Last class

So I'm almost moved into my new temporary place before heading back to Canada in the spring. Thanks for being so polite and not pointing fingers as I walk in the class wearing the same clothes for the last 2 weeks. I've been a little more unshaven than usual as well as I'm living out of a box and have been moving locations the last several nights. One night I slept on a camping mat in the dining room in the house of a friend that moved to Oregon. I sound like a homeless vagabond. It's not that bad. We have lots of options and just have chosen to be free as the wind. Hopefully we don't freeze on the way.

Projects look good.

I Hope everyone feels like the class has been worth the time. Was this class good for the soul or was I just hyping it up erroneously.

I'll have the finals marked by next Monday and grades done by then as well. Shoot me an email if you want your final grade before it posts. No ones bribed me with chocolates this year. Too bad. I have a soft heart for those willing to part with candy. Guess I'll have to be extra tough on my grading.

Keep in touch. I'm on linkedIn. You can follow my future mishaps at http://www.thesimplefarm.com/ if you really want to know how I'm doing in the frozen Canadian tundra.

Homework:

Go skiing a bunch during the holidays.

P.S. don't know if I'll post anymore on this site. I'll keep it up for the good girly tunes as Candice would call them.

Anyone there?

So gave the last lecture to one person. Kind of a dissappointing showing. Hopefully you guys can stick it through to the end.


Homework:
P11-28A


P11-29A

P11-30A

P11-31A

P11-33A

Test night

Felt lonely tonight. Only had four students show up for the test. I assume that means Eric, Krystal and Ariel have gone the way of all the earth?

Guess Andrew and Reyna better find 2 buddies pretty quick to play monopoly with.

Josie says she's been studying since 7 am. That's my type of student. Nice dedication.

Andrew was looking off into space during the test. I think he was praying for answers or something.

Candice owes me one as her phone lost power at the beginning of the test. I was going to feign calculator non-pity but let her off easy.

Funnest part of the course is coming up. I love the next 3 chapters. Great stuff relating to markets, companies, banking, economy, etc.

Homework:

Read chapter 10

Test time again

Already that time again. Chapters 7-9 is tested this Thursday. Went over chapter 9 homework and went over what is on the test.

Almost rear ended someone coming into the college last night. I was quite sure it was Denise and she confirmed she locked breaks and went right past the turn off. Sorry for almost smashing bumpers with you.

Are you still around Eric, Andrew, Krystal, and Ariel? Haven't seen everyone together for a while.

Sounds like we are going to have to break Andrew, Krystal, Ariel and Reyna up. I hear you guys can't get together to do the project ever. If you can't, find 2 other friends and do the rolling process with them. You'll have to start again but maybe this will help get it completed. If you don't do the project it is very unlikely you can pass the course.

Let me know if I can help with anything.

Homework:
Study for test.
Keep doing project.

Chapter 9

Got through a lot of chapter 9 but will have a bit to go to meet our deadline this week. We have to finish the chapter, get done homework and go over the test which is on Thursday. We just have to cover intangible assets so that will only be around 20 mins of lecture.

Hope everyone is spending some time on the project. I heard one team is having issues finishing the rolling portion. Please get this done soon or we'll have to break you up and have you go your own seperate ways just so this can get done.

Project is due on the 30th. Time is creeping away.

Homework:
P9-27A


P9-28A

P9-29A

P9-30A

P9-31A

P9-32A

Done chapter 8

Finished off receivables chapter with a bang. Admitted to my credit follies of the past but talked about how credit is a plague and should be avoided at all costs. One of my favorite quotes on debt is:

“Interest never sleeps nor sickens nor dies; it never goes to the hospital; it works on Sundays and holidays; it never takes a vacation; it never visits nor travels; it takes no pleasure; it is never laid off work nor discharged from employment; it never works on reduced hours. . . . Once in debt, interest is your companion every minute of the day and night; you cannot shun it or slip away from it; you cannot dismiss it; it yields neither to entreaties, demands, or orders; and whenever you get in its way or cross its course or fail to meet its demands, it crushes you.” — J. Reuben Clark, namesake of the Brigham Young University Law School

Offered a sort of extra make up quiz type thing. If you read the first couple chapters of "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey I will count it as a makeup/freebie quiz. Once you start reading you will not want to stop so I don't really think I'll have to have you read more that 2 chapters. Post your short summary of the book as a comment so we all can benefit. If you write too much I'll doc you points but simply tell me what you think about the book.

