Some great opinions on what it means to truly integrate technology.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/news-by-subject/school-administration/index.cfm?i=58387
4/16/09
Changes in education over the years comes down to technology
Are we addressing the needs of the Digital Natives?
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1134&dept_id=150861&newsid=20298861&PAG=461&rfi=9
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1134&dept_id=150861&newsid=20298861&PAG=461&rfi=9
4/7/09
Add Animoto to your curriculum
Staff:
I've been using and training on Animoto all year and wanted to share this
truly amazing application with you for your classroom use.
Animoto is an online video editor. In short, you or your students can upload
photos (or point to them already on the web) and synchronize them with
music. The results are cutting-edge videos that can be downloaded or posted
to a website or blog. It costs about $30 a year but you can sign up for the
educational version for free and if you want your students to use it, they
can sign up via your account for their own free account.
Here is a good, short video tutorial:
http://www.schooltube.com/video/13965/Animoto-Tutorial
Here is an example of how we're using it in web design class:
http://www.usd452.org/hs_basketball_boys_photos.htm (must-see!)
Let me know if you need any help.
PS Web design class is looking for extra photos from sports, clubs and
activities this year for the photo galleries and Animoto videos...
--
Jerry Janes, Technology
USD 452 - Johnson City, KS 67855
620.492.6284 ext. 1108
jjanes@usd452.org
4/6/09
Teachers Driving Web 2.0 Use in Schools Says National Research Survey
It's been a bit since my last post as much of the technology integration news was not good as of late, but we're starting to see some positives and with that, new news!
http://www.prweb.com/releases/Web20/schools/prweb2300494.htm
http://www.prweb.com/releases/Web20/schools/prweb2300494.htm
2/25/09
Can virtual teachers plug the educational divide?
From a "hole in the wall" to "real-time" simulated virtual classrooms, the gap is being bridged:
http://www.physorg.com/news154710493.html
http://www.physorg.com/news154710493.html
2/24/09
Training Day tomorrow - Digital Cameras and Camcorders in the Classroom
In case you miss tomorrow's Training Day workshop or do attend and are looking for the links, you've come to the right spot!
Digital Cameras
Digital Cameras
- 1001 Uses for a Digital Camera
- Using the Digital Camera in the Primary Classroom
- Using a Digital Camera in the Classroom
2/20/09
2/17/09
I blog - You blog - We all blog!
A great article on how one district is reaping the benefits of blogs:
http://www.standard.net/live/news/164587/
http://www.standard.net/live/news/164587/
2/11/09
Training Day today - Open Source Solutions, aka Good N' Free
Staff:
Today is another excellent opportunity for professional development. At 3:45
in my tech. lab at the high school we will be discussing: Open Source
Solutions, aka Good N' Free. It regards how and where to get quality,
copyright-free photos, clip art, video and audio & totally free and CLEAN
(no bugs or viruses) software for most any need. Get what you need and get
it *ethically*. Then expect your students to use these resources.
I've shared this information here and there in my TTT meetings and always
remind staff that we need to remember what we are modeling. What a great way
to be a role model against the "copy/paste" mentality that too often
pervades our students.
Did you know if you copy/paste from google images or any other (major search
engine's image search) that almost always what you're using is copyrighted?
Do you know what "fair-use" really means in terms of what you're expected to
do when you do use copyrighted materials? Maybe today's workshop is for you!
Hope to see you there.
--
Jerry Janes, Technology
USD 452 - Johnson City, KS 67855
620.492.6284 ext. 1108
jjanes@usd452.org
Today is another excellent opportunity for professional development. At 3:45
in my tech. lab at the high school we will be discussing: Open Source
Solutions, aka Good N' Free. It regards how and where to get quality,
copyright-free photos, clip art, video and audio & totally free and CLEAN
(no bugs or viruses) software for most any need. Get what you need and get
it *ethically*. Then expect your students to use these resources.
I've shared this information here and there in my TTT meetings and always
remind staff that we need to remember what we are modeling. What a great way
to be a role model against the "copy/paste" mentality that too often
pervades our students.
