Portaportal Reflections
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Subject: [PD 4886] Re: Sharing Portaportal link, reflecting on why we select certain tools
From: Holly Dilatush
Date: Fri Jul 16 12:29:53 EDT 2010
Hello everyone,
I find that I simply "have to" make time for this outstanding discussion
list this week!
This link <<http://guest.portaportal.com/englishcafe>> is to the most active
Portaportal that I currently maintain.
I love portaportals!
Part of the technology journey, for me (and I suspect, for most of us), is
finding what works *for me *and pondering why.
Then, why it might work for students, and why. There are some tools that I
love, even though there are other tools out there that might work "better"
in other people's minds, other people's situations.
As an adult educator, I have often taught several different levels and types
of courses, in different locations, during the same period. Along with those
classes, I've often had roles as volunteer coordinator, task force committee
repr. or leader, and so on.
In my attempts to stay organized and sane, I developed a "tote bag queen"
and colored folder system that many of you can probably identify with!
Portaportals remind me of that organization system/style. You can change
the colors. You can carry them everywhere.
On the above link, in the attached files section, you'll find a handout from
a presentation I gave (some time ago) on Portaportals.
Click on any gray triangle in the portaportal and a list of links should
appear. Click again and the list collapses. Links will always open in a
new tab/window, so you don't lose the portaportal. You could put all links
for a course in ONE place, and provide the students with ONE link, and be
sure that students were looking at the correct files (or at least not accept
excuses for students who use an incorrect link).
Even though this http://guest.portaportal.com/englishcafe is a bit of a
"hodge-podge" and could use some updating and reorganizing, it still works
well for me.
You are welcome to peruse -- you may find some new resources that you will
enjoy. You may be inspired to start your own portaportal and "play" with
it.
Or you may shake your head and say, "Nope. This has no appeal for me; I'm
not interested in this for class use."
I encourage you to think and share your reflections about the process your
mind goes through as you get a rambling intro like this --
to a new tool --
What "works" for you? When is a "pitch" for a new tool considered
carefully, immediately explored -- explored thoroughly, explored
tentatively, cursorily, dismissed, or added to a "someday" list -- why?
I've noticed patterns developing in my own decision-making, and find that
PLNs (personal or professional learning networks) are a large factor.
Twitter has been influential. These discussion lists have been influential.
Conferences have been. Sometimes, "in-house" PD has been. Why? Is it the
"who" (presenter)? Is it the when? Fun to think about -- and to realize that
our students may be undergoing the same process.
Relevance, repetition, scaffolding, building community, providing tutorials,
providing introduction and orientation -- so many factors!
Holly
--
Holly (Dilatush)
Charlottesville, VA USA
http://EnglishCafe.com ~ an engaging, enlightening, supportive, and fun
community!
"Live with intention. Share inside-out smiles, inspire hope, seek awe and
nurture in nature."
http://www.diigo.com/user/blogblossoms/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blogblossoms/
Twitter ID = hollydilatush
Skype ID = smilin7
Subject: [PD 4895] Re: creating podcast with little technology, reflecting on why we select certain tools
From: Barbara Sabaj
Date: Fri Jul 16 14:32:14 EDT 2010
In order to create podcasts that are easy and do not require a lot of
resources, go to gabcast.com. For my ESL learners, I did the pronunciation
of the vocabulary in the books we were using by just using the telephone.
If you want to see some of the podcasts, just type Sabaj in the search.
I have also used it record poetry for my GED-i online learners so they can
hear the words not just read them.
Barbara Sabaj
bjteach at ameritech.net
