I liked how the teacher incorporated rap music into history class - clever. Students actually read more and are more attentive to what they are reading because they want to be able to find good words to add to their songs. I will have to remember this because I can rap, I can't sing and it is fun. I have made and used a rap song for one of my teachings and I also like the idea of having the students composing their own rap.
Can video games help kids - I personally think games help students with knowledge skills and eye hand coordination - I think this is another reason kids are so quick on the computer today. Many games and sites are challenging and educationally. Others must think so also if they investing that kind of money for video games. A popular site right now for elementary and middle level students is Webkinz. It is an educational site that gives you points to so you can build and feed your animal. Also, it lets you interact with your friends if they are logged in at the same time. You can invite their pet over to see your virtual house and you can go to their virtual house.
I think putting presidential candidates on My Space is a good idea. This makes this information easy and readily accessible for many people wanting to familiarize themselves with the candidates. How convenient.
Real world problem solving and technology integration in schools. I agree that students need access to technology to use technology, but I also agree that students should not have free rein. It would be nice to see science in context but time and other factors considered this is not always possible, why not simulations, biomes, guest speakers, United Streaming, local museums, state attractions, etc... One other thought, students should be able to use their cell phone in an emergency or at lunch, but during class hours, I have to agree, no phones.
Enhancing education through technology. Wow! This is so true. How exciting school is it when students use technology to learn new things. Kids enjoy playing on the computer and searching for information, if only more teachers could understand the power of technology. I am amazed at how little technology actually is integrated into lessons. I agree, the more a person uses technology, the more capable and comfortable a person becomes with the new technology. However, when teachers are so busy, they need to find time to learn some new technology. Just like business people, dentists, doctors, any profession, a person must keep learning and challenging themselves to stay up on the latest to be the best in their profession. No one said it would be easy, but it is very rewarding, the more you learn about technology and how to really use it to your advantage.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Podcasts for week of March 6-13
Episode Title: Kidcast: Texas notes, Crowdabout
Episode: # 38
Date: 2-26-2007
I liked Dan Schmidt's new opening - he had high school students from Texas introduce him. He talked about podcasting and professional development and gave a few examples of how different content teachers were integrating podcasts into their classrooms and making them available for others to use.
I learned that he is writing his third book - "Strategies, Ideas, and Activities" - which is a book for implementing podcasting into the classroom. He noted how books are good and a good foundation but some of the information in the books is forever changing and being updated. I also never made the connection between him and Garage Band Mechanics until this episode.
Another interesting idea he had was for educators to enlist the talents of local radio personalities to talk to their students. This would give the students a chance to see how these people developed their radio personalities and might help the students develop their own personalities for their podcasts. By inviting people like radio broadcasters, public speakers,etc.. speak to school kids - this is just another way to help students become more effective communicators and speakers.
He often mentions - ali.apple.com for a site to check out. Also, Dan mentioned crowdabout.us - a site to check for integrating audio and visual comments to your podcasts.
Episode Title: The TechTeascher
Episode: # 24
Date: 10-09-2006
Integrating MP3 Players into the classroom - These devices are easier to use when editing content, storing, and sharing versus traditional tape recorders. There are many uses for these devices. I liked the idea - give kids the latest tech devices and learning turns into fun.
Kids find learning engaging and memorable when using MP3's. Use these devices to record fluency and reading ability of students. Allow the students to take home devices and a book and practice reading. Record notes for students who are sick. Students could record their thoughts and then type up their paper later worrying about grammar, etc... Teachers could record strategies and activities for take home work. He had numerous ideas and uses for integrating MP3 players into the classroom. These and other ideas can be found on his website niessen@cox.net
Episode Title: Teaching with Technology
Episode: # 1 - Educational technology
Date: 10-04-2006
Tina Coffey turned her school newsletter into a Blog because many people, especially teachers multi-task. So she suggested listening while completing some other project. My thought - I have always enjoyed listening to talk shows - people calling in to hosts - two way communication while driving or listening to books on CD - very comparable to podcasts. We also use blogs in numerous classes and it is nice to read other students comments about the same material, because others often point out things you might have missed or look at somethings differently.
Tina made a podcast informing the teachers at her school about the blog site. Tina's Blog letter - a new type of news letter. It is a Blog to keep people informed versus sending out a newsletter. Blogging - a two way form of communication. She talked about how a person could respond to anything written on the blog and other people could possibly benefit from other's comments. She gave several Ideas - Be honest, don't use kids names, visit any time, stay with topic at hand.
She also suggested in her blog letter to make a computer lab seating chart for your class - by assigning computers to students to use from here on out, students learn to take ownership of their work area.
