No Red Pill, No Blue Pill - Response

Hi Ms. Pratas,

Let me start off by saying that your article up there is a fabulous piece of work. Anyhow, my name is Kevin from Ms. Lees Humanities 8 Class and I will be responding to your article "No Red Pill, No Blue Pill"

What grabbed my attention right from the start was the title itself, as I read along further into the article I began to notice what you meant. In learning, there are no shortcuts and success is only achieved with hard work and motivation.

I liked how you focused on a poetic theme at both the beginning and the ending. This was another attention-grabber for me and led me wanting to read further. But what really grabbed my attention the most was the quote about the red and blue pills. You can choose to see an illusion of what you believe, but in the end this will end up hurting you.

I agree with the majority of the content in the article as education is something that is constantly changing. Motivation is definitely one of the key components to learning, for example a smart student with a lack of motivation will not perform as well as an average student who is motivated to learn and move forward. If you aren't determined and motivated to learn, quite simply you won't. Teachers want to help you and watch you succeed, but in the end it is up to you to decide what you do.

The article connected to me in many ways, I always hear students saying that they hate school or those students that NEVER do their homework. These students would be doing much better had they motivated themselves to go further or to do their homework.

The article helped me realize that teachers can only do so much - yes, they will guide you in the right direction but it is up to the students to find their interests and motivate themselves.

Regarding the layout of the article, the infographics and pictures enhanced your article; it helped me visualize some of the things you were talking about.

Overall, this was a great article that I made lots of connections to, as you said "Connections do happen" and furthermore motivated me as I considered if I should bother doing my homework and writing this response tonight.

-Kevin N

No Red Pill No Blue Pill Response

        First ,  I feel like I can relate to what is being said in this post,I  see many people at high school ages that do not have the motivation to learn and that can really be a issue for learning. I myself enjoy reading poems so I liked how you used a poetic form to catch the readers attention. I liked how you used a lot of images and details. I agree with a lot of things that your are stating like about how teachers can also be affected by there class. If you really try to make an effort to participate, it shows everyone that you actually want to learn and that also helps your class and also encourages them.  I always try to come in class with the best attitude because i know that If you just don't try at all, the teacher will eventually give up in trying to teach you. Sometimes it's  really hard for teachers, because they love seeing students strive and succeed in whatever they do but some kids don't and the teachers know they can do much better. Teachers are here to give you encouragement and help point you in the right direction. Motivation is really important especially now because without it nobody would get anything done. 

     I feel like everybody looses motivation in our generation.I will  admit that I do occasionally loose motivation but then I always find a way to get back up there. When people post things like this it really makes you think about things like.. How motivation is so important. Many people  will also relate to this post because everyone experiences loss motivation. 

I see that many of my classmates say that you have too many pictures but I have a different opinions. I think that the pictures make you pay more attention. I also think that the pictures enhance the writing by giving you visuals. I hope that many people read your post and get motivated! Just like I did. 

Here is the link for the article No blue pill No red pill

No Red Pill, No Blue Pill Response

  
  I must say, this article can really relate to a lot of students. I know it relates to me. Many times I have found myself bored and not wanting to learn. I am in Ms. Lees hum 8 class, we do this thing called Genius Hour. Genius Hour is when the students create their own projects and present it when finished. This allows students to do and learn what they want to.

    I liked how the author wrote the article. The beginning was really good and drew me in to read the rest of the article. One thing I didn't like was the pictures. They were too distracting from the message of the post. I think it would be a lot better if the pictures weren't as big. Another thing I liked a lot was that she put a link on words that were confusing, or people didn't know. This is good because it will allow the audience to connect further, as well as expand their vocabulary.

     I think the audience is both students and teachers... The post says in each class there are those who want to learn, as well as those who don't. The audience includes teachers because the article says that if the teacher loses inspiration or motivation then they aren't just stopping those who don't want to learn, but those who want to learn also. This causes those who want to learn to lose motivation, making them less interested in school.

Create your own opinions... Read the authors blog at http://dreamweavelearn.wordpress.com/author/acsaffron/.

No Red Pill No Blue Pill Response

     
Hello! This is my response to your post, No Red Pill No Blue Pill!

First off, I felt like I could really relate to the message you have given in this post. I have seen many people not have the motivation to learn and that has really been an issue. I liked how you described every little detail and put it in poetic form to make it seem more interesting and to catch the audience's attention. I agree that if students don't make an effort or don't have the motivation to learn, there will be little to no progress. The attitude in the classroom really counts in my eyes. If you really try to make an effort to participate, it shows others that you actually want to learn. I try as much as I can to have a smiling face during class and to always participate whenever chance I get. If you just don't try at all, the teacher will eventually give up trying to teach you. This is really hard for teachers, because they love seeing students strive and succeed in whatever they do. This is what teachers are here for, to give you encouragement and to give you a little push in the right direction. If you don't let the teacher guide you in the right direction, you will be lost for a very long time, until you come to your senses. This is why motivation is so important nowadays.

