DOLPHINS `07 - `08

What is the most precious item in your life? The one thing that you cannot do without. The thing in life you value the most. This question does leave some room for interpretation. There is no wrong interpretation. Please answer with what pops into your head first. Please do not over think it!

I think that the most precious thing in my life is my family. It is not an item, but they are the people who get me through. Without them, without family, there is nothing. I love them, and no matter what, they will always be there for me. It is a great feeling to have a group of people at home that will always be there for you. I definitely don’t know what I would do without them.

    This question, brought up by Tim Holt, is a very good one. In a recent post, he basically asks, why do you use technology, and what do you use technology for? There are many reasons for the use of technology.
Technology has become a HUGE part of all of our every day lives. We use it every day at work, school, and home. There are various reasons why we use computers and other forms of technology. One reason is for homework. Many students have to type papers, or in my case, write a blog. Without computers, papers wouldn’t be as neat or as easy to read. People use computers at work for articles and files and many other things. The answer to “why” really depends on who you are.
The answer to why for me personally is that I am in an environment that makes it necessary. In school we work on computers for mostly everything. We use Blogs, Wikispaces, Voice Threads, and other things. We also make Podcasts on our own and as a class. I like using these things because it’s different. Instead of writing a paper, we have do all of our work on the computer. Our Blogs and Wikispaces are permanent. No matter what I can go back and reflect on my work. With most of the papers I’ve written in my other classes, they end up in the garbage can. I like the fact that even when I’m older, I can look back on the school work I did. Most of my work gets a grade, then never sees the light of day again. I think that a majority of the students in my class think that it is nice to know that your work will always be there.
I don’t only use the Internet because I am forced to, I enjoy using it and I think it is very helpful to students (and adults.) I feel that without the Internet it would be very hard to do the school work that I am assigned to. In Social Studies class, all of our homework and classwork is done on the computer. Also, without access to a computer, I would not be learning as much as I am. I have learned so much about using computers since I started this class. I have always been pretty good on a computer, but now I am learning how to use a variety of different programs. I have had blogs in the past, so that wasn’t necessarily new to me. I had never heard of a Wikispace, never mind have one, before this year. Podcasts and Voice Threads are also new to me.
I also think I use the Internet because I like the feeling of knowing that somewhere out there, people are looking at my school work. Most of my work is only seen by the teacher that grades it. By using blogs and Wikispaces and Voice Threads, everything I make is available for many people to see.

( Exactly 500 words [: ! )

The Essay Video

I chose to write about this video because I think it portrays a good point. This video says to me that you should state your ideas no matter how ridiculous or unrealistic they may seem. You could have a great idea that needs to be shared.  Also, don’t let anyone tell you that your ideas are stupid. When the girl in this video is talking about the cell phone, everyone in her class laughs at her. Although what she was saying was brilliant and true, the kids in her class didn’t believe in her ideas. You shouldn’t shatter any idea, it might turn out to be the best idea in the world. 

Outside of parents, who has influenced your life more than anyone else; who had an impact on your life and what was it about that person that meant something to you?

Well, obviously my parents have influenced my life. But, besides them I would have to say my brother. Although he isn’t actually my brother, I think of him as one. I have known him for so long, and have grown so close to him, that I think of him as my brother. I first met him through swimming. He was my coach when I was younger. We have grown so close since then. He has helped me through good and bad. I tell him everything and have total trust in him. One specific example is that he was helping me and my friend with algebra. We were both having trouble so we went to him for help. He was very helpful and I learned a lot from him. Whenever I seem sad, he’ll ask me what’s wrong. He is the person that has impacted or influenced me the most. Anyone that knows him knows how nice and helpful he is. Whenever I need a helping hand, I know he will be right there.

Ben Wilkoff asks:

If my students can do the majority of their work with writing and reading online…If my students can receive all of their assignments online…If my students can maintain constant contact with their friends, classmates, and teachers online…If my students can create spaces to come together or work alone online… What do should we do in the classroom?

This man has a very good point. Everything can be accomplished using the internet. Contacts, papers, homework, interaction, everything.
This is the comment I left:

Many things can be accomplished over the internet. You can have a discussion, in words or in writing. You can assign things using blogs, wiki’s, podcasts, voice threads, etc. I personally think school would be a lot better if it was done online. Students wouldn’t have to get up at 6 and go to school. They can get up at 8 and be at their full potential because of the rest. One thing that would suffer are friendships. You would be alone all day online. At school you get to see your friends. Sometimes I think face to face interaction is important because seeing the persons facial expressions is sometimes important. Also the tone of their voice is important.

Well, this isn’t the newest news but many people don’t know about it. Kelsey Briggs was an adorable 3 year old girl when she was killed. She was born on December 28, 2002 and passed away on October 11, 2005. She was born after her parents got divorced. Kelsey lived with her mom, but was a daddy’s girl.

At the ages of one and two, she was a happy and energetic little girl. The first signs of abuse towards her were noticed at the beginning of 2005 when Kelsey’s mom began dating a man named Michael. Mid January of 2005 was when Kelsey broke her collarbone and got many bruises (this was in her mothers care.) On January 24, 2005 she was put into the care of her grandmother, on her fathers side of the family. While she was with her grandma, she visited her mother. On April 18, 2005 Kelsey’s mother married Michael. How could a mother marry a man who was harming their child? Kelsey’s dad was in the army, so he wasn’t around at these times. At the end of April that year, Kelsey broke both of her legs (again in her mothers care.) In May (2005) Kelsey was put in state Department of Human Services, custody. On May 4, 2005 she was moved into the care of her grandmother, on her mothers side. On June 15, 2005 she was moved back into her mothers care after going to court. The judge stated that Kelsey’s abuser was “unknown”. On August 27, 2005 Kelsey’s paternal grandmother saw her for one last time. This happy, healthy, child changed into a child that no one recognized. She changed a lot, so did her personality. October 11, 2005 Kelsey’s stepfather, Michael, kicked or hit her so hard in the stomach, it killed her. Kelsey died just days before her did came home from the war. Instead of a happy reunion with his family and daughter, he had to bury his little girl. A law was passed after her death to protect other children. Michael was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Her mother was sentenced to 27 years for enabling abuse. Now, April 28 is known as “Kelsey Briggs Day.”

Notice how swollen the bruise on her hand is.

What would you have done differently in this situation?
Who do you think is most at fault here?

Leave lots of comments please.

This is a voicethred that shortie4ever and I wrote and recorded. Hope you like itt =]

This is a voice thread about who I want to be.

Today, is Halloween =O [boo] 

Mr. Vumbaco came into our classroom for an interview.

I thought this was a very good questions asked by the interviewers:

“What skills do you think people need to be employees in the 21st century?”

Mr. Vumbaco said:

I believe that technology is very important. I also believe that it is important for people to choose which way they want to go. If you want to go to a technical school, you should. If you want to be a plumber or carpenter those are also great professions.

I think this is a good thing to say because some people believe that you have to go to an advanced college to be sucessful. Yes, college is an important thing but you can be successful without going to college. Tech schools are also great options.

Today is October 29, 2007. On this day in 1890 Claire Goll was born. This is a history site that tells you who was born or what happened to the exact date. 

   <— Claire Goll

Claire Goll is a German - French writer and journalist. She wrote short stories, poems and novels. Some of the books she has written are; 10,000 Dawns, Diary of a Horse, The Jewel, and many french books such as; Die Antirose. This is the story of her life. She was a Jewish woman. Her husband, Yvan Goll, died in 1950 and from then on she dedicated all of her writing to him.

    <—- Yvan Goll

Her contribution to her time period was a large amount of beautiful writing peices.