You Tube and Things I Learned from my Mom

Close to 2 years ago my father gave me a batch of old Super 8 films from the 1970s chronicling the misadventures of the Gutnicki family. Naturally, I was excited about this finding as these videos would no doubt unearth long lost memories and some other surprises. The first two videos I came across were snippets of my pre-kindergarten graduation and my brothers and uncle dancing to a Miami Boys Choir tune in 1981. The pre-k graduation clip did not provide much insight as there was no sound. Apparently, home videos filmed in the early to mid 1970s often did not include sound as the inclusion of sound was a luxury. Subsequently, one is left guessing what the principle presenters might have been saying and observes the clothing styles as well as other peculiarities of that era. More importantly, I have wondered what insight I might gain from watching these videos. Is it possible, I will learn something new about my mother?
Right about now, you might be asking why “my mother” and to what end? Or perhaps you have figured out that my mother is unfortunately no longer with us. In fact, my Mom passed away over 18 years ago when I was 18 years old. Obviously, a significant time has passed and so we cling to pictures and videos to bring back those memories. With this in mind, I converted about 20 Super 8 films to digital video and posted it on You Tube. In this way family members across the globe can enjoy these old memories long forgotten along with me. Having said that, I still always wonder, will one of these videos contain a special message or unique advice.
Well… its almost two years later and I have not still found that special message. Until one day…it happened. Yes, in fact there was a special message. This message was not actually a message; rather, it was a stark reminder of a few essential truths. Anyhow… I was watching a video of a summer vacation from the late 1970s. In this video clip we were vacationing at one of those bungalow colonies and I was riding a bike down some kind of hill. As I am riding down the hill, my mother said, “Here he comes down the hill. Look at him go”. The video then shows a brief interlude of the young boy (me) riding down the hill. Shortly afterwards, my mother exclaimed,” You see- I know what he wants. He wants to come rifling down that hill”.
You are probably thinking to yourself, so??? What does this mean??? This little tidbit gave me a revelation of why I do things in a certain manner. In this video, I noticed how my mother was taking tremendous pride in her ability to know what I enjoyed and taking pleasure in being right. This spurred to make the following realization. Every time, I go to a toy store, I take my time to analyze which specific toy my children will both enjoy and benefit from in an educational manner. More importantly, as I give this toy to my child I watch intently to see if they will enjoy it in the manner I was anticipating. If they do, nothing gives me greater joy. In order to do this, I often find myself reflecting on what kind of things did I like a child and then use this memory to bring them joy. Similarly, when I teach, offer professional development, or design a program, I also look back and think, which educational experiences were meaningful and important to me as a child. In fact in a number of my college lectures, I have often asked my students to try to remember how they felt when they were struggling to learn an advanced math or science topic.
That being said, I have often wondered where did I develop this approach? I certainly do not remember Piaget or Dewey saying this. So… thanks to You Tube, I learned it came from my mother. As I further reflected on this video it made me only realize that this philosophy was always the driving force that led my Mom’s life. She always took great pleasure in seeing her children succeeding and finding happiness. Not for her own self-gratification, but for the sake of her children. Well… once again February 23rd is here. Had my mother lived, she would have been 61 today. With this in mind… Mom, I thank you not only for what you gave to us at the time (which words on a computer could never fully explain) and for what you taught us through example. You showed me how important it is to always make a special effort to put your children’s needs first and enjoy it at the same time.

Why Diets Don't Work and How to Win the Battle of the Bulge!!

Happy New Year!! Hey, its time for a New Years resolution. Lets lose some weight!!! What?? It’s February already?? How did that happen?? Anyhow...

Yes, this is the year I am going on a diet and going lose that bulge!! Sounds familiar??? Probably. So the great battle begins. Hmm... Which diet will I try this time? Anyone for Atkins? Maybe the South Beach Diet. Or perhaps, I will go old school and try Weight Watchers.

Flash forward 3 months- What has happened? Have you lost the weight? How many times did you cheat on the diet? How many times did you have a bad day, bad week, or month perhaps? Did you fall of the wagon? Did you get back up, only to fall off again?

Sounds familiar and discouraging. Welcome to the wacky world of dieting. Where the numbers go up and down and all around. Whee!!! Get me of this ride, please!!!

