Week Nine: Time for a Break?

As we continue our journey into technology and beyond, I hope you are starting to become one with the computer. I know, I know, that isn't true of everyone. . .but a tech teacher can dream, can't he?

This week: I want everyone to concentrate on finishing loose ends. . .Inspiration, writing the narrative for NETS-I. . .those pesky journals, etc. I have also posted the excel/spreadsheet assignment that will be your virtual assignment for next week. . .don't forget, I have to be out of town, so you will be working from the comfort of your own computer next week. . .

Journal 7 & 8: Again, I will give you freedom to find an article of your choosing, but if you having been thinking too much, I recommend two articles from L&L:
Envisioning the Future of Education, by Mark van't Hooft, and Making Field Trips Podtastic!, By Aliece M. Weller, John C. Bickar, and Paul McGuinness. Some of you may have already chosen one of these articles. . .in which case, you may wait until you receive the April issue of L&L!!

This week's question: What is more important to you, the skills you acquire in school or the grades? If this class were pass/fail, would you work just as hard? Explain.

Week Eight: What's Half of Eternity?

I believe we are actually at the half-way point of the course. . .I'm sure it seems longer for many of you. I have been crazy-busy for the last two weeks. I hope to catch up on all of the grading in the next week. I have attended conferences for the last two weekends, which has dramatically cut into my free and work time.

Tonight: We will revisit TaskStream and discuss the narrative and practice writing the narrative for NETS-I. If time permits, I will also introduce you to Web 2.0, the source of Journal 6.


Journal 6: Yes, there are more journals. . . I would like you to pick a technology from the Classroom 2.0 website (I highly recommend joining!), choose a link from the tools list on the right hand column for a technology that interests you, and follow a discussion or two (or three. . .) that relates to your technology. If there are no discussions for your technology, choose another topic.
In the title bar, put journal 6 follwed by the technology you have chosen. (For example: Journal 6: Microblogging). In the journal, I would like you to define the technology and then report out on what you learned from the tool discussion and read and comment on at least three peers who have chosen a different tool. You reporting out should contain the 200-250 word minumum, but you do not need to ask and answer questions. In the assignments section, you will submit your peers names.

This week's question: Okay, so I send you to your destination of choice for Spring Break, but your three-hour tour turns into . . .you being stranded indefinitely. You can only bring one book or author, one movie or film maker, and one CD or group/artist. . .what do you bring?
I'll bring Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Lawrence Kasdan or the Coen Brothers, and Radiohead or R.E.M if I'm feeling nostalgic!

Week Seven: Whee, Welcome to the Wonderful World of Wiki!

Life is a roller coaster (okay, it's not really a roller coaster; it's a cheesy overlay in the new version of Photobooth taken this morning while I spent the morning with a sick Lily, but it was still a wild ride!)

You should be knee-deep into a few assignments: copyright, journals, Inspiration, will it ever end? Tonight we are going to discuss wikis! This tool, and host (wetpaint) is very cool with wide-reaching implications in your life and future classroom! Please don't hesitate to come early to class if you are having any difficulties. . .I am always here early.

Journal 5: This is the extra-credit journal. Please choose something from the newest issue of L&L.
Don't Forget: the extra-credit only counts if it is completed B-4 the deadline!

This week's Question: What is your ultimate vacation? Imagine I could send you any place of your choosing for spring break. Where would you go, and what would you do???