Did you know if you copy/paste from google images or any other (major search
engine's image search) that almost always what you're using is copyrighted?
Do you know what "fair-use" really means in terms of what you're expected to
do when you do use copyrighted materials? Maybe today's workshop is for you!
Hope to see you there.
--
Jerry Janes, Technology
USD 452 - Johnson City, KS 67855
620.492.6284 ext. 1108
jjanes@usd452.org
2/9/09
Free-to-use Media for the Classroom
Kyla Cook today asked me for help finding clip art for her students. Early this year I posted a long list of helpful links on my TTT page: http://www.usd452.org/staff/jjanes/ttf.htm
Scroll down to the heading: Open Source Solutions, aka Good N' Free. Under there you will find many links for copyright-free clip art, photos and other media such as audio, video and software. My top two favorite graphics links there are:
Public Domain Clipart (photos and clip art) optimized for word processors
EXCELLENT for clip art
My Favorite - Look at top of index page for SEARCH link.
Wikipedia:Public domain image resources
Need a photo?
Each article usually has an accompanying photo or graphic, most being already in the public domain. But you need to CHECK to make sure. The easiest way is to look at the bottom of each image. Is there any information about its copyright status? If not - CLICK - on the image. It will take you to its full size page, if a larger original image exists and there, at the bottom, you will see the copyright information.
The idea behind "Good N' Free" is twofold:
1) Everything is free. Model ethical computer behavior - Stop using and/or letting your students use google images. It's great that we teach them how to do searches, but let's teach them how to do ethical searches and not infringe on anyone's copyright in the process.
2) Find GOOD resources. A few years ago it was difficult to find quality content. It no longer is.
If you can make the Technology Training Day meeting this Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. in my room, we will explore this topic in more detail.
Scroll down to the heading: Open Source Solutions, aka Good N' Free. Under there you will find many links for copyright-free clip art, photos and other media such as audio, video and software. My top two favorite graphics links there are:
Public Domain Clipart (photos and clip art) optimized for word processors
EXCELLENT for clip art
My Favorite - Look at top of index page for SEARCH link.
Wikipedia:Public domain image resources
Need a photo?
Each article usually has an accompanying photo or graphic, most being already in the public domain. But you need to CHECK to make sure. The easiest way is to look at the bottom of each image. Is there any information about its copyright status? If not - CLICK - on the image. It will take you to its full size page, if a larger original image exists and there, at the bottom, you will see the copyright information.
The idea behind "Good N' Free" is twofold:
1) Everything is free. Model ethical computer behavior - Stop using and/or letting your students use google images. It's great that we teach them how to do searches, but let's teach them how to do ethical searches and not infringe on anyone's copyright in the process.
2) Find GOOD resources. A few years ago it was difficult to find quality content. It no longer is.
If you can make the Technology Training Day meeting this Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. in my room, we will explore this topic in more detail.
2/6/09
Downloading Videos from United Streaming
Brenda Kendrick had a good question today in our meeting:
How do you download videos from United Streaming?
Click here to see how! http://usd452.org/teacher_tools/pdf/download_united_streaming.pdf
OK. Now I know how to download. So why download?
Larger files take more resources to stream. Regardless, if you return to a video again to stream, you're again using those resources. To lessen the impact on our network, download - and do it well in advance (before/after school are low-usage times and you'd be surprised how quickly a large file downloads). Not only will you be assured the video will not "buffer" or stop and start while playing, you will be able to keep that video for next time you need it.
Don't save the video to the network, however. The reason is the same, to avoid unnecessary drain on our network resources. Save it to your computer. MyVideos is a great place to store them or create your own folder. Then back it up on a thumb drive, writeable CD or DVD.
How do you download videos from United Streaming?
Click here to see how! http://usd452.org/teacher_tools/pdf/download_united_streaming.pdf
OK. Now I know how to download. So why download?
