The TechTeacher Podcast
Episode 14
May 19, 2006
Digital storytelling
How to give the students a new voice. What is digital storytelling - still images combined with a narrated voice and sometimes music. Why should teachers use digital storytelling - Engages students - reaches and motivates students and another way to reach students and gives students a voice, students can reach a larger audience, students get accustomed to using the tools of the future.
A way to express your Point of view - goal - experience personal expression, want story to involve a question which is resolved at the end of the story, emotional content - evokes an emotion from the audience, economy - powerful but short - 2-3 minutes, pacing - art of storytelling, voice and images - a way students can be heard - most essential - picture is worth a thousand words with voice, sound track - music enhances storytelling, digital storytelling can cover a variety of curriculum standards. Ideas for digital storytelling - Personal accomplishment story, historical figure, reflection journal, etc..
Digital story telling will engage the students and give students more ways to tell their story. I liked the idea of using digital storytelling and it covers many curriculum standards I included it in my lesson plan for social studies.
Cool Cat Teacher
Episode # 15
March 30, 2007
Stop Cyberbullying Day
Story of pike and elephant - Elephant has been conditioned that if the rope is on the foot than that elephant has no hope of getting free. Pike - glass blocking minnows - scientist conditioning pike not to eat minnows and then when the scientist frees the pike, the pile starved to death because the pike wouldn't eat the minnows.
10% of students affected by cyberbullying - students learning to interact with global environment is extremely important. Students need to build confidence about themselves and should not be torn down on the internet. If people blog, use a social network, blogs should be user friendly. Students need to be taught about cyberbullying and the proper etiquette of social networking. All blogs can be tracked by an IP service.
Stop cyberbullying bit by bit - Teach students how to communicate properly on the internet. Vicki suggests joining Stop cyberbullying.com site., Educate yourself and others about cyberbullying. Wesley Fryer podcast on cyberbullying. There is a video on this site and she suggests showing it to your students. Students need to learn to communicate wisely on the internet because it is a great way to communicate globally with the world and others and no one should be a victim of cyberbullying on the internet.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Moving At the Speed of Creativity
Episode #144
April 9, 2007
Free online videos for learning from Next Vista
Next Vista.org for learning - new site - video collections divided into three sections - lightbulbs - intro to different topics, global views for teenagers, seeing service - site to remind us that there are good people all around us.
Interview with Rushton Hurley, creator of Next Vista which is an online library for teachers and students and is free to help teachers and students - videos are 5 minutes or less - are readily available at the students fingertips - example - a short clip on fractions, a short clip on a specific subject - soliciting teachers that are passionate about a subject to make a short video to contribute.
U-tube is everything - Next Vista is not!! They follow 4 rules - 5 minutes or less, factually accurate, no copyright, appropriate for kids - these are submitted - They check resources before putting them on site. Do this so schools will permit this site into their schools. Free access - no log in required. He suggests making videos to help others and anyone can make a video but he checks the piece before putting it on the site. Non for profit organization.
Curriki.org free log in registration - site put together by teachers for other teachers and students. Similar site?
I really like sites put together by teachers for students and other teachers - these sites I have found very useful for school projects and lesson plans.I can't wait to check this one out!
Money Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for a Richer Life
Tips for protecting you Credit.
Episode #14, 1-16-07
How to improve your credit score?
How do you find out if you have good credit?
Information found on credit report - Amount of money you owe, how much is on your credit cards, if you pay on time, outstanding balances.
3 major credit reporting agencies - all three reports are complied into one and get a Fico scores 300 -850 , 700 and above is very good. Check with all agencies if something is not right because different companies use different agencies. - I learned something new - I didn't know there were three different agencies and that they compile all three reports for one score. I have only seen a Dun and Bradstreet report and they are interesting to look at the different information they compile about you.
Boost score by lowering credit card balances, keeping number of credit cards - 4 or less, mix of debt loans - better to have home, car, and credit card balances verses only four credit card balances.
