Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Should reasoning skills be taught in primary school? Why or why not?
I feel that reasoning skills should be taught in primary schools. Why, well I think of my favorite educational experiences from grade school- Current Events and Science. The first encompassed reading the newspaper (adult activity) therein I ‘got’ to, do my own research (encyclopedia Britannica), ask my parents their opinions then sit down and think things through, putting my own opinion into words. The second, Science, also encouraged research and interaction with others before putting together my own experiment. The structure of these exercises still influence my actions and decisions today. Although these activities really stood out for me I still learned the fundamentals of reading, writing, math… I believe incorporating reasoning skills in today’s primary schooling would prove extremely advantageous in the lives of our young people.
How can we go wrong by allowing children to develop a more critical awareness of the skills that constitute higher forms of thinking? As advantageous as the plethora of information, games, creativity and communication offered by technology today is, the idea of reasoning is not very present in these activities. People need people. We learn from each other, we grow through this knowledge of sharing information and, we do not learn to hold proper social skills without others. The concern that teaching reasoning would detract from traditional subjects is more like a worry and worry is well, just worry. We advanced into the world of technology which has proven vastly beneficial, let that be a lesson that although change is uncomfortable it is also inevitable and ultimately quite beneficial. There were many who scoffed when the Wright brothers talked of building a machine that would fly, many of whom thought nothing of it years later as airplanes took flight. . Teaching reasoning in primary school can only serve to compliment traditional subjects/structure in the classroom. My 5 nephews and 1 niece, from the ages of 4-13 each have their own computers that are used with great efficiency. Two of them play virtual chess with youngsters their own age. Reasoning skills already apply to video games as well as chess via technology and I feel can only serve to expound on one’s desire to learn other subjects.
The idea is not to erase or even inhibit ‘impulsivity’ which is necessary in some situations. I believe strongly in the idea that “every medium has it’s strengths and weaknesses” like technology, and every medium assists in developing cognitive skills.
Knowledge with reasoning skills is power. With the combined knowledge of tradition/history, ever growing technology, and reasoning/critical thinking we would be developing generations of leaders, teacher, entrepreneurs and athletes’ via ingenuity and open-mindedness beyond the scope of today. Putting aside the recent headlines, it is true that Tiger Woods was raised with reasoning skills from a very young age. I do not know his education in traditional subjects but feel it is pretty obvious that the reasoning he was taught to put into his golf game has proved beneficial. Same goes for other successful people whose focus in one area, developing reasoning, making well though out choices, has been key.
Learning reasoning in primary school can encourage greater participation in one’s own health and well-being therefore contributing to a child’s self-esteem and well-being. This is priceless. The development of a healthy curiosity into understanding other points of view with respect and dignity fosters positive relations all around- professional, personal and social. Thinking ‘creatively’ engenders a feeling of having control over your life. A primary school student may not know this outright but that feeling will be present. Personal choices will be made as opposed to choices led by peer pressure or emotions. Consequential thinking can also be developed via reasoning skills.
An adolescent’s brain well-developed, matures with age and experience and can have a hugely beneficial effect for their learning other subjects. I feel reasoning skills encourage not hinder, literacy by creating enthusiasm not only for learning but also for interacting with others, perhaps at times even enjoying interactions with those of differing opinions more than those with like-minded opinions.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Blog Three
When was the last ime I was bothered by something real and important? What did I do about it?
"First do no harm" namely to do good or to do no harm. http://www.ancienthistory.about.com/
This becomes a more prevelent statement from once one experiences a doctor who arrogantly ignores this creed. My opinion states that doctors must be held accountable and experience consequences from a higher order when their care is considerably below par. "What to do when Doctors simply do not adhere to sage standards?" Doctors must admit and be held accountable for when the quality of care a patient receives is not delivered, getting past professional arrogance."http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/7/health/17chen.html there must be a balance between blame and accountability...a need for increased accountability and the impact of such on patient and doctor realationship.
I went to the doctor in October 2009 to have a cyst removed from my scalp. I have had this done two times before without incident. One was in the same location and was the same size.
