Here are two movies I created for my final technology grade.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=z3fFdAmPjM8

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AK3MK6QdvWk

I have been stumbling around teacher’s blogs and admiring the work they are doing with their students. There is so much out there, so I decided to put some of the good stuff in one place. Here is what I found so far. I’ll keep adding as I go.

This is a “space” where you can publish your student’s work.

http://docs.google.com/View?docID=dc4gcbft_296tgs55bfg&revision=_latest

This is a sophmore class Twitter site that looks like a Wikispaces site. I’m still trying to figure out the difference. I really like this site because it is full of classnotes, ideas and grammar slide podcasts the students worked on. There is also a reflection section where the teacher wrote his reflection and the students wrote their reflections about working on this project. This is worth checking out.

http://304sophs.wikispaces.com/Using+Twitter+For+Class

http://www.answers.com/resources/Answers_Teachers.wmv

This is one resource I found on the Georgia Standards website that looks very helpful.  I’ll have to research it a bit more. I wonder if because it is on the Georgia Standards website if it credible?

answers.com

georgiastandards.org

georgia standards

Just playing around with hyperlinks.

The rubistar website is a great tool in creating rubrics.

rubistar

This link has amazing graphic organizers. I wanted to print a copy of them all, but then remembered they would be there again later.

http://www.region15.org/curriculum/graphicorg.html

This is the video clip I chose to design an assignment around. The students will write their own lyrics to this “Your Time is Up” song, or write lyrics to any song that only has music – maybe a theme song from a movie, or change the emotion of a well-known song by changing the lyrics. Jack Black is “cracie” (Nacho Libre).

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NoXLu9Rz70g

(Assignment and rationale.)

Tyson’s video was very inspiring. I liked the idea of students working on projects for an audience bigger than their teacher or class. The motivational factor is powerful and the learning that takes place through each video will always be remembered. What a great way to let kids choose their area of interest outside of the school curriculum. I’m curious to know if each group has a sponsor or adult figure to oversee the project. Does the school provide the technology? It seems like they have the school year to complete their videos. If they do have the year, then maybe just one video camera is needed to schedule a group time. Is there a club or afterschool program opened to the students so they can use the computer lab? I’m sure they have this all worked out. The presentation was very organized and professional. I’m sure parents and guest were impressed by the program. Most parents don’t mind an extra fundraiser to pay for something they see so beneficial.

I emailed Mrs. Hamby this week. She has a class blog through WordPress. She is so cool. I asked her how her doctoral studies were going and if she was still working in the Writing Center. I also mentioned that I am in the technology class with Brandon, Angela and Katherine from our 3310 class. She wanted me to say “Hi” to everyone. She works in the Writing Center on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. I just might have to pay her a visit one Wednesday after class.

I just got home from a Technology Fair at my daughter’s middle school. While I was there I saw a presentation of the Promethean interactive whiteboard, a demonstration of a LCD projector, document camera, TI presenter, and InterWrite Pad. We answered math questions using Indigo Learning System and created movies using Windows MovieMaker. There was a session talking about blogs, wikis, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, and Ning. Sound familiar? It was a way to get parents excited about technology and on board for finding ways to raise funds for these “teaching toys.” Three months ago I would have been just as clueless as the rest of the parents were tonight. I left there feeling very confident in all my new technology skills I’ve learned in our technology class. It was a really good feeling!

Ron Clark is telling other educators how important technology is to today’s students.

Well, my group and I finished our first wikipedia entry. Yah! We decided to add The Ron Clark Academy to the Ron Clark site. It was interesting reasearching the school and Mr. Clark’s vision for his students. This is where I attempt to add a link of the wiki. Hold on… The Ron Clark Wiki   Aha! It worked. Check it out.

What I really liked about our wiki project was using a wiki as a tool for our group. It was a place where we could go to share ideas and post information. It was well organized. I like that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExkMeQfuLGc