I haven’t posted a blog recently.  I’ve been busy with lots of different things – school, taking several courses, applying for the Albert Einstein Fellowship, my mother has been in the hospital – life seems to get overrun at times.  My Kenan lesson plan is in full effect in my two chemistry classes.  Dr. Muddiman came and introduced the field of analytical chemistry to my students in October and they have been working on their extension projects.  I gave them a few days to work when I was out with my mother, and I am anxious to see how they turn out.  Students turned in some rough drafts and research last week and it looks like they have some good ideas…it also looks like they have a long way to go in some areas.

I have just completed a couple of MOOCs through Coursera.  The one I thought was phenomenal as “What Future for Education?”  It was conducted through the University of London and was extremely informative.  I particularly liked interacting with teachers throughout the world and discussing different situations and ideas about education.  I never thought I would have a chance to have a discussion with a Siberian teacher (things are not going well for teachers in Siberia).  I also finished reading a book called “A Mind for Numbers” by Barbara Oakley which is geared toward using our understanding of neuroscience to help people become more effective learners (especially in math and science).  The book was a supplemental resources for a MOOC I took a few months back called “Learning How to Learn.”  I would strongly suggest both of those courses to fellow educators.