Moodle Resources...

For those of you interested in Moodle, here's a great introduction video that tells you all about Moodle and its capabilities:




Other useful websites include:

• Moodle Rooms- A helpful site for educators interested in the opportunities offered by Moodle
• Moodle Help- Offers message boards and a help-community for those using Moodle

Moodle Mania

     The term moodle refers to interactive web-based platforms that allow users the ability to create and edit content much like a wiki-space.  Moodle stands for Modular Object Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment.  The aim is to enable users to be able to create online learning environments.  They have become increasingly popular over the years as web users have enjoyed the freedom they offer and that they are user-friendly for individuals of all ages.  As of By January 9th, 2010, Moodle had:

~46,624 registered sites
~32,464,992 users in 3,161,291 courses

It was also present in:
~209 countries
~More than 75 languages

Many schools in Howard County have begun to explore Moodles as a way to enrich the students while also being useful for educators and administrators.  So, how can educators use this technology in their classrooms?  More to come...

Would Shakespeare Tweet? Twitter in the Classroom

Now that I have told you all about twitter and walked you through the process of setting up an account, it's time to ask the big question- who cares?  In all honesty, twitter can be a fun way to express yourself but if it can't impact the world and have a true purpose than it may just be an entertaining waste of time.  More specifically, can twitter have an impact on classrooms?  Can education find a use for social micro-blogging?  Whenever you bring up the idea of using technology with students many teachers and administrators become increasingly nervous.  What if the students use the technology in an inappropriate manner?  What if they hurt the computers?  What if their parents feel uncomfortable with their child using the Internet in such a public manner?  There will always be fears with unknown technology, but the best way to change education is to think outside the box.  For good and bad, here are some possible ways to incorporate micro-blogging into the classroom:

-    Teachers can use twitter to remind students of upcoming projects- With email, teacher websites, and teacherease, twitter seems an unlikely way to keep students updated but it is one possible idea.
-    Students assume twitter identities- Have students create limited twitter accounts where they assume the identity of a famous author or literary figure and they tweet as if them.  Caution would need to be taken to ensure student safety but this could be a fun way for kids to use technology and be creative.

But maybe they can use twitter without really using twitter?  Since it is such a cultural phenomenon that everyone is aware of, students could use the concept of twitter while not exposing themselves to the risks of the internet (especially for younger children).  A project could ask kids to tweet as a literary character with typed tweets in a word document or prezi presentation.  For example, what would Odysseus tweet while on his famous epic journey.  Or, what would star-crossed lovers Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet have to say as their impending deaths drew nearer?  Would their tweets have been able to save them from the mistaken communication that resulted in their deaths? 

Creating Your Twitter Account

     Alright, cyber friends- interested in creating your own twitter account?  Here is a great link from e-how that will help you get started.  Once you have created an account you can begin sharing your thoughts, feelings, questions, and life concerns with the masses.
     I actually took this time to make my very own account as well.  It could have not been any easier and truly only took a few minutes to complete.  Take a look at my what I created:

 

My first tweet!

     Now, before you go off and create your own twitter account and tweet up a storm, there is something to keep in mind.  Each tweet that you create cannot be larger than 140 characters in length.  This keeps to the true intent of twitter- a short message meant to inform or update.  It means that you have to be creative and find a way to condense your thoughts.
     As you begin to create your account here are a few other helpful resources I found on the web:

• Search Twitter- This is a great site to be able to use key words to examine the plethora of converasations/tweets actively found on twitter.
• Attracting Attention- For those more business-minded, this website points out how twitter can be a wonderful advertising campaign

Too Many Tweets?

     I found this interesting in my searching of the web.  According to New York Times author Clive Thompson, "Why would you subject your friends to your daily minutiae? And conversely, how much of their trivia can you absorb? The growth of ambient intimacy can seem like modern narcissism taken to a new, supermetabolic extreme—the ultimate expression of a generation of celebrity-addled youths who believe their every utterance is fascinating and ought to be shared with the world" (Brave New World of Digital Intimacy). 
     What do you think cyber friends?  Is Thompson true?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  His article goes on to talk about how because of this social craze we no longer lose touch with people.  I mean, think about it.  Fifty years ago you would lose touch with friends over time and those people you hated from high school (you know it's true) would fade off into oblivion.  But, now, we're kind of stuck with those around us with no hope of fading off into the distance.  An interview from the Thompson article equated it to living in a small town where everyone knows your business.  And I think in a way they're right.  But the question remains- is that good?  Is it good to have your past follow you?  Where everyone can log in and become a part of your world even if you stoppped being friends with them thirty years ago?  Should some relationships stay buried?  Oh, sure, you say, just don't log in.  Don't have a facebook acount.  Don't have a twitter account- that's how you avoid the ghosts from the past finding you in you present day.  But I don't think it's that easy.  Social networking and micro-blogs are here to stay and whether you like it or not it truly is a brave new world out there- any maybe there is no where to hide.

Twitter Fever

     When did our society become obsessed with everyone else?  When did we spend so much time focusing on what our neighbors are doing?  Why do we feel the need, at the same time, to broadcast every minute detail of our own lives?  Maybe the obsession started with facebook?  But then again, maybe it started with reality television and the idea that every day people can become celebrities.  It's the idea that our lives are fascinating and that surely everyone should be interested in our daily activities.  No matter where this craze originated, it is true that as a society we have turned the spotlight on ourselves and there is no greater indication of people-obsession than the micro-blogging fascination of twitter.
     According to the website itself, Twitter "is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest information about what you find interesting. Simply find the public streams you find most compelling and follow the conversations" (twitter). Twitter began in July 2006 by founder Jack Dorsey of the Odeo podcasting company.  It was the product of a brainstorming session of how to communicate within a small group and keep others informed.  According to Dorsey, the name twitter "was just perfect. The definition was 'a short burst of inconsequential information,' and 'chirps from birds.' And that’s exactly what the product was" (wikipedia).  According to their website, to date, twitter has a  175 million registered users and 300 current employees.
     While your average citizen has begun to get on board this cyber phenemenon, leave it to the celebrities to pave the way.  Brittney Spears, Shaquille O'Neil, John Cleese, Al Gore, MC Hammer, Dave Matthews, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and even Lance Armstrong are among the extensive list of celebrities and public figures finding themselves a part of the micro-blogging fun.  Many musial artists and comedians find it to be one of the very best ways to keep in constant contce with their fans while ensuring their stay in the public spotlight.
     But, what are the real benefits of micro-blogging?  Or is it just a fun way to continue our obsession with keeping each other updated?  Are their benefits to the classroom?  More to come in a bit...

Where to start?

I know, I know.  It's been forever since I have blogged.  But I have good reason.  First of all, I was innundated with English class essays and they demanded way too much time.  Sometimes I think I chose the wrong profession.  When you have sixty-six essays to grade and each essay runs anywhere from four-seven pages it becomes quite the daunting task.  Sometimes just getting started is the hardest part.  Are you seeing a pattern forming?  Yes, it's true that my blogging experience falls into the same category: difficult to get started.  I have done a lot of research though, and have played a lot on the web at the various web 2.0 tools.  I think I have found some fun 2.0 opportunities and I am looking forward to sharing them with you all.  Do you like how I say "you all" as if I am confident of my web audience. For all I know, I am blogging only to myself.  Or to a lonely cat with a computer.  But I guess that is the joy of blogging.  A delightful opportunity to share my thoughts, feelings, and web technologies to either a giantic world of hungry web-consumers...or a feline friend that spends all day lounging in the sun.  I guess time will tell.