2nd Partial: TASK #7 Team work

a) Project set up b) Working in the project c) Project presentation

First, we were told to make a creation with any material we wished to use. The team I was in is conformed by Yolani Muñoz, Diana Garza, Daniela Escobar, Raul Torres, Rodrigo Olivera and me. We chose a thing (I don't remember its name) that has a consistence similar to the concrete to make kind of a sculpture, which we did, it's a little ensemble of 5 ideas in one.

Yolani did the turtle that at the beggining was meant to be a butterfly; Diana made two bizarre eyes that after a preview needed a touch of severe insanity to achieve the goal (creativity), so she drowned a real red ant and stick it to one eye. Daniela made quickly but not less carefully a puffy penguin, who wore a mexican sombrero made by Rodrigo and Raul. Both of them also made the stem of a mysterious looking tree, where all our creations were set up. Last but not least, I made a present with a very big bun in comparison to the box so it could look a little bit more different from other presents shown before.

As I mentioned before, the way we presented the project was that when each member of the team finished its creation we put all the sculptures together and made one. After that we only waited until everything was already dry and then we took some pictures of it, this one above is one of them.

2nd Partial: TASK #6 cReeaatiiviiTy!

                       *Imagination                                                                     *Passion
                  *Thinking
                                          *Inspiration                                            *Ideas
                                                                                                                                                                               *Feelings                                                  *Need                                                                                                      *Innovation
                                 *Brain storm                                                           *Craziness
                                       *Transformation                                            *Lunacy
              
                                                    *Update                                       *Difference
                                                              *Work                            *Style
                                                                  *Expression              *Emotions
                                                                        *Enchantment  *Exhortation
                                                                             *Insomnia *Rest
                                                                                      *Release

2nd Partial: TASK #4 Mexican creativity ;)

Fusil Mondragón

The Fusil Porfirio Díaz Sistema Mondragón Model 1908 was the first fusil semiautomatic of the world. It was designed by the Mexican general Manuel Mondragón, the one who patented the weapon in 1887.

The fusil was powered by the gases of the shot, by means of a cylinder and his respective piston, something quite usual nowadays but very unusual for his period. It had a rotary bolt, which moved  by means of tetones that fit in spiral flutes of the walls of the drawer of mechanisms; also could employ like a fusil

of bolts with rectilinear action. It shot 7 x 57 mauser cartridges, fed by a magazine for 8 rounds.

This rifle was known by its accuracy and stopping power, but the automatic versions were difficult to control when fired with automatic mode. For 1910 they had already built factories in the cities of Veracruz, Ciudad Juárez, Guanajuato, Guadalajara y México, D. F., where they were produced until 1943.

The Mondragón was so precise that the Wehrmacht added it a scope and used it as a semi-automatic sniper rifle during the Second World War.

2nd Partial: TASK #3 MEXICO!!!

I'm proud to say I am mexican, I wasn't born here but I feel as if I was.

My parents have lived long time in this land and they are also proud of being who they are and of whom they come from.

I think a Nation can't be only viewed from a politic perspective, a Nation (Mexico in this case) has a lot of things more than that like territory and oh my God, ask me if it doesn't. It has really beautiful landscapes and great climate, it has sun, it has rain and every suitable condition for a good way of living. I know that obviously the terrain is not everything that matters to live well, but is one thing it can make you happy.

Another thing I admire from Mexico is its people and its culture, the first one because they are always so kind, peaceful, gentle, serviceable, partying, joyful, loving, tender, cheerful and many positive adjectives that can describe them. And the second one because it has its pre-history since 1300BC, starting with the Olmecs and continuing with the others that came by after. Then, when the spanish people conquered mexicans, with all that hodgepodge, natives were taught to adopt that different way of thinking, organizing and everything. So we are priviledged because Mexico has very strong roots because of our indian ancestors and a renewed bower because of the spanish people.

Mexico has a lot of biodiversity and each one of us has to make it worth the creation by taking a good advantage of all the natural resources we have, this means that we have to respect nature at the same time as nature respects us 'cause we're part of it. You and me, we were all born to be free, free as a bird...



                          ARY  .,.<3

2nd Partial: TASK #2 French Sculpture

"THE NATURE IS UNDRESSED BEFORE THE SCIENCE"

  This sculpture was made by the artist  Louis-Ernest Barrias, I chose it because I think it is very creative, from the title to what it is madre of. I loved precisely that, the variety of materials that the sculptor used and how he knew how to give each part of his creation the perfect colors so they could fill observers' eyes. It is good to include that the woman's body is really beautiful; it transmits health, energy and delicacy at the same time, noticing the wonderful movement of the model at the moment in which she was seen by Barrias. This is the most known sculpture of the autor.

