Today we are looking digital images and sites we can use to store and share them. Please come next week with an account at one of the sites and a way to share your photos. We will be working on digital storytelling and you will need some photos to put together.
Here is a site that I have used to share photos. Please click on the link to see how I spent Christmas...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24426676@N03/
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
ReadWriteThink and Thinkfinity for Parents
Our Parent University next week is going to focus on a discipline management technique used best with younger children, especially those in grades K-5. The technique is called "Conscious Discipline" and Leanne and Shelby in Level 1 have been having great success with it! Thetwo of them are presenting the basics of this program, how we use it at daVinci and how parents could use it at home on Jan. 20th. To go along with that, I thought I would offer these 2 web resources as an additional "at-home" activity.
From ReadWriteThink, "Let's Go on a Reading Hunt!" is based on the Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham. (This happens to be one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books, so it caught my eye!) After parent and child read the book together several times, they begin listing - in creative ways - places where you could read. After all are collected, you put the places together in rhyming pairs, like: "I can read in the hall. I can read at the mall." You should end up with at least 5 different rhyming pairs. You can then make a book of your ideas, have the child illustrate those places or even take pictures of those places and make a scrapbook! You can continue adding to your "book" over the years!
Another literacy activity comes from the Thinkfinity Literacy Network. Podcasts are available for parents to listen to that each last about 4 minutes. Popular children's books are suggested for parents of Preschoolers and for parents of elementary school-age children. Podcasts explain interactive resources to support children's language and literacy. Currently there are podcasts regarding "Talking about Stories", Helping your Child build Fluency" and "Helping your Child build Vocabulary" using books like The Little Engine That Could, I Wanna Iguana and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Hopefully, those parents with an internet connection and a willingness to learn some new skills will be checking these out on a regular basis! It's all about all of us working as a team and doing whatever we can to ensure the success of our kids!
From ReadWriteThink, "Let's Go on a Reading Hunt!" is based on the Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham. (This happens to be one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books, so it caught my eye!) After parent and child read the book together several times, they begin listing - in creative ways - places where you could read. After all are collected, you put the places together in rhyming pairs, like: "I can read in the hall. I can read at the mall." You should end up with at least 5 different rhyming pairs. You can then make a book of your ideas, have the child illustrate those places or even take pictures of those places and make a scrapbook! You can continue adding to your "book" over the years!
Another literacy activity comes from the Thinkfinity Literacy Network. Podcasts are available for parents to listen to that each last about 4 minutes. Popular children's books are suggested for parents of Preschoolers and for parents of elementary school-age children. Podcasts explain interactive resources to support children's language and literacy. Currently there are podcasts regarding "Talking about Stories", Helping your Child build Fluency" and "Helping your Child build Vocabulary" using books like The Little Engine That Could, I Wanna Iguana and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Hopefully, those parents with an internet connection and a willingness to learn some new skills will be checking these out on a regular basis! It's all about all of us working as a team and doing whatever we can to ensure the success of our kids!
Google Docs and grantwriting
So ... this is better late than never ... but I have just entered into a grant co-writing opportunity with a person not on staff at daVinci. As I was just editing/revising my partner's latest work, it dawned on me ... WE SHOULD BE DOING THIS ON GOOGLE DOC'S! It's too late for this grant writing, but we have several more in front of us ... we'll see if I can actually teach another "old techie" person a new tech. trick! I'll keep you informed!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I found a web quest using the Illuminations section of thinkfinity. This web quest could be used in my class for helping with linear equations and modeling data. The activity is about airfares.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Blogging, examples of, and links to....
http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/weblogs/#classroom
The above link a week late. It contains good information and examples of how blogging can be used in the classroom. I apologize-I thought for sure it was on our website.
But, the good news was, instead of the above link, the 21 Things web site had an excellent web sites with tons of blogs that educators use to educate each other. I think you'll like them!
50 Must Read Up and Coming Blogs by Teachers
Both of these on my delicious, so you can steal them over to your account too if you'd like.
The above link a week late. It contains good information and examples of how blogging can be used in the classroom. I apologize-I thought for sure it was on our website.
But, the good news was, instead of the above link, the 21 Things web site had an excellent web sites with tons of blogs that educators use to educate each other. I think you'll like them!
50 Must Read Up and Coming Blogs by Teachers
Both of these on my delicious, so you can steal them over to your account too if you'd like.
Powerhouse
I used POWERHOUSE with my physics classes when we studied energy usage in the home. This site allows you to change how often you use the items in the apartment, and look at how much it costs you to operate these items.
This site helps students to visualize what items in their homes are more costly to run. Try it out, maybe there are was that you can use this in your class.
