PlN 6

Recently, I have completed reading a post entitled “Missing the science of teaching” located within the contents of the Denver Post blog. O’Brien, the principal of a rural elementary school situated in Colorado, stated that her school devoted five hours a day to math and English in an attempt to raise the insufficient CSAP scores that the school had previously achieved. As a result, science was neglected and the scores in that field plummeted. Today, science is in jeopardy; it is on the verge of expulsion from the required curriculum of Colorado. Presently, administrators perceive the issue as one to be simply neglected because the teachers who major in science are scarce and the student body as a whole despises the subject. There is a very accurate quotation by Thomas Edison that states “The reason most people do not realize opportunity is because it goes around in overhauls looking like hard work”. This quote is absolutely correct when related to this crisis. Administrators do not realize that a sufficient knowledge of science in a person can, in turn, go a long way. Yes, it will be hard work to better educate today’s teachers on the so- called “hard” subject, but the total outcome of the action will outweigh the effort. Scientific discoveries in the world make its inhabitant’s lives greater. More scientific advances could be made with the reintroduction of a rigorous science curriculum in Colorado’s schools. Because of this, society would be greatly benefited. Science is the way to go!

To link to the origional artical by the Denver Post, click here!

Motivational Resources

When inspecting the available blog posts to comment on, I found one regarding the idea of student payment for enhanced marks. I found this post in “The Fisch Bowl”, it was titled "Is Payment for Good Grades Legitimate Motivation in This Day and Age?"


Presently, the United States is situated in the midst of a crisis regarding the issue of student motivation. Currently, students disregard their education (as it is “boring” to them) to the point where they become practically ignorant in anything they do. The youth which do disgracefully ignore the vital stepping stones that will aid them in their quest for success do not realize the importance of their education. Incentive do perform well is already present for them to take advantage of (a good future), yet they do not utilize this incentive and oppositely slack in their studies for it is too “hard”. The answer to this problem is somewhat elementary, valid incentive for students is necessary for them to commence in their studies with all effort. Now, the question is the type of motivational prize that must be rewarded; money, perhaps? Once students are introduced to the idea that money will be earned (on their part) if sufficient grades are achieved, they will become more driven to succeed in school. Although this prospect sounds fine, it is partially corrupt. Yes, students will become more driven to achieve, but will they retain the information they learned. In their mission to earn adequate grades, they may tend to take advantage of the most easily accessible route and only memorize information for tests or homework. A week into the future, the subject will just be another lost memory. The goal of institutions are to better prepare students for the actual world, this goal will not be met if students are only able to account for information spanning a couple days. No, it is not worth it. Students need to realize the consequences associated with non- driven individuals. Once enlightenment is reached, students will become self- sufficient (do not need to depend on their parents for incentive to work hard) and better individuals.

To link to the "Fisch Bowl" to view the entire blog, click here.

PLN 4

During my standard inspection of available blogs, I happened across a post confined within the “weblogg- ed” blog. In it, Will Richardson posted his favorite picture from an excursion of China. The picture depicted an old woman who stood in a doorway holding a crudely carved chair. The woman portrayed in the picture was also noted to be wearing a traditional Communist uniform. This underscores the fact that China still poses a threat to democracy around the globe. The majority of people still believe that with the abolishment of Communism in the largest nation on the planet, the whole belief went with it. This idea is incorrect; although Communism in the Soviet Union collapsed, its partner in crime (China) did not suffer the same consequences. Entire wars have been fought regarding the idea of Communism; I for one do not wish to become involved in a conflict with China. As I progressed through the blog post, I noticed Will also began to discuss the lack of gas stations in one Chinese city to which he ventured (Shanghai). In the article, he stated that he did not see any gas stations at all in the largely populated city. This is curious because China’s Shanghai tops the charts at a population of nearly twenty million; many of these are drivers; where do they obtain their gas? If asked to provide a logical explanation for the question, I would reason that the government of China provides each family with a supply of gasoline that can be utilized to fuel cars or other appliances. The article also explores one of the more painful aspects of China’s government, the one child edict. Because of the country’s over excessive population, each family is only permitted to raise one child. The extras are then adopted by other willing families. A cruel concept this is, to separate mother and child is very agonizing to me.

