Teaching CS in Dallas

This has been sitting in my rss feeds forever and I've been meaning to comment on it.

Yes, Alfred, I agree.  In computer science, at least, knowing the information is more important than passing tests.  And I've always found that cramming doesn't work in any event.

I think for the APCS, the most important thing, is working hard ALL year, and then relaxing during exam week.  Now if I could only convince the teachers in my building who insist on lockdowns for their students, ALL day, the day before. 

Quoted from http://blogs.msdn.com/alfredth/archive/2008/02/26/how-to-study-for-a-computer-science-exam.aspx:

Computer Science Teacher - Thoughts and Information from Alfred Thompson : How To Study For A Computer Science Exam

I remember in middle school when one of my teachers told the class much the same thing. That it was more important to get a good night sleep and to be as relaxed as possible before starting the exam than to drive oneself crazy cramming information that would not stay in the brain. What do you think?

Posted by at 6:02 PM | Permalink

Last night I was going to a make up dog agility class , traveling 5 mph on Central Expressway when the car on the left starting pacing and me and I heard a lot of yelling.  I look over to see an Explorer filled with Hillcrest soccer players.  2 current students, 4 former students from the past few years.

It's fun.

They were VERY excited to see me and wanted to know where i was going -- they were headed in the same direction but further north.  I tried to get them to take the HOV lane, and I'll explain it to them on Monday so they will take it next time.  They were on their way to a soccer game, probably a club game, since they do all play club soccer in addition to school.  In fact, Robert, the young man I posted about last week was driving.

Posted by at 4:10 PM | Permalink

This video just descirbes the atmosphere -- and I didn't leave the ship though they obviuosly did.  Some very nice gentlemen, had breakfast with them one day.

Impression on GDCSE 2008 | Posts | Channel 8

A short impression on GDCSE 2008. Video is shot by the Dutch guys from Cannibal Game Studios, a game development start up created by 3 students of the Delft University of technology.

Posted by at 4:07 PM | Permalink

I'm all signed up and have a plane seat for this -- I'm going to make it a single day trip, much easier on the body that way.

Computer Science Teacher - Thoughts and Information from Alfred Thompson : CS & IT Symposium at NECC 2008

The information and registration page is up for this year's CS & IT Symposium at NECC this summer.

Posted by at 4:03 PM | Permalink

This is the original article talking about blogging from Google Docs

When you’re a web worker, time is money.  Here at Web Worker Daily, we’re all about helping you efficiently use your time.

Web Worker Daily » Archive Post To Your Blog Directly From Google Docs «

Posted by at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This post is from my Nokia 800 Internet Tablet.

I wish i had my bluetoooth keyboarf about now.

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This is a test post from Google docs. I've been looking for a good solution to posting to the internet from my internet tablet or my mobile phone.

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This is one of my babies!!!  He was in my English for Math class back in 2004.  He is really the nicest young man, and visits with me a lot in the hall.  He always asks about Marcie, who came to his class twice that year to help teach AP Psychology.  He's a smart fellow, learning what means the most to you and then asking about it when he sees you.

Quoted from http://www.hsgametime.com/dfw/sharedcontent/dws/content/topstories/stories/031208refugeemattgametimecopy.46ff17d6.html:

Soccer gives African refugee a chance to land on his feet | Dallas/Fort Worth High School Sports | HS GameTime.com | Top Stories

In September 2004, the United Nations refugee agency resettled Francis, Yagba and Robert in Dallas.

 

A month later, Robert, then a 16-year-old, enrolled at Hillcrest. Although he could speak three African languages and some broken English, he could not read or write because he had no schooling in the refugee camp.

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Quoted from http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/13/skittles.suspension.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories:

School clears kids in contraband candy caper - CNN.com

The New Haven school system banned candy sales in 2003 as part of a districtwide school wellness policy, school spokeswoman Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo said.

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I think I am going to get one, but I can't decided exactly what I want. I have been alternating doctor's visits and stores with Xbox 360 stores. I have been to 2 Gamestops, Fry'es and a Best Buy.

I can't decide if I want to buy new or used, harddrive, memory, etc. Probably want WIFI though.
I have also played drums on Rock Band, and I have also played Guitar Hero.

By the way, my eye doctor also likes Rock Band.
Any suggestions?

Posted by at 9:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I picked up an IGo Bluetooth keyboard pretty cheap from Amazon.com -- it arrived today and works pretty well.

