Thanks Skip and Ross!

I hope this is not my last blog. However, if it is, I would like to take this time to thank-you Skip and Ross for all the hard work you have put into this class and everything you have taught us. I think it is great that both of you will be in an administrative position next year. Your hard-work is truly paying off. I am thankful to have suck great instructors through CADRE, and what a month this has been! I can not believe that I am already completed with 6 credit hours. Man, only 30 more to go! Ha. All jokes aside, I am so extremely thankful for my first two classes being taught by some of the best "people" I have ever met. Isn't that what great teachers are anyway?! I hope to some day instruct the way that you both have and to inspire my students to reach their full potentiol. Thanks for everything. I have learned so much already, and can not wait for what is to come.

Traci

Article Number 3: Alturism

Altruism a feeling of unselfishness and willing to do deeds for others, has now been shown in chimpanzees. I was quite ignorant about this topic before reading the article. And after speaking to Skip and Ross I found that the articles are supposed to relate towards technology. So here is my best attempt to relate what I read to technology. Studies, which included the filming and photo attempts by use of technology, have shown that the feeling of altruism is shown throughout primates as well. Using this background shows that experimental evidence that chimpanzees act altruistically toward genetically unrelated conspecifics. Which means that chimps will show altruism attitudes towards their relatives. I believe this is very interesting. I have always believed that animals, dogs in general, do not have strong feelings or emotions which is why they have no free will or can not express themselves. This is stating that chimps, our closest relative, are having feelings towards being kind to others. Our evolutionary thought where chimpanzees and humans are related can now be linked to this thought. I believe that the article's author should look more deeply into this subject and explain more outcomes to link evolutionary ties.

Article Review Number TWO (it RHymes)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090107085314.htm.
There is a theory that humans naturally gain weight in the winter time as compared to losing it in the summer. Naturally all animals, including humans, tend to put on a few extra LB's in the winter time. The old evolutionary theory to try and keep your body at its homeostatic state ;). Yet, is this always a bad things? Research from this article is showing that mice who are exposed to very low temperatures are able to produce more blood vessels and, in fact, turn their "white fat" into "brown fat" which is more easily metabolized. This new finding still has a lot of research to be studied. However, if scientists are able to prove that this can work in humans the breakthroughs will be outlandish. For example, diabetics and people with severe obesity will be able to use this procedure to cure the naturally untreatable downfalls. I believe that this article was very interesting and I always enjoy reading about new breakthroughs in science. I truly believe that in time, we will see some of these major breakthroughs in as soon as 10 years. I would love to be a part of research breakthroughs, but would even more love to teach and learn about them :). I think the next step that this author should do, is to look at the future research yet to be done and describe a timeline to the reader. I believe this would give a great outlook on those who are looking forward to the possible weapon against obesity.

Tuesday Bluesday

I hate Tuesdays, I don't know why but they just are the absolute day of the week. That being said- I am having a pretty good day. Ha. However, I have a lot of work to get done in the next two days. I am hoping to finish my rough draft for my lit review tonight. I think then, I will send it to an old college professor to proofread and make corrections before Thursday. I did get a lot of things done yesterday. I spent about 2 hours after class yesterday getting assignments done for technology class. I finished my voicethread, prezi and blogged about my first article. Soon, I hope to complete my choice projects and be well on my way to completed with all assignments. I loved making the Imovie. It is always great allowing students to be creative in class. I love integrating humor into the classroom.. See ya around if you don't turn square.

Article Review: 1 ADHD and Pesticides.

I have recently heard of some astonishing news, that some pesticides may be linked to a attention disorder known as ADHD. While looking at the Science Daily Site, I came across an article that speaks about the harmful tactics that is in conjunction with these pesticides."Previous studies have shown that exposure to some organophosphate compounds cause hyperactivity and cognitive deficits in animals," says lead author Maryse F. Bouchard of the University of Montreal. She goes on to summarizing that these can indeed infect humans, (children more specifically), to have a mental or attention disability. It is likely that this would happen in children more often than adults as children are exposed to many things when they are little and their immune systems are not as strong as mid-aged adults. It is quite an interesting article because I found that this may occur more often than we think. The relationship among the disease as well as the pesticides can be quite frightening for many adults. I believe that one should be aware, yet not stress about the topic of pesticides because they are also used to benefit today's produce as well as healthy choices for humans. This article was very interesting as well as enlightening. I hope to take what I have learned from reading this article and share it with those around me. The author of this article should now see if there is any research correlating to his findings and write about children who did consume a lot of fruits and vegetables with pesticides and see if they have ADHD as well.

