Friday, April 29, 2005
Student Anchors
I have been so CHARGED and on a mission after seeing Jeff Jarvis' Vblog (thanks to Will) because of the endless possibilities this could mean for students. My Broadcast Journalism students have been using visual communicator for the past year. Now don't get me wrong, their news packages aren't perfect but I have to say "I am so proud of the them." This year was a pilot, but with the visual communicator-ease, there's so much that students can produce, on their own. Here's where education can be fun! Student Video Blog
(forgive the typos in the piece)
(thanks MB and JJ for ftp tips)
(forgive the typos in the piece)
(thanks MB and JJ for ftp tips)
Not The Right Call
Oh well, I was going to post about the beautiful artwork in our hallways and was distracted when I saw one of our darling students with a small phone/video device in his hand. Our policy is that phones are not visible and off limits during school hours. So after I told him to put the phone away (I guess I should have taken it. But it's Friday) I thought deeper about this issue of Phone Use and other Gadgets In Schools...my Friday rant. I will add that our students are permitted to sit in our Libra/Tech centers which is a Free Listening zone; so we're not completely electronicLESS. I actually implemented the Free Listening Zone as a way to "give a little" to our upper class students and it's worked out pretty well, for the most part. The cell phone issue is another HIGHLY DEBATABLE PAIN that has a true CALLING of ITS OWN. It's amazing when you think of all of the possibilities to consider with today's cellular phones and the endless capabilities being wired throughout the schools: cheating, emabarrasing others, privacy violations, posting pictures of your class on the web (all of this is easy to do). These little phones are HUGE! And the worst part is (you ready?) you never will really know if you are the subject of the tiny lens in the phone that is the size of your palm. Or, when a giggle in class turns out with you being the subject of the joke. Anyway, I am trying to research the legality of whether students (or anyone) can tape someone else without prior consent. I am really not sure what the law is. But what I did find was the story Teacher freaks out about National Anthem, with Video out of Brick Township, NJ. How did I miss this one? Many issues abound in this story. One being, should a teacher yell to the top of his lungs at his students for not standing during the Pledge? And another issue which is, should students videotape their teachers without their knowledge? There are many violations here and I am not too sure what the answers are. I do know that these issues need to be addressed very openly and aggressively before you read it in the newspapers. Or...on the web. Think about how something could be taken out of context in the classroom and spread all over, without knowing the full story. A little food for thought.
camera cell phones in school
"The issue of camera-capable cell phones is becoming a major problem in schools around the globe. This is a problem not only for high schools, but is working its way through all ages and grade levels."
camera cell phones in school
"The issue of camera-capable cell phones is becoming a major problem in schools around the globe. This is a problem not only for high schools, but is working its way through all ages and grade levels."
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress
Here is their response..."With respect to your atlas question, there are literally hundreds of excellent choices for modern atlases. We consistently find, however, that the National Geographic:Atlas of the World_ (see bibliographic record below) is one of the most consulted reference sources in the Geography and Map Division Reading Room."
For more information:
http://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/
email: http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/ask-geogmap.html
For more information:
http://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/
email: http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/ask-geogmap.html
All I Could Ask For
I was advised in a previous post to Ask A Librarian about a recommendation for an updated atlas for our school library. Well, I did. And I will keep you posted when I get the answer in about five days.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Great Historical Links
Thanks to Shirl Kennedy at the Resource Shelf for these historical links. Just in time.
The Past is Truly Alive - A Levity Break
Your Place in Time
What fun! I took the GenX quiz (not to date myself) and had some great memories. Although, I did forget who Shot J.R.
What fun! I took the GenX quiz (not to date myself) and had some great memories. Although, I did forget who Shot J.R.
Which Way Do WE Go?
Blogs are really becoming the information portal to searching. I say this because more and more of my search hits are getting blogs as the resource. Today, while I am searching Google for the best world atlas to buy for our library, the second link in is Johnathan Crowe's the Map Room blog. He provides not just links and resources to maps, but other interactive tasks that are "zoomable and searchable." Great blog!
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Meet Our "Enlightened Thinkers"
Here they are! Our history students on a recent field trip to the NYPL's Humanities and Social Sciences Library . They received a hands on lesson from staffers Amy Azzarito and Philip Yockey on how to access their free databases; plus we got a tour and used their state of the art Celeste Bartos Education Center. What an amazing experience for our 10th graders. Now we're just waiting for all students to receive their library cards in the mail so we can go back. Before signing off I have to reflect on a month ago thinking about taking on this History class. "It ain't that bad after all."
Philip Yockey Tour Leader
Monday, April 25, 2005
Why The Lorax?
"And at that very moment, we heard a loud whack!
From outside in the fields came a sickening smack
of an axe on a tree. Then we heard the tree fall.
The very last Truffula Tree of them all!" (The Lorax By Dr. Seuss)
The book Collapse by Jared Diamond is one of those books I have not gotten around to reading yet. Although, I am half way through his book Guns, Germs and Steel. Our History class (the one I am team teaching) is beginning to delve into reasons behind why world civilizations rose and fell...very huge task to uncover in a short time. But what's been fun is that the Head of School and I are using our outside readings and integrating them into the course for historical perspective and to also make it palatable for the students. Dr. Lewis shared with me today how Collapse (which basically deals with how civilizations have fallen over time) and Dr. Seuss' The Lorax have a similar theme of cutting down "that last tree." (I actually read Gladwell's review of Collapse, and he points out that Diamond writes “I have often asked myself, ‘What did the Easter Islander who cut down the last palm tree say while he was doing it?’ ”) Then I started thinking of a current events tie in we could use in the class. Remember the American born nun, Sr.Stang who was gunned down in Brazil for trying to protect the Amazon rain forest? Her story is symbolic because she died believing in her cause to not allow people to keep cutting down trees.