Yes, I would probaby rather have an 810 but I wasn't even sure I wanted an internet tablet when I ordered it and didn't like the price on the 810. It's nice to have the internet but not be chained to a computer.

It took a couple of attempts to pair,but it seems to be working okay now.
Give me a few days to see how I really like it.

Posted by at 8:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Every once in a while, I get to wondering if there would be a market for holding private lessons in Computer Science.  Frankly, I have all the resources one would need to hold small group programming classes in my home -- basically a good wireless network, and could even set up a good wired network.

Here's why I got to thinking about it last night -- one of my agility friends has a teen age boy who is not only interested in games, but in how they are written and is completely self taught.  They do not offer any type of programming class in his school and she thinks it would be good for him.  Of course, they live on the other side of the planet from me, and while I don't mind losing my entire evening to dog training, I doubt she'd want to drive here.

The other reason is the time factor.  I just don't have any more hours in my day.  I might have a few this summer, but since I've already decided to teach summer school to keep people out of my lab ... I might not.

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ibm flowcharting template
Originally uploaded by jima

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One of my new heros did this interview -- actually an old hero, as I have been reading his blog, but met him in person at the Games Conference.  I'm really excited about being able to show this video in class -- hopefully I can reach some of my spanish speakers, several of them are quite good at code.

Quoted from http://betterthaneveryone.com/archive/2008/03/10/i-interviewed-miguel-de-icaza.aspx:

I interviewed Miguel de Icaza

At Mix '08, I had the privilege to interview Miguel de Icaza.

Posted by at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My next trip is to San Antonio -- the last day of June.  I am going to CSTA which is a one day event, breakfast and registraton at 8:00, first session at 8:45.  I'm kicking around the idea of flying in that day -- first flight in is at 7:55 and the hotel is 7 miles from the airport, and both are on a major highway. 

If i do that, I do not have to travel with my CPAP machine, making the whole trip much more TSA friendly.  Also cheaper, hotel rooms are $100+ a night.

Any thoughts?

Posted by at 3:48 PM | Permalink

What does "name your large 5A high school in the suburbs" do when there is a fire?

They evaluate the entire building.

What do we do at Dallas ISD? 

Put the fire out.

Seriuosly.  I've helped put a couple of fires out, mostly restroom, one Home Ec. Last month, we had two fires in the district, and in both cases, we put the fire out and went

Fire Damages Lincoln High Camus in Dallas, classes to be held.

Posted by at 4:55 PM | Permalink

This is one of my lost posts from the DNS problems, but VERY revelant

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22686809/

This is really true in the computer science classroom, as the best I can hope for in a sub is a babysitter. Physically things are not too bad.  The hall pass is missing and I've alerted the administrators AND replaced it.

As for learning -- not as many assignments got turned in as I would like. 

This six weeks was very hard for my webmastering students. We did Flash, and it is not a piece of software I am comfrtable with.  We're using an older version and the online tutorials do not work as well as they could.  Plus we don't have a book or other reference.  Debugging Flash is hard for me.  Doing Flash is hard for the kids.  The good news, is that now we are doing Dreamweaver and I am very comfortable with it.

My computer science kiddos are just not putting the time and energy into the class they need to. The majority are not taking it seriously and are not asking for help.  They waste a lot of class time.

The good news is that the PreAP kids are doing the best. 

And my favorite CS kiddo has gained an new appreciation for me, because she got stuck on Monday, and i called in on Tuesday and got her unstuck over the phone.

I still think the trip was worth it, but it did make the week even harder -- I was gone Thursday and Friday, which were the end of the six weeks. Also gone Monday and Tuesday.  Monday traveling and Tuesday recovering and grading(and I did work all day Saturday and Sunday!).  I never would have gotten the work graded if I had came in , as it was, I finished about 2:00 pm.

Wednesday was ELA testing day and only 7th period met. 

And now we are out for spring break....

Posted by at 4:42 PM | Permalink

So, here's the WIkipedia entry.  There is actually a binder that was published, that has lesson plans.  I know, because it is sitting on my desk.

I've downloaded a copy and a program called DOS Box and am working on getting it setup so that the kids can play it easily.

If I got nothing else from the workshop -- I've gotten this!  A program that entertains while teaching problem solving.

Quoted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_Machine:

The Incredible Machine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Incredible Machine (aka TIM) is a series of computer games that were originally designed and coded by Kevin Ryan and produced by Jeff Tunnell

Posted by at 1:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Computer Science Teachers Association

I have just returned from the Game Development in Computer Science Education (GDCSE) conference. I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the 10 Electronic Arts Scholars. The conference was sponsored by Microsoft and Electronic Arts in cooperation with ACM and SIGCSE. It was an intense conference and I did learn some interesting things.

