Shu-NCrew

When I started working full time from home, I thought about how wonderful it would be to work right beside my kitchen with all the technology I needed in one place -my office. I thought how great it would be to be able to be mobile without necessarily having to go anywhere.
I work out with my wonderful personal trainer, Tara Wind, a few times every week, but I’m just not dropping the weight fast enough. I don’t think an hour of working out a day is enough when I’m sitting on my rear end for the other 23 hours.
Today, in virtual teacher fashion, I devised a more interesting way to approach moving these old bones on a regular basis. It involves a timer and a virtual exercise wheel, and the video below will explain the basics of the idea in less than 3 minutes, thanks to screenjelly.
Right now the exercises are basic. I’m planning to work with Tara (I’m sure she’ll help!) to get more specific and even educational on the exercise descriptions. If you use this tool, make a note on the comments. Also, make a note on the comments if you’d like to see any new exercises included in the list of random exercises the wheel might land on!

Here are some helpful links:
Timer: http://www.online-stopwatch.com/full-screen-stopwatch/
Presentation embedded below: http://screenjel.ly/p45mBsqU6CI
Link to the workout wheel spreadsheet: bit.ly/4tgbWB

Tags: exercise, workouts for virtual teachers

I’m piloting this new idea in my Blackboard class right now, and it’s one I approached carefully. Teachers should add a www.groupboard.com whiteboard in announcements so that students have instant access to live chat with each other in online classes. Basically, www.groupboard.com allows you to have an online interactive white board with chat features in your announcements -I use them as a permanent announcement and add the regular announcements below it.
When kids login, they see how many other students are working on the class at that time. They can collaborate, tutor each other, and help with course issues!
Keep in mind that some students don’t do well with anonymity in online classes, so make sure you preface this feature with a reminder to stay positive, supportive, and enthusiastic to make great online friends. Keep checking on the class periodically and scan the chat lines to make sure everyone is playing nice.
Because this is such a great tool, I’m going to add a great screencast below going over it and some of its potential.  Enjoy, and I’m sure you can see how valuable a tool this will be for your students in an online class!

Shu

Tags: interaction, online learning, online whiteboard, virtual school