Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Travelled to Cabrillo High today to check on the ROV teams. Brian was not there, but I got to spend some time with Ian and Ryan on Team A. They are gaining more confidence in themselves and I believe that Ian is playing a big part in that. He is a very friendly and outgoing guy who seems to relate to people very well. He is working on the control box and has it all wired up. They also are working on a manipulator arm using a drill driver motor. The group is getting innovative here.
I spent my usual time chatting with Dave about the project, education and the future of the aquarium. These kids have such an advantage having an environment like this to learn in as well as the people who care about their success. They have a few new tanks installed. Saw Michelle in the Aquarium and she is excited about the new tank they have. Dave demonstrated their remote camera that they can use to look into the tanks at the aquarium. We discussed the similarities of the students using this technology and applying it to the project for remote sensing. It is very relevant and real- that is what I believe makes this environment successful. Not only is it constructivist, it is relevant.
I have learned that constructivist learning must have a degree of relevancy in it to be effective. (at least for me it does) We can role, play and simulate alot in social settings, but at some point we must ask"how is this relevant to me and others now?"
I recorded data again on audion and video. I made the point of telling Ian and Ryan that what they are doing is important. I pointed out that most students coming out of college could not do what they have done. I explained that this experience and the skills they are learning apply to many areas of life.
I asked about changes in them. Ian said he is doing this mainly because its fun. ( ref. social learning) He went on to say that he planned on enrolling in my program at SBCC to further his ROV knowledge in college. This was quite a surprise to me. He said he will be the next "Tristan Harvey" ( Cabrillo grad and now SBCC grad.) ( ref. CoP cycle- periphery) Ryan also said that his brother may enroll at SBCC he is in Cal Poly right now. He said this experience would look good on a college application. He wants to be a marine biologist.
SBCC administators take note: "Your efforts to secure a formal educational partnership with Cabrillo High after three years are necessary but insufficient. Why shouldn't a high school in our county with a "Marine Technology Institute" partner with a community college that also has a "Marine Technology Program"? This lack of leadership by administration is an insult to the people who pay taxes in this county and a disservice to those students.
I spent my usual time chatting with Dave about the project, education and the future of the aquarium. These kids have such an advantage having an environment like this to learn in as well as the people who care about their success. They have a few new tanks installed. Saw Michelle in the Aquarium and she is excited about the new tank they have. Dave demonstrated their remote camera that they can use to look into the tanks at the aquarium. We discussed the similarities of the students using this technology and applying it to the project for remote sensing. It is very relevant and real- that is what I believe makes this environment successful. Not only is it constructivist, it is relevant.
I have learned that constructivist learning must have a degree of relevancy in it to be effective. (at least for me it does) We can role, play and simulate alot in social settings, but at some point we must ask"how is this relevant to me and others now?"
I recorded data again on audion and video. I made the point of telling Ian and Ryan that what they are doing is important. I pointed out that most students coming out of college could not do what they have done. I explained that this experience and the skills they are learning apply to many areas of life.
I asked about changes in them. Ian said he is doing this mainly because its fun. ( ref. social learning) He went on to say that he planned on enrolling in my program at SBCC to further his ROV knowledge in college. This was quite a surprise to me. He said he will be the next "Tristan Harvey" ( Cabrillo grad and now SBCC grad.) ( ref. CoP cycle- periphery) Ryan also said that his brother may enroll at SBCC he is in Cal Poly right now. He said this experience would look good on a college application. He wants to be a marine biologist.
SBCC administators take note: "Your efforts to secure a formal educational partnership with Cabrillo High after three years are necessary but insufficient. Why shouldn't a high school in our county with a "Marine Technology Institute" partner with a community college that also has a "Marine Technology Program"? This lack of leadership by administration is an insult to the people who pay taxes in this county and a disservice to those students.
Sunday, March 14, 2004
I have started running a NAUI Instructor Traning course with six students who have asked me run one. I started 3/5. It will be finished by mid May. ITC's are intense programs where I certify people to become instructors and teach others to dive. This has a high degree of "mentoring" in it. I will have three other staff members who are also Instructor Trainers. This could easily meld into my ARP.
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
I did not go up to CHS this week as the pile-up meter between SBCC and Pepperdine tells me not to..
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Back to CHS again this week. Weather was good so the 60 mile drive was a chance to clear my head and enjoy the scenery of North Santa Barbara County.
Received an e-mail from Brian- the sophomore asking if I would be coming up. He has flown his ROV in the pool and dove with it to observe.
