Only two posts...

http://www.scientificamerican.com/editorial/digital-education/

This website is the homepage of a list of articles which are all to do with how primarily learning has changed as a consequence of the digital identity. Some articles explain how students are taking their lectures and learning outside the classroom, where another essay explains how students in the less poor countries are being given the opportunity to learn excelled degrees as a consequence of the ever growing speedy up to date broadband.

The article from this list of many which u am focusing on it to do with the ever growing, and possibly one if the top three most common daily sites used, being more well known as YouTube. Salmon Khan has created a repartition for himself on YouTube. He is now more commonly now as the YouTube teacher. This came about as he wanted to help his cousins completing their homework so decided to upload videos to YouTube in order to do this. After three years Khan ending quitting his job due to the amount of views he got and huge companies such as google and Bill Gates got involved with his project. Now you can see videos everywhere on YouTube with carried subjects to help students with their studies.

YouTube is a great phenomenon which is of a result if broad band and the World Wide Web. It is used as a way to make yourself noticeable, standing out from her crowd. The amazement which has been created over the past few decades is incredible. It has become an amazing achievement which only continues to expand. Helping more and more throughout their life.

Digital identity

            Digital identity has become increasingly prominent in defining Americans, particularly over the past few decades with the staggering improvements and modification of technology. The most recognizable worldwide digital companies have been the creation and development of American innovators, such as Youtube and Facebook. The article from CNN featuring this issue, raises concerns over the idea of digital immigrants being 'a relic of the past' and summarizes these two conflicting terms as the "generational switchover where people are defined by the technological culture which they're familiar with."

            Prensky, the producer of these terms and this argument between Native and Immigrant argues that any slowdown in the digital age is a "myth," as innovation will only press forward "faster... And faster and faster." This is evident over 10 years after Prensky introduced this issue as can be seen by any statistics on the subject. The Social Networking Fact Sheet by the Pew Internet Researchers reveals that as of September 2013, 73% of online adults use social networking sites. Facebook, as expected appears to come out at the top with 71% of online adults use this site. Most interestingly is the jump figures such as these have made in the past decade alone; between February 2005 and August 2006, the use of social networking sites among young adult internet users ages 18-29 jumped from 9% to 49%. Also, between the years 2005 and 2013, 90% of 18-29 years old internet users were using social networking in comparison to 46% 65+ year olds. This continues to reveal that this is something that has been embraced in particular by young people, hence the term used to describe them (digital native) and there is clearly a divide here between this group and the older generation (digital immigrants).

            However, there is a group of people outside America who have not joined the group, not just digital immigrants. That is those who are poverty stricken, as the CNN article states: "As technology filters into every corner of the globe and tech cities spring up in some unlikely places from Bangalore to Tel Aviv, a new gulf is emerging to separate the digitally savvy from the disconnected: Poverty. According to Shah, Prensky's views were formed from the "privileged" position of living in the U.S. Shah added: "[Prensky's] observations may describe a generation gap that the U.S. faced, but if you transplant the same definition to other parts of the world, natives are sometimes indistinguishable from immigrants."

            Another issue for this ever-growing digital world is that of digital identity, this is particularly due to it being mostly based on trust. Significantly, digital identity is something that can be changes at the click of a button, obviously extremely different from an individual's real-life identity.  Most recently, sites such as Youtube are attempting to encourage their users to use their real names in order to post a comment, there is still no way however to verify whether this is their true identity. Therefore, it is difficult to predict where digital identity will be in the future or indeed whether the gap between natives and immigrants will decrease; however as Prensky argued over a decade ago it seems clear that this is something that most definitely will not be slowing down any time soon.

           

Sources:

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/04/business/digital-native-prensky/index.html

http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/social-networking-fact-sheet/

Obamacare

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FEUoNkF29o

This video is an ad created by Generation Opportunity that was made to encourage young people to vote against Obamacare. The ad features a young man going in for a check-up after signing up for Obamacare. When the Doctor is informed of the man’s insurance, he tells him to take his pants off and bend over. The words “don’t let government play doctor” then appear on the screen. The ad itself is very creepy and can be seen as disrespectful to the figure of Uncle Sam. There is a political phrase, “bend over,” that refers to the government taking control of people. Generation Opportunity attempted to give this phrase a literal meaning. The argument made is that the government is too involved in hospital visits. They feel that if you vote for Obamacare you will not receive quality care in hospitals. I am not greatly involved with politics, but I do not support this ad. I found the ad to be quite extreme and not very practical.

http://www.nrcc.org/2013/04/22/6-obamacare-frenemies-democrats-criticizing-obamas-healthcare-law/

This is a link from the NRCC website and this link is to a blog about Obamacare. They have used the word 'Frenemies' within their title for the piece. The title to the blog is one of the main things which drew me into wanting to read the article. It uses an urban slang word to duscuss politice. Freneminies is the concept of someone being your friend but at the same time working against you. Trying to get ahead competing with you. The concept of it you could compare to that of a spy, finding out all of the details of a plan, supporting it and then using this information which you have found out to your plan exposing all negative aspects of the other plan.

