Greetings,
Awhile back I subscribed to a educational website called Classroom 2.0. This site, and many others, were created via a social network known as Ning (for example I'm a member of ACTEM, Tech4ME, and others). All content through Ning is free and can be managed with just a single email account. That being said, several times a month, Classroom 2.0 present live webcasts covering a variety of technological tools that can be used in the classroom. These webcasts take place at noon on Saturdays.
You have two options to view the webcasts: Live and recorded. Either way you choose, the first time you navigate to a webcast, you'll need to make sure you install Java (if you already use your PC or Mac to access PowerSchool, you should be all set). Once done, you'll select Elluminate Live! and the application will launch.
If you visit during the live webcast, you are encouraged to join the conversation so you'll need a headset (headphones and mic). They will use a whiteboard as well as other interactive tools. For beginners, they explain how the tools work at the beginning of each broadcast. If you choose to view the recorded session, just select Archive from the top navigation bar. Choose a month from right menu and select Recording (Full) from a webcast description. You'll then launch the Java application. Everything will be the same but you won't be able to interact.
There are a number of intersting topics that you may find interesting for student and teachers alike (Digital Storytelling, blogging, VoiceThread, Wikis, and much more). Check it out at Classroom 2.0 Live!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Maine Community Heritage Project (MCHP)
The Maine Historical Society, in partnership with the Maine State Library, is seeking Maine communities to participate in the 2009-2010 program cycle of the Maine Community Heritage Project (MCHP), an innovative program that promotes collaboration between local schools, historical societies, and public libraries through the exploration and celebration of local history. The MCHP grows out of the Maine Memory Network ([ http://www.mainememory.net ]http://www.mainememory.net), the Maine Historical Society's nationally recognized statewide digital museum, and is supported by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services.
The MCHP is a year-long program designed to mobilize Maine communities around the exploration and sharing of their local history. Each participating community will build a website on the Maine Memory Network that gathers and radically expands access to historical images, documents, and information related to the history of their community.
Applications from local partnership teams—each of which must include a local school (grades 6-12), library, and historical organization are now being accepted. Eight communities will be selected to participate in the program which will run from July 2009-June 2010. Participating communities will receive extensive training in digitization, access to powerful yet user-friendly online tools, guidance and support from full-time project staff, and funds of up to $7,500 to support project activities. All Maine communities are eligible to apply. The application deadline is: April 9.
For an application, or to learn more about the MCHP, please visit http://[ http://www.mainememory.net/mchp ]www.mainememory.net/mchp or contact Kristie Littlefield by email at: [ mailto:klittlefield@mainehistory.org ]klittlefield@mainehistory.org or by calling (207) 653-9287.
The MCHP is a year-long program designed to mobilize Maine communities around the exploration and sharing of their local history. Each participating community will build a website on the Maine Memory Network that gathers and radically expands access to historical images, documents, and information related to the history of their community.
Applications from local partnership teams—each of which must include a local school (grades 6-12), library, and historical organization are now being accepted. Eight communities will be selected to participate in the program which will run from July 2009-June 2010. Participating communities will receive extensive training in digitization, access to powerful yet user-friendly online tools, guidance and support from full-time project staff, and funds of up to $7,500 to support project activities. All Maine communities are eligible to apply. The application deadline is: April 9.
For an application, or to learn more about the MCHP, please visit http://[ http://www.mainememory.net/mchp ]www.mainememory.net/mchp or contact Kristie Littlefield by email at: [ mailto:klittlefield@mainehistory.org ]klittlefield@mainehistory.org or by calling (207) 653-9287.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
2009 Summer Technology Institute
Here's just a friendly reminder to take a look at and consider attending the 2009 Summer Technology Institute. This week-long course (June 22 - 26, 2009) can be taken for either 3 graduate credits or 4.5 CEUs that providing integration strategies for all K-12 educators. I have attended this event twice (for CEUs and graduate credit) and have found it immensely informative, creative and rewarding as an educator. So, if you'd like to explore various technologies to add to your classroom curriculum or just need to hone your own skills, this might be for you.
Here are some specific links to check out:
Here are some specific links to check out:
Friday, January 23, 2009
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Professional Development Day 2008
Monday, October 6th, 2008 has been put aside as a Professional Development Day for Millinocket and Union 113 teachers and staff. The theme for today will be Technology with a number of workshops being held at Schenck HS (7-12) and Granite St. School in Millinocket (K-6).
Being the Technology teacher at Schenck HS, I offered to present a workshop on "The Blogesphere". As it turned out, I will also be presenting another workshop called "Tech Tips 101". Although the preparation of a workshop can be time consuming and hectic, it can also be rewarding. While preparing for each workshop I discovered new resources and explored changes in others. I was amused at videos that were posted on a political blog and was moved by slideshow that were created to inspire and reflect.
With my Blogging workshop, my hope is that those in this session will consider this medium as an alternative and/or supplement to the reading and writing process. Additionally, blog use may better inform students about their world in an age where traditional media (newspapers, books, etc.) are being neglected. In my other workshop, I hope to demonstrate a number of simple but powerful shortcuts and applications that will make teacher's technological experience a more effective/efficient and enjoyable one.
