Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Cool Cat Teacher ROCKS!
Cool Cat Teacher is Vicki Davis. She is amazing! She has incredible ideas and is extremely enthusiastic about teaching and technology. Her blog is a MUST FOLLOW!
Her post, "Focus on your habits to shape your destiny," She suggests making 2 lists:
1- What you DO makes YOU!
What do you do every day? What is the end result of a person who does those things?
Ex. Exercise--- Stay healthy; Eat a DQ Blizzard--- Gain weight.
2- What you DON'T do makes you TOO!
What don't you do every day? What is the end result of a person who does those things?
Ex. I don't smoke--- I can be healthy; I don't exercise--- I will shorten my life span.
The habits that we form become who we are. Traits that will help me succeed and others that will ultimately lead us to hurt and destruction to our lives. Her challenge is to take one of the habits on your list and make it your mission for a few weeks. Focusing on one thing at a time can help to improve you life.
Check out her blog. She's got more where that came from!
Why are Students Misbehaving?
I checked out the blog by John T. Spencer that I linked yesterday and found some great posts. This post in particular titled "A Sustainable Start: Rethinking Why Students Misbehave." John T. Spencer starts school brainstorming with his students asking them why kids misbehave in class. This discussion leads to figuring out ways students and teachers can respond to these issues.
"1. Students want to move around: Students can fix this by asking the teacher for a chance to get up and stretch. Teachers can fix this by incorporating more movement into the class.
2. Students are afraid: It might be external- the system, the teacher, bullying from fellow students. Or it might be internal- laziness, fear of failure, restlessness, anxiety. Students can be honest with teacher about fear and teachers can guide them with empathy and compassion. There aren't any formulas for this, either. It takes time to develop the relationship of trust required to handle fear.
3. Students feel powerless: This might be the result of unreasonable teacher expectations or simply a student's lingering insecurities. However, sometimes the strangest behavior occurs when a child feels powerless. I've noticed that students who feel powerless can engage in sabotage, a power struggle, apathy or aggression toward others. The key here is finding a way to challenge students within a framework where they are free to make mistakes.
4. Students want to talk: Students can deal with this by showing self-control duing silent times (silent reading, for example) and remembering the need for silence. Teachers can deal with this by ensuring that students are talking at least half the time.
5. Students feel relationally isolated: This could be peer-based and it could be between the teacher and the student. However, sometimes students get the sense that they are outcasts, that they don't belong and that they are losers. Sadly, I've been the one who has caused this through insensitive words. If a teacher provides a safe place and builds a relationship, eventually this student might feel like he or she has a place.
6. A failure of communication: Sometimes this is a lack of vocabulary or simply a lack of paying attention. Sometimes teachers and students are speaking from a different interpretation of an idea, event or perspective. Either way, failure to communicate can lead to some huge riffs in the relationships. The best idea for both students and teachers is to trust the other person's intentions and to engage in meaningful conversation about the miscommunication. If both sides are humble, true communication will often occur.
7. Students don't feel free: Perhaps the rules are too restrictive. Maybe the lessons don't allow for enough autonomy. Students can respectfully ask for more freedom and teachers can respond with lessons that require more student autonomy.
8. Students are bored: Students sometimes need to ask the teacher why this particular stubject is relevant or advocate for a different learning opportunity. Teachers need to remember to craft lessons that are engaging, interesting and meaningful.
9. Students are confused: Students need to ask specific questions rather than saying, "I'm confused." Teachers need to ensure that the lesson fits the needs of students and that directions have been clear and explicit.
10. Students are human: Sometimes they have rough days. Sometimes they rebel for reasons they can't articulate. We're all broken. We all screw up. Students can be open to teachers ahead of time about what's going on and teachers can keep that in mind as they interact with the class."
The last point really rings a bell with me. This is one thing that I need to be constantly reminded of. Students have rough days just like I have rough days and they can screw up just like I can screw up.
