Discussion instructions and Requirements
These instructions apply to ALL discussion lessons. For every discussion, you should always follow these instructions. Be aware that specific course discussion requirements might override or expand upon these guidelines.
Important: I strongly recommend composing and typing your discussion responses in Microsoft Word (or other word document program). This way, you have a copy on file and saved to your computer.
In the education classes, discussions are VERY important and are worth 100 points each (13 discussion lessons). Every discussion lesson includes articles to read, videos to watch, etc. Every discussion lesson contains questions to answer to the best of your ability. Finally, every lesson has a research component (questions) that YOU decide upon, research and write about in your discussion lesson response. In addition, you “vote” on the “best” peer posting.
In every document that you compose for each discussion lesson, always include the discussion questions and your research question. Below each question, compose your response. Include a "Summary" paragraph as the after the last lesson question and use your research as the last item in your posting.
A “sequence of events” for each discussion lesson might look like this:
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Read the discussion instructions
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Read or view all of the content associated with the lesson
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Come up with your research question for the lesson
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Do the research and record your thoughts (must have at least one reference included)
Start your word document.
Your Word document sequence should look like this:
Lesson Question 1
Your response (at least one paragraph)
Lesson Question 2
Your response (at least one paragraph)
(etc., etc.)
Your personal Summary (at least one full paragraph) of the discussion lesson content (which is usually the most important!)
Your research component involves the items listed below: (Include the headings that are in bold face!!!)
Your research question - YOU decide on the research question. It should be related to the discussion topic.
Your reference (somewhere in the document) - This must be a valid and reliable reference, an article, research paper, etc. It is NOT what your friend told you, what you heard, etc.
An analysis of your research (at least 2 full paragraphs (minimum) but not more than 4 full paragraphs). In other words, tell me and the other students in the class what your research stated (not your opinion) - in 2 FULL paragraphs. If this is a hybrid class, you are required to print out or take notes from your research and bring to class so that you can participate in a discussion. You are graded on the quality of your research and your analysis. You can receive up to 40 points for the research. If your research is 4 full paragraphs, you should receive 40 points (Considered to be "A" level work). If you type the minimun 2 paragraphs, you will not receive the full 40 points (Considered to be "B" level work). Do NOT copy words from your research and post as the analysis! The analysis must be in YOUR words!
A research Summary - This is at least one full paragraph. In the summary, I would like to know if you agree or disagree with your research. Of course, this could (unlike above) be construed an opinion of sorts, but you need to tell me WHY you agree or disagree with the research.
NOTE: All lesson discussions are due by the date in the assignment sheet and must be posted by midnight. You must reply to at least one peer, unless otherwise noted in the specific lesson.
When you have finished in Word, log into GeorgiaView (D2L). Go back to your still open Word document and “copy” all of your text. Then, navigate to your assigned discussion area, create (compose) a new message and "paste" your text into the discussion message area. Make sure that you "preview" your message BEFORE posting the message. This is to make sure that your formatting is correct and your responses do not "run together". You can add spaces as required. Now, "post" the message.
Post comprehensive paragraphs of any findings, perceptions, insights, or questions from your research or readings that you found particularly interesting, surprising, or controversial. Write a descriptive subject line that will help peers differentiate postings. You should ask yourself these questions:
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What did you find the most interesting? Why?
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Do you agree or disagree with the author of the reading(s)? Why or why not?
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Describe one or two things you learned: For example, what do you now think about this _________concept or issue? How is that different from what you thought before? How do you plan to use what you have learned?
Lesson 3A: Class and SES
Lesson 3: Part A: SES
Question 1: How is SES measured? Explain.
SES is measured by different standards. These include your social status, your heritage, and income. It includes your parent’s occupations, their education levels, and the prestige of their occupations. It also includes your ability to influence politics, both local and national. Having a chance to better your lifestyle is part of measuring SES. Basically it boils down to wealth, social status, and where you live.
Question 2: Describe at least 2 negative effects of low SES.
Among the many negative factors pertaining to low SES, I think low self-esteem is one of the major problems. These kids are brought up in what they perceive as a dead end world. They are nothing special, just another screw up on the harsh streets. Then we have the lack of education. These kids need to be pushed to succeed. Instead they are not really pushed as hard as the high SES kids in their schools. So you go on a self-fulfilling prophecy of no way out.
Question 3: Describe some of the differences concerning education and student achievement levels in Low SES families versus High SES families.
Low SES education is not as demanding in its curriculum. These kids are headed for menial and manual labor jobs. So why bother educating them so much. Just the basics please. Whereas, the high SES kids are being groomed for college and then corporate, professional, meaningful careers.
Question 4: Describe some options that are available for Low SES families concerning education.
One of the best things a teacher can tell a parent in low SES school is to turn off the tv. This gives the child more time to interact social, more time for school work, more time to try to better themselves. Another option is head start. This gives kids a better beginning for school. It is a building block for any child. Also, do not let education cease over the holidays and breaks. Knowledge is lost when not used.
Question 5: Explain how socioeconomic status determines the economic conditions of persons.
The higher up the SES ladder you are, the more money you have. Low SES persons are the people who are considered living in or under poverty level. Society may even put some of the middle class in the group. The higher you go up the SES, the higher “class” you are. It does mean you are necessarily classy, just that you have money.
Question 6: Can a person change their SES? If so, describe how. If not, describe why not.
A person can always win the lottery. Someone can work hard and climb their way to the top. It has been done. It is the American Dream. You work hard, you do what you are supposed to do, you be a good person and good things happen. Or you lie, cheat, steal, and manipulate your way to the top. It can be done.
Question 7: Concerning the YouTube video, describe what you learned.
It is just as I always knew. The few have much while the masses have little. Isn’t this what the French Revolution was about? “Let them eat cake?” Well, I cannot afford cake. But the 1% can have a 12 layer buttercream fantasy any day they want it. How can the economy have gotten so skewed? There are more people living below the poverty level than corporate yes men. What are we coming to???
Summary
I guess I got a little … aggravated … by this assignment. I mean, I know these facts. But to actually see them on the screen in front of me just brings me down. It’s like being told you are never gonna make it no matter how you try. Between the elite 1% having all the money and the high SES getting all the perks for their kids, where does that leave John and Mary Everyday?
ttps://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/about/overview/measure.html
http://www.thebostonpilot.com/opinion/article.asp?ID=172024
http://www.npc.umich.edu/poverty/
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/01/06/50-years-later-a-war-over-the-poverty-rate
Research Question: How many Americans live at or below the poverty level today?
Research Analysis
In 2013 there were 45.3 million people living in poverty in the U.S. If a father and mother with one child live together and make $18,751 or less they live in poverty. There are 4.5 million people living in poverty in Texas alone. Kentucky has a child poverty rate of 25.3 percent. Poverty rates run highest for single parents, especially Hispanic and African American.
The numbers for the poverty level are taken from gross income. So, once you take out for social security, local and federal taxes, health insurance, etc. it puts even more people at the poverty level. How can the average American family survive like this? Insurance is now mandatory per Obama. And Death and Taxes are the only things certain in life.
Research Summary
So, even though the actual percentage of people living in poverty dropped almost 1% from last year, are these numbers accurate? Do you take into account paycheck deductions? Use net or gross wages? I do not think it matters too much to the people who are going hungry and have no place to live. Do you?