Primary 5 awarded pieces* (2nd place, 3rd place and merits)
Should assessments be conducted by video conferencing platforms? SECOND PLACE
Carlos Leung 5A
I think assessments should not be conducted by video conferencing platforms. Although online lessons is a common learning platform for students nowadays, there are some technical and practical problems needed to be resolved before online assessments are workable. The following is the reasons that I believe doing assessments by video conferencing platforms is not suitable for us at present.
Firstly, it is difficult to conduct a fair assessment via online platforms. Although teachers can monitor the whole assessment process through the online cameras, they cannot be absolutely sure that the students are doing the assessments alone as there are many blind spots from the camera. If any student is being dishonest, he can cheat during assessments easily.
Secondly, a stable network is required for doing video conferencing assessments smoothly. However, the network quality is determined by network provider and the user location. Since every student uses different network providers and lives in different places, the quality of network must be varied. Therefore, it is impossible for all students in an equal environment to take online assessments.
Last but not least, it is quite different from doing assessments by video conferencing platforms to proper assessments for students, especially they have to type the answers rather than write them on papers. Some of them may have difficulties for typing, especially Chinese during assessments, they may need more time to finish the paper than they normally do.
To sum it up, since there are many uncertainties for both teachers and students during online assessments, I strongly believe assessments should not be conducted by video conferencing platforms at present. However, technology is developing rapidly in modern world, video conferencing may become a major platform for conducting assessments in the future.
Carlos Leung 5A
I think assessments should not be conducted by video conferencing platforms. Although online lessons is a common learning platform for students nowadays, there are some technical and practical problems needed to be resolved before online assessments are workable. The following is the reasons that I believe doing assessments by video conferencing platforms is not suitable for us at present.
Firstly, it is difficult to conduct a fair assessment via online platforms. Although teachers can monitor the whole assessment process through the online cameras, they cannot be absolutely sure that the students are doing the assessments alone as there are many blind spots from the camera. If any student is being dishonest, he can cheat during assessments easily.
Secondly, a stable network is required for doing video conferencing assessments smoothly. However, the network quality is determined by network provider and the user location. Since every student uses different network providers and lives in different places, the quality of network must be varied. Therefore, it is impossible for all students in an equal environment to take online assessments.
Last but not least, it is quite different from doing assessments by video conferencing platforms to proper assessments for students, especially they have to type the answers rather than write them on papers. Some of them may have difficulties for typing, especially Chinese during assessments, they may need more time to finish the paper than they normally do.
To sum it up, since there are many uncertainties for both teachers and students during online assessments, I strongly believe assessments should not be conducted by video conferencing platforms at present. However, technology is developing rapidly in modern world, video conferencing may become a major platform for conducting assessments in the future.
A letter of advice to a character in Matilda THIRD PLACE
Charlie Au Yeung 5C
Dear Miss Trunchbull, 3rd February, 2022
Hello! My name is Charlie. I know you don’t like children, right? In this letter, I am going to give some advice to hopefully make you like children and help you give your students a better school experience.
In your school, I know that you like to be rude to your students and punish them. Instead of punishing them in the first step, you could try being nicer, for example, ask them why they did something wrong and perhaps forgive them. If it’s too severe, you could just maybe ask them to stand in the corner, bur not put them in the chokey. You could think of rebuilding the chokey into room for students to play. That will make them happier.
I know someone in Miss Honey’s class put a newt in your cup of water, but it was not Matilda. Instead of confirming that Matilda did it immediately, you should ask that anyone did it first. If no one confesses, you could try to self-investigate this incident, then punish the real student that did it. That would be a better solution, and it will be more fair for everyone.
I hope these advice will help you be a better headmistress. Tell me how it goes!
Please reply soon!
Yours,
Charlie
Charlie Au Yeung 5C
Dear Miss Trunchbull, 3rd February, 2022
Hello! My name is Charlie. I know you don’t like children, right? In this letter, I am going to give some advice to hopefully make you like children and help you give your students a better school experience.
In your school, I know that you like to be rude to your students and punish them. Instead of punishing them in the first step, you could try being nicer, for example, ask them why they did something wrong and perhaps forgive them. If it’s too severe, you could just maybe ask them to stand in the corner, bur not put them in the chokey. You could think of rebuilding the chokey into room for students to play. That will make them happier.
I know someone in Miss Honey’s class put a newt in your cup of water, but it was not Matilda. Instead of confirming that Matilda did it immediately, you should ask that anyone did it first. If no one confesses, you could try to self-investigate this incident, then punish the real student that did it. That would be a better solution, and it will be more fair for everyone.
I hope these advice will help you be a better headmistress. Tell me how it goes!
Please reply soon!
Yours,
Charlie
An Unexpected Swimming Race MERIT
Matthew Choy 5B
It was my first time participating in the cross harbour swimming race organised for teenagers, but I hadn’t prepared well at all. I didn’t dream for any medals but no one could believe what happened next.
