Today is going to be a fun day in class.  You will be able to create your profile, email, blog, and personalized wiki today and tomorrow.  This will be your first hands on assignment for English12/Globaloria. 

First, you will need to set up a gmail account.  Please keep in mind that this email will be used for the class and many people will see it.  Therefore, do NOT include your full name and keep it school APPROPRIATE.  It will be a direct reflection on you.  You will be able to use your gmail to instant message me or others in the class as well. 

Next, you will need to go to the RHS Wiki and create a profile.  Follow the direction on the page to create your profile.  I suggest using the same user name for the wiki profile as you did for your gmail address.  Once you have been approved to join the RHS Wiki you will need to log into the wiki main page.  The approval and the temporary password will be sent to you via your gmail account.  You will have the opportunity to change your password once you are logged into the wiki.  See the wiki guidelines and rubric links to see expectations and wiki grading.  These can also be found on the RHS Wiki under the navigation tab on the side bar.

You may now begin to personalize your wiki page, social profile page, and your avatar.  There are links and instructions on the create profile page of the wiki.  Play around with how you can edit and add personal touches to your own wiki page.  You will now be able to 'friend' others in the class, write on their walls, and communicate.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.  Remember, you CAN'T break it.  Have fun experimenting with the different codes that you use to create your profile wall. 

On your profile page you will see a tab titled "Learning Log."  Please, fill this section of your profile page out EVERYDAY at the end of the class period.  It is a graded component of the course.  I suggest utilizing the copy and paste feature to create several blank entries on your log.  This will make your life just a little bit easier.

You will have time tomorrow to continue to create your wiki page and also you will create a blog and write your first blog post.  Check back tomorrow for a new blog post with full instructions.

-Chez

Students Being Introduced To The World of Globaloria

It was an exciting 4th block.  The students are excited and seem to be looking forward to learning more about and working with The Globaloria Program.  It gave me a teaching charge to see how engaged they were today!  Here's to hoping that everyday is as great as today was.

Welcome!

Hi guys! 

Welcome to Globaloria/English 12.  I think that you will find this final semester of your high school career to be fun filled and exciting!  As you might have heard rumored, this isn't your typical literature and writing class.  We will for the most part be participating in a paperless/penless class that utilizes computers, programming, and most importantly your creative brains to learn more about literature, writing, communicating, game design, and cooperative learning.  Don't become overwhlemed.  It will be fun and at the end of the program you will have learned so much and have a new set of marketable skills.

In the mean time, please take the next 15-20 mintues to fill out this survey. 

Once you have completed the survey, please start exploring the World of Globaloria. 

Once again, I welcome you to the class.

Chez

World Builder

World Builder from Bruce Branit on Vimeo.

This is a short film written, directed, and produced by Bruce Branit. The film was shot in a day. However, the post production work took upwards to two years. In the digital, computerized day and age in which we live, I am struck at the special effects, but also the vision of what some believe will be reality rather than fantasy in the coming years. The story line leaves me wanting to discuss. However, I'm not entirely sure where to begin. I will spend some time formulating thoughts and comment later. Watch the film and tell me what you think.

*This is a post from a personal blog of mine.  I posted this about a year ago, but am curious as to what the techies might think.

How FLASH Makes Me Feel...

Thoughts

Technology has advanced the human race to such extremes that the activities and things that we can do sometimes seems like a dream rather than a reality.

Humans can send a man to the moon.

People can communicate in real time to others on the other side of the world.

A US citizen can literally be in London for a business meeting in less than 8 hours.

 School age children can create video games for learning purposes.

Scientist can predict storms and when the Earth might tremble.  However, all the technology in the world can't stop the natural devastation that can occur during those moments.  Please, during this time remember the human condition and the commonalities that all human beings share.  Donate money, time, services, or goods.  Pray, whisper, sing, meditate.  Keep the people of Haiti and their loved ones in your heart.

 

I'm back...

After two MAJOR technological melt downs (2 hard drives and a server issue), 2 holidays, power outages,  snow storms, and snow days, I'm back.  I have felt very out of the loop for the last month, but am ready to get back to the daily grind.  Time to start digging myself out of the hole...literally and figuratively.

Bundle up out there!