reboloke's blog

I think most Progressive U users are here for the same reasons – to get scholarship money and to express their opinions – but we've all come from different backgrounds. Since a person's background and where they are in life can have a huge effect on their ideas and opinions, I am curious about the demographics of Pro U users. I have created several polls with questions about user demographics (religion, gender, age, and high school education), and would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to answer them.  Read More »

Since there are so many new users on Progressive U, I've been wanting to post some blog writing and commenting tips I've come up with during the time I've been using this site. While these tips are my own opinions, and it isn't required that you follow them, I have heard other users express similar opinions. I hope these tips don't seem condescending or rude. I know nobody is perfect, and I don't expect posts to be perfect, but I hope these tips will help you to improve you write and earn the respect that many Progressive U users desire.

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In light of the recent shooting at an Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, the Amish community has been receiving a lot of attention. This attention includes prayers, money, and lots of media attention. Most people are giving this attention because they care, but not all of this attention is consistent with Amish beliefs.

The Amish do not take pictures of people or willingly have their pictures taken (I think this is because of biblical rules against having “graven images”). If you've been paying close attention to the newscasts on this story you may have noticed that neighbors spoke on camera, but none of the Amish families or community leaders spoke on camera. Even though the Amish do not wish to go on camera and have not spoken on camera, they have been taped, and these tapes have been shown on the news. I understand wanting a visual to go with a big news story, but I find vooming in on the faces of people who have chosen for religious reasons not to have their pictures taken offensive.  Read More »

Back in June, during the heat of a closing scholarship competition, someone started a Coalition Against Bad Blogging (CABB). It has provided a space for many people to vent about the misuse and abuse of this site by users who appeared more interested in monetary gain then progress, but I don't believe it has provided the most productive outlet for constructive criticism. The negative cognitions of the name (fighting rather then supportive, saying bad blogs rather then good blogs that could be better) do not encourage users who would like constructive criticism to seek input on their writing from the coalition.  Read More »

Within the past year it's been on the news that at least one school in my area is segregating some of it's classes by gender. When designing these gender specific classes special attention is payed to the differences between how boys typically learn and how girls typically learn, but do these classes really do a better job of reaching students?

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I recently had a conversation with a parent who said one of their children's teachers does not feel children should be given consequences. She said that the teacher says consequences plant a seed of guilt in the child, and make them feel like they're a bad person. I think I understand where the teacher is coming from, however I feel it is important for children to be given consequences. Read on to find out why....  Read More »