Help! Sorry, feeling a little overwhelmed this week. Final push in school for the Regents exam in Biology, final week in TWT, Senior prom and graduation for my son. Not enough hours in the day. Did a lot of reading this week on virtual labs and interactive games. I have had some experience with virtual labs in school. Each year when we do the frog disection there are a few students who refuse to participate. We have started to offer them the choice of doing a virtual disection. They really love the option and I feel that they get as much or more out of it than my other students. I could see us going to the virtual lab for all of our students.

End of School Year

We said goodby to our students yesterday, last day of class. It seems as the years go by faster and faster as I get older. It seems like it was September only moments ago. As a Biology teacher I worry about my students and the Regents exam. The exam is next Thursday and I hope they continue to study. When you see them everyday you can always remind them. I worry about out of sight out of mind.

We are also fast approaching the end of TWT. I feel overwhelmed with work. I have learned a great deal in this class, however, there is so much information out there that I don't know where to start. Well, we will get through this won't we?

web 2.0

Really learned alot this week about web 2.0. I thought I used the Internet in my life and in school but realized this week how much is out there. Have found some really great interactive websites that could be used in my science classes. I have used webquests before but these virtual labs are fantastic. Would like to use them in my biology classes next year. If anyone has any experience with them please share.

Digital Citizenship

Hi everyone, been away in D.C. for a couple of days and didn't get a chance to blog. Found a great website on digital citizenship at http://www.digitalcitizenship.net
Talks about the 9 themes of digital citezenship:
1. Digital Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct and procedure.
2. Digital Communication: electronic exchange of information, how people are able to keep in
constant communication with anyone else, at anytime and anywhere.
3. Digital Literacy: process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of
technology.
4. Digital Access: full electronic participation in society. The idea that to be productive citizens
we need to be commited to equal digital access.
5. Digital Commerce: electronic buying and selling of goods. A large share of market economy
is being done electronically and growing each year.
6. Digital Law: electronic resposibility for actions and deeds. Both ethical and unethical use of
technology must be understood.
7. Digital Rights and Responsibilities: those freedoms extended to everyone in the digital
world, privacy, free speech, etc.
8. Digital Health and Wellness: physical and psycological well being. Examples include
internet addiction, eye safety, and repetitive stress syndrome.
9. Digital Security: electronic precautions to guarantee safety. Protect your information from
outside forces just like you protect your house.

I really got alot of good information from this site, it might be worth your time to take a look at it. Talk to you soon.

Facilitator for today's meeting

I am the facilitator for our group meeting today. I am a little nervous since Carla and Ilene did such a great job as facilitators our first two meetings. I am trying to prepare. Today's topic of internet security and cyber bullying hits close to home. My niece who is in seventh grade was cyber bullied earlier this year. It continued in school and as a result she transferred to a neighboring school district. I am interested in learning as much as I can on how to prevent it so if I see it happening I will be able to help. Talk to you after the meeting.

first WiZiQ meeting

Our group had our first online meeting this week. It went better than I expected! I am much more comfortable meeting face to face in class but I can see where this would be a very valuable tool. My group members Carla and Ilene did a great job facillitating our meetings, I will get a chance this week. I am looking forward to it.

setting up a blog

I'm so proud of myself, a proud parent of a 10 pound baby blog. Up until a couple months ago I had no idea what a blog was. What's next a twitter account.