Tebow Time!

So many of you said you were Tim Tebow fans!  I saw this today:

Yep, Tim Tebow reading Dr.Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham, live beginning at 9 a.m. EST on February 15, 2012.  To join the webinar go to America's Biggest Storytime on that day and time.  (I'll be there, too, with a trillion kids from all over the country!)

Politically Correct

Today is the Florida primary!  Are you informed enough to vote?  Will you be ready for the November elections?

For those looking to get serious, Google recently released their Politics & Elections hub. Republicans and Democrats alike can easily track the candidates’ trending habits, color-coded election results, and breaking news sorted geographically for your convenience.

Browse articles by popular issues like the economy (you may have heard of it), healthcare, and immigration. A dedicated YouTube hub highlights each day’s top five videos.

Feeling not-so-bi-partisan? The On the Ground section features crowd-sourced content of citizens confronting politicians and ralliers getting rallied up.

Yes, Google is more than a search engine.

--from Netted by the Webbys

photo credit: √oхέƒx™ via photopin cc

A New Improved Google Earth

According to the Google blog, Google Earth 6.2 was released on January 26 and is ready for download. Some of the new features:

• Send images directly from Google Earth
• Share screenshots from your virtual exploration on Google+
• View seamless imagery of geographic landscapes all over the world
• Get improved search results and new suggestions
• Find biking and transit directions

Check it out!  And check out Google Earth for Educators.  If you think it's just for geography or just for fun, you couldn't be more wrong!

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nineinchnails/2610205036/

5 Tips For Staying Motivated While Studying Online | Emerging Education Technology

Some good tips here to make your life and your course easier!

What tips or tricks do you have for staying focused?  For getting the most out of your online courses?

photo credit: adesigna via photopin cc

10 Reasons to Use Technology

YouTube is full of great videos for teaching and learning.  Did you know:

• 48 hours of video are uploaded every minute, resulting in nearly 8 years of content uploaded every day
• Over 3 billion videos are viewed a day
• Users upload the equivalent of 240,000 full-length films every week
• More video is uploaded to YouTube in one month than the 3 major US networks created in 60 years

Unfortunately, YouTube is often blocked in many schools and districts because there is some inappropriate content, too.  But that may change with the recent introduction of YouTube for Schools.  There are many alternatives to YouTube:  SchoolTube, TeacherTube, and Edublogs.TV among them. Here are 47 alternatives!

And there are ways to use YouTube safely, too.  That's the difference between knowing about technology and knowing how to use it in education!

Here's a YouTube video about innovation and technology in education:

Rules of the Road for Kids

In last week's scavenger hunt, you looked at some sites related to Internet safety.  This week you're looking at more safety and ethical issues related to technology.

The Internet is revolutionizing education, but it can be a dangerous place for kids (and even adults who don't know how dangerous it can be!) This video is aimed at kids, but it's good for all ages--from 6 to 60 and beyond!

"Our kids are growing up in public. Here are a few rules of the road that will help our kids make smart decisions online. For more reviews and advice visit commonsense.org."




  

Photo:  sbisson via photopin cc

Time Flies; Excuses Won't

If you think that "I didn't have time" is an excuse for not logging in to class at least 3 times a week, not doing your assignments or not doing your best, read this or at least this:

"And the next time you find yourself about to utter those five words, “I just don’t have time,” stop yourself and remember that, yes, you do."

Excuses won't work for you in this class.  If you're serious about becoming a teacher, get serious about being a student.   Excuses don't work for teachers, either.

I couldn't have said this better myself.

 photo credit: ToniVC via photopin cc

How Much Technology Do Teachers Have? Need? Want?

One-Fifth of K-12 Teachers Think They Have the 'Right Level of Technology' in their Classrooms, Survey Finds

• By Joshua Bolkan in T. H. E. Journal

According to information released by the organization, "Ninety-one percent of teachers surveyed reported having access to computers in their classrooms, but only one-in-five (22 percent) said they have the right level of technology.

"PBS LearningMedia released the findings of a national survey of grade preK-12 teachers about the role of technology and barriers to digital resources today at the Florida Education Technology Conference in Orlando.

Other key findings of the study include:

• Sixty-three percent of respondents, and 70 percent from low-income communities, said that budgets were the biggest impediment to accessing technology in the classroom;
• While only 59 percent of respondents have access to interactive whiteboards, 93 percent said they believe the tools enrich classroom education;
• Eighty-one percent of respondents said they believe tablets can enrich the classroom experience, with teachers in affluent districts two times as likely to have access to the devices;
• The most commonly accessed digital resources are Web sites, at 56 percent, online images, at 44 percent, and online games and activities, at 43 percent, according to the survey;
• Fourteen percent of teachers in low-income communities reported high levels of parent support for classroom technology, while 38 percent of their peers from more affluent communities had the same response;
• Thirty-eight percent of teachers from wealthier districts also said they had strong school board support for classroom technology, while only 21 percent of teachers in low-income communities said the same thing; and
• Teacher attitudes about the benefit of technology in the classroom were consistent across grade level, student income level, and the type of communities where respondents teach.

Seventy-seven percent of the teachers who responded said that they used technology to increase student motivation, making that the most common reason to bring it into the classroom. The ability to reinforce and expand on material already being taught and to accommodate various learning styles were close behind it, though, at 76 percent each.

photo credit: Extra Ketchup via photopin cc

What Is Digital Citizenship?

Are you a good digital citizen?  Do you know?   These 6th graders know!

Check out the videos they created to show they are digital citizens.  Which is your favorite?  Does anