Taller de promoción del hábito y el gusto a lectura

LA DIVERSIDAD LINGÜÍSTICA EN MÉXICO

Una diversidad de visiones del mundo, de expresiones culturales que nos enriquecen día a día, no sólo como individuos sino como comunidad. 

REFLEXIÓN: CULTURA Y EDUCACIÓN

La cultura y la educación son dos conceptos trascendentales que se entrelazan y a la vez tienen conceptualizaciones de todo tipo que las forman como elementos clave en la vida. La cultura es sobre todo un término difícil de definir pero es definitivo que parte de una construcción humana, y puede decirse que es lo que caracteriza distintivamente a una sociedad ya sea con sus costumbres, tradiciones, lenguaje, vestimenta, ideologías y cosmovisión, modos de vida, conjunto de conocimientos y valores, entre otras particularidades que construyen identidades. La educación puede entenderse como un medio para adquirir, transmitir y acrecentar la cultura. Es un proceso multidimensional de formación humana, por lo que la cultura está implícita de alguna forma.

Bolivar Echeverría en Definición de la cultura retoma varios conceptos de cultura y cómo éstos han evolucionado a través del tiempo. Al plantearla como una “substancia espiritual”, la cultura parece tomar un significado de sumo valor, y así debe ser. Estrechamente ligada con la humanidad, ya que es lo que distingue al ser humano de otros seres vivos, también es definida como la creatividad del pueblo. Este autor brindó, sin duda alguna, perspectivas más profundas acerca de una introducción acerca de lo que es cultura. 

Adriana Puiggrós en su texto de Modernidad, Posmodernidad y Educación en América Latina recalcó la importancia del contexto en el ámbito cultural y educativo. La historia toma un papel importante en la formación de la cultura y la evolución de la educación. 

Personalmente, Xavier Besalú en Diversidad cultural y educación expone de manera más iluminadora estas concepciones. Estoy de acuerdo que la cultura es un factor que influye en el desarrollo de la personalidad de los individuos ya que es un fenómeno que condiciona no solo la percepción sino también nuestros modos de vida que nos permiten vivir en un grupo. Presentó varias nociones de diferentes puntos de vista, dejando en claro que es un conjunto de elementos valiosos de la humanidad. Asimismo, esbozó las actitudes culturales que se toman al estar frente o en contacto con otras culturas ajenas a la propia. 

La discriminación es un hecho que siempre se ha dado y se sigue dando en todas partes, por lo que debe evitarse y disminuirse a toda costa, por ende, es vital tomar actitudes de interculturalismo como la integración en donde se busca y practica el diálogo desde la igualdad. Es natural ver como diferente a otra cultura ajena, sin embargo, es primordial el respeto y a partir de ello, descubrir que se puede enriquecer con la diversidad cultural. La interculturalidad es básicamente el reconocimiento, la valoración y la conciencia de la existencia del otro, buscando sacarle lo mejor de ello. La identidad, clasificada en individual y colectiva, también es lo que distingue al ser humano dándole su unicidad y esencia. En todo este contexto cultural, es indispensable la educación y su valor como instrumento de la sociedad ya que debe acoger el pluralismo y la diversidad, no solo construyendo conocimientos sino valores. Educar en la diversidad es el nuevo paradigma que debe tomarse. Igualmente, en la lectura de la SEP La diversidad cultural y lingüística se complementa lo anterior ya que se delinea la valorización de la diversidad y cómo debe concebirse como un derecho.

Por otro lado, Bonfil Batalla en México profundo fue el autor que más me llamó la atención, ya que fue el más radical en este aspecto cultural. Divide el país entre un México profundo y un México imaginario. El primero es el verdadero, una sociedad compuesta por un conjunto numeroso de pueblos y grupos sociales, de muchas culturales. El segundo es el impuesto desde la colonización, una dominación occidental que margina a la mayoría para que adopten solamente una cultura supresora. He ahí la labor educativa de reflexionar nuestra historia para así poder superar esta imposición que obstaculiza la identidad de todos.

