An interesting view on what's happening to us... kids AND adults (we are also guilty!)
Showing posts with label Students. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Students. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Monday, September 17, 2012
Too Busy for Online Courses?
Life is too short for... (learning things you may not be in the mood for)
Something to consider as more schools (K-12 through university
and graduate school) offer online courses. If anyone gets a quote,
please leave the amount/description below in comments.
Too bad ALL of our students can't say this... "Give us a deadline and we will meet it!"
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, September 22, 2011
STUDENTS TODAY: Campaigning 2.0
“I just wanted to share with you my daughter's 21st century campaign for student government. She is running for vice-president of her university's student government. On "free wings" night at the local Buffalo Wild Wings, she handed out her campaign flier to students waiting in line for their free wings. On her flier she included her picture, what she was running for, and..... a QR code that takes you directly to her campaign Facebook page! She said many students scanned the code on their smartphones while waiting in line! So much for campaign buttons and making posters!”
Maybe the QR campaign t-shirt is next?!?!?! (see sample image above!)
UPDATE: By the way... she won!Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thinking Thursday: Open Letter to Educators
From Dan Brown:
I dropped out of school (college) because my schooling was interfering with my education!
Watch his ~6 min. video HERE to see what he is talking about!
Questions to THINK about...
- Do your students share a similar perspective on their education?
- What do you think about his "letter" -- a video version? Can your students do a similar project -- perhaps write a letter FIRST then do a video "letter"?
- What else do educators (we) need to do to better prepare these students for their future?
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
WONDER Wednesday: Learn to Be (Live Online Tutoring)
Ever wonder how to help students when they are not in school?
Free online tutoring for K-8 students in math, science, and language arts. Try it out and leave a comment below to tell about your experience.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Video: Can You Be Their Teacher???
In preparation for the 1st day... An “oldie, but goodie” (from WAY back in Fall 2009) that should be seen by ALL teachers. It’s always a good idea to reflect upon and make sure we are the teacher that our students need. If you’re not, make efforts to become that teacher...
Watch this 2 min. video first, then re-read the text/transcript below from the video.
You can't be my teacher...
By Darren Cannell
From Cannell’s YouTube page:
If you don't know the internet you can't be my teacher, I need someone who knows what I know. Meet me on the web, at least half way. Teachers today need to be literate to relate to digital natives.
Text from the video:
Are you going to teach me in a school?
Are you going to make me sit in a desk all day?
Is this what you are going to use to teach me with?
Is this what you are going to use to teach me with? (echo)
Do you know how to use a computer?
Do you know how to use a computer? (echo)
Are you a teacher?
Are you my teacher?
Are you going to teach me using the internet?
Are you going to teach me how to be safe on the internet?
Do you know what goes on on the internet?
Are you sure you are my teacher?
Are you sure you are my teacher? (echo)
Are you going to learn how to use the technology?
I am a digital native.
Do computers scare you?
Are you afraid to use them?
Have you been on facebook?
Have you been on twitter?
Have you been surfing?
Do you even know what is on the internet?
Are you going to be my teacher?
Or just that textbook?
Because I want to know...
what the world has to offer
And if you are not on the internet...
and know nothing about computers.
you can't be my teacher!
I said you can't be my teacher.
Make room for somebody who knows how to use the internet.
Do you think I am going to be ready?
Do you think I am going to be ready?
Do you think you are preparing me for the
world that I have to live in?
Do you think I am going to be ready?
That's your job!
That's your job! (echo)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Take 5! Integration Update - April 12, 2011 (Vol.2/#22)
Issue #22
“Take 5” is a weekly update containing information related to teaching and learning for today and beyond...
Take just 5 minutes (or less) to look over these resources and see what might be helpful for your and/or your students. Better yet, set aside at least 15-30 minutes a week (yes, that's been increased from last year!) to focus on finding resources and ideas that will improve student learning and prepare them for their future!
===================================
Tips and Tools for Teachers
- Webinars on Using the SMART Board (from Teq) – FREE! – Learn on your own! (LOYO): SMART Board webinars from Teq
- (For intermediate to advanced users, I highly suggest the “5 Coolest Things...” webinar!)
