Thursday, March 31, 2011

Using a Document Camera in 2nd Grade

Second Grade teacher Mrs. Sherman talks about ways she uses a document camera in the classroom.


It's great to see how excited the kids are using the camera and how many ways the teacher has found to incorporate its use into the day. She's using an Ipevo camera which basically a web cam on an adjustable arm, but it works great an is only about $70.


For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:

Assessment Data Collection with Forms

Collecting assessment data district wide and analyzing the results.


Here we use Google Forms to collect assessment data. We're able to analyze student scores over time, by grade level, location, or any number of variables we've collected. An important aspect of the data collection that we're working on is having student work included into the data collection. There are many systems that can analyze assessment data, but I think because our kids are already digitizing their work in Google Apps, making that connection between scores and the actual work is an important way for teachers to easily see what those scores represent. An added bonus to this is the ability for the students portfolio to be built at the same time.



For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Students as Teacher Webmasters

In this video we chat with one of my students who works as the webmaster for his english teacher.


I really love this. The student webmaster setup is a win-win for everyone involved. The teacher has help keeping their website up to date and the student learns something about working on a project that is real. Anyone can see the work that they've done. Obviously there is a lot of trust involved and it's important that the kids appreciate the professional aspects of showing this public face to parents, administrators, etc. Plus it makes a great portfolio piece for students.


For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:

Embedding Audio in a Google Site

A tutorial on how to upload an MP3 and embed an Audio Player into a Google Site.


As students become more and more adept with the technology, it's important that they help teach how to use it to others. This can be working with younger students, or providing tech support for teachers.


For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:

A case for student managed portfolios

One of our students discusses how she uses her digital portfolio to refer to as she needs.



This video really sums up one of the most important reasons for students to take an active role in managing their portfolios. When a students work is digitized and easily accessible, they can refer back to work as needed. The work should build with them over time and provide a resources that they own and have curated.



For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

How Students Hand In their Digital Portfolios

One of our eighth graders walks through the steps of getting a copy of a Language Arts Portfolio and sending the link back to the teacher. Here are the templates he covers.


An important aspect of having students manage their own portfolios is that they are involved in the creation process. We have a template that we use with the students in high school because they are closer to graduation, but ideally when the student graduates and when they go to their own domain name, they would see the work they've been managing for years. Ultimately the portfolio is for them, as educators we simply need to check that it's done and represents the best the student has to offer.


For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:

Using Google Voice in the Classroom

One of our High School math teachers, Mrs. Dominick, shares ways she uses Google Voice with her students.


This isn't for everyone, but it certainly is another way students can reach out for help from their teacher with texting, while not intruding upon a teacher's private life.


For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:

Using an iPod Touch to Update Student Portfolios

Three of our students walk through the steps of digitizing their work with an iPod Touch and inserting the work on their digital portfolio.


I think it's important for students to be in charge of digitizing their own work. It's too much to ask teachers who are already so busy as it is, and it's a skill set that will help the students later on. I've generally found students fifth grade and up can handle the technical responsibility, and we're working with younger students developing ways to help teachers streamline the process.



For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:

Monday, March 28, 2011

Recording and Posting Lessons

Nokomis History teacher, Ms. Richards shares how she records her presentations to her students and posts her lessons on her class blog.




For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:

Physical Education, Google Forms and the iPod Touch

In this video, we see how the physical education teacher uses an iPod Touch and Google Forms to collect assessment scores.



For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:

Google Doc Management

As teachers use Google Docs more and more, it becomes important for them to develop methods to manage all those shared documents. Here is a way one of our teachers has set up a collection form with Docs.

Here is a COPY of the template he is using.




For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Introduction to The Tech Curve Video Series

Introducing a video series that features students and teachers from R.S.U. #19. In this series I highlight examples of technology integration throughout K-12 education.

For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:



Sunday, March 20, 2011

Yarmouth Professional Development



Last Friday I had the opportunity to bring a couple students with me and participate in the Yarmouth Google Transition Day. They helped me with two presentations, one on Advanced Spreadsheets and Quizzes and the other on Web Gadgets. In the sessions my students answered a lot of questions and were able to show off some of the work they had been doing.

A big thank you goes to Alice Barr and the whole Yarmouth technology team for putting on a great day of PD and I was glad my kids and I could help out!





[Kris helping a teacher with his website.]