January 2010 Blog Posts (153)

Screencasting with Debut’s Lite Version

Testing the free version of NCH Software’s video capture application.

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been looking into a variety of free screencasting tools available on the web.

I’m interested in finding a free application that let’s me easily capture screen activity and record audio over it, and then save the resulting file in an easy to play, stand-alone format (some tools only allow created recordings to reside on their web site – I want more flexibility… Continue

Added by Kelly Walsh on January 17, 2010 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Joy of Teaching Day 5--KIDS

So, as I wrap up this experiment to specifically notice joyful moments in my teaching day, I just have to point out that honestly, the biggest reason I love my job, as corny as it sounds, is the kids. A mentor of mine (Mrs. Martha [Marty] Patton, Bless her soul) put this love of children so eloquently in a poem. This poem was printed along side her obituary and I have had it posted in my classroom ever since. It touches my heart every time I glance at it.

I am a… Continue

Added by Michelle TeGrootenhuis on January 17, 2010 at 10:30am — No Comments

Cub reporter, 10, to report on Winter Olympics in Vancouver

By Jeff Chew

Peninsula Daily News

PORT TOWNSEND, WA -- He's Brennan LaBrie, kid reporter, a title he takes seriously -- and next week he takes it all the way to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.

At 10, LaBrie is the youngest reporter in the world known to be covering the 2010… Continue

Added by Jack Olmsted on January 17, 2010 at 4:00am — No Comments

Favorite Web 2.0Tool/Site for the Classroom

I will be presenting a workshop on Favorite Web 2.0 Tool for the classroom. If you had to choose your favorite Web 2,0 site to use in the classroom, what would it be? It could be for both students and/or educator (K-12).. I appreciate your assistance.

Added by K. L. Evans on January 16, 2010 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Uhm, Houston, we have a problem...

Houston is gonna measure teachers by their test scores -- and fire the ones that don't add up.

Interesting stuff.

I guess we always knew it would come to this, didn't we? Nobody is questioning the tests; everyone is questioning the teachers that don't deliver the test scores.…

Continue

Added by Alan Sitomer on January 16, 2010 at 6:30am — No Comments

Online Reading Games for Children

Sites for Beginning Readers

Listen to unique songs for each letter of the alphabet. http://lettertv.net/pages/songs.htm

Find songs, animation, and interactive learning when learner clicks on appropriate places on the screens. This site is packed with a lot of learning. http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/index/load.htm?f

Match baby (lowercase)… Continue

Added by Michelle Breum on January 15, 2010 at 3:15pm — No Comments

Online Stories for Children

Find eleven great stories including The Snowy Day and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? http://www.rif.org/kids/leadingtoreading/en/preschoolers/read.htm

Don't miss this site. There are a large number of books read aloud. http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/home_tumblebooks.asp

Choose a story read by an actor… Continue

Added by Michelle Breum on January 15, 2010 at 3:12pm — No Comments

Literature study and technology - finding links

I feel that I do a reasonably good job of incorporating technology into my 7th grade English class. I'm very fortunate in my access to technology. I have a Smartboard, a cart of 27 laptops that I share with 4 other teachers (who only use them sporadically), headphones with mics, 4 desktop computers, and a Flipvideo camera.My district offers outstanding support from the ed tech department - from lesson ideas to training to co-teaching opportunities.

In my class, we use the internet… Continue

Added by Jennifer Hall on January 15, 2010 at 12:30pm — 2 Comments

Will we ever again trust in the idea of non-quantifiable learning?

Here's the problem: our scores speak for our school before people know who we are or what we do.

The book is being judged by the cover. But does the cover have anything to do with gaining insight to or prognosticating about the content? For sure.

However, does it tell the whole story?

Probably not.

Does it tell an accurate story?

I am not so sure.

Does it tell a fair story?

Nope, I don't think… Continue

Added by Alan Sitomer on January 15, 2010 at 6:30am — 3 Comments

Using Wordle Effectively

I thought I'd share my most current uses of Wordle.

