Monday, March 31, 2014
Thing #15 - collaborate in an image
I created this Thinglink as an introductory activity to a HSE lesson in the Great Depression. My students work at their own pace, so thinglink is a great way for them to collaborate with others while also continuing through their studies on their own.
I've had trouble with embedding thinglink and having the tags appear, so I'm also including this direct link: https://www.thinglink.com/scene/502135462450692097
Thing #14 - Publish Something
My students collaborated on this presentation about the six pillars of character - a SPOKES lesson we do. I used Flipbook.com to turn it into an e-book. Its really neat and something I think I'll be adding to my student's repertoire. There are several presentations and publications are students create - embedding them into their online job portfolios/websites could be a great way to share them!
Friday, March 28, 2014
Thing #21: Be a reader of blogs
There were several blogs I looked at, some I've heard of and frequent often (edutopia.com, for example), but I wanted to explore a new blog for this Thing.
I choose Edudemic.
I found the blog to be visually appealing, which is important to me (even thought I know that it shouldn't be, I am a very graphic person and I need things to be well organized and visually appealing to capture my attention!). This blog focused on the use of education in technology, and that was something I'm always looking for. It is easy to navigate and the content is straight-forward with clear titles and just enough information to let you know what the post is about. I've added it to my RSS feed (which one day I'll get in the routine of using!).
I choose Edudemic.
I found the blog to be visually appealing, which is important to me (even thought I know that it shouldn't be, I am a very graphic person and I need things to be well organized and visually appealing to capture my attention!). This blog focused on the use of education in technology, and that was something I'm always looking for. It is easy to navigate and the content is straight-forward with clear titles and just enough information to let you know what the post is about. I've added it to my RSS feed (which one day I'll get in the routine of using!).
Monday, March 24, 2014
Thing #20 - Share, ReMix & Reuse - legally!
I just completed a copyright course in my graduate program and feel more grateful for Creative Commons than ever!
Through creativecommons.com/education, I found this:
http://www.oercommons.org/
According to its website: OER Commons is a searchable database and network for open educational resources that was started in 2007 by ISKME, the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education. OER Commons provides metadata about 42,000+ OER and allows educators to bookmark, tag, rate, and evaluate resources for quality and curriculum alignment.
OER Commons licenses content on its site (unless otherwise noted) under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License. Here's the link to the human readable summary: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Through creativecommons.com/education, I found this:
http://www.oercommons.org/
According to its website: OER Commons is a searchable database and network for open educational resources that was started in 2007 by ISKME, the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education. OER Commons provides metadata about 42,000+ OER and allows educators to bookmark, tag, rate, and evaluate resources for quality and curriculum alignment.
OER Commons licenses content on its site (unless otherwise noted) under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License. Here's the link to the human readable summary: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Thing #19 - Skype Responsibly
I've used Skype in my personal life but not in the classroom, so I started a Skype account for use with my students. Our Skype name is Pocahontas.ABE
I registered for a couple of lessons in Skype Classroom. I'm still unsure of how it works & how my adult students might benefit from this, considering it seems geared toward the K-12 set. I do believe that it would be great for my students to take a virtual field trip via Skype, as a lot of them have not been out of the state. I would also welcome an opportunity to do a group chat with another adult education classroom somewhere else. I think the "mystery skype" would be a fun opportunity for my students and a good way for them to practice their geography skills.
I registered for a couple of lessons in Skype Classroom. I'm still unsure of how it works & how my adult students might benefit from this, considering it seems geared toward the K-12 set. I do believe that it would be great for my students to take a virtual field trip via Skype, as a lot of them have not been out of the state. I would also welcome an opportunity to do a group chat with another adult education classroom somewhere else. I think the "mystery skype" would be a fun opportunity for my students and a good way for them to practice their geography skills.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Thing #18 - Talk the Talk
From this website: 20 Essential Technology Terms for Teachers
I learned:
1. A Content Management System (CMS) and a Learning Management System (LMS) are both pieces of software that allow users to publish edit content from a central location. The main difference is that a LMS is used for administering educational content, and documenting plus tracking students' educational progress.
2. This 23 Things activity is an example of "Asynchronous Learning" because the TIS students (me included!) are learning through the activity at different times, in different places and at our own pace.
I learned:
1. A Content Management System (CMS) and a Learning Management System (LMS) are both pieces of software that allow users to publish edit content from a central location. The main difference is that a LMS is used for administering educational content, and documenting plus tracking students' educational progress.
2. This 23 Things activity is an example of "Asynchronous Learning" because the TIS students (me included!) are learning through the activity at different times, in different places and at our own pace.
Thing #17 - Organize a Project
I use Wunderlist for EVERYTHING! It syncs between all my devices - and I have an ipod touch, an ipad & the galaxy tablet. It also one of the tabs I keep up in my web-browser all day long.
Here's a screenshot of what it looks like (you can really see how I use it for everything here!):
Here's a screenshot of what it looks like (you can really see how I use it for everything here!):
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Thing #13 - Reflect
I have thoroughly enjoyed my TIS training so far. I have found balancing the TIS training with my other professional development requirements to be a challenge, but one I have been handling pretty well. I've had somewhat-intensive core professional development training this year to prepare for the new common core standards. This year has also brought a new High School Equivalency exam to West Virginia, and that has required additional training and preparation.
The good news though, is that I am crafty! I have always had a talent for seeing connections between things, and it has not been hard for me to connect my TIS training with my other professional development obligations. I feel almost lucky that I have had my TIS training at a time of such change and growth within the West Virginia ABE department.
