Educational Networking:
The important role Web 2.0 will play in education
http://info.elluminate.com/Edu_Networking_edweek.html Accessed 12:59, Sept 26, 2010
This white paper focuses on how web2.0 tools help teachers become better at what they do by collaborating with other teachers through these tools. Up until this point, the only way teachers could be published was through academic arenas.Now, we can post through blogs, videos and other social networking apps. How we as teachers now approach our profession and how students approach learning has vastly changed since the explosion of social networking and web2.0 tools.
Supporting 21st Century Learning Through Google Apps
Nevin, R. (2009). Supporting 21st Century Learning Through Google Apps. Teacher Librarian, 37(2), 35-38. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database
This article reviews how Google Apps will support education in the next one to five years. Cloud computing is the buzz word, meaning saving data on a server on the web. By using Google apps, many complications that occur when using disparaging software from home to school will be solved. By using Google docs, students will be able to access their work from any computer, home or school, and it will be in the same format. Teachers will be able to edit drafts of student prior to the student completing it. Beyond word processing, the free apps include presentation and video as well. It continues with an overview of the steps to become what is called a "Google App Educational Site".
Don't Be Afraid to Explore Web2.0
Thompson, J. (2008) Don't be afraid to Explore Web2.0. Education Digest, 74(4), 19-22. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database
This article summarizes the different types of web2.0 tools and cites some of the more popular apps. Many if not most apps are free. It gives a simple description of what cloud computing is and why it will be so important in the future. It mentions Google Apps as one of the most well known tools, as well as different social networking sites, blogs, and video sites. Many schools are concerned with allowing such sites on their network, but the author believes such sites could produce more learning through collaborative note taking and group discussions.
Technology: Web Applications and Google
Van Horn, R. (2007). Web Applications and Google. Phi Delta Kappan, 88(10), 727-792. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database
Yet again, another article extolling the virtues of using Google Apps in the education arena, with cost savings, common platforms, and improved productivity as reasons behind it. The versatility of the Apps, the wealth of gadgets to aid you in your duties is unsurpassed by any other collection of apps out there. Google specifically targets educators with special apps designed for them, along with online training sessions available free for professional development.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
AR Blog
According to McNiff (2003), action research questions should focus on my self-improvement or how can I improve what I do. During this first month of the certification program, my head has been swimming with all sorts of ideas, most requiring the cooperation of other teachers. I am new to the school I presently work at and do not really work closely with teachers but rather consult with students.
The largest “chore” I deal with is communicating with each students’ four academic teachers on a monthly basis. Emails are currently the way most contact is done. Information is sporadic, not consistent and ends up being a paper filing job after printing out each email. I normally have to send at least two reminders out to teachers before I get all information back. I started thinking about ways I could elicit information from teachers in a systematic way, gathering the exact information I needed, collected together under each student’s file and with as little effort from the teachers.
While I was studying different web2.0 apps, I discovered Google Docs, which lead me to Google Forms, which lead me to my action research direction. I would find out as much as possible about the Google Apps for educators and determine if I could develop a system to gather data and be accessible where ever I am at with a computer.
My official problem statement is the inability to gather timely and correct data on a monthly basis about the progress, behavior and academic success of my cohort of students.
The outcome I am expecting is to develop a form or survey through Google Forms to be delivered to teachers via their email. The survey will consist of multiple choice questions and short answer questions in a text box. The questions will be based on the exact information I need for each month based on each student. The questionnaire will be simple and to the point, therefore easier for teachers to complete and return. The data will be compiled in a spreadsheet and can be filed electronically within Google Forms, so I can access it at any computer in whatever room I may conduct a student conference.
My critical friends are two classmates who are also in the Certification Program and one teacher who is in an administrative position who also needs to collect data from teachers who are slow to respond. My two classmates will help me better understand the process we are going through together and the teacher can give me insights from the educational field.
