I didn’t know what to expect the class trip to Professor Sollinger’s cabin to be like, except of what I was told about it. I was told that there would be good food, we would sleep on the floor, and we would collect seeds and plants from the woods. I didn’t know anyone in the class very well, and I was slightly scared that it wouldn’t be fun at all.
After my classes were over on Friday, I quickly went back to my dorm room to pack. Then I went to the parking lot where my class planned to depart. I expected to find many classmates there, but to my surprise there were only three (who weren’t the people in my prearranged carpooling group). I didn’t know where my carpooling group was at, so I decided to just go with the other group. We were waiting for the rest of the class to show up, but only three people showed during the 45 minuets that we were waiting. We looked up directions on the Internet, then we all jammed into a car and took off. My feeling that this class trip was a going to be a bad experience was deepened by the lack classmates and also because we got lost on our way there.
When we were trying to figure out where the cabin was, feeling completely lost, we discovered that the street numbers were getting closer to our destination! We eventually got to the cabin, and our pleasant surprise there was already a car full of people there. For a while we just played Frisbee and talked, getting to know each other better as more people arrived. I was already surprised by how much fun we were having. When it got dark outside we all went into the beautiful cabin and enjoyed good food and conversation.
That night we enjoyed sitting next to the campfire talking, which was very fun. We also played fun games such as cards and Apples to Apples. We never stopped eating throughout the night: we went from eating appetizers, to dinner, to chips and salsa, to cookies. After a long night of fun and games we decided to crash. I sleep downstairs with most of the girls; most of the boys sleep outside in the tent.
After a good night’s sleep I woke up to a wonderful breakfast already laid out on the counter. We had pancakes and made our own breakfast burritos. It was a feast. After the long wonderful breakfast, it was finally time to do what we originally thought that we were there to do: collect plants and seeds. We split up into groups. I was in the seed-collecting group. I wandered around the woods looking for any seeds that I could find. We only spent about thirty minuets in the seed and plant collecting groups. I enjoyed getting to walk around the woods and I think that I did well; I found some pretty unusual seeds.
After everyone was done doing his or her job, we went home. The drive home was much better than the ride there; we didn’t get lost and I enjoyed talking with my newfound friends. After we arrived at school, one of my new friends and I went to get Slurpees and we watched the homecoming football game together.
I am very glad that my skepticism about how this trip was going to turn out was not needed; it was a blast! During this trip I got to know many of my classmates better and I made several new friends. I learned from this trip that it’s okay for me to occasionally go out of my comfort zone. I hope that I have many more opportunities like this in the future!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tai Chi Steps
First I move my legs into a good stance. Taking a breath in, I slowly raise my arms. I pull my arms back, concentrating on my elbows, and I move my hands down as if I was putting someone hands in my pockets. Then lift I push off of my left foot and pivot to the right and right hand goes into ward off and left rest on the pillow in right ward off. Then I put my hands into the beach ball position then I put my weight on my left foot and pivot turning into left ward off. Then I take a step with my right foot and extend with my right hand and the left rests on the pillow. The left hand goes to the elbow of the reached out right hand and then they swing across the body together: the right hand stops near the crotch and the left goes near the ear. They go into press position, left hand pressing on the right. Both hands come back then push out next to each other in the push position. Then I swing around 180 degrees to the left with arms extended while turning changing the hands so that the right hand look like its holding a tea bag and the left hand is low and palm facing in the single whip position.
11/11/08
From Single Whip I spread my arms and legs opening up. I then bring my right leg in and forward on heel, right hand extended and left palm at right elbow. Next I bring my hands down to my left hip and move my right foot back as if pulling someone’s arm down. Then I step forward with my right foot having my right arm down (hand protecting growing) and left hand on the right side of my chest (prepared to jab at someone’s eyes). Next I step with my left foot, my right forearm is parallel to the ground at head level (blocking a punch) and my left arm is above my left leg in the pose wide crane spreads wings.
