Saturday, May 29, 2010

Quiz 6

EDF2085 Quiz 6a

Reflection 9

I am not quite sure why, but I would say that people consider Freud’s work on the Theory of Personality important because it does somehow give us a sense of how things work. Freud’s theory may not be correct, but it seems reasonable and I can see why some people will choose to agree with him. I, on the other hand, agree with Freud to a certain extent. Yes, sex and aggression may be drives, but I do not believe they are the only two drives that we have. Sex is not something that makes me want to continue on in life and neither is aggression. Sex and aggression seem to be aspects in life that may encourage us rather than be our drive. I can see how sex and aggression relate more to animals though. They do not have any reasoning skills and they are only left to do what they are meant to: procreate.
Something that I have to disagree on is when he said that we pursue college degrees so we can attract the opposite sex. Pursuing a college degree may play a part in attracting the opposite sex, but I do not believe it is our main goal. I am pursuing a college degree because I want to be successful in the future for myself. This has nothing to do with the opposite sex; it has to do with my career and the life that I choose to live. In order to become what I want to become in the future, it entails that I receive a college degree. There are some people that choose to not even have a relationship and the only thing that keeps them going is their education alone. These people have no desire to impress the opposite sex, they are only thinking about themselves and their interests. At the same time, you have people who pursue college degrees so they can prove something to others and make themselves seem more appealing, but this does not apply to everyone.
Freud’s theories seem to be a little out of the ordinary. Even though his theories are somewhat creative, they are not completely ludicrous. Perhaps his theories need to be better organized and very well explained so that I can get a better feel of what he is trying to express. I agree with some things Freud says and others just seem to be utterly false and absurd. On the bright side, he has gained a wide audience who respect his overall work.

Reflection 8

Reading this article is not only important for any individual, but it is most important or teachers because teachers are constantly interacting with others. This article defines what beliefs, values, and attitudes are in a way that can help you relate to your students more effectively. Being aware of the different kinds of beliefs, attitudes, and values will aid a teacher in identifying their student’s personality. It is important to get to know your students in this manner because they are more likely to react and respond differently than those students who are from other cultures. A variety of responses and behaviors will arise from your students due to their beliefs, and being prepared for such outcomes can help maintain a controlled environment within your classroom.
The most important thing that I have learned from this article is that everyone already knows that we are all different in the way that we think and act, but if you do not take the time to learn about the way people rationalize, nothing will get accomplished. In today’s world, it is always better to work in groups and put more than one mind to work. It would be extremely difficult for these groups to work together if they do not understand each other. There needs to be enough understanding and acceptance amongst people in order to be able to effectively communicate and get our ideas out there without offending others. Learning about different cultures will not only help prevent you from accidently discriminating against others, but it will also help you in tolerating and accepting those who are perhaps not as multi-culturally aware as you may be. I can see why it will benefit me to learn about these things before I step foot into a classroom because I will be dealing with culturally different children. At such a young age, children have not yet learned what should and should not be said or done. It is my responsibility to make sure that I know how to correctly address any issues. It will also be necessary to have some kind of plan of action when a student cannot participate in a class event because of their beliefs. Reading this article can help one become more aware of today’s cultural issues and how to facilitate those who are uncomfortable in a situation.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Reflection 7

This article was quite interesting and very informative. It not only shows you the importance of getting to know your students as soon as possible, but it gives you guidelines which to follow. Not only did the article mention this, but I know that it is important to learn about your students and their interests. It not only helps you in communicating with them more effectively, but it also makes the environment more comfortable for the students. It may not be easy to learn about your students, but at least we are certain in the way that it can be done. Having your students engage in class discussions is a way to see how they interpret and view different subjects. Another issue that arises in a classroom setting is that there are many different cultures that are surrounding you. You need to be able to address these students without saying things that can be hurtful or demeaning to their lifestyle or culture. This article comes in handy because it tells you what to do and how to address matters in such situations. As a teacher in the making, I believe that I have the confidence to enter into a classroom and be able to set a comfortable setting. I do not have any issues with culturally different people and have experience dealing with such children. Right from the beginning, teachers have to make sure to set rules and boundaries in the classroom. There are times when people feel too comfortable and become unaware of what they are saying and this can become an issue.
This is for sure an article that I am planning on keeping for my own personal use. I know that it will benefit me in the future to have this knowledge and be able to have something that I can look back on for reference. The article has truly made me more comfortable and confident to enter a classroom filled with culturally different students for the very first time. I can also use this article for everyday life. The things mentioned are not only for teachers to use, but should be practiced by everyone. These are skills and traits that each one of us should have and put into practice. Everyone should be able to express themselves and interact with people that are different than they are. Just like in a classroom, we as individuals should have our own set of rules and boundaries which we must follow.

