Second Wiki Assignment

I think I finally somewhat understand how to work the Wiki! However, I do have a problem with getting in to my Wiki. I have e-mailed the help desk at wikispaces; however, they haven't replied yet. As a result, I am fairly frustrated.

I have set up a Wiki page for my high-school English class, and we are going to try a collaborative paper of sorts. I have a feeling it is going to be like the "blind leading the blind" doing this. But I talked to them about it, and they were willing to be the guinea pigs in this experiment. I thought of having them do blogs, too. However, I think the Wiki will be enough for now.

I am glad that I have had my eyes opened to the potential for technology. I just used software applications before. I just hope that Michigan doesn't force us oldies out before I can use all of this! I know that many people don't understand this, but I love what I do, and I don't want to leave education. I have always tried to keep up with the times and to try new things. Sometimes there is something to be said for experience!

First Wiki Assignment

I found something interesting, but it was also confusing. For our class Wiki, I went in through Blackboard when I was at school the other day because I wanted to add some things. However, the page had the word "Protected" at the top instead of "Edit Page." I thought that perhaps the page had just been removed early. Then I didn't have an opportunity to check the page Thursday or Friday because of school commitments. Today, I was using my home computer, which has the class Wiki page bookmarked. Today I could edit again. I am not sure what the difference is.

I have the second question, and I will start research either later today or Sunday. Again, we have a yearbook deadline, and I have to get the pictures ready for the students on Monday. I told them that they only had three class periods to do these pages, which means I need to get the pictures ready myself so that they only have to set up the layouts, place the pictures, write the captions and headlines, and proofread and print their pages. In addition, the athletic director asked if I would get a picture ready to send to the newspaper, which isn't a big deal in itself, but it will take a little time as well. There is never a dull moment in the life of an English teacher who also facilitates the production of the yearbook, which is completely self-sufficient. That is another story!

I did do something this morning to boost my spirits and motivate me. I drove around the corner to visit my almost two-year-old granddaughter and her mom, my younger daughter. I hadn't seen Payter-Bug for almost a week because of my hectic school schedule. What a breath of fresh air and a little bit of sunshine! If nothing else can boost my spirits, little Payter-Bug can! Your own children change your life in many ways, but grandchildren put a whole new spin on things! I have been blessed with five--so far! One lives around the corner, and the other four are in K-zoo.

Apple iPad

Well, I watched the video about the new Apple iPad. In my humble opinion, it definitely looks sweet. However, they can't be purchased yet. The Wi-Fi version won't be available until March; the G3/Wi-Fi version won't be available until April. Bummer... I would like to play with one at an Apple store.

I wonder how many of the members of our cohort will be attending the MACUL conference. I just got around to book my room today. There are so many good sections being offered. I am having a hard time deciding which I want to attend.

Wiki Assignment 1a

Collaborating on a Wiki assignment has been interesting. I never thought about what would happen if two people were making changes at the same time, which happened twice to me tonight! Because they were saved before mine, I, more or less, had to redo mine!

I have also tried posting something to the discussion board because I think that will be a good tool for publishing questions or comments to each other. So far, I haven't had any replies. Again, there is so much for most of us to learn (and, as they say, so little time)!

Tomorrow I will have another set of essays to grade! Then Monday I get another new set of students for about eighteen days. In that time, more essays will be written and corrected! Those have to be done by hand, but I am seriously contemplating having another class collaborate on research papers in groups of two or three and have it all on a class Wiki. I think I will do that for sure during the last trimester, but I want to experiment this trimester because I only have one 11B class. Next trimester I will have three.

When I think of all the technological changes that have altered our lives in the aughts, my mind goes crazy. A lot has happened in the last ten years compared to the start of computers in classrooms in the early 80's. We are moving at a whirlwind pace! I am anxious to hear about the new Apple product that is scheduled to be revealed tomorrow.

On top of everything else, it is Homecoming week, which means we are taking many pictures. We also have a yearbook deadline! As they say, it doesn't rain but it pours (or something like that). There is never a dull moment as an educator!

