Hola Peeps! Thanks for logging in . . .
So let's talk about gift-giving. With this holiday season upon us all of our minds are turning to gifts. What are we going to receive? What are we going to get mom, dad, siblings? How much time is left to shop? Will there be another payday before now and then?
Personally for me, this Christmas season has been . . . odd. Mr. L and I are off to Mexico when the bell rings on Friday (please don't get in my way when I'm leaving the parking lot friday, I just might accidentally run over your foot!). We won't see the chicklets (Beth and Julia) again until the day after Christmas, when we have our family celebration. We've really spent nothing on each other as this trip is our gift, and we've not spent a whole lot on the chicklets either. And for the first time ever, no surprises. We gave each other lists, and most of us did our shopping with the others shopping in the same store at the same time. See? Odd.
So my gift to you is a pretend $100 bill. I want you to go to the following two sites and tell me what you would buy to spend all of that money. Don't worry about taxes and shipping.
www.thinkgeek.com
www.kleargear.com
I want all of you to have a safe, peaceful Christmas and a joyous New Year. Enjoy the time with your family and friends and come back rested and ready to roll.
Talk to me . . .
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Discussion 14 - 12/8/08
Hello Internets! Thanks for logging in!
I want to do kitchen technology one more time.
Go look at something you didn't look at last week. There are many pages of gadgetry. Go ahead, I'll wait . . .
http://www.cnet.com/kitchen-gadgets/
Give me an opinion. A REAL opinion, not just a "yeah it's all cool" opinion. Pick something to talk to me about. If you can't give me some real discussion, I can't give you a real 100!
Talk to me . . .
I want to do kitchen technology one more time.
Go look at something you didn't look at last week. There are many pages of gadgetry. Go ahead, I'll wait . . .
http://www.cnet.com/kitchen-gadgets/
Give me an opinion. A REAL opinion, not just a "yeah it's all cool" opinion. Pick something to talk to me about. If you can't give me some real discussion, I can't give you a real 100!
Talk to me . . .
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Discussion 13 - 12/01/08
Hello Internets! Thanks for logging in!
This past Thanksgiving week I spent a lot of time in the kitchen, which led me to wonder about emerging kitchen technology.
Take a look at this site. And look at more than just the first page. This site is dedicated to cool-daddy kitchen stuff.
http://www.cnet.com/kitchen-gadgets/
How about that Blender Defender?!? When I showed that to Mr. L he immediately wanted to know how much it costs, because nothing bugs him more than to know the cat has been on the counter.
I personally think we all need our own Dough-Nu-Matics. Donuts for all!
Anyway, go take a look. Leave an opinion about at least one gadget.
Talk to me . . .
This past Thanksgiving week I spent a lot of time in the kitchen, which led me to wonder about emerging kitchen technology.
Take a look at this site. And look at more than just the first page. This site is dedicated to cool-daddy kitchen stuff.
http://www.cnet.com/kitchen-gadgets/
How about that Blender Defender?!? When I showed that to Mr. L he immediately wanted to know how much it costs, because nothing bugs him more than to know the cat has been on the counter.
I personally think we all need our own Dough-Nu-Matics. Donuts for all!
Anyway, go take a look. Leave an opinion about at least one gadget.
Talk to me . . .
Friday, November 21, 2008
Discussion 12 - 11/24/08
Hi folks! Thanks for logging in!
Since this is a short week, how about we do this:
Log in, go to the comment section, leave your name, call it good.
Have a WONDERFUL turkey day! Be safe and I'll see you next Monday.
Since this is a short week, how about we do this:
Log in, go to the comment section, leave your name, call it good.
Have a WONDERFUL turkey day! Be safe and I'll see you next Monday.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Discussion 11 - 11/17/08
Hi Folks! Thanks for logging in!
So this week let's lighten it up a bit from last week's discussion. I did enjoy the witty conversation of last week's topic and was surprisingly pleased with the passion you guys displayed.
So let me tell you a little story. Once upon a time Mr. L and I went to buy a new television. Really Mr. L wanted a new television, I just went along for the ride. We (he) picked a big, beautiful sparkly new 42" plasma (not LED people . . . that's so 2005) high-definition HP flat screen. It's ginormous. It takes up the entire living room and I SWEAR you can see it from outer space.
