News for today's 2018

Perspective on Problems

4:07 AM Tukiyooo 0

She was a thin little thing in a man's t-shirt two sizes too big. The crumpled dollar and some change were in her hand as she set her loaf of white bread on the belt. It was just one thing, so the cashier didn't notice and rang it up with my groceries. The little teenager sprang to action and with both hands put her hands on the bread as if to indicate it was hers - with fear in her eyes, she looked at me as if I was going to take her bread.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_VlAwjf_geBi15FjCuPTzg76i23b_04kNYIbZhaxKKZS3vqBj3Wjn_jq9YG_6np_J5t1u-mfB5uFA-t0HTvtpRtFrRM_Vn39KIdOOyizxr4qtbwUMNz67_bCkQPBmIJReUE7Oo0C0dIh/s1600/bigstock-dollar-11655281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_VlAwjf_geBi15FjCuPTzg76i23b_04kNYIbZhaxKKZS3vqBj3Wjn_jq9YG_6np_J5t1u-mfB5uFA-t0HTvtpRtFrRM_Vn39KIdOOyizxr4qtbwUMNz67_bCkQPBmIJReUE7Oo0C0dIh/s320/bigstock-dollar-11655281.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The cashier quickly apologized and started removing the bread from my ticket. <br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"No, I said, I'm happy to buy her bread for her. Let me do it."</blockquote><br />I took out another dollar and change as she looked at the few coins in her hands that probably weren't enough. Then, she looked at me and thanked me as if I'd just bought her a diamond ring.<br /><br />With tears in my eyes and tears in hers, I said, "Just know that God loves you," and she was gone.<br /><br />I was left behind ashamed. Ashamed because I've been having a pity party for three days because of having to cancel a trip that I didn't have the money to go on. Ashamed because I had the money to buy more than bread for my family and yet, I was upset because of the unexpected auto repair bills, unexpected medical bills that the insurance company refused to pay, and unexpected money owed to the school for different events for my children. We didn't have enough money... or so I thought.<br /><br />We have money, we're just working to manage it. <br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"You either manage money or the lack of it manages you," </blockquote>says <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.daveramsey.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Dave Ramsey">Dave Ramsey</a>, author of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/home/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Financial Peace University">Financial Peace University</a>, the program we're going through at our church that is changing our spending habits and improving our marriage - although right now, we jokingly call it "Financial Pain University."<br /><br />But there are perspectives here. Two to be exact.<br /><br /><h2>1. Don't say "I don't have money" when you really do. </h2>I'm just choosing where to spend it and I can't do everything I want. Sometimes I have to say no so my money can go where it is most needed. Credit card debt is a form of modern slavery and ours is going to be gone soon.<br /><br />As I left the grocery store, thanking God for the opportunity to do that small thing and to see her face, I felt that He clearly told me:<br /><br /><h2>2. I give you money so you can help people, not spend it on your own pleasures.</h2><br />Yes. The joy in that moment was unbuyable, unexpected, and amazing - not because I'm so good, because I'm not. It was just bread. The joy was there because the good Lord let me see that woman's face and know that I was in the right place at the right time to help her. If I'd been at home still having my pity party like I had for the last two nights in a row, I might not have seen her.<br /><br />As you ponder how tough your life is. As you bemoan the sacrifices you are making for your family, your children, or your students, ponder perspective.<br /><br /><h2>Real Problems</h2>As I came home from this and my problems seemed dim, they got a lot dimmer as I saw the footage 9/11 on the airwaves last night. I heard the Mom call her son on the last plane to go down in Pennsylvania,<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"Son, they've got the plane and they're going to hurt people, you need to overpower them. Do what you can do, I love you. Bye Bye."</blockquote><br />Now, that is a problem. That is tragedy. That is a brave Mom doing the right thing that I cannot fathom. My problems pale in comparison.<br /><br /><h2>Get Perspective and Get Busy</h2>So, I write to you today in the hopes that you too will gain perspective for both your money situation and your problems. You are dear, wonderful teachers and I've known very few rich ones. But I have known those who managed their money so well that they could help others in many ways. I hope that you'll join me in a move to managing our money so the lack of it doesn't manage us.<br /><br />You have somebody right now in front of you that you can help. I promise you do. It won't cost much, but look for them. Help them and you might just help yourself make it through the struggles you face.<br /><br />Remember your noble calling, teacher. Have a great day. <br /><br />Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.bigstock.com/" target="_blank">BigStock</a>. Not for reuse without licensing directly from Bigstock.<br />  <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_c.png?x-id=fe0f7967-9b4e-4d48-a887-727f3888817c" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>

Perspective on Problems

She was a thin little thing in a man's t-shirt two sizes too big. The crumpled dollar and some change were in her hand as she set her lo...

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/12/2012

2:30 AM Tukiyooo 0

<ul class="diigo-linkroll">      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://flatclassrooms.ning.com/forum/topics/chapter-1-can-you-have">Chapter 1: Can you have excellent education without global collaboration? - Flat Classrooms</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">I just posted this on our Chapter 1 discussion from Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds. These forum posts are connected to the essential questions from each chapter and anyone can contribute. It is linked by QR code to the forum so that the conversation can happen outside the book with anyone who joins in. The forum is starting to light up with contributors and it is exciting. This is what I just posted today on this post.  I just want to note, with tears in my eyes, that it is amazing that it takes a bit of time from the day we completed the book (just a few days after this post was made) and when the book gets into the hands of the kind of people who are commenting below. I just want to say YES YES YES and dance around when I see the comments that are happening here. Hats off and welcome. It is time to talk about this!</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/flatclass">flatclass</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/globaled">globaled</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ce12">ce12</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/flatclassroom">flatclassroom</a></p>                                        </li>      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=13_zB_wki4A6mnYk0C8RdYUYS5h8JNw1N_p5jS5x2wkQ">Teacherpreneurs</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">Teacherpreneurship is customizing the classroom. Yvonne Caples, Lisette Casey, Getchen Cherian, and Xavier Espejo-Vadillo wrote a "quad blog" on this topic. This is a slightly different way of "quad blogging" than some of have done where classrooms comment on each other's post, but rather, is a collaboratively written post by four teachers. They've done an excellent job. We'll talk about this in our Flat Classroom certified teacher post. I think the toughest part is whether we can use the word "I" in a quadblog and our certified teachers will wrestle with that tonight in our meeting.</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teacherpreneurship">teacherpreneurship</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teacherpreneur">teacherpreneur</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a></p>                                        </li>      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jure-klepic/social-media-marketing_b_1855117.html">Jure Klepic: Taking Multi-Dimensional Marketing to Next Level</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">Jure is my go-to person for really understanding social media. I sat down with him at Microsoft four weeks a go and the advice he gave me doubled my Twitter followers each day, while making my life easier. I read everything he writes on the Huffington Post about social media and if you're responsible for getting your school or organization's message "out there," you should too. This is an emerging field as schools work to help their brands in the "marketplace" and while you may recoil at me calling it a marketplace, in five years, when schools are out of business because they didn't understand the competition that is coming through the Internet, you'll clearly see what I'm saying.  Everyone and every organization has a brand. You can manage it or it can be managed for you by your naysayers and fans in a harem, scarem way. I'd rather be proactive and positive in my efforts. Read this article, but here's a quote I think that sums up much of what happens with social media brands online:  "What happens instead is that brands simply place themselves on a social network in an effort to engage potential consumers, and then fail because they are not using a multi-dimensional approach. Instead of connecting and engaging, they go at social media like they strategize advertising -- here's what we want to say and here's how we're going to do it. When it doesn't work, they end up blaming the network instead of acknowledging their role in failing to incorporate object and timing into their plan."</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/socialmedia">socialmedia</a></p>                                        </li>      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7815007@N07/7943970594/">Five Learning Models | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">Learning Models used by Professional learning teams in effective schools from the Department of education and training in Victoria Australia. This is an excellent graphic and includes: Peer observation, study groups, case discussions, lesson study, and examination of student work.</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/professional_development">professional_development</a></p>                                        </li>  </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/12/2012

