My Skype Experience and Ideas
Downloading and using Skype was a piece of cake. However, the strict security harnessing our high school network/Internet caused some issues afterwards. Skype worked great, but then we couldn’t access Blackboard or other web applications.
My students were tuned in to my first experience with Skype. They were fascinated by the tool. We discussed the many uses of this it.
Visit http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2006/10/using-skype-in-classroom-or-just.html for a pod cast to help guide teachers to use Skype. Vicki Davis emphasizes the importance of being vigilant in teaching students safe practices in using Web 2.0 tools.
Beyond the personal benefit of communicating with Skype to family, friends, and colleagues who may live many miles away, there are several uses of Skype in the classroom. Here a just a few:
Class discussions with children sick at home
Parents listening to their child’s presentations at school
Note sharing
Communicating with foreign language classrooms around the world
Skypecasts
Communicating with home schooled children
Collaborating on projects after school hours
Interviewing outside school resources
Many more classroom Skype uses can be found at:
http://connectingandcollaborating.pbwiki.com/Classroom%20Collaboration%20with%20Skype
Friday, November 30, 2007
Relevance of Connectivism to Teaching Practices
Response to: http://bcefall0710pls.wikispaces.com/Pro+Connect
“Connectivism is relevant in any teaching practice today. With the Internet, the world-wide read/write web, and social networking so prevalent in education and in all of our lives, any teacher who does not embrace “connectivism” at least slightly in his or her teaching practice is missing the boat."
I agree completely, we must embrace connectivisim. As teachers we need to prepare our students for tomorrow. Connectivisim will not replace the current learning theories, but is necessary with all the changes.
The learning theories of the past may not allow the students to cope with the flood of knowledge that they are faced with today. Now more than ever, it is essential for students to reach beyond the classroom walls with a variety of perspectives.
What our students learn today is rapidly changing. Not only do students need to focus on content, but it is vital they build the skills to find and evaluate content independently.
Response to: http://bcefall0710pls.wikispaces.com/Pro+Connect
“Connectivism is relevant in any teaching practice today. With the Internet, the world-wide read/write web, and social networking so prevalent in education and in all of our lives, any teacher who does not embrace “connectivism” at least slightly in his or her teaching practice is missing the boat."
I agree completely, we must embrace connectivisim. As teachers we need to prepare our students for tomorrow. Connectivisim will not replace the current learning theories, but is necessary with all the changes.
The learning theories of the past may not allow the students to cope with the flood of knowledge that they are faced with today. Now more than ever, it is essential for students to reach beyond the classroom walls with a variety of perspectives.
What our students learn today is rapidly changing. Not only do students need to focus on content, but it is vital they build the skills to find and evaluate content independently.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Legal Issues Associated with the Use of Technology
Technology has certainly enhanced the delivery of content and student learning over the years, but the misuse of technology is a growing problem. Educators, parents, students, administrators, and community members need to take steps to prevent and address misuse issues.
View this podcast, Technology in the Schools: Policy, Privacy and Practical Issues for Teachers, IT and Others by Celynda Brasher, an attorney. The presentation addresses policy and legal issues associated with the use of technology in schools. She provides suggestions on how school districts and their employees can protect themselves against lawsuits. She emphasized the importance of Acceptable Use Policies and that any person who uses a school district computer should sign the policy yearly.
The October 2006 suicide of Megan Meier has brought about cyber bulling information and discussion through the media. Megan committed suicide after being bullied through myspace. Click here for more information about this tragedy:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3882520&page=1
http://stcharlesjournal.stltoday.com/articles/2007/11/10/news/sj2tn20071110-1111stc_pokin_1.ii1.txt
The end result of the harassment was heartbreaking. There are individuals that would like to see the parents responsible for the bullying charged with a crime. This blog http://daveandthomas.blogspot.com/2007/11/technology-outpaces-law-megan-meier.html explains that technology is outpacing the law which makes it difficult sometimes to make an arrest. At the rate of the technology advancements, it seems impossible to have laws in place for protection.
On Andy Calvin’s blog at http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2007/03/march_30_participate_in_stop_c_1.html , he explains about Kathy Sierra who is a well-respected programmer, blogger and educator who’s been involved in computer education for over a decade was attacked on her blog. Someone adulterated a photo of Kathy, digitally adding a piece of red lingerie that’s being used to gag her. That is just one example of the vicious attacks that have been made against her.
If myspace or facebook is used for classroom purposes and then a student uses one of those tools to harrass or bully another student, is the teacher or school somewhat responsible?
Should the adults responsible for the bullying of Megan Meier be convicted of a crime?
How prevalent is cyber bullying?
How can we protect ourselves from being attacked in cyber space?
Technology has certainly enhanced the delivery of content and student learning over the years, but the misuse of technology is a growing problem. Educators, parents, students, administrators, and community members need to take steps to prevent and address misuse issues.