This site helps students to visualize what items in their homes are more costly to run. Try it out, maybe there are was that you can use this in your class.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Do 2Learn
Do2Learn is a webpage packed with Autism related resources. Included at this site are disability resources, classroom strategies, pintables, homework organizational aides, games and more. I also thought the Interactive Emotions Color Wheel would be helpful to those who have trouble describing how they really feel. Although the information is geared toward the autistic student, much of the information can be used for the students who lack knowledge and understanding of basic skills, or need some supplementation to expand on what they already know. Information provided will help meet your students’ needs with fun and enlightening activities, some are interactive. I have used this web site to visually explain basic social skill concepts, along with organizational and time management skills. Parents with young children have found the picture cards to be useful tools when teaching their child independent life skills. Explore this site to see if there is something relevant for you.
Study Guides & Digital Stories
Not especially monumental stuff for some of you, but I was able to post the Canterbury Tales Digital Stories to the school website (with MUCH help from Abbi -- she has the patience of Job when she helps me with tech).
When that was done and I was still able to be up and about and take nourishment, I felt that I could probably tackle more postings. So, I also posted my exam study guides in the appropriate class page.
The only step I wish I had added is sending out the digital dialer telling all current students where to find the resources on the website. I could have caught all of my absentees that way.
When that was done and I was still able to be up and about and take nourishment, I felt that I could probably tackle more postings. So, I also posted my exam study guides in the appropriate class page.
The only step I wish I had added is sending out the digital dialer telling all current students where to find the resources on the website. I could have caught all of my absentees that way.
Don't Click it if You're Not Sure
Ok. So it may be true that I'm "Miss Worry-Wart" or "Safety Girl." And yes, it's probably true that most of the things I worry about never actually happen, but sometimes...
This is a perfect example of why I don't click on strange things...
For Christmas, I searched Google Images and found a picture to save as a desktop background. (I was so proud that I have mastered how to save to My Photos, and the 'set as desktop background'.)
Then I searched for free screen savers. I found one I like and downloaded it to the Acer laptop. Now after the screen saver comes on, the computer says it can only be unlocked by dtassie! Even after I went in and told it not to require a password at restart, it still does it.
When I switched back to one of the default windows screen savers, the problem was partially solved. Now it will at least let me remove the password on restart option. Maybe the two things aren't related, but if they aren't the timing is sure funny.
This speaks to the idea of digital citizenship somewhat. I have encountered so many kids who think they are computer gurus, when their real expertise lies in posting comments and pictures to their Facebook page. I download and 'click' on things carefully and judiciously, but still ended up with a problem that could have been a real hassle. Think about the way the kids 'click' on anything with bright colors. That is the kind of 'clicking' that could crash a system.
This is a perfect example of why I don't click on strange things...
For Christmas, I searched Google Images and found a picture to save as a desktop background. (I was so proud that I have mastered how to save to My Photos, and the 'set as desktop background'.)
Then I searched for free screen savers. I found one I like and downloaded it to the Acer laptop. Now after the screen saver comes on, the computer says it can only be unlocked by dtassie! Even after I went in and told it not to require a password at restart, it still does it.
When I switched back to one of the default windows screen savers, the problem was partially solved. Now it will at least let me remove the password on restart option. Maybe the two things aren't related, but if they aren't the timing is sure funny.
This speaks to the idea of digital citizenship somewhat. I have encountered so many kids who think they are computer gurus, when their real expertise lies in posting comments and pictures to their Facebook page. I download and 'click' on things carefully and judiciously, but still ended up with a problem that could have been a real hassle. Think about the way the kids 'click' on anything with bright colors. That is the kind of 'clicking' that could crash a system.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Digital Natives Still Need Digital Citizenship
I promise I'll stop posting sometime soon, but I was thinking about something today as I was emailing a student--for the fourth time--to remind her how to grant me editing privileges to one of her Google Docs. We often assume that all of our students are digital natives--and technically, they are. They've all grown up in the world computers, the Internet, mp3s, etc. But they are not all digital natives in the sense of knowing how to properly use all those tools. Just like one must learn how to use a hammer without hitting one's thumb (an art I have yet to master), many of our students have never been taught how to use their digital tools without hurting themselves or others in some way.
A couple of months ago, two students in one of my English classes were finished with the assignment and had a couple of minutes at the end of class. They were entertaining themselves by performing Google searches on one another.
"No way!" one girl shouted. "Where'd you get that picture of me?!"
"I just did a Google Image search," he explained. "See? I just typed your name into Google, and-"
"Yeah, but I didn't...how did you..." she seemed at a loss for words.
I couldn't resist and butted into their conversation. "You see, Student X, when you put pictures of yourself on the Internet, other people can find them."
Her mouth gaped for a minute before she was able to exclaim, "But I didn't post that picture on the Internet! I posted it on my myspace!"
