Oh, Glory Glory, Praise Praise!
Thank You, Lord! Thank you for the kind advice from my cohort 7 classmates, especially Dana, Allison and Wendy, who guided me to FINALLY being able to load my images and links on my webpage! Yippee and yahoo!
Now that I have been able to submit my work, I can get excited for our vacation and get some R and R before I begin the insanity of a new school year!
I know one thing for sure -- I am going to be more patient than ever with kids who don't "get it," because I sure didn't "get" a lot of this technology! Thank heavens for helpful classmates and understanding professors and TAs! Woo hoo!
Ocean City, here we come! I can finally read Harry Potter 7!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
When networks don't help :(
This morning I cried into my coffee cup when I read this article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com/pg/07212/805648-55.stm
The gist of the story: a 13 year old girl shot and killed her father. Apparently, the girl's mother and her neighbors knew the father had been sexually and physically abusing the girl for years. The mother was unsuccessful in wresting custody from the father, and the neighbors apparently said NOTHING to the authorities, even though one neighbor was quoted as saying, "The whole street knew about it. . .He abused them both. Some nights I would hear her screaming, 'No Daddy No'".
WHY DIDN'T THE NEIGHBORS HELP HER? WHY? According to the article, the abuse had been happening since the girl was 7 -- now she is 13 and has murdered her father. I just can't understand how people could let those terrible things happen to a child and never step in.
What's the use of being connected, of living in a neighborhood, if people ignore the horrors that they see? I feel so sick and sad. All of the lofty ideals of networks we've been studying seem dashed by this pitiful example of the selfishness of humanity.
As an educator, it is my legal responsibility to report suspected child abuse or suspected substance abuse by the student. I can be held liable in a court of law if I neglect to report abuse.
But even if I weren't an educator, if I heard a child being abused, I wouldn't just sit idly by and let it happen.
The gist of the story: a 13 year old girl shot and killed her father. Apparently, the girl's mother and her neighbors knew the father had been sexually and physically abusing the girl for years. The mother was unsuccessful in wresting custody from the father, and the neighbors apparently said NOTHING to the authorities, even though one neighbor was quoted as saying, "The whole street knew about it. . .He abused them both. Some nights I would hear her screaming, 'No Daddy No'".
WHY DIDN'T THE NEIGHBORS HELP HER? WHY? According to the article, the abuse had been happening since the girl was 7 -- now she is 13 and has murdered her father. I just can't understand how people could let those terrible things happen to a child and never step in.
What's the use of being connected, of living in a neighborhood, if people ignore the horrors that they see? I feel so sick and sad. All of the lofty ideals of networks we've been studying seem dashed by this pitiful example of the selfishness of humanity.
As an educator, it is my legal responsibility to report suspected child abuse or suspected substance abuse by the student. I can be held liable in a court of law if I neglect to report abuse.
But even if I weren't an educator, if I heard a child being abused, I wouldn't just sit idly by and let it happen.
Monday, July 30, 2007
irony?
I find it ironic that I am a peer mentor to 2 new folks in Cohort 7.5 and yet I am still struggling with CSS and images in my webpage. I surely won't be able to be a technology mentor for these ladies!
But hopefully my honesty about my own techno-stupidity will be comforting to them. When it's laugh or cry, better to laugh, right?
But hopefully my honesty about my own techno-stupidity will be comforting to them. When it's laugh or cry, better to laugh, right?
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Networks -- they're everywhere!
Each Sunday I scan the television guide that comes along with my Pittsburgh Post Gazette. I got into this habit when I started teaching -- I like to be at least aware of what's on, even though I rarely watch it -- so that I can have a reasonable entrance point of conversation with my students. (They aren't usually fans of the Food Network like me!)
Coming up this week is a reality program airing on ABC called "Six Degrees of Martina McBride". Slated to air from 9-11 PM on Monday, July 30, here's the description by PPG TV writer Rob Owen, "If you want to make it in showbiz, it helps to know someone -- or, in the case of this special, know someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows Martina McBride. Using the old "six degrees" formula that says we're all connected through six or fewer people, six aspiring singers try to establish a link to the country music star. A record deal awaits the one who can do it -- and outsing the competition."
I wonder if Milgram would applaud this, or if he'd be sickened by it?
It just cracks me up the way that these concepts keep popping up all around me. Maybe it's a sign that I'm in the right program! :)
Coming up this week is a reality program airing on ABC called "Six Degrees of Martina McBride". Slated to air from 9-11 PM on Monday, July 30, here's the description by PPG TV writer Rob Owen, "If you want to make it in showbiz, it helps to know someone -- or, in the case of this special, know someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows Martina McBride. Using the old "six degrees" formula that says we're all connected through six or fewer people, six aspiring singers try to establish a link to the country music star. A record deal awaits the one who can do it -- and outsing the competition."
I wonder if Milgram would applaud this, or if he'd be sickened by it?
It just cracks me up the way that these concepts keep popping up all around me. Maybe it's a sign that I'm in the right program! :)
teen technology addiction
According to today's broadcast of TeenKidsNews on ABC, psychotherapist Alice Fortinberry believes that today's teens spend too much time communicating via email or text messages instead of face to face communication. Fortinberry postulates that the constant barrage of messages is contributing to an increasing rate of ADHD among young people.
The TeenKidsNews anchor, Felipe, advocated reducing text messaging in favor of more face-to-face communication.
