PLN4

Dear Mr. Karl Fisch –
After your article “The CSAP is Dead. Long Live the CSAP (err, TCAP)” I began to think deeply about standardized tests and my true feelings about them. My decision? Standardized testing is a completely necessary part of schooling. My reasoning for this is that colleges need to compare applicants side by side. GPA’s do not tell nearly as much because an A in a class could reflect a student’s knowledge, but also could reflect an easy class. Also, I felt like Will Richardson’s quote was not very well thought out and I disagree with his views. I agree on the fact that students need to be able to handle “real problems” and “the ability to make sense of the world as they experience it” but these things can be achieved just by living, and schools should never have to teach students this and therefore would have no reason to test students on it. Also, I think that instilling a “love for learning” in students is just flat out unreasonable and will most likely never be achieved. In the future, I would hope to see standardize tests used more for decision making on class placement and college applications.

PLN 3

Dear Mr. Will Richardson –
In your article “And What Do YOU Mean by Learning?” I feel that learning to ME is acquiring information in a way that it will be retained. For schools this means no spelling lists in English class, and only a few important dates to memorize in history. I also believe that these types of memorizations be replaced by hands on visual activities to help kids visually learn. An example of this would be in a World War II unit, coloring a world map with different colors for the allied and axis powers, this way kids would visually remember the country’s on both sides of the conflict without memorizing before the test, and then forgetting after the test. I also believe that if schools provide hands on learning that kids will be much more focused and would understand and retain the information they learn leaving them much better off in the long run. In the future, I would hope to see more of this teaching/learning style happening around the country and because of it, see kids retaining and enjoying the things they are learning.

PLN 2

Dear Mr. Karl Fisch –
In your article “The Learning Studio”, I feel that the idea of allowing students to have hands on training with real world situations such as the University of Virginia’s learning studio is a great idea, and certainly an immense improvement from the 1910 learning style mentioned in your post. As a student, I can whole heartedly agree that the “study then test method” does not allow students to learn information, only to memorize it for a short period of time the forget it. Also, as mentioned in your post, in a learning studio students work in groups which I feel is very beneficial because not only can students bounce ideas off each other, but because in the real world, when students are working at a hospital, they will need to socialize and help their coworkers. In the future, I hope to see this change made to medical colleges around the country.

PLN1

Dear Mr. Karl Fisch –

In your article “Dear Denver Post: No More Horoscopes”, I strongly agree with your negative feelings towards the horoscopes in the Denver Post news paper, and I support your idea for replacing this portion of the paper with science articles. Your statistic about one fourth of Americans actually believing in Astrology shocked me and made it even more evident to me that horoscopes need to be replaced by articles that are logical and supported by science. Isn’t the purpose of the paper to educate readers? I could care less if people looked at horoscopes, but to take away newspaper reader’s source of knowledge and replacing it with garbage makes me slightly angry. If people know more about America’s and the world’s problems, then people would be more knowledgeable about the issues and more inclined to help fix the problems. In the future, I hope to see this change made to not only improve the newspaper but also enhance the knowledge of its readers.

PLN 20

The ideas and concepts in the article South Korea: Free School Meals Debate Sweeps the Nation by Lee Yoo Eun matter to me, education, and the world. In the article Eun talks about a free meal system in schools that is being put into action in Korea. The article does not necessarily matter to me since my school allows off campus and I do not eat at school it does matter to other kids though who cannot afford expensive school lunches and would be greatly appreciative of free school lunches. The ideas in the article matter to education because they would need more education funding to afford to by school lunch for all the students. This matters to the world because free lunches will help to decrease poverty and help to get poor people out of there bad situations. The article South Korea: Free School Meals Debate Sweeps the Nation by Lee Yoo Eun matters to me, education, and the world.

