One the architectural features I really love are arched doorways. As I was working on some home improvement projects that are already in progress this weekend, I started day dreaming about possible future projects.
I found this great video on making a square doorway in an arched doorway using a kit.
The kits in the video are located at curvemakers.
There are lots of great choices but I prefer the ones that have the premade columns since these require minimal tools. I am really impressed with how much these add to the doorway. Of course right now I do not have the time or the funds for this type of project but I can build castles in the airs
I can see it now - my home with arched doorways and maybe some round topped doors. A house to make any hobbit proud. It could be wonderful.
Monday, July 5, 2010
A new beginning
I have accepted a new position at William Carey University and I am very excited about the move. I am the new Associate Professor and Chair of the Career and Technical Education Department at William Carey and I am working to launch two programs in August. There will be an undergraduate and graduate degree and this will be the only program in this field in the southern part of Mississippi. It is a great opportunity to fill an important need in the state and I am praying that everything goes well. My new colleagues are the most positive and supportive group of people that I have ever worked with, it has been a great beginning.
The college creed is from the writings of William Carey.
Expect great things from God,
Attempt great things for God.
A lot to live up to, I will keep you posted on my journey.
The college creed is from the writings of William Carey.
Expect great things from God,
Attempt great things for God.
A lot to live up to, I will keep you posted on my journey.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Teaching Content and Concepts – Specimens and Exhibits
One of the reasons that the internet is so amazing is the quantity of information that is available for free for you to use in your lessons. This wealth of information makes it hard to locate what you need. Learning to use search terms effectively is the first step (see Tips to Effective Internet Searching). It is also helpful to consider how the information might be organized. This can help you locate interesting sites as well as better organize your own media.
Information can be organized a collection of the same item (specimens) and or around a central concept or idea (exhibit). If you are planning a lesson that focuses on comparing similar objects, a specimen collection might be useful. A good example would be a biology lesson that explains the function of the brain; a specimen collection like the one located at Comparative Mammalian Brain Anatomy offers cross sections and interactive videos of various brain specimens that would be too costly or delicate for the average teacher to obtain for their class. By viewing many specimens, it is possible to develop an understanding of the parts of the brain that are distinct and common to different mammals. This is a good way to explain content and factual knowledge.
In contrast, if you are interested in illustrating an idea, an exhibit might be more useful. The web site Causes of Color uses many different objects and specimens to illustrate how we perceive color. The common element linking these objects is the relationship of the each object to the concept of color. Although you could develop a web site that illustrates color by featuring a specimen collection of butterflies, the use of multiple objects such as bubbles, gemstones and stars frees us from oversimplifying the concept of color since the emphasis remains on the idea rather than the objects.
If you are interested in teaching the common elements and subtle differences in an object, consider using a specimen collection since this will best support comparisons and contrasts in between samples. If you are interested in illustrating an idea, consider using an exhibit which features objects selected by their relationship to idea that you are teaching. The purpose of the lesson will determine which organizational approach is more effective for your media.
Information can be organized a collection of the same item (specimens) and or around a central concept or idea (exhibit). If you are planning a lesson that focuses on comparing similar objects, a specimen collection might be useful. A good example would be a biology lesson that explains the function of the brain; a specimen collection like the one located at Comparative Mammalian Brain Anatomy offers cross sections and interactive videos of various brain specimens that would be too costly or delicate for the average teacher to obtain for their class. By viewing many specimens, it is possible to develop an understanding of the parts of the brain that are distinct and common to different mammals. This is a good way to explain content and factual knowledge.
In contrast, if you are interested in illustrating an idea, an exhibit might be more useful. The web site Causes of Color uses many different objects and specimens to illustrate how we perceive color. The common element linking these objects is the relationship of the each object to the concept of color. Although you could develop a web site that illustrates color by featuring a specimen collection of butterflies, the use of multiple objects such as bubbles, gemstones and stars frees us from oversimplifying the concept of color since the emphasis remains on the idea rather than the objects.
If you are interested in teaching the common elements and subtle differences in an object, consider using a specimen collection since this will best support comparisons and contrasts in between samples. If you are interested in illustrating an idea, consider using an exhibit which features objects selected by their relationship to idea that you are teaching. The purpose of the lesson will determine which organizational approach is more effective for your media.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Improving Your Lesson Plans
There are many sites that offer help on lesson planning . I have selected three sitese on this topic that you might find particularly useful.
1. Adprima has a wealth of information about writing effective lessons. There are many useful ideas here but the listing of common mistakes is particularly helpful in reviewing your own work.
Six Common Mistakes in Writing Lesson Plans (and what to do about them) by Dr. Bob Kizlik.
2. The CREATE for Mississippi site has over 100 sample lesson plans and a very effective format for lesson plans that can be downloaded and used in MS Word. You can find examples on the lesson template forms as well as information on how to use this format at this site.
3. Mager's Tips on Instructional Objectives is a classic on writing behavioral objectives. Although there are other methods for developing objectives, Mager's work is still widely used in career and technical education and in industrial training.