                                ARY  .,.<3

2nd partial: TASK #1 Impresionism vs Creativism

The most important characteristics of Impressionism:

1. It was born in France.
2. Painters tried to capture immediacy.
3. These artists tended to create landscapes that were framed on each side by trees or other structures, and where recession into space was created by carefully measured intervals.
4. They emphasized new compositional devices such as plunging perspective, cropped forms, and compositions balanced asymmetrically.
5.  Often pyramidal in form, the central image was flanked on either side with similarly weighted forms.
6. Many artists employed purples, yellows, and other colors to suggest colored shadows and reflected light.
7. Artists traditionally mixed paints on their palette to achieve a certain hue or color before applying it to the canvas.
8. Paintings appeared to have a flat or smooth surface.
9. Use of a high horizon line that often creates a plunging perspective.
10.  figures in snapshots created the sense of movement and spontaneity that the Impressionist artists wanted to achieve.

The most important Impressionist artists:

• Vincent Van Gogh, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Sisley, or Cézanne

  Le dèjeuner des canotiers
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
(25 February 1841 – 3 December 1919)
Was a French artist who was a leading painter in the development of the Impressionist style. As a celebrator of beauty, and especially feminine sensuality, it has been said that "Renoir is the final representative of a tradition which runs directly from Rubens to Watteau."
The painting is 130 x 173cm. It is inspired by a reunion of friends that celebrate the grand oppening of  a terrace "L'Auberge du Père Fournaise".
I think Renoir is a creative artist because he imagines or maybe pictures exactly what he is watching but giving his work a little from himself.  I liked how in this drawing he describes really beautifully the human body and the relationships one has with another. I love that he carefully transmits every single detail from the scene he is watching.
                 
       ARY  .,.<3

1st Partial Exam: SECTION 3. Decision making

A) Explain how Benjamin Franklin took decisions and mention some advantages and disadvantages of this method:


He taught you to use this method:

1. Make your columns. You need two columns.  Label the first column “Element” and the second column “Importance Factor.”

2. List the important elements of your decision. In your “Element” column, list all the major elements that influence your decision.

3. List the importance factor of each element. In your “Importance Factor” column, assign each element a number from 1 to 10 according to how important that element is to you.

4. Grade the choices in relation to each element. You’re now going to assign a number from 1 to 10 in relation to how each choice measures up to the elements you have listed.

5. Multiply the importance factor by the grades for each choice.

6. Add up the totals. Once you have multiplied all of your importance factors by your choice grades, add all those numbers up to get a total. Which choice has the highest number of points? That’s probably the best choice for you.

ADVANTAGES:  * You can get a concise and precise result. * It can be very objective.


DISADVANTAGES: * You can get a result you weren't expecting. * The process may take too long.



B) Explain how the decision making tree works:

You start a Decision Tree with a decision that you need to make. Draw a small square to represent this on the left hand side of a large piece of paper, half way down the page.

From this box draw out lines towards the right for each possible solution, and write a short description of the solution along the line. Keep the lines apart as far as possible so that you can expand your thoughts.

At the end of each line, consider the results. If the result of taking that decision is uncertain, draw a small circle. If the result is another decision that you need to make, draw another square. Squares represent decisions, and circles represent uncertain outcomes. Write the decision or factor above the square or circle. If you have completed the solution at the end of the line, just leave it blank.

Starting from the new decision squares on your diagram, draw out lines representing the options that you could select. From the circles draw lines representing possible outcomes. Again make a brief note on the line saying what it means. Keep on doing this until you have drawn out as many of the possible outcomes and decisions as you can see leading on from the original decisions.

Once you have done this, review your tree diagram. Challenge each square and circle to see if there are any solutions or outcomes you have not considered. If there are, draw them in. If necessary, redraft your tree if parts of it are too congested or untidy. You should now have a good understanding of the range of possible outcomes of your decisions.

Now you are ready to evaluate the decision tree. This is where you can work out which option has the greatest worth to you. Start by assigning a cash value or score to each possible outcome. Make your best assessment of how much you think it would be worth to you if that outcome came about.

Next look at each circle (representing an uncertainty point) and estimate the probability of each outcome. If you use percentages, the total must come to 100% at each circle. If you use fractions, these must add up to 1. If you have data on past events you may be able to make rigorous estimates of the probabilities. Otherwise write down your best guess.

Once you have worked out the value of the outcomes, and have assessed the probability of the outcomes of uncertainty, it is time to start calculating the values that will help you make your decision.

Start on the right hand side of the decision tree, and work back towards the left. As you complete a set of calculations on a node (decision square or uncertainty circle), all you need to do is to record the result. You can ignore all the calculations that lead to that result from then on.