PLN17

In the article What if? by Karl Fisch, Fisch discusses how the use of cell phones and iPods during class has been banned at Arapahoe High School and he disagrees with this rule because he feels these devises can be used as tools to better kids learning. The ideas and concepts in the article matter to me, education, and the world. The ideas in the article matter to me because as a student of Arapahoe I have these rules imposed upon me. I know that these devises can be used inappropriately during school, but I also believe that with the consent of the teacher in question students should be allowed to use their devises to schedule homework and use tools on their phone such as a calculator. The ideas in the article matter to education because schools need to accept that cell phones and other mechanical devises can be used in educational and positive ways and then make their rules accordingly. The concepts in the article matter to the world because mechanical devices such as cell phones are becoming more widely and more frequently used. Therefore businesses, schools, and people will have to adapt and incorporate new technologies. The ideas and concepts in the article What if? by Karl Fisch matter to me, education, and the world.

PLN19

In the article Lost in Electronica by George Will, Will states that because of modern technologies keeping kids stimulated at all times, kids are becoming bored with nothing to do for thirty seconds. The concepts and ideas in the article matter to me, education, and the world. The ideas discussed in the article matter to me because I constantly need some form of entertainment in order to not get bored; accordingly I need to bring my iPod or some other form of entertainment with me at all times to avoid boredom. This article matters to education; this is because teachers, and schools in general, will have to have activities, problems and other work to keep students occupied at all times. This matters to the world because people need twenty-four hour entertainment so portable entertainment is in high demand; therefore industries such as MP3 players and laptops are succeeding. The concepts and ideas in the article Lost in Electronica by George Will matter to me, education, and the world.

PLN18

The ideas and concepts in Bernie Cardell speaks out on gay suicides by John Moore, Moore talks about the higher incidences of suicides among homosexuals than straight people. These ideas matter to me, education, and the world. The ideas in the article matter to me because without thinking I say things that may be offensive to homosexuals. For example I say things such as “this is gay”. The ideas in the article matter to education because schools need to teach students to be more accepting of other people; not just gay people, but also people of different nationality’s and people of different religions. This matters to the world because people need to be accepting of others in order to avoid conflicts among people and nations. The ideas and concepts in Bernie Cardell speaks out on gay suicides by John Moore matter to me, education, and the world.

PLN 16

After reading the article Qualities of an effective teacher by David Warlick I realized the ideas in the article matter to me, education, and the world. This article matters to me because it is important for me to have good teachers in order to learn the appropriate skills to have a successful career and future. This article helped me to think about my teachers and which ones were really helping me to succeed. The ideas in the article mater to education; the goal of education is to prepare kids for the world and to live in society. so if teachers are not accurately preparing kids, then the kids will have an unsuccessful future. The topics in the video matter to the world, this is because the world needs quality teachers in order to correctly educate students. If the students of today are well educated than the future adults of the world will be intelligent and the world will be successful. In the article Qualities of an effective teacher by David Warlick I realized the ideas in the article matter to me, education, and the world.

PLN15

In Alfie Kohn‘s article Schools Would be Great if it Weren't For Kids, Alfie states that if teachers are not the ones failing education then it must be the dismal effort from students. The topics discussed in this article matter to me, education, and the world. The article matters to me. This is because I need to try hard in school, and not be the average student Alfie talks about, in order to succeed in school and life in general. An example of this is my seventh grade year, although I had very good teachers, I got poor grades and my CSAP and MAPS score decreased significantly just because of the fact that I just didn’t put any effort into the work I was doing. The topics discussed in the article also relate to education. This is because schools need ways of encouraging kids to excel in school and to plan for their future. Finally, the ideas in this article are important to the world. This is because if students do not put forth effort then the world will have an unsatisfactory workforce full of lazy and untrained people. In Alfie Kohn‘s article Schools Would be Great if it Weren't For Kids, Alfie states that if teachers are not the ones failing education than it must be the lack of effort from students. The topics discussed in this article matter to me, education, and the world.

