On Monday we had our Soliya Orientation with Nahid Ahmed. Please give your impressions, your reservations, your hopes and expectations for this course.
Frankly I would have expected a little more interest shown by the students towards this program. Probably most of them feared that the English level required for this program is beyond their capabilities, but they should have realized that this could be a good opportunity to interactively learn English. Usually before I take a decision I'm thinking a lot of both the negative and positive aspects, but subscribing for the Soliya program took me just 5 minutes. This because I see in this program a chance to find the truth directly from the source. Beside the clarifications that were given us during the Solyia Orientation this Monday, a little demonstration was also made. A demonstration of the fact that we will be actually talking with ordinary people like us, so there will be no reason to avoid open dialog. If after this 9 weeks I won't conclude that actually this Soliya program is another way of manipulation or a backup for the wealth of some obscure persons, I have the intention of bringing it in my home country, Romania:) That will be all for now. I will keep everyone in touch with my evolution inside this program and if someone has a particular question regarding this activity I will be more than glad to answer.
I was also really excited about this program, and the "Orientation" did not disappoint me. It's amazing to be allowed to talk with a person at the other side of the world, even if we know that the technology allows that for years.
I was a bit surprised by the poor quality of the video. I thought that it must be some ways to improve the image quality, using an proper software, and not an internet browser - I've learned since that using a browser fix some issues about closed ports. Anyway, the image quality is good enough to talk and see the others. The sound could be better, thought : I had to be constantly pricking up my ears.
The explanations about the means to interract - during the Orientation - was perfect. I think that blogging is a good idea - and an easy one - to keep in touch with other students, an the topics which were debatted. But we'll see how it works later in the program.
More generally, I think that this is really a good idea, an useful idea, wich benefit to the three parts involved in it : western students, middle-west students, and the Middle-West / Western world relations.
As you maybe know, I was not here on last monday, so this is not about our first Soliya Orientation. I think this project is important, because it is the first time for France, and it can be the beginning of long cooperation. Furthermore, taking part of this project is a very good way to learn english and lots of other things at the same time. I hope this project will make me discover other persons with a different way of thinking and act, which is always enriching and interesting. To be honest, I did not begin to read the articles, but I think it is a good thing to force me to read about Middle East and US, because I don't do it alone. I just expect that Soliya is really a different way of thinking, and I hope Soliya's teachers will be as neutral as possible, notably on the choice of the articles. (As Laurentiu said, I hope it is not a new way of manipulation :) ) To finish, I'd like to answer to Laurentiu about the lack of interest from other students. Because I was really exited about Soliya project, I speak a lot with students in 2 year (about 10 persons, so this is maybe not enougth to implement the law of large numbers :) ). I think there is mainly 3 differents point of view : persons who did not understand what happen on this project (the majority, I think) persons who think it will take too much time persons who don't care
I try to explain why it is important, but maybe I did not give the rigth arguments...
Since we have enough free time until the Soliya program will begin I would like to propose a little game in order to keep this blog more interactive. So I was thinking that everyone of us could weekly suggest an article that he found interesting(from the Suggested Readings or not) and then the others could post their opinions on the suggested article. At the end of the week the one that proposed the article has to do a little synthesis on the others opinions, expressing if he wish his own opinion on the matter. If you don't find this too boring or useless I will be glad to be the first that begins this game. I'm waiting for your votes:)
Have you seen the beast there far far away? no? No, not there, you’re looking in the opposite direction. There in the middle east! Just come over, I’ll show you. You don’t see it anyway? Let’s get closer. No? Closer... Now, you should find it. Yes exactly, above there on the hill. Yeah, got it, two arms, two legs, etc. Definitely one of the most horrible beasts I’ve ever seen. WHAT, you call it a HUMAN?
conferencing for rehumanisation – conferencing for getting to know each other I personally don’t like the term rehumanisation. How could I hold a conference with so. who isn’t human? I don’t really know him or her yet! But I want to know him or her! I don’t know what is expecting me... maybe I’m the beast, so what is expecting the others? I’m curious, this is for sure.
I got a lot of question marks in my mind. I want to understand better the conflict between our cultures that ends in wars. Who profits? – Hopefully humanity in the end.
But at least we can benefit from our conferences to enhance our personal intercultural contact in the future.
I am coming with another proposition but this time I hope there will be some reactions(negative ones are accepted:) ). In order to make this program more popular among the ENSIMAG students I was thinking that one of the video conference could be opened to public. So whoever wants to assist to get a better perspective of what Solyia means, can come to this conference. If you all agree we can decide upon a date and make it public. I'm waiting for your opinions.
