On Farming….. and Phishing

Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesSometimes, you just have take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. Yesterday, the sun came out after several dreary days of rain, so I took the opportunity to go out and do a bit of yard work. There’s a … Continue reading →

Gamification 101[12]: Submission & Grading System

Approximate Reading Time: 3 minutesThis is Part 12 in my continuing saga of my current iteration of a gamified course. Time to talk about the grading and submission system. I’ve already said that the existing course management systems aren’t up to the task of … Continue reading →

Gamification 101[11]: Course Spaces

Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesThis is Part 11 in my continuing saga of my current iteration of a gamified course. The first class is today, and I think I’m pretty much ready. Here’s what I have: My institution uses Blackboard, but I don’t, so … Continue reading →

Worth a Read: Computer Science Courses that Don’t Exist, But Should

Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteA list by James Hague: CSCI 2100: Unlearning Object-Oriented Programming Discover how to create and use variables that aren’t inside of an object hierarchy. Learn about “functions,” which are like methods but more generally useful. Prerequisite: Any course that used the … Continue reading →

Porcupines Prove the Existence of Multiple Universes, Right Here on Earth

Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteOK, so maybe not PROVE, but you really gotta wonder. During my candidacy for my PhD I took a number of evening classes. One night after one of these classes, I arrived home around 9 p.m. It was already dark … Continue reading →

Worth Sharing: I have one of the best jobs in academia. Here’s why I’m walking away. – Vox

Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteI also walked away from a tenured position. I did it literally to save my life. In my case it was determined bullying from my department head, which turned into departmental, and then faculty mobbing. The last straw was being … Continue reading →

Gamification 101[10]: Getting a Gamified Course Up and Running

Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesThis is Part 10 in my continuing saga of my current iteration of a gamified course. The design of this class is more complex than most other classes. Remember that I have 20 different kinds of things that students can do. … Continue reading →

Worth Sharing: Some Rules for Teachers – The New Inquiry

Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis is a great list – I only disagree with one or two….. as for the rest, YES, YES, YES!!! After John Cage. Source: Some Rules for Teachers – The New Inquiry 1. only ask the questions to which you … Continue reading →