Theme

   I took a test in the last ARW class. It was about "The Old Man and the Sea", and was difficult for me. But I learned the importance to find themes of a story. This makes me understand the story more easily. In addition, I can notice that there are many interpretation of one story and it can change with each theme. So I think it is interesting to read again and again the same book with different theme.

Zotero!

       Today, we took ARW class at ILC. And we learned how to use Zotero. I think it is very useful because it can make citation which is almost perfect. If I had known the existence of Zotero little earlier, it would have not take such long time to write the citation. But I think it was a good experience to write it by myself.  Also, because Zotero is not perfect, I have to check the citation. So I should be able to do it by myself. I'd like to make full use of it. However, I don't know another function of Zotero. Through using it, I will be able to learn how to use it.
        The deadline of our essay is next Monday, so I have to prepare for it.

"1984"

photo credit: http://goo.gl/26lnX1

         I made or will make five presentations this week...  We made presentations on summer reading in ARW class. I think it was not so bad, but I should learn more about how to make a presentation. I wonder how I can make it more persuasive.  I'll practice it through making and listening presentations from now on. Yesterday, I learned that it is important to speak confidently and prepare some visuals in order to make my opinion clear when I make a presentation. 
         As I said before, I chose "1984". It is a near future story. This is about the story. 
         In 1984, after World war Ⅲ, the world is divided into three big countries. They are called Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. And among them, there is an area in which a lot of disputes happen. The story is set in London in Oceania, where the government controls the citizens in many aspects of their lives. And the authorities always watch all of their actions. There are posters that is written “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” everywhere in the town. A man who is a government official begins to suspect the order of the country.
         “1984” was written in 1948, and it was one of the near future story. However, these situations may happen today. Last year, the secret of U.S. spying came to light, and “1984” became the talk again.

          The book has over 350 pages!! So I have to start reading it as early as possible!! Anyway, I have to prepare for the test on Friday and complete my essay by Monday!

Critical Thinking!!

  It is heavy rain today, isn’t it? I could not go out, so I did my homework all day long…

Today, I read an article about a theme of “The Old Man and the Sea”. In the article, “Struggle” is one of the most important themes of this story, and I agree with it. In the story, the old man could not catch fish for eighty-four days. In addition, although a fish take the hook, he cannot get it easily. These struggles will certainly end up his defeating or dying. So, I think these struggles involve a grave risk.

At first, I could not understand why “honor” is so important in this story. But I realized that the old man doesn’t care about his life, and I understand a little. This means that he doesn’t have to struggle to live longer. So, I think he fought against the fish with pride as a fisherman. However, I wonder if he fought only for honor. If he dies, he cannot get the honor. So I think his fighting was for his self-satisfaction.

This way of thinking helps me to think more deeply about the story. So I’d like to do this when I read a book in summer.

photo credit: http://goo.gl/Vhi2Qp

Important Information for Reading

       
       I learned the background, biography and bias of OMS (The Old Man and the Sea) and Hemingway. I noticed that such information is “schema” that a teacher told in LLA lecture and that they are important when I read books. Such information helps me to understand what the author wants to say, and we can read a book more deeply. I think it is fun to read a book with much information about the author or the background. That is because I realized that my interpretation of OMS had changed from before I knew such information. So, I’d like to research it before reading books from now on. And I should do it when I do my homework in summer (summer reading) too. I haven’t decided what I will read during summer vacation yet, so I have to start thinking right now!

photo credit: http://goo.gl/sxIEjz

Who is Hemingway?

  As I said before, I began to read "The Old Man and the Sea", and I learned about Ernest Hemingway by reading an article that my teacher sent to me. This is reaction to it.

 I know that Hemingway was very famous writer in the world, but I didn't know that he committed suicide. Also, I didn't know that "The Old Man and the Sea" was first published in its entirety, in a single issue of LIFE magazine in September 1952.

I could learn a lot about Hemingway from the article.

Cooperation is Important!!

  Today, we took CWT in ARW class. I couldn't prepare enough for it, but some people in my section could do well, so I cannot excuse myself for my grade...