      The message in my opinion was that you should never lose motivation because then no one can help you even if they really wanted to. Motivation is key in a happy, meaningful school life. If you don't have motivation or passion towards something, you will never learn what it has to offer. I believe that everything has a purpose and you need motivation to find that purpose and put it into good use.

There are really big connections to our course because I feel like some people, not just the people in our class, really lack motivation. I always hear them say "I hate school!" and words like that. I have to admit, sometimes, I say those things too but I always find the good in everything and I try to think positively. This post will help us realize that life is too short to waste on not enjoying every second of it. I think a bunch of people will benefit from this post and will also relate to this post. The audience are both students AND teachers. This will help them realize that it's the students who need to fins that motivation and it's the job of the teacher to help them and guide them in the right direction. It's the job of the student to find their interests but to have the teacher show them what each thing has to offer.

I have a different opinion from my classmates. I think the pictures enhance what you are trying to say and it gives the audience a more interesting vibe than opposed to just a regular post. I do agree with them though, to not put to many. Just put a few here and there and not overwhelm your audience.

Thank you !

              ,Sydney



   

No Red Pill, No Blue Pill response

Hi, my name is Jaden, and I'm student from Ms. Lees Humanities class and here's my response to your No red pill, No blue pill.

I liked how you use poetic way at the beginning; it made me interesting and grabbed my attention. I think it's really creative and unique way to write an article. While reading your article, I saw lots of pictures that I don't see any point of it and think how these pictures can relate to this article. It was distracting too, but other than that I think it was really creative and unique!

I think I can relate myself into this. By reading this article, I thought of myself a lot, how I have no motivation to learn and how I get bored in the class. I moved to Canada, a year ago and as English isn't my first language, I have to put more works than other students. I started to think about my future if I have no motivation to learn and I learned that I shouldn't lose my motivation, got to put myself into work and stop complaining about my English skills. While reading this I also started to think that it is okay to don't know what the answer is, because I’m still learning and I wasn't born in any English country either. That disappointment that I think of myself is the thing that makes me lose the interest and motivation about learning. I also learned and realized lots of things too. I learned that don't lose your motivation to learn.

No Red Pill No Blue Pill Response

Google Docs

Speech-Revised

Driving on your way to an exciting Vancouver Canucks game; who will win, Canucks, or Chicago? As you imagine how the game will play out, you drive over the new 10-lane Port Mann Bridge. What you may not be aware of is, you are being tolled by an electronic system. I, Jarrod Vanthournout, am here today to talk to you about the toll on the new Port Mann Bridge. First off, I will tell you about why they tolled the bridge. I will then talk about the pros and cons about the toll. Last I will tell you about the pricing.

First things first, why did they toll the Port Mann Bridge? If they hadn't I wouldn’t have a speech, would I? Well the thing is the project cost approximately 3 billion dollars! Now that’s a lot of money. They tolled the bridge so they could pay off this project. The question is, was it the right choice?

With the toll there are some good aspects, as well as some bad. Let’s start with the pros. A really good part of the toll is that instead of stopping traffic at a booth the vehicles are in constant movement without needing to stop or slow down. Unfortunately nothing is perfect. One of the problems with the tolling system is that there are flaws; some vehicles have been paid in a different category during different trips over the Port Mann Bridge. Another problem with the bridge is the cost.

Speaking of cost, let’s get to the prices of the toll. The current prices of the toll are following: 1.50 for a car, 75 cents for a motorcycle, 3 dollars for a small truck, and 4.50 for a large truck. I would like to note that these prices for 1-way, not over and back. However this December, toll rates will double, making going over the bridge even more expensive. To keep this discount, you can sign up for Treo. Another way to not need to pay the toll is to take public transit, such as the skytrain, or the bus.

Today I have talked to about the Port Mann Bridge toll. Let’s recap: I have told you about why they tolled the bridge, as well as the pros and cons of them doing so. Also I have spoken about the prices of the toll. I now invite you all to make your own opinions on the toll. Who knows, it might even be when you’re crossing the bridge to a Canucks game.

I haven't timed myself yet, but if it's still over time I could take out the part I coloured red... Any other suggestions are also welcome.

speech draft

Imagine having 8.3 billion dollars in your name?! you can buy almost anything you want with that amount of money! but it’s not money i’m going to talk about today. I’m going to discuss the importance of not giving up on your dreams and goals. but tell you for fun the person who has .3 billion dollars in his names is Steve jobs.He is one person who never gave up and reached his goals. he could have give  up, but he didn’t know what the outcome would be unless he tried. so he tried and tried until he perfected the Apple company, which is now one of the world’s most valuable companies.

