Mostly Englishy

For goodness sake!

2012-01-28T09:31:00.000-05:00

A friend posted this image:

I don't know where it came from, so I have no way of providing "credit" to the one who deserves it. Those who responded to the post were of the general opinion that President Obama is the worst president ever and is literally destroying our nation. One of them went so far as to remark that she and her husband "cried when we saw this the first time." Well, I'm finding that attitude less and less acceptable and felt the need to respond to the image and the posts. Here's what I wrote:

And I cry because this is yet another image attempting to divide our nation. Yes, the Constitution is under attack, but many of those on both sides of the artificial ideological divide in that image have had their hands in the effort to tear it apart. The problems we face today did not spring fully formed from the presidency of Mr. Obama; they were born and have been nurtured over decades.

I vividly recall the Civil Rights conflicts of the 60s. That was a time when most of the nation believed it was wrong to extend Constitutional protections to others for no reason but the color of their skin and fought the president vehemently for insisting on equal rights. Later thoughtfulness prevailed, and we understood the Constitution is supposed to protect all citizens.

I recall the scandals of Nixon and Clinton and the less publicized scandals involving so many of those chosen to lead this nation. We survived all of them. President Obama is a human being and will and has made errors, but so has every other president who has ever held the office. There is no need to extoll President Obama beyond merit, but neither is there a need to vilify him unnecessarily.

Our nation faces so many difficult challenges. We need to work together to find long-term solutions for those problems.

Something is terribly, terribly wrong...

2012-01-24T23:53:00.000-05:00

So, the figures are in. It's more profitable for a large company to lobby than to pay its fair share of taxes. A study just out shows that 30 corporations paid more to lobbyists than they paid in taxes. Turns out it was money well spent, though. Not only did 29 of those companies pay no taxes at all, some of them received tax rebates. Maybe they were suffering. After all, the economy had tanked; many citizens were losing their jobs and homes; retirement savings were melting like butter on a hot summer day. Not so. The companies that managed to snag nearly $11 billion in Washington Welfare had a combined profit of about $164 billion (http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/12/13/30-major-u-s-companies-spent-more-on-lobbying-than-taxes/).

The federal government spent $107.2 on welfare for family and children in 2011. But that cost is on its way down, thanks to recent cuts that will be phased in over the coming years. That's a lot to spend, but at least those people weren't making tons of money while getting Washington Welfare. Nope. Most of them were having a downright tough time keeping a roof over their heads and body and soul together (http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/welfare_budget_2012_4.html).

Frankly, I'd rather our taxes go to those who live at or below the poverty line than those who wallow in the 1% and above.

Student post

2012-01-09T19:57:00.000-05:00

Love the creativity of this young man's blog post. It's an unusual and effective way to present information one has discovered. Thanks Alex. http://alexklibisz.net/blog_details.php?recordID=48

Gearing up

2012-01-09T15:08:00.001-05:00

Two classes up and running for a week; two more starting today; two more starting next week. This is going to be one of those barely survivable semesters. Can't help but wonder why we take on more than can reasonably be handled from time to time. I know this time it was fear, fear of not having a class next semester, that caused me to accept an overload.

This is both an energizing and paralyzing time in any semester. I've spent weeks trying to revise courses and prep other courses so they will be relevant and timely. Now I will spend many hours just dealing with all the technical difficulties that happen in the first few weeks of any online class. It's surprising to me how many students don't really know how to use the technologies so essential to their success. It's frustrating that I must do most of the technical trouble-shooting because that takes away from time I could be concentrating on teaching or prepping or even grading.

Oh, well... This is the career I've chosen, and fortunately, there are always a number of delightful students in every class.

Fundraiser for Roland!

2012-01-07T09:18:00.000-05:00

You can get in on a chance to win some cool prizes, but more importantly, you can help Charles and Alexis to bring their son home. Get the details here: http://www.laeliasky.com/2012/01/06/our-fundraiser/

Roland (Joel) needs to come home

2012-01-04T17:46:00.001-05:00

Did you notice the Reece's Rainbow donation link at the upper right? See that "Donate" button? Well, I hope you will consider clicking on it and giving just a little toward the adoption expenses for "Joel." Right now he's still in Kiev, Ukraine, and must remain there until the funds necessary for the adoption have been raised. A Ukrainian orphanage is not a very happy place. The babies spend nearly all day every day in their cribs. Sometimes they have as few as two diaper changes a day. They have little if any intellectual stimulation. They are fed, but it's barely enough to keep their little bodies going. There is no treatment of their health issues, like the arthrogryposis Joel was born with or the Down's syndrome others have. Love is something they know only if they are lucky enough to be adopted. It's just not possible to save everyone who needs saving in this world, but right now it IS possible to help save this one precious little boy.

Imagine knowing that a wonderful little person you already love so much must wait for something as superficial as money so you can finally bring him home where he will be loved, receive the specialized care he needs, AND become an inspiration to so many others. You can help. Any little bit you can swing... please. If you can't contribute, please post a link to his page and share it with all of your friends.

