April 2007
April 30, 2007
Should K-12 Teachers Develop Learning Objects? Evidence from the Field with K-12 Students
The emergence of learning objects for teachers as a focus of educational concentration is relatively new and much of the discussion has not been based on the actual development of objects, but different definitions, learning theories, properties and standards or decorative packages of learning objects (LOs). In many teacher education programs, prospective teachers take a computer literacy class separate from content methods classes and rarely engage in producing authentic teaching/learning experiences. This research addresses prospective K-12 teachers’ development of learning objects. In this study, a group of prospective K-12 science teachers’ learning objects were examined, evaluated and compared with LOs developed by instructional designers (IDs). A total of forty learning objects were closely investigated and effectiveness of eight of them was tried out with 180 target students in classrooms. Detailed analysis of the LOs demonstrated that while both preservice teachers and the IDs use similar number of instructional elements in their LOs, the IDs represent concepts and procedures with screen objects other than the text and used the text for supporting graphical objects. Both groups developed LOs similar in quality measured with the LORI 1.5. Statistical tests on data obtained from classroom usage of the LOs showed marked improvements in the students’ learning.
Should States Mandate Online Learning?
In Keeping pace with K-12 online learning: A review of state level policy and practice, Watkins and Lewis (2006) reported, "As of September 2006, 38 states have either state-led online learning programs, significant policies regulating online education, or both." (p. 6). In 2006, "Michigan passed a law creating an online learning experience requirement for high school graduation" (p. 7). Michigan Merit Curriculum Guidelines (2006) indicate "Students must take an online course or learning experience or have the online learning experience incorporated into each course of the required curriculum beginning with the class of 2011" (p. 8). I have a concern about any state or education institution mandating online learning for any education level.
Should States Mandate Online Learning? : January 2007 : THE Journal
Blogging about Virtual Schools
He cleaned out his Bloglines account again. Here is what he currently has for virtual schooling, cyber schooling and online learning and the K-12 level.
Virtual High School Meanderings: Blogging about Virtual Schools
Witty Words of Wisdom:
Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors, and miss.
Cooking lesson #1: don't fry bacon in the nude.
Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day.
If life gives you lemons, squeeze the juice into a watergun and shoot other people in the eyes.
If you're not part of the solution, be part of the problem!
If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kickboxing.
If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
If you try and don't succeed, cheat. Repeat until caught. Then lie.
It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
Never buy a car you can't push.
Never eat yellow snow.
Never pet a burning dog.
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you don't have a leg to stand on.
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
The early worm gets eaten by the bird, so sleep late.
There are very few personal problems that cannot be solved through a suitable application of high explosives.
There are very few problems that cannot be solved by orders ending with 'or die.' - Alistair J.R. Young
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
You are what you eat. So stay away from the jerk chicken.
Be nice to the nerds and geeks in high school -- you'll be working for them in the future.
Quote of the Day
You can always spot a well informed man - his views are the same as yours.
Ilka Chase
April 27, 2007
80 Open Education Resource (OER) Tools
Many Open Education Resources (OER) that have been introduced by governments, universities, and individuals within the past few years. OERs provide teaching and learning materials that are freely available and offered online for anyone to use. Whether you're an instructor, student, or self-learner, you have access to full courses, modules, syllabi, lectures, assignments, quizzes, activities, games, simulations, and tools to create these components.
80 Open Education Resource (OER) Tools for Publishing and Development Initiatives | OEDb
Daily Affirmations
I no longer need to punish, deceive or compromise myself. Unless, of
course, I want to stay employed.
A good scapegoat is nearly as welcome as a solution to the problem.
As I let go of my feelings of guilt, I can get in touch with my Inner
Sociopath.
I have the power to channel my imagination into ever-soaring levels of
suspicion and paranoia.
Today, I will gladly share my experience and advice, for there are no
sweeter words than "I told you so."
I need not suffer in silence while I can still moan, whimper and
complain.
As I learn the innermost secrets of the people around me, they reward me
in many ways to keep me quiet.