I choosed that module for 2 main reasons : - its originality (a course based on relatively recent tools such as blogs and video conferencing seems a first sight more interesting than a classic lesson with pen, papers and ears;-) - its main topic (relation between east and west) reflects a mayor problem in our days. And even a problem which is not the proprety of the USA. Therefore I believe - not only in yesterday, but too - in a way of better understanding both points of view.
My main reservations are that people based in eastern states face some problems, that immigrants from east to west not necessarily experiment. (And it's the same in the other way). And that's a problem in the sense that East-West relations are not only due to people born in the East and living in the East (and the same for the West), but even to people living born in the East and living in the West (and the same for West...East)! But that's factor we will probably have to deal with during our very next Soliya sessions?!
Secondly, technically speaking, I would like to say that I was disappointed about the fact that it's not a "fast" communication in the sense that it's not as fast as a phone and not as clear (both in terms of video and audio quality) as a tv. (But it seems that constraints are really hard to face...).
My main expectation is to learn from a different culture. Even if this module is oriented around East and West relations, I believe that it has not to be limited to that topic...
I apologize for not answer before but I didn't come since the 11/02 so I didn't see your comments.
So... I think your ideas are very interesting! I totally agree for making a public video conference, and for the article, it could be a great idea, but I prefer on suggested or essential reading. Indeed, it takes me lots of time to read one, because it is long for me to understand english (I spend 2h30 on the first... but I will improve!)
And to conclue, I'd like to say that I impatient that the program begin!!!! I am very curious of what will happen :)
I take advantage of Laure's response and the first article that I suggest for the little game proposed is the following: http://www.hoover.org/publications/policyreview/3399376.html
The ones living in France are more likely to give us details on the matter:).
to support my answer, I would like to add that the topic is indeed dealing about the East and the West relations.
Then, do you really think that people who previously lived in the West and who are currently living in the East have don't play any role in such relations?
Please note that I don't assume at all that immigrants are the main topic here. However I assume that my vision of some countries is influenced by people born in such countries whom I know.
And note that there is neither any positive nor any negative meaning to that sentence, it's just a fact.
11 comments:
Hello everyone
Frankly I would have expected a little more interest shown by the students towards this program. Probably most of them feared that the English level required for this program is beyond their capabilities, but they should have realized that this could be a good opportunity to interactively learn English.
Usually before I take a decision I'm thinking a lot of both the negative and positive aspects, but subscribing for the Soliya program took me just 5 minutes. This because I see in this program a chance to find the truth directly from the source.
Beside the clarifications that were given us during the Solyia Orientation this Monday, a little demonstration was also made. A demonstration of the fact that we will be actually talking with ordinary people like us, so there will be no reason to avoid open dialog.
If after this 9 weeks I won't conclude that actually this Soliya program is another way of manipulation or a backup for the wealth of some obscure persons, I have the intention of bringing it in my home country, Romania:)
That will be all for now. I will keep everyone in touch with my evolution inside this program and if someone has a particular question regarding this activity I will be more than glad to answer.
Laurentiu Trifan - 2nd year ENSIMAG
I was also really excited about this program, and the "Orientation" did not disappoint me. It's amazing to be allowed to talk with a person at the other side of the world, even if we know that the technology allows that for years.
I was a bit surprised by the poor quality of the video. I thought that it must be some ways to improve the image quality, using an proper software, and not an internet browser - I've learned since that using a browser fix some issues about closed ports. Anyway, the image quality is good enough to talk and see the others. The sound could be better, thought : I had to be constantly pricking up my ears.
The explanations about the means to interract - during the Orientation - was perfect. I think that blogging is a good idea - and an easy one - to keep in touch with other students, an the topics which were debatted. But we'll see how it works later in the program.
More generally, I think that this is really a good idea, an useful idea, wich benefit to the three parts involved in it : western students, middle-west students, and the Middle-West / Western world relations.
Hello!
As you maybe know, I was not here on last monday, so this is not about our first Soliya Orientation.
I think this project is important, because it is the first time for France, and it can be the beginning of long cooperation. Furthermore, taking part of this project is a very good way to learn english and lots of other things at the same time.
I hope this project will make me discover other persons with a different way of thinking and act, which is always enriching and interesting.
To be honest, I did not begin to read the articles, but I think it is a good thing to force me to read about Middle East and US, because I don't do it alone. I just expect that Soliya is really a different way of thinking, and I hope Soliya's teachers will be as neutral as possible, notably on the choice of the articles. (As Laurentiu said, I hope it is not a new way of manipulation :) )
To finish, I'd like to answer to Laurentiu about the lack of interest from other students. Because I was really exited about
Soliya project, I speak a lot with students in 2 year (about 10 persons, so this is maybe not enougth to implement the law of large numbers :) ). I think there is mainly 3 differents point of view :
persons who did not understand what happen on this project (the majority, I think)
persons who think it will take too much time
persons who don't care
I try to explain why it is important, but maybe I did not give the rigth arguments...
