Signs

While waiting for our family dog, Gavin, to finish his appointment at the groomer, I stopped by a local WiFi hotspot to kills some time.  It is very generous of the kind folks at NCEZ.net to leave a wireless port open.  I have known about this free WiFi hotspot for some time, but never really took time to try it.  Thanks guys! 



As I was coming out of the groomer's, I walked into a fellow educator.  The first thing out of her mouth was Congratulations.  Well, I thought she was talking about our daughter's recent graduation from college, or her engagement.  But, to my surprise, the teacher, said I read that you are retiring.  Well, I almost could not say anything.  Then she told me that our local NCAE newsletter had listed my name as one of the teachers retiring this year.  I just laughed and told her that it was a mistake.  I was definitely not planning to retire.  I bet I checked the wrong box on a recent form we filled out for our local NCAE.  The form has two parts.  One part was for retirees to be included as retiring at our May banquet.  The other part was to say you were planning to attend and eat, and celebrate the retirement of others in our district.  Geez, this is embarrassing.  I guess I should just not go to the banquet.  Everyone there will be like- oh, congratulations.  I will spend the whole time explaining how it was a mixup and, well-- crap.



To top that, I was sitting at the table, eating my microwaved leftovers from San Jose Mexican Restaurant and the Jehovah's Witness folks rang the doorbell.  And guess what,  it was a retired math teacher, that I worked with for many years.  Smiling and asking about how I had been and that she did not know I lived here and small talk.  Then she asked me if we were closing down the alternative school I work at. 



In this weeks News Reporter, "Alternative School to close in June".  Ok, news flash, it is not North Whiteville Academy.  Come on Fuller Royal, "Nakina Alt to close in June" may have been a better title for a dang front page "news crier".  Controversy sells newspapers, but it also confuses the public.  It took me several minutes of talking with the well-educated/retired/math teacher/Jehovah's Witness.  I know the parents of our kids and community members will be thinking 'oh well, we might as well close ours too'.  Wrong.  The students attending North Whiteville Academy are making progress.  They are mastering math, reading, technology skills, and most importantly interpersonal skills.  I appreciate the kind comments from the News Reporter Editorial comment:

North Whiteville Academy, the alternative school component of Whiteville City Schools, has been a success, but it deals with fewer students who get more individualized attention. Maybe the county’s twilight schools, which will divide alternative school candidates among the three county high schools, will do a better job with fewer students per teacher. Source: http://www.whiteville.com/pages/2007WEBPAGES/APRIL2007/4.26.07/editthurs.html

It must be a day for signs.  



Maybe it is just that time of year. My lawn, which is mostly weeds, needs mowing.  The weather is nice and warm.  It is 87 degrees F.  The Moon is waxing, and according to an astrological timetable, based on the Moon's signs, showing the best days for certain activities it is one of the best days: Go to the dentist. Monday, April 30- Best days: Begin diet to gain weight.  What? Gain Weight?  I need a nap.

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Is It A Podcast Recorder?

After watching an Apple Webinar on electric guitars and Garageband, I was ready to buy a copy of one of the commercial software and device to connect my electric guitar to my MacBook Pro. Then I remembered the Handy 4 from ZOOM that I have been using to record my podcasts in my classroom. BONG! I found this on a site:

Zoom’s New H4 Handheld Recorder Packs A Huge Feature Set Into A Tiny Package, Creating A Tool Everyone Can Use.

Combination XLR-Quarter-inch Inputs
The H4, with its two phantom powered XLR-1/4" input jacks that support direct connection of external microphones, is the solution to an infinite number of recording situations. You can also use the H4's Hi-Z rated phone inputs for direct connection of guitars, bass, or any other line-input device.

Input Level Optimization for Detailed Sound.
The H4's excellent dynamic range allows you to consistently match the input level to the source. Whether you're recording a band's live performance, a solo vocalist, acoustic instruments, a classroom lecture or even a subtle soundscape, the H4's automatic gain control lets you limit peaks to -6 dB during Rec Stand-by position. And its built-in level meter and separate Low / Mid / High gain settings for the built-in stereo mics mean you can monitor operation and make adjustments on the fly.

Portable Multi-Track Recording
Capture vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, drum machines and other instruments on separate tracks with the H4's 4-track mode. The H4 allows simultaneous recording on two tracks and simultaneous playback on four tracks. Level and panning can be adjusted for each track individually. Punch-in recording and track bouncing make editing a breeze. Other features include a versatile tuner for guitar and bass, a metronome for use as a rhythm guide and A|B repeat capability.
*While in 4-track mode, the H4 records as 16-bit/44.1kHz WAV files.

