13. April 2009 by student.

In most every college online classes are available to the students.  Me personally, I have taken two online classes in my first year of college and I have one class where the tests are all online.  From talking to other students in my classes, I have come to believe that online classes are a disadvantage to students.  With online classes there is no teacher actually teaching the class.  There are only readings that are assigned and deadlines that need to be met.  Students may not completely benefit from online classes.  There is no one making sure the homework is getting down and there is no one monitoring whether or not the student is cheating on tests. 

For example, in one of my classes our tests are online.  The tests consist of sixty questions and students are given one hour to complete their test.  Our tests always take place on Monday and then our class meets Tuesday and Wednesday.  When I was sitting in class one day after a test I overheard people discussing the test.  I had studied for a week before the test and I really tried to learn and understand the material that I was going to be tested on.  After taking the test I was upset, because I had not done as well as I had hoped and I became even more frustrated when I heard what the students behind me were talking about.  The students behind me were discussing how they take their tests in a group of five.  No one in the group had studied, they just relied on looking up all the answers and hoping for the best.  By the time the last couple tests came around, they knew all the answers and were getting amazing grades.  If students are to do this in all their online classes, then they are getting nothing out of the class.  I know this only hinders the student, but I think it is also the teachers fault.  The teacher can easily give the test in class and all of the students will learn more in the class and carry the knowledge they gain in that class forever.  I believe this is especially important if it is a class that is important in students majors.  For example if these classes were biology, anatomy physiology, or some other science that would be necessary for a nursing major and the students were cheating, then those students would not do well in the nursing program and it could look bad for the school.

I do understand there are certain advantages to taking online classes.  For people who are trying to go back to school and who have a family to support, online classes are huge positive.  Even though online classes may be convenient, overall I believe they can have a negative effect on the student.  For students who are in their first four years of college, I believe it would be greatly beneficial for their future if all classes were in a classroom and tests were taking in front of teachers.     

http://students.kennesaw.edu/~jbt8070/Disadvantages%20of%20Online%20Classes.htm

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13. April 2009 by student.

A personal ecological footprint is a measure of how many resources you use. In today’s environment it is extremely important to do our part for the earth in any way we can. It is relatively easy to make a few small changes that will drastically reduce your ecological footprint. After recording all of my resource use on different days for 24 hours, I noticed many ways to reduce my own resource use and personal ecological footprint.            One of the main ways to reduce my personal ecological footprint is to change the way I use energy. After evaluating the items I use within the energy list, there are many items I need to cut my usage down on. For example, when I’m not using my laptop I need to turn it off. My laptop is an energy user that I use the most and if I keep it off when I am not using it, it will save energy tremendously. Another energy saver would be my ceiling fan. I usually let that run on almost a 24 hour basis. I never realized that how much energy I could be saving if I turned the fan off when I’m not in the room.            Water is another important resource that needs to be consumed less. When I brush my teeth I could be saving a lot more water if I only use it to rinse the tooth brush and not let it run. Turning off the water while shaving is another way I need to save water. I found out if I fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of water to rinse my razor is a good way to conserve. Shorter showers are another way I need to conserve water. The longer I am in the shower the longer the water runs. If you’re taking a shower, don’t waste cold water while waiting for hot water to reach the shower head. People don’t realize how much water they could be saving if they cut down on their shower time.  Research shows saving water also saves energy.             Carpooling is I a good way to reduce the use of fuel. I need to start using that method more often when going place when all of my friends are going to the same place. Riding a bike or riding a long board when trips are short would be a more effective way then using a car. Finding the closest source when buying my food will save me on fuel when transporting it back to my house. When buying the food I need to limit the amount of resources I use by purchasing items with minimal packaging.             After completing this personal ecological footprint I have realized all energy I could be saving. Even if it is the smallest change I still believe it will make a positive difference. Now that I know what I have to do, I will encourage more people to conserve energy and reduce their ecological footprints to help make the earth more sustainable.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 1 Comment »

13. April 2009 by student.

            According to the Child Soldiers Global Report 2008, “21 countries or territories around the globe had children engaged in conflicts between 2004 and 2007.” 21 territories! These territories turn kids into killers. They drug them, abuse them, and give them AK 47’s, and send them out to murder their own people. This tragedy is occurring throughout the globe and needs to be made aware of!              “Today there are child soldiers in many nations around the world, including the Central African Republic, Chad, Somalia, Uganda, Myanmar (Burma) Sudan, Iraq, Colombia and Sri Lanka,” (Steel, 2008). Most child soldiers are between the ages of 13 and 18, and some as young as 12 and under. This includes young girls as well. “Girls not only fight on the front lines but provide domestic labor and serve as wives” (Steel, 2008) At about the age of 13 the girls may be given to boy soldiers or adult commanders. They have no choice and those who refuse are either killed or raped. And with molestation comes the spread of disease. So, not only are these innocent children being kidnapped, they are also being subjected to drugs, murder, molestation, and diseases such as HIV/AIDS.             So why use kids for war? According to an Amnesty International report, “both governments and armed groups use children because they are easier to condition into fearless killing and unthinking obedience” (“Hidden Scandal, Secret Shame: Torture and Ill-Treatment of Children,” 2000). This entire operation is absolutely disgusting and mind blowing! How can people turn innocent children into heartless killers? I for one am glad to live in American where this tragedy does not exist. Global awareness of this occurrence needs to be increased if any changes are to occur. There must be a better future for the children in these territories!

