Comments for Its debatable...Speak Up! http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com A blog about speech, debate, and higher education... Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:10:08 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Policy Debate Resources at your fingertips… by Another Season, Another Set of Resources for Policy Debate « Its debatable…Speak Up! http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/policy-debate-resources-at-your-fingertips/#comment-1265 Another Season, Another Set of Resources for Policy Debate « Its debatable…Speak Up! Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:10:08 +0000 http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/policy-debate-resources-at-your-fingertips/#comment-1265 [...] wanted to update the previous list of resources that I provided on this blog with some additional resources that have appeared online since then.  [...] [...] wanted to update the previous list of resources that I provided on this blog with some additional resources that have appeared online since then.  [...]

]]> Comment on Gordon Mitchell on Ethics and Evidence – Repost from edebate 5-18-09 by Cole20 » Posts about web 3.0 AND education as of 19 June 2009 http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2009/06/13/gordon-mitchell-on-ethics-and-evidence-repost-from-edebate-5-18-09/#comment-1235 Cole20 » Posts about web 3.0 AND education as of 19 June 2009 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:22:02 +0000 http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/?p=93#comment-1235 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> Comment on Is being successful at Forensics too “hard”? by bk2nocal http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/is-being-successful-at-forensics-too-hard/#comment-1229 bk2nocal Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:28:43 +0000 http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/?p=85#comment-1229 Great comments from both Danny and Kathy (who btw I found to be a great motivator when I competed for her). I also think its important to recognize the importance of peers in the process though. I know when I was competing for Kathy at Chico, the culture on the team was one of hard work leading to success. So, although there were some people who did not always put in 100% to forensics, the vast majority of the traveling competitors were working hard and expected those around them to work hard. This was a motivational factor on its own. But, I recognize what Danny is saying about the constant life demands of many students today. I just think its a matter of prioritization and recognizing that each individual will have a different level of commitment, but teaching them that they will also have much different outcomes based on those commitment levels. But, I do like what Kathy says about making connections to the long-term. I have not spent enough time on that...I need to talk more about graduate/law school, professional benefits, networking benefits, etc. Great comments from both Danny and Kathy (who btw I found to be a great motivator when I competed for her). I also think its important to recognize the importance of peers in the process though. I know when I was competing for Kathy at Chico, the culture on the team was one of hard work leading to success. So, although there were some people who did not always put in 100% to forensics, the vast majority of the traveling competitors were working hard and expected those around them to work hard. This was a motivational factor on its own. But, I recognize what Danny is saying about the constant life demands of many students today. I just think its a matter of prioritization and recognizing that each individual will have a different level of commitment, but teaching them that they will also have much different outcomes based on those commitment levels. But, I do like what Kathy says about making connections to the long-term. I have not spent enough time on that…I need to talk more about graduate/law school, professional benefits, networking benefits, etc.

]]> Comment on Back from Birth and PDF to Word Computer by bk2nocal http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/back-from-birth-and-pdf-to-word-computer/#comment-1228 bk2nocal Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:22:25 +0000 http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/?p=87#comment-1228 Richard - that is a strange coincidence! I think your program is a great service and I am sure people in the debate community will be using it! Thanks for offering it up to us! Richard – that is a strange coincidence! I think your program is a great service and I am sure people in the debate community will be using it! Thanks for offering it up to us!

]]> Comment on Back from Birth and PDF to Word Computer by Richard http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/back-from-birth-and-pdf-to-word-computer/#comment-1226 Richard Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:14:36 +0000 http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/?p=87#comment-1226 What strange coincidence. My wife just gave birth and I helped develop the the free PDF to Word service you talk about above. :-) Thanks for the mention. What strange coincidence. My wife just gave birth and I helped develop the the free PDF to Word service you talk about above. :-) Thanks for the mention.

