PLN 19

What matters in the post "Teaching, Testing and Counseling" on the blog "Webblogg-ed", is the fact that teachers are going to be treated differently and their salaries changed depending on the test scores of their students. I believe that this is a totally fair thing. Teachers need an incentive to do their job and do it well. But there are some problems I see with this new method. One is that sometimes it is the kids’ fault, for not paying attention in class, or being difficult and "un-teachable." Kids like this could cause a problem, because if these kids don't learn, it is their own fault, and the teacher should not have to pay. Another problem is what if kids don't test well, or straight up don't get the subject. In my own personal experience, I did not understand parts of my math class last year, it would take me 15 minutes to work out a problem. But I guess it was the teachers method, or it just took time to sink in, because this year after summer vacation, I can do the same type of problems in my head and twice as fast as before. A third problem that I can find in this system, is that some teachers will now only focus on test scores. My school already focuses a lot on writing because the test results were so bad in that area last year. So now I am doing a lot of writing in almost every class but geometry. If this new system comes in to play then the schools will have a bunch of kids who test well, but it doesn't necessarily mean that those same kids learned what they were suppose to in the class. Obviously, this new system has flaws, and it probably won't work to the benefit of everyone.

PLN 18

The Nobel Peace Prize is given to the person who makes the greatest or most advances towards world peace every year. The newly elected president Obama, did really nothing to deserve this prestigious award, that once belonged to Theodore Roosevelt. In an article on Chicago's Sun Times website, there is a quote from Obama himself, that he is accepting the award "as an affirmation of American leadership." What matters in this article is the fact that President Obama does not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. The article goes on to say that it is more of a "you’re not George Bush" prize. This is backed up by saying that the world hated President Bush, and that they love Obama. The article backs this point up with the fact that Bush was hit with a shoe the last time he went to Iraq. Now Obama my not deserve the peace prize, but I think he should make up for that by following in the steps of former recipients, like T. R. and do something within his time in office, that really does deserve this prestigious award. He would for sure be marked down in the history books if he followed through and did something great to make up for the undeserved house warming gift. By doing something that does deserve the prize he will become even more liked and admired by the leaders on the world stage. This would also improve the image of America in the eyes of the world because it would show we truly are one of the greatest countries on earth, and that we do good things for other countries who need help.

PLN 17

On Karl Fisch's bolg "The Fischbowl," there is a video by the name of "The Bionic Eye." This video matters because it shows the kind of environment Americans now live in. The Bionic Eye is a new app. for the iPhone or iTouch, and when held up to it’s surroundings the application displays the nearest places of interest; as in, restaurants, subway stations and other things. This is really cool because now we can find things quicker, but this technology points out a problem with American society. In the video when the man held up the device to demonstrate, the application found two McDonalds, three Starbucks, a Burger King, and a Wendy’s. Now most people would think that this is a great thing, but I took a step back and thought about the meaning. America is such a fat and lazy country these days that the people need a device to find the McDonalds, Starbucks, and Wendy’s, that are all so close together that 8 of them can be found on the screen of and iPod. This goes to show that America not only needs 4 McDonalds and 3 Starbucks all on the same block, but that we are so lazy that we need a device to find the one that is closest. In the video the man also said that the application is available to Russia, Britain, China, and Japan. I don't believe that theses countries will use this application as much, or at least not in the same way, as the U.S. These countries most likely don't need this application unless they are visiting a new place, and even when they do use it, there probably will only be one Starbucks, and McDonalds on the screen. Personally I think this technology is really cool, but eventually it will just end up contributing to the nation’s obesity problem. When that happens, we won't be able to fit into the tiny little, eco friendly cars, which are now being made. If all of this is added together, it really isn't iPod's fault. America needs to take steps to reduce its obesity and make it so that this application doesn’t find 4 of every fast food places all in the space of one screen.

