Week 2.5
We have BLOGS!!!
Your classmates have been working hard at creating their own blogs. Please see these links to support their cause!
Lorena's blog can be found at http://kidblog.org/home.php. She would love for all of you to come and leave comments. You have your own usernames: first initial - last name and the password is soccer.
Check out Diana's blog at http://www.dpmnewblog.blogspot.com/. She is trying to educate the people in her life as well as other individuals she might able to reach!
Here's Mike at www.6Acebook.blogspot.com. He has begun a blog for his students and welcomes comments to what his students are posting.
Mike H. has started a blog at his Sunday school. A great place to start this conversation with kids. Please visit http://stgeorgesundayschool.blogspot.com/.
Thanks for your support! Anyone else start a blog?
Monday, January 30, 2012
Week 2.4
Resources...resources...resources!
I don't know where to start? What tools should I use? How should I use them? These are frequent statements from teachers just beginning their journey with technology. As a group, we will collect a list of digital tools and resources on a website called http://www.livebinders.com/. This way we can learn from each other about the tools we find beneficial for our own classrooms.
Livebinders is a free, virtual 3-ring binder that can be used to organize resources, tools and websites. Teachers can use this to create and share web information by topic, subject, or grade-level.
Our Livebinder is called Technology for Learners (to keep it consistent) and you can follow this link to get there... http://www.livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=294712. I have already begun ours with some of the tools I love and others taht have been suggested by your peers. We will continue to update this throughout the semester.
If you have suggestions of tools, please post them here with a brief statement about what it is and why you like it!
Feel free to start your own, if you'd like to collect your own resources or the ones that are most meaningful to you. We will take a look at this in class this Tuesday.
Resources...resources...resources!
I don't know where to start? What tools should I use? How should I use them? These are frequent statements from teachers just beginning their journey with technology. As a group, we will collect a list of digital tools and resources on a website called http://www.livebinders.com/. This way we can learn from each other about the tools we find beneficial for our own classrooms.
Livebinders is a free, virtual 3-ring binder that can be used to organize resources, tools and websites. Teachers can use this to create and share web information by topic, subject, or grade-level.
Our Livebinder is called Technology for Learners (to keep it consistent) and you can follow this link to get there... http://www.livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=294712. I have already begun ours with some of the tools I love and others taht have been suggested by your peers. We will continue to update this throughout the semester.
If you have suggestions of tools, please post them here with a brief statement about what it is and why you like it!
Feel free to start your own, if you'd like to collect your own resources or the ones that are most meaningful to you. We will take a look at this in class this Tuesday.
Week 2.3
Tweet ya lata!
Twitter has recently been taking education by storm. Educators can quickly connect with other professionals, who have similar interests, to gather resources, ideas, and share experiences. This all happens in minutes or over time. Some teachers have decided to integrate this type of social media into their classrooms in a variety of ways. The following link will show some videos and provide ideas and tips for using this tool with your students.
http://edudemic.com/2011/09/twitter-in-education/
To find a list of discussions of Twitter that may benefit your professional development, check out the following link from Cybraryman.
http://cybraryman.com/edhashtags.html
He also has a list of tutorials and articles about Getting Started with Twitter at http://cybraryman.com/twitter.html.
Tweet ya lata!
Twitter has recently been taking education by storm. Educators can quickly connect with other professionals, who have similar interests, to gather resources, ideas, and share experiences. This all happens in minutes or over time. Some teachers have decided to integrate this type of social media into their classrooms in a variety of ways. The following link will show some videos and provide ideas and tips for using this tool with your students.
http://edudemic.com/2011/09/twitter-in-education/
To find a list of discussions of Twitter that may benefit your professional development, check out the following link from Cybraryman.
http://cybraryman.com/edhashtags.html
He also has a list of tutorials and articles about Getting Started with Twitter at http://cybraryman.com/twitter.html.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Week 2.2
How much can you give?
There are always questions regarding funding and school budgets. Not only do teachers give a tireless amount of time to their students but they also spend a lot of their own money to provide basic materials or items needed for fun projects. Rarely, do we ask to be reimbursed or cancel the project because there is no money in the school budget. We go to the dollar store and stock up on materials so that we can provide a new, exciting lesson to engage our students. I can't even begin to to tell you how many times the cashier at the dollar store has said to me, "You must be a teacher".
