In checking my Google Reader this morning, I found a very good article on the Dallas Morning News website, DallasNews.com. "Mesquite's Employee Health Center is a win-win clinic operation" gives some background in the formulating ideas of the clinic, as well as updated information on its progress and usage statistics.
I was surprised to read it opened in 2007. I use the clinic pharmacy regularly. It's so convenient and familiar that it seems like it's been there a lot longer than two years.
Prior to the opening of MEHC, Mesquite ISD employees had to order maintenance medications through mail order. That was not the most efficient method to get prescriptions. Calling in to MEHC is much easier, and the phone is generally answered by someone who knows me and my family as patients. That person is generally acquainted with our medication needs by association of names.
I am very glad the city and school district set up the Employee Health Center. It has made my life easier. I can easily see an expansion of the facility in the future.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Delicious Follow Up
When I first started using Delicious to keep track of my bookmarks online it was simple to just alphabetize them and easily find what I was looking for. As I've accumulated more bookmarks (115) it's more challenging to find any particular link.
I've discovered the system of tagging the bookmarks is very valuable in locating a bookmark. I also discovered attaching as many tags as I can think of that apply makes it easier to navigate to the site I want.
I've discovered the system of tagging the bookmarks is very valuable in locating a bookmark. I also discovered attaching as many tags as I can think of that apply makes it easier to navigate to the site I want.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Google Docs Follow-up
My initial response to Google Docs was "Office on steroids." As I have used it more, I'm seeing more of its limitations. It is great for sharing documents among several people. It's a central location many people can have access to. The aspect of automatic updates is is a plus also.
However, Google Docs does not do as much as Office on my hard drive. I do so much with Excel, I prefer the full application. I will continue to use Google Docs for collaboration and use Office on my hard drive for more detailed, elaborate projects.
However, Google Docs does not do as much as Office on my hard drive. I do so much with Excel, I prefer the full application. I will continue to use Google Docs for collaboration and use Office on my hard drive for more detailed, elaborate projects.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July
Happy 4th of July, everyone! This is a video of Danny McGee playing "Stars and Stripes Forever." He is the most awesome pianist at Christ Church Plano. My in-laws worship there. I guarantee this is the best rendition of the song you will ever hear. Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
One Last Thing
Logically, the post "One Last Thing" would be the easiest to write. Not so much. 23 Things introduced so many wonderful Internet resources to me. I learned new things about RSS Feeds, Creative Commons, and Voicethread. I was also introduced to tools of organization in Google Docs, Delicious, and Google Reader. Some Things were already familiar to me, some were brand new. All were fascinating, intriguing, and useful. Oh, and I like making links in blog posts. :)
After completing 23 Things, I have a list of other things I want to further explore. My list includes Bubbleshare (online slideshows), Discovery Channel, Gliffy (create diagrams), Learn Outloud (audio books, podcasts, etc.), National Geographic Kids, Pageflakes (similar to iGoogle page), PBWorks (Wiki site), Podnova (podcasts), Podomatic (podcasts), Smilebox (photos, slideshows), Swyzzle (create slideshows), Wattpad (ebook sharing community), Think Free (online docs), Joost (social networking), and Netvibes (widget organizer). Those should keep me busy for quite some time and lock in my status as a Lifelong Learner.
My favorite Things were Google Reader and Creative Commons. I read a lot on the Internet - personal and professional material. It has always been challenging to keep up with feeds I read regularly. Google Reader solved that problem. I subscribed to feeds and check it several times a day. Creative Commons is a wealth of copyright safe images.
Most surprising was learning the art of blog commenting. Previous to 23 Things, I was more likely to read and absorb. Post 23 Things, I participate in the conversations and get more out of them. I didn't realize there was a proper way to comment.
I am very glad I chose summer to take this class. The amount of hours I put into it would not have been possible during the school year. I would have liked to learn more about MISD's specific policies concerning Internet use in schools. I realize that is a work in progress and probably would be better suited for a different class.