Was advised to Check credit report before applying for a loan because sometimes information is not accurate.
Should check credit report one time a year.
The TechTeacher Podcast
April 15, 2007
Episode #160
Protect your Investment
Districts that are moving to one to one laptop to student should consider a durable case for students to carry and protect the investment.
Cases purchased to protect investment - student cases to protect the district laptops. Cases must be functional and fashionable - something the students will want to use - want students to protect the laptops - change in dimensions - something made to fit students hands and their needs. Wesley suggests The Higher Ground Shuttle - a laptop case that is rugged enough to protect the laptop, weather proof, multiple handles, can carry like backpack and can keep in case, extra padding, 5 colors, 4 sizes, and affordable. He suggests that districts should invest in good cases to protect their investment. I don't know - does District 489 buy cases for the laptops? This podcast made sense - I immediately went and checked out the case - they are cool, I would own one and I know my daughter would own one.
Episode #144
April 9, 2007
Free online videos for learning from Next Vista
Next Vista.org for learning - new site - video collections divided into three sections - lightbulbs - intro to different topics, global views for teenagers, seeing service - site to remind us that there are good people all around us.
Interview with Rushton Hurley, creator of Next Vista which is an online library for teachers and students and is free to help teachers and students - videos are 5 minutes or less - are readily available at the students fingertips - example - a short clip on fractions, a short clip on a specific subject - soliciting teachers that are passionate about a subject to make a short video to contribute.
U-tube is everything - Next Vista is not!! They follow 4 rules - 5 minutes or less, factually accurate, no copyright, appropriate for kids - these are submitted - They check resources before putting them on site. Do this so schools will permit this site into their schools. Free access - no log in required. He suggests making videos to help others and anyone can make a video but he checks the piece before putting it on the site. Non for profit organization.
Curriki.org free log in registration - site put together by teachers for other teachers and students. Similar site?
I really like sites put together by teachers for students and other teachers - these sites I have found very useful for school projects and lesson plans.I can't wait to check this one out!
Money Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for a Richer Life
Tips for protecting you Credit.
Episode #14, 1-16-07
How to improve your credit score?
How do you find out if you have good credit?
Information found on credit report - Amount of money you owe, how much is on your credit cards, if you pay on time, outstanding balances.
3 major credit reporting agencies - all three reports are complied into one and get a Fico scores 300 -850 , 700 and above is very good. Check with all agencies if something is not right because different companies use different agencies. - I learned something new - I didn't know there were three different agencies and that they compile all three reports for one score. I have only seen a Dun and Bradstreet report and they are interesting to look at the different information they compile about you.
Boost score by lowering credit card balances, keeping number of credit cards - 4 or less, mix of debt loans - better to have home, car, and credit card balances verses only four credit card balances.
Was advised to Check credit report before applying for a loan because sometimes information is not accurate.
Should check credit report one time a year.
The TechTeacher Podcast
April 15, 2007
Episode #160
Protect your Investment
Districts that are moving to one to one laptop to student should consider a durable case for students to carry and protect the investment.
Cases purchased to protect investment - student cases to protect the district laptops. Cases must be functional and fashionable - something the students will want to use - want students to protect the laptops - change in dimensions - something made to fit students hands and their needs. Wesley suggests The Higher Ground Shuttle - a laptop case that is rugged enough to protect the laptop, weather proof, multiple handles, can carry like backpack and can keep in case, extra padding, 5 colors, 4 sizes, and affordable. He suggests that districts should invest in good cases to protect their investment. I don't know - does District 489 buy cases for the laptops? This podcast made sense - I immediately went and checked out the case - they are cool, I would own one and I know my daughter would own one.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Readings for week April 16-April 20
These articles brought several good points and one several I might have to argue about. Yes, good technology and good teachers - What an awesome combination. I wish I would have been a student in school with this combination. I agree that software programs are much better and more beneficial today than even a year ago. I also really appreciate teacher sites - collaborative work of many teachers finding the best software to use for certain subjects - I have run across several of this sites lately - they are awesome. However, since when did we all become visual learners - what happened to multiple intelligence' ?????
