Second Life.. Second World..

As you all know, computer games are really important in our technologic world. Some people are addicted to them. They are playing these games all night, they don’t even sleep. In these days, there is a computer game in my life also. Its name is Second Life. Actually to me, it is not just a computer game. It is a kind of second animation life for people who use it. They can do whatever they do in their real life in this online environment. So people are using SL for various reasons. For example we met it via our reading and writing class teacher. We are using it in our lessons. Of course, people have other reasons for using SL, like social activities and chatting with other people and also business.

We got acquainted with this animation life in our reading and writing class. Our teacher told us about it. Now we are using it for education. We are doing many activities via this game in our class. For example we can chat with other people from other countries. Or we can talk about something that our teacher tells us to speak in this online world. That is, we are doing some kind of writing exercises which are related to our lessons in SL. I think it is interesting to use a game for education. But we are pleased about this situation. Via this game, our lessons become more enjoyable. We are not the only students who use SL for educational purposes. Many other universities and schools around the world are using SL for their educational programs. Lots of universities have set up online campuses where students can meet and attend classes. Not only for students but also for teachers SL is really useful means of education.

In second category, people are using this game for social activities like chatting with other people. They can meet there new people and talk about whatever they want. Meeting new people can be more enjoyable in this online environment. Because people don’t see eachother and they are just trying to spend time amusingly. This relationship among people isn’t so serious according to me. So people are more relaxed in there. I know some people who are really addicted to this game. After they come home from work, they sign in SL and they are spending a lot of time in front of computer. I think this game is really useful for people who want to make life more enjoyable through meeting new people.

The third category is related to business. Some people are using this game for their business activities. Maybe it sounds a bit nonsense but we can understand if we think about it a while. For example, in SL people are communicating with eachother via chatting. If they want, their conversations can be hidden. If they allow, other people can also see what they are talking about. So all people can share their ideas evidently. This is just one example. People are doing many other activities in SL. The other example is related to students. SL provides interactive learning classrooms like real classrooms. That is, they can do there whatever they do in their real classrooms. Of course, some companies and people are working in SL to actualize these activities. So we can say that some people are really working in this online world.

I think SL is quite important for some people. They like spending time in this game very much. People are really enjoying in this animation life, even if their purposes of using it are different. It is really a second life for them to enjoy..

Technology in Class...

Teaching effectively…It is really important issue for both students and teachers and in this case the most signficant factor that affect teaching is of course teaching method. Imagine that in one school, there are two sections. In one section, teacher is using technology usually and students are in a computer lab in all their classes. In the other section, conversely, teacher never uses technology and students are studying via conventional method, with pen and paper. I think that in both of the stuations, students have advantages and disadvantages. There are some differences between two classes like class activities, deliverance of homeworks ect. Of course there should be some similarities also because teachers are doing the same job. Assessment of students, the topics which the students learn can be similarities of these classes. I think that deciding in which class students will take lessons is a kind of problem. Because everyone has different opinions about the usage of technology in class. Let’s discuss it.

Actually to me, there are major differences between two classes. Because the ways teachers use in classes are really different. So their teaching strategies are also very different. If technology is used in lessons, students will do everything via computer and internet. For example, they can learn their homeworks, do and deliver them via internet. They can also learn about lesson like which topic they will learn in next class again through internet. Maybe they have questions about lessons or homewoks. They can mail teacher and learn what they want to learn easily. In class activities also they can use computers and internet much. For example, teacher wants them to write something related to lesson. They write it via computer, not pen and paper. They may use some kind of web sites in their lessons to make them more enjoyable and instructive. So students are very active in lesson . If we come to the other class in which teacher is against the usage of technology, students will learn everything through conventional method. For example, teacher says homeworks in their lessons. Students do and write them on a paper and deliver to the teacher by hand. When they have questions, they go to teacher’s room and ask it to him/her. In class time, they do activities in general way. That is; teacher tells about that day’s topic and students listen. So I can say that this is so boring class for students.

On the other hand of course there are and there should be some similarities between these classes. Because curriculum is clear and what students have to learn is obvious. So the ways teachers use in class can be different but I think conclusion should be the same. Both of the teachers should reach their teaching goals. So in this point I can say that one of the similarities between these two classes is the assessment of students. Teachers are both doing some kind of assessment tests on students to see if they learned what they should learn. Briefly conclusion should be the same because goals are the same but actually I am not sure about this issue. Maybe teaching strategies affect the conclusion and learning levels in these classes can be different. But to me, at least assessment part is the same. In both classes, students are evaluated. I think the other similarity is related to behaviours. Of course teacher is teacher and student is student in both cases. So they should respect eachother and both student and teacher should do their duities. Shortly teacher-student relationship is generally similar in both classes.

To some people, first class is more enjoyable and suitable to our time. But to the other people, maybe who are not related to computer so much, first class is more difficult and boring. They may believe that using technology in class is unnecessary. But I don’t think so. Especially in our age, technology is so important in all areas, in school, in work ect. So according to me, using technology in class is necessary. Through using internet and computer, we are getting accustomed to this technologic world. Finally I can say that if I had the chance of deciding between two classes, I would choose technologic one...

First Impression...

Everyday we are getting acquainted with someone in school, in working place or somewhere else. When we firstly meet somebody and have a talk with him or her, we have some opinions about this person in our minds. We may think that “This guy is really enjoyable.” Or “That girl is so boring.” These first thoughts affect our behaviours to that person. For the first time we meet somebody, his/her some kind of features define our first opinions, like physical appearance, talking style also gestures, mimics and his/her reactions to other people. These are important things but I wonder if we ever think about this situation. According to these features, can we comment on a person as good or bad? To which extent our first feelings about a person can be right?