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that are
someone else's fault.
I honor my personality flaws, for without them I would have no
personality at all.
Joan of Arc heard voices too.
When someone hurts me, forgiveness is cheaper than a lawsuit. But not
nearly as gratifying.
The first step is to say nice things about myself. The second, to do
nice things for myself. The third, to find someone to buy me nice
things.
Just for today, I will not sit in my living room all day watching TV.
Instead I will move my TV into the bedroom.
Who can I blame for my own problems? Give me just a minute... I'll find
someone.
Why should I waste my time reliving the past when I can spend it worrying
about the future?
I will find humor in my everyday life by looking for people I
can laugh at.
I am willing to make the mistakes if someone else is willing to learn
from them.
Quote of the Day
Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning.
Rick Cook
April 26, 2007
Mother said:
PAUL REVERE'S MOTHER: "I don't care where you think you have to go, young man. Midnight is past your curfew!"
MONA LISA'S MOTHER: "After all that money you father and I spent on braces, Mona, that's the biggest smile you can give us?'"
HUMPTY DUMPTY'S MOTHER: "Humpty, If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times not to sit on the wall. But would you listen to me? Noooo!"
COLUMBUS'S MOTHER: "I don't care what you've discovered Christopher, you could have written!"
BABE RUTH'S MOTHER: "Babe, How many times have I told you--quit playing baseball in the house! that's the third window you've broken this week!"
MICHAELANGELO'S MOTHER: " Mike, can't you paint on walls like other children? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get that stuff off the ceiling?"
NAPOLEON'S MOTHER: "All right Napoleon. If you're not hiding your report card inside your jacket, then take your hand out of there and prove it!"
ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S MOTHER: "Again with the stovepipe hat, Abe? Can't you just wear a baseball cap like the other kids?"
BARNEY'S MOTHER: "I realize strained plums are your favorite, Barney, but you're starting to look a little purple!"
MARY'S MOTHER: "I'm not upset the you lamb followed you to school, Mary, but I would like to know how he got a better grade than you!"
BATMAN'S MOTHER: "It's a nice car, Bruce, but do you realize how much the insurance will be!"
GOLDILOCK'S MOTHER: "I've got a bill here for a busted chair from the bear family. You know anything about this Goldie?"
LITTLE MISS MUFFET'S MOTHER: "Well, all I've got to say is if you don't get of your tuffet and start cleaning your room, there'll be a lot more spiders around here!"
ALBERT EINSTEIN'S MOTHER: "But, Albert, it's your senior picture. Can't you do something about your hair? Styling gel, mousse, something....?"
GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOTHER: "The next time I catch you throwing money across the Potomac, you can kiss your allowance good-bye!"
JONAH'S MOTHER: "That's a nice story, but now tell me where you've really been for the past 3 days!"
SUPERMAN'S MOTHER: "Clark, your father and I have discussed it, and we've decided you can have your own telephone line. Now will you quit spending so much time in all those phone booths!"
And finally...
THOMAS EDISON'S MOTHER: "Of course I'm proud that you invented the electric light bulb, dear. Now turn off that light and get to bed!"
Quote of the Day
We have a balance of $84.32 in the bank... Which makes us four and a half trillion dollars richer than the United States Federal Goverment.
Jim Borgman --cartoonist
April 25, 2007
Tech Support Stories
I had been doing Tech Support for Hewlett-Packard's DeskJet division for about a month when I had a customer call with a problem I just couldn't solve. She could not print yellow. All the other colors would print fine, which truly baffled me because the only true colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow. For instance, green is a combination of cyan and yellow, but green printed fine. Every color of the rainbow printed fine except for yellow. I had the customer change ink cartridges. I had the customer delete and reinstall the drivers. Nothing worked. I asked my coworkers for help; they offered no new ideas. After over two hours of troubleshooting, I was about to tell the customer to send the printer in to us for repair when she asked quietly, "Should I try printing on a piece of white paper instead of this yellow paper?"
