Gliffy

Stuffed and Starved by Raj Patel

Take the Right Brain/Left Brain Quiz

Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz The higher of these two numbers below indicates which side of your brain has dominance in your life.  Realising your right brain/left brain tendancy will help you interact with and to understand others. Left Brain Dominance: (9) Right Brain Dominance: (8) Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz

Spicynodes : Edit Nodes: Preview

Spicynodes : Edit Nodes: Preview

Lifelong Learning

Information overload has often caused me to question my commitment to lifelong learning.  However, once in a while, something happens to confirm that curiosity has its rewards.

At Harrisburg University, I’m enrolled in the Learning TechnologiesMaster of Science Program.  My first class, in the summer of 2008, was Implementing Web 2.0 in the Classroom.  Jim Gates, an inspirational and dynamic instructor, introduced me to the world of collaborative learning on the internet.  Now, three years later, I’m still discovering new ways of finding, processing and creating information. 

Spicy Nodes by idea.org is a tool to organize learning.  It takes the on-line graphic organizer a step forward.  Students in the Family and Consumer Sciences classroom have been using https://bubbl.us/ and mindmeister.com to map goals and SMART objectives, plan lessons for the preschool, and organize community service events.  They’ve collaboratively created Prezis and Google Docs to illustrate stages of development and energy management in the home and community.  Spicy Nodes combines the best features of the on-line graphic organizers and the presentation tools.   With great anticipation, I look forward to offering them the opportunity to produce a relevant project to demonstrate their knowledge and creativity.

Tom Chatfield: 7 ways games reward the brain | Video on TED.com

Tom Chatfield: 7 ways games reward the brain | Video on TED.com

Financial Education

As I listened to Craig Cohen on WITF's Smart Talk last night, I had the eeriest feeling that I was invisible. For the last 20 years, I've taught Personal Finance to high school students in Family and Consumer Sciences classes. I'm not alone. Throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there are hundreds of us , teaching children how to make wise consumer decisions. Students in my classes learn how to:

• finance a home


• comparison shop for cars and insurance


• save for long-term goals


• balance a budget


• create action plans with SMART objectives


• use credit wisely


• solve consumer problems

Last month two out of the three teachers in my department were furloughed. In West Shore School District, NINE Family and Consumer Sciences teachers were furloughed. In most districts, Family and Consumer Sciences is an elective course at the high school level. We need to reach ALL students. Yesterday's guests on Smart Talk were correct. Let's focus on teaching high school students how to be good money managers, not just as a lesson here and there in other classes, but in a stand-alone, required course taught by Family and Consumer Science professionals. Hold us accountable...we've eager for an opportunity to make a difference. Students need to learn practical, relevant knowledge and skills.