As I previously stated, this is the first month in the program, so everything I have learned in ETC has effected my choice of project, the web2.0 apps I have reviewed by myself or through viewing other classmates blogs. I am glad I have two classmates traveling with me in the certificate program. We are different than the year long program and sometimes assignments are confusing because they are based on background knowledge we did not experience.
My website URL is http://web.me.com/sandyerickson1954
My ETC blog URL is http://smerickson1954.blogspot.com/
The largest “chore” I deal with is communicating with each students’ four academic teachers on a monthly basis. Emails are currently the way most contact is done. Information is sporadic, not consistent and ends up being a paper filing job after printing out each email. I normally have to send at least two reminders out to teachers before I get all information back. I started thinking about ways I could elicit information from teachers in a systematic way, gathering the exact information I needed, collected together under each student’s file and with as little effort from the teachers.
While I was studying different web2.0 apps, I discovered Google Docs, which lead me to Google Forms, which lead me to my action research direction. I would find out as much as possible about the Google Apps for educators and determine if I could develop a system to gather data and be accessible where ever I am at with a computer.
My official problem statement is the inability to gather timely and correct data on a monthly basis about the progress, behavior and academic success of my cohort of students.
The outcome I am expecting is to develop a form or survey through Google Forms to be delivered to teachers via their email. The survey will consist of multiple choice questions and short answer questions in a text box. The questions will be based on the exact information I need for each month based on each student. The questionnaire will be simple and to the point, therefore easier for teachers to complete and return. The data will be compiled in a spreadsheet and can be filed electronically within Google Forms, so I can access it at any computer in whatever room I may conduct a student conference.
My critical friends are two classmates who are also in the Certification Program and one teacher who is in an administrative position who also needs to collect data from teachers who are slow to respond. My two classmates will help me better understand the process we are going through together and the teacher can give me insights from the educational field.
As I previously stated, this is the first month in the program, so everything I have learned in ETC has effected my choice of project, the web2.0 apps I have reviewed by myself or through viewing other classmates blogs. I am glad I have two classmates traveling with me in the certificate program. We are different than the year long program and sometimes assignments are confusing because they are based on background knowledge we did not experience.
My website URL is http://web.me.com/sandyerickson1954
My ETC blog URL is http://smerickson1954.blogspot.com/
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Week 4 - Practical Experience #3
After listening to several hours worth of Flash CS5 video, I decided to just play around a little bit. Nothing exciting mind you, but just to show some of the graphic features built in for the non-artists to enable us to actually come up with something that doesn't look too bad. I didn't spend much more than fifteen minutes to come up with these shots. A little more time and effort would have produced something a bit grander.
Week 4 Pratical Experience #2 - Flash Review
Flash Professional CS5 is being described by some as the industry standard for interactive authoring and designing that delivers content consistently to PC’s and Mac’s, mobile devices and white boards/screens of virtually any size and resolution. It is an application that creates web-based animation and web-sites without the ability to write code. This opens up web and graphic designing to many more artists and dreamer-type people than those computer geeks who write code.
The programs overall diversity included the ability to embed video into websites, create interactive websites, drawing and animating graphics and cartoons, and creating games that are web-based. It’s main strength is for making interactive menus, buttons and websites.
The work flow is pretty straight forward and intuitive. There are similarities to design apps, such as buttons for editing color and creating shapes, drawing lines, curves and shapes as well as writing text. Drop down menus provide options to select and speciality menus for those exceptionally creative tools.
The Flash CS5 app integrates with other Adobe software, such as Fireworks, Illustrator and PhotoShop. This ensures the users ability to move between the different apps with out the fear of losing the interactive parts that have been built into their Flash creation.
The programs overall diversity included the ability to embed video into websites, create interactive websites, drawing and animating graphics and cartoons, and creating games that are web-based. It’s main strength is for making interactive menus, buttons and websites.
