2 weeks!

Two weeks till the end of the semester.  Tonight will be a fun class since it may be our last in the room. I know we were possibly thinking of a field trip for next week.  I received my comments about my work and I'm very happy with the results.  It feels great to be finished with my first masters class!

In other news, I think I'm going to try to apply to the ETTC and see what path that takes me.  I need a job really bad and hopefully I will get something very soon.

Aside from that,  I am going away Wednesday to Friday, so I'm excited to relax especially after the retail madness from this past weekend with Black Friday.

Also it may snow tomorrow night!

Happy days!

Steve

Thanksgiving Week!

Last Week's class was awesome.  I enjoyed being in that room but I feel that we should have had iPads or computers to follow.  I really want to learn more about smartboards.  Sitting in class I had many ideas on how to improve technology in education.  I don't want to say much about it here but I have some great ideas.  Many different apps that can be created to make education easier.

I also finished all of my projects for class except for the PLN which I feel I will complete by Thanksgiving morning.  It is crazy thinking how quickly class is going by and how we are almost done with this semester.

Thanksgiving I am going to my girlfriend's grandmas and then back to my house for dessert with my family.  Every year we go back and forth with holidays.  We will be at dinner on one side and dessert on the other side.

Hopefully Friday will be my last Black Friday working.  I have to be at the store at 430AM to open at 5... I am happy that the store isn't open on Thanksgiving night like some stores are doing.  That is ridiculous.

Anyway, see everyone tonight in class!

Monday Funday

Last week's class was pretty exciting.  I enjoyed hearing about PowToon.  The only complaint that I have is that I wish it was free.  Even if it was a small charge it would be very helpful.  I just feel that some of the prices are outrageous.

The rest of my week consisted of getting ready for the snow storm.  The snow that fell was very heavy where many trees around me fell.  People throughout town lost power but luckily I didn't.  Today in class I heard that one teacher still does not have power since the hurricane.  That is scary.

The above picture is also very scary.  Black Friday is approaching and I doubt it will be busy this year. What bothers me the most this year is that many stores are opening at 8 PM on Thanksgiving.  It is a shame how stores are opening earlier and earlier each year.

....so much for having a family holiday

Hurricane Sandy

so last night I got my power back. so sad. I never experienced anything like this. and it isnt even that I'm in bad shape because our worst situation is we lost all our food in the fridge and a few shingles on our house. Friends of mine lost their house where water went all throughout the first floor. lost their brand new car. people dying in seaside or LBI. its just sad and crazy, who would have thought this would happen.

For the first time I'm seeing these pictures. My iPhone was working but very very slow connection. Gas lines are still insane where half the stores around have no power. Just annoys me when I listen to Jersey 101.5 and I hear some guy calling up criticizing the pole workers because they do not see them or that they see some trucks at a five guys eating. these guys work non stop and they deserve a break. Seeing all these trucks driving around from other states (electric companies) felt so great to see others helping out. and with all the politics around it felt great how a huge republican (Christie) and democrat (Obama) came together as people. I respect them both so much. Just catching a news glimpse tonight but listening to christie on the radio the past few days i'm happy he is governor (even with everything with teaching)...and he has been saying that Obama has been handling this all well... but anyway makes me mad how that guy on the radio complains of no power meanwhile you have some without homes. TREES ARE STILL ON TOP OF HOUSES and wires are still down and you have this jerk complaining of no power



Sorry for ranting, I'm just so devasted hearing about this I guess because it is all in my backyard. I used to go to seaside almost everyday in the summer to either walk the boardwalk or go to Midway cheesesteaks...Midway was the place Christie talked about as the free standing sausage place that just was gone.(EDIT! IT HAS SURVIVED CONTRARY TO REPORTS I SAW A PICTURE IT IS THERE!) they made the best worst cheesesteaks for like 7 bucks...you get a steakum with velvetta cheese sauce on a 6 inch sub... it was so good somehow. or you go to the rides. The log flume and the rollercoaster that is in the water, I remember it as a little kid and now it is gone.

