Much debate has arisen lately over Bank of America's decision to begin charging its customers 5 dollars per month for using their debit cards. The CEO of the company has defended its decision by saying, "We have to make a profit." This seems to be every company’s excuse for all sorts of evil perpetrated against the American worker and consumer. We, in America, love the all might dollar, and by suggesting we are anything other than in love with profit, we are either admitting to socialism or communism. (P.S.- When did Socialism become a bad word?) In my opinion, Bank of America is no different than a vagrant walking up to you on the street and saying, "Give me 5 dollars." Because Obama made certain unethical banking fees illegal, the major companies are scrabbling to make up the profit they had no right to in the first place.
Companies don't just deserve money for the sake of it. They have to provide superior and new products for that money. What can Bank of America offer to customers because of this new fee? The answer: nothing. They want something for nothing which is what they accused the American public of when they took mortgages on that they couldn't afford. In this country, if you wear a business suit, you can commit crime on national TV. You can rob hundreds of people and the right wing will clap and applaud you for increasing the relentless march of capitalism.
Apple is a perfect example of how the American consumer is not anti-profit. We are willing to pay more when the product is superior and innovative. Bank of America needs to remember the people who make it its profits. The rabble of worker bees that it tells to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps. . .” It is hard to pull yourself up when you are trying tirelessly to dodge corporate thieves.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Technology in the Classroom
Not so long ago, teachers did not have to combat the constant allure of technology in the classroom. They merely had to control classroom talking, note passing, and the occasional sleeping student. In today's classroom, the cellphone/ipod/ipad amalgamation is an omnipresent distraction. The question teachers face is whether to pause the class and reprimand the offending student/students or to ignore the problem.
In writing, teachers must face the plague of text speak. Students no longer capitalize their I's or spell out such things as you. They write in short, jaunty little fragments and treat grammar as a dirty word.
There is no question that technology has changed the atmosphere of the classroom and the mindset of the student. The speed of the internet has made student's crave instant gratification. The mass amount of knowledge available at a click on Google has made them shun the library. The question is, "What is a teacher to do with this changing classroom environment?" Should instructors fight with vigor, attempting to distance their students from twitter, facebook, and the like?
In order for students and instructors to really thrive, instructors must abandon the hopeless fight against technology. What cannot be driven out must be embraced and incorporated into assignments. Instead of forcing students off the computers, they must be sent there to do their work. Online programs such as Audacity can turn an average paper assignment into an audio presentation to be played in class. Traditional journals written in class can be transformed into blogs on blogspot where all the students can read and respond to each other's work. Whole classes can take place on online chat and students can create films on their computers instead of traditional poster boards.
Technology is now the norm. It is an important part of education now and assignments must adapt to include it. The days of pen and paper are over.
Teachers need to feed the belly of the beast to stroke the interest of the modern day student. Teachers at the end of their careers must adapt or become extinct relics of a time long ago becoming dinosaurs to their students. The best teacher changes, adapts, and conforms. It is key to classroom survival.
In writing, teachers must face the plague of text speak. Students no longer capitalize their I's or spell out such things as you. They write in short, jaunty little fragments and treat grammar as a dirty word.
There is no question that technology has changed the atmosphere of the classroom and the mindset of the student. The speed of the internet has made student's crave instant gratification. The mass amount of knowledge available at a click on Google has made them shun the library. The question is, "What is a teacher to do with this changing classroom environment?" Should instructors fight with vigor, attempting to distance their students from twitter, facebook, and the like?
In order for students and instructors to really thrive, instructors must abandon the hopeless fight against technology. What cannot be driven out must be embraced and incorporated into assignments. Instead of forcing students off the computers, they must be sent there to do their work. Online programs such as Audacity can turn an average paper assignment into an audio presentation to be played in class. Traditional journals written in class can be transformed into blogs on blogspot where all the students can read and respond to each other's work. Whole classes can take place on online chat and students can create films on their computers instead of traditional poster boards.
Technology is now the norm. It is an important part of education now and assignments must adapt to include it. The days of pen and paper are over.
Teachers need to feed the belly of the beast to stroke the interest of the modern day student. Teachers at the end of their careers must adapt or become extinct relics of a time long ago becoming dinosaurs to their students. The best teacher changes, adapts, and conforms. It is key to classroom survival.
Kids today...
