tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767466481187593642024-03-13T16:42:41.370-05:00The World of CommunicationsDebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-85631021460484918202011-03-06T17:04:00.003-06:002011-03-06T18:39:16.217-06:00To the Cloud - SkypeLast week I started a series of posts entitled "To the Cloud." There are so many resources in "the cloud" that there was no possible way to cover it all in one post. And there are not enough blog posts in the world to allow me to cover every one of them. My intention isn't to cover them all, rather it's to highlight the few I use in my classroom. Too often teachers are introduced to new tools, but are never told <span style="font-style: italic;">how</span> they can use them to enhance what they already teach. That is the purpose for these few posts.<br /><br /><a href="http://about.skype.com/">Skype's website </a>explains their product this way: "Skype is doing things together, whenever you're apart." This is the perfect description. Skype is the perfect program to use when you want to be with someone without really being there. Through the marriage of the Internet and a webcam, Skype makes it possible for people to communicate with one another from long distances.<br /><br />Ok, now that we've determined what Skype is, let me discuss ways that Skype can be used in the classroom, more specifically in <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> classroom. Collaboration is one of the best ways for students to learn how to get along with others while working toward a common goal. Skype makes it possible for students to work together without actually being together. A few months back I launched a collaboration project with a group of students in northwestern Arkansas. Students were paired up and then worked together to research and report on a national park. Skype made it possible for students to discuss issues face-to-face. In our situation, students were unable to have their own Skype accounts, so we worked around that minor distraction by keeping Skype active on one computer. When students needed to confer with their partners, they simply went to the Skype computer, announced the need for a conference, then went back to the task at hand. If you're interested in learning more about this project, you can read my earlier post entitled <a href="http://theworldofcommunications.blogspot.com/2010/12/skype-in-classroom.html">Skype in the Classroom</a>, or visit my <a href="http://computerbasics-6thgrade.wikispaces.com/National+Parks+Project">website</a> that explains the project in greater detail.<br /><br />The thing I liked most was that my students were much more engaged because they knew someone else was depending on them. They wanted to make a good impression on their partners, so they seemed to work harder. On the other hand, the thing the students most enjoyed was the opportunity for students to make friends with others who lived 500 miles away. Through this, they discovered that students in Arkansas are no different than students in Iowa.<br /><br />Skype opens the world to students in ways never though possible. While my experience with Skype is limited to working with students in the same time zone, I've gained enough confidence that one day I'll be able to expand to other parts of the world.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-56543164834408346702011-02-26T15:27:00.009-06:002011-02-27T20:37:14.116-06:00To the Cloud - WikisThe phrase "to the cloud" has become very common in recent days and with this phrase comes hope for education. With the freeze on school budgets, Web 2.0 tools are opening up a whole new world of opportunities for educators and students alike. Most of these tools are free or relatively inexpensive to use. They cover a whole gamut of activities that include anything from brainstorming tools to collaboration tools to document creation and storage. The possibilities are endless. Through the next several blog posts, I'd like to touch on a few that I have used in my classes and describe how I have used the tool for instruction.<br /><br />In this post, I'd like to focus on the use of wikis. The word wiki is derived from the Hawaiian term <span style="font-style: italic;">wiki wiki</span> which means "fast" or "quick." In other words, a wiki is a web site that is easy and fast to edit. There are many wiki hosting sites, called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki_farm">wiki farms</a>. Some of these hosting sites are free while others require a relatively inexpensive annual fee. <a href="http://wikispaces.com/">Wikispaces.com</a>, my host of choice, offers a free upgrade to educators, thus providing an advertisement-free site. While there are many wiki hosts to choose from, all of them provide great opportunities for educators and students alike.<br /><br />I daily use a wiki in my <a href="http://computerbasics-6thgrade.wikispaces.com/">6th grade Computer Applications</a> class. Students are instructed to go immediately to the wiki when they enter the classroom. There they can find instructions, lesson plans, links, document files, and other important things necessary for the class. Using a wiki designed for specific courses eliminates a lot of frustration for teachers because it provides students quick, immediate access to all the tools (links, files, video, etc.) they need for a given unit or lesson. With a wiki, students who are absent can keep up with what goes on during class just by going to the "cloud."<br /><br />Near the end of the course, I have students show what they have learned through an activity that asks them to demonstrate all of the skills they have learned throughout the course. In this activity, students create their own page within a different wiki on <a href="http://computerbasics-nationalparksproject.wikispaces.com/">U.S. national parks</a> or <a href="http://6thgradecomputerbasics-worldnationalparksproject.wikispaces.com/">world national parks</a>. Students choose a national park to research, then they report on that park through the creation of their very own page (<a href="http://computerbasics-6thgrade.wikispaces.com/National+Parks+Project">click here</a> for details). The beauty of using a wiki for this project is that students are not limited to class time to work on their project, and they can work on it from anywhere that has internet access. (There's that "cloud" again!) An added bonus is that students can show off their hard work to anyone, anywhere, anytime. I've even taken the national parks project to the next level by collaborating with students 500 miles away! But I'll save that for another post.<br /><br />The possible uses for wikis is endless. I encourage my readers to consider how wikis can enhance their current curriculum, then jump in and get started.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-75135775565397484182011-02-04T12:54:00.003-06:002011-02-04T14:05:06.263-06:00Redefining SchoolsI'm writing this blog post with frustration (and a little trepidation) stemming from an incident that hit me rather hard recently. Schools everywhere are pushing technology into the hands of their teachers and ultimately their students at an alarming rate around the globe. And that is exciting! But is it enough?<br /><br />I do what I can to keep up with technology by reading everything I can get my hands on, by following "up and comers" on my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">PLN</span>, and by trying out new technologies whenever I can. It is exciting to discover something new that I can try with my technology students, and that excitement spills over into my conversations whenever possible. But what I'm discovering is my excitement isn't <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">EVERYBODY'S</span> excitement. I am finding that I make the false assumption that my passion for integrating technology into instruction isn't a passion for everybody (although I will never understand why!).<br /><br />It is great that schools<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_874QdMFexkg/TUxaVuYSG_I/AAAAAAAAAFU/kXe860nU66U/s1600/_DSC0319.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 198px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_874QdMFexkg/TUxaVuYSG_I/AAAAAAAAAFU/kXe860nU66U/s200/_DSC0319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569926168424094706" border="0" /></a> are finding money to purchase new technologies for teachers to use, but I fear a key element is being overlooked - <span style="font-style: italic;">training</span>. If school leaders give a teacher a new piece of technology, say an interactive whiteboard, but fail to train the teacher how he/she can effectively use it to enhance student learning, they've wasted a lot of money on a piece of equipment that looks nice but will just gather dust because the teacher doesn't have the know-how to fully utilize it. Administrators can't expect that a teacher will automatically spend his/her own time finding ways to implement technology into the curriculum just because there is something new sitting in the classroom. Teachers are busy. They need guidance and direction on something new, just like students do.<br /><br />Yet my frustration doesn't end there. With the integration of technology into the curriculum, there is one more key element that rarely gets discussed - camaraderie. If teachers are to be successful at integrating new things into the curriculum, there must be a willingness of colleagues to be flexible. Let me share my example:<br /><br />I am doing a collaborative project via <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Skype</span> with a group of students in Arkansas. In order for our schedules to jive, I had to find a classroom that would be willing to be flexible and change lunch schedules with me (we're talking LUNCH here, not rocket science - note the sarcasm). I put out an APB plea via email and got ONE response. The response read this: "I'm sorry, our team is too established in our regimen to change lunch sections with you." Basically what this said to me was, "We are too set in our own ways to help your students learn." Needless to say, I was shocked. Not one of my colleagues was willing to give up his or her precious routine to help advance the academics of my students. How sad is that?<br /><br />In order for tech integration to be successful, teachers need to see themselves less as individual islands, and more as a COMMUNITY. We have to learn to be flexible. We have to come to the realization that there is more to our students' learning than what goes on between the four walls of our individual classrooms. They need to say to themselves, "My class is not the only one out there." If timing is an issue, then teachers need to realize that students may have to miss part of another class if that's the only way to collaborate with students 500 miles away. Flexibility is essential if we want tech integration to work.<br /><br />Somehow we need to redefine the term school. Instead of being "an institution for educating students" it should be known as "a community of learners with multiple learning-facilitators."<br /><br />How do we get there?Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-57750608518012263142010-12-09T08:10:00.003-06:002010-12-09T08:31:58.142-06:00Skype in the Classroom<div class="entry"> <p>A few weeks ago I embarked upon the unknown (to me, that is) and launched a project with my niece who teaches 6th grade in Arkansas (I live in Iowa). We combined our classes via Skype and had our students work on a collaboration project covering the national parks of the United States. The end result was INCREDIBLE. I certainly enjoyed working with my niece who I rarely get to see, but my students were so excited about it. Never have I seen them so engaged and work so hard to create a beautiful project. They learned how to work together even though they were separated by miles of distance. They learned that students in Arkansas are just like students in Iowa. They learned how to solve problems. And, of course, they learned about the national parks of our beautiful country. Check out their fine work at their <a href="http://computerbasics-nationalparksproject.wikispaces.com/">national parks wiki</a>. Through the beauty of<a href="http://skype.com"> Skype</a> and <a href="http://typewith.me">TypeWith.me</a>, the two free online programs we used to complete the project, the students from both classes learned how to work together to create an end product. If you'd like to read more about this experience, see the post entitled <a href="http://bit.ly/9SiBzM">Collaborating with Students 500 Miles Away Adds Excitement to a Class.</a></p><p>Since the launching of that project I have had several colleagues pick my brain about the logistics of the project. The enthusiasm the students and I had about what we were doing infected those around me, and several teachers are now working on creating similar projects that they can do with their students. Isn't that what a community of educators should do? Share their successes? I believe we should all learn from one another and pull from the amazing minds of those with whom we associated. As a result, I have re-posted a portion of an article entitled <a href="http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/">50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom</a> published by <a href="http://teachingdegree.org">TeachingDegree.org</a>.