Miscellaneous Utilities (MISCUT): Windows OS

“What should I load on my new Windows computer?” asked a friend, knowing I would have an opinion. I started to make a list, then realized, I could do one better. In this blog entry, find my list of preferred Windows tools, Browser extensions, and iOS smartphone apps. Feel free to post …

3-2-1 Brain Science and Effective Teaching

Interesting article, What Brain Science Says about Teaching Teens via EdSurge, on teenage brains. More details on effective teaching appear afterwards. Here’s an AI generated 3-2-1 summary: Summary of Key Ideas from the Article 3 Facts: Adolescent Brain Development: The article highlights that the …

3-2-1: Four Day School Week

I heard or read about this topic in news earlier this week. I was hopeful because 4-day work weeks are great in my own experience. But, yikes! This research on the topic was not what I was hoping for schools. That feeling aside, it’s good to see more research on this. It should discourage schools …

3-2-1: Med-Gemini #AI

“Could the problem be pleurisy?” I was standing at the emergency room of a local hospital chatting with an ER doctor. A family member had been suffering something that was driving her crazy and sent her to emergency room several times, causing for sleepless nights. “Yes, it could …

3-2-1: Parental Rights in Education

3 Ideas I. “Parental rights in education are essential for fostering a collaborative environment between families and schools, but they must be balanced with the educational standards and the rights of all students to receive a comprehensive education.” II. “The involvement of …

3-2-1: The Cost of Higher Education

Paying for college as I approach retirement isn’t something I hoped for, but it is something that became necessary. I always knew I would be paying for, or assisting my children, in paying for college. Not earning a degree has never been an option. In fact, I always encouraged my children to …

3-2-1: Abnormal Florida Fish Behavior #ClimateChange

Could this be due to climate change? Or is something else going on? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Wednesday that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission had received reports of “abnormal fish behavior, including spinning and whirling” affecting roughly 40 …

3-2-1: School Shootings and Licensed To Carry

Are you licensed to carry? I often reflect that it’s better to stay home and not go out given the Wild West scenario. But you know what? The Wild West wasn’t this crazy. Schoolhouses were respected. After Sandy Hook, and several other school shootings, it became evident that …

3-2-1: SEL and Critical Race Theory (CRT)

Anyone who watched a teacher work through the pandemic, facilitating remote learning, knows how important teacher-student relationships are. There are people out there, though, who think kids are being indoctrinated at school. Unfortunately, some see SEL as a problem: “What’s clear is that there is …

Psychics and Pseudoscience (PASTOR)

In every town, there’s a street with a sign board with a huge hand. The hand beckons passersby, hoping to attract their attention. The hope of a response that provides direction draws people in. The desire to get certain information about an uncertain future is a powerful pull for some folks. …

AIDA: Scientific Consensus

I honestly hadn’t ever heard the concept of scientific consensus before reading about it while exploring Melanie Trecek-King’s Thinking Is Power website. There’s so much that seems to have been left out of my education, and I wouldn’t be surprised a lot of folks haven’t …

3-2-1: Book Banning

Here’s a 3-2-1 on book bans in libraries, which National Public Radio (NPR) reported as increasing in 2023. Photo by Slav Romanov on Unsplash The American Library Association reported that: The number of titles targeted for censorship surged 65 percent in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching the …

AI-Powered Health Trackers (PASTOR) #AI #health

Problem I was a few days ago old when I discovered my smart health tracker also keeps tabs on my location and movements, available to the police. Well, at least I think that it does based on my viewing of the latest CSI: Las Vegas (cue music). Photo by Dushawn Jovic on Unsplash Everyone I know is …

Cybersecuring Smart Home Devices

Attention Smart home devices get compromised every day. Whether it’s your security camera to a baby monitor, your privacy is increasingly at-risk. Interest An estimated 672 million households are expected to use smart home devices by 2027. What can anyone do about cybersecurity challenges …

AIDA: Chaplains in Schools

Attention “Your teacher said you misbehaved in class. Bow your head and pray for guidance and how you can better behave in class,” said Rev. Johnson, a chaplain at a public school in Texas. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Can you see public schools where your school counselor has been …

3-2-1: AI in Education

One of my favorite emails is what I get from James Clear. I like the 3-2-1 format. That said, it seems pretty formulaic and a matter of research. So, what tool do you know can do research and formulas? Exactly. 🤣 The following is AI-generated. 🤯 Topic: AI in Education 3 Ideas I. “AI in …