Is this thing on?

One factor that makes my awesome job awesome is the Faculty Learning Community that I've been participating in since Winter Quarter, 2010. This fabulous group of 12 people from various levels, departments, and perspectives on teaching & learning has been coming together every two weeks on Friday evenings at a local cafe. Who ever heard of such a large group voluntarily getting together late on Fridays? That itself says a lot about the group and its dynamics and dedication. We all wrangle with technology in the classroom, and what the appropriate levels are to optimize engagement while still getting serious work done--all with copious amounts of coffee, tea, fresh foods and treats.


Last night was my turn to facilitate the discussion, so I brought in a bunch of web tools and widgets I've been using over the past year, some with smashing success and others that I'm not quite happy with yet. I was encouraged by the rest of the group to broadcast these experiments. Yup, they told me to start a blog. And here I am.


Jo's got outcomes hammered into my brain, so I have to consider what my goals for myself and my writing here are. In no particular order of importance, I'd like to

• profile websites, widgets, and gizmos that catch my eye
• examine potential or real applications in the classroom
• share what others have been doing with similar technology
• allow lots of room for tangents

I also know that I work better with deadlines, so I'm going to try to make a schedule and stick to it. I'll aim for one post a week, and we'll see how it goes. I appreciate nudges if I fall off track.