Train Scenarios

The first scenario had ourselves driving a train on a track that split too two different tracks. Track one had five workers working on it with protective gear on. The second track had one worker who also had protective gear on. Track one was the one we were currently on and to be on track two we had to change tracks. When asked who we would hit (because we had to hit someone) most of the class choose track two. I was included in this group. Our reasoning was that it was better for just one life to be lost than five. Some of the class however, said they would have stayed on track one because it was more likely for someone to look up and notice (which we were told was not possible) or that by changing tracks you were automatically choosing to end a life.

Then scenario two was introduced. This scenario was about someone else driving a train whose breaks also went out and was headed to hit five workers. You were standing on a bridge looking at the scene and a "fat" guy was standing next to you. Our choices were let the train hit the five workers or push the "fat" guy onto the track to stop the train. Most of the class choose to just leave the train be. Although many students were suggesting to throw shoes or jump down on the workers as a warning instead, but once again we were told this would not work. Many students said leave the train because the workers know it is a possibility and the “fat” guy is an innocent bystander. Also mentioned was that pushing the “fat” guy would be murder because you had a choice.

So why did we argue that less people dead was the best choice in scenario one , but in scenario two most chose to have the five workers die. The reason, in my opinion, is that in scenario one you have no choice but to kill someone, but because it cannot be stopped it is not murder. While in the second scenario pushing someone is murder because you are forcing them to die. Most people find this ethically and morally wrong. Losing any lives is a shame and should be prevented if possible.

Skype with Samar

During the skype conversation I was surprised to find out some of Samar’s opinions, how she dressed, and how upbeat she was. Like most people in class I was expecting someone who was more refined and quite in a way. Instead I felt that Samar had an upbeat, positive personality that made her who she is. I did not find her shy at all, but totally willing to ask us questions, answer our questions, and talk about her life. When it came to her clothes I did not expect her to wear clothes that are common here in the United States. The news and other sources have given me the idea that the women from Iraq hide their faces and keep to themselves. I found that fact that my previous thoughts to be refreshing. It is nice knowing that although there is a war going on Samar has maintained her personality as well as normal parts of a 21 year old woman’s life. She told us how she still hangs with friends just usually at her or their houses instead of out because of fear of lack of security. She told us that she wanted the American troops to stay over there. This is so unlike what is presented to Americans in the news. I was also surprised that they lose power often and that they all have to have generators because the power supplied by the government last only about three to four hours a day. I personally think that losing power randomly would not be fun, however, Samar seemed like it did not phase her.
If we have another conversation with Samar I would like more culture, religion, and personal questions such as dating. During the conversation the war, her visit to USI, and how she felt about America were dwell covered. In my opinion it would be a little more interesting if information about Iraq was given such as culture, weather, and religion.

Multiple Choice Testing

In class most of the students were saying that they disliked multiple choice testing. I was surprised that most of the class felt like this. Some of the reasons they said that they did not like multiple choice testing were that they left students who guessed with good chances of doing good, after awhile you could figure out the pattern of answers if had the same teacher multiple years in a row, and if was stuck between two choices the reasoning for picking the answer you did could not be explained. I agree with some of these reasons but not all of them. I agree that it isn’t fair that those who did not study can pull out good grades. I think it is very hard to figure out the pattern the teachers use because in my experience the pattern usually changes from test to test.
In my opinion multiple choice testing is good under many circumstances and did contribute to my learning. I think that multiple choice questions are good for classes where multiple chapters are covered at once. This usually means that there are many details to remember, which can be a bit overwhelming. I feel that to do well on multiple choice questions the basics must still be known to help narrow down the options. I also think multiple choice tests are good for comprehensive finals for the same reasons. Another reason I like multiple choice is that if when you look at the test and you stress out and your mind goes blank you can at least make an educated guess rather than trying to pull something out of thin air for a short answer, essay, or fill in the blank question.
There are times that I feel that all multiple choice questions on a test are not good. I think that some questions require explaining of why we but certain answers ifs a good thing. I personally think that a mixture of different types of questions on test would be the best. I say this because it tests students understanding on true or false, multiple choice, short answer, fill-in-blank, and essay questions.

John's case

In my opinion I believe that John should have got the treatment he needed. I’m not saying give this to him for free because everything costs something. Ideas were thrown out in class about having fundraisers and other community activities to get money donated to help pay the bill. I think that doing those things would help a lot, especially in tight nit caring communities. I personally think that the hospital should have worked with him to establish a payment plan. Payment plans our done for cars, houses, furniture, and even dental work. Why withhold a major surgery that could possibly save a man’s life? Hospitals aren’t made to make money. It is their job to save people’s lives. I know that saving every life is impossible and that in order to stay open and be able to treat as many people as they do; they must make some money. I’m not saying this is a bad thing but I do believe that hospitals could be more flexible and work with the patients on billing.
As for the question today, I think that universal health care is both good and bad. I say it is a bad thing because raising taxes isn’t going to help the economical situation. People who cannot afford insurance right now aren’t going to be able to pay higher taxes in most cases. I also say it is bad because it may take longer for people to see doctors and the surgeries may be pushed months away from when they need them. I also say no to universal health care because with that more and more people will become bigger dependents on the government even if they are fully capable to work. I say that it is a good thing strictly because it will give everyone health care and people who are hard working, have insurance (just doesn’t pay as much as it needs too), and are in desperate need of care are turned down.

