Lab Session 2

Mike actually came through and bought us pizza like he promised last semester.  After sitting around in our normal room for 10 minutes, he came to get us because apparently he changed the location... He said there was a sign, but no one saw it!  We all sat and ate pizza while discussing how our freshman year was panning out.  We all came to an agreement that Easter break was far too short and that we should have Monday off.  The discussion came to a close as the pizza disappeared, and so did we.

Lab Session 1

During our first meeting with Mike this semester, he covered a variety of subjects: studying abroad, summer jobs, POE's, grades, room draw, et cetera.  Mike strongly urged everyone to study abroad because no matter the POE, it is possible and it is a life-changing experience.  He asked us all about our summer plans and most of us responded with 'hopefully working' or something similar, for as rising sophomores, we finally understand the importance of having a job.  Initial POE forms were due, but they did not sound particularly important because nothing is final until next spring.  A certain fellow student's GPA made me feel much better about my grades when we brought up room draw.  I, thankfully have a RA for a roommate, so I don't have anything to worry about!
Mike also promised us pizza, but I didn't exactly expect him to deliver.

Go for it, Tan!

Tan is a young Asian American struggling to prove herself.  The poor girl's teachers tried to push her in the direction of math and science because her test scores with the best for those subjects. Although, Tan's interest lied in English, she was not supported because she had 'limited' English and she was discriminated against.  Fortunately, Tan made the correct choice and went for her passion--English.  Despite her mother tongue being far different, she did not let it hold her back.

My Digital Story

I am doing my digital storytelling project on my hometown: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  I am interviewing a wide range of Harrisburgians people from those born and raised to a Polish immigrant.  I am also shooting footage of downtown Harrisburg and the suburbs.

Digital Storytelling

Digital Storytelling is a more creative way to express a narrative through various medias.  The authors of these stories have a chance to more specifically tell their story in many ways.  The only downside I see in digital storytelling is that the audience is left with no room to use their imagination.  With usual written stories, the readers can perceive the story in a way that they can relate to.  And with digital storytelling, it's like all the thinking has been done for you.

Book vs. Movie

I personally like the movie better.  It better shows Chris' free spirit and why he was such an unforgettable person.  I almost cried when he turned down the adoption request.  He changed the lives of all the friends he made on the way to Alaska.  The movie really emphasized that it's the journey, not the destination that makes us who we are.  And the book more focused on how his family was taking his disappearance and how intellectual Chris is.  It's a lot easier to watch a movie than to read a book because it offers multiple ways to take in the story, though the book usually contains a lot more information.

Wikitruth

Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia.  No encyclopedias should be used at a college level for research.  They're good for getting your head wrapped around difficult topics, but should not be used as a main resource.  Wikipedia has gotten a bad reputation because anyone can post information, but when false information is posted it is almost immediately corrected.  And a lot of the information on Wikipedia is often posted by experts.  Still, do not use it as a primary source.