Curriculum + Wiki

What do you get when you combine curriculum + wiki? You get Curriki, a new networking site for teachers brought to you from our friends at Sun Microsystems.

I'm always interested in places where teachers can network, share resources, and broaden their horizons. I believe teachers that talk (not whine) to each other about what they are doing in the classroom are the better teachers. These teachers learn from the best professionals out there who know more about education than any other self-professed "expert"in the field - other teachers.

I'm interested to see what Curriki will bring to the world of education. You can read more about it on their website or in eSchool News.

New Year's Resolution Part Two

I am one that if it is in writing, it might get done faster. I need to not only see the image in my head, I need to see the images before me on paper. I am a very visual person. For the past few years I have been toying with writing a book. Couldn't decide if I wanted to write a romance novel, but finally crossed that one off my list because all I know in that area is second hand from other romance novels. Thought about other genres, but again -my lack of knowledge would show greatly. But I had some inspiration this weekend by another author, Kay Teehan, and so today I started writing my book. Hopefully it will be finished soon. I might even attend a writer's meeting next week to get some pointers!

But in the down time of writing the book, I'll be on the blog and I have to say how thankful I am that I have the blog. I started off only telling a few people that I had the new blog up and running, sort of embarrassed for my own silly reasons. Thanks to the blog, not only do I get to continue sharing my passion for technology in education, but I've been able to network and get back in touch with friends from DEN. For instance, a DEN Member that I met this summer had been trying to reach me and couldn't find my address anywhere. Thanks to my blog, she found me and we've been able to catch up on old times and even start talking about some new times. Then Tom Turner, another great educator, mentioned my blog on his blog and I'm now in touch with Teryl from Tennessee. Betsy from Discovery gave another friend of mine from pre-DEN days in SC, Loren, my link and now we're back in touch.

What's amazing is the networking that happens from just one simple post. I would be so lost if I had to live in the Pony Express Days because I do not mail cards (I mean to, even write them and sometimes stamp them, but forget to take that last step), am horrible at calling people, but can live it up on email and other electronic communication. The capability to network electronically is just simply amazing.

So my encouragement to all of you for New Year's Resolutions. Forget resolving to lose 10 pounds, because once you do, 15 more will find you later in places even more deplorable. Instead, resolve to accomplish one of your secret dreams - like mine is writing a book and actually take a step to making your dream come true. Hey, this is Disney's year of a Million Dreams Coming True. Why not make that OUR year to Make OUR dreams come true?

Also (you're not getting off that easy!) resolve to network with other professionals or those who share a common interest as you. A great place to start are teacher communities, such as the DEN or on blogs, such as this one. I myself have also resolved to network in my new town and learn my way around it. Getting to Publix, Wal-Mart and Target's and not knowing a soul in the town I live in is pretty pathetic. Thanks Larry and Kay for pointing that one out. :-)

Thank you for reading and leaving comments. You inspire me even more with each thought!

New Year's Resolution

How many of you make resolutions each year, and like the Home Depot commercial - lose it somewhere totally unexpected? I can honestly say moving does not neccessarily help you get organized. It takes a long time to unpack and reorganize.

Well, I like many of you, make my New Year's Resolutions each year, and each year they get trashed, lost or whatever. So this year, I made a decision to do my resolutions on the computer. Can you guess what program I am going to use? You got it! Inspiration!

There are many reasons to use Inspiration. Let's see if I can count the ways:

1. Brainstorm my resolutions and make sure I only have the ones I will really be able to accomplish or that they don't overlap.
2. I can add sub-topics on the benefits of sticking with that resolution.
3. I can add hyperlinks to the websites that will be best to help me stick to the resolution.
4. I can add notes as well on how to actually get the results.
5. I can add check boxes for each resolution and check them off as I feel that I have accomplished them.
6. I can change the resolutions into outline form and print them out to easily carry in my pocket or hang on my fridge. Perfect for first resolution of no midnight snacking while watching CSI. I am NOT resolving to give up CSI. I need a little more Nick and Greg in my life.
7. If you have the program (Pocket PC or Palm Inspiration) and the hardware (a Pocket PC or Palm), you can actually carry your resolutions with you.
8. You can add images, or even video, to help influence your resolutions. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. The image of that little red dress and spiky heels might do more for you sticking with that first resolution than the words themselves.
9. Sound? Yes, you can add the sounds to your Inspiration document. Sounds of salsa dancing to encourage you to learn to dance, or some other great resolution.
10. It's Inspiration. By using the program itself, you'll be inspired to make resolutions you can actually stick with!

I could go on, but the top 10 is enough. Besides, I have my New Year's Resolutions to brainstorm. One of them is a book. Inspiration is another pefect program to outline either one of the genres I'm thinking of writing.

Happy New Year's Everyone!