rgdavidson@govwentworth.k12.nh.us http://del.icio.us/filmrd

filmrd.edu.blogs.org

Date: 09/19/08

This is an update of computer technology at KRMS for the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year.

As soon as we can schedule the time, we are ready to set up this year’s seventh graders and new eighth graders onto www.thinkquest.com. I have already assigned the user names and passwords. If you do not have a think account, you should see me. “Think” is not only a great way for students to access their work on line, it is very teacher friendly as well. Check out Rebecca’s or my think sites and see how we are able to communicate with the students, parents and teachers. If you would like help setting up your “think” site, let me know. Creating a site is very user friendly. In essence, all my students have their “binders” on line. They also know to regularly check my list of projects that I post to all of their sites. Everything is in one place. All the students have to do is access their own ThinkQuest sites.

The computer lab is already starting to book up, so please see me to reserve computer time. Remember that I am here to help all of you integrate computer technology into the classroom. This can be done either in my room or in your rooms using the laptops. I have ideas for all subject areas. I also welcome yours.

Check out the Portaportal Section of the Kingswood Regional Middle School Website. I am regularly adding interesting sites in all curriculum areas. There are some really cool sites out there and most of them are free.

If you have any pictures or news to put on the expanding KRMS website, please see me or put whatever you have in my box. We have gotten a lot of positive feedback about the site, especially the podcasts and videos that have been posted there. Now that we have the permission forms to post pictures, we also plan to use more images of student activities to make the site more interesting to students, teachers, and parents.

I got the following mantra from Susan Phillip’s Blog. It sums up my view of life better than I could have expressed it. She is a principal in Jacksonville Florida who blogs. As an educator, I can’t imagine life without blogs. It is amazing the ideas and insights that are being shared on cyberspace. We could also be sharing project ideas on thinkquest.

Risk more than others think is safe.

Care more than others think is wise.

Dream more than others think is practical.

Expect more than others think is possible.