Dec 30 2014
Please read the following article and be prepared for class discussion.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2238530/Wifes-bra-size-Dress-size-Date-birth-Millions-men-havent-faintest-idea.html#ixzz2Dccsh4iB
See you soon!
I hope all is well!
Matthew
Friday, 19 December 2014
Dec 24 2014 discussion
Dec 24 2014 Discussion
Please look at both of these articles before coming to class. Be ready, please.
Please look at both of these articles before coming to class. Be ready, please.
Are physical stores dead? Will online shops
take over
Enjoy the class and have a great Christmas!!
Matthew
Dec 23 2014
This is the December 23 2014 Topic.
If you are looking for another one, you'll need to scroll down.
Please watch the following video and be prepared to discuss the topic in class. Watch it more than once please.
If you are looking for another one, you'll need to scroll down.
Please watch the following video and be prepared to discuss the topic in class. Watch it more than once please.
Have a great class!
Matthew
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Dec 19 2014 Discussion
Many parents have habits that they do not want their children to
have. For example, many parents really love chocolate, smoke, or drink. Also,
many parents dislike things that they want their children to like. For example,
parents hate tomatoes, peas, apples, or oatmeal.
Please watch this video. I hope it bring back some great memories!
My questions are this:
Is it better for parents to be open and honest about their bad
habits and dislikes, or should they lie to their children (hide the chocolate,
eat the tomatoes when in front of their children, etc).
Do you think that the lies will be discovered at some time and
hurt the children (mistrust, etc), or do you think that these lies are
harmless?
Did your parents lie to you? How do you know and what did you do
when you found out?
Would you lie to your children?
Are these kinds of lies different from others?
Dec 17 2014 Discussion
Please watch this video and consider the questions below.
Questions
1. Do you have such a discrimination based on diseases in your country?
If yes, what kind of diseases?
2. What is the most effective way to change people's mind in Tanzania?
(That means "what is the best way to stop such persecution in Tanzania?")
3. Should the government protect albinistic people in Tanzania?
4. Which do you think is more effective to stop it, by banding it by a law or by educating people about the diseases?
<basic information about albinos in Africa>
Albinism is a genetically inherited condition which is very rare and worldwide affects approximately one in twenty thousand people Although rare in the western world, albinism is quite common in sub-Saharan Africa, likely as a result of consanguinity.” Both parents who may or may not be albinos themselves must carry the gene if it is to be passed on to the child and is common both in male and female and is not specific to any race or ethnic group. Statistics prove that fifty percent of albinos in Tanzania have an albino relative which they know of although very few understand or are educated about the medical and genetic causes of this condition. Most people believe it is a punishment from God or bad luck and that their “disease” could be contagious which is often the view of even members of the medical and professional community. These misconceptions, coupled with the lack of education are some of the key reasons that albinism is so heavily persecuted. This lack of knowledge around people with Albinism (PWA) means that myth and superstition in the name of witchcraft take place of medical and scientific facts in the minds of many albinos and native Africans which in turn has major effects the social integration of albinos into society. Ninety eight percent of albinos die by the age of forty for reasons which could easily be prevented.
Persecution of People with Albinism (PWA) may occur for different reasons. One is based on the belief that certain body parts of albinistic people can transmit magical powers. Such superstition is present especially in some parts of the African Great Lakes region, it has been promulgated and exploited by witch doctors and others who use such body parts as ingredients in rituals, concoctions and potions with the claim that their magic will bring prosperity to the user ("muti" or medicine murder)
As a result, people with albinism have been persecuted, killed and dismembered, and graves of albinos dug up and desecrated. At the same time, people with albinism have also been ostracised and even killed for exactly the opposite reason, because they are presumed to be cursed and bring bad luck. The persecutions of people with albinism take place mostly in Black African communities, especially among East Africans.
Sunday, 14 December 2014
Dec 16 2014 Blog Discussion
Hello!
Today we will be discussing two questions.
1) Does religion do more harm than good?
2) Should the movie industry be discouraged from creating 'child stars'?
We will be watching one short video before discussing each topic. Please think about your opinion before class.
Thanks!
Matthew
Today we will be discussing two questions.
1) Does religion do more harm than good?
2) Should the movie industry be discouraged from creating 'child stars'?
We will be watching one short video before discussing each topic. Please think about your opinion before class.
Thanks!
Matthew
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Dec 10 2014 Discussion
Please have a look at this article and be ready to discuss it in class. Thanks, DanBi!
1. Have you ever experienced about annoying passenger in airplane?? Can you tell us what happened??
2. According to this article, some people will post pictures or video of offending passenger.
What's your opinion about it? Is it okay or does it invade someone's right??
If you are in this situation, would you post pictures on your facebook or twitter??