Chapter 1: Can you have excellent education without global collaboration? - Flat Classrooms I just p...

CHINA’S WINNING STRATEGY IN AFRICA

7:21 PM Tukiyooo 0

<br /> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7jVps7ks2qB2rMmeURMJjrLNhgZF67m7QPL2UcMbeXlR935EmpKKXe50OqOJASXqPNMcYkCbnn68I1BEJgrVcMboKpRkq3PUO8icgKOPhJ2ZCksaiDW8aaKKEfPhbYE2TtPjmqgAo9wx/s1600/1450042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7jVps7ks2qB2rMmeURMJjrLNhgZF67m7QPL2UcMbeXlR935EmpKKXe50OqOJASXqPNMcYkCbnn68I1BEJgrVcMboKpRkq3PUO8icgKOPhJ2ZCksaiDW8aaKKEfPhbYE2TtPjmqgAo9wx/s400/1450042.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">THAT CHINA’S RISE IN AFRICA AMOUNTS TO NEO-COLONIALISM AND IS RESENTED BY AFRICANS, IS A NOTION EXISTING PRIMARILY IN THE MINDS OF WESTERN ANALYSTS</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There are stark differences between Beijing’s and Washington’s foreign policies, and nowhere are these more obvious than in AFRICA.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">GLOBAL REALIGNMENT OF POWER IS TAKING PLACE</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Contention between CHINA and the UNITED STATES is extending far beyond the current hot spot of the SOUTH CHINA SEA. As CHINA’S economy continues its rapid expansion, a truly global realignment of power is taking place. Regions that were dominated by the West for centuries are now coming into CHINA’S orbit, challenging AMERICA’S position at the top on a once-unipolar world.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This trend is particularly evident in AFRICA. The UNITED STATES is now seeking to counter CHINA’S economic and political inroads in the AFRICAN continent. The AFRICA policies of both the US and CHINA are important not only in their own right, but also because these policies serve to indicate the significant differences in these two powers’ general foreign strategies and world views.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">AMERICA WILL STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY AND UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsb7KuzEtWDhZPbsXFn5zcTeDRht-CC40i65Qtu3DxRbpzdVOmD4g_cWNnx5hMb8C_pHNZ9BNr_ManKT9qOD8oVAdw8ksHG79Ytxc5m9N-pRXaFVelGguq_-7k2lU7FYERy851LnF7I_Q/s1600/610x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsb7KuzEtWDhZPbsXFn5zcTeDRht-CC40i65Qtu3DxRbpzdVOmD4g_cWNnx5hMb8C_pHNZ9BNr_ManKT9qOD8oVAdw8ksHG79Ytxc5m9N-pRXaFVelGguq_-7k2lU7FYERy851LnF7I_Q/s400/610x350.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">US Secretary of State <b>Hillary Rodham Clinton</b> has been quick to question CHINA’S relationship with AFRICA, and highlight the purported difference in AFRICA policy between the US and CHINA. During her visit to Senegal (the first stop of her AFRICAN tour), she promoted "a model of sustainable partnership that adds value, rather than extracts it". She went on to promise: "AMERICA will stand up for democracy and universal human rights even when it might be easier to look the other way and keep the resources flowing."</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">These comments have been widely understood as thinly disguised swipes at CHINESE efforts in the region. CHINESE state media reacted swiftly, saying Clinton’s words constituted "cheap shots". An editorial from the official Xinhua news agency, titled "US plot to sow discord between CHINA, AFRICA is doomed to fail" stated:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"<i>CHINA’S booming economic relations with AFRICA have stemmed both from their time-honored friendship and complementary needs of development. Its genuine respect of and support for AFRICAN countries’ development paths are lauded and welcomed across the continent. The friendly and mutually beneficial interaction between CHINA and AFRICA gives the lie to Clinton’s insinuation.</i>" </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">US INTENTIONS IN AFRICA ARE COUNTERTERRORISM AND SECURITY, WHERE AS CHINA’S ARE ALMOST ENTIRELY ECONOMIC</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">One must sift through the propaganda on both sides to arrive at an objective truth behind the motives of the US and CHINA in AFRICA. Both act in AFRICA to promote the perceived self-interest of their respective nations. While the US speaks of human rights and democracy, counterterrorism and security are at the top of its agenda. Meanwhile, CHINA’S "friendly interaction" with AFRICAN states has an almost entirely economic purpose.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">IN 2009 CHINA OVERTOOK THE UNITED STATES TO BECOME AFRICA’S NO 1 TRADING PARTNER</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibt9AblkDOCHPPR7d0ZQOYVx_Fzy1hUDS67U9G3c2etF1ICj9gIUiLjMsC1P9IBFmr8uM0yojzCIaNr-qg6_4ViCSdE_BS4RPU1WrUYs9LWueysUrGjHLd1svV4dmHUJmjLy_qxb1GtMAx/s1600/2012.03.30.china-africa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibt9AblkDOCHPPR7d0ZQOYVx_Fzy1hUDS67U9G3c2etF1ICj9gIUiLjMsC1P9IBFmr8uM0yojzCIaNr-qg6_4ViCSdE_BS4RPU1WrUYs9LWueysUrGjHLd1svV4dmHUJmjLy_qxb1GtMAx/s400/2012.03.30.china-africa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The raw numbers reveal CHINA’S massive economic impact in AFRICA. Trade between AFRICA and CHINA has more than trebled since 2006, passing US$166 billion last year. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The majority of this figure comes from AFRICA’S $93 billion of exports to CHINA - most of which is raw materials, especially petroleum and copper. AFRICAN imports from CHINA consist largely of consumer and electronic goods. According to Beijing, the past decade has seen $15 billion worth of CHINESE commercial investment in AFRICA. In 2009 CHINA overtook the United States to become Africa’s No 1 trading partner.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">However, CHINA’S footprint in AFRICA extends far beyond the bustling trade in natural resources and manufactured goods. Last month, at the 5<sup>th</sup> Forum on AFRICA – CHINA Cooperation, CHINA promised to lend AFRICAN governments $20 billion. This figure has consistently doubled at the last three forums - in 2006 $5 billion was pledged, and in 2009 $10 billion in loans were agreed upon. Inter-government ties between AFRICA and CHINA were further solidified by CHINA’S building of the AFRICAN UNION headquarters in Addis Ababa free of charge.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">BACKGROUND INFORMATION</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">: See </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SUB SAHARA AFRICA, EMERGING MARKETS OF TOMORROW<b> </b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/05/argentina-and-africa.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/05/argentina-and-africa.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The CHINESE government clearly expects dividends on its massive investment in the AFRICAN continent. Many of the loans to AFRICA are focused on infrastructure. New roads, railways and ports, while obviously useful to the AFRICANS themselves, will help facilitate the export of natural resources to CHINA.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEQYOF9ks16S-re92X0ZjauPhITIhBuWeFUFEqvrBfyCot6NwPWQ2D7QOZ78LqB32KqHvXCWjQeS7zA1FZkuNzGGE7jj_PP5IVV3rZ5pLkqAqM1XQz1zAfWP9drOqOnTm5A7X3285qMCu/s1600/china-africa-trade-billion-imports-exports-china-customs-and-national-bureau-statistics-afp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEQYOF9ks16S-re92X0ZjauPhITIhBuWeFUFEqvrBfyCot6NwPWQ2D7QOZ78LqB32KqHvXCWjQeS7zA1FZkuNzGGE7jj_PP5IVV3rZ5pLkqAqM1XQz1zAfWP9drOqOnTm5A7X3285qMCu/s400/china-africa-trade-billion-imports-exports-china-customs-and-national-bureau-statistics-afp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHINA’S role in AFRICA reveals a singular economic focus. Beijing’s emphasis on economic growth and increasing trade ties with other nations is the defining point of its foreign policy - not only in AFRICA, but also around the world. Much of CHINA’S ongoing economic miracle is based on wealth created through international trade. Its dealings with various unsavory regimes in AFRICA are not a purposeful affront to Western sensibilities, but are rather based purely on economic self-interest.