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.
21st Century skills Week # 6
I myself are a supporter of encorporating 21st century skills into the teaching curriculum. In today's world you simply cannot compete if you cannot do such a simple thing as use a computer, for example. The difference between being able to use it and not is all the difference between being employed and not. Two years ago my mother newer even turned on a computer, never mind use it. Now in her job, (she works for a chemical company) she has to use it to do shipping or ordering. She uses internet and since she has trouble with her english, she found a website that translates English to Polish. She has a job, and these days it is hard to find one. Just to think that two years ago she could not type, she could not use the internet, I had to teach her everything from scratch, even how to turn on a computer.
The article "21st Century Skills, Will Our Students be Prepared," states that our life is transformed by technology, putting pressure on students to constantly change, and adapt. I myself found the use of technology necessary to get good grades in school. I went beyond just finding links with practice tests and assignments. For my organic chemistry class, which I have retaken, I found website that offers unlimited practice problems involving interpreting spectrum analysis of different compound. After two hours and fifty problems down the road I was able to solve every problem on the intermediate level. I aced the exam and got half the points on the test from interpreting organic spectra which killed me when I took it previously. I studied much harder previously, but only had access to a few problems from the book which I more memorized than was able to learn to interpret them.
In the articel called "The Latest Doomed Pedagogical FAD" The author is concerned about 21st century skills, because his personal experience wasn't a good one. He got a good grade despite learning nothing. My guess is that his group did all the work, and he was too preoccupied with his love life to put his head in the game, but since it was a group project he passed. I think that even with a group project everyone in the group has to do an assigned part, and be responsible for a specific part of the project. If one person in the group does all of the work then working cooperatively with others certainly does't work. It has to be enforced in a smart way in which even if it is a group project, everyone will get his own grade, or situations like this one will take place.
Finally I would like to say that article "Critical Thinking, You need Knowledge" does not give a good comparison to the situation that takes place today. The experiment in which students bake cookies to learn math, is not the same as teaching them to use a computer to do chemistry problems. I believe that in today's world 21st century skills and knowing them are a must, and I believe that they are a key to the future.
The article "21st Century Skills, Will Our Students be Prepared," states that our life is transformed by technology, putting pressure on students to constantly change, and adapt. I myself found the use of technology necessary to get good grades in school. I went beyond just finding links with practice tests and assignments. For my organic chemistry class, which I have retaken, I found website that offers unlimited practice problems involving interpreting spectrum analysis of different compound. After two hours and fifty problems down the road I was able to solve every problem on the intermediate level. I aced the exam and got half the points on the test from interpreting organic spectra which killed me when I took it previously. I studied much harder previously, but only had access to a few problems from the book which I more memorized than was able to learn to interpret them.
In the articel called "The Latest Doomed Pedagogical FAD" The author is concerned about 21st century skills, because his personal experience wasn't a good one. He got a good grade despite learning nothing. My guess is that his group did all the work, and he was too preoccupied with his love life to put his head in the game, but since it was a group project he passed. I think that even with a group project everyone in the group has to do an assigned part, and be responsible for a specific part of the project. If one person in the group does all of the work then working cooperatively with others certainly does't work. It has to be enforced in a smart way in which even if it is a group project, everyone will get his own grade, or situations like this one will take place.
Finally I would like to say that article "Critical Thinking, You need Knowledge" does not give a good comparison to the situation that takes place today. The experiment in which students bake cookies to learn math, is not the same as teaching them to use a computer to do chemistry problems. I believe that in today's world 21st century skills and knowing them are a must, and I believe that they are a key to the future.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Week Five Back to School Presentation
Hello everyone. I have spend all day trying to figure out how to do this presentation. It is not as hard, but it was hard recording it in a quiet place. I should have recorded it at home. In the library it is hard to find a place where you have some quiet, and where at the same time you can be the only one talking. I like this power point presentation with the option of recording your own voice and then the option of posting it on the internet. Every weak I find it a little easier to do these assignments. It seams that slideshare page is down so it took me forever to find an alternate page where I can publish my presentation. If you have trouble try brainshark.com. That is where I posted my presentation.
