Comments for the ADMIN pages http://kevinwalter.org/blog A weblog by Kevin Walter Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:10:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 Comment on Java Jeopardy! - Chapter 5: Enhancing Classes by David Lau http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2007/01/java-jeopardy-chapter-5-enhancing-classes/#comment-24523 David Lau Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:23:56 +0000 http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2007/01/java-jeopardy-chapter-5-enhancing-classes/#comment-24523 This is awesome! This is awesome!

]]> Comment on The Daily Show on net neutrality by Magisoldier http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2006/07/the-daily-show-on-net-neutrality/#comment-22150 Magisoldier Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:49:56 +0000 http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2006/07/the-daily-show-on-net-neutrality/#comment-22150 yeah... i tried it, but it took me here for some reason... bummer no chuck norris jokes... yeah... i tried it, but it took me here for some reason...

bummer no chuck norris jokes...

]]> Comment on Schools and Open Source by Kevin http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2006/06/schools-and-open-source/#comment-18647 Kevin Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:14:04 +0000 http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2006/06/schools-and-open-source/#comment-18647 Jonathon: Man, I wrote this post a while ago! :-) I understand the practical issues associated with support, but you lost me with the piracy statement. ;-) Jonathon: Man, I wrote this post a while ago! :-) I understand the practical issues associated with support, but you lost me with the piracy statement. ;-)

]]> Comment on Schools and Open Source by Jonathon R http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2006/06/schools-and-open-source/#comment-18642 Jonathon R Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:02:28 +0000 http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2006/06/schools-and-open-source/#comment-18642 It's a good thought I guess--the open source stuff. However, the big problem is that there is not the staff to maintain such things. I am not against Linux. I have tried many flavors of it myself, but the thing they all have in common is that certain things in them do not work as well as they do in Windows. Windows is a ton easier (for the average high school going teen) to use for things on an every day basis. Also, those programs you suggested as alternatives to expensive closed source norms share similar woes. OpenOffice does not format things in the same way as Microsoft Word, and if the teachers actually became aware of this, they might get upset that their three page assignment is now worth less words. In addition, the program is not as easy to use--I could never figure out how to get it to default to anything other than those annoying .79" side margins. Support is a big issue as well. Not everyone has the time to fine tune their programs for their specific box and spend hours online in a forum or irc room to figure out why they are getting weird runtime errors. For the education system and the large public as well, closed source is a much better option--even if the cost seems like something ridiculous. I'm a big advocate of piracy, perhaps schools should start stealing their software. :-) It's a good thought I guess--the open source stuff. However, the big problem is that there is not the staff to maintain such things. I am not against Linux. I have tried many flavors of it myself, but the thing they all have in common is that certain things in them do not work as well as they do in Windows. Windows is a ton easier (for the average high school going teen) to use for things on an every day basis. Also, those programs you suggested as alternatives to expensive closed source norms share similar woes. OpenOffice does not format things in the same way as Microsoft Word, and if the teachers actually became aware of this, they might get upset that their three page assignment is now worth less words. In addition, the program is not as easy to use--I could never figure out how to get it to default to anything other than those annoying .79" side margins. Support is a big issue as well. Not everyone has the time to fine tune their programs for their specific box and spend hours online in a forum or irc room to figure out why they are getting weird runtime errors. For the education system and the large public as well, closed source is a much better option--even if the cost seems like something ridiculous. I'm a big advocate of piracy, perhaps schools should start stealing their software. :-)

]]> Comment on Semester 1 wrap-up, and Semester 2 first impressions by Kevin http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18641 Kevin Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:37:52 +0000 http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18641 Charlie: Thanks for your comment. Student engagement is definitely one of the key components in making education better. The natural interest you mentioned does play a big part in how much students <em>allow</em> themselves to be engaged, but sometimes, all it takes is an intense teacher with a true passion for their subject, as well as course content that isn't boring (read: lecture-based). Making students <strong>want</strong> to come to class each day is where you'll truly to start to see engagement, and as a result, more actual, authentic learning will take place. Charlie: Thanks for your comment. Student engagement is definitely one of the key components in making education better. The natural interest you mentioned does play a big part in how much students allow themselves to be engaged, but sometimes, all it takes is an intense teacher with a true passion for their subject, as well as course content that isn't boring (read: lecture-based). Making students want to come to class each day is where you'll truly to start to see engagement, and as a result, more actual, authentic learning will take place.

]]> Comment on Semester 1 wrap-up, and Semester 2 first impressions by Charlie http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18640 Charlie Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:30:03 +0000 http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18640 Kevin, I especially like your comments on engagement. I work as the principal of a Catholic High School in down state Illinois and we are constantly pushing student engagement as a means of increasing learning. I'm a big believer that a large percentage of our students just play the game: they do the minimum and are relatively well behaved and in exchange the teacher makes the work load mild. How can teachers increase engagement? There will always be subjects that are more appealing for some because of a natural interest. What is the answer? Is it the agricultural schedule with the industrial bell model? Help! Charlie Kevin,

I especially like your comments on engagement. I work as the principal of a Catholic High School in down state Illinois and we are constantly pushing student engagement as a means of increasing learning. I'm a big believer that a large percentage of our students just play the game: they do the minimum and are relatively well behaved and in exchange the teacher makes the work load mild.
How can teachers increase engagement? There will always be subjects that are more appealing for some because of a natural interest. What is the answer? Is it the agricultural schedule with the industrial bell model? Help!

