Wiki

Wiki is yet another tool available on line. My question is, how does wiki compare to Google Docs? From the short look I've had at the two options, it seems to me that the Google Docs is a better route to use w/ the students. It seems safer and some what more restricted. However, Docs is still open so that different people can create a common document and if I remember correctly, guards can be put in place to limit who can edit certain documents. From what I've learned so far I would have students either Blog or use Google Docs to write on line.

Project Issues

I'm having a difficult time coming up with a project idea. Possibly due to the fact the I'm working in new areas and trying to find my way. However, I'd like to run an idea by you Eric. This morning I used Smartboard software for the first time. I was some what excited. It was something simple, but I'm wondering if I could develop several such activities. Vocabulary is part of every curriculum and my particular population has a difficult time with it. My thought is to have a site that the students could access from home or the city library to reveiw their words in a game type format. Is there a way to do that?

Podcast

As I perused the podcast sites I came to the conclusion that there seems to be more casts that I would listen to for myself rather then sites I would use with my students. An example is "Teaching with SMARTboards". That was #299 on the Podcast Ally site. I would also enjoy spending some time listening to "Irish Roots Cafe". I digress.

I did like a site called "Just Vocabulary". The speaker went right to the words. There wasn't any chit chat, which I find somewhat distracting. My Inclusion coteacher and I are working on vocabulary building strategies and I looked for other sites that might enhance the curriculum. This site is the only one I might possibly use in the classroom for vocabulary development. Primarily because it is simple. Another site that could have possibilities in the English Inclusion class was "Forgotten Classics". The episode I listened to had a Halloween theme. This could be used to change things up, or like the Halloween story, let the students just enjoy listening to a something seasonal.

The Eve of October

Driving to class tonight I couldn't help but notice the difference a week makes. Many more leaves had changed color and some were fluttering in the wind. A lovely evening for a ride.

In class we discussed the ways to search - engines, directories, and almanacs. mmm does the spell checker work when I blog? YES! Thank God for all small favors and larger ones in proportion!

First Class

Class started on time. There are nine of us in the class. After sending Eric our email addresses we had to set up blogs. So here it is!