Arizona Goddam!

This poem seems to be written by someone who has been through a lot. Whether the writer was a victim of racism or not, Arizona is to be blamed for what is going on right now. They are trying to perhaps maintain control over the people and take out those who don’t belong, but if anything, they are creating more chaos. The manner in which they have chosen to “handle” things is incorrect. They are racial profiling people and suspecting that they are illegal aliens based on their appearance. It is not only degrading, but also embarrassing to live in a place that thinks of its people this way. Simply trying to eliminate people that “don’t belong” is not the solution for a better community or life. The only outcome I see in this is that it will create hatred among those who are culturally different from each other. Instead of progressing and moving forward, Arizona is going back to the messed up ways this world once was.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Most Interesting of Our American Bird

This poem happens to be very touching because it describes the horrific life the American birds are living due to our actions – intentional or unintentional. Most people are aware of the tragedies that are occurring today, but it isn’t until you see it firsthand that you are able to fully understand the pain that we are causing these animals. Just as the poem explains, birds are willing to do anything for their young. They protect them and are even willing to sacrifice themselves for the safety of their family. It is heartbreaking to see such innocent creatures go through such pain when they are playing their part very well. Their lives are in danger because of the decisions and actions that the human race makes. Some decisions may be irresponsible and others unintentional, but in the end we have to realize that we are putting other lives in danger. Whether they are birds or any other kind of animal, they deserve to live to their heart’s content.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Reflection 6

Rites of passages are important because they signify important changes in someone’s life. Just the same way that most of us celebrate someone’s birthday, different cultures celebrate any change that occurs in life such as: marriage, death, transition from child to adult, etc. although I used a birthday celebration as an example, rites of passages are far more important for some people. This is based on certain cultures and beliefs. It is a ritual that you must go through in order to accept the certain transition that is occurring.
In the Sitting Quietly story, the young boys were in the process of becoming men and they couldn’t see their mothers or sisters for four years. They had to endure great obstacles to prove that they can become men. Everyone else would celebrate and have to wait for the outcome. This ritual is how they carry out their rites of passage.
The Sambia, on the other hand, describes the way that men get ready to become adults, which entails them to be prepared for sexual intercourse. There is a process in which the male experiences homosexuality and heterosexuality before his maturing wife goes through her first menstruation. From this point on, the male is ready to have sexual intercourse with his wife and no one else. This ritual signifies that the male is now considered a man.
In Facing Mt Kenya the boys and girls go through their rite of passage by an operation known as circumcision (for boys) and clitoridectomy (for girls). Before this takes place, the boys and the girls take part in a race. The winner of this race is known as the special one and is the one that others dream of marrying. When the operation is finally performed, these children are now thought to be adults.
These stories were all very interesting because the rituals that certain cultures are accustomed to are completely different than anything my culture is used to. It’s astonishing to find that there are certain activities that we do on a daily basis that other cultures find to be sacred and perform them during specific days. Learning about other cultures and their beliefs could in fact be quite interesting. There is so much out there that we are unaware of and that we take for granted when other people are basing their lives on such things.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Reflection 5

The Little Rock Nine teenagers went through a tough high school experience. They were not only brave, but they were determined to stand up and fight for their rights. To be a Little Rock Nine is to be a hero in many people’s eyes. If I were one of the Little Rock Nine kids, I would most probably be overwhelmed with everything that was going on, but at the same time, I believe that it would bring great satisfaction to know that I was someone who made a difference in the world.
Needing armed guards to enter a school is pretty intense for a group of teenagers. I would have been frightened to know that I needed guards to protect me just so I can enter a school. There are people out there that are willing to hurt teenagers just because they are trying to do what they believe is right for society. Just imagining what could have happened if the armed guards were not there is outrages. To think that there are people who have actually built hatred and resentment against these teenagers is ludicrous. Had the guards not been there, these kids would have probably been trampled and beat by the whites. They constantly heard rude and derogative comments being made about them and they had no other choice but to take it. If I happened to be one of the Little Rock Nine’s I would have tried to ignore the shouts and comments that people were throwing my way. It may be easier said than done, but I would not let their words make me do something that I would later regret. After all, my purpose in being there would not be to satisfy them or be liked by them, my purpose would be to make a point and fight for what I believe is correct. Maintaining your cool would have to be one of the hardest things to do, but it shows that you are not there to start trouble or disturb the peace, but that you are there to learn and be treated like everyone else.
I know that this is the way things were back then, but I have a hard time trying to understand how and why people thought it was the best solution to keep blacks and whites segregated. The Little Rock Nine story is very touching. It goes to show that nothing comes easy in life. There are many things out there that we want and hard to get, but with enough effort and determination, it is quite possible to get anything you want.

Reflection 4

In my opinion, culture describes who we are. It gives us a sense of what we should be doing and what is expected from us. Our culture leads us in the direction that we believe is best for us. One thing that I can’t help but agree with is that culture is adaptable. We are not automatically born into a certain culture; we have to be raised in that culture in order to build an understanding for it. Everything that we do today, whether it be the foods we eat, the way we talk, the way we dress, has been learned over the years. Nothing has been easily granted to us. We have been able to survive throughout all these years as we continue to learn new things each and every day. It is astonishing to see what this world has become compared to what it used to be. We have gone through so much and we have all done it together. This world is made up of different people with different customs and different ways of communicating, but at the end of the day, we have no choice but to move forward as one.
I love the fact that we are able to interact with people from different cultures everyday because we get to experience something other than what we are used to. It would be quite boring if everyone shared the same interests and beliefs. If this world ran based on one culture, we would not be where we are today. We would not have the privilege of learning from each other and learning to accept others who are different from us. It would be difficult to try and learn something from someone else when they are just like you. The most exciting part about all of this is that we are not all the same and there is so much more out there for us to learn about each other.
Another interesting fact is that culture can easily be changed. This change may occur unintentionally, but it may also occur due to the changes that the group has brought forth. Culture should not be viewed as something that you are stuck with for the rest of your life. As a person, you can change whenever you please and adapt to new ideas and beliefs. Overall, we all need to learn how to accept those who are different from us. Culture is a choice and we need to be able to respect the decisions that people make. Not everyone will agree on the same beliefs and ways of doing things and that is fine. So far, it has been possible to live in a world full of different cultures and it shall remain this way.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Quiz 3

EDG 2085 Quiz 3a

Stormy Weather-Lena Horne

This poem was exceptionally interesting and heartfelt. I, for one, did not know about Lena Horne, but after watching a few videos, I have gained respect for her work. She is a very beautiful and talented woman. This poem is so vivid and detailed that I felt like I was right there watching her with you. As a 12 year old boy, I can understand why you looked at her as if she was some kind of goddess. Lena Horne was very talented and deserves the admiration you are giving her. Your poem is extremely touching and it made me appreciate Lena even though I didn’t know her.

Awaiting an Appropriate Provocation

Even though I am not very informed in this subject, this poem gave me a better insight as to what is occurring today. Whether you may agree with this or not, the matter of the fact is that it is happening and those who are not aware of it, should have an interest in it. I am having a difficult time agreeing with the way things are being handled. I believe that different measures could and should be taken to enforce these regulations. Overall, it is heartbreaking to imagine the tragedy families are going through right now. There are people out there who are married and have children and who are risking their family being torn apart. What is it that they are supposed to do other than wait in anticipation? Is this, in fact, the correct way to deal with this issue? Should we start deporting people who have already been living here for so many years? The same people who are doing the jobs that many of us would not even think twice about doing? Just like us citizens, these immigrants desire something bigger and better. They have dreams and are trying to reach for them while others are shooting them down.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Reflection 3

A paradigm is the way something is commonly viewed. It basically describes the way things work, how they work, and why they work. A paradigm shift is described as a significant change in the way that you think. There are many people that are constantly experiencing paradigm shifts in their everyday lives. They may have to view things differently in order to go on with their day. In my opinion, paradigm shifts can occur intentionally as well as unintentionally. I have experienced both before. There have been times in my life where I felt stuck in a certain situation. The only way that I was able to survive the situation and continue with ease was to experience a paradigm shift. I had to force myself to see things from a different angle and in the end, I benefited from it. I would much rather focus on the positive outcomes of a situation rather than the negatives. Experiencing these kinds of shifts has helped me in accomplishing several of my goals and tasks.
It is important for teachers to experience paradigm shifts because they have to keep in mind that their occupation involves dealing with other people. It would be very difficult to try to teach a group of individuals when you are only willing to see things one way; and that being your way. As a teacher, I believe that you need to be able to shift your mindset and alter the way you view situations. Being able to change the way you think can lead to various different outcomes.
There is so much more out there that we have yet to experience. Most of us are stuck in that one mindset because that is what we are used to and it is where we might feel more comfortable. Other may be scared to change the way they think because they fear the changes that can take place. Experiencing paradigm shift, in my opinion, is something wonderful. It makes me feel in control of my body and of my mind. Yes, it is normal to want to say within your comfort zone, but sometime I just want to see what else is out there and see what else I can learn. Viewing something from a different angle as really helped me become more open-minded. Not only for teachers, but I think that everyone should have the opportunity and willingness to experience paradigms changes.

