Month: December 2024

Building Connections: My Contributions to the Networked Learning Community

- Rob Huber Leave a comment

Life, in many ways, is about building relationships. In my past experiences working in the oil industry, heading up to a jobsite was more than just clocking in and out—it was an opportunity to get to know people, make friends, and foster connections. This was especially important because, at the end of every project, layoffs were almost guaranteed. Having a network of people I trusted, and who trusted me, became invaluable. I could call up a contact, ask about job openings at their site, and often secure my next opportunity.

In industries like oil and construction, your reputation is everything. Your work ethic, attitude, and reliability are your calling cards, and they can open doors or close them. This same principle applies to teaching, a field where relationships are just as crucial, if not more so.

When the time comes for me to interview for a teaching position, it will be my first formal interview in years. My previous transitions between jobs were often informal—quick calls to a superintendent and a “see you Monday” kind of arrangement. This shift to a more structured hiring process is a reminder of the importance of continually building and maintaining a positive professional network.

Reflecting on This Semester

This semester has flown by, and I genuinely believe we’re all better for the shared experiences and connections we’ve built. I’ve made it a priority to engage actively within our networked learning environment by:

  • Commenting on Blogs: I’ve contributed feedback and insights on classmates’ blog posts, continuing conversations and adding value to their reflections.
  • Participating in Class Discussions: Whether in-person or online, I’ve aimed to engage thoughtfully in discussions, sharing my perspectives and learning from others.
  • Contributing to Discord: I’ve tried to be as helpful as possible, answering questions, sharing resources, and supporting my peers when challenges arose.

What we’re doing here goes beyond individual learning—it’s about creating a community of support and growth. Teaching is inherently a relationship-building profession. Whether it’s collaborating with colleagues, fostering trust with parents, or connecting with students, relationships form the foundation of everything we do.

Moving Forward

In the following video, I’ll walk you through specific examples of how I’ve contributed to this semester’s learning community. From my interactions on Discord to blog comments and shared resources, this journey highlights the ways we’ve collectively built relationships through our learning experiences.

Thank you for being part of this journey—let’s continue to grow, learn, and support one another.

Learning Project #11. Its a Frozen Puddle…..But It might be cool some day

- Rob Huber Leave a comment

Wrapping Up the Learning Project: Building a Backyard Rink

Well, here we are! We’ve all made it to the end of our learning projects. Mine has been a rewarding and educational journey, filled with both successes and challenges, especially with the unusually warm weather we had leading up to the end of November. Here’s a breakdown of how my backyard rink project unfolded over the months, along with some key lessons I learned along the way.

If I Fix My Gate, Does That Make Me the Secretary of Defence?

This was my first playful thought as I ventured into the world of backyard rink construction. With winter sports being such a big part of Canadian culture, the idea of building a rink felt both ambitious and quintessentially Canadian. But like any good defense plan, success starts with preparation.

Poor Planning Leads to Poor Execution

When it comes to building a backyard rink, planning is everything. I quickly realized that without a solid plan, things can go off the rails fast. From choosing the right location to understanding the drainage and leveling of your yard, even the smallest oversight can lead to a rink that’s more puddle than paradise.

Lesson learned: Take the time to measure, map out your area, and prepare your materials. It’s a lot easier to fix problems on paper than on ice!

Ringette: Radically Canadian & Intro to OBS

While waiting for the weather to cooperate, I decided to dive into the history of ringette, a sport that’s uniquely Canadian. I also explored the basics of OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) to capture and share my learning journey. Ringette’s focus on teamwork and skill inspired me to think about how my rink could serve as a place to bring people together. OBS, on the other hand, was a helpful tool for documenting the process and learning something new along the way.

Waiting on Weather: Let’s Talk Equipment

By this point, it was clear that the warm weather wasn’t going to give me a break. While waiting for colder temperatures, I shifted focus to the specialized equipment used in ringette, including the unique stick design . This detour gave me a greater appreciation for the sport and its players while I continued to bide my time for ice-making weather.

Old-Fashioned Backyard Rink: The Walter Gretzky Method

When the weather finally started to cool down, I embraced the tried-and-true Walter Gretzky Method for rink building. This approach is as simple as it gets: use a sprinkler to lay down thin layers of water until a rink takes shape. It felt old-fashioned, but it worked! The simplicity of this method reminded me that sometimes, you don’t need fancy gadgets—just patience and persistence.

Making My Own Zamboni Out of PVC Pipe and a Garden Hose

With the rink finally forming, I faced a new challenge: maintaining a smooth surface. Enter my homemade Zamboni! Using PVC pipe and a garden hose, I crafted a DIY resurfacer to give the rink a fresh skating surface. It was a fun and creative project that made me feel like a true ice maintenance pro. Plus, it was a great example of how resourcefulness can turn a good idea into reality.

