Posts Tagged ‘Atlanta’

“Better Online Living through Content Moderation” Reading Summary 6

 

When analyzing the argument that Melissa King discusses in the article, some of the examples that she mentioned were a little farfetched. I agree with what she was saying in regards to her statement on “nobody should be required to read or listen to content if they do not want to”, however, when she used an example of someone having PTSD to trigger their anxiety—that was far left.  This small issue, I do believe that King makes some valid points in regards to internet censors and content moderation. I believe that those who are involved heavily with the internet—specifically the millennial generation—are too sensitive to what they see online. Cyberbullying is an issue that we need to take on with full force, cyberbullying can be prevented by not only content moderation, but also the fact that one who is being cyberbullies can simply remove themselves from the situation by logging off whatever social media they are being targeted on. By doing this, Many cyberbully cases can simply fade with time and also.

With online abuse specifically, I believe that it is one-hundred percent avoidable. There are so many opportunities for content moderation such as deleting the app that you are using or using a blacklist feature on the social media platforms, which is something that Melissa King also suggests. I also believe that using women as targets on these social media platforms is wrong and unjust, and is a double standard in today’s media society. For instance, a female who posts a risqué photo online will be slut-shamed online as opposed to a male who can post something similar. It is an issue in popular culture and this sexist attitude on social media apps is just wrong. However, using these targets as a ploy for attacks online through slut-shaming, is just downright terrible. I believe that using content moderation and a blacklist feature is perfect for these situations, as it would indeed prevent someone from being attacked online.

I feel as if Melissa King should have discussed this more in her entry, as I would have loved to learn more about this certain issue. With the article itself though, I don’t think that people with PTSD should even be using a computer and logging in online in the first place, so that is something to consider when looking at social media attacks online. This is the prime issue to consider. Even though cyberbullying is a heinous crime and shouldn’t be taken lightly, I feel as if someone with an issue with mental disorders should probably stay off the internet in its entirety, specifically the social media realm of the web. Instead of using that time online, they could be doing something more productive such as getting the help they need to treat their mental disorder.

Melissa King did a fabulous job in presenting the issue of media blacklisting and moderation, and fully agree with what she had to say about the detrimental effects a negative trigger from an online source can have on a person’s mental health.

 

“Color Walking” Reading Summary 5

In this article “Color Walking” by Phia Bennin and Brendan McMullan. The starting point of the subject begins by explaining the actual experiment of color walking its self. The introduction provides you with the insight that the color walking experiment expertly developed. Continuously, the authors begins unfold the experiment by drawing the reader to visualize a color of their choice. Once the reader has taken the moment to visual their color, the virtual experiment begins. Now, the authors round out the opening concept of color walking by utilizing real world examples such as “the red of a bicyclist’s shorts” and ” the sunburn on a woman’s shoulders”.

Once the concept of color walking was established in the initial paragraph. Readers were now able to expand their understanding of color walking by being able to establish a flexibility within the experiment to transition from color to color. The new established flexibility to switch colors produces a virtual linear patterns between the various colors. The Preliminary visual pattern was horizontal. This lead the spectators eyes to move from left to the right lavender bag. A secondary visual pattern that developed was the yellow cab which guided the spectators vision downward from a “yellow cab” to a “side street”. The final visual example drifted from the linear pattern explained in the previous visual demonstration and introduced greater variation spotting with “a green pistachio ice cream cone” to landing in a literally green space: a park.

After the article has finished explaining the all variations of the experiment, a web-based tour was embedded into the article. The embedded activity simulated a sunny day in New York city. The different times slot displayed various items discovered throughout the day. All thought the day color choices such as blues, purples, and pink were selected in small insignificant finds that might otherwise be overlooked.

The overall experience after the virtual tour resulted in the lesson of viewing the world in living color. The article began concluding its final thoughts by beginning the article how it started.  A reader’s experience of exhausting the whole day carefully monitoring all colors and objects passing by. This final mental simulation infused the reader with the authors’ perception of the befits associated with the color walking. Also the authors drives their points home about color walking through utilizing suggestions for the readers who will take on the color walking experiment on their own.

Bennin and McMullan, exits the article with their final comments on how to successfully complete a the color walking experience. The authors prescribe three golden rules. The opening rule concerns solely about concentration. By the reader taking a deep breath and focus on creating a space where no distractions are present from no cellphone to silence; which results in “uninterrupted eye time”. Post “uninterrupted eye time”, the reader can now focus on selecting a color they fancy the most. When taking time and consideration for the color choice, the reader is able to experience a more concrete and fulfilling experience of the experiment. The final tip pertains to the reader exercising their flexibility. If the reader become bewildered in the process of trying to following a specific color; thankfully, they can take a deep breath, blink multiple times and simply select a new color.

Color walking is an interesting and exciting avenue to explore a city, while also experiencing an personal pulse on the built envirmoment.

