My friend and colleague Karen Janowski got me thinking about the summer and opportunities for our own professional development. The summer is a great time for educators to be involved in professional development and to learn about new resources and ways to deliver instruction to their students. With the internet becoming ubiquitous and new Web 2.0 applications, now is the time to explore on your own these rich resources. If you haven't already taken a look at Google Docs, wikispaces, Skype or del.icio.us then spend some time getting a feel for the applications and how they can be used in the classroom. You may also want to take a look at YouTube and TeacherTube for ways to integrate video into the classroom using nothing more than an inexpensive webcam. I know that many teachers are looking for ways to get their students to write and what better way than to use a blog. Teachers can set up free accounts on Blogger and have a working blog up and running in minutes. Blogger gives teachers the controls they need to be able to limit who can post and how posts are moderated. However, before starting a classroom blog it is a good idea to consult with your building administrator. Also take a look at Vyew a new collaborative tool that makes sharing your desktop with students a snap. I would be interested in learning how you might use these tools when your return to your classroom in September. Have a great Summer of learning!
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