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#31
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Re: Local newspaper Staff editorial ,Please Read!
Absolutely. There is no purpose in slamming anyone that doesn't understand our viewpoint. There is purpose in moving their viewpoint.
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The case for letting business into a school is to create partnerships that help the students succeed which coincidentally helps the business and society succeed. There is nothing wrong with that and no excuse needs to be made for it. |
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#32
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Re: Local newspaper Staff editorial ,Please Read!
I was able to contact Mr. Davidson, He declined my invitation to a meeting citing other priorities. He thought he might have time to research FIRST a bit maybe?
His main issue from a humanist position is that corporations are invading our public school systems, training future employees for semi skilled throw away careers. He feels the robotics program is simply "candy". After speaking with him I don't believe I would want to convince him otherwise. We agreed to disagree. |
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#33
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Re: Local newspaper Staff editorial ,Please Read!
"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Billfred again."
Well constructed letter. I agree that every invitation should be extended to the author of this piece. I believe that anyone who has had direct interaction with any of the students in the FIRST program would recognize the importance of the competition. |
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#34
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Re: Local newspaper Staff editorial ,Please Read!
Dear Mr. L.D. Davidson,
You recently wrote an article about "Letting business shape K-12 curriculum is terrible idea”. I suggest you attend the upcoming kick-off of the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) event on Jan. 5, 2013. It is an amazing event. At that event you will see that the sponsors are very well respected and trained Technical Experts at MIT and other well know Universities. Also these competitions are supported by past and current Presidents. You will see the excitement and enthusiasm this event generates in the young adult students. My experience is that this challenge is different and the competition provides a real life experience for the students to apply what they have learned. Every year the challenge requires the Robotics Team to build a robot in 6 weeks with a limited amount of funding, and the team has limited skill set. So, doesn't this sound like a real life experience? The Mentors works along with these Students are a trained Engineer dedicating their time to the school for free all across this nation. They not only pass on the critical thinking skills, teaching students how to read and evaluate specification, game rules, and technical drawings but they also learn how to calculate gear ratios, and robot speed. These Students learn Electricity, Computer-Aided Design, Machining and Metal Work, and Programming. Moreover, these students are not athletes but they learn how to operate in a team Environment. They also learn how to operate in a multi-team environment called an alliance. Most importantly, individuals, Mentors and Teachers are taught to practice Gracious Professionalism. Teams compete like crazy but they do not in any way degrade a team member, another team or an adult. Booing at a competition is not allowed. When a Robot breaks a competing team helps the other team fix their Robot with parts, labor, or expertise. Now does this sound like a setting where kids are goofing off and not learning? Most of the Teams I have dealt with hold Robotics Team Meeting and build times after school have ended. Our school requires grade checks on all students. If we find out a student is not maintaining his or her grades we do not allow them to attend the Team Meeting. In some cases we provide a tutor. Sincerely Yours, Norman Collier FIRST Team Mentor San Jose, CA Normcollier@comcast.net |
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#35
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Re: Local newspaper Staff editorial ,Please Read!
FYI,
I was just notified by the editorial staff of the Gazette that my letter to the editor will be published. I'm glad to hear this. |
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#36
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Re: Local newspaper Staff editorial ,Please Read!
A fundamental aspect of a solid opinion article is to lay out well-researched and verified facts to form the opinion, not to lay out your opinion and form the facts around it.
An obvious example is championing an unwavering practice of "humanist schools" to develop social workers and teachers instead of people who would become employed in a blue chip corporation by using a "fact" that tech jobs become outsourced in 10-15 years, while no teacher or lawyer or doctor or social worker ever has a change in their career environment (something that is beyond debatable). Instead, I think sound logic would say that given the following series of facts:
I wish I had more time to develop better-versed thoughts, but I have finals to study for in my pursuit of my worthless, soulless-corporation-driven electrical engineering degree. |
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#37
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Re: Local newspaper Staff editorial ,Please Read!
Quote:
"5-10 years experience required" Last edited by F22Rapture : 11-12-2012 at 00:01. |
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