10.06.2009
7.04.2009
CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA!
Independence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America. Founded July 4th 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America is celebrating it's 233rd birthday this year (2009)
The 4th of July is a time for the Red White and Blue. A time for Picnics, Parades and Marching Bands. A time for Beaches, BBQs and "Bombs Bursting in Air." Time to read about American history, Flag facts, National Parks, National Monuments & Memorials, and time to see the great Fireworks in company of friends and Family, On this day, America offer too "Mom's Apple Pie", holiday craft, pictures for the kids , music and songs. Time to be proud of being an American.
6.28.2009
6.25.2009
6.20.2009
Eua 4a
USA (SUMMARY PRESENTATION 4)
I decide to make my 4th presentation about American music.
I come from a musical family; almost everyone plays a musical instrument, guitar, piano, drum set, etc. We enjoy be together, singing, playing instruments or singing with karaoke. In the most social events of our family we don’t need to contract a chore or an orchestra, we are own selves musicians.
The music of the United States reflects the country's multi-ethnic population through a diverse array of styles
- Who has not danced to the music of the Bee Gees?, Who has not been in love with the romantics songs of Barry Manilow or Barbara Streisand? Who doesn’t known the music from Sinatra or Michael Jackson?
The American Music is well known over the whole world and has a big influence.
Native Americans were the earliest inhabitants of the land that is today known as the United States and played its first music. Beginning in the 17th century, immigrants from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Germany and France began arriving in large numbers, bringing with them new styles and instruments. African slaves brought musical traditions, and each subsequent wave of immigrants contributed to a melting pot.
1.- Country and Western Music
Country music (or country and Western) is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. It has roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, gospel music, and old-time music and evolved rapidly in the 1920s.
Throughout the 19th century, several immigrant groups from Europe, most notably from Ireland, Germany, Spain, and Italy moved to Texas. These groups interacted with the Spanish, Mexican, Native American, and U.S. communities that were already established in Texas. As a result of this cohabitation and extended contact, Texas has developed unique cultural traits that are rooted in the culture of all of its founding communities.
One effect of the Great Depression was to reduce the number of records that could be sold. Radio, and broadcasting, became a popular source of entertainment, and "barn dance" shows featuring country music were started all over the South, as far north as Chicago, and as far west as California.
During the 1930s and 1940s, cowboy songs, or Western music which had been recorded since the 1920s, were popularized by films made in Hollywood. Some of the popular singing cowboys from the era were Gene Autry, the Sons of the Pioneers and and Roy Rogers.
2.- Rock and Roll (often written as rock &roll or rock’ n’ roll) is a genre of popular music that evolved the US in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It roots lay mainly in blues, country, folk, gospel and jazz. The style spread to the rest of the world and developed further the rock music. Classic rock and roll is usually played with one or two guitars, an electrical bass guitar and a drum kit.
The massive popularity and eventual worldwide view of rock and roll gave it a unique social impact. Far beyond simply musical style, rock and roll as seen in movies and in the new medium or TV, influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, 
and language.
3.- Jazz / Blues
Is a musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions. The style's West African pedigree is evident in its use of blue notes, improvisation, polyrhythms, syncopation, and the swung note
From its early development until the present, jazz has also incorporated music from 19th and 20th century American popular music. The word jazz began as a West Coast slang term of uncertain derivation and was first used to refer to music in Chicago in about 1915.
Could it define jazz as a "form of art music which originated in the United States through the confrontation of blacks with European music”.
While jazz may be difficult to define, improvisation is clearly one of its key elements. Early blues was commonly structured around a repetitive call-and-response pattern, a common element in the African American oral tradition.
In jazz, however, the skilled performer will interpret a tune in very individual ways, never playing the same composition exactly the same way twice. Depending upon the performer's mood and personal experience, interactions with fellow musicians, or even members of the audience, a jazz musician/performer may alter melodies, harmonies or time signature at will.
Jazz, however, is often characterized as the product of democratic creativity, interaction and collaboration, placing equal value on the contributions of composer and performer, 'adroitly weigh[ing] the respective claims of the composer and the improviser'.
4.- Gospel music
Is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music.
Like other forms of Christian music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme of most gospel music is praise, worship or thanks to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit.
5.- Hip hop music
Is a musical genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with backing beats. Hip hop music is part of hip hop culture, which began in the Bronx, in New York City in the 1970s, predominantly among African Americans and Latin Americans- The term rap music is often used synonymously with hip hop music.
Rapping, , is a vocal style in which the performer speaks rhythmically and in rhyme, generally to a beat. Beats are traditionally generated from portions of other songs by a DJ, or sampled from portions of other songs by a producer,[though synthesizers, drum machines, and live bands are also used, especially in newer music. Rappers may perform poetry which they have written ahead of time, or improvise rhymes on the spot with or without a beat.
RAPPING is the rhythmic spoken delivery of rhymes, wordplay, and poetry. Rapping is a primary ingredient in hip hop music, meaning originally "to hit"
The roots of hip hop are found in African American and West African music.
