February 27- March 5

First I would like to add some links that were shared in class by other classmates. They really stood out to me and I hope you enjoy them as well. http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1VxRPe/freespace.virgin.net/markr.rowe/fb-history/fb-history.htm This link will take you to " If History Had Facebook" This one I am not sure where I found it but it is really funny!

This video is funny. Just enjoy it! It's called The English Language in 24 Accents. It is by a man from the UK.

Wednesday March 3, 2011

tedtalk
This talk is about how schools kill creativity. One example that he talked about that really stood out to me. He was talking about an instance of a girl who could not concentrate in class and was a problem in class. Eventually her mom found out that she needed a way to express herself. When she was enrolled in dance class she excelled in school. It was as way to express her creativity and be able to move around. She had a problem with sitting still in class.
Ken talks about what if schools killed creativity for William Shakespere or any other great writer. How would we have the great writers that we have now? We would not have the classics that we can go back and read and enjoy.
I think that Ken is right. Schools do need to let the students express themselves creatively. I think even if we want to focus on what is important subjects we should let the students engage in the class creatively not just reading from the book or watching what is being written on the board.

Week Three 1/30 to 2/4

   In the movie, Killing us Softly 3, I was not surprised as to what the speaker had to say. But I also, did not feel offended by what was being shown. I think that when there are images around us that promote sexuality, etc especially when we are young, I think it is our parent's responsibility or a mentor or a guardian to help guide the young men and women. Teach the young men to not take those images as that's what all women should look or act like and for young men to know that's not what all women should look like or act like. These girls have a choice to take on the job. They have the choice to walk away or stand up for themselves. However I do think that the time the speaker/presenter took to show what is being done to open people's eyes to notice what is happening is a great thing. After seeing this video I have been paying more attention to what is being said in a commercial I do notice more of the references to women and their bodies. And for that I think that this video was helpful in being more observant.
 

Week Two: 1/23- 1/29

January 23: Fun Commercial
I seen this commercial and I had to post this. It is for a Volkswagon Jetta, I thought it was so neat how they made the two people from an old film, TV show, or whatever they are from and they place them in the backseat to show how much room the backseat has. It visually appeals to the consumer as being fun to ride in and very roomy.

I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do!

January 28: Favorite Movie Scene

My favorite scene from a movie comes from The Notebook. This is a love story about two young people in love. She is from wealth and he is not. During a summer the two fell in love but were separated by her parents. After 7 years Allie comes back to see Noah. In the scene I chose it starts out nice and sunny and loving. But when the rain comes in and it pours on them. When they come back to the dock Allie starts to walk off fast. At first I thought it was because she wanted to get out of the rain but when she turns around she starts to ask him why he didn't write. I feel this is a great example because not only can you tell looking at them they are both still in love with each other but you can also feel the hurt of being a part for so long. I think that the Sun symbolizes the happiness between the two of Allie being back and connecting with Noah again. When it rains I feel that symbolizes all the hurt and longing the two have felt. It is during the rain scene that she asks why didn't he write her in an angry voice and hurt look, and it was also the end of the romantic rowing in the pond where it was just them and no one else and nothing interrupting them.

Week One: January 10, 2011

   Visual symbols affect my life everyday.  Because some symbols happen on a regular basis I really had to think about it. Such as on my way to and from school the ride is full of visual literacy such as the stop signs(image from miamiduiattorneyblog.com) , turn signals ( when people use them), the traffic lights, and the pace of the cars ahead of me. Another visual that I have to pay attention to when driving is lights on emergency vehicles. At work there is visual literacy such as looking at the food I am cooking or displaying I can tell if a hot dog for example is over cooked or undercooked. When I bake cookies I can also tell if the are over or underdone. To make popcorn I know that the kettle is ready with there is steam rising from the inside of the kettle and I know when the popcorn is done when less popcorn comes out of the kettle  ( image from popcornmakes.net).