Brian Scott 1050-20 Writing Journal Assignment #2

Sorry about two posts, I lost internet. As i was saying, we must use our time wisely in the present so that when another task comes up, we are ready and there will be no need to multitask which is highly inefficient. Until there are discoveries to increase the brain capacity, we need to use our time efficiently and focus on on task.

Brian Scott Eng 1050-20 Writing Journal Assignment #2

I think Author Christopher Chabris makes many valid points. Multitasking is a very common activity but is it very useful? The author himself was multitasking as he was writing the article but the brain can really only focus on one activity at a time. People can be much more efficient at work, school, and life if they can focus on one task and them move to another one without any interruptions leading to a much more productive lifestyle. Our brain can only remember things for so lond before it forgets something because of an interuption leading to ineffieciency in the work place.

Neurons in our brain slow down when we have interuptions which is why it is important to never take the present for granted. One must use one's time

Vinny Solano Eng1050-20 Journal Assignment #1

The way in which people accessed information has changed throughout the course of history. It has evolved from simple word of mouth, to books, and now most recently, to the internet. There are many people who are resisting the change of accessing information from books to the internet. This is because they feel that the information that can be found in books located in libraries is more reliable than information found by using a search engine, such as Google. While it is true that some information found on the internet is false or misleading, if the researcher knows what they are doing and checks their findings with other sources they should be confident that their results are accurate.

The reality is that even people who are adamant about using books as sources do not have any choice but to learn how to look up information on the internet. This is because literature is going digital with internet libraries and e-books. People will be able to find the same books that old-fashioned researchers are going to the library for on the internet only much faster. Those who refuse to find their sources using the internet and spend hours researching in a library will struggle to stay on pace with those who do.

Writing Journal Assignment #2

Hello Everyone,

For your second Writing Journal assignment, please read the following article: “You Have Too Much Mail" by Christopher F. Chabris, Wall Street Journal. (Eastern Edition). New York, N.Y.: Dec 15, 2008. p. A.17

- From Falvey Library's homepage (on the left side), choose "Databases A-Z."
- Then choose "ABI/INFORM Global (ProQuest)."
- Next, click on the "Publications" tab.
- Choose Wall Street Journal: Eastern Edition.
- Write the article’s title or author in the “Search for articles . . .” data field, and perform your search.

You’re welcome to respond to the article however you wish. I do encourage you, though, to consider the following:

Consider the situation described in the first paragraph. How does it compare to your own experience?

Do you accept the writer’s ideas about technology’s affect on productivity? why or why not?
Do you agree with the writer’s ideas about multi-tasking and our brains’ limits when paying careful attention? why or why not?

Are the writer’s ideas about the “mismatch between our modern lives and ancient brains” persuasive? why or why not?

Please include the following information as a heading on your work:

Your name
Eng1050 – 20
Writing Journal Assignment #2

Please post your Writing Journal response to this article (200 - 250 words) by Thursday, September 24, 2009.

Have a good day.

Mr. Dierkes

Brian Scott Eng1050-20 Journal Assignment #1

It is a different age in the information world. There is a new and much faster way to obtain information than just going through books in the library. Is the internet really better though just because it is faster? No, it provides a lot of true information but also a lot of false information that most people will believe just because it is on the internet. Teachers can be a part of this problem. I remember doing a research paper when I was in highschool and the only sources I could use were books. They need to get students in the habit of using books instead of the internet. That way, when they get to college, their papers will include more facts and less false information. Students are getting lazier because books take more time to do work but they would be doing the right thing. They need to learn to go up to librarians and ask for help. Librarians are all about the truth and can help with anything.

Writing Journal Assignment #1

Hello Everyone,

For your first Writing Journal assignment, please read the following article: “Truth: Can You Handle It?" by Monica Hesse, washingtonpost.com April 27, 2008. p. M01

- Go to the website for washingtonpost.com
- Then choose " Web: Results by Google" (next to the SEARCH: data field).
- Next, Type the article’s title in the SEARCH: data field, and perform your search.

You’re welcome to respond to the article however you wish. I do encourage you, though, to consider the following:

Consider Monica Hesse’s points. How does your own experience confirm or disprove what she says about conducting research in the current information age?

Considering the author’s explanation of “wikiality,” what (if anything) can students do to avoid that trap? What are some possible consequences of this phenomenon?

The author mentions the notion of discerning fact from opinion. How do you yourself tell the difference (in your sources for news, for instance)?

What do you think about the amount of time the one student, Hillary Swain, is willing to spend “to track down an answer before giving up”? How much time do you think is reasonable?

What can be done to encourage students to use research as an opportunity to educate themselves and deepen their knowledge rather than a chance to reinforce their own beliefs?

Please include the following information as a heading on your work:

Your name
Eng1050 – 20
Writing Journal Assignment #1

Please post your Writing Journal response to this article (200 - 250 words) by Thursday, September 17, 2009.

Have a good day.

Mr. Dierkes