Would I do something like this again? Absolutely! I wouldn't have to think twice about it.
There are many things that will be going into the classroom with me this next year. I'm hoping to sell my second grade team on a grade level website. Second Grade Adventures is shaping up to be lots of fun. Culips will be great to use with my ESL students.
To document my continued learning and explorations, I plan to continue reading and make posts on my Longhorn Mom blog. It will be a good place to keep my thoughts together. My co-teachers will probably get tired of hearing about Web 2.0. I will either sell them on it or they will tell me to hush. :)
23 Things has been the beginning of a long journey of learning to come.
After completing 23 Things, I have a list of other things I want to further explore. My list includes Bubbleshare (online slideshows), Discovery Channel, Gliffy (create diagrams), Learn Outloud (audio books, podcasts, etc.), National Geographic Kids, Pageflakes (similar to iGoogle page), PBWorks (Wiki site), Podnova (podcasts), Podomatic (podcasts), Smilebox (photos, slideshows), Swyzzle (create slideshows), Wattpad (ebook sharing community), Think Free (online docs), Joost (social networking), and Netvibes (widget organizer). Those should keep me busy for quite some time and lock in my status as a Lifelong Learner.
My favorite Things were Google Reader and Creative Commons. I read a lot on the Internet - personal and professional material. It has always been challenging to keep up with feeds I read regularly. Google Reader solved that problem. I subscribed to feeds and check it several times a day. Creative Commons is a wealth of copyright safe images.
Most surprising was learning the art of blog commenting. Previous to 23 Things, I was more likely to read and absorb. Post 23 Things, I participate in the conversations and get more out of them. I didn't realize there was a proper way to comment.
I am very glad I chose summer to take this class. The amount of hours I put into it would not have been possible during the school year. I would have liked to learn more about MISD's specific policies concerning Internet use in schools. I realize that is a work in progress and probably would be better suited for a different class.
Would I do something like this again? Absolutely! I wouldn't have to think twice about it.
There are many things that will be going into the classroom with me this next year. I'm hoping to sell my second grade team on a grade level website. Second Grade Adventures is shaping up to be lots of fun. Culips will be great to use with my ESL students.
To document my continued learning and explorations, I plan to continue reading and make posts on my Longhorn Mom blog. It will be a good place to keep my thoughts together. My co-teachers will probably get tired of hearing about Web 2.0. I will either sell them on it or they will tell me to hush. :)
23 Things has been the beginning of a long journey of learning to come.
Thing #23 Other Social Networks
Part 1:
I'm really into social networking. (Pun intended. I watched "He's Just Not That Into You" last night. :) I read on one of the hundreds of blogs I've explored lately that "If one gets smarter, we all get smarter." (I didn't mark where I read that, so apologize for not giving proper credit. It was a quote from a sports star, I believe. If anyone knows for sure who said that, let me know. I want to give proper credit.) This is so true. Networking is possibly one of the greatest tools educators have available to them. As they say, "Two (or more) heads are better than one." Collaboration, vertical and horizontal teaming, PST committee, grade level planning meetings, ... so many instances where networking is put to great use in our district.
In beginning Thing #23 I explored a few networks and found one I really like and have added to my Reader. Classroom 2.0 is fascinating. Naturally, I joined. :) They have developed a strand dealing specifically with ESL!
Classroom 2.0 is extremely user-friendly. The strands of topic organization and groups make it easy to tune in to one's specific interest and weed out other information. Classroom 2.0 is international. I like being connected to others outside of Mesquite. That is a big step for me. I enjoy learning about education trends in other countries.
As networks tend to do, one link led to another, which led to another, which led to another, and, well, you get the picture. Some names I ran across I was already familiar with in the ESL community. (Read, Write, Think and EdHelper) I also found new people I want to read and follow. (Larry Ferlazzo and EFL Classroom 2.0.)
Read, Write, Think has a neat activity for vocabulary development in younger students. Construct-A-Word is a good resource for Spelling and word families.
