The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 1,400 times in 2010. That’s about 3 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 52 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 277 posts.

The busiest day of the year was October 29th with 52 views. The most popular post that day was student comments.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were networkedblogs.com, collegeteacher.org, mycrazyreader.info, gabcast.com, and eclass.uoa.gr.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for middle school robotics, robotics for middle school, robotics middle school, quotable quotes learning, and robotics in middle school.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

student comments October 2010

middle school robotics June 2008
1 comment

About Debby April 2006

What Makes a Great Teacher July 2010

CodeCruncher Links 06/24/2010 June 2010

I have quite a different view, which so far has gotten the most positive votes on this thread. Here is what I shared:

I teach computer information systems at a community college, so my perspective might be a little different from my K12 colleagues. I also teach the majority of my load online, although I do usually have one or two on campus classes each semester.

I maintain a pretty active FB profile (as Derek will attest to!). It is an eclectic mix between personal and professional. Very often I will share links or discuss educational topics and get quite a robust response from friends, colleagues, educators, students (past and present) so it makes for a very rich discussion environment. One educational thread ended up with over a hundred responses a few months ago. It was awesome!

Because I teach online, I try to make myself accessible whenever possible. Having a profile makes me a “real” person to many of my students, as opposed to a static name on a page somewhere. It builds trust and opens communication channels. I very often have students ask me questions via FB chat (and google chat and all the other chats). I teach about social media as a dynamic, active personal learning network space, taking them well beyond what someone had for lunch or who is dating whom, and I do it by modeling what it *can be* instead of what lots of people *perceive* it to be. We talk about what happens when your mom or your teacher or your boss (or future employer) stumbles across your myspace/facebook page with drunken party pictures all over the place. We talk about how to use it to expand your network (safely) to increase your opportunities for learning. We don’t just talk about it though… we do it throughout the semester as they build their network on Twitter.

I do know many K12 teachers that will either have a “professional” FB page that students can add or make it their rule to only add “alumni” students. My rule of thumb on FB is that I never search out students to add them (too stalkerish) but if they send me a friend request, I will usually add them. I am pretty sure that I don’t put anything on my page that I would be embarrassed by.

Overall the response has been positive to my online presence and students like the accessibility. I haven’t run into any problems because I set the boundaries right up front and students know what to expect. We can hide our heads in the sand and pretend social media doesn’t exist (block it all!)… Or we can use it as a learning opportunity to teach our students what it means to be good digital citizens engaged in actively building a personal learning network that will benefit them well beyond the classroom walls. Of course, unless we figure out how to do that ourselves, it will be hard to help our students figure it out as well

On Facebook and on Twitter I’ve deliberately chosen to follow an eclectic group of people and organizations so that I have a broad outlook on what is going on in the world. I have created a personal newsfeed that mixes my interests in a dynamic and interactive interface that is easily accessible from my computer or my cell phone. The platform allows me to be an active participant in the media stream if I choose to do so, instead of just a passive consumer of information. I can comment, I can “like”, I can contribute, I can get feedback on what I write. I get to control what I see. I block all of the silly game updates and quizzes because I don’t care about those. It’s my choice. The nature of the newsfeed changes throughout the day. In the morning, I come across items from organizations or groups and from my night-owl friends. Later in the day, I begin to see more posts from “normal” people I know, from innovative educators in the field, from students, and from breaking news sites. It’s a constantly changing view of what is going on with people I know and things I am interested in.

I talk about this all the time to my students and to my own children. I try to get them to see and understand the power of social media through active participation not just passive observation. Sometimes I wonder if it sinks in. Sometimes I know it does. Yesterday, my 14 year old daughter ran into a roadblock on an opinion paper she was writing, and we had a discussion about how she might search for information to back up her ideas. Later on, she came bouncing into the garage where I was working, totally excited about her discovery. She said something to the effect of “Mom, you know how you say if you have a question, you can ask your network? I posted a question for my essay on Facebook & got responses!” Now she wants me to post the question out to MY network because she knows it’s much larger and she’s excited about what she will learn. She’s making the shift from a spoon-fed student to an actively engaged learner. That’s awesome!

