Here is a list of online sites and resources I've discovered recently -- sites which may be of interest to other educators:

• Cool Text creates free logos and graphics for websites. Perfect for those on a tight budget.
• An article on a new study linking video-game violence with real-world violence.
• I found a blogging rubric which I can adapt to better meet my needs with my students.
• I know that not many other Lutheran school teachers use Twitter, but TweetWheel is an interesting site which identifies which of your contacts already know each other. The site processes a fascinating graphic showing connections we have with each other.
• I wish I could take more time to learn about all that is available through WikiEducator and Web 2.0 Guru. I'm sure there is much more I could learn through these sites by investing the time. I'd be interested in hearing about the experiences of others with links or resources from these sites.
• I guessing that everyone can find something they could use with students at Educational Freeware.
• Here is an article which discusses technology's impact on the brain. I might have to see if the book mentioned in the article is available at the local library.

I read a number of educational technology and educator blogs regularly, including Remote Access.  A recent post got me thinking about the "business" of Lutheran schools. With all the changes connected to technology in our society, schools are struggling to adapt and find a mode of education that will truly meet the needs of 21st century learners. The author summarizes the struggle in this way:

Schools used to be seen in many communities as the place with information inside of its four walls. Schools often had the largest (or many places, the only) library for example. Teachers were seen as beacons of enlightenment and knowledge. They were "educated." Schools were places where people came to get that knowledge. "School knowledge" or "book learning" was seen as being deposited inside of schools and if you wanted it, you had to come there to get it.

And now?

Now we are one source of information; but only one among many. We also do ourselves and our students a great disservice when, instead of teaching them to be their own filters and responsible users of information, we do it for them thinking we are protecting them for the world. Even the type of knowledge schools can supply is often in doubt as many studies have shown there is often little correlation between success in school and success in life.

While this author teaches in the public school setting, it seems that Lutheran schools face a different situation. While we need to do what this author suggests by teaching  our students how to accurately find, analyze, and process needed information, we also have the charge to prepare our students to meet the challenges of the 21st century world in a God-pleasing way by teaching them an understanding of Christian principles which will build their faith and enable their service to man to meet more than the temporal desires of this world, but to build an eternal foundation as well. So while in many ways we need to adapt our teaching styles as we prepare our students for their future, the unchangeable truths of Christ must continue to be at the center of all we do so that our students are ready to be salt and light to a world hungry for eternal answers.

What is the business of Lutheran schools? It is to provide our students with the spiritual and academic tools they need to be productive servants of God in whatever they do. And that is where Lutheran schools are a difference-maker. It is my hope that while the enrollment in many Lutheran schools is dwindling, that more people might see the necessity of this spiritual training in addition to the other academic disciplines.

Thoughts?

I was at my daughter's volleyball game last evening and I was seated by a couple students and their parents. One of the students kept joking about how important it was to "Check the URL" in every situation. Obviously we have been working on Internet literacy and search skills a great deal with the classes in the early part of the year. What was funny is that this student used "Check the URL" as an answer to any situation. If a girl missed a serve, she needed to "Check the URL." If someone hit a ball errantly, it was because she didn't "Check the URL."

When I returned home I received an email from one of the parents who had been listening to the conversation. He created this image using the Church Sign Generator and sent it on to me.

Such fun!

Here are some links which may be of interest to Lutheran educators which I've discovered over the past week:

• Some of you know that I use Twitter to follow conversations of other educators. It is helpful in thinking through some of what I'm doing and in discovering additional resources I might not identify on my own (click here to see my Twitter activity). This page contains a list of other educators (mostly from the public school sector) who are regular participants on Twitter -- people who other educators may be interested in following.
• Will textbook publishers catch up with where students need them to be? Check out this article for an answer.
• I really enjoyed being introduced to The Living Room Candidate by some public school educators at our recent professional conference. I plan on using the video content as we talk about the campaign and the upcoming election in my U.S. History class.
• Are you ready for smart desks? They could be coming....

I am a firm believer in the power of the wiki as an exceptional tool for 21st century learning. To that end, Wes Fryer has some good thoughts about how a wiki may be used in education. Here are his ideas.

I very much appreciate the built in accountability through wiki software. Someone vandalizes the page? It is easy to find out who did it, restore the page, and lock out the user. Student says that they worked on the wiki? The administrative tools show whether that is true or not. Need to limit viewers and/or users? No problem with the wiki tools. There is a great deal of administrative flexibility built in these tools.

In addition to Wes Fryer's ideas for wikis, I heard about a good wiki concept from Rob at Technology in the Lutheran Classroom. He mentioned that athletic directors at Lutheran schools are interested in using a wiki to record results, build standings, compile stats, etc. What a great use of this tool!

Could we add any other ideas to the list created by Wes Fryer? My guess is there are some faith-based ideas which could be established -- ideas which would get to the heart of the true mission of Lutheran schools. Feel free to share your wiki ideas with your colleagues as a comment to this post.