- Tip: Planning for a Substitute – (NOTE: Most of these suggestions came from ACTUAL substitute teachers and their experiences in the classroom. See what things can make their day better and your lesson-in-absentia more effective and meaningful for all.)
These days, many teachers’ lessons have at least some technology element to them. Therefore, when you’re planning for a substitute teacher, here are some things to consider as you best prepare them (and your students) for a day or more without you:
(this is particularly meant for REVS teachers, who most have a SMART Board, but it can apply in other situations as well)
- Guest password for substitutes to get onto your computer (or have another teacher, principal, or secretary log in). You can change your log in password for the sub, then change it back, if needed. Or if that’s too much trust, seek a colleague to log the substitute teacher on.
- Any other possible passwords they'd need (for computer, websites they will visit, overrides, etc.), be sure to leave that too (or with another teacher, close by)
- Include a paper roster of students (even better... One with names AND pictures!)... No more “What’s your name so I can tell the teacher what you did?” “Uh... It’s Butz... Seymour... Yeah, that’s my name!”
- If using a SMART Notebook lesson, leave it on the computer AND have a copy on a USB thumb/flash drive that you leave w/ them. If you’re really paranoid and the file is not too large (over 9 MB or so), you may be able to email it to the sub and/or a teaching colleague, just in case).
- If using a SMART Notebook lesson, in addition to the electronic file, leave a printed copy (printed in handout format of 3 slides per page on left side and lines down the right side; or 6 per page)... This is handy if there are technological issues, failures, oops-es, etc. You know about Murphy’s Law, right???
- Leave the names of a couple students that can assist with the technology if there are concerns... Most substitutes welcome a helping hand and the students will be happy to help!
- Include the phone extension for tech help (if tech help is readily available/on call, like it is here at REVS!), whether that’s the building techs or district level... Email doesn’t help since they may not be able to get online and/or their personal email will probably be blocked by the filters.
- Last, but not least, leave the name of a teacher (probably the one mentioned in #1,2 above) who the sub can go to if there are problems. This may seem obvious, but the closest teacher may not be the best one to consult. (NOTE: this came directly from an actual substitute teacher, so obviously not all teachers leave this information!)
Ponderings
Predicted Changes in Education by 2020
- "21 Things That Will Be Obsolete by 2020" -- That's less than 9 years away! Here are some things to consider, such as:
... Desks,Language Labs,Homework,High School Algebra I,and Paper (which could be a good thing!)
Learning Opportunities
- 1. In-District Professional Development Opportunities
- 2. NWO's STEM Education Inquiry Series (at Rossford High School!) - LAST ONE, this Thurs., April 14th (from 5-8pm) a low-cost, local opportunity for elementary teachers and JH/HS science, math, and technology teachers offered 7 times from September 23 - April 14, 2011.
- 3. In the right margin of this blog, enter your email to receive future postings into your email Inbox (Take 5s and more!) -- plan on 1-3 posts per week.
;-) Just for Fun?!?! (and a little learning, perhaps)
"What can school do for me?"
This Betty comic (click to see full comic) asks an interesting question to parents and teachers these days... which hopefully all educators can answer!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Education Nation by Milton Chen
Watch the 60-minute webinar from August 2010 and various resources about Milton Chen's new book, "Education Nation: Six Leading Edges of Innovation in Our Schools." Milton is the senior fellow, The George Lucas Educational Foundation (who funds Edutopia).
The Six Edges of Innovation are:
- 1. Thinking - from either/or to "both/and"
- 2. Curriculum and Assessment - social/emotional, global, and bilingual learning
- 3. Technology - 1:1, intelligent text, assistive tech, universal design, serious games
- 4. Time/Place - where learning "occurs"
- 5. Co-Teaching - mentorships, collaborations, etc.