All these questions go through my mind like on LBI is fantasy island still there? (arcade) or the Chegg (local legend dive) or what about Old Barney the lighthouse.(just saw a video of it standing strong...so happy about this)... its just sad. Today someone I know who works for Wawa was saying that they were using snow plows to get the sand off the streets. It's just crazy. Also up in point...we took my brothers wedding pictures there... areas are gone. So many people I know are now out of work, I know some people that were able to access seaside because of work and the photos they took are awful

sorry for the long rant...just everything I've been thinking.. I cant wait to drive over to seaside or lbi to just see the place..it'll be weeks from now but geez, its going to be so emotional...I hope they don't find anymore bodies. here are some pictures, the first two are from a house on my street. The others are just memories that are now so damaged it's crazy




see the giraffe in the upper left. That is a rooftop mini golf course. They had objects like the giraffe and a gorilla and a zebra. I'm surprised it is still standing which is weird. but once I got a hole in one on the final hole. celebrate so crazily when I was 18 haha 

so many memories with my friends when I was in high school from the boardwalk

This morning somebody posted this on facebook

Seaside

see everyone on Monday...

Awaiting Sandy

Class was canceled last week so I cannot comment on that.  However, the water cooler seems to be  a big hit.  I was asked to do security at the high school for two weeks to sub in for somebody.  I said alright.  I was also asked by a supervisor to give a demonstration to about 30 teachers on Web 2.0 Tools.  They enjoyed many of the apps I showed.  The best one they enjoyed was Socrative.  Everybody the past few days told me they enjoyed what I spoke of and some have even shared with me how they are incorporating what they have used in their lessons.  I wish I was able to teach teachers how to use different technologies as a job.  I would be great at that.

In other news, Sandy is starting.  I live a mile from the bay so it is a little nervous with the rising water.  People so far that live within 1000 feet of the bay have been evacuated.  Both of my jobs are closed Monday and Tuesday.  Lets hope all is well.  Tomorrow starting at noon, everyone in town must stay home.  Hopefully Sandy won't be too mean.  I want to make sure my phone works and last.  However if you are looking for a great police scanner, search your app store.  There are many out there that work well.  Here is a great scanner that I use.


Anyway... Talk to you all on well hopefully soon.

take care

Quizlet

Once again I am subbing today in a high school.  The students are doing a review which is all online at a 2.0 tool called Quizlet.  There is actually also an app for it on the iPhone.  It is basically a great review tool where you can also print out packets as well.  I am going to remember this tool so I can use it when I teach.

As for our previous class, it was my favorite so far.  I enjoyed how we had the three of the same presentations, but at the same time, we had completely different information.  At first I thought class would be boring listening to two of the same presentations but I loved how unique they were delivered.  This class was perhaps the only one that I actually enjoyed doing a group project with.  I'm looking forward to our special class meeting next week!

Random thought: Is it weird that Christmas decorations are out at stores already?!?!?! As for the yankees...baseball season is over :( but hopefully this season we don't spend a lot on free agents and go back to relying on our farm system.

Late Late Late...but still on time

Here is my weekly blog post, a little late but still on time before tonight's 6PM class.  I'm excited today to give our presentation with my group.  We worked really well together and I feel we will also be able to deliver our content nicely.

I also enjoyed Dawn's tool last week and it was nice to have her son interact instead of just showing "Hey this is skype".  I don't usually use Skype but for business purposes I would.  Today a supervisor at the school I'm subbing at told me that there might be a position open involving maintaining technology at the school.  I'm going to ask around for letters of recommendation possibly.  I hope this turns into something, even if it is part time.

my picture of the week is Windows 8.  The new operating system comes out october 26.  This past weekend I had to take many tests and certifications at my job to ready to sell these computers to customers in about two weeks.  Overall, I am happy with the new operating system but it is going to take a while for everyone to get used to it.

Well I'm off to take the drive down to class.

Just The Way The Cookie Crumbles....

Wow! It is Saturday already!  Last Monday in class was nice to have time with groups to work on our project.  It made all of our plans fall into line.  My group has done pretty well...now we just need to put some finishing touches on the project.  Besides working on the project, Shannon and I discussed with Amy about getting a Mac.  It would definitely be the best choice for a laptop that will actually last a few  years.  I am looking forward to Monday's class to show Evernote.  Perhaps I will give them a handout of how to sign up to Evernote and create their first notebook.