Larger files take more resources to stream. Regardless, if you return to a video again to stream, you're again using those resources. To lessen the impact on our network, download - and do it well in advance (before/after school are low-usage times and you'd be surprised how quickly a large file downloads). Not only will you be assured the video will not "buffer" or stop and start while playing, you will be able to keep that video for next time you need it.
Don't save the video to the network, however. The reason is the same, to avoid unnecessary drain on our network resources. Save it to your computer. MyVideos is a great place to store them or create your own folder. Then back it up on a thumb drive, writeable CD or DVD.
Google Earth allows exploration of oceans
Wow! THAT'S some powerful content for integration in the classroom. Talk about thinking (and exploring) outside the box!
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=57093
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=57093
2/5/09
Open Office vs. MS Office in the classroom - a growing debate
Last week I delivered a day-long workshop at SWPRSC on the topic of Technology Integration in the Math and Science classroom. An early question was regarding Open Office vs. MS Office in the classroom.
For those of us unfamiliar with Open Office, it's a product developed by Sun Microsystems that essentially "clones" MS Office, delivering their version of all the applications MS Office does (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) but all for free. It's catching on for multiple reasons (one being obvious!) at many districts, globally, but it's my opinion we should move cautiously and consider it carefully.
The attendee wanted to know how to best address this to her administration and tech. people as she is of the opinion that forgetting about MS Office in the process is harmful. I agreed. She wrote me later for more information and my response is below.
PLEASE respond with your feedback, whether you agree or disagree, here on my blog so everyone in the district can have an opportunity to learn and hopefully get involved in this debate. Again, I'd like to see a robust discussion ensue over Technology Integration, district-wide, but let's keep it open (like Open Source products such as OOffice, not so ironically)!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
____,
Thanks for writing. I know my opinion is not popular with everyone. But I’ve come to my opinion carefully and with a lot of experience; too often people form a reactionary opinion and this is not beneficial to our students. A few points to consider are:
The overwhelming majority of businesses and universities still use MS Office. Most district technology plans state the district is striving to enable the student to perform well in current and emerging environments. We should not forget the current. MS Office is the current. If that changes, great, but until that time we should use it as the basis.
The graphical user interface is different as well as enough other aspects that Open Office has yet to clone. For example, OOffice is not compatible with MS Office 2007.
To put all your eggs in one basket, such as OOffice, is a risk not worth taking. Many former free Office clones have come and gone. Some might argue this one’s here to stay, but again, until it does and becomes the industry standard, ignoring MS Office is actually reckless.
Another concern I have is the viability of Web 2.0 in this arena. As you also know, I’m a big proponent of Web 2.0. Google Docs *might* just as well eclipse MS Office in the future as well as OOffice. That honestly would be great, for students, teachers, businesses and everyone else, if it did. But we don’t know, so we need to apply a conservative approach while being sure to offer those emerging technologies as alternatives.
Now, to be fair, I completely understand and actually agree with those who argue for OOffice, as you might have noticed I did in our workshop. I happen to have OOffice loaded on two computers at home and frequently suggest it for my web design clients due to their budget issues, etc. But my uses and those of my clients vary greatly and again, nobody’s being locked into one application; it’s a matter of choice. We need to give that choice *to* our students.
Also, as you know, I push any Open Source solution. But again, we’re teachers and we can make that choice because we *have* learned MS Office and have those skills when required by our employers.
I too agree that we should be teaching principles/concepts. Just look at the technology standards. They do not mention products, just tasks. So teaching MS Office with OOffice not only helps students master the standards but gives them a real-world edge in knowing there are multiple ways to solve a problem. And again, when or if that paradigm shift comes and the majority of businesses are using OOffice, our students will be far ahead of the learning curve.
Finally, I completely understand why people are *against* MS Office and too have my own stories of woe, but as I said, we should not throw out the baby with the bathwater.
My first year as a technology teacher was at a parochial school back in Chicagoland. I came into a K-8 school where the previous teacher was using Notepad as a word processor. But we could not afford the MS Office licensing. So I taught MS Works, as it was loaded on the machines already, as well as WordPad AND Notepad to boot. Some of my kids came back to visit me when they were finally challenged with Word and Office in high school and told me they had no problems converting. But it’s the robustness of the previous instruction that put them in the position.
