Thanks!

Last week's SCPS Teacher Technology Camp was a GREAT success because of YOU!! We had a super time learning all about Movie Maker, Wikis, Encyclomedia and Podcasting (Day 2 sessions).

The overall goal of the Encyclomedia session was to help teachers integrate this useful (FREE) tool into their classroom instruction and assessment. All of the participants were able to get into their account, search videos and teacher tools, AND, thanks to Mrs. Smith, we learned how to input our students and/or set up a generic username/password for our students. This utility will help students be active users of Encyclomedia. Below are the simple steps to set up a generic username/password for your class:

1. Log on to Encyclomedia via the KET web portal: http://www.ket.org/education/encyclomedia.htm

2. Click on Teacher Center (located at the top right section of the home page)

3. Within the Classroom Tools section, click on Classroom Management.

4. Click on Create a Classroom

5. This section allows you to either input individual students (middle/high) or create a single class (Algebra 1, Mr. Atkins Social Studies, etc.). Once you have added a new or created a class, a student code will be assigned for that class/student. Make note of the code for student reference.

6. Simple as that!!

Let's not forget to share how we are using Encyclomedia in our classrooms this year. I can't wait to hear all about it!!

S~

SCPS Teacher Tech Camp

Welcome!!
So glad you decided to join us today! I hope you find the information on Encyclomedia found here helpful in your classroom instruction and assessment. Please check back to the blog often as I hope to update resources, etc. as I become aware of them.

Enjoy!

KET Encyclomedia--SCPS Teacher Tech Camp

If you are planning to attend this session, please click on the link below and complete the survey before July 11. Thanks and see you there!!



'>Click'>http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=xUtVrEFLe2z2cKPTh6MQTw_3d_3d">
Click Here to take survey



Staci

Web 2.0...What is it?

| View | Upload your own

This slide show comes from Missi Baker, KET Educational Consultant. Please visit her at http://missibket.wikispaces.com

Another resource from her Wiki...a video that might help you see how Web 2.0 is changing the internet and our students.



I am a learner like you...so keep checking back for more updates on Web 2.0. Maybe I need to begin a Wiki??

S~

Last Session of the Day...

and it promices to be the BEST! I have high hopes! In July, SCPS is going to host a 2-day Technology Teacher Camp for the teachers in the district. These sessions are mostly demonstrated by "Using Teachers" in the district. For example, a teacher who is successfully using the Airliner will be presenting ways he incorporates the tool into his instruction. On day 2, I will be presenting a short session on KET Encyclomedia...so here I sit in my 3rd and final KET Encyclomedia session in the last week hoping to get up to speed on the NEW TOOLS offered by Encyclomedia for classroom instruction, etc.

This session's focus is how Encyclomedia can be used through the Web 2.0 tools. So far, it might be the best of the Encyclomedia sessions I have attended thus far.

We began the presentation on a Wiki page-- http://missibket.wikispaces.com
Feel free to check it out.

Another site you will want to visit which I will have a post on at some point, highlights the GAZZILLION Web 2.0 utilities available for everyone to use!!
It is http://www.go2web20.net

Photostory--simply Google it for the URL.
This is a FREE download from Microsoft. I have personally used this with my students for a way to culminate a project. They loved it and so did I. Check it out!!

Voicethread--http://voicethread.com
This looks to be a GREAT resource! A way to collaborate with video, voice, and text commenting. The collaboration tool in itself is a super way to have your students share what they know about a book they are reading. By using the content from Encyclomedia, kids can be the creators of content. How EXCITING!! This is what the website says about voicethread:
A VoiceThread is an online media album that can hold essentially any type of media (images, documents and videos) and allows people to make comments in 5 different ways - using voice (with a microphone or telephone), text, audio file, or video (with a webcam) - and share them with anyone they wish. They can even be exported to an Archival Movie for offline use on a DVD or video-enabled MP3 player. A VoiceThread allows group conversations to be collected and shared in one place, from anywhere in the world.

Animoto--http://biz.animoto.com

Zentation--http://www.zentation.com
Where video and Powerpoint meet on the web. If you need a PowerPoint presentation, this is one of MANY sites where you don't have to re-create the wheel (in this case, PP presentation)and it has VIDEO to accompany!! How cool is that!!

Wiki's--Do you Wiki? A Wiki is an online collaboration tool being used all over classrooms whose teacher's are NOT afraid to experiment and try new things. There are various places to get Wiki's that are web-based...just Google it!

