Math resource

Yesterday a staff member that also teaches math handed me a resource for math testing. I looked it over and found it to be very good and will use it today . This staff member is somewhat new to the use of technology. This morning i asked him where he got it. He said, "online, you just go the the web site and click on...." and so on.
It is a good feeling when others on my staff are using technology for teaching.

moodle

So,.... why is it that as a group of teachers, we do not create a unit of study or 2 on a Moodle?

We could edit it and, change it as we go. It could evolve. It could make reference to the curriculum. It could be like a group of teachers publishing something we all could use. Perhaps, it could be created by a PLC group for the purpose of teaching a given area of study.

Eyebrows

Why do Eye brows grow? More importantly , why do they wait till a guy is getting older and then they start to grow? What is up with that? Do eyebrows stay dormant for a while? Eye brows were never a problem before. Are they a sign of grouchy old man syndrome or something?

Bullying is when ...

Bullying is when people are not nice. It is when someone makes another person feel bad for an invalid reason. Bullying includes the total absence of Empathy for another person. Bullying is acting in a way that erodes another persons self concept. A person who bullies is counter productive to a group dynamic.

Sometimes bullying is used to gain friends or popularity. Sometimes bullying tactics are used to get people to do stuff. Bullying used to get people to do stuff, causes unhealthy stress and may be counter productive.

Each and every person has a different background, from which they have observed, experienced, and learned behavior. This most likely, will influence how people will act in new situations.
The more education one has, the more environments and experiences one may draw on to help determine how to interact with others.

So how do we help others when it is perceived that they are being a bully.

1. Tell them that they're behavior is being perceived as bullying.
2. Explain what bullying is.
3. Provide them with knowledge and examples of what is acceptable behavior is.
4. Teach them to be empathetic people.

So, ... what do people need in a computer?

I took apart my  mini netbook today.... 

Taking things apart helps me understand better, how things work, ... like Mom's video camera, but that is a different story.

The hard drive is really small.  The size  of  1/2 a matchbook.      It seems to be well put together as the hard drive, wireless card and RAM are all available by taking out a few screws. One could change hard drives  in a few minutes if needed, and carry an extra in your pocket. This might even make tech support easier.  Presently, most uses of computers are some kind of connected to the internet process.   This type of computer  provides this in a portable format. 

Advantages.

1.  Better battery life should be expected - ... as it has a small screen,  and no dvd rom to spin to use up power.  I have used it all day without charging it up.

2.  Portability - it is somewhat easy to carry around....  not quite as easy as a phone though. 

3.  Economy - lower cost

What does it need?

1.  It should have some kind of rubber outside, so that i feel it is more sturdy and rugged.

2.  It needs to have built in GPS, so that applications can use this technology in an integrated way, with other applications .

3.  It needs to have a built in phone so that i can talk to people on a telco network.

4.  It needs a better video card as it is limited to 1020 X 600.

What does it not do?

I have not tried video editing, but i expect it would lack video capability and storage space.

Things i need to try.

- sound editing and video editing

- connecting a GPS receiver 

Computer uses and needs are changing.

1.  Applications like word processing  are now on line, not on a server accessible in one building.

2.  Most high end video and  audio is better done on a workstation with a user home directory located on that same computer as opposed to a network home directory.

3.  People are acquiring personal communication devices.  

So what does this mean?  

It means more questions to ask.  like...

Do we even need centralized servers in a building?

Should we focus on connection or bandwidth?

Should we be focussing on high end computers for video editing and low end for accessing  and inputing  information? 

How long will it be before every student has their own communication device?  

When i went to high school, a new gym was constructed and made available for our grade 12 year.  The school acquired a set of blue badminton racquets.  We had a choice of blue or blue.  They had the balance and finesse of a club.  Over time students brought their own and there was no expectation for the school to provide the racquet.  The school provided the gym and the net and so  on.  

How long will it be before affordable communications devices are brought by all students ?