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) 

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Take 5! Integration Update - May 11, 2011 (Vol.2/#25)


Issue #25
“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
  • ZooBurst Online Pop-Up Books – Have students create online pop-up books (up to 10 for a free account). For more detailed information, read this brief article!
      
  • ISTE Discount in May for Ed-Tech Resources Do you want to use technology more effectively in your classroom, but aren't an ISTE member? Well, this is your lucky month! Use the promo code WFF11 during the month of May to get an ISTE member discount (from 20-50+%) on webinars or books. To go shopping... http://www.iste.org/store.aspx
Ponderings  

Online Presence vs. Resumes? (article here) - Although stretching a little at times, this article brings up some valid points to ponder about our students' (and our?) futures... At the least, it brings to light reasons why students need to know about digital citizenship (responsibility and appropriate behaviors on the Internet): 

5 reasons why your online presence will replace your resume:
1. Social networking use is skyrocketing while email is plummeting 
2. You can’t find jobs traditionally anymore
3. People are managing their careers as entrepreneurs
4. The traditional resume is now virtual and easy to build
5. Job seeker passion has become the deciding factor in employment  
    Learning Opportunities

    • 2. CATIIE Conference (Creativity And Technology Integration In Innovative Education) @Central Catholic HS, Tuesday, June 14th. A great local ed-tech professional development and networking opportunity. Cost of this daylong conference is $25 (by June 7) and includes continental breakfast, lunch, and a post-conference gathering. On-site registration is $35. The 1st session will start at 9 AM and the conference will conclude at 4 PM. Click HERE for more information. 
     

    • 3. INFOhio's 21st Century Learning Commons - 21 Essential Things Online Course: go HERE to begin learning more about 21st Century Skills, Tools, and Strategies to use in your classroom. You can earn CEUs or a graduate credit or just learn on your own for the sake of learning!
    • 4. 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)


    Extreme Ironing
    Here’s a good summary WITH videos of this classic, strange, EXTREME hobby. In case you haven't heard of EI,it has to be something of importance since it has it's own Wikipedia page AND Facebook group! What other creative hobby groups can you or your students come up with -- perhaps a little less dangerous, but just as need-fulfilling like ironing?
     
      

    Wednesday, April 27, 2011

    Take 5! Integration Update - April 27, 2011 (Vol.2/#24)


    Issue #24
    “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

    • Tool: The Civil War's 150th Anniversary on iTunesU Check out the 150th anniversary of the Civil War on iTunesU. LOTS of resources! 
    From your iTunes, click on the iTunes Store, then at the black bar at along the top edge, click on "iTunesU" to begin your search.
     
    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

    • 2 Safety Tips for Living in a Techie World! Although it may not seem likely with our recent weather, spring will eventually “spring” in NW Ohio, which is often followed by some less than rationale behaviors. So here are a couple safety pointers/tips for you and or your students, children, family members, and friends...THINK before you use that technology!
    1 - Dangers (Possible Realities) of Texting and Driving (VIDEO): This 10-minute video should be watched by anyone who drives... Whether you text or not. The most enlightening part for me was that all it can take is a small word like “OK” or “LOL”. [Thanks to Diane B. for sharing this video!]

    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

      
    2 - Smart Phone Pics Posted Online Can Show Location -- Do you know your camera’s or smart phone settings? Keep this video in mind and change your camera's settings, if needed!


    Ponderings
    Learning Opportunities

    • 2. INFOhio's 21st Century Learning Commons - Online Course: go HERE to begin learning more about 21st Century Skills and Tools to use in your classroom. Click on the Get Started icon. You can earn up to 45 contact hours (free or pay for) or 1 graduate credit hour.
    • 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)


    Why Didn't I Think of That? - Check out some 'great' inventions or ideas that surely we would have thought of if we had the time... right?



    Tuesday, April 19, 2011

    Take 5! Integration Update - April 19, 2011 (Vol.2/#23)


    Issue #23
    “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
    • Grant Resources Ohio Dream Sources... Make your classroom dream come true!
    • Google Earth Resources (wiki) A great resource for Google Earth, which can be used in practically every classroom (some with more creativity than others) -- geography, history, social studies, literature tours, virtual street level tours, topography, earth science, space, moon, Mars, sky/stars, and more! Take a look at what Google Earth can do, then see if you have a lesson/objective that this tool can help students learn. Here's the Google Earth Showcase to learn more.
     

