January 2010
January 31, 2010
Dalton Sherman
iGoogle as a Virtual Planner
The addition of a new feature within the iGoogle pages makes Andrew's idea even easier-- sharing tabs. Teachers can create an iGoogle "student planner template" which they can share with an entire class simply by entering their e-mail addresses. Students can then use the iGoogle page as it is or personalize it. Schools that have implemented Google Apps will find this feature especially useful as it integrates seamlessly with Google Docs and Calendar.
Here's how to do it
The Electric Educator: iGoogle as a Virtual Planner
Quote of the day
A true handicap is what we don't do with what we have, not what we can't do with what we don't have!
Kids
Netsafe NetBasics
An excellent set of video's about internet safety.
INCREDIBOX
You just need to try it...way cool.
[ INCREDIBOX ] presents [ THE INCREDIBLE POLO ]
Thirty-Six Interesting Ways* to Use Search Engines in the Class
Thirty-Six Interesting Ways* to Use Search Engines in the Class
January 30, 2010
Quote of the day
Be very, very careful what you put into that head, because you will never, ever get it out.
--Thomas Cardinal Wolsey
10 Favorite Quotes on Unlearning
Unlearning 101: 10 Favorite Quotes on Unlearning
What is the Future of Teaching?
"On average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction," concluded the report's authors in their key findings.
What is the Future of Teaching?
Patience
Cameco gives $2M to virtual school
Initially, the school started as a pilot program to strengthen the delivery of math and science high school courses to remote First Nations and community schools in the province that often had a difficult time attracting qualified teachers for the disciplines, said Hill. Now, Credenda has expanded its course offerings and has branched out to offer business college office administration courses.
Cameco gives $2M to virtual school
Virtual Schooling In The News
Virtual Schooling In The News « Virtual High School Meanderings
January 29, 2010
Free Languages Online
Welcome to Your Free Online language Courses! - Learn foreign languages with our free language courses!
LANGMaster.com offers the world's most extensive free online language courses. We provide state of the art free courses in many language localizations. Study with us and enjoy 6,616 interactive exercises and tests, 928 chapters, 1,700 hours of learning, 49,808 sound recordings and 11,263 pictures and photos!
What's on your kids` cell?
Many adults tend to glamorize their childhood days. Selective memorization has a way of recalling only the best of times, often leaving out the emotional struggles, the hurt and heartaches, the lack of being accepted, and the peer-pressure and angst that accompanied our long lost adolescence. Growing up was tough back in the day. News flash: it's no easier for today's youth, especially considering the technology available at every teen's fingertips.
From cyber bullying to sexting (stats and videos): What's on your kids` cell?
The Changing Face of Education in Iowa
The paired statements, by themselves, can generate very quality conversation, but there are a couple of other takeaways from the process of this discussion that I find interesting. I'll touch on those in another post.
Girl not a bully, shouldn't have been suspended, says mom
A Winnipeg mother is outraged that her daughter has been labelled a cyberbully and suspended from school after creating a Facebook page about a fellow student.
"This has been blown all out of proportion," the mother said Thursday. "It was not a bullying web page. It had no comments made by the child (her daughter) who created it."
Girl not a bully, shouldn't have been suspended, says mom - Winnipeg Free Press
Quote of the day
If there exists no Possibility of Failure, then Victory is Meaningless
~Robert H. Schuller
Walk with me...Not
January 28, 2010
muxicall
I am not really sure about this...but worth a look, not even sure what it is... but I had fun playing.
Quote of the day
If you're one in a million, there are six thousand people exactly like you.
Educators Inclined More Toward Digital Content
PreK-12 teachers throughout the United States are making significant progress in the adoption and integration of digital media and Internet use in their curricula. "Digitally Inclined," a research report and survey compiled for PBS by Grunwald Associates, showed a number of encouraging trends in the use of digital content to make classroom instruction more engaging while making individualized instruction more effective.
Educators Inclined More Toward Digital Content -- THE Journal
Most College Students To Take Classes Online by 2014
Nearly 12 million post-secondary students in the United States take some or all of their classes online right now. But this number will skyrocket to more than 22 million in the next five years, according to data released recently by research firm Ambient Insight.
Most College Students To Take Classes Online by 2014 -- Campus Technology
Google Tools for Educators
I was recently trained at Google in Boulder and was excited about the opportunity to educate others about all the wonderful Google tools available once you set up a G-mail account. I continute to learn as much as possible so that I can effectively use Google Applications and educate others. This site is dedicated to providing educators essential tools to use Google Applications. It provides user friendly handouts. In addition to the provision of user friendly handouts, videos will be provided to make life easier for those who prefer visual and auditory methods of teaching.
Very weird...
Watch this video once, he is saying gaga or dada.
Play it a second time, close your eyes...it will be baba.
Beats me why... a comment says:
It's all very simple my friends. It's another audio. In the original video, he kept saying "gaga". You can notice it by the movement of his mouth. Then, he changed the audio to him saying "Baba". It's like he dubbed over it. He looks like he's saying "Gaga" but he's saying "Baba". This is because you can't say Baba without sticking your lips together.
