weekly+postings

12/12 5:38 p.m. I can hardly believe I am sending this to you--my last correspondence with a unique, talented, and much respected group of students!

Your final assignment can be found here: http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-RSS

A few things to share: 1. I'm still grading wikis!!!! 2. This assignment is due no later than THURSDAY! 3. I WILL post your COURSE GRADE in the online gradebook. REMEMBER--no "A" is earned without EVERY single assignment being completed in addition to it being an exemplary product. 4. If you are looking for your peers' wikis, all three classes can be found at: http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/Peer+work (I'm still updating content areas)

This assignment should not be overly cumbersome. But finish strong and finish well.

And here's a final Christmas story about teaching that can't be missed. With greatest fondness, respect, and appreciation for all you have taught this ol' professor... [|Three Letters From Teddy.doc]

12/5/10 4:15 p.m.

Geez, can you believe we are down to two weeks? I know things must feel a bit on edge. So I'm providing a reflection assignment. This is the one most important to me. Reflection and self analysis are the keys to life long learning and improvement.

And (as stated again):

1. In order to earn an "A" as a course grade, you must submit EVERY SINGLE assignment and each assignment must be exemplary.

2. Wiki due date. As stated in the Course Information page, your final wiki is due DECEMBER 9th at 5:00 p.m. ** This is a THURSDAY! **

3. Inclusions in the wiki. I am including the link (with embedded rubric) for your final wiki. My suggestion to you is that take a few hours and look over your wiki and GRADE your wiki using the embedded spreadsheet. If you fill in your scores in the appropriate column, the spreadsheet will add your score and calculate it so that your grade will be calculated.

http://drmcgregor.wikispaces.com/Final+Wiki

(Teacher story is included in assignment)

11/28/10 3:00 p.m.

Hoping this email finds everyone with clean dishes and a full tummy! Wonderful break and now we are most thankful that we are quickly approaching the end.

This week's assignment has TWO parts. Each part must be completely different.

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-Media

Also, PLEASE check the gradebook to ensure that I have not made a mistake (or you have overlooked something).

You are also STRONGLY advised to begin serious finalization on your wiki.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I also want to make sure you are clear on dates. YES, you have an assignment that will be assigned the week of FINALS. This is because I MUST give a final (or final assignment) and since I do not believe that teaching can be assessed in a paper-pencil format, I am giving you an assignment.

And finally,

1. In order to earn an "A" as a course grade, you must submit EVERY SINGLE assignment and each assignment must be exemplary.

2. Late work. PLEASE BE ADVISED that I will NOT accept any late (or resubmitted) work beyond next Sunday (11/28) at 5:00 p.m.

3. Wiki due date. As stated in the Course Information page, your final wiki is due DECEMBER 9th at 5:00 p.m. ** This is a THURSDAY! **

4. Inclusions in the wiki. I am including the link (and embedded rubric) for your final wiki. My suggestion to you is that take a few hours and look over your wiki and GRADE your wiki using the embedded spreadsheet. If you fill in your scores in the appropriate column, the spreadsheet will add your score and calculate it so that your grade will be calculated.

http://drmcgregor.wikispaces.com/Final+Wiki


 * Assignment || Date Assigned || Date Due ||
 * Digital Media || 11/28 || 12/5 ||
 * Final Wiki ||  || 12/9 (Thursday) ||
 * Final reflection || 12/5 || 12/12 ||
 * RSS || 12/12 || 12/16 (Thursday) ||

And for your reading enjoyment, a teacher story-of-the-week: [|Lessons learned.doc]

11/21 3:42 p.m.

Happy Sunday! No, I didn't change my mind and send you an assignment! I truly do want you to have a fantastic break. This is a reward you have earned IF you have done all your work.

So, here are a few things to think about:

1. In order to earn an "A" as a course grade, you must submit EVERY SINGLE assignment and each assignment must be exemplary.

2. Late work. PLEASE BE ADVISED that I will NOT accept any late (or resubmitted) work beyond next Sunday (11/28) at 5:00 p.m.