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CONCERNS OVER CHINA’S INCREASING PRESENCE IN AFRICA</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Meanwhile, Western critiques of CHINA’S impact in AFRICA often overlook the opinions of AFRICANS themselves. Undoubtedly, there are some concerns in AFRICA with CHINA’S increasing presence. At the fifth Forum on AFRICA-CHINA Cooperation, SOUTH AFRICAN President Jacob Zuma expressed mild reservations with SINO-AFRICAN relations:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"<i>AFRICA’S commitment to CHINA’S development has been demonstrated by supply of raw materials, other products and technology transfer ... This trade pattern is unsustainable in the long term. Africa’s past economic experience with EUROPE dictates a need to be cautious when entering into partnerships with other economies.</i>" </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Zuma’s misgivings regarding the pattern of trade represent a common concern among some AFRICAN leaders. However, this by no means is indicative of a general anti-CHINESE attitude throughout the continent.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">According to a 2011 BBC World Service Poll, 82% of Nigerians and 77% of Kenyans believed that CHINA’S economic growth had a "positive impact" on their country.  These were the highest positive ratings of CHINA’S economic rise of any of the 27 countries polled, excluding CHINA itself. This optimistic attitude was mirrored in GHANA (62%), but markedly less prevalent in EGYPT (54%) and SOUTH AFRICA (52%).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Furthermore, the same study found an overwhelming majority of AFRICANS to view CHINA’S trading practices as "fair" - from 88% in NIGERIA to 61% in SOUTH AFRICA. According to the same poll, only 5% of NIGERIANS and 18% of SOUTH AFRICANS viewed CHINESE trading practices as "unfair".</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHINA’S image problem in AFRICA resides primarily in the minds of Western observers. Although there are significant concerns about unsustainable trading practices, these concerns do not constitute a continent-wide anti-CHINA sentiment.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Charges of CHINESE "neo-imperialism" in AFRICA are primarily based on a pattern of trade: importing materials and exporting finished goods typical is a formula typical of colonial powers. However, the major defining factor of imperialism - military dominance and use of force - is simply not present in CHINA’S AFRICA policy. This is not true of CHINA’S prime Western critics, especially the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">IN 2007, THE PENTAGON ESTABLISHED THE UNITED STATES AFRICA COMMAND (AFRICOM), WITH MILITARY JURISDICTION OVER THE ENTIRE CONTINENT</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2apSe1BK_W2_aU6oFCAurOgAO0Dxr0Krl5J7lITIkr5pg0VJHW8VUUAOr_FvEba10R0QEKTsAjtIF3wOEGbhXfL-2P1VFPDETDSWEPGwJxCmd42Dr8pvJnjw7ijrl4eiq7Bk0-WimFlSH/s1600/AFRICOM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2apSe1BK_W2_aU6oFCAurOgAO0Dxr0Krl5J7lITIkr5pg0VJHW8VUUAOr_FvEba10R0QEKTsAjtIF3wOEGbhXfL-2P1VFPDETDSWEPGwJxCmd42Dr8pvJnjw7ijrl4eiq7Bk0-WimFlSH/s320/AFRICOM.jpg" width="249" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">During the past decade of CHINA’S rapidly increasing trade and investment in AFRICA, the United States was primarily focused on "security" issues in the continent. US involvement in SOMALIA’S long-standing civil war has been extensive, with numerous casualties from drone strikes targeting Islamist militias. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ETHIOPIAN and UGANDAN soldiers, backed by AMERICAN weaponry and intelligence, have intervened in SOMALIA to counter the Islamists. Furthermore, in 2007, the Pentagon established the UNITED STATES AFRICA COMMAND (AFRICOM), with military jurisdiction over the entire continent. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s bombing campaign in LIBYA (which earned CHINA’S disapproval) was strongly backed by US firepower.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">BACKGROUND INFORMATION</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">: See <b>AFRICA AND THE USA</b> <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/07/africa-and-usa.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/07/africa-and-usa.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CHINA’S COLD HARD CASH HAS PROVED MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE AT WINNING FRIENDS IN THE REGION THAN AMERICA’S MILITARY APPROACH</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The myopic focus of the US on security and counterterrorism gave CHINA an important opportunity to make economic inroads in AFRICA. Nowhere in the world is the foreign-policy focus of these two nations better contrasted than in the AFRICAN continent. While the US was busy been bombing and arming, CHINA was buying, selling, building and lending.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Secretary Clinton’s criticisms of CHINA’S AFRICA policy are likely to fall on deaf ears. CHINA’S cold hard cash has proved much more effective at winning friends in the region than AMERICA’S military approach.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Furthermore, CHINA by no means has a monopoly on dealing with oppressive regimes to promote self-interest. While championing "human rights" and "democracy", the US has made deals with the authoritarian governments of ETHIOPIA and UGANDA to promote its counterterrorism and security agenda. Daniel Kalinaki of UGANDA’S Daily Monitor complains that the US push for good governance is "inconsistent and shifts with its interests".</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">BOTH, THE USA AND CHINA HAVE BEEN WILLING TO STRIKE DEALS WITH UNSAVORY REGIMES FOR THE SAKE OF SELF-INTEREST, BE IT ECONOMIC (IN CHINA’S CASE) OR STRATEGIC (IN AMERICA’S).</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggnGUiabtb0umzEH0aLqVLfd8EEM2Nyx1ApHgCB2CCmOjBOEauMP12j0XfXh44Bc8Ics0yRFEynvGrjX8fx6woEdmgvwTWkH6UtGD-pCVeDlVLW8zxI4sj8ruu62W5d3_gQGkm4O-OvMq/s1600/071811_africa_world_trade_02_rr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggnGUiabtb0umzEH0aLqVLfd8EEM2Nyx1ApHgCB2CCmOjBOEauMP12j0XfXh44Bc8Ics0yRFEynvGrjX8fx6woEdmgvwTWkH6UtGD-pCVeDlVLW8zxI4sj8ruu62W5d3_gQGkm4O-OvMq/s400/071811_africa_world_trade_02_rr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Both CHINA and the UNITED STATES have extensive interests in AFRICA. Where Washington focuses on combating a global jihadist tide (and ostensibly promoting democracy), Beijing sees a rich potential of natural resources and new customers for CHINESE goods. AFRICA serves to highlight the stark contrast of CHINESE and US foreign policy. Both nations have been willing to strike deals with unsavory regimes for the sake of self-interest, be it economic (in CHINA’S case) or strategic (AMERICA’S).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As the US "pivots" toward ASIA, it is only natural that CHINA will seek strategic depth in areas that were once dominated by the US and its EUROPEAN allies. If the US becomes more openly determined to contain CHINA’S rise, the ensuing struggle will not be confined to the ASIA-Pacific region. CHINA’S extensive economic ties with AFRICA will eventually pay political dividends.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">written by <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brendan P. O’Reilly</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">FOR MORE BACKGROUND INFORMATION</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">: See</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/africa-forgotten-and-underestimated.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/africa-forgotten-and-underestimated.html</span></span></a></div>

