Friday, September 28, 2012

family stuff

At the hospital... Pre-baby...

Then.....







 









"Did you hear??? It's a GIRL!!!!!!!"

On Facebook, my family and friends are creating new captions for the above photo... so far we have...
1. RELEASE THE BABY!!
2. RELEASE THE KRACKEN!
3. AT DAWN, WE RIDE! FREEDOM!!
4. WHAT?? 13 MEN!! (angry Rider fan)
5. GET TO THE CHOPPER.... NOW!!!
6. YOU WANT THE TRUTH?? YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!

Got your own caption?? Send me a tweet @jstewiestewie



Thursday, September 20, 2012

Stuff to think about

Times are a changin' .... Ready to move with it? Feel prepared??










Sir Ken Robinson RSA Animate Video... Who is this guy... see the videos below....




Parents and Teachers... Watch this video!! So many well stated points! So how do you engage students? It's not just with technology but the arts... What role does encouraging creativity in all subject areas play in engaging students in the classroom? How do the arts improve learning? How do funding cuts to the arts impact learning?

Just watch the video below.....



Sir Ken Robinson is a well known author who explores creativity and issues related to creativity, such as in education and business ... Much of what he believes supports teaching within the framework of the Multiple Intelligences. What are the different ways people think? We need to explore diversity and differentiation further...

His book, The Element by Sir Ken Robinson... I need to pick this up to read! If you have it, can I borrow it??

Sir Ken Lecture... Educate the Mind and the Heart...

Making a Difference One....






Wednesday, September 19, 2012

BYOD and iPad Initiatives


The following is taken from a page on this blog... the purpose of "doubling up information is to allow for the Search engine on the blog to pick up information that might be useful.

Edtechnology, BYOD and iPad Initiatives  
Why do we need to explore instructional technology, mobile devices in education? Are we computer science teachers or just teachers? Well if you ask yourself that, reflect on the impact that the cell phone has made in your life... or the internet or email. How has this form of technology improved your life? Was it a fad that went away? Obviously the answers to these questions all point in the direction that technology is here to stay, and as educators or role is constantly evolving, as it always has... So don't fight it, embrace it. Feel lost or that the kids may know more than you? Some might, some may not... 

But who cares, isn't it exciting when kids can teach you something new??

As more schools are becoming more "Tech Savvy" and discovering that the best way to reach students is to teach them skills in how to use technology in a world filled with so many innovations. As educators, it is our job to go beyond the "shiny", newness of devices and find ways to use the technology in meaningful ways to improve student engagement, knowledge and skills - which will of course take them further in the workforce. My motto is... The Edtech tool, must go beyond being a cool gadget... It's got to be more than a "bell or a whistle". It has to improve learning.

So You think you need iPads in your classroom or at school? Yes they are shiny and totally cool, but are they worth the cost?? Watch the video below from MI Streamnet (Michigan Education)

http://www.mistreamnet.com/vidflv.php?who=macul2011s13hd

Part of my quest in learning more about Edtech tools is to research the best on-line sources available and examine how these tools can be used. In addition to this, with more schools getting iPads to further help reduce the "digital divide" and provide opportunities for all kids to have exposure to these tools. It is important for educators to look at how these tools can be effectively used. In my home we are fortunate enough to have an iPad, a device that has proven to be extremely well received by my 5 year old daughter. I love how intuitive the device is, because it allows her to navigate through the various functions and apps, through touch screen technology. She is able to use the device seamlessly, way faster than she would be able to use a laptop. Because of her engagement with the device, I started thinking about how can we meaningfully integrate these devices in the classroom, from primary to high school, and go beyond having learning stations with "Bells and Whistles". 

Fortunately, there are people who are far ahead of me with the integration of technology in the classroom, and there are tons of on-line resources where people are sharing their findings. The following resource links were taken from a blog suggested by a person I follow on Twitter. Not to go off on a different tangent, but Twitter has been the  best PD that I have been a part of in a long time! You want to learn more about digital technology? You don't need to attend a conference... create your own PLN or your own "Virtual Conference" via Twitter! All you need is a computer or a mobile device!


