Do Now 12/3

Learning by Doing: Physical Therapy

     

     As of lately, it appears as if grades are stressed more than the actual education. Too often, students become so concerned with their grades that they exert the majority of their focus on how to take the test and how to find loopholes to succeed numerically as opposed to actually learning and understanding what is being taught. Take it from an overachiever. Grades take out the fun in learning. 

     In school, we learn through the words of textbooks, but are those words really going to fully prepare us for the future? Only to a minimal extent. The most valuable source of education is experience, and that is what I want to bring into public education. I want to establish a physical therapy class in school. And no, we will not be learning from a textbook. Instead, we will be learning by doing. The classroom will be set up to resemble the structure and equipment of a real physical therapy clinic. Students will learn real physical therapy exercises for different conditions, and actually practice it on dummies or real people. They will then learn how to use, clean, and store all of the equipment. They will learn how to manage their time and overcome the distinct obstacles of a physical therapist as well. 

     There will be no formal test grades, for tests do not define one's full capacity. Instead, grades will come from how well the students listen, actively participate, and overcome the simulated obstacles of a physical therapist. Learning by doing: that is the objective.

Technology Article 12/5

The Lowline

• one acre trolley terminal abandoned in 1948
• location: Lower East Side of Manhattan
• innovative solar technology will be used to grow the plants in the park 
• street level reflective parabolas will be used to capture sunlight and direct it underground via fiber optic cables; the light is then aimed at reflective dishes, which disperse the light
• electricity will be used when there is insufficient sunlight
• $60 million dollar project
• timeline of five years for the Lowline to be completed

Inspired by the Highline

• the Highline is a "park in the sky" located in Manhattan 
• was once an abandoned high rail  

Click here to visit the Lowline site!

Wiki Dissection & BQ

1.  What is the purpose of this Wiki?

The purpose of this Wiki is to inform readers about positive technological innovations that have      changed the way things are done. Such technologies/innovations include graphing calculators, blogs, Google, SMART Board, social networks, etc.

2.  When was the last post?

November 7, 2007

3.  How was this Wiki created?

This website was created via wikispaces.com.

4.  What would you add to it?

Personally, I would add some videos and pictures to make it look more appealing to the eye. 

5.  What did you learn from it?

From this article, I learned about the various innovations that have changed the way things are done. Sometimes, I take our technologies for granted, and I forget how things started off prior to all of these innovations. It leaves me in awe to see how far we have come.

6.  If you had to create a Wiki with a team, what would be the specific topic(s)?

I know that bias should not be part of a Wiki, but there are various controversial issues out there that all involve bias of some sort. That is just the reality of it. I would make a Wiki about the abortion debate with a team. One section would include all of the factual specifics about the abortion process, while another section would include bias about whether or not abortion should be legal. To make things fair, both sides of bias would be included so that readers can evaluate both sides of the argument. People across the world can collaborate and share their views.

7.  How can Wikis be used in the classroom or in education?

Wikis can be used in the classroom to collaborate on projects, or to add to an online class discussion. It can also be used as a tool to help those in class who are confused about certain topics. Perhaps homework could be posted on a shared Wiki, and classmates can work as a team to collaborate on it and understand the questions they do not initially understand. You could learn from your classmates' answers and thought processes. Perhaps we can use it for our do-nows as well, so that everyone can see one another's posts/opinions.

Wiki

Wiki Appliances

1. Wiki is a very versatile network that is very applicable even in the classroom. To me, Wiki would specifically be very helpful in my AP Chem class. AP Chemistry is the hardest and most rigorous class I have ever taken. I really have to try in that class; I have never struggled more academically with any other class. Before the start of each chapter, it is required that we all tie comprehensive notes; however, some of our notes are more comprehensive than others', so it would be nice if we could all collaborate and share our notes on a wiki that is viewable to all classmates. The homework and labs can be very tricky as well, so it would be very beneficial if we all collaborated on a wiki with the homework questions on it. 
2. Some of the benefits of using a Wiki in a class are noted above. Overall, I think it would enhance the learning experience, for you can learn from your classmate's answers and thought processes. It would also be great for working on group projects as well, because everyone could work on the project simultaneously while in the comfort of their own home.
3. We can create a Wiki, first by making accounts for each of us. We can use it to technologically contribute to in-class discussions, collaboratively work on projects, and make presentations. Perhaps we can use it for our do-nows as well, so that everyone can see one another's posts/opinions.
4. The only experience I have had using Wiki is Wikipedia, which is great. I use it for practically every project; there is such a vast range of information.

My Extended Weekend

     Last weekend marked six months with my boyfriend, but college apps were due last weekend, so we decided to celebrate our anniversary this weekend. My sister has been wanting to see The Book of Life in theaters, so we took her on a movie date with us. The trailer for that movie made it look really stupid, so I was not looking forward to it at all. However, the movie itself was one of the best animated films I have ever seen, and it was rated four out of five stars so far. It was very comedic and entertaining, but more importantly, what made me really fall in love with it was its sentimentality and moral. It is a highly recommended must-see, especially if you have kids or young siblings!

     After the movie, we went to California Pizza Kitchen and ordered the most delicious pasta dish: 

A highly recommended dish, as well as a highly recommended restaurant.

Overall, it was a very memorable night out with two of the people I love and care for most.

Technology Article 10/24

Air Umbrella Creates "Force Field" That Keeps You Dry

• Air Umbrella created in China
• head has a motor that forces the air up and out
• forced air creates a canopy that shields one from rain
  
• the shaft is a rechargeable lithium ion battery
• the air canopy can be expanded to over a meter in diameter, making room to shield two people
• can perform well even in heavy rainfall, but cannot withstand heavy wind
• cheap models sell for $118
• battery life is a maximum of 30 minutes per charge

Click here to read the full article.

Technology Article 10/10

Facebook Developing Anonymous Chat Service

• Facebook may be developing a new app that allows users to interact anonymously
• allows users to use pseudonyms
• experts say that this app could be related to facilitating the anonymous discussion in regards to health issues
• Facebook is trying to weed out competitors (Whisper, Secret, Ello, Twitter, etc.) that already embrace anonymity in response to the outcry/opposition against Facebook due to its recent ban of pseudonyms

You can read the original article here.