Where you are calculating the value of uncertain outcomes (circles on the diagram), do this by multiplying the value of the outcomes by their probability. The total for that node of the tree is the total of these values.

When you are evaluating a decision node, write down the cost of each option along each decision line. Then subtract the cost from the outcome value that you have already calculated. This will give you a value that represents the benefit of that decision.

Note that amounts already spent do not count for this analysis – these are 'sunk costs' and (despite the emotional cost) should not be factored into the decision.

When you have calculated these decision benefits, choose the option that has the largest benefit, and take that as the decision made. This is the value of that decision node.

Decision trees provide an effective method of decision making because they:

• Clearly lay out the problem so that all options can be challenged.
• Allow us to analyze the possible consequences of a decision fully.
• Provide a framework to quantify the values of outcomes and the probabilities of achieving them.
• Help us to make the best decisions on the basis of existing information and best guesses.

As with all decision making methods, decision tree analysis should be used in conjunction with common sense - decision trees are just one important part of your decision making tool kit.

1st Partial Exam: SECTION 2. Creativity development

A) DEFINITION OF CREATIVE THINKING:

Is looking at problems or situations from a fresh perspective that suggests unorthodox solutions (which may look unsettling at first). Creative thinking can be stimulated both by a freewheeling (unstructured) process such as brainstorming, and by a step by step (structured) process such as lateral thinking.

B) DEFINITION OF CREATIVITY:

Can be defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.
Or, from a dictionary:  1. The ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc. 2. Originality, progressiveness, or imagination.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYHrjg5rJyQ&feature=fvst

C) DEFINITION OF DIFFERENT STYLES OF THINKING:


1. Critical thinking - This is convergent thinking. It assesses the worth and validity of something existent.
It involves precise, persistent, objective analysis. When teachers try to get several learners to think convergently, they try to help them develop common understanding.
 
2. Creative thinking - This is divergent thinking. It generates something new or different. It involves having a different idea that works as well or better than previous ideas.
 
3. Convergent thinking - This type of thinking is cognitive processing of information around a common point, an attempt to bring thoughts from different directions into a union or common conclusion.
 
4. Divergent thinking - This type of thinking starts from a common point and moves outward into a variety of perspectives. When fosering divergent thinking, teachers use the content as a vehicle to prompt diverse or unique thinking among students rather than a common view.
 
5. Inductive thinking - This is the process of reasoning from parts to the whole, from examples to generalizations.
 
6. Deductive thinking - This type of reasoning moves from the whole to its parts, from generalizations to underlying concepts to examples.
 
7. Closed questions - These are questions asked by teachers that have predictable responses. Closed questions almost always require factual recall rather than higher levels of thinking.

8. Open questions - These are questions that do not have predictable answers. Open questions almost always require higher order thinking.

1st Partial Exam: SECTION 1. Problem Solving

A) PROBLEM ONE: Imagine that you go to Europe with your friends.  Denmark is your last stop and you are almost out of money.  Some people in your group get very ill.  You have to take a decision whether to stay or get back in Aguascalientes.  Consider that University has already started and you are broke.  Decide what to do.

1. Variables:

 * Places
 * Money
 * Illnesses
 * University

2. Consider possibilities:

* We can stay in Europe and go to Denmark.
* I can go back to Aguascalientes.
* I can earn money by getting a job.
* I can earn money by asking for it at the metro station.
* I can earn money by singing at restaurants.
* I can earn money by teaching our language to the citizens.
* We can ask our parents to send us money.
* We can ask the bank for credit.
* We can evaluate if the illnesses are really bad or not.
* We can ask for a special permission to the University.
* We can start College the next school period.

3. Consequences:

   I. If we stay in Denmark, I will have to find a doctor or someone who can cure the sick ones.

  II. If I go back to Aguascalientes, I'll go by myself because the sick ones may not be able to travel by airplane.

 III. If I search for a job, even if it is difficult I might find one, but I have to see if the money they pay me back worths the work, if not I will have to search for another one.

 IV. If I stay in Europe, I will have to earn money in any way I can to pay my friends' medical attention.

  V. If I try to earn money by singing at the restaurants, people might not like me and I might not earn as much money as needed. But, if a person realizes that I have talent I may become famous!

 VI. If I find people that want to take spanish classes and if I find a place were I can teach, I could earn money for the cause.

VII. If we ask our parents to send us money they might do it, but they can also say no. In that case, we will have to think in other ways to pay the things we need, like asking the bank for credit. The bank may deny our request because we don't live there and because neither us nor them know how long we're staying, how much can they trust us, etc.