I also think parents need to take an active role in controlling what sites kids go on and what they write on the web. I told my daughter the other day, it is O.K. to chat for a while but I get access to what you write and don't write anything you wouldn't want to be said about you. However, I still have a tough time, with the My Space thing and chat rooms. I am happy to hear someone is out there helping the young people. There is so much out there, how do you keep kids safe?????
I also think parents need to take an active role in controlling what sites kids go on and what they write on the web. I told my daughter the other day, it is O.K. to chat for a while but I get access to what you write and don't write anything you wouldn't want to be said about you. However, I still have a tough time, with the My Space thing and chat rooms. I am happy to hear someone is out there helping the young people. There is so much out there, how do you keep kids safe?????
Readings from Week April 9-13
Wow! I have mixed feelings. I think computers are a great tool and very beneficial especially with all the interactive educational sites. Example - a student can see how sin and cosine work together on a math site or how one variable will affect another variable or how one variable is dependent on another. A student can find answers and information so much quicker than the way research was done twenty years ago. A student can get help with homework instead of waiting until the next day. This is all great; however, students need to be taught how to find accurate information and how to weed through unworthy sites. Students need to use the computer for school work instead of chatting with friends and playing games. This is O.K. to a point, students will need self discipline, I guess just like anything else.
It is worrisome that teachers are not using more technology in the classrooms. This means, teachers need to change old teaching habits. However, I am struggling with dropping all textbooks for laptops. It is hard to keep all students on task and I sometimes think even harder when they have a laptop in front of them. I have seen college professors having to tell college students to close the computers. I have had teachers take points away from my teachings because not all students were on task when I have used laptops in my teachings, even if 19 out of 20 were on task. Not a good argument for not using computers, I think the kids greatly benefit from doing different activities on the computer. I don't have the answer, we are living in the 21st century. What if , people years ago said we don't need books, people can tell you the information? I personally think books should not be totally eliminated like at some schools but some could be eliminated. I also think students need to communicate verbally as well as written. I personally enjoy using a book occasionally for a change instead of staring at a computer screen.
It is worrisome that teachers are not using more technology in the classrooms. This means, teachers need to change old teaching habits. However, I am struggling with dropping all textbooks for laptops. It is hard to keep all students on task and I sometimes think even harder when they have a laptop in front of them. I have seen college professors having to tell college students to close the computers. I have had teachers take points away from my teachings because not all students were on task when I have used laptops in my teachings, even if 19 out of 20 were on task. Not a good argument for not using computers, I think the kids greatly benefit from doing different activities on the computer. I don't have the answer, we are living in the 21st century. What if , people years ago said we don't need books, people can tell you the information? I personally think books should not be totally eliminated like at some schools but some could be eliminated. I also think students need to communicate verbally as well as written. I personally enjoy using a book occasionally for a change instead of staring at a computer screen.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Readings for Week of April 2nd - 6th
Billions of dollars are being spent each year to prepare students and schools for technology demands and challenges. However, with all the advances, evidence suggests that schools are a long way from leveraging technology's potential. There are also large gaps between the advantaged and disadvantaged students in schools that have access to computers at home. Also with NCLB, many schools are using technology for testing purposes and drill practice and advocates for technology believe that a main focus should be put on helping students sift through all the data on the web and make sense of the noteworthy information. Advocates for technology want students tested for technology standards along with the math, language arts, science, and history advocates. However, from state assessments, how can anyone judge if the teachers are doing their job or if the students have the knowledge to succeed? State assessments can only infer that a student has mastered the tested knowledge - What about everything the student has mastered that is not being tested?
The report showed that in 2007 Kansas faired quit well against other states. Kansas endorses technology standards for students, teachers, and administrators. Kansas ratio of computers to students is less than the national average. Kansas averages about 2.5 instructional computers per student as opposed to the national average of 3 to 4. Kansas state technology report card showed that Kansas received an A- for access to technology, a B- for use of technology, a C for the capacity to use technology and an overall grade of B-. The average state score was a C+.