This time went terribly wrong. There was trouble stopping the bleeding, I was bandaged quite heavily and sent home. I was told to lie back and take it easy that the bleeding would stop. I had to return to the office not 15 minutes after leaving because the bleeding was very heavy and coming through the bandages and down my neck. Upon my return efforts to alleviate the bleeding with pressure were painful and fruitless but went on for 20 minutes. When Dr. X who thought it was enough to leave me with her PA (physician assistant), was finally called she literally 'dug around' my scalp and found two torn veins. In the following 2.5 hours I was operated on without any anesthetic. Screaming, crying. Dr. X actually yelled at me and instructed her staff (PA and receptionist) to 'shut me up'. In the end Dr. X made a joke about my 'bloody' appearance. Bandaged me and sent me home. The pain would be beyond your imagination.
I needed much support in the following days most of which helped me find Dr. Y who was willing to do the follow-up care. I had to cover my head for more than 3 months as an open wound this size is very suseptible to infection. I learned that I was not the first patient of Dr. X that Dr. Y had treated. And also learned of other people who were apalled from their own Dr. X experience. None as severe as mine. I regret that these men and women chose not to report their experiences, and that Dr. Y discouraged me from doing so also stating. 'it could have been worse, an eye, limb....' "Good Physicians know the bad ones in their midst. Why don't they point fingers?"http://www.rd-com/living-healthy
A malpractice lawyer told me I was "not damaged enough' another lawyer took the time to explain to me the difference in today's law, between malpractice and poor medical care. This information was interesting and helpful. I followed his suggestion to report my experience to the Arizona Medical Board. This process encompasses a lengthy adjudification process of which Dr. X is privy to all my information yet I am not privy to any communication between her and AZMD.
The process was long because Dr. X was not responding to AZMD's investigators calls. More than 4 months later I received notice that no action would be taken against Dr. X at this time and I was thanked for my participation. I conclude that 'Promoting safety, doing it right, takes time and money. Ethics and professionalism are important but not enough.' http://nytimes.com/2009/12/17/health/17chen.html
I have gone over the situation and must still conclude that without consequences and/or greater resources for the patient who is harmed, this type of carelessness will continue to eventually have greater consequence to the patient. For now I will do thorough checks of a doctor before putting myself in their hands, I will bring someone with me for the entire visit, ask lots of questions and not hesitate at all to walk away if I sense that's what I must do.
"First do no harm" namely to do good or to do no harm. http://www.ancienthistory.about.com/
This becomes a more prevelent statement from once one experiences a doctor who arrogantly ignores this creed. My opinion states that doctors must be held accountable and experience consequences from a higher order when their care is considerably below par. "What to do when Doctors simply do not adhere to sage standards?" Doctors must admit and be held accountable for when the quality of care a patient receives is not delivered, getting past professional arrogance."http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/7/health/17chen.html there must be a balance between blame and accountability...a need for increased accountability and the impact of such on patient and doctor realationship.
I went to the doctor in October 2009 to have a cyst removed from my scalp. I have had this done two times before without incident. One was in the same location and was the same size.
This time went terribly wrong. There was trouble stopping the bleeding, I was bandaged quite heavily and sent home. I was told to lie back and take it easy that the bleeding would stop. I had to return to the office not 15 minutes after leaving because the bleeding was very heavy and coming through the bandages and down my neck. Upon my return efforts to alleviate the bleeding with pressure were painful and fruitless but went on for 20 minutes. When Dr. X who thought it was enough to leave me with her PA (physician assistant), was finally called she literally 'dug around' my scalp and found two torn veins. In the following 2.5 hours I was operated on without any anesthetic. Screaming, crying. Dr. X actually yelled at me and instructed her staff (PA and receptionist) to 'shut me up'. In the end Dr. X made a joke about my 'bloody' appearance. Bandaged me and sent me home. The pain would be beyond your imagination.
I needed much support in the following days most of which helped me find Dr. Y who was willing to do the follow-up care. I had to cover my head for more than 3 months as an open wound this size is very suseptible to infection. I learned that I was not the first patient of Dr. X that Dr. Y had treated. And also learned of other people who were apalled from their own Dr. X experience. None as severe as mine. I regret that these men and women chose not to report their experiences, and that Dr. Y discouraged me from doing so also stating. 'it could have been worse, an eye, limb....' "Good Physicians know the bad ones in their midst. Why don't they point fingers?"http://www.rd-com/living-healthy
A malpractice lawyer told me I was "not damaged enough' another lawyer took the time to explain to me the difference in today's law, between malpractice and poor medical care. This information was interesting and helpful. I followed his suggestion to report my experience to the Arizona Medical Board. This process encompasses a lengthy adjudification process of which Dr. X is privy to all my information yet I am not privy to any communication between her and AZMD.