There are so many more...but I am out of time. I will post more and hyperlink the sites when I get to my home computer.

Out of here...

S~

Using Technology to Simplify Lesson Planning--How Cool!!

What a keen idea...how many teachers do you know that actually use the computer or software program to lesson plan? Me? Not many. Most do it the way they have always done it...hand-written or word processed in a "plan book". As I sit here typing away, listening to this presenter, I keep saying to myself...DUH!! Why haven't we thought of this before??

His model was developed directly for his district and specifically began with his school due to poor lesson planning as demonstrated by district walk-throughs, little consistancy with what needed to be in each teachers plan--no matter what content, grade level, etc., and the need to ensure Core Content and Program of Studies was being considered during the actualy planning process.

At first, there was little teacher buy-in...wonder why? Teachers were not consulted so they weren't having it. Back to the drawing board...committees were formed, various formats were reviewed and the teachers actually created the format. What they created is very user friendly and could easily be adapted to SCPS Curriculum. However, what if I teach more than one content? What if I teach it all? Any thoughts?

I have only a hard copy of the actual planning/focus sheet, so if I can get it scanned or get an electronic copy, I will post it here, so PLEASE check back!!

Advantages (highlighted in this session):
*Increased FOCUS on CCA 4.1 and POS actually being taught.
*Better instruction = more in-depth learning.
*Teamwork = forced teachers to work together, plan together.
*New Teacher Standard 6: The teacher demonstrates the implementation of technology will be met in more ways than just using the overhead or kids using computers, etc.

Overall, this was a GREAT session! IF (and that is a HUGE IF) I have time, I will try to develop some kind of example to link here. Again, check back soon!!


Thanks for visiting!!

S~

Added on June 18, 2008--
Proficiency Quest does not have a website, but I did find a link to a district that is using it. Please know that this is NOT an official website for this wonderful planning tool. It does give you an idea of the power of this tool, though. Leave a comment if you want more information about this program and I will post the information.

At KySTE--Kentucky Society for Technology in Education

It may be summer time, but it really doesn't feel much like it. Why, you might ask? Well, because I am working WAY too much!! This week, I am at a conference in Cold Springs, Kentucky. I have been extremely surprised at the quality of the sessions I have attended thus far. My goal was to blog about each session while it was going on, but I have had some proxy issues. So far I have attended an Introduction to Photoshop, a session on Web 2.0--very cool!! And now I am sitting in a session titled "Free Software for Teachers". How exciting!

So for now, I will shed some light on a few FREE software sites for teachers that are being highlighted in this session. Just to clarify...I am only sharing. I have had no experience with these and am simply a messenger :-) After all, if you are aware, then you are responsible to pass it on!! Enjoy!!

Hot Potatos-- http://hotpot.uvic.ca/
The Hot Potatoes suite includes six applications, enabling you to create interactive multiple-choice, short-answer, jumbled-sentence, crossword, matching/ordering and gap-fill exercises for the World Wide Web. Hot Potatoes is not freeware, but it is free of charge for those working for publicly-funded non-profit-making educational institutions, who make their pages available on the web. Other users must pay for a licence. Check out the Hot Potatoes licensing terms and pricing on the Half-Baked Software Website.

Anim8or--http://www.anim8or.com/main/index.html
This is freeware character animation and 3D modeling software.

Google Docs--http://docs.google.com
You know Google...they just keep coming up with GREAT ideas and educators keep figuring out ways to incorporate them into their lesson plans, assessments, etc. Google Docs is free web-based word processor and spreadsheet, and presentation software which allow you share and collaborate online. How great would this be for conferencing with students on their writing?? Plus, it is absolutely FREE!! All you need is a Google account. Go take a tour...Google: Google Docs Tour for more information.

WINK--http://debugmode.com/wink
Wink is a Tutorial and Presentation creation software, primarily aimed at creating tutorials on how to use software (like a tutor for MS-Word/Excel etc). Using Wink you can capture screenshots, add explanations boxes, buttons, titles etc and generate a highly effective tutorial for your users.
A very cool feature is the audio so you can explain your presentation. It is also multi-lingual (se' habla espanol?).

Audacity--http://audacity.sourceforge.net
Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. This is very simple to use and can record directly from the built-in microphone in your computer. Once the audio is saved, it can be exported as a wav or MP3 file. Very handy for your latest Podcast of your latest science lesson!!

