Blogs in school

Hi,
I can't believe that the course ends tomorrow! I've enjoyed "talking" to all of you. I think I might keep my blog up and running. I'm just getting started in the blogworld and I would like to modify my blog...do some more experimenting. I've found 2 sites that show how blogs are being used in school programs. They are really quite inspiring.

http://edublogawards.com/edublog-awards-2007-finalists-announced/

http://2007.weblogawards.org/polls/best-education-blog-1.php


I hope you have blissful holidays. Merry Christmas!

Wikipedia

Hi,
I remembered this CBS news story about Wikipedia from last year. Imagine my joy when I found it! The reporter examines the perils of this popular site. John Siegenthaler's experience is truly scary. Some American universities have gone so far as to "ban" Wikipedia. If a student uses Wikipedia as a source, then professors won't mark the paper. Should we follow suit? Wikipedia can be a valuable teaching tool. We can use Wikipedia for comparison purposes. Students need the skills to find reputable information on the Web. Why not help them to do so?

I thought about purchasing the video of this story for my library.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/10/sunday/main2244008.shtml?source=search_story

History of the Holidays

Hi,
I am sitting here sipping tea and waiting for the winter storm to hit. Has anyone had a snow day yet this year? I haven't had one in my whole career.

Anyhow...the History Channel in the United States explores the history of holidays. It has an American bent to it, but it contains some useful nuggets of information. Canadian holidays are ignored. Still, it is worth a look.

Stay warm and healthy!

http://www.history.com/genericContent.do?id=53343

The Archives of Ontario: Instant Lessons

I came across a pamphlet from this government agency that trumpeted: Instant Lesson Plans!
This is not the most user-friendly website out there. Plus, the grey background does little to inspire or fire the imagination. The home page doesn't even have a link to teacher resources or lesson plans . This agency falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and I stumbled into press releases about new rules for gift cards during my search. I had to do a formal search for "lesson plans" to find anything that could be used in a classroom. This site is not very exciting at first glance, but the lesson ideas sparkled within its dullness. The sepia-toned photographs are exquisite, especially for "Five Women and their Diaries". Teacher resources start with Grade 6.

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/ENGLISH/education/index.html

The Web 2.0 World

In yesterday's New York Times, writer Alex Wright draws a parallel between the modern way of communicating (blogs, Facebook, etc.) and the oral culture of ancient tribes. One professor states that Web 2.0 satisifies a primal need within us because we want to be told that we exist. It's true, anything posted on the Internet will survive time and last forever (which is a good and a bad thing).

Wright also raises concerns about what might eventually happen to our oral culture. We spend so much time talking online that we spend less and less time talking face-to-face. Web 2.0 is another form of communicating and it has changed the shape of our social landscape, but I don't think traditional forms of conversation and social exchange are doomed. Look around (even in your own library), we still need actual human contact in the non-virtual world. After having been bedridden for a number of days with sinusitis and a throat infection, I yearned to go out and talk to people.

It's an interesting read.


http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/weekinreview/02wright.html