I'm sitting up here at Sunday River, enjoying the gorgeous view of Autumn in Maine. Another wonderful conference winds down today. It's always such a pleasure to have a chance to learn new tools for the classroom.
If any of you attended the conference and would like to share your favorite morsels of knowledge, please do!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Business Ethics
I am teaching Business Ethics this fall, and it's always quite a ride. The ride is an especially interesting one this particular term, in view of everything going on in the news. The election and dirty politics could keep me busy all term, but Wall Street is running a close second.
What is most difficult, however, is the inability of some students to leave their own personal values and morals at the door (to some degree) in order to understand that Business Ethics is it's own "rulebook".
One colleague jokingly called Business Ethics an oxymoron. Maybe it wasn't such a joke. In looking for businesses codes of ethics online yesterday, I found many links for Halliburton's Code of Ethics, but each page had been removed.
I'll check in occasionally with the progression of this very intriguing class, and please send along any tidbits that you feel would be interesting fodder for the class.
What is most difficult, however, is the inability of some students to leave their own personal values and morals at the door (to some degree) in order to understand that Business Ethics is it's own "rulebook".
One colleague jokingly called Business Ethics an oxymoron. Maybe it wasn't such a joke. In looking for businesses codes of ethics online yesterday, I found many links for Halliburton's Code of Ethics, but each page had been removed.
I'll check in occasionally with the progression of this very intriguing class, and please send along any tidbits that you feel would be interesting fodder for the class.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
MLTI Castine - SmartBoard Rocks!
WOW - Just attended an amazing workshop courtesy of several of my colleagues involved in the MARTI Grant - GREAT Job Martha Thibodeau, Anne Ireland and Jim Burke - it was so much fun to learn about the SmartBoard and what can be done with it.
I'm so excited about our new SmartBoard, which will be arriving in Sanford later this summer. I have used a SmartBoard in York teaching enrichment computer classes, but had no idea of the possibilities (which are endless!). I will be sharing some SmartBoard links below - and you now know what I'll be doing with the rest of my summer. If anyone has links to share, please do so!
http://learninginmaineresources.wikispaces.com/smartboard
http://smarttech.com/trainingcenter/
Will have more to share from this wonderful conference - keep enjoying summer.
I'm so excited about our new SmartBoard, which will be arriving in Sanford later this summer. I have used a SmartBoard in York teaching enrichment computer classes, but had no idea of the possibilities (which are endless!). I will be sharing some SmartBoard links below - and you now know what I'll be doing with the rest of my summer. If anyone has links to share, please do so!
http://learninginmaineresources.wikispaces.com/smartboard
http://smarttech.com/trainingcenter/
Will have more to share from this wonderful conference - keep enjoying summer.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Summertime Blues...
It's not easy to keep students of any age engaged during the summer months. I'm finding (again) this summer that one has to really be on one's toes to keep them in class until that magical August 20th date rolls around.
It's much easier when teaching a computer class than when teaching something like Accounting or Algebra. I subbed for a colleague yesterday in Algebra I, and you have to give those students a hand for not only putting in class time, but also homework and study-for-tests time.
Today in Computer Literacy and Computer Applications, I experienced my first absentees of the summer. One class missed is not a tragedy - YET. But we have a strict attendance policy, and I'm having an internal debate about personally contacting the Missing Three to be certain they return next Monday.
The "ayes" have it - I'll eat, sleep and be merry better this long holiday weekend if I call each student who missed class today, and let them know I look forward to seeing him/her next Monday. Yes, it's Adult Ed...but the occasional extra step can really make a difference.
What do you think?
It's much easier when teaching a computer class than when teaching something like Accounting or Algebra. I subbed for a colleague yesterday in Algebra I, and you have to give those students a hand for not only putting in class time, but also homework and study-for-tests time.
Today in Computer Literacy and Computer Applications, I experienced my first absentees of the summer. One class missed is not a tragedy - YET. But we have a strict attendance policy, and I'm having an internal debate about personally contacting the Missing Three to be certain they return next Monday.
The "ayes" have it - I'll eat, sleep and be merry better this long holiday weekend if I call each student who missed class today, and let them know I look forward to seeing him/her next Monday. Yes, it's Adult Ed...but the occasional extra step can really make a difference.
What do you think?
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Math is a Battlefield
As both a homeschool mom and adult education instructor, I find that one of the most dirty words a teacher can utter to a student is "math", or any variation thereof. My kids at home know that math is our first subject of the day, so they drag their feet throughout breakfast in the hopes of delaying the inevitable.
My adult students also, for the most part, detest math. I always incorporate math lessons within both Excel and Access, and there is never a shortage of heavy sighs and eye-rolling.
What's a teacher to do?
I've discovered that there are a lot of resources online. Google "fun with fractions", for example, and check out some sites. I try to keep cool links available for those who visit this blog, such as Kathy Schrock and Jim Moulton. Brainpop is another awesome site to check out.
Other ideas offline? Go find math in your backyard (gardening); kitchen (cooking); driveway (oil change); grocery store (coupon shopping); baseball games (stats).... you get the picture.
Any ideas to share?
My adult students also, for the most part, detest math. I always incorporate math lessons within both Excel and Access, and there is never a shortage of heavy sighs and eye-rolling.
What's a teacher to do?
I've discovered that there are a lot of resources online. Google "fun with fractions", for example, and check out some sites. I try to keep cool links available for those who visit this blog, such as Kathy Schrock and Jim Moulton. Brainpop is another awesome site to check out.
Other ideas offline? Go find math in your backyard (gardening); kitchen (cooking); driveway (oil change); grocery store (coupon shopping); baseball games (stats).... you get the picture.
Any ideas to share?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Reality - I'll take a fairy tale any day....
As I'm writing this post, the family is watching "American Idol". We watched the finale of "The Bachelor" last night. Scan the dial, and you'll find SO many reality shows. Even Food Network (one of my favs) is loaded with them. Ok, I can't get enough of "Ace of Cakes", I admit it.
But when is this love affair with reality shows going to finally peter out? I'm not sure I can take much more! Life is so chock-full of reality that I rather prefer to use my tv time escaping from reality - not rehashing it.
So of course, one might ask why I even bother to watch the reality shows. The truth is that it's a family draw - we have more interesting conversations before, during and after the shows. We all shout "Bus Driver - MOVE....THAT....BUS!" in unison.
Most of our family time is spent doing much more productive (and oftentimes healthy) activities, such as biking, walking, being involved in Little League, soccer, and church activites.
I could go for another round of "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley".
But when is this love affair with reality shows going to finally peter out? I'm not sure I can take much more! Life is so chock-full of reality that I rather prefer to use my tv time escaping from reality - not rehashing it.
So of course, one might ask why I even bother to watch the reality shows. The truth is that it's a family draw - we have more interesting conversations before, during and after the shows. We all shout "Bus Driver - MOVE....THAT....BUS!" in unison.
Most of our family time is spent doing much more productive (and oftentimes healthy) activities, such as biking, walking, being involved in Little League, soccer, and church activites.
I could go for another round of "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley".
Thursday, May 8, 2008
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