Pella Externship 2011- Week #2

Pella Externship Days 3-6     It has been a fun past few days as I jump into some of the data.  I've really enjoyed getting the figures compiled and sorted so they are easier to work with.  I hope we are able to find some regression equations of value.  It almost seems like the harder one looks at the number or tries to manipulate them, the less clear the outcomes become.  My concern for the project right now is that our equations may lack the correlation to make them useful as prediction models.   In addition to picking up some programming tricks in excel, I've had to learn a few things about cubicle work as well.  As a teacher, I take for granted how nice it is to stay moving all day.  On more than one occasion my body has had to remind me to blink as I focus on the computer screen for hours at a time.  I never thought I would come to appreciate the chaos of the hallway during passing time.   The lesson of the week that I will take back to the classroom is the importance of active learning for the students.  Sometimes I forget that I have the luxury of walking around the classroom and interacting with students on an individual or small group level.  For the most part, students are sitting in a desk all day.  While I try to find a way for students to interact with one another often, I think I can bring in more opportunities for kids to get out of their seats and collaborate.