Common Craft is a great site to get a quick and simple explanation for lots of stuff. I'm most familiar with the technology things but there are other videos for everything from 'augmented reality' to 'zombies' (I'm not kidding!). When you get into the site choose 'browse videos' and select a category. These videos are simply done and may give you or your students an idea for a homemade video project. Common Craft videos are usually no more than 3 minutes long and are perfect to show in class.
The site looks like they are selling the videos and indeed they are, but you can watch everything online for free. So, don't be put off by the sales pitch.
Oh yeah, Common Craft videos are available in multiple languages... how can you use that?
Monday, April 25, 2011
Weebly Test
I've heard from some of you that Weebly restricts many of its add-ons to paying customers. I checked it out on my travel website and found that all the things that I think you need for our project are still free. I even added my Voki by pasting the html code from the Voki site into an html piece I drug into the site. I also added a YouTube video by pasting the URL into a YouTube piece I added to my page. See the site for more info.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wordle from Comments
One of the features of Blogger is the ability to see all comments in one place (see the Stats tab at the top of Posting page). I copied all 127 comments, took out your names, dates and times using MS Word, and then pasted the words into Wordle. Makes for an interesting and revealing picture of what you've been commenting. See the Wordle on the right, double click to enlarge.
K-3 Diagnostic Test Support
As much as it pains me to support the test-crazy system, I know it is part of your life. Here's a link that you may already know about but just in case you don't...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Symbaloo | Access your bookmarks anywhere
I know many of you have used Symbaloo but thought I'd give the rest of you the link... think: a Symbaloo for your class or course. Students could help it grow. Hmmmm maybe we should start our own 675 Symbaloo.
I've started a Symbaloo for EDUC 675... see if you can add to it.
TESOL Resource Anyone?
This site is a blog maintained by a UK professor, it has lots of links to TESOL sites:
Quizlet Video
Another Web 2.0 tool that you can use right now with any subject (including World Languages). Watch the video, use the tool. Write a review.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Messy but ????
For those of you interested in languages poke around in this messy but interesting site... there appears to be a ton of links to other language sites.
BrainPOP
You asked for it! (Not really but I know you really want sites that you can use right away in class instead of all that Web 2.0 tool stuff ;-)) This a good one... covers lots of subject areas and age levels. Comment on what you found useful here.
Library of Congress: Everyday Mysteries
The Library of Congress has a ton of good stuff for educators... here's one of my favorite pieces. Back up to the LOC home page to get an overall view.
Possible Writing Prompt?
I love this video... toddler twins talking to each other in a language all their own. What abou a writing assignment to "translate" the conversation these two are having. Could be a motivating way to teach proper use of quotations and conversations.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Here's a Strange Link
I know that in an effort to link school to the 'real world' teachers sometimes have kids make shopping lists and look up prices to do math or social studies (econ) projects. Jungle Jim's sends out their entire flyer as a .pdf file with descriptions of products and prices. No newspaper fuss or inky fingers... every kid gets a copy (don't let them print).
You may find other stores' flyers... can you say comparison shopping?
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Chalk Talk: A Kindergarten Blog
Just found this blog, it's written by a real teacher. I'd like to hear feedback from K and pre-K teachers. Looks like there are some links in the blog.
Blog Assignment: TED | Search
Somewhere in your college/graduate education you've probably been exposed to TED, at least one of the TED videos. Here's an opportunity explore and examine TED videos that may be of value to you or your students.
The assignment:
1. Click on the link below
2. Type "education" in the search window. When I did this I got 411 possible videos.
3. Browse the titles, watch bits of a few and choose one you want to review.
4. Here's the tricky part. Go to Google Docs, find the TED List, type your name on the first available line and enter the title of your chosen TED video, a link and some tags. However, you may not enter a video that is already on the list.
5. Write a review of the TED video on your blog.
Post to your blog by next Sunday evening April 24. Make that Monday April 25... Sunday is Easter.
TED | Search
The assignment:
1. Click on the link below
2. Type "education" in the search window. When I did this I got 411 possible videos.
3. Browse the titles, watch bits of a few and choose one you want to review.
4. Here's the tricky part. Go to Google Docs, find the TED List, type your name on the first available line and enter the title of your chosen TED video, a link and some tags. However, you may not enter a video that is already on the list.
