Research Progress

My ARP is coming together quite nicely. Essentially, I've been revising the other components and finalizing the works cited page up until this point. I've written an outline of for my conclusion at least three times only to watch it evolve before my very eyes when I began it. This resulted in an inevitable writers block because I was over analyzing my writing. To combat this, I've decided to embrace this as a naturally occurring event and am looking forward to the product of my research based analysis and conclusions. I will then excise the unnecessary analysis and conclusions during my final edit.

Research Progress

I've been making progress on the ARP. In addition, I've been working on MG3. I've written a one act play which, in my opinion, isn't fit for consumption by anyone other than myself and made a Wanted poster featuring the greatest President this or any nation has ever or will ever have. I think I just threw up in my mouth. I haven't decided if it will be my submission for the assignment as of yet. I'm going to continue work on the one act play in hopes of saving it.

Research Progress

I'm currently in the process of piecing together an ARP. Sifting through all of this data is becoming problematic. It has occurred to me that I didn't heed the sage like advice in the early stages of this project to organize. Lessons are most effectively learned through mistakes. As such, it certainly will never happen again. In the meantime, I need to persevere and see this project through its fruition. As for the research symposium... I've thought long and hard about presenting and came to the conclusion last week not to present. I understand that it makes little sense as we have to have to put a presentation together anyways but I have my reasons.

Research Progress

Based upon your recommendations, I've revised my multigenre work two. I included text boxes but incorporated them into the work as a frame. Within the frame, I've included relevant data from my research. That satisfies the research result prerequisite for the project. I've also placed a text box beneath the the "painting" titled No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. That should eliminate any ambiguity.

Miami Dade School advertising rant

This is off of my research topic but Miami Dade School Board has decided to allow the privitization of their schools via corporate advertising on school grounds. The ads have limitations such as being age appropriate or not selling junk food. They are allowing this in an effort to raise millions of dollars in projected revenues for the school system which is experiencing significant fiscal shortfalls. I can't make this up. I actually thought that I had seen everything. I was mistaken; approval of a six hundred plus million stadium while simultaneously prostituting our greatest assets' minds. Where is the disconnect?

Research Progress

Here is a draft of my multigenre effort. It still needs significant work.


Left Behind

The dark silence of my self-induced cave surrounds and shrouds my broken form
on the eve of the sixth coming of a false savior with my commiserating companion Jameson and unwelcome reminders of ineptitude and cowardice.
Pensive and preoccupied with the realization that we have failed our greatest asset;
that I had neglected those in my charge.
I look upon the gleeful toothless grins of ghosts in glossy life-like texture of
Anita, Katherine, Lena, Hector, Janelle, Alexis, Miguel, Tyrone, Jorge, Ranada…
The faces and names are an endless procession of past classes,
oblivious in their inherent innocence and unconditional trust that discerning, educated and benevolent adults entrusted to educate them had their best interests in mind.
Would they be smiling if they knew what awaited them?
Would they be smiling if they knew what we had wrought?
Would they be smiling if they knew what we had conspired to do to them with our silence?
The pangs of conscience reverberate as they did the day the prophetic voice of "reason" forecast their inevitable demise promising greater accountability and education through testing without the problematic racial and socio-demographic divide.
The illuminating screech of obdurate logic and reason rebelled against this false prophet.
Reverberating in my brain and resonating in my subconscious until I couldn't focus on the blissful blind exuberance and unfulfilled promise in my students and I was -
acutely aware of the beautiful innate differences that we possess,
cognizant of the dangers of ethnocentrism,
mindful of the socio-demographic dynamic and its impact,
marked by the realization of the ramifications of failure due to underfunding.
Nonetheless, I stood mute, blind to my own betrayal and remiss in my obligations.
Years have passed and the carefree spirits haunt me daily
and starting tomorrow, my complicit silence will welcome a new class of jubilant apparitions.

Research Progress

I was speaking to a couple of my fellow students about the NCLB today. It suddenly occurred to me that they offer a unique perspective that both teachers and administrators don't possess. I believe that perspective will add to my project and resolve my immediate problem with a lack of interviews and surveys. As such, I'm going to design a survey specifically for students at St. Thomas and distribute it next week. Additionally, I'm going to interview several of my peers that have experienced the FCAT. I've also been revisiting resource periodicals for updated data as my topic is current and has received more attention now that President Obama is placing an onus upon education, even in the face of the current fiscal crisis.