From outside in the fields came a sickening smack
of an axe on a tree. Then we heard the tree fall.
The very last Truffula Tree of them all!" (The Lorax By Dr. Seuss)
The book Collapse by Jared Diamond is one of those books I have not gotten around to reading yet. Although, I am half way through his book Guns, Germs and Steel. Our History class (the one I am team teaching) is beginning to delve into reasons behind why world civilizations rose and fell...very huge task to uncover in a short time. But what's been fun is that the Head of School and I are using our outside readings and integrating them into the course for historical perspective and to also make it palatable for the students. Dr. Lewis shared with me today how Collapse (which basically deals with how civilizations have fallen over time) and Dr. Seuss' The Lorax have a similar theme of cutting down "that last tree." (I actually read Gladwell's review of Collapse, and he points out that Diamond writes “I have often asked myself, ‘What did the Easter Islander who cut down the last palm tree say while he was doing it?’ ”) Then I started thinking of a current events tie in we could use in the class. Remember the American born nun, Sr.Stang who was gunned down in Brazil for trying to protect the Amazon rain forest? Her story is symbolic because she died believing in her cause to not allow people to keep cutting down trees.
So, will the students fully understand why some civilizations fell and others grew? Probably not right away. But making the connection to The Lorax story, and Sr. Stang will hopefully take Diamond's driving question to another level. Maybe...the students will begin to see how civilizations could have been saved? Or maybe, they'll read a little deeper into the genius of the Dr. Seuss books. Or, they can follow the life of Sr. Stang and her lifelong mission of saving the Amazon. Either way, they will leave class tomorrow looking differently at trees and its symbolism. I know I am.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Start Spreading THE News!
Morry Alter a reporter for CBS2NY visited our school after the 9/11 attacks and watched (with cameraman and mic) as my students opened their time capsules that had been sealed on September 10th. Why did he report this story? Well...no one, not even the best reporter, knew that September 10th, 2001 would be the last day anyone could predict an altruistic future again. September 10th was the third day of school for my students and we were innocently sealing our essays with written hopes, dreams and predictions for the upcoming year. Little did we know that our hopes, dreams and predictions would never be so idealistic again. So I wrote to Morry and shared the opening of these time capsules at the end of the school year in June of 2002 and sure enough he came out to report the news. (Just so you know, I did work for CBS 2 NY in the past and already knew Morry as a colleague). Fast forward to today, 2005. Now I am reading (via Newsbyte2) that the Daily News is reporting that Morry is retiring (I hate that word) this fall. He says in the article, "I may still use the skills I've got. I really do like to teach." Well Morry..."I can say from experience that journalists who turn to teaching are truly enriching the lives of students forever. Just imagine how you can transform a classroom into a news seeking experience." Morry could bring so much to the classroom. Go For IT!
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Gladwell's Gold Trove
I have definitely been on a Malcolm Gladwell pitch lately. I am actually re-reading his book Blink...which got me interested in his website...which linked me to his past New Yorker articles. (Blink is also #1 for Hardcover on the New York Times list). Wow! I struck gold. Back in November, Gladwell wrote an article entitled ANNALS OF CULTURE Something Borrowed Should a charge of plagiarism ruin your life? As educators, we ALWAYS refer to plagiarism and why it's wrong. But I don't think we address the issues of copyrighting and plagiarism enough; probably because the two are so darn difficult to understand for even some adults. I actually attended a conference on Copyrighting and I was even more confused after I left. But for some reason, Gladwell makes it easy to "get" because he addresses the issues of Plagiarism and Copyrighting with a story; as well as a cogent use of visual metaphors. It works for me. But I won't try to summarize it...it's a MUST READ. He also refers to a quote in this article from Stanford Law Professor Lawrence Lessig's book "Free Culture." Within the quote of Lessig's is a line that really shines a spotlight on the differences between copying from someone and stealing. It's not as gray as we sometimes think. "...as Thomas Jefferson said (and this is especially true when I copy the way someone dresses), "He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me."
I am also not the only blogger finding great jewels in Gladwell's writings. Visit Marginal Revolution blog
I am also not the only blogger finding great jewels in Gladwell's writings. Visit Marginal Revolution blog
They Need The Real THING
My son had a project tonight. It appeared to be a "quick and dirty" assignment and I was psyched while cooking dinner. Ok...this will take me only a few minutes I thought. So the directions read...create a commemorative stamp with a mission and a reasoning. I rarely write about my children; but when I can learn a lesson from a second grader I like to share. Anyway, to make a long story short, he created a stamp for the homeless people all over the world. The goal of his commemorative stamp would be to reach people in far away places and send a message of hope with a stamp. Did he come up with the concept? NO. I did. But once we shared what homelessness was, he took great pride in his project. He actually wanted to put the finished piece in a FOLDER. You don't understand, that's huge for him because he oftentimes has the wrinkled papers at the bottom of his book bag. So, what moved me? Well...he was proud of the little stick figures he drew and the multi-colored variations. And lastly...the folder. He didn't want the paper to get wrinkled. What!? He cares about this? I thought. And then I hoped that his teacher was as excited as I was. I also remembered the countless times I had a student present me with their best work. Then I realized how important it was for all adults, not just educators, to celebrate what is dear to students. What we bloggers call comments are the very essence of character building for our children and yes "our comments matter." Even if a student draws a stick figure, that figure means something to the student. What I saw from my son's work was an attempt at solving a very worthy/worldly goal...using a child's: brush, heart and folder to keep the thought alive and straight.
