An Essay by Sena Uyanık

Do you think a nuclear energy plant should be built in Türkiye?

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Turkey needs a huge amount of energy investment to sustain its fast growing economy. Therefore, recently it is mentioned that a nuclear energy project will be built in our country. I think that it must be built. It is important to emphasize that this project is very significant for our country to achieve energy independence.

The prime minister of the government has decided to start building this project because of rising oil prices and dependency on foreign natural gas. For instance, Turkey paid 26 billion US $ for imported energy sources in 2006 and every year this price increases. Consequently, we should build this construction, instead of paying this money, because one can easily deduct that in five years time. This money is more than enough to finance the cost of the nuclear plant construction, so that we have energy independence. However, some groups claim that it shouldn’t be built. They say that the planned nuclear capacity will never cover more than 5 % of the Turkish energy demand in the future, but in reality it is not correct, because Turkey has uranium reserves totalling around 10.000 tones, and it is enough to last 50 years. As a consequence, even though we have a lot of resources, we don’t use them. In fact, this project is required for our country and our independence.

All in all, the plant construction ought to be built. We must pay our money for this project, instead of paying it to buy energy from other countries. To summarize, we should support this project for our country and our independence.

Written by Sena Uyanık, C16

Discussion Subject of the Week 21st - 25th of April

Surveillance in Schools: Safety vs. Personal Privacy
The Effects of Security Cameras at Schools

The important vocabulary in the text has been made purple for you.

From http://students.ed.uiuc.edu/jkelsey/surveillance/cameras.htm

Introduction

In recent years, violent episodes in schools in Arkansas, Colorado, California, Kentucky, Mississippi and other states have led educators and legislators to make "Safe Schools" a priority. Like many issues in education, suggestions on how to make a school "safe" have proceeded simultaneously on many different tracks. Teaching students strategies they can use to combat emotionally explosive situations through initiatives such as character education and peer mediation is one track that is currently used to help make schools safer. Another method that many schools are pursuing is stationing a full-time security officer (or officers) in the building. One of the most controversial methods involves surveillance of students through video cameras.

Benefits

At this time there are no unbiased studies of the benefits and drawbacks of the use of video surveillance systems in schools. Naturally, proponents of using these systems emphasize the benefits, while opponents discuss the drawbacks. Benefits to using cameras depend on the individual school and the problems it faces. Experts recommend following a procedure that first determines the problem, then decides how surveillance equipment can be used to address the problem.

One of the advantages that proponents of video surveillance claim is peace of mind for students and staff (Green, 1999, Why video cameras?). "Security experts and administrators who use the cameras say students and teachers seem to appreciate the increased sense of security". Naturally this is one of the most important features of a system that schools use in response to recent highly-publicized incidents of violence in the schools. Green argues that although cameras are passive, information about their presence will make its way through the community. Students and staff feel safer knowing that potential perpetrators will be scared off by the presence of cameras before committing an offense.

Another advantage that can be measured is a reduction in property damages such as vandalism and theft. "Far too often the administration can only react to vandalism with time-consuming, seldom successful and often fruitless attempts to identify the perpetrators". "The costs [of theft] are monetary (no money for replacement) and inconvenience (educational opportunity loss for our students)". Video surveillance systems provide a solution for these issues. "Cameras certainly multiply security’s eyes, helping the administration to apprehend and discipline students caught on camera". Cameras also provide security in hidden areas of schools that are physically difficult to monitor.

Finally, schools using video surveillance claim better behavior because of monitoring. ''Sometimes just the idea in kids' minds that there's a camera recording them keeps them from causing trouble or being difficult". "Word gets out (about the cameras and searches) and I think it's had an effect that way". Some schools view cameras as having a dual purpose. "All of Bullitt County's buses are being equipped with cameras to randomly monitor student behavior and driver performance". Since stored video records provide tangible evidence, school officials may find employee performance evaluations easier to do using video surveillance tools than face-to-face. The use of video records as evidence and as a means of identification may also be a reason students may be less inclined to cause trouble. "The solid documentation that a video recording provides can be invaluable in situations involving liability claims".