6.17.2009
EUA EDUCATION
USA ( SUMMARY PRESENTATION 3)
Education is the reflection of a culture. If we observe the educational system from a country we can see its social structure, values and whole cultural meanings. Japan values education highly that's why the students have to develop strong study habits and self control. In Mexico the educational system shows very clearly the social class contrast and the national thinking about heroes, symbols and history. In the United Kingdom, the elementary education is free and all students learn the same material. But after that, a national exam decides who go to the vocational, college or university. The best universities are expensive and available just for a 6% from the total students, and of course only the well educated people, get the best jobs.
Look at the next image, the "cultural value of education" in every "race" in the US
The educational system in the US, shows the best and the worst of the society.From all Americans, almost 80 % are high school graduates. (nice number!)
From this quote,the 60% attend to the college or University but in this level, the education isn't free and the 70% of the students need a private loan or scholarship.
My favorite aspect in this topic is the participation from old people in the educational System ( "long life learning" ). For Americans "YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN! (Thank's)
The schools in the United States have several problems, for example lack of discipline, drugs, crime and violence (bullying). Maybe the reflect from the social, economic and family problems. Whatever, the Government are trying to find real solutions for every educational problem. Recently, was founded the NCLB Project
"No child left behind" and consist in a program to give more resources to the educational needs in the country and to support the poor schools.
In the USA some kids are staying home whit them parents to learn, this phenomenon called HOMESCHOOLING is more and more usual at present. (almost 2 Million children, 3% of the total population of american kids).
HOMESCHOOLING or HOME SCHOOL (also called home education or home learning) means the education of children at home, by parents or special individual tutors, and represent a modern alternative to formal education, in developed countries.
Homeschooling is a legal option in many places (just for elementary school) if the parents has the possibility to offer a learning environment to their children and have to be supervised for official authorities.
Homeschooling is a very good alternative for families living faraway from urban areas, family who travel to other countries for short time, or families to want have better academic results.Nevertheless, there is a strong opposition from several sectors of the society.
EUA GEOGRAPHY
USA (SUMMARY PRESENTATION 2)
The United States is a country located in the Western Hemisphere, bordering both Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, between Canada and Mexico.
It consist of 48 contiguous States on the American Continent, plus Alaska peninsula and Hawaii (an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean)
The term "United States" means Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands of the United States too.
Of course, we can't forget the Capital district: Washington DC
The United States total area: 3,537. 441 square miles ( 9,826,630 square Kilometers)
Including water, by total area, the US is the third or fourth (in competition with China) biggest country in the world (its rank depends on whether one includes two territories claimed by India but governed by China when calculating China size)
First place in this ranking has Russia ( twice size than the USA) and Canada second place. Mexico has the 13th place (a very bad luck number! :-) ) The United States is half size of South America, half size of Russia and twice size or the European Union.
The population: 306,000,000 inhabitants, from several multicultural origins: White (80%), Black (12%), Asian (6%) and Amerindian (Indians, Alaska and Hawaii native: 2%). The Hispanics aren't considered a "special" race, nevertheless there are just 20,000,000 people just with "Mexican roots" plus people from Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Cuba, etc.A singular aspect: in Mexico, the median age is 26 years old, in comparison, USA 37 and European Union 42. (I would like in Europe, with people from my age :-) )
The principal symbols from the US are: the Flag, for the most people known, the Seal and the "motto" "In God we trust".
EUA
USA ( SUMMARY PRESENTATION 1)
Whatever, nobody can deny that the United States of America, is at the present, the most important country of the planet, because it big influence world wide. Influence that is showed in insignificant and superficial things like music, movies and fades and trade; and also very important issues like economy, military power, science, inventions and technology. Also the globalization has allowed to know more and more American products everywhere.
The US means "controversy". Let see some examples:
Number 1 People could say that America dominates the world but generally speaking It doesn't have "colonies". The countries are not occupied by administrators or soldiers but they are occupied by business and products.
Number 2.- The anti-globalization activists, speak about the "American Empire" but unlike the British Empire. is does not exist geographically. American Empire is financial and its a regular method of control as Economic domination.
Number 3.- The US is a country that can well represent the "whole humanity" because is a multicultural nation; home of a wide variety of ethnic groups, traditions and values. There are Americans from different races, colors, cultures and educational meanings.
There is not "American ethnicity" aside from the now small American populations: native from Alaska and Hawaii. Nearly all Americans or their ancestors immigrated within the past 5 centuries.
Number 4.- The US can be a very generous society, helping poor and sick people around the planet, also at the same time, US has the highest individualism score of any country.
Number 5.- Another example of the contradictions in the USA, despite of the radical groups and racism, America offers a lot of opportunities to have a better life. And I talk not just about money, also special education, jobs, training and freedom.
5.31.2009
INTRODUCING MYSELF
I'm Lucy Padilla.
I'm working in UPAEP Online, I'm in charge of Educational Technology Area.
I have been teacher since almost 30 years, teaching in different levels and several signatures. The last 6 years, I have been working in design, management and development of virtual courses (e-learning)
I was living and working in Germany almost 4 years. This experience changed my life and help me to have another perspective of the world.
I like travel, meet people from other cultures and share learning experiences. I love learn and know, write and share, read and think.
Welcome to my online space.
