The kids in this village wear dirty, ragged clothes. They sleep beside cows and sheep in huts made of sticks and mud. They have no school. Yet they all can chant the English alphabet, and some can make words.

    The key to their success: 20 tablet computers(平板电脑) dropped off in their Ethiopian village in February by a U.S. group called One Laptop Per Child.

    The goal is to find out whether kids using today's new technology can teach themselves to read in places where no schools or teachers exist. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers analyzing the project data say they're already amazed. “What I think has already happened is that the kids have already learned more than they would have in one year of kindergarten,” said Matt Keller, who runs the Ethiopia program.

    The fastest learner—and the first to turn on one of the tablets—is 8-year-old Kelbesa Negusse. The device's camera was disabled to save memory, yet within weeks Kelbesa had figured out its workings and made the camera work. He called himself a lion, a marker of accomplishment in Ethiopia.

    With his tablet, Kelbasa rearranged the letters HSROE into one of the many English animal names he knows. Then he spelled words on his own. “Seven months ago he didn't know any English. That's unbelievable,” said Keller.

    The project aims to get kids to a stage called “deep reading,” where they can read to learn. It won't be in Amharic, Ethiopia's first language, but in English, which is widely seen as the ticket to higher paying jobs.

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    This is the incredible school where the headteacher's unique dedication to handwriting practice means EVERY pupil is ambidextrous.

Only ten percent of the population are left-handed, and only ONE percent can write with both hands. But all 300 students at Veena Vandini School in India can write with both their left and right hand, with some able to do both at the same time—in different languages.

    Every 45-minute lesson features 15 minutes devoted to handwriting practice, to make sure all students at the remote rural school have the skill.

    The school, which was founded in 1999, is located in a remote area, in Singrauli district, Madhya Pradesh. School founder and former solider Vp Sharma said he was inspired to demand the lessons by India's first president.

     “I read in a magazine that Dr Rajendra Prasad used to write with both hands. This inspired me to give it a try. Later, when I launched my school at my native village, I tried training the students.

     “We began training students from standard I and by the time they reach standard III, they were comfortable writing with both the hands. Students of standard VII and VIII can write with speed and accuracy. Further, they can write two scripts simultaneously, one with each hand.

     “Students also know several languages, including Urdu.”

    Mr Sharma said their unique dedication to handwriting led South Korean researchers to visit and study the pupils two years ago, to find out more about ambidexterity.

    For students at the Farm School in Hamilton, Virginia, the classroom is outside every day. Jaclyn Jenkins is the founder of the school. “The No. 1 question we get immediately from parents is 'What happens if it rains?' And we say, 'Bring an extra set of clothes!'” Jenkins adds, “We still educate them. Their brains are working when they're moving. So, our goal is to always be outside.” The Farm School is a preschool, a place for 3- and 4-year-olds to learn and play.

    Alison Huff has taught at other schools. She says the Farm School gives its students more of a hands-on learning experience. For example, children use pumpkins to learn about colors and counting. They learn about measurement by planting seeds 30 centimeters apart. Huff adds, “We can use everything a regular preschool uses, but out in the garden.” In addition to planting vegetables and fruits, children help prepare food and clean up afterwards. The school teaches the children to cook using the food they have grown. “They can see the benefits of what they have in the garden and taste it then instead of going to the grocery store and buying it,” says Huff.

    The preschoolers also learn words in languages other than English. Huff speaks in both English and Spanish. Her assistant speaks French and Arabic. A 3-year-old in her class speaks four different languages.

    Farm animals are also an important part of the education program. Jenkins says the children learn about a different animal every month. Two months ago, she says, that animal was a cow. “We do actually have a cow that we bring to the school. They get to see what the cow is like, an learn what cows eat. They use little gloves and pretend to actually milk a cow. They make butter and yogurt.” The children spent another month with a large bird — a turkey.

    The idea for a school like this started after Jenkins and her husband bought a farm in Hamilton, with a late 18th-century house. They called it “One Day Farm” because years earlier they had hoped that “one day” they would have a farm. “That's when it started, the spark of a farm school,” said Jenkins.

    There was great excitement on the planet of Venus this week. For the first time Venusian scientists managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth, and it has been sending back signals as well as photographs. The satellite was directed into an area known as Manhattan. Because of excellent weather conditions and extremely strong signals, Venusian scientists were able to get valuable information about the feasibility of a manned flying saucer landing on Earth. A press conference was held at the Venus Institute of Technology. "We have come to the conclusion, based on last weeks satellite landing, "Prof. Zog said, that there is no life on Earth.”

    “How do you know this? "the science reporter of the Venus Evening News asked "For one thing, Earth s surface in the area of Manhattan is composed of solid concrete and nothing can grow there. For another, the atmosphere is filled with carbon monoxide and other deadly gases and nobody could possibly breathe this air and survive. “Are there any other sources of danger that you have discovered in your studies?

    “Take a look at this photo. You see this dark black cloud staying over the surface of Earth? We don' t know what it is made of, but it could give us a lot of trouble and we shall have to make further tests before we send a Venus Being there.”

    “Over here you will notice what seems to be a river, but the satellite findings indicate it is polluted and the water is unfit to drink.”

    “Sir, what are all those tiny black spots on the photographs?

We're not certain. They seem to be metal particles that move along certain paths. They give gases, make noise and keep crashing into each other.

    “Prof. Zog, why are we spending billions and billions of Zilches to land a flying saucer on Earth when there is no life there?"

    “Because if we Venusians can learn to breathe in the Earth atmosphere, then we can live anywhere.”

Dear Durhammers,

    Durham has been your home in the past three years. This is an appropriate moment in time to invite you as a group of "tourists" in this special exploration. We would also like to congratulate you on your forthcoming transition from being a Durhammer to a member of society. Please see information below on offers and activities to assist with planning your coming celebrations.

    View details of special offers for Winter Assembly at:

    http://www.dur.ac.uk/ceremonies/congregation/offers/

    ●Sign up to keep in touch with Durham University and get a goody bag sponsored by the ALUMNI team.

    ●20% discount on pre-ordered Durham University Merchandise with the ticket code WGRADUATE2019 (Or you have to pay the full price at the shop.)

    ●Pre-order your photographs and receive a discounted rate.

    ●Free entry to the exhibitions at Palace Green Library for you and your guests (with tickets).

    ●Purchase a diploma container to keep your degree certificate safe. Please check:

    https://www.dur.ac.uk/student.registry/qualifications/order/

    ●Details of celebration events being held in Departments and Colleges are published at:

    https://www.dur.ac.uk/ceremonies/congregation/celebrations/

    Information on the highlight of the celebration, including but not limited to the opportunity to go out for BBQ and camping at Botantic Garden is published at:

    https://www.dur.ac.uk/campusperks/whatsnewon/ceremonies/

    We also hope very much that you will come and meet us and colleagues at the ceremony, which is a traditional and magnificent public presentation of your diploma and award, and it is always memorable and fun. You will have already received a formal email invitation, but this is just to say that we hope to meet you there and congratulate you in person.

Yours sincerely,

Sir Thomas Allen