CHINA’S WINNING STRATEGY IN AFRICA

THAT CHINA’S RISE IN AFRICA AMOUNTS TO NEO-COLONIALISM AND IS RESENTED BY AFRICANS, IS A NOTION EXISTING PRIMARILY IN THE MINDS OF WESTERN...

Half Dose #109: Sasso San Gottardo

1:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/7924461382/" title="Sasso San Gottardo by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Sasso San Gottardo" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/7924461382_30485accf1_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />[All photographs by John Hill] <br /><br />My onslaught of photos and projects from a recent trip to Switzerland is pretty much wrapped up, but one project that deserves some attention is <a href="http://www.sasso-sangottardo.ch/">Sasso San Gottardo</a>, a "themed exhibition focuse[d] on the challenges of managing our resources." <a href="http://www.holzerkobler.ch/">Hozler Kobler Architekturen</a> is responsible for the design of the various environments inserted into the tunnels and caves of a former fortress at St. Gotthard Pass. Signs of the fortress are visible from the roadways near the pass, but these glimpses -- doors, sights, concrete masses camouflaged into the mountainside -- do not prepare for the experience inside.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/7924474070/" title="Sasso San Gottardo by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Sasso San Gottardo" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8302/7924474070_456749ba33_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />After walking in the "front door," one needs to follow a long tunnel before coming to the first exhibition space. A small office is located about halfway between the entry and exhibition space, what is surely one of the oddest places for such a thing.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/7924472680/" title="Sasso San Gottardo by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Sasso San Gottardo" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8033/7924472680_cc85b7310c_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />The "<a href="http://www.sasso-sangottardo.ch/en/themed-exhibition/themed-sections/energy/">Energy</a>" exhibit is the first one encountered. Most of it is housed in a room with old control panels and other artifacts juxtaposed with stationary cycles for powering fans and other interactive components. Above is a view into a small room housing wood balls in the configuration of one of those perpetual motion toys. Not all of the pieces are particularly enlightening nor successful in how they work, but the way everything is inserted into the original rooms is fantastic. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/7924471342/" title="Sasso San Gottardo by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Sasso San Gottardo" height="470" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8297/7924471342_0db8b402ce_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Further along is a space that features a vaulted concrete liner within a larger room (above); lighting in the interstitial space gives off a green glow that is visible from a distance along one of the tunnels. Hanging in the middle of the space is a metallic sculpture that maps every space within the mountain. Tracing how far my group had come in our visit, we realized that the exhibitions only scratch the surface of the circuit of tunnels and caves -- many kilometers were beyond what we'd traversed. In particular, the Armament and Garrison are historical sections open to the public, but they were unfortunately closed at the time of our visit.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/7924469776/" title="Sasso San Gottardo by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Sasso San Gottardo" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8031/7924469776_cdd2d6c57d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The "<a href="http://www.sasso-sangottardo.ch/en/themed-exhibition/themed-sections/mobility-living-space/">Mobility and Living Space</a>" room (above) is odd -- not for the metal-grid floor, moody lighting, and Lost-like countdown on the wall -- but because it is warm, where every other space is a constant cool that happens year-round.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/7924467794/" title="Sasso San Gottardo by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Sasso San Gottardo" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7924467794_362c967e5b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The "<a href="http://www.sasso-sangottardo.ch/en/themed-exhibition/themed-sections/crystal/">Crystal</a>" room (above) displays mountain crystals that were previously found in the area. The room itself is shaped similarly to the natural forms housed behind glass and illuminated from above.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/7924466454/" title="Sasso San Gottardo by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Sasso San Gottardo" height="480" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/7924466454_bc8760489f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The highlight of the exhibition is easily the large space that is split between "<a href="http://www.sasso-sangottardo.ch/en/themed-exhibition/themed-sections/weather-and-climate/">Weather and Climate</a>" (above) and "<a href="http://www.sasso-sangottardo.ch/en/themed-exhibition/themed-sections/water/">Water</a>". A 5mm layer of water covers most of the space, allowing visitors to "walk on water" on one side or tiptoe across colored steps on the other. In the center of the space is a model of a mountain set atop a map of Switzerland; water dripping from the ceiling trickles over the mountain, showing how water cascades from the peak and pass to different parts of the country.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/7924463082/" title="Sasso San Gottardo by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Sasso San Gottardo" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8452/7924463082_f3cc23e2be_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />Elsewhere are rooms, like those above and below, that are not as raw or natural in their finishes, but which nevertheless exhibit a historical patina. The larger space looks like it served as an office for the exhibition architects, but the way the old laptop, mouse, and even stapler are hot-glued to the desk makes it clear that it's just another display. Regardless, it's nice to see the architectural drawings on the wall after passing through the real thing.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/7924623508/" title="Sasso San Gottardo by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Sasso San Gottardo" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8180/7924623508_804c39ecd8_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />Ultimately Sasso San Gottardo is a strange entity that is more fascinating for admission to the network of spaces built into the hillside than for the exhibitions on display. The latter do spur visitors to think about their relationship to resources like water, energy, and even the weather, but they are most successful when they exploit the potential of the tunnels and caves. For example, the dimming lights and the sound of water in the "Water" and "Weather of Climate" room accentuate the feeling of being inside a mountain, where resources are much more limited, and therefore where one's actions need to be considered more carefully.

