Presentation on monday

Hello folks, Bruno here

I'd like to introduce and explain about "tech addicts" or tech heads, idk for sure how it's called in english.

Cya

Student topic (Wednesday)

Hey people, Bruno here 

Please read this article: http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/google-buys-eight-robot-companies-including-military-contractor-1.1596455

It's a simple and direct topic, so please watch the videos and dig about AI, robots and Google.

Google is getting in AI and robo business. Including they have a military contractor especialized in building robots and software for human simulation.

So, my questions are:

1) What do you think Google wants with such technology?

2) It's possible that Google is financing future weapons?

3) In the future, robots could help? Or could be a threat?

4) if they suceed someday, they are combining AI tech, with robots and human software. That means they are creating non-biological humans. Their software will problably be able to simulate feelings. So, if in the future a robot kills someone, it will be considered murder or accident, malfunction?

5) A personal last question. Do you think human beings are advancing in technology fast or slow?

Thurs, Dec 19 2013 Vote!

The topics up for vote today are:

1) Is depression real? Should it be viewed as a weakness or a medical problem? If people seek medical treatment, how should we view this? What is your opinion of depression?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/stigmatizing-depression-a-dangerous-trend-andrew-solomon-1.2462816


2) Is it the governments or the private companies responsibility to supply defibrillators in public places? First it was fire hoses, then sprinkler systems, then fire extinguishers, then first aid kids, then carbon monoxide detectors, then suicide prevention phones, now defibrillators.

Read this article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/defibrillators-may-be-hard-to-find-in-emergencies-cbc-investigation-1.2443853 and decide for yourself.

Also, you could read http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2011/10/13/bystanders_have_an_obligation_to_perform_cpr_physicians_say.html

We will be talking about this too (if it is voted for).

Wed, Dec 18 2013 Student Chosen Topic

Bruno!

Yes, it is Bruno who gets to choose the topic for today!

Please choose a topic, post the article, and ask us some questions.
The topic is totally up to you. Pick something that interests you!

Matthew

Tuesday, Dec 17 2013

Topics: Age and Family Discrimination

Article 1

http://www.thestar.com/business/personal_finance/2013/09/17/cn_employee_won_35000_for_family_status_discrimination.html

-       Do you think it is fair to fire an employee for the reasons described in the article?

-       Do you think that Denise Seeley had a good reason for not moving?

-       Do you think that Denise is just greedy and wanted as much money as she could get so that she could stay away from work?

-       What would you do in Denise’s and her husband’s situation?

-       Do you thin 15 days is enough time to move and report to a new job?

-       Would this type of situation happen in your home country?

-       Do you think she should have won the court case?

    Article 2

http://www.hrreporter.com/articleview/18787-age-discrimination-in-the-workplace-an-ongoing-problem-study

-        “Mature professionals are too old to keep up with the times (eg. they do not know how to use computers properly) and may cost a company more in terms of benefits (eg. They get sick more often).” Do you agree with this statement?

-       “One-half (57 per cent) of mature workers want to stay in the workforce — but on their own terms (choose their own hours, etc).” Do you think this is fair? Are younger workers able to choose their own hours, set their own schedule, or have extended holidays?

-       What are the negative points of allowing older workers to stay in the workplace longer? What are the positive points?

-       In your home country, how are older workers treated? Are they respected or ignored?

Monday Presentation (Bruno)

Hello everyone,

My presentation on monday it's about "Newer protests in Brazil"

See ya guys. Have a nice weekend.

OBS: Me and Mika r alive, idk the others.

Monday Presentation Topic :Shun

Hi! Everyone!
How are you doing?

This is Shun.
I'm going to talk about  "Vicious business" on Monday.

Have a good weekend!

Presentation on Monday

Hi, it's Ryo.

I'd like to talk about,,,
"3 things that I've learned in Canada"

Have a nice weekend without hangover! (I already have)

Student topic for Wednesday

Hi, it's Ryo.
We're going to talk about this.

"Patient's right vs Doctor's power"

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/dr-c-i-m-cheating-on-my-cancer-doctor-1.2453571

It says,
"we don't see the person we're treating."   "That person has free will"

My questions are like this.

"Which should be more respected, doctor's medical opinion or patient's free will??"

"Should doctors care every single patient's personality, feeling and other stuff?? Is that too much??"

"If someone is diagnosed with cancer, he or she is going to die anyway. Should we treat them even though we take their freedom away??"

"In Japan, we sign a lot of documents before surgeries to make sure that we're not going to sue doctors if something happens. Is that fair?? How about your country??"


I hope we'll have a good time!

Topic for presentation

It's Ryo.
Sorry it's late, cuz I came back Toronto now!

My topic is ,,,"Ohenro"

See u tmrw!

Friday, Dec 13 2013 Presentation Topics

Don't forget that on Friday the following are your choices for presentation topics. These need to be researched and prepared ahead of time, so don't wait until the last minute.
The topics will change for next Friday. The new topics will be given to you on Monday.