View this podcast, Technology in the Schools: Policy, Privacy and Practical Issues for Teachers, IT and Others by Celynda Brasher, an attorney. The presentation addresses policy and legal issues associated with the use of technology in schools. She provides suggestions on how school districts and their employees can protect themselves against lawsuits. She emphasized the importance of Acceptable Use Policies and that any person who uses a school district computer should sign the policy yearly.
The October 2006 suicide of Megan Meier has brought about cyber bulling information and discussion through the media. Megan committed suicide after being bullied through myspace. Click here for more information about this tragedy:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3882520&page=1
http://stcharlesjournal.stltoday.com/articles/2007/11/10/news/sj2tn20071110-1111stc_pokin_1.ii1.txt
The end result of the harassment was heartbreaking. There are individuals that would like to see the parents responsible for the bullying charged with a crime. This blog http://daveandthomas.blogspot.com/2007/11/technology-outpaces-law-megan-meier.html explains that technology is outpacing the law which makes it difficult sometimes to make an arrest. At the rate of the technology advancements, it seems impossible to have laws in place for protection.
On Andy Calvin’s blog at http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2007/03/march_30_participate_in_stop_c_1.html , he explains about Kathy Sierra who is a well-respected programmer, blogger and educator who’s been involved in computer education for over a decade was attacked on her blog. Someone adulterated a photo of Kathy, digitally adding a piece of red lingerie that’s being used to gag her. That is just one example of the vicious attacks that have been made against her.
If myspace or facebook is used for classroom purposes and then a student uses one of those tools to harrass or bully another student, is the teacher or school somewhat responsible?
Should the adults responsible for the bullying of Megan Meier be convicted of a crime?
How prevalent is cyber bullying?
How can we protect ourselves from being attacked in cyber space?
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Love at First Swipe - the Do’s and Don'ts of First Time Credit
Podcast: http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/studentpodcast/index.html#loveAtFirst
Love at First Swipe will be used as an introduction to the Consumer Credit unit in my Consumer Issues class. The students will listen to the podcast on their computer during class. This podcast explains:
· how to manage a credit card responsibly
· why you should apply for a credit card
· advantages and disadvantages of credit
· how to keep interest rates down
· how to use the card securely
· how to establish a good credit history
This podcast was chosen because it was created by a bank and is targeted to teenage students. There is a transcript available and new content will be posted regularly.
Podcast: http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/studentpodcast/index.html#loveAtFirst
Love at First Swipe will be used as an introduction to the Consumer Credit unit in my Consumer Issues class. The students will listen to the podcast on their computer during class. This podcast explains:
· how to manage a credit card responsibly
· why you should apply for a credit card
· advantages and disadvantages of credit
· how to keep interest rates down
· how to use the card securely
· how to establish a good credit history
This podcast was chosen because it was created by a bank and is targeted to teenage students. There is a transcript available and new content will be posted regularly.
Monday, November 19, 2007
In the next year, I intend to incorporate Web 2.0 tools into my curriculum. This photo caught my attention.
(2005, November 20). Leighblackall's Photostream. Retrieved November 17, 2007 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/leighblackall/65030029/
Classroom uses of Flickr:
· To create a writing prompt based on a single image
· To post, view or download digital images for classroom projects
· To create slide shows within Flickr.
· To take Virtual field trips
· To visually document school events
· To teach about social software, how to tag, and how to make comments.
· To be used as an alternative to PowerPoint
· To create a walking tour of a historical area
· To make materials such as diagrams, charts, etc., available to students as an e-handout.
· To create a writing prompt based on a single image
· To post, view or download digital images for classroom projects
· To create slide shows within Flickr.
· To take Virtual field trips
· To visually document school events
· To teach about social software, how to tag, and how to make comments.
· To be used as an alternative to PowerPoint
· To create a walking tour of a historical area
· To make materials such as diagrams, charts, etc., available to students as an e-handout.
There are several possibilities to use Flickr in the classroom. Ten years ago, my students wrote letters to another school in the United States as part of the Great Mail Race. The partnering school then sent back letters in response. Today, online tools could be used for the communication and photos could be uploaded to Flickr for the students to view. Students from both schools could make comments and have a group discussion.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Activity 5-C-1 was a challenge!
I started out feeling positive about the group wiki project.
I began the assignment by getting familiar with wiki. Since I had no prior experience, I wanted to get a feel for how it works. My first step was to set up some topic categories and links. Initially, my focus wasn’t really the content of the assignment, but how I was going to navigate through wiki and get the information posted and linked.
Typically, when I begin a project, I consider it a work in progress. I felt frustrated when I was working on something and did not have it tweaked to where I wanted it or was able to apply a group member’s suggestion . . . . and then it was edited or removed.
