The Greatly (be-lated) Research Paper Topic

So, after much (and I mean muuuuuch) debate, I've decided to stick with my original idea and write about the horrors facing foreign language programs in schools, this including of course: budget cuts, jobs lost, programs ended, students sadly left in the realm of one language. However, the foreign language programs aren't the only school education programs facing extinction. Music programs, art classes, theater classes, and other ones I can't think of are also losing the financial and enthusiasm support required to keep going.
While my primary focus will be foreign language programs, because it's what I'm most interested in and it involves a piece of my major, I would really like to touch upon these other fine arts subjects as well.
Perhaps I'll find some schools that have to cut even the most basic of subjects?

Response to Chuck Klosterman

I found myself agreeing on some points with Chuck throughout this article, and then on others I found myself insulted and found him to be cynical. While he finds laugh tracks annoying, I think they're a part of the show - yes, a part that sometimes cues laughter when jokes aren't funny - but still a part. I'm not one of the mindless people that laughs when cued, I prefer sincere laughter for good humor and an eye roll for bad humor. (Although sometimes if the humor/joke is bad enough I will crack the hell up...silly writers...)
I do agree however that laugh tracks have made many people incorporate laughter when it's unnecessary, such as in awkward moments, or when we're at a loss of words and reflexively fill in the blank with laughter. If I think back over even the last month I know I've done that, and that I've been witness to that.
He picked on the show Friends, I love that show. I will forever be a fan, no matter how many repeats I've seen. Still, I don't find myself laughing if I'm not amused. Good old Chuck should watch the bloopers from that show... Now those are funny! <- Legit exclamation point.

Annotated Bibliography; numero uno

"2010 Annual Report: Cooperative Reseach Program." National Research Center for College and University Admissions. 2010. Web. 2011.

      This annual report shows the importance of Foreign Language teaching by providing statistics and facts. It also shows and reports on budget cuts and other problems currently facing foreign language problems. Not only do most schools require their students to take a foreign language, but 60% of students indicate that this is not the only reason; and because of this many are fighting to save their school's program.

      There are many facts and statistics in here that support the promotion of foreign language education, and therefore would be very useful in my research paper.

 

 

 

Response to "Attached to Technology and Paying a Price" article by Matt Richtel

"Attached to Technology and Paying a Price" ...is it ironic that we, as a class, were told to respond to this via blog? While many of us have up other browsers, tabs, itunes, and cell phones close at hand?

"This is your brain on computers." - LOL, yes, ironic.

In this article it says that technology is rewiring our brains, and as we said in class, I think that can be aimed at the general population but also individualized. For every person that becomes obsessed, over-stressed, and overly dependent on technology there is a person that isn't. Where in this article do we hear about those people? The ones that know how to walk away from technology and focus? Or even in that case, the ones that need technology, such as music or tv noise, to focus?

"The bottom line is, the brain is wired to adapt," said Steven Yantis. This is something I have to agree with. We, as humans, were made to adapt, so why wouldn't our brains - the control system to the rest of us - have that same ability.

Also, there was something I picked up on while reading this: Kord Campbell and Eyal Ophir, both people who are over-stressed by technology, notice that they were there for the beginning of it. Hence they saw it come about, and saw everything being added on and all the new changes. Unlike younger people of today who have grown up with technology. My niece, for instance, first book she got read itself.

I think that there is still a balance, and just because people fear what may come along with technological progression doesn't mean we should stop the brains of technologists.

Introduction

Hii, I'm Annie and I have no idea what I'm really doing with this thing. I'm a college kid, majoring in French and wondering what the hell I'm going to do with that degree once I'm done; to teach or not to teach, that is the question.

Today I had three, count 'em three, coffees and still somehow managed to miss my first class, take a nap, and put off during homework. Productive. On the bright side, right now I'm talking to myself (...or perhaps some classmates; hey!), and wondering if this qualifies as an introduction...I say yes.