    Ponderings
    • Ed-Tech Quotes (Slideshow by solejea2 ) - Check out this Scribd slideshow... Should make you go "Hmmmmm" a little...
      (Hopefully this is not blocked, but if so, try it from home... it's worth it!)
    Ed Tech Quote Slideshow




    Learning Opportunities
    • 1. In-District Professional Development Opportunities
    • 2. Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Sexting: What’s a District to Do? April 20, 2011
       at Lucas Co. ESC. More information below... Check REVS email for registration sheet or email Carrie
    •  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.
    -------------------------------------
    Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Sexting: What’s a District to Do?
    April 20, 2011
    4:30-6:30pm (1.5 contact hours)
    At Lucas County ESC   
    Presented by
    Margaret J. Lockhart, Esq.
    Cooper & Walinski, LPA

    With the increased use of social media and cell phones, bullying has moved from beyond the schoolyard and into students’ homes. Cyberbullies can anonymously and instantaneously disseminate cruel and malicious information or compromising photographs, often leading to tragic results for victims. Parents want schools to take action, but most cyberbullying and sexting takes place off campus. And perpetrators rely on the First Amendment to protect their conduct. This session will explore how school districts can respond to complaints of cyberbullying and sexting without infringing on students’ rights or increasing the district’s risk of liability.

    Lucas County Educational Service Center
    2275 Collingwood Boulevard
    Toledo, Ohio 43620


    ;-) Just for Fun?!?! (and a little learning, perhaps)

    ¿uʍop ǝpısdn ƃuıʇıɹʍ ʇnoqɐ noʎ llǝʇ ı pıp ʇɐɥʍ 

     Flipped Text... Do you have a use for this? (other than confusing people) The text is still recognized as text (can change font, size, etc.), but spell check gets VERY confused!! (see images below)


     
    --------------------- 







    Friday, April 15, 2011

    Death of the Flip Video Camera


    http://www.flickr.com/photos/charles_hudson/5225996344/ 
    Cisco Systems bought out Pure Digital (for a mere $590 million) and just this week (less than 2 years later), ended up dumping the Flip line just before their newest Flip camera was expected to go on the market -- a camera that allowed live video uploads via wireless networks. 

    Some speculate that Cisco foresaw a shift in the video market away from Flip cams and similar devices toward the increases in mobile devices such as smart phones, iPod Touches, and iPads. But another theory is that Cisco, who also sells high-end video conferencing devices to very large corporations and even some school districts, might want to utilize the Flip’s small, simple, elegant, and high quality video technologies (and even the software) for those ventures... Hmmmmm... Makes one wonder...

    Perhaps some day we’ll know the REAL reason to drop such a popular (and would-have-been-popular for at LEAST a year or two more) device... Or maybe we won’t. Either way, there are many upset Flip fans out there — teachers and students being a good portion of those fans!

    David Pogue (New York Times) has more here:
    The Tragic Death of the Flip
    ... and has David says, "may it rest in pieces"...



    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

    ===============================================



    • 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!


      Friday, April 8, 2011

      To Use Bit.ly or Not?

       
      Apparently, Gaddafi is the owner of ALL .ly web URL extensions... So if you use URL shorteners like Bit.ly, you are (perhaps unknowingly) indirectly
      The Libyans are well aware of their potential market among English speakers seeking memorable Internet addresses (for the “ly” ending). According to information on Libyan Spider's website, only 38% of .ly domains are registered by Libyans. English-speaking countries have locked up most of the rest, with the U.S., the U.K. and Canada accounting for 43% of the total.”
      And if you didn’t know, you’re not alone! Until recently (early April 2011), neither did NATO, FBI, the White House, many members of congress, and even Charlie Sheen (not that he would care).

      Here’s the full story here (Wall Street Journal)...
      And more here (the Atlantic)
       
      My advice? Use it SPARING.ly!
       

      Wednesday, March 30, 2011

      Take 5! Integration Update - March 30, 2011 (Vol.2/#21)


      Issue #21
      “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


        • Web 2.0 by Steve Dembo (from Discovery Education)
        • Project Based Learning by Jackie Gerstein, PhD
        • Infographics by thomesss -- great for visual literacy (some may not be appropriate for students... preview first! Then save image.)
        • Teenagers? What's That?! by rougier marie -- “Everything to understand this strange breed, even if you're an adult.”

      More on Scoop.It!...
      Scoop.It! is currently in “beta” (testing phase), so it’s not widely being used yet... But I have a hunch it will be pretty big soon! Imagine the uses for teachers, students, school districts... Pick a topic and find information on the web that applies, then share it on your Scoop.It page! 
       
      Like many other Web 2.0 tools, it allows you to “follow” other “scoopers’” topics and even leave a comment (reaction). They use the term “curating” information, but I compare it to being your own editor of what you find pertinent, timely, or interesting to share with others (or just to keep a record or or bookmark). 


      Other Topics will return next time...


