IWLA 2009

Well the IWLA 2009 conference has just ended and it was a resounding success! I am now at the IWLA Technology Workshop. We are talking about blogs. What better time for me to update this one?

This school year I am interested in doing more with my wikis, podcasts and perhaps blogs. I still don't know how I might use blogs in my classroom. I would be interested in ideas for how to utilize this in my classroom. All ideas are welcome!

When it rains, it pours

So, now I want to add some audio to my wiki. I recorded my students singing some of the songs that we use to remember verb tenses, etc. I used my new flip video camera. But I only wanted the audio. Thankfully I have some good tech support people because we figured out a fix for the moment. Though it sounds like I need to get into easy video editing. I guess when you start exploring new technologies "it not only rains, but it pours."

¡Que llueva!

Limits

Limits are a good thing, when dealing with young people.  Young people want and need limits, though they won't ask for them.  Limits help them grow.  At camp we set limits for villagers.  We have rules and we have expectations for their conduct.  There are always little rules, that, if broken, don't result in a huge consequence.  Then there are those big rules, that if broken, by villagers or by staff members, result in you being sent immediately home, do not pass go, do not collect $200.  Those limits are necessary for the safety and well-being of the villagers and the staff.

What about limits for the program?  I am facing some limits, or limitations this summer. Enrollment for the first session is low.  I do not have any certified lifeguards hired.  That might limit our access to the beach.  But, when I see limits like these, then I try to think of how I can grow as a dean, or how I can grow the program through these limits, or through these challenges.  These limits cause me to come at a problem from a different angle.  I need to rethink my staffing pattern.  What can a 19 year old who doesn't speak Spanish do at the village?  He can work as a lifeguard and what else?  We've got small numbers for the first session, how will we make it even more successful and transformative than it usually is for a smaller group of villagers?  The staff and I will find ways to do it.  We will stretch the limits.

Isn't it the same with technology?  I want to use more technology in my classes, hence this blog.  But I feel limited by my access to technology, by time, by what I know and don't know, by student access outside of class, and so much more.  Can I look at these limits as opportunities to grow?  If I don't have a 1:1 laptop  program (which I don't), then how can I provide students access so that they can blog?   How will blogging help my students become better writers of Spanish?  What technologies will be fun to explore with students AND will move us along the path of learning Spanish?  These are questions that I hope to answer over time.  Any hints or suggestions are as always welcome.

To blog or not to blog

Well, I've only this school year started following some blogs.  They have been a great way for me to keep up to date on my niece during her year abroad in France.  It's been wonderful to read about the trips, lives and learning of several El Lago del Bosque counselors as they have spent a semester or a year abroad.  I recently started following some teachers' blogs and it is all very interesting to me.  I've thought for a long time what a shame there weren't blogs 22 years ago when I was in France.  Letters were my blog, but each person only got a small glimpse into my experiences.  With blogs, everyone can share in your entire experience.

So, I 'm going to give this blogging thing a try.  No limits but the sky!  I'm taking an on-line class right now where we will explore blogs, wikis and more.  I'm feeling very confident in my wiki skills, but not so much in my blogging.  So this is my test run.

I want to learn more about blogging, for myself, and also how I might use it in my classroom.  I am a Spanish teacher at an 8th and 9th grade school in Waukee, Iowa.  Any ideas anyone has on this would be great.

Wish me happy blogging!

Keeka