(I did help my son, with the guidance of thought) but why I immediately thought about blog comments is because we oftentimes write posts and wait for THE RIGHT COMMENT to validate our post. Well...I learned tonight that students don't always read comments; they need the real thing.
(I did help my son, with the guidance of thought) but why I immediately thought about blog comments is because we oftentimes write posts and wait for THE RIGHT COMMENT to validate our post. Well...I learned tonight that students don't always read comments; they need the real thing.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
maybe next year...
Oh well, I'll try again next year...Imagine a Day Without Technology Day. And I have to say with all honesty... I did not last the morning. I booted up my computer after my eyes parted. I also used more technology today than ever before. But I did try. I also don't think (in my humble opinion) we should have an IMAGINE Technology Blackout Day for those people who use, infuse and teach using this medium. It's too scary a thought. We should have the day for those who really believe they don't need or use it. You know...all of the naysayers who are constantly questioning "why all this technology?" Not someone (like me) who had fifteen students today researching Enlightenment thinkers and preparing upcoming speeches on who they select. So just the thought of a T.B.D is daunting enough.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Tomorrow is Black OUT Day
I think I can. I think I can.
I will check back in on Thursday. Tomorrow I will participate in Technology Black OUT Day. OYYYY . What is ONE to do? I'll find out tomorrow. But my students have an online assignment. Oh Gosh. I'll deal with that tomorrow. All I know is I will not be online, on the phone, "or in my car?" Oyyyy AGain
Today was so great for the students at Parsons School of Design and VizRT...I hold off until Thursday. Lights OUT!
Amy
I will check back in on Thursday. Tomorrow I will participate in Technology Black OUT Day. OYYYY . What is ONE to do? I'll find out tomorrow. But my students have an online assignment. Oh Gosh. I'll deal with that tomorrow. All I know is I will not be online, on the phone, "or in my car?" Oyyyy AGain
Today was so great for the students at Parsons School of Design and VizRT...I hold off until Thursday. Lights OUT!
Amy
Monday, April 18, 2005
For Students + By Students = Real Fun Learning
My students were in awe today! They spent time learning how to Build Buildings, Design Chairs and they had some play time at Dusty's Color Quest. These online activities are all student projects at the Cooperhewitt National Design Museum. So my seniors just left class saying "that was fun." Music to my ears.
Learning in the Field
Tomorrow, my Broadcast Journalism students will take a field trip to Parsons School of Design in Manhattan to visit with graduate students using this information visualization (I like this term) software VizRT. I am very curious to see how this compares to what we are currently using Serious Magic's Visual Communicator. Right now, when my students put together their stories (packages) of video they shot of school events they are able to edit (and use graphics) right off the computer. While it eats up TONS of hard drive space the final product gives the student a true newsroom finished product. Or it's at least...close enough.
So tomorrow should prove to be interesting since Parsons also has a Game Design program. Here are some games completed by some of their grad students in 2004...pretty impressive.
So tomorrow should prove to be interesting since Parsons also has a Game Design program. Here are some games completed by some of their grad students in 2004...pretty impressive.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
A Sneak Peak at Next Week....
Here's a sneak peak at next week's CBS 2 NY Internet Parent Pack Picks. These science sites will certainly stimulate some dynamic class discussions and could certainly be used as tech lab enhancements.
Changing Illusions
It's all in how you look at things.
Twister: The Tornado Story
This virtual tornado is bound to send shocks throughout your classroom.
ActiveMedia’s - Funderstanding Roller Coaster
Your child will learn physics the fun way.
See Saw Torque
Changing Illusions
It's all in how you look at things.
Twister: The Tornado Story
This virtual tornado is bound to send shocks throughout your classroom.
ActiveMedia’s - Funderstanding Roller Coaster
Your child will learn physics the fun way.
See Saw Torque
Friday, April 15, 2005
My Mind Has A Blog And Chain
If you are a blogger or a writer I am sure you've had the writer's block syndrome every now and then. Or if you're in a newsroom...or a classroom you've heard the whiny reaction to deadline writing (like my students say) "it's hard to start writing sometimes Mrs. Bowllan." Well...while this appears to be a blog block, I believe this happens for a good reason. And it's not just because I am experiencing this b.b now, when I have all of the time in the world to write. But this walled in dam I have is allowing some new ideas to germinate and take on a mind of their own. So I have about 5 posts I started and never returned to them; always thinking "boy that's a great story idea." It reminds me of the misfit toys waiting to have their day and constantly driving their parents crazy. Anyway, it reminds me of going to the movies and being distracted by all of the noises around me and missing the main thrust of what's happening in front of me. But sometimes the best stories don't just appear. Sometimes the best stories are (as someone said) "in the details." I would almost bet that a true blogger cannot concentrate when he is a attending the theatre or movies. There seems to be a common chain amongst us.
So here are some posts I have SAVED AS DRAFT and titled...BEGGING TO BE BLOGGED.
1) Why don't classrooms reflect the real world? Why do we still see chalkboard and seated rows in today's 21st century class? When will schools keep up with the times?
2) Imagine if the greatest writers wrote blogs? I could totally picture a blogger as a daily "blogographer."
3) Amy's Blog Predictions....Mainstream media, education and libraries will use blogs as one of their sole sources for links to the information.
4) Blogs will become commercial. Hopefully not; but that's where they are headed. Just look at the sponsorship growing on pages.
5) Compare and Contrasting story - why blogs remind me of tsunamis.
6) Why is the media biting the hands that feed them?
Hopefully, I'll take more time to develop these posts/stories. My students and I have been mulling over...The A in Advertising (they fill in adjectives to describe the manipulation) and copyright laws.