Half Dose #109: Sasso San Gottardo

[All photographs by John Hill] My onslaught of photos and projects from a recent trip to Switzerland is pretty much wrapped up, but one proj...

Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock 09/11/2012

12:30 PM Tukiyooo 0

<ul class="diigo-linkroll">      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://www.edutopia.org/blog/sticky-note-teaching-tool-ben-johnson?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29">Tools for Teaching: The Amazing Sticky Note | Edutopia</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">I LOVE sticky notes and use them all the time. Here are some ideas from edutopia about many ways to use them. One tip from me: get the "extra sticky" sticky notes - or you'll be finding them all over the floor.</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/classroom">classroom</a></p>                                        </li>      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://alfredtwo.blogspot.com/2012/09/are-you-best-part-of-students-day.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ComputerScienceTeacher+%28Computer+Science+Teacher+-+Thoughts+and+Information+from+Alfred+Thompson%29">Computer Science Teacher: Are You The Best Part Of A Student’s Day/</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">"Yesterday is used a quote from an educator friend of mine that “I may be the best thing that happens in my students and my staff's lives that day. I can handle the other stuff. They come first.” "  Alfred Thompson ponders the importance of wanting to be the best part of a student's day. While it relates to computer science, it relates to all teaching as well. Great thoughts.</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/computer_science">computer_science</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/computer_science_teacher">computer_science_teacher</a></p>                                        </li>      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://www.sharemylesson.com/teaching-resource/Facebook-template-page-6025698/">Facebook template page - Resources - Share My Lesson</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">This is an interesting approach to creating a customized "Facebook" page for a character. You can use this or Fakebook but many don't have access to Fakebook. Download and use this activity to create a "fake" facebook page for major characters in history or literature.</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/facebook">facebook</a></p>                                        </li>      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://www.sharemylesson.com/teaching-resource/Creative-Writing-Prompts-PowerPoint-6001385/">Creative Writing Prompts PowerPoint - Resources - Share My Lesson</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">If you need some creative writing prompts for grades 6-8 (short 10 minute tasks) you can use this cool PowerPoint.</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/writing">writing</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/creativity">creativity</a></p>                                        </li>      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://www.iboard.co.uk/activities">TES iboard: Interactive activity finder</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">Love this website for interactive whiteboards in the elementary classroom. In the activity finder you can search by topic.</p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/iwb">iwb</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a></p>                                        </li>  </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock 09/11/2012

Tools for Teaching: The Amazing Sticky Note | Edutopia I LOVE sticky notes and use them all the time...

Internal affairs: ARGENTINA

5:01 AM Tukiyooo 0

<h1><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Despite the clamp, Timerman’s <span style="font-size: small;">(<i>allegedly</i>)</span>plan big ‘dollar splash’ next March in Uruguay </span></span></h1><h1><span style="font-size: x-small;">via MercoPress</span></h1><div class="intro">            <span style="font-size: large;">While most Argentines face increasing difficulties to  access to US dollars, to travel overseas or use their debit and credit  cards abroad, (the famous ‘dollar clamp’) one of President Cristina  Fernandez most notorious and loquacious ministers, Hector Timerman is  organizing a three-day major splash at Uruguay’s most posh resort to  celebrate the marriage of his eldest daughter.</span><br />         </div><div class="article-tools">            <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>      <div class="facebook"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="height: 20px; width: 166px;"></span></span></div></div><div class="text-block">                                                  <div id="adsense04"><span style="font-size: large;">The three-day March event with at least 300 guests will  be held at Jose Ignacio, next to Punta del Este in Uruguay’s most  expensive resort, and the invitations sent out via internet, to try and  avoid public exposure, simply say that “Jordi&Martin” (in The New  Yorker style calligraphy) would like to have the pleasure of your  attendance to their “Weekend Wedding”.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Jordi&Martin are Jordana Timerman (29) and Martin Levinton (32)  </span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">The wedding will take place at the restaurant La Huella, virtually on  the beach and considered one of the top spots of Jose Ignacio. </span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">It is estimated that the guests will have to pay over a thousand  dollars each to spend the weekend in Jose Ignacio at the exclusive  resort and which takes off on Friday March first and ends on Sunday,  March 3, with a “recovery brunch”.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">In other words while the government of President Cristina Fernandez  is doing the utmost to prevent the outflow of dollars from Argentina,  one of her ministers will certainly be spending dollars lavishly to  celebrate his daughter’s marriage and none less than in neighbouring  Uruguay, a country with which Timerman has constantly clashed over a  long list of issues from the bilateral agenda: from protectionism to  dredging River Plate access channels.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">However ‘double-talk’ from the Cristina Fernandez cabinet is not an  isolated incident. The man head of the tax revenue office AFIP and  implementing the ‘clamp’ and all the measures to prevent US dollars  fleeing from Argentina, Ricardo Echegaray, has his summer residence in  Punta del Este, Uruguay.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">See also: <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/argentine-protectionism-policies.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/argentine-protectionism-policies.html</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Nothing shocking about that, but the fact he is a newcomer to the  Uruguayan resort famous night and social life: he bought the house in  2011.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Another minister Axel Kicillof, a late incorporation to the team of  Cristina Fernandez but who is proving to be the brains behind most of  the latest economic and financial measures, also has a summer house in  Uruguay, although in a more modest resort and closer to Buenos Aires, in  Colonia on the River Plate.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Solicitor Carlos Zanini, the Legal and Technical Secretary of the  Executive, which means he drafts the bills for Cristina Fernandez and is  in daily contact, also likes to take stress off along Uruguay’s  Atlantic coast. More exactly he was seen a couple of weeks ago at Jose  Ignacio, the exclusive resort which the Timerman family have contracted  for the first weekend of next March.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">But yes, he was seen driving a 4x4 Super Toyota with Argentine  plates, but the initial identification letter was a big ‘K’, pointed out  the Buenos Aires media.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">All this happens in the midst of the campaign to convince Argentines  not to save in dollars but in Pesos and in a titanic effort, to prevent  every loophole that could let a single dollar escape the country.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Furthermore when the administration of Cristina’s husband, President  Nestor Kirchner, Argentine cabinet ministers simply didn’t’ dare spend  holidays outside the country, following on strict orders from the K  boss.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Background Information</b>: See also</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/crime-corruption-and-political-system_7.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/crime-corruption-and-political-system_7.html</span></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/crime-corruption-and-political-system.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/crime-corruption-and-political-system.html</span></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/if-country-neglects-to-improve-its.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/if-country-neglects-to-improve-its.html</a><br />  </span><br />        </div>

