It's slowly getting more and more ridiculous. Police exist to protect the people from criminals above all else. They are not a source of revenue for the city and they are not a Triple A service either. So why is it, when a family's Christmas is stolen and the father has located the thieves with a cellphone satellite that they can do nothing? (http://kgan.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kgan_vid_4260.shtml)
I read this article yesterday and it only made me sick. He KNEW where the perpetrator was and the police still couldn't respond due to weather related calls and being understaffed.
So tell me this: Why are the police understaffed? The city is making tons of revenue off of their ridiculous speed trap cameras ($75 for going 3 miles above the speed limit!)(http://www.photoenforced.com/) and they can't at least hire more cops?
Well no, they've got to build a new supercenter to attract tourists instead, which hardly seems feasible. Who would want to go to a city with speed cameras and stop light cameras right and left? I'd rather not; supercenter or no. Iowa City is far more worth the visit, and no speed cameras to nail their tourists with.
So citizens are less safe because obviously they don't have enough cops, citizens are being robbed of their money for under five miles an hour above the speed limit, and citizens are being molested because they may have hidden bombs in their panties. Lovely. What a great country this is sometimes. Makes me wonder if I actually should buy a gun.
Rising Phoenix
picture from google
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Medieval Times
I have been reading The Sorcerer's Companion which is a historical background on Harry Potter terms and subjects. The most interesting thing I discovered upon perusing the book is the many types of Divination, and how similar they are. For example, Geomancy and Hydromancy are very similar. Geomancy interprets the way that soil is thrown and Hydromancy does the same basic thing, only with water. The certain ways that things are placed are always the keys to foretelling the future apparently during the Medieval era. Personally, I would vest more faith in the way the planets are aligned, because there may at the very least be something to changes in magnetic fields that could attribute to a person's mood, or at least, the change in weather might. For example, if it is overcast I am more likely to be dreary because it's not sunny and bright. I just don't hold much stock in predictions or fortunes I guess. Most of them are so vague that they have to come true. For example, "your good graces will pay off in the near future." Well of course they will! If you are gracious to someone they are bound to treat you better, it's common sense. Now, if it said "your good graces will pay off at four o'clock next Tuesday" I might be more convinced.
The inaccuracy of predicting the future has nothing to do with how amusing and pleasing it is to do so. Attempting to read tea leaves or palms is fun. Especially if your prediction does come true. It is as much fun as buying a horseshoe or rubbing Buddha's belly. Even though many of use don't believe in these kinds of things, it is still fun to play and see if they come true.
The inaccuracy of predicting the future has nothing to do with how amusing and pleasing it is to do so. Attempting to read tea leaves or palms is fun. Especially if your prediction does come true. It is as much fun as buying a horseshoe or rubbing Buddha's belly. Even though many of use don't believe in these kinds of things, it is still fun to play and see if they come true.
Education: A Response to An Anarchist View
http://worthamass.wordpress.com/2010/12/09/education-an-anarchist-view/
Recently, on Worth A Mass, Anna posted her thoughts on our education system.
She is quoted saying:
"I consider myself to be an expert on this topic. I have walked through the halls of public schools, taken my fair share of standardized tests. I have felt the frustrations and limitations of public education. I have experienced it first hand and seen it all. In this sense, there is no one better to evaluate our education system than myself and my peers. I cannot understand why the views of students are so rarely considered when it comes to our education. It affects us more than anyone else and yet we aren’t apart of the way it is shaped."
As much as I agree with listening to educators and psychologist's interpretations of our education system, students views should be considered. After all, the most valued opinions in business are that of the customers, because the customers are the reason the business exists. Shouldn't the same be said for students? I think, given the honest chance to voice their opinion on how things should be done, most students would give their two cents in a mature and truly analytical way. In fact, my two cents are something like this:
I have mentioned before that I did not think that standardized tests really proved that something was learned, and I stand by that, but having something like them may be the most practical way for some students to impress upon us that they have learned something. On the other hand, a concept map may be the best way for another student. Everyone learns differently, and more should be done to address this. Especially in subjects required to graduate. Teachers have a very different teaching style from one another, and there should be a system, if only a light one, that gives students preparing to take a class some idea of how the class is run. A syllabus is a good way to start; only include typically used methods for teaching for the class, for example, in my language arts class, last trimester, we used the following pattern:
Here is the author you will read pieces from and their background information
Here is the pieces you will read and annotate, then write a response to.