He goes through a list of questions to ask students and yourself before, in the moment, and afterward. These questions spark the brainstorming process of how to come up with these misbehaviors and reasons for misbehaviors. I really enjoyed this post.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Superman Sucks as a Teacher
One blog post that stuck out to me today was called "Why Superman Would Suck as a Teacher" from the Teaching Paperless blog. There are many contributing authors to this blog, but this particular post was written by John T. Spencer. His main points are honest and thought provoking.
"Superman has x-ray vision, but he is unwilling to be even remotely transparent himself. I'm not suggesting that teachers bare all, but a complete lack of vulnerability prevents students from trusting a classroom leader. Superman is strong, but rarely gentle. The Flaming Lips ask the question, "Is it getting heavy to use a crane to crush a fly?" Perhaps kids need more strong men, but it seems even more powerful when a strong man can gently say, "I care about your pain. I care about your story." Superman is always composed, always honorable, always doing the right thing. But in the process, he doesn't get a chance to be humble and apologize. Perhaps he's perfect and maybe kids need perfection. Superman is too nice. My favorite teachers (Jesus, Socrates, my AP Government teacher) often broke social norms and used language that provoked thought rather than maintaining the status quo. Superman might be great preventing destruction, but he is rarely seen creating anything. Preservation can't be the bottom line. Superman saves the day, but in the process he doesn't allow the citizens to help. He doesn't come alongside them and say, "let's serve together." There's a touch of imperialism in flying down and fixing a mess without empowering people to get to the root of the issue."
Kids want to learn and think deeply and superman can't do that. We should strive to be the teacher that Superman never was or will be. :)
iPad Applications for Teachers
The EmergingEdTech blog is a great read! It's slogan is "Engaging students and enhancing learning outcomes with Internet & Instructional Technologies." This post stuck out to me and is titled "10 Excellent iPad Applications for Teachers." Although I do not have and iPad of my own OR one in my classroom, this was a really great post with many interesting ideas. Some of them will work on my desktops and laptops that I DO have in the classroom.
1. QuickVoice Recorder: This is the perfect recording tool to record your classes and get feedback on your performance; you can see what you’re doing right and what you’re going about wrong and learn how you can improve your lectures. This apple product is great, but only works on iPhone or iPad. Recording and playbacks are simple and it's FREE!!!
2. Dropbox: If you’ve used Dropbox on your computer, you already know this is a must-have tool on your iPad. If not, it’s a file storage application that allows you to say goodbye to flash drives and portable hard disks for good. Just sign up to store your files online and then access them from any other computer, your iPad or your smartphone. Ideal for files you use at school and at home. Your "stuff" is with you wherever you are. download it here!!
3. Things for iPad: If you’re looking for the perfect task manager to keep track of all your appointments and prepare ahead, then Things it is. Manage your to-do list and sync with the Things desktop app. This one is not free.
4. Discover: There’s no need for encyclopedias today with Wikipedia and other instant sources of information. Discover joins this list as the go-to app for the iPad when you need information on just about anything in the world. This FREE application can be useful if you love the wikipedia!
5. Evernote: There’s no need to carry around a notebook or diary in which to jot down your lesson plans or reminders – just use Evernote to enter your notes in text or voice format. Evernote is FREE and awesome and can be synced with your desktop. It becomes an extension of your brain and helps you remember everything!
6. Pages for iPad: Use this nifty app to type out all your documents and include any kind of formatting you may need. Pages is $9.99 and makes beautifully formatted word documents.
7. Numbers for iPad: For all your spreadsheet needs on your iPad, turn to Numbers. It’s easy to use, easy to access, and easy to import all your information from your Excel worksheets. This app is $10.29 and lets you make spreadsheets. I can't think of any use for it for me personally, but would be great for some.
8. Goodreader for iPad: Use this app to access all your documents, PDF files, video and audio files, spreadsheets and many other kinds of files over a wireless network or via USB cable – it makes it dead easy to retrieve files from other systems. This app is $4.99 and can be very useful. This app handles large PDF and TXT files, manuals, large books, magazines and allow you to mark-up documents with text boxes, sticky notes, etc.