After a recent trip to the zoo, and at the risk of sounding like an old curmudgeon, I do think kids today are a different breed than those of mine and older generations. The entire day at the zoo I listened to kids complain that they were "tired" and that they wanted to go home. They didn't want to "sit in the heat." This struck me as odd. When I was a kid, which wasn't that long ago as I am only 27, I LOVED going to the zoo. I didn't get tired because I was so excited! I wasn't even the most active child, but I still enjoyed getting out of the house for the day and seeing the animals.
We have a whole generation being brought up that cannot stand activity. Ipods, iphones, and televisions have truly changed the make up of kids. I hate to say it, but my nine month old was the least complaining child I saw all day. What I saw and heard is going to make me try to enforce a culture of activity on my son. Technology has many benefits, but I think it is turning us into hermits in a lot of ways. I want my child to be able to enjoy a day at the zoo. After all, you only live once. I wouldn't want my life to be a montage of text messages, instant messages, mp3's, and streaming videos.
We have a whole generation being brought up that cannot stand activity. Ipods, iphones, and televisions have truly changed the make up of kids. I hate to say it, but my nine month old was the least complaining child I saw all day. What I saw and heard is going to make me try to enforce a culture of activity on my son. Technology has many benefits, but I think it is turning us into hermits in a lot of ways. I want my child to be able to enjoy a day at the zoo. After all, you only live once. I wouldn't want my life to be a montage of text messages, instant messages, mp3's, and streaming videos.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The Absence of Accountability
The Absence of Accountability
It seems to me that we are living in the age of passing the buck. No one assumes responsibility anymore. As a teacher, I see more and more students refusing to take ownership of their own academic success. When I don’t remind them that an assignment is due, they blame me for not remembering to turn it in. They are given an assignments list and due dates on the first day of class, but they do not refer to it. They want their hand held throughout the entire course. They want ME to ENSURE that they remember to do it.
Is this a problem infecting all the young people today? I myself am young. (27 years old) Actually, many of my students are older than I am. I don’t think they can use youth as an excuse. Perhaps in academia we are creating the problem. More and more schools are treating students like customers instead of students. This is causing students to believe that they are paying for a degree instead of paying for the opportunity for a degree. There is a huge sense of entitlement among students any more. The authority is being ripped from the teacher. The teacher is viewed as a salesman there to please.
I believe the root of the issue is that college is no longer viewed as a place to share ideas and knowledge. It is no longer a learning community. College is merely a place you HAVE to go. Since jobs very rarely offer onsite training, people think of college only as a necessity and not an opportunity.
It is my opinion that we are offering students a disservice when we do not demand better than average. We need to give them critical thinking skills. We need to hold them accountable. Treating college as a big business is the wrong thing to do. We do not want to fill the world with customers. We want to fill it with free thinking, creative, and knowledgeable human beings.
We are creating a foot stamping, I want it right now and I deserve it society.
It seems to me that we are living in the age of passing the buck. No one assumes responsibility anymore. As a teacher, I see more and more students refusing to take ownership of their own academic success. When I don’t remind them that an assignment is due, they blame me for not remembering to turn it in. They are given an assignments list and due dates on the first day of class, but they do not refer to it. They want their hand held throughout the entire course. They want ME to ENSURE that they remember to do it.
Is this a problem infecting all the young people today? I myself am young. (27 years old) Actually, many of my students are older than I am. I don’t think they can use youth as an excuse. Perhaps in academia we are creating the problem. More and more schools are treating students like customers instead of students. This is causing students to believe that they are paying for a degree instead of paying for the opportunity for a degree. There is a huge sense of entitlement among students any more. The authority is being ripped from the teacher. The teacher is viewed as a salesman there to please.
I believe the root of the issue is that college is no longer viewed as a place to share ideas and knowledge. It is no longer a learning community. College is merely a place you HAVE to go. Since jobs very rarely offer onsite training, people think of college only as a necessity and not an opportunity.
It is my opinion that we are offering students a disservice when we do not demand better than average. We need to give them critical thinking skills. We need to hold them accountable. Treating college as a big business is the wrong thing to do. We do not want to fill the world with customers. We want to fill it with free thinking, creative, and knowledgeable human beings.
We are creating a foot stamping, I want it right now and I deserve it society.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
What I've learned in the first six months...
I don't normally use this blog to post personal stories and diatribes about life in wifehood and mommyhood, but for the sake of keeping a record, I'd like to share a list of things I learned in the first six months since having Austin.
