This is an interesting blog about bridging the digital divide. It is the world's largest blog for those interested in bringing technology to the forefront of education. You have to join in order to participate but it is free. Lesley University is not on the list of organizations that participate... I joined under my CGHS.. the high school were I teach.. It eye-opening to read what others are saying all over the world.
This is a great resource for those who teach students with math deficiencies. It offers several FREE math programs and ideas from other teachers in the same situation. It’s great to share and learn how others are addressing some of the math deficiencies that I have noticed in students.
Do you like reading about strange happenings in the world of science? Like a spider web that covers over 200 yards, 600 people fell ill after a meteor struck outside a small village, or why are the honey bees vanishing. These are just a few of the interesting things you can learn on this blog.
This is an excellent way for students to utilize problem solving skills as well as communication skills. Students can solve and post mathematical problems (there are various levels from novice to expert). If there are mathematical terms or concepts you do not understand, a link to an online math dictionary is available for use. There is also an emphasis on showing how to solve the problems. Problems that are not solved correctly are posted the next week.
One thing I don't really like is that although I have navigated extensively on the site, since there are new problems posted each week, it would be nice to have the solutions. But, then again, sometimes it is best for students to continue trying methods to solve problems instead of just giving them the answer. Overall, I would definitely use this with my students.
Art Pod cast:
Sheila Samuel ECOMP 7010
Art Node Podcast
http://www.artnode.org/projects/artpod/
This was really neat. I had never seen this concept before. They had their page with a white background, and a black I Pod in the middle with interactiveness on the menu buttons. You could select several podcasts to watch. It wasn’t elementary school, or school “high worthiness” but to get an idea of what can be done with something that has such a high appeal to kids already. I could see how the use of the IPod icon being used, and podcasts more appropriate for younger kids uploaded to them. The paint over, one of the pod casts was similar to a video game. It took place in a paint can filler assembly factory and it showed how the paint was made, put in the cans, lids sealed, put on the conveyer belt and shipped out in trucks.
The second one I watched, and without sound once I heard them “howling” was the Man who strayed. Dumb!!! I guess they will let anyone who has the capabilities set up and upload podcasts to the server!! You have to look at that one just so you can get aggravated!
Incredible Art Blogs
http://drawn.ca/
http://sketchcast.com/ (The Actual Site)
Above: Drawn! The Illustration and Cartooning Blog
I was guessing that this “Drawn!” would be a “blog” like the one we have to set up. I tried to choose one in my general “arts” related area. I read the “about” the site info, and it is a site to offer daily “inspiration” to artists who just want to draw. I may bookmark this blog and visit it when I have some leisure time.
It is awesome. Go to sketchcast.com.You log in, get a new “page” and draw on the screen…right then and there. Save your image and simply upload it to the blog, send to friends, communicate with people. They are calling it a “sketchcasting” pod!! They may be onto something. I have to read further details, but I’m wondering how I could make or use something like this with kids.
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/blogs.html#pods
Vodcast:
Sesame Street Video Podcast (Word on the Street)
http://video.podcast.com/
I also teach kindergarten, and at our school, we try to keep them up on using the technology that we have available as well. They are no strangers to technology, even as young as they are. Ask any kindergartener how to operate a dvd, mp3 player, video game, IPod, computer, and they can tell you better than you would have ever hoped for. It’s the time they are living in. The world is high-tech, and they are “born” right into the throws of the technology revolution.
I was a little thrown with the differences of the kinds of vblogs, blogs,vodcasts, etc. So a vodcast is a video and sound broadcast? Am I right?
As always, Sesame is delightful and entertaining. The format is just like on tv. It has changed over the years, the images are crystal clear, they went out on the streets, and interviewed kids teaching vocabulary then showing word then image so that kids can link the two together. It uses Brian Williams as an anchor reinforcing the word of the day on Sesame Street. Great for student to world connections.
Weblog:
Tony Peters Art Weblog
http://www.tonypetersart.com/blogs/index.html
First of all, I have to say what an amazing artist. His artwork was moving. I love scenes like that. It reminded me of Edward Hopper’s style…realistic and having that lonesome feeling, but at the same time the work stands strong. Tony Peters, and many other artists are using weblogs to get in touch with the public and spread the word of their art, relate to others, share their visions and creations in the art world. Kids would be too young to do this, but I could see some serious high school students designing a blog of their work and getting the word out about their talents. Even though the design of the weblog was simple, I was hoping there would be a comment box or something, more interactive buttons. There were a couple of his links that did not work. But overall, it too is worth the look.
