I know that Google has lots of resources for teachers, but finding the time to mess around with all that stuff can be challenging. That’s why I like finding what other people are doing. This kwout links to a post at “ICT in my Classroom” where Tom Barrett shares how he uses Google Docs as a collaboration tool.
What is ICT? I see the acronym used a lot. I guess I don’t really need to know what it stands for–I get that it has to do with using technology. But I Googled it anyway, so I would know. Now I am enlightened and am feeling so much smarter. While I was Googling, I decided too see if I could find some blogs related to teaching and technology (there are about 150 million, but who’s counting). I liked this one because it’s set up to help teachers who are learning to implement technology. Looks like a nice idea for our OSD PLC group to think about doing for teachers at our schools.
The next blog I found is currently inactive, the guy has such a nice collection of links and topics that hated to pass it up. Looks like it’s worth exploring, though I confess I’ve only given it a few minutes.
One more to check out is the Google Docs blog. It’s a kind of cool way to keep updated about what’s going on over in Google land.
Okay, I know it’s not an earth-shattering realization, but knowing why I’m keeping this blog is the only way I’ll be able to sustain it. So, while there are a bunch of reasons to blog, my purpose is for professional growth. I’ll use this as a place to reflect and reason, to sometimes rant, and to explore using technology in a variety of ways. Plus it gives me an excuse to play with cool tools.
One of the blogs I read is by a Spanish teacher who lives in the U.K. He incorporates tons of technology in his classes and shares a lot about what he’s doing and how it works–or doesn’t. He updates a couple times per week, and I usually find myself checking out his latest posts. I’ve only started reading blogs in the last few months–blame NCCE and Twitter for that–and am using Google Reader to help me keep track of them. I hope to make my blog a place to share and exchange ideas. So, what’s the cool tool of the day? Kwout . Paste a url at Kwout, and the next thing you know you’ve got a nifty image, link and page info to put on your website. Try it! It’s pretty cool.
And here’s my homework: a Kwout link back to our PLC page.
Okay, I’m still trying to figure out how to add a video.
In the unforgettable words of Grover, “I am so proud!” I’ve got Boris now and the success is going straight to my head! That’s it!
I’m starting this blog for a couple of reasons. First, I want to become comfortable using the tools. Second, I see it as a way to focus some thoughts and figure out good uses of technology in teaching. I don’t know, but I think I will be able to house some favorite links or videos, and this can certainly help me organize them in some functional way. Finally, I think eventually I could connect with other teachers–Foreign Language or otherwise–who are using technology in different ways. I wanted to finish by adding a video of my favorite Boris Vian song, (which is also the title of this blog) but I couldn’t find the whole thing. And as it turns out, I haven’t quite tumbled on how to do it. Success will have to come later as it’s time for this one to get home.
