Tuesday, June 30, 2009
ADOBE BOOTH (Monday, June 29, 2009)
To my surprise I end up loving the Adobe presentation on "Containers". It is amazing how you can create a container (file) that holds every single document including diverse media such as videos, audio, PowerPoint presentations and others. Is there any way for the teachers to have access to Adobe (not only the reader) for at least one computer at home? If they are able to check out and install Microsoft Office in one home computer, they should be able to do the same with Adobe... Don't you think?
CONSTRUCTIONISM, DUCT TAPE, AND PREPARING CHILDREN FOR THEIR FUTURE- David Thornburg (June 30, 2009)
The Presenter defined "Duct Tape"as the Ability to Create Under Pressure. He also suggested to Promote certain level of Anxiety in your students to promote Productive Flow of Learning and to repeat this cycle all over to prevent Boredom and Behavioral problems. Recycling materials will Force students to be Creative. He also suggested some websites to help teachers in the process of promoting creativity in their classrooms:
Tuesday's Child
His name is Eric Close. He is the son of Glenn Close. He stars in "Without a Trace." He volunteers for the Verizon Foundation, which rescued MarcoPolo (World.com and MCI), supports Thinkfinity, and contributes to many charitable causes, such as one for battered women.
Her name is Veronica Davis. She is a former student of mine, grades three through five. She was helping me acquire the 52 punches in the huge card that led me around the Exhibits for two days.
We were passing the end of Aisle 1700 and Miss Veronica stammers as she practically trips over her feet, "Isn't he that actor on TV?"
I turn to look and say, "He does look a little like Eric Close, but nah."
"Eric Close!" she shouts. "That was the name on his name tag!"
"I don't think it's the Eric Close," I reply as I casually take out my iPhone to snap a picture anyway.
-----
Anyway, products to consider:
Her name is Veronica Davis. She is a former student of mine, grades three through five. She was helping me acquire the 52 punches in the huge card that led me around the Exhibits for two days.
We were passing the end of Aisle 1700 and Miss Veronica stammers as she practically trips over her feet, "Isn't he that actor on TV?"
I turn to look and say, "He does look a little like Eric Close, but nah."
"Eric Close!" she shouts. "That was the name on his name tag!"
"I don't think it's the Eric Close," I reply as I casually take out my iPhone to snap a picture anyway.
-----
Anyway, products to consider:
- Deep Freeze protects computers by allowing teachers to install freeware/shareware, but on the re-boot the next day, the installation will not be there. The Technology Department must allow installations. Also, the software prevents 99% of viruses.
- Eno puts out an interactive white board that is made indestructible, magnetized steel and has a lifetime warranty, a detachable magnetic menu, and operates by pen, tablet, or wireless computer. Very impressive.
There were a lot more, including a security and protection software that can filter email through message content even and a free online comic book resource affiliated with Garfield the Cat that is an interactive writing, tutoring, and publishing resource--among other things.
Okay, okay! Veronica says this is becoming a novel. Must go.
Creating Portfolios in GoogleSites
I learned many new things in this class on Monday. We made templates already correlated to our middle school technology TEKS and are ready to proceed with these to help students create some online portfolios. Prof. Zeitz had lots of these items ready for us. It was a great learning experience.
Brick and Mortar Debate
I went to the Bricks and Mortar Debate (in other words, should we have physical school buildings or go completely online). What was very striking in this debate was the comments made by Gary S. Stager (http://www.stager.org/). The primary point that I took away from this is that we need to be very careful not to implement technologies that simply make ineffective ways of teaching "slicker". One point he made was that white boards simply digitize the teacher as the lecturer - not building students as self-directed learners.
Reminds me again that responsible purchasing of technology in TISD is dependent on the changes and innovations that occur in instruction. If a teacher is still the "sage on the stage" -lecturing students instead of letting students actively engage, it doesn't matter what technology you add. The technology can enhance and faciliate instruction - bringing it to the 21st century, but the teacher has to be willing to take the risk and create that learning environment.
Reminds me again that responsible purchasing of technology in TISD is dependent on the changes and innovations that occur in instruction. If a teacher is still the "sage on the stage" -lecturing students instead of letting students actively engage, it doesn't matter what technology you add. The technology can enhance and faciliate instruction - bringing it to the 21st century, but the teacher has to be willing to take the risk and create that learning environment.
Electronic Portfolios with Adobe Acrobat
What a great class. I did not know I knew so much about Adobe Acrobat. What version do we have. We used 9.1 in this class. The instructor said that version 8 and this one support being able to make comments onto PDF files like making a form that needs to be completed and returned. How cool it that. I did not know that. You can make PDF files from a word doc. from a website and from other forms you have made. All this before our break. More to come.
Monday Madness
Eating one meal a day seems to be the only option for this convention....
Anyway, I attended my first three hour workshop Monday morning, 8:30 – 11:30 AM, Make It and Take It: Blogs, Wikis, and More, presented by Gail Lovely. Although there were connectivity issues, I was able to set up a wiki for potential uses in the classroom, most likely as a presentation tool with links and graphics and attachments needed for lessons. I was also able to create a blog site, which I think will be more useful and child-safe for use with my students this coming school year as I implement the Intel unit I created during the hybrid course. I think I like it better than the one I created during the hybrid training at edublogs. The facilitator for this workshop thinks edublogs has issues--I'm sure being child-safe would be one of them. Beside, students won't have to have an email address for the yolasite in order to blog, unlike the wiki wetpaint site.
More later on the other workshop I attended as well as my experiences with the exhibits.
Anyway, I attended my first three hour workshop Monday morning, 8:30 – 11:30 AM, Make It and Take It: Blogs, Wikis, and More, presented by Gail Lovely. Although there were connectivity issues, I was able to set up a wiki for potential uses in the classroom, most likely as a presentation tool with links and graphics and attachments needed for lessons. I was also able to create a blog site, which I think will be more useful and child-safe for use with my students this coming school year as I implement the Intel unit I created during the hybrid course. I think I like it better than the one I created during the hybrid training at edublogs. The facilitator for this workshop thinks edublogs has issues--I'm sure being child-safe would be one of them. Beside, students won't have to have an email address for the yolasite in order to blog, unlike the wiki wetpaint site.
More later on the other workshop I attended as well as my experiences with the exhibits.
Sunday in the Park
Actually it was the National Mall....
Anyway, since there were no exhibits Sunday, I went for a v e r y l o n g walk with Anna Marie. We went to the Capitol, the Botanic Gardens, the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial among others. This was very exciting and educational for me personally and I hope to share some of the pictures with my students--perhaps using them in a slideshow for a patriotic program this coming school year.
Intending to go hear the key note speaker for the convention and attend a gathering that afternoon and evening, we got back too late for one and I didn't wake up from a much needed nap in time for the other. Uh-oh and Oops! So, instead I perused the convention program booklet and made sure I knew where my workshops were the next day, planned out how to visit the exhibits, and looked at free workshops for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Anyway, since there were no exhibits Sunday, I went for a v e r y l o n g walk with Anna Marie. We went to the Capitol, the Botanic Gardens, the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial among others. This was very exciting and educational for me personally and I hope to share some of the pictures with my students--perhaps using them in a slideshow for a patriotic program this coming school year.
Intending to go hear the key note speaker for the convention and attend a gathering that afternoon and evening, we got back too late for one and I didn't wake up from a much needed nap in time for the other. Uh-oh and Oops! So, instead I perused the convention program booklet and made sure I knew where my workshops were the next day, planned out how to visit the exhibits, and looked at free workshops for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Second Life
I went to a class on Monday about Second Life. Second Life is kind of like a virtual Facebook of sorts. First of all, it is free, you set up an account and then create your Avatar. Your Avatar is your "little person," or digital reflection of yourself. There were some connectivity issues so we were not able to set up our own. Education folks worldwide have created locations in this world that you can go to or take your students to in order to learn from each other or virtually visit historical or famous sites. For example, we went to the Alamo and walked through it and it was very well done. There are many, many groups that you can join that will guide you on how to find places to go.
Monday, June 29, 2009
SUA206 THE POWER OF GLOBAL COLLABORATIVE LEARNING- Mali Bickley (Sunday, June 28, 2009)
Technology when use "the right way" can be extremely powerful. This was probably one of the most interesting and inspirational workshops in my opinion... The presenters were great, they share real life experiences of their students in Canada and how collaborating with classroom in other countries have empower their students learning. We had the opportunity to take a close look at several projects, but one that caught my attention was "My Hero Project". Please take a moment to explore the site and learn a little bit of how powerful collaborative learning can be...