9. Mobile Air Mouse: This is the perfect tool for hosting presentations and conducting lectures using an interactive whiteboard. It turns your iPad into an all-in-one remote control that you can use to manipulate the board without having to resort to using a wireless keyboard and a mouse. This app is stinking cool! How many times could I use this a day? About 1000000000. You can control your computer, media, email, and presentations like a remote. AH-mazing!! And, it's FREE!!
10. WritePad: If you prefer to write rather than type, then this app converts your handwriting on the iPad into readable text – use your finger or a stylus to get your point across. This app is $9.99 and can create text documents with your handwriting. I could use this, but would rather type it.
All of these apps could be extremely useful in my classroom and I will have to check further in to it.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Google Plus LiveBinder
Steven W. Anderson's twitter @web20classroom and blog are MUST FOLLOWS!!
He has created a LiveBinder (also super cool) to discuss Google Plus for Educators.
What is Google+ you ask?? Well here is a video.
Google+ was launched about 2 weeks ago and has had mostly positive feedback so far. @web20classroom's LiveBinder has linked to the EdReach blog which focuses on how Google+ impacts education. There are many posts on this blog about what to expect with Google+.
Here is a collaborative Google Doc on everything you need to know about Google+. The blog is jokingly titled "how 120+ people wrote a book at the same time." Terminology is discussed and defined (circles, sparks, hangouts, and huddles). There are details about the interface as well as basics on how to run the program.
-Networking with colleagues in even easier and allows you to get specifics. Make a circle for your school, your graduate class, or those you've networked with online and share interests with.
-A valuable tool for keeping classroom parents informed without giving access to all of your personal information. I realize Facebook allows some of these features, but Google+ seems a bit more intuitive for this purpose.
-Possibilities for students to share links and build a classroom community. Teachers could post homework information, project links, and hold class discussions, all while keeping the circle strictly education related.
-Buzz is integrated, so if you've been building a PLN on Twitter, it becomes integrated with the new Google+. In Buzz, you can comment and "Like" Tweets. This expands the conversation from Twitter even further.
-Hangouts can be created and allow instant videoconferencing with your "Circles." Imagine reading a blog post on gifted education, then starting a "Hangout" and having real, live video discussion.
-The +1 reminds me quite a bit of Facebook's "Like." But this feature might allow you to easily build a collection of articles and blogs you like and make it easy to collaborate with sites others +1."
There is more information on this LiveBinder than I can share on this blog!
@WeAreTeachers uses Technology
This is another Twitter shout out.
I follow:
@WeAreTeachers
Yesterday he tweeted "New Teacher Report: Creative Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom" with a link to his blog.
He mentions six creative and innovative ways teacher use educational technology to help their students learn.
"1. A Power Point is Worth a Million Words: Have your students create a power presentation to demonstrate what they learned during a particular unit or lesson."
This link goes to an example lesson plan for 7th & 8th graders about plot structure and summarizing, and integrates technology on the internet with the use of internet to find pictures and put into a power point.
"2. Scenario Training 101: Attach mini-cameras to your kids' lapels and record how they react to a variety of scenarios."
This link goes to an example lesson plan for a project that includes the use of video recordings to assist students in all fields of Criminal Justice. Lapel cameras are attached to them while performing different scenarios. They will take the information and go out and apply what they have learned in class.
"3. Journey into Book Quest: Have students record videos or podcasts of them reviewing favorite books, then post the reviews on your website so other kids can get inspired to read."
This link goes to a lesson plan for students video taping each other doing book talks of their favorite books, then they add title screens, a copy of the book cover, etc.
"4. Media Watch: Watch and assess the coverage on a certain event from various media outlets and then compare and contrast their approaches."
This link goes to a lesson plan for using different media outlets to cover world issues. They use print, audio, and video broadcasts, google docs, etc. They compare and contrast the sources and in what ways are they similar and different.
