My Babies are finally here

Yep on July 2, 2008 my wife gave birth to my 2 baby girls, twins...

Final Paper, Finally Completed

Well guys, it is finally done, and after a lot of difficulty. I used Google Docs but as I would write my paper and save it, funny things would happen. I would get errors saying that connectivity was limited or could not be performed. This has to be one of the major down-points of Google Docs. For the last few days I could not connect because of various reasons. For some strange reason Google Docs is just not working like it should and maybe I have exposed an error.

However bad I find it, I can definietly see the positives. As working one nigght I noticed Glen come on and add comments as i was working. I actually sat there for 10 minutes waiting to read, and even after updating i was unable to read any comments. The next day I looked and still nothing. At the end of the day I could see the changes and the time said 152pm, then later 358pm (that the changes were made).

There is a lot of potential for people to collaborate together. Group assignments and such would just be excellent on a program like this, plus it allows others to log their work with a time date and stamp. As a teacher I would find this a lot easier to use that individual assignments. However, you cannot simply change 100% because as with all new technology there are still glitches that occur.

I get the importance of using Google Docs, but in my region it just isn't practical. Using high speed satelite is still different than DSL connections in the city. Should someone be handicapped for that. I would think not. Should I be penalized. I think not. In fact, if anything I should be commended with extra marks for fighting through and perservaling. If one chooses to discriminate a person because of their Internet speed then they should talk to my lawyer because I am sure that would be a simple case of discrimination. Yes I am passionate about this matter and feel like the world pretends they are open to distance education, but it seems like its only lip service and when it meets their needs.

I enjoyed working with everyone and hope you all have a great summer.


Jason Nadeau aka Hank Hill


Anyhow, I completed my paper in Google Docs, then pasted it in Word in case it would error and not save properly.

Posting Comments

I have just posted comments on everyone's blog in the course again. I have now posted at least 4 comments or more on each one's blog. I tried posting comments on Glen's blog but he has it blocked against public access/posting. You can only post if your a member of Wordpress so he loses out on my postings. Ha Ha. Don't cry. No, I think Glen will live...

As the course comes to an end, I am eagerly working on the final paper and completed all but one of the course activities. Summer is coming as the bugs are flourishing.

Hank

Action Research or Final Paper

I hope Glen is reading this. Glen, I could use some guidance with your thoiughts and expectations with the final paper. If you could summarize or clarify exactly what you are looking for, please do so now. I am already 1/2 way through and don't want to be doing the wrong thing. I am sure all ICT'er's would also appreciate any guidance or comments you post.

Thanks

Online Resume Could be Disasterous

do we really want all of this important information on us out there?

I actually used to think it was awesome. About 10 years ago, I came accross a guy who posted his resume online. It was a way for employeres to find him. I wanted that and spent 5 years making it happen, along with my own webpage. www.jasonnadeau.com

I have since taken the page down. As an educator you must remain private because you are a professional.

I have since updated and uploaded my resume and documents on www.applytoteach.ca
This website only allows school boards to view your documents and information. In a day of identity theft I would advise against revealing too much.

Benefits of Social Software

Social software has many great benefits I am learning about in this course. For my particular situation, I live in the north, and it allows me to have contact and communicate with other students and the professor. Learning is personalized as I am able to learn at my own pace and my own convenient time. I now have access to digital lectures, tutorials, and bulletin boards or blogs that allow me to communicate with other students. There are really many benefits to social software and as I progress throughout the course I will continue to learn ways to assist my teaching and learning. I have been able to create an online learning community.
Web Based Tools VS. Computer Based Tools

It is funny; I am not one to utilize the available web-based tools. I used to stick with Microsoft Office and Windows components. Web based tools were always not very effective or efficient at completing the tasks that I had to perform. I am happy to say that this has now all changed. This course is allowing me to test out new waters and see that online tools that are FREE as just as powerful, if not more powerful than computer based tools.

Tools such as OpenOffcie and Google Documents have shown me the advantages of using these word-processing utilities. Access to documents anywhere and at anytime is convenient and important to have. In many ways it can save a lot of time. Rather than installing software on different computers or files, simply log-in and wham, you are set to go. I have since dabbled my legs in the other applications. Spreadsheets, presentations, and other programs are now becoming just as easy to use as the word-processors.

Delicious

Delicious Tagging is fun and valuable. It is amazing how many websites I have tagged already. What is even more interesting is seeing how many websites that I tag that others also find important. Social tagging is pretty neat and will change the way we see book marking.

My favourites folder on my computer is so full that I do not use it anymore. It used to monopolize all of my time organizing and then it became out of hand, like rabbits and I simply let it go. Delicious causes me to label or tag it with a certain topic right away. It is fast, easy to use, just one click and a label. It also allows me to see and share my favourite websites that I find useful and interesting with others and myself. In the past I would have to email my favourites to myself so I could check them when on the road. The work and effort needed to do this, not to mention expertise makes this impractical. However, Delicious is changing that, making it convenient and easy to share and remotely access bookmarks. I would definitely recommend this application. Just remember, it is an add-on to FireFox, so please download and install Mozilla first.
Cheers, Hank Hill