The process was long because Dr. X was not responding to AZMD's investigators calls. More than 4 months later I received notice that no action would be taken against Dr. X at this time and I was thanked for my participation. I conclude that 'Promoting safety, doing it right, takes time and money. Ethics and professionalism are important but not enough.' http://nytimes.com/2009/12/17/health/17chen.html
I have gone over the situation and must still conclude that without consequences and/or greater resources for the patient who is harmed, this type of carelessness will continue to eventually have greater consequence to the patient. For now I will do thorough checks of a doctor before putting myself in their hands, I will bring someone with me for the entire visit, ask lots of questions and not hesitate at all to walk away if I sense that's what I must do.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Why I am taking this class....
I wanted to overload my summer that is already pretty busy,
I enjoy the challenge....I am taking advantage of the oppor-
tunity to get ahead since I am only able to take 1-2 classes
a semester. A friend was very challenged by CT class yet
managed to have much good things to say about it. I did
not expect the Pop Culture end of this class, am really
enjoying that. I signed on for the credit requirement, did not
drop class because I am enjoying it.
I enjoy the challenge....I am taking advantage of the oppor-
tunity to get ahead since I am only able to take 1-2 classes
a semester. A friend was very challenged by CT class yet
managed to have much good things to say about it. I did
not expect the Pop Culture end of this class, am really
enjoying that. I signed on for the credit requirement, did not
drop class because I am enjoying it.
Patriotic Spending June 28 assignment...
First Blog Assignment for June 28,2010
‘Given that the U.S. economy is based on consumer spending, is it patriotic to shop?’
Consumer spending is 80% of the economy therefore, spending money on things we need as well as things we don’t need to beat the recession needs to be taken to a much broader perspective. Since budgets are tight, many Americans living paycheck to paycheck fear spending beyond necessity. Consumers are paying down debt, cutting out impulsive credit card use, and taking greater responsibility for maintaining never-mind finding ‘extra’ money. Not knowing first-hand what it’s like to be a member of the private sector today, the suggestion from people holding relatively secure government jobs is practically insulting.
Conscientious spending can be learned, budgeting by looking for sales, coupons, avoiding impulse buys and for some, avoiding the ‘big box’ stores that promote buying more than we intended on top of having to pay to shop there! Even those Americans who have not lost their jobs altogether, whether their income has been completely untouched or they have had days/hours cut live in fear of losing said job since no great strides have been made in the economy.
The ‘government for the people’ has not been able to restore their status if you will people do not trust the government today. Most Americans today are in constant fear of unemployment, homelessness, hunger… some have been led to very extreme measures from deep feelings of hopelessness.
Like it or not, Pop culture contributes to the US economy today, especially via the internet with the various types of opportunities to express oneself, to earn an education, to shop, work, communicate… The ‘Be American, Buy American campaign could become the newest Pop Culture craze. With this thinking being encouraged over the internet even other countries will shop American. We need to choose to shop ‘Made in the USA’ to do our part in keeping American money in America and in relieving the fear and mistrust that has built up around us.
Newt Gingrich proposes changes that benefit the American job market, i.e. reducing payroll tax 15% and eliminating estate tax and capital gains tax. Other voices http://www.city-data.com/forum/shopping-consumer-products/235453-should-we-shop-patriotic-save-americas.html
express such ideas as looking for American made products at all stores especially big box stores, letting business’ know when a purchase was not made because it was unavailable with an American label. People need to be re-educated about how our daily live can be an investment in America. Also, not only do we need to continue to educate future generations we need to allow ourselves to be educated by the newer culture that is so rapidly growing around us. Knowledge, all knowledge, equals power equals pride in our country, pride in spending habits, pride in doing one’s part.
Here the Pop Culture aspect can play a significant role. A role in which we need the governments support not necessarily direction. We spend American, the need for jobs increases- a powerful equation.
This leads to the idea being generated by www.MadeInTheUSA.com - an American based organization consisting of a small group of manufactures who believe ‘circle economics’ to be the key to rebuilding the US economy. “Be American, Buy American”
(Fox News video @ https://www.madeinusa.com/?action=showd&page=newspr) . Made in USA was launched on July 4th, 2009 and as of October 2009 has 300,000 business signed on to their site, with a goal of reaching 1,000,000,000 these businesses are already making it easier for consumers to buy American and be connected to US manufacturers. This opportunity is free to all US businesses. Made in the USA believes in two powerful educational methods to bring consumers together to learn and practice Patriotic Spending:
1) The practice of circle economics which will reduce the unemployment rate and increase economical strength. This creates the image of a ball rolling downhill which starts slow, picks up speed and eventually becomes an unstoppable force creating new jobs and restoring the US economy. Each circle creating more power than the previous circle.