Onboard Effects With Microphone And Amp Modeling
The integrated DSP effects processor with 32-bit architecture employs the latest modeling technology to replicate the most famous guitar, bass and microphone sounds. The array consists of 4 microphones (SM57 / MD421 / U87 / C414), 12 guitar amps and stomp boxes such as Fender, Marshall, Vox, and Mesa Boogie and 6 bass amps and preamps including Ampeg, Bassman, and Hartke. We've also included a compressor / limiter to prevent input signal overload, Zoom Noise Reduction (ZNR) and other studio quality effects such as chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, and reverb. The effect memory of the H4 accommodates 60 patches. 50 presets are already programmed for applications such as direct recording of guitar and bass as well as mic recording of vocals and acoustic guitar.
*In stereo mode, only mic modeling and the compressor / limiter effects can be used.
*Mic modeling effects are only for use with the built-in microphones.

It's a USB Audio Interface
The H4 also will function as a direct audio interface for your computer. Connect the supplied USB cable and record directly to your computer. And the H4 comes bundled with Cubase LE from Steinberg so you can start to produce and edit music straight away. Thanks to the direct hardware monitoring function, there is no latency problem, you can hear what you're recording as you're playing it.
*Effects can only be used when the sampling rate is 44.1kHz.

Drag and Drop File Transfer
When the H4 is connected to a computer via USB, it also functions as an SD card reader. This allows you to drag and drop audio files to your computer like you would pictures from a digital camera. Create a media player sound library, tailor a recording with a waveform editor, then mix and master with a DAW. Then create your own CDs, send files by e-mail, or use them for podcasting. The possibilities are endless. The H4 will even function as a portable MP3 player.

Source: http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-ZOO-H4.html#

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April Showers Bring May Flowers-- Right?

The wind and rain has howled since yesterday afternoon. At least the official tornado warnings have been dropped in our area. Our family dog has spent most of the day running under the chair. I am not sure exactly how much rain has fallen, but it was over two inches. Water is standing every where around the house.

Now, just a few words about motivating my students tomorrow, after six days out of school.

• Plan in shorter time segments.
  
• Vary activities.
• Bring children's books and novels into your lesson.
• Actively involve students in the lesson.
  

Making Google Maps in the Classroom

Ok, so check it out, dawg…here’s an example of what you can do with the new “My Maps” feature from Google. Go on…go look.

Now, if your head ain’t swimmin’ with ideas like mine is… My children don’t know it yet, but they just became the map makers for all travel related to the Richardson family. (And we just figured out that the whole clan is going to Australia this summer.) I can’t wait to show them this.

I know this isn’t news, but this is the kind of stuff that still gives me butterflies. Stupid, I know. It’s also the kind of stuff that I want to go running into schools with, shouting “Look what our kids can create! Look what they can contribute!”

It’s a great time to be a learner, isn’t it? Very cool… Check out Step #19 in the directions

By Will Richardson.

If any of my students go out of town during vacation, I hope to challenge them make their own map.

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Twittervision

Now that Twitter is taking the web by storm, here is a mash - up of Google maps and Twitter allowing you to see all of the Twitterers (Twits?) posts in real time posted on a world map.
Twittervision Thanks to Gaping Void .

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April- Time for Spring Vacation

I have been very slack posting in the past few weeks. Sometimes, reading and listening provides inspiration to the writing process. Sometimes is does not help. I listened to Bit by Bit podcast episode 17 with Alice, Cheryl, Bob, Cathy, Deb, and Michael come together in this Flat World over FlatBread. They mentioned in their conversation a web clone of ComicLife and it jogged my memory of how excited my students were about using ComicLife software on the Mac.

The Bear Facts, The Story of a North Carolina Treasure

To receive "The Bear Facts" DVD please use one of the following contacts to reserve your free copy. All educators including teachers, Museum employees, Parks Personnel, Scout Leaders and others are encouraged to request a copy.

