Do Now 12/15

     The one thing that ignites my fire to change the world is seeing people struggling. Just yesterday I was walking through New York City and seeing homeless people always breaks my heart. I hate seeing people who deserve better or who are in need, because everyone deserves to live a life where they are happy and healthy. About every 2 weeks or so, my family and I go make bagged lunches for the homeless, because my parents have taught me that it is important to give back and to help those in need.  Every time I volunteer, I always feel a sense of accomplishment, since I have helped about 300 people get food in their stomachs. It always makes me feel good, and that is the reason why I keep doing it week after week. This can fulfill my life goal of helping others, because I am directly aiding those who need help. Also, I am helping the community because it can become a better place.

Blog Post Assesment

Recently, I have visited the Allendale Bar and Grill. They specialize in pub food, such as burgers and home style meals, however they also serve salads, pasta, and other options. The "AB&G" is located in Allendale, New Jersey. Their home environment welcomes many guests very frequently for a night out, or other events such as baby showers, celebrations, or a simple bite out with the family. The staff is very friendly, helpful, and the restaurant is easily family friendly. 

One of the reasons I feel at home at the AB&G is due to their history. The family owned business began in 1935, when Grandma Connelly started serving food to guests at her hotel. Now four generations later, the family tradition has still continued. Frequently, the owners will be at the restaurant helping out and checking on things. Also, the family has expanded and now owns the Mahwah Bar and Grill, which opened in 1992.

If the AB&G burned down, I would probably try to find another pub like restaurant where I could feel like at home. I like family owned restaurants because they are better run and more friendly, in my opinion. Whenever I go to the AB&G, I enjoy the good food and spending time at the restaurant. One of my favorite parts of the AB&G is that they give free popcorn that is freshly popped. It is so delicious and guests are welcome to go and get it themselves, which easily creates a home environment. The AB&G is one of my favorite places, and I would recommend it to anyone!      

RSS Discussion Questions

1. Why did you select the sites you subscribed to?

I selected the sites I did because they either can provide me with important news, and government information, or I have an interest in the topics.

2. Was it easy to find the feeds and subscribe to them?

Yes, it was very easy for me to find and follow the feeds.

3. Which sites were your favorites?

My favorite sites were TMZ.com and thebeautydepartment.com, which gives tips and advice about different beauty and hair products.

4. What else can you use RSS feeds for?

You can use RSS feeds to put all of your favorite or most visited websites into one place, rather than going to all different websites.

5. How likely are you to continue to use RSS feeds in the future?

It is pretty likely that I will still use RSS feeds as a helpful tool in the future.

Wireless Christmas Lights?

• A new company called Powered by Aura has now developed wireless Christmas lights for your Christmas tree.
• The system revolves around a ores green Aura Power Ring which can be put under or around trees depending on their size.
• The ring is then plugged in to a standard power outlet and the LED ornaments light up when they are in the power area. 
• Aura lights come in three types of ornaments: clear, frosted or crackled, as well as white or multicolor.
• A box of 12 wireless lights can be bought for $65 in the US
• Powered by Aura will soon be selling their creation starting October 2015.

Click here to view the original article.

Do Now 12/2

     If I were a teacher, I would add an animal class where students could learn about animals and study them. The class would be a half year elective that students could choose and the class would meet every day for one full semester.  In the class, students would learn about the families of animals, species of animals, and types of animals. The class could go on field trips or have visitors who bring in animals so the class could become fun and interactive. 

     To demonstrate their learning, at the end of the semester students would create a presentation about their favorite animal that they learned about. This class is just what our school needs to change things up and to make learning more fun for the students in our school.

Wiki Dissection LW

1. What is the purpose of this wiki?

The purpose of this wiki is to discuss disruptive technology/innovation that are occurring education and the classroom.

2. When was the last post?

The last post was November 7, 2007 at 2:53 am.

3. How was this Wiki created?

It was created using k12wiki, a wiki website.