Color Magic: video podcast
I just made this in the spring of 07 for one of my classes. It is short, simple and to the point. I used my Skype headphone set, my digital camera, some props and Windows Movie Maker and made this color mixing video for my “little ones.” It is posted on You Tube. Below is the URL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZRXJuoa-s0
Mixing Colors
Grade 1
Ms Samuel
Intro: Did you know that all colors are made from three main colors? They are called the primary colors, and they are: Red, yellow, Blue
Task: We will learn how to mix the primary colors to make three new colors. These colors are called secondary colors, and they are orange, green and purple.
The final project will be to use the primary colors to make secondary colors through teacher lead demonstration and hands-on color mixing sessions.
Process:
1. The teacher will put children into groups of four.
2. The children will then work together while watching my video podcast I have uploaded to You Tube. Here is the URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZRXJuoa-s0
4. When the demonstration is over, students should have three primary colors and three secondary colors.
5. Students should also be able to describe what primary colors had to be mixed together to get the secondary colors orange, green, purple.
I really and truly LOVED this vodcast. Prior to this assignment, I was not that familiar with them, especially to use them in my classroom, but I will definitely be using this one as a start. I love the colorful illustrations and bright colors that are used in conjunction with teaching the different mathematical concepts. The various topics would be most useful in beginning a lesson or using them as lesson grabbers. The animations that go along with the explanations are most beneficial to all learners, especially visual learners.
Topic 2
Blogging in Education- View the two examples below
1. Classroom Example of an excellent blog…
http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1337
Wow what a beautiful way to showcase your students work on the web! Take a look at a teacher who takes time to share and promote her students through the web. I’m sure the parents visit the site and have a real appreciation of what the students are doing. It provides a visual to the old question “What did you do at school today?”
2. Excellent Resources on technology for all teachers. “Learning.now”. It opens a great discussion board on all aspects of computer technology. Our focus on school safety includes the issue of cyber bullying and I was quiet interested on the post “An Open Letter on Cyber Bullying”. I think this is an excellent example of open communication professional adult can have using a blog.
Topic2-
Podcast
http://chatt.hdsb.ca/~magps/boylit/MP3/boy%20lit%20curriculum.mp3
The topic of Web2.0 I selected was podcasting. I found a wonderful website based on the Ontario curriculum which provides insights on how teachers could engage boys in literacy. Podcasting was listed as one of these methods.
Podcasting was described as a tool which could be used in the delivery of curriculum and a perfect fit for the reading, writing and communication expectations. It addresses the concept of how students will relate, retell or reflect on a particular concept or topic.
The following strategies were provided to get the teacher started…
1. Have students plan, and memorize (or closely memorize) their scripts, this will help students have fun and sound great.
2. Organize visuals and begin with a timeline on a data projector-give natural breaks during the recording.
3. Set up small groups with a variety of responsibilities.
Final Comments
I will share this resource with our Language coordinator. We just replaced half of our Windows 95 machines with XP in our elementary schools and installed Audacity on those machines. This is the first year we have the capability to do podcasting with our students. Its excellent resources like these that help move the project further!
Webpage
Podcasting in Education
http://chatt.hdsb.ca/~magps/boylit/Podcasting%20in%20Education
http://supportblogging.com/Links+to+School+Bloggers
That is all I have to say. Check it out!!! HUGE!!!
Jonathan Orr
Blogs
Written by: Bryan Tonini
The Fischbowl
http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2006/08/did-you-know.html
This blog was developed by Karl Fisch as staff development blog for the teachers of Arapahoe High School. The blog seems a great way for teachers to interact and give ideas back and forth. The main blog has links to other blogs within the school such as class bolgs. One of the topics I felt was particularly interesting was the best of the Fishbowl (blog) 2006. This topic was where Mr. Fisch chose the most interesting blogs of 2006. He mentions that he chose the blogs not only due to the topics but also due to responses.
This blog shows that not only can blogging be used to promote student to student communication but also teacher to teacher communication.
The following are some of the blogs I have found in my search over the past few days. I have attempted to provide blogs from the teacher, parent and legal perspectives. Teacher blogs are important for professionals to be able to connect and discuss the wide range of special education topics available. The parent blogs are essential reading for parents as they learn to be proactive for their children and be able to obtain the best and most appropriate services for their children. The final category is necessary because unfortunately, our litigious society often pits the school system against the parents or vice versa.