En conclusión, indudablemente la cultura y la educación son dos compendios esenciales para el mundo en el que vivimos, y ambos se necesitan para poderse llevar a cabo de manera óptima. Se han desarrollado enormes cantidades de conceptualizaciones acerca de lo que es la cultura, y a pesar de no poder concretarse en una sola, se afirma y se debe hacer hincapié de que es sumamente valiosa por lo que se debe respetar y estimar. La cultura somos todos; cada ser humano en el planeta tiene cultura ya que todos somos diferentes, todos tenemos nuestra identidad y todos somos parte de un algo y de un todo. Las diferencias que nos dividen también son las que nos unen, por lo que reconocerlas y valorarlas es imprescindible. La discriminación ha generado odio y violencia, motores de atrocidades brutales, por lo que la educación debe tomar su rol en la formación humana de valorar la diversidad cultural en todo momento y aspecto.

Bibliografía:

Besalú, Xavier. Diversidad cultural y educación. Madrid, Visor, 1997, pp. 27-41.

Bolivar Echeverría. Definición de la cultura. México, ITACA-UNAM, 2002.

Bonfil Batalla, Guillermo. Pensar nuestra cultura. México, Alianza, 1991, pp. 99-111.

Puiggrós, Adriana. Modernidad, Posmodernidad y Educación en América Latina, pp. 177-203.

SEP La diversidad cultural y lingüística, 2006, pp. 9-26.

La Interculturalidad en el Siglo XXI

INTRODUCCIÓN

La interculturalidad es una actitud trascendental en todo contexto en el que esté inmerso el ser humano, ya que siempre debe existir el respeto y el reconocimiento al otro, que dé pie a procesos de interacción como lo es el diálogo. Actualmente las comunidades son sumamente multiculturales, por lo que se refleja más la necesidad de adoptar esta actitud. 

La globalización es un fenómeno que está transformando a las sociedades, tanto de maneras positivas como negativas. De manera amplia, se caracteriza por el libre mercado, la evolución tecnológica, el sistema neoliberal y capitalista y la sociedad del conocimiento y la información. Cabe destacar dentro de todo esto que la globalización ha sido, sin duda alguna, motor de numerosas migraciones, ya que las personas cruzan fronteras en busca de nuevas y mejores oportunidades, reflejando un continuo cambio en las poblaciones del mundo. En la mayoría de los casos, los procesos migratorios actuales se caracterizan por tener que enfrentarse a escenarios sociales, políticos, culturales y económicos diferentes, por lo que es necesario que se lleven a cabo procesos de inclusión donde se tomen en cuenta dichas situaciones. Dichos procesos de inclusión implican la necesidad de la interculturalidad en el contexto actual. Sin embargo, muchos de los países receptores toman actitudes contrarias que marginan y discriminan a los inmigrantes. Es por ésta y muchas razones más que es necesario implementar y aprehender la importancia de la educación intercultural en el sistema educativo y en la comunidad en general.

En México hay una gran diversidad cultural; datos estadísticos del Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática (INEGI) dan a conocer que este país ocupa el octavo lugar en este rubro a nivel internacional y cifras generadas por el Consejo Nacional de Población (CONAPO) en el 2005 establecen que uno de cada ocho mexicanos es indígena. Actualmente, la lucha de los pueblos indígenas de América Latina continúa en contra de la discriminación, el racismo y en hacer valer sus derechos políticos, sociales, económicos y culturales. Desde el siglo XIV y hasta la actualidad la dominación y la subyugación de la cual son objeto los pueblos indígenas en México no han sido eliminados. Asimismo, la valorización de la cultura propia consta en poner énfasis a los derechos lingüísticos que constituyen la facultad de obrar a favor de la valoración, respeto y desarrollo de las lenguas, garantizando su uso libre, su presencia socio-cultural, y su práctica institucional y su protección gubernamental. De aproximadamente, siete mil lenguas vivas en el mundo, once familias lingüísticas tienen presencia en México, por lo que deben seguirse conservando mediante la práctica y el uso.

La educación debe adoptar una interculturalidad que implique inclusión. Todas las escuelas deben dar respuesta a las diferencias, ya que todas las personas tienen derecho a ser respetadas y tener las mismas posibilidades educativas. Para que se pueda llevar a cabo una verdadera inclusión en la escuela, se debe empezar con eliminar o minimizar las barreras que limitan el aprendizaje y la participación de todo el alumnado, y responda positivamente a la diversidad.

