Online Class Discussions PDF

A series of online class discussions about a variety of topics focusing on my responses to professors’ questions: 88 Dr. Diaz This week, we will discuss issues faced by secondary school administrators. I'm referring to schools for teenage students. One such issue is students who change schools. Stu...

A series of online class discussions about a variety of topics focusing on my responses to professors’ questions: 88 Dr. Diaz This week, we will discuss issues faced by secondary school administrators. I'm referring to schools for teenage students. One such issue is students who change schools. Students change schools for many different reasons, the most common being a family move. On the discussion board, I want you to exchange ideas about what schools can do to make the transition to a new school easier for teenagers. My response: While both Claire and Emily present valuable options to ease the transition of students, I believe that there are additional ways to assist them. First, schools can offer extracurricular classes specifically designed for newcomers to ensure they are aligned with their peers. Since not all teachers have the same pace in teaching, new students may be behind in their studies, and such classes could prove extremely beneficial. Moreover, the teachers could also support new students by implementing paired activities instead of individual ones. In this way, new students will not be overwhelmed if they are not yet familiar with a subject, as their partners could help them with their homework. Therefore, in my opinion , schools, classmates, and teachers can all contribute significantly to facilitating a smooth transition for new students. 89 Dr. Gonzalez Charitable giving-that is, the voluntary donation of money to charities-is important in many societies. Some people prefer to give to charities that provide help all over the world, while others prefer to give to local charities that focus on solving problems in the giver's own community. For individuals who want to give to only one of those types of charities, international or local, which is the better choice? Why? While I agree that donating to local charities is a better option than giving to international ones , my reasons differ from those stated by Claire. First, Claire mentioned you could visit the shelter to see the positive outcomes of your donations firsthand. However, there is another reason to visit it in person. Recently, several charities in my neighborhood turned out to be fraudulent , as they did not actually spend the money they collected for the purposes they initially stated. For instance, one of these shelters received a significant amount of money to create a rescue team and save the injured animals in a nearby forest. Instead, they pocketed the funds and posted several pictures of fake rescues on their social media, misleading people into believing they were fulfilling their responsibilities. Moreover, I believe it is worthwhile to improve your own corner of the world. Additionally, many individuals volunteer in local communities without any compensation. On the other hand, to my knowledge, international charities often allocate a large portion of the donations to operational costs and before spending the remaining money as intended. 90 Dr. Achebe In the past, it was common for people to stay at one job for a long time, possibly for their whole career. This has changed in recent years, though, and nowadays many people tend to change jobs quite often. Proponents of this job market trend point to many benefits of regularly changing careers. Today, I would like to know what you think. Do you agree that the benefits of switching jobs often outweigh the disadvantages? Why or why not? My response: While both Paul and Emily present valid points about the benefits and drawbacks of changing jobs, I believe that age plays an important role in determining whether constantly switching jobs is beneficial or not. First, young people who are not restricted geographically can greatly benefit from switching jobs. However, individuals who are married or have children may experience some discomfort. As these individuals are bound to a location, changing careers requires discussion with family members. Consequently, many of them prefer to stay at their current jobs. For instance, moving to another city means their child has to change schools and make new friends, which can be overwhelming and may affect their academic performance. Moreover, despite what Paul mentioned about the lack of challenges in a job after several years, I believe that people can climb the corporate ladder and reach higher positions within the same company. Not only will their career remain challenging, but they will also enjoy the benefits of their new positions, such as higher pay and increased comfort. In conclusion, the decision to switch jobs frequently should be carefully considered based on one's personal circumstances and family responsibilities. While it may offer benefits for some, it may not be the best choice for others. - 91 Dr. Diaz We've been discussing business strategies and the attitudes of business people toward risk and opportunity. The scientist Albert Einstein once said that a person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. He was probably referring to physics, but I wonder how this attitude might apply to the business world. Do you think it is a good business strategy to take continual risks even though they might result in mistakes that could affect a company negatively? My answer: While both Claire and Paul make valid points about the advantages and drawbacks of taking risks in the business world, I believe that the amount of risk taken is what distinguishes winners from losers. Firstly, many companies have risk analysis departments whose sole job is to ensure that the company avoids high-risk situations. While it is essential for businesses to take risks to find rewards, it is imperative to distinctly separate high-risk and low-risk situations. These departments ensure that the company only approaches low-risk, high-reward opportunities and avoids high-risk, low-reward ones. Moreover, when examining the success stories of famous managers, you will find that at some point in their lives, they all took a leap of faith and thrived as a result. Therefore, in my opinion, the most important factor is for a company's overall results to be positive, as there will always be ups and downs along the way. In conclusion, while taking risks is essential for growth and success in the business world, it is crucial to manage and analyze these risks effectively to ensure positive outcomes. 