TechTeacher

Another Cool Storytelling Tool- Storybird

2011-01-12T21:41:00.001-06:00

This is the image from the cover of my 1st Storybird- Very cool, collaborative storytelling tool that I've been meaning to tinker with for awhile. I used it with my last class as an option in my layered curriculum model but never created one. The idea is that the images inspire you to write...Pretty interesting although it would be much more engaging if there was more artwork to choose from. This is the actual link to my story, The Meanest Girl on Earth?

Need other ideas for digital storytelling? This list is pretty comprehensive- one of the best I've seen. Enjoy!

50 Storytelling Tools

Cool Storytelling Tool

2010-10-20T19:02:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

It's been forever since I blogged but I simply had to share this slick storytelling tool I discovered while attempting to complete an assignment for class. It's called Vuvox and it seamlessly integrates photos, video and audio into a moving collage. I immediately went into teacher-mode and began to think about the multitude of ways this tool could be used for storytelling purposes. Take a look at my 1st creation & enjoy!

Confessions of a Burned Out Teacher

2010-07-22T11:23:00.002-05:00

Burnt Out
Originally uploaded by Rubex

My name is Tracy and I am a burned out teacher. With more than 10 years of experience working shoulder to shoulder with kids, I am officially tired.

Just to be clear- the children are NOT the source of my exhaustion. Sure, there were days when it felt that way but after much ample time for reflection, I have arrived at some conclusions. The following is a list of ways to help avoid creating "me".

1) Give teachers time to reflect, re-group and plan with other teachers. Depending on the district, I realize this can be difficult but it must be a priority since teachers often feel isolated.

2) Create opportunities for veteran teachers to sharpen their skills in other areas like coaching and administration. Teachers need to grow and develop just like everyone else. My previous position allowed me to coach literacy and model tech strategies, as well as learn some administrative savvy like budgeting and curriculum development. Had it not been for this, I surely would've exited the profession years ago.

3) Honor their voice. With all the discourse around education reform, testing etc, someone needs to be listening to those of us on the front lines every single day.

4) Get your teachers out of the building. Whether it's in the form of staff retreats, workshops, and school visits, teachers need to sharpen their professional saws by getting out and learning from others like them.

5) Stop attempting to script and standardize everything that goes on in the classroom. What I enjoyed most about my former teaching job initially was that I felt I had the autonomy to make decisions about what I taught, how I taught, and when I taught. It gave me room to be creative and have fun while I did it. As this began to shift, my attitude towards my job did as well.

6) As much as Arne would like us all to believe it, teaching is NOT a business in the traditional sense. Only Focusing on the bottom line, statistics, and accountability works well in the corporate arena but children and teachers are NOT products. The sheer humanity of what teachers do everyday differentiates the profession from any other- take care of your teachers and they will take care of your students-period.

Thank You Facebook!

2010-04-30T08:30:00.001-05:00

Internet connection
Originally uploaded by meletver

I haven't blogged in about a month. My doctoral program keeps me super busy and so does wearing a trillion hats at my middle school. Honestly, I haven't felt "inspired" to write in awhile. Well it finally happened- something to scream about.

When I was around 6 years old, my mother who was recently single and struggling to get back on her feet financially sent me to live with my grandmother and grandfather on my father's side. My father and I are not close since he left when I was 5, and has been popping inconsistently since that time. While staying with my grandparents, I became extremely close with my aunts and uncles, all who were around my age (give or take a few years).

Diana, was my favorite. We were about a year apart and I remember playing with her for hours endlessly. We played with dolls and dollhouses. We spent hours pretending to be princesses, playing school, and scouring the neighborhood for hidden treasure to play with.

After some months, my mom returned for my little brother and I. I only saw Diana a couple of more times after that. For whatever reason, the connection between my mother and grandparents dissipated and I Diana became a memory as a result. I never forgot her and about a year ago, she emailed my mother out of the blue. As it turns out, she had been looking for us!

I immediately emailed Diana. I tried to give her details about the last 30 years of my life. I sent her some pics and emailed once a week. Finally, I suggested she get a Facebook account. You see I didn't mention that Diana was born hearing impaired so I can't "talk" to her in the traditional way. She signs well and can read lips. I thought Facebook would be a great way for us to stay connected effortlessly since she can read my updates & pics the minute I post them.

When I suggested it at first her response was a simple " I don't have a Facebook account". I emailed her a few more times, explaining how easy it was to set up a page and that she should try it since pretty much everyone on Earth has a page. No response. Then yesterday I get a message on my phone, " HI Tracy, I'm on Facebook and I'm so happy to see you"! I'm pretty sure I screamed out loud, and shed a tear or two.

My grandparents have both passed on, and my family on my mother's side is pretty broken. I've always wanted to be one of those people with a large, loving family that gets together to celebrate holidays and takes cute family pics that end up as postcards. I suppose that wasn't my path. I cannot control other people but i can control what connections I make and maintain and Facebook helps me to do that. Thank you Facebook, for helping me to find Diana again! Now, time to take the sign language class.....

Who Really Wins the Race??

2010-03-16T10:33:00.002-05:00

Change.
Originally uploaded by flightlessXbird

I have to admit I have spent a ridiculous amount of hours perusing the Dept of Education’s guidelines, press releases, and state applications, desperately trying to find some light at the end of the latest tunnel in the world of education reform.

