Final Presentation comments

PLN #25

This weekend I read an article entitled "Research on the motivational and educational aspects of you tube". This article talked about using You tube as an educational tool. Personally, I think this is a great idea if we use it properly. In some my classes this is all ready happening. You tube is being used for presentations and to show information about what is being talked about. However, you tube can be bad if you use it that way. Some teachers agree that it should not be aloud in class because of its content. I do agree with them but you tube can be used for teaching as well. Although you tube may be considered bad it is actually a great learning tool for students and teachers alike.

You tube can and will be use in all class rooms eventually. You tube should not be considered bad just because stupid people go on bad sites. I guess what I am trying to say is you tube is not bad but good.

PLN#24

Tonight I read an article in Michele's CIT blog called Why are kids failing? This question puzzled me because like most of you I have my own opinion about this issue. Personally, I think the biggest problem is laziness. Students go home and watch T.V. instead of focusing on academics. This problem can be solved very simply, Do the work. Not doing homework just makes it harder for you to take that final at the end of the semester. I also think procrastination is a part of it. Students screw around and end up not completing assignments. I think that in order for grades to go up homework needs to be completed on time and most of all it needs to be correct.


What matters to me about this article is that teachers teach and expect completed homework and good test grades. However, this doesn't always happen so the teachers wonder, well, what did I do wrong?". To be quite honest its your students that are the problem. when they don't do there homework how do you expect a grade out of them. teachers give homework and we do it the end.

PLN#23

This weekend I read an article titled fight-hunger-while-learning-vocab This web site aloes users to play games while fighting hunger at the same time. I think is a great idea because not only are you having fun but your helping others. this is a great way to make money as well. In addition, this approach will help strengthen bonds between you and the people your helping. Last, this is a great way to learn vocab and become literate. This site sounds like a lot of fun from to aspects.

What matters is that your helping others by giving them something to look forward to. It's almost Christmas and these people wont have any thing with out your help. So this is a great web site for donating and having fun.

PLN#22

Last night I read an article called Graffiti cameras on patrol. This article talked about a new addition coming to Denver's streets. Graffiti cameras, These cameras will be use to catch graffiti artists in the act. I think this is a great way to keep Denver looking the way its supposed to look. Denver will now have cleaner walls and highway bridges because of these cameras. In addition, Denver will not have to spend time or money to clean it up.This is a great tool because I can't tell you how many times I've been driving on the highway and seen that ugly paint all over a bridge. These people treat the world as there paper and don't care what others think. With this new innovation people will start drawing more on paper and less on walls.

Graffiti is an art witch should be practiced on paper and not on walls as I've stated before. The fact is that for most people this goes in one ear and out the other. People need to realize that its against the law and should not be practiced in public. This act would be considered to many as a defiance of property and I agree with them one hundred percent. In the end these cameras will be a great tool for a better Denver.

PLN#21

Over the break I read an article about a man who rescued a boy searching for help after he and his mother were in a car accident. Ironically this man was an illegal immigrant who had just entered the country. It was entitled Man entering U.S. Illegally rescues boy. When I read this story it really opened my mind as to how people can be so nice even if there in trouble. I realized that anyone can be nice you just have to put your heart to it. Not only did he help this boy he stayed with him all night until help came the following day. I think that things like this happen when there is no one to see it. Because of this these people are viewed as terrorist's or something. That's just wrong if you don't ask me. The bottom line is be nice to all and they will treat you the same.I think this man deserves some kind of mettle for his bravery.

PLN#20

This weekend I read an interesting article called DPS school vote Monday may not close arguments. For the past month the Denver Public School district has been deciding weather or not to close some of there schools. However the parents of the kids currently going to these schools are out raged. I think I would be too. Some of these kids have been going to these schools for a long time and they have no intention to leave. Personally I would leave the district and come to a place like Littleton public schools. This act of unkindness has really shaped what people think of this district. This problem needs to be figured out because these kids need to finish out this year strong.

As for parents they should just wait and watch to see what happens. Right now parents and kids are protesting. Later they might be enrolling in a different schools for next year. Hopefully the superintendent will make the right decision and keep these kids in school.

PLN #19

This week I choose to wright about an article from the Rocky mountain news called ocean circulation may contribute to warming. This article talked about how the Artic ocean changed its circulation counter clock wise to clock wise causing a rise in water temperature in the area. Global warming is becoming a huge issue among the united nations and others. If we cant stop this temperature increase then we could have major problems for the generation to come. People need to realize that this will affect them to and they need to stop driving when it is not necessary and stop using so much gas and oil. In order to help you could carpool with a friend to get to school or just walk. This way we can keep our air clean and our temperatures down.


I think what matters is the future because we don't no what it will look like in 50 years or even 10. We want to conserve are resources so that we can look forward to the future instead of dreading it. I'm wondering what the government will do to stop global warming. Because, as far as I can see they aren't doing very much. To conclude, this problem will be Concord just like every thing in our past.

PLN #17

While scanning through the mound of available blogs I came across one of interest. It was entitled "Another amazing video about teaching and learning". It talked about a group of students that wrote about the experiences in school and how its affected them today. The students were challenged to think about there schooling career and pull out the most important pieces of it. I think this is a great way to express how you feel about your schooling. this also gives teachers the opportunity to look into your schooling and see where you need the most help. I think this would be something for my school to look into. Therefor the teachers would know where the student needs the most help and be able to help them in a way they both understand.

For me this would be especially helpful because I did not get the best schooling in elementary school. By middle school it began to snowball I was not doing so great in math. Now every things allot easier. I think it might be the technology but you can't be shore. The main thing is that you learn to the fullest potential and succeed.

PLN #16

This weekend I read an article in the Fisch bowl called "why wireless". It explained how My school has allowed wireless Internet on cell phones. Last week AHS made a new policy allowing wireless access on cell phones any time any where in the school. I think this is a great idea because kids can now access the Internet from there phones. Now we can find info with out going to the library or computer lab. I think this adds on to the list of freedoms that are available to us at school. An example of these freedoms is off campus lunch. These freedoms are great however if not used appropriately they will be taken away. As you may think we will see how long this lasts before people start misusing this freedom.

I think this is a great way to get updated grades quicker and check homework quicker. Next I believe that this will help improve grades to some extant. However, the bottom line is that if it is miss used then it will be taken away.

PLN # 15

Today I read an interesting article in the Denver post called "Ethics complaint filed against Lakewood official". It was about city council candidate Charley able urging people to vote for Representative Karen Kellen using city funds. I don't think that this is fair for the people of Lakewood because the money is supposed to be used for snow plowing and other things like that, not for gaining votes for a Representative. I think that he thought to much of himself and less of the community. He should be given a sentence of 1 year in jail and a fine. He should also not be aloud to deal with politics in this community ever again. I think he should have thought his plan over before putting it into motion.

I think the community will be very unhappy to here where there taxes are going. This community should look at everyone in the councils backgrounds to make shore this does not happen again. Next, I think it would beneficial to the community if Colorado would give the money back that was lost. This way everyone is happy and no money would be unaccounted for. I think that is was a poor decision on his part and he should get in big trouble that is the bottom line.

PLN #14

I found an interesting article in the 2cents worth blog. It was discussing weather a blog page is like a my space or other web sites like that. I think they are exactly the same because they allow users to post anything they want. Next, they let users access info about whatever they want. Last, they let predators on that want to hert kids.personally, I don't like these sites and my parents don't ether. I think these sites are dangerous because you never know who could be on looking at your profile. In the end I will use these sites if I have to for school and other things.


I Think these sites should be baned from schools for safety precautions. In addition, If you do get on one of these sites you need to be aware of the dangers lurking around every corner. You need to watch for anything suspicious such as pop-ups or strange messages. These could be your worst nightmare. If your not careful someone might try to hack your computer or find out where you live. In the end though you must be very careful. ( To view the origanal article click here)

PLN#13

This week I was reading an article called "Series tickets going, going, gone!". It was about the online ticket office that was selling world series tickets shutting down. The site experienced 8.5 million hits in 90 minutes witch turned put to be to much for the Colorado Rockies web site. The site completely crashed. As you can well imagine may Rockies fans were upset. Some people were checking out when it crashed and some could not even get on in the first place. I think that ticket master should have handled the sale because they have done it before and there sever would have been able to handle the down poor. Because of this, many people that were going to get tickets didn't. Personally, I think its funny that people are so mad at something that was really there fault. If that many people weren't on at the same time then none of this would of happened.


What matters is how reliable the site was to start. Did they know how many people would be on at one time? of course not. I think the site should have figured out how to keep the site up and running for this many people. I think for next year regardless of who's in the world series ticket master should handle the sales of tickets to spread the flow of buyers. I almost forgot, Go Rockies!!!!

