iPad Textbooks

Sorry - no quick blogger link to this article, but it is one worth mentioning.  As I'm sure you're aware, Apple released two new apps that target the education textbook market.  Click here to read the full article.

I'm excited as a teacher to see how technology is fundamentally changing, not just education, but communication across the globe.  I've read two solid books on the issue (well currently in the second): Groundswell and Public Parts.  Both discuss how digital tools are outpacing traditional educational practices as well as marketing, networking, and politics.  They're chalk full of examples of organizations using technology to "get an edge" in their respective fields.  And yes, blogging is certainly one of the tools - I'd say there's little argument based off the success just from our class (that has moved on from Creative Writing and into Public Speaking but continues to use this medium).

Back to the issue.  Apple's new apps are offering students an interactive textbook that provides much more than informative text and lifeless answers.  Students can zoom on diagrams, take notes, highlight and post inquiries, take practice quizzes with instant feedback, minimize and search for supplementary material, open Skye to address local residential impact, then come to class to discuss their findings.  It's pretty powerful stuff if you ask me.  As a teacher, I view it as "getting out of the way" of our children's education.

Thoughts?  Comment here.

Christmas

Christmas is my favorite holiday, and not just for the obvious reasons.  The meaning of Christmas seems to evolve every year.  Some of my fondest memories are the early mornings, dragging my parents out of bed and running into an over crowded living room with my three siblings.  Santa always made four equal piles of impressive size and we begrudgingly took turns opening presents. 

Now, I look at Christmas through a completely different lens but still have the same ear-to-ear grin - but for different reasons.  For this blog, express when you found out about the truth of Christmas.  What is the meaning of Christmas?

Pike River Mine

Late October, 2005.  The remaining students vacated Rockwell and left the halls an eerie, desolate place.  All but a handful of permanent residents remained on campus and left the dorms untenanted, including the student store.  It’s been nearly two months since I met Mike and George, two Kiwis’ a few years younger than I; we’ve become good mates as it were and were planning on hijacking the school car after raiding the student store for provisions.  Road trip for fall break.

Driving in Europe is equivalent to throwing a football left-handed.  After taking a seat behind the wheel in what I normally deem “shotgun,” reaching up and across with my right arm to grab an imaginary seatbelt, and grabbing the door to shift into first, we speedily drove out to the main drag with a backseat full of crisps and Snicker bars.  First stop – Cork, about a two-hour drive.

One of the other teachers is originally from Cork and put us up for the night.  Being the oldest I had dibs on the couch.  Her family encouraged us to stay an additional night but we had made plans to rent surfboards in Galway.  Our night in Cork, while memorable, would be a footnote in one of the most enjoyable weeks of my life.

The drive along the west coast to Galway is scenic, a dream-like world full of ancient-old stone fences and vast fields of the richest green.  The scenery came and went much too fast – as did Ireland.  We ate lunch in haste in anticipation for surfing in the Atlantic.  After suiting up and snapping a few shots, we took to the cold ocean and paddled out to the surf.

I suck at surfing, but did manage a few waves.

The tidal change came as a surprise as did the peril of exiting the rocky shore.   In what seemed a matter of minutes, the natural rock steps leading out of the water on the elevated shore transformed from a thing of beauty to a gauntlet of crashing waves on resilient stone.  Mike’s ignorance nearly cost him his life.  I watched helplessly from above as he timed his endeavor in between waves.  We socialized over the feat and bragged over who was the best novice surfer.

My recollection of the remaining week is fading now.  My thoughts are full of lesson plans and household chores, bills to pay and calendar dates.  The only reason I strained my mind to recall that week was the Facebook reminder of Mike’s birthday.  I wonder how long I’ll receive reminders before his account is deleted.

You see, it was Mike who persuaded us to borrow the school’s car.  It was he who convinced me that despite receiving a parking ticket and tire boot in Northern Ireland, my teaching certificate wouldn’t be revoked.  Mike had the key to the student store and told me to live a little.  And after paying back the store and realizing the school would never catch wind of the ticket, we were left with memories of driving around one of the most scenic countries in the world, surfing and sharing a few laughs with friends who happened to be in the same place at the same time.

My only regret is that I didn’t take advantage of his offer to live with his family for a while after I graduated college.  Life is short.  I received his second birthday reminder from Facebook a few weeks ago and I hope that I continue to receive them for years to come.  The Pike River Mine accident last November, while occurring literally halfway around the world, stands as one of the most existential experiences of my life.  Rest in peace, mate.  

Narrative

I changed the topic from "personal narrative" to plain old "narrative" because I want you to take poetic license and generate a work of fiction that illustrates your best creativity.  I will maintain that the best short stories are those that reflect personal experience, one that many other people have yet to endure.  Or perhaps, a deep criticism that many people don't contemplate as in "Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," one of my favorite short stories.  Today, I challenge you to consider your graphic organizers as a mere springboard of thought, and type up to two pages that engage the reader with your created protagonist.  Make the reader feel like he/she is part of the conflict by sparing no details.  Don't just merely tell me what is going on, but make me feel what is going on through sharing the same experiences as the protagonist.

I don't need to be present to check your work ethic.  Make a timed-goal to write for whatever reasonable and challenging time allotment you create and stick to it.

Time

Everyone has twenty-four hours in a day, yet the old cliche, "There's never enough time," always finds its way into day-to-day life.  Do you think life is too fast? Too chalk full of responsibilities that inhibit one from enjoying life?

I challenge you to find an article that indicates sleep is an overrated necessity.  Football players get home around eleven.  Elementary kids have practice until eight o'clock.  Musical participants pull all-nighters.  I suppose the bottom line questions are as follows: Do we do too much?  Should we slow down and choose fewer activities?

Browse online for ideas and write your thoughts in a developed blog.

Does Money Equal Happiness?

I'm giving you a lot of latitude with today's topic, "Money."  In one way shape or form, think about how money affects your life, your future, your social clique.  I'll offer a few things to think about to get you started:

According to http://www.finaid.org/loans/, the average student loan debt for a four-year degree is just under $30,000.  But wait, calculate an average of seven percent interest on a ten-year loan and you're talking about repaying $41,799.05 at $348.33/month.  Can you make the monthly payments?

I'm curious to hear how money (or lack there of) affects your high school social life or even extra curricular activities.  Now obviously you can spare me the details, but are there activities that are just not possible because of financial constraints?

Is working a minimal-wage job during high school worth the time?

Okay, how much money do you need right now to meet your "wish list"?  How long would you be content?

Anything else?

What Works: Cultivating presence - Busted Halo

What Works: Cultivating presence - Busted Halo


Part of the reason I moved to Alaska is summed up in this article. Think about the idea of taking a step back and, to honor the metaphor, watch the river from afar. There's something to be said about observing many ideas, entertaining them, but not becoming consumed with any one thought. I'd like to hear what you think!

Re: Chelsy: A daily dose of West A

Chelsy: A daily dose of West A: West Allegheny High School seemed like a good place to be. Lately it seems like we aren't unable to do anything without being under constant...

Chelsy's post stood out, and I'd thought I should share her blog as one to emulate. However, the real power of blogging is not only to put oneself out there but also respond and generate an ongoing conversation in order to "make sense" of a particular situation.

 I'd like to provide a teacher perspective on how she and other students in general feel scrutinized.  Personally, I think the entire community should become more involved with teenagers’ lives, including teachers.  Knowing what kids are doing is, well, parents’ and teachers’ responsibility, no?  There must be common ground for students to acknowledge that an appropriate level of observation is acceptable and in fact necessary.  I love seeing the excitement from the student section during football games.  Should I turn a blind eye, however, if I suspect foul behavior?  Many times, I feel like I can be more of a teacher outside of school in that the lessons learned aren’t for a measly grade, but life.  Thoughts?

Journaling - I mean blogging - I mean blojouring, I mean...

So it's been a few days since we've commenced operation blogger and I have to say that despite a few setbacks and tribulations, we are having success.  I'm excited to see everyone take ownership for his/her blog and make it unique: themes, pictures, and of course creative posts.  Don't think for a minute that you don't have a story to share because we all do.  Sometimes we just don't feel like we have the appropriate forum, but I digress.

There are loads of resources to help get you underway, but the most important aspect to consider is simply, "What's on your mind?"  Check out http://www.ehow.com/how_5112040_journal-effectively.html from eHow for a list of commonly used questions to consider.  Your goal should include writing for 10-15 minutes of uninterrupted word-vomit.

Don't:
-Worry about editing
-Hesitate to go off topic
-Confine yourself to the rules of grammar
-Allow distractions (including iPods) to deter you from writing

Do:
-Dig deep and put to words everything that comes to mind
-Go back and reread after fifteen minutes and ask, "Is there anything else?"
-Generate a list of questions to consider in the future

So, let's get this underway.  In addition to to the questions from eHow, please "comment" on this blog with further suggestions for your peers.  Perhaps, we can collectively agree upon an issue that's plaguing West A and generate an on-going conversation.

Are you having trouble "Following" other blogs?

Technology is one of those "it's-awesome-when-it-works-but-is-frustrating-when-it-doesn't" tools. In fact, many teachers completely steer away from tech because of fear of it failing.  Well, technology isn’t perfect, but show me a perfect alternative and I’ll be sure to listen.

 After reading some blogs about blogger issues, I’ve learned that www.blogger.com has known internet browsing problems, particularly with logging-in.  The workaround is to delete all internet cookies and clear the cache.  While your web browser is open on blogger, sign out if you haven’t already. Click Tools: Internet Options: Delete (browsing history).  Before signing in, ensure that the check box “Stay signed in” is NOT marked.  You should be able to view other blogs and see a “Follow” button at the top of the screen.

Best of luck!

Mr. Denk

Walking

The lichen at my feet still reminds me of coral; it’s soft to the touch and malleable like a damp sponge.  I often stick to the beaten path, one maintained by yours truly, so as not to disrupt the moss and tundra tea.  But temptation lures me aside, manifested by the soft hum of 60 degrees and the sounds of determination from the creek below.  Thoreau speaks of walking; it is here I finally listened.

I’m not so much surveying the landscape as I am engraining this moment in my very being.  If, upon my imminent return, one throws a quick glance coupled with a passing comment, “You seem different,” I’ll surely be flooded with the remembrance of silent serenity where one’s thoughts are absorbed and lost in the vast tundra.  “I am different.”

Christopher McCandless: Two years he walks the earth. No phone, no pool, no pets, no cigarettes. Ultimate freedom. An extremist. An aesthetic voyager whose home is the road. Escaped from Atlanta. Thou shalt not return, 'cause "the West is the best." And now after two rambling years comes the final and greatest adventure. The climactic battle to kill the false being within and victoriously conclude the spiritual pilgrimage. Ten days and nights of freight trains and hitchhiking bring him to the Great White North. No longer to be poisoned by civilization he flees, and walks alone upon the land to become lost in the wild. - Alexander Supertramp May 1992
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Trapping on Sunday, December 5, 2010

Trapping on Sunday, December 5, 2010

I slept in a bit today after having spent some time at a faculty Christmas soiree.  However, the sun doesn’t rise until 10:00 A.M., so I had plenty of time to cook pancakes with chocolate chips and still make it out in the field by first light.  I was excited and well prepared. Today’s trip marked my first real trapping outing. 

My first of two orders had arrived days before, and I organized the snares, conibears, and footholds.  I purchased two twenty-foot sections of rebar and cut and welded stakes with the help of a friend.  My newly acquired rifle was sighted in, not to military standards but suitable for the time being.  I read up as best I could and talked with some reliable locals.  I was as ready as I was going to be and I loaded up.  My truck’s digital thermometer indicated a mere ten degrees Fahrenheit and the wind-chill, not to mention the exposed four-wheeler, put temperatures around the zero mark, plus or minus a few.  With all the equipment and hiking the tundra, I would need cold temperatures to regulate my body heat.

One does have to prepare for hikes in cold temperatures and setting a trap line – even as minimal as the one I had planned – requires a lot of equipment.  I wore Under Armor as a base, patched up blue jeans, and insulated overalls.  My core was also protected with a light fleece pullover, wool sweater, and a cold-weather Carhart jacket.  Granted the jacket was either unzipped or laying in the snow half the time, but hence the advantages of layering, right?  My pack included three #110 conibear traps, seven one-foot rebar stakes, a dozen snares, one hammer, hatchet with mini saw stowed in the handle, bear mace, bag of zip-ties, bottle of water, and basic survival kit.  Slung over my right shoulder was my .17 HMR and over my left was the heavy load, fourteen two-foot rebar stakes.  My feet were protected with insulated boots rated for minus forty degrees, fleece socks and light wool wicking socks.  My hands managed better than I thought, even while handling the steel rebar.  I usually felt comfortable with just my liners and used my leather gloves only while working.

It was a short, chilly ride before reaching the end of the ridge.  As I walked down the embankment, it wasn’t long before I saw fresh tracks in the new snowfall.  Clear signs of fox were abundant, and much to my surprise were wolverine tracks to boot.  Maybe my cousin would get his wish after all.  I’m not as nimble as the fox and had to take a circuitous path to avoid thicket.  As I rounded some evergreens, the familiar sounds of clumsy flapping erupted above.  Add one spruce hen to the load.  I was back on the trail and found a narrow pass suitable for my first snare.  I didn’t mind lightening up my load either.

I decided that the one-foot stake was insufficient to secure the snare into place, so I used a two-foot section instead.  Once I was content with the loop dangling roughly seven inches off the ground and centered over the trail, I staked two more two-foot sections protruding out of the ground six inches to ensure that my catch would “tangle” and be prevented from chewing his way out.  (A note worth mentioning for those uneasy about trapping: Snaring does not asphyxiate animals but rather cuts off the blood supply to the brain.  The animal merely passes out, as painless as fainting.)

During the course of the afternoon, I managed to set three other snares similar to the first, but targeting specific species by altering the size of the loop and height off the ground.  The real process isn’t actually setting up the snare itself; setting up natural barriers to encourage a particular route takes careful consideration and preparation.  Too much clutter will seem unnatural and deter animals but not enough will allow animals to navigate around snares.  Unfortunately, these barriers should be established long before trapping season so that animals are already familiar with particular trails.  We’ll see.

The three #110 conibears are small body grip traps for catching mink and the like.  Along the creek banks are loads of tracks that lead in and out of the embankment.  I choose three areas that were highly trafficked and set up the traps at the end of a funnel I made out of sticks and grass.  Mink apparently love to get themselves into crawlspaces.  Again, we’ll see.

I still have to do a bit more research on the use of foot-holds, probably the hardest trap to use.  Anticipating where a coyote, wolf, beaver, or any animal for that matter will step is a lot of guesswork and a lot of trial and error.  However, it also requires consistent checking for two reasons: 1) the animal obviously needs to be put down and 2) the traps often freeze up and need to be reset.  I’ll get back to you on future endeavors.

So, hopefully after a few days I’ll have some pictures to upload and some stories to share.  Until then, goodbye from Alaska!