  The test was about "fallacies" and arguments. I couldn't understand the difference between "Sweeping generalization" and "Hasty generalization". Also, there are lots of "fallacies" and they are very similar to each other, so it is difficult to distinguish between them. However, I understood the importance of writing a persuasive essay. I tend to make mistakes in constructing paragraphs, so I have to remember what I learned in classes. It is important to connect the premise and the conclusion well, and the content of them have to be checked well. Although I will check my essay again and again, it is difficult to notice all mistakes in it, so I want my section mates to check it. And I'll check their essay as well as possible. Please check my essay and comment on it!

Make My Essay More Persuasive!

  We started reading "The Old Man and the Sea". It is difficult for me to read it without a dictionary because there are many special words of ship. However, Mr.Dan sent us some picture with explanation about ship. It will help me to read the book more smoothly. I have never read a book that was written by a Nobel Prize winner in English, so I want to enjoy reading it.

  I learned how to make my essay more persuasive yesterday. My teacher said that "survey" is the most important source. Although I thought it is difficult to send out questionnaires about what I'm going tow right about, my teacher taught us how to do it. By using computer, we can ask my section mates or another section's member some questions easily! I 'd like to take advantage of it if necessary.

Also, I learned about "Fallacies". I didn't know that there are so many kinds of fallacies. Mr.Dan said that students tend to make mistakes in syllogism, so we have to be careful about it. I want to write a persuasive essay, or a essay that can change the readers' mind.

Opposite Ideas are important!!

 Today, I'd like to talk about what I leaned in ARW class.

   I learned the way how to make my essay more convincing and reliable. My teacher said that it is important to give good evidence and opposite ideas. I didn't know that opposite ideas are so important, but I understood what my teacher said. I think the reason why he emphasized them is that opposite ideas will make our main ideas more clear. If there are only supporting ideas, readers will get only one aspect of the issue. It will cause biased ideas. I think a diversity of idea makes readers more active.
 
   I'd like to use what I learned when I write my essay.

The importance of peer review (May 22)

   Sorry, this is that I wrote on May 22. I forgot to contribute this blog.

   I watched six videos about "peer review" that Mr. Dan recommended to us. I did it till today without much thinking, but I learned the importance of "peer review".

   Today, I'd like to tell you what I learned through watching the movies.

   I learned that it is important to be specific and constructive when I comment about others' essays. Namely, we should comment about a particular point with detailed explanations. I think it will  help us improve our reading and writing skills. This is because we have to read deeply the essay, and in order to convey what we noticed in it to the writer, we must explain it as plain as possible. It seems easy, but it is difficult to express what I want to say in English.
   In addition, we should not forget that we support each other and cooperate to write good essays. We must not be on the attack our peers. It is important to find not only the weak points of the essay, but also the strong points of it.  To correct errors of it is important, though, I think more important thing is to find good points of it. Because we can learn many things from it. We should follow what we recognized to be a good model. I would like to continue "peer review" with respect.

Don't forget what we learned! (May 24)

   Yesterday, my teacher said that we could not perform what we had learned in our essays. I also had many mistakes in my paragraph. For example, there are a luck of indent, a mistake for usage of parentheses and an error in citation. Although my teacher taught us how to do them again and again,  most of us could not do them. These are very important when we write essays after this. We must memorize what our teacher taught us and use them appropriately.

 Also, I learned the importance of evidence through yesterday's class and watching four videos that my teacher sent to me. A worthwhile evidence is accurate, relevant, representative and adequate. I noticed the difficulty of  fulfilling all of these criteria through writing essay. However, we have to add good evidence into our essays in order to persuade the readers, so all of these criteria are necessary. I'd like to be careful about choosing good evidence when I write my essay.

How to write a good essay.

I’m upset now about writing first body paragraph of my essay by tomorrow! What should I do for it? I read LBH and watched two videos that Mr. Dan recommended to us to learn how to draft. I learned some things from them.
 
 I learned we should set aside enough time to write it. No matter how short the paragraph or essay may be, it is necessary for us to think deeply about it and to write as much as possible. To keep writing is also important. It is because we can make our ideas more clear through writing. And then, we must develop our questions to become working thesis and make them easy to understand.
 