A man attempting to set up his new printer called the printer's tech support number, complaining about the error message: "Can't find the printer. On the phone, the man said he even held the printer up in front of the screen, but the computer still couldn't find it.
And another user was all confused about why the cursor always'moved in the opposite direction from the movement of the mouse. She also complained that the buttons were difficult to depress. She was very embarrassed when we asked her to rotate the mouse so the tail pointed away from her.
Customer: "Hello? I'm trying to dial in. I installed the software okay, and it dialed fine. I could hear that. Then I could hear the two computers connecting. But then the sound all stopped, so I picked up the phone to see if they were still connected, and I got the message, 'No carrier,' on my screen. What's wrong?"
This guy calls in to complain that he gets an "Access Denied" message every time he logs in. It turned out he was typing his username and password in capital letters. Tech Support: "Ok, let's try once more, but use lower case letters. Customer: "Uh, I only have capital letters on my keyboard."
Quote of the Day
I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated.
Poul Anderson - Author
April 24, 2007
How the Brain Remembers and Learns
When we learn, we organize, shape, and strengthen our brains.
Humans are learning machines. From the day we are born—and even before—our brains are ready to capture our experiences and encode them into a web of nerve connections.
Our brains are the engines driving the human learning machines. A hundred billion or more nerve cells are crammed into three pounds of complex tissue inside our skull.
What is Learning
Is learning product or process?
This section explores different orientations to learning. Exploring these diverse perspectives should help you think differently and more broadly about what learning means and how it happens. Teaching is not just telling, and learning is not just listening. The chart below provides a good overview of some of the main ideas related to learning theory. Many other theories are based on combinations of these basic theories. For example, the constructivist theory which is very popular now, draws heavily on the cognitive approach, but also combines elements of the theories below. Constructivism looks at learning as an active process in which the learner builds on prior knowledge to select and transform information based on their own cognitive structure (patterns of mental action that form intellectual activity).
Learning theory
What is learning? Is it a change in behaviour or understanding? Is it a process? Here we survey some common models.
learning theory - models, product and process
Computer Guys Have a Sense of Humor Too...
Young Jane, the editor of a news publication, was having trouble with her computer. So she called Tim, the computer guy, over to her desk.
Tim clicked a couple buttons and solved the problem.
As he was walking away, Jane called after him, "So, what was wrong?"
And he replied, "It was an ID ten T error."
A puzzled expression ran riot over Jane's face. "An ID ten T error? What's that ... in case I need to fix it again??"
He gave her a grin... ;-) ... "Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?"
"No," replied Jane.
"Write it down," he said, "and I think you'll figure it out."
(She wrote...) I D 1 0 T Error
Writing Techniques:
Avoid alliteration. Always.
Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
Avoid clich's like the plague. (They're old hat.)
Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.
Contractions aren't necessary.
Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
One should never generalize.
Comparisons are as bad as clichés.
Don't be redundant; don't use more words than necessary; it's highly superfluous.
Be more or less specific.
One-word sentences? Eliminate.
Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
Who needs rhetorical questions?
Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
Quote of the Day
A question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than the question of whether a submarine can swim.
Edgar W. Dijkstra
April 23, 2007
Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence
The Center brings together academic institutions, city and state agencies and organizations, community groups, schools, youth groups, and faith organizations to collaborate on both positive youth development and the prevention of violence. By integrating research findings with education and training, professional development, and practice efforts, the Center provides the infrastructure that facilitates academic-community collaborations, thus translating research into improved professional practice. The result is an increase in the capacity of local providers, policy makers, and academic researchers to choose among potential interventions, monitor fidelity to specified standards, and increase knowledge concerning effective and ineffective practices and policies.
Ten things that I know about women
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How many light bulbs does it take to change a teacher?
The repetitive ‘light bulb‘ joke works because it uses a simple task, changing a light bulb, and applying a stereotypical belief about that group of people. Attitudinal change is a little more difficult and over the years there has been a good deal of research done on the factors affecting teachers’ adoption of technology.
