June 2006
June 30, 2006
High School Confidential
A wise man once told me..make a statement and then find the research to back it up after...This article talks about school being a place to house the bad of society. Sounds a lot like my rant from earlier today.
UBU WEB
UbuWeb is a completely independent resource dedicated to all strains of the avant-garde, ethnopoetics, and outsider arts.
All materials on UbuWeb are being made available for noncommercial and educational use only. All rights belong to the author(s).
New Monthly Poll
Quote of the Day
"To know nothing of what happened before you were born is to remain ever a child"
-- Cicero
I like the way children think everything is invention everything is discovery...is it so bad to remain a child?
I am sure these quote are made to justify History in the schools. I also like the one...How can you expect to know and understand where you are going if you don't know and understand where you came from. History always repeats itself, so knowing will help you prepare for what is yet to come.
If this is the case why does mankind continue to make the same mistakes?
Knowing history tends to stop one from being creative because of "tradition". Tradition is use by many a lazy person to refrain from trying something that in the past did not work. Nothing remains the same, so conditions change to try something old in a new time might lead to success. All best inventions were achieved by mistakes or failure.
Knowing history tends to slow ground breaking development, it tends to force one to make minor changes to something that has already been done. Not knowing how something was done, allows one the freedom to make mistakes and learn and with trial and error maybe create something never thought of before a ground breaking discovery.
Is there a reason why we have not produced another Eistein or Da Vinci. As time passes there is more and more history and more and more mistakes, by the time you know history you are past your prime. Have we created a society which will not allow an Eistein?
My wife is a history major, I hope she gets a chance to read this posting.
Dear, I am not really against history, I am just starting a discussion.
Random Rant
This is an interesting quote that I ran across in my surf and read.
"The only reason that public schools enjoy as much support as they still do is that most parents are harboring the illusion that the schools are somehow similar to the schools of their own youth." -- Dave Ziffer
I saw a study that compared the number one behaviour issue in schools way back when (like when I was in school) was a student chewing gum compared to what it is today, it makes me laugh. If anyone has this study let me know because I have lost its location and would like to post this as well.
Now, do you think that behaviour issue has changed because we are forcing bad students to go to school. Where in the past we did not force them. They dropped out or were kicked out. They were out working (or not working) and behaving badly in society rather than in the walls of a school.
Makes one think doesn't it?
Has society forced the supervision of bad youth in schools so "they" do not have to deal with it...is this an anti-teacher conspiracy? Have they made school the solution to all that ails society?
Does online education cause an issue, because many online schools are focused on the course material and not "curing" the whole child...so does that mean "they" are against online schools...ok I might be a little paranoid...:)
June 29, 2006
Quote of the Day
"There are two types of education. One should teach us how to make a living, And the other how to live."
John Adams
Quote of the Day
"The object of teaching a child is to enable him to get along without a teacher."
Elbert Hubbard
Senate panel rejects 'net neutrality' rules
The Senate Commerce Committee yesterday approved major telecommunications legislation that would open the door for telephone companies to begin offering video services to compete with cable companies. The committee deadlocked 11-11 on a controversial amendment ensuring "net neutrality," a provision favored by many education and consumer groups--and this tie vote means the full Senate will consider the bill without the net neutrality amendment attached.
Senate panel rejects 'net neutrality' rules
June 28, 2006
Student stats from the Saskatoon Catholic Cyber School
Is this your first online course?
| N | - | a Yes | b No |
| 3 | 443 | 118 | |
| 561 | 0.5% | 78.5% | 20.9% |
What level of student are you?
| N | - | a. 0-50 percent. | b. 50-65 percent. | c. 65-75 percent. | d. 75-85 percent. | e. 85-95 percent. | f. 95-100 percent. |
| 561 | 3 | 6 | 59 | 122 | 168 | 169 | 37 |
| 0.5% | 1.1% | 10.5% | 21.6% | 29.8% | 30.0% | 6.6% |
How did you hear about the cyber school?
| N | - | a. Your school | b. Your friends | c. Your parents | d. Written advertisement | e. Website | f. Other |
| 563 | 1 | 330 | 127 | 36 | 1 | 3 | 66 |
| 0.2% | 58.5% | 22.5% | 6.4% | 0.2% | 0.5% | 11.7% |
Why did you decide to do online education? Part 5
Right out of the students' mouths
I decided to do online education because i wanted to try something new and I was bored to death with my regular Grade 8 math course.
I am not very good at history, so I want to try it online
to earn credits without being in the school environment for a whole day and feeling lots of pressure from other students at school
Why I decided to do the online education was because I had a full semester and I really needed Christian Ethics 30 soo I decided to try this out and see how well I do and im aiming for a 75-80%
I thought it was a good way to learn, I spend a lot of my time on the computer and I thought that learning over the internet could be a good and fun way to do so.
i wanted to take class online so that i can work around my schedual
I decided to take cyberschool because, I need to graduate. I am one credit short and I will not be allowed to graduate, so I really need this course to complete my grade 12 education.
I chose online education because of the flexibility of completion of the course.
My school ODP does not offer any sciences other than modified.
because i wanted to try something new! because im allways up for new things . . and it is also a coarse that i can do on my own time n i can fit it in my busy life
To give me more time off of school. To learn at my own pace.
to get caught up
Travel At my own pace
classes are full and i need the class
jouralism wasnt offered at school
I decided on an online education because in order to get into the math class I wanted to be in with the teacher I wanted to be with, I couldnt take christian ethics in class, so I came here!
i didn't do well in my classes so i decided to take cyber school to get my grades up
I need these classes for the program in university i wish to persue.
I can be flexible and can do math on my own time.
I want to upgrade my chemistry 30 mark and didnt want to retake it in a classroom, as I have all my notes from chem already
I want to be able to have some less strenuous electives in grade 11 and 12.
because i wanted to be able to work at my own pace
because it sounded fun.
i decided to take online because i failed it in class and i dont want to take any grade 10 classes in grade 11 next year
it can let me easy to study
Because I wanted to work at my own pace, and be able to read and re-read content using my computer. I believe that I will learn a lot more effectively this way. I feel that if I do Math A30 online, I would be a lot more successful than if I were to do it at the school, where the teachers go faster than I like to keep up with.
because i used the hybrid classes and they helped out quite a bit, so i thoguht that it would be almost the same as taking an online class.
i have free time on my computer.
I was physically unable to attend school due to illness. With cyber school, I can work at my own pace without worrying about falling behind and being kicked from a class when I'm ill.
I decided to do online math because I was bored to death doing normal grade 8 math!!!
My principal suggested that it would be a good idea for me to try this course out.
I took Christian Ethics 10 last semester and I really enjoyed it. I also wanted a little bit more flexibility in when I could do the work.
i'm sick alot of the time, so being able to do school at home helps me to not worry about attendance. I am an independant learner and can learn well at my own pace.
I need to raise my marks to get into University.
I decidced to do online education because I like to so things on my own and I think it will be a good expereience.
So that i would be able to upgrade my mark in math without having to take it in the classroom again
because i want a better understanding for the course
Extra Spare, more time to work and make money
Because a math A 30 course wasn't avaiable at my school in second semester and I wanted to upgrade
I decided to do an online course because the math course is not available in school at this time so that's why i want to do an online course.
My brother and parents encouraged me to do this to have more opportunity when I'm in Grade 12 to take another subject. It may help me in finding a better career than most.
I like to work at my own pace.
I chose to do online education because i would like to work as well as take the classes that i need to graduate. I live on my own so i have to work full time to pay the bills so I thought this would be perfect for me.
I decided to do this because I can no longer homeschool because I cannot get credits for the work I do.
I decided to take Physics 20 on-line because I failed it the first time and decided it would fit best into my course schedual on-line.
cause i need the class and i've done cyber school successfully before.
so i cnould learn
So my schedule could be organized better..
I failed math10 course and there isn't another math10 course till grade 11, so it thought i would give it a try doing it online.
it was either this or wellness with a teacher i don't like
I have decided to do online education because of my tight work shedule and to finish my grade 12 so i can move on to film school in Toronto.
I wanted to retake physics and I already have classes in school and I have done cyber school before and really liked it so i decided to sign up again
I wanted a challenge and I thought it might be interesting.
I decided to use Cyber School because I could graduate this year with out having to take more classes during the school day. I can work according to the hours I AM available.
i can learn at my own pace
I decided to do online education about maybe 2 or 3 months now. i have just been talking to friends and asking people if they know what it is.
Taking a cyber school class is an excelent way to boost my average. It's convient so that I can do the coarse at any time.
Our school doesn't teach this course, and this was my only option to recieve credit. I just recently graduated in 2005.
because of the flexible schedule
Why did you decide to do online education? Part 4
Right out of student's mouths...
I wanted to do online education because I want to take more courses in school. Also, I felt as if I was working at a faster pace than others.
I am a full-time student at the University of saskatchewan and did not take Chemistry 30 while I was in High School. It has turned out that I need it as a pre-requisite to take university level courses. I don't have time to attend a school to take this course so cyber school offers a great opportunity for me to do the course on my own time and still keep my schedule at the U of S.
So that I had the opportunity to get ahead on my grade 9 math, so that I could take additionnal classes in grade 9.
because i'm a univeristy student now.
I wanted to see if the different learning experience will work better for me
to do math
to have more credits for when i graduate and i also would like to ave this class credit
I wanted to be able to take Christian Ethics at my own pace. I also wanted to take other classes that i would not have room to take if i wasn't taking an online class. I was interested in trying something new out.
so i could challenge myself to be independent.
Upgrade my history mark
My teacher said that it would be a good learning experience. He thought i could handle the work load.
I decided to join cyber school because i have a part time job, and extracuricular activities and i'm not much of a morning person. I'd like to have my own time line during the day to do some schooling.
To earn the credits I need to graduate
I have a full time job. I tried upgrading in an actual high school. Ive been out of school for about a year and a half. I did not like the whole High School atmosphere. This way I can do it at my own pace. I like that.
because my teacher wants me to do grade 9 math
because I want this credit on line because i might fail it in class
Thriiugh discussioon with my parents and high praise from my teacher we made the dicision to try the Saskatoon Catholic Cyber School.
I need the extra credits, and I work well with computers. I like the idea of taking classes online because I can work at my own pass and don't have to wait for assignments to be given to me.
So i could do another class next year
Becuase I thought that it would be a challenge for me, and I like a challenge, and it was a challenge for me so far.
So i can get in all my sciences and maths in time and it is a good opportunity
i wanted to see what it would be like, plus i really like computer stuff and i thought that it would be interseting to try this.
So I can do my work at my own pace
I decided to do online education becuase i think that i work better independently, and on my own time
I prefer to work independently, and this way I can be flexible with my time, and complete it in good time. There will be no rushing.
A great way to upgrade quickly, without having to sit in a classroom.
I have a full time job and I would like to finally get my grade 12 diploma and right now it is ideal for me to take some classes in class while I take some online. It is very difficult for me to attend a full school day when I have to work. Also I would like to get good grades and the plan is to eventually go to University, so pray for me. Also I am at a certain age and level of maturity where I do value getting an education and wish to fully pursue it at whatever cost.
i needed to obtain a cristian ethics 30 credit
I wanted more credits.
There were too many courses that I wanted to take in school, and since math is common to take, I decided that I would take it through Cyber School.
So in High School I could get time off in the afternoon to Figure Skate. It works better with my time.
I decided to try cyber school so that I could have more flexibility, work independently, learn some more computer skills and hopefully finish the course earlier than my other courses.
I decided to do online education because I wanted to have new opportunities later on. It would leave my schedual more open in later years.
To challange myself.
My teacher and parents want me to get ahead in math.
Because it would allow me to keep up with the grade tens that I worked towards being with. I had to do it on cyber school because it wouldn't fit in my schedule.
I was really just interested in learning new things about writing, not for credit or anything, just to learn something new
To continue to be able to work.
I decided to do online education because I thought it would be interesting.
I decided to take an online class, because i knew that i would be able to manage my time wisely and complete the course on my time. Not a schedule and not only do it 5 days a week but 7.
I decided to do online education because I had finished my grade 8 math, and was ready to do grade 9.
I feel that I can pay closer attention this way rather than in a classroom.
To give me more time to do sports
I decided to do online education because in the class, I am really good at math, and it seems a bit boring to me. I thought this would be challenging to do, and would keep me occupied.
cause my sister did it and she has a bunch of extra courses now. also i'm in ELO and i really like computers and i'm good at math.
So that I could work at my own pace and in grade twelve I could take another class.
I was told to do online education by my parents and teachers.
When I needed time to work and do other activities.
I did it because my sister did it and they wanted me to do it too.
because i can now go at my own pace.
Failed a class but needed it to pass grade 12
It gives you more time to work on other things and you can do the work at home. It is also advanced so you get more school credits.
I wanted to take an online course not necessarily because I wanted an online education, but because the specific course I wanted to take was not available to me in any other form besides online.
i had chossen this program because i enjoy math and i would be a head of my grade for next year. also so in high school i can get more credits
I think taking the math B30 course online will best fit my schedule and allow for optimum performance.
283 I decided to do online education because I am a gr.8 student but i want to do gr. 9 math, and you guys offered to program, so I signed up.
I could not fit all my desired courses into the regular school year.
I decided to do cyber school, because I like working at my own pace and at the same time, going beyond regular instruction in my class. I lke trying new things.