Now we will discuss the pieces you've read.
In fact, my language arts class provided a handbook on what class would be like and what kinds of assignments would be handed out, etc. Something of this nature would be beneficial to give to students beforehand when they are applying for classes.
Speaking of applying for classes I have a complaint. The method my school uses is damn near idiotic. Their lives would be much easier if someone would program their system to let US build our schedules which could be sent for review to the Counselors, who would give the schedule a yay or nay. Students could select what classes for which hours and the program would automatically prevent them from entering a course that is full for that hour, so the student may rearrange their schedule until they have one that will work. The most pertinent students would naturally get first pick. But I digress.
My real point is, I should have more say in what I am signing up for, a better idea of what I'm signing up for, and the power to sign up for it myself. Also, I should be able to submit feedback about any course I like to the school, and be promised that my complaint or suggestion would be considered.
Another aspect of Anna's post that I found compelling was her mention of Reed College:
"My view of what education should be is somewhat of an anarchist idea. Do away with grades. The most useless classes I have taken have earned me A’s. Instead of the grade system that doesn’t show anything about what we’ve learned, I propose a teacher evaluation. Reed College does this. Professors give written evaluations of what the student has learned and how they may improve. It is more thorough than a grade can ever be. We can truly see what our strengths and weaknesses are. We can be evaluated for what we’ve learned rather than what we know. Tests and quizzes aren’t always the best evaluators of learning."
I would love to experiment with this sort of education because I feel that the pressure of earning a grade belittles the actual education in the sense that the only improvement the students become interested in is better marks; not self betterment. I want to learn things to improve my perception of the world, and to better understand. I do not wish to be ignorant, but I do not wish to be an encyclopedia either. I do not like being told what to think; I prefer to reason things out on my own. I want to have an understanding of nearly everything, not in a factual sense but in a reasoned sense, and educated opinion sense.
Most of my real education either comes from my family or myself. I think about and analyze things, including what I've been given to learn, or my family teaches me about survival and tips for being a citizen. My father has been teaching me how to drive on the ice, but I've been analyzing the Vietnam War and the War on Terror myself.
What educators are forgetting is this: Education begins and ends with the student. In the end, it is they who decide whether or not they learn, or have learned, and if it suits their purposes, they will find a way to learn things, even if the way presented isn't the way for them.
Recently, on Worth A Mass, Anna posted her thoughts on our education system.
She is quoted saying:
As much as I agree with listening to educators and psychologist's interpretations of our education system, students views should be considered. After all, the most valued opinions in business are that of the customers, because the customers are the reason the business exists. Shouldn't the same be said for students? I think, given the honest chance to voice their opinion on how things should be done, most students would give their two cents in a mature and truly analytical way. In fact, my two cents are something like this:
I have mentioned before that I did not think that standardized tests really proved that something was learned, and I stand by that, but having something like them may be the most practical way for some students to impress upon us that they have learned something. On the other hand, a concept map may be the best way for another student. Everyone learns differently, and more should be done to address this. Especially in subjects required to graduate. Teachers have a very different teaching style from one another, and there should be a system, if only a light one, that gives students preparing to take a class some idea of how the class is run. A syllabus is a good way to start; only include typically used methods for teaching for the class, for example, in my language arts class, last trimester, we used the following pattern:
Here is the author you will read pieces from and their background information
Here is the pieces you will read and annotate, then write a response to.
Now we will discuss the pieces you've read.
In fact, my language arts class provided a handbook on what class would be like and what kinds of assignments would be handed out, etc. Something of this nature would be beneficial to give to students beforehand when they are applying for classes.
Speaking of applying for classes I have a complaint. The method my school uses is damn near idiotic. Their lives would be much easier if someone would program their system to let US build our schedules which could be sent for review to the Counselors, who would give the schedule a yay or nay. Students could select what classes for which hours and the program would automatically prevent them from entering a course that is full for that hour, so the student may rearrange their schedule until they have one that will work. The most pertinent students would naturally get first pick. But I digress.
