COGNITIVE SURPLUS

Clay Shirkey

Cognitive surplus - excess brain/leftover brain that we can do what we want with it
Creativity and generosity in a connected age
E.g: Reading a book
E.g: Social media


Is using snapchat or instagram a good use of our cognitive surplus?

Cognitive surplus discusses how the leftover brain that we have is used by whatever means we wish to use it.



Piece for the guardian

Student life

The contemporary society of student life has changed compared to a few years ago and continues to change and manipulate over time. A-levels, taken between the ages of 16 to 18, have changed over time just like GCSEs and university degrees. For example, this year the sixth form/college first years will not have to sit exams in their first year but will take their exams at the end of their second. The A-level choices has increased and shares a better variety of subjects for those to study at sixth form/college. This includes more creative and expressive subjects such as dance, art and media. There are also more core subjects such as further maths and languages. On the other hand, there will be less coursework compared to previous years like with the change of GCSEs as both are now linear.
AS levels can be taken as a stand-alone qualification, or as the first part of an A-level course. AS levels are completed at the end of Year 12 (the old 'Lower Sixth' year). A2 exams and coursework are added on to an AS level at the end of Year 13 (the old 'Upper Sixth' year), bringing it up to A-level standard. 
I believe that taking exams after the two years of sixth form is a good thing as students are examined too much in education as it is and this can cause more stress for them to be tested on what they know from there short stay at sixth form so far. 

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