LA INTERCULTURALIDAD

Según el Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo: “La interculturalidad es una práctica política que va más allá de la aceptación y tolerancia de otras identidades y culturas. Enfatiza la importancia del diálogo entre culturas y saberes, pero frente a las desigualdades y relaciones asimétricas existentes entre culturas, debe necesariamente luchar contra la desigualdad y la discriminación, para crear una sociedad diversa más armónica y justa.”

DISCRIMINACIÓN A LOS INMIGRANTES

Encarnación Soriano trata de explicar la oposición por parte del país receptor hacia a la inmigración como el miedo a ser absorbidos por culturas y valores que traen los extranjeros o por la preocupación de los nacionales a perder sus empleos debido a que los inmigrantes están dispuestos a trabajar por salarios más bajos. La sociedad es culpable por inculcar estas ideologías equívocas que sólo generan mayor discriminación al “otro” ya que es común la aversión hacia lo diferente por lo que se excluye y margina a los inmigrantes envés de acogerlos como se debería. Se siente una necesidad de proteger lo “propio” sin estar conscientes de que esa noción es sumamente discriminatoria y no permite el enriquecimiento cultural que nos podría brindar esta diversidad. Asimismo, implica una falta de empatía y solidaridad ya que no visualizan las circunstancias y situaciones de vulnerabilidad que viven estos extranjeros lejos de su lugar de origen, ya sea por diversas razones, la mayoría para mejorar su calidad de vida. Es por ésta y muchas razones más que es necesario implementar y aprehender la importancia de la educación intercultural en el sistema educativo y en la comunidad en general.

EL VALOR DE LA EDUCACIÓN INTERCULTURAL

Volviendo a retomar a Encarnación Soriano, en su texto se manifiesta la vitalidad de concebir la educación como valor, y concientizar el valor de la educación ya que es la que nos permite transformar, cambiar y mejorar la realidad. A través de la educación es como se debe aprehender la ética como una moral transcultural universal. Las escuelas siendo los medios por los cuales los gobiernos y los intereses corporativos transmiten sus ideologías actuales y políticas deben convertirse en interculturales para que se potencien los valores  para la convivencia en la diversidad. La educación que se debe vivir en dichas escuelas y sociedades debe ser una que promueva la cooperación, la solidaridad, la igualdad y que en general, fomente los derechos humanos. Es así como veo la educación, como el pilar que cimienta la sociedad y sus actitudes, por lo que se debe promover el derecho de todos a ésta, derecho fundamental para poder vivir en valores de manera digna como seres humanos en contextos multiculturales. Rescataría como los valores universales y transculturales principales los siguientes: paz, respeto, libertad, justicia, igualdad, cooperación, solidaridad, democracia, empatía, tolerancia activa, pensamiento crítico, globalidad ecológica, justicia social.

FUENTES CONSULTADAS

v Coordinación general de educación intercultural y bilingüe. Directrices de comunicación intercultural. Secretaría de Educación Pública, México, 2012, pp.24-64.

v  Directrices de comunicación intercultural.Secretaría de Educación Pública, México, 2012, pp.24-64.

v Huntington, Samuel (2004). "El desafío hispano", Revista Letras Libres. pp. 12-20.

v Jurado de los Santos, Pedro & Ramírez Íñiguez, Alma Arcelia. Educación inclusiva e interculturalidad en contextos de migración,Revista Latinoamericana de Educación Inclusiva,pp. 109-124.

v Soriano A. Encarnación. "La Educación como valor y el valor de la educación en una sociedad en continuo cambio", en: El valor de la educación en un mundo globalizado, Madrid:La Muralla, 2011. pp. 69-91.

25 things

FACEBOOK

Love:
1. A very easy way to socialize with your friends.
2. Being able to share the photos of a special occasion and comment on them.
3. Getting contact with friends you had not seen in a long time.
4. It's a quick way to find friends and contact many of them all at once.
5. You won't forget a friend's birthday because it normally shows it.
6. Being able to express yourself and having your own personal space which is only yours.

7. You can share links with anyone you want to.

8. If you send an inbox, people will answer you sooner than if you send it to their e-mails.

9. The News Feed lets me know the most "important" things that have happened without actually having to scroll to the recent activities.

