Unplugged

1. New media legacy is the ability to comprehend, read, and respond in a short time.

2. I think it kind of isn't smart to teach new literature in school because that's giving the students another reason to stay hooked on electric devices during school. Outside of school is another thing!

3. If i was a teacher I think the best way to teach kids about media usage would be by showing/telling them to manage they're media hours during school because it can affect the outcome of your grades. The activities i would set up would be like having a non-electronic period where all your doing is school work for about 30 minutes without touching/glancing at a electronic.

4. I am distracted by my device(s) because I tend to get bored easily during class so I would feel the need of using my device during that class. It doesn't really impact on my learning because i can always put the device away anytime I'm about to do work or take notes.

5. My media life doesn't really affect my non-school activities because Im not in school and I can use my device(s) whenever I want to.

6. I won't really use some of the suggestions because at the end of the day, I'm going to use my device(s) no matter where I am!

Unplugged Questions

1. New Media Literacy is new technology used today, like cell phones, laptops, TVs, etc.

2. Yes because new media has become a big part of our culture today, and you need to know how to use these devices for jobs and everyday life.

3. I would teach kids how to use applications on the computer such as Microsoft Word, and other Microsoft Offices applications. I would teach them those because they can use that for school work and use it for future projects and work.

4. I don't really get distracted by devices during class, but if we are using a computer during class I might get a little side tracked. I do however get distracted by devices when I'm doing my homework, because I'm not in class.

5. It doesn't really affect my non-school activities because when I have something else to do, like practice or a game, I won't really use any devices besides my iPod.

6. I'll probably put away all devices and hang out with friends and family without using them.

Unplugged Response

A lot of brand new technology that is widely available and accessible. New media is being able to understand the media that is rapidly changing around us. Kids have to be pretty familiar with all the new media to do almost every job. I think that the media is important to learn and should be taught in schools. With that said I also think that we need to stick to the basics and teach classic school subjects. You need to learn how to read the classic books as much as you need to know the new media. If I were a teacher I would try to balance the new media and the traditional subjects. I would set up activities that incorporated both things, for example a blogging assignment about a book that you read. The balance of those things are a critical point to being a teacher.


I am not really distracted by devices at school. I usually leave my phone on my locker and that is all I bring. When I am doing my homework at home that is when I get really distracted. I will be trying to write a paper on the computer and have a face-book tab open and I will spend more time on Face-book then on my paper. I will be trying to decide wether to do my homework or watch t.v and will pick t.v. Then I wont start my homework till really late at night. It impacts my learning because I could get better grades if I spent more time on my homework. Media does not really affect my non-school activities because I choose to do those. I am more interested so I am not getting distracted because I have the choose if I want to do those things.


I will try to do some of the things suggested in the article. It is easier said then done. Everyday even if i don't need to, I go on face-book to check what's going on. If I don't for a day I feel like I am missing something. I do agree with these tips and I don't want to not be able to control my media use so I will try these tips.

CLICK FOR DEFINITION OF NEW MEDIA

Unplugged

New media literacy is education for 21st century. I think that it is important to teach new media literacy in schools but at the same time let the the kids explore for them selves. Also it's important because if schools don't teach and use media in school, students will find it "boring" and because of the media that is greatly increasing every day, it will be harder for kids to stay more on task in school and many more kids will drop out more than before.

If I was a teacher, I would think that it is important to teach kids about media use. Some activities would include typing games on the computer, letter and word games. But at the same time I wouldn't over do it with the technology and have the kids play some "off-of-media" time.

In class I found out that I was greatly distracted by my devices. Also I noticed that when ever there is a chance you have a feeling that you must check Facebook or your texts to see if something new came up. After I stopped for one day of media use I noticed that my homework seemed much, much less than all the other days when I have used a lot of media.

My media doesn't affect my non-school activities as much. During non-school activities I am usually not as bored and usually during sports I am not even thinking about my cell phone or Facebook wall.

I think I will use some of the suggestions that were said in the Unplug feature of the article because I am well aware that I need to have some "live-in-the-moment" time without any technology or media. Now I understand how important it is to let your brain rest and try to enjoy my time with out it.

