I don't know if we have post a blog this week for this assignment. Anyway I decided to write a little about it. Writing this resume I realize how much I really need to get a real job. I am hoping to start looking for another job, hopefully in a chemistry lab. I worked in the same place for 11 years, and so far have a dead end job. I barely have much to tell on my resume. I really hope to get a real job this summer, and really hope to get my masters in teaching.
In doing this assignment my biggest problem was making the document public. Since I am using a dial up modem at my home computer, it takes a long time to do anything. Every time I tried to make the content public, I kept waiting, and waiting, and kept being kicked out of google docs, but I finally made it. My link to resume is Marcin's Resume. Hopefully by the end of the summer I will have something to add on my next resume.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Creating a Lesson Plan
In this lesson we will cover topics that relate to organic chemistry.
Some simple chemical structures that you need to learn. Need to be able to recognize a structure, and name it, as well as be able to draw the structure when given its name.
A. Alkenes
B. Alkynes
C. Esters
D. Ethers
E. Nitriles
F. Aldehydes
G. Ketones
H. Carboxylic Acid
I. Alcohols
J. Amides
K. Carboxylic acid
L. Nitrile
M. Amide
We are now going to go over all of these structures. Students are required to memorize the names of these compounds and be able to draw their structure. Refer to the following Structure Chart We will be going over all of these structures in class. You should all save yourself a copy of it in your notes, and are expected to be able to draw these structures on the test. I do expect that all students have access to internet and be able to download the chart.
What are these simple compounds?
An alkene is a compound which has a double bond in between the two carbons. An alkyne is a compound which has a triple bond in between two carbons. A nitrile is a compound which has a triple bond between the carbon and the nitrogen atom.
Now we are going further in our lesson. Refer to the chart. What is the difference between the ketone and an ester, can anyone tell me? The difference is subtle. A ketone has a double bond between carbon and oxygen, and the carbon shares its other bonds with other carbons only. Ester has the same carbon and oxygen double bond, but the carbon shares a single bond with yet another oxygen.
Look at the structures of an aldehyde, an alcohol, and a carboxylic acid. Can anyone tell me the difference between them. And tell me how they are alike?
Can you what how alike a ketone and an amide are?
I would then give a simple demonstration. I ask that students put everything aside except for a blank sheet of paper and a pen.
I would like students to draw an alcohol, or an aldehyde, or a carboxylic acid.
I will not collect these. Students were just looking at these structures two minutes ago, and this demonstration shows just how much you can remember if you only look at these structures.
I am now going to hand out index cards to all of you. Using index cards is a better way of memorizing structures. I require that students draw on both sides of the index cards each chemical structure, one per one side of the card, and the name of each compound on the bottom in small print. That is the only way that you can really study, and learn them. If you do not draw them, and you keep only staring at them you will not be able to draw these structures on the exam, believe me, I know from personal experience.
For homework, you will go to the chemistry department library. You will each draw these structures using the program called Chemdraw program. Everyone of you will draw and name these compounds using Chemdraw, which is a program that is specific for drawing chemical compounds. I expect that every student can use a computer, and students are expected to learn how to use Chemdraw program to draw these structures. Will be collected from each individual student.
Next lesson will cover spectroscopy.
You will learn how to interpret chemical formulas using:
C NMR
H NMR
Mass spectroscopy
In-fared spectroscopy.
In this lesson you will be able to predict molecular formulas of a compound using spectrum data and by interpreting chemical shifts. For this exercise everyone is required to have a laptop with access to internet. Students will practice by learning how to read the spectrum, and then will try to solve the problem. This will be done online, on the laptop computer. For problems that deal with HNMR go to HNMR Spectra
Another website that you can use is C NMR @ H NMR
Students are expected to go on these websites and practice these problems online.
Some simple chemical structures that you need to learn. Need to be able to recognize a structure, and name it, as well as be able to draw the structure when given its name.
A. Alkenes
B. Alkynes
C. Esters
D. Ethers
E. Nitriles
F. Aldehydes
G. Ketones
H. Carboxylic Acid
I. Alcohols
J. Amides
K. Carboxylic acid
L. Nitrile
M. Amide
We are now going to go over all of these structures. Students are required to memorize the names of these compounds and be able to draw their structure. Refer to the following Structure Chart We will be going over all of these structures in class. You should all save yourself a copy of it in your notes, and are expected to be able to draw these structures on the test. I do expect that all students have access to internet and be able to download the chart.
What are these simple compounds?
An alkene is a compound which has a double bond in between the two carbons. An alkyne is a compound which has a triple bond in between two carbons. A nitrile is a compound which has a triple bond between the carbon and the nitrogen atom.
Now we are going further in our lesson. Refer to the chart. What is the difference between the ketone and an ester, can anyone tell me? The difference is subtle. A ketone has a double bond between carbon and oxygen, and the carbon shares its other bonds with other carbons only. Ester has the same carbon and oxygen double bond, but the carbon shares a single bond with yet another oxygen.