- 6. Youth - their world and realities
Monday, May 10, 2010
iSAFE, cell phones, and sounds some can't hear
Notice from the chart below that younger folk (aka – our students, children) can apparently hear tones closer and possibly beyond the 20,000 Hz (hertz) or 20 kHz, as can rats, cats, dolphins, moths, mice, and sea lions. Insert your comments here: _______
From - http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/facts.html
Hearing Range (young adult human) = 20 to 20,000 Hz
Hearing Range (elderly human) = 50 to 8,000 Hz (Guyton, A.C., Textbook of Medical Physiology, 1986)
Hearing Range (rat) = 1,000 to 50,000 Hz
Hearing Range (cat) = 100 to 60,000 Hz
Hearing Range (dolphin) = 200 to 150,000 Hz
Hearing Range (elephant) = 1 to 20,000 Hz
Hearing Range (goldfish) = 5 to 2,000 Hz
Hearing Range (moth, noctuid) = 1,000 to 240,000 Hz
Hearing Range (mouse) = 1,000 to 100,000 Hz
Hearing Range (sea lion) = 100 to 40,000 Hz
(Hearing range reference: Discover Science Almanac, New York: Hyperion, 2003)
Most sensitive range of human hearing = 1,000-4,000 Hz
And if you’d like to have your children or students tell you when your phone is ringing, here’s a website for you to test your hearing and/or download one of these ring tones — called “Mosquito Ringtones.” Better yet, for those w/ a home phone that never rings for you, maybe this tone can be used for that as well (just kidding).
Note that (for good reason) this site is blocked at school, so try it at home! A variety of tones are listed that you can test and then determine what you can/can’t hear. FYI — 18.8 kHz was my highest threshold! I feel so young!!! With all the loud music via earbuds, I wonder how soon kids’ hearing will no longer be able to hear these high pitch sounds.
http://www.freemosquitoringtone.org/
Lastly, here’s a NYTimes story about it... From 2006 (it’s only been 4 years you haven’t noticed kids getting cell calls/texts... Not too bad!)
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/12/technology/12ring.html?_r=1
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
FRONTLINE: Digital Nation (PBS)
Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier
Watch the entire 90 minute show online (aired February 2010) as well as the supplementary videos under the LEARNING tab.
All of that plus the podcast and comments below the video clips... from experts and the general public... are enough for a semester course in 21st century learning!
Watch the entire 90 minute show online (aired February 2010) as well as the supplementary videos under the LEARNING tab.
All of that plus the podcast and comments below the video clips... from experts and the general public... are enough for a semester course in 21st century learning!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Books for Teachers Focused on Improving Student Learning
Looking for a good read that may affect the way you teach and how your students learn? Try one or more of the following:
5 Books for Teachers Focused on Improving Student Learning (and the future of learning!):
5 Books for Teachers Focused on Improving Student Learning (and the future of learning!):
- The World is Open (Curtis Bonk, 2009) - http://worldisopen.com/
- Generation We (Eric Greenberg & Karl Weber, 2009) - http://www.gen-we.com/
- A Whole New Mind (Dan Pink, 2005) - http://www.danpink.com/whole-new-mind
- Brain Rules (John Medina, 2009) - http://www.brainrulesbook.com
- The World is Flat (Thomas Friedman, 2005) - http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/bookshelf/the-world-is-flat
Monday, October 19, 2009
Generation We - Website, free PDF book
Read about how Millenials are taking over America and changing our world forever...
Website
http://www.gen-we.com/
Book (free PDF download)
http://gen-we.com/sites/default/files/GenWe_EntireBook3.pdf
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
What is Web 2.0?
Definition:
the second generation of the World Wide Web in which content is user-generated and dynamic, and software is offered that mimics desktop programs
Example: Web 2.0 encourages collaboration and communication between users
Etymology: 2004
For teaching and learning...
Online applications, often free (or a free option), that allow the user to contribute in some way -- add content (words, images, video, audio, etc.), comment or give feedback, create or modify something already in existance...
From Tim O'Reilly (from 2005):
The web as platform... harnessing collective intelligence... (and) richer user experiences...From Jeff Chandler (from 2007):
These sites are often social environments where ordinary people provide the content, and every thing’s free or as close to free as possible.
...The most lauded of these new sites are about social interaction and collaborative content.
Some examples of Web 2.0 tools/sites for educators, administrators, and students include:
- Blogs - Blogger (this site), ClassroomBlogmeister, Edublogs
- Wikis - Wikispaces, PBworks, WetPaint
- Creation/Synthesis (present/share) - Scrapblog, Voicethread, Delicious, Slideshare, ANIMOTO, Aviary, Prezi
- Videos (present/share) - YouTube, TeacherTube, Vimeo
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