<br /></p><p><br /></p> <p><strong>Promoting Education</strong></p> <p>These great ideas are all about teaching students in dynamic ways. </p> <ol><li><a href="http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6515247.html"><strong>See Me, Hear Me: Skype in the Classroom</strong></a>. Read how these students had the opportunity to chat with an author of the book they studied via Skype.</li><li><a href="http://clc.yale.edu/2009/02/18/videoconferencing-in-the-classroom-with-skype/"><strong>Videoconferencing in the Classroom with Skype</strong></a>. This teacher used the movie "Hoop Dreams" to help teach about social inequality, then was able to get the executive producer of the movie, Gordon Quinn, to participate in a Skype session with her class.</li><li><a href="http://www.isteconnects.org/2009/02/15/the-many-roles-of-skype-in-the-classroom/"><strong>The Many Roles of Skype in the Classroom</strong></a>. These amazing 7th graders used Skype as a part of their history project that resulted in their collaboration with the curator of the National Museum in Canada.</li><li><strong>Field trips</strong>. If students aren’t able to participate in a field trip due to factors such as budgetary or distance constraints, use Skype to <a href="http://handouts.wesfryer.com/virtualfieldtrips">bring the field trip into the classroom</a>.</li><li><a href="http://joedale.typepad.com/integrating_ict_into_the_/2009/05/using-skype-in-the-languages-classroom.html"><strong>Using Skype in the languages classroom</strong></a>. Find out how this teacher uses Skype to help her students study foreign languages from native speakers.</li><li><a href="http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/02/12/skyping-in-mike-artell-illustrator-author/"><strong>Skyping in Mike Artell- Illustrator & Author</strong></a>. This inspirational lesson has an illustrator working directly with 6th graders to work on the art of illustrating and story creation.</li><li><strong>After school help</strong>. Use Skype as a tool to provide after school help to students needing extra attention. Tutors, teachers, or librarians can be available at set times in the afternoons for student access.</li><li><a href="http://share.skype.com/sites/us/2009/06/not_education_as_usual_with_sy.html"><strong>"Not education as usual," with Skype and author Cory Doctorow</strong></a>. This class was practicing how to convince the school board to allow a controversial book to be taught in their school and had the opportunity to Skype with the author of the book to help promote their case.</li><li><strong>Interviews</strong>. Whether you have students <a href="http://www.cilc.org/search/collaboration.aspx?id=576">conducting interviews</a> or your class is interviewed, Skype facilitates the interview process. Individual students can interview other teachers or school staff, sending the Skype feed to the classroom for all to watch.</li><li><strong>Guest lecturers</strong>. Have <a href="http://sisterrose.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/teaching-media-literacy-education-via-skype/">guest lecturers</a> come to your classroom via Skype.</li></ol> <p><strong>Promoting Community </strong></p> <p>Using Skype in the classroom can promote communities within a school or globally. </p> <ol start="11"><li><a href="http://share.skype.com/sites/en/2007/04/inclusion_helping_a_classmate.html"><strong>Inclusion — helping a classmate join the classroom from home</strong></a>. This blog post explains how a 4th grade class used Skype to help a classmate with leukemia become a part of the classroom from her home.</li><li><strong>Connect special needs students</strong>. Students who may have to be out of the classroom due to special needs or IEP requirements don’t have to miss any special events in the classroom with Skype.</li><li><a href="http://murch.globalteacher.org.au/2007/12/07/blue-tongue-lizard-vegemite-and-cricket-what-the/"><strong>Blue tongue lizard, vegemite and cricket. What the…????</strong></a>. This Australian teacher describes her class’ experience connecting with a Korean class via Skype.</li><li><strong>Foreign culture lessons</strong>. Skype allows students to see first hand what people’s homes, schools, clothing, weather, and more looks like. If a festival takes place, Skype can bring it to your classroom too.</li><li><strong>Connect with families from around the world</strong>. Form friendships that can easily bridge distance gaps with Skype.</li><li><a href="http://www.digitalang.com/2009/05/skype-calls-for-e-twinning-in-l2/"><strong>Skype Calls for e-Twinning in L2</strong></a>. Find out how this teacher brought two classes together that had been Twittering all semester when they finally got to meet "face-to-face" with Skype.</li><li><a href="http://lisaslingo.blogspot.com/2008/03/best-day-ever.html"><strong>Best Day Ever!</strong></a>. This teacher describes three Skype calls her class had in one day–the most exciting being with a class in a different time zone with whom her students had been collaborating on a project through Google docs. With Skype, the students got to work at the same time and actually see each other, too.</li><li><strong>Present a performance</strong>. Whether your class puts on a play, demonstrates a science experiment, or presents the results of a class project, share the fruits of their works with other classes, parents, or other interested people.</li><li><strong>Share field trips with others</strong>. If your class goes out for a field trip, see about connecting with parents or other classes to share your classes’ experience.</li><li><a href="http://share.skype.com/sites/us/2009/03/post_9.html"><strong>‘Slumdog Millionaire’ inspiration uses Skype to help kids in India learn</strong></a>. Find out how Skype is connecting grannies in the UK with children in India for both a cultural connection and an educational benefit.</li></ol> <p><strong>Skype Ideas for Teachers and Parents</strong> </p> <p>Teachers and parents can benefit from Skype in the classroom, too. </p> <ol start="21"><li><strong>Professional development</strong>. Teachers can use Skype to access professional development opportunities, such as watching <a href="http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/03/02/podcast231-global-voices-using-synchronous-and-asynchronous-voip-applications-for-worldwide-classroom-collaborations/">conference presentations</a>.</li><li><strong>Share students’ work with parents</strong>. Let parents get a first-hand look at what their children are doing with Skype.</li><li><strong>Conference with parents</strong>. Whether a parent has to miss a regular conference or a concern comes up that requires speaking with a parent, Skype can provide an opportunity to <a href="http://www.classroom20.com/group/virtualconferencesforeducatorsandparents">connect with a parent</a> that may not otherwise be available for a conference.</li><li><a href="http://www.classroomblogging.com/innovative-teacher-uses-skype-and-wikis-to-involve-parents.html"><strong>Innovative teacher uses Skype and Wikis to involve parents</strong></a>. See how this teacher helped share information with parents using Skype and the PBS program, <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/?campaign=pbshomefeatures_1_frontlinebrgrowinguponline_2008-01-23">Growing Up Online</a>.</li><li><strong>Collaborate with other teachers</strong>. Who says Skype has to be fun just for the kids? With Skype, <a href="http://coordinator2.wordpress.com/2007/05/13/skype-for-teachers/">teachers can collaborate</a> on ideas, projects, and more.</li><li><strong>Share travel experiences</strong>. If you will be traveling during the school year, arrange for your substitute to connect with you via Skype and you can share the experience with your class.</li><li><strong>Receive teaching feedback</strong>. Have an experienced or mentor teacher watch you teach via Skype and receive valuable feedback.</li><li><strong>Be available to students</strong>. If your school is suddenly closed for a while or if you want to set up conference hours for students, use Skype to allow students to <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/25/nation/4188033&sec=nation">contact you</a>.</li><li><strong>Tutor former students</strong>. If a student has moved away or you want to offer <a href="http://www.accreditedonlinedegrees.org/">accredited online degrees</a> or just moved up from your class, you can be available for tutoring (for free or for a fee) via Skype.</li><li><strong>Bring busy parents into the classroom</strong>. A busy parent who has knowledge to share with the classroom may be more likely to be able to make the time for a presentation if she or he can do so with Skype rather than having to leave work and come to the school.</li></ol> <p><strong>Resources for Getting Started and Using Skype</strong> </p> <p>Find out how you can take advantage of Skype with the advice below. </p> <ol start="31"><li><a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2006/10/using-skype-in-classroom-or-just.html"><strong>Using Skype in the Classroom (or just learning how to use it!)</strong></a>. This teacher provides the basics to get Skype set up with your class.</li><li><a href="http://www.wtvi.com/TEKS/05_06_articles/skype-in-the-classroom.html"><strong>Skype in the Classroom</strong></a>. This article offers help on ways to set up Skype, tips for finding other teachers on Skype, technical obstacles, and more.</li><li><a href="http://annickpress.blogspot.com/2008/08/skype-tutorials-for-teachers-authors.html"><strong>Skype Tutorials for Teachers, Authors, Librarians</strong></a>. Find a handful of video and text tutorials here to get you going with Skype.</li><li><a href="http://dotrust.org/what-we-do/teachup/usa/la-jefferson-parish/riverdale-middle/resources/workshop-handouts/SkypeinClassroom_AndyMann.pdf"><strong>Classroom Collaboration with Skype</strong></a>. This primer offers help with using Skype, connecting with others, and ideas for using it in the classroom.</li><li><a href="http://eduwikius.wikispaces.com/SKYPE"><strong>eduwikius – SKYPE</strong></a>. This wiki contains plenty of information about using Skype in the classroom and also provides links to additional resources.</li><li><a href="http://videoconferencing.wikispaces.com/"><strong>A Skype from the classroom</strong></a>. Find information on videoconferencing in general, the pros and cons of using Skype, school project ideas, and more here.</li><li><a href="http://murcha.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/using-skype-in-education/"><strong>Using skype in the classroom</strong></a>. Learn from this teacher’s experience as she describes using Skype and how to best prepare your class and yourself for a great educational opportunity.</li><li><a href="http://www.twentyfortech.com/?p=27"><strong>Skype is a Valuable Educational Tool</strong></a>. This podcast explains why teachers should use Skype and puts some nasty rumors about Skype to rest.</li><li><a href="http://www.bucksgfl.org.uk/mod/resource/view.php/?id=2925"><strong>Using Skype in schools – some tips</strong></a>. Read these helpful tips, including suggestions on using Skype usernames at school and home.</li><li><a href="http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/techtorial/techtorial107.shtml"><strong>Skype: Talk to Anyone, Anywhere for Free</strong></a>. Watch this "techtorial" or print the text version to learn the basics of Skype.</li></ol> <p><strong>Finding Others Using Skype</strong> </p> <p>Here are a few ways to connect with others using Skype in classrooms and to promote education. </p> <ol start="41"><li><a href="http://www.epals.com/"><strong>ePALS</strong></a>. Sign up for a free account here, then find other teachers and classes around the globe using Skype.</li><li><a href="http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/"><strong>Skype an Author Into Your Library or Classroom</strong></a>. This site will connect schools with authors through Skype. Short sessions are free, while longer sessions are subject to a fee set by each author.</li><li><a href="http://skypeinschools.pbworks.com/"><strong>Skype in Schools</strong></a>. List yourself or find others in this directory just for educators seeking Skype collaboration.</li><li><a href="http://skypeintheclassroom.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/lets-build-a-community/#comments"><strong>Skype in the Classroom – The EduSkypers Phonebook</strong></a>. Scroll through these comments to find other teachers from around the world looking to connect through Skype. The most recent are at the very end of the list.</li><li><a href="http://www.globalschoolnet.org/"><strong>Global SchoolNet</strong></a>. This organization works to connect teachers and students around the world through <a href="http://www.forensicscienceschools.org/">forensic science programs</a>. Browse to find something of interest or start your own project.</li><li><a href="http://www.tigweb.org/"><strong>TakingITGlobal</strong></a>. Another project-based organization, this one focuses on youth looking to make positive global changes.</li><li><a href="http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/01/03/around-the-world-with-80-schools/"><strong>Around the World with 80 Schools</strong></a>. This teacher is hoping to connect schools around the world through short Skype sessions.</li><li><a href="http://maculspace.ning.com/group/skypeintheclassroom"><strong>Skype in the Classroom</strong></a>. Join this community to find other teachers seeking Skype connections.