tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997847379934769832024-03-13T23:15:15.238-07:00Tomorrow's Tech in Today's SchoolsDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-38291087429279262692014-04-09T23:14:00.000-07:002014-04-10T05:46:10.771-07:00Building Classroom Community OnlineI've done a lot of reading this week on how to cultivate a strong sense of community in your online classroom. To help me sum up what I've found, I created the infographic below. The image points out 3 things that I believe can make a big difference in the online classroom:<br />
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<li>4 things a community provides its members</li>
<li>4 things a classroom community needs from its leader</li>
<li>Activities that can be fun, educational, and foster community</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8fqNbMokWtevPCYS8RjwcYQzZs0yT_51itAOPt85L2SB592lYTM5kPrZygD88gi6hi5CXS4XGjNyNqOVYm9emV9qdytU1AKF9CUA9zwIknkJKqZeOS0_GD_g8aPmjXkvjdtu37Rye6g2/s1600/Online+Community+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8fqNbMokWtevPCYS8RjwcYQzZs0yT_51itAOPt85L2SB592lYTM5kPrZygD88gi6hi5CXS4XGjNyNqOVYm9emV9qdytU1AKF9CUA9zwIknkJKqZeOS0_GD_g8aPmjXkvjdtu37Rye6g2/s1600/Online+Community+(4).jpg" /></a></div>
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Agree or disagree with what I have here? Drop me a comment below.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-38607604263226163712014-04-04T17:43:00.000-07:002014-04-04T18:19:35.726-07:00Field Trips: Beginning or End of Learning<div class="tr_bq">
The other day my daughter comes home to tell me her class is going on a field trip to the Museum of Idaho next week. I thought, what an awesome opportunity to let the kids do some hands on learning and perhaps even some project-based learning. However, when I asked her why they were going to the museum, she told me it was a reward for doing good on something or another. I pressed harder to find out what the instructional purpose behind the trip was, but she is 9 and I was getting nowhere. As I read the permission slip and flyer that was sent home, I was left with more questions than answers. Here is what the flyer said:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOnyz_UFAY0/Uz9Pu7foteI/AAAAAAAASFo/FjK7jxU_Oeo/s1600/IMG_20140404_182932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOnyz_UFAY0/Uz9Pu7foteI/AAAAAAAASFo/FjK7jxU_Oeo/s1600/IMG_20140404_182932.jpg" height="156" width="640" /></a></div>
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So here are the questions I had after reading this flyer.<br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">What is the purpose of the Field Trip?</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">What will the kids be doing to prepare for the field trip? </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">What is their assigned task while they are at the exhibit? </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">What will they produce as a result of the visit?</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">How will they reflect on their visit and their new learning?</span></li>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">To be fair, my daughter's teacher is a young 3rd grade teacher and he might not understand why I wanted to know more, or perhaps even how he could make the trip better. So I wrote him the following email:</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1C8BqJKUWyI/Uz9RVrBeiNI/AAAAAAAASGA/4VLRVYR9oNM/s1600/Field_Trip____-_davashby_gmail_com_-_Gmail+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1C8BqJKUWyI/Uz9RVrBeiNI/AAAAAAAASGA/4VLRVYR9oNM/s1600/Field_Trip____-_davashby_gmail_com_-_Gmail+2.png" height="248" width="640" /></a></div>
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To which I received the following message this morning:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6t_Rpmo6pkM/Uz9QdxaUJcI/AAAAAAAASF4/0HSBNrypEJ0/s1600/Field_Trip____-_davashby_gmail_com_-_Gmail.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6t_Rpmo6pkM/Uz9QdxaUJcI/AAAAAAAASF4/0HSBNrypEJ0/s1600/Field_Trip____-_davashby_gmail_com_-_Gmail.png" height="262" width="640" /></a></div>
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So apparently in 2014, in a world of budget cuts, global economies, technological advances, and high stakes testing, a field trip is the result of learning rather than an experience and tool for more learning! What burns me up more than anything else is that this field trip could be an awesome learning opportunity where the students could go, see, touch, listen, discuss, and produce some really fantastic artifacts that demonstrate what they learn. Then that student work could be used to show real evidence of learning instead of testing data. Then, next year when the school board needs to cut spending and field trips, they could have tangible evidence of student skills and knowledge. A field trip could be AWESOME SAUCE for learning. Students have a real opportunity to get out of the classroom and experiment with their knowledge, and do some extraordinary things. But no, as teachers, we'd rather write home to the parent like they're idiots and give them reasons for going on a field trip instead of purposes. What a joke! I'm through.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-22879330264720631122014-04-04T08:52:00.001-07:002014-04-04T09:02:49.586-07:009 Reasons All K-12 Teachers Need a Web PresenceAfter speaking with my daughters teacher at parent teacher conferences and being told that I need to login to PowerSchool to see what the class is doing... And then being referred back to the gradebook portal when I complain about the lack of plans for a classroom field trip, I've decided that too many teachers rely on the gradebook portal as their preferred parental communication portal.<br />
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So here are my 9 reasons why every K-12 teacher should have a blog or website:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCJZd8r8SyuP-RYQ26VDlpRcrf9xj4lFix24UFU2eRNZBfYp_zeKg0fIoWDPXbiuE0Xn9XibBdpUwyf9eNp-J6rghoicepI6MUKmgS0s0S97vblJ8tNVndG0AttfRQa5qBZpakL_9OYFL/s1600/Blogging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCJZd8r8SyuP-RYQ26VDlpRcrf9xj4lFix24UFU2eRNZBfYp_zeKg0fIoWDPXbiuE0Xn9XibBdpUwyf9eNp-J6rghoicepI6MUKmgS0s0S97vblJ8tNVndG0AttfRQa5qBZpakL_9OYFL/s1600/Blogging.jpg" /></a></div>
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Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-82393584104239182802014-03-31T19:32:00.004-07:002014-03-31T19:32:50.531-07:00Creative Commons Poster Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few weeks ago I created and shared my first <a href="http://techtoolsforschools.blogspot.com/2014/01/creative-commons-posters-part-i.html" target="_blank">Creative Commons Poster designed to help teachers and students to understand the Creative Commons Licenses</a>. After having done a fair amount of investigating and research on copyright and Creative Commons licensed content, I felt inspired to create a second poster as a quick reference guide to assist students and teachers to find reusable content quickly. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVclAnDaqWy6L1YTnMEwUl-J48DBxu54qqRY5x186ty-qYqXX1vdXoS5vgL6eID-4_JCPWp2k1fLt15wQoDSRCIdLOtrr_NxSvIEx3JqzPoGhTurPFSK0PXHs1ATNBG7gGTFbZ6JSQjPq/s1600/Creative+Commons+Poster+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVclAnDaqWy6L1YTnMEwUl-J48DBxu54qqRY5x186ty-qYqXX1vdXoS5vgL6eID-4_JCPWp2k1fLt15wQoDSRCIdLOtrr_NxSvIEx3JqzPoGhTurPFSK0PXHs1ATNBG7gGTFbZ6JSQjPq/s1600/Creative+Commons+Poster+2.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Download your own copy to print and share here: </span></div>
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<li><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B436UbFrs6nreFpyUWMzREdIVW8/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Creative Commons Resources poster.jpg</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B436UbFrs6nrT28tWThIUkhGWHc/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Creative Commons Resources poster.pdf</span></a></li>
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<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" rel="license"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-sa/4.0/88x31.png" style="border-width: 0;" /></a><br />
<span href="http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage" property="dct:title" rel="dct:type" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/">Creative Commons Content Poster</span> by <a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.plus.google.com/+davidashby" property="cc:attributionName" rel="cc:attributionURL" xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#">David Ashby</a> is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" rel="license">Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License</a>.<br />
Based on a work at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.techtoolsforschools.blogspot.com" rel="dct:source" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/">www.techtoolsforschools.blogspot.com</a>.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-6825605153279332672014-03-21T08:28:00.000-07:002014-03-21T09:56:30.845-07:00Experimenting with Instructional Frameworks...Today I was studying and experimenting with two different educational frameworks. First was the <a href="http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/leadership/leadership001a.html" target="_blank">Instructional Core from Dr. Richard Elmore</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRN-sVSSRLyM_tFOxDsFJiu-2SA-U43ubbYcrDiwHs7EEdubKg8Lg4etKI6CU29UTE_jZsSIKjVdRAZ53r9s-nhyPBtlZnAO5YQD2Cf0m1mvVmRcRfJ_-LC69diY8HdzcukRbQUno_2uqR/s1600/2014-03-21_0919.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRN-sVSSRLyM_tFOxDsFJiu-2SA-U43ubbYcrDiwHs7EEdubKg8Lg4etKI6CU29UTE_jZsSIKjVdRAZ53r9s-nhyPBtlZnAO5YQD2Cf0m1mvVmRcRfJ_-LC69diY8HdzcukRbQUno_2uqR/s1600/2014-03-21_0919.png" height="210" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then I went on to the<a href="https://coi.athabascau.ca/" target="_blank"> Community of Inquiry Framework</a> from Vaughn & Garrison (2008):<br />
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<a href="http://www.uwb.edu/getattachment/learningtech/elearning/Hybrid-Learning/Faculty-Hybrid/hybrid-intro/coi-presentation-diagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.uwb.edu/getattachment/learningtech/elearning/Hybrid-Learning/Faculty-Hybrid/hybrid-intro/coi-presentation-diagram.jpg" height="341" width="400" /></a></div>
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As I started to dwell on these two frameworks and how they relate to face-to-face classrooms, blended classrooms, and online classrooms, I started to see a connection, (I know it's not profound, but there is a lot of truth to the connection). </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MUuWc00efTI/UyxZ95Qcy6I/AAAAAAAARx8/w7U6Iu-gapU/s1600/merger.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MUuWc00efTI/UyxZ95Qcy6I/AAAAAAAARx8/w7U6Iu-gapU/s1600/merger.gif" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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I plan to use this concept to show our online instructors how they can use various tools to strengthen the connections between their students, their content, and themselves. Using these two frameworks, instructors should find guidance in what objectives their tools accomplish in the classrooms. </div>
