Fighting Homelessness

In the Google News under the Greater Sacramento section, I found a news article regarding the fight against homelessness. The New organization to take over the fight against homelessness article indicates that the “Current Funding at The Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance will run out June 30, 2011” (McIntyre, 2010, para. 2). Sacramento’s goal is to transition the Homeless Continuum of Care to a new joint nonprofit Joint Powers Agency. The new division will “set policies, procedures, provide a forum for multi-jurisdictional meetings and coordinate public-private sector collaboration” (McIntyre, 2010, para. 6). This private/public partnership will provide more funding opportunities. This concept is “being modeled after the success of Safe Passages in Oakland and the Community Shelter Board in Columbus, OH (McIntyre, 2010, para. 9).

Homelessness is not just a problem in Sacramento; it is a problem everywhere that needs to be addressed. The disciplines that can be used to solve this problem are sociology, economics, psychology, education, and statistics. Sociology is “the social nature of societies and of human interactions within them” (Repko, 2005, p. 50). The sociology discipline can give us insight to the social behaviors of the homeless and the non-homeless. It can be used to determine how we can work together as a society to fix this issue. Economics is the “production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services and their management” (Repko, 2005, p. 50). The economics discipline can help us determine what caused the individual to become homeless and what financial funds are available to build shelters for the homeless population. Psychology is “the nature of the human mind and internal causes of behavior” (Repko, 2005, p. 50). The psychology discipline can be used to help us determine if it’s a mind or behavior issue that causes the individual to choose to be homeless. Education is teaching or learning skills. The education discipline can be used to help educate people about the homeless and to educate the homeless to possibly gain employment. Mathematics is “the logic of numbers, statistics, mathematical modeling, computer simulations, theoretical counterpoint to sensitivity analysis” (Repko, 2005, p. 49). Statistics can be used to determine what the cause was that made the individual homeless. Below are some articles that I located for each discipline that discusses solving the homeless problem.

For Sociology, I found an article titled Sociology/ Homeless People.  In this article, Carpinelli (2009), a sociologist/politolog who deals with research works from economic and social view points. Within this article, Carpinelli discusses different scenarios in regards to the homeless and how society views and reacts to such lifestyles. Specific topics discussed include why a person may become homeless, the different labels that are given to a homeless person (e.g. derelict, hobo), and what services her country provides to the homeless. She explains that a homeless person is more complex than the labeled stereotypes. She also discusses how the homeless have evolved through the years and how a homeless person is more complex than society deems them to be. 

For Economics, I found an article titled Suddenly Homeless in America. In this article, Maide (2010) discusses how the economy crisis is bringing hardships to many families and other causes that may force people to become homeless over the next two years. The article further discusses the importance of getting involved to assist the homeless by volunteering, supporting, donating, and educating others on the homeless family crisis. 

For Psychology, I found an article titled APA Task Force Report Outlines Actions Psychologists Can Take To End Homelessness. The article from American Psychological Association (2010) discussed the importance of addressing the psychosocial factors that relate to homelessness. It introduced a task force that was formed to identify and address those leading factors that may lead to homelessness. The task force also conducted web-based surveys that can be used by psychologists to further assist with this problem.

For Education, I found two articles that I liked and decided to include both of them. The first one is titled We must think outside the box to solve homelessness. This article, written by Edwards (2010) discusses that it is the responsibility of everyone to address the homeless issue. It can’t be left to one agency. It provides listing of local shelters. It lists the different agencies tat are involved in a forum to address issues surrounding homelessness. The other article is titled How Do Special Interest Groups Affect Homelessness? written by Cochran (2008). This article discusses how the National Coalition for the Homeless works with the homeless and the public. It ensures that the homeless are aware of their rights. It attempts to bring homeless education into the classrooms.

For Statistics, I found the Economy Byte: Working Poor at Higher Risk Homelessness, written by Blasco (2010). This blog talks about how the working poor has a hard time during this recession. It looked at three elements: housing costs, doubled housing situations, and income. It indications that these three elements are risk factors for homeless. 

