THE ESSENCE OF HARD COPY DICTIONARIES

In Ghana’s current educational landscape, the use of hard copy dictionaries, especially in second-cycle institutions, has drastically declined. This was not the case just a few years ago. But what are the implications of this shift on learners’ literacy development?

First, the decline has affected learners' scanning skills. Without the regular use of physical dictionaries, many students struggle to master scanning, a skill that is essential for reading comprehension. With electronic dictionaries, there is no need to scan; you just type the word, and the meaning appears instantly.

Secondly, learners are missing out on incidental vocabulary acquisition. While flipping through hard copy dictionaries, students often stumble upon new words. That kind of passive exposure is rare with the digital versions.

In addition, the once-common habit of building a personal word bank is slowly fading. Sure, students can Google a word’s meaning anytime, which is convenient, but it also means fewer are keeping a personal record of new vocabulary they encounter while reading. ✍

My Suggestion:

Let us encourage a hybrid approach of using both hard copy and digital dictionaries in our classrooms. This could enhance vocabulary development, spelling, scanning skills, and overall reading comprehension.

What’s your take on the use of hard copy dictionaries in schools today?
Should we encourage their usage alongside the digital ones?
Can you think of any other benefits of using hard copy dictionaries?

Let everyone teach a lesson until we become enemies of ourselves. What happened to humanity

How a penguin ‘divorce’ can impact a whole colony

Little blue penguin break-up rates are a new tool that could predict their colony’s future in the face of climate change and habitat loss.

You might have heard that penguins mate for life, but for little penguins, the grass is often greener. These tiny birds, found in Australia and New Zealand, divorce their mate if they're not happy with how many chicks they're producing.
#Penguin #NationalGeographic

More👇🏽
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/penguin-divorce-colony-survival-health

A volunteer at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation became stuck in mud when risking his safety to move deadly snakes from the riverbank.

An orangutan approached, and this.

[ Anil Prabhakar]

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY AND HIS LEGACY!!!

This is a beautiful and detailed account of St. Valentine's life and legacy.

It's amazing to learn about his bravery, compassion, and devotion to his faith. His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of love, kindness, and selflessness.

Who is St. Valentine?
St. Valentine was a Catholic priest who lived in Rome during the 3rd century. He defied Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriages and continued to perform secret weddings, earning him a reputation as a patron of love and relationships.

His Martyrdom
Valentine was arrested, beaten, and executed on February 14, 270 AD.

During his imprisonment, he healed the jailer's blind daughter and converted her and others to Christianity.
St. Valentine’s legacy
St. Valentine's legacy has significantly impacted modern relationships, influencing cultural norms, traditions, and expressions of love. Here are some ways:

Couples' celebrations: The holiday has created a cultural expectation for couples to celebrate their love, fostering a sense of togetherness and commitment.

Relationship Expectations
Expressing emotions: St. Valentine's Day encourages people to express their emotions, creating an expectation for open communication and vulnerability in relationships.

Gift-giving and gestures: The tradition of exchanging gifts and making romantic gestures has raised the bar for relationship expectations, with many people anticipating thoughtful and creative expressions of love.

Positive Influences
Love and appreciation: St. Valentine's Day promotes love, appreciation, and gratitude, encouraging people to cherish their relationships.

Renewed commitment: The holiday can serve as a reminder to rekindle romance, strengthen bonds, and reaffirm commitment.

St. Valentine's bravery and compassion inspired generations. He was declared a saint in 496 AD, and February 14th became known as St. Valentine's Day.

Today, people around the world celebrate love, affection, and devotion on this day.

St. Valentine's legacy has profoundly impacted modern relationships, shaping cultural norms, expectations, and expressions of love. While there are potential drawbacks, the holiday's emphasis on love, appreciation, and commitment remains a positive force.

Prayer
Through St. Valentine's intercession, may young people seeking true love find guidance and wisdom. St. Valentine, pray for us. Amen!!!

Happy Feast Day to all Valentines!

LIFE INSURANCE POLICY PLAN

What is Insurance? What are the benefits of insurance? Have you ever considered insurance as a protection policy plan for yourself and your family? Well, at the end of this write-up you will be convinced that insurance is not a myth or an abhorrence to man.

The Japanese are the most insured in the world; while
South Africa is the most insured in Africa. Unfortunately, Ghana is no where found on the list.

Insurance is a contract between you (or a business) and an insurance company to help protect you and your loved ones from financial loss due to an unexpected event, like an accident, illness, natural disaster, or other unexpected circumstances.

Again, Insurance is a way to manage your risk. When you buy insurance, you purchase protection against unexpected financial losses. The insurance company pays you or someone you choose if something bad happens to you. If you have no insurance and an accident happens, you may be responsible for all related costs.

However, Insurance and Assurance are two commonly misused terms in insurance policy documents. While both terms describe the policy coverage, they have different meanings.