5. Write a review of the TED video on your blog.
Post to your blog by next Sunday evening April 24. Make that Monday April 25... Sunday is Easter.
TED | Search
Friday, April 15, 2011
Flip to iMovie to Blog
I
I imported our individual clips into iMovie and added a theme, transitions, and some text screens to make a somewhat engaging movie. I decided not to publish to YouTube to protect the innocent ;-)
THE COLUMBUS IDEA FOUNDRY (and HOT LINKS)
A friend sent me a link to this site... The Columbus Idea Foundry... if you or a student ever wanted to learn to use a computer controlled router, learn to weld, or make Byzantine chain jewelry this is a place to start.
BTW: when you include a web site on your blog you can make a hot link by highlighting the word or words that make up the link (in this post: 'The Columbus Idea Foundry") then when you are in the post editing mode, click on the LINK function in the editing bar. A window will pop open where you can paste the URL for the link. Voila, a hot link.
BTW: when you include a web site on your blog you can make a hot link by highlighting the word or words that make up the link (in this post: 'The Columbus Idea Foundry") then when you are in the post editing mode, click on the LINK function in the editing bar. A window will pop open where you can paste the URL for the link. Voila, a hot link.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Tragic Death of the Flip
The Tragic Death of the Flip - NYTimes.com
Maybe I'm too nostalgic about this gadget but it makes me sad that such a cool, inexpensive, useful gadget can be killed off just because it doesn't fit the product mix of a mega-company who acquired it and then got buyers remorse. At any rate you should know David Pogue one of the tech writers at the New York Times. His columns are hip, funny, and by my yardstick spot on. Check out his videos, too.
R.I.P. Flip Video Cam
Perhaps I led you astray last night in class... the Flip is an orphan going the way of Saturn and Plymouth. Maybe someone else will pick it up. Still a great idea for classrooms... might pick one up for a bargain price.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Wikispaces - For Educators
Starting place for your wiki...
Lots of options for classroom use... just follow the yellow brick road ;-)
Couldn't Resist
I don't mean to pick on Dan but he put this great picture of himself on his blog...
and I couldn't resist doing some work on it myself. Sometimes teaching is just a lot of fun.
Try Photofunia you may even find some educational work for it.
and I couldn't resist doing some work on it myself. Sometimes teaching is just a lot of fun.
Try Photofunia you may even find some educational work for it.
Blog Assignment: ISTE | Digital Edition February/March 2011
As a prompt for your blog entry try this... choose an article from the Feb/Mar Learning and Leading with Technology. Write a brief review of the article in your blog and add a hot link to the article. The link below takes you to the table of contents for the L&L issue.
ISTE | Digital Edition February/March 2011
ISTE | Digital Edition February/March 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Assignment for Wednesday
We meet again on Wednesday, 6 to 8 in Roush 204. We’re going to make a video that may wind up on YouTube. I got this packet of cartoon speech balloons in the mail from Discover Card… some kind of promotion. My idea is this: we’ll use the speech balloons (AKA 'callout) 
to comment on Web 2.0 for teachers. Between now and Wednesday think about 2 or 3 words that you can print on your balloon and hold over your head. The words should make a statement about how web 2.0 tools improves teaching. I’ll come around with my Flip video camera and take a quick shot of each person and balloon. For example: My balloon might say: Animoto: Not Boring!
To avoid duplication I’ve created a Google Doc called Balloon Talk where you will enter your name and your balloon words. First come first served. Here’s the link to the doc… you all have editing powers.
to comment on Web 2.0 for teachers. Between now and Wednesday think about 2 or 3 words that you can print on your balloon and hold over your head. The words should make a statement about how web 2.0 tools improves teaching. I’ll come around with my Flip video camera and take a quick shot of each person and balloon. For example: My balloon might say: Animoto: Not Boring!
