Being able to use to computer is going to be huge if the predicted advances in technology come true. The thought that a computer, for only 1000$, is capable of computing more then the entire human race is insane. If you aren't digitally literate, you will be missing out on a lot.
In my education, I have learned that your level of digital literacy is the variable that decides whether or not you fail or pass your classes. It's nothing impossible, but it takes so practice to get the hang of it. Learning like this has not only put me forward in my quest to graduate high school. It has also given me a level of digital literacy that not every high school student has. Because of this, I am able to for out more information, in less time.
If I took all of my experience from this class and thought "How am I going to contribute to society in the future?" I'm sure I could help out many people by writing tutorials, teaching them how to use computers efficiently and effectively. While it may not be very easy to observe, there are many people using computers today that are scared and confused by some of the things us students do on the daily.
In order to be successful in our future of unthinkable computing ability, there are 3 main skills you need to have as a base that will allow you to learn all of the other stuff: Be able to use a computer, be able to communicate with the English language fluently, and know how to use the Internet efficiently to obtain data.
Digital Literacy is something I have personally mastered. Spending all this time on the computer for my school courses was definitely a good choice. While doing my education, I was able to get a better grasp on some of the technological things I didn't know much about. One really big difference everyone can notice is how fast they type. The more time you spend doing it, the faster and better you get. This is essential in obtaining your digital literacy.
In college, I am 100% sure there will be more essays to write. On top of that, there will be many presentations I'll have to make. Reading and writing will improve my speech skills and allow me to have an overall easier time doing these things. As an employer, I can imagine reading, writing, and communication skills would be even more important. If you are able to communicate in an in-depth way, what you want your workers to, and not to be doing, you'll be able to give yourself the most effective workforce possible.
Technology is something that is moving forward much faster then everything else. You are either going to move with it, or be left behind. You will be lost in your own little world of post mail and newspapers. I believe that being able to use the computer, both comfortably and efficiently, should be made into a world wide standard.
13.3.09
9.3.09
Art Citique
"Quantum Cloud XXXIII" by Antony Gormley, Denver Art Museum, Denver, Colorado. It is a man standing with his arms stretched towards the sky. The entire thing is made up of square stainless steel pieces that branch out from the original shape. A body is made out with a higher concentration of pieces, with this amount decreasing as you move away from the main outline of a man. My first impression was "What is that big wiry thing doing there? It looks kind of out of place"
The author seemed to know what he was doing when using the metal pieces that create a sort of transparent feel. I think that's what prompted my initial impression. He uses only one color which makes it feel calm with the arrangement of the iron bars making it feel chaotic. He kept the materials very simple: Stainless Steel, and lots of it. Simplicity is always good.
I feel like in the art, you see a man that seems to be one with the air around him, only he is a higher concentration. It's like another view of reality. A man is walking along and all of the smaller pieces is matter he is passing through. Imagine everyone walking around with a slight outline that looked something like this. It would be like seeing all of the electromagnetic spectrum. It shows the relation between our bodies and the world we live in.
Now that I've had time, I realize my first impression is much different then what I think now. At first sight, I just saw a bunch of bars. After critiquing the art, I feel that it goes much deeper than a simple arrangement of stainless steel bars. It's really an interesting view of an alternate reality that we as human beings, can not see.
The author seemed to know what he was doing when using the metal pieces that create a sort of transparent feel. I think that's what prompted my initial impression. He uses only one color which makes it feel calm with the arrangement of the iron bars making it feel chaotic. He kept the materials very simple: Stainless Steel, and lots of it. Simplicity is always good.
I feel like in the art, you see a man that seems to be one with the air around him, only he is a higher concentration. It's like another view of reality. A man is walking along and all of the smaller pieces is matter he is passing through. Imagine everyone walking around with a slight outline that looked something like this. It would be like seeing all of the electromagnetic spectrum. It shows the relation between our bodies and the world we live in.