E-learning: Where do we start? Where is it going?
Is your district considering moving courses to an online format? If you are considering online or blended courses, I would like to offer some tips and suggestions for best practices for transitioning a face to face course to an online course.
E-learning: Where do we start? Where is it going? « Kyle B. Pace
ELearning Isn't What You Think It Is - Not Yet
When you say you're doing elearning what are you doing? The big names talk about how web 2.0 is turning courses on their heads.
Cammy Bean's Learning Visions: Allison Rossett: ELearning Isn't What You Think It Is - Not Yet #tk10
4 Reasons iPad Will Kill the Kindle, 4 Reasons It Won't
"Uh-oh," is the reaction we can imagine Amazon founder Jeff Bezos had when watching today's unveiling of the eagerly awaited Apple iPad tablet. The new Apple device looks, at least upon first glance, like it will completely eat Amazon's lunch. In fact, Steve Jobs even eulogized the Kindle in his unveiling.
4 Reasons iPad Will Kill the Kindle, 4 Reasons It Won't
WISDOM FROM MILITARY MANUALS
'If the enemy is in range, so are you.' - Infantry Journal-
________________________________________
'It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed.' - US.Air Force Manual -
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'Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword, obviously never encountered automatic weapons.' - General MacArthur -
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'You, you, and you ... Panic. The rest of you, come with me.' - Infantry Sgt.-
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'Tracers work both ways.' - Army Ordnance Manual-
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'Five second fuses last about three seconds.' -Infantry Journal -
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The three most useless things in aviation are: Fuel in the bowser (mobile fuel tank on the runway); Runway behind you; and Air above you. -Basic Flight Training Manual-
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'Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once.' - Naval Ops Manual -
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'Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do.' - Unknown Infantry Recruit-
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'If you see a bomb technician running, try to keep up with him.' -Infantry Journal-
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'Yea, Though I Fly Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 50,000 Feet and Climbing.' - Sign over SR71 Wing Ops-
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'You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3.' -Paul F. Crickmore (SR71 test pilot)-
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'The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.' -Unknown Author-
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'If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage it has to be a helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe.'
- Fixed Wing Pilot-
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'When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane, you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash.' -Multi-Engine Training Manual-
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'Without ammunition, the Air Force is just an expensive flying club.' -Unknown Author-
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'If you hear me yell;"Eject, Eject, Eject!", the last two will be echos.' If you stop to ask "Why?", you'll be talking to yourself, because by then you'll be the pilot.' -Pre-flight Briefing from a Canadian CF104 Pilot-
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'What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots? If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; but If ATC screws up, .... the pilot dies.' -Sign over Control Tower Door-
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'Never trade luck for skill.' -Author Unknown-
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The three most common expressions (or famous last words) in military aviation are: 'Did you feel that?' 'What's that noise?' and 'Oh S...!' -Authors Unknown-
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'Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully complete the flight.' -Basic Flight Training Manual-
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'Mankind has a perfect record in aviation - we have never left one up there!' - Unknown Author -
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'Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it.' - Emergency Checklist-
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'The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely kill you.' - Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot) -
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'There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime.' -Sign over Squadron Ops Desk at Davis-Montham AFB, AZ-
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'If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to.' - Sign over Carrier Group Operations Desk-
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'You know that your landing gear is up and locked when it takes full power to taxi to the terminal.' - Lead-in Fighter Training Manual -
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As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives. The rescuer sees the bloodied pilot and asks,'What happened?' The pilot's reply: 'I don't know, I just got here myself!'
Wishes
Quote of the day
Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it.
-Ella Williams
RollTop Computer
January 27, 2010
21 Things That Will Become Obsolete
Last night I read and posted the clip on '21 Things That Became Obsolete in the Last Decade'. Well, just for kicks, I put together my own list of '21 Things That Will Become Obsolete in Education by 2020'.
TeachPaperless: 21 Things That Will Become Obsolete in Education by 2020
Khan Academy
The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere.
We have 1000+ videos on YouTube covering everything from basic arithmetic and algebra to differential equations, physics, chemistry, biology and finance which have been recorded by Salman Khan.
Apple - iPad - The best way to experience the web, email, & photos
I want one...I want one.
Apple - iPad - The best way to experience the web, email, & photos
Peace and Quiet
YouTube XL
A great application for showing youtube videos on a smart board or in the classroom.
Royalty free stuff
Mixtures of free stuff and Collections of free photos, sounds, music, gifs, clipart, fonts, icons, satellite images, cartoons, graphics, animations, etc.
Royalty free stuff | Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age
Quote of the day
I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives.
January 26, 2010
Quote of the day
Stop worrying about the potholes in the road & celebrate the journey
~Fitzhugh Mullan
Educators Must Be Professional
What is a professional? A professional is someone with expertise in a specialized field. It is an individual who not only has pursued advanced knowledge to enter the field but who expects to remain current in their evolving knowledge base.
Educators Must Accept the Challenge
to Be Professional
U.S. school bans the dictionary
A Southern California school board has pulled the Merriam-Webster dictionary off its shelves after a parent complained about the entry "oral sex."
