Task11(week 11)

1. Take the English literature class fore example, we separated into several groups, we work in groups to prepare for the chapters, which we are in charge of. And my group members and I have to discuss what the text content is, and then we decided to “act” this chapter and showed it to everybody in our class. Through the process of discussion, we can find out the points we can understand and do our best to find out the answer or to make the questions clear and easier to be understood. To sum up, as far as I am concerned, I like group activities the most. Because, I think I can learn more and have good interaction with my group members at the same time. On the contrary, the activities I dislike the most is reading all the time. Though reading is the basic ability that we have to train ourselves, I think it is boring somehow. I think I have to be more patient when I am reading some articles.

2. The most interesting activities happened recently is the composition class I took in the computer room. I remember our teacher, Dr. Chen, gave us five videos and separated us into groups. And each group had to choose a video and we had to adapt for one of the videos. The modified video is really very funny, and my group won the bonus in the activity. This kind of class activity is really interesting, and I can learn some skills through it.

3. Yes, I have.
When I met difficult knowledge, I will try to connect something interesting to it. By this way, I can learn it better than just read or study it.

4. Based on the answers I responded to Q1~3, I think I am a learner who loves activities through learning new knowledge. Because I like the learning atmosphere to be happy, funny, and active. I do not like dull classes.

Task 6

1. How do you usually look at your mistakes?

I think I am a positive person. Though I am optimistic, sometimes I will still feel bad when making mistakes. However, I will regret what I have done if I make any wrong decision.

2. How do you define mistakes?

As far as I am concerned, making mistakes is not shame. Do not afraid of making mistakes because it is when we do something wrong will we learn what is right. I remember a proverb, ” To err, human; to forgive, divine. ”. We are human beings, and we will make mistakes. No one can be perfect. When I was a child, I always did stupid deed. But I do not think I am stupid. I can learn form my mistakes. I think mistakes can let me know what is right. Also, when I am learning a new language, some mistakes can impress me and I will not do the same mistakes anymore. Take Thomas Alva. Edison for example, he went through many experiments and failures, but in the end, he invented tungsten light bulb successfully.

3. After listening to Prof. Pausch, do you still see mistakes in the same way?

After listening to Prof. Pausch, the way I see mistakes is a little bit changed. I am more optimistic to my mistakes and failures. A person can not be always successful and perfect. Just as Prof. Pausch said,“ Experience is what you get when you did not get what you want.”. I know some people always get the first place at school, but when they get the second place, they feel so frustrated that they can not accept this result. They will think such a failure is just like the coming of the end of the world. However, I don’t think so. Because when I am fail, I will know that there is someone who is better than me. Then it can give me the power to study or work harder to surpass who I was. What is more, I love this sentence, “You realize that something you can not do. Then you just have to stand close to these people.” This sentence is quite humorous. But it is useful. Everybody has his own limit ability to do something or to realize his dream. As a result, all we can do is to do our best. Whether we succeed or not, we feel proud of ourselves. Sometimes we can not reach the goal we want, but if we can “stand” near to the goal, then I think it is enough. As the proverb goes, “Happy is he who is content.”

Task5

1 .Can you explain what this picture is showing about collaborative learning (or group learning)?

The picture shows about how a group works collaboratively. Through certain process, student can work and organize their ideas more concretely step by step.

2. What is your favorite part of this type of learning?

My favorite part of this type of learning is “Generating Multiple Perspectives”because my partner and I can share our opinions together. And through this process, I can learn how my partner thinks about the topic we discuss. What’s more, I can learn from others. For example, this week I have an essay homework that needs group discussion. When we were sharing our ideas for the essay, I was surprised by my partners’point if view. There perspectives are totally different from mine.

3. What would be the part that usually bothers you when working with others?

The part that usually bothers me when working with others is “Posing the problem”. I think it is difficult for me to start unless I have an explicit idea.
As the proverb goes,”Nothing is easy in the beginning.”

4. Give an example from your personal experience and elaborate on it.

When working in a group, my partners will have different kinds of thoughts and idea. At the beginning, I think it is hard for me to combine or integrate everyone’s idea. But after several times of practices, I am so glad that I gradually learn the tips how to have good team work. Through team work, I learn how to listen to others and how to express my own concept directly. Also, in discussion, we will have a little argument. However, after communicating with them, the problem solved and the friendship between my partners and me will get closer and closer.

Task 4

Question
1. This is how American college students learn. Are you learning in a similar way?
2.What does it mean by “Networked Students”? Is it a good or a bad change, and why?
Answer
1. Yes, now I am learning in a similar way. I will do my homework on line, and discuss with my friends using MSN. What’s more I will post some comments on my classmates’ blog.

