1) Love Google Reader! The information all comes to me!! Muhahahaha (evil laugh).
2) The above point is the underpinning of my whole post and is exampled by number 3.
3) My interesting item to share is a post I read about RTI (response to intervention) in my reader on the techlearning page.
I think that as I continue through this course I learn daily that there is no doubt technology can greatly enhance my teaching practice. I was fortunate enough to get a Promethean Board in my room this year, and I just love it! I feel like now I am doing all the kinds of things with my lessons that I always wished I could. I feel my teaching is more nuanced, to steal a phrase I like to use in theatre. So, it's not really a surprise to say that technology engages our students and opens both students and teachers up to a world of information, but it can also help us manage and use our time much more efficiently.
Individualized learning is huge in education. With programs like Response to Intervention, students who need help should receive individualized and specific instruction that is monitored and charted for progress. When you think of the time that teachers must put into testing the students, sorting through resources, planning lessons, monitoring for progress, and recording results---whew! That's a lot of time! There are programs out there, like the one detailed on techlearning, that take on a bunch of that work for the teacher. We are currently using one at my school right now. Of course, there are flaws with everything and I'm not pushing the program mentioned in the blog post--I don't even know about it beyond what it claims to do, but it's just comforting to know it's out there. So for the teachers who say, "How am I going to have time to do all this? When do they expect me to fit this in and do everything else I'm already doing?" the answers are out there. AND IF YOU HAVE GOOGLE READER, THEY CAN JUST COME TO YOU! : )
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Talk about an evil laugh, you should be hearing me from my office. I feel like Darth Vader (or Darth Sidious, take your pick) for turning my students to dark side by getting them addicted to Google Reader.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great tool, one among many, but you hit the proverbial nail on the head when you pointed out how the answers can come to you. I think that's part of the reason why I hesitate to weed my reader. I'm always so fearful that I'll delete a feed that could bring me the mother of all blog posts.
Pleased to hear that you love your Google Readers and I hope this will develop into a life-long reading habit for you.
I am liking Google Reader also. So much to learn! I haven't gotten past the feeling of being overwhelmed, though. It is MOST beneficial, but still so time-consuming for me that I am asking myself, WHEN? HOW? But Caroline promises that a successful Reading Habit is possible! I'm trusting her and still striving! If you have the time, I'd love for you to share with me some of the lessons that your Promethian board has enabled you to do.
ReplyDeleteI am liking reading your posts and comments!
ReplyDeleteTell me more about your reference to theatre...that's a great interest and hooby of mine. Been involved in that for a while.
I am also liking the Reader...wasn't doing it until now! Hooray! And Caroline, I had no idea the power of the "dark side" of the Force!