Convocation Response

In his convocation lecture Dr. Robert Bullard went over the important history of social injustice, discussing more about the efforts that have been made for equality, that present day and how to conquer this problem. One can draw the connections between the digital divide and environmental justice about the central idea of inequality of resources, usually targeted at minorities or poorer districts. Also, both have occurred for decades, yet the problem hasn't gotten much better, and can arguably say is getting worse due to more destructive storms and newer technology. Bullard answered an audience member's question on what we, as students and citizens, can do. He informed us that by acknowledging the problem is the first step, then spreading awareness helps the situation. As a teacher, knowing about the digital divide and acknowledging that some students have less access to technology as others. All in all, addressing the problem is step one. But actively speaking up for and social injustice is what will cause change.

The Space Between Our Footsteps- Part 1

What I love about poetry books is the fact that the reader is given many views and ideas from many people. This book was a perfect way to begin my journey into the Single Story if Middle Eastern women. Something that shattered my single story if the Middle East in general was the energy of the culture and the land, more colorful than I ever imagined.

The culture is so strong. I am positive that most of these poets and artists believe in and celebrate their culture more than I do for my own. Even Naomi Shihab Nye who selected and compiled these works explains that when she would go to girl scouts she would bring "dates, apricots, and almonds"(vii) to share. While some of their beliefs are considered old fashioned and some inhumane (such as forced marriages) there are so many beautiful pieces to the culture and way of life. It is clear that the people of the Middle East appreciate what the have and don't take much for granted. While they do face war and brutality, many of the poets stressed the importance of light and the goodness in the world. The Middle East is rich with history, religion, and culture, something we often forget.

These works are also filled with color. I always imagined a dull landscape of dunes (yet still had the image of oriented rugs in my single story idea). Yet illustrated in both the poems and the painting are colorful. (16) The paintings themselves illustrate the rich, beautiful land and lifestyle, but so does the poems. The imagery is incredible and easily puts the reader there with the poet.

I have gained a new appreciation for the Middle East. The land and their culture had no meaning to me, but I cried and laughed over these artworks. I feel much more connected and have gained a much better appreciation that I wish I had sooner.

Reaction Post to "Technology Lite"

This article reminds us that technology is something that we have to adapt to, and that it is okay to not "know" technology like the back of our hand. Being flexible like Gumby to technology prevents frustration on both the teacher and students. Sometimes technology is out of our hands (in terms of that unexpected hiccups can happen) and that it is us as teachers to adapt and plan accordingly with backups and help from others. And through others and my own education of technology I can provide students with other ways of exploring the material. If teachers were to shun away technology, students may miss understandings of the material that they would've gotten through multimedia.  After reading this I definitely felt okay with my insecurities with technology. I just have to prepare myself accordingly through education on technology, create plan Bs, and understand that technology is there to help, and as the article says, it can be rewarding for both the teacher and students.

A New Single Story

I am looking forward to my new single story project, focusing in on women from the middle east. My books cover women from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Syria. I find that I barely know anything about life in the middle east. I've always assumed that life there was poor. I imagined, through that entire area sand huts, people in rags and in the traditional "middle eastern style" clothing that covers all but the eyes. I also in my imaginary world of the middle east imagine military trucks and weapons all over the place. I know that these ideas aren't true for that entire part of the world, but the American media has brain washed me to think that one way. Specifically for women I do know that they do not have many rights in those countries. But one problem I have is that I have only imagined the middle east, so the people there haven't been "materialized" for me. I know that they are humans and deserve every right that we have, but I still haven't connected with any of their stories, which I know is what I am about to do in this project!
So far I only have 5 books, but I am hoping to find the sixth soon.

Nonfiction: The Home That Was Our Country (Syria)

Fiction: Girls of Riyadh, Rajaa Al-Sanea (Saudi Arabia)

Historical Fiction: The Bastard of Istanbul (Turkey)

Autobiography: Persepolis (Iran)

Biography: Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia

My List of Readings of a Single Story

Possible Reads:

REALISTIC FICTION: Her Name in the Sky- Kelly Quindlen

AUTOBIOGRAPHY: My lesbian experience with Loneliness (Nagata Kabi)

HISTORICAL FICTION:Patience and Sarah (Isabel Miller)

MYSTERY: Fingersmith (Sarah Waters(

SciFi- Daughters of a coral dawn _(Katherine V Forrest)

NONFICTION: Skin: Talking About Sex, Class, and Literature (Dorothy Allison) My single story is based upon lesbians/gay females. I have lots of friends who are lesbian and have told me they have faced lots of stereotyping from friends and family. Most of the time they are thought of to be more masculine, one of my friends telling me her mom told her that wearing dresses gave others "mixed signals" about her. Another being that they are good at sports or that they all love and have a cat. Also that they hate men. And the biggest one of all is that falling and being in love is much different from straight people. I always try to be as open and understanding as possible to everyone, and most of these stereotypes I don't have but society does. I am interested to see how feminism plays a role in these stories and also how romance does, if it is the same sort of typical straight love story.

Teaching with the Digital Divide

Technology, no matter the setting, can make a tremendous impact if used correctly. In Benjamin Herold's article we heard direct from a student that her class was "life changing" because of how the technology had been implemented in her classroom. In the second article "Why Ed Tech Is Not Transforming How Teachers Teach" the point is made that some teacher don't want or don't know how to integrate technology into their teaching. But I think with a new generation of teachers who are technology savvy coming into the field will change things. The millennial generation have seen the incredible improvements of technology over our lives, and we have learned to adapt to it, giving us flexibility to lean new tech tools easier. Also, other experienced teachers may have already had an incredibly effective way to teach material, but new teachers don't have that yet, allowing us to be open to technology helping us and our students. 

I think programs like I-SEEED, which focus on student based learning will revolutionize how students see education. Claudia Suarez, who participated in the program, said herself that "The curriculum taught in regular school, we don't learn anything that's related to our lives, The [lessons in urban ecology] were the first thing I learned that made me realize I could use the information and knowledge to make a change in my community." That is the kind of lessons students want to learn, and if future teachers can adapt, education will be revolutionized.