To link to the origional post click here

Classroom Internet Good or Bad?

Looking into my most recent subscription, an article of much importance regarding internet hazards grabbed my attention. Within the contents of the post, its author, Jeff Utecht, encourages teachers today to confront their students on an important issue concerning internet safety. Utecht believes that video clips as opposed to lecturing are a superior method of conveying the message that the internet is a potential hazard.

As the country of America advances technologically, new techniques regarding the education of today’s younger population are introduced. Internet availability has become evident in many classrooms; is a useful, but also dangerous resource. Schools are starting to realize that their nation is evolving from a traditional era to a more technological era and are therefore incorporating computers into teaching methods. Although many students seem thrilled with the usage of laptops during their so called “boring and pointless” classes (promotes a more enjoyable learning environment), they disregard the fact that these computers can become potentially dangerous threats. Teachers understand these dangers and seek to spell out their influential power to their students, but merely lecturing students does not always convey the message. Clarence Fisher, currently a teacher, states he believes that a different approach may need to be utilized. Videos- the generation of technology is fascinated with videos (unlike lecturing) which they so dearly love. Previously, students simply ignored the “boring” lectures that were spoken to them, now, videos are noticed by the younger population and not disregarded, for they are interesting to the youth of America. If video presentations are universally used in classrooms around the globe, internet dangers will become much less of a threat than they are currently.

To view the origional work of Jeff Utecht, click here

School Tests and Their Importance

Whilst scanning through the contents of my subscribed to blogs, I happened across an unusual entry in “The Fischbowl” which defies normal conduct of many parents. In the blog entry, as Karl Fisch states: “we chose to open enroll our daughter in a magnet school in the district. This is despite the fact that the magnet school is about a 25 minute drive, and the fact that this school consistently scores second from the bottom in the district on the CSAP. In other words, we chose to move our daughter from a school that’s less than 5 minutes away with some of the highest test scores in the state, to a school that’s 25 minutes away (in good weather) and has mediocre test scores (very low for the district, but middle of the road for the state).Other than being insane (which is always a possibility), why would we do this? Well, it’s pretty simple. We think this school has the best chance of helping her become the adult human being we hope she becomes, as opposed to maximizing her chances to get a high test score. That doesn’t mean our neighborhood school is horrible, or that we don’t value readin', ritin' and 'rithmetic. It simply means that, philosophically and hopefully in practice, this school has a better chance to create a well-rounded, intellectually curious, happy, lifelong and continual learner who will live a life where she contributes to the greater good of the entire world. And, for us, that’s more important than her CSAP scores.”
Have these parents lost their minds? How insane and unbeneficial of them to place their daughter whom they obviously care for dearly in such a situation. Do they not understand that test scores are the building blocks of adulthood careers? If it were not for the standardized test scores, society would by no means, have proof of the child’s ability. Then, what? Would professions be assigned rather than earned? No, it is absolutely absurd (if America believes in the idea of “self determination”), how does an institute decipher its population pending admission; who will be allowed in? There would be no classification if not for the mere existence of standardized tests. Test scores are very important! I believe in independence. No body should be influenced by another without strict permission from the influenced. The parents who imprison their daughter in a lower facility must take into account the viewpoint of the child on this matter. If the child is in fact all right with the transfer, then it may (in my opinion) proceed, but much potential talent is wasted. The daughter can potentially benefit the world (on a large or small scale) through knowledge received in any school, but the chances of her profiting the world are much greater if she attends a good collage. Only through sufficient test scores in primary school will she prevail and gain admittance to a collage that could ultimately aid her in benefiting the world. A strong start is of vital importance to success, so elementary school careers should be carried out in first-class schools if ultimate success is desired. Yes, the chances of a world being benefited from the daughter are slim, but do not this reality extinguish the flame, there is still hope. Do the parents not care for the progression of the world? If their daughter was to be enlisted in a good primary school, strong foundations would be built for her that she could expand on and ultimately assist in the development of the world (in a small way or a greater one). Even if the daughter does not benefit the world, this is nothing to be ashamed of; the main goal of any parent is simply to raise a child that can succeed. Be registering the daughter in a high-quality (of learning) school, the daughter will find herself closer to the idea of success than in a lower class school and will complete her parent’s mission.

