Week 8 Blog One

How flat am I?

I would have to say much more flat, hopefully getting flatter by the day (if only this were a metaphor for my abs). Before this class I only vaguely knew what a blog was, but now with RSS feeds and Google Reader I have literally been at my computer reading and absorbing information for 2 hours when I finally realized I should probably start writing this entry. I sat at my computer and went through dozens of resources at powerpoint-search.com scribbling notes about which ones I would use during the study of the American literature novels I teach. I am running through my brain all the ways that this new information could help my journalism students.

I quickly added the PBS Teachers site to my bookmarks so that I can return to it frequently during the school year, and with my Google Reader, the information is all set to come to me. I am hopeful that fresh ideas will just arrive in my “mailbox” and these will keep me invigorated throughout the year.

Take a look at just a few that I found today…
Bubbl.us—a tool to help brainstorming and mapping
animated and narrated glossary of grammar terms—anything that will make grammar more interactive is great in my book
Grammar Ninja

Writing in the 21st Century

And a little inspiration for why we teach…
Making Learning Whole - How Seven Principles of Teaching Can Transform Education

I guess I do feel much flatter because I am better able to find and use tools that will help me be more successful. I hope that this new knowledge will help me to stay inspired because I will from now on be SO connected.