Now that I've had time, I realize my first impression is much different then what I think now. At first sight, I just saw a bunch of bars. After critiquing the art, I feel that it goes much deeper than a simple arrangement of stainless steel bars. It's really an interesting view of an alternate reality that we as human beings, can not see.
27.2.09
State of the Union Address
During President Obama's Address he stated many different issues and spoke to many different groups. In particular, I'd like to highlight his hopes and requests of high school students. These things are building blocks of your life after education.
He says "dropping out of high school is no longer an option, it's not just quitting on yourself, its quitting on your country, and this country needs and values the talents of every American". Now this I can only partially agree with. It seems like he's saying that anyone who drops out of high school has no motivation to work or progress. I had a friend who dropped out of high school so he could work more. He was content with the amount of pay he was getting so he decided to get a GED and be done with it. I think he should make an exception for the certain people that do work without a high school education. They take care of the simple jobs, or like my friend, do just fine without a full high school education.
Obama also promised that the youth of today would be able to pay for a higher education. This is very good news. Some people, no matter how smart they are, sometimes can't come up with money for college. Obama's plan that enables everyone to pay for college solves that. The President also asks us to attend at least 1 year of higher education. I'm not sure about his reasoning, but I would hate spending a year in college while the guys who started working before me will be making more. Maybe if he gave me a motive like you have an 100% chance to make more then someone who started working right out of high school. However without that guarantee, I can't promise him I will attend that 1 year of higher education.
The last thing he asks us is to prepare our children for education. He says we should start thinking now about how we are going to help our children of the future graduate from high school and go on to college. I believe that this is a reasonable request, as anyone would hope their child has the most secure and safe financial future after they leave home. On top of that, this will help bring down the 50% drop-out rate of kids attending college currently and be overall best for our country. However, one thing we have to consider is that maybe some of these kids that don't finish college and decide to go off and do something else realized that college just isn't for them. Maybe they found something they like doing and makes them enough money to feel good about their future.
All in all, I think the President's requests are all in good faith. They are just a little to general for my taste. Can only expect so much in-depth detail when he is giving such a broad speech.
He says "dropping out of high school is no longer an option, it's not just quitting on yourself, its quitting on your country, and this country needs and values the talents of every American". Now this I can only partially agree with. It seems like he's saying that anyone who drops out of high school has no motivation to work or progress. I had a friend who dropped out of high school so he could work more. He was content with the amount of pay he was getting so he decided to get a GED and be done with it. I think he should make an exception for the certain people that do work without a high school education. They take care of the simple jobs, or like my friend, do just fine without a full high school education.
Obama also promised that the youth of today would be able to pay for a higher education. This is very good news. Some people, no matter how smart they are, sometimes can't come up with money for college. Obama's plan that enables everyone to pay for college solves that. The President also asks us to attend at least 1 year of higher education. I'm not sure about his reasoning, but I would hate spending a year in college while the guys who started working before me will be making more. Maybe if he gave me a motive like you have an 100% chance to make more then someone who started working right out of high school. However without that guarantee, I can't promise him I will attend that 1 year of higher education.
The last thing he asks us is to prepare our children for education. He says we should start thinking now about how we are going to help our children of the future graduate from high school and go on to college. I believe that this is a reasonable request, as anyone would hope their child has the most secure and safe financial future after they leave home. On top of that, this will help bring down the 50% drop-out rate of kids attending college currently and be overall best for our country. However, one thing we have to consider is that maybe some of these kids that don't finish college and decide to go off and do something else realized that college just isn't for them. Maybe they found something they like doing and makes them enough money to feel good about their future.
All in all, I think the President's requests are all in good faith. They are just a little to general for my taste. Can only expect so much in-depth detail when he is giving such a broad speech.