What is media literacy? Find out here

Response to "Unplugged"

1) New media literacy is the ability to read, comprehend, and respond in a short amount of time.

2) I think it is important to teach new media in school because in the new world that they will have to live in, they will need to be capable of using these media sources.

3) I feel that teachers should teach young kids, how to use media effectively and efficiently. Also, to not be addicted to media.

4) I feel that if I'm in a class that is not interesting or we are not doing much then i may find myself texting or playing on my itouch. But, if there is something that I know is important then I am detached from my media, and focused on my work.

5) Media doesn't affect my non-school activities such as sports because you can't use it. But, I guess when I lift I listen to music and that helps.

6) I don't think that I will because I don't feel that I am really addicted to media but I use it to help me like communicating with people in a positive manner. Such as going on Xbox live and studying with friends, or texting someone to meet up to help each other with our school work.

Technology Time-Out

The new media literacy are more advanced cellphones that can almost do just about everything a computer can. Also there are popular websites that distract you from your everyday activities. I think it should be a good idea to teach new media in schools because it can benefit a better learning and better education in some ways. I also think its a good idea because new media will always be there all around us no matter what, so it would be a good thing to learn about it school also. I think if new media is taught in school is should be balanced, having regular classes and also having classes about learning about new media. If I were a teacher what I think would be important to teach kids about media use, is that not to exceed the limit of using it because media use can be addicting. I would also teach the dangers of it, for instance how to use the internet and avoid using the it for the wrong reasons. When I am in class I find that my devices are distracting. because I could be in the middle of doing work and then I end up getting like 5 text. It is very distracting because I end up getting an urge to text those people back and usually I don't finish my work by then. I often do poorly in class because I am distracted by my mobile device. My media use affects my non-school activities because whether or not I am in school I am still being distracted by my phone and I still have an urge to text people back. I don't think I will be able to use some of the suggestions used in the Unplug article simply because it does not work for me. I have to have my phone everywhere with me at all times possible.

Click Here for Link

UNPLUGGED

After reading the article Unplugged: Technology Time-Out please respond to the following questions:
1) What is new media literacy?
2) Do you think it is important to teach new media in schools? Why or why not?
3) If you were a teacher, what do you think is important to teach kids about media use? What kind of activities would you set up?
4) In class do you find that you are distracted by your devices and how does that impact your learning?
5) How does your media use affect your non-school activities?
6) Do you think you'll use some of the suggestions to unplug featured in the article? Please explain.

Top Test Scores From Shanghai Stun Education

Based on the NY Times article "Top Test Scores From Shanghai Stun Education" what is your response? Please include references to the article.

Response to Maria Full of Grace

We watched the movie "Maria full of Grace". This is a movie about a young, pregnant, Colombian woman, who partakes in muling drugs to America. She must swallow 62 pellets of cocaine and take a plane to New York. There were some other girls doing the same thing with her.

I feel that it is very sad that people, especially women, in other countries could be in such a bad situation, so they would consider doing something illegal, such as muling, so they can actually make some money for their families. Because the jobs that they may have just don't pay enough for them to support themselves and their families.

The real problem isn't as much in the poor countries but rather in the richer countries such as America. It all comes down to supply and demand. In America people want drugs and are willing to pay a lot of money for them. And because Colombia, Mexico and other countries have the drugs and have people who need money. People are sort of force in this organized crime. Also, gang violence stems from drugs, whether it is over drug prices, two gangs being in the same territory or a countless number of other reasons.

In Mexico it is estimated that between 13.6 billion and 48.4 billion dollars are made in drug carteling every year. You can see why some people for bad situations would want to get in on this. Between December 2006 and December 2010 it is been estimated that 28,818 people have been killed due to cartel wars. Even though these numbers are probably much higher because as with any gang violence a lot goes unaccounted for.

Response to Mary Full Of Grace

That movie was very interesting in a "drug dealing" perspective because it shows you how you can hide drugs anywhere in you at any times. That movie demonstrates and symbolizes the women in other countries making a sacrifice to make money to survive.



