This week has been a full week of posting because I am playing catch up. The ninth journal was a bit different in that it is just a simple list of things that have been meaningful to me this year. More on all of that later, but here is my list! Journal #9:
0 Comments
For this particular journal we, as a class, were asked take a break from the argumentative writing and take some time to give feedback and share our perspective on online learning. Journal #8 As a teacher, I see both sides of the challenges of online learning. In many ways, I feel like, for classes such as this, it is easier and faster because I don’t have to jump in my car and drive to school to attend class, and I don’t feel as though my learning is suffering. Yes, I miss personal interaction, but as far as the class is concerned, it has been a pretty easy experience. With all that being said, as a music major, my other classes tend to be a bit more frustrating to have online. I find that music cannot truly be learned or appreciated through a screen. There is something about live and in-person music and musical teaching that makes such a difference. I know when I’m teaching a student online, I often wonder if the student is comprehending what I’m saying and I wish, in those moments, that I could reach through the screen and just show them. As a student on the other side of the screen, I feel like I am missing out on a large part of my education because in learning and listening to music over glitchy internet connections, many things are missed. In short, I somewhat feel that this, my senior year, is a complete joke. With all that being said, I know I'm not alone in this and cannot/should not complain. However, I do hope for the sake of those who come after me that things in the school world will quickly approach being back in person so that music students such as myself can receive not only the full benefit of in-person musical teaching but also get their money's worth. This post's journal topic is coming about two weeks late simply because my schedule has been such that even though I wrote out the assignment, I haven't yet been able to post it... The topic got a bit political for me because of the time frame during which I wrote. It was right after the first presidential debate, therefore all my comments alluding to the debate were in reference to the first debate. I felt that the second debate was conducted in a far more professional and respectful manner than the first. Journal #7 Debates, in my mind, should be more formal in conduct. Though they could and should get heated and deep, they should never become a brawl. Argumentation just sounds slightly less formal. While there are arguments presented in debates, the whole idea of an argument sounds a bit less respectful of another’s opinions. While I would like to say that the presidential debates well represented a good idea of what a respectful debate should entail, unfortunately, I would say that both men did not come close. What was presented by these men was nothing more than a childish argument. The vice-presidential debate was more so an example of what an actual debate should be. One of the biggest things in argumentation in the debate scene is understanding the opponent’s point of view. In that, it is easier to convey your point of view in a way that helps the other person see your viewpoint in a clear way. First off, happy October! My goodness, I'm so incredibly grateful that it is finally October of this crazy year 2020 that has become an adjective of all things gone wrong. So before I get into the next section of journals for my class, I wanted to take a break and just sit in the essence of October and relish in all of its fall glory. October always reminds me that I need to take a step back and be grateful for all the things that I can see God's hand in; the good, the bad, the hard, the easy, the beautiful, the ugly....all of it. This October I am especially grateful for the change in the color of the leaves, cooler temperatures, a cozy room to call home, my leather journal, my leather boots, freshly brewed coffee, friends to share it with, and those same friends who will sit down and have a deep intensional conversation with me. Out of all of those things I just mentioned, I think the conversations might be my favorite. Not having those deep conversations with friends during the earlier part of the year made me see, in a new light, how much value there is in those deep connections. Let me now get out of my October musings and into the new topics for my class. The literacy narrative portion is complete and we are headed into the argumentative writing portion. We've been asked to start small and just write what comes to mind when we hear the word "argument." So, journal #6, here we go.
When I think of the word “argument,” I think of political debates and apologetics. I envision courtroom scenes, and then of course there’s the image of little kids having a spat about whose turn it is or whose toy is whose. I think that often the word argument could have a negative connotation but I think it could also be positive. For instance, when one is showing their argument for a court case to prove one's innocence or laying out a list of facts to show why they believe what they believe, these would be what I would consider positive arguments. Certainly, there are negative arguments but when it comes to debates I feel that arguments can be healthy. It is a chance to hash out a topic and discover people's points of view. All that being said, I think that the word "debate" is a better word for positive arguments, but more on that later. That's all for now! Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather and this amazing month we call October! Go put on your flannels, jeans, and leather boots, get a cup of coffee, go to a pumpkin patch and enjoy the essence of fall. It is wonderful. Journal #5 I often find myself focusing on the bad side of quarantine and all the hard things I had to deal with and face as a teacher, a student, and someone who genuinely thrives when I’m in community with friends. I think it is really important to focus on the positive things that came from the huge change that hit the world. For me, one of those positive outcomes was the fact that I got into a daily routine in which every single morning for about three months was exactly the same. I would wake up early, get some coffee, spend some time with the Lord, then go take a long bike ride. When I got back to the house I would get my workday underway. Creating those rhythms and sticking to them for three months allowed me to stick with some of them even now that things are starting to get busy again. I obviously can’t take a long bike ride every morning, and I definitely miss it, but the rhythm of getting up early, spending time with the Lord, getting some exercise in, and then getting the rest of my day going in a healthy way has stuck. I now wake up early enough to where I’m not scrambling last minute to get out of the door in the morning. I can get so much more done in a day when I get up early and have a good solid hour to just ease into my day instead of waking up late and running late for the rest of the day. If nothing else, I came out of quarantine with a new appreciation for a more simple, unhurried way of life. The hurry that I experienced before the quarantine was unsettling. The new rhythms I have set in place for every morning are grounding. Never underestimate the power of a good morning routine. |
About Me
Hi! My name is Bethany. I'm so glad you've stopped in at my little corner of the internet! By way of introduction, I am a wife, musician, teacher, coffee lover, baker, nature lover, writer, and most importantly, I am a follower of Jesus. I'm super thankful that the Lord has given me this little outlet to share some of the things He has taught me, things that have inspired me, changed me or just gotten me excited about living life. My prayer is that what you read and see here will be an encouragement to your heart, bring you joy, and maybe even inspire you! Archives
December 2020
Categories
All
|