The blog is exposing 6 elements which are disagreeing with Obamacare. The main element being the price. Obamacare is all having a low costs. However the argument is suggesting that this wont be the case and in fact it will still cost money and the possibility of debt to go through with Obamacare. According to point number five insurance premiums have increased since being under the Obamacare. This is because of the insurance companies unsurity. Their unsurity has left them with the decision to increase costs due to the higher increase of sick people requiring insurance. People like Bruce Braley are stating that they dont agree with Obamacare as it is a huge risk which could ruin his campaign

Studying into the Health care within America as our topic for this week, it has made me view America in a different light. America is known as being a friendly polite nation. However when it comes to helath care America are very selfish and greedy nation. Obamacare has been thought through with the intention of having affordable health care. Obamacare has so many positive elements to it and i think that at the risk of there being the possiblility of higher taxes that the people whom are against it need to reconsider their views.

Obamacare

http://www.gop.com/news/research/the-case-against-obamacare/

This webpage from the website GOP.com reveals several different arguments against 'Obamacare' or ACA. GOP's (The 'Grand Old Party') more official title being the Republican Party makes it more inevitable that they will fight against this act their political rivals have passed.  From the five reasons given against Obamacare it is clear that despite its claims to improve health care across America, there will be huge costs for them to pay. In particular, the insurance they are expected to pay in order to reap the benefits of the supposedly better health care which this webpage focuses on in their second point.

The fourth point given by the Republican party is that it will produce a significant rise in taxes, something which Americans appear to be strongly opposed to. Many disagree with the idea that the money they put in will not only be used to look after yourself but also many others in the country, particularly as a considerable amount of Americans cannot afford this.

However, it seems the legitimacy of the claims made on this website can be questioned as the majority of sources and quotes used to put across their opinion come from newspapers and magazines rather than more official sources. The third point raised, that Obamacare will hurt the quality of health care, could also be questioned as much of it seems to be more guess work than actual data or statistics, particularly seen by the argument from the Associated Press that "ObamaCare May Increase Crowding At ERs".

Overall it is difficult to empathize with many of the issues raised by this webpage as it is posted by the Republican Party who would most likely oppose any act put forward from the Democratic Party. However, the last two points I believe would strike something in many Americans to feel negatively about Obamacare; many I'm sure would not agree that they potentially pay less for health care but more for their insurance and feel it unrealistic that Obamacare will lead to savings rather than further debt for America. 

Glass Castle Presentation

-Successful writer who overcame many obstacles

-Has a hidden identity "secret world"

-Embarrassed (like many others with the same past)

Challenges: 

-Moving homes often

               Not stable jobs

As long as her dad can keep a job

               “the skedaddle”

-Cannot manage money

               Her dad’s alcohol problem

               Her mom’s inheritance money

                              Art supplies

               No food

                              Children often hungry

-Sexual mistreatment

               (Also seen in “Push”)

               Jeannette and Billy/Uncle Stanley

               Dad and Green Lantern

               Grandma and Brian

-Sense of Hope

               “glass castle”

               Positive attitudes at difficult times

               Mom wanted to become artist

               Dad wanted to find gold

-Escapable

               Moved to NY

               Saw mom picking through garbage

Her “secret world”

               embarrassed

-Sometimes it’s a Choice

               Irresponsible decisions

               Desire to live that way

'The Glass Castle' presentation

My presentation on 'The Glass Castle' by Jeannette Walls looks at how the poverty the Walls' family grows up with becomes more and more obvious and significant for the children as they get older and have to take on responsibility for themselves. This memoir reveals how their parents actions led to their impoverished lifestyle where they went to bed hungry and have to share their home with cockroaches. Something I think is quite significant in this story is how Jeannette slowly loses her faith in her father and this seems to be symbolized when she leaves for New York and tells her father "Dad, you'll never build the Glass Castle."

Question: What do you think is the significance of 'The Glass Castle' and the significance of Jeannette telling her father she doesn't think he'll ever build it?

http://www.teenink.com/reviews/book_reviews/article/427208/The-Glass-Castle-by-Jeanette-Walls/

This review is on a website which is specifically for teenagers. The website has books which they believe teens would like. The glass castle was a text which appeared in the site being one recommended for teens to read. Although the reviewer is anonymous she or he describes the love for the book. Within the first sentence the reviewer describes how surprised she was by the novel using the saying  'don't judge a book by its cover' conveys her positive view on the book and how she believes it is a good novel for teens to read. Later on within the review the reviewer describes how the book gives a different perspective traditional family life, explaining how it allows you to have another insight into another life.
The book according to the reviewer has a lot of elements which allows the reader to relate to the novel. Like the reviewer says walls way of telling stories gives a reassurance to readers, the readers who have the hard life at home and use elements such as school to escape their life.
The overall review of the book from the reviewer is a positive one and is recommended to the teens reading the reviews.