Let’s think about physical appearance. When we see somebody at first hand, of course we pay attention his/her physical appearance. Is he/she well dressed? Are his/her clothes clean? etc. But I don’t think that from these aspects we can judge a person as enjoyable, boring or something like that. Physical appearance is important but it isn’t enough for commenting on somebody. According to me, it can’t be a means for knowing somebody.

We are all sharing our feelings by way of talking and to recognize somebody, it is crucial. So talking style and also gestures mimics are so important for communication. I can say that especially in first contact, they have really important missions. If a person speaks badly, for example he/she uses abusive language, we may not be willing to be with that person in the following times. But if a person speaks kindly, we aren’t disturbed when talking with him/her. So our friendship with that person isn’t limited with first meeting. I think that talking is more important than physical appearance for knowing someone but again it isn’t enough for reaching a conclusion about a person.

Lastly we came a person’s first reactions to other people. At first when we meet somebody, generally we may be a bit shy. Actually it is related to our characteristics. Some of us are really warm even in first contact with someone. I think that these first attitudes also affect our first ideas about a person. If someone is so friendly, maybe more than needed, we may think that he/she is acting. So we can’t trust him or her. Or if someone behaves coldly in first meeting, this time we may get bored. Briefly these also have effects on our ideas about somebody. But I want to again say that these are temporary opinions about a new met person.

From all these examples, I can say that first impression is important, but of course to some extent. It can’t be really a means for commenting on someone’s characteristics. To know somebody with all his/her features, what we should do is spending time together. People can recognize eachother as time passes. For this reason, I can say that first impression may be important but I am absulately sure that it can’t be decisive for arriving a conclusion on a person’s characteristics..

DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS

We are all human beings but with different characteristics.That is, even two close friends, both of whom like making similar things, going similar places ect. have different personal features from eachother.We have really varied characteristics but people around us can't perceive these different points easily.Because they are unique to a person.When they notice these interesting features, they may be very suprised.Maybe even some of us can't notice our personal difference. As for me, I have some characteristics that are unique to me also; like being afraid of dark, a strong desire to visit all breathtaking places in the world and writing when I am alone.

First of all, I am very afraid of dark.This fear increases especially when I am alone in home or wherever the electricity goes off.I become like a crazy person when the electricity goes off suddenly.I try to find a candle or such kind of things immediately.If I can't find them, I may begin to run or cry.These aren't normal reactions to darkness of course.When I was a child, I was afraid of dark more than now.That is, I was more lunatic than now:) I have many memories related to this fear.Some of them are very funny especially for other people but for me they are full of fear.If I saw a person running like a crazy or beginning to cry as soon as the electricity went off, I would laugh too.So they are rigt to make fun of me but I am not doing these absurd things willingly.Being related to this fear, I am also very afraid of blindness.When I am in dark places, I automatically begin to think about blindness and my fear increases.I think that I should get rid of this obsession as soon as possible.

I want to visit all breathtaking places in the world which worth seeing.Since my childhood, I have had this strong desire.It is a kind of obsessive willing for me.In my childhood,I was looking at the pictures of these interesting places.I was dreaming about going to these places, analysing them carefully and spending time in them.In those days, it was totally impossible dream for me.To me,I would have no chance to visit these places during my whole life.Now I think that through many ways, I can live up to my biggest dream.For examle in university, there are some kind of student changing programs.Maybe via these programs, my dream can be real.I think that I can find many other ways to make my dream real.

I like writing especially when I am alone in my room or somewhere else that affects me like seashore ect.This phsyhological mood makes me write many different and interesting things.I think that I can't write without this special mood.I like writing much but only in suitable time and place for me.When somebody tells me to write something, I feel myself forced.So I can't write with the same way I write in these special times.Since the day I began to write, I haven't let anyone read my writings.They really tell about my inner feelings and I don't want anyone to find out them.

We are all different.The important thing that we should do is to notice this difference.Because these different characteristics make life more enjoyable and interesting.Via this way we may be happier than now. Finally I want to say that difference is good:)

OUTLINE

Introduction-Thesis Statement:We are all human beings but with different characteristics.That is, even two close friends ,both of whom like making similar things, going similar places ect. have different personal features from eachother.We have really varied characteristics but people around us can't perceive these points easily.Because they are unique to a person.When they notice these interesting features, they may be very suprised. Now I want to tell my different personalities which I think that my friends don't know: being afraid of dark, wanting to visit all breathtaking places in the world and finally writing especially when I am alone.

Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence:First of all, I am very afraid of dark that you can't imagine how much.
#I am very afraid of dark especially when I am alone in home or wherever the electricity goes off.
#In my childhood, I was afraid of dark more than now.
#I have many memories related to this fear.Some of them are very funny especially for other people but for me they are full of fear:(
#I am also very afraid of blindness.

Body Paragraph 2
Topic sentence:Secondly, I want to visit all breathtaking places in the world which worth seeing.
#Since my childhood, I have had this strong desire.
#It is a kind of obsessive willing for me.
#In my childhood, I was looking at the pictures of these interesting places in the world.It was totally impossible dream for me.
#Now I think that through many ways, I can live up to my biggest dream.

Body Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence:Finally I like writing, especially when I am alone.
#When I am alone, I feel in complete confusion.
#This psychological mood makes me write many different and interesting things.
#Since the day I began to write, I haven't let anyone read these writings.They tell about my inner feelings.

Conclusion:Everyone is different.The important thing that we should do is to notice this difference.