As far as my TIS training goes, I thought I was farther behind until I started really looking at what I've done and where I've come. At this point, I've completed my teacher resource site, my blended delivery class and my digital imaging project. I am more than halfway through my 23 Things blog website (#13 to be exact!) and I've completed my extra professional development for the TIS credential (did I mention I am in a graduate school program about educational technology too???). My goals for the next month are to complete my Action Research Project & the Podcasting lesson plan. In the meantime, I will also be focusing on getting caught up with the webinars and virtual PLC meetings I still need.
My hope is to finish the bulk of my TIS training by mid-May. This training has been an adventure and I have learned a lot (about ed tech & about my balancing abilities!).
The good news though, is that I am crafty! I have always had a talent for seeing connections between things, and it has not been hard for me to connect my TIS training with my other professional development obligations. I feel almost lucky that I have had my TIS training at a time of such change and growth within the West Virginia ABE department.
As far as my TIS training goes, I thought I was farther behind until I started really looking at what I've done and where I've come. At this point, I've completed my teacher resource site, my blended delivery class and my digital imaging project. I am more than halfway through my 23 Things blog website (#13 to be exact!) and I've completed my extra professional development for the TIS credential (did I mention I am in a graduate school program about educational technology too???). My goals for the next month are to complete my Action Research Project & the Podcasting lesson plan. In the meantime, I will also be focusing on getting caught up with the webinars and virtual PLC meetings I still need.
My hope is to finish the bulk of my TIS training by mid-May. This training has been an adventure and I have learned a lot (about ed tech & about my balancing abilities!).
Thing #12 - Find something new Web 2.0
https://www.canva.com/
This is a template tool to create beautiful, eye catching graphic designs for several categories including posters, presentations, blog posts & other documents. It could be used for teachers to create engaging documents for students & for their classrooms. But, I think the true use of this as a web 2.0 tool is as a project-based learning tool. Students could use this to help them create a document that demonstrates their understanding of a lesson or concept.
In Web 2.0 fashion, students can also remix others designs, share theirs or post them to another website. There are also design tutorials students (and teachers) to help get started.
Here's some websites with lists of different Web 2.0 resources:
http://www.go2web20.net/
http://webtools4u2use.wikispaces.com/Finding+the+Right+Tool
http://www.graphite.org/
This is a template tool to create beautiful, eye catching graphic designs for several categories including posters, presentations, blog posts & other documents. It could be used for teachers to create engaging documents for students & for their classrooms. But, I think the true use of this as a web 2.0 tool is as a project-based learning tool. Students could use this to help them create a document that demonstrates their understanding of a lesson or concept.
In Web 2.0 fashion, students can also remix others designs, share theirs or post them to another website. There are also design tutorials students (and teachers) to help get started.
Here's some websites with lists of different Web 2.0 resources:
http://www.go2web20.net/
http://webtools4u2use.wikispaces.com/Finding+the+Right+Tool
http://www.graphite.org/
Thing #11 - Learn something from a video
I found this video on Ed.Ted.com:
Comma Story
I would use it to support a lesson plan I adapted called The Passion of Punctuation.
This video supports the CC standard of L 4.2 & 5.2 (The CCR Language Anchor 2)
Comma Story
I would use it to support a lesson plan I adapted called The Passion of Punctuation.
This video supports the CC standard of L 4.2 & 5.2 (The CCR Language Anchor 2)
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Thing #9 - Podcasting
I listen to podcasts all the time, so the only thing hard about this "thing" was choosing which podcast to highlight. Instead of picking just one podcast, I thought I would instead list the podcasts that I listen to that I think would be most beneficial in an educational setting. In any of these cases, I would most definitely recommend that you preview the podcast before you play it to your students!
My favorites:
Radio Lab - science based but also have some social interest pieces. RadioLab is an hour long show on public radio, but the podcasts have RadioLab Shorts! that is usually between 15 and 20 minutes long. A great example of creative uses of audio effects to really engage a listener. This is a must-listen podcast!
Stuff you Missed in History Class - a history-based podcast (duh!) with a lot of great topics.
How Stuff Works - a broad range of topics that can appeal to many different interests. Could be used in a lot of different cross-curricular ways.
Grammar Girl - a sassy girl explaining grammar tips in a real-language kind of way.
All of these podcasts also have websites with additional resources on them, so I would definitely look to see what they have. In many cases, photos & articles accompany each of the topics and could be used to supplement your lesson (especially for those visual learners!).
My favorites:
Radio Lab - science based but also have some social interest pieces. RadioLab is an hour long show on public radio, but the podcasts have RadioLab Shorts! that is usually between 15 and 20 minutes long. A great example of creative uses of audio effects to really engage a listener. This is a must-listen podcast!
Stuff you Missed in History Class - a history-based podcast (duh!) with a lot of great topics.
How Stuff Works - a broad range of topics that can appeal to many different interests. Could be used in a lot of different cross-curricular ways.
Grammar Girl - a sassy girl explaining grammar tips in a real-language kind of way.
All of these podcasts also have websites with additional resources on them, so I would definitely look to see what they have. In many cases, photos & articles accompany each of the topics and could be used to supplement your lesson (especially for those visual learners!).
Monday, March 10, 2014
Thing #8a & b
I created a video tutorial for Thinglink.com
I also created a Step by Step paper-based cheat-sheet for your reference:
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Thing #7
Time Management by Vanessa Clay is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
I took this photo and used the PicCollage app on my Samsung Galaxy Tab to add special effects to it. I changed the coloring of it, and added the text.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)