3. Wiki due date. As stated in the Course Information page, your final wiki is due DECEMBER 9th at 5:00 p.m. ** This is a THURSDAY! **

4. Inclusions in the wiki. I am including the link (and embedded rubric) for your final wiki. My suggestion to you is that take a few hours and look over your wiki and GRADE your wiki using the embedded spreadsheet. If you fill in your scores in the appropriate column, the spreadsheet will add your score and calculate it so that your grade will be calculated.

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/Considerations++for+final+wiki

Have a fabulous turkey day!


 * 11/14/10 5:44 p.m.**

Greetings to all! Wow, we are getting dangerously close to the end of the semester. That has to be exciting and, at the same time, a bit stressful.

This week's assignment is ready:

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/Web2.0-revisited

Remember that on NEXT SUNDAY (11/21):

1. Your digital story is due (please send me a link to it's location. If it is a part of your unit, it must have a supporting lesson plan).

2. Your second set of Web2.0 tools are due (that's this week's assignment). Please send me a link to each of the tools.

3. I will NOT be sending an assignment, as it is Thanksgiving week. I think you deserve a break but I think you don't deserve a break if you are BEHIND in your assignments. So, everyone should check the gradebook and then breathe a sigh of accomplishment.

For your reading enjoyment, this week's teacher-story-of-the-week: [|Currriculum story.doc]

Hi everyone!
 * 11/7 5:34 p.m.**

Knowing this time of year tends to be stressful. Remember that ending an elephant for dinner is done one bite at a time. Plan your days and your time carefully.

This assignment is often my student's favorite. Everybody's doing it--digital storytelling.

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-DS

A few words of advise:

1. You do have two weeks to complete the assignment. However, on the 21st, TWO assignments will be due. So do not procrastinate, as this assignment is worth 250 points!

2. Plan the project well. It makes the creation stage go much quicker and easier.

And for your reading enjoyment, this week's teacher story of the week. [|Creative story.doc]

Greetings to all!
 * 10/30 8:16 p.m.**

In eager anticipation of Halloween, I am sending this week's assignment a bit early.

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-YT

Don't forget to send me an email when you have finished your Embedr playlist and written a lesson plan describing how you will use these in your unit.

And for your reading enjoyment, this week's teacher story of the week. I had such a similiar experience my second year of teaching. [|Don't waste your time.doc]

Greetings to all!
 * 10/24 2:55 p.m.**

I have a few things to share with you.

1. I have ensured that the Course Information page is current and accurate!!!!

2. This week's assignment is ready:

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-Web2.0

Don't forget to send me an email when you have finished Web2.0 tools and lesson plans. REMEBER to send me a links to exactly where I will find them.

You should enjoy the video teacher-story-of-the-week (although it really is a life-story). [|THE DAFFODIL PRINCIPLE.doc]

I'm a bit behind on grading--I'm sorry. My grandson was quite ill this week and it was a struggle to keep all the ball's in the air. Keep working, please!!!

Hi everyone!
 * 10/16/10** (9:36 p.m.)

You should have a fantastic time with this week's assignment. Most students share with me that this is among their top three favorite assignments of the semester.

So, here we go:

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-Podcast

Don't forget to send me an email when you have finished your three podcasts.

Along with a great tool to work with, I am also including a fabulous video! Remember Ken Robinson? Well, this is a second speech he did--you should enjoy the video teacher-story-of-the-week.

[] Bring on the revolution

And, if you missed his first one:

[] Are schools killing creativey?

Happy unique calendar day!
 * 10/10/10** (too bad it isn't 10:10!)

This week's assignment is located here: http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/PowerPoint+alternative

REMEMBER: you have TWO weeks to complete this assignment (because I expect an exemplary product). Please do not misunderstand--I am not giving you a "free" week. The product will be graded on the fact that you received twice as much time to do the project.

And for your reading enjoyment, this week's Teacher-Story-of-the-Week. Don't miss this one--it's moral lessons is one that needs to be engrained in your heart. I see this often in new teachers and in the veterans, have lived it myself.