Belw is a link to my presentation:
My Classroom
Belw is a link to my presentation:
Mr stanislawski s_classroom
View more presentations from stanislawsm1
My Classroom
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Mr. Marcin's Classroom
Here is my power point presentation. Hope it works. If not my presentation is under this link.
Mr. Marcin's Classroom
Mr. Marcin's Classroom
Back to School Night
My back to school presentation focuses on keeping up to date with technology in the modern world. In school today you need to have access to a laptop with a wireless internet access. You need to be able to have access to other gadgets like a data cube for storing data. You have to be able to use it not only to get information, but to exchange with others, use chat rooms to work on assignments. Post your own documents online so that others can download them and use them. Technology always changes. Few years ago no one heard of Twitter. Now there are a few big companies up there. Facebook, Google, everyone knows these and people use them everyday. What will come out big few years from now? Maybe Groupon will be the next facebook.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Curriculum
Grade 12
Content Statement: The use of technology and digital tools requires knowledge and appropriate use of operations and related applications.
CPI: 8.1.12.A.3 Participate in online courses, learning communities, social networks, or virtual worlds and recognize them as resources for lifelong learning.
I have chosen this grade and CPI, because first of all I am hoping to be working with seniors in high school, and because I feel that they can learn a lot online. I do know that there is a lot of information out there and if students do not have access to it, they are at a huge loss vs. those who know how to work with technology. Also working together they will be able to help each other, every student being good at doing one kind of problem that the other cannot do and vice versa. When I started college I would have the teacher do a few chemistry problems on the board and assign some problems from the book. That was however, not near enough to get through the class with a good grade. To pass this subject you need a lot more than a few problems that you end up memorizing. Chemistry is about being able to solve millions of problems that you cannot just memorize. However with the internet students now have access to archives of old exams. They have websites that they can use to solve unlimited number of problems and have the computer program tell them right away if they are right or wrong. Having access to technology is simply a must, because those students who don't use it will be at a huge disadvantage to those who do.
Content Statement: The use of technology and digital tools requires knowledge and appropriate use of operations and related applications.
CPI: 8.1.12.A.3 Participate in online courses, learning communities, social networks, or virtual worlds and recognize them as resources for lifelong learning.
I have chosen this grade and CPI, because first of all I am hoping to be working with seniors in high school, and because I feel that they can learn a lot online. I do know that there is a lot of information out there and if students do not have access to it, they are at a huge loss vs. those who know how to work with technology. Also working together they will be able to help each other, every student being good at doing one kind of problem that the other cannot do and vice versa. When I started college I would have the teacher do a few chemistry problems on the board and assign some problems from the book. That was however, not near enough to get through the class with a good grade. To pass this subject you need a lot more than a few problems that you end up memorizing. Chemistry is about being able to solve millions of problems that you cannot just memorize. However with the internet students now have access to archives of old exams. They have websites that they can use to solve unlimited number of problems and have the computer program tell them right away if they are right or wrong. Having access to technology is simply a must, because those students who don't use it will be at a huge disadvantage to those who do.
Technology and Teaching
Technology is an important tool in the learning process. Today's students don't want to learn from somebody that speaks in a monotone voice and stands with a piece of chalk in front of a classroom. Students these days have access to vast resources of information that the previous generation didn't have. To keep up with their students teachers must keep up with the ever changing technology.
When I become a teacher I know that I will have keep up to date with technology. I will create my own web site and will allow students to have access to practice problems, old tests, and have links to web sites that can be useful. Practice problems would not necessarily need to be printed. I would allow the students to solve the problem on the computer and then the program would allow students to see whether they are right or wrong, what mistakes they made.
Like in the video, Integration of 21st Century Skills; Hygrology I would require each student to use a laptop with access to the internet. Science is very much dependant on technology, and the two are interdependant on each other. Being a science major, simple things like creating your own blog, web page, or power point documents is nothing like working with half a million dollars machine during analysis of substances. If you plan on getting a degree in science having a laptop and using it to learn is a must.
When I become a teacher I certainly would look for a school that would have access to newest technology. I would have no choice, because I feel that if I don't keep up I will end up like the teacher in the video, which after 30 years of teaching finds herself relying on students on help with technology. These days either you keep up or you are Darwind out of the race.
