Google Documents enhance collaboration

I thought that I had used Microsoft Office/Works almost exclusively.  Yet, when I opened my documents tab in my gmail account, I was reminded of the few times that I shared documents with others in google docs.  In particular: with my real estate agent when she shared our projected closing statements; with the barter organization that I am involved with that sends me documents; and with a small business broker on projected expenses.  Each of these people were obviously already aware of the google capabilities had no trouble viewing/sharing documents.  I have however, have encountered others who stated that they couldn't open the document I sent them.

This is what leads me to a major assessment of google documents.  While I was very excited after watching the youtube video on the potential of google documents.  I look forward to teaching students on their ability to to collaborate on group projects.  This asset overcomes many objections to time/travel constraints.   The biggest downside I see currently is the limited number of people aware of this capability.

We play an important role in showing our students the advantages to using these google features, but as far as being able to incorporate it into our personal lives, we face the constraints of others' ignorance of its existence.

Typing/Keyboarding

Several years ago I had the privilege to teach a high school keyboarding class in a private school in Kansas.  What I discovered was truly amazing.  I had one particular student from Pakistan that was already proficient in keyboarding before the course began.  When I questioned him on his ability, he explained that in his country that keyboarding was taught in 3rd grade!   3rd grade!!!

So that brings me to this question, when is the appropriate age to teach keyboarding?  Children are now using computers at toddler ages.  So, if they aren't taught, they will teach themselves.  These self-taught methods are inevitably a hunt and peck method.  Can we then adequately unteach these poor habits and reteach proper keyboarding techniques for speed and accuracy?  Is this a problem?

Having reviewed 3 of the available freeware online sites, I may have stumbled across some important games to put before children.


  1.  Keyhero.com is a site for older children/adult who already have keyboarding skills.  It tests for speed and accuracy and then flags areas for improvement and posts high scores.

2.  Learntotype.com requires an account sign-up to begin, but waives this requirement for K-2.  However, within this kids version, keyboardingtyping skills are not taught only mouse, arrow key and letter search and find skills tested.

3.  Freeonlinetypinggames.com was the gem mining find of the night.  This site has a specific kids secion that offer some great graphic and sound enhanced games, but most importantly this site offered a tutoring link.  This link specifically teaching hand placement and keyboarding lessons.  One note of caution, the script font used in the typing tone music game made it hard to tell which letters were which.

blahh---ging

I have refused to blog in the past.  I have even gone so far as to mock those who have blogged, questioning why anyone would think that someone would care about their opinions.

Yet, in retrospect, I do listen to verbal bloggers.  I love newstalk.  So, that brings me to my new discovery.  The blogs that I have visited in the past are not of value to me.  They were mostly just babble. In selecting blogs to follow I will now consider the following:

1.  Is the content of interest/value to me?  I will look for blogs on specific subject matters that interest me.

2.  Is the author of the blog of credible source?  My purpose of reading the blog will best help me assess this.  I must assess if I am reading it for mere entertainment, educational value or advice.  When searching out advice, authors with a Biblical Worldview will be of the utmost importance to me.  However, for educational value I will not always read authors' content that I agree with, but rather those that challenge my opinions.

The first thing that I looked at when reviewing the sample education sites was to read the author's bio.  I want to know who this person is.  I feel that this will best help be understand why his viewpoints are as such.  For example, Jeff Utecht and Clarence Fisher are both international educators, so their insights might have a whole different appeal to a reader than adult educator, Curt Bonk.

Little of Bonk's materials is directly transferable to the elementary classroom beyond the broad generalities of things like being flexible, cheerful and optimistic.   Utecht seems to share interesting finds as well as highlights of his teaching experiences in Thailand.  While I'm sure there are educational material that I can appreciate, I think my time would best be served by speaking with my contemporaries or teachers I know personally and admire.

Overcoming the Mac Attack

Okay, so my first night on a Mac was this eve.  My confession: I like most people resist change--the fear of the unfamiliar.  Many years ago the base newspaper that I oversaw was laid out on Mac and my staff swore that layout and design was far superior on the Mac systems.  I just worked to keep them happy and Mac funded.
But now I ponder what happens if this future teacher is given an "Apple."  I will have to invest the time in Atomic learning.  This tutorial is very informative, but I imagine will take a long time to master.  However, regular use will be the greatest teacher.  Like learning a second language or learning to serve a volleyball.  You can be shown something, but practice is what leads to perfection.  Simple shortcuts that we PC users take for granted will have to be explored.  So here is to the few MAP Mac Magellans :  Let the exploration begin......