</li><li><a href="http://www.lindalowery.com/content/blogcategory/24/17/"><strong>Going Global – School Skype Author Visits</strong></a>. Linda Lowery and Richard Keep, children’s book authors and illustrators, are available for Skype interviews for a fee.</li><li><a href="http://www.language-exchanges.org/"><strong>Mixxer</strong></a>. This group helps connect language learners seeking partners to practice their language skills via Skype.</li></ol> </div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-18107343333725624692010-11-09T13:20:00.003-06:002010-11-09T14:13:32.689-06:00Thoughts on the US Dept of Ed. National Education Tech PlanI just finished reading the <a href="http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-releases-finalized-national-education-technology-plan">United States' Department of Education's National Education Technology Plan</a> which would put the United States at the top of the list for college completion by the year 2020 and help close the achievement gap so that all students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and careers.<br /><br />In this article, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is quoted as saying, "We have an unprecedented opportunity to reform our schools. With this technology plan, we have laid out a comprehensive vision for how teachers working with technology can transform student learning in classrooms across America. We must dramatically improve teaching and learning, personalize instruction and ensure that the educational environments we offer to all students keep pace with the 21st century." I agree wholeheartedly with Duncan. We have GOT to do something different if we expect to achieve a different outcome in education than we do now. As the saying goes, "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten." Something HAS to change.<br /><br />Here are the five main focus areas of the plan:<br /><ul><li><strong>Learning:</strong> Change the learning process so it's more engaging and tailored to students' needs and interests.</li><li><strong>Assessment:</strong> Measure student progress on the full range of college and career ready standards and use real time data for continuous improvement.</li><li><strong>Teaching:</strong> Connect teachers to the tools, resources, experts and peers they need to be highly effective and supported.</li><li><strong>Infrastructure:</strong> Provide broadband connectivity for all students, everywhere—in schools, throughout communities and in students' homes.</li><li><strong>Productivity:</strong> Use technology to help schools become more productive and accelerate student achievement while managing costs.</li></ul>I think they have hit the nail squarely on the head. The aim is to reach each of these five goals by the year 2015. Here again I say, "Bravo!" But let's be realistic. As with every plan, it looks great on paper (but then again, so did the No Child Left Behind Act). The truth of the matter is this though - If the government can't provide the funding for schools to do this, it just plain won't happen. You're never going to get teachers to jump on this bandwagon if they don't have the money to buy the technology it's going to take to reach these goals.<br /><br />It is easy for me to get excited about working toward reaching these goals. I teach technology classes, so this plan fits right into what I'm passionate about. I've also been provided with have a classroom of 24" iMacs on which to daily teach my students. Unfortunately, my colleagues aren't so lucky. Until the government provides the money that is necessary to provide schools with adequate technology, teachers won't be able to provide the technology opportunities that are necessary for students to come into the 21st century with the skills necessary to compete with students around the world.<br /><br />If the government can step in and bail out companies that have made poor business choices, why couldn't they put that money to better use and "bail out" the children who are the future of our country? The best laid plans are only as good as the action behind it. We cannot expect schools to teach 21st century skills with the equipment they used in the 19th century anymore than our government officials expect to do today's governing with yesterday's pay. If government officials want schools to bring students up to speed, then they have to step up and provide the resources to do so. Like everything else, it's a matter of politics.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-30327669964598885112010-11-07T20:49:00.008-06:002010-11-07T21:49:24.224-06:00Finding Joy in Your CircumstancesOver the past several months I have found myself surrounded by people with nothing positive to say about their circumstances. They gripe and complain about everything from the weather to students, from parents to the administration. I tried to not let it affect me, but that is easier said than done. I found myself caught in the middle of all the negativity, and over time it took its toll on me. Before long I discovered that my attitude toward everything began to take on a new look, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_874QdMFexkg/TNdy2iuaONI/AAAAAAAAAFE/aOQDGt2k6uc/s1600/3842331745_21e2f79c3d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 203px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_874QdMFexkg/TNdy2iuaONI/AAAAAAAAAFE/aOQDGt2k6uc/s200/3842331745_21e2f79c3d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537020548235278546" border="0" /></a>and I didn't like that new look one bit. I'd come home from school feeling like I'd fought a losing battle, and I'd find myself complaining to my husband about everything. I hated going to work. I hated what I did. I hated the idea that I'd be "stuck" in the classroom for the next several years. I couldn't find the joy that I'd once known from being in the classroom. I had let the negativity of others steal the joy in my life. Then one morning I woke up and a revelation hit me like a ton of bricks...I can't change my circumstances, but I CAN change the way I deal with them.<br /><br />That was a new day for me. By changing how I think about and respond to my circumstances, I started a slow healing process. Now, when negative thoughts start to invade my mind and bring me down, I look for something positive to focus on instead. When others make negative comments about their students, the parents, or the administration, I either choose to walk away, or better yet, counter with something positive instead. I've even gone so far as to tell a colleague who was complaining about how her lack of motivation stemmed from our lack of good leadership that THAT was a cop out. Motivation comes from within, not from others. She didn't like my bluntness, but eventually came back to thank me for reminding her that joy comes from within, not from her circumstances.<br /><br />Changing my focus from the negatives to the positives has made all the difference. No longer do I dread Monday mornings. No longer do I allow myself to get caught up in the negative gossip of my colleagues. No longer do I come home feeling like I've fought a hard fight and lost. It's not always easy, but at least I'm more pleasant to be around. But best of all, I've rediscovered the joy in teaching that I'd allowed others to strip away. Each day brings new challenges, but I'm much better equipped to face them now than I was a few months ago.<br /><br />Below is an excerpt from a great blog post by Dave Navarro that was originally posted on <a href="http://www.rockyourday.com/">Rockyourday.com</a> about how to take control of your moods. It is a great post that fits well with the life-lesson I've learned. Please allow me to reprint a portion of it here.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Using A Framework to Escape From Paralyzing Emotions</span><p style="font-style: italic;">A: AGREE With Yourself That You Don’t Want To Be In This Mood Right Now.<br />C: CLARIFY The Mood or Emotion You Want To Move Towards<br />T: TAKE Responsibility For Taking Immediate Action.<br />F: “What Would I Need To FOCUS On To Feel this Way?”<br />A: “What Would I Need To ACT On To Feel The Way I Want To?”<br />S: “What Would I Need To SURROUND Myself With To Feel The Way I Want To?”<br />T: “What Would I Need To TELL Myself To Feel The Way I Want To?”<br /><br /></p> <p style="font-style: italic;">* If you ask yourself, “Why me?” or “What can I possibly do?” you‘re going to be paralyzed.<br />* If you ask yourself “What can I do next, from where I am, with what I have,” you’re going to put yourself in a position of strength.<br />* Ask better questions. Train yourself to be the sculptor of your moods, rather than being tossed about by urgency and externalities you can’t control.</p><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">To read the full article, <a href="http://www.rockyourday.com/how-to-train-yourself-to-be-in-the-mood-you-want/">click here</a>.</span><br /></p><p>As you go through each day, remember this:<br /><br />No one can MAKE you feel anything. You decide how you interpret the stimuli. You may not be able to change your circumstances, but you CAN change the way you deal with them.<br /></p>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-83742522894920432762010-11-04T14:07:00.010-05:002010-11-04T15:32:05.856-05:00Collaborating with Kids 500 Miles Away Adds Excitement to a ClassWell, I have finally entered the realm of the flat classroom. After attending a ITEC 2010 Conference in Coralville, Iowa, I was privileged to hear Vicki Davis, a.k.a. <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/">Cool Cat Teacher</a>, speak about the flat classroom project that she was instrumental in creating. Her keynote address sparked an interest in me that chose to linger long after the conference ended. How could I incorporate global learning into my current curriculum without reinventing the wheel? That question pestered me for several days and then, out of the blue, I was hit by the inspiration train.<br /><br />I was sitting in my living room one evening, perusing my Facebook page when I came across a status update by my niece Jennifer who teaches 6th grade language arts in Arkansas...some 477 miles away. She commented that it was awesome to see the excitement on the faces of her students when they picked up their 1:1 computers for the first time. After the initial wave of jealousy washed over me, (we aren't a 1:1 school yet and probably won't be for at least another two years) my brain kicked into high gear and began dreaming up ways that my classes could collaborate with hers. There had to be SOMETHING that I was already doing with my kids that could involve hers as well. After a few minutes of pondering, my brain settled on the national parks wiki project that we were about ready to begin. It took a bit of scrambling on my part and Jennifer's to figure out the logistics, but within two weeks of intense planning we were ready to launch our "mini-flat classroom" project.<br /><br />To start off with, we used Skype to teach in a virtual classroom. Since Jennifer had never done the project and was fairly new to the concept of wikis, I took the lead and taught both my class and hers about the project and how to interact with a wiki. I must admit it felt a little bit strange teaching to a classroom of students that I could not see. It was very rewarding, however, to see how engaged the students were. It's as if they felt they were on display for one another and didn't want to be thought of as disruptive or immature. The students who normally exhibited a short attention span stayed focused for much longer periods of time. The students who normally had difficulty keeping quiet during lessons were suddenly transformed into well-mannered, respectful students. I was so proud of them!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_874QdMFexkg/TNMXvjt5rII/AAAAAAAAAE8/kFAuZORdysI/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 198px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_874QdMFexkg/TNMXvjt5rII/AAAAAAAAAE8/kFAuZORdysI/s200/IMG_0224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535794472777526402" border="0" /></a>Once we paired up the Iowa students with the Arkansas students, we were ready to begin the research process. The biggest obstacle, however, was finding a way for the paired students to communicate with one another as they worked on the project almost 500 miles from one another. Our initial plan was to use individual Skype accounts for the students. This, unfortunately, was out of the question because the Arkansas students were not yet allowed to have individual Skype accounts. We thought about using Google.docs, but that plan failed because 6th graders have not yet reached the required age (13) for their own Google accounts. So we chose to use <a href="http://typewith.me/">TypeWith.me</a>, an on-line collaborative document site that allows students to type simultaneously within the same document and which has a chat feature that students can use to talk about what they are doing. The end result was fantastic! We left Skype up and projected on the big screen in the event the students need to do some face-to-face consulting. This also allowed us to feel connected to the students in Arkansas even though we live hundreds of miles away.<br /><br />The final step in the collaboration project will be a celebration of our final product. As I write this blog post, students haven't even yet begun to create their own wiki pages within the class <a href="http://computerbasics-nationalparksproject.wikispaces.com/">national parks wiki</a>. But once they start that phase, the project will be close to completion. I can only imagine the excitement on the faces of the students when they see their handiwork on the Internet for the very first time. When that day comes, I assure you I will proudly write another blog post that brags on my student fine work.