Before using a wiki in my classroom, I will definitely need to spend more time exploring the tool myself.
I started out feeling positive about the group wiki project.
I began the assignment by getting familiar with wiki. Since I had no prior experience, I wanted to get a feel for how it works. My first step was to set up some topic categories and links. Initially, my focus wasn’t really the content of the assignment, but how I was going to navigate through wiki and get the information posted and linked.
Typically, when I begin a project, I consider it a work in progress. I felt frustrated when I was working on something and did not have it tweaked to where I wanted it or was able to apply a group member’s suggestion . . . . and then it was edited or removed.
Before using a wiki in my classroom, I will definitely need to spend more time exploring the tool myself.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Social Boomarking Lesson
Social bookmarking provides one way for users to get control of the vast amount of information that is available on the web. A social bookmarking site such as http://del.icio.us/ provides a way for students to save all of their links in one location. The saved bookmarks can be tagged to help find the site in the future.
Google is a popular search engine that many students use for research; however Google’s searches mostly to find articles based on popularity. Websites like del.icio.us allow the searching to be done as a group effort.
Google provides search results based on popularity, where as a social bookmarking site may provide links to websites containing higher quality information. Most social bookmarking sites are free and only take a few minutes to join.
Social bookmarking provides one way for users to get control of the vast amount of information that is available on the web. A social bookmarking site such as http://del.icio.us/ provides a way for students to save all of their links in one location. The saved bookmarks can be tagged to help find the site in the future.
Google is a popular search engine that many students use for research; however Google’s searches mostly to find articles based on popularity. Websites like del.icio.us allow the searching to be done as a group effort.
Google provides search results based on popularity, where as a social bookmarking site may provide links to websites containing higher quality information. Most social bookmarking sites are free and only take a few minutes to join.
Social Bookmarking Lesson plan:
Stress Managment
*The students will be introduced to the concept of social bookmarking and register at
http://del.icio.us/. They will be guided through the process of setting up an account.*Then, the students will choose to watch one of three videos at http://www.unitedstreaming.com :
Stress: Learning to Handle It
Dealing with the Causes
ABCs of Burnout, The
*The students will search the Internet for websites containing information about stress management. Their top five results should be saved in their del.icio.us and share it with fellow classmates.
*The students will then develop a top ten list to effectively manage stress and prepare a handout using Microsoft Publisher 2007.
Pageflakes stores all your daily information needs in one place. I like the option to may separate pages so that one can display personal interest and another can display professional interests.
I teach Computer Applications using computers that were just upgraded to Office 2007. I have created a resource page with feeds displaying up-to-date information about the Office products that I use in my classroom. My textbooks and resources are not updated with the new changes brought about with Office 2007. Scanning this Pagecast daily will better prepare me to teach these skills to my students.
This is my resource page: http://www.pageflakes.com/jemery/16954602
I teach Computer Applications using computers that were just upgraded to Office 2007. I have created a resource page with feeds displaying up-to-date information about the Office products that I use in my classroom. My textbooks and resources are not updated with the new changes brought about with Office 2007. Scanning this Pagecast daily will better prepare me to teach these skills to my students.
This is my resource page: http://www.pageflakes.com/jemery/16954602
Benefits to RSS
One huge benefit of RSS is that it provides up to date feeds only pertaining to your interests. This tool eliminates the issue of clogging up email with news updates, spam, virus warnings, advertisements, etc. Only new content from your chosen sources will be displayed.
There is never enough time in the day and it is my hope that RSS will assist me in efficiently scanning multiple feeds of information.
At: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA102147311033.aspx?pid=CH100487431033 I found how to get a RSS feed that delivers the latest Office Word 2007 Help and How-to articles for free. This feed is now at the top of my Pageflakes and will be a great resource as I muddle my way through learning the new upgraded features in the Office products.
RSS
With RSS, communication is streamlined between publishers and readers. It allows individuals to deliver content in new and innovative ways. The summaries that are provided by the RSS feed contain just enough information without overwhelming the reader. The reader can click on the feed to access more details. With RSS, individuals can efficiently scan multiple feeds and choose if they want more information.
RSS users can control the flow of information that they receive and unwanted feeds can be easily removed. RSS can deliver the following type of feeds:
Blogs Feed—makes it easy to scan blog posts for items of interest.
Article Feed—to alert readers when new content is available. The feed entry is usually an article summary or introduction. Readers can determine if they want to read further.
Forum Feed—will show the latest discussion topic. The user can click to participate in the discussion.
Schedule Feed—used to publicize events, schedule changes, agendas, etc. Schools, clubs and organizations can use these feeds as a communication tool.
Discounts/Specials Feed—used by retail stores to advertise latest specials.
Ego/News Monitoring Feed—by the use of a specific brand or keyword, users can receive headline news on their item of interest.
