In this blog, post a topic of choice and answer these questions (in about 2-4 sentences each question):
Hello my name is:______________ and my topic is: ______________________________
Why is it a problem? Who/What does it primarily affect?
Why does it have to be solved?
How can it be solved? Think of a possible solution with some steps to implement it.
Next, respond to TWO classmates and have discourse. Meaning, further discuss the importance of the topic, other solutions, or even some resources that can help in the research process.
The initial post topic and questions are due on Friday April 13th, 2012. The responses are due by class time on Tuesday April 17, 2012.
Normal classroom decorum is also required on the blog discussions. To build an effective learning community, it is essential to empower and motivate classmates. Therefore, do NOT use inflammatory or disrespectful language or a ZERO will be awarded on this assignment. Moreover, the grading rubric is as follows:
Initial Post: 30 points
Response Posts: 20 points
Total Assignment Grade: 50 points
Happy Posting!!
Instructor Henry
I am excited to see your responses. I will also chime in as needed to fuel discussion while challenging you to think harder about your topic. I practice the Socratic method. Meaning, I will question you to challenge you to critically think about your proposed topic.
ReplyDeleteHappy Writing, Posting, and Responding!!!!
I hope you are excited enough for the both of us! Just saying.... ;)
DeleteChallenge us? Good luck thinking down to my level (sarcasm )
DeleteYou two are my problem children......I'm watching you..lol!!
DeleteAt.least i know i can do this on my phone!!!! Thanks :0)
Deleteof course Brittany..welcome to 2012!!! Ha!
DeleteHello my name is Emily and my topic is racism against mixed marriages and mixed children. This problem has been going on for years and although times have changed this problem remains the same. People mistreat those with mixed children and those in a mixed relationship, and not only does it strain the relationship and hurt the people, now it is also hurting the children and causing problems in their lives. This problem has to be solved and needs to be solved in order for people to have the freedom to love who they want and be who they are without people constantly commenting or threatening or even teasing. In order to solve this problem children need to be educated and taught in their own homes that racism is wrong and people are people no matter what color, shape, or size. I believe that a difference in parenting will solve this by starting in the home if you have mixed children or relationships or you do not, this cannot simply keep going how it has for years and years and years.
ReplyDeleteAmen sistah! Try going to the mall with your significant other and the grandbaby which you know is "mixed". I love the looks and whispers!
DeleteEmily, you have a good point, but racism is still strong and thriving. It is simply ignorance, whether people want to admit it or not all races are racist and some are against their own! It is the lack of people teaching their children not to be that way. Sadly with the way society is, the country could be looking at another civil war. And this one could more screwed up than the first.
DeleteEmily,
DeleteWhat about specifying your problem as multiracial children and depression?
Specificity is key here considering the most essential core issue is racism and my dear that is too large to handle in a single assignment. Keith and Tk@y are right---people are still small minded and whisper while exculding others. The solution to the problem I suggested would be counseling strategies, parental courses, etc. That is something that can be tackled and supported by research.
Excellent job and congrats on being the first post!!!
Alicia
Emily,
DeleteI completely agree with you that this is an issue that needs to be taken in hand. I believe that children learn what they see and if their parents/grandparents are being racist, prejudice or plain ignorant it is what the child believes. I think not only do children need educated at home but they could also be educated at school. Just like with the issue of bullying, racism could also play a key role in the classroom.
"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." Stephen Hawking!
DeleteExcellent quote Rodney. Often times we appear to be progressive---we appear to be just--when often times the lack of knowledge itself is what leads to bigotry/racism.
DeleteJeanna stated:
"Just like with the issue of bullying, racism could also play a key role in the classroom."
They work hand in hand--often times they are interconnected. I challenge you Emily---actually all of you to discuss how many societal issues interconnect in your cause/effect section.
Great job guys!
Alicia
I have a mixed child and I myself date outside of my race. I always have and always will. I know the stares and the treatment you are speaking of way to much. I have been treated differently while being pulled over simply because I was a white girl with a black man. My last boyfriend would tell me that I was black if I am with him. My daughter is mixed and when I am out with her in public, I can feel the way they look at her and I, and it is heartbreaking. Its one thing to judge me, but please dont judge my daughter. I am worried about my daughter attending a primarily white school such as Bloom Carroll when she is biracial. I try to teach her that she is brown because God made her that way and that everyone has different hair, skin color, accents, disabilities. I try to reflect on her as much as possible and let her know that that person is beautiful no matter what they look like. thank you for choosing this topic.
