Introduction to PB WIKI Beating the Challenge of Combo Classes

Dear World Language Teachers,

I am a German teacher and like many of you I am my own department. One of the challenges we face at the upper levels is that we often have combo classes of two or even more levels in the same class. When I started using my wiki things became easier for me as I can set up lessons, standards and acitivities for my upper level students and they can work independently while I teach the other group of students.
Here is a very interesting and practical way to teach our upper level students:
I discovered PB Wiki through one of my classes in the Masters in Technology in Education program through Lesley University. It takes a little time to set up but is well worth having. I have been using FRAU BELL'S WIKI with my Level 3 / 5 combo class. It is a constant work in progress where I change and post assignements for my students. The beauty of a wiki is that it is interactive and that the students who have your permission can post their work, questions, presentation or comments on this interactive virtual portfolio.

You can GET STARTED HERE and take a look around. The PB wikis are very easy to build and modify and are free.

There are set ups for individuals, businesses and many very creative ideas and templates for teachers. Take a look at the TEACHER WIKIS

SL divorcee jailed after killing online hubby in Tokyo

Now, this is very interesting and just down the line from what we discussed in class last week. Read more here: Japan.Avatar.Murder ...

the "BIG SIX" - Second Life's Community Standards

The Community Standards sets out six behaviors, the "Big Six", that will result in suspension or, with repeated violations, expulsion from the Second Life Community. All Second Life Community Standards apply to all areas of Second Life, the Second Life Forums, and the Second Life Website.

1. Intolerance: Combating intolerance is a cornerstone of Second Life's Community Standards. Actions that marginalize, belittle, or defame individuals or groups inhibit the satisfying exchange of ideas and diminish the Second Life community as whole. The use of derogatory or demeaning language or images in reference to another Resident's race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation is never allowed in Second Life.
2. Harassment: Given the myriad capabilities of Second Life, harassment can take many forms. Communicating or behaving in a manner which is offensively coarse, intimidating or threatening, constitutes unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, or is otherwise likely to cause annoyance or alarm is Harassment.
3. Assault: Most areas in Second Life are identified as Safe. Assault in Second Life means: shooting, pushing, or shoving another Resident in a Safe Area (see Global Standards below); creating or using scripted objects which singularly or persistently target another Resident in a manner which prevents their enjoyment of Second Life.
4. Disclosure: Residents are entitled to a reasonable level of privacy with regard to their Second Life experience. Sharing personal information about a fellow Resident --including gender, religion, age, marital status, race, sexual preference, and real-world location beyond what is provided by the Resident in the First Life page of their Resident profile is a violation of that Resident's privacy. Remotely monitoring conversations, posting conversation logs, or sharing conversation logs without consent are all prohibited in Second Life and on the Second Life Forums.
5. Indecency: Second Life is an adult community, but Mature material is not necessarily appropriate in all areas (see Global Standards below). Content, communication, or behavior which involves intense language or expletives, nudity or sexual content, the depiction of sex or violence, or anything else broadly offensive must be contained within private land in areas rated Mature (M). Names of Residents, objects, places and groups are broadly viewable in Second Life directories and on the Second Life website, and must adhere to PG guidelines.
6. Disturbing the Peace: Every Resident has a right to live their Second Life. Disrupting scheduled events, repeated transmission of undesired advertising content, the use of repetitive sounds, following or self-spawning items, or other objects that intentionally slow server performance or inhibit another Resident's ability to enjoy Second Life are examples of Disturbing the Peace.

Today is the Day!

We are back in class and are ready to present our Second Life project to the class. Julie, Nancy and I invite everyone in the class to please leave us some feedback and thoughts on Second Life and its potential impact on education.

Link for the Second Life Passport and This is Second Life Presentation

THIS IS SECOND LIFE PRESENTATION AND PASSPORT BROCHURE

Go for a visit around ISTE Island

1. Click on SEARCH, go to places and type in ISTE Island. Click on Teleport
2. Once you arrive, go straight down the path and into the building to your right.
3. Take a look at the “personalize your avatar” posters and click on the cubes on the shelves under the posters to purchase (for free) a Jack or Jill Starter Kit and some ISTE clothes. You can later see them when you look in your inventory.
4. Continue to the back of that room for information about Second Life and the SLED Blog. Click on the info cubes to learn more about what you can do as an educator.
5. Once you have taken a look around the building, go outside and start “flying”. Explore the area; there are many meeting areas where people gather at all different times. Usually, there is a planned meeting on Thursday evenings.
6. There is a schedule posted in front of the building. The days with nothing scheduled are the ones that are white. If you want help, you can also check out the Docent Schedule to see when the mentors are around. That also works for Orientation Island.
7. This is the end of the official orientation. Please click on SEARCH again to find interesting places you might want to explore.

Here is one suggestion: Go shopping at Free Dove

7 Things You Should Know About SL

Julie found a great source for information online. Here's' a link to 7 Things You Should Know About SL. It is short and to the point.

Experimenting with Second Life

My latest project for my class with JoAnne Hart at Lesley University has led me to research a world called Second Life. I had never heard about it before, I knew what an Avitar was and thought that Second Life was for all these people who didn't have a Real Life. What I didn't know was that there is a huge network of learning communities that is very useful to teachers of all levels for resources as well as professional development. Last Sunday I had the pleasure to run into Kathy Shrock's Avitar while exploring her Second Life platform LIGHTHOUSE LEARNING ISLAND, a collaborative professional learning community of K-12 educators. My colleague Julie and I had an extensive chat with Kathy about the realm of possibilities for learning and teaching and also simple logistics in Second Life. Click here to get a look at what I am rambling on about. SECOND LIFE

The first thing you have to do is create an Avatar and here is how it goes: You get to pick the gender, the clothing and create your look. Don't worry, you can change all that down to the gender later. Look for more on this soon.

Create your own WIKI