<br /><br />While a project of this magnitude takes a lot of planning and preparation, it is one of the most rewarding of all the projects I've done throughout the past 20 years of teaching. It has been an incredible experience for the students, for Jennifer, and for myself. Even now my brain is spinning in an attempt to come up with other opportunities to go global with my students.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-73755061606897893282010-10-24T20:07:00.003-05:002010-10-24T20:11:45.367-05:00What's Your Sentence?<p>I recently read an article by Dan Pink in which he asked the question, "What is your sentence?" In the article, Dan asked his readers to think about who they are and what they hope to be remembered for, then come up with one sentence that sums up who they are. Watch the following short video to see what I mean.</p> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/8480171" frameborder="0" height="270" width="400"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8480171">Two questions that can change your life</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user418351">Daniel Pink</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>That got me to thinking. Who am I? What DO I want people to remember me for? Those are tough questions. So I'm going to write my answers here and see if I can come up a sentence that sums up who I am and what I stand for. <p>I am a teacher. I eat, sleep, drink, and breathe teaching. No, I'm not obsessed with teaching. I'm simply a teacher at heart and have been since I was 7 or 8 years old. Now, 40+ years later, everything I do centers around the concept of teaching. Yes, teaching is what I do for a profession, so I spend a great deal of my time in that role, but I'm a teacher above and beyond that. "How?" you ask. Well, the answer to that question is twofold: 1) I am a constant learner. I strive to continually increase my knowledge base so that I, in turn, can pass that new knowledge on to those around me. In this day and age, information is available at the touch of a button. So I spend as much of my free time searching the Internet for new ideas, new tools, and new information to make me a better learner which will ultimately make me a better teacher. Then I take that knowledge and I share it with others whenever the opportunity arises. While some choose to harbor their wisdom, I choose to impart it. 2) I am a mother, and that's what mothers do. TEACH. While my children are now grown and living on their own, I still make it a priority to instruct them whenever I can. The key to this is knowing WHEN, however. Of course, if my children aren't around to garner my words of wisdom, I can always find someone else's child to fill the void.</p> <p>So now I guess it is time to write my sentence..<i>.</i></p> <p><i>"She made the teaching of others her life's mission."</i></p> <p>What's YOUR sentence?</p>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-76142878179087617532010-10-24T14:08:00.020-05:002010-10-24T14:45:12.351-05:00Top 50 Education Technology Blogs to Follow<div class="headline_area"> The following is a re-post from <a href="http://bit.ly/aYIWuU">The Learning Master</a>. It is well worth sharing on this blog for those who may have missed its original posting.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:webdings;font-size:180%;" >Top 50 Education Technology Blogs</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />March 5, 2010</span><br /><br /><a title="Education technology" href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/index.html">Education technology</a> has many supporters in its movement to alter traditional teaching methods. This list of the top 50 education technology blogs includes writers, technicians and social media experts…but they all are <a title="teachers" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teacher">teachers</a>. The “movers” are teachers who facilitate learning among other teachers and in the classroom, the “shakers” teach new philosophies and innovations, and the folks “on the ground” offer news, tools and methods of using those tools in the classroom. <p>This list is divided into those three categories, and each link within those categories is listed alphabetically. The links lead straight to the recently updated blogs, and the descriptions supply information about that blogger’s achievements, including <a title="careers and jobs" href="http://bestonlinemastersdegrees.com/online-masters-degree-careers-and-jobs/">careers and jobs</a>.</p> <h3>Movers</h3> <ol><li><a title="Always Learning" href="http://kimcofino.com/blog/">Always Learning</a>: Kimberly Cofino is in her ninth year of teaching technology in international schools around the world.</li><li><a title="Artichoke" href="http://artichoke.typepad.com/artichoke/">Artichoke</a>: Peering into the artichoke for better models and designs for teaching and learning.</li><li><a title="Confessions of an Aca-Fan" href="http://www.henryjenkins.org/index.html">Confessions of an Aca-Fan</a>: Henry Jenkins is the Provost’s Professor of Communication, Journalism, and Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.</li><li><a title="Cool Cat Teacher Blog" href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/">Cool Cat Teacher Blog</a>: Vicki A. Davis Talks about teaching content with new tools, enthusiasm and the “belief that teaching is a noble calling…”</li><li><a title="Creating Lifelong Learners" href="http://creatinglifelonglearners.com/">Creating Lifelong Learners</a>: Mathew Needleman is the founder of nearly twenty popular educational destinations on the internet and he offers practical tips for elementary teachers in teaching traditional and new media literacy.</li><li><a title="Digital Writing, Digital Teaching" href="http://hickstro.org/">Digital Writing, Digital Teaching</a>: Troy Hicks, an assistant professor of English at Central Michigan University, explores the variety of issues related to teaching writing with new media for K-16 teachers and teacher educators.</li><li><a title="dy/dan" href="http://blog.mrmeyer.com/">dy/dan</a>: Dan Meyer enjoys graphic design, filmmaking, motion graphics, and infographics, most of which have found their way into his math teaching in some way or another.</li><li><a title="education + emergent literacies" href="http://melaniemcbride.net/">education + emergent literacies</a>: Melanie McBride is a Canadian educator, consultant and speaker specializing in Web 2.0 social and participatory media strategy for education and publishing.</li><li><a title="Generation YES Blog" href="http://blog.genyes.com/">Generation YES Blog</a>: This is the official voice of Generation YES, a company that facilitates change in schools that are interested in their potential as inclusive learning communities.</li><li><a title="Kathy Schrock's Kaffeeklatsch" href="http://kathyschrock.net/blog/">Kathy Schrock’s Kaffeeklatsch</a>: Kathy posts thoughts, discoveries, and ideas here as she discovers them, primarily on educational technology topics.</li><li><a title="Looksee Fishy Fish" href="http://ecram3.blogspot.com/">Looksee Fishy Fish</a>: Marcie Hull works as an educator at SLA, one of Philadelphia’s newer high schools in partnership with the Franklin Institute.</li><li><a title="Practical Theory" href="http://www.practicaltheory.org/serendipity/">Practical Theory</a>: Chris Lehmann is the principal of the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia.</li><li><a title="Sue Waters Blog" href="http://suewaters.com/">Sue Waters Blog</a>: Sue Water’s passion for technology has lead to her transition from aquaculture lecturer to her current role as editor of <a title="The Edublogger" href="http://theedublogger.com/">The Edublogger</a> and working for Edublogs as community facilitator.</li><li><a title="Teach 42" href="http://www.teach42.com/">Teach 42</a>: Steve Dembo currently works for Discovery Education, serving as the Online Community Manager for the Discovery Educator Network.</li><li><a title="The Story of My Second Life" href="http://www.storyofmysecondlife.com/">The Story of My “Second Life”</a>: This is one K-20 educator’s grant-funded immersion into and exploration of the “Second Life” (SL) experience to validate that 3D world of SL is the future of the web.</li><li><a title="The Thinking Stick" href="http://www.thethinkingstick.com/">The Thinking Stick</a>: Jeff Utecht is interested in administration but more interested in leadership and how he, one person, can help educators prepare students for an unknown future.</li><li><a title="think:lab" href="http://thinklab.typepad.com/">think:lab</a>: Considering ideas, environments & tools that shape the future of learning & engagement.</li><li><a title="Weblogg-ed" href="http://weblogg-ed.com/">Weblogg-ed</a>: Will Richardson is “Learner in Chief” at Connective Learning and the author of <em>Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms</em>.</li></ol> <h3>Shakers</h3> <ol start="19"><li><a title="Absence of Limitations" href="https://webapps.saugus.k12.ca.us/community/jklein/weblog">Absence of Limitations</a>: Through over two decades of IT experience, Mr. Klein has become widely renowned as an aggressive technology leader, particularly in the areas of open source and social media.</li><li><a title="Blue Skunk Blog" href="http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/">Blue Skunk Blog</a>: Doug Johnson is the Director of Media and Technology for the Mankato (MN) Public Schools since 1991 and has served as an adjunct faculty member of Minnesota State University since 1990.</li><li><a title="Clive on Learning" href="http://clive-shepherd.blogspot.com/">Clive on Learning</a>: Clive Shepherd is a consultant with an interest in all aspects of technology-assisted learning and communication.</li><li><a title="Connectivism" href="http://www.connectivism.ca/">Connectivism</a> and <a title="elearnspace" href="http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/">elearnspace</a>: George Siemens is founder and president of Complexive Systems Inc., a research lab assisting organizations to develop integrated learning structures for global strategy execution.</li><li><a title="David Warlick's 2cents" href="http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/">David Warlick’s 2 Cents Worth</a>: David, a 34-year educator, opens himself up to criticism, deconstruction, recombination and more as he offers his ideas and an occasional widget.</li><li><a title="Drape's Takes" href="http://drapestakes.blogspot.com/">Drape’s Takes</a>: Darren Draper is the director of technology services for the Canyons School District. This blog contains his takes on the world of educational technology.</li><li><a title="edu.blogs.com" href="http://edu.blogs.com/">edu.blogs.com</a>: Ewan is one of Europe’s foremost experts in digital media for public services, particularly in education.</li><li><a title="Ideas and Thoughts" href="http://ideasandthoughts.org/">Ideas and Thoughts</a>: Dean Shareski is a digital learning consultant with the Prairie South School Division in Moose Jaw, SK, Canada. He specializes in the use of technology in the classroom.</li><li><a title="Leigh Blackall" href="http://leighblackall.blogspot.com/">Leigh Blackall</a>: Leigh specializes in developing open educational resources and practices, facilitating online courses, and developing educational uses of social media.</li><li><a title="OLDaily" href="http://www.downes.ca/news/OLDaily.htm">OLDaily</a>: Stephen Downes works for the National Research Council, Institute for Information Technology, in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. He specializes in online learning, content syndication, and new media.</li><li><a title="Open Thinking" href="http://educationaltechnology.ca/couros/">Open Thinking</a>: Dr. Alec Couros is a professor of educational technology and media at the Faculty of Education, University of Regina.</li><li><a title="The Fischbowl" href="http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/index.html">The Fischbowl</a>: Karl Fisch currently is the Director of Technology at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado.</li><li><a title="The Strength of Weak Ties" href="http://strengthofweakties.org/">The Strength of Weak Ties</a>: David Jakes’ interests in educational technology include digital storytelling, the application of geography-based systems for learning, and developing online communities of learning through blogging, wiki and other connective technologies.</li></ol> <h3>On the Ground</h3> <ol start="32"><li><a title="Blogging About The Web 2.0 Connected Classroom" href="http://web20classroom.blogspot.com/">Blogging About The Web 2.0 Connected Classroom</a>: Steven Anderson is a teacher, and he was one of the first recipients of the NOW Award, recognizing the “Movers and Shakers” in the world of Social Media at the 2009 <a title="#140 Conference" href="http://lax.140conf.com/">#140 Conference</a> in Los Angeles.</li><li><a title="Educational Technology" href="http://people.uis.edu/rschr1/et/blogger.html">Educational Technology</a>: Ray Schroeder, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois at Springfield, has published this blog daily since 2002.