I have only been in Second Life 16 days today – seems much longer then that. I had a terrific mentor and guide as I began my new life, Kathy Schrock/Kathy Dryburg. Currently I am making a list of the things I wish I knew before I dove in. And what would I do differently if I started again? These ideas will be put in a presentation for teachers about to embark on their secondlife. Here is my working list…
I am currently teaching a graduate course – Differentiating Instruction with Technology. The participants are very creative and enthusiastic. I have just been reviewing the first set of projects and I am very impressed. I hope at the end of the course to share some of the projects, activities, lessons and learning resources they have created on the district website and my resource wiki. In the mean time I wanted to share two tools that are making their ways around…
I while back my district along with many others in MA participated in a CAST grant to look at UDL (Universal Design for Learning) One of the principle tools we used was book builder, CAST has now placed this on-line for others to use. I really recommend a look. Related to that is a collaborative Internet project focusing on UDL. The Ladybug project by Susan Silverman is looking for participants. Please stop by and see if you might be interested….
I just left a presentation at the ISTE skypark in Second Life given by Maggie (Peggy Sheehy) on her inspiring work in SL. There were about 25 people in attendance – standing room only. I was very impressed by the work that she, SL volunteers and her fellow teachers have done. Creating a virtual learning environment for 8th grade students at her middle school. I think I am more impressed that a school board agreed to the project. (There is…
I never thought I would ‘get it’ but I am hooked on Second Life. I have spend hours wandering this Metaverse, checking out museums, libraries, regions and meeting some pretty terrific people. I have attended classes, meetings and socials. Each time I come away impressed. Now I want to learn how to hold these classes, give presentations and show video. I am so hooked, I decided to rent a house on Eduisland II, it is right on the corner of…
I have finally taken the plunge and began my Second Life (seems more like my 4th after mom, wife and educator). I have been reading about it a bunch, but I do not feel I can comment on something till I try it for a while. So I was planning on spending some time getting to know second life this school vacation. Seems others were thinking this way as well and we began our SL experience at our MassCUE leadership…
I am currently teaching a course, working with a group of teachers on some class projects and just came back from a MassCUE leadership meeting. In all of these setting the running theme has been, it is just not about the technology anymore. This is something that I have felt quite strongly about for a long time, but it is nice to see the classroom teachers realize that as well. I am not asked as often how to use the…