Sunday, December 2, 2007

Reading Plus®

Reading Plus® Login

Students, use this link to log on to the Reading Plus site.

Friday, November 9, 2007

AV Clips from Biology 1st Quarter Exam

Below are the list of Audio/Visual clips that were used during the 1st Quarter Exam. Enjoy!
Clip # - Artist - Title
#1 - Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi
#2 - John Lennon - Imagine
#3 - Joni Mitchell - The Circle Game
#4 - John Lennon - Give Peace A Chance
#5 - Ben E. King - Stand By Me
#6 - Linkin Park - Crawling
#7 - Billy Reid - Wiki-Man!
#8 - The Beatles (covered by youth band) - Revolution
#9 - The Beatles - Revolution Documentary
#10 - Paul Dateh - Hip Hop Violin
#11 - Porta - Dragonball Rap
#12 - Mike E - Ethiopia (Everything Will Be Alright)
#13 - MIT - Overview of Ecology


#1 - Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi


#2 - John Lennon - Imagine


#3 - Joni Mitchell - The Circle Game


#4 - John Lennon - Give Peace A Chance


#5 - Ben E. King - Stand By Me


#6 - Linkin' Park - Crawling


#7 - Billy Reid - Wiki-Man!


#8 - The Beatles (covered by youth band) - Revolution


#9 - The Beatles - Revolution Documentary


#10 - Paul Dateh - Hip Hop Violin


#11 - Porta - Dragonball Rap


#12 - Mike E - Ethiopia (Everything Will Be Alright)


#13 - MIT - Overview of Ecology

To view this clip, you must first go to MIT's Highlights for High School site, and click on the second link down, called "Overview of Ecology," from Spring, 2005. When you open the clip, you will begin listening to the lecture. In class, we listened to the the first 8 minutes. On your own, feel free to enjoy the entire 45 minute lecture. You may also search through MIT's other wonderful AP Biology, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry audio/visual clips by going to the Highlights home page, either for Students or for Teachers.

Monday, November 5, 2007

BIOLOGY - 1st Quarter Exam Prompt - Mon, Nov. 5th and Tue, Nov. 6th

Answer these 4 prompts on the computer for today's blog:
  1. What do you like about Ms. Profenno's teaching style?
  2. What do you dislike about Ms. Profenno's teaching?
  3. How can Ms. Profenno improve your learning environment in the Biology classroom?
  4. What other advice do you have for Ms. Profenno?
Each prompt is worth 3 (three) points. You can earn up to 12 (twelve) points on this part of the exam.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Wacky Tacky Day - Fri, Oct. 26th, 2007

WHO?! Who are you?!! Wh00-hoo, who-who??


Wednesday, October 31, 2007

CISCO - 1st Quarter Reflections - Wed, Oct.31, 2007

Think back and reflect on 1st Quarter:

1. Are you satisfied with your work in class?
Yes/No
2. What did you do well 1st quarter?
Taking notes, following directions, listening, organizing notebooks, being on time, making good choices during class, blogging, other
3. What will you improve on during 2nd quarter?
List specific goals you have for yourself

Monday, October 29, 2007

BIOLOGY - 1st Quarter Reflections - Mon, Oct. 29th and Tue, Oct. 30th

Think back and reflect on 1st Quarter:

1. Are you satisfied with your work in class?
Yes/No
2. What did you do well 1st quarter?
Taking notes, following directions, listening, organizing notebooks, being on time, making good choices during class, blogging, other
3. What will you improve on during 2nd quarter?
List specific goals you have for yourself

CISCO - Warriors of the Net - Mon, Oct. 29th


Today, you will need to borrow a set of headphones to complete this blog.

As you watch the following movie, jot down 5 facts that are NEW to you. After you have finished viewing the movie, post these 5 facts you have learned.

To view movie, click here Warriors of the Net, Download the link that reads "In English 73 MB SITE A" - make sure you download SITE A. It will immediately open in Windows Media Player.

When you have finished viewing, share your headphones with another student.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

CISCO - Choose Wisely - Thu, Oct. 25th

At the end of class, please blog how you chose to use today's class time to learn.

Choices available to you today:
  • Read and Study Chapter 3, take notes in your notebook
  • Watch the videos from the Cisco site (look on "Mind Wide Open" blog for link)
  • Learn about the CCENT cert test (look on "Mind Wide Open" blog for link)
  • Catch up on previous blogs
  • Study concepts that you do not understand in Chapter 1 and 2

Today's prompt: How did you choose wisely to use today's classtime? What did you learn about? How are you a better person from what you learned today?

Monday, October 22, 2007

BIOLOGY - Return and Report - Mon, Oct. 15th and Mon, Oct. 22nd

In a previous post you chose ONE thing to do DIFFERENTLY to improve your organization in Biology. You identified a time to begin improving this skill.

Today you will RETURN and REPORT on your organizational progress. Return to the post Organizational Skills (Tue, Oct. 9th and Wed, Oct. 10th). Locate your post by clicking on Collapse Comments. Open and read your post. Revisit today's post, Return and Report (Mon, Oct. 15th and Mon, Oct 22nd), and report on the status of your improved skill. Be honest.

1. Have you followed though with your commitment to be more organized in Biology? (Yes/No)
2. How competent are you at organizing your notebook?
(Fully competent, Mostly competent, Not so competent, Not sure)
3. What will you do next to improve your organizational skills?

Here is what wikipedia has to say about competency. En Espanol competencia significa pericia, aptitud, idoneidad para hacer algo.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I am competent!"
"I can become a competent student."
"I will competently organize my work."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, October 19, 2007

BIOLOGY - Habitat Reflections - Thu, Oct. 18th and Fri, Oct. 19th


In last class's comments, one person asked if it was too late to start. Of course not! The habitat project is worth 6 grades for the 6 days we have worked on it. You can still earn 1-2 grades for it if you start TODAY!

Reflect then report on the facility and difficulty of maintaining your classroom habitat. Here are some writing prompts to help organize your thoughts:
  • How have you adapted your design over the last week?
  • What was easy about making your habitat?
  • What was hard about making your habitat?
  • How have you adapted your design so that plants and critters stay alive?
  • What kind of responsibility is involved in caring for a habitat?
  • Do you like having that responsibility? Explain.
The video above contains pictures of all the habitats that have been started as of Monday, Oct. 15th. Below is a brief overview of Cisco, Biology, and the Techno Club. Techo club meets Mondays at 3:30 in room 350. Come join us on October 22nd!!

CISCO - Scroll Down - Fri, Oct. 19th and Tue, Oct 23rd

Tuesday, Oct 23rd
Good Morning students,

For today's post, I would like to understand first why not ONE person did not complete the blog on Wednesday and then only a few people completed it on Friday. I also need to understand why not ONE person did the classwork that I left. Finally, in order to appropriately grade you for class on these two days, I need to know what YOU accomplished.

You will answer these questions on the 3x5 card that I have provided at the end of today's class.
Please put your NAME and ID on it and answer the following questions:

1. Where did you attend class on Wednesday?
2. Why did you not blog on Wednesday?
3. What did you accomplish on Wednesday?
4. Where did you attend class on Friday?
5. Why did you not blog on Friday (if applicable)?
6. What did you accomplish on Friday?
7. Why did you not complete the classwork that I posted and left with the sub?


Friday, Oct. 19th
Good Morning students,

I did not get any posts from last class. Maybe there was a problem with the computers? I would like you to still answer those prompts. You may need to unplug the headphones and watch the video in small groups. Or, you can complete this prompt for home learning tonight.

