HTML...oh my!

So I put this assignment off and off because I thought it was going to be easy. HAHA! I've never wanted to throw my computer across the room more than I wanted to this past weekend. I had done a little dabbling with HTML but that was junior year in my undergrad program (5 years ago). I had forgotten pretty much everything so I was back at square one with learning the ins and outs. Still thinking this wouldn't be to difficult I procrastinated until late afternoon on Saturday and ended up spending my Saturday night still trying to write HTML. After semi-mastering what I was doing I got my page together. However, I don't really see the point. There are so many FREE web building sites that will write the code for you, why is it necessary to learn to write code? And, what is the point to "comments"? I read and read and don't think I understand.

I think I will be sticking with my program I use to build my web site that is free. It's working just fine!

Thoughts About Jing...

So Jing is a great concept BUT I found it really frustrating that you couldn't edit your work before submitting, or saving. I used another similar program in another class that allowed you to capture your work (although now I can't remember the program). If I remember correctly you could do some editing, like you can in Audacity. I must have re-recorded my project 8 times because I kept messing up and having to start over. Anyone else feel this way or know how to edit in case I missed that feature.

Online Classrooms...love 'em or hate 'em?

This last week I have truly learned the benefit of the online classroom. This year our school district joined forces with Southeast MO State University to bring OIS to our district. OIS is basically SEMO's version of blackboard or Moodle (if you've ever used Moodle). It allows a teacher to supplement activities beyond the classroom. Several teachers (mostly our veterans) have complained and refused to use to program. I've been using some of the OIS features but haven't by any means been using it to its full potential. Last week however I was home sick 3 1/2 days with a respiratory infection. It was not fun. Not wanting to let my classes fall 4 days behind I was able to keep my classes going by posting discussions, quizzes and assignments in the OIS system . Because it's web-based what I did at home was instantly available to my students at school. And I was able to get a start on my grading because they submitted their assignments digitally to me. Awesome! I know the students were probably not happy with me but my classes are pretty much on track and I can now continue on with my classes as normal. If I didn't look like death last week I would have considered posting a vodcast for them to watch but I didn't want anyone to see just how lovely I looked last week!

We teachers (especially us high school ones) are constantly out of our classrooms because of conferences, meetings or student trips. I believe the online classroom could also be used in these situations too, not just when sick. Does anyone else have experience with an online classroom? What are your thoughts? Do they belong in secondary, or even elementary, schools?

Confused

So I also forgot to add my Delicious tags to my blog. I've now done that as instructed but I am still not seeing the application working. I've tried going to my classmates blogs and I'm not seeing theirs either. Or I see the icon but then nothing happens. I'm lost. I know we are all technology majors and this should be a seemingly easy thing to do but it seems the easiest task sometimes turns out to be the hardest!