My "plan of attack" for the 2008-2009 school year is well underway with web-based applications. I have two wikis for the Ida Schools, one contains all of the CraftPlus writing resources that have been developed for grades K-8, and the second is an informational curriculum wiki that will eventually be linked to the Ida Schools website. In addition, I have numerous spreadsheets of the student data organized on Google Docs for teachers and school improvement teams. My PowerPoints are on Slideshare, and student project photos are on Picasa. I plan to include podcasts on the CraftPlus Wiki.
I have been sharing what I have learned in local PD sessions, and email invitations. The entire Ida staff receives email from me to access information on Google Docs. For specific purposes,I typically call a teacher and explain what I am about to send them. Many educators are now organizers of their own. I don't know what is next in terms of what I want to learn about teaching and learning in the 21st century and Web 2.0, but I didn't know what to expect with the first 23 Things class. I know what I am extremely comfortable doing, and I know my challenges. I want to create motivating DVDs for students with music and video and/or digital pictures. I want to explore the many additional options for using Google Docs. I want to share with others and learn something new as often as possible.
How can we best stay connected as a "PLN" or how can you create a PLN with your colleagues back at your building?
Email is still my primary mode of communication. I appreciate being in a group or Listserve to hear from others. I would like to know when the next 23 (24 to 46) Things class is going to be offered. What I have found to be so special in opportunities like Jim's class is not just being introduced to new things, but the discovery of many additional things along the way in the process.
I have never enjoyed learning in any other situation as much as I have as I progressed through 23 Things. Thank you, Jim, for your expertise and talent in developing this class and sharing it with all of us!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Thing 22
I registered for a Michigan LearnPort account at http://mi.learnport.org and browsed through the course catalog. The courses that look promising to me are those that have little or no cost, high ratings and good comments. Several fit that category for me; I am also interested in self paced courses. ASSIST - Differentiating Instruction through Technology v1.1, Pathogens for School Employees - 2009, Building Teacher Leaders, and Enhancing Your Curriculum Through the use of the Internet are just some of the 258 courses I found. I had no idea this was available to all Michigan educators!
I prefer on-line self paced classes. It allows a busy person to takes advantage of available spare time at a variety of hours any day of the week. A disadvantage of on-line PD is when you want a quick answer to something or feel you need a human, you can’t expect an immediate response. However, if you are networked with others, that typically would not be a problem. I like any PD that is technology related, and the Michigan LearnPort offers many options that appeal to me.
I think our 23 Things class would be a fabulous addition to LearnPort. It would get high ratings from me!!! I am so fortunate to have been a participant in the 23 Things course with Jim Dornberg because it has enabled me to raise my technology skills to a new level. I certainly appreciate the numerous Web 2.0 applications that I consistently use for instructional and administrative purposes.
I prefer on-line self paced classes. It allows a busy person to takes advantage of available spare time at a variety of hours any day of the week. A disadvantage of on-line PD is when you want a quick answer to something or feel you need a human, you can’t expect an immediate response. However, if you are networked with others, that typically would not be a problem. I like any PD that is technology related, and the Michigan LearnPort offers many options that appeal to me.
I think our 23 Things class would be a fabulous addition to LearnPort. It would get high ratings from me!!! I am so fortunate to have been a participant in the 23 Things course with Jim Dornberg because it has enabled me to raise my technology skills to a new level. I certainly appreciate the numerous Web 2.0 applications that I consistently use for instructional and administrative purposes.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Thing 21 and more
This is a video a a good friend sent to me today.
I would rather have any video saved on my computer to
use it in a class when I wanted and not have to depend on the web.
I included this one for a Thing 21 example.
I hope you enjoy it!
Thing 21
National Geographic Gorillas
I think Zamzar would be best for a Mac. Did it work? Well, I uploaded a .pdf to see if it could convert it to a .doc. It looks very promising!
I might use online video in a classroom if I have it already saved on my computer. At this time our bandwidth is "challenged" and although we can get YouTube videos, they slow the system down for others. We have been asked be careful of our use during the day.
I think Zamzar would be best for a Mac. Did it work? Well, I uploaded a .pdf to see if it could convert it to a .doc. It looks very promising!
I might use online video in a classroom if I have it already saved on my computer. At this time our bandwidth is "challenged" and although we can get YouTube videos, they slow the system down for others. We have been asked be careful of our use during the day.
Thing 20
Well, creating a podcast is pretty easy. I would say that it is easier to set up and create it than it is to talk clearly and professionally the first time through. I would recommend that a script be used and a couple of practices completed before a podcast is created. The next step is to add a video and digital pictures. OK, one thing at a time! This was painless...at least for the creator, now for the listener, that is another story.
Students would enjoy listening to podcasts of other students.
Students would enjoy CREATING podcasts especially if they were prepared aheaad of time. Kids are typicaly less intimidated than adults!
On what topics or for what units of instruction would I choose? Here are thoughts I attempted to include in my very first podcast!
IDEA #1
Children would enjoy creating a CHARACTER COUNTS Podcast to help young people understand the Six Pillars of character. A classroom of students could collaborate to create visual aids and posters related to the each of the character traits. A quick podcast each day could be shared with other classes also.
