What do you suggest

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Permalink Reply by Tina Bulleigh on May 8, 2007 at 1:14pm

Take one application that you feel the most comfortable with (PowerPoint or Podcasting), then brainstrom on how you could use it to hit a standard or concept that you are working on in your classroom. I like to think of a higher order thinking skill that I would like them to demonstrate using the technology. Keep the focus on what you are learning, and use the technology (that he or she is most comfortable with) to demostrate the learning. Once you have that mastered, try something different . . .i movie or what not on another standard. Your experience level will grow over time and enjoy watching the engaged learning!

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Permalink Reply by Jan Wee on May 8, 2007 at 6:42pm

If he is open to exploring... this is fun and engaging... and there are so many great free (or at least many should be available) tools and resources to use.

Does he have digital images of his family vacation? Does he have a story he has always wanted to share with family or others? Field trip images of his students? A favorite set of memories captured that relate to his subject matter? Images are powerful visual tools in our classrooms. (Lynell Burmark's book, Harnessing the Power of Visual Literacy) hits home when I think about just how powerful.)

I would have him sketch out a very simple story with a message (I love my family.. this is why I love teaching and sharing XYZ subject...) - take those images, edit them in a free tool like Picasa (which I love as I can do batch edits and export to the proper sized resolution in a quick and easy step) and create a very, very simple digital story of no more than 10 images, a title slide and some basic, basic context slides, etc., a simple music file (download Storytelling is powerful. Use PhotoStory (MS free tool for XP) or something very basic -- even PowerPoint ...if a Mac platform etc. The tool itself doesn't really matter as long as it is easy and has some familiarity. What is powerful is sharing a part of your life, your passion, and seeing it digitally and how this can impact others. Next step... what classroom stories can he tell? What curricular stories does he want to share? There is a huge leap to make to become well versed proficient digital storyteller but if he takes it one step at a time the payoff is huge.

There are wonderful experts to help him out (see my links if he needs help)-- easily found by "googling" digital storytelling. A new world will open before his eyes and his students!

Jan

Attachments:

• jans_digital_storytelling_links.doc, 140 KB

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Permalink Reply by Skip Zilla on May 9, 2007 at 5:22am

Jan,
What's interesting is how the result of engaging in learning to use a few digital tools integrally in a personal project may spark a new disposition in general toward exploring other interesting engagements with the world. Dr. Jane Goodall gave a presentation four years ago at an annual TED conference, which indicated how new digital tools were revolutionizing the research she could do. She indicated, too, how she encountered a village of indigenous folks very remotely located where a chieftan was using a laptop in very ingenious ways to find useful health information and intriguing news about other peoples. Of course, she began by saying "hello" in Chimpanzeeze to the audience!
Skip

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Permalink Reply by Jan Wee on May 10, 2007 at 5:54pm

Skip - what an inspirational presentation Dr. Goodall gave! Thanks for sharing this! She that really drives home appreciation for technology as a tool to help us interpret and further the world (GIS, laptop, etc. used in the jungle for data tracking, mapping chimpanzee habitats, etc. ).

I find that personal use of technology resources and tools often lead to amazing growth in classroom integration. If we find value for ourselves, within our day-to-day needs... we can more easily "see/vision" new strategies that engage using those same tools.

Thanks for sharing the link to Dr. Goodall's presentation - that is a winner and I am going to hang on to for use in the near future!
Jan

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Permalink Reply by William Bishop on May 8, 2007 at 8:09pm

I would suggest directing him to a wiki that covers most of the classroom2.0 technologies. The 21st century learing project provides a wealth of information. Check it out http://abpc.wikispaces.com

Regards,

William Bishop (Bill)

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Permalink Reply by Skip Zilla on May 9, 2007 at 4:38am

Bill,
Great use of a wiki as a tool for learning!
Skip

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Permalink Reply by William Bishop on May 8, 2007 at 8:12pm

I would suggest directing him to a wiki that covers classroom2.0 concepts like the 21st Century Learning Wiki at ABPC. Check it out! http://abpc.wikispaces.com

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Permalink Reply by Jim Burke on May 9, 2007 at 6:02am

From my perspective, Bud Hunt spoke of the best approach: What is it that he wants to get done? How can these tools help him in his classroom and personally? Remember, he is a beginner. Although Blogs, wikis, RSS feeds, web 2.0 are powerful ways of gaining information, I suspect they would be a bit overwhelming to a beginner. Too much information is as problematic as too little information. Start where he is and make simple connections that relate to his own experience and skills.

jim

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn Foote on May 11, 2007 at 4:57am

I mentioned this on your blog as well, but after reading the discussions here, I still lean towards Classroom 2.0 or a blog as a way to get him started.

He has a lot of experience as a teacher, and so a lot in his toolbox already. As he writes about what he knows, and sees what others share, I think that will self-direct him towards what he wants to learn and do.

Here in classroom 2.0 he'd find support and ideas. On a blog of his own, he could reflect on his learning(and he has a great model!)

Pulling some blogs into a feed is also a good idea, but I think we begin to learn the most and reflect the most on what we want to accomplish when we begin writing about it.

I also really like the model at Charlotte Mecklenberg Library--they have a Learning 2.0 self-training module that runs over 8-10 weeks. Each week you try out a different tool which they guide you through. Knowing what is possible and as an experienced teacher, seeing the classroom possibilities, is a great way to build enthusiasm and skills.

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