<br />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-63182581362744808742014-03-13T06:34:00.000-07:002014-03-28T05:07:43.772-07:00Educational Technology: Instructional Soul or IT Backbone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DOvdN1Bcizc/UyHGqpOm3NI/AAAAAAAARuo/IP_tisWY8Eg/s1600/head-70185_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DOvdN1Bcizc/UyHGqpOm3NI/AAAAAAAARuo/IP_tisWY8Eg/s1600/head-70185_1920.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
Is your technology dept. run by an IT professional or an educator?<br />
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Over the past several years I've seen K-12 school districts on both sides of this proverbial fence, and I also have acquaintances and colleagues in one roll or the other. However, I've seen very little discussion on the topic, and it's a shame. Real conversation about this position needs to happen. There are undoubtedly hundreds of Superintendents staffing this position for the wrong reasons.</div>
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The Instructional Soul of Educational Technology</h3>
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In the more traditional roles of educational leadership, like the principal or superintendent, would a school district ever dream of hiring a professional from the business world without having spent a significant period of time in the classroom as a teacher? Surely not. The fact is that educators resent leaders who haven't spent time in the trenches. School districts want leadership with a real time and experiences in schools and classrooms. They want someone who can walk the walk and talk the talk. This is evidenced by the hiring practices for most campus and district leadership in K-12 school systems across the country. With the exception, that is, of the technology department. <br />
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Some districts have found the value in staffing a strong portion of the technology staff with teachers. But this philosophy, although good, misses the mark of what a technology department could be. A technology department with an instructional soul has certain advantages over departments without. The technology department with an instructional staff becomes a service-oriented department, in the business of life-long learning and innovation. Having an instructional soul gives all technology staff a stewardship over technology skills, organizational efficiency, and the overall level of education they are able to provide for the community they serve.<br />
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I read a blog post a few months ago that surmised that teachers who teach with technology are the most likely to innovate and reform education. This statement rings true for me. I've seen it time after time. A teacher starts using technology and almost inherently becomes a leader on that campus. Eventually these people go on to become technology or curriculum coaches. Unfortunately they rarely go on to become campus or district administrators. Probably because those who use technology know how much they must work to stay on top of the latest tools and practices. Whereas principals and other district administrators must equally hard to stay on top of government regulation, local policies, school boards and more. Still, the teacher who teaches with technology can be one of the most valuable assets to a district office.<br />
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<b>The Strong Backbone of IT</b></h3>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ubSZyW3jk00/UyHGaz2N-ZI/AAAAAAAARug/UaGV1feJGFc/s1600/blue-19898_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ubSZyW3jk00/UyHGaz2N-ZI/AAAAAAAARug/UaGV1feJGFc/s1600/blue-19898_1920.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>Today's technology has brought about the need for talented IT professionals as well. Those who understand <br />
its complex nature and also posses a passion for keeping up with change. Today's schools need professionals who understand complex networks, network management, hardware, big data, student information systems, learning management systems, web management, video production, Flipped Classroom, social media, and more. Unfortunately, with the state of today's school systems and economy, many school systems are able to employ only a small handful of employees to conquer all of these tasks. <br />
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IT professionals are notorious for using their skills to make themselves more powerful and influential in the organizations they manage. In most cases this is a strength, but in education, it can be an achilles heel. In education, the IT department needs to have an enabling and coaching spirit rather than serve as the gatekeeper over all things technology. Or worse yet, are the many IT professionals who talk down to teachers because they don't understand the complex, technical aspects of the tools they are working with. Does this sound like any experiences you've had when dealing with your IT department? This kind of department perpetuates contempt, stagnation, and even loathing of technology and especially instructional technology.<br />
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Challenges Facing IT Leaders</h3>
To make the matter more difficult, today's IT director's responsibilities stretch far beyond networks, switches and servers. Today's IT director is also tasked with writing policies and procedures which are needed to protect students, teachers, employees, as well as manage the very limited resources of the district. They are asked to review software, purchase hardware for the classroom, make decisions about filtering websites, and much more. The point is this, the responsibilities placed on today's technology directors is complex, and requires a profound knowledge of teaching, the classroom, and educational institutions as a whole.<br />
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The responsibilities are so great in fact that today's Educational Technology director need be more than an IT specialist, and more than a teacher. Today's schools need 3 things:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">#1. Schools need teachers with profound leadership qualities, passion and knowledge of technology, and quality experience in the classroom.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">#2. Schools need IT professionals with profound leadership qualities, a passion for teaching & learning, and a solid knowledge of IT.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">#3. Schools need Superintendents who see the value in having instructional technology personnel in key leadership positions around the district and in schools. </span></b><br />
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Do your schools have these 3 components working or does your district continue to 'kick against the pricks' and fall behind as other schools implement Google Apps, Chromebooks, iPads, Flipped Classrooms, blended learning, and other innovative approaches to learning? I'd love to hear from you. Let us know what is happening in your district around technology leadership.</div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-54404523669779644132014-03-09T22:50:00.001-07:002014-03-09T22:50:27.097-07:00The Reader's Guide: A Framework for Deeper Reading Comprehension<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 1.2em !important; min-height: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I had a colleague share this with me a few weeks ago. It's pretty great...</div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1190/5099718716_162139de7f_o.jpg" rel="nofollow" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0399d0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><img border="3pixels" class="align-left" src="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1190/5099718716_162139de7f_o.jpg?width=300" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; float: left !important; height: auto; margin: 4px 0px; max-width: 737px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="300" /></a>The nature of online teaching and learning...actually most 21st Century Learning, is such that all involved must rely heavily on reading skills. The Reader's Guide, is a step-by-step framework for helping a reader complete a reading with a deeper knowledge and being cognitively aware of the issues and concepts being discussed. Following the Reader's Guide has the potential to empower students to elevate the quality of their discussions and participation in activities involved with reading.</span> </div>
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<span class="font-size-1" style="border: 0px; font-size: 8pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davedugdale/5099718716/" rel="nofollow" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0399d0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Dave Dugdale via flickr</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/uErcoZ1KdnJqv5KwdF1-4-ZQ91y-clhc8vXnMBvaaJhwIvVg16X7JGr1UJqblpZUvq7*SteiblZy*orOM0poNprRolNfvn0e/12279736882009934397twoton_Dividing_Line_3.svg.hi.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0399d0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://api.ning.com/files/uErcoZ1KdnJqv5KwdF1-4-ZQ91y-clhc8vXnMBvaaJhwIvVg16X7JGr1UJqblpZUvq7*SteiblZy*orOM0poNprRolNfvn0e/12279736882009934397twoton_Dividing_Line_3.svg.hi.png" style="border: 0px; clear: both !important; display: block !important; height: auto; margin: 4px 0px; max-width: 737px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;" width="600" /></a></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Reader's Guide</strong></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-4" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Planning - BEFORE YOU BEGIN READING</span></strong></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. What is the title of the chapter?</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Name three questions you would like to have answered from this chapter?</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. What are the subheadings listed in this chapter?</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. For each subheading listed in question three, write one statement describing what you think the paragraph will discuss (based on the subheading).</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5. What are the bold face words in this chapter?</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">6. Using questions 3 and 4, briefly put together an outline that effectively displays the organizational structure of this passage?</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">7. Skim each of the paragraphs, noting whether or not the paragraph will discuss what you predicted in question 4.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-4" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reading - READ THE CHAPTER</span></strong></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">8. While reading the chapter, underline any ideas you believe are important.