92 Dr. Achebe Last class, we started talking about how almost anyone today can write and post news articles to a Web site or even host a news podcast. People no longer need a degree in journalism or a professional connection to a news outlet to express their views and ideas to a wide audience. Some people believe this development negatively affects the field of journalism as well as consumers of news. Do you agree with this viewpoint? Why or why not? My response: I agree with Ted on this. Aside from providing different points of view, these unofficial outlets enable us to access uncensored news. Many official news outlets are supported by the government or political parties, so the information that reaches the public is usually censored or one-sided. These amateur podcasts or websites provide these stories from a new perspective, allowing us to make more informed decisions. Moreover, many government-related scandals might never be exposed without the help of these self-funded outlets. These outlets often strive to remain true to their mission and rarely misuse their power to spread false news. Additionally, their professional attitude helps hold corrupt officials accountable. These journalists should be commended for their honesty, especially since they sometimes face threats from corrupt individuals. Therefore, in my view, their impact on the field of journalism and consumers is mostly positive. 93 Dr: This week, we are talking about how different cities choose to either preserve or replace older, historic buildings. Some cities have strict rules about preserving older buildings and homes, especially those with historic architecture. Others tend to encourage new construction to replace structures that are aging and decaying. Should cities try to save historic buildings or replace them with more modern ones? My response: While both Ted and Claire present compelling arguments for and against the preservation of historical architecture, I believe that preservation should be selective. Firstly, with current technology, older buildings can be renovated without negatively affecting their cultural values, such as maintaining their original appearance. Modern technology allows us to implement new standards in these buildings. For instance, new coatings developed from materials such as resins and polymers can significantly reduce the energy consumption of older buildings. Moreover, as Claire stated, if a city relies on its cultural significance for income, it is imperative to consider the economic consequences of replacing these buildings. Many local businesses depend on tourists, and without them, they may struggle or even go out of business. Therefore, without proper assessment, replacing the city's historic structures could have drastic and undesirable long-term consequences. In conclusion, while it is important to address the challenges posed by older buildings, selective preservation using modern technology can help maintain a city's cultural heritage and support its economy. 97 Dr. Achebe In recent corporate strategies, we've observed a trend where companies are offering to pay for their employees' tuition fees or providing additional vacation time in exchange for the employees enrolling in further skills training courses, such as university programs. This approach is seen as a way to enhance the workforce's capabilities and foster a culture of continuous learning. What do you perceive as the most significant advantage or disadvantage of such a policy? I agree with Claire on this. When companies invest in their staff, employee loyalty significantly increases. While a few individuals may leave the company for better pay, most employees appreciate their company and will work harder to repay the investment. Moreover, some companies have policies that restrict employee turnover when sponsoring them for university education. These policies ensure that employees stay with the company for a specific period, such as two years, before they can leave without paying a penalty fee. Additionally, some studies show higher income for corporations that invest in their workforce. As employees return with new expertise, the company can take on more lucrative projects and complete them at a higher rate, leading to greater financial gains. In conclusion, investing in employees' education fosters loyalty and enhances the company's overall performance. The benefits of such policies outweigh the potential drawbacks, making them a worthwhile strategy for businesses. I concur with Claire's viewpoint. Investing in employees significantly boosts loyalty within a company. Although a few individuals may pursue higher pay elsewhere, most appreciate their employer's investment and reciprocate with increased dedication. Companies can implement policies to ensure employees stay for a set period, such as two years, before leaving without incurring penalty fees. Research demonstrates that organizations investing in their workforce experience higher income as employees bring new expertise, leading to more complex projects, increased efficiency, and financial growth. 98 Dr. Diaz Imagine that you have just given a presentation to your classmates or coworkers and you want to know how well you performed. Do you prefer to watch a recording of your presentation and work by yourself to identify your weaknesses or have classmates or coworkers who attended your presentation identify your weaknesses and discuss them with you? My response: While Paul makes some valid points about the merits of reviewing a presentation alone, I find Emily's views on this matter more convincing. Firstly, as Emily states, having others' perspectives on your presentation provides valuable insight into how well you present. Moreover, when working on this by yourself, you may not be able to catch some mistakes as easily as others can. Since others can provide you with an outside perspective, you may see your presentation in a new light, fostering a deeper understanding. Through peer collaboration, you will identify your mistakes more quickly and can focus on improving your weaknesses. The last time I was preparing for a presentation, I asked my friends to thoroughly assess it. It turned out that I made the same blunder repeatedly—mispronouncing a word and misusing a phrase. I was able to correct it before presenting it to the whole class. 