When his adoption is finally arranged, Joel will become Roland Quest Wesley and join one of the coolest families I know. Okay. I might be a little prejudiced since Alexis and Charles Wesley are family. She's our niece. Then again, it's hard not to marvel at this couple and their amazing daughter, Laelia. If you'd like your heart to be touched today, read their story at the blogs they write for their children:

Laelia's life: http://www.laeliasky.com/

Roland's life: http://gettingawesleyinedgewise.blogspot.com/

It's not so black and white

2012-01-04T16:16:00.000-05:00

A FB friend posted a link to an article written by Ed Will. She found it "interesting" but made no comment on Will's statements. So, I thought about how I might engage Mr. Will if I were talking with him about his points, and figured my thoughts would go something like this:

According to Will (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150422574527734&set=a.98301942733.92939.541152733&type=1&theater):

“1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.”

My thought: No wealthy person is in danger of being legislated out of existence, but the poor often need protective legislation so they can survive. The wealthy receive many hidden and explicit benefits unavailable to the poor. If their gratitude for those benefits was passed along in the form of jobs, etc. there would be no need for protective legislation. As Henry Ford noted, “There is one rule for the industrialist and that is: Make the best quality of goods possible at the lowest cost possible, paying the highest wages possible.” He recognized the success of his business depended upon a population earning enough to be able to purchase his products (even if all his business ventures were not so noble).

“2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.”

My thought: This statement contains the assumption that only those who work give, and only those who do not work receive. I have worked beside migrant laborers who put me to shame with their industry. They would never be anything but poor regardless of how many hours of back-breaking work they were willing to do each day. And most of them were paid so poorly they qualified for government assistance. I’ve also worked beside those who had been given the best education, the best opportunities, and put in the least amount of effort to have lives of wealth beyond my imagination. It takes more than a single broad brush to paint a masterpiece.

“3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.”

My thought: This statement implies only the “haves” are being cheated. Michele Bachman expressed this idea more explicitly when she said, “Part of the problem is today, only 53% pay any federal income tax at all; 47% pay nothing.” (http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/08/17/gop-candidates-too-many-americans-pay-no-taxes/) What is not usually noted is that more than 80% of those who pay no taxes live in poverty. They are among the poorest in our nation, and it’s unlikely that any tax required of them would come close to what would be paid by the 3.2% in the two highest earning categories … if they paid any taxes at all. (http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/numbers/displayatab.cfm?DocID=3057)

A much greater concern should be the many wasteful and immoral areas of spending by our governments, federal, state, and local, that are gifted to various regions and programs based not on need but on greed. I am an American, and I support our government, so I am willing to pay my fair share even when I do not believe the funds are being used properly. As long as I have a home and food and the amazingly comfortable life that I have, I would rather be found guilty of giving too much rather than too little.

“4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it!”

My thought: This statement makes little sense. Our nation is not about “multiplying wealth.” It is, however, based on a concept of fairness that extends even to the realm of opportunity. Those who have been blessed to receive a great deal should be willing to share accordingly; their blessings do not always come because of their hard work any more than a really hard working person is always assured of achieving monetary success.

“5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.”

My thought: This is an unfair characterization that half our nation worked hard to earn its wealth and the other half is lazy and sucking the lifeblood of those who have earned what they have. The truth is there are some taking advantage of the system to get government handouts, but the wealthy are as likely as the poor to be in that category. The difference is we call handouts to the poor “welfare” but handouts to the rich “subsidies.”

About 8% of the population received ANY sort of welfare assistance, but only 1.7% received more than 50% of its income from welfare. (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_percentage_of_people_in_US_are_on_welfare).

btw, in my opinion there is NO person who can possibly be worth the average $31,232 per DAY 299 CEOs of S&P 500 companies get. And, if one limits their work week to 5 days, that average jumps to $43,846 per DAY. (http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/paywatch/)

I am deeply disturbed by the course of our nation. We seem to be marching headlong into behaviors and attitudes I find inconsistent with the life I want to live. It's harder and harder to focus on compassion and service when the national focus seems to be more on individual materialism and power consolidation, and I see that as a problem of all political groups. We are less and less willing to see the world from the other person's point of view, and that makes us less and less willing to compromise (not on principles but on actions and directions).

Occupy the 1st Amendment

2011-11-24T10:40:00.001-05:00

What direction should our nation take? Will we accept tyranny when directed at the 99% but reject it for the 1%? Hear Dr. Martin Luther King speak to and for the 99%.

Ideas from Evernote

2011-11-01T15:47:00.001-04:00

This page from blogger Michael Hyatt shows how important organizational skills are for writing. He's using Evernote (a very nifty application), but the principles are applicable to writing academic essays, too.

Teachers don't need more education or perks!

2011-05-26T17:31:00.000-04:00

Why should teacher's have unions? Why should they get paid well, get paid to become master teachers, develop strong mentoring networks, and get three months off in the summer to just lay around and do nothing (forget that they don't get paid during off sessions)?

