Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Video Uploading

So I get an email form our tech guys telling me we do not have much space left on our server. When investigated, I found out that with our move to technology teaching, better quality cameras equals a whole lot of sotrage needed.

Any suggestions on good upload sites to use, like youtube, that are good for students as well would be appreciated.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Labcarts - The way of the future

Laptop carts! What a great idea, and how come I just heard of this? I just finished an online conference with my intech group. I found out that Regina schools are moving almost totally to laptop carts.

As a teacher who focuses a lot on classroom management, the idea of bringing my computers into my already routine and known setting. No new seating plan according to the usually poorly laid out computer lab design. No "quiet in the hallway". No finding out that another class is using the lab because you were not there right away. It is as simple as taking out a new textbook.

The advantages I see for the students are endless. Better concentration. Ability to move to a more suitable location (adaptation or not) and do the dame assignment. Concealed modifying for the low self-esteem students, etc.

As a teacher who may be a little unsure of technology, this is a great way to excite them, leave them in a comfort zone. They do not have to deal with wires or connections.

I now plan to push, hard, for a labcart in my school. I know it would be an easy sell for the uses. The fiances, and maintenance will be a stumbling block but hopefully we can get it going soon. I foresee this working so well that staff would rather book the labcart than a computer lab.