12/03/08
From Wide Crane Spreads Wings, I bring my left arm up, fold over my right arm and turn my body going into Brush Knee Twist I. I lift my right leg and extend my right arm as if grabbing someone’s arm. Then I step back, having my left hand by my right elbow as if I am holding someone’s arm. I then swing my arms around and go into brush knee twist II. I then turn my body to the left and make a fist with my right hand. I take a step with my right foot, having my left palm facing my right fist. I take another step and extend my right arm as if punching someone. I then put my weight on my back leg and make a ball to the left, then I transfer my weight back to my front leg and move my hands so that palms are facing outwards as if pushing someone. I let my arms hang at shoulder-eye level while turning to the right and pivoting my left foot. I then bring my right foot in near my body while my arms swing down. As my hands cross, right behind left, I place my right foot down at shoulders with apart but don’t put weight on it. My crossed hands rise up to eye level and I pull them to their correct side as I center my weight upon my feet. I straighten my body as I bring my hands down to my sides in Wu chi. I angle my right foot out and then bring my left foot in at an angle. I put my right fist against my left palm and bow. After bowing I kick out my heals and return to Wu Chi.
11/11/08
From Single Whip I spread my arms and legs opening up. I then bring my right leg in and forward on heel, right hand extended and left palm at right elbow. Next I bring my hands down to my left hip and move my right foot back as if pulling someone’s arm down. Then I step forward with my right foot having my right arm down (hand protecting growing) and left hand on the right side of my chest (prepared to jab at someone’s eyes). Next I step with my left foot, my right forearm is parallel to the ground at head level (blocking a punch) and my left arm is above my left leg in the pose wide crane spreads wings.
12/03/08
From Wide Crane Spreads Wings, I bring my left arm up, fold over my right arm and turn my body going into Brush Knee Twist I. I lift my right leg and extend my right arm as if grabbing someone’s arm. Then I step back, having my left hand by my right elbow as if I am holding someone’s arm. I then swing my arms around and go into brush knee twist II. I then turn my body to the left and make a fist with my right hand. I take a step with my right foot, having my left palm facing my right fist. I take another step and extend my right arm as if punching someone. I then put my weight on my back leg and make a ball to the left, then I transfer my weight back to my front leg and move my hands so that palms are facing outwards as if pushing someone. I let my arms hang at shoulder-eye level while turning to the right and pivoting my left foot. I then bring my right foot in near my body while my arms swing down. As my hands cross, right behind left, I place my right foot down at shoulders with apart but don’t put weight on it. My crossed hands rise up to eye level and I pull them to their correct side as I center my weight upon my feet. I straighten my body as I bring my hands down to my sides in Wu chi. I angle my right foot out and then bring my left foot in at an angle. I put my right fist against my left palm and bow. After bowing I kick out my heals and return to Wu Chi.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Global Warming
The United States has been using fossil fuels in large amounts ever since the industrial revolution. Now, not only are the factories pumping out carbon dioxide, the majority of U.S. citizens drive cars on a regular basis and many other countries have industrialized; the world population is pumping out more carbon dioxide than nature can handle. If world keeps putting out carbon dioxide like it has been, there will be devastating changes to our environment.
The carbon dioxide emissions were estimated to decrease in 2007, but the opposite happened; carbon dioxide emissions raised three present from 2006 to 2007. China produces many products that are require energy consuming machinery and shipped worldwide. Scientists said that China accounted for half of the worlds CO2 increase in 2007. The United States CO2 output had decreased in 2006 but increased two present 2007. Scientists said that the U.S. has the highest CO2 output per person. The large amount of CO2 the world has continued put out is quite frightening.
Although forests and oceans once sucked up enough of CO2 to prevent climate change, they can no longer keep up with humans CO2 output rates. The rate that forests and oceans suck up CO2 has decreased and the rate that humans produce CO2 has increased. If we continue to produce more CO2 than nature can deal with, there will be harsh temperature changes, which will cause the oceans to get warmer. There will be an increase in the number and in severity of storms. Glaciers will melt and oceans will rise. The amount of CO2 that humans have been putting out must be decreased in order to prevent these harmful events.