"[S]ome policymakers argue that we should eliminate requirements for teacher training, stop paying teachers for gaining more education, let anyone enter teaching, and fire those later who fail to raise student test scores. And efforts like those in Wisconsin to eliminate collective bargaining create the prospect that salaries and working conditions will sink even lower, making teaching an unattractive career for anyone with other professional options.

The contrasts to the American attitude toward teachers and teaching could not have been more stark. Officials from countries like Finland and Singapore described how they have built a high-performing teaching profession by enabling all of their teachers to enter high-quality preparation programs, generally at the masters’ degree level, where they receive a salary while they prepare. There they learn research-based teaching strategies and train with experts in model schools attached to their universities. They enter a well-paid profession – in Singapore earning as much as beginning doctors -- where they are supported by mentor teachers and have 15 or more hours a week to work and learn together – engaging in shared planning, action research, lesson study, and observations in each other’s classrooms. And they work in schools that are equitably funded and well-resourced with the latest technology and materials"

Maybe it's because the US needs to compete with other countries.

Reflecting on death...

2011-05-08T09:02:00.000-04:00

From "Etiquette Hell" a post that eloquently expresses how I've felt about bin Laden's death:

With the recent news that US Navy Seals have killed 9/11 mastermind and Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden comes the inevitable reaction of some who would dance, literally if they could, on the grave of a dead man. On the Ehell forum, the decision was made by the moderators to block or delete threads in which people gleefully rejoiced of death.

We should carefully ponder our reactions to the death of any one, including the wicked and evil. The decision to mete out earthly retribution should be entered into with soberness, solemnity and calm befitting a choice to see justice served. Otherwise the taking of life becomes trivialized and we are no more civilized than the beasts who wantonly kill the innocent they view as worthlessly expendable. Nor do we want to rejoice at death lest we show ourselves to be no better than the savages who hung the burnt bodies of US contractors from street lights and danced in joy. No, I think we are much better than that.

I recently read the following on a Facebook status and it reflects my perspective:

“At this report of earthly justice, I am more sobered than celebratory. I pray that this moment will cause us all to treasure life and freedom, without honoring or affirming vengefulness or bloodlust. And please do not take pleasure in anyone’s entrance into hell or forget the mountain of mercy that we have received.” Don Shorey

Bin Laden was an evil man, he needed to be stopped and held accountable for his genocide. I won’t weep for him but I will soberly reflect in thankfulness that he can no longer lead others into evil and be grateful for the peace and safety and freedoms we enjoy.

Thinking about education

2011-04-27T10:07:00.000-04:00

Repositories

2011-03-17T16:19:00.000-04:00

Annotated list of research repositories. VERY useful to students, even if one would not automatically have full access to all of the sites listed (such as JSTOR).

Visual News

2011-02-22T07:51:00.000-05:00

It's said "a picture is worth a thousand words" but these may be worth even more as they summarize subtleties that often escape us.

Visual News

Noodlehead: Zippy Wallet Tutorial

2011-02-19T12:49:00.000-05:00

I want to modify this slightly to make a clip-on pouch for my Droid.

Noodlehead: Zippy Wallet Tutorial

Khan Academy

2011-02-14T09:10:00.000-05:00

Wow! What an amazing repository. If you haven't visited yet, take a chance to learn something new or refresh. Just wish there was a larger humanities section. :)

Khan Academy

Things Organized Neatly

2011-02-13T13:11:00.000-05:00

How fun ... and SO not my style! :)

Things Organized Neatly

College Open Textbooks Blog

2011-02-12T09:21:00.000-05:00

I need to do more research in this area. I'd like to move away from over-priced textbooks if possible.

College Open Textbooks Blog

Nabokov Theory on Polyommatus Blue Butterflies Is Vindicated - NYTimes.com

2011-01-28T01:00:00.000-05:00

Expert testimony: Is it limited to those with degrees lined up behind their names? No.

When one hears "Vladimir Nabokov," it's generally visions of Lolita, not butterflies, that float into view. Yes, Nabokov was an exceptional novelist, but he was also a butterfly expert ... lepidopterist. Of course, in his time, he was accepted as "a dutiful but undistinguished researcher" by professionals and only found vindication of his theories after his death. It was DNA that would prove Nabokov's butterfly migration theories based on "differences in their genitalia."

So, a word of caution about throwing around "questionable authority" accusations: Check out the bona fides first.

Nabokov Theory on Polyommatus Blue Butterflies Is Vindicated - NYTimes.com

A Profile of This Year's Freshmen - Students - The Chronicle of Higher Education

2011-01-27T12:39:00.000-05:00

Statistical insights about students. What sorts of conclusions might YOU draw from this information?

A Profile of This Year's Freshmen - Students - The Chronicle of Higher Education:

New Partners in the Plagiarism-Detection Business - Head Count - The Chronicle of Higher Education

2011-01-27T12:37:00.000-05:00

Better pay attention to this, folks. Writing skills are essential to success.

New Partners in the Plagiarism-Detection Business - Head Count - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Biblio Bouts

2011-01-10T15:14:00.000-05:00

Very cool way to do research for academic essays. Play the game to end up with a first-rate bibliography.

