Hi everyone. I'm in the midst of making multiple receipes of yummy chocolate cake for the upcoming wedding but I've found something else to occupy my time when I'm not cooking. No - I'm not actually podcasting but I have subscribed to a couple podcasts by Bob Sprankle, a 3rd/4th grade teacher in Wells, Maine. He and I have been corresponding by email since the last week of school. His students have been podcasting and he has recently started 2 new podcasts - one for teachers and one for children about reading. The most recent podcast for teachers is a recording of a speech by Angus King, former gov. of Maine. He spoke at the McAuliffe conference 2 years ago. I particularly liked what he said near the end of his speech about Darwin and the Origin of the Species. He also mentioned Wayne Gretsky, former Canadian hockey star and Gretsky's explanation about why he was able to score so many goals. He said, " I skate to where the puck is going to be. Everyone else skates to where the puck is." Hmmm...something to think about for us.
So...ready to try a podcast. Here's what you should do. If you don't have iTunes, download it now. It's free!!! You don't need it to listen to podcast but it's set up so that you can subscribe to a variety of podcasts and listen to them whenever you want. Then you can subscribe to Bit by Bit and get updates whenever he adds a new session. Check out our links list for a link to Bob's podcast for teachers called Bit by Bit. From his site you can also get to the iTunes download page. Have fun.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
The Vision...just a beginning....
Instead of feeling like we are expected to do new and different things when using technology and adding more stuff to our plate, I like to think of using technology for doing the same classroom tasks with new and updated tools. I think the next three years do not have to look brand new and inventive in terms of ideas but rather in the tools that we use to do whatever it is that we do in the classroom. Teachers are innovator and no matter what the tools, they have to invent and reinvent in order for the learning enviroment to work for all children. Technology gives us new tools and expands the ways we can implement our ideas.
Here is a simple example....For many years, I sent hundreds of dollars on film and developing so that I could have photographers of my students to display at open house, curriculum night or for them to write about. I also used photos to document projects and to record things about field trips. i still use photos in the classroom but it has been years since i have gone and had a roll of film developed. As for uses of the photos, even that has expanded because the technology has made it easier. i now put photos in my memos, send photos home to show a parent what their child did at school, make slide shows for curriculum night, keep folders of photos on the computer for each child and would like someday to burn a disk with their photos for the end of the year (haven't found the time for this during the end of the year crunch) and now I am planning on documenting in more detail the progress a child makes over the course of the year with digital portfolios.
Another idea that I have been playing with since early spring, is the idea of replacing the tape recorder in my classroom. After reading about some ways to use digital recording with the iPod and a microphone, I have been rethinking how to use recording in the classroom. Somehow, the ole tape recorder and the cassettes seems way too cumbersome and having digital files is very appealing. More about this at another time...but just start thinking about the classroom uses for a tape recorder and then shift to new technology and see where you go.....
Here is a simple example....For many years, I sent hundreds of dollars on film and developing so that I could have photographers of my students to display at open house, curriculum night or for them to write about. I also used photos to document projects and to record things about field trips. i still use photos in the classroom but it has been years since i have gone and had a roll of film developed. As for uses of the photos, even that has expanded because the technology has made it easier. i now put photos in my memos, send photos home to show a parent what their child did at school, make slide shows for curriculum night, keep folders of photos on the computer for each child and would like someday to burn a disk with their photos for the end of the year (haven't found the time for this during the end of the year crunch) and now I am planning on documenting in more detail the progress a child makes over the course of the year with digital portfolios.
Another idea that I have been playing with since early spring, is the idea of replacing the tape recorder in my classroom. After reading about some ways to use digital recording with the iPod and a microphone, I have been rethinking how to use recording in the classroom. Somehow, the ole tape recorder and the cassettes seems way too cumbersome and having digital files is very appealing. More about this at another time...but just start thinking about the classroom uses for a tape recorder and then shift to new technology and see where you go.....
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Tech Plan Question 2
What kind of staff development plan/expectations/training etc will get us where we want to be?
Tech Plan Question 1- The Vision
What is your vision for technology at DCS over the next 3 years.
Don't get hung up with finding the time for a novel, let's just brainstorm.
