Blog Post #3

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Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend class last week. I came down with pneumonia (definitely no the greatest feeling ever). So in the best interest of the class, I did not go in order to avoid getting the entire class sick (you’re welcome). I’m sure I missed what was an interesting discussion. I was pretty bummed out considering I know I missed a lot. But reading your posts about Friday is really helpful! Thanks guys!

I am only going to say this once and make it clear, although I identify with a white race and hispanic ethnicity it is because of all the nonsense paperwork we have to fill out and are forced to choose a race and ethnicity. In reality there is only one race and that is the “human race”. That leads me to my next point, the word I chose after I read the readings is “change”. Why you ask? I strongly believe there still needs to be change. Yes, we have come a long way when it comes to the acceptance of African Americans in society, but honestly I feel a lot of it is masked. We keep saying we have moved forward, but I think fore several years it will continue being this way. Possibly another century or so there will be more equality. Yes I see how small things have progressed in the Jenkins reading. African American have had it tough and have been seen as almost animals, but like I said. The reason I chose the word change is because I’ve seen change and I’d like to see things keep changing for the good. Every culture is different, but sometimes it’s sickening to read so much comparison to “whites”. I’ve been reading the same kind of  stories since I was in elementary. I remember doing projects and reports.The fact that their is still writings like that even now means we haven’t gotten very far. Yes, we have had significant advances in equality and education for African Americans, but when will the comparison stop? That is what I would like to know. I want to see a day when people won’t be JUDGED because of the color of their skin. I’d much prefer people be admired for their differences.

Informative speech reminders

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Hey Class:

Informative speeches are coming quickly!  Here are some reminders for Monday’s class.

  • Bring 4 copies of the peer evaluation form for YOU to fill out and give a completed form to the speaker you evaluated (the speaker will return these to me before leaving class).
  • Dress professionally
  • Give me a copy of both of your outlines as well as your PowerPoint (if you use one)

Outlines

Please view the instructional videos and sample here: http://comm101.jaimiehoffman.com/outlines-how-to/

  • Submit a Delivery & Preparation Outline to Jaimie BEFORE your speech (you also probably want to bring a copy of your delivery outline for you).
  • Your outline must include:
    • General purpose
    • Specific purpose
    • Thesis
    • Organizational pattern of the speech (e.g. topical, spatial, etc.)
    • List Introduction, Body and Conclusion as three separate sections
    • Restart roman numerals with each section (listed above)
    • Reference transitions (typically with [brackets]
    • Included citations in outline
    • Wrote in full sentences (preparatory outline)
    • Use correct APA formatted reference list

 

DO NOT READ YOUR SPEECH WORD FOR WORD; THIS WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF 30 POINTS

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Wednesday’s Class

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Dear Class:

This is just a reminder that we will NOT be meeting as a class on Wednesday so that you can meet with your evaluation groups at a time and space (face-to-face or virtually) that works for your group.  The meeting can take place anytime between today and Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.

In order to receive credit for attending the class/meeting once person in your group must RESPOND to this announcement (in the comments section below) with the following information (by Thursday at 11:59 p.m.:

  1. Date time and location of meeting
  2. Group members present at meeting
  3. List of what was accomplished

If the information above is not provided, all group members will be marked as absent.

For those students who were absent tonight, below is a list of when/where each group is meeting and what you should achieve before the meeting.

  • Group A:  Meet in classroom at 6:00 p.m., finish your outline and thesis
  • Group B: Meet on second floor of library at 6:00 p.m., have speech ready to rehearse
  • Group C: Meet at front lobby of library at 6:00 p.m., have your general and specific purposes, thesis and sources ready
  • Group D:  Meet in front of the library at 6:00 p.m, have your outline and speech drafts ready to rehearse
  • Group E:  Meet in front of the library at 6:00 p.m. , finish your outline, structure of speech and start rehearsing
  • Group F:  Meet in classroom at 6:00 p.m., have a rough outline completed

