Dec 29, 2015 Discussion

Welcome back! A few days here and another long weekend to come!
Here's an easy question for you this time. Easy to understand, but please really think about it and provide a full answer for discussion.

If you could go back in time and speak to your younger self, what advice would you give?

eg. something you should not do, something you should do, someone you should/shouldn't meet, somewhere you should/shouldn't go, something you should/shouldn't buy, etc. Make sure to think of more than just these examples.

See you in class!

Matthew

Dec 16 2015 Discussion Topic

Please think about these topics and be ready to discuss them in class. Have some reasons for your argument ready!

1) The customer is always right.
Please agree or disagree with the statement and have reason for your answer.

2)Exploring space is a waste of time.
Please agree or disagree with the statement and have reason for your answer.

See you in class!

Matthew

Dec 9, 2015 Blog Topic

Hi everybody!

This question is a little bit different than the usual questions I post.

Please go to http://comemakeyourmark.ca/

This website has a lot of information on the NorthWestTerritory in Canada. The capital of this territory is Yellowknife.

Please scroll down the to bottom of the page and use these links to search for information.
What are the positives of living in NWT?
What are the negatives of living in NWT?
Do you think housing prices are high?
What do you think of the climate (weather)?
Would you want to live there?
Would you want to raise children in the NWT?
What kind of activies can you do in the NWT? Do any of these interest you?

Have fun!

Matthew

Dec 2, 2015 Discussion Topic

The topic today will be garbage and recycling.

There are many signs up in the subway cars that say people in apartments are not recycling. I have a few questions about this.

1) Does it seem easy to recycle here in Toronto?
2) Should we blame the people who live in apartments, or the landlords for not making it easier to recycle?
3) Should there be a fine if people are caught throwing recycling in the garbage?
4) Is there a recycling program in your home city?
5) Can anything be recycled in your home city?
6) Do you recycle here? Do you recycle in your home city?
7) Do you think that recycling really helps the environment?

Try to think of other questions you'd like to discuss also. 

See you in class!

Matthew

Nov 25, 2015 Discussion

Hello all,

Here it is!

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63XsokRPV_Y

-       an epidemic of beauty sickness Renee Engeln

-       

1) Which do you think is more important, health, or appearance?

2) Would you take medicine to cure an appearance problem (for example, acne or serious pimples) even though it might negatively affect your health?

3) Do you think our culture is too worried about appearance?

4) If someone dies because they were taking a prescribed drug, whose fault is it? The company that makes the drug, the government for allowing the drug to me prescribed, the doctor for prescribing the drug, or the patient for choosing to take the drug?

5) Who puts more pressure on girls to be beautiful? Men or Women?

6) If you were rich, would you choose a very nice house, cosmetic surgery, or a world vacation?

Nov 17 2015 Discussion Topic

RFID student tracking blog discussion (40min) – Nov 18 2015

http://www.wired.com/2012/09/rfid-chip-student-monitoring/

Please read the above article before class begins.

1)   If you were a parent, would you want the school to be able to track (follow using a computer) your child?

2)   If you were a student, would you want your school to be able to track you?

a.     Would you change or tamper with the tracking device in your student ID?

3)   Do students need a student ID in your home country?

4)   What kind of students do you think this tracking system would benefit (be good for)?

5)   The schools would be spending a lot of money on these new tracking systems? Do you think this is a smart way to spend money? Will it make the kids safer?

Nov 3 2015 Blog Discussion

Let's talk about this!

1) Should people who are caught driving drunk have to have special license plates that say their are a danger on the road on their cars?

Please consider this and be ready for class tomorrow.

Think hard.

Matthew

Wed, Oct 28 15 Blog Discussion

Today, you have a few questions to consider. Please look up any words that you do not understand and make sure you are prepared to discuss these in class. Thanks!

Should people who have drug and/or alcohol problems have their children taken away from them by the government?

If yes, how long should they be taken away for?
If no, what should be do to protect the children?

Is workaholism as bad a alcoholism or drug use?

Which is worse, kids with uncaring parents, or kids with no parents?

Oct 21 2015 Blog discussion

Before you watch the video below, please think about these questions.

1) What dangerous things did you do when you were a kid?
2) What activities did your parents allow you to do when you were a kid?
3) Does doing dangerous, but fun, activities help children become better adults?
4) Is today's world worrying too much about children's safety?

Now please watch the video

http://www.ted.com/talks/gever_tulley_on_5_dangerous_things_for_kids#t-543649

5) Do you agree with this presenter?

6) Would you want your children to attend his camp?

7) Which activities do you really disagree with and think would be too dangerous?

See you in class!

Matthew