hack to school night

(my t-shirt from OSCON)
 





To be clear: the word hack has been associated with definitions ("sharp cough, "cut with unskillful blows," & "illegal/unauthorized computer access," e.g.) that do not describe what we do.

We make connections and facilitate conversations that help people learn.   We build, evaluate and modify things to make them work better.

You know how they say, "[So'n'so] just can't hack it?" Well, we can.

The old-school Back to School Night was invented as a cure for conversations like this one:

"Ay, mijo, how was your day?
Fine.
"What did you do?"
Nothing.
"Where did you go?"
Nowhere.
"Who were you with?"
No one.
"What did you learn?"
...

So, at Back-- er, Hack to School night, we are at it again. You are about to become the best spokesperson for your education and your life. You will connect with someone important to you. You will offer them the benefit of what you know and you will find a way to learn from them too. Lastly, you will share new ideas about technology and how you can use it to get ahead in life.

Here's how:
1. Think about the following questions and prepare answers to them;
2. Find an interested parent/guardian/sibling/relative/friend to interview you;
3. Set up a device to capture the interview in a video;
(NOTE 1: Ask them permission to show them in your video -- if it's not ok, choose an angle that doesn't show faces. That's for your comfort too.)
(NOTE 2: You can use any video platform you like, such as YouTube, Flip Grid, or Tik Tok -- and if you've never used video before, join us for Monday's zoom meeting to ask questions and get help.)
3. Have them ask you the questions, be suitably brilliant in your replies, and demand that they take notes so that you know they're paying attention;
4. Embed the video on your blog;
5. Congratulate yourself on your success.

Here are the questions: 
(If you have any trouble answering these, email me and/or join us Monday to ask questions and get help.)


1. What has been the hardest part of starting school during the pandemic?
2. What have you enjoyed the most about starting school during the pandemic?
3. What are your goals in this course this year? What do you want to learn or get better at?
4. What's one habit you can start, stop, or improve to support your success?
5. What grade do you expect to earn on the semester report card?