The use of forums in a classroom environment

My computers application's teacher made an interesting post on his forum about, well "Forums". He pointed out the benefits of using forums in classrooms. He feels that letting student develop their own virtual "school community" is a great way to get them involved. I, myself, am not a huge fan of forums and blogs. However, I have to admit that the thought of getting students to open up about their ideas, complaints, and problems is a good way to get to know your class. I hadn't really thought about this aspect of the relationship between technology and pedagogy. I am therefore quite pleased that he brought it up. It is defenetly something I would try, the only thing I disagree with is how simple he says it is. Maybe I just lack confidance in the field of computers and all that comes with it, but I feel it would take me some practice and getting used to before I could actual be comfortable with managing an encouraging students on a forum.
But hey, that's just me.

Classroom management and computer rooms

I found that the most efficient way to keep kids on track of what they have to do on a computer is to give clear specific rules and objectives before even having them touch a keyboard. It is also important to include the consequences which will be delt if anyone is caught deviating from the course plan. Of course, if you use computers as a regular resource in your class and extensife periods of time for a same project, some student may feel the temptation to look around on the internet and spend more time socializing. In this case, certain computer applications which allow you to monitor what students our viewing with out their knowledge may be practical. However, simply moving around the room and guiding the students seems more ethical and constructive to me. I experienced these techniques first hand in my practicum. Students were all well behaved and stayed on topic. Perhaps we should give them a bit more credit and not judge all student for the actions of only a few.

Based on Michael Tiemann article about open source software, I find it extremely surprising that some much money is spent on "quality control" for Microsoft, but not unbelievable. Having used microsof for the past ten years, I can tell from the few "inexplicable" mal functions, that it ani't as sophisticate as I would like. Which makes you wonder why its so popular. You would think that people choose this product because it is the best, but actully, people choose it because its the easy way to go.
Sure open software is a) Free, b) more reliable, but if its supporters wish it see it expand, some light has to start shining on it or else, it will forever be background noise. I have only just learned that technology can be free and more efficient for my needs, adaptable; things I have never heard before. You'd think that the open- source community would be more vocal about the benefits of their "creation"...
How does one creat more publicity for something that is "public" matter, I have no clue. I am not at one with technology... but I do know that even though microsoft is "less", its trillions of dollars not only pay for "quick fixes" but PR as well...
In all, I just think that maybe some attention should be paid to getting the word out.

Not, sure I like blogs.