The carrot is no-doubt tantalizing: 4 billion dollars for states willing to provide evidence of their strategies for addressing the 4 areas outlined by the ambitious plan including standards and assessments, teacher quality, and turning around failing schools

However, as an educator with over 10 years of experience teaching and coaching in primarily urban school districts I am left scratching my head. I wonder how and why is it that so many find the idea of a “race” a viable one for America’s students? Aren’t all students deserving of quality education or are we saying that it’s okay if some lose?

With all the information I was able to find about the requirements and specific areas designated for reform, I am struck by what is missing from the conversation considering what research tells us about best practices in education.

• Funding for preschool education. The majority of my “failing” students have been struggling since kindergarten. Children from impoverished backgrounds have less access to books before entering school and lag behind their more affluent peers in word knowledge. This is a formula for inequity that results in students entering school already at a disadvantage. States should have the funds to make preschool education a reality for every student.

• Equal per-pupil spending. I’ve worked in schools with 38 kids in one class, one outdated computer, and no classroom library to speak of for reading instruction. Believe me money isn’t the most important factor but it does make a difference! Most states use of property taxes results in more funds being spent to educate the nation’s most affluent students. As a result, students who need the most resources receive less. Why not evenly distribute the billions of dollars being offered through Race to the Top to the nation’s poorest school districts? At the very least some attempt could be made to correct the inequities created by current pupil funding models.

• Creating “real-world” partnerships. The disconnect between learning and the real world is pervasive in our schools. I’d love to see school districts being rewarded by thinking outside the box in their attempts to forge relationships with practitioners in various fields. This could include everything from finding mentors for students to long-term apprenticeships based on needs and interests.

• Celebrating Teacher Collaborations. I’m still not sure why anyone thinks teacher merit pay is a silver bullet for improving classroom instruction. Most of us didn’t choose this profession for the money-we wanted to make a difference. Any funds earmarked for teacher bonuses linked to test scores are a waste that will undoubtedly lead to hoarding information and cheating scandals. If the administration wants to pay teachers for anything, it should be for opening up their classrooms to others in the professions, and leading workshops around things that new teachers often struggle with like management and effective lesson planning.

• Lessons from Other Countries. Finland’s students are outperforming many in the world. Yet there is very little standardized testing, approximately 30 minutes of homework and they spend less on education than the United States, according to Wall Street Journal article, “Why are Finnish Kids So Smart”? More importantly “Finnish teachers pick books and customize lessons as they shape students to national standards” (Gamerman, 2008). Every citizen attends preschool at age 7 and has the right to attend college for free. Basically the Finland educational system is the polar opposite of what we do I America.

Examining What Truly Works. Although there is dismal evidence at best to support the mass firing of teachers as a viable strategy, there are plenty of examples of models that work right here in America. Geoffrey Canada's work in the Harlem Children's Zone though costly is proof that a multifaceted approach produces phenomenal results. Dr. Steve Perry is able to boast a 100% college acceptance rate among urban students. The list goes on. So why are we not taking a hard look at these models instead of repeating the missteps of NCLB?

Dear Sierra- We Failed You

2010-02-19T09:45:00.000-06:00

Dear Sierra,

I remember the 1st time we met. I was teaching summer school and you were an incoming 6th grader who was slated as needing extra academic assistance before starting school in the fall. The class was small and there were only 13 of you. I remember how much you laughed when I read aloud from Almost Starring Skinnybones-It's a delightful story about a student whose constantly picked on by his classmates and ends up making a cat food commercial that only serves to further humiliate him.

You used to lie on the rug and literally stretch out at my feet as I read aloud each day, almost bellowing with laughter- it was contagious and I remember your smile as if you were standing in front of me. I remember the day the other girls began to point and snicker at you as you rolled around on the floor giggling at one of your favorite parts of the story because your stomach was poking out of your shirt. They thought they were being subtle, nudging each other and snickering. I was livid as I reprimanded them for their behavior- reminding them that perfection is non-existent, and chiding them for their cruelty.

To me, you seemed almost oblivious to their taunts as your expression didn't change despite of their teasing. In reflection, I think you internalized it along with everything else. I remember months later, a few months into school year. It was bitterly cold and I was having trouble opening the door and had to call Ms. Taiit to let me in. Here eyes were red- "Sierra committed suicide last night".

I don't think I processed it right away. I remember walking around in a fog for most of the day, not knowing what to say to my students. How do you explain suicide to 7th graders? I didn't even cry at 1st- not until the the next day when the crisis intervention team, along with the directors of our network came into the classroom and said aloud to the class, "Sierra has committed suicide". I cried for weeks. How alone you must've felt. How you must have believed there was no other option.

The guilt was even worse, as I couldn't remember speaking to you or even seeing you once the school year began. How many times had I passed you in the hallway and not acknowledged you? How many of us failed to see your pain and do something about it?

I want you to know that you have forever changed me. I speak to students I don't know and hug them just because they seem to need it. I try my best to remember all their names and when I don't "sweetie" seems to do just fine. I want you to know that I'm sorry. We failed you.

The weeks after your death were filled with whispers, rumors, and finger-pointing. It had to be someone's fault. Parents, teachers, classmates someone. The reality is it's probably a mix of all these things. We have set up a system where students' scores and grades take precedence over their social and mental health. We failed you and we continue to fail others- it's really that simple. We failed you and I'm sorry. I dreamed about you the other night- maybe you are still trying to tell me something. I just hope that I hear you- I hope that we all do.

