Students and Gmail accounts

I was able to set up my students with Gmail accounts, but I think there is some type of filter on the district lan or Google itself that limits the number of accounts you can do.
My next step is to try and set up a google group site for all of my students to turn in their homework.

Resizing Fonts in a Powerpoint

I helped the DRD training instructor resize the fonts in her powerpoint so that when we see it on the big screen, we can actually read it. And when the handouts print out we can read the fine print. I hope it works out.

Student Gmail Accounts

Working to get my students to pass the benchmarks next week. Most of them already have a gmail account. We are using the account to send summaries to each other. We are hoping to increase the writing, English and especially the reading with a high interest, very different approach.

Next step is to have them create their powerpoints in Google documents and sent them to each other. Would you send you friend a piece of junk?

Working on DRD blogsite

Happy Thanksgiving!
This is some of the new stuff I am trying!

I am working on a DRD blogsite for my middle school Dyslexia students. I hope it will help them be more successful with reading.

Here is the link. http://jonesdrdreading.blogspot.com/

I just started this, and I hope it will be a good tool to help my students be successful.

Catch Up on my Fries, Please!

Actually, it is catch up on my files! I hope this works! Trying new stuff.

Rough 2nd Six Weeks

I am still reeling from all of the changes that I have had to deal with. It has been over a month since I last had the energy and time to blog. Let me just say that the answer to how is yes. Thank you Peter Block!

Rough 1st 6 Weeks

I got a lot of good stuff going on, but I have some students who need a lot of attention. The big difference between this year and last year is that I am actually teaching more than managing. There are still some things that are not right, but I still have to find a way to help all of my students be successful.

August is here!

It will be a great school year. Things should work out well.

Set Up for Next Year

The odd thing about next year is that it starts this year in August. I want to use the technology to take the kids beyond the paper and pencil and beyond the TAKS. It should be a great year coming up.

Intel Essentials Class

I am in an Intel Essentials class. This is awesome! Ms. Kendricks and Ms. Fraire are facilitating our Saturday classes. Our goal is to complete two modules each Saturday. I can't wait to try some of this stuff with my students!
I need to pace myself. I am going to try to complete the two modules for today as quickly as I can, so that I can play with some of the other stuff.

Way cool!

My Students are Taken Care of First

I love working on instructional technology, but my students needs come first, so I may be behind on keeping up with my blogs. I am looking at setting up a specific time and day to work on my blogs on a more consistent basis. However, my number one job is to help my students be successful.

Thin Client Progress

Mr. Hodson at El Paso ISD Technology Services is assisting me in setting up a Thin Client network. Consideralbe progress has been made today. Using Linux Fedora 6 server software we were able to create a site that is accessible to (will be accessible to) myself and my students.
With this, I may actually be able to tap in the the unexplored creativity inherent to the middle school mind. The project continues!

Infocus LP280 projector

I know it is another project, but I need to know if our district is still repairing these. Are the bulbs more expensive than the infocus machine itself? Is there a do it yourself repair kit? Can we get a referendum and help Infocus develop this seemingly dead market?

Are there any Geek Squad dudettes?

Question of the day? I see the Geek Squad dudes all the time. I have never seen a Geek Squad dudette. Are there any Geek Squad dudettes?

I figure women are smarter than men. That's what my wife tells me everyday. Then she shows me. So why have I not seen Geek Squad dudettes?

Also, are there any blogs by the Geek Squad dudes? dudettes?

I checked the Geeksquad website. Best BUY.

http://www.geeksquad.com/default.aspx

Yeah, yeah. Best BUY.

Geek Squad Guys sent me to Radio Shack

Unbelievable! The Geek Squad guys at Best Buy sent me to Radio Shack for a part for my Apple ibook. I freaked out! I thought I was in an alternate universe. But when the Radio Shack guys sent me back to Best Buy, I felt better because they knew that the Geek Squad guys should have been able to solve my issue or at least lead me in the right direction. Maybe if it wasn't a 27 dollar part, but a 2700 dollar part I would have gotten a better response.

Requested a New Bulb for Old Infocus LP280

I requested a new bulb for the old Infocus LP280. I minimize the on time to strectch out the life of the bulb. What is really nice is that the science teacher and I use it all the time. The kids benefit more than we do, of course. It makes it easy for us to present information, and it makes it easy for our students to absorb that information. Can you say Spongebob?

Thin Client Dreams

I am still working on a Thin Client setup using a Linux Server and 9 or 10 pc laptops. I want to set up a dual boot on each laptop so that we can use the pc XP side and use the Linux side also.

Old Apple ibook

I have been working on an old Apple ibook, I installed the new browser I found that works with less than OS 10.2. The caminobrowser is located at: http://caminobrowser.org/

The browser works fine, but the Apple 45W Portable Power Adapter is pretty much shot. I am in the hunt for another one. That works!

One More Project

A new browser to be used with the Emacs and OS9. The name starts with a C. I have bookmarked on my laptop at home.........

Got it! Camino browser for macs!

http://caminobrowser.org/

Project after Project after Project

I know, I know, another unfinished project. I am hoping to actually get some of these going, but my students and their needs come first. That is why I am persistent in trying to get my projects going. I know that in the long run, my students will really benefit from some of the projects and that I will improve my practice as a teacher.
Current Projects

Classroom Webpage
Classroom Blog
Googlesite (where each student posts assignmements)

and the newest ones

Linux Thin Client Dual boot set up (XP on one side and Linux on the other)
Web 2.0 Apps exploration
Classroom Wiki

We will see what happens after the TAKS!

Happy New Year

This is one of the first blogs for my students! I hope this works!