Having arrived at the beach, I put on my swimming suit and waited to race against other opponents. I would have to swim across the harbour to the opposite island, which would be very tiring. It made me very nervous at the outset. A minute later, “beeb”, all participants took off to swim immediately.
After swimming about 500 metres, I felt very exhausted and wanted to give up. All of a sudden, I noticed that a baby shark was following me not far behind. Then I attempted to swim away from the baby shark as quickly as possible. But it swam very fast and was very close to my body before I could escape.
So, I dove beneath the shark trying to grab its back. I scratched it with my fingers and stomped on it with my feet. Red blood gushed from the shark. The little shark seemed to be threatened and struggled to flee. I was exhausted and all I could do was hold tight to it. I was over a barrel and then fainted.
Then, I was awoken by people bustling around me. I realised that I was already in shallow water at the swimming destination on the other island, and the shark was swimming away. The shark had sailed me across the harbour! Unbelievably, nobody was yet at the finishing line, and I was the first.
It was only once in a blue moon that I have such an unexpected and unforgettable experience. The baby shark deserved the medal instead of me.
Matthew Choy 5B
It was my first time participating in the cross harbour swimming race organised for teenagers, but I hadn’t prepared well at all. I didn’t dream for any medals but no one could believe what happened next.
Having arrived at the beach, I put on my swimming suit and waited to race against other opponents. I would have to swim across the harbour to the opposite island, which would be very tiring. It made me very nervous at the outset. A minute later, “beeb”, all participants took off to swim immediately.
After swimming about 500 metres, I felt very exhausted and wanted to give up. All of a sudden, I noticed that a baby shark was following me not far behind. Then I attempted to swim away from the baby shark as quickly as possible. But it swam very fast and was very close to my body before I could escape.
So, I dove beneath the shark trying to grab its back. I scratched it with my fingers and stomped on it with my feet. Red blood gushed from the shark. The little shark seemed to be threatened and struggled to flee. I was exhausted and all I could do was hold tight to it. I was over a barrel and then fainted.
Then, I was awoken by people bustling around me. I realised that I was already in shallow water at the swimming destination on the other island, and the shark was swimming away. The shark had sailed me across the harbour! Unbelievably, nobody was yet at the finishing line, and I was the first.
It was only once in a blue moon that I have such an unexpected and unforgettable experience. The baby shark deserved the medal instead of me.
A Fantastic Portal MERIT
Lai Ching Hang 5C
There once was a fantastic portal
Which was extremely unusual
As I jumped into it
It vibrated and lit
Brought me to somewhere unreachable
I landed in an ancient city
Which was in the Ming Dynasty
I met the emperor
In the palace centre
I bowed and said, “Your Majesty!”
I once travelled to the future
Full of hi-tech infrastructure
AI worked hard and smart
Every car zoomed like a dart
I exclaimed, “What a stunning picture!”
Thanks to the fantastic portal
I went to places impossible
From past to future times
Seeing things of all kinds
Is it a great tiny time shuttle?
Lai Ching Hang 5C
There once was a fantastic portal
Which was extremely unusual
As I jumped into it
It vibrated and lit
Brought me to somewhere unreachable
I landed in an ancient city
Which was in the Ming Dynasty
I met the emperor
In the palace centre
I bowed and said, “Your Majesty!”
I once travelled to the future
Full of hi-tech infrastructure
AI worked hard and smart
Every car zoomed like a dart
I exclaimed, “What a stunning picture!”
Thanks to the fantastic portal
I went to places impossible
From past to future times
Seeing things of all kinds
Is it a great tiny time shuttle?
Should assessments be conducted by video conferencing platforms? MERIT
Travis Ho 5D
Because of the pandemic, many institutions now use video conferencing platforms to hold competitions. Therefore, many people asked if exams can be conducted by video conferencing platforms. In my opinion, assessments should not be conducted by video conferencing for the following reasons.
To begin with, errors might be found when using video conferencing platforms. Sometimes, you cannot hear what other people are saying or can’t turn your camera on. This is a big problem when having assessments as teachers need to talk when starting the assessment and they also need to look at your camera to prevent anyone from cheating. If you don’t pay money and go to a video conferencing platform, it will kick you out after several minutes. However, our assessment paper’s time is longer so it will bother the assessment.
Secondly, financial concern would be another issue. Not everyone has enough money to buy an electronic device. Some students need to rely on government funding and they do not have spare money to buy an i-pad or a computer. If assessments are conducted by video conferencing platforms, the students can’t afford it and they could not have assessments.
Most importantly, honesty is another issue as some students might cheat. For example, they can open virtual backgrounds and do other things. They can also seek help by asking their tutors or searching on the internet. They can use the chatroom to discuss the answers. It will be easier to cheat by video conferencing platforms than having assessments at school.
In conclusion, I think that assessments should not be conducted by video conferencing platforms. What do you think?