Today and last class, you have to scroll down. Your post is below the Biology posts. I was traveling on Wednesday and could not make yours the top post but you would have seen it in on the right margin of blog contents.

Also, for your interest, there is a video/audio clip with the pix that I took in your class Monday. It's attached to yesterday's Biology prompt.

Good luck!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

CISCO - Mind Wide Open - Wed, Oct. 17th

Students, for those of you who are not taking the PSAT test, you will have extra time to be in class. Since the ENTIRE class today you will be engaged in learning, I have provided a video for you to watch. Since there are only 4 working computers, there is enough time for everyone, in the 2 hours, to watch this video during class.

Go to this site: https://www.academynetspace.com/video.php

Play the third video, "Architects of Tomorrow." You will want to enlarge the video and use the headphones. I am crossing my fingers that Quick Time is loaded on those computers!!!

Answer these writing prompts after you have watched the video:
  1. How is your Mind Wide Open to your future? (this has nothing to do with Cisco Networking -- this question is about your dreams and aspirations for the future)
  2. Explain how your Mind is Wide Open to the Cisco Discovery program.
  3. What is your commitment level TODAY to not game in class, even though I am out of town?
And, NO, you may not play cards in class. YES, I realize the period is extended. It is NOT for card playing. It is for Cisco class enrichment. I have invited the Assistant Principles to come and visit Period 2 today and see how disciplined the Cisco students are. Let them see you on task for the entire period, not loitering, not PSPing, not playing cards, not text messaging, or engaged in any other off-task activity.

Still have the itch to be internet surfing AND all of your book work is complete?
  1. Check out this interactive network map. Can you find Homestead Senior? It's there!!
  2. Scroll to the bottom of this site to learn about the Cisco Internship Program from MDCPS students.
  3. Read about the CCENT Certificate that YOU can earn after only 2 semesters of Cisco - that means that ALL OF YOU should set a goal to qualify for this voucher at the end of this year. With this certificate, which is brand NEW, you can go out and get an entry level job!!!!! This is WONDERFUL news!!!
At the Cisco training I learned a lot. Anyone who consistently is not passing the Chapter Tests will be dropped from the Cisco Academy. These students will remain in Period 2 until the end of the semester, but will be given alternative assignments to complete.

With regards to the seeing feedback on the tests, because the Discovery program is brand new, the feedback option does not yet exist. It is a request that has been asked by teachers to the Cisco Academy, but has not yet been granted.

We will begin Chapter 3 on Tuesday 10/23 - make sure you have READ the entire chapter before coming to class on Tuesday. I suggest taking lots of notes. Remember to disable instant messaging, appear as though you are offline, when you are reading for Cisco. Another hint is to download the entire online text to your desktop. Then, you do not have to be on the internet at all while you study.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

BIOLOGY - Computers as Learning Objects - Tue, Oct. 16th and Wed, Oct. 17th

Learning objects are small electronic units of educational information that are flexible, reusable, customizable, inter- operable, retrievable, facilitate competency-based learning, and increase the content value.

Respond to the following prompt:

How have computers impacted your learning of Biology concepts these first 9 weeks of school? In other words, how do you feel about using computers to blog as part of your daily assignments? How do you think this exercise is helping you learn about Biology?

Monday, October 15, 2007

CISCO - Reflect and Report - Mon, Oct. 15th


Last class you responded to the following three prompts:


  1. I game during Cisco class or silent reading.
  2. I put my trash in the trash can.
  3. I am serious about my Cisco studies.
Now, at the end of today's class, reflect both on your previous comments and the choices you made today in class. Comment today on the status of your discipline using class time appropriately, respecting classroom property, and taking this course seriously.

Lastly, comment on your experience taking the Chapter 2 test.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

BIOLOGY - Abiotic and Biotic - Thu, Oct 11th and Fri, Oct 12th

Click on this link: Abiotic Factors Effecting Living Systems. When you arrive at Hippo Campus, enter the site and select Textbook -> Biology, Prentice Hall. Scroll down to the link for pages 96-99, "Abiotic Factors Effecting Living Systems," and listen to the audio using the headphones attached to each computer. Only listen until you can adequately answer the following two questions:

1. What are the abiotic factors in YOUR habitat? Be specific.
2. What are the biotic factors in YOUR habitat? Be specific.
_________________________________________________
Extra web reference from today's Bell Work on Affirmations. Se puede leer sobre Afirmaciones en Espanol siquiendo estes titulos: Caja De la Herramienta De los Adultos -> Herramientas para el crecimiento personal -> Uno mismo-afirmaciones -> ¿Cuáles son uno mismo-afirmaciones? ©1999-2007 James J. Messina, Ph.D. & Constance Messina, Ph.D.

CISCO - Respect and Accountability - Thu, Oct. 11th


Please review what your user ID is. It is CP2U## and the ## is a 2-digit # that you will locate on the class list that is hanging in the back of the classroom by the computers. Do not sign using your HSHS Student ID. Thank you.

Honestly answer the following three questions. Then, write an affirmation statement validating how you will be respectful and accountable during Cisco class.

Affirmation Statement Examples:
* I am on task by not gaming during class.
* I can show respect by throwing my papers in the trash can.
* I will commit to my coursework by studying each chapter.

Questions:
1. I game during Cisco class or silent reading.
Every day, Most days, Occasionally, Tried it once or twice, Never
2. I put my trash in the trash can.
Every day, Most days, Occasionally, Tried it once or twice, Never
3. I am serious about my Cisco studies.
Every day, Most days, Occasionally, Tried it once or twice, Never

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

BIOLOGY - Organizational Skills - Tue, Oct. 9th and Wed. Oct. 10th

Organizational skills are learned, not inherent. We must consciously choose to develop organizational skills.

Last class and today you are accounting for your class work during the first quarter. Several of you chose NOT to turn in the check list Bell Work from last class. I wonder what the reason for this was...

Each of you today will REFLECT on your organizational skills and answer the following three prompts:
  1. How have you chosen to organize your notebook this year? (binder, folder, spiral, composition notebook)
  2. What is ONE thing you will do DIFFERENTLY to improve your organizational skills in Biology?
  3. When will you begin doing this new skill?

CISCO - Chapter 2 Questions - Tue, Oct. 9th

  1. If you have not already taken the chapter quiz, take it now.
  2. Write a paragraph summarizing Chapter 2. (Refer to the summary at the end of the Chapter for key concepts). Include at least 1 sentence for each of the three sections: Choosing the OS, Installing the OS, Maintaining the OS.

Friday, October 5, 2007

BIOLOGY - Human Impact - Fri. Oct. 5th and Mon. Oct 8th















Last class we studied Human Impact:
  • The Bell Work identified three scenarios where students can impact a classroom of other students.
  • In the Book Work, you read about how humans impact the environment.
  • For Home Learning, you wrote a paragraph on how pollutants can impact plants or animals and how humans can improve or worsen the situation.
Today for the Blog Work you will choose ONE of the three crime scenes from last class's Bell Work and post:
  1. How do you feel?
  2. What do you think the consequences should be?


To review, here are the three Crime Scene scenarios:

Imagine you are a Biology teacher and have just returned from an academic conference. You walk into class and discover the following three situations. CHOOSE ONE and respond you would feel and what the consequences should be.
  1. You discover half a bottle of Ultra Concentrated dish detergent has been added to the fish tank; all the fish and plants are dead; half the tadpoles and the crayfish are alive.
  2. You discover the red emergency button has been pushed shutting off all power to the classroom outlets disabling: student computers, dissecting microscopes, fish tank filter, and, access to charge cell phones.
  3. You discover many of your desks, walls and computers have black permanent marker, pen or pencil graffiti on them.