Because there were no class left that i could take in period 5.
To be able to learn school from home and to get a first period spare
so i could manage my time and my class wasn't offered this semester
To Upgrade my Math mark
I would like to get a head start on my grade nine studies.
So I could finish my math early and have more options in grade twelve.
Two of my older sisters did Cyber School Math. One struggled with it a little, and the other benefitted from it. She is now in grade nine and doing grade 11 math. I want to benefit from it like she did.
because I have to work to suppot my family. Also to finish my education at my own pase so I would actually be able to finish
I think the online course will better suite my lifestyle.
So I can learn at my own pace. This allows me to learn quicker and more effectivly.
I would really like to graduate highschool on time and to take a few online courses is the only way I will be able to graduate on time.
I decided to do online education because I have more courses that I would like to take than I have room for in my schedule.
I was over-exceding grade 8 math
I decicded to do an online education because I saw it as a good oppurtunity. I am also exceeding in grade 8 mathematics.
I chose this because i wanted to try something new and i think i might like it.
Cyber school if flexible and can be completed at a time that is convenient for me.
I can use my spare time for studying other class
I decided to take an online course because I wanted to be challenged and I wanted to try something new.
I decided to participate in online education because i failed Math A30 and the only way for me to take it next semester without droping another class is to do it online
to try something new
I decided to do online education because it gave me an opportunity to excel in a subject that I would take later on. I also thought that it would present a challenge to me.
I believe that I will make more progress learning on an independant level.
I thought it would be an awesome experience and I work well as an individual.
My teacher suggested it as I travel a lot with my sports.
I want to do online education because it is way more convenient because you could just go on a computer.
I needed physics 30 for a prerequisite to what I want to take in university and I had no room for it in my schedual.
It is a good opportunity and I like working at my own pace.
I had a spare and I wanted to do somthing so i would get board. So i decided to try something new, it was an easy credit too.
I didn't want to go to school but I needed to upgrade one of my classes.
I wanted to take Information Processing 20, but it didn't fit with my schedule at school. Taking the course online allows me to have a more flexible schedule, which works better for me.
I need to take a course that is not been offered at my school during the second semester.
i needed to start working full-time, and this makes more sense then just going to school for one hour.
I liked the flexibility of schedule.
Why did you decide to do online education? Part 3
Right from the student's mouths
Seems a lot faster at my pace.
I need to complete my level 30 History so that i can graduate next year.
I decided to do online education because it is conveinent. I am waiting to start school again and this helps me because I dont sit around the house doing nothing, I am helping my schooling while i stay at home. It's a great oppourtunity.
cant fit anymore classes in the semester
To get my grades higher
I wanted to redue my Math A30, to increase my overall average, so it would be high for University.
i decided to do online education because i needed surgery on my foot and i missed to much to pass all my classes so i took cyber school to make it easyier on me at school
Because it is an easier way to get the credits i need
B/c it is not offered in class
I thought i would give it a try because ti seem like it would be interesting. It seems like a new and fun way to learn.
You can do it when ever you want to.
because i have done the grade eight math 2 times before, so my teacher decided to put me in it because i wouldnt stop complaining the math was to easy
I decided to take online education because my friend and I are always ahead of everyone and we enjoy learning at a fast pase
To try something new.
To upgrade for university.
I'm kicked out of every school in the city
because i need history 30 to graduate
I asked a guidence counsellor, about getting the last two credits I needed to graduate. She suggested cyber school.
So I could get a head start on Highschool math
It's flexible with my university class schedule, although it is more expensive then the other alternatives out there.
I decided to take online education because the math we were learning in Grade 8 was too easy. My teacher then offered cyber school as an option to me and I accepted.
My teacher said i should do it, and my friend was in it, so i thought i should expand my love for math.
because i have heard a lot of good things about it and I would like to do it for at least one class...also because then I do not have to go to the school in the afternoon for the 2nd semester and that would be way easier for me for a number of different reasons
I chose to do an online education because my teacher recomended it.
Because I feel less constricted than I do in a classroom, where there is usually a time crunch, however it isn't the same for cyberschool, I have more freedom with my time.
Gain more credits to make graduating easier
I decided to do online education because the grade eight math wasnt challenging me so my teacher told me to do this.
I am Currently on the Saskatchewan Alpine Ski Team and it works with my training.
I did because I was excelling the math program for grade eight and I needed to be challenged.
Because i thought it might be cool!
My teacher offered me the opportunity and I wanted credits for grade 9 math.
I wanted to do this because I thought it would be fun. I also decided to do it because it would occupy my computer time.
Because it looked fun and interesting.
I decided to do online education because this way I could work when I could and it would be a challenge to me.
because i had to.
I thought it would be fun
Cannot complete grade 12 without 12 credits
I decided to do online education because i cannot go to school for a while and i would just prefer to do online math classes or whatever else is available because i would work better with less distracting things.
I work better at history when i'm by myself.
I'm not very good at history and have always struggled with it in school. I heard that the new cyberschool history course was more fun/interesting and from what i found out about cyberschool I thought I'd be able to learn better and do better in the class by taking the course online.
To suit my schedule and so I can do it on my own time and still get it done.
i needed another credit for university
It is an option at my school, and I am qualified for the program.
To get a better education, and to accelerate my high school career.
I'd like to have an elective class for grade 10, 11, or 12.
I decided to do online education because I am nomally good at mathematics and I wanted to do grade nine math early for the past two years.
To make time for homework and extra classes.
I am a very good independant learner. Also I play hockey competitively and I would like to be able to work around my clock more effectively.
Because I feel it is the most ideal thing for me. I have the time to take this online course, and I enjoying working on my own at my own pace!!!
It gives me a chance to do math at my own speed and on my own time. I get to learn as fast or slow as i would like and i don't have to wait for others to understand.
To get more experienced in Math
Because I thought i would be able to take more classes and more classes that i want to do.
I wanted to get ahead in math so that I can take extra classes in highschool.
I decided to do online education because both my older brother and sister had done it, and it seemed like a good thing to do.
I decided to do online education because I want to take grade nine math before high school.
Flexibility, also I do not want to go back to High School.
I wanted to get advanced in Math so i could have a "free space" in my high school schedual.
My teacher said that it would be a challenging thing for me and that I should try it.
So my schedule had more space so I could take classes for exta credit.
It offers some flexablilty in a very difficult second semester.
Many kids in my class were doing it and I thought, why not?
i didnt have enough time to do a complete school semester within the building.so working online allows me to have a job and save money while doing my school work
be able to manage my time, and to try something different
It allows me to take all the required classes, as well as electives I enjoy.
I only have this 1 credit left for my university entrance requirements. Also this class can be done on a time schedule that is convenient for me.
I decided to do it because I relly wanted to try it out and it sounded fun. I also wanted to do it because it would then be easier to get my mandatory classes in high school. That way I can have more classes that I just want to try out.
