meeting...

we had are first meeting today. here are some of the main points:

• my main goal is that we collectively put our brains together and investigate how blogs can be used in an educational context and that each member determine if and how they can be used in their respective area
• we received a bit less money than i requested; i will work on compensation for each of you.
• we reviewed the definition of blog (site that consists of diary-like posts) most often with links and commentary. the big difference between blogs and other "personal pages" is that software makes it easy for those without technical skills to create and post to blogs. in fact, i created a blog in under 3 minutes (see mike substelny for the exact time)
• we reviewed there are potentially four uses of blogs in education: teachers can read them, teachers can create them, students can read them, students can create them. a big part of blogs is that they are useful in finding and commenting upon resources - as well as providing an opoportunity for reflection.
• you all should have received an invite to join our group blog. the process of signing up is fairly straightforward, but i can help you work through it.
• those who weren't there - we have three options: you can try to work through it on your own, we could schedule another meeting to repeat what was reviewed today, or i can stop by and talk to you individually.
• the site we will use to create our blogs is blogger
• i will get back to you regarding our next meeting - that being said - given we are investigating an electronic means of communication - my aim will be to conduct as much business as we can (discussions, etc..) thru our group blog.
• next steps: sign up and start posting to our groupl blog your thoughts, create a blog of your own and start thinking how they can be used in your classes