Advice for designing the school of the future
When it comes to designing the school of the future, my encouragement would be to rethink school as well as technology use. I have been using a lens of thinking about technology uses as a funnel, measuring stick and amplifier to be helpful in differentiating the ways technology is, can and should be used for learning. Most schools seem stuck in the funnel and measuring stick mode, and aren’t venturing forth into the amplifier potential much.
Moving at the Speed of Creativity ? Blog Archive ? Advice for designing the school of the future
Six technologies that will impact the future.
The Horizon Report is released annually by the New Media Consortium in collaboration with the Educause Learning Initiative. The report focuses on the impact six areas of emerging technology will have on higher education in the next one to five years. This research focuses on applications of technologies to teaching, learning, creative expression, and the format of learning across the fields of business, industry, and education. Qualitative research methods were used to identify technologies included.
How to Please Your I.T. Department
When you call us to have your computer moved, be sure to leave it buried under half a ton of postcards, baby pictures, stuffed animals, dried flowers, bowling trophies and children's art. We don't have a life, and we find it deeply moving to catch a fleeting glimpse of yours.
Don't write anything down. Ever. We can play back the error messages from here.
When an I.T. person says he's coming right over, go for coffee. That way you won't be there when we need your password. It's nothing for us to remember 700 screen saver passwords.
When you call the help desk, state what you want, not what's keeping you from getting it. We don't need to know that you can't get into your mail because your computer won't power on at all.
When I.T. support sends you an E-Mail with high importance, delete it at once. We're just testing.
When an I.T. person is eating lunch at his desk, walk right in and spill your guts right out. We exist only to serve.
Send urgent email all in uppercase. The mail server picks it up and flags it as a rush delivery.
When the photocopier doesn't work, call computer support. There's electronics in it.
When something's wrong with your home PC, dump it on an I.T. person's chair with no name, no phone number and no description of the problem. We love a puzzle.
When an I.T. person tells you that computer screens don't have cartridges in them, argue. We love a good argument.
When an I.T. person tells you that he'll be there shortly, reply in a scathing tone of voice: "And just how many weeks do you mean by shortly?" That motivates us.
When the printer won't print, re-send the job at least 20 times. Print jobs frequently get sucked into black holes.
When the printer still won't print after 20 tries, send the job to all 68 printers in the company. One of them is bound to work.
Don't learn the proper term for anything technical. We know exactly what you mean by "My thingy blew up".
Don't use on-line help. On-line help is for wimps.
Quote of the Day
A new idea is delicate. It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn; it can be stabbed to death by a joke or worried to death by a frown on the right person's brow.
Charles Brower
April 20, 2007
TADO has been Nominated
Make sure you take the time to vote.
The Gender Genie
Inspired by an article and a test in The New York Times Magazine, the Gender Genie uses a simplified version of an algorithm developed by Moshe Koppel, Bar-Ilan University in Israel, and Shlomo Argamon, Illinois Institute of Technology, to predict the gender of an author.
Simply type or paste your text in the box below. Choose a genre and click submit for the results.
Things I wish I'd known before I went out in the real world
A person needs only two tools: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use the tape.
When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste.
The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship: "I apologize" and "You are right."
Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
When you make a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to eat crow while it's still warm.
If he or she says that you are too good for him -- believe it.
I've learned to pick my battles; I ask myself, "Will this matter one year from now? How about one month? One week? One day?"
Never pass up an opportunity to pee.
If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance!
Living well really is the best revenge.
Being miserable because of a bad or former relationship just proves that the other person was right about you.
Be really nice to your friends because you never know when you are going to need them to empty your bed pan and hold your hand.
And finally... Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect; it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.
Quote of the Day
A good leader is a person who is followed by people who don't have to.
Unknown
April 19, 2007
What the Font?
Ever wanted to find a font just like the one used by certain publications, corporations, or ad campaigns? Well now you can, using our WhatTheFont font recognition system. Upload a scanned image of the font and instantly find the closest matches in our database. If WhatTheFont can’t figure it out, you can submit your image to the WhatTheFont Forum where cloak-draped font enthusiasts around the world will help you out!