CISCO - Test Reflections - Fri, Oct 5th

Today was your first Chapter Test. How did it go?

For today's blog post you will write a reflective paragraph on the testing experience. I want you to evaluate your preparation for the test. Here are some writing prompts but you are not limited to these questions. Please share your feelings and thoughts. Remember to use your user ID (if you forgot it... today you may use your school student ID... because I left the user name list downstairs in the other room).

How did you feel going into the test? Did you adequately read and study? What topics do you need to revisit? How can you improve your study time in class? How can you improve your study time at home? Do you feel that you earned the grade that you received? What will you differently in the future? Specifically, how will you prepare for the Chapter 2 test on next Thursday?

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

BIOLOGY - A Wiki Sandbox? - Wed, Oct 3rd and Thu, Oct 4th

REMEMBER: Do not use your student ID or your name. Only use your new USER NAME that I gave you last class. It looks like this:

BP#U## and stands for Biology Period (# of your period) User (your 2-digit user #). If you forgot, these are posted in the back of the classroom above the computers.

Please respond to the following question:

What can YOU create using the following tools – Wiki Sandbox, digital camera, computer, internet, MP3/IPOD, cell phone, microphone, Biology laboratory classroom supplies, Biology materials from outside the classroom, and any other creative tool you want to use?

REMEMBER: Think outside of the box!

Monday, October 1, 2007

BIOLOGY - Your Food Web - Mon, Oct 1st and Tue, Oct 2nd

  1. Please, DO NOT USE STUDENT ID or YOUR NAME on any more posts.
  2. I have assigned you a USER NAME. You MUST use this from now on to get proper credit! Do NOT use your name. If you forget your user name, it is posted in the classroom near the computers.
  3. Post your Home Learning from last class: In 2 (two) sentences or more, identify the components in YOUR food web. In the first sentence, list all the producers that you eat. In the second sentence, list all the consumers that you eat. You may need to review the definitions of producer and consumer to complete this assignment.

CISCO - A Wiki Sandbox? - Mon, Oct 1st, 2007

  1. Please, DO NOT USE STUDENT ID or YOUR NAME on any more posts.
  2. I have assigned you a USER NAME. You MUST use this from now on to get proper credit! Do NOT use your name. If you forget your user name, it is posted in the classroom near the computers.
  3. What can YOU create using the following tools – Wiki Sandbox, digital camera, computer, internet, MP3/IPOD, cell phone, microphone, any other materials of your choice?
  4. Remember to think "Outside of the Box."

FOLLOW UP:
To check out the Wiki Web pages that the Cisco students created today in class visit:
Cisco's Wiki Demo Pages

Friday, September 28, 2007

Entertaining YouTube Clips

This is a test to see if I can see this at school:


Friday, Septmeber 28th, 2007
Here at the USU Open Ed Conference Brian Lamb highlighted this clip developed by USU InsT students:

Here is the remix version:



This is the original: (thank's robmba for helping me figure it out!!!)



More related clips on wikis for classroom use:



Monday, September 24, 2007

Ms. Profenno's Reflections from "Day 2" = Fri. 9/21 and Mon. 9/24

There seems to have been an issue with the students accessing the computers in the classroom. A few students made posts from home or from other classrooms and told me none of the computers were working in my class. I have emailed the IT techs and asked them to check it out. Hopefully you will be able to get online during this week!!! I have enjoyed your posts thus far.

I am getting ready to launch a fabulous new web site to showcase the OCW teaching and learning that will happen with my students this year, thanks to Pedro Pernias and the USU COSL team!

Here is a link to the website. Check it out!!! THANKS PEDRO!
miami7151.escueladelamirada.com

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 7 - Wednesday, September 26th

Predictions....

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a prediction of how the tail of the tadpole will disappear. Give supporting evidence (actual or hypothetical) to support your claim.

Example: I predict that the tail of the tadpole will gradually disappear as other predators in the tank slowly eat it; my evidence is that I see tails of varying lengths and I think this is because the other fish have taken bites out of it. Eventually, if this continues, the tail will entirely disappear. This is how I predict the tail will disappear.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 5 - Wednesday, September 26th

Predictions....

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a prediction of how the tail of the tadpole will disappear. Give supporting evidence (actual or hypothetical) to support your claim.

Example: I predict that the tail of the tadpole will gradually disappear as other predators in the tank slowly eat it; my evidence is that I see tails of varying lengths and I think this is because the other fish have taken bites out of it. Eventually, if this continues, the tail will entirely disappear. This is how I predict the tail will disappear.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 3 - Wednesday, September 26th

Predictions....

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a prediction of how the tail of the tadpole will disappear. Give supporting evidence (actual or hypothetical) to support your claim.

Example: I predict that the tail of the tadpole will gradually disappear as other predators in the tank slowly eat it; my evidence is that I see tails of varying lengths and I think this is because the other fish have taken bites out of it. Eventually, if this continues, the tail will entirely disappear. This is how I predict the tail will disappear.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 1 - Wednesday, September 26th

Predictions....

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a prediction of how the tail of the tadpole will disappear. Give supporting evidence (actual or hypothetical) to support your claim.

Example: I predict that the tail of the tadpole will gradually disappear as other predators in the tank slowly eat it; my evidence is that I see tails of varying lengths and I think this is because the other fish have taken bites out of it. Eventually, if this continues, the tail will entirely disappear. This is how I predict the tail will disappear.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 8 - Tuesday, September 25th

Predictions....

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a prediction of how the tail of the tadpole will disappear. Give supporting evidence (actual or hypothetical) to support your claim.

Example: I predict that the tail of the tadpole will gradually disappear as other predators in the tank slowly eat it; my evidence is that I see tails of varying lengths and I think this is because the other fish have taken bites out of it. Eventually, if this continues, the tail will entirely disappear. This is how I predict the tail will disappear.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 6 - Tuesday, September 25th

Predictions....

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a prediction of how the tail of the tadpole will disappear. Give supporting evidence (actual or hypothetical) to support your claim.

Example: I predict that the tail of the tadpole will gradually disappear as other predators in the tank slowly eat it; my evidence is that I see tails of varying lengths and I think this is because the other fish have taken bites out of it. Eventually, if this continues, the tail will entirely disappear. This is how I predict the tail will disappear.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 4 - Tuesday, September 25th

Predictions....

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a prediction of how the tail of the tadpole will disappear. Give supporting evidence (actual or hypothetical) to support your claim.

Example: I predict that the tail of the tadpole will gradually disappear as other predators in the tank slowly eat it; my evidence is that I see tails of varying lengths and I think this is because the other fish have taken bites out of it. Eventually, if this continues, the tail will entirely disappear. This is how I predict the tail will disappear.

CISCO - PERIOD 2 - Tuesday, September 25th

First thing that you want to do today is complete that lab that some of you got started on last time. The template for it is in the blog from Friday, Sept. 21. Copy and paste it into today's comment space. You can fill in the appropriate spaces right in the blog comment space.

This is an experiment. Let's see how it works. You may find that it is easier, that after you have cut and pasted, you want to delete text that is not part of the question to make it look not as cumbersome.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Ms. Profenno's Reflections from "Day 1" = Wednesday 9/19 and Thursday 9/20

Check back later to read my reflections - I have lots to comment on and I will be adding bit by bit as I get spare moments.

