Publish to any of your Blogger blogs from iGoogle

I love gadgets, there I said it!
But amongst the poor pickings one rarely finds a really useful gadget. This gadget publishes to your Blogger blog from your iGoogle home page. It is a simple gadget (I believe: KISS) but allows you to type plain text (with Spellcheck) directly to any one of your blogs.
Cons: No HTML editor, but allows html tags. Therefore I need to go search my html skills in order to link to the blog I read by Blogger Buzz...done that took me 3 minutes (knowledge in a flat box!)

How can I apply this to my class?
I plan to have blogs from each student under the one Blogger account (come on Blogger team, how about some educational functions!). Our class computer home page will be an iGoogle page where students can simply enter a quick entry with out changing pages. I am using it now and it should appear inst.......ant..ly in the class blog reader on the same page! Wow, what do you think?

Wordle Meme

I was reminded by Blogger in Middle-earth about doing regular Wordle reflections on my blog. Looking back at my last Wordle done in October shows how my topic emphasis has changed. I have had a high environmental interest in my blogs but with a strong foundation of education and technology.

Some words I see but would like to be more prominent in my learning:

analysis, decided, expressing, influence, contribute, creating, mentors, helped, experimenting...

I do not understand the reason for tagging, but for now I will assume it's about spreading the meme. Wikipedia says memes self-replicate and are subject to selective pressures. Is then the meme one of reflection or of shared development? Also, how do you feel about being tagged? I hate chain email and it stikes a similar cord, will I have 7 years bad luck if I don't tag?

The many ways of digital literacy

SNOWBOUND

by Elizabeth Tornes

Illustration & Animation by Joshua Spivey

I created this title of a digital story in a reflection of the wonderful style illustrated by Joshua Spivey. It is in a way a continuation of their story, becoming a part of mine as I attempt to convey the beauty of the tale with colour and text. New literacies require we create and respond to them in new ways in kind. Can you assess that?

Click here to read Snowbound.

From Born Magazine: an experimental literary arts and interactive media site. Most publications are not suitable for children, but is one more creative site that can inspire us adults as consumers and producers of digital poetry.

Using, modeling and sharing

Shark dissection brings out the crowd

Sharing real world science news in new ways. Although we may be challenged by the lack of essential technology like data projectors, there are ways use in class such as a class home page. I was thinking web 2 offers opportunities for student ownership of different areas. Is anyone using this idea in their class?

Literacy, numeracy standards bill now law

Education (National Standards) Amendment Bill passed  today and gives the Minister of Education the power to set national literacy and numeracy standards which students will be assessed against. I am waiting to see how this is done without regressing to 20st century education ideals, although as mentioned in my earlier blog National is throwing lots of money towards their education plan. How will we assess them?What worries me is that after this law is rushed through with no consultation, we are told they will consult with the education sector on the standards. Whether we like it or not?
Flickr image by jek in the box

Dump Fees promote environmental dumping

Christchurch Mail. Wednesday, December 3, 2008.
As I concluded from my River Dumping Environmental Investigation, that Christchurch City Council has created a social/economic barrier to clean rivers; by not providing free dumping. 

In this article by Deb Stringer, she shows us again how little human spirit Christchurch City Council possess. I have always understood our councils are there to serve our community, yet they will not give local charities free dumping! The Christchurch City Council seems to be missing HUMANS who know how to serve the community with empathy. At present some seem to be served more than others.

This is their email, as advertised on their website. info@ccc.govt.nz  I am sending them an email asking them to have a heart,  if you do too, we can make a difference.

Primary school science shows our failure as 21st century teachers

Primary school science skills fall to 1994 levels

According to survey results (including ERO) we are not teaching this essential subject that is the forerunner and our opportunity to teach for the 21st Century. I have seen this attitude to science and technology in New Zealand schools, squeezing it out, or squeezing it in. 

Are primary school teachers or principals to blame? We talk about teaching for the 21st century yet how do we get out of the conforming boxes of fitting in the 'right' curriculum subjects. Who decides on the 'right' subjects and are we still really teaching for the 20th century?