Happy Summer Solstice and the end of another school year. You might wonder why I am starting a new blog about educational technology when I should be relaxing. The short answer is that Jerry Pournelle (Chaos Manor) has been writing about tech problems for over 25 years and has not run out of topics or problems to solve. He has built a career by describing problems installing software, upgrading computers, chasing lost "dll" files, and coexisting with less than perfect programs. The longer answer is that I am one many teachers at my high school who are interested in technology and its uses in the classroom. Over the past 15 years, I have been a technology mentor, advised a student computer networking club, served as a Digital High School Coordinator, and recently become a Google Certified Teacher. In all of those rolls, I have tried to help fellow teachers answer questions and solve problems. From casual chats at lunch to group emails, I have attempted to answer the never ending questions that arise when people use technology. Blogging will give me another tool which I can use to help my friends and colleagues.
Summer vacation is a good time to clear out your email inbox. I know a few people at school who have hundreds of emails sitting in their inbox. The "Cabinet" feature of Groupwise is a good place to store most of those valuable messages. The "Cabinet" can also contain folders so messages can be organized by topic. Most email programs have some way of organizing messages, it is a good idea to get in the habit of using those tools. In my district, we are moving to Outlook over the summer. I am sure the move will generate new topics for this space.
Feel free to comment on this blog and to send in suggestions or new questions.
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3 comments:
I'll be tuning in!
The more conversation on technology, and conveniently conducted, the better, I say. I am moving into the portable village. What kind of technology are teachers using there? Is it safe, meaning likely not to be stolen?
The Village portables have internet access just like the rest of the school. Bill Ives tells me that it is very reliable. As for projectors, they have not been ceiling mounted in the Village. Projectors may be checked out from the library and kept in your room. Theft has not been a problem, but it is a good idea to lock away any tech item that can be carried away!
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