smartphones may be helpful when are needed to access educational platforms like classpoint, kahoot, and google classroom. these tools make learning interactive and engaging, which are often used during lessons.

students can use their phones to quickly look up information, helping them understand topics better and stay updated.

phones allow students to stay in touch with their parents in case of emergencies.

Additionally, phones can be used when in critical times when we are in need of help

No, I don't believe handphones should be banned as they are essential in the daily lives of students.

In my personal experience, I use my phone for many essential tasks. Like texting my parents on any urgent things I would like to tell them or just to communicate with them. I also play games with friends sometimes, having a whale of a time communicating outside of school.

I believe handphones are too useful to just throw away. Handphones can foster stronger bonds among peers, communicating and hanging out with each other even outside school hours. Also, Handphones are important in terms of communication not just in terms of bonding, but also urgency. Students may need to text something urgent like group projects or just needing to talk with someone for comfort.

However, their is 2 sides to every coin.

Critics believe that handphones are a distraction to school lessons as students abuse the usage of handphones and use them during lessons.

I can understand the views of the critics, a lot of students definitely abuse the usage of handphones. Additionally, handphones can be seen as a distraction of students as their too addicting to separate them away during lessons. But, just because handphones are a distraction, doesn't mean that they should ignore the benefits of handphones.

So, a suggestion is to endorse handphones into learning instead such as Kahoot or Blooket.

It will be good for the students as they already use handphones.

So in conclusion, handphones shouldn't' be banned in schools as they can foster healthier bonds, make school more comfortable, and can aid learning in schools.

Handphones can be used during emergency situation. Examples such as fire or terrorist attacks. In these situations, students can contact police or firefighters in such emergency. Furthermore, handphones can also be used more simple communication between family and friends just through the phone. Family members do not need to worry about them and can contact them conveniently.

2. Personally, I enjoy going outdoor to do hiking, exercise, play sports and even cycle. By doing this activities, I tend to use my phone lesser other than listening to music or taking pictures. With that, I get to spend more time with the people I am with and take a break from screen usage. By going outdoor, I get to know more about nature, life outside of my house and the different environment. I am adventurous and I love to try out new things.

• The suggestions the Article gave about going outdoors wasn't all, going into the forests and camping or anything that's not in a urban area. It is surprising to me as normally, when talking about going outdoors instead of doomscrolling TikTok. Normally, it would be about activities that are "extremely outdoors" like camping in the woods and other activities that drags you away from technology and urban areas. But no, the article suggests about activities like cycling which you still is outdoors, but not completely separated from "modern" things.

• There is 391km of park connectors around Singapore. It is surprising to me as the park connector near me is only roughly 4km long. So there is 387km elsewhere in Singapore, somehow squeezing into a small land like Singapore.

• Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has difficulties to their trails. Normally, for places with long trails, there would just be 1 trail. But Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has 3 trails with different "difficulties". It is cool that Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has "difficulties" because many other trails normally don't have "difficulties", or at least don't label them as "difficulties".

Qn2. Do you personally enjoy going outdoors? Why or Why not?

• No, I do not personally enjoy going outdoors as indoors is more comfortable. I hate outdoors because outdoors is very hot, very tiring, and you are exposed to creatures and plants. However, inside. You can switch on the air-conditioner to stay cool, rest on your comfortable bed and chill, and watch entertainment for hours on end. In my personal experience. Last week, from Monday to Friday. I had an OBS camp, where I have to be outdoors from morning to night everyday. It was very exhausting, hiking for 2 days, planting trees, sleeping in tents in the woods. Everyday from Monday to Friday, I kept thinking about going back home because outdoors were very uncomfortable. Once I went home, I just stayed at home for the rest of the day and finally feel relived at home. So in conclusion, I personally don't like going outdoors as outdoors is very exhausting and hot. And indoors is way more relaxing with essentials easily being assessable to you.

2)introduction of cultural and heritage trails like the Little India Heritage Trail and the Social Services Heritage Trail

3)variety of skateparks being built, including Singapore’s largest at Lakeside Garden and the unique one at Bishan Sports Centre.

Yes, I do enjoy going outdoor especially because it offers a refreshing break from screens and routines. Whether it’s walking in a quiet park or playing sports with my friend. When I am outside ,it helps me clear my mind and reduce stress. It’s also a great way to reflect, move the body.I will spend quality time as I am not distracted by my phone when I am outdoor.

-active and mindful living

-linked places

I personally enjoy being outdoors as it helps me feel refreshed and relax.being outdoors allows me to take a break from screen time and connects me to the world around me.