10. You can at least look at the photos if you were not at a certain event, place, trip, whatever.

11. If you want to celebrate something or invite people somewhere, by creating an event you can invite hundreds, even thousands at a time. You don't have to call one by one, and the invitation is official!

12. Some games are pretty fun!

13. Sometimes it's interesting to see the mutual friends you have with a friend.

14. You can get hold of pictures of you that other people took and you didn't even know about them.

15. Privacy Settings. You can control who can see what.
16. Everyone has a Facebook.

17. Easy to use.

18. You can tag people on your status and comments.

19. It keeps modernizing and getting new features all the time.

20. Having contact with people with whom you would normally would not if Facebook didn't exist.

21. Causes. Millions of people can join for a good cause and actually do something about it.

22. You can get useful information about anything if you find a good app. (ex. your favorite band's next concert)

23. Its easy access.

24. Some very interesting gossip (we are humans and we are curious)

25. Finding funny videos, photos, status, etc.

Hate:
1. Unknown people adding you
(receiving a daily friend request by someone whom you have never even heard or seen in your life; it is very annoying how people add randomly just to have more friends)
2. Creating so much gossip in school and basically in the community due to Facebook, where people "see" things that are "worth so much" to talk about.
3. Seeing how many people waste so many hours of their lives with stupid applications that are really useless.
4. Having your home full of people becoming "fans" to whatever they do in their lives such as breathing air.
5. It shows absolutely everything other people are currently doing or recently did, creating a curious feeling when you never used to even care about certain people.
6. People may upload pictures of you where you look horrible and you can only untag yourself, but cannot actually take it off from Facebook.
7. Everyone can see your (comment) conversation you have with your friend. It's as if anyone could sneak on a talk you are having with your friend.
8. People create mean pages insulting other people or beliefs, among other things.
9. People put so many lame stuff in their statuses it's just embarrassing.
10. Relationships. Everyone knows whether you have a new boyfriend or if you guys broke up. There is no privacy, and there is a lot of vulnerability.
11. Your home page is so contaminated with notifications of people becoming friends with whatever people.
12. The friend suggestion bar in the right of your home page where people add anyone they "may know" but really don't.
13. It really makes you addicted to it. Even though there is not much to see, you keep being there.

14. It is very time-consuming.

15. It makes everyone's life a gossip.
16. Facebook Chat is very annoying.

17. Vulnerability to absolutely everything.

18. Jobs and acceptances can be based on Facebook.

19. You get soooooooooo many notifications for other people's comments or responses in a photo or an inbox.

20. Getting "spam" comments and e-mails thanks to the stupid applications.

21. Facebook and all its connections getting control over your personal information.

22. Pokes. What's with that? It's just plain dumb. Wow! someone poked you -.-

23. It is just unbelievable what some people put on their Facebook; it's so embarrasing. (very exposing pictures, details about their love/sex life, etc)

24. Teenagers who date for some months and put "engaged" on their relationship status.

25. People who write about every single thing they do in their day. Normally one does not care if you exercised or slept, you drank water or juice, we really don't care about those things..

What is the most serious environmental issue facing Earth?

There are so many, but so many environmental problems facing Earth today but the one that I feel most serious of all is pollution. There is both air and water pollution but the first one seems more dangerous to me. I feel the majority of our current funding must be put towards solving this issue, although part of it should also go to other problems such as the conservation of species, preventing the overflowing landfills, stopping rain forest destruction, energy depletion, among some others. Air pollution is probably the most serious problem of all due to its effects towards all living beings and the environment.

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials into the atmosphere. They cause harm and discomfort to humans and other living organisms, and damage the natural environment. The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth. Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems. (Wikipedia) In other words, air pollution harms not only humans but all living beings and the natural environment. It affects the whole atmosphere we live in. If the air is polluted, everything is affected. Most living organisms, including us, breathe air, therefore the more contaminated it is, the more harm it causes us. If our oxygen is continued to be polluted this way, our main living source will die meaning we will all die.

