Stardate: August 6, 2010 TGIF!

The grading is endless in the Moodleverse...but,
Thank God it's Friday!
I get to take my kids shopping.
Because yesterday was payday and I want to buy new shoes :)

Question: If there is global warming why is cold in SoCal?

Stardate; August 4, 2010

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What did I do today? It feels like nothing. I did have actual live contact with two of my students. I answered everybody else's phone calls (that's what I get for nabbing the big desk by the window). Then there was the paper work, attendance for an online class?

One of my fellow teachers busted a student, mom actually, for plagiarism. Mom, was doing all the work and thought her only mistake was not using quotes on everything. That's why I say that the blockhead doesn't fall far from the cliff. Crocodile tears flowed and another one bites the dust.

I apparently have the most students at our site for an English class. No wonder I'm taking longer than everyone else!

That's all folks.

Stardate August 3, 2010

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Today I actually made an attempt at teaching in the Moodleverse. I am not sure if the student will even read the notations let alone try to incorporate them in the next assignment, but, it's worth the try.

I am developing an ability to "scan" the assignments and spot the blackholes that contain no response or an unrelated one.

After three weeks and nearly half way through the forth and I am almost caught up.

The teacher's lounge is now the entire campus. A few of my fellow teachers were discussing the joys of reading Romeo and Juliet and just how fun it was. Apart from almost making me blow chunks it was pretty funny to listen to. Usually teachers spend most of their time complaining about the bonehead of the day. It's good to discuss teaching rather than classroom management.

We sent out mid-term grades last week, so, we have a plethora of students who have completed squat diddly divided by two suddenly calling in asking if they can turn in their work. Good luck.

Navigating the Moodleverse

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Star date: Wednesday, July 28, 2010

OK, this is my third week as an online classroom "teacher" and I doubt if I have done any real teaching. I have, as I have whined before, done a boatload of grading.

On a cool note, I have begun to us a feature called "Elluminate." An Elluminate session is sort of a chat session that I, as the teacher, moderate. Of course, the first few attempts were just learning the ropes and figuring out how to use the different features. I think the greatest challenge so far has been getting the students to correctly log in and participate. What I have resorted to doing is having net-books on site and having students come in and showing them face to face how to navigate the Elluminate session.

What I envision is to be able to have set times for students to log in and ask questions live and I can go over specific elements of upcoming assignments. One baby step at a time, I guess.

That's all for today. See you in the Moodleverse.

Online teaching: week 3

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Wow, I am not sure if I have graded that much slopp in a like 21 years! I can not believe how many kids do not know how to use the spell check feature. About as many people who don't know how to use the turn signal feature on their moving vehicles!!! 

The online environment is not much different than the in-class seating as far as attendance is concerned. Some kids just are not motivated no matter what you do.  

I think most of the students are turning in pretty good work. 
 Ok, I am going to see if any adults can do this.
http://picasaweb.google.com/117118145137155948677/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCIyG2dXD0-7WGQ#5491682928204834690


Click, read and respond.

TGIF

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Thank God it's Friday!
Teaching an online summer school class has proven to be a boat load of grading. It's money though.
One of my colleagues came by and said this is the first time he has had a smile on his face for more than 3 days at work in as long as he can remember. Why? No discipline problems.

I think it's great for that very reason.
All right everybody, have a great weekend!

Stardate, Thursday, July 15,2010

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Myth: the younger generation is much more technologically adept than some of us older folks. True they can text their thumbs numb and play noentiendo until their eyes glaze over and their minds turn to Jello. But, that doesn't mean they know how to cut & paste or upload a file. Being a "gamer" means you know how to play a specific video game not that you can construct a complete sentence using proper grammar.

As my odyssey as an online teacher continues I am shock that so many students do not know how to perform basic editing functions. I am not sure what they think that squiggly red line under a misspelled word means. But they find it easier to ignore than a parental request to clean their room. So, I must do what all good teachers do; teach them from the bottom up.

I am very impressed with the overall politeness and respectfulness the students are displaying in my face to face contact with my students. I have enjoyed their responses to my daily quotes and pictures. I have found their responses to be humorous and introspective. 

Tomorrow, grading...