Let me tell you about a website that might help you pull some funding in for your classroom projects. Very exciting!!!
www.DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need.
As a teacher you can post (on this website) a need for materials for a classroom project, technology, or musical instruments.
An individual can browse the project requests and give any amount to the one that inspires them. Once a project reaches its funding goal, Donorschoose.org delivers the materials to the school.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Week 2.1
Digital Mistakes!
After doing the reading this week, you should begin to have an understanding of what makes up Digital Citizenship. The nine elements explain the various paths our students can navigate down while being digital consumers. How they participate in technology, exchange information or make purchases, even understand what their rights are and how their behavior effects others. While using technology in the classroom can be very exciting to us as well as our students, we must make it a priority to have honest discussions with our students about Digital Communication and Ettiquette. Teaching them how to be productive citizens on and offline. This video is an example of how we can educate our children about appropriate behaviors while using technology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhV93zG8xlA
The following clip from youtube, gives students a very direct message about watching what they say online. I'd say this is a valuable lesson for students before we start teaching them to blog or tweet . And, if they are already doing those things online...it's never too late to educate!!!
Do you know someome who has acted as a poor digital citizen? Please tell us about it! (Don't use real names or initials!) This does not have to be a child that you know...I know plenty of adults who walk a fine line! If you do not have an example, see if you can find one online or on youtube to share.
Do you have an example of inappropriate digital citizenshopCan you find an example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdQBurXQOeQ
Digital Mistakes!
After doing the reading this week, you should begin to have an understanding of what makes up Digital Citizenship. The nine elements explain the various paths our students can navigate down while being digital consumers. How they participate in technology, exchange information or make purchases, even understand what their rights are and how their behavior effects others. While using technology in the classroom can be very exciting to us as well as our students, we must make it a priority to have honest discussions with our students about Digital Communication and Ettiquette. Teaching them how to be productive citizens on and offline. This video is an example of how we can educate our children about appropriate behaviors while using technology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhV93zG8xlA
The following clip from youtube, gives students a very direct message about watching what they say online. I'd say this is a valuable lesson for students before we start teaching them to blog or tweet . And, if they are already doing those things online...it's never too late to educate!!!
Do you know someome who has acted as a poor digital citizen? Please tell us about it! (Don't use real names or initials!) This does not have to be a child that you know...I know plenty of adults who walk a fine line! If you do not have an example, see if you can find one online or on youtube to share.
Do you have an example of inappropriate digital citizenshopCan you find an example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdQBurXQOeQ
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Week 1.1
"Those who can't do...teach."
I'm sure most of you have heard or overheard that quote somewhere before. Maybe in a joke, or from a disgruntled student, at a dinner party, or during a parent/teacher meeting. I take this type of "joke" very personally! Teaching has been and will always be a huge responsibility. This profession is one of the few that requires a Masters degree and forces you to continue with professional developments. Admittedly, I have run across educators who I believe were not dedicated to providing the best education to their students. I have come into contact with FAR MORE teachers who are passionate about their work and are eager to make a difference!!!
In this role, you become a nurturer, confidant, facilitator, coach and most important you begin to help this child shape the type of learner and individual they will continue to be far after high school. I know teachers who have provided food or clean clothing for students when there was none available, given Christmas gifts when Santa wasn't going to make it this year, and shown support to students who were struggling through parental divorce or death. I know teachers who have saved lives by fighting against abuse, and bullying. Overall, teachers fight hard to ensure a safe environment where kids can build relationships, learn from mistakes, dream about their future, and consider the types of citizens they would like to be.
Check this out: Taylor Mali on "What Teachers Make"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4syxU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Do you know a teacher who has gone to great lengths to support one or more of their students?
"Those who can't do...teach."
I'm sure most of you have heard or overheard that quote somewhere before. Maybe in a joke, or from a disgruntled student, at a dinner party, or during a parent/teacher meeting. I take this type of "joke" very personally! Teaching has been and will always be a huge responsibility. This profession is one of the few that requires a Masters degree and forces you to continue with professional developments. Admittedly, I have run across educators who I believe were not dedicated to providing the best education to their students. I have come into contact with FAR MORE teachers who are passionate about their work and are eager to make a difference!!!