The collegiate-level dictionary was being used in grade four and five classrooms. The school now promises to begin a thorough scouring of the dictionary for other offensive entries.
U.S. school bans the dictionary - thestar.com
Tapscott: Digital natives need tech-rich education
The nation is at a turning point, Tapscott said, and many institutions that have served us well for decades or even centuries--including education--have come to the end of their life cycle and must be "rebooted" or reinvented for a new age.
Tapscott: Digital natives need tech-rich education | eSchoolNews.com
Resistant
January 24, 2010
Dcannell Slideshare 2009 stats
In 2009, you uploaded 66 presentations and got:
21056 views
319 average views per presentation
6 favorites
2 followers
Your most popular presentation was:
917 views
2 favorites
Dcannell SlideShare
Great video- I Need My Teacher To Learn 3.0
Gullible
Quote of the day
Never wrestle a pig. You both get dirty and the pig enjoys it.
Cyber school passwords
A student at the cyber school entered their password ...
MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofyOttawa
When asked why he had such a long password: he replied
''Bejazus! are ya stupid? Your website said password had to be at least 8 characters long and include one capital.
He may not do well in cyber school.
January 22, 2010
Blogging About Virtual Schooling
Beginning once again with the thematic entries. Virtual High School Meanderings includes in this article... News, Opinions commentaries, Teacher Preparation, Virtual School symposiums and then Regional news...check it out.
Blogging About Virtual Schooling
Quote of the day
A computer does not substitute for judgment any more than a pencil substitutes for literacy. But writing without a pencil is no particular advantage.
Interface
January 21, 2010
Quote of the day
Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken over there ... I'm gonna eat the first thing that comes out if its butt"?
SCCS Credit Recovery
Please
January 20, 2010
Quote of the day
The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not.
- Mark Twain
Marvin Move and Animate
Work
January 19, 2010
Quote of the day
Nobody can be so amusingly arrogant as a young man who has just discovered an old idea and thinks it is his own
-S.J. Harris
Marvin Character resize
Throw a fit
January 18, 2010
Quote of the day
You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
- A.A. Milne
Marvin Background color change
Lost
January 17, 2010
Test your brain
Below you have our selection of the Top 50 Brain Teasers and Games that people have enjoyed the most in our blog. It is always good to learn about our brains and to exercise them!.
The Ultimate google wave guide
As a college student, we know you're always on the hunt for tools that save you time and trouble, especially on homework. That's why we've generated this list of tips and tricks for using Google Wave, a powerful collaboration tool that lets you manage projects, swap files and communicate in real-time, with no delay.
The Ultimate google wave guide/
Marvin Background change
Quote of the day
The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you
~BB King
Boldly
January 16, 2010
Marvin add music
Quote of the day
Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.
- Michael Jordan
Nautilus
January 15, 2010
SCCS Final Survey
Quote of the day
Defects are not free. Somebody makes them, and gets paid for making them.
--Deming
15 Ways to Promote eLearning Programs
This is exactly what the title says.
All About Contents of Internet: 15 Ways to Promote eLearning Programs
Scream
January 14, 2010
SCCS Youtube to PPT
Quote of the day
Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.
Jim Rohn
Rice Krispies
January 13, 2010
10 Ways to Ensure Distance Learning Success
Distance learning students must take a far more active role in learning and accessing information than traditional students in face-to-face classrooms. Written messages or posts from the professor and classmates replace other means of direct communication, and course materials are posted online. Rather than simply sitting through a class and jotting notes, you must take the initiative to download and read lectures and course materials.
As a distance learning student, you will find that being pro-active and engaged in your personal learning experience will pay off in good grades and depth of learning.
eLearn: Best Practices
- 10 Ways to Ensure Distance Learning Success
SCCS Chatzy
Symbaloo - start simple
It is our dream to make Symbaloo the easiest starting point on the Internet. It's that simple; you could have thought of it yourself!
Walnut school adds iPod touch to three Rs
With their headphones and iPod Touch machines on, Beatrice Azanza's 20 third grade students were geared up for an afternoon of reading and math.
Textbooks haven't gone away in her class, but high-tech gadgets like the iPod Touch are making Azanza's teaching life at Oswalt Academy a little easier.
Walnut school adds iPod touch to three Rs - SGVTribune.com
Quote of the day
Anger is the feeling that makes your mouth work faster than your mind.
----Evan Esar
Today's kindergartners, tomorrow's workforce
Today's kindergartners will retire around 2075. They will likely look back at 2010 as a quaint time, the way many of us remember the time before VCRs, color television and the Internet. Now is an important time for us to think about their future: What kind of education will be meaningful to them and ensure they can adapt and succeed right up to their retirement?
Education Insights : Today's kindergartners, tomorrow's workforce
Illiteracy
Checklist for Better Web Graphics | Mert TOL
Graphics are critical in defining the ambiance, appeal, and professionalism of a site. While we try to deliver engaging graphics, we must also weigh the tradeoff of increasing the download times that heavy use of graphics can entail. Saving images in the proper format, minimizing image sizes, and using graphics appropriately can go a long way toward minimizing download times.
