Internet, Cell Phones, and Their Untimely Deaths

I have never been a huge fan of technology. In fact, when I was in eighth grade, I declared that I would never need to use a computer. I would like to amend that statement to, "I am lost without my computer." (Unfortunately, I mean that figuratively and literally.) Not only do I need a computer, but I also need it connected to the internet. Since moving into our new apartment, these past 38 hours have been the longest consecutive hours our internet has worked. I have talked to at least 7 different operators, 6 different cable guys, and 1 DSL provider. I really don't think I have ever been closer to yelling at complete strangers.

Recently when the husband was off cavorting with other yeast biochemists in Toronto, the internet was not working, so I needed to call him for our daily updates. He kept saying he couldn't hear me, but I could hear him. It had to be his phone; mine was practically new! Frustrated by not being able to communicate with him, I called the internet company again, hoping to coerce them into coming earlier. The cable operator said that he couldn't hear me. I admit that sometimes I will cry over insignificant moments, but this was a crisis that warranted tears.

Nothing seemed to have happened to this phone. Sure I have dropped other phones into toilets, onto cement, and occasionally into my labrador's mouth. (That is the story he tells at least.) This one was different. It just died. One splitter, several wires, one modem, and one new pink phone later, I am now connected again. I may not be a fan, but I am an addict.

Wise Counsel for Adventurers...Mostly Me

Today my adventurous spirit hit an all-time high quickly followed by an all-time low. Watson, my black lab, and I set off for our first hike out of our new book, 50 Hikes in Connecticut. We were going to see Hublein Tower, Reservoir 6, and the barbecue pit that once cooked General Eisenhower's dinner. Impressive. We actually did accomplish all of that (the aforementioned high); it was the return trip that seemed a little more challenging (the low).

I learned a few lessons:
1. Even if you think you know where the trail should take you, continue to follow the trail markers. I thought a saw another trail that was going more the direction I wanted to head, but the results were quite muddy not to mention a little bloody. Watson and I ended up tangled in a mess of sharp bushes and marshy water when he looked at me with an I-told-you-so glare.

2. When you see a trail marker you are supposed to follow and the next one doesn't match, turn immediately around. I continued on just thinking the trail-blazer must have gotten lazy when he/she forgot to put the two red dots with the blue line on the next couple trees. We pressed on (in error).

3. Bring as much water as you can possibly carry. You would think I would have learned this from my parents when we went on a 26-mile hike and ran out of water about half way, but alas, I did not. I brought two big water bottles for Watson and me. He "accidentally" knocked his bowl over and proceeded to lay down in his mess. Our Adam's ale did not last much longer in the heat.

4. When you end up at another state park, call for help. I actually did this one. Poor Watson was no longer bounding in front; rather, it was almost as if I was pulling him onward through hot molasses. That is when I decided to humble myself and admit to my husband that the direction goddess was indeed fallible.

Fortunately, the husband located us. We crawled toward the car hoping it was not a mirage, whispering agua, agua. I hope I learned my lesson. Watson and I were sitting on the couch resting and recuperating when I started reading about the Ragged Mountain Trail. I can just see my next post; "1. If the word ragged is in the title of the trail, normal unragged people should not attempt to traverse."

Jonathan Alter's Tips to Obama Regarding Education

Alter's article proposed that the source of America's educational downfall is the lack of accountability within the teachers. He claims, "Give poor kids from broken homes the best teachers, and most learn. Period." Alter advises Obama to pay teachers according to their results and release them if they can't produce.

The teachers need to be accountable, but is measuring the students' performance on state tests the best way to monitor their teaching skills? Is this the best way to improve education? This measurement system seems to deter teachers from taking on a challenging class or allowing gifted students the opportunity to be in the same classroom.

As many educational theorists point out, people have different learning styles and different strengths. Teachers are no different. Part of the problem within education is the lack of matching teachers with appropriate work environments. Some incredible teachers would fail miserably if placed into a different environment. Simply taking the best teachers out of their schools and moving them into failing schools may not be an effective solution. The structure of the school makes a difference in a teacher's ability to teach. The administration should provide an environment that sustains the teacher's efforts with appropriate discipline support and encouraging professional development.

There is not a multitude of well-educated, talented individuals who want to be teachers, especially in "at risk" schools. The threat of being released may further prevent good teachers risking their careers in such a school. If the accountability was based on state scores as suggested, the content within the classroom would be directly tied to the test. This is already the case in most public schools since the school itself is already tied the the test performance. Is that what education should be? There is value in teaching a body of knowledge, but with such pressure, exam preparation takes up much of the time that could be devoted to experiments, plays, and projects. The great teachers know that these items are necessary in developing the interest, thinking skills, and the real world abilities in their students. The increase of content regulations discourages the most creative teachers from staying in the profession.

Teachers should be accountable, and state tests provide hard data. Unfortunately the data is incapable of telling the whole story.

To Blog or Not

The pressure is off.

It is not a competition.

Sure my husband is the famed, much acclaimed blogger, yajeev.

And my sister is constantly enlightening everyone with her insights.

But...it is not a competition.