Social media is what you make of it. It can be a world filled with middle-school drama and shallow commentary or it can be a place where you discover, learn, interact, engage, create, contribute, and expand your view of the world around you. YOU get to choose. Which will it be?

So, in case you are wondering what I see in MY media stream, here’s a sampling from this morning’s “paper”. The order got a little jumbled when I saved the pictures, but you’ll get the idea

(Hover over the image for a description)

MW: I have been introduced to many new technologies in your class and I must say they are extremely useful. I wish I had taken this class sooner. I will try using google video chat with my family back home. I didn’t notice there was a chat box in email until you just texted me right now.

MW: Many of us in the military sometimes forget that what is daily routine work for us may be very interesting for folks back home.

me: yep… I have to keep that perspective also when I teach “newbies”. What is routine and normal for me is like magic to some of them.

MW: You are absolutely right. The first time I attend your class I thought the things you do were magical!

me: it’s only magical when the internet goes “POOF” and you aren’t expecting it

MW: Navy usually keep us flyboys in for a long time. In a sense we feel home sick after the first few months.

me: so here’s another topic idea… how technology (or what technology) facilitates communication home when you are deployed at sea or far away.

MW: That’s a very interesting topic. Most of us are still using “freedom card” for calls and after taking this class I feel there must be better ways to keep in touch with folks back home.

me: freedom cards?

MW: It’s like a calling card we use to call home. We get certain allowance every month.

MW: I feel with the new internet communication like we mentioned in class with youtube, twitter, and google chat are all good alternatives.

me: is there internet access when you are on the ship?

MW: We have internet access but it is not reliable. It is censored and when the CO doesn’t like it will be shut down in the name of mission status.

It was a good chat. Nice to hear that what I am teaching is being put to practical use in the real world
]]> http://codecrunchers.wordpress.com/2010/11/17/real-world-applications/feed/ 0 codecrunchers http://codecrunchers.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/invitation/ http://codecrunchers.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/invitation/#comments Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:40:39 +0000 Debby http://codecrunchers.wordpress.com/?p=520 ]]> The best leaders aren’t the guys who walk around telling people what to do. The best leaders are the guys who cast a vision & invite others into their story.

Alex H: Hey Debby, you have seen the Last Lecture right. The professor that gives the lecture reminds me of you alot. Here is the link if you haven’t seen it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo It’s about an hour long, but its worth every second to watch. You should also recomend your students to watch it.

Me: I have seen it… and I have the book that was made from it. It’s a very humbling thing to watch… thank you for thinking of me when you saw it. That, too, is humbling

~ Arthur C. Clarke to Sugata Mitra http://on.ted.com/8fRd (an idea worth spreading!)

This class is my hardest class, but I am learning and using a lot of what I learn.
~A.W. (CSCI101, Week 8 Checking In, Fall 2010)

When I first enrolled in this class I had no clue how anything regarding my computer worked. You had asked what type of system I was going to us and I thought you were talking in another language. In just a short time I have learned what type of programs my computer has, and most of all how to protect my computer from unauthorized access. I have also learned how to download software into my computer and most important of all how to find it once I have completed the download! Boy that was interesting and easy! Who knew I could create special folders to hold all of my stuff in. I also had my reservation on the use of tweeter. I am a very private person and do not like to give any information to people whom I do not know. I have learned however that not only can I control what I put in tweeter but also I can find out information faster than what my local news can give it to me. Also the news does not always provide information that is important to everyone they might omitt something that I feel would be important to me. I specilly like the timely manner in which you can communicate with your professor and classmates. I think i’m getting the hang of tweeter and like it.
~E.M.  (CSCI101, Week 8 Checking In, Fall 2010)

The thing that is “going well” for me in this class is the way it is broken down as well as the fact that its online and I can make my own schedule.  Going into this class I thought was not going to be a challenging class however I was pleasantly surprised. As for improvement, I see nothing that this class lacks for an entry level computer class.  If anything its more advanced than I would deem a beginner class to be but by no means is it overwhelming.  I honestly thought I had a firm grasp on most of these topics but I have been shown the light.
~M.H.  (CSCI101, Week 8 Checking In, Fall 2010)

