More Than A Test Score

I came across the following article posted by a friend:

Student Perspective: I Am More That A Test Score

I found this article extremely interesting. It is written from the perspective of a sixth-grade girl, Anna Dumas. Anna discusses the stress and toll standardized tests have on her friends and her. She talks about the difficulties students have in not only completing tests successfully, but also in having the ability to bounce back from a bad test score.

It is sad to think that students of such a young age are already stressed about and discouraged from school. It seems that standardized tests are not an accurate indication of a student's school knowledge, rather it is a test on how well they can take an exam.

Students of a young age should feel excited about school. They should have a chance to learn, grow and enjoy before the realities of high school and college set in.

Anna Dumas is an intelligent young lady who should be heard.

News Sources: We Want More

I just read an article called "Journalism as Service: Lessons from Sandy."

The author of the article, Jeff Jarvis, makes an interesting observation and critique. He takes us back to when Hurricane Sandy was in her prime. There was a constant flow of Sandy stories, updates and information. The news was consumed with images of buildings, homes and people. 

But then we took a step back.

All of this information was negative. Everything we were hearing was prefaced by "this is ruined...," "this is destroyed..," and "this is shut down.." No one was sharing what was opened, what was still running and what was still alive. "Which streets were closed and which streets weren't? Which gas stations were opened and which ones were shut down?"asks a very disgusted Jarvis.

Jarvis argues for networks to be created that will actually inform and assist individuals. He wants information that will be helpful instead of information that is rinsed and repeated a dozen times.

After considering his article, I realized Jarvis was right. We need news that will not only affect us, but aid us. We need news that will provide us with knowledge, not twenty outlets telling us the same thing.

My Independent Media

For my Independent Media class, we were asked the following:

Pitch an idea for an Independent Media Outlet that would be both successful and unique.

So I got to thinking. Based off of my knowledge of independent sources, what have I noticed is lacking? What kind of site would individuals be both interested in and drawn to because it is new and different and NEVER BEFORE SEEN?

I came to one conclusion.

Throughout my time spent as a high school junior trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I always wished for some magical website to give me some answers. I wanted a place to look to for ideas, options and people with similar interests. I wanted to learn about the "below the surface" and "underground" jobs that most people don't even think of or know about. I wanted to look beyond the lawyers and the teachers to individuals who were making a living by telling others which wine goes best with their meal or re-creating flavors.

Then, I had an idea.

My independent site would be dedicated to directing people to these "odd jobs." An individual would be able to enter the site and immediately choose from a list of interests. Each new choice would lead them to individuals who share their interest and have jobs pertaining to that interest. If the navigator really liked someone in particular, they would be able to contact that individual and find out more about their job.

I think it would be really cool to have a site such as this. There are clearly a few kinks to work out, but overall I believe it could be successful.

Bill Clinton: Just Call Him "Daddy!"

Back in the late 1990's/ early 2000's, a life-changing claim was made. A Ms. Bobbie Ann Williams of Arkansas made the bold statement that Bill Clinton was, in fact, the father of her son.

In other words, the nation's most powerful man (at the time) was being accused of sleeping around, fathering a child and leaving a small family behind.

Truth? Or a totally convincing lie?

I have to admit that when I read the article, I laughed. I thought the source claims and quotes were silly. I thought the story as a whole, was in fact, silly. Drudge Report was the publication that printed this particle article. They seemed to cover the story truthfully, basing their facts off of what was being offered to them. They offered an honest portrayal of Ms. Williams.

Who was right and who was wrong? I will never know. And quite honestly, that is ok with me. Because, like I said, I thought this whole thing seemed.....you guessed it......

Silly.

Kate Sheppard: Living Proof

Kate Sheppard is a wonderful example of someone who started from nothing and worked her way to the top. As a 2006 graduate from Ithaca College, Sheppard had her fair share of exposure to media, journalism and writing. Rooting interest in both politics and the economy, Sheppard decided to take a less "mainstream" route when choosing a career. She began her journey at Gist magazine, eventually making her way to one of the most well-known independent publications to date.

Kate Sheppard is now an active staff writer at Mother Jones, Washington bureau.

It was a pleasure to meet and discuss journalism with Kate Sheppard. She has an outgoing and excited personality. She loves to meet new people and hear their stories.

Considering I am a sophomore here at Ithaca, it is always reassuring to meet people like Kate. She is proof that anything is possible and as long as you make the most of the time you have, good things will come.

That's Bucking Awesome

When we are young, we dream of being famous. Our parents tell us to hold our dreams close and that anything is possible. Well, it seems to me, that our parents were right. Anything is possible.

Anything.

And who do we have to thank for that? The internet.

That's right. With the continuous rise of the technological age, more and more "every day" people are learning how to make something of themselves. By simply posting a photo, a comment or a silly video, individuals have the power to catch attention and attract a following. All they need is one person to pick it up and share it, then the whole thing goes viral.

Mr. Michael Buckley is one of those "every day" people.

Buckley began a series of satirical video postings that turned him into a YouTube sensation. "What The Buck?" was a series of segments in which Buckley went on humorous rants. His segments gained attention and soon, he was getting enough followers and making enough money to quit his day job.

QUIT HIS DAY JOB.

Enough money to put his previous life on hold and support himself by posting silly videos on YouTube. Madness, if you ask me.

Buckley is just one among the many who are discovering the internet is a powerful, powerful tool. A tool that not only spreads, creates and shares information in an instant, but also one that turns ordinary folk into celebrities.

Power Pleasing Public

Recently, we discussed a line between "powerful individuals" and "public figures" that, too often, seems to be crossed. I came across a video from the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon show titled "The Evolution of Mom Dancing." The video features a disguised Jimmy Fallon dressed like a "mother."After a few seconds, first lady Michelle Obama enters the frame. The two make their way through a series of dance moves as a seemingly pleased crowd giggles and cheers.

I believe that if there was a line to be crossed, certainly these two accomplished it. Personally, I was uncomfortable watching the video. I fully understand the first lady's campaign for healthier habits and more conscious generations, but watching her do "the dougie" next to a defeated Fallon was a little much.

Some may argue that this is simply her personality; that just because she is the first lady doesn't mean she can't gain Americans' attention in a "fun" and "cute" way. My argument, however, takes that previous statement in the opposite direction. I believe that because she IS the first lady, she has a sharper image to uphold.