Let me tell you a (picture) story that's based on recent events from my life.  See if you can tell it back to me in words, please!  Once upon a time... 

You know what's better than giving your students fun and engaging assignments that incorporate technology?  Giving your students fun and engaging assignments that incorporate technology that are already planned for you and ready to go!  Introducing  DS 106 - the coolest site for teachers to find ideas for multimedia projects on. 

This week I read an article entitled Why Twitter and Facebook Are Not Good Instructional Tools by an English and digital media teacher named Paul Barnwell.  In his article, Barnwell discusses how students do not use certain social networking sites, such as Twitter, to their full potential but, rather, they use them as a distraction from their school-work.  Barnwell also argues that certain web services, like Poll Everywhere and Prezi, do not offer any educational value because they allow students to use gimmicks, such as colourful graphics and fragmented text, to convey their ideas, and their novelty only lasts for a short amount of time. 

I've been thinking a lot about relationships lately - and how different cultures and different generations all have different relationship values.  Specifically, I'm wondering how I will teach about healthy relationships with the amount of diversity in today's classrooms.  I'd like to know what you think the key to fostering healthy classroom relationships is?  How can I say that a certain action is wrong if certain people consider it acceptable?  How do teachers navigate through this complex relationship realm?

During my Facebook adventures today, I found this story about a group of students who used their skills to help out some very deserving community members. 

As a student, I am always looking forward - forward to the next semester, to graduation, and to when I can finally have my own classroom.  But today, I'm looking back... on my childhood... and I would like you to do the same.    

Is there anything from your childhood that you wish you still had?  Maybe a favourite game, a close friend, or even a feeling?  My answer to this question, albeit materialistic, is something that I used to play with for hours and hours... and hours: my Ninja Turtles action figures.  

One of the things I miss the most about living in Winnipeg is being able to go to my all-time favourite restaurant - Olive Garden - anytime I want (sigh.)  
I practically lived off of their unlimited salad and breadsticks during the five years I lived there. In my opinion, no Regina restaurant even comes close to Olive Garden's quality or taste.  So, not too long ago, I took matters into my own hands and googled Olive Garden recipes.  Thankfully, I came across this video that shows you how to make your own Olive Garden salad dressing.  

Something that I don't like to talk about a lot or to many people, for that matter, is that I have been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease.  It's a chronic condition that is, often, misunderstood and that has symptoms that are unpleasant to talk about, even at the best of times. 

Before I was enrolled in my ECMP 355 class, I used Google for the basics - searching, (g)mailing, mapping, word documenting, and, without even knowing it was part of Google's empire, Youtubing.  Since enrolling in the class, however, I've learned a few other Gricks (that's Google + Tricks!) that are sure to help me personally and professionally.  

... with pepper bells and garlic shells and other fruits and veggies all in a row.  

It took me a while but I finally figured out how to fit everything I wanted to plant into the limited garden space that we have!