You are often asked, "who was your best/favorite teacher?" Best/Favorite can mean so much. Influential is probably the more important word to use in such a question. I recently saw a Tweet about an article in the New York Times asking people who their best teacher was and why. That got me thinking about my own experiences in school. It is important to note that I went to a small PUBLIC school in Louisville, KY; James Graham Brown School. It was grades 1-12 (now K-12) and I went there all 12 years. I graduated with 49 other Seniors, which about 15 of I went to school with since 1st grade.
At my school we called teachers by their first name, we had couches and recliners in many of our classrooms, we were permitted to leave campus for lunch our senior year, no bells, just when the clock hit the time class was over, we went on to our next class, and many other "oddities" you would rarely see in schools today. It is important to note that my high school now has the #1 scores in the states annual assessment and many of the same "oddities." still in place
The school in itself played a huge role in influencing me. There was this one teacher though that stands out. Since the school was so small, I had Jean (as we called her) for Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus. It is important to note that my grades went D, C, B in those classes. She had my brother as well, he did not fare so well in the class. I immediately had a hump to get over the first day in her class. As you can tell, I didn't fair so well getting over the hump looking at my grades. As the subjects got harder, I did better. Part of that is maturity. The other part is gaining respect for Jean.
I will always remember her class. Quizzes every Wednesday, Test and Notebook check every Friday. We rarely, if ever, deviated from the schedule, even when it snowed. I remember her worksheets. They were made on the Ditto Machine in her classroom. Copy Machines had been around for a while, but for her, it was not about using ANY technology..not that much was available back then. I think teacher stations were still optional. So much of the class was student centered.
So much of what I learned in her class had little to do with Math. I learned organizational skills because of the notebook checks. I learned study skills because of the schedule. I learned how to speak in front of other students because we were required to go to the board every day and complete math problems. I learned how to respect someone. She influenced my future. Was she my favorite teacher? Was she my best teacher? Could be, but I remember her for being influential, not because she was easy, fun, exciting, used the greatest teaching methods, or differentiated instruction. She was very set in her ways. Judging how my grades were in her classes, it obviously worked. It just took time for me to adjust and realize how influential she was.
Jean retired the same year we graduated. We always joked with her that our class caused her to retire...that she just could not take it anymore. It was really the exact opposite. She wanted to finish her career going out with one of her most influential classes.
So, how does this story relate to technology, and I might be stretching it here. It is not using the technology that makes you influential. You could use all the technology in the world and not have any influence on your students. It is HOW you use the technology to influence your students. Students will think you are influential because of how you used technology to influence them for a lifetime and how that technology influenced their learning.
Who was your most influential teacher? If you blog, consider this a challenge to write a post telling your readers who influenced you. If you have done that before, link again to it, so new readers can see your post about your most influential teacher.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Must See Monday #8 - Hodge-Podge
Normally my Must See Monday posts are for a specific website or software. Today I received an email with a lot of useful links that I thought I would share.
Landmarks Class Blogmeister - This is a Blogging engine that has been developed specifically for classroom use. It includes both student and teacher blogs. You can search by country and by state, as well as grade level. When you search by state you get a list of names, and they are listed by most active. I wish it would allow you to search alphabetically, but it does not. When you click on their name, it will take you to their blog. So if you are looking for someone in particular, this might be a good way to find them. The major improvement would be to provide what the blog is about (subject, student, class, etc). It is a great list, but it definitely needs some tweeking. I guess it would be worth seeing if you could find yourself.
Crocodoc - Share and review documents online. It would be a great way for students to peer review assignments, or for teachers to post a sample assignment and have students review it from home, or even in class. You can upload a PDF, Word Document, Power Point, , or even a URL address. When you visit the site, click on the demo link to see some of the features. Some of those features include the ability to add Post-it Notes, Highlight, and Strike-through words. You can also type text within the margins. You can easily skip from page to page, search, and zoom in and out. If you want more security features you can pay for a Pro Account and add passwords (probably best options for education) Below is a screen shot of the demo page.
Ipadio - Allows you to boradcast from any phone live to the Internet. You can audio blog, or use your phone as a voice recorder that saves to the Internet. Ipadio is available on both the iPhone and the Android. They refer to blogging with your phone as a "Phlog." They do have a page dedicated explaining how they feel Ipadio can be used in Education. I have to say that the list of ideas is pretty interesting. If you are a school that allows the use of mobile devices, than this website definitely is worth looking at. There is a case study about using the site to learn Spanish. I think as mobile technology takes off, the concept of this site will grow. Check the site out for yourself and see how you might use it.