I’d like to write a good paragraph right now.

It is necessary to use grammarly!

  We reviewed someone’s CWT papers in ARW class yesterday. I found it was difficult to assess others’ papers. Mistakes in grammars or spellings that I noticed on their papers were what I am likely to make. I recognized that it is important to read my own sentences objectively after I finish writing it. At the same time, I could learn various expressions that I had never used by reading their sentences. We should not use same expressions again and again on one paper, so the more we learn them, the better writing we can write. As stated above, we can learn a lot through reading others’ writings. Therefore, I think we should take advantage of these opportunities.

  After that, we learned how to make our own Evernote accounts. We can share materials that we use for our essays by using it. Also, Mr. Dan taught us that there are several ways to search materials that are about what we want to know. I’d like to read materials and watch videos about “refugee camps” as many as possible in order to write a good essay.

  Lastly, I’d like to tell you about grammarly. I was surprised at it! How useful grammarly is!! I can notice many mistakes that I cannot find by myself in my sentences. When I ran my paragraph through it, I found from trivial mistakes to serious mistakes. In addition, it marks my sentences on a score of 100 and I got a low score. However, this encourages me to write better because I am one of those who never give up. I dream of getting a score of 100!

photo credit:http://goo.gl/XQ29bH

Thank you for your advice!!

  Today, I would like to tell you what I learned in May 12’s ARW classes.
 
  First of all, we discussed each topic that we chose for our essay and explained our own scratch outlines. My group member asked me some questions about my topic, refugee camps, and I noticed that my topic is difficult to explain, so I think that I should try to explain it as simply as I can. As it was said in the video that my teacher send to me, I have to think more about my topic and what I state in my essay through clustering, or making “mental map." Also, I learned a lot from a discussion about one of my group members’ topic. Her topic was “English education in Japan” and we discussed it. There are various ideas that I did not notice for it and I learned the importance of discussion and exchanging our ideas once more.
 
  Secondly, we confirm our handouts of elements of argument each other. Although I could not fill in it by myself, thanks to my group member’s advice, I could! I learned what should I do when I write an essay. In an academic essay, we have to tell what I want to say more logically than blog, so we must follow the order as the handout.

  These are what I learned yesterday. I would like to make good essay with what I learned.

We are all monkeys!: Against racial discrimination.

  Do you know the act of racial discrimination that happened during a soccer game in Spain? Daniel Alves, who is from Brazil and a professional soccer player in Spain now, responded to the act of racial discrimination with humor, and this action made people all over the world be aware of the racial discrimination. What did he do? When he was about to take a corner kick in the game, someone threw a banana to him, and then he ate it calmly. In order to object to the racial discrimination, those who was sympathized by his action put up their photos or movies with bananas and message against discrimination on their web page.

  I watch one of the movie which was made by ICU students and teachers. When I heard the news about the affair at the first time, I was sad that there are still people who discriminate against black people, so I was impressed by the movie. Moreover, I recognized that there are also a lot of people who oppose to these discrimination throw knowing the existence of these action. I think we can reduce the discrimination by spreading these action.

  I didn't know that such action is familiar to me, so I was surprised that my friends did it. At the same time, I noticed the importance of these action. We can think more about certain matter through these action. In addition, people who watch the movie also can rethink about it. However, we should not do it just because it is fun, we have to do it with responsibility for our action because we don't know how many people watch the movies or photos. I would like to take action like this as opportunity permits.

  I want you to click this (http://goo.gl/g0Y6JH) and to watch it.

photo credit: http://goo.gl/8WXKoJ

"The Way How to Find the Best Life" two things what I want to do before I die

photo credit: http://goo.gl/Nd3JQB

  What should I do before I "kick the bucket"? "Kick the bucket" means death. This word was popularized by the movie, "The  Bucket List". Have you ever watched this movie? In this movie, two old men do everything which they want to do before they "kick the bucket". If you haven't watched this movie, I strongly recommend you to watch it.

