Blog 31 - May 19, 2014

It's That Time!


Last blog of the year. ::sigh::


I don't know how YOU feel, but I feel like this year has gone SCREAMING by. Seems like it was just August yesterday!

One of the things I like to do at the end of the year is post some of the strange things that have come out of some of our mouths in this room.

Things like (from my mouth):

1) TyVan, if that stop action comes out all girly I'm taking your Man Card.
2) Everybody love everybody or I'm gonna kill all of you! (Me to 7th)
3) Slide! Do not talk! Do not sing! Do not dance!
4) Nobody is even talking to you A-Aron! Put your headphones IN and turn it up!
5) Here comes the personality! Here it comes! It's about to bust out!
6) Roland! Quit being a diva!
7) Is that my butt jingling?
8) Based on Jordan Cates' inability to get the straw in the Capri Sun I'm gonna go ahead and assume he's never gonna stab anybody.
9) Jeez Louise GET OFF PAINT! Are you kidding me?!? You have an actual, professional program for that!!!!!
10) What is that funky smell? Maybe it's Will's chain? . . . Nope, that ain't it.
11) Carlos Reyes! Control+z! Undo! Seriously! You didn't know that from every software program you've ever used? Like . . . ever?
12) Hugo! Stop petting Brittany, it's weird!
13) Dillion! Get out! I'm bout to write you a DHall for coughing and not covering your mouth!
14) TyVan you just dropped your drugs.
15) Cody! If your hand is on your phone you better be texting Jesus!
          Cody replies: What would his number be?
          Me: 1-800-DearBabyJesus
          1-800-YourLordAndSavior
          1-800-AvoidHell
          1-800-ChoirofAngels. That's all I got. I'm out.
16) Me to Will Taylor: Say it! SAY IT!!! Will replies (quietly): You're one of my favorite teachers Mrs. L.
17) Me to 8th period: Hang on, Will will be right there to help.
18) Me to 8th period: I'm gonna ask yall not to talk to each other if you can't be nicer. I'm the only one who gets to talk about your mom.
19) Why are you stripping? (Me to Harley)
20) No bomb building!!!!! (Me to 8th)
21) Geetha! Don't leave your DNA all over my room (brushing her hair)
22) Kade! I saw you bopping your head to Rhianna!
23) Jacorey Winn! Did I really just hear you sing from the musical Annie?
24) Where's Keydasha at? EVERYBODY: Getting more shots!!!!



From yall's mouths:
1) I actually like Justin Bieber, he's quite a big star. (Nick/Slide)
2) Oh Kevin! We get it! You're like a little delicate flower! (Geetha to Kevin)
3) I don't need caffeine in the morning, that's just part of being Columbian. (Juan)
4) Yall are retarded (LaRonda to Jacorey and JJ)
5) Why does it smell like my band director right here? (Chelsea)
6) Don't go all Miley on me. (Cody)
7) Gosh Dezmond I wonder why your mom beats you in mortal kombat?! (Josh to Dez)
8) I'm not gonna get married, but I am gonna continue my legacy (Nahum)
9) You speak for your own cerebral cortex! (Kevin to Geetha)
10) What time is 1:30? (Alex)
11) I've always gotta be fashionably amazing. (Nick/Slide)
12) You need to not listen to rock music and eat hard candy. I got scared when you choked! (Kendrick to Ariana)
13) I have a lot of words in my head. (Geetha)
14) Chelsea to me: Do you want to see a video of baby sloths? My reply: If I can't roll them in a tortilla and eat them I don't care.
15) Look! A floating tree! (Ben)
16) Kade to me: Why do you guys just assume I'm listening to scream-o? My reply: Because everyday when you guys leave Clayton's ears are bleeding.
17) He's all cute because he thinks he's go to show out. (Chelsea, but I don't remember who she was talking about)
18) GET YOUR BUN OFF ME! (Kendrick to Ariana)
19) You can't get speakers with a GED! (Bryana to Kade)
20) You went to COLLEGE looking like that?!? (Geetha to Brigham)
21) I only know what Amish people are because of Family Guy. (Carlos)
22) No I didn't practice it, it was just off the dome. (Nahum)
23) Hey Mrs. L. What's up with the cat butt? (Chandler)
24) It's an iconic rendition of an epic scene in Titanic. (Geetha)
25) I'm glad I'm not your partner either 'cause I'd be lookin' like that . . . strung out. (Kevin talking to Geetha, pointing at Nahum)



So for your blog credit this week, I want you to do one of two things: 1) Log in and give me your favorite memory from class. OR 2) Log in and leave a piece of advice for next year's class (ala Ms. Christian).