For anyone who has attempted to go on a diet, we all know how frustrating this can be. After all, how man times can you say, "I was doing so well. I just don't understand what happened." In essence, this is the key that frustrates many people; the feeling that they can't win at this game.

I myself tried the diet game 4 times with little success until with the help of g-d I was fortunate to figure it out. So, what is the solution? How do you lose weight and keep it off? As you could imagine this is not a simple question. In short, a diet alone will not work. Exercise must be included in your efforts if you are to lose weight and not "find it back."

Right about now, you must be saying, 'Exercise, I hate exercise." Having said that let me discuss why exercise with better nutrition works and why dieting alone is a losing proposition. Suppose someone is eating 2,500 calories a day and decides, "That's it, I am going to only eat 1,500 calories a day!!" Initially, the person begins to lose weight. However, this person also begins to miss the foods they used to eat. Eventually, this person will give in and "fall off the wagon". Why does this happen? In short, we are wired to like food. We are also wired to like routine. When one break routine such as eating less food the brain goes to work and tells you are hungry. Additionally, when you deprive the body of the food its use to it goes into slow down- you know; your metabolism slows down. So... your metabolism slows down, you break your diet, and you’re back to square one.

OK, I get it. Diets won't work. Why does exercise work? In short, it’s all about beating your metabolism. Initially, when one eats less, a reduction of calories should in theory make one lose weight. However, we all know the metabolism, puts that plan to a screeching halt. However, when the diet is combined with exercise, you can fight the metabolism problem.

So how does this exercise and dieting exactly work? Like anything else, this requires several steps.

Step 1--> Use the following table to record your daily intake of food.

Day	Breakfast	Snack 1	Lunch	Snack 2	Dinner
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

Step 2--> Now for the fun part. After you have done this for a week, it will be time to deduct 250-500 calories a day from your daily intake of food. 250 calories a day will help you lose a 1/2 pound a week and 500 calories will help you lose a pound a week. As you can imagine giving up 500 calories a day is quite a challenge. Yet, the results are limited. With this in mind, add an exercise routine, which has you burning 500 to 1,000 calories a day. If you burn 1,000 calories a day, the net loss can yield a loss of 2 pounds on a weekly basis. As you can see, exercise clearly delivers far greater results.

Step 3--> If this does not motivate you to join a gym or go running around the park, then consider the following; Just about every study on this subject has conclude the following;

* The average life span of the active person is about 10 more years than their couch potato counterpart.
* The more you exercise, the more you will be able to eat guilt free.
* You will regain energy that you never knew you had.
* You will look a minimum of 10 years younger.
* You will gain a new sense of happiness.
* You will be able to think quicker.
* You will look great!!

Step 4--> You might be thinking, "This sounds nice, but how am I going to find time. Besides, didn't I tell you that I hate exercise.” With this in mind, I have the following remedy. Try exercising just once for about 20-30 minutes. After you conduct this activity, you will probably be happy- feel good about yourself. To put in more blunt terms, "No one feels depressed or down after they workout." Why is this? Simply put, endorphins. Additionally, your daily tensions can be addressed in a fun and constructive manner. More importantly, every study on this subject validates that daily exercise will make you happier, deal with your tensions, and of course make you healthier.
Step 5--> Have said all this, why would anyone resist a regimen of exercise. Well, this comes down to one thing; routine. We are all victims of our routine. Think about it. Do you not eat the same foods even if they are not good for you? Do you continue to watch a long television series long after its prime? If you are wondering why; it’s routine. Similarly, we are used to not exercising. Therefore, our mind will make every argument to stop you from starting this new routine. For example, one of my friends recently asked me, "Isn't jogging bad for you in the cold weather. I mean, how do you breathe?" To which I responded, "I breathe fine in the cold." Clearly, this was an attempt to validate a couch potato life style. Not so long ago, I used to have the same excuses. The old, "I'm too busy" and "I'm not as young as I used to be." Until one day, I realized, enough is enough!!

Conclusion--> Obviously there is more to this story. Likewise, there is a great deal I can say on workout routines and so on. However, I will have to save that for another posting. In any case, the point is, I broke the habit of giving up. With this in mind, break the habit. Exercise, for one month. After that, you will have a new routine and "Here's to a brand new you!!!