Sydney Phillips Blog#3: African American Students in Higher Education

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Last class began with Julian engaging us in a goal-oriented activity. We wrote down our short, mid and long term goals on a piece of paper, and seal them in an envelope to open later in life. After we wrote down our goals we were able to share them with the rest of the class. This enabled me, once again, to see how I relate to others around me. Many of us had similar and achievable goals and listed them in a similar order. If sharing addresses wasn’t a privacy issue, it seemed like a good idea to mail these goals to the specific student at a certain point in time. However, due to privacy issues and possibly losing papers or even student relocation, it would be difficult to have a teacher do that. Even so, the activity encouraged me to reflect on what I have accomplished and how my goals have molded into what I wish to accomplish for my future. Jaimie then briefly mentioned feedback on our papers and ways to improve our style. I found this helpful and even wrote down her tips, such as to formalize, proof read, and have others read my paper as well!

 

Afterwards the class participated in the “corners activity”. With partners we rotated throughout the class and stopped at various points to answer questions regarding the No Child Left Behind Act. The thought of simply answering questions isn’t entirely appealing at first, but in the end I was very glad to have participated in the activity. Not only did I learn a lot that I hadn’t known previously, but I saw how the act actually affected myself and my schooling. In the end, as a class, we were able to come up with general class definitions for each question. I honestly did not know much about NCLB and realized that it did not fulfill its intended purpose of raising achievement rates and create higher quality learning. Rather, it encouraged drop outs, was exclusive, and put lower income communities at a disadvantage. Realizing this made me want to take a stand and do something about the schools that don’t have adequate resources. There were a few good things about NCLB such as shedding light on inequities and to recruit quality teachers, but throughout my experience I concluded that I wasn’t able to learn information if it wasn’t on the standardized tests. I’m not sure how the Common Core Standards will turn out. I spoke with a mother recently who told me that her daughter was struggling with the new standards even though she is very bright. Already I am nervous about the Common Core Standards.

 

We then broke into groups and discussed Supreme Court cases throughout history that related to affirmative action. It solidified the information that was unclear in chapter 6. I also found a court case for the EXTRA CREDIT: Fisher v. Texas. June 2013. In 2008 high school seniors had been denied admission to University of Texas in Austin. They then brought it to court, claiming that the University could not use race as an aspect in the admission process. A federal judge, using the case Grutter v. Bollinger as an example, said in 2013 that the University did obey with the admission requirements set by the case Grutter v. Bollinger. Although the court did not overturn the use of affirmative action, they did stress the importance of stricter affirmative action programs.

 

The one word that I chose to describe my thoughts of this week’s reading was enlightening. Although I have read about the history and oppression of African Americans in history classes throughout schooling, there were a few concepts brought up in the reading that provided for an educational experience. Some of the ideas actually related to my field of study; Psychology. The family unit section, for example, showed me the effects of history on the families affected and I was sad to see what some resorted to or the things they lacked. Many were deprived of family systems that encourage proper development and attachment. One of the saddest aspects is that of the psychological dimension. To actually see examples of how the oppression caused certain people to undervalue themselves in devastating. In a sense, it isn’t surprising that they felt the need to resort to violence. I would be angry if a majority of my race wasn’t allowed things such as the education African Americans were deprived early on. It’s shocking to see how little the rate of literacy for their race has improved, from 57% illiterate in 1900 to only 13% higher 100 years later. The section on hip hop culture provided a source of inspiration for me. Through this medium many were able to overcome oppression and find acceptable ways of expressing their feelings and needs. There is hope if we all come together for the common goal of equality and follow various suggestions like the ones laid out in the reading.

 

test max

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Episode One

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While watching Episode one, right away i witnessed a strong bond between their partners which they were then separated from and brought to a formation of teams or tribes without the comfort of their partners. They are now in a group of contestants from which they are estranged from but soon will need to become closer and closer to form a strong team within the competitions. Without great group communication, the tribes will suffer especially in challenges and daily life on the island. The first challenge has now forced the tribes to work or communicate in a way where they can establish their weaknesses and strengths of each individual. Member roles were given even unintentionally especially with the winner Jeremy which members will look to him for strength.