</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">9. While reading the chapter, write the following symbols next the sentences as you feel they are necessary:</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> ? = I have a question about this A = I agree with this</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> D = I disagree with this</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> ! = Interesting or important point C = Confusing</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">10. Write down two ideas from the text that you believe your instructor may put on a test.</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">11. Using the two ideas from question 10, write down any information you knew about these items before reading the passage.</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">12. Can the information from the chapter be easily associated with the information you knew about these items prior to reading the chapter? Yes or No?</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">13. While you are reading, write down the number of times you noticed that you experienced a failure in comprehending the material? What did you do about it?</span><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />FINISH READING THE PASSAGE</span></strong></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="font-size-4" style="border: 0px; font-size: 14pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Evaluate</span></strong></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">14. Looking back to question 2, were the questions you wanted answered by the chapter answered?</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">15. Give a brief summary of the chapter you just read.</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">16. Was summarizing the chapter difficult? Yes or No? Why?</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">17. Was your summary accurate? Look back at the passage to determine your accuracy.</span></div>
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<span class="font-size-3" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt !important; line-height: 1.2 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">18. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = very inaccurate to 10 = very accurate) how would you rate your summary?</span></div>
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The Reader’s Guide was created by Tiffany F. Culver, Ph.D. assistant professor of psychology at Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College. She may be reached at <a href="mailto:tculver@sulross.edu" rel="nofollow" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0399d0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">tculver@sulross.edu</a>.</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/uErcoZ1KdnJMJQ9aIMBHGDxMX4GfiZ1HyTQDF0j5nN9bW5fUAN918IXgy8VNvgh4yZN6-QEHtIfg6ZP0pYrzd7SQa5ZWeiWt/12279736882009934397twoton_Dividing_Line_3.svg.hicopy2.png" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0399d0; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://api.ning.com/files/uErcoZ1KdnJMJQ9aIMBHGDxMX4GfiZ1HyTQDF0j5nN9bW5fUAN918IXgy8VNvgh4yZN6-QEHtIfg6ZP0pYrzd7SQa5ZWeiWt/12279736882009934397twoton_Dividing_Line_3.svg.hicopy2.png" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; clear: both !important; display: block !important; height: auto; margin: 4px 0px; max-width: 737px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;" width="600" /></a></span></div>
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Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-14010114784571288342014-02-13T23:21:00.004-08:002014-02-13T23:21:56.509-08:003 YouTube Tricks All Teachers Should Know<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">#1 - Turn Off Recommended Videos</span> </h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5_9HTlkOFtpFMokys2F-f-PLIP3pc1J3GnENcehJvejJv4_7eJ-l8WQXSXv44AxQJonp8ePK0znJmazNhPj-mFWnCf-I1EMYLWaPjbrc_KxliIrC79D9rtYwpM8FUrWu-M8hJHPx-QiV/s1600/Youtube1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5_9HTlkOFtpFMokys2F-f-PLIP3pc1J3GnENcehJvejJv4_7eJ-l8WQXSXv44AxQJonp8ePK0znJmazNhPj-mFWnCf-I1EMYLWaPjbrc_KxliIrC79D9rtYwpM8FUrWu-M8hJHPx-QiV/s1600/Youtube1.gif" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#2 - Share YouTube Videos at Specific Starting Times</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyMQkxvMMSNAurlXTz4s7YdgNQSQFfbWFs-fcnSZzkHvvkr2UOLnSdzQtQi1FkQqVIHeONsEiVAqb5jhFI50yASiXX9o14XjzF2rJ9_c2zwQr0o5LCOzqzzJIJTrgdDXDq9D8moQ16hsW/s1600/Youtube-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyMQkxvMMSNAurlXTz4s7YdgNQSQFfbWFs-fcnSZzkHvvkr2UOLnSdzQtQi1FkQqVIHeONsEiVAqb5jhFI50yASiXX9o14XjzF2rJ9_c2zwQr0o5LCOzqzzJIJTrgdDXDq9D8moQ16hsW/s1600/Youtube-2.gif" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">#3 - Chop a YouTube Video Down to a Small Clip</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMoyz5UuOuAsqsriRp8LQHXr1-Ocn7v5N8hBv3fgDK8vZF5hNksl2JuRR7Xcb-9e819MvcrWlIvdzPYZ3ElFRaXbtuEHwX2RsFywFiCAE-N3rJ9jIXeQU-AurC_8Af2_XI0aGAWg-qRE4/s1600/youtube3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMoyz5UuOuAsqsriRp8LQHXr1-Ocn7v5N8hBv3fgDK8vZF5hNksl2JuRR7Xcb-9e819MvcrWlIvdzPYZ3ElFRaXbtuEHwX2RsFywFiCAE-N3rJ9jIXeQU-AurC_8Af2_XI0aGAWg-qRE4/s1600/youtube3.gif" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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*<a href="http://www.dragontape.com/#/home" target="_blank">DragonTape</a> is another useful tool for chopping and splicing YouTube videos.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-65259704348253366712014-01-30T18:34:00.001-08:002014-01-30T18:34:04.944-08:00Disrupt Teacher of the Year Program<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2013/07/12/18/29/trophy-153395_640.png?i" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2013/07/12/18/29/trophy-153395_640.png?i" height="200" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">courtesy <a href="http://pixabay.com/en/users/OpenClips/" target="_blank">OpenClip</a>s via <a href="http://pixabay.com/">Pixabay.com</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">If you're a geek like me, you know that the goal of the tech industry is to disrupt markets, industries and other things that are due for a change. As a technology director and facilitator, it's my goal to carry on this disruption in education.</span><br />
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The "Teacher of the Year" program is frankly a political joke that lacks any substantial merit. I want to create an awards system to recognize an array of accomplishments, lessons, and innovations of teachers. Teaching is a creative and dynamic art. We need awards based on the very traits we want our teachers to exemplify.<br />
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I'm thinking we should create awards like:</div>
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<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Most Innovative Lesson of the Year</b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Most Relevant Lesson of the Year </b>(lesson has real application to our students and their surroundings)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Best Technology Integrated Lesson of the Year</b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Most Collaborative Lesson of the Year</b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Best Skype (video chat) Activity of the Year</b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Best Use of an Interactive Whiteboard</b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Best Internet scavenger hunt/webquest of the year</b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Most influential teacher of the year.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Highest Klout score in the district (then again maybe not)</b></span></li>
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This could be an awesome incentive to inspire teachers to innovate, connect, and contribute.<br />
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What about you? Do you think it would be fun? Would it work? What awards would you add?</div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-64419188516373774762014-01-29T18:39:00.000-08:002014-04-01T16:02:50.173-07:00Creative Commons Posters (Part I)I've been doing a lot of work on Copyright, Fair Use, and Creative Commons this week. And you all know that this subject is about as fun as a kick in the head. In fact, a kick in the head is probably what it takes to understand licensing and attribution. <br />
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The more I thought about this subject, the more I thought classrooms and libraries could use some reference posters to help students and teachers understand the rights granted under the Creative Commons. The information on this poster was taken directly from the Creative Commons website with minor editing.<br />
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I have licensed the poster under Creative Commons, so feel free to download, print, and share.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY8yHvmoptO481vQ-wgObG6ho-bGybvMPCEfM75kG10AZ71Scq9GSbeSK6SCR4hQTkQpzg16KHaa2xawd8hShQ3nu4MrxSVQydJRqqWf8fcTFec1JpdpwBT4VnEKi4zcJ_rncft7hCrnk/s1600/Creative+Commons+poster1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY8yHvmoptO481vQ-wgObG6ho-bGybvMPCEfM75kG10AZ71Scq9GSbeSK6SCR4hQTkQpzg16KHaa2xawd8hShQ3nu4MrxSVQydJRqqWf8fcTFec1JpdpwBT4VnEKi4zcJ_rncft7hCrnk/s1600/Creative+Commons+poster1.png" height="640" width="412" /></a></div>
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You can download the poster <a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B436UbFrs6nrYnpDOVFzaTlqb00&usp=sharing" target="_blank">here in .png format and pdf format.</a> It is meant to be printed as 11X17. </div>
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This is the first in series of posters on the Creative Commons, Public Domain, and proper attribution. Check out<a href="http://techtoolsforschools.blogspot.com/2014/03/creative-commons-poster-part-ii.html" target="_blank"> poster #2, a quick reference guide for students and teachers</a> to find CC and other reusable content.</div>
<span id="goog_939188457"></span><span id="goog_939188458"></span><br />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-55009645751987015182014-01-22T08:53:00.001-08:002014-01-22T08:53:05.925-08:00Kollaborate.ioHave you tried <a href="http://kollaborate.io/">Kollaborate.io</a>? Kollaborate.io is a fun little collaboration tool. Think of it as cross between <a href="http://hangouts.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Hangouts</a> (multi-way video chat) with canvas-like collaboration (like <a href="http://www.prezi.com/" target="_blank">Prezi</a>).<div>
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The center of the interface is a scalable canvas, much like Prezi. On top of the canvas users can import documents, videos, and images. A really unique feature to this tool is the ability to hold text-based conversations around each item placed on the canvas. To add some frosting to the cake, they have also added the ability to draw on the canvas, and display webcam video from all participants (like Google Hangouts).<div>