Reflection 2

Reading these articles has made me realize that it is important to accept other people regardless of their differences. I believe it is not only important to accept yourself, but to also be able to accept others. This does not mean that you have to agree with everything that everyone does, but you should not have to necessarily disagree with it either. The process of accepting others may involve changing your mindset. It would be of great benefit to alter the way you view the world and the people living in it. Those people who are judgmental, not only have issues accepting people who are different than them, but they also have issues accepting themselves many times. Changing your mindset can encourage you to become a more positive individual. It will make you realize what aspects in life are truly important and help you focus on them.
Another factor that contributes to the manner in which we accept people deals with our observations and judgments. Judgmental people have difficult time trying to accept people for who they are because they are constantly critiquing them. There is a big difference between a judgmental person and an observant person. Unlike judgmental people, observers do not jump to conclusions based only on one instance. Those who observe others, take everything into consideration. They base their decisions on the frequency and endurance of certain actions. There is no need to constantly judge people over their actions because sometimes their actions don’t exactly measure up to who they truly are.
These articles have really encouraged me to change the way I see the world. There is so much more out there that we are refraining ourselves from seeing. The way I choose to see things determines what I like or dislike. If I were to modify the way I think, I would be able to experience and accept new things. For one, I thought I was a multi-culturally aware person, but I realized that there is so much more that I have to learn. The fact that I can communicate and accept those who are multi-culturally different does not mean that I am 100% aware and conscious of them. There are several skills that I have yet to discover, but that I am willing to learn.

Reflection 1

Reading these history based articles somewhat opens my eyes to the way people perceive things. In my opinion, no one really knows exactly what happened several thousands of years ago. It is quite interesting to observe the way people analyze certain artifacts and come up with rather adequate conclusions. I believe it is important for everyone to know a little bit of history, especially when it involves their ancestors. Not everyone may agree with the information presented, but it will surely make you become more aware of what is out there. No matter what questions we encounter in our lives, there is always some kind of response or opinion out there that addresses the matter. Reading the facts and opinions presented in these articles help me in figuring out my own questions. I do not have to necessarily agree with everything said, but I am able to come up with my own views and opinions with the information I was provided with. Overall, the articles were interesting and I learned a lot from them. Just knowing these little facts on how and when fire was used, how the invention of the wheel came about, and the history of writing can help someone become a more, well rounded individual. Not only have I learned new things from reading the articles, but it shows how much we have learned and accomplished over the years. It also encourages me to pursue my dreams because it shows that anything is possible as long as you work hard and put your all into it.
Knowing what is out there and what other people believe to be true will help me understand them better. I will be able to hold some kind of conversation when approached with such subject matters. As a pre-teaching intern, it is important to know more than only what you believe in. As a teacher, you will deal with many different types of people with different beliefs, religions, and cultures. Having an understanding of what is out there and how it became about can aid someone in building an understanding for others. In my opinion, reading such material has made me realize that we are all different from each other, but at the end of the day, we all came from the same species and have grown and experienced new things together. Every day we learn something new and it is shared amongst all of us. Everything from the past to the present is a part of who we are today.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

A Little About Me

Hello everyone, my name is Ariana Milian and I was born on June 9, 1991. On my free time, I enjoy the company of my friends and family. I basically enjoy anything that keeps me busy and moving. I am currently attending Miami Dade College north campus. This is my first year of college and it has been quite an experience. I later plan to transfer to Florida International University where I will receive my master's degree. My first choice in my major was to study Business Administration. Since I studied marketing, financial services, and accounting in high school, I thought I would continue my education in this field of study. Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to open up my very own daycare. I thought majoring in Business Administration would help me and guide me in this direction, but after taking a few classes, I realized that I was not enjoying what I was doing. In order to run a daycare, you not only need business management skills, but you also need to have experience with children. I later came to the conclusion that I would much rather learn about children than businesses. I am the type of person that needs to do hands on things in order to stay focused and entertained. I am interested in becoming an elementary school teacher because I enjoy children's company. I can picture myself sitting in a classroom interacting with children instead of sitting in an office interacting with a computer. In my opinion, children are wonderful and full of energy. They are always so adventurous and they can brighten up my entire day. I love to be surrounded by them. I have the patience and the strong desire to teach and help others. Not only would it be an adventurous experience to teach children, but it will also bring me joy and satisfaction to see them learn and grow. There is also a lot that one can learn themselves from spending their time with children. Many people may not realize this, but there are little things that children do and say that make you realize what values you should have. Overall, I want a career that I am most certain I will enjoy everyday. At the end of the day, I will be more than happy to know that I am making a difference in someone's life. What better difference to make than in a growing child's life?