I think honestly that if your in a situation like that and you NEED to make money for your family at all means you gotta do it. I'm not saying that Mary should be a mule for the rest of her life after the first time, but she should do was she has to do to take care of herself and her family. "Muling" I think is a bad way of making money for obvious reasons, and its one of the riskiest decisions you have to make for yourself, but like I said "money's-money" and no matter what the job is, sometimes desperate people need that money so they have to do the job.


What I can learn about in muling is that those women/men become very nervous the first time they do it so It's not hard to spot a quite foreigner on the airport and ask them a question leading to the assumption. Quite honestly I think in order to succeed in the behavior you have to act normal and not be nervous once you reach the destination because you can be spotted quick with such acts and that might lead to X-rays. Not to persuade anybody to doing it but the best way of accomplishing it is by acting normal and not being nervous and shaky.

Looking up drug trafficking was very easy because its happening a lot now; seeing as how Mexico is right under us and they're one of the leading countries in it, also Venezuela and Columbia are in that column. those countries are one of the poorest countries on earth and I can see why they have no hesitation in doing such a crime. I think if anything women take the biggest risks out of both genders because swallowing drugs while pregnant or on your period can lead up to some horrible health issues like losing your baby or maybe dying from it.

Response to "Maria Full of Grace"

I was very surprised after I watched the movie because I have never before heard of "mules" or anything like the idea of swallowing drugs to get them past the border. It was also kind of scary how these people, or in this movie, women, risk their lives, and put them into the hands of some drug dealers who don't want anything to do with them except the drugs in their stomach. Marisa, the main character in this movie, apparently did this for her family and for the money, but would it be as helpful when you think about all the risks she put her self in, and her family.

What you can learn about muling in a short time is that it could be any one in the plane, coming in from a foreign country, because you can't search their bags for those drugs and you can't see them because they are in peoples stomach. What you can do to spot a mule is if their clothes are different than the vast majority of the people. Another way that some mules are caught is by the amount of their luggage. For example, if someone is telling you they are going on vacation for a short time. How could that be true if all they have with them is a small bag with almost nothing inside? Another way that some mules stand out from other passengers is if they act nervous, shift eyed, or sweat profusely.

Most drug mules that come to America are from the southern border, which includes countries from Mexico to Argentina. But almost in any article that you read about drug mules, mentions Colombia. So I'm guessing that most mules coming into America are from Colombia.

When police arrest people who were caugh carrying drugs in their body, they should think about the families that probably don't know about this, and how much the carriers them selves are risking their lives for the money, and how the reason most do carry the drugs because of their poverty. There should be an organization of somesort to help the families back home in Colombia.

How To Spot a Mule Slide show - Click Here

Response To Maria Full Of Grace

I thought this movie really gave me an idea of what the life of a mule is and what they have to go through just to make some money for their families and themselves. It gave me the perspective of why anybody would want to go into an illegal business like drug trafficking. I learned from the movie that the women that go into this business risk their lives and their family's lives. If one pellet opens in your body, you will die, and if you mess up or lose one pellet, your family is at risk of getting killed.

Countries where a lot of muling takes place are many South American countires with many Central American Countries as well as the islands. Although I do not condone drug trafficking I think the drug trade gives women an oppurtunity to get a "quick buck". These women that do it show other women that it's alright for a drug lord to use your body to smuggle drugs into the U.S. when it's not. I think it's astonishing how many women are used as mules and it's terrible how they put themselves and their families at risk.

