Our Digital/Connected World

The other evening the weather report called for 3 - 6 inches of snow. Yes, I'm in NY. The weather report further called for icy rain and freezing conditions. As I relaxed with Facebook after a long day it was nice to see reports start coming in that we would have a Snow Day. How did this word reach me? News traveled quickly via our district Facebook page, our district Twitter account. At the Board of Education meeting the Interim Superintendent made the announcement. Those present continued to spread the word through their mobile devices. This was all before the official phone call announcement from the school district took place. I marveled at how quickly news spread. THIS is the power of social media. Rapid sharing of information to the masses. I think my mind focused on this, because I was disappointed that my celebration of Digital Learning Day (http://digitallearningday.org) would need to be postponed.

And yet, the inner small child celebrated the news that we would have a snow day! Yes, please. I could so use a rest. But again I'm me. Did I rest today? Only now (while blogging mind you) at 4:49 am I actually relaxing on the couch. Since today was Digital Learning Day I had to connect with my PLN and attend a few virtual events.

As people voiced their concerns about prepping for power outages and expressed gratitude that their power came back, I was grateful for my access. I realized just how connected I am.  I think I swallowed a "horse-tablet sized blue pill" eons ago.


I woke up and looked at my digital clock.
I made some Cream of Farina in the microwave.
I checked my smartphone.
I turned on my Nook.
I booted up my computer. (All in the first 10 minutes or so of being awake.)
I took a photo of the snow outside.
I logged in.
I loaded my TweetDeck.
I loaded my Facebook.
I checked in on my PLN.
I tuned in for the Library of Congress Digital Learning Day stream.
I tuned in for a bit of the Discovery Educator Network Google Hangout.
I took part in the discussion at the ChatSpace on the Library of Congress Digital Learning Day stream.
I decided I needed to encapsulate this Digital/Connected Life I lead.
Today I was "off" but I would certainly say that I was "on". Wouldn't you?

Did you spend Digital Learning Day using digital devices? Were you connected?

2014 Goal: "Share more valuable content"

My Goal this year: “Share more valuable content.”

Daily, I live digitally. Wake up. Turn on either the computer or the cell phone (or both) and see what's going on with friends, family, and members of my PLN. I absorb so much from so many. Having all of this new knowledge is wonderful. Having someone else gain something positive from my having this new knowledge – oh wouldn't that be more powerful!?

Last night and this morning it snowed. The view out my window is beautiful since I don't have to go shovel it. So, today I can enjoy it. Now had this been Monday when I return to work... Oh I'd have told the snow where they can shovel it! But does anyone care about all that? I am realizing how much more value there would be in sharing quality, valuable resources with my PLN. This will be my goal this year. I know every day I will not accomplish this. I am so impressed with my friends that curate and collaborate daily. But I do plan to attempt to periodically “Share more valuable content.”

I know “Share more valuable content” is rather subjective. What I find valuable others might not. But as they say, “You can't please everyone all of the time.” So I won't try. I will however share that recipe (http://FeteAvecMoi.com), that party/celebration idea (http://FeteAvecMoi.com), that educational resources (http://twitter.com/neene) or educational insight/reflection/professional development (http://JeannineShields.com). Hope you will care enough to take a look and that you will deem the content shared valuable.

update: Decided to create a visualization as part of the Blog Challenge (http://kellyhines.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/self-initiated-blogging-challenge/)

This photo slideshow made with Smilebox

Tech Challenge #4

Today's Techmas Challenge:
"On the fourth day of Techmas the Techformers challenged me to create a progressive story using TodaysMeet! We have started our own channel! https://todaysmeet.com/techformersu The story is.. This is going to best Christmas ever!"

I never thought of using Today's Meet to do a collaborative creative activity. I seem to think "inside the box" and would have only used it for backchanneling a meeting. Here's to opening the lid and thinking "outside the box". Glad I opened this Techmas gift box. Here is my Today's Meet progressive story if you'd like to participate:
https://todaysmeet.com/CookieExchange

Tech Challenge #2

On the Second Day of Christmas...

