PLN Presentation Evaluation (second one)

Analysing the comments I got, I would say i did pretty well. A lot of people said that I swayed a little too much and talked too fast, but oppositely, many classmates said that I did a good job explaining my plns. I guess it is all dependant on personal belief, whether informality outweighs content, but overall, I'm happy with my performance.

Final Presentation

PLN 26

After reviewing a large mass of blog entries, one specific one grasped my attention. It was titled “Pocket texting and open phone tests” and was situated within the Weblogg-ed blog.

The entry itself notably described the unethical (in the world of education) habits of a 14 year old student. He is of South Korean descent and has adopted the repulsive tendency to text message during his classes. This is quite simple for him, for he has memorized his key pad and plainly types up a question that was addressed by the teacher and sends this completed message to his friends. The then answer the question back and Insoo (the student) completes assignments with ease. He has also composed an online port to his questions which is useful in the event of confusion during his homework.

Wow, this idea of texting to receive answers during tests and homework is unacceptable. I have always defended my belief that the practice of text messaging was evil, and this completely supports my point! Phones which posses the ability to send these messages should be banned during tests, yet the computer programs at home can’t become extinct without drastic measures. It is a tough question to answer; should (because of the potential hazard of cheating as instead by cell phones) all technology be abandoned within classrooms? Technology poses such an overwhelming advantage over conservative teaching, for the radical technology utilized in classrooms is sometimes even more resourceful than a teacher. My English class has introduced laptops to our class, and in the absence of the power, speed, and practicality presented by laptops and other comparable technological devices, I would find myself lost in that class.

Essentially, technology is helpful in the sense that it poses better alternatives to the contemporary textbook. Yet, if operated by teens like Insoo, the technology may not radiate the same positive feelings as it does in my English class.

PLN 25

According to “Gizmag”.com, the future of transportation has arrived. The scrawny “flying motorcycle” may spark the new era of flight controlled by ordinary people. Although scrawny in appearance, this definition fits not with performance. The contraption itself is essentially a three wheeled frame with a collapsible rotor on the top (giving it the appearance and maneuverability of a helicopter) and another vertical one in the rear so as to drive the vehicle forward. It is able to house one person and can exceed speeds of 55 mph on land and 100 in flight! “There’s nothing else like it, a gyroplane that can fly at better than freeway speeds, land in 20 feet, be driven home as a motorcycle, and fit in your garage” states Larry Neal (initial creator of the aircraft). The most significant aspect of this invention is its versatility; it can be driven on land (it is allowed on roads too) or in the air. Imagine the advantages; speed limits don’t exist in the air so maximum speeds may be encountered; if you are running late, are in a traffic jam, or just have a need for speed, this cycle will not simply suffice, it will out- perform any other available compact flyer on the market.

For only $37,195, I don’t think a person could possibly argue the aircraft’s expensiveness. Keep in mind though that most aircrafts of this stature are radically more expensive; take for example the Cessna 172. This tiny counterpart tips the scale at a staggering $50,000! Although the Cessna is slightly faster than the Flying Motorcycle, the cycle still claims advantage over the Cessna and other comparable aircraft, for it is able to operate in the atmosphere and on the earth, plus, it relies on a rotor blade mounted on its top; this feature will ensure maximum maneuverability unlike conventional “forward only” aircraft. Because Neal has priced his obviously incredible breakthrough in technology at a meager (for an aircraft) $37,195 he understands the benefits of his contribution to the world and wants it in circulation (obviously if he’s a vender).

I have always complemented the benefits associated with flight. For this reason, I would seriously consider purchasing one of these fine machines. They are compact (the blades fold inward), efficient (traveling at speeds exceeding 100mph), and an all around enjoyable experience to operate (for air pioneers like me). In 20 years, the sky will almost certainly adopt a new face, and I’ll be one of the millions up there in my super sky cycle contributing to that alteration.

