Thing 16

I was not able to find the document that was set up for us so I skipped ahead and just uploaded one of my own. This application would have been a dream if I had been able to use it when I wrote my Thesis! The constant sending back and forth to my advisor for reading and comments would have been much cleaner. I also love the fact that my documents can be accessed from anywhere without having to email them. I LOVE this application! It could make much of the time spent in staff meetings and PD a thing of the past. What would take 60 minutes could now take 15 and be done at our own pace. Now we just need to make sure that the computers will work as fast as our minds. Sharing will also give us the opportunity to get to know each other and our ideas - something that simply sitting quietly in a large group does not. Our greatest resource is each other and this gives us a better way to tap into that. I can see it helping to make all of us better teachers.

With so much attached to the computer and technology (and in essence a seat) we are going to have to create daily exercises to get our bodies and eyes away from the computers. Is someone working on this?

I can see how powerful this particular application will be for the students as it will give them the feel that they are in a chat room, which is very apealing to them but there will be parameters set. They will be responsible for self-monitoring their work. One of the teachers pointed out that she enjoyed the fact that she could see who is doing the lion share of the work. Very true! I have had many instances in which students emailed me (or tried to) their essays. Many did not make it through the District filter which put us way behind. Students presentations that I needed pulled up could not be located, or I had to scroll though the oodles of District emails just to locate the student's work. Too much lag time! I am so glad to be intruoduced to this application! I can't say it enough!