1) One very important observation I see is that not all of the students in each class are posting. There are several reasons why this may be the case. First, what I know. Second, what I think. Lastly - Today, while you are in class - I would like everyone in the class to work together and help each other have the opportunity to post in class by

1st - not going to the computer until you are ready to post, and
2nd - typing your post efficiently (as quickly as you are able) and then getting off the computer to let the next student type

What I can do for you is assign each person to a specific computer and a posting time. But, I would rather not do this. I think that you can govern yourselves and use common sense and respect to type your answer and then go and do something else.

Once everyone has posted at least once, if you would like to post a second comment, that is fine. I really enjoy reading your long posts.... and I want to make sure that I can read a post by everyone, not just from the people that got to the computers first.

First, what I know:
I know that during 8th period on 9/17 the internet servers went down and only 2 posts got through.
I know that I messed up and blocked people from posting comments during 1/2 of the Per 3 and Per 5 classes on 9/20 so some students did not have the ability to post.
I know that some students made behavior choices that excluded them from posting priviledge in some classes
I know that some students were honest and told me they did not do their home learning but they posted to say hi

Second, what I think:
I think that some students did not use their time wisely and the bell rang before they got to the computer
I think that the students who are good at typing may have spent longer periods at the computer to type more, causing other students to not have any time to get on a computer (there are only 5 in the room!! Please be curteous)
I think that some students posted twice or three times before all the students got at least one post
I think that some students feel shy about typing and feel a lot of stress about the requirement to type in class
I think that some students feel shy about typing in English, Spanish, Creole, French or any language that is comfortable for them
I think that maybe some of the more outgoing students and computer-loving students used computer-possessive body language, meaning that as long as they were sitting at the computer typing, other students would not come over and ask them to leave.

The computer is not to be used as a social activity. Most of you have not abused this priviledge of blogging. I have seen, however, that a few of you have. The computer, in my classroom, is a LEARNING TOOL, and right now, I ALONE will decide what sites you can go to for the next week. Those three sites are posted right on the computer's forehead. Take note. Also, each person has no longer than 4 minutes to post. THEN GET UP AND GO DO ANOTHER PART OF CLASSWORK. Know what you are going to write BEFORE you get there. This is why I am having you write out the posts as Home Learning assignments prior to class. They are only required to be one sentence each. If you have not prepared your Home Learning, then you can blog to tell me that.

I will be evaluating you for the next class period to see if as a class, we can improve the percentage of class that blogs.

EVOLUTION vs. METAMORPHOSIS

As I have been reading your posts from the Home Learning assignment where you had to identify and relate one of the 8 characteristics of life to the tadpole, I have noticed that metamorphosis and evolution have sometimes been mismatched in the way they have been discussed in the posts. I have prepared a short explanation that I hope will shed insight into the similarities and differences between these two terms.

If you chose either metamorphosis or evolution in your Home Learning assignment, I would like you, at some point - does not have to be today (and it does not have to be during class) - to read my explaniation. If you would like to leave a comment for me after reading, I added 10 writing prompts at the end. This is not a required assignment. If you do not read, you will not fail because I am not grading the comments for this post like I do the others. Even if you start reading and don't make it all the way through, drop me a comment as to how effect you think clarification like this is. To restate: how valuable is it to you, in your opinion, if I clarify concepts that I did not clearly present in class verbally, to be able to read an explanation in this blog format. I welcome your input. Thanks!


Here goes....

evolution and metamorphosis are two seemingly closely related terms. in fact, they at first may appear to be synonyms defining the same concept. i am going to try to explain to you their difference. please tell me what you understand the next time you log on and read this. the concept that many of you described in your posts as "evolution" is actually called metamorphosis.

METAMORPHOSIS
metamorphosis refers to the growth and changes that take place during the life time of an organism. in the case of the frog, a frog starts out as an egg, then grows out of the egg and when it can freely swim in the water we call it a tadpole. it has a tail and can swim around. eventually, it will change more, eating a lot and getting bigger, then growing feet. later in it's life it will be able to both walk around on the land and swim in the water. all these changes of growth are called metamorphosis.

EVOLUTION
Evolution is the name that scientists have given to the idea that over 1000's of years a particular species might change as a group. evolution is generally not noticeable in one organism during its own lifetime. let me attempt to use a frog to explain. let's say that there is a population of frogs living in a marshy area, like the mangroves or the everglades. these frogs like to live in the water and the tall grass. they eat the flies and mosquitoes that live in that area. let's imagine that there are no tall trees in this area. can you see a picture of this? let's say the year is 2007, September to be exact.

Now, let's imagine that we return to this same spot about 2000 years later, and it's the year 4012. we are still able to find these same frogs living in the marshy areas. but the place looks a little different. there are not as many mangroves as before. in one area the mangrove trees have been taken over by tall, tall, tall trees. it looks like a tropical forest. the mangroves are on the edges of the forest. inside the forest, we don't see any of the frogs living. we only see them in the marsh, where there is water.

Then, at night, we camp out in the forest and we hear lots of frog noises but we can't see any of them on the forest floor. where is the noise coming from? YUP!! look up! if you can believe it, there are lots of TREE FROGS happily chirping high, high up in the top canopy of the leafs of the trees. so, we get some climbing ropes and climb the trees to get a look. we are astonished to see that the frogs look almost identical to the frogs that live in the marsh!!! But, one thing is drastically different. The tree frogs have a different type of webbed feet. Their feet make it so they can easily climb and move around within the tree canopy.

We decide to take a few tree frogs and do an experiment with them. We take them down to the marsh to see if they can swim. In fact, they can! But not very well. Nothing like the champion frog swimmers that live in the marsh. We then take some of the marsh frogs, climb back up the tree, and see how good they are at hopping on tree limbs 200 feet above the ground. They are pretty clumsy. A few even hop off the limb and fall.... down... down.... and luckily get caught in the safety net we set up just in case they did fall off. Their expert webbed swimming feet make hopping on high branches a difficult feat.

So, now we come to the question: How did these tree frogs get here? Where did they come from? When did they come? Why are they different from the marsh dwelling frogs ONLY in the appearance and function of their feet?

What scientists have come up with to explain possible answers to this questions is called EVOLUTION.

Evolution is defined as the gradual change in a species over time. It is not the change in a single individual over time. This would be called metamorphosis.

In this hypothetical situation of tree frogs and marsh frogs - which I am hypothetically suggesting - we would want to look at all the frog fossils between the years 2007 and 4012. We would look and see if there was any gradual change in the bone structure of the feet that suggests that their were genetic (DNA) mutations that caused the feet to change over time, or rather, adapt to the environment.

What scientists would want to study is if the tree frogs were at one point the same marsh frogs. By 4012, they have clearly evolved into two separate species. They are not suited to live in each other's habitats.

TO SUMMARIZE:

This gradual change in species over a LONG period of time (1000's, thousands, of years) is called EVOLUTION.

The changes that happen in the life cycle of a particular individual (between conception and death) is called METAMORPHOSIS.


Student:
Please post some feedback (optional). In the name field, write your student ID and the Period of Bio, so I can easily identify you.

For example: In the Identity field-

NAME: 1234567 Period 3

or

NAME: 0987654 Period 8

Thanks. This is an optional post. There is no extra credit that you will receive. You are not required to read or comment on this particular post.

If you do: I would like to hear one or more of the following of your opinions.

1) In your own words, how would you explain Metamorphosis?

2) In your own words, how would you describe Evolution?

3) In your opinion, what do metamorphosis and evolution have in common with each other?

4) In your opinion, in what ways do metamorphosis and evolution differ?

5) If a classmate asks you to explain both evolution and metamorphosis, how would you explain it?

6) How clear did I (Ms. P) explain the concept of evolution and metamorphosis?

7) How has your knowledge of these two characteristics of life changed after reading this post?

8) In your opinion, do you prefer to learn about something online, like this - or do you prefer to listen to a teacher talk in a classroom and teach a concept? Explain your preference.

9) What other concepts do you go to the internet to learn about? Would you say these concepts are related to your social teenager life or they are academically related to schoolwork.

10) Any other comments that are in your head, being relevant and appropriate, feel free to add.

DON'T FORGET TO TELL ME THE PERIOD YOU ATTEND BIOLOGY!!!!!!!!!!

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 7 - Monday, September 24th

It has come to my attention that many of you may not have been able to get the Home Learning assignment from last class because the handouts were not in the packets or posted on the board. I am truely sorry about this. Those of you who checked out my Teacher Website would have gotten the assignment.

For those of you who did not get the writing prompt ahead of time, I would like you to read it below, spend a few minutes thinking about it, and come back to the computer and make your post.

HOPEFULLY, all has worked out well and you are have the handout in the plastic sheet on your desk. IF NOT, what I would like to happen is this: I would like the first one or two people from class who log onto blog to set up the middle computer with my Webpage and bring up the work for today. You will have to partner up and send one partner to the computer to take notes on the assignments that you will be doing today and what the Home Learning is. THANKS!!!!!

Here is the writing prompt (last night's Home Learning assignment).

I call it Food for Thought:

Reflect for a few minutes on this quote - "We are Children of Sunshine; We are what we Eat!"

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a list of your favorite photosynthetic autotrophic producers that you enjoy eating.

HINT: Think green. :)

ADVICE: With this post, it actually closely follows the book work from last class. If you did not read and complete the specific book work from last class, then I would strongly recommend doing that first. Otherwise you may be listing favorite foods such as green spaghetti, green jelly beans, or green fruit loops. These answers would NOT be demonstrating to me that you understand what a photosynthetic autotrophic producer is.

The purpose of this Home Learning/Blog writing prompt is for me to see if you can take what you already know, what you read in the book, and what you have discussed with your classmates, and convince me that you understand how you are a child of sunlight based on certain foods that you eat!

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 5 - Monday, September 24th

It has come to my attention that many of you may not have been able to get the Home Learning assignment from last class because the handouts were not in the packets or posted on the board. I am truely sorry about this. Those of you who checked out my Teacher Website would have gotten the assignment.

For those of you who did not get the writing prompt ahead of time, I would like you to read it below, spend a few minutes thinking about it, and come back to the computer and make your post.

HOPEFULLY, all has worked out well and you are have the handout in the plastic sheet on your desk. IF NOT, what I would like to happen is this: I would like the first one or two people from class who log onto blog to set up the middle computer with my Webpage and bring up the work for today. You will have to partner up and send one partner to the computer to take notes on the assignments that you will be doing today and what the Home Learning is. THANKS!!!!!

Here is the writing prompt (last night's Home Learning assignment).

I call it Food for Thought:

Reflect for a few minutes on this quote - "We are Children of Sunshine; We are what we Eat!"

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a list of your favorite photosynthetic autotrophic producers that you enjoy eating.

HINT: Think green. :)

ADVICE: With this post, it actually closely follows the book work from last class. If you did not read and complete the specific book work from last class, then I would strongly recommend doing that first. Otherwise you may be listing favorite foods such as green spaghetti, green jelly beans, or green fruit loops. These answers would NOT be demonstrating to me that you understand what a photosynthetic autotrophic producer is.

The purpose of this Home Learning/Blog writing prompt is for me to see if you can take what you already know, what you read in the book, and what you have discussed with your classmates, and convince me that you understand how you are a child of sunlight based on certain foods that you eat!

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 3 - Monday, September 24th

It has come to my attention that many of you may not have been able to get the Home Learning assignment from last class because the handouts were not in the packets or posted on the board. I am truely sorry about this. Those of you who checked out my Teacher Website would have gotten the assignment.

For those of you who did not get the writing prompt ahead of time, I would like you to read it below, spend a few minutes thinking about it, and come back to the computer and make your post.

HOPEFULLY, all has worked out well and you are have the handout in the plastic sheet on your desk. IF NOT, what I would like to happen is this: I would like the first one or two people from class who log onto blog to set up the middle computer with my Webpage and bring up the work for today. You will have to partner up and send one partner to the computer to take notes on the assignments that you will be doing today and what the Home Learning is. THANKS!!!!!

Here is the writing prompt (last night's Home Learning assignment).

I call it Food for Thought:

Reflect for a few minutes on this quote - "We are Children of Sunshine; We are what we Eat!"

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a list of your favorite photosynthetic autotrophic producers that you enjoy eating.

HINT: Think green. :)

ADVICE: With this post, it actually closely follows the book work from last class. If you did not read and complete the specific book work from last class, then I would strongly recommend doing that first. Otherwise you may be listing favorite foods such as green spaghetti, green jelly beans, or green fruit loops. These answers would NOT be demonstrating to me that you understand what a photosynthetic autotrophic producer is.

The purpose of this Home Learning/Blog writing prompt is for me to see if you can take what you already know, what you read in the book, and what you have discussed with your classmates, and convince me that you understand how you are a child of sunlight based on certain foods that you eat!

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 1 - Monday, September 24th

It has come to my attention that many of you may not have been able to get the Home Learning assignment from last class because the handouts were not in the packets or posted on the board. I am truely sorry about this. Those of you who checked out my Teacher Website would have gotten the assignment.

For those of you who did not get the writing prompt ahead of time, I would like you to read it below, spend a few minutes thinking about it, and come back to the computer and make your post.

HOPEFULLY, all has worked out well and you are have the handout in the plastic sheet on your desk. IF NOT, what I would like to happen is this: I would like the first one or two people from class who log onto blog to set up the middle computer with my Webpage and bring up the work for today. You will have to partner up and send one partner to the computer to take notes on the assignments that you will be doing today and what the Home Learning is. THANKS!!!!!

Here is the writing prompt (last night's Home Learning assignment).

I call it Food for Thought:

Reflect for a few minutes on this quote - "We are Children of Sunshine; We are what we Eat!"

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a list of your favorite photosynthetic autotrophic producers that you enjoy eating.

HINT: Think green. :)

ADVICE: With this post, it actually closely follows the book work from last class. If you did not read and complete the specific book work from last class, then I would strongly recommend doing that first. Otherwise you may be listing favorite foods such as green spaghetti, green jelly beans, or green fruit loops. These answers would NOT be demonstrating to me that you understand what a photosynthetic autotrophic producer is.

The purpose of this Home Learning/Blog writing prompt is for me to see if you can take what you already know, what you read in the book, and what you have discussed with your classmates, and convince me that you understand how you are a child of sunlight based on certain foods that you eat!

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 8 - Friday, September 21st

It has come to my attention that many of you may not have been able to get the Home Learning assignment from last class because the handouts were not in the packets or posted on the board. I am truely sorry about this. Those of you who checked out my Teacher Website would have gotten the assignment.

For those of you who did not get the writing prompt ahead of time, I would like you to read it below, spend a few minutes thinking about it, and come back to the computer and make your post.