"5. iPod Touch and Math: Use iPod touch apps to teach math skills to early learners."
This link talks about "apps" that reinforce skills and understanding about math. Using an iPad can be useful for students who are building fine motor skills.
"6. Video Modeling for Special Needs Children: If a certain child is having a hard time with a certain skill, create a video modeling the skill then give them access to the video on an iPod and or iPad."
This link talks about creating videos for students modeling the correct way of doing things. The example they give is about students with autism/traumatic brain injury watching videos so they can correct the way to do a task before attempting to do the task. This video modeling can be watched on any communication device.
This was a pretty interesting, but predictable article about useful technology in the classroom.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Scott McCloud is Twitterific
Actually, this is a Twitter shout out.
Scott McCloud promises that it's good reading, and only good reading. He promises. He also has 2 blogs (also good reads)!
http://bigthink.com/ideas/38615
The tweet that stuck in my head today said "In Digital Age, schools that succeed are schools that connect." This link to the Baltimore Sun Newspaper was attached. In this article, it speaks of 3 "cracks" in the foundation of American schooling. The "digital divide" is speaking of teachers who wonder how social technology can relate tho their assignments. As individuals, we can only do so much, but as a unit, we could be unstoppable. The second crack is "access divide" referring to the blocked access to many resources on the internet. Students should be trained in digital safety instead of blocking them from what could be great resources. The third crack is the "connected divide" which separates those involved in social networks and those who are not. Being connected to the outside through social networks will "define the value of education over the next generation."
"Social media has changed the face of journalism, politics, and entertainment, it will change the face of schools. Just as no business can afford to ignore social media, no school will be able to ignore it. For our students, the value of social media will prove not to be how many followers one has but how many leaders one engages."
It seems the school that ignores the connection will ultimately be identified as failing. This connection represents the future of education and we should all be jumping on board and using this connection for ourselves as we lead our students to succeed.
I follow (and recommend you follow):
Scott McCloud promises that it's good reading, and only good reading. He promises. He also has 2 blogs (also good reads)!
http://bigthink.com/ideas/38615
The tweet that stuck in my head today said "In Digital Age, schools that succeed are schools that connect." This link to the Baltimore Sun Newspaper was attached. In this article, it speaks of 3 "cracks" in the foundation of American schooling. The "digital divide" is speaking of teachers who wonder how social technology can relate tho their assignments. As individuals, we can only do so much, but as a unit, we could be unstoppable. The second crack is "access divide" referring to the blocked access to many resources on the internet. Students should be trained in digital safety instead of blocking them from what could be great resources. The third crack is the "connected divide" which separates those involved in social networks and those who are not. Being connected to the outside through social networks will "define the value of education over the next generation."
"Social media has changed the face of journalism, politics, and entertainment, it will change the face of schools. Just as no business can afford to ignore social media, no school will be able to ignore it. For our students, the value of social media will prove not to be how many followers one has but how many leaders one engages."
It seems the school that ignores the connection will ultimately be identified as failing. This connection represents the future of education and we should all be jumping on board and using this connection for ourselves as we lead our students to succeed.
iLearn uLearn weallLearn Technology
Today's blog shout out is for the iLearn Technology blog.
Kelly Tenkely, the author, is a technology integration specialist in Michigan. Her post entitled Planbook Edu: Lesson Plans in the Cloud was very interesting to me. In this post, she introduces Planbook Edu, a great cloud-based (online) lesson plan book. There is a free download that allows access to Planbook from any internet connection. The organizational tools help to organize thoughts in order to plan units for the school year. The premium version ($25/year) allows embedding of Planbook into your personal website, sharing lessons, printing, and exporting to word or excel. This seems like a great tool that I could use in my classroom and recommend to others.
Free version vs. Premium version
Customize your Planbook to fit your needs. 
Quickly navigate to any week.
Simple editor.
