Journal 4

First of all, I have to say I thoroughly loved hearing Mr. Garcia speak. He was very vivid in every detail, and he always found a way to add a little humor into everything. The content of his speech really compelled me to starting finding my purpose and to make the most of every day I have to live. I'm not the biggest expert on immigration, but I believe it's an okay thing for America to offer. Some people may have the chance to leave the bad life in their home country and come to America to start fresh and to begin a productive life. However, I don't think people should be allowed to move here if they don't know the language. I also think that they need a reason to enter such as a job or something. I do not believe that just anyone should be allowed to come into the country because that may cause future issues.

Technology in the Classroom

        Technology from twenty or more years ago would be considered a dinosaur in today’s age, extinct and obsolete. However, technology of today is quite the opposite, quick and efficient. Cassettes have been replaced with CD’s, and computers have drastically changed from their ancestors in the 90’s. From iPads to iPhones and from touch-screen computers to SMART Interactive Whiteboards, if one can imagine it, then it is possible with the technology of today’s age. Even automobiles have joined the technology era in creating programs to play music off the internet and even giving the car the ability to be turned on from one’s phone. One area that technology has begun to heavily influence is education. Though some teachers and administrators are more comfortable using the traditional teaching methods in the classrooms, an overwhelming majority of educators support the idea of education through the assistance technology. Whether it’s a high school or college class, I find myself engulfed in technology trying to absorb as much information and knowledge as I can. From an online math course to a simple math problem worked out on my iPad, technology helps me learn. As a student, I believe that technology can be used to help students excel in their studies.

            To begin, technology in the classroom assists the students in learning through means of the Internet and other resources. Teachers that have access to the Internet have access to the world’s knowledge at their fingertips. In some classrooms, teachers incorporate SMART Interactive Whiteboards to engineer more efficient learning (“Benefits of Technology in the Classroom”). For example, math courses use these whiteboards to operate various kinds of calculators, to allow the instructor to draw representations of graphs, and to provide access to study tools on the World Wide Web.  In addition, history teachers can play videos of current events to the class or shows images of paintings from the Renaissance, and science teachers can show the development of plants and animals by means of various photographs and films.

            Also, technology provides opportunities to make learning personal and interactive. Some programs offer math games that adjust to the student’s skills and abilities, and there are several websites equipped with games to help elementary students learn their spelling words like spellingcity.com (“Technology in the Classroom: Helpful or Harmful?”). Even still, electronic books that talk to the reader provide benefits for their learning. (“Technology in the Classroom: Helpful or Harmful?”). Along with the personalization, technology provides a quick and speedy way to learn and memorize information. Special apps such as “Evernote Peek” have been created to assist students memorize terms for their classes (“Technology in the Classroom: Helpful or Harmful?”). Since the Internet conveniently provides an insurmountable amount of information, the learning doesn’t have to end when the school day in does. Students can have unlimited access to their resources to continue the learning process even at their own home or when they’re away from school (“Technology in the Classroom: Helpful or Harmful?”).  Utilizing this technology not only encourages learning, but it also frees time in the classroom to allow educators to help develop character skills and problem solving skills (“Technology in the Classroom: Helpful or Harmful?”). 

            Similarly, using technology to teach helps students learn how to teach themselves. The New Tech Network, a network that travels to schools nationwide encouraging the use of technology in the classroom, believe that complete education through technology develops a self-directed learning ability (“Technology in the Classroom: Friend or Foe?”).  They believe this is necessary since the real world does not involve learning from teachers. Even so, it helps a student understand to discipline and teach himself when he has a difficult task on hand, and there is no instructor available (“Technology in the Classroom: Friend or Foe?”).  Also, since students are used to absorbing information from the Internet on their own time already, using textbooks and articles from the web can make it easier for them to comprehend (“Technology in the Classroom: Friend or Foe?”). 

            All in all, technology certainly proves to be a beneficial aspect in the education process. Whether a student takes notes on his tablet, watches a math problem be worked out on a video from his online math course, or sees the process of pollination projected on the screen in his classroom, his mind is enticed by the technology used and engulfed by the information it is transmitting. Truly, this advancement will help current students in their education, and the improvements of today’s technology will help future students excel in their studies as well as other beneficial skills. Who knows, in twenty years our favorite piece of technology may become like a dinosaur too?