"On the second day of Techmas the Techformers Challenged me to create a Smore about celebrating Christmas in another country. Check outJennifer Kraft's https://www.smore.com/g7rr6-christmas-around-the-world Share your Smore in the comments below and post to twitter using#techformersu also follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/TekformersUnite"

I accepted today's challenge with my father in mind. My father was Canadian French and embraced his French roots with an American twist. We always had a Friendly's Jubilee Roll (http://www.friendlys.com/media/uploads/products/27_jpg_270x255_q85.jpg) Which was a nod to his upbringing with a Bûche de Noël. We always left milk and cookies for Santa. And my father would say for Father Christmas. Probably because he grew up with visions of Père Noël while I was growing up with visions of Santa Claus.

When presented with this second Tech Challenge immediately, I thought of making a Smore (https://www.smore.com/app) on the Christmas traditions of France. So here is my submission to the 12 Days of Techmas.

https://www.smore.com/19cx

Have you made a digital smore lately?

 

Tech Challenge #1

A connected friend started a series of Facebook Tech Challenges. Being a life long learner I love connecting, learning, and growing. But you know, I realize I sometimes neglect the fact that life online can be (correction SHOULD be) fun. They have designed 12 days of digital technology challenges to complete in a spirit of fun.

So today's challenge:
"On the first day of Techmas the Techformers Challenged me to create a Wordle of your favorite holiday song. Choose a favorite song or story, or if you are feeling adventurous, complete one of these worksheets with your class to gather enough words to make your word cloud."

Here is my entry:

A) I love that through the power of the web you can look up the lyrics to most songs. These are the lyrics to Winter Wonderland as depicted in a word cloud. The larger words mean the words appear more times in the passage (or in this case song). What a great way to pinpoint the main idea of a paragraph.

b) The site that I used Abcya's Word Clouds. It is a rather kid friendly site. You can explore it here: http://www.abcya.com/word_clouds.htm The beautiful thing is that you can save the image. Some sites don't allow the save feature. This makes it perfect for education.

As the holiday season gets busy, I don't know if I will participate in each challenge. But I love the fun of collaborating with others. Seeing everyone else's posts on Facebook gives you a little insight into each of us. Some are more creative then others. Some used beautiful sites that let you put your word cloud into a particular shape. Some got creative with colors. I'm sure as the challenges build we will get to know more and more about each other. Looking forward to the fun! Thanks for including me.

Seeking Personal Professional Development

background image by Usien
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dany_Reyes_juggler.JPG

A member of my PLN, Jerry Blumengarten, recently tweeted, "You should not have to wait to get PD you need. Be a constant learner on your own with great resources & support online." As I read these words the following image formed in my mind. Seeking professional development in our hectic, busy, Common Core, Data-driven lives is definitely a juggling act. Some will sit and watch the balls or rings fall and collect at our feet and have no idea what to do with them (let them fall). Some will pick up some and throw them away (toss them up). Others will pick up a few and run with them to put them to good use. Others yet will find a way to keep the cycle going. Toss some up. Catch some. Pass them around. Share them. Add new balls or rings. And keep it all moving fluidly. On different days I can be at different phases of the pd juggling cycle. However, in reading Jerry's words I find myself interested again in helping others to reach out and catch some new balls or rings and take them to heart (The perfect finishing act.) As someone who spends "free" time catching up with my PLN on Twitter, Google+, Edmodo, Facebook, etc. I obviously believe in receiving new balls pitched into my circle by friends. But it is up to me to keep the energy in motion or just let them collect at my feet. Thanks Jerry, for sparking this thought based on your words tossed back into the share-able collective instead of collecting at my feet.

ISTE Conference 2012 Power

Friday, June 22

Friday, after the closing of the school for the 2011-2012 school year, we headed to beautiful San Diego, California. We were headed out to #ISTE12 (International Society for Technology in Education Conference 2012). With great expectations in mind and business cards printed, we packed our bags and were on our way. Well almost... The heavens decided to open up on our way to the airport. We wondered if a monsoon had descended upon us. Of course, this meant the airline would have issues. Plane coming to get us was stuck in the Carolinas. So they sent another plane instead. Once we were finally seated on our plane the delays continued. Then the announcement comes over the loud speaker, “Does anyone have a medical background on board? A doctor or a nurse? One of our passengers could use a little medical attention at the back of the plane.” I feel bad for the person that needed medical attention. But seriously!?!?! Finally we are off to the magic that is #ISTE12.

