their internal and external ethics or precedence.

Before 1960s when someone hardly even knew about it, is now happened to be under the tongue of everyone in the recent years. Nor political neither educational vocalization is deemed to be as much comprehensive without merely at least a smallest indication towards globalisation. People have been seen with a variety of completely different estimations about the growth to world level, (Reith Lectures, 1999). A significant number of people claim that globalisation is not more than “just talk”. They argue that we might contract a slight amount in profits through import and export. However, a vast majority of people maintain that it can be seen albeit all over the places. In this essay, first we will look at the main effects of globalisation; secondly we’ll consider pros and cons of this on software development industry.

2 Economy

Foreign investments are opening new matter of controversy of the effects of globalisation on world economy.....

3 Environment

Another substantial apprehension may be observed as the change in environmental behaviour.....

4 Positive effects on software development

Nowadays, the world we are living in is proposed to be a global village, in which the software development industry has co-operated significantly

5 Negative effects on software development

It is becoming very common in developed countries to outsource their software to the other countries as a consequence less jobs for their own inhabitants....

6 Conclusion

Contrary to expectation, it can be clearly seen that globalisation is taking over our world in almost every aspect of life.....

References:

Reith Lectures (1999: Lecture1), BBC Radio4, ‘RUNAWAY WORLD’, viewed 19/08/08, http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith1999/lecture1.shtml

Thursday, 28 August 2008

Essay on globalisation


‘Summarise the main effects of globalisation and discuss to what extent they are beneficial to global software development.’

It is widely believed that the globalisation has become the most conversed topic nearly by everyone in developed and the countries who are in their development course recently, during the last decade. It is commonly assumed that it has affected the nations of almost more than half of the world in various ways according to their internal and external ethics or precedence.
Before 1960s when someone hardly even knew about it, is now happened to be under the tongue of everyone in the recent years. Nor political neither educational vocalization is deemed to be as much comprehensive without merely at least a smallest indication towards globalisation. It could be known as different terms in different countries as it is likely to be due to the diverse languages but the expression is about the same everywhere.

First of all we need to know actually, what is globalisation? According to Reith Lectures (1999) people have been seen with a variety of completely different estimations about globalisation. A significant number of people claim that globalisation is not more than “just talk”. They argue that the global economy is about the same as it was years ago as we might contract a slight amount in profits through import and export. However, a vast majority of people declare that it can be seen albeit all over the places. In this essay we will carry out two main topics. First we will look on to the main effects of globalisation; secondly we’ll consider pros and cons of this on software development industry.

Globalisation may be affecting almost all of the aspects of the global age around humans such as traditions (Asian traditional dishes could be found widely available in Britain and elsewhere), culture (we normally don’t wear our cultural clothing in the UK), environment (greenhouse gases), economy (some countries are getting more affluent. Conversely, some are getting down-and-out) etc. Reith Lectures (1999), for example, noted:

"When Scots get together to celebrate their national identity, they do so in ways steeped in tradition. Men wear the kilt, with each clan having its own tartan - and their ceremonials are accompanied by the wail of the bagpipes. By means of these symbols, they show their loyalty to ancient rituals - rituals whose origins go far back into antiquity. "

Exemplified by the text above it can be clearly seen how Scots are putting off their minds from their traditional and cultural costumes just due to adopting different origins’ outfits moreover they only have them on when they get in concert to commemorate their ancient identity, which could be argued as one of the enormous losses of so called “globalisation”, as this is a universal truth “You get something, you lose something.”

Another substantial apprehension may be observed as the change in environmental behaviour. Environmental mutation is likely to be a trendy word in scientific questions on long-range structural change in the world’s natural balance. Various researchers have published their ideologies on the relationship of global trade and its effect on environment and a generally perceived idea is that it effects the environment in the same way as the economic growth does, adversely in some stage and favourably in others. As Theodore Panayotou (2000) suggests, globalisation is highly driven and articulated by the free trade, trading liberty and its outcomes. In the modern world these are tend to be the major feed through which globalization collide the natural environment and affects its quality i.e. ‘ozone layer’. The more use of trading channels i.e. shipping, transportation and more pollution as a direct result.

As it was expected, international trading should be used in order to pull off individual aspirations, to pick up standards of living and to improve worth of life. Contrary to expectations, the reality is may be completely poles apart.

