Here are my NECC notes from a session entitled Virtual Opportunities: Interactive Strategies for Online Instruction. This was a panel discussion highlighting best practices for teaching and learning online. This session had particular relevance for me since I've started teaching online courses through Concordia University Wisconsin and the MTM Project. This is a growing area in the field of education -- one which opens the doors for all kinds of new learning, and all kinds of new skills to facilitate this learning. Here are the notes:

Here are some unedited notes from a session at NECC about strategies for online discussion. I personally found this session very helpful in thinking about instruction strategies for a new era with new tools. Here are those notes:

Here are some links which may be of interest to teachers in Lutheran schools that I've uncovered this past week:

• Google is opening their popular Gmail email service to testers in trying out new features. Some of these features may eventually be permanently incorporated in Google Apps, which may be used by schools. Full article.

Over the past week I've compiled a short list of potential professional development resources for teachers in my building. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, I thought that the list might be worth sharing. Each of these books, sites, and activities relate to education and technology in some way. I've encouraged each teacher to be proactive as far as their own learning this summer as part of the process of restoring energy and passion for future service.

My friend Alan in California has started to blog. His blog, while not having a long list of posts as of yet, does provide some insights into the work of a technology specialist and the struggle that persists in pushing educational and technological change in our Lutheran schools.

Perhaps you have seen this video which is making the rounds in education circles. It is a powerful video in speaking to the changes in education that are essential to best serve our students in preparing them for THEIR future.

As I was sharing my presentation on Preparing the 21st Century Student at the LEA Convocation on Friday, a comment from a participant prompted me to recognize that I missed an opportunity related to technology and education on my recent trip with our 8th grade trip to Washington DC. What I should have done is brought along my mp3 player, which also has a digital recorder. Then I could have recorded the immediate reactions of students to the sites we were viewing and comments on what they were learning. The students could have then edited these comments into a podcast and shared them with the school, their parents, and other interested listeners.

I was sent this eLections link through the Lutheran School Portal . It looks as if it is an excellent election simulation for middle school and high school students. When I tried out the

A colleague who is taking the same MTM class as I has pointed me in the direction of Slam Dunk lessons. This model is one applies inquiry based learning to a lesson which may typically be accomplished in a single class period. In addition, this model connects to specific content standards and appeals to students with a variety of learning styles, particularly visual learners.

Saw a post from Andrew on an LEA listserv reminding me about the K12 Online Conference which begins this week. This is the second year for this virutal conference, which provides over 40 different sectionals related to technology and education. What makes this conference different is that it is entirely delivered through the Internet. Anyone can access asynchronous professional development on their own time this way.

Here is a site that provides information and curricular resources to help students and teachers celebrate World Space Week, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of space exploration.

This year I'll be teaching a journalism elective for Middle School students for the first time. It seems like this is a natural extension of my other work as computer teacher since it connects with so many technology tools, such as desktop publishing, digital picture taking, etc.. I'm hoping to make this an excellent experience for my students.