Sarai’s English Log

 The most compelling issue connected to my research topic is how this growing reliance on technology will impact teaching and learning in the long term. With most data proving that personal technology use has a negative impact on teenagers' academic performance and attention spans, the fact that such advanced technology has not really existed for very long leaves what the long term effects of all this will be up in the air. I find it particularly interesting because I wonder how schools will adjust to this, and if the issues that technology use is causing can be reversed, or if the damage is already done. Today in class we worked on finding evidence for our chosen sources.  Doing this has helped me focus in more on each source, how they contribute to answering my research question, and what stance they have on the issue.

 Completing the annotated bibliography has helped refine how I would answer this question, now using the research I've found, an it has also helped reveal what stance I would take on this question based on the research I have done. The sources gathered have shaped my argument in that many of them show that excessive and inappropriate technology usage overall has a negative impact on teenagers' academic performance and attention spans, which is likely the side I will agree with.  Today in class we put finishing touches on our annotated bibliography. Doing this has helped me become more prepared to discuss these sources with my group mates later on.

 For me, the hardest part if the annotated bibliography was doing the evaluation. I had to actively explain why the sources were credible and reliable rather than just saying that they were. It helped me grow as a researcher because I also had to study the background of the people who wrote the sources, which is not something I've done very often, so it broadened my expertise and helped me prepare for what I need to do when I'm in college. It is preparing me for writing my paper as it assures me that the sources I've gathered are trustworthy and relate to my topic. Today in class we continued working on our annotated bibliography. Doing this has helped me learn how to effectively do research for a paper. 

 Although with my topic most of my sources took more to the negative side, the main difference I noticed between sources on the negative and positive side of the argument was that, on the positive, they tended to focus more on how technology has had a positive impact on students learning, or state that based on the data they've collected, technology usage does not have a statistically significant effect on students academic performace. On the other side of the argument, sources on the negative side tend to state how technology has caused students to perform worse on certain subjects in school, and similar things. Today in class we continued working on our research. Doing this has helped me understand my topic better, and learn more about different perspectives their are on my topic, rather than what my preconceived opinion was.

 Using GALILEO to find sources is different from how I have searched for information in the past, as it saves me time from have to sift through thousands of sources, in which many don't relate to my topic or are not reliable. Using specific search strategies allowed me to easily find sources that related to my topic, as well as find a specific type of source that was made within a certain timeframe. This helped me find higher quality sources than what I would have found through Google. In class today, we began searching for our own sources individually using GALILEO. Doing this has taught me about a different website I can use to conduct research, as well as how to, as well as shown me all the different types of sources I can use.

 In this cartoon, Trump's actions and statements are being criticized. This source suggests that Trump is using what is going on with Iran and Israel as a way to distract Americans from what he is doing himself in our country, specifically naming ICE and his "Big Beautiful Big", which are depicted to be suffocating and beating Uncle Sam, representing America. The cartoonist is asking the audience to reconsider what they are focused on in the world, and asking them to question if what Trump is doing right now, not only within our country, but also globally, is right. Today in class we practiced analyzing sources and identifying what side of the argument they should be catagorized into. Doing this has prepared me for what we will be doing in the incoming week, where we will be searching for our own sources.

 Creating a specific search phrase is different from just Googling a topic because it allows me to narrow down my search into something that is more in line with what I am looking for. It will improve the quality of my research because it will allow me to find sources that align better with my topic, as well as find better quality sources, which altogether makes the time I spend researching more impactful, as I am now able to quickly and easily find sources that are appropriate.  Today in class we did a Common Lit. I found the topic of the American Lit, the American Dream, was very interesting, and it showed me a different perspective of it, as it's not something I've thought deeply about the history of before.

 One thing that makes thing topic difficult to answer is that, when it comes to technology, while it does have its negative effects, it also has major benefits as well, and it's hard to balance the two. It is also complex in that it mostly impacts the younger generations, especially Gen Alpha and late Gen Z, as they are the first generations to grow up fully entrenched in techology in almost all aspects of their lives, and we don't fully know the life long effects of this. Understanding all points of view is important in that it allows us to not be so far on one side of the argument that you can't see the good points made on the other side. It allows you to see the nuance of the situation.  Today we picked the research question that we would focus our research on. Doing this help us set up how we were going to begin our project.

 Some challenges I have faced when working on research projects alone is having a hard time finding an adequate amount of good quality sources, and being able to find the information that best supports my argument in them. When working on research projects in groups, the biggest problems I face is certain members not contributing. These experiences will influence what I do in this current project in that it will make me be more thourough when picking my sources and making sure that everyone in the group feel included.  Today in class we began brainstorming for our research projects with our group members.  Doing this helped us think of collective ideas to focus on and get on the same page, which is important for making our group cohesive and the project go smoothly.

 If I could plan the perfect spring break, with no limitations, I would go on a trip to another country, although I'm not sure where, and I would bring my friends with me. I would want to visit different areas, try different foods, and meet new people. Today in class we did a common lit. The topic of the common lit made me think deeper about how I plan to handle my own college experience, and what I hope to get out of it.

 Chris's desire for independence contributed to death because, after finding out his death was likely due to illness cause from the moldy seeds he was eating, if he hadn't isolated himself and had a way to contact the outside world, his death could have been preventable. He would've been able to contact emergency services that could have possibly saved his life. One time I wanted complete independence over a situation was when I was trying to apply for summer programs, because most of the time my aunt is very busy and she's not able to help me with stuff for my applications, but I had to ask for her help because some of them require information from parents, so I had to wait for her help. Today in class we finished reading Into the Wild, and we also finished the movie.  In doing this, we finally figured out the most plausible reason for Christophers death, and finally understand how his journey came to an end.

 The film version changes my understanding of Chris McCandless compared to the book because, after reading the book, it made me see his actions as very foolish and irresponsible, with Krauker describing how he got rid of all his possessions and left with a clearly insufficient amount of supplies. In the movie his actions are presented in a more romaticized light, as we are able to see the deeper meaning behind why he left from his sisters narration and point of view, as well as his, and based on that, his actions seem more noble and brave, rather that just a series of bad decisions. Today in class we watched the next 40 minutes of the Into the Wild movie and answered questions about it. Doing this helped me somwhat review what we have read in the past, as well as see Christophers actions in a different light from the book.