WebDocs: http://www.webdoc.com/documents/C4E00402-4630-0001-D6ED-2A40E46BC4F0. I created one in a few minutes. It is similar to Glogster, but I think it is easier to use.
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
05 August, 2011
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."
17 July, 2011
Web 2.0 Integration Plan
Integrating Web2.0 tools into both my personal and professional lives requires strategic planning, especially in August when my principal advises his goals for the year, and we take off down the runway, all while teaching our students. I am by nature a hard worker, and fortunately a "short sleeper" with sisu (Finnish word with no exact translation, but here is good one). I also pride myself in finding shortcuts; why do the task the hard way? As an educator, it is also difficult to extract the personal and professional lives, that by nature and by job description are intertwined, especially from mid-August to mid-June. 21st century tools blur the lines even more, while challenging our efforts to obfuscate our private lives (Rupert Murdoch not withstanding).
Personal
Teaching in a public school, we must always align to standards, thus clarifying and guiding my actions. Maryland has Teacher Technology Standards (2002), but I will use the ISTE National Standards for Teachers (2008).
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity through modelling and facilitating digital experiences that connect to real world experiences, and that utilize Web 2.0 collaboration tools. This step is crucial, and if we start with one or two tools, such as wikis and blogs, our digital native students will be ready for the challenge.
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments through use of technological ad digital tools that link students' outside world lives with schoolhouse experiences. Alignment of content standards with technology standards is an essential component of the plan. Students will be instrumental in sharing the tools they use to communicate, and to develop classroom goals that will enable them to be more engaged in and responsible for their learning. If we incorporate one new tool in each unit, the learning experiences will be remarkable.
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, not only to students, but to staff as well. As a teacher leader, it is imperative to communicate and model the digital innovations with staff, administrators, students, parents, and community members if we are to excel in preparing our students for college and career readiness. In addition, we must find ways for students to integrate digital tools in ways that will enhance higher order thinking skills, such as analysis, evaluation, application, synthesis, and creativity, while promoting scholarly research. Many teachers in our building utilize social media to engage students, but we must remember that learning is not about being a "sage on the stage", but "guides on the side".
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility through collaboration with the Library Media Specialist and other staff, in order for our students to understand ethical implications and obligations in a digital world. Engage and collaborate with teachers in other regions of the world to promote global responsibility. [This summer I am a participant in an online professional development experience with educators around the world, through IEARN, where we are building plans for collaboration projects for our students.]
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership that is meaningful, and ongoing. Too often when teachers are introduced to new ideas, it is done in a "drive-by" or "speed-dating" method. Teachers spend 30 minutes learning one tool, then either go back to the classroom with no follow-up, or try it with no support. If teachers participate in a PLN, and regularly discuss tools, share their knowledge, even invite other teachers to see the technology in action in classrooms, we will all learn and grow, making digital tools second nature to our lesson planning and delivery. We need our administrators to be leaders in this change as well. Too often faculty meetings are sit and take, rather than share and give. Our leaders must include "infusion of technology" in the improvement plans for our school, as well as input from teachers, students, parents, and the community, in the vision for change.
Personal
- Try to not get distracted when I am performing a task. (personal and professional)
- Use Web 2.0 tools to connect, organize, and share with friends and family
- Find more tools to add music to my daily life
Teaching in a public school, we must always align to standards, thus clarifying and guiding my actions. Maryland has Teacher Technology Standards (2002), but I will use the ISTE National Standards for Teachers (2008).
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity through modelling and facilitating digital experiences that connect to real world experiences, and that utilize Web 2.0 collaboration tools. This step is crucial, and if we start with one or two tools, such as wikis and blogs, our digital native students will be ready for the challenge.
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments through use of technological ad digital tools that link students' outside world lives with schoolhouse experiences. Alignment of content standards with technology standards is an essential component of the plan. Students will be instrumental in sharing the tools they use to communicate, and to develop classroom goals that will enable them to be more engaged in and responsible for their learning. If we incorporate one new tool in each unit, the learning experiences will be remarkable.