We will finish off a few questions for chapter 8 then go right onto chapter 9.

Homework:

Finish chapter 8 homework
Read Chapter 9

Receivables

Had a good class last Thursday. Lots of stories once again. Talked about Aging versus direct write off method. Students always get this wrong. Make sure you understand it for the test.

Had a petty cash quiz. Looks like there was a little confusion on how to do that.

We'll finish the lecture and do some of the homework next lecture. Make sure you attempt the homework so you know what questions you want me to cover. We probably won't have time to cover all the homework questions so target the ones you want me to cover.

Homework:
P8-26A


P8-27A

P8-28A

P8-29A

P8-30A

P8-31A

P8-32A

accessory to a crime

I think I just became an accomplice to Krystal selling stolen goods. I showed her how to print off a bill of sale out of Word and then she told me how there is no title on the product she is selling so can't do it the normal way.

I'm innocent. I didn't do anything knowenly wrong.

At least I'm dealing with business people. Doing the books for stolen property is probably a skill I didn't think I'd be giving you guys.

Finished chapter 7. Did some homework. We will finish up the homework for chapter 7 and have a quiz. We'll then go onto chapter 8.

Homework:

Finish chapter 7 homework
Read chapter 8

Chapter 7 and test review

Lite night for student attendance. Still had a good lecture after handing back the test. BS and IS format is still a big issue. If you can't do financials you are destined to a life of dissappointment and frustration.

The internal control lecture is the hardest one for me to get through. I always have so many stories that I get side tracked too often. We got done about half of the lecture.

We found out Reyna loves paying $30 for a cup of coffee. Denise says there's 3 feet of snow at the summit. Candice's mom is an IT watchdog at a company she won't specify.

I caught myself telling the same story for the 3rd time. You know the semester must be inching it's way along when I start repeating myself over and over again.

Here's the info on that career thing I saw.

*******************
FOR YOUR STUDENTS: Nov 18th- the Microsoft Certified Career Conference


Microsoft Learning is holding Career Conferences, November 18th that will be held 24 hours – virtually. Filled with career advice, technical deep dives and networking with Microsoft technology experts and recruiters looking to hire.

Session Highlights:

• Conference Sessions

Twenty-four hours of live, online presentations by knowledgeable speakers (for a list of sessions and speakers, click here)

Here are some great examples of content, including career Advice from Experts and technology related session.

o "Where Do I Go From Here with My Life?" - Dick Bolles - Author of 'What Color is your Parachute'

Career Essentials: Finding your first job before graduation

o Microsoft Official Course 10174 – SharePoint 2010 Administration

o The 60 Minute Windows 7 Wizard: 20 end user tricks that will change the way you work

o A Day in The Life: My first year at work

o Microsoft Cloud Solutions - An overview of the cloud and what it means to you

o Opportunity Knocks - Windows Phone 7

o Super Cert Me: Exam 70-680: Windows 7, Configuring

Career Networking:

• Exhibit Hall

Where Microsoft Learning Partners, Students To Business, Monster, MSEmploy, Career Builder, Avanade with Student jobs and others will showcase their offerings/services to the conference attendees

• Employer Hall

Where employers and attendees can connect about real career opportunities

• Virtual Lounge

Where all participants can mingle and chat

This is a great source of Softskill and technical content that will add to your student outreach, and student at events numbers, while helping students network with industry, prepare for a career and land an internship or job.

