Do you have any suggestions for improving any aspect of the class that would make it "better" for future students? What assignment did you value the most? ... the least?
The notes were some times hard to follow, especially when taking the quizzes. I would look at the question and remember reading about what the question was looking for but did have a hard time finding it again in the notes sometimes. Luckily there wasn't a time limit on the quiz and they could be saved and returned to later. I have mixed feelings concerning the Blog, it was nice having the freedom to do it however I wanted, but it made it hard to be connected to other class mates. I would check others blogs but some would be up to date and some wasn't, but the only way to find out was to open each blog. With discussion board everything was right there, it would tell you if there was any new post and under what topics. I did like not being forced to post to other peoples blogs. I think I would have preferred the discussion board as the platform with the rules of the blog.
Assignments that I really enjoyed was the student lecture, it allowed me (and other students) to study something I (we) would be more interested in without forcing the whole class to be exposed to areas that doesn't interest them. The crossword and Ecosystem Investigation were fun but for such a short class it was hard to schedule the time needed to spend a day outdoors for one assignment. I did enjoy it but was unsure if I was going to be able to find the time.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
# 9-2 Expectations?
Did the class meet your needs and expectations? If so or not, why?
The class meet my degree needs and fulfilled my expectations of learning some more science. This class was great, I had such a good time I can't believe it's over already. I needed a class that was short, meet the degree requirement, didn't require a lab, could be done at my schedule and wasn't so hard and stuffy that you could have fun and learn. This class meet all those requirements.
The class meet my degree needs and fulfilled my expectations of learning some more science. This class was great, I had such a good time I can't believe it's over already. I needed a class that was short, meet the degree requirement, didn't require a lab, could be done at my schedule and wasn't so hard and stuffy that you could have fun and learn. This class meet all those requirements.
# 9-3 Advice to others
Do you have any "advice" to give to future Bio. 10 students relative to achieving class success, that I can share with them?
Although it has already been said multiple times: staying on top of the assignments is critical. On the same note; if it seems overwhelming (and it can be if you are taking a condensed version) take on one task at a time. The assignments aren't hard and are for the most part enjoyable (unless you hate science) so take you time, enjoy and don't wait till the last minute to do the work. If you do get behind, look at the point values and work the larger point assignments and ones with specific deadlines first then, go back and do the smaller ones as time permits.
Although it has already been said multiple times: staying on top of the assignments is critical. On the same note; if it seems overwhelming (and it can be if you are taking a condensed version) take on one task at a time. The assignments aren't hard and are for the most part enjoyable (unless you hate science) so take you time, enjoy and don't wait till the last minute to do the work. If you do get behind, look at the point values and work the larger point assignments and ones with specific deadlines first then, go back and do the smaller ones as time permits.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Garden Photos
[rows for this summer's garden]
[corn sprouts]
[about 4 weeks old]
[about 8 weeks old]
[corn tassles-male reproductive organ]
[corn ear]
[sunflowers are gettin' tall]
[corn's getting tall too!]
[some of the bean plants]
[Modest harvest so far-potatoes, cucumbers, and green and yellow beans]
Coloma Trip!
Here are a few photos from our recent trip to Marshall Gold State Historic Park for an afternoon of fun, learning and biology class research.
[Drew panning for gold]
[Black Locust Tree Leaves]
[Drew panning for gold]
[Black Locust Tree Leaves]
[Wild Blackberry Bush]
[Deer print near the river shore]
[Sycamore leaves]
[black locust]
[my kids and I in front of Sutter's Mill plaque]
[moss on an oak tree]
[panning for gold]
[South Fork, American River]
[river rock]
Saturday, June 21, 2008
# 8-4 Grade Us!
So who are we? How far have we (humans) changed over time? If you were to rate us and our behavior compared to other living organism, how do we rate and why? What is our potential in the future?
If we are graded by our actions and a whole (which unless we all pass then we all face the same outcome) then I believe we fail. There are some other organisms that are proportionally just as, if not more, destructive then us. However given our size and ability to create and use tools, we are able to do it on a much larger scale. Other organism are driven by food and shelter, few if any are driven by greed. A sheltered hole in the ground is more then enough for most, however may humans "need" large homes and eat from convenience not hunger. Our biggest downfall is that we destroy for wants not needs.
