Smartboards and Everyday Math

I am switching Hosting services.  It’s gone smoothly until the very end.  Now I’m having trouble getting my blog’s theme working.  It may go down and change it’s look a few times, but it should be back up and stable soon.

I am going through all this nonsense to install Mahara.  It is an open source Eportfolio software I hope to implement in some way this year.  I hope it is worth the headache.

No matter what happens with the blog, the forums are open and running just fine.

I have been researching Electronic Portfolios for use in the classroom.  We use the old “toss some papers in a folder” approach now, but I need to move it into the world of Tech.  I have been to a few conferences and presentations where teachers have used Powerpoint to create them, but I’m not real crazy about that idea.  I can just imagine an organizational nightmare on my computers.  I would love to use the Presentation feature of Google Docs.  It’s like Powerpoint, but everything can be uploaded and more organized, plus the kids would have access at home.  There is one hang up though- you cannot insert a PDF into a Google Presentation.  Weird.  In Powerpoint, you just drag it onto the page and BAM!  I have yet to find an online site or program that really seems to suit my needs as a third grade classroom teacher.  There are some Eportfolio sites, but they are geared more for older students and adults, not my little kiddies.  I would love to hear some suggestions and ideas if you have any.

A couple side notes, I am venturing into more tech geek adventures.  I finally got my invite to Google Voice.  It’s really cool!  I won’t go into details, but if you want to learn more, check out the info here.  I set up a widget on the left so you can call and leave a voicemail if you have any questions or comments.  Don’t worry, I have it set to go straight to voicemail–I won’t pickup!  The site is now iPhone/mobile phone friendly.  Full websites work pretty well in the iPhone’s Safari browser, but I like when they are optimized to look more like an app.  I kind of like the mobile version better than the full!  Anyway, if you enter the address in your mobile browser it should take you there automatically. It runs through Mofuse, so there will be a small Google ad at the top.  Sorry, but free is free!  Hope summer is going well!

I thought I might put a quick update for a couple reasons. One, I continue to get lots of emails and registrations, so I don’t want anyone to think I’ve stopped updating the site. Secondly, I got a new IPHONE and I am hopelessly addicted. I’m using it to create this update! I guess I’m a bigger tech geek than I had thought. We just returned from Iowa visiting family, so I haven’t made much progress, but I plan on getting back to the grind soon. Here is a look at some of my summer to do list.

-finish my 3rd grade files for EM
-create all the second grade units for EM
-create a language arts file for each of my lessons
-create reading story powerpoints for each of my stories
-rework my Moodle site to coordinate with all this
-redesign mrgabor.com’s layout

Kind of ambitious, we’ll see how it goes. Of course, I’ll post whatever I can for all of you to use if you are interested.

Did I tell you I LOVE my iPhone? You all deserve one. Treat yourself, you won’t regret it.

Enjoy the fireworks!