Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Computer Software

I have had a really hard time keeping my students on task when they are online. I have recently heard of a product called Vision which allows the teacher to monitor all computers at the same time from a central hub. The teacher can shut down a student's computer if they are on unapproved school sites (MYSPACE!) or they can assist a student with a project by showing them (discreetly even) how to go about doing something. The company offers a 30 day evaluation of their product. For those of you with computer labs, this would be a great thing. So far, I'm LOVING it, and while the students know that I have the capability to see everything they are doing on the computer now and they can no longer get on myspace, they are enjoying the attention they can get from me without having to let the whole class know that they need it. There is also a chat function on there that I can send messages to the whole class when it's time to log off, and therefore save my voice in my room that does not have the best acoustics.

On another note, today is a half day for the students so we can have some professional learning time. One of our activities is to have a mock lockdown and evaluate a few things. My healthcare 2 students and I "decorated" my room for the lockdown all in the spirit of Halloween and having fun. We are not downplaying the importance of the lockdown whatsoever but want to also make it as realistic as possible, without the realities. We've painted our hands red and run them all over the windows, propped up a few spare body parts in the windows, have a saw with my half mannequin in the window and a few other surprises for them. On top of that, with this trial software I'm using, I'll have a "HELP US" message broadcast on all my computers. Some things, even for teachers, we have to keep interesting!

Have a great day! :)

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