</li><li><a title="EduWonk" href="http://www.eduwonk.com/">EduWonk</a>: Delivering educational news, analysis and commentary since 2004. Andrew Rotherham is the writer, and he is co-founder and publisher of <a title="Education Sector" href="http://www.educationsector.org/">Education Sector</a>, as well.</li><li><a title="Electronic Frontier Foundation" href="http://www.eff.org/">Electronic Frontier Foundation</a>: EFF is a small, grassroots legal advocacy nonprofit supported by member contributions. They provide pro bono legal assistance in cases where they believe they can help shape the law.</li><li><a title="Free Technology for Teachers" href="http://www.freetech4teachers.com/">Free Technology for Teachers</a>: Richard Byrne, a Google-certified teacher, offers reviews of free technology resources and how teachers can use them.</li><li><a title="iLearn Technology" href="http://ilearntechnology.com/">iLearn Technology</a>: This is an edublog about integrating technology into the classroom.</li><li><a title="Infinite Thinking Machine" href="http://www.infinitethinkingmachine.org/">Infinite Thinking Machine</a>: Through an active blog, an Internet TV show, and other media resources, the ITM shares a “bazillion practical ideas” for turning the infinite universe of information into knowledge.</li><li><a title="Information Wants To Be Free" href="http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/">Information Wants To Be Free</a>: Meredith Farkas is head of Instructional Initiatives at Norwich University in Vermont and is an adjunct faculty member at San Jose State University’s School of Library and Information Science.</li><li><a title="mLearnopedia" href="http://mlearnopedia.blogspot.com/">mLearnopedia</a>: Judy Brown has been involved in technology for learning for over 25 years and with mobile learning since 1996. She currently works on mobile learning with the Immersive Learning Technology Team at ADL.</li><li><a title="Moving at the Speed of Creativity" href="http://www.wesleyfryer.com/">Moving at the Speed of Creativity</a>: Wesley Fryer is a digital learning consultant, author, digital storyteller, educator and change agent. He uses this particular blog to teach others about available resources and how to use them.</li><li><a title="Nik's Learning Technology Blog" href="http://nikpeachey.blogspot.com/">Nik’s Learning Technology Blog</a>: You can find tips, resources and teaching materials to help EFL and ESL teachers use ICT and new technology at this blog.</li><li><a title="Ozge Karaoglu's Blog" href="http://ozgekaraoglu.edublogs.org/">Ozge Karaoglu’s Blog</a>: This blog is all about teaching and learning using 21st-century tools. Be sure to stay on top of this blog’s daily picks.</li><li><a title="ResearchBuzz" href="http://www.researchbuzz.org/wp/">ResearchBuzz</a>: This blog has been around a long time (since 1998), and it covers the world of search engines, databases, and other online information collections.</li><li><a title="Teachers Teaching Teachers" href="http://teachersteachingteachers.org/">Teachers Teaching Teachers</a>: This blog follows a weekly Webcast on the EdTechTalk channel of the WorldBridges network.</li><li><a title="TechTicker" href="http://techticker.net/">TechTicker</a>: Mike Bogle, educational technologist at the University of New South Wales, offers a blog that’s all about educational technology, e-learning and emerging technology.</li><li><a title="The Education Technology Blog" href="http://www.educationtechnologyblog.com/">The Education Technology Blog</a>: Jonathan Wylie, an elementary school teacher, focuses on relevant news for teachers who use technology.</li><li><a title="The Rapid E-Learning Blog" href="http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/">The Rapid E-Learning Blog</a>: Great tips for teachers and students on learning, learning online and on using online tools for learning.</li><li><a title="The Whiteboard Blog" href="http://www.whiteboardblog.co.uk/">The Whiteboard Blog</a>: Danny Nicholson is a freelance educational consultant who focuses on the use of interactive whiteboards. This blog shows various ways to use those tools effectively in teaching and learning.</li><li><a title="Using ICT in Further Education" href="http://pdonaghy.edublogs.org/">Using ICT in Further Education</a>: Patricia Donaghy is an ICT Teacher in Dublin, Ireland, and her blog focuses on resources that are freely available on the Internet and which may be used in education.</li></ol><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-73725315551318365802010-10-22T13:37:00.004-05:002010-10-22T15:51:39.914-05:00Building a Personal Learning Network (PLN)Over the past three weeks I've put a lot of time and energy into building my own personal learning network. And the thing I most noticed was that it takes a LOT of time and energy. At times I even asked myself, "Why am I spending time doing this? Is it really worth it? No one really cares what I think, do they?" Good questions, huh? So let me answer them...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">Why am I spending time doing this?</span><br /><br />The answer to this question is simple...because I'm desperate for resources and who better to get them from than experienced educators! Over the years I've learned that the best experts for teaching advice are other teachers. There are a lot of people who call themselves "experts" out there, but only those who have been in the trenches really know what they are talking about. Twitter is the best way to get ideas and to find out about new resources. But what do you do when your Twitter following is so small? That's simple, too...find people to follow. And so I did. I've built my following list from 25 to over 500 in the last three weeks.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">Is it worth it?</span><br /><br /></span>I can emphatically say<span style="font-style: italic;"> YES! </span>I have learned so much from reading the posts of others and from checking out new websites, browsing blog posts, and reading articles. The more I teach technology classes, the more I realize how much I DON'T know. My Twitter "experts" have given me a greater wealth of knowledge in the past three weeks than I was able to accumulate on my own over the past three years. <span style="font-style: italic;">Worth it?</span> No doubt!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 102);">No one really cares what I think, do they?</span><br /><br />This is a tougher one to answer. A big part of me wants to say "Yes" other people do want to hear what I have to say. If I'm totally honest with myself, I must admit it makes me feel good when I see my "followers" number increase. I feel that tiny bit of excitement when I get an email that says that someone else is following me on Twitter. But is getting a huge list of followers my number one reason for spending valuable time building up my PLN? No, it isn't. In the big scheme of things...it doesn't really matter. And while there may be a few out there who think what I post is of value, that's not my main motive. So I guess my answer to this question is this...<span style="font-style: italic;">It doesn't really matter. </span><span style="font-size:78%;">Take that you evil ego!</span><br /><br />In light of all this I've come to one conclusion: <span style="font-style: italic;">I'm doing this for me.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">I want to make myself a better teacher. Nothing else matters.</span> After all, it IS called a Personal Learning Network.<br /><br />So to all of you who are a part of my PLN...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thank you!</span>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-20047451244510097492010-10-15T11:14:00.003-05:002010-10-15T11:45:53.634-05:00Best of the EdTech Web 2010I found a cool slide show put together by <a href="http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/10/best-of-edtech-web-2010.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29">Richard Byrne</a> that highlights several Web 2.0 tools that are excellent to use in the classroom. Check it out by clicking on the link below. I'm sure you will find a new tool that would work great in your classroom!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/rbyrnetech/best-of-the-web-2010">Best of the EdTech Web 2010</a>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-31083096672852028142010-10-14T13:40:00.003-05:002010-10-15T11:04:13.414-05:00Conferences...I'm sitting in my classroom contemplating what I will share with parents at our first Parent/Teacher Conferences of the 2010-2011 school year. What do I want to tell them? What do I want them to know about the class? What do I want to show them? What do I want to tone of the conference to be? How do I want them to feel when they leave? The questions just keep coming. And I'm not sure I have any answers. So, I have to ask myself, as a parent, what would I want to hear from my kids' teachers? My response...complete honesty yet something encouraging as well. I think I can do that.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">90 minutes later...</span><br /><br />Now that I have a few conferences under my belt I can reflect on how they have gone. And my response is, "So far, so good." I have a very chatty group of 6th graders, each of whom has a unique set of abilities, and I am finding that as I look at them as individuals, my perception of them is changing. Maybe I'm handling them all wrong. Maybe I need to find a way to channel their energies, to corral them back to me, to engage them in a more effective way. Rather than trying to find ways to get my students to stop talking and start listening, I need to find different ways to engage them so that they WANT to listen. Maybe I'm the problem, not them.<br /><br />I find it interesting that these few conferences have changed me instead of changing them? My new motto is "the only thing I can change is me." Reflecting in this manner is bringing to light different thoughts that may not have surfaced had I just gone home exhausted at the end of this long day. I can only change me. Hmmmm, thoughts to ponder.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-72008193229617272842010-10-10T09:23:00.001-05:002010-10-10T09:26:05.591-05:0050 Technology Course Opportunities<h2 class="PostHeaderIcon-wrapper"><span class="PostHeader"><a href="http://blogs.jefftwp.org/wordpress/walker/2010/09/08/50-excellent-open-courses-on-teaching-with-technology/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to 50 Excellent Open Courses on Teaching With Technology"> 50 Excellent Open Courses on Teaching With Technology</a></span> </h2> <div class="PostContent"> <div> <div> <div> <div id="post-8475"> <p>The information below is taken from a recent posting on <strong><a href="http://www.onlinecollegesanduniversities.com/2010/09/05/50-excellent-open-courses-on-teaching-with-technology/" target="_blank">www.onlinecollegesanduniversities.com</a>.</strong></p><p><br />It is a listing of 50 free online courses that are offered on a wide variety of instructional technology topics. The courses are free, self-directed, and accessible over the internet. Rather then listing a few examples in this posting I decided to paste all of the links below.</p> <p>Using technology and creating unique learning environments are two big dreams that all types of teachers have, from elementary educators to distance education teachers to college professors. If you’re already used to taking classes from an <a href="http://www.onlinecollegesanduniversities.com/">online college</a> but are curious about creating your own open resources, or if you are studying to be a teacher in today’s tech-fueled economy, check out these 50 free courses on teaching with technology.</p> <div> <p><strong>Technology and Learning</strong><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/dwalker/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.png" alt="" /></p> <p>Find out why technology is such a draw for educators and how we learn from non-human tools.</p> <ol><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/Instructional_Technology/new-media">Blogs, Wikis, New Media for Learning</a></strong>: This course will show you how blogs and other new media are optimal teaching tools. [Utah State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/urban-studies-and-planning/11-127j-computer-games-and-simulations-for-investigation-and-education-spring-2009/">Computer Games and Simulations for Investigation and Education</a></strong>: This class will teach you how we learn from computer games and interactive technologies. [MIT]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/Instructional_Technology/Instructional_Games/">Instructional Gaming</a></strong>: Learn how to use instructional gaming to reach out to students. [Utah State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3623">Creativity, community and ICT</a></strong>: Discover how online learning and technology fuel creativity and collaboration. [The Open University]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/Other_Educational_Resources/Intro_to_Instructional_Design">Intro to Instructional Design</a></strong>: If you’re curious about how humans interact with and learn from non-human tools, take this course. [Utah State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/comparative-media-studies/cms-998-videogame-theory-and-analysis-fall-2006/">Videogame Theory and Analysis</a></strong>: Find out how videogames are legitimate teaching tools. [MIT]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10431/latest/">The Impact of Open Source Software on Education</a></strong>: Learn how different countries are using open source for college education and beyond. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10712/latest/">The review of the development of eLearning</a></strong>: Get a 10-year history of eLearning here. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/Instructional_Technology/principles-and-practices-of-technology">Principles and Practices of Technology</a></strong>: Designed for teachers, this course will teach you about the application of technology for learning and principles of instructional technology. [Utah State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/science-technology-and-society/sts-464-cultural-history-of-technology-spring-2005/">Cultural History of Technology</a></strong>: Consider how technology has shaped our culture and is now a tool for learning, communication and more. [MIT]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-034-artificial-intelligence-fall-2006/">Artificial Intelligence</a>: </strong>Discover how tools can actively teach us, even non-human ones. [MIT]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/media-arts-and-sciences/mas-963-technological-tools-for-school-reform-fall-2005/">Technological Tools for School Reform</a></strong>: Consider how innovation and modern technology contribute to the school reform debate. [MIT]</li></ol> <p><strong>Online Education and Distance Learning</strong></p> <p>If you want to create online learning environments and manage a distance ed course, look here.</p> <ol><li><strong><a href="http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3636">Creating Open Educational Resource</a></strong>: Learn how to write learning units that enhance self-directed learning. [The Open University]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/Instructional_Technology/producing-distance-education-resources">Producing Distance Education Resources</a></strong>: You’ll use Dreamweaver and FTP in this course as you learn how to develop open and online learning spaces and resources. [Utah State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10693/latest/">Collaborative Learning and the Open Educational Resource Movement</a></strong>: Get an overview of the popularity of open education resources. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/Instructional_Technology/introduction-to-open-education">Introduction to Open Education</a></strong>: Here you will review some of the main topics in open education like sustainability, licensing, creativity and more. [Utah State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3049">Accessibility of eLearning</a></strong>: Learn more about eLearning solutions for disabled students. [The Open University]</li><li><strong><a href="http://www.cet.uct.ac.za/FacilitatingOnline">Facilitating online</a></strong>: This course will walk you through all the course models and lesson planning strategies you’ll need as an online teacher. [Centre for Educational Technology]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.weber.edu/wsu-online/master-online-teacher-certification">Master Online Teacher Certification</a></strong>: Teachers interested in creating their own online courses get a lesson in interactivity and other key issues here. [Weber State University]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.uci.edu/courses/course.aspx?id=15">Online Instructor Training</a></strong>: This course features 10 areas of study to help you become an effective online teacher. [UC Irvine]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10497/latest/">An Overview of Open Educational Resources</a></strong>: Find out how open educational resources can be beneficial to all class levels. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/Instructional_Technology/understanding-online-interaction">Understanding Online Interaction</a></strong>: Design better learning tools and environments after taking this class on online interaction. [Utah State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10556/latest/%27%3EVisual%20Design%20for%20Distance%20Education%20Content%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E:%20Don%27t%20just%20use%20the%20same%20old%20templates%20as%20everyone%20else:%20Learn%20how%20to%20create%20visually%20pleasing%20and%20engaging%20designs%20for%20your%20courses.%20%5BConnexions%5D%3C/li%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca%20href=">Best practices in online teaching</a></strong>: Learn how to prepare for and manage an online course. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10528/latest/">Managing your Distance Course</a></strong>: Discover ways to manage students learning from home. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10527/latest/">Managing and Maintaining the Discussion Board for Distance Courses</a></strong>: Facilitate online discussions through discussion boards. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10468/latest/">The “How Tos” of OER Commons</a></strong>: Practice creating open educational materials to add to the OER commons here. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/Instructional_Technology/connecting-people-with-online-resources">Connecting People with Online Resources</a></strong>: This course will train you to become a better researcher and collector of quality online resources you can share with students. [Utah State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10529/latest/">Establishing Tone in the Distance Course</a></strong>: Get your point across so that your students really understand what you’re teaching when you take this course. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10559/latest/">Promising Practices in Online Teaching and Learning</a></strong>: This class can help distance ed teachers become capable designers of online courses. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-912-introduction-to-copyright-law-january-iap-2006/">Introduction to Copyright Law</a></strong>: Make sure you’re correctly sourcing and citing any materials you reference when creating online courses. [MIT]</li><li><strong><a href="https://open.umich.edu/education/si/si529-winter2009">eCommunities</a></strong>: Study how we interact with each other via online communities, which can help you design better courses or get the most out of networking with other students and classrooms. [University of Michigan]</li></ol> <p><strong>Younger Students</strong></p> <p>These open courses will help you work with technology in elementary classrooms.</p> <ol><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/media-arts-and-sciences/mas-714j-technologies-for-creative-learning-fall-2009/">Technologies for Creative Learning</a></strong>: Study games like the LEGO Programmable Brick and Computer Clubhouse center to get a lesson in innovation design and how children learn. [MIT]</li><li><strong><a href="http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?name=E500_10">Play, learning and the brain</a></strong>: This course explains how playtime and experimentation is important in young childhood education, and that sensory deprivation can really hurt brain development. Consider this when planning interactive lessons with computers and other technology. [The Open University]</li></ol> <p><strong>Tech Tutorials</strong></p> <p>These courses will introduce you to the technology systems you will need to create blogs, websites and other media that can bring learning to a new level to your students, as well as safety and legal tips.</p> <ol><li><strong><a href="http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?name=T180_8">Living with the Internet: keeping it safe</a></strong>: Find out how to avoid viruses and hackers. [The Open University]</li><li><strong><a href="http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?name=T180_5">Information on the web</a></strong>: Become a master at using search engines so that you can quickly direct your students to quality materials. [The Open University]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-805-ethics-and-the-law-on-the-electronic-frontier-fall-2005/">Ethics and Law on the Electronic Frontier</a></strong>: Learn about privacy laws, the U.S. PATRIOT ACT, and more. [MIT]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/Instructional_Technology/interactive-multimedia-production">Interactive Multimedia Production</a></strong>: Practice using Macromedia Flash so that you can create animations and graphics. [Utah State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/Instructional_Technology/Computer_Applications_for_Instruction_and_Training">Computer Applications for Instruction and Training</a></strong>: If you use a Mac, then take this course to review some of the best apps like PowerPoint, iMovie and Photoshop that aid in lesson planning. [Utah State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10555/latest/">Video in Distance Education</a></strong>: This mini-course will teach you how to use video for an online course. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?name=M873_1">Designing the user interface: text, colour, images, moving images and sound</a></strong>: Here you’ll learn how to design a user-friendly learning environment that includes great design and interactive media. [The Open University]</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog585/">Open Web Mapping</a></strong>: Create maps for history or science lessons after taking this class. [Penn State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usq.edu.au/course/view.php?id=15">Creating Interactive Multimedia</a></strong>: If you want to design interactive learning environments for your students, take this course. [USQ]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/Instructional_Technology/learn-and-apply-html">Learn and Apply HTML</a></strong>: Learn the basics of HTML to create websites. [Utah State]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-831-user-interface-design-and-implementation-fall-2004/">User Interface Design and Implementation</a></strong>: Continue your education of creating good user-friendly websites and educational platforms. [MIT]</li><li><strong><a href="http://www.outreach.washington.edu/openuw/asp/transform.asp?course=Htmlbasics&xml=htmlbasics_intro1">HTML Basics</a></strong>: This is another course designed to teach you about HTML tags and coding.</li></ol> <p><strong>Secondary and Higher Education</strong></p> <p>College and high school teachers can take these courses to design innovative learning systems and resources for their savvy students.</p> <ol><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10413/latest/">Introduction to Open Educational Resources</a></strong>: Take this course if you’re a college teacher wanting alternatives to textbooks. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1543">Teaching using digital video in secondary schools</a></strong>: Take this course to discover new ways to use digital media and video in the classroom. [The Open University]</li><li><strong><a href="http://cnx.org/content/col10461/latest/">An Open Source Vision for Caribbean Higher Education</a></strong>: Find out how the higher education system in the Caribbean is opening up to open source. [Connexions]</li><li><strong><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/chemistry/5-95j-teaching-college-level-science-spring-2006/">Teaching College-Level Science</a></strong>: This course includes a lesson in using educational technology in your curriculum. [MIT]</li><li><strong><a href="http://opencontent.uct.ac.za/Centre-for-Higher-Education-Development/Centre-for-Educational-Technology/OpeningScholarship">OpeningScholarship</a></strong>: Here you’ll learn about different ways technology can be used in higher education. [UCT]</li></ol> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-8354028601068880712010-10-07T09:02:00.002-05:002010-10-07T11:18:53.977-05:00Getting Back into the Swing of ThingsIt has been almost a year since my last blog post. A lot of learning has taken place since then, but at the same time, a lot of slacking off has taken place, too. It's time for change. I vow to do what I can to keep the learning going and the slacking slacking.<br /><br />There comes a place in time when a person has to rethink his/her attitude toward things and midway into the school year last year, I was at that place. For a long time I was dissatisfied about the direction a lot of things were headed in my school, and I found my attitude going downhill fast. I let myself get caught up in the negative attitudes of others, and before long discovered that I was there, too. And then one day I woke up and realized that I can't change the situation, but I <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> change the way I look at things. That has made a whole world of difference.<br /><br />As a result, here I am, trying to get into the swing of things again. I'm doing what I can to constantly educate myself on the things that are important to me. So what does that look like?<br /><br />Blogging:<br />I started my blog over a year ago, but once the newness of it died, so did my posting schedule. While I may not have a group of blog followers, I can still use my blog as a method to reflect on my learning. It doesn't matter if anyone reads this...what matters is that I am doing something to reflect on the thoughts that come to me as I continue on this journey.