Biblio Bouts

Second time this season

2011-01-10T13:21:00.000-05:00

We've lived in TN more than 5 years, but this is the first season we've had snow more than once, and we've never had enough to slow us down. This time we're definitely snowed in and enjoying every minute of it. Well, I am. Wayne is out shoveling the driveway, so maybe not so much for him.

The dogs have had a blast, especially Sunny whose Husky roots are in heaven in the cold. He was out on the back deck at 1 a.m. enjoying the snow. Winston is far less thrilled, but his magnificent Jack Russell heart does its best to keep up with his bigger pal.

The cedar sentinels run along one side of our property and have more than doubled in size since we moved.

History -- pick and choose at our peril

2011-01-07T08:51:00.001-05:00

The words we choose to embrace -- or reject -- as a society have a profound impact on not only on the way we view the world but on the choices we make because of those views. Yesterday in the House of Representatives the Constitution of the United States was read aloud. That's an admirable thing to do since so many have so little interaction with this pivotal document. However, there was debate about which version of the Constitution should be read. And there is ongoing debate about how to apply the Constitution to our society, which is vastly different from what it was 9/17/1787 ... the day that 42 of 55 delegates signed the document and created "a more perfect Union."

Should it be read in its original version? Should the original text be altered to reflect later amendments? There was a predictable, but somewhat surprising split, with Republicans preferring the edited version and Democrats preferring the original version with amendments. How do the versions differ? The edited version alters the original text based on the amendments that came later. For instance, in the original document (Art. 1, Sec. 2), representation and taxation were determined by "adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons." In other words, a slave would be counted as 3/5 of a whole person. In the edited version that would disappear because of the 14th Amendment. If only the amended version was read, a critical part of our national history, that demonstrates the validity of designing the Constitution as a document subject to amendment by the people, would be lost.

Representative Donna Edwards eloquently expressed the importance of full social memory: “Our Constitution is both a strong foundation and a living document that has changed as our times and understandings have changed. I am disappointed that we did not come together to read the Constitution in its entirety to embrace both the full vision of our founders and their fallibility as reflected in the original content and the amendments that have strengthened this great nation. As an African American woman, it is through these amendments and this history that my experience is captured in its entirety. It is imperative that we remember the purpose and interpretation enshrined to a government by the people, for the people.” (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2011/01/elijah_cummings_constitution.html)

This Year, Contractor Deaths Exceed Military Ones in Iraq and Afghanistan - ProPublica

2011-01-01T13:40:00.000-05:00

Has anyone noticed?

"Civilian contractors have been an indispensable part of the U.S. war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan, but they have returned home without the support available for troops in uniform.

Tens of thousands of civilians have worked in the two battle zones, delivering fuel, protecting diplomats and translating for troops, among other jobs."

This Year, Contractor Deaths Exceed Military Ones in Iraq and Afghanistan - ProPublica: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

D E C E P T O L O G Y: Teaching kids about false advertising with summertime kiddie pools

2010-12-28T08:32:00.000-05:00

Another instance of buyer beware. This is one of the hidden difficulties of virtual shopping, whether online or from an advertisement.

D E C E P T O L O G Y: Teaching kids about false advertising with summertime kiddie pools: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Steering Clear of Scams « Fibromyalgia – Fibro Blog

2010-12-28T08:16:00.000-05:00

I live with fibromyalgia. This article gives many of the same warnings that are part of my critical thinking classes. Real life application of solid principles. :)

Steering Clear of Scams « Fibromyalgia – Fibro Blog

The Big Picture - Boston.com

2010-12-17T08:41:00.000-05:00

This photo site is worth much more than a thousand words. How many events do you recall?

The Big Picture - Boston.com

Assange detention sparks total cyberwar > Botnet > Vulnerabilities & Exploits > News > SC Magazine Australia/NZ

2010-12-09T09:13:00.001-05:00

Fascinating! This may well be the first of a very different sort of "war". Makes me wonder what the future holds now that this new type of guerilla warfare has opened the eyes of others who will surely jump on the bandwagon.

Assange detention sparks total cyberwar > Botnet > Vulnerabilities & Exploits > News > SC Magazine Australia/NZ

Here's another look: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20024973-503543.html

Margaret and Helen

2010-11-26T09:48:00.000-05:00

Hee, hee... This is definitely my kind of granny!

Margaret and Helen: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

D E C E P T O L O G Y

2010-11-25T12:08:00.000-05:00

D E C E P T O L O G Y: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Caveat emptor - There's a fishy, fishy world out there.

Appendices

2010-10-25T10:08:00.000-04:00

Because the navigation is limited in the additional pages, one would need to create an appendices page and then create the other pages to list after it. Links to those pages can be put on the Appendices page like this:

12b - Annotated bibliography
13b - Review of literature

The long view

2010-10-15T12:59:00.000-04:00

Slate has an exceptional series on "The United States of Inequality" (http://www.slate.com/id/2266025/). While the entire series is worthy of serious consideration, there's one graphic that's particularly telling: http://www.slate.com/id/2266174/entry/2266218/fs/0//

Visit the site for an in-depth explanation of the significance.