DeleteHi my name is nicole and my topic is teen pregnancy. Its a problem because way to many teens are getting pregnant in high school and even some in middle school. Girls are more worried about guys and partying then end up pregnant and not enough about their education. Not only is the girl being affected but the guy, his parents and her parents. This problem needs to be solved because so that there are more educated children and so they can make sure they live their life without any restrictions. It can be solved by more sexual education classes and also i think it would be cool to have a group of teen moms go around and talk to you young girls about the way their life has changed since they got pregnant. (:
ReplyDeleteI think that is a great topic. I remember being in high school and my best friend got pregnant at 16. She had a rough time but I tried to help her any way I could. I would give her money to help her buy diapers and take her to doctor's appointments. She is a very good mother. She ended up having 3 boys. But I remember how hard it was for her. Everyone in school would talk about her being pregnant. It is a problem. They need to really teach them how to be abstinent or have more people come in and teach them all about the diseases and how important condoms are.
DeleteNicole, I don't know if I agree with teen moms talking with more teens. One with the way kids are today they think they know everything and just make the comment " that ain't gonna be me". Any the way the media is the past few years they have glamourzing teen pregnancy. I believe morals values need to come back and the people that parents now need to step and teach their kids that!
DeleteNicole,
DeleteExcellent problem--teenage pregnancy. While it is an age old topic at times, it is still a relevant issue particularly amongst minority and rural students.
Keith and Carla thanks for being a segue into my next point. Nicole, your solution is what current research is calling for these days. Keith is right---pregnancy is glamourized while Carla and yourself understand the struggles. The key is that I think you are proposing a reality/mentoring groups to stop this issue. As I told you my doctoral dissertation is on this---I can help you with some references.
Excellent job!!
Alicia
Nicole I think this is a great topic. I agree with u 100% I was a teen mom and made it ok but it was hard and at times still is. I think that the kids/teens need to be involved in more hobbies and activties to keep them busy and away from the partys and other things :)
DeleteWe must not forget the influence of peer pressure. It can be positive as well. Remember this when thinking of this topic.
DeleteAlicia
Hello, my name is Carla and my topic is legalization of marijuana. I can see both sides to this. It is a problem if they legalize because it will send a message to kids that it's alright to do drugs and it is a gateway drug. It could cause people who use marijuana to move to more harsher drugs like cocaine, heroin, crack, etc. But I think it would be great for some medicinal purposes. It helps with cancer patients, pain, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, and quite a few more. A researcher has stated that it does kill off older cancer cells and prevents new ones from growing. It needs to be solved because they keep finding new ways it helps the sick. Maybe if they run it through the FDA they could see how it helps people. It has no lethal dose so you can't die from it.
ReplyDeleteCarla let's specify your topic and discuss the Black market in relation to marijuana drug cartels as a problem. Then have the solution to the legalization of marijuana. If you go this route you can discuss the implications of crime, etc. even discuss how the legalization would stimulate the economy--I know there's lot of reserach on that.
DeleteExcellent job Carla!!
Alicia
I was thinking that's where I want to go with this. I have all the statistics for the tax revenue and how much the government will save on corrections and drug enforcement if they do legalize it. It is supposed to be on the November ballot.
Deletestart there...quote the new ballot submission/bill as a source. You're on the right track Carla!!
DeleteAlicia
Hello. It's Tkay. My topic is child support.
ReplyDeleteI think its a problem when the court system suspends driver's licenses and gives jail time to those who dont pay. It not only affects the parent and the child that doesnt receive the payment, but it also creates overcrowding in the jails. I think that those sentenced to jail time should be put into a work program that pays them so much a day. This way child support is being payed, jails are less crowded, and everyone is happy.
You're right Tkay!! I was one that had their license suspended for nonpayment years ago. At the time, it cost me $25 to reinstate my license. That's after I had to pay a certain amount toward child support. They do overcrowd the jails with petty stuff, so I think putting them into a work program would be a great idea. At least the work program could hold so much back for child support. I just don't understand the system. How can you get to work and try to make money, if they suspend your license for nonpayment.
