I have to say that the author was a little harsh on PowerPoint. Instead of indicting the program itself, I think the author should examine how some user's lack of creativity with PowerPoint.
A couple of years ago, I had to take a public speaking class. I had avoided the class as long as I could because I was so terrified of public speaking. One of the requirements was that you had to prepare a PowerPoint presentation for every speech. I didn't know PowerPoint and had to learn it very quickly. I did and I am glad that I did. I found that I was good at it and really made a point of being creative with the tool. It was my PowerPoint presentations that got me out of that class, because my delivery surely did not. And I guess this is one of the points that the author is making, but still, I cannot criticize the program.
What I criticize more is the lack of creativity that is used. People tend to go to the pre-set layouts and the 'screen beans' or basic clip art and think they are doing a truly mindblowing presentation. Most don't realize that PowerPoint doesn't automatically make the content more interesting, you have to make it work. And of course, the mother who resorted to a PowerPoint to get her kids to use chores needs to be banned for life from the tool.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
WIKIPEDIA
"Wikipedia is not a reliable source!"
I have heard that from professors more times than I can remember since starting back at KSU a couple of years ago. Because of that, I used to always shy away from it and look at anyone who did rely on it as somewhat ignorant. But now, I am beginning to be more receptive to Wikipedia.
Although I do believe that one should not rely on it as a direct source that is credible, it can still be an excellent research tool. For example, for my class on African American Literature, I had to write a paper about literature and black feminism. I started my research online and of course when you type in any type of phrase, Wikipedia is usually at the top of the results page. So with skepticism, I read what was posted. But what I noticed more was the link to references at the bottom of the article and through that was able to find all of the credible sources that I needed. So now, I use Wikipedia often as a way to find resources quickly.
I have heard that from professors more times than I can remember since starting back at KSU a couple of years ago. Because of that, I used to always shy away from it and look at anyone who did rely on it as somewhat ignorant. But now, I am beginning to be more receptive to Wikipedia.
Although I do believe that one should not rely on it as a direct source that is credible, it can still be an excellent research tool. For example, for my class on African American Literature, I had to write a paper about literature and black feminism. I started my research online and of course when you type in any type of phrase, Wikipedia is usually at the top of the results page. So with skepticism, I read what was posted. But what I noticed more was the link to references at the bottom of the article and through that was able to find all of the credible sources that I needed. So now, I use Wikipedia often as a way to find resources quickly.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
PYGMALION ACT 5 AND SEQUEL
"The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she's treated." - Eliza
This quote by Eliza sums up the play for me. Higgins went through the trial of transforming Eliza into what he deemed as an "acceptable" member of society only to destroy her in the end by stating that it was him and only him that deserved credit for her transformation. He totally disregarded Eliza's own intelligence, the fact that she was able to become someone who was the total opposite of what she originally was. Eliza was smart, witty and tenacious but Higgins only saw someone who was dirty, poor and illiterate. At first I thought that Higgins intentions were admirable, but now I think that they only reason he did this was so he could prove that proper speech and clean clothes could change the fact that Eliza was a commoner in the eyes of society.
In the end, Eliza made the right decision in leaving Higgins and pursuing her own life. Higgins never would have let her forget where she came from. Even though Freddie was not really the man of her dreams, at least he treated her with respect and admiration.
This quote by Eliza sums up the play for me. Higgins went through the trial of transforming Eliza into what he deemed as an "acceptable" member of society only to destroy her in the end by stating that it was him and only him that deserved credit for her transformation. He totally disregarded Eliza's own intelligence, the fact that she was able to become someone who was the total opposite of what she originally was. Eliza was smart, witty and tenacious but Higgins only saw someone who was dirty, poor and illiterate. At first I thought that Higgins intentions were admirable, but now I think that they only reason he did this was so he could prove that proper speech and clean clothes could change the fact that Eliza was a commoner in the eyes of society.
In the end, Eliza made the right decision in leaving Higgins and pursuing her own life. Higgins never would have let her forget where she came from. Even though Freddie was not really the man of her dreams, at least he treated her with respect and admiration.
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