Drawbacks

Opponents to using video surveillance systems in schools emphasize several major drawbacks that need to be considered when studying the implementation of this kind of system. Cost is an obvious consideration. The equipment, testing, and installation of a system in a single school could cost $30,000 or more. Further, the school will have to provide money in future budgets for maintaining and upgrading the equipment.

Equally important is the question of effectiveness. "'Will it let an administrator know who did what? Sure,' said William Behre, an assistant professor at the College of New Jersey's Department of Special Education. 'Will it stop violence in any significant way? I don't think so.' He also noted that Columbine High School used surveillance cameras". Behre was a researcher in a University of Michigan study that studied violence in Midwestern schools and how the school administration responded. Opponents to cameras claim that as passive control devices, they won't be as effective in preventing violence as an adult would be.

Another disturbing thought is that adults with access to the surveillance system will use it for profiling purposes. "What assurances can be made that a student will not be unfairly targeted for surveillance because of their race, sexual orientation, gender, appearance, or religious beliefs"? Students have the concern they will be individually tracked by school administration. In The Four Problems With Public Video Surveillance, the American Civil Liberties Union urges "a consensus on limits for the capability of public CCTV systems" and "legally enforceable rules for the operation of such systems".

Finally, there is the question of how a surveillance system affects student morale. "When schools turn to technology as a 'quick fix,' there is a high risk of reinforcing a climate of fear and distrust, undermining the social ecology of the school, instead of actually having an impact on the identified problem". "What's wrong with the school? Have they lost the trust in their own students to a point that they have to spy on their lives"? "There's no indication that there's a need for this kind of prison-style security. The message it sends to students is 'We don't trust you, and everybody is a suspect'". "The more restrictions schools impose on students, the more alienated students are likely to feel, and the less involved in the learning process". "The cameras are teaching that government can and will invade your private space". "Heavy-handed school search policies foster distrust between students and administrators".

If you want to read the rest of the text, go to: http://students.ed.uiuc.edu/jkelsey/surveillance/cameras.htm

Discussion Subject of the Week 14th - 18th of April

The important vocabulary in the text has been made purple for you.

Public Universities versus Private Universities

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities.

In some regions of the world prominent public institutions are highly influential centres of research; many of these universities are ranked among the world's best in the THES - QS World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

In Turkey, many of the most renowned universities are public such as the İTÜ, Boğaziçi University and METU, while at the same time a few of the notable universities are private such as Bilkent University.

A private university is a university that is run without the control of any government entity, as opposed to public universities. Tuition fees at private universities tend to be much higher than at public universities.

From: http://www.gocollege.com/options/private-universities/

Private colleges and universities are institutions that are run without government interference. Basically, these colleges are privately owned and operated, allowing for whatever the preferred type of instruction would be to be carried out.

Benefits of Private Colleges and Universities

Smaller Class Sizes
Since the campuses are typically quite small, private colleges also have small class sizes. This allows for greater student/professor interaction and a more engaging learning experience. It is doubtful that you will encounter the gigantic lecture hall on a private campus. Even so, most that enroll in a private university see the small number of people on campus as an extreme benefit to the value of their education.

Greater Class Participation
Since classes have smaller enrollment numbers, more one-on-one and group participation occurs. Students that are usually shy tend to come out of their shells and speak up when the class sizes are smaller and if students are to be called on randomly, there is an increased chance that you will be asked to speak. Some people see this as a bad thing, but in reality, it’s a tremendous benefit to students that wish to fully engage in the learning experience.

Increased Likelihood of Graduating
Students that attend a private university rather than a public one have an increased chance of completing their educations. The thinking is that there is less pressure on a private university’s campus, so students can more fully engage in their classes. Likewise, the peer pressures and social issues that are prevalent on public college campuses are typically absent from the private college campus.

Greater Campus Involvement
Activities on campus at private colleges tend to be more intimate affairs, which give a greater number of students to participate in them at a time. Small group functions allow the student body to actively engage in various activities and to take on more challenging roles on campus.
A public college is one that receives federal funding of some sort and may be run by the state. This means that the curriculum must meet certain standards as decided by the state or federal government. Even though this governmental presence may not seem like a good thing, it does carry with it some benefits.

