Outsourcing Grading?

Perhaps only a teachers dream??? ;-)

Valerie Strauss  of the Washington Post:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/grades/and-now-outsourcing-the-gradin.html

Take 5! Integration Update - May 18, 2010 (Vol.1/#11)

Finally! -- This one is a little behind, but I know you’re busy! Enjoy!



Here is your 11th installment of the Take 5! Integration Update.
“Take 5” is a weekly email 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 minutes a week to focus on finding resources and ideas that will improve student learning and prepare them for their future!




Tips and Tools for Teachers
1) Games for SMART Boards - http://www.teacherslovesmartboards.com/games_for_smart_boards 
From a great site for SMART Board resources (Teachers Love SMART Boards) -- sign up for their email updates of new posts!





2) PicSearch - http://www.picsearch.com  
Since Google or Yahoo images are blocked in schools (for good reason), here’s a quick, easy, safer alternative. It also shows the 4 most popular searches every time you visit — Today: Lady Gaga, Oil spill, England, and Iron Man 2 (interesting that Lady Gaga is more “popular” than an enormous natural disaster in the making!)
(NOTE: if having students search for certain picture topics, be sure to do the search yourself first! Rarely is there a problem on this site, but it could happen. I have used it mostly for “teacher” purposes to find images to use.)





Ponderings
Student Feedback/Surveys – Do you ask students to evaluate you as a teacher? Or the assignments, projects, and/or tests you give? See what Boston students have requested of their teachers, all for the purpose of improving learning... http://bit.ly/aptXHw 





Learning Opportunities
Atomic Learning – Watch a 5 minute Jing video showing an overview of the Atomic Learning resource... http://screencast.com/ -- deleted due to REVS information

Or another 4 min. video on what the videos look like... http://screencast.com/ -- deleted due to REVS information

 REVS’ Summer Workshops and Trainings - http://ed-tech-integration.pbworks.com/Summer-PD




Just for Fun! ;-)
Happy Feet (aka – The “May 26 Teacher Dance”) -- Your students are already doing this dance!
http://www2.warnerbros.com/happyfeet/flash.html

iSAFE, cell phones, and sounds some can't hear

Image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bjmcdonald/4494079025/

One of the most enlightening tidbits from the iSAFE session this morning may have been about cell phone ring tones that “adults” cannot hear. Although I had heard of this and seen websites a couple years ago, as a former science teacher, I had to do more investigating regarding the science behind it all and thought I’d share a little...

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

Take 5! Integration Update - April 28, 2010 (Vol.1/#10)

Here is your 10th installment of the Take 5! Integration Update.
“Take 5” is a weekly email 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 minutes a week to focus on finding resources and ideas that will improve student learning and prepare them for their future!




Tips and Tools for Teachers


1) Blaberize - http://blabberize.com/
A talking llama!??!?! Make pictures talk... Perhaps a famous historical figure, an animal, yourself, or your students! Teachers have used this for introducing topics, “guest speakers,” and having students role play a famous person. 

2) Snopes - http://www.snopes.com/ 
Gotten any email rumors lately about some new thing to be fearful of, invest in, or spend your precious time doing? Before forwarding the message to hundreds of your closest friends, check it out on Snopes first! (One negative - this site has lots of ads, but it has good info and allow you and your students to practice your information literacy skills – discern ads vs. content!)

Here are some favorite “fakes” debunked on Snopes -- (i.e., these are ALL FALSE, they’re FAKE, NOT TRUE...)

• Child doing a science or social studies project where you are to add your name or an asterisk next to your name if listed.
  
• Mormons own the Coca-Cola Company.
  
• (better yet...) Little Mikey of LIFE cereal fame died from mixing Coke w/ Pop Rocks candy.
  
• Chewing gum takes 7 years to pass through the digestive system.
  
• (and one to be debated in science classes everywhere...) Dropped food remains germ-free if picked up within 5 seconds — ie, “The 5-Second Rule.” Just because we want things to be true does not make them so! (see link for more details - http://www.snopes.com/food/tainted/dropped.asp )

Ponderings

   OUNCE OF PREVENTION: When was the last time you backed up your computer files? (or at least the ones you’d be sad to lose!)

