School Community

The AJC has a full-page today in the Sunday paper citing all AJC Cup winners from the high school Class of 2011. One of the longest standing student recognitions in the state, the AJC Cup formerly known as the Atlanta Journal Cup acknowledges all-around great students.

(I have already received a miffed e-mail about why a local  high school didnt have a student listed, suggesting the AJC overlooked the school. But it is the schools that nominate the students, not the AJC.)

To explain the award, I pulled this information from some of the high school web sites themselves: Highest award for a member of the senior class. The AJC Cup is given to the senior who stands above the rest. This student excels and shows leadership in community activities, arts, athletics and academics. This is the highest award given to a member of the Senior Class.

When writing about the AJC Cup, I always like to quote civil rights leader and presidential adviser Vernon Jordan, who wrote about winning it in his autobiography Vernon Can Read! (The title of the book owes to the surprise of a teenage Jordans employer, a white banker, when he discovered that the young black man he hired to chauffeur him around for the summer could read.)

Jordan wrote:

When I was chosen, I got my name and picture in the Journal, which by all measures qualified as a very big dealWe marched into the auditorium in our caps and gowns. We got our diplomas; the valedictorian and salutatorian made speeches. I was presented with the Atlanta Journal Cup. When it was all over, I went off to a night of celebration with my friends. It was the end of something and the beginning.

I congratulate the 2011 winners and wish them well on their own new beginnings.

Last week I celebrated eight years at Microsoft. I still miss the students which makes the guest talks I do in schools particularly valuable to me. Interestingly enough I was visiting a Microsoft office on the day of my anniversary and they had ice cream sundaes. Pure coincidence but a good sign I think. Speaking of fun at Microsoft though that leads into my first link.

Jennifer Marsman, one of our great Developer Evangelists in the mid-west, was recently interviewed by students at Murray State University. She talks about her trip to the campus, why she loves her job at Microsoft, and her top interview tips. Check it out. It will give you an idea of what sort of job some of Microsoft’s field people are up to as well.

And in other career news, I found this interesting article via Twitter this week. Computer science grads fielding ‘multiple job offers’ Apparently new college graduates with backgrounds in Computer Science are having a lot easier time than the average college graduate finding their first jobs. Good news for students who picked CS for a major. Not that a job and money is the best let along the only reason to pick a degree but it sure doesn’t hurt.

For something quite different, but especially interesting to you who also teach (or other wise enjoy) math, are Doodling in Math class by Vi Hart I love the binary tree doodle.

From the UK has a great write up on Kodu – Free Stuff From Microsoft #5 – Kodu

From the Partners in Learning team at Microsoft a suggestion that you subscribe to the Microsoft Partners in Learning YouTube Channel for the latest on how technology is changing education.

From Gail Carmichael () a good post for teachers or all subjects to read – Why Computer Science is Relevant No Matter What You’re Teaching

Andrew Parsons has been working hard to highlight the top teams in this year’s worldwide Imagine Cup. He has a series of blog posts which I highly recommend.

The first one is a set of three articles highlighting the finalists for the three tracks of Game Design. These are the fifteen teams from all over the world heading to New York City in July to compete head to head. Definitely worth checking these out:

Meet the finalists – XNA – Meet the finalists – Mobile – Meet the finalists – Web –

The second set is a series of ten articles that showcases all competitor entries from the final online round of Game Design. There are more than 100 games shown in this series from dozens of countries and it’s a great resource to show off the variety of game genres, styles, and themes.

Part 1 – (_dreamBender – BJTU_YF703) Part 2 – (Bliizz – CodeOne) Part 3 – (CrashGames – EnvoSeven1) Part 4 – (exporithm – Geekologic) Part 5 – (GimmeGimmes – INFOSTROY) Part 6 – (Ingesub Game Lab Team Rocket – Luskanya) Part 7 – (Milworms – Pyro) Part 8 – (Quegee Team – SDEG) Part 9 – (Signum Fidei – Team Nucleus) Part 10 – (Team Rubic – WickedTeam)

When a fire broke out near her office in central London, BBC social media trainer Ramaa Sharma found herself caught up in reporting it as a citizen journalist.

Ramaa was asked to investigate the fire by a Twitter contact, Ravin Sampat, who was putting a story together for Blottr (“the people-powered news service”).

Ravin gave Ramaa a Blottr link to upload pictures to, but she wasn’t sure if she really wanted to get involved. As she wrote later:

She didn’t need to go far:

Ramaa took some pictures and sent them to Blottr, as requested. She also tweeted them to BBC London, but suspected the story wasn’t really big enough for it.

But Blottr was grateful for her contribution and made the most of it.