Look at the structures of an aldehyde, an alcohol, and a carboxylic acid. Can anyone tell me the difference between them. And tell me how they are alike?
Can you what how alike a ketone and an amide are?
I would then give a simple demonstration. I ask that students put everything aside except for a blank sheet of paper and a pen.
I would like students to draw an alcohol, or an aldehyde, or a carboxylic acid.
I will not collect these. Students were just looking at these structures two minutes ago, and this demonstration shows just how much you can remember if you only look at these structures.
I am now going to hand out index cards to all of you. Using index cards is a better way of memorizing structures. I require that students draw on both sides of the index cards each chemical structure, one per one side of the card, and the name of each compound on the bottom in small print. That is the only way that you can really study, and learn them. If you do not draw them, and you keep only staring at them you will not be able to draw these structures on the exam, believe me, I know from personal experience.
For homework, you will go to the chemistry department library. You will each draw these structures using the program called Chemdraw program. Everyone of you will draw and name these compounds using Chemdraw, which is a program that is specific for drawing chemical compounds. I expect that every student can use a computer, and students are expected to learn how to use Chemdraw program to draw these structures. Will be collected from each individual student.
Next lesson will cover spectroscopy.
You will learn how to interpret chemical formulas using:
C NMR
H NMR
Mass spectroscopy
In-fared spectroscopy.
In this lesson you will be able to predict molecular formulas of a compound using spectrum data and by interpreting chemical shifts. For this exercise everyone is required to have a laptop with access to internet. Students will practice by learning how to read the spectrum, and then will try to solve the problem. This will be done online, on the laptop computer. For problems that deal with HNMR go to HNMR Spectra
Another website that you can use is C NMR @ H NMR
Students are expected to go on these websites and practice these problems online.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Cyber Bullying
It was extremely heartbroking watch the video about the 13 year Hope who killed herself because she was bullied after she send a partially naked picture of herself to a boy that she liked, who then forwarded it to a friend, who then forwarded it to everyone. I think that schools, particularly middle schools have a responsibility to educate their students against sexting. They should have their seventh and eight graders watch videos about girls like Hope, and have them realize that sexting is a mistake that can affect the rest of their life. Schools should have students do research on sexting, cyberbulling and teen suicide that is related to technology as a major project.
Teenagers do not realize that sending naked pircures of themselves is a crime. A thirteen year girl that uses a cell phone to send a naked picture of herself is distributing child pornography, and she can in some cases be arrested and labeled a sex offender for the rest of her life. And to make it worse, the pictures can be forwarded, no one can be trusted to delete these pictures one day, or just keep them for personal use. Once they go public they stay on the internet forever, and there is no way of destroying them.
And finally schools should teach students to use technology responsively. They should teach students to use cameras and computers to acquire new learning skills, or to perform projects. Not to bully someone, or to do something stupid like make naked pictures of themselves, and them, what is worse, send them. Schools should tell students that technology can be dangerous. Stories of teen suicide, and mistakes that caused girls like Hope and Megan should be heard. And I think that Middle Schools especially should have their students hear those stories, and hopefully learn from them.
Teenagers do not realize that sending naked pircures of themselves is a crime. A thirteen year girl that uses a cell phone to send a naked picture of herself is distributing child pornography, and she can in some cases be arrested and labeled a sex offender for the rest of her life. And to make it worse, the pictures can be forwarded, no one can be trusted to delete these pictures one day, or just keep them for personal use. Once they go public they stay on the internet forever, and there is no way of destroying them.
And finally schools should teach students to use technology responsively. They should teach students to use cameras and computers to acquire new learning skills, or to perform projects. Not to bully someone, or to do something stupid like make naked pictures of themselves, and them, what is worse, send them. Schools should tell students that technology can be dangerous. Stories of teen suicide, and mistakes that caused girls like Hope and Megan should be heard. And I think that Middle Schools especially should have their students hear those stories, and hopefully learn from them.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Copy Right Laws
As perspective educators I can see that it is important for us to know copyright laws and therefore see the purpose of this assignment. When I took the quiz I was suprised to how many times I got an incorrect answer on the true and false. What seems to be simple strait forward question is really a trap that is worded to make us guess wrong. If we do become teachers we must know not to fall into that trap and therefore do not become liable to lawsuits, or not to have our school liable, and have our jobs, or careers on the line.
The video clip was very funny. It was a cut and paste from Disney and Pixar studio of characters that pretty much kept saying not to copy other people's work. If we do use someone else's work we have to give them credit. We either have to pay them for the use of their material, or at least give them citation if we use their work or words. This is a hot topic in Germany right now. Doctor Guttenberg, the defense minister in Angela Merkel's cabinet is now loosing his Ph.D because parts of his doctoral work were found to be a cut and paste from google. Nicknamed Dr. Googleberg, he is finished as a politician in Germany.