PLN#12

While I was searching through the large pile of feeds I came across an article entitled Wikified personal Philosophy Statements. It talked about how a wiki space is a great tool to have in the classroom. Wiki spaces are great because you can put just about anything on it. For example, you could put a video from youtube on it or a personal picture. wiki spaces broaden learning and they also help students and teachers to learn things that they didn't already know. Wikies are also great tools for teaching. Anyone can make a wiki page and teach people about it. Next it can be used to find out information that is needed for a project or homework. As you can see wiki spaces are a great way to teach and learn new things.


What matters? what matters is that wikies provide a place of learning and teaching. And its all on your laptop. wikies are sort of like Google you can post info and share it all over the world. Next wikies can teach things about upcoming events. For example, you can learn about a book you are going to read or a project you are going to do. In the end wiki spaces are a great learning tool for students and teachers alike.

PLN #11

This week I read an article in the Fisch bowl called even more on filtering. It was debating weather limiting students to what they can and can access on the web is a good or bad idea. Mr. Fisch says " keeping the Internet wide open will help kids to develop good judgment and sense". I agree with him however what about the kids who have already developed these skills? wont they just get right back on these sites knowing that they wont get in trouble because they are well trusted. I think some will and some wont. Those people who wont go back to these sites because they have learned are people who have good grades and are doing well in school. Those that will once again travel to these sites are the opposite. these people travel to the sites because they think its cool and there friends think its cool. Well A little FYI for those people, its not. going to these sites will just upset your parents and they will wind up grounding you from that once in a life time concert that you were going to go to.



Basically what Mr. Fisch is tiring to say is that its fine to keep the Internet open as along as people develop good habits to keep themselves away from these sometimes harmful sites. I defiantly agree with him and his blog. The reason that sites are blocked by teachers and parents is because they want to keep us safe. Personally I don't think we are helping by going on these sites without permission. It's just bad. In the end however many people have never been on these sites and happen upon them by mistake. I think we should keep the Internet open as long as people respect the rules and regulations.

PLN#10

This week I read an article called"voters want more from schools". It took into consideration the fact that schools across the nation are not preparing there students for the real world. students need to be able to do things like pay taxes or manage a business. If students don't do there homework in math class then they will have a really hard time doing these things. In other words its not necessarily the teachers fault its the students fault for not doing the home work.
One of the things this article stressed was voting. This article stated that teachers need to push students hard so that they can seek there full potential.

I disagree with this article because It sounds like there putting the blame on the school when Its the students not doing there work incorrectly or not at all. Teachers need to discipline there students for not doing there homework. In doing this there will be a higher graduation of kids in our high schools. It all comes down to doing homework. It can be fun sometimes and sometimes not. Just do it. Trust me you will feel allot better when its finished.

PLN #9

As usual I was combing though the mound of available posts when I came across an article in the Denver post. It was entitled "Heating costs seen jumping this winter". This article explained that the heating bill will go up about 10%. The reason for this increase is because company's like EXCEL energy expect temperatures this winter to be colder then last winter. As I was reading I started thinking about all thoughts who can not afford this increase and what they will do for heat. It turns out there are ways you can make your bill seem allot less scary. First, Make shore that you doors and windows are weather striped this way you can keep the heat in and the cold out. Next, you could only turn on the heat if its absolutely necessary. For example, only turn on the heat when its forty degrees or lower this reduces the amount of time that you use your heat.


I think that the rise of heating bills will greatly impact many peoples life's. Some wont be able to go on that memorable Christmas vacation they've been dreaming about. Others won't be able to have that warm toasty fire every night like usual. So basically the heating bill goes up and the winter fun goes out the door. It may not be a big problem for others. They may be able to take part in the wonderful activity's that go on this time of year. Hopefully this increased bill wont affect lots of people so they can have fun as well.

Presintation review

This weeks blog presentation went very well compared to the last one. I guess I wasn't as nervous as I was the first time. I did better because this time I knew what I was talking about. I also thought that the class participation was allot better then the first one. Overall I thought I did a great job.

PLN #8

This weekend I read an article in the Denver post about a man in Wyoming that got mauled by a bear while he was hunting. They said that the man and his buddies had everything they needed to prevent an attack. However they were wrong. apparently a grizzly bear and her cubs caught a whiff of him and attacked. The man was not seriously injured. However he did sustain a gash in his shoulder and a wound to his abdomen. This comes after another attack to a man possibly by the same bear. The hunting grounds closed for the second time in three weeks.


