125 Final Assignment

Gentlemen:

It's been a long semester with many new things to learn, and now one final assignment is due for tomorrow, 24 Dec. your complete blogger site with all your writings (2 each), plus your one (1) reflective writing question, as detailed below:

125 Portfolio Outline

I. Procedure Writings (2)
A. How to write a summary paragraph
B. How to make Jelly Beans
C. Or your choice

II. Narrative Writings (2)
A. My Story
B. My Best Day / Best Holiday
C. Or your choice


III. Process Writings (2)
A. How to fail your portfolio (please refer to online guidelines and criteria)
B. How to give a successful oral presentation


IV. Comparison Writings (2)
A. Abu Dhabi and your hometown
B. Or your choice


V. Reflective Essay (1)
Questions to consider:
1. How do processes help you learn?
2. What did you learn about describing processes?
3. Were practice tests valuable to you? (Why/Why not?)
4. What is the most difficult aspect of process writing for you? Explain.
5. What did you do to improve in this area?
6. What is the most difficult aspect of narrative writing for you? Explain.
7. What did you do to improve in this area?
8. What has helped you to be successful as a student in this class?
9. What differences/similarities have you learned between process and narration?
10. How will you use these styles of writing in the future?

I wish you and your families a very warm, happy and prosperous New Year and see you in 2010 (hopefully).

Gregory

Your final blog Assignment

Gentlemen:

It's been a long semester with many new things to learn, and no one final assignment is due for tomorrow, 24 Dec. your complete blogger site with all your writings (2 each), plus your one (1) reflective writing question, as detailed below:

125 Portfolio Outline

I. Procedure Writings (2)
A. How to write a summary paragraph
B. How to make Jelly Beans
C. Or your choice

II. Narrative Writings (2)
A. My Story
B. My Best Day / Best Holiday
C. Or your choice


III. Process Writings (2)
A. How to fail your portfolio (please refer to online guidelines and criteria)
B. How to give a successful oral presentation


IV. Comparison Writings (2)
A. Abu Dhabi and your hometown
B. TBD


V. Reflective Essay (1)
Questions to consider:
1. How do processes help you learn?
2. What did you learn about describing processes?
3. Were practice tests valuable to you? (Why/Why not?)
4. What is the most difficult aspect of process writing for you? Explain.
5. What did you do to improve in this area?
6. What is the most difficult aspect of narrative writing for you? Explain.
7. What did you do to improve in this area?
8. What has helped you to be successful as a student in this class?
9. What differences/similarities have you learned between process and narration?
10. How will you use these styles of writing in the future?

I wish you and your families a very warm, happy and prosperous New Year and see you in 2010 (hopefully).

Gregory

My Story

Gentlemen:

Here is my personal story! You will also upload your narrative story to your blog. Also, remember to send your blog html to my email address.

My Story
My story is simple, yet it is also complicated when compared to many other people’s lives. Originally from the U.S. (I was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin – home of Harley Davidson Motorcycles), I have lived and worked in a number of different countries since I was 18 years old, and have travelled to many more in my life. Because I had studied the German language for six years in high school, and because my father worked for Siemens Corporation in the US, I had the chance to travel and work in Germany starting two months after my graduation from high school for 14 months until I returned and started the university. That was the beginning of my travels, which continued after I earned my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. I have a happy family of my parents and two sisters who I visit every year, but I live on my own these days.
My interests include travelling, swimming, cycling, cooking, and foreign languages, as well as reading and learning about other cultures. I look forward to learning more about all my students in order to make this term a successful and enjoyable one.