References

American Psychological Association. (10, February 23). Apa task force report 
          outlines actions psychologists can take to end homelessness. Retrieved 
          from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/180069.php

Blasco, A. (2010, December 8). Economy byte: working poor at higher risk 
          for homelessness [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://blog.end
          homelessness.org/?p=2625

Carpinelli, C. (2009, January 30). Sociology/homeless people. Retrieved from  

          http://en.allexperts.com/q/Sociology-1644/2009/1/Homeless-People-1.htm

Cochran, S. (2008, November 13). How do special interest groups affect 
          homelessness. Retrieved from http//www.ehow.com/how-does_
          4596445_special-interest-groups-affect-homelessness.html

Edwards, G. (2010, August 12). We must think outside the box to solve 
          homelessness. Retrieved from http://www.bozemandailychronicle.
          com/opinions/article_cbf43a00-a5a1-11df-aa78-001cc4c002e0.html

Maide, J. (2010, March 26). Suddenly homeless in america. Retrieved from 
          http://ezinearticles.com/?Suddenly-Homeless-in-America&id=3989723

McIntyre, Z. (2010, December 14). New organization to take over the fight 
          against homelessness. Retrieved from http://www.sacramentopress.com
          /headline/42267/New_organization_to_take_over_the_fight_against_
          homelessness

Repko, A. (2005). Interdisciplinary practice: A student guide to research 
          and writing. (Preliminary ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an Interdisciplinary Studies course at National University. It is not a real blog.

Digital Immigrants versus Digital Natives

The world is every changing with the advancement of technology. With this change, comes the old-timers and the new age children. The technology advances has caused a rift between what was yesterday and what is today. This advancement also brings about the Digital Immigrants and the Digital Natives.


Digital Immigrant is someone who wasn't "born into the digital world" (Prensky, 2001a, p. 1). The Digital Immigrant learns to conform to the new environment, but they don't fully leave their past behind. Digital Immigrants think and learn in a step-by-step approach. They use to technology as a second option and not the first option. Digital Immigrants don't think that "students can learn successfully while watching TV or listening to music, because they (the Immigrants) can't" (Prensky, 2001a, p. 3)


Digital Native is someone who grows up with the full technology. Their entire existence has been "surrounded by and using computers, videogames, digital music players, video cams, cell phones, and all the other toys and tools of the digital age" (Prensky, 2001a, p. 1). The children today have the ability to multitask, and don't need to use the step-by-step approach to learning as they are able to parallel process information. They want the immediate gratification that comes with technology.


I am at the tail end of the Digital Immigrants. I was born in 1972 and in 1974 Pong arrived. Even though "Atari" was available, my parents couldn't afford that luxury until the late 70's. I graduated high school in 1990 and had my first cell phone 1991. In addition, I didn't even own my first computer until 1993. I began my career as a paper junkie. I liked to have that physical piece of paper (e.g. bank statement, email copy) in my hand. I am getting better with this concept and I have one bank account that is on eStatements and I now move my emails into electronic subject folders. 


Even though I am a tail end of the Digital Immigrants, I also possessed some of the traits of a Digital Native. As a young student, I would listen to my music or watch TV while doing my homework or reading a book. I also "prefer graphics before the text" (Prensky, 2001a, p. 2). Even though, I didn't have the technology at my fingertips as a young child, I have all the technology today and I'm still young enough to conform to my environment. Also, I have two teenagers and two toddlers, so I am ever learning change from them. 


Digital Natives do learn differently than Digital Immigrants. They have so much technology available to stimulate their brains. "They develop hypertext minds. They leap around" (Prensky, 2001b, p. 3). They are "accustomed to the twitch-speed, multitasking, random-access, graphics-first, active, connected, fun, fantasy, quick-payoff world of their video games, MTV, and Internet" (Prensky, 2001b, p. 5). Their minds are constantly going and they don't have time for the old way of learning or thinking and that causes educators (Digital Immigrants) to think that they have short attention spans. 


Web 2.0 technologies are more effective for digital learners. Since Pong arrived, kids "have been adjusting or programming their brains to the speed, interactivity, and other factors in the games" (Prensky, 2001b, p.3). Their lives have been surrounded by technology. "They function best when networked" (Prensky, 2001a, p. 2). Web 2.0 gives them the opportunity to be connected with technology while still learning. Web 2.0 gives the Digital Natives the immediate gratification that they crave. "Kids don't like to practice. Games capture their attention and make it happen (Prensky, 2001b, p. 6).