This blog post is dedicated to Sierra Brandon, who took her own life one year ago.

http://www.chicagodefender.com/article-3289-south-side-girl-found-dead.html

Digital Nation

2010-02-04T09:13:00.001-06:00

Frontline's Digital Nation offered some interesting insights on the digital revolution. The clip below is 1 of 9 in the series, that begins by focusing on youths' supposed ability to multitask. Interestingly enough, students' perception of their ability to attend to several tasks at once vastly differs than that of their professors at MIT. Dr. Sherry Turkle and others speak at length about a new breed of student, that constantly attends to several things at once. The remainder of clips offer fascinating looks at the fallout of the Korean Gaming craze, brain research and what this all means for educators. Thought-provoking- take a look if you haven't done so already.

Tests Don't Measure This

2010-01-21T17:01:00.002-06:00

ZOO YORK (8th Grade Designers in Action)
Originally uploaded by iremixphoto

Unfortunately, I've been having what seems to be endless conversation about test scores lately. At work the meetings are countless- what our scores are, where we need to be, who to target, etc. etc. etc.

On Twitter the other day I engaged in a conversation around whether national standards are needed. In short, my answer was no since I fear that this will only lead to some inane national exam, which will undoubtedly measure one type of intelligence- good old paper and pencil.

My problem with the America's ongoing fascination with standardized tests is this- how do you measure:

* collaboration
* critical thinking
* problem- solving
* curiosity
* artistic/musical intelligence

The answer- you can't. It's really that simple. My 8th graders in this photo are engaged in a design project in which they are required to do all of the above things are more. They're designing a real project for a real- world reason. If their product is chosen by Mark Ecko, their t-shirt design has the possibility of being sold in stores across the world. The lessons they're learning about design, marketing, economics, branding, etc are invaluable and traditionally not addressed in classroom. Tell me, how do you measure this??

Reflections on Online Instruction From an Online Learner

2010-01-13T14:11:00.002-06:00

I am Here for the Learning Revolution
Originally uploaded by Wesley Fryer

First off, I am beyond pleased to have found this photo and even more thrilled when I found it was part of Wes Fryer's photo stream. I thought it was perfect given my current experiences with tech, both as a teacher and a learner.

I recently completed my 1st semester of doctoral work at Pepperdine University. I'm studying educational technology through a hybrid program which requires me to attend several face to face meetings throughout the next few years, as well as complete an online component.

My classmates and I chat regularly about our readings on social learning theory, leadership, school reform and a slew of other topics related to technology and education. We use a variety of forums to accomplish this including google groups, BlackBoard, and a few web-based collaboration tools like Etherpad.

Still a relatively new phenomenon, online education has recently been the topic of numerous research studies, attempting to prove ( or disprove) its overall value and effectiveness for learners. Since this area of education is also a research interest of mine, I decided to weigh in citing my personal experiences thus far.

Here are my initial thoughts, reflecting, rantings etc:

1) Online instruction is not "easier" than attending a traditional graduate school program, in fact it can prove to be more challenging since you're not physically in contact with your instructors as much.

2) You must be disciplined to have success with online schooling. If not, you'll find yourself falling behind and there's no one there to push you, except yourself!

3) Research! Research! Research! I looked at several programs during my application process, both traditional and blended. Some required lots of face to face interaction, while others had relatively little. Find one that fits your needs and be honest with yourself.

4) ASK ABOUT ACCREDITATION! Surprisingly, not all programs with an online component are fully accredited. I actually know someone who earned an MBA from an online school, only to found out it meant nothing- what a waste of time and money!

5) If possible, find students who are or have attended the institution the schools you're interested in- I found some useful information simply by googling- student reviews and the institutions' names.

6) Dig up information on graduates of the programs you're looking at- Pepperdine readily provided this information on their website. I was, (and still am) impressed by the accomplishments of Pepperdine Alum, and it keeps me motivated when I feel frustrated.

7) Use common sense- if something sounds to good to be true it usually is.

8) Be patient but honest- most schools are still trying to "work out the kinks" in terms of what works when delivering content online. Speak up if something isn't working for you- remember your are making a valuable investment and deserve a top-notch education for the time and money you're putting in.

9) Remember that no man is an island- my programs is a cohort model and my classmates are awesome! Find a network to help you get you through the tough times.

Kudos 2 Common Craft!!!

2010-01-07T13:01:00.002-06:00

Okay, this will be a short one. But after viewing Common Craft's latest addition to its "in plain English" series, I simply had to acknowledge them. In short, "Protecting Reputation Online", is the most concise, kid-friendly explanation I've ever seen covering a touchy, yet important, topic. Working with tech savvy middle school students, I have had more than my share of experiences with young people who fail to realize the implications of posting questionable images and comments on the web.

I've actually had a conversation with an admissions counselor at one of the city's most selective high schools, who admits regularly searching for applicants' names of facebook and other social networking sites when attempting to make admissions decision. I've also had to deal with numerous episodes of "sexting", young girls sending inappropriate images to boys they like, which inevitably end up in the hands of every student with hours.

It's available as always for immediate download for just $20. I'd like to thank my twitter friends for this one- as always you are one of my best resources!

