Time Spent Educating is Time Spent Learning
May 17th, 2009 by Mr. Higgins
As my third year of teaching comes to an end (and I recover from Grey’s Anatomy involving George and Izzy), I realize that I have learned so much about myself over these last three years while educating the future of our society. I have not had any time to make a blog post because all of my energy and time has been funneled through spring sports season and my own end of the year anal retention behaviors.
Future Math Classes Happenings
I have been informed I will be teaching AP Calculus AB beginning with the 2009 – 2010 school year. I am very excited at the prospects of my Web 2.0 style in AP Calculus and look forward to stabilizing the math department at the top. This course will be a 1-1 tablet class where each student will have a tablet pc. I am already working on our Moodle installation for next year as I attempt to organize some AP examination material and provide the students with various links. It is going to be a fun and challenging year. I really would have never imagined that my fourth year schedule would give me such a great opportunity to teach the best and brightest students we have to offer in two disciplines.
My courses for next year are as follows:
- Honors Algebra II – 2 Classes
- Pre-Calculus – 2 Classes
- AP Computer Science – 1 Class
- AP Calculus AB – 1 Class
AP Computer Science Happenings
There are numerous post-AP examination activities in all of the AP courses; however, I found a great match this year in my AP Computer Science A course. We are “playing” with Lego Mindstorms and have flashed the NXT module to include the possiblity of Java. We are using a Lejos, which has a Java backbone and will allow the students to program the motors and sensors using our native programming language. Thus far, they have made the following robots before beginning a full exploration of the Lejos Java syntax.
All images and instructions provided via NxtPrograms.com
Top Spinner & Spin Art
Guitar
Car with Game Controller
Claw Car with Game Controller
I can’t wait to see what my students come up with for their java programs. I am making it their Final Exam Project!!!
This blog is going to bat for Web 2.0. My name is Chris Higgins and I am a high school mathematics and computer science teacher at Norwalk High School in Ohio. I am a lifetime learner, Web 2.0 advocate, blogger, tennis coach, and a huge sports fan. Go Browns! Go Cavs! Go Tribe!
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4 preps? Is this the norm for your school?
I don’t know how well I’d do at that. Aside from the AB Calc are any of the others new preps?
Most of the staff has two preps; however, a hand full have many more preps. The technology teachers get hammered especially. Since AP Computer and AP Calculus AB are singletons, they have to fill my day. AP Calc is the only new prep for me this year. My history of courses during my first three years:
Year 3
AP Computer Science A
Honors Algebra II
Pre-Calculus
Algebra I
Year 2
AP Computer Science A
Algebra II
Honors Algebra II
Pre-Calculus
Year 1
AP Computer Science A
Algebra II
Operating Systems
Beginning Programming in Visual Basic
Web Development
Advanced Web Development
I am used to a lot of preps. Many teachers at smaller schools routinely deal with 4 or more preps.
I wish you taught at my son’s high school. You are an excellent teacher. Keep up the great work. I really enjoy reading your blogs.