I agree that technology is not being utilized to its fullest advantage. Schools have come a long way over the last 10 years. Many students are taking virtual courses due to scheduling and work. This is good, but I don't believe virtual college is for everyone. Virtual courses are also promising for those students needing more challenging work. Podcasts, i-movies, etc... are all great ways for students to learn. There is so much available to a person anymore.
What about laptops replacing textbooks in Louisiana district? This document had a server error. However, many articles have been written on laptops replacing computers and there are many advocates for laptops replacing textbooks. Look at the college books that are offered on line at a lower price. Personally, I still like books, but I also like computers. I like to switch back and forth. I personally do not want to go strictly to laptops, maybe this is age? Like anything else, some people draw better, some people are great writers, some people need to be spoken to, some people are visual learners. I started thinking about this and it hit me, we have access to all of this on our laptops, educators and students just need to learn how to utilize it all. If books and schooling go strictly online I would be O.K. with this especially if classes had visual podcasts and teacher notes on the screen.
The report showed that in 2007 Kansas faired quit well against other states. Kansas endorses technology standards for students, teachers, and administrators. Kansas ratio of computers to students is less than the national average. Kansas averages about 2.5 instructional computers per student as opposed to the national average of 3 to 4. Kansas state technology report card showed that Kansas received an A- for access to technology, a B- for use of technology, a C for the capacity to use technology and an overall grade of B-. The average state score was a C+.
I agree that technology is not being utilized to its fullest advantage. Schools have come a long way over the last 10 years. Many students are taking virtual courses due to scheduling and work. This is good, but I don't believe virtual college is for everyone. Virtual courses are also promising for those students needing more challenging work. Podcasts, i-movies, etc... are all great ways for students to learn. There is so much available to a person anymore.
What about laptops replacing textbooks in Louisiana district? This document had a server error. However, many articles have been written on laptops replacing computers and there are many advocates for laptops replacing textbooks. Look at the college books that are offered on line at a lower price. Personally, I still like books, but I also like computers. I like to switch back and forth. I personally do not want to go strictly to laptops, maybe this is age? Like anything else, some people draw better, some people are great writers, some people need to be spoken to, some people are visual learners. I started thinking about this and it hit me, we have access to all of this on our laptops, educators and students just need to learn how to utilize it all. If books and schooling go strictly online I would be O.K. with this especially if classes had visual podcasts and teacher notes on the screen.
Podcasts for Week of April 2nd - 6th
Tech Chick Tips
Episode #22.5 Tech Chick Tips
March 30, 2007
The two women referenced Dan Schmidt's site - Kidcast awards - go to site Techchicktips.net - deadline for entering podcast on Dan's site is April 30th can go to intelligenic.com
Episode #20 Tech Chick Tips
February 27, 2007
Links for learning. ThinkQuest. org is a site for students from age 9 to 19 - collaborative educational site for kids - a place to post their projects.
Litesum-created by a 9th grader- searches wikipedia- does a search
Tuxpaint.org - drawing program for drawing for ages 3 to 12 - replacement for kids pix - free offer - basic brushes and stamps, etc... very easy, open source
Word.sc social dictionary - look up a word and put it right in the URL, program will pronounce the word for you and get a picture, site the word for you in the correct format -MLA, APA
They support extending your learning through collaboration. Post, blog, and share - how learning grows.
Kidcast
March 27, 2007
Episode 40
Time for Kidcast awards - two categories - Students - documentary(research findings, uncovering a concept), talk show (current events, teaching people through discussion, variety shows), drama (radio plays that teach, poetry) sound scene tour, where in the world?, Best in Show - recognizes the student podcast which exemplifies good podcast qualities (production quality, creativity, amount of learning obtained).
Second category is the teacher category for professional development or instructional materials.
