Our Final Project

I must admit, I have been so busy the past few years working on school papers or college work that I didn't realize just how easy this "website building stuff" has become. The power-points, speaker notes (which I used for my power point during my oral defense), blogging, igoogle (which I had never even heard of until this class) and sooooo much more.... It's amazing just how much technology is rapidly changing in just a year or two.

Our final project was useful to me in regard to preparing me for my power point for my defense. It went very well (I received an "exemplary" 4 out of 4!) and I'm very excited. Thank you to all of you that have helped make this a success, and thanks to my team members for their patience with me. I appreciate it.

Hope to see you all soon,

Wilson

Capstone Done!

Just some friendly advice... Begin working on your Capstone at least six months or more in advance if possible. I just finished mine (I defend on Wednesday, May 26) and it's not that is so hard, but rather, so time consuming. It's A LOT of "crossing your T's and dotting your I's" type of thing. The sooner you can get started on it, the better. Believe me.

I am also wrapping up my days here at Otterbein. I'm gonna miss a lot of you. Be sure to stay in touch. And if I can be of help to anyone in the future with any of their work or classes, let me know. Maybe you can learn from any of my mistakes, so you'll only have to make new ones. Lol

Hope to hear from you all soon.

Wilson

MY WEBSITE (Wilson's Way)

Hello everyone,

long time no write! Sorry for the delay... I've been working on my capstone and just finished it (YEA!) Anyway, now that all of that has been taken care of, I've finally really gotten into the website stuff, and I must admit, it's pretty cool. I didn't realize this stuff was so easy now (I made a site about four years ago and it wasn't nearly as easy to do, nor as capable as things are now). Feel free to check out my site and let me know what you think. I plan to add a blog and some animoto soon.

Later!

Wilson's Way

The Danger of Science Denial

I viewed "Michael Specter: The Danger of Science Denial." This was about 15 minutes or so and very intriguing. I didn't agree with everything that he said, but I loved the fact that what he did say caused me to think about what I believe and why I believe it. He challenged my thinking, and in some parts of his presentation I found that I DO agree.

He had some memorable quotes within his presentation. The following are just a few that I jotted down or paraphrased:

1) You can't demand proof (of something) and then not accept the results you get.

2) People wrap themselves in their beliefs to the point that they blind themselves to the

truth.

3) You're entitled to your own opinions, but not to your own facts.

4) The solution for (getting rid of) big government isn't "big placebo."

5) Science is a process. Not allowing this process for fear of what we may find is a bad idea.

6) Belief and magic should not replace factual results/science.

Basically, he speaks of the advances of technology and science and how it could (and should) be used to further mankind and our happiness or peaceful existence, but instead we (the world) are arguing about small, insignificant things (like is it right to move genes within a cell?) instead of focusing on the idea of helping people. He mentions how measles are practically non-existent in America, yet 160,000 people died from it in the world last year. He points out that this is happening because people are afraid of vaccines and won't get them, or because we're too self-centered to get such vaccines to the people that need them.

Another point he makes is the concept or "causation and correlation" and how we often allow celebrities to spew their opinions about certain topics (like Autism) without them knowing all the facts. He speaks of Jenny McCarthy and others going on Larry King or Oprah to make their voice heard, yet they don't have the facts straight, and such errant information causes fear instead of setting people free.

My conclusion to all of this is that it really made me think and take a look at what I normally am never asked or challenged to look at. It got me to think twice about certain topics and that's more than I can say for a lot of things I've read in the last year. I was so intrigued by what was said that I went ahead and viewed a few other videos on this site (TED.com. There is an interesting and somewhat funny video called AJ's year of living biblically. You should check it out, too). I would recommend you at least watch one of these videos. Even if it offends you, at least it will cause you to strengthen what you believe and sharpen your skills as to why. I definitely believe if we as a people are going to be so "into" what we believe that we are willing to die for it, then the least we can do is look to see if it's worth dying for.

The Bad Beginning

This was a schooltube video I viewed called, "The Bad Beginning." It is a "book trailer" done by an elementary student. This trailer has book pics as well as real-life pics included to add to the presentation. The reading level is listed at the beginning of the video (6.4) and a brief documentary of the book is given.

In my opinion, the idea or concept for this is good, however, I feel like the students could use a little more guidance in their overall presentation (at one point, the boy shows a burning house and informs us his parents were killed in a fire). Other than a few improvements, I think the idea of students doing book reviews, etc., is a good one and is certainly more likely to encourage them as well as their peers to read more. Anything that encourages students to read more is a huge plus in today's world.

Bubbles!

I reviewed "Bubble Making Activities and Recipes." Once there, I checked out "Bubble Geometry- Making Different Shaped Bubbles." This activity and the information in it was better than what I anticipated. Making bubbles is easier than you might think and making bubbles into a form of geometry is even easier. As a math teacher (5th grade) ANYTHING I can do to keep my students interested in math beyond what is expected or taught in the classroom is highly desirable and useful. I not only liked the information offered, but plan to put it to use in the next few weeks at my school. My students will love it (and I will too).

Casa Ole Fundraiser or Teacher Bribery?

Go to schooltube videos. Click on "channels." Then "academics and education." Then click on "Fairmont Elementary." Then view "Casa Ole Fundraiser."

Basically, this video was done (from what I can tell) by the PTO for this elementary school to help advertise the fundraiser they were sponsoring. Apparently, the school was using this mexican restaurant to help raise money for the school by having students and staff use coupons for this restaurant. In the video, this one particular student is seemingly harassed over-and-over again by the teacher, so that he (the teacher) can take the bribe of receiving the coupon for this restaurant, thus allowing the kid off the hook. I could get all "politically correct" about what mixed messages this video does/could send to the community, but for the sake of time, I'll just say this video, in my opinion, has it problems. I get the point they're trying to make, but the way they went about making it was in poor judgment in my opinion. What do you think???