Some of you should be posting reviews of the Glass Castle

Gay Marriage... America doesn't care

) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eXG2bihMFk



Reporter Susie Sampson has done a string of videos asking Americans who live in Delaware their thoughts on gay rights and specifically marriage. Delaware was the 11th state to allow gay marriage and she asks Americans their views on the word 'marriage' for Homosexual people. It is clear to see that the reporter is pro Homosexuality or 'pro love' and uses the words 'come out' as a connotation for Obama admitting he is pro gay marriage, this in itself could have a connotation that he is being brave to come out with such ideas to a country which has divided views. Interestingly in this video, the younger the person she is talking to, the more they accept Gay marriage, a man even quoting, 'it is more of a personal issue,' claiming that politics should be left out personal choice. Every person she spoke to including those who were against gay marriage were for them having civil rights, a person against even claiming, 'it is a free country.' The issue lies within the word marriage itself, none of the people within the video believed that homosexuality was wrong (although one said he felt it was unnatural) they just claimed they did not want the same word to be used to describe the act of marriage itself, but would be happy even if the pronunciation of the word was slightly different. It shows that the issue does not lie within the choice of being gay itself or the right to express themselves, it comes within the marriage. However there was not a gay representative within the video, it is interesting to see the views on heterosexual American's on being gay, but without a representative it is hard to say whether they want the word marriage to be the same or they just want the same civil rights.

President Obama on Gay Marriage

)

I believe one of the most pressing and important issues within the LGBT community in America today is the issue of same sex marriage.

Throughout this video, Obama expresses his opinions and his adamant stance on same sex marriage. Relating the issues to his personal life, ie work relations and friends, then talking of the issue on a much grander scale, including military personnel and of the country as a whole.

At one point he talks of dismissing 'don't ask don't tell' within the military as a standard practice, and acts as a full advocate of equality in the military, workplace, as well as in general.

Although Obama states 'same sex couples should be able to get married', he never actually makes any mention of same sex marriage becoming an institution, or a regular, legal practice.

Obama

) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shOW1eHessA

In this YouTube video Obama promotes the LGBT community. He is seen to place a massive emphasis on support and encouragement and his rhetoric can truly be considered as holistic of the society as a whole. This idea is justified due to the vast amount and wide rage of legislation that he passed through government. Obama is could be seen as congratulating all on the homosexuals who were able to go against the activist groups against gays. He is commending the stand in which they have took and coveys an understanding point of view. Understanding in the concept of him understanding the courage that going against views of others would be, no matter how big. He says how it is difficult to do small things in life from coming out to friends and family having the risk of loosing them in your life because they don't support you to getting married, in the few states where it is legal.
 In the middle of Obama's speech he explains how they adapted, suppressed their lives to compromise with those who are against LGBT and by doing so they have been patient in waiting for the world to change their point of view and opinion on LGBT.
Obama doesn't say a negative word against the people who in the past may have been homophobic. Instead Obama is encouraging them that each day is different and encouraging the fact that you can change in the now. No matter what you may have said or done in the last you can learn to change and understand.

President Obama and the Fight for LGBT Rights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb60nFeJsNc
This video is from a documentary charting the LGBT's (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) fight for gay and lesbian rights in the USA. It includes an interview with President Barack Obama who has rather candidly spoken out concerning this issue and made it clear that he supports what organisations such as the LGBT are campaigning for. He makes several powerful statements throughout this video, such as "No one in America should ever be afraid to walk down the street holding hands with the person they love...." The most influential aspect of this video however, and what could be seen as promoting gay and lesbian rights most significantly is the appearance of many Americans supporting this cause, not just President Obama. Many of these people who are known to be gay or lesbian talk about their own experiences and clearly feel hopeful that future generations will not have to feel ashamed or hide away their identity because of the work Obama and others are doing. Something which this video also makes clear is a hope for even further successful change for this highly debated issue but also a sense of pride at how far America has already come. 

Gay/Lesbian Identity

) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibVlVzGI9y0

"I Want To Know What It's Like"

This video is a combination of statements made by homosexuals expressing how they feel about their sexual identity. Everyone in the video is wearing white and most of them are rhyming their words. The title of the video expresses the unity that the individuals feel about homosexuality. They are metaphorically standing beside each other during their struggles. The video is very personal in that the people are expressing how they feel from their own side. The audience is people who are homophobic or just against homosexuality. The video speaks to the idea of American identity through the eyes of the gay and lesbian people. They feel that America is not accepting of them and that they cannot live a comfortable life. They are constantly being harassed and are not allowed to be open about their feelings. They claim this goes against their constitutional rights as an American citizen. America is supposed to be the land of the free and homosexuality is still not accepted in society. Some of the topics brought up in the video are equal opportunity, full equality and how America is supposed to be "one." This nonacceptance from the American people poses as a big threat to the homosexuals who want to be open about their sexual identity. They feel that America is not following through with its idea of unity and equality.