Stunning

2010-09-14T09:29:00.000-04:00

Edgar Mueller's 3d street art images are remarkable feats of trompe l'oeil on a grand scale. http://www.european-street-painting.com/displayimage-album,28,pos,13,waterfall-3d-9.jpg.html Can you imagine what it would be like to come home from work and try to negotiate a street that looked like this one: http://www.european-street-painting.com/displayimage-album,29,pos,0,Street%20Art%20-%20Use%20your%20eyes.html Just looking at the photo is disorienting.

The Letter

2010-09-14T07:59:00.001-04:00

A reflection from a colleague. This is a far more eloquent summation of my feelings about war than I could write. The Letter

Roadkill and Digital Living

2010-09-13T04:05:00.000-04:00

The range of digital living subjects seems never ending. Here's a guy who's using technology to research his passion: road kill. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/technology/13roadkill.html

Notice the mention of wanting to hire someone to create a phone app to further his research? That's a new job market that's opened up with the implementation of smart phones.

First papers

2010-09-04T21:43:00.000-04:00

I've begun picking up the first set of essays for review. I'll admit this is not my favorite part of teaching. It's as difficult for me to comment on someone else's text as it is for my students to do peer reviews. And I must do it dozens of times more than they do.

The best part of essay review is that I invariably learn something from at least one or two who are bringing new ideas into my view. I'll never forget how my views about hot dogs were changed by one student's diligent research into what really goes into them. And the essay about the economics of prostitution written mostly in second person -- and therefore calling ME a prostitute throughout -- was one of my favorite. That student was quite chagrined to realize the effect of second-person narration.

Hopefully there will be comments to draw from many of the essays this term, as well as many new pathways that require my attention. We've only been together a couple weeks, but already these four classes seem filled with interesting, engaging personalities. I'm a lucky teacher.

Best sites for free books

2010-08-27T13:09:00.000-04:00

Make Use Of has posted its list of "10 Websites for Free Audio Books." These sites are not only great for those of us who spend a lot of time driving or walking, they're also terrific for families with children. Here's the link: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/easy-listening-pleasures-10-websites-free-audio-book-downloads/

Up close and personal...

2010-08-27T08:05:00.000-04:00

Check out the UK Telegraph's slide show of electron microscope scans (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/picture-galleries/7924099/Creepy-crawlies-Amazing-Scanning-Electron-Microscope-pictures-of-insects-and-spiders.html). Gave me a whole new view on those with whom we share space. :)

"The Pain Chronicles": The science of pain

2010-08-25T22:27:00.001-04:00

This one is going on my 'to read' bookshelf. Most of my life has been molded by the ever-present pain of fibromyalgia. Years before doctors decided the syndrome needed a name, I was seeking help for it and being brushed off by doctor after doctor. That was an era when it took a lot of chutzpa to argue with a doctor, so I went through a lot of them! "The Pain Chronicles": The science of pain

Week 1 - COS E1

2010-08-23T16:32:00.000-04:00

Wow! The first week went so much better than it did last term. There were a couple of big snafus -- Bb dumped almost all student users and Banner wasn't accepting add codes -- but even so it was pretty good. I'm chalking it up to better preparation on my part this term. Unlike previously when I had waited until classes started to set up email groups, etc., this time I did it a week early. So, when the technoworld crashed, I still had all the info needed to keep in touch with students.

The second best thing was the way the students came in this time. There are still questions, but it appears students read the files (for the most part) and because of their efforts, things went pretty smoothly -- even though I asked them to create personal blogs for their reflective writing.

I think this is going to be an excellent group to work with. :)

Assessment

2010-08-20T15:57:00.001-04:00

Here's another article about the way we learn and how that needs to figure into our methods of assessment. http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/08/testing-kids-testing-teachers I wonder if we will ever come up with a truly useful way of assessing student -- and teacher -- progress.

One thing seems self-evident, though. Our children are NOT learning what they need to learn in order to do well in a competitive world. Even worse, they are not learning what they need to learn to become thoughtful citizens. These two problems bode poorly for the future of our nation.

This is demonstrated in the slipping of the US in world education rankings. We now rank 33rd in reading, 27th in maths, and 22nd in science. http://www.geographic.org/country_ranks/educational_score_performance_country_ranks_2009_oecd.html

E1 Update

2010-08-17T18:28:00.000-04:00

Well, after a really shaky start -- what with add codes not working and Blackboard having a major malfunction -- we seem to finally be on track. It's good to see so many getting 1a done. It's the orientation quiz and critical to staying in the class. Every class has a "first session", and the orientation quiz is mine, so to speak.

I'm a little surprised, though, that the scores are relatively low so far. After all, the assignment listed exactly which files were used to create the test, and students were told they could have any of those files available to look up answers. I would have expected everyone to earn very near 100%. Lesson learned.