Include the following information in your correspondence:

The Bear Facts DVD/CD
Your Name
Address of Educational Institution
Phone Number
Email Address
Requested quantity

Email: storemanager@ncwildlife.org

Mailing Address:
1710 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1710
Toll Free Phone: 1-866-WILDSHOP
(1-866-945-3746)
Local Phone: 919-707-0393

Local Fax: 919-707-0294

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Periodic Table of the Elements

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/periodictable/



This periodic table is really interesting in that the elements are hyperlinked to QTVR movies of samples. My favorite is the gold element. I downloaded the QTVR movie of a gold coin and showed it to my students on our digital projector. This might be fun to use with an interactive whiteboard. If the software would allow students to touch the element on the whiteboard and the whiteboard would react like a touch screen.



Have you ever tried this in your classroom?

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YouTube Fight Club - muy malo

“Doing it to Post on You Tube” « Haulin’ ‘Net

15 boys from Lee Senior HS in Sanford, NC were suspended and arrested for staging fighting events in the school lavatory prior to the school day. The 21st century kicker is that they were filming the fights and posting the New Media to You Tube.

Very one wants to have their own 15 minutes of fame, but holding a pre-school bathroom brawl is taking it to a new level. I know a couple of teachers at Lee Senior and I can not wait to contact them and ask them which bathroom they have duty in now... Not to make fun of this, I do not blame the teachers or the school. If these kids wanted to fight, they could have held their matches anywhere they wanted. I still do not understand why the school? Was it because they had first period computer class and conspired to use the school's network to upload their videos? Is YouTube blocked on their network? If not, how many times were the movies viewed on the Lee Senior network?

The sad thing is that these kids are not going to be denied a education, they are probably heading for the Lee County alternative school program. So, watch out alternative school, you are going to have your hands full. Maybe Lee Senior should start a boxing program.

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Podcast Player for Teachers

Dave Winer has been thinking about the features of an ideal podcast player on his blog Scripting News. As a classroom teacher that has struggled to teach my students how to use Garageband on Apples, I agree with Dave’s wonderful characteristics. The recording feature is the trick. All my students have USB flash drive MP3 players. I load then podacast mp3 files on their devices so they can share them with their family and friends. This task is time consuming at best. So, to add RSS feeds to this idea device, wireless is a must.

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What? Huh? I am sorry, what did you say?

Last night, my daughter, my wife, and I attended a wonderfully pleasant wedding. At the reception, the DJ spun his magical mix of jazz, rock, hip-hop, Top 40’s from the 70's, 80's, and 90’s. I am not sure how close my old ears got to the speakers, but my ears are ringing a little louder today than usual. While reading my RSS feeds on Google Reader, I skimmed across this post from WIRED Blogs and had to comment on the article. It is: SPOT ON. My hearing is not what it once was. Add to that the dance music and I know I missed some really interesting comments made by fellow attendees at the wedding reception. I could see lips and mouths moving and could catch parts of what was being said. The people at my table must have thought I was ignoring them, but I could not hear what they were saying. The stress from trying to hear conversations made having a conversation a real challenge.

Not to be a grouch, I actually enjoy all kinds of music. So, if I cannot hear well, why not get a hearing aid? No. They are not cool. Call it vanity if you want, but hearing aids equates old age. Now, not go postal on me. This is my opinion. My father paid big bucks for a set of hearing aids. He would not wear them. He complained that they did not fit right. He kept leaving them here and there. My mother fussed constantly about him not wearing them or not putting in a battery, and on and on. I do not mind wearing ear buds while at the gym working out. IMHO, hearing loss is the redheaded stepchild of the worthwhile diseases, but it is a personal issue to me. This is a desperate predicament for all most all Baby Boomers.

While reading the article linked below, it hit me: iEar. Steve Jobs please design your fellow Baby Boomers something cool. iEars could be a big financial success and popular tech gadget. Imagine “digital hearing appliances” from Apple. Taking design clues from the original iBook and how it transformed the boring black laptop into a cool “must have”. Then it was the iPod. They are fabulously popular and user-friendly. Steve- your fellow aging Baby Boomers need a favor- design us a cool hearing aid. Could it have bluetooth, so we can hear our podcasts, music, iPhone, video, and Apple TV? Whip up support and the cool factor by celebrity endorsements. Maybe folks like Bono, Ozzy, Mick, and James Taylor to raise money for "iEars for Baby Boomers". I can see the ads for it now: [wide-shot] Are you tired of the What? Huh? Tell me that again? [two-shot] I'm PC and I cannot hear a thing you are saying. I'm Mac, and I am wearing the new iEar from Apple, Inc. I can listen to my iPhone, and all my Beatles music without having to drag around my laptop and iPod. [fade-to-white] iEar, from the corporation that damaged you hearing, we now offer these products to you at a low cost of 99 cents.
[TagLine] iEar: hear like a hawk. Now available at an Apple Store near you, or online at Apple.com.

