teacher+helps

Visit this site for information on how to back up your email and critical files for storage over the summer [|Macon tech help].

IF any of you want to learn how to do something concerning technology just post your request on the blog at [|mscomptchr.edublogs.org]. You might even want to know how to create and use your own blog. I use mine to post homework for students who are not at school, ie. students who are on vacation or sick. That way they do not have much of an excuse for not doing the assignment. It also saves on how many times I need to run to the copier. I just tell them to navigate to the blog and print the worksheets. If they have any questions I usually have the blog up and running, so I can see when they post. You can also set it up to email you anytime someone post on the blog. Don't worry about everyone in they world posting you can limit who can do that as well, and you can track who post. I also have my blog linked to a wiki where I can post media files like power points, videos, pictures, etc. I can invite my students to join my wiki and allow them to post and publish their work too. Sounds like a good place to post examples of the work, such as, books they write, videos they produce etc. This allows me to make these things available to everyone with out worrying about whether I have access to a smartboard etc. "__**AND THE COST!! It is a staggering $0 dollars."**__ You can purchase upgrades if you want but as of now I do not see that as a need. Terry said he will work on getting us the ability to do these things in house soon anyway. I plan to at some point in the future move my whole class to an online web based environment. After-all when in the computer lab what better way to attend class than virtually. This would even eliminate the need for alternative schools if students would make a commitment to attend. They still have to turn in work to get a grade, its just that instead of standing at the front of the class I am communicating with my students from any location in the world via my computer terminal. The blog also encourages the students to communicate with each other much like the do in a chat. In this past year I have even seen students (who never say anything) comment on other students work and participate in discussions. Someone said that it was less intimidating than standing in front of a room full of people. Don't get me wrong. I don't think this is the cure all to education, but I do think it has a place.
 * 1) Quote taken out of context from a conversation with Terry R. Tech Coordinator Macon R-1