 

Color Walking

Color Walking

Tradition vs. Ambition (Built Envirmoment Analysis)

The built environment of a city consists of various elements that help produce a conducive atmosphere for all that inhabit the space. In the physical environment, the placement of structures ranging from business to domestic, establishes a tone which contributes to the overall balance between commerce and commonwealth. Recreational resources induce fellowship between residents, churning the feeling of cohesiveness throughout the environment. Population size in combination with diversity reveals the built environment’s capacity to provide its residence with individual amenities; while, still encompassing the conventional neighborhood vibe. The city of Decatur located fifteen minutes from downtown Atlanta has captured the finite details of an “ideal” built environment. Decatur’s mastery of a balanced built environment has produces an overwhelming sense of community that surrounds the space. Downtown Atlanta’s built environment strives to produce a “Ideal” perception of community throughout the downtown specter. However, the built environment of Downtown Atlanta is an ever growing built environment. The outcome is a city trying to satisfy the contributing aspects of a built environment without having a steady hand on the inclusive outlook of the space. As a result, Downtown Atlanta’s built environment processes a weaker sense of community.

City of decatur

City of Decatur

Downtown Atlanta Streets

Downtown Atlanta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upon first glance of the two built environments, the structure provides the most prominent contrast. The city of Decatur’s structures are focused around the community. According to http://www.decaturil.gov Decatur’s zone ordinance prohibits buildings within the city limits to be taller than two stories or thirty- five feet in vertical height. The ordinance does allow one expectation; a structure may reach maximum of sixty Feet in vertical height. A regulation regulation was constructed for buildings with a maximum height of sixty-feet that requires their boundary line in residential areas to increase by a foot for every building over a vertical height of thirty-five feet which extends to a maximum of sixty-feet. Downtown Atlanta’s structures focus less on the community need and appeal to the business district. Wikipedia’s database rendered, the tallest building in downtown Atlanta is the Bank of America Plaza Building. The building stands at remarkable fifty-five stories or one-thousand and twenty – four feet, the building the eighty-seventh tallest building in the world and tenth tallest in the country. The extreme height of this building is classified as a skyscraper which promotes a busy city individual success orientated environment.

The structural component of the built environment extends further than the buildings within the community. But also the road infrastructure places a role in the greater sense of community. Within downtown Decatur, the city’s main roads such as DeKalb Ave and Ponce De Leon Ave NE are designed for traffic to flow in both directions. Also each road possesses no more than three lanes on either side of the margins. This results in a greater accessibility for drivers and also with small business that occupy either side of the street. By both side of the street being accessible more space for small business are available as well as parking. Downtown Atlanta also possess hub roads within the city. The most well known streets like piedmont avenue and Courtland street are one-way.  These one way streets are large and fast with up four or five lanes. The structure of the roads limits the accessibility and only caters to businesses and cooperation that’s can afford the pace and the parking for residents. By limiting the accessibility the a deeper sense of community is weakened.

Atlanta Traffic Dekalb Ave.

Community resources of the built environments are also a major contribution to the “ideal” balance of the built environment. Green space is key built environments. The city of Decatur has taken the concept of a green space and personalized the space to be utilized for residence to connect with one another. I was able to participate in this fellowship firsthand when I visited Oakhurst Garden in downtown Decatur. The Oakhurst Garden is set up into individual plots. These plot are managed by community residents who pay annual dues and contribute their time throughout the year to maintain the garden’s upkeep and vegetation. As a result, the community residents are allocated their own individual plots to grow any kind of produce, fruits, or other vegetation on their choosing. Oakhurst garden serves as green space to provide the resident of this community with a haven to grow an array of vegetation ranging from seasonal fruits and vegetables to decorative flowers. The Oakhurst garden provides the community with true sense of locally grown produce while, still contributing the environmental benefits while living in an urban neighborhood. Downtown Atlanta most prominent green space is piedmont park. Piedmont park is Atlanta’s prime recreational. The park hosts many events such as yoga in the park, green market, healthy living fitness. These various activities in the park, do help draw residents in the downtown to come together and experience natural camaraderie. The activities help create a deeper sense of community. But the outreach could miss the target audience and draw residents that don’t actually live in the areas. Ultimately creating try to produce a greater sense of community but still not reaching the community mark.

Community Seal

Community Seal

Piedmont Park

Business sectors of a built environment expand the the sense the community by determining how to supply the community’s residents with necessities and commodities. When environments develop a solid foundation for business the end result is a stronger more prosperous community. Decatur has set a strong foundation for the small business within the city. Small businesses in Decatur that are thriving to this success is the Decatur business association. This association has been around for thirty years and acquired more than four-hundred and fifty members of diverse business to join this alliance. Some of the businesses in the all association range from financial institutions, arts groups, organizations and private individuals. This association purpose strives to ensure to the that business in the city of Decatur is attractive and able to attract the residents that live in the community bust also visitor that pass through the city. Also the Decatur Business alliance has such a wider variety of member; the association is able to keep a live pulse on community what cohesive ideas the business owner and residents feel will enhance the city of Decatur while still maintaining a close knit community.