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Videos can be added directly from YouTube with a search widget built into the page. Likewise, Google Images and Flickr images can also be added easily. Files are uploaded from your computer in various images files and .doc, .ppt, and .pdf formats.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTCl6upVxQ6HUoBAE8SHBWWSJTQy0OCGZikuZz8i2b_PFvW57lNfDh2slMRw-FgXy09tFN2_A-Rsg4abKED0ErNV0FKBsUkxQBZHzCi_GHfvMXXIl0J4Rvtn1YPbZntDI114s-v8df7qi/s1600/Kollaborate.io.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTCl6upVxQ6HUoBAE8SHBWWSJTQy0OCGZikuZz8i2b_PFvW57lNfDh2slMRw-FgXy09tFN2_A-Rsg4abKED0ErNV0FKBsUkxQBZHzCi_GHfvMXXIl0J4Rvtn1YPbZntDI114s-v8df7qi/s1600/Kollaborate.io.gif" height="338" width="640" /></a></div>
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If I could improve this tool, I would add the ability to edit documents in real-time with my teammates. It would also be nice to watch the YouTube videos together. As is, each user plays the video on their own and watches it by themselves. There are definite advantages to both.</div>
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If you or your students are looking for a fun tool that will give you a unique collaboration experience this one is definitely worth a try. </div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-33593246018761811232014-01-16T14:53:00.000-08:002014-01-16T14:56:03.021-08:00Filter Google Images by PermissionsThis last week Google added the ability to filter Google Image search results by licensing and permissions. With filtering tools this easy, every teacher should be showing students how to use images appropriately.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC03IUNLRYLwMBp22Bok5N0c6JztX4eEuTajnv3IDSkbi3vClig5CvHS4p8q0SnVG4dGLLyZ1VFgPaPkSOrsDIuudT8XSwQOFpX7s8QuP_hIxK4UgJk68egu4PCuG5bdjf5YvN1ryQKWq/s1600/Google-images-filter.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC03IUNLRYLwMBp22Bok5N0c6JztX4eEuTajnv3IDSkbi3vClig5CvHS4p8q0SnVG4dGLLyZ1VFgPaPkSOrsDIuudT8XSwQOFpX7s8QuP_hIxK4UgJk68egu4PCuG5bdjf5YvN1ryQKWq/s1600/Google-images-filter.gif" /></a></div>
<br />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-63804944446404415862013-12-11T07:47:00.002-08:002013-12-11T07:47:44.781-08:00High School Spanish App Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="http://appsforgrownups.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/HS-Spanish-icon-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://appsforgrownups.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/HS-Spanish-icon-150x150.jpg" /></a>This week I was able to go back to my own content area and review an iOS app for High School Spanish. The app is called "<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/high-school-spanish-5-essential/id587817418?mt=8" target="_blank">High School Spanish - 5 Essential Tools to Study Spanish & Learn Vocabulary!</a>" By Common Ground International. </div>
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<b>Overview</b>: This app is very good at what it does. For $4.99 I would recommend it to my students as a companion app to my classroom. Teachers and students should not expect it to be a stand alone app or a magic bullet. But when used with a strong curriculum, talented instructor, and ambitious student, this app is one of the best apps I've seen for Spanish students enrolled in Spanish levels 1 through 5. </div>
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Upon first launch, the app brought me to the screen below. It seemed to be downloading the dictionary onto my iPhone. While connected to wifi this download/sync screen lasted for about 5-10 minutes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM5n7aguElRE5oTcExdHcnmqcQqER2evFRgWf0lvUL-x9BdU6OnwnJ4xuNWclQPE5AAHbRdBj-MwMW5xrG9vhhmczG3kEcW-NpwrGE6kOr1PUflpTIgIa1jJ_wRAZ2LygMrafR83Uhq_J/s1600/IMG_1393.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM5n7aguElRE5oTcExdHcnmqcQqER2evFRgWf0lvUL-x9BdU6OnwnJ4xuNWclQPE5AAHbRdBj-MwMW5xrG9vhhmczG3kEcW-NpwrGE6kOr1PUflpTIgIa1jJ_wRAZ2LygMrafR83Uhq_J/s320/IMG_1393.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The app has 5 main sections or tools. They are all represented in the 5 icons at the bottom of the screen. The dictionary is pretty cool it has a very comprehensive library of vocabulary words. The user can click the speaker icon on any word to hear proper pronunciation. It seems that this feature requires an internet connection to stream the pronunciation. Clicking the checkmark icon enables the user to copy that word into a user-made folder of vocabulary words.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI_OHpnfNvQTLv5XEKEmPCQhyzxbutW7kNKqFtb9rLuGcawPrTiELj8_UNLw6I7awbJ4vJcj7C6ydngmvYo6ewAZdWSEBq6aGMdn6KhM8zC433niRBZrIBK3mfkopcpQYwg8hpgtYJKyk/s1600/IMG_1394.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI_OHpnfNvQTLv5XEKEmPCQhyzxbutW7kNKqFtb9rLuGcawPrTiELj8_UNLw6I7awbJ4vJcj7C6ydngmvYo6ewAZdWSEBq6aGMdn6KhM8zC433niRBZrIBK3mfkopcpQYwg8hpgtYJKyk/s320/IMG_1394.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The Writing Tips tool contains tips and instructions to help students with writing in specific circumstances. I think this would be a nice reference guide for students taking AP classes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrRN2SXbZ47T-sotVlMUexdHNV5J1hA7TViVTbx7Wam4qdk3bxX1cskQMImGzSO3rJUz6UgGYHBoD6RB0CV0P64ckCroiSLn4UP03rkrQ4xSSXRKheJ4K0CYo8BZ4u7FJQfQL9yaYv0Qx/s1600/IMG_1395.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrRN2SXbZ47T-sotVlMUexdHNV5J1hA7TViVTbx7Wam4qdk3bxX1cskQMImGzSO3rJUz6UgGYHBoD6RB0CV0P64ckCroiSLn4UP03rkrQ4xSSXRKheJ4K0CYo8BZ4u7FJQfQL9yaYv0Qx/s320/IMG_1395.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The grammar tool is a collection of explanations and text-based tutorials on the grammar elements seen below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jvm7anLuI7qNZU6fpy9LPo_iJHdq4fK_gxUmjdWyI1Vv3ryomsrHJ-bBDk94HWq0AIPPoMwhStfTdI1LBzlk8hyphenhyphen3mbodqZgtwXPs_fG0yPHxwwP5I0TOok5hwLmGpnIxV1_K93Kb-Bgz/s1600/IMG_1396.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jvm7anLuI7qNZU6fpy9LPo_iJHdq4fK_gxUmjdWyI1Vv3ryomsrHJ-bBDk94HWq0AIPPoMwhStfTdI1LBzlk8hyphenhyphen3mbodqZgtwXPs_fG0yPHxwwP5I0TOok5hwLmGpnIxV1_K93Kb-Bgz/s320/IMG_1396.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The conjugations section of the app not only includes explanations of the tenses, but also includes T-charts to assist students in memorizing the verb conjugations</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukcd-ua5FqweBf2yiXkGL4QOo7eHcydZQsZ3ZghKH47ar4SDPkbpcSRFR1UiHcTESVHVPxqJ-6aewcYBIwXNJU-7gY7eHunLZE-EhTLD205UZ13Qc0zXLRkA5ZgfIhQbzT-lv16MXGca0/s1600/IMG_1407.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukcd-ua5FqweBf2yiXkGL4QOo7eHcydZQsZ3ZghKH47ar4SDPkbpcSRFR1UiHcTESVHVPxqJ-6aewcYBIwXNJU-7gY7eHunLZE-EhTLD205UZ13Qc0zXLRkA5ZgfIhQbzT-lv16MXGca0/s320/IMG_1407.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The flashcard app is one of the most customizable features in this app. There are lots of categories and folders of vocabulary words. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n4oHwyt5UU6dmEzaZ15wfwev9cuBTdQSvHXt5CvGKrI5kWMUlPk0zFkuU6kTAxdLt2yWuVxjGuPd9wq8K9XRpGzc9PGEi3C54NZJ9bcQidkcMWMrhseqO_H8aKnEZuPpkK3ck3msCbTS/s1600/IMG_1408.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n4oHwyt5UU6dmEzaZ15wfwev9cuBTdQSvHXt5CvGKrI5kWMUlPk0zFkuU6kTAxdLt2yWuVxjGuPd9wq8K9XRpGzc9PGEi3C54NZJ9bcQidkcMWMrhseqO_H8aKnEZuPpkK3ck3msCbTS/s320/IMG_1408.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Once a vocabulary folder has been selected, the user can swipe through the words in either Spanish or English. Double-tapping on any card will flip the card to reveal its equivalent in the other language. When a word has been learned, the student can click the checkmark icon to mark this word as "learned." This removes the word from list.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVtFy70QPlt5FrddP4Alcta7oG00ztjU6pirncJjSub7XyyL2nD03z7spmP8SI0uPMR-Xc-F_uz9X0VmHwR2pEjMsDMXJ5olE225QpIfIqnlflGOazPMMuU3FIGlGtBb2lq6980qDwS9U/s1600/IMG_1409.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVtFy70QPlt5FrddP4Alcta7oG00ztjU6pirncJjSub7XyyL2nD03z7spmP8SI0uPMR-Xc-F_uz9X0VmHwR2pEjMsDMXJ5olE225QpIfIqnlflGOazPMMuU3FIGlGtBb2lq6980qDwS9U/s200/IMG_1409.PNG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIqMiw9cOeKX6bfFrROMVSZkQVwBwbG9zXb6uHvY4sryRK2YYozcgVPvz0aLbT_k-CCifcCwCuDa33GZRSf3rcaU2EwKiGYTaAktDy8803TAHycf79Jpt6gZ38qROTg39ihXYSkUt5vAT/s1600/IMG_1410.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIqMiw9cOeKX6bfFrROMVSZkQVwBwbG9zXb6uHvY4sryRK2YYozcgVPvz0aLbT_k-CCifcCwCuDa33GZRSf3rcaU2EwKiGYTaAktDy8803TAHycf79Jpt6gZ38qROTg39ihXYSkUt5vAT/s200/IMG_1410.PNG" width="200" /></a></div>
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The user can also add their own vocabulary words and organize existing words into personalized vocabulary lists. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G9QVlhXENhvAuUwd4HvWzc2JJ0lAfJ0GHYNEYdxhd08iW6lo5plunrAWkox6kGKS5es_kyyqfiZJ-bcSJR83I8dIw4kempCJtBWmYGJlvDhwF44u6UsOZZbfEUs-d_0uffqnrHVhAYTt/s1600/IMG_1404.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G9QVlhXENhvAuUwd4HvWzc2JJ0lAfJ0GHYNEYdxhd08iW6lo5plunrAWkox6kGKS5es_kyyqfiZJ-bcSJR83I8dIw4kempCJtBWmYGJlvDhwF44u6UsOZZbfEUs-d_0uffqnrHVhAYTt/s320/IMG_1404.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The final tool is the comprehension tool. The comprehension tool is full of tests and quizzes that students can use to quiz themselves and test their abilities. The quizzes include listening comprehension complete with audio prompts and questions. The reading quizzes are aligned to Spanish levels 1-5. The listening quizzes are aligned to Spanish levels 3, 4, or 5.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU97dU1oDqPFZfyDLPpSILzIdmM-SgEu6zrtM-g4R_xEUFMRhbl2BmjhM02z_X-rnP3HEb306o5Mw3YpXZJBy2SpyTSsVc-o00U9suAtG8RET6m4ZUvvKH93Q-d9nxWZJbebRgJ9FLNa9/s1600/IMG_1400.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU97dU1oDqPFZfyDLPpSILzIdmM-SgEu6zrtM-g4R_xEUFMRhbl2BmjhM02z_X-rnP3HEb306o5Mw3YpXZJBy2SpyTSsVc-o00U9suAtG8RET6m4ZUvvKH93Q-d9nxWZJbebRgJ9FLNa9/s320/IMG_1400.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
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The quizzes also provide the student with very useful feedback that can be used for self-correction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiA16DmQhlet1-ixkGEsRBq8Zi4roYUA0Mn2j9TyQN7ipreKdzJbpzWMDISDLwISuJNO-L4aSLHp5NE79yfjzSnvBOgCoJLBUVhWRcEf-gys4YonW6fCfz5WScJmu64bWvAT3Kvl7Nd89/s1600/IMG_1401.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiA16DmQhlet1-ixkGEsRBq8Zi4roYUA0Mn2j9TyQN7ipreKdzJbpzWMDISDLwISuJNO-L4aSLHp5NE79yfjzSnvBOgCoJLBUVhWRcEf-gys4YonW6fCfz5WScJmu64bWvAT3Kvl7Nd89/s320/IMG_1401.PNG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTZ4ufMGGBCkU0lxoGWGaX-v9rW9iXYJYiPjy6_7FTDmoGXAKXv8QPIWo-gKI92hnY_AWmVo8ygZKZGb3xGBDufLJJSl63-Ljeq7hEVVImFTXdoXqjOImRd0IbhUBFdIq9Ai57Hr6xKsI/s1600/IMG_1402.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTZ4ufMGGBCkU0lxoGWGaX-v9rW9iXYJYiPjy6_7FTDmoGXAKXv8QPIWo-gKI92hnY_AWmVo8ygZKZGb3xGBDufLJJSl63-Ljeq7hEVVImFTXdoXqjOImRd0IbhUBFdIq9Ai57Hr6xKsI/s320/IMG_1402.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
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For those teachers and students that are fans of Quizlet, there is an available in-app-purchase to add Quizlet into the app.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Pros: </span></b></div>