If we grade form potential we should pass. Unlike many organism we have (or at least I think we do) a better idea of our environment. I would like to think we would have enough sense to stop consuming before we run out. We can also replace or have a hand in replacing a lot of the things we use. Many organism will continue to eat until it is all gone and have no way of replacing it. Take a deer (or any group or combination of plant eaters) if they become over populated and eat all the foliage most will die from starvation. The same applies to meat eaters. However humans have enough knowledge to see the shortage and ration ourselves.
The question is do we have enough sense to do so. We have all the knowledge to save ourselves and fix the problems or at least stop further damage. Will we apply that knowledge before it is too late?
If we are graded by our actions and a whole (which unless we all pass then we all face the same outcome) then I believe we fail. There are some other organisms that are proportionally just as, if not more, destructive then us. However given our size and ability to create and use tools, we are able to do it on a much larger scale. Other organism are driven by food and shelter, few if any are driven by greed. A sheltered hole in the ground is more then enough for most, however may humans "need" large homes and eat from convenience not hunger. Our biggest downfall is that we destroy for wants not needs.
If we grade form potential we should pass. Unlike many organism we have (or at least I think we do) a better idea of our environment. I would like to think we would have enough sense to stop consuming before we run out. We can also replace or have a hand in replacing a lot of the things we use. Many organism will continue to eat until it is all gone and have no way of replacing it. Take a deer (or any group or combination of plant eaters) if they become over populated and eat all the foliage most will die from starvation. The same applies to meat eaters. However humans have enough knowledge to see the shortage and ration ourselves.
The question is do we have enough sense to do so. We have all the knowledge to save ourselves and fix the problems or at least stop further damage. Will we apply that knowledge before it is too late?
# 8-3 Human Impacts
What impacts of our activities as organisms have you seen this last week? Did they have any secondary effects that you could observe? Is everything and every action connected to other impacts?
Every action has a reaction, some reactions are immediate and visual other happen over time and are not as apparent. Sometimes the reaction may not even be directly linked to the impact but a result of a "domino effect", this effected this and so on or even the combination of actions were needed to make an noticeable impact.
One common reaction is the effects of mass cutting of the rain forest. This has been linked to cause a rise in the amounts of CO2, which is one of the leading green house gases linked to global warming.
Every action has a reaction, some reactions are immediate and visual other happen over time and are not as apparent. Sometimes the reaction may not even be directly linked to the impact but a result of a "domino effect", this effected this and so on or even the combination of actions were needed to make an noticeable impact.
One common reaction is the effects of mass cutting of the rain forest. This has been linked to cause a rise in the amounts of CO2, which is one of the leading green house gases linked to global warming.
# 8-2 Visualizing Time ("Strain the Brain")
Thinking about the age of the Earth and the time that living creatures have lived on it, how can you visualize the time span, way beyond your own lifespan, to better understand the biological processes that have occurred during the Earth's time?
To imagine things that have happened over such a large timeline, I break it down and connect it to key items. Linking things that happen at or around the same time helps to visualize it somewhat. I use this method for everything that has happened beyond my own lifetime. Just like women fighting for their right to vote was a few years before, but in the same time frame, as the Civil War. Things like that help me visualize the formation of our country and can be used to visualize the formation of life (although the time frame of life is more then just slightly bigger then the countries time line).
To imagine things that have happened over such a large timeline, I break it down and connect it to key items. Linking things that happen at or around the same time helps to visualize it somewhat. I use this method for everything that has happened beyond my own lifetime. Just like women fighting for their right to vote was a few years before, but in the same time frame, as the Civil War. Things like that help me visualize the formation of our country and can be used to visualize the formation of life (although the time frame of life is more then just slightly bigger then the countries time line).
# 8-1 Gaia - Reality or Fiction?
Check out the last two Internet links at the end of the lecture and give your impressions on this theory (links following for your convenience). Perhaps, the underlying question here is: do we as humans want to direct our future or let the other Earth's inhabitants do it for us, when ever they are ready to do so? Your thoughts? Can you cite any biological examples?