95 Dr. Diaz In recent years, there has been a significant integration of advanced machines and artificial intelligence (Al) into our daily lives and work environments. l would like you to reflect on the following question: Should we extend the same level of politeness and respect to Al and machines as we do to humans? Please provide your reasoning and discuss the potential consequences of adopting such an approach. My response: While both Claire and Adam present valid points, I believe this long-standing debate requires deeper consideration to reach a conclusion. Firstly, recent studies of popular AI suggest that by being polite in our prompting, these AI-integrated chatbots provide more extensive responses. This raises the question of whether these advanced machines understand emotions and politeness. Given the coding and advanced machine learning techniques companies use to develop these artificial intelligences, it is reasonable to assume they can distinguish emotions and behaviors such as politeness in our tone and wording. Therefore, to obtain optimal answers and performance from them, we may need to treat them with respect. Many movies and TV series explore this concept, each reaching a unique conclusion. Some depict AIs leaving human society, some show AIs destroying it and overthrowing humans, and a few portray AIs remaining faithful servants of humans. This highlights how our behavior may indeed affect how these AI-assisted tools treat us in return. In conclusion, while the integration of AI and advanced machines into our daily lives continues to grow, treating them with respect and politeness may enhance their performance and ensure a more harmonious interaction between humans and technology. 99 Dr. Achebe Modern life is filled with various electronic devices that promise to make our lives easier. However, these devices require regular maintenance and occupy significant space, which can be quite burdensome. Some people believe that owning too many possessions actually decreases the quality of life. In your opinion, does having too many things truly lower one's quality of life? Why or why not? My response: I agree with Andrew's perspective on this matter. In my opinion, the issue is not about the number of electronic devices one owns, but rather the amount of time spent using them each day. I know many individuals who are constantly on their smartphones, switching between various social media applications throughout the day. Even with just one device, their lives can often revolve around it, negatively affecting the quality of their lives. Moreover, many modern electronic devices require minimal maintenance; thanks to advancements in technology, their pre-installed software allows them to self-diagnose any issues that may arise. Therefore, the burden that older devices presented has significantly diminished due to these innovations. Overall, in my view, the quantity of possessions is of little consequence; what truly matters is how much time individuals allocate to these devices. I even have friends who have sought to reclaim their precious time by opting for older models with limited functions, avoiding the superficial comforts that newer devices provide. In conclusion, while the number of possessions can have an impact, the key factor is how much time is spent on these devices and how they are managed. Moreover, social connections can be affected. When we are preoccupied with our devices, we may neglect face-to-face interactions and the development of deeper, more meaningful relationships. Prioritizing quality time with friends and family over screen time can enhance our social well-being and overall happiness. Lastly, minimalism and mindfulness are trends that emphasize living with less to gain more—more clarity, more peace, and more purpose. By embracing minimalism, we focus on the essentials and what truly adds value to our lives. This shift in mindset can lead to greater satisfaction and happiness, as we appreciate what we have rather than constantly striving for more. In conclusion, while electronic devices and other possessions can bring convenience and comfort, it's important to find a balance. By being mindful of our consumption and focusing on what truly enhances our lives, we can improve our quality of life. It's not just about the number of possessions, but about the value they add to our lives and the way we manage them. 100 Every generation faces a unique set of social problems that it must solve. The question is how do we best prepare people to solve future problems? Some people believe that to solve any social problem, it is essential to study history and learn from it. Others disagree. In your opinion, do we have to study history in order to solve the problems we will face in the future? Why or why not? My response: I disagree with Andrew. Although some historians may overstate or minimize the significance of certain historical events, it's unrealistic for every historian to modify them based solely on their personal opinions. In my view, it's crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding by exploring various perspectives and then drawing our own conclusions on the topics we study. As Claire mentions, history does indeed repeat itself. When we examine political parties that have won elections, we can observe that their views on governance haven't significantly changed over time. They often repeat the same mistakes and approach problems similarly to their predecessors. Understanding historical perspectives empowers citizens to hold political parties accountable for their actions and restrict the freedom that politicians have in managing the country. In summary, studying history is essential for addressing future challenges. By promoting critical thinking and an in-depth understanding of significant historical events, we can identify patterns that have led to past disasters and avoid making similar mistakes in the future.