For something outside education, GrowShow is a great website that allows you to create a time lapse of your child/grandchild as they grow older. They also have some neat magnetic frames that you can purchase for the pictures that is worth checking out. I would watch the video on the front page to get a better idea of how it works. Definitely a site worth checking out if you just had a child/grandchild, or have your photos saved and archived on your computer. It will automatically organize the photos based on the time stamp if I understood the site correctly. You can set music up to the show, as well as set a GrowMinder to capture growth so you don't forget. Account setup is really simple as well.
Landmarks Class Blogmeister - This is a Blogging engine that has been developed specifically for classroom use. It includes both student and teacher blogs. You can search by country and by state, as well as grade level. When you search by state you get a list of names, and they are listed by most active. I wish it would allow you to search alphabetically, but it does not. When you click on their name, it will take you to their blog. So if you are looking for someone in particular, this might be a good way to find them. The major improvement would be to provide what the blog is about (subject, student, class, etc). It is a great list, but it definitely needs some tweeking. I guess it would be worth seeing if you could find yourself.
Crocodoc - Share and review documents online. It would be a great way for students to peer review assignments, or for teachers to post a sample assignment and have students review it from home, or even in class. You can upload a PDF, Word Document, Power Point, , or even a URL address. When you visit the site, click on the demo link to see some of the features. Some of those features include the ability to add Post-it Notes, Highlight, and Strike-through words. You can also type text within the margins. You can easily skip from page to page, search, and zoom in and out. If you want more security features you can pay for a Pro Account and add passwords (probably best options for education) Below is a screen shot of the demo page.
Ipadio - Allows you to boradcast from any phone live to the Internet. You can audio blog, or use your phone as a voice recorder that saves to the Internet. Ipadio is available on both the iPhone and the Android. They refer to blogging with your phone as a "Phlog." They do have a page dedicated explaining how they feel Ipadio can be used in Education. I have to say that the list of ideas is pretty interesting. If you are a school that allows the use of mobile devices, than this website definitely is worth looking at. There is a case study about using the site to learn Spanish. I think as mobile technology takes off, the concept of this site will grow. Check the site out for yourself and see how you might use it.
For something outside education, GrowShow is a great website that allows you to create a time lapse of your child/grandchild as they grow older. They also have some neat magnetic frames that you can purchase for the pictures that is worth checking out. I would watch the video on the front page to get a better idea of how it works. Definitely a site worth checking out if you just had a child/grandchild, or have your photos saved and archived on your computer. It will automatically organize the photos based on the time stamp if I understood the site correctly. You can set music up to the show, as well as set a GrowMinder to capture growth so you don't forget. Account setup is really simple as well.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Weekend Extra #5 - Twitter Tweecap
Another we has gone by, and so has another month. Hard to believe it is already March. Maybe it is just me, but years have seemed to go a lot faster once I started teaching. Could be because I look at the calendar differently than those not in the education profession. After being away, time for another addition of what I received from my PLN on Twitter.
1.) 100 Video Sites Every Educator Should Bookmark. - Great list. Some sites I have been to, others I have not. Definitely worth bookmarking.
2.) From the iLearn Technology Blog (A blog Elementary teachers MUST follow and/or subscribe too) - Online Audio Stories - A must for elementary educators. A great way to read and listen to stories.
3.) Great research report on Millennials. Also a quiz available to determine how millennial you are.
4.) 1:1 Laptop program lesson plans - Great Resource. Don't need laptops to adjust to your school if you don't have Laptops.
5.) IndispensibleTools - A Wiki of ICT websites.
6.) 100 Ways to use Twitter in the Classroom - Great List. No excuse not to use Twitter now!
7.) The Complexity of the U.S. Tax System - Interesting graphic. Great for a discussion on Economics.
8.) An interesting blog post about busting myths about the use of Mobile devices.
9.) From the Edge 21: Catch of the Day Blog: Note-A-Lator is a great resource for Music Teachers.
10.) From the Educational Technology Guy Blog - Classroom Chuckles, a website where all us educators can get a good laugh.
11.) Great video with Stats on the State of the Internet
12.) Who is the Best Teacher you Ever Had? Article from the Washington Post where students and even adults can talk about their best teacher.
13.) From the Not All Flowers and Sausages Blog - An interesting Blog Post about the teachers being fired in Rhode Island. Not that I agree with everything in the post, or its presentation, I am always open to opinions.
14.) Top Ten Issues in Math Education - Blog Post...Great read for all teachers, not just Math Teachers.
15.) From Larry Ferlazzo's Blog - Teacher Attire...what do you think?
16.) From ISTE, a great list of Web 2.0 Tools.