Interested in other videos in the series? Try:

wikis in plain English

blogs in plain English

twitter in plain English

google docs in plain English

2010 Resolutions of an Educator on the Verge of ????

2010-01-05T14:30:00.001-06:00

Tuts+ 2010 Commemorative poster
Originally uploaded by James Whíte

Again, I find myself reflecting on myself professionally and personally as this New Year takes off. So here's my list of things I resolve to do in 2010

1) I will not teach force every student in my charge to read the same book. This has been a huge "aha" for me as an educator. As an adult, I have certain interests that will keep me reading despite of being tired, overwhelmed, or downright frustrated. Besides, my kids will get plenty of opportunities to be told exactly what to read when they get to high school and college.

2) I will hold all my teachers to high standards even when they resist- no excuses.

3) I will honor my students' voices and choices even when the control freak that resides in inside me tries to take over.

4) I will stop complaining about what's wrong with education and focus on what's working.

5) I will not allow anyone to drown me with negative energy even if that mean walking away for awhile!

10 Things I've Learned in 10 Years

2009-12-28T13:56:00.001-06:00

Week 3/52: “To teach is to learn twice”
Originally uploaded by ilovestrawberries (Carmi)

I've been reflecting on my growth as a teacher & decided to document my version of the top ten lists that seem to be popping up everywhere as the new year comes to an end. So here at top 10 lessons I've learned in my 10 years of teaching & coaching.

1) All kids are different, period. In a nutshell you cannot teach the same thing in the same and expect students to "get it".

2) Differentiated instruction comes in different forms. You can change the assignments, assessments, vary from small group to whole group, utilize a layered curriculum model, workshop model, or literature circles to reach kids specifically at their ability level.

3) What was the previously the "best" way to teach anything changes often!

4) The definition of literacy is changing rapidly to include things like computer skills, collaboration, evaluation of sources, and research using the internet.

5) Writing instruction must take into account things kids do naturally like blogging and other social networking mediums.

6) Teachers, like students, need to be told often what they do well!

7) Teachers flourish when they amongst a network of learners-exchanging ideas, team-teaching, and leading professional development.

8) Teachers must be willing to learn from students, especially in a rapidly changing technological world where students are often more savvy, but willing to showcase their knowledge.

9) There is no simple formula for increasing student achievement; this varies according to a school's unique population and needs.

10) Parents, teachers, and administrators really do want the best for students- we just need to learn how to work together to get the results we all want!

Lotta Learning!

2009-12-18T08:57:00.000-06:00

This week has been extremely hectic. It's the last week for the students before Christmas vacation and their energy level is ...oh on a scale of 1 to 10, about 100! It's also finals week for me at school so I've had several papers and projects to complete, I didn't even have a chance to celebrate my birthday which is not at all like me.

Anyway, as crazy as my life has been I've learned so much from my students. Here are a few things on the tech side I've learned just in the last couple of weeks:
* How to create MP3 file to export from Garage Band
* How to create a zip file from a Keynote Presentation and export to Slideshare
* How to navigate some elements of Photoshop

Bigger Lessons:
* How to stop trying to "control" the learning in my classroom
* How to trust the students to navigate difficult projects/problems
* How to ignore the massive noise level that inevitably arises when authentic work is going on with 25 kids in the room
* How to relax and remember that kids will be kids and it's not the end of the world

YES- Schools Can!

2009-12-08T15:01:00.002-06:00

After reflecting on my rant about the inequity of the American School System, I have decided to devote my next few blog posts on schools that are doing wonderful work. "Wonderful" meaning innovative, creative, student-centered, authentic instruction that's producing great results and great kids who are problem solvers and thinkers. Check out the video below on YES Prep in Houston:

YES Prep Video

Also, High Tech High:

High Tech Video Clip

Education: The Great Equalizer???

2009-12-07T12:07:00.002-06:00

I just viewed CBS's interview with Geoffrey Canada, Developer of the Harlem Children's Zone. The zone is a truly visionary project that spans about 100 blocks in Harlem. Began in 1997, it now services more than 8,000 children and 6,000 adults. Including innovative programs like Baby College, Promise Academy, obesity programs, and healthy foods served from an organic garden onsite, the Children's Zone has recently drawn attention from the Obama administration as well as researchers, educators and policy makers nationwide. The video is embedded below if you wish to see it in it's entirety:

Harlem's Children Zone: 60 minutes clip

Seeing this is inspirational though leaves me feeling disgruntled, disappointed and lots of other adjectives about the way America's schools system has failed and continues to fail our children. The "Great Equalizer" has actually had the opposite effect for those who don't have the money to attend private schools or aren't lucky enough to get chosen by the lottery system at many of American's most successful charter schools.

I'm ecstatic to see many states implementing takeover strategies or providing more opportunities for charter & independent schools to take over where our public schools have failed. With that said, the U.S. Department of Education has recently released the guidelines for receiving federal funds for school reform:

Turnaround model: Replace the principal and rehire no more than 50 percent of the staff and grant the principal sufficient operational flexibility (including in staffing, calendars/time, and budgeting) to implement fully a comprehensive approach to substantially improve student outcomes.
Restart model: Convert a school or close and reopen it under a charter school operator, a charter management organization, or an education management organization that has been selected through a rigorous review process.
School closure: Close a school and enroll the students who attended that school in other schools in the LEA that are higher achieving.
Transformation model: Implement each of the following strategies: (1) replace the principal and take steps to increase teacher and school leader effectiveness; (2) institute comprehensive instructional reforms; (3) increase learning time and create community-oriented schools; and (4) provide operational flexibility and sustained support.

