Final Presentation

http://youtu.be/Ve-SOr9s9ns

Technology!

Technology!

1) Online learning is absolutely more convenient than in person learning. I have taking a few online course and I would have to say that it depends on the course weather one is better than the other. I believe they both have their strengths and weaknesses.   

• ·         Online allows for more flexibility for the student.  All students are busy with life. Online courses create opportunities for the students that may not have been their prior. The flexibility can also create the weakness for online courses.  The lack of having to be punctual can create a sense of relaxation. That sense of relaxation can be seen in grades for some students.
• 
  
• ·         A classroom setting establishes an accountability factor that online just can't create.   The accountability does benefit both the student and professor.  This can create a bond that is tough to establish in an online setting. A bond between professor and student benefits everyone.  The classroom setting doesn't really allow for much flexibility and can be somewhat restricting. A student who is shy or doesn't feel as comfortable may not feel comfortable in a classroom setting. This could have an effect on his or her grade and learning outcome.

2) The challenges for me in taking an online English course are many. I'm not sure if the online factor has anything to do with that or I am just not that good. I do feel for me that a classroom setting would probably would have been a better situation for me.  The fact that English is a tough subject and an online atmosphere allows for me to be less discipline.

3,4,5) I thought  blogger was the most beneficial to me. It made me be more open-minded because I have to be honest and at first I wasn't a fan of it. The logical thinker I am thought, what is the purpose of this? I understand that it create a more personable environment for an online course and I liked it. I could put a face or profile with the reading and opinions. I have to say that I like blogger now. I doubt I will become a blogger or anything like that, but I won't be hating on it anymore. I get it and understand how it can be cool. 

Image Source:http://www.foodcoachinstitute.com/

Reflection

Reflection on Course

1) This is going to be my last writing class so as far as any future classes the rest is bio and chem. from here, so I am not sure if my skills will be needed in those classes. In my case lack of skills. I have to be honest and say I probably don’t plan on using them from here on out. HA I say that jokingly.

2) The reading I have actually been pretty interested in. It is difficult to get me to read about something that doesn't interest me. Some of the readings were kind of boring and I really was just trying to get through them. However there were some really cool ones. I like reading Swift "A Modest Proposal." I enjoyed trying to get into his head. Winters Bone was a cool book. I wasn't to sure about it at first but I enjoyed it.  I can't say they Have affected me on a personal level but they're were some interesting readings.

3) As far as the learning outcomes, well if you're reading this it should tell you how I have met them? I am not sure if I have met any of the 11 but I do believe I am closer too then I ever was. I still lack the fundamentals to writing  which hinder my learning outcomes.

4) My writing process has actually changed a lot. I am sure you could see in my writing that I think I am getting a better understanding of analysis rather than summary. My blogs have been pretty stationary, but I feel my papers have improved with at least my understanding of them.  

5)I was faced with a lot of challenges in this course. When I am faced with a challenge in another class I deal with it a lot different than I do in this course.  Typically in another class I may spend a little more time studying or reviewing but in this class I don’t even know where to begin. I don't know what to review or study. I found myself spending time in this course and not getting much done, compared to math and Bio. That was probably the most frustrating.  I still haven't overcome yet, but working on it. depends what the Overall grade is to answer that. HA


Image Source:http://justglasssite.com/reflection-4.html

Essay 4 Draft (Just Intro)

Anthony Martinez

Professor Cline

Eng 102

April 22, 2012

Observation of A New Time

                Walter Kirns' novel, "Up in the Air," is a template for the film "Up in the Air," directed by Jason Reitman. Kirn establishes a tolerable first person narrative with Ryan Bingham. Bingham is a man who gets paid and travels from place to place as a career transition counselor. A career transition counselor is someone who tells someone else they have been fired or let go, then tries to help them find their next job. Kirn details Ryan Bingham as he is caught in a journey with little direction except for a few objectives; potentially being hired by Mythtech, the possible sale of a business allegory book,  and reaching one million frequent flyer miles.  As for the movie Jason Reitman makes quite a few tweaks and twist, but the core of the book is still apparent. Kirn even states, "the movie was not the book, and the book was not the movie, but they had the same genetic code" (Kirn interview). It is obvious Reitman creates Bingham to be a more likable and charismatic guy then in the book. It is easier though when George Clooney is playing the role as Bingham in the movie. Reitman's translation sweetens as  Bingham is falling in love with a women who has a similar lifestyle, but he is unsure of how to deal with the idea of actually becoming involved with someone. The variation in the plot is merely superficial in comparison to the changes that took place in American history from 2001, when the book was published, to 2009, when the movie came out. These were considerably different junctures in American history, the changes in; the political scene, the cultural perception of business or a businessman, the economic situation of the U.S., and the world events that occurred were transparent in the comparison of the book and movie.

Work Cited

Kirn, Walter. Up in the Air. New York: Anchor Books, 2001. Print.       