In other news, I went to Atlantic City the other night... I risked a large amount ($5).  I ended up a winner! I won FIVE DOLLARS!  Aside from that, it has been a simple week.  I'm waiting to hear back from an interview which I heard I did well at.  

Remember everyone... Yankees postseason starts tomorrow night.

Sick + Subbing Still Equals Money

I yi yi.  I have had this head cold for the past few days but subbing is very easy money.  Right now Students are working on assignments with their computers so I decided to update my blog! Luck you!  If you want to view a great feel-good story, enjoy this article about Adam Greenberg.  I won't say much about it, but seven years ago he had his first MLB plate appearance.  He got hit by the pitch in the head and developed many conditions where he couldn't play at baseball's highest level.

OH AND BY THE WAY! THE REFEREES WILL BE BACK IN ACTION THIS WEEK!

Monday's class was exciting to use Wimba.  I was able to learn all about Wimba by experimenting myself.  The checklist was great extra work (thanks Mike) to help us understand the ins and outs of the application.  We then briefly went over the BIG project.  Mike, Shannon, and I are going to work on it together where we have been communicating about it this week.  I tried using EbscoHost but the school here has it blocked from Stockton's library.  I think I'm going to take on the research part of it because I'm used to researching from my History degree.

That is all for now, I will probably write another blog post this week to update how the project is going

#goyanks

ProProfs, Evernote, and Yankees...oh my!

September is coming to a close and to some it is football season.  To me... baseball playoffs begin!

On Monday in class, it was great to see how Wimba worked.  I very much enjoyed it.  I am considering whether or not to come to class on Monday.  I don't feel like getting gas to drive down but I like the interaction with the class.

ProProfs was an awesome tool to learn.  This allows students to go home and take a quiz without being under pressure in class.  Sometimes I wonder how grades would be if students didn't take exams around 25 other kids.  I know a few of my friends have told me that when they are around others, they just cannot concentrate when taking an exam.  It's a shame that they have to feel like this, but this is where ProProfs can help us.  However, students can be at home looking up answers as they take the test.

My contract is coming along pretty well.  I think I know exactly what I want to do, but I kind of want to throw a wildcard idea in there.  I want to go to the school where I student taught and teach the History department about Evernote.  Evernote is an amazing app that helps you take all your notes to every digital object that you own.  It is available on computers, smartphones, and tablets!  This will come in handy when it is time for a midterm.  Teachers always work together on the midterm and can create a secure account on Evernote.  One teacher can write in this virtual notebook, starting to write questions and then save it right in the application.  Instantaneously, another teacher can log in at their home and see how the midterm has been updated.  Notes for school can also be shared by email, Facebook, or Twitter.  A student may forget their notes to study, but if you are on Evernote you can share them right to the class Twitter page.

Well it is 12:50... time for the Yankees game. Lets go!

The Beginning

My future classroom.

See those students up there? Of course you do!  I have no idea who they are but what I do know is they are holding the iPad.  Wherever I get a job, my students are going to be taught with technology as much as I can.  Many schools today are implementing a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy at schools.  No more scoliosis for Suzy because these tablets weigh less than two pounds!  Many textbook companies such as McDougal-Littel are digitizing there heavy books into these tablets.  It is not only a textbook but as you open the app you are able to take notes and bookmark important pages.  It is not just boring 2D text that we had ten years ago.  These chapters are filled with amazin videos such as a demonstration on how the Huey Helicopter was able to fly so low during Vietnam!  We are finally able to bring history alive and bring the excitement to our student's fingertips.

Class on Monday the 10th felt great.  It was exciting to be back in the classroom.  I'm eager to learn new ways to get information out there and I would love to show the ideas that I have.  The set up of the class is great as well.  It has a laid back atmosphere that makes me feel comfortable.  As soon as I read the syllabus I started to think of ways I wanted to fill up my 50 "other" points.  I don't want to reveal them yet, but check back on this blog a few times a week to see some of my ideas or what my other points will consist of!