My team and I completed the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this past weekend.
With the help of friends and family, I raised a little over $2500, my team, Hoofin' for Hooters, raised just over $17,0000, and the Boston walk $5.8 MILLION that goes directly back into the New England community.
I came away from the walk with a few blisters, some sore muscles, some new friends, and the hope that if we continue to walk, it will be possible for us to beat this disease once and for all. The high points of the walk were the amazing people we met....the grandmother and 5-time cancer survivor who ate lunch with us while she waited for her family, the husband and wife that were diagnosed with breast cancer one year to the day from the other, and the Harley guys who helped us safely cross the streets who all had there own personal reasons for being a part of the weekend.
While we walk for a very serious reason, there's also a ton of laughs along the way. Here's just a sample of the t-shirts we saw:1. "Yes they're fake, my real ones tried to kill me."2. The smiley face tee on the 18-year old stating "I like boobies."and last, but certainly not least...3. "Save Second Base!"The blisters and muscle soreness I feel will heal within a few days. It's a small price to pay if one day we can make breast cancer a thing of the past.
I signed up for the 2011 walk. I walk because I can.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Blogging
As I sit at work missing the last class waiting for someone else to get their act together, I am reflecting on the Exploring the Internet class.
Working full time and having a family doesn't give a lot of time to pursue additional education, especially when that education isn't going to increase your salary or advance your career. I take classes toward a certificate in Information Technology for fun. That's right, fun. Since my employer will pay for it, why not. After this class, I can't help but think of the web site that is poorly managed for my daughter's gymnastics team or for the non-profit organization, RARA, that helps people with intellectual disabilities. If I learn about web sites, I can help these organizations. I am not looking to be a web designer, but I think I could help out with some web site maintenance. Why not??
Since starting this class, I have created several web sites through Shutterfly. After seeing the JQuery functionality, I understand more about how they can offer this type of functionality. My latest site was for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which I participated in May 15th & 16th. My site includes pictures, videos, team roster, message boards and text boxes with descriptions of the year.
I also think about blogging, something I never thought I would do. I have a sister with down syndrome and we always say we are going to write a book about our "Joanne Stories". Maybe a blog is the way to get started.
Signing up for this class at the beginning of the year was a test to see how I would do taking a class on campus. Could I get out of work? Would I need to get babysitters? Could I keep up with the school work and a new job? I only missed two classes and I think I only fell behind in the blogs. But can I do that with a Programming in C class??
Only time will tell
Working full time and having a family doesn't give a lot of time to pursue additional education, especially when that education isn't going to increase your salary or advance your career. I take classes toward a certificate in Information Technology for fun. That's right, fun. Since my employer will pay for it, why not. After this class, I can't help but think of the web site that is poorly managed for my daughter's gymnastics team or for the non-profit organization, RARA, that helps people with intellectual disabilities. If I learn about web sites, I can help these organizations. I am not looking to be a web designer, but I think I could help out with some web site maintenance. Why not??
Since starting this class, I have created several web sites through Shutterfly. After seeing the JQuery functionality, I understand more about how they can offer this type of functionality. My latest site was for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which I participated in May 15th & 16th. My site includes pictures, videos, team roster, message boards and text boxes with descriptions of the year.
I also think about blogging, something I never thought I would do. I have a sister with down syndrome and we always say we are going to write a book about our "Joanne Stories". Maybe a blog is the way to get started.
Signing up for this class at the beginning of the year was a test to see how I would do taking a class on campus. Could I get out of work? Would I need to get babysitters? Could I keep up with the school work and a new job? I only missed two classes and I think I only fell behind in the blogs. But can I do that with a Programming in C class??
Only time will tell
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
My Index Page
We work on our index page in class and I never remember the link to find it on annunziato.org.
Digital Divide (Wk 9)
I recently blogged about an article that talked about the Digital Divide. It talked about the Internet being as essential as food and water. The solution was to offer free or discounted access to the Internet to close the gap on this digital divide.
My solution was to give hungry people free food instead of free Internet. I sited that public libraries gave everyone the ability to utilize the Internet for free.
A few days later, news headlines talked about closing four branches of the Boston Public Library(BPL). Money used to provide free or cheap access to the Internet could be used to save our public libraries.
The BPL provides many services and materials for everyone.
Internet access is available utilizing your laptop or you can take advantage of the library's desktop computers.
Meeting rooms are available at the BPL that are nicer than the conference rooms at my office. These conference rooms are available for as many as 342 guests.
My solution was to give hungry people free food instead of free Internet. I sited that public libraries gave everyone the ability to utilize the Internet for free.
A few days later, news headlines talked about closing four branches of the Boston Public Library(BPL). Money used to provide free or cheap access to the Internet could be used to save our public libraries.
The BPL provides many services and materials for everyone.
Internet access is available utilizing your laptop or you can take advantage of the library's desktop computers.
Meeting rooms are available at the BPL that are nicer than the conference rooms at my office. These conference rooms are available for as many as 342 guests.
You can get discount tickets to museums through the library.
Tax forms are available at the library.
There are services for people who have English as a Second Language (ESL). Through the BPL
There are many events on the BPL home page. Visit the web site to see what is happening. You can find writing workshops different language confersation groups, job search networking groups, and story times for kids.
