Education
How Technology Is Enabling New Ways of Writing
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Technology has altered almost every aspect of our lives, including writing. Technology continues to alter how we create, distribute, and read written information – from typewriters and computers to sophisticated digital platforms and software – this article looks at how technological advancements are making writing more accessible, creative, collaborative, and improving quality. For receiving reliable writing help visit essayservices for honest review!
Digital Tools for Writing
One of the major impacts of technology on writing is accessing digital tools that enhance and streamline its process. Traditional pen and paper have given way to word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, with features like grammar check, spell check and formatting choices; these resources help authors produce crisper works while streamlining their writing process. For more tools, ask “is papercoach safe?”.
Scrivener and Ulysses provide authors with tools for managing complicated projects, like scripts and novels. These programs make it simple for writers to plan, draft, reorganize, and rewrite parts of their work, promoting an efficient writing process.
Software Enhances Creativity
Technology has also given us access to software designed to foster creativity. Writers may always have inspiration close at hand using apps like Evernote and OneNote, which allow them to jot down ideas, brief text passages, and research materials while on the road. Mind mapping programs like MindMeister and XMind help authors generate intricate storylines and concepts more easily by aiding the imagination and visualization of complex stories or ideas.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has also had an impactful influence on creative writing. OpenAI-developed tools, like GPT-4 from OpenAI Labs, offer material production and enhancement suggestions and aid writers in overcoming writer’s block. AI platforms like this one provide writers with fresh motivation and support, making creative expression even greater.
Collaboration and Connectivity
Writing was once a solo pursuit, but thanks to the Internet, it’s much more communal. Real-time collaboration is enabled through platforms such as Google Docs, which allows multiple users to collaborate on documents simultaneously. Writers can instantly receive comments, share their work with colleagues, and edit as needed. This collaborative atmosphere strengthens ties among authors while improving output quality overall.
Thanks to social media and blogging services like Medium and WordPress, authors now have instant readership. Authors gain access to global reader engagement, criticism, publication opportunities, and reader criticism, increasing their readership and opening doors for discussion and the development of their writing careers.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Thanks to technology, writing has never been more accessible to those with impairments. Speech-to-text programs like Dragon NaturallySpeaking make writing accessible for those who find typing by hand difficult. In contrast, text-to-speech devices in modern e-readers make reading material easy for those with visual impairments.
Writing workshops and online courses have made writing education more accessible than ever, with services like Coursera, Udemy, and MasterClass offering quality writing instruction from well-known authors and educators.
Improving Writing Quality
Technology has dramatically advanced writing standards with sophisticated editing tools like Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, and ProWritingAid that evaluate text for readability, style, and grammar and provide recommendations for enhancement. By employing these techniques, authors can increase the clarity and consistency of their writing while plagiarism detection programs like Turnitin and Copyscape ensure the uniqueness of authored materials and proofread their work against accidental plagiarized elements to ensure its originality.
Self-Publishing Opportunities
With more writers having greater freedom to reach readers through their writing, digital publishing platforms have completely changed the publishing landscape. Authors may now access a worldwide public for their writings through self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords, and IngramSpark, rather than depending only on established publishing houses to have their work noticed. Nowadays, authors handle every step of the publishing process, including their own writing, editing, sales, and marketing!
Writing for Diverse Media
Thanks to technology, writing has become more widely utilized than conventional print media. These days, writers provide material for video games, podcasts, blogs, social media, and even video screenplays. Each medium and audience demands different strategies and techniques; for instance, writing social media requires succinctness and interactivity, while scripting interactive storylines requires script writing skills. As writers adapt to these diverse mediums, they are constantly expanding their skill sets and exploring new ways to engage with audiences.
Writing’s Future
Technology advances promise writing a bright future. Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies could revolutionize narrative; writers could soon craft three-dimensional stories where readers interact directly with characters and settings.
Blockchain technology could revolutionize writing industry royalties and intellectual property rights. Authors’ intellectual property could be protected transparently and securely via smart contracts on blockchain systems, guaranteeing they receive fair compensation for their labor.
Conclusion
Technology has revolutionized the literary landscape. Thanks to digital tools and platforms, authors now have greater freedom to express themselves creatively while working collaboratively on higher caliber works. Writing will only advance further as technology progresses, giving authors access to new audiences while exploring uncharted territory – writing’s future looks bright with tech leading this exciting development!
Education
Back to school reminder of free primary school meals
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AS the new school year is with us anyone with children in full time Primary are reminded that hot and cold lunches are available every day for free.
Pembrokeshire County Council extended the Universal Free School Meals initiative last September after free meals for all those in Year Two and below was introduced by Welsh Government earlier that year.
There is a two week rolling hot food menu offering tasty, nutritious, balanced food inclusive of all dietary needs. Popular choices include pasta bolognaise, meatballs, and chicken wrap.
There is always a sandwich or jacket potato option for children each day if they do not fancy a hot meal.
All your child has to do is to pick their meal option each morning at registration.
Concerned about allergies – our dedicated team of nutrition specialists can cater for any child that suffers from a food allergy or intolerance too.
If your child has a specific dietary requirement or restrictions please contact our School Liaison Officer via email [email protected] or telephone 01437 776168.
Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham said: “Last year 925,531 learners enjoyed universal free school meals and we hope to see many more taking advantage this new school year. The catering team at Pembrokeshire County Council do a fantastic job in providing nutritious and tasty meals for your young people.”
The scheme does not replace Free School Meals for those learners whose parents or guardians are receiving qualifying benefits, which allows them to access other financial support for school costs.
This includes claiming up to £200 of additional support for School Essentials if your child is eligible for Free School Meals.
