Alex Roles [12:12 PM]: I am aware that I did poorly in your class and I was curious if you would be able to give me an incomplete instead of an "F" for financial aid purposes because I would really like to not lose my financial aid and not be able to take classes next term...? thanks for your time Joe Escobar [12:23 PM]: Brian, I'm sorry you've chosen to continue to argue in support of your unsupportable opinion. It is clear from your claim, once again, that this forum is a "waste of time" that you have nothing further to add to the online discussion. I would not tolerate disruptive comments like this in the classroom, and I will not tolerate them online either. If you have anything else to say on this subject, you can do so with me directly, in person, during office hours or at some other mutually agreed upon appointment. Have I made myself clear? Joe Escobar [10:20 PM]: I just read your post. For this first "assignment", you comments are just fine. It certainly makes sense that since these "posts" will be public and read by others, that at minimum they be written with correct grammar and without any spelling errors. I'll recommend to all students that they type their responses in their word processor, spell and grammar check them, then copy and paste them into Moodle to post them. Justin Plaunty [02:27 PM]: Don't know if it was shopped or not, but here's a blog that makes it look real: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedailymirror/2009/04/fidel-castro-visits-us-landmarks-dodgers-beat-cubs-april-20-1959.html Jennifer Pielaet [12:11 PM]: I was wondering if there is a way for you to post the issue 8 paper as a word document instead of a pdf. I am having trouble downloading it. Joe Escobar [03:00 PM]: I actually can't do that. I'd be happy to print it out for you. Are you still on campus? Can you try another computer? Jennifer Pielaet [04:23 PM]: I was able to download the document on another computer. Thanks anyway though. Joe Escobar [09:51 AM]: Hello, Just checking my record-keeping for HST201 this Friday morning. Even though you have access to the Moodle part of the course, you are not officially enrolled in the class yet. Be sure to turn in your pink slip to the Social Science Office (4th floor Center Building) AND THEN be sure to register for the course by using ExpressLane. Moodle message me (or contact me in any way) if you have questions, problems, or if there is something else I can do for you. Joe Escobar Instructor HST201 Lane Community College Brittanie McMurren [10:33 PM]: I didn't mean to send that. I wasn't finished. As stupid as I feel for trying to argue with someone by typing words, I cannot, however, sit by and say nothing. That is not the person I am. I am not necessarily apologizing for what I said to Roxanne Mcdonald, but I know that I probably should have left it alone. I accept any 'punishment' I might receive. Brittanie. Joe Escobar [11:22 PM]: Brittanie, Thanks for the note. I have no real worries here. I do think that part of the problem lies in the limitations of "online written communication" via the internet. It's a reality that EVERYONE is going to have to deal with in one way or another. Also, I happen to know that both you and Roxanne are terrific students. Both of you are pursuing the goal of "real" learning in this class, and for that, I am thankful. Finally, in one last constructive comment I have for you, and you already know the answer... you stated it yourself. That would be to recognize when you need to let some things go without comment. (That is a lifelong lesson... one that I am still learning, but getting much better at.) smile Friday, 20 November 2009 Brittanie McMurren [02:42 PM]: Thank you. And Thank you for deleting it all from the forum. I completely understand why you have a hard time keeping quiet, especially at this school. I deal with it nearly every day. Brittanie Joe Escobar [09:31 AM]: We can certainly talk on the phone if we can't meet in person. Give me a number, day, and time and I'd be glad to call. That might help a bit. Also, be sure to carefully read the existing posts first. They should provide you with some hints. WARNING Like all forums, some people are "right on the money" and others are "a bit off". Deciding which is which can also be tough to figure out. Alyssa Martinez [12:21 PM]: I am very worried because I am at a 72.1% and would like to get a B in this class. Is that possible if I get an A on the final. I checked the sheet you handed around class and the highest I could get would be an 86% but I think my grade has lowered since then so I'm getting worried. Joe Escobar [01:06 PM]: I just took a quick look at your grades. So you missed the Chapter 6 quiz. That brings your "highest" down to 85%. I'll assume your attendance has been 100% these last five weeks. (I haven't check the role sheets) Your Taking Sides forum score is 9, so you'll need to earn full credit, plus a bit more for this last week of posts and replies. Be sure to do that. That leaves a final exam of A+ or 100% in order to get the 85% B. Your midterm exam was an F, and then a D- with