Gregory

Welcome to 125

Welcome to Engl 125. Ramadan Kareem

I hope that you have had a fantastic vacation and you are refreshed and ready to work hard this semester.
My name is Gregory and I will be teaching you for 8 hours a week.
My email is gregory.vrhovnik@hct.ac.ae
My telephone # is 02 4048 711
My blog is: http://reportfromthedesert174.blogspot.com/
For my course you must always bring your charged laptop to class.
Before every class you must check your email (I may give you independent learning and you may not have to come to class). A full inbox is no excuse for not getting an email – empty your inbox now.
This is the website for your English course – bookmark it now.
http://www.admc.hct.ac.ae/hd1/level1/index.htm
The first English writing exam will be on Procedure or Process.
In preparation for this exam we will be learning three different procedures -
Blogging, Picasa Movie Making, and OneNote
A) You will create a blog which will be used to store your writing e-portfolio.(10% of grade)
What is a blog?
Watch this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnploFsS_tY

Regards;
The Fox

Task #8 / Additional graded post #5:

Gentlemen:

Worksheet: Water resources and abuse – the film ‘FLOW’
Obtain the movie FLOW- For Love of Water, watch the introductory section from 1.25’ to 12.10’ for an introduction and background information to the world water situation;
And choose one or more of the following segments to write a 200 – 250 word cause/ effect OR problem/solution OR an argument report/ essay on the specific segment topic discussed using at least three cited references:

1. Bolivia, South America; South Africa
The problems of corporate control of water supplies and the ‘pay for use’ idea
12.10’ – 27.25’

2. India – Affordable technology for clean water
27.25’ – 33.00’

3. USA, India and Lesotho, South Africa –
The Business of water and the World Water Council; State control of water ecosystems through dams versus local control of water and water conservation
33.00’ – 42.10’

4. Michigan, USA; India
Corporate abuse/ misuse of ground water supplies and the historical view of water resource ownership; Water privatization and commercialization
57.00’ – 1.18.40’

Go to: www.Flowthefilm.com and click on ‘blog’ to do more research on the topic of water, and to find other relevant sources of information. Or see Abdul Majeed for a copy of the movie from his hard-drive!

This is the last post for this term - and is due on Sunday, 31 May at 5pm.

Happy blogging!!

Task #7 - Graded post #4

Gentlemen:

Here's the next assignment #7 for your blogs, to be posted by next Monday, 17 May at 5 pm.

Task #7 (Graded task #4)- A problem-solution report
You are to write a problem-solution report on the main causes of global warming and/or ecological decline and what can be done to reduce the problem;
OR write on the problems / solutions of a consumption based economy (see ‘The Story of Stuff’- www.storyofstuff.com) and the problems of continuous consumption/ production/ disposal brings, and the possible solutions.
Give your opinion about the future (of the planet)
 300 - 500 words
 must include three original references
 the three references must be cited in the text
 the bibliography must include the cited references
 One source should be from the college database
 MLA formatting required
 Submit copies of your references (cover page, and the page where you got the information from)

We'll about the details in class today... Happy blogging and don't forget your vocabulary.

THe Fox

Task 6 - Cool Cities - graded project #3

Gentlemen: Here's the next assignment, which is due next Sunday, meaning a draft version is due this week Thursday, due to coming Writing and Progress Tests!

One Planet Living & Cool Cities
*The students post 200 to 250 word problem solution report about SDCJ cool cities:
A description of how modern cities contribute to global warming (problems)
A description of the main ways in which they will save energy and reduce carbon emissions (solutions)
Your opinion on the practicality of the proposed cities
You should provide information from more than one source


*Watch the two videos here: Cool Cities and SDCJ
Click here for a cool video on green plans for Abu Dhabi
*Read "Cool ideas to beat the heat", Building a Green Dream, and Masder's Green Dream is not for all from The National


Challenging Alternative Report

Reviewing the links below create and argument report on the pros and cons of planned environmentally friendly cities.
State whether you think such projects are feasible.
250 words plus
MLA referencing required




Visit http://www.oneplanetliving.org/
What are the ten principles of One Planet Living? Visit and discuss. Write an entry in your blog on how these could apply here.
Watch the YouTube videos by a Zimbabwean student, by an English student, or by these US 6th grade kids
In a group, make your own video on global warming and upload it to your blogs.
Watch the two videos here: Cool Cities and SDCJ
Read "Cool ideas to beat the heat", Building a Green Dream, and Masder's Green Dream is not for all from The National
Write: Is the cool city project realistic for the UAE? Identify 3 adaptations that could work and 3 which would not work (well) to reduce global warming. Base your writing on the videos and articles from The National.
Read this special report and video on Renewable Energy in Abu Dhabi by Time magazine
Read this article about Masdar City
Listen to Dr Sultan Jaber at the World Future Energy Summit: http://www.wfes08.com/page.cfm/link=376
What is Masdar? http://www.masdaruae.com/ or read this Times article.
Watch a video about Masdar on Youtube.