So here are some posts I have SAVED AS DRAFT and titled...BEGGING TO BE BLOGGED.
1) Why don't classrooms reflect the real world? Why do we still see chalkboard and seated rows in today's 21st century class? When will schools keep up with the times?
2) Imagine if the greatest writers wrote blogs? I could totally picture a blogger as a daily "blogographer."
3) Amy's Blog Predictions....Mainstream media, education and libraries will use blogs as one of their sole sources for links to the information.
4) Blogs will become commercial. Hopefully not; but that's where they are headed. Just look at the sponsorship growing on pages.
5) Compare and Contrasting story - why blogs remind me of tsunamis.
6) Why is the media biting the hands that feed them?
Hopefully, I'll take more time to develop these posts/stories. My students and I have been mulling over...The A in Advertising (they fill in adjectives to describe the manipulation) and copyright laws.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Why Team Teaching is the Way to Grow
I mentioned while vacationing in California how I am taking on this World History course. Well it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Although I am sure some of my colleagues wouldn't think so. But really it's been a new experience because I am team-teaching the course with the head of school who is a true historian. While my background is in journalism/research; his is a doctorate in history. I have to say we are having a blast. The course has us taking the students back in time...into the exploration period of world history and of course there's a blog for it. Some genius is putting daily summaries of every imagineable topic out there with linksWorld-History Blog.
Great Thinkers Are Bloggers!
Anyway, team teaching has allowed both of us to explore our own individual crafts. I can teach the students how to access the past information like a reporter and our Head of School can fill the information gaps with his lectures. Not to mention, we are having a blast because the students are uncovering their own historical justifications. Stay tuned because we do have our "upstarts" (to coin our Head of School)!
Great Thinkers Are Bloggers!
Anyway, team teaching has allowed both of us to explore our own individual crafts. I can teach the students how to access the past information like a reporter and our Head of School can fill the information gaps with his lectures. Not to mention, we are having a blast because the students are uncovering their own historical justifications. Stay tuned because we do have our "upstarts" (to coin our Head of School)!
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
The SLJ Summit is Back in Bloom
For some reason my earlier posts were "acting up." Here are the links that were down. I also took a minute to look through how much was accomplished at the SLJ Summit back in March. Information literacy...like Spring, was in full bloom; as was the discussions of collaboration and merging the roles of teachers and librarians in this new age of digital & traditional learning.
Powerpoint Links
Notes from Dr. Houston - Keynote Address
Friday SLJ Summit Notes
Saturday notes
Powerpoint Links
Notes from Dr. Houston - Keynote Address
Friday SLJ Summit Notes
Saturday notes
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Chess in Education's "Tipping Point"
To coin Malcolm Gladwell's term from his book The Tipping Point, I would have to say that chess in schools is about to reach its tipping point. There's been much talk lately about integrating chess concepts in classes. I posted some thoughts about this months ago after I met with Grandmaster and Gold Olympiad Susan Polgar. But in today's New York Times there's another article by SUSAN SAULNY Chalkboards? Try Using Chessboards
she writes "Mr. Ashley tries to get the teachers to do what he does in chess and in life: think backward with a desired outcome in view, generate multiple options as possible solutions to any question, consider the perspectives of others, and give respect to the least powerful, the pawns of the game."
Mr. Ashley trains teachers to use chess as a thinking tool in class and I can speak from experience it's a great sport for the classroom.
she writes "Mr. Ashley tries to get the teachers to do what he does in chess and in life: think backward with a desired outcome in view, generate multiple options as possible solutions to any question, consider the perspectives of others, and give respect to the least powerful, the pawns of the game."
Mr. Ashley trains teachers to use chess as a thinking tool in class and I can speak from experience it's a great sport for the classroom.
Monday, April 11, 2005
The B in LiBrary - Blogging
Blogging Libraries via the The Do It Yourself Librarian
Yes blogs are here to stay...the same way patrons are. But as an educator/technologist/journalist yadi yada. I am seeing more and more library blogs growing and opening its online doors to patrons all over the blogosphere (I'm not sure if Websters included this word yet). What's most impressive to me is the library is becoming the main hub for information literacy; and it's great reading how many librarians are capitalizing on how to disseminate this info. via blog use. I'm finding more and more very organic connections between library blogs, school blogs and journalism blogs with a very natural synergy that hopefully will be transferred to its patrons offline. The NYPL is a great example of how an institution can capitalize its online fervor as well as open its real doors to the many activities they have available to students and visitors for free. Again...they are just one example. There's more to report...coming up.
Yes blogs are here to stay...the same way patrons are. But as an educator/technologist/journalist yadi yada. I am seeing more and more library blogs growing and opening its online doors to patrons all over the blogosphere (I'm not sure if Websters included this word yet). What's most impressive to me is the library is becoming the main hub for information literacy; and it's great reading how many librarians are capitalizing on how to disseminate this info. via blog use. I'm finding more and more very organic connections between library blogs, school blogs and journalism blogs with a very natural synergy that hopefully will be transferred to its patrons offline. The NYPL is a great example of how an institution can capitalize its online fervor as well as open its real doors to the many activities they have available to students and visitors for free. Again...they are just one example. There's more to report...coming up.
Internet Parent Pack Picks
Here are my picks for this week's CBS 2 NY Internet Parent Pack.
A+ Math Multiplication Math Helper
Master your multiplication tables with this interactive chart.
Pearson Education - Measuring
Funbrain will help you learn measurement the interactive way.
Kidport
Think and learn educational activities for grades K-8.
Quia's Top 50
From Spanish to Science, there's an educational activity for everyone at
this site.