Surviovor Entry 1.

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Survivor Entry one.

I have never watched survivor before, but it somewhat reminds me of the show called the challenge. But from after watching this for the first time, I knew that communication was key to win this game. The episode starts off with nine couples stranded in Nicaragua. The first thing they do is practice how to make a fire. So far, my favorite team is Dale and Kelly; father and daughter. They seemed like they were communicating the best. My second favorite team is the gay couple. They were able to make their fire fast. I am a little confused how people try for years to get on this show. Nadyia and Natalie seem like they are going to argue a lot with each other throughout their time on the show. If you win, you get a million dollars, which seems like a dream come true. They split into two teams. I thought the couples were going to be able to work with each other, guess not! The first challenge deals with untangling a rope and then lassoing it. Jeremy does the first challenge. He gets to compete against his wife! Jeremy beats his wife. He sends her off with Keith.  It seems like everyone likes Jeremy, but he has a big head. I feel bad for Dale because he is the oldest on his team. He was able to start the fire with his glasses and I think he was able to redeem himself. On day one of Exile Island, Val didn’t tell the other guy what was on her paper. The blue team made themselves a structure for their shelter. John doesn’t want them to know he was professional baseball player.

Josh’s eyes starts burning and he doesn’t know what to wear. The second challenge is an obstacle course. The yellow team is the first team to hook the rope. It is a close challenge because the blue team is coming back fast. The blue team won! I really thought the yellow team was going to win. The blue team was able to work together and figure out a way to complete the challenge by communicating and working consitantly. The blue team has immunity. They plan on kicking off Naydia; but Naydia starts talking to the gay guy on her team to make an alliance. This team was also making a girl alliance. It was between Dale and Nadyia and they chose Nadyia.

Week 5 – Starting Your Website

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Note:  This was the splash page for the site when it was created, done in part as a pedagogical exercise.  I have changed the splash, but want this content to remain.  At the moment, it is out of order but still pertinent =)

Here are the steps to develop your very own website:

  1. Go to cikeys.com and click on “Get Started.”  Log in with your My CI information.  You will be asked if you want to build your site at cikeys.com or if you have your own domain.  Unless you already own your own domain, choose the cikeys one.  You get to choose the name of your site (ex: mine is techmoe); choose carefully.  If you have your own domain, you can transfer it over at this time; type it in and follow any special directions.
  2. You should be taken to a page that says CSUCI Domains.  There are lots of options of things to do here; let’s start simple.  Click on the icon for WordPress.  Follow the directions for installation (should just be clicking one button).
  3. To play with your new blog, click on the link that ends in /wp-admin/.  This will take you to your blog site’s dashboard, where you design and play with your blog.  Several things you can do:
  • Change your appearance through the Appearance – Themes space.  There are three immediately to choose from and another dozen or so you can download.
  • Customize several features of the site through Appearance – Customize.
  • If you want your main page to be a blog, you are set.  If you want your main page to be an introduction, or splash, then go to Pages and create a new page called Blog.  Then, go to Appearance – Customize, and then click on Static Front page; choose that option and make your About page your front page and your Blog page your posting page.
  • Post your page URL to this Google Doc.

For everything else…play a little bit!

If you have serious issues with getting a CI Keys page, contact Chris Mattia, the Director of Academic Technology, and he will point you to the right person at IT to help you.  Any questions once you have a site up should be directed to me.