2.Students liked that they could volunteer anytime that suited their schedule. This is interesting as i would want to too if i had flexible timing

3.At Acres, volunteers helped with cleanup and learned about rescued animals and their stories.

I dislike going outdoors because of uncomfortable weather, annoying insects, and a lack of interest in outdoor activities. Firstly, hot or rainy weather can make being outside unpleasant, especially when it’s humid or when there’s no shelter nearby. Secondly, insects like mosquitoes and flies can be irritating. Lastly, i do not enjoy outdoor activities like sports or hiking, so i find staying indoors more relaxing and fun. These reasons can make the outdoors feel more like a chore than a treat

2) the 36km central urban loop

3) the expansion of green spaces

• i personally enjoy going outdoors as i don’t usually have the chance to make time and head out to somewhere else that isn’t my home. It gives me a chance to get a break from my school work as i usually occupy my time with academics. Being in nature brings me clarity and serenity since i’m occasionally dealing with stress from time to time. Additionally, i get to bond with my friends and explore different attractions i have been dreading to see with them. Thus, it gives me a chance to feel better mentally and emotionally.

b) The Little India Trail
There are many old places to visit and learn about. I pass some of them but didn’t know their stories.

c) New skate parks
It’s cool that more skate parks are opening. It gives people more fun things to do outside.

2. Yes, I enjoy going outdoors. It helps me relax and feel better after studying or being on my phone too much. I like simple things like walking in the park or cycling. It makes me feel calm and happy.

2. The Little India Heritage Trail and other landmarks not only provide enjoyable experiences but also offer valuable insights into Singapore’s rich multicultural history.

3. The ongoing development of parks and park connectors shows Singapore’s dedication to promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

2) yes i enjoy going outdoors. i personally think going outdoors help me to relax and clear my mind after a long day and being on my phone or devices too much. it also gives me an opportunity to spend quality time with my family and friends, away from our phones while being able to do fun activities such as going for a picnic, cycling or simply walking together and exploring the outdoors.

• Being outside feels refreshing, especially after being indoors for a long time.

• Sunlight helps your body produce vitamin D, which boosts mood and health.

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  • Feeling the wind, hearing birds, or watching a sunset can remind people of how big and beautiful the world is.

  • Some people find peace or even spiritual meaning in nature.

  
  

Another thing that caught my attention was the Little India Heritage Trail. I think it’s cool that we can learn about different cultures and history while walking around. It’s like learning outside the classroom.

The third thing was how Singapore is putting in effort to build more parks and park connectors. I think it shows that the country wants people to go out more and have a healthy lifestyle.

Yes, I do enjoy going outdoors. I feel like going outside helps me to relax and clear my head, especially after a long day of school or using my phone too much. It’s also nice to spend time with friends or family while doing fun stuff like cycling or going for a walk.

i personally i like going out especially with my friends since i like to bond and spend time with my loved ones. i usually go out whenever my friends ask me to and to all sorts of places and to do all kinds of activities. we can share new experiences and make memorable memories to remember each other by. going out is also a great way to exercise and is better than staying at home

Yes being outdoors is helpful to me as it allows me to focus on other things other than my phone. It allows me to connect with nature

1. "acting very sluggish, like a zombie"

   Something must have caused him to act in that way, was it part of an act or was it trying to show something like the effect of it.

2. "Kpod" I got to learn that it is vape with drug that caused you to act in an uncontrol manner. This is very dangerous as most teenagers are into it which is underage and illegal in Singapore.

3. "abuse it" using the kpod to the extend of making one do something unpredicted and dangerous to its body and people within their surrounding.

2) Another thing that shocked me was that Joe's addiction to K-Pods was so deep that he spent $1000 a month on K-Pods. I am not sure how much a K-Pod costs but I'm guessing it is around $15-$20 for a canister. With that price, I can't imagine spending $1000 of K-Pods in a month, it is just absurdly amount of money. In a position like Joe, addicted to K-Pods, you have to use K-Pods a lot to spent $1000 on K-Pods in a month.

3) Lastly, what was shocking to me was that Joe's friend died, assumingly suicide. I could not believe that Joe's friend would die because of the abuse of K-Pods, as that is just very sad. Additionally, Joe's friend is only 14, a Sec 2 student. At a young age he vape, and suicide some more. Making this death very deep as it is just a sad sight to see, a young kid suicide because K-Pods was too much assumingly.

Emotional toll on relationships: Joe’s friend became depressed and distant as the addiction progressed, which affected their friendship deeply. It’s a powerful reminder of how addiction can not only harm the user but also the people around them.