Granted, not all students are this naive when it comes to their digital tools. But far too many of them are. And when you combine this naivete with an innate desire to defy any and all authority, we have a situation. Using blocking software to block "inappropriate" websites turns into a nuclear arms race; students simply turn to the kid next to them and ask, "How do we get around this again?"
Instead of telling students what they can and can't do when it comes to technology, we need to be teaching them how to use technology correctly. While discussing this with a wonderful tech support lady I happen to know, she said
Why don't we take the time to teach our students good digital citizenship? Yes, it takes time--but doesn't all good, thorough teaching?
More reading on the topic of digital citizenship:
What should be done about digital citizenship?
The Digital Citizenship Imperative
Digiteen: Teaching Digital Citizenship - teens teaching ten year olds
A Little Digital Citizenship Parent Brainstorming: Share Your Thoughts
A couple of months ago, two students in one of my English classes were finished with the assignment and had a couple of minutes at the end of class. They were entertaining themselves by performing Google searches on one another.
"No way!" one girl shouted. "Where'd you get that picture of me?!"
"I just did a Google Image search," he explained. "See? I just typed your name into Google, and-"
"Yeah, but I didn't...how did you..." she seemed at a loss for words.
I couldn't resist and butted into their conversation. "You see, Student X, when you put pictures of yourself on the Internet, other people can find them."
Her mouth gaped for a minute before she was able to exclaim, "But I didn't post that picture on the Internet! I posted it on my myspace!"
Granted, not all students are this naive when it comes to their digital tools. But far too many of them are. And when you combine this naivete with an innate desire to defy any and all authority, we have a situation. Using blocking software to block "inappropriate" websites turns into a nuclear arms race; students simply turn to the kid next to them and ask, "How do we get around this again?"
Instead of telling students what they can and can't do when it comes to technology, we need to be teaching them how to use technology correctly. While discussing this with a wonderful tech support lady I happen to know, she said
I agree. Here, at least there isn’t the war between the tech director and teachers that is in so many places. After watching TV the other night, I think students need to be taught about citizenship in general. I think of citizenship as being more about being responsible in tech use—critical thinking, being sensitive, understanding how technology can inform and destroy.
Why don't we take the time to teach our students good digital citizenship? Yes, it takes time--but doesn't all good, thorough teaching?
More reading on the topic of digital citizenship:
What should be done about digital citizenship?
The Digital Citizenship Imperative
Digiteen: Teaching Digital Citizenship - teens teaching ten year olds
A Little Digital Citizenship Parent Brainstorming: Share Your Thoughts
Web 2.0 Tools
Don't be overwhelmed. Try to prepare yourself. Take a deep breath, acknowledge that you can't even keep up with the newest mp3 player that's on the market, and then give yourself permission to not feel bad if you don't know any of the tools you're about to see.
Click here.
Welcome to the world of Web 2.0! These are all various interactive Web 2.0 tools that allow you to do things that were probably only possible through expensive software a few years ago: online publishing, concept mapping, video editing, budgeting, time managing, etc.
If you find any interesting ones, let us know!
Click here.
Welcome to the world of Web 2.0! These are all various interactive Web 2.0 tools that allow you to do things that were probably only possible through expensive software a few years ago: online publishing, concept mapping, video editing, budgeting, time managing, etc.
If you find any interesting ones, let us know!
Flowcharts and Diagrams with Gliffy
Has anyone out there used Gliffy before?
After a bootlegged copy of Inspiration Software ended up on my desk the other day, I got to thinking. I knew I had run across a free version of a similar software at some point in the past couple of years. It just took the pressure of this blog post to make me look for it. Into my Delicious bookmarks I went, and--booyah!
Gliffy calls itself "Online Diagram Software." I created a free account and started messing around.
Gliffy seems really cool! It's very user friendly. You have multiple choices when you want to create a new document, from flow charts to floor plans. I made the flow chart, shown here:
Check it out. Concept mapping is SO helpful in the classroom. Having students interact with a text by mapping its concepts forces them to identify the main points of a text and organize the information being presented to them. English can be a bit trickier (mapping plot, characters, etc.) than something like science, but it can still be very useful.
After a bootlegged copy of Inspiration Software ended up on my desk the other day, I got to thinking. I knew I had run across a free version of a similar software at some point in the past couple of years. It just took the pressure of this blog post to make me look for it. Into my Delicious bookmarks I went, and--booyah!
Gliffy calls itself "Online Diagram Software." I created a free account and started messing around.