1.) Special Education Law Blog
"A special education legal resource discussing case law, news, practical advocacy advice, and developments in state and federal laws, statutes and regulations. Postings include insight and sometimes humor from Charles P. Fox, a Chicago, Illinois attorney who is also a parent of child with special needs, and other guest authors." ~from the blog site
http://specialedlaw.blogs.com/
2.) Special Education Law Blog
http://specialeducationlawblog.blogspot.com/
3.) Special Needs Education
http://specialneedseducation.suite101.com/blogs.cfm
4.) families.com
Education Blog | Special Education
http://education.families.com/blog/category/134
5.) Best of the Web Blogs: Special Education
http://blogs.botw.org/Reference/Education/Special_Education/
6.) Teacher Lingo
http://teacherlingo.com/blogs/default.aspx?GroupID=24
John Newman
Some of the podcasts I found sounded as if they would appropriate for my students who are juniors and seniors in high school and functioning about two standard deviations below 'average' (Moderately Intellectually Disabled~~MoID). The title for the podcast section was 'independent living' and is a topic that is very germane to my students and their families, as one of the goals for many of them is to indeed, live independently. However, upon closer inspection, these podcasts were not appropriate for my students, as they were quite a bit above their intellectual level.
Here is the link:
http://dafc1885.audioblog.com/rss/independent_living_podcasts.xml
It definitely appears that my area of interest is wide-open after perusing the Educational Podcast Network, as there were few podcasts that would be easy for me to work into my students' programs. I hope to continue to see if anyone else has begun development of a library of podcasts for students requiring continuing work on living, social and vocational skills or functional academics for MoID students.
John Newman
Written by Jonathan Orr
Blogs for teachers. Again a shameless self promotion, but you can check out my Anatomy and Physiology Blog portal. What makes a blog portal different than a blog. A blog portal is a website that allows me to host individual blogs for all of my students, instead of all of us sharing one blog. The company I used to create my portal is 21publish. It is here that my students reflect about what they have been learning and reading in anatomy and physiology. It has become a very productive learning environment with multiple comments occurring. In my opinion if you want to get students to read, make them publish their thoughts on a blog. Then they must link to the sites where they are getting their ideas, and they cannot write intelligently about the sites until they have read them.
Now I am looking down my RSS feeds in Google Reader, what do I share??? Here is a list of blogs I read about technology in education.
I recommend any of these sites to teachers and administrators.
Just for fun:
I don't think that I correctly "labeled" my post the last time, professor, so I will enter it again heere. I just saw at the bottom of the text area the "labels for this post' section. I kept wondering why others had the little bright green "topic2" and I had nothing. Here goes!
Sheila
Our City Podcast was created by children for children (with the help and support of parents and teachers). The students submitted recordings about the city they live in (along with pictures and wikipedia information). Readers are encouraged to send email feedback to the students who created the podcast. I enjoyed the conversational tone of the the broadcasts. It was apparent that the students worked very hard on producing a clear, concise broadcast. This is a great alternative to encyclopedias for learning about other places, especially from a child's perspective.
This site includes audiobook podcasts and blogs for 18 1st grade students. The students shared their stories along with information about themselves ("About the Author"). The site included a teacher description of the activity which was a part of a library project. I thought this was a great way to allow the students to improve fluency and receive feedback from others about their stories. I am sure the families, along with other family members and friends, enjoyed listening to their child's creativity (and voice).
How exactly, are you supposed to limit to one particular blog? I don't know.
Beyond the NYTimes I haven't found an author who I am willing to read over and over again. But I've tried to complete the assignment, and I find it pretty exciting to see the possibilities and extensive work people are doing. When do they get the time?
Brian's Education Blog
At first I thought I might have found something worth a check with this blog from Brian Micklethwait, but it kind of follows my initial thoughts of "when do they get the time" His most recent post was August 27, and before that was January 2005. Not to say that things he has (or had) to say are not relavant anymore, but I'm sure some of the issues will change, and I believe the currentness of the blog, and comments are what make it more powerful.
For much more up to date blogs, I think I will be subscribing to:
Cool Cat Teacher Blog
and
Education/Technology - Tim Lauer
I can't really comment much more than to say they both have current, September, posts and look to be very readable.
The topics of pod/vodcasts, bl/vlogs are not new to me but as a special education teacher, I guess I have spent much more time concentrating on topics such as data collection and functional behavioral analysis that I have kind of put this type of technology aside. I know typically in the past year and a half when I have been assigned tasks such as this one, I do the work necessary and then later try (if it applies at all) to apply the tasks to whatever I can in my classroom. I thought I would be doing the same with this activity. However, after researching a few blogs and pod/vodcasts I found a site that has inspired me to try some new ideas within my classroom.
