Wow... stats.

I'll be honest, stats is tough.  I still get confused with some of the terminology and have to look back at it.  I have never been a math person, that's why it's so difficult for me.  That's what has been getting me hung up.

Although, I do get it when working with a group and when we go over them in class.  Thank god for multiple brains on one task.   I will say this, it does make me want to pick up that book, which I think is called, "Lying with Statistics" or something to that affect.  I can now see how easy it is to hide information or mislead someone with all of the numbers.

This week in review

Well.... it's been an interesting week in our politics. I will say that I am tired of being told I make too much and that I'm not a professional.  Therefor I am happy to have found this report that shows that we are actually underpaid when compared with the private sector.   I would actually be curious to see how stats were used in compiling all of the data in this report.  This would be a really cool breakdown I would like to see as it is pertinent to my life and timely.  Did anyone else see this?

Stats.....yikes!!

I'm not sure how I feel about this class.  I am not a math fan.  However, it does sound like the class will be made fun and as painless as possible.

The last math class I ever attended was my freshman year of college and I busted my but for a B-.  I was so happy because I thought I would never have to take another math class again. I was wrong.  

I hope I don't bring my group down too much.... while I am good at many other things.... this is not a strong point in my abilities.

Time to get SMART!!!

S	Specific - what exactly will you do?  I will get all of my kids using new online tools this semester.
M	Measurable - how will you be able to prove it was done?  They will be blogging on their own, or otherwise on my website.
A	Attainable - Will you have the resources and time, what might you have to do to make it occur? Yes, I do. Once our tech guys can figure out how to get our small portable Mac lab running on our wireless network and NOT blocking google docs and other tools, we'll be golden.
R	Realistic - Make sure it is doable, you certainly can add something to a lesson plan or work item, you cannot get to the moon.  I will be introducing my website and Web 2.0 tools I've learned about in class. I will be introducing my screen casts and walk them trough how to make a blog.  Hopefully, they will be able to be up and running.
T	Timely - Assign a timeline - when will this be done by? This should be able to be done by the end of February. They will be introduced to them outside of the computer lab via smart board, then later, they will be taken to the lab to use some of the tools, especially those students without home internet access.

There's the goal... and it's attainable.  Starting this week on it!!  It's going to happen.  I hope my enthusiasm spreads to my students and they pick up the Web 2.0 ball and run with it!!

Week 5... Site-tastic

Well.... I am really excited for using the stuff I've found in this class.  I keep talking to my students about what I'm doing in class and I am chomping at the bit to actually get it in the classroom.  
Currently, I'm working on a google site for my students and have added tons of useful links off of my other site which has kinda fallen to the wayside. I used to use wordpress...and would still like to, but the updating of the software, etc... is a pain.  Makes me want to go to the wordpress site and have them do it all for $15/year.

I also found a cool Web 2.0 tool and look forward to seeing what everyone else found.  I actually played with mine for quite a bit and plan to have my kids or my students also try it out.   Plus, by having more eyes out there, we are essentially crowdsourcing our search efforts for cool 2.0 tools.  We're livin' the dream!!  Crowdsourcing is the new crowdsurfing!!

Blogs, WIkis & Podcasts, Oh my!!

Well.... there is lots of good stuff to be used here.   First off, a Wiki/Blog is definitely on the list of things I am currently working on.  I am really excited for the assignment we have to do in creating a site.  Right now I'm thinking about making a google site, but I'm still thinking that perhaps Wordpress might also be a good option as well.

I also think screen casting would be a GREAT way to create walkthroughs for various  Web2.0 tools that we want to introduce our students to.  That way, instead of trying to make sure everyone works at the same speed, we can have them walk through it on their own and be available for questions and help if they don't understand the walk through.  

I foresee a lot of work being dun this summer on using these tools to prepare for next year!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.