Inspirational Notes

Visited Kathy's website and added to favorites. Visited. Lots and lots of goodies. Still find the tapes/DVD's WAY to pricey. Wonder what it would take to get a "Netflix" video/DVD rental system? That way teachers would have access to materials, but not have to spend so much money purchasing them. I know from my wife's trials and tribulations that getting schools to pay for movies (and they were the ones who ASKED her to do a Film class....) is nearly impossible. Lots of other goodies though like the lesson plans. Fairly complete set of them too... Added the site to my favorites, and will be pointing out to Sandy.

Which leads to web portals. The only part of the webportal I'm not sure about is whether I'm setting them up, or they are already out there. Some seem to be there (did a quickie search). As a concept for development, this would mean alot more work on my part in terms of becoming better at website development. In terms of being able to use as a set up for classroom research, parent teaching aids etc., it would appear to be a wonderful adjunct. All sorts of uses, from posting all worksheets, homework assignments, clues as to where to research subjects (as in actual web sites), links to games that might be helpful or fun. All the public info that a teacher can post. Using the school website, would be very easy to have a one two punch, with a link from the school website, and maybe one from the webportal going back. Have to think about the security on that one.. Should be safely doable.

The Ebooks presentation was interesting and rather vanilla. Course, that is a personal reaction. I am a luddite when it comes to reading. I want the book in my hands. Looking at it from a students perspective, and that changes. If the notion is ACCESS, then anyway I can get a student interested in reading is fair game. First and foremost, I wonder sometimes if the "gameboy" generation might be more interested in reading if presented in digital format. The readalong and increased font size for the visually impaired is also an important factor. Given my concerns about student access to technology, getting a couple of readers for my class would allow students an additional access to technology that they might otherwise miss. Another thought is that getting away from the readers, to be able to have texts in my computer and do a quick word search, could have interesting applications - quickie look up of quotes, word useage, science and math texts, history texts etc. I must admit I got a kick out of seeing a 1950's original paperback cover for Space Cadets - my copy has long since fallen apart, and I LOVE the book. Off the top of my head, am not sure I'm going to be real gung ho on this technology. At first. As my teaching career becomes somewhat more stable (after I get a permanent placement for a couple of years), I can readily see myself coming back to this technology and adding it to my "bag of tricks". I think I'll be more into getting grants for interactive whiteboards initially, and setting up DVD presentations (and basically beta testing them as I get a clearer chance to see what they are like...).

The instant messaging stuff was old news to me - I have a 13 year old daughter. I now the yahoo sounds by heart... "Heather - you got one!!". My initial response was that the technology is too problematic for school use, but then it struck me that is not the issue. The issue is do my students know and use the technology? That will influence how they see writing and written communication. Based on the presentation it is very easy for me to foresee at some point getting from some student in a book report "String of Unfortunate Events is a very good book. LOL every chapter."..... Can even see myself pointing out that the MAO in ROFLMAO is NOT suitable for use in a school setting. This would also be a good indicator of the student's access to technology at home - physically present but very short leash, present with no leash, not present, etc. Especially as I want to be teaching in middle school.

The Inspiration demo was interesting. Again, like Ebooks, I don't see much of a personal use for it as yet. Two thoughts immediately come too mind. One, actual experience teaching may change my thoughts on that. Being able to insert photos/jpegs and make connections might actually be quite worthwhile. The second thought is "enough about ME...". For students this may very well be one hell of a program, giving them a chance to communicate how they see the world around them connected. It's another media, for students who think differently then me to find a way that WILL communicate with me. I can see that for some students, Inspiration may be the next best development after sliced bread. I was talking to Bryan, and he has many uses for such a program. Looking to the future, I'll be keeping my eye out for this and similar programs. This leads to another thought. While in some ways, I understand that students are "digital natives", that does not mean that they have been exposed to everything. Makes me wonder about the worthwhileness of taking a week out to just sit down with students and computers and explore all the ways that they can be used to communicate. I need to masticate on that some more....

The programs for remote editing was interesting. Think that goes in with the Inspiration pile. I foresee some problems with it. Need to be able to monitor to make sure students not using it as an alternative to AIM technologies otherwise blocked at a school. But the abilities for groups to work together to collaborate on a report or other text project look rather enticing.

I would like to take this opportunity that during our presentation to the class, I AM NOT Bryan nor am a I responsible for him. If the class righteously decides to nuke him in retaliation, I am planning on moving out of blast range!!!

My new mantra for the week ---- I AM NOT Bryan!!