The work flow is pretty straight forward and intuitive. There are similarities to design apps, such as buttons for editing color and creating shapes, drawing lines, curves and shapes as well as writing text. Drop down menus provide options to select and speciality menus for those exceptionally creative tools.
The Flash CS5 app integrates with other Adobe software, such as Fireworks, Illustrator and PhotoShop. This ensures the users ability to move between the different apps with out the fear of losing the interactive parts that have been built into their Flash creation.
Week 4 - Practical Experience #1
Before I started at Full Sail, I heard of Flash because of things on the web that either required Flash to view it or Flash wasn’t installed and I had to download it. Never gave it much thought, just some computer thingy. :) Like I said, that was pre Full Sail days. Now I OWN it or at least the software. Which probably means some class will want me to do something with it. Now I need to figure it out.
First I looked at Lynda.com to see what she had. Good lord, the “essentials of Flash” runs over 20 hours in video tutorials. What is Flash and why does it take so long to learn. Flash is part of a “Creative Suite” of Adobe applications which puts together a collection of software that performs graphic designs, video editing and web page designing. Flash helps create graphic art designs that are far superior than any paint shop program I’ve ever played with.
So far, I’ve listened to three chapters of Essential Flash. I did each chapter twice, the first to see what’s important without the necessity of note taking and then to go back and take notes for things I need to remember but probably won’t without writing it down. I realize that equates to 40 hours of video, but maybe after I get the initial vocabulary down and what the buttons do and where all the buttons are hidden in fly out maps, then perhaps I will be able to view some of it only once.
I’ve learned how to draw lines, snap pictures together and take them apart. I now know the difference between bitmap pictures and .swf media pictures. I can fill in spaces, draw outlines around them, shade pictures and have objects have gradients. (That’s one of those vocabulary words I was talking about.) I’m still too early in the mix to make anything move yet, but I’ll get there. Keep tuned for further developments.
First I looked at Lynda.com to see what she had. Good lord, the “essentials of Flash” runs over 20 hours in video tutorials. What is Flash and why does it take so long to learn. Flash is part of a “Creative Suite” of Adobe applications which puts together a collection of software that performs graphic designs, video editing and web page designing. Flash helps create graphic art designs that are far superior than any paint shop program I’ve ever played with.
So far, I’ve listened to three chapters of Essential Flash. I did each chapter twice, the first to see what’s important without the necessity of note taking and then to go back and take notes for things I need to remember but probably won’t without writing it down. I realize that equates to 40 hours of video, but maybe after I get the initial vocabulary down and what the buttons do and where all the buttons are hidden in fly out maps, then perhaps I will be able to view some of it only once.
I’ve learned how to draw lines, snap pictures together and take them apart. I now know the difference between bitmap pictures and .swf media pictures. I can fill in spaces, draw outlines around them, shade pictures and have objects have gradients. (That’s one of those vocabulary words I was talking about.) I’m still too early in the mix to make anything move yet, but I’ll get there. Keep tuned for further developments.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
AR readings
Still reading websites on collaboration with Google Docs. Checked out more on Forms this time. Discovered how to write quizzes that actually grade the quiz as it posts on the spreadsheet. Now I can get behind that. There are plenty of uses for Forms, as a teacher, administrator and students gathering data for projects. Will continue research on spreadsheets and presentations. Lynda.com is an outrageous resource of "how to" on Google Docs.
Being a certificate student, I'm focusing more on actual software, especially free and open sources because schools are short on money and I can't afford to buy it either. I really am enthusiastic about checking out the free apps that we've been given plus the ability to learn through lynda.com everything we want to when we need it.
This week I started working on Flash, an iMovie type software, on steroids. It is a complicated program compared to iMovie, but from what I see so far, has greater abilities in "drawing" graphics and putting motion to other things. iMovies puts pictures and movies together, while Flash has the ability to start things from scratch. I've only watched about 2 or so hours with over 20 hours to view, and will have to review and move on as I make my way through the program. The "essentials" video is over six hours. It has a look similar to iMovie, enough to make viewing Flash comfortable. Vocabulary is somewhat intuitive, but there sure is a lot of it. It will take me more than the remaining three months I have left to become an expert but hopefuly long enough to become "good enough".
