Technology should not replace writing skills

One of the biggest mistakes being made by educators is the push toward technology, technology, and even more technology.
I cringed as I watched the KOAM Morning News report today on the new laptop computers that have been provided to high school students by the Baxter Springs School District.
The use of technology should be increasing in the classroom, and in most places it is, but it should not be replacing basic skills that are necessary to succeed in life, and that is exactly what the KOAM report indicated is happening in Baxter Springs.
These laptops will replace term papers, the report said, while one giddy teenage girl said she would much prefer to read items off the Internet than to open a book.
Instead of term papers, the report indicated, students will prepare powerpoint presentations and I-movies for teachers to grade.
If that truly represents how Baxter Springs officials intend to use the technology, then I feel sorry for the students in that school district. While they are having fun with powerpoints and movies, the ones who go on to college are going to find themselves left behind.
The idea behind term or research papers has never been to punish students; it is to help them to learn how to collect research, then put it together in logical, readable fashion. While powerpoint presentations and movies make great additions and can be used to augment the basic research paper, they should never replace it.
The Joplin R-8 School District, my employer, has a strong emphasis on technology in the classrooms, but not at the expense of the basic fundamental skills that students have to know in order to succeed in society.
Technology is just another weapon in the educator's arsenal. There are teachers in this school district and others who use technology more than I do, but it is extremely useful in my classroom.
Here are just a few examples of how I use technology:
-To save the district on the cost of paper and to save the turnaround time on sending tests to the central office for copying, I put my tests on my class website, www.room210.com. The students take the tests in the computer lab and when they are finished, they can surf the net while they wait for the other students to complete their work.
-The class website in itself is a method of helping students. They can find out what work they need to complete, what assignments are coming up in the next few days, and learn about the class. Plus, it is a great incentive for them to know that some of their best work will be placed on one of the website's pages.
-During the second semester, my eighth grade communication arts classes will research various aspects of the Civil Rights movement as part of a 1,000-point research project. The project does include a multi-media aspect, in which students can do an I-movie or complete a powerpoint presentation, but they also have to do an oral presentation and the centerpiece of the project is a 1,000 word research paper. The project takes up six or seven weeks of the third quarter, but it is well worth it. The eighth graders spend a week in the computer lab researching on the Internet, but they are also required to use and to include at least two book sources in their bibliographies.
By all means, give the students access to technology for research purposes, and allow them to do movies and powerpoint, but don't allow the technology to replace the basic writing and speaking skills that they will need to function as productive members of society.

Nodler more than doubles lobbyist gifts

More than half of the gifts State Senator Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, has received from lobbyists have come since the conclusion of the 2005 legislative session, according to Missouri Ethics Commission documents.
Nodler had received $474.83 in gifts when the session ended. His total now stands at $998.33, including more gifts in September, $478.50, than he received during the first five months of the calendar year.
Information posted this week to the Ethics Commission website shows Nodler receiving $240 for entertainment on Sept. 8 from lobbyist John E. Bardgett Jr. The lobbyists' disclosure forms are not released until later in the month to give the legislators a chance to review them, so there is no way of telling just who Bardgett was representing, but his earlier filings indicate most of them are for his own lobbying firm, Bardgett and Associates.
Nodler also recorded $238.50 for meals, food and beverage from David Klarich, whose clients include Southwestern Bell.
As I pointed out in the Aug. 7 Turner Report, even though the amount of gifts Nodler had received from lobbyists at that time was low, he was milking the cash cow in other ways.
A review of campaign committee disclosure forms on file with the Missouri Ethics Commission, shows that in the past year Nodler has received $2,100 in contributions from registered lobbyists and another $600 from a lobbyist's wife.
The most recent disclosure form, from July, shows Nodler receiving the following amounts from lobbyists:
-$6oo from Mark Rhoads, who among other clients, represents the Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association, AT&T, and the Insurance Coalition.
-$150 from J. Scott Marrs, who lists the Missouri Hospital Association, city of Springfield, Southwest Missouri State University, Bass Pro, Springfield Public Schools, and Springfield City Utilities among his clients.
-$150 from Gary Sharpe, lobbyist for Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, Missouri Association of School Administrators, and Missouri Council of School Administrators.
-$250 from Penman & Winton, a lobbying firm. Lobbyists Scott Penman and David Winton represent Southwestern Bell (SBC) and BSC Healthcare Systems.
-$250 from Burch & Associates, the lobbying firm operated by former State Rep. Jerry Burch, who represents Missouri Hospital Association, Southwest Missouri State University, Greene County Commission, Springfield City Utilities, and the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
-$150 from Kyna Iman, lobbyist for Missouri Southern State University
-$100 from Douglas Burnett, who represents the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Missouri Motor Carriers Association, and Boone County
-$100 from William E. Shoehigh, lobbyist for the Apollo Group, Dell, and Microsoft
During the October 2004 filing, Nodler received $175 from Iman, $175 from The Swain Group, a lobbying firm that represents Citizens Healthcare Association, Kansas City Chiefs, Missouri Energy Corp., and CenturyTel.
During that time period, Nodler also received the maximum $600 from Sharon Beshore, wife of Lance Beshore, a registered lobbyist for Leggett & Platt.
Those contributions were among the $51,970.34 Nodler had in his campaign war chest,at the time of the last disclosure report.
For a thorough examination of Nodler's campaign finances, take a glance at the Aug. 7 Turner Report posting.

