Today one of my students was interviewed for the local news about going to conferences and conducting presentations. A group of students will be joining me at the Summer Tech Institute in Belfast this week.
You can find the entire article here:
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Handing in Math Work with Google Forms
Mr. Dominick talks about digitizing and handing in paperwork with Google Forms.
One of the significant problems with digital portfolios is that the work has to be in a digital format. That works well in most content areas, but in one like math, it poses a problem. Another issue is the time and effort it takes to digitize the work itself. I believe it's vital for most of that legwork falls upon the student. That way they are learning how to digitize analog (if I can call it that) work, and are responsible for owning their portfolios.
For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Google Educast #14
I had the opportunity to chat with Jay Blackman on Google Educast #14. We discuss some of the projects we are working in R.S.U. #19.
The Edreach.us crew has some terrific podcasts covering a variety of educational topics.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Ed Tech Crew 158
At the recent GTA Sydney there were a number of us interviewed by newly minted Google Certified Teacher Tony Richards. I'm amazed he was able to fit in so many interviews in such a packed day, but he did it!
It was great fun speaking with him and you can find the links he mentions here. During the interview, one of the questions he was asked me, (and was kind enough to edit from the final cut) was what future technology would I like to see Google get into? Well, I'd never given that much thought before and since I had a substantial plane ride home I decided to come up with an answer,
"If Larry and Sergey came to me and asked where I
thought Google should go next, what would I say?"
I decided that I'd like them to pursue the wireless spectrum that they once bid on. I start fantasizing about all students having a cheap handheld device, the size of a smart phone with no contract, (probably supported by ads) but with Internet access everywhere. That's the trick isn't it, without ubiquitous access, our students are still split into have and have nots.
At the beginning of the year, I do not ask students how many have the Internet at home, I ask how many have Facebook accounts and typically how many times a day did they check it? Even the students with no net access seem to find those wifi spots when they're motivated.
So that's my tech vision for Google. Internet access for all, hey if Google can't do it, who can?
Friday, April 22, 2011
Google Teacher Academy - Sydney
I was privileged to meet another fantastic group of educators at the Google Teacher Academy in Sydney, Australia. As always it was a treat to work with Danny, Lisa, Dana, Wendy and Mark.
I had a few take aways this trip. The first was how many participants had already adopted Google Apps for Education in their school or district. Shouldn't have been a huge surprise, but it just shows how quickly and globally the tools have spread.
The other realization I came to has to do more with the Googler's themselves. Our group went on the usual tour of the Google offices which is always full of fun surprises around each corner that make you feel you've stumbled into Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory. Primary colored furniture, ample food and crazy toys abound. How many Corporations have a tire swing in the lobby?
All of this brought me to a realization. A primary trait of Googlers has to be restraint. (I realize that generalizing 20,000 people is sketchy at best.) But, working all day with the pull of such surroundings, one would have to develop the fortitude to manage work and play in a way most of us don't experience. And that brings me to education. Are our students in environments where they are able or expected to develop that aptitude. Sure it's easy not to use your phone in class when you know it's going to be taken away, but what about when you're allowed or expected to use it in class and that doesn't mean texting or playing a game. Would I be able to work in a place where food, furniture and fun were steps away. I think I could now as an adult, but as a 16 year old today? With distraction just a click away, I'm not sure where I would have built the ability to read for almost ten hours (thank you flight from Sydney). I'm not sure yet how I fit this with my daily work with kids, but it's certainly something to think about.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Managing the Syllabus with Sites and Docs
Mr. Prescott talks about utilizing the Google Site that houses our High School Syllabi. Each syllabus is a Google Doc managed by the teacher, department head and principal.
Teachers are able to make changes to their syllabus while allowing easy access to their department heads and principal. Students then can quickly find work they may have missed or look ahead at what's coming next.
For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Horizon Report Discussion on Seedlings 112
An early version of the K-12 Horizon Report is out and I get a chance to discuss it (among other things) with the folks at the Seedlings Podcast. In the conversation is Cheryl Oakes, Michael Richards, Bob Sprankle and Wes Fryer.
Horizon Report 2004-2010, a photo by jochen_robes on Flickr.
Friday, April 08, 2011
Online Tests with Google Forms
A high school teacher talks about using Google Forms to create Self-Correcting Tests.
Here are the templates we use for various tests and quizzes. I think the most important take away from this is not have a test correct itself which is worthwhile for teachers because of the time saved, but for the students to receive feedback soquic timely. Used as a quick and immediate check for understanding from the class. The next step is to analyze the data over time and see trends either by student, unit or range of questions.
For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Google Docs Collection Management
One of our fifth graders goes over how our students set up their Google Doc Collections (formerly Folders) for the school year.
Once the students and teacher have set up, handing work into their 'virtual inbox' simply becomes as easy as sliding it into a folder (or collection.)
For an outline of all the videos in the context of a larger educational framework, please visit:
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:
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