Digital Storytelling book

The book about digital storytelling was in another room when I wrote that, and I didn't feel like moving! The book is Digital Storytelling in the Classroom: New Media Pathways to Literacy, Learning, and Creativity by Jason Ohler (Corwin Press, 2008).

Wiki Assignment 1

It is now 11:30 p.m., and I just finished checking my Reader and putting something on the class Wiki page. I did do some research, but I don't know if I did enough. I am also reading a book about Digital Storytelling, which is quite good. I hope that it will give me the inspiration I need for my podcast, my digital story, and the PowerPoint! Actually, what I need the most of is time! My mind is swimming with possible ways to utilize all of this information in my classroom. I hope my poor little brain doesn't explode!

Delicious

I started looking for articles for the distance learning question, but I had trouble bookmarking them to my Delicious account. I guess I am a slow learner!

I thought I would get more done today, but I had pictures to take of our ironman volleyball competition for Homecoming week. I also had to balance the yearbook sales so that I could turn in the money tomorrow. Sometimes that can be rather tedious keeping track of small details. I think I have everything ready to turn in. Our Student Publications class is completely self-sufficient; consequently, it is very important that we go into the black each year.

I also started to read a book about digital storytelling that has been quite informative so far. It is also written in an easy-to-read style, which makes it easy to comprehend.

To my groupmates, I will have my comments about distance learning on the wiki by Tuesday night! Thank you for being patient with me. Sometimes I get too much on my plate! I am trying to get everything cleared off--at least for a couple of days!

First Weekend of Classes

The first weekend of the class was very helpful to me; it also gave me a lot to think about. I have so much to learn! I do believe that this class is going to be very helpful and will benefit my own students.

It was also good to see everyone again and to meet the new people!

Class Videos

I am not sure if I should make this one long blog, or if I should break it into a couple of blogs! I watched the class videos last night and wrote my views about them.

1. A Vision of K-12 Students Today: I liked this video. This is the way that education is going. One of the reasons that I decided to return to college for a Master's degree is because I want to prepare my students for the next level. I am definitely not from the digital age. I am from the manual typewriter age! I thought things had really progressed when I had my first electric typewriter! Now I simply say, "Wow!" I am completely fascinated by this new age and want to learn everything I can. It is amazing all of the technological advances that have occurred just in the aughts! I am also curious to see what the next big thing will be!

2. The Networked Student: This video did not work. I tried different times to no avail.

3. RSS in Plain English: I think I understand RSS feeds a little better now; however, this is completely overwhelming! I can not possibly get through all the good information that is out there. It is almost scary!

4. Social Bookmarking in Plain English: I needed to accept a friend request to view this video, but I wasn't sure what to do or what that meant!

5. Blogs in Plain English: I began to understand blogs during the first class; however, I still don't know how to do some things. One thing that I see other people do that I don't know how to do is to add links to my blog. I more or less just write what I am feeling at the moment. I don't have any great insights or sites that I can share with people. I would like to be able to do that.

6. Wikis in Plain English: I see great possibilities for collaborating using Wikis. But, again, I feel overwhelmed. One thing that the book said was that we need to practice using all of these tools, which takes time. Unfortunately, I don't have as much time as I would like to have! My day job gets in the way! I teach high-school English, and it seems as though I have lots of paperwork! I also facilitate the production of our yearbook. I don't even want to tell you the hours I put into that class.

7. Podcasting in Plain English: I again needed to accept a friend request, but I wasn't sure what to do. It is sometimes scary going into the unknown!

8. Twitter in Plain English: I guess I still don't know about the value of Twitter. It is somewhat like Facebook, which I do like. I have never been to Twitter, but, to me, it sounds more egocentric. I did buy a book about Twitter so that I could learn about its usefulness. It also is a book that I haven't read yet. As they say, for me, the jury is still out about Twitter.

9. Google Docs in Plain English: This video would not play correctly. I tried a couple of things to no avail once again. I somehow ended up with a video called "Why Google Apps for Education?" Google could be revolutionizing education! It is like one-stop shopping!

