Why Napkin Communications?

How do you communicate?

You might be wondering why Kathie gave our blog the title of Napkin Communications, so I thought I would give you a quick bit of background.

If you have ever attended a conference that is inspiring and stimulates your thinking, you know that it is necessary to get your thoughts down on paper. Often it is simply a word, or a question, or even a comment, but where do you write it? You don't have a notebook, no laptop, and you are probably not efficient on your PDA, but you have to get the information down. So you do what I am sure everyone has done at least once in their life. You grab a paper napkin from the table and start writing. You might fold it and stick it in your pocket for later, or you might pass it to your neighbor for a response.

Well, the latter was the situation at a recent conference. Napkins were being used everywhere to share ideas and gather responses. We recognized the silliness of the napkins as part of our communications, and Kathie used it to our advantage. On the bottom of one our napkin notes she signed it Napkin Communications.com. This was the perfect name for our communications and she has now taken it a step further and applied the name to our blog.

So take advantage of your blank napkin and communicate with your peers. This is a place for inspiration, thoughts, ideas and questions. Just jot it down with your keyboard and communicate!

Happy Communicating!

So where do we go from here?

For starters, each of you should sign up for Blogger so you can post comments. You will also be able to create your own Blog through this account. For those of you who have a Google account you can use this information to signup for Blogger. Although these sites are often blocked at the district you can request that your site be reviewed and given clearance to be viewed within the AUHSD network.

HOW TO SIGN UP:
In the top right hand corner of this blog you will find a link that says Create Blog - Sign In. If you already have a BLOG account or have a Google Account use the Sign In link, if you do not use the Create a Blog link.

When you have created your own account you can create a blog or make comments to other blogs within BLOGSPOT.

Take some time to read through my posts, make comments for others to read, check out the links I have provided (especially the 11 21st Century LEARNER Blogs links on the right column). These blogs are well established blogs and have a plethora of information.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOME TIME to surf and get lost in this cyber hole. I promise you that your time will slip away once you take this journey.

More later as this will be a daunting adventure if this is your 1st time blogging.

Why Create a BLOG for Alternative Education

I am currently serving as a Library Teacher in the Alternative Education Program for the Anaheim Union High School District. I have created this Blog in response to attending the 21st Century LEARNERS Symposium sponsored by CTAP Region 11 Los Angeles County on October 19, 2007. It is my hope that this Blog will first serve as a starting place for our newly formed Technology Task Force, and soon blossom into a technology and teaching collaboration for our entire program.