Flipping the Classroom with Khan's Academy

     Salman Khan was recently interviewed on NPR's Talk of the Nation. I have been trying to integrate the concept into my classroom. However, I find it hard to do in an economically challeged area like Immokalee where all my students might not have access to a computer and higb speed internet at home.




Listen to the interview and let me know your thoughts on the concept of lectures and learning. Is it a thing of the past?




Check out Khan's Academy to see the concept for yourself.

Celebrating our success!



Claudette and Dr.  Kirkland, Very Proud!



First, I would like to congratulate Claudette Williams on completing Microsoft's "Digital Literacy" curriculum and obtaining a certificate of achievement. 

Claudette started with me at the beginning of this short summer semester, my first ever as a teacher.  Claudette is a retired school teacher of 28 years.  She taught Early Childhood Education.  She bravely undertook the Cybersecurity program even though it is outside her level of comfort.  In fact she has very little, if nothing, in her background to prepare her for this class.  So, if anyone thinks that they cannot change careers and do so successfully;  Think again.  Claudette entered the program with an open mind, a desire to learn, and a willingness to work hard. And she is succeeding. 

But aside from celebrating Claudette's victory, I want to tell you about how we as a class worked together to make this happen. 

We used tools like class discussions and interactive whiteboard activities to have the more experienced/advanced students explain the concepts.  In doing so, they have just as much to be proud of as I do.  And in the process they reinforced their understanding of the subject.  Being able to teach others is a true indicator of comprehension.

Go Team!  We have all succeeded.

Claudette typed all her notes and asked questions on each one of them.

STEM School Opens in Lee County

ABC-7.com WZVN News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral 

A new school is opening up in Lehigh Acres this month.  Part of the Lee County Public Schools system, Tortuga Preserve Elementary will be considered a "STEM" school with an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Even more exciting: My student's daughter was interviewed in this video from ABC-7.

Starting the emphasis on STEM education at this early age will hopefully be the first step in accomplishing a number of goals.  Children lose interest in those subjects at an early age, oftentimes due to lack of exposure.  Not only is there a significant gender and minority gap in these fields, but studies have shown that children do not pursue a future in engineering unless they have experience with a close family member who is an engineer.

I look forward to seeing this school and more initiatives like this start to change that trend. 

For more information about Tortuga Preserve, visit:  http://tpe.leeschools.net/index.htm

Women and Minorities in Silicon Valley

In class, we had a discussion about the following series of stories from NPR.  Being a woman in technology, and working in a community where most of my students are minorities, it seemed very relevant. 

Our conversation was productive and enlightening for both the students and the instructor.  (I hope to begin recording these.) 

We discussed the need for women and minorities to act more like the "status quo" which now happens to be a white male.  However, this act goes against our nature/nurture/comfort zone.  And when a woman "acts" like a man, or a man of color "acts" like a white man, doesn't everyone look at them a little cockeyed anyway?

However, when we stifle our strengths in an attempt to fit in I think we do a disservice to innovation in two ways:

• First, we don't take advantage of our full potential as a team member.
• Second, we miss the insights that women and minorities have to bring products to market that will serve a broader range of our community.

In the end, initiatives like "NewMe" and others like them are an exciting part of our industry that will produce some amazing results.  That is of course just my humble opinion. 


Part 1:
http://www.npr.org/2012/07/23/156555402/silicon-valley-boot-camp-aims-to-boost-diversity

Part 2:
http://www.npr.org/2012/07/24/157271459/at-silicon-valley-boot-camp-perfecting-the-pitch

Part 3:
http://www.npr.org/2012/07/25/157342065/at-silicon-valley-boot-camp-a-startups-success

Local Resources in High Tech

Click the listen link on this article to hear a facinating story of a high tech project happening here in Naples.

This is a wonderful lesson how examining the past can shape our future.  And a reminder that our community has much to offer.

http://www.wgcu.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=26568&Itemid=493