20.2.09
Media Bias
From an example I was just given of how some of the media is liberal, how a democrat can get off easy while a republican is shunned for the same mistake and vice-versa, I would say there is an obvious bias towards one party. On top of the treatment differences, the amount of information, and the quality of that information can also be biased. It is very possible that instead of keeping things balanced, one news station will withhold information that actually tells the entire side of one story. Advertising is what pays to news companies salaries so there is no doubt that their beliefs will come across in the news reports.
The news seems to have become more of an opinion based summary rather than an actual report with all facts included, so the audience can decide for themselves. Emotion and feelings can also cause the news to be slanted. If a news broadcaster in Pakistan is talking about America, the entire article may be biased to make America out as the bad guy. They're just giving the people what the news broadcaster thinks the people want to know. Our news giants are becoming less and less credible by not keeping their news balanced, and instead, only reporting what they think people should know.
When an event has recently occurred, whether it be happy or tragic, the numbers coming out it the news report may very well be educated guesses. For example, depending on which way a certain media station is biased, the number of fatalities in the U.S. attempt to take out a dangerous man in Pakistan can go from 27 to 12. In reality, the people who own the news corporations are the ones who decide what to tell, and what to withhold. Today, anything you read can only be confirmed after you check it with a third or fourth source, making sure the first report you heard wasn't chopped up and misleading.
The news seems to have become more of an opinion based summary rather than an actual report with all facts included, so the audience can decide for themselves. Emotion and feelings can also cause the news to be slanted. If a news broadcaster in Pakistan is talking about America, the entire article may be biased to make America out as the bad guy. They're just giving the people what the news broadcaster thinks the people want to know. Our news giants are becoming less and less credible by not keeping their news balanced, and instead, only reporting what they think people should know.
When an event has recently occurred, whether it be happy or tragic, the numbers coming out it the news report may very well be educated guesses. For example, depending on which way a certain media station is biased, the number of fatalities in the U.S. attempt to take out a dangerous man in Pakistan can go from 27 to 12. In reality, the people who own the news corporations are the ones who decide what to tell, and what to withhold. Today, anything you read can only be confirmed after you check it with a third or fourth source, making sure the first report you heard wasn't chopped up and misleading.
6.2.09
Graduation Speech
Ever since I discovered JeffcoNet I was able to see the truth in this quote from Goethe "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Who would have thought my dream of going to school one day a week would come true? Seriously though. After spending about 4 years here, I am convinced I have some of the best and most understanding teachers in the world. Even with all the times I had to miss school the ONE day a week I had it for tennis tournaments, matches, or whatever my teachers didn't give me grief a single time. All of us students really appreciate everything both the teachers and faculty do to make JeffcoNet a reality. It is a great program they have going on here and I can only imagine it will grow for years to come.
When I started here, I thought online school would be easier, and that's because when I first started here, the only words I was focused one were "GO TO SCHOOL ONE DAY A WEEK" and for me very first weeks during orientation my focus was spot on but then everything changed. A new word was brought to my attention at the end of these two weeks. Self Motivation. This word must be beaten into your skull if you are going to be successful at online learning and by the time you are ready to graduate, you will have grown to dread it much like myself. Don't get me wrong, it does get easier as you do it more but man, every time I go to school now I realize how much easier it is working there. The feeling you get when stuck in a classroom and the feeling you get stuck in a room with your choice of the bed or computer....let me tell you....they are two very different things.
Anyways....I have said all I have to say so may I leave you now by thanking you all for listening to me, ranting on and on about my high school experience and the program I am enrolled in. I wish you all the best.
When I started here, I thought online school would be easier, and that's because when I first started here, the only words I was focused one were "GO TO SCHOOL ONE DAY A WEEK" and for me very first weeks during orientation my focus was spot on but then everything changed. A new word was brought to my attention at the end of these two weeks. Self Motivation. This word must be beaten into your skull if you are going to be successful at online learning and by the time you are ready to graduate, you will have grown to dread it much like myself. Don't get me wrong, it does get easier as you do it more but man, every time I go to school now I realize how much easier it is working there. The feeling you get when stuck in a classroom and the feeling you get stuck in a room with your choice of the bed or computer....let me tell you....they are two very different things.