Internal affairs: ARGENTINA

Despite the clamp, Timerman’s ( allegedly ) plan big ‘dollar splash’ next March in Uruguay via MercoPress While most Argentines ...

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/11/2012

2:30 AM Tukiyooo 0

<ul class="diigo-linkroll">      <li>      <p class="diigo-link">                <a href="http://storify.com/jacbalen/taxonomy-of-global-connection-1">Taxonomy of Global Connection · jacbalen · Storify</a>      </p>      <p class="diigo-description">We're doing a new take on "quad blogging" in our Flat Classroom certified teacher program by literally having participants blog together on a Google doc. Here's a post from by @jasongraham99 @tashacowdy @jacbalen http://t.co/QfRpDsN9 that covers taxonomy of Global Connection as covered in Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds. Excellent work and a great explanation on how these five types of collaboration look in the classroom. </p>              <p class="diigo-tags">          <span>tags:</span>                      <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/flatclass">flatclass</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a>            <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a></p>                                        </li>  </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/11/2012

Taxonomy of Global Connection · jacbalen · Storify We're doing a new take on "quad blogging...

Monday, Monday

7:30 PM Tukiyooo 0

<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.archidose.org/wp/">A Weekly Dose of Architecture</a> Updates:</span><br /><br />This week's dose features <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2012/09/10/three-buildings-in-chiasso-switzerland/">Three Buildings in Chiasso, Switzerland</a>:<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2012/09/10/three-buildings-in-chiasso-switzerland/"><img alt="this       week's  dose" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Sep12-10-1024x649.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="This week's dose" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The featured past dose is the <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2000/05/01/ricola-marketing-office-building/">Ricola Marketing Office Building</a> in Basel, Switzerland by Herzog & de Meuron:<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2000/05/01/ricola-marketing-office-building/"><img alt="this       week's  dose" src="http://www.archidose.org/May00/ricola2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="featured past dose" width="640" /></a><br /><br />This week's book review is <a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2012/09/10/pamphlet-architecture-32-resilience/"><i>Pamphlet Architecture 32: Resilience</i></a> by Stasus (L):<br /><a href="http://archidose.org/wp/2012/09/10/pamphlet-architecture-32-resilience/"><img alt="this week's book review" height="300" src="http://archidose.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/pa32.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="This week's book review" /></a>   <a href="http://archidose.blogspot.com/2011/10/book-review-pamphlet-architecture-11-20.html"><img alt="this week's book review" height="300" src="http://www.archidose.org/Blog/book-pa11-20.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="This week's book review" /></a><br />(R): The featured past book review is <a href="http://archidose.blogspot.com/2011/10/book-review-pamphlet-architecture-11-20.html"><i>Pamphlet Architecture 11-20</i></a>.

Monday, Monday

A Weekly Dose of Architecture Updates: This week's dose features Three Buildings in Chiasso, Switzerland : The featured past dose is th...

Weekend Recap

3:07 PM Tukiyooo 0

I'm just don't do creativity with titles.  Wonder what this is going to be about?<br /><br />Well, I started my weekend/WW week off on the right foot.  I lost 4.8 lbs bringing my total back down to 26.8 lbs lost.  I'm pretty sure what kept me on track this week was the daily pre-tracking of my food.  There are no surprises this way.  I don't do surprises when it comes to meal planning!<br /><br />This weekend was a busy one, as will be all of my weekends in September.  On Saturday we celebrated with Joel's cousin as she walked down the aisle in a princess-y style ball gown.  She was beautiful!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLS_y3ZDKaO3Zyb_7NrX4SbrpSIp7lF8Egl3qRgwWfZWuyTWGvrvDGwlUIeO4ukaToP26zR65MJYgHhT-vlnvE4WaIGc6zwC19bgj5zy_91t0EvE7Wof4phVWov_iLk5UFmQ8E_7Cf-M/s1600/kathleen+in+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLS_y3ZDKaO3Zyb_7NrX4SbrpSIp7lF8Egl3qRgwWfZWuyTWGvrvDGwlUIeO4ukaToP26zR65MJYgHhT-vlnvE4WaIGc6zwC19bgj5zy_91t0EvE7Wof4phVWov_iLk5UFmQ8E_7Cf-M/s400/kathleen+in+dress.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />The reception was held at Running Hare Vineyard in Maryland.  We were given two wine options, and I went with the white.  It was delicious!  So delicious that I spent <i>all day</i> Sunday recovering from a lovely hangover.  Not exactly my best move yet - seeing as how I had an exam on Monday and needed to spend Sunday reviewing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocyNF2TiwP8fEcvC6__9tR_8xM0tyNOd6IAqn1hGqE-4zJT_58q_1TSAPfThJB3gN5Z9aEQiXeiVK_WsQzBOi8ED6PSBFHpydV5JPmn-KFafaAKlJ6chVfQfi39inhoej4qof04foRcg/s1600/alcohol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocyNF2TiwP8fEcvC6__9tR_8xM0tyNOd6IAqn1hGqE-4zJT_58q_1TSAPfThJB3gN5Z9aEQiXeiVK_WsQzBOi8ED6PSBFHpydV5JPmn-KFafaAKlJ6chVfQfi39inhoej4qof04foRcg/s320/alcohol.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />It was quite the show.  Everytime I drink like that, I immediately regret it.  Not because of the impending hangover (yes, it does suck), but more so because I know I acted foolish.  To some it might have been hilarious.  To me - ugh... what a disgrace!<br /><br />The GREAT news is that I earned an 'A' on today's anatomy and physiology exam and I'm <b>so </b>proud!  I definitely worked hard for it - studying daily - yes, even yesterday I managed to review my notes for a substantial amount of time.   The productivity has continued all day long as a result of that awesome start to my day.  I finally ordered  my blogger information cards (aka "business cards") for <a href="http://fitbloggin.com/" target="_blank">FitBloggin'</a>!  Will you be attending?<br /><br />Hope you had a great weekend! <br /><br />

