If you want to look a little bit into the future, check out this video: It is today.

David Warlick Session at the Augusta Civic Center.
It's a beginning, more to come.
Okay, here we go, a few resources to use in the classroom:
E-Pals
Classroom emails and blogs
Class Blogmeister with Class Password for safety. In this one, the teachers remains in control. An email is sent to the teacher when a student submits a post, she can read it and edit it, and then okay it to post.




Technorati Tags: web2.0 warlick redefine maine06 maine literacy

This is a special post for my Internet: Getting Connected Workshop for Portland Public Schools. Please share your questions about today's session. What are your expectations? What would you like to learn?
Please click on the comment below and write one. You should be able to post anonymously.
This may be a model for using blogs in schools. Please remember that these postings are PUBLIC!
Thanks!

Some activities may be found at
http://www.portlandschools.org/CTS/staffdev/techleader/Website/internet.html

Some great resources can be found at
http://guest.portaportal.com/laplao , my Portaportal, under Internet

Building Community and Classroom Management

Reflection and Putting into Practice
Please choose one or more questions to reflect and discuss:
"How might the authors' perpsective in this article change or not change personal classroom-management decisions?"
"Is there validity in the author's perspective?"
"Does having technology in the classroom create any dynamics that need special consideration?"

Welcome back! You gotta be excited! (well, you gotta be kidding!)
I am wondering how many of us use other people's blogs to get information. Is it at all useful?
I find it useful for myself. Of course, is it not the original meaning of a weblog - keeping a log of things for whoever will find time to read it?
I think it might be helpful if posts are meaningful; they certainly stand a better chance of enticing readers into reading them!
So, let's find an audience for the posts, and they might find it useful!

What is your viewpoint on the issues brought up by Alan November in his podcast, "Thinking Globally"?
http://nlcommunities.com/communities/podcasts/feeds/22/88.aspx

Now we are at the end of the first year of MLTI/eMINTS, we can look back and evaluate what we have accomplished.
I know we have had a few issues here and there, some had more than others.
If you were to start this from scratch, what would you do differently or would have other people do differently?

PS. This video podcast may be of interest. Choose the top one, Alan November, Thinking Globally

http://nlcommunities.com/communities/podcasts/feeds/22/88.aspx

Here is an "American opinion" from Alan November. http://nlcommunities.com/communities/podcasts/feeds/22/88.aspx (choose the top link, Alan November, Thinking Globally)
I have been overwhelmed by an article about education a friend of mine sent me. So was she. She came to this country not too long ago, and had lived in Germany for some time before, but is originally from Russia.
The article was also written by a Russian professor, and to put it mildly, is not flattering. In fact, it's merely scary. Especially scary if you live in this country.
Ok, what was it? Well, it was an overview of how poorly most students do, how afraid of kids and doing something wrong teachers are, how low standards are and the like. That an inner-city apartment may not have beds, but it will have a TV and that's where most of info comes from. If it's not on TV, it never happened. If something happens in another country (or state), no one cares as very few are even aware that other countries (states) exist! Foreign policy is about Iraq and that's it.
That tests in English are embarrassing as one would think they were testing foreign language skills not the native language. And on and on, (to be honest I haven't read much further because I was disturbed at the time).
And although it's biased, it's not completely untrue, and that's what's so upsetting. Okay, there are good things happening in schools, and there are issues that we are aware of and are taking action against them, but how effective is that overall? What's on most high school students' minds? Prom? Sex? Money? Is there an inspiration? Talents? Are there goals?
It's true the schools have changed quite a bit. It's also important to note that currently the country operates under the supervision of another generation, a generation teachers were not scared of. A generation that knew they would have to work hard to make money and move forward. A more aspiring generation in general. What happens after the baby-boomers retire? Most teachers note that today almost every kid is on the learning disability or some other disability list, therefore, they all need special approach. The question is how come that wasn't true 30 years ago, and what exactly is happening?
The article noted that present high school graduates can't spell and properly read. And that's true, many can't. It went on to point out that before you take a math test you will have a tutorial teaching you how to use a calculator which you are of course allowed to use. (In some countries, that's unheard of! You don't use a calculator at an exam or test! Use your head!)
But there is something else worth mentioning. What are the priorities? What are the essential skills today? Can you succeed and always use the calculator, or do you need to learn to spell words in your own language to become a great person? And my impression was that the article missed that completely.
There are failures in every job in every country, and there are lousy teachers no matter what. But there are also values, in the family and in the society. Partying isn't everything as many college students soon find out. And their life is not going to be easy after they graduate with thousands in debt. And this needs to be addressed.
But it's even more important to define the set of skills we want the students to have when they graduate. Or rather we want them to want to have. That's the active learning theory, right? And I can't think of more than critical thinking skills. Ability to think for oneself, to know how to learn, and to learn to learn forever. Unfortunately, that's what not many realize. Most people still encourage high school students to go to college. In today's life, it may or may not be wise even from the financial standpoint. Just getting a degree for the degree's sake is such a waste of time. Truly is. It has got to be so hands-on, so immediately needed and so going beyond immediate needs and so life-long.
Not that I have a good answer. Just thinking, just thinking.
Any thoughts?

If you don't believe in what you are doing, can you do it any close to well?
If you don't get satisfaction from teaching, will your students learn?
What makes your teaching experience fulfilling? How do you handle frustrations and loss of hope?
Please offer any comments.
Personally, I know there is such thing as time and reflection, they help get a different perspective, and in the end you know it will be all right, right?!
You can also tap in your human network. Oh, friends! They have experienced the same feelings! They can offer sympathy and support, and even inspiration! And they will make your day, but you have to give them a chance and keep an open mind.
Teaching is like taking a group of kids on a trip - you help them get "there", but they have to walk themselves. And when you are making a good time, you are having a good time, too. What happens to those who choose not to work as hard as you want them to? Do they get "left behind"? Or do they get a shortcut that is easy and quick?
It probably sounds like I am not sure what I am trying to say, with all the question marks, and guess what? It is so true.
Now come on and set me straight!

Well, here is some more of what I have to say.
We have been doing this project for quite some time now. It's time to count at least some chicks, wouldn't you agree?

Some of the results may include achievements in the classroom, or in your relationship with kids, or your progress in developing a better curriculum, better lesson planning or more confidence in your ability to guide students.

Your students have also experienced new technology and hopefully new ways to learn and explore.

We should also communicate that to the people around us, your colleagues in the school, parents of your students, the administration etc.

In our session on Classroom Communication, we’ll devote our time to various ways you can prepare for this type of publicity, and help your students share that as well.

Here is my list:
Newsletters (MS Word, other word-processors, MS Publisher)
Podcasting
Blogging (like this one)

Please post your comments, suggestions and the like!

I wanted to start a blog, where anyone could post their thoughts on education. Share your successes, your worries, and visions, and anything you want to bring up for discussion.

http://region7.mainelearns.org