New Tool for Students: Storybird

I just found a new tool for students--Storybird.  Students create narrative short stories based on a visual and collaborate on the story with friends.  I have not yet begun to use the tool, but you should check out the cool stories posted by students.  I think the key here is "students" are the creators.  I have not had time to explore, but it appears to cater to K-8.

A new literacy tool for a new generation

"Storybirds are short, art-inspired stories that are curiously fun to make, share, and read. Teachers love them because they inspire their most reluctant writers and readers and reward their most adventurous. Kids adore them because they feel empowered by the tools and supported by the social feedback."

Web 2.0 and Blooms

This Bloom's triangle says it all.  Click on any of the links.

More on Cell Phones in Learning Environments

Listen to this video.  All classrooms should follow model 2 in the CNN Video.  I agree "we need to take control" before they take control of us, and if teachers are the leaders, we can take charge of the distraction of cell phones.  Notetaking, videos, reinforcing lessons, even tweeting.  Think of all the money we will save, NO PAPER.  This can lead to a new revolution if we teach the students to experiment and use the mobile devices in an educational manner. Assessments, 140 Word Historical Tweets, Mobile Handheld Apps for Social Studies, and so much more.  I truly believe handheld apps and smartphones use in classrooms hold the key to motivating our students.  We must join them and find ways to utilize the tools they already use or lose.

Policy makers need to realize teacher work 24/7 to keep up with 21st century changes.  Our teaching colleges need to do the same.  Our young teachers need to be in the top 10% of their classes, the Finland model.  We need to pay our teachers salaries aligned with professionals, then we will begin to see change. 

Meanwhile many of us continue to enrich during our free time, often forsaking our own family time for our students.  Each year my main goal is to MOTIVATE students.  If I wait for district money to alleviate the challenges, I fall behind.  Cell phones just might be the key.

Google vs. Wikis

Google is probably the reason I was hesitant to use wikis.  Google is very user friendly, and through our district Google mail, sites, documents, and calendars we can have more privacy, which is often important when collaborating with students.  During the summer of  2008 when our district began Google mail, I began to "play" with Google using my personal gmail account.  When school opened I was ready with websites and documents.  It is now 2011 and I am still trying to have staff (administrators and teachers) buy into  using Google anything; most are still stuck on Google mail, and even that is used ineffectively.   

The biggest drawback for Google is using the discussion tool on Google sites, which is not user friendly.  So, when Google groups was set up for our district in the summer of 2010 I was excited and established a few groups.  Now we have to ask permission, and from my experience it takes too long.  When all else fails, use the regular gmail, where there are no restrictions.  

Collaboration via Google docs appears to be a great tool.  I have attempted to use the tool with several groups, with little success.  I think people are afraid, perhaps of losing information?    I upload everything to do with my professional obligations to Google.  I ask students, both adult and adolescent learners to use Google, but many resist.  One problem I have encountered using Google within the district is that when I invite non district persons to collaborate, even with permission, it never seems to work.  This is where wikis or personal Google would work better.

If I were to pick the winner for collaboration tools, I have a difficult choice.  Google is simple and I have used it so frequently it is second nature.  However, wikis are easier to access when outside the network, and the collaboration and discussion tools appear to be more utilitarian.