Presentations Response pt. I

Todays presentations were fantastic. They made me nervous to present my own topic, to start thinking about how to even present my research, and begin really writing my paper. Everyone seemed well-informed and passionate about their topics as well as off to great starts on their papers. I really liked Shawn's use of powerpoint. Sometimes words have the ability to get lost in speech, but are clear when they effectively reflect the speaker's point-of-view if written down. I personally like when a professor can engage with a class and still use slides. It was also nice when the presenters connected why, as an audience, we should care about their topic. Shawn noted globalization and education are connected and utilized through study abroad programs. Katherine stated budget cuts result in classes such as art being removed from curriculum, which I am also partly researching and deeply concerned with. And Stephanie's topic is one all of us can relate to - the growing use of technology in the classroom - and made me think throughly about whether it is good or bad detached from my feelings that I do not like it.

All in all, these presentations were very good, and I hope to do as well as the first batch.

Friday, April 16th Presentations

I thought each research topic presented today was very unique. I really like how Shawn incorporated PowerPoint into his presentation. It definitely helped me follow along with his presentation, as well as provide a visual display of useful facts and information. It is great that he can narrow down the idea of globalization of education to be more specific by focusing on the benefits of study abroad programs. I had never thought in depth about study abroad programs, so I am interested to find out how a student benefits from them and in what ways.
Katherine also did a good job of working from a bigger subject, budget cuts, to making her topic more specific by focusing on art and music cuts. I thought she shared some good background information on the topic, and even though I am not as interested in art as her, her love of art was an explanation for her feelings on the matter of cutting more creative classes. Knowing why she was so passionate about her topic made me want to hear more.
Stephanie’s topic of online learning definitely related to the class very well, since we wrote a paper on Kaplan University’s advertisement for online education. Some of my classes do use Learn@UW and blogs, and I feel that they are okay to an extent. However, I would definitely dislike having an entire course be online. I feel as though learning is much harder for me individually if I am not in a classroom setting. I enjoy more hands-on ways of learning. I am looking forward to hearing Stephanie’s opinion about online learning once she completes her research.

Friday, April 16th Presentations

I was, actually, very amazed at how each presenter today had already figured out their topic, even if it wasn't completely finalized yet! Shawn, Stephanie and Katherine were all visibly prepared and ready to take the next step in their research, and visibly interested as well.
Again, Shawn, I think focusing in on University of Wisconsin would do very well for your research, as well as possibly interviewing some students on campus who are have either gone abroad already or are going to. Ask them why they feel its necessary for them to do so, as well as other questions you feel need to be answered in order for you to feel convinced about your topic.
Katharine, you probably have the most controversial topic. Therefore, you should definitely look for articles from each side arguing the other. In addition, I have a question about one of the articles you found about art being incorporated into the sciences. Are they talking about actual art projects, or something like diagrams and pictures that help you figure out problems? Either way, I'm confused about whether this would explain why budgets for art are being cut. Your topic is great, though. I can't wait to hear about your research the most.
And Stephanie, your research topic is great as well. You can use the example of this website as to how classes incorporate technology today. It might even be beneficial to find an article or interview someone to ask why we blog for this class, since students in the past obviously never did before. Since you are in your early stages of research, I'm sure you'll find the answers to these questions, and yours as well.
By the way, none of you have to listen to anything I've said, but I just thought I'd give my thoughts here since we don't have time in class. Whatever you guys do, I can't wait to find out the answers to your research!

Today's presentations were all very interesting topics but the one that I can relate to the most is Shawn's topic of the globalization of education. During high school, I had the chance to go to Spain for two weeks, and I feel that experience is something I will never forget. Although it wasn't a study abroad program and I wasn't there for a whole semester, I still learned so much during my time there. I agree with Shawn's argument that studying abroad can help in so many areas of life. I already gave advice as to what to do, but I strongly feel that bringing in other people's experiences would create for a stronger and more personal paper. As to Katherine and Stephanie's topics both are very intriguing as well. All my classes this year have online resources that I must use to succeed, and like Stephanie I'm not sure what side of the argument I am on. I can see both the pros and cons to online learning, and I think a middle ground has to be reached. Finally I never thought about art being useful in other fields. My high school was always talking about things to cut and it was art/music that was considered first. Since I am a musician, I feel that both art and music need to be part of school because although it might not teach people math and science, it is a different way to learn. And now I see that art/music can be used in every field.

Presentations: Day 1

I thought presentations went well today. Shawn's use of powerpoint held my attention and I thought his topic on the globalization of education and study abroad programs was interesting. He could also really go in a lot of directions with his topic; he has a lot of freedom. Kathrine's (sorry if I spell anyones name wrong) presentation was also pretty good. She gave us some good facts and information she already found on her topic on budget cuts and art programs. I do wish she would have incorporated that class a little bit more, but at the end we did discuss a few of the different aspects and view points of why art programs should or should not be cut when money runs low in schools. Her idea to interview her art teacher, I felt, was also a good idea. I agree it would make her paper more personal and relatable. Stephanie's presentation also went well. She incorporated the class into her topic on technology in higher education and how it will change the way universities use advanced resources. Her survey and questions were good, but I felt that her presentation was a little choppy, maybe because she was nervous and wasn't sure where she stood as far as an arguement. I felt that maybe the class was also confused about what direction she wanted to take with the information she had gathered, although like Shawn, she also has the freedom to pick apart many individual aspects in her paper.

Response: Budget Cuts

I thought the presentation on budget cuts in the arts was very interesting. I never thought of how much art actually is involved in other subjects and careers. In middle school and high school, each time a referendum was trying to be passed the idea of cutting art and music classes never really effected me. I did not focus on the arts as my elective classes so I didnt ever think how much it effected other students. After hearing the presentation today, I realize how important art classes are to enhancing education. It confuses me how they will cut art classes that help students to have well rounded education. Language classes have a similar advantage in taking but never seem to be an issue. Language and art classes both enhance experience with new ideas and culture, yet art classes are always the ones to go. The bottom line is that every class in school will enhance education or it would not be there. Budget cuts are unfortunate and before cuts are made they should look further into the overall effect they will have on a students education an future.