Wridea
Never forget your ideas again. Save them as you have them.
Create categories and organize your ideas.
NEW Create brainstorm sessions with your friends.
Use wridea as a basic project management tool. Create a page for each project and different categories for each work type.
You are the limit! You have pages, categories and ideas. Use wridea your way!
Universal Laws
"The Law of Volunteering"
If you dance with a grizzly bear, you had better let him lead.
"The Law of Avoiding Oversell"
When putting cheese in a mousetrap, always leave room for the mouse.
"The Law of Common Sense"
Never accept a drink from a urologist.
"The Law of Reality"
Never get into fights with ugly people, they have nothing to lose.
"The Law of Self Sacrifice"
When you starve with a tiger, the tiger starves last.
"Weiler's Law"
Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself.
"Law of Probable Dispersal"
Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.
"Law of Volunteer Labor"
People are always available for work in the past tense.
"Conway's Law"
In any organization there is one person who knows what is going on. That person must be fired.
"Iron Law of Distribution"
Them that has, gets.
"Law of Cybernetic Entomology"
There is always one more bug.
"Law of Drunkeness"
You can't fall off the floor.
"Heller's Law"
The first myth of management is that it exists.
"Osborne's Law"
Variables won't; constants aren't.
"Main's Law"
For every action there is an equal and opposite government program.
"Weinberg's Second Law"
If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would have destroyed civilization.
Quote of the Day
You can't get ahead while getting even
Dick Armey
April 18, 2007
12 Step Internet Addiction recovery system
1) I will have a cup of coffee in the morning and read my newspaper like I used to, before the Internet.
2) I will eat breakfast with a knife and fork and not with one hand typing.
3) I will get dressed before noon.
4) I will make an attempt to clean the house, wash clothes, and plan dinner before even thinking of the Internet.
5) I will sit down and write a letter to those unfortunate few friends and family that are Internet-deprived.
6) I will call someone on the phone who I cannot contact via the Internet.
7) I will read a book...if I still remember how.
8) I will listen to those around me and their needs and stop telling them to turn the TV down so I can hear the music on the Internet.
9) I will not be tempted during TV commercials to check for email.
10) I will try and get out of the house at least once a week, if it is necessary or not.
11) I will remember that my bank is not forgiving if I forget to balance my checkbook because I was too busy on the Internet.
12) Last, but not least, I will remember that I must go to bed sometime ... and the Internet will always be there tomorrow!
I thought this was funny
Every computer keyboard should come one of these.
Cyber School Teacher - Parent Interviews
April fools jokes work the best when they are not on April the 1st.
Step one of the Joke
It started with the following email to my online teaching staff.
I am getting lots of pressure from the higher powers to hold teacher parents interviews at the cyber school. It is felt that this is needed to make sure that the parents are involved in the educational process of their students. I have been debating against this concept and have tried to justify that the system we are using to track student (student tracker) is unique and designed to keep the communication with the home open. They are not buying it...so I need some help...let me know your opinion on cyber teacher parent interviews so I can continue to debate because at the moment it looks like we are going to have to set up an after school teacher parent interview in and around April the 1st of this year. Please reply to all when posting your comments so we can keep track of what people are saying.
Step two of the joke.
I love the conversation. There is no pressure from above, I just needed each of you to think through the process and comment on your belief of the Cyber School's difference. Again, you have shown your desire to be open to new ideas, go with the flow and do what is necessary for us to be successful. I was going to push the discussion further and schedule in interviews for each one of you to see which of you would figure out that the time for the interviews was April 1St, which is April fools day, but I just could not do that to you.
Again I love the opportunity to work with you and would like to again thank you for the discussion and I promise to try not to fool you all again. (Maybe)
Staff responses
Beauty Darren!!!
So was it really a complete hoax? or are you pulling a double whammy and in fact it is an issue and you just don't want us to think it is an issue.... Darn it this is like warcraft back in the day.. hard to pin you down.
