Students in online environments gain freedom, learn independence, and live in media rich environments. However, online education does create some difficulty with passing personal expectations of the professor. Such problems are not insurmountable. One must be simply more diligent in keeping in constant communication.
Here are a few ideas that might help:
-Communicate Often: It is important to communicate often to ensure students are hearing on a regular basis what is going on. While we can't spell everything out for all students, we can still work on ensuring that there is enough information for them to make appropriate decisions.
-Be Consistent: Don't change what your saying often unless it is necessary. When you are consistent it is easier for people to understand your message.
-Be Simple and Clear: Don't confuse people with high end language. Keep things clear and simple.
-Use Different Forms of Media: Try not to say things in the same format and media channel all the time. Beyond forum posts, try email, try video, try voice recording.
-Include You Contact Information: Include your contact information so people can get hold of you if they need to. It shows you are engaged.
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Christmas Parades in Escanaba Have High Turnouts
The Escanaba Christmas parade had a high turn out with people lined up and down the street. People came with their warmest clothing and stood in the freezing temperatures to support their community. We spent the night at Leigh's Winery watching from the window. A few pictures if want to enjoy.
Creating a sense of community is very important in small towns like this. It helps people see there are things going on that are wonderful and family oriented.
Creating a sense of community is very important in small towns like this. It helps people see there are things going on that are wonderful and family oriented.
Saturday, December 8, 2018
New Snow Marquette Mountain Open with $99 Season Pass
After coming up to Marquette for an early AM dance class and some quick Christmas shopping I made my way over to Marquette Mountain. Normal passes are around $250 but they asked if I was a teacher or student. I said, "yes I'm a professor", and sometimes a student....they gave me the season pass for $99!!!!!!
Well, it is important to note that daily passes are around $25 so obtaining a season pass that can be paid back with 4 visits is awesome. It wouldn't make sense everywhere but if Iron Mountain has the same deal I have really done well.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Thinking of Delta County Shipping, Rails and Manufacturing as Business Improvement Opportunities
Rural counties like Delta County don't have a lot of population and attracting businesses is difficult. It is necessary to use the current infrastructure and environment to determine potential avenues of economic growth that can result in greater prosperity. Delta County, including Escanaba and Gladstone, have a powerful transportation system that could be used to support manufacturing.
There are two ways to look at this....1.) transportation as an industry and 2.) transportation as a support industry.
1. Transportation as an Industry: Transportation acts as an industry when that is the major employer and not used as a support to other businesses in the area. In such a case, Delta County it would be a reshipping, packing, and redistribution center for flights coming from KI Sawyer, Rail, or Road. Such a place would need to be ideally and strategically located in a way that makes it a feasible location to distribute items. Sometimes places can consider modifying the products in some way or providing superior warehousing and distribution processes.
2. Transportation as a Support Industry: Transportation as a support industry means that it is distributes products being built or modified in the area. Delta County has a base of small manufacturing businesses that could find it fairly easy to distribute and export from the area to the global market. This would mean encouraging more small manufacturing industries to open up within the county and in turn take advantage of ports, roads, railways and flights within the area.
In many cases it is possible to encourage both 1 and 2 at the same time. For example, encouraging more small manufacturing businesses to move into the region would improve opportunities to modify products from other companies. Attracting distribution companies moving products from Chicago, Milwaukee, etc... to Canada may also be helpful.
There are two ways to look at this....1.) transportation as an industry and 2.) transportation as a support industry.
1. Transportation as an Industry: Transportation acts as an industry when that is the major employer and not used as a support to other businesses in the area. In such a case, Delta County it would be a reshipping, packing, and redistribution center for flights coming from KI Sawyer, Rail, or Road. Such a place would need to be ideally and strategically located in a way that makes it a feasible location to distribute items. Sometimes places can consider modifying the products in some way or providing superior warehousing and distribution processes.
2. Transportation as a Support Industry: Transportation as a support industry means that it is distributes products being built or modified in the area. Delta County has a base of small manufacturing businesses that could find it fairly easy to distribute and export from the area to the global market. This would mean encouraging more small manufacturing industries to open up within the county and in turn take advantage of ports, roads, railways and flights within the area.
In many cases it is possible to encourage both 1 and 2 at the same time. For example, encouraging more small manufacturing businesses to move into the region would improve opportunities to modify products from other companies. Attracting distribution companies moving products from Chicago, Milwaukee, etc... to Canada may also be helpful.
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Building a Christmas Snowman and Candy Cane Yard Decorations
The joy of the holidays returned swiftly after Thanksgiving rushing in a discount sales and Christmas decorations. I haven't owned my house for a long time and don't have a lot of decorations so I opted to build a few yard decorations for fun. It wasn't that hard it just took a little time if you keep coming back to it, letting the paint dry, and making it look good.
I saw this within the store and thought to myself, "I could make this" and....."for much cheaper". No matter what I figured it would be a very fun project! So I bought some plywood and paint and started working.
Basic Steps:
1. Outline what you want to cut.
2. Use a jig saw to cut around the outline.
3. Spray paint white.
4. Outline painting areas.
5. Paint your stripes, eyes, bow, etc....
6. Using two colors together helps highlight.
It didn't turn out perfect but if I was to do it again it would be a little better. I might get something to create perfect circles. A nail and string would work well.