I decided to do an online course because it allows me flexibility in my schooling.
I decided to do an online education because this is my last year and high school and my last chance to see what cyber school is all about. I have also heard such positive coments from friends at school.
Because I am here in Edmonton due to a family emergency. The curriculum here I have been told is different, and my parents thought it would be better for me to take online courses. They thought it would be easier for me to handle also, under the circumstances.
I thought it would be a good oppurtunity and something fun to expirence. I like to go ahead in things so this would be something I like doing and I like math.
I decided to try online education because i think i could do better by doing my work alone and work better at my own pace
I decided to do online education because I was always good at math and worked at a faster pace than others because I understood the concepts quickly. I can work at my own pace if I take online education for math.
Why did you decide to do online education? Part 2
Right from the student's mouths.
So I can work on my own time
becuse I am working and also I am 21 years old to go to High School
So I can Graduate at the time I'm soouppose to and to learn by myself some what
i have to finish enough corses so i can graduate with my friends becaus ei am leaving in grad e12 to go play hockey and i cant take 5 classes.
because i dont like regular school
I wasn't happy with my current English class and thought Cyber School might be a good option.
I have just recently moved back to Saskatoon, and have decided what I would like to do as a career, but I need to upgrade some courses before I am able to apply for university. I have such a busy work schedule that I felt this would be the best way for me to do this, as well as I remember when I was going to Holy Cross I did hear about cyber school and always wanted to try it out.
I decide to do this course because it will help me earn more credits.
I think i could do beter cause i can go at my own pace and no one is pushing me.
So I have the flexibility to do my work whenever I have time to.
I am recovering from health problems, so instead of just wasting time at home,I decided to try a different approach at school and im starting to feel like it was an excellent idea.
I chose to do a online class because i needed another credit to graduate
Because I missed almost 2 months of school, I was really behind.
I need another credit.
Because I know what teacher I would have next year for this course. I have her this semester and the class is nothing but a waste of time for me.
Mr. Anton from Holy Cross High School encouraged me to take some courses online
I am a independant worker and work better alone with out destractions. I prefer to teach myself so if I do not get a subject I am not rushed and there for can take more time to fully understand that principle
I thought I should do this because, I wasn't understanding some of the math at school and I also am failing that class. So my friend told me about this and I thought it would be good because it could help me bring my grades up.
i realy need and exctra credit
to start over and do a better job.
I decided to do online education because I did not have time in my school time table to take history. Also I play sports and am gone alot so this would give me the oppoutunity to work at my own pace.
I need this credit to graduate and its convinent becuase i can wokr at me own pace
because I will have more flexable hours and will not be as rushed as i was in my previous class. And i can feel with the more time i can increase my marks.
i need this credit to graduate
It's a great way to upgrade because you don't have to wait for the second semester for the class to be available to you.
wanted an extra credit
becuase that i do bad in the classes with the teachers at my school and i can work at my own pace this way
I decided to take some courses through SCCS because the submitting and receiving of assignments will be faster than with the government correspondence school. I also wanted to work with teachers who shared my beliefs and values.
I decided to do online education because I like the idea of being able to work on your own at your own pace. It would be a nice change from being in a classroom all the time.
for a new experiance
im an independant learner!!!
Teacher asked me because I do well in Math.
I need to upgrade a class that is not offered somewhere else
I thought it would be a good choice to finish courses on my own time since I have a medical condition which is keeping me from school.
To upgrade math mark.
I decided to take an online education, because a teacher suggested it for me. And I wasn't doing very well in my History class. So i dropped that and took cyber school.
It helps me with schedueling my courses, because I am in fench emersion and in band so I don't have time to do some courses that I want.
I learn better individually then in a class. I cant seem to concentrate otherwise.
schedule issues
i wanted to see what it was like and i had no chance of passing my math class so im trying for this
because your able to work around your own schedule.
It will be easier to work around my schedual. I am also taking classes at the U of S, but need this class to get into the college I want.
Why did you decide to do online education? Part 1
Here is the answer right from the students mouth...
I chose a online education because there isn't Christian Ethics in my new school.
I am pretty busy and I think this will help me do better in the class because I can manage my time better.
I had to switch maths so I had to drop a class. It was too late in the semester to begin a class at school so Cyber School seemed like a good option.
I did not have enough room in my schedule to do the Information Processing 10 course, so I decided to try it online.
Because i need my two math courses to be able to get into Commerce in the fall.
I needed more flexible hours.
I have trouble managing my time with math homework and other activities. I also have trouble with talking to everybody in my classroom.
It will be easyer for me because i have a very busy schedual.
So I would be able to free up a class for next semester. In which case I will take another elective.
The online education offers a credit for a class that I've been wanting to take, and it gives me the oppurtunity to do it in my own time.
I didn't. They did.
Becuese Grade 9 Math will be a challenge
I decided to do online education because I see it as one more source for information for my class.
Because I am a independant Learner.
Because I wanted to get a head start on my math
because i couldnt take the course either semesters atschool and i wanted it done this year
Well first of all I was planning on talking Biology 20, that course wasn't happening at this moment in time. I wanted to finish it up and get a credit because I just recently switched schools. I was going to school in saskatoon at Walter Murray Collegiate. So I just took whatever was available. Hopefully I could be a great independent learner and succeed in this course.
Because it would work better for me and work.Plus people said that it's fun.
I like working as an independant worker, and thought math would be a good course to do online. I also plan to use the spare to finish other homework somedays, and I can do my math at home some days. it gives me more flexibility.
only way to recieve a credit because of a dropped class
bad blood between a taecher she thought 7os are good i think 90s are better
because i have more free time. in terms of schooling i don't really attend because i have troubles waking up but with cyber i have a lot of free time so i choose to do it myself.
As a French Immersion sutdent, I don't get alot of electives. Cyber School allows us F.I. students to take the classes we need or electives we want to ease up our schedules.
I decided to do online education because i have a really hard semester next semester so i thought i would get one hard class done now.
Be cause I finished all the math I needed to do in grade 8.
because my friends is really doing really well and i wanted to try somthing new
In my final semester of grade 12, I was seriously injured in a car accident. From this accident I have acquired a severe back injury, including a herniated disc. The days in which I can function are limited, aswell I am currently on morphine and other medications which don't allow me to function to my full ability. Cyber School will allow me to work at my own pace, and allow me to take advantage of my 'good' days.
June 27, 2006
Announcements mark end to another school year
Jack Knox, Victoria Times Colonist
Published: Monday, June 26, 2006
Good morning, students. This will be the final set of announcements of the school year.
Please ensure your lockers are completely empty before leaving the school today.
