Article Response #2

What Americans Keep Ignoring About Finland's School Success

This article describes the big differences between Finland's schools and schools in the U.S today. Lately, there has been stunning success in Finland's education compared to the U.S. It was ranked number one in "The Quality of Life" in Newsweek last year. These students have been achieving some of the highest test scores in the world. 

Some of the main differences at the Finland schools are that there are no standardized tests except for one called the National Matriculation Exam. Instead of the typical standardized testing, the teachers assess the children independently in classrooms which is what becomes their report card. 

Finland schools offer all students free school meals, easy access to health care, psychological counseling and individualized guidance.

Many Americans questioned their idea of teaching. They had questions like, "How can you keep track of students' performance if you don't test them constantly?" I can understand exactly why they are questioning the teaching because Americans are very use to the "norm" which is standardized testing in American education. Although, I find it very interesting and enjoy the idea of teachers assessing the children instead of testing them. 

The author of this article ended it with this;

      "The problem facing education in America isn't the ethnic diversity of the population but the economic inequality of society, and this is precisely the problem that Finnish education reform addressed. More equity at home might just be what America needs to be more competitive abroad."

This statement  is somewhat contradicting because earlier in the article the author believes that, "Real winners do not compete." Yet the author describes America competing abroad with other education systems. 

In my opinion, this article was interesting to read. it had some very strong points and examples supporting the thesis and title given. I think that it also gave me a glimpse into a different culture just based on their education system. 

           

Article Response #1

This picture perfectly describes how I felt when I was reading the article "Is Google Making us Stupid?" The article did not catch my eye in any sort of way because it was quite a long piece and it was not an interesting topic. People more involved in media and tech would probably find this article much more enjoyable. I found my mind wandering off to other things. I read the same paragraphs multiple times to finally realize what was being said. However, I did make mental notes of the main points in the article as I read. 

 This article focused on the difference between people reading on the Internet and people who read books. The authors of the study report stated this:

 "It is clear that users are not reading online in the traditional sense; indeed there are signs that new forms of 'reading' are emerging as users “power browse” horizontally through titles, contents pages and abstracts going for quick wins. It almost seems that they go online to avoid reading in the traditional sense."

 I think it is true in some cases, but not for everyone. Some people read online the exact same way that they read a book. For example, some people skim over almost everything they read while others may read in depth almost every time.

 The author of this article believes that the Internet (Google specified) may be making people stupid.

 "Now my concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages. I get fidgety, lose the thread, begin looking for something else to do. I feel as if I’m always dragging my wayward brain back to the text. The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle."

 I agree that people may not be as in depth with their reading online. Although, I don't believe it affects how they read outside of the Internet. Or at least it shouldn't. People should still be able to go in depth in their reading and focus for more than a few pages. There may be some other lurking variables in this situation other than the Internet and a book. That would be my question after reading this article. Are there lurking variables causing a struggle to read in depth?

Reading Response #4

Father Tim has produced a character very similar to Emma. Her name is Puny Bradshaw. Now, he has one woman at the office and a very similar one at his house. Puny was given her name when she was born because she “was sickly and puny-like.” Puny helps Father Tim around the house. She cooks, cleans, and helps take care of the garden. 

When Father Tim arrives at the office, Uncle Billy is there to greet him. Father Tim discovers that Uncle Billy is an amazing artist. Even if he is struggling with health issues, never was educated, and only has three teeth. He showed a detailed pencil sketching of a “bird dog in a cornfield, a sky alive with quail, and, in the distance, a hunter with upraised shotgun against a background of late autumn trees.”

Father Tim and Barnabas went to see Miss Sadie who is doing well, but needs some help around her house with yard work and such. Father Tim suggest Dooley for the job and Miss Sadie agrees. They bought Dooley some new clothes, bathed him, and  decided to put him in school. Now, Dooley was earning a little money and getting an education. The money he was earning, was to be saved for a fire engine red bike. Father tim held on to Dooley’s money for him. 

At the beginning of this book, Father Tim was a very independent quiet man. Now, he is very involved with the people around him in the town of Mitford. He gets out more often and is quite social. This book has shown a progression in Father Tim’s life as he runs into unexpected things each and every day. 

Reading Response #3

   

     This chapter opens with Father Tim’s secretary, Emma, explaining to him that she has fallen in love with Harold Newland. This has Emma very upset because it reminds her of how she lost Charlie ten years ago. She now feels guilty for falling in love with another man. Harold is good company to her and he is a great handy man, but there is something else that worries her other than Charlie. She is embarrassed about Harold’s age. 

“‘Because he’s only forty-five!’ Emma Wailed. He was quiet for a moment. ‘Pardon my asking so directly, but how old are you?’ He thought he remembered that she was two years his junior. ‘Fifty-eight, she said, exhausted by the ordeal of confession’.”

Uncle Billy comes into the church office bright and early to visit with Father Tim. They begin talking about Miss Rose who is Uncle Billy's wife of forty-three years. Uncle Billy describes her as “Mean as all get out, don’t you know. But that’s ‘er illness.” Miss Rose was diagnosed with schizophrenia and is on daily medication. Billy worries about her a lot and says her health is not getting any better. Father Tim leaves Billy with this encouragement;

“...God asks us not to worry about tomorrow. Just stick with today, is what he recommends. Of course, it helps to stick with him, while we’re at it.”

After Uncle Billy leaves the church office, Russell Jacks walks in. Russell tells Father Tim that he has brought his grandson. “... a barefoot, freckle-faced, red-haired boy in overalls.” Father Tim’s first encounter with Dooley had just begun with “You got any place in here where I can take a dump?” 

I predict that Dooley is about to become a bigger part in Father Tim’s life than he is ready for.