Unconference Format

Just attended a really cool event planned at #DENLC10.  It was termed an "unconference".  Instead of top down... here this is today's agenda the participants tossed out ideas.  Individual passions uncovered today's mutual passions and discussions.  It was an incredible experience to be a part of.  Last night people threw out ideas.  Someone's comment sparked my own thought "How can I better utilize inexpensive MP3 players in the classroom?".  I decided to stand up and be counted and offer the suggestion to the group.  There were a few nods and so it was.  Then today we broke up into several sessions and discussed our topics.  I enjoyed all three topics that I was a part of today.  But I am so impressed by the communal knowledge that came for from today's exercise.  We created a google doc http://tinyurl.com/NYDENLC10MP3 where we all collected information regarding the use of mp3 players in the classroom.  The amount of resources and ideas that were brought about I am just so impressed by.  Thank you to all those who participated in RL and virtually!

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.

Yes, I Googled

There recently was a movie which had a character shyly admit, “Yes, I googled!”  Why be embarrassed!?  I think you should be embarrassed if you don’t take the time to Google yourself every now and then.  I did so this evening.  I am glad I did. 

I never noticed this picture on the Internet before.  It came up on Google.  I love the caption which appears with it.  Apparently Discovery Education posted “Educators from across the NYC Tri-State Area visited Discovery’s NYC office to get digitally fit. DEN New York Leadership Council member Jeannine Shields presented a great lesson plan utilizing Discovery Education’s Assignment Builder loaded with over a dozen powerful health videos for students to access. They loved the bags full of DVD’s and Educator Toolkits from the Discovery Health Channel!” on Flickr.  This was from an event last year.  I appreciate the positive statements written as the caption.

But finding this lovely post reminds me just how important it is to periodically run your name through a search engine.  You can’t always control what is written.  People may have negative or positive comments to make.  Everyone has an opinion.  But isn’t it better to know what is being said.  Of course it is nicer when it is positive such as the comments written by Discovery for the gallery. 

Thanks, Discovery!  But knowledge is power as they say.  More power to you.  Now get out there and search for yourself.

Enthusiasm Goes a Long Way

Today, I had some great conversations with my colleagues.   I love hearing the enthusiasm that has taken over our building when it comes to using technology for instruction.  A teacher recently left me a note and sent me an email describing how her SMART Board, interactive white board, was not working. "It is impossible to teach without it!" Impossible? Hardly.  Better with the use of a SMART Board? Absolutely.

Another teacher came to me to discuss the possibilities of putting digital cameras in the hands of her students.  Of course.  We have the technology.  Let's use the technology!

Yet another teacher is proud of herself that she invested in a flashdrive and is ready to begin creating interactive lessons for her students.  Her enthusiasm despite some previous apprehension is contagious.

And then of course, the wonderful discussion I had today with administration.  Having individuals see the power behind the use of technology is just an amazing transformation.  This leadership hopefully will help inspire others in the building to embrace the power behind these tools.  The ability to bring the best learning experiences to our students without much effort (now at the click of a mouse) and a little planning is changing the face of our building.

I am thrilled to be a part of this contagious enthusiasm that is swirling and spiraling throughout the building.  Thank you to all those I work with who take the time and effort to seek me out to plan and develop enriching experiences for our students. It is a pleasure.

New Year and New Technologies

Every year it seems the industry discovers newer, more wonderful devices than the previous year.  Tonight being New Year's Eve had me thinking about what we can expect during 2010.  Who would have thought we would have many of the items we can't live without a few years ago.  Computers and technology are all around us.  I noticed tonight while watching Carson Daly host the New York City ball dropping festivities... the count down was a plasma display on a jumbotron.  When they celebrated New Year's Eve a hundred years ago was this concept ever imagined? Even just 10 years ago would we have envisioned watching a multicolored digital display synced to the very moment when 12:00:00 occurs? 

I look forward to the year ahead.  Technology has helped us with so much.  In the field of instructional technology it is amazing what can be accomplished with some imagination and some IT.  I can't wait to see what "it" items will come out on the market this year.  And the impact those new technologies will have on our instructional practices.  Are you ready for the new decade at hand?

Technology is Changing but Teaching is Constant

The principal, in one of the buildings in which I work, recently approached me with research he had found.  He initiated a discussion regarding engaged instruction.  I was so pleased to see administration taking an interest in this topic.  He was expressing that he felt technology could be used to intro a new enthusiasm to old topics. 

We understand that we must teach the required New York State Standards.  We do not believe in teaching to the test.  And yet, we need students to learn at a certain level in order to perform well on Standardized tests.  The question is how do we get students motivated to learn.  Not every student walks through the door with intrinsic desires to learn.  Some will need more motivation and stimulation.  Reciting of facts is not enough.  We need to assist students in building deep understandings of material and then applying those understandings. Technology may change but good, solid teaching remains a constant.  A f2f (face to face) experience led to a phone call (once considered amazing technology) which sparked discussion about using computers, video, podcasting, vodcasting, and more to teach more effectively and efficiently. Harnessing the best of modern advances to better assist us in providing old fashioned seasoned, well planned out instruction.

I appreciate the enthusiasm with which this concept was presented to me.  I look forward to working on this project to better serve the needs of both our students and our faculty.  

Podcasting vs. Audioblogging

A lot of technology terms get thrown around these days.  Many are synonyms many are nuances of terms.  First we developed digital audio (capturing sound waves on a computer), then multiple file formats (ways of saving the audio), then web hosting (method of saving the sound wave on the Internet), then RSS (method of finding sound waves posted on the Internet) and of course ipods and mp3 players (devices to download audio files onto for use later).  Now the techie civilization gets involved and we have words like podcast, audiocast, vodcast, vcast, sound clip.  Then with the advance of technology people find ways to express themselves.  We develop websites, blogs, youtube videos, digital storytelling, and more.  Then combination occurs.  Why not make blogs (written expressions) that contain overlaying audio that people could download to listen to at a later time? This created some to start audioblogging.

What is audioblogging? Exposition on a topic of choice to express one's feelings with a few images either graphic or textual with an overlay of audio. 

I had a great conversation with two fellow teachers today.  They were discussing the desire to make their instruction more interactive with the students.  Notice I did not write for the students.  They were trying to think of ways to make learning more engaging.  I think the progression through the various terms of web delivered audio for education needs to begin slowly.

One of the teachers and I discussed simple podcasting.  Having recordings made.  Uploaded.  Collected. Downloaded.  Personally I think this is where to begin to become more familiar with the tools.  But as with all technology advances, we find easier ways to move further.  I think a great project would be to begin with eventually developing vocabulary vodcasts.  Giving the students the opportunity to choose a term surrounding a theme.  Then define the term in concise writing.  Create an image to accompany the term (draw it or find it on the web in copyright cleared locations).  Record the student defining their term.  Overlay the audio to a slide show displaying the term, definition, and graphic.  A series of these (one from each student) would create a fabulous review that could be downloaded and played over and over again on computers, ipods or mp3 players with video capabilities. 

I always marvel how a small conversation can spark such a large idea.  Have you tried podcasting with your students?  What has worked for you and your students?  And equally I would love to know have your students had success from listening to content delivered via podcast or vodcast?  Please feel free to comment here to share what you have learned so that we may learn from you.  Happy podcasting!