Mr. Arthurs, the custodian, wishes to pass on the following message: "If one of you little savages leaves another egg salad sandwich for me to nd in August, I swear I will track you down, gut you like wildebeest in the Serengeti, grind your entrails into the earth and stake your head on the soccer fi eld as a warning to the others." Also, Mr. Arthurs asks that all Scotch Tape be removed from locker doors.
Today's Grade 11 Principles Math fi nal exam has been cancelled due to an unfortunate accident involving the supervising teacher, Mr. Wilson, who was involved in a collision between a southbound car that left Saskatoon 8:35 a.m., travelling at an average speed of 82 km/h, and a northbound vehicle that left Regina at the same time, travelling at a constant 76 km/h.
In lieu of the exam, students are asked to answer the following question, as devised by Ms. Sims: Given that teachers here are paid far less than their counterparts in Ontario and Alberta, it would only be fair to award them a raise of A) 24 per cent over three years, B) 24 per cent over three years, or C) 24 per cent over three years." Students are reminded that even though it is the end of the school year and the warm weather has returned, the dress code remains in effect. Visible thong underwear, strapless tops and shirts that expose the midriff are banned. Boys caught wearing such items will be forced to put on the puka shells, platform shoes and Bay City Rollers tartan pants left here by their fathers in 1975.
A tip of the hat to Chemistry 12 student Randall Ahiro for a really good try at the regional science fair, and our thanks to the paramedics and Hazardous Materials Response Team for their prompt and courageous response.
Ms. Cheng notes that some Social Studies 10 students have yet to return their copies of the textbooks What Next For The Soviet Union and Here Come The Seventies. Please return them in good condition, as they are not due to be replaced for at least 10 years.
Today's debate on classroom overcrowding has been cancelled on the order of the fi re marshall.
Thanks to those who took part in the Re-Title the Teams contest following the Human Rights Tribunal's declaration regarding our traditional names, the Fighting Redskins and Squabbling White People (and White Peoplettes). The new name, as chosen by random draw, is the Perennial Victims, submitted by student I.M. Joe King. Mr. King, the football team's defensive front four would like to talk to you behind the gym after school.
The fi nal meeting of the Attention Defi cit Disorder Club will be held this afternoon at -- hey, is that a new shirt you're wearing? Music fans should gather in the multi-purpose room at noon today, where our own hip-hop band Killa Crack Ho Orphan will play their original composition Hungry Gangsta Ghetto Pain, before their mothers arrive in the mini-vans to take them back to the mean streets of suburbia.
Yearbooks are available for pick-up in the library. Remember when signing them they will be read by your future spouses and children in 20 years. Think of your yearbook comments as permanent literary tattoos.
Congratulations to Industrial Education teacher Mr. Carruthers on yet another successful re-attachment surgery. Hope to see you in the fall, Lefty! Congratulations are also due to those students who helped the lost-and-found department reach this year's goal of 1,000 unclaimed Tupperware containers. Mrs. Johnson will staff the lost and found until 3 p.m. today. Please do not ask her if anyone has found your lost innocence or virginity.
She has heard these side-splitting witticisms before.
Vice-principal Tremblay wishes to salute the resourcefulness and ingenuity of this year's grad class. Now get his car off the roof before he calls the cops. Also, bring his wife back.
That is all. Enjoy your summer.
Knox is a columnist with the Victoria Times Colonist.
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2006
Our new TADO Podcast logo
I am not too sure which site I found this on...it was red originally...anyways this is our new link to the podcast archive...take a look on the side.
180 Days as a Teacher
Lolita from Canada writes:
Teacherhood - add this word to the dictionary please - I never heard that word before but I think it describes well the way I feel about teaching. A special mental state that combines teaching with feelings of motherhood.
Not the way I think about teaching, but the way I feel. I feel part mom, part teacher.
When I'm in class lecturing on a new topic, writing things down on the blackboard, handing out assignments and specifying how I want the next lab report written up, I'm definitely a simple teacher. When I'm correcting and grading hundreds of tests, I'm still a teacher. But when my heart fills with angst as I add up some of the marks, specifically those of the students that repeatedly fail, fail and fail, the motherly side of me takes over. Through these students' repeated inability to get a passing grade, I feel MY failure to reach out to them and teach them the way THEY need to be taught. And if I can't do that, I'm not really doing my job.
Managing Intellectual Property for Distance Learning
Managing permissions for hundreds of pieces of intellectual property (IP) can be a daunting task for any course, but it is vital in distance learning courses because of legal implications specific to the online environment. In 1998, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)1 severely limited the use of copyrighted materials in distance learning. In 2002, the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization Act (TEACH Act)2 relaxed these restrictions under specific conditions. These two laws significantly changed the way educators could use copyrighted material in the digital classroom. Ensuring the timely renewal of permissions and up-to-date IP records may require limiting the use of IP from external sources. How can a university or system do this without compromising instructional integrity?
Managing Intellectual Property for Distance Learning
Assessments in web-enabled courses
As an Instructional Designer with an interest in technology-enabled courses, colleagues have often asked me: “What type of assessments can I use in my web-enabled courses?” Of course, there is no perfect answer to this question; however, there are a couple of good places to start exploring the issue. One spot worth visiting is the Journal of Learning, Technology and Assessment. This free online journal publishes refereed articles directly on this subject. Although less than prolific, it published only eight articles in 2005, many of the articles are useful.
Assessments in web-enabled courses
June 26, 2006
WHY GOD CREATED CHILDREN (AND IN THE PROCESS GRANDCHILDREN)
My son is two, I can relate. Between my wife and I, we have four post secondary degrees and this two year old has a definite talent for making one feel stupid. Parenting is far from logical. And our son is an angel, or so I am told by his grandparents not like I was when I was young.
To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students... here is something to make you chuckle.
Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children.
After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.
And the first thing he said was "DON'T!"
"Don't what?" Adam replied.
"Don't eat the forbidden fruit." God said.
"Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey Eve..we have forbidden fruit!"
"No Way!"
"Yes way!"
"Do NOT eat the fruit! " said God.
"Why?"
"Because I am your Father and I said so! "
God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants.
A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was ticked!
"Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit? " God asked.
"Uh huh," Adam replied.
"Then why did you? " said the Father.
"I don't know," said Eve.
"She started it! " Adam said.
"Did not! "
"Did too! "
"DID NOT! "
Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.
Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.
BUT THERE IS REASSURANCE IN THE STORY!
If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself.
If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?
June 23, 2006
Quote of the Day
"A true friend is someone who knows you're a good egg even if you're a little cracked."
Unknown
June 22, 2006
Audacity
The Free, Cross-Platform Sound Editor
Audacity® is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems
Get the online student to talk to you.
Croquet.org
This open source release of the software developers kit makes it possible for experienced software developers to work with Croquet. It is the first complete release of the Croquet technology and marks a significant event for those interested in developing powerful collaborative applications.