Posted by at 12:49 AM | Permalink

One of the presenters at the Conference mentioned "The Incredible Machine", and one of the first things I've done today was to look for it in my closet in my classroom.  I found it and I found the original Teacher's Guide.

I couldn't help it, when the presenter mentioned his company owned it, I had to comment on how cool it was. So now I'm going to try to get it to run.

Company was GarageGames and they make TorqueX which I am planning to play with.

Unfortunately the floppy doesn't work, and my current mission is to find it on the web -- we "own" 28 copies!

Posted by at 7:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I agree with Alfred completely.  This was the BEST workshop I've ever been to and here's why.

1.  The conversations.  After every block of sessions, I ended up at a meal where we discussed the previous sessions and how to use the information.  That has NOT happened at other workshops.

Quoted from http://blogs.msdn.com/alfredth/archive/2008/03/03/game-development-in-computer-science-education-day-1.aspx:

Computer Science Teacher - Thoughts and Information from Alfred Thompson : Game Development in Computer Science Education Day 1

 

Being at a conference on a cruise ship is different from being on a land based conference. For one thing we are out of range of shore based Internet and cell phone coverage. For another there are not the same distractions that one sees on land. Oh sure there are stores and swimming pools and the casino. But all the places to eat are on the ship and you can't really go that far without seeing people who are also on the conference. What happens is that people wind up talking to each other - a lot!

2.  The lack of snarkiness. AP Computer Science teachers are snarky.  They have their cliques, and they have their courts.  If you don't long belong to one of those, you are just left out period.   After having said this, I should probably never attend another AP CS conference again, but then oh, well, I've always been left out.

3.  The level of interaction.  I never felt in over my head.  I did a lot at the last CMU AP CS conference.  I always felt that I could take something out of the workshop and bring it back to my school and disctrict.  However, I will admit I skipped all the robotics sessions -- it bugs we that we can't afford them, and I did skip the sessions on how to set up college curriculum.  I do that on a regular basis, and have a master's degree in it. 

All in all, it was good, I recommend the cruise format -- and the Landry / King company did a fabulous job of taking care of us. Carlyn and Vera provided top notch service, and I really appeciate the private room.

Posted by at 3:35 PM | Permalink

My cell phone came in REAL handy.  I haven't seen the full bill yet, as Cingular is processing it and March 3 is the first date of my cell phone month.

However, I was on the Cingular network all day Thursday, all day on Friday, or most of it, and then again on Monday morning.  I was able to get some grading done on Thursday and Friday, which is a good thing. I was also able to commincate with some students.

It was even better in Miami at the airport, I was waiting on a plane for about 4 hours and was able to get quite a bit of grading done, more if I had had a power outlet, I didn't want to completely drain my battery, not sure why.

Posted by at 1:28 AM | Permalink

This website gives lots of good travel information, and this type of article in particular is one of the two reasons I did not go on shore:  http://www.frommers.com/blog/2008/02/next-time-cruiseline-tries-to-sell-you.html

The first reason though was because it was the only downtime we had, and I need to de-stress, de-frizz, and just relax for a few hours.  And the best thing I did on the trip was to have a cute Austrialian gal french braid my hair -- which de-frizzed me.  I didn't have to touch a brush for three days she did it so well.  It really simplified my life. And the price was reaonable.

Posted by at 1:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I drank the Koolaid and was good -- but I already like that flavor.

I will be honest, this is one of the best events I've ever attended.

Better than TCEA, better than SIGSCE in Auston, and we won't talk about the AP Workshops....

The premise is:  Microsoft and their partners in the game industry are having trouble attracting people wo work for them.  There are two issues:  One issue that there are not enough applicant to hire, and the other issue is that the ones they do hire often do not have what they feel are "basic skills".

The sessions we went to addressed both.  Some concentrated on the first issue -- attracting students to computer science since game programming is motivating to a lot of students.  Some concentrated on the skills that game programs need. 

They also addressed the overall problem -- which is decreased enrollment in all computer science programs.

The best thing about this workshop, is I was treated with respect and as an equal. 

I also got to play some Xbox -- that was just a few hours each night, and I got to be one of the first people to play a particular game written for the Zune.

I'd LOVE to go back.

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