My real point is, I should have more say in what I am signing up for, a better idea of what I'm signing up for, and the power to sign up for it myself. Also, I should be able to submit feedback about any course I like to the school, and be promised that my complaint or suggestion would be considered.
Another aspect of Anna's post that I found compelling was her mention of Reed College:
"My view of what education should be is somewhat of an anarchist idea. Do away with grades. The most useless classes I have taken have earned me A’s. Instead of the grade system that doesn’t show anything about what we’ve learned, I propose a teacher evaluation. Reed College does this. Professors give written evaluations of what the student has learned and how they may improve. It is more thorough than a grade can ever be. We can truly see what our strengths and weaknesses are. We can be evaluated for what we’ve learned rather than what we know. Tests and quizzes aren’t always the best evaluators of learning."
I would love to experiment with this sort of education because I feel that the pressure of earning a grade belittles the actual education in the sense that the only improvement the students become interested in is better marks; not self betterment. I want to learn things to improve my perception of the world, and to better understand. I do not wish to be ignorant, but I do not wish to be an encyclopedia either. I do not like being told what to think; I prefer to reason things out on my own. I want to have an understanding of nearly everything, not in a factual sense but in a reasoned sense, and educated opinion sense.
Most of my real education either comes from my family or myself. I think about and analyze things, including what I've been given to learn, or my family teaches me about survival and tips for being a citizen. My father has been teaching me how to drive on the ice, but I've been analyzing the Vietnam War and the War on Terror myself.
What educators are forgetting is this: Education begins and ends with the student. In the end, it is they who decide whether or not they learn, or have learned, and if it suits their purposes, they will find a way to learn things, even if the way presented isn't the way for them.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Gay Marriage: A Sad Case of Denial of Human Rights
Gay marriage has been an issue for a couple years now and there is much debate as to whether or not it should be legal for gay couples to be married. There shouldn’t even be a debate! It doesn’t matter what our religions have to argue against gay marriage because of the laws governing the separation of religion and state! I decided to read the Constitution and look for any point the Constitution directly says that marriage is one thing or that gay couples should not be allowed to be married. I found no such point but I did find this: “The Citizens of each state shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several states.”(the Constitution of the United States) Citizens are allowed to be married in the United States of America, if the gay couples are citizens of the United States of America, they are entitled to all of the rights and privileges of the several states. Therefore, they are entitled to marriage just like all other citizens of the United States of America
Religion should be free to criticize gay marriage all they like. They can, by law, say what they like about it, and discourage gay couplings at all. That is allowable, if somewhat regrettable. This does not mean they should be allowed to harass gay couples or interfere with their weddings or any other of their affairs. After all they are citizens too; not to mention humans. This whole debate reminds me of another time we were questioning the humanity and equality of a group of people…oh yes! The Civil Rights Movement!
Folks, it is the same thing over again. Once again, we find ourselves questioning the basic human rights of our fellow Americans! This is wrong! Why can’t you see that? It may not be as bad as the Civil Rights Movement was because there is less violence involved with the issue but it’s the same basic concept over again. I am not gay, but I don’t consider gays any different from me other than a sexual preference. They go to school just like I do, they bleed the same color I do, and for goodness sakes, they deserve to be married, should they choose it, just like I do.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Advertising
Shopping season is upon us, and with it, unfortunately, we see a rise in advertising as well. Some of the commercials make little to no sense to me. For example, those Levi jeans commercials…most of them have nothing to do with jeans. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cm7LBH7jUY&feature=related)
Also, lately there is a trend in scare tactics, using the possibility of injury to compel us to buy their product. (http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/browbeat/default.aspx) Yes some things require this tactic, but the amount it is actually used is ridiculous, don’t you think? It seems like I’m either going to be robbed, have my car destroyed, or kill somebody on a regular basis, in between my life style changes at Kaplan University. Honestly, not everyone wants to become an IT Manager or a nurse thank you.