Culips is an ESL podcast site. In their podcast for July 13th the two hosts, Maura and Jessie, discuss the idiom "Hit it off" for second language learners. I really like their choice to have two people discussing the phrase. It's a co-teaching strategy that I strongly believe in also. I can see my ESL students enthralled with listening and learning. (Copyrights: Podcast/ Lipservice: ESL Culips, Photo credit: casch52) It's good that their podcasts can be downloaded to my hard drive, thus enabling them to be used without requiring Internet access.
Part 2:
Collective Intelligence. In the article 7 things you should know about Ning, the distinction between Ning and Facebook/MySpace is that Ning has the ability for users to create their own social networks with more control over how they are set up and function. I like the term "collective intelligence" in reference to networks.
In her article, Schools and Online Social Networking, Nancy Willard offers four strategies for school districts in setting up guidelines for networking at school. I would like to know more about MISD's policies. That will be one of my future research projects.
I'm really into social networking. (Pun intended. I watched "He's Just Not That Into You" last night. :) I read on one of the hundreds of blogs I've explored lately that "If one gets smarter, we all get smarter." (I didn't mark where I read that, so apologize for not giving proper credit. It was a quote from a sports star, I believe. If anyone knows for sure who said that, let me know. I want to give proper credit.) This is so true. Networking is possibly one of the greatest tools educators have available to them. As they say, "Two (or more) heads are better than one." Collaboration, vertical and horizontal teaming, PST committee, grade level planning meetings, ... so many instances where networking is put to great use in our district.
In beginning Thing #23 I explored a few networks and found one I really like and have added to my Reader. Classroom 2.0 is fascinating. Naturally, I joined. :) They have developed a strand dealing specifically with ESL!
Classroom 2.0 is extremely user-friendly. The strands of topic organization and groups make it easy to tune in to one's specific interest and weed out other information. Classroom 2.0 is international. I like being connected to others outside of Mesquite. That is a big step for me. I enjoy learning about education trends in other countries.
As networks tend to do, one link led to another, which led to another, which led to another, and, well, you get the picture. Some names I ran across I was already familiar with in the ESL community. (Read, Write, Think and EdHelper) I also found new people I want to read and follow. (Larry Ferlazzo and EFL Classroom 2.0.)
Read, Write, Think has a neat activity for vocabulary development in younger students. Construct-A-Word is a good resource for Spelling and word families.
Culips is an ESL podcast site. In their podcast for July 13th the two hosts, Maura and Jessie, discuss the idiom "Hit it off" for second language learners. I really like their choice to have two people discussing the phrase. It's a co-teaching strategy that I strongly believe in also. I can see my ESL students enthralled with listening and learning. (Copyrights: Podcast/ Lipservice: ESL Culips, Photo credit: casch52) It's good that their podcasts can be downloaded to my hard drive, thus enabling them to be used without requiring Internet access.
Part 2:
Collective Intelligence. In the article 7 things you should know about Ning, the distinction between Ning and Facebook/MySpace is that Ning has the ability for users to create their own social networks with more control over how they are set up and function. I like the term "collective intelligence" in reference to networks.
In her article, Schools and Online Social Networking, Nancy Willard offers four strategies for school districts in setting up guidelines for networking at school. I would like to know more about MISD's policies. That will be one of my future research projects.
- A clear policy with a strong focus on educationally valuable use of the Internet -- no "Internet recess." The policy must be supported by curriculum and professional development, and a clear expectation for teachers that all student use of the Internet should be for high quality, well-planned instructional activities.
- Student education about online safety and responsible use.
- Effective technical monitoring.
- Appropriate consequences. Schools and districts should consider a full review of Internet use management policies and practices. A needs assessment and evaluation of Internet use would provide helpful insight. Safe school personnel must be involved in that process.
In summary, I believe the keys to technology working at school are supervision (by teachers and parents) and education (for teachers and students).
