Confessions of a Grandma

We bought a Roku, one of those little tiny boxes that lets you stream movies and shows to a television. No need for a PC , it said on the box.  It connects directly to your high-speed internet wirelessly.  True, but for most of the items on the menu, you need to go on the computer and enter a code to activate.  This wasn’t a big problem, but it still struck me as a tad misleading. It’s really easy, it said on the box.  plug it in, add it to the home network, and enjoy.  Well, I connected it to the TV set and plugged it in (easy).  I put the AAA batteries in (no problem).  Now we get to configuration of the network.  This little baby was designed to automatically detect wireless networks and then guide me right through the set up steps.  Yes! It detected my network and I selected it (so easy!  I am practically ready for my guest appearance on The Big Bang Theory!) Not so fast.  Enter your network password, which is case sensi...

Is it possible for technology to go too far?? Have you heard about the electronic cigarette?? It looks like a cigarrette. It works on a battery so the end glows just like a lit cigarette. No real smoke, but it produces a mist that simulates smoke and delivers a "safe" (according to the manufacturer) dose of your deadly poisons. Cheaper than real cigarettes. You can use them anywhere, even where smoking is not permitted (it's not burning so no smoke, just mist). So environmentally friendly you can call it green. Not for those under the age of 18...or 21, if that is the legal age of majority. Good grief.

Yeah!! Friday!! Tomorrow is Saturday--no alarm clock...no morning drive through traffic. And I'm exhausted. All that hands-on learning, much of it in the fresh autumn outdoors' air is active stuff that wears an older body down a bit. I'll be ready come Monday for another go round, though. It's so good to see these "at risk" kids so involved and productive. I really have to rethink the differentiated instruction concept and how it gets carried out. I'll bet this is the first time some of the kids in my group have felt anything close to successful in a school setting. ELEN So it's no longer "vocational education," but "technical." I'm very brave for doing this because any thing technical is out of my comfort level. I hope that's an example for students...willingness to take risks, life-long learning.

I have very little idea what Facebook is all about. I am trying to sign up though. Threadneedle, the fabric shop I so loved, is out of business now, but the former owner has started a group on Facebook and I want to join. It seems quite complicated and I am completely stymied by trying to upload my picture, but I'll keep at it. Can't be defeated by a machine, darn it!