Response to Writing with Laptops by Mr. Maas
Laptops are an essential addition to the classroom in my opinion. You have programs that check your spelling and grammar, and internet which can stream endless amounts of knowledge from one portable electronic to another from almost any place at any time. Having laptops in class allows one classroom to connect with everyone in the world. Computers in class allows students to obtain a higher grade on written essays because of the neatness, perfect spelling and flawless grammar. Typing on a keyboard is faster and neater for me than writing with pen on paper and allows me to cut down on the time needed to do homework. Classes without laptops next year would be rough for me personally because using a laptop has become a daily routine for me in class everyday. Without it I would feel less involved with my class because not only does laptops allow me to write, but it also allows the entire class to interact and share with everyone else. As a student, I have changed since using laptops in class. I have improved on my writing and how I think. Instead of using a dictionary book to look up a word I use the internet. Instead of having teachers check my grammar I have use the computer.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
PLN 17
Drone silently patrol U.S. borders from CNN
This article discusses how U.A.V.'s(Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are flying over the American-Mexican border in search of illegal immigrants or anyone suspected of being an illegal alien. The Predator B, the specific U.A.V. that is being used, flies 19,000 feet above ground at speeds of up to 276 miles per hour. This method is what The Office of Customs and Border Protection uses to keep the borders clean from unwanted visitors. This method has some pros and cons to it. A pro is that the aircraft can watch over any area of the U.S. border that Border Patrol agents cannot reach. A con is the price, the plane costs millions of dollars. The Predator B camera alone can cost $2 million dollars, to give an idea on how much the plane can cost. The drones' range of surveillance doesn't completely cover the Mexican-American border, Texas is one state who does not have a drone flying out at night unlike Arizona or California. Not only that but the U.A.V.'s can not see through bad weather and believe it or not some of them have been crashed. Crash landing endangers the lives of people, American or Mexican citizens, crossing the border. Also why does the United States government spend millions of dollars on planes that only provide a limited amount of sight from the sky for Border Patrol agents? That money can be used for other things such as cures for disease and illness. I believe the American government is spending too much money to keep our borders secure. I think the borders should be kept safe but with less funding. Millions of dollars can be used to hire Border Patrol workers instead of drones.
This article discusses how U.A.V.'s(Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are flying over the American-Mexican border in search of illegal immigrants or anyone suspected of being an illegal alien. The Predator B, the specific U.A.V. that is being used, flies 19,000 feet above ground at speeds of up to 276 miles per hour. This method is what The Office of Customs and Border Protection uses to keep the borders clean from unwanted visitors. This method has some pros and cons to it. A pro is that the aircraft can watch over any area of the U.S. border that Border Patrol agents cannot reach. A con is the price, the plane costs millions of dollars. The Predator B camera alone can cost $2 million dollars, to give an idea on how much the plane can cost. The drones' range of surveillance doesn't completely cover the Mexican-American border, Texas is one state who does not have a drone flying out at night unlike Arizona or California. Not only that but the U.A.V.'s can not see through bad weather and believe it or not some of them have been crashed. Crash landing endangers the lives of people, American or Mexican citizens, crossing the border. Also why does the United States government spend millions of dollars on planes that only provide a limited amount of sight from the sky for Border Patrol agents? That money can be used for other things such as cures for disease and illness. I believe the American government is spending too much money to keep our borders secure. I think the borders should be kept safe but with less funding. Millions of dollars can be used to hire Border Patrol workers instead of drones.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
PLN 16
Article: Two soldiers charged with using 9-year-old 'human shield' in Gaza from haaretz.com
This article talks about how two Israeli soldiers used a 9-year-old child in Gaza City inside the Palestinian territories. The two soldiers allegedly forced a Palestinian boy to open some bags that they were suspicious of that might have contained explosive materials. The bags turned out to be harmless after the boy was turned against his will to open them. The incident occurred January 2009, the investigation was opened when the United Nations brought the incident to the Israeli army. The army has a specific rule stating that soldiers cannot use civilians as shields. Despite the United States' war effort in the Middle East, soldiers are becoming heartless and using children and civilians to keep them safe. There is another incident in where Israeli soldiers attacked civilians in a bank in search of some suspects. I believe the United Nations should become more involved and more aware of these cruel, in-human acts towards civilians during the chaos in the Middle East. Civilians begin to become angry at their government because they feel they are being attacked by their country's army. If this feeling of distrust worsens then, eventually, a civil war would be inevitable over time.
This article talks about how two Israeli soldiers used a 9-year-old child in Gaza City inside the Palestinian territories. The two soldiers allegedly forced a Palestinian boy to open some bags that they were suspicious of that might have contained explosive materials. The bags turned out to be harmless after the boy was turned against his will to open them. The incident occurred January 2009, the investigation was opened when the United Nations brought the incident to the Israeli army. The army has a specific rule stating that soldiers cannot use civilians as shields. Despite the United States' war effort in the Middle East, soldiers are becoming heartless and using children and civilians to keep them safe. There is another incident in where Israeli soldiers attacked civilians in a bank in search of some suspects. I believe the United Nations should become more involved and more aware of these cruel, in-human acts towards civilians during the chaos in the Middle East. Civilians begin to become angry at their government because they feel they are being attacked by their country's army. If this feeling of distrust worsens then, eventually, a civil war would be inevitable over time.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
PLN 15
"Students across U.S. plan to protest education funding cuts" - CNN News
In America, college students plan to protest at across the nation because of education funding cuts affecting students nationwide. Education funding cuts are causing college students to take on more debt for their college tuitions. State universities funds being cut are causing even higher tuition costs. Also, colleges aren't the only schools having their funds cut; secondary education and even elementary schools are as well. An example of these cuts that seems to be becoming more and more common is located in the state of California. California has cut a grand total of nearly one billion dollars between the years of 2008 and 2010. Schools have to adjust by canceling classes and increasing their fees. This is important to know because this could be affecting all incoming and future college students. Not only could it affect college students directly but it could also affect elementary school students as well. Causing increased fees could cause issues in the family households nationwide, being able to pay mandatory bills will become more difficult. More difficult because of the economic recession the U.S. is currently in.
In America, college students plan to protest at across the nation because of education funding cuts affecting students nationwide. Education funding cuts are causing college students to take on more debt for their college tuitions. State universities funds being cut are causing even higher tuition costs. Also, colleges aren't the only schools having their funds cut; secondary education and even elementary schools are as well. An example of these cuts that seems to be becoming more and more common is located in the state of California. California has cut a grand total of nearly one billion dollars between the years of 2008 and 2010. Schools have to adjust by canceling classes and increasing their fees. This is important to know because this could be affecting all incoming and future college students. Not only could it affect college students directly but it could also affect elementary school students as well. Causing increased fees could cause issues in the family households nationwide, being able to pay mandatory bills will become more difficult. More difficult because of the economic recession the U.S. is currently in.
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