Trustworthiness
Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country
Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements
Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices
Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly
Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need
Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment
IDEA #2
When students prepare a science fair project, in addition to the board, a podcast could be saved and shared as instruction or an examples for future projects.
Part A. Talk about the Scientific Method
State the Purpose of your experiment - What are you trying to find out?
Tell what variable (something you will change/vary) will help you find your answer.
State your Hypothesis - your guess about what the answer will be.
Describe how you will change the variable you selected.
Describe how you will measure your results.
Part B Present Your Project
Turn your data into knowledge... then turn your knowledge into an outstanding display! Following are some important steps to consider for presenting your prodcast of your project.
1. Graphs and Charts - put the results in graphs and charts, take digital pictures and include these in your podcast.
2. Construct an Exhibit and talke pictures of all elements of the Display Make it fun, and show that you used the Scientific Method.
3. Podcast your Report - Tell the story of your project - tell what you did and exactly how you did it. Make sure to share where you gathered background information.
IDEA #3
Solve math problems; show how you can solve a problem in two or more different ways.
IDEA #4
Create individual little podcast book reviews with the goal of encouraging other students to read the book.
IDEA #5
Explain and demonstrate the steps required for any art project.
Students would enjoy listening to podcasts of other students.
Students would enjoy CREATING podcasts especially if they were prepared aheaad of time. Kids are typicaly less intimidated than adults!
On what topics or for what units of instruction would I choose? Here are thoughts I attempted to include in my very first podcast!
IDEA #1
Children would enjoy creating a CHARACTER COUNTS Podcast to help young people understand the Six Pillars of character. A classroom of students could collaborate to create visual aids and posters related to the each of the character traits. A quick podcast each day could be shared with other classes also.
Trustworthiness
Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country
Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements
Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices
Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly
Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need
Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment
IDEA #2
When students prepare a science fair project, in addition to the board, a podcast could be saved and shared as instruction or an examples for future projects.
Part A. Talk about the Scientific Method
State the Purpose of your experiment - What are you trying to find out?
Tell what variable (something you will change/vary) will help you find your answer.
State your Hypothesis - your guess about what the answer will be.
Describe how you will change the variable you selected.
Describe how you will measure your results.
Part B Present Your Project
Turn your data into knowledge... then turn your knowledge into an outstanding display! Following are some important steps to consider for presenting your prodcast of your project.
1. Graphs and Charts - put the results in graphs and charts, take digital pictures and include these in your podcast.
2. Construct an Exhibit and talke pictures of all elements of the Display Make it fun, and show that you used the Scientific Method.
3. Podcast your Report - Tell the story of your project - tell what you did and exactly how you did it. Make sure to share where you gathered background information.
IDEA #3
Solve math problems; show how you can solve a problem in two or more different ways.
IDEA #4
Create individual little podcast book reviews with the goal of encouraging other students to read the book.
IDEA #5
Explain and demonstrate the steps required for any art project.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thing 19
Book Wink - this offers video summaries of the books Endangered Animals and Quest for the Tree Kangaroo. Students would be quite motivated to read these books simply because of the very interesting introductions.
The WillowWeb had cute radio podcasts. I think students might enjoy creating these because so much learning and interaction is involved. I listened to some quality student experiences as students learned about science.
Poems on sonibyte are nice for those who would like to suscribe to the poem of the day. I did enjoy music links and especially the sixty Second Science. I think short and quick is the key to using these in the classroom. Having them downloaded and ready to go at the appropriate time is important; a number of links were no longer available.
Somewhere along the line I stumbled across the following website. I'm always going off in another direction. This is a good find to explore later! http://www.sitesforteachers.com/index.html
SanDiego Zoofari Chats provide very informational listening. These would be excellent resources for taking notes, researching a topic, and listening for details and practicing recall of information.These do not include a video but provide a depth of knowledge and information that is fascinating.
The storynory podcasts are cute read-a-longs. They are read by adults with great enthusiasm and expression making these very appealing. Listening with a visual component would be my choice.
Before you could makey our students aware of the many high quality podcasts, it will take a lot of previewing and planning on the part of any teacher. However, if you have a trusted group of Delicious colleagues who share an interest in podcasts for specific purposes, searching time can be cut considerably.
The WillowWeb had cute radio podcasts. I think students might enjoy creating these because so much learning and interaction is involved. I listened to some quality student experiences as students learned about science.
Poems on sonibyte are nice for those who would like to suscribe to the poem of the day. I did enjoy music links and especially the sixty Second Science. I think short and quick is the key to using these in the classroom. Having them downloaded and ready to go at the appropriate time is important; a number of links were no longer available.
Somewhere along the line I stumbled across the following website. I'm always going off in another direction. This is a good find to explore later! http://www.sitesforteachers.com/index.html
SanDiego Zoofari Chats provide very informational listening. These would be excellent resources for taking notes, researching a topic, and listening for details and practicing recall of information.These do not include a video but provide a depth of knowledge and information that is fascinating.
The storynory podcasts are cute read-a-longs. They are read by adults with great enthusiasm and expression making these very appealing. Listening with a visual component would be my choice.
Before you could makey our students aware of the many high quality podcasts, it will take a lot of previewing and planning on the part of any teacher. However, if you have a trusted group of Delicious colleagues who share an interest in podcasts for specific purposes, searching time can be cut considerably.
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