Learning Opportunities 

   REVS’ trainings & workshops calendar - http://ed-tech-integration.pbworks.com/Workshops (Summer offerings coming soon!)

Just for Fun! ;-)

   The 25 Funniest Analogies (Collected by High School English Teachers)
http://bit.ly/25analogies
(NOTE: I used bit.ly to shorten the full URL/web address)

Take 5! Integration Update - April 21, 2010 (Vol.1/#9)

Here is your 9th installment of the Take 5! Integration Update.
“Take 5” is a weekly email 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 minutes a week to focus on finding resources and ideas that will improve student learning and prepare them for their future!




Tips and Tools for Teachers

1) Common Sense Media - http://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Reviews for parents and teachers about popular media (movies, video games, websites, TV, and music) and lessons for teachers on Digital Literacy and Citizenship.

2) Flame - http://www.escapemotions.com/experiments/flame/index.html#top

Artful creations with your mouse (good for PPT backgrounds or student artistic creations). Here’s a sample...

Ponderings


Short Video (~8 min.)
Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids (TED talk) http://www.ted.com/talks/adora_svitak.html


Point to Ponder...
What have you learned recently from kids/students? Is your classroom a reciprocal one?

Learning Opportunities... Next issue!

Just for Fun! ;-)  Next issue!

Take 5! Integration Update - April 6, 2010 (Vol.1/#7)

Tips and Tools for Teachers


1) Our Courts – 21st Century Civics for middle school students (a site envisioned by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor)
 http://www.ourcourts.org/


2) Education World Templates (an oldie, but goodie website) - Assessments, Awards/Certificates, Classroom Organizers, Election/Government Templates, Graphic Organizers (Venn, KWL, Family Tree, Story Map, etc.), Classroom Coupons,  Monthly Newsletters, Notepads, Posters/Signs, and MUCH MORE! Find your favorites and share with your team/department!
http://www.educationworld.com/tools_templates/index.shtml


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

Ponderings


Short Reading


40 Interesting Ways* to use your Pocket Video Camera in the Classroom – Now that each building has at least ONE camera to use... Here are some ideas: http://www.slideshare.net/mbelinsky/forty-interesting-ways-to-use-your-pocket-video-camera-in-the-classroom  
Or read an article from the March 2010 T/H/E Journal “Flippin’ Out” -- Students and teachers alike are enthralled by the Flip Video camcorder, an easy-to-use project tool that is charging up the classroom in a way not seen since the arrival of the iPod. - http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/03/01/flippin-out.aspx




Point to Ponder... What project/assignment can be redesigned to include digital video (at least as an option for students)?

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

Learning Opportunities

FREE Ed-Tech magazines... Sign up for free issues or read them online (put on your calendar each week to spend some time w/ one of these):

• T.H.E. Journal - http://thejournal.com (online and print magazine versions... At least for now...) 
• EDUTOPIA – http://www.edutopia.org/magazine – from the George Lucas Foundation (yes, that George Lucas) -- only in an online version (not print) as of recently

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

Just for Fun! ;-)  ... Next issue (as there’s nothing funny about the first week back after Spring Break!) 

The Amazing Web 2.0 Projects Book... FREE!

The Amazing Web 2.0 Projects Book — FREE!
http://www.ictineducation.org/web2/ (2 MB file - PDF)
Edited by Terry Freeman (from UK)

• 87 projects.
  
• 10 further resources.
  
• 52 aplications.
  
• 94 contributors.
  
• The benefits of using Web 2.0 applications.
  
• The challenges of using Web 2.0 applications.
  
• How the folk who ran these projects handled the issues...
  
• ... And what they recommend you do if you run them.
  
• What were the learning outcomes? 
• And so much more!!!