Don't get hung up with finding the time for a novel, let's just brainstorm.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Online Calendar
I haven't researched much about online calendars but I've been playing with this one from Trumba. I think it would make a great calendar for the family and I'm trying it out for the school. I got a free subcription for a year when I visited their booth. You can check it out at http://www.trumba.com/calendars/ryejh
Trumba will also give you a free trial at their website at trumba.com otherwise it costs $40/year. Sheila
Trumba will also give you a free trial at their website at trumba.com otherwise it costs $40/year. Sheila
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Digital Portfolios
I'm glad to hear that Pat is interested in digital portfolios because this is what I'd like to do as a project also. I have already talked to Sue L. about ways we could begin this fall. She is a techie too but as a single mom, it's hard for her to get involved with lots of afterschool stuff.
We want to identify which curriculum areas we want to document and begin to take lots of pictures and notes about those pictures. We already use my camera quite often in the classroom. We know that we need to get into the habit of downloading the pictures to the computer daily , or maybe even between sessions. We'd create a folder for each child and then organize the pictures each week into folders. We keep a notebook of general classroom observations and we could use this to note something about the picture each time we take one. We would also want other adults in our classroom to use the camera as well, since there would be opportunities to record something with them as well.
Perhaps we could work together on this and if Sherri comes on board (with Pat's help) we could begin ongoing portfolios for several kiddos. I want to do this with typical and identified students. I also know that we most likely can't tackle this with all of the class. ...but who knows. I'd also want some video in there too.
We want to identify which curriculum areas we want to document and begin to take lots of pictures and notes about those pictures. We already use my camera quite often in the classroom. We know that we need to get into the habit of downloading the pictures to the computer daily , or maybe even between sessions. We'd create a folder for each child and then organize the pictures each week into folders. We keep a notebook of general classroom observations and we could use this to note something about the picture each time we take one. We would also want other adults in our classroom to use the camera as well, since there would be opportunities to record something with them as well.
Perhaps we could work together on this and if Sherri comes on board (with Pat's help) we could begin ongoing portfolios for several kiddos. I want to do this with typical and identified students. I also know that we most likely can't tackle this with all of the class. ...but who knows. I'd also want some video in there too.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Thermal screen printing
Just before the conference ended, I stopped at the Welsh Products booth. They have products for printing to t-shirts, mouse pads, etc. from transfer paper, ink jet, and a thermofax. They gave me some ink, frames, and a couple of screen materials. I'm going to try it out later. We are trying to find a new logo for our Belize program so I think I will try it out on that.
Welsh Products - www.welshproducts.com
Sheila
Welsh Products - www.welshproducts.com
Sheila
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Rye Middle School just set up a blog too. It is funny that we need to go to Philly to work together more closely at home. Hey, whatever works. Here is the address for the Webcast Sessions. When I look through the listing I want to spend a couple of days reconferencing unfortunately the rest of the world has many demands. If you notice, I figured out how to customize the links on the left hand side. Let me know if there are other links you would like to see included or I will show you how to do it.
Friday, July 01, 2005
There's no place like home! Except maybe NECC!
My suitcase has it's contents turned upside down but not put away. There's plenty of time for that - later. I've checked out tons of websites, picked snow peas, listened to a few podcasts, dead-headed some of my flowers, gone to the NECC website, picked up a few items at the store, read my email, searched for chocolate cake receipes, IM-ed a few folks, and now it's the end of the day. Good thing I checked my school email before going off to do something useful because here I am posting on our very own DCS blog. hey folks, we're making DCS history.
I'm still processing the past few days and recuperating from the airport experience. It was great to have a common experience with colleagues. Thanks for the memories. What fun we will have this year as we keep the tech torch burning at school! Sorry if I laughed too much on the plane ride home.
I'm still processing the past few days and recuperating from the airport experience. It was great to have a common experience with colleagues. Thanks for the memories. What fun we will have this year as we keep the tech torch burning at school! Sorry if I laughed too much on the plane ride home.
Banquet shots
Here are a couple of shots from Marc Prensky banquet.
If you want to listen to his presentation again or other ones that you may have missed select the WebCast link on the left.
He will be at the McAuliffe Technology Conference the week afer Thanksgiving.
Who is the strange new staff member? It is Anna's daughter Karen who joined us from NYC.
Deerfield Community School Blog
Good Morning!
Everyone up and ready to go this am. As promised here is our space, let's test it out.
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