Checklist for Better Web Graphics | Mert TOL
Microsoft And HP Invest $250 Million In Joint Cloud Computing Venture
Yesterday, Microsoft and HP announced a joint call to discuss a significant partnership. Now we know what it is. According to another announcement issued today, the two tech giants are jointly investing $250 million in a cloud computing venture.
Microsoft And HP Invest $250 Million In Joint Cloud Computing Venture
January 12, 2010
You can't be my teacher and other blogs.
So that silly video "You can't be my teacher" is appearing on other blogs in different languages...
Greek
I need my teachers to learn! | Ζωντανή Μάθηση | Alive Learning
Portuguese
"EM TODA A PARTE SÓ SE APRENDE COM QUEM SE GOSTA".: You can`t be my teacher
Swedish
You can't be my teacher. | Bloggy
Greek
You can't be my teacher - Διδάσκοντας Φυσικές Επιστήμες
Spanish
You can't be my teacher. - Cloud thinking
Google Docs Becoming Google Files
Google Docs isn't just for documents anymore. Similar to services like Box.net, Google Docs can now be used to store any file, which makes it a great way to transfer files between two computers or share a file with a friend.
Google Docs Becoming Google Files
Prepare to Feel Old
It is getting close to my 50th birthday and I am starting to feel old reading this did not help.
Prepare to Feel Old : eLearning Technology
Can learning online be a more 'human' experience
Let me start by saying "I definitely think so"!
Well, I have started this blog to hopefully generate some interesting discussion about the issues surrounding the design, implementation and management of innovative, successful and appropriate online learning and teaching strategies for teachers today. This is my first post!
I have been teaching collaborative design related courses online for about 8 years now, and it has been a constant learning curve. However I have to say that my most rewarding teaching and learning experiences have been online, and if my students are telling the truth, the same can be said for many of them.
SCCS Course Online GIF
Google, Citing Cyber Attack, Threatens to Exit China
Google said Tuesday that it would stop cooperating with Chinese Internet censorship and consider shutting down its operations in the country altogether, citing assaults from hackers on its computer systems and China's attempts to "limit free speech on the Web."
Google, Citing Cyber Attack, Threatens to Exit China - NYTimes.com
My Name
Darren Still Googling
A couple of weeks ago I posted Darren Does Google and then provided a long list of Google-related entries that Darren had posted (I'm assuming based on his experience). Well, he continues to post those Google-related entries, so I'm going to continue to collect and post them here.
Darren Still Googling « Virtual High School Meanderings
Quote of the day
Ways to shut down discussion when someone questions a potential trend: "It's natural to fear change..." or just "luddite"
You can't be my teacher and Wordle
I took the url for the video "You can't be my Teacher." and put it into wordle this is what I came up with...
Interesting...
21st Century Learning
I like the comments, the goal behind any posting is to start discussion and this one was interesting... Thanks
The Internet « 21st Century Learning
SCCS Video Embed
January 11, 2010
The Children of Cyberspace: Old Fogies by Their 20s
But these are also technology tools that children even 10 years older did not grow up with, and I've begun to think that my daughter's generation will also be utterly unlike those that preceded it.
The Children of Cyberspace: Old Fogies by Their 20s - NYTimes.com
Computers are dumb - make smarter e-Learning
Computers are dumb, which can make your e-Learning dumb. What can you do about it?
Computers are dumb - make smarter e-Learning « The Usable Learning Blog
Technology Leadership: Naked Truth about 1:1 Laptop Initiatives and Educational Change, an Article Summary
The body of evidence shows that the existence of scalable and sustainable effects from educational changes, innovations, and reforms - technological or otherwise- although frequently assumed remain an unrealized goal within education. - Weston & Bain, 2010, p.9
In the article, "The End of Techno-Critique: The Naked Truth about 1:1 Laptop Initiatives and Educational Change," the authors present key themes that have emerged from criticism regarding 1:1 laptop initiatives over the last decade based on arguments presented by Larry Cuban (Weston & Bain, 2010). One of the "naked truth" arguments in the article refers to the results from 1:1 initiatives and how these results fall short of the expectations for increased student achievement and better teaching and learning. Another naked truth is that "innovative teaching is the best source for sustainable and scalable achievement gains" (p.7).
Whiteboards' Impact on Teaching Seen as Uneven
Here and across the country, the traditional chalkboards that have been teachers' primary tool for presenting content for more than two centuries are quickly being erased from classrooms. As educators look for ways to present subject matter in more engaging ways that also develop some of the technical skills students need to succeed in the high-tech workplace, more and more administrators and parent-teacher organizations are purchasing interactive whiteboards for their schools.
Education Week's Digital Directions: Whiteboards' Impact on Teaching Seen as Uneven
The 'seven deadly sins' of e-learning
Twitter, Moodle and Ning get you excited about learning, and blogs, wikis and RFIDs are common terms in your vocabulary. Visiting a virtual world is the norm, and you can't understand why your colleagues don't jump on board the e-learning super highway immediately.
Well, according to Dr Karen Becker, a lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology with a PhD in 'Unlearning in the Workplace', many people need to unlearn past behaviours before they can accept that e-learning is a powerful teaching and learning tool.