HOPEFULLY, all has worked out well and you are have the handout in the plastic sheet on your desk. IF NOT, what I would like to happen is this: I would like the first one or two people from class who log onto blog to set up the middle computer with my Webpage and bring up the work for today. You will have to partner up and send one partner to the computer to take notes on the assignments that you will be doing today and what the Home Learning is. THANKS!!!!!

Here is the writing prompt (last night's Home Learning assignment).

I call it Food for Thought:

Reflect for a few minutes on this quote - "We are Children of Sunshine; We are what we Eat!"

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a list of your favorite photosynthetic autotrophic producers that you enjoy eating.

HINT: Think green. :)

ADVICE: With this post, it actually closely follows the book work from last class. If you did not read and complete the specific book work from last class, then I would strongly recommend doing that first. Otherwise you may be listing favorite foods such as green spaghetti, green jelly beans, or green fruit loops. These answers would NOT be demonstrating to me that you understand what a photosynthetic autotrophic producer is.

The purpose of this Home Learning/Blog writing prompt is for me to see if you can take what you already know, what you read in the book, and what you have discussed with your classmates, and convince me that you understand how you are a child of sunlight based on certain foods that you eat!

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 6 - Friday, September 21st

It has come to my attention that many of you may not have been able to get the Home Learning assignment from last class because the handouts were not in the packets or posted on the board. I am truely sorry about this. Those of you who checked out my Teacher Website would have gotten the assignment.

For those of you who did not get the writing prompt ahead of time, I would like you to read it below, spend a few minutes thinking about it, and come back to the computer and make your post.

HOPEFULLY, all has worked out well and you are have the handout in the plastic sheet on your desk. IF NOT, what I would like to happen is this: I would like the first one or two people from class who log onto blog to set up the middle computer with my Webpage and bring up the work for today. You will have to partner up and send one partner to the computer to take notes on the assignments that you will be doing today and what the Home Learning is. THANKS!!!!!

Here is the writing prompt (last night's Home Learning assignment).

I call it Food for Thought:

Reflect for a few minutes on this quote - "We are Children of Sunshine; We are what we Eat!"

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a list of your favorite photosynthetic autotrophic producers that you enjoy eating.

HINT: Think green. :)

ADVICE: With this post, it actually closely follows the book work from last class. If you did not read and complete the specific book work from last class, then I would strongly recommend doing that first. Otherwise you may be listing favorite foods such as green spaghetti, green jelly beans, or green fruit loops. These answers would NOT be demonstrating to me that you understand what a photosynthetic autotrophic producer is.

The purpose of this Home Learning/Blog writing prompt is for me to see if you can take what you already know, what you read in the book, and what you have discussed with your classmates, and convince me that you understand how you are a child of sunlight based on certain foods that you eat!

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 4 - Friday, September 21st

It has come to my attention that many of you may not have been able to get the Home Learning assignment from last class because the handouts were not in the packets or posted on the board. I am truely sorry about this. Those of you who checked out my Teacher Website would have gotten the assignment.

For those of you who did not get the writing prompt ahead of time, I would like you to read it below, spend a few minutes thinking about it, and come back to the computer and make your post.

HOPEFULLY, all has worked out well and you are have the handout in the plastic sheet on your desk. IF NOT, what I would like to happen is this: I would like the first one or two people from class who log onto blog to set up the middle computer with my Webpage and bring up the work for today. You will have to partner up and send one partner to the computer to take notes on the assignments that you will be doing today and what the Home Learning is. THANKS!!!!!

Here is the writing prompt (last night's Home Learning assignment).

I call it Food for Thought:

Reflect for a few minutes on this quote - "We are Children of Sunshine; We are what we Eat!"

In 1 (one) sentence or more, make a list of your favorite photosynthetic autotrophic producers that you enjoy eating.

HINT: Think green. :)

ADVICE: With this post, it actually closely follows the book work from last class. If you did not read and complete the specific book work from last class, then I would strongly recommend doing that first. Otherwise you may be listing favorite foods such as green spaghetti, green jelly beans, or green fruit loops. These answers would NOT be demonstrating to me that you understand what a photosynthetic autotrophic producer is.

The purpose of this Home Learning/Blog writing prompt is for me to see if you can take what you already know, what you read in the book, and what you have discussed with your classmates, and convince me that you understand how you are a child of sunlight based on certain foods that you eat!

CISCO - PERIOD 2 - Friday, September 21st

Here is the 1 Blog prompt for today. I have rethought things. Realistically, you did not get time to complete this lab. We will pick it up on Tuesday as well as do the vocab cards, as well as go though an overview of what's in Chapter 3. How does that sound?

1) We talked one day about making flashcards to assist in mastering the many vocabulary terms. If we developed a class set of vocabulary words, do you see yourself using them as a learning tool? Be honest and explain why or why not. If not, what can you suggest to me would be a productive way to learn the many terms in this field?


Students,

After you have completed the reading of Chapter 2, I want you to complete this activity. It may seem very basic, but please go through the steps. As far and today's work, I must have been sleepy last night to have posted your classwork for today WITHOUT saving it!!!!!!!! The vacation's over. Back to work, those of you who got excited about a free day. If you were just hanging out until then, I want you to discipline yourselves and work on CISCO class work through silent reading. There is LOTS to read.

Step 1: Determine the Windows XP version and revision number
a. Click the Start button and select All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer.
b. From the Help menu, choose About Windows.
CCNA Discovery
Networking for Home and Small Businesses
CCNA Discovery
Networking for Home and Small Businesses
All contents are Copyright © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 2 of 3
c. Which version of Windows XP and service pack is installed on your computer?
________________________________________________________________________________
d. How much physical memory (RAM) is available to Windows XP?
________________________________________________________________________________
e. Why is memory important to an operating system?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
f. Click on the End-user License Agreement link on the About Windows screen.
According to the license agreement, how many backup copies of Windows XP can you legally make?
________________________________________________________________________________
g. Close the end-user license agreement window. Close the About Windows window.
Step 2: Configure Windows XP for updates
a. Click on the Start button and select the Control Panel option.
b. If the right window pane shows Pick a Category, select the Switch to Classic View link in the left
pane. Double-click the Automatic Updates option.
c. Which four options are available for automatic updates? ___________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
d. Click on the How Does Automatic Updates Work? link. Expand the How Are Updates
Downloaded? section by clicking on the + (plus sign) beside the option.
e. Based on the information presented, what happens if you are using your computer, updates are being
downloaded, and you disconnect from the Internet?
________________________________________________________________________________
f. Expand the How Are Updates Installed? section.
Based on the output shown, what is the default time for when updates are installed?
________________________________________________________________________________
g. Close the How Does Automatic Updates Work? window and return to the Automatic Updates window.
h. What is the current setting for automatic updates, and why do you think the person who set up the
computer chose this option?
________________________________________________________________________________
i. Close the Automatic Updates window.
j. Another way of configuring a system for automatic updates is through the System control panel. Click
the Start button, click the Control Panel option, and double-click the System control panel icon.
Click on the Automatic Updates tab.
k. Are the options the same as before? __________________________________________________
l. Close the System control panel.
Step 3: Determine an application version
a. Open any Windows-based application such as Microsoft Word.
CCNA Discovery
Networking for Home and Small Businesses
All contents are Copyright © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 3 of 3
b. From the application Help menu option, choose the About option.
c. What is the application version? ______________________________________________________
d. If this is a Microsoft application, there may be a System Info button. If there is a button, click on it. If
there is no button, skip to the next step. Explore the different options available under System Info,
including information related to your specific application. System Info provides similar information to
that provided by winmsd.exe.
e. Click on the Help menu again. If there are double down arrows at the bottom of the menu, click them
to show all the menu options. Some applications have a Check for Updates option. Does the
application have this option? ________________________________________________________
f. Do you think that Internet access is required for an application that has a Check for Updates option?
Why or why not? __________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
g. Close the application.
Step 4: Reflection
a. When is it important to get an update for an application or an operating system?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
b. List one instance when you might need to know which version of the operating system or application
is being used. ____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Monday, September 17, 2007