And because we had this lovely new television *I* wanted a new surround sound sytem because yall know how important music is to me. So at the same time we (I) bought a Yamaha 600w surround system with a massive receiver that I swear can pick up stations from Alaska. (You can insert your own Home Improvement Tim the toolman Taylor sound here)
And while we were there we debated back and forth about a Blu-Ray player. Back and forth we went. Back. And. Forth. Until we both decided that we needed to do some more research before we jumped into the middle of this technology.
So we left the $400 Blu-Ray player there at the Best Buy and truthfully never looked back. Am I using my massive 42" plasma to it's fullest high-definition capacity? No I am not. Do I care. Ummmm . . . not so much.
However, we've been thinking about it again lately. Debating about jumping on yet another new technology bandwagon. The upside is it's amazing clarity. The downside is the cost, PLUS what happens if it goes the way of the BetaMax tape. Any of you know what Beta is? Yeah. Didn't think so.
So go look at this article from the Kansas City Star. Tell me what you think about Blu-Ray. Is it here to stay? Will it go away if it doesn't catch on this year? Is it worth the cost?
Talk to me . . .
http://tinyurl.com/6mgx4r
So this week let's lighten it up a bit from last week's discussion. I did enjoy the witty conversation of last week's topic and was surprisingly pleased with the passion you guys displayed.
So let me tell you a little story. Once upon a time Mr. L and I went to buy a new television. Really Mr. L wanted a new television, I just went along for the ride. We (he) picked a big, beautiful sparkly new 42" plasma (not LED people . . . that's so 2005) high-definition HP flat screen. It's ginormous. It takes up the entire living room and I SWEAR you can see it from outer space.
And because we had this lovely new television *I* wanted a new surround sound sytem because yall know how important music is to me. So at the same time we (I) bought a Yamaha 600w surround system with a massive receiver that I swear can pick up stations from Alaska. (You can insert your own Home Improvement Tim the toolman Taylor sound here)
And while we were there we debated back and forth about a Blu-Ray player. Back and forth we went. Back. And. Forth. Until we both decided that we needed to do some more research before we jumped into the middle of this technology.
So we left the $400 Blu-Ray player there at the Best Buy and truthfully never looked back. Am I using my massive 42" plasma to it's fullest high-definition capacity? No I am not. Do I care. Ummmm . . . not so much.
However, we've been thinking about it again lately. Debating about jumping on yet another new technology bandwagon. The upside is it's amazing clarity. The downside is the cost, PLUS what happens if it goes the way of the BetaMax tape. Any of you know what Beta is? Yeah. Didn't think so.
So go look at this article from the Kansas City Star. Tell me what you think about Blu-Ray. Is it here to stay? Will it go away if it doesn't catch on this year? Is it worth the cost?
Talk to me . . .
http://tinyurl.com/6mgx4r
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Discussion 10 - 11/10/08
Hi all! Thanks for logging in!
So while I was digging for more new medical technology I ran across an interesting CNN article that talks about how close we are to being able to use technology to pick the gender / eye color / hair color / etc. of our babies.
http://tinyurl.com/5l3h2j
Here's another link to a CNN article about the debate surrounding said technology:
http://tinyurl.com/6r8ao8
The article states that "The ethical questions surrounding this kind of medical technology are vast." Well, yeah, THAT'S an understatement.
Read BOTH articles (not just the first 4 lines) and tell me what you think about this advancement in technology. Should we do it? Should we leave it alone? How about in order to prevent disease, can we do it then?
I don't really know where I stand on this one. I'm interested to see what you guys think.
Talk to me . . .
So while I was digging for more new medical technology I ran across an interesting CNN article that talks about how close we are to being able to use technology to pick the gender / eye color / hair color / etc. of our babies.
http://tinyurl.com/5l3h2j
Here's another link to a CNN article about the debate surrounding said technology:
http://tinyurl.com/6r8ao8
The article states that "The ethical questions surrounding this kind of medical technology are vast." Well, yeah, THAT'S an understatement.
