Think back a few years to how you used to use your computer. Describe any changes you've noticed over that time. Finally, make some predictions about your computer use in 2013.

I belong to a generation that did not have any formal instruction on technology or computers in high school. The only course that remotely had anything in common with the use of computers was a typing course. When I was at the University of Belgrade doing my B.A. in French I was still typing my essays on an "automatic" type writer. So, it was no sooner then when I started my graduate studies that I started using computer more seriously. From that point on it all went quite fast and I learnt a lot about basic stuff but was still using computer mostly as sophisticated type writer,email tool and my access to Internet. And then I came to ISB and started using (with help of my computer savvy colleagues- thanks Milica!) many different tools to enhance my teaching. With this course under my belt, I will hopefully be able to include much more 21C skills in my teaching in 2013.
And I want to add that I used to love buying nice paper sheets, fancy notebooks and lots of colorful pencils and pens. Thanks to my computer, I am saving a lot of money.

internet safety reflections

Some people have strong feelings about being in the public domain (meaning their pictures, thoughts, interests... can be potentially accessed by people they don't know). Explain your feelings? How do we address these concerns as teachers and role models? How do we teach this?

Internet has changed and is constantly changing the way we work, communicate and think. I still remember an uneasy feeling I had when I was starting to use my first chat program. Even though it looked nothing like today's tools with sound, picture and video, I was somewhere new, not feeling too much in control. Being on internet these days does not feel that new and edgy anymore but I am still very much aware that it is very public. Paradoxically that openness and ability to connect so many people around the world in matter of second, to allow them to talk about and share so many ideas, to express themselves in a new and very direct way, are qualities and advantages that overshadow any downsides this kind of "mammoth" media might have. I think also that the question of safety on the Internet is constantly being addressed by producers of internet tools as well as by users . The fact that one can always chose privacy settings on Facebook or other social networks gives me a peace of mind.
However, as with all revolutionary human inventions we should always keep in mind that it is in human nature to invent, improve and use their creations in many positive ways but also to misuse and abuse them and that we should be aware of it. Being informed and use common sense are two main concepts I would advise my students to use while on Internet...and that is a big chunk of their day!!!!Those two concepts are the same ones we need when living in a big city.

Google docsmania

From reading other blogs I understood that Google docs might have a huge success with language teachers. And it's no wonder since the practical uses for submitting texts, correcting and saving in one place are obvious. I would just add that I like the fact that presentations and spreadsheets can allow the whole class to collaborate on the same document. Two of my grade 5 students made their PowerPoint presentations recently and came up with fairly interesting final products. However, since they were talking about the same subject some repetitions were inevitable. With Google docs in mind, I can imagine them now doing one joined presentation and even collaborating with me and the rest of the group. This, in combination with Google Chat (for vocabulary clarifications and such) might be a very engaging activity in language class.

I have been using Gmail for a while now. In the beginning I chose Gmail primarily for the size of the attachment that was way bigger then with other accounts. But as we are progressing with this course I realize I could start using Gmail in a more versatile fashion in future.