DeleteTk@y...you have your first interview in Carla as a priimary source. This blog can even be considered a resource....I'll teach you.
DeleteAnyhow, I think reframing your problem to discuss the paradox of jailing parents for child support is a great strategy. Further, exploring all the social ramifications (one Carla stated) are essential in your analysis. The solution of a work program is effective. Find the research and get 'er done!!!
Alicia
Tkay, i agree. They arest for dumb reasons, if someones drivers license away how are they spose to get a message job. Now days you need a car to get to places of work. My cousin who has to pay child support had talk of them not letting him get his fishing licenses bc of nonsupport payment. Its crazy!
DeleteI agree with this 100% I am a single mother raising my son on my own. Even though I have a father who pays he has got behind sometimes and how child support handles money sucks in my opinion. They need to make a better systems then what they have. I have a best friend that has never seen a dime from her son's father. Child need to come first before their fees and fines.
DeleteSorry had to reply to my own. I think the solution is to legalize. It would stop all the drug cartel murders and corruption. Another problem is what the cartels can get away with in order to import and export marijuana.
ReplyDeleteReplying=learning!!!!
DeleteHello there, my name is Keith and my topic is Ecot- Is it a good solution to students that are having difficulties in school? Or is it a choice that students and their parents are taking advantage of for the wrong reasons.
ReplyDeleteThis writer feels it is a problem because of witnessing first hand, that certain families use it as tool in order to receive paid for internet access. When there are children that need the assistance of Ecot because of illness or being bullied in regular school. It primarily affects tax payers, because these problem children and families are not really using Ecot for education and the so called student has more free time for debochary.
Possibly it could be solved by the school actually stepping in, instead of trying to sweeping problem students under the rug figuratively. As well as the cable companies putting down guidelines, instead of being so greedy to make the almighty dollar.
Keith, what do you think really is the problem? is it misuse by the families or the industries?
DeleteYour statement implies that the independent study of Ecot is misused by students and families. This is a rather current debate. Excellent choice of topic!!! Way to conquer the first assignment!!!
Alicia
Keith, how do you propose to solve the misuse?
DeleteKeith i think that a possible solution could be that the school have its own internet connection and only alow the work that the kids need to do be opened up. Facebook, twitter and all that can be blocked (:
DeleteKeith this is a good topic but I can see both sides I left school as a freshman and did ecot for three years and I can say that I really never did the work and none of the teaches seem to bother with seeing way or anything. That was some time ago so it may has changed since then. I can see if maybe a student is ill or something in the lines of that. I can say that I will never let my child do home schooling because I know all of the things that I missed out on. :)
DeleteThe social ramifications of ECOT are twofold. First, While ECOT is a possible solution to the dropout phenomenon, it is also a determinant of the same issue. Second, social skills are essential for industrial success; hence, students need to practice them and learn how to use them for the global market. ECOT doesn't allow for that social development. I actually work for one of ECOT's competitors except we have a blended model--you have to come to school, but the onbline option is also available. I am very participatory in my student's learning experience. It can be successful!!
DeleteGreat Topic!!
Alicia
Educator Henry, I felt that I implied both were responsible and as far as a solution I thought I kind of made two suggestions at the end of my statement.
ReplyDeleteHello my name is Tabitha and my topic is obesity in children. I think obesity is a problem. In the long run it could lead to to many health problems not only in their childhood but when they become adults as well. It could also cause bulling at school. I think that fast food plays a big role and all of the addtives that are not put in to all of the foods. This needs to be solved for the children and their health when they get older. I think that people need to go bacj to growing gardens and making kids go outside to play instead of watching t.v and playing video games.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea i saw on the news where schools are changing the vending machines in order to offer juices instead of soda and fruits and healthier foods in place of Doritos and Cheetos.
Deletei agree this is a huge problem in America today, I believe that it has more to do with the parents then the kids themselves and also there are some diseases that cause obesity but there are still many children who can eat what they want when they want and they sit and play video games all day.. i think parents should be required to take a class about keeping their children active and why it is important
DeleteEmily...parental involvement is truly a solution here. TK@y I love the vending machine solution. Both are a critical component of the war against obesity. Here's one I'm sure you don't know, but should know--schools are required at certain grades to submit their student's BMIs as part of evaluation. How crazy is that. My school received the notification--I was appalled.