Read BOTH articles (not just the first 4 lines) and tell me what you think about this advancement in technology. Should we do it? Should we leave it alone? How about in order to prevent disease, can we do it then?
I don't really know where I stand on this one. I'm interested to see what you guys think.
Talk to me . . .
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Discussion 9 - 11/3/08
Hola Peeps! Thanks for logging in!
So this week I was going to do more medical technology, because I really enjoyed learning about that stuff last week and reading yall's comments. You do know, don't you, that I read every comment and sometimes even respond to them? Yeah . . . you might want to go back sometimes and read the comments AFTER you've published. Just a thought.
Anywho . . . I ran across this article in Computerworld on electronic voting and this thing that's been happening called "vote-flipping." It's where you go to vote electronically and the vote that gets put in to be counted is a vote for the OTHER guy.
The software manufacturers like to blame the consumers (that's US) for accidentally hitting the wrong area, perhaps with long fingernails or dangley jewelry. The states like to blame the software manufacturers for not doing thorough testing. In fact, one person said "Elections officials didn't seek such testing because they had limited budgets, wanted equipment that they could afford and had little time to dig into issues like usability, Coney said. "The issue for them was what fits the budget," she said. "A lot of the usability issues were just 'throw the voters in there and let them be the beta testers."
Which prompts me to say . . . Huh? We're talking about the future of our country and you guys want to talk about budgets and making the consumer be the beta testers? Oh my.
So anyway, go read this article. I think you'll find it as interesting (in a sick, stomach-twisting way) as I did:
http://tinyurl.com/6yzarv
And while you're at it, this is a link to other information in Computerworld about other electronic voting woes, including a story about the ability of hackers to affect the e-votes:
http://tinyurl.com/5chj44
Tell me what you think about the electronic voting process and it's associated problems. Tell me what you think about the ability of hackers to upset our democracy. DO NOT tell me about your political affiliations or who you think should've won. THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING HERE!
Talk to me . . .
So this week I was going to do more medical technology, because I really enjoyed learning about that stuff last week and reading yall's comments. You do know, don't you, that I read every comment and sometimes even respond to them? Yeah . . . you might want to go back sometimes and read the comments AFTER you've published. Just a thought.
Anywho . . . I ran across this article in Computerworld on electronic voting and this thing that's been happening called "vote-flipping." It's where you go to vote electronically and the vote that gets put in to be counted is a vote for the OTHER guy.
The software manufacturers like to blame the consumers (that's US) for accidentally hitting the wrong area, perhaps with long fingernails or dangley jewelry. The states like to blame the software manufacturers for not doing thorough testing. In fact, one person said "Elections officials didn't seek such testing because they had limited budgets, wanted equipment that they could afford and had little time to dig into issues like usability, Coney said. "The issue for them was what fits the budget," she said. "A lot of the usability issues were just 'throw the voters in there and let them be the beta testers."
Which prompts me to say . . . Huh? We're talking about the future of our country and you guys want to talk about budgets and making the consumer be the beta testers? Oh my.
So anyway, go read this article. I think you'll find it as interesting (in a sick, stomach-twisting way) as I did:
http://tinyurl.com/6yzarv
And while you're at it, this is a link to other information in Computerworld about other electronic voting woes, including a story about the ability of hackers to affect the e-votes:
http://tinyurl.com/5chj44
Tell me what you think about the electronic voting process and it's associated problems. Tell me what you think about the ability of hackers to upset our democracy. DO NOT tell me about your political affiliations or who you think should've won. THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING HERE!
Talk to me . . .
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Discussion 8 - 10/27/08
Hey Peeps! Thanks for logging in!
This week, let's do medical technology. Check out this link from Reader's Digest:
http://tinyurl.com/5nlfuf
And don't stop on page 1. There are 5 pages of cool beans new medical technology so scroll on down. Yes, I know there aren't enough pictures and a whole lot of words, but you'll live . . . I promise.
For your post this week, pick one of these new medical technology and tell me how it will affect YOUR life or the life of someone you love.