Charlie

]]> Comment on Semester 1 wrap-up, and Semester 2 first impressions by Kevin http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18199 Kevin Sat, 19 Jan 2008 13:19:18 +0000 http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18199 Jackie: In the context that I'm using it, no, I don't believe teachers should be trying to get past a student's personal laziness. But this concept is a rarity. When it comes to students, there is a huge difference in being apathetic because we aren't engaged, as is the case with most students, and being apathetic because we have a "personal laziness" (not the best choice of words—call it senioritis if you wish). Hali: Thanks for your comment. Don't worry about the students who don't "get" your subject. They are the ones who are losing out, and it's no skin off your back if they don't allow themselves to become enthused and engaged. Jackie: In the context that I'm using it, no, I don't believe teachers should be trying to get past a student's personal laziness. But this concept is a rarity. When it comes to students, there is a huge difference in being apathetic because we aren't engaged, as is the case with most students, and being apathetic because we have a "personal laziness" (not the best choice of words—call it senioritis if you wish).

Hali: Thanks for your comment. Don't worry about the students who don't "get" your subject. They are the ones who are losing out, and it's no skin off your back if they don't allow themselves to become enthused and engaged.

]]> Comment on Semester 1 wrap-up, and Semester 2 first impressions by Hali http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18188 Hali Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:22:53 +0000 http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18188 Teachers do care too much.... I find it hard to deal with people that don't have the same enthusiasm for a subject as I - it really drains the energy out of the class sometimes and personally, it makes me extremely self-conscious about my teaching. Every time you look over at a student like that they have this look on their face like "you're an idiot". ;) Sometimes personalities just don't click! Teachers do care too much.... I find it hard to deal with people that don't have the same enthusiasm for a subject as I - it really drains the energy out of the class sometimes and personally, it makes me extremely self-conscious about my teaching. Every time you look over at a student like that they have this look on their face like "you're an idiot". ;) Sometimes personalities just don't click!

]]> Comment on Semester 1 wrap-up, and Semester 2 first impressions by JackieB http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18185 JackieB Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:54:07 +0000 http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18185 Kevin - I know all too well about off the cuff writing (<i>and</i> feeling sorry for one's self). The reason I chose to ask about AP Stats is that is something to which <i>I</i> can relate. I'm interested in hearing about your ideas of engaging students - really. I'd also love to hear how, as teachers, we can (help you?) get past/through/around your "personal laziness". (Can we? Should we?) Kevin - I know all too well about off the cuff writing (and feeling sorry for one's self).

The reason I chose to ask about AP Stats is that is something to which I can relate. I'm interested in hearing about your ideas of engaging students - really. I'd also love to hear how, as teachers, we can (help you?) get past/through/around your "personal laziness". (Can we? Should we?)

]]> Comment on Semester 1 wrap-up, and Semester 2 first impressions by Kevin http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18179 Kevin Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:41:35 +0000 http://kevinwalter.org/blog/2008/01/semester-1-wrap-up-and-semester-2-first-impressions/#comment-18179 Jackie: Re-reading some of my entry here, I want to make clear that it was a very off-the-cuff piece of writing, which has both its benefits and its detractors. It was an unfiltered, gut reaction, but I tend to get disillusioned about the grand scheme of things when I start to feel sorry for myself. ;-) My AP Stats class is fairly engaging, to be perfectly honest. My own <em>personal</em> laziness is what is making the class less interesting to me. I've got some broad thoughts on engagement that I'm looking to put into a cohesive blog post soon, but I'll start with this: Engaging the students in an active learning process goes beyond just calling on them to read off their answers. Challenge their entire way of thinking about the classroom. Make them interested in something <em>beyond</em> the actual course content. I know this sounds very vague (and henceforth useless), but as long as teachers operate under the idea that <strong>engagement is key</strong>, I have a feeling they can tailor-design their class better than I could. Jackie: Re-reading some of my entry here, I want to make clear that it was a very off-the-cuff piece of writing, which has both its benefits and its detractors. It was an unfiltered, gut reaction, but I tend to get disillusioned about the grand scheme of things when I start to feel sorry for myself. ;-) My AP Stats class is fairly engaging, to be perfectly honest. My own personal laziness is what is making the class less interesting to me.

I've got some broad thoughts on engagement that I'm looking to put into a cohesive blog post soon, but I'll start with this: Engaging the students in an active learning process goes beyond just calling on them to read off their answers. Challenge their entire way of thinking about the classroom. Make them interested in something beyond the actual course content. I know this sounds very vague (and henceforth useless), but as long as teachers operate under the idea that engagement is key, I have a feeling they can tailor-design their class better than I could.

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