Weekend Recap Weekend Recap

I'm just don't do creativity with titles. Wonder what this is going to be about? Well, I started my weekend/WW week off on the righ...

Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock 09/10/2012

12:30 PM Tukiyooo 0

Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock 09/10/2012

Taxonomy of Global Connection · jacbalen · Storify We're doing a new take on "quad blogging...

Eracism Project 2012-2 Forming Now

10:20 AM Tukiyooo 0

<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Press Release September 8, 2012.</strong><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Announcing, the </strong><a href="http://www.eracismproject.org/index.html" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title=""><span style="font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Eracism Project 2012</span></a><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">, (another <a href="http://flatclassroomproject.net/" style="color: #af5211; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Flat Classroom® Project</a>) - a global student debate that joins diverse cultures and includes authentic debate for global competence and international mindedness.</strong><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Fact based debate is a very essential skill with students who often equate the term "debate" with argument.  The Eracism project: A Flat Classroom® Project was envisioned by the<a href="http://ning.it/y0Mfey" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title=""> winning student team</a> from the <a href="http://flatclassroomconference.wikispaces.com/" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">2009 Flat Classroom Conference</a> held in Doha, Qatar and their concept was to hold debates using Web 2.0 tools to improve cultural understanding.  <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Schools selected for the Eracism Project 2012-2 will be asked to enter a 4 person debate team, with the remaining students in the class being researchers around the topic, <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #660000; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />"Global management of natural resources will cause conflict between cultures"  </span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The initial debates will be held asynchronously but in what organizers are calling a "simulated synchronous" environment with the final winning teams debating live in a virtual world.  <a href="http://eracism.flatclassroomproject.org/Eracism+2009+Archives" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">This project was first carried out in 2009</a> and was run again in March 2012 and will now start again in September 2012. <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />We welcome applications NOW from teachers and their classrooms around the world. We also need judges and volunteers to help with debate coaching. To apply for this project as a class or judge or volunteer or request to be involved in the teacher information meeting, please complete <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Eracism12-2" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">this form</a>. <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Classrooms in Upper Primary, Middle and High School are encouraged to apply (students of age 11 and above). Organisers will create two strands in this project based on demand. <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><a href="http://tinyurl.com/Eracism12-2" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Application</a> deadline is September 24, with announcement of project classrooms by Friday September 28, 2012.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The first teacher online meeting will take place near October 1, 2012. Actual date and time to be advised. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Tentative Timeline</span><a href="http://www.eracismproject.org/index.html" style="background-color: white; color: #af5211; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title=""><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.eracismproject.org/index.html" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">This project</a> has a planned start date of October 1, 2012 with debates beginning October 15 and  concluding with the final debate held in a virtual world (and to be streamed live) in late November/early December 2012.  Schools applying must specify their school holiday dates so that they can be best placed in the project on the debate grid.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Phase 1 </strong>- Research & CoachingThis will happen at the school level as classrooms research the topic and practice debate at their local level. <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Phase 2 </strong>- Asynchronous Debate RoundStudents will use VoiceThread to debate with each round taking approximately one week.  <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Phase 3</strong> - Synchronous DebateThe top two teams will debate live in a virtual world with the debate streamed live on the web for students and educators around the world to watch.  <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Phase 4</strong> - ReflectionStudents and teachers will reflect on ways to improve the methods for  global debates. <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #660000; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Process</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Due to the asynchronous components used, Eracism will use a hybrid debating style that is based on Conflict or Initiative Debating.  <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The teams prepare their cases; they present their arguments and evidence; and, they rebut the other team's arguments and evidence. The debate cycle will generally align with the Middle School Public Debate Program found at http://www.middleschooldebate.com<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Each debate will be adjudicated by 3 judges and the winning team advances to the next round.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Most of the debates will be carried out on VoiceThread with the final debate being streamed live in a virtual world.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Thank you to the sponsors of this project: <a href="http://ed.voicethread.com/products/k12/" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Voicethread</a>, <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/content/for/teachers" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Wikispaces</a>, <a href="http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Collaborate/Overview.aspx" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Blackboard Collaborate</a>. (Virtual world platform to be announced soon)<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Co-founders of Flat Classroom® Projects, Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis, are delighted to have the leadership of Flat Classroom® Certified Teacher, <a href="http://eracism.flatclassroomproject.org/2012+steering+committee" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Eva Brown, and her students from Red River College, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada</a> take charge of this inspirational global collaborative project. The project opens eyes and hearts as students debate on an issue that will bring together diverse ideas, develop transferable skills and create lasting friendships. <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />More information about Eracism: <a href="http://www.eracismproject.org/" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">http://www.eracismproject.org</a><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Application Form for Eracism 2012: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/Eracism12-2" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">http://tinyurl.com/Eracism12-2</a><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Flat Classroom Projects: <a href="http://flatclassroomprojec.net/" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">http://flatclassroomprojec.net</a><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Contact us: <a href="mailto:fcp@flatclassroom.org" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">fcp@flatclassroom.org</a><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Directors, <a href="http://coolcatteacher.com/" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Vick Davis</a> and <a href="http://learningconfluence.com/" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Julie Lindsay</a><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />For more about the pedagogy and benefits of adding global collaboration to your curriculum, buy Julie and Vicki's book Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds from Pearson Publishing.  <a href="http://www.flatclassroombook.com/" style="color: #af5211; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">www.flatclassroombook.com</a></span>

Eracism Project 2012-2 Forming Now

Press Release September 8, 2012. Announcing, the Eracism Project 2012 , (another Flat Classroom® Project ) - a global student debate that ...