Saturday, June 23

We were scheduled to attend the Discovery Educator Network ISTE pre-conference that next morning. However, with getting in so very, very late we unfortunately had to pass on this day of professional development and fun with our DEN friends. But as our plans had now changed, we had the flexibility to explore the city and check in for the conference. We picked up our conference bags and went for a walk around the Seaport Village. After such a hectic May and June at school, the beautiful scenery was much appreciated.

Sunday, June 24

Our conference experience began. ISTE provided a Kick-Off celebration to help get things underway. Peggy Shehy and Mario Armstrong provided great comic relief as they reminded us of other famous dynamic duos: Batman and Robin, Spock and Captain Kirk, Princess Leah and Luke Skywalker, Peter Pan and Captain Hook, and of course Mac and PC. We were encouraged to network and find our own partnerships. We met some lovely ISTE members during their networking activity.

During the conference, ISTE Award winners were recognized. Of course, our camera shutters clicked away in rapid succession as our Director of Technology received our Third Place SIGOL (Special Interest Group for Online Learning).

We then proceeded to the USS Midway for a light reception sponsored by an Interactive White Board vendor. They presented success stories in the field from some schools that had increased their student achievement rates. Karen Cator, Director of the Office of Educational Technology US Department of Education, addressed the group discussing the need to challenge our students and foster our teachers that are interested in researching that which works in Education.

Afterwards we went for dinner at a “World Famous Restaurant” that was quite an enjoyable way to end our day. We returned to our hotel to rest up for the next day's #ISTE12 adventures.

Life-long Learner

For students, summer is approaching.  Tomorrow they all return to their families for the next few months without the daily check ins with us from 8:27 to 3:15.  I know they will be excited for this "freedom".  Not spending their days with their wonderful educators at our school will have an effect on their development.  Some parents will organize enriching trips and visits to the library.  Some will encourage reading and some will encourage vegetation.  Hopefully more parents will choose wisely.

I love that we have many online resources that continue after the bell tomorrow.  Students will be able to "play" with Brainpop (http://brainpop.com), Starfall (http://starfall.com), and Discovery Education (http://discoveryeducation.com).  How little do they realize they are increasing their knowledge base while doing so.  Summer should mean put learning on simmer not turning off the gas.

Personally, I will be getting ready to attend an international technology conference.  I will making additional connections on Twitter.  I will be spending the summer exploring the features of Edmodo, updated Microsoft Office and Google more in depth.  Our goal should be to foster a sense of life-long learning.  I am grateful that my PLN helps me to be continually growing.  I enjoy modeling this desire for life-long learning.

What are you eager to explore this year? What do you hope to learn more about during the summer? I'd love to hear what everyone is up to now that we have "free time".

ISTE is Around the Corner

The ISTE conference is just around the corner.  How fast the year seems to have gone by!  Do you notice that while you are living through the school year it seems to take forever to get to June? And yet, somehow once about April arrives summer vacation appears very quickly.  Now is conference season, crunch time for end of the year projects, standardized tests, end of the year celebrations and so much more.  Thank goodness for Bejeweled to provide me with an outlet to relax.

But one of my other activities these days, while relaxing behind my computer, in the evenings is exploring the ISTE Ning. I have enjoyed my leisurely exploration of the conversations and resources that are taking place there.  How nice to grow my PLN from the comfort of my living room!  People are sharing interesting websites, events to attend, tips for technology integration, and more.  Everyone is wonderful about providing support to those on the boards.

Which brought me to wonder, what are you looking forward to most when ISTE 2010 is in full swing?  Are you thinking more about attending the sessions to develop your skills? Are you thinking about using your skills to have discussions with your peers? Are you planning on collecting new resources to implement in September? What is your goal with the conference (live or virtual)? I would love to hear your opinion. Please feel free to share your focus for the event.