Post 7 - Organizational Strategy for Doc2

My organizational strategy is relatively simple. I always start on paper never on my laptop. I create an outline: Main idea, support idea, support idea, ect.  I scout out credible information and annotate all possible choices for my paper. If I don't use a source I found, I cross it out. I usually struggle with a introduction constantly rewording or going a different course completely. I make many scribbles and somehow mix it together to make a decent paper. I like to write on paper because if I do not like what I wrote I can just mark through it. If I were typing it, it would be deleted and gone forever. Even if I didn't like that particular sentence at the time, I might use it later or just rearrange words. On paper it is easy to go back and on a laptop it is gone. I've used this organizational strategy for not only Doc2, but other essays as well.   

Post 6 - Univeral Healthcare

A current issue within the United States that deeply concerns me is universal healthcare. Although some individuals or families are drowning in healthcare bills, I do not believe universal healthcare is practical. Who covers the cost of universal healthcare? 

In a country with universal healthcare, the hard working tax payers are the ones who pay for it. Say, I work anywhere from 40-60 hours on a normal week and am taxed 25-30%. Then, my neighbor down the street does not work, does not pay taxes and has no intention of getting a job. With universal healthcare, I (the hard working tax payer) am responsible for providing my healthcare along with my (non working) neighbor's healthcare. That does not seem like a fair plan. In a article I read, states "In the United Kingdom and other European countries, payroll taxes average 37% – much higher than the 15.3% payroll taxes paid by the average US worker."

I believe the quality of healthcare would dwindle with socialized healthcare. I believe it would lead to lest than best doctors, longer wait times, and overuse or abuse of services. In a world were the tax payers supply the doctors wages equally, do you really know if you are getting the A+ doctor or the C- doctor? There would probably doctor shortages because of the equality of things. The A+ doctor does not want the same salary as the C- doctor. The A+ doctor worked harder and earnings should reflect that. Long wait time can be contributed to a limited amount of specialists and time required with each patient. "In the United States, only 25% of patients had to wait at least four weeks to see a specialist compared to 59% in Canada, 56% in Norway, and 43% in the United Kingdom – all countries that have some form of a universal right to health care." Most people do not go to the doctor for a 24 hour virus, common cold, or sinus infection. Most know it will run its course or treat it with Nyquil or a hot toddy. But with socialized healthcare, an individual might make the decision to go just because many the doctor can give them "the good stuff" for free. I had a friend work at an ER tell me that some one with Medicaid came in for a papercut. That's just ridiculous, but that is socialized healthcare.

Socialized healthcare kills the American Dream. You have the government hold your hand instead of working hard for what you want. 

Canadian Institute for Health Information, “How Canada Compares: Results from the Commonwealth Fund’s 2016 International Health Policy Survey of Adults in 11 Countries – Data Tables,” cihi.ca, 2016

Paul Roderick Gregory, “Obamacare a Mess? Liberals Say Go Single Payer,” forbes.com, Oct. 28, 2013

Post 5 - Adding Authority and Value to Doc2

I will add authority and value to my document using real life experience and credible sources. My essay will inform and persuade undecided students to pursue a degree in Aviation Maintenance. Well, technically you don't even have to acquire a degree, just the certifications. I follow many aviation professionals on LinkedIn who share many articles, videos, and opinions in the vast aviation world. I have been in the aviation industry for 5 years and real world experience is when you're in the nitty-gritty. Being in the real world will make you question your career choice. Did I choose the right career? Do I like my job? For me, these questions are easy. I could not see myself doing anything else. 

I believe value in an essay comes from heart. For this document, I have plenty of heart. Putting passion into words will achieve worth. Adding authority comes from a confident point of view. You want to be persuasive but not demanding. You should have direct engagement and no loose ends.  

Post 4 - Writing as a Tool for Learning

Most people would not think of writing as a tool. Writing is very much a tool; a tool used for vast learning. The definition of a tool is a device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function. How do you write? You write with your hand. You have to use critical thinking to write.  You have to determine sentence structure and flow, spelling, added details, and be careful not to create errors. 

I use writing  as a tool for learning for many subjects. In math class, I'm constantly taking notes and writing practice problems in order to get better. In English class, writing is the focus and you literally learn to write.  At work, I have certain jobs that require measurements and we always have to document all work done on the aircraft. I've used email and texting for communication between instructors and coworkers. 

