If you’re coming to the Midsouth Technology Conference, I will be a presenter at these sessions:
Dec 9: DIY Edtech-Edupunk-Why and How
(Assisting Aaron Fowles) This presentation will address the why and how of DIY educational technology, sometimes called edupunk. Rather than list a number of resources and how teachers can use them, we aim to identify the requirements of a modern education and the technologies that can help fulfill those requirements. Furthermore, we want to show teachers how many resources are available to them at no cost because we feel that many providers exploit teachers’ lack of knowledge in this area.
Dec 10: Creative Writing with Kerpoof
Learn the basics of the online creative application for kids and see how this powerful tool can be used to enhance creative writing. Get tips on how to best use the “Make a Story” and “Make a Movie” features, while also exploring management strategies for online student accounts.
Dec 10: Great Open Source and Free Resources for Your Classroom
Presenting 25+ open source software and web application resources for students and teachers that you can download or use completely free of charge. High quality, user friendly, time-saving programs that teachers and students will get a lot of use from. From classroom management to creative tools, from skill-building to file conversion–whether small or big, resources may be useful to teachers and students in grades K-12.
We have not really had a moment to breathe this year–it’s been a whirlwind operation from the get-go. Technology training? No time! Since several teachers had approached me wondering if we could meet up at school during the summer so I could “show” them a few things to enhance technology use in the classroom, I decided to devote two weeks this summer to in-house casual professional development. But I’ll extend the invite to any Downtown parents and any Memphis area teachers that might accidentally stumble upon my little bitty corner of cyberspace.
Here’s the deal:
JUNE: Week of 6/15-6/19
JULY: Week of 7/13-7/17
All dates will start at 10 AM and though it might not go until 3PM, I’ll stay till then in case you want to practice or play with stuff.
Mondays will be digital photography and iPhoto (bring a digital cam with an SD card, if possible).
Tuesdays will be video importing and editing in iMovie.
Wednesdays will be eBeam and Kerpoof for the classroom.
Thursdays and Fridays will be play dates. This means I’ll just be here from 10 to 3 and at your service. You can come in to practice any of the things we’ve done M-W or ask for specific help on anything you’ve wanted to learn or brush up on.
Of course, the July dates will be after I return from NECC, so I might be chock full of even more good ideas. *smile*
If you need to get in touch, just send me an email: SmithTeacher@gmail.com
I have been in the throes of Student Exhibition, and still have more work to do, but it’s about time I updated!
Last week, I attended the Memphis City School Annual Technology Conference. I also presented both days of the conference, hoping to get techie teachers excited about the possibilities blogging can open up for their classrooms or schools.
Suzanne and I presented on Thursday, and I went solo on Friday. Overall, it seemed that many of the session attendees were keen to get started on Edublogs, which was the site and guide that we provided for setting up a teacher blog. I am hoping to hear from people there and to see what they are blogging about, or how they are involving their classes in blogging.
On Thursday night, I also attended a webinar hosted by Edutopia (GLEF). “Small World: How to Bring Your Students in the Global Online Classroom” was a conversation with Will Richardson, author of Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, and the hand behind Weblogg-ed. It was inspiring! If I was committed to changing what is possible for my students in the 21st century at Downtown Elementary, I am even more. At least, I feel energized. It was very motivating to meet with about 200 other like-minded educators and share questions with Mr. Richardson. I’ve already got some ideas brewing for blogs and wikis, thanks to his examples.
Student Exhibition was yesterday, as well as Family Math, Science, and Technology Night. Those deserve their own posts, methinks.
I really look forward to working with iMovie in the lab this year. It is definitely going to be something the students will enjoy. I know several other teachers at the school use iMovie in their classrooms, and some even get their students using iMovie for projects.
What I really foresee as being beneficial to the school is making sure that teachers who use iMovie effectively in their classrooms can help those who do not feel comfortable with it. It all comes down to realizing the impact it can have on shaking up things in class and getting the kids excited. I am considering doing a voluntary training session or two with teachers in the lab this year.
Here’s an article called iMovies in Education, which really shows the whole scope of possibilties.
Why am I thinking about iMovie?
I took a refresher course in the very basics of podcasting today at the TLA. Of course, I am hooked on the idea of getting all sorts of fabulous equipment to really have a high tech podcast production center. Right now, I think that is getting a little ahead of myself! To be honest, I think that what we have right now in the lab (i.e. our eMacs) has just the right equipment for guiding students in making basic “podcasts.” To do podcasts for the school, we will definitely need a bit more. Right now, I think a Snowball (microphone that is both uni and omni-directional) will be the best bet for reasonable funds with good functionality. Now the only question is, how can podcasts help promote Downtown Elementary?
- Informational: Interviews with administrators and faculty detailing our Optional Program, as well as other programs and opportunities our school has
- Community Involvement: Interviews with parents and community members–informational interviews (such as science, social studies, or math topics with parents or other professionals); motivational interviews (with positive messages or tips for students); literature focus (parents or community members reading excerpts from favorite children’s books)
- Student spotlights: Featured students read an excerpt from their favorite book
- Teacher spotlights: Interviews with teachers, or teachers reading from their favorite books
- Tips: Homework and school work strategies for success
Podcasting seems to be a great medium for communicating with not only students and parents at home, but with the community. Podcasts from the school could possibly be made ready for download, which would be a bonus. I will continue to brainstorm this summer and see if a more organized plan can be created. Perhaps once the school year starts, teachers, parents, and community members who are interested in making Downtown very Web 2.0 savvy can help with planning and production.