Testing a hypothesis

2010-08-10T20:04:00.001-04:00

A hypothesis doesn't have to be huge. Here's a light-hearted theory that may have interesting implications for political mavens. It's from Mother Jones, one of my favorite online reads. http://motherjones.com/riff/2010/07/elections-garden-good-and-evil

Pay close attention to the description of development of the hypothesis and the test that was created to test it. Finally, there's a cogent description of the findings and their potential use.

Are you well prepared?

2010-08-10T19:51:00.000-04:00

Was just checking out a friend's blog. Not only did I discover it's been quite awhile since she's posted, but there was also a terrific list of what might be termed technical literacy needs among students at COS. What do you think? Do you know enough technology to compete in today's market? Read the list here: http://taratommy.blogspot.com/2009/11/digital-literacy.html

Especially for nursing students

2010-08-09T08:55:00.001-04:00

If you're in the nursing program, check out Harvard's list of "100 Useful Twitter Feeds for Nursing Students." http://www.nursingschools.net/blog/2010/08/100-useful-twitter-feeds-for-nursing-students/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialmedia&utm_campaign=080910_tw

Educational Assessment

2010-08-08T09:50:00.001-04:00

High School valedictorian Erica Goldson's speech caused me to reflect, once again, on how learning does or should happen and how we can know that it has taken place.

The question of assessment and how it enhances or impedes learning is one most teachers have been engaged in for years. Would that it were as easy as just chucking the grading systems that have evolved and go for a more enlightened approach to self-learning. However, experience has shown that few of us are willing or able to take on the responsibility for personal education; there must be some means of confirming a level of learning in any field. I wouldn't want a doctor to do surgery on ME if that person had not demonstrated proficiency.

There is increasing emphasis on defined learning outcomes for each course at every level of schooling, and that may bode well for change. I can envision evolution toward demonstrating competence with the defined learning outcomes in order to receive credit for a course. That would allow the very bright or very ambitious to move ahead as quickly as possible within the bounds of their own intellect and energy. It would also enable those who are not as self-directed to achieve similar goals by engaging in a structured and teacher guided learning program.

Civil Rights Argument

2010-08-04T17:49:00.004-04:00

US District Judge Vaughn Walker struck down California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6735XI20100804)

The arguments about this issue will continue, and it's likely the US Supreme Court will eventually hear a case to decide which side will "win". This is an excellent case for tracking different types of arguments, and especially for noting when an individual or group argument is internally contradictory. For instance, BBJJ commented on the Reuter's article: "Anyone can marry anyone they wish who is of the opposite sex. It is the same for everyone. Absolutely no one is being discriminated against." However, the claim that "anyone can marry anyone they wish" is contradicted by the very next phrase: "who is of the opposite sex."

Inherent in that contradiction is the assumption that no same sex couple would desire to be married, which is obviously not the case. In addition, singling out one segment of society to live under special rules is antithetical to the Constitution's "equal protection under the law" position.

This is an issue embroiled in debate about civil liberty versus majority rule. When, if ever, does the majority have the right to impose its will on the minority in social situations? Very muddy waters, indeed.

Data Liberation

2010-07-29T10:40:00.006-04:00

The amount of personal data collected and stored can be staggering, and I'll admit to a modicum of conflicted paranoia about the whole issue. After all, I LOVE the tools Google makes available, and the only price (so far) is that Google be allowed to know every last detail of who I am and what I do with each tool so it can tailor a marketing strategy that meets my needs to a T.

Did you know Google has a "data liberation" site? http://www.dataliberation.org/ There's a list of Google products and how you can "liberate your data" from each. Hmmm... Why isn't WAVE on the list?

I was intrigued by the number of Google products I CHOOSE to use: Gmail, iGoogle, Contacts, Calendar, Blogger, Health, Maps, Picasa, Reader, Voice, YouTube, Docs, Sites, Web History, Bookmarks. And today I offered myself as a willing guinea pig for new products.

Long live Google... but hooray for the chance to get ME out of their storage should I choose to leave.

School daze

2010-07-27T16:59:00.003-04:00

Just 3 weeks left until school starts. When I was a youngun, the beginning of a school term brought almost as much joy as the end of one. Now that feeling is less so, but there's still an energy born in the anticipation of getting to know another group of students. I love the journeys they plan for me as they delve into academic research, sometimes for the very first time. I can hardly wait to see what I learn from the upcoming group.

There's still so much to do. I wonder if I'll be able to get enough done before classes start. I still have to write the last six assignments, do all the audio recordings, and choose articles for at least the first 3 weeks of discussions... not to mention writing and recording the lectures.

Ahhhh.... mind sex...

2010-07-27T16:53:00.004-04:00

Have you ever really connected with someone? I mean really connected... as if your thoughts were so parallel that the level of intimacy was almost more than could be imagined? Well... it might be all in your mind. No, really. And it could happen between you and a teacher even (but apparently NOT with an online teacher ;). Check out this article about language / mind connections: http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=of-two-minds-listener-brain-pattern-2010-07-27

How are you at multi-tasking?