The carbon dioxide emissions were estimated to decrease in 2007, but the opposite happened; carbon dioxide emissions raised three present from 2006 to 2007. China produces many products that are require energy consuming machinery and shipped worldwide. Scientists said that China accounted for half of the worlds CO2 increase in 2007. The United States CO2 output had decreased in 2006 but increased two present 2007. Scientists said that the U.S. has the highest CO2 output per person. The large amount of CO2 the world has continued put out is quite frightening.
Although forests and oceans once sucked up enough of CO2 to prevent climate change, they can no longer keep up with humans CO2 output rates. The rate that forests and oceans suck up CO2 has decreased and the rate that humans produce CO2 has increased. If we continue to produce more CO2 than nature can deal with, there will be harsh temperature changes, which will cause the oceans to get warmer. There will be an increase in the number and in severity of storms. Glaciers will melt and oceans will rise. The amount of CO2 that humans have been putting out must be decreased in order to prevent these harmful events.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Pros & Cons of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”
Pros
-An Inconvenient Truth informs people about the importance of stopping global warming.
-There has been an increase in hybrid cars since this movie came out.
-More people have been buying eco-friendly products.
-There has been an increase in the usage of public transportation and bikes.
-There are very few theories against the Global Warming.
-“Gore does an excellent job of explaining the basic science behind climate change and the accelerated rise in temperatures since the 1970s.”
-The material could have been presented in a dry, boring way, but it made interesting by Gore's geniality and desire to share the information.
-This movie has informed a large number of people about global warming.
-Al Gore was already well known and trusted by most of the US, which helped the movie make an impact.
-Many businesses have become more eco-friendly.
-The movie’s goal, to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide, was meet.
-“Gore is excellent at drawing the American public's attention to issues that do matter.”
Cons
-Al Gore and his decades-long crusade to curb global warming is "alarmist."
-Almost everyone believes the Global Warming theory, when perhaps it should be questioned more.
-Many people didn’t watch the movie.
-Movies can easily dismissed as fiction.
-Many factory workers choose to ignore the facts presented in the video: "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it."
-Gore “relies on controversial and alarmist claims” in the movie.
-It is difficult to tell if the move is what actually made people decide to live more eco-friendly or if was something else.
-Some people think, “What we need is an open, balanced debate, wherein the public and politicians actually start paying attention to what scientists do have to say, instead of basking in the rays of our all-too-American anti-intellectual blind ignorance.”
-Many people haven’t watched it because it is a documentary (which means that it may be boring).
Sources: http://www.fandango.com/aninconvenienttruth_95961/criticreviews, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497116/, http://www.amazon.com/review/RCAM4L3N8B2LV/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#RCAM4L3N8B2LV
-An Inconvenient Truth informs people about the importance of stopping global warming.
-There has been an increase in hybrid cars since this movie came out.
-More people have been buying eco-friendly products.
-There has been an increase in the usage of public transportation and bikes.
-There are very few theories against the Global Warming.
-“Gore does an excellent job of explaining the basic science behind climate change and the accelerated rise in temperatures since the 1970s.”
-The material could have been presented in a dry, boring way, but it made interesting by Gore's geniality and desire to share the information.
-This movie has informed a large number of people about global warming.
-Al Gore was already well known and trusted by most of the US, which helped the movie make an impact.
-Many businesses have become more eco-friendly.
-The movie’s goal, to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide, was meet.
-“Gore is excellent at drawing the American public's attention to issues that do matter.”
Cons
-Al Gore and his decades-long crusade to curb global warming is "alarmist."
-Almost everyone believes the Global Warming theory, when perhaps it should be questioned more.
-Many people didn’t watch the movie.
-Movies can easily dismissed as fiction.
-Many factory workers choose to ignore the facts presented in the video: "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it."