4. What would you add to it?

I would add more current distractions, such as Instagram, Twitter, Vine, Snapchat, etc. because those are more current distractions that students face in the classroom.

5. What did you learn from it?

From this wiki I learned how much students can actually be distracted in the classroom, and the difference between disruptive and sustaining innovations.

6. If you had to create a Wiki with a team, what would be the specific topic(s)?

If I had to create a wiki with a team, the specific topic would be entertainment, including music, movies, TV, and more.

7. How can Wikis be used in the classroom or in education?

Wikis can be used in the classroom or in education when doing group projects, studying for a test with a study group, and in many more situations

Wiki Research

1. How can a wiki be used a current class on your schedule (not this course)? Pick a class and be specific how the class could create and use a Wiki on a regular basis (tip: Use the Internet, here is a good source).

          In my english class, a wiki can be used to create study guides and notes for Great                                         Expectations, since it is the book that we are currently reading. With a wiki, we can all add                           information to the study guides and correct each other which is important.

      

      2. What are the benefits of using a wiki in class?

           

          The benefits of using a wiki in class are everyone can add information in an easy way and                             people can correct each other.

     3. How can we create a wiki in this class, what would be contribute to it and how would be utilize                      it on an on-going basis?

     

         We can create a wiki in class by using a website. Next, we could contribute information about                      this class and technology. We could utilize it on an on-going basis by contributing to the wiki as                    a do now everyday.

   4. What experience do you have using or creating wikis?

        Personally, I have no experience with wikis.

Nintendo Wants to Launch Sleep Sensor Product

It is now known that Nintendo is releasing a product called the "QOL" platform, which stands for "quality of life". This will be the first sensor to track your sleep without being attached to the body. It is also a little uncommon for Nintendo to release a product in the health industry, since they are most known for their gaming technology. This product is claiming to rest on your beside and record your sleeping patterns and then give you ways to improve them. Nintendo additionally stated that they spoke with experts n sleep and fatigue to help make their dream become a reality.

Click here to veiw the original article.

Over the Weekend...

This past weekend I did a few things. I slept in late, got my flu shot, as well as made m confirmation. I really enjoyed sleeping in, because I was tired from getting up early for school. I hate getting shots, but sadly I had to get my flu shot. Then, my confirmation was very special and I am glad that I could celebrate with my family on Saturday.

Click here to read more about Catholic confirmations.

National Teen Driver Safety Week

National Teen Driver Safety Week begins this Sunday and ends Saturday, November 1.  It has been proven that one of the major killers of teens between the ages of 14 and 18 is car crashes.  More specifically, the number one killer is distracted driving, such as texting while driving.  The original article states that parents are asked to talk to their children about safe driving using the "5 to Drive" rules. These rules are:

• No cell phones while driving
• No extra passengers
• No speeding
• No alcohol
• No driving or riding without a seat belt

It is important teens learn to put the technology away and drive safely from place to place.

Spaceship Could Carry First Humans to Mars in Hibernation State

Scientists are currently developing a way to send humans to Mars in a spaceship using therapeutic hypothermia.  Six to eight astronauts will undergo periods of therapeutic hypothermia treatments while in the spaceship to help the 180 day journey to Mars seem to go by faster.  Therapeutic hypothermia is a method used to put your body in an almost sleeping state, where your body temperature goes from 98.6 degrees to about 93 degrees.  Studies have shown that the humans will be fine physically be okay, but scientists are unsure of the mental affects therapetuic hypothermia will have on astronauts.  Also, another issue is that if Mars was to be colonized, we cannot just send 6 to 8 people at a time.  Specialists are working on solving these issues and working on getting humans to Mars in possibly about 20 years. 

Click here for the original article. 