Take a look at the menus on offer on the Pembrokeshire County Council website and why not give free lunches a go!
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Education
Four Ceredigion schools could be at risk of closure
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FOUR Ceredigion schools could be at threat of closure if recommendations before the county council’s Cabinet meeting of September 3 are backed.
Cabinet members are recommended to back the start of statutory consultations for proposals to discontinue north county schools Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa, Borth, Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, Ysgol Llangwyryfon, near Aberystwyth, and Ponterwyd’s Ysgol Syr John Rhys.
All four have similar recommendations, to approve a proposal to commence the statutory consultation process to cease to maintain the provision at [the relevant school] with effect from August 31 of next year.
The changes in the fortunes of the four schools are detailed in individual reports for Cabinet members.
Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa has seen numbers decline from 42 in 2020, to 29 in 2024, with a forecast 22 pupils in 2019; the school having 44 surplus places (59 percent surplus), and the cost per pupil amounting to £7,640 against a Ceredigion average of £4,635.
It also lists are predicted school budget deficit for 2025 of £3,368.
Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn numbers in the report are: 30 (2020), 19 (2024), 19 (2029), with a 46 per cent surplus of 17, and a per pupil cost of £6,978, with a deficit of £27,488.
Ysgol Llangwyryfon: 46 (2020), 30 (2024), 22 (2029), with a 45 per cent surplus of 25, and a per pupil cost of £6,321, with a deficit of £23,916.
Ysgol Syr John Rhys: 25 (2020), 22 (2024), 19 (2029), with a 46 per cent surplus of 18, and a per pupil cost of £7,949.
The report says that Ysgol Syr John Rhys also has maintenance backlog costs of £77,500.
In the individual reports it is suggested Craig Yr Wylfa pupils could be moved to nearby Ysgol Talybont or the schools acting as one school on two sites; Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn and Ysgol Llangwyryfon either forming a partnership with Ysgol Llanilar, or all pupils could transfering to Llanilar; pupils from Ysgol John Rhys pupils transferring to another nearby school, or a federation formed.
Ahead of the discussion on the future of the schools, a report for Cabinet on each school says: “Subject to Cabinet approval, it is therefore intended to proceed to statutory consultation.”
It adds: “If no alternative is suggested, the proposal paper will be presented to the Learning Communities Overview and Scrutiny Community for information before undertaking a Statutory Consultation. Cabinet should be satisfied that implementation would be the most appropriate response to address the key challenges identified as the reason for proposing discontinuance of the school.”
Following consultations, the final decision to close any school would be undertaken by full council.
Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith has said that if the Cabinet votes for such a consultation, they would immediately submit a complaint to the Minister for Education, saying that the council is not fulfilling its educational duties and is going against the School Organisation Code.
On behalf of the Cymdeithas yr Iaith Education Group, Ffred Ffransis said: “Not only are Ceredigion Council intent on undermining a number of Welsh-speaking communities and emptying them of younger families, but the whole process is also completely contrary to the presumption in favour of maintaining rural schools which is an essential part of the 2018 edition of the Schools Organisation Code. Ceredigion have looked at these schools in the context of trying to make immediate savings to their budget, and have therefore adopted a practical presumption against maintaining the schools, which are being asked to justify their existence despite their academic success.
“Furthermore, the Government Code insists that all other options must be considered while proposals are still at a formative stage – that is before a proposal is made. Yet the officials are proposing going to a statutory consultation on their established option and invite comments on other options during statutory consultation. If the Minister allowed Ceredigion to get away with this blatant disregard of the principle of presumption in favour of rural schools, then the whole government policy would be discredited.”
Community
Fun days support families over summer holidays
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THE Pembrokeshire County Council Early Years Integration Team has been working in the Tenby and Fishguard areas to support families with children 0-7yrs for a summer of fun.
The Team works closely with Midwives and Health Visitors to run groups and parenting sessions for families from pregnancy onwards.
For summer the team ran some Family Fun Sessions as the school holidays can be very long, especially with the inconsistent Pembrokeshire weather.
They teamed up with local schools to ensure a ‘Plan B’ indoor space was available for all six sessions.
Three sessions took place in each area and luckily all but the last had sunny weather so the families were able to make use of the great outdoors.
The Play Works Grant was accessed to provide fruit pots and healthy wraps that families were able to create. The Healthy Preschool Practitioner from Hywel Dda University Health Board gave her time at each event to ensure this ran smoothly.
Local charities and organisations were invited to support the events, including Family Information Service, ASD Family Help who provided circus skill activities and general outdoor equipment and Citizens Advice Bureau who provided some fun colouring and badge making that incorporated messages around budgeting.
Small Woods brought a new dimension to the sessions with fantastic nature activities that saw children and adults creating brilliant bunting and willow wands.
Volunteering Matters rounded up some of their local volunteers who supported each event to provide a range of interesting activities including making crowns, light catchers and lanterns, as well as a drumming session and board games.
The families provided some great feedback as well as all the providers enjoying the atmosphere.
Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “These series of events have been so much fun and brilliant support for the families involved across the summer. My thanks go to everyone who has been involved.”
A total of 84 adults and 165 children attended the Tenby sessions with 60 adults and 106 children attending the sessions in Fishguard.
With the Early Years Team providing other activities for families to enjoy together, it created lots to do for all ages, a particular favourite was children face painting their parents!
Plant Dewi Project Worker Carys came along to provide some interesting ‘messy and sensory’ play and promote a new group (see below).
The Early Years Team are joining Plant Dewi to provide a new Families Together Group starting in St Teilo’s Church Hall, Tenby on Wednesday 4th September and running every week 9.30-11.30am.
To find out more information about what is going on in your area please contact Helen on 07774900140 email [email protected] and follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EYITeam/
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