Week 8

Webpages???? I have finally managed to link (mentally as well as on paper) my pages that we created last week. After many frustrating hours spent cursing at any computer that came into my field of vision, I have conquered the basics of what I was doing. No small feat to learn the unlearnable (old dog remember). I really do feel like I deserve a medal.

Journal week ?

Last night was the most successful lesson I've ever had - (other than when I've been the one teaching). Had the chance to learn how to, and create, some simple matching exercises (using click & drag) and a very small crossword using Hot Potatoes. Was stoked to be able to use it this morning (Friday) with my class in the computer lab. It was great to see the students using it (over & over) and actually learning from it. I'm inspired to create more, more....... I only need more time!!!!!

Journal week 6

Journal week 6
Have really learnt heaps of useful stuff. Finding the time commitment too much, but will continue driving myself into the ground for the sake of education! I'd rather be me (learning) than Philip (teaching). Assisting computer learning is EXTRA hard work.

Dear Journal, met Picasa for the first time today. Not quite what I had expected, but certainly likeable. Fine tunings are excellent for special effects. One question about when I publish - how can I edit after I've published. Is that possible at all? I don't like the formatting of my comments next to photos (last publishing only).
12:52 AM

Meeting Picasa for the first time

Are you a stand-out in a crowded room?

Pay attention to detail - safety cameras are important!








Life is a long, solitary journey. 

Who needs Tourism?

http://avonvalley.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=general&story_id=501132&category=general&m=8&y=2006

Thursday, 10 August 2006 ELABORATE tourism plans for a themed 1920s style emporium and tearooms in Quairading have aroused fierce antagonism and divided the community.
At the centre of the row is entrepreneur Joe Shaw, who said his plans to attract tourists and increase employment in the town are being thwarted by unreasonable demands and unfair treatment from the Quairading Shire's building and health inspector, Mr Frank Buise.
Mr Shaw covered the property, a prominent feature of the town's main road, with graffiti claiming "Enough is enough," and demanding the inspector be stood down.
He distributed flyers advertising a community meeting at the town hall last Tuesday night.
"To set the record straight, this meeting has northing to do whatsoever with our shire councillors nor with the shire chief executive officer," said Mr Shaw at the opening of the meeting.
"We have had an excellent relationship with both parties, who have endeavoured to help and expedite matters."
The 100-strong audience was divided between supporters of Joe Shaw, supporters of Frank Buise, and those who had come to confront Mr Shaw about the graffiti.
Don Smith, also a newcomer to town, said he too had had run-ins with Mr Buise.
Mr Smith said Mr Buise had warned him off local tradespeople, and recommended their counterparts in Beverley.
"I have found some lovely tradespeople in town, I have found some really great, reliable tradespeople," he said.
"Why would I go to Beverley?"
Supporters of Mr Buise, led by local members of the hospitality trade, all spoke passionately in his defence.
"I speak on behalf of the hotel, the butcher and BP," said Cinos Café owner Vicki Chivers.
"No food service providers have ever had any such problems before, so why have you had so many dramas?"
"Why should you get special treatment?"
Mrs Chivers' husband Terry, who renovated the café, said there was nothing underhand about Mr Buise's dealings.
"He is a stickler for the rules, but when you do what he asks, he lets you go ahead," he said.
Others at the meeting said Mr Shaw's attempts to bring money and business to Quairading should not be stopped.
"I am here because of concern for the town," said Elaine Grundy.
"We want employment in the town."
Kevin and Lisa Taylor said they had quit their jobs in Perth and moved to Quairading, but could not find employment.
"We think he should be able to go ahead and create jobs," they said.
A large contingent had turned out to express fury at the shopfront graffiti.
"Why did you graffiti down there?" said Glenn Teefey.
"That's half our main street."
"If you care so much about the town, why did you graffiti it?"
"We had no graffiti in the town before this happened," said Jan Rose.
"Everyone who drove through the town this weekend saw that."
Frank Buise was not at the meeting and has not taken calls owing to illness.
However the Quairading Shire Council supports Mr Buise, who is contracted from Beverley three days a fortnight.
Deputy Shire President Darryl Richards said the council had made a decision that day to bring an independent contractor, Gordon Chester, from Toodyay, to assist with Mr Shaw's application.
"The main purpose for bringing him over is to have him look over the application and examine the conclusion Frank has made, and see if he agrees and supports it," said Cr Richards.
"We are not sure what the outcome will be, but we are hoping and expecting that he will."

useful links

Some useful links for teachers:

http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/ especially good for students with poor letter formation. Teachers can make traceable words and put onto worksheets

http://english-zone.com/reading/index.html some good authentic tasks eg graphs, washing instructions on clothes; has different levels to choose

http://grammar.englishclub.com/

http://englishplus.com/grammar looks good for simple explanations of higher level grammar points

Journal week 2

Time is getting scarce to find - especially quality time (no headache/stress/grumpy). I've been spending way too much time on the computer lately (all work related) and I'm not feeling well. However, I did learn something last week and I did get a chance to revise blogging, as this had been confusing for me before. I now know the difference between posting a comment and just commenting on someone else's blog!!! Cutting and pasting was easy for me but I'm looking forward to finding out about Picasa as I tend to do quite a lot of imagining (?) for my class.
We push on to the next frontier!!!!

Life can be so cruel!!!

Ever feel like you're being squeezed? Sometimes between a rock and another rock? Join our happy group of bloggers.