Accumulating information and using it wisely when it comes to a "start page" is, as this blog itself is titled, all relative. Meaning, how much is too much? I've been using iGoogle as a start page for the last year or so. At first, I felt compelled to add all sorts of gadgets, widgets and real-time applications. It just seemed natural. But it also appeared overly busy after a while, and I soon realized I didn't need all that stuff. So I followed a started streamlining it and lightened the load. I avoided all the "new and improved" additions that Google was bombarding me with. I enjoy iGoogle very much: I just don't need bells and whistles to entertain me.
The online calendar, 30 boxes, is terrific. I've started putting that to use since looking into it last month. I see a future with it in my classroom. As do I see StickyNotes and LifeHacker as effective tools as a teacher. It's all about experimenting and implementation - albeit wisely. I've talked to teachers who felt the need to surround themselves with digital online resources, only to find themselves overwhelmed and realizing that sometimes, less is better.
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