Industry Specific Feed—used to market or promote specific industries. This type of feed has increased communication with current and prospective customers.
One huge benefit of RSS is that it provides up to date feeds only pertaining to your interests. This tool eliminates the issue of clogging up email with news updates, spam, virus warnings, advertisements, etc. Only new content from your chosen sources will be displayed.
There is never enough time in the day and it is my hope that RSS will assist me in efficiently scanning multiple feeds of information.
At: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA102147311033.aspx?pid=CH100487431033 I found how to get a RSS feed that delivers the latest Office Word 2007 Help and How-to articles for free. This feed is now at the top of my Pageflakes and will be a great resource as I muddle my way through learning the new upgraded features in the Office products.
RSS
With RSS, communication is streamlined between publishers and readers. It allows individuals to deliver content in new and innovative ways. The summaries that are provided by the RSS feed contain just enough information without overwhelming the reader. The reader can click on the feed to access more details. With RSS, individuals can efficiently scan multiple feeds and choose if they want more information.
RSS users can control the flow of information that they receive and unwanted feeds can be easily removed. RSS can deliver the following type of feeds:
Blogs Feed—makes it easy to scan blog posts for items of interest.
Article Feed—to alert readers when new content is available. The feed entry is usually an article summary or introduction. Readers can determine if they want to read further.
Forum Feed—will show the latest discussion topic. The user can click to participate in the discussion.
Schedule Feed—used to publicize events, schedule changes, agendas, etc. Schools, clubs and organizations can use these feeds as a communication tool.
Discounts/Specials Feed—used by retail stores to advertise latest specials.
Ego/News Monitoring Feed—by the use of a specific brand or keyword, users can receive headline news on their item of interest.
Industry Specific Feed—used to market or promote specific industries. This type of feed has increased communication with current and prospective customers.
Friday, November 02, 2007
http://notreblog.edublogs.org/2007/04/25/flashmeeting-with-summit-country-day-school/#comment-1583
Hopefully, my posts will be viewed at the link above.
Hopefully, my posts will be viewed at the link above.
http://www.learnblog.net/ict/2007/05/03/giving-ict-a-global-dimension/
This is a really cool classroom project. Students from two schools made brochures about their city and culture. They also completed a survey about how they are educated and responded to questions about effective teachers. The link above explains the project.
The students then shared their thoughts and ideas at this blog: http://notreblog.edublogs.org/2007/01/31/learning-to-learn/
This is an example of one of the brochures created: http://www.ndhs-sites.org.uk/communicty/pdf/learn1.pdf
This is the digital gallery where they shared some of their photos: http://www.bubbleshare.com/album/161180
The students had a video conference to discuss and compare school life at the conclusion of the project. It can be viewed at: http://notreblog.edublogs.org/2007/04/25/flashmeeting-with-summit-country-day-school/
I was completely impressed with this project and hope to develop something similar in my classroom. The students learned on so many different levels; culture, technology, communication, etc.
This is a really cool classroom project. Students from two schools made brochures about their city and culture. They also completed a survey about how they are educated and responded to questions about effective teachers. The link above explains the project.
The students then shared their thoughts and ideas at this blog: http://notreblog.edublogs.org/2007/01/31/learning-to-learn/
This is an example of one of the brochures created: http://www.ndhs-sites.org.uk/communicty/pdf/learn1.pdf
This is the digital gallery where they shared some of their photos: http://www.bubbleshare.com/album/161180
The students had a video conference to discuss and compare school life at the conclusion of the project. It can be viewed at: http://notreblog.edublogs.org/2007/04/25/flashmeeting-with-summit-country-day-school/
I was completely impressed with this project and hope to develop something similar in my classroom. The students learned on so many different levels; culture, technology, communication, etc.
Students today can use the Web to research projects, publish and collaborate on work and communicate with others. The tools causing the most significant impact are blogs, wikis, and podcasting.
The Web 2.0 tools offer great opportunities, but there are some challenges as well. It is important to educate students to be critical of web sources and evaluate the content as well as apply safe practices when dealing with inappropriate web sites. The impact of these tools has led the teachers’ role from disseminator of information to being a Web savvy facilitator.
As a teacher, I am eager to learn more about these tools and implement them into my everyday teaching. Since my students have grown up with technology, sometimes I feel like they are teaching me. My plan is to take one tool at a time and effectively integrate it into my curriculum.
The Web 2.0 tools offer great opportunities, but there are some challenges as well. It is important to educate students to be critical of web sources and evaluate the content as well as apply safe practices when dealing with inappropriate web sites. The impact of these tools has led the teachers’ role from disseminator of information to being a Web savvy facilitator.
As a teacher, I am eager to learn more about these tools and implement them into my everyday teaching. Since my students have grown up with technology, sometimes I feel like they are teaching me. My plan is to take one tool at a time and effectively integrate it into my curriculum.
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