Da big Project

I have enjoyed all the presentations so far, and have learned alot from them all. They are all unique in their own way.
For my own project I think it went very well and I hope it was informative and interesting. I hope they enjoyed learning about Child Labour and being informed of what we can do. I think my youtube clips helped me in my presentation and I think I kept it simple (not confusing) but infomative. I kept the presentation flowing and organized I learned so much on this topic when i was researching it. I learned some of the companies being questioned for Child Labour which some surprised me. Also the facts and statistics i learned absolutly blew me away and i was shocked. The lifestyle of a child labourer i sort of had an idea for but didn`t know how extreme it was untill i researched it. This was a great learning experience for me and i really ewnjoyed doing this presentation. I learned alot and what are the key steps we can take to help end child labour. I learned alot not just from my own presentation but from many of the others aswell. I will take alot of this information into my everyday life, I really enjoyed listening to the presentations and how every one was different. I think i would deserve and 83% on this project for the overall work i put into it and the topic i chose.

Angels And Demons Movie

Hmm.. This movie was well done and very intense and for people who have not read the book, i think it would have been an awesome movie full of crazy hardcore action... for me i have read the book so i have other views.... Yet again the saying of the book is always better stands true... did they read the book, it was amazing so how can you totally change it when the book is that good in the movie? Man, common i was so dissapointed.... When a guy dies (water) in the book he cant surrvive in the movie! And when the sweetest brands of all is changed in the movie to just keys like common. Other than that ya it was good.. lol.... It was a sweet book which makes a sweet movie just you cant change a sweet book like that.. ruins the movie. But i enjoyed the class trip and glad i saw the movie..

Pope 2.0

I think this is interesting to see what the Pope has done. The Pope is trying to make religion more open and trying to attract and appeal to younger people. He sees the trend of less younger people in church i hope, which is probably why he has done this. Now he is trying to be more 'cool' and 'hip' by going to more of the newer ways of the world with Internet and facebook etc. By going to these new technologies they attract a different audience. I do believe the Vatican may be changing, to newer ways AHHH no way. They must change in order to keep people coming to church, the trend is going down. Our society is changing and so the Vatican and religion must change with it in order to be appealing. Going to Internet and facebook is a good start. If you ever wanna know what the Pope is doing right now...it is possible... if you ever do have that urge to know

What went wrong?

I think that the Da Vinci Code movie had so much heap about it that it had huge expectations from the viewers that it could not possibly meet. The expectations exceeded the real movie. This disappointed the fans because they were expecting so much. Also, it was one of the first movies to do what it did with religion and so it had a lot of controversy behind it. Society loves controversy and so yes it did make tons of money which is probably mostly due to people wanting to see it for the controversy and big expectations behind it. They then saw the movie and saw how extremely long it was and were not impressed but already spent their money. Therefore yes It made lots due to the controversy and expectations but once people actually saw the movie it did not meet their standards.

Movies, Money and God

First off, that is one interesting pastor to do what he did. This article talks about similar stuff to the one about Angels and Demons and Hollywood. Slowly more and more faith related movies are becoming more popular and are being made. As this article says the directors see a profit coming from movies like this because the movie can get lots of publicity. Also with so much of the world being in some way affiliated with religion it is a market to try and get good at if as this article states you want to make money. I think after Angels and Demons comes out you will see many more religious affiliated movies come out in an effort to make the money, sad to see that's the reason though.

An Inconvenient Blog

I believe we do need to listen to Al Gore and his talks about climate change to make us all aware of whats happening in our world. I believe though that not much has changed since his first talk. Yes some governments and companies have taken steps to help but we need drastic change which takes cooperation from everyone and governments in order to make it happen, which has not happened. I do not believe countries have meet there promises set in the Kyoto Protocol and when time expires as it does soon, will countries still do it and believe in it that it will help? Who knows. Governments and our world need to be all on the same page in order to make drastic changes to help our world and until that happens no major progress will occur. I give credit to those who push for governments and companies to start helping and credit to those who already have. These are the people who need to influence others. You see Al's talk you see the effects, there's numbers, stats, diagrams how much more convincing do people need to see something is happening to our world that is going have have drastic effects.