First School Years -History Famous Events
These site has historical trivia for you and facts for your child.
Ms. Sameth - Magistra Linguae Latinae
Latin anyone?
E.L. Easton
Create your own quiz for your child.
BBC- Sandcastle Fun
Go to beach online and build new words with these clam filled vowel games
on sand.
BBC- StarWords
Have fun with the stars and other out of this world word games.
BBC's - Make an Egyptian Mummy
Your student will prepare the body of Ramose, officer to the king, for burial.
A+ Math Multiplication Math Helper
Master your multiplication tables with this interactive chart.
Pearson Education - Measuring
Funbrain will help you learn measurement the interactive way.
Kidport
Think and learn educational activities for grades K-8.
Quia's Top 50
From Spanish to Science, there's an educational activity for everyone at
this site.
First School Years -History Famous Events
These site has historical trivia for you and facts for your child.
Ms. Sameth - Magistra Linguae Latinae
Latin anyone?
E.L. Easton
Create your own quiz for your child.
BBC- Sandcastle Fun
Go to beach online and build new words with these clam filled vowel games
on sand.
BBC- StarWords
Have fun with the stars and other out of this world word games.
BBC's - Make an Egyptian Mummy
Your student will prepare the body of Ramose, officer to the king, for burial.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Text To Speech Online
Text to Speech Oddcast I found over at LibrarianinBlack (Via User Friendly via J-Walk Blog). I'm just mulling over all of the ways this tool could be used in schools and in hospitals. My dad was in a nursing home for many years (couldn't speak) and this could have really helped him get out his thoughts from his locked in syndrome. The web is a wonderful thing.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
The Truth About COMMENTS
Over at Daily Kos, Hunter takes on the philosophy of blogs (I think) and shares some inner visions about "the astounding and wondrous wondrousness of blogs."
Friday Night Snark: The Philosophical Blogger by Hunter One of the points mentioned was...
* "Having a blog without comments is like operating a chainsaw while wearing proper eye protection. Sure, you can do it, but it makes you a sissy."
I didn't know my character as a blogger was built around whether I received comments or not. I better not share this with our younger students.
There is definitely a similarity between a Journalism blogger and an Educational blogger. But I think there should be a distinction made here. And after reading many of the 100+ comments written I realized that most of the comments did not address the post. Many comments were one liner, funny (if you get it) types, with experts ranting about proper grammar.
I would hope that when someone comments on an educational blog it is for a purpose. It's reminds me of when I was working in news. Viewers would call in right after a broadcast to share their comments; but it was very specific to the piece that had aired. However, when you didn't get the calls you would realize the broadcast was (at least in the eyes of management) OK. So I really believe people visit and read blog not always ready to comment but to learn. They may even want to read some thoughts or news of the day. Readers are not naturally compelled to leave a comment (in my opinion). Now maybe this is because I don't get a lot of comments and I'm being defensive; but I guess I'm stuck in a newsroom mentality that no news is good news. Therefore, I have to disagree with Hunter on this one. I guess I could have left a comment. But I want to add one more to the list...
Having a blog is like being in a pitch black room with people you cannot see but you can surely hear loud and clear even if you don't get a comment.
Friday Night Snark: The Philosophical Blogger by Hunter One of the points mentioned was...
* "Having a blog without comments is like operating a chainsaw while wearing proper eye protection. Sure, you can do it, but it makes you a sissy."
I didn't know my character as a blogger was built around whether I received comments or not. I better not share this with our younger students.
There is definitely a similarity between a Journalism blogger and an Educational blogger. But I think there should be a distinction made here. And after reading many of the 100+ comments written I realized that most of the comments did not address the post. Many comments were one liner, funny (if you get it) types, with experts ranting about proper grammar.
I would hope that when someone comments on an educational blog it is for a purpose. It's reminds me of when I was working in news. Viewers would call in right after a broadcast to share their comments; but it was very specific to the piece that had aired. However, when you didn't get the calls you would realize the broadcast was (at least in the eyes of management) OK. So I really believe people visit and read blog not always ready to comment but to learn. They may even want to read some thoughts or news of the day. Readers are not naturally compelled to leave a comment (in my opinion). Now maybe this is because I don't get a lot of comments and I'm being defensive; but I guess I'm stuck in a newsroom mentality that no news is good news. Therefore, I have to disagree with Hunter on this one. I guess I could have left a comment. But I want to add one more to the list...
Having a blog is like being in a pitch black room with people you cannot see but you can surely hear loud and clear even if you don't get a comment.
Friday, April 08, 2005
One More Blogger in the World
Meet Camille Bodden a nursing professor and she's also my mom.
So You Think YOU'RE A Podcast Newbie?!
Okay so I had my first podcast experience today. I know. I know...get with the times. But you know when you're afraid of something (or intimidated) when you are stepping into unfamiliar territory? Well I did today and boy was I glad I did. So I have one word about podcasting and that is...AMAZING! Now don't get me wrong, I have no idea how to get a podcast up and running (if there is such a thing?). I don't even own an Ipod (I have a feeling in the air of shock and awe).
So today I had the pleasure of listening (actually listening!) to Steve Dembo at Teach42 while I was looking through his Warlick links (he clearly outlines who David Warlick is). Now...here I am planning a history lesson and also able to fully use some of the links Steve was walking his listeners through with his podcast. Wow! Now that wasn't the best part. The clinker for me was the enormous amount of resources Warlick has put together and I ended my listening session saying "how does he do it?" I cannot do this podcasting thing justice at all. You have to visit today's blog he calls Podcast: The Wide World of Warlick . If you teach you will truly benefit from it.