2010-07-27T07:48:00.002-04:00

I did pretty well on the focus test, but task swapping was off the charts poor. Give it a try yourself: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/07/technology/20100607-distraction-filtering-demo.html

Interpretation

2010-07-23T16:14:00.002-04:00

We often think we know the 'truth' of a situation, but the reality is our 'truth' is colored by the interpretive inflections given by others. In that swaying, our reality is developed, and our response to the world around us is cast.

Check out this example of how interpretation makes all the difference.

Ready, set, go!

2010-07-17T11:34:00.003-04:00

Haven't been using this blog much at all, but I've decided rather than having students create both a web site for their research projects and a blog for journaling, we'll just do blogs and add pages to them. This should reduce the amount of stress students feel, as well as make it easier for us to keep track of one another.

I'm excited about this research project and hope the students find it interesting to delve into some aspect of digital living. We'll see. :) The project will have several parts, so having a place early on to store them will be more efficient than trying to put them together at the last second.

One-day wonder - The Boston Globe

2010-06-01T09:39:00.001-04:00

How does a word become a "real" word? Does it have to make it into the OED, or is it enough to simply be used? One-day wonder - The Boston Globe

150 Resources to Help You Write Better, Faster, and More Persuasively | OEDb

2010-05-25T07:53:00.001-04:00

150 Resources to Help You Write Better, Faster, and More Persuasively | OEDb

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Glider

2010-05-24T15:31:00.000-04:00

I'm betting Wayne will do this more than once!

Don't confuse them with facts

2010-02-23T14:49:00.002-05:00

A wall is, in fact, a wall!

Read the article to see the sad state of critical thinking and how it's begun to affect the way we act.

Editorials & Opinion | Don't confuse them with facts | Seattle Times Newspaper

Visualizing Information

2010-02-03T15:54:00.001-05:00

Here's another example of how a well crafted image can give more information than a ton of words:

http://www.rasmussen.edu/articles/haiti-by-the-numbers.asp

Huff n puff

2010-01-27T09:43:00.001-05:00

Way too much to do. Guess I'll spend a few minutes regenerating through laughter... Sleep Talkin' Man blog, here I come!

Why I teach online...

2010-01-14T09:21:00.000-05:00

Photojournalism

2010-01-14T09:17:00.002-05:00

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/it-was-all-started-by-a-mouse-part-1/

Errol Morris provides insight into how photos are used to explain and to manipulate.

Satire: Revealing absurdity

2009-10-17T14:28:00.002-04:00

Two of my favorite satirists are Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert. Under the guise of humor and wit they expose the fallacious reasoning of politicians. Admittedly, they tend to do this more often with conservatives, but they call liberals and progressives to task, too. Still, currently there is a wealth of absurdity in many conservative positions. Take a look at how Stewart crafts a segment that establishes the unsupportable position a group of conservatives took on the Al Franken Rape Amendment. Pay close attention to the reasons given by the Republicans for voting against the policy change.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Rape-Nuts

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Ron Paul Interview

The speed of language

2009-10-17T09:31:00.001-04:00

"After studying the readouts, the researchers found that in these normally reading adults, word identification, grammar and pronunciation all activated parts of Broca's area—and in a very neatly defined sequence. Like clockwork, it took about 200 milliseconds to identify a word, 320 milliseconds for grammatical composition and 450 milliseconds for phonological encoding."

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=language-process-speed-location

Culture distinctions

2009-10-17T09:03:00.002-04:00

This is not only incredibly funny, it also gives a glimpse into subtle cultural distinctions that develop in a society. The American analogy would be Twinkle Twinkle Little Star performed in a Southern drawl, an inner city Rap, and maybe even a conservative voice class. Enjoy.

Visual representations

2009-10-16T14:19:00.005-04:00

Sometimes it's really hard to grasp a concept when it's written in words. Images can say so much more. Like this one showing what a trillion dollars looks like, from the Daily Cognition:

BIG Money! (http://www.dailycognition.com/index.php/2009/03/25/what-1-trillion-dollars-looks-like-in-dollar-bills.html)

10 Sites to Learn Something New in 10 Minutes a Day

2009-09-25T11:56:00.001-04:00

This list of web-based resources will point you toward web sites that will help you learn how to do new things, stay on top of current events, and learn about topics where your current knowledge may be lacking.

Subjects decided

2009-08-19T11:45:00.003-04:00

The votes are in. This term the final projects will be developed within these four major subject areas: environment, animal rights, medical research, and prison industry. Looks like an interesting mix with lots of issue possibilities.

Now I have to go out and find some articles for our first discussions.

Republican Pants On Fire

2009-08-19T11:35:00.001-04:00

Republican Pants On Fire

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Classes

2009-08-15T10:24:00.002-04:00

What was I thinking??

It looked like this semester would be really light on work. After all, I'd lost my COS class and one at Reedley was threatened because of CA's economy. Then I only had one class scheduled by DeVry. Rather than fussing about not having a full schedule, I decided it would be a great time to take a drawing class.

After registering and paying for the class, I learned both Reedley sections would make and DeVry asked me to teach another class. That's great, but it now means I'll be up to my eyeballs in busy this fall. Still, taking a drawing class should enhance not only the classes I teach but also my personal life, so busy seems like a good thing.