1. The first two weeks with a newborn are very hard, and you won't know how hard, until you actually have a baby. They sleep most of the day but yet they seem to consume all your time. Until you "figure" things out, it is rough.
2. The newborn stage is very short. I was really worried about getting Austin to sleep at night for the first month. Now, I realize, all too soon that cuddly, I just want to be held stage ends. Enjoy it while it lasts.
3. Most toys are a waste of money at this age. Austin prefers water bottles to all the exspensive toys I've bought him.
4. You don't need a fancy bedding set. You're not supposed to use a bumper or blanket for the first year and sleepsacks are much more convenient than blankets anyway.
5. Huggies overnight diapers are the most awesome invention. No more nighttime leaks.
6. Going back to work is hard, but it isn't impossible. You learn to get through the day.
7. Routine is your friend. Start a bedtime routine around 6 weeks and stick to it. It really helps with sleeping.
8. Ok. Huggies Nighttime diapers AND the Sleep Sheep are the best inventions in the world. Get one.
9. Don't buy an exspensive swing. They are only in them for a very short time. (3-4 months.)
10. Don't over-read baby advice. (Ironic isn't it?) It can drive you nuts and make you paranoid.
11. To stay sane, try to do a load of laudry every other day and keep up on household tasks so they don't pile up. You will never have a full day to clean again.
12. If breastfeeding doesn't work in the begininng, try, try again. If it still doesn't work, do not feel guilty for giving formula.
13. They crawl soon enough. Enjoy the immobile stage while you can. I now have to chase Ausin all over the house.
14. Incorporate baby into your exercise routine so you stay active. Take a walk/job around the block with baby in the stroller.
15. Take some time for yourself once in a while. A couple hours away from the house/work/responsibilities recharge you and that is good.
1. The first two weeks with a newborn are very hard, and you won't know how hard, until you actually have a baby. They sleep most of the day but yet they seem to consume all your time. Until you "figure" things out, it is rough.
2. The newborn stage is very short. I was really worried about getting Austin to sleep at night for the first month. Now, I realize, all too soon that cuddly, I just want to be held stage ends. Enjoy it while it lasts.
3. Most toys are a waste of money at this age. Austin prefers water bottles to all the exspensive toys I've bought him.
4. You don't need a fancy bedding set. You're not supposed to use a bumper or blanket for the first year and sleepsacks are much more convenient than blankets anyway.
5. Huggies overnight diapers are the most awesome invention. No more nighttime leaks.
6. Going back to work is hard, but it isn't impossible. You learn to get through the day.
7. Routine is your friend. Start a bedtime routine around 6 weeks and stick to it. It really helps with sleeping.
8. Ok. Huggies Nighttime diapers AND the Sleep Sheep are the best inventions in the world. Get one.
9. Don't buy an exspensive swing. They are only in them for a very short time. (3-4 months.)
10. Don't over-read baby advice. (Ironic isn't it?) It can drive you nuts and make you paranoid.
11. To stay sane, try to do a load of laudry every other day and keep up on household tasks so they don't pile up. You will never have a full day to clean again.
12. If breastfeeding doesn't work in the begininng, try, try again. If it still doesn't work, do not feel guilty for giving formula.
13. They crawl soon enough. Enjoy the immobile stage while you can. I now have to chase Ausin all over the house.
14. Incorporate baby into your exercise routine so you stay active. Take a walk/job around the block with baby in the stroller.
15. Take some time for yourself once in a while. A couple hours away from the house/work/responsibilities recharge you and that is good.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The New Feminist
As a feminist, I believe women are equal to men. I firmly believe women should have the same rights, opportunities, and advantages. I am a proponent of women's reproductive rights, and I am a firm supporter of women's pursuit of education. As a feminist though, I am a bit disturbed at the new attitude of those that also ascribe themselves to my group. There seems to be a certain faction of feminists that believe all formerly deemed "female" pursuits are to be avoided, and that men should be the newly appointed slaves of the world.
I know of one couple in particular in which the wife doesn't work while her husband holds 2-3 jobs at a time. She will not be told what to do, even to the point of refusing his requests to stop spending from the shared checking account. She consistently over-drafts the account and seems to have no apologies. When he tries to persuade her to work, she says that she can't possible be degraded to work in jobs less than her supposed status even though they greatly need the money.
