The process of researching and writing about deforestation in British Columbia has significantly enhanced my critical thinking skills. I gained expertise in research and analysis, evaluating credible sources, and understanding the multifaceted impacts of deforestation on the biosphere, atmosphere, and water cycle. Additionally, I developed problem-solving skills by identifying potential solutions, such as stricter logging laws and alternative materials like bamboo. Moving forward, I aim to improve my work ethic and discipline to minimize distractions, ensuring more focused and efficient research and analysis in future projects.
During my first year of high school, some classes I particularly enjoyed were my Food Studies class and my Physical Education class. Over the course of the year, I expanded my knowledge in many areas, including the culinary arts. What had once been the most rudimentary knowledge of cooking grew to become a wider understanding of the important life skill. In other courses, I studied new branches of mathematics, different areas of science, and new eras of history.
Throughout my first two semesters at Centennial, I discovered some strengths and stretches. I can confidently say that my skills in English are something to take pride in. I also believe that I am strong in Mathematics, but that may change once I start learning more advanced branches such as calculus. A stretch of mine (which I have regretfully possessed since the beginning of middle school) is working on and turning in assignments before they are due. Another stretch is coming up with things that can relate to me, my school life, or my personal life. An example would be finding a “Useful Educational Website” or a “Useful Educational Image”. I don’t know about other people, but finding these proves highly challenging (at the time of writing, those spaces in the Edublog stay woefully blank.)
This website helped me cite sources properly, rather than simply copying the URL. Since part of the digital literacy assignments required the use of this website, it was quite useful.
A Useful Educational Video
This video was a big help as part of my Food Studies class. I learned quite a bit from it, which helped me make better muffins.
A Useful Educational Image
I chose this image because I used it in an assignment for my P.E. class. As part of an Edublog assignment in that class, I was told to insert a meme that depicts how I deal with stress. This meme fit perfectly, so I used it for the assignment.
An Inspirational Quote
“Life is like riding a bicycle.To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
-Albert Einstein
I chose this quote because it is applicable to everyday life, as well as being inspirational. This year, I tried to keep up with homework, and had some degree of success, but procrastination hindered my attempt to complete homework on time. Times where I let homework pile up would cause me to “lose my balance” and fall off the metaphorical bicycle. If I “kept moving” (completed homework and assignments on time), then I would have been able to keep my balance and avoid the arduous task of completing my homework all at once.
Works Cited
Life Is Like Riding a Bicycle. To Keep Your Balance You Must Keep Moving – Quote Investigator®. 28 June 2015, https://quoteinvestigator.com/2015/06/28/bicycle/.
25+ How I Sleep Knowing Memes to Make You Laugh – ShutEye. 5 Dec. 2022, https://shuteye.ai/how-i-sleep-knowing-memes/.
I manage stress mainly by sleeping, but doing things I enjoy also helps mitigate stress. Most of my stress comes from schoolwork, so I often play games or surf the Internet instead. However, putting off my homework lets it pile up, which can cause even more stress, as I know I will have to do it eventually. Technology, in particular, helps deal with school-related stress. It is a nice way to unwind from a grueling day at school, and doesn’t stress me out. In fact, playing video games with family and friends is not only fun, but it is a good way to spend time with them.
I am not a user nor a proponent of most major social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat). In particular, I think that TikTok videos (which I have heard are short, often 30 seconds or less) shorten the attention span of the people using it.
In conclusion, I do believe that those social media platforms negatively affect this generation’s (including me, even though I only use Youtube) attention span, social skills, and physical health.
But when used correctly, technology can be a wonderful thing.
Core Competency Reflection
I am kind to others, and support others when they need it.
If someone needs support, whether it be with academics or simply emotional support, I am not always qualified to provide the required assistance. But when I can, I try to help. I more or less try to be kind to everyone (or, at least not outwardly rude) regardless of who they are. If my opinion of someone is less than flattering, I keep it to myself.
I participate in classroom or group activities that improve the class, school, or community.
When classroom or group activities are presented, I participate every time. I give my ideas so that they can be combined with the ideas of others to create something that can improve the classroom.
I demonstrate respectful, inclusive behaviour.
Treating everyone kindly, without discrimination, is key to fostering a community where everyone is valued, supported, and feels a sense of belonging. In a group setting, I listen to all people in a group, to make sure everyone’s opinion is heard.
In French 9, I improved my understanding of sentence structure and grammar. However, I still find speaking in French very challenging.
I am proud of my Family Tree (Arbre de Famille) project. Although it might have been lacking creativity, I am glad I managed to finish it despite it being the bottom of my priorities. I really had to push myself to even start the project, which I started a day before I was due to present.
What went well?
In the end, I got the project done and out of the way.
What might I have done differently?
Many, many things. For one, I could have started it the day it was assigned instead of leaving it in the back of my mind to rot until the day before I was presenting. The Thinking core competency could be better utilized in this situation by limiting procrastination and the endless distractions. The Communication competency could be utilized in this situation by asking for help on the project (mostly the creative aspects). Despite spending time to complete this reflection (if only because my mother would never let me hear the end of it if I failed to complete this Edublog), none of the improvements I mentioned will be applied in the near (and far) future. The kind of person I am just prevents me from telling my procrastination monkey to shut up. Instead, this “monkey” grabs me by the neck and makes me surf the Internet until a day before the due date, when the deadline monster scares him away. After that, the deadline monster forces me to complete the project (meant to be done in 2 weeks) in 24 hours. So far, I have managed to hang on, but I know this procrastinating primate will not serve me well in the future.
