Remember that movie, You’ve Got Mail!, with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan who get connected via email? E-mail has become a natural way of communication. We can easily send messages to many people and communicate to them our concerns, questions, or comments on whatever topic interests us. Have you ever thought of how adults use email vs. students? Is email losing its ability to be an avenue for communication? Is it more about using cell phones and text messaging? Or, what about smart phones and the ability to video chat with others through software? I know that my own children would rather text than send an email. They get immediate feedback from a text message vs. an email that may take days to get a response.
There are many positive ways to use cell phones in the classroom. But, as we think about using them for education, we must consider their relevance for the curriculum. In order to be effective, there has to be an outcome. Cell phones can be engaging and fun if used effectively. And, we can use that time to teach appropriate uses of the technology.
There are also ways in which students use cell phones negatively. Students are using cell phones to bully other students. They do this by sending obscene texts or obscene photos to other students they may not like. They also use their social networks to take more “jabs” at each other. As parents, teachers, and administrators, we need to watch out for this kind of behavior. The bully is no longer the big kid on the playground. There have been several recent stories relating to this very issue. Ones that really disturb me are adolescents who end up taking their own lives. One example is the story of a 13-old girl in Florida who committed suicide after an explicit cell phone photo she had texted to a boy was forwarded to several other students. You can read the full version of this story at http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34236377.
Each year, the Nebraska ESU’s sponsor a contest for “Internet Safety.” The contest is sponsored by the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office and concludes in April. Our goal is to get the word out and help students understand the “risk” of rude behavior online. There are numerous organizational web sites whose goal is to help students understand these risks. In fact, Anderson Cooper has interviewed students regarding the very issue of Cyberbullying. You can see the episodes on AC360˚. One of his episodes is titled, “In a Wired World, Children Unable to Escape Cyberbullying.”
I believe we (parents, teachers, administrators) have a responsibility to teach appropriate uses of these technologies - cell phones, online social networks, and Internet behavior. It can be effectively integrated into our curriculum if done appropriately. Many futurists predict that every student will have a digital device (a phone) to carry with them to school in five years. Are we prepared for this as educators? Instead of “You’ve got mail”, perhaps we should start saying, “You've Got Text!”
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Oct 2010 tech news
Interactive Whiteboards
I recently ran across an article by Robert Marzano on the effective use of Interactive boards in the classroom. It was interesting to note that in that article, he states, “using interactive whiteboards was associated with a 16 percentile point gain in student achievement. Using voting devices was associated with a 26 percentile point gain in student achievement (along with interactive whiteboards). A third feature is the interactive whiteboard reinforcer - applications that teachers can use to signal that an answer is correct or to present information in an unusual context. These practices were associated with a 31 percentile point gain in student achievement.”
After reading that, I wondered how many schools in ESU 4 have whiteboards? And, how many of those are effectively used? Interactive whiteboards have been around for many years, but if we as teachers and learners do not take time to use them properly, then you may not see any gain in student achievement at all. In fact, Robert Marzano states, “As is the case with all powerful tools, teachers must use interactive whiteboards thoughtfully, in accordance with what we know about good classroom practice.”
There are lots of ways, fun and exciting, to use whiteboards in the classrooms. Many schools already have them. Some are using MOBI’s and other hand-held devices which are just as engaging as interactive whiteboards. Get the students moving, get them collaborating, get them discussing important concepts. Then, use the interactive board with voting devices to engage them fully. If used appropriately, you will see some dramatic results. It all takes time and training. If you need any help, feel free to call or email.
For the full article, check it out at http://bit.ly/9HlRMW
Upcoming Workshops
Sept. 27 - Tech Plan Update starting at 9 AM
Sept. 30 - tcadre meeting starting at 9 AM
Oct. 18 - NSSRS work day beginning at 9 AM
Oct. 22 - tcadre meeting starting at 9 AM
Oct. 26 - eInstruction workshop starting at 9 AM with Dustin Frank
Oct. 29 - ANGEL workshop starting at 9 AM
Dec. 10 - Using iPods/iPads in the classroom beginning at 9 AM
Website of the Month
This web site of the month is more for secondary teachers, but has lots of opportunities to enhance your classroom. The Khan Academy features over 1600 free video lessons on math, science, technology, and other subjects. Check it out at http://www.khanacademy.org/
I recently ran across an article by Robert Marzano on the effective use of Interactive boards in the classroom. It was interesting to note that in that article, he states, “using interactive whiteboards was associated with a 16 percentile point gain in student achievement. Using voting devices was associated with a 26 percentile point gain in student achievement (along with interactive whiteboards). A third feature is the interactive whiteboard reinforcer - applications that teachers can use to signal that an answer is correct or to present information in an unusual context. These practices were associated with a 31 percentile point gain in student achievement.”