As a teacher, I have been frustrated by the lack of courtesy in my students' emails. Maybe I'm "old school," but I always include a salutation in my emails, and I try to be direct but polite. Yet I constantly get one-sentence demands from students asking for a grade update or for help on an assignment. Sadly, often this behavior is the same in person -- kids seem to have no qualms interrupting me when I'm speaking with another student or teacher, or even when I'm in the middle of a lesson. I've always felt that part of my job as an educator is to assist students in developing life skills so that they can be active, responsible citizens. The lack of manners I see in some of my students is worrisome, indeed. Of course, many kids are polite and respectful, but it seems that the rude ones stand out in my memory!
The TeenKidsNews anchor, Felipe, advocated reducing text messaging in favor of more face-to-face communication.
As a teacher, I have been frustrated by the lack of courtesy in my students' emails. Maybe I'm "old school," but I always include a salutation in my emails, and I try to be direct but polite. Yet I constantly get one-sentence demands from students asking for a grade update or for help on an assignment. Sadly, often this behavior is the same in person -- kids seem to have no qualms interrupting me when I'm speaking with another student or teacher, or even when I'm in the middle of a lesson. I've always felt that part of my job as an educator is to assist students in developing life skills so that they can be active, responsible citizens. The lack of manners I see in some of my students is worrisome, indeed. Of course, many kids are polite and respectful, but it seems that the rude ones stand out in my memory!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Networks!
I am enjoying the crazy intersection of theory and life. Our readings in The Laws of the Web and Linked dealt with the concept of social networks. Milgram's experiment and the entertaining Kevin Bacon game demonstrate the truly connective nature of our world.
Last night, I experienced my own funny "network" moment. My husband and I attended a dinner party at the home of a former co-worker of mine. Meghan was an intern in our school for a year and served a year for a colleague's maternity leave -- and then she landed a job in a different district. We've stayed in touch and get together every few months. There were sixteen people at the party. I expected to know only the hosts and my co-worker Todd and his girlfriend Melanie.
However, to my surprise and delight, I discovered connections to other party guests! Mike and Gina and their newborn son were in attendance. I grew up two streets away from Mike and went all through school with him. We even belonged to the same church. Mike's wife Gina grew up with Meghan, the hostess!
Another party guest, Don, teaches with Meghan. He and his wife Beth used to live in our townhouse complex! We recognized them as soon as they walked in to the party and had fun talking about our neighbors and local hot spots.
As we laughed about what a small world it is, I told the guests that I'd have something fun to add to my blog. They agreed that it is always fun when you see a real connection to a concept you're studying.
I figure since Meghan and her husband hosted the party, they are "connectors" in the way Barabasi and Gladwell define them: "people with an extraordinary knack of making friends and acquaintances. . .an extremely important component of our social network. They create trends and fashions, make important deals, spread fads, or help launch a restaurant" (55-56). Meghan is always on the cutting edge of fashion, and since she is a high school teacher, she wields lots of influence. Their home is beautifully decorated in contemporary style: rich, saturated colors and gorgeous art adorn the walls; funnky furniture and accessories make the home trendy and fun. Her husband Mike is a realtor, and he sells commercial and residential properties all over the area. They have connections with people in many different fields and age levels.
Groovy!
Last night, I experienced my own funny "network" moment. My husband and I attended a dinner party at the home of a former co-worker of mine. Meghan was an intern in our school for a year and served a year for a colleague's maternity leave -- and then she landed a job in a different district. We've stayed in touch and get together every few months. There were sixteen people at the party. I expected to know only the hosts and my co-worker Todd and his girlfriend Melanie.
However, to my surprise and delight, I discovered connections to other party guests! Mike and Gina and their newborn son were in attendance. I grew up two streets away from Mike and went all through school with him. We even belonged to the same church. Mike's wife Gina grew up with Meghan, the hostess!
Another party guest, Don, teaches with Meghan. He and his wife Beth used to live in our townhouse complex! We recognized them as soon as they walked in to the party and had fun talking about our neighbors and local hot spots.
As we laughed about what a small world it is, I told the guests that I'd have something fun to add to my blog. They agreed that it is always fun when you see a real connection to a concept you're studying.
I figure since Meghan and her husband hosted the party, they are "connectors" in the way Barabasi and Gladwell define them: "people with an extraordinary knack of making friends and acquaintances. . .an extremely important component of our social network. They create trends and fashions, make important deals, spread fads, or help launch a restaurant" (55-56). Meghan is always on the cutting edge of fashion, and since she is a high school teacher, she wields lots of influence. Their home is beautifully decorated in contemporary style: rich, saturated colors and gorgeous art adorn the walls; funnky furniture and accessories make the home trendy and fun. Her husband Mike is a realtor, and he sells commercial and residential properties all over the area. They have connections with people in many different fields and age levels.
Groovy!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Ah, the '80s
As I've been working on laundry, looking at the hot topic presentation and taking care of the dog tonight, in the background I had the Fox Movie Channel, which tonight featured one of my favorite '80s movies: Romancing the Stone. It's cheesy, it's hokey, it's cute, it's Micheal Douglas, way before Catherine Zeta-Jones and his facelift.
And Kathleen Turner was soooo beautiful! She actually looked like a woman! You know, a woman. With real curves. No silicone in sight! Real hair! Real hips! GORGEOUS! And Michael Douglas didn't seem to mind.
Oh, I miss the '80s.
And Kathleen Turner was soooo beautiful! She actually looked like a woman! You know, a woman. With real curves. No silicone in sight! Real hair! Real hips! GORGEOUS! And Michael Douglas didn't seem to mind.
Oh, I miss the '80s.
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