Journal Entry
for
November 12th, 2001
Date: November 12, 2001
Journal Entry
for
November 12th, 2001
Science, Technology, and Society Topic of the Week:
Does
the Growing World Population Face Future
Food Shortages?
Educational Technology Topic of the Week: Graphics
Science, Technology, and society Topic Position:
Does the Growing World Population Face Future Food Shortages?
When first asked this question, I immediately said yes. I thought about all of the people who go hungry now, and wondered how this would change. If the population increase stays pretty steady, and the food production remains about the same, then there really is no reason to believe things will be different in the years to come. Farmers have been asked to stop harvesting a portion of their land in the US, because food production is at a high (Easton, 2000). And yet, we still can't manage feeding all of the people in this world. What does that tell us?
Lester R. Brown speaks of a major factor in increasing the probability of a food shortage. He says that the irrigation area for some states has decreased. He also says this is a major problem because farmers can't farm their land properly, or as successfully as should be done (2000). The lack of irrigation area effects the use of fertilizer, therefore effecting proper nutrition for plants, and in return, effecting plant production. there is a viscous cycle that goes on in farming, and it is in jeopardy.
However, I feel there is more to look at than irrigation. I think the food shortage scare needs to be broken down into smaller parts. Take each country for example. We have already established that people go hungry everyday. There are approximately 800 million hungry and malnourished people in this world today (2000), yet we have a surplus of food. Providing things stay the same, or even increase, where is the then produced food going to go-to the countries that already have enough food? To the countries that can afford to buy the food? To the countries that have something someone else wants? How does that make sense?
Personally, this food shortage is more like an uneven distribution problem. Perhaps making more food is not the solution. Let's try dividing it equally, then if we need more we can produce more. Maybe it is not that easy, but it is logical. Let's feed the people we have here, and as more people enter this world, there will be fewer and fewer hungry people because the food is actually being equally distributed.
If some countries have more than enough food, and other countries don't have enough, why make more? The only countries to benefit from that are the ones who can afford the food to begin with, but that is not really a benefit. They probably won't even notice, because they are not lacking it. They are not the ones who need it. It really is not that hard to see that the proposed world food shortage is already an uneven distribution of food, lets not let it progress!
Summary of Educational Technology Topic:
Graphics
In class today, we learned how to apply graphics to our web pages and other computer-related presentations. Graphics help explain, illustrate, and make enjoyable the handouts, flyers, presentations, and other items that may be created and distributed, by using a computer.
There are two types of graphics that are most commonly used: Vector and bitmaps. In class, we learned mostly about bitmaps, in order to apply them to our web pages.
For these graphics, we learned how to go to sites off the web and save graphics we like, and then apply them to our pages. However, we also learned to make our own. And let me tell you, I have a lot more respect for cartoonists now!
We were able to go into a painting and drawing program and create our own animated graphics! We drew our pictures, and then saved them, each one a little differently, so when they came up, it would look like they were moving on our computer screen! It takes a while to do, and I can't imagine how long it must take for a cartoonist!
All in all, learning to use and create graphics was pretty simple. I definitely think they add character to the desired presentation, and they are kinda fun to make!
Graphics Webfolio Implementation Possibilities:
Graphics definitely create personality in the webfolio. A complete change from just a plain page to one with pictures, backgrounds, and animations is quite inviting to the eye! Graphics illustrate what is trying to be said, and they also add "eye candy" to the page!
In my webfolio, I have used many graphics that represent things I like, things I am trying to say, and things that add something catching to the page! Many of the graphics I have used, introduce a person to the page. They are really catching, so people are encouraged to look at the rest of the page!
Graphics ar really simple to add to the webfolio, and there are all
sorts of sites to go to, if you don't make your own. However, always
make sure to give credit to the sites you have used for graphics, it is
only fair!
Ways to Improve This Class Session:
I really enjoyed this class! I pretty much already knew how to add graphics to my pages, but to make our own, that was a lot of fun! I feel the class was slow enough to understand how to make the graphics, and it was a great opportunity to learn new computer programs as well. Everything went really well. I think people are starting to get the hang of things, so everything is running smoother in class now!
Reflection on Potential Classroom Use:
In the classroom, students can use graphics to put in reports, projects, or even flyers to hang up in the classroom or around school to advertise something. Students can also have time to make greeting cards and banners, using graphics. I used to have a chance to make pictures and cards for people when I was in school, and it was always a lot of fun just making them and handing them out-knowing I created them!
Students really can have a lot of fun exploring the possibilities with graphics! Teachers can ask for help from the students in designing newsletters and such to send home. They can also have graphics in the school newspaper, that maybe the students would be able to work on. If the school has a newspaper, the younger students would be able to pick out the graphics, while the older students did more of the layout and writing for the paper.
I think graphics can really extend the possibilities in the classroom. The children should know how to use graphics, and teachers should as well. Newsletters, posters, and banners are all things teachers use in their classrooms-why not make them more interesting with graphics?!
Also, some classes and schools may have their own websites. Let
the students each have their own page, or let each class have their own
page, and they can put graphics on there that represent their personalities!
The opportunities are endless!
Outside Sources Pertaining to the Growing World Population and a Food Shortage:
The sites below are pertaining to the population and food shortage. To get more information, and other points of view on the subject, click below!
Science, Technology
&
Society
| 1. "Who's hungry? And how do we know? Food shortage, poverty, and deprivation" | This site offers information on world food shortages, nationwide and regional. It also discusses major causes of world food shortages and food deprivation. | http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu22we/uu22we00.htm#Contents |
| 2. "Genetically Modified Food-Safety a Concern" | This article claims food shortage is a major concern of the world. In order to prevent a food shortage, this article supports the production of genetically modified food. Read here to find out more about it. | http://www.jlm.cuhk.edu.hk/varsity/9912/science2.html |
Sources Pertaining to Computer Graphics:
The following sources offer some insight and information on use for computer graphics, and possible sites to find free graphics! Yes, free graphics!
Technical
Resources
| 3. "Creating Graphics for the Web" | This site explains how to create graphics for the computer. It also describes the differences between .gif and .jpg graphics. Click here to learn how to apply graphics to your work! | http://www.widearea.co.uk/designer/ |
| 4. "Clipart Connection" | This site offers many great links to free clipart, animation, and background images for sites! Enjoy! | http://www.clipartconnection.com/ |
| 5. "Graphics for Teachers" | Click here to find many interesting graphics, sets, and backgrounds all related to schools and education! | http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Thebes/9893/graphic1.html |
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