Sometimes a person just wants to be held...lol.
Quote of the Day
The way to activate the seeds of your creation is by making choices about the results you want to create. Then you make a choice, you activate vast human energies and resources, which otherwise go untapped. All too often people fail to focus their choices upon results and therefore their choices are ineffective. If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise.
Robert Fritz
April 17, 2007
Things to Remember
Love is grand; divorce is at least a hundred grand.
Time may be a great healer, but it's also a lousy beautician.
Remember: amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.
Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.
Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels so good.
An optimist thinks that this is the best possible world. A pessimist fears that this is true.
Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just stand there.
My inferiority complex is not as good as yours is.
I am having an out of money experience.
It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.
If Women Ran The World
If my wife ran the world as well as my home...
Cyber School Teacher - Parent Interviews
April fools jokes work the best when they are not on April the 1st.
Step one of the Joke
It started with the following email to my online teaching staff.
I am getting lots of pressure from the higher powers to hold teacher parents interviews at the cyber school. It is felt that this is needed to make sure that the parents are involved in the educational process of their students. I have been debating against this concept and have tried to justify that the system we are using to track student (student tracker) is unique and designed to keep the communication with the home open. They are not buying it…so I need some help…let me know your opinion on cyber teacher parent interviews so I can continue to debate because at the moment it looks like we are going to have to set up an after school teacher parent interview in and around April the 1st of this year. Please reply to all when posting your comments so we can keep track of what people are saying.
Step two Staff responses.
I don’t see a fixed date for parent teacher interviews as being very feasible- my students’ start dates are very spread out. Home school interviews would possibly work- for those with home schools. Can we insist that all parents’ email addresses be posted when their children register for a class? I think that would take care of a lot of the communication issues we might face.
Quote of the Day
Health nuts are going to feel stupid one day, lying in the hospital, dying of nothing.
Redd Foxx
April 16, 2007
Thoughts for the Day
1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in
the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines
19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, "What the heck
happened?"
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright
until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates; it's more like a jar of jalapenos.
What you do today, might burn your bum tomorrow.
Kid's Instructions on Life
"Wear a hat when feeding seagulls."
- Rocky, age 9
"Sleep in your clothes so you'll be dressed in the morning."
- Stephanie, age 8
"Don't flush the john when your dad's in the shower."
- Lamar, age 10
"Never ask for anything that costs more than $5 when your parents are doing taxes."
- Carrol, age 9
"Never bug a pregnant mom."
- Nicholas, age 11
"Don't ever be too full for dessert."
- Kelly, age 10
"When your dad is mad and asks you, 'Do I look stupid?' don't answer him."
- Heather, age 16
"Never tell your mom her diet's not working."
- Michael, age 14
"Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a baseball bat."
- Joel, age 12
"When you get a bad grade in school, show it to your mom when she's on the phone."
- Alyesha, age 13
"Never try to baptize a cat."
- Laura, age 13
"Never spit when on a roller coaster."
- Scott, age 11
"Never do pranks at a police station."
- Sam, age 10
"Beware of cafeteria food when it looks like it's moving."
- Rob, age 10
"Never tell your little brother that you're not going to do what your mom told you to do."
- Hank, age 12
"Remember you're never too old to hold your father's hand."
- Molly, age 11
"Listen to your brain. It has lots of information."
- Chelsey, age 7
"Stay away from prunes."
- Randy, age 9
"Never dare your little brother to paint the family car."
- Phillip, age 13
"Forget the cake, go for the icing."
- Cynthia, age 8
"Remember the two places you are always welcome - church and Grandma's house."
- Joanne, age 11
"When you want something expensive, ask your grandparents."
- Matthew, age 12
Mottos to Live by
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
He who hesitates is probably right.
Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.
No one is listening until you make a mistake.
Success always occurs in private, and failure in full view.
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
Two wrongs are only the beginning.
Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7th of your life.
If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.
Change is inevitable....except from vending machines.
