Great Expectations

Before taking this class's introductory survey, I would have labeled myself as someone who was pretty computer savvy. At the school where I work I'm the go-to person for help with most of the computer issues that our teachers have. However, I now realize that there are A LOT of tech tools available to me that I'm not only not using, but that I also don't know anything about.

First and foremost, I'd like to learn what all of the different tools do. Secondly, I'd like to consider real applications for a lot of these tools.

I'd like to work on using a blog effectively. A couple years ago I set up a blog where I planned on posting homework assignments and hints, book reviews, helpful links to projects, and news for parents. I stopped working on that blog when, after a full month, no one had viewed it. (I sent the address out to parents in my "Welcome Back" letter at the beginning of the year.)

I also want to learn how to set up some sort of discussion forum (maybe it would just be a modified blog...) for students. I think that a lot of students who are shy in class would feel empowered to voice their ideas if they could do so online.