Tuesday, November 30, 2010

What are all these random videos on this blog??

Well, that is a great question! I am a big believer that seeing science happen is very important to the learning process. So, I spend quite a bit of time either creating or finding videos that demonstrate various important concepts for my students! When I find a great one, I pop it in this blog to ensure that I can find the video again and that my students have continued access to this great instructional material!

If you ever come across a great video, or better yet, make a great video, please let me know!!!

I look forward to showing you more science!! ;)

Reflection and refraction of colored light in water air surface 2

Friday, November 19, 2010

Free Technology for Teachers: Explore the Chemical Education Digital Library

Free Technology for Teachers: Explore the Chemical Education Digital Library

What a cool list of resources to help you fill out your learning with animations, tutorials and 3D models!!! If you find a cool one, bring it to ClassConnect! :)

Friday, November 5, 2010

The Five Major Class of Chemical Reactions

Success

Action is the foundational key to all success.
Pablo Picasso

Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.
George Edward Woodberry

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
Bill Cosby

I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.
Michael Jordan

So what is success?? I believe the answer is that it is different things to different people. Learning a new skill in class, turning everything in this week, having a life outside of your academic life, getting a good nights sleep. Each of these could be a big reason for celebration depending on who you are and what life is throwing at you today.

How to become successful, that is the question! There are so many paths. I believe that taking academic risks, trying something when you really don't know if you can do it or not, accepting failure as part of success and as a part of learning, and, my personal favorite, resiliency.

I really believe that being resilient it one of the absolutely most important things that you can be. Every single person on this planet has made mistakes, failed a test, disappointed someone they love, or disappointed themselves somewhere along the line. It happens. That isn't the important part. What IS important is what you do when you fail, when things don't go according to plan, or when life seems like it is just too much.

You get up, you set attainable goals, and you try it again. You approach the problem in a different way, you ask for help, you let people around you support you, and you don't get hung up about "the last time you tried."

Resilience:
•an occurrence of rebounding or springing back

Next time you fail, don't stop yourself and get bogged down in fear and disappointment. Be resilient and think about how you are going to spring back into the action!