2) Recycling Dollars It is much like the current focus on protecting our natural resources by recycling materials wherever possible. The combined buying power of American consumers is used to purchase products made in the USA- those dollars stay in our system. We spend American, the need for jobs increases- this is the power of Patriotic Spending.
“Americans have a greater impact on the health of the US economy than any stimulus package. Patriotic spending recycles American money and keeps the economy strong.”
‘Given that the U.S. economy is based on consumer spending, is it patriotic to shop?’
Consumer spending is 80% of the economy therefore, spending money on things we need as well as things we don’t need to beat the recession needs to be taken to a much broader perspective. Since budgets are tight, many Americans living paycheck to paycheck fear spending beyond necessity. Consumers are paying down debt, cutting out impulsive credit card use, and taking greater responsibility for maintaining never-mind finding ‘extra’ money. Not knowing first-hand what it’s like to be a member of the private sector today, the suggestion from people holding relatively secure government jobs is practically insulting.
Conscientious spending can be learned, budgeting by looking for sales, coupons, avoiding impulse buys and for some, avoiding the ‘big box’ stores that promote buying more than we intended on top of having to pay to shop there! Even those Americans who have not lost their jobs altogether, whether their income has been completely untouched or they have had days/hours cut live in fear of losing said job since no great strides have been made in the economy.
The ‘government for the people’ has not been able to restore their status if you will people do not trust the government today. Most Americans today are in constant fear of unemployment, homelessness, hunger… some have been led to very extreme measures from deep feelings of hopelessness.
Like it or not, Pop culture contributes to the US economy today, especially via the internet with the various types of opportunities to express oneself, to earn an education, to shop, work, communicate… The ‘Be American, Buy American campaign could become the newest Pop Culture craze. With this thinking being encouraged over the internet even other countries will shop American. We need to choose to shop ‘Made in the USA’ to do our part in keeping American money in America and in relieving the fear and mistrust that has built up around us.
Newt Gingrich proposes changes that benefit the American job market, i.e. reducing payroll tax 15% and eliminating estate tax and capital gains tax. Other voices http://www.city-data.com/forum/shopping-consumer-products/235453-should-we-shop-patriotic-save-americas.html
express such ideas as looking for American made products at all stores especially big box stores, letting business’ know when a purchase was not made because it was unavailable with an American label. People need to be re-educated about how our daily live can be an investment in America. Also, not only do we need to continue to educate future generations we need to allow ourselves to be educated by the newer culture that is so rapidly growing around us. Knowledge, all knowledge, equals power equals pride in our country, pride in spending habits, pride in doing one’s part.
Here the Pop Culture aspect can play a significant role. A role in which we need the governments support not necessarily direction. We spend American, the need for jobs increases- a powerful equation.
This leads to the idea being generated by www.MadeInTheUSA.com - an American based organization consisting of a small group of manufactures who believe ‘circle economics’ to be the key to rebuilding the US economy. “Be American, Buy American”
(Fox News video @ https://www.madeinusa.com/?action=showd&page=newspr) . Made in USA was launched on July 4th, 2009 and as of October 2009 has 300,000 business signed on to their site, with a goal of reaching 1,000,000,000 these businesses are already making it easier for consumers to buy American and be connected to US manufacturers. This opportunity is free to all US businesses. Made in the USA believes in two powerful educational methods to bring consumers together to learn and practice Patriotic Spending:
1) The practice of circle economics which will reduce the unemployment rate and increase economical strength. This creates the image of a ball rolling downhill which starts slow, picks up speed and eventually becomes an unstoppable force creating new jobs and restoring the US economy. Each circle creating more power than the previous circle.
2) Recycling Dollars It is much like the current focus on protecting our natural resources by recycling materials wherever possible. The combined buying power of American consumers is used to purchase products made in the USA- those dollars stay in our system. We spend American, the need for jobs increases- this is the power of Patriotic Spending.
“Americans have a greater impact on the health of the US economy than any stimulus package. Patriotic spending recycles American money and keeps the economy strong.”
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