Sunday, February 28, 2010

PLN 15

I just read "Chile President Michelle Bachelet steps up quake rescue" in the BBC News. Although this earthquake was more dangerous than the one in Haiti, it did not do as much damage as the one in Haiti. In some areas of Chile, they are ordering a curfew time so that no one else gets killed. The curfew, which began at 9:00 p.m. local time, applies in the region of Maule - where more than 541 are confirmed dead - and in Concepcion, Chile's second city. The army has been sent south of Santiago to help the police prevent unrest in Concepcion. The mayor said food is running out and the situation in the city is getting out of control. Supermarkets are running out of food and thousands of people still remain homeless.

While the rescue teams are still trying to reach dozens of people believed to be trapped in a collapsed block, other Chileans are spending another night outdoors because they are afraid and can't stay in damaged homes and buildings. Reporters say that about 350 bodies were found in the devastated fishing village of Constitucion - which was hit by both the quake and the tsunami it set off. The emergency measures announced by Ms. Bachelet included Air Force flights to deliver supplies to affected area, free distribution of basic goods in Maule and Biobio regions - distribution points are yet to be decide, and efforts to guarantee electricity distribution, as many areas remain without power.

About 1.5 million homes have been damaged and about 90% of the historic centre of the town of Curico was destroyed. US and European countries have offered aid to Chile, but they say they do not need help.

This matters to the world because it has happened twice in a short period of time. First in Haiti, and now in Chile. Even though Chile doesn't think they need help now, they might end up needing it. If things like this keep happening around the world, bigger countries that help the smaller ones will run out of money to give aid where it is needed. This matters to education because it shows you how countries deal with tragedies and how they are able to keep moving forward, or not.

PLN 14

I read "Canada win thrilling final gold of Winter Olympics" in the BBC News. Earlier today, Canada beat the US in the gold medal game for men's hockey. After the US beat Canada in their round robin match 5-3, Canada was not going to let this one get by them. For Canada who last won a men's hockey gold medal game came in 2002, this one was really special because not only was it in Canada, but their Canadian team won it. Canada got out to a fast start heading into the third period with a 2-0 lead. With only 24 seconds left in the game, Zach Parise of the US tied the game up to send it into extra time. With 10 minutes passed in overtime, Sidney Crosby, Canada's most high-profile player won the game to give Canada its 14th gold medal of the Games, a record, and fittingly the milestone medal was the one many Canadians courted over all others.

This matters to the sporting world because the Olympic games is the highest level that teams can compete at in their sport. Receiving a medal at the Olympic games is a great honor but also a huge accomplishment for the countries involved. Countries almost view the Olympics as a who's who in world dominance, and not just pertaining to sports. This matters to Canada because hockey is the only "real" sport that they have and embrace as an entire country.

I watched the game and Canada skated with more purpose than the US did. Honestly, there was no way they were going to let us beat them twice in a row at home. Our keeper, Miller, was incredible and received the Men's Hockey Overall MVP award and he deserved it!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

PLN 13

I just read "Deer Creek Middle School math teacher apparently tackled gunman" by Jeremy P. Meyer of The Denver Post about how a math teacher at Deer Creek Middle School tackled a gunman after he shot one of his students after school today. He called his wife and told her that there has been a shooting at school and that he tackled the shooter. David Benke, the math teacher who tackled the shooter has been working at the school far 10 years now. Benke was not injured in this incident, but he did save a lot of young people's lives. At 6 foot 5, Benke reacted fast and calm to prevent anything further to happen.


This matters to the community, because we want all of our Colorado school communities to be safe. We need to make sure that this doesn't happen again, and if it does, someone needs to react like David Benke and be a hero. This matters to education because we never want kids to be afraid of school. This also reminds me of my dad who is a teacher. He works at Columbine High School and was in the main office the day of their shootings over ten years ago. I was only 3 years old when it happened and don't remember anything specific about it but we still talk about it so I remember it that way. Nobody should feel afraid to go to school for this reason.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

PLN 12

I just read "US school accused of web spying" by By Angela Harrison, a BBC News education reporter and she wrote about how a school in Pennsylvania gave kids laptops that had cameras on them. The cameras could be activated by the school whenever they wanted to so they could actually see what the kids and anyone in the lens of the camera were doing 24/7. A couple from Pennsylvania is filing a lawsuit against the school because one day their kid came home and said that the teacher told him that he was "engaging in improper behavior in his home" and that the evidence was an image from his web cam. The school district says that they only activated the cameras to find lost or stolen lap tops and that the program has since been deactivated.

Obviously this matters to the world because the BBC News is covering it and it covers news from around the whole world! It matters because it seems like the school was looking for something else even though they say they weren't. It also matters because the school was invading all of the kids' personal privacy at home as well as the privacy of anyone even near their computer. This matters to education because some schools are trying hard to promote computers and their use. If we were allowed to take our laptops home and I heard that there were web cams in my computer that the school gave me, I would be very scared to go to school because I would not want a teacher to tell me something that I did in my own house was not "proper". This story kind of creeps me out to think that someone (my teachers) could be spying on me in my own home.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

PLN 11

I just read "Man, dog rescued from Highlands Ranch pond" by Sara Gandy of the 9news about how a man went after his dog after it fell through some ice at Redstone Park. Both the man and the dog had to be rescued by firefighters. They both are fine and no firefighters got injured during the rescue.