LPN14

In Lynn Bartels‘s article Parties vying for control of Colorado, House, Senate, Bartel discusses the upcoming Colorado election. The topics discussed in this article matter to me, education, and the world. The article matters to me. This is because I live in Colorado so the decisions that the people elected make will affect me immensely. An example of this is if the new Governor lowers taxes, then my public education may not prepare me for my future job or college education and the streets in my neighborhood may not be in good condition. The topics discussed in the article also relate to education. This is because schools need funding to teach kids and if they do not have enough money then public education will degrade. Finally, the ideas in this article are important to the world. This is because the decisions the Colorado legislature makes will influence and change the laws in the state and in the country and impact our way of life. The decisions that the elected Representatives and Senators make will influence the world because they will determine which direction the country goes in and the US's place in world. In the article Parties vying for control of Colorado, House, Senate by Lynn Bartels, Bartels discusses the upcoming Colorado election. The topics discussed in this article matter to me, education, and the world.

PLN13

In Jonathan Rosenberg’s article Googley Advise, Jonathan discuses the characteristics that he looks for in the people he employs. The topics discussed in this article matter to me, education, and the world. The article matters to me. This is because I have to work on skills Rosenberg talks about that I am unsuccessful at in order to succeed in life. For example, I am unsatisfactory at communicating my conclusions to others; this flaw, if not fixed, will make it very hard for me to succeed in my future career, whatever it may be. The topics discussed in the article also relate to education. This is because schools need to be able to adapt to fit the needs of the kids; schools will have to teach kids skills such as problem solving and teamwork in order to lead their students to a successful future. Finally, the ideas in this article are important to the world. This is because the world is changing therefore schools and people have to adapt to be successful; because of this, all students must learn the five simple but necessary skills mentioned by Rosenberg. In the article Googley Advise by Jonathan Rosenberg, Rosenberg discusses the characteristics that he looks for in the people he employs. The topics discussed in this article matter to me, education, and the world.

PLN 12

I read the article “Election 2010: Colorado Governor” which gave a general description of all the candidates running for governor; the topics discussed in this article matters to me, education, and the world. The topics in the article matters to me because I live in Colorado so the decisions these men make will diffidently affect me. An example of this is that I drive to school every day so, depending on how the governor chooses to spend taxes, this journey might be smooth, or it might be rough and bumpy. The topics in this article matter to education because the governor can give or cut funding towards public schools. This might affect the amount of technology we have in schools such as laptops and smart boards. The topics in this article also matter to the world because the youth of the world are the future and if schools do not have proper funding to teach these kids than the kids may not be a very bright future. The topics discussed in the article “Election 2010: Colorado Governor” matters to me, education, and the world.

PLN10

After watching the video, The Buzz: Brave New Voices 2010 (HBO) made by HBO many things came to my attention; things that matter to me personally, but also things that matter to education, and even things that matter to the entire world. Thinking on a small scale of how the topics discussed in the video effect me, I would say that it mainly affects the way I view poetry. Before watching this video I viewed poetry as lame boring genre, only written by old men, but by the end of the video I realized that poetry was a cool way for me and other young adults to express our opinions and share our stories with the world just like art or music. Looking on a larger scale of how the topics in the video affect education; it primarily affects student happiness and self-expression, not so much their learning. Classrooms need to have more fun events accessible to kids such as the Buzz competition so that students can express their feelings and recognize common experiences that all teenagers have. Looking on an even bigger scale of how the topics in the video effect the entire world there is only one thing that matters. Our youth are the future of the world so the things they believe will be the ideas of the future and will affect future generations. PBS may have only recorded a poetry competition with fifty teams, but the messages and topics of the video matter to me, education, and even the entire world.

PLN 11

After watching the video 2020 vision made by Karl Fisch I realized how much the ideas in the video matter to me, education, and the world. This video matters to me because in 2020 I will hopefully have graduated from college and have a job and a house. This video helped me to visualize and imagine the future and what new technologies and gadgets I may be using. These new inventions will be important and will matter because I will use them to make my life and job easier. The video matters to education. Since 21st century technologies will be used by kids in their future jobs, they will need to be taught how to use them. Therefore the school will have to become very modernized. The topics in the video matter to the world because in 2020 when new technologies such as Fisch’s idea of a new car, the Gcar, are produced, new ways of earning money will be accessible. New industries, new products, and new jobs will matter to the world because they will create new opportunities that currently do not exist. The video 2020 vision made by Karl Fisch made me realize how much the future matters to me, education, and the world. What is your vision of the future, and what do you think philosophers thousands of years ago thought life would be like today?