PLN16

What mattes in Dr. Wesch's video The Internet Has a Face is the fact that Youtube is changing the world. Youtube has changed the world in two different ways, represented in the video. First is that Youtube and the internet are causing humans to be less socially inclined. An example is of one of the girls who admits a bunch of stuff on camera that she probably wouldn't tell people otherwise, like the fact that she has joined a dating site, or that she is on drugs. Another is the guy who is giving a response to some girl, and does it over and over again. I find it lame to respond to a girl via recorded message, or to willingly admit things on the internet that you wouldn't normally tell people in person. The second reason Youtube is changing the world is it is bringing people together. At the end of the video it shows examples of movements started via Youtube. One guy even started a charity, and other people started movements that dealt with more political issues, even some court cases were supported. So I take this all back to my digital footprint essay, the internet is a two faced convenience. People do things on camera that they wouldn't do normally. But on the other hand, it can be used for good and change the world for the better.

PLN15

What matters on The Official Google Blog is the post "Our Googley Advice to Students: Major in Learning." This post matters because it gives a general description of what companies look for in employees. It does this by going over what Google looks for. For example, Google wants people with analytical reasoning, communication skills, willingness to experiment, people who are team players, and a passion for leadership. I connected these things back to PLN14, and the "Rigor Redefined" article, and the fact that the thing that companies are looking for have changed. My analysis of the requirements in both the Google article and "Rigor Redefined" is that businesses today want people who are more independent and out going. I can see why, business has evolved in the twenty first century, things are more interactive. With things like skype, e-mail, and txt, people are constantly communicating, and companies want people who can utilize these new technologies and get things done. In other words, it is the way of the future and if you don't take part you will be left behind. Thus why it is important to read articles such as these and learn about what it is going to take to succeed in the 2000's and beyond.

PLN14

There are several things that matter in the article "Rigor Redefined" by Tony Wagner. Number one is that students today may not be prepared for work in the twenty first century. According to the article the requirements for jobs these days have changed drastically, and students may not be prepared for these new jobs. Number two, is that some teachers aren't doing there jobs correctly or well. Two example of this from the article are the chemistry class, where the boys did something wrong and simply shrugged their shoulders; and the U.S. Government class, where the kid in the front mumbled the answer that no one else could hear and the teacher didn't even give the answer to the rest of the class. I am glad that none of my teachers are like that. All of these facts worry me, because I want to be prepared for my future, and I don’t want end up driving a trash truck. This is why I am so glad I go to Arapahoe. The teachers are good, the environment is great, and I know that they will prepare me the best they can because they want me to succeed. To sum up, students today would be a lot better off if they went to a school like Arapahoe, with great teachers, and basically a promise to prepare you for your future.

PLN13

From my own personal experience, I write better and faster when I use pen and paper. Although, now I use the computer more, I am becoming more proficient at creating good writing with the technology. So, I both agree and disagree with the study by the NSBA conducted by Virginia Berninger, because I do write well with a pen, but can do just as well with a keyboard. I know for a fact that my spelling isn’t very good, which is why I prefer the computer because of spell check. Though, when I use pen and paper I write much better essays and paragraphs. For this reason I am going to agree with the study. I do write better with a pen, but I like writing on the computer more. It makes me feel technologically advanced and I enjoy feeling superior to apes.

PLN12

What matters in the article "Footprints in the Digital Age" by Will Richardson, is that he has researched and confirmed what was said in my Digital Footprint essay. He is worried about his kids future just as I am worried about my future. The only thing differnet is that he made a list of ways to stop the problem. He baisicly said that to make sure that your digital footprint has a good influence in the future, you have to post and do good things on the internet. This means that things have to be spell checked, read for good gramar and made to have a good reflection of you. I agree with him, if someone in the future Googles me and the first five things Google comes up with are not good, or even worse, nothing is found; it would send the mesage that I am not technalogicaly savy. Nobody wants a persn who doesn't use the internet, or can't operate a computer past playing solitare. That is why I think there should either be a law that prevents people from using digital footprints to judge you, or a law that sets standards for the internet, and thus eliminating the problem all together. I am more in favor of the first law, because although it is unpractical, it keeps our First Amendment rights intact. I hope that the article by Will Richardson will have more of an affect on people than my digital footprint essay.