Part 3:
I was already a member of 23Thingsters. I noticed the membership isn't very large yet. Perhaps that will increase as word of the group is spread. I made a comment on Carla's 23Thingster. I also put my 23Thingster badge on my blog home page.
I intend to continue networking and monitoring sites of interest. I believe there are LOTS of information and ideas out there just waiting to be gathered. At this point, I introducing my students to these networks will be on a limited basis. I will preview, screen, and scrutinize in depth anything I present to my students.
Part 3:
I was already a member of 23Thingsters. I noticed the membership isn't very large yet. Perhaps that will increase as word of the group is spread. I made a comment on Carla's 23Thingster. I also put my 23Thingster badge on my blog home page.
I intend to continue networking and monitoring sites of interest. I believe there are LOTS of information and ideas out there just waiting to be gathered. At this point, I introducing my students to these networks will be on a limited basis. I will preview, screen, and scrutinize in depth anything I present to my students.
Thing #22 MySpace and Facebook
My first experience with social networking was with MySpace. My daughter set up an account and was talking about what she was doing and who she was talking to online. I setup an account to monitor what she was doing.
To say it was educational for me as a parent and teacher is an understatement. I believe social networking is what it is, and it is here to stay.
As educators and parents it is our duty to know what our children/students/friends are doing and saying online. The Internet still makes me cautious, but I feel setting up my own accounts on MySpace, Facebook, etc. has strengthened my relationship with my own children. All four of my children, son-in-law, and lots of their friends are on my friend list of 59 people, as well as many of my friends, colleagues, and family.
Facebook has been more to my liking for a social network of choice. Comparatively I have 59 friends on MySpace and 203 on Facebook.
I have several favorite applications on FB. Pieces of Flair is fun to search and to make my own. Some games I play on FB are Lil Green Patch, Lil Blue Cove, Willy's Sweet Shop, and Hatchlings. It's just plain, clean fun. :)
On Facebook I have connected and reconnected with extended family, high school friends, college friends, former students, and many, many colleagues from school. I think it is a great resource to keep people in touch while building and strengthening friendships.
Part of my liking FB over MySpace could possibly be that more of my friends are on FB than MySpace. There are more opportunities for things to do on FB.
As for educational use, I don't want my students to have access to my personal FB or MySpace. I prefer to keep that part of my life private. I would consider an alias profile to be in touch with my students. I know almost all of them have profiles set up. I believe I could learn a lot from reading their pages. I see social networking at its point in evolution presently as strictly social. I think it will, at some time in the future, have a place in the classroom. I don't think that time has come yet.
To say it was educational for me as a parent and teacher is an understatement. I believe social networking is what it is, and it is here to stay.
As educators and parents it is our duty to know what our children/students/friends are doing and saying online. The Internet still makes me cautious, but I feel setting up my own accounts on MySpace, Facebook, etc. has strengthened my relationship with my own children. All four of my children, son-in-law, and lots of their friends are on my friend list of 59 people, as well as many of my friends, colleagues, and family.
Facebook has been more to my liking for a social network of choice. Comparatively I have 59 friends on MySpace and 203 on Facebook.
I have several favorite applications on FB. Pieces of Flair is fun to search and to make my own. Some games I play on FB are Lil Green Patch, Lil Blue Cove, Willy's Sweet Shop, and Hatchlings. It's just plain, clean fun. :)
On Facebook I have connected and reconnected with extended family, high school friends, college friends, former students, and many, many colleagues from school. I think it is a great resource to keep people in touch while building and strengthening friendships.
Part of my liking FB over MySpace could possibly be that more of my friends are on FB than MySpace. There are more opportunities for things to do on FB.
As for educational use, I don't want my students to have access to my personal FB or MySpace. I prefer to keep that part of my life private. I would consider an alias profile to be in touch with my students. I know almost all of them have profiles set up. I believe I could learn a lot from reading their pages. I see social networking at its point in evolution presently as strictly social. I think it will, at some time in the future, have a place in the classroom. I don't think that time has come yet.
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