Active Worlds and Education
This has many educational applications...check it out
Since the inception of the Active Worlds technology, it has been a hit with teachers around the world. From architecture departments to science labs to ThinkQuest projects, Active Worlds has been adding new dimensions to learning for over four years.
Quote of the Day
Our job as online developers/teachers is:
To destroy the digital divide, not reinforce it. Create material that is accessible by all social economic groups
Bob Clougherty Director, Web Design Program, Professor of English
June 21, 2006
Quote of the Day
You can buy education, but wisdom is a gift from God.
Author Unknown
Microsoft Robotics Studio
When and if I have some extra time, I want to build a Robot.
The Microsoft Robotics Studio is a Windows-based environment for academic, hobbyist and commercial developers to easily create robotics applications across a wide variety of hardware.
Information Literacy Tutorials
These five tutorials were created to assist PSYCO 104/105 students find and critically appraise different types of information about psychology. These are ofvalue for all check it out...
Information Literacy Tutorials
Finite Monkey Theorem
The infinite monkey theorem states that a monkey hitting keys at random on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite time will almost surely eventually type the collected works of William Shakespeare, if not every single piece of writing that has ever, and will ever be written. Note that almost surely is being used in a precise mathematical sense here.
Quote of the day
He who asks a question is a fool for a minute; he who does not remains a fool forever.
Chinese Proverb: Education: Inspirational Quotes
June 20, 2006
Webct Canadian National Conference
I am presenting at the Canadian National Webct conference in Edmonton later on this week. As a preview if you are attending here is the powerpoint.
If you are not attending and would like to know more...contact me.
Canadian National Webct Conference PowerPoint
Quote of the Day
I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals. I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants.
A. Whitney Brown
June 19, 2006
Against Schools
I am not sure I agree but...make up your own mind.
I taught for thirty years in some of the worst schools in Manhattan, and in some of the best, and during that time I became an expert in boredom. Boredom was everywhere in my world, and if you asked the kids, as I often did, why they felt so bored, they always gave the same answers: They said the work was stupid, that it made no sense, that they already knew it. They said they wanted to be doing something real, not just sitting around. They said teachers didn't seem to know much about their subjects and clearly weren't interested in learning more. And the kids were right: their teachers were every bit as bored as they were.
Against School Author John Taylor Gatto
Quote of the Day
If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.
Bill Lyon
June 16, 2006
One Red Paper Clip & Kipling Saskatchewan
I assume most of my readers have followed the One Red Paper Clip site. If not, do check it out.
I just noticed (via Digg) that a new offer on the site seems to come from the Mayor of Kipling Saskatchewan, a community very close to where I live.
One Red Paper Clip & Kipling Saskatchewan
Words of wisdom for 2006 grads
Now will saying "yes" get you in trouble at times? Will saying "yes" lead you to do some foolish things? Yes, it will. But don't be afraid to be a fool. Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the furthest thing from it. Because cynics don't learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say "no." But saying "yes" begins things. Saying "yes" is how things grow. Saying "yes" leads to knowledge. "Yes" is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say "yes."
Words of wisdom for 2006 grads
Yoga, hip-hop ... this is P.E.?
And then there is Online P.E.
In middle school, Jacob Haren thought physical education was short on variety and big on boredom. Now, Jacob is a high school freshman at a campus that's embraced "new P.E." In addition to team sports, students learn yoga, choreography, Pilates, and synchronized swimming. They even take part in a mini-triathlon in order to pass the class.
"It's a lot better than having to just run around the field. It makes it more exciting," says Jacob while taking a break from tinikling, an energetic Filipino folk dance that blends the basics of jumping rope with rhythm and fancy footwork.
Yoga, hip-hop ... this is P.E.?
Quote of the Day
I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back.
I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places.
Henny Youngman US (English-born) comedian (1906 - 1998)
June 15, 2006
Why Do People Take Virtual School Courses
Okay, I spend a lot of time taking about who we should be targetting when we design virtual school opportunities (see Who Are We Trying To Serve? and Who Are Virtual Schools Most Needed For? as recent examples).
But maybe a better way to start to look at this issue is from an instructional designer's perspective, and if Dr. Branch's course in ID taught me anything, the first thing you do is talk to the clients to find our where the gap is (i.e., do a needs assessment).
It appears that others have already started this process for us. More specifically, Darren over at Teaching and Developing Online and the good people over at Allied Online High School Blog have already started this for us.
Why do People Take Virtual School Courses
Quote of the Day
I once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave up - they have no holidays.
Henny Youngman
US (English-born) comedian (1906 - 1998)
June 14, 2006
Del.icio.us comments
user notes
Jun ‘06
Amazing blog from UBC that is updated frequently with great articles that teachers can use with computers in the classroom or online.
parece ser uma colectânea de artigos de outros blogs, portais...
Feb ‘06
This blog will focus on the teaching of High School online. There are many approaches to online education and the blog shares them.
Nov ‘05
The Saskatoon Catholic School System has been a frontier in the development of education in the cyber world.
Distance learning: Hot or not?
Here is what Rediff columnist and editor of JAM magazine Rashmi Bansal who chatted with Get Ahead readers had to say: 'I stress that distance learning courses may add to your knowledge base. And it is an additional CV point but a weak one. A full time MBA always has the most value. If that is not possible, a part time course with some classroom contact is desirable over a 100 per cent correspondence course.'
Distance learning: Hot or not?
Teacher-proof ring tone latest 'teen buzz'
I did not believe this at first, until I got Kelly (18 years young) in to listen to this...she could hear it. I heard nothing (46 years old), Sandra and Yvette could hear nothing (still young but not 18)
So, I guess it does work. Here is the tone
Read the article and you will know what it is that I speak of...
Teacher-proof ring tone latest 'teen buzz'
Quote of the Day
There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.
Last night somebody broke into my apartment and replaced everything with exact duplicates... When I pointed it out to my roommate, he said, 'Do I know you?'
You can't have everything. Where would you put it?
Steven Wright
June 13, 2006
Microsoft Virtual Earth
The Virtual Earth platform is Microsoft’s next generation mapping and location service. It combines the MapPoint Web Service with exciting new innovations around bird's eye, satellite and aerial imagery, map styles and usability as well as enhanced local search. The Virtual Earth platform has become the best solution available on the market for businesses and government customers.
O Canada! Canadians and Open Source
It is nearly common knowledge that GIS finds its origins in government agencies in that great northern territory we know as Canada. I say "nearly” because there are still those who believe that GIS was created by proprietary software vendors ... which I’ll bet makes the marketing guys at these companies more than happy with themselves.
O Canada! Canadians and Open Source
Quote of the Day
Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it.
I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.
Reality is nothing but a collective hunch.
