It’s Not About the Tools. It’s About the Skills (via langwitches blog) January 26, 2010
Posted by sjknight in 21st Century, integration.add a comment
One of the first blogs I ever read/followed was the langwitches blog. This blog has evolved with the emerging technologies and Silvia Tolisano offers so much helpful information. On the top of my read/NetVibes list…it should be on yours.
A post from Jan. 9th was called “It’s Not About the Tools. It’s About the Skills” where she reminds us how technology tools are only to assist in the learning and should not distract from it. This is a lesson that my colleague/blogger@ http://edulicious.com/reminds me often. She describes still having to explain to parents and ESPECIALLY administrators, that all the skills school is responsible/accountable to teach, can be done using technology. The kids get it!!! They are Prosumers. If we don’t give them opportunities to produce using technology at school, they will do it at home…where they control their learning. I recognize her struggle, because the closer I work with administrators the more I realize, they don’t get it.
Langwitches shared awesome visuals that promote all the skills used when using technology. These visuals/posters could help teachers, parents and decision makers realize that technology is not something ‘extra’, but what is need can be used to engage students while they learn/practice a variety of skills. I also love the fact that she created them and sharing them for free…Thanks.
Click on the images to link to larger/printable versions.
Glogster…now GlogsterEDU January 16, 2010
Posted by sjknight in Web 2.0, teaching, web resource.Tags: discovery education, glogster, glogsteredu, video, web 2.0
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I have know about Glogster for awhile. It was a great resource for people to express themselves, but I knew that using it with my students would be hard, since account creation was required. So it went into my list of recommended links, but never fully explored. Until I personally found a use for it. I revisited this site and found that the EDU version was available.
Glogster EDU is your original educational resource for innovative and interactive learning. Glogster EDU was conceived to imaginatively, productively, and collaboratively respond to the dynamic educational landscape and exceed the needs of today’s educators and learners. We value the participation of educators and strive to assimilate their contributions to Glogster EDU, Glogster EDU is yours! Educators from all over the world are integrating Glogster EDU’s resourceful platform to make traditional learning more dynamic, more interactive and more in tune with learners today. Most importantly Glogster EDU is FUN for teachers and learners alike!
While I explored the possibility of using this with a few of my classes, I create my own Glog. I had stumbled upon a great resource Discovery Education about Web 2.o. What made this site great? Video! I wanted to compile all these videos into one place, while using a Web 2.0 application that might peek some interest and inspire others to use it.
Also check out the Glogster Educator Resource booklet.
Check out my Glog on Web 2.0 and think about how you could use GlogsterEDU in your classroom. Share your ideas in the comments section.
Click here to see a larger version.
Enhancing Instruction with Video January 12, 2010
Posted by sjknight in Professional Development, integration.Tags: discoveryeducation, instruction, online education, teachertube, thevault, video, youtube
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Enhancing Instruction with Video. Please use the following links to access the resources during this professional development.
Resource Links
Teacher Tube
FCCPS’ TheVault
Discover Streaming
Videos Shared
Where the Heck is Matt?
Sudan 365
Want More:
Brain Rules
Tutorials:
TheVault
Discovery Streaming: How to download video
Discovery Steaming: Basic Search
Discovery Streaming: Advanced Search
Effective Presentation Design January 9, 2010
Posted by sjknight in Professional Development, teaching.Tags: presentations, Professional Development, teaching, training
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As I continue to plan for an upcoming professional development session on “Enhancing Instruction by using digital video”, I am burdened by the though of how valuable a teacher’s time is. If people make the decision to take their time to visit my training, I need to have a presentation that is worthwhile.
When planning a presentation I always spend time searching for similar presentations. My favorite place to search is Slideshare. On this site I find inspiration, information I can include in my presentations and slides I can use under following the creative commons guidelines.
I huge part of any effective presentation is the design. I have created many powerpoints that I would be embarrassed to admit were mine. In my search for great presentations I came across Ethos3 a presentation design company. Friend and fellow educator (Bochi23) also informed me that Ethos3 also has an iTouch/iPhone App (Click to launch iTunes Store). Here is a awesome presentation from Ethos3.
