Wednesday, May 5, 2010

PLN31

In the article "Transparent Algebra: In-Class Part 2 of TBD (When are we ever going to use this Wednesdays)" Karl Fisch explains that as a teacher in the past he often received the question "when are we ever going to have to use this?". Mr. Fisch explained that he never really knew why but he knew that it was important. I have often asked this same question. The important part is that I have also learned that everything that is taught to me is truly important. Not only do they open up opportunities for a good career, but they also prepare you for higher level courses, and for life. Do you think everything you learn has importance, even if it is not apparent at the moment?

PLN30

In the article "Ainge: Towel antic was 'unprofessional'" ESPN explains that during the Boston Celtics game two of the eastern conference finals, Celtics president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge, threw a towel in the air during a free throw shot by the opponents near the end of the game. This article proves that even the best and most elegant of us have a competitive edge that shows. This article is important to me because it shows me that even if I am pumped and excited about a game, or about anything, I need to control my actions and stay under control and exhibit good sportsmanship. Do you think it is important for people to control their competitive edge?

PLN29

In the article "2txt? Or Nt2txt?" Garrison Keillor explains that he travels a lot and during his many travels he has discovered that young men seriously lack social skills. He explained that young women are much easier to talk to as strangers and young women are much more welcoming than young men. He explained that this may be because of the effect that texting has on the youth. He claims that 75 percent of people from ages 12-17 own a cell phone and more than half of these kids use it for texting. This number proves that valuable conversations are being taking away and texting is teaching no social skills to young men. This article is important to me because I believe that I am one of these young men who are lacking social skills. This article proves to me that I should not text so much and just physically interact with the people that I want to talk to. Although I do believe texting is resourceful for when you cannot talk to someone face to face and either have a great desire or just wish to talk to that person. Do you believe it is important to have interactions with people instead of just simply texting them?

PLN28

In the article "Our Boys Are Falling Behind in Education" Dottie Lamm explains that it is proven by recent studies that 60 percent of students at an average co-educational college are women. She also explains that even the men that do make it to college are doing far worse than most of the women in college. Dottie makes a very good point by saying is what we really want to have a female dominate world. This article is very important and proves that I truly do need to work very hard in school. My English teacher Mrs. Smith has claimed many times, since we are an all boys English class, that boys need to get it together in school. This article proves that we really are falling behind women. Also it shows that we need to get it together and start to work harder in the classroom. Do you think it is important to work hard in the classroom?

PLN27

In the article "Sources: Evans deal worth $56.7M" ESPN explains that Jahri Evans of the New Orleans Saints football team is now the highest paid lineman in pro football. ESPN describes that his contract is worth $56.7 million and that he will receive $19 million in the first year of his contract. This article proves that professional athletes are paid in very large margins. This article is important to me because it proves to me that these men who work hard in what they do receive the rewards they deserve. It gives me the determination and the examples that will help me work hard in everything I do. This article is also important to me because it shows that work is not about just making money, but it should also be about doing what you love while making money and experiencing the rewards. Do you believe it is important to work hard in everything you do?

PLN26

In the article "The End of Books? (For Me, At Least?)" Will Richardson explained that he loved books, but he had recently discovered an application on his new ipad that may have changed everything for him. He used an app by the name of kindle which allows you to read digital books on your itouch, iphone, or ipad. He was at first skeptical because he loved to make notes and mark up the books he read. The issue was that he could not figure out how to make digital notes. He then made a twitter post looking for some help and discovered that there is a way to mark up your books digitally using an Amazon account. This matters to me because I am not a huge reader and with all these new advancements, reading may become more entertaining. This is important to my school because this can help save them time and money and also paper by using these new technologies. Do you think these advancements will help our world improve?

PLN25

In the article "Rethinking How Students Learn" Will Richardson explains that he had recently written a chapter in a book by the name of "21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn". He explained that in the chapter he had written, he had covered the fact that even if schools do not realize it, students, and the way students learn is forever changing. He also covered the fact that throughout life, people change rolls from teacher to student at some point. For me, this is important because I know I must adjust to what my role is, whether I am teaching, or being taught. This applies to my school and other schools because it shows that students and their learning styles are absolutely changing as we speak, and while many schools are very good at adjusting with students, also, there are some schools that could work on this. Do you believe it is important for a school to adjust with its students?

Monday, May 3, 2010

PLN24

In the article "Virginia Lax Player Charged in Murder" ESPN explains that 22 year old George Huguely was accused of murdering a fellow classmate, 22 year old Yeardley Love. This article matters because it is an important issue that needs to be addressed. This article proves that these kinds of things are happening around the world. It is very surprising that a student as young as this kid from Virginia could commit a crime as severe as this. This article matters to me because it proves that I need to be careful with my actions and also that I need to help people if they feel threatened by something like this. This article matters to schools across the world because it shows that this is an important issue whether it is in middle school, high school, or in this case, college. Do you believe that this is truly an important issue?

