Wow! What a concept; entainment in class! I am sure my kids wish I would use some!

"Geek's Guide to Teaching in the Modern Age"

I am totally overwhelmed with all of the technology that is out there. Some of the thing I really like and would love to try (blogs, wikis, podcast). But then there are some that seem like so much more work on top of everything that I'm already doing. I think that technology is a great way to reach kids where they are, but doesn't there come a point when we're just playing into the whole, "Entertain Me" idea? I have issues as it is in my class keeping kids focused and making sure that they are on task. I'm just scared that incorporating too much technology could lead them astray as well. Don't get me wrong, I love some of these things, but where do we draw the line?

How To Link to my United Streaming Assignment

Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller's teacher, was the daughter of Irish immigrants. In this assignment, students will build their background knowledge about Irish immigrants into the United States. Students will watch video segments on the Potato Famine and then write a brief, creative essay about how they would handle facing a drastic famine.

I agree!

This is a great way to get all kids engaged!

Wiki...wiki!

I totally love this idea. I have all of my kids use Wikipedia for their little mini-research topics they do at the beginning of each unit. We talk about how we can update information and how important this is because information is constantly changing. However, I also have to caution them that some information may be incorrect.

Funny story...the lady I did my student teaching with was in her early thirties and very "up" on current technology and educational theory. When I tried to use information I found on Wikipedia, she freaked out. That information was found on the Internet and everybody knows that Wikipedia is not reliable. I had to show her that the information I had was the same information off of MSN Encarta. She still seemed very skeptical, but she let me use it!

I would like to use wikis to encourage more creative writing in my class. I think that English teachers get so bogged down with all of the analytical writing and compare and contrast, that we often forget to nurture the creative side of our kids. Wikis could do that for us!

IT Class

Hey Jessica!
I'm part of your blog now.
You'll be hearing from me.
Marion

Blog-Schmog

I am very intrigued by the concept of blogs. The first I heard of them was in a writing class I was taking at USC. My teacher, a very new-age, smoothie-drinking, Teva-wearing, PETA-sponsoring, man was into blogs. We had a class blog that had a link to his own personal blog. On his personal blog, I found pictures of his dog, his girlfriend, and read discussions he was having about politics with people from all over the world. I was amazed at his reach.

But, I was also a bit mortified. Why would anyone put pictures of their personal life out there for people to see? Why would he be discussing his relationship with complete strangers? I guess I am just one of those uber-private people. I don't share my personal business with many of my best friends, and I sure wouldn't share it with people I've never met.

I like the idea of having discussions with people I've never met, but I also don't want to have some computer telling me that I'm wrong...personal criticism comes best from people. I also don't think that computer writing adequately shows emotion.

I love discussion forums. I think Blackboard is one of the best educational inventions. I think it is great that some people who post their writing have gotten publishers. But, I don't think that "Cinderella Story" will work for everyone. I think blogs are treading on thin ice with copyright infringements and plagiarism.

I have set up a blog for all of my classes. However, I am scared to set them in motion because I don't know if I can trust ninth graders to be nice. I guess I am just on the fence with blogs for now!!!!!

Hi, Patty!

I just want you to know how much I love this class! Thanks for including me!