Post 3 - Evaluating Internet Sources

Finding credible information on the internet can be a tedious job. I change the words up on my Google search just to come up with different information. I've searched "composition I what to write" and "most important thing to learn in Composition I". Although, the search is relatively the same, I had different results. I usually look for an article written by an educational institute or an organization. 

An article or journal found on an educational site is usually written by a professor (or a media relations tech interviewing them) on what every subject they teach or research. So if I'm looking for text on "Aerospace Engineering", I could look for the top schools for aerospace engineering. I could find their research information and read the professors biography. For reference, I went to Georgia Tech's website because they are a top school for engineers. Also, most professors have been in their field for many years and could be considered experts.

Organizations can be a little more tricky. Many are extremely biased. There are organizations that have articles that are based on facts, they just may take time to find. The "Aerospace Industrial Association", for example, is mainly crunching numbers for the industry. You can't get much more factual. 

I read from "Evaluating Internet Sources": "Because of the hodge-podge of information on the Internet, it is very important you develop evaluation skills to assist you in identifying quality Web pages.  There are six (6) criteria that should be applied when evaluating any Web site: authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, coverage, and appearance." Question what you read. Dig deeper into the information if necessary. You'll be glad you did.

Lydia M Olson Libray, "Evaluating Internet Sources", 15 Nov 2018. https://lib.nmu.edu/help/resource-guides/subject-guide/evaluating-internet-sources. Accessed 16 Jun 2020

Post 2 - Mototok-A Blog for Me

I walk into work on a Sunday afternoon, clock in, say hellos and see what the night has in store for me. A meeting is called just as we settle in for our shift. The meeting is just what all of us wanted to hear: You are furloughed until further notice. Thank you, COVID-19.

I found this blog, Mototok, that has some nice posts for an individual in the aviation field. Whether you are a mechanic, ground services, or management, this blog covers a good bit of information. The first article I read was titled ''MRO Futures and Outlook Amid a Global Crisis." As most already know, the global crisis at the moment is COVID-19. This virus has negatively effected so many people, organizations, and companies.

Reading the article gave insight on how MROs (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul facilities) will recover from this crisis. Aviation has plummeted since March and the future is hairy. Efficiency will be crucial in the coming days of aviation. The government is playing part in the private sector now because of restrictions and regulations. Most companies will have to adapt to the new "normal."

Although the future of aviation is a tad bleak, I believe that it will not perish. A quote from the article reads, "The times are trying and the way ahead is very uncertain. We do not know what the future holds for aviation, although we can be assured that it will not go away." I advise my fellow associates in aviation to not lose hope. 

Post 1-The Most Important Thing to Learn in Composition I

If you cannot read what you are asked to write, you are dead in the water. I am not saying that a college student cannot read a task with usually basic sentences. By reading, I mean interpreting and analyzing and absorbing the text. Most students, including myself at times, simply read the text and do not give it anymore thought. Critical reading requires a attentive thought process. 

Critical reading requires questioning of the text. The basic "Who? What? When? Where? and Why?" are good questions to start with.  Question the targeted audience and writer. Does the writer have similar text that have a typical flow? Does my audience include my fellow peers, my instructor, or a kindergarten class? If there are words that you don't understand, look them up. Use context clues for additional help. 

Another point, does the text relate to you in any way? Do you have a personal experience to correlate with or an opinion on the matter? The way you view a text critically may be completely different from another person. Keep an open mind while analyzing text. 

Here is a quote I found online that I believe sums up the importance of reading: "Whenever you're assigned an essay or a story, get in the habit of reading it at least twice: the first time through simply for enjoyment; the second time with a pen in hand to take notes that will help you remember what you have read."

Nordquist, Richard. "7 Secrets to Success in English 101." ThoughtCo, Feb. 11, 2020, thoughtco.com/secrets-to-success-in-freshman-english-1692851. Accessed 09 June 2020

A Snippet of My Life

Hello, I'm Kayla Sheppard. I am a returning student to Middle Georgia finishing my AAS in Aviation Maintenance Technology. If that goes well, I'll continue into my Bachelor's. I've been an aircraft mechanic for 3.5 years and want to become an instructor one day. Due to Covid-19, I've been furloughed since the end of March.  I'm married with twin boys and am a native to south Georgia. When I'm not working or doing school work, I enjoy time with my family, the outdoors, aviation, and reading. I'm anxious and excited about being back in school.