Educators, what are some strategies for connecting the classroom with the outside world?
NOTE: I’d like to share responses in my keynote at the iConnect iLearn Conference and on my blog and wiki. You can submit your ideas using the form below, share your text/audio/video reply in the Comments section of this post or respond to the corresponding Twitter and Plurk discussions. You can also view the compiled database of suggested strategies on my wiki, Learning Telecollaboratively.
My favorite two weeks of tennis begins as the U.S. Open kicks-off today. Here are my predictions.
Best Shots at Winning
Men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer,
Women: Jelena Jancovic, Elena Dementieva, Venus Williams
Worth Mentioning
Andy Murray, James Blake, Dinara Safina and Juan Martin del Potro have stepped up their games this summer. It will be interesting to see how they do in the year’s final slam.
Andy Roddick decided not to represent the U.S.A. during the Beijing Olympics to compete in the U.S. Open Series and better prepare for this slam. He’ll have no excuses for a poor showing this year. That said, I predict Andy will have a disappointing U.S. Open.
Ana Ivonovic could be looking to redeem herself after letting her play slip immediately after winning the French Open.
Champions
Men: Just as I said about Wimbledon it could be any of the big 3 this year as I think Roger is vulnerable. I’m picking Novak Djokovic, but I change my mind every 10 minutes.
Women: I see no real front runner. I think the most mentally tough and determined will win. I’m picking Jelena Jancovic, but I change my mind every 2 seconds on this one.
.
James Blake (USA) defeated (very soon to be former) world #1 Roger Federer (SUI) in straight sets during the quarterfinals of men’s tennis singles at the Olympics. “Blake’s victory was a stunner. He had won only a single set in eight previous matches against Federer” (from ESPN). Blake is only one win away from a medal and now faces Fernando Gonzalez in the semifinals.
Way to go, James! You’ve once again made the U.S. very proud. It would serve Andy Roddick well to note how you stepped up rather than cowering down as he did. What did his decision get him, anyway?!
What kind of teacher do you want to be?
The grandest fortnight in tennis gets underway as the Wimbledon Championships begin today. Here are my predictions.
Best Shots at Winning
Men: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokavic
Women: Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivonovic, Serena Williams
Worth Mentioning
Amelie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport are players with great grass court games.
Andy Roddick took time off to heal and prepare for this event. He’ll have no excuses for a poor showing this year. That said, I predict Andy will have a disappointing Wimbledon.
I’m betting Jelena Jankovic wants to join her compatriots as a slam champion. I always consider her as a contender at any tournament.
Marcos Baghdatis has turned it on in London the past two years. I think he’ll get his act together during this slam and make a strong showing.
Champions
Men: It could be any of the big 3 this year as I think Roger is vulnerable. I’m picking Rafael Nadal, but I change my mind every 10 minutes.
Women: There are so many contenders. I think the most mentally tough and determined will win. I’m picking Maria Sharapova, but I change my mind every 2 seconds on this one.
It is time for the second slam of the 2008 season. I don’t think anyone predicted that the tennis landscape would look as it now does. Federer is a shell of his former self and Henin is adjusting to retirement. Nadal seems to have lost a bit of his fight and Sharapova has prepared for the event.
So…here, in my humble and amateur opinion, are my predictions for this year’s French Open.
Best Shots at Winning
Men: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer
Women: Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivonovic, Serena Williams
Worth Mentioning
I think we’re going to see James Blake make a strong showing during this year’s French Open.
I also predict that Mardy Fish is going to make it into the 3rd round which will be a monumental feat for him.
Sharapova is going to play her best clay court tennis, yet, but she’ll come up a bit short.
I won’t be surprised if Amelie Mauresmo makes a run at the title. She doesn’t have too many opportunties left and the French will be cheering on their native daughter.
Champions
Men: Djokovic – I think it’s going to be either Rafa or Novak and (I can’t believe I’m saying this!) I think Novak wants it more.
Women: Serena Williams – Without Justine in the field there’s no excuse for Serena not to win this event.
———
Happy 5th birthday to WordPress.
Tennis Stars Cup is a free online tennis game. I think my friend, Dennis, might call this a mini-game. Thanks to JD for sharing the link.
Here’s are a few notes about the Australian Open.
As I’m sure you’ve noticed, I spent the winter break with my family and took a break from work. I pretty much unplugged (from email, blog, twitting, etc.) for the duration of the break. I’ve never really unplugged before and I’m surprised how much I enjoyed it. Of course, I’ll be catching up for a while, but it was well worth it. Anyway, that explains all the silence here on the blog.
Here are some notes to help us catch up.
Saturday was a crazy, crazy day of college football. All the top teams lost clearing the way for LSU to make it into the national championship. – Go SEC!!! I’ve always been impressed with UGA‘s Mark Richt in all the interactions I’ve had with him, in his interviews, the expectations he has of his players, his participation in Facing the Giants (great movie), etc., but he looked like a whiner on Sunday complaining that the Bulldogs should be playing for the championship rather than the Tigers. I strongly prefer UGA over LSU, but come on, you blew it. That’s not to say that the BCS does not need some work because it definitely does.
The U.S.A. won the Davis Cup title over Russia…even with Roddick on the team. Kudos to Patrick McEnroe.
Ravens lost a heart breaker to the Patriots. That leads me to say, “Go Steelers” (I don’t think I’ve EVER said that before)!!! This is going to be one of those unforgettable Monday Night Football memories (Not that I condone acting like this).
Sylvester Croom named the AFCA Region 2 Coach of the Year. He’s also a finalist in Liberty Mutual’s Coach of the Year (Cast your vote, now.). He’s a classy guy and I’m glad he’s being acknowledged.
Brett Favre, a Mississippi native, was named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year.
Travis Henry won his appeal regarding his 1 year drug suspension in the NFL.
Introducing the Teacher Education Division’s most recent venture into the world of Web 2.0 technologies. TED Live! 2007 is a member generated e-newsletter of anything and everything related to TED during the 2007 AECT Convention. TED Live! 2007 has robust RSS capabilities and will mashup blog posts, images, podcasts, vidcasts, social bookmarks, file attachments (slide shows, handouts, papers, etc.), tags/keywords, and more into an easy to use e-newsletter. This information will be archived and will be available on The Playground. Consider the possible benefits of being able to provide your students access to particularly relavent information and materials, for those with research interests related to the social aspect of a professional organization, professional development communities, online learning and callaboration, social networking, and much more.
Virtual Attendance and Participation
We realize that everyone can not make it to Anaheim this year, but you can stay connecTED with us and enjoy the presentations and content via TED Live! 2007. If we don’t see you at the convention then we hope to see you online!
Contribute Content
TED Live! 2007 can only be as rich and useful as we make it and we need your help to make this a valuable resources for us all. Please read TED’s Legal Disclaimers.