So today I had the pleasure of listening (actually listening!) to Steve Dembo at Teach42 while I was looking through his Warlick links (he clearly outlines who David Warlick is). Now...here I am planning a history lesson and also able to fully use some of the links Steve was walking his listeners through with his podcast. Wow! Now that wasn't the best part. The clinker for me was the enormous amount of resources Warlick has put together and I ended my listening session saying "how does he do it?" I cannot do this podcasting thing justice at all. You have to visit today's blog he calls Podcast: The Wide World of Warlick . If you teach you will truly benefit from it.
Get on the Blog Train
Will from Weblogg-ed has a post today about more Blogging and Wiking in Education and while he nominates me for Blog Rookie of the year (much thanks Will), I would like to nominate all of the students who have made such great literary contributions. If you take a minute to visit Anne Davis' students at The Write Weblog you will read some fascinating writings. Her fifth grade students recently provided some Tips from TheWriteTeam
Here are just a few of the writing tips they offered. By the way, Yessenia and Ashley (two of her students) are published poets! They have a great site and when you visit them you'll read why blogging in education is so important.
"Yessenia - Organize your writing so that it makes your writing seem nice and neat.
Shelby - Read your story over and over again until you KNOW it is the right one.
Paulina - A very good tip is to always use vivid words. Never leave an overused word in your paper. If you do, your paper will look very ordinary. If you change the words your paper will look great.
Ashley - Pretend you are writing to a very important person.
Patrick - When you write you must write with understandable words. You must use words that you and the reader can understand. So don't just use words that sound good and you don't know what they mean use words that you know.
Maria - How,When,&Where shows ADVERBS! they uaually end in ly."
Here are just a few of the writing tips they offered. By the way, Yessenia and Ashley (two of her students) are published poets! They have a great site and when you visit them you'll read why blogging in education is so important.
"Yessenia - Organize your writing so that it makes your writing seem nice and neat.
Shelby - Read your story over and over again until you KNOW it is the right one.
Paulina - A very good tip is to always use vivid words. Never leave an overused word in your paper. If you do, your paper will look very ordinary. If you change the words your paper will look great.
Ashley - Pretend you are writing to a very important person.
Patrick - When you write you must write with understandable words. You must use words that you and the reader can understand. So don't just use words that sound good and you don't know what they mean use words that you know.
Maria - How,When,&Where shows ADVERBS! they uaually end in ly."
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Getting Staff on Board
Getting teachers AND librarians on board with successful technology integration into the classes and libraries is something that should be a high priority. Not because computers can replace teachers or librarians but because the future of our students depends on it. Whether we want to believe it or not, we educators are responsible for ensuring, nurturing and fostering the skills resulting from information literacy. It is as important as reading and writing. The following article has great tips for adminstrators that should apply not just for teachers but for librarians too. The Five Essentials of Technology Facilitators: Successful On-Site Help for Technology Integration By Cheryl Whitfield over at Educational Technology Ray Schroeder The following blurb centers around the qualities needed by an administrator for being an effective technology trainer in schools.
"We have implemented this in 23 schools across the state and are, therefore, in a unique position to offer suggestions about the characteristics of successful Technology Facilitators. Based on our experiences and the lessons we have learned, the persons hired for these positions should be: (1) Experienced educators, (2) Enthusiastic technophiles, (3) Effective trainers, (4) Eager mentors, and (5) Exemplary administrators. No one person will meet all of these qualifications, but the more of these qualities the person possesses, the more successful he/she will be on the job."
Oftentimes, we hire people who have the skills for training teachers, but they don't make the teacher comfortable in this new learning environment. It's easy to "scare" your trainees if you expect too much too soon. What we've done here successfully is have "one on one" tech time with the teacher and the technologist. And what I have experienced a lot is that teachers and librarians know far more about technology integration than they have been getting credit for. I think it was Jesse Jackson who said, Each ONE Teach One...it works.
"We have implemented this in 23 schools across the state and are, therefore, in a unique position to offer suggestions about the characteristics of successful Technology Facilitators. Based on our experiences and the lessons we have learned, the persons hired for these positions should be: (1) Experienced educators, (2) Enthusiastic technophiles, (3) Effective trainers, (4) Eager mentors, and (5) Exemplary administrators. No one person will meet all of these qualifications, but the more of these qualities the person possesses, the more successful he/she will be on the job."
Oftentimes, we hire people who have the skills for training teachers, but they don't make the teacher comfortable in this new learning environment. It's easy to "scare" your trainees if you expect too much too soon. What we've done here successfully is have "one on one" tech time with the teacher and the technologist. And what I have experienced a lot is that teachers and librarians know far more about technology integration than they have been getting credit for. I think it was Jesse Jackson who said, Each ONE Teach One...it works.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
A Chip Off The Old Blog
I have been trying to convince my mom to write blogs for her nursing students at Queensborough Community College. She has been a professor there for twenty years and is retiring at the end of this year. I hate the word retire. Anyway, ten years ago I told my mom "you have to be state of the art" and bring technology into your class. She did it quite successfully and launched many new initiatives when no one (at the time) was "tech savvy." She was also older than the other professors at the time. Although old is a relative term. I mean my students say I'm old (go figure). But I do see so much potential for her communicating her ideas and experiences via blog. For example, Mom visited China last year (having never left the country) to teach students the American system of nursing at Henan University located in Kaifeng, China. Most of the students had never even seen a black woman before. I remember her telling me "when I first came to China I was stared at with sweet looks and by Christmas time we sang, laughed and cried together like a family." They became her family. What's my point? Wouldn't they benefit from her blogging? I could totally picture them logging in to read her posts. Don't you?