The thing I like best about taking your class is you’ve taken the scary out of using and enjoying the PC. I used to be so nervous about unknowingly doing damage to our computer or giving away the family farm. Now I’m much more equipped to succeed in college classes because I am better equipped with basic computer skills. Plus I have a Resource Folder filled with How To handouts and helpful websites. Thank you!!
~D.H. (CSCI 70, Fall 2010)

I was actually surprised that I did find myself learning in this class. I had a good understanding of computers, but found I learned more. I now better understand the features within the word processing software, and I feel more confident with spreadsheets. I feel that both of those things will help me be more organized throughout my studies.
~S.A. (CSCI 70, Fall 2010)

I liked how helpful and patient Debby Kurti was with me. I also liked learning the Google Docs. That was a program that I have never used.
~P.D. (CSCI 70, Fall 2010)

Debby is a awesome instructor and teacher.
~M.F. (CSCI 70, Fall 2010)

I’m glad I took this class because I didn’t know nearly as much about computers as I thought I did.  Now I can use the basics without having too many problems.
~A.S. (CSCI 70, Fall 2010)

I’m very satisfied with this class. weve had some previous chats about my tests and what not and honestly, I’m glad I had a teacher who got back to me and was understanding enough to help me out with a couple things. I really cant complain.
~A.E. (CSCI 101, Week 8 Checking In, Fall 2010)

This is the best online class I have taken. I very much do not like online classes, but this one is better than I was expecting. Even though I do not communicate with you often at all, it is very helpful for me to know that you are accessible if I have a question or need some help.
~R.B.  (CSCI 101, Week 8 Checking In, Fall 2010)

I was really irritated at first by the class. I actually felt insulted that I had to learn Twitter. Now I have to check Twitter at least once a day to see if something cool has come into my threads. Just a few weekends ago I found a recipe via Twitter on how to make Baileys Irish Cream Fudge and I made it. Oh my goodness, it’s to die for. So swallowing my pride, realigning my zen, and a little help from everyone in class has proven fruitful in my learning experience.
~E.S. (CSCI 101, Week 8 Checking In, Fall 2010)

I have really learned a lot from this class. There is so much about computers that I had no idea about and it is very interesting to learn all of the different programs. This class has been very beneficial to me while working on the base, and just to learn these aspect for myself is great
~C.E. (CSCI 101, Week 8 Checking In, Fall 2010)

I would like to say thank you for keeping us on our toes!  You’re always giving us advice and helpful tips for our journey. I realize that this class is not easy, and if you do not keep up with assignments then you can be very easily overwhelmed. So I appreciate your involvement with the students and keeping us accountable!
~T.H. (CSCI 101, Week 8 Checking In, Fall 2010)

I can’t think of anything that really needs improvement. You seem to have on-line classes very well streamlined and easy to follow. The links provided and reading the text is easy to comprehend and helps successfully complete the work. I would like to tell you that you are doing a great job and I appreciate your interaction with the class.
~S.R.  (CSCI 101, Week 8 Checking In, Fall 2010)

I do appreciate the fact that you seem so interested in your class and students and it’s nice to see someone that enjoys their profession on such an obvious personal level.
~W.M. (CSCI 101 Week 2 Checking In, Fall 2010)

I still feel that this class is very organized and that I am always giving enough information about assignments, on how to do them, or where to look.
~J.G. (CSCI 101 Week 2 Checking In, Fall 2010)

I had feelings of indifference about Twitter. I thought of it as just another faddish internet trend. I figured eventual the popularity will trickle away as did having your own webpage, which flowed into My Space, which lead to Facebook. What really is happening is a transition of source content. The job Twitter performs, the instant contact to information, Is here to stay. A good example of why it’s here to stay is that even Top business schools such as Harvard and Columbia are offering social media courses that involve using Twitter in their MBA courses.
~B.S. (CSCI 101 Weeb 2 Checking In, Fall 2010)