Mining the Generational   Curriculum

Looking At The Old Skool "G's"

by

Amy Hayashida

Table of Contents

Selection #1

Gender Differences in Driving: Does Sex Matter? by Kristina Ching, G9

Why I Chose This Report

I chose this report because battle of the sexes has been ongoing since the beginning of time.  I am always very interested on what other people have to say about the topic.  As a woman, it's very disappointing to hear negative comments regarding women and their ability to drive.  Therefore, anything containing topics of gender differences are likely to catch my eye!

Summary

Kristina asks the question of whether or not differences exist in driving between genders.  She looked at Ms. Lucey's (student from previous generations) report.  Ms. Lucey had surveyed 16 people, half male, half female, and found that women seem to be less aggressive when it comes to driving.  Ms. Lucey feels that there is a slight difference between genders when it comes to driving.  She feels that men are more aggressive drivers than females due to earlier childhood rearing.    She then goes on to support her point by saying that boys are raised to be tough and aggressive, while girls are raised to be gentle and passive.  This then is reflected upon them when they are driving.  However, she believes that this gender difference is very slim.  She continues on to say that women are learning to be more aggressive due to the harshness of society.  Kristen hypothesizes that in the near future, there will be no sex differences.

My Reaction

First and foremost, I do not agree that there are gender differences in driving.  Believing in these stereotypes only encourage them.  If we are to divide female characteristics and male characteristics in driving we are committing the fallacy of generalization, what we should be focusing on is good drivers and bad drivers.  Even the idea of males being depicted as aggressive and female being depicted as passive is false.  Females that are aggressive exist just like passive males as well.  Consequently, I believe that there are as much aggressive male drivers as there are aggressive female drivers.  In agreeing with Kristen on her belief on how child-rearing has an influence on passive/aggressive driving behaviors on the child as they approach adulthood, however the child's inherent temperament is another factor to consider.  The child's personality is also a product of their biological make-up.  Children, borne with these explicit behaviors, may be influenced by them as they grow up.  For that reason, we cannot logically say that males are more aggressive than females, and vice versa.  Instead, we should look at the individual more, since we all have are differences.

Comparisons

Kristen's report in comparison to her fellow classmates is very organized.  Her entire web page is very pleasing to the eye, and the presentation made navigating through her site very easy.

Selection #2

Tailgating Behavior, Fair or Unfair? by Kathy Teruya, G6

Why I Chose This Report

I chose this report because I am one of those individuals who can't stand those who tailgate me but am guilty of committing the very same act myself.  I was hoping to find some explanations for my and others behavior in this matter.

Summary

First of all, Kathy clarifies the meaning of tailgating, due to everyone having their own little definitions on the word.  Dr. James says that tailgating is following too close with the intention to coerce of punish another driver when you think you've been wronged.  Kathy believes that tailgating is when someone is following her too closely.  Tailgating is broken down into three domains: 1) affective (feelings and emotions), 2) cognitive (thoughts), and 3) sensorimotor (actions).  She then gives examples of these three domains from acts of previous students.  Kathy admits to being guilty of the crime at times, depending on the situation.  When she tailgates on purpose, she claims it is to punish other drivers trying to cut in front of her when there is a lot of traffic, not to punish the person she happens to be tailgating.  When people do not wait their turn and cut her off, it brings about feelings of being cheated and even violated.  Cutting people off is rude, and people should wait their turn.  On the other hand, Kathy really hates to be tailgated because of an accident that she was involved in several years ago.  She doesn't trust other's driving skills while tailgating and gets anxieties about the whole thing.  In conclusion, she says that we should all think twice about tailgating and have better control over our anger and retribution.

My Reaction

Kathy turned out to be similar to me in behavior, in a way hyppocritical.  Although, I don't really get mad if people are tailgating me in heavy traffic, because you can't really do nothing about it.  I get upset, no-livid when people are purposely tailgating me in regular traffic, other lanes open, like I did something wrong to them or I'm driving to slow (which is NEVER the case).  There is no justification for endangering fellow commuter's lives.  If you feel that your are being followed too closely, then you should make every effort to get out of their way.  There is no need to fuel the tailgater's fire, somebody probably pissed in their cornflakes!

Comparisons

In comparison with her peers, Kathy's report was very thorough and clear, making it very easy to read.  I liked that she included examples to the three domains of tailgating behavior in her report.

Selection #3

Driving Cartoons by Jenica Guerra, G6

Why I Chose This Report

I chose this report because searching through all these generations and reports, cartoons about driving sounded like a "SITE" (get it? heehee) for sore eyes!  I definitely love humor and if I have the opportunity to enjoy this assignment, hell, I'm gonna take it!

Summary

Jenica discusses how cartoons can be helpful in education, and that because of their aesthetic appeal, people would be more apt to read a paper with a cartoon rather than just plain text.  She says that cartoons make people smile and put them into good moods.  Her report also includes instructions on how to insert cartoons in their reports, and how implementing a database for driving cartoons could be helpful to future generations.

My Reaction

Wow.  I enjoyed Jenica's report and web page.  She was very concise and to the point, which always makes for a good paper.  Her animations and cartoons kept me motivated to read on.  I would just like to say that, even as an adult, I find cartoons very useful in the learning process, as I tend to lose concentration FAST!

Comparisons

Jenica had a good combination of presentation as well as content.  She really took the time to investigate her topic, and has a lot of pride in her work which is really admirable.

Selection #4

Driving Personality Makeovers and Techniques: Do we need them? by Carolyn Agmata, G9

Why I Chose This Report

I chose this particular report because in class, when we talked about this topic, it was a little heated in the room.  Therefore, I thought it would be appealing to me.

Summary

Carolyn starts off her report by introducing the definition of a driving personality makeover is.  She then informs the reader of a driving technique known as AWM, started by Dr. James.  The first step is to acknowledge that you are out of control (admitting that you have a problem). The next step is to witness yourself being out of control while at the wheel.  The last step is to modify your bad driving behavior by changing them one at at time.  Carolyn also tries experimenting with herself for a driving makeover.  Although she did not use Dr. Driving's AWM technique, she made an extra effort to start her commute earlier which seemed to alleviate pressures of being late, decreasing her road rage.

My Reaction

I liked this report.  I really agree with Carolyn on her points.  You can really learn a lot about yourself and how you deal with your problems if you just take out the time to realize them and admit to them.  I would have expected Carolyn to go into further detail on how she used Dr. Driving's AWM technique in her "makeover" but I see that she may have eliminated her problems by nipping them in the bud.  She saw that it was her feeling of being rushed that inclinated her to pressure and anxiety while driving, which then increased her road rage.  I had the same problem too, and took care of it like she did, LEAVE EARLY OR ON TIME!  I noticed that when I'm in no rush, I'm just cruising, polite to everyone, let people go, and sometimes even enjoy the ride :)

Comparisons

In general, Carolyn's report was very thorough when compared to that of her peers.  It was also very well organized and her paper was easy to read. However, she also had some icons on her web page that were not working, which she could have fixed since it isn't very appealing to the eye when you see it.

Suggestions For Future Generations

Well all I can say is start working on your reports early or on time, or you will tend to rush if you are late. (sound familiar?)  Just do what is required by the due date and worry about making it look good later.

Questions/Comments? e-mail me!

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