Copyrights and copy write!!!

Okay - so here is the deal. Don't copy other people's stuff without their permission. Okay . . . got it. Here's the other deal - guess what - if you can just hang in there for life plus 75 years - you can use my stuff for free. Of course, there are some things we can use for fair use. For example, you can't copyright the ABC's . . .so use our head - and be reasonable - and honest - and all is good . . .right?

Administrivia and other educational land mines.

Mike Vollmert's presentation was really good, I thought. I know some people like hands on - and I do, too - it is nice to get into the actual functions of your job and nitty gritty actions/activities. However, I have always appreciated a philosophical understanding of what you are doing on a broad level. Mike reminded us how very much education is changing - how easy it is to fall into the job, of "teach what you know" not "teach what they need." So many of us are old school - or at least I know I can be - thinking that a book is about the touch, smell and presence of its beauty on a shelf like a trophy of the educated brain. It is hard for me to think that a book is actually outdated an archaic now - that information changes so quickly a book could never provide the insight a well established website will . . . Okay, and so onto the nitty gritty. I tend to agree that a netbook is as valuable and useful as an IPad, if not as hot and sexy or prestigious to carry around. Who cares, as long as it gets the job done, and it can get in the hands of every kid. But, then again, I ditched my BMW and Volvo for a Hyundai Sonata because it got me the same places on less gas and no car payment. What do I care what people I don't know think of me driving by??? But, that is a different philosophical question, I suppose . . . Happy Teaching everyone!

Learning about Google Sites

I loved our speaker tonight. I think google sites is so cool. There is nothing better for a teacher than to be able to centralize their information. A section for parents, one for kids, one for collaboration and one for "stuff." And then, having Google Earth is soooo cool in the class. Who knew that you could do all that with Google Earth? I only ever used Google Earth to look at the house I grew up in, in Wisconsin. Who knew? I was such a civilian when it came to technology before this class. All this Google stuff and I only ever used gmail - and the thought of uncovering learning tools in things as basic as Pinterest and Google Earth is almost embarrassing. It is so nice to know how to use this stuff in the classroom - maybe we will all actually get hired after all!