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<li>Good quick reference resources</li>
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<li>Writing Tips</li>
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<li>Targeted to students in AP Spanish classes</li>
</ul>
<li>Grammar Helps</li>
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<li>Verb tenses and conjugations</li>
<li>Parts of speech</li>
</ul>
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<li>Excellent collection of vocabulary</li>
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<li>Customizable lists for flashcards</li>
<li>Audible pronunciation guides</li>
</ul>
<li>Flashcards</li>
<ul>
<li>Customizable lists</li>
<li>English to Spanish / Spanish to English</li>
<li>Definitions</li>
</ul>
<li>Grammar</li>
<ul>
<li>Quick reminders/tutorials for grammar</li>
<li>Conjugation reference</li>
<li>Tense Explanations</li>
</ul>
<li>Comprehension checking</li>
<ul>
<li>Reading quizzes and practice questions levels 1-5</li>
<li>Listening quizzes and practice levels 3-5</li>
<li>Hints and self correction features provide students with instant feedback.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cons:</span></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>App cannot be purchased and used on the spot. Takes 5-10 minutes to download and sync dictionary terms.</li>
<li>Pronunciation feature in dictionary requires an internet connection (understandable when you take into account the amount of data this app already has.</li>
<li>Not connectable to class or teacher. I'd like to see this app have a classroom feature where the teacher can push vocabulary lists to the students in his/her class. </li>
<li>$4.99 is a bit steep for many students/schools.</li>
<li>Not Android compatible</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<br />
All in all, I am impressed with this app. I would recommend it to any student enrolled in high school Spanish. I'd like to see an Android version, cheaper price tag, and some type of connectivity to the classroom teacher. However, the current features of this app make it a very good choice for students and parents to supplement the classroom curriculum. <br />
<br />
If you or your students have used this app I'd love to hear what you think.<br />
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<br />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-1453179393387052562013-11-30T06:10:00.000-08:002013-11-30T06:10:01.746-08:00Google+ Communities Enriching PLC's...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm1.staticflickr.com/23/40727794_d95dc73ecb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://farm1.staticflickr.com/23/40727794_d95dc73ecb.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/niallkennedy/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">credit: Flickr @niellkennedy</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our district uses the term "PLC" for common planning times that have official tasks and trainings. It's great that schools have realized the importance of teachers organizing and collaborating their plans together, but dedicating just 1-2 hours of time each week in physical space and time is far from a PLC or a PLN. A 21st Century teacher should be a CONNECTED teacher. Connected with a global community with access to pedagogy, content knowledge, tools, and more.<br />
<br />
I've set a goal this year to connect our teachers in their "PLCs" with real 21st Century PLNs using Google+ Communities. Here is the plan...<br />
<ol>
<li>Sell the curriculum team on the importance of online communities. Online communities provide teams with a unique medium for sharing resources and ideas. Online communities will allow teachers to ask questions with a wider audience and higher quality answers. The communities we will start with are:</li>
<ol>
<li>New hire teachers in the New Teacher Mentor Program</li>
<li>Teachers in 1:1 classroom environments.</li>
<li>AP Teachers (This is our first year offering AP courses).</li>
</ol>
<li>Train the leadership teams in each program how to use Google+ communities.</li>
<li>Discuss and practice facilitating engaging online discussions and activities</li>
</ol>
<br />
The thought is that with an online community, teachers will form deeper bonds with their team and hold meaningful conversation that will extend the physical limitations of the current PLC format. Additionally, campus administrators can observe and join in the conversations more easily. They can keep their finger on the pulse of their instructional teams without monopolizing all of the PLC meeting time.<br />
<br />
For a district like ours, an online community also gives our teachers and administrators the opportunity to further develop and change the struggling culture of our district. Online communities, can lift the level of professionalism because the community is online and facilitates a more transparent environment.<br />
<br />
<br />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-8095339912633459982013-11-27T14:43:00.003-08:002013-11-27T14:50:49.148-08:00Enhancing the Flipped ClassroomLove it or dismiss it, the <a href="http://www.knewton.com/flipped-classroom/" target="_blank">Flipped classroom</a> is a viable and relevant (or perhaps revelant for all those flipped classroom fan-boys and girls) teaching style for the 21st Century Classroom. But I would argue that as we evolve in our understanding of teaching and learning styles we recognize that what is known as the Flipped Classroom is merely one piece of a larger instructional strategy.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Traditional Flipped Model</b></span><br />
The traditional Flipped classroom model looks something like this. Students watch lecture videos at home and return to the classroom prepared for participating in activities, projects, and guided practice. At this point the student's learning is assessed and we repeat the cycle. The Flipped model, as it has been discussed over the past several years, talks a great deal about the video portion of this model. Many teachers get hung up on the technology, the videos, or even the internet connectivity to make this all work.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Revised Flipped Model</b></span><br />
The revised model follows many of the same underlying strategies in the Flipped model, but focuses less on the video or the technology and more on the principles behind each stage of the learning/teaching process. Additionally, this model follows the <a href="http://www.tpack.org/" target="_blank">TPACK model</a> (Technology, Pedagogy, and Content) more closely than the traditional Flipped model.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxGjgdbdwnYvpfIpafBZD1Ziv7CMS8b9_8fPaXP_RbBj6EOBrg-UGZWVLgYf5AMv0Dcw7Pua8evhqrEaznUKPpz-5U7FClKGeM8Kk4qDKMrrakdYU6oCSWtUc4Gdb-mQw8K6ac6RDZj0B/s1600/The+flipped+model+revised+-+New+Page+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxGjgdbdwnYvpfIpafBZD1Ziv7CMS8b9_8fPaXP_RbBj6EOBrg-UGZWVLgYf5AMv0Dcw7Pua8evhqrEaznUKPpz-5U7FClKGeM8Kk4qDKMrrakdYU6oCSWtUc4Gdb-mQw8K6ac6RDZj0B/s400/The+flipped+model+revised+-+New+Page+(1).png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While I'm still wrapping my own head around what good, 21st Century teaching looks like, I think a shift in the dialogue around the flipped classroom with instructional strategies as the focus is a healthy evolution of instructional technology and the Flipped Classroom specifically.<br />
<br />
What about you? Do you agree with this revised model? How would you change or revise the Flipped classroom model?</div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-10643979024944040742013-10-07T02:31:00.003-07:002013-10-07T02:31:54.974-07:00My Chrome ThemeThis year we rolled out Chromebooks to all of our students grades 2-8. It's been a lot of work, but so <br />
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<a href="http://i.i.cbsi.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/03/16/Chrome-logo-2011-03-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://i.i.cbsi.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/03/16/Chrome-logo-2011-03-16.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
much fun. This week we learned the value in the Chromebook and harnessing the power and creativity of our students.<br />
<br />
With our Google Apps control panel we have tried to keep the Chrome Web Store under control. We didn't want students installing inappropriate themes and playing games on the laptop. Over the last week students began emailing me to request access to apps, extensions, and themes. They figured out the web store pretty quick. After all they have only had the Chromebooks for about 2 weeks! Google does a nice job gathering all apps and extensions for education, so it was simple to make 50 or more apps available to our students.<br />
<br />
Themes are a different animal. I really didn't want to go into class and find garbage all over each student's Chrome theme. Nonetheless, students kept asking for themes. I had received a warning about one of these students from his principal. I was warned that this student was cunning and crafty with a computer. We figured we could use this to our advantage. So we challenged him to create themes for his school or anything else school related. He asked me to open up the <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/my-chrome-theme/oehpjpccmlcalbenfhnacjeocbjdonic?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon" target="_blank">My Chrome Theme app</a> in the web store, and I did right away. <span style="font-size: large;">He emailed me 3 zip files less than 24 hours later! </span>So we uploaded his themes to the webstore and made them available in the GAFE Domain folder of the Chrome Web Store. Check out how we did it below:<br />
<br />
1. Enable the <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/my-chrome-theme/oehpjpccmlcalbenfhnacjeocbjdonic?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon" target="_blank">My Chrome Theme app</a> in the web store for GAFE domain users.<br />
2. Install the <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/my-chrome-theme/oehpjpccmlcalbenfhnacjeocbjdonic?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon" target="_blank">My Chrome Theme app</a><br />
3. Follow the steps in the app for creating your own theme. (For a really nice theme you will need access to some type of photo editing application.)<br />
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4. Install the theme into your Chrome browser. (You will need to take screenshots in order to post the theme to the web store.)<br />
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5. Download the .zip file</div>
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6. Navigate to the <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/apps?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon" target="_blank">Chrome Web Store</a>.</div>
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7. In the upper right-hand corner click on the gear and then "Developer Dashboard"</div>
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8. Add a new item.<br />
9. Upload your file, and fill out the form on the following page. * You will need logos and screenshots for your theme.<br />
