Security

In all the years that I have spent searching the net, playing games, and communicating with others, I have never had a problem with security.  I always make sure to update my antivirus software and to keep my password strength excellent.  If someone were to break into my teaching accounts they could send inappropriate emails out, change my website completely, and even erase all my data.  If I were to have contact information on my personal page then this person could possibly harass my students.  This could also disable my site and keep the students from being up to date on all that is going on.

Web Site

My ideal website would have all the links to the classes that I teach on a daily basis.  I would post a school schedule so that if a parent needed to reach me then they would know my conference hour.  I might post a biography section so that students and parents will be able to get to know me.  There would be pictures of the students working on their projects and participating in FCCLA topics.  The factors would influence how many classes I teach and if I can use FCCLA. 

Gaming

In my class I would use both games in real time and online for students to play outside the room.  For study guides I could use a jeopardy format for the students to compete in teams to win a prize (candy or extra credit).  Monopoly is a old money management favorite and it will give the students a chance to relax while playing a game from their childhood along with practicing what they have been taught.  Of course if they are playing online games supervision should be fairly strict so that everyone stays on task and so that nobody gets into trouble on YouTube.

Blogging

First off I would like to say that this is the only time I have ever though about blogging.  I could use blogging in my classroom so that students could comment about lesson ideas, talk about upcoming assignments, or just ask questions in general.  Teacher centered blog could be used to talk with colleagues and ask questions about what their students find interesting in their classroom.  It might be easier contacting another teacher through a blog rather than talking face to face or by phone.  Student centered blogs could have links to assignments and games that are also educational.  They could speak to other classmates about what to do homework wise if they missed a day of class.  Of course in the long run  would like to have my students comfortable enough to ask me questions and to voice their concerns.

Technology

Good technology in my classroom has to first be able to satnd the usage of all the students that come through my class on a daily basis.  If technology quits working after a few hours of usage then it is not worthwhile to me.  Good technology should also be fairly easy for both teacher and students use.  Floor plans accessed online should show every little feature of the rooms available and give options on how to design the space.  New sewing machines should have more than just a foot pedal and wheel, which is what children in my age group were stuck using.  Any scales used for measuring ingredients should be able to convert to the metric system in case the recipe calls for translantion.