1. Adprima has a wealth of information about writing effective lessons. There are many useful ideas here but the listing of common mistakes is particularly helpful in reviewing your own work.
Six Common Mistakes in Writing Lesson Plans (and what to do about them) by Dr. Bob Kizlik.
2. The CREATE for Mississippi site has over 100 sample lesson plans and a very effective format for lesson plans that can be downloaded and used in MS Word. You can find examples on the lesson template forms as well as information on how to use this format at this site.
3. Mager's Tips on Instructional Objectives is a classic on writing behavioral objectives. Although there are other methods for developing objectives, Mager's work is still widely used in career and technical education and in industrial training.
Transitions and Web Tools for Teachers
I am beginning my last few weeks of work at the University of Southern Mississippi and I will closing down the related web site that I used for the IT 365 class that I taught at USM. As promised, I will gradually move the links that people found useful to this site so that those of you who use those links will still have access to them.
Look for these links and related blog posts under the label listing Tools for Teachers in the sidebar menu. I will move these links a few at at time so the old site will remain up for a few weeks until I have finished the transition.
Look for these links and related blog posts under the label listing Tools for Teachers in the sidebar menu. I will move these links a few at at time so the old site will remain up for a few weeks until I have finished the transition.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Carpet of Gold
So far April has been one of those overscheduled months that I call a “running on Jell-O” experience. This means that you are running as fast as you can but the ground seems to be sliding back on you. So like most people in such a pattern I was beginning to feel a little like a child on Saturday morning when all of their cartoons have been cancelled for a political debate. In short, unloved and underappreciated.
As I walking to my car at the end of the last week to drive to yet another meeting, I happened to look down at my feet.
The ground was covered with tiny golden flowers. As I looked toward my car there was a living carpet of gold leading me to my parking space. I felt like a princess in a fairy tale and I knew that this was God's way of reminding me that He loves me. It was the perfect little miracle and carried my spirits through the rest of the week.
So as we approach the end of the term and you find that you are running on Jell-O, take a breath and look for your carpet of gold. I am certain you have one, you just need to look for it.
As I walking to my car at the end of the last week to drive to yet another meeting, I happened to look down at my feet.
The ground was covered with tiny golden flowers. As I looked toward my car there was a living carpet of gold leading me to my parking space. I felt like a princess in a fairy tale and I knew that this was God's way of reminding me that He loves me. It was the perfect little miracle and carried my spirits through the rest of the week.
So as we approach the end of the term and you find that you are running on Jell-O, take a breath and look for your carpet of gold. I am certain you have one, you just need to look for it.
Monday, February 22, 2010
A Master of Embroidery
One the reasons, I started this site was to celebrate excellence in workmanship. I recently stumbled across a blog by Mary Corbet while looking for information on cloth of gold. She is a master of embroidery. She creates by hand ecclesiastical embroidery that is simply exquisite.
She has posted an example piece in six entries, the first image shows the layout of the planned piece. It is a great photo to give you an idea of the size of the work.
Close-up of the above image:
A detail of the finished piece.
Now here is the really amazing part - it took her six weeks to create this masterpiece (380 hours). This is a lot of time but I have taken a month just to paint a room. It is really hard to imagine being that gifted at embroidery. Or that focused on a goal.
Think of it another way; if she had worked just two hours a day, in little over six months this is what she would have to show for it.
My husband is always talking about how important it is to find what you are good at and to focus your efforts in that direction. This is a great example of someone putting their time, talents and efforts to create something that is really amazing. Everyone has a talent but we are not all focused on making the best use of that talent.
So how are you going to spend that two hours a day? Time to get busy and create a masterpiece (or at least finish painting the living room).
_________________________________________
In case you are interested, the entire project is shown in steps on Needle'n Thread.com
There is also a set of photos of some incredible goldwork (gold thread) at the the same site. Don't miss it, this work is unbelievable it is so perfect.
She has posted an example piece in six entries, the first image shows the layout of the planned piece. It is a great photo to give you an idea of the size of the work.
You can really see the details of the needlework in the next two images:
The detail work, the color blending is just amazing. Just look at the finished piece. From the side photo, you can see the gold thread work.
A detail of the finished piece.
Now here is the really amazing part - it took her six weeks to create this masterpiece (380 hours). This is a lot of time but I have taken a month just to paint a room. It is really hard to imagine being that gifted at embroidery. Or that focused on a goal.
Think of it another way; if she had worked just two hours a day, in little over six months this is what she would have to show for it.
My husband is always talking about how important it is to find what you are good at and to focus your efforts in that direction. This is a great example of someone putting their time, talents and efforts to create something that is really amazing. Everyone has a talent but we are not all focused on making the best use of that talent.
So how are you going to spend that two hours a day? Time to get busy and create a masterpiece (or at least finish painting the living room).
_________________________________________
In case you are interested, the entire project is shown in steps on Needle'n Thread.com
There is also a set of photos of some incredible goldwork (gold thread) at the the same site. Don't miss it, this work is unbelievable it is so perfect.
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