Unlearning involves breaking down what you think you know, opening up your mind to new concepts and then relearning over time. And it's something many people find difficult to do.
One of the biggest issues with introducing e-learning in education and training is the manner in which it is debated, applied and evaluated within the learning environment. Here, Dr Becker tells us how to avoid committing the 'seven deadly sins of e-learning'.
The 'seven deadly sins' of e-learning | Australian Flexible Learning Framework
Is Google Good for History?
s Google good for history? Of course it is. We historians are searchers and sifters of evidence. Google is probably the most powerful tool in human history for doing just that. It has constructed a deceptively simple way to scan billions of documents instantaneously, and it has spent hundreds of millions of dollars of its own money to allow us to read millions of books in our pajamas. Good? How about Great?
Dan Cohen's Digital Humanities Blog » Blog Archive » Is Google Good for History?
3 Ways Educators Are Embracing Social Technology
The modern American school faces rough challenges. Budget cuts have caused ballooning class sizes, many teachers struggle with poorly motivated students, and in many schools a war is being waged on distracting technologies. In response, innovative educators are embracing social media to fight back against the onslaught of problems. Technologies such as Twitter and Skype offer ideal solutions as inexpensive tools of team-based education.
3 Ways Educators Are Embracing Social Technology
Quote of the day
A driving ambition is of little use if you're on the wrong road
~Frank Tyger
Adult
January 10, 2010
Practice what you teach
Walt Saito, who taught math at Burlingame High School for over thirty years, took the train to work every day so he could "do problems" as he said at his retirement some years ago. He did the problems "just for the fun of it." He apparently also spent the weekend creating--and solving--more problems. Nothing was more fun to him.
Jim Burke: The English Teacher's Companion: Practice what you teach
A Charter for Change in Education
This Charter has been written by educational researchers at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. It is a response to the momentous and turbulent changes of our time--a time when we need more education, everyone agrees, but as we will argue here, not more of the same.
Introduction - New Learning: A Charter for Change in Education
Quote of the day
Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist, but in the ability to start over.
~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
Friend
Google Earth Lessons
It is as it says, a list of lessons using Google earth.
January 9, 2010
Twitter in Action
I was reminded a couple of times this week of the power of collaboration that makes teachers part of such a special group. With the connections that Twitter provides, and the innate desires of teachers to be helpful, Twitter can really be a powerful tool.
Twitter in Action « doug - off the record
Top 100 Tools for Learning 2009
This is an interesting slideshow.
Top 100 Tools for Learning 2009
Teachers Should Be Seen and Not Heard
I am a fly on the wall sitting at a table. Seated at a round table are three state governors, one state senator, a Harvard professor and author, and a strange little man who assumes the role of group moderator. The strange little man asks the group to talk about their experiences at the education conference. The ex governor from the South begins to talk about how the traditional school model is not working and the problem of too many teachers who do not understand what they teach. Teachers, he complains, are not prepared to teach in 21st century classrooms because they possess, in his words, "only 20th century skills." He does not provide specific examples or elaborate upon his theory but the other guests at the table nod their heads in agreement.
Teachers Should Be Seen and Not Heard - Road Diaries: Teacher of the Year - Education Week Teacher
Analysis: Google Teacher Academy
At the beginning of Dec. ('09) I attended the Google Teacher Academy in Washington D.C. My intent on going was to: A) learn more about the offerings of Google and gain a better understanding of how I could use Google apps in my 8th grade U.S. history class, and, B) pick the brains of fellow educators from around the country who are also doing great things with technology in their classrooms. The entire experience was the best professional workshop I've attended. Ever. Unlike a lot of workshop/conferences I've been to, GTADC equipped me with tools I can use in my classroom today, and it allowed me the creativity to think about how I could implement these skills into my curriculum.
Analysis: Google Teacher Academy « Epic Epoch
Virtual Schooling In The News
Virtual Schooling In The News « Virtual High School Meanderings
Quote of the day
A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn.
-Unknown
Wave
January 8, 2010
Quote of the day
Do not worry about the harsh criticism of the world, listen to your inner voice and act accordingly.
Elvis
January 7, 2010
The End of Techno-Critique:
This analysis responds to a generation of criticism leveled at 1:1 laptop computer
initiatives. The article presents a review of the key themes of that criticism and offers
suggestions for reframing the conversation about 1:1 computing among advocates and
critics. Efforts at changing, innovating, and reforming education provide the context for
reframing the conversation. Within that context, we raise questions about what classrooms
and schools need to look and be like in order to realize the advantages of 1:1
computing. In doing so, we present a theoretical vision for self-organizing schools in
which laptop computers or other such devices are essential tools.
The End of Techno-Critique: The Naked Truth about 1:1 Laptop Initiatives and Educational Change
Quote of the day
It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe.
-- Muhammad Ali
Cholesterol
My Brochure Maker
Online brochure maker..very cool
Weebly - Create a free website and a free blog
Title says it all.
Weebly - Create a free website and a free blog
Free Screenwriting Software by Plotbot--write screenplays online with friends
Plotbot is web-based screenwriting software. You can write your script with as many or as few people as you want--there's nothing to install, it's free, and it's easy to use!