Technology is content versus technology - Teachers when asking for tech help should ask how can I integrate technology into my classroom, instead of will you teach power point, or this program. Example - I'm teaching a lesson on Famous figures, How can I integrate technology into this lesson?
Episode: # 38
Date: 2-26-2007
I liked Dan Schmidt's new opening - he had high school students from Texas introduce him. He talked about podcasting and professional development and gave a few examples of how different content teachers were integrating podcasts into their classrooms and making them available for others to use.
I learned that he is writing his third book - "Strategies, Ideas, and Activities" - which is a book for implementing podcasting into the classroom. He noted how books are good and a good foundation but some of the information in the books is forever changing and being updated. I also never made the connection between him and Garage Band Mechanics until this episode.
Another interesting idea he had was for educators to enlist the talents of local radio personalities to talk to their students. This would give the students a chance to see how these people developed their radio personalities and might help the students develop their own personalities for their podcasts. By inviting people like radio broadcasters, public speakers,etc.. speak to school kids - this is just another way to help students become more effective communicators and speakers.
He often mentions - ali.apple.com for a site to check out. Also, Dan mentioned crowdabout.us - a site to check for integrating audio and visual comments to your podcasts.
Episode Title: The TechTeascher
Episode: # 24
Date: 10-09-2006
Integrating MP3 Players into the classroom - These devices are easier to use when editing content, storing, and sharing versus traditional tape recorders. There are many uses for these devices. I liked the idea - give kids the latest tech devices and learning turns into fun.
Kids find learning engaging and memorable when using MP3's. Use these devices to record fluency and reading ability of students. Allow the students to take home devices and a book and practice reading. Record notes for students who are sick. Students could record their thoughts and then type up their paper later worrying about grammar, etc... Teachers could record strategies and activities for take home work. He had numerous ideas and uses for integrating MP3 players into the classroom. These and other ideas can be found on his website niessen@cox.net
Episode Title: Teaching with Technology
Episode: # 1 - Educational technology
Date: 10-04-2006
Tina Coffey turned her school newsletter into a Blog because many people, especially teachers multi-task. So she suggested listening while completing some other project. My thought - I have always enjoyed listening to talk shows - people calling in to hosts - two way communication while driving or listening to books on CD - very comparable to podcasts. We also use blogs in numerous classes and it is nice to read other students comments about the same material, because others often point out things you might have missed or look at somethings differently.
Tina made a podcast informing the teachers at her school about the blog site. Tina's Blog letter - a new type of news letter. It is a Blog to keep people informed versus sending out a newsletter. Blogging - a two way form of communication. She talked about how a person could respond to anything written on the blog and other people could possibly benefit from other's comments. She gave several Ideas - Be honest, don't use kids names, visit any time, stay with topic at hand.
She also suggested in her blog letter to make a computer lab seating chart for your class - by assigning computers to students to use from here on out, students learn to take ownership of their work area.
Technology is content versus technology - Teachers when asking for tech help should ask how can I integrate technology into my classroom, instead of will you teach power point, or this program. Example - I'm teaching a lesson on Famous figures, How can I integrate technology into this lesson?
Ted Talks Sir Ken Robinson
Out of Our Minds: Learning to be creative
What a question, What will our world look like in 2065? I never really thought about it. I wake up in the morning and am constantly on the move and I personally don't take the time to stop and ponder. Now, that I think about how things have changed since I have been in grade school, WOW! I liked his point about valuing the creativity in people and educating the whole child. We have a tendency to educate only the mind and only on one side.
I distinctly remembering wanting to go into the arts, and my mother refused. What will you do with a graphic design degree? That was 25 years ago.
Keeping creativity alive, it is o-kay to be wrong. Mistakes are what make great things. Kids aren't afraid to make mistakes. I liked his thought - you will never come up with anything great if you are not prepared to wrong or afraid to be wrong. Creativity - looking at things differently.
What a question, What will our world look like in 2065? I never really thought about it. I wake up in the morning and am constantly on the move and I personally don't take the time to stop and ponder. Now, that I think about how things have changed since I have been in grade school, WOW! I liked his point about valuing the creativity in people and educating the whole child. We have a tendency to educate only the mind and only on one side.
I distinctly remembering wanting to go into the arts, and my mother refused. What will you do with a graphic design degree? That was 25 years ago.