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 7 - Thursday, September 20th

Please comment on the following (this was your Home Learning assignment which is due today):

Choose one of the 8 (eight) characteristics of life. In your opinion, explain how the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Using 1 (one) complete sentence or more, state:
1) the characteristic you chose,
2) Why you selected this characteristic, and
3) How the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Example:
The characteristic I chose was metamorphosis because I have been watching and drawing the tadpole during the past three classes. I have observed that it grows and develops, changing its body shape and size.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 5 - Thursday, September 20th

Please comment on the following (this was your Home Learning assignment which is due today):

Choose one of the 8 (eight) characteristics of life. In your opinion, explain how the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Using 1 (one) complete sentence or more, state:
1) the characteristic you chose,
2) Why you selected this characteristic, and
3) How the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Example:
The characteristic I chose was metamorphosis because I have been watching and drawing the tadpole during the past three classes. I have observed that it grows and develops, changing its body shape and size.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 3 - Thursday, September 20th

Please comment on the following (this was your Home Learning assignment which is due today):

Choose one of the 8 (eight) characteristics of life. In your opinion, explain how the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Using 1 (one) complete sentence or more, state:
1) the characteristic you chose,
2) Why you selected this characteristic, and
3) How the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Example:
The characteristic I chose was metamorphosis because I have been watching and drawing the tadpole during the past three classes. I have observed that it grows and develops, changing its body shape and size.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 1 - Thursday, September 20th

Please comment on the following (this was your Home Learning assignment which is due today):

Choose one of the 8 (eight) characteristics of life. In your opinion, explain how the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Using 1 (one) complete sentence or more, state:
1) the characteristic you chose,
2) Why you selected this characteristic, and
3) How the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Example:
The characteristic I chose was metamorphosis because I have been watching and drawing the tadpole during the past three classes. I have observed that it grows and develops, changing its body shape and size.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 8 - Wednesday, September 19th

Please comment on the following (this was your Home Learning assignment which is due today):

Choose one of the 8 (eight) characteristics of life. In your opinion, explain how the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Using 1 (one) complete sentence or more, state:
1) the characteristic you chose,
2) Why you selected this characteristic, and
3) How the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Example:
The characteristic I chose was metamorphosis because I have been watching and drawing the tadpole during the past three classes. I have observed that it grows and develops, changing its body shape and size.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 6 - Wednesday, September 19th

Please comment on the following (this was your Home Learning assignment which is due today):

Choose one of the 8 (eight) characteristics of life. In your opinion, explain how the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Using 1 (one) complete sentence or more, state:
1) the characteristic you chose,
2) Why you selected this characteristic, and
3) How the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Example:
The characteristic I chose was metamorphosis because I have been watching and drawing the tadpole during the past three classes. I have observed that it grows and develops, changing its body shape and size.

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 4 - Wednesday, September 19th

Please comment on the following (this was your Home Learning assignment which is due today):

Choose one of the 8 (eight) characteristics of life. In your opinion, explain how the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Using 1 (one) complete sentence or more, state:
1) the characteristic you chose,
2) Why you selected this characteristic, and
3) How the tadpole expresses that characteristic.

Example:
The characteristic I chose was metamorphosis because I have been watching and drawing the tadpole during the past three classes. I have observed that it grows and develops, changing its body shape and size.

CISCO - PERIOD 2 - Wednesday, September 19th

Cisco Students - Please respond to the following questions below:

1)
In your own words, explain the difference between the four types of OS installs. List any that you have personally installed (with or without difficulties).

2) Describe two preparations that must be completed before starting the installation.

3) In the Lab 2.3.3 Examining Operating System and Application Versions, complete question #1 a-f with answers that pertain to the computer you are currently sitting at.

IMPORTANT NOTES!!!!!!!!!! OJO!!!!!! (read below)

First - You may use the right hand list of posts to easily locate your class's daily posting. They are organized by date (most recent at the top) and then by period (in reverse order).

Second - When you are posting, I want you to sign you Student ID in a specific spot. Check out "BIOLOGY - PERIOD 4 - Monday, September 17th, 2007" so see an example and follow the directions below. This will be much easier for me to grade your responses. I no longer want to see "Anonymous said..." at the beginning of your posts. Also, I need your ID number, not seat number.... a seat # is relative and may change from day to day. Your ID # is unique to YOU and is what I need to ensure you receive a grade.

To sign your post:
Go to the bottom of the post, click "Other," and in the Name field enter your Student ID (mandatory). You may add your name; this is optional. YOU MUST ENTER STUDENT ID. For those of you who asked about creating another identity... and I said fine. Well, sorry, I changed my mind. I am requiring your ID # (for the present moment).

You may use this forum to ask me questions that you have during class and I will respond to you on this site as well.

PLEASE help the other students in the class or students who are not here today to submit their daily home learning assignments to this blog.

You may post ahead or you may post in class. Work posted after the end of the class period is LATE and may not be accepted.

REMEMBER, this is for course work purposes only. You are not to deface, demean, or dirty this blog site.

Thanks,

Ms. P

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 7 - Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

This is just a test to see if you can log onto the internet and post a blog to me. Please comment on the following question:

What is the most valuable experience you have had in Biology this year?

Go to the bottom of the post, click "Other," and in the Name field enter your Student ID (mandatory). You may add your name, but this is optional.

You may use this forum to ask me questions that you have during class and I will respond to you on this site as well.

PLEASE help the other students in the class or students who are not here today to submit their daily home learning assignments to this blog.

You may post ahead or you may post in class. Work posted after the end of the class period is LATE and may not be accepted.

REMEMBER, this is for course work purposes only. You are not to deface, demean, or dirty this blog site.

Thanks,

Ms. P

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 5 - Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

This is just a test to see if you can log onto the internet and post a blog to me. Please comment on the following question:

What is the most valuable experience you have had in Biology this year?

Go to the bottom of the post, click "Other," and in the Name field enter your Student ID (mandatory). You may add your name, but this is optional.

You may use this forum to ask me questions that you have during class and I will respond to you on this site as well.

PLEASE help the other students in the class or students who are not here today to submit their daily home learning assignments to this blog.

You may post ahead or you may post in class. Work posted after the end of the class period is LATE and may not be accepted.

REMEMBER, this is for course work purposes only. You are not to deface, demean, or dirty this blog site.

Thanks,

Ms. P

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 3 - Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

This is just a test to see if you can log onto the internet and post a blog to me. Please comment on the following question:

What is the most valuable experience you have had in Biology this year?

Go to the bottom of the post, click "Other," and in the Name field enter your Student ID (mandatory). You may add your name, but this is optional.

You may use this forum to ask me questions that you have during class and I will respond to you on this site as well.

PLEASE help the other students in the class or students who are not here today to submit their daily home learning assignments to this blog.

You may post ahead or you may post in class. Work posted after the end of the class period is LATE and may not be accepted.

REMEMBER, this is for course work purposes only. You are not to deface, demean, or dirty this blog site.