      Tuesday, March 22, 2011

      Take 5! Integration Update - March 22, 2011 (Vol.2/#20)


      Issue #20
      “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

      • Study Skills for Students – Just what students want to think about right before Spring Break -- study skills... "Yeah!!!" But this site contains great information for students, parents, and teachers to help students 1) study, 2) "learn how to learn," and 3) help themselves be successful!

      • Mathmaster for basic/elementary math, this site allows you to quickly create PDF worksheets in a snap for student practice or assessment. It also has links to videos (click the Videos tab) from Khan Academy on subjects such as: math (LOTS), economics, finance, history (limited), and various sciences (chemistry, astronomy, physics, biology) -- Thanks for sharing this, Josh M.!
          
      Ponderings
      • Ed Tech Quote Slideshow- from "solejea2" on Scribd - VIEW SHOW
        ... Spend a few minutes looking through this slideshow and reflect on how it relates to your subject area/grade level, your students, and how you teach both.
      Learning Opportunities

      ;-) Just for Fun?!?! (and a little learning, perhaps)

      Got Time? How about creating your own time-lapse video! Oh, what creative people share videos on YouTube... Over 12 million viewers have seen these, but just in case you were not one of them...
      Here are some classics based on video game classics, PacMan and Tetris. 

      Could your students create something similar about a process, sequence, or historical event you want them to learn?


      Wednesday, March 9, 2011

      Take 5! Integration Update - March 9, 2011 (Vol.2/#19)


      Issue #19
      “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


          
      • Wigflip (image goodies) For SMART Notebook files, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, etc.... Make your own...
        • Sticky Note
        • Tiny Tags (sales tags)
        • Speech Bubble
        • Sign Bot (an animate LED sign)
        • Street Sign
        • Motivational Poster

      • Office & Word 2007 Tips Click HERE for a PDF handout from the recent session on 10+ tips to save you (or your students) time... so you can spend that on more important things like teaching and student learning! Included are handy things such as...
        • Customize the Quick Access Toolbar
        • Split document (great for making Table of Contents or reference lists in large documents)
        • Thumbnail view of your pages
        • Copy/Paste text formatting
        • Using highlighting text for student handouts or visuals
        • Adding Smart Art (graphic organizers)
      • For Mac Users: Right-Click Tips HERE is a list of 15 uses for the right-click on a Mac (also known as Control+Click... hold down the Control key while clicking on an item or link, etc.). At least 3 of these are VERY HELPFUL for any and all Mac users.

      Ponderings
      Learning Opportunities
      • 1. In-District Professional Development Opportunities
        • >>> SMART Board Tips - Th. 3/10 @ HS (3-3:30)
        • >>> SMART Board Tips - Fri. 3/11 @ IH (8-8:30)
      • 2. NWO's STEM Education Inquiry Series (at Rossford High School!) - Thurs., March 24th (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)

      Easy one today... just read the post listed above -- Notice to All Banker-Types From a Teacher

      Wednesday, March 2, 2011

      Take 5! Integration Update - March 2, 2011 (Vol.2/#18)


      Issue #18
      “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
        
      • Hippocampus Online curriculum, videos, textbooks... From their site: "HippoCampus is a project of the Monterey Institute for Technology and Education (MITE). The goal of HippoCampus is to provide high-quality, multimedia content on general education subjects to high school and college students free of charge."
        • Some topics/subjects:
          • Algebra (English & Spanish)
          • American Govt
          • Biology
          • Calculus (English & Spanish)
          • Environmental Science
          • Physics
          • Psychology
          • Religion
          • Statistics 
          • US History






      • Grammaropolis – A site full of grammar review games and lessons for elementary or even middle school students. Wondering how to use this site in your classroom, here are some suggestions from Kelly Tenkely's iLearn blog. 




          


        Ponderings
        •   
          (Book & Website) Fires in the Mind: What Kids Can Tell Us About Motivation and Mastery (by Kathleen Cushman)
          Some important messages here about student motivation, effort, practice, and mastery... 
          (About the importance of connecting with students... From a student) - "If no one's going to notice what you're doing, it doesn't matter whether you push yourself. But if the teacher develops a connection with you, you don't want to disappoint them.

          (About effort... From a student) - "Everything takes practice. It's not like one day you can just get up and say, 'I'm going to do something.' You got to practice it."
          Goals Checklist for student practice in class - developed by students
          Homework advice from students (this link is to the entire Ch. 8, which includes the HW advice, alternative HW assignments, and the difference between HW and "deliberate practice")
        Learning Opportunities
        • 1. In-District Professional Development Opportunities
        • 2. NWO's STEM Education Inquiry Series (at Rossford High School!) - Thurs., March 24th (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)
        • Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! - (from their site...) "NPR's weekly hour-long quiz program. Each week on the radio you can test your knowledge against some of the best and brightest in the news and entertainment world while figuring out what's real news and what's made up." Or try their daily quiz HERE