Arvind Gupta: Turning trash into toys for learning Blog 8

Underprivileged students do not have any way to advance or expand their way of learning, and since little money is available for textbooks or demonstrations, they must do the best they can. Using trash, which would otherwise be clogging up a seagull's throat, a plethora of science tools can be made. Toys such as geometric shapes made out of toothpicks and slips of rubber can teach the 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional shapes. A steel wire and some bolts can be turned into a toy used to teach kinetic and potential energy. This presentation was mainly shown through the demonstration of these toys and how they can be put to use in schools everywhere for little to no cost. This was really effective because it shows the many science toys, how they are made, and ultimately, how extremely effective they are at teaching. This video matters because everybody should have access to learning tools, and since many schools cannot afford these tools, simple yet effective ones can be made out of household items and trash. Personally, it shows that even the smallest things matter in school. It also shows that these small things which affect learning so greatly can be made out of things people usually neglect or choose to not be creative with. In education, these tools are, in  some ways, more important than textbooks. These tools show as practical use of knowledge being used as well as opening a new doorway to different types of learning. For example, the geometric shapes can be used to help in architecture and math, not just science. With these extra doorways open, there are more opportunities for things to be innovated or invented. This also connects to the world because with these opportunities and innovations, the world would benefit through these advancements.

Blog 6: Dave Eggers' wish

What I took away form this video is that even a few people that take time out of their day to help one on one can make a difference in a students' life. Also, when people do this, more and more volunteers are willing to help students around the country. The speaker's effective speaking styles were the explanation of what these gag stores did and their real purpose behind the scenes, and how each of them made a difference to students around the country. Dave Eggers' presentation style was showing pictures of the places where he worked and spoke really quickly and fast about each slide. This video matters because it shows that even the students that do the worst would be able to improve if people take time out of their day in order to help these kids. This matters to me personally because it shows I can improve if I seek one on one help. In education, it shows that students can do better with one on one help. In the world, as Dave Eggers said, if you do the homework and spend time with your family, then you have a happy family. If there are enough happy families, then there is a happy community. Enough happy communities and it becomes a happy city, which leads to a happy world. In the long run, these tutorin g centers really affect the world in positive ways.