The Kaplan commercials are annoying for several reasons, for one thing, they often use repetitive statements. “I don’t have a job because I don’t have skills, I don’t have skills because I didn’t go to school, I can’t go to school because I don’t have a job…” and so on and so forth. And then, to make matters worse, they play this commercial every 15 minutes or so, and play another Kaplan commercial right after the previous one. Ridiculous! Honestly, it’s one of the main reasons I don’t watch much TV anymore…obnoxious advertisements like these.
My advice? Just don’t listen to any commercial, make your own call, and listen to the reviews if you really want advice on what to buy.
Nostalgia
Everyone grew up around something right? We were all either exposed to it or we discovered it on our own. For example, my mother played the Eagles around me when I was little, so I grew up listening to them. I found Pokémon on TV and fell in love with it almost immediately. Since then, I’ve found I don’t mind listening to the Eagles, and I still love to play the Pokémon games.
However, the fact that I do doesn’t mean that the Eagles are a fantastic fountain of talent (at least, I don’t think they are) or that the Pokémon games have really changed over the years, it just means that I love them because I remember loving them as a kid. In my heart I still want to be the very best, I still wish I were a Hogwarts student, and I still check my closet for Narnia. The reason, however, is mostly based on this remembered fun associated with them. This doesn’t make them bad; it just means that I have a bias toward them because of it.
There are several of my friends who would argue to me that the first 150 Pokémon are the best, and that all of the other generations are no good at all and should have been forgotten. I don’t agree with them, because I believe that their answer is entirely based on nostalgia because their only argument is that the non-originals are non-originals. I can agree that as the generations continue they are a bit lacking in some respects, but I wouldn’t condemn all of them, merely cut some of the more ridiculous models out, including some from the originals. I think I would call it the ultimate generation when I was finished with it; but I digress.
Francine Prose saw a similar scenario in books, claiming that adults choose mediocre novels from their childhoods as their top lists of literature, also claiming that nostalgia is the cause. (Prose, I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read)
So what is this tie then? Does nostalgia really play that big of a part in our choices of media and the like? It would seem so, and I think, as a people, we need to step back and look at why we really like a thing. It’s ok to like something for nostalgia, but in contests of true talent, that reason for liking a thing must be left out. Harry Potter, as enjoyable as it is, does not stand up to the might of J.R.R Tolkien, Terry Goodkind, or many other adult books for quality. It may stand on top of children’s books, but should not be judged in a contest for the best written adult literature. So please, think about why you like something before you declare it the best.
Testing
"Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" —Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000
This question, so charmingly put by our former president George W. Bush, has been subject to debate lately by my classmates and me. We’ve been questioning education as we know it; which led me to wonder, how exactly can you measure learning? Well of course, a long time ago, when students were few to a master, it was obvious when the student had become skilled at whatever trade they were attempting to learn.
However, since then, learning has diversified into many subjects, some that the student may be stronger in than others. This has lead to standardized testing to prove that students have learned the subjects to a certain level at a certain point in their education. But is this a true measurement of what has been learned? Can a test actually measure what someone has learned?
I can pretty easily memorize terms and meanings, formulas and equations, but does that actually mean I’ve learned something? Does knowing the names of the presidents and their policies really prove I’ve learned something? Sure, I’ll fill in the right bubble on the answer sheet, but it doesn’t mean I’d think about the policies and apply them to politics today.
So how do we test students? Well Sir Ken Robinson pointed out that a new study had been done about divergent thinking, which is the ability to think up multiple solutions to a problem, now, as he pointed out, this test was conducted on a batch of kids beginning in Kindergarten where they scored at 98%, or genius, for divergent thinking. The same batch was tested again later, and found that their capacities for divergent thinking were dropping. Now, what is the difference between them then and them now? The answer is of course their education. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&feature=player_embedded#!)I think that this study does point out a point of our education which is very limited, and could use to be implemented into the system. After all, this skill will be of much value to students as they are trying to solve problems in the real world. So perhaps instead of filling in bubbles about things our students should be writing papers about the things they are learning which would better demonstrate their understanding of the subject. For example, have you ever guessed on a question, and then narrowed down the answer because of another question on the test? It’s not cheating, and it is using your intellect to find the answer, but it still doesn’t prove that you actually know the material.
I think that essays and divergent thinking tests, such as how many ways can you use a stick, should be used to test students instead of standardized testing because only then, do I think, we can judge how much the students really know.
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