In-class project 'THe Story of Stuff'

Gentlemen:

For Tuesday’s lesson, please check out “The Story of Stuff” at http://www.storyofstuff.com/ .

This 20-minute documentary shows the disadvantages of consumerism. It explains the seven stages of the life cycle of stuff, from natural resources to rubbish. It also argues strongly against some attitudes and actions of big businesses in the USA. Although the speech is very fast, sections of the movie can be repeated several times, and there is even an Arabic translation on the international site.

This movie is quite popular for several reasons. First of all, the ideas are expressed very well. I think you will enjoy the arguments, even if you do not agree with them! In addition, the pictures are cartoons. This makes the presentation very appealing. Furthermore, the web site has a blog, media resources, and other online tools to discuss the ideas and applications of the movie. For example, one entry on the blog discusses the wasteful packaging of NXT shaving cream and encourages people not to buy it.

In my opinion, this is a very good documentary that may change the way you live. You might start thinking about all your stuff in a completely new way. You may even decide that you have enough stuff already, and learn to be happy with what you have. I hope you enjoy the movie.

THe Fox

Graded task #2

Carbon Emission and Carbon Footprint: Energy Use

The student will post a 200 to 250 word report about carbon footprints that includes:
1. a description of what a carbon footprint is, and how they measured their own carbon footprint
2. how they ranked compared to their classmates, and the reason
3. recommend how they and others may reduce their carbon footprints
4. Reference ALL your sources


Measure your own carbon footprint at
http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/
http://www.myfootprint.org/


Click here to find out about positive action in the UAE -
see http://www.heroesoftheuae.ae/en
Enjoy learning about your Carbon Footprint!

The FOx

IT argument / review blogs

Gentlemen:
The blogs look good- make sure you have your edited argument sheet uploaded. For the late sheets, Ahmed Alkhali and Abdulla Mohamed, see me on Monday for your corrections.

See everyone on Monday to start the next project.
Gregory

Reviews for "Inconvenient Truth"

Gentlemen: Here are some reviews for IT - including negative reviews for your posts.

Reviews

(Positive):The film received a generally positive reaction from film critics. It garnered a "certified fresh" 93% rating at Rotten Tomatoes (as of May 21, 2007), with a 94% rating from the "Cream of the Crop" reviewers. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has received an average score of 75, based on 32 reviews.[36] Film critics Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper gave the film "two thumbs up". Ebert wrote: "In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to."[37]
Film critic David Edelstein called the film, "One of the most realistic documentaries I've ever seen--and, dry as it is, one of the most devastating in its implications."[38] David Remnick added that while it was "not the most entertaining film of the year...it might be the most important" and a "brilliantly lucid, often riveting attempt to warn Americans off our hellbent path to global suicide." [39] New York Times reviewer A.O. Scott thought the film was "edited crisply enough to keep it from feeling like 90 minutes of C-Span and shaped to give Mr. Gore's argument a real sense of drama," and "as unsettling as it can be," Scott continued, "it is also intellectually exhilarating, and, like any good piece of pedagogy, whets the appetite for further study."[40]

(Negative): On the other hand, journalist Ronald Bailey argued in the libertarian magazine Reason that although "Gore gets [the science] more right than wrong," he exaggerates the risks.[41] Some reviewers were also skeptical of Gore's intent, wondering whether he was setting himself for another Presidential run. Boston Globe writer Peter Canello criticized the "gauzy biographical material that seems to have been culled from old Gore campaign commercials." [42] Phil Hall of Film Threat gave the film a negative review, saying "An Inconvenient Truth is something you rarely see in movies today: a blatant intellectual fraud."[43]
In "extensive exit polling" of An Inconvenient Truth audiences in conservative suburban markets like Plano, Irvine, Dallas and Long Island, 92 percent rated "Truth" highly and 87 percent of the respondents said they'd recommend the film to a friend.[44]

From Wikipedia - Inconvenient Truth

See you Monday!

