06 17/18/19WarmUp--GrokIt Signoff

Can you believe it--the last GrokIt!

GrokIt originally appeared at the end of last year. While teaching at RHS, I conceived it as the digital equivalent of the Do Now. Interestingly enough, I believe the blog has taken up a much more important role in my classes.

I envisioned using GrokIt as a hi-tech portal to get you and your energies focused on the class topics of the day by hyperlinking around the net to:

• discover state-of the-art technologies
• bump into some engaging topic
• just enjoy a fun and interesting website.

My hope was to try to kindle a spark of interest in computers and technology.

After all, the World Wide Web and everything in it was created by software developers, computer programmers, web designers, all kinds of techie people of which you are the next generation.

I also wanted to create a class community, a public forum from which you could express your opinions and see the opinions of others about these topics.

I admit it was often difficult to find something interesting for you to view.

So I am asking your opinion.

Should I keep GrokIt going or should I come up with another way to get you focusing on your activities when you come into class every day?

Leave a comment!

dmac

And by the way--have a great summer!

0615/0616WarmUp

METERORITE HITS TEEN'S HAND. HE SURVIVES!

What?

Read about it @ http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/06/boy-survives-being-struck-by-a-meteorite/

What's the difference between a meteroid, a meteor and a meteorite?

Look it up @ http://www.faqs.org/faqs/astronomy/faq/part5/section-29.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

0612WarmUp

Ever finish a book and wonder: What should I read next?

No, that never happened to you?

Well if it ever does, look @ http://bookseer.com/

How about?

http://insuggest.com/

http://www.stumbleupon.com/

http://popacular.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0611WarmUp

One of the weirdest byproducts of the internet has to be the flash mob.

What's a flash mob?

Look it up @ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flash%20mob

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob

More info @
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/08/04/flash.mob/

and

http://www.flashmob.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0610WarmUp

How are you feeling today--not so good?

Check out your symptoms @ http://symptoms.webmd.com/symptomchecker

Too complicated for you? Try out http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-stories-too-ill-popup.htm

Still too much? How about playing some games:

http://www.mhschool.com/health/2005/student/activity/game_engine/courses/grk/ch05b/

and

http://www.mhschool.com/health/2005/student/activity/game_engine/courses/grk/ch07b/

and

http://www.mhschool.com/health/2005/student/activity/game_engine/courses/grk/ch08b/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0609WarmUp

According to Wikipedia...

The meaning of invention is the creation of a new configuration, composition of matter, device, or process.

Without inventions, we would be still living in caves, cooking over open fires.

Look @ some of the most famous inventions:

http://www.cbc.ca/kids/general/the-lab/history-of-invention/default.html

and

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/

and

http://www.ideafinder.com/history/of_inventions.htm

and

http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/hsclist.htm

What do you think is the most famous invention?

Leave a comment!

dmac

0608Warmup

Ever remember something that you didn't want to forget and -- you forgot it!

Mindmapping is a way to get all of your ideas down quickly.

Take a look @

http://www.mind42.com/

and

http://www.gliffy.com/

and

http://www.mindomo.com/index.htm

and

http://www.mindmeister.com/

and

http://www.lovelycharts.com/

and

http://www.exploratree.org.uk/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0605WarmUp

There's a new kid in town. Bing!

Not Bing Crosby--like you would remember--but Bing the new web browser from Microsoft.

Read about it in the Boston Globe: http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/05/29/microsoft_introduces_enhanced_search_engine/

Watch a video @
http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/LauraFoy/Bing-Test-Drive-Microsofts-new-search-engine/

Check it out @ http://www.bing.com/

Leave a comment!

dmac

0604WarmUp

You are completing your Scratch project and as a part, you need to do a PowerPoint presentation.

What is PowerPoint? Look it up @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_PowerPoint

See what's new in PowerPoint @ http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/HA100742261033.aspx

Visit a great site for PP presentations @ http://www.pppst.com/index.html

Leave a comment!

dmac

0603WarmUp

Now that GM is in bankruptcy, what is the future of the American automobile industry?

Wired Magazine has an idea. Read about it @ http://www.wired.com/culture/culturereviews/magazine/17-06/nep_auto?currentPage=1

Is this the future for GM? Look @ http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/06/chevrolet-volt-3/

What are other car companies doing? http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/05/ford-ecoboost/

What do you think will happen?

Leave a comment!

dmac

0602WarmUp

Ever wonder how printing was done in "the old days"?

Check it out @ http://atlas.lib.uiowa.edu/press-animation.html

Also, here are some links for interesting info about the middle ages:

http://larryferlazzo.com/world%20history.html#later

Leave a comment!

dmac

0601WarmUp

The following locations are some of the strangest, most bizarre spots on earth. Where are they?

Use Google Latitude to find out: http://www.google.com/latitude/intro.html

Lat: 25°12'26.43" N Long: 69°30'17.93" W

Lat: 19°25'48.61" N Long: 99°10'0.92" W

Lat: 36°40'53.96" N Long: 117°33'45.66" W

Lat: 47°38'36.29" N Long: 13°55'32.22" E

Lat: 30°16'31.38" N Long: 103°52'57.79" W

Lat: 37°14'40.06" N Long: 115°48'38.45" W

Check your locations @ http://www.wired.com/culture/culturereviews/magazine/17-05/ff_mysteryspots?currentPage=1

Leave a comment!

dmac