Top 9 Resources for an Ipad Initiative

Amanda Allen and David Lopez, who introduced a 1-to-1 iPad program at St. Genevieve Elementary in Los Angeles, suggest the apps, Web sites, and programs they found most useful.
1. Popplet--Simple, graphic organizing tool. All grade levels.
2. iCardSort--A virtual set of Post-It notes. Middle School and up.
3. Flashcards+--Allows students and teachers to easily create paperless flashcards. Syncs to a website called Quizlet that lets one download flashcards others have uploaded. “It’s kind of like crowdsourcing for studying,” Lopez said.
4. GoodReader--A digital PDF reader that allows students to highlight passages and take notes in the margins. Middle School and up.
5. Apple’s Volume Purchase Program for Schools--Sells apps at a discount for schools when they are purchased in quantities of 20 or more. All grade levels.
6. Edmodo--One of “the best things teachers will use,” said Lopez. “In a nutshell it’s Facebook for the classroom. It looks and works like Facebook and it does everything: calendars, lists, document hosting, quiz assignments. It worked really well with the iPad program with our school. Everyone had a device and a place to communicate.” All grade levels.
7. TeenTribune.com--A website that provides current events for students. Middle School and up.
8. Good Notes--A note-taking app that records audio with the notes. Middle school and up.
9. Mathaliens--A basic mathematics app in which an alien pops up when students answer correctly. Kindergarten-fourth grade.

From "The Mobile Native Blog"

iPads in the Classroom:

Video on Social Media and Improving Education

The video below,"Building Bridges With Social Media", taken from MI Streamnet, explores specific strategies to help engage parents, students, and community members by using interactive social media and online tools. You will learn how to use social media to recruit students, engage parents, and tell your school's story. Whether you work at a private school, a public or charter school, or even at a university, these social media techniques will help you to engage your target audience, communicate the mission and vision of your school, serve as another resource in your student recruitment strategy, and inspire business and community involvement. Tools covered include eNewsletters, Facebook, Twitter, your school web site, Ning, YouTube, survey tools, email, teacher blogs, student portfolios, principal's page, and (gasp!) cell phones."Building Bridges With Social Media" -
http://www.mistreamnet.com/vidflv.php?who=macul2011s24hd 


Other Resources on ipad Integration in Schools...
Techchef4u - Blog on iPad initiative reflections

The Mobile Native Blog - "Recent Mobile Learning Findings" - Lots of great links on iPads and devices in the classroom. By the way, I got a link to his blog via Twitter and my "Tweetblender" on this blog!

The Journal - "Using iPads with Mixed Ability Students"

Kalida Local Schools iPad Initiative Page - Lots of information and documents to support the project

Greene Country Schools iPad Initiative Page - Their motto is "Creating a level playing field" (taking away the digital divide)

Educause - Collection of articles and resources on an iPad Initiatives 

Scoopit! - iPad Ideas I Like - A variety of articles from Scoop it authors on iPad initiatives

BYOD Initiatives...
The following "poster" is an Infographic for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Initiatives... Basically it means, if you have the device bring it... the school will support you and develop skills in how to incorporate the device in your learning. Then taking this one step further, schools can then further support those students who do not have access to the technology and help teach them how to use the devices in a meaningful way...  You know, going beyond asking Siri ridiculous questions!

BYOD: The Good the Bad the Ugly infographic

Learn More About BYOD via "The Mobile Native"

BYOD:


More Via "The Mobile Native" on Smart Phones


Smart Phones (Mobile Learning Devices) in the Classroom

From MI Streamnet: Videos on Ideas in Instructional Technology
The following link provides videos from Michigan Education that explore iPads in the classroom, to good apps to improve writing, to wikis to Skyping in the classroom... Lots of good videos created by educators.

EAL Video Resources

ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL) VIDEO RESOURCES??? FOR FREE?!?! SAY WHAT???


Check out the links below to explore EAL video resources to help engage students and develop their language skills. Most of these sites are FREE, but you will need to set up an account to account to access the games and resources.

The compilation of sites was taken from the following blog author, "LadyShallot"
http://ladyshallot.wordpress.com/instructional-technology/

She explains why she likes to use on-line resources quite well on her blog, however I included a "snip it" of her explanation below.


