Introductions

Please introduce yourself, let us know a little bit about you, and where you are from.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Konrad Glogowski on October 31, 2007 at 4:49pm

Hi Erich and welcome to Classroom 2.0!

Just wanted to officially welcome you to our community. Have you checked out all the interest groups that might be of interest to you? Here are just three that you might be interested in:

ESL and Technology - Classroom 2.0

Free & Open Source Software - Classroom 2.0 (K12 - but I'm sure you'll find the group useful).

Moodle VLE - Classroom 2.0

There are, of course, many more groups and forum discussions that will give you an opportunity to network and contribute your thoughts and expertise. Just take a look around or use the search box to find stuff you're interested in.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about Classroom 2.0.

Welcome aboard, Erich!

- Konrad

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Permalink Reply by John Hann on October 31, 2007 at 5:22pm

Hi there. I'm John Hann, a software developer in Portland, OR. I'm here to read up on what educators and students want from software in the classroom and to participate in some interesting discussions.

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Permalink Reply by Konrad Glogowski on October 31, 2007 at 5:34pm

John,

First of all, I'd like to welcome you to Classroom 2.0. I hope that you will find this community helpful in your professional life.

Your experience as a software developer will certainly be a valuable contribution to Classroom 2.0. I am sure that you will learn a lot from all the discussions that take place here, especially those that relate to specific technologies or platforms.

I also hope that you will share your expertise and your point of view with us here in some of the interest groups or forum posts. Also, it would be interesting to know what kind of software you've developed or are developing now.

- Konrad

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Permalink Reply by John Hann on October 31, 2007 at 6:08pm

Thank you for the prompt welcome, Konrad. I work at Learning.com on the platform development team. I'm trying to learn more about the educational technology market generally to see what people are asking for, and this looks like a great community for doing so. I should also mention that I am by no means an official voice for my company, I'm just one of the rank and file looking to make a difference.

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Permalink Reply by Bob F. on October 31, 2007 at 6:03pm

I'm new to this site. Found it about 2 weeks ago and after some wandering through decided this is certainly a boon for me in terms of what I can learn. Hopefully, I'll be able to help someone out sometime, too.
I teach in a K-8 charter school in Palmer, AK. I'm primarily the "computer teacher"--a term I LOATHE-- and provide support for our middle school's 100 or so iBook, 25 teacher MacBooks, and a computer lab of eMacs. I also teach a 5th math class.
I've been the tech guy for 10 years at this school.

I find that the biggest problems I have are:
a) Dragging some teachers-kicking and screaming- into the use of technology/computers in their classrooms.
b) The constant blocking of websites(like this one) by our MIS (IT in other districts) department.
c) A lack of support and even outright hostility by said MIS towards Macintosh computers.

The best part of the job is: a)working with kids and showing them how to incorporate the technology into their work and lives.
b) Helping those teachers who want to progress get as far as they can.

Anyway, I'm glad I found this site and I'll be a regular here now.

Bob

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Permalink Reply by Edwin Wargo on October 31, 2007 at 9:05pm

Hi Bob,

From the sounds of your post, you are in good company. I'm glad you stumbled upon us!

It sounds like you and I share the same types of responsibilities for our respective schools. I teach technology literacy in a K-8 school and I am also our school's technology coordinator.

Two of three problems you listed, interestingly, have been recent topics:

Teacher Technology Use (this is not a shameless plug for my thread but just comes to mind as an example)
Internet Filtering

Please feel free to join in on these discussions or start your own with any questions, success stories, or anything else. It always is welcome. We have some really amazing folks here with a great deal of knowledge, experience, and insight. Their depth and breadth is truly outstanding.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Welcome to Classroom 2.0!

Edwin

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Permalink Reply by pgarcia1 on October 31, 2007 at 9:23pm

Hello!
I am Pedro Garcia born in the Dominican Republic but resident of the United States for few years. I am one of the technology teachers at P.S. 230 in the Bronx, New York. I love to read, play softball (now), and to travel. As noticed, I enjoy working an exploring technological tools.

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Permalink Reply by Edwin Wargo on November 1, 2007 at 9:59pm

Hi Pedro,

Welcome to Classroom 2.0! Thanks for sharing your interests.

I think you'll find Classroom 2.0 a great place for exploring tools. For example, there is a great conversation going on currently about Sketchcasting. The discussion is full of some great ideas. Please feel free to share your experiences or thoughts. You can also see the conversations that have taken place by browsing on the right-side of each page. You can search topics by tool, subject, or area. Or you can use the search box in the upper, right-hand corner of the page.

As you participate in Classroom 2.0, should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Edwin

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Permalink Reply by me bo on November 1, 2007 at 10:16pm

Hello everyone! I'm Megan from Lincoln, Nebraska. I'm in the midst of beginning a thesis project about the pros and cons of technology when teaching English, so I think I've come to the right place! : ) I am a Secondary English Education major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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Permalink Reply by Konrad Glogowski on November 2, 2007 at 8:05pm

Hi Megan,

I'm one of the Classroom 2.0 hosts and would like to welcome you to our community. The project you are starting reminded me of why, over six years ago, I became interested in the use of technology to support the development of writing and critical thinking skills. If you're interested in my work, take a look at my blog. I hope you find it helpful.

I have to say that you've come to the right place. Classroom 2.0 is a community filled with curious and creative individuals whose contributions to various interest groups and forum discussions will be of great help to you as you embark on this project.

Have you looked at the various interest groups here? This one might be of interest to you:

Connecting Content and Technology - Classroom 2.0

You can also, of course, start your own!

I am very interested in your project and would love to learn more about it. I'm also interested in your reflections on the role of this community in helping you conduct your research. Do you have a blog where you are keeping track of your progress and ideas? If not, you can start one here on your own profile page.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you here in Classroom 2.0.

Welcome aboard!

- Konrad

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Permalink Reply by Scott Swanson on November 2, 2007 at 8:41am

My name is Scott Swanson and I am from Chicago, IL, US. I am the Strategic Technology Coordinator at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. My responsibilities include academic computing (including our new 1-to-1 tablet initiative), emerging technologies (including our Second Life initiative), and strategic relationship management and direction. I found out about this Ning from Steve Hargadon, who I've worked with on such things as the K-12 Open Minds Conference.

I am also a co-manager for ISTE Island in Second Life, co-coordinated the SL Playground at NECC 2007, and speak at various conferences and events on free/open source software, 1-to-1 computing, OLPC, Second Life, Moodle, and social networking.

I hope to reconnect with those of you I've already met and connect anew with some new faces from around the world!

- Scott