Week 7: Kami

Kami is a Sesame Street character in South Africa who has HIV and who has lost her mother to AIDS. Kami is currently not a Muppet found in the U.S. version of Sesame Street. In my opinion I do not think that introducing Kami into the U.S. version would be beneficial. Although I think that the lesson of acceptance of others that Kami is used to teach is admirable and important, however, I believe that the doing this while introducing little children to HIV and AIDS is too much. I believe that small children between ages of three and seven, which is the main age range of those who watch Sesame Street, need to remain innocent and naïve. In my opinion children should learn simple basic lessons from Sesame Street such as counting, the letters, and being nice. Acceptance of others would be a good addition to those lessons but I think that this could be done in another way rather than introducing such a serious disease to young children when most do not know what it is, how to comprehend it, or know anyone with it here in the United States. South Africa is a different story in the fact that many children have lost a parent to AIDS or who have HIV themselves. Here in the United States parents can inform their children if they have AIDS or HIV affecting their house hold. I know that HIV and AIDS must be introduced to children here in the United States; I just believe that it shouldn’t happen until children are older and would understand it easier and that this could be done in schools or by parents.
Sesame Street is a children’s show and should remain that way to have children stay as children as long as possible in a world where they must grow up to fast.

Week 6 blog on graduation rates

Over the last two weeks we have been discussing USI's graduation rate and how it compares to the tuition rate. As the class discussed USI's graduation rate, tuition price, and different opinions of the school my eyes were open to things that surprised me and made me rethink what I had heard or thought of the school before coming here.
I was shocked at how low the USI's graduation rate for both the 4 and 6 years. With only 16% of the 2003 class graduating after 4 years and only 37% graduating in less than 6 years I think USI needs to do something to improve these percentages. In class it was mentioned that the admission standards could be raised causing the students who attended USI to be more focused and interested in school. I think the rates could be improved by having high school prepare students better for college. Also I believe that if the class sizes were smaller and teachers at USI had the opportunity to spend more one on one time with students the rates would improve.
In class we discovered that when the tuition is higher the graduation rate is higher as well. I believe they are related in a way but just because the tuition is more doesn’t mean that the graduation rate will be higher. In my opinion most school with higher tuition are private schools and it has been my experience both when I was applying and deciding which school I was going to go to and when my older sister went to a private university that their staff will work more with students one on one to get them scholarships and answer questions. With those scholarships the price becomes close to what it costs to attend a state school. For example, I was between going to USI and UE and when it came to money they price to attend either school was the same maybe even with UE being slightly less than USI. In class it was mentioned that students will attend a less expensive school until they decide for sure what they want to study or to get there generals and that could affect the rates as well. To an extent I agree with this but do not think that is the major factor.
Before I came to USI I was unaware of these rates, how much of a party school this was, and that most individuals thought this was a cheap school to just get generals taken care of. These all shocked me. I thought USI was a university that had students come to it because they wanted to get their degree from them. I also was unaware that most considered this school a cheap place to get generals. Going to school here cost around $10,000 a semester and to me that is expensive. I consider a community college the place to get generals out of the way because you can go there for $2,000 to $3,000 a semester.
I believe that USI needs to worry less about having over 10,000 students and more about keeping them in school and graduating them in 4 to 6 years.

Journal Week 4

In class we did a social distancing survey based on how our families would answer certain things and how we as individuals would answer the same things. In class we only viewed the family responses. Some of the questions had the room divided in half, some had almost everyone on yes side, and some had almost everyone on the no side. Once the survey results of the student answers were posted I was surprised that more answers were not similar to those of family responses. My answers were almost indicial to what I believed my family would say. But then again my family and I share the same values and beliefs. I would also consider my family and myself as open-minded.
When I looked at the survey results for us as students I was not surprised to see that everyone who took the survey would be friends, live next door to, or would like blacks and people with physical disabilities to be a citizen of this country. I was shocked to see that one person in the class said that they would not want to live next to, be a friend of, or have someone who is Muslim or from the Middle East as a citizen of their country. I find that very sad and disappointing that people cannot accept people for who they are. Another shocking result to me was that 12 people answered that they would let illegal immigrants into the United States. This is a big issue in politics currently. I for one believe that legal channels should be followed if you are to enter a country. That would help prevent overcrowding, lack of jobs, and result in less harbored feelings against one particular group of people.
I believe completing this survey was informative and let us see the beliefs of our fellow classmates and of their families.