Maria Full of Grace Response

My reactions to this movie is that I think its a very powerful film that shows where and how muling takes place. It also shows how dangerous it can be when you get mixed up in drug violence. What I can learn about muling in a short period of time is that it can be deadly and fatal if things go wrong during the process. I also learned that its never a guarantee that you won't get caught or have one of the pellets erupt inside you. Muling is when organizers employ mules to reduce the risk of getting caught themselves, while often profiting the most. The mule typically gets paid an amount which is small compared to the profit, but large for somebody with little money, so that it seems for him or her an easy way to make money. Sometimes the goods are hidden in a bag or vehicle of an innocent person, who does not know about this, for the purpose of retreiving the goods elsewhere. Most of the time the goods are swallowed and the mule is used as a containor to carry them to a destination, usually a different country. I think muling takes place in probably a lot of countries, but the most known would be Cuba or Colombia and the United States. That would be because drugs are very common in those countries and are probably commonly used or sold, as a lot of other countries do. Muling is more common in women in most countries because it is a lot harder for them to find great jobs, as a result they end up trafficking drugs. In most third world countries some women are not able to find jobs and end up doing just about anything to support their families. Drug trafficking includes selling drugs and drug equipment. It is either a local exchange between a user and a dealer or a international operation. It is a problem that affects every nation in the world on many levels. From the film Maria Full of Grace the drugs that are being trafficked are a international operation which involves deporting it from one country to another.

Sites used: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5549701_drug-trafficking.html

My Reactions to "Maria Full of Grace" and Muling

I really enjoyed watching Maria Full of Grace during class. The movie seemed really accurate in the way that it described some of the struggles that people face in Columbia and the actions that they resort to in order to escape poverty. It became clear to me how dangerous muling is, yet how tempting the money can be when one is working a bad job and making barely enough to get by, as Maria was. After doing some browsing, I found out that like in Maria Full of Grace, many mules come out of Columbia, and other South American countries.

Recently, there has been controversy over the issue of adding X-rays to airport security in the US. While some people argue that it would invade privacy, it would serve as a way to find mules who swallow drugs in order transport them. Had there been X-rays in Maria Full of Grace, she would have been found out instantly, and her family probably would have been killed.

After looking up more information about muling and drug trafficking, I found that although mules make a decent amount of money, they get nowhere near a fair percentage of the profits that the drug lords obtain. Just as Maria barely got her money in the movie, few people actually get the cash that they deserve for such a difficult and dangerous job.

Maria Full of Grace

This was a very gripping and powerful movie. Throughout the whole movie you couldn't take your eyes off what was going on and were on the edge of your seat. It is a sad fact that people need money so badly there there is no place to turn and they choose to be mules. I got the sense that Maria didn't really believe this was a smart thing to do, but she had no other choices. Muling is a very dangerous and sometimes fatal job. I obviously do not think it is right in the slightest way but i do understand that Maria felt she had no other choice. The drug dealers that picked her and her friends were awful and they treated them terribly. When they figured out that one of the pellets had broken inside of Lucy they cut her open just to take out the pellets. Blanca and Maria sensed the danger and were able to escape in time and went to find Lucy's sister. She let them stay even though she seemed hesitant. You could sense that Maria was scared and regretted her decision throughout the movie.



I think that Maria made that wrong decision to become a mule. Especially for the fact that she was pregnant and that could be fatal for the baby. The thing that stood out for me was that the security at the airport caught one of the mules and Maria would have been caught if she wasn't pregnant. That is a strong indication that they are more aware of the mules and starting to really in-force the law and try to make sure that mules can't come in.


When I looked up drug trafficking the most results I saw were news stories. That is alarming because it shows that a lot of drug trafficking is happening and we are not keeping it under control. Drug trafficking happens the most in Mexico and Columbia. That might be because statistically those are the some of the poorest countries. I think that jobs are hard to find and if you have a job, the jobs have bad conditions and low wages. The way that drug trafficking works is that people come to different countries with drugs in their stomachs and deliver it to drug dealers. The drugs come in packs about the size of a large grape and the mules have to swallow them and then poop them out. The bigger you are the more pellets you will have to swallow. Sometimes men have to swallow up to 100! The efficiency of drug trafficking is pretty high because security can not tell you have drugs in your stomach without an x-ray.



It is scary to think that drugs are getting smuggled in and out of this country. It puts people at great risk and I think it is an issue that needs to be dealt with.

Maria Full of Grace

Please answer these questions in the blog for homework.
What are your reactions to the film Maria Full of Grace?
As investigative journalists start researching the bigger picture. What can you learn about "muling" in a short amount of time?
Where are the countries that muling takes place the most?
Discuss the larger picture of the drug trade, especially concerning women.