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.

    Monday, May 14, 2012

    Manic Monday: Audit your wallet!


    A great website for tips on everyday living as well as for technology tips -- Lifehacker.com. This week, their suggestion was to "Audit your Wallet" -- BEFORE it comes up lost or stolen, then wish you had done so!

    AND on a similar note... what about your password list… is that backed up somewhere???


    Friday, May 11, 2012

    Fun Friday with Animals: Coloring Book & Discover Your Inner Animal

    Elementary teachers: Animals are a popular topic this time of year, so here are a couple sites for extension activities or just a little fun!
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    National Geographic's Animals Coloring Book

    Choose from over 40 animals at this site!

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    Your Inner Animal 

    What is your "inner animal"? Find out HERE!

    Here's mine… a 3-toed sloth!!! "Slow and Steady"! I'm laid back, but not THAT much… I don't think!!! ;-)  And I only WISH I got away to tropical destinations!!!

    Do the brief assessment and leave your "inner animal" in the Comments section below this post -- I already started with mine!



    Teacher Appreciation Week: Teachers Count


    To finish out TAW (Teacher Appreciation Week), take a glance at some famous people and the teachers who inspired them at the Teachers Count website. You can also request free posters from these stars (both teachers and their famous pupils)! Here are some famous people who are included:
    • Guy Fieri (chef)
    • Edie Falco (actress)
    • Carrie Underwood (singer)
    • Ne-Yo (singer)
    • Jeremy Pivens (actor)
    • Alec Baldwin (Words with Friends aficionado)
    • CC Sabathia (baseball pitcher)

    Now think about your students... first of all, who will be one of the "famous ones" in the future... and would they pick you to be the teacher standing behind them in their poster?

    Thursday, May 10, 2012

    Thinking Thursday: The Don'ts & Don'ts of Teaching


    Strange to have a "don'ts and don'ts" list, but the author explains...

    Here's a GREAT article from ASCD for novice AND experienced teachers!!! Wish I knew all these when I was teaching! It will be 5-10 minutes well spent to refine your teaching craft… Here's the abbreviated list, but read the details at the link above:

    1. Don't try to teach too much in one day.

    2. Don't teach a lesson without a student activity.
    3. Don't send kids to the office.
    4. Don't allow students to shout out answers.
    5. Don't make tests too hard.
    6. Don't be indecisive.

    7. Don't tell a student you're calling home.

    8. Don't try to be a buddy.
    9. Don't dress too casually.
    10. Don't babble.

    Wednesday, April 25, 2012

    Wonder Wednesday: Testing 1,2,3... Testing

    Participate in the poll above... (by May 16)
    This month's poll is about... State Testing... For Ohio at this time of year, that would be the OAAs or Ohio Achievement Assessments for grades 3-8. What do you think will happen with state tests in the next 10 years? (Answer at the top of this page!)

    RECAP:
    The last Wonder Wednesday poll was about Spring Break Plans... Turns out that many decided to either work on house projects, make time for some R&R (Good for them!), or catch up on grading or lesson plans -- too bad! (Click image below to see full results)

    Tuesday, April 24, 2012

    Tools for Tues: Livebinders & Infographics

    Here are two tools that are visual AND help us organize information, which is an essential skill today and well into the future...


    LiveBinders - although not a new "tool", this may be an alternative for teachers or students to save websites, PDFs, videos, images and more to one location... Here are some possible uses:
    • bookmark/favorites alternative
    • eportfolio
    • online presentation resource (alternative to PowerPoint)
    • collaborative resources space (share with colleagues and all add to it)
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    And take a look at this sample LiveBinder on Infographics -- the FUTURE of presenting/sharing information!


    Learn more! Here are some more resources on InfoGraphics...
    Visual.ly - a website dedicated to visual expression of data and information... Explore, share, and create here!

    Infographics App — An app for finding infographics




    Thursday, April 19, 2012

    Google's Education On Air Conference



    Looking for more professional development in ed-tech? How about trying Google's "Education On Air" offering on Wednesday, May 2nd from 12-10pm (ET) via Google+ Hangouts (so get an account/sign up soon!)

    More info, including presenters and session topics, are available at: https://sites.google.com/site/eduonair/home