Take 5! Integration Update - March 24, 2010 (Vol.1/#6)

Tips and Tools for Teachers 
1) 43 Ways to Use Wordle in the Classroom — Image below was made in Wordle... Using Rossford Schools’ “About Our District” web page text.
http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dhn2vcv5_157dpbsg9c5  — if images don’t show, go to Actions near bottom and download as a PDF or PPT to view it
Wordle – http://www.wordle.net 

 2) Elementary SMART Board Lessons — From Oak Street Elementary (Plattsburgh, NY) - LOTS of lessons by topic; many are interactive websites (not Notebook software), so easy to click on and use immediately
http://plattsburgh.neric.org/oak/smartboard/sciencealpha.htm


Ponderings... Next issue

Learning Opportunities... Next issue


Just for Fun! ;-)
Just in time for Spring Break... For all that free time we’ll have, create some “avatars” of yourself... Part of your new “digital identity”

• Become an M&M — http://www.mms.com/us/becomeanmm  -- Who doesn’t adore those little ones from the TV commercials? 
• My Avatar Editor – http://myavatareditor.com (view at home... Blocked at schools) – Create you’re own custom avatar that resembles a Mii (from Wii fame... Impress... or embarrass your kids!!!) 
• Second Life – http://secondlife.com – (view at home... Blocked at schools) for more advanced techies or those looking for a new, virtual life away from it all

10 Worst Passwords... Exposed!

Quick question... Does the title above make you think twice about your own passwords? If so, especially if you're thinking of your online banking website, you should keep reading... and make changes accordingly!

According to various websites and blogs (not sure of the original source... so someone can help me out here by adding a comment below), here are the 10 worst passwords to use... or at least 10 bad passwords used at the website mentioned in the article:

1. 123456
2. 12345
3. 123456789
4. Password

5. iloveyou

6. princess
*7. rockyou
8. 1234567
9. 12345678
10. abc123

*rockyou is #7 because that was the website that was hacked to reveal all these passwords! 

Here is one full article on this topic for more information -- It's in "print" format for less ads.

Take 5! Integration Update (Vol.1/#5)

Here is your 5th installment of the Take 5! Integration Update.
“Take 5” is now a weekly email 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 minutes a week to focus on finding resources and ideas that will improve student learning and prepare them for their future!

---

Tips and Tools for Teachers 
1) Spelling City – (ads on pages, but a neat review tool!) -- Thanks to Jen Lewis for suggesting this site! I know many elementary teachers already use this... If not, check it out! Provide an online spelling list with a “Test Me”, “Teach Me”, and “Play a Game” options as well as generates a printable spelling list.  http://www.spellingcity.com  

2) Tag Galaxy – find pictures (in a solar system search format — you have to see it to really understand...)  And click in the lower right corner for the full-screen effect!
http://www.taggalaxy.de/   (Thanks for sharing this site, Kristen Vargo – IH, GL) 

3) Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling – Thinking about having students create a project? How about digital storytelling? Lots of information here to get you started! Email me if you’re interested in a Digital Storytelling summer workshop!http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/index.html

---

Ponderings
Short (or Long) Read 

Brain Rules Book: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Home, Work, and School
I mentioned this book before, but here’s the direct link for the 12 rules, many relating to learning:

http://www.brainrules.net/the-rules  LOTS of videos and information here for FREE!!!
(Download a PDF of the 12 Rules here - http://www.brainrules.net/pdf/12brainrules.pdf ) 

The 12 Brain Rules (by John Medina) 

• Exercise - Rule #1: Exercise boosts brain power.  
• Survival - Rule #2: The human brain evolved, too.  
• Wiring - Rule #3: Every brain is wired differently.  
• Attention - Rule #4: We don’t pay attention to boring things.  
• Short-term memory - Rule #5: Repeat to remember.  
• Long-term memory - Rule #6: Remember to repeat.  
• Sleep - Rule #7: Sleep well, think well.  
• Stress - Rule #8: Stressed brains don’t learn the same way.  
• Sensory integration - Rule #9: Stimulate more of the senses.
• Vision - Rule #10: Vision trumps all other senses.  
• Gender - Rule #11: Male and female brains are different.  
• Exploration - Rule #12: We are powerful and natural explorers.

Point to Ponder...
Which of these rules will you share with your students? 