To view the whole origional poast by Karl Fisch click here

Thought for the Day 7/16/07

When scanning my subscribed sites, I decided to look into "The Fischbowl". I found a question that took to my liking; it stated: Everyone grows and dies; the same is true of countries. The only question is how long one can postpone the inevitable. In the case of some countries, life spans can be very long, so it is worth asking whether the United States is in adolescence, middle age, or old age. Do science and technology accelerate or offset the demise? And finally, how many stars will be in the U.S. flag in fifty years? There has yet to be a single U.S. president buried under the same flag he was born under, yet we often take continuity for granted.- Juan Enriquez, p. 282

In my own personal opinion, I believe that as stated, countries are personified to an extent where they can "live" or "die"; life and death in this sense presents the reader with two conclusions. One, that the nation is prosperous in one or many perspectives and exists at the present time (living) or two, the nation simply becomes nonexistent or has failed to become prosperous in many aspects (dead). Yes, once a nation of the world falls into a state of lacking in a significant number of fields, it may be considered dead.

In a situation where a country is undoubtedly weakening, it depends heavily on the rate of the country's abolishment to determine the time until the "death". If the rate at which the country is declining is slower, then, the time until "death" will be longer. On the contrary, when the rate of declination increases the time until "death" will also decline.

If adolescence is defined as the "learning" stage in life, if middle- aged is defined as "the starting to get it point", and if old age is the "reaching death" point in life, then, I believe that America as a country is basking in the warmth of its middle period. When the lands of North America were settled by early English Pilgrims, the territory entered a new era in its time period. As America developed, many mistakes were made and many lives lost, but America persisted through its early career. It then arrived at its "proficient" point where it developed based on its own learned lessons of the past. America has not met its old age, for, it is in no immediate danger of becoming nonexistent or a lacking nation.

When faced with the question of technology slowing or accelerating the “death” of a country, I will present the following. It depends. If the “death” is very evident and unavoidable, then the scientific and technological knowledge we as humans possess will not suffice in order to prevent a “death”. If the country is at a stage where it can see death in the future further away, scientific and technological advances may be able to aid the country in its climb towards proficiency. As normal “deaths” of nations are primarily caused by the poor marketing conditions and economics, technological advances in goods may help companies sell more products, earn more money, and as a result, pull the endangered country out of jeopardy. Likewise, scientific breakthroughs may lead a country to fortune through the utilization of their science in sold products. Although science and technology can be used in such a way as to postpone “death”, it can also be used negatively to speed the process. When products are stripped of their scientific and/or technological values, sales for the product will diminish. If enough products are affected, the process of “death” will quicken.

The question of America’s lust for power or belief in freedom is imperialism. Imperialistic societies are ones that encompass great amounts of land and the natives who inhabit the possesed lands. They do not view the conquered natives as valuable and do not grant them many freedoms. Today, we know that the American flag bears fifty symbolic stars. If new territory is gained, more stars will be added. Is America power hungry or freedom driven? If in the future America becomes maybe intimidated by neighboring empires or bored, it may turn to the idea of imperialism for answers. If so, our flag will bear more than the fifty stars it does presently. If, on the other hand, America is still the way it is today and values freedom for any person, our flag face may never change.