For more information visit the U.S. Dept of Education website.

Kids Utilizing the Power of Networking- Awesome!

2009-12-02T13:12:00.002-06:00

Social Network Molecule - Connections
Originally uploaded by iQoncept

I haven't posted in over a week- I've been beyond busy writing papers for school. but I had to take a moment to share this story. Yesterday, my team had the opportunity to take our 8th graders to a live taping of the television show "Know Your Heritage". It's basically a show that tests kids' knowledge of cultural heritage in a game show format.

We didn't find out about the taping until literally the last minute, but decided to give the kids the permission slips anyway. We were concerned because they have a habit of forgetting to bring things back signed, and we only had one day to pull this all together. Also, we knew that if too many of them showed up without a permission slip at school today, we wouldn't be able to go at all since no one would be available on such short notice to provide coverage for too many kids.

So, despite the last-minute nature of this venture, we handed out the slips and told the kids we'd only be able to go if we had 100% of the show up with it signed. To our surprise, the entire 8th grade class showed up (with the exception of 3), ready to go, slips in hand this morning. A casual conversation with my girls revealed the reason- they put it on facebook.

Not only did they put it on facebook, they sent out several text messages to the entire class, warning that they would have to stay in school ( and what middle school doesn't want to spend the day at a television show taping when they're supposed to be in school)? I laughed and shared this with the rest of my team but the lesson was very real. When it comes down to it, the kids' needed wanted it to happen and it did- with just a little help from technology and social networking!

Schools are the last!!

2009-11-22T09:14:00.002-06:00

You Can Change The World
Originally uploaded by oclark53

I've been wondering when I would have the time to blog about my experiences at the NWP conference this past week. I had the opportunity to meet some true visionaries, all with the passion and drive it takes to empower kids through various digital mediums. It was truly refreshing and I had a HUGE take away- real change is NOT taking place during the typical school day.

This is not the 1st time this thought has occurred to me. I've been reading Dewey, Bruner and others for one of my classes at Pepperdine. These and other theorists wrote books as early as the 1930's describing what constitutes true learning experiences, and how traditional schools fail to address learners' needs. There's also and over arching theme of the social aspect of learning that's necessary for students to be engaged.

Many of the programs at the conference were aimed at celebrating student voices, while at the same time providing skills needed for the 21st century, but most of these were not during school hours or part of the "normal" school curriculum. Overwhelmingly these experiences occurred in after school spaces, community centers, and libraries. I had an extensive conversation about this with colleagues and I can't help but to be frustrated. After all, school is the one thing that all kids are mandated to experience. Why are schools so slow in responding to change and why has it been allowed to continue for so long?

With that said, instead of focusing on questions I can't possibly answer in one post, I have decided to do what Dr. Nichole Pinkard suggested in her panel discussion, which is focus on kids themselves. I can't worry about the system, the politics, teachers and administrators who refuse to see the relevance of challenging kids or anything else.

My goal is now simple: to reach the learners themselves and put the skills directly in within their reach. Luckily technology, particularly the growth of social networks and distance learning should make this more attainable, so wish me luck.

Harnessing Creativity- Great Ways to Use FlickR

2009-11-15T07:26:00.002-06:00

Creativity v3
Originally uploaded by jakedillard

I was preparing for the NWP Conference with a colleague the other day and the question arose, "What do teachers really need in order to use digital mediums in their classrooms?" We were particularly interested in writing and other forms of digital storytelling.

After mulling this over for a couple of days, I woke up with these thoughts racing around in my already crowded brain. Teachers really need:
1) Open Minds
2) A Willingness to Be Creative

With these thoughts in mind I was inspired to dedicate this post to some super- easy ways to use of one my favorite tools in the classroom- flickr. First off, you should know that flickr is far beyond a photo-sharing application. It's an awesome place where anyone and everyone shares, comments, and tags photos about pretty much everything. This is an incredible tool for someone looking to incorporate digital storytelling and/or inspire great stories from students. Second, there are some incredibly quick and easy ways to use this tool in your classroom. Here are a few of my favorites:

1) 5 Card Flickr Story- In short this generates 5 random pics. Have your students write stories to go with the images. Easy, Fun, Creative!!

2) Bubblr- Allows you to create comic strips based on Flickr photos. I'm a huge fan of comic strips in class.

3) Dumpr- Still more cool ways to spruce up pics and add some cool effects like mosaics, puzzle pieces, and others. Go crazy and write about it!

4) Bookr- Use flicker photos to create books, and some text and you have instant digital stories.

5) Spell with Flickr- I just ran across this one recently. You type in a word, logo, phrase etc., and it converts them to Flickr images with letters. Eye catching, great ways to add some splash to projects, blogs, websites etc.

6) Captioner- Add captions quickly to your photos to tel your stories!

7) Flickr Tag Galaxy- Simply incredible! Definitely for the visual learners. It's an awesome 3D cloud of photos. Type in a tag and click a picture! I used this one to demonstrate "theme" in my literature class.

Need more ideas? Try these:

Big Huge Labs

Huge Flickr Tool Collection

Jump on the Social Media Bandwagon??

