Fri. Feb. 26: More time to explore... and enter the draw!

As the intention of tonight's Virtual Meeting was to help folks feel more comfortable with the blog and Diigo sites, and we have received some feedback that folks would like more time to explore, we are extending the 'door prize' entry deadline.... and giving everyone until the end of the week to contribute! Our desire is for this to be a useful experience not an exercise in frustration or panic. :-)

However, for those of you who did take time, energy, and perseverance to contribute tonight, do not fret... we noticed your enthusiastic efforts and we have TWO EXTRA door prize entries for you! It was exciting to see people reaching out of their comfort zones tonight... and I was especially glad to see a few folks request help and support, too!

For those who were unable to join us tonight, I encourage you to set aside a little time to explore and connect before Friday, Feb. 26th. If you need help, please just ask. :-)

February Virtual Meeting

Welcome to the Virtual Meeting...

The beauty of a virtual meeting like this, is that you can't really be late for it and you can be super early if you want (like starting tonight), since you can join in the meeting at any point that works for you!

It may also be the only meeting to which you can come to in your p.j.'s sporting a glass of wine in hand! As for the snacks and refreshments, you'll have to provide those for yourselves! ;-) ... (But of course, that is also a bonus, as it means no one will know if you opt for the wine and unhealthy snacks! ;-)

The idea of the Virtual Meeting challenges each of us:

• To explore another way to connect and communicate, by creating a new post or commenting on someone else's post on our blog.
• To share resources, by joining diigo and adding links to our diigo group.

Of course, we will not forego the doorprizes, just because we are meeting virtually. In fact, your participation in the virtual meeting will be the one chance to give yourself an advantage at winning a doorprize (this time, we have a copy of the book, "Integrating Literacy and Technology: Effective Practice for Grades K-6 " , as well as a chance at winning your very own cordless mouse).

So how to gain your advantage??? Well, your name will be entered into the draw for each of the virtual meeting challenges you take on. If you create a new post on the blog, your name will be entered! If you comment on someone else's post on the blog, your name will be entered! If you join diigo and add a link to our diigo group, your name will be entered! So, the more you participate, the better!

HAVE FUN EXPLORING, CONNECTING, AND COMMUNICATING...

January Meeting

At our second meeting in January, we explored the question of "Why SmartBoards?" We considered what makes them a useful tool for effective integration.

We had some fun with the problem statements that are sometimes made by those opposed to the use of SmartBoards in the classroom. Formulating responses to these overstated problems helped us to come up with our own reasoning and arguments for the use of these tools. The problem statements and some of our responses can be viewed in this SlideShare presentation.

We didn't have as much time for sharing as we had hoped, but a few highlights included:

• The SET game website shared by Jaki
• The primary resource page shared by Michelle

Also, doorprizes went to: Sherry, who won the Bluetooth handsfree device for her phone, and to Alissa, who won the earbuds for her iPod. Congratulations, ladies! Next time, we will be sure to have less healthy food and more 'playtime' on the boards!

December Meeting

At our first meeting in December, we explored our personal definitions and understanding of effective technology integration.

Here is a link to a SlideShare show of the PowerPoint from our meeting. This is the self assessment we will each complete. As well two videos we viewed, one called Learning to Change and Changing to Learn , and the other called Teaching Teachers to Teach in the 21st Century.

We considered the successes and challenges of utilizing our SmartBoards effectively. We also discussed the purpose and goals of our learning circle. This was an extremely positive and motivating start to our time together.