My choice is the "one size fits all" flu shot. It's a flu shot that covers MANY types of flues (how on earth do you make that word plural? Flus? Flu's? Flues? no clue) instead of just a FEW types of flues. I could definitely see this becoming the wave of the future.
Now if only they could just invent a flu shot that would be effective but not make me deathly ill.
Talk to me . . .
This week, let's do medical technology. Check out this link from Reader's Digest:
http://tinyurl.com/5nlfuf
And don't stop on page 1. There are 5 pages of cool beans new medical technology so scroll on down. Yes, I know there aren't enough pictures and a whole lot of words, but you'll live . . . I promise.
For your post this week, pick one of these new medical technology and tell me how it will affect YOUR life or the life of someone you love.
My choice is the "one size fits all" flu shot. It's a flu shot that covers MANY types of flues (how on earth do you make that word plural? Flus? Flu's? Flues? no clue) instead of just a FEW types of flues. I could definitely see this becoming the wave of the future.
Now if only they could just invent a flu shot that would be effective but not make me deathly ill.
Talk to me . . .
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Discussion 7 - 10/20/08
Hi Folks! Thanks for logging in!
Let's do the super-cool new technology one more time. Take a look at these sites:
http://tinyurl.com/5tdugo
Productdose is not all technology, but it is a cool site to look at new stuff. Techeblog is about concept items. Those are items that are not in production, but will likely shape the items that will GET into production. Companies use concept items all the time to test out different ideas.
Pick something and tell me what you think about it.
BREAKING NEWS! I took the ProductDose link down because they upload new items on Mondays and a couple of them published today might be somewhat offensive. So just take a look at Techeblog and check out the new concepts!
Let's do the super-cool new technology one more time. Take a look at these sites:
http://tinyurl.com/5tdugo
Productdose is not all technology, but it is a cool site to look at new stuff. Techeblog is about concept items. Those are items that are not in production, but will likely shape the items that will GET into production. Companies use concept items all the time to test out different ideas.
Pick something and tell me what you think about it.
BREAKING NEWS! I took the ProductDose link down because they upload new items on Mondays and a couple of them published today might be somewhat offensive. So just take a look at Techeblog and check out the new concepts!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Discussion 6 - 10/13/08
Hi Folks! Thanks for logging in! I had so much fun looking at new technology last week that I want to do it again. Follow this link:
http://tinyurl.com/4bytem
Yanko is a company that's really heavy on the design aspect of things. Everything this company posts is B-E-A-UTIFUL. Once you've looked at the technology stuff, take a minute to explore the website and see some of the other stuff they have listed.
So for your post this week please tell me what you think about something that you find on the technology portion of the Yanko site.
Now about that phone that smells like lavender . . .
http://tinyurl.com/4bytem
Yanko is a company that's really heavy on the design aspect of things. Everything this company posts is B-E-A-UTIFUL. Once you've looked at the technology stuff, take a minute to explore the website and see some of the other stuff they have listed.
So for your post this week please tell me what you think about something that you find on the technology portion of the Yanko site.
Now about that phone that smells like lavender . . .
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Discussion 5 - 10/5/2008
Hi Folks! Thanks for logging in!
This week I want you to take a look at some new technology and it's innovative design. There is some massively cool stuff in this article:
http://tinyurl.com/26lal7
For your blog, please comment on any of the featured items.
I personally am gonna have that message toaster. Can't you just see it? "Honey, please pick up milk on the way home." Written on your TOAST! With your breakfast! Insanely cool.
Which begs the question . . . will you remember things that have been written down once you eat them?
Talk to me . . .
BREAKING NEWS!
If you can't get to the Smashing Magazine tiny URL link, then click on the following link and comment on any of the new technology on the USA Tech page:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/default.htm
This week I want you to take a look at some new technology and it's innovative design. There is some massively cool stuff in this article:
http://tinyurl.com/26lal7
For your blog, please comment on any of the featured items.
I personally am gonna have that message toaster. Can't you just see it? "Honey, please pick up milk on the way home." Written on your TOAST! With your breakfast! Insanely cool.
Which begs the question . . . will you remember things that have been written down once you eat them?
Talk to me . . .