the upward adjustment, so this is going to require a super-human effort on the final. We haven't met in office hours to look over your midterm exam. I just took a quick look. You missed 9 of the first 25 questions, which came from the computer quizzes. You can't afford to lose those points. I hope you are taking the computer quizzes enough times to make sure that does not happen on the final. I see you missed about half of the map questions. Again, it is not possible to get an A+ (or even an A) on the final by missing that many. You only missed 2 of the matching questions, so that was the strongest part of your midterm exam. The true and false questions were difficult for you. You only got about half correct. Again, this is another area for improvement. You also missed all 3 of the chart questions on the midterm. That's a report on my quick look at your midterm exam. Finally, I also assume you will be attending the optional final exam review session during finals week. Carina Lapio [03:13 PM]: on my 6th attempt on the test question 8, I am confused on. In the history book on page 2 it states Beringia-was a dry land on which plants, animals, & humans could live. But the test contradicts this. Joe Escobar [04:45 PM]: Ahh, Another textbook publisher "semi-trick" question. Beringia was a temporary land bridge. It was normally "under the sea", as it is today. During the ice age, when it "became" land temporarily (for thousands of years), it could support plant and animal life. But, as the text says: "No doubt many generations lived on Beringia, although the harsh environment of this land on the edge of the Arctic Circle would have required unusual skills just to survive." That, coupled with its "temporary" existence, is what makes that question FALSE. Hari Khalsa [09:41 AM]: Thank you Joe, you are wise beyond your years and God bless you--you are in my daily prayers. May god throw flower petals upon the ground that you walk! Sincereley Hari Khalsa Joe Escobar [03:00 PM]: You'll definitely need to get notes from today. Yes, there were a few clips, but none are available online. You could make arrangements to see them while at Lane if you'd like. Joe Escobar [11:34 AM]: Thanks for the note. You are only the third person. The first had an older computer without Adobe Acrobat installed. The second was using a web browser other than Firefox. And if you can let me know what technical thing resolved your issue, that would be great. Joe Escobar [10:06 AM]: Once you reach 10 out of 20, BY THE DEADLINE, you don't have to take it anymore. You get your 1% for the Computer Quiz portion of your grade. But you sure may want to do it a few more times, either now, during weekends, before the midterm, etc. There are 90 questions in the pool for each chapter. You only saw 20. I'll use some of these questions on the actual midterm exam, so it would be nice to have seen them already. :) Joe Escobar [11:48 AM]: I've added you to Moodle so you can have access to class materials, videos, and take your computer quizzes. You still have to officially register for the class in ExpressLane. Be sure to take your pink slip to the Social Science Office on the 4th floor of the Center Building. Then get online by this afternoon and add the class officially. Don't let this opportunity slip by. I am taking no more adds after today. If you can't get registered by today, contact me (Moodle message) immediately. Joe Escobar Joe Escobar [11:43 PM]: Heath, Keep trying to get in "legitimately" by checking ExpressLane regularly. Having said that, even if you cannot "get in", I would be happy to add you on the first day and happy to have you back for another term. So you can count on being able to add my class. See you in a couple of weeks. Joe Joe Escobar [12:08 PM]: Get the actual lecture notes from any fellow student. You can certainly Moodle message others in the class and ask. You could also use the student forum for that. The images from lecture (chapters 1 & 2) are located under the Class Handouts link. I showed a number of video clips in class today that will be difficult to get, but there is one 6 minute clip online. I also handed out our first map handout, which you will also find in the Class Handouts section. Lucius Cauthorn [09:55 PM]: Hey Professor Escobar, I was wondering if we had to ONLY use the data on the class handout section or if we could quote other sources. And should our answers be shorter and in more a debate form, rather than all at once type of a post. Kinda confused on that. Thanks, Luc Wednesday, 11 November 2009 Joe Escobar [10:10 AM]: You are not limited to the initial reading, BUT you must first prove in your post(s) that you've read the material and have understood and/or analyzed it well. Remember, you are free to choose with expert you agree with more or think is more correct/accurate. As this forum progresses over the next couple of weeks, you'll be able to bring in much more of your own research and sources. Once you make an initial, more substantial post, and the discussion has started, then the series of replies and conversations with your