17.) The Movie Hatch - Tell Hollywood what movies you want to see.
18.) Ages of Social Network Users - Interesting...............
19.) Which works better, training a teacher or a plumber? Interesting Blog Post.
20.) iPhone Education Apps by subjects and Grade Level - Great Resource!
21.) From Teachers as Technology Trailblazer's, an iPhone App for Special Education.
22.) 23 Things to increase knowledge about Learning 2.0 that teachers can follow. What a GREAT idea!!!
23.) Internet Safety Resources from Simple K12
24.) Defining Phrases - English Website useful to students. Great tool for ACT preparation.
25.) Technology Solutions on a Budget.
26.) Zotero - A great way to organize, sort, and site resources from the Internet.
27.) A great list of Teaching Strategies.
Quite a list...but after Two weeks, this is quite a lot. I also included some articles from Twitter on my Articles Page.
1.) 100 Video Sites Every Educator Should Bookmark. - Great list. Some sites I have been to, others I have not. Definitely worth bookmarking.
2.) From the iLearn Technology Blog (A blog Elementary teachers MUST follow and/or subscribe too) - Online Audio Stories - A must for elementary educators. A great way to read and listen to stories.
3.) Great research report on Millennials. Also a quiz available to determine how millennial you are.
4.) 1:1 Laptop program lesson plans - Great Resource. Don't need laptops to adjust to your school if you don't have Laptops.
5.) IndispensibleTools - A Wiki of ICT websites.
6.) 100 Ways to use Twitter in the Classroom - Great List. No excuse not to use Twitter now!
7.) The Complexity of the U.S. Tax System - Interesting graphic. Great for a discussion on Economics.
8.) An interesting blog post about busting myths about the use of Mobile devices.
9.) From the Edge 21: Catch of the Day Blog: Note-A-Lator is a great resource for Music Teachers.
10.) From the Educational Technology Guy Blog - Classroom Chuckles, a website where all us educators can get a good laugh.
11.) Great video with Stats on the State of the Internet
12.) Who is the Best Teacher you Ever Had? Article from the Washington Post where students and even adults can talk about their best teacher.
13.) From the Not All Flowers and Sausages Blog - An interesting Blog Post about the teachers being fired in Rhode Island. Not that I agree with everything in the post, or its presentation, I am always open to opinions.
14.) Top Ten Issues in Math Education - Blog Post...Great read for all teachers, not just Math Teachers.
15.) From Larry Ferlazzo's Blog - Teacher Attire...what do you think?
16.) From ISTE, a great list of Web 2.0 Tools.
17.) The Movie Hatch - Tell Hollywood what movies you want to see.
18.) Ages of Social Network Users - Interesting...............
19.) Which works better, training a teacher or a plumber? Interesting Blog Post.
20.) iPhone Education Apps by subjects and Grade Level - Great Resource!
21.) From Teachers as Technology Trailblazer's, an iPhone App for Special Education.
22.) 23 Things to increase knowledge about Learning 2.0 that teachers can follow. What a GREAT idea!!!
23.) Internet Safety Resources from Simple K12
24.) Defining Phrases - English Website useful to students. Great tool for ACT preparation.
25.) Technology Solutions on a Budget.
26.) Zotero - A great way to organize, sort, and site resources from the Internet.
27.) A great list of Teaching Strategies.
Quite a list...but after Two weeks, this is quite a lot. I also included some articles from Twitter on my Articles Page.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday-Friday Combo Post - Facebook 4 Education
I was extremely busy yesterday, so I did not get a chance to post a Think Twice Thursday Post. Since today is normally my Friday Focus post time, I thought I would combine the two.
It has been a busy month in the area of Facebook and education and not in a positive light. Story after story of students using Facebook to slander and defame a teacher's character. Stories of a teacher using Facebook to rant about the behavior of students in class. You can view these articles on my Articles Page.
Let's "face" it, Facebook is a Social Networking site. That is its main intention. That is not the issue though. The issue is educating students, teachers, schools, and districts about using Facebook in a manner that promotes positive relationships between students and teachers, students and their school, schools and their community, and districts and their community. The image of Facebook as it relates to education must be changed for Facebook to be a successful tool in education.
Several school districts, if not all, have school web pages. Every school has parent-teacher conferences. Every school offers meetings for parents and students to attend. Every school has athletic, band, drama, and other events at their school. Every school has fundraisers, important announcements and information that parents need. The problem sometimes is getting that information to parents in a timely manner, and ensuring that it gets to every parent. The problem is providing an easily accessible area for such communication and relationship building outside of the school building.