After reading that, I wondered how many schools in ESU 4 have whiteboards? And, how many of those are effectively used? Interactive whiteboards have been around for many years, but if we as teachers and learners do not take time to use them properly, then you may not see any gain in student achievement at all. In fact, Robert Marzano states, “As is the case with all powerful tools, teachers must use interactive whiteboards thoughtfully, in accordance with what we know about good classroom practice.”
There are lots of ways, fun and exciting, to use whiteboards in the classrooms. Many schools already have them. Some are using MOBI’s and other hand-held devices which are just as engaging as interactive whiteboards. Get the students moving, get them collaborating, get them discussing important concepts. Then, use the interactive board with voting devices to engage them fully. If used appropriately, you will see some dramatic results. It all takes time and training. If you need any help, feel free to call or email.
For the full article, check it out at http://bit.ly/9HlRMW
Upcoming Workshops
Sept. 27 - Tech Plan Update starting at 9 AM
Sept. 30 - tcadre meeting starting at 9 AM
Oct. 18 - NSSRS work day beginning at 9 AM
Oct. 22 - tcadre meeting starting at 9 AM
Oct. 26 - eInstruction workshop starting at 9 AM with Dustin Frank
Oct. 29 - ANGEL workshop starting at 9 AM
Dec. 10 - Using iPods/iPads in the classroom beginning at 9 AM
Website of the Month
This web site of the month is more for secondary teachers, but has lots of opportunities to enhance your classroom. The Khan Academy features over 1600 free video lessons on math, science, technology, and other subjects. Check it out at http://www.khanacademy.org/
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
ESU 4 Cadres
Here are links to our wiki cadre sites:
http://esu4newteachers.wikispaces.com - For new teachers
http://esu4mathcadre.wikispaces.com - Math cadre
http://esu4artcadre.wikispaces.com - Art cadre
http://esu4literacycadre.wikispaces.com - Literacy cadre
http://esu4sciencecadre.wikispaces.com - Science cadre
http://esu4newteachers.wikispaces.com - For new teachers
http://esu4mathcadre.wikispaces.com - Math cadre
http://esu4artcadre.wikispaces.com - Art cadre
http://esu4literacycadre.wikispaces.com - Literacy cadre
http://esu4sciencecadre.wikispaces.com - Science cadre
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Google Workshop
Google Workshop
Day 1
Agenda
- Sign up for a google account if you don't already have one
- Add your google account to the wall (using wallwisher) I am planning to use this for student questions to be posted during instruction. Good idea! Thanks.
- This is a great way to have students do bell work.
- Google - web search
- use advance search features - one way is to put search item: edu or search item:.country code (uk) and find other countries perspective
- Check out the web history of your searches
- Show more options on a google search
- timeline
- wonder wheel
- Google Web History
- igoogle custom home page
- Google School
- can set up a domain for district
- teacher and student email
- can set up email so people can only email within district, can set up so teachers can go out but students have to stay within domain
- Google Docs in Plain English (Video)
- Start a Google Doc
- Google Docs for Educators
- Go to revision history to see changes people make to a document
- "Insert a comment" gives a highlighted comment (you can choose the color) and names who's making the comment
- Docs are stored in docs.google.com or click on My Account and then click on Docs Thank you, Google, for now allowing everyone to edit! No excuses!
- Google Spreadsheet
- Survey via a Google Form
- Use http://bit.ly to shorten a URL
- You can customize your url if you have one of their FREE accounts. (gw)
- Google Presentation
- Blogger
- Create a new blog
- You may have to verify your google account information using your cell phone - this is for security reasons
- Some Blogs worth noting
- The Thinking Stick - Jeff Utecht
- Larry Ferlazzo's websites of the day
- Free Tech 4 Teachers - RM Byrne
- The Huffington Post
- The tech fridge - Josh Allen - Nebraska
- Avenue4Learning - Michelle Baldwin - Nebraska
- Google Reader - An RSS aggregator
- Google Sites
- You can get your own domain to tie to Google sites
- Google Calendar
- Talk
- windows only download
- can run inside a browser or inside your igoogle page
- has an IM interface
- Translate
- Google News
- Google Mobile
- Google SMS
- Google Gears
- Google Notebook
- Works, but Google has stopped development of Notebook
- Google Bookmarks
- Google Toolbar - for Internet Explorer and Firefox
- Sketchup
- Picasa
- Web site to post photos - can share photos via link (with people that you give access to)
- can download picasa for mac and it will find photos and upload and make albums
- Google Earth
- Resources from Hall Davidson
- Resources for using Google Earth in the classroom
- Google Maps
- by car
- by public transit
- by walking
- Goog 411
- Google Dashboard
- lets you view data that is being stored on the google services you are using
- aggregates services like gmail, docs, blogger, picasa, calendar, and web history.
