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

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!

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

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:

http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/moviemaker/a/mov_mak_beg.htm

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

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

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

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

Did YOU know?

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

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

Teachers use blogs to forge new links with students, parents

Where's YOUR blog?

http://www.star-telegram.com/arlington_news/story/1114745.html

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

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