For both requirements for this activity I found a website sponsored by an Australian Public School called Orange Grove Primary in Western Australia. This is a K-7 school which uses the web to display virtually all aspects of school life. The two areas that I found most appealing were the blogs and pod/vodcasts sections. I was especially fascinated by the grade 4/5 areas since those are the grade levels that apply to my classroom.
The pod/vodcast section for the month of August is centered around National Reading Day. The year 4/5 students took a book and created a website for this book. The students interviewed the author of the book they chose. Those students turned their interview into a vodcast for students all over the world who are reading this book as well. This was very inspirational to me because it gave me so many ideas for ways I could apply this to my own language arts and literature classes. The students were engaged and genuinely interested in what the author, Elaine Forrestal, had to say about the book.
For the blogs portion of this assignment I also chose to use the year 4/5 Orange Grove Primary students' websites. These students took the book that was chosen for National Reading Day and developed a website that gave chapter summaries, displayed their artwork surrounding the book, and blogged their own reflections for each summary. This was a great way for students to share their thoughts and make inferences and comparisons about the rest of the novel. Many of the goals and objectives in my students' IEPs are geared toward these very same standards. This would be a fun and exciting way to fulfill those goals and objectives.
I team teach science with a general education teacher who is rather technologically savvy so I would like to try this with him first. I think it would be very helpful to have another person to bounce ideas with and troubleshoot with. We could use this technology in our constellations unit as well as our upcoming food chain units. This can seem overwhelming and stressful but I think if you were sharing the responsibilities it might not seem so overwhelming.
Here are all of the links in case one of the hyperlinks do not work:
http://www.ogps.wa.edu.au/room_3/
http://web.mac.com/nationalreadingday/Site/Welcome.html
http://web.mac.com/nationalreadingday/Site/Interview_with_Elaine_Forrestal.html
http://web.mac.com/nationalreadingday/Site/Chapter_Summaries/Chapter_Summaries.html
http://web.mac.com/nationalreadingday/Site/Chapter_Summaries/Entries/2007/7/25_Chapter_1____.html
http://www.podkids.com.au/index.php?post_id=251469
So, it took me a bit longer to determine exactly what I could share that would be worthwhile. I have listened to various podcasts for a few years now, specifically the numerous NPR shows and Slate.com offerings. One of the downsides of living overseas is the lack of English language radio. I remember when CNN Headline news started airing while I was in Mexico, and what a treat that was, truly, I was very happy. But really, anyone who has watched Headline news knows how often they repeat stories and the limit of the depth just gets depressing.
I've tried using short wave radios to catch VOA or BBC, but you have to know the time tables and frequencies to keep up and it becomes a chase all the time to listen.
Podcasts in this case are brilliant.
I had a hard time finding video podcasts that I could use with students. I have a technology & design class and decided to look for things that I might use with them. I found:
Videos of How Things Are Made
I downloaded a number of episodes and decided that about half would be useful for me in some instances. There is a bridge building explanation that explains in pretty good detail the structure and details of bridges. However there is also a "how clocks are made" video that won't really be so useful. All the videos are sized for the iPod which won't be so helpful in class, but possibly students will be able to view them independently.
TedTalks
This one I found on iTunes
Each year, the TED(Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference hosts some of the world's most fascinating people: Trusted voices and convention-breaking mavericks, icons and geniuses.
Written by Jonathan Orr
Here is a shameless self promotion. Biology teachers especially check out my podcast. There are only two episodes so far and really they are only part one and two of the same interview. The podcast will cover everything biology. The first two episodes are an interview with Dr.'s Nancy and Jerry Jaax of Kansas State University. My students over the summer read the book "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston. The book is about Ebola and Marburg viruses. The Jaax's played key roles in the Ebola Reston outbreak near Washington D.C., and their experiences are detailed in the book. The interview gave my students an chance to interact with with characters in the book that they read. This was a very powerful learning experience. Interviews are also scheduled with Dr. Joseph McCormick who was in charge of emerging viruses at the CDC at the time of the Ebola Reston outbreak.
For possibly a more useful tool check out MabryOnline.org. This summer at BLC07 I had a chance to listen and speak to Dr. Tim Tyson, the former principal at Mabry Middle School. The website he developed is an awesome example of what blogging and podcasting can do for a school. Dr. Tyson retired this year to become an independent consultant for schools across the country. MabryOnline is now an archived site that will no longer be updated, but kept around as an example of what can be done.