Hurricanes cause disruption in La-Z-Boy supply chain

The effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita have hit home for La-Z-Boy, Inc., according to a statement filed this week with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CEO Kurt Darrow said the company, which employs more than 1,000 in Neosho, has been told that its supply of TDI (toluene diisocyanate) a key chemical component of polyurethane foam, which is used in upholstery, will be sharply reduced.
According to the filing, "The company also said that this situation,coupled with the continued soft retail environment and damage to one of its plants by a tornado spawned from Hurricane Rita will have a significant adverse impact on its results for the fiscal 2006 second quarter and potentially beyond."
The reduction of TDI, which has been estimated at 50 percent will affect La-Z-Boy more than others in the furniture industry "given the higher percentage of upholstery in our overall product mix," Darrow said.

Blunt-DeLay transactions drawing scrutiny

Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt appears poised to be dragged into the ongoing Tom DeLay controversy. Check out the article from the Springfield News-Leader.

'Small Town News' can be ordered through Books-A-Million

Today was a pretty exciting day for me. After my seventh hour class ended at 3 p.m., I went downstairs to check the mail slots in the counselor's office. I noticed a UPS box and it contained my 10 free copies of "Small Town News."
It is hard to describe the feeling; after 35 years of just dreaming of being in print, I can now hold a book with my name on the cover and (unfortunately) my picture on the back cover.
Things have been moving rapidly on the promotional end. One of my former students, Ashley Nickolaisen, a freshman at Diamond High School, e-mailed me earlier this week and asked if I would be interested in speaking at an event being set up by a teen group which was recently formed to draw young people to the Neosho Library. Students from Diamond, East Newton, Neosho, and Seneca are involved. I will have my first book signing there sometime the week of Oct. 16-22 (the date will be set sometime in the next couple of days).
Any of you who think you might be there and be interested in buying a book, let me know so I will know how many to have available that night. If I understand it right, people will also be listening to me speak and the public at large is going to be invited. (Obviously, we will have to check for weapons at the door.)
I also discovered today that, for the first time, "Small Town News' is listed on the Books-A-Million website. So you can order it over the Internet or ask the people at Books-A-Million to order it for you. It will soon be available through the Hastings, Amazon.com, Borders, and WaldenBooks sites, among others. I will update you as I find out more.
I have also been contacted by two area newspapers already for interviews (I will tell you who they are, once the interviews have taken place.) Last weekend, I was interviewed by a reporter for Missouri Southern State University's magazine, "Crossroads."
I will be honest with you, I have been stunned, but deeply gratified, by the high level of interest in this book.

Accused double-murderer sues sheriff

Jasper County authorities say Micah Joel Holman brutally murdered Marvin and Peggy Steverson of Carthage, and then burned their home to erase the evidence, but Holman also has a complaint against them.
Holman, who currently receives his mail at the Jasper County Jail, claims that Sheriff Archie Dunn and his deputies have violated his civil rights by going through that mail, so naturally he is suing them.
In documents filed Tuesday in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Holman claims that on Sept,. 3 "I was given my mail by Detention Officer Graham, which consisted of legal mail, clearly marked as such, from my attorney of record, Mr. Joe Zuzul, public defender, 121 West Cherry Street, Nevada, MO.
"I believe my attorney/client privilege was violated by the opening of this mail, mainly the third and fourth amendments."
Upset that his constitutional rights had been so grossly abused, the accused killer set out to put things right. He asked an officer, "Do you remember handing me a letter from my attorney that had been opened." The officer said he did, but that he wasn't the one who had done it.
Holman went into Sherlock Holmes mode, attempting to determine who had messed with his mail. He was told the person who did had already been spoken to and that it never should have happened. "I asked him what he was going to do about this," Holman wrote, "and all he could say was, 'Really, what can I do?"
Holman says he requested a grievance form, filled it out, but has never heard from anyone since, so he decided to sue.
Not surprisingly, Holman say, he wants money