Aiming contest at K -12 teachers and students, limitations - one podcast per category for each class. Can be enhanced podcast, video podcast, or regular podcast. Deadline is April 30th.
Dan would like to see many entries and intends to share these with listeners. Working on getting prizes for the winners. I thought this was a great idea and a way to get listeners to keep listening and a great way to promote podcasting. I personally can't wait till I get a chance to hear some of them.
Ewart Productions
Episode # 1
December 5, 2006
Wow!!!!!! Art historian, Christopher L.C.E. Witcombe gives a fact filled entertaining coverage of Leonardo da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper. This was a video podcast that was very well produced and informative of this art work. Witcombe did a great job! I learned that in this picture - 12 people couldn't possibly sit around this table but how he grouped the people into four clusters, one doesn't give a second thought to this small detail. It was better to group the people in clusters versus seating them in one straight line. I also got some great ideas for future podcasts, movies, or photos.
Episode #22.5 Tech Chick Tips
March 30, 2007
The two women referenced Dan Schmidt's site - Kidcast awards - go to site Techchicktips.net - deadline for entering podcast on Dan's site is April 30th can go to intelligenic.com
Episode #20 Tech Chick Tips
February 27, 2007
Links for learning. ThinkQuest. org is a site for students from age 9 to 19 - collaborative educational site for kids - a place to post their projects.
Litesum-created by a 9th grader- searches wikipedia- does a search
Tuxpaint.org - drawing program for drawing for ages 3 to 12 - replacement for kids pix - free offer - basic brushes and stamps, etc... very easy, open source
Word.sc social dictionary - look up a word and put it right in the URL, program will pronounce the word for you and get a picture, site the word for you in the correct format -MLA, APA
They support extending your learning through collaboration. Post, blog, and share - how learning grows.
Kidcast
March 27, 2007
Episode 40
Time for Kidcast awards - two categories - Students - documentary(research findings, uncovering a concept), talk show (current events, teaching people through discussion, variety shows), drama (radio plays that teach, poetry) sound scene tour, where in the world?, Best in Show - recognizes the student podcast which exemplifies good podcast qualities (production quality, creativity, amount of learning obtained).
Second category is the teacher category for professional development or instructional materials.
Aiming contest at K -12 teachers and students, limitations - one podcast per category for each class. Can be enhanced podcast, video podcast, or regular podcast. Deadline is April 30th.
Dan would like to see many entries and intends to share these with listeners. Working on getting prizes for the winners. I thought this was a great idea and a way to get listeners to keep listening and a great way to promote podcasting. I personally can't wait till I get a chance to hear some of them.
Ewart Productions
Episode # 1
December 5, 2006
Wow!!!!!! Art historian, Christopher L.C.E. Witcombe gives a fact filled entertaining coverage of Leonardo da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper. This was a video podcast that was very well produced and informative of this art work. Witcombe did a great job! I learned that in this picture - 12 people couldn't possibly sit around this table but how he grouped the people into four clusters, one doesn't give a second thought to this small detail. It was better to group the people in clusters versus seating them in one straight line. I also got some great ideas for future podcasts, movies, or photos.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Articles read for March 11, 2007
$250 Million proposed to lure teachers to New Orleans schools. Relocation bonuses offered, $500 housing subsidies and incentives to lure educators and principals to New Orleans. This area is in dire need of educators, they are even offering to forgive school loans for returning instructors. I personally think this is a great idea for some people and young new teachers.
The other article U.S. born don't learn the language easily stated that kids are still having trouble with English as a second language even after seven years. Hispanic students have the highest drop out rate and 1 out of 10 Hispanic students make up 70% of ESL learners. I think it would be extremely tough to learn a second language if only your 1st language was used at home and you received no support from your family. It was noted that Hispanic parents need to help and make schooling a priority like Asian parents. I liked the comment "Cultural differences should not be allowed to become a justification for inaction."