Keeping creativity alive, it is o-kay to be wrong. Mistakes are what make great things. Kids aren't afraid to make mistakes. I liked his thought - you will never come up with anything great if you are not prepared to wrong or afraid to be wrong. Creativity - looking at things differently.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Podcasts for the week of February 20-27
Moving at the Speed of Creativity
Episode Title: Ideas for International Study Students Adopting Interactive Podcasting
Episode #: 127
Date: 2-08-07
Interviews with two teachers share how they can use interactive technology at the TCEA conference. Colleges that participate in international studies could use a classroom on their campus to communicate with their fellow classmates back home. She wants to see AT&T take an active role in helping students achieve this.
Stef Paramoure interviewed Wesley Fryer. He talked how excited and motivated kids are about using what is out there and recreating what is out there it to make it their own. Kids are synthesizing ideas and thinking outside the box. He said it is important to formulate ideas for inspiring students to be creative, productive, and constructive. Question came up - What about the administrators that think this is dangerous - He stated that the best advocates are the students themselves - empowering students and letting them be the resources to help others see what is possible and show these adults what can be accomplished. Wesley spoke highly about digital storytelling - kids creating and showing the results of their work.
Episode Title: WoW What’s on the Web
Episode: # 22
Date: 8-30-2006
Free software for the classroom. www.freeserifsotware
Page plus SE - publishing program - similar to desktop publishing - making flyers and forms, etc..
Photo plus 6.0 - similar to photo shop elements
Web plus 6.0
Draw plus 4.0 - graphic drawings with a wizard
3 D plus - animation capabilities
Required to register and then they will send you a code.
KidCast
Episode Title: Learning and Teaching with Podcasting
Episode # 2
Date: 10-06-05
Check out - The Speaking of History - perspective of a social studies teacher. Science at NASA - scientific exploration.
This was Dan Schmidt’s 2nd podcast and I found it very informative. I wanted to see if his podcasts have changed any over the year and a half since he started; however, they are relatively the same.
Friday, February 16, 2007
i movie thought
I know I mentioned families around the world - still a thought. How about places in the United States - geographical interesting places and features - alligators in Florida, Mona Loa Volcano in Hawaii and the lava flow that closed the road several years ago, The road to Hana - seven water falls on Maui, Sitka, Alaska - salmon and halibut fishing in the Pacific, The four corners - the one place that you can be in four states at one time, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde,etc.... The Big Picture of unique features in different parts of our country.
The podcast, do something with a book.
The podcast, do something with a book.
Tecs 390 Podcasts
Moving at the Speed of Creativity
Episode Title: Ideas for Reinventing Education As School 2.0
Episode #: 123
Date: 2-07-07
Wesley Fryer talks about how schools need to add more projects to the curriculum, more hands on activities, digital story telling, etc… and get away form the written test assessment. What do kids really retain if they read form a book, take notes, then answer multiple choice questions? These same students should be asked these questions three months later. Do you think they really retain all that information? How much do they retain? The assessment should be given three months later. He feels that if students do more projects, apprenticeships with people that are passionate about their work or a subject, that the students will retain so much more for longer. I also liked his thought on people that have a hard time accepting change - have stopped learning? He thanked everyone at his conference in
The Tech Teacher Podcast
Episode Title: A safety Net for your School
Episode: # 32
Date: 2-04-07
This episode made me very thankful for Odus and Jack at the helpdesk over the last year and half. They helped me with technical problems in several different classrooms on campus. Also, how much we rely on technology as teachers is tremendous. Classes are so much more fun and interesting when you can pull real examples into the classroom, show buildings, and places, check out different companies, etc… Brad Niessen was promoting a web-based help desk application for managing the IT workload. There is an annual fee but allows unlimited users in a district or hospital or business to use the support. He suggested this program for colleges, business, and hospitals who do not have an in-house tech support. He also noted how much we rely on technology today and how the best plans can fall apart when there is a hiccup in the software or a mysterious crash.
RobinR@Review.com
The
Bene
Episode: # 2, # 4
Date: 1-22-07
I wanted to listen to something totally different, so I did. I chose this sight for the fun and I really liked it. The vocabulary word today started with Bene - Benny is a good boy, he has a good name and he is unusually, he spells his name differently, Bene. Benny is never mean or cruel, and the song continues singing about words that start with bene and mentioning things that Bene does as the words definitions. Benefactor, Beneficiaries, and Benediction. It was Clever and upbeat - great sight for increasing vocabulary. This is sort of what I thought about for a podcast before I ever heard this one. After listening to several of these short vocab lessons - I noticed that each contains a short moral - and some contain more vocab words than others - often times I listen to them several times to catch the words I missed the first time. Abstemious verses gluttonous, Industrious verses lethargic, etc…
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