Foreign investments are opening new matter of controversy of the effects of globalisation on global economy and this may pick up the pace of the structural change. Thus, shifting or moving industrial structure of the state and consequently resource use from the beginning to the end prologue to foreign investment, results in rise of labour. Globalization may diffuse capital depending on their financial characteristics or circumstances relative to existing assets. The environment may improve or deteriorate but, it can predict the economic growth worldwide and increases overall global output, globalization could implausibly reduce or amplify economic projections in individual countries, sectors and industries, exemplified by China, Uganda, Vietnam and India. Such improvements may restore public’s confidence on the rulers and feel their selves safe and secured in their nation. In opposition, humiliation of economies and people may result in induce poverty and deficiency.

Nowadays, the world we are living in is proposed to be a global village, in which the computer industry has co-operated significantly. For instance, the money can be transferred throughout the planet right away. Similarly, messages can be sent through emails or texts instantaneously across the borders. Previously, it was never thought to be possible unless someone goes personally to deliver. All of these achievements are honoured only owing the radical software development.

Technology is changing on overnight basis relentlessly in the world of machines. As a result of this, soaring dexterities are greeted always by the software development firms. Some of the current pinnacle list of skills are as follows: object-oriented programming (web-based, client-server applications, desktop and mobile applications), graphic and web designing, .NET, Oracle, SQL Server, Java, Flash, Director, Dreamweaver etc. this leads the companies to explore for the endowment broadly with the exceptional aptitude.

References:

Reith Lectures (1999: Lecture1), BBC Radio4, ‘RUNAWAY WORLD’, viewed 19/08/08, http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith1999/lecture1.shtml
Reith Lectures (1999: Lecture3), BBC Radio4, ‘RUNAWAY WORLD’, viewed 21/08/08, http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith1999/lecture3.shtml
Theodore Panayotou (2000), Working papers: Centre of International development at Harvard University, ‘Globalisation and Environment’, viewed 25/08/08, http://www.unu.edu/interlink/papers/WG1/Panayotou.pdf

Tuesday, 26 August 2008

Opening sentences of the paragraphs


I tried to some sentences about the globalisation which we are going to write this month. I hope these are making some sence.


It is widely believed that the globalisation has become the most conversed topic nearly by everyone...

Before 1960s when someone hardly even knew about it, is now happened to be under the tongue of everyone in the recent years...

First of all we need to know actually, what is globalisation?....

Globalisation may be affecting almost all of the aspects of the global age around humans...

Another substantial apprehension may be observed as the change in environmental behaviour.

As it was expected, international trading should be used in order to pull off individual aspirations....

Foreign investments are opening new matter of controversy of the effects of globalisation on global economy....

Nowadays, the world we are living in is proposed to be a global village, in which the computer industry has co-operated significantly....

Monday, 25 August 2008

My Essay plan


First of all I'll provide a breif overview about the globalisation very generally. I am looking about 2 or 3 paragraphs for introduction pointing out some researchs already done about globalisation. After introduction I'll explicate about the effects of globalisation in different areas of life giving some good examples from some research I've already done. After summarising all of these effects I'll write about the pros and cons of globalisation regarding my subject area which is Software Engineering and then finally I'll try to write a small conclusion about my essay.

Wednesday, 20 August 2008

Some stuff for the essay

Very Interesting!!!!

Actually I found this documentary on our great educator's (Steve Wasserman) blog which I found it really nice to prepare us for the main essay for this month, the documentary is called The new rulers of the world, please have a look. And another article I found on the other teacher's blog, who I think hardly stops working for the sake of good grades of his students (Jim) the article can be found here No cheers for globalisation.

So far these both I found really interesting, I'll update my blog very soon if I find some other good stuff :)

Tuesday, 19 August 2008

c'mon Leeds lets attack globalisation, together :)


I heard and read some of these lectures and found some information in some of these related to our main topic globalisation specially in the Lecture 1 which is obviously on globalisation :) please find the links below to jump directly on the lectures.

Lecture 1: Globalisation - London
Lecture 2: Risk - Hong Kong
Lecture 3: Tradition - Delhi
Lecture 4: Family - Washington DC
Lecture 5: Democracy - London

Monday, 18 August 2008

Get ready guys - Too much self study to do this month



hmm... after the class today it seems like we are going to do the self study most of the time this month, so guys please get ready as this is the last month and we need to get most out of this month. We need to help each other as much as we can as it seems we need to do the most of the work by our selves, I am always here by myself if anyone needs me any time just give me a shout and you'll find me just next to you.

