Using Course Materials

I'm been applying some of the techniques we learned in my classes that started last week and to make me work more effectively. When I did my first week on BB, I forgot to copy the format so had to recreate it this week. Now I've made copies of it for each week, all I have to do is fill it in each week. This will save me a lot of time & will improve consistency for my students. I tend to work in an ad lib style which is great when I have to punt, and I know students appreciate consistency so having a consistent format should be helpful to them.

Google reader allows me to skim the news stories from all the sources I was using, something I was doing rather erratically before. So I'm using less time & energy and getting more out of it. I have given my students the link to the ones I want to share with them.

My natural history class is using the blog I set up for them. They were very enthusiastic about it, but need to pay more attention to how they are to use it. It's a learning experience. It can be found here, if anyone wants to look at it.

http://naturalhistoryofpws-ak.blogspot.com/

In my 'spare time' I've been exploring Second Life as a possible source for my students. I am amazed at what has been created. I've mostly gone to educational sites at this point and haven't interacted with anyone. I tend to be shy around strangers. Some lands have very good content. If anyone joins, I am Jaece Zapatero. I can see it as being a good place to have virtual "f2f" conversations with people I know.

I had a great trip down from Fairbanks, found lots more cool rocks, some fossils and some blooming wildflowers. I was relieved when I got home to see that Valdez was finally turning green and that most of the snow was gone.

I leave on Thursday to get my stuff out of storage and drive it back up here. The friend (ex) who was going to help me had a cardiac arrest last monday night. I am grateful she is recovering but it is hard to be so far away. It will be good to see her when I get there. I'm doing what I do well: punting so I can accomplish my goal. We have been planning this for over a year, and I am now back to square one.