Angels and Demons And Hollywood

This was an intense article, and talked about alot of detailed stuff. I do believe it is very true that many Hollywood movies do not talk much about religion and dont make their movies appealing to firm believers. I feel this is because religion is such a touchy subject and it is possible to disrespect or satire religion which people may find very offensive. This causes lots of controversy and can ruin people careers, so why not save the hassle and just stay away from talking about religion. I do believe that it was interesting as a religious man he was to talk about how he and many Muslims believe science and religion and how they do not contradict each other. Another thing i felt was very true he said was: 'Science is about how. Religion is about why.' which i feel is very true. Angels and Demons is a breakthrough movie that talks about both science and religion and does it in a respectable manor.

Big Issues

1. Global Warming

2. Overpopulation

3. Poverty

4. Selfishness/ Greed

5. Economy



Global Warming is the greatest issue facing humankind today. It affects everyone and cannot continue many more generations before we can no longer survive in this world. We need to find ways to help stop/control global warming and it is a huge issue because its one where we can physically see the changes and affects it has caused. Overpopulation has many effects but is not a huge issue at the current moment. Overpopulation drives our economy and has many effects for industrialization and increases demand for resources. Poverty is a huge issue that is aided with global warming and is very extreme in southern areas such as Africa where extreme droughts and famines occur. Poverty kills many people daily and should not continue and we as a society need to find way to help and stop this from continuing and letting these people live the lives they do. Selfishness and greed cause huge problems in our society and can be related to the downturn of our economy and people living in poverty. We cant get very far as an individual we need to work together as a whole if we want to move forward. Economy is a big problem now but i do think it will re-build and get back to normal. This current downturn is a warning to our society.

Me in charge of the education system

If i was in charge of the education system there would one major change i would want to make and see how well it worked. I would want to try and adopt the British School System. This is a system where they do one semester then get 1 month off the do second semester then 1 month off then start the next year. I think this would work very well and we would still get the same amount of holiday just at different times. This cuts back from a 2 month break where the majority of students sit around work and do no school work to keep their brains smart. So then at the start of each year teachers have to reteach alot. I also would put the start time of high school forward an hour to 9 oclock which helps students get more sleep and be able to focus better in their first period class. I feel adopting the British School System for 1 month breaks between each semester as well as a later start time for high school would really benefit the students to help them focus better and keep their knowledge. It would take some getting use to but i think it would be only beneficial. The buses can work out how to get both elementary and secondary kids to school at the same time, they have no choice but to if I'm in charge.

American Teen Continued

I think this is totally true in one-school towns. With one town schools everyone goes to the same parties and see's everyone around because it is such a small town. Everyone does really know everyone or atleast recognize them because they see them everyday in school and outside of it. These schools are usually not very big and so as seen in the movie rumours or relationship statuses can fly through they school so fast and in 24-48 hours almost the whole schools has heard or is aware of it. This can extremely damage someone if a rumour got started about them, or as in the movie a picture being swirled around the school. A small town school is usually a very close community and everyone hears things and knows many of the people in the town or school. This puts alot of pressure on students to pick the right soul mate and becareful what they do cause it only takes one flaw a rumour started and then it can destroyed someones high school life. It puts pressure for students to be 'perfect'.