10. Publish your app to the Chrome Web Store. * A one-time $5 developer fee is required.<br />
11. Finally, in the GAFE control panel, navigate to Chrome management and enable the themes you uploaded so that students can install them on their Chromebooks<br />
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<br />
This process has been so slick, that I'm planning on creating a contest for students to create the best Chrome themes for our school district. <br />
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<br />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-23137120643229882602013-08-17T03:44:00.002-07:002013-08-17T09:01:02.772-07:00Chromecast Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I ordered my Chromecast from the Google Play store the morning after it was announced. It was immediately backordered and took about 3 weeks to arrive. But it's hear and I love it.</div>
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This is a fairly small device and hides very easily behind the TV.<br />
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The HDMI port on my TV cannot power the Chromecast on it's own. For others with this problem the Chromecast comes with a 5ft. USB cord and an AC adapter. This TV has a USB port close to the HDMI ports, so I didn't have a need for the AC adapter.<br />
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It took me 30 seconds to plugin the HDMI dongle and USB cord. It then took about 3 minutes to follow the directions in step 3 below. This step had me download a program to my Mac. Once the program opened, it found the Chromecast, asked me to input the wifi network passkey, and completed the setup. (It was seriously too easy.)<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What it can do...</span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mirror any Chrome tab on a Mac onto the TV.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instantly stream YouTube or Netflix in HD from: iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allow mobile devices to multi-task while streaming. I was able to check email, surf the web, and use other apps while streaming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Automatically switch the TV input to Chromecast when I begin casting. In other words if the TV was on Cable, Dish, or BluRay, and I decide to cast a video from Netflix, the TV will automatically switch the input and save me the hassle of finding the remote to switch the input manually. (This feature is only supported if your TV’s HDMI ports support auto switching.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Play audio and video files inside a Chrome tab on a Mac or PC. I was able to drag music file and a video file into Chrome from my local hard drive and play them on the TV.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stream Google Play Music. However, only music from the cloud.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Control volume while listening to music (although somewhat limited). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Control the Chromecast with multiple devices at once. My wife and I sat down for nearly 2 hours playing our favorite YouTube videos. She had an iPhone and I used a Nexus 7. When she had selected a video to cast, the YouTube app on my Nexus showed the video that was currently casting. I was able to search for another video and either play that video instantly or add it to the queue. It was simple to understand and use.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Chromecast allows the user(s) in the room to create a play queue with the YouTube app. Videos then continue to play from one video to the next until the app runs out of videos in the queue.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What it can’t do...</span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mirror a Chrome tab on iPad, iPhone, or Android. I assume that this is due primarily to the fact that Chrome on mobile devices doesn’t allow extensions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stream Pandora from a mobile device. Google and Pandora have announced that this is a feature they are currently working on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Play Music from local memory. My Android phone has music in the cloud and on the SD card. While using the Google Music app I was able to play music from the cloud but not from the SD card. Since Google Music puts all the songs together regardless of their location, this was a terrible experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strike>It cannot cast anything from a Chromebook. I was using a Samsung series 550 Chromebook. The extension in the WebStore was blocked for the Chromebook I was using. This seems to be a feature that is turned off for now but may be possible with future software updates. However, this fact renders Chromecast useless for classrooms running Chromebooks. (But the potential is definitely there.)</strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">* Update - I ran 3 updates on this Chromebook and Chromecast works beautifully!</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-029c26bb-8bce-77ec-e107-961e7298e32d">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Note - I did not have a PC to test most of these features with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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So is the Chromecast worth the $39 price tag? <span style="font-size: large;">Absolutely! </span>With the TV I'm using, I had been streaming Netflix on the Wii and couldn't stand the awful resolution. With the Chromecast, everything was in HD and it looked great! I don't think I have watched as much YouTube in one day as I have with Chromecast. I love being able to browse Netflix on my tablet instead of the Wii. I already have my iPad, phone or laptop next to my while I'm watching TV anyway. Now those devices are more useful while watching TV.</div>
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<div dir="ltr">
Is this a good device for the classroom? It depends on what you want to do and who you want to do it. If you want your students to have the ability to share their screen with the class on the projector, then yes. This is very inexpensive device and has lots of power to engage students.</div>
</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-21483831587999030222013-02-26T18:45:00.002-08:002013-02-26T19:04:33.704-08:00Google Apps Promo PostersGoogle Apps are extremely effective tools for teaching and learning. They can advance nearly every instructional area, especially those revolving around literacy.<br />
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I've been working on getting our district prepared for a full Google Apps rollout...teachers, administrators, & students. I'll be blogging the full plan of my roll out in the future. For tonight, however, I'd like to share a poster I've built for creating positive publicity around Google Apps and what we, as a district, expect students and teachers to do with these tools.<br />
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Here are the posters. Jump to the links at the bottom of post to download the .pages or pdf versions of the posters. I've created one for Elementary (without Gmail) and one for Secondary schools (with Gmail).<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Elementary version</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B436UbFrs6nrU016X0tfMzBpcU0/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibj7PIoy3npShs1m3p2Ys4g-keQCwJH6q5LWMnJVC7RdIMpREJDff3ghrn3hxIzhC9Ne_TKinUG3KBvaT8W6E_8r_JPb4VTO7iyOXuhCWmXKOIm5jVD74KuK8wvfwxiQyXc7CtpF06Pqem/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-02-26+at+9.56.54+PM.png" width="488" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Secondary Version</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B436UbFrs6nrU016X0tfMzBpcU0/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBUpLbVfb98mrTQOTL0hds_ZO9Y94j6c1T6zuX9G9i-_kZFnKCG36D5qMNm146FA_BBqUmPPu5Wa7Mq0Qc21hMCLCkHadKMReP2mPd9tGoRyrqrD737BPANGcLbJO03Amfs09PLI6q715/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-02-26+at+9.56.12+PM.png" width="484" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B436UbFrs6nrU016X0tfMzBpcU0/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">You can download the PDF Versions as well as the original pages version here.</a><br />
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If you like these posters or have any other suggestions, please leave a comment.<br />
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<br />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-2959515084502743252013-01-13T18:52:00.000-08:002013-01-14T19:53:04.274-08:00Setting up Nexus 7 for Classroom UseI'm working with a teacher who got a Donor's Choose grant for 4 Nexus 7 tablets to use in his classroom. Before we went in on this little experiment, I made sure he knew that this was going to be an experiment and we were sure to stumble along the way. <br />
<br />
Here are the steps I've taken to setup the tablets this far. Remember, this is NOT a 1:1 device. These 4 Nexus tablets will be float around the classroom in 3 class periods with about 25-30 students each.<br />
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Class setup:</span></b><br />
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a classroom Google apps account with secure password</span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Login to the device with Admin/teacher Google account first.</span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make the admin account the device admin</span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Create a passcode for opening this account </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(something other than the default swipe lock)</i></span></span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Add generic class account to device</span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Login and setup device with generic account</span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Launch Play store app</span></b></li>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Play store settings</span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create a pin to control and lock settings </span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Use a pin to install apps. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Found out this only applies to apps requiring a fee.)</i></span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Turn off the syncing of Gmail, calendar, and contacts. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Since this is a generic account we don't want students using the Gmail account anonymously.)</i></span></span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Launch Play store web</span></b></li>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Settings</span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Settings tab</span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Give a device nickname</span></b></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Write the nickname on the physical device. </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(This allows the teacher to install apps remotely from the web, rather than touching each device.)</span></i></span></b></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Install the Google Drive App on each device. (Could also use Dropbox. We may use both, for getting content to/from each device.)</span></span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6631487.539;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802464048;pid=23749142;usg=AFHzDLvGmESYr8gW8UBXNlfYN6pbJYJ9Hw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.officemax.com%252Ftechnology%252Fcomputers%252Ftablets%252Fproduct-prod4280017%253Fcm_mmc%253DPerformics-_-Technology-_-Computers-_-Tablets%2526ci_src%253D14110944%2526ci_sku%253D23749142;pubid=613683;price=%24249.99;title=Google+Nexus+7+32GB+Ta...;merc=OfficeMax;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.officemax.com%2Fcatalog%2Fimages%2F397x353%2F23749142i_01.jpg;width=95;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></div>
