April 23rd Presentation Response

The deaf-mainstream presentation was a huge coincidence. I went to my friend Merle's house in Darian, WI and his high school is right down the block from the state's deaf high school. It was really interesting hearing about how they utilized the public schools utilities for their sports, such as their band and other things that deaf kids would have trouble doing.

It really seems that one who comes from a family of deaf people that tney would be biased, but at the same time you would know what you're talking about. It seems that there would be no unnecessary barriers if deaf students were all grouped together. It may seem like segregation, but when you look at it, it is nothing like it. With racial segregation there are no difference besides skin color. When there are so many barriers it must not only be easier for the students but more natural for them if they were all together.

Presentations Response pt. II

Again, the presentation topics were all very interesting - it's great to see everyone taking different directions and spins within the realm of education.

In particular, I thought the different studies and statistics that Lindsay presented about her research was especially interesting. I didn't know so many of these facts, but assumed almost every one. It's crazy to think that we have all these studies that prove correlation, but have no guess to the causation. I also really liked your word choice for your thesis - where and not how. Your paper will be really enlightening.

Brittany - I didn't know this sort of therapy was existent. It's going to be interesting to draw out the education within your topic. This really displays that education is not one size fits all.

Jessica - Of all the presentations so far, yours is the most connected. It's great how involved you are. I would also be aware of your bias - I would try to remain generally neutral throughout the piece until your addition to the conversation.

I really liked how Jessica chose a topic that really meant alot to her. You could tell in her presentation that this aspect effects her life everyday and it was some thing that she really cared about. I also like how she showed us what it is like for deaf people everday by using the sign language. Using experiences from her life to get her point across were really useful and it really helped her connect to the class emotionally. I was really impressed with her presentation and looked forward to hearing more about her topic!

Oral Presentations

I found the presentation on the student achievement gap to be thought provoking. Especially the part that explained that black men in all black schools are better off than if they attend a mostly white school, but for female black students that contrast doesn't matter. Animal therapy was also an enlightening topic. I was aware of horse therapy for disabled children but I didn't know that it involved games like "red light, green light" and that some horse trainers provide the therapy free of charge. Dolphin therapy was something I'd never heard of before and found very uplifting. I've studied dolphins and am aware that they are some of the smartest and kindest animals in existence, therefore it seemed fitting that they participate in disabled therapy for children and adults. The topic of deaf education was something I could relate to because for years I played volleyball and interacted with the kids who went to the state school for the deaf in Minnesota. I found it interesting that they only have two colleges to choose from. The presentation made me appreciate what I have.

Friday, April 23rd Presentations

I would like to congratulate everybody so far who has presented -- All the presentations have been very impressive and I hope this following week lives up to the standards already set!

Lindsay, your presentation was very thought-provoking. The achievement gaps that are present among races is more than a problem than people sometimes realize, or admit to realizing. I found your statistics and predicted validity slides especially interesting -- if you want to add more to your research, definitely go and pursue these topics. Also, what I meant to say in class when Lindsay asked why the university wouldn't mind having an achievement gap is that universities tend give more scholarships to minority students which can be unfavorable to the university-- I did not mean to say that universities loan more to minorities because that can be interpreted as insulting. I'm sorry!

Brittany, you probably have the most specific topic so far, which is great. I found the different types of therapy used to be especially interesting, and how those therapies effect autistic children differently. I'm going to have to agree with the other students though and disagree with Mary -- you should at least talk about education in some way and relate it to your topic. This will add a great deal to your paper!

And finally, Jessica, I found the most astonishing thing about your topic was that there was only one deaf school in Wisconsin. Wow, that should really be changed... but that is besides the point. I agree with your answer and I believe you have enough information. So you should pursue taking a poll like the students suggested to add depth to your paper.

Let's go, Monday presenters! Woo!