Thursday, October 6, 2016

“We expect innovation in every organization except for the one we work in.”

Recently in a workshop, I asked a participant if I could use their phone and write a tweet from their account to get them some information.  When they handed me their iPhone, I realized that it was an iPhone 4, and confirmed that with them.  Compared to my iPhone 7, it seemed so small, and to be honest, quite slow.  I kind of laughed in my head, not because of the quality of the phone, but just thinking about a story directly connected to myself and this same version of phone.

When the iPhone 4 came out, I believe it was the first version of the phone that had cameras on both sides.  FaceTime was a thing, but didn’t really work that well. It was a considerable upgrade from the previous version of the phone.  It would also be my first iPhone.

Wanting this so badly, I decided to go to a kiosk where I could buy this phone on the first day of it’s release.  I got up at about 4am, headed to the mall, and was so glad that I was the first to be in line to get the phone.  Even if they only had one iPhone, I would get it!

5am rolls around I am still the only one around.

6am, same thing.  As well as 7am and 8am.  I am still the only one in line.

As the store was opening at 9am, and it was about five minutes prior, the gentleman running the counter said, “Do you want to just get it now?”, as I stood alone in the line. I spent the morning sitting outside a store by myself, watching several senior citizens do laps around the mall. I could have just been there at 9am and got the same phone!

And now I would never want that phone.  It is too slow, too small, the camera is not that good, etc., because I have experienced something much better.  I waited almost 5 hours in a line (of 1) for a phone I wouldn’t even want anymore.

It reminded me of one of my favourite, unknown quotes:

We expect innovation in every organization except for the one we work in.

What will we look at ten years from now in education and think, “Why in the world did we do that?”  Hopefully something, because that means we have become better than what we are now.

 innovation-2



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Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Best Timber Frame Builders in BC

Looking at building a log and timber home and want to know who the best timber frame builders in B.C. are?

Timber Frame builders in BC are some of the best builders in the world. If you are in the market for building a custom timber frame home chances are you will be looking for a timer frame builder in BC.

It’s important that you do you research and find a company that can provide you the customer service and expertise that you need to build your home. While we build beautiful custom timber frame homes we understand that you may want to explore other options, styles and price points before you make your final decision.

Many people that we talk to ask us to refer some other companies that we might recommend so they can do a bit of research themselves. So here is our list of the best timber frame builders in BC.

British Columbia Timber Frame Co:
Focused on energy efficient homes, British Columbia Timber Frame Co. provides custom timber frame home packages, wall and roof enclosed systems. They also provide specialized timber work if your looking for a custom timber mantel, deck or truss.

Canadian Timber Fames Limited:
Since 1999 Canadian Timber Frames Limited has been services Canada with timber frame products from frames to walls and roof systems; ceilings and wall finishes, trim and exterior siding.

Tamlin Timber Frame Homes:
Located in Langley British Columbia, Tamlin Homes has been around since 1977. They specialize in custom timber frame homes with a west coast feel, providing as much timber feature as you would like.Timber frame truss

Purcell Timber Frame Homes:
Situated in the beautiful Kootenay mountains of Nelson B.C., Purcell Timber Frame Homes specializes in luxury timber frame homes. They focus on building natural, healthy and sustainable homes.

Okanagan Log & Timber Frame:
OK Timber Frame is a full service timber frame company located in Salmon Arm B.C. In addition to building traditional timber frame homes they also build hybrid homes, mixing other design elements from other timber home styles.

Whiskey Creek Timber Framing:
Specializing in timber frame homes, cottages and cabins, Whiskey Creek Timber Framing and been building since 1980. Located on Vancouver Island makes them a bit more difficult to get to as you have the ferry or an added plane ticket to incorporate.

Zirnhelt Timber Frames:
Using traditional Swiss and German styles for their Timber Frame designs Zirnhelt Timber Frames not only builds the timber frame shell but offer complete construction services.

In addition to the 7 timber frame builders in BC we listed above there are many other companies. Some specializing in Timber frames and others incorporating other log and timber work into their homes as well.

If you found this article helpful you might want to check these ones out as well:

As always, if you have any questions regarding timber frame or log homes, feel free to email us at info@artisanlog.com and we would be happy to help.