Live Webcasts at NYPL
Once you're able to make your way through the NYPL website you really could spend hours learning. They offer free workshops to students and I will be bringing my journalism students to visit their SIBL branch to research Tsunamis with an expert on the topic. It's very impressive. Not to mention, they have public educational events.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
I LOVE NYPL
Here are some upcoming and happening events featured at the NYPL Press Release website.
1) Rare and Unique Haggadot and Other Passover Materials Go On Display
2) Yip Harburg Political Film Collection Celebrated in Song by Catherine Russell and Others
3) Ezra Jack Keats Awards for New Writers and Illustrators of Children's Books announced
4) Before Victoria: Extraordinary Women of the British Romantic Era
5) 200th Birthday of Hans Christian Andersen Celebrated
6) Modernist Painter Milton Avery's Illustrations and Prints on Display
Their website also has links to many other exhibitions and programs. For example Jeff Tweedy and Stanford University law professor Lawrence Lessig, will be in a discussion moderated by Wired mag. for $10. Unfortunately, the seats I've been, told sold out in 45 minutes.
Here's a blurb from this very "interesting sounding" event. "Who Owns Culture? will explore the artistic, commercial and legal issues that surround the Internet-enabled freeing of culture. It is part of the new series LIVE From the NYPL directed by Paul Holdengräber."
I hope Will reads this post because he's been writing about Lessig a lot lately.
For more information on a live cast...www.nypl.org/live and email live@nypl.org.Monday, April 04, 2005
Day Light Savings + Spring = New Look
Hope you like it and just so you know I lost my settings and everything. I'll try to figure that out tomorrow. It's probably the jet lag.
Be Careful For What You Ask For
Are bloggers journalists? San Francisco Says Yes By Richard Koman
"So are blogs a "recognized news medium?" Yes, the City Attorney will say at the Supervisors' meeting tomorrow. What's not clear is whether independent individuals who are paid to do partisan blogging would fall under the press exemption. For instance, would a campaign consultant be able to blog without disclosure? What if he or she were not being paid directly by a campaign, party or committe? What if someone were being paid for technical consulting and was "volunteering" to publish dirt on the opposition?"
Something about this smells fishy to me.
"So are blogs a "recognized news medium?" Yes, the City Attorney will say at the Supervisors' meeting tomorrow. What's not clear is whether independent individuals who are paid to do partisan blogging would fall under the press exemption. For instance, would a campaign consultant be able to blog without disclosure? What if he or she were not being paid directly by a campaign, party or committe? What if someone were being paid for technical consulting and was "volunteering" to publish dirt on the opposition?"
Something about this smells fishy to me.
WelcoME Back
We made it back from L.A. on the red eye this morning and zzzzzzzz
Here's a head start on the CBS 2 NY Internet Parent Pack for this Week .
I will be sharing/blogging (once I get some sleep) about my 10th grade world history class...team teaching experience with our head of school. It's certainly making me rethink how much we can do when two heads are working together in a class setting instead of ONE.
Sports and Math
Pearson Education
This is an interactive way to increase your math skills.
Explore the World
Student news net. Ninth Wave Media
Have your child stay current with current events.
Artopia
This site has several types of art projects for students learning fine
arts.
Lugares en espanol para ninos
ALA
Segmation The Art of Pieceful Imaging
Gina Dawn Kinnard
Choose a number and paint by numbers.
Now You See It, Now You Don’t
Colour Investigation Puzzle/Woodland’s Junior School
Have fun with colors while learning all you can do with red and blue.
Woodlands Science Zone
Test your eyes and brain wit with these online optical illusions.
Formulas
Echalk
This site makes it easy to remember those hard to remember math formulas.
Bang on Time
Learn how to tell time.
Giselles’ Pick and Click
TVOKIDS
Interactive site words your child will learn to master.
Here's a head start on the CBS 2 NY Internet Parent Pack for this Week .
I will be sharing/blogging (once I get some sleep) about my 10th grade world history class...team teaching experience with our head of school. It's certainly making me rethink how much we can do when two heads are working together in a class setting instead of ONE.
Sports and Math
Pearson Education
This is an interactive way to increase your math skills.
Explore the World
Student news net. Ninth Wave Media
Have your child stay current with current events.
Artopia
This site has several types of art projects for students learning fine
arts.
Lugares en espanol para ninos
ALA
Segmation The Art of Pieceful Imaging
Gina Dawn Kinnard
Choose a number and paint by numbers.
Now You See It, Now You Don’t
Colour Investigation Puzzle/Woodland’s Junior School
Have fun with colors while learning all you can do with red and blue.
Woodlands Science Zone
Test your eyes and brain wit with these online optical illusions.
Formulas
Echalk
This site makes it easy to remember those hard to remember math formulas.
Bang on Time
Learn how to tell time.
Giselles’ Pick and Click
TVOKIDS
Interactive site words your child will learn to master.
The 2005 School Library Journal Summit Followup
Evan St Lifer, Editor and Chief of the School Library Journal magazine has carefully crafted a well thought out editorial of the SLJ Summit.
The 'SLJ' Summit: A Call to Arms By Evan St. Lifer Creating a common master plan for cultivating avid, lifelong learners
The 'SLJ' Summit: A Call to Arms By Evan St. Lifer Creating a common master plan for cultivating avid, lifelong learners
Saturday, April 02, 2005
The Pope To The Child
My sister said to me (a religion teacher) "please blog about how the Pope loved children!" And sure enough I found a great article on The Pope to the Child.