Talk to me . . .


P.S. You may post as many times as you like this week.

Blog 30 - May 12, 2014

Hiya!


Go to this TED playlist and pick a video. Be prepared to discuss the video that you found interesting on Thursday. Please be informed.


Again, it's all Kyle here.

http://www.ted.com/playlists/135/will_drones_save_us_or_destroy


Wednesday edit: Tell me about the video that interested you.


Talk to me . . .

Blog 29 - May 5, 2014

Howdy!


So, there's this phenomenal nuclear submarine that has been designed and built by the United Kingdom. It cost a boatloaaaaaaaad of money (pun absolutely intended).


Go here. Watch the video. You can watch until you feel informed. You don't have to watch it all, but you're welcome to. Again, thanks to Kyle H. for the pickup.


http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140226-how-to-build-a-nuclear-submarine



Will post directives on Wednesday.



Wednesday edit: Give me one FACT from this video that surprised you. Please note, today is not an opinion day.

Blog 28 - April 29, 2014

Hi!

So I'm NOT switching topics yet, but I'm running behind schedule because I was OFF yesterday. Wooohooo!!!


So how about a THINK GEEK WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.thinkgeek.com/

So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.

Your blog should look a little something like this:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/c427/

So this is a hateful little noisemaker that you hide to drive people nuts. NOT that *I* would ever do something like that. Wouldn't it be great to watch somebody run around the house / office trying to find the source of the sound?!?
Lanham, 1st period

You must give us the link.You must give an opinion.You must sign and put your class period.

This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.
You may alternatively use http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/. Just do the same thing with the link and comment please.

Talk to me . . .

Blog 27 - April 21, 2014

Hey -

 

Go watch this video:

 

http://www.ted.com/talks/malcolm_gladwell#t-488741

 

Then take a look at this:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norden_bombsight

 

 

For credit this week, please answer ONE of the following questions. PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONE YOU'RE ANSWERING:

 

1. Which modern weapons do you think were inspired by Norden’s inventions?
2. What do you think drove Norden to push himself to inventing this weapon?
3. What modern warfare technologies do you think were inspired by Nordens invention?
4. Do you think that we would still be such a prosperous country without Nordens invention? Why or why not?
5. Norden immigrated to America and invented this. Why do you think he did that instead of staying in Switzerland?
6. If Norden was alive today, do you think he would be proud of how we have put his invention to use?

Huge thanks for Kyle H. for the pickup on the questions this week!!!

 

 

Blog 26 - April 14, 2014

Howdeeeee!!


Go here, read this:


http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130908-syria-tech-that-may-be-deployed


Only 5 wartime technologies are mentioned. There will be a test. READ!


Wednesday Edit
Today I'm asking you to think a little deeper. You will answer these questions to receive credit:


1) Do you find it odd that it's this easy to find information about our future military technology everywhere on the internet?
2) Detail how this could be harmful to us.


The good news is today is an OPINION, which means the only way for you to be wrong is not answering both questions.


Talk to me . . .

Blog 25 - April 7, 2014

Hey Homie !

How about some MILITARY TECHNOLOGY?!?

Go to the following link, explore at least two of the 17 military technologies listed. Pick the ones that interest YOU the most. Please take a look at ALL of them and not just the first two. 


- Link Removed -





For credit this week choose one of the 17 military technologies listed in the story and tell us how it could be used with a FACT from the story. Please note: I need to see you recall a FACT in order for you to get credit.

Blog 24 - March 31, 2014

Hi!

So it's time for a topic switch. Know what that means? That's right . . . THINK GEEK WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.thinkgeek.com/

So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.