10. Social Networking in Plain English: I do somewhat understand the social networking. I joined Facebook to try to reconnect with one of my nieces, which I was able to do. But then a great thing happened. A number of my former students reconnected with me. As a general rule, I don't request too many friends because I don't want to intrude on people nor do I want to be rejected! However, these kids (even though some of them are in their 40's and 50's, they are still "my kids") requested me. It has been great fun catching up. One young man has been working in the Peace Corps in Africa. He has now completed his service there and is hiking through Africa. I think he is on his way to Egypt or Ireland. How cool is that? He has fascinating stories of his adventures. Another former student is a magician who performed at the White House on Halloween. He has a fantastic show. We saw him a couple of times when we were in Las Vegas. He has been to Europe and Asia doing his magic. The one thing about these sites that I find somewhat troubling is that they can easily become addicting!

11. Educational Uses of Second Life: I would like to learn more about Second Life. How great this would be for those of us from poor districts in rural Michigan! I need to check out a blog for more information: www.karlkapp.blogspot.com.

Whew! I made it through all of my comments! I will write more later. I think it is time that I take off my student hat, put on my wife hat, and fix supper!

RSS Feeds

I am looking for RSS feeds to add, but everything I have tried so far does not have an RSS feed. This is getting rather frustrating. Am I the only one who does not know what to do?

Subscribing to Edutopia

Help! I couldn't get the RSS feed for Edutopia to show up in my Google Reader. It is on my Google homepage. How do I get it onto the Reader? I was able to get Edutopia Comments there, but not the website itself. I have tried several things, and I am at a loss. I can't afford to spend any more time trying! Please help! Thanks!

Frustration

I need hands-on help. I am so disappointed that we didn't have the first two sessions last weekend so that we could get our bearings better. In addition, I have had a hard week emotionally. To be honest, I have been more concerned about the life of one of my students who was in a bad accident than I have about the class. As a parent whose teenaged son died, I am extremely sensitive to these things, and memories come blasting to the surface that I try to hold in check most of the time. The good news is that the girl will survive, but her injuries are extensive. Today my husband and I traveled to Toledo (about an ninety minutes from here) to visit her. She won't return to school for quite a while.

When I returned home, I once again checked my e-mails from Central, which I have done throughout the week, to find that we have a major assignment for next Friday. I am still trying to register for everything. I really don't mean to complain, but I am also looking for guidance from people who are more familiar with the Internet world than I am. I also know that many of us are holding down full-time jobs and have other responsibilities. I can't speak for others, but as an English teacher who also is responsible for the yearbook, I have oodles of papers almost every night. This week is also Parent-Teacher conferences, which ends up being even more work. If we had had class last weekend, I think that I would be in better shape as far as knowing what to do!

Thanks for listening to anyone out there who sees this! I am looking forward to seeing you next weekend.

Courtney's blog

If any of the followers see this message, I hope you can help me. I can't seem to get to Courtney's blog. Did anyone successfully get to it? If you did, please let me know what you did. I think I am now following everyone who posted a blog address in the discussion board except Courtney. I know that I am sometimes a clutz at getting these things to work! I sometimes try the by guess and by gosh method, but nothing seems to be working for me! Thanks!

I realize that I am a little behind in getting the blogs done and signing up for all of these other sites. Life keeps getting in the way!

I am rereading the book, but I was sidetracked with some essays at school that needed to be graded and a yearbook deadline that needed my attention.

I am looking forward to the class and learning all of this. Again, this old dog still gets excited about learning new tricks!

I have to return to the Blackboard to get the addresses of some more of the class blogs so that I can become a follower of those. But, to be honest, I have had trouble getting into some of the blogs. I am not sure what I am doing wrong. I thought I could just copy and paste the address, but then when is goes to blogger.com or wherever it goes, it says that there is no such blog. I will try again. As they say, patience is a virtue, and if you don't succeed the first time, try, try, and try again!

Just checking time zones

I am trying to set this up in the correct time zone; consequently, this post is just a test!

A new class begins...

Here we go again. I am both excited and anxious about this class. I have read the book once, and I am now going through it again. I also read a book about using wikis for online collaboration. I am already overwhelmed with everything we need to do, but I know that I will be working with a great group! I am looking forward to seeing everyone again.