WIRED Blogs: Bodyhack

As one scientist just put it at a briefing for reporters at the AAAS annual meeting, "hearing is considered to be the sort of poor cousin of vision. It also doesn't have the sex appeal of aids and malaria and other worthwhile diseases."

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Legislative School Technology Day

Instructional Technology Division NC Department of Public Instruction

North Carolina school districts are cordially invited to participate in Legislative School Technology Day, Tuesday, February 13, 2007, from 10am until 2 pm at the North Carolina General Assembly Building. This event is designed to showcase for our legislators the exciting ways that technology is being used to support the teaching and learning of 21st century skills in the classrooms across the state. Every North Carolina legislator should be able to point with pride to the ways that schools in his or her district are using technology to enhance teaching and learning. Visit the Legislative School Technology Day web site for more information.

Our participants will be leaving NWA at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning and travel via an activity bus to Raleigh. Join us later this week as we bring back audio files and edit a podcast for our listeners.

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First Impression of H4 Handy Recorder ZOOM

I just picked up a H4 yesterday. Tried to record a podcast while riding in the truck to pick while making a quick trip to town. However, nothing recorded. I read the manual when I got home. I found that starting a recording is a little tricky. To make the H4 record, you turn it on, then press the REC button, then press it again. I did not like this feature, until I realized that by requiring that extra button push allows you to monitor the recording settings before recording. Using a good headphone, I can listen for background distractions like a fan running on my computer. I like the one clip button on the front so the file type can be selected. For the price, ZOOM should at least include a set of batteries. Maybe they do, I did not get any. Also, my copy of the free software was missing. Not to complain, this was just my experience. I am saving my money for a couple of XLR mics and cables to use with it. One last point - if you use the H4 as a handheld device, set the mic gain to L and use MP3. The L or low gain cancels most of the noise that results from holding the device in your hand. MP3 compresses the file. Go ahead and buy a 2 GB SD card when you buy it. Look around for cheap 1 GB cards if you do not need to record a long presentation. Also, buy a tripod. I found a cheap one at a store called Big Lots that was designed to use with a camera. Also, I recommend investing in recharge AA batteries and a charger. I am looking for a carrying case for it too. One last impression- if you are over 50 years old, make sure you have your reading glasses nearby when operating the H4. I was not designed for farsighted users like me.

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Shrink-wraped version of the future-ready schools discussion?

I have been using Moodle and video or audio clips in my science classroom for some time now. I found a perfect example at Dr. Scott McLeod’s blog Dangerously Irrelevant. His 7-step (60-90 minute) “unit” got my attention. It utilizes Re-useable Learning Objects. In Moodle, it is important to create lessons that save time anywhere you can.

He combines .pdf files, a slideshow from the Fischbowl, an original slideshow, a podcast, and a viral video. He can re-use these materials in future contexts, but more importantly, he posts them to the web and invites others to use them. That is the power of re-usable learning objects of the digital kind.

What could we blend as resources for a lesson on cell mitosis or math or geography?

Dangerously Irrelevant: 100% proficiency on old skills?

100% proficiency on old skills? Here's something if you have a 60- to 90-minute block of time with educators... 100% Proficiency on Old Skills? A Candid Conversation About the Demands of NCLB and Preparing Students for the New Economy

• Step 1 - download the handout (jot a few notes)
  
  
• Step 2 - watch Did You Know? (6:05) (become a little overwhelmed)
  
  
• Step 3 - see the slides and listen to the podcast (not available on our schools network because all .mp3 files are filtered and blocked- #$% it (34:20)
  
  
• Step 4 - watch (YouTube.com) The Human Network (1:32) (remain hopeful)
  
  
• Step 5 - start discussing
  
  
• Step 6 - hand out either the short version or the long version as a take-away
  
  
• Step 7 - share widely! P.S. This presentation is better than the one I did last week.

