Hi!
In preparation for switching topics this week we will visit one of my favorite sites:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
I love, LOVE this website. It's chock full of stuff for geeky people.
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/388b/
When you're a computer teacher people ask you all the time to help them. Most days I don't mind. Today ain't one of those days.
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 . . .
Monday, October 7, 2013
Monday, September 30, 2013
Blog 4 - September 30.2013
Hola!
One more post about the video game industry, and then next week we'll be moving on to some other technology. If there's a particular technology you're excited about and want me to do some research on, let me know.
So I found this New Scientist article that was published last December that talks about the new gaming systems coming THIS year. It specifically talks about the nextgen of Wii (the U) that is supposed to take all the clutter off the TV screen. It also highlights the PlayStation Vita (a portable playstation) that allows you to play away from home and then plug in your Vita and pick up right where you left off.
Please read the following article. I'll post directives on Wednesday.
Edit: To receive credit this week you will need to give an opinion on one of the three video game technologies mentioned in the article. This is YOUR OPINION about one of the three technologies. This is not a fact hunt. To receive credit this week you must advance the discussion in some manner. A that's cool or an I don't care won't earn you credit.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21628965.500-2013-smart-guide-nextgeneration-video-games.html#.Ukmu1Mso6M8
Talk to me . . .
One more post about the video game industry, and then next week we'll be moving on to some other technology. If there's a particular technology you're excited about and want me to do some research on, let me know.
So I found this New Scientist article that was published last December that talks about the new gaming systems coming THIS year. It specifically talks about the nextgen of Wii (the U) that is supposed to take all the clutter off the TV screen. It also highlights the PlayStation Vita (a portable playstation) that allows you to play away from home and then plug in your Vita and pick up right where you left off.
Please read the following article. I'll post directives on Wednesday.
Edit: To receive credit this week you will need to give an opinion on one of the three video game technologies mentioned in the article. This is YOUR OPINION about one of the three technologies. This is not a fact hunt. To receive credit this week you must advance the discussion in some manner. A that's cool or an I don't care won't earn you credit.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21628965.500-2013-smart-guide-nextgeneration-video-games.html#.Ukmu1Mso6M8
Talk to me . . .
Monday, September 23, 2013
Blog 3 - September 23, 2013
Howdy!
This week we are continuing our theme of video game design / testing / other nerdy stuff.
I noticed in last week's article that one of the ways to work your way into the design world was to become a video game tester. Doesn't that sound like quite a life to have? Sit around all day long drinking caffeine and eating Cheetos, playing games and getting paid? Ahhhh . . .
In reality it's way more of a whipping than that. IF you get there early enough on any particular day to actually get a job.
Go here, read this. It's still one of the best articles I've seen about video game testing.
http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-07-11/news/testing-video-games-can-t-possibly-be-harder-than-an-afternoon-with-xbox-right/
As always, read today. Blog Thursday.
Edit: Tell me whether you'd want to do this job or not (after reading the article and becoming informed) and WHY. You must do both things to get credit.
Also? Two people blogged on Tuesday. Those entries were deleted. Please always READ MY WORDS (which specifically said not to blog on Tuesday).
Talk to me . . .
This week we are continuing our theme of video game design / testing / other nerdy stuff.
I noticed in last week's article that one of the ways to work your way into the design world was to become a video game tester. Doesn't that sound like quite a life to have? Sit around all day long drinking caffeine and eating Cheetos, playing games and getting paid? Ahhhh . . .
In reality it's way more of a whipping than that. IF you get there early enough on any particular day to actually get a job.
Go here, read this. It's still one of the best articles I've seen about video game testing.
http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-07-11/news/testing-video-games-can-t-possibly-be-harder-than-an-afternoon-with-xbox-right/
As always, read today. Blog Thursday.
Edit: Tell me whether you'd want to do this job or not (after reading the article and becoming informed) and WHY. You must do both things to get credit.
Also? Two people blogged on Tuesday. Those entries were deleted. Please always READ MY WORDS (which specifically said not to blog on Tuesday).
Talk to me . . .
Monday, September 16, 2013
Blog 2 - September 16, 2013
Hola Homies! Thanks for logging in !
So lets get this party started. I want to kick off our blog topics by spending a couple weeks thinking about video games. How they've advanced. What it takes to become a designer. What it takes to become a tester.
This is probably pretty ironic as my hard-corenerds gamers will be out today as Grand Theft Auto #158237 came out at midnight and they're probably all at home playing it. Heh.
Anyway, today I want you to follow my link and read. Thursday I will ask you to post a fact from the story (other than from page 1).
This will be the norm for us. Read on Tuesday. Blog on Thursday.
Comments put up before Thursday will be deleted so you'll just have to do them again anyway.