I've been having some problems with some of the resources I've been creating for my Reedley classes. I really hate trying to figure out the technical snafus, but the process must go on. Unfortunately, these problems have really slowed my prep, so I won't have everything ready at the beginning of the class.

That's another of those "what were you thinking" things. I never should have decided to completely revise a course so close to the time it had to be taught again. There are always bugs to be worked out when doing a major overhaul, and I do know better. Still...

Composition of Housekeeping

2009-08-05T11:54:00.000-04:00

Audience
- Most loved ones = They forgive when yet another project intrudes before cleaning.
- General visitor = Uh oh. Better dust the sitting room at least. Maybe low lighting would be enough.
- Dinner guests = Better get the stains off all countertops and see if those wicked no-see-um flies can be kept at bay for at least a few hours.
- Overnight guests = Uh... kitchen, bedroom, bathrooms, and shove as much as possible in closets and drawers; close office door.

Purpose
- Go to work = Kick the biggest stuff aside on the way from the bed to the bath to the office.
- Cook = Locate the kitchen and use its phone to dial take out.

Detail
- When does "dust bunny" become the furry crud-ball that consumes Cleveland, TN?
- When do windows become foggy apertures that beckon one to daydream?

Why is it that housecleaning is like a never-ending English 1 class of essay after essay on the same subject???

Okay... enough of this, I need to go finish the kitchen floor.

Eeek!

2009-08-05T09:43:00.005-04:00

Classes start in less than two weeks, and I'm still only half done with prep. Looks like I'll be putting in some long hours over the next few days. Fortunately there's a lot of egregiously fallacious reasoning going on, so there's plenty of text to examine in the classes!

Check out Stephen Colbert's lampooning of Orly Taitz. Her arguments against Obama's right to serve as president are nothing short of legendary for their refusal to recognize fact over fiction.

Asked how announcements of Obama's birth could be published in Hawaiian newspapers 48 years before they would be needed to fabricate a US birth for his presidency bid, Taitz had some difficulty explaining... What sort of fallacies are in this clip?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Why I teach online...

2009-07-29T11:10:00.001-04:00

Gotta love this guy. He even sounds like Elvis. :)

Download Argunet from SourceForge.net

2009-07-27T12:13:00.003-04:00

Argunet is an open source product for creating argument maps. Download Argunet from SourceForge.net

An argument mapping tool I like even better is DebateGraph (http://debategraph.org/). It's online, collaborative, and sophisticated.

Modal Windows

2009-07-13T12:01:00.001-04:00

Was trying to figure out how to make those small pop-up text boxes so I could add definitions to some pages when I ran across this blog message

http://blog.feedmarker.com/2006/02/12/how-to-make-better-modal-windows-with-lightbox/

Didn't even know they were called "modal windows". SO much to learn.

Gathering Resources

2009-07-05T12:03:00.003-04:00

While mentoring the PBWorks Summer Camp I've been gathering various tools that can be used in developing course materials and activities, as well as by students in team projects. The list is under Cool Tools. I try to choose those that are free, but some of them may have paid versions available, too.

Vacation?

2009-06-25T07:12:00.003-04:00

All classes are finally done, and all final grades have been posted. That means four full weeks of no teaching. It's a vacation I've been anticipating for some time. Of course, it will be a working vacation. There's a wiki to prep for fall classes, the PBWorks Summer Camp (I'm a mentor), and a Web Graphic Design class I'll be taking.

There are also closets to be cleaned, windows to be washed, and all the other details of housekeeping that seem to take a back seat to classes. It will be a busy month.

NxtBook

2009-06-17T13:43:00.004-04:00

Ran across this site when I clicked on a link in an email message from TechSmith (Camtasia): http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/streamingmedia/0808/#/82

Not only did I find the content interesting, I found the concept of NxtBook interesting, as well. I'm sure there will be much more content made available in this way, especially since it allows for incorporation of advertising. :)

Thunder Screen Reader

2009-06-13T10:57:00.003-04:00

I have an adult friend who reads at about a second to third grade level. He tries to use the internet, but it's hard for him. I've been thinking for some time about how his internet experience might be richer, more fulfilling.

Well, this morning a student's question sent me on a bit of a quest, and I ran across Thunder, a FREE screen reader. http://www.screenreader.net/index.php?pageid=2 I've downloaded it and will be installing it on my friend's computer. Even though it's intended for the visually impaired, I think my friend will benefit from this nifty bit of technology. :)

National Debt Clock

2009-06-12T18:12:00.002-04:00

Just added the National Debt and Population counter ... It's just one more way to assure my depression is as deep as possible on any given day. :)

Actually, the National Debt numbers are so staggering they have almost no meaning for me any more. What I really want to know is when the potholes on our roads will be filled, whether the police and fire departments are adequately staffed, when all citizens will have access to healthcare and education, and what I'm going to cook for dinner.

In the beginning...

2009-06-10T13:56:00.000-04:00

Have played with other blogs in the past, but decided it's time to set one up for use with my classes. Soooo... Here I go!