Steve Jobs perfected the Ipad, Ipod, Iphone(just to name a few), all by ignoring the negative comments people said about his wild dreams and goals. People thought what he wanted to accomplish was impossible, but he never gave up, and he now called ‘The father of digital revolution’, and ‘Master of innovation’.

Another man who never gave up on his dreams and ignored the obstacles is Thomas Edison. In particular we all know he created the electric light bulb; however, he also created the phonograph and motion picture camera. He too was thought to be crazy in wanting to create such modern devices. But again, he never gave up on his vision and now named the fourth most prolific inventor in history.

Both of these men have left a powerful mark on human history. They taught was not to give up on ourselves, let your imagination run free, and think of ways to make the world better pace. Because of that, they will be remembered forever. So i want to conclude with these.

Be a leader not a follower, and never give up on your dreams, and i will leave you with a quote from Edison- “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time.”

Independent Project Response

  I really think that that is an interesting idea. If done it should only be for the older grades, like 11 or 12. This would be so the students in the class would already know all the basics of the subjects to incorporate in their projects. My first thought was it looked a lot like Genius Hour. Even though I said it was interesting I don't like the idea myself.... If there isn't any marks, or grades then how do you pass the course? Can you pass by just presenting even if the project doesn't deserve to pass?
  However, there were some aspects I did like... first was the question of the week. I thought it was interesting, and we could incorporate it into the Genius Hour class next year. The second was the check-in at the beginning of the day. I think by doing this the students become closer and more friendly than if they just went off and did their work.
  I really don't think this kind of school would work for me!

Independent school response

Independent Project Response was a wonderful opportunity if you don't really do well in academic courses.

The Independent project was actually a good idea It was different to have to grasp the concept of teenagers controlling there schooling. The school really showcased your talents so you can focus on them and you can do things you enjoy so you want to do them. Each week, they had to present their new project that they had been working on to their classmates and then there classmate would critique each other on their projects. Although there aren't any teachers coaching you through every single thing, but there are teachers to help you when you do need it. I think this would be a cool thing to have at our school but not necessarily for younger grades probably 10-12 because they have an idea of what they want to do when there older. I dont think this would work for younger grades because we dont know what we think we want to be so we wont have a goal and us. I personally would not do the independent project right now because I don't feel like I am mature enough to being on my own all semester. I still feel like I would still need a teacher's guidance to help me through. It would be hard to keep yourself on track and actually do the project. Overall I think it would be really cool to try it out one day! 

  

"The Independent Project"

Last week, we watched a video about "The Independent Project" a school designed and implemented entirely by students.

The Independent Project is definitely a unique and original concept - being able to set your own rules, create your own assignments and have no teachers.

The idea appeals to me because of the innovative concept; giving students the opportunity to control and design their own learning. This would be a great way for students who don't do as well in typical academic schools to express themselves and learn in a non-traditional system. Furthermore, what really appeals to me is the free time in the afternoon given to students to work on whatever they want - be it learn to play the piano, conduct science experiments or design the next big thing.

However, I don't know how well the idea would work out in the long run. How would the students function without teachers and rules? Would a system where students could learn freely be the best idea?

But the only way to find out is to try it out yourself.

I personally would not join this program right now, because at my age I perform better in school where there is more structure and rules. However, I think this program would work well for older students who already have a idea of where they want to move forward in their life.

Overall, I think the Independent Project is a great idea - for some people. It is definitely a unique idea for a black and white world.

Independent Project Response!

The Independent project was really interesting to me. It was really different to see students having so much control to what they were to do in school. It really gave students who weren't so good at academic courses, a chance to show that they actually do have some talent. It gives everyone an equal chance to get into the university of their choice. Each week, they had to present their project that they had been working on the whole week to their classmates and then each classmate would critique each other on their projects. The independent project did actually have teachers but the teachers didn't tell them what to do, they were simply there to help the students if they needed help. This idea is very appealing but I think it would work best for the older grades (10-12) because they have a better idea of what they want to do or major in later in life so they can actually create projects within that field. I would not attend the independent project right now because I don't feel like I am mature enough to being on my own all semester. I still feel like I need a teacher's guidance to help me through. But overall, I think it's a wonderful opportunity if you don't really do well in academic courses!

Independent Project Responce

I liked the idea that students design their own class. I also thought that it was something similar to Genius Hour project. It is something different and it was unique idea that students come up with new ideas and projects. It would be awesome if you have your own rules and you can design without teachers. I think this is good way to learn something and try something new. But I don’t think its good idea that they don’t have a teacher. If there is no teacher, if something goes wrong and something happens, they need teacher’s help and they might have done something that teacher doesn’t like.

So overall I think this is great idea that they try something new, but I don’t like this project and don’t think this is great idea in general.