American Teen

I thought this movie was crazy and these kids need an intervention. But if you think about it that's the life of many high school students, full of drama. I found it and eye opener because in high school you only see your view and thoughts but here you watch this movie that could be the lives of any teenagers and you see every ones feelings and thoughts and their life which makes you think alot more of what you may say or do now. You see how peoples decisions effect everyone around them and they don't always know it. It was good but kind of a disgrace and ridiculous that this is the life of many teenagers to a certain extent.
I felt Colin was the most appealing character to me. He seemed to just stick to his sports and did well in school. He seemed to stay away from the drama and stayed himself and was the nice kind polite student who didn't backstab or do anything to cause drama. He also was determined to go to post-secondary with a scholarship because his family couldn't afford to send him but he didn't let that discourage him. To me Colin seemed like a cool dude and stayed away from the drama which is good and did well in school making him the most apealling of them all

Angels And Demons

I personally really did enjoy reading this book, i really thought it was interesting and had a great intense plot. It was a different book unlike anything else but it was intriguing and made you think alot about science an religion. Can't wait to see the movie.
I learned about the Illuminati, and what they were and what they wanted to do and alot of people who are highly regarded today who were apart of them. Including Galileo. I did not know about the Illuminati until i read this book. Now it seems i know everything about them.

Growing up Online

I think there is a huge split between students and school systems regarding technology. Most teachers and school boards don't understand the new students ways with technology and most would say they have no clue about what teenagers do on the Internet and how to work the things we do, and this has caused the split. School boards aren't aware of these new ways of students and keep to the system that has been in tact forever. I feel the school system needs a drastic change in order to make the system appeal to teenagers and become more with the time. Chalkboard learning is way to old and needs to change. Now computers in front of every student all class is also not right. So what is? It has to be a balance and that is hard to find. For me personally, English is my least favourite subject because yes i really don't prefer to read. I would rather occupy my time with something else. So i feel i struggle in that class because i cannot keep up with the reading its just not my preference. And i think (stereotyping) that goes for a lot of boys and i think this is why u see so few boys in high academic English classes. Our lives are so high pace and we tend to use that time up with stuff we enjoy and if reading isn't one of those things then we put it off. I know my life is crazy and I personally barely get 6-7 hours of sleep each night. I feel the school system needs to change and become more technologically advanced to connect better with the students and become more modern. I think you'd see a drastic change in classes and enjoyment

Angels And Demons

I am currently on page 610 and am planning on finishing the book this evening. This is a great book and i am really enjoying it. Its a crazy plot and full of interesting facts that keep awing you. I have learned alot reading this book thanks to Dan Brown's wife. Its just an awsome but crazy plot that is very interesting. I like it and have enjoyed reading this book. Wow wait...did i just say that? I actually like reading a book, wow it must be good.

Once Apon a School

I think this is a great thing for the students of the neighbouring schools and it helped many students out and they were not afraid to go because they may be looked down upon. It was great that they had such an overwhelming response, it was a great idea that has spread across the country helping so many children. It was an interesting idea to combine the authors and editors together with the students in the same area. Now the different shops that accompany each tutoring center are quite unique and odd. Even though this is a great concept i do not think it would work in Ingersoll. This is too small of a town to have a business like this work and connect with the students in the schools. Their is to much of a stigma attached to things like these withing our schools. People would be to scared to go to something like this in fear people may look at them different or think their a 'nerd'. People are scared to ruin their 'rep' so they wouldn't go to something like this that is school related. We are a small town school and not many people's focus on school. Its sad to say i know but many people come to school and leave and they don't want to do anything school related other than at school so i don't think they would go to a tutor place after school. Also many of the people who went to these tutor sessions, english was not their first language and so something like this helped them alot. But he in Ingersoll almost everyone who lives here, english is their first language. Its a great concept but wouldn't fly in a small town like here in Ingersoll.

Article: Teens are lazy and unprepared

From a students view, I would say that University bound teenagers are not very lazy, because we wouldn't be where we are academically if we were lazy. For this reason i would blame the Universities for going way to fast with the first year students because they are in a culture shock. First year students under go a huge culture shock. Thjis is usually their first time living away from their parents alone. They know find out they have many more responsibilities now other than school like laundry, bills, dishes, groceries, and cooking. They are also probably feeling lonely and yes may miss their family. Also, the style of learning is much different than highschool and people are getting use to it. For the profs to start off and expect so much from these people who are just adjusting to a new life is not fair to them. Second year when they are use to everything and how University works they are must more prepared and do alot better. These students if lazy would not be going to University so i do not believe they are lazy or they would have not gotten as far as they have. Universities need to accept what the first year students are going through and be less hard to allow them to get use to a new life.

