ESLR's

1) Effective User of Technology

I've drastically improved on effective use of technology by using the internet as my predominant method of getting research.  Also, I have learned what to look for in websites in order to avoid getting scammed or inadequate material such as tons of ads or short articles.  Now, I am learning basic troubleshooting skills as well so that I can fix my own problems if my computer goes on the fritz.  One example is when I did some network diagnostics after the internet went down at our house.  I found the problem and reset the router.

2) Effective Communicator

I admit I may have had some problems getting my point across before, but I am working hard on fixing that problem.  Now, I can say something and everyone understands.  Also, I have started helping people understand the lessons we're being taught if they still don't get it.  I'm not a tutor, but I'll gladly help people out if they need it.  So far, people seem to understand what I'm saying better than when I first started out as a Freshman.

Ten Hour SL Check

I am doing my service learning on a sustainable organic chicken farm with a woman named Betty Joseph and her husband.

So far, I have completed 10 hours working for her.

I have been gathering eggs that she sells and eats, taking care of the goats that she raises for meat, and building a new enclosure in order to make room for some more meat goats and some milking goats.

I have learned about some of the maintenance required in order to live a sustainable lifestyle.  It is more work than I previously thought in order to achieve a means of, in this case, attaining food.  That could be a downside to living sustainably.  However, I feel that it is a rewarding king of work.  The reason why is that as you work, you get to directly see the progress made and observe as your rewards come into being.  It gives you a strong sense of achievement and makes you feel useful.  This can be one of the benefits to sustainable living.

10 3rd Interview Questions

1) How do you practice sustainability?

2) What are the next steps you are going to take towards a sustainable lifestyle?

3) How would you convince someone to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle?

4) What are the benefits of a sustainable lifestyle?

5) Can you recommend some sources you used to adopt your lifestyle?

6) When did you start this lifestyle?

7) Why should I start living more sustainably?

8) Where can people learn more techniques for a sustainable lifestyle?

9) Does a sustainable lifestyle require any special technology other than alternative energy?

10) What obstacles did you encounter while converting to a sustainable lifestyle?

EQ

1)  best, most effective

2)  A possible answer is to inform people about common misconceptions on Sustainable Living.  Also, show people easy and cheap ways to help offset their use of limited resources.

3)My most important source so far has been the article from this site:

http://www.theecologist.org/trial_investigations/268287/10_reasons_why_organic_can_feed_the_world.html

The reason why, is that this article explains the misconceptions behind organic food and the impact that it has on the world.  The yields of organic farms are actually larger and use less energy than conventional farms.  Also, this can reduce a person's carbon footprint dramatically if the food is local as well as being cheaper if the people get it directly from the farmer.

Idea Approval

1) I would like to create a working alternative energy source such as a small, homemade wind turbine that can be used at my house for a fraction of our energy consumption.  I would also like to work for a community garden.

2) It will be worthwhile because the experiences will teach me how to install and maintain sustainable technology as well as helping me learn about better agricultural techniques.

3) If I get the experience, then I can better understand what I want to teach people.  Also, this can help me find small, easy steps that regular people can take to gradually improve their lifestyles.

Second Interview Questions

1)  What is the thing that makes you most qualified to practice sustainable living?

2)  What is the best advice you can give someone on how to get started on converting their house to a more sustainable lifestyle?

3)  What is the best sustainable energy source for a house?

4)  What is the best incentive for a person to live sustainably?

5)  What is the most rewarding experience you have gotten from sustainable living?

My Essential Question:  What is the best way to convince and teach people to adopt a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle?

Interview Reflection #1

I learned what it was like to put yourself full-on into a life of sustainable living and the work behind it.  Sustainable living is doable, but in order to start, it can take a lot of hard work.  It was a real challenge that took months to achieve in order for Mr. Harned and his family to build his own home out of the stuff they grew from their property.  Also, in order to live like this, his family has made a lot of sacrifices.  They rarely travel and also, they can only use as much power as their solar panels can provide.

Five-Minute Presentation Reflection

1: I took a highly creative approach to the construction of my visual aid.  Rather than just putting pictures and labels on my poster, I decided to design a crossword-style vocabulary board in the shape of a house with symbols of different aspects of my topic on it. 

2: The most challenging thing to do was plan my lesson so that it would fit in five minutes without being too short.  I had the material, but I was afraid it would be too much.  This is why I tried to condense it into a few vocab words to quiz the class on and inform them about.