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Becoming Better: How You Influence Growth

Last weekend I traveled with my son, Jack, and his Cub Scout pack to a joint campout with an older Boy Scout troop. It was a perfect October weekend: 70’s with sun and breeze; evening temperatures in the 50’s—cold enough that a sleeping bag was the perfect cocoon for tent sleeping. Although Jack and I […]

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Tuesday, October 4, 2016

The Peculiar Miracles of Antoinette Martin by Stephanie Knipper

Well.  I'm a few days late getting this read and reviewed for my September reads, but better late than never!  I had a friend recommend this to me.  She knows I love Sara Addison Allen and that wonderful genre of magical realism.  And she was right about this one, too.

Lily and Rose Martin are two sisters who grew up on the family flower farm in Kentucky.  Rose's daughter Antoinette is ten years old and on the severe end of the autism spectrum.  She also has an amazing ability to heal.  As in, putting her hands into dirt and making flowers bloom, touching birds and healing broken wings.  She can hear the music of the earth and every living creature.  She can't talk, but her mind is as clear as a bell.  Her body doesn't obey her mind, and what others see as a profoundly challenged child screaming and biting is in actuality a frustrated child limited by the physical prison of a body that won't obey her commands. The only problem is that when Antoinette really goes in deep with her healing, it causes severe seizures that are in danger of killing her. 

Rose takes care of the flower farm, and finally calls Lily home after years of exile.  Rose is dying.  She's had a heart condition since the day she gave birth to Antoinette, and her time is running out.  Lily must come home to take care of Antoinette and the flower farm.  Rose is not willing to put her daughter in harm's way by trying to cure her heart condition.  It's time to say goodbye.  

Seth, Lily's childhood love, continues to live next door, and has taken part ownership in the flower farm to help Rose.  He's got a connection to Antoinette that helps keep her anchored and calm.  When Lily arrives, Antoinette is angry, frustrated, and definitely not a fan of Lily.  

Geez, this sounds like an incredibly sad story.  It is sad, but it's also pretty wonderful.  It's all about family, friends, love, sacrifice, and understanding.  I for one loved peeking into Antoinette's personality, and seeing the person she really is inside that physical body.  Rose and Lily love each other, but have lots of issues.  And Lily's love for Seth has never faded, but she's afraid to trust him again.  

I haven't even mentioned Will...the doctor who lives next door to Lily and is competition for Seth.  Oh, he'll break your heart.  

Flowers, magic, flower lore, healing, love.  The sister bond.  What a lovely little gem of a book.  

Rating:  7/10 for a novel that has many compelling characters; a story line that may require tissues, and a cover that was hard to resist.  

Available in hardcover and e-book.    

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What’s a video worth?

These lyrics from a song by Macklemore and Lewis called “Growing Up“,  brought me to tears:

Don’t wanna be a dad that’s living in FaceTime
But I’ve got a world to sing to and you at the same time

I am truly blessed to do what I do. Travelling all over the place, learning with educators, and trying to them inspire to innovate within their teaching and learning, is something that I could not have dreamed of doing.  It is an amazing job.

One of the tough things about my job is missing time with my family.  With our daughter just passing the six week mark, every time I come home, she looks different, a little bit older.

 

As I am riding in an Uber, my wife sent me this picture:

screen-shot-2016-10-03-at-3-52-30-pm

If you read the sentence before the image, think about if I could have written that fifteen years ago? Uber? Sharing images over a text message?  Those things didn’t exist before, and not only have they made my life easier, they have made it better.

 

As soon as Kallea was born, I received a congratulations and message from Tony Vincent.  Essentially he said, get video and lots of it.  We took this to heart, and have been capturing what may seemingly be insignificant moments now, that will be extremely significant later.  Our mindset would have been on simply capturing pictures, but as I have said before, if a picture is worth a thousand words, what do you think a video is worth?

These moments mean the world to me…

Never grow up.

A video posted by George Couros (@gcouros) on Sep 27, 2016 at 9:22pm PDT

I cherish every moment that I can capture. These are in no sense a substitute for being with my daughter all of the time, but they are taking advantage of what the world has to offer.  I am trying to be better at being home when I am at home.  I can get better.