So I would not argue against OOffice or any Open Source or Web 2.0 application. I would argue to keep status quo, being sure to offer alternatives. And as I said in the workshop, if there are two candidates for a job which requires proficiency of MS Office and one has it while the other does not, ask yourself whom will get the job offer.
I could be wrong but I would rather err on the side of caution when it comes to my students.
A quick google of the topic found these excellent resources. Please keep in mind they’re only opinions, like mine. Be sure to read comments – they go both ways:
http://teachers20.com/2008/05/05/open-office-vs-ms-office-in-a-public-school-setting/
http://nategrondin.com/2007/03/31/schools-should-use-openofficeorg/
http://community.k12opensource.com/forum/topics/transitioning-to-open-office
http://www.computerworlduk.com/TOOLBOX/OPEN-SOURCE/blogs/index.cfm?blogid=14&entryid=1423
Hope this helps.
Jerry
For those of us unfamiliar with Open Office, it's a product developed by Sun Microsystems that essentially "clones" MS Office, delivering their version of all the applications MS Office does (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) but all for free. It's catching on for multiple reasons (one being obvious!) at many districts, globally, but it's my opinion we should move cautiously and consider it carefully.
The attendee wanted to know how to best address this to her administration and tech. people as she is of the opinion that forgetting about MS Office in the process is harmful. I agreed. She wrote me later for more information and my response is below.
PLEASE respond with your feedback, whether you agree or disagree, here on my blog so everyone in the district can have an opportunity to learn and hopefully get involved in this debate. Again, I'd like to see a robust discussion ensue over Technology Integration, district-wide, but let's keep it open (like Open Source products such as OOffice, not so ironically)!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
____,
Thanks for writing. I know my opinion is not popular with everyone. But I’ve come to my opinion carefully and with a lot of experience; too often people form a reactionary opinion and this is not beneficial to our students. A few points to consider are:
The overwhelming majority of businesses and universities still use MS Office. Most district technology plans state the district is striving to enable the student to perform well in current and emerging environments. We should not forget the current. MS Office is the current. If that changes, great, but until that time we should use it as the basis.
The graphical user interface is different as well as enough other aspects that Open Office has yet to clone. For example, OOffice is not compatible with MS Office 2007.
To put all your eggs in one basket, such as OOffice, is a risk not worth taking. Many former free Office clones have come and gone. Some might argue this one’s here to stay, but again, until it does and becomes the industry standard, ignoring MS Office is actually reckless.
Another concern I have is the viability of Web 2.0 in this arena. As you also know, I’m a big proponent of Web 2.0. Google Docs *might* just as well eclipse MS Office in the future as well as OOffice. That honestly would be great, for students, teachers, businesses and everyone else, if it did. But we don’t know, so we need to apply a conservative approach while being sure to offer those emerging technologies as alternatives.
Now, to be fair, I completely understand and actually agree with those who argue for OOffice, as you might have noticed I did in our workshop. I happen to have OOffice loaded on two computers at home and frequently suggest it for my web design clients due to their budget issues, etc. But my uses and those of my clients vary greatly and again, nobody’s being locked into one application; it’s a matter of choice. We need to give that choice *to* our students.
Also, as you know, I push any Open Source solution. But again, we’re teachers and we can make that choice because we *have* learned MS Office and have those skills when required by our employers.
I too agree that we should be teaching principles/concepts. Just look at the technology standards. They do not mention products, just tasks. So teaching MS Office with OOffice not only helps students master the standards but gives them a real-world edge in knowing there are multiple ways to solve a problem. And again, when or if that paradigm shift comes and the majority of businesses are using OOffice, our students will be far ahead of the learning curve.
Finally, I completely understand why people are *against* MS Office and too have my own stories of woe, but as I said, we should not throw out the baby with the bathwater.