<div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2887524263933301" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Problems:</span></span></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Other than setting maturity restrictions on apps, we cannot prevent students from installing free apps.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cannot remotely organize/setup look and feel of the device</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I investigated the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.enterprise.dmagent&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5nb29nbGUuYW5kcm9pZC5hcHBzLmVudGVycHJpc2UuZG1hZ2VudCJd" target="_blank">Google Apps Device Policy app</a> from Google. However, the app allowed the user to uninstall it. I also didn't have much luck with figuring out how to make the device ring loud <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(According to the info on the app, the GAFE admin can make the make the device ring loud in an effort to recover a lost/stolen device.)</span></i> The only real tool I found was to wipe the device remotely.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have similar problems, solutions, etc? Please leave a comment or <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/116053712843764402326/posts" target="_blank">contact me via G+.</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6631487.541;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802464048;pid=23653039;usg=AFHzDLtHzZXScxzRS8LCyOnlE82wJxCxfA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.officemax.com%252Ftechnology%252Fcomputer-accessories%252Ftablet-accessories%252Ftablet-cases%252Fproduct-prod4270480%253Fcm_mmc%253DPerformics-_-Technology-_-Computer%252520Accessories-_-Tablet%252520Accessories%2526ci_src%253D14110944%2526ci_sku%253D23653039;pubid=613683;price=%2434.99;title=Google+Nexus+7+FitFoli...;merc=OfficeMax;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.officemax.com%2Fcatalog%2Fimages%2F397x353%2F23653039i_01.jpg;width=95;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br /></span></div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-69757720009094097242013-01-11T21:24:00.001-08:002013-01-12T03:26:27.087-08:00It's Time We Innovate Educational Data<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.inkhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/data-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://www.inkhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/data-pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Data...Educational leaders love it. Many go to great lengths to find it. Some even do it just to have others call them by another title. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(That's a joke Dr. Larson.)</i></span><br />
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All joking aside, today's schools are ripe for disruptive change in the realm of instructional data. Education has an enormous problem with data that will require world changing solutions. <br />
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Schools are starving for data. There are lots of companies offering programs that provide data to schools and teachers. Some even do a decent job providing data that is easy to consume and interpret. <span style="font-size: large;">BUT</span>, they all miss the mark. Let me paint a clearer picture. States require standardized testing at various levels and subjects. They return data by which districts, schools, and teachers are measured. The data includes course objectives, standards, student demographics, etc. Districts and schools then purchase specialized programs for student remediation, tutoring, and progress monitoring. Any given school might have 3-10 specialized programs that also house more data revealing bits and pieces of valuable information. I call it valuable, because I think that data, if used properly, could reveal the keys to learning. How likely is a teacher to be able to use this data effectively when it is broken into so many fragments? They don't have time or expertise to be able to use the data when it is provided to them in such an unorganized mess.<br />
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I question current educational methods for providing feedback on student performance and skill mastery to key stakeholders in a child's education. What is the standard method for providing feedback on student performance? It's primarily letter grades. Yes, we also give standardized testing scores and other sundry pieces of data that may or may not reveal student progress. But in today's educational culture of NCLB they don't quite fit in. The further my children get in their educations, the more I wish I had more specific data from their teachers that could assist my wife and I in finding activities, games, etc. that would move toward mastery of classroom objectives with which they need the most help. It makes me ponder a world where a child is a data driven report of their skill mastery rather than a holistic grade that reveals their willingness/ability to complete tasks.<br />
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Here is the point...<br />
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Education needs a standard or a platform for housing student data. A system that is either open source or has open standards, or APIs. A standard for data that will allow data to be moved from platform to platform. A platform that inspires talented developers and visionaries to create tools and systems where educational data is easy to collect, evaluate, and used to improve student learning. We need to be able to track student performance across countless assessments, activities, programs, and other teacher-made assessments. Educators, students, and parents need data to be easy, nimble, and powerful. On top of all this it needs to ensure a strict level of security and privacy. Then it must be widely adopted by state education agencies and private companies alike.<br />
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This would create a frenzy of innovation in the market of educational data and tools. Look at the past few years in technology. Take the MP3 file format, for example. It was a revolutionary standard for transforming the music industry making music easier to create, and consume. From it we were introduced to MP3 players, iTunes, iPods, and countless other music players and programs that are a part of our everyday lives now. Then there is Twitter. Twitter created a simple platform for sharing ideas, links, pictures, and more. From it spawned the creation of hashtags, retweets, and countless new apps for creating and consuming media. It was a simple platform that was easy for developers and users alike. Yet, it was a powerful tool for communication, and remains so today.<br />
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It's a huge task, I know. If done right, however, it could create a new market full of tools for creating and consuming instructional-based data.<br />
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So who's going to be next to change the world?Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-20222961660678814762012-12-15T05:45:00.001-08:002012-12-15T05:45:15.306-08:00Google + Classrooms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A year and half ago, Google released Google+ to a select few power-users and slowly opened up to the public. It was called many names and criticized for not having mobile apps, not being available for G. Apps users, etc. Despite all naysayers, I have been watching it very closely. I shared my first impressions of the social network and it's <a href="http://techtoolsforschools.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html" target="_blank">possibilities for use in the classroom in 2 blog posts</a> days after getting an invite from Googler friend of mine. I've been a regular user ever since. It was not perfect on day 1, and it's not perfect now. But Google makes improvements almost every week, and that is what I love about Google!<br />
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In the last 2 months Google has made 2 major changes that make most of my ideas for integration into the classroom a reality.<br />
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<li>Google+ was made available for K12 Schools using Google Apps. </li>
<li><a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/search?q=communities" target="_blank">Google+ Communities</a></li>
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For schools using Google Apps for Edu all the pieces are in place to run a 100% Google classroom. Here are a few ideas for organizing a Google Classroom.</div>
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Idea for G+ Communities in your classes:</h2>
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<ol>
<li>Create communities for classroom communication. Instead of using Edmodo, Schoology, or similar product, communities can perform the same functions. The number of communities to setup is up to the teacher. They should be setup, at minimum, one community per course being taught. From there we can get more creative with our community structures. E.G. one for each course in the school/district, class period, groups, etc.</li>
<li>Create a community with a subject matter expert from anywhere around the world. Find a SME and invite them to your classroom community. Then encourage students to post questions to the community throughout the unit.</li>
<li>Create an internal community for common planning and coordinating various projects, units, lessons, courses, grants, teams, committees, initiatives, etc.</li>
<li>Use a community to create cross-curricular communication</li>
<li>Use a community to connect multiple classrooms together, either inside or across content areas.</li>
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Using the Google Ecosystem </h2>
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The real advantage for using any digital ecosystem is that all the products work well together. This is why Apple has been so popular. The beauty behind Google's ecosystem is that it is built on the internet. Meaning that, not only do all of it's products work very well together, but almost anything else that is built on the internet can be easily integrated with the Google ecosystem. This can result in the most robust learning experience for teachers and students. Simply, a walled-garden when you want it, and an open platform when you don't. </div>
