WHY???

A few puzzling things on my mind right now:

1. What is the difference between facebook and twitter?

I seriously don't get it. I have followed a few folks "twitters" and they seem an AWFULLY similar to facebook. Both allow you to post links and pictures, both allow you to write little snippets about what you are doing, and people can make comments on your "mini" posts.

So what is the big difference? You can even update facebook on your mobile phone.

I must say I am not impressed with facebook's platform (is that the right term?). It takes me forever to figure out what button I want for what function AND there is not easy access to one's friend list. Perhaps I just need more practice.

I do like the constant updates since I have been cloistered in my house studying.


2. Why am I creating notecards for this test???

I hate memorizing things, but I can do it fairly easily. I have A LOT of terms to know for this educational research class and notecards seem to be the way to go. I have not written notecards for a class since senior year of high school in Latin class.

:(

It just seems a very superficial way to assess what I have learned in this class. I can fully understand why students dislike studying for tests - especially tests where they are not allowed to use reference notes.

This is why I usually allow students to have some sort of simplified reference that they generate for tests. It is not too often in life that you cannot refer to some manual or source for information that you need. Also, those things you use most often become second nature after using resource notes. I am not a fantastic teacher, but I do want students to clearly demonstrate what they know and try to make assessment as stress free as possible (as it affects reliability greatly). Students tend to do MUCH better

Perhaps I should conduct my own research study on the effects of student generated reference notes and academic achievement...

...but that would mean a convenience sample with limited generalization and would do not one any good.

Humph.

I Don't Want to Forget This...

...and why not share!

Transfiguration Peach Salsa (This is what the hubbster called it)

1 yellow peach (diced)

1 different peach (diced)

1 necturine (diced)

(I liked the variety of stone fruits for the color)

1/2 cup chopped sweet onion (walla walla is delicious)

2 tbsp cilantro, chopped

juice of two limes

2 jalapenos seeded, ribs cut off, and diced

salt (1/4 tsp or to taste)


Stir this all up in a bowl and then chill in the fridge for about half an hour.

(Almost) Live from the Ring Cycle!

Seattle Opera is going for another production of The Ring by Richard Wagner.

Five (or six?) years ago when the hubby and I moved up here, Seattle Opera was doing a production, but it had sold out to subscribers. We could not go :(

For the next cycle, we were subscribers and got to get tickets! Woot! :D

However, the cycle did not sell out - bad news for Seattle Opera. :(

To make matters worse, the next season is a bit on the odd side. Seattle Opera has called MANY times to get us to subscribe again because it is EXCEPTIONALLY bad timing to do a huge, expensive produciton and follow up with a less intriguing season.

Still, the hubby and I are slated to go in late August and are VERY EXCITED to see a live Ring production.

Well, I am at least - I have only seen bits of The Ring on PBS and of course...

If anyone is interested in attending, come join us! I have enjoyed the Seattle Opera and it is a once in a lifetime event :D