What is a Planet?

This podcast was very informative. I found it under the K-5 section. I learned that until August of 2006 IAU reconized nine planets in our solar system, before then new studies had brought atonomers to believe that there was ten to thirteen planets out there. They had to come up with a scientific definition of what a planet is. A planet is a body that orbits a star, has enough mass to create its own gravity, has a round shape, and has cleared its neighborhood. According to this Pluto is not a planet because it crosses path with Neptune. Pluto has been reclassified as a dwarf planet. Scienitifc studies are always changing as new discoveries are made.

Teaching Outside of the Classroom

I think that all students should be given a chance to do activites and assignments outside the classroom. I am a hands-on learner and think that more teachers should use this approach. I believe that hands-on activities require students to actually think therefore, learn the material instead of simply memorizing it for the test. I think that learning should be a fun experience.

Podcasts

There are so many different styles of podcasting. My favorites are informal group podcasts that are entertaining as well as informative. Listening to the six podcasts I found only a few of the them interesting enough to maintain my focus. The "Smartboard Weekly" was a podcast with both a male and female host who discussed ways to use the smartboard in the classroom. I found it interesting and would like to have a smart board in my classroom. Another podcast that I found interesting was "MacBreak Weekly". I thought that the show was pretty halarious. The jokes kept me laughing. The way they kinda went from one topic to the next kept my attention. There was a lot of jokes but this podcast will help me out when I purchase a new camera. The last podcast, "This Week in Photography", was interesting to me too. I like to take pictures and learned some good tips from this show.

Randy Pausch Last Lecture

Dr. Pausch has an awesome personality and his lecture was so inspiring. This guy had only a few month to live and there he was motivating others to live out there dreams. He was a dead man walking, yet he still possessed so much life. Dr. Pausch reminded everyone that we have the power to make the difference in some one's life by simply pushing them a little harder. There is a mentor in all of us. Even thought there will be some brick walls in life he encourages us to never give up.

Dr. Pausch passed away in July of 2008 but he will definitely live on in those who heard this message, through family, friends, and children that he reached. I think even from the grave Dr. Pausch is still fulfilling his dream. Listening to this lecture reminds all of us what teaching is about.

A Beautiful Rose