PLN 24

While scanning the contents of available blogs, mine eyes glimpsed an entry, regarded in my opinion, as simply disheartening. It was titled “Why are kids failing?” and was contained within Michele’s CIT blog. The composition primarily demonstrates a teacher’s frustrated state when coping with the immense failure looming in class. Her chief concern expressed in this article is one of confusion as to why a vast majority of her students are currently failing her English course. She, out of desperation lowers the standards in her facility in hope of greater student achievement, but of course, these actions are to no avail. Michele states: “In my 9th grade classes, I have 3 categories: homework/responsibility where students can turn in late work for 50% of its worth; reading applications and analysis where students can do any assignment for 100% of its worth as well as the writing category where again students can do (and re-do) any assignment for 100%. This allows for penalties with day-to-day work, but allows for growth in the 2 categories key to English class.” She also bothers to note that: “Out of my 49 9th graders, 21 students have low D's and F's. I have 10 F's in my 4th hour alone!”. The most deceiving part of her job is also confronted when she explains how her students stand loyal to her (exclaiming that they love her), yet do not perform accordingly.

To me, this is truly discouraging, a teacher who does everything in her power to actually improve her struggling student’s grades should be considered heroic, thoughtful, and should be rewarded for her actions. Although this is all true in my personal opinion, the favor is not returned by her pupils. How come? I believe the answer is dependent on a student’s maturity level. Of course, Michele’s class consists of 9th graders (who are fresh out of middle school) and may (because of this) not have yet fully developed a sense of maturity to cope with the more challenging and less unaccustomed to assignments. During their middle school careers, students did not encounter excelled levels of thought. For most, the transition to high school from the more familiar middle school is a visibly radical feat. Because of the pressures associated with comprehensive tests, challenging homework, and in depth discussions, “Fresh”men might become seriously weighed down with these prospects. This leads to basically abandoning of these new challenges and a byproduct of poor achievement.

The problem surrounding Michele dictates her forgiveness. Essentially, she instructs the class in a manor proclaiming her elasticity. In her nature, she is a nice person, yet too nice; she simply bends around the fact that her students take advantage of her generous policies. When the matters of academic training are discussed, Michele should be prepared to not accept late work for any credit whatsoever. It is this trait expressed in her teaching methods which renders her capable of becoming a “babysitter” of students and not a genuine teacher. Because her students (the vast majority of them immature) understand her guidelines (accepting late work for 100%???!!!), they procrastinate until the assignment is “due” and ask for forgiveness keeping in mind that they will simply receive another chance with no reduction of points. Well, reality is not that lenient; in the real world, opportunities are encountered fairly rarely; to fail in an important task could potentially render one unemployed or worse. Students need to become more mature, face the facts, and understand the reality of life; if they simply procrastinate in their work, they can’t possible succeed in life. Likewise, teachers depicted as Michele must agree to become stricter, for if they do not accord with this warning, unforgiving students will not bask in the warmth of a prosperous life.

PLN 23

The article I have just completed analyzing is addressed as “Fight Hunger While Learning Vocab” and was located in the Fischbowl blog. The composition primarily describes a revolutionary new program aimed at nourishing the underprivileged. It is referred to as “Free Rice” and serves as a source of food distribution to the United Nations World Food Program. The UNWFP then collects the rice generated by “Free Rice” and circulates it throughout the globe to less fortunate nations. Though “Free Rice” does not simply open their hands to UNWEP, an average person can potentially force them to by answering a series of questions concerning vocabulary correctly. The program will donate 20 grains of rice to the UNWEP for every question resolved by players. The game itself is actually quite elementary; the player is simply instructed to choose of four possible answers, the one which acts in unison the best with a provided word. Because this organization is internet biased, maximum productivity will be achieved. It does not matter a person’s background, ethnicity, or other affiliated descriptions; anyone with access to the internet may participate in this extraordinary event.

On learning of this site, I immediately turned on my computer and ventured to “Free Rice”. The game was designed simply, but the questions did not accord with the simplistic rules. This sight offers a multitude of the most exotic words which may become helpful if a person, for example, wishes to excel their vocabulary comprehension levels. At the same time though, the sight indirectly donates rice to downtrodden inhabitants of the world. The program truly revolutionizes the dilapidation of hunger throughout the most pauper oriented countries. Because of its great accessibility, charitable nature, and vocabulary enhancement, the “Free Rice” legacy will potentially nurture millions in this year alone.

The greatest benefit of the program is its ability to not consume hefty amounts of time. Last night, for example, I tested out the sight and after around a half an hour’s work, I had already accumulated 6,040 grains of rice. If this number goal is pursued each day by millions of people a day, hungriness will become extinct. It is foolishly simple to play and increases your vocabulary levels, so give it a try; what do you have to loose?