In this role, you become a nurturer, confidant, facilitator, coach and most important you begin to help this child shape the type of learner and individual they will continue to be far after high school. I know teachers who have provided food or clean clothing for students when there was none available, given Christmas gifts when Santa wasn't going to make it this year, and shown support to students who were struggling through parental divorce or death. I know teachers who have saved lives by fighting against abuse, and bullying. Overall, teachers fight hard to ensure a safe environment where kids can build relationships, learn from mistakes, dream about their future, and consider the types of citizens they would like to be.
Check this out: Taylor Mali on "What Teachers Make"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4syxU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Do you know a teacher who has gone to great lengths to support one or more of their students?
Week 1.2
Do you speak digital?
If you are one of those people who says, "I'm computer illiterate" or "I don't have any time to learn new technology" or "it's always worked my way"...my response to you is..."stop searching for excuses! Your students need you to be adventurous and take risks." You don't have to be an expert by any means but you have to be willing to take a chance. It is so important that our students feel like we are taking an interest in the world that they have become accustomed to, which very much includes technology. Your students may even jump at the chance to teach you a thing or too. You should embrace their willingness and their excitement to be a part of the learning/teaching process.
People who are scared to try new things, have PowerPoint presentations that look like this...
Don McMillan's Life After Death by PowerPoint http://www.youtube.com/watchv=lpvgfmEU2Ck&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Why are some teachers afraid to integrate new types of technology into their classroom?
Do you speak digital?
If you are one of those people who says, "I'm computer illiterate" or "I don't have any time to learn new technology" or "it's always worked my way"...my response to you is..."stop searching for excuses! Your students need you to be adventurous and take risks." You don't have to be an expert by any means but you have to be willing to take a chance. It is so important that our students feel like we are taking an interest in the world that they have become accustomed to, which very much includes technology. Your students may even jump at the chance to teach you a thing or too. You should embrace their willingness and their excitement to be a part of the learning/teaching process.
People who are scared to try new things, have PowerPoint presentations that look like this...
Don McMillan's Life After Death by PowerPoint http://www.youtube.com/watchv=lpvgfmEU2Ck&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Why are some teachers afraid to integrate new types of technology into their classroom?
Week 1.3
Blog about it!
As teachers, we need to find creative ways to keep our students focused and engaged in our classroom. What better way to do that then on the computer...blogging about it! Most students have some, if not a ton of experience with technology. This is an area they typically out shine their teacher. Students truly respect a teacher who is willing to try new things in their classroom. Blogs are an easy and exciting way to have students practice their writing and build 21st century learning skills.
Blogs can provide...
resources and updates for students and parents.
a supportive writing environment.
a place to communicate and/or reflect on different topics or events.
a place to share their personal thoughts or opinions.
a new motivating approach to get kids writing MORE!
a creative way of receiving feedback from teacher and peers.
Some easy and safe blogs to help you get started...
Blogger
Blogmeister
Kidsblog
Edublog
Ning - free pro version of educators
Wikispaces
Moodle
For safety tips visit, http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech217.shtml.
Set up a blog and include rules and guidelines for your students... http://teacherchallenge.edublogs.org/2011/02/18/student-blogging-activity-2-beginner-setting-up-rules-guidelines/
Get over your fear and start your blog today! How will your first post engage your students?
Blog about it!
As teachers, we need to find creative ways to keep our students focused and engaged in our classroom. What better way to do that then on the computer...blogging about it! Most students have some, if not a ton of experience with technology. This is an area they typically out shine their teacher. Students truly respect a teacher who is willing to try new things in their classroom. Blogs are an easy and exciting way to have students practice their writing and build 21st century learning skills.
Blogs can provide...
resources and updates for students and parents.
a supportive writing environment.
a place to communicate and/or reflect on different topics or events.
a place to share their personal thoughts or opinions.
a new motivating approach to get kids writing MORE!
a creative way of receiving feedback from teacher and peers.
Some easy and safe blogs to help you get started...
Blogger
Blogmeister
Kidsblog
Edublog
Ning - free pro version of educators
Wikispaces
Moodle
For safety tips visit, http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech217.shtml.
Set up a blog and include rules and guidelines for your students... http://teacherchallenge.edublogs.org/2011/02/18/student-blogging-activity-2-beginner-setting-up-rules-guidelines/
Get over your fear and start your blog today! How will your first post engage your students?
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