Being a certificate student, I'm focusing more on actual software, especially free and open sources because schools are short on money and I can't afford to buy it either. I really am enthusiastic about checking out the free apps that we've been given plus the ability to learn through lynda.com everything we want to when we need it.
This week I started working on Flash, an iMovie type software, on steroids. It is a complicated program compared to iMovie, but from what I see so far, has greater abilities in "drawing" graphics and putting motion to other things. iMovies puts pictures and movies together, while Flash has the ability to start things from scratch. I've only watched about 2 or so hours with over 20 hours to view, and will have to review and move on as I make my way through the program. The "essentials" video is over six hours. It has a look similar to iMovie, enough to make viewing Flash comfortable. Vocabulary is somewhat intuitive, but there sure is a lot of it. It will take me more than the remaining three months I have left to become an expert but hopefuly long enough to become "good enough".
BP_11 Google Forms
Yeah! It worked today! Had problems loading it on Sunday and Monday, but today for some reason it worked. Not going to ask why, just glad it did.
BP_10 Kafafa
I checked out Kafafa, posted by D. Moncrief. It is a website creation app that could be used for all sorts of school projects.
BP_8 Google Forms
I am really excited by Google Forms. I thought it was pretty slick when we filled out the survey by Rena and all the information was gathered in one place, so I spent several hours checking out what other teachers have posted on YouTube and articles written on various Ed Blogs. I found out a way to generate a quiz via Forms, and then through formulas, have the quiz graded right on the spread sheet. All you as a teacher do after that, is to record the grade. How COOL is that!
The basic survey is made in a quiz format. As the teacher, you complete the quiz with the correct answers for each question. In the formula box, for each column, you enter the equation of " = if (D3=$D$2,100,0) with D2 being the correct answer box you filled in and D3 the student's answer. For each question, the answer either matches yours and receives a 100% correct or if it doesn't, then receives a 0% correct. Averaging the 100's & 0's, the spreadsheet then comes up with an overall percentage grade. Great tool for multiple choice or one word short answer question.
I can think of so many ways of using forms within the school setting. Administrators could use a survey that asks questions about teachers during observations. If the administrators had an iPad, iPod or other wireless appliance,it could be filled in as the observation took place and the final summary completed on the spot.
Anonymous teacher surveys by students could take place regularly on their learnings, if any, and where improvements might be made. I know this is a little scary for teachers to ask students what is needed to improve education, but the way I see it, they are our customers, and we need their satisfaction measures to see if we are hitting the mark. Grade tallies alone do not tell us how we are doing.
I plan on using the surveys to gather data on students I consult with on a monthly basis along with their teachers. Face to face meetings are hard to complete and it removes the student from the classroom for 10-15 minutes, time which some shouldn't miss. Many of my students have cell phones which I text to communicate with, now I have one more tool to do so.
The basic survey is made in a quiz format. As the teacher, you complete the quiz with the correct answers for each question. In the formula box, for each column, you enter the equation of " = if (D3=$D$2,100,0) with D2 being the correct answer box you filled in and D3 the student's answer. For each question, the answer either matches yours and receives a 100% correct or if it doesn't, then receives a 0% correct. Averaging the 100's & 0's, the spreadsheet then comes up with an overall percentage grade. Great tool for multiple choice or one word short answer question.
I can think of so many ways of using forms within the school setting. Administrators could use a survey that asks questions about teachers during observations. If the administrators had an iPad, iPod or other wireless appliance,it could be filled in as the observation took place and the final summary completed on the spot.
Anonymous teacher surveys by students could take place regularly on their learnings, if any, and where improvements might be made. I know this is a little scary for teachers to ask students what is needed to improve education, but the way I see it, they are our customers, and we need their satisfaction measures to see if we are hitting the mark. Grade tallies alone do not tell us how we are doing.