The problem is people don't realize when there in an animals territory or they are stupid and get to close.People need to give the animals there space and let them do what they do peacefully.People especially hunters need to be aware of there surroundings. They also need be with at least one other person that way if some one does get injured then they are there to help. So if you want that prefect picture then take it from a distance.

To read the original article click here

PLN review

I thought that my presentation went pretty well however I think I could do better. I need to look at the audience and be able to say what I'm going to say with out stuttering. I also need to know what I'm going to say before I say it. I thought the comments that everyone gave were vary nice even though i did terrible.

PLN #7

As usual I was skimming through the mountain of articles and I found this great article in the Denver post about a plan to close eight Denver public schools to save money for the remaining schools. This means that by next year there will be fewer Denver schools to chose from. So if you had you heart set on one of the closing schools your out of luck. Personally this is a vary bad idea because many students that go to and are coming to these schools will not get the privilege to go there. In addition the remaining schools will be vary crowded for some time until the new schools are reformed.I'm wondering how the students will react to this.



What matters? what matters is the well fair of the students and teachers being kicked out of these schools. Some of these students have been going to these schools for up to four years or more. How would you feel getting put in a whole new environment with different people and different teachers? I no that I would not enjoy being without friends and other people that I have known for a long time I think it is to early to tell how these changes will affect the district. What does this mean for the students. The students will be place in these new reformed schools in hopes of a better eduction. One school in particular will focus mainly on teaching English to foreign kids. Personally I don't know what the future will look like for Denver public schools but hopefully its bright.



How does this affect Colorado? Colorado will be a better teacher to kids from in the U.S. as well as from other country's. It would be even better if other school districts did the same thing because students would have a better opportunity to get a scholarship or just graduate. My hope is that more districts will take the same approach to a better education for kids all over Colorado.

PLN#6

As usual, I was searching through the huge pile of 1000 plus items and I came across an article called "Is payment for good grades legitimate motivation in this day and age, "about an idea to pay kids for there good grades. You might be thinking well, that's dumb, students should work for nothing. Well it turns out getting paid for good grades is a pretty good idea, at least for the student. For example, a seventh grader might get $500 in one year just for good grades. Personally, that seems pretty high, especially for a middle school student. We may find that if we pay students for good grades, we will see more graduates and less drop outs. This is likely, since kids need money. Kids will be willing to work hard for a little extra doe. From personal experience, I know this is a great idea. I would like to make money for grades. It feels good to get some cash here and there and end up learning things at the same time. This is what it would look like. You get paid for A's and B's and you have to pay your parents for C's D's and F's. Your parents will decide the price per grade. So look at it this way you could be making a few hundred dollars this year.


Getting paid for grades is something that I would be for. Obviously because I'm a student. I no that the smallest amount of cash is a good thing for students. Students need a motivational tool to use to get great grades. In this case it's cash. In the end it's not just money there working for its also for a better future.

PLN#5

I was combing through the mound of blogs and I came across this article in the Rocky mountain news called http://http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/html. It was about an article written in a school news paper at Colorado state university. The F-bomb was posted on the front cover of the news paper for all ages to view. Students and teachers agree that this language should not be posted on the front cover or not in the paper at all. The university wants the editor of the paper fired. I agree with them.





I think that this kind of language should not be aloud in news papers because you never know who might read it. My question is why would you put something like this into a news paper that people of all ages will read. A couple of weeks ago my family and I went to Arizona state university and I know when I read the school news paper I didn't see any thing like this. I think that the editor David Mc Swane should be fired because of the article. It criticizes our president which is even worse. In addition this paper puts a bad impression on Colorado state. This might decrease the number of applicants wanting to get into the university. The bottom line is this should not be tolerated in any school or university.

PLN#4

I was recently reading an article about a memorial in honor of Emily keys.http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/html. Emily was the victim in the shooting at Platte Canyon High School one year ago. She was killed when a swat team came into the room where she was being held. A memorial as been made to commemorate her death. This type of thing has happened allot in the past few years. From the shooting at Virgina tech to this. this has to stop. One option is better school security. Many schools are already taking this approach. Cameras are being used around schools to detect suspicious behavior. Hopefully this method and others will help to make shore this wont happen again.


School safety is a big concern for many. Some think we should get security guards to patrol during school hours. Others believe cameras are the best way to go. I think we need Cameras as well. These would increase school security and safety every day. students could feel more safe in and out of school with these innovations. Personally the best safety measure still used today is lock downs. students and staff are not aloud to leave classrooms for any reason during this time. this is the best way to keep kids safe at all times. School security is a huge issue that needs to be consolidated by politicians.