Kelly Tenkely, the author, is a technology integration specialist in Michigan. Her post entitled Planbook Edu: Lesson Plans in the Cloud was very interesting to me. In this post, she introduces Planbook Edu, a great cloud-based (online) lesson plan book. There is a free download that allows access to Planbook from any internet connection. The organizational tools help to organize thoughts in order to plan units for the school year. The premium version ($25/year) allows embedding of Planbook into your personal website, sharing lessons, printing, and exporting to word or excel. This seems like a great tool that I could use in my classroom and recommend to others.
Free version vs. Premium version
Customize your Planbook to fit your needs.
Quickly navigate to any week.
Simple editor.
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Nerdy Teacher Rocks!
The Nerdy Teacher's blog written by Nicholas Provenzano is a MUST READ!!!
His most recent post is titled "What the US Women's Soccer Team taught me about education." He is a huge soccer fan and has spent a good amount of time watching the recaps of the World Cup match between the US and Brazil. He compares this game to the current state of education.
"To recap, the US had a one goal lead going into the second half. A foul was called on a US player, forcing the team to play with only 10 for the rest of the game, and it led to a Penalty Kick for the Brazilian team. Hope Solo, the US team's goalie came up big with a save on the shot attempt. However, Brazil was awarded another attempt, which the scored on, because a US player (ever so slightly) entered the box before the shot was taken. In extra time (overtime), Brazil scored another goal on a missed offside call. In extra time, the US scored the latest goal in World Cup history to tie the game and send it into Penalty Kicks where the US walked away victorious. Watch this recap to see what I'm talking about."
To him, it feels like the pressure to save our students for education is on our shoulders and we are down a man in the fight. Our hands are tied by people in charge and no matter how we protest, decisions are made and we simply deal. The US team never gave up and fought just as we fight to make a difference regardless of the final score. We refuse to give up, but continue to do what is best for our kids even through loss of funding, etc.
"I don't have an analogy for the amazing goal by Abby Wambach. I feel that would be missing the point. Abby's goal was amazing, but it was because the team kept fighting and that team made it possible. I think that is what we, as teachers, need to remember. We know how to play the game and even if we seemed to be out-manned at the moment, we will continue to fight until the bitter end. I just hope we do not have to wait until the 122nd minute."
His most recent post is titled "What the US Women's Soccer Team taught me about education." He is a huge soccer fan and has spent a good amount of time watching the recaps of the World Cup match between the US and Brazil. He compares this game to the current state of education.
"To recap, the US had a one goal lead going into the second half. A foul was called on a US player, forcing the team to play with only 10 for the rest of the game, and it led to a Penalty Kick for the Brazilian team. Hope Solo, the US team's goalie came up big with a save on the shot attempt. However, Brazil was awarded another attempt, which the scored on, because a US player (ever so slightly) entered the box before the shot was taken. In extra time (overtime), Brazil scored another goal on a missed offside call. In extra time, the US scored the latest goal in World Cup history to tie the game and send it into Penalty Kicks where the US walked away victorious. Watch this recap to see what I'm talking about."
To him, it feels like the pressure to save our students for education is on our shoulders and we are down a man in the fight. Our hands are tied by people in charge and no matter how we protest, decisions are made and we simply deal. The US team never gave up and fought just as we fight to make a difference regardless of the final score. We refuse to give up, but continue to do what is best for our kids even through loss of funding, etc.
"I don't have an analogy for the amazing goal by Abby Wambach. I feel that would be missing the point. Abby's goal was amazing, but it was because the team kept fighting and that team made it possible. I think that is what we, as teachers, need to remember. We know how to play the game and even if we seemed to be out-manned at the moment, we will continue to fight until the bitter end. I just hope we do not have to wait until the 122nd minute."
Free Technology For Teachers
Richard Byrne's blog is all about some "Free Technology For Teachers."