Free Screenwriting Software by Plotbot--write screenplays online with friends
ScriptBuddy - Screenwriting Software
ScriptBuddy is a full-fledged screenplay software program. It handles the proper screenplay format automatically, so you can concentrate on your story.
ScriptBuddy - Screenwriting Software
Top Fifteen Virtual Schooling Books
I got the inspiration for this feature from Dangerously Irrelevant - who about a month ago posted entries on Top 10 K12 Online 2008 podcasts for busy school administrators and Top 20 TED Talks podcasts for busy school administrators. Based upon this, and since it was kind of similar to the Top 5 Virtual Schooling Must Reads that I have done from time to time, I thought it might be nice to have a monthly "Top #" posting.
Top Fifteen Virtual Schooling Books « Virtual High School Meanderings
Pixton™ - Create web comics online
Another comic creater..Do it yourself comics
Pixton™ - Create web comics online
Online Educational Comic Generator for Kids of All Ages
Create your own comic strips.
MAKE BELIEFS COMIX! Online Educational Comic Generator for Kids of All Ages
ReadWriteThink: Student Materials: Comic Creator
Cartoon maker, easy to use.
ReadWriteThink: Student Materials: Comic Creator
January 6, 2010
Answering the Socialization Question
Over the years I have discovered that some advantages of virtual learning are easier for people to grasp than others. Personalized learning, challenging and diverse curriculum, specialized teachers, and alternative scheduling--most people can understand these benefits. The socialization factor, however, draws many blank stares and more questions.
Virtual Learning Connections > Answering the Socialization Question
How different should 21st century learning be?
The heart of Mcleod's argument is that this kind of teacher-directed learning was born in an age where knowledge was concentrated in the hands of a few and where those few had to impart that knowledge through these traditional means to students. Now that information is ubiquitous, and literally everyone has access to means of communicating with potentially thousands, even millions of people, we need to change schools, curricula, and teaching to adapt to the changing technology and ease of access to information of all kinds.
Flypaper: Education reform ideas that stick, from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute
Teachers Becoming More "Digitally Inclined"
According to a new report, "Digitally Inclined," released by PBS, teachers are making significant progress in adopting digital media and Internet use. These findings clearly signal widespread changes in both early childhood and K-12 education, including more effective individualized instruction.
Teachers Becoming More "Digitally Inclined"
Schools addressing cyber, traditional bullying
Bullying has taken on a new face in schools across America in recent years. The availability of cellular phones, and laptop and desktop computers have opened up a generation of students to a whole new form of abuse -- cyber bullying.
Schools addressing cyber, traditional bullying
Visuwords™ online graphical dictionary and thesaurus
Very cool tool.
Visuwords™ online graphical dictionary and thesaurus
Quote of the day
It's kind of fun to do the impossible.
Walt Disney
Wrong Lane
Bethlehem Independent Film Festival 2009-2010
- This film festival is open for any High School student in Canada.
- To enter the festival you need to fill out the Entry Form and email it to BIFFestival@gmail.com
- Each entry costs $10
- To submit your video you must send in a copy of your video on DVD. Videos will be uploaded to The Star Phoenix Website. A link to the videos will be placed on this site so that anyone may view the festival content.
- Online Voting will be available for one week prior to the festival. Online votes will count toward the people choice awards.
Bethlehem Independent Film Festival 2009-2010
January 5, 2010
Memorize.com - The Flashcard Wiki
Kind of fun site to memorize things.
Memorize.com - The Flashcard Wiki
Quote of the day
Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them
are even stupider!
--George Carlin
The Advantages of eLearning
In the 21st century, people have to learn more than ever before. Especially for global organizations, live classroom-based training is becoming too costly and cumbersome. Even if employees had the time to attend all the courses and seminars and to read all the books and reports they should to remain up-to-date in their area of work, the cost of such learning would be prohibitive. The need to transform how organizations learn points to a more modern, efficient, and flexible alternative: eLearning. The mission of corporate eLearning is to supply the workforce with an up-to-date and cost-effective program that yields motivated, skilled, and loyal knowledge workers.
The Advantages of eLearning | eLearning Brothers
Shared SMART Board Lesson Reposit
Very cool resource.
Shared SMART Board Lesson Reposit
60 Educational Game Sites That You've Probably Never Seen
Ok, so you've probably seen some of these, but I needed a snazzy title. I recently compiled two lists of sites from Richard Byrne's Blog - the site is an amazing resource, and I'm pretty certain that Richard doesn't sleep. These aren't in order of greatness - they all have their own specific applications for education. A few of these appear on my Sites for Kids (and Teachers) page.
Enjoy!
60 Educational Game Sites That You've Probably Never Seen « Tech:-)Happy
What Makes a Great Teacher?
For years, the secrets to great teaching have seemed more like alchemy than science, a mix of motivational mumbo jumbo and misty-eyed tales of inspiration and dedication. But for more than a decade, one organization has been tracking hundreds of thousands of kids, and looking at why some teachers can move them three grade levels ahead in a year and others can't. Now, as the Obama administration offers states more than $4 billion to identify and cultivate effective teachers, Teach for America is ready to release its data.
