Carlisa Benn ENGLISH SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT 2021 Topic: Technology Candidate Name: Carlisa Benn Centre number: Candidate number: Subject: English Language Territory: Guyana Year of examination: 2021 Sub- topic: The importance of technology on human communication during pandemic. 1 Carlisa Benn Table of Content Content Pages Cover page 1 Table of content 2 Plan of investigation 3 Reflections: Entry 1 4 Entry 2 5 Entry 3 6 Written Report 7 Oral presentation plan 8 Oral presentation 9 Bibliography 10 Appendix 1 11 Appendix 2 12 2 Carlisa Benn Plan of investigation Topic: Technology Sub-topic: The importance of technology on human communication during pandemic. The topic and sub-topic were both chosen based on what the researcher have been observing in her local territory and worldwide during the current pandemic. The researcher has observed that technology has instrumental in connecting individuals with each other across profession, educational and personal forums. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, while technology proved effective and efficient in human communication, still there were positive and negative experiences. According to the Encyclopedia Britannia; Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life or, as it is sometimes phrased, to the change and manipulation of the human environment. By completing this school-based assessment, the researcher intends to gain more knowledge about the importance of technology in human communication, as well as to share the information with others. As a student of English Language I expect to gain more knowledge about how and when various punctuations should be used. The researcher will be mainly using scholarly articles, a video and a picture to illustrate the importance of technology in human communication during the current pandemic. Entry 1 3 Carlisa Benn The first piece of source that was read by the researcher was an article written by Dr. Arusha Campbell-Chambers. The article was entitled “Skin bleaching: Who says lighter is better?”. The article mainly focused on the definition, side effects, social ranks and privileges, as well as reasons why people bleach. This article has inspired me to not only read and include it in my English Language school based assessment, but it has also inspired me to educate and inform others of all the life-threatening information that was learnt by reading this article. The second piece of source gathered by the researcher was a video entitled “Bleaching Mi Clean Skin” by Savage. In the lyrics of the song, the artiste was basically informing the listeners of the diverse types of chemicals that he used to bleach his skin, which included substances such as WOW and Bio-clear. The researcher found no inspiration to take part in the artiste’s actions as it was obvious that the artist’s physical appearance showed some serious side effects resulting from the substances used. The music video somehow had an impact on the researcher as sympathy was felt for the artiste as he was willing to destroy his skin to merely ‘look and feel good’. The third piece of artefact was a picture taken from google, of a victim of skin bleaching. Once again, the researcher was very angry and furious just to see how far a person is really willing to go just to enhance their physical appearance. It was clearly shown that the victim in the picture had a limited amount of pigmentation left in her skin. The researcher was inspired to post an article similar to the on which was used in the school based assessment. The picture reminded the researcher of many occupants of her community as they were either as light skinned as the lady in the picture or even lighter. Entry 2 4 Carlisa Benn In the first piece of source which was an article written by Dr. Arusha Campbell- Chambers, the author used Standard English, except when quoting the exact words of a person. The article was very clear and understandable, as the topic was clearly explained and elaborated on. The author provided the definition of Skin Bleaching, the possible side effects as well as a little history on the topic. The second piece of source was an audio done by Savage. The artist used an elevated level of Creole, as he song to get the attention mostly from the younger generation. The audio was very informative as lists of chemicals were given in the song which was used by the artiste to lighten his skin. The artiste also made it clear that he only bleached his skin to mainly get the attention of women. The third piece of source was a picture in which the researcher took off the internet. The picture showed a lady who was a victim of skin bleaching. The side effects of the substance in which she used to lighten her skin tone was visible in her physical appearance. The lady looked like an elderly lady that lives in a rural area. The graphics of the picture was very clear, although the background could clearly show that the victim of Skin Bleaching was living in a rural community. Entry 3 5 Carlisa Benn The researcher chose the topic Skin Bleaching for her English Language School Based Assessment. The topic has helped the researcher to become a better person because of the many ways in which the topic has inspired the researcher. The topic has inspired the researcher to not only educate but also to warn other people of the many dangers and side effects that Skin Bleaching may cause. By doing the research on this topic the researcher is now better able to give logical reasons and information as to how skin bleaching will feel or even look good at first but it does great damages to parts of the body that you may not be able to see with your naked eyes. Some people bleach their skin to build their self-esteem, enhance physical appearances, and according to the audio done by Savage, some people may even bleach their skin to get the attention of the other gender. The topic and sub-topic has shaped the researcher’s attitude by giving the researcher a sense of pride, and the courage to not be ashamed of the colour of my skin. Written Report 6 Carlisa Benn The School based assessment guide was read and analysed before the researcher could go ahead and collect the three pieces of sources, which all related to the topic of Skin Bleaching. The researcher then wrote the Plan of Investigation, which was basically one hundred words telling reasons why the topic and sub-topic were chosen. The researcher then wrote the reflection which consisted of three entries. The first entry, which consisted of three paragraphs each telling how the pieces of artefacts have either affected, inspired or possibly reminded the researcher of something. The second entry consisted also of three paragraphs, commenting on the languages used in the different cases. The third entry had only one paragraph telling how the