Extra Credit: Week 3
Dali Museum

Visiting the Dali Museum was pretty awesome. I liked how his work showed progression and variety. Many of Salvador Dali’s work always seemed to have a theme, and is very detail oriented. I enjoyed viewing “Fantasies, Durines” because of the water blue hue wash over the canvas. It kind of reminds me of my own work and how I try to portray that look that Dali has indeed succeeded in doing. Another immediate favorite of mine was the “Ocell…Peix(Bird…Fish)”, which was created in 1928. It is an oil collage that depicts a form of a bird in a beach setting. What I like about this piece is the odd form of the bird and how a fish is also depicted other end of the bird. The oils used to create this particular picture is finished with a gloss that makes everything look magnificent and shiny. One other good one is the “Profantian,” which was made in 1929-1930, illustrates the body of Christ or a figure of him bleeding over a mass. As I was reading the description next to the painting I was able to understand that this was “an act of discretion and contempt.” What I get out of it, it was towards people of the Catholic Church. This pieces was awesome and I would love to come back again and visit.

Week 5 of extra credit:
NPR listening
Summary:

2 years ago scientists from the New York base research society made a new discovery. In the republic of Congo in Africa, almost 125,000 gorillas were estimated to be inhabitants in the western lowlands. According to Steve Sanderson, Ceo/Pres. of Wildlife Conservation Society, "this estimation counts for more than twice the number of gorillas thought to be living in Africa." From listening to the recording the original estimated number was between 50,000-100,000 populations around Africa.
I wondered why these gorillas haven’t been agitated by poachers, other people, or even diseases. I found out that the reason for this is because the areas that these gorillas are living in are wet, swampy lowlands that are almost impossible to live for humans. The only way to travel through that area is through swamps, slippery surfaces, etc. which can become close to impractical to do. Therefore the gorillas have been able to thrive without poachers, or diseases brought in by humans, which is the usual cause for extinction in most parts of the world that once have gorillas roaming the land.
I would like to know about how they traveled through the difficult lands to their new discovery, and how long did it take for them to make such an estimation?

Week 4 extra credit:
Caution: Some of these links are really touching and sort of graphic in other words very honest to reality. Don't get it wisted this wasn't my case even though I can relate to it very closely. My project 2 is based on teenagers and unhealthy behaviors they may attain in order to cope with their depression etc. Peace!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHynDpYv1Gw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T4LG5DYHhY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r8aeiRBMzU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRWeB36iZWk&NR=1

The youtube link was a really good video because the music and the words displayed on the screen gave you an immediate “watch me” sign all over it .The video was able to get your attention, construct a message, present the purpose of its message, and still was able to keep your attention. I think that’s exactly why the message was that we students learn much better in the kind of learning that we have been exposed to and have become accustomed to.” Digital Learning” really serves a purpose and should be used more often in the classroom. It almost seems as if the video was created to keep teachers “in check” or up to date. The link really does relate to the 1st article read—Professor Hibbitts commenting on Archie Zariski’s article—concerning the theory that because technology is improving, why not apply more technology in the classroom. Professor Hibbitts explains that sooner or later the current principles used in the classroom will seems outdated, and more technology such as wikis, podcast, eJournals, etc. will be expected. Reading the last link, “In the basement of the Ivory Tower,” gave a sense of evolution. In the 1990’s, the technology used today didn’t not exist then. Therefore older college students may not be part of the advanced technology/Internet discourse community.
I would like to know how teachers at highschools can prepare their students for college by using more technology in the classroom. How can that be incorporated into the curriculum? I would like to actively support this idea. How should I go about doing this?