Up in the Air. Directed by  Jason Reitman.  Dreamworks, 2009. Film.

Kirn, Walter.  Interview by David Kestenbaum.  Interview:  Walter Kirn Discusses His New Novel, “Up in the Air.”  National Public Radio.  Morning Edition,Washington, D.C., July 30, 2001.  

Essay 4 Intro

Image Source:  http://turnstylefilms.com/?p=75

Walter Kirns' novel, "Up in the Air," was used as a template for the movie "Up in the Air," directed by Jason Reitman. The core is still there between the book and film, Bingham flies around the country living in hotel rooms and racking up frequent flyer miles. However, The film is not a carbon copy of the book but is from the same genetic code or DNA. The book and film character differences are noticed right away. Kirn keeps Bingham away from the audience whereas the film allows for Clooney's'charm to come out. An immense amount of change contributed to the differences between the book and movie. The political conditions and economic status in the United States had changed drastically between the release of the book(2001) and the release of the film(2009). The culture of a businessman had morphed to keep up with the technologies of business itself. Nor to forget that flying was not longer commonplace and was forever changed on September 11, 2001. The transformations through out american culture impacted the evolution from Book to movie. 

Up in The Air, is right!

"Up in the Air" by Walter Kirn, is the story of a man, Ryan Bingham, who lives his life on the road going from place to place. A career transition counselor, Ryan is paid to talk to people who have just been fired or laid off. He tries to navigate them to their next job or opportunity.  Bingham is on a journey with no real sense of direction. His highest priority is to become a business guru and make money on the executive lecture circuit. 

Like Bingham the book lacks any real sense of direction, at least in my opinion..  The aimlessness narrative kind of matches the aimlessness journey Bingham takes.  I am not sure if that is what Kirn is trying to do. The book is pretty lifeless, and I was not jumping at the next chance to pick it up. I have to be Honest and say I caught myself more than a couple times skimming the paragraphs.  I felt the book never really developed into any substance, at least enough to allow me to have a good perspective. I needed something to grab on to, and Kirn just didn't do it. I think that is why I was skimming, trying to find something to grab onto. Bingham isn't really the kind of guy that I would like to read about for 300+ pages. Bingham seems cold with emotions hidden underneath, I kind of feel like that could describe the book as well. The book just didn’t warm me up and bring out any emotions kind of like Bingham. Like I mentioned before, I am not sure if Kirn is trying to mimic Binghams' Journey in the way he writes this novel? 

Image Source: http://mormonlit.byu.edu/lit_author.php?a_id=1505

                      http://www.amazon.com/Up-Air-Walter-Kirn/dp/0385722370

Work Cited

 Kirn, Walter. Up in the Air. New York: Anchor Books, 2001. Print.

Mid-Term

1) Biggest Challenge so far?

·         I would have to say my biggest challenge is an accumulation of things. I fell behind early which is never good in anything. I am not the best writer and lack the fundamentals to write well, so falling behind really hurt me. I have caught back up for the most part, but I feel my work as hurt because of it.  I know each and every paper has been a struggle for me. Not just the fact that I was playing from behind but papers in general I struggle with. The blogs I feel more comfortable writing but when it comes to the structure of writing a paper and I freeze up.

1a) Been my biggest success?

·         I  would have to say my biggest success would be my effort. I tend to not want to do things I am not good at and writing I am not good at. I have this urgency to want to get better which I thought would never happen. It doesn't necessarily mean I am getting better but I do not want to.  I guess that would have to be my biggest and probably only real success thus far.

2) How Have the Reading in the class affected me?

·         Whelp for the most part I have enjoyed all the readings.  As far as affecting me, I am not quite sure. I think Winters Bone probably has had the most impact as far as realization stand point. Doing some research allowed me to understand affects of drugs and the few pro's and many con's.  Maybe that partially has to do with it being most recent. The earlier readings I wasn't too sure about, at least while reading them, the affect they had. I am kind of a logical thinker so to think outside my realm is difficult for me.  Overall the reading have been interesting to say the least.

3) How is literacy analysis Different from other types of writing I have done in college?

·         It is the same in that I don't understand it! As far as being different then other types, it definitely takes more writing skills. I haven't done too much writing in college, probably just the required amount, and literary analysis makes sure you understand the piece. Whatever that understanding is, literary analysis makes sure you know it and if you don't it shows. The concept seems easy, but it's not conceptual , it's literal. It is Literal in the aspect of You have to know what you are literally talking about.

4) My goals for the second half of the semester? & what would I like to improve or accomplish?

·         A few of my goals for the remainder of the semester are attainable, maybe a few are not. I would like to find more time for this class. My family life may take over and it is easy to allow that, along with my other classes. I would like to finish the class with a B, preferably a higher B. I would like to improve my understanding of writing because I'm sure that will improve my writing skills. Ultimately that is what I want to do is improve my writing skills. I know I am not going to become an author, but I would like to be confident in it!