Friday

Formal Student Presentations:

-       Topic: 1)Technology or 2)Travel

-       Students will stand at the front of the room.

-       Length: 10-15min

-       1) Students will research a piece of technology (e.g. cellphone, satellite, video game console, etc.). Where was it developed? Where is it most popular? What is it used for? Why do we need it? Do we need it? Do you think it will be helpful or harmful over the long term? How does it affect the privacy or the lives of regular citizens?

-       2) Students will research a place they would like to travel and make a plan. Where is this place? What is the political/social situation there? Why would you want to go there (to vacation, to volunteer, etc.)? How much would it cost? How would you get there (airline, ship)? Are there Visa/passport requirements? What is the weather like? Is this a popular place for travel?

See you in class tomorrow for the debate!

Matthew

Thursday, Dec 12 2013 Vote!

1) Is it the governments or the private companies responsibility to supply defibrillators in public places? First it was fire hoses, then sprinkler systems, then fire extinguishers, then first aid kids, then carbon monoxide detectors, then suicide prevention phones, now defibrillators.

Read this article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/defibrillators-may-be-hard-to-find-in-emergencies-cbc-investigation-1.2443853 and decide for yourself.

Also, you could read http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2011/10/13/bystanders_have_an_obligation_to_perform_cpr_physicians_say.html

We will be talking about this too (if it is voted for).

OR


2) Unfair employer practices

Do you think that what the employer in this article does is illegal?
Does this sort of thing happen in your home country?
Did you know that this happens when someone doesn't pay their bill?
Can you think of other illegal employer practices that employees do not complain about because they would probably get fired? (I can, and it happened to me once.)

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2013/12/suzanne_parratt_servers_being_forced_to_pay_for_walkouts_is_surprisingly.html

If you vote for this topic, please come to class with a short list of illegal company practices.


Happy Voting!

Wed, Dec 11 2013 Student Chosen Topic

We are back around to the start...

Ryo!

Please choose a topic for discussion. There are many good ones out there right now!

The class says, "Thanks!"

Matthew

Tuesday, Dec 10 2013 Discussion Topic

Creativity

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/12/creativity_is_rejected_teachers_and_bosses_don_t_value_out_of_the_box_thinking.html

You will need to look up some vocabulary.

1) In your home country, how is creative thinking viewed? Think about artists, musicians, and even workplaces. Is creativity accepted or rejected?
2) Do you think creativity is encouraged in school? Do you think it should be encouraged in school? How should it be encouraged?
3) The end of the article says "To live creatively is a choice. You must make a commitment to your own mind and the possibility that you will not be accepted. You have to let go of satisfying people, often even yourself."  Do you agree with this statement?
4) Please make a list of your favourite creative people. These could be artists, designers, business people, athletes, etc.

5) Do you have an experience when your creativity was rejected, either by someone else, or by your own brain?

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/pk8dy4NIzBU

Dec 3 Discussion Topic Naoko

Hi, I would talk about “poverty”.

Please read this article:

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/half-of-canada-s-first-nations-kids-living-in-poverty-study-finds-1.1331962

I’m afraid but I’ll put some questions this evening.

See you later.

Naoko

Thurs, Dec 5 2013 Topic Vote

1) X-ray scanners at airports?! Do we need them? Are they keeping us safe or are they an invasion of our privacy?

Read up on the topic at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2204422/Controversial-naked-airport-body-scanners-scrapped-failing-receive-European-approval.html

Yup, this article is long. Nope, you do not have to read the whole thing. Read enough to get a couple of arguments and to understand the topic.

OR

2) Is it the governments or the private companies responsibility to supply defibrillators in public places? First it was fire hoses, then sprinkler systems, then fire extinguishers, then first aid kids, then carbon monoxide detectors, then suicide prevention phones, now defibrillators.

Read this article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/defibrillators-may-be-hard-to-find-in-emergencies-cbc-investigation-1.2443853 and decide for yourself.

Also, you could read http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2011/10/13/bystanders_have_an_obligation_to_perform_cpr_physicians_say.html

We will be talking about this too (if it is voted for).

Wed, Dec 4 2013 Student Chosen Topic

The student with the wonderful responsibility for this week is...

Naoko

Please choose a topic for us to discuss, post a link to the article (ask me if you don't know how), and create some questions for us to discuss.

Please do this by Tuesday morning.

Thanks and we look forward to the topic!

Matthew

Tuesday, Dec 3 2013 Discussion Question

Hello all!

Usually, I post a topic and an article. This time, however, I will post a topic, but not an article. Instead, i would like you to Google "Is recycling worth it?" or "Does recycling really help?".

Obviously, we are going to be talking about garbage and recycling. I have done some reading, but I would like you to choose an article that interests you the most and that you enjoy reading (at least a little).

So, please do a Google search using the above questions (or other you think of), choose an article and read it, and come to class with an opinion, some facts, and maybe even some questions.

See you Monday!

Matthew