Beginning with technology (with some Ironwood County news)

educational news from John Schreiber:

I've started this class on online teaching. As a student, I can understand some of the frustrations with technology. I can spend a significant amount of time looking for a link that may or may not be where it's supposed to be (sometimes, I admit, it's user error). Also, I never read well information "on the screen"--I can blame my glasses or just the fact that my eyes are used to the printed page.


At the same time I like some of the things I've discovered--like the Wordle and things like this. Putting this information on a blog isn't new for me since I've used blogging with a class before. I can say that students really enjoy instant blogging back and forth with each other. It is also a way for teachers to get instant feedback to specific questions. I should do this more often with more classes because students certainly are motivated to write in this way.


As far as creating a sense of community, I'm not sure how that can be accomplished as well as in a classroom. I'm not a Ludite, but I do think that posting information is never the same as actually talking face-to-face.  It is a challenge, and, from my readings, it is a challenge that many recognize and are trying to solve.



Now, for those who want actual Ironwood County News . . .  


Angela Kiln is well into her third year of teaching. Jack, her father, continues to do well in the newly consolidated district. Matt Blake had a winning football season for the first time as a head coach in Hillcrest. Andrew Johanson, the local publisher in Ironwood County, is nearing retirement, and he recently helped local writer John Schreiber to get his supposedly-fictional novel "Passing Through Paradise" on the Kindle. His epic fantasy, "Heartstone" has already been selling well in Kindle form in both the U.S. and the U.K.