Go here. Read.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/video-game-designer1.htm
Talk to me . . .
So lets get this party started. I want to kick off our blog topics by spending a couple weeks thinking about video games. How they've advanced. What it takes to become a designer. What it takes to become a tester.
This is probably pretty ironic as my hard-core
Anyway, today I want you to follow my link and read. Thursday I will ask you to post a fact from the story (other than from page 1).
This will be the norm for us. Read on Tuesday. Blog on Thursday.
Comments put up before Thursday will be deleted so you'll just have to do them again anyway.
Go here. Read.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/video-game-designer1.htm
Talk to me . . .
Friday, September 6, 2013
Blog 1 - September 9, 2013
Hola Peeps! 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 thought 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 ten minutes of class on Tuesday will be devoted to reading the blog, and the first ten minutes of class Thursday will be devoted to answering the blog question.
Here are the things that this discussion is NOT:
This is not a social forum. All you guys have Facebook / Twitter 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@nacisd.org.
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.
Also, almost every college classroom has some online portion as well. In other words, when you get to college even though you're sitting in a traditional classroom your professor will expect you to go online and participate in some sort of ongoing discussion on something like Blackboard.
One more thing:
To the best of my knowledge we are still the only classroom in the district to use blogging as part of the classroom learning. Occasionally our Principal, Superintendent, and others from the district will be blogging 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.
Here's what you need to do now:
Make sure you ALWAYS leave your name and period in your comment. By posting this first time you are agreeing to:
1. ALWAYS read my words. You should never just log in and click links. Doing that will cause you to miss the questions that I want addressed.
2. Comment in the correct section for the week.
3. Understand that you get one (1) makeup blog for the YEAR. Because this blog is available 24/7/365 from any computer in the world, I don't allow more than one makeup. Go home and bookmark it. Go to the library and bookmark it. Bookmark it on your smart phone. Always remember that if you're absent on Thursday when we comment, you'll need to get it taken care of before Sunday at 6pm.
OK, questions?
Talk to me . . .
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 thought 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 ten minutes of class on Tuesday will be devoted to reading the blog, and the first ten minutes of class Thursday will be devoted to answering the blog question.
Here are the things that this discussion is NOT:
This is not a social forum. All you guys have Facebook / Twitter 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@nacisd.org.
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.
Also, almost every college classroom has some online portion as well. In other words, when you get to college even though you're sitting in a traditional classroom your professor will expect you to go online and participate in some sort of ongoing discussion on something like Blackboard.
One more thing:
To the best of my knowledge we are still the only classroom in the district to use blogging as part of the classroom learning. Occasionally our Principal, Superintendent, and others from the district will be blogging 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.
Here's what you need to do now:
Make sure you ALWAYS leave your name and period in your comment. By posting this first time you are agreeing to:
1. ALWAYS read my words. You should never just log in and click links. Doing that will cause you to miss the questions that I want addressed.
2. Comment in the correct section for the week.
3. Understand that you get one (1) makeup blog for the YEAR. Because this blog is available 24/7/365 from any computer in the world, I don't allow more than one makeup. Go home and bookmark it. Go to the library and bookmark it. Bookmark it on your smart phone. Always remember that if you're absent on Thursday when we comment, you'll need to get it taken care of before Sunday at 6pm.
OK, questions?
Talk to me . . .
Monday, May 6, 2013
Blog 28 - May 6, 2013
It's That Time!
Last blog of the year. ::sigh::
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) Could the record please show that Andy Landeros just used the word "fiddlesticks?"
2) Caymon! Where are those fingers going? (About Delton's pic restore)
3) Tomorrow I will love you again. Today I am tired of you. (Me to Hailey W.)
4) Yes, you have to have a door in your building! How do you get in the school in the morning? (Me to Brody)
5) Brody! Stop fighting me! This'll go much easier if you'll just quit fighting me! (Trying to take over his computer)
6) I don't trust a brother. (To Taylor)
7) Your mom. (Me to Gavin Every. Single. Day of his life)
8) I'm ok with "pop my pills." (Me to Kalyn re: music editing)
9) McClendon! Work FASTER! (Every single day to Thomas)
10) Don't you put somebody on that streetcorner! (Me to class about perspective building drawing)
11) Play around in those curves. (Me about photo restore)
12) Birdie! That rapper is stoopid! What's a hoodalum? How do you even spell that? You don't just get to make up words!
13) You know what Furbies do? They get held. (Me to Eric)
14) Nick! You're like a transformer. Let's call it The Distractacon.
15) Nick! If you'd READ THE MANUAL you'd know!
16) Eric! We're gonna have a seance. We're gonna hold hands and light candles and try to figure out what I was in a past life.