What Makes a Great Teacher? - The Atlantic
(January/February 2010)
Why Schools Should Learn To Use Online Services Like Facebook & YouTube Rather Than Banning Them
So it's nice to see a sensible opinion piece in Slate arguing that rather than ban or block social online services like Facebook and YouTube, schools should be embracing them and looking for ways to incorporate them into the learning process. There are a variety of strong arguments for why this makes sense, but two that stick out:
Deadlines
Quote of the day
Ideally teachers today can no longer be the fountain of all knowledge but must instead be a facilitator of learning.
We need to change from teacher-centered thinking to learner-centered thinking.
Twitter edchat
Quote of the day
Sarcasm has it uses, it beats killing people.
"you were born ugly and youl die ugly too"
Cyber-bullying increasingly is becoming a problem for students, educators and policy makers. In this paper, we consider cyber-bullying as a form of relational aggression; that is, behaviour designed to damage, harm or disrupt friendship or inter-personal relationships through covert means. We draw on the findings from a study of students in grades 6 through 9, conducted in five schools, in a large ethnically diverse metropolitan region of British Columbia, Canada, to demonstrate the inter-connection between cyber-bullying and relational aggression. Consistent with the relational aggression framework, girls were found more likely than boys to participate in these behaviours. We conclude that intervention strategies should consider gender differences and also aim at changing the trajectory of relational aggression to providing relational support and care.
"you were born ugly and youl die ugly too": Cyber-bullying as relational aggression | in education
January 4, 2010
Google Teacher Academy comes to D.C.
Google D.C. hosted over 50 teachers in our office today for the 2009 Google Teacher Academy. Google for Educators head and Senior Product Marketing Manager Cristin Frodella explains what it was all about:
Google Public Policy Blog: Google Teacher Academy comes to D.C.
The Google Story
A (very) quick look back at the Google story over the last 11 years.
You can't be my ??????
I talked to a fellow educator in United States who had a great idea. My son's video called "You can't be my teacher" has gotten a lot of attention. She stated it would be cool to do the video based on "You can't be my math teacher." Change the text to fit the idea and then video it following the style of original...would be soooo cool. Then the wheel started to spin in my mind...hey it could be a cool experiment to make a series...anyone interested...
Here are a few ideas...
You can't be my taxi driver
You can't be my school administrator
You can't be my math teacher
You can't be my classroom teacher
You can't be my laptop
You can't be my wife
Ok...you get the idea...post any others you think would make a good video maybe make your own I would love to see them...
Video Text
Are you going to teach me in a school?
Are you going to make me sit in a desk all day?
Is this what you are going to use to teach me with?
Is this what you are going to use to teach me with? (echo)
Do you know how to use a computer?
Do you know how to use a computer? (echo)
Are you a teacher?
Are you my teacher?
Are you going to teach me using the internet?
Are you going to teach me how to be safe on the internet?
Do you know what goes on on the internet?
Are you sure you are my teacher?
Are you sure you are my teacher? (echo)
Are you going to learn how to use the technology?
I am a digital native.
Do computers scare you?
Are you afraid to use them?
Have you been on facebook?
Have you been on twitter?
Have you been surfing?
Do you even know what is on the internet?
Are you going to be my teacher?
Or just that textbook?
Because I want to know...
what the world has to offer
And if you are not on the internet...
and know nothing about computers.
you can't be my teacher!
I said you can't be my teacher.
Make room for somebody who knows how to use the internet.
Do you think I am going to be ready?
Do you think I am going to be ready?
Do you think you are preparing me for the
world that I have to live in?
Do you think I am going to be ready?
That's your job!
That's your job! (echo)
Why Teachers are Reluctant to Use Technology
There's no doubt that education without technology is unthinkable in today's world, so when we come across teachers who are still reluctant to use technology in the classroom to augment and add to their teaching experience, we wonder why. But if you think a little harder and try to understand why their reluctance comes to the fore, you'll know that it is because:
Why Teachers are Reluctant to Use Technology
Resources for teachers
This is a good collection of resources...love it.
The Periodic Table of Videos - University of Nottingham
The Periodic Table of Videos is a modern version of the famous periodic table of elements. It is perfect for your chemistry classes. It is maintained by the University of Nottingham in England. When loading the page, there is the traditional periodic table. Each of the 118 elements is clickable. By clicking on one, you will get the usual information like the name of the element and the atomic number, but there will also be a YouTube video embedded. The video will give information about the element presented by a scientist and then some sort of experiment using that element. Sometimes, the experiment is an impressive one like the famous sodium in water. Did you know the body of a pencil sharpener is made of magnesium? This is one of the many things your students will learn from this website.
The Periodic Table of Videos - University of Nottingham
Clam Review
Dissecting a clam...
Sheep Brain Dissection: The Anatomy of Memory
Just what the titles says...
Sheep Brain Dissection: The Anatomy of Memory
10 Words You Need to Stop Misspelling
Just as it says...neat.