Learning Opportunities 

1) REVS’ trainings and workshops calendar (March sessions) - http://ed-tech-integration.pbworks.com/Workshops 

2) Kristie Hughes, NWOCA Educational Technologist (March and April visits) - Sign up here: http://training.nwoca.org/hughes 

MARCH (Confirmed)
Thursday, March 18 (EP, JH, HS) 

Wednesday, March 24 (IH, GL) 

APRIL (Confirmed)
Wednesday, April 7 (EP, JH, HS)                
Wednesday, April 14 (IH, GL)

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Just for Fun! ;-) 

A NEW section for a little comic relief... And for those of you creative types who can find a way to make a lesson out of this stuff! Here you go: Tater People – In honor of St. Patrick’s Day (Irish potatoes & all...) Which one(s) are you? http://www.frontiernet.net/~shelby304/specials/sweettators/  

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FW: Take 5! Integration Update - Sharing Successes! (Vol.1/#4)

Here is your 4th installment of the Take 5! Integration Update. “Take 5” monthly emails contain information related to teaching and learning for today and beyond... This week is a special edition on “Sharing Your Successes.”

Sharing Your Successes!
-- Here are a few examples of the many integration activities, lessons, and assessments from across the district...

EP

• A 3rd grade teacher updates her class website before each math, science, and social studies unit with  a few websites with games or information that go along with the unit.  If the students complete any of the games at home they can print their score sheet and return it for a prize.
  
• A 4th grade teacher uploaded most of the OAT tests from the past onto the CPS system (student response or “clickers”) and uses them for review, which the kids love.
  
• The 5th and 6th grade gifted students use Excel to create matrix charts, which help them to organize their information to solve logic problems. The students also use HyperStudio to create multimedia presentations for their independent study projects.
  

GL

• A 5th grade math class used a Wii game system to assist them with a math lesson on graphing; students collected data while playing various sports games (e.g.- bowling pins knocked over; baseball distance hit, etc.) and then made appropriate graphs to chart their performance.
• Two sixth grade teachers are using netbooks for many of their 6th grade lessons, including file sharing through network folders in order to save printing/paper costs and recorded audio files to explain concepts as well as for fluency activities. 
• One 6th grade teacher is also using SMART Board’s Notebook software recorder to create videos of lessons and have students view the lessons in centers. 
• The computer club has been using Google docs. They are writing short scripts for video projects and expressed interest in working on them from home. She set up an account and students can access their work from any computer. She can also communicate with them, give them feedback and suggestions from any computer, anytime. Not all students participate from home, but works great for those who do. 

IH

• The library media specialist had 5th grade students use a wiki (simplified web page) to summarize U.S. state information for a social studies research lesson; the students could quickly view other students’ work/states as well and many were excited to create their “first web page”!
  
• Lots more is going on at IH, but apparently they are too shy to share... ;-)
  

JH

• Cheerleaders are using Ning to keep track of upcoming events, discussions, and pictures.
  
• ELA teachers are having students use Inspiration for their research reports — to organize and plan their writing in diagram and outline formats.
  
• History classes are using Glogster for history reports; she saves a bunch of pictures for the students to pick from (saving time), then they create a poster based on their research and pictures from the choices available.
  
• For ELA, teachers entered old OAT questions into SurveyMonkey (online surveys) and the kids take the “tests” online, providing percentages and graphs of how each student answered, including incorrect answers (showing misconceptions). The kids get INSTANT feedback on how they did and can also compare their answers (extended responses are the best to compare!)  to others -- all answers are anonymous.
  

HS

• Several HS teachers are using Ning sites as a learning resource for students to use outside of the classroom. Some things they use it for include video recordings of their lessons, additional videos of related content, discussion boards to prep for an upcoming in-class discussion or continue one started in class, or to post additional links to files or websites that relate to the current learning outcomes and assignments.
  
• Lots more is going on at the HS too, but apparently they are too shy to share as well!
  

District / Multiple buildings

• Elementary reading specialists created Word forms to improve their assessment documentation, making it quicker to complete each one and easier to interpret since they are the same across the district.
  
• The Choral Director uses several technologies on a regular basis: YouTube performances as models of performance for students in grades 8-12; a multi-track hard disk recorder and a multi-disc burner to create learning media for all students; a digital sequencer to help create accompaniments for his performances; and a piece of software call "The Amazing Slowdowner" from Ronimusic.com to help create learning media for some of his students