While insurance provides monetary compensation for a covered event, assurance provides financial support in a covered situation.

Benefits of insurance

These include the following:-

Financial security

Life insurance

Tax benefits

Risk sharing.

There are quite a number of insurance companies currently operating in Ghana.

The following are the top Life insurance companies in Ghana, today. These are:-

Entreprise Insurance

Star Insurance

SIC

Prudential Life Insurance

Prudential Life Insurance is number 4 out of 24 registered Life Insurance companies in Ghana.

Prudential Life Insurance was first called Prudential Assurance Company and was established in the UK in the year, 1848. The company paid compensation to the TITANIC accident Cruise Ship Victims in the year 1912.

It was registered in Ghana in 2014.

Prudential Life Insurance currently has 24 million clients, insured across the world and 500,000 more customers across Africa.

Prudential Life insurance helps to take the financial risk out of life’s big decisions. The company creates long-term value for its customers, its shareholders and the communities it serves.

The company's Individual Insurance Plans include:-

Ultimate Hospital cash back (either for individual or family).

Educational Support Plan

Another insurance policy plan is Ultimate Premier Farewell (Death) and Ultimate Classic Farewell

Last is the Prudent Life Plan, which provides cover till age, seventy years.

In conclusion, you will agree with me that insurance is rather an important part of our lifetime for security and protection and not a myth or something to be scared of.

Social Saturday: Navigating Relationships and Society

Social Saturday is dedicated to exploring the intricate dynamics of relationships, community, and society. Gain valuable insights into communication, empathy, and building meaningful connections. Engage in thought-provoking discussions about societal issues, cultural diversity, and the human experience. Together, let's navigate the complexities of the social fabric that weaves us all together.
#SocialSaturday

3 types of Artificial Intelligence based on performance.
#AI #ANI #AGI #ASI

[Image source: Zapier]

Ethical Considerations in AI

While the benefits of AI are undeniable, its rapid advancement raises important ethical questions.

One major concern is bias in AI systems. Since AI algorithms learn from data, they can inherit biases present in that data, leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes.

For example, biased hiring algorithms could perpetuate gender or racial inequalities. Transparency is another issue—many AI systems operate as “black boxes,” making decisions without clear explanations, which can erode trust and accountability.

Privacy is also a significant concern. AI systems often rely on vast amounts of personal data, raising questions about how that data is collected, stored, and used.

There’s also the fear of job displacement as AI automates tasks traditionally performed by humans. While AI can create new opportunities, it’s crucial to ensure a fair transition for affected workers.

Finally, the development of autonomous weapons and other harmful applications highlights the need for global regulations to prevent misuse.

As we embrace AI, we must prioritize ethical frameworks that ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that AI serves humanity as a whole.

[Image generated by Google Gemini]

#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #AIR

We're Authicles, we're authentic! Sanitizing the digital world, one verified profile at a time. Let's stay true to what really matters in life.

#AuthenticityMatters #StayTrue

How to Manage Stress Effectively

Stress is an inevitable part of life, often arising from work pressures, personal challenges, or unexpected events. While some stress can motivate us to achieve our goals, excessive stress can take a toll on our physical and mental well-being. Learning to manage stress is essential for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

1. Identify Stress Triggers:
The first step to managing stress is recognizing what causes it. Common triggers include workload, financial concerns, or relationship issues. By identifying these triggers, you can create a plan to address them effectively.

2. Practice Relaxation Techniques:
Relaxation methods such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help calm your mind and body. Spending a few minutes daily focusing on your breath or engaging in mindfulness exercises can reduce anxiety and enhance your emotional resilience.

3. Exercise Regularly:
Physical activity is a natural stress reliever. Activities like walking, jogging, or even dancing release endorphins, the body's "feel-good" hormones, which can improve your mood and reduce stress levels.

4. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle:
Eating nutritious meals, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep are crucial for managing stress. A healthy body supports a healthy mind, making you better equipped to handle challenges.

5. Seek Support:
Sometimes, talking to someone about your stress can provide relief. Reach out to friends, family, or a therapist for support. Sharing your feelings can help you gain perspective and develop strategies to cope.

Conclusion
Managing stress is a skill that requires consistent effort and practice. By identifying your triggers, embracing relaxation techniques, staying active, and seeking support, you can reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Remember, stress is a part of life, but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to control you.

Source: American Psychological Association (APA) – Tips for Managing Stress.

AI image generation - Openai

Benedicta Attayo Eric Opoku Gyebi Stephanie Sika

"Wildfires are increasing around the globe in frequency, severity and duration, heightening the need to understand the health effects of wildfire exposure. The risk of wildfires grows in extremely dry conditions, such as drought, heat waves and during high winds." ~ World Health Organization

#WHO #WorldHealthOrganization

Read https://www.who.int/health-topics/wildfires