In his e-books section, there is a rockin' presentation called "The Super Book of Web Tools for Educators." He has some amazing ideas for using web tools in the elementary school classroom. I won't talk about them all, so definitely check out his blog and e-books to see the rest!!
"Wiggio (http://wiggio.com) Wiggio is a free online toolkit that makes it easy to work with and coordinate groups. It is simple to use and has an intuitive interface that makes it easy for students, parents, and teachers alike. Wiggio is a place to share and manage files, manage a group calendar, poll your group, post links, set up
conference calls (including voice, webcam, shared whiteboard space, and screen sharing),
chat online, send out mass text messages, and send voice or email messages to the entire group."
This would be great in my classroom to create class groups and update parents on upcoming events/concerts.
"Symbaloo EDU (http://edu.symbaloo.com) Sharing the web with students can be a challenge. Websites can often have urls that feel unending, students can copy down a url incorrectly, students type with different speeds, or characters show up in the address that they are unfamiliar with. Complicated urls can single-handedly persuade the elementary teacher to ditch a wonderful web resource for something easier to manage...like a worksheet. Sharing websites with your students doesn’t have to be a challenge."
Symbaloo can be used to create web mixes to share folders of related sites and resources making it easy to find, organize, and present information. It can also be used as an e-portfolio for students.
Two other sites similar to symbaloo are weblist (http://weblist.me) and (http://livebinders.com). Here you can pull together content on the web and create a list of urls centered on a theme.
"Answer Garden (http://answergarden.ch) Answer Garden can be used as an online answer collection tool or be embedded into a website, wiki, or blog. Students can post answers to questions by entering their own text answer or by clicking on, and submitting, existing answers. Answers are represented as a word cloud. Answer Garden is a fun way for students to brainstorm, plan, and work together.
What a cool way to get students to brainstorm!!! Adding a technology component makes it THAT much more fun!
"Kerpoof (http://kerpoof.com) Kerpoof is a necessity in any elementary classroom. This free online creativity center lets students create their own pictures, drawings, storybooks, movies, and practice spelling."
I could use this in my classroom instead of asking student to "draw" on paper what they hear when listening to music, they can use their creativity and "kerpoof."
This site has many educational videos and lessons... even music lessons!!!
This site I currently use. It has created ways for me to make a poster web page that is attached to my wikispace allowing students to see the latest music news. Students have created glogsters to display their work and I upload it to my wiki or email it to their parents.
"Storybird (http://storybird.com) Story bird is a fun collaborative storytelling website. Storybird makes it easy to create and tell stories digitally."
The final product can be printed, watched, or shared online promoting imagination and creativity.
"The Museum Box website provides a place for students to collect information and arguments in a virtual museum box of their own. They can collect items to provide a description or add to an
argument of a historical event, place, or time period. Students can add images, text, sounds, video, external links, etc. to each compartment of the box helping them form their own virtual museum."
This would be an awesome way to research composers in my classroom. Audio clips, pictures, dates, maps... limitless!!
"Creaza (http://creaza.com)is a suite of web-based creativity tools. There
are four tools in the Creaza toolbox that will help your students organize knowledge and tell stories in new creative ways."
The two tools I would be most likely to use are "Audio editor" and "Movie editor." Student can produce their own and splice them together to create their own composition, etc.
In this e-book found on Richard Byrne's blog, there are many other website resources for elementary school as well as some for middle and high school aged students. CHECK IT OUT!!!
In his e-books section, there is a rockin' presentation called "The Super Book of Web Tools for Educators." He has some amazing ideas for using web tools in the elementary school classroom. I won't talk about them all, so definitely check out his blog and e-books to see the rest!!
"Wiggio (http://wiggio.com) Wiggio is a free online toolkit that makes it easy to work with and coordinate groups. It is simple to use and has an intuitive interface that makes it easy for students, parents, and teachers alike. Wiggio is a place to share and manage files, manage a group calendar, poll your group, post links, set upconference calls (including voice, webcam, shared whiteboard space, and screen sharing),
chat online, send out mass text messages, and send voice or email messages to the entire group."