BREAKING NEWS!
If you can't get to the Smashing Magazine tiny URL link, then click on the following link and comment on any of the new technology on the USA Tech page:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/default.htm
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Discussion 4 - 9/29/08
Hi Folks! Thanks for logging in!
After last week's blog you know I love to read. Sadly, I don't really get a lot of time to read for pleasure anymore because I'm working on my Master's degree. For some crazy reason, those professors just keep assigning work that I *actually* have to spend time working on.
(Insert long heavy sigh here)
So I'm for any technology that makes reading for pleasure easier. You know how we've been hearing for years about how books will be delivered in an electronic format? Well, that time is now. Here's a link to the CNET review of Amazon's new KINDLE, which is an amazing gadget really.
http://tinyurl.com/392a94
It allows you to download books from Amazon (and other sources) for less than it costs to buy the hardcopy version. Using the Kindle you can also subscribe to whatever daily newspapers you like and when you wake up in the morning they are loaded up and waiting for you. It's like magic . . . 'cept it's not. It's wireless.
I'm really thinking hard about this gadget. Would I *really* use it as much as I think I would? Could I possible justify the $300 price tag? If I hold on another year will it be much cheaper / significantly improved? Can I get "lost" in this thing like I can in a book? You know what I mean . . . where the whole world falls away and the characters and stories are the only thing in existence. I just don't know.
So I want you guys to read up on it. Feel free to look at other reviews too. Tell me if it would make you want to read more? Tell me if it's worth the money? Tell me if you think we're going to leave books behind altogether as we move towards this electronic gadgetry?
Talk to me . . .
P.S. Maybe one day one of these bad boys will appear in the form of a Mother's Day prezzie or something. Beth . . . honey . . . are you reading Mommy's blog this week? LOLOL
After last week's blog you know I love to read. Sadly, I don't really get a lot of time to read for pleasure anymore because I'm working on my Master's degree. For some crazy reason, those professors just keep assigning work that I *actually* have to spend time working on.
(Insert long heavy sigh here)
So I'm for any technology that makes reading for pleasure easier. You know how we've been hearing for years about how books will be delivered in an electronic format? Well, that time is now. Here's a link to the CNET review of Amazon's new KINDLE, which is an amazing gadget really.
http://tinyurl.com/392a94
It allows you to download books from Amazon (and other sources) for less than it costs to buy the hardcopy version. Using the Kindle you can also subscribe to whatever daily newspapers you like and when you wake up in the morning they are loaded up and waiting for you. It's like magic . . . 'cept it's not. It's wireless.
I'm really thinking hard about this gadget. Would I *really* use it as much as I think I would? Could I possible justify the $300 price tag? If I hold on another year will it be much cheaper / significantly improved? Can I get "lost" in this thing like I can in a book? You know what I mean . . . where the whole world falls away and the characters and stories are the only thing in existence. I just don't know.
So I want you guys to read up on it. Feel free to look at other reviews too. Tell me if it would make you want to read more? Tell me if it's worth the money? Tell me if you think we're going to leave books behind altogether as we move towards this electronic gadgetry?
Talk to me . . .
P.S. Maybe one day one of these bad boys will appear in the form of a Mother's Day prezzie or something. Beth . . . honey . . . are you reading Mommy's blog this week? LOLOL
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Discussion 3 - 9/22/08
Hi Folks! Thanks for logging in.
Here's a little known fact about me . . . I'm a huge Vietnam war buff. I had a fantastic history professor in college who turned me onto Vietnam history (thank you David Stroud!). He was a war vet, and he required that we read A Rumor of War by Pulitzer-winning author Phillip Caputo. It opened my eyes to the daily struggles of life through the eyes of a Vietnam soldier.
So yesterday I went to the bookstore and ran across a book very much like A Rumor of War, except it's about Fallujah instead of Vietnam. It's House to House by David Bellavia. I didn't know if this book would hold my interest, or if the war in the middle east is still too raw to be viewed in retrospect through the eyes of a soldier.