Support your local library.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
How Can Virtual Schools Be a Vibrant Part of Meeting the Choice Provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act (Wk 8)
Variations to "traditional" education have been occuring for years. Charter schools and home schooling are no longer as outside of the norm. I don't see why a virtual school environment would be any less effective than being in a classroom. Similar to other alternatives, I don't think that virtual schools are for every student. I certainly don't agree that it enhances communication as the article states.
I have taken several on-line classes here at UML, but as the difficulty of the classes increased, the more I needed to be in the classroom to get assistance. For Introduction to Programming with C part 1, I was able to complete the class on-line. When it came to the second have of the class, part 2, I failed. So in my case, a virtual school didn't meet the needs for two different classes with the same teacher.
I do think that a virtual classroom is a good opportunity for some students. If there is a child who is often sick, instead of missing school, they could have a virtual alternative for those times when they cannot travel to the classroom.
Another situation that may benefit from a virtual classroom is a teen parent or someone who needs to work to support a family. Many of these students need to leave school and have no alternative to a GED due to the time of day for the traditional High School classes. If they could have a virtual school environment that can be attended at alternative times, it may decrease the drop out rate.
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/site/documents/Hassel-Terrell-VirtualSchools.pdf
I think that students that are self motivated can receive just as good, if not better education in a virtual school than in a traditional environment.
I have taken several on-line classes here at UML, but as the difficulty of the classes increased, the more I needed to be in the classroom to get assistance. For Introduction to Programming with C part 1, I was able to complete the class on-line. When it came to the second have of the class, part 2, I failed. So in my case, a virtual school didn't meet the needs for two different classes with the same teacher.
I do think that a virtual classroom is a good opportunity for some students. If there is a child who is often sick, instead of missing school, they could have a virtual alternative for those times when they cannot travel to the classroom.
Another situation that may benefit from a virtual classroom is a teen parent or someone who needs to work to support a family. Many of these students need to leave school and have no alternative to a GED due to the time of day for the traditional High School classes. If they could have a virtual school environment that can be attended at alternative times, it may decrease the drop out rate.
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/site/documents/Hassel-Terrell-VirtualSchools.pdf
I think that students that are self motivated can receive just as good, if not better education in a virtual school than in a traditional environment.
Binary America: Split in Two By a Digital Divide (Wk 7)
I can't put the internet in the same category as a human needing water. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read!!
I have a problem worrying about people that can't afford the internet. When the television was first introduced, not everyone had one. If you wanted to see the news, you went to the movies. When cable first came to our town, not everyone could afford it or wanted it. Cable gave us MTV to see videos that went with your favorite song or CNN for the latest news. Throughout history, there are many examples of the latest technology not being available to those who cannot afford it.
The internet can be accessed for free at the local library. This past summer, I went on vacation in a rural part of Maine & had no internet access where I was staying. Needing to check e-mail, I was able to drive to the library and sit in my car to access the wireless connection on my work laptop. I also could have waited until the library opened and utilized their computers.
I have to ask the question, will having the internet help Marcella Morris to obtain a better life? Will it give her more money in her bank account? I think taking her kids to the library would do more for her than free internet access at home.
Why free internet? Why not free cell phones, free cable, free school?? Better yet, why not free food for those who are less fortunate. Do you know how many people are hungry in the United States.
The internet can not replace food and water.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/22/AR2007072201278.html
I have a problem worrying about people that can't afford the internet. When the television was first introduced, not everyone had one. If you wanted to see the news, you went to the movies. When cable first came to our town, not everyone could afford it or wanted it. Cable gave us MTV to see videos that went with your favorite song or CNN for the latest news. Throughout history, there are many examples of the latest technology not being available to those who cannot afford it.
The internet can be accessed for free at the local library. This past summer, I went on vacation in a rural part of Maine & had no internet access where I was staying. Needing to check e-mail, I was able to drive to the library and sit in my car to access the wireless connection on my work laptop. I also could have waited until the library opened and utilized their computers.
I have to ask the question, will having the internet help Marcella Morris to obtain a better life? Will it give her more money in her bank account? I think taking her kids to the library would do more for her than free internet access at home.
Why free internet? Why not free cell phones, free cable, free school?? Better yet, why not free food for those who are less fortunate. Do you know how many people are hungry in the United States.
The internet can not replace food and water.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/22/AR2007072201278.html
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Internet Media for Education - Embedded YouTube (Wk 6-2)
Create a blog entry that contains an embedded YouTube video that describes a particular topic related to education.
A lot of our blog entries are related to using the internet in education. I found several YouTube videos that show how schools are utilizing the internet in their daily environment.
In Dorchester, MA, the Lilla G. Fredrick Pilot Middle School is utilizing Google Apps for eductation and sharing information within the administration.
This video shows another video of a teacher just starting to utilize Google Apps with his Grade 9 class for posting homework, sharing information for group projects, and utilizing the spreadsheet applications.
Below are videos of students feedback on utilizing Google Apps at school.
A lot of our blog entries are related to using the internet in education. I found several YouTube videos that show how schools are utilizing the internet in their daily environment.
In Dorchester, MA, the Lilla G. Fredrick Pilot Middle School is utilizing Google Apps for eductation and sharing information within the administration.
This video shows another video of a teacher just starting to utilize Google Apps with his Grade 9 class for posting homework, sharing information for group projects, and utilizing the spreadsheet applications.
Below are videos of students feedback on utilizing Google Apps at school.
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