"Air pollution is not yesterday's problem. Thousands of deaths each year result from the UK's failure to keep air pollutants – especially from traffic – at safe levels" (Tim Yeo)

As this reporter said, this issue is not a problem that has risen today; it is something we have been exposed to for a time and it is certainly affecting our world. All these air pollutants are substances that cause harm to humans and the environment, and it is actually killing many people. Authorities should have more awareness and put more of their funding money to solve this humongous problem and keep air pollutants at safe levels. Traffic, factories’ wastes, trash, among other factors cause this terrible problem that has become such a threat to humanity and to Earth. Not only humans are dying because of it, there are millions of animals both in the earth and in the ocean that fall as victims of this monster. Also our plants and everything Mother Nature has given us has been affected and destroyed due to pollution. It has certainly caused damage to everyone.

The worst part is that pollutants can be found in any form; solid, liquid or gas. They are so abundant and they can be found everywhere, whether it is diesel from cars, smog from all sorts of sources such as automobiles and industrial emission, acid rain among other contaminants. Another reason they are so dangerous is because they are man-made and natural. There are occasions in which it is not our fault air pollution strikes, sometimes nature provokes it. For example volcano eruptions are dangerous due to the ash that pollutes the air. Moreover, there may be pollution inside our homes and working places, not only outside. Normal activities such as cooking and smoking can cause harmful pollutants and by breathing it, health is affected. One should definitely be careful with air pollution everywhere.

In conclusion, air is vital especially for us humans. It supplies us with oxygen which is needed every second of our lives to continue existing. We should try preventing this environmental issue that is contributing enormously to the Greenhouse Effect. If we really care about Earth, and think about our future generations, we should act now. People should receive more education regarding this horrible problem and create awareness in order to diminish this terrible threat to all of us. Go Green! J

IMAGES:

youngprotectors.com/air%20pollution_focus_0.jpg

specialnewsonline.files.wordpress.com

http://flatplanet.wikispaces.com/file/view/exhust_pollution.jpg/30556307/exhust_pollution.jpg

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Environment/Pix/columnists/2009/11/26/1259235642571/COP15--Black-clouds-hover-001.jpg

Unbelieavable Invention

We just watched "Prenav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology" and I was completely shocked with such an incredible invention. This new emerging technology is just fabulous and genius. When I was watching all the characteristics and functions of it I was totally amazed and thought that I would definitely like to use one of those. This new technology is so handy and useful in an infinite number of ways. Connecting the digital world with the physical world makes everything so much easier, interacting, and almost perfect.

I feel the greatest things about the technology are how it connects the digital world with real life; how you can physically do things being connected to a digital media. It is unbelievable how you can have access to so much information with just using your fingers and connecting the whole world with anything you do. You can be aware of absolutely everything you do, and make it better in all ways. I really loved how by just touching some objects such as your hand you can see a clock, or touching a book and you can know about it. When I saw how he read a newspaper and by just touching it, he could have access to videos and see life in paper. I also liked when he could copy and paste real life objects to the computer. Personally I did not see any limitations to this great invention; I just found its benefits.

At the end of the video, this genius inventor said that it is quite cheap to make and that he will be sharing his software via Open Source. "Open Source" is a term I am not very familiar with, but it is a way of sharing the product with the public; giving access to the object's invention (its process in making/materials). It is actually giving access to the source code. I believe the pro of sharing software in this way is that people all around the world will have an easier access to it. It will not be an extremely expensive device that only rich people will have; it will have more accesibility. It will be produced in greater amounts, so there exists a possibility we will be able to have it in some years. On the other hand, the cons of having it in this manner is that the author of such a great invention won't benefit as much as he could in other ways.

Commercials

We just saw some commercials in the Internet that were very funny, touching and most of them really amazing. I really liked them a lot. I think that was so because they contained very important messages that stuck in your head while watching it, and because some of them were very funny and caught your attention. Another commercial that had a profound effect on me was one I saw many years ago from MercadoLibre.com. It was about a girl buying a kiss from a boy online, and even though the idea sounds stupid, it was the cutes commercial I had seen. It is incredible we can find it nowadays even in Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeBhs47UBJQ

Some elements I am going to use in my own commerical are:
Nice background music, a meaningful message and some funny parts. I think my major challenges will be getting words and music into the video. Basically almost everything will be a challenge for me, except the filming part which will be quite easy.