At the end...

Best of luck to all of the class.

Here are some answers of the questions raised in the class today.
What is globalisation? - The gaurdian
What is globalisation? - Wikipedia (A very good explanation of globalisation in different ways can be found here)

New Month - Catching the time


Hi guys I hope all of my friends had a good month-ending long weekend :) lets get back to work now please :) I visited some of the links given by Steve in the class on thursday and found them really helpful in writing essays next month. I am pasting these links here for my friends to save the typing time.

University of Essex - Writing
UEFAP - Writing
What makes a good academic writing
University of Essex - Referencing
Constructing the paragraph
Coping with academic writing
Uni Learning - Essay writing
Academic writing module - Paragraphs
Uni Learning - Body of the essay

Some other useful links

How to structure an essay (A good explanation of Horizontal and Vertical patterns)

Try this exercise
Exercise of Topic Sentences (My score was 97% 7 out of 8 at first attempt)

Friday, 8 August 2008

Introduction and one paragraph - Draft



‘Increased use of science and technology to fight crime is an infringement on personal privacy.’ To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is widely believed as a whole society that the most encouraging act carried out by the law enforcement agencies is considered to be the prevention of crime. If these agencies deal with the offences before they even take place, the costs we pay in result of the effects of crime may be entirely evaded. Police play a big role in crime deterrence but it doesn’t mean they are the only people to help us fight misdeeds. In this modern era we have different sorts of technologies helping us to tackle the problems we face to make our environment safe and sound. However, according to Barry Steinhardt (1999) Associate Director of The American Civil Liberties Union, CCTVs could be seen as "intrusive" and do not need to have a warrant, a probable cause or individual suspicion to search anyone. In addition, these technologies are considered not to have much effect on the crime rate as previously thought. In this essay we will undertake two main topics. First we will discuss the available technology to help us fight offensive society; secondly we will come across the consequences of this on personal privacy.

Getting in to the modern age provides us with the whole lot of extraordinary opportunities, as we can communicate around the globe in several ways using the fastest ways ever invented by the human minds in the history so far such as email, mobile phones etc. We probably fall into the most sophisticated age bracket technologically, while speaking in the favour of the other side of the argument. Even this cosmopolitan style of civilization doesn’t help lessen crime ratio. According to the Kervin Harry (2008) the percentage of crime we face now is less than it was 30 years ago but, it is still not acceptable. Thus, here we need to receive the help from up to date technology to experience living in a better environment.







Bibliography:



Harry, K. Net News (2008), ‘Letter: The recent murder and crime in St Vincent’, 25/07/08, viewed 07/08/2008, http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-9374--7-7--.html

Steinhardt, B. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) (1999), ‘Law Enforcement Should Support Privacy Laws for Public Video Surveillance’ 04/08/1999, viewed 06/08/2008, http://www.aclu.org/safefree/resources/16782res19990408.html

Note: Due to some restriction of HTML these links are not appearing in less than "<" and greater than ">" tags for this reason just typing them as it is.

Thursday, 7 August 2008

Practising arguments and counter arguments

The following examples show one side of the argument only. Continue the sentences with a counter argument.

1. It is often said that the paparazzi are too intrusive when pursuing famous people for front page photographs, and to a certain extent this is true. However, a significant number of people believe that this type of behaviour is in their own favour, to keep them in the public’s eyes.
2. Some people consider that murderers face capital punishment rather than imprisonment, and in some ways it may be possible to argue this case. However, in the developed countries like Britain this sort of punishment is considered to be a breach of human rights.
3. It is generally agreed that youth crime is rising and that the police need to take action of some kind to tackle the problem. Nevertheless, it could be handled by educating the youngsters through the different kind of teaching activities interesting enough for them to acquire their attention easily.
4. A common viewpoint is that young people are eating increasingly unhealthy diet ant that schools should therefore take measures such as banning junk food from their canteen menus. Whilst this may be a sensible idea in some ways, we should not forget that the fast food chains such as McDonald’s and Burger King contribute a big role in the economy and the job market.
5. It is widely believed that education is a universal right and that universities should therefore be open to all those who wish to undertake higher education studies. On the other hand, this seems not to be possible because of the high fees, which is directly connected to the educators’ salaries and the government might not possibly be able to afford their wages.
6. Recent research has suggested that the planet is heating up at a faster than expected rate and there have been calls for politicians to do more to address the problem. We should, however, bear in mind that we cannot leave all of the responsibility to the politicians only. We as a responsible citizen should take our part to undertake the problem standing side by side to the rulers.
7. It is often argued that ‘a glass ceiling’ makes it more difficult for women to have the same opportunities and rewards in business as their male counterparts. This may be true in some ways, but
8. Although many people say that there are risks involved in using the internet, because each and every information is available not only to the adolescents but to the kids as well whatever they want to look for. However, it all depends on individuals what type of information they need to take out of this striving technology. Whether they want to go for the good purpose or the bad reason.

