Tuesday, March 9th, 2010...12:14 pm
Our past, Their future.
For a list of the online resources specifically mentioned in today’s presentation, please click here. The “Wordle” application has not been working recently, so I have included several online applications that do the same thing.
For a list of other online resources I have acquired through my PLN, please click here. This list is quite extensive and not very well organized (one of my weak points). If the site description is not self-explanatory in the title, I have added a brief description. Some of these are fun, some more practical than others.
I have also collected a great set of resources regarding Twitter. I urge you to give these a look. It has really changed my life as an educator.
Take the rest of the day to search and explore the possibilities. Try to pick one thing and make it fit into something you are doing.
Please take a moment before you leave to comment on the day. You don’t need to do this before 4pm today, as the site is accessible whenever and where ever you have internent access. You are not chained down to this time and place. Let’s start a conversation around the pros and cons of integrating more technology. What are you excited about? What might some drawbacks be? How can we strive to overcome those drawbacks? How can we support one another in this endeavor? What can I do to help you personally? This is open ended. Just join the conversation!!
PLEASE BE SURE TO COMMENT ON THIS POST, NOT THE ONE FROM AUGUST (WITH THE STICKY NOTE).
14 Comments
March 24th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Thanks for introducing us to the websites and links. I would like to further investigate the use of Voice thread and noticed that Karyn wanted to try this also from the blog. Will bring this up at a team meeting, thanks, VickyAnn
March 17th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
The websites were interesting, although I haven’t delved into all of them, yet. I am trying to learn glogging, so the tips for safely sharing YouTube videos has come in handy already. I will be using these with my classes.
March 16th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
I’d like to learn of interactive sites where students could independently learn about art (history, architecture, photography, etc.) if their work is finished. Any suggestions welcome. I will check out the Google Doodle you mentioned earlier. As Stephanie said, it is helpful to have time devoted for this purpose.
March 16th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Dan,
Thanks for sharing info on what’s out there. I think connecting with other teachers in my content area (math) would be helpful. Other than having links on the 7th grade webpage, I haven’t done much. I’d like to investigate voice thread (there must be a way to get math concepts up there for kids to discuss), screen toaster (perhaps to put steps for doing equations, etc. for kids to use to review), and Prezi (to vary the class and make some classes more interesting/engaging for the kids). Just takes time, I guess. Thanks for getting me thinking!
March 15th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Hi !
It was really great to have all that info – it’s important and relevant! I’m definitely going to use bighugelabs, and safesharetv…..lan on exploring the others soon to find applications for language
March 15th, 2010 at 9:49 am
I used wordle for a writing project in LA this year and the kids really liked it. I like the idea of the kids writing their papers in wordle so that they can see which words are most often used, but I’d like to use it for more projects that aren’t necessarily LA. My problem is coming up with ideas that keep the kids interested and engaged. I am going to give Twitter a try and reach out to other Special Education teachers. I’d like to implement the voice thread as a way to engage interest in things they might find NOT so interesting. As co-teaching becomes the norm, I’d like to use lecture on podcasting and voice thread for the opportunity to hear others’ ideas and hear the lesson again. I feel like an idea sponge right now, trying to soak up every little thing, but at the same time when is every new thing just too much? Also, I’d like to take Project Read to a new level with some of this technology….hmmmm.
March 14th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
It was one of the fastest PD’s we’ve had in a while. By that I mean like “gee, it’s 4:00 already?!” It’s the newness of it all for me; trying to decide one area/component to use in the classroom and then working with until it really functions as an integrated entity will be the ignition power for me. From there I’ll stray… play? Whatever.
I guess the piece I need is more devoted time. Can this be arranged?
Thanks again,
Stephanie
March 14th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Great presentation, Dan! I learned a lot and see new possibilities for using technology in language arts. I am beginning to explore the sites you shared and will come back to this page often. I think it would be helpful if you could do more meetings like this.
March 14th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Thanks Dan, the PD session was excellent. I know the SafeShare will be useful – you never know what you will see on YouTube. I tried Wordle – looks great. I can see usuing this as you suggested for chapter summaries, I’d also like to try having students use it for their own written work – did the Wordle produce a word cloud that they felt represented the gist/message of their written piece – if not, why not? what can they change in their written work to better convey their message – more elaboration, more descriptive words etc. Revise work then re-do the word cloud – what do they notice? Big Huge Labs -also great for creating messages to post in the classroom. All of the aps you suggested were great – it would be helpful to get together with colleagues to brainstorm uses for each ap. I think that would help generate ideas for practical use of the aps. Thanks!
March 14th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
While your thanks are appreciated, that is not my main objective. I am hoping to create a springboard for meaningful discussion around our students and how we can best meet them where they are using technology as a medium. The comments and suggestions thus far have been great. I especially like Elaine’s idea of having kids use Wordle to look at their own work. That is something I never would have thought of. Keep the comments coming!
March 14th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Dan,
I really want to thank you for giving us such useful information. I am actually one of those freaky people who loves more technology, and find it a puzzle to figure out. I think that our kids have such an amazing opportunity to learn at a higher level then we were able to at their age, and I am eager to use more technology with the kids.
I also wanted to let everyone know that when the promethian board company came they shared a great resource for teachers called promethian planet. This site has thousands of lessons to use and is a great resource for the classroom. Make sure to check it out.
One last thing… Dan you have a true talent with sharing your learning with adults. You should do more of that with us!!!
March 14th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Thanks so much for the presentation, Dan! I scouted out several of the sites you shared with us, and definitely want to incorporate them into the classroom.
I’ve also been meaning to take advantage of my digital camera and video recorder but I’m having trouble coming up with ideas on how to use them…
March 13th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Hi Dan!
Loved the PD! – I have started using Word clouds on the WordItOut website in my counseling groups and the kids LOVE them! It is a great way for the students to reflect and document the learning that happens during the session! THANK YOU!
March 9th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
In just the short 20 minutes of exploring through your links, I can see how this can lead to some serious self-reflection and new learning. Thanks Dan!