I plan on using the surveys to gather data on students I consult with on a monthly basis along with their teachers. Face to face meetings are hard to complete and it removes the student from the classroom for 10-15 minutes, time which some shouldn't miss. Many of my students have cell phones which I text to communicate with, now I have one more tool to do so.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
More research on cloud computing
My action research project will be to convince fellow teachers to use GoogleDocs as an application to ease our lives, organize our curriculum and allow us access from it home. This week I accesssed four case studies of schools who incorporated cloud computing into their management system, one with Google Apps. The financial cost savings was significant and the ease of bringing it online and running was remarkable.
I also reviewed a white paper from Berkley on the topic of cloud computing and the effects it will have on education as a system. There was much jargon I didn't comprehend, but the gist of the paper was it's out there, readily available, inexpensive, and could provide capabilities to K-12 schools unheard of just two years ago.
Each article I read presents a long list of more reading, but today, my eyes are about ready to drop out of my sockets, so I'm going to give them a rest. There's always tomorrow.
I also reviewed a white paper from Berkley on the topic of cloud computing and the effects it will have on education as a system. There was much jargon I didn't comprehend, but the gist of the paper was it's out there, readily available, inexpensive, and could provide capabilities to K-12 schools unheard of just two years ago.
Each article I read presents a long list of more reading, but today, my eyes are about ready to drop out of my sockets, so I'm going to give them a rest. There's always tomorrow.
BP_7: Google Docs
I chose Google Docs to review because I think many people, especially educators, don't realize the power that Google docs has in organizing lessons, collecting assignments, collaborating and editing student works and many other venues this app provides. Beyond Google Docs, Google has an entire resource dedicated to the educator, providing many other apps to help in the classroom along with training to use them. Google is an under-utilized asset teachers need to tap into. And it's all FREE!!
All pictures were taken from Google.com web pages
BP_6 Comments on Maia's Blog
BP_5 Comments on Maryann's blog
Maryann Ferree discovered a free web conferencing site that supports both PC and Mac platforms. Follow this link to my comments on Maryann's post on the BRIO Web2.0 tool.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
BP4_Google Docs
It may seem strange to be selecting Google Doc’s because it has been around for a while but I never realized what the tool actually provides to users, free of charge. A little background on why I am so excited. I’m part of a six person team who teach Algebra I in a high school. We no longer use text books but develop the curriculum via documents authored by the group. Originally, one teacher would author a unit of lessons, worksheets and a test. Then each would be attached to an email and circulated, a meeting planned and any changes discussed. The author would then go back to her computer, make the changes, print a copy, then go to the copy room and make enough copies for all involved. Whew!
This year there is a folder on the school network so all can access the documents but any editing is still only made by one person and then uploaded back into the folder. Meetings are still necessary to discuss the unit lessons and the author goes back online to make changes. The drawback to all this is no changes or even access to the documents has to been done on the school network, hence you can’t work at home.
Since I have been introduced to Google Doc’s, I envision a great change taking place. I want to introduce Google Docs to my cohort and begin upload all the documents from the server to Google Docs. Anyone can make changes, with both the edited and original document still available. Instead of meeting in a classroom, interested parties can be invited to edit the document together, with a chat box right next to the document. Everyone has editorial right and can discuss changes as necessary in real time in the chat box. The best part for me is accessibility at home. I’m a late Saturday night person and most schools frown on their teachers being at school at that time.
I believe once the Algebra I teachers begin to use the web tool with greater frequency and ease, we’ll be able to persuade all the math teachers to do the same. I foresee connecting with our middle school as well. Eighth graders also have the ability to take Algebra I for HS credit.With the HS curriculum available on the web, it will ensure seamlessness as those eighth graders become freshmen walking into HS math classes.