<br /><br />Twitter:<br />I'm making a concerted effort to utilize all the benefits of Twitter. While it takes a lot of time to find people to follow, I'm finding that my excitement is growing along with my "follow" list. There are a lot of brilliant minds out there so I might as well take advantage of them while I can. And who knows...my ego may get fed just a little if I can up my "followers" as well.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Skype</span>:<br />I'm working on a new venture that involves using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Skype</span> within my classroom. I have a beautiful niece who teaches 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> grade in Arkansas, so why not take advantage of that connection and give my students the opportunity to learn from hers? It is going to take some work to pull this off, but I see a multitude of benefits resulting from our efforts. And I'm hoping that our success will encourage the other educators in both buildings to do similar global projects.<br /><br />These are just a few of the things I'm doing right now to make myself a better teacher for my students. While I will get frustrated and stumble once in a while, it is still better than becoming complacent. If I become stagnant, so will my teaching.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-68809777338827309942009-11-15T21:37:00.003-06:002009-11-15T22:10:25.449-06:00More About Using Wikis in My ClassroomPhew! I made it through the first trimester of school! There were days when I thought I'd never survive with my sanity in tact, but then the next day I can't believe how fast the days are going. I can't believe the school year is already one-third over.<br /><br />Once again I am finding myself creating new curriculum and trying new things I've never done before. That combination makes for an interesting school year. Not only am I stretching my limits by teaching a class of 6th graders (and believe me...it is a BIG stretch!), but I'm trying new things with them. What I'm finding, however, is that the new things are GOOD things. First I tried going paperless (thanks to budget cuts!). That wasn't too hard considering the fact that I have great computers in my classroom and can just download handouts to our student-shared server, but then I created a <a href="http://computerbasics-6thgrade.wikispaces.com">wiki</a> to use with them. They LOVE it! One of the greatest benefits of using the wiki was the fact that the kids were excited to use it, so I didn't have to tell them to get focused when the bell rang...they already were!<br /><br />Next I got brave and started<a href="http://computerbasics-nationalparksproject.wikispaces.com/"> another wiki </a><a href="http://computerbasics-nationalparksproject.wikispaces.com/">about national parks</a> that put more responsibility in the hands of my students. They added pages, edited text, uploaded pictures, added links, and all the good stuff that a wiki allows you to do. What a huge success it was. This wiki was a take-off of a <a href="http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/story.php?itemID=17857">project</a> that I discovered on the <a href="http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali">Apple Learning Interchange.</a> At first I was a little nervous about giving the kids so much freedom in the wiki, but soon discovered that my students could easily grasp the concepts of creating a wiki page complete with photos and links. They didn't let me down! Check it out! <a href="http://computerbasics-nationalparksproject.wikispaces.com/">(6th Grade Computer Basics - National Parks Project)</a><br /><br />Now the first term is over, and I get to start with a new group of students. That in itself is quite a challenge. The good thing is...I feel so much more confident about what I'm teaching them! And THAT, my friends, is a GOOD thing. I'm beginning to think that I'll survive this school year after all. Phew! I had my doubts a few weeks ago!<br /><br />So as I head into a second term, I will continue to look for cool things to enhance my curriculum. After all, no curriculum should ever be completed. It should be ever-growing and ever-changing. If you have any great ideas...send them my way!<br /><br />Look out kids...here I come!Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-81617132711565044022009-09-21T16:57:00.003-05:002009-09-22T10:54:58.118-05:00Lovin' my WikiWell, it took some doing, but I finally figured out how to make my 6th grade <a href="http://computerbasics-6thgrade.wikispaces.com/">Computer Basics wiki </a>work for me. It still isn't perfect, but everyday it is getting closer to how I dreamed it could be. My 6th graders love it and are excited about the project that will allow them to create a class wiki all their own. They know it is coming, but don't know any of the logistics yet. I, too, am excited about the possibilities it holds. My biggest frustration now is how to respond back to their <a href="http://computerbasics-6thgrade.wikispaces.com/Reflections">reflection question</a> answers. I'm not sure I like using the discussion tab for their responses because that doesn't allow me to make comments about their reflections. I want them to think deeper about how they are responding, but if I can't give them feedback, I don't see them improving. I'm wondering if I should use a different format. Perhaps setting up a reflections page similar to the <a href="http://computerbasics-6thgrade.wikispaces.com/Write+Around+Story">Write Around Story</a> page will make it more feasible for "conversations" with the teacher. My concern about doing it that way is that it will mean adding 20 more pages to the wiki. And maybe having that many pages isn't even an issue. Do any of my readers have thoughts on this? In the meantime, I'll keep plugging away at making my wiki work. Hopefully I'll become so addicted to using the wiki with my 6th grade class that I will want to create something similar for the other two classes I teach.<br /><br />Like technology, it is my goal as a teacher that all of my classes evolve with the changing tides. If they don't, then my teaching becomes stagnant and my students are the ones left behind.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-42048527986175723082009-09-16T16:16:00.003-05:002009-09-16T16:30:00.127-05:00"Excited" Can Sometimes Be Synonomous with "Frustrated"I've created a <a href="http://computerbasics-6thgrade.wikispaces.com/">wiki</a> to use in my 6th grade Computer Basics class, and I'm really excited about the new and exciting possibilities that are opening up for my students. Not only am I excited, but they are, too! Technology is their world, after all, and they love doing anything that involves technology. Another thing that excites them about this wiki is that it is unlike anything they are using in their other classes. That alone is reason enough to celebrate.<br /><br />Now for the frustration. Like anything new, obstacles always seem to work their way into the picture. Case in point...Here I am today, excited about teaching the kids how to edit the <a href="http://computerbasics-6thgrade.wikispaces.com/Reflections">reflections page of the wiki,</a> and I failed to see the big picture when it comes to saving edits. I tried to have each of the kids respond to a reflection question and save their edit. The problem was that the only edit that appeared on the wiki once everyone had saved was the LAST edit to be saved. Grrrrrrr! I failed to realize that we would encounter problems when 20 kids tried to save an edit to the same page at the same time. Needless to say, I lost a few excited souls in all the hoopla and chaos of the problem. That sure wasn't how I envisioned today's lesson to turn out.<br /><br />So I pose this question to my readers...How can I make this work? Please, please, PLEASE send me some suggestions. I know there is a solution. I'm just not seeing it right now.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-50544932458890974042009-09-08T10:47:00.006-05:002009-09-08T11:14:06.013-05:00To Show or Not to Show...That is the QuestionToday is the big day for the controversial <a href="http://bit.ly/OsN8C">speech</a> to students by our president. There has been a lot of talk on the news about whether or not to air this speech live. Why? What is the big deal? It is a speech to students about the importance of staying in school, not a call to participate in genocide! Where, exactly, is the controversy?<br /><br />I personally think it is pathetic that parents lack such faith in our president and in our school's teachers that they would voice concern over this speech. Sure, we may not all have voted for him, we may not all agree with his decisions, we may not all agree with his policies, but he IS our leader, and we, as a democratic nation, MUST give him the respect he is due. What message does it give our students when we feel the need to censor what the President of the United States of America has to say? What message does it send to students about our schools' teachers and their ability to teach? Are our nation's teacher so incompetent that they cannot professionally and in an unbiased manner lead a discussion about the words of our president? Come on! Have a little faith in your children's teachers. If parents can't trust the president and they can't trust the teachers, then WHO can they trust? It just doesn't make sense to me.<br /><br />I wonder how parents would react if their favorite sports hero wanted to make a similar speech to students. Hmmm, a point to ponder.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-91384179987378063342009-09-03T08:11:00.003-05:002009-09-03T08:25:38.961-05:00Where's the Money They Promised?We are well into our second week of school and the bureaucratic red tape has already begun. I just got word from my principal that all budgets are frozen. What? It's the second week of school and we have no money???? And the US wonders why our students aren't keeping up with the rest of the world. We can spend billions of dollars to "reform" our healthcare system while the education of our nations' students gets put on a back burner. We can spend millions of dollars on star athletes and sporting events while those of us who try to educate the nations' children scrimp and scrape because there is no money for education. Our government can agree to spend millions of dollars on an inaugural celebration (with no benefit to anyone but those being honored) while schools are cutting staff members because they have to cut budgets to the bare bones. None of this makes any sense! There is something majorly wrong with this picture.<br /><br />Politicians are so good at making hollow promises about increasing funding for education during election campaigns, but then don't follow through once they are elected. When are we going to hold them accountable for their broken promises? When are we going to say "enough is enough?" I'm doing what I can to make cutbacks...it's high time that EVERYONE does. And that includes our governmental representatives! Everyone means EVERYONE. It's time for change...but not just in health care! It's time to put education FIRST!!!!!!Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-27776014509449762282009-08-15T10:23:00.008-05:002010-10-07T13:48:08.428-05:00Mixed Emotions, Yes. But I'm a Teacher at Heart.<object height="344" width="425">This is it, the final weekend before I have to go back to work. Every year I have mixed emotions about ending summer break and beginning another new school year. I love what I do, but I also love what I DON'T do.<br /><br />I love summer because...<br /><br />* I have the freedom of being able to choose what I want to do each and every day; do I</object>want to work outside in the yard, surf the net for cool stuff, be a couch potato and watch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HGTV</span> all day, shop 'til I drop, or do something domestic like bake bread like a Sally Homemaker today? <object height="344" width="425"><br /><br />* My life isn't ruled by the clock...especially the ever-dreaded alarm clock.<br /><br />* I have option of fixing a sandwich at home or meeting the love of my life for lunch in town.<br /><br />* Work-related stress is non-existent during the long summer days.<br /><br />The relaxation that comes with summer becomes a welcome addiction that is hard to give up.<br /><br />On the other hand, I love what I do during the school year. After all, I am a teacher at heart. Teaching is my God-given gift. It's what I do. And it's what I do well. So why do I love going back?<br /><br />I love going back to school because...<br /><br />* The excitement of my students at the beginning of the year is contagious.<br /><br />* The beginning of a school year gives me (and my students) a chance to make a clean start.<br /><br />* It is satisfying and highly rewarding to see the "light bulbs" go on when my students suddenly grasp a concept they'd been struggling with just minutes earlier.<br /><br />* I just plain love kids (middle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">schoolers</span> at that! I know, I'm weird.)<br /><br />* It is fun to teach what I know, and even more fun to learn what THEY know!<br /><br />* I make a difference.<br /><br />I could go on and on with why I love what I do, but time is short, and I must finish the things on my "To Do List" that were put off because summer fun was calling. In three days I'll be back at my school desk, dreaming up ways to make learning fun and relevant for my students. I'll be back at my desk writing curriculum, creating lesson plans, and drawing up battle plans for a successful year as an educator. But most importantly, I'll be preparing to interact with students eager to learn.