Jane Wagner, (and Lily Tomlin)
June 12, 2006
The Giant Blogging Terms Glossary
The language used here is mostly non technical to make the newbie blogger understand the blogging basics. This is NOT a substitute for dictionary meaning or a strict definition of these terms, but a simple layman approach to understanding what they mean. Please feel free to propose a better meaning in the comments.
The Giant Blogging Terms Glossary
The LMS Guess
A frothy sea of competitors are jostling for dominance. Business and technology models are evolving at Internet speed. New products and capabilities are sprouting up weekly. Pity the training professional who must select a learning management system.
Course Evaluation Methods
To create a favourable climate for learning, creature comforts such as good food and accommodation may help. But if you want to be in the 'Good Learning Guide' as well as in the 'Good Food Guide' you will also want feedback on some of the questions listed below.
Evaluation methods are tools for change. If they are simply used as score sheets or as pats on the back, evaluation tools can lead to complacency - rather than to change and innovation. End of course feedback can play an important part in designing an evaluation strategy - but it is by no means the only part!
When to evaluate? This page lists some of the ways in which you can generate rich insights, creative ideas, evaluative discussions and other useful responses at or near the end of a course ('summative' evaluation). Many of these ideas can also be used for 'formative' mid-course evaluation. See the article below on Facilitated Student Feedback for some detailed advice on formative evaluation.
Issues in Evaluation You will also notice plenty of messages (in the left-hand column) that will remind you of some of the wider issues that are relevant to end of course evaluation, and to evaluation as a whole.
Practical Assessment, Research and Evaluation
A good list of links about assessment and evaluation.
Practical Assessment, Research and Evaluation
Facilitated Student Feedback to Improve Teaching and Learning
A Norden Distinguished Teacher Award winner once said, "Teaching must come first, it is the reason we are here." (1) If veterinary faculty agree with this statement, then faculty should emphasize all aspects of teaching from planning, to implementation, to evaluations (formative and summative). Also if one accepts the premise that the major goal of an educational institution is to promote positive changes in students, then we must look to students for feedback when we are evaluating our efforts to achieve that goal (2). Student evaluation of teachers is probably the most common form of summative teacher evaluation in our colleges and schools of veterinary medicine. Students can provide valid evaluative information in four areas (3):
Facilitated Student Feedback to Improve Teaching and Learning
Evaluation of training and development programs
This paper outlines some of the findings of a research project on evaluation, which involved a review of the Training and Development (journal) literature for the period 1970-1986. An annotated bibliography was produced by the author as part of the project.
Evaluation of training and development programs: A review of the literature
Quote of the Day
Your manuscript is both good and original, but the part that is good is not original and the part that is original is not good.
Samuel Johnson, (attributed)
English author, critic, & lexicographer (1709 - 1784)
June 9, 2006
WELCOME TO CANADAWIKI
Canadawiki is an educational portal with an all-Canadian focus. With Canadawiki, you can add to the knowledge already in these pages, or you can build and manage new national, provincial, civic and local content. For example, you can add biographical notes about your favourite Canadian writer, scientist or human rights advocate. Your school class can produce an item about the last civic election, make an inventory of local wildlife, write a biography of your mayor or local MP or MLA, or produce a community timeline. Or you can add resources about your favourite sports team, inventor, or battle.
Collaborative Content Creation for Canadians
Quote of the Day
Until I was thirteen I thought my name was SHUT UP.
Joe Nameth
June 8, 2006
Quote of the Day
Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
Will Rogers
US humorist & showman (1879 - 1935)
Another mention of TADO in another language.
Can someone help with the translation?
Se ha encontrado un resultado para teaching ordenado por relevancia.
Enlace: teaching and developing on line
Dirección: http://careo.elearning.ubc.ca/weblogs/vschools/
Help translate please
Another entry in a different language...I am looking for a translation, if you can thank you.
Domingo, Novembro 28, 2004
[ to scorm or not to scorm ]
#
Perguntou aquela professora (de inglês) da Escola Estadual, olhando o cadáver de um processador 486...
Brincadeiras à parte esta foi uma pergunta que andou atormentando o meu cérebro, um tanto leigo nestes assuntos, nos últimos tempos. Há um ano ou dois fiz uma oficina que ensinava como scormizar um determinado conteúdo, que pode ser um objeto de aprendizagem ou mesmo um curso inteiro, de modo a poder torná-lo disponível para reuso num repositório. Entendi a idéia e o processo me pareceu de complexidade média para quem se movimenta bem em tecnologia.
Como eu já vinha usando rss + agregadores, entrar em contato com o scorm me pareceu, à princípio complicar as coisas. Complicar na medida em que se usa uma série de aplicativos, a maioria (se não todos) proprietários e é preciso hospedar o objeto construído e scormizado em algum repositório.
E, também, uma inquietação ao perceber de uma forma branda, mas presente, uma tendência de automatização dos processos educacionais. Uma tendência para uma educação centrada no conteúdo empacotado e do professor como mero provedor de conteúdo.
Logo encontrei as críticas de Stephen Downes, comparando o modelo organizado por rss ao modelo de organização dos lcms (learning content management system), que utiliza aplicativos que acondicionam os conteúdos e os disponibilizam, na forma de pacotes, em repositórios ou bibliotecas. Levei em consideração, também, o pensamento de Darren Cannell aos próprios repositórios como forma de burocratizar e estagnar o conteúdo, de uma certa maneira. Resumindo: todos estes assuntos e as relações entre eles andavam me inquietando.
Aí resolvi perguntar a quem trabalha com isso e o meu amigo Ronaldo prontamente respondeu. E sua resposta é uma aula que motiva uma série de reflexões, que recém começo a fazer. Quem for ler o post do Ronaldo, leia, também, os comentários.
Can someone help.
I notice the url for my blog at the bottom of this paragraph, and curious as I am...
I would like to know what it says.
So if you can read it an let me know the translation that would be great...then I should be able to rest soundly again when my curiousity has been satisfied.
בלוג חינוכי
מטרתו להוות כלי עזר טכנולוגי לסביבת בית הספר.
לעתיחם הכותבים הם מורים ובמקרים אחרים הם תלמידים.
ישנם יישומים שונים לבלוג בסביבה זו; לוח מודעות בית ספרי, הוראה מרחוק, בלוג כיתתי לטיפוח קשר חברתי או לימודי (http://www.mrwrightsclass.com/), בנוסף ישנו ז'אנר (סוגה) של בלוגים המסייעים למורים בתהליך החינוכי (http://careo.elearning.ubc.ca/weblogs/vschools/).
June 7, 2006
Learning Objects Considered Harmful.
I have a new column up on e-Learn called There’s No Such Thing as a Learning Object. This has been a long time coming; I was an early advocate for learning objects--and still am an advocate, in some ways. But I think that the term has gotten so badly abused that we need to do something about it.
