Tech Task

I recently listened to a podcast about the benefits of podcasting within the classroom and it's different applications. The podcast, Podcasts for Educators, Schools, schools, schools, by Dave Jobbings, highlighted various different podcasts on his show. Two were of students creating there own, one group from Maine, USA, and the other from Scotland. Another of the podcasts was a story corner and the last was a music lesson. Jobbings' very short podcast compiled great examples of who can use podcasts and why to use them. They are also a great way for educators to keep up on the profession. A very multifaceted tool indeed!

My Hot Potato

I just made this awesome Hot Potato Quiz. Maybe you'll see it soon on my major project!

My Eportfolio

Well everyone, my electronic portfolio is almost complete, and might I say, it was not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. I was worried that I would have to learn HTML all over again, and seeing as the last time I learned it, back in 2000, it didn't really make sense, I was a little worried this time. Thankfully, a means of creating a webpage visually as opposed to that "other" way, has made me capable of assembling my own online space that actually works and is esthetically pleasing. Plus Macromedia Dreamweave has that lovely split function that allows the creater to edit HTML and imagery at the same time, thus allowing me to learn code. This was a great experience. No doubt that I will continue with my own web spaces from here on it!

Enjoy the weather!

Did I hear that right?

Did you know that if you moved to Wascana View...

1. Your neighbours would respect you.
2. You would always get the first donut.
3. Your grass would always be green, and...
4. Your kids would start getting straight A's!

Um...

WOW...

Did you know that? No, I didn't either, but, the new Homes by Dundee radio commercials claim that this is so. I have also heard another commercial that is even more ridiculous than this one. Wait, could that be possible? YES!

Excuse my sarcasm here people but honestly, would moving into a new area of town really make your neighbours respect you? Or, would it make your grass green? OR, would it allow you to always get the first donut, implying that you would also become better than everyone at work as well? No, no and NO! Moving into a grotesquely huge and enormously expensive house would not make YOU any of these things because people create their own worth. You will only by respected for who you are and what you do, not what you live in or what you can buy.

Now my favourite part, if Wascana View can't make you a better person, why then will your kids start getting straight A's? Is this because the school they were at had such a different demographic that your kids were being ignored because of their lack of "need?" Or, was it because they chose to make friends with "lower educated" children that were not up to your standard? OR, and I could dance around this all day, but is it a race issue?

This commercial really hit home for me. It seemed to be aimed at, no, it was aimed at the upper middle class and the upper class, classes that I assume are not as racially diverse as that of the middle and lower classes. Hmmm. Which makes me wonder if living in this area has more to do with White Privelege than it does with anything else. Basically, your neighbours will most likely be white, your children will go to school with white children and everyone will be at the same demographic.
I actually taught at one of the newer schools in this area, and 6 out of 10 times, that is exactly what I saw.

And, lastly, no, your kids won't get straight A's because you moved them into the ritzy area of town, that depends on them and the quality of their teacher. If you would like to have your kids get straight A's help them with their homework, spend family time togeher, talk to their teacher, research a school. But please, don't listen to the radio and this horrible commercial!!!

Telecollaboration!

Yee Haw! Jump in that band wagon and get a movin'. Teachers around the world are working with other classrooms "telecollaboratively." Meaning that they are using technology to participate with other classrooms on projects. Think of Moose Jaw teacher Kathy Cassidy and her work with a classroon in New Zealand. Or maybe the compiling of theme web pages done by multiple classrooms in Alberta for Christ the Redeemer Schools. What they did was create a website that multiple classrooms could link to. From there they have added to their own pages, but all on the same topic, one for example being endangered animals. Thus, compiling a great deal of information and activities on one subject.The classrooms can view what the other students are doing in the other classrooms.

I would use this with any age group for any subject. Personally, I would take it a step further and maybe use video communication or blogging to make students feel and be more connected. Snail Mail or E-mail could also be used here to send things (ideas, materials, information, artifacts, etc.) back and forth. Foster that idea of a "Global Community" by putting real children into the project, not just there names and products.

Till next time...

I never thought....

Did anyone look closely at their ball point pen lately? Did you think think that maybe you would bypass "technology" to write your latest paper? Well, you have been fooled! Technology has found you EVERYWHERE!!! In our world everything involves some sort of innovative technology, including the good old ball point pen, and a simple piece of paper.

Let us brainstorm:
- Ball Point Pen
- Paper
- Utensils
- Shoe laces
- Etc.

Do you see where I am going with this... Just thought I would let you know. :P