2009-11-10T14:24:00.001-06:00

Jump on the social media bandwagon
Originally uploaded by Matt Hamm

I ran across this image while searching for a photo to use for a project I'm currently working on. It reminded me of a question someone posed on LinkedIn recently. The questions was, "how do you get more educators use social media to enhance their personal knowledge"?

I wish I had an easy answer. I was hugely unaware of this phenomenon taking place under my nose, in a sense. Of course I had heard of Twitter and other social media sites, but use them?? Not I said the cat. I just never realized the wealth of information being exchanged daily. The only reason I even started using these sites was because of my recent enrollment in a doctoral program in Learning Technologies.

I was interested in technology in terms of student learning- I never even seriously considered how these tools could enhance my own! Now that I have this toolbox of knowledge, how do I get my teachers to open it??? Well for now my answer is simply this- one tool at a time!

Useful Tools for Even the Tech Phobic

2009-11-10T11:51:00.001-06:00

I've been reflecting on some of the Web 2.0 Tools I've experimented with for the past few weeks in an effort to come up with what's been the most useful in my classroom. So here's the short list of what I've come up with so far:

#1- Go Animate

Why: Kids have absolutely taken off with this simple animation tool. It's one of the few they've taken the initiative to use across subject areas! I introduced it as a method of digital storytelling and have recently learned that my students used this as part of a science project as well.

#2- Wordle

Why: I used this to introduce some themes for Lord of the Flies, and gave kids the option to use it as a project option for book presentations. One of my colleagues who teaches social studies absolutely adores it to highlight main ideas and one of my classmates also used it in a presentation last week. It's simple, fun, and creative and has various uses across subject areas. One great feature is that you can input entire essays into this tool and words that appear several times appear larger in the word cloud. What a great way to highlight overused words in writing!!

#3- Screenjelly and Screenr

Why: These are both screen capture tools that allow you to record and manipulate your screen- all without downloading anything additional. Screenr even plays on your I -Phone and allows you to record for Twitter. I'm currently in the process of planning a series of writing lessons using these, as well as some professional development sessions for my teachers.

#4- voz Me

Why- This is beyond simple to use. It basically allows you to type in text and then reads it back to you! Love this for helping kids pronounce words they're having trouble with and also for improving fluency. This one's a gem for differentiating instruction and second language acquisition.

#5- Addictomatic

Why- I've been playing with this one but haven't quite figured out how I'm going to integrate it into my instruction. It allows you to create instant, customizable web pages simply by typing in a topic. I'm thinking about using it for teaching internet reliability, and teaching basic research skills using the web. Very Cool!!

#6- Etherpad

Why- It allows you to chat and use a whiteboard at the same time with small groups of users. It's completely web- based and saves all of your work. Nice tool for collaborative writing and planning and the whiteboard is nice for storing ideas.

#7- Glogster

Why- Three words- online poster making. This tool is another that my students are wild about. You can make posters with different themes and my kids love it to enhance presentations with this one. Glogster allows you to add text and audio as well.

#8 VoiceThread

Why- You can insert photos, text, video, slides etc from either your computer or external sites, and create an interactive presentations that allow multiple users to have a conversation. Users can comment on your presentation by typing in text or recording audio. One great feature is that VoiceThread allows you to "highlight" information as your are recording. Very nice tool!

Student Work

2009-10-29T15:03:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to post this because I think it's a great example of how tech integration is not as difficult as some make it out to be. I gave my class a relatively simple assignment. We've just finished reading Lord of the Flies as a class, and they were asked to create a final project demonstrating their understanding of the book. The guidelines were not strict, they simply had analyze the plot, characters, setting, mood or some combination of the above, and then present their work to the class. The only "catch" was that they had to integrate technology in some way.

I didn't tell the exactly what they had to do in terms of technology. They all have laptops and so naturally they have access to the programs on the MAC like I- Move, ComicLife and the rest. I did introduce a list of Web 2.0 tools a few weeks ago, and encouraged them to experiment and share their findings with the group. In addition to their presentations, they were required to write a 1-page reflection on the process.

Here is a sample of the projects I have received so far. Keep in mind that I merely introduced some new tools and encouraged them to explore. I also shared my experiences and questions as I played arouund with these tools as well. Please click the following link and feel free to comment about your experiences with these, or any other tools you've had some success with. Enjoy! Class Gallery

Ummm...Why Isn't Every Teacher Doing This??

2009-10-25T09:20:00.005-05:00

Teamwork
Originally uploaded by Ms Ladyred

I continue to be awed by the power of social networking. I bookmarked Tag Galaxy , an amazing Flickr tool, on my Diigo toolbar and within 10 minutes it had been viewed and saved by over 500 people. 500 people? What the....? Is this even real? It just goes to show you the awesome power of social media at its best! Oh did I mention, that I ended up having a short dialogue with a group who posted the link on Twitter in Australia?

I have recently joined 2 Nings dedicated to educators interested in working and learning from others: The Educators Personal Learning Plan and Global Education Collaborative- both are invaluable. My network is growing exponentially by they day.

The resources on these sites include videos, links, discussions, lesson plan ideas and others. Combined with my ongoing conversations on Twitter and my Diigo contacts and bookmarks, I'm starting to wonder what I can learn in my graduate school courses that can be more valuable than this!

It can seem overwhelming at 1st but beyond worth giving it a try. The Professional Development train has now gone global people- it's time to take the ride!