Facebook can provide AN answer, not THE answer to improving those relationships. I was always told that if you can't get someone to come to where you are, then you got to go where they are. And where are our students, parents, and community members? Facebook. Ask the average student the first website they go to when they get online: Facebook. In 5-10 years (and probably today or sooner) ask the average parent the first website they visit when they log on the Internet: Facebook.
With all the negative press about Facebook though, it is hard to get districts, schools, administrators, teachers, and parents to buy into the idea of using Facebook for Education. There has to be a way to promote the positive aspects of using Facebook in Education. I know that Facebook is being used in Education, but those can be tough to find. Well, hopefully I have created a possible solution or way to do that.
All the negative press got me thinking about a way to promote the use of Facebook in education around the world. So I created a Wiki. A Wiki for educators, parents, administrators, schools, and districts to share how they are positively using Facebook. Facebook 4 Education provides a website to post links, stories, articles, videos, examples of Facebook use, and Fan Pages related to education.
Think Twice about how you can or are using Facebook in education and share that information on the Facebook 4 Education Wiki. Focus on sharing your successes of using Facebook. Focus on helping improve the image of Facebook in education. Help curtail the image that the media is portraying of Facebook in education.
It has been a busy month in the area of Facebook and education and not in a positive light. Story after story of students using Facebook to slander and defame a teacher's character. Stories of a teacher using Facebook to rant about the behavior of students in class. You can view these articles on my Articles Page.
Let's "face" it, Facebook is a Social Networking site. That is its main intention. That is not the issue though. The issue is educating students, teachers, schools, and districts about using Facebook in a manner that promotes positive relationships between students and teachers, students and their school, schools and their community, and districts and their community. The image of Facebook as it relates to education must be changed for Facebook to be a successful tool in education.
Several school districts, if not all, have school web pages. Every school has parent-teacher conferences. Every school offers meetings for parents and students to attend. Every school has athletic, band, drama, and other events at their school. Every school has fundraisers, important announcements and information that parents need. The problem sometimes is getting that information to parents in a timely manner, and ensuring that it gets to every parent. The problem is providing an easily accessible area for such communication and relationship building outside of the school building.
Facebook can provide AN answer, not THE answer to improving those relationships. I was always told that if you can't get someone to come to where you are, then you got to go where they are. And where are our students, parents, and community members? Facebook. Ask the average student the first website they go to when they get online: Facebook. In 5-10 years (and probably today or sooner) ask the average parent the first website they visit when they log on the Internet: Facebook.
With all the negative press about Facebook though, it is hard to get districts, schools, administrators, teachers, and parents to buy into the idea of using Facebook for Education. There has to be a way to promote the positive aspects of using Facebook in Education. I know that Facebook is being used in Education, but those can be tough to find. Well, hopefully I have created a possible solution or way to do that.
All the negative press got me thinking about a way to promote the use of Facebook in education around the world. So I created a Wiki. A Wiki for educators, parents, administrators, schools, and districts to share how they are positively using Facebook. Facebook 4 Education provides a website to post links, stories, articles, videos, examples of Facebook use, and Fan Pages related to education.
Think Twice about how you can or are using Facebook in education and share that information on the Facebook 4 Education Wiki. Focus on sharing your successes of using Facebook. Focus on helping improve the image of Facebook in education. Help curtail the image that the media is portraying of Facebook in education.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wiki Wednesday #6 - Voicethread 4 Education
My experience with using Voicethread is very limited. In fact I have not had the pleasure of using the software at all, although I have heard a lot of wonderful things about it. While looking around some Wiki's, I came across Voicethread 4 Education. It greatly improved my knowledge about what Voicethread is and how it works.
What I like about this wiki is its organization. Very often you will find Wikis (since it is visitor submissions) that are scattered and hard to follow. This Wiki is well maintained and has an easy to follow set up without many distractions. First thing of interest is the Classroom Partner option. A chart with other educators using Voicethread so that you can learn from each other. A Voicethread PLN.
Want to include your own Voicethread, the creator Colette Cassinelli (Who is available to follow on Twitter) has done a great job of explaining the process for adding Voicethreads. Another way to help keep the Wiki organized. Another great organized feature is the sidebar. You can find samples and resources organized by grade level. Within the pages are both links to Voicethreads as well as embeded Voicethreads. There are also sections related to Administration, college, library, Special Education, ESL/ELL/EFL.
A very important page to visit will be Best Practices. A great way to learn about how to use Voicethread. This is the page that I visited first. Lesson ideas and a presentation with ways to use Voicethread in the classroom. Voicethread is free and educator accounts are encouraged if going to use the software. You can get more information about Ed.Voicethread on the Resources Page.
Let this Wiki be your home page for Voicethread information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)