Picture
So far our group project is going very well. Everyone is equally
taking on a part of the project which is really working for our group. On one of our first group days we all talked about our strengths and things we enjoy doing versus things we are less comfortable doing. As a group we decided it would be best for us each to pick our strength and be in charge of that area specifically. Trent and Destini’s strengths were presenting while Barry’s strength is writing. My strength, along with Ryan, is to organize, design and finalize. Both Ryan and I made sure each part of the project turned in was at its best. With us each focusing on different parts the main part of the project was finished very quickly. We then collectively, made sure each group member was happy with project and presentation. Like any group we have had issues to work through but I was really happy to see we could work through it. It has been a very big learning experience having to work on a presentation project with five different people. In the end I am very happy with how are project turned out and I can not wait to see it presented!  


 
Picture
_     My college writing career can easily be summarized as a "working progress" me maybe even an "uphill climb." One thing is certain, I as a writer, was no were prepared for my first college writing experience. I can remember the very first paper I wrote for college; I do not think I have even been so scared for an assignment in my life, so far. Surprising, I did extremely well on that first college paper. Now I still believe that the professor may have just been trying so boost the confidence of a bunch of scared young freshman but it worked for me so I am not going to complain. Since that first paper, I believe I have been improving, slowly but surely. With each semester, with classes getting harder, my writing has been continuously challenged. I can only hope that with each of those classes and with each of those papers, I become a stronger writer.   


 
Picture
_     Our group has decided the topic we will be presenting about so far. We together chose our topic to be The Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. I personally have really enjoyed researching and learning more about the foundation considering I had never heard of the cause before this. Although I did not know very much about the cause I instantly agreed with the group’s decision. The Jimmy V Foundation founder Jimmy Valentino not only had a great heart but also had an amazing story to go along with it. We have found a lot of information on the cause and the story; I am really looking forward to putting some of it together and giving others the opportunity to learn more about Jimmy Valentino and the foundation. It has been relatively easy to research our topic because it has a lot of interesting information about it. The Jimmy V Foundation also has its own website, which is very helpful, but there is a lot of background information on the founder himself on many other websites.

   

 
Picture
_ The blue collar B, how many people would take the offer? Or in our case the clue collar C? Would I take the offer? Could I settle with an average letter grade for a class in order to get out of any homework or even having to attend the class? These questions rattled through my head while watching the professor present Todd with this mind-boggling proposal. My first thought being, duh, why would I not take the offer? I then thought about it a little more. I enjoy the feeling after at the end of each semester after working hard to get that A or even B. At points throughout the semester I hate the fact that I have homework to do and tests to study for but after working for that grade, I feel an amazing amount of self-accomplishment. I could not settle with a blue collar C. I could constantly wonder if I could have done better on my own. I am looking forward to seeing if Todd takes the proposition. I do not think he will simply because his professor has faced him with a challenge. A lot like me, I believe he knows that he can do better than that blue collar B. It all relies on his ambition to become the best he can.  


 
Picture
_     The question that remains the same; do violent video games have an effect on children? After reading the articles, The Positive Effect of Action Video Games, Do Video Games Make Kids Violent, and A Review of the Effects of Violent Video Games in Children and Adolescent I have a mixed feeling about them. I believe the age of the child playing them play an important role on if they are too violent. Young children that do not yet realize there are differences between real life and games cause a threat. Many violent games use fire as a form of weapon; it is very possible for children to think it is “ok” to play with fire. That is not the message we want going to children. Also already mentally unstable as well as violent young people playing violent video games causes a threat. Studies show that violent video games lead to more violence. Is that what we want for already troubled adolescents? In many cases, there is an “other side” and I do too see the truth in it. Video games have shown they help people process visual information more quickly as well as make proper decisions based on that information. When it comes to real life, training video games are being used to give people the best training they can before the real thing. With these games first time pilots or even drivers have received the most life like experience. Now I do not know about you but when flying thousands of feet in the air or driving down town during rush hour knowing the pilot or driver has the most life like experience training makes me feel a lot better.        


 
Picture
_     The argument presented in the article, Does Reality TV Promote Dangerous Stereotypes, I strongly agree with. The article explains how these reality TV shows that gain a lot of attention are causing people to mimic show characters.  Reality TV is also creating a bad view of either the people on the show or the location they are in. For example, shows like Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, and Buckwild are a hot topic. Jersey Shore, a show that did both. The show has given Italian-Americans a bad name as well as given a stereotype of constant partying got the whole Jersey Shore. If shows like these where only playing on TV there would be no problem. Unfortunately, many people want to mimic these shows because of their popularity. However, why take TV shows off the air that are so popular? That is the real question. With these shows causing so many problems the only answer is to take them off the air or to make them less glamorous.      


 
Picture
_     As my very first blog, I would like to discuss the documentary 2 Million Minutes. This movie along with both articles “Unprepared for College” and “Scores Show Students aren’t ready for College” gave an excellent perspective of student education. While the articles hit on the effects of poor education, the movie pointed out the causes of those effects. Chinese students study for almost twice what American students study; my first thought was wow and Americans wonders why we are falling behind academically. After thinking about that for a while, I came to a conclusion. For many years, the United States has been the leader in just about everything. Other countries strive to be like us. After setting an example for so many years those other countries have began to figure it out. I believe American’s have had a “mocho” status for so long we have forgotten how to work to be on top. The video stated Americans are globally unaware. I believe that to be false. Clearly, America is a leader; if we were globally unaware, we would not continue to be a leader. In order to remain a leading country we must come to the realization we can be beat.