This would be great in my classroom to create class groups and update parents on upcoming events/concerts.
"Symbaloo EDU (http://edu.symbaloo.com) Sharing the web with students can be a challenge. Websites can often have urls that feel unending, students can copy down a url incorrectly, students type with different speeds, or characters show up in the address that they are unfamiliar with. Complicated urls can single-handedly persuade the elementary teacher to ditch a wonderful web resource for something easier to manage...like a worksheet. Sharing websites with your students doesn’t have to be a challenge."Symbaloo can be used to create web mixes to share folders of related sites and resources making it easy to find, organize, and present information. It can also be used as an e-portfolio for students.
Two other sites similar to symbaloo are weblist (http://weblist.me) and (http://livebinders.com). Here you can pull together content on the web and create a list of urls centered on a theme.
"Answer Garden (http://answergarden.ch) Answer Garden can be used as an online answer collection tool or be embedded into a website, wiki, or blog. Students can post answers to questions by entering their own text answer or by clicking on, and submitting, existing answers. Answers are represented as a word cloud. Answer Garden is a fun way for students to brainstorm, plan, and work together.What a cool way to get students to brainstorm!!! Adding a technology component makes it THAT much more fun!
"Kerpoof (http://kerpoof.com) Kerpoof is a necessity in any elementary classroom. This free online creativity center lets students create their own pictures, drawings, storybooks, movies, and practice spelling."I could use this in my classroom instead of asking student to "draw" on paper what they hear when listening to music, they can use their creativity and "kerpoof."
This site has many educational videos and lessons... even music lessons!!!This site I currently use. It has created ways for me to make a poster web page that is attached to my wikispace allowing students to see the latest music news. Students have created glogsters to display their work and I upload it to my wiki or email it to their parents."Storybird (http://storybird.com) Story bird is a fun collaborative storytelling website. Storybird makes it easy to create and tell stories digitally."The final product can be printed, watched, or shared online promoting imagination and creativity.
"The Museum Box website provides a place for students to collect information and arguments in a virtual museum box of their own. They can collect items to provide a description or add to anargument of a historical event, place, or time period. Students can add images, text, sounds, video, external links, etc. to each compartment of the box helping them form their own virtual museum."
This would be an awesome way to research composers in my classroom. Audio clips, pictures, dates, maps... limitless!!
"Creaza (http://creaza.com)is a suite of web-based creativity tools. Thereare four tools in the Creaza toolbox that will help your students organize knowledge and tell stories in new creative ways."
The two tools I would be most likely to use are "Audio editor" and "Movie editor." Student can produce their own and splice them together to create their own composition, etc.
In this e-book found on Richard Byrne's blog, there are many other website resources for elementary school as well as some for middle and high school aged students. CHECK IT OUT!!!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Tweets I Follow
MUSIC TWEETERS
vh1savethemusic: We are dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in America's public schools. Music Education = Brain Power
MENC: Official Twitter account for MENC: The National Association for Music Education. Learn more at menc.org.
MusicTeacherMag: Your voice in music education - Music Teacher, the monthly magazine for peripatetic and classroom music teachers
WestMusic: Welcome to the official Twitter of West Music Company. Experience the power of making music!
musicforall: Music for All's mission is to create, provide and expand positively life-changing experiences through music for all.
jwpepper: J.W. Pepper helps you find music of all publishers and for all types of performance situations. Talk with a customer service representative @peppercares. http://www.jwpepper.com
OrffSitedotCom: Elem. Music Teacher certified in Orff-Schulwerk. I teach in an urban school.I have an Orff related podcast. www.orffsite.com/podcasts.php& Play sax & mandolin.
CMACProject- Classical Music Across Cultures: The Classical Music Across Cultures project will reach thousands of underserved African American and Latino children to change the face of classical music.
DoremiGirl: Mom, wife, gen & choral music teacher. Believes in perpetual learning & being a steward of our environment. Enthusiastic about edu, tech, ppl, food, & life.
