Current Event #14: Living in a Digital World

Current Event #14: Living in a Digital World

Due: Friday, December 14^th, 2012

This week is Computer Science Education Week, which is being observed around the United States with events aimed at highlighting the promise of digital education. Douglas Rushkoff, a media theorist, author, and digital media advocate, says we live in a digital age but computer science is not a priority in schools; which causes the United States to lag further behind other countries in this field. Rushkoff also states that digital literacy helps us see that kids are not Facebook's customers, but the product. His argument on Capitol Hill this week will focus on the need for individuals to think critically about promoting digital media environments, as a liberal art to teach students about the world.

What You Will Do

1.      Read the CNN article found at the following link address: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/10/opinion/rushkoff-code-writing/index.html?hpt=hp_bn7 , in order to address the accompanying tasks.

2.      Select 3 of the author’s 10 talking points to discuss in detail, your view of support to help the author's argument, for further advancement regarding the need of digital education in today’s society.

3.      In what capacity do you envision our school/district accomplishing the desire to make our students competitive in the digital education race? How can our school/district improve in order to meet the specific needs mention by Douglas Rushkoff?

***Note: Remember to answer all questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***

Current Event #13: Saving Afghan Women before U.S. Exit

Current Event #13: Saving Afghan Women before U.S. Exit

Due: Friday, December 7^th, 2012

Violence against women is a major problem in Afghanistan. A recent incident happened last week, where a 14-year-old Afghan girl was beheaded and killed in an attack by two men, one of whom apparently asked her to marry him. The attack happened last Tuesday, a day before new legislation was introduced in Congress calling on the U.S. government to take steps to help protect Afghan women and girls as the U.S. military prepares to exit Afghanistan.

The girl was fetching water when she was accosted, according to reports. The men, who have not been identified, were arrested by police. The girl and her parents had refused a marriage proposal by one of the men, according to the Amnesty International report. This was the 15th deadly attack on a female victim in Kunduz in 2012, the human rights organization said.

Daisy Khan, a women’s rights advocate, suggests that a key measure of U.S. success in Afghanistan will be the extent of women’s rights. She states that, “If girls can’t go to school, women can’t reach goals, which means nothing will have changed”. Women must be in talks to fight forcefully for rights, they must vote, go to school and all parties must promote women’s rights.

What You Will Do:

Students will read the CNN article found at the following link: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/03/opinion/khan-afghan-women/index.html?hpt=hp_bn7 . After reading the article, you will need to answer the following questions in complete, detailed paragraphs to convey your thoughts and opinions about the issue being discussed. Be sure to cite examples given in the article to support your opinions in addition to any other resources you might utilize.

1.      In your opinion, explain in full detail whether or not you think that the United States military has a moral duty and responsibility to protect Afghan women against the injustices which are presently happening to them?

  

2.      As mentioned in the article, these offenses toward Afghan women will escalate further once American troops exit. Express your opinion regarding the (4) major goals which must be accomplished before the United States loses its bargaining position in Afghanistan after our troops withdraw. List each goal and provide your analysis for each as you explain your position.

Current Event #12: Individual Topic of Your Choice

 

 

Current Event #12

 

 

 

 

Due: Friday, November 30, 2012

The topic for this week's current event blog assignment is one of your choice. Please refrain from using any sports or entertainment articles for your current event. Be sure to use a current and reputable information source to find an article that interests you. Your post should adhere to the following format:

What You Will Do:

1) Heading/ Be sure to include the following in your blog post:
-Your name/class period
-Title of article/author
-Source/date of article
-URL (copy and paste your article link in your response for me to review your article)

2) Paragraph #1:
-Your summary of your selected article (minimum of 5-7 sentences that provide details about who/what, when, where, and why your current event is significant to the study of World History) 

3) Paragraph #2:
-Your reflection/opinion of article (minimum of 5-7 sentences)
-Give supporting facts and include any personal experiences associated with the article
-Relate the current event to what we've been studying in class (if applicable)
-Pose questions/concerns about the event of your choice for others to consider

4) Lastly, select one other current event from another student, to read and provide appropriate feedback by replying to their post. This will begin an interactive component to our on-line blog for future assignments.  

Current Event #11:The Pros and Cons of Thanksgiving

This 18th century illustration of the first Thanksgiving didn't depict reality, many Native Americans say.

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Current Event #11: The Pros and Cons of Thanksgiving

Due: Friday, November 23rd, 2012

  

Thanksgiving: A time of reflecting on all of the events and times one has encountered during the course of the year(s). It is a time when most of the world finds the time to gather with their loved ones and enjoy the company of one another. Thanksgiving day marks a period where the traditional holiday meal consists of a full course meal, including a carved turkey, a host of baked sweets, etc. We often find other activities coinciding as a result of this holiday, such as the BLACK FRIDAY (Day after Thanksgiving) retail sales and putting up Christmas decorations, to name a few. However, what does this day mean for some who don't quite have this same perspective, namely Native Americans. From a historical point of you, let's take a look back in hindsight, to read and define the origin of this revered national holiday.

What you will do:

You will visit the following link: http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/24/thanksgiving-is-some-native-americans-day-of-mourning/?hpt=us_bn1 , this will take you to the CNN article entitled: Thanksgiving is some Native Americans' "Day of Mourning". You are assigned to read this article to gather varying opinions surrounding the celebration of Thanksgiving. Upon reading the selection, I want you to begin formulating your own personal pros and cons about this celebrated day and discuss each in specific detail as you write your first paragraph(s). Provide examples of how you and your family celebrated Thanksgiving, and also a few family traditions performed.

