OMG School is starting

I have been spending a lot of time thinking about how I want to approach things this year. First, I want to make what I teach more meaningful and useful. Second, I want it to be a lot more fun. I think what I've done in the past is OK, but I am sure it can be better. I have also joined a twitter group focusing on setting goals. It is called #30goals. I have set two goals so far
1.use meaningful tools-hopefully done(twitter, google docs, wiki, glogster, prezi...)
2.spread the tech word to other teachers-will work on

I'm still working on the other 28.
3.Have more fun in class-I have read some tweets and they eluded to "if students aren't having fun, neither are you" philosophy.-will work hard on.

The catch to the challenge is that you have to try and get it done in 30 days. I know that won't be happening, I'm still on summer vacation. Accomplishing 30 goals is doable but maybe not in a month. I am going to discuss it with some teachers at school. Once the year gets started, it is difficult to collaborate with other teachers, as we all get going in our own area of specialization. I am re-working a lot of how I teach this year. I am excited about it but also a little worried. Will figure it out. I have posted the link to my prezi and glogster. Until next time...

The count down is on

Where has the summer gone? Three weeks from today there will be eager students sitting in my class, demanding me to teach them something! Yikes! Always a panic at first.
Day 1-go over class rules and class wiki, watch cbc's Web Warriors video (awesome!!)
Day 2-hopefully have computer access, set up google accounts
Day 3-start with google docs(my favorite web tool so far) collaborative nature
ahhh-weekend!

I have been collecting cool web tools all summer and have just started to really get into them this week. It's difficult not to get caught up in the tool and realize that there has to be some sort of meaningful use for it. So far glogster, wallwisher and prezi are all good to go. I love Livebinder, but don't it is a download and downloads take days to complete in the lab, maybe next year. I am going to try and use twitter, however, will have to wait and see how the backchannel approach works. I just set up tweetdeck yesterday and see a lot of good uses for that as well.

I went to school yesterday and it is always so exciting going back. There were a number of teachers there already so it was good to catch up on the summer. I will head over today as well and actually try to work instead of just visiting. I will post my new prezi and glogster on the blog. Until next time...

The list goes on and on and on.....

Throughout the summer I have been jotting down different websites that have interesting tools. I have spent a little time playing but not enough. As I start putting my course outlines together, I find myself a little overwelmed by the amount of material out there. Putting the pieces together will be a challenge, however I am committed to changing what I've done over the last three years.

I have not come across too many teachers that actually teach computer courses. As there is a push on integrating technology into all classes, teaching it specifically does not seem to be too common. At my school students are required to take 1.5 credits of computer technology specifically. Without these two classes they cannot graduate. I want to provide them with meaningful tools they can use throughout their academic and professional careers. Twitter and blogging are up there on my list. I have to get into the technological trench to really see how all of these ideas are going to piece together. Hopefully what works will be meaningful and what doesn't work will be easily fixed.

Technology is changing so fast and web 2.0 is quickly becoming 3.0. Some teachers are still not convinced that these tech skills are important. I feel like it is my job not only to teach students some skills but also introduce new opportunities for teachers to be advocates for change.

Until next time...

Time to start gearing up

I've spent a lot of time this summer researching different web tools. I've tweeted, joined social networks for teachers, and blogged among other things. What is my class going to look like? I've got the tools, now I need to put it together and develop a picture. Where to begin, where to begin....I think we will start off with opening gmail accounts, learning about google docs and then blogs. These three tools will be the foundation for student information. Instead of teaching the basic microsoft office I am going to substitute a web tool (or two or three) for each.

Word-google docs, wordle,
powerpoint-slide share
Excel-google docs
publisher-glogster
photoshop-picnik
digital citizenship-digital footprint
web search skills

There is so much out there to choose from. I would like to use Moodle as my base, but I'm not a 100% sure how to go about it. I will continue with the class wiki but have the kids use a blog instead of a wiki to store information. At the end of the semester, they will have the beginnings of an e-portfolio. With day 1 fast approaching, setting up the course outline, deciding on a time frame and assessment strategies will be my main focus. I'll let you know how it is developing. Until next time.