Using FlickR to Inspire Writing

2009-10-23T11:01:00.003-05:00

Last
Originally uploaded by u n c o m m o n

First I'd like to say that there's nothing new about the basic concept of using everything from photos, to newspaper clippings to inspire students to write. Back when I was a new teacher, I regularly poured through magazines & newspapers looking for anything that would spark my student to think creatively.

Technology has just made this process easier and has also opened an entire world of creativity for me and my students. I've been teaching my students about the importance of setting and mood when writing their stories. Since it's Halloween time, we're focusing on spooky tales. I chose a group of about 18 pictures and created a gallery called "mood lessons" for easy access within Flickr.

This particular photo sparked lots of conversation & creativity beyond what I expected. Not only were students able to discuss the setting and mood, they also began writing stories based on what they thought might be happening in this scene. They zeroed in on the one individual standing at the bus stop and the spooky lights. Before I knew it, most were spinning tales about who and what he was waiting for, and whether or not he was watching someone inside the building for some terrible reason.

My point is this, especially for teachers who think tech integration means learning how to use every application on their computers, something as simple of FlickR can have a multitude of implications for student learning. How about creating a title for this photo, or writing 2 different versions of stories based on this setting? How about turning this into a cartoon or animation, or crafting a dialogue for the lone figure in this picture? The possibilities are endless if you just open yourself up to experience them.

2 Great New Apps for Teachers

2009-10-16T13:55:00.000-05:00

This has been quite a busy week for me. I have been busy trying to compile a list of the most practical applications for both student and teacher use for my literacy instruction, and stumbled upon a couple of great ones. The first one is called Wordle, and basically allows you to create wordclouds. Simple concept right?

Well, the great thing about Wordle is the variety of ways in which it can be used. For example, you can generate vocabulary lists in order to activate prior knowledge, study synonyms & antonyms, or have students input entire essays to examine over used words and repetition. The possibilities are truly endless. I shared one with the class today and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

My 2nd jewel of a find is Screenjelly I actually discovered this one through one of my Diigo groups centered around educational technology. When I say the power of social bookmarking for purposes of professional development and personal enrichment is massive, it's an understatement. I can honestly say that much of my recent learning around technology and instruction has been the result of shared bookmarks and conversations on Diigo and Twitter. Please take a look at my Screenjelly lesson about how to use Wordle. This single tool will transform your ability to reach students and other professionals in your network almost seamlessly so enjoy!

Coming next week- pros and cons of animoto and using go animate for digital storytelling.

America's Next Top Model

2009-10-06T14:07:00.000-05:00

I'm currently in the process of trying to push forward the technology integration at my school. My goals are:

To get teachers to use technology in authentic ways when planning & delivering instruction
To collaborate with my team in order to push this process forward
To model the habit of collaborating and pooling our "collective intelligence" as a staff

I recently set up a wiki page for my 8th graders, and was beyond thrilled when I realized that several of my colleagues quickly followed suit or were interested, but not sure of how to do it, where to start, or questioned its value overall as a teaching tool. Yesterday at a professional development session, a colleague and I had a strategy that models the mini-lesson strategy that works well with our students. My first idea was explain the "why" of my thinking around building the page and then showing "Wikis in Plain English" video for You Tube. After showing the video, we simply walked the teacher through our wiki pages to demonstrate its many uses for students, teachers, and parents as well.

The excitement was immediate as the teachers quickly bombarded us with questions regarding the setup and ways in which to use it in their own classrooms. The model itself of the page was probably the most powerful piece of the entire session, as I was able not to merely explain, but to show how I was using my page in a useful manner.

So, with that I've decided to include a couple of quick tips for those who may be new to this idea, as many in my work environment are:

If you're students will be editing your site, you will need an email address, username, and password for each- it is best if this is done as an Excel spreadsheet, but can be done on a word document as well.
Create pages within you wiki space simply by clicking the "new page"tab at the top.
Use it as a space to store documents you use often like reading response questions, templates, or schedules (you can upload images, video, pdf files and more).
Utilize google calendar-it can easily be edited and included as a part of your page.
Use it to showcase your students' work!
Have a space for announcements, reminders, and celebrations of positive things happening in your class!
Utilize the help staff- they are quick, patient, and willing to assist with pretty much any and everything!

Moving forward, I'm hoping to collaborate with my staff around unique ways to not only use this tool but others that foster the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and learning!

I'm in Love with....Twitter

2009-10-06T12:07:00.000-05:00

"What are you doing"? Four words that I thought just a few short months ago were for people with nothing better to do. I, along with several others I know, jokingly referred to Twitter as "new age stalking", until I realized its awesome power as a networking tool. Twitter has quickly become my primary source of exchanging information with other educators, students, technology specialists across the world.

I primarily follow those with similar interest and careers because I've found some of the most interesting articles, teaching tools, and conference dates are shared daily. I've even recently begun to follow a group of 130 educators through TweetML, and cannot believe I've not been using this as a collaboration tool before now! I'm also currently in the process of thinking through authentic ways to for my students to use this tool as well including short responses to discussion questions, following authors of novels we are reading, or simply exchanging quick tidbits of information and/or ideas. So
" what am I doing"- I am harnessing knowledge and intelligence of many and plan to continue to do so!