DeleteFind all the solutions out there and argue for one.
Good Luck!
Hello im brittany and my topic is homelessness and poverty.
ReplyDeleteThis is a problem because there is homelessness and poverty everywhere. It effects everyone.
This needs to be solved because many children are living in poor conditions and not being able to receive the education they deserve. They struggle day to day and they turn to means of drug trafficking,violence, and robbery just to maintain living day to day.
I believe solutions would be taking the rundown condemned house and make them livable and affordable. Better education to the public as well. Everyone should put in a helping hand.
Hi Brittany!! I agree that homelessness is an issue with high priority in this country! I have never understood why we as a country send millions and millions of dollars overseas to help "poor, famine" stricken countries when there are children right here, maybe even next door to you or I who are going hungry, sleeping on bare floors, living in a car. I'm all for helping those in need...but truly believe we should help ourselves first!
DeleteBrittany, homelessness itself is too large a topic. Try teenage homelessness. Be as specific as possible as the solutions are obtainable that way. Solving homelessness is like solving world peace--too hard!!LOL!
DeleteLook at the McKiney Vento Act for guidance.
I appreciate the input Nicole... let me explain how Ecot works for people that don't know what it is. Ecot is at home schooling so it is left up the family, I student is required to do 15 to 20 minutes a day if so called education. And the rest of the time the modem can be used for any kind of internet access the family wants including surfing for porn. So now does everybody see the reason why it is wrong, when others pay for their access. And then pay taxes to the school and cable companies for Ecot to be available to that certain brat kid that doesn't want to go to school. Or the brat that won't stay out of fights and causing trouble.
ReplyDeleteI see your point on students using it for surfing but some parents chose to use Ecot,for various reasons.Some being bullying,drugs in the school,and teaching that goes against some peoples religious beliefs.
DeleteThis is a major issue, as long as we continually shelter lives from our own insecurities. By not allowing the children to develop their own minds and out looks on life, we are going to have these problems. Yeah no one wants their child to be bullied on or fall behind on education, but you as well need the social skills to know how to deal with bullies and learning problems. We will develop a society of computer zombies. And for the paycheck issue, people have been using children for income for years, how do you think welfare started, if some one can get by with it, it is going to happen.
DeleteRodney--"A Modest Proposal" at its finest, huh?
Deletealso with the teen pregnacy some of the time its the parents that dont care what their kids do. I know some teenage mothers and that was their situation
ReplyDeleteMy name is Heather and my topic is drugs in schools. I think this needs to be solved because there are so many young people doing drugs and there are so many deaths due to overdosing. I think this could be solved by having drug councelors in schools along with guidance councelors. That way the kids can talk to other people besides family or friends. Maybe have someone who has overcome a drug addiction to talk about the negative effects it had in their life and the positives now they stopped doing drugs.
ReplyDeleteHaving someone who has overcome a drug addition is the best person to talk to these kids. The guidance counselors they have now just basically read about drugs and their effects, but they don't know how they really make you feel because they have never experienced them. Whereas, an addict can tell you how they make you feel and how they take over your life. I think that would be the best solution.
DeleteI agree with you on this topic. Someone going in to the schools to talk about drugs would help. Bringing back DARE would be a big help.
DeleteFirst hand primary knowledge is struly a linkage that spells things out for students. Using former drug addicts---even teen ones truly pose an example of what can happen and shouldn't. In your steps design a program of former drug users.
DeleteGood Luck!
Alicia
Hi my name is Jeanna and my topic is Organ donation. Although there are thousands of tissue and organ donations done annually, I think there is still an issue with public awareness. So many people still believe the many myths that surround donating. You will be left to die if you are an organ donor...your family will be charged for the donation process...your body will be disfigured after you die...etc. The problem is while people are unaware, children are dying, mothers are dying, fathers are dying all due to being uninformed. The solution could be having more PSAs regarding organ donation. More information could be available when renewing your drivers license or registering to vote. Understanding is the key to the greatest gift you may ever give.