If a man with his position can be destroyed for plagerism, simple educators like is can be too. If he only cited his cut and paste he would have avoided all of that. Fair use is intended for people to get credit for their work. It makes sure that my intellectual property is protected and that I get credit for it, and it does the same for everyone else.
The video clip was very funny. It was a cut and paste from Disney and Pixar studio of characters that pretty much kept saying not to copy other people's work. If we do use someone else's work we have to give them credit. We either have to pay them for the use of their material, or at least give them citation if we use their work or words. This is a hot topic in Germany right now. Doctor Guttenberg, the defense minister in Angela Merkel's cabinet is now loosing his Ph.D because parts of his doctoral work were found to be a cut and paste from google. Nicknamed Dr. Googleberg, he is finished as a politician in Germany.
If a man with his position can be destroyed for plagerism, simple educators like is can be too. If he only cited his cut and paste he would have avoided all of that. Fair use is intended for people to get credit for their work. It makes sure that my intellectual property is protected and that I get credit for it, and it does the same for everyone else.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Technology Matrix
For this week's blog I have selected the "Infusion, Active Learning" with shared access. The link to that web site is Active Infusion Students in that activity are trying to create their own magazine. They are using various technology to accomplish this. They use digital cameras to take pictures and then put them on the computer. They use scanners to put old photograps on the computer. They are using the computer to raise money for their magazine so that they can publish it. They use all technology that they can, computer, digital cameras, scanners, they use the internet to research their materials. They work together cooperatively. As for nets for teachers I cannot decide which specific exaple relate to my example. I chose example #2, "Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assesments." I chose example A: design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. In my video students did use digital tools and resources to learn, and someday these skills may pay off when they have their own magazine. Their teacher has to be able to guide them and has to be able to use a computer, or digital camera and the internet and guide the students if they need help.
I feel quite comfortable after all these weeks working with technology and feel that I am at a transformation level now on technology.
I feel quite comfortable after all these weeks working with technology and feel that I am at a transformation level now on technology.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Podcasting
I must say that every weak it gets much easier to do the assignments. This week the only problem I encountered was that my computer saves the file in wmp format which is not allowed on podcasting website. It took me an hour to figure out how to concert it to mp3 file. Pretty much I have downloaded the program I googled that converts most files to mp3 format.
Then I had no trouble and I was able to download my audio file.
This week I have given a lecture on physical chemistry. I gave a practice problem. Went over a few definitons such as P stands for pressure, T stands for temperature. I gave a problem that involvs working with gasses, simple adiobatic process. I chose to do that lecture because I had a problem that was worked out in my notes, and also to enjoy the relief that it is over, and that I do not have to take it over again. Last semester out of 48 students passed the class. Now of the remaining 21 students the average on the last exam was a 22. I do not think that more than 15 will end up passing, the class is a nightmare. If anyone wants to learn more about p-chem I am giving you a link here to my former instructor. Kasner's home page
Monday, February 28, 2011
Do Schools Kill Creativity?
I do agree with Ken Robinson that schools kill creativity. The curriculum to graduate a public school is pretty much the same and it doesn't take into account people's strenghts and weaknesses or special talents, or what do they have going in their life. In high school I was the captain of the track team and I was the best long distance runner in school. Yet to graduate I still had to take a gym class each semester, which I felt was something good for someone who has a problem with his/her weight, and I felt it was unnecessary for someone like me. I had to run more than ten miles everysingle day. And one semester I was told to do weight lifting. The gym teacher ended up having a fight with my coach after he made us do squats and leg exercises the day of the race. People had a choice of saying no and getting a poor grade, or did the exercise and then were unable to run competitively later on in the race. I myself had to run the 800 meter run, the 1600, and later on I was to tired to run the 3200.
Like Ken Robinson says students each have different skills and talents. The girl he spoke of that ended up going to balley school and becoming successfull in like would likely never go to college, maybe even not graduate high school if the doctor did not suggest she goes to a dance school. Schools have a flat curriculum, and the only difference might be that smart students will take college level classes, and not so smart students take basic skills classes that will have them pass high school, but will not get them through college. Everyone has to pass English, math, and taking 4 years of gym is necessary. Schools do not take into account that someone might not be able to write well, but can excell in math and vice versa. And a top athlete might not need to take a gym class that will end up hurting his performance in the race. I do think that schols leave little room for innovation and creativity, and that schould change.
Like Ken Robinson says students each have different skills and talents. The girl he spoke of that ended up going to balley school and becoming successfull in like would likely never go to college, maybe even not graduate high school if the doctor did not suggest she goes to a dance school. Schools have a flat curriculum, and the only difference might be that smart students will take college level classes, and not so smart students take basic skills classes that will have them pass high school, but will not get them through college. Everyone has to pass English, math, and taking 4 years of gym is necessary. Schools do not take into account that someone might not be able to write well, but can excell in math and vice versa. And a top athlete might not need to take a gym class that will end up hurting his performance in the race. I do think that schols leave little room for innovation and creativity, and that schould change.
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