Friday, August 24, 2012

Quote of the Week: We Don't Blame the Exercise Books

Quote of the week (by José Picardo in England):

"Whenever students achieve poorly in their exercise books, we don't blame the exercise books and decide to stop using them. Instead we tackle whatever problems led to such poor achievement in the first place and even apply sanctions if deemed necessary. The same principles should apply to using tools such as Glogster. The internet is not an excuse for poor teaching."

… "However, students must be taught how to write good comments – years of schools' refusal to engage with pupils using social media has meant that they have not learnt how to interact appropriately online. I believe it's our job to teach them… And we always model the comments, that is to say, we show them what good and bad comments look like so that they know within which parameters to operate. Dedicating some time to teaching students to write good, meaningful comments is essential if we are to establish purposeful learning conversations.


Thursday, August 23, 2012

iPad Users: Make your own stylus!



Feeling creative? Don't want to pay $5-20 for a stylus for your iPad or other tablet device? Then make your own! Plus, this is a great science lesson in conductivity and/or static electricity! 
Here's how from MakeUseOf...


Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Learning 2.0 Conference


Dozens of live sessions throughout the day and night! Copy/paste the webinar links (elluminate links) to get started with Blackboard Collaborate system (and "allow" to make it work/run)!
Here are some samples:
  • Mark Prensky Keynote – Tuesday, Aug 21 at 2pm (EST) Blackboard Collaborate Room Link:  https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2008350&password=M.75C564BB770781307E52B8717458D2 


  • Group Projects with Google Docs – Tues, Aug 21 at 9pm (EST) - BLACKBOARD COLLABORATE LINK (copy and paste into your browser URL/address bar): https://sas.elluminate.com/d.jnlp?sid=2008350&password=L20Part22

  •  
  • If You Blog It They Will Come – Tues, Aug 21 at 10pm (EST) BLACKBOARD COLLABORATE LINK (copy and paste into your browser URL/address bar): https://sas.elluminate.com/d.j nlp?sid=2008350&password=L20Part25 
  • Heidi Hayes Jacobs – Author of Curriculum 21 – Wed, Aug 22, 9am (EST) Blackboard Collaborate Room Link:  https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2008350&password=M.3D9D66CBDE3E13A6FE278B19DF73F7 
  • Getting Started with Digital Book Groups – Wed, Aug 22, 2pm (EST) BLACKBOARD COLLABORATE LINK (copy and paste into your browser URL/address bar): https://sas.elluminate.com/d.jnlp?sid=2008350&password=L20Part3

  • AND LOTS MORE…Find your own PD here:

    Ohio area… Schedule/times:



    Monday, August 20, 2012

    Welcome Back! 2012-13

    Mid-August and we're back! Happy start to the 2012-13 school year everyone! Keep this blog in mind for a dose of ed-tech and teaching tidbits, tools, and tips for 21st century (future-focused) teachers. If you have things to share, either email me or leave a comment below the corresponding or related post.