The Benefits of Public and State Universities

Public and state universities have many benefits that those seeking colleges to apply to should know about.

Lower Tuition Costs
Because public colleges are backed by the state or federal government, the cost of tuition and dorm fees are generally lower than private schools. For instance, at a state school in California, as a local resident you may pay about $1500 a semester, whereas at a private school you could pay as much as $10,000 a semester!

Diverse Campus
Public colleges tend to have more diverse campuses than private colleges do. The tuition is more affordable and people from all over the world come to public schools to pursue their desired fields of study. The ethnic diversity is quite high, allowing students to interact will all sorts of people from different backgrounds, countries and financial situations. This helps to balance out the student body and create a more inviting atmosphere for all.

Many Opportunities
Public universities tend to have more opportunities available to students on campus. This is because there are federally funded programs active on campus and companies and corporations use public schools as a means of recruiting students for jobs, internships and the like.
Likewise, public colleges allow students to seek out opportunities more often with abundant career fairs and club days. You can get involved at any point during the year here.

Competitive Atmosphere
Competition is high on public college campuses. For instance, you can join any activity you wish, participate in clubs and even get a job on campus. While you can do these things at a private college as well, you most assuredly will not experience the high level of competition involved as on a public campus. This is the place to make a name for yourself and get in with companies while a student. You can make use of student services to get an internship or a job and secure relationships with professors, especially if you plan on going to graduate school.

Community Based
Even though private schools have a smaller number of students enrolled, public schools definitely foster a great sense of community. You can be a part of large on campus clubs, an organization or take part in community service. You may be going to a college that is close to your hometown, so you may have the benefit of feeling as though you’re providing for your own community in some way. Likewise, students may have grown up in neighboring communities, giving you a sense of a common bond with fellow classmates.

Is There a Difference in Quality when Money is Involved?

From: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/102625/private_vs_public_universities.html

As the cost of colleges will inevitably continue to soar as the years pass, the continuing question is whether students attending private colleges are better off than those attending public colleges.

Some parents, students and professors believe paying the extra thousands of dollars for a private education does wonders for a student in the future who will end up making precious contacts and learning invaluable information for later on in life.

On the flip-side there are those who believe, a private college education is no better than a public school education. Thus, it is pointless to pay extra money simply for the sake of a student saying they attended such and such university. The education is all the same- it's only the name that changes - say some.

The New York Times recently reported that the four-year tuition (which includes classes and the cost of living) at a private school is approximately $30,000 each year - though the cost could be substantially higher depending on the school.In that same report, it was published that tuition has actually increased 81 percent between 1993 and 2004 and that financial aid from private schools has increased more than the cost of tuition itself.

The classic argument in favor of private school education involves smaller class sizes and the idea that students are taught from people who have doctorates and who have done a lot of research in the subject they are teaching to.

Incidentally, many say students who attend private universities, end up networking with students who may eventually end up in high places later on in life (which could possibly be beneficial to former classmates looking for jobs at the same company).

An Essay by Onur Işık

Is the Ilısu Dam really beneficial?

There are many ways to develop economy. One of them is to build dams in correct places of a river or any flowing water. On the other hand, the Ilısu Dam, which is a part of vast GAP project, is planned to be built in a place that involves the ancient city of Hasankeyf. By building a dam in this place we will not only destroy a historical value but also a touristic place that can be considered as a wonder.

Hasankeyf is absolutely a wrong place to build a dam. First of all, as a historical value, Hasankeyf is a unique place in the world. It consists of perched rocks made by nature and the Tigris. Throughout the history, this place was very important and was used as a capital city by many different civilizations. Second of all, by destroying Hasankeyf, we will cause a noticeable fall in tourism in this area, because the tourists who come in Hasankeyf want to see something different than the other historical places. In contrast, some people think that it is the perfect place to build a dam and they don't care about Hasankeyf. Nevertheless, they should realize that they can transport the dam plans to wherever suitable. But they can't carry nature and the archaeological heritage away from here. In conclusion, we have to find another suitable place for the dam.

To summarize, there is not any logical reason to build this dam especially in Hasankeyf. I think that we can easily find another and may be more suitable place to build it.

written by Onur Işık, C16