10 Words You Need to Stop Misspelling - The Oatmeal
Blackle - Energy Saving Search
In January 2007 a blog post titled Black Google Would Save 750 Megawatt-hours a Year proposed the theory that a black version of the Google search engine would save a fair bit of energy due to the popularity of the search engine.The idea is that it takes more energy to make a computer pixel white than it does to make it black, and that over all the Google searches, this adds up to huge savings.
Blackle - Energy Saving Search
Five New Year's resolutions for Google
In general, most New Year's resolutions tend to last as long as the NFL playoffs. But those who enter the year working for the world's most ambitious technology company won't have that luxury.
Google enters its 12th year as an information and financial powerhouse, holding claim to perhaps the most enviable position on the Internet and worming its way into all sorts of businesses that Internet companies have traditionally avoided. The company shows little sign of slowing down its innovation engine, but as a result of that pace faces competitive threats like never before from other giants of the technology and media worlds.
What should Google leaders Eric Schmidt, Sergey Brin, and Larry Page focus on in 2010? Here are five suggestions:
Five New Year's resolutions for Google | Relevant Results - CNET News
What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Google
Almost every teacher is aware of Google; however, its power rests in its use as a search engine for text-matching techniques when searching the Internet. Of even more importance is all the tools available for use in educational settings to support teaching and learning. As with all online tools the key to success is when teachers are aware of a few tips and tricks to maximize a tool's potential.
My Top 20 Education Quotes from 2009
These quotes have been valuable to me and I hope they will be to other innovative educators as well. I don't recall where I heard most of them (or even if it was me who said some of them), so I cited none of them. Oprah, The Element, Geoff Canada, and Alan November's BLC conference in Boston were inspirations for several. Feel free to Google if you are trying to locate the source, or leave a comment with a source you know.
The Innovative Educator: My Top 20 Education Quotes from 2009
Quote of the day
It takes a lot of things to prove you are smart, but only one thing to prove you are ignorant
- Don Herold
Smoking Section
Fun4thebrain - free addition, subtraction, division games for kids - Beach Rush
Fun4thebrain - free addition, subtraction, division games for kids - Beach Rush
16 Apps That Make Sharing Large Files A Snap
So why would you use an file-sharing app anyway? Actually for many reasons: for larger files, for privacy, multiple files, file format support, and more.
In this post, I compare 16 file-sharing services. I took three main issues under consideration when creating the comprehensive app list below: Free, Fast, and Useful . .
16 Apps That Make Sharing Large Files A Snap
3 Ways, Other Than Skype, to Bring Experts Into Class
Bringing experts into your classroom via video conferencing can be an excellent enhancement to your students' learning experiences. Video conferencing can also be used to connect classrooms in a 21st century version of penpal exchanges. Skype is the most common tool for making these connections and for good reason Skype is the most popular video conferencing application. It's easy to use and free for most uses. The only drawback to Skype is that you and the person you want to talk with must have Skype installed on the computers you are using. The following are three other ways to video conference without using Skype.
Free Technology for Teachers: 3 Ways, Other Than Skype, to Bring Experts Into Class
Digital Tools: Photos/Videos Links
A collection of good technology links
Digital Tools: Photos/Videos Vermilion Parish Curriculum Links
10 Youtube URL Tricks You Should Know About
Youtube - You know that site with videos and all. Yeah! It turns out that its quite popular and you happen to visit and use it quite often. Instead of just searching and playing here are some top Youtube URL tricks that you should know about:
10 Youtube URL Tricks You Should Know About
How to make a Google Quiz
A nine minute video about how to make a self-grading quiz using google forms....so easy and so many applications.
25 Best Sites for Free Educational Videos
RefSeek's guide to the 25 best online resources for finding and viewing educational videos. With the exception of BrainPOP and Cosmeo, all listed sites offer their extensive video libraries for free and without registration.
25 Best Sites for Free Educational Videos
5 Ways to Reduce Your Anxiety in 2010
Looking back on 2009, we've written quite a bit on the topic of being overwhelmed and anxious. It's no surprise given the current economic climate and the exponential expansion of anywhere-anytime information feeds - Twitter, Facebook, etc - that make sure we have always have more, more, more to process and respond to.
So what to do? We've rounded up five of our favorite pieces on pushing back against anxiety-inducing approaches to workflow, over-analyzing your web analytics, over-committing yourself, and under-nourishing your body.
5 Ways to Reduce Your Anxiety in 2010 : Managing :: American Express OPEN Forum
January 3, 2010
The Replacements
This has nothing to do with elearning, but having spent time in the classroom I found it interesting...
Over the next two years, I would learn -- as I subbed once a week for a variety of classes, including kindergarten, sixth grade, middle-school social studies, high-school chemistry, phys ed, art, Spanish, and English as a second language.
Op-Ed Contributor - The Replacements - NYTimes.com
Snowmen
Quote of the day
If you really want to do something, you'll find a way... If you don't, you'll find an excuse.
Quote of the day
Dreams are extremely important. You can't do it unless you imagine it.
~George Lucas
Comeback
January 1, 2010
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Procrastinator
Quote of the day
Why isn't there a special name for the tops of your feet?