The Fox

An Inconvenient Truth: Part 2 - Argument Writing

An Inconvenient Truth: Part 2

Gentlemen:

Here’s the first graded writing task for your blogs (5%). Follow these directions and have a draft argument essay ready to edit this week if you can get it to me by Thursday. If it’s all ready to post after your corrections, then you will not need to come to class on Monday, 6 April.

Directions:
 Argument Writing of 200 - 250 words
 Find two reviews of the movie - one positive and one negative
 Describe the opinions in your report (paraphrase - do not quote!)
 Conclude with your own opinion about the movie
 Cite the two review sources in the text
 Include a bibliography with the two sources
 Read some other reviews of the movie at he hd1 blog.
 Use Google to find additional reviews

You will have this week and the week of Independent Learning to finish this assignment. If you write a draft blog post and get it to me this week by Thursday, I’ll return an edited version to you next week for you to post – and avoid class on Monday, 6 April.
Happy blogging,
The Fox

VoiceThread feedback and assignment this week

Gentlemen:

We will have out second Reading Summary this week. Come early on Monday to check out the reading and prepare for Tuesday's writing.

RE: VoiceTHread uploads: These students do not have their VoiceThread uploads and will not get credit for this section of your Blog- Abdulla Salem; Khaled; Mohamed AL Bufalah;and Mohamed Salem. Sorry, you had all week, and now it's too late to get any points.

These students: AbdulRahman; Ahmed AlHosani; Ali Baroot: Eissa; Mansoor; Mohamed Al Suwaidi; and Saif - I can't view your VoiceThread blogs, which means you need 'share' them and open the links to outside viewers. We'll discuss this on Monday.

See you on Monday and happy blogging!!

THe Fox

Water Lillies

VoiceThreads plus your IT opinion interview

Gentlemen:
This week there will be a slight change in the assignment as we concentrate on the GW summaries, and posting a VoiceThread site on the blogs, with your own opinion about global warming, plus your comments on two other Voicethread sites of your colleagues.

Remember to set your Voicethreads sites to ‘allow all visitors’, otherwise I can’t see your Voicethread to give you a grade.

We have another Reading summary next week; and then the first graded writing on your blog.
Good luck and I’ll look at your blogs after 9am on Tuesday.
The Fox

Good turn-out for 'Inconvenient Truth'

Gentlemen:
We had a good turnout for IT in the ADMC library and I hope you enjoyed your big-screen experience. On Tuesday 3 March we will be writing summaries of 100-150 words of the movie IT as Word documents first, then we'll post them to your blogspots.

Next week, 9+10 March we will write the second IT assignment, an opinion-review of the movie, using TWO outside review sources. Please find and print out two reviews to bring with you on Monday. We will write opinion posts in class, and introduce VoiceThread.com for you to record your own opinion about the film. If both of these assignments are completed by 9am Tuesday morning, then you will be excused from class that day. I'll check you Blogs on Tuesday.

See you in class, and happy Blogging!

Gregory (The Fox)

Class for 2 March change

Gentlemen:
We will be meeting tomorrow for our 174 class at 8am in the ADMC library at the large screen TV to see 'Inconvenient Truth'. You will listen and fill out work-sheets which I'll use to do attendence for the day.
It should be a fun and infornative class so be on time, 8am sharp, to see the entire movie.
Gregory

Inconvenient Truth summary blog post - Week #5

Heating Up

By now you have presented your blogs to the class demonstrating your proficiency in blogging skills: posts, comments, links etc. Now we will be moving further into the topic: the consequences of global warming and your and other’s opinions, as well as more technology challenges.

You will view the film, 'An Inconvenient Truth', and make two posts due this week and next. The first post is a summary of the movie similar to the reading summaries, which should include introductory and concluding paragraphs. However, it should not include any statements of opinion!

Your analysis and opinion should be covered in the second post where you address what you think of the film’s effectiveness at addressing the topic of global warming/ local solutions. You should cite facts, references and solutions from the film as examples to support your points. Again, include an introduction and conclusion to your post.