Open Office--http://www.openoffice.org
Basically it is what it says it is...Open Office. The productivity tools from Office area available for a free download including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database. It can be saved to a CD or flash drive for use on any PC.

Google Sketchup--http://sketchup.google.com
You guessed it!! Google has done it again! This is by far the coolest FREE software I have seen yet. How many times have you tried to teach or learn Geometry (me? too many to remember). This program offers an authentic way to engage your students in how geometry is used in the world!! Design a city, sketch out a house plan, the list goes on and on. There is a special section just for K-12 education for specific ways Sketch-up can be used and implemented in your classroom!! Click here for an example an elementary student's use of Sketch Up--http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dc837t9h_71f68nnbcb

GIMP--http://www.gimp.org
For those of us who can't afford Photoshop, GIMP is a nice and user friendly image manipulation download. I have yet to use it, but plan to as soon as I get home :-) Another free image manipulation site mentioned here is paint.net (getpaint.net). Both have tutorials and look very easy to use. Have fun!!

I am totally stoked about these FREE options for teachers to authentically engage their students in content while integrating technology in their lesson plans.

Feel free to comment on any of your successes or challenges while using these. Also, if you have any other FREE software, please SHARE with us!!

Thanks!
S~

Heating Things Up w/LoTi

This week I am so privileged to be attending the National LoTi (Levels of Teaching Innovation) Trainer Institute hosted right in my district. As a certified LoTi mentor, this training became the obvious next step in my hope of spreading the word and "baptizing the masses" in all things innovative and engaging where education is concerned. Today was interesting in that as a collective group (there are about 30 of us from all over the country--Florida, Wyoming, Georgia, Texas, Kentucky) we were asked to observe and evaluate various classroom lessons via video clips as well as develop a quick--on the fly--presentation about LoTi to a would-be group of administrators. Even though the other Student Achievement Consultants and myself have been conducting sessions and mini-pd's throughout the year, no one was really evaluating us. Not the situation today! However, I am confident is saying that each group did a splendid job of providing the "would be" administrators with valuable information about LoTi and how it could be instrumental in improving student achievement.

Are you asking yourself "What in the world is LoTi?" Why? Don't you speak LoTi? If you don't, you should especially if you are a faithful blogger, use blogging, wikis, or any Web 2.0 tools in your classroom instruction/assessment, or believe that cell phones and iPods are not the be all, end all of education. LoTi (LowTee) is the abbreviated name for Levels of Teaching Innovation (2007) formerly known as Levels of Technology Implementation. These levels were developed by Dr. Chris Moersch of the National Business Education Alliance. This framework was essentially developed to accurately develop authentic classroom technology use. The LoTi framework does more than simply focus on the hardware side of educational technology. It's focus is primarily on the instructional practices with in the classroom and secondly on the technology tools being used. The framework is completely researched based and does an elegant and simple job of streamlining the majority of the "hot" issues in the high stakes accountability education world in which we all reside.

I plan to post much more about my LoTi experiences as I hope to use this blog as a communication and discussion tool for the "LoTi Disciples" I mentor at my school. But for now, I will leave you with a short look at how education before LoTi and education after LoTi...

May the LoTi be with YOU!!



Before LoTi:





After...

Are You Paying Attention?

I downloaded this video from teachertube. My colleagues and I have used it in several presentations where we hope to make an impact on how teachers use technology to engage their students.

What are your thoughts about the information presented here? Does it make you uncomfortable? Did you find yourself shaking your head in agreement? If so, then what are you doing about it? Share your comments with all of us.

Finally...

The idea for this kind of educational outlet for teachers has been rolling around in my head for some time now. Why I am just now getting started has to do with where I am in my educational career and how the teachers I coach and mentor long for ways to engage and challenge their students, while living with the pressure and contstraints of public education.

Educators know that times are changing. Educators know that the kids they teach are so different than those of just 5 years ago. Educators know the stress of high stakes accountability. Educators know!

However, in the last 2 years (since leaving the classroom), I have witnessed first-hand how important, vitally important, it is for the TEACHERS to NOT be left out of the learning equation. Students + Teachers = Learning, right? But so often, the teachers are the ones left out, left behind, left offline.

So here it is...my small contribution to the greater good. I offer you a place to learn and explore ways to engage your students through education technology. I offer you a safe place to contribute ideas of knowledge to help other educators bridge the gap between the natives and immigrants. My hope is you will linger here often, learn the language, and spread the word.

Welcome!