]]> Comment on Is being successful at Forensics too “hard”? by Kathy http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/is-being-successful-at-forensics-too-hard/#comment-1225 Kathy Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:20:29 +0000 http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/?p=85#comment-1225 I smile as I read your comments, because I could have written exactly the same thing 15 or 20 years ago (shakes fist in air, muttering, "kids these days!."). I found that my most successful competitors generally fell into 2 categories. 1.The natural comedians, actors and writers often did well because forensics gave them a built-in audience and an opportunity to celebrate their love of the artform. 2.The other group who generally did well over time was made up of those who were able to make the connection between the skills they learned in forensics and their own long-term career goals. Note that short term goals - like graduating from college or finishing the units for a minor - often get in the way of overall forensics excellence because of competing demands for attention. But the ability to keep eyes on the long-term prize - regardless if the competitor was a rookie or a seasoned pro - seemed to make a big difference in work ethic. You are an excellent excellent of a student who fell into this category. :) I smile as I read your comments, because I could have written exactly the same thing 15 or 20 years ago (shakes fist in air, muttering, “kids these days!.”). I found that my most successful competitors generally fell into 2 categories.
1.The natural comedians, actors and writers often did well because forensics gave them a built-in audience and an opportunity to celebrate their love of the artform.
2.The other group who generally did well over time was made up of those who were able to make the connection between the skills they learned in forensics and their own long-term career goals. Note that short term goals – like graduating from college or finishing the units for a minor – often get in the way of overall forensics excellence because of competing demands for attention. But the ability to keep eyes on the long-term prize – regardless if the competitor was a rookie or a seasoned pro – seemed to make a big difference in work ethic. You are an excellent excellent of a student who fell into this category. :)

]]> Comment on Is being successful at Forensics too “hard”? by Danny http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/is-being-successful-at-forensics-too-hard/#comment-1224 Danny Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:09:18 +0000 http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/?p=85#comment-1224 Great post - but I have two points to make: 1) I think the personalized approach is the best. For a few years now I've been asking students after tournaments to review all their ballots and write down three things they did well and three things they could improve that they noticed recurred on multiple ballots. Then I let them know that these are the things to work on and IF we see these things after the next tournament the student is not working hard enough. I think last semester it was a great success, many of the the things identified at the beginning of the semester (eye contact, projection, memorization) did not appear on ballots at fall champs. I made sure to SAVE all these sheets and at the end of the semester we reviewed them - much to the astonishment of my students who realized how much they had grown over the past four months. 2) I think we have to cognizant of the fact that our students today are very different than students of prior generations - especially at the community college level - to a student, EVERY one of my students has at least a part time job. Almost every student is partially paying for their education. Many are on financial aid - this is a lot of stress students are facing on an everyday basis. While I applaud them for participating in forensics I think it has to be tempered by the fact that these students are very very busy in their lives. That is not to excuse not doing work but some level of appreciation of the difference in workload/life demands is important. Related to this, of course, is how you define success. But that is another topic altogether =) great post and enjoying your views! Great post – but I have two points to make:
1) I think the personalized approach is the best. For a few years now I’ve been asking students after tournaments to review all their ballots and write down three things they did well and three things they could improve that they noticed recurred on multiple ballots. Then I let them know that these are the things to work on and IF we see these things after the next tournament the student is not working hard enough. I think last semester it was a great success, many of the the things identified at the beginning of the semester (eye contact, projection, memorization) did not appear on ballots at fall champs. I made sure to SAVE all these sheets and at the end of the semester we reviewed them – much to the astonishment of my students who realized how much they had grown over the past four months.

2) I think we have to cognizant of the fact that our students today are very different than students of prior generations – especially at the community college level – to a student, EVERY one of my students has at least a part time job. Almost every student is partially paying for their education. Many are on financial aid – this is a lot of stress students are facing on an everyday basis. While I applaud them for participating in forensics I think it has to be tempered by the fact that these students are very very busy in their lives. That is not to excuse not doing work but some level of appreciation of the difference in workload/life demands is important.

Related to this, of course, is how you define success. But that is another topic altogether =)

great post and enjoying your views!