The Weather Must Be Changing—My Knee Hurts

Finally, the weather took a turn. Cold temperatures settled in, and my aching knee confirmed it was time to flood the rink properly. This stage felt like the culmination of weeks of waiting and planning. There’s nothing quite like seeing your vision start to take shape after so much anticipation.

Okay, I Have the Weather, But When Do I Find the Time?

As the semester neared its end, time management became my biggest challenge. Between assignments, exams, and rink flooding, finding the time to keep everything on track was tough. This phase of the project taught me a lot about prioritizing tasks and making the most of the limited hours in a day.

Ever Wonder Why We Use Hot Water to Flood a Rink Instead of Cold?

For my final learning post, I explored the science behind using hot water for rink flooding. While it might seem counterintuitive, hot water creates a smoother, clearer, and more durable ice surface by melting imperfections and reducing air bubbles. This step was the finishing touch to my backyard rink and a fitting way to wrap up the project.

Reflecting on the Journey

This project was about more than just building a rink—it was about learning, adapting, and finding joy in the process. From understanding the history of ringette to overcoming unexpected challenges, each phase taught me something new. While I didn’t achieve perfection, the experience was immensely rewarding, and I’m proud of what I accomplished.

Whether it’s skating with family or simply admiring the frozen expanse in my backyard, this rink is a testament to the value of patience, creativity, and determination.

Thanks for following along on my journey. Here’s to embracing challenges and learning something new every day!

 

 

Learning Post # 10, Ever wonder why we use hot water to flood a rink instead of cold?

- Rob Huber Leave a comment

We’ve all heard the saying that hot water boils faster than cold water. Next time you’re making some ramen, try starting with hot water and putting a lid on the pot—you’ll notice how much faster it reaches a boil. But does this logic also apply to freezing? At first glance, you might think cold water would freeze faster than hot water—and under most circumstances, you’d be right.

However, when it comes to creating an ice surface for skating, we should always aim to use hot water. While it may seem counterintuitive, flooding a rink with hot water is a widely accepted practice because it produces a smoother, more durable, and higher-quality ice surface.

Why Use Hot Water for Flooding a Rink?

  1. Hot Water Melts Imperfections
    When hot water is poured onto an ice surface, it melts the top layer of rough or uneven ice. This brief melting process smooths out scratches, chips, and other imperfections. As the hot water refreezes, it creates a uniform surface, resulting in smoother and harder ice that is ideal for skating.
  2. Air Bubbles Are Reduced
    Hot water contains less dissolved air than cold water. When it freezes, this reduced air content minimizes the formation of bubbles in the ice. The result is a denser, clearer ice surface that is stronger and less prone to chipping or cracking. Clear ice also enhances visibility, which is especially important for indoor rinks.
  3. Faster Freezing
    While it may seem surprising, hot water can freeze faster than cold water under specific conditions, a phenomenon known as the Mpemba Effect. In the context of rink flooding, the key is not just the temperature but how evenly the water is applied. Hot water spreads out thinly on the cold ice, allowing it to freeze quickly and uniformly.
  4. Better Ice Bonding
    Hot water temporarily melts the existing surface as it is applied, allowing it to bond seamlessly with the new layer of ice. This eliminates any weak points between layers that could lead to separation or cracking. Using cold water, by contrast, risks creating layers that don’t fully adhere to each other, resulting in weaker, less durable ice.
  5. Improved Skating Performance
    Smooth, dense ice isn’t just about aesthetics—it directly impacts the quality of skating. Skaters glide more efficiently on ice that is free of bubbles and rough patches. Whether for figure skating, hockey, or recreational skating, using hot water ensures a surface that enhances performance and reduces the risk of injury.

While cold water might seem like the obvious choice for freezing, when it comes to building a perfect skating rink, hot water is the way to go. It provides a smoother, denser, and more durable ice surface, improving both functionality and appearance. So, the next time you’re flooding a rink, remember that hot water is your best ally in creating a pristine skating experience.

My CPU is a neural-net processor; a learning computer….Ah crap it’s Skynet

- Rob Huber 1 Comment

When we think about artificial intelligence, many of us—especially those who grew up in a certain era—immediately picture the Terminator movies. For me, that’s where my mind goes. The idea of machines with human-like intelligence was science fiction not so long ago, but today, we’re living through the beginnings of that transformation.

I like to think of AI as being in its cocoon stage. What emerges from this cocoon—the electronic butterfly, so to speak—remains to be seen. What’s clear, though, is that we’re witnessing the dawn of a new era, one that will fundamentally change how we live, work, and teach. Education, in particular, is at the tip of the spear, with immense potential for AI to reshape how we approach learning and instruction.

The Role of AI in Education

One of the biggest challenges we face is figuring out how to incorporate AI ethically and effectively into schools. Speaking from experience, AI has already played a significant role in my growth as a student. When I started university, I wasn’t writing at a university level. But by using tools like Grammarly, my essay grades improved by about 10%. Later, when I discovered QuillBot, it added another 10%.