A) How did the use of AI assist you in developing this project?
AI (mostly ChatGPT) helped find real-life examples to strengthen my argument. Instead of trying to find information on Google, using ChatGPT worked better because AI is better at finding exactly what you’re searching for.
B) How did you ensure that the work you created was still your own, rather than just a product of the AI?
I only used AI to give me an idea of what to write about. My part of the script was written entirely by me. I did not need to “ensure” anything, because when using the AI, all I asked the AI was “examples of when violence is justified in a protest” instead of “Argument for why violence is justified in a protest”.
C) Did you agree with the position you had to argue? Why or why not?
I initially did not agree with the position I was arguing, but after some research on the subject, I began to understand that violence is necessary in some circumstances.
Core Competency Reflection
My strategies for collecting relevant information for specific tasks include…
I often use the Internet, as it’s convenient and mostly yields useful results. Rarely, I will consult another person and gather information that way.
When I need to work collaboratively with people I don’t know well, I…
In such a scenario, I work as I normally would. School assignments rarely require a connection between group members, and while it is nice to know people, it doesn’t change how I approach the assignment.
I understood, identified and explained how those forms of vegetation created economic
opportunities either directly or indirectly.
2. I understood, identified and explained the reasons for the processes of climate ( rain, snowfall,
temperature and winds ) on the town I chose.
3. I understood, identified and explained how those climate characteristics created economic
opportunities either directly or indirectly.
Core Competency Reflection
I can persevere over time to develop my ideas, and I expect setbacks and failure, but use that to develop my ideas. When I was making this project, I struggled to find things to write about. I constantly believed what I wrote was not good enough, but eventually realized that submitting a sub-par (at least by my standards) assignment is better than not doing it at all.
I can give, receive and act on feedback to progress in my goals. When I was stuck with nothing to write on this assignment, my dad gave me some ideas of what to write, which helped me complete the assignment.
I can think about what I am going to convey and to whom I will convey it. I tried to use professional language when creating this project, rather than the amateurish language normally utilized by students because a teacher, rather than a student, would be reading it.
I can analyze evidence to make judgements. While researching information for this project, I was able to deduce that Calgary would be a good place to install solar panels because it receives so much sunshine during the year.
I can develop a body of creative work over time. I want to become more creative throughout the course of high school. I much prefer straight, non-confusing assignments rather than assignments with a creative aspect involved. I need to work on this because many assignments in high school require creativity and thinking (What do YOU think? How does this connect to YOUR life? etc.) If I’m being honest, these questions (What is an example from YOUR life?) really infuriate me because my life isn’t quite that storied or interesting, which often forces me to make up events from my own life.
Why is it important to remember who benefits from the advertisement when you view an advertisement?
Recognizing who the beneficiary of an advertisement is (for example, McDonalds would benefit from an ad about their products) is important because it helps potential customers make informed decisions and avoid unsavory companies.
Choose one form of persuasion and explain why it is effective in persuading you/an audience: logical, ethical, emotional
Emotional: Emotional persuasion (pathos) is effective in persuading people because many people are easily angered, saddened, excited, or moved when viewing ads. For example, an ad about donating to cancer research plays off people’s sympathy for cancer patients, and people who see the ad may feel bad if they don’t donate.
Choose an advertising technique and explain why it is effective in selling a product.
Testimonials (particularly ones featuring famous individuals) are effective in selling a product because knowing that other people find the product useful/enjoyable inevitably increases your willingness to buy the item. Testimonials from famous people are especially effective because celebrities are thought to have more authority and thus more knowledge on the topic. This isn’t always true, but having shoes endorsed by The Rock makes those shoes seem extra special to some people.
Core Competency Reflection
An example of where I built upon someone else’s ideas is…
While I was creating my advertisement, my dad suggested that I use the phrase “If you smell what The Rock is cooking” in my ad. I decided to use it, and added a few words from The Rock telling people to buy the product.
This is how I selected images and words to create impact for my planned audience:
The image that I used was purposefully taken on a bed of rocks in my backyard because it evokes thoughts of hiking on mountains. If I had taken it in a sunlit forest, it would have failed to demonstrate the shoes’ ability to protect your feet, even in rugged terrain. One word I chose to use (“cumbersome”) highlight the benefits of Vessis as opposed to other waterproof options.
One strategy or activity that stimulated my imagination on this project was…
Looking at other ads for footwear. I tried to get an idea of how modern shoe ads were created, and incorporated some aspects into my own design. I was trying to make the ad appear modern, using muted colors for a contemporary look.
“Top 15 Internet Safety Rules and What Not to Do Online.” Www.Kaspersky.Com, 8 Sept. 2023, https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/preemptive-safety/top-10-preemptive-safety-rules-and-what-not-to-do-online.
-By committing kind acts and treating people with respect online, I make a positive difference to my peers. Every person deserves to be treated right online and in real life. By treating peers kindly and with respect, I make a positive difference that will shape the person they become. I try to have a positive influence on my peers, in hope that they will return the favor.
-Some of my preferred strategies for maintaining a healthy, balanced online presence include limiting screen time and remembering that my texts and messages can leave a lasting impression on the recipient. I try to think before I say something that could potentially hurt a person and instead choose to not say anything at all. Limiting screen time helps drag me back into reality and stop me from becoming immersed in the online world.
-Some of the ways I work to build and maintain online relationships are thinking of the other person as a living being rather than a punching bag. I know that in most cases there is another human on the receiving end of my messages. I attempt to really connect with people in a friendly, well-mannered way.