Within the next 2-3 paragraphs, discuss how this article may or may not have changed the way you look at the way we celebrate this holiday. Express your thoughts/opinions based on the individuals mentioned in the article as to whether you feel Native Americans were wronged. Also provide a position in regards to the European settlers exploring new lands in America to create colonies. Let's examine the origin of the day set aside to give thanks to the yearly harvests of our hard labor!

Current Event #10:Opinion/Every day should be Veterans Day?

Current Event #10: Opinion: Every day should be Veterans Day

Due: Friday, November 16^th, 2012

Veterans Day was celebrated on Sunday, November 11^th this year, with America recognizing it as a major federal holiday Monday. We salute the men and women who willingly sacrifice their lives on behalf of all fellow Americans worldwide. As you will find most veterans don't always ask for help because of them having a lot of pride. However, we still have to find ways of showing our appreciation to the many lives that have supported our military efforts and defended our country’s safety.

What You Will Do:

1) Students will read the CNN article discussing the importance of Veteran’s Day and how one can help a respected war veteran. http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/09/us/iyw-veterans-day/index.html?iref=allsearch

2) Do you know someone who is currently serving in the military or who has actively served our country in the armed forces? If so, be sure to give supporting facts and include any personal experiences by identifying the soldier, your relation or connection to the soldier, any war stories shared, the name of war the soldier fought in, etc., so we can properly acknowledge the heroism of the soldier during this time of celebrations and memorials.

3) List and explain a variety of  ways that you/we can honor our war veterans every day of the year.  If you or someone you know are supporting or have supported a soldier in the past, explain in detail how you or someone you know has helped in supporting military soldiers over throughout the past or within the present years.

WE SALUTE ALL OF OUR MILITARY SOLDIERS WORLDWIDE!!!

***Remember to answer all of your questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***

Current Event #9: Legal Age To Vote

Due: Friday, November 9th, 2012

The right to vote is one of the most important liberties that can be accorded to the individual in a democratic country. In the history of the world there have been many stories about the sacrifices made by our ancestors in order for them to give us the liberty of speaking our minds through a vote.

After many years of struggle voting has become a right that can be exerted by every man and woman that has reached the right age. There is such a thing as a right age for voting because it must be done by an individual that holds the intellectual capability of understanding the consequences of the vote he or she casts. An individual must be able to make a decision that is right on which the future of a country could depend on.

The legal age for voting differs in some countries, but the majority agrees with young men and women who reach the age of 18 to be allowed to vote. In the past the right to vote was granted at the age of 21 but the limit was lowered to 18 and some countries are even debating lowering it even more.

In the United States of America the legal age is 18. But there is an exception to this rule that allows persons who have 17 years old to vote if they are to turn 18 on or before the general election day. This however is only applicable in some states.

Most countries around the world maintain the 18 year old rule. Cuba, Brazil, Nicaragua and Austria allow voting at 16. In the Seychelles and Sudan 17 is the legal age. South Korea has a legal voting age of 19 and Japan of 20. Bolivia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Dominica, Djibouti, Fiji, Kuwait and Lebanon allow their citizen to vote at the age of 21.

Source:www.righttovote.org

What You Will Do:

1) Read the CNN article entitled Argentina drops its voter age to 16 found at the following link: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/31/world/americas/argentina-youth-vote/index.html?hpt=ila_c2 .

2) Based on your reading of the information regarding the official voting ages around the world and the content found in the CNN article, you will formulate your thoughts and opinions on the age parameters set for voting in the United States.

3) Do you agree or disagree with the current voting age set for citizens in the United States? Should the age criteria remain the same or should they change based upon the intellectual attributes that you and your peer group could bring to the table? Explain in detail.

4) The Argentina voting article made mention of the fact that, "the worst social problem in Argentina is the youth. Education is worse. The consumption of drugs is worse. Employment is worse. Things like teen pregnancy, they are much worse than they were at the beginning of this government, and now the government has discovered them and they say, we are going to vote". If you were granted the opportunity today to vote based on political campaign debate speeches and other media driven plows to capture voter's action at the ballots, would you vote to solve issues such as the ones listed in this quote? Why or why not?

***Remember to answer all of your questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***

Current Event #8: Government Invades 

American Citizens Right to Privacy

Due: Friday, November 2nd, 2012

A recent issue surrounding the rights of American citizens privacy has come into play at the federal government level as it concerns to wiretapping. Known as the FISA Amendments Act, the arguing plaintiffs state that this particular act allows the government to target people without any suspicion of wrongdoing. This in turn, brings up the question of whether or not an invasive program as such will be subject to any meaningful judicial review. This makes many fearful that if no regulations or checks and balances are placed on government officials, from monitoring phone/email records, the privacy of many non-threatening citizens will be violated and subjected. 

What You Will Do:

Read the CNN article found at the following address link to respond to the following questions: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/29/opinion/jaffer-abdo-wiretapping/index.html?hpt=op_t1.

1) How do you feel about the government having the ability to access the phone and email records of citizens found guilty of wrongdoing as well as non-threatening individuals in attempts to obtaining personal information? 

2) Should there be judicial review conducted on government officials to protect the privacy of American citizens from being taken advantage of? If so why, and to what degree do you suggest conducting an audit and who should be apart of this judicial review committee?

3) Do you foresee a major shift or change in the way people will utilize their communication devices, if the government wins this case, which will truly end the privacy of all citizens' phone/email records from being wiretapped? By chance, does this debate issue cause you to rethink your communication correspondences with the individuals you call, text, or send emails to?

***Remember to answer all of your questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***