For several years I have shown this video:

The basic premise is that a dad started an email for his daughter that he would eventually share with her. I am now that dad, and I have captured moments and shared thoughts that will never be posted here. They are simply for my daughter and I.

There are so many opportunities in our world to do things that we couldn’t do before. We can either ignore them, or take advantage. I plan on continuing to do the latter.

Source: George Couros



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Why Your High School Should Teach Computer Science {Guest Post}


Guest Post by Gina Green

Why is computer science important?

Students are required to take history, math, English, and science classes so that they have a general knowledge of the world around them. Notice anything missing? I do. It’s computer science.

For most high school students, their phone is integrated into every part of their lives. It’s how they socialize, complete school work, and find answers to their questions. I believe that students should at least have the option to learn how the digital world works.

According to Techprep by Facebook, there will be one million unfilled computer science jobs in the United States by 2020. Code.org and Gallup point out that only 1 in 10 schools offer computer science, even though:

At a time when young adults are living with their parents at the highest rate since 1880,  it just makes sense to give students exposure to a career field for which they could be passionate about, make an above-average wage, and have unlimited possibilities. Computer science related jobs are in every field, every industry, and behind every entrepreneurial endeavor.  

Our high school’s computer science journey began four years ago when the computer science department chair of our local university contacted Dr. Geurin to ask what computer science classes we were offering. The answer was none. So, the following year, we offered one semester of Introduction to Programming. Three years later, we are offering six semesters of various computer science courses. It’s amazing growth, but we’re not done yet. We hope to expand our course offerings even more in the next two years.  


Action Steps

If your school is ready to look into starting a computer science program, I would highly recommend partnering with a nearby university or community college that has computer science programs.  They’ll be able to help you figure out where to begin.

You’ll also need a teacher who is willing to teach CS and devote time to training.  If you are that teacher, prepare for CS to level up your passion for teaching. It’s the most rewarding, challenging, best-thing-ever for students that I’ve done in my career.  I’ve been approached by several teachers from other districts about starting a CS program at their high school and my response is generally received with two types of attitudes.

Sometimes the teachers are so eager to get started that they take notes as I’m talking. Other times they start telling me that they’ve taught for too many years, have just a few years until retirement, have paid their “dues,” are done with furthering their knowledge base, and their principal is really the one who’s wanting to know. Well, okay. Be the teacher with the 'can do' attitude.  A new CS program will never work if the teacher is not excited about teaching the courses.

Get support from the district leadership. Everyone should be on the same page about what training and equipment the district is willing and able to provide. Be sure to include the counselors in this discussion. This year, I’m going to make a computer science course guide on a laminated card for the counselors to keep by their desks. This information will help them guide students to the proper classes.


Resources to help you get started


What is computer science?  -- I love this video. It can be used to explain what computer science is to staff, students, and parents.


Project Lead the Way -- PLTW is a fantastic way to kickstart your CS program. PLTW offers hands-on training to teachers. The teachers actually go through the curriculum they’ll be teaching to the students with the help of a PLTW Master Teacher. It was, by far, the best professional development I’ve ever had. The high school course offerings are expanding each year.


Computer Science Teachers Association -- See if there’s a CSTA in your state or area. Right now, it’s free to join CSTA. Your local chapter will have a website that has forums, resources, and, most importantly, a network of support.


Advanced Placement Summer Institute -- Even if your school is not going to offer CS as an Advanced Placement course, attending a summer training will be beneficial. An APSI will give the teacher aligned objectives, essential questions, prompts, projects, and rubrics, not to mention a network of support. I walk away from APSI every summer with the curriculum of a certified AP instructor that has many more years of experience teaching CS than I do.  

It’s often said that we are preparing students for careers that haven’t even been invented yet.  I believe that the majority of those future careers will involve students being creators of technological content, not just consumers of it.  As educators, we are in the business of doing what’s best for students.  Unquestionably, exposing students to computer science is what is best for them. Now, go start a computer science program at your school!

Connect with me!
Gina Green
Bolivar High School
Bolivar, MO
@BHSBizDept
ggreen@bolivarschools.org






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What’s a video worth?

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