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As a teacher, you can build any classroom around Google knowing that you have the flexibility to integrate any internet resource in your classroom. The integration of these resources can be used to generate conversations, videos, graphics, and most any learning activity. When used all together, I believe that these tools offered by Google provide any teacher with the ability to create fantastic blended learning environments that ignite student collaboration, creativity, and learning.</div>
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Concerns</h2>
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Although I am gaga over Google, I'm not so naive to think that there aren't problems. </div>
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<ul>
<li>Schools interested in using Google+ extensively with students should first condition their teachers through usage and practice. Many administrators will be reluctant to change communication habits. If done correctly, it will provide enough knowledge and skills to facilitate more thorough planning of policies and procedures before allow student-teacher access.</li>
<li>Need to provide granular control over Google+ features to district admin via Google Apps Manager. Control should include: limiting/allowing users to create communities; allowing outside users to view a community's conversations, while disallowing interaction with students.</li>
<li>Training teachers how to setup/manage such powerful tools. They will need to ensure student's security.</li>
<li>Training students to be intolerant of bullying and other improper communications, and provide procedures for reporting such incidents.</li>
</ul>
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Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-69908443653648068952012-10-27T11:23:00.001-07:002012-10-27T11:25:27.687-07:007 Steps to the Connected ClassroomOne question has been on my mind a lot over the last week. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How do you convince an entire community that technology is for instruction?</span></blockquote>
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This can be especially hard for communities with lower incomes and other socio-economic demographics. It's also a question that can't be answered overnight. <br />
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For the district that I serve, the first step is what many call "The Connected Classroom." Yesterday I put together a presentation for our teachers that I believe will jump start our teachers toward setting the tone and norms for how technology is needed for learning in the 21st Century.<br />
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The Flyer I made for the class. (No more paper and handouts)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next is my presentation... 7 Steps to the Connected Classroom</b></span></div>
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Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-95479546969599312012-10-24T18:04:00.001-07:002012-10-25T15:41:40.143-07:00Changing Teacher, Student, and Community Paradigms...My new position as tech director has me serving a community that has many needs. The economy here has laid off hundreds of workers from the local mill. We are also located in one of the most economically depressed congressional districts in the nation. 90% of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch. We're in a tough spot.<br />
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Today I held a technology committee meeting, during which we watched the video below and had a discussion about how to change the mentality of our community. Many in our community believe that technology is a luxury used for diversion rather than a set of tools and skills to be used for learning and success in life. One teacher reported students telling her that they don't see the point in learning tech-related skills because they will never use technology when they get out of school. Hearing this was the most eye-opening experience I've had to date. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c0xa98cy-Rw" width="560"></iframe><br />
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I suspect that there are many other communities, districts, and schools that face similar issues.<br />
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I believe that technology tools and skills can prepare students better for more successful lives and careers in the 21st Century economy. <br />
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I have a plan to remedy the situation, but I would love to hear your thoughts. Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-8506024596016972792012-10-16T04:13:00.003-07:002012-10-16T17:53:11.853-07:00Mooresville GSD Apple Education Site Visit<iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=2823d89412/height=650/width=470" scrolling="no" height="650px" width="470px" frameBorder ="0" allowTransparency="true" ><a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=2823d89412" >Mooresville GSD Apple Education site visit</a></iframe>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-799784737993476983.post-80169669623717624272012-08-03T05:57:00.001-07:002012-08-03T06:01:12.245-07:00Guest Post: 5 Sites for Finding Great Online Lectures<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8734653473366052"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">Online lectures are a new trend, prompted by the spreading availability of high speed internet and the increasing importance individuals are placing on learning. Depending on what you want to learn (and who you want to learn it from), online lectures can be an hour long exercise or a series of lectures, similar to if you were auditing a course at college. A select number of programs will even issue a certificate of completion. Online lectures allow you to learn more about a particular subject without necessarily committing to a semester of intense study, and can increase your horizons as well as increase your negotiating power with employers. Here are five great sites to try for online lectures.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The YouTube EDU Channel</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/education"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YouTube EDU channel</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> combines some of the best attributes of online lectures in place. The collection here ranges from informal but educative short videos (</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4boyXQuUIw&feature=edu"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover Animation</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) to intense lecture series from award winning scientists at leading universities (</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/course?list=PL6EF60E1027E1A10B&category_name=University%2FEngineering&feature=edu"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Game Theory with Ben Polak</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). Two of the advantages of YouTube EDU are the ease of sharing the videos you enjoy with others and the ability to format them into playlists that you can share or save for later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MIT OpenCourseWare</span></h4>
<a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/about/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OpenCourseWare</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a program from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, better known as MIT. Nearly every subject or discipline taught at MIT has donated online lectures and course materials for the public at large to audit – free of charge. No credits or certificates are granted and most of the materials do not represent a full course, but for those who want to experience a little of what an MIT education can provide it is an excellent resource. For more intense learning, keep an eye on </span><a href="http://mitx.mit.edu/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MITx</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which plans to offer courses with certificates in an online learning environment this fall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Virtual Professors</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="http://www.virtualprofessors.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Virtual Professors</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> website is an online lecture library packed with lectures from professors and others who are leaders in their fields. Here you can learn about everything from </span><a href="http://www.virtualprofessors.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">how technology can make government more efficient</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to </span><a href="http://www.virtualprofessors.com/multivariable-calculus-edward-frenkel-berkeley"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">multivariable calculus</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The difference between Virtual Professors and the YouTube Channel is that Virtual Professors allows you to download the videos, instead of constantly streaming. That means you can save and transfer the videos to a device that does not have internet access to watch later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Open Yale Courses</span></h4>
<a href="http://oyc.yale.edu/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Open Yale Courses</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is essentially an online audit of some of Yale’s best introductory courses. While it isn’t possible to access advanced or graduate courses or receive certification, Open Yale Courses can still expand your horizons. The lectures here also feel more like university courses, since nearly all of them are filmed in Yale classrooms during actual courses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Academic Earth</span></h4>
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<a href="http://www.academicearth.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Academic Earth</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> pulls together lecture videos from Harvard, Yale, Oxford, Stanford, and other leading institutions. All of the major subjects are represented, and courses can be watched or paused according to your schedule. Though no certificates are issued through Academic Earth, these courses could help you prepare for taking a certification test elsewhere. Either way, Academic Earth and similar online lecture sites are a great way to continue your education flexibly, at your own pace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Laura McPherson is a writer for </span><a href="http://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teacher Certification Degrees</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a growing career resource for individuals interested in becoming a teacher.</span><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17118709363587742360noreply@blogger.com0