PLN # 3

I was reading this article about "Classrooms of the Future" by David Warlick and something caught my eye. David met with coaches in Pennsylvania and they discussed how they would make classrooms better. They came down to twelve items they thought would greatly improve classrooms. They included lab tops, web cameras, scanners, and video cameras. I personally think it would be very cool to have all of this technology in classrooms. It would greatly impact the way students learn. If these changes occur I believe that we would see fewer drop outs in high schools around the nation. In addition this would increase the access to resources in classrooms and at home. If this approach is taken then schools across the nation will be better overall. Also classes would be more enjoyable for students and teachers alike. teachers tend to get board of teaching the same thing over and over again. with these new items teachers will look forward to there next class as well as the students.


This technology will greatly improve learning in poor schools across the nation. this will impact schools of the future by making them technological. Students will no longer rely on a pencil and paper. They will instead rely on computers and other technologies. In every way this would greatly impact schools around the nation. The changes to come in schools will be numerous and rewarding for schools around the world.

PLN example

I read an article titled"could it happen here" by David warlick and agree with him that the US needs to create conferences on developing school's of the future for educators, parents, and of course, students to attend. "Come join the search as we together build the future of schools.”




what matters?





how does it relate too me?





here's is and important quotation...



so here's the question tat occurred to me

PLN #2

I was reading about how President Bush is unfit to run the country. The people believe he is making poor decisions that affect America in the wrong ways. For example, his continued to veto legislation that would bring our troops home from Iraq. He said " We're not leaving until the job s done." As of last week, President Bush did say we will start bringing some of the troops home. Many people are sceptical about this move considering he vetoed every other bill passed by Congress to bring our troops home. President Bush's approval ratings were very low compared to the start of his first term. This is because of his continual support for the war in Iraq. Many people are ready for a change in office coming next year.





Personally President Bush needs to get his act together so that his approval ratings can possibly improve. He can only do this if he brings all the troops home by this summer. I'm not even sure that will help is rating. Ether way he is going to end up with terrible ratings at the end of his term. My hope is that we will have a president that knows what he or she is doing this time.

PLN # 1

Lately, I have been reading about sports related injuries and the costly affect on the sports world. On Sunday, September 9, 2007, one of these injuries occurred. It happened early Sunday during the Broncos, Buffalo Bills game. Tight end Kevin Everett sustained a life threatening spinal cord injury when he was hit on the upper neck by a defensive end from the Broncos. He was transported off the field by ambulance and immediately taken to a hospital. After being carefully looked at by doctors, it was confirmed that he had indeed broken his neck just below the head. He then went through four hours of surgery to repair the break. He was then placed under sedation to be watched by doctors for any sign of movement. It was thought that he would not likely walk again. However, just this evening, Kevin Everett was able to move his arms and legs a little. Hopefully, he will indeed walk again.

Sports related injuries affect us every day. From minor injuries to life threatening injuries these injuries happen for a reason. Recklessness out on the field between players is a big cause. When it comes to the sports, football is the most dangerous. From hitting to blocking there is simply no end to the danger of the sport. Some people think that new safety precautions should be instituted. Some of these include more pads for increased safety out on the field. Others include penalization for late hits and unnecessary roughness. Football is fun to watch. However, dangers may be found around every corner in this sport.

Many people wonder if football is to dangerous to play. However, I disagree with these people. I think football and other sports can be played safely if safety precautions are followed to keep players safe. All players should have adequate padding preferably around the neck and spinal cord. Players must have head protection on when playing sports at all times to prevent something like the Everett injury from happening again. This would insure that these sports can be played for years to come without major injuries.

what matters to me

When I hear the question what matters to you the first thing that pops into my head is my family. My family is amazing, they do so much for me to make sure i'm happy. For example they take me on trips to South Dakota, Mexico and much more. My family includes my brother Blake who is nine who makes me laugh so much. My brother Tyler who is one of the best laccrosse players of his age that I know. My mom Kathy who makes shure we are well fed for our day at school. My Dad is the one who makes all of our vacations possible. and last but not least my pets folsom and bell. Folsom is a dog and bell is a cat they are alaways there to greet us when we get home.

My friends are also very important to me. My friends are there to help me with homework when I need it. My friends hang out with me when i'm board. If I did'nt have friends I dont know what I would do.

My mountian house is very important to me. Without it I would not have a place to retreat to on the weekends and in the summer. I could not go sking every weekend like I do. last I would not have fun in the mountians if I did'nt have my house.