17) Me to 2nd period: It is not a party in the back of this room! If yall are gonna party you can party in the fishbowl!
From yall's mouths:
1) Mrs. L, what am I playing with? (Kolten)
2) That is so good it might get you pregnant! (Gavin)
3) You mess with one Burmese you get the whole python. (Again, Gavin. Who talks A LOT)
4) That shirt is sexy (Faith to Geetha)
5) I'm at a low point in my life right now. (KeyDasha regarding Pen Practice)
6) I hate all these pictures. (Faith)
7) Why is the WiFi sketchy down here in hell? (Kevin. Which was actually me acting like I was being Kevin)
8) Could you come back here with your toes? (Maryori)
9) Look at the butt! (Mikaela)
10) Why is his hand there? (Maryori)
11) We have to film Nick on Monday because he's sick and he's a delicate flower. (Ivette)
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 . . .
Last blog of the year. ::sigh::
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) Could the record please show that Andy Landeros just used the word "fiddlesticks?"
2) Caymon! Where are those fingers going? (About Delton's pic restore)
3) Tomorrow I will love you again. Today I am tired of you. (Me to Hailey W.)
4) Yes, you have to have a door in your building! How do you get in the school in the morning? (Me to Brody)
5) Brody! Stop fighting me! This'll go much easier if you'll just quit fighting me! (Trying to take over his computer)
6) I don't trust a brother. (To Taylor)
7) Your mom. (Me to Gavin Every. Single. Day of his life)
8) I'm ok with "pop my pills." (Me to Kalyn re: music editing)
9) McClendon! Work FASTER! (Every single day to Thomas)
10) Don't you put somebody on that streetcorner! (Me to class about perspective building drawing)
11) Play around in those curves. (Me about photo restore)
12) Birdie! That rapper is stoopid! What's a hoodalum? How do you even spell that? You don't just get to make up words!
13) You know what Furbies do? They get held. (Me to Eric)
14) Nick! You're like a transformer. Let's call it The Distractacon.
15) Nick! If you'd READ THE MANUAL you'd know!
16) Eric! We're gonna have a seance. We're gonna hold hands and light candles and try to figure out what I was in a past life.
17) Me to 2nd period: It is not a party in the back of this room! If yall are gonna party you can party in the fishbowl!
From yall's mouths:
1) Mrs. L, what am I playing with? (Kolten)
2) That is so good it might get you pregnant! (Gavin)
3) You mess with one Burmese you get the whole python. (Again, Gavin. Who talks A LOT)
4) That shirt is sexy (Faith to Geetha)
5) I'm at a low point in my life right now. (KeyDasha regarding Pen Practice)
6) I hate all these pictures. (Faith)
7) Why is the WiFi sketchy down here in hell? (Kevin. Which was actually me acting like I was being Kevin)
8) Could you come back here with your toes? (Maryori)
9) Look at the butt! (Mikaela)
10) Why is his hand there? (Maryori)
11) We have to film Nick on Monday because he's sick and he's a delicate flower. (Ivette)
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 . . .
Monday, April 29, 2013
Blog 27 - April 29, 2013
Hiya!
Moving on to a new theme, I would like to talk about military technology.
Does anybody but me think it's crazy how the media manages to put our military business out on front street?
Back during WWII no one was allowed to talk about troop deployment, new technology, etc. I remember my mom saying that she would get letters home from my dad when he was in the war and they would have lines blacked out with big magic marker where he might have told her anything in the letter that could give away his location.
Now we have CNN and everybody knows what's going on the very minute it's happening.
*stepping off soap box now*
So along those lines, go view this Kiplinger article and click through some of the coming military technology. For credit this week you will pick one of these technologies and tell us how it can save lives in the field. "It's cool" will not garner you any credit. Not now, not ever.
Read Tuesday, blog Thursday.
http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/T043-S001-9-amazing-military-technologies-of-the-future/index.html
Talk to me . . .
Moving on to a new theme, I would like to talk about military technology.
Does anybody but me think it's crazy how the media manages to put our military business out on front street?
Back during WWII no one was allowed to talk about troop deployment, new technology, etc. I remember my mom saying that she would get letters home from my dad when he was in the war and they would have lines blacked out with big magic marker where he might have told her anything in the letter that could give away his location.
Now we have CNN and everybody knows what's going on the very minute it's happening.
*stepping off soap box now*
So along those lines, go view this Kiplinger article and click through some of the coming military technology. For credit this week you will pick one of these technologies and tell us how it can save lives in the field. "It's cool" will not garner you any credit. Not now, not ever.
Read Tuesday, blog Thursday.
http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/T043-S001-9-amazing-military-technologies-of-the-future/index.html
Talk to me . . .
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