ReplyDeleteI am a strong believer in organ donation. I am an organ donor and at one point I was against it because of ignorance. I felt that I should take my organs with me when I die, I may need them wherever I am going. This is a good subject and I know you will do amazing.
DeleteHello my name is Tara and my topic is stricker penaltys for sex offenders. No one likes to talk about this subject but it is a huge problem in our society that often gets overlooked. Just look at all the stories in the news about children who were abducted and killed by repeat sex offenders. Most often this could have been prevented if there were measures put in place to better monitor them by electronic ankle devises or more thorough inspections by parole officers. To date there are well over nineteen thousand registered sex offenders in the state of Ohio alone, not to mention the ones who have not been caught. This needs to be solved because our children are the future and if we can't protect them, whats the point? Also there is not enough money to fund organizations looking out for our children such as National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)It's all volunteers. Perhaps if there was federal funding we could help catch these monsters before they can prey on our kids, and protect then. Write to our senators and congress for this ever growing problem.
ReplyDeleteI agree not enough is being done to sex offenders. They may get a few months in prison but the victim has a lifetime of psychological issues.
Deletei think all sex offenders need to monitored more closely. theyre not suppose to be near schools but most of them have a hard time to get a job with their record and most im sure have kids they get from schools because their wife/girlfriend has to work to suport them
Deletei agree that this is an issue and although it is a touchy subject there definitely needs to be some action. I think monitoring them would be a great idea not just knowing where they live but truly knowing what they are doing and whatnot, and like you have said before they might say that is taking away their rights but they did not care to take away someone elses
DeleteAll of your responders state monitoring is the most effective choice. COnsider making a poll to understand what your classmates think.
DeleteIrene stated: "I agree not enough is being done to sex offenders. They may get a few months in prison but the victim has a lifetime of psychological issues."
Irene consider the case the offenders may have once been victims...it's a horrible cycle. Pyschological helpings should be scooped everywhere..the tangled webs.
Excellent posts and responses!!
Alicia
Hello my name is Irene and my topic is domestic violence.It is a problem because it causes physical and emotional problems to the victim and their families.If it does not get solved the problem will more than likely continue to increase.It could effect generation after generation.It could be solved by making the offender take anger management programing and enforcing strict sentencing guidelines.No one should put there hands on another person,to harm them.
ReplyDeleteAnger Management doesn't always work. I was in an abusive relationship. He was arrested for domestic violence twice before it happenend to me. He went through anger management and it did not work. I found out the hard way and got my head busted. I ended up getting three stitch kits put in my head. I agree with more strict penalties but they need to go through a program like they have on the Maury Povich show. Let them see their mates in a casket, maybe then they will realize that it's not right to beat your mates. It goes both ways. Women physically abuse men as well.
DeleteOh, but Carla, have you ever seen an update on one of those shows? Nope? Its because there has never been a good outcome. I'm just saying it takes more than a talk show too. Hey, and don't leave out same-sex couples. I know they can be some of the most volatile relationships too. Just saying... ;)
DeleteI agree with Carla. Anger Management does not work at all. It is a joke of a class and a wasteof 50.00 bucks to me. I have been in a abusive relationship before and I know first hand that I do not trust any man at all anymore. It has left so many scars. I feel to solve the problem would be to make it like a probation for so many years where they must do intest cousling to get their anger and hate worked out. Abuse always has more under the surface then what we know.
DeleteAnger management may not be effective due to the method currently taken. What if there were a more effective plan Irene could propose? That's a possibility.
DeleteConsider this too--a revist to the law Issue One...the law they disguised as "The Gay Marriage Law" in all actualiy it discussed that civil unions, common law, etc were not held to the same level in regard to marriage. This was actually an segue that increased domestic violence and reduced it to assault. Research this in Ohio, it's pretty sad.
Good Luck!
