Calling all APES!!!

The following is an example of a very exceptional response to the the first blog posting on Easter Island.
Easter Island


Over 1200 years ago, a group of seafarers from a distant culture landed on the shore of Easter Island. During the next few centuries the settlers established a remarkable yet isolated society centered around a unique tree which they used for all aspects of living, including: hunting, housing, transportation, and even the construction of its most famous monuments, the moai. Moai are large statues made from volcanic rock that line the shores of Easter Island, the moai are the only things left from the fallen society as the depletion of the island's natural resources proved to be the downfall of the isolated culture. The downfall of this society was in direct correlation to the devastation of the environment which led to cannibalism, slave trade, and the spread of European diseases. Many years later, scientists, environmentalists, and conservationists are making efforts to restore the natural environment by reintroducing native trees and bringing back the native population.


"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
There is a valuable lesson to learn from the history of Easter Island; A once productive and prosperous society doomed by a lack of environmental responsibility is something that simply cannot be ignored. We are faced with issues today relating to these same problems as we continue to tap into nonrenewable natural resources such as crude oil, fossil fuels, and coal which powers nearly 84% of Kentucky's energy alone. Even intermediate renewable resources can be depleted, just like the native trees on Easter Island. If we don't learn from history and take action then the World will fall into a continuous pattern of rise and fall until eventually the earth loses all value, fertility, and availability. Researchers are continuing to look for a solution to the ongoing problems concerning sustainability and the use of our earth's natural resources. Often times the government will step in to regulate things such as the amount of garbage one household can send off to the dumpster, or perhaps the amount of deer you can shoot in a single hunting season. All these things are part of our environment and they should all be treasured as if there were a scarce supply at hand and we needed to make the most of it; never take the gifts of mother nature for granted...you never know when your civilization may fall.
Posted by Kalena2011 at 8:38 PM




A big thank you to Kalena Roark

Textbook Log on

Content

I am assuming that content pertains to both what can be found on my web pages and to how it is presented.
1st: I what my web page to be a home for class notes and assignments. Later it can be more integral to the classroom. Right now I need to get the usefulness web pages going. So things like notes, assignments, futures dates are some of my biggest concerns.
2nd:I would like to leak my web page out by the end of this school year so that I can get some feed back from my hand picked students and other colleagues. This will help with how I am presenting my content.

I need to learn how to use my district save space to store some content that can accessed via my web page. I also need to find time to maintain my site. It is easy right now but when I am on my own I will have a hard time staying caught up.

How will I take care of students with different browsers or cannot access my info? Making the info universal is a step in the right direction but some of my content is not very universal in nature.

Font Size/ Typography

Every time I read the Yale Guide I am amazed at how specific it is about web site design. I feel they have really considered all areas of a web page. I find the reading very comprehensive.

This week was no exception on comprehensiveness. The chapter on Typography was so in depth. I had never realized how the html script and CSS can impact your web pages usefulness. There was one page that dealt with the ratio of image pixels to the useful data on a page or heading. What????? I never thought that I would be thinking about how useful my headings can be. Another section of the reading dealt with different borrowers that could negatively impact your page. Whether it is user friendly or too complex.

I have come to some conclusions
1. I will never be the best html/CSS writer. I find this very new and challenging for me But I think I can learn enough to be dangerous.
2. be Consistent. All of the chapters that I have read mention something about consistency. TO be more universal in nature I need to be consistent with all my web pages. Consistent with the pages, font, headings, colors, wire frames etc....
3. Remember not to get too caught up in a flashy web page, an overcrowded page, too complex page. In the reading I learned that Flash, crowding, and complexity can ruin your web page.

My motto from the beginning has been about simplicity. If I as the instructor find it complex or difficult then my students will find it extremely difficult.

The font/header size 11/13 was a fact that I had not realized about what individuals like to read. I keep learning more and more.

strongman on Prezi

Well this past Thursday (3-11-10) I presented a workshop to some of my peers and colleagues. It was the KySTE conference. I was very nervous at first but once I started I got into the zone. When I finally stoped talking it was 11:35. I had lectured about Prezi software for over an hour. WOW!!!!!

Any who it was great and I look forward to doing it again. I believe that their were around 75 people in the workshop. People were lining the floors and walls. One set back was that I was outfitted with Apple computers and I am a PC man. So their were some language barriers that I could not address.

Good Times!!!!

I have been practicing uploading video to my web page. I uploaded a camtasia video on how to log onto our textbook from home. For some reason it does not work all the time. I think it has to do with telling the browser to allow the video to play. other wise I may be having some problems.