Steve's Homework - 05/08/08

The following paragraphs are all mixed up see if you can put them together.

TS = Topic Sentence
SS = Supporting Sentences

Paragraph1
A. SS1
B. SS3
C. TS
D. SS2

Paragraph 2
A. SS2
B. TS
C. SS4
D. SS3
E. SS5
F. SS1

Paragraph 3
A. SS3
B. SS2
C. SS5
D. TS
E. SS1
F. SS4

Paragraph 3
A. SS5
B. TS
C. SS4
D. SS6
E. SS2
F. SS3
G. SS7

Monday, 4 August 2008

Reflections on Seminar


Had I done enough research and preparation?

I think yes I had done enough preparation to participate in the seminar. Because it is clearly shown through my blog posts the links I posted for the articles I read and the documentries I watched.

Did I speak enough during the seminar?

Actually I spoke enough during the seminar and I tried to involve all of the members into the seminar by asking them their opinion.

Was I a good listener?

I tried to listen every one very attentively when the other members were speaking and tried to took some notes for myself to help me to in writing the introduction.

Did I argue my opinion clearly?

I tried to make some very clear arguments by explaining them through the help of different examples.

Did I give reasons, examples and evidence to support my opinions?

I tried to provide different examples and evidences to support my dialogues according to my preparation for the seminar.

Did I ask relevant questions to other people?

To some extent, yes I did ask a few members a few questions by picking up some points from their part of speech.

Was the language I used accurate?

Somewhere it was accurate but somewhere as I think I mumbled but I asked the other participants if they were unclear about anything, I could explain that again.

Had I prepared the language I needed before the seminar?

Actually I prepared the vocabulary for the seminar because I found that necessary while I tried to use seminar language somewhere, where ever I thought it is needed.

Did I direct the discussion or help keep the discussion moving in the right direction?

At some points yes, when I realized the discussion is going somewhere else instead of the actual topic, I tried to turn the other members’ attention very politely towards the topic we were discussing.

Could other people clearly understand what I was saying?

Yes of course, because when I saw some blank faces I immediately stoped my self there and asked them as if they were getting my point of view or not.

Did I work well with the other people in my group?

Yes I think because I tried many times to get every member attending the seminar involved in the discussion, just to let them express their ideas.



At the end I would like to say this seminar was much better than the previous one because everyone performed so well and at some points I experienced as if we were going to have a fight with each other and on the other hand the environment was really friendly sometimes. The arguments were strong and argumentative.

That’s all your honour

wi-fi CCTV on its way


Another interseting article was found on the BBC News website in which they claim it as a solution for the cables all around for the CCTV cameras. Westminister council has installed these cameras in Soho Square on experiment basis and plans to extend in near future.

Sunday, 3 August 2008

Suspect Nation - The loop holes of surveillance age


Preparation for the seminar

Very informative documentary about the surveillance cameras and other technologies monitoring us all the times as if we are living in a suspect nation. Good to watch you’ll learn many things regarding the seminar on Monday. The major questions I got in my mind after watching this documentary are, are they trying to fight with the criminals using these advanced technologies or are they trying to make their nation suspect? And the most surprising thing in the documentary was, the representative of Channel 4 who is presenting the documentary was bugged. Even the secure means of determining identity what they call is RFID so called revolutionary chip could be cloned. This is the same technology which is going to be used in upcoming British passports and British ID cards, not really secure.

I found it originally on Jim’s blog but copying it here for my friends who visit my blog. Please click the link below to access the documentary.

Please feel free to leave me some comments if you like it. :)