KinderFrogs is the local space that I wish to analyze as my public space. I feel that this space suits me perfectly. I wish to work with children and especially those with special needs such as Downs Syndrome. The kiddos at KinderFrogs are just like the children I'd work with as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Observing these children in this environment will prepare me for my job.
I have scheduled time in my planner to observe Wednesday at around 1:00, Thursday around 1:00, and Friday after 11:oo to 1:00 or 1:30. I am quite excited about these observations. I haven't seen the kids for a little while as my schedule is a little crazy this semester. I was able to interact a lot more with them last semester and even more my Freshman year.
I believe that this space is a great environment for children. This space is really quite unique as it is part of the University and is one of few special needs schools like it. The audiences that are affected by this space include the children as well as their parents. These kids are very unique and are in an environment that promotes their learning and social interaction.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Unit 1: Post 3 (January 24, 2009)
Local spaces I am a member of...well, there are several. First, I am a member of TCU. TCU is a very diverse space and can be broken down into many different individual spaces. One of these spaces I belong to would be Speech Pathology in the Miller Speech and Hearing Clinic where I spend the majority of my existence. It seems like I am either in classes there, or going there for language labs, or going there to observe as a junior clinician. Essentially, it is my second home.
Another space of which I am a member is that of Eta Iota Sigma, the Christian sorority here on campus. I love that group of girls. They are basically family to me. I know that I can always find someone to trust or even a shoulder to cry on. They are there whenever you need them for whatever reason. I know that my college experience would be very different (in a bad way) had I not joined them.
One space on campus that I love is KinderFrogs. Those kids are so amazing! I mainly work with the four year olds, but I have had experience with the younger ones as well. They are the exact representation of the children I want to work with as a speech pathologist. Just spending time with them makes me so happy. They are very loving kids who only want love in return. I don't think I've ever gotten through a visit there without a hug from one of them. They are so innocent and wear their emotions plainly on their faces. Of all the spaces I consider myself a member of, my favorite one would have to be KinderFrogs.
Another space of which I am a member is that of Eta Iota Sigma, the Christian sorority here on campus. I love that group of girls. They are basically family to me. I know that I can always find someone to trust or even a shoulder to cry on. They are there whenever you need them for whatever reason. I know that my college experience would be very different (in a bad way) had I not joined them.
One space on campus that I love is KinderFrogs. Those kids are so amazing! I mainly work with the four year olds, but I have had experience with the younger ones as well. They are the exact representation of the children I want to work with as a speech pathologist. Just spending time with them makes me so happy. They are very loving kids who only want love in return. I don't think I've ever gotten through a visit there without a hug from one of them. They are so innocent and wear their emotions plainly on their faces. Of all the spaces I consider myself a member of, my favorite one would have to be KinderFrogs.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Unit 1: Post 2 (January 15, 2009)
Well, there are many different arguments that confront us on many levels. These appeal to whatever the people think they can use to win us over, whether that be through our emotions, logic, or ethics. The most common thing that always affects me is the emotional appeal. Once I feel the pull on my heart, it's very hard not to commit to whatever the charity is.
One such pathos argument that I recently saw involved the ASPCA, essentially the protective force for animals like dogs and cats. The entire commercial showed all these animals in delapidated states; a dog was missing his eye and another was so emaciated, the bones of his ribs were clearly visible. The whole while you are watching these sad, pitiful animals, there is "Arms of an Angel" (not sure if that's what it's really called) by Sarah McLachlan playing in the background. That song by itself is often enough to get me teary-eyed. I have to say that it was a very potent combination and had me wanting to pick up my phone and call the number. Especially when they say that it only costs "pennies a day" or some such small amount of money. The listener can't help but think of the coffee that they could do without once a week to support this worthy cause...
The majority of arguments that are made on this pathos appeal also involve parts of ethos and logos. For instance, the ASPCA commercial I was just describing was stating all of these statistics to appeal to those of us who require some logic before we act on anything. The fact that the ASPCA is a well-known force that has its own officers, who starred in "Animal Precint" on Animal Planet, gives the commercial both authority and credibility to form an ethos appeal. The fact that Sarah McLachlan speaks as well, appealing people to donate, lends as well to an ethos appeal.