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NC Science Blogging Conference - Teacher Resource

While attending the NC Science Blogging Conference on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007 in Chapel Hill, one question was asked by a participant: How do teachers know what they are teaching is accurate? That question made me think about the idea of science literacy. As I was going through my email account's spam folder, I ran across this National Science Teachers Association email. Why this email ended up in my spam folder is a different story. In an effort to help science teacher current on crucial themes in the science field, this organization makes a concerted effort to inform its members of what is the truth. When asked at the conference, my mind went blank. Also, high school chemistry teachers can join the American Chemical Society. They have a secondary educational division and a Kids Site

Teaching Science in the 21st Century: Part 5 in a Series from NSTA Reports

The fifth installment in NSTA Reports’ series is titled “Teaching the Nature of Science: Five Crucial Themes”. Written by Nancy Moreno, the piece begins “Many candidate races and ballot initiatives in the November 2006 United States elections highlighted science-related issues and debates. Stem cell research, alternative fuels, and climate change were topics considered in regional and national discussions. To understand and choose among conflicting viewpoints, voters needed to possess two aspects of scientific literacy: (1) comprehending science concepts and (2) understanding how science builds knowledge. Unfortunately, statistics compiled by the National Science Foundation indicate little headway in improving the second aspect of science literacy—understanding the nature of science. In 2004, for example, only 23% of adult respondents could correctly 'explain in their own words what it means to study something scientifically' (NSB 2006)."

This series offers opinion pieces by many of the leaders in science education today. To read the fifth installment in the series, visit http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/nsta_story.php?news_story_ID=53152. To find out more about the book by the same name that inspired the series, visit http://store.nsta.org/showItem.asp?product=PB195X.

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MemoMic - Lapel Mic for the Classroom

While strolling around the iPod accessories section at the Crabtree Mall Apple, Inc. store today, I noticed a very small lapel microphone almost on out of reach from the the floor. The company, Xtrememac was one that I had read about on a blog. The box was labeled MemoMic. I read the description on the package and it said "This product is compatible with all digital recorders." Hum, could this work with my Belkin mic? Last summer, I purchased a new iPod Video and a matching Belkin TuneTalk Stereo microphone.



Prior to owning the Belkin TuneTalk, I used my iMic with my 4th Generation iPod to record podcasts. My students could not seem to get comfortable with the iPod sitting there. I experienced the same blank stares from my students when I tried record them with the iPod Video and TuneTalk. So, I tried using several different external microphones. I tried using the Griffin Lapel Mic, and a Sony lapel mic. They did not produce quality audio. I can not describe the way they sounded. Maybe I should make a demo of the sound. You don't have to believe me, try it yourself. They just sound crappy.



I left the Apple Store, and went to eat some lunch and returned to the store. The store audio expert tried to explain how the MemoMic was designed to work the XtremeMac's iPod recorder. I just listened to his canned sales pitch and then after he had finished, I asked a simple question. I asked him if the MemoMic would work with my Belkin TuneTalk. I am one of those customers that love to ask questions that stump the experts. It must be all those years I spend running my sporting goods business. Some customers must stay up all night coming up with questions to stump the employees. I was not trying to "show off", I just wanted to know if they had heard about anyone trying to use the MemoMic with with a non-Xtreme recorder. I left the store with that question going round and round in my head. I walked from one end of Crabtree Mall to the other to my truck in the parking lot. I dug in my computer bag and located my Belkin TuneTalk and turned around and went back to the Apple Store.



I walked straight to the XtremeMac MemoMic display, and a different clerk came up to me with one of their new handheld checkout devices that scans the UPC and lets you swip your credit card to complete the transaction. I think the store clerk and audio expert must have seen me come in and ran to keep from having to listen to my crazy question. Well, I bought the MemoMic-- BAM! It would not have been the first or last time I have plunked down money on a tech toy that did not work. I ripped into the box and plugged it into my TuneTalk mic attached to my iPod. The first two test recordings did not work. The audio level was almost inaudible. Then, I noticed the TuneTalk's gain switch on the bottom was in the off position. Moving the switch to on, I tried another short recording. It was very clear and crisp. The background noise in the Apple Store was like a middle school classoom on Friday at 5 seconds after the bell to go home. Well, not that bad, but close.



I was very excited with the way the Xtreme MemoMic works with the Belkin TuneTalk. I plan to use the device with my students this week to record some podcasts. I will link to them when they are posted.







XtremeMac iPod Audio Accessories: MemoMic™ for MicroMemo

Get crisp, clean recordings of your meetings, interviews and presentations



MemoMic™ is a professional-style microphone that clips to a lapel or shirt. This omni-directional mic is designed to pick up meetings, lectures, or any audio hands-free. It's perfect for capturing every word into a voice recorder (like our MicroMemo™), video camera or through a public address system.