Ramaa has documented her experience using Storify, a social media site that helps users to collate stories from different social networks while maintaining all the links to the sources quoted. As Storify says:

In the online exchange that followed her Blottr experience, Ramaa had a chance to discuss what works for citizen and conventional journalism. She’d already noticed a couple of interesting features of Blottr:

- Anyone can edit an article – after a simple registration process. So if, as Ramaa thought, the Blottr article was “full of spelling and grammatical errors”, she could change them.

- The photographs are imprinted with a Blottr watermark. Ravin told Ramaa that’s to protect them from being used by other media without her permission.

In fact, BBC London did cover the story, but Ramaa comments: “I find it quite flat in comparison – though it is perfectly crafted, obviously.”

On the question of lack of subbing on Blottr, Ravin defended the ‘get it out there’ approach. He tweeted to her: “In a rush, no1 cares about how its written. news is news. its a new source of info.”

Here’s what Ramaa concluded about her experience:

“So the lessons I will take away…

Nichols said hell recommend that the board renew the contract with Alternatives Unlimited Inc., so that students who are close to graduating can finish their work.

Also, the school system would seek applications from other companies or organizations to run a similar program for dropouts in 2012-13.

Board member Reginald Crenshaw who said the existing program is neither effective or efficient said hed rather start pursuing applications now, to make changes for the upcoming school year. Some, however, cautioned there might not be enough time.

Alternatives Unlimited runs 12 Drop Back In Academies scattered throughout the county, where dropouts, ages 17-21, can earn high school credits online.

The state pays $4,500 per student enrolled. Alternatives Unlimited collects 90 percent, and the school system gets 10 percent as an administrative fee.

About 700 students who were counted on the rolls have quit the program outright.

If we wait another year, theyre going to get another million dollars or more, Crenshaw said.

Carla McNeal, director of the Drop Back In Academies here, said the program will keep chugging along until and unless it hears otherwise from the board. Were preparing for the next school year, she said. Weve got 170 students on track to graduation.

Also Thursday, the board approved a contract with BWP & Associates to conduct a nationwide superintendent search for a cost not to exceed $31,335. Nichols has announced that he is retiring in December. According to the contract, the new superintendent should be working here by Oct. 31, so that Nichols will be able to help in the transition.

And the board appointed the following principals: Rhonda Mayfield at Alba Middle, James Gill at Causey Middle, Deborah Torbert at Hollingers Island Elementary, Katharine Reeves at Tanner Williams Elementary and Timothy Dollar at Wilmer Elementary. The board will fill other principal vacancies this month.

Browse more photos »“>

Here’s a compilation of some audio files I gathered from the NHL Draft this evening. I’ll have some videos later in the evening once they upload.

Fittingly, the first file is of first overall pick Ryan Nugent Hopkins, who was a bit relieved that the pressure leading up to the draft was finally over.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins audio file.

Fourth overall pick Adam Larsson is looking to play for the New Jersey Devils next season, but talks about the adjustments he’ll have to make to play at the next level.

Adam Larsson Audio File

Ryan Strome was a big riser in this year’s draft, getting selected fifth overall by the New York Islanders. Here, he discusses the changes he made this past year to become such a top prospect.

Ryan Strome Audio File

It was a bit of a surprise, but Mark Scheifele became the first pick of the newest version of the Winnipeg Jets.

Mark Scheifele Audio File

JT Miller was selected by the New York Rangers at 15th overall, but in this clip, he talks about growing up in Pittsburgh and how the Penguins affected his hockey career.

JT Miller Audio File

Buffalo selected Finn Joel Armia at 16th overall. He was not the chattiest player at the draft.

Joel Armia Audio File

Stefan Noesen made a big move up draft boards this year, and ended up being selected 21st overall by Ottawa. He credited his rise with the fact that he “grew up” this past year.

Stefan Noesen Audio File

Toronto selected Miami recruit Tyler Biggs at 22nd overall. Biggs described his style of play, as well as his workout plans for the summer.

Tyler Biggs Audio File

Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray discussed some trade talks during the day.

Bryan Murray Audio File

Meanwhile, Ottawa’s director of player personnel, Pierre Dorion, discussed the three players Ottawa did select in the draft.

Pierre Dorion Audio File

Toronto GM Brian Burke discussed draft pick Tyler Biggs, as well as one of the Leafs’ recent acquisitions in former Michigan State Spartans John-Michael Liles.

Brian Burke Audio File

Finally, Vancouver Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman discusses the Canucks’ first day, including why they liked Danish import Nicklas Jensen in the first round of the draft.

Laurence Gilman Audio File