Journal Blog #1: Summer Edition of ERS

Dear Students...  welcome to this summer edition of ERS. In this term, we are wide open in the types of themes and ideas that we can explore. We will read about Aung San Suu Kyi, the Democracy leader from Burma. We will read about Dave Brubeck, the jazz music legend who sadly passed away this past year. We will look at an essay about women moving up and demanding higher salaries. We will also look at an essay about the dangers of Yoga...  you can see that our topics are wide in range, which may help you to find something that you haven't thought about before and would like to think about more.

Also, you all come from a wide range of majors and study interests. In this first journal blog, I would like you to explain your major, why you chose this major, and what you hope to get from it. This will help me to know your interests and work to relate what we do in class to your own studies.

I'm looking forward to the term. Make sure that you include you ID# in your blog post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #5: What happens next?

You have been working hard on your Introductions, and by now, you will all have clear Thesis Statements with a point and a direction...  now the same question from Day 1: What happens next?

Remember to focus. You have plan. You have your point; don't lose it. Think of 2-3 body ideas that clearly, concisely, and cleverly support your point. Develop them with relevant supporting details. Remember your reader. If a reader reads it, would a reader understand it? Or does it need further explanation, examples, and clarification? You need to ask yourself again and again.

It is fine if you get it, but it only matters if the reader does. Get it?

Include your ID# on this last journal blog post for the term. Aj. M

Journal Blog #4: What is your area of interest?

In this journal blog, explain what area/subject/situation...  and topic that you're planning to write about. Make sure it is narrow and specific. This may not seem like a big deal now, but it will be later when you start to write your essay. Once you know it, you can then develop a clear Thesis Statement so we can know what happens next.

Post your ideas here, and I will work to help you focus. Remember to include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #3: In the next 20 years.

So far, we have read about inventions like the telephone and how Alexander Graham Bell is credited with one of the most important and life-changing innovations in history. Suddenly, people from long distances did not have to travel or send a letter, which took a long time. They could instantly connect with each other. Later, came other inventions like the radio and the television, which expanded media innovations with LIVE reporters, so we can see things happening AS THEY WERE HAPPENING.

Most of us carry mobile phones in our pockets, coupled with the internet, and I think we're still quite amazed at how these innovations have changed our lives, and it is even hard to imagine our lives now without it.

So... what happens next? In the next 20 years, what do you think could be the most important new innovation? What do we desperately need (or want?) that could change the world... again?

Include your ID# in your post. I look forward to reading your thoughts. Aj. M

Journal Blog #2:Multiples

In this journal blog post, show your summary of multiples as we read in the Malcolm Gladwell's essay, In the Air. In the essay, three stories are presented: 1) Myhrvold, Horner, and the dinosaur bones; 2) Bell, Gray, and the telephone; and 3) Myhrvold and Intellectual Ventures.

For a good summary, you need to define the idea of multiples and use the examples of these three stories to support that definition. Choose your supporting details carefully. Don't change the meaning. Write it in your own words.

The best examples will be reviewed in class. Remember to include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #1: What is your greatest source of inspiration?

Welcome to the first ERS journal blog entry for Trimester 3, 2013. For this term of ERS, the theme for us will be Innovation/Inspiration. In my view, before we are able to innovate, first we need to be inspired to do it. We draw our inspirations from many sources, whether it be family or someone we admire. We may be moved by art or nature. There might be something from within us that motivates us and gives us the energy and will to pursue a particular idea or dream.

As a teacher-for-life, I can easily say that I draw inspiration from my students. My students can be my inspiration, my frustration, my joy, and my sadness all at the same time. When thinking about my day in class, I can either go to bed happy, annoyed, energized, disappointed, or inspired. This is what keeps me in this profession and motivates me to do better and understand more about what we do everyday in that classroom.

For this first blog journal, the topic is wide open. You may be involved in a club or sport. You may enjoy spending time in a park with your thoughts or in your room with your music... there are so many things that bring inspiration. Please share your own ideas about what inspires you.

Make sure you include your student ID# in your post. I look forward to reading your thoughts. Aj. M

Journal Blog #4: What happens next?

So...  we have worked on an Introduction: background, context, thesis statement. Your essay should have a specific and clear point that it wants to talk about and explore.

What happens next? This is the same question I asked on Day 1. One paragraph / one idea... what are the ideas for the following paragraphs (the Body) that you will use to support clearly and directly your thesis statement? Brainstorm and select the three best ideas you can think of, and then be ready to provide supporting details for those ideas.

In this blog entry, state your thesis for your essay, and then describe what happens next.

Make sure you include your ID # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #3: What is your area of interest?

We now have to start thinking of topic ideas that are both related to our theme of Leadership and to your area of interest. We talked in class about narrowing, which is the first, and maybe the most important step in the writing process. If you don't have a specific point from the beginning, your writing (and the point of your writing) will suffer to the end...  and so will you. Writing is awful when you don't know what you're writing about.

In this journal blog, share what you're thinking about doing. Try to be as specific and as narrow as you can. The narrower, the better.

Please remember to include you ID# in  your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #2: Who is your perfect example of a leader?

In class, we have read about Aung San Suu Kyi, the freedom fighter of Burma. Her life and leadership is inspiring, and at least for me, makes me want to be a better person in my life. The sacrifice that she makes for her country, and the principles that she symbolizes are things that make me reflect on what I can do better  not only for myself in my life but for others as well.

Others may think about a parent when they think of a leader. Maybe a coach or a teacher of some kind. In this journal blog, I'd like you to describe your perfect example of a leader and explain why.

Make sure you include your ID# with you post. I look forward to reading your thoughts. Aj. M

Journal Blog #1: Becoming a leader.

Welcome to the course and to the ERS journal blog. Over the term, you will be asked to share your reflections on topics we're discussing in class on the blog. I will write my own contributions to the blog, and I'll work to respond to your comments as we go.

For this term, our theme is Leadership. For this first journal blog, I would like to get your view on how a person becomes a leader. We can look at many examples of people becoming a leader by many ways: by accident, by necessity, by ambition, or by luck. A CEO may build his or her company from scratch and show great leadership in doing it. However, the son or daughter of the CEO may inherit that same company later and not know how to lead it. Are people born leaders? Can anyone become a leader? Are some people just not capable to be a leader? Feel free to respond to any of these ideas.

I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts. Make sure that you include your ID# in your post.

Aj. M