You tube has a lot of info on using Google Docs, etc... stumbled on this video. It has teachers and principals sharing how they use Google Docs in their classrooms. It is interesting!
Teacher and Principals Talk About Google Docs
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Hi again...
In addition to blogging, I am so excited to learn more about Google itself. I believe it is secretly taking over the world. I am amazed at Google docs, sharing Google docs, the Scholar help site, etc. etc. All this time I thought that Google was well, just another search engine. Not so! Its resources (maps, videos, music, information, office tools, etc.) are free! All you need is a Google account, which is also free! The price is certainly right, especially in today's economy. I think that every school district should have one inservice day that focuses on Google and how it can save time and be helpful to the classroom teacher. Many teachers want to learn more about technology and implement it in their classrooms, however, teachers need guidance and training for this. Administrators need to step in and provide opportunities that will help teachers to grow in using technology effectively in their classrooms. The work of Richard Byrne (see my post for July 14, 2011) and others like him, as well as the innovations of all the engineers at Google will go to waste if educators do not know how to access and utilize the information.
In addition to blogging, I am so excited to learn more about Google itself. I believe it is secretly taking over the world. I am amazed at Google docs, sharing Google docs, the Scholar help site, etc. etc. All this time I thought that Google was well, just another search engine. Not so! Its resources (maps, videos, music, information, office tools, etc.) are free! All you need is a Google account, which is also free! The price is certainly right, especially in today's economy. I think that every school district should have one inservice day that focuses on Google and how it can save time and be helpful to the classroom teacher. Many teachers want to learn more about technology and implement it in their classrooms, however, teachers need guidance and training for this. Administrators need to step in and provide opportunities that will help teachers to grow in using technology effectively in their classrooms. The work of Richard Byrne (see my post for July 14, 2011) and others like him, as well as the innovations of all the engineers at Google will go to waste if educators do not know how to access and utilize the information.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Edublog Award? Hmmm....
Wow! Impressive, Richard Byrne...winner of the Best Individual Edublog for 2010! I never knew these awards existed! Am I really that far out in a cloud in cyberspace that I don't know about these awards like I know about the Grammy, Emmy and Academy Awards? Seriously, someday I hope that I am as adept as Richard Byrne is at blogging! More importantly, he is also very skilled in locating great sites for educators on the Web. Richard's blog is an incredible resource for teachers. It has innovative sites for classroom use that can be accessed by the click of your mouse! His blog is very user-friendly and is packed with a wealth of information and ideas. Check it out! http://www.freetech4teachers.com/ I am hoping that this class will help me to become more efficient in locating information on the web. Web browsing can be so overwhelming and I frankly do not have that much time to invest in searching. I do have a life... Using this blogging tool will be helpful, I am sure. So, I am counting on all of you fellow colleagues, remember what you learned in Kindergarten, share, share, share! I am looking forward to reading your blogs!
A Digital World
Wow! I am on information overload. Technology is ever-evolving and dynamic. The question is, am I? The answer is, I have no choice. I am an educator. I MUST be. It seems like technology took giant steps within the past 10 years and it is still exploding! When things change so quickly, people are apt to be apprehensive about initiating change. This is especially true in the classrooms. Many U.S schools ban gadgets and programs that students use on a regular basis (youtube, ipods, digital tablets, etc.) The underlying assumption is they are not for learning, they are to be used outside of the classroom. The article in November Learning "Banning Student Containers" was interesting.http://novemberlearning.com/resources/archive-of-articles/banning-student-containers/ ( I guess there is a new meaning in the dictionary for containers? In this article it is a synonym for the various electronic gadgets and programs used for communication,social networks, etc. Am I that behind?) The truth is, children are tuned into the digital world and it highly motivates them whether we like it or not.
Should we be rethinking how we teach and tap into this natural motivation? This is a subject that will never go away... educators must address it. It is too big to be ignored. Korea isn't ignoring it. I just read an article that reported Korea will ban all school paper textbooks by the year 2014 and replace them with electronic tablets. Quote:“This means that they will no longer spend money in paper, printing and distribution. They will use multimedia technologies that make learning more fun, and more effective.” Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/09/2307130/south-koreas-school-tablets-a.html Oh no... take note America...Whew! This is entirely too much to think about. Let's table this issue until at least tomorrow. Well, I can now say that I am an official blogger. This is a small step towards hopefully becoming half as digital savvy as most of my students!
Should we be rethinking how we teach and tap into this natural motivation? This is a subject that will never go away... educators must address it. It is too big to be ignored. Korea isn't ignoring it. I just read an article that reported Korea will ban all school paper textbooks by the year 2014 and replace them with electronic tablets. Quote:“This means that they will no longer spend money in paper, printing and distribution. They will use multimedia technologies that make learning more fun, and more effective.” Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/09/2307130/south-koreas-school-tablets-a.html Oh no... take note America...Whew! This is entirely too much to think about. Let's table this issue until at least tomorrow. Well, I can now say that I am an official blogger. This is a small step towards hopefully becoming half as digital savvy as most of my students!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Techno-tension... my first attempt at Blogging!
Well, world... I am blogging... first step... it is exciting! Can't wait to learn more. Suggestions and tips are welcome!
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