- Google Wave
- you must be invited - closed for others right now
- Google Groups
- Google Teacher Academy
- Google wiki
- A google handout
- The Official Google Blog
- Google Labs
- More Google Products - the list continually grows
- Google Books
- Google Scholar
- Google Squared - AMAZING WEBSITE - I love this site!
- Google Posters for Education
- Information for setting a Google Domain (after much consideration/discussion)
- http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/edu/index.html
- Advanced Configuration Guide
- Reference Guide (PDF)
- Six Steps to get you started
- Google Apps Help Center for Users
- Google Apps Help Center for Administrators (LAN managers)
- Suggest a Feature
- Please take the evaluation at the end of the day
- Click on Public Surveys under the login area
- Click Google Tools Summer Workshop Survey
- Thanks for coming!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
May 2010 News
And the winners are....
And, the winners from ESU 4 are....in the K-4 poster contest: Elizabeth from Johnson Brock, sponsor Jane Wenzl; in the 5-8 category: for audio public service announcement - Tyler from Pawnee City with sponsor Lori Gyhra, and for the poster contest - Makayla from Johnson-Brock with sponsor Ryan Walker; in the 9-12 video public service announcement - Tyler and Cole from Johnson-Brock with Tera Stutheit as sponsor. Although I am allowed only to pick one winner from each category, I believe every one who participated is a winner.
Every April, Nebraska educators are encouraged to teach Internet Safety. ESU's across the state have a contest in which students can participate. Even though the only award for winning this contest is having a name printed in a newsletter, we believe the process helps students learn the benefits and risks associated with online profiles. Each year we get a handful of entries at different grade levels. Entries range from elementary posters to high school videos warning others about the dangers of using the Internet inappropriately. While visiting a local school and discussing this with another teacher, I came upon a wall full of posters students created about online safety. The wall was lined with drawings and messages to be safe while online. This teacher told me they used this as an art project. So, not only was there a curriculum tie to this project, but also meaning in the content. What a great story! As I looked over these posters, I could not help asking, "How do you decide on which one to send to the ESU?" They were all so very well done.
And, the winners from ESU 4 are....in the K-4 poster contest: Elizabeth from Johnson Brock, sponsor Jane Wenzl; in the 5-8 category: for audio public service announcement - Tyler from Pawnee City with sponsor Lori Gyhra, and for the poster contest - Makayla from Johnson-Brock with sponsor Ryan Walker; in the 9-12 video public service announcement - Tyler and Cole from Johnson-Brock with Tera Stutheit as sponsor. Although I am allowed only to pick one winner from each category, I believe every one who participated is a winner.
I would personally like to thank all those that participated. Schools participating this year included Sterling, Johnson-Brock, and Pawnee City. The winning entries from ESU 4 were sent on to the state contest, and the winners from the state contest can be found at: http://blog.esu10.org/internetsafety/ne-attorney-general-esu-contest-winners/
On another note, the NETA (Nebraska Educational Technology Association) conference should still be fresh in the minds of those who attended that outstanding event. At that conference, many ideas are shared about how different technologies can be applied in the classroom. I would encourage all of you, even if you were not able to attend NETA, to start thinking about how technology can impact your classroom next fall. There are workshops held at the ESU this summer that you may benefit from attending. If there is something specific you would like to implement, but don't know how, let us know. We would enjoy the opportunity to visit with you. Don't be afraid to do something different. That is the motto that the Apple Computer Corporation lives by - "Think Differently!"
If you did not choose to participate in the contest this year, I would urge you to do so in the future. The winning entries can be found on my podcast at http://www.esu4.org. Click on the "Technology" link, then click on the bottom to check out my podcast.
On another note, the NETA (Nebraska Educational Technology Association) conference should still be fresh in the minds of those who attended that outstanding event. At that conference, many ideas are shared about how different technologies can be applied in the classroom. I would encourage all of you, even if you were not able to attend NETA, to start thinking about how technology can impact your classroom next fall. There are workshops held at the ESU this summer that you may benefit from attending. If there is something specific you would like to implement, but don't know how, let us know. We would enjoy the opportunity to visit with you. Don't be afraid to do something different. That is the motto that the Apple Computer Corporation lives by - "Think Differently!"
Have a great summer. I hope to see many of you at our summer workshops.
Website of the month: Readability - Having trouble reading online articles due to ads and clip art? Readability is a simple tool that makes reading on the web more enjoyable by removing the clutter around what you're reading. Also works well for students who have trouble reading online articles due to visual impairments.
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