Met with Sam and Karina and Ian on Team 1 and B was alongside from Skunkworks. They have made major progress. They were wiring their J-Box when I arrived and had mounted all of their thrusters. Their coolest addition was kort nozzles to the thrusters which are required by the design. They used off the shelf black PVC reducers and drilled out the backs to allow for water flow.
Brian made a camera and housing out of PVC pipe fittings. He made an atmospheric housing and sealed the cable penetration with caulk. He used a flat piece of lexan and is thinking of adding LEDS around the aperture. It looks fantastic! He explained that he encountered an amperage problem with his umbilical and solved it by marrying tow pairs of wires. I quizzed him as to why this reduced the amperage and he correctly responded after some pondering "the size of the pipe" was now bigger for the electrons to flow through. He is on fire for this project.
I sensed that the team separation thing had improved and I acted as a facilitator to continue to keep them moving toward a mode of collaboration. It is a difficult thing to do as they feel each of their innovations is 'top secret'.. Nonetheless, the two teams are talking and the competition seems spirited and friendlier than last week.
Brian has registered domains for skunkworks... .net.com and .org!! He will launch a website soon. He also told me he wants to develop a still camera for his machine, and is clearly looking up and out on this project beyond the ROV competition in April. This is a good thing.
Ian seems real involved as well on Team 1 and him and Sam seem to be enjoying their experience.
I brought up some display material for Dave for the Aqaurium- a full on diver manikin and our Aquadyne Bandmask. I have givien it to them on behalf of the college as a permanent display.
We chatted again for over an hour with Dave on education and constructivism. I find that Dave now has now become a deeper part of this experience for me- almost symbolic. He has innovated something as part of a dream and it is here. He is a constructivist at heart and a driving force for change in education. His enthusiasm is contagious, infectious and very real. He is retiring in June and I can feel his concern over "who will care for this and do something with this after I leave." Answer: we all will Dave. I feel my involvement in this will continue.
I feel the need for my cadre mates and Profs to meet Dave and tour the aquarium..I met Paul and we talked about their use of a remote camera in the aquarium to act as a web cam on the CHS website. People have got to see this place.
Don
Collected more video, audio and still data.
Patterns: Looking up and out
Received an e-mail from Brian- the sophomore asking if I would be coming up. He has flown his ROV in the pool and dove with it to observe.
Met with Sam and Karina and Ian on Team 1 and B was alongside from Skunkworks. They have made major progress. They were wiring their J-Box when I arrived and had mounted all of their thrusters. Their coolest addition was kort nozzles to the thrusters which are required by the design. They used off the shelf black PVC reducers and drilled out the backs to allow for water flow.
Brian made a camera and housing out of PVC pipe fittings. He made an atmospheric housing and sealed the cable penetration with caulk. He used a flat piece of lexan and is thinking of adding LEDS around the aperture. It looks fantastic! He explained that he encountered an amperage problem with his umbilical and solved it by marrying tow pairs of wires. I quizzed him as to why this reduced the amperage and he correctly responded after some pondering "the size of the pipe" was now bigger for the electrons to flow through. He is on fire for this project.
I sensed that the team separation thing had improved and I acted as a facilitator to continue to keep them moving toward a mode of collaboration. It is a difficult thing to do as they feel each of their innovations is 'top secret'.. Nonetheless, the two teams are talking and the competition seems spirited and friendlier than last week.
Brian has registered domains for skunkworks... .net.com and .org!! He will launch a website soon. He also told me he wants to develop a still camera for his machine, and is clearly looking up and out on this project beyond the ROV competition in April. This is a good thing.
Ian seems real involved as well on Team 1 and him and Sam seem to be enjoying their experience.
I brought up some display material for Dave for the Aqaurium- a full on diver manikin and our Aquadyne Bandmask. I have givien it to them on behalf of the college as a permanent display.
We chatted again for over an hour with Dave on education and constructivism. I find that Dave now has now become a deeper part of this experience for me- almost symbolic. He has innovated something as part of a dream and it is here. He is a constructivist at heart and a driving force for change in education. His enthusiasm is contagious, infectious and very real. He is retiring in June and I can feel his concern over "who will care for this and do something with this after I leave." Answer: we all will Dave. I feel my involvement in this will continue.
I feel the need for my cadre mates and Profs to meet Dave and tour the aquarium..I met Paul and we talked about their use of a remote camera in the aquarium to act as a web cam on the CHS website. People have got to see this place.
Don
Collected more video, audio and still data.
Patterns: Looking up and out