Epiphany

2009-09-25T09:05:00.000-05:00

While sitting in class yesterday, my cadre was brainstorming ideas for our blogs. We are supposed to become experts at something in an attempt to narrow our focus around dissertation ideas. Keep in mind, we are all 1st year students and are in the early phases of all of this!

My previous posts have been serving as a "think tank" or journal of some sorts around getting teachers to use technology in authentic ways to enhance learners' experiences. I've also been tinkering around with various web 2.0 tools, and also researching new media literacy and social bookmarking sites, like Diigo. Anyway, I ran across this idea of "collective intelligence" while researching new media literacy.

Collective Intelligence Defined (by Wikipedia)
Collective Intelligence (C.I.) is a group intelligence that emerges from the collaboration and competition of many individuals. It is important to distinguish Collective Intelligence (C.I.) from shared intelligence. Collective Intelligence is the knowledge available to all members of a community, while shared intelligence is knowledge known by all members of a community.

As it turns out MIT is doing some interesting work around this concept as well as a host of other researchers. I think my question will be, "How can teachers' collective intelligence be harnessed through the use of technology?" For me, this may be a powerful way to truly shape professional learning communities, and explore teacher leadership simultaneously. Wish me luck!

Get Out of the Way

2009-09-10T22:47:00.003-05:00

I was having a conversation with my literacy team yesterday, and one member expressed concern over technology usage in general. His comment was that he didn't feel comfortable using his laptop, and, in turn, felt that he was limited in his ability to integrate technology in a meaningful way.

This reminded of a comment one of my classmates made during a Blackboard discussion. Her current profession requires her to work with K-12 teachers specifically around technology. She observed that there was so much concern about making sure teachers were the experts, that it blocked possible progress in terms of students. Plainly put, she felt that "teachers just needed to get out of the way". My sentiments exactly!!!

As I stated in a previous post, I still do not have the knowledge base that my kids have around using my Mac. One of my closest colleagues is the chairperson of our annual "Living Museum" project, which is basically a history fair that involves high levels of critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving. We've worked together closely over the past few years, and have seen our kids produce thought-provoking, entertaining documentaries, year after year.

I didn't realize until recently that he had no idea how to make an I-Movie. I was actually shocked when he pointed this out in passing. I, like everyone else, assumed that since his kids produced such wonderful media, surely he must be teaching them how to do it. No, as it turns out he just "got out of the way" and continues to do so. Thanks for the lesson DMJ.

Leading by Example!

2009-09-08T10:35:00.002-05:00

Wow, after reading my previous post, I guess I did have something to say after all! Don't worry, I don't plan to be that wordy in the future. This one will be relatively short. I'm thrilled that after constructing my 1st class wikipage, one of my colleague has already quickly followed suit with one of his own in science. The social science teacher on our team as eager to show the both of us up with the "ultimate wiki page"! This is all a testament of the power of modeling and leading by example.

Also, I just wanted to share this interesting article form Education World, since I was reflecting on the meaning of true tech integration driving in this morning. I also liked this from Edutopia on handling technophobic teachers. Enjoy!

My How I've Grown!

2009-09-07T16:30:00.007-05:00

This is my first blog and I must admit I am at a bit of a loss in terms of what to say! I suppose I should begin with why I chose to do this. There are a couple of reasons. The first being I currently serve as the literacy coordinator at Carter G. Woodson Middle School on the south side of Chicago. We have one of the few truly one-to-one laptops in the city. With that said, I feel a need to use our students' natural inclination towards technology, to enhance their learning and mine as well.

I've recently started a doctoral program in Learning Technology at Pepperdine University . I'd like to rewind a bit and point out that I never saw myself going this direction with my educational pursuits. I have over 10 years of experience working in urban settings and my primary focus has been literacy. I took a position at CGW Middle School 3 years ago and was thrust into the world of one-to-one laptop learning.

In the beginning, I definitely was not a "digital native". In hindsight, I was quite resistant after teaching "just fine" without laptops or computers for that matter. I vividly remember refusing to use it unless it was absolutely necessary. For example, I had to use it for things like attendance and recordkeeping, but I pretty much left it alone outside of these purposes.

I don't remember exactly when the transformation happened. What I do remember is assigning some literacy project and giving my students lots of choice in terms of how they demonstrated understanding. What I got as a result were everything from standard research papers, to comic life presentations to podcasts., thanks to the DYN program at our school.

Keep in mind, I didn't know what any of these things were at that point, and wasn't even a Mac user. Honestly, I still have no idea how many of the application on my Mac work, not like the kids do at least. But, this is exactly my point. I don't have to be the expert- I have 25 of them everyday that are willing to take the lead on this journey! Besides, as one of my colleagues constantly points out, applications come and go, true tech integration is a much more complex process.

I attended school for about a week this summer for "tech camp" and already have a ton of ideas of how to make this blog work for me. I've already set at a class wiki (it's my first and I'm extremely proud of myself by the way), and plan to experiment with various Web 2.0 tools as a starting point. I'm eager to create a true professional learning community, where professionals not only in my building, but around the world can chime in and help to push my thinking in terms of helping teachers to embrace the digital revolution happening as we speak.

I am now faced with the task of leading tech integration in my subject area and would like to use this space to exchange ideas, questions, frustrations, and whatever else this blossoms into. At the very least, it will serve as a space for my reflections as I attempt to balance being teacher and student simultaneously!