A Start on my Wiki...

I've briefly started formatting my Wiki for my first semester and one of my second semester courses.  I've figured out the general format and created a couple of linked pages, but it isn't looking good yet.  I decided to develop one Wiki for all of my courses, but a different blog for each course.  My Wiki will be my CMS, but the blogs will serve for my own lesson reflections and announcements that I want to communicate for a particular course.  Though, I will continue to use FB and email for announcements and posting relevant media, etc.  I like using all that I can to get students communicating.  After all, we all communicate through a variety of means...FB, email, chat, phone, etc.  I'm really comfortable doing that with my classroom.

Here's a link to the start of my Wiki: http://jroberson.mssd14.wikispaces.net/

I created new blogs for each course.  Last year, I had one blog that I only used for some assignments and notes.  I plan to develop my Wiki to replace this with more content.  Also, I created blogs for each class under my district gmail account.  I would recommend this.  Have two different accounts becomes complicated when posting notes and movies from Google docs and Youtube.

I have found that getting this started has some added frustrations with figuring out what or how I want things done...in terms of the classes themselves and the Wiki structure...how should I link my syllabus?  how do I want to __________ ?  You name it...but I'm working through some of these details, now.

I've also been spending a lot of time figuring out details with implementing Quad blogging into my classes.  Here's some information to summarize that: http://quadblogging.net/  Basically, students blog and communicate on blogs from the class and similar classes in other states or countries.  This makes blogging a more authentic experience.  I found this through Twitter.  If you aren't using Twitter for professional development, you should be.  There are a lot of great resources from like-minded educators.  I don't use it for personal/social stuff...just PD.  If you create an account, I'm @JaclynRoberson1.

Also, I found River Watch this week, which I would like to implement as a PBL experience into Environmental Science.  In addition to this project, they will work with local experts to complete an open ended service or research project in environmental science.

In terms of NETS Standards, I feel that I've been working on all of them, but I'll say "Technology Operations and Concepts."  I feel like I'm starting at "square one" with Wikis. I've really just been working my way around how to do stuff, which I consider being pretty "introductory skill level" and more along the lines of basic technology literacy concepts.

Summer Goals Update

With my change in position from teaching middle school to high school, my focus for the summer has shifted a little.  But I still plan to develop a Wiki as a learning management system for physical science and environmental science.  I will also be working on developing a program for physical science that involves community, experts and PBIL....then I will slowly tackle my preps for second semester.