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Blog #3

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In the previous class we started by sharing our short and long goals in our life which it was very exciting to learn about other students goals and how we created visions to achieve our goals. What really surprised me was that everybody had realistic goals because when I talked to my friends or relatives most of them had unrealistic goals. For instance, some of them want and dream about playing basketball in NBA, or being an actor or actress in Hollywood which statistically have less probability to occur. I really like the idea to write down our goals and then put it in an envelop because later when we open it, that would surprise all of us. I believe success started by making first decision and then follow it. That is really good to have a vision and create our goals and then use our full potential to achieve our goals. I am pretty hopeful and optimistic to achieve my goals, but the most important thing for me is that to use my full potential and be in the right track. I have learned that not to fight with outcomes. I just do my job, and be the best I can be, then, there is nothing to be worried and accept the outcome. After talking about our goals, we discussed about NCLB which I really learned about some aspects of educational system in California. I was surprised to learn about private and public schools which it seems that it needs a ground research to find out the differences. I have never had a chance to study at high school in U.S, therefore, I had no experience to share, but I learned a lot from my classmates. Furthermore, I hope everybody achieve all their goals in future.

During the history of America, African-Americans have been experienced oppression, prejudice, and discrimination. Those horrible experiences were not caused by nature. Race and culture are socially constructed. For instance, African-American, Asian-American, Middle-Eastern- American, or Iranian-American are all socially constructed. We rarely hear the word White-American or European-American because those people who had power in history, they did not want to constructed. As humans, we were and we are all responsible for that discrimination. African-Americans have high rate of drop from schools and being poor in the U.S. 24 percent of African-American live on poverty, and they don’t have equal opportunity to continue their educations. Those oppression and discrimination from the past, made Blacks to suffer many psychological problems and still continues. On the one hand, everybody have a negative attitude towards racism, but on the other hand, we do not take enough action to eliminate discrimination. Action speaks lauder than words. We need to take an action. We need to educate people to understand the underlying problem of discrimination, especially, towards Blacks. As a result, we, humans, created this discrimination, and we have to finish it all together.

 

Episode 1

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In Survivor: Blood vs. Water, we follow the show as it cuts ties between friends and family, pitting them against each other in this competition. Each pair is split from their loved one and put into either tribe – Hunahpu (blue) or Coyopa (orange). As a stranger to one another in their new groups, the audience is able to see how they all unite as a team in order to compete against their loved ones in their opposing tribe. In this first episode, we are able to see how the contestants develop into their groups, establish goals, and motivate one another to win each challenge.

When the contestants were all put into their tribes, we began to see how they all interacted and formed bonds with one another. For example, in the Hunahpu tribe, we see the winner of the first challenge – Jeremy – build relations with other people in his group. For him, he is able to diffuse the typical awkward tension that normally occurs when strangers are put together. The others have respect for him because he earned the tribe their first one, and he uses this to start up good relationships and alliances to benefit him later on. In the Coyopa tribe, we see strong relationships form between the younger members who are of the same age group. Although most of the tribe gets along fairly quickly, we see Dale struggle to be included due to his great age difference, which also makes him a target for elimination. He struggles to be accepted into the group, but is able to change everyone’s perception of him when he is able to start a fire. With most of the tribe members building up their relations with one another, we slowly start to see them grow as a group.

Both groups and all contestants share the common goal of winning their rivalry with their loved one and the ultimate goal of winning the entire competition. We do, however, see how the groups might have different goals in other aspects. At the Hunahpu base camp, Drew sees that building a habitat is a main priority but believes that hardly anyone else shares that view. This creates some awkward strain between him and another tribe member when he begins to see himself as superior to the others who do not help as much. The Coyopa tribe, on the other hand, form a different objective for the time being when Josh has a bad reaction. The group realizes that the sap from the plant they used to make their habitat could be potentially poisonous. Together, they remove the plants and find a replacement.

Winning the second challenge is another goal that the tribes hope to accomplish, and it also proves how well they have developed as a team and becomes an incentive for motivation. They encourage each other with words and phrases, cheering each other on to get through the challenge. When Keith decides to throw the rope that will allow the rest of the Hunahpu tribe, he allows someone else to step in to help. This allows the group to reorganize to complete the first hurdle. The Copoya tribe worked well when John used his body to hoist his teammates up. They clearly performed very well together, but even though they did have an advantage, they did not do well enough to pass the puzzle.