Anyways....I have said all I have to say so may I leave you now by thanking you all for listening to me, ranting on and on about my high school experience and the program I am enrolled in. I wish you all the best.
30.1.09
The Lady, or the Tiger?
Throughout the short story assignment, you mind is required to do many different things, with the bulk of them revolving around interpretation.
1.a: Use cognitive and meta cognitive strategies to comprehend diverse texts
From the very first to the last, every page of this packet demands that you understand what you are reading. You need to be able to use the words you read to infer and predict what happens in the story, as well as ow to answer the questions.
1.b: Use context clues to define and interpret figurative words and phrases
Although this is not as common as 1.a, it is still very easily recognized. The short story is filled with figurative words and you must be able to read the words around it and derive a general meaning.
(unable to read numbering. first benchmark on pg# 4 of 8):
Exhibit skillful use of language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary
The packet asks you to make your own sentences with the vocabulary words from the story and you need to be able to use those words in the correct way. Having the definition right in front of you helps you to understand how the word could possibly be used, but overall this work helps improve your ability to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of words for subject, genre, mode, tone, purpose, voice, and audience.
3.a: Discern and intentionally use informal and formal register of English, literary and rhetorical language, and standard conventions to address audience, purpose, context style, and clarity
This benchmark requires that you know how to promote and extend your own voice and precision with verbals and stylistic fragment. The short story is constantly using different forms of English to change the voice of the story. You need to be able to tell the difference between a devious moment and a sincere one.
4.b: Analyze a variety of texts in order to build connections and draw subtle generalization and conclusions
In the reading you are constantly trying to figure out if the characters are deceptive or trustworthy. You have to read through and think of all the characters at once, figuring out which side they may be on.
4.c: Summarize and synthesize ideas and events within or among a variety of texts
In the packet you are asked to summarize the events of the story and come up with your answer to the the big question.....The Lady, or the Tiger?
4.(unreadable, last one on pg# 5): Critique the style, organization, and content of written and oral presentations.
When the packet asks you to rewrite words used in the story in your own sentences, you are gaining knowledge from critiquing the work of others to appraise and refine own your own work.
6.a: Explore personal issues and interests through a variety of texts.
While reading the short story you notice to feelings of sorrow, justice, and love expressed in the same way you experience them in real life.
6.b: Apply knowledge of literary terminology and techniques to study and deconstruct author's craft
The short story has many different parts that require you to be able to detect irony or satire and even the tone of the author's writing.
1.a: Use cognitive and meta cognitive strategies to comprehend diverse texts
From the very first to the last, every page of this packet demands that you understand what you are reading. You need to be able to use the words you read to infer and predict what happens in the story, as well as ow to answer the questions.
1.b: Use context clues to define and interpret figurative words and phrases
Although this is not as common as 1.a, it is still very easily recognized. The short story is filled with figurative words and you must be able to read the words around it and derive a general meaning.
(unable to read numbering. first benchmark on pg# 4 of 8):
Exhibit skillful use of language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary
The packet asks you to make your own sentences with the vocabulary words from the story and you need to be able to use those words in the correct way. Having the definition right in front of you helps you to understand how the word could possibly be used, but overall this work helps improve your ability to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of words for subject, genre, mode, tone, purpose, voice, and audience.
3.a: Discern and intentionally use informal and formal register of English, literary and rhetorical language, and standard conventions to address audience, purpose, context style, and clarity
This benchmark requires that you know how to promote and extend your own voice and precision with verbals and stylistic fragment. The short story is constantly using different forms of English to change the voice of the story. You need to be able to tell the difference between a devious moment and a sincere one.
4.b: Analyze a variety of texts in order to build connections and draw subtle generalization and conclusions
In the reading you are constantly trying to figure out if the characters are deceptive or trustworthy. You have to read through and think of all the characters at once, figuring out which side they may be on.
