Week 6 - Article 1: Koko's 38th Birthday

This article talks about Koko, the famous gorilla from our reading textbook.  Koko, on her 38th birthday, made three wishes.  Read to find out what they were.

After reading her wishes, what do you think?

Week 6 - Article 2: How to Win an Argument

This article talks about how to win a debate.  It uses examples from Mitt Romney and Barack Obama's presidential debates.

Post a summary of the article or answer this question:  What is the best way to win an argument?

Week 6 - Article 3: Changing the Age for Missionaries

This article refer to President Monson's change of the age requirement for missionary service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Read the article and respond to this question:

How do you think this announcement will effect people you know?  What effects will this change have?

Week 5: Article 1 Microsoft

This article talks about Microsoft, the famous computer software company and its difficulties with advertising.  This article is challenging, but a good summary of the ideas we have talked about in Chapter 2.

In your opinion, what does Microsoft need to do to improve its advertising?  Why?

Week 5: Article 2 War and Disease

This article talks about one of the problems in countries that suffer from war.  In many countries around the world, there are refugee camps (places where people who don't have a home, or who are running from war live).

What could be done to improve conditions at these camps?

Week 5: Article 3 - A Career You Love

This article goes back to talking about finding a career you love.  It will be a good review of ideas and vocabulary for Chapter 1.  The advice in this article is very useful for all of us in our lives, whether we are just starting college, starting a new business, starting life in another country, or finishing a chapter in our lives.

What is one specific piece of advice from this article that you find useful in your life?  Why?

Accessing E-books

Students, as the syllabus explains, in addition to the books you buy and the ELC provides, there will be several e-books that we use for this class. To access this e-books you will first click on this link.  This week, we will be reading Advertising and Marketing.

http://ebooks.infobasepublishing.com

The website requires the following information.

login: elcebooks
password: elctcsol

It should look like this

After logging in you will see the books

we will be using in this class.  Reading online can be a new and different experience but many schools are moving away from print materials to online reading so this will be a great opportunity.

Two years of catch-up

This article describes a situation for people returning home after their mission when they have missed a lot of pop culture and social change while they were gone for two years. After reading the article answer the discussion question or write a short summary of the article in the comment box below.

"Do you imagine that you will have a similar experience when you go back to your country after your time here is done?"

Stop, look and listen for signs of stress

This article describes the problem of stress and college students. It discusses some of the consequences for stress, and how it can be prevented after reading the article leave an answer to the discussion question below or a short summary of the article in the comment box.

"Do you believe your 'mental health' is better now than six months ago? Why or why not?"

Obtaining funding: what every entrepreneur should know

This article describes how entrepreneurs--people who start their own business--get the money they need for their business idea. After reading the article, leave  a short summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Do you believe you have the right personality to be an entrepreneur? Why or why not?"

Optimism in a world of negativity

This article describes the message of Tuesday's devotional given by a professor in the Accounting department. He encouraged students to be optimistic and gave students five steps to be more positive. After reading the article, leave a short summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Which of the five steps do you think you will need to improve the most in order to be a more positive person"?

Week 4 A Place to Post Advertisments

Post your favorite advertisements (videos) here.

Week 4 Article 1 - Cracking Your Knuckles

This article uses science to examine if cracking your knuckles (the joints in your hand) is really bad for you.

Are there other habits (things we do every day) that are bad for our health? Give some examples.

Week 4 Article 2 - Free Bank Accounts

This article talks about free bank accounts, (which many of you have).  Times are changing and it appears that many banks will not offer free bank accounts.

What are the reasons that this is changing?  Is this a good or bad thing?

Week 4: Article 3 - Vietnamese Market

Go here for an article on economics and government control.

Choose a new word from the article and write a definition and sample sentence in your comment.

Technology and Sign Language

This article talks about new technology used to help more people understand sign language.  

How do you think technology can help resolve communication problems?

Pursuit of Excellence

This article looks at a group of performers who will perform at BYU.  The article covers how they became so good at what they do.

How can we pursue excellence in all areas of our life?

How to Get Along with Others

This article is from one of my favorite sites, lifehacker.com.  This article focuses on getting along with co-workers that you don’t like.

Do you have any other advice for getting along with people you don’t like?

Too Cool for School

This article talks about the college experience.  Do we go to college to get a degree or learn new things? 

Read the article and leave a comment agreeing or disagreeing with the author of this article.  

LDS religious devotion equal across gender lines, study shows

This article describes research done at the University of Notre Dame about participation in religion and gender which came to some interesting conclusions to whether LDS men or LDS women are more active in their faith. After reading the article, include a short summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"The research says that male participation in most churches is decreasing in the United States. Is this true in your country? What causes it? What are the consequences?"

The Guilt Of Inciters

This article describes recent problems in the Middle East caused after a very negative video was uploaded to YouTube that is critical of an important religious figure in Islam. The article describes both the causes and consequences in this situation. After reading the article include a summary of the story or answer the discussion question in the comment box below.