My first year as a technology teacher was at a parochial school back in Chicagoland. I came into a K-8 school where the previous teacher was using Notepad as a word processor. But we could not afford the MS Office licensing. So I taught MS Works, as it was loaded on the machines already, as well as WordPad AND Notepad to boot. Some of my kids came back to visit me when they were finally challenged with Word and Office in high school and told me they had no problems converting. But it’s the robustness of the previous instruction that put them in the position.
So I would not argue against OOffice or any Open Source or Web 2.0 application. I would argue to keep status quo, being sure to offer alternatives. And as I said in the workshop, if there are two candidates for a job which requires proficiency of MS Office and one has it while the other does not, ask yourself whom will get the job offer.
I could be wrong but I would rather err on the side of caution when it comes to my students.
A quick google of the topic found these excellent resources. Please keep in mind they’re only opinions, like mine. Be sure to read comments – they go both ways:
http://teachers20.com/2008/05/05/open-office-vs-ms-office-in-a-public-school-setting/
http://nategrondin.com/2007/03/31/schools-should-use-openofficeorg/
http://community.k12opensource.com/forum/topics/transitioning-to-open-office
http://www.computerworlduk.com/TOOLBOX/OPEN-SOURCE/blogs/index.cfm?blogid=14&entryid=1423
Hope this helps.
Jerry
2/2/09
Technology empowers differentiated instruction
Yet another reason to integrate!
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=57064
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=57064
India unveils the $10 laptop!
One thing we cannot do as teachers is expect all students to have access to computers. Basic economics at play. It's one aspect of what is called the digital divide, the gap between the haves and the have-nots. It's been an obstacle that has proved time and time again to be the deal-breaker to true technology integration the classroom.
Could this (or something like this) be the answer?
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article5639463.ece
Check out the initiative that helped inspire such a solution:
http://laptop.org/en/
Could this (or something like this) be the answer?
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article5639463.ece
Check out the initiative that helped inspire such a solution:
http://laptop.org/en/
1/31/09
MUST-READ article on PROs of effective Technology Integration
What a case study. This could very well appear to be my blowing my own horn, but, this article encapsulates why our TTT program is so critical to school improvement. Having four TTFs on staff might not be feasible for us, but our program is in place and already speaking the same language as theirs.
I firmly believe in this - please read and as always, feel free to respond in my blog.
http://www.snponline.com/articles/2009/01/28/multiple_papers/schools/alluatech%20_20090127_1104am_19.txt
I firmly believe in this - please read and as always, feel free to respond in my blog.
http://www.snponline.com/articles/2009/01/28/multiple_papers/schools/alluatech%20_20090127_1104am_19.txt
1/27/09
The Quest for Video
Terrin Richey and I had a discussion today about what's out there other than United Streaming. It's a tough one as there's a lot but little for free. As part of a workshop I've presented in the past, I've developed a page with links to excellent, quality, FREE media resources for the classroom:
http://web.swprsc.org/latech/goodnfree.htm
Photographs, Clip Art, Audio snippets and songs and Video - all for the taking! And, all for FREE!
Stay copyright-friendly and get what you need!
http://web.swprsc.org/latech/goodnfree.htm
Photographs, Clip Art, Audio snippets and songs and Video - all for the taking! And, all for FREE!
Stay copyright-friendly and get what you need!
1/25/09
Cloud Computing... coming soon!
Google plans to make PCs history
Your thoughts?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jan/25/google-drive-gdrive-internet
Your thoughts?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jan/25/google-drive-gdrive-internet
Training Day - Thank you and pencil this next one in!