If you think nobody cares about you, try missing a couple of payments.
How many of you believe in telekinesis? Raise my hands.
Everybody repeat after me....."We are all individuals."
Guests who kill talk show hosts .. On the last Geraldo.
Eagles may soar, but weasels aren't sucked into jet engines.
Borrow money from pessimists they don't expect it back.
2.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
Use SWAG when making you more important decisions - (Scientific Wild-Ass Guess)
If women ran the world
If my wife ran the world as well as my home...
Cyber School Teacher - Parent Interviews
April fools jokes work the best when they are not on April the 1st.
Step one of the Joke
It started with the following email to my online teaching staff.
I am getting lots of pressure from the higher powers to hold teacher parents interviews at the cyber school. It is felt that this is needed to make sure that the parents are involved in the educational process of their students. I have been debating against this concept and have tried to justify that the system we are using to track student (student tracker) is unique and designed to keep the communication with the home open. They are not buying it…so I need some help…let me know your opinion on cyber teacher parent interviews so I can continue to debate because at the moment it looks like we are going to have to set up an after school teacher parent interview in and around April the 1st of this year. Please reply to all when posting your comments so we can keep track of what people are saying.
Step two Staff responses.
It happens fairly often at Holy Cross (ie once a term) when students from the school book an interview when they sign up for their in-school class interview. There is nothing to stop any parent from booking an interview. Even though we are 150 day school most kids register within the semester window.
Problematic for students from other schools, but workable if the parents want to travel. Biggest problem is getting information out to parents; we don’t have all their email addresses and if they don’t know what is going on in their kid’s courses that means their children are not going to tell them that interviews are coming. A mailout makes the most sense if we are really serious about getting parents to interviews. If we are not really interested in interviews but want to look like we are addressing the issue we could provide a link on our home page to the interview schedule at the schools where our teachers are located. The link could also encourage parents to email the teacher at any time.
Quote of the Day
The classroom should be an entrance into the world, not an escape from it.
John Ciardi
April 10, 2007
Students Opting for AP Courses Online
Enrollment takes off as high school students burnish college résumés and e-learning opportunities boom.
Education Week: Students Opting for AP Courses Online
Outside Interests
Young people typically plug in to new technology far more often on their own time than in school.
Education Week: Outside Interests
April 9, 2007
Cyber-school empire under attack
In the past seven years, Nicholas Trombetta has climbed from small-town Beaver County school administrator to the head of a sprawling educational network fueled by millions of taxpayer dollars.
Cyber-school empire under attack
Real school virtual classroom
April 3, 2007
Storynory: Free Audio Stories for Kids
Storynory has been publishing free audio stories for children since November 2005. You’ll find our own stories here about Prince Bertie - a modern prince who has been turned into a frog - as well as plenty of classics.
Storynory: Free Audio Stories for Kids
If women ran the world
If my wife ran the world as well as my home...
Cyber School Teacher - Parent Interviews
April fools jokes work the best when they are not on April the 1st.
Step one of the Joke
It started with the following email to my online teaching staff.
I am getting lots of pressure from the higher powers to hold teacher parents interviews at the cyber school. It is felt that this is needed to make sure that the parents are involved in the educational process of their students. I have been debating against this concept and have tried to justify that the system we are using to track student (student tracker) is unique and designed to keep the communication with the home open. They are not buying it…so I need some help…let me know your opinion on cyber teacher parent interviews so I can continue to debate because at the moment it looks like we are going to have to set up an after school teacher parent interview in and around April the 1st of this year. Please reply to all when posting your comments so we can keep track of what people are saying.
Step two Staff responses.
We were just chatting and came up with an easy solution. What if we allowed parents to schedule interviews in with our home schools? So tonight, I have interviews at St. Joseph. Why couldn’t a parent who’s interested email our secretary and request a time? The biggest issue is telling parents when these different time slots are, but it should really work. It solves the issue with the board and ultimately, how many parents are going to take advantage of this, so how much will it impact your home school?