Sunday, May 2, 2010

PLN23

In the article "Suspicious Device Found in Microwave" ESPN explained that during the Pittsburg Marathon, police had found a suspicious device at the finish line and halted the race for safety precautions. Bomb squads from the Pittsburg police department used robots to disarm the device. It was first thought that the device was some kind of explosive, but it was later discovered that it probably was not an explosive. This situation shows that bombs can truly turn up anywhere. This affects me because at any moment a bomb could be in the same area as me and I would need to know the necessary safety precautions to take. Also, this affects my school because if a bomb is ever in the school, the school would need to know the necessary precautions to take. Do you think bombs are truly an issue?

PLN22

In the article "Karl Received Treatment for Blood Clot" ESPN describes that George Karl, head coach of the Denver Nuggets, has been hospitalized for a blood clot in his leg after he had undergone chemotherapy on his throat and neck for cancer that was diagnosed in February. Many people believe that Karl was the heart of the Nuggets team. The Nuggets recently lost in the playoffs and some believe that they lost because the heart of their team was missing. It is true that in order to have a strong team, you must have good leadership and a good coach. This applies to me because i need people who guide me and give me direction in life. Also in school, I need teachers to help me and guide me. Do you think it is essential to have a leader in your life?

Thursday, April 29, 2010

PLN21

In the article "Woods struggles at Quail Hollow" Bob Harig explains that after almost five months away from tournament golf, it was expected that Tiger Woods would struggle. And that is just what he did. Tiger claims "It was one of those days". During this competition, Woods shot his first double bogy of the year in early fourth round play, and it only got worse after that. This connects to me because I believe if you leave something without competing or practicing for a long time, you will lose some skill and experience that is needed to succeed in whatever it is you do. This is a very good example of that. Even though Tiger could not help the fact that he had to be away from the sport, he was still away and this hurt him badly. Why do you think Tiger Woods struggled so much at Quail Hollow?

Sunday, April 11, 2010

PLN20

In the article "One Toe Back In The Classroom" Karl Fisch explains that there are many budget cuts at our school. The school is cutting many good teachers, and because of this Mr. Fisch will be teacher Algebra 1 next year. He states that he is not only excited to be back in the classroom and have his own class and get to know the students he teaches, but he is also nervous about this because not only has he not taught a class for 10 years but he will also have much more work. These budget cuts are affecting our school greatly because of all the lay-offs that are happening. Also they are effecting me because I may not have a chance to have some of the great teachers in our school .How will this affect you?

Thursday, February 11, 2010

PLN7

In the article "Discussing Little Brother with Cory Doctorow” Karl Fisch explained that Anne Smith and Maura Moritz’s ninth graders are currently finishing reading Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. He explained that throughout the reading of this book, the ninth graders have had many guest speakers including Mr. Fisch and many others. As they are completing the book, the students have the chance to skype with the author himself, Cory Doctorow. The students have one hour ,8:25-9:25 A.M, to discuss the book and ask any questions they might have for Cory Doctorow. This is important because skype is a very effective new technology. The fact that students can talk to the author of a book and see him, but neither the class nor the author has to make a trip just to speak or hear the author speak is proof that there are many effective technology improvements. This can help many things in school as proven by this skype session between the ninth graders and Cory Doctorow.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

PLN5

I do not agree that computers are a waste of time and money. Many things are being done on computers these days and a lot of money and time goes into computers for companies. Schools can teach kids how to read and write while using computers to teach them about technology and how important it is.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

PLN2

In the article “Wondering About Ads” Karl Fisch explains about how he has been thinking about experimenting with ads on the blog. He explains that he will use Google AdSense and Amazon Affiliates to advertise and that all the funding from the ads will go to his school (Arapahoe High school). Using these ads would be a very effective way of letting the whole world knows who he is and what he is about and that could have a large affect on the world. Also if all the money he makes goes to my school that will have a huge affect on me and education because it will help give the school more funding. I think using ads with the blog is a good idea. What do you think?

PLN3

In the article "Shift Happens Statistic of the Day 12-2-09" Karl Fisch talks about how, in 1979, GM (General Motors) employment peaked at 618,365, but the employment at GM is at 70,000 and falling very quickly. He states that this is about an 88% decline in American jobs at GM in 30 years, but he also states that it is only a 60% decline in market share. The government has spent a lot of money bailing out GM and this could have a very large affect on the world and on my future because I will be paying to bail them out again because if they got all that money from the government and their employment rate, then that’s not good. How do you think this affects you?

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

PLN3

In the article "Shift Happens Statistic of the Day 12-2-09" Karl Fisch talks about how, in 1979, GM (General Motors) employment peaked at 618,365. But in the employment at Gm is at 70,000 and falling very quickly. He states that that is about an 88% decline in American jobs at GM in 30 years. But he also states that it is only a 60% decline in market share. Do you think this is good or bad for GM?

PLN2

In the article “Wondering About Ads” Karl Fisch explains about how he has thinking about experimenting with ads on the blog. He explains that he will use Google AdSense and Amazon Affiliates to advertise and that all the funding from the ads will go to his school (Arapahoe High school). I think using ads with the blog is a good idea. What do you think?