Physical & Chemical Changes

In this video podcast I demonstrate the difference between physical changes and chemical changes. A physical change does not alter the matter (steam and ice are still both water and can both turn back into liquid water) but a chemical change actually alters the matter (for example water can cause iron to rust, and this is not reversible). Stand back and watch these action-packed physical and chemical changes to a Lego house... and as usual, don't try this at home. The video is here and the soundtrack can be found on

New Disco Ball

What's a DJ without a disco ball, right? So I went and bought one and I'm loving it. Unfortunately, it was the kind you have to screw into a ceiling. Since I'm a mobile DJ, I needed one that could sit on a table or something. I was able to MacGyver it so it worked at its debut during VSTE's Casino Night. But it's pretty unsteady the way I have it now. It's sitting in a plastic tube with a paperclip acting as a pin to connect it to the motor. Anyway, I set it up in the living room and used the projector to shine iTunes visualizations on the wall. As you can see in this podcast video, it's going to make a great party mood enhancer. The soundtrack in the video is "Missing Piece" by Wazari.

VSTE Conference 2007

In today's video podcast we compare appropriate and inappropriate winter clothing and activities (Virginia SOL 1.7). It was filmed at Virginia Beach this past weekend where the current ocean temperature is a chilly 47.5 degrees! Our team was there for the annual VSTE Conference. On Monday I presented a workshop titled "Speed Dating with Databases" which basically involved speeding through a bunch of different databases until you found one you liked then creating your own database. If you'd like to see the online version you can visit my website. On Monday night, I was the DJ for the Casino Night at the hotel. That was a lot of fun... even though I was dancing by myself most of the time. Here's my DJ site. I go by the name DJ Dave Rave. Maybe I'll make a podcast of that as well, but for now, enjoy the Winter Weather Podcast. The sound clips in the video are from "Automatic Override"

What's Inside A TV?

In today's video podcast we break open a TV to look at all its circuit board guts and brains, then we smash it... just to see what happens. Remember kids, don't try this at home!
Gutted TV Podcast

Western Night

Tuesday night was western night at my wife's preschool. I was the guest speaker. I was supposed to be a sheepherder, although I know nothing about sheep. But I basically spoke about all the amazing sheep imagery in the Bible. We are like sheep in so many ways... we need a Shepherd to take care of us. We may think we can survive on our own, but we can't. Sheep are defenseless and when they wander away from the shepherd they are easy prey for wild animals. They are also kind of stupid. They will follow their appetites even if that leads them to eating poisonous plants. Do you see the parrallels? "We all like sheep have gone astray..." (Isaiah 53:6) The Bible also speaks of God as our Shepherd, not only in the famous Psalm that we all know, but in Ezekiel 34 and John 10 His Shepherd's heart is described with great tenderness. You should read those chapters sometime if you ever feel like God doesn't love you. "He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart." (Isaiah 40:11) Finally Jesus is described as the Lamb of God. Why? Because in ancient times lambs were sacrificed to pay for people's sins. But of course lamb blood cannot really pay for the wrongs we have done. Only our own blood... or the blood of someone who will take the punishment for us... someone who is pure and doesn't need to shed any blood for his own sins... that is who Jesus Christ is... He didn't die on the cross as an example or as a martyr or as an unjustly condemned man... he died a criminal's death because he was taking on the crimes of humanity...your crimes... mine. "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter..." (Isaiah 53:7) Did it work? Did God accept the payment? That's the beauty of Easter! Christ rose again, victorious over death and sin. That proves it right there! His salvation is sure. If you've strayed away from Him, He's looking for you... and He doesn't give up easily. I know... I've strayed many times, but he's always brought me back. Sometimes it's gently over his shoulder, sometimes he has to rough-handle me to get me back where I need to be, but he always does.

Every Year About This Time....

...I get a speeding ticket. Last year it was the first day of Spring Break. This year it's two days before Spring Break. I don't know if it's spring fever or just the music I listen too. Tonight I was listening to "The Devil's Right Hand"

I had just turned out of the gym and was driving down the road at a leisurely 48 mph, when I saw the flashing red and blue lights. Unfortunately it was in a residential neighborhood. So that's a $200 fine + $50 processing fee + $10 local fee + $7 for every mph over the speed limit (I was 13 mph over). It adds up to $351. I'm teaching this ESL class hoping to make $600 towards a new computer. Now with this speeding ticket plus a dentist bill for a cracked tooth... I won't be getting a new computer. Darn. It's strange how it works that way. Seems like when we make extra money we lose it just as fast. I was asking God about it (I was kinda mad at Him actually). I mean I tithe 10%, I'm honest on my taxes, and I buy Wal-Mart crap instead of the good stuff... so why can't I just keep a little extra spending money?? One of the great things about God is that He lets you vent. Then He gently prods you with the truth: "David, you were speeding. You like speeding. You know it's wrong but you do it anyway. It wasn't My hand on the wheel... and it wasn't the Devil's right hand... it was your hand." So I'll pay the price for my sins, and thank God that I don't have to pay the eternal price, because He paid that for me.

Poetry Jam

A fellow TRT and I were brainstorming ideas for student-created podcasts. One was the historical interview (see below) and another was a poetry jam. I actually don't know what a poetry jam is, but I just assumed it was putting your poetry to music. So I wrote a poem about something that is near and dear to my heart (multitasking) and put it to a dance beat. It took about 20 tries because I kept forgetting my lines... so if I sound a little "off" ... that's why (actually I just don't know how to sing).
Poetry Jam

What Does a TRT Do Anyway? Part 3

This is the third episode in the thrilling TRT series which describes my job responsibilities. Here I model teaching the students how to use the AppleWorks database I created based on the teacher's ideas. Don't be expecting Episode 4 in this series anytime soon. I never got around to making it. I actually didn't make it to a lot of other podcasts I was supposed to create because the Poetry Jam one (which I am posting next) took up so much time. So Jenn, I apologize for NOT making the ESL podcast OR the math tutorial podcast OR the field trip interview podcast... but I'm just wondering how many podcasts YOU created??
TRT3

What Does a TRT Do Anyway? Part 2

In this second installment of my podcast series describing the duties of a TRT (Technology Resource Trainer) I show how I develop a lesson combining the teacher's ideas with technology. Here I've developed a database in AppleWorks.
TRT2

What Does a TRT Do Anyway? Part 1

This is the first in a series of podcasts which I am posting to explain the different parts of my job as a TRT (Technology Resource Trainer). In this example I demonstrate meeting with a teacher to discuss an upcoming technology lesson.
TRT1

Columbus Podcast

In this podcast I demonstrate how students could create an online interview with a famous person to review with their classmates. One student acts as the interviewer and the other student acts as the historical character. Here, we interview Christopher Columbus.
Columbus Podcast