Selecting Educational Technology Software and Remembering not to forget the Children

Instructional Technology and Educational Technology Software is a cliché that is used quite often. Another expression thrown around with great frequency is “this software supports the seamless integration of technology into the curriculum" or "this software is guaranteed to improve test grades." Other catchphrases include, this software is NLCB compliant, is aligned to the NYS Standards, the NETS standards, the NCTM standards, or the ISTE standards. Finally, my personal favorite, "this program supports curriculum horizontally and vertically."

Right about now, you should be asking yourself, "What is going on here?” "What does it mean?” and "Does it really matter?" With this in mind, let me make an attempt to explain the above paragraph. All of these slogans have intrinsic value to us. After all, we are and should be in the business of educating children. The problem is all to often we are being sold a "bill of goods". Another words, there is too much focus on the "business" part and very little emphasis on the "educating children" part. How and why this happened is an entirely a different conversation; one which will not be addressed in this article. What to do about this problem will be the focus of this article.

With this in mind, what does one do about the problem mentioned above? As educators, we want to do the right thing; the question is where to start. So... without further delay, I will discuss how an educator can navigate the stormy seas filled of substandard software and programs that promise everything and usually deliver nothing and ultimately find the diamond in the ruff that will indeed effectuate academic growth through technology.

Step 1--> Become a Skeptic- At first glance this might sound cynical. However, this frame of mind will greatly help you in your quest to use Instructional or Educational Technology effectively. In becoming a skeptic, you understand that the majority of software cannot and will not deliver results as promised. Why? Many of the so-called educational software titles are created by non-educators or people with insufficient background. After all, a software developer, designs software. Some of the larger companies will have a research department in which they actually consult with educators. However, all to often this is not the case. Instead, the software developer throws around words like "NCLB complaint", "standards based", or other catchphrases of the day. For this reason, you must be skeptical of promises made by software developers. This is not to say, that all software is garbage. However, if one goes in with blinders and naivety, the results could be less than satisfactory.

Step 2---> Research, Research, Research- Hopefully, I have convinced you about the importance of becoming a skeptic. Now, what is a skeptic to do? Simply put, research before you purchase. Before you purchase a house, a great deal of preparation and research is (hopefully) conducted as you and your family plans to settle at this residence for a long time. Similarly, we must take the time to investigate whether the said software is "good enough".

Step 3--> How to conduct research effectively- Ask for a "full working demo". Any reputable company will gladly furnish this request, as they are eager, to show just how good their software is. Additionally, good software developers will offer either a web version of their software or a link to download a trial version of their software and will often include a curriculum guide as a part of their package. If they are not amenable to this request, there is a good chance that they are a "fly by night" company. I would not waste my time, with this software further. After you acquire a copy of the software, try out the software yourself and pilot it with a group of children. This will undoubtedly give you tremendous insight of the value of the software.

Note: When I personally test software, I try to keep in mind the targeted group of children and what challenges they are currently facing. For example, are the graphics and media content appropriate for a third grade child? Are the directions easy to understand? Is the software fun and child friendly? Will the child become frustrated with the software?

Step 4--> Stepping up your research- Before you pilot the software with students, jot down a few goals of what you would like the children to accomplish with this software and create short and long term benchmarks to ascertain whether this software meets your standards or not.

Step 5--> Do Not Forget the Children- In this age of clichés, this sounds obvious. However, lets look at this from another point of view. At first glance, the 4 previous steps mentioned probably sound reasonable to you all. One might even say that what I am stating is common sense. However, even as you review my arguments you must be thinking, "Wow, that sounds like more work for me. When on earth am I going to find the time to do this?" This is why I say, "Do not forget the children." Yes, it is plenty of work. Then again, anything worthwhile always was. For this reason, one needs to remind themselves of the mantra, "Not to forget the Children" and strengthen their resolve to do the right thing.

Step 6--> How do I assure that I "do not forget the children?" Do not settle for mediocrity. Do not assume because so and so said this software is good that it must be good. Please keep in mind, what works for one student does not necessarily work for another student. It is safe to say, there are more than three-dozen remedial reading programs available on the market today. Some of these programs are actually good. However, even the good programs, have their limitations as its intended audience is not everyone. Only through research, tireless effort, and passion for the target audience can this information be discovered and uncovered.

