Farming

Did you know there are three basic methods of growing food? Conventional farming, organic farming and growing genetically modified crops. How much of your food is genetically modified? Do you buy organic? Conventional farming is neither organic nor GM; it is farming the way it's been done in Canada for a long time - using chemicals to kill weeds and saving seeds to replant the next year's crop. Proponents of genetic modification of plants say manipulating the plant's genes can result in better tasting fruit and vegetables, reduce maturation time and increase yields. Proponents of organic farming say the same thing. What attracts us to food in the grocery store? Are we willing to buy organic if it's not as perfect-looking as conventional food? Are we willing to pay more for organic food?

Tell us what you think about these three methods of growing food. What is used in your native country? Which one do you prefer? Support your opinion with some examples from your own background. You will have until Tuesday, November 1st to submit your comments.

Solving Problems

In class we looked at some of the steps we take to approach problem solving or critical analysis: observing, finding facts, inferring, assuming, forming opinions, developing arguments, and finally drawing conclusions. However, the steps listed on the handout may not be the process you actually follow when you are faced with a challenging issue. You may find that you skip or add some steps or rearrange them so they occur in a different order.
To analyze your critical thinking habits, identify a problem you have faced and walk through the steps you took to solve it. Make sure to explain in detail the order of the steps and  what actions you took if one of the steps didn't seem to work.

Now analyze your approach. Is this your usual way of dealing with problems? Do you tend to think deeply or decide quickly, without much searching? Do you turn to others for help, or do you tend to work through challenges alone? Is your way of dealing with problems

similar to the way others in your family or culture deal with them?

In addition to sharing your own experience, please comment on the experience of at least one other student. Your post is due by midnight on Tuesday, October 25.

Half Way Reflections

We are almost at the half way point in the semester, and you have already accomplished much. You've written an occupational report, a group essay and paragraph, read two novels, produced six news summaries, and given three oral presentations. As we head into the eighth week, I'd like to know your feelings about your EAP experience so far. Your assignment is to write about your triumphs and frustrations--what you've learned, what you are struggling with, what you thought you couldn't do (but did) and even what you hope you never have to do again!  This isn't a checklist--feel free to just share whatever you feel is significant in your English study in EAP. This blog is to help you assess your own strengths and to analyze your progress so far.
Your grade, as usual, will be based on how thoroughly you respond to the question and whether you respond to the comments of at least one classmate in your post. Since we will be having interviews on Thursday, October 20, writing some of these ideas down may be a good preparation for verbalizing your ideas before you talk about them.
The assignment is due by midnight on Tuesday, October 18.