Web 2.0

So, I've dedicated my free afternoons to research. I've been researching lesson plan ideas, new technology and post importantly Web 2.0 tools. I'm already using facebook, twitter (@msgregson) and Ning (http://sltrojans.ning.com/). I've become an avid explorer of Second Life. My newest research is how I can use the school's new iPod Touch in the classroom. I'm focusing that research on the SAT Prep class that I teach. But, in my research, I've found many Web 2.0 tools that could become beneficial in the classroom. Here's my list so far:

• http://www.glogster.com ("poster yourself")
• http://www.whenisgood.net (pass around the calendar to see when is good for a meeting)
• http://www.groupcard.com (pass around a card for all to sign, then print and deliver!)
• http://www.elgg.org (social environment)
• http://www.wordle.net (great to find trends in web pages or papers)
• http://www.chalksite.com (central point for communication and notes for teachers)
• http://www.jotspot.com (wiki for sharing of documents, etc)
• http://www.thegroupvine.com (great way for classes/clubs to stay up to date)
• http://www.e-tutor.com/et2/graphing/ (graphing calculator)
• http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/ (online graph creater)
• http://www.calcoolate.com/ (online calculator)
• http://notemesh.com (shares and combines notes into a unified version)
• http://www.diigo.com/ (online bookmarking website, can highlight pages and share)
• http://delicious.com/ (online bookmarking website, social network for sharing)
• http://ottobib.com/ (bibliography help)
• http://www.newsvine.com/ (news source for students)
• http://www.youtube.com (search engine for videos)
• http://fickr.com (upload and share photos)
• http://www.eyespot.com (create video mixes and share)
• http://video.google.com (search engine for videos)

Obviously this is not every Web 2.0 tool - just fun ones that I've found so far. I'll keep updating as I go. Feel free to let me know of new ones you find. And, now apparently, researching Web 2.0 is on the out and researching Web 3.0 is on the in. I'm going to finish Web 2.0 first before I move into the new uncharted territory.

Back to being a Newbie

I've never blogged before. I always read other people's blogs, but never done one myself. But, I'm at a turning point in my life right now where my job is on a new path, I have lots of ideas floating in my head and decided this might be the place to organize them!

In July, I am starting my Masters Degree in Instructional Technology. This mere step has opened my eyes to using technology in my math classroom. I am exploring Second Life, IPODs in the classroom, Google Docs and other classroom resources that will re-engage my students into loving math.

Students hate math. They hate coming to my classroom. They hate learning the new material. But, my goal is to get them focused and engaged to hopefully change the world's idea of math, one student at a time.

I hope to document what I do through this blog as I embark on my next step - Graduate School and see how it impacts my math classroom.

I hope you'll go for the ride with me and help me with new ideas. Keep checking back. I'm gonna give this a try!