To avoid duplication I’ve created a Google Doc called Balloon Talk where you will enter your name and your balloon words. First come first served. Here’s the link to the doc… you all have editing powers.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Calling Your Attention to a New Addition
See my alter ego Golden Retriever to the right... created with Voki.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I Get Questions
Actually I got A question. One of you asked about what I taught when I taught sixth grade. First of all I must remind you that I indeed taught during the last ice age when most sixth grades were self-contained classrooms... that means you taught everything. Everything and everybody. During my first year of teaching, in addition to all the traditional academic subjects I was responsible for teaching physical education, art and music. Thank God for record players. The everybody was the really difficult part... kids with all sorts of abilities and disabilities were clumped in the same rookie teacher's classroom. A rookie and a system with no notion of special or gifted education.
The questioner wanted to know if I taught science given my reference to the inflatable black trash bag balloon. The answer is, "Yes I did". We also made a pin hole camera out of a refrigerator box so kids could be inside the camera and see the inverted image on the screen. We made candles with wax melted on a hot plate... solid/liquid/gas (not a good idea in a room with limited electrical circuits). But we also made life size paper mache figures to retell the story of "The Hobbit" (literature/language arts). We made commercials for historic events using a black and white video camera and a reel to reel recorder (social studies). I read aloud every day after lunch (Hiroshima and Dracula were favorites). We used calculators as soon as they were available. Ask me about the computer that used a teletype machine as a terminal.
Technology is an artifact of its era. My era was primarily analog... real objects repurposed to engage kids and empower them to be part of their own learning. Today in the digital age Web 2.0 tools which were designed for business or art can be bent to the will of creative teachers. I encourage you to suspend disbelief, suspend the pressures of testing and governmental medling. Forget for a few hours each week that what we do in 675 is not practical in the "real world" of teaching today. See if you can find an idea or two that are so compelling that you'll do something really goofy with your kids and they'll go home and tell their parents about what they did in school today without being asked. I could happen. Really.
The questioner wanted to know if I taught science given my reference to the inflatable black trash bag balloon. The answer is, "Yes I did". We also made a pin hole camera out of a refrigerator box so kids could be inside the camera and see the inverted image on the screen. We made candles with wax melted on a hot plate... solid/liquid/gas (not a good idea in a room with limited electrical circuits). But we also made life size paper mache figures to retell the story of "The Hobbit" (literature/language arts). We made commercials for historic events using a black and white video camera and a reel to reel recorder (social studies). I read aloud every day after lunch (Hiroshima and Dracula were favorites). We used calculators as soon as they were available. Ask me about the computer that used a teletype machine as a terminal.
Technology is an artifact of its era. My era was primarily analog... real objects repurposed to engage kids and empower them to be part of their own learning. Today in the digital age Web 2.0 tools which were designed for business or art can be bent to the will of creative teachers. I encourage you to suspend disbelief, suspend the pressures of testing and governmental medling. Forget for a few hours each week that what we do in 675 is not practical in the "real world" of teaching today. See if you can find an idea or two that are so compelling that you'll do something really goofy with your kids and they'll go home and tell their parents about what they did in school today without being asked. I could happen. Really.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Here are three web 2.0 tools you can use in your classroom - ISTE Community
Here are 3 tools endorsed by a member of the ISTE community... I have not explored these tools so I'd like to hear from you if you find one or more of them useful.
Here are three web 2.0 tools you can use in your classroom - ISTE Community
Here are three web 2.0 tools you can use in your classroom - ISTE Community
Sunday, April 3, 2011
YouTube - An Open Letter to Educators
Dan Brown... the value of information. One young person's view of the traditional education model. If you teach older students or talk to parents about the education futures for their kids how might this view inform what you have to say?
Can you do a rif on the value of information and what that means to how teachers teach today?
Just food for thought.
YouTube - An Open Letter to Educators
Can you do a rif on the value of information and what that means to how teachers teach today?
Just food for thought.
YouTube - An Open Letter to Educators
Friday, April 1, 2011
We Are Teachers
Another online resource for teachers with links to other sites, join if it looks interesting. Sites like this keep a constant flow of ideas coming to your inbox. Take what you want, leave the rest.
We Are Teachers
We Are Teachers
eduTecher.net
eduTecher is a non-profit gateway to online education resources... see "links" to search by grade level and subject. Write a review on your blog if you find the site useful or a dud. OR Write a review of a site you found through eduTecher. Don't forget to include the URL in your blog post and in the bibliographic entry in Google Docs.
eduTecher.net - a non-profit web resource
eduTecher.net - a non-profit web resource
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