Many good workshops were delivered at Saturday’s OBEA fall conference in Newmarket. I learned much at the Voice Thread workshop with Bill Schreiter, Screencasting with MJ Page, and Senior Accounting Resources with Mike Atkins. My workshop was a follow up from the spring conference. Workshop participants were invited to join my makeapage wiki and learn how to use wikis in a classroom. Below is some of their handy work. If you’d like to join to learn how to create a wiki just click Join Site and I’ll approve you.
We’ve been rethinking all we teach about presentations. Over the last few years it’s been called “do a powerpoint.” And we’ve tried to apply rules such as 7-7-2, meaning no more than seven bullets, seven words per bullet, and maximum two images. Wrong, all wrong! Throw out the rules and apply principles. Regarding the electronic presentation (many now using programs other than PowerPoint), focus on images and de-emphasize text. The impact on the audience is key. Below are two slideshows. The first is an ongoing one I use to present about the oral part of any presentation. It’s a work in progress. The next one focuses on what an outstanding slideshow should be. Have a look:
Need some activities to spice up your BTT and BTA classes? The good teachers at Iroquois Ridge HS in Oakville have taken over the two sites I started. They are now wikis. You can also request membership and add to the units. All we ask is you give us some idea of who you are when you apply. When contributing, append your activities to end of units.
There are many. Here is one that seems simple and effective. Perhaps readers can suggest their favourites. Unfortunately, keyboarding is down to a single expectation in the BTT curriculum here in Ontario.
The next session begins on October 19th and lasts for six weeks. Sign on here:
CMA Ontario has a new program for grade 12 accounting students. Encourage your students to sign up here:
Yes it’s true. And they’ve added a banner ad. So we’re back to wikispaces.com, who are offering free wikis to teachers.
Check out our department wiki at wetpaint and btt wiki at wikispaces.
Wetpaint had more membership levels and better templates. But free is free 
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Ever wonder what software is licensed for use in your school? Or what the latest version is? Try OSAPAC. If you find something you like you’ll still have to contact your IT people for inclusion onto your school image or for a take home copy.
The good people at GoVenture have created a google-based search engine which shows results from business sites only. Give it a try at http://www.goventuresearch.com/.
While there scroll down and have a look at the Personal Finance Cheat Sheet. Especially good for the Building Financial Security courses.
I firmly believe Google will take over the world. In a good way. A recent addition to their vast array of search tools is the show options link. Do a search on anything. Below I did shares. Then below the Google logo, click show options. While the timeline feature is interesting, click wonder wheel. It gives you related searches and results immediately. Better yet click one of the items on the wheel. I know, too cool.
