Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Public Broadcasting Performance
I listen to MPR and NPR often. I like their programming, and I find that their political commentary programs strive to achieve balanced perspectives by inviting a variety of guests. I certainly prefer getting my news from NPR and my Google Reader than from television news programs. Plus, I hate commercials.
I found an interesting, though borderline outdated, report that supports my decision to get my news from NPR:
This is the article that Wikipedia cited: Pubcasting helps audience sort fact, fiction
Given that the article was published in Current.org, which discusses public radio and TV in the U.S., there definitely might be some bias present. I'd like to see a study that tries to determine what type of media consumers are the most accurately informed. What mix of media sources results in the most informed viewer/listener/reader? Moreover, are the habits that these most-informed readers have realistic for everyone? I strive to be well-informed on current political and scientific news by getting my information from a variety of sources. I have around fifty articles waiting for me each time I log on to Reader, and the radio in my minivan (don't hate on my minivan) is always tuned to NPR. I'm probably more informed than a lot of people. But I find it difficult to keep up with the news, let alone form opinions that I feel are supported by enough information.
I found an interesting, though borderline outdated, report that supports my decision to get my news from NPR:
A study conducted in 2003 by the polling firm Knowledge Networks and the University of Maryland’s Program on International Policy Attitudes showed that those who get their news and information from public broadcasting (NPR and PBS) are better informed than those whose information comes from other media outlets, including cable and broadcast TV networks and the print media. In particular, 80% of Fox News viewers held at least one of three common misperceptions about the Iraq War; only 23% of NPR listeners and PBS viewers were similarly misinformed. (Wikipedia)
This is the article that Wikipedia cited: Pubcasting helps audience sort fact, fiction
Given that the article was published in Current.org, which discusses public radio and TV in the U.S., there definitely might be some bias present. I'd like to see a study that tries to determine what type of media consumers are the most accurately informed. What mix of media sources results in the most informed viewer/listener/reader? Moreover, are the habits that these most-informed readers have realistic for everyone? I strive to be well-informed on current political and scientific news by getting my information from a variety of sources. I have around fifty articles waiting for me each time I log on to Reader, and the radio in my minivan (don't hate on my minivan) is always tuned to NPR. I'm probably more informed than a lot of people. But I find it difficult to keep up with the news, let alone form opinions that I feel are supported by enough information.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Quotes of the Day
Some ideas and words I picked up while shifting through my RSS feeds today.
"Zombie doctrine" - an ideology that, though "it should be dead," just "keeps on coming." Paul Krugman I'm not qualified to comment upon economic ideology; I just thought this was a great combination of words.
"One other thing is clear: most of the time, the height of the storm is not the best time to predict next month's political weather." Robert Shrum
"'Suaviter in modo, foriter in re.' Gently in the manner, strongly in the substance." David Frum in this editorial from January. Reminds me of Teddy's "Speak softly and carry a big stick."
Picked this up on Twitter from NY Times columnist Charles M. Blow.
"RTFA!" You can guess what it stands for by reading the comments posted to this Scientific American article. I feel dirty for encouraging people to read comments - they're depressing.
"Gluon." Now that I know what a gluon does, I realize how hilarious I think its name is.
Cool site I found while reading a SciAm article: http://governmentattic.org/
"Zombie doctrine" - an ideology that, though "it should be dead," just "keeps on coming." Paul Krugman I'm not qualified to comment upon economic ideology; I just thought this was a great combination of words.
"One other thing is clear: most of the time, the height of the storm is not the best time to predict next month's political weather." Robert Shrum
"'Suaviter in modo, foriter in re.' Gently in the manner, strongly in the substance." David Frum in this editorial from January. Reminds me of Teddy's "Speak softly and carry a big stick."
Picked this up on Twitter from NY Times columnist Charles M. Blow.
"RTFA!" You can guess what it stands for by reading the comments posted to this Scientific American article. I feel dirty for encouraging people to read comments - they're depressing.
"Gluon." Now that I know what a gluon does, I realize how hilarious I think its name is.
Cool site I found while reading a SciAm article: http://governmentattic.org/
Friday, August 21, 2009
Why I Want To Be A Substitute Teacher (for a little while)
Some may think it's laziness, fear of responsibility, or some other type of ill-formed thinking, but I think the reasons that I want to be a substitute for a year (instead of a full-time classroom teacher) are fairly sound. I'll begin with my most compelling reason and continue from there.
1. I first became a student when I was five years and three months old. I have been a student ever since. I would like to gain some perspective on the world of working adults before I take on the responsibility of teaching and guiding 150 students for an entire school year.
2. A year working as a substitute teacher will give me experience and confidence that will help me a lot when I first get my own classroom.
3. One of my cooperating teachers said that if he could do it all again, he'd sub for a while before taking on a full-time teaching position.
4. It's a pretty flexible job.
5. It will allow me to encounter a variety of students: all subjects, all grades, all walks of life.
6. I'm going to be leaving in a year to go to somewhere in Alaska to teach. Who wants to hire me for a single year?
If you think of any more reasons, plop them in a comment and post 'em.
1. I first became a student when I was five years and three months old. I have been a student ever since. I would like to gain some perspective on the world of working adults before I take on the responsibility of teaching and guiding 150 students for an entire school year.
2. A year working as a substitute teacher will give me experience and confidence that will help me a lot when I first get my own classroom.
3. One of my cooperating teachers said that if he could do it all again, he'd sub for a while before taking on a full-time teaching position.
4. It's a pretty flexible job.
5. It will allow me to encounter a variety of students: all subjects, all grades, all walks of life.
6. I'm going to be leaving in a year to go to somewhere in Alaska to teach. Who wants to hire me for a single year?
If you think of any more reasons, plop them in a comment and post 'em.
Key Advice to New Belize Student Teachers and a Cool Video Eric Showed Me
This was the last piece of advice that I listed in an email to new UMD student teachers going down to Belize this fall. I can tell that all the Thomas Friedman reading I've been doing lately has been having an effect:
And the second important thing from today:
Finally, please represent your country, not just your school. This is just my personal opinion, but I believe that any American traveling abroad has the responsibility to, through their actions, present their country of origin in a positive light. It is in the small, daily interpersonal interactions we have that opinions about Americans are formed. Unfortunately, many people in the world have formed unfavorable opinions of Americans. When people across the globe view our country negatively, it makes it more difficult for us to do anything from winning wars to doing business to humanitarian work to tourism. You are what you do. Do good things and leave behind good impressions :)
And the second important thing from today:
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