Sexting

After reading the article of "Parents sue school for role in 'sexting' tragedy" in which the parents of Jessica Logan blame school officials and peers for their daughter's suicide, I realized the wrongness in sexting. Before this article, I hadn't heard much about sexting because I haven't have experiences related to it, nor the people around me. I knew there were cases in which heartless and immoral people made use of sexting to harm others but I hadn't put much attention to it. I used to think how stupid some girls can be in sending nude pictures of themselves. Now that I put more thought into it, these girls trusted their boyfriends and it is definitely not fair what was done to them. I think these guys showed cowardice and plain meanness in what they did. Poor Jessica Logan ended committing suicide because she was unable to stand people's bullying and harrasment due to her nude picture that was sent all over. I felt compassionate towards Jessica's situation and feel totally against sexting.
I support the decision of Jessica's parents suing the school. Jessica confronted the people who harassed her and tried to take measures to make them stop. She talked with the school officials, the school counselors and even shared her story with the public. Nevertheless, despite all her efforts, people continued to bother her mercilessly. I think it was pathetic what a police officer said, that there were no security measures to protect her because she was 18. I totally believe schools should take more control about it and make it stop. It would be horrible for your provacy to be violated in that way, and have no control over it. I think it is wrong to take someone else's phone and check it, but I feel it is necessary in cases like this.

Next project

For our next Computer class project, we will be creating a short film that we will edit in January. My proposal is to create a comercial related to cooking with Lea Purpon. We will advertise a cake and sweets like that, through this video in which we will show all the procedure of the cooking and talk about the product.

New Security Measure

Facebook has implemented some new security measures and I think they are very important and valuable and people should pay more attention to it. They are new measures that help you control your information in a better way for you to feel secure. It is a form of letting you decide which information to share and with who. I think they were created due to many problems around the world. Facebook has become too popular and conflicts have arised. I've heard that some kidnappers had gotten information from this social networking place and it has been used as a means of stealing people's data, ideas, etc. I personally am not sure if they will be succesful because firstly not all people will take their time in reading about it, and deciding which informatio nthey want to share with shich particular people. Nevertheless, I think I like them because it gives more control to people about their sharing information and offers a more "innovative" FB. I really don't think it will change the way I use Facebook; I will see and use it the same way I've always have.

There have been some postings on social networking sites such as Myspace and Facebook that have the ASPV community concerned. If I think about people posting videos and quotations of people without their knowing it, I feel it's wrong and needs permission first. I also think that it depends a lot on the video and the quotations. If they are insulting and humiliating in any way, of course it's wrong; but if the person would not mind because it is not bad, then I don't think people should react so angrily. However, yes, people should first give consent to someone if something about them is going to be posted, but I don't think that rule would be followed with social networking networks being so bewildered and busy. The community's reaction to the posting of student videos or work by staff members will be a complete revolt. People will be very angry and start demanding their rights and just express the unfairness felt with any way they find possible. They will definitely try to solve matters in one way or another. I don't think the school should let that happen, and forbid the staff post anything about their students' without their consentment.

Technology integrated into my education

Considering my entire academic career, I honestly haven't had the experience of technology being essential in my education. I have been in this school just my high school years and we didn't have computer class before this year. On my previous schools, we didn't use computers for projects so much. I only use them for writing papers and doing powerpoint presentations. Nevertheless, I feel I am quite acquainted to them because I use them every day.

Some specific experiences I remember from previous years are the "Type to Learn" activities in which we were tested on how fast we write in the computer. I remember I really did enjoy those activities but they were just on primary and middle school. Throughout most of my academic years, computers have been essential in writing essays, stories, and all sorts of assignments from school. Powerpoint presentations have been also fundamental in my development as a student and also the usage of the web. I don't remember having big specific projects with particular computer programs. There was just one time in which I had to burn CD's with a special program but I can't recall how to do it again.

There are many times in which I feel my teachers should have integrated technology in their lessons more. For example when they leave us projects and presentations in Powerpoint, I wish I knew more about other sophisticated programs and make something more original. Also there are some boring teachers who only speak and speak and speak. I wish they would integrate techonolgy more, and show us maybe videos, presentations or something similar. I feel many teachers don't integrate technology into their lessons because they don't know much about technology in general and how to control and use it.