3. If someone get your back up (annoy, irritate), what would you do? How can you solve the situation??
4. Do you think that people are just too sensitive on an airplane? Why do you think they are so sensitive?
5. Which behaviour do you do? Which annoys you the most?
The ranked list of onboard etiquette violators, with percentage cited by study respondents:
1. Rear seat-kicker (67%)
2. Inattentive parents (64%)
3. Aromatic passenger (56%)
4. Audio-insensitive (talking/music) (51%)
5. Boozer (50%)
6. Chatty Cathy (43%)
7. Carry-on baggage offenders (39%)
8. Armrest hog (38%)
9. Seat-back guy (aka seat recliner) (37%)
10. Queue jumper (35%)
11. Overhead bin inconsiderate (32%)
12. Pungent foodies (32%)
13. Back-of-seat grabber (31%)
14. Playboy (reads/watches adult content) (30%)
15. Amorous (inappropriate affection) (29%)
16. Mad bladder (28%)
17. Undresser (removes shoes or more) (26%)
18. Seat switcher (13%)
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
Dec 11 2014 Discussion
Please watch this video and consider the questions below. See you in class!
http://www.ted.com/talks/gever_tulley_on_5_dangerous_things_for_kids#t-543649
Should power tools be used by kids?
Is experiencing danger healthy or good for kids?
Why do parents, governments, etc., put off (delay) the danger kids will eventually encounter (experience)?
Did you like danger as a kid? How about now? What did the danger teach you? What dangers did you experience?
Do you agree with the five things kids should experience?
- fire
- knives
- spears (throwing)
- deconstructing machines
- breaking laws (pirating music and driving)
Is this presenter crazy?
http://www.ted.com/talks/gever_tulley_on_5_dangerous_things_for_kids#t-543649
Should power tools be used by kids?
Is experiencing danger healthy or good for kids?
Why do parents, governments, etc., put off (delay) the danger kids will eventually encounter (experience)?
Did you like danger as a kid? How about now? What did the danger teach you? What dangers did you experience?
Do you agree with the five things kids should experience?
- fire
- knives
- spears (throwing)
- deconstructing machines
- breaking laws (pirating music and driving)
Is this presenter crazy?
Monday, 8 December 2014
Dec 9 2014 discussion topic
Please read this article and be ready for class. See you soon!
Matthew
Free,
imaginative play is crucial for normal social, emotional and cognitive
development. It makes us better adjusted, smarter and less stressed
On August 1, 1966, the day psychiatrist Stuart Brown started his assistant professorship at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, 25-year-old Charles Whitman climbed to the top of the University of Texas Tower on the Austin campus and shot 46 people. Whitman, an engineering student and a former U.S. Marine sharpshooter, was the last person anyone expected to go on a killing spree. After Brown was assigned as the state’s consulting psychiatrist to investigate the incident and later, when he interviewed 26 convicted Texas murderers for a small pilot study, he discovered that most of the killers, including Whitman, shared two things in common: they were from abusive families, and they never played as kids.
Brown did not know which factor was more important. But in the 42 years since, he has interviewed some 6,000 people about their childhoods, and his data suggest that a lack of opportunities for unstructured, imaginative play can keep children from growing into happy, well-adjusted adults. “Free play,” as scientists call it, is critical for becoming socially adept, coping with stress and building cognitive skills such as problem solving. Research into animal behavior confirms play’s benefits and establishes its evolutionary importance: ultimately, play may provide animals (including humans) with skills that will help them survive and reproduce.
By Melinda Wenner | January 28, 2009 - The Scientific American
Related
article – http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/03/09/play-author-stuart-brown-why-playtime-matters-to-kids-health-and-brains
Matthew
Play is More than Fun
Read the
following and be prepared to summarize it in class. Look up any vocabulary you
don’t know.
Free,
imaginative play is crucial for normal social, emotional and cognitive
development. It makes us better adjusted, smarter and less stressed
One
study found that kids who played with blocks scored higher on language tests
than kids who had no blocks. Perhaps the children with blocks simply spent less
time on unproductive activities such as watching TV--but the end result was good
for them in any case.
On August 1, 1966, the day psychiatrist Stuart Brown started his assistant professorship at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, 25-year-old Charles Whitman climbed to the top of the University of Texas Tower on the Austin campus and shot 46 people. Whitman, an engineering student and a former U.S. Marine sharpshooter, was the last person anyone expected to go on a killing spree. After Brown was assigned as the state’s consulting psychiatrist to investigate the incident and later, when he interviewed 26 convicted Texas murderers for a small pilot study, he discovered that most of the killers, including Whitman, shared two things in common: they were from abusive families, and they never played as kids.
Brown did not know which factor was more important. But in the 42 years since, he has interviewed some 6,000 people about their childhoods, and his data suggest that a lack of opportunities for unstructured, imaginative play can keep children from growing into happy, well-adjusted adults. “Free play,” as scientists call it, is critical for becoming socially adept, coping with stress and building cognitive skills such as problem solving. Research into animal behavior confirms play’s benefits and establishes its evolutionary importance: ultimately, play may provide animals (including humans) with skills that will help them survive and reproduce.
By Melinda Wenner | January 28, 2009 - The Scientific American
Watch Dr Brown talking about his research at
this web address:-
The video
is about 27 minutes long but comes with subtitles
and an interactive transcript.
Wednesday, 3 December 2014
Dec 4 2014 Discussion
Please have a look at the article and watch the video. We will be discussing this in class tomorrow. If you don't know who Stephen Hawking is, please Google his name.
-
Do you fear the development of Artificial
Intelligence?
-
How would you use AI?
-
Professor Hawking is argued to be one of the
world’s smartest people. Does a warning from him worry you?
-
Do you think that AI could solve many of the world’s
problems? What kind of problems could be solved?
-
Would you change your voice if you could? What
if it was a robotic one like Stephen Hawking?
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