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, not only to students, but to staff as well. As a teacher leader, it is imperative to communicate and model the digital innovations with staff, administrators, students, parents, and community members if we are to excel in preparing our students for college and career readiness. In addition, we must find ways for students to integrate digital tools in ways that will enhance higher order thinking skills, such as analysis, evaluation, application, synthesis, and creativity, while promoting scholarly research. Many teachers in our building utilize social media to engage students, but we must remember that learning is not about being a "sage on the stage", but "guides on the side".
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility through collaboration with the Library Media Specialist and other staff, in order for our students to understand ethical implications and obligations in a digital world. Engage and collaborate with teachers in other regions of the world to promote global responsibility. [This summer I am a participant in an online professional development experience with educators around the world, through IEARN, where we are building plans for collaboration projects for our students.]
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership that is meaningful, and ongoing. Too often when teachers are introduced to new ideas, it is done in a "drive-by" or "speed-dating" method. Teachers spend 30 minutes learning one tool, then either go back to the classroom with no follow-up, or try it with no support. If teachers participate in a PLN, and regularly discuss tools, share their knowledge, even invite other teachers to see the technology in action in classrooms, we will all learn and grow, making digital tools second nature to our lesson planning and delivery. We need our administrators to be leaders in this change as well. Too often faculty meetings are sit and take, rather than share and give. Our leaders must include "infusion of technology" in the improvement plans for our school, as well as input from teachers, students, parents, and the community, in the vision for change.
03 July, 2011
RSS Feeds and Time Saved
First, I love to read. Since the age of three I read anything and everything, especially nonfiction. When I do read fiction, I usually choose one author and read everything written by that person. During summers as a child, I used to walk to the public library; now I use the internet. The problem is that I simply cannot read everything. So, a few years ago I began to use RSS feeds. There are so many new gadgets to make RSS feeds even easier to access. I love my iGoogle page, and especially NPR.org. Sometimes I need real world connections, not just education articles. NPR provides just that.
The next step in the world of blogging about my profession is to improve the RSS news feeds on my blog, which I just did! Blogging requires time and constant change, however, the more I blog, the more I want to required blogging for students.
As an educator, it is difficult to keep up with news and trends, so linking iGoogle and Blogger are good ways to continue to be proactive about literacy, technology, and other trends. Sometimes, however, the personal and professional lives become interconnected to the point it is hard to tune out. Is that possible in the 21st century. As educators, we have to keep up with the way teens live and think. If we don't develop new ways of motivating our youth to read and think, we cannot begin to reform our education system.
The politicians need to find ways to incorporate more money for technology into school budgets, and to be sure there is equity in all of the schools. Teachers and administrators need to use technology, and to keep up with professional development, and to integrate technology into the lessons. There are so many free resources, including district level training. I am amazed that some of the young teachers may have not had access to technology in schools, including universities. If social media can cause political upheaval, THINK what teachers can do.
The next step in the world of blogging about my profession is to improve the RSS news feeds on my blog, which I just did! Blogging requires time and constant change, however, the more I blog, the more I want to required blogging for students.
As an educator, it is difficult to keep up with news and trends, so linking iGoogle and Blogger are good ways to continue to be proactive about literacy, technology, and other trends. Sometimes, however, the personal and professional lives become interconnected to the point it is hard to tune out. Is that possible in the 21st century. As educators, we have to keep up with the way teens live and think. If we don't develop new ways of motivating our youth to read and think, we cannot begin to reform our education system.
The politicians need to find ways to incorporate more money for technology into school budgets, and to be sure there is equity in all of the schools. Teachers and administrators need to use technology, and to keep up with professional development, and to integrate technology into the lessons. There are so many free resources, including district level training. I am amazed that some of the young teachers may have not had access to technology in schools, including universities. If social media can cause political upheaval, THINK what teachers can do.
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