One such pathos argument that I recently saw involved the ASPCA, essentially the protective force for animals like dogs and cats. The entire commercial showed all these animals in delapidated states; a dog was missing his eye and another was so emaciated, the bones of his ribs were clearly visible. The whole while you are watching these sad, pitiful animals, there is "Arms of an Angel" (not sure if that's what it's really called) by Sarah McLachlan playing in the background. That song by itself is often enough to get me teary-eyed. I have to say that it was a very potent combination and had me wanting to pick up my phone and call the number. Especially when they say that it only costs "pennies a day" or some such small amount of money. The listener can't help but think of the coffee that they could do without once a week to support this worthy cause...
The majority of arguments that are made on this pathos appeal also involve parts of ethos and logos. For instance, the ASPCA commercial I was just describing was stating all of these statistics to appeal to those of us who require some logic before we act on anything. The fact that the ASPCA is a well-known force that has its own officers, who starred in "Animal Precint" on Animal Planet, gives the commercial both authority and credibility to form an ethos appeal. The fact that Sarah McLachlan speaks as well, appealing people to donate, lends as well to an ethos appeal.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Unit 1: ICW Ch 1 (January 14, 2009)
What you found new, interesting, or surprising about Chapter 1. Well, the main point of interest in chapter 1 was that everything's an argument. When I first read the title of the book, I was thinking, "Yea right. Everything CAN'T be an argument." I must say that my mind is definitely changed. Chapter 1 broke down all the different types of arguments that surround us on a day-to-day basis. For example, everything from the clothes you choose to the sign you read when crossing a street is an argument in some form or fashion. It was also fascinating that the connotation of argument in the book is more positive than what is usually associated with the word.
There were many more types of argument pointed out in the chapter than I even thought was possible. Arguments about the past (forensic arguments), present (epideictic arguments), and future (deliberative arguments). There are arguments to convince, explore, inform, to make decisions, and even ones to meditate or pray. All of which I wasn't aware of until reading about them. It is surprising that now I know about them, I do pick up on the arguments that are around us.
What did I resist? Well, I was very resistive to the whole concept that everything is an argument. I didn't really start to believe it until I was more than halfway through the first chapter of reading. I still have trouble seeing the argument being made in some things. For example, one of the pictures of an "argument" is a sign for a hurricane shelter. I still haven't quite figured out where the argument is in that. The book calls signs and ads, as well as other things, "arguments to inform." I will admit that they do inform people and that they are necessary due to this fact. I guess my mind is resistant to the idea that all the signs I see are making an argument.
There were many more types of argument pointed out in the chapter than I even thought was possible. Arguments about the past (forensic arguments), present (epideictic arguments), and future (deliberative arguments). There are arguments to convince, explore, inform, to make decisions, and even ones to meditate or pray. All of which I wasn't aware of until reading about them. It is surprising that now I know about them, I do pick up on the arguments that are around us.
What did I resist? Well, I was very resistive to the whole concept that everything is an argument. I didn't really start to believe it until I was more than halfway through the first chapter of reading. I still have trouble seeing the argument being made in some things. For example, one of the pictures of an "argument" is a sign for a hurricane shelter. I still haven't quite figured out where the argument is in that. The book calls signs and ads, as well as other things, "arguments to inform." I will admit that they do inform people and that they are necessary due to this fact. I guess my mind is resistant to the idea that all the signs I see are making an argument.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Unit 1: Post 1 (January 12, 2009)
Hi, my name is Megan. I am a sophomore speech pathology student at TCU. I am originally from Germantown, TN which is close to Memphis. I moved to Georgetown, TX about nine years ago and am finally starting to feel like an actual 'Texan.' I have one sibling, two parents, and four hundred fish. I don't own any dogs or cats, just seafood. We have a pond in our backyard that is nearly considered a lake. I have owned various reptiles and my brother is a reptile breeder who owns bearded dragons and rattlesnakes among many other things.
I took this course because it was required for graduation and hence for my major. I don't often write things, but I would like to learn how to be a better writer as I will have to write things at all stages of life. Writing is similar to math; you might not enjoy doing it, but you will never escape it and might as well get the most out of the experience.
I do not tend to do a lot of writing outside of what is required of me for classes. I did take an Introduction to Creative Writing class last semester (I thought it would count for something in the Core...but it didn't). For that class, we wrote everything from short stories to poetry. I actually found that I can pass for a competent writer and rather enjoyed the poetry unit. For some reason, I simply cannot find the motivation to sit down and write unless it is assigned to me. As I said, I never thought much of my writing ability until I was told by several people that my writing wasn't half bad. I don't really hold any personal feelings on this matter though and leave it up to my peers to let me know how well I can create prose.
I am a member of many communities. First, I am a transplant Texan. Essentially, I was born elsewhere and now live in this state of Texas. While I don't feel the overwhelming pride that often goes with being a member of the Lonestar State, I do feel my loyalty growing each day I live here. Second, I am a member of the TCU community. This is a major aspect of my identity because I find that it tests my intelligence and increases my ability to truly participate in the 'real world.' Under the umbrella of the TCU community, I am also a member of Speech Pathology. This is part of my identity because my major sets out what I will do with my life after school. I am very excited about things to come and I have already found myself diagnosing kids I babysit or socialize with. I would like to work with special needs children and therefore have ingratiated myself with the students of Kinderfrogs. They are remarkable kids and I can't wait to work with others that are like them. Another community I am a part of is Eta Iota Sigma, the Christian sorority on campus. HIS is filled with wonderful women that are almost like a family to me. I am very grateful to be a part of it.
Everything is an argument whether we realize it or not. For instance, one argument I make in this blog is that what I am saying is worth posting on the Internet for many people to read. I make other arguments as well. I introduce myself by including my education level and my major, as I see these as part of my identity. Others may not see that this information is important while I have made an argument that it is. For the layout of my blog, I chose white and green as I believe that these are pleasing colors to the eye, however, others might think these clash and are even painful to look at. I believe that the argument that I have made is one of personal opinion. Essentially, it is my own personal opinion that what I have said is important and should be read. The fact that I finished this on time shows that I am dedicated to this course and want to succeed in it. That, is an argument of what is success in my eyes.
*I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus, which I see as a contract for our course.*
~Megan H~
I took this course because it was required for graduation and hence for my major. I don't often write things, but I would like to learn how to be a better writer as I will have to write things at all stages of life. Writing is similar to math; you might not enjoy doing it, but you will never escape it and might as well get the most out of the experience.
I do not tend to do a lot of writing outside of what is required of me for classes. I did take an Introduction to Creative Writing class last semester (I thought it would count for something in the Core...but it didn't). For that class, we wrote everything from short stories to poetry. I actually found that I can pass for a competent writer and rather enjoyed the poetry unit. For some reason, I simply cannot find the motivation to sit down and write unless it is assigned to me. As I said, I never thought much of my writing ability until I was told by several people that my writing wasn't half bad. I don't really hold any personal feelings on this matter though and leave it up to my peers to let me know how well I can create prose.
I am a member of many communities. First, I am a transplant Texan. Essentially, I was born elsewhere and now live in this state of Texas. While I don't feel the overwhelming pride that often goes with being a member of the Lonestar State, I do feel my loyalty growing each day I live here. Second, I am a member of the TCU community. This is a major aspect of my identity because I find that it tests my intelligence and increases my ability to truly participate in the 'real world.' Under the umbrella of the TCU community, I am also a member of Speech Pathology. This is part of my identity because my major sets out what I will do with my life after school. I am very excited about things to come and I have already found myself diagnosing kids I babysit or socialize with. I would like to work with special needs children and therefore have ingratiated myself with the students of Kinderfrogs. They are remarkable kids and I can't wait to work with others that are like them. Another community I am a part of is Eta Iota Sigma, the Christian sorority on campus. HIS is filled with wonderful women that are almost like a family to me. I am very grateful to be a part of it.
Everything is an argument whether we realize it or not. For instance, one argument I make in this blog is that what I am saying is worth posting on the Internet for many people to read. I make other arguments as well. I introduce myself by including my education level and my major, as I see these as part of my identity. Others may not see that this information is important while I have made an argument that it is. For the layout of my blog, I chose white and green as I believe that these are pleasing colors to the eye, however, others might think these clash and are even painful to look at. I believe that the argument that I have made is one of personal opinion. Essentially, it is my own personal opinion that what I have said is important and should be read. The fact that I finished this on time shows that I am dedicated to this course and want to succeed in it. That, is an argument of what is success in my eyes.
*I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus, which I see as a contract for our course.*
~Megan H~
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