PlayPianoByEar: Everything you need to know to teach piano by ear.
littlekidsrock: Little Kids Rock transforms children's lives by restoring and revitalizing music education in U.S. public schools nationwide!
teachingmusicuk: Teaching Music - Where inspiring teachers and practitioners share great ideas. FREE for all music educators and policy makers
MUSIC & TECHNOLOGY TWEETERS
musicteachstuff: Print some free music classroom worksheets (featuring Scales, Chords and Harmonic Sytems) from my site for music education people everywhere? http://musicteachingresources.com
tedtalks: The official feed for daily TEDTalks. Only new TEDTalks are posted on this feed. For all TED news, follow @TEDNews too!
MusicEdTech: Teach music. The technology will follow. music technology educator, author, consultant, musician
future_music: The ultimate resource for future music news, music technology, digital music, new music gear, music gadgets, mobile music, DJing, remixing and music production.
techmusiced: Assist music educators in applying technology to improve teaching and learning in music.
pisanojm: Music Ed/Tech. Expert & Published Fine Arts Professor. Get my APP: http://musicmasterpro.apsdevs.com ! Music Educators JOIN the MusicPLN.org 2day. It's free!
musicednews: I'm Murray, the MusicEdNews Bot! I aggregate the top Music Education Websites across the world. Please follow my creators @pisanojm & @Zweibz7 for more info!
thomasjwest: Music Educator, Online Webcam Lessons, Articles, Reviews, Practice Tips. Father, drum corps fan, a cappella singer
TECHNOLOGY TWEETERS
mccleod: Associate Professor. CASTLE Director. Blogger. Idea generator. Solution builder. Agitator. Catalyst. “If the leaders don’t get it, it’s not going to happen.”
ipadupdates: Tweets filtered by the topic iPad. Tweets are retweeted based on their iPad content. Created by ReStream.me.
buffyjhamilton: Fierce librarian and information maven who loves learning, social media, dogs, fabulous shoes, and good lip gloss.
TECHNOLOGY/EDUCATION TWEETERS
web20classroom: Educator, Speaker, Blogger, #Edchat Co-Creator, #140Conf Character, NOW Award Winner, ASCD Conference Scholar. Do You Use Social Media In Education?
coolcatteacher: Cool Cat Teacher - Best teacher blog award winner, co-founder- Flat Classroom Projects, Conference, Digiteen, NetGenEd, known as the Wikinator by my students.
TeachPaperless: Blogging a conversation about teaching, learning, and the digital revolution. Blogger-in-chief: @blakeplock
WeAreTeachers: Online community of teachers of all types. Teacher social network, Web 2.0, Education, Knowledge Marketplace, school 2.0. support@weareteachers.com
eschoolnews: eSchool News connects you to all of the latest news, information, and resources on how today's K-20 educators are using technology in the classroom.
MY COMMUNITY
HooverSchools: A growing, suburban school system of 13,000+ students in the Birmingham metro-region; emphasis on technology, challenging curriculum & college placement. http://www.hoover.k12.al.us
scbcmusic: The Shades Crest School of the Arts offers innovative and affordable arts instruction in Birmingham, AL! 205.822.1360 or chuie@ShadesCrestArts.org
ALSymphony: The mission of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra is simple – the ASO changes lives through music.
TWEETERS IN MY CLASS:
TRyanJones Ryan Jones
I love Music and Technology.
sarah_timothy Sarah Timothy
Music Professor at Southeastern Bible College, Private voice and piano instructor, Church choir director, Homeschool choir director, Accompanist, Choreographer
JeffCaulk Jeff Caulk
MidfieldBand Midfield High Band
CatherineOdom Catherine Odom
I_am_Ben_Cook Ben Cook
deannabell2 Deanna Bell
My name is Deanna Bell and this is my public twitter account. I am a music teacher with Jefferson County Schools. I love my job, my family, and my friends.
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