First - Teacher Planning: I was just assigned a student teacher. To help her comprehend the "big ideas" of our state core, we pasted the sections of the core she will teach into Wordle. When the Wordle was created, the maximum number of words was lowered to 35 from the "Layout menu." This helped her see the main ideas she should spend the most time on during her teaching time in my… Continue

Added by Glen Westbroek on January 14, 2010 at 5:54pm — 14 Comments

Joy of Teaching--Day 4 Winter Writing Projects

One summer I heard a speaker say, "Is it cute, or does it count?" Meaning, is that activity actually helping the kids LEARN something. Since then, I've cut back on the "artsy/craftsy" activities in my room. Posters, mobiles, dioramas, etc only get made IF they truly reflect actual LEARNING,

BUT,

once a year,

right after Christmas vacation… Continue

Added by Michelle TeGrootenhuis on January 14, 2010 at 3:30pm — No Comments

What's the State of Distance Learning?

Part1 of A Review of Technology and Education

This article is part I of my multi-part investigation into the extent that technology is becoming a part of the educational process. As I am building a website which is designed for students to collaborate and manage their group projects online, I thought it important to investigate the extent that people are turning to the web for learning.

I’ve never taken an… Continue

Added by Sal P on January 14, 2010 at 2:36pm — 1 Comment

art class 2

In art class today we are sitting around thinking about what we are suppose to do.

Added by kristen rose sanders on January 14, 2010 at 8:28am — No Comments

A Bubble Test for Policy Makers

How about a bubble test for politicians? I mean since they are so accurate and insightful -- and can be used to determine so much authentic insight into actual professionalism -- why not make the people who are making our students student up to the scntron have to step up to the scantron sheet themself?

I'll go easy on the -- it'll be a simple T or F bubble test.

Choose A for True and B for False.

Number 2 pencils only… Continue

Added by Alan Sitomer on January 14, 2010 at 6:30am — 2 Comments

Joy of Teaching Day 3--STORY TIME

One of the best parts of my job is story time. Yep, story time. I love reading to these kids, making up voices for the characters, forgetting the "curriculum" for fifteen minutes and simply revelling in the joy of reading. I think some of the best literature conversations in my classroom have taken place during the story time part of the day. We are getting to the end of a LONG suspensful book and when I say, "and THAT'S where we have to stop for today," I hear groans and pleads to… Continue

Added by Michelle TeGrootenhuis on January 13, 2010 at 4:35pm — 8 Comments

Are you breaking the law online? Unknowingly?

It seems like everyone is entangled in technology albeit their smart phone or sharing media (videos, music, and photos). It's easy to overlook the legality because we are unaware of any legal implications that may exist.

Here's a list of some common things that many people do online that is actually illegal:

Minors Sexting: Sexting, which is sending nude or semi-nude photos or videos of someone using a cell phone or electronic devices, has become a way to show interest or… Continue

Added by Kiwi Commons on January 13, 2010 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Informal Surveys

During a class discussion the other day the subject of alcoholism came up. I asked my 2nd period class, "How many people have, in their opinion, an alcoholic relative in their family?"

75% of the kids raised their hands.

"How many people in this room have seen a beer commercial?" (They are 9th graders, kids that are 14 for the most part.)

All hands went up.

"How many people in this room have seen over 10 beer commercials?"

75% of… Continue

Added by Alan Sitomer on January 13, 2010 at 9:43am — 2 Comments

art class

In art we are doing a school mural.

Added by kristen rose sanders on January 13, 2010 at 8:52am — No Comments

Buffy the Filter Slayer! Tonight!

"Fight the Filter" ISTE Sigms 2nd Webinar!

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 8 pm E.S.T., 7 pm C.S.T., 6 pm M.S.T., 5 pm P.S.T Presenter: Buffy Hamilton

Want to start your new year off by making a positive difference in your library program? Join ISTE SIGMS for our second FREE webinar on January 13 at 8 pm E.S.T. when Buffy Hamilton, The Unquiet Librarian, will share her ideas on "fighting the filter."

Directions to join the SIGMS… Continue

Added by gwyneth jones on January 13, 2010 at 8:12am — 1 Comment

The Free Technology Academy

The Free Technology Academy consists of an advanced virtual campus with course modules that can be followed entirely on-line. The learning materials are Open Educational Resources that can be studied freely, but learners enrolled in the FTA will be guided by professional teaching staff from the participating universities. The full master programme can be concluded at one of the universities.

The Free Technology Academy (FTA), financially supported by the Life Long Learning programme… Continue

Added by Kevin Chilton on January 13, 2010 at 3:01am — No Comments