Digital learners can be effectively taught in the classroom by bringing technology into the classroom. Lectures are not going to keep them interested, so as educators we need to adapt materials to meet the needs of the children. The first step for me to teach digital learners in a classroom is to learn all of the language of the full Digital Native. I will have to ensure that technology is used in the classroom. I will need to continue to promote and encourage technology advances within the classroom.

References:

Prenksy, M. (2001a). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6. Retrieved from            

          http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%
          20-%20Part1.pdf

Prenksy, M. (2001b). Digital natives, digital immigrants, part II: Do they really think differently? On the Horizon, 
          9(5), 1-6. Retrieved from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-

          %20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part2.pdf

DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an Interdisciplinary Studies course at National University. It is not a real blog.

Interdisciplinary Lesson Plan

The lesson plan I chose was Organization of a Newspaper and the Parts of a News Article. This lesson plan will allow the children to learn and understand the different parts of a newspaper. They will create their own headline including a story and a picture. The disciplines used in this lesson plan are Social Studies, Language Arts, and Writing. Using more than one discipline in this lesson enhances the child's leaning experience. It can provide different problem solving approaches. Since this lesson's assignment is to write an article on a fairy tale, Social Studies can help with determining the character interaction in the situation. Language Arts and Writing can promote critical thinking and creativity with writing the story.

This lesson plan could be adapted to include the use of technology. The children can use a computer to type the article. Besides typing the article, students can use the computer to search different newspapers on the Internet. This will allow them to research the construction of news articles in the local papers for concepts and ideas. Computers also allow the child to be creative in setting up the headlines, formatting the article, and including a picture for the article. In addition, all articles can be combined to create a class newspaper.

Technology is part of the present and will continue to advance in the future. Technology can enhance learning, since it offers the ability to teach to the different types of learners. Technology can "support four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to the real-world experts" (Edutopia Staff, 2008, para. 2). Technology opens the door for interactive learning and allows teachers and students engage more during the learning process. The use of technology also provides a real world experience for the students.

Edutopia Staff. (2008). Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum? The Reasons Are Many. 
          
          Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an Interdisciplinary Studies course at National University. It is not a real blog.

Traits and Skills of an Interdisciplinarian

There are various traits and skills held by interdisciplinarians. A person's quality that sets them apart from someone else would be their trait. The task carried out due to a person's knowledge would be their skill. I am going to mention two traits and two skills that I possess.

Traits


Love of learning- "Interdisciplinarians often find themselves in new situations, they must know how to learn. They need to know what information to ask for and how to acquire a working knowledge" (Repko, 2005, p. 23). Considering I am thirty-eight, a mother of four, a full time employee, and a full time student, I think I possess this trait. I am constantly learning from my children, at my job, and from my classes. I feel edified by learning.


Willingness to work with others- "Interdisciplinarity is often a collaborative process. One person, no matter how thoroughly trained, will never have a complete understanding of any given problem or issue (Repko, 2005, p. 24). I work in the compliance department of a credit union. During my time in this department, I have been involved with a data conversion and two mergers. Various teams worked together to ensure a smooth transition.


Skills


Ability to communicate competently- "The ability to comprehend and translate terminology that is discipline-specific. Each discipline has not only its own set of skills and knowledge but also its own language that it uses to describe its concepts, assumptions, and theories (Repko, 2005, p. 26). I am currently working on a project with our Information Technology (IT) department. I speak front-office language while the IT department speaks back-office language. We are finding that we are saying the same thing, but using different terminology. Since I have worked closely with IT over the years, I am finding it easier to communicate with them.


Ability to recognize the limits of what is knowledge- "Students and teachers involved in interdisciplinary investigations quickly discover that they do not know and cannot know everything about a topic" (Repko, 2005, p. 27). I definitely do not know everything about technology uses; however, I created this blog, so I am learning more about this topic.

Repko, A. (2005). Interdisciplinary practice a student guide to

research and writing. Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing

DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an Interdisciplinary Studies course at National University. It is not a real blog.