Thanks,

Ms. P

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 1 - Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

This is just a test to see if you can log onto the internet and post a blog to me. Please comment on the following question:

What is the most valuable experience you have had in Biology this year?

Go to the bottom of the post, click "Other," and in the Name field enter your Student ID (mandatory). You may add your name, but this is optional.

You may use this forum to ask me questions that you have during class and I will respond to you on this site as well.

PLEASE help the other students in the class or students who are not here today to submit their daily home learning assignments to this blog.

You may post ahead or you may post in class. Work posted after the end of the class period is LATE and may not be accepted.

REMEMBER, this is for course work purposes only. You are not to deface, demean, or dirty this blog site.

Thanks,

Ms. P

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 8 - Monday, September 17th, 2007

This is just a test to see if you can log onto the internet and post a blog to me. Please comment on the following question:

What is the most valuable experience you have had in Biology this year?

Go to the bottom of the post, click "Other," and in the Name field enter your Student ID (mandatory). You may add your name, but this is optional.

You may use this forum to ask me questions that you have during class and I will respond to you on this site as well.

PLEASE help the other students in the class or students who are not here today to submit their daily home learning assignments to this blog.

You may post ahead or you may post in class. Work posted after the end of the class period is LATE and may not be accepted.

REMEMBER, this is for course work purposes only. You are not to deface, demean, or dirty this blog site.

Thanks,

Ms. P

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 6 - Monday, September 17th, 2007

This is just a test to see if you can log onto the internet and post a blog to me. Please comment on the following question:

What is the most valuable experience you have had in Biology this year?

Go to the bottom of the post, click "Other," and in the Name field enter your Student ID (mandatory). You may add your name, but this is optional.

You may use this forum to ask me questions that you have during class and I will respond to you on this site as well.

PLEASE help the other students in the class or students who are not here today to submit their daily home learning assignments to this blog.

You may post ahead or you may post in class. Work posted after the end of the class period is LATE and may not be accepted.

REMEMBER, this is for course work purposes only. You are not to deface, demean, or dirty this blog site.

Thanks,

Ms. P

BIOLOGY - PERIOD 4 - Monday, September 17th, 2007

This is just a test to see if you can log onto the internet and post a blog to me. Please comment on the following question:

What is the most valuable experience you have had in Biology this year?

Go to the bottom of the post, click "Other," and in the Name field enter your Student ID (mandatory). You may add your name, but this is optional.

You may use this forum to ask me questions that you have during class and I will respond to you on this site as well.

PLEASE help the other students in the class or students who are not here today to submit their daily home learning assignments to this blog.

You may post ahead or you may post in class. Work posted after the end of the class period is LATE and may not be accepted.

REMEMBER, this is for course work purposes only. You are not to deface, demean, or dirty this blog site.

Thanks,

Ms. P

CISCO - PERIOD 2 - Monday, September 17th

Comment on the following questions:
1) In your opinion, explain what Chapter 2 is about
2) Which questions did you get correct/incorrect on the Chapter quiz
3) After paging through Chapter 2, how confident do you feel in the material to be covered in Chapter 2?

Monday, September 3, 2007

Open Ed - Week 15 Reflections

Wrap Up

Open Ed - Week 14 Reflections

What Does Open Education Mean to You?

Open Ed - Week 13 Reflections

Inviting Someone to Participate - Step 2

Open Ed - Week 12 Reflections

Inviting Someone to Participate - Step 1

Open Ed - Week 11 Reflections

The Future of Open Education


QUESTIONS: What will the future of higher education look like? What impact will the open education movement have? How will we get there from here?

REFLECTIONS:

Open Ed - Week 10 Reflections

Open Education and Learning Objects

Open Ed - Week 9 Reflections

Elective Reading Synopses


QUESTIONS: What can the open education movement learn from the book you chose to read? Elaborate on at least three points. Which of the ideas presented in the book did you find hardest to believe or agree with? Why?

REFLECTIONS:

Open Ed - Week 8 Reflections

Economic Models of Open Education


QUESTIONS: How can you build a sustainable business around giving away educational materials? How can you build a sustainable business model around giving away credentialed degrees? Should governments fund open education? (Do they already?)

REFLECTIONS:

Open Ed - Week 7 Reflections

Licensing Open Educational Resources


QUESTIONS: Can you think of license options that CC is currently missing that would benefit the open education movement? As the CC and GFDL licenses are incompatible, how can OCW content be legally remixed with Wikipedia content? Some people claim that the Creative Commons ShareAlike clause provides most of the protections people want to secure from the Creative Commons NonCommercial clause. What do you think these people mean, are they right, and why? Is copyleft good for the open education movement? Why or why not?

REFLECTIONS:

Open Ed - Week 6 Reflections

Background Readings in Copyright and the Public Domain


QUESTIONS: Understanding the importance and value of the public domain, how much (what percentage) of this value would you estimate is realized when works are licensed with a Creative Commons or GFDL license? To what degree would the open educational resources movement (and therefore the world) be additionally benefited if OERs were simply placed in the public domain? Please explain.

REFLECTIONS:

Open Ed - Week 5 Reflections

Example Open Education Projects

QUESTIONS: What do these representative open education projects have in common? What differentiates them? In the context of open education projects, what does "quality" mean?

REFLECTIONS:

Open Ed - Week 4 Reflections

Background Readings in Open Education


QUESTIONS: What do these overviews of the field have in common? What do they emphasize differently? What are the aims of the authors of each report? Do you see a bias toward or against any ideas, organizations, or approaches in any of the reports? Which report spoke the most clearly to you, and why do you think it did? Based on where the field is now, and these initial ideas about where it might go, what part of the open education movement is most interesting to you? Why?

REFLECTIONS:

Open Ed - Week 3 Reflections

Background Readings in Open Education

Open Ed - Week 2 Reflections

Background Readings in Open Education

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Open Ed - Week 1 Reflections

Why Open Education?

QUESTIONS: In your opinion, is the "right to education" a basic human right? Why or why not? In your opinion, is open *access* to free, high-quality educational opportunity sufficient, or is it necessary to *mandate* education through a certain age or level?

REFLECTIONS:

USU's Open Education Course, Fall 2007

I am delighted to take this online, Open Ed course! I expect to learn about the history of Open Education and OpenCourseWare (OCW), how to blog, how to create and edit using Wiki, selling points for attracting organizations and individuals to incorporate Open Ed into their educational tool box, and how to facilitate online high school learning through OCW for my Miami students.

Anyone interested in Open learning can check out USU's COSL (Center for Open and Sustainable Learning) http://cosl.usu.edu/ and/or contact the Center's Director, David Wiley david.wiley@usu.edu and http://opencontent.org/blog/.

Check out the course syllabus for Fall 2007 http://opencontent.org/wiki/index.php?title=Intro_Open_Ed_Syllabus as well as past courses taught by Dr. Wiley http://opencontent.org/wiki/index.php?title=David_Wiley. Correspond with international Open Ed colleagues through their personal e-mails and blogs (see Participant section in Fall 2007 syllabus). It may not be to late to add yourself to the course!

Definitely consider this year's Open Ed conference in Logan, UT, September 26-28, 2007 http://cosl.usu.edu/conferences/opened2007/registration and the OpenCourseWare Consortium Meeting preceding this conference on September 24-25 http://ocwconsortium.org/conferences/. These are two gatherings you'll want to add flavor to by personally attending.

See you there!
 
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Miami 7151 Blog by Rebekka Stone is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.