Works Cited

Steel, M. (2008, Fall). Social Issues. Retrieved April 11, 2009, from Vision: http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/article.aspx?id=6684

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13. April 2009 by student.

Pain clinics are everywehere, but what are they really there for? Go to Broward County and just count all the pain clinics you see, and then actually go inside one. Of course there are legit clinics, but most of these places are dope holes. I know that one clinc by my house is nothing more than an addiction supporitng clinic. To me it is comical that these doctors are out there prescribing painkillers when they know damn well that the person has no problem, and that nothing is done about it. How do I know? Because I have seen it in action. Since when do you have to get your I.D checked for just walking through the door?

I am not saying anything about all doctors, but it is undeniable that there too many crooked doctors in South Florida. They are simply drug dealers with a PhD. Only recently has the media and law enforcement began paying attention to the problem.

Broward County has been called the prescription pill pipeline of America, but why is no action being taken? I can tell a cop who sells little bags of weed and I can bet that there door will be kicked in very soon, but why is law enforcement so naive? All that these clinics are is a legal way of selling drugs, and the doctors make pure profit. I mean you do not even need an MRI or examination to get prescribed hundreds of painkillers…..is that not a crime? Is that not enough to see that these doc’s are crooked? I am not just speaking out of my ass, I have seen how this shit goes down and it pisses me off. We have doctors, people who society highly value, ruining the lives of people all over society just as a crack dealer would. I have seen it ruin too many lives of people close to me and I am just waiting for these clinics to be exploited, I just wish I was in the position to make some kind of a stand on this growing problem. If you do not want to take my word for it go visit a clinc somewhere in Broward and just look at the waiting rooms, filled with painkiller addicts. I have no purpose of this blog other than to express my knowledge and frustration with what I see going on in my own city, a problem that is slowly killing my own friends, and I would just like to see some action taken.

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/apr/06/proliferation-pain-clinics-south-florida-raises-co/

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/996052.html

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 1 Comment »

13. April 2009 by student.

A big question that Christians ask courts and school teachers is “why is prayer not aloud in school.” The obvious answer is because everyone has different beliefs on religions and even the supreme court says that prayer in schools is unconstitutional. But, many people who just do not accept the idea that the government doesn’t have the authority to promote the beliefs and rituals of some particular religion. And for the record, teachers are not priests. Even after centuries of the Supreme court denying the right for prayer in schools, many people are raising the argument that this is an attempt to destroy their religion. With more than arguing taking place, law suits are the big issue. For example: Two students and their mother have filed suit against the Doniphan School District in southeast Missouri. This was filed on their behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Eastern Missouri, the lawsuit claims that on two successive days in May 2005, school assemblies at Doniphan Elementary School began with teachers leading a prayer. The ACLU notes in a press release that the family bringing the suit is “not Christian,” while both prayers were “Christian.” I believe that a law suit was an over extreme, however, the Supreme Court has already announced that prayer in school is unconstitutional! I do not understand why people just don’t leave the religion factor alone in school. I believe that religion is one factor anyone should bring up, especially in schools, because of all the different religions out in this world today. This social issue will continue to be an issue because people want their religion heard and for it to not be destroyed.

www.atheism.about.com

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13. April 2009 by student.

I am not by any means a huge drinker, but I am not going to say that I haven’t, on occasion, enjoyed a beverage or two.  However, what I don’t understand is why the government has the drinking age at 21.  I know in the 1980’s MADD ran a campaign to try to force a national drinking age through their massive campaign but, how did MADD convince the federal government to find a way to raise the drinking.  The Federal government required that the states raise their drinking age to 21 in order to receive highway funding (www.madd.org).  In fact, many states don’t actually prohibit drinking under the age of 21, they prohibit possession and purchasing of alcohol under 21.   In the state of Florida the law states no one under the age of 21 is allowed to consume or possess alcohol.  Interestingly enough you can taste (not consume) an alcoholic beverage if it is required of a class in post secondary educational institution (college).  However, you must be at least 18 years of age.  It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle with a BAC of .02 or higher if you are under the age of 21 (youthrights.org). 

It is a known fact that when you go off to college that you are more than likely going to have an occasion drink.  It’s always been human nature that when you cannot have something it makes you want to have it more.