4.c: Summarize and synthesize ideas and events within or among a variety of texts
In the packet you are asked to summarize the events of the story and come up with your answer to the the big question.....The Lady, or the Tiger?
4.(unreadable, last one on pg# 5): Critique the style, organization, and content of written and oral presentations.
When the packet asks you to rewrite words used in the story in your own sentences, you are gaining knowledge from critiquing the work of others to appraise and refine own your own work.
6.a: Explore personal issues and interests through a variety of texts.
While reading the short story you notice to feelings of sorrow, justice, and love expressed in the same way you experience them in real life.
6.b: Apply knowledge of literary terminology and techniques to study and deconstruct author's craft
The short story has many different parts that require you to be able to detect irony or satire and even the tone of the author's writing.
23.1.09
This I Believe
I'm not sure of the best way to do this so I am just gonna read through the pacing guide and give the number and summary of the action in kind of a list fashion.
2.e: Utilize peer feedback, style manuals, and electronic tools to revise, edit, and evaluate their own texts. This one is pretty straight forward. During the process of writing your drafts you use peer editing and revision to improve the end product of your rough drafts.
2.I: Rehearse, plan, and organize writing by employing a variety of strategies and rhetorical styles. I would call this pre writing. This is all of the little processes you go through before you actually write your first draft. You gather all of your ideas and plan the topics of all your paragraphs.
(unable to read number): Exhibit skillful use of language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary. When you write a paper like the This I Believe essay, you have to create a tone of voice for yourself by using the right words. You need to be able to express why it is that you believe what you do.
3.a: Discern and intentionally use informal and formal registers of English, literary and rhetorical language, and standard conventions to address audience, purpose, context, style, and clarity.
You need to be able to convey emotions as clearly as possible when writing about a belief you live by. Using the right words and sentence structure will ensure that your paper is interpreted the way that you would want it to be.
4.d: Critique the style, organization, and content of writing and oral presentations.
In all writing assignments, you need to be able to see the errors in either your own, or an others work. If you can critique your own work then you are doing yourself a favor. During this essay I know I will be rewriting a lot of things, and that is why I think this particular skill will be used on the This I Believe paper.
5.b: Eliminate all forms of plagiarism.
This is a no brainer. Taking someones belief and calling it your own wouldn't be to cool. Even if you do believe what they wrote about, it's not your work.
After scanning through the Pacing Guide, these were all of the parts that applied to the This I Believe essay.
2.e: Utilize peer feedback, style manuals, and electronic tools to revise, edit, and evaluate their own texts. This one is pretty straight forward. During the process of writing your drafts you use peer editing and revision to improve the end product of your rough drafts.
2.I: Rehearse, plan, and organize writing by employing a variety of strategies and rhetorical styles. I would call this pre writing. This is all of the little processes you go through before you actually write your first draft. You gather all of your ideas and plan the topics of all your paragraphs.
(unable to read number): Exhibit skillful use of language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary. When you write a paper like the This I Believe essay, you have to create a tone of voice for yourself by using the right words. You need to be able to express why it is that you believe what you do.
3.a: Discern and intentionally use informal and formal registers of English, literary and rhetorical language, and standard conventions to address audience, purpose, context, style, and clarity.
You need to be able to convey emotions as clearly as possible when writing about a belief you live by. Using the right words and sentence structure will ensure that your paper is interpreted the way that you would want it to be.
4.d: Critique the style, organization, and content of writing and oral presentations.
In all writing assignments, you need to be able to see the errors in either your own, or an others work. If you can critique your own work then you are doing yourself a favor. During this essay I know I will be rewriting a lot of things, and that is why I think this particular skill will be used on the This I Believe paper.
5.b: Eliminate all forms of plagiarism.
This is a no brainer. Taking someones belief and calling it your own wouldn't be to cool. Even if you do believe what they wrote about, it's not your work.
After scanning through the Pacing Guide, these were all of the parts that applied to the This I Believe essay.
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