You don't have to be a big shot to come across like one. Clip it on, plug it in and you're all set.



* Omnidirectional

* Uses popular 3.5mm plug

* Ideal for voice recorders, camcorders, VoIP

* Inconspicuous 4-foot cable

* Extra windscreen and clip

* 90° angle mini-plug for comfort

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Science Teachers Resource

This is a really interesting article to me. About tens years ago, a group of educators received a tour of regional factories. It was part of an initiative to help teachers better understand the demands industry placed on their workforce. One of the plants we visited made nuclear fuel pellets. They look like dark gray mini marshmallows to me. Today, I read that researchers have learned that reshaping those pellets by basically cutting out the holes like Krispy Kreme dough nuts, will increase their efficiency by half. So, if that is true, them maybe we should invent a doughnut shaped everything. How about dough nut shaped food in our school cafeteria? Doughnut shaped pizza would increase student's efficiency to learn by 50%. How about doughnut shaped coffee cups for teachers. Now, I would be for that. Then I could finish my lesson plans in half the time. I wonder if I invented a doughnut shaped textbook, classrooms would become 50% more efficient? Or, how about a doughnut shaped computer...yeah now that is the ticket...Hey! Steve Jobs!-- I know you read my blog (yeah right-- in my dreams), how about a dough nut shaped iPod? It could increase its efficiency 50%.



I think I need some coffee. Check out this resource for your environmental classroom at http://pubs.acs.org/journals/esthag/index.html

It may be a little over high level for most of my kids, but if you teach AP Environmental, add it to your list of required reading if you have not already done so.



ES Online News: Reshaping nuclear fuel

Reshaping nuclear fuel

Doughnut-shaped fuel can cut nuclear energy's environmental impact.

light-water nuclear reactors

Westinghouse Corp.

When used as fuel for light-water nuclear reactors, the hollow 14-mm cylinders shown here can increase efficiency by 50%.



By reconfiguring nuclear-fuel pellets into "dough nuts", scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have found a way to boost the amount of energy that nuclear reactors produce by 50%. The new design also helps diminish the chance of meltdown by slashing the temperature at which reactors must be operated, and it renders the spent fuel more proliferation-resistant.

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New Year's Eve 2006.

I have been using Performancing to edit posts. Now, I can use Google Docs to craft my rambling rants. I can not seem to make the insert images work on Google Docs. I keep getting a error message that says "Sorry, this image is an invalid format." Hello, it is .jpg. What is wrong with it? No, the file is not over the 2 M limit. I also do not like the way Google Docs does not handle the title part of the post. Guess, I will stick with Performancing.

Hopefully, they will add some way to insert images from Picasa.

This is how Google Docs quotes look when added to Blogger posts. John Blake

Sharing Picasa photo album on Blogger

I have been experimenting with Picasa and trying to share images with my family. Using their built in feature, Picasa only creates a link to the album. Bubbleshare and some of the other photo sharing sites offer slideshows you can make from your images, and copy and paste the proper code to generate dynamic content. Hopefully, Picasa will add this in a coming update.

Holiday 2006

How I Used My Internet Time in 2006

Blogger.com's new features have taken up hours of my vacation time. But, I am not complaining here. As a Bloggerhead since 2004, the updates are past-due. A quick glance at the number of blog post made by me during 2006 vs. 2005, one can immediately note that I have not posted on a regular basis. A 50% reduction of posts in significant. One can attribute this to user-friendly features of WordPress blogs. It could be a result of other interests. YouTube, Google Video, and even Embarq's video just to name a few. Learning to embed video content into my class Moodle and using clips to enhance learning has captured some of my online surfing and attention in 2006.

Looking at my Blogroll, I must have spent more time online reading what others are saying. I have been spending time shopping, and viewing photos on Flickr and Google. Hours and hours of this past year was eaten up reading Digg.com posts. Tech industry rumors and news, gadgets, and blogs by educators also grabbed my attention.

2007 is just around the corner, and who knows what new web apps will grab my attention and eat up my down time.

My Random 2007 Predictions:

• Apple will continue to postpone unveiling their cellular device.
• China will buy Google or Yahoo or both.
• Public education will pay teachers what they are worth.
• Discovery Education will be bought out by Walmart.
• Email will be replaced by enhanced mental telepathy or laser powered paper cups and strings.