sub-theme or topic have helped the researcher in becoming a better person or possible shape the researcher’s attitude, after which there was the task of writing the report. The sources were collected by using the internet, to find a related picture, music video and article to the topic of Skin Bleaching, and copy and paste the information to Microsoft Word. The Plan of Investigation, report and the three entries were written based on the researcher’s knowledge and understanding. The researcher is very elated with the pieces that were collected. This is so because, the pieces were used to educate the researchers of the many disadvantages that are often overlooked by the users. The researchers have learnt both individually as well as collectively, as there were sections of the school based assessment that had to be done using only the researcher’s knowledge while there were sections that needed the group members’ suggestions. The researchers were in fact delighted to be able to work as a group, because the researcher had the pleasure of amalgamating our ideas to perfection. The researchers found that the groups were very effective working together, as everyone in the group had their own way of contributing to the group. 7 Carlisa Benn Oral Presentation Plan My name is Trishelle Edwards and I will be presenting a poetry piece on the topic of Skin Bleaching. The category will be in the form of a dub poem. The topic of skin bleaching has been a very burning topic within my community so it will be my pleasure to have the opportunity of using it as a topic of research. The artefacts that I have gathered have not only educated me as an individual in society, but it has also widened my knowledge. The language registers that I will be using in my presentation are both formal and informal. Reason being is that, the researcher tried to keep in mind that this is an English School Based Assessment, so the most dominant language should be Standard English. But of course, my culturally driven language is in fact “Di good old creole”. My presentation will be about teaching or warning individuals about the many illnesses and effects that skin bleaching may cause. So, sit back relax while you listen to my dub poem entitled ‘Skin bleaching’, written by Trishelle Edwards. Oral Presentation – Poetry 8 Carlisa Benn Chorus (rep x2) Skin bleaching a di teaching Verse 2 So u must have ears to hear You a whiten you skin Skin bleaching a di teaching You no think is a sin…? So relax and hold a chair God no please…............ Today me will see you, Verse 1 You black like a tar Skin bleaching can cause many illnesses Tomorrow me will see you, Some you can see, You white like chalk and some weh you no know, Me CONFUSE! You a say you look white You a get acne and stretch marks And cool like cucumber Just fi fit in a one crew But the substance a go kill you faster than Me CONFUSE! sugar, this a di golden rule……………. No falla! Chorus (rep x2) Me say no falla! Skin bleaching a di teaching So u must have ears to hear Chorus (re x2) Skin bleaching a di teaching Skin bleaching a di teaching So relax and hold a chair So u must have ears to hear Skin bleaching a di teaching Verse 3 So relax and hold a chair Those who have an ear let them hear Me say those who have an ear let them Hear………...! This a the golden rule……………… No falla! Me say no falla! Chorus x2 Bibliography 9 Carlisa Benn http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120808/health/health1.html https://www.livestrong.com/article/65941-definition-skin-bleaching/ http://guyanachronicle.com/2014/02/08/harmful-effects-of-chemical-skin-bleaching-andsome-safer-alternatives https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_whitening Appendix 1 Article on Skin bleaching: Who says lighter is better? 10 Carlisa Benn By Dr. Arusha Campbell-Chambers Skin bleaching is the use of chemical substances to try to lighten skin tone or complexion by reducing the amount of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the main substance that gives the skin its colour. It helps to protect the skin from the damaging effects of sunlight, like sunburn, skin ageing and skin cancer. Darker-skinned individuals generally have more melanin and may have slightly diverse types of melanin than fairer-skinned people. This gives darker skinned individuals more protection from sun damage. Therefore, when individuals bleach their skin, they are reducing their own natural protection from sun damage. Some of the side effects of skin-bleaching products include: • skin thinning • acne • stretch marks • visible blood vessels • skin redness and irritation • easy bruising of the skin • skin darkening e.g. around the eyes and on the knuckles Social rank and privilege The practice of skin bleaching has existed for many years worldwide. Historically, lighter skin has been a symbol of beauty, social rank and privilege throughout the world. In 1901, toxic skin-whitening soaps were marketed as antiseptic soaps and, in the 1950s, deaths were recorded from using these soaps. Some Japanese female entertainers (Geishas) painted their skin white while some Chinese women swallowed ground pearls to try to lighten their skin. Health officials in Jamaica say skin bleaching has been going on for decades. In the Caribbean, lighter skin has been seen by many as associated with a higher social status since the days of slavery. There have been popular phrases like, 'Nutten too black nuh good', 'tar brush ketch im', 'black ugly bwoy', 'high colour' and 'nice browning' which are still being used in society. Media photos and advertisements often portray individuals with lighter complexions as being more glamourous and desirable. There are even ads on YouTube targeting children with skin whitening products to help them become a 'star'. An Asian beauty website went as far as to state that 'flawlessly milky skin is to die for'. Some songs blasted on the airwaves continue to promote skin bleaching. There are others who have used their lyrics to discourage this practice and promote self-pride. Why people bleach A study by Christopher Charles on Jamaican skin bleachers found the following reasons why they bleach: • To remove facial blemishes • To make their faces 'cool' as a result of peer influences • To lighten their complexion • To follow a popular trend • To have the visual stimulus of a bleached skin because it makes them feel good. Churches, schools, media, health-care providers and everyone in general, need to spread the message that we should all be comfortable in our own skin. We need to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, educate people about the dangers of skin beaching and promote equality in this beautiful island where we are supposed to be 'out of many one people'. Appendix 2 11 Carlisa Benn Victims of Skin Bleaching 12 Carlisa Benn 13