New Airport Scanner Could Make Security Easier

There is a new security scanner called "Alfa3" that was invented by Dr. Naomi Alexander, who is a physicist who studies in Madrid. He figured out a way to use "millimeter wave imaging" which is a type of thermal imaging. The scanner "Alfa3" can detect weapons, drugs, or any other harmful object without the need to remove clothes, shoes, or even stop. You can simply walk through the scanner and it will be able to detect everything quickly. Also, the CNN article I read explains how
"Alfa3" promises to have a higher resolution, which therefore lowers the chance of making mistakes. But the biggest attraction of the scanner is its claim to scan approximately 400 people per hour. This completely eliminates those long lines and delays at security at the airport. Hopefully, "Alfa3" can come to airports soon and improve our security and safety.

Do Now 9/29/14

     An editorial is an article that is written by a head editor, that expresses that person's opinion on a specific topic.  Most editorials are found under the "Opinion" heading in a newspaper, magazine, or other source.  Throughout my years at school, my teachers have told me that Wikipedia was not a valid source.  I have also been told that point would be taken off for using Wikipedia, and that any research from Wikipedia would not be accepted.
     Most of my teachers have not let me use Wikipedia.  I have asked why multiple times, and the answer I usually get is "It is not a valid source." I think teachers do not let their students use Wikipedia because everyone has access to edit the information, therefore people focus on the downsides of Wikipedia, rather than the benefits the program can offer.  After reading the editorial about Wikipedia, I have learned that Wikipedia may not be such a bad thing, and that it should be used in many schools around the globe.

NASA's Technology Finds Disaster Survivors

• NASA has developed a new technology to detect very subtle movements under rubble called the FINDER
• It can detect motion as much as 40 feet of rubble
• This technology was created to find survivors of natural disasters quickly
• It only takes a few minutes to learn how to use the FINDER and only a few minutes to set up
• This device is to be used by emergency crews, fire departments, police officers, and the armed forces
• NASA says the FINDER will cost about $10,000

Web 2.0: Multimedia Blog Posting

     This year, I am taking English I Honors as one of my classes.  My teacher is Ms. Hunter and I am looking forward to having a great year in her class.  She hasn't told us much about herself, but she is very nice, helpful, ad sometimes even funny.  Ms. Hunter seems like the teacher who will make English fun, and not a class that I will fall asleep in.  When class first started, I honestly expected it to be a lot harder than my English class in eighth grade, but so far, it is challenging,  but nothing that I cannot handle.  I also expected Ms. Hunter to not be my favorite teacher, but I was quickly proved wrong.  
     In only approximately two weeks of school, I have learned so much!  This Thursday, we have our first test on literary terms that we had to define last week.  By defining these terms, I have learned the definition of quite a few new literature vocabulary words that I will need to know for the rest of the year.  Next, the English department's grading policy has changed this year. The grading policy is as follows:

45%: Formal Assessments
45%: Performance Based Assessments
10%: Homework/Classwork

     In English class, we have not used any technology yet, but we plan to eventually use the Chromebooks in class. This should be a new and exciting part added to our class! One of my favorite parts of English class this year is reading Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare. Although we are not going on any class trips, I have always wanted to read the story.  I am looking forward to an excellent year in English I Honors this year!

Ms. Hunter's Website
MLA Format Guide

What is English?

Educational Technology and Copyright Law

• When you doodle or write something, it instantly becomes copyrighted
• It automatically becomes yours
• Everyone has 4 copyright rights. They are: 
• 1. Reproduce the copyrighted work
• 2. Display the copyrighted work publicly
• 3. Prepare derivative works based on the copyrighted work
• 4. Distribute copies of copyrighted work to the public by sale, rental or lending, and/or to display the image.   

Link

Gmail Passwords Leaked by Russian Hackers

• On Wednesday, September 10, 5 million Gmail passwords were leaked 
• They were leaked on a Russian website
• Google is not sure how the hackers leaked the information
• But Google does say that the servers were not hacked
• Also, sources say that the passwords might be old or outdated 
• Google is now telling users to protect their information using the two-step authentication feature

Link