Vacation?

All classes are finally done, and all final grades have been posted. That means four full weeks of no teaching. It's a vacation I've been anticipating for some time. Of course, it will be a working vacation. There's a wiki to prep for fall classes, the PBWorks Summer Camp (I'm a mentor), and a Web Graphic Design class I'll be taking.

There are also closets to be cleaned, windows to be washed, and all the other details of housekeeping that seem to take a back seat to classes. It will be a busy month.

NxtBook

Ran across this site when I clicked on a link in an email message from TechSmith (Camtasia): http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/streamingmedia/0808/#/82

Not only did I find the content interesting, I found the concept of NxtBook interesting, as well. I'm sure there will be much more content made available in this way, especially since it allows for incorporation of advertising. :)

Thunder Screen Reader

I have an adult friend who reads at about a second to third grade level. He tries to use the internet, but it's hard for him. I've been thinking for some time about how his internet experience might be richer, more fulfilling.

Well, this morning a student's question sent me on a bit of a quest, and I ran across Thunder, a FREE screen reader. http://www.screenreader.net/index.php?pageid=2 I've downloaded it and will be installing it on my friend's computer. Even though it's intended for the visually impaired, I think my friend will benefit from this nifty bit of technology. :)

National Debt Clock

Just added the National Debt and Population counter ... It's just one more way to assure my depression is as deep as possible on any given day. :)

Actually, the National Debt numbers are so staggering they have almost no meaning for me any more. What I really want to know is when the potholes on our roads will be filled, whether the police and fire departments are adequately staffed, when all citizens will have access to healthcare and education, and what I'm going to cook for dinner.

In the beginning...

Have played with other blogs in the past, but decided it's time to set one up for use with my classes. Soooo... Here I go!