A small business in Decatur I visited was Dancing Goats coffee shop. This small coffee shop caters to the communal feel by providing outdoor furniture that residents are able to tie their pets’ leashes on while taking a break to sip coffee. The interior of the shop has a very intimate experience with walls and lighting warms colors. Dancing Goats coffee shop provided me with a personal feeling of how the city of Decatur strives to be the best constantly preserve the sense of community.

The Downtown Atlanta is dominated by big business. Downtown is home to some of the largest cooperation in the world. Corporations like Coca-Cola and Delta are well known businesses internationally. Last year Coca-Cola that earned a whooping 180 billion dollars. The major corporations set a tone of Big dog and little dog, which leaves, small business has very limited place.  Although major corporations do set the tone small business finds ways to prevail and make an impact on residents in that space. Small businesses in downtown find their niche through supplying services like dry cleaners, nail salons and specialty boutiques. Many times their target customer are the business employee that occupy the major corporations. These small business depend on consumers who work or live around the large corporations that help supply the small businesses. This complex between small business and large corporations. Since overall weakens the community relationship due to the people who occupy the common place are not living residents of the downtown community.

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola

 

Decatur Business Association

Decatur Business Association

The City of Decatur’s great sense of community has set the example of an “Ideal” community. The City  provides,  the community with road accessibility and structures that highlight community advancements. Also gathering green spaces like the Oakhurst community garden, display the city’s of decatur awareness about being environmentally- friendly. While educating members of the community on how be positively influence the green planet we live on.  These elements of the built envirmoment ultimately produce a diverse atmosphere. Atlanta’s Downtown community has not yet been able to grasp these elements and provide residents of their community with the same holistic experience.

All hope for downtown Atlanta’s sense of community is not lost. The downtown area strengthen its sense of community by taking intuitive to implement programs. First is the structure of converting one- way streets into two-way streets. This will provide more accessibility for residence to to travel from place to another. Additionally by having more two way streets more more business owners would be able have their businesses on main road access streets. Also stating that  Downtown Atlanta could the street access be to have spot specifically designated for small business and others for large corporations.

Environmentally, Downtown Atlanta can utilize the green space the city already owns host specialized community events. Fitness sessions such as yoga at the park can be exclusively promoted to only downtown residents. Also, downtown can construct  in city parks small plots for community residents to grow their fruits and vegetables similar to the city of decatur. The program could have catchy title such as “Veggie Time” or ” Once Upon A Tomato”. This will allow residents to participate in fun community programs that could educate and strengthen relationships in the community.

Downtown Atlanta to promote the formation of a small community business alliance. By Atlanta having small business alliance, businesses can finally step out and provide services for not only to corporate consumers but to to community residents as well.

 

Work Cited:

“CITY OF DECATUR ZONING ORDINANCE.” 14 Dec. 2014. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

Parham Kordsmeier, Kate. “Fortune 500 Companies Headquartered in Atlanta, GA.” About.com Travel. 24 Sept. 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

Building a Successful Business Community Together.” Decatur Business Association. 1 Jan. 2016. Web. 29 Apr. 2016.

Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 1 May 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

Wheatley, Thomas. “Should Some of Intown Atlanta’s One-way Streets Become Two-way? | Atlanta News & Opinion Blog | Fresh Loaf | Creative Loafing Atlanta.” Creative Loafing Atlanta. 14 Sept. 2011. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

Coca-Cola Symbol. Digital image. Wikia. 26 May 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2016.

Known. Decatur Business Alliance. Digital image. http://decaturdba.com/. 1 Jan. 2016. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

Known. Piedmont Park. Digital image. Landscape of Piedmont Park. 16 Sept. 2010. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

living Green

Summary of “Recognizing Campus Landscapes as Learning Spaces  By: Kathleen G. Scholl & Gowri Betrabet Gulwadi

In this article, Kathleen Scholl & Gwori Gulwadi opens the discussion around 20.4 million students attending colleges and universities and how the number continues to grow. This growing student population challenges university to reframe their teaching methods and campus environments of today’s college population. The experimenters propose that “colleges and universities should utilize their natural landscape as a learning resource for students” (Scholl and Gulwadi 1).