Podcast postings for March 27-29
Kidcast with Dan Schmidt
Episode # 39 Photo Story and Jodix
March 23, 2007
Microsoft has a product called "photo story" which is a free download to help a person create exciting video stories by adding panning and zooming effects to a persons pictures, and allows a person to add titles and background music to a story. This product is similar to i-movie for Mac users. Jodix is a converter for Windows that converts videos to podcasts. I liked how Dan shares items for both PC and Mac users. His non bias toward platforms increases his listener base.
Kidcast with Dan Schmidt
Episode #26 Sound seeing tours
May 24, 2006
I liked this episode because it gave several good examples of a sound seeing tour. I liked the sound effects that were left in the background when the people were talking about where they were. One episode was in a cave and you could hear the creeping sounds and echoes. Another episode was at the New York City library - on the front steps you could hear all the car noise and hustle and bustle of the City. He talked about how to produce such a podcast. He stressed 1. effective planning, selecting a good location with a good story, 2. Sequence matters and who is going to say what and when. Ask yourself - What do you want the listener to learn and know.
Sound seeing tours make it interesting and exciting for someone else listening. This type of podcast reminded me of a good book on CD - something that will hold your interest for hours and make driving for long hours go by quickly.
The Tech Teacher
Love Your Laptop
March 21, 2007
I really liked this episode, I learned some good basics of how to care for a laptop. Brad Niessen gave some basic care tips - Don't use Windex on a screen. Overcharging a battery can shorten the life of a battery. Don't transport a laptop that is on. Never carry a laptop in your backpack and protect it with a good case. Clean out the computer every so often. He suggests once a year to defragment your hard drive. Scan for Spyware and protect against viruses. Be careful with food and drink and extreme temperatures. Most of this information I had heard before but it was a good refresher course. I always enjoy listening to his podcasts.
The other article U.S. born don't learn the language easily stated that kids are still having trouble with English as a second language even after seven years. Hispanic students have the highest drop out rate and 1 out of 10 Hispanic students make up 70% of ESL learners. I think it would be extremely tough to learn a second language if only your 1st language was used at home and you received no support from your family. It was noted that Hispanic parents need to help and make schooling a priority like Asian parents. I liked the comment "Cultural differences should not be allowed to become a justification for inaction."
Podcast postings for March 27-29
Kidcast with Dan Schmidt
Episode # 39 Photo Story and Jodix
March 23, 2007
Microsoft has a product called "photo story" which is a free download to help a person create exciting video stories by adding panning and zooming effects to a persons pictures, and allows a person to add titles and background music to a story. This product is similar to i-movie for Mac users. Jodix is a converter for Windows that converts videos to podcasts. I liked how Dan shares items for both PC and Mac users. His non bias toward platforms increases his listener base.
Kidcast with Dan Schmidt
Episode #26 Sound seeing tours
May 24, 2006
I liked this episode because it gave several good examples of a sound seeing tour. I liked the sound effects that were left in the background when the people were talking about where they were. One episode was in a cave and you could hear the creeping sounds and echoes. Another episode was at the New York City library - on the front steps you could hear all the car noise and hustle and bustle of the City. He talked about how to produce such a podcast. He stressed 1. effective planning, selecting a good location with a good story, 2. Sequence matters and who is going to say what and when. Ask yourself - What do you want the listener to learn and know.
Sound seeing tours make it interesting and exciting for someone else listening. This type of podcast reminded me of a good book on CD - something that will hold your interest for hours and make driving for long hours go by quickly.
The Tech Teacher
Love Your Laptop
March 21, 2007
I really liked this episode, I learned some good basics of how to care for a laptop. Brad Niessen gave some basic care tips - Don't use Windex on a screen. Overcharging a battery can shorten the life of a battery. Don't transport a laptop that is on. Never carry a laptop in your backpack and protect it with a good case. Clean out the computer every so often. He suggests once a year to defragment your hard drive. Scan for Spyware and protect against viruses. Be careful with food and drink and extreme temperatures. Most of this information I had heard before but it was a good refresher course. I always enjoy listening to his podcasts.
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