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Thursday, August 6, 2020

8/6/2020

Hello Again!

Just a quick note to see if anybody is out there. Just kidding. I'm typing this while trying to decipher the current messages from our district "leadership". Who sends a document that requires the user to type out the entire link? This is 2020, not 1997. Anyway, this is indicative of how things will go the next few months, so hang on to your hat.

If you haven't performed an online search of VUCA, let me help. Here: VUCA

See tech department? That's how you embed a link. Anyway, if that article is difficult to process, just remember that VUCA means life can and will change faster and more radically than we would like, so the best you can do is prepare yourself with supplies of food, water, clothing, and LOTS of BRAIN POWER.

PEACE

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

8/5/2020

Hi Everybody!

What's happening? OK, OK. Nothing. I started the 2021 Journal, so maybe that's something. It's on the home page. It's open to ALL students. Let me know what's going on with you.

PEACE

Monday, August 3, 2020

8/3/2020

Hi Everybody!

What's happening? Ok, so nobody is writing in the journal, and nobody is replying here, so I might as well close the journal. Time for you to move on to 7th grade. Nevertheless, please know you can always respond here, or send email or message on Twitter if you need help with school work.

Yes, with the pandemic, October's mulch fire, and now the Apple fire, you certainly have had to deal with more than your share. Please remember, tough times don't last, tough people do. So I'm glad for the time we shared because I believe I showed you that you are capable of lasting through difficult times and beyond.

Keep smiling.

Peace!

Friday, July 31, 2020H

7/31/2020

Hi Everybody!

What's happening? Today is the last day of July! Is time going slowly or quickly for you? Only five months until this year ends. Please spend your time of quarantine wisely. Be good to yourself. Find something creative and stick with it.

Remember, mindset, nutrition, exercise, and recovery are essential to a healthy productive life.

Peace!

Monday, July 27, 2020

7/27/2020

Hi Everybody,

What's happening? Nothing? School is supposed to start in two weeks? Any questions? Well, if you have any questions at all, please contact me here or in the journal. Thanks.

Peace

Friday, July 24, 2020

7/24/2020

Hi Everybody,

School will begin in three weeks. Are you ready? Make sure you adjust your sleep habits and nutrition so you can perform your best. I'm keeping this brief today because I have an enormous amount of material I have from yesterday I must review. If you haven't visited the US Navy Makerspace lab, please check out yesterday's blog and click on the link.

The pandemic won't last forever. Your first priority is to stay safe and healthy. After that, start learning how to learn by staying curious about the ideas you care about the most. Additive engineering (3D printing), information technology, artificial intelligence, coding, music, sports, whatever you are curious about, start your deep learning now. By the end of high school, you will be ready for a productive life.

See you Monday!

Thursday, July 23, 2020

7/23/2020

Hi Everybody!

What's happening? Today I'm scheduled to be on two "webinars". The first is about 3D printing from the United States Naval Academy, and the host Captain Brad Baker, along with Formlabs. I'm writing this during the first few minutes and I am genuinely impressed at the Navy's commitment to 21st Century technology. The website is https://www.usna.edu/Makerspace/index.php

Build, make, and test is the process by which they create functional parts and machines. This goes along with what I've been telling my classes the last few years: Produce rather than consume.

Remember, 3D printing is just a nickname. The concept is called "Additive Engineering". This ia a process the Navy wants to take mobile, on board ships, so they can replace parts on the spot. Right now, Captain Baker is explaining that Cybersecurity is an enormous concern, because designs can be printed from anywhere, so once a design is sent over the internet, that design can be stolen. Interesting.

As part of the learning process, Captain Baker is showing many of the projects that were NOT successful, explaining that they learn from their mistakes as well as their successes. He's also explaining that although the SLA printer is more expensive, SLA printing has many more successes in final products, and their "resolution" is far superior.

The US Naval Academy Makerspace has two labs, a beginner lab and an advanced lab. Perhaps, when school starts in person, we can adopt that approach with the UKITS. Both labs have a "POST PROCESSING AREA" for cleaning and curing parts, allowing the material to set. Captain Baker is emphasizing that all users must be experts in materials. The printers do a lot of the work, but if the user doesn't understand which material to use and how to use it, projects will not be successful, just wasting money. Most of his prints are prototypes. For end use prints, you will need an extremely expensive printer that will use metal or ceramics. Therefore, he recommends that beginner users use plastics for builds.

This is the beginning of real 21st Century thinking and working, including the distance collaboration from Formlabs, but also the United States Navy. Personally, I find this encouraging because it shows the kids of CC that the world is larger place than just what they see everyday at CC.

Now, Captain Baker is explaining how they use the iPhone to scan a person's face, then take the scan to make a custom facemask out of biomedical resin. Resin is a clear plasticruly a 21st century solution. Formlabs has been swamped with demand for their SLA printers so people can produce their own PPE.

Captain Baker is now showing how they produce home made radiation detectors. Makes you wonder what else they have that they cannot show us because of security concerns. This illustrates another concept I've been saying for 30 years, CVUSD needs a serious upgrade to the curriculum, if they want to add value to the kids. If they just want to perpetuate a culture, then they should continue to promote the dual language program.

The wealth of knowledge and abilities that outside agencies possess should inspire our students.
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11:00 AM
Next up, UBTECH with Paige Carlson. She will be taking over for Xandy.

AI Curriculum for virtual learning due next week from UBTECH, so that's a positive note going forward. I don't know how we can get the kits to the students, and then have the kits disinfected. This will require new ideas.

Implementation guides for elementary will include using the UKIT Grades 3-5, the Beginning kit. I'm not sure about the Intermediate Kit and how we will use that since their number is limited. I'd like to see the kits put to use. Students need practice with them early and often to build proficiency. Remember, the level of proficiency will determine their path in the following years.

Monday, July 20, 2020

7/20/2020

Hello Everybody,

What's happening? Anybody read the home page? School begins August 13. Are you ready? You will need notebooks. Yes. Notebooks. Lots of scratch paper is ok, but notebooks work best so you can review your work.

I'll say more about this later. You'll need to be familiar with this website. Please take time to explore it, and create some ideas on how you can contribute to it. I know you'd rather be at school with friends, doing real PE, building and coding robots, creating videos and art. We will just have to make the best of this situation until it's safe to be together at CC.

Chat with you soon. Please stay safe.

Friday, July 17, 2020

7/17/2020

Hi Everybody!

What's happening? You probably heard that the school board voted to start school. Looks like distance learning is in and visiting schools is out. Not quite sure how this will work, but we will see.

Since this blog is not as popular as it needs to be, I'll keep it short. Nevertheless, if you are scheduled to be in grade 6, room 514 in August, you will need to use this website.

Until then,

Peace!

Thursday, July, 16, 2020

7/16/2020

Hi Everybody,

What's happening? Excited to start school? Man, nothing but crickets out there. Well, I'm still here, writing to make sure I keep my skills sharp. I'm also trying to move up on Khan Academy. It's tough, but it's worth it.

Remember, you can still write in the journal if you want. Please take care of yourself.

Peace.