Compliments of my PLN on Twitter this morning I wondered over to Lesley Edward blog The WebFooted Booklady and thoroughly enjoyed this blog post. http://bookminder.blogspot.com/2010/05/ask-student.html

The question was so basic; ask a student how they learn best. The answers were varied, but all aligned to a new curriculum project I am working on. The new project provides workplace situations and guides students through the problem solving process.

On Lesley’s blog some of the answers by students include they like to find out things for themselves, and You Tube is a gold mine of how-to videos. They also addressed the role of the teacher as someone that ignites a passion for learning. Students asked also see value in collaboration to produce more creative solutions to problems.

As Leslie reflects on her own practice she shares “My job is to engage students in activities that teach them how to problem solve; think critically; find, assess and use resources; collaborate; create and express themselves effectively.”

Maybe we need to ask new questions? Thanks Lesley our PLN’s  Webfooted Booklady

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This was a fun morning of learning! Of course it started with a Twitter post about five ways to collaborate as a team using Google Docs. Well, I was working at home alone so I needed to learn this with a virtual team. I created the document, shared it via Twitter and one person dropped in and together we found it did not work.  @cnelson2 did more research and shared a link saying the feature should work. I kept poking around until I found the key. In Google Docs, upper right corner select settings and then document settings, editing and new version of Google Docs. I created a new page, shared the link allowing others to edit. And within minutes 20-30 people all joined in to play and learn.

I opened up my Smart Notebook software and recorded the activity. People were chatting brainstorming, trying to type over each other and learning together. This is what learning should be exploring with others, learning asking questions, solving real problems and being part of a global community. How can we transform education to align with the reality students will face when they enter the real world?

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A wonderful Title I teacher shared this web site with me today http://lab.arc90.com/experiments/readability/

Once the bookmarklet is added to the favorites bar, visit a site, find an interesting article and click the bookmarklet. Immediately all teh adds and extra information is stripped from the site and teh black and white document is easy to read.

Thanks Ray!

Meg

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Check out this article ( http://mashable.com/2010/04/08/google-earth-sediba/ )about how Google Earth was instrumental in discovering a new species of early man in South Africa. Watch the video, very interesting. I agree this could become a blockbuster movie, all starting with a nine year old boy playing with his dog!

It is very interesting to think that the Google Earth technology can help with a discovery of bones dating back two million years. Just this morning I downloaded Google Earth on my Droid and the first search was to my location. The image on my phone is so clear, I can even see what we think is my puppy in the front yard. This technology  is so amazing and I have it in my pocket.

Now imagine how this could change a discussion in a classroom? Google Earth in every pocket and it is not slowing down the school network. I look forward to playing with this new app and exploring the possibilities. I think it is time for use to rethink our cell phone policies and get those computers out of the lockers and into rich classroom exploration.

google earth

I am spring cleaning my wiki, preparing for another great summer of tech camps and I started by cleaning my image generators. That was hours ago, had far too much fun, checking out the changes on each of the sites. Thanks to Gail Lovely (@glovely) and Lori Abrahams (@fsinfo) for suggestions.

Image Generators

Most of these sites are not appropriate to use with students, but are a great way to generate images for vocabulary work and graphics for websites.

http://photofunia.com/ One PhotoFunia Put your face on Mt. Rushmore and more

http://www.befunky.com/ Be Funky has a whole new look.

http://www.pimptheface.com/ Pimp the Face, change the face.

http://www.photo505.com/ Photo 505 A new effect is added everyday, explore.

http://bighugelabs.com/ Big Huge Labs has some new features

http://myframe.us/ Frame your pictures, for free!

http://funphotobox.com/ This site is similar to PhotoFunia

http://www.magmypic.com/ Fun magazine covers

http://www.loonapix.com/ Put your face on various templates

http://www.addletters.com/ Generate your name on various signs
http://www.imagechef.com/ Generate an image from available templates.
http://spaceyourface.nasa.gov/ Put your face on a dancing astronaut.
http://mymoviemoment.com/ Add an image to a movie clip.
http://sendables.jibjab.com/ Create a Jib Jab
http://www.picartia.com/ Create photo mosaics
http://www.faceinhole.com/us/Select a new body to place your face

http://www.mushygushy.com/ Put your face into various animated scenes

Online Photo Editing

I am a fan of Photoshop Elements, but these free online sites may win me over!

http://www.sumopaint.com/home/ Wow, this is like Photoshop Elements, for free.

http://fotoflexer.com/ Online photo editing

https://www.photoshop.com/ Photoshop to edit images.

http://www.tuxpi.com/ Edit images using a variety of backgrounds and frames.

Web Cam Sites

Bubblejoy Create cards or messages
Cameroid Manipulate pictures or images.

Online Comic Creators

http://plasq.com/comiclife-win Comic Life
http://comiqs.com/editor/ Create your own comics

http://www.toondoo.com/ Create your own comic strips
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com Create your own comics.

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This is a reflections about my first use of Windows Live Movie Maker. Please comment on things I missed, or your thoughts.

Windows Live Movie Maker

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The Chicago Tribune today had an article titled Major School Reform Vowed to get U.S. Funds. Stephanie Banchero wrote about a grant that was compiled by the state of Illinois and signed off on by 368 of the 869 school districts in the state. This grant was written to capture part of the Race to the Top initiative funds. The time line on page 14 is very aggressive and could dramatically change what is happening in the classroom. I said could, not will at this point.
A few changes would be no more ISAT testing, a tougher exam would take the place along with testing at every grade level. Teachers and administrators will be rated on students’ test results, and the process for fixing a failing school will change. Evaluating a teacher and administrators will change that 50% of the evaluation will be tied to student test scores.
There is a lot of fuel for powerful discussion, and I do not agree with all parts of the proposal. I don’t know an educator that believes a standardized test alone should determine anything.

But the article did make me think about professional development and how this COULD potentially change everything.

• Imagine if more teachers would create a PLN and netWORK to get better.
• Imagine if each educator and administrator sought out learning opportunities that translate to change in the classroom.
• Imagine if educators would come to professional development excited to learn, grow and stretch instead of reading the newspaper or grading papers.
• Imagine teachers energized by the data, and letting that drive instruction, differentiating as needed.

There needs to be a major shift from the attitude professional development is something my school district does to me a few times a year, to “look what I learned yesterday, let me show you how it will help my students”. Professional development must become a personal mission for every professional educator. I do hope we see sweeping changes!

sweeping change professional development funding

New to me, this reminds me of Second Life, yet not the scary side of Second Life. I am still learning, but I see amazing possibilities.

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Meg is in New York State doing several presentations and workshops this week.  A local news crew caught her in action working with a group of school administrators.  Check out the footage here.

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There are changes happening all around the TechTeachers Website.  We’re working hard to update our content to bring our visitors the most relevant and current ideas and resources involving bringing technology into the classroom.  Please be patient while we pretty much overhaul everything! There are great resources and learning opportunities on the way!

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