As the article continues, Scholl and Gulwadi examine the historical background of college campuses. Many of America’s colleges and universities are located in rural areas due to their origination being centered around creating a seclude place apart from city life, in addition; the land act of 1862 required labs and scientific research buildings to be built. This innovation created the optimum learning environment. An early land space designer, Fredrick Olmstead stated ““natural scenery employs the mind without fatigue and yet exercises it; tranquilizes it and yet enlivens it” (Scholl and Gulwadi 54). The amount of land is still significant to college and universities today. As institutions continue to evolve and campus landscapes become more urbanized, the appeal of greenery will continue to pose importance to colleges overall learning environment.

Scholl and Gulwadi evaluate the definition of landscape better understand its place in the campus setting. In the article nature is defined as ““physical features and processes of nonhuman origin that people ordinarily can perceive… together with still and running water, qualities of air and weather, and the landscapes that comprise these and show the influences of geological processes” (Scholl and Gulwadi 55). This definition allows for the campus environments to provide the perspective of viewing campus settings as part of the environment. By this perspective being taken into consideration, the most inclusive and eco-friendly landscape can be achieved for students attending colleges or universities. The researchers have noted that many times students experience loss in cognitive functions such as concentration and focus, impulse, inhabitation and also memory due to fatigue and overuse (Hartig, et al., 2014; Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). When colleges and universities provide green spaces on their campus, these ailments that plague most college students and can alleviated simply by being surrounded in a natural learning space. Consequently, students who have a nature setting on their campus experience less stress and hostility. A campus that caters to depleting the cognitive aliments of students being stressed and overwork through a natural environment, will then create an institution of well rounded students.

The traditional setting of a college campus has been created learning environments that are no longer concussive to the new age students who attend those institutions. As the technology advances and colleges and universities continue to expand; the addition of natural landscapes or green spaces  can provide the students with benefits of being at a high institution of learning but also providing a natural environment to be in touch with mother nature. Scholl and Gulwadi conclusion reinforced the idea that natural green spaces environment is beneficial to student learning.

Scholl, Kathleen G., and Gowri Betrabet Gulwadi. “Recognizing Campus Landscapes as Learning Spaces.” Journal of Learning Spaces 4, no. 1 (July 8, 2015). http://libjournal.uncg.edu/jls/article/view/972.

Innovation in the ClassRoom

Active Learning envirmoment

Active Learning enviroment

Summary of “Pedagogy Matters, Too: The Impact of Adapting Teaching Approaches to Formal Learning Environments on Student Learning” – D. Christopher Brooks, Catherine A. Solheim

In this article, D. Brooks and Catherine Solheim examines the how students learn and receive information when taught in an active learning environment. The study began in the fall 2009 on the campus of the university of Minnesota. The experimenters wanted to produce constant data over multiple semesters. So the study was conducted using the same instructor, classroom (student in the ALC), and personal finance course.

Once Brook and Solheim, created the constant they started the active learning experiment, also known as the qusi-experiment. The course –Personal Family Finance converted from a traditional lecture into an active learning environment. In the team learning environment, the students had mandatory class attendance, viewed videos, and other required material before each class. (Brown 54) Also the traditional use of hardback textbooks were nixed from the active classroom setting and now student receive crucial information through technological mediums.

After the active learning approach had been implemented to the personal Finance course, brown and Solheim collected data from one-hundred and eleven students who had been expose to the active learning course in the fall of 2009. The Students were asked at the end of the semester to complete a forty-five question survey on their experience in the active learning environment. Once the data was collected, brown and solhiem observed that the student who took the traditional Personal Finance course in the fall of 2008 received an overall grade of 81.80 and the students who were exposed to the qusi-experiment in the fall of 2009 received an overall grade of 85.50. (Brown 56) These results reinforced the experimenter’s original hypothesis that the active learning approach would increase the grade average of student who were actively engaged in the learning process then those who are not.

In addition to the initial results displayed about the increase in grade point average in students in the active learning course, another explanation is the difference in presentation the course assignments. This is due to the fall 2009 ALC students having been introduce to the assigments in an engaged manner than the traditional learning students. The data collected that students that received engaged approach to major course assignments produced high averages. ALC students received 14.60 percent higher on participation, 5.36 percent on the financial planner, 6.43 percent on case studies, 13.60 percent on the final exam, and 9.31 on various quizzes. (Brown 58)

 

Fortunately, the final condenses of the qusi-experiment conducted by Brown and Solhiem rendered three conclusions. The first is that the ALC learning approach should be considered in colleges and universities. Secondly, instructors teaching the course should approach the course which an active learning mentality.  And the third conclusion is that there is more than ALC method of teaching, and each instructor must find the style and method that is most effective for them as in individual.

As time continues and technology becomes more prevalent in our everyday society active learning approach will be implemented more over time.

Brooks, D. Christopher, and Catherine A. Solheim. “Pedagogy Matters, Too: The Impact of Adapting Teaching Approaches to Formal Learning Environments on Student Learning.” New Directions for Teaching & Learning 2014, no. 137 (Spring 2014): 53. doi:10.1002/tl.20085.