Travis Ho 5D
Because of the pandemic, many institutions now use video conferencing platforms to hold competitions. Therefore, many people asked if exams can be conducted by video conferencing platforms. In my opinion, assessments should not be conducted by video conferencing for the following reasons.
To begin with, errors might be found when using video conferencing platforms. Sometimes, you cannot hear what other people are saying or can’t turn your camera on. This is a big problem when having assessments as teachers need to talk when starting the assessment and they also need to look at your camera to prevent anyone from cheating. If you don’t pay money and go to a video conferencing platform, it will kick you out after several minutes. However, our assessment paper’s time is longer so it will bother the assessment.
Secondly, financial concern would be another issue. Not everyone has enough money to buy an electronic device. Some students need to rely on government funding and they do not have spare money to buy an i-pad or a computer. If assessments are conducted by video conferencing platforms, the students can’t afford it and they could not have assessments.
Most importantly, honesty is another issue as some students might cheat. For example, they can open virtual backgrounds and do other things. They can also seek help by asking their tutors or searching on the internet. They can use the chatroom to discuss the answers. It will be easier to cheat by video conferencing platforms than having assessments at school.
In conclusion, I think that assessments should not be conducted by video conferencing platforms. What do you think?
A Day in the Life of a Computer MERIT
Kan Yik Shun 5D
C is for Computer - that’s me. I am glad that everyone uses me everyday and everywhere. I am as necessary as the air to humans. People in the world can’t live without me. I play a very important role in people’s daily life.
Although most people think I’m not smarter than them, they still won’t know my multi-function, high technical and super memory has already got beyond them. I can perform different tasks easily and conveniently. Don’t look down on my thin and light body, I can learn faster and process more data than humans. I definitely finish all the tasks on time without any mistakes. I’m so proud of my efficiency and accuracy! Nowadays, people have already relied on me every day. I believe I will be the master of this world in the future!
Recently, my job has become harder. Because of the pandemic, the stay-at-home order had made me exhausted and tired out. I have become the essential teacher and playmate for students. I have nine online lessons, three to four video conferences, over five hours of surfing the internet a day. That hasn’t count on computer games.
My owner seems to fall in love with different computer games. To get high scores, he plays games day to night, night to day, that made me haven’t had any sleep since last month…poor me! My New Year wish is having a good nap!
Kan Yik Shun 5D
C is for Computer - that’s me. I am glad that everyone uses me everyday and everywhere. I am as necessary as the air to humans. People in the world can’t live without me. I play a very important role in people’s daily life.
Although most people think I’m not smarter than them, they still won’t know my multi-function, high technical and super memory has already got beyond them. I can perform different tasks easily and conveniently. Don’t look down on my thin and light body, I can learn faster and process more data than humans. I definitely finish all the tasks on time without any mistakes. I’m so proud of my efficiency and accuracy! Nowadays, people have already relied on me every day. I believe I will be the master of this world in the future!
Recently, my job has become harder. Because of the pandemic, the stay-at-home order had made me exhausted and tired out. I have become the essential teacher and playmate for students. I have nine online lessons, three to four video conferences, over five hours of surfing the internet a day. That hasn’t count on computer games.
My owner seems to fall in love with different computer games. To get high scores, he plays games day to night, night to day, that made me haven’t had any sleep since last month…poor me! My New Year wish is having a good nap!
A Story that Never Ends MERIT
Hayden Ma 5D
The hot sun shines brightly in the sky,
Animals come out of their homes.
The morning showers in the fog,
The dew water dripping on the log.
The earth is full of life.
The beaches are as crowded as a beehive,
The air-conditioners buzzing in a rhyme.
Ice-creams melting in the heat,
Cold drinks are much in a need.
The cloudless blue sky whistles in a breeze.
The brown leaves fall from the trees,
The wind howling like a wolf.
The ground covered with leaves,
The air dried like the desert.
As it blows softly without hurt.
The sun hiding behind the clouds,
As the heavy snow drops aloud.
Children playing the snow balls,
Wind flows through the walls.
The fireplace warms everyone and all.
This is a story that has cycled for a long time,
This is the beauty of the nature,
This is a story that never ends…
Hayden Ma 5D
The hot sun shines brightly in the sky,
Animals come out of their homes.
The morning showers in the fog,
The dew water dripping on the log.
The earth is full of life.
The beaches are as crowded as a beehive,
The air-conditioners buzzing in a rhyme.
Ice-creams melting in the heat,
Cold drinks are much in a need.
The cloudless blue sky whistles in a breeze.
The brown leaves fall from the trees,
The wind howling like a wolf.
The ground covered with leaves,
The air dried like the desert.
As it blows softly without hurt.
The sun hiding behind the clouds,
As the heavy snow drops aloud.
Children playing the snow balls,
Wind flows through the walls.
The fireplace warms everyone and all.
This is a story that has cycled for a long time,
This is the beauty of the nature,
This is a story that never ends…