Turner to speak at Southern Media Showcase

I have neglected to mention this, but I will be speaking Thursday, Oct. 27, at the annual Southern Media Showcase at Missouri Southern State University.
The annual event is held to recognize work done by area high school and middle school students with video and with newspapers. The students will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions given by a number of speakers. Mine will be on news and blogging.

McDonald County teen's conviction tossed

A McDonald County teenager, referred to as V.F.S., will no longer have a conviction on his record, thanks to a decision issued Sept. 27 by the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Southern District.
VFS had been convicted of endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree after giving a fellow McDonald County High School student over-the-counter pills resulting in an overdose that sent the youngster to a hospital emergency room.
In its decision, the appellate panel said VFS had no way of knowing that the victim was less than 17 years old. "Here, the most that can be said about victim's age is that he was in high school," the opinion said. "This fact does not prove that (he) was under the age of 17. Moreover, there is absolutely no evidence indicating that VFS knew victim's age. Due to this failure of proof, the judgment must be reversed."
According to the opinion, only one witness, Assistant High School Principal Greg Leach, testified at VFS' hearing. He said "a coach told him that a student (the victim) told some girls he was under the influence of drugs, and was freaking out. Eventually, Victim told Leach VFS has given him some pills. Leach called an ambulance and the victim was taken to a hospital, the opinion said.
VFS told Leach, "Well, I gave him some--he gave me some money. I bought him some pills. I bought him Coricidin Cough & Cold and some Dramatine and he took those this morning."

Braxton Wooden lawsuit removed to federal court

It appears a wrongful death lawsuit against the Missouri Department of Social Services and the foster parents of eight-year-old Braxton Wooden will be heard in federal court.
The lawsuit was originally filed Aug. 26 in Jasper County Circuit Court by Brandie McLean's Braxton's mother. Braxton was in the care of Mark and Treva Gordon, Alba, when he was shot to death by their 15-year-old son, Ethan Gordon, on June 2. Ethan Gordon is also a defendant in the lawsuit, as are Social Services caseworkers John McGinnis and Mickey Morgan. A notice or removal to federal court was filed last week.
According to the petition, "Ethan Gordon knew or should have known that the gun was loaded with ammunition."
Mark and Treva Gordon owned the 38 caliber Smith and Wesson gun that killed Braxton Wooden, as well as other weapons and ammunition, the petition said. "Weapons, specifically firearms, were accessible to the children in the foster home in violation of state foster care regulations and Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division policy."
The petition continues, "Mark and Treva Gordon knew or should have known the location in which they kept the gun was accessible to the minor child," and that Ethan Gordon "was not mature enough to exercise the proper degree of care in the use and control of the gun."
Ms. Morgan and her McGinnis, who was her manager and supervisor, were also responsible for Braxton Wooden's death, the lawsuit said, because they failed to determine "that Mark and Treva Gordon were unfit persons to act as foster parents."
The caseworkers also failed to "monitor" and to provide "adequate supervision and caseworker services to Braxton Deshawn Wooden," the petition said.
It also said the caseworkers failed to investigate whether hazardous items were accessible to children. The petition says, "Braxton Deshawn Wooden was subject to physical and emotional deprivation" and he suffered "severe and violent injuries," and was "subject to extreme emotional and psychological distress in that he suffered and endured an unstable family environment, humiliation, mental anguish and fear."
The state workers were "negligent, careless, grossly negligent, imprudent and reckless and totally without thought as to the safety and welfare of others and with complete indifference to or conscious disregard for the safety of others," the petition said.
Ms. McLean, who is represented by Joplin attorney Juddson McPherson, is asking for money to cover funeral and burial expenses, the pain and suffering of Braxton Wooden prior to his death, the "past and future loss of services, consortium, companionship, comfort, instruction, guidance, counsel, training and support," as well as punitive damages and attorney fees, according to the petition.

The Hill: Congressman's position is shaky

Many news reports have characterized Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt as on the way to the top after his ascension to the Majority Leader position following last week's indictment of Tom DeLay, but an article in the influential The Hill magazine indicates his grip on power may be somewhat precarious.