College is supposed to be a time to test limits, make mistakes, and find out who you really are as a person.  For most of us this is the first time that we are away from our parents and are making “grown up” decisions, even if they are bad ones.  I feel the more the government and college campus attempt to control drinking, it only creates more problems with college students wanting to drink more.

I think we should let college students learn from their mistakes (even if it has negative consequences), let us enjoy our time during college prior to us having to go out into the world and get jobs and start a family. 

Help support the lowering of the legal drinking age to 18 or 19.  Enjoy your college experience.  Don’t you agree?

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 1 Comment »

13. April 2009 by student.

A reoccurring social problem that most people have seen, heard about, or/and might be part of, is racism. This social problem is still taking place today, as it did many many years ago. Anywhere from racial profiling to police brutality against minorities and the history of slavery and resentment against immigrants, racism is everywhere! Are we really a country where we can speak freely, be ourselves, and generally be free? Evidently not! Ever since the September 11, 2001, attack on the United States, security, who is only preventing terrorist from entering our country and harming our citizens, are taking their jobs a little to seriously. The security concerns have increased in ways such as racial profiling and discriminating. For example, a member of the Sikh community was killed because they resembled a Muslim, having the beard and turbans. Many people of the Middle East and even South Asian origins have faced many controversial detentions and questionings by officials at the American airports. Although, being Caucasian, I do not have the appearance of a Muslim and do not have to be questioned at airports, but I have experienced someone who had been questioned. I know that our security is only trying to protect us, but I feel so bad for the people who are American citizens and only want to live a normal life. This discrimination goes beyond just airport security, kids on playgrounds, coworkers, populated cites, everywhere you see someone being picked on because of their skin color, religion, and even the language that they speak. Older generations who have started this discriminating needs to be role models for the new generations, otherwise discriminating will turn our country into fighting/killing of different cultures etc.

– www.globalissues.org

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13. April 2009 by Mr. Andoscia.

All blogs below this message have been graded.  Some of you have been very creative in the topics you’ve chosen to expound on.  I hope you are learning that the field of sociology is open to infinite interests.

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13. April 2009 by student.

Recently, i read an article about how there will be agents teaching kids how to recognize pedophiles online. To know or not to know? Some parents feel as though this should not be a part of their child’s curriculum because in a sense its encouraging them to chat with complete strangers online and be safe because of their new learned knowledge. To know or not to know? It is reported that on average kids spend 21secs online each day, an average of 9% of kids spend more than an hour online each day, and an average of 2hrs and 29 secs online per week. To know or not to know?A security vendor recently reported that online pedophilia has increased by 300%. In today’s society internet is becoming more and more the main source of communication, browsing for fun, and chat rooms. It was stated that girls are more likley to use the computer for chat rooms than boys would. So once again, to know or not to know? Obviously,  online pedophilia is a growing community and our kids are the victims and for a child to recognize a pedophile is a big step in helping to solve the crime. Not only is helping catch the suspect but also keeping the sex crime rates down and saving the lives of children from being destroyed as well as catching the child pornographies. So to know or not to know when youre about to become a victim of online pedophilia? or to know or not to know how to recognize one when chatting? shouldn’t be questions that have to be second guessed or argued upon. To know or not to know is simply what you should be thinking when your child spends his/her time on the internet and welcoming themselves to be victims of this crime. To know or not to know is what you should be asking yourselves about your childs safety. To know they are safe or not to know they are safe? Which is better?

information gathered from: www.kff.org and www.internetnews.com

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13. April 2009 by student.

Tell me why during all my years of schooling I have never had a teacher go over the United States Constitution? This is the bible of America, yet so many people are unaware what the documnet entails. The other day Mr. Andoscia asked the class who has read it and to my surprise not one person raised their hand. Why the hell would schools find it more important to understand books like “Of Mice and Men” or “The Crucible”? People are growing up and living without even knowing their basic rights, and really it is not their fault.

Schools only give you 9 weeks of American Government, and I know personally that my American Gov’t teacher never went over the Constitution. Do they not teach us these things so that they can hold us down? I really have no idea, but why would all people not be educated on their rights as citizens? Instead we teach imaginary numbers and the works of Shakespeare. We only open ourselves to exploitation by the government by not knowing our rights, and not just Constitutional rights, but laws within the individual states and counties as well. I am sure many people can think of times when a cop took advantage of you due to your lack of knowledge of your own rights, I know I can.

Earlier I wrote a blog about the 2nd Amendment, and I had a response saying that most guns are unneccessary and should be illegal anyway, but if you read the Constitution you will see that the 2nd Amendment was put in so that if ever neccessary we can have a well-regulated militia.

Mr. Andosica you always offer ideas for required readings for life, but most people will still not bother to read. The Constitution however is a required reading for someone’s own well-being, and by not reading the Constitution you are only doing yourself an injustice and possibly setting yourself up for exploitation.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »