Laptops and Life

Dismay: to surprise in such a manner as to disillusion.

My sister, who although a great person in many ways is a bit lacking in tech knowledge. She wants a new laptop, but when she went looking for one she was overwhelmed with all the "tech speak" (i.e. let's create a list of specifications that no-one but a certified tech geek will understand) so, of course, she gave me a call.

Luckily, I've been researching a laptop myself being totally fed up with this lovely computer that I was provided with when I was hired.

Yeah. You're right. It's an iMac. An ancient iMac. Plus the Powers That Be locked the rights to the system down so tight that you can't say... update Internet Explorer so you could, you know, maybe get on and check email and such things as that. Which is interesting since we (the teachers) are all supposed to be happily online connecting in the virtual world.

You can't connect a LCD projector to this thing either, because Mac, in their infinite wisdom decided that since the system was self-contained such things as exterior video ports were completely unnecessary.

I could go on about my total disgust with my current work computer, but since that isn't what I actually wanted to talk about let's go back to the actual topic which is:

The Joys of Ordering an HP Laptop
So, I've researched computers ad nauseum and decided that an HP Pavilion would fit the bill nicely for both of us. I got myself a Pretty Good HP Pavilion, nothing super special but with the specs I wanted. I ordered my sister the Special Edition (otherwise known as ICY, so cool and hip it came out white) from HP. She's a little paranoid about computer failures, so she also got the 4 year warranty and as a bonus the car adaptor.

Just to recap. I ordered one computer, with warranty and an AC car adaptor. I finalize the order, HP sends me an email saying that they got my order. Then this morning, I get another email saying that my order has shipped.

"Wow," I think in surprise. "That was stellar fast!" I'm especially thinking this because the estimated build date was Nov 12. So, I open the email which states that they are going to send me PART of my order so I can be even more happy. So, what exactly are they sending me?

The AC car adaptor and the warranty. Oh yeah, that's SO useful without the computer. For some reason I'm more dismayed by this than ecstatic.

Geeking Out

Geek: a computer expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference).

I went to a Technology Math and Science Seminar a few weeks ago. I ended up at the Chocolate Technology Affair. Not only did we get to play on nice new up-to-date computers (a rare event if you happen to be a teacher) but the instructor also handed out chocolate during the presentation. What could be a better combination? Chocolate AND computers.

The seminar was all about Web 2.0 tools. Which I really knew NOTHING about. But I've been spending a lot of time learning over the last few weeks about the new functionality that is available and it is Totally Cool. She showed us lots of new fun web tech stuff.

So, here's what I've done so far.

• Created a wiki for my math classes on Peanut Butter Wiki
• Also found out about WikiSpaces another wiki creator which is free for teachers.
• Created a new family group website for our family to stay in touch at Nexo
• Downloaded a couple of YouTube videos with Javimoya
• Played them for my class using Wimpy Standalone FLV Player

Found a TON of cool interactive math java applets including:

• House of 3d
• Graphing Calculator
• Linear Inequalities Applet

I'm really excited about it because this means I can create my math website without having to FTP anything, changes happen instantly which is very cool. The other thing is that I can create a class wiki where my students can go in and be interactive. I'm thinking about how I want that all to work.

I'm back

Hiatus: A gap or interruption in space, time, or continuity; a break.

I was blogging fairly regularly and then I just stopped. I'm not sure why because I've gone back and read through my old posts and some of them were quite good. Some were even humorous, which was one of my goals with the blog. Re-reading them also brought back some good memories, which was one of the reasons I wanted to do this in the first place.

So, I'm going to start this up again.

Bike Commuting

I've now done this about 5 times. 16 miles to work and 16 miles back to where I parked my car. I honestly love it. It seems like such an easy way to workout. I mean, I have to go to work anyway, why not ride my bike?

There is a multi-use trail that goes right by where I work. So I drive to the trailhead, get my bike out and ride. I have to go to work anyway, right?

Usually I ride on the roads, and riding on the trail just feels so luxurious. There are no cars to contend with, and the pavement is much smoother than the road. Also, most of the trail bypasses major intersections and it is a greenbelt, so it's scenic too. It is just a pleasure.

Except for the squirrels.

I've decided that squirrels are suicidal. In the morning, they're sleeping but when I'm coming back in the afternoon, they are sitting there by the side of the path, trying to look casual. As I ride by them, and, in fact, I am past them, they will suddenly decide that the OTHER side of the path is where they need to be. Right Now. And, they must get there in front of my bike. So, as I'm peacefully riding along a kamikaze squirrel will race me diagonally and then dive in front of my wheel, while uttering a squirrel yell of Death Before Dishonor.

So far everyone has survived, but how long can this go on? I ask you.

Technology and High School

Technology: The scientific method and material used to achieve a commercial or industrial objective.

We use it everywhere. Gas stations, grocery stores, the local flea market, in the office. And yet, our school system doesn't really utilize it. Why is anyone surprised that our students aren't prepared to take the jobs that are available when they get out of school?

The high school I teach in got new mathematics textbooks. And not just the textbook. The system contains full powerpoint presentations for the text as well as CD and online access. The computer version of the text has very cool movies and interactivity sections that allow the student to explore the mathematical principle without having to write it all down on paper. When I saw all this stuff, I thought, finally I will be able to teach my classes, the way that I taught when I was in the corporate environment.

However, it's not as easy as that to use technology in our schools. I have a macintosh computer in my classroom. There is only one LCD projector that can be used with the mac at our school. I'm going to check it out and see if all I need is an adaptor so that I can use any LCD projector. I really do feel it's important to expose the students to technology as it's used in a business environment, not just as a computer game. I seriously want to make it part of my classroom.

You can also load your classes online and track them. Give them a name and a password, and they can access the text online and not only that, each student can take online interactive quizzes which are instantly scored, so you can see immediately how your class is doing without having to do all of that painful by hand grading.

I've tried communicating this to the other math teachers. You would have thought I was offering poison.

"The kids are having a hard enough time already, just finding the page number."

"Wow, that sounds like a lot of work! I don't think I'll do that."

Does anyone else find this very sad and frustrating? Shouldn't we (as teachers) be using all of the tools that we have in order to better prepare our students to be productive members of society, and not incidentally, to be able to make a decent living?

Practice

Failure: The condition or fact of not achieving the desired end or ends.

I was reminded last night that just because I've done something perfectly in the past doesn't mean that I will be able to repeat that experience.

Specifically, I cooked dinner last night with some help from my kids. We were going to have chicken and dumplings. We also made banana bread. Now. Both of these items are things that I have made many, many times. However, I haven't really cooked or baked for some months. At least, not serious things like an actual dinner.

Both items needed to cook for a bit, so I left the kitchen.

Maybe you can guess what happened next. Yeah, that's right. They both got burnt to a crisp.

I'm redeeming myself this morning with coffee cake for breakfast. And, you're right. I wouldn't have been making it if I hadn't failed so spectacularly last night.

Rain Running

Visceral: Obtained through intuition rather than from reasoning or observation.

I went running in the rain yesterday. Nothing can beat the experience of being outside and experiencing the visceral feel of all your senses informing you of the world. Being outside, is a way for me to connect to myself, to meditate, to smooth out the rough edges. There's something about movement that allows this to happen. As I see the world this way, up close and personal, and with no barriers between me and the experience, I am always struck by moments of complete awe.

It makes me feel sad for all those people, working out in the gym, running endlessly to nowhere, eyes glued to a television screen. They're missing out on so much.