Presentation Tools

After looking through the multiple presentation tools, I think a great tool for me to use would be the Jing Project. I'd like to show a clip from the Grammar Girl Podcast or perhaps a video with people using improper grammar. Jing would allow me to create a video showing the class brief segments of the podcast or video. I would also be able to narrate the video (if I decide to).

Research

This week I summarized articles useful to my research paper. Next week I want to try and turn these to critique papers. I want come up with some interview questions (I am trying to work out an interview with a secondary education English teacher of 20+ years).

Research Statement

The public school system should reinstate the teaching of grammar in English courses.

You're 16

Anya Kamenetzin argues in her article "You're 16, You're Beautiful and You're a Voter" to lower the legal age "threshold" to 16 through incorporating a required, educational "graduated system" that would teach early age realists to responsibly manage their rights and privelages.
She introduces this issue with a discussion of the successful phasing in of driving for 16 year olds and the required testing that produces safer drivers. This example stands as a model for the other areas Kamenetzin would like to see altered: early age voting, drinking, and credit card use.
Kamenetzin suggests a lowered voting age based on the passing of a civics course and voting permit test. This would increase voter registration and encourage mature teens to partake in this privelage and right.
A lowered drinking age is proposed as well. Likewise, a course on alcoholism is required, along with obtaining a permit that would limit the amount alcohol allowed for consumption and with whom it may be consumed. The notion that most teens are already receiving their first drinks and most drink less if consuming small amounts with families backs this proposition.
Finally, Kamenetzin suggests a "phasing in" of credit cards for 16 year olds. She argues for a co-signer and financial literacy test. Also, teens should be required to responsibly pay each payment for a year with their own wages.
Ultimately, Anya Kamenetzin encourages adult treatment of teens. The support of the government in teaching rights with responsibilities would encourage teens to rise and meet adult expectations.

Google Doc.

The class has several responses to the article by Sherry Turkle. Most obviously, we are greatly influenced by computer technology. Everyone can access information instantaneously, whereas previously students relied more so on the library for research. News can be discovered within minutes, conversations can occur via chat and video, music can be down-loaded, and scripture can be read. You can shop online anytime, day or night, as wells as conveniently pay bills or check online banking. Often people use calculators, spellcheck, and powerpoint, losing much of their vital critical thinking and their ability to do "back of the envelope calculations." Word processing can improve better writers but worsen terrible writers. We're a generation in need of high stimulation and some feel that this should be taken into consideration with student's everyday studies. In general we've become impatient expecting information to be provided instantaneously. Some argue that crime has taken new venues over the internet; anything from stalking to murder can be triggered from information provided online. Of course, computers arguably spark a world of creativity. Ultimately, the computer has immensely affected our world.

Lessons of 1992

Barack Obama's 2008 campaign greatly reflects Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign. Politically speaking, '92 saw conservative attacks against the new democratic president. Clinton entered with a vague health care reform policy that ultimately took too long to initiate. Krugman fears Obama's rejection of health insurance mandates mirrors this mistake. Another grave democratic issue is conflict among opponents. Kruger says, rather than attack one another, democrats should address the issues at hand and prepare an actual plan for hope and unity.

NEXT TEXT #5

I've been analyzing :A Christian Blog and have come to the realization that there isn't a whole lot of personal information about this person. I'm not sure if they are male or female. I don't know if they have a brother or sister or what they did during the day. I do know they aren't a minister or famous author. In fact they don't want to be known as one. They believe Christ died for their sins so they can go to heaven. They know they're a sinner and they just want to communicate with others who can help them on their walk. They're cyber identity is a human who wants to be filled with Christ. They try to define what's really important in life and frown upon materialistic things. They don't want to be caught up in judging others. They make posts on things they think about or read. They want to be positive, understanding, and respectful of others' views. They try to take credit for the things they do wrong and want to encourage others to do the same. This blogger wants us to see Christ through them. And I'm convinced. This person is real. They aren't trying to hide anything; it's all layed out on the table!