Well, my interest held just fine. If I have bags under my eyes this week it's because I cannot put this book down. So in honor of my new read, I would like for you to take a look at some interesting new military technology that the army is working on. For your post, please let me know what you think about any of the new pieces of technology. Or any other new piece of military technology that you may have read about. Please feel free to do extra reading about new military technology before you blog.
Here's the link:
http://tinyurl.com/3yplnv
As always, it's a 0 or a 100. Please advance the discussion.
Talk to me . . .
Here's a little known fact about me . . . I'm a huge Vietnam war buff. I had a fantastic history professor in college who turned me onto Vietnam history (thank you David Stroud!). He was a war vet, and he required that we read A Rumor of War by Pulitzer-winning author Phillip Caputo. It opened my eyes to the daily struggles of life through the eyes of a Vietnam soldier.
So yesterday I went to the bookstore and ran across a book very much like A Rumor of War, except it's about Fallujah instead of Vietnam. It's House to House by David Bellavia. I didn't know if this book would hold my interest, or if the war in the middle east is still too raw to be viewed in retrospect through the eyes of a soldier.
Well, my interest held just fine. If I have bags under my eyes this week it's because I cannot put this book down. So in honor of my new read, I would like for you to take a look at some interesting new military technology that the army is working on. For your post, please let me know what you think about any of the new pieces of technology. Or any other new piece of military technology that you may have read about. Please feel free to do extra reading about new military technology before you blog.
Here's the link:
http://tinyurl.com/3yplnv
As always, it's a 0 or a 100. Please advance the discussion.
Talk to me . . .
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Discussion 2 - 09/15/08
Hi Folks! Thanks for logging in. I hope you guys are enjoying having our discussion in this online format. I know I am. Please remember that as always, discussions are either a 0 or a 100 in my class. Make sure you are advancing the discussion.
Please check out this link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5988890/
It's an article from msnbc regarding technology that would allow us to control hurricanes. I thought this would be a good time for this particular discussion, as we are all cleaning up from Hurricane Ike.
At this house, we are weather nerds. Does this suprise any of you? LOL. Mr. L's Christmas prezzie last year was a professional weather station, including an annonometer (which measures wind direction and speed). I can hear your eyes rolling in your heads as you read that! Anyway, we're all about the weather and the technology that has to do with predicting it.
Please tell me what you think about any of the methods mentioned in the article for controlling hurricanes. Do you think any of them would work? Have you heard of any other possible methods that weren't mentioned in the article? Do you think this will ever work, or is it just a fantasy to think we could control the weather?
Talk to me . . .
Please check out this link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5988890/
It's an article from msnbc regarding technology that would allow us to control hurricanes. I thought this would be a good time for this particular discussion, as we are all cleaning up from Hurricane Ike.
At this house, we are weather nerds. Does this suprise any of you? LOL. Mr. L's Christmas prezzie last year was a professional weather station, including an annonometer (which measures wind direction and speed). I can hear your eyes rolling in your heads as you read that! Anyway, we're all about the weather and the technology that has to do with predicting it.
Please tell me what you think about any of the methods mentioned in the article for controlling hurricanes. Do you think any of them would work? Have you heard of any other possible methods that weren't mentioned in the article? Do you think this will ever work, or is it just a fantasy to think we could control the weather?
Talk to me . . .
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Discussion 1 - 9/8/08
Hi Folks! Thanks for logging in. This will be the first of many technology discussions. Please remember that as always, discussions are either a 0 or a 100 in my class. Make sure you are advancing the discussion.
Please check out this link:
http://www.japaninc.com/cpj/features/features10.html
It's an article from Japan Computing about how teenagers in Toyko are using technology, when the technology adds to their lives (making things simpler), and when it takes away (wasting time).
In the event that the link won't work from school, I will have copies of the article posted around the classroom.
After reading the article take a moment to reflect on YOUR use of technology. What technology are you using that ADDS to your life? What technology is taking AWAY?
Talk to me . . .
POSTSCRIPT: DUE TO HURRICANE IKE THE DUE DATE FOR THIS BLOG HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY, SEPT. 21. THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS: DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE . . . YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN A HURRICANE MIGHT HEAD YOUR WAY!!!