Laure
Since we have enough free time until the Soliya program will begin I would like to propose a little game in order to keep this blog more interactive.
So I was thinking that everyone of us could weekly suggest an article that he found interesting(from the Suggested Readings or not) and then the others could post their opinions on the suggested article. At the end of the week the one that proposed the article has to do a little synthesis on the others opinions, expressing if he wish his own opinion on the matter.
If you don't find this too boring or useless I will be glad to be the first that begins this game.
I'm waiting for your votes:)
Trifan Laurentiu - 2nd year ENSIMAG
Soliya – coming closer for rehumanisation
Have you seen the beast there far far away?
no?
No, not there, you’re looking in the opposite direction. There in the middle east!
Just come over, I’ll show you.
You don’t see it anyway?
Let’s get closer.
No?
Closer...
Now, you should find it.
Yes exactly, above there on the hill.
Yeah, got it, two arms, two legs, etc. Definitely one of the most horrible beasts I’ve ever seen.
WHAT, you call it a HUMAN?
conferencing for rehumanisation – conferencing for getting to know each other
I personally don’t like the term rehumanisation. How could I hold a conference with so. who isn’t human? I don’t really know him or her yet! But I want to know him or her! I don’t know what is expecting me... maybe I’m the beast, so what is expecting the others? I’m curious, this is for sure.
I got a lot of question marks in my mind. I want to understand better the conflict between our cultures that ends in wars. Who profits? – Hopefully humanity in the end.
But at least we can benefit from our conferences to enhance our personal intercultural contact in the future.
Hy there,
I am coming with another proposition but this time I hope there will be some reactions(negative ones are accepted:) ).
In order to make this program more popular among the ENSIMAG students I was thinking that one of the video conference could be opened to public. So whoever wants to assist to get a better perspective of what Solyia means, can come to this conference. If you all agree we can decide upon a date and make it public.
I'm waiting for your opinions.
Hi,
I choosed that module for 2 main reasons :
- its originality (a course based on relatively recent tools such as blogs and video conferencing seems a first sight more interesting than a classic lesson with pen, papers and ears;-)
- its main topic (relation between east and west) reflects a mayor problem in our days. And even a problem which is not the proprety of the USA. Therefore I believe - not only in yesterday, but too - in a way of better understanding both points of view.
My main reservations are that people based in eastern states face some problems, that immigrants from east to west not necessarily experiment. (And it's the same in the other way). And that's a problem in the sense that East-West relations are not only due to people born in the East and living in the East (and the same for the West), but even to people living born in the East and living in the West (and the same for West...East)! But that's factor we will probably have to deal with during our very next Soliya sessions?!
Secondly, technically speaking, I would like to say that I was disappointed about the fact that it's not a "fast" communication in the sense that it's not as fast as a phone and not as clear (both in terms of video and audio quality) as a tv. (But it seems that constraints are really hard to face...).
My main expectation is to learn from a different culture. Even if this module is oriented around East and West relations, I believe that it has not to be limited to that topic...
an answer to laurentiu... :)
I apologize for not answer before but I didn't come since the 11/02 so I didn't see your comments.
So... I think your ideas are very interesting! I totally agree for making a public video conference, and for the article, it could be a great idea, but I prefer on suggested or essential reading. Indeed, it takes me lots of time to read one, because it is long for me to understand english (I spend 2h30 on the first... but I will improve!)
And to conclue, I'd like to say that I impatient that the program begin!!!! I am very curious of what will happen :)
and, just a question to fabien :
I'm not sure that I well understand what you explain in your paragraph "main reservation"...
(or I understand and disagree...
Why are speaking about immigrants? In my opinion, this is not the problem at all...)
I take advantage of Laure's response and the first article that I suggest for the little game proposed is the following:
http://www.hoover.org/publications/policyreview/3399376.html
The ones living in France are more likely to give us details on the matter:).
A+
tzucre
Hi,
to support my answer, I would like to add that the topic is indeed dealing about the East and the West relations.
Then, do you really think that people who previously lived in the West and who are currently living in the East have don't play any role in such relations?
Please note that I don't assume at all that immigrants are the main topic here. However I assume that my vision of some countries is influenced by people born in such countries whom I know.
And note that there is neither any positive nor any negative meaning to that sentence, it's just a fact.
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