Circulation Desk - New Milford Public Library

7:15 AM Anonymous 0

<strong>Circulation Desk -</strong> <span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>New Milford Public Library</strong></span> seeks a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual who enjoys working  with the public and can offer excellent customer service.  Duties are  varied and will include: charging items in and out, answering the  telephone, assisting patrons with library resources, patron registration  and inquiries, and other duties as assigned.  Proficiency with  Microsoft Office required, experience with the ILS Evergreen preferred.  High school diploma required, 1-2 years library experience and  Bachelor's degree preferred. Part-time position. Hours are: Monday 12-5  pm, Tuesday 5-8 pm, Wednesday 5-8 pm, Friday 12-5 pm, 1st, 3rd, 4th, and  5th Saturdays 9-5, 5th Sunday 1-5 (October –May). If interested,  contact Sally Tornow, Public Services Librarian, <a href="mailto:stornow@biblio.org">stornow@biblio.org</a>; or Marilyn Gunerman, Administrative Assistant, <a href="mailto:mgunerman@biblio.org">mgunerman@biblio.org</a>, at 860.355.1191. Application deadline: <span style="color: red;">October 1st, 2012</span> or until filled.

Circulation Desk - New Milford Public Library

Circulation Desk - New Milford Public Library seeks a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual who enjoys working with the public and...

Adult Services Librarian - Stratford Library Association

7:13 AM Anonymous 0

<strong>Adult Services Librarian - </strong><span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>Stratford Library Association</strong></span> (full time). Join our dynamic, creative and innovative Adult Services  team, serving a diverse community.  Your primary responsibilities will  be in Adult Services, providing reference services,  teaching library  skills, participating in collection development, expanding community  outreach, developing programs, utilizing social media to promote the  Library and offering technology ‘help-desk’ services for patrons  utilizing the Internet, e-mail, social media, MS Office applications,  downloadable library collections and Wi-Fi.   You will also help out at  Teen and Children’s Services as needed.  Schedule includes days,  evenings and weekends.  You must possess an MLS degree from an  ALA-accredited institution, experience with public library reference  services and demonstrate a strong commitment to public service.   Spanish/English bilingual desirable.  Minimum salary $49,213 with  excellent benefits.  Please send a letter of application and resume to  Barbara Blosveren, Library Director, Stratford Library Association, 2203  Main Street, Stratford, CT  06615 or email <a href="mailto:bblosveren@stratfordlibrary.org">bblosveren@stratfordlibrary.org</a>.

Adult Services Librarian - Stratford Library Association

Adult Services Librarian - Stratford Library Association (full time). Join our dynamic, creative and innovative Adult Services team, servi...

Gaga is coming!!!

4:30 AM Tukiyooo 0

<span style="font-size: large;">Lady Gaga is playing in Dublin this Saturday in the Aviva Stadium.  There are rumours that there is already a fan queuing outside!!!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">We had a busy weekend so I plan to take it easy for the concert.  Ciaran has a game of squash at some stage during the day.  There are a team of Americans coming over to play in his club - unfortunately we will miss the event dinner because we will be at Gaga.  Not that I mind that!!!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I have a busy week ahead of me but am off work on Friday.  I then need to drop my car in to the garage to get serviced on Friday.  It's all go but then I can relax and enjoy the show on Saturday night!!  I'm planning to hang out with my twin sister during the day on Saturday with my twin which will be nice too.....</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder will she do a Bikram Yoga class while she is here?  If she does, she may go to the Ringsend Studio - Colin Farrell was back in Ireland a few weeks ago and he went here with his sister.  Maybe I should do a few classes and see if I can bump in to her!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I should mention that we ate in Tribeca on Saturday evening - I still reckon it is the best burger in Ranelagh.  Ciaran got the wings which everyone raves about but he thought they were just average. He will probably get the burger next time.  I do like this place, it has got a great atmosphere.  For dessert we shared a baked cheesecake which was surprisingly good as I don't normally like cheesecake.</span>

Gaga is coming!!!

Lady Gaga is playing in Dublin this Saturday in the Aviva Stadium. There are rumours that there is already a fan queuing outside!!! We had ...

Down the road of failure to find success

4:03 AM Tukiyooo 0

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: right; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Train_wreck_at_Montparnasse_1895_FAIL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:right;"><img alt="Adaptation of above image illustrating an Inte..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="360" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Train_wreck_at_Montparnasse_1895_FAIL.jpg/300px-Train_wreck_at_Montparnasse_1895_FAIL.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Adaptation of above image illustrating an Internet meme (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Train_wreck_at_Montparnasse_1895_FAIL.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><blockquote>"You let us go down the road of failure so we could find success," said Blakelee -</blockquote><br />one of my beautiful students. I had asked them to find a mindmapping program that they could edit simultaneously. <br /><br />They took the first app that came up in the search. I knew it wasn't collaborative but I let them go down a 20 minute trail in the wrong direction. They backed up and started reading reviews of apps and finally found <a href="http://www.mindmeister.com/" target="_blank">mindmeister</a>.<br /><br />When we debriefed on this unit (aptly about search) they said they would never forget that they shouldn't always trust the first result.<br /><br />I asked, "Why?" and Blakelee said it. <br /><br /><blockquote>"You let us go down the road of failure so we could find success."</blockquote><br />It was so profound that I asked if I could quote her and she said -<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"if you use my first name, I want to be mentioned by name."</blockquote><br />Sure, Blakelee. Your maturity is beyond most and your words taught me something I hadn't seen before. When I step back and let you and other students make mistakes and help guide you to find the answers yourselves - learning becomes permanent and yours. You never forget, and isn't that what teaching is all about.<br /><br />You and your classmates rock my world on a daily basis. I love you dearly. I'll show you this post in the next week and maybe you'll understand that teaching you all is the calling of my life. I also want you to understand that you and I are both put here on this planet for a purpose.<br /><br />Our purpose is to help and encourage others. You encouraged me by saying this. You encourage others by allowing me to share it. Though surrounded by corn fields and pecan groves, we can reach out and help others throughout the world have a classroom like ours - a privilege I wish for every teacher and student on this globe.<br /><br />It is OK to fail - sometimes the road to success starts with failure.<br />  <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_c.png?x-id=4483d4b1-7181-4c89-b02c-1a89a09b29bd" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>

Down the road of failure to find success

Adaptation of above image illustrating an Internet meme (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) "You let us go down the road of failure so we could ...