Learning to Read.doc

Greetings to all! Nearly done with grading, but I have to run take care of my grandson (who has a bad outbreak of Chicken Pox)! This week's assignment is ready
 * 10/3 7:24 p.m.**

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/Research-RM

And for your reading enjoyment, this week's Teacher-Story-of-the-Week. Don't miss this one--it offers you a perspective of how students see us, as teachers, and how teachers see students...and never the twain shall meet.

Guinea Story.doc

Thanks to all for such great work--I appreciate that it is a bit difficult to learn Word just for the sake of "one day you may need it" as you can now easily post information on a wiki that replaces much of Word. This is a requirement of the University and does have merit.
 * 9/26 4:32 p.m.**

Again, I added a section at the bottom of the "Try Me" page to share with you what and how to turn in this week's assignment--hoping that is helpful.

And for your reading enjoyment, this week's Teacher-Story-of-the-Week. Don't miss this one--it's moral is something you cannot teach without understanding in your soul. THE RED SHOE.doc

This week's lesson, "Basic Word", is ready for your perusal.
 * 9/19 2:00 p.m.**

Thanks to all for such great work on your unit ideas--can't wait to watch these unfold.

I took some time to ensure that this week's assignment has a new inclusion at the bottom of the page entitled "What do I turn in and how do I do that?" Hoping this will clarify any confusion.

Also, the link above ("What's everybody doing?") is now populated with other people's wikis for the semester. I will continue to fill in information as I get it.

For your enjoyment, the teacher story-of-the-week (a video totally worth watching!)


 * 9/12 9:00 p.m.**

Sorry this posting is so late. Big weekend. Hope everyone enjoyed putting the basics of your wiki together.

I've taken the liberty of revamping this week's assignment and hope it is less stressful and more helpful in developing your unit of instruction.

For your reading enjoyment, the teacher story-of-the-week: Big rocks-1.doc

Hi everyone! Hope you three-day weekend is productive. This week, you will be starting one of the most foundational products for this class--your wiki. Read and think carefully, plan thoroughly, and enjoy!
 * 9/5 4:00 p.m.**

Also, don't forget. Once you create your wiki, you need to:

1. Send me your URL (address) of your wiki. It will NOT have a "www." in it. It will simply be something like: http://yourname.wikispaces.com

2. Change your outlook signature to include your wiki address. Not sure how to do this? Read me!

NOTE: Every year, I struggle with a few students who look at the EXAMPLES done by former students and model theirs after the exemplars. Make SURE you read my inclusions, as I usually change this based on former student feedback.

OK, back to my grading!

Greetings to all! As I am getting caught up in your blogging posts, I will share out that this week's assignment is ready for you!
 * 8/29 4:00 p.m.**

This is an important task--not just for this class, but as a teacher. As a teacher, you focus on two things: WHAT you teach and HOW you teach it. This lesson is all about giving you practice with the WHAT you teach. The reason this is important for this class is because you can't integrate technology into your curriculum and think about your teaching strategies if you don't know WHAT the curriculum is to being with!

I do know this is a difficult task, especially if you've never done it before. It took me years and years to "master it" and I'm very sure I still have much to learn. But, each journey starts with a single step--so here we go!

Let me know how you are doing.

By the way: I always share a favorite teacher story-of-the-week, and here' this week's tale: What Teachers Make-1.doc

Welcome to class! I'm assuming you have listened to my initial screencast and have a good feel for this course. This is where you will come each Sunday to get your assignment. I try to post by 3:00 p.m. each Sunday, but occasionally I get delayed--just check back for the new assignment.
 * 8/22 6:00 p.m.**

Please don't work ahead more than a week--I often change the wiki and would not want you to begin an assignment that I significantly change.

Your tasks, this week:

1. Watch the screencast sent to you in the email and complete the tasks on the last slide (@http://www.screencast.com/t/NmVhNGU0NTY); 2. Complete the section "21st century - Week one" 4 sections.