Educator Soptlight: Mali Bickley
Paperless class
WOW! It was fantastic. It showed me how I can still use my pocket pc's and the other technology we have to decrease the amount of paper I have used for teaching. I made an officelive account and sort of learned how to use it. I have decided to use it instead of google docs for my intel project. It will be easier and support it better.
Exhibits
I was overwhelmed and overloaded and did not talk to half of the half of exhibitors. I never dreamed there would be so many.
I am going to try to make a plan of who to go to tomorrow.
I am going to try to make a plan of who to go to tomorrow.
Exhibit Hall...
I went through the exhibit hall this morning. There are so many things out there. There will be lots more time tomorrow to see more. I was able to sit through brief thing on Qwizdom. I am always impressed with those interactive learning systems and what they could do for your classroom. I also saw a very cool thing by plasq. It allows you and your students to create a comic books. Very interesting!!!! I think it could bring in those kids who hate everything....They might actually do it through this.
I am attending a workshop all afternoon called Animation and Learning.... I think it should be fun and interesting.
Until next time....
I am attending a workshop all afternoon called Animation and Learning.... I think it should be fun and interesting.
Until next time....
1:1 Laptop Initiatives
Beyond 1:1 – 21st Century Learning in a Textbook-Free Digital School
Bill Morrison, Rapides Parish School (LA)
This workshop was done by a team of teachers and administrators from Bolton High School Digital Academy in Lousianna. The high school has 600 students. They spend a million dollars, but in 55 access points, provided 1:1 Mac laptops for students and teachers, and don't use any textbooks - the teachers create all of the lessons from digital resources. Key statements made:
Bill Morrison, Rapides Parish School (LA)
This workshop was done by a team of teachers and administrators from Bolton High School Digital Academy in Lousianna. The high school has 600 students. They spend a million dollars, but in 55 access points, provided 1:1 Mac laptops for students and teachers, and don't use any textbooks - the teachers create all of the lessons from digital resources. Key statements made:
- Not a technology program – it is a 21st Century learning program
- Testing is still paper and pencil
- Full time technician and instructional technologist at the campus
- Important to have solid laptop agreement
- 1 hour orientation for parents, 3 hour orientation for students
- Kids can have photos and music, but not backed up on server
- Content filter available at home and school
- Keeps a couple of spare computers for students to use when there are problems
Social Networking
Social Networking into Collaboration and Synergy
Jamie McKenzie (From Now On – The Educational Technology Journal) (WA)
Jamie emphasized that social networking ins not just turning kids (or adults) loose on wikis and blogs. Social networking involves monitoring and scaffolding. He talked about a site called "Visual Thesaurus" (http://www.visualthesaurus.com/). Incredible site! Take a look!
Jamie McKenzie (From Now On – The Educational Technology Journal) (WA)
Jamie emphasized that social networking ins not just turning kids (or adults) loose on wikis and blogs. Social networking involves monitoring and scaffolding. He talked about a site called "Visual Thesaurus" (http://www.visualthesaurus.com/). Incredible site! Take a look!
Digital Storytelling
So far so good. I have attended two classes and I have something on both to take home. I will need to do some more practice on digital storytelling, but the instructor gave us some sites my teachers might like.
The bad thing is that the network keeps going in and out in the class I am in work.
The bad thing is that the network keeps going in and out in the class I am in work.
Captivate Me! Workshop
Terry and Paula conducted a workshop called "Captivate Me! Create Engaging Online Tutorials and Assessments." They had a full house! I'm attaching some pictures I took. I'll let them fill in the details of the workshop.
http://www.worknsmartr.com/captivate/
http://www.worknsmartr.com/captivate/
Building Simulations, Games, and 3-D Modeling
I attended an all day workshop on Sunday called "Building Simulations, Games, and 3-D Modeling Using Excel, Alice, GoogleSketchUp, and NetLogo". I went with the intent of finding out more about programs that we would use in summer enrichment "technology camps". I was probably most intrigued by Alice. It is a free 3-D animation program that is very simple to use. Students could be engaged quickly and create their own "worlds". The educational advantage to the program is the introduction to programming logic - if you do this, then this happens. Great way to teach some higher order thinking and problem solving in a fun, game-oriented way.
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