Here's the link to it. http://www.msregistration.com/msl


Homework:

P7-26A


P7-27A

P7-28A

P7-29A

P7-30A

P7-31A

P7-32A

Test night

Tell me it's wrong that I saw a jeep in the parking lot with 6 inches of snow on the roof. My kids and I cheered when we heard there might be snow today. We've already tried boots on and the kids have their season passes. Not sure what I'm going to do this year. I'd like to get a pass but am not sure how much time I'll have this year to play. I still hope it snows soon.

Looks like everyone has taken me up on the cheat sheet. You'd be amazed how many students come without a cheat sheet even when it's offered.

I'll email Denise and Josie the career thing. They are the only ones that seem to care. Remind me if I don't send it out by tomorrow.

Been busy at work lately with the Portland State University students. Their professor has their first project due this week so of course everyone is trying to access the system for the first time. There have been many calls about how to get in. Funny thing is there's been a whole month before this first project is due. I guess students are all the same. That brings me to our project. Give me some good news. Are you done with the monopoly portion yet? I'm going to be in Canada over Thanksgiving so will be out of touch for questions. Get me you questions before the last day or so. One month and counting before D day.

Homework:

read Chapter 7

Chapter six homework

Only caught a few yawns tonight. I count it a victory when I don't put anyone to sleep or if I can keep Candice from texting too many times.

Went through some monopoly questions. Looks like you guys are almost there. Did Andrew ever show up for the game?

Went through the test with everyone. Hopefully that helps for studying. Last time I asked how long everyone studied for. Varied from "I didn't" to 12 hours. I'd guess 5 to 10 hours for studying isn't too outlandish for a test. But that's just me who isn't too smart.

I told everyone at the end of class that I'd allow a cheat sheet of letter size paper. Hopefully Eric is reading this blog as he left class when I said everyone could leave if they wanted.

Krystal and Ariel look like they are getting this stuff. Denise has really good questions.

Any project questions?

Check out this job fair type thing with Microsoft. http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=3000704&type=member&item=32807869 Any one looking for an IT job may be interested. Or just job hunting in general

Homework:
Study for the test

Chapter 6

I like lecture nights. Went through FIFO, LIFO and Average costing along with a few concepts that relate. I saw the monopoly folks getting their project going. Good to see. I guess everyone is skipping out Tuesday so I will have to talk debits and credits during my bedtime stories to my kids.

Test is next Tuesday. Not this Tuesday but the one after this Thursday. Come to call on Thursday so I can tell you what's on the test.

Homework:
P6-29A


P6-30A

P6-31A

P6-32A

P6-33A

P6-34A

P6-36B

Chapter 5 homework

Told my dead cat story last night. Pretty dreadful experience. We didn't go back to that store too often. There wasn't many stores on the island so had to do it occassionally.

Talked about Williamsburg Pottery, Lowes, Walmart, the project, etc.

Looks like the project groups are set. Let me know if you have any questions before the 19th. Special journals are usually the main question.

Homework:

Finish chapter 5 homework
Read chapter 6

Merchandising

Good class tonight even though most of you were missing. Almost got through chapter 5 and assigned homework. Talked about the different aspects of the merchandising business.

Andrew told us about how people can monitor businesses for them and make money by narking on shoplifters. Great gig. What's the link to that Andrew?

Talked about Walmart, Uncle Milton, Target, Costco, Paradise, maggot bars, witch hazel or whatever it was that we returned overnight for $80 to a customer. And many more stories.

I'm thinking about making the 19th an optional monopoly class. Get in groups and come if you want. I can be here in case you need me. What do you think?

Homework:
Do homework assigned in the last blog. I really mean it or I'm going to look meanly at you in class. Maybe snort and huff. You won't like my mean face. It's really scary.

Homework

So I get the feeling not too many of you are doing homework. It's not that effective to do it in class if you haven't tried it yourself. Please at least attempt to do it.

Homework for Chapter 5:

P5-26A


P5-27A

P5-28A

P5-29A

P5-31A

P5-32A

Chapter 4

Gave back the tests on Thursday and had a quiz. For some reason a lot of people skip the day after a test. Don't know why that is. Easy quiz. I'll give you half marks if you answer these questions as a comment here.

