If you didn't happen to read my post from May 19th about the program Glogster EDU, well I forgive you.  But this post might make a little more sense if you do read it - and you can learn about a fun program where you can create multimedia posters, at the same time!

This week I have been checking out other blogs and websites to get some more ideas for my own and to learn about the different tools that other people are using.  

Yesterday I participated in an educational chat on Twitter that's dedicated to the collaboration of elementary school educators.  It uses the hashtag #elemchat and participants meet every Saturday at 4pm (Canadian) Central Standard Time to discuss a topic that #elemchat users have voted on.  

I have found a program that is going to make classroom transitions to paperless, seamless!  It's called Glogster EDU and it allows you to create custom and interactive online posters that include pictures, videos, text, audio, graphics, and links. 

Today I was thinking about how I am going to document my learning for ECMP 355.  I have Google Reader set up, I manage my comments, and I have my blog posts categorized but I was wondering about how I could show the growth in my site layout and design (because I am constantly changing things as I come up with and come across new ideas.)  

Something I've always wanted to do is learn about wild mushrooms - specifically where they grow and which ones are safe to eat.  It's not like I plan to get lost in the middle of nowhere without food anytime soon, but the art of wild mushroom picking is a skill that very few people seem to possess nowadays.  And why would they?

I've always wondered how songs can get stuck in your head but today, as I was driving for three and a half hours back to the city from Benito, I began to contemplate it even more because I was in a less than desirable situation: I had no stereo, radio, or MP3 player.  

As a survivor of a near-fatal car accident (thanks to a seatbelt) and with all of the ad campaigns and information that is available today, it amazes me how many people choose not to wear one.  Some of the excuses I have heard for why people neglect to wear them include: "It's too tight around my neck" or "I don't need to when I'm in the city - the speed limit isn't very high."

I came across this article that has some pretty scary stats about what can happen from not buckling up.  Clearly, laws support seatbelt wearing for a reason. 

Lately, I've been feeling as if I need a break from the time crunched city-life so I decided to go to my Dad's place in the town that I grew up in: Benito, Manitoba.  My dad owns an acreage in Benito, which is home to approximately 400 people.  I love going 'back home' for many reasons - the endless open space, to see my horse, to visit old friends, and because when you're here, you run on what I like to call 'Benito time.'