Gliffy seems really cool! It's very user friendly. You have multiple choices when you want to create a new document, from flow charts to floor plans. I made the flow chart, shown here:
Check it out. Concept mapping is SO helpful in the classroom. Having students interact with a text by mapping its concepts forces them to identify the main points of a text and organize the information being presented to them. English can be a bit trickier (mapping plot, characters, etc.) than something like science, but it can still be very useful.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Desktop Organization
Moving between many computers, I have come to really appreciate the simple things that allow me to make each computer "home." iGoogle is one of those things. I personalize it so it looks the same wherever I am. My home page has my gmail, my news stories, phases of the moon, google calendar. It may sound funny, but it somehow grounds and orients me wherever I am. To use iGoogle, just go to google and sign in (or create an account). You can customize your page. Then when you go from home to school to a relatives house, you go to Google and sign in and there is all the stuff you need. One thing I wish, was there was a way to create a section of links that I often use. Anyone know how to put that on igoogle? We will be exploring all the cool features of google in a little bit.
Another thing I really love is Internet Explorer 8. You can all download that onto your computer (at school we're still on version 7). What you get is the ability to create many tabs across the top. To do this, go to Tools, Internet Options, and type in the url's of the pages you want to appear across the top. I always have one tab that is the iGoogle page, another is the daVinci page, another my ikeepbookmarks page, another New York Times, e2020, PowerSchool, etc. This allows me to multitask without having to open windows. I can have lots of things going at once (and I usually do). My tabs are different at work and at home.
I love Jing. The free screen capture comes in so handy. It's a free download. In addition, I have programed an "instant" key, so when I click on Ctl J, the tool pops up and I can capture it instantly.
And lastly, I'm begining to love the added tool bars from Delicious. I like how it pops up next to a page, or I can add a web page instantly from my tool bar above.
All these little things seem to make my life easier--and more efficient. Wish I could find little pop ups around my house that would clean, organize and maybe bake a few dozen cookies?
Another thing I really love is Internet Explorer 8. You can all download that onto your computer (at school we're still on version 7). What you get is the ability to create many tabs across the top. To do this, go to Tools, Internet Options, and type in the url's of the pages you want to appear across the top. I always have one tab that is the iGoogle page, another is the daVinci page, another my ikeepbookmarks page, another New York Times, e2020, PowerSchool, etc. This allows me to multitask without having to open windows. I can have lots of things going at once (and I usually do). My tabs are different at work and at home.
I love Jing. The free screen capture comes in so handy. It's a free download. In addition, I have programed an "instant" key, so when I click on Ctl J, the tool pops up and I can capture it instantly.
And lastly, I'm begining to love the added tool bars from Delicious. I like how it pops up next to a page, or I can add a web page instantly from my tool bar above.
All these little things seem to make my life easier--and more efficient. Wish I could find little pop ups around my house that would clean, organize and maybe bake a few dozen cookies?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Free Web Version of Photoshop
I noticed that there is a free web version of Photoshop that can be used to upload photographs and make modifications then download them. It is at http://www.photoshop.com/express. After you create an account (simple), you find that you can create a photo website (mine is wdreyersr.photoshop.com) where you can place photo's you want to share.
It seems that this would be ideal for use with our davinci website to resize and make changes to photographs without having to have the expensive photoshop software on your pc. I will try it out for the top banner of our website that shows Nick and the two primary students. I will see if we can crop and resize to enable easy update of the changing banner photos....
It seems that this would be ideal for use with our davinci website to resize and make changes to photographs without having to have the expensive photoshop software on your pc. I will try it out for the top banner of our website that shows Nick and the two primary students. I will see if we can crop and resize to enable easy update of the changing banner photos....
Foldables
Hi All:
I don't think this constitutes as a highly innovative or technological tool, but I recently introduced foldables into my Reading Response. There are several types and they are super easy to teach/use. Students can create their own usage for how they want to respond to literature. If the section they read about had 3 main problems or 4 characters who had varying experiences, then the student could choose an appropriate foldable (3 or 4 flap or other choices too) to respond to that particular section (with page # and paragraph #).
There were a few hesitant participants however. I think they had gotten comfortable with our "Role Sheets" as a method of response. So, of course a few students had to be prodded and FORCED to try something new. If you'd like me to show you a couple of these at our next class I'd be happy to.
Happy Wednesday!
Amber
I don't think this constitutes as a highly innovative or technological tool, but I recently introduced foldables into my Reading Response. There are several types and they are super easy to teach/use. Students can create their own usage for how they want to respond to literature. If the section they read about had 3 main problems or 4 characters who had varying experiences, then the student could choose an appropriate foldable (3 or 4 flap or other choices too) to respond to that particular section (with page # and paragraph #).
There were a few hesitant participants however. I think they had gotten comfortable with our "Role Sheets" as a method of response. So, of course a few students had to be prodded and FORCED to try something new. If you'd like me to show you a couple of these at our next class I'd be happy to.
Happy Wednesday!
Amber
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Initial Session of 21 Things
I have modified the 21 Things course so we can discover on our own the wonderful things it holds, while connecting to each other via blogs and face to face meetings.
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