WEB Quest

With the help of my EME 2040 class I have created a new web site. http://pilchweb.webs.com/index.htm

I currently pay for web site hosting on a site that does not offer nearly as much flexibility or functionality. I can see how I might be able to create a site that will be specific to my business at a price that is equal to or less than what I am currently paying and that will off far superior performance. This is very cool.

On the "test" web site I have created content that will actually be useful for my middle school classes. We have just completed a competition in school that emphasized military drill and physical training. The WEB Quest that I created for the EME 2040 class assignment is specific to the history of military drill. At this time my students will be very interested in learning more about the background and benefits of drill. There are hundreds of web videos about military drill from military units all over the world. There are almost too many to choose from. Our recent competition was between 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th class periods. Each class is set up as a company with platoons and squads. All four classes make up a regiment. The competition was so close that the difference in score between 1st and second place in the Color Guard element was only 1/2 of a point, 245.5 to 245. There were 3 judges. The difference in score for the Rifle Team element was only one point between 1st and 2nd place. This was a well contested event! The web site videos will provide some samples of additional drill moves and routines that may inspire my students. They are already doing things this year that my students have never attempted over the past 7 or 8 years. It is quite rewarding to see 7th and 8th graders develop the work ethic and commitment to make challenging routines. I will try to get some photos of the event to post to the blog and to the web site.

The physical fitness competition was just as competitive. 4 teams fielded 10 contestants each. Each person can obtain a maximum score of 300 points. This is very difficult. This semester so far I have had only a half dozen out of more than 130 students earn a score of 300. The average scores of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams were less than 10 points different. The 1st place team had an avereage score of approximately 231.

It will be fun to create a web site detailing the progress of my classes!

Visit a foreign country

I have decided I want to visit a foreign country this summer but I am not sure where. It has been many years since I have been in South America and I am sure many things have changed but with recent events in Chile I think I would like to consider going there. I have spoken with colleagues at school who have also expressed an interest in looking for volunteer opportunities that may be of help to people affected by the recent earthquakes and tidal waves. The most damage was done in the area south of Santiago, the capitol, in an area near Talca and then further to the south in Concepcion. The coastal city of Constitucion has also suffered huge damage from the quakes and from tidal surges. It is at the mouth of the Maule river.

Chile has done very well over the last few decades economically and educationally. It has transitioned from a dictatorship under Pinochet to a democratic society. Recent elections have resulted in a more socialistic leaning government. There are some indications that a portion of the Chilean society has not fully benefited from the economic and educational advances experienced throughout much of the country. There still exists extensive poverty and need with a percentage of the population living in inadequate housing and even below local standards of living. Average monthly income is approximately $400 per month. Some areas have limited educational opportunities as well. There are many indigenous populations that continue to experience limited progress technologically and educationally. Overall the level of education, industry, world trade and country infrastructure exceeds most other South American countries. This will all be severely affected by the recent geologic events. Basic infrastructure of roads and railroads between Santiago and Los Angeles (town approx 100 miles south of Concepcion, Chile) have been affected to the point that it may take months to fully restore. Major bridges connecting north and south routes have also been destroyed.

Chile is a beautiful country. It has gorgeous coastlines, mountains, deserts, woodlands and natural wonders. I would like to visit in June or July.

Things I have enjoyed most about EME 2040 thus far.

The first half of the class has gone by. It really does not seem to have been almost two months ago that we started. I put together and distributed a newsletter for my class that incorporated one writing assignment for my students. I had fun doing it and it has been something I have wanted to do for some time. I have also learned how to convert standard word documents into PDF documents without scanning. I have used this function several times for my business that frequently requires I send contracts via email. Having the ability to bypass a scanning step has saved loads of time and has been significantly more convenient. I have also enjoyed the process of blogging. It is almost like keeping a journal. It has been fun learning how to link my blog site to You Tube and view a simple video that I created. As a result of the class I was also able to justify purchasing a lap top. I have been delaying for years. Now I have a fairly current machine with some updated technology and software that I am trying to become proficient using. I sort of feel like the old dog learning new tricks and I am enjoying it most of the time. I admit there have been a few frustrations! I am looking forward to creating a web site. I have a web site now that is more of a plug in system with some significant limits. I am hoping we will get a more comprehensive approach to building our own web sites soon.

Inspiration mapping

I have now determined how I got the last few photos uploaded on to my Blog using Picasa!
The diagram is a basic description of generally available operating systems related to certain types of PC platforms. It is obviously a simple chart but reasonably clear.

Christmas 2008

Picture has nothing to do with EME 2040 content but I uploaded it in class and do not remember how except that I did not use the standard Blog method. I do remember that I was supposed to say something about the photo. Obviously we are looking at Christmas morning. Son, his daughter and my youngest grandson are the subjects. Fun was had by all.

Software applications of value to students

Base of student software knowledge for success in the workplace.

There are a few software products that are almost critical to be able use effectively to be successful in the modern workplace. At the top of the list is a word processing capability. Today’s word processing programs are so robust that if learned in depth, you would be able to not just word process but also create and integrate everything from basic web site design to extensive mailing lists and customer oriented products. Most word processing programs incorporate similar user command and key stroke processes. Learning one software suite will lend itself to basic familiarity with other software suites for word processing. I suspect the most common is the Microsoft suite which also can include a database and professional presentation programs. For most students the presentation program will be more useful initially but in time understanding a database program will become important and possibly more used in most business settings.

Determining two additional programs of most worth becomes a bit more difficult. Publishing and web design will benefit the entrepreneur and independent sort. Music or movie editing will challenge the more creative. Programs to actually code and create games and commercial software would give students a jump start on actual employment directly related to computers. I think for any student with an inclination to pursue an interest in computers it would be useful to actually learn how to code. Finally, digital communication in all forms is coming closer to reality. Software that integrates digital streaming media, alerts, news, publishing, voice recognition etc.. with the first three programs would be ideal. It has to be out there somewhere!

EME 2040 Educational Issues

I have always felt that cell phones should be allowed in class subject to defined class rules and etiquette. The issues regarding felonious use or use specifically counter to global good school discipline should be dealt with at that level. Students that facilitate or instigate egregious activities via the use of cell phones on campus probably do not belong on that campus and should be offered an environment more conducive to their level of personal comportment. Serious violations of law and good order should be dealt with seriously and harshly. With the significant expansion of cell phone technology and capability I can see how cell phones would become superb resources within any classroom setting. I hate to be interrupted as does any teacher/professor but any professor who thinks that students hang on every word for a full 45 minute lecture is delusional. I can think of several ways to involve students through the use of cell phones that would be useful and fun, especially if the phone has web capability. It would be much less expensive and take less space than desk tops. You can even have your class outside of the classroom. I could have quizzes texted to me!
My next beef is with censorship. There are several world famous museums that are not accessible (censored) via the SCPS internet. As a Spanish teacher I would like to bring these resources to my class. I have traveled the world and been able to enjoy first hand these works of art. Many of my students have not been more than 200 miles away from home and the prospect of world travel is not yet a dream, but it could be if given opportunity to explore.