Three good reasons for teachers to blog

One of the best sites for new teachers starting to use technology is Richard Byrne's
website "Free Technology for Teachers" http://www.freetech4teachers.com/

There are lessons and resources for all levels and subjects, plus there are also fantastic ebooks guides for teachers on a variety of topics. There is a "how to blog" guide on this page. You can download it as  PDF file.

Here is the link
http://goo.gl/5YLiwR

Protecting Reputations Online in Plain English (+playlist)

Sharing, Collaboration,Open Source - The new Pedagogy

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  “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.” ― George Bernard Shaw

Sharing ideas and resources is a very powerful way to increase not only your teaching "tool kit", but it is also a powerful way to empower colleagues and benefit ourselves.  As we move into a new year and new challenges as we embrace BYOD, the concept of sharing ideas, tools and strategies just seems to make sense. 

What can you share?

Think before you post

This is a great poster about digital citizenship from the TeachThought Blog by Terry Heick

http://www.teachthought.com/technology/
A simple anagram for digital citizenship

Taking time to reflect

Today I had lunch at the Botanic Gardens. I left school walked down to a local cafe, ordered a coffee, bought a wholesome looking sandwich and headed back to a park bench. Yes, teaching is interesting, rewarding,  all-consuming at times along with many other adjectives. (Good and Bad ... Fill in your own!) However, it is okay to have a life and stop to enjoy the sunshine. I was able to take some time, enjoy the fresh air and its amazing how some problems can be solved by a walk in the sun.

"Feeling Good" About starting school in 2014

It's a new dawn.It's a new day.It's a new life. For me. And I'm feeling good. Well actually nervous,apprehensive,excited and looking forward to the new opportunity of a new job for 2014. This year I move from a large co-ed state school where I have taught English for the last 13 years, to a small (650) well-established Boys'School. The exciting aspect is my new role as eLearning Facilitator as the school rolls out BYOD for all students this year. With wonderful buildings and being close to two of my favourite places in Christchurch, the Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park, I can't help but channel Michael Buble just a little bit.

Be Happy - Here are some ways to do that

Thanks to @MsBeez for this via Twitter