Research Progress

I'm still waiting for responses to my interview requests. This may be due to the fact that FCAT day just happened. If that is the case, I certainly understand after my research. Hopefully, I'll get a response soon as these interviews are also the means to disseminate my surveys via school administration. My contingency plan is to interview and survey friends that are teachers and administrators but I'd prefer not to do that. Regardless, I dislike doing things last minute. The delay has already caused me to decrease the scope of my project.

Observation

The place I elected to observe was the courtyard area, facing the pond, in front of the library because it offered a wide variety of observable actions. I sat on a bench in the shade facing the pond because it offered the best vantage point of the area surrounding the pond. This allowed me to observe that area but also utilize my other senses simultaneously. I was an objective observer because I wanted to not play an active role in the process of observation. The resources that I brought to record my observations were a notebook and pen. I recorded notes with bulleted comments that were as specific as possible. As I sat on the bench, I immediately felt that it was colder than the outside air, had a sandpaper like texture and bleached out appearance that reminded me of Clint Eastwood's horse in Pale Rider. A light cool southwestern wind gently tugged at my clothing, creating goose bumps on my skin. Behind me, people entered the library. The vast majority of which shuffled their feet which I was distracting and is a pet peeve. Those that did not shuffle their feet or were at least the most noticeable were the click and clack of high heels as they passed by. This sound, chatter, laughter and construction in the distance detracted from the serene nature of the fountains to my front. The fountains in the pond created a peaceful atmosphere. The twin fountains created algae stained waves that radiated from their source, meeting in the middle to form a glass like serenity or spilled upon the shore with violent disregard. Directly across from me, a casually dressed man with dark unkempt hair and dark skin wearing blue jeans, a blue t shirt and white shoes lay immobile in direct sunlight with his left hand covering his eyes obviously asleep. To his right, two women were actively engaged in conversation .They were obviously passionately discussing a topic as they were both using gestures. their body language indicated that they were relaxed, open and receptive.

Research Progress

C-SPAN conducted an interview with Arne Duncan on Newsmakers. He is the new Secretary of Education. The interview specifically targeted NCLB and its reauthorization. This led me to look for the transcripts of the interview online after watching. I didn't find the transcripts for the interview because it had just occurred. However, it should be posted later. In the meantime, I have several relevant quotes from the interview. Additionally, my search led me to another research source that I'd never thought of. ITunes has free podcasts regarding the NCLB. I thought ITunes only purpose was to entertain and make money. You merely type in your topic in search on the ITunes homepage. If a Podcast is available for your topic, it'll come up. In my case, the Podcasts are relevant and from credible sources.

Survey

Here is the link to my survey. I'd appreciate any input you have on improvements.


Click Here to take survey

Research Progress

While I was in a room full of fellow citizens doing their civic duty (jury duty), the vast majority of which were complaining about the fact they were there, it occurred to me that I've overlooked an area of research. I was reading The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman and he mentions the flattening effect that blogging has had because it gives everyone an opportunity to upload rather than download. In doing so, mass media has evolved because everyone, everywhere has the ability to be a reporter or at the very least, state their opinion and have readers. It's odd that it happened in this way as this course requires us to create and maintain a blog. As soon as I returned to my house, I googled NCLB blogs. Not surprisingly, there are an infinite number of blogs dedicated to the NCLB. The major problems that lie with blogs is their relevance and validity as a source due to their sometimes anonymous nature. With this in mind, I'll only utilize it as a source to enforce an established fact or if the blogger's credentials can be verified.

Questions

Double: Do you listen to music or the lyrics?
Wrong Choice: Do you prefer conventional, chemical, nuclear or biological weapons when committing genocidal acts?
Fuzzy Word: Should irresponsible people be allowed to reproduce?
Cover the World: What do you think of legalizing illicit drugs?
Jargon: After PT, do you need to go to the PX before we return to the HQ for SDNCO?
Kitchen Sink: Can you please inform the staff what your intent is for reestablishment of security, rebuilding of infrastructure and providing for basic needs (food, shelter, clothing and water) for displaced citizens?
Dream: What is your ideal job?
Leading: Why is ST. Thomas University the best college in the nation?
Hearsay: Do you believe that Dick Cheney believes that he is the messiah?
Fallout: Do you like the Red Sox? If yes, do you attend games at Fenway? If yes, where do you sit?

Research Project Progress

I recently discovered a vast amount of research for my project in the archives of both the Senate and House Committees on Education and Labor. These hearings purpose is the betterment of the NCLB and ultimately, its recertification which has been stalled for two years. As such, they are rich with credible witnesses in the field of education, statistics on NCLB effectiveness in the form of test scores related to demographic and socio-economic data and commentary on that which is working, is not working and how these shortcomings can be rectified.