  Today, I would like to talk about my "bucket list", or the list of what I want to do before I "kick the bucket". Although my "bucket" is filled with what I want to do during my life, there are two things that I particularly want to do.
  First, I want to travel all around the world, and I want to look at a lot of beautiful scenery, for example, auroras, clear seas, or great plains. This is because I want to see what I have never seen, and I want to experience what I have never experienced, and I want to eat what I have never eaten. In order to communicate with local people, I would like to study  many languages. I think these experiences change my thought about my life. It is impossible to travel all countries in the world, but I will try to go as many countries as I can.
  Second, I want to be a world champion of kungfu. (Kungfu is a score based sports, so don't mistake it for a combative sport.) The reason why I want to be a champion is that it has been my dream since I started to practice kungfu. However, I have never participated in the world championships before. It is difficult to achieve it, but I will do my best!

  I would like to do what I  can do now, because I don't know how long it takes to achieve it, and I don't know when I "kick the bucket". I hope that I will be able to achieve everything in my "bucket".

  What's on your "bucket list"?

Importance of "Netiquette"

   Today, people say that it is important to follow "netiquette" when you use the internet. However, I haven't thought well about what "netiquette" is.  What is "netiquette"?
 
  "Netiquette" is an abbreviation of "network" and "etiquette". While it is a kind of manner toward other people like daily etiquette, we can't see other people when we are using the internet. This likely to make people be insensitive. For example, it happens quite often to hurt other's feelings unconsciously. I attribute this kind of problem to people's unthinking behavior. People tend to concentrate on themselves only, and be not able to consider other people's feeling when they are using the internet. However, whenever you contribute your opinion to the internet, there are a lot of people who read it, so we have to make sure that our opinion is proper to write before you contribute it to the internet. I think this is exactly "netiquette".

  On the other hand, I think there is also "netiquette" that people who read some article or someone's blog should follow. The most important thing for the readers is not to accept what are written on the internet, because there are a lot of false or groundless rumors in the world of internet. If you accept it rashly, and spread it to your friends or family, the rumor may cause great confusion. We have to think more about the articles or ideas before we accept it. I think this behavior is also good "netiquette".

  We need to follow "netiquette" not only as a person who send own ideas but also as a person who accept other's ideas when we use the internet.
 

I wonder if I have "Gogatsu-byo".

  I am tired out and very sleepy now, because there are a lot of things to do recently. In addition, I am studying harder than when I was preparing for the entrance examination. Is this "Gogatsu-byo"?
 
  "Gogatsu-byo" is one of mental illnesses."Gogatsu" means "May" in English, and "byo" means "illness". Some people feel sleepy or tired or spiritless if they have "Gogatsu-byo", and those who cannot adapt themselves to their surroundings well are liable to get "Gogatsu-byo". In Japan, a new life, or to enter a university for example, begins in April, and people are tired from getting used to new lives in May, especially after Golden Week(Japanese consecutive holidays), so I think "Gogatsu-byo" is peculiar to Japan. However, there may be another illness like it in other countries. For instance, "October-illness" may exist in the U.S.

If you think you have "Gogatsu-byo" now, I recommend you taking a rest, exercising, and sleeping well during Golden Week or a holiday. I think it is the best way to cure the illness, so I would like to do so, and I would like to study harder after Golden Week.

What did happen in Syria?

   What happened in Syria is very serious and important news in the world. In addition, I think we should know about the situation of the Middle Eastern countries today, so I chose this topic.
 
  Then,  what is happening in Syria now? Why is this event so pivotal?
  The conflict in Syria began in March 2011 as a pro-democracy movement, like other Arab Spring uprisings. Syria is the only Middle Eastern country that has a majority Sunni population but is ruled by a Shiite minority. I think this complexity of Syria's regime makes this event more serious . Also, because of participation of some countries around Syria in this civil war, this war is made more complicated. In order to understand what is happening in Syria well, I think it is essential to know the history of the Middle Eastern countries, or what happened in the past there.