At home, the woman refuses to do any work around the house and uses as her defense the guise of feminism. If she cooks, she feels she is surrendering to the will of her husband. I resent women such as this one using feminism as an excuse for their apparent laziness. Feminism does not mean sitting idly back while your partner shoulders all the work and home burdens. To do this is to commit the same crimes that men were guilty of committing for so many years.
What is more, I think that women who refuse to do all housework or other formally deemed female jobs are really putting themselves at a disadvantage. The skills of the home are important and useful ones that both men and women should be able to possess. Not being able to boil a hot dog for fear of being put upon makes you sad, not admirable in my opinion.
Why can't women be masters of both the home and the workplace? I admire women like my mother who are able to sew, decorate, cook, clean, etc. with such ease and efficiency. There is something to be said for these talents. They have worth. When we scoff at them, we are no better than the men of the past generations that we fought against.
Feminism is not an excuse for us to enslave the male race or for us to sit idly by gaining no skills on the home front.
I know of one couple in particular in which the wife doesn't work while her husband holds 2-3 jobs at a time. She will not be told what to do, even to the point of refusing his requests to stop spending from the shared checking account. She consistently over-drafts the account and seems to have no apologies. When he tries to persuade her to work, she says that she can't possible be degraded to work in jobs less than her supposed status even though they greatly need the money.
At home, the woman refuses to do any work around the house and uses as her defense the guise of feminism. If she cooks, she feels she is surrendering to the will of her husband. I resent women such as this one using feminism as an excuse for their apparent laziness. Feminism does not mean sitting idly back while your partner shoulders all the work and home burdens. To do this is to commit the same crimes that men were guilty of committing for so many years.
What is more, I think that women who refuse to do all housework or other formally deemed female jobs are really putting themselves at a disadvantage. The skills of the home are important and useful ones that both men and women should be able to possess. Not being able to boil a hot dog for fear of being put upon makes you sad, not admirable in my opinion.
Why can't women be masters of both the home and the workplace? I admire women like my mother who are able to sew, decorate, cook, clean, etc. with such ease and efficiency. There is something to be said for these talents. They have worth. When we scoff at them, we are no better than the men of the past generations that we fought against.
Feminism is not an excuse for us to enslave the male race or for us to sit idly by gaining no skills on the home front.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Importance of Teachers
Due to the recent drive to reduce teachers' rights and take away their ability to negotiate for benefits and pensions, I have come to realize that lack of importance many in this country place on teachers. Perhaps I am biased, but I think teachers have a tremendous stake in the overall current and future success of this country. Teachers, from kindergarten through college, instruct our youth and impart to them the knowledge that keeps America running. The education of our young people directly impacts our economic success. Therefore, I find it perplexing when people are lamenting how much public school teachers make. How much is too much to give the people that shape the future doctors, lawyers, writers, politicians, etc?
I find it comical that people believe public school teachers make so much. On average, in my area, school teachers make 40,000 dollars per year. This does not seem like an exorbitant wage. It seems like a decent wage, far less than people make in many other professions. While there are some teachers making more, a lot of people don't take into account what area of the country they are living in or for how long they have been teaching.
Now, I should address the argument of those that say the teachers of this world are unsuccessful and should not be paid if they are ineffectual. I would have to agree with this. I do agree that teachers should be held accountable because their position is that important. However, lowering the amount of money teachers make, or reducing their pensions and benefits, is only going to encourage people who would make outstanding teachers to seek more lucrative employment elsewhere.
It seems that this country is very short-sighted. To save money in the now, we cut the livelihood of teachers without seeing that this paralyzes the economy of the future. Without quality education our children have no foundation on which to build the success of the United States.
I find it comical that people believe public school teachers make so much. On average, in my area, school teachers make 40,000 dollars per year. This does not seem like an exorbitant wage. It seems like a decent wage, far less than people make in many other professions. While there are some teachers making more, a lot of people don't take into account what area of the country they are living in or for how long they have been teaching.
Now, I should address the argument of those that say the teachers of this world are unsuccessful and should not be paid if they are ineffectual. I would have to agree with this. I do agree that teachers should be held accountable because their position is that important. However, lowering the amount of money teachers make, or reducing their pensions and benefits, is only going to encourage people who would make outstanding teachers to seek more lucrative employment elsewhere.
It seems that this country is very short-sighted. To save money in the now, we cut the livelihood of teachers without seeing that this paralyzes the economy of the future. Without quality education our children have no foundation on which to build the success of the United States.
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