Enjoy...
Show Beyond
VoiceThread
Being the Technology teacher at Schenck HS, I offered to present a workshop on "The Blogesphere". As it turned out, I will also be presenting another workshop called "Tech Tips 101". Although the preparation of a workshop can be time consuming and hectic, it can also be rewarding. While preparing for each workshop I discovered new resources and explored changes in others. I was amused at videos that were posted on a political blog and was moved by slideshow that were created to inspire and reflect.
With my Blogging workshop, my hope is that those in this session will consider this medium as an alternative and/or supplement to the reading and writing process. Additionally, blog use may better inform students about their world in an age where traditional media (newspapers, books, etc.) are being neglected. In my other workshop, I hope to demonstrate a number of simple but powerful shortcuts and applications that will make teacher's technological experience a more effective/efficient and enjoyable one.
Enjoy...
Show Beyond
VoiceThread
Monday, September 8, 2008
Welcome to the 2008-09 School Year
Well, its begun. Yup, the new school year and changes are afoot in room 418!
If you've had the opportunity to mosey into my classroom you will have seen that I have all new computers. Yup, brand new computer towers, courtesy of the voters of Union 113. Believe me that I am very appreciative of this major upgrade. The towers have very fast processors, lots of RAM (lessening the chance that running multiple programs will lock up the PC), a slew of ports (USB and Firewire) and headset jacks in the front (for those new student headsets)! Add to that, the most recent version of Photoshop Elements 6.0 along with other updated software and my students have computers that will more than meet their needs.
As parents and teachers know, it is becoming more and apparent that students become very computer literate in order to succeed now and in any path they may take after high school. It's a digital world and they need to explore then many computer tools at their disposal. I hope to guide students in this endeavor. No, I won't neglect important applications like MW Word, PowerPoint or Excel. But they will blog routinely, learn to research efficiently and effectively on the Internet and explore the many web-based applications available to them.
Have a question of how this will evolve or need other information, don't hesitate to drop me a note (email is preferred). Also, don't hesitate to comment on my postings and visit the Schenck Website
If you've had the opportunity to mosey into my classroom you will have seen that I have all new computers. Yup, brand new computer towers, courtesy of the voters of Union 113. Believe me that I am very appreciative of this major upgrade. The towers have very fast processors, lots of RAM (lessening the chance that running multiple programs will lock up the PC), a slew of ports (USB and Firewire) and headset jacks in the front (for those new student headsets)! Add to that, the most recent version of Photoshop Elements 6.0 along with other updated software and my students have computers that will more than meet their needs.
As parents and teachers know, it is becoming more and apparent that students become very computer literate in order to succeed now and in any path they may take after high school. It's a digital world and they need to explore then many computer tools at their disposal. I hope to guide students in this endeavor. No, I won't neglect important applications like MW Word, PowerPoint or Excel. But they will blog routinely, learn to research efficiently and effectively on the Internet and explore the many web-based applications available to them.
Have a question of how this will evolve or need other information, don't hesitate to drop me a note (email is preferred). Also, don't hesitate to comment on my postings and visit the Schenck Website
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Summer's fading
It's August and summer seems to be fading fast. July was nice with pretty good weather (not too warm or humid) but Maine sure has been in a cloudy/wet trend of late. One other thing that its August: the return to school isn't far away.
That being said, I went up to the school yesterday to do a little organizing. The new computers look great and will surely do the trick for my course offerings. Computer Applications is all new. A lot less Office XP and a move to Web 2.0 applications. Should be a challenge but also interesting for all. Still fine-tuning the content. Computer Graphics has been merged with Website Development. A good mix. The school upgraded my PC's to Photoshop Elements 6.0. We were also able to migrate from Microsoft FrontPage to Expression Web. These applications, along with blogs and wikis, I hope will pique student interest. Finally, I'm offering a new course: Multimedia. Have tried to work A/V learning into my CG classes with mixed results. With a dedicated class, I am really looking forward to seeing what students can do with some interesting tools.
I have more changes in the works but they'll have to wait until school starts. In the meantime, here's an interesting video related to "Second Life". Enjoy
That being said, I went up to the school yesterday to do a little organizing. The new computers look great and will surely do the trick for my course offerings. Computer Applications is all new. A lot less Office XP and a move to Web 2.0 applications. Should be a challenge but also interesting for all. Still fine-tuning the content. Computer Graphics has been merged with Website Development. A good mix. The school upgraded my PC's to Photoshop Elements 6.0. We were also able to migrate from Microsoft FrontPage to Expression Web. These applications, along with blogs and wikis, I hope will pique student interest. Finally, I'm offering a new course: Multimedia. Have tried to work A/V learning into my CG classes with mixed results. With a dedicated class, I am really looking forward to seeing what students can do with some interesting tools.
I have more changes in the works but they'll have to wait until school starts. In the meantime, here's an interesting video related to "Second Life". Enjoy
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