Reading the discussion topics for the past two weeks actually made me angry. I felt that there was a lot of negativity being given off and that was something that I had never experienced before in a class. It was a little upsetting and it actually made me not want to continue reading the discussion posts. I felt that some students were being disrespectful and I also felt that both Teach and Linda were not that kind in some of their responses back to the students. I get that everyone is stressed and everyone has a lot to do but I felt like everyone was taking out their own personal stresses on each other and that is completely unnecessary. On the 24th I read the discussion “Observations from the Old Guy” from Jim Vokoun and I felt so much better about everything. I could not agree more with everything he said. I also was glad that I was not the only one who noticed all the negativity. If any of you have not read his message I highly suggest you do it will make you smile (it is under the main discussion tab).
Now that it is week three I feel more confident in this class. I’ve made myself a schedule so I can make sure I get everything done in time. I now also know what is expected of me in regards to assignments. I turned in assignment one and felt confident but my feedback was not that great. I did receive and A on it and to most people that would be enough but not for me. I’m the type of person that gets mad if I do something wrong and get bad feedback on assignment even if I did get an A. I guess you can say I am a bit of a perfectionist, which like we all know is not always a good thing.
Did You Know: Children with HIV
There is currently more then 2.1 million children worldwide living with HIV (Berry, 2009). The majority of children with this virus live in countries that have been plagued by HIV for many years. For example 9 out of 10 children who live in Sub-Saharan Africa are infected with AIDS (Berry, 2009).
I found the video below on YouTube and I thought it was both interesting and sad. It gives you a look into the children’s lives who have HIV and who have lost their parents to it. It also discusses an organization called PLAN which is helping these children (PLAN, 2007).
Video: Impact of HIV/AIDS on Children in Uganda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWzHwlFP8Z4
References:
Web: Berry, S. (2009, November 30). Children, HIV, and AIDS. Retreieved January 26, 2010, from Avert: http://www.avert.org/children.htm
Web: PLAN. (2007, March 5). Impact of HIV/AIDS on Children in Uganda [Video file]. Video posted to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWzHwlFP8z4
If Linda and I seem short it is because students don't read or follow through. When students registered for the course they were told to email me immediately. I heard from 10 students.
ReplyDeleteI asked students to contact me via the discussion topics. I still have not heard from 9 and this is the third week of the semester. Call me frustrated and yes, I can get testy on the website. I believe I have a right to get testy as I'm trying hard to see that you all have a good experience and end the class with an A.
I hope you will be proud of what you accomplish in this class. It is like no other online class at this university. I set expectations high because i know what will happen once students leave this university setting. I a world in recession, you will fight for your job and fight to keep it. The better prepared you are to work hard, the less chance you will lose that job.
I loved your U Tube video. Most people think that people in Africa are uneducated. Guess this video disproves that theory.
Nice find, Stephanie. I look forward to reading your future blogs.
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ReplyDeleteIn general, it is depressing to see any child going through such a traumatic experience; especially one such as HIV. I was completely unaware that it has saturated the lives of so many children throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if I have gained more of a soft heart towards children as now I have 2 of my own, but there is such a guilt that I would feel if my kids had to carry on a certain unhealthy lifestyle as a result of my life choices.
Unlike many other terminally ill diseases that may consume a child's life, HIV is simply the result of a lifestyle imperfection chosen by the parent.
I intend no disrespect to those with the disease as I know several people that unknowingly came in contact with it and now have to live the rest of their lives with HIV. However, this is more so to put emphasis on the innocence a child has when coming into this world and already being behind the eight ball.
I do agree, the video was both intriguing and sad all at the same time-