" 'Freedom of Speech isn't Free' Describe what this statement means relative to this article."

Non-Profit, Entrepreneurs Pair Up for Clean Toilet Micro Loans in Kenya

This article describes a new business project in Kenya that has goals to improve the health of people in poor areas of Kenyas largest city and help people make money. After reading the article summarize the important points or include an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"A lot of attention is placed on problems that business creates and we sometimes forget that business can solve problems around the world including problems in poor areas. What is a business project that you know of that is helping solve a social problem in a poor area?"

Apple Unveils New iPhone 5

This article describes last weeks announcement by Apple about the iPhone 5 which will soon be announced after reading the news article leave a short summary in the comments below or answer the discussion question.

"Do people pay too much attention to small changes in technology? Is this time wasted?"

Elder Steven E. Snow: Stumbling blocks to stepping stones

This article summarizes Tuesday's devotional with Elder Steven E. Snow. Elder Snow warns students of three stumbling blocks. After reading the article include a short summary of what you read or an answer to the discussion question below.

"Which of the three stumbling blocks mentioned by Elder Snow do you think is the biggest problem for ELC students?"

Accessing E-books

Students, as the syllabus explains, in addition to the books you buy and the ELC provides, there will be several e-books that we use for this class. To access this e-books you will first click on this link.

http://ebooks.infobasepublishing.com

The website requires the following information.

login: elcebooks
password: elctcsol

It should look like this

After logging in you will see the books

we will be using in this class. As the calendar explains the first book we will read is Discovering Careers: Film. Reading online can be a new and different experience but many schools are moving away from print materials to online reading so this will be a great opportunity.

5 things you don’t want miss this month

This article highlights several upcoming arts and entertainment activities for the month. After reading the article summarize the events highlighted or answer the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Several of these events were music events. Some of these events will be indoors; some will be outdoors. Which do you think will give the participants a better experience being indoors or outdoors?"

With new travel website, Mormons can stay with other Mormons

This article describes a new website that provides the service of connecting travelers with members of the LDS church in the areas where they are traveling. These people often can provide lodging, food and touring services. After reading the article write a summary or include an answer to the discussion question in the comments below.

"Would you be interested in participating in this service, not as a traveler but as a host? Why or why not?"

Health Blog: Food for thought

This article describes a recent study that suggests that people with high calorie diets are at greater risk for memory loss. After reading the article summarize what you read or answer the following discussion question.

"A lot of attention is given to how food affects our bodies; however, this article describes how food can affect our mind. How do you feel your diet affects your mental abilities?"

Economics and Trucking

This article talks about economic growth in the United States.   Interestingly enough, this article singles out one industry as proof that the economy is getting better throughout the country

Do you agree that this is proof that the economy is improving?  What do you feel is the best way to fix a bad economy?

Massage Chain Opens Store in Orem

This article explains about a massage shop that recently opened in University Mall.  This store is part of a franchise, or group of stores. 

Do you think this business will be successful?  Why or why not?

Religious Ambassador

This article is about a Hindu religious leader who is coming to Provo.  During his visit, he will give the invocation (prayer to start a meeting) for the Provo City Council.

Why does he want to give this prayer?  Why is it important to understand about other people’s religions?

Media and Mormon Myths

This article explains how media have influenced how people view members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  The upcoming presidential election has increase media coverage of members the church.

Do you think this is a good or bad thing?  How can we use media to have a good influence on people?

The Village brings a whole new experience to BYU housing

This article describes the recent opening of one of Provo's newest apartment complexes The Village which was recently completed. The Village is unique because of its amenities, proximity to campus, and represents a change towards more modern housing at BYU. After reading the article include a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment section below.

"The Village is new and modern but it is also more expensive than other apartment complexes. Is it worth it to you to pay more for a nicer apartment?'

President and Sister Samuelson speak on character and ‘dragons’

In this article, President and Sister Samuelson's speeches from Tuesday's devotional are summarized. They spoke on the importance of moral character and avoiding spiritual dangers. After reading the article include a short summary or a response to following question in the comments box below.

President Samuelson described the importance of remembering the 'higher purposes' for being at BYU. What are some of your 'higher purposes for being at the ELC'.

Article 2: Jaxon Olsen, Teenage Wonder

This article provides an interesting look into the life of a local teenager.  The article explains how Jaxon has overcome various problems in his life.

Have you experienced problems like Jaxon, or do you know somebody who has?
How do trials provide opportunities for us to excel?

Article 1: Easing the Pain

Our first article, Easing Pain in the Sick and Dying is an interesting article dealing with improvements in pain medication (medicines like Tylenol and its stronger siblings) in the last few years.  This article is in interview format.

Do you know someone who has suffered from chronic (long lasting) pain?
What effect do you think improvements in pain medication will have on people?  Why?