Thing 5 Reflections of the Reader

In venturing through the Google reader, I listened to a podcast from NPR, and read through three blogs from Student 2.0.

The podcast featured a discussion of a study concerning the bible’s gospels, and how they were written, and to what audience they are for. To begin, the speaker discussed the oral traditions of storytelling before books were written. The claim is the gospels were written in the same way, but to different people. The only story that was the same through all the gospels was John the Baptist, as he baptized Jesus, and recognized him as the messiah. Then there are differences between the four main gospels with one having a higher Jewish undertone than the others.

It was an interesting podcast to listen to, and it was not recoreded to discredit the bible. The discussion focuses on being aware of the differences, and focusing on where the gospels are originating. It highlights the opportunity to read and observe these insights in the bible.


The three posts I read from Student 2.0 were interesting.

The first two were about college admissions. One detailed the idea of documenting the college admissions process for readers to see. It was short, and focused on the college prep audience.

The second one was interesting; it was about preparing for college through one’s passions, rather than endeavors that will suit a resume. This particular author does not want to travel and go on mission trips since she has no interest. Rather, she prefers to apply to college with the confidence her passions will shine through.

I enjoyed reading the third post the best, since it brought out a discussion that creativity is not taught in school. In the argument, art is taught, which is acquiring skills, and applying practice to understand something, creating a norm for students to follow. If creativity was taught, then students would see a different norm, and not be able to build skills to follow from mere creativity. The author claims creativity may be practiced, but not taught. We need both in our schools to implement creativity. I think using the practice of creativity, we can foster student’s thinking, and allow them the understanding they can think on their own, and they are smart enough to complete the subjects they are currently enrolled.