Help Gary Stager!

Click here to get him on a debate panel! i am sure that he would spice things up and make it memorable!


Let's make this happen people!

Jim :-)

NCTE tries to define 21st C Writing ---LOL

This e-School news article is very interesting. NCTE is trying to wrap their arms around, and control, informal writing styles that predominate Web 2.0 and are labeling them unacceptable. They state that the new generation are learning from,"extracurricular social co-apprenticeship." A term like this will have a typical 16 year old heading for the hills with their iPhones! :-) This sounds like an organization feeling a loss of control trying to control a social phenomenon. Good luck with that.

What do you think?

Jim :-)

Study Gives Proponents of Virtual Classrooms a Boost

This is a great article covering the idea that podcasts may be better that in person lectures for college students. I must admit that it makes some very compelling points that I agree with. This is especially true after downloading a number of great lectures to my iPhone from iTunes university.

Review the article and let me know what you think.

Jim :-)

Web 2.0 teaching

Click here to see an article about web 2.0 applications and teaching.

Please comment as to the ACTUAL web 2.0 applications you see happening at your school. We have a few bloggers amongst our staff. There is a book review blog and a few classroom blogs. We also use our school web site for our homework hotline, which works out pretty well. There is even an underground staff facebook community but, frankly, your typical teacher really doesn't "tweet" often or "flick'r" their photos...or do they?

Let's chat about this.

JIm :-)

Ed Tech and the Stimulus Package

So what does the stimulus bill do for ed tech? here are some reactions from the ed tech press.

THE Journal article

Ed Week

Edutopia


Apparently 696 million brings us back to the 2004 level, but doubles some recent funding. I'll take it. You and I both know where the devil is though. What will an actual classroom teacher see at the end of all of this? The new funding falls into the Title II part D of ESEA known as the EETT, this is how ed tech has been funded under NCLB. Enough acronyms yet? I like the fact that 25% ofthat funding is "supposed" to be spent on staff development. Even in 2009 the need is embarressingly apparent.


PSSSST- Get your copy of the entire bill as a pdf by clicking here!

Until next time!

Jim :-)

My students and terrapins!

Hi All!

I am going to do my best to get back in the swing of things here at edtechnot. I have been in an existential struggle as it concerns this entire concept but have ultimately concluded that it must have some value...even if it is just cathartic in nature.

SOOO... here is a little tid bit from my world. My students have decided to save the diamond backed terrapin which is in a struggle for survival. See their efforts atr this address... Terrpain Kids.



As a full time science teacher it is difficult to keep this bolg populated with cool ideas but I will do my best to get back into the swing of at least a weekly post.

All th ebest!

Jim Forde :-)

also....
http://mrforde.blogspot.com