Interactive White Boards --

Why I Hate Interactive Whiteboards
By Bill Ferriter


Read why he hates Interactive White Boards. Do you agree or Disagree????

Let me know.

Linux Mint

I have always been intrigued by the world of Linux. I had an older Dell computer that was so inundated with spyware that it refused to work. With no software to restore the computer, I turned to the free world of Linux. After looking at a long list of "Live" distros, I selected Xubuntu. It was an excellent choice. The software was fast, responsive and a delight to use. I loaded it up with productivity software(open-office) and I was ready to go. I thought that I was rid of the Windows world forever. Alas, the computer went south and I thought my experiment was done.

But being the Geek that I am, I decided to use the software on an older desktop. The install went without a hitch. The computer seemed to be quick and responsive like it was on my old Dell lapttop. Unfortunately, I don't use the desktop that much and it still sits in the corner. Perhaps I will try to find a family who could use the desktop.

Again, thinking that the "experiment' was over, my son came to my house to show me something that he a received from from a Cisco workshop that he attended. It was Linux Mint on a bootable USB flash drive. Urged to place it on my Vista laptop, I place the drive into my computer and rebooted my machine. At first it didn't boot, remembering that I had to "enable" external drives on my Sony Vaio. That being said, I rebooted he Vaio. It was amazing. Not only did the machine boot up quickly and quietly, it picked up my internal wireless. In seconds, I was surfing the "net" and checking my email. What a great idea. As a matter of fact, I am typing this blog from my Vaio Linux Mint machine. Life is great.

If you have an older machine, try a "Live" distro of Linux to revive on an older machine. The give the machine away to a good home.

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With all the "free" software out there, I wonder how cheap of a computer could I put together.
Technology can be amazing.

Kathy Schrock's Website

If you aren't new to technology, then you will remember Kathy Schrock's Guide to Educators. She has everything on her site from rubrics to the newest digital fads that will enhance all your lesson plans. If you have never been there, then you owe it to yourself to visit. What I like is how personable she is. If you have a question that you think she can answer, ask. I did and received a quick response. Give it a try.

Voicethread

One of the new technologies that have been looking at is "VoiceThread".  VoiceThread is a web based program that lets you upload a document, image or graphic and have an online discussion. The online conversation can be typed, audio or audio and visual.  I have been thinking hard about how I would use this technology. I looked through the "threads" to get an idea on how I could use this in my class.  I must admit I haven't seen anything that helps.  I am not saying that this tool isn't good, I just have to keep on looking and thinking.  Create an account and give it a whirl.  Let me know if you can come up with anything.  I won't give in, I just need some divine intervention.

Teacher Tool "Jing"

Teachers love things that they find immediately useful.  You know, as soon as they see it they can figure out a million ways to use the technology in the classroom.  Teachers also like the fact that if they find that useful thing and it doesn't cost them a dime, they are likely to tell others.    Introducing "Jing".
This piece of software will let you capture a screen shot or capture what ever you are doing on the computer,  for 5 minutes, with the basic version.   The nice part of this is that if you have a microphone you can add narration to your onscreen movement. You will be making instructional videos for everything.  Post the videos to your website.  If your students have a question, you can refer them back to the video.  Give it a try.

This is probably one of my favorite monologues concerning education.  In this video Ken Robinson discusses how education stifles creativity from students.  According to Robinson we lost our focus on creativity while trying to educate our students.
 

Welcome

Welcome to "Technology on the Front Line.

Our mission here at "TFL" is to look at technology as seen through the eyes of teachers in the classroom. We will look at things that work...and look at things that don't.

All things looked at will be teacher tested and teacher approved.