Projects help balance out your life and improve skills so that you can do other types of work. For example, more experience with wood working would eventually lead into furniture and boat making as a hobby. Fingers crossed.
I saw this within the store and thought to myself, "I could make this" and....."for much cheaper". No matter what I figured it would be a very fun project! So I bought some plywood and paint and started working.
1. Outline what you want to cut.
2. Use a jig saw to cut around the outline.
3. Spray paint white.
4. Outline painting areas.
5. Paint your stripes, eyes, bow, etc....
6. Using two colors together helps highlight.
Projects help balance out your life and improve skills so that you can do other types of work. For example, more experience with wood working would eventually lead into furniture and boat making as a hobby. Fingers crossed.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
An Old Book that Teaches Human Traits and Their Social Significance
The 1920 book Human Traits and Their Social Significance by Dr. Irwin Edman gives a comprehensive overview of the human being within the environment in which we live. It covers two major aspects of life that include the social aspects and the reason aspects. It views man as a total creature surrounded by lots of influences that play upon him/her the whole of their lives. Understanding these influences encourages students to think widely about their life and choices.
What I like about some of these old books is that they were made in a time of nation building where the development of the human being was an important part of societal interest. Governments looked for ways to improve and compete in the world and relied heavily on the human being to do so. Learning how to advance people was part of that competitive nature.
The work covers 1. Types of Human Behavior; 2. Instincts, Habits and Emotions; 3. Reflection, 4. Human Activites; 5. Social Nature; 6. Culture Traits; 7. Individuality; 8. "Self"; 9. Differences; 10. Language; 11. Religion; 12. Aesthetic Experiences; 13. Science and 14. Morality.
Humans make up much of the world around them and it is important to understand that which belongs to them and that which belongs to their social development. Because they live in a society it is important to understand how they define themselves and their world. Much of the book is about human behavior within the context of a greater society.
There is a benefit to this book for students. While newer versions are beneficial it does sort of put in place a context of a meaningful life in terms of work and contribution to society. Their behaviors and beliefs are put within an appropriate framework that allows students to better comprehend their place within the world. As educators, it is often beneficial to to help students understand work, life, and productivity.
What I like about some of these old books is that they were made in a time of nation building where the development of the human being was an important part of societal interest. Governments looked for ways to improve and compete in the world and relied heavily on the human being to do so. Learning how to advance people was part of that competitive nature.
The work covers 1. Types of Human Behavior; 2. Instincts, Habits and Emotions; 3. Reflection, 4. Human Activites; 5. Social Nature; 6. Culture Traits; 7. Individuality; 8. "Self"; 9. Differences; 10. Language; 11. Religion; 12. Aesthetic Experiences; 13. Science and 14. Morality.
Humans make up much of the world around them and it is important to understand that which belongs to them and that which belongs to their social development. Because they live in a society it is important to understand how they define themselves and their world. Much of the book is about human behavior within the context of a greater society.
There is a benefit to this book for students. While newer versions are beneficial it does sort of put in place a context of a meaningful life in terms of work and contribution to society. Their behaviors and beliefs are put within an appropriate framework that allows students to better comprehend their place within the world. As educators, it is often beneficial to to help students understand work, life, and productivity.
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Dance for Quality of Life and Health
Sometimes I like to engage in dance as an exercise and art form. It is one of those sports that takes some commitment. What I have found is that if you engage in multiple sports, dance is a good augmentation in a way that leads to greater flexibility and health. Today is a ballet show Nutcracker I am part of through a dance company in Marquette. As an art form it should be encouraged and supported in local communities.
You will learn to be coordinated. Dance is about coordination. You will learn to use your body in a manner that leads to a specific outcome. As you become more coordinated, it is also likely that you will increasingly improve your complexity.
Likewise, it is also possible that you will find your body becoming more flexible in nature and capable of taking on more complex positions. In essence, your muscles will need a certain amount of stretching to handle some of the moves.
Furthermore, you will gain strength in parts of your body that you can't imaging. Certainly your legs will get stronger but also your core and inner thighs. To push your body to move in new ways requires the gaining of new strength and abilities.
You will find that most dancers are in shape and have a positive outlook on life. The activities and movement promote sound physical and mental health. The overall development of a full life requires the ability to use your body and abilities to their fullest extent.
You will learn to be coordinated. Dance is about coordination. You will learn to use your body in a manner that leads to a specific outcome. As you become more coordinated, it is also likely that you will increasingly improve your complexity.
Likewise, it is also possible that you will find your body becoming more flexible in nature and capable of taking on more complex positions. In essence, your muscles will need a certain amount of stretching to handle some of the moves.
Furthermore, you will gain strength in parts of your body that you can't imaging. Certainly your legs will get stronger but also your core and inner thighs. To push your body to move in new ways requires the gaining of new strength and abilities.
You will find that most dancers are in shape and have a positive outlook on life. The activities and movement promote sound physical and mental health. The overall development of a full life requires the ability to use your body and abilities to their fullest extent.
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