 Internet which is the largest library in the world is the best helper for us most of the time since it is a good resource for supplementary materials in teaching. It provides us search engines, blogs, online dictionaries, online books, stories and reading passages, exercises, games, songs videos etc. All these are perfects uses of internet for a language teacher. There are also websites, blogs and forums specially prepared for English Language Teaching. In those websites, blogs or forums, we come across with different language teachers from different countries, and their different instructional techniques. We can adapt some of these techniques there to our classes easily, or we can find alternative exercises, tasks or applications for our students. Here I will give some useful websites which I used for my teachings:

Instructional Technology Videos and Ideas




From MI Streamnet: Videos on Ideas in Instructional 

Technology

The following link provides videos from Michigan Education that explore iPads in the classroom, to good apps to improve writing, to wikis to Skyping in the classroom... Lots of good videos created by educators.


Home page... browse for other ideas...




Assessment Ideas

PHILOSOPHY OF VIDEO ASSESSMENT FROM MISTREAMNET (Michigan Education)

So you are asked to explore more in terms of building in real assessment of what students know. Is it that end of unit test or project? What if students are challenged with difficulties with writing or creating output? How can you get beyond this challenge, yet allow for an authentic outcome? These are questions we are faced with as we plan and execute our unit plans, and I'm not saying that Video Assessment is the only way to go. But perhaps it could be a strategy to add to our collection of assessment ideas.

What is Video Assessment? To sum it up, it is using video with students to explain what they have learned... going beyond worksheets and multiple choice test. The video forces students to think about, "Why are we doing this?" "What have I learned in class?" "What do I need to say to may audience to show them that they know?" "How will my peers provide feedback on what I know?"

Students will provide peer feedback to their peers on what is produced.

Don't worry about editing, worry about what the students are producing in terms of content... not polish.

Video: Laura Bell Video Assessment
* Laura Bell explains the concept really well. The framework for the video is explained. Use keypoints for video, not a polished script. Lots of cool examples.
http://www.mistreamnet.com/vidflv.php?who=remc.laurabell.091312


MOVING FORWARD...
How can we apply a similar concept in our school? 

What devices would be needed? 

What are the benefits to doing this? 

What are the challenges? How can we move beyond these challenges, realistically? What can we do?

What could be the "baby steps" in trying this method or framework?

MORE IDEAS AND VIDEOS
More videos from MI Streamnet (Michigan Education)
Assessment...
http://www.mistreamnet.com/catdetail2010.php?cat=assess&sub=all

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Videos from MI Streamnet
http://www.mistreamnet.com/catdetail2010.php?cat=it&sub=all


Friday, September 14, 2012

Flippin' the Classroom??

Flipping the classroom... so what's that? No it's not a "not-so-hilarious-April-Fool's-Day-joke" (actually that would definitely not be funny at all... maybe this concept is incorrectly named, as you don't want to give anyone ideas!!!)

According to Wikipedia, this is the definition of the "Flipped Classroom" or "Flipped Teaching"

Flip teaching is a form of blended learning which encompasses any use of Internet technology to leverage the learning in a classroom, so a teacher can spend more time interacting with students instead of lecturing. This is most commonly being done using teacher created videos that students view outside of class time. It is also known as backwards classroomreverse instructionflipping the classroom, and reverse teaching[1]


The traditional pattern of secondary education has been to have classroom lectures, in which the teacher explains a topic, followed by homework, in which the student does exercises. In flip teaching, the student first studies the topic by himself, typically using video lessons created by the instructor[2][3] or shared by another educator, such as those provided by the Khan Academy. In the classroom, the pupil then tries to apply the knowledge by solving problems and doing practical work.[4][5][6] The role of the classroom teacher is then to tutor the student when they become stuck, rather than to impart the initial lesson. This allows time inside the class to be used for additional learning-based activities,[7] including use of differentiated instruction and project-based learning.[8]
Flip teaching allows more hands-on time with the instructor guiding the students, allowing them to assist the students when they are assimilating information and creating new ideas (upper end of Bloom's Taxonomy).[9]

[Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip_teaching, September 14, 2012]

Watch this video... It explains the concept well...
"The Flipped Classroom"


"The Flipped Classroom is Born" (2007)


Classroom flipping involves students preparing for a lesson in advance using on-line technology (Youtube videos etc), then coming to class to work on the concept collaboratively with students while the teacher assists and further hones knowledge and skills... There is no "Homework"... actually there is.. but perhaps it could be called "Student Prep Work".