Gaia Hypothesis Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_hypothesis
http://www.mountainman.com.au/gaia.html
I can definitely imagine that there is a connection with all the layers of the Earth. Each one seems to have the necessary tools to counteract (or to keep in check) each other. It could almost be liken to our government; each branch has it's own set of powers yet it can only flex that power so far without the approval of the other branches.
Humans are directing their future; it just may not be the results we want. Every action has a reaction; everything we (humans) have done will have a reaction, good and bad. If we continue to damage or wastefully use resources there will be reactions that will come back and effect us directly and indirectly. Just like clear cutting has resulted in land slides and forced the relocation of wildlife. The question then becomes do we continue down the path of destruction (of everything to include ourselves) or do we see the signs and use and work with "Mother Nature" to help undo the mistakes we made?
Gaia Hypothesis Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_hypothesis
http://www.mountainman.com.au/gaia.html
I can definitely imagine that there is a connection with all the layers of the Earth. Each one seems to have the necessary tools to counteract (or to keep in check) each other. It could almost be liken to our government; each branch has it's own set of powers yet it can only flex that power so far without the approval of the other branches.
Humans are directing their future; it just may not be the results we want. Every action has a reaction; everything we (humans) have done will have a reaction, good and bad. If we continue to damage or wastefully use resources there will be reactions that will come back and effect us directly and indirectly. Just like clear cutting has resulted in land slides and forced the relocation of wildlife. The question then becomes do we continue down the path of destruction (of everything to include ourselves) or do we see the signs and use and work with "Mother Nature" to help undo the mistakes we made?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
# 7-1 "Flowers hold the World's Secrets"
Mendel investigated the simple patterns of heredity (mixing, transfer and carrying the "traits" or characteristics of organisms without really knowing what was the "object" that stored genetic information (traits or genes). He showed that there was a predictable pattern of inheritance, which depended on the "nature" of the parents and the type of organisms involved. It has been said, had he picked visible complex traits, he would have failed to recognize the more complex patterns that exist. We now know "seriously" more about the genetic mechanisms involved (as you have just barely experienced with this week's assignments). Going back.... have you every noticed or worked with patterns of inheritance in your past (family, friends, pets, gardening, research, etc.)? Please describe any genetic variety that you have seen.
In addition, Mendel was free to work in his garden and ask himself questions about what he observed. Time and an inquisitive mind has led him to some of the most important discoveries of our civilization, discoveries which started the science of genetics and may change the future of our species. What else could you discover by having the freedom to ask questions and learn about your environment?
The most recent encounter with genetics concerns my own kids. I have red hair and brown eyes and my wife has brown hair and blue eyes. My siblings mixtures include more red hair, brown, black and dirty blond with eyes of brown and blue. My wife's brothers are all brown hair with blue eyes; yet all three had blond hair when they were younger. My kids were both born with red hair (much lighter then my own) and blue eyes. As they get older their hair is getting lighter and more blond. It has been interesting to think about and see the mixture of our genes and have to say we make beautiful babies.
As for the freedom to ask questions; I think there is never a lack of questions just an inability to find answers. Granted it does help to have a fresh set of ideas and sometimes it's not what your asking but how your asking it (asking the right question). However I do think it takes the ability to find the answers to really find the enjoyment in the search.
In addition, Mendel was free to work in his garden and ask himself questions about what he observed. Time and an inquisitive mind has led him to some of the most important discoveries of our civilization, discoveries which started the science of genetics and may change the future of our species. What else could you discover by having the freedom to ask questions and learn about your environment?
The most recent encounter with genetics concerns my own kids. I have red hair and brown eyes and my wife has brown hair and blue eyes. My siblings mixtures include more red hair, brown, black and dirty blond with eyes of brown and blue. My wife's brothers are all brown hair with blue eyes; yet all three had blond hair when they were younger. My kids were both born with red hair (much lighter then my own) and blue eyes. As they get older their hair is getting lighter and more blond. It has been interesting to think about and see the mixture of our genes and have to say we make beautiful babies.
As for the freedom to ask questions; I think there is never a lack of questions just an inability to find answers. Granted it does help to have a fresh set of ideas and sometimes it's not what your asking but how your asking it (asking the right question). However I do think it takes the ability to find the answers to really find the enjoyment in the search.
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