*******************
What do you like best about Acct 201?


What can be done to improve Acct 201?

What is working well in classroom instruction?

What should be done to improve classroom instruction?

Did you do all/most of the homework by yourself before class?

How long did you study for the test?
****************

Almost finished chapter 4. We'll for sure finish tonight and go onto homework.

Gave out the project as well. Need to get into teams of 4. Let me know if you have any questions about the project. It's worth 25% of your grade.

See everyone tonight.


Homework:

P4-23A


P4-24A

P4-25A

P4-26A

P4-27A

P4-29A

Test night

Test night is always boring. I stand up at the front for two hours trying to entertain myself with marking, blogging, etc. I don't get to tell any stories or talk Debits and Credits. Wish I could just do away with tests but I suppose the students would revolt if they didn't get to take a test and have a night off from listening to me.

Everyone showed up so no dropping the course from here on out. Why go through the agony of 25% of the course if you were just going to drop?

Didn't hear too many cuss words or groans of agony. How was the test?

Did you try the homework before coming to class? I think that is the main thing that determines the grade in the class. Either that or really good bribes. ha.

I have a few people that have earned points for commenting on the blogs. So far I have Josie with 3, Reyna 1, Candice 1, and Denise 1. Long way to go if you want to get full marks for the blogging quiz. If i've missed any useful comments let me know. I'd hate to cheat you out of a point or so. Either that or just make a comment. Easy quiz marks.

No one's linked to me via LinkedIn. I feel so rejected. You should connect with me. I've been useful to quite a few students wanting references for jobs, scholarships etc.

Homework:

Read chapter 4

Test time

My Fargo trip went pretty well. Hard to really have that much fun in Fargo, ND but it was a good event overall. Glad to be back.

Went through the test last Thursday and got through most of the homework. Still seeing some questions on debits and credits but the glazed looks are not as frequent as at the beginning of the semester.

We'll see how well everyone gets this stuff after grading the test.

Homework:
Study for test

Adjustments

Good class last night. Lots of interaction and since Reyna and Ariel were missing we only had 6 people there to do homework with. Hopefully Ariel does her homework so she can't say "I just don't get this". Ariel, you know if you came to class you would get it.

Candice spends most of the class texting. I'm thinking she's filling in her friends on debits and credits or retelling my funny jokes. there are three types of accountants. Those who can count and those who can't.  I don't get it. me either. Lame.

Andrew is getting things. Looks like sitting at the back isn't that bad.

Me and Denise were in the zone talking debits and credits.

I think Eric sits at the front because he wants an A.

Krystal is great to have in class. I don't know if she is paying that close of attention but she always smiles and kind of fake laughs at my jokes. At this point I know how to pretend people are enjoying the class. It's the little things that makes coming in at 7 pm 2 nights a week worth while.

I'm kind of in a sarcastict mood as you can tell. Spent all day fixing problems. No one yelled at me today so at least I have that.

Everyone should be on myaccountinglab now. Let me know if you are not.

No class on Tuesday. I'll be in "Fardakota" as my 3 year old girl is saying.

Homework:

Finish up homework for chapter 3.

Quiz day and chapter 3

Always like lecture day. These first 3 chapters don't have too much story telling as it's more getting our feet wet. Starting chapter 4 I'll have lots of stories to tell.

Ariel chose accounting over speech. Good choice in my opinion. How often in life do you get to learn things that will change your life. Intro to Accounting is one of those courses.

Candice doesn't get my jokes yet. She hasn't become an accounting geek yet. Just wait. It will happen.

Candice and Eric found the blog. Josie is getting into leaving comments. Denise deserves a punch in the nose as she's signed up 2 times now for myaccounting lab. I hear the keys I sent worked so make sure you sign up.

Got done a homework problem, quiz, then half ways through chapter 3. We'll finish the chapter and get onto homework.

Homework:

E3-19


E3-21

P3-28A

P3-29A

P3-30A

P3-32A

P3-33A

P3-34A