Our interviews were last week and incidentally a scenario similar to the one in which you are referring happened to me. One of the students taking my course stopped by my table with her mother unscheduled when I had a break to see how things were going. We chatted for a couple of minutes and everything was fine. But I also wondered at the time, what is the protocol. Has this ever happened to anyone else? How did you handle it? If it would have been scheduled, I guess I could have been prepared.
Quote of the Day
The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
Paul Fix
April 2, 2007
Believable homework excuses.
Believable excuses you can use for those rare occasions
when you have forgotten your homework.
April Resources
Looking for fresh ideas for the month of March? This site has theme-based crafts, online adventures, lesson plans and much more. Check back often as more resources will be added throughout the month.
Quote of the Day (number two for the day)
I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn."
Albert Einstein
bFree
Use bFree to open a Blackboard™ course export or archive file and display the content of the course, as shown here. Preview and select the content items that you want to extract, then extract them as a set of files and folders or as an independent Web site. Step-by-step instructions are included in the application.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
KS2 Bitesize
Key Stage 2 Bitesize is a brand new site that covers English, Maths and Science. Each topic has an online activity, a test and a quiz; making revision a much more engaging experience for children in the run up to their KS2 tests. This new site replaces the old ReviseWise site.
BBC - Schools - KS2 Bitesize Revision
Do more Watch Less
April is the month to “Do MORE Watch LESS”. The “Do MORE Watch LESS” Challenge encourages individuals and families to reduce screen-time and replace it with physical activity and other great screen-free activities. From April 23-29 take the challenge to do MORE physical activity and spend LESS time in front of the television, computer and video game screens.
If women ran the world
If my wife ran the world as well as my home...
Cyber School Teacher - Parent Interviews
April fools jokes work the best when they are not on April the 1st.
Step one of the Joke
It started with the following email to my online teaching staff.
I am getting lots of pressure from the higher powers to hold teacher parents interviews at the cyber school. It is felt that this is needed to make sure that the parents are involved in the educational process of their students. I have been debating against this concept and have tried to justify that the system we are using to track student (student tracker) is unique and designed to keep the communication with the home open. They are not buying it…so I need some help…let me know your opinion on cyber teacher parent interviews so I can continue to debate because at the moment it looks like we are going to have to set up an after school teacher parent interview in and around April the 1st of this year. Please reply to all when posting your comments so we can keep track of what people are saying.
Step two Staff responses.
I agree that meeting with the parents is important...but I don't know what I would talk about. I actually speak to my face to face students and can talk about their behaviour, attendance, emotional state etc. with their parents.
The point may be moot ... I don't think parents would show up anyway.
Exactly! Our students have no behaviour / disruption issues. They have work habit issues, performance issues etc. Each of these issues is addressed by the nature of cyber school. Every parent has access to the work habits and performance of their children every minute of the day. Also, because of cyber tracker and this nature of cyber school, I would hope that students with performance/work habit issues have MORE contact in our environment than in the regular face to face environment. Plus, we do have face to face meetings with parents, we are not opposed to them. We have them when necessary or when requested by the parents.
I also agree with the previous argument, with the 150 day schedule, when do we hold them?
Let's hold them and have a game of Kaiser when no one shows. Plus, in my face to face class, students are given 1 and ½ days off to compensate teachers for their time. Are we going to reduce the students 150 days to 148.5 days? This way, instead of playing Kaiser when no one shows up we can have a “development” night. We’ll hold interviews if anyone comes, but if they don’t this would be PD time that you have in face to face anyway….. I guess what I’m saying, if there is pressure to make cyber more like the face to face, then it’s all the way. Of course, it seems silly to close the server to students so that we can talk to their parents.
I was being a little facetious in the above paragraph, but actually what a neat idea. An evening / day of PD to fix / update courses under the pretense that we are there for interviews – if parents come, we are ready. However would the board need to cover our face to face classes while we are available for afternoon interviews?
Quote of the Day
Reality is just a crutch for people that can't handle CyberSpace!!
Hank Duderstadt