See it to Believe it!

I think you have to see it to believe it. This is because people will have doubts and may not believe in things but when they see it they will loose doubt and will truly believe it. It is hard to believe in something you have not seen, because that takes imagination which not everyone can use to an extent in believing something. When someone see's something with their own two eyes they are no doubtedly will believe in it, but it is hard to believe in something you have not seen (except religion thats a different story). I will not believe in unicorns or bigfoot untill i see one with my own two eyes that is what convinced me into you have to see it to believe it.

Twitter or Death

I think this was a weird article and i don't really know how to reply to it. It kind of confused me of the connection between death and twitter, to me that's a little bit excessive. Although there are some good points made in the article. Our society now lives for the moment... we want to know things up to the minute of what everyone is doing and whats going on in our world right at this moment.. we live for the moment. And yes, if were in the moment then were not dead. Loss face time is true and people want to make up for that and any sort of instant messaging service can help that (eg. Twitter, Facebook, msn etc.) and make up for that lost face time because your sitting at home doing your lovely homework. Dying alone...hmm.... people who think they have 'friends' on these sites like Facebook or Twitter but have never talked to them in person is rediculous.. these people aren't really your friends, you have never even seen them in real life for peat sake. But i guess for some poeple these sites where you can have 900 friends makes them feel wanted and accepted by well 900 people and they don't feel so alone and all by themselves, cause hey they got 900 facebook friends (don't know how twitter works with the whole 'friends' thing)

Science

This was an interesting article. Before I read this article I asked my parents if it was possible to believe in evolution but still believe in God. They struggled with the answer and weren't totally sure what to say. Now after this article I see that it is possible and there are people out there who do go into fields that involve both religion and science together. I think this is great because instead of separating these two fields it is great to see people bringing them together and allowing them to work together and solving this world together instead of individually. I would think it would help either a scientist or a religious person if they had information and education in the other field, I think it would benefit them in their work. I think science and religion can only solve things by themselves so far.. I feel to solve the greatest mysteries you need to bring the two together. The acceptance of this is not overly welcoming but I feel it will have to be accepted soon by both sides, but neither wants to make the first move.

Earth Hour

Yes! I will be participating in Earth Hour. I feel that these events are necessary for our world so that people can think about the impact we have on our world and how to change that. It gets people talking and thinking about our world and how to help it. At the same time, it helps save on energy for a short while and gets people doing other different things they wouldn't normally. It also shows people the luxury of electricity and how much we rely on it in our daily life. It shows how lucky we really are. I think these events are good and great to see how many people are participating. Hopefully it makes them think of the impact on our world they have and how to change it for the future.

Pope, Africa and HIV

I believe that the Pope's comments were very misleading and wrong even though I think he meant good when he said it. Just the way he was trying to get his message across was wrong and controversial. I feel because he is the Pope, which is Catholic, he was only giving his views on condoms and what he thinks of them. But this is a one sided view on the problem and can mislead the people. Because many of the people in Africa are not very well educated this may lead the people to believing other things (eg. they escalate the problem), and the people may make wrong decisions about not using a condom because they believed the Pope, because well is is the Pope. His comments are clearly proven wrong by science and health officers. I see his intentions and believes of why he said what he did but it was wrong of him and may mislead the people. The part when he said that they only make the problem worse is absolutely wrong and was not appropriate to say.