2. “Networked Students” means that students do their academic work or study online. They rely on the Internet to accomplish their studies and learn new knowledge. It is convenient. However, I think it is a bad change. Take myself for example, I seldom use computer or network to finish my assignment before I enter college. I wrote my homework by hand and finished it quickly. After I entered college, everything changed. I have to do my home work on line. What’s more, I have to use MSN to communicate and social with my friends and teachers. Here comes the problem, I will distract my attention while doing homework on line. When I open the website page, I won’t do my work immediately. I will click the news on the homepage of yahoo, and then I couldn’t help but do to my own blog to see who had come. What’s worse, after I log in my MSN messenger, I start chatting with my friends or classmates instead of discussing our assignment. To sum up, though network brings us convenience, we are easily got distracted from other websites. We must know our purpose of using the Internet, or we will just waste our time surfing on the Internet not working on the Internet.

Task 3

Questions:
1. What do you think of her change?
2. What do you believe or not believe?
3. What is your judgment based on?
4. Would you change your view if she was your best-friend or family?


Answers:
She changes a lot in her life. I can understand her bad changes before. She was lost. I think that’s because she became so famous and she didn’t know how to make good use of this situation. She experienced lots of bad behaviors and now she is willing to thoroughly change herself and again step on the right way of her life. I think this does really need great brevity for Britney to confess her own fault and face the music. It is believed that her fans will be so glad to see her “good” change. I believe that this time she does genuinely want to change and improve herself. And I wouldn’t change my view if she is my best friend or family. The only thing would change is that I’ll stand by her side to guide her to the right way in person instead of sitting in front of my computer and just being a fan of hers.

Task 2

My parents didn’t listen to what I said and ignored my opinions until I was 16 years old. As a little girl, I was always curious about almost everything. Every time I tried to ask them, they would say, “It’s not your business, and you’re NOT BIG ENOUGH! ” . Then, I was more eager to get the answer. Thus, I kept asking them. They felt inpatient with me, and they gave me some words, “YOU CAN’T GET UNDERSTAND EVRYTHING, STUPID!” . This kind of response does really HURT a little girl’s mind.
“Why my parents did this to me? Why they said that I am stupid? I just want to ask and figure something out. I didn’t mean to do anything.” , I kept ask these questions in my mind. What’s more, I always try to give them my opinions on their business, and I think my idea will work. However, they do not take my opinion anyway. When I entered senior high, I thought this kind of situation need to be changed. I just want them listen to me patiently and sometimes give me some advice and that’s all. Therefore, I try my best to “communicate” with my parents. At the beginning, we argued a lot. After several arguments, my parents finally gave way to me. I feel so glad that I successfully let them understand what I want to express.

Task 1

1. Reflection of “Basic abilities for a successful study in college”
After watching this video, I think to be globalized is very important. Our society is a global village. If you don’t notice the world’s news very often, you may be less competitive than those who know enough information of the world. What’s more, be able to learn is very important as well. Having knowledge can help us express our thoughts efficiently. However, we must have the courage to voice for ourselves. Let your voice speak out loudly so that people will hear your thoughts or problems. Last but not the least, good characteristic can lead us stepping on the right way in our lives. I agree that extreme thoughts will easily let people do harm to the whole society. We must make good use of our knowledge, and make a good balance.


2.
(1.) Do you believe everything people tell you? Why or why not?

Ans: I do not believe everything people tell me because everyone will tell lies to people in certain situations. I will lie to people as well.

(2.) For instance, when your friend tells you that working as a part-time waiter in a fancy restaurant will get you a lot of money, how would you respond?

Ans: I don’t think so. If I work as a part-time waiter, my salary will be around 85 ~ 120 dollars per hour. How much I will earn depends on how many hours I work. Working in a fancy restaurant doesn’t mean that you will certainly get more money than working in a normal restaurant. You have to work hard. This summer I had a part-time job in a cram school with my friends, and I have worked for only one month. Though some of my friends said that I would earn only around 10000 a month, I earned almost 23000 in total. They were very surprised how I make it. The reason I can earn 23000 is that I worked over 10 hours everyday. It was tired, but I had done my best. As the proverb goes, “As you sow, so shall you reap.”

Two paragraphes of "America's Foreign Policy Trap"

1. There's a lot to recommend this view. For starters, it gets jihadism right. Al-Qaeda-style terrorism does stem more from state breakdown than state power. ( Compare pre-and post-Saddam Iraq. ) The weak-state concept also makes Democratic foreign policy broader than its Repoblican equivalent. In Buh-esque speeches earlier this year, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani tried- unconvinceingly- to cram virtually all of American foreign policy into the war on terror. Weak states,by contrast, offer Democrats a prism that isn't confined to the Islamic world.

2. In the monthes to come, the Democratic front runners will make more foreign policy speeches. Let's hope they each devote a whole one to China and large chunks of others to India, Russia and Japan. How the U.S. handle these powers will help determine how dangerous the world becomes in the coming years and whether the U.S. remains its lone superpower. That deserves more than a throwaway line.