Please check out this link:
http://www.japaninc.com/cpj/features/features10.html
It's an article from Japan Computing about how teenagers in Toyko are using technology, when the technology adds to their lives (making things simpler), and when it takes away (wasting time).
In the event that the link won't work from school, I will have copies of the article posted around the classroom.
After reading the article take a moment to reflect on YOUR use of technology. What technology are you using that ADDS to your life? What technology is taking AWAY?
Talk to me . . .
POSTSCRIPT: DUE TO HURRICANE IKE THE DUE DATE FOR THIS BLOG HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY, SEPT. 21. THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS: DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE . . . YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN A HURRICANE MIGHT HEAD YOUR WAY!!!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Here We Go!
Hey Folks! Thanks for logging in. Let me 'splain how this will work:
Every Monday morning I will post a discussion question relevant to technology. You will have the entire week to post a short blog answering the question. It's very simple . . . you either advance the discussion or you don't. It's either a 100 or a 0. You can also respond to a blog posted by another user to advance the discussion.
Every Sunday evening I will check off names. So you have from Monday AM to Sunday PM. Grading closes at 6pm Sunday. The first five minutes of class on Tuesday and Thursday will be devoted to answering the blog question so that we have a little class time too.
Here are the things that this discussion is NOT:
This is not a social forum. All you guys have MySpace / Facebook for that stuff. Holla at your friends on those sites.
This is not a place for you to ask me questions about your grade. Please remember that EVERYBODY will see all of your communication on this site. If you have questions about grading policies, etc. please see me before or after school, before class or on my conference period (5th). Barring that, please email me at rlanham@nacogdoches.k12.tx.us.
This is not a place for you to air grievances of any kind. Bad language, derogatory comments and intolerance of any kind will not be accepted. These will result in blocked usage for you, and zeros on weekly discussions for the remainder of the year.
What this discussion IS:
This is a place for us to explore how technology is affecting our daily lives. You guys are digital natives (meaning you were practically born with a cell phone in your hand) and you are not accustomed to thinking about life before this technology came along. I would also bet that most of you haven't given a lot of thought to where this technology is going either. Well, that's what I want to do here.
One more thing:
To the best of my knowledge we are the first classroom in the district to use blogging as part of the classroom learning. I have personally invited our Principal and Superintendent to blog with us. All eyes will be watching as this district prepares to incorporate more technology into everyday learning. Please keep that in mind. Let's have fun, but please be responsible.
OK, questions?
Every Monday morning I will post a discussion question relevant to technology. You will have the entire week to post a short blog answering the question. It's very simple . . . you either advance the discussion or you don't. It's either a 100 or a 0. You can also respond to a blog posted by another user to advance the discussion.
Every Sunday evening I will check off names. So you have from Monday AM to Sunday PM. Grading closes at 6pm Sunday. The first five minutes of class on Tuesday and Thursday will be devoted to answering the blog question so that we have a little class time too.
Here are the things that this discussion is NOT:
This is not a social forum. All you guys have MySpace / Facebook for that stuff. Holla at your friends on those sites.
This is not a place for you to ask me questions about your grade. Please remember that EVERYBODY will see all of your communication on this site. If you have questions about grading policies, etc. please see me before or after school, before class or on my conference period (5th). Barring that, please email me at rlanham@nacogdoches.k12.tx.us.
This is not a place for you to air grievances of any kind. Bad language, derogatory comments and intolerance of any kind will not be accepted. These will result in blocked usage for you, and zeros on weekly discussions for the remainder of the year.
What this discussion IS:
This is a place for us to explore how technology is affecting our daily lives. You guys are digital natives (meaning you were practically born with a cell phone in your hand) and you are not accustomed to thinking about life before this technology came along. I would also bet that most of you haven't given a lot of thought to where this technology is going either. Well, that's what I want to do here.
One more thing:
To the best of my knowledge we are the first classroom in the district to use blogging as part of the classroom learning. I have personally invited our Principal and Superintendent to blog with us. All eyes will be watching as this district prepares to incorporate more technology into everyday learning. Please keep that in mind. Let's have fun, but please be responsible.
OK, questions?
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