Step 7--> How do you do right by children with software? Take the time to try out the software and think about which lesson plan coincides with the presented activity. Additionally, reflect on what follow up activity will occur after the student uses the program that in effect assures that the teacher can capitalize on what the child learned while using the software through follow up and extension activities. This methodology will assure that the software program provides more than incidental learning.

Final Thoughts- I started this article by making reference to a variety of acronyms including state, national, and international standards. What relation does this have to software? In many cases, the linking of standards is a perversion of the truth as it is merely a listing of activities that can link to broad standards in a generic way. If the software developer, links it to specific standards, it is definitely more promising. However, I would still be wary. While linking to the standards shows effort and thought, it does not provide an ironclad guarantee.

What about being NCLB compliant? What's the deal with that? For the most part, software by definition cannot be truly NCLB complaint as true NCLB compliancy demands that the software solution or product is SBR; Scientifically Based Research. SBR means that an independent evaluator conducted an extended case study with a control and experimental group. The independent evaluator validates that this solution was the ingredient that improved academic outcomes for the group of targeted students. In many cases, software vendors are quick to call their product NCLB compliant; even if a study was never conducted. Some vendors do conduct studies. However, very few of them assure that all the required parameters are a part of their study as it is costly and time consuming. Subsequently, I am always skeptical when a vendor touts that their product is "NCLB compliant". With this in mind, healthy skepticism is an essential ingredient to selecting software that is educationally beneficial. As Shakespeare said in Hamlet, "I must be cruel only to be kind."

About the Author- Jacob has worked in the field of Instructional Technology for the past 11 years and in the field of education for the past 18 years. During this time, he was recognized in the 2008 National Profile Report as an effective practice in the area of Instructional Technology, has authored 73 award winning grants including numerous Learning Technology Grants, the Enhancing Education Through Technology Grant, 3 Beaumont Foundation Grants, two Math Partnership Grants, a Borough President Grant, 5 Middle School Incentive Grants, 3 Best Buy Grants, and 2 New Vision Grants. He developed numerous programs including various Laptop Institutes, specialized Technology Workshops Series, and graduate programs in the areas of Math, Social Studies, and Instructional Technology. He also coordinated specialized contests, (i.e. MST Fair, Web Quest, and Technology Festival), developed Instructional Manuals that integrate technology into the curriculum, and received the Chancellor's Excellence in Leadership Award. Jacob currently supports the Knowledge Network in meeting its instructional technology goals through the offering of workshops, grant writing, technical support, and through a system of customized support.

Twitter Me This??

I just tried another Web App; Twitter. Have you heard about it? Its all the rage. Not!! It seems that many of my colleagues at one time or another did what I did- try this out. In fact, I believe this is the 2nd time I revisiting this Web App. Anyhow... I am noticing that my other colleagues have all tried this at one time or another, and then stopped. Why, you may ask? Probably because no one is listening!! or viewing!!  

As we all know the web is littered with Web Apps vying for our attention. So... sooner or later, we have decide which ones to use and which ones to not as our time is limited in its quantity. At this point in time, it seems that most of my colleagues tried and ditched twitter. Probably because of the 800 pound gorilla known as Facebook. It also seems that Twitter, while intriguing is limited in its features. With this in mind, I will keep an open mind about Twitter. However, I am leaning towards hitting that DELETE ACCOUNT button on Twitter. Well as they say in Hollywood, TO BE CONTINUED...

And Other Musings

This is pretty straight forward. Never the less, here I go. As you may have noticed this blog is called the Future of Technology and other Musings. Simply put, I don't want my blog to be just about technology. Perhaps one day, I might feel the urge to comment on Obama's stimulus package, No Child Left Behind, my favorite music, good restaraunts, or my favorite 10 Star Wars scenes. So.. "and other Musings" was created. Enjoy!!

Why the Future?

As I sit at my laptop I am writing yet another entry for you guessed it; a blog. Like many others before me, I attempt to come up with a snappy name for a blog in a vain attempt to attract attention. So.. why not the future. Indeed, where will educational technology be in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, and when are we getting those flying cars we were promised. Personally, I think the laptop will be replaced by a hand-held device. Perhaps a better iPhone or Google Phone. Could you imagine being able to access your documents in the palm of your hand. Some say, we can do that already. While that's true; its only true- to a point. Having said that, it should be really interesting where this "technology thing" goes. Well.. as they say in the movies, here's to the future!!