PLN8

After reading the article Parent/Teacher Conferences by Karl Fisch many things came to my attention; things that matter to me personally, but also things that matter to education, and even things that matter to the entire world. Thinking on a small scale, the topics discussed in the article affect me because if the work being discussed at parent teacher conferences is mine then I should be able to get one on one feedback from my teacher, not have my parents being the middle man and telling me what the teacher said. Also, I feel that a student led conference would be extremely beneficial to me so that I could hear from the teachers perspective what I am doing wrong and what I need to improve. Looking on a larger scale, the topics in the article effect education. This is because one on one time between the student and the teacher would boost grades, improve test scores, and make kids more intelligent preparing them for challenges in later life. Looking on an even bigger scale of how the topics in the article affect the entire world there is one thing that matters. Student/teacher conferences are much more efficient than the modern day parent/teacher conferences and should replace them worldwide in order to make kids better prepared for their futures. Karl Fisch believes that parent/teacher conferences should be between the student and the teacher; these ideas matter to me, education, and even the entire world.

PLN9

In the article Rigor Redefined by Tony Wagner, Wagner discuses the characteristics that kids need to be taught in school in order to have successful careers and become good citizens. The topics discussed in this article matter to me, education, and the world. The article matters to me. This is because I have to work on skills Wagner talks about that I am unsuccessful at in order to succeed in life. For example, I am unsatisfactory at analyzing information; this flaw, if not fixed, will make it very hard for me to succeed in my future career, whatever it may be. The topics discussed in the article also relate to education. This is because schools need to be able to adapt to fit the needs of the kids; schools will have to teach kids skills such as problem solving and teamwork in order to lead their students to a successful future. Finally, the ideas in this article are important to the world. This is because the world is changing therefore schools and people have to adapt to be successful; because of this, all students must learn the seven simple but necessary skills mentioned by Wagner. In the article Rigor Redefined by Tony Wagner, Wagner discuses the things that kids need to be taught in school in order to have a successful careers and become good citizens. This doesn't mean that kids need to be Philanthropists and love all man kind but they must need to know how to work with other people. The topics discussed in this article matter to me, education, and the world.

PLN7

After watching the video Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us made by Michael Wesch many things came to my attention; things that matter to me personally, but also things that matter to education, and even things that matter to the entire world. Thinking on a small scale of how the topics discussed in the video effect me, I would say that it mainly affects the way I will write for the rest of my life, it means that I will most likely do a lot of typing because it is much easier to edit and revise than written work. Looking on a larger scale of how the topics in the video effect education there are two major issues. First, class rooms need to be a twenty-first century learning environment, using laptops; so that kids can type rather than write and can edit and revise they’re work. Looking on an even bigger scale of how the topics in the video effect the entire world there is one thing that matters. This is that written work may be in the past and typing work on the computer will soon become the primary way to write. Michael Wesch may have only made a four minute and thirty-two second video but the messages and topics of the video matter to me, education, and even the entire world.

PLN 6

After reading the article Dear Denver Post - You're the Disappointment by Karl Fisch I realized that the topics discussed in the article are extremely important not only to myself, but to education, and the world. This article is very important to me because I am a frequent reader of The Denver post, and if the information I am reading is false then I am being misinformed. This article also matters to education because schools need to have opportunities for kids to get involved in fun sports and other activities. This way school will not be the disappointment that The Denver Post makes it out to be. Finally, the topics in this article matter to the whole world, this is because Fisch proves newspapers can print false and bias information. This will mislead people worldwide if every day they read fake stories and one sided arguments. After reading the article Dear Denver Post - You're the Disappointment by Karl Fisch I realized that the topics discussed in the article are extremely important not only to myself, but to education, and the world.

In the story The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst the narrator influenced Doodle the most.