VIII. If we evaluate the illnesses and we realize that they're not that bad, we can go back home, but if they're not good enough, we will have to stay until they're 0K again. The other choice I have is to leave them in Europe and return to Aguascalientes to continue my studies.

IX. If we ask the University for a special permission, probably (almost surely) they will say no. But if they say yes, we have part of our problem solved.

 X. If we stay in Europe more time than expected, we could start College a period after and meanwhile we could get to know more places! The bad part of this is that we can get used to not going to school anymore, or to going to work, earn money and live without someone who tells us what to do. But the good part is that no matter what we decide to do, we will always have that exciting and special experience of life.

4. Consider priorities:

* Myself.                               *My money, my studies, my willing, my family, my home.
* My friends.                         *My friends' health, my friends' money.

5. Consider points of view:

My parents point of view: it would certainly be better for me if went back to Aguascalientes to continue my studies.
My friends point of view: it would be better for them if I stayed in Europe to help them with their sickness.
My ponit of view: it would be great if there would be no problem with the University if I started later, but that's not possible, so what I think that would be better for my studies is that I went back to Mexico as soon as possible. But also, in my point of view it would be nicer if I took care of my friends to show them how much their friendship means to me, I know that knowledge is super important but, school? I can start it later... anyways, it won't take long.

6. Planning:

I think I will stay with my friends to take care of them, that way I will get to know more places in Europe and it will be good for my parents too because when I go back to Aguascalientes I will keep studying.

7. Decision making:

I will follow my plan, and to earn money I will search for a job as a spanish teacher. Meanwhile I find it, I will ask my dad for credit.



B) PROBLEM TWO: Planning. Define according to your preferences the places that you would visit in Europe based on the most important five variables that you consider.  Use whichever decision making tool (only consider you have to apply an objective one).

5 most important variables:

• Distance
• Life cost
• Homestay
• Language
• Interesting places to visit

1. I could go to Sweden because is really near from where I "am" right now (Denmark). It's an interesting place because is a really ecologic country, 39% of the energy they used in 2005 came from renewable energy and for 2020 they want to make it to 49%, something really admirable to me. And not just that, talking about their territory, around 65% of Sweden's total land area is covered with forests and oooh, how do I love nature ^-^

2. I could go to France... no, not "could" I wiiiill go to France <3 because it's not as near as Sweden, but not far at all from Denmark.  I decided I'll get to know this country because I love their language, and there's nothing better than to practice it in its place of origin. I like France because is the first nation to have The Declaration of Human and Citizen Rights, it is founder member of the U.N. and one of the five permanent members of its Security Council. It has beaches, countryside and mountains and a lot of cultural places to visit. The inconvenient of going to France is that is the 5th It is the fifth world economy in nominal terms, that means that for me it won't be that good at first because it's a little expensive, hehe. The good thing is that there are many shelters were I can live paying less than if I rented an apartment.

3. I would like to go to Italy too because I also like italian language, it is worth mentioning that, as an spanish-speaker, I have advantages to learn it perfectly 'cause it is really alike. I think my stay in Italy would be short because I like the place but more just for visiting and not for living. I would like to visit Venice and Florence because I bought an interesting book about those two cities and I'm excited about getting to know them. For the homestay over there I don't have worries because I know someone who has family there and that could adopt me a while, hehe.
My decision making tool for this exercise were different sources such as web pages, people that have been there and books. With their help I chose this three countries to go and visit because of the five variables I stablished at the beggining.



C) PROBLEM THREE: Establish and explain what would be the most important rules, values and principles that you would follow during your trip.

   *INTEGRITY: because is the principle that involves all principles. The rule is to follow your values and stick to them no matter where, when or who you are with. The thing is that you have to be true to yourself because you're the one who knows what's the best for you.

   *RESPECT: respect would be one of the most important values because here and in China, a person's life is just and only of his own. He will be able to do as he pleases as long as he does not affect others in a negative way. In the trip I'd have to follow it because everywhere I go I will find people that is sometimes really different from me, their religion, their culture, their own way to see life.

  *ADAPTABILITY: because it is certainly important to be able to suit specific manners or situations according to the place one's at.

 *RESPONSABILITY: I chose responsability because it is really important for everybody to be able to respond (as the word says) to everything in the correct way. Even if the trip is only for recreation, we have to follow rules that maybe we stablished but not because of that reason we are goinf to break them. Responsability is to act with safety, avoiding dangerous situations and to be in charge of our own acts, to face the consequences of our decisions.

 *ACTIVENESS: I chose activeness because its meaning is "the trait of being active; moving or acting rapidly and energetically." One rule of my trips is not to stay layed down in bed unless you're going to have a night sleep. You are not allowed to waste your time resting, haha. You have to exploit every single minute of your stay in any other place that's not home :]