New Vs. Old Rocky Vs. Ali

Micheal Wesch continuously opens discussions and sparks ideas in his new video The Machine Is Us. The video exploits the ideas of past and present ways of the web. He makes word come into my mind without saying one thing. Ideas form for the molding clay in my head without one word said. The power he posses to change and better my beliefs is at the least astonishing.  Information on the "web 2.0" is not only easy to access but simple to add to. My Facebook page for example is a synch to put what I want when I want. All the old formalities are as extinct as the leaf eating dinosaurs that once roamed this land.  

     While reading Are They Students Or Are They Learners by David Warlick on his blog 2$ worth I questioned what category I belong in. He talks about making students become learners rather than students. For example a student is a competitor learners are collaborators when it comes to working with peers. competitiveness is in my blood because of my sport influenced background; however I do fell the best way to find a solution is though calibration. Having a sports mentality and switching to a learner's behaviors is what I connected to in the article.                
      David Warlick also brought up the topic of who teachers should implore a master learning technique instead of the old educator; meaning that teachers will have to always learn a cope with different styles of learning. An example is a kid who learns hands on instead of forcing a new way on the kid and corrupting his learning process adapt and learn the way they do. In wrestling there might be 20 ways to get into a move but one isn't better than the other.  All learners are curious not compelled, citizens not employees, and have responsibilities not obligations.

Altidude and suicides.

            The article in the Vail Daily "Study Examines Suicide at Higher Altitudes" by Sarah Mausolf uncovers a link between higher altitudes and suicide rates. They study showed that western states have a higher rate of suicide. Colorado being very close to the top of the list in both of adult and teen suicides. Three major factors are said to be key reasons in the suicides. The population density in Colorado is one important factor in the higher rates of suicides. A person in Colorado can fell isolated and out of reach.  Another role in suicide is that Coloradoans have more guns then any other state. Hunting is a huge sport in Colorado leading to more arms. Experts also say that the "Make My Day Law" probable plays into the number of guns in Colorado. The last reason is that the thin mountain air causes behavior disorders. A lack of oxygen in Colorado is linked to bipolar dieses and depression. All Three factors and more can lead to suicide in our state.

            Growing up being bipolar in Colorado and knowing that felling of isolation and the "lack of oxygen" make it difficult to deal with every day problems. Arapahoe high school has seen way to many suicides and knows the felling first hand. The chances that every one knows someone whom has token their own life is sadly very likely. A reason I picked this article is because of the way I can fell about the subject. Colorado might have the highest rate but we also can be a sucessful state. For example 82% of C.U. grades are natives and 93% of natives will return home. Every day in Colorado is GREAT day full of sunshine, friends, and school. Every day I hear the words “I hate my life" maybe even as a face book states is "I hate my life". After hearing the words "I hate my life" every day I find it hard to know just when the "joke" is becoming real. Every one at Arapahoe has the ability to do something, make changes, and help a friend in need. Everyone is important to someone. Someone will always miss you. Warriors always take care of one another.  

Footprint OF the new age

        In the article “Footprint in The Digital Age” by Will Richardson he explains how we are all connected on the web via email, blogger, You Tube, and even Google. He demonstrates that on the internet there is no privacy. Once; Information is put online it can by copied, saved and will always be “out there”. He also shows that children are driving the new age. This means that we need to teach them how to leave a safe footprint when on the web.

           

In the writing he starts by talking about searching for people’s names on Google. I was very intrigued by the question Richardson proposed. What does it mean when an employer or spouse searches your name; and there is something that is improper or discreditable from the past? What does it mean if there isn’t anything? Does’ the government really want to hire a worker who has pictures of them getting drunk with their friend all over Facebook. I would not hire that person. What if they didn’t find anything on them ether? This question provoked a response in me to were I immediately Goolled my name. To my surprise my address came up with a picture of me. I felt insecure knowing my information is so easy to access. Richardson also wrote that 70 percent of young people’s online talk about education related topics. To me I can find my homework online; then I can ask friends for help. I like that Richardson included this fact to display a positive point of view. Richardson talks about students “Turning of the light” when entering a classroom. I fell that students can reflect on tasks and remember ideas and information.  However, my mom told me that in her day school was six hours of busy work. My friends and I couldn’t do that; we need a more active based curriculum.  

