Incredible Book - "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks"

This book was an amazing read. The science behind it was extremely fascinating and well researched. I would love to dicuss this book with someone else. This might be where tweeting comes in handy. Read the book. It is written by a gifted writer, Rebecca Skloot!!!

Webpage - A work in progress!

I have been working to create a webpage. My goal is to incorporate each of the new tools I have learned from my three courses into this blog. Idaely it would be nice to serve as my technology idea warehouse!

Web Accessibility for Individuals with Mobility Impairments

Web Accessibility for Individuals with Mobility Impairments
Web accessibility is crucial to the daily lives of individuals with disabilities. It is important to note how many Americans on average are faced with disabilities. The following bar graph was compiled by the National Weather Station (NOAA ) in collaboration with the United States Department of Commerce:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/sec508/htm/scope.htm

According to the data presented in the above graph there are 19.5 millions Americans who meet the criterion of mobility impaired. These individuals range in physical disabilities from mild to severe. For most mobility impaired individuals accessibility to the internet provides them with their means of shopping, working, education, social networking, finances, and health care.
Physical disabilities inhibit an individual’s ability to perform task proficiently; if at all. Numerous studies described the range of impairment anywhere from muscle weakness and limited muscular control to paralysis and missing limbs. Examples of special web accessible tools used to facilitate this range of physical disabilities include:
 motor disabilities affecting the hands or arms may use a specialized mouse
 a keyboard with a layout of keys that matches their range of hand motion
 a pointing device such as a head-mouse
 head-pointer or mouth-stick
 voice-recognition software; an eye-gaze system
 other assistive technologies to access and interact with the information on Web sites
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/sec508/htm/scope.htm

http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web/#diff

http://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/accessibility

Geocaching Rocks!

I love to go geocaching. One of my friends (geologist of course) got me hooked on it. It is a great learning experience for my kids and a great way to spend time together outside. I do wish the website offered a way to sort geocaches in an area by "Hiking". Maybe they do and I can't figure it out. If someone else knows please let me know.

N 43° 29.547 W 112° 27.233

This was a great hide. My family loved getting out and exploring even in the winter. I was suprised we were able to find it due to the snow. The temperature was 48 F. It was beautiful!

New Wiki Discussion Page

Designed a simple Wiki page with a few basic functions for students to collaborate on regarding science content. I had trouble trying to link for comments to be left. I am curious to see if it works!

Flickr Geotagging

I completed my first Geotagging trial on some photos from my front yard. I am impressed with how smoothly the program from flikr went. I am generally so technology challenged I have to curb my frustration. Not this time. It went great and my mind is swarming with different ideas for student use!!!

Something About Nothing

Hello All -

This week in class I had students try out the podcast on the blood flow through the two pump system and through the chambers of the heart. Guess what? It went over well. The main benefit for students was the pronunciation of the structures. The next benefit came from students being able to connect the big picture from all the little pieces presented.

I wish I could link it????!!!