-Gore “relies on controversial and alarmist claims” in the movie.
-It is difficult to tell if the move is what actually made people decide to live more eco-friendly or if was something else.
-Some people think, “What we need is an open, balanced debate, wherein the public and politicians actually start paying attention to what scientists do have to say, instead of basking in the rays of our all-too-American anti-intellectual blind ignorance.”
-Many people haven’t watched it because it is a documentary (which means that it may be boring).
Sources: http://www.fandango.com/aninconvenienttruth_95961/criticreviews, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497116/, http://www.amazon.com/review/RCAM4L3N8B2LV/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#RCAM4L3N8B2LV
Monday, October 6, 2008
Using External Assessment Tools to Evaluate Student Achievement and to Guide Curricular Improvement
There are many things that can only be taught by experiences. The most important things that we learn, we learn outside the classroom. Why don’t we take school outside the classroom then? Schools could easily teach and evaluate their students in external environments. If this was done, students would learn more valuable lessons and their school experience would be more enjoyable. Universities should use external assessment tools to evaluate student achievement and to guide curricular improvement.
A good example of how people learn important things in the external environment is figuring out which career to pursue. Nothing will help you figure out if you like a career more than experiencing it hands on, which is something you can’t do in the classroom (unless your pursuing a teaching career). During my senior year in high school, I had to do a Senior Project. For my Senior Project I got to choose a person of any career to job shadow for 25 hours. I choose to shadow Dave Mcallister, a Surgical Assistant RN at my local hospital. I have always had an interest in the medical field and thought that this would be a good choice for me. During this experience I fell in love with surgery and Dave’s job. After I was done shadowing Dave, I wrote an essay and preformed a presentation about my experience, on which I was accessed. I learned much more preparing for that assessment than I have ever learned preparing for a regular test. I found that project to be a life changing experience. Because of this project, I am now perusing a Nursing degree.
I believe that external testing shows more about what the student has learned than in-class testing does. Having students do a standardized test only shows how good a student is at cramming and standardized-test taking. When a student is assessed in a different way, such as in a real life situation or giving a presentation, they are forced to learn the material. Standardized testing is not something that people need to know after they graduate from school, so is there any reason that students should be forced to become good at it?
Assessment is a very important part of the school system. Because of assessment being so important, the best way should be used. Students don’t want to sit in a classroom all day taking standardized test that will make or break their grade. If universities decided to use external testing the students and professors would be happier and the students would feel like there were getting more out of their money. If universities want curricular improvement they should use external assessment tools to evaluate student achievement.
A good example of how people learn important things in the external environment is figuring out which career to pursue. Nothing will help you figure out if you like a career more than experiencing it hands on, which is something you can’t do in the classroom (unless your pursuing a teaching career). During my senior year in high school, I had to do a Senior Project. For my Senior Project I got to choose a person of any career to job shadow for 25 hours. I choose to shadow Dave Mcallister, a Surgical Assistant RN at my local hospital. I have always had an interest in the medical field and thought that this would be a good choice for me. During this experience I fell in love with surgery and Dave’s job. After I was done shadowing Dave, I wrote an essay and preformed a presentation about my experience, on which I was accessed. I learned much more preparing for that assessment than I have ever learned preparing for a regular test. I found that project to be a life changing experience. Because of this project, I am now perusing a Nursing degree.
I believe that external testing shows more about what the student has learned than in-class testing does. Having students do a standardized test only shows how good a student is at cramming and standardized-test taking. When a student is assessed in a different way, such as in a real life situation or giving a presentation, they are forced to learn the material. Standardized testing is not something that people need to know after they graduate from school, so is there any reason that students should be forced to become good at it?
Assessment is a very important part of the school system. Because of assessment being so important, the best way should be used. Students don’t want to sit in a classroom all day taking standardized test that will make or break their grade. If universities decided to use external testing the students and professors would be happier and the students would feel like there were getting more out of their money. If universities want curricular improvement they should use external assessment tools to evaluate student achievement.
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