            _{Richardson also talks about a new way of learning called “demand-pull”. This way is better suited to prepare students by putting them in control of their learning. I agree with Richardson that teens need to be self-sufficient in their learning. I found it very easy to connect with his ideas thought out the article. Will Richardson made me reconsider my views of the web and how I should use it. A digital footprint that is left in the right way right can clearly be a benefit to others as well as oneself}

Aspen Trees hit there peak

     Ask anyone who has ever seen the Mountains when they are in bloom  and they will all tell the same story. Colors, wind, and the smell of wilderness engulfs ones scenes. The article Aspen's aspens hit their peek by Janet Urquhart demonstrates the power of beauty in our beloved state. The title might by a play of words; but Aspen can have that affect on people. I have been very lucky to witness the act of nature. The vibrant orange mixed with golden leafs on the ground blowing in the soft silk of the wind. The picture is breathtaking to say the least. Eight out of ten kids born in Colorado always find their way back. One reason for me is the volume of beauty offered in this state. The other two that leave are clearly aloof to their surroundings. This article touches me in many ways. I have spent much time walking though trails taking pictures with my family. At the time I probably thought it was stupid and a wast of time. Over the last year I figured out something. I figured out that I stumbled onto happiness and remedy in that time. Now A less care free time I reminisce the times that i have spent in the colors of the world. The article so simple triggered a reaction inside of me that is uncontainable and wild. A sorta burst of color and bloom in my heart that radiates thought Colorado. Take time to appreciate nature and family this weekend!

Goggle making Nicholas carr dumb

   
      Truth be told I fell like the only think that can make a person dumb is their self’s. But I still had to read the article "Is Google Making Us Dumb" by Nicholas Carr. He tries to explain in his writing how the internet is forcing people to be short. To focus only on small bits of writing.

     First in the entire length of his long repetitive article he fails to have a base line of stupid. Without a constant to compare a person to who is stupid and who isn’t. Also, he never included test or any other kind of reliable data. All of his information is opinion based and bias. For all of human life people have been trying to become as efficient as possible. The definition of efficient is to produce a desired result with minimum effort. So this is were I fell that Nicholas is extremely wrong. He fells that he need to read as much as possible and look though libraries to obtain knowledge. But I offer a challenge that say I can learn more and do more in a little amount of time. To be efficient is key in the world we live in.

     My brother reads a book a week a least. He a very smart kid and his ready skills are very developed but he lacks a skill tat I have developed to withdraw information from text without reading. I scored higher in CSAP reading by more then 30 point then my 17 year old brother. I will speak the truth and say that I don’t read book. The knowledge is still obtained but without reading. After specking to my dad who has been in engineer for over 25 years he has much to say about the subject. 10 years ago when my dad needed information he would have to find a company who he then would call. They would mail him a catalog and a week later he would get it. Now he uses GOOGLE which actually make him smarter and more knowledgeable. I rest my case and hope Nicholas Carr get some sold info next time. Maybe he should use Google.

Pirates What?

 

      We have all heard of pirate on the seas to this day pirates are all around the world Brain Murphy explains in his article: US Marines take back pirate-held ship off Somalia. A German owed cargo vessel was reclaimed by the U.S. Navy. The plain was to reach the deck of the ship using small crafts. After on the ship the U.S. navy and the cobra support was too much for the Pirates who barricaded themselves in the ship. Amazingly no Americans were killed and some pirates were captured as prisoners.


      What is going on I can hardly get my mind around fighting over seas in Afghanistan. Pirates are to my surprise still very much active and deadly. This is only one of many incidents that have accorded in the high seas. I find it hard to fathom the idea of pirates and the abilities of a group of people with fire arms and an ambition. The pirates stood no chance against the power of the U.S. I come to realize that our fears of monsters in the closet and blood thirsty demons exist in the world today. The same world in which you live and breathe in. How can we have evil in the world while I’m surrounded by good: people, food, teachers, and mentors. The extreme differences of what your surroundings can do to change the person you are and will be.