nice to hear from you!

All three sections had terrific discussions today!  I guess it helps when the subject is as interesting as "Did You Know 3.0," but you guys really stepped up.  I find class a lot more engaging when you get more involved, and I'll bet you do too.  Don't forget to get your Friday blogs in before Saturday night ends.





Blogger.com update:  Of the 42 blogs that went down yesterday, all but seven are up and running again.  I am working with the tech crew at Google to get service restored to Grace, Damon, and Pat in Section 1, Alice, Richard, and Carly in Section 2, and Mary G in Section 3.  Stay tuned to my blog for further updates.

Have a great weekend, and thanks again for all the enthusiasm!

the Blogger Blues

Many of you are unable to access your blogs at this time.  I am in contact with the Blogger tech people, and hope to have this problem resolved soon.  In the meantime, if you can't post to your blog, you need to write your blog assignment in a Word document, or any other word processing software.  Save it until we get this all straightened out, and then you can post it to your blog.  There will be no late penalties for late postings, but there will be penalties if you don't post after I give you the go-ahead.

If this problem is not affecting you, and you are able to access your blog, post to it as usual.

Reminder: tonight's assignment is to watch the "Did You Know 3.0" video, choose two of the factoids that really caught your attention, and explain what relevance they have for you.

Thanks for your patience while we sort this all out.

oh, 21st century...

When I think about some of the questions we discussed in class today, 

and when I consider some of the facts presented in "Did You Know 3.0" 

(which Section 1 watched today, and the other sections will see tomorrow), 

I think this is a great time to be alive.  

At the very least, it is an interesting moment in history.  

Your blogs tonight will focus on our class discussion; 

Section 1 will also include personal reactions to two of the statements in the video. 

the wonders of the Factbook, and an historic day

Today's class (only Section 1 met today) proved that a handful of questions and answers from the CIA Factbook - coupled with a very sad anniversary - can really jump-start a far-reaching conversation.

I'm looking forward to reading your blogs after this class.

working with the CIA

The CIA World Factbook is an extremely useful website - but you knew that already, based on our incredibly informative and exciting class today.  To get you familiar with this site, here is your homework assignment for tonight.

Go to the link "Questions for the CIA Factbook," which I have posted on my blog.  Using only the CIA Factbook as a resource, answer those 25 questions on your blog.  In addition, I want you to pick out the two questions that you find most compelling, interesting, or important to you as an American, or to you as a young person.  Briefly tell me in your posting why you chose each question.

Note taking, research, and the Prairie State

It being Thursday, only Sections 2 and 3 met today.  Section 2 worked on note-taking skills and learned why Nebraska is actually far flatter than a pancake.  I received a good report from Section 3's sub that you all worked hard and stayed focused in class, and for that I thank you.

As usual, your homework is to blog about today's class.  I would also recommend that everyone take one more look at your summer reading book tonight, so you can come in tomorrow and have some great discussions in your small groups.  Also, keep in mind that there is a graded assignment given tomorrow based on your book, so be ready!

See you next week!

research and note taking

Class discussions are focusing on two skills essential for academic success: research methods and note-taking.

Section 1 met yesterday and covered evaluation of websites; Sections 2 and 3 covered that today.

Today Section 1 performed a note-taking exercise, which Section 2 will do with me tomorrow.

Tomorrow Section 3 will work with a sub while I am out of the building.  Students will click on the "Evaluating websites" link, and look closely at the nine numbered websites.  Decide whether each one is appropriate for use as a primary source for a research paper, and whether it would be useful in a general research context.  Explain your answers and post them to your blog.  If you do not complete this in class, finish it for homework.