Tapped In

I am currently in a session for Tapped In about Storytelling. I was kind of confused at where to go.. but apparently I figured it out somehow. So I find this kind of weird. Not really what I was expecting. Basically they are just discussing this website some guy's website (who's running the session). It's actually kind of a cool website though. It's an online make your own comic strip. This would be very appealing to kids and a fun way to get them to do creative writing. Here's the link : MakeBeliefsComix. Oh they just shared another interactive writing website. Bills Treasure Chest.

Well I guess I got two good websites from this. I don't feel I'm learning anything about the Art of Storytelling though.. which is what I was expecting. I thought this would help me become a better storyteller - like Patrick Louis. I also thought that it was going to be more of a lecture type dealy, but in a chat room.. however, it turns out that it's just people chatting about writing I guess. I feel that I'm reading a lot of the same responses too. They share a site and then I read 20 people saying, "this is great.. kids would like this.. cool.." I feel too disconnected and finding it hard to really pay attention.. probably why I'm blogging.. which probably isn't helping my concentration. Kind of a catch 22.

I was checking out this Tapped In site though and there are a lot of resources within it. There are links to sites and free resources available to teacher. I suppose this online seminar is a good idea in theory. I'll maybe have to try this out again.

Also, check out those two websites on writing because they're pretty cool.

Stumble

If you have Firefox at home I recommend downloading a really cool 'Add-on'. Firefox has a website where you can download a variety of different add-ons to jazz up your internet. I found one that is really cool and handy. It's called StumbleUpon. Basically it lets you "channelsurf" the best-reviewed sites on the web. It is a collaborative surfing tool for finding and sharing great sites. This helps you find interesting webpages you wouldn't think to search for. When you first start it up it gives you a huge list of possible areas of interest. You click off all the areas you are interested in, like Education, animals, technology, etc. Then whenever you want to look for a cool site you click on your 'Stumble' button and it will take you to a website that is under one of your interests. It's a really cool way to find good websites, plus if you're ever bored it's a good way to pass the time!

For other cool Firefox Add-ons click here.

Lejo DJ

Cute Video

What Teachers Make

Finally... a blog about a Podcast

It's the environment, stupid!

The podcast that I listened to was one I found on David Suzuki's website.

This Podcast was done February 26, 2007 - And it asks the question.. "Can Canada afford to reduce green house gas emissions? David Suzuki and economist Sir Nicholas Stern explain why we can't afford not to."

So basically this podcast discussed the Economic Cost of Global Warming. If we were to reduce our emissions to where they have to go, we would have to pay 1% of our GDP - says David Suzuki. This amount translates to Billions of dollars - which scares many politicians and corporations because it's "Too Much Money.. bla bla bla".. Well we have to ask, what is the cost if we do nothing at all???

David Suzuki says that if "We follow Mr.Harper, who says that we have to keep raising our emissions because if we do anything about it our economy will fall" it will end up costing us More than WW1 and WW2 combined to try and deal with the world that has changed in the result of Global Warming. It will ruin 20% of the economy and we will be forced into a global depression the likes of which we have never had before. Our global economy will collapse . Basically We can not afford to do nothing!

I'm amazed at how many podcasts are available out there. It's cool because it's like having a speaker come to your class. And you can have someone as cool as David Suzuki "come to your class" to discuss critical issues about the environment. Plus, kids can make their own podcasts about topics.

I wish my cat could talk

Crossword Fun!

Today in class I learned how to create an online interactive crossword game using a program Hot Potatoes. A free program where you can created quizzes, matching, fill in the blanks and as mentioned earlier crossword puzzles.

Here it is.