Your blog should look a little something like this:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/c427/

So this is a hateful little noisemaker that you hide to drive people nuts. NOT that *I* would ever do something like that. Wouldn't it be great to watch somebody run around the house / office trying to find the source of the sound?!?
Lanham, 1st period

You must give us the link.You must give an opinion.You must sign and put your class period.

This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.

Talk to me . . .

Blog 23 - March 24, 2014

Hey!


One more week of medical technology and then we'll scoot on.


I noticed that a BUNCH of us were interested in the new technology concerning diabetes. I think many of our family members (and some of us too) have been affected by this disease.


I want to spend this week looking specifically at stuff meant to make life better for those with diabetes.


BEFORE YOU VISIT LINKS, go to the server and read the .pdf article on Taylor Walker. THEN go visit the links.


WEDNESDAY EDIT: Grab a piece of paper and something to write with. Put your name on top.


Please check out ALL the links, I'll post the directive on Wednesday.




http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/treatment-and-products/minimed-revel-insulin-pump


http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/health/rare-gene-protects-against-type-2-diabetes-even-in-obese-people.html?_r=0


http://www.dddmag.com/news/2014/03/new-diabetes-drugs-cost-more-may-not-work-better


http://www.webmd.com/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/news/20140226/study-sees-no-evidence-linking-diabetes-drugs-with-pancreatic-cancer

Blog 22 - March 17, 2014

Hiya!


So as I was looking around last week for more medical stuff, I happened to find this video about PRINTING our own MEDS. What?!?


This guy, Lee Cronin, is a professor and a chemist. And he has this crazy idea that would could use something kinda like that 3D printer (remember the dude that 3D printed the heart?) and derive our own medications.


Watch the video. I'll post a directive on Wednesday.


http://www.ted.com/talks/lee_cronin_print_your_own_medicine


Wednesday edit: Give me one question you'd like to ask Lee Cronin. PLEASE NOTE: If your question has already been asked you'll have to try again to receive blog credit. No two questions should be alike.

Blog 21 - March 3, 2014

Hiya. Thanks for logging in.


Sticking with the medical topic, please visit this article about a surgeon that saved a little boy using a 3D Printer. There's some words, AND a video. And big thanks to Will Taylor for the pickup on this article!


I'll post the directive on Wednesday.


http://3dprint.com/1219/3d-printing-helps-fix-childs-heart-save-life/




Wednesday edit: Tell me how else you can imagine this 3D printer being used in the MEDICAL field.

Blog 20 - February 24, 2014

Howdy. Thanks for logging in .


And thank you for last week's discussion. Some of you really put a lot of thought into your responses and I appreciate your candor.


Hanging with the medical technology topic, here are a couple links to articles about coming technology. I'll post a directive Wednesday. Actual reading needs to occur here:


http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/top-10-medical-innovations-2014


https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/bioengineering/top-5-medical-technology-innovations


Wednesday Edit:
Pick one of these innovations, tell us which one and then tell us how it might affect you or a family member.

Blog 19 - February 17, 2014

Howdy.


Moving on to medical technology.


Go here. Watch this. No words from me until Wednesday.


WARNING: There is footage of actual operations in this video. Look away if you squeamish during those parts.


http://www.ted.com/talks/catherine_mohr_surgery_s_past_present_and_robotic_future.html


Wednesday edit
My words for the week: READ THEM ALL.


I thought I would get a little personal this week. Pretty recently the Lanham household was visited by the big C word. Cancer. Scary just to look at isn't it? Kinda makes my skin crawl just seeing it sitting there.



Anyway, Mr. L (who I lovingly refer to as Better Half) was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and he had a radical robotic prostatectomy. That's right, ROBOTIC. Oh the technology implications . . . His surgeon actually sat ACROSS THE ROOM as he operated on Mr. L! Just like a video game. He has these goggles he looks into and he moves his thumbs and across the room the robotic arms that were INSIDE MY HUSBAND proceeded to do all the things that surgeons used to do the old way. Except when he was done, Mr. L only had 5 small incisions instead of one great big huge one. MUCH faster recovery time.


What Catherine Mohr DIDN'T tell you in that video is that she's one of the inventors of the DaVinci system (girl power!).


She also didn't mention that there are about 2600 DaVinci robots in use in this country at the cost of about $2 million apiece, plus about $300,000 per year for maintenance. The math is staggering.



