First Steps
Today I opened a new Google Document for the Current Events course. So far it contains lesson plans and news links I’ve found online, and a few educational blog postings (Joyce Valenza, David Warlick, etc.) on related topics, like student blogging and its potential for learning.
My next task will be to set up a model news feed in Google Reader. If the students are given e-mail addresses, I’ll have them open their own Reader accounts and choose what sources to include from the lists I’ve already bookmarked.
I requested that our class be located in the High School Computer Lab, which has the most up-to-date computers and an LCD projector. The Guidance Counselor promises to do what she can to help.
I’ve contacted the District Technologist, the Superintendent, and the High School Principal in hopes of getting my students e-mail accounts. This may not be possible, so Plan B is to have the DT create a class account for us. It wouldn’t be nearly as effective, but we’ll work with what we can get!
This is quite a departure from my comfort zone, scary and exhilarating at the same time .