Marcin
When I become a teacher I know that I will have keep up to date with technology. I will create my own web site and will allow students to have access to practice problems, old tests, and have links to web sites that can be useful. Practice problems would not necessarily need to be printed. I would allow the students to solve the problem on the computer and then the program would allow students to see whether they are right or wrong, what mistakes they made.
Like in the video, Integration of 21st Century Skills; Hygrology I would require each student to use a laptop with access to the internet. Science is very much dependant on technology, and the two are interdependant on each other. Being a science major, simple things like creating your own blog, web page, or power point documents is nothing like working with half a million dollars machine during analysis of substances. If you plan on getting a degree in science having a laptop and using it to learn is a must.
When I become a teacher I certainly would look for a school that would have access to newest technology. I would have no choice, because I feel that if I don't keep up I will end up like the teacher in the video, which after 30 years of teaching finds herself relying on students on help with technology. These days either you keep up or you are Darwind out of the race.
Marcin
Monday, January 31, 2011
Clifton School District
When choosing to write about school districts I immidiately thought of the schools that I went to. The Clifton school district provides an excellent education to its students. Its web site welcoms the parents of the prospective students with pictures and links to videos. When I tried to click to view the vidoes however I was unable to do so, for whatever reason. It said that the link is broken. I can still view the familiar images of the area. I can see the pictures of the high school, then I see pictures of the middle school, and then I see children and young adults in the classroom, by the school bus and in the area. The web site provides links to the people who are in charge of the district and phone numbers to them. Other links include the curriulum that is required by each school. From the elementary school through high school. It provides a draft of what the students need to know. For example when I clicked on summer school link for 6th grade I got to a page that had definitions of things like acute angle and the obtuse angle, and provided difinitions of each. That link is helpful in helping students prepare for class.
Most links that are posted are for informational purpuses only. It reports of winter emergency on the home page, and you can click right away on it for school closing. When I clicked on technology link, I got the names of the people who are in charge of the departments and phone numbers to them. I must say that I am disappointed that I did not see more. I expected to see something more specific. Was hoping to see the pictures of the people in charge, at least, and I was hoping to find something more specific about the program, that might relate to what we are doing in this class.
Information available on this website is very general. The link to the adult evening school is not available until February. I wish that there was more on the web site than information about when the report cards are due, and how to contact the administration. What I feel is missing is the information about advanced curriculum that would have students end up enrolled in AP classes by the junior and senior year in high school. I do feel that they should post a catalog with the program, and also I do wish that I could watch a video presentation of the school, or the school district in general.
Most links that are posted are for informational purpuses only. It reports of winter emergency on the home page, and you can click right away on it for school closing. When I clicked on technology link, I got the names of the people who are in charge of the departments and phone numbers to them. I must say that I am disappointed that I did not see more. I expected to see something more specific. Was hoping to see the pictures of the people in charge, at least, and I was hoping to find something more specific about the program, that might relate to what we are doing in this class.
Information available on this website is very general. The link to the adult evening school is not available until February. I wish that there was more on the web site than information about when the report cards are due, and how to contact the administration. What I feel is missing is the information about advanced curriculum that would have students end up enrolled in AP classes by the junior and senior year in high school. I do feel that they should post a catalog with the program, and also I do wish that I could watch a video presentation of the school, or the school district in general.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Life is About Learning New Things
Hello everyone!
My Name is Marcin and I have just graduated from Montclair State with the degree in Biochemistry. I am hoping to finish graduate school and become a chemistry teacher in High School. This is the first blog that I have ever created but I am not nervous about it at all. I do feel that I know enough to keep up with the technology to keep up in that class, and am confident that I will learn enything that is necessary to do well.
When I chose to become a science major I never knew that it will be so hard to graduate and get my degree.
The transition between taking college preparatory classes in high school to taking university level courses were a horror to start with. In my first semester my grades suffered, and I have seen as many as half of the class fail. I had to myself rethink everything, from the amount of time I spend studying to how I study. Chemistry is hard, and every year is a nightmare. I never really failed until I took the dreaded physical chemistry class. Then I failed it again. The summer before I took it again I have spend studying nearly every day and I passed while about half the class failed. Last semester out of the class of 48, only 21 people passed the class, many of those who failed were in my class a year earlier. This is why if you wonder, they have bumper stickers that say "Hunk if you passed p-chem."
