Things to Try in 2008

Well, it is the night before classes start, and I still have that little flutter in my tummy — I had a mentor once who told me that was a good sign, because the semester you stop getting butterflies is the semester you should quit teaching. So, I either believe him, or he jinxed me. Either way, I am a bot nervous.

So, to get some of the nerves out, I will rekindle an annual tradition. Last year, I made a list of a few things that a digital teacher might want to try in 2007 in light of Time naming “you” as the person of the year in 2006. I will repost that list here and add a few more:

Last year’s list:

• Subscribe to at least five blogs and five podcasts, and read/listen to the regularly.
• Create a wiki. It can be for you, your family, your students, your school. Whatever. Just make one and play around with it.
• Learn how to post photos, videos, slideshows, or some other artifact online and think about other creative things that you can do with it.
• Create a digital story. Even if it is only a few seconds long.
• Learn more about copyright and how you and your students can use Creative Commons to produce your own digital writing.
• Write a document collaboratively.
• Get an avatar in Second Life.
• Talk for free. Heck, talk to lots of other people for free about something interesting to you.
• Get onboard with the open source movement.
• Check out other Web 2.0 options.

And, to add this year’s list:

• Join a social network such as Classroom 2.0.
• If you haven’t yet, try out microblogging with Twitter. And build a social network there, too.
• Download an install Portable Apps on a jump drive.
• Participate in a webcast.
• Read a free e-book on digital media and learning.
• Record a screencast.
• Set up a web conference.
• Develop a personal website. Google makes it a cinch.
• Get involved with a professional organization of your choice and submit a proposal to present about how you are using technology in your classroom at their annual conference.
• Encourage another teacher to begin blogging.

That’s about all for now. I feel a bit better about preparing for tomorrow, and the rest of the year. Good luck in your tech adventures this semester.




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