"Good"? Or "bad"?

Hi everyone!

Just few weeks ago, I believe most of us would have heard on the news about several Singaporeans queuing up for hours for the launch of the new Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System.

Well, what has its launch have to do with us, as FCS teachers?

This video can serve as a sequel to Jeline's Home Economics microteaching (remember the video on the multiple-patty burger?)!

It's a home-made video comprising of several videos I found on Youtube. Made and used it as an opening for Biology microteaching. Hope you've enjoyed it!

It is evident now that fad of selling big-portioned fastfood at affordable prices is no longer restricted to countries in the West, and there is actually a market for such extra-large portion foods in Asia. Obesity rates in Asia are also escalating as the years progress, particularly in China, Japan, the Philippines, and not forgetting our dear Singapura.

Honestly speaking, I think many teenagers today (and I am guilty of that myself) might develop positive thoughts upon knowing about the burger (and likely to want to try it) contrary to what Homec teachers may think, especially meat and fast-food lovers. Also, since the patties look thin and seemingly "harmless", students may not know how many calories they are actually consuming.

What I like about creating videos like this one is that it is current news which upper secondary and IT-loving students will be interested. Also, it is factual which will probably be more impactful to students. (The part where the reporter stated the total no. of calories in this burger which is close to the average calorie intake of a healthy adult.)

The sequence of this video also aids in creating this impact; Students will first get to see the burgers and people enjoying it, and be shocked later to find out the number of calories it contains. The element of surprise may (hopefully) enable them to link facts learnt in their textbook to current affairs/everyday situations, thus making learning more enjoyable and meaningful.

Learning about the total number of calories per burger will also allow students to make comparisons with other types of food (and their total calories) easier, since they are now in quantifiable terms. Ever did I consider making the video more "gory" by showing photos of clogged arteries and obesity, but these plans were scrapped as I was worried about the message I would be sending to my students. After all, eating just one Windows 7 burger, or any other humongous burger in the video, will not directly lead to clogged arteries and obesity.

Also, since this news is closer to home, learning about dietary planning will be more meaningful to students as it is authentic. Above all, the inclusion of popular music in this video in the opening will garner their attention onto the main part of the video, which is the launch of this new burger.

More often than not, people tend to name foods as "bad" and "good". In my opinion, I feel that it is inappropriate to label foods as "bad" or "good", as it is inevitable that we indulge in such foods at times. What is "good" may not be "good" if eaten in the wrong quantity, while what is "bad", well... what's so bad about indulging in such foods once in a while?

Rather, wouldn't it be better if students are informed about what is in their food, so that they themselves decide if they should eat it or not (or how frequent), ie. making informed decisions and learning how to be responsible for their own health?

To be honest (again), despite knowing what fastfood can do to me, I could still not resist participating in the pursuit in winning Sentosa Cove for the MacDonald's Monopoly publicity stint when it was just introduced to Singapore. Much less giving up my all-time favourite McNuggets and French Fries, despite knowing they have been happily deep-fried in litres of hot oil.

Guess it still boils down to Variety, Moderation, Balance, and making wise decisions.