As you may know, I have chosen music as my topic for both my persuasive and advocacy assignments. The question is how do I want to convince people to take action for music education and support. The seemingly most common and most obvious idea would be to do a commercial because that was an example that we were shown in class. I personally don’t want to do a commercial just because I want to do something a little different. What I’m really thinking about doing is a song or a poem because what better way to advocate the importance of music than expressing it through its own medium? The problem with this idea is I have to write up a poem or come up with a song idea. This isn’t too terribly difficult, but I want to make sure that I do a good job with it. So, I better work diligently.

After many instances of changing my mind, I believe I finally found the topic for my persuasive essay. Originally, I wanted to do the essay on the benefits of video gaming because it’s something that really isn’t thought about too much. However, that is a problem because the persuasive essay is supposed to be about a significant social issue. So, I eventually decided that I would do my essay on music, music education, and playing music. I believe it’s a significant issue because music programs all across the United States are struggling due to lack of funding. Many schools across the country give much more funding to sports programs, and as a result, the music programs are suffering. I think this is a good topic because as a trombonist and a former drum major, I definitely have personal experiences that I could link to the topic, and I feel very strongly about music. I believe once I truly get the ball rolling, I will easily be able to find credible sources to support my claims. Let me know what you think

Have a good weekend

Deliberation is a wonderful thing. It allows both large and small groups of people to get a better opinions on certain issues while sharing their own in a non-hostile, productive way. Being a moderator during one of these deliberation sessions is a great thing too because it grants the privilege of controlling the direction and flow of the conversation while making sure that all of the important topics get covered. My moderation philosophy may turn out being very different than others, but that’s actually a good thing in my opinion.

When I was a moderator, I felt that the hardest part was getting the conversation rolling. I think this is because at the beginning, no one really has anything to build off of or continue from which makes it harder to find exactly what to say. On the other hand, the deliberation progressed much more smoothly once initial thoughts had been shared and a baseline for the conversation was set.

I myself think that being a moderator is ok, but it is not personally for me. I’m more of a deliberation person, and I like being able to get the opinions of everyone on a certain issue whilst being able to contribute mine to add another viewpoint to the pool of thoughts. Being a moderator may allow you to control the direction of the deliberation, but since you are not supposed to actually participate within the conversation, it can lead to you having many strong opinions about the issue while being forced to keep them to yourself. Being a moderator is not about being the dictator who tells people what to talk about at all times. It’s more about making sure that the deliberation is enjoyable and beneficial to everyone involved by making sure no one person dominates the conversation and by keeping the topics fresh.

By this time, everyone in the class has gotten at least one chance to moderate a deliberation session. So I will be sharing my thoughts on how I think it went within my own group’s deliberation session.

When I was a moderator, I felt that the hardest part was getting the conversation rolling. I think this is because at the beginning, no one really has anything to build off of or continue from which makes it harder to find exactly what to say. On the other hand, the deliberation progressed much more smoothly once initial thoughts had been shared and a baseline for the conversation was set.

I myself think that being a moderator is ok, but it is not personally for me. I’m more of a deliberation person, and I like being able to get the opinions of everyone on a certain issue whilst being able to contribute mine to add another viewpoint to the pool of thoughts. Being a moderator may allow you to control the direction of the deliberation, but since you are not supposed to actually participate within the conversation, it can lead to you having many strong opinions about the issue while being forced to keep them to yourself.

Moderation is definitely a skill that everyone should get at least a little experience with, but there’s no doubt that it doesn’t fit the personalities of everyone involved. Some will enjoy moderation and staying out of the deliberation while some will enjoy sharing and contributing thoughts to the deliberation. Both kinds of people are essential to making a deliberation successful.

Have a good weekend and Have fun at THON!

Everyone in the class will get their own chance to moderate a deliberation session, and I’m sure that everyone will have something different to bring to the table in terms of moderation techniques. I’m actually used to being the person that is in the deliberation as I love to get everyone’s perspective on issues and discuss them. So, being the moderator will be a tiny bit different for me, but I have been a mediator of sorts in certain situations. Hopefully that gives me enough know how to make me at least a decent moderator. Since I’m all about hearing all sides of a certain issue, I’ll be sure that no person totally dominates the deliberation because at that point, it’s no longer a deliberation.

Now for my personal stance on the issue that we are talking about. Gen Eds are something that are a pretty hot topic for discussion amongst both students and the administration. I myself don’t have an incredibly strong opinion about gen eds and how they should be incorporated into our education. I don’t mind taking general education classes, but I do think that they should get rid of the categories of the gen eds like GA, GH, GS, and GQ. Then, students would be allowed to take whatever gen eds that they want. That would mean students are taking classes that they feel are more relevant and enjoyable to them, and that would undoubtedly make everyone happier.

What’s your opinion on the gen ed system? Let me know in the comments

Have a Good Weekend.

Here is the final copy of my This I Believe Podcast.

This I Believe: The Power of Orchestral Music

By Khalil Hill

Recorded in Pattee Media Commons, 2/2/2014

Sources:

Rodgers, Richard. South Pacific Overture. 1949. Reenacted in 2006. MP3

Saint-Saens, Camille. Danse Macabre. 1874. MP3

“Lobby Conversation” and “Alliance” Apple Loops. Created using Garageband.

As I am putting the finishing touches on my “This I Believe” podcast, I am supposed to let you listen to the first paragraph of what I have thus far. Unfortunately, my appointment to record isn’t until today at 3:30. So, I will let you read the first paragraph and I’ll post the recording later today. Let me know what you think.

I walk into the crowded venue, filled with people overflowing with excitement at what comes next. The lights go down, and the conductor steps onto his podium. He holds his arms up, as if he is going to command the very oceans themselves. What happens next is something like nothing else on Earth. At the first wave of his arms, a cascade of the most beautiful music fills the room, enveloping every person in the venue. I am at an orchestra concert. 

Have a great weekend.