These tools didn’t do the work for me—they refined it. I see them as high-tech versions of tools we’ve always had, like spell checkers and thesauruses. Back in the day, I would have cracked open a physical thesaurus to find synonyms, defined those words in a dictionary, and then practiced using them in sentences. Now, technology streamlines that process. Tools like Grammarly don’t just correct errors—they teach you why something is incorrect, helping you improve as a writer.

Trying Out ChatGPT as an AI Tool

To explore AI further, I’ve been experimenting with ChatGPT, a tool that can do everything from answering questions to generating essays. Its potential in education is enormous.

How It Could Be Used in the Classroom:

  1. For Teachers:
    • Automating administrative tasks like creating lesson plans or grading objective assignments.
    • Crafting differentiated materials for students at varying skill levels, such as simplifying text for struggling readers or generating advanced questions for gifted learners.
    • Providing real-time feedback on student work, which can save hours of grading time.
  2. For Students:
    • Assisting with brainstorming ideas for projects or essays.
    • Providing explanations or clarifications on topics they struggle with, almost like having a personal tutor.
    • Encouraging creativity by helping students develop storylines, explore “what if” scenarios, or simulate debates on historical events.

Supporting Learning Styles and Critical Thinking:
AI tools like ChatGPT can cater to diverse learning styles. Visual learners could pair it with image-generation AI to create visual aids, while auditory learners might use it to generate scripts for role-play activities. AI can also assess student understanding by generating personalized quizzes or asking thought-provoking questions to encourage deeper engagement.

Ethical and Practical Challenges:

  1. Ethical Concerns:
    • Over-reliance: Students might use AI to complete assignments without fully understanding the material.
    • Academic honesty: At what point does using AI cross the line into cheating?
  2. Practical Challenges:
    • Accessibility: Not all schools have the resources to integrate AI tools equitably.
    • Teacher training: Educators need support to learn how to use these tools effectively.

My Perspective and AI’s Future in Education

AI isn’t the enemy of education—it’s a tool that can enhance it. But like any tool, it depends on how we use it. For example, asking ChatGPT to help refine a thesis statement or suggest an outline is, in my view, ethical. However, using it to write an entire essay undermines the purpose of the assignment.

Looking ahead, I believe we may need to rethink traditional assessments like essays. As AI evolves, assignments might shift to focus on creative projects, oral presentations, or collaborative problem-solving tasks—things that AI can support but not replicate entirely.

AI’s role in the classroom will likely grow, offering personalized learning experiences, automating repetitive tasks, and freeing up teachers to focus on deeper connections with their students. The key will be to integrate AI thoughtfully, ensuring it’s used to empower learning rather than replace it.

We’re just at the beginning of this journey. And while there’s uncertainty about what lies ahead, one thing is clear: education, like AI itself, is evolving.

Stay strong and curious,
Rob

Learning Post #9: Okay, I’ve got the weather, but when do I find the time.

- Rob Huber Leave a comment

What a difference a couple of weeks makes! Not long ago, we were enjoying snow-free days and relatively mild weather, but now we’re buried under tons of snow, and the chill has set in deeply. Winter has truly arrived. The problem is, where does one find the time to flood a rink when the semester grind is in full swing? Between assignments, projects, and exams, the to-do list feels endless.

This post isn’t just about the snow and rinks, though—it’s about survival. It’s about pushing through the fog of a long semester and making it to the finish line.

Surviving the End-of-Semester Grind

No matter how overwhelming the workload feels, it’s important to step back and breathe. As much as we have to do, we also have time. Sometimes, taking a moment to decompress can work wonders. Whether it’s a quick nap, a hot meal, or a short walk, these small breaks can help you refocus and recharge.

My Go-To Strategy: The BAC (Big-Ass Calendar)

One of the tools that keeps me sane is my trusty BAC (Big-Ass Calendar). Planning out tasks and deadlines visually helps me map out a realistic schedule, making sure I don’t overdo it or burn out. By breaking tasks into manageable chunks and spreading them over time, I can avoid that dreaded “running on fumes” feeling.

Sleep: The Ultimate Productivity Hack

Sleep is non-negotiable. It’s tempting to cut corners on rest to squeeze in more work, but it’s counterproductive. Good sleep—not just quantity but quality—helps keep your mind sharp and your body resilient. Find the amount that works for you, and prioritize it.

When Life Happens

The truth is, no matter how prepared you are, life sometimes throws a wrench into the plan. For me, the weather has been perfect for flooding the rink, but time has been my enemy. Between juggling coursework, especially the demanding workload of my ceramics class, and everything else on my plate, I just haven’t been able to get to it.

And that’s okay. Sometimes, we can’t do it all. The key is to focus on what we can control, tackle one thing at a time, and remember that this busy season is temporary.

Closing Thoughts

This one’s short but sweet. If you’re reading this, hang in there! The end is near, and you’re closer to the finish line than you think. Take care of yourself, stay organized, and don’t forget to take moments to rest and recharge.

Stay strong,