Advantages...
The class becomes far more student centered... not just teacher centered.... Traditional model is not followed...
Teachers can become more "Facilitators of learning" or "Learning Guides" and take students to another level of understanding or developing the skill.
Students know what they are studying in advance, and can work at their own pace.
Students have a preliminary understanding of what's taught, then they can spend valuable class time further developing their understanding or skills.
Students can spend more time collaborating or discussing with other students their ideas or exploring projects.
Students arrive in class, ready to apply what they learned at home.
The strategy truly embraces the philosophy that students must become Life Long Learners, and leaders in their own learning.
The Flipped model, explores the upper levels of Bloom's Taxonomy, further than traditional models of teaching.

Disadvantages...
What if students do not have access to the technology?
Extra prep time would be required of teachers... What if the teacher does not have access to the technology to prepare the lesson?
Are schools up-to-speed in helping bring this concept along... or is this a very futuristic concept?

Moving Forward...
Should we let the road blocks stop us? What can we do as "baby steps" to move forward?
* In math class, direct students to Khan Academy to a particular lesson on the site, then assign practice problems on Manga High or IXL that reinforce the concept... Perhaps easier elements of the concept.
* In Social Studies, find videos or sites that explore some of the preliminary aspects of the lesson to be taught. However, keep it interesting... not just a long documentary without the purpose explained. Assign questions or reasons why students are watching a particular video or reading about a particular concept. Students could come to class with a good understanding of the concept, then discuss in small groups while tacking a problem or assignment related to the concept.

Other ideas... Time to think... How can a school or PLN bring this concept alive? What can you start doing now?



Resources:
Flipping the Classroom - The Economist
http://www.economist.com/node/21529062

How the Flipped Classroom is Radically Changing Learning
http://www.thedailyriff.com/articles/how-the-flipped-classroom-is-radically-transforming-learning-536.php

Youtube Video, "The Flipped Classroom" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H4RkudFzlc

Youtube Video, "The Flipped Classroom is Born" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-y9vR7YTak&feature=relmfu

Top 9 Resources for an iPad Initiative


Top 9 Resources for an iPad Initiative  
Amanda Allen and David Lopez, who introduced a 1-to-1 iPad program at St. Genevieve Elementary in Los Angeles, suggest the apps, Web sites, and programs they found most useful.
1. Popplet--Simple, graphic organizing tool. All grade levels.
2. iCardSort--A virtual set of Post-It notes. Middle School and up.
3. Flashcards+--Allows students and teachers to easily create paperless flashcards. Syncs to a website called Quizlet that lets one download flashcards others have uploaded. “It’s kind of like crowdsourcing for studying,” Lopez said.
4. GoodReader--A digital PDF reader that allows students to highlight passages and take notes in the margins. Middle School and up.
5. Apple’s Volume Purchase Program for Schools--Sells apps at a discount for schools when they are purchased in quantities of 20 or more. All grade levels.
6. Edmodo--One of “the best things teachers will use,” said Lopez. “In a nutshell it’s Facebook for the classroom. It looks and works like Facebook and it does everything: calendars, lists, document hosting, quiz assignments. It worked really well with the iPad program with our school. Everyone had a device and a place to communicate.” All grade levels.
7. TeenTribune.com--A website that provides current events for students. Middle School and up.
8. Good Notes--A note-taking app that records audio with the notes. Middle school and up.
9. Mathaliens--A basic mathematics app in which an alien pops up when students answer correctly. Kindergarten-fourth grade.

Free the Children Resources, Lessons and Sites



WHY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

As young people, the world is in your hands. Yes, it might sound cliche... but it's
true. You will inherit the world, but why wait to make a difference?



Act now, get involved.



Apathy is not an option...



The people of the world are depending on your idealism, optimism and hard work!





Who are Craig and Marc Kielburger??



