TechieTeacher5280

This past weekend, after months of research and waiting, I bought myself a new cell phone--though "cell phone" is really quite the understatement. This is really a handheld playground that happens to also be a phone. I have been with Verizon since I first owned a cell phone and was debating between their Droid Incredible, or switching to AT&T and getting the iPhone. I have a phenomenal old plan with Verizon and their reception in my area is far superior to AT&Ts, but I couldn't help but drool over the iPhone. However, after much research and talking to people who have owned both phones, I decided to stick with my carrier and get the Droid. Boy, am I happy! So far, this phone is amazing. It's extremely user friendly and there are tons of great free apps online. Two of my favorites that have educational uses are Google Skymaps and Trippo Mondo by Cellictica.

As I was cleaning out my email, I came across a fun resource for teaching Internet safety. It's a Saturday Night Live skit with Andy Samberg and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. In the skit, Andy is teaching a class on how to use MySpace. The students include Julia and several Internet predators, who ask a variety of questions that illustrate that people may not be who they say they are online. It's probably best for middle school or high school students. Definitely worth checking out! (I found the clip below at Hulu . They like to put ads in front of their videos, but the resolution is better than I've found at other sources...)

One of my friends once shared with me a photo slideshow she had created. She had spent hours putting it together through Windows MovieMaker and was thrilled about the final effect-the transitions, the music and the overall look of it. I only wish she had come to me before she started this project!

I've been preparing a series of blog posts inspired by the ISTE conference I recently attended in Denver. However, I just learned of a fantastic site that I just can't wait to share!

Teachers- Have you ever noticed how you’re more busy in the summer than during the school year? Suddenly I have all this time on my hands to catch up on doctor appointments, vet visits for my greyhound (that's Bongo in the photo!), house projects, classes to take, etc., etc., etc. I actually seem to work longer and harder than I do during the year! Crazy! But generally, when you think of summer, you think: summer vacation! And everyone loves vacations!! Kids certainly love vacations, and many of them have not had the opportunity to travel very far from home. As a result, they really get into the following two projects.

This quarter I decided to start my 8th grade Internet class with a new project. Our district recently started using an online learning management system called Edu 2.0 . Using this system, teachers and students can post and retrieve lessons and assignments online. They can communicate with one another via email and chat, hold discussions through forums and discussion assignments, collaborate, and much, much more. And best of all, it's free! I decided to dive right in and have my students complete their new assignment directly through this website.

We are in the last week of our 3rd quarter, which means I have my students for 4 more days before I welcome my next group. This time, I've found myself in that precarious no man's land that elective teachers dread. My desktop publishing class has finished its final project and have no time to complete a new one before grades are due. What do I do with my class this last week that will be productive, but not overly time consuming and not require grading? I decided to have some fun with photos this week.