Facebook

The way I see facebook, is that it is a very large social network. People are given the chance to communicate with eachother.For example, if there is a project that requires out of school work, facebook allows those students to make a group that way everyone knows what is going on all at the same time. Also on a personal level I know that while in class i have full access to face through my phone and ipod, however, I do not use it while in class. I understand that high school is a place where kids are responsible for their own learning and having to put the work in themselves to be successful. Facebook can be a distraction most definitely but I believe with the iPads students will only use facebook when appropriate, because they know they are responsible for their own grade and absorbing the information taught to them. Also it makes the students feel more in control now that trust is being put in them. Students soon realize they have other things with a greater level of importance than facebook.

Thoughts ipads

Honestly, I think iPads are a good idea. They have many apps that make learning easier and more fun. However, I believe students should have the oppurtunity to decide whether they want to use an iPad or their own laptop. For those who have mac laptops they are still able to have access to the same apps and learning ways as those students with iPads. Also, are techers going to be using iPads? I know now that teachers are using mac laptops, so whats the harm in students using them as well?

Ipad apps

There are so many apps available for the iPad. A useful one that i found quite interesting was the flascards app. It was very simple to use. No tutorial was necessary, all I had to do was open the app and start typing. It is a very helpful in the fact that instead of wasting multiple flashcards and money on vocabulary tests, finals and the SATs. This app allows you to create your own flashcards with a front and back side and flip through them just by a swipe of your finger. When we get iPads next year I am definitely going to download this app.

My Picture Tour

Heres my 9 Picture Tour !

This is the chaos I have to deal with in the morning trying to get to school.

Homeroom for the first 10 minutes of school before 1st period.

"A" street as it's called is my route to and from almost all my classes.

I have to carry around these books all day, and every day.

My favorite time of my day. I spend my study period in this field study helping out with the younger kids.

I can't make it through the day without my license, ipod, car keys and of course my phone. 

Lunch inside or out is when I socialize with my friends and rush to finish homework for my last 2 classes.

2:00 is when school gets out and once again another day finished.

After school my time is spent playing either lacrosse, soccer or running track and field on this beautiful new field.

My Picture Tour

For this project the list below is the order and what pictures I am going to take for this interesting and exciting project of a day for Megan Packar:
1. Student Parking Lot
2. Homeroom 257A
3. Red Hall Way (A Street)
4. Notebook, Pencil, Highlighter and Books
5. Kids from Labbb/ Child Developement (Area)
6. Cell Phone, ipod touch
7. Cafeteria
8. Friends
9. Clock 2:00
10. Turf Football Field

1:1 Student Questions

I know how I feel towards becoming a 1:1 school. How do you guys feel about switching to all iPads? Are you guys afraid of getting them stolen or broken? Also what do you guys prefer on  a regular basis, iPads or notebook and paper? Pretty much all the questions I wonder about, I guarentee you all have the same questions. So pretty much just what are your thoughts about making this change?

School Handbook Revision

The student handbook has many rules that students are required to know about and be aware of. Out of this class alone about 1 or 2 students admitted to actually reading the handbook. Most students in BHS are not aware of the rules they are supposed to follow everyday. One of the many rules that I feel needs to change is the rules for dimissal. More than the usual amount of students people would figure, leave and skip school. Kids that are responsible enough and wouldnty abuse this privaledge should be allowed to sign themselves out of school. However there is more to it than just that. I feel as though students with cars, basically juniors and seniors should only be allowed to leave. They should also only be allowed to leave if they have under 4 dismissals, tardies, or absences for that quarter. Of course with some variations and with certain rules to meet teachers and advisors needs I feel as though this may work to everyones advantage. It will keep students from leaving with out checking out and make it better for students to be in school.

School Lunch Prices.. Too High!

Not only does our Burlington High School School have ridiculously high lunch prices. Schools all over the country for example Guilderland High School are continuously raising their prices for school lunches. Those kids who are low on money and don't have a packed lunch available to them go into very large debt just from getting food in school. Never have I been in debt when buying lunch but ever since this change to electronically paid lunches multiple kids i know are now in debt of prices of $10 and higher, even up to $20. The reason for this electronic change was because of social media. The reason for the switch to iPads was because of social media and because of the new and constantly advancing outside world. From hearing about other schools idea of a new way to teach and communicating with people around the word through social media, it caused this change. Personally lunch is much faster and more efficient now but not sure if it is necessarily better.

13 Things Not to Put on Facebook

The things on this slideshow on what not to put on facebook honestly isn't anything new to me. As it said to not put your home address, kids names, when your leaving for vacation or even your cell phone number are things I already new not to do. It is evident and has always been taught to me that there are many predators out there. There are many people out there that disguise themselves and hide behind facebook fake profiles and names to attack people especially teenagers. All this talk is very scary but something adults as well as kids need to be aware of. Even it your profile is set to private there are ways around it. When making a page on the internet nothing is ever really deleted or safe so you can never be to careful.

TEDxNYED

This TEDxNYED video was very interesting. I find it amazing how his daughter was able to learn an advanced piano song when her actual teacher didn't even believe she was ready yet. People have abilities that others aren't able to see. For her she knew she could do it with a little pracice and some other forms of help and as a result she accomplished her goal. As far as Mark Kassel his story is amazing too. He had the ability to take what he had learned from observation and a little teaching and creat something much larger. He has expanded what he has learned to people all around the world. It amazes me everyday to see these things happen to only good people because they truly deserve the oppurtunities they are given.