]]> Comment on Debatepedia – Take a look! by brooks http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2008/01/10/debatepedia-take-a-look/#comment-1221 brooks Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:55:38 +0000 http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2008/01/10/debatepedia-take-a-look/#comment-1221 You might also want to have a look at the global climate change solutions debate series with the UN Foundation on Debatepedia http://wiki.idebate.org/index.php/Global_climate_change_debate_portal You might also want to have a look at the global climate change solutions debate series with the UN Foundation on Debatepedia

http://wiki.idebate.org/index.php/Global_climate_change_debate_portal

]]> Comment on Orbitz Price Guarantee by Dianne Gray http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/orbitz-price-guarantee/#comment-1220 Dianne Gray Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:54:24 +0000 http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/?p=71#comment-1220 Direct quote from Orbitz: I understand that you booked your flight reservation and the fare is lower now on the website. You want a refund for the price difference. It is very disappointing to learn of the situation you encountered and I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you have experienced. The Orbitz flight search displays the most up-to-date information on fare availability. Orbitz is required to apply the fare(s) and fare rules(s) applicable at the time of purchase. If you booked a ticket on Orbitz.com and a lower fare for the same flights, dates, airline and travelers is found on another web site, you may be entitled to a $50 coupon per ticket toward your next Orbitz purchase. The lower fare must be found, and the claim form submitted by Midnight Central Time on the date of the original purchase. The Orbitz Low Fare Promise applies only to airline tickets purchased on Orbitz.com for travel within the domestic 50 United States, and only for tickets purchased using a valid credit card with a United States billing address." I don't think it says anywhere on Orbitz' website that the lower fare must be purchased from another website. I purchased tickets to Hawaii only to find out they went down by $100 shortly thereafter. Maybe I need further help, please! Direct quote from Orbitz: I understand that you booked your flight reservation and the fare is
lower now on the website. You want a refund for the price difference.

It is very disappointing to learn of the situation you encountered and I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you have experienced.

The Orbitz flight search displays the most up-to-date information on
fare availability. Orbitz is required to apply the fare(s) and fare
rules(s) applicable at the time of purchase.

If you booked a ticket on Orbitz.com and a lower fare for the same
flights, dates, airline and travelers is found on another web site, you
may be entitled to a $50 coupon per ticket toward your next Orbitz
purchase.

The lower fare must be found, and the claim form submitted by Midnight
Central Time on the date of the original purchase. The Orbitz Low Fare
Promise applies only to airline tickets purchased on Orbitz.com for
travel within the domestic 50 United States, and only for tickets
purchased using a valid credit card with a United States billing
address.”

I don’t think it says anywhere on Orbitz’ website that the lower fare must be purchased from another website. I purchased tickets to Hawaii only to find out they went down by $100 shortly thereafter. Maybe I need further help, please!

]]> Comment on Job Opportunity – Progressive Politics by Kristine http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/job-opportunity-progressive-politics/#comment-1219 Kristine Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:10:19 +0000 http://bk2nocal.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/job-opportunity-progressive-politics/#comment-1219 Grassroots Campaigns, Inc., exploits students; they have been sued by students who have been overworked and underpaid. The worst part is that they suck you in with the promise of meaningful work. In reality you will be standing on a street corner trying to sign people up for membership in the ACLU or some other worthy cause -- working for less than minimum wage. It is mind-numbing fundraising masquerading as working for social justice. Do a Google search for "Grassroots Campaigns" complaints or take a look at the Wikipedia article on them. Run the other way! Grassroots Campaigns, Inc., exploits students; they have been sued by students who have been overworked and underpaid. The worst part is that they suck you in with the promise of meaningful work. In reality you will be standing on a street corner trying to sign people up for membership in the ACLU or some other worthy cause — working for less than minimum wage. It is mind-numbing fundraising masquerading as working for social justice. Do a Google search for “Grassroots Campaigns” complaints or take a look at the Wikipedia article on them. Run the other way!

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