Learning Objects Considered Harmful.
Perhaps our kids really are smarter.
I had an interesting conversation with my son about e-learning and social networking. He described the way the Internet makes one think and behave differently. I have to admit that I was just sort of nodding in agreement, when he started to describe how and why adolescents of today do not feel the need to succumb to peer pressure when it comes to experimenting with drugs.
Perhaps Our Kids Really Are Smarter Than We Were.
Quote of the Day
If you are on thin ice, you may as well dance.
Unknown.
June 6, 2006
Edublog Simile Generator
So anyhoo in order to help budding edubloggers I’ve created a little edugeek simile generator which may even help you come up with ideas for your post titles.
Quote of the Day
After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say "I want to see the manager."
William S. Burroughs
US author (1914 - 1997)
Add yourself to our map.
June 5, 2006
WayBackMachine
Browse through 55 billion web pages archived from 1996 to a few months ago. To start surfing the Wayback, type in the web address of a site or page where you would like to start, and press enter. Then select from the archived dates available. The resulting pages point to other archived pages at as close a date as possible. Keyword searching is not currently supported.
Edublogs
This section is dedicated to all of the other teachers who are also obsessed with getting the most that they can out of technology in their classrooms. These blogs fall into two categories: personal teacher blogs and classroom blogs. I'll let you know which category each one is in, just so you don't get too confused.
Selling Online Course Content?
In looking at the landscape of courses being delivered by virtual high schools one of the things that I could never understand was the duplicate of course development. For example, if you have public school institutions (regardless if it is an individual school, school district or Department of Education) with limited funds to develop content for their virtual school, why do they year after year purchase content from third party vendors.
Selling Online Course Content?
Downes on teaching
I fully agree that cognitive apprenticeship is at the heart of real school. But reason, rigorous argumentation, must be there as well. As should hilarity, passion, dogged commitment, and a richly integrative vision.
Getting Serious about Blogs in Schools
If you want to find an area of the country that is getting really serious about the Read/Write Web in the classroom, look no further that Western New York. If nothing else, the last two days here speaking to and with the superintendents from about 50 districts and the staff developers from the Erie BOCES made it clear that these people either get it or want to get it and will do whatever it takes to move the schools in a new direction. It’s been really gratifying to be involved in some very provocative, challenging, and imaginative discussions, ones that I think bode really well for the students and teachers of the region.
Getting Serious about Blogs in Schools
Teaching is dead, long live learning
Teaching is Dead, Long live learning is a similar iconoclastic statement aimed at the traditions of modernist education. It uses the sociological and economic impact of media technology, in particular the Internet and its strengthening of informal and networked learning, and calls the foreseeable end of the traditional roles of teachers and ultimately the school system. It is in this day and age that the ideas of Ivan Illich become more realistic...
Teaching is dead, long live learning
The relevance of the learning profession
The world is not flat, it’s kind of lumpy. By the time it’s truly flat, we’ll take it for granted. One flattener is the ability to create any digital artifact and post it for immediate worldwide access on the web. These posts can then be hyperlinked to any other post; it’s extremely democratic but also chaotic.
Most bloggers (including me) have been echoing the Cluetrain refrain that “hyperlinks subvert hierarchy”. Many edubloggers have been saying that the educational system is no longer relevant to the needs of a knowledge society and none more succinctly than Chris Lehmann. As the world flattens, so will corporate and bureaucratic structures, but not without struggle and confusion.
The relevance of the learning profession
On Teaching Being Dead
Teaching as presenting is dead. Teaching is transferring inforimation from one brain into another is dead. Teaching as exercising authority over a group of students is dead. But teaching, genuine teaching, living what it is you want the next generation to see and emulate, is necessary, and indeed, the only honorable profession.
Quote of the Day
If you put tomfoolery into a computer, nothing comes out of it but tomfoolery. But this tomfoolery, having passed through a very expensive machine, is somehow enobled and no-one dares criticize it.
Pierre Gallois
June 2, 2006
NEW WORDS FOR 2006
Essential vocabulary additions for the workplace (and elsewhere)!!!
1. BLAMESTORMING : Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.
2. SEAGULL MANAGER : A manager, who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.
3. ASSMOSIS : The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard.
4. SALMON DAY : The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die in the end.
5. CUBE FARM : An office filled with cubicles.
6. PRAIRIE DOGGING : When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on.
7. MOUSE POTATO : The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couch potato.
8. SITCOMs : Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage.
What Yuppies get into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids.
9. STRESS PUPPY : A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny.
10. SWIPEOUT : An ATM or credit card that has been rendered useless because magnetic strip is worn away from extensive use.
11. XEROX SUBSIDY : Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace.
12. IRRITAINMENT : Entertainment and media spectacles that are Annoying but you find yourself unable to stop watching them. The J-Lo and Ben wedding (or not) was a prime example - Michael Jackson, another...
13. PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE : The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.
14. ADMINISPHERE : The rarefiedorganizational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the adminisphere are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve.
15. 404 : Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error Message "404 Not Found," meaning that the requested site could not be located.
16. GENERICA : Features of the American landscape that are exactly the same no matter where one is, such as fast food joints, strip malls, and subdivisions.
17. OHNOSECOND : That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake. (Like after hitting send on an e-mail by mistake)
18. WOOFS : Well-Off Older Folks.
19. CROP DUSTING : Surreptitiously passing gas while passing through a Cube Farm.
The question of banning laptops in class: it's academic, silly
In the early nineties, laptop in tow, I was almost always co-computing with at least two or three other people in every class. The real ubiquity of laptops in the classroom didn't come until much later for me, when I was no longer taking classes but teaching them. In my own experience, it wasn't the convenience of a laptop or its impressive capabilities that was driving student usage.
The question of banning laptops in class: it's academic, silly
Quote of the Day
That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but in a new way.
Doris Lessing
June 1, 2006
The First TADO Podcast
TADO Crew: Norm Lepage, Darren Cannell
Guest: Todd Paslawski
TADO Table of Contents
TADO Net Buzz
Topic: RSS feeds inside an online course
Using blogs to build a communication and resource sharing strategy.
Benefits of using Podcasts as an instructional tool in a face to face environment.
TADO Feature Topic
Who and What is Teaching and Developing Online?
TADO Rapid Fire
Biggest developer/teacher disaster.
Biggest administrator success
Check it out by clicking the button below
Podcast One
What do you use...Monthly Poll
A 'hole in the wall' helps educate India
Free computers placed where children play could help bring basic education to India's 200 million boys and girls under age 15. That's the hope of the man behind an Internet learning experiment called Hole-in-the-Wall.
A 'hole in the wall' helps educate India
Quote of the Day
"In the beginning there was nothing. God said, 'Let there be light!' And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better."
Ellen DeGeneres
