HW 44

http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/

In his speech, Obama claims that it is our individual responsibility to be successful. That we can have the "best teachers, most supporting parents and none of it will matter unless we put in the hard work it takes to succeed". We all have something to offer and we have to figure out what it is, and that is the opportunity an education can provide. He uses examples such as how a student can potentially be a writer or a scientist , but the student might not know it until they have written their essay for English class or done their lab experiment for science class. It is up to us as individuals and not as a whole to succeed. In order to have a good job and work for an institution we must need and education in a school.


http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2009/08/liberal_arts_education_why_it.html
August 30, 2009

Since there is no aiming towards a specific work field/institution in a liberal arts education, many think of it as a waste of time and money. However it can help students improve their insights in "critical thinking, clear communication, collaboration, an appreciation for diverse points of view, the ability to approach a problem from multiple perspectives, ethical judgment and lifelong learning skills". These students will be able to think outside the box and think of alternatives when predicament occurs on the job unlike the "robots" that have been trained to specialize on one topic. This will make it easier for liberal art students to get jobs because they will be more beneficial for any institution. Liberal arts education is also used to guide students towards a career by helping them find matches between their skills and their interests. Also by internships.

HW # 42

Hugo Chavez should not make any changes to the school's curriculum in Venezuela because it will only delay the minds of the people. Chavez should maintain the curriculum the way it is which is very similar to the one in the U.S. or try to modernize it in order for students to be more opinionated and live a more satisfying life.

By changing the curriculum the way Hugo Chavez desires, will only backtrack society and impede them from being socially accepted in any other state because their way of thinking will not follow the "system". Students will be taught from old textbooks that are not used for schooling anywhere else and brainwashed into believe that there is only one right way of living. This makes people close minded and unable to look towards advancement in society. If the Venezuelan's school curriculum where to be changed, it should be towards and a more open environment where students will be taught different ideas from all over the world and let them have their own opinion on life

Life experiences are what matter because all we have at the end is our memories. In order to live a more fulfilled life we must explore and have adventures that will teach us instead of sitting in a classroom being surveilled for a large part of the day. I believe that kids should still go to school but that it should not take away their freedom to explore and experiences new things. Life experiences are also important because they shape us and make us who we are today. It also teaches us how to interact with people and understand what is accepted in the social world. It can also open our minds to new ideas for a political system that actually works.

HW # 41 Initial Internet research on Schooling

1. Chris Carlson. Venezuela Launches New “Bolivarian” Education Curriculum. http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/2616
September 19 2007

This article is about how Venezuela's current president Hugo Chavez is changing the curriculum in both Public and private schools. It notes the amount of income that is dedicated to education. Chavez also explained how some subjects in the new curriculum will be left behind.

Hugo Chavez intends to completely change a perfectly well rounded school system into a more leftist curriculum. Chavez "criticized education systems that are based on capitalist values". My prediction is that he will try to brainwash students into having leftist believes.


2. Venezuela, Caracas: International School of Caracas
http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/1565.htm

The international school of Caracas is a private school in Caracas, Venezuela. It's curriculum is similar to that of U.S. college preparatory school. It is comprised of two semesters just like in high schools in the U.S.

The international school of Caracas is one of the most prestigious schools in Venezuela. One could say that it is like "Unis" in the U.S. My uncle attended this school and is benefited him because he was able to network from people all over the world. He also learned how to speak fluent English before graduating. This school is also very similar to the school I attended in Venezuela (Instituto Cumbres de Caracas). The curriculum that the International School of Caracas follows which is the same as the one in the U.S. which is very beneficial in preparing students for the real world.



3. Daniel J Flynn. Howard Zinn's Biased History
http://hnn.us/articles/1493.html
June 09, 2003

This article talks about how history classes in schools are biased. It focuses on historian author Howard Zinn.

Schools in the U.S. are biased when it comes to teaching history. Some schools such as SOF are required to read Howard Zinn's books which is very one sided. Howard Zinn was a very leftist man who supported all activist groups that wanted more "equality" in the 20th century. This made me realize that everything we learn in our history classes is biased and we need to always look at both point of views and have our own opinion on things. a quote about Howard Zinn's writings in the article also reminded me about something you said today, that Copeland is the type of teacher that wants their students to be activist and more radical. "Many of those copies are assigned readings for courses in colleges and high schools taught by leftist disciples of their radical mentor."


4. Chavez warns private schools to toe state line
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20823129/#storyContinued
September 17, 2007

This is similar to the first article about how Venezuela's president is changing the curriculum in public schools and private schools. Chavez is leading the school towards a more "socialist ideology". It also emphasizes on the change of books that will be used in the new curriculum.

Students will be taught with "old grade textbooks from the 1970's" which only impedes the advancement of learning of students because the ideas and techniques will be irrelevant in today's world. President Chavez also claims that he wants to create his own ideology "creative and diverse". This would be very inefficient because if students are taught to be a certain way that is different to the rest of the world, they will not be capable of fitting into the 'system" of any other country.


5. Dan Lips. Venezuela's Education Lesson
http://www.heritage.org/research/education/ednotes88.cfm

This article is also very similar to the one above. Hugo Chavez's claims that his new curriculum will include lessons by leftist leaders such as Karl Marx, Fidel Castro, and Ernesto "Che" Guevara. It also claims that Chavez move follows the tradition of the Soviet union in order to brain-wash the the students and drift toward totalitarianism.

Chavez wants to change the school's curriculum in Venezuela in order to make students have communists believes at a young age. Being taught mandatory lessons by Communists leaders will make students will more close minded and will not be capable of social survival in any other societies. By brainwashing students he is achieving totalitarianism in the state which reminds me of the book 1984.

6.K.C. Johnson. Bias in the history Profession
http://hnn.us/articles/1765.html
October 09, 2003

7.Chris Carlson. President Chavez Defends Venezuela’s New School Curriculumhttp://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/2646
September 25, 2007

8.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States

Art Project from Juan Soteldo on Vimeo.

What insights about cool does the art integrate? What do you hope people will realize or question from their encounter with your art?

I think that being original is cool. Each characters paints something different on the wall which demonstrates their individuality.

Describe the process of making the project - how'd you do each step?

The first thing I did was draw all characters and the background. Then I set the background up against a walland took a picture every time i moved a character. Then I edited all the pictures. Then I put all the pictures together and made it a video.

Does making art seem cool to you? Why or why not?

I think making art is cool because it shows creativity. It can also show talent.