Journal 3

From the video, I was thoroughly interested in the segment about technology in the classroom, being that I am a student myself. I do believe schools should incorporate technology but also place restrictions on it to at least attempt to lessen the distractions.

I am undeniably immersed in the digital nation. From using social media to stay in touch with friends and family across the globe to using my iPad for note-taking and research for school work, nearly everything I do incorporates technology in some way. I enjoy using technology because it provides the world's knowledge at my fingertips. However, if you do not take a break, I believe it can have negative effects as well. Some of these negative effects may include obsession and addiction, procrastination, obesity and even a bad back. With the use of technology also comes responsibility.

Journal 2

Though reality television is a nice relief from our busy, everyday lives, it can be detrimental to our demeanor and the way we act. As the first article stated, humiliation appeals to those who particularly are upset with their own reality and are seeking something to fuel it. Even still, the news reports portray the evil in the world, which in turn changes the viewer's opinions of the outside world. I personally feel that shows such as "The Bachelor" are shows that encourage something that my not help society and may even give a false view on love. I even believe that shows like "Teen Mom" and "16 & Pregnant" encourage sex before marriage. Even though I'm not completely against reality television and watching it, I still think that people could find more satisfactory means to fill their time.

Essay 1 - Make Not Take

     Photography isn’t a simple amusement. One cannot just point the camera, press the button, and produce the greatest photo seen by the human eyes. More times than not, a photograph requires staging and several manual adjustments that are necessary to generate a striking image. The famous American photographer Ansel Adams, who started publishing his photos in 1916, once quoted, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” Several images in the gallery, however, displayed techniques in their composition causing them to emerge from the sea of photographs.
     Notably, the photo labeled Watered Edges by Ryan Lamer demonstrated immaculate artistry throughout. The deep, rich brown color of the wood from the pier gave it an overall homey ambiance. Bubbles upon bubbles issued the piece a lighter vibe that felt indescribably relaxing. Also, the point of interest indubitably focused onto the wood, bubbles, and the water while leaving the outer corners unfocused. This photograph genuinely captured nature and left the sound of water brushing against the pier in my ears.
     In addition to Watered Edge, The Coming Storm composed by John Shippee possessed numerous appealing aspects. From a quick glance, I noticed a broad beach landscape. Looking deeper, the distant thunderstorm came to life. This photograph precisely focused my attention to the light on the sand, the large cloud directly at the top, as well as the vague pier in the background. Overall, this piece thoroughly exhibited perfection in the field of photography with its wonderful execution.
     Table for One devised by Ashton Yorek equally portrays exquisite technique. At a slight glimpse of the photo, I only noticed a simple yet elegant place setting. However, many aspects gave character to this piece. Angles are a crucial detail in every photograph, and this angle in particular captured it eloquently and effectively. Having the knife slightly slanted also produced character by showing perfection is not necessary in an exceptional photo. The black and white effect also administered a great appeal to this artwork.
     Truly, these three pieces present impeccable works of art. From crisp bubbles to distant storms to an unbalanced knife, each possessed a uniquely different quality. The creators of these photos surely devoted much time, effort, and thought into composing such photos. Certainly these photos weren’t just taken, but rather designed.

Journal 1

I had the privilege to take ENC1101 with Prof. Jimmie Barrett last semester, and I thoroughly enjoyed her as well as her teaching. I feel that one of things I gained from her class was confidence in my writing. Since it was my first ever college class, I had no idea what to expect. I was used to having a teacher take me step by step through all my papers and having my teacher grade rough drafts. However, Professor Barrett only graded one copy of our papers with the grade we received being the final. I also feel like she has encouraged me to read more. Nearly every story we were assigned was incredibly vivid and lively.

Almost every week we were assigned a list of 10 vocabulary words to memorize and be quizzed on. Some were given in order to broaden our vocabulary while some were to explain different technical terms of writing. Also, 5 essays that covered a variety of styles were due periodically throughout the semester. Several classes were spent discussing stories in our groups and discussing reading comprehension questions with the class.

I believe I will need more assistance in my quality of writing. Though I've become more confident, I'm still skeptical of my ability. Since I've spent a few years on the yearbook staff at my high school, I have grown a love for journalism. I wish to become a yearbook adviser and/or a journalist as my career, so writing will be key to help me excel.