So go take a look at the pictures of the robot. Also, take a look at the article about Catherine Mohr (girl power!), who is one of the designers of the Da Vinci system.



For credit this week you may 1) give an opinion about the use of the robot. You may 2) reference another article about the robot (please leave me a link). You may 3) give me an opinion about Catherine Mohr. You may also 4) reply to someone else's post.



Please remember: you must advance the discussion in some manner to get credit. "That's cool" or "I like that" is not advancing the discussion. Not now, not in May at the end of the year. You must TELL ME WHY!


http://tinyurl.com/2mhxoh


http://singularityhub.com/2009/07/27/catherine-mohr-promises-more-robotic-surgery/

Blog 18 - February 9, 2014

Hi!

So it's time for a topic switch. Know what that means? That's right . . . THINK GEEK WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.thinkgeek.com/

So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.

Your blog should look a little something like this:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/c427/

So this is a hateful little noisemaker that you hide to drive people nuts. NOT that *I* would ever do something like that. Wouldn't it be great to watch somebody run around the house / office trying to find the source of the sound?!?
Lanham, 1st period

You must give us the link.You must give an opinion.You must sign and put your class period.

This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.

Talk to me . . .

Blog 17 - February 3, 2014

Hola homies!

Let's talk about CES again. Not surprisingly, most of you said you would like to attend this event in the future. Me too. But midweek when there aren't one gogillion people there.

So lets look at the numbers from this year's attendance. Please follow these links:



http://www.ce.org/Blog/Articles/2014/January/2014CES/CES2014-by-the-Numbers



http://www.cepro.com/article/ces_2014_attendance_tops_150000/



Read Tuesday. Blog Thursday. Wednesday Edit: Pick a number in one of the two above articles and tell us which one and why it surprised you.


Example: I'm choosing the exhibitor number from the second article. It surprised me because I don't even know where you could physically put 3200 vendors!


Talk to me . . .

Blog 16 - January 28, 2014

Hola Peeps! Read. My. Words.

Today I want to tell you a little secret . . .

There's this THING that happens every year in January in Las Vegas. It's huge. It's called CES = Consumer Electronics Show. Every piece of electronics technology that we use has debuted at this show in the past. Think about that for a second. That iPhone in your pocket? Yep. Apple showed it off there. That flat-panel TV in your living room at home. Yep, that too. It's a HUGE deal in the electronics world and a gogillion (well maybe that's an overestimate) people converge on Las Vegas every year to take a look at the newest electronic innovations. 

So go take a look and see what CES is about. For credit this week tell me if you'd want to go (or not) and why. That's TWO things: Would you go? Why or why not? Read today, blog Thursday.  CLEARLY if you want to go to CES the reason is to see emerging technology. PLEASE BE MORE SPECIFIC!!!! Which technology are you most interested in?

Talk to me . . .

http://www.cesweb.org/

http://ces.cnet.com/

http://www.pcmag.com/CES/

http://www.ibtimes.com/ces-2014-review-rundown-showcased-products-trade-show-1540304
(Click on the links inside the story to see pics of those particular products)

Blog 15 - January 21, 2014

Read. My. Words.

Let's get deep this week. 

I want to talk about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his thoughts on technology.

In 1964 Dr. King delivered a lecture the day after winning the Nobel Peace Prize in which he told his audience at the University of Oslo that "material advancement was meaningless without an accompanying moral structure." In other words, the growing abundance of technology is undermining the human spirit. My favorite quote from the article is: "The richer we have become materially, the poorer we become morally and spiritually," he said. "We have learned to fly in the air like birds and swim in the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers."

Here's the link to his speech:
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/12/dayintech_1211

This week I'm asking you to think, REALLY THINK about Dr. King's words. I want his words to work on you a little bit.

He is telling us that technology advancement needs to go hand in hand with spiritual advancement, or it's all for nothing. THINK. Do you agree or disagree with Dr. King? WHY? You will answer both of those questions to receive credit this week.

Do NOT post until Thursday. Doing so will earn you a zero.

Meet me back here on Tuesday, January 21.

This blog in on hiatus until Midterms / my trip is over.