Week 2

Paulo Freire was one of the most influential figures in Brazilian history, and an influential figure in South America. A few years back I remember my grandmother telling me about him, she is from Colombia. Freire was born in 1921, and though his family was middle class, there were some rough times during the depression of 1929. He had gone to law school, studied philosophy, language, and other arts. He looked beyond what he would generalize as poor, middle, upper class. The poor had complaints that the others had no way of comprehending. Illiteracy, food rations, living quarters, he was able to get past these and study and help teach many people in his area. One of the most important things he did was in 1961, when he helped a group of over 300 illiterate workers learn to read in 45 days. This breakthrough gave him a window for more research.

Freire was the first person to receive the King Baudouin International Development Prize ( a Belgium award ) in 1980. Through all of his acclaims all of the world, from Brazil to Massachusetts, to Switzerland, he was recognized as a brilliant mind, and one for the betterment of people. But there were critics, including some saying that he borrowed and plagiarized from other works. He was open to the equality of the teacher and the student, something that some of the governments had been opposed too. He believed both the student and the teacher could bring something to the table, and learn from each other.

Another of his breakthroughs was his writings on Critical Pedagogy. He wanted the students to learn from there problems in ways that they could understand. He wanted the student to challenge ideas given to them, always continue to learn, adapt, and have the pattern occur again and again. Relate what they are learning to something that they already know, something that they can associate the idea with. Its something that I feel is the way the education system is going today, and I think it's a great thing. It's much easier to be able to face a problem, knowing that another has been through it, and faced it with good end results, and be able to associate that with success, then to just say you have a problem, get demoralized, and let it end there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_pedagogy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Freire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PemcNyIgxFs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRmQjVSsRyQ


10 classmates:
1. Katherine, introduction - She said she lives near cows. I live somewhat close to them, wish I was farther away. I work in the marketplace on Santa Rosa Avenue, and on some summer nights it can be unbearable, the smell from the cows.
2. Hilary, introduction - Similar reasons for both of us taking this course, general education requirement.
3. Kimmie, introduction - A mother and a student. What more can you say? I have trouble with myself, remembering to do homework, work related stuff, wow. Awesome.
4. Danelle, video - Gave great info and got in depth with the obama speech. keep up the good work.
5. Nicole (I prefer "Nikki"), introduction - I like how you broke down each question, and was very in depth in your answer. You may have been the only one to have that idea.
6. Jason, introduction - He uses a Mac. And wishes they all could be california girls :). me too.
7. Tarissa, introduction - She uses a Mac. 2nd one I have noticed. Who else uses one?
8. Aloma, video - Her most moving moment in the video was the story of Monica George. I felt the same way. Her story was powerful. She was not selfish, she just wanted to be with her family.
9. Christopher, introduction - Great description of Santa Rosa. I could not agree more. What makes it so different, makes it standout?
10. Kelsey, introduction - I never thought of that, at the very end when it said have you created a page, but I also have made a myspace, so this would be my 2nd web page.

week 1 videos

Video 1 - President Barrack Obama

The first video is of President Obama giving a wonderful speech to the city of Cairo. It is a message that is sent to show that Americans and those in the Muslim world can not only co-exist, but have mutual respect for each other. So much of what he has said about the history of Islam is new to me, the advancements and technology that they have brought to the world, everything from Algebra to diseases being treated. I love how President Obama brings up the history of the United States and shows facts that many people never knew. He brings up the great fact about how the US congress now has a Muslim member, and that person swore an oath to protect, and even though he may have different views, he is human just like everyone else.
I think its a magnificent speech, and it is one that many more people need to view. It's very easy for young people to just pass on a speech that is being given. I know I would have if not for this class. But I really did enjoy it and will now pay more attention to when our President speaks.

Video 2 -

One of the most famous women on the planet, Oprah Winfrey was the speaker at Duke University commencement. It was a great speech, and like most others the thing that stood out the most was the part when she told the story of the woman who had the bacteria infection and had to get her limbs amputated, and really didn't feel sorry for herself. She had young children, and was so quick to say "I need to get back home to take care of my girls". She didn't care that she had this thing that was demoralizing, and something that could really put you in a depressed state. Powerful guest. Powerful story. As a person, I think Oprah is an amazing person. I know she does a tremendous amount for charity, she seems to always be doing something for others, I wish I could have the opportunity to be such a great person.

Week 1

1. What is your first name only
Daniel

2. Why are you taking this class and what do you hope to learn
A couple reasons for taking this course is one to fulfill my GE, and I saw an opening in the course, and the other was because I occasionally read blogs, I never really knew how to blog, and hope to learn how to become good at it in the course.

3. How far do you live from SRJC main campus?
2.4 miles - about 7 mins

4. Briefly, what do you think of when you think:

• Santa Rosa?
  When I think of Santa Rosa, I think of home. Though I was not born here, I have lived here for the past 11 years, so this is where I consider my hometown. I wish it was a bigger city, I was born in a small town, then lived in Houston, Texas for a bit.
  

California?
Great place. Great weather. What more can I say? I live in Northern California, the difference between the north and the south in California is probably bigger then any other state in this country. Nor-Cal in my opinion is more business, straight forward. Life is at a slower pace. I have visited southern California many times, the freeway system, the beaches, lifestyle. So different. Fast paced, go get em style.


USA?
The country I was born in. First in my family born in this country. Here for a reason. Opportunity for a
a better life, great education system.


North America?
The western hemisphere. When I htink of North America, the first thing I think of is the United States of
America. I know Canada is a big part as well, but I just associate USA first.


The World?
The Planet earth we live on. I think of all the life sustained on the planet, and the advancements that
humans have made since first appearing on the Earth.


5. Have you created a blog or webpage in the past?
This is the first blog or webpage that I have ever even attempted to create, and hoping that it goes smoothly.


6. Regarding computers, are you on a mac or a pc?
I am on PC and have always been on one. I have used mac before, but never really felt comfortable with them.