Rotoball Project

I just finished my Rotoball project using Macromedia Flash MX 2004. What I most liked about it was the results. I never thought I would be able to finish it and make it look like a realistic animation. The only thing I did not like was the number of blank keyframes I had to insert every 5 marks. It was exhaustive and besides, having to trace my dog and me every time was kind of difficult. If I were to do this assignment with next year's seniors I would leave it exactly as it is. I really liked how everything turned out. Maybe a little more time for more details could have been better, but in general it was excellent.

Macromedia Flash

I just did my first animation in Macromedia Flash and I can't still believe it. My frustrations were too many. I barely knew how to use the program therefore I had difficulties with absolutely everything; from converting objects into symbols to creating motion tweens, etc, etc. I overcame these frustrations thanks to the teacher's help; Mr. Picketts was very patient and helped me with everything. I really tried hard when working on my animation and with perseverance and effort I learned how. Now, I feel proud of my work. It did came out as I imagined. It is about a girl who started to fly due to a bubble gum and then a bird popped the bubble and made her fall into a boy's arms. They fell in love. I would have like to changed my project by adding more details. I would have liked my animation to have a prettier background and the movements to be more realistic. If I were to extend this project into a minute I would continue with the story. Now the boy and the girl met each other and fell in love, so afterwards I would put them on a date and having fun in a picnic in the beach or having lunch somewhere. Maybe I could even plan it into a further future and make them marry, have kids, etc.

A Family Gathering Memory

Truthfully, I don't have a memory in which my whole family has been gathered together but I do have some other memories in which there have been gatherings involving part of the family. There was this Christmas more than 10 years ago that I still remember. There was a gathering with my mom's part of the family in which we all passed a nice time in one of my aunt's house.
My siblings and I were very small but we did have lots of fun with our other cousins. The reunion also involved family friends and many other people. It was like a big party with so much food. Then, the presents and gifts were amazing too. We all recieved tons of incredible toys and candies. The adults seemed to have a wonderful time too. I remember this gathering in particular because it was one of the few times my family got together due to a holiday. When I try remembering a time I spent with all my cousins, it's that Christmas day. We all had an incredible evening.

Choosing my tree

I chose this tree for my family tree project because since the moment I saw it, I fell for it. In my opinion, it is simple yet unique and shows outstanding beauty. It depicts a very cozy feeling with the tiny pretty birds in it, and also due to its attractive leaves in the shape of hearts. The illustration definitely expresses happiness in an extremely aesthetic way. Moreover, my family isn't so numerous, therefore this little tree is perfect for it.

Is Social Media a Fad?

We just saw a youtube video called Social Media Revolution. It contained extremely impacting stuff that makes you realize how advanced we are in technology. It is simply amazing how our world has gone so far regarding social networking. It has developed with such a velocity its just unbelievably scary. Social networking has reached so many millions of people globally; what a way of connecting our world together.

I am tremendously involved in social media. I have joined a number of social networks (Facebook, Myspace, etc) these past years and I use the Internet every single day. I confess I can't be in a computer without opening Messenger or Facebook. Also Google, Yahoo and Youtube have conquered my daily life. I confess I even watch movies and soap operas via Internet. I also have numerous e-mail accounts and have joined all sorts of web pages. In the present day, I feel as if life would not be the same without Internet; it has become a necessity.

There are countless advantages and benefits in social media but there are also many dangers involved. Hackers and criminals also have access to Internet and use it unwisely and in harmful ways. There have been incidents in which people steal money through Internet, find personal information about people, kidnap them and more. I can protect myself by not going to doubtful sites and places that seem unsafe, and not giving my personal information anywhere I don't trust. Also in my social networks, particularly Messenger, I'd protect myself by not accepting or adding anyone I don't personally know. Our education should definitely be modernized in order to help us be prepared for this world that's dominated by so much social media.

my 1st blog (:

OK. This is the first time I ever use a blog so I am definitely just a beginner and do not know much about it. I believe this is a personal page in which you can share anything you want particularly with the people around you. I expect we will be using blogs more for school purposes but also to express more about ourselves and be able to know each of our classmates and friends better. I created my blog as a school assignment and it was really easy and I admit it was even fun. Today we created a BlogList in which all my classmates and me had to get our addresses together without speaking or standing up, but everything was sorted out quite fast thanks to wonderful Facebook.