I know that this story is short, but it is very important to the people of Highlands Ranch. Redstone Park is near my house and where I used to have soccer practice. I know that this lake is very popular all year round. People fish in it, they play in it, and try to capture frogs in it. A lot of people of all ages, especially younger kids use the park. It is also very popular park where people walk their dogs. Although it is a small lake, people need to remember it is water and that water is dangerous during the winter and in the summer.

Monday, February 15, 2010

PLN 10

I just read "Bilodeau ends Canada's gold jinx" by Matthew Pinsent of the BBC news about how Alexandre Bilodeau of Canada won gold in the men's moguls field. The Canadian Olympic team had not won a gold medal in 1976 in Montreal and in 1988 in Calgary which were the 2 years that they were favored to win a lot of gold medals. With the first Canadian pushing to get a gold medal was Charles Hamelin a speed skater for Canada in the men's 1,500m. He finished third though behind a Korean and a United States speed skater. The next Canadian close to gold was a women's mogul skier, Jennifer Heil. She finished second in the event though. It was off to the Richmond Oval for the women's 3,000m speed skating event. There were 3 Canadians competing, but non of them were favored to win anything. Non of these women even finished in the top 3! The writer says that, "The men's moguls field is so competitive and after two days of Canadian setbacks I was beginning to cast my eye down the list of sports to come in the calendar: Alpine events (delayed), figure skating... Canadians a way back from the medals and we were a long, long way from the nailed on women's ice hockey final" (Bilodeau). But, the faithful Canadian fans were rewarded at Cypress Mountain. Alexandre Bilodeau won the men's mogul to break the Canadian drought of gold medals.

This matters to the world because the Olympics are the highest level that someone can represent their country in most of the sports in the world. Since the games are in Canada this year and they haven't won a gold medal in such a long time, it was even better for them to do it at home. This is even bigger for Bilodeau since he is the one to have won the medal. He will now be considered a bit of a Canadian hero. Anytime an athlete can represent their country in an Olympic sport it is a big deal. This is something I hope I can do one day for soccer!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

PLN 9

The "Digital Ethnography" @ Kansas State University blog, by Dr. Wesch shows how a group of college kids called the K-State Proud committee help students pay their college bills that are suffering money wise. In the first video, it shows the K-State Proud committee handing out money, paying for someones meal, paying for somebodies books, helping someone park his car (by picking it up), and carrying a girl across the street. This 4 minute video shows that this group really cares about their fellow college students and want to make sure that they are succeeding. It also makes them feel good to be helping make the day of random students.

This group of students just do not hand out money to random kids, they hand out money to kids that if they did not get money, they would not be where they are now. For example, in the first video they show a girl who has been at Kansas State since 2003 and has gone through a lot. When she was 4 months old, she had brain damage, her brother committed suicide when she was in senior high school, when she was in eighth grade, she said someone close to her died almost every year until her senior year in high school, and you can tell that she has gone through a tough time. If it was not for the K-State committee, she would not be in the position that she is in right now. In the second video, an ordinary girl got diagnosed with cancer in her neck. She goes on the explain how hard it was for her, because her parents did not make a lot of money and she had to keep pulling out loan after loan. Later on, her adviser put in an application to K-State and got accepted. This shows you that with other people's help and support, you can do anything!

If we can afford it, sometimes my dad will pay for someones lunch or snacks at the movies. They are always surprised and very thankful. He hopes that they will remember they way they felt any maybe do something nice for someone else later on. It is kind of a pay-it-forward thing. It also makes him feel good when he does it and makes someones day.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

PLN 8

For my action plan, I am going to confront the media and show them that they need to focus their attention on the good athletes and the things they have to offer instead of the rotting apples of the sports world. In order to do this I am going to submit my essay to be considered for publication as a letter to the editor to The Denver Post, Sports Illustrated, and Sports Illustrated Kids. Maybe they will understand more that kids need to read about the good people involved in athletics so that they can have them to look up to as role models.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

PLN 7

I just read "Report: Ricky Williams violates NFL drug policy" on sports.espn.go.com. This article is about Ricky Williams, a professional football player for the Miami Dolphins, who has just violated the NFL drug policy for the fourth time. Williams was caught breaking the NFL rules for the fourth time testing positive for marijuana use. His mother said she would "bet her life" that he was not smoking weed. She also said that the only reason he would be using marijuana for is because of his yoga school. When Williams returned to the NFL he had to pay the Miami Dolphins $8.6 million for breaching his contract. The article goes on about his contract and his playing career.

Only the information about his drug use is important to me and the research for my Change The World paper. I am using this particular article because it shows that some professional athletes have ongoing drug problems. It also shows that their problems are affecting their jobs and in the long run, their lives. This is just one athlete, but the quotes are perfect for my paper and will work in nicely.