  I think expanding of polio is more critical in Syria. In a refugee camp, aid workers cannot guarantee to keep the camp clean, so they do not have any means to protect children against polio or any other diseases. Besides these insanitary surroundings, aid workers' safety is not guaranteed, so they cannot go to where people are asking for relief. These are main reason why polio expanded so rapidly. When I reading this article, I surprised that polio was eradicated in Syria 14 years ago. This means that polio was brought from other countries by foreign fighters. I think it is outrageous to involve people, especially children, who hope to live peaceful lives.

  I would like to learn about the Middle Eastern countries more to understand the situation.

Is money the appropriate unit?

  I think money is one of the most rational ways to exchange something, for example, wages or a salary for one's work, or a fare for bus or train, because it is ordinary difficult to barter what we want each other. However, today we can pay money by using IC cards, so the day when we do not have to carry cash will come someday. I think it is more rational to carry IC cards instead of cash to pay.

Reaction to the lecture from Dr.Paul Wadden.

  I watched the video clip of the lecture from Dr. Paul Wadden, and this is my reaction to it.

  I learned that there are a lot of similarities and differences between universities in the U.S. and universities in Japan through this lecture. Also, I understood why Dr. Paul Wadden said that ICU is a hybrid university.

  He said that the most fundamental similarity between universities in the U.S. and Japan is functions of universities. For example, universities prepare students for white-collar careers in business, government, law or medicine.  In addition, they train students to become leaders. However, I think that they are incidental functions. Certainly, it is important to get jobs after their graduation for most people, but I think that it is not main function of universities. To me, the most important function of university is, of course, to learn whatever I want, so I am not thinking about my future seriously right now. But to study hard will result in to make us possible to get "good" jobs, so in a sense, it is the main function of university to prepare students for white-collar careers in business.

  There are more differences than similarities between them.
   First, although it is easy to enter universities, it is very hard to graduate in the U.S., but in Japan, there is the opposite situation. I was surprised that half of students in the U.S. cannot finish universities in six years. Compared with it, 90 percent of Japanese students can finish them on time. I could understand the meaning of "like an escalator" that Dr.Paul said.
  Second, he said that there is great freedom in the U.S. university but not in Japanese university. American or Canadian university students can change their department, major, even university, or to transfer more easily than Japanese students.

  He said that ICU is a hybrid university. ICU has some similarities and differences with Japanese universities. For example, ICU students are offered many choices for major and classes. I think it is a strong point of ICU. In addition, ICU students have more homework than the rest of Japanese university, but less than university in the U.S. We have to study hard to graduate from ICU. I think it is important to study hard during our four years in universities.

  He said that ICU has good points of Japanese and the U.S. and I agree with him. So I would like to take advantage of this opportunity.

  I enjoyed listening this lecture, and learned lots of things about universities and ICU. His words that not to accept his idea remain in my mind.

Actions speak louder than words

Actions speak louder than words

meaning: 
 This proverb means that what you do is more important than what you say. It means that your action may persuade other people more than your saying. No matter how long you talks, unless you can give them a impression, they don't understand completely. If you promise something people might not actually believe you until they see you actually do it.

story: 
 There is a person who is the leader of his team or group, and who want others to do something. but he is not good at ordering his teammate to do something, so he cannot  make them understood what he wants to do. He doesn't know how to act as leader, so he decides to do his work harder any other people.Then, they  follow him and understand what he wants to do. He realize that it is important to tell some messages to own teammates by his action rather than his statement. 

What is the perfect leader?

What is the definition of a perfect leader? Here is my stab at it.

・She does her best to do anything with other people in the group. She does not just looking and ordering them to do something.
・He is always more diligent than everyone in the group. Rather than he does so with an idea that they will follow him, he always works diligently so they follow him.
・She can consider other people's feelings and situations, and if someone is in trouble, she helps him or her immediately. she is a person who can consider the result of the whole group.
・He always communicates with members of his group frequently to keep relationships between he and the other members. Also, he never forget to keep good relationships between members in his group in order to do anything smoothly.
・She never blames a member for his or her mistake or failure. If there is some problem, she manages to solve the problem with him or her.
・He is always active and bold. He is not afraid of making mistakes, so he can keep trying.