Hello my name is: Rodney Blanton and my topic is: ANTIDEPRESSANTS FOR CHILDREN, The problem is that i feel by giving a child a antidepressant or any type of mind altering drug just to ease the parents mind of laziness, other than the professional "opinion" of someone that specializes in that diagnosis is wrong. The problem is that we are to dependent on medication. For many more reason than just this particular topic. By not understanding the long term conditions and effects, to name one,"thoughts of suicide" According to the FDA THESE studies are irrelevant to but not limited to. So other than the fact of giving them to your children, and trusting the "FDAs" cold hearted opinion, Do you feel that even though a psychologists evaluation is worth our children's lives to risk by giving them medication or getting down to the root cause of the problem and create a solution? Better parent involvement would be a solution to the problem, by talking and getting a better understatement of what the child is going through other than brushing the problem off and giving them a drug to cover up the problem is not a valid solution in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIronically, I saw an episode on Law and Order: SVU on this. Parental Involvement and counseling are viable solutions. Furthermore, some of the implications of morality are immense when the family acts as one on this issue. Great post Rodney!!
DeleteHello my name is Wanda and my topic is to phase out prescription drug abuse and addiction. Prescription drugs are serious and a growing public health problem. Abuse of certain prescription drugs can alter the brains activity and leads to addiction. Prescription drug abuse-addiction has been reported that your brain does not realize what your right and wrongs are. This problem has caused people to murder people they care about, steal, lie and lose their families. This affects yourself, your family and the reports have shown children as young as 12 are abusing. Problems such as this can cause you to lose your job, your home and your freedom. The problem needs to be solved due to the fact that it is causing families to lose their loved ones, making jails over-populated and does physical harm to one’s own body. This problem can be solved by taking the drugs off the market or make a computerized medication card that is put into a database so that the doctors or pharmacists that can run to see if the patient has already been prescribed the drug.
ReplyDeleteYou can't just take the drugs off the market. Yes, they already have a database that can see if you have been prescribed the medication before. The physicians just need to monitor the amount they prescribe and drug test to see if they are abusing the pain killers. There are so many physicians out there that are all about prescribing pain killers just to make money. It's sad because they took an oath to help people that need medical attention but there's some out there who are all about the money and how much they will make off the insurance companies. The problem could be solved by making the patient be evaluated every month and the physician lower their dosage each month. And possibly getting counseling while they are on these pain killers.
DeleteI don't think the Drugs are the Problem, It is the "Market" for the drugs. Hippocrates said ‘Let medicine be your food and food be your medicine.’ So,By living a well balanced life style and eating the proper nutritional diet,(such as fruits and vegetables) and not processed foods,(such as something that has a longer shelf life than human existence), that America has been accustomed to, a lot of these "Big Pharmaceutical" companies would not be able to "cash-in" on poor decisions of unhealthy life styles. Your body has its own healing process that occurs through time, so as these companies/doctors are reaping all of the profits from others lack of understanding and to appease the weak mind, your body is healing as you take prescriptions to ease your mind. Everyone has choices in life, so as long as someone is making the illusion of the all mighty dollar, it will not stop.
DeleteA lot of the problem is Dr. writing prescriptions like they are candy for the abusers. So it is so easy for people to get drugs.
DeleteKim I so agree with you. I have seen it and it makes me sick. People wondered why pharmacys are getting robbed now!!!!!
DeleteHi my name is Kim and my topic is drug addiction in children ages of 10-18. The problem is everywhere. Drugs have a short and long term affect on children. Short term are what it does to a person when they use, long term can be many years down the road a person will have health and or mental issues. A solution to this would be to get DARE back into the schools to teach the children about drugs. Another solution would be for the parents to be aware of the way their children are acting. Get young drug offenders to do programs in schools, teach about real life.
ReplyDeleteI am deciding to change from homelessness to if you should be drugged tested while on welfare. This effects everyone from the people receiving, to tax payers, to the children that are primarily effected. I believed this needs to be solved because I have seen many people walk into Welfare wearing and dressing like they have more than they need. I have seen where people sell their foodstamps to receive money for drugs. I have witnessed people using their checks to put money on their boyfriends books in prison. The money is not being used because people are taking for granted the government helping them out. I believe that it should be random testing, most people know how to get around the so called system
ReplyDeleteI think that medicating children should be closely watched, and it should be a last resort unless it is a condition that medication is needed such as Autism or ADHD. I do think that we all eat too many processed foods with too many additives and preservatives, food coloring, and sugar which i believe can cause many of the health problems we see today. But sometimes medication is needed to level things out that the body can not do on its own.My own children are on medication that they HAVE to be on but we also take vitamins, make most of my meals from scratch, not too much processed foods in my house.
ReplyDelete