Sunday June, 20

What a weekend! I am happy I was so productive on Friday. As I am reading along some of the examples for the lit review, I am seeing that I may have not cited enough sources. Good thing it is just a rough draft. I am looking forward to this week. I am ready for the paper to be finalized and to turn it in. I am also looking forward to being completed with me first grad class! However, there is still a lot of work to be done! I need to finis my technology choice projects. I am thinking of completing a couple choice projects today. I am going to try to finish some homework and work out before the fathers day celebration. Bye BYe!

50%

I cannot believe that we are halfway through the first summer session of classes. It seems like time is already flying! Which also means that I need to get to work! I thought it was great what Kelly was saying in class today. I enjoy being in class, and a teacher, but it is not the only thing that defines who I am. And, as Skip always says, do not worry about what you can't control. Lately, I have been trying to live through that quote. However, I know I can control getting to class on time! I have been feeling quite unprofessional. I do not like to show up late/not be ready for class. I have had some trouble with parking recently (although I do not like excuses)! If anyone knows of somewhere to park that I do not have to walk 15 minutes to class, PLeASE let me know! Well, it looks like I will be spending the weekend with family and friends. OH! and also making sure that I have valid research and a rough draft ready to go for Monday. I am not going to stress about it, there is no need. What needs to be done will get done- and I will work hard until it is done. That is all.. Headed to go run in this 95 degree heat!@.. PeACe

Research .... Check!

This morning, in the library, I learned so much about how to use RefWorks and research my topic. I was relieved that there were several peer-reviewed articles on my topic. However, it now is a matter of how to use those articles and research to put it in a form of a word document. I have been thinking of ways to start, yet I am at a crossroads. I believe once I find more information it will all start to come together. These next two weeks are looking busy. Just started two choice projects for tech-class, hoping I have a jump start on these. It has been such an informative day.

--Go Celtics---

Topic for Literature Research Project

My topic for lit research is Use of Hands on Learning to enhance the learning experience. I am excited to begin researching this topic, and I thought there would be a lot of important information about this as well. However, I am somewhat nervous to start my first grad paper. Hearing last year that only two people had gotten a grade, is quite scary! I am looking forward to finding out ways to research peer edited journals. I have always been confused about this! I am also looking forward to the time in class tomorrow to be productive in finding research. I am thankful for the great instruction we have.

Thursday (one week down)

I can not believe we are already 25% completed with classes for the June session. Thursday in class, Calla showed us a couple great sites to use for our future classroom. Two were voik and delicious.com. Voik, a webpage designed to allow students to create a character and record their own voice or the voice of choice to create a statement. It would be a great introductory activity for the classroom. Also, delicious is a great way to share sites and collaborate with other teachers. So far, I have learned more than I could ever imagine in my technology class. I am so excited to take what I have learned and incorporate it into action. Thanks for reading.

<3

Technology in the Classroom

After reading the article, I feel there are several important topics presented to consider. First, I feel that teachers who are apprehensive to begin using technology in the classroom either do not have (district-wise) the tech to improve strategies in their classroom, will not be as strong with the usage of this. Secondly, I believe that teachers who are educated on the basis of technology are able to put it to use in the classroom. And lastly, I believe that this article allowed me to see the connections of success through engagement as well as implementation of technology in the classroom. I am excited to see what's to come in my own classroom and throughout my experience in CADRE.

Sharing Computers

Today is the second day of grad school. I think I will like CADRE and building relationships with the students in my class. I am apprehensive, yet excited to start this journey in my life. I am also sharing a computer in my tech class as I blog. It is a great way to meet and do paired reading!!!! :)

First Blog

This is my first blog. I think I may enjoy using this website for a engaging tool for learning! :)