Research Progress

I've revised my research proposal correcting the minor content deficiencies. I've also continued my research. I've been pursuing the cancelation of recess both as a casualty of the NCLB and for its repercussions in the classroom. There is not an abundance of research readily available on this topic in terms of empherical data. I'm hoping to locate more so that I can incorporate it into my research project.

Blog Interview Report

W was born in Peru but moved to Miami when she was four. W's face reflected both admiration and recognition as she recounted the sacrifice her parents had made for her older brother and her. Her parents moved here so that their children had a better future as Peru's economy was in dire straits. They chose to move to Miami because family members were already established here. In Peru, they had bank jobs and were wealthy and their lifestyle reflected it. They had a three story house with a maid. In Miami, they lived in a home with other family members to defray the increased cost of living. Additionally, they could not get employment within the banking system in this country. Residing with her family in Miami since she came here, W is torn at the prospects of leaving. She'd like to go to law school after undergraduate in New York but can't imagine being apart from her family, specifically her mother. They obviously share a close bond and her expression becomes troubled at the desire to go to New York and the impending separation from her mother.

Research Progress

I was watching the world is going to end news (channel 7; it actually imports murder and rape reports from other states if there aren't any local violent crimes and sadly is my guilty television pleasure) yesterday and it actually ran a story about another means in which the NCLB is adversely affecting education. I was initially shocked because the story didn't cover the aforementioned crimes and it wasn't their typical feel good "fluff" story. Imagine my surprise when I realized that the segment was not only relevant but pertained to my research project. Apparently, studies have been conducted that due to cutting recess in order to teach according to the NCLB standards (FCAT preparation), students are less attentive in class and their grade point averages are reflecting it. I couldn't possibly make this up. What kind of sadist eliminates recess? Perhaps one that wants 33% of American children to obese? That's another research proposal entirely.

Research Progress

My research is clearly pointing to one conclusion. That is that the NCLB is ineffective. Furthermore, it is ineffective for a myriad of reasons. However, there is a surprising lack of research posted or conducted on its effect on critical thinking and cognitive development. My hope is to discover research and supporting data for this theory. It seems far too important to have been overlooked. I believe that test scores requiring critical thinking such as the PSAT, SAT, LSAT, GRE and MCAT prior to and after the implementation of NCLB will indicate an impact. I will focus heavily on quantitative measurements such as these to formulate my argument.

Blog Progress

I've been conducting research on my blog topic which I am admittedly entering with a bias. It'll be difficult but I believe that I'll be able to remain objective. There is an abundance of data on the topic. The information ranges from the public nature of the act's signing and implementation, the United States Annotated Code, established theories in critical thinking and cognitive development in educational psychology, mandatory FCAT preparation guidelines, class outlines designed to develop critical thinking and testing results on English, math and critical thinking. These sources do not include interviews from students, teachers and professors which will prove to be a valuable source of information. Additionally, I'm leaning towards drama as the genre to communicate my argument.

Fulkerson's Common Sense Approach To Research

Fulkerson's guidelines offer a common sense approach to research and the process of learning. If a topic is interesting to you, it becomes tangible. The tedium of researching a topic that you have no interest in cannot be overstated. Assigning a theater major a research project on tax law and its application is one such example of this antiquated practice. If a topic is current and thorough, it becomes relevant to not only you but the audience. The sole purpose of writing is to communicate. If your topic isn't relevant, you are not communicating. If communicating knowledge is the goal of writing, then you have to present your perspective. This perspective often differs from the prevailing opinion and the recognition of this fact is instrumental in composing a valid argument. This acknowledgement places the burden of responsibility squarely upon the author's shoulders. This uncomfortable muse provides the impetus to conduct the relevant and factually based research required to convince your audience that you are indeed correct.

Research Project

What are the ramifications of the No Child Left Behind Act and its implementation? The application of the act requires the use of standardized testing to gauge the level of academic achievement of students. This has resulted in the teaching of standardized testing materials, not the application of knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary outside of academia and in some cases, within academia. This practice has resulted in a generation of students that lack the ability of critical analysis and the ability to apply knowledge in everyday situations.

Experience and realities clash because the professor's goals, although admirable, do not take into consideration that the student may not be genuinely interested in the subject matter assigned. Merely researching an assigned topic without considering its value to the student is a pitfall. On the other hand, allowing the student to select a topic within the constraints of the subject matter allows the student to be interested and engaged in the subject matter while simultaneously learning. Thus, the professor can achieve his or her goal and the student feels that they have accomplished a goal and have a sense of academic fulfillment.