group members will be shorter in a more "debate" form as you have mentioned. Wednesday, 18 November 2009 Lucius Cauthorn [01:52 PM]: Hi Professor, In your instructions you said that "un-academic style" will not be tolerated in the forum. Does that mean no "Haha"'s And "JK"? I know those are not considerd Academic, but they are used in nearly every class I have been in. You yourself will use such phrases in your class. So basically I was wondering if they are allowed, used sparingly of course. Thanks, Luc Joe Escobar [03:07 PM]: I won't be penalizing students who use them carefully, appropriately, sparingly. Ha ha meant as a "gotcha" or "you're wrong" is not appropriate. JK "just kidding" is usually used to put out a flame war, after it has already started. JK in that case is only used to try and smooth things over. (and that exchange is rarely "on topic" to begin with. As you know, all humor and/or sarcasm in online written form is problematic, so be careful. Thanks for asking. Joe Escobar [02:54 PM]: Keith, Thanks for your question/comment in class today. Perhaps the biggest part of the "lesson" I hoped to impart on students was to question these statistics. I must admit, I am insanely curious as to what bias you believe you may be seeing in my presentations. Please do share. If it's what I think it is, then giving you the 49.7% richest 10% link (below) should be VERY perplexing for you. smile http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/14/income-inequality-is-at-a_n_259516.html Joe Escobar [03:22 PM]: CONFIDENTIAL Hey Keith, Would you give me a little reality check please? I have just posted a reply to Brian Ricker in the Taking Sides forum (week 3). I toyed with idea of just stopping my reply where I asked him if he'd like to rephrase. But then... ...I went on. smile We've spoken in my office before. I certainly don't want to be like "some instructors" (we both know), and "slam" a student for poor analysis/inaccurate statements/what have you. I don't think I went too far over the top on my reply, but I'd appreciate your private/moodle message analysis of my response. (DEFINITELY don't pursue the issue with him in the forum... I don't want a flame war in the last week of class.) END CONFIDENTIAL Happy Thanksgiving Keith Borst [03:58 PM]: I will reply to your e-mail in a few hours - just hanging out with family after dinner. I don't want to rush an answer, but I will tell you this - you were spot on, and in my opinion totally justified. Happy Thanksgiving, Keith Keith Borst [05:58 PM]: Mr. Escobar, You were right to do what you did, and I for one I am happy to see it. I am surprised you didn't answer sooner, but then I imagine you thought a while before firing off your response. This is why I think you were justified: you are an educator of college students, not a babysitter. And for a student (and many in your two classes seem to fit the bill) to think he/she can type anything without regard to others needs to be addressed. The sad part - the topic is very interesting, but some of the participants have made it a chore because of their inability to engage in adult debate. In short, I am glad you posted the message. Thanks, Keith Joe Escobar [11:04 PM]: Thank you. And kudos for waiting until you had taken care of family responsibilities first. Happy Thanksgiving. Katavia Ames [09:07 PM]: Hey Mr.Escobar I was wondering if you could help me have a better understanding of what "bias" means? i thought i knew..but little did i know. thank you! sincerely, Tavia Ames Monday, 5 October 2009 Joe Escobar [08:47 AM]: These are the best definitions of "bias" that I've found (below). Let me know if these are clear enough. In short, everyone has a point of view, but when that "gets in the way" of presented evidence that leads to a contrary conclusion, then that becomes an unhealthy bias that keeps one from discovering the truth. So, in this class, you may have your own opinions about American History, but what will happen when I present information that differs from what you already "think" you know? Will your bias get in the way? :) Example definitions. # influence in an unfair way; "you are biasing my choice by telling me yours" # a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation Bias is a term used to describe a tendency or preference towards a particular perspective, ideology or result, especially when the tendency interferes with the ability to be impartial, unprejudiced, or objective.[1]. In other words, bias is generally seen as 'one-sided'. The term biased is used to describe an action, judgment, or other outcome influenced by a prejudged perspective. It is also used to refer to a person or body of people whose actions or judgments exhibit bias. The term "biased" is often used as a pejorative, because bias is inherently unjust, lacking merit. Katavia Ames [07:32 PM]: Haha your funny Joe..actually i totaly understand the meaning of bias. i think maybe my bias opinions will probaly get in the way of this American HIstory subject.lol but i'm willingly to have an open mind of what other information has to teach. thank you.