Really? The digital age still needs thinkers.

Computer Cartoon by Andertoons

Do you think that this will work?

Golden Rules of Digital Learning

Tech News April and May 2012

Open publication - Free publishing - More education

fun with my ipad and dragon tape

www.dragontape.com put youtube videos together, sort of interesting

Remembering what learning looks like....

I know I shouldn't but I am going to put my thoughts out there just for my own reflection. For weeks, well frankly for months, ok all year, I have had those 'just kill me now' thoughts about why I am even trying to continue teaching (as I do not really feel parental or admin support). The students do not study, they will not do paperwork, and when I try to start class or even give the lesson one or two students have to shout out some comment about how they cannot take out last nights homework because they did not do it or talk as I am trying to give instructions or basically tell me they cannot do any work in class because 'I have a snotty tone'. But this week even after all of this there was a day when I saw learning going on and it reminded me of why I put so much effort into organizing the lessons and providing opportunities. I had given the students a list of terms to know for the quiz next week and then I decided that I would put the terms and definitions in boxes that they could cut out and match up to help them study (basically for my special education students). They were also, supposed to organize them into columns of like terms, so a ;modified graphic organizer because I have this theory that if they have to read it and cut it out and organize it then it will implant somewhere in their brains. I set it up quickly due to a 'this is what a great idea' on the drive to work in the morning and 15 minutes when I got there to type and print it up. Of course without totally reviewing it and doing the activity first there were problems with not every term having a definition and not fitting into one of the four columns of terms. But, wow to my wonder the students in first period spent the time discussing the issues among themselves and coming up with a solution that worked for them. They collaborated with each other and between groups. It was amazing. Then in another class we did a lab to find denisty of objects, which used the lab of finding volume from the day before. The students were cooperative in their groups, worked all period long, and when one student did not get what to do, rather then run to me they helped each other and figured out what to do. I am reminded about a couple of things: 1) the students are learning, 2) I am doing a terrific job, and 3) all the little outbursts and behavior challenges are just another way that they are growing up.

Tech News Feb. 2012

A New Year 2012

It is another new year and I am finally going to do what I started two summers ago.  I had intended to have the students do reading comprehension and standardized test practice every Thursday, since we are now on a four day school week (which I love by the way). This weekend I have finally made Google form quizzes of 25 questions each and uploaded the worksheets I created two summers ago into livebinderit.com so that students can download and take practice tests at home and online.  Plus, I intend to dedicate some time every Thursday in class having them complete short answer questions.  I am not sure if this will all be graded on effort or extra credit or a combination of both.  Since we are all engaged in the high stakes test game, I do like my students to perform at a high level.  Typically, I have had a passing rate of about 65% to 75%.  I don’t think this year will do as well but I do say that every year.  I know it is not about me but I do hope that they are learning since the students see me two years in a row. 

On top of all this, on Saturday, I put together my introduction to chemistry unit for this year. Since I usually start with chemistry in September except for this year because we have a new textbook that is organized with physics first we are going to be doing this unit in the beginning of February instead.  I am hoping to have them write a paper for research first, do some at home experiments, and make a magazine on current topics in chemistry.  Semi-independent work filled with some choices for them.  I like to see them be their own learners with me as facilitator, it is amazing how much they learn without realize that they are.  On the other hand there are a few that sit around and do very little so I get discouraged but I keep trying this approach over and over again.  Force feeding knowledge is so boring and routine that to stay inspired and to hopefully get students to engage I try this semi-differentiation about twice a year.  I am still going to make them read the book and give quizzes on vocabulary and offer other short group projects to make sure we cover the core concepts.  June will be here soon and my 8th graders will move on to our high school fully prepared, I hope.

Plus please continue to read my newsletter.

Open publication - Free publishing - More education

Open publication - Free publishing - More education

Try out http://www.artskills.com/poster-maker.html?view=wizard.

Tech News Oct. 2011 Vol. 20

Open publication - Free publishing - More education

http://novicephoenix.tumblr.com/post/8301869057/8-different-intelligences-summary-of-activities

 

http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html?q=#type=smart%20notebook%20lessons&sort=newest%20first&publisher=b38fa8f5-4440-408b-8781-2604b5b86230&page=2

http://www.theorganizedclassroomblog.com

kwl for the 21st century

http://langwitches.org/blog/

Miss America and math

80 tech tools

http://www.edutopia.org/groups/technology-integration-high-school/57108

Education World: Seven Brilliant Things Teachers Do With Technology

Education World: Seven Brilliant Things Teachers Do With Technology

Education Eye

Education Eye - Mapping Innovations

An interesting way to find articles about what current education trends.

Tech News June 2011

Open publication - Free publishing - More education

Love of Learning

 

There should be a law to use technology or at the very least a class for the clueless

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/technology/personaltech/19pogue.html?_r=1&ref=business

Are you a 21st Century Teacher?

Are you a 21st Century Teacher?  From www.technologybitsbytesnibbles.info

1. You require your students to use a variety of sources for their research projects…and they cite blogs, podcasts, and interviews they’ve conducted via Skype.

2. Your students work on collaborative projects…with students in Australia.

3. You give weekly class updates to parents…via your blog.

4. Your students participate in class…by tweeting their questions and comments.

5. You ask your students to study and create reports on a controversial topic…and you grade their video submissions.

6. You prepare substitutes with detailed directions…via Podcasts.

7. You ask your students to do a character/historical person study…and they create mock social media profiles of their character.

8. Your students create a study guide…working together on a group wiki.

9. You share lesson plans with your teacher friends…from around the globe.

10. Your classroom budget is tight…but it doesn’t matter because there are so many free resources on the web you can use.

11. You realize the importance of professional development…and you read blogs, join online communities, and tweet for self development.

12. You take your students on a field trip to the Great Wall of China…and never leave your classroom.

13. Your students share stories of their summer vacation…through an online photo repository.

14. You visit the Louvre with your students…and don’t spend a dime.

15. You teach your students not to be bullies…or cyberbullies.

16. You make your students turn in their cell phones before class starts…because you plan on using them in class.

17. You require your students to summarize a recent chapter…and submit it to you via a text message.

18. You showcase your students’ original work…to the world.

19. You have your morning coffee…while checking your RSS feed.

20. You are reading this.

21. You tweet this page, blog about it, “like” it, or email it to someone else…