<br /><br />So, Yes! I have mixed emotions about going back, but I'm ready. After all, I'm a teacher at heart. Teaching is what I do. </object>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-38694720938829719402009-08-04T12:10:00.005-05:002009-08-04T12:29:40.067-05:00You Know it's August When...You know it's August when...<br /><br />* your family vacation is over and you have a pile of dirty laundry calling out your name<br />* back-to-school ads inundate the television screens<br />* you go to Wal-Mart and see back-to-school posters everywhere you look<br />* tax-free weekend hits your state<br />* you start having school nightmares in your sleep<br />* everyone you know keeps asking if you're "ready to go back yet"<br />* you get the dreaded back-to-school letter from your principal<br />* the grass stops growing because it is too hot and dry<br />* stores take away their summer clothes and hang sweaters in their place<br />* people start talking about going to the Iowa State Fair<br />* cars start showing up in multiples of three in the parking lot at school<br />* you feel the need to go work without pay in your classroom<br />* the school janitors wax the floor so you can't get into your room to work<br />* school registration notices appear in the mailbox<br />* you start waking up at 6:30 in the morning and you didn't even set an alarm<br />* the beautiful flowers in your gardens begin to fade and die<br />* you get a call asking if you'd like to go to the teacher supply store with your best friend from work<br />* the school secretary cries out on her Facebook page that her summer is over<br />* your husband gives you a thumbs-up sign when he sees a back-to-school ad on TV<br />* your husband starts saying cruel things like "only two more weeks, honey!"<br />* you frantically start tackling away at the To-Do List you made but never touched<br />* you start to cry for no apparent reason at all<br /><br />I guess it's time I start thinking about readjusting my sleep habits, getting myself motivated to finish writing the curriculum I've been avoiding all summer, putting away my novels and start looking at text books instead, stop living a life of lazy luxury and start thinking about the real world. Like it or not...school is a mere two weeks away.<br /><br />Bummer!Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-29056083755056509982009-07-16T15:26:00.005-05:002009-07-16T16:05:54.214-05:00Who Am I?How do people keep up with all the technology issues out there? I've spent hours looking at Tweets and am amazed at the vast array of blogs, websites, wikis, conferences, etc. that are out there. It boggles the mind! While I am no where near being technology illiterate, I sometimes feel that way after reading the blogs of <a href="http://drzreflects.com/">Dr. Z</a>, <a href="http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/">Scott McLeod</a>, <a href="http://weblogg-ed.com/">Will Richardson</a>, <a href="http://www.speedofcreativity.org/">Wesley Fryer</a>, and countless others. Heck, just reading Tweets is enough to make me want to crawl under a rock in shame. There is SO much that I don't know! But thank heaven there are people like those mentioned above who can lead me to locations that just might hold the answers I'm searching for.<br /><br />Reading tweets and blogs is kind of discouraging. I read what those scholars have to say and look at the numbers of people who follow what they have to say and then I go to my blog. I don't seem to have much of importance to say. I have a whopping 11 Twitter followers while my blog has a whopping 4 followers! Woo-hoo! But then again I have to ask: Who am I anyway? I am just a mere Iowa school teacher who is trying to find ways to make learning more relevant for today's learners. A huge task! So, in spite of it all, I think I'll just keep plugging away at my intended goal (making learning relevant) and if I can help even one student find relevance in their education then it doesn't matter that few people follow my Tweets or read my blog. If I help one student - I am more than just a mere teacher...I am a success. And THAT, my friends, is what I was put on this earth to do. TEACH!Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-74258198214222090762009-07-10T18:21:00.003-05:002009-07-10T18:34:42.647-05:00What are Computer Basics?I'm sitting here with my computer in my lap and thinking about the curriculum for my newly created class for 6th graders. It's called Computer Basics, but the name is about the only thing I have settled on. What are the computer basics that 6th graders need to know to become computer savvy? This class could go in so many different directions that it is hard to know where to begin. Any ideas? You'd think that after creating two, count them...TWO, new classes last year that I'd be an expert. But right now I'm at a loss. And I'm quickly running out of time. School starts in 39 days, 18 hours, 28 minutes, and 8 seconds (and counting) and I need to start writing a basic plan. But where do I begin? How much do they know when they come to me? How basic is basic? I just don't know! If anyone knows of a website I can refer to that will help with this endeavor, PLEASE let me know!Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-76600891061968142922009-06-26T09:41:00.006-05:002009-06-26T16:29:08.210-05:00How Important is One's Childhood?Yesterday was a sad, eventful day for the entertainment world. The entire world mourns the lives to two Hollywood icons: <a href="http://www.farrahfawcett.us">Farrah Fawcett</a> and <a href="http://www.michaeljackson.com">Michael Jackson</a>.<br /><br />As I reflect on the life and death of Michael Jackson it makes me wonder how much of a role his lack of a typical childhood played into his tragic life story. Michael took the stage at the age of five and was an entertainment sensation almost instantaneously. That meant that while most children were out in their backyards finding adventure and playing with other neighborhood children, Michael was on the road traveling to the next gig. While most people think that the life of a celebrity is glamorous, those who are in the limelight see it differently. In a 2003 "<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/28/60minutes/main590381.shtml">60 Minutes" interview with Michael</a>, he touched on the topic of his lack of a childhood when he explained the mystery behind his <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/06/26/2009-06-26_neverland_was_his_oz_jackson_designed_ranch_to_reclaim_lost_childhood_flee_outsi.html">Neverland</a> ranch. And it makes perfect sense. He did not get to do the things that typical children get to experience, and as he grew into an adult, that yearning for a childhood never left. I can't help but wonder if this is partly what contributed to his demise.<br /><br />As I watched excerpts from the "60 Minutes" interview with Michael Jackson, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the man. It made me wonder if his response to the question Ed Bradley asked about the appropriateness (or the inappropriateness) of a 45 year-old man inviting young children to sleep in his bedroom wasn't a direct result of his lack of a true childhood. It was almost as though Michael was trying to recapture something of himself that was lost when he was thrust out of his childhood innocence and into a life of instant fame and notoriety. How tragic.<br /><br />At the time of my writing this post, the autopsy results confirming the cause of Michael's death have not been made public. But there is plenty of speculation about the role prescription drugs played in his death. While I have never experienced an addiction of this magnitude (food is my only addition), I can't help but wonder what hole those drugs were trying to fill in his life. Something must have been missing in his life to leave a void that needed filled. Could it have been his childhood? We will never know.<br /><br />The effects of a lack of a childhood in Michael's life leads me to ask the following questions: How important is play in the development of mentally creative, mentally healthy children? What role do educators play in helping define our students' childhoods? Are educators guilty of stifling a child's imagination through structured activities?<br /><br />In looking at the first question let me quote a few lines from an article by the <a href="http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/talktoyourbaby/play.html#deprived">National Literacy Trust.<br /></a><blockquote>Children are being stripped of their natural creativity by structured activities and hi-tech toys, leading academics warned yesterday. <p>Innate play skills are lost as parents pay for them to attend classes and clubs or buy televisions and video game machines for their bedrooms. Even at school they are told what games to play in sports lessons and sometimes even in the playground. But the regimentation of their leisure time is stifling their initiative, says a report.</p></blockquote><p> </p>While this article is geared more toward the effects of play in the development of young children, it has some major significance for older children as well. Through my many years as a teacher, I've discovered that the creative juices of my middle school-aged students have almost stopped flowing. Their philosophy seems to be this: "Spoon feed me. Tell me what to think. It's easier that way." They would rather be told what to write about or what project they should do instead of dreaming it up on their own. I have to stop and ask myself if this is due, in part, to the fact that students spend countless hours sitting in front of a television or video game and exercise their brain only half as much as they would if they were creating their own fun somewhere else. I don't know...maybe I should do some more research on this idea...maybe I'm on to something here.<br /><br />This, then leads me to the next two questions I posed earlier. What is my role in the development of my students? Am I guilty of stifling their creative juices because I give them too much structure in their assignments? These are some serious questions to think about. I believe it is my responsibility as an educator to build a fire under my students (not literally), to spark their imagination by giving them opportunities to take a hold of their learning and run with it. I like to give my students assignments where their only limitation is their own imagination. At first this was tough to do - after all, I LOVE STRUCTURE - but once I left my comfort zone and opened the door to a different kind of classroom, I found that my students advanced far beyond my expectations. I still have a long way to go, but believe I'm on the right track. It IS my responsibility to teach them to think for themselves. It IS my responsibility to allow them to make choices on their own. It IS my responsibility to let them fly. And it IS my responsibility to help pick them up with they fall. Kind of sounds like parenting, huh?<br /><br />And so I end this post with an anonymous quote:<br /><blockquote>I tried to teach my child with books; he gave me only puzzled looks.<br />I tried to teach my child with words; they passed him by, oft unheard.<br />Despairingly I turned aside. “How can I teach this child?” I cried.<br />Into my hand he put the key, “Come”, he said, “play with me.”</blockquote>As a teacher, I want to allow my students to "play" more often.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276746648118759364.post-57294705691384539192009-06-24T11:03:00.005-05:002009-06-24T11:24:10.229-05:00With Learning, Comes FrustrationHere I sit in yet another Web 2.0 class and I've learned a few more things that I didn't know when I woke up this morning. I love acquiring new knowledge, but the key to keeping it is to USE it. That is where time comes into the picture. I have to find the time to hone my skills or I will lose them. Yikes! It's an never ending cycle.<br /><br />As I try new things, I find that sometimes frustration follows. I have a new <a href="http://twitter.com/">Twitter</a> account that is still less than 24 hours old, and I'm trying to add names that I want to follow, but for some reason, they aren't showing up. What's with that? It was working just fine yesterday, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_874QdMFexkg/SkJQ99MB8rI/AAAAAAAAAB4/mkTPXDG3BT8/s1600-h/IMG_1000.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 237px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_874QdMFexkg/SkJQ99MB8rI/AAAAAAAAAB4/mkTPXDG3BT8/s200/IMG_1000.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350928332596834994" border="0" /></a>but today I can't find success. I've tried to add three new people and it says "following", but when I go back to my home page, the names do not appear under my list of those I'm following. I decided to walk away from it for now. Sometimes that is the best thing to do.<br /><br />In the meantime, I want to continue expanding my knowledge base. I want to never become stagnant. No, instead I want to be like a fast flowing mountain stream like the one in this picture. As it flows downstream, it refreshes itself and picks up new nutrients.<br /><br />One of the best ways to learn new things is to just keep on trying. So...I'm going to take my own advice and keep on trying. If I keep the big picture in mind, I won't let the frustrations become complete failures.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01463347815253790201noreply@blogger.com1