Thursday, December 20, 2012

Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs)

The year before last, my school installed interactive whiteboard (IWB) systems. We happened to purchase the ēno by Polyvision for the middle school as a pilot program, then purchased the Mimio system for the upper school the following year.

The IWB system has three distinct components as it relates to teaching: the projector, the interactive whiteboard, and the presentation software. The projector can be used as a ... well, a projector for showing the class images from a computer or tablet (we have iPads). The interactive whiteboard features allow a person to use a stylus at the board exactly the way you would use a mouse on a computer. The interactive software allows the teacher to create dynamic presentations for a unique experience each time the material is presented. (You can download software free at Promethean.)

Here are some problems and solutions we learned along the way while using the eno IWBs.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

TodaysMeet for Twitter Basics


There are some amazing resources online for teachers who would like to get started using Twitter, but aren't quite sure how. When I first started using Twitter,  I would begin to read these blogs and get completely overwhelmed. How would I have time to tweet if I couldn't find the time to finish reading an article about tweeting?

Here I will put together some Twitter basics then explain how I have used todaysmeet to teach twitter basics to middle school students..

Create an Account


As always, create your account. Go to twitter - the link brings you directly to a page on which you can create an account. If you are trying to brand yourself, you will want to use a name that is recognizable and consistent with your brand. Same goes with your profile picture. Think before you create: This is how you are building your digital footprint. What footprint do you want to have?

Hashtags


Hashtags are user generated shortcuts so you can get right to the types of tweets (twitter posts) that you want to read. Including them in your tweets means that like-minded tweeps (Twitter + peeps = tweeps, your people on twitter!) can find your tweets easily as well. They look like #edchat (which is a great hashtag for teachers to search for).

Monday, December 17, 2012

The Not-Quite-Flapped Classroom Part 2


Perhaps you have already read about my first steps with The Not-Quite-Flipped Classroom and are wondering about my progress. I have continued my exploration of a hybrid classroom with mixed results.

Classroom Atmosphere


When my students know in advance that we are using personal iPads and video tutorials in class, they arrive and get right to work. Most students work alone, but others choose to share an iPad and are quick to borrow my headphone splitter. I allow students to pick their own partners for the most part.  Sometimes I step in and redirect students to more productive partnerships. Class begins quickly and efficiently.

Work Ethics


Students are able to concentrate without distractions on the video tutorials that I have created using educreations. They can really focus because they have blocked out external distractions by using earbuds or headphones.  Each student is able to get into the written work that is both the class assignment and the homework. This allows students to have less written work to do at home.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Tragedy in CT

My heart is so heavy for the students, families, and community in Connecticut.

If you are looking for resources for talking with children about this tragedy, please feel free to take a look at my Pinterest board, After School Tragedy.

Peace, prayers, love, and hope from me to you.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Pinterest Basics

I have been exploring how Pinterest can be used in education as a platform for digital curation on a zero dollar budget. In order to participate, you must first know how to use Pinterest. (Feel free to check out my Pinterest boards.)

What is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a virtual bulletin board. On each board, you can "pin" images from websites that link back to the original site. Once you create your account, you can create several public boards and up to three private boards. The public boards are ... well, public! Anyone can find the board, follow it, and repin from the board. Only you can access your private boards.

Getting Started with Pinterest

So, you have already created your account and a couple of boards. There are a few basic options for pinning to these boards.

Pinning Basics

Many websites already have a Pin button that you can select while on that site. You will get a pop-up that allows you to select the image and board that you want, as well as the option to tweet your pin. There is also a text box which you may use to add your own description of the site. Once you have completed these, select Pin.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Sky Over School

Sky over School by KGallsEduSvcs
Sky over School, a photo by KGallsEduSvcs on Flickr.

As I left work one day, I couldn't help but pause and take this photo with my iPad.

Technology Flavor of the Week

At many schools, teachers suffer from the Technology Flavor of the Week Syndrome. Every time some new exciting technology comes out, we jump in with (a token pilot program in which we are told to make it look successful because they have a plan to jump in with) two feet. I believe I know what the powers-that-be must think: New technology makes us appear cutting edge; This is being given to us as a gift - let's show how much we appreciate our donor by putting it to really great use; and Other schools have it - we can't fall behind! The reality is that teachers cannot keep up with a new piece of technology every year that they are required to somehow work into their curriculum.

The irony is that each new piece of technology is great! Interactive whiteboard? Yes, please! Computers in my classroom? Absolutely! 1:1 iPad program? Sounds exciting!

So what's my problem with the technology flavor of the month?