Thanks to those who attended this past week's after school Training Day workshop. As promised, here's the link to the online tutorial upon which we based our workshop:
Our next Training Day workshop date has been announced today. Please mark your calendars for the following:
Teachers Teaching Technology Staff Development – Wednesday, February 11, 3:45pm
Presenters:
Jerry Janes – Good 'N Free Copyright free classroom solutions – Jerry’s classroom at HS
Virgil Stewart – Power Point – Virgil’s classroom at elementary
1/22/09
Technology may bump cursive off lesson plans
Excellent point. Anyone up to debate this?
http://www.freep.com/article/20090121/NEWS07/90121069/1009/NEWS07/Technology+may+bump+cursive+off+lesson+plans
http://www.freep.com/article/20090121/NEWS07/90121069/1009/NEWS07/Technology+may+bump+cursive+off+lesson+plans
iPod in the Special Education Classroom
Barbara Wright has acquired an iPod for use in her classroom and asked me for some ideas to help integrate it into her curriculum. Below are some excellent resources I found that can just as easily translate into other classrooms.
iPods for Special Education Students - Uses and more
(Notes from NETA 2008 session "Leveling the Playing Field for Special Ed Students with iPods"
by Lanita Recob, Misty Beair, Rose Brewer)
http://czechitoutjeanhellman.blogspot.com/2008/04/ipods-for-special-education-students.html
A video about how one classroom is integrating the iPod
http://homepage.mac.com/lmelem/websites/iMovieTheater21.html
Apple's iPods in Education Resource Page
http://www.apple.com/education/teachers-professors/mobile-learning.html
Learning in-hand: iPods in Education
http://www.learninginhand.com/ipod/index.html
100 Ways to Use Your iPod to Learn and Study Better
http://oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/100-ways-to-use-your-ipod-to-learn-and-study-better
iPods for Special Education Students - Uses and more
(Notes from NETA 2008 session "Leveling the Playing Field for Special Ed Students with iPods"
by Lanita Recob, Misty Beair, Rose Brewer)
http://czechitoutjeanhellman.blogspot.com/2008/04/ipods-for-special-education-students.html
A video about how one classroom is integrating the iPod
http://homepage.mac.com/lmelem/websites/iMovieTheater21.html
Apple's iPods in Education Resource Page
http://www.apple.com/education/teachers-professors/mobile-learning.html
Learning in-hand: iPods in Education
http://www.learninginhand.com/ipod/index.html
100 Ways to Use Your iPod to Learn and Study Better
http://oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/100-ways-to-use-your-ipod-to-learn-and-study-better
1/13/09
What did YOUR students get for Christmas? - A glimpse of the future
Are we bridging or further dividing the gap?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/resource/jan-future
http://www.guardian.co.uk/resource/jan-future
1/6/09
1/5/09
Teacher Tube - OUR YouTube!
I've used this in the past and it contains great content, even if only FYI. AND our firewall permits it!
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/DN-teachertube_05met.ART.State.Edition1.4a6b09f.html
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/DN-teachertube_05met.ART.State.Edition1.4a6b09f.html
Smartboard to make inroads
Another great article in support of whiteboard technology:
http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2008/12/24/technology/20081224125332&sec=technology
http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2008/12/24/technology/20081224125332&sec=technology
The great cell phone debate
Any takers? Our district forbids them for good reasons but it still is something we can discuss.
Personally, I am of the opinion that if something widens the digital divide, it is not feasible. Since not all students have a cell phone...
What do YOU think?
http://www.freep.com/article/20081230/NEWS05/812300307
Personally, I am of the opinion that if something widens the digital divide, it is not feasible. Since not all students have a cell phone...
What do YOU think?
http://www.freep.com/article/20081230/NEWS05/812300307
You HAVE to read this: What might online schools mean for YOU?
I've read many such articles but never one so concise.
Especially of note is her query: Will education technology change the role of the classroom teacher and the nature of learning?' Classroom teachers' roles will primarily remain the same in teaching elementary students the basic subjects. Teachers at the middle and secondary levels must become technology-savvy.
This is the trend. How are you anticipating the results?
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090101/NEWS/901010245/1002/NEWS02?Title=Online_schools_offer_alternative
Especially of note is her query: Will education technology change the role of the classroom teacher and the nature of learning?' Classroom teachers' roles will primarily remain the same in teaching elementary students the basic subjects. Teachers at the middle and secondary levels must become technology-savvy.
This is the trend. How are you anticipating the results?
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090101/NEWS/901010245/1002/NEWS02?Title=Online_schools_offer_alternative
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