Nov. 1 - Analysis of one of three essays

In Sherry's essay, a teacher is one who makes all the difference to her when it came to her son's education.  Unlike the teachers who were just passing students along to help them graduate without really knowing the basic skills needed when employed, this teacher told her that she wasnt going to move him to the front of the room to get him to pay attention, she would just flunk him instead.  This made the student realize the issue and start focusing on the material and completing the required work. What this means to me is that even though "flunking" a course is considered a negative thing, it should be used as a positive tool to get students on the right track and be fair to employers who will be hiring those students.  The fact that some teachers are just pushing kids through to graduate will have a negative effect on society as a whole.

Oct 29Th - reflection of task three (Due- Nov. 1st)

Like Mary Sherry I have encountered the same circumstances and have an understanding of exactly where she is coming from.  When I was in high school education was percieved by many as just going through the motions.. when you become a senior, you graduate.  The idea that you "earn" your diploma/degree has quickly diminished.  As a high schooler, I was an A/B student however your education wasn't looked at like it is now in college.  Most high school teachers are more focused on letting you graduate as to where a college professor is focused on whether or not you really know the material and have worked and earned your degree.  As I high school student if I would've have been given the same tools as I am now in college it would've benefited my educational outcome in many ways.  At least know I can be comfortable into going into a profession to where I earned the degree and I actually know the material or I wouldn't have graduated.  Sherry writes, "We must review the threat of flunking and see it as it really is - a positive teaching tool.  It is an expression of confidence by both teachers and parents that the students have the ability to learn the material presented to them." (216).  Because Sherry learned this first hand, as her own sons academic success flashed before her eyes as she was told by a teacher that she isnt going to move students around to get them to pay attention, she flunks them.   While I have never had a teacher say that directly to me, I clearly understand now that I am in college that your degree isn't given to you, it is earned by you.

Response to "Where College Fails Us"

Q:  According to Bird, what are the faults of a college education?  What is the "contrary evidence" (paragraph 4) against college education.

A:  According to Bird, the faults of a college education are with the young people themselves due to the fact that they are spoiled, and expect too much.  Another reason is because their arent enough jobs and there are too many under-skilled workers.  The last reason is because technology is behind.
The contrary evidence against college education is that some educators are beginning to agree that college isnt always the best thing for every student, immediately following high school.  They are now beginning to reason that its not college that makes you smart, witty, and able to succeed.  They are assuming that it may be the other way around that it is the already intelligent, happy, and quick-learning people who are attracted to going to college in the first place.

October 18th - SELF EVALUATION (Task Two)

What is the thesis for your paper?

      * Through my brothers struggles I realized how an education isn't impossible to achieve, no matter the circumstances.

List the main points you make in your paper.

      * Brother's home life/environment
      * Learning Disability
      * How my situation was similar and different even though we lived in seperate homes.
      * What I learned from my brothers experience.

What was the most helpful advice you received from your peer evaluation?

    check grammar.

What was the most helpful information you received in class for your paper?

    grammar usage on proper nouns.. I overlooked them.

How many drafts of this paper do you think you wrote and how/when did you write them? For example, did you compose at the keyboard, did you write lots of notes to yourself, did you pre-write or outline, did you write in small chunks of time or sit down and produce an entire draft at one sitting?

      * I wrote three drafts of my paper. I used outline and produced entire draft at one sitting.

What would you do differently with this paper to make it more effectively, or what did you try to do that you just don’t think you got a good handle on?

    *  I cant think of anything that I would do differently, I tried really hard with this one and put alot of time and effort into it.

What are most pleased with about this paper?

   * I am most pleased of how well my structure turned out and how I was able to get the point across without making my story too long.