TED talk show

This was very interesting and neat because the guy actually explained it in a normal persons language so that people other than scientists could understand it. It was also interesting to find out that CERN is actually a real place and actually has the LHC in it as explained in the book. The start of the universe has always intregued me, and it is interesting to hear professionals talking about it so I can explain. It also shows like the "H" particle that scientists still are working on solving it and shows even after the many years since the start of the universe scientists have still not discovered everything about how it began and how we are here. The LHC is amazing and crazy how big it is and how fast they can get the protons moving in there. Science has always amazed me and it is great to have big scientific projects explained to me in a way i understand. Very interesting stuff

A+ For Everyone

I feel this is a good idea. This is a university course where the smartest academic kids are taking classes, and usually are the ones who do their work. If they were given the A+ I feel it would take a lot of stress of their backs and let them concentrate better and actually just learn and get a better understanding instead of worry of projects and just giving the teacher what they want to see. These are academic students so they will take their own education into their hands and they are paying to learn so i don't feel they will just not show up i feel they will be responsible and learn. I feel this way because if they just stop going then when they get into the real world and get the first job they will be confused and not know anything and will end up getting fired and will find out they put their money to waste by not showing up and learning. These kids want to get a good education and get the best jobs so they are going to take the initiative to go and learn so that they can impress their employers with the knowledge. If they decide not to go its their loss and they will not have the knowledge to do their job and will waste their money. I think you will see the people actually be a lot smarter because they wont be stressing over deadlines and projects and can just concentrate on learning. It would be to the benefit of the students and their initiative to learn. Good idea, i give credit to the professor

Classroom Connection

I found it very interesting doing the different puzzles everyone came up with. I enjoyed solving them and amazed by some of the different ones we had. It was neat to see every ones train of thought and how they went about making there puzzle. Every ones was different and unique than the others which made it more fun to try and solve them. Some were harder than others and some had a lot more thought than others. I just loved being interested when you either solved one or was told what the secret was behind it. I thought some peoples puzzle were very ingenious and interesting. Most were done in ways i never thought of doing and i think that's what interested me. I enjoyed solving the puzzles and trying to 'crack the code'. Interesting of the way some people think and what they came up with.

IDC

I agree with Ken Robinson's point where schools are taking creativity out of students. Teachers focus so much on textbook work and the knowledge part and everything is so structured in our system. When students get projects they are given an outline of what to do, this puts limits and restrictions on the project which the students must follow to get a good grade which takes away from any creativity. Students can't be creative when they are given an outline they must follow. Not all students are able to strive in this type of system and because they can't strive they are labelled as having a 'learning disability', but its not their disability in a way its the system that doesn't have the proper system for these students to strive in. Not everyone is all for the textbook work and they struggle and learn in different ways and if these needs aren't met then they struggle. I feel the thing that made me think the most about the talk he gave was that we are all born creative and we are grown out of it. I think that is a very strong statement and he backed it up with the examples of little kids being creative and not afraid to be wrong. When these kids go through the school system there creativity is taken away by outlines and structed textbook work. This takes away there creativity which they once had. I think this is a good argument that needs to be looked at seriously and changes need to be made in our system to allow creativity in our students.

Oak Island Theory!

Oak island has many different mysteries of what is at the bottom of the money pit. Some opinions are crazy others have been supported well with evidence and theories. But what do I think is at the bottom of this trap filled pit you ask.After reading the article I lead to believe that whatever it is at the bottom of the pit is very important and I think it will change and affect all of us, an Apocalypse. Now what could it be that could change everything? Well, I have narrowed all the possibilities in my mind down to one of three possibilities into what is at the bottom of the pit. First, there may be a large lump sum of money that will make the finder of it very very wealthy. It may be hidden in chests by pirates who didn't want anyone to find it. I believe it is a large sum because pirates are known to be lazy so for them to go through all this effort and ingenuity would make me believe that it was a large sum they didn't want anyone to find.Secondly, It could be The Holy Grail that was hidden and was not inteded on beig found. This would be an asstonishing discovery and would affect a lot of people.Lastly, it could be the proof that Shakespeare did not write all the plays that he took credit for. This would change everything and shock the world and english teachers and education would never be the same again. This proof is very important and would be worth going through the time and efforts in order to hide it so well.