Where to go from here?

As my technology course ends, I have to wonder about what to do with this blog. If I can get organized enough to stay current, I'll probably use this site as an info-sharing place for the Four Daughters, as initially designed. This might be particularly helpful over the holiday season as we coordinate schedules and share our separate experiences.

I think I'll also start a separate, early-reading blog, as suggested in my lesson plan template for the course. I have been collecting tons of info and need to sort it out. I also want to collaborate with a colleague who is doing lots of podcasting and see about coordinating our efforts. I find that I am constantly giving parents and teachers the same suggestions and resources, so it'd be more efficient for all if it were posted on the web. I just need a little more time in each day to get it all done!

A Return of Radio?

As a child of the television generation, I can't say I actually miss the radio show days, but I have always loved the idea of them and sort of yearned for them vicariously. So, as I've been listening to podcasts this week I've glimpsed a possibility of the return to the auditory age, where children actually listen to stories and dramatizations without (gasp!) pictures, television, video, or other animated images. The Bobby Bucket show is my favorite so far, but I've listened to lots of children's literature on the web and really am loving the whole idea of it. It cannot replace sitting on the porch swing with your dad reading to you, or mom tucking you into bed and reading that next chapter, but it is something, and something good. Not only can it expose children to great literature, and discussions and debates, and primary sources telling history in their own voices, but children can author their own podcasts and perhaps hear themselves in a whole new light. I love the idea of listening -- just listening. I love the idea of that child who may not be strong at other things being the kid who comes to life with the microphone.

So, podcasts have my vote, and I've barely scratched the surface. What older students can do, networking across the globe and across generations and across cultures, is mind-boggling. And my mind is still boggling as I continue to explore streaming videos. Talk about "seeing is believing" and "a picture if worth a thousand words." Wow. It's a new world.

To wiki or not to wiki?

Wikis are sure cool. For educational purposes, it is such a powerful tools for students to write in a much more dynamic fashion, with quick feedback and collaboration. I am quite impressed with what people are doing with wikis, especially those that engage students from all around the world. It also allows students to practice how to give positive, constructive feedback. I noticed a couple of blogs where students rate each other on their feedback, which ensures they take their job seriously. Outside of the classroom, I can see dozens of time-saving ways to use wikis as educational professionals (e.g., writing a mission statement, sharing stats w/ co-teachers, preparing integrated lesson plans).

One thing that is also clear to me with all this new technology is the importance of choosing the tools carefully. There is a temptation to want to pour all the technological bells-and-whistles you can into the classroom, and sometimes a simpler approach is actually more efficient and effective. So, I am thinking a lot about which of these tools is best for each particular application, especially given the time it might take to initiate something and then maintain it.

Flogged by blogs

I have spent a shameful number of hours in the last week perusing blogs. Some are very worthwhile and educational, others are just fun, and some are down-right mind-dumbing...but I read them anyway! It is interesting to note the bloggers' personalities, especially if it's someone you know or have seen via an other avenue (e.g., tv, radio), and then their blog "voice" is different...that's so weird.

I have known several friends and families who began blogging with a tremendous amount of energy and after a while it gets stale and it'll be months between postings...which is where the RSS feeds are really great! Keeping a blog fresh must take a great deal of time. For educational purposes I like the idea of relatively short-lived blogs to serve a very specific purpose and then be deleted. Surely one needs to consider how long the typical 9-year-old will be interested.

I am beginning to find blogs I want to keep close tabs on and am also learning a lot about what I find engaging and successful just from seeing so many blogs.

Okay, back to the on-line course and more blogs and RSS feeds!

Welcome to the pond

With you four daughters spread around the country, I thought I'd remind you of what life is like at home on the pond. What little is left of it, with the state 16 inches and counting into a drought. Still, the deer eat the corn we put out for the geese by the duck box. The beaver return, even though there's no sound of flowing water. The blue heron and kingfisher are still regulars; fishing is probably easy when the water-to-fish ratio is in your favor. Pretty soon there won't be any sport in it at all for them!

Bird's eye view

This is a view of the pond from Topher's Cessna, taken this summer. Your dad was the passenger.

Lions and tigers and beaver

Here's a photo of a dam built by the beaver, at the little pond.