Check the task requirements (blog exercise link) for word length for both tasks. An opinion interview using ‘VoiceThread’ technology will be completed next week before the reading summary week. You may want to get more information at www. Voicethread.com and read up about the task requirements for An Inconvenient Truth.

Have a good week, see you Monday in the library, and keep on blogging!

Global warming post for Monday's class

Gentlemen:
Regarding your Global warming posts for Monday's class - You can choose one global warming article to summarize as long as you site the article and author in your summary, and give your opinion on the subject.

I will check all your blogsites by 12.00 midnight to see who needs to come to class on Monday. No blogpost means you need to come to class to work on it together.

Good luck and happy blogging!

Gregory

1st post - Global Warming plus VDO

First blog post and video watching

Gentlemen;
I will check for your Global Warming posts on Sunday to see who needs to come on Monday. In the meantime, you can also try watching the DiCaprio VDO by going to the Project Calendar at Reportfromthedesert174.blogspot and clicking on ‘more information, then scrolling down on the calendar to ‘Movies’. We’ll watch the VDO on Tuesday, with a worksheet.

Happy Blogging!

Introduction to Global Warming post

‘Introduction to Global Warming’ Assignment

Preparation:
Go to www.reportfromthedesert174.blogspot.com. Open the ‘Blog Project Calendar’ link. Scroll to Intro to Global Warming and click 'here'. Choose drop down menu and complete these three tasks.

1. Movies: minimum requirement watch Leonardo DiCaprio video and answer questions. Extra: watch other videos listed in this section and write your opinion /review of the movie. Do not watch or start work on ‘An Inconvenient Truth’.

2. Examples: Download the reading “What’s Going to Happen Next?” and fill in the information gaps.

3. Impact of Humans: Choose one page with a partner from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway/environment/5_population_sustainability1.shtml

Prepare oral presentations for the next class on 24 February about why this topic is important. Teacher approval of topic and partners is required.

4. Extra Credit: #17 or#21 of the Extra section: Calculate your carbon emissions and follow the procedure.
Blog writing assignment:
Write a new post of 150 – 200 words with information about the causes of global warming and why it is a serious problem. This information should not be in your personal bio post! Include your opinion about this topic. Any information you get from other sources should be appropriately documented. Title it: ‘Introduction to Global Warming’ and post it on your blog site by midnight Sunday 22 February. If you start the assignment this week, then you will not have to come to class on Monday, 23 February. I will send out a list of students who are excused from class, and those who need to show up to finish their Global Warming assignments. All students are expected to be in class on Tuesday, 24 February.
Visit two other blogs from your class. Comment on their Introduction to Global Warming postings. Write 50 words in a professional way about the positive aspects of their posting and what you learned from their post or what you would want more information on. Sign your comments with your name and student# and enter it as a new post on their blog in order to receive credit for your work.

Final Profile message

Gentlemen:
To earn a passing grade in this class, you will need to edit your self-descriptions / plus profiles in 174 to meet HDII standards for writing and preview requirements for your projects at the Project Calender Link.

Complete your profiles with appropriate identification information including correct name, student ID#, and photo by Thursday, 18 February for your first Blog grade!

See you tomorrow - and watch this space for further assignments.

Happy blogging!
The Fox

Welcome to Report from the desert174

Hello Gentlemen:

Welcome to the new term for #174 - and a whole new list of tasks for you to complete (and get graded on). First thing, you need to open your own blogspot, in Blogger.com, seems to be the easiest, and post your blogsite html to my new blogsite: http://reportfromthedesert174@blogspot.com

OR to my gmail account: Gregoryv2008@gmail.com.

I would like to utilize our shared class time efficiently as discussed in class, during the term, so please see that your link appears on my blog. Preferably before Monday's class. I would prefer not having to use valuable class time on such boring topics!

The new assignment for Monday, 9 Feb. is: write a 150-250 word biography with the purpose of your blog to be posted on your site by midnight - so I can check it before class.

We'll talk about all these items at that time -

Desert Fox