I feel that now I can pass anything after getting through that nightmare, and keeping up with technology is nothing compared to what I have gone through.
When I become a teacher I am hoping to teach my students to be problem solvers, and to learn the logic of being problem solvers. In high school you get by memorizing problems, and partial credit. In chemistry there is no way in hell you will get any partial credit, and if you are planning to get a degree you have to learn the logic that is associated with solving the problems. I feel that since I am still young I wil have a better way of connecting, and understanding my students. And I hope that this class will prepare me to be a better teacher.
Technology plays a huge role in learning in today's world. Having a laptop and access to wireless internet gave me a huge advantage that I did not havej when I first started going to school here. I personally found access to online set of unlimited number of spectroscopy problems for my organic chemistry class, that was unavailable when I took that class the previous time. I was able to interpret the spectra, write the molecular formula, and the structure of the compound, and I got the answer right away whether I was right or wrong. I got an A for the class. My mother learned how to use internet in her job, and now has access to the site that translates Polish to English, and therefore was able to keep her job as well as improve her english skills. I am hoping to learn a lot more in Curr 518.
And this is my first blog, but I am not worried, this is nothing after passing p-chem.
About Myself
I enjoy reading books and magazines. For physical activities I do distance running, was captain of the cross country team in High School. I also enjoy doing pchem problems, and after every test I go to the web site with the test and I solve it, for the very simple reason; now I can solve them. And I have graduated, unlike so many of my friends. Also I enjoy working in the garden.
Good Luck to Everyone!!
Marcin
My Name is Marcin and I have just graduated from Montclair State with the degree in Biochemistry. I am hoping to finish graduate school and become a chemistry teacher in High School. This is the first blog that I have ever created but I am not nervous about it at all. I do feel that I know enough to keep up with the technology to keep up in that class, and am confident that I will learn enything that is necessary to do well.
When I chose to become a science major I never knew that it will be so hard to graduate and get my degree.
The transition between taking college preparatory classes in high school to taking university level courses were a horror to start with. In my first semester my grades suffered, and I have seen as many as half of the class fail. I had to myself rethink everything, from the amount of time I spend studying to how I study. Chemistry is hard, and every year is a nightmare. I never really failed until I took the dreaded physical chemistry class. Then I failed it again. The summer before I took it again I have spend studying nearly every day and I passed while about half the class failed. Last semester out of the class of 48, only 21 people passed the class, many of those who failed were in my class a year earlier. This is why if you wonder, they have bumper stickers that say "Hunk if you passed p-chem."
I feel that now I can pass anything after getting through that nightmare, and keeping up with technology is nothing compared to what I have gone through.
When I become a teacher I am hoping to teach my students to be problem solvers, and to learn the logic of being problem solvers. In high school you get by memorizing problems, and partial credit. In chemistry there is no way in hell you will get any partial credit, and if you are planning to get a degree you have to learn the logic that is associated with solving the problems. I feel that since I am still young I wil have a better way of connecting, and understanding my students. And I hope that this class will prepare me to be a better teacher.
Technology plays a huge role in learning in today's world. Having a laptop and access to wireless internet gave me a huge advantage that I did not havej when I first started going to school here. I personally found access to online set of unlimited number of spectroscopy problems for my organic chemistry class, that was unavailable when I took that class the previous time. I was able to interpret the spectra, write the molecular formula, and the structure of the compound, and I got the answer right away whether I was right or wrong. I got an A for the class. My mother learned how to use internet in her job, and now has access to the site that translates Polish to English, and therefore was able to keep her job as well as improve her english skills. I am hoping to learn a lot more in Curr 518.
And this is my first blog, but I am not worried, this is nothing after passing p-chem.
About Myself
I enjoy reading books and magazines. For physical activities I do distance running, was captain of the cross country team in High School. I also enjoy doing pchem problems, and after every test I go to the web site with the test and I solve it, for the very simple reason; now I can solve them. And I have graduated, unlike so many of my friends. Also I enjoy working in the garden.
Good Luck to Everyone!!
Marcin
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