Regret and lost time: Joe’s feeling that he “just threw that part of my life away” captures the regret many people feel when they look back on how addiction or poor decisions stole valuable time and opportunities from their lives.

2 ) "At one point ,he was using one drug-laced vape everyday, spending nearly $1000 a month on his habit "

The person was stuck with having vape , which want the person to keep buying. The amount of money spent was a lot(vape was expensive ), the hard earned money by his parents. Underaged drug teenager and is illegal in Singapore.

3 ) "when his closed friend died after falling off a ledge at his Housing Board block " This suggests that the vape can make someone lost their life. It is at a very young age , missed the lots of interesting life in the future.The vape (drug) is easy to get hook on and they may not realised it is hard to quite when he is addicted. Sad things to see young people died as he consume too much vape.

Another thing was how much money he spent almost $1,000 a month which shocked me because that is such a huge amount for someone so young.

The saddest part was when his close friend who also used Kpods, died, and he could not forget the image of his friend’s body because it shows the real pain and loss caused by drug abuse.

1. the boy started using kpops at only 15 because of peer influence ; showed how vulnerable teenagers are when pressured by friends.

2. his addiction became so severe that he was spending nearly $1,000 a month just to sustain the habit , this highlights how destructive and costly substance abuse can get in such a short time.

3. the turning point came when his close friend, also addicted, passed away . it struck me because sometimes it takes a tragic loss for someone to realize the seriousness of their actions and change.

1. The amount of money spent on vaping shocked me. He was using drug-laced vapes every day and spending almost $1,000 a month just to keep up with his addiction. It shows how quickly substance abuse can drain both the teenager and his parents hard earned money.

2. The sadness of losing a close friend stood out deeply. His friend who also used vapes, tragically died after falling from a ledge, and he could never forget the painful image of his friend’s body. This made me realize the real consequences of drug abuse are not just health issues, but also grief, trauma and the loss of young lives.

3. How vulnerable teenagers are to peer pressure struck me the most. He started using vapes at only 15 because of his friends influence, and it quickly turned into an addiction. This shows how easily young people can get hooked on harmful substances without realizing how hard it is to quit once they are addicted.

1) the high cost of kpods

• i did not expect such a small item such as vape/ kpods could cost up to $60. i expected it to be cheap, costing maybe around $10 but seeing that it cost joe around $1000 a month just on kpod is shocking. it shows how the addiction not only damaged his health but also drains finances.

  
  

  
  

  2) the impact of kpods

• it struck me how just by the use of kpod, joe had lost a close friend of his. at a young age, no one expects to lose their love ones to substances and drugs. the greif and regret shown from joe shows just how much drug abuse can destroy relationships among friends and family.

  
  

  3) how addictive drugs are

• Joe was initially not addicted to kpods, but after trying it a few times, he started to be dependent on the drug. this shows how addictive drugs could be.

Qn1. What are 3 things that struck you from the article? Why did these things strike you?

• The article’s suggestions about going outdoors were not about going deep into the forest or camping. This surprised me because usually, people talk about “extremely outdoors” activities, but here they suggested things like cycling, which is still outdoors but not far from modern life.

• I was also surprised that there are 391 km of park connectors in Singapore. The one near my house is only 4 km, so it’s amazing that the rest can fit into such a small country.

• Lastly, I found it interesting that Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has trails with different “difficulties.” Usually, trails only have one route, so it’s cool that they give people different options.

Qn2. Do you personally enjoy going outdoors? Why or why not?

• No, I don’t enjoy going outdoors because it’s hot, tiring, and full of insects. Indoors is more comfortable because I can use the air-con, rest, and watch shows.

• For example, last week I had OBS camp. We hiked, planted trees, and slept in tents. It was very exhausting and I kept wanting to go home.

• When I finally went home, I felt so relieved and just stayed indoors. That’s why I prefer indoors — it’s more relaxing and convenient.

  
  

1)Joe thought he was trying a normal vape, but instead it was laced with drugs. The fact that kpods are designed to look like vapes to mislead people.

2) secondly is the rapid progression to addiction. Joe wasn't hooked the first few times he tried it, till he used it to cope with stress and emotional issues. It shows how quickly substance abuse can escalate especially to younger people going through stuff.

3) thirdly is the support Joe got from his family that benefitted his recovery. His friends mother asking him to stop using the kpods was a turning point for him. This shows that with sufficient support and reassurance that he wasn't alone, he was able to recover.