calculated to help students

i was reading today's papers, and i found something which disturbed me a bit. its from the gen y section on page 40 and it's on like how graphic calculators in the A level maths curriculum will help "strengthen students' problem-solving abilities". ok i dont know how this graphic calculator thing works but from what i gather from the article and the picture printed, it doesnt sound like a good thing to me..! like, "simply key in mathematical functions and values, and a graph is plotted in seconds. it can also be used to solve mathematical inequalities and carry out statistical tests". omg?! this is for LAZY PEOPLE! isnt it very sad if you study math, and you cant even solve mathematical inequalities yourself..? seriously. well they claim tt this "gives students more time to think, investigate, reflect and make inferences about a problem. this is in line with our emphasis on thinking and knowledge application in the new A-level curriculum." i really dunno how true this is cos i'm obviously too old to experience this revamp, but i think before you encourage students to think, investigate and make inferences, you have to impart BASIC MATHEMATICAL SKILLS like graph plotting first?! this particular student said "i'm glad it saves me from wasting time and getting nervous during exams trying to recall how a particular curve looks like." HONEY, IF YOU CANT EVEN DRAW A SIN/COS/TAN/X^2/WHATEVER OTHER BASIC GRAPH, YOU SHOULDNT BE TAKING THE EXAM IN THE FIRST PLACE. anyway, i think time is not wasted during an exam if you cant recall how to draw "a particular curve". it just shows that you cant even be bothered to remember how to draw graphs. at least the other VJC girl has a more valid reason for using the graphic calculator.

ok, enough ranting.

i just had my compulsory auto lesson last friday! haha i dont want to do manual anymore......! like, the auto car DOESNT STALL! amazing! it doesnt even roll backwards when i stop on the circuit slope! cool stuff. the instructor was like "oh you learn manual one ah, dont worry la, this is like a toy car." well it's not exactly like a toy car, but much easier to handle i guess. driving is really fun.

and, i am finally EMPLOYED! come tuesday, i will be very busy doing useless stuff (harharhar. well i cant complain can i, i'm not qualified or anything!) in a bank. woohoo. this means that 1) i will not be stuck at home all day anymore 2) i will not have time to spend my whole month's allowance in a week while shopping (yay!) and 3) i will have MORE MONEY for shopping! excellent.