"Unfortunately, children are still victims of hunger, of wars "Is it not true that in vast areas of the globe, children are unfortunately still victims of hunger, wars, appalling illnesses such as AIDS and the perversion of unscrupulous adults, which threaten their innocence and gravely jeopardize their future?"(H. H. John Paul II to the General Chapter of the Benedictine Sisters of Divine Providence, 25th August 2000)"
"Unfortunately, children are still victims of hunger, of wars "Is it not true that in vast areas of the globe, children are unfortunately still victims of hunger, wars, appalling illnesses such as AIDS and the perversion of unscrupulous adults, which threaten their innocence and gravely jeopardize their future?"(H. H. John Paul II to the General Chapter of the Benedictine Sisters of Divine Providence, 25th August 2000)"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1727834.stm
TEENS + Self Expression = Blogs
Teen blogs offer insight into feelings about life Self-expression can range from happy to sad to alarming By Kate Shatzkin
Just because blogs are becoming in vogue with some adults, doesn't mean our darling young students haven't already been the pioneers of the blog bandwagon. For years I have been hearing from students..."you have to see what so and so said about me on the computer." They would bring me pages and pages of printed text. I had no idea what they were showing me. I thought it was the IM birth but it wasn't that...it was blogs. Now that I'm reflecting on these diary entries that oftentimes involved some student scandal; I can now put together the pieces and figure out why so many students were privy to the same conflicts. Some conflicts were bullying others were "he say, she say" stuff. They were using blogs and I had no idea. It was kind of like, "their little secret." Now that educators are entering the blogosphere they (we) have to redirect some its uses. I am all for free expression but young people need to be educated as to who their audiences are and repercussions. I am not so sure they see the big picture. It's not just the fact that there are predators online (that's bad enough) but when they put their feelings "out there" they have to know YOU CAN'T TAKE IT BACK. If educators and parents become knowledgeable as to the online world their children are growing up in than blogs will probably serve more as an educational venue and not just an "underground world to share your innermost feelings." Let's take blogs out of the closet so we're all on the same page with our youth.
The above article reports...
"About 87 percent of youths ages 12 to 17 are regularly online, according to a new survey by the Pew project. Teenagers are more likely than adults to start blogs, Lenhart said. At LiveJournal, 47 percent of the 2.7 million users who listed an age are 13 to 18.
Alan E. Kazdin, a psychology professor who directs the Yale University Child Study Center, said blogs may have become popular vehicles of self-expression for the same reasons that some people prefer undergoing therapy via computer: They can have intimate exchanges without being face to face.
"The information might provide a window, so this might be a useful window," he said."
Just because blogs are becoming in vogue with some adults, doesn't mean our darling young students haven't already been the pioneers of the blog bandwagon. For years I have been hearing from students..."you have to see what so and so said about me on the computer." They would bring me pages and pages of printed text. I had no idea what they were showing me. I thought it was the IM birth but it wasn't that...it was blogs. Now that I'm reflecting on these diary entries that oftentimes involved some student scandal; I can now put together the pieces and figure out why so many students were privy to the same conflicts. Some conflicts were bullying others were "he say, she say" stuff. They were using blogs and I had no idea. It was kind of like, "their little secret." Now that educators are entering the blogosphere they (we) have to redirect some its uses. I am all for free expression but young people need to be educated as to who their audiences are and repercussions. I am not so sure they see the big picture. It's not just the fact that there are predators online (that's bad enough) but when they put their feelings "out there" they have to know YOU CAN'T TAKE IT BACK. If educators and parents become knowledgeable as to the online world their children are growing up in than blogs will probably serve more as an educational venue and not just an "underground world to share your innermost feelings." Let's take blogs out of the closet so we're all on the same page with our youth.
The above article reports...
"About 87 percent of youths ages 12 to 17 are regularly online, according to a new survey by the Pew project. Teenagers are more likely than adults to start blogs, Lenhart said. At LiveJournal, 47 percent of the 2.7 million users who listed an age are 13 to 18.
Alan E. Kazdin, a psychology professor who directs the Yale University Child Study Center, said blogs may have become popular vehicles of self-expression for the same reasons that some people prefer undergoing therapy via computer: They can have intimate exchanges without being face to face.
"The information might provide a window, so this might be a useful window," he said."
Friday, April 01, 2005
Games in the Classroom?
Tim Wilson from EdTech has an article today Video Games as Learning tools and he is definitely on to something. I wrote about this back in February Games in Education because some of my students had expressed interest in becoming the next game makers. The Parsons School of Design is now partnering with my seniors to introduce them to some grad students who are teaching learning while uncovering the gaming industry. Katie Salen is one of the professors who is a gaming enthusiast and creator.
It's Not An April Fool's Joke
This is true...not April Fools. On Monday I start team teaching with our head of school a tenth grade history course including: the Muslim Empires; the Asian empires; the Scientific revolution and the Enlightenment. It wasn't initially on my docket this year, but you know how unpredictable it is in schools. Anyway, part of my Hollywood break has been researching these topics so my new students gain some sort of appreciation for how these events impact us today. My goal is to spend online time with them conducting some webquests, videostreams and allow them to blog about their findings....watch out blogosphere! I want them to be the reporters of history.
Here's what I have found so far and by-golly there's so much more. I keep wondering what would happen if there was no internet? I guess that means I would have to use the uhhh textbook right? NOT..oh gosh the thought. The internet is far more interesting.
Mapping the Muslim Empires
By Sonjanita L. Moore
The Muslim Empires
Here's what I have found so far and by-golly there's so much more. I keep wondering what would happen if there was no internet? I guess that means I would have to use the uhhh textbook right? NOT..oh gosh the thought. The internet is far more interesting.
Mapping the Muslim Empires
By Sonjanita L. Moore
The Muslim Empires
