Friday, December 16, 2011

Internet Explorer users have been experiencing issues with the tabbed browsing for pages displaying incorrectly. We have done some work that should make issues better for users of IE8 and make it display correctly in IE9.

Internet Explorer 7 will still have issues with this page and, as IE7 is no longer supported by Blogger, there is nothing we can do about this without extensively recoding the blog.  Something well outside the skill levels of Pauly the House Nerd.  Sorry 'bout that.

He is also unable to test the changes on IE6 or before, Mac or Linux browsers.  Please report any issues via

wodongacrt@vit.vic.edu.au

and he will get onto them as quickly as possible.

We recommend an upgrde to Internet Explorer 9 for anyone still experiencing issues as the page is now compatible with IE9 and displays correctly.

We understand that some will not want to upgrade as the new IE is proving unpopular for some due to certain changes to Internet Explorer.  If you wish to avoid upgrading but want to view the blog without these errors we suggest installing either Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome, both of which display the blog correctly.

Do not set them as your default browser upon installing, or if asked to do so, and Internet Explorer will still be opened when you click on links in emails and documents (except from within the new browser).

Please note:  Blogger.com no longer supports versions of Internet Explorer 7 and previous versions.  This is going to become more and more common.  While the pages will open, features will start to be filled with a "internet explorer cannot display this web page" in the familiar white and blue.  Upgrading to a newer version of Internet Explorer will fix this for all web pages as will moving to a different browser like newer editions of Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.

Regards,

Pauly the House Nerd.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Hello everyone,

In my search for local PD presenters I came across the local Dyslexia Awareness Group's website.  It's wonderful to know that there's a local group putting a lot of effort into this issue.



It's not teacher oriented, being for a wider audience, but it's a great site for basic information on Dyslexia. They also have an extensive set of links to plenty of information on Dyslexia for all levels of interest, including teaching and learning issues.

I recommend that everyone go and have a peek at this one and I'm also adding a permanent link to it in our sidebar.  Even though it's not "just for us", it's a great starting point for anyone looking for information on dyslexia.

Mel.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Sharing my passion at the Network Meeting

I would like to thank all those who attended the Network meeting Wednesday afternoon at the Wodonga South Primary school.

In the last year I have been teaching literacy at a special development school which, as you can imagine, has it's challenges.  It lead to me researching into any way of teaching that would be effective and, at the same time, make my life as a teacher less frustrating and eventful.  Then, when a friend approached me about their child who was having trouble with reading, I found myself successfully using the exact same strategies.  She was engaged and interested, and instead of refusing to do her reading she was asking for extra books and activities to take home with her!

So this month I shared my passion for hands-on literacy strategies and thinking 'outside the box' when making resources and brought a range of mine in with me. Wooden pegs, cards, velcro, blocks and even fly-swats had us sometimes confused, often intrigued and frequently in laughter. Discussions around the base products of resources and 'the simpler it is, the better' when it comes to supporting struggling or reluctant readers were animated and interesting.

I enjoyed the discussions, comments and play-like attitude all participants showed and have taken a lot of ideas away with me. I hope everyone else got as much out of it as I did!   

The completion of the Validating Professional Development Proforma brought up more discussions, laughter and understanding.  So thank you again.

In the next few days I will put up some links to some readings on the research into the benefits of play and hands-on activities assisting learners.  At least enough to create a jumping-off point for further exploration into this wonderfully fun and effective way of teaching..

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that there will be no meeting in January 2012, with meetings starting up again in February.and I am looking forward to the exciting workshops we have on the cards for 2012.

To everyone and their families; have a wonderfully happy, safe, and restful Christmas break! 


Saturday, December 3, 2011

EduSTAR page.

We have put up a new eduSTAR page.  It contains a little information about eduSTAR and what it really is as a basic grounding.

As CRTs we don't get Department laptops and therefore don't get eduSTAR so the most important part for us is the last half of the new page.  EduSTAR contains a very large list of software that is freely downloadable from the internet and can be installed on your own computer.  We have compiled a list of links so you can go and get it for yourself!

These are not links to "pirated" software, every single one is a completely legitimate download.  They are not cut-down "trial versions" unless that is what's contained in eduSTAR.

If you would like access to these programs, simply find them in the link lists and they will take you to the download page for the program you want to install.

Mel.

December issues Shine and Inspire

View Online
View Online



To view these online you will need Adobe Flash Player.

Each page has a link to the Downloadable PDF versions!


Mel.