Article of the Week # 3 "Standardized tests for everyone? In the Internet age, that’s the wrong answer."

Cathy N. Davidson, Professor at Duke University and author of Now You See It: How the Brain Science of Attention Will Transform the Way We Live, Work, and Learn expresses her concern towards the institutions of education and the manner in which students are tested.  In 1914 because of the growing number of students for whom a two year education was required, the system of schooling needed to be refined.  Frederick J. Kelly invented the Kansas Silent Reading Test, also called the “item-response” or “bubble” test so students could be educated and then tested quickly and efficiently. Even though we are living in an internet age, “students can’t escape Kelly’s century old invention (1). This type of testing was never intended to become so widespread, however today, its has been adopted as the footing for the SAT and exams in high school, graduate and professional schools. 

The context is represented through the history of the multiple choice testing.   Bubble tests were meant for the industrial age when efficiency was key, but now that were are living in an age modeled on technology, Davidson can further support her purpose to voice concern that institutions should be testing to prepare students for the future and not the past.   Davidson argues that the educational system used today was “designed for the industrial age, modeled on mass production and designed for efficiency, not for high standards” (2).  She believe that because we are living in a digital world, it is of ample importance to change the way in which learning is assessed.

This piece was written for teachers, professors, et cetera, involved in any educational institution as it questions the significance of the popularly given multiple choice test.

Davidson organized her piece with the classical model: introduction, narration with background information on the test and its inventor and confirmation through proof from statistics and examples. She refuted her argument by addressing at the beginning of the text that standardized tests do serve as a way to measure success and concludes with an obvious appeal to pathos stating, “it’s not as simple as filling in the bubbles” (3).

I certainly feel that Davidson had a clever argument, however, she did not support it well.  She never clearly defined the significance of the “internet age” on education and so I never quite understood why teaching about the web in school would be so important.   Her diction kept me engaged, but after reading I realized much of the article was redundant.  Therefore, I do not feel like her purpose was accomplished.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/standardized-tests-for-everyone-in-the-internet-age-thats-the-wrong-answer/2011/09/21/gIQA7SZwqK_story_1.html

Article of the Week # 2 "One Word that Can Save Your Life: No!"

Instead of the intended aim to prevent diseases and improve the quality of life, recent studies have shown that new procedures and screenings can have negative affects on our health.  Sharon Begley, the writer of the article entitled, “One Word Can Save Your Life: No!” is the science columnist and  science editor of Newsweek.  Begley is the coauthor of the book The Mind and the Brain and is the author of Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain.
    The context of this article is a response to a series of  different studies on how medical treatments can affect our health.  One study Begley wrote of involving heart patients with mild chest pain, showed that invasive procedures did not improve their quality of life more than a healthy diet or exercise can.  Other studies came up with the same result; patients who undergo screening and treatment have no fewer strokes or heart attacks than people who do not.  However, the drugs, radiation and procedures of all kinds have side effects that can be dangerous. 
    The purpose of this article was to inform readers that advancing technologies and treatments seem to guarantee the prevention of disease and the extension of life, however, these progressive drugs and tests may be hurting us.  Begley aimed to give a new perspective that, at times, it is best to say “no” to some of our doctor’s suggestions because they may be unnecessary.  
    This piece was written for an audience interested in medical studies.  Also, people questioning a procedure should read this article for a different perspective.
     Some rhetorical elements in this article include formal diction, appeals to logos, ethos and pathos and syntax.
 The author, Sharon Begley accomplished her purpose.  She used a variety of evidence to support her claim including the experiences of individuals as well as studies from major hospitals.  Never once did I question her credibility.  Her article was complete with so many facts, statistics and interviews that I can’t help but look at medical experts in an entirely different way. 
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/08/14/some-medical-tests-procedures-do-more-harm-than-good.html

Independent Reading Book

 Title: Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight
 Author: Alexandra Fuller

I chose the book Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight because it was highly recommended by my brother.  It has also been compared to Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen and because I read that last year and loved it, I think Fuller's diaries of her childhood in Africa will be just as engaging.

First Section: pages 1-77
Second Section: pages 78-148
Third Section: pages 149- 228
Fourth Section: pages 229- 301

Article of the Week #1 "Forever Wild"

      “Forever Wild” written by Verlyn Klinkenborg, a writer for National Geographic (a magazine and internet source known for its coverage on daily news, the environment, geography and cultures of the world) describes the state of Adirondack Park: an extraordinary forest preserve that has survived centuries of artificial intrusions.  Despite years of the land being used for industrial purposes like mining and logging, the Adirondack Park has reached a balance between preserving the primitive forest and developing civilization in its place.  
     The context is represented through historical patterns of the Adirondack Park.  The forest went through a series of drastic stages, alternating between years of preservation and development. With the history going back and forth between these stages, Klinkenborg can support her purpose: to inform readers how the protection and development of the land are balanced today.  Klinkenborg remembers how the forest changed from a state of destruction to a “resilient landscape” (Klinkenborg) and is reassured that no matter the affects of modern interests, the future image of Adirondacks looks just as beautiful as that of a century ago. 
      This piece was written for an audience interested in nature as well as those interested in biological studies and how the environment is affected by humans and their actions.
     Klinkenborg’s diction describing Adirondack, “timeless mountains”,  “an endless beaded chain of new perspectives,” “a gravity as strong as Manhattan’s” certainly expresses emotion and suggests a strong passion she has for this place.  She also used juxtaposition as a way to contrast how civilization has grown over miles in Adirondack yet, the forests have a way of “cutting you off from the present,” as if you have stepped back in time.
     The author accomplished her purpose with thorough evidence.  She appealed to pathos with strong diction, to ethos with sources varying from the chairman of the Park’s agency to residents of Adirondack and to logos by admitting people's actions do have an influence on the environment.


http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/09/adirondack-park/klinkenborg-text