Reading 25 Reflection;

Have your thoughts or attitude towards reading changed?

-        My thoughts about reading just feel more organized and aware.

What do you do differently?.

-        I now stop and talk  to the text.   

-        I identify the main point and supports

-        I’m aware of what I  am reading

-        I feel that I learned how to break down my reading

Next, think about what type of reader you were 15 weeks ago.

    -        I had no comprehension

-        I couldn’t identify with the parts of  reading.

-        Could not read then  tell you what I really read

-        I had not even heard of the term “talk to the text.”

Now when you read an article, book or paragraph, what do you do differently?

-        I dissect the reading material

Finally, please share how you feel about you experience in Reading 25

-        I loved the exercise and the delivery of the lesson, you Professor Burrus are truly awesome with your teaching skills.

-        I look forward to the other future reading classes like text book reading, I will be registering for that curriculum.

Wrongful Conviction

The surprising number of pardons involving DNA evidence has proven that the criminal justice system often time makes serious mistakes. Those mistakes have a very real and devastating impact on everyone involved- from the innocent person who has been disregarded for years in prison, to past and future victims of the real criminal who remains free to commit other crimes.

Despite all of these costs, the prisoners who can be pardoned are the lucky ones. In most of cases, DNA evidence is not available to conclusively prove a prisoner’s innocence, either because the case did not involve DNA evidence or because the evidence was destroyed.

The most common causes of wrongful convictions are: 1. Inadequate Defense Counsel
2. False Confessions 3. Lab fraud 4. Snitch 5. Police or Prosecutorial misconduct

Last but not least;  Mistaken Eyewitness identifications.

Eyewitness misidentification is the single greatest cause of wrongful convictions nationwide, playing a role in more than 75% of convictions overturned through DNA testing.

While eyewitness testimony can be persuasive evidence before a judge or jury, 30 years of strong social science research has proven that eyewitness identification is often unreliable. Research shows that the human mind is not like a tape recorder; we neither record events exactly as we see them, nor recall them like a tape that has been rewound. Instead, witness memory is like any other evidence at a crime scene; it must be preserved carefully and retrieved methodically, or it can be contaminated.

Remember it can happen to anyone, even YOU!!

By Stander Effect to the Extreme

                                                       By Stander Effect

The bystander effect or Genovese syndrome is a phenomenon that I have never per say witnessed.  But I did recently watch a Dr. Phil show which was about a young girl that had been molested and rented out to different gangs by her father.  I would have to say that this must be the one most extreme cases. At the age of 3 through 11 this young lady was molested by her father and his friends. She told a story about her father having parties of spin the child. And at this party there were women that just watched, some with discuss. But never stopping it or even report the situation. Then her story got even worse if that was not enough, she told of a story of when her father traded her for drugs to gangs.  She describe the seen as unbelievable, at this point she was about five years old and these people would keep her for weeks at a time. Keeping her stripped naked, an walking around serving them and cleaning up. She said people came and went all the time. These people were “Bystanders” they seen a child being abused physically and sexually with men and women. But again no one bother trying to stop, or call the police. What makes this story so extreme for me was the little girl said she seen over 100 people come or go but can you imagine no one rescued her. People could have called the police anonymously but they stay out of it like everyone else. I feel that if a woman would have seen a child naked being abused and she was alone with no influences of others, I do believe she would have tried to help the child. With the influence of others the child was neglect with the by stander effect.

Self Regulated Learning

Let’s look in the mirror of self regulated learning

 I had a very low self confidence when it came to if I had the skills that it required to pass college classes which impacted my self-motivation.

I knew I lacked the motivation to be a successful student I had to take control my own education. So that’s exactly what I did, I knew that I needed the basic skills class to fill the gaps in my knowledge, that was the start of my academic plan.

I knew the skills that I needed was: time management, motivation, so I began to take notice to the learning methods that best worked for me.  I needed to have a sense of what areas in my academic profile that need improving. So I would know what needed my focus. Through close self reflection the area I need help with is Time Management, I lose a lot of time.  The use of time is a significant factor in success.  Being highly motivated now I began to manage my time through a day planner. Being able to monitor my performance through the week making necessary adjustment; making sure I have some goals in place. Challenging myself to be the best, always holding myself accountable.

 Almaz

My Reading History

Reflection of My Life in Reading

        I really don't have much reflection of reading. I graduated to the 6th grade that was my last actual grade of attendance. At the age of 17 I recieved a G.E.D. I grew up in foster homes with not much guidance and support. As an adult I had a very hard time retaining what I read, with my mind wondering.
         I have recognized my weakness so I have taken proactive measure to ensure my success in college. Being 40 years old I was a little embrassed at first to be taking basic skills class. Knowing in my heart that I needed to fill in the blanks, so I decided to start from A to Z. This is my second semester at Southwest College. I can truly say that I love learning now, just as if I was five all over again.
     
         My educational goal is to get a degree in Child Development. I want touch as many lives that I possibly can to ensure that I reach out and embrace little children and help prepare them for life. I also want to have a resource center for parents to come and get assistance with various situations.

         I truly feel that as a minority we need to create a network system. So we can learn to support one another. Each one Teach one, so thank you for being a part of the first steps of a thousand to make others dreams come true.

Sincerly Almaz