This year there is a folder on the school network so all can access the documents but any editing is still only made by one person and then uploaded back into the folder. Meetings are still necessary to discuss the unit lessons and the author goes back online to make changes. The drawback to all this is no changes or even access to the documents has to been done on the school network, hence you can’t work at home.
Since I have been introduced to Google Doc’s, I envision a great change taking place. I want to introduce Google Docs to my cohort and begin upload all the documents from the server to Google Docs. Anyone can make changes, with both the edited and original document still available. Instead of meeting in a classroom, interested parties can be invited to edit the document together, with a chat box right next to the document. Everyone has editorial right and can discuss changes as necessary in real time in the chat box. The best part for me is accessibility at home. I’m a late Saturday night person and most schools frown on their teachers being at school at that time.
I believe once the Algebra I teachers begin to use the web tool with greater frequency and ease, we’ll be able to persuade all the math teachers to do the same. I foresee connecting with our middle school as well. Eighth graders also have the ability to take Algebra I for HS credit.With the HS curriculum available on the web, it will ensure seamlessness as those eighth graders become freshmen walking into HS math classes.
As a last departing thought, this service is available for FREE and is continually updated from suggestions submitted by users. The word processor is similar and compatible with Word, it has a spread sheet option, presentations similar to PowerPoint and a huge library of templates and documents submitted for public review. Below is a snapshot of the page of updated and/or new improvements.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
BL_3 Diigo
BP2_iGoogle
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Setting up iGoogle
Just thought I'd use the blogger gadget as I set up iGoogle. It took a little time and banging away on the tabs and links before I could figure out what I was doing. I easily found out how to add tabs but it took some some soul searching to discover how to add the gadget "box of links" for the URLs we needed to add. I'm on the Certificate program so this is my first class and have not experienced previous learnings. I love the "AHA" moments (or rather "DUH" moments) when I finally figure it out. Will be posting my BP_2 iGoogle after lunch.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
BP1_Google Reader
Last night I worked on setting up my blog and finding blogs to feed that were relevant to my profession. I surf these websites on a regular basis but was never introduced to RSS feeds beyond the ability to click on them on the AOL web page. Just think, in two days I have learned two ways to communicate with others, through blogging and RSS feeds. What will the next 28 days hold for me?
Edutopia.org http://feeds.feedburner.com/EdutopiaNewContent
Edutopia.org is a website for educators who want to connect with other educators to improve, innovate and reform education. Edutopia.org describes itself as "An in-depth and interactive resource, offering practical, hands-on advice, real-world examples, lively contributions from practitioners, and invaluable tips and tools." Funded by the George Lucas Foundation, it is a place where schools can access the same cutting edge technology as universities and the business community can and do. It is important to me to see how other schools and educators are embracing new technology, their bumps and rewards by trying new things out. There are several different areas with communities of blogs and bloggers. I now belong to a blog for High School teachers incorporating technology in the classroom.
This is how Edutopia graphically depicts how it overlays the six Core Concepts of its philosophy to education.
iBerry aggregator aggregated feeds in category Educational Technology
http://iberry.com/cms/aggregator/rss/6
iBerry calls itself "The Academic Porthole" to open access for learners and educators to Higher Education (HE) resources and Open CourseWare(OCW) from the Universities and Colleges of the world. Although I teach HS, we have many offerings in Advanced Placement which college credit is awarded to students who pass the courses with 80% and above. All of our Math Dept teachers develop and write their own curriculum and do not use textbooks in the classroom. Access to Open CourseWare is wonderful to slog through and "borrow" great ideas. The newsfeed I am following covers Education Technology in the classroom.
Promethean Planet http://community.prometheanplanet.com/rss.aspx
Promethean Planet is a website that offers teacher resources, professional development and the latest news of their products and services. Since our charter district has a Promethean board in every classroom, I thought it would behoove me to become well acquainted with the ins and outs of this technology. White boards have been around for awhile but somewhat new to education. I've seen them used in the classroom and it can liven up a lesson, with response clickers, animation and voice. I plan to become an expert on this equipment and need to stay current with technology.