The accidental activists: Craig and Marc Kielburger - Community - Life - Canadian Living




Free the Children Official Site
http://www.freethechildren.com/


Haiti and Free the Children Get Involved Youth Campaign
 - Lesson on Sustainability and continuing to assist Haiti
- Social Studies, ELA and Religion
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/youth/campaigns/la_solidarite/docs/Haiti%20La%20Solidarite%20lesson%20plan%20-%20secondary.pdf
-Youth Initiative Video with FTC and Haiti
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH7tisqzJBE

October ...

Halloween for Hunger Site 
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/youth/campaigns/campaigns.php?type=halloweenforhunger

Halloween for Hunger Lesson Plan
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/youth/campaigns/halloweenforhunger/docs/Halloween%20for%20Hunger%20elementary%20lesson%20plan.pdf

Halloween for Hunger Campaign - Getting Started
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/youth/campaigns/halloweenforhunger/docs/H4H%20How-To%20Guide.pdf

November...

Vow of Silence
http://www.freethechildren.com/vowofsilence/
iamsilent.com

What is the Vow of Silence?
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/youth/campaigns/vowofsilence/docs/VOS%201%20pager.pdf

Vow of Silence How to Guide
http://www.freethechildren.com/vowofsilence/doc/Vow%20of%20Silence-HowtoGuide_Sept25.pdf

Vow of Silence Lesson Plan
http://www.freethechildren.com/vowofsilence/doc/Vow%20of%20Silence%20_elementary_lesson%20plans.pdf

Check Youtube for Vow of Silence Promotional Videos to kick off campaign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt0YlunaO6s&noredirect=1


Independent Review of Free the Children Resources by Barbara Hoskins
Explains how each resource is intended to be used and the integration into subject areas from ELA, to Social Studies to Religion to Technology...
http://www.freethechildren.com/whatwedo/local/youthengagement/docs/Free%20the%20Children%20review%2002-21-11%20-%20Barbara%20Hoskins.pdf


Global Voices - Articles with lessons sent weekly - Integrate into ELA, Social and Religion
-Download
http://www.freethechildren.com/whatwedo/local/globalvoices/

Directors of Change - A freely-available online curricular resource designed to promote civic engagement. It provides lesson plans so that students can identify issues of concern, research these issues and design web-based presentations to inform others and encourage action. This resource is designed to support learning in social studies, language arts and technology.
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/educator/programs.php?type=director

Called to Change the World - A resource guide designed in partnership with the Catholic Curriculum Corporation in Ontario, Canada. These materials are designed to follow the Catholic unifying themes and essential questions from their curriculum maps and use the effective teaching practices of Free the Children. These practices include: providing learner-centered activities to increase awareness, promoting critical thinking, developing communication skills, and engaging in socially responsible action with others.
http://www.weday.com/doc/library/secondary/Catholic%20Resource_gr11-12.pdf


Adobe Youth Voices - A program offered in partnership with the Adobe Foundation that provides teachers and students in underserved high schools the opportunity to use cutting edge multimedia to effect social change globally and locally. Participating students create media projects on an issue of their choosing and exhibit their projects at the end of the year. Teachers are provided with professional development to enhance their teaching strategies so that they can support their students in using media for social change.

http://www.freethechildren.com/whatwedo/local/adobe_youth_voices/

Go Local - A program that serves teachers and students in underserved high schools and middle schools by providing leadership training to support student volunteerism in their local communities.
http://www.freethechildren.com/whatwedo/local/golocal/


Take Action with Community Mapping – Materials developed in collaboration with the O Ambassadors Program. This is a highly accessible guidebook that can be used by teachers to assist young people in learning to make a difference in their local communities through community mapping. Community mapping guides students to assess the needs in their communities, identify strengths and resources, and develop action plans. This guidebook is visually engaging and uses relevant examples of activities taken by other young people.



We Schools in Action Program – Resources made available for schools for use in their service learning programs. It is designed to inspire students and give them the interactive tools needed to become involved in social justice and volunteerism. Print and internet resources are available through the We Schools website. Issues are presented in a way that is relevant to the lives and learning styles of young people. It provides students with forums for sharing plans and accomplishments and assists educators in mentoring young people to make positive changes in their communities and globally. The program does not solely encourage participation in Free the Children projects, but rather, students are taught how to create their own projects and make changes that are important to them.


Are you ever finished changing the world? Are you ever finished making a difference?? The answer is always "NO!!!!"