Teacher Magazine:Technology http://feeds.feedburner.com/TeacherMagazineTechnology
Teacher Magazine is a great resource for keeping current with the latest trends in the classroom. I let my subscription lapse as the magazine fees started to creep upward. Imagine my delight when I discovered a blog from EdWeek.org which includes Teacher Magazine. I can specifically dial into the technology articles only, without the ads and other articles that don't hold my interest. Again, great information to stay current with trends, problems and solutions.
Tech & Learning http://www.techlearning.com/rss
Tech & Learning is a great website for general information, technology and lesson plan ideas. It has a host of blogs covering many topics, comments and posts from other teachers on what works and what didn't. Articles on best practices in the classroom using technology, cell phones, social media, pod casts, you name it and someone has written about the topic. I use this website as an idea generator. See what others are doing and how well it works for them.
Perhaps in one of my RSS feeds, you may be tempted to check one out. I'm just excited I no longer have to go from website to website anymore. Everything I want is ready for me to browse and the clutter has been reduced. I think I am going to enjoy this class.
Edutopia.org http://feeds.feedburner.com/EdutopiaNewContent
Edutopia.org is a website for educators who want to connect with other educators to improve, innovate and reform education. Edutopia.org describes itself as "An in-depth and interactive resource, offering practical, hands-on advice, real-world examples, lively contributions from practitioners, and invaluable tips and tools." Funded by the George Lucas Foundation, it is a place where schools can access the same cutting edge technology as universities and the business community can and do. It is important to me to see how other schools and educators are embracing new technology, their bumps and rewards by trying new things out. There are several different areas with communities of blogs and bloggers. I now belong to a blog for High School teachers incorporating technology in the classroom.
iBerry aggregator aggregated feeds in category Educational Technology
http://iberry.com/cms/aggregator/rss/6
iBerry calls itself "The Academic Porthole" to open access for learners and educators to Higher Education (HE) resources and Open CourseWare(OCW) from the Universities and Colleges of the world. Although I teach HS, we have many offerings in Advanced Placement which college credit is awarded to students who pass the courses with 80% and above. All of our Math Dept teachers develop and write their own curriculum and do not use textbooks in the classroom. Access to Open CourseWare is wonderful to slog through and "borrow" great ideas. The newsfeed I am following covers Education Technology in the classroom.
Promethean Planet http://community.prometheanplanet.com/rss.aspx
Promethean Planet is a website that offers teacher resources, professional development and the latest news of their products and services. Since our charter district has a Promethean board in every classroom, I thought it would behoove me to become well acquainted with the ins and outs of this technology. White boards have been around for awhile but somewhat new to education. I've seen them used in the classroom and it can liven up a lesson, with response clickers, animation and voice. I plan to become an expert on this equipment and need to stay current with technology.
Teacher Magazine:Technology http://feeds.feedburner.com/TeacherMagazineTechnology
Teacher Magazine is a great resource for keeping current with the latest trends in the classroom. I let my subscription lapse as the magazine fees started to creep upward. Imagine my delight when I discovered a blog from EdWeek.org which includes Teacher Magazine. I can specifically dial into the technology articles only, without the ads and other articles that don't hold my interest. Again, great information to stay current with trends, problems and solutions.
Tech & Learning http://www.techlearning.com/rss
Tech & Learning is a great website for general information, technology and lesson plan ideas. It has a host of blogs covering many topics, comments and posts from other teachers on what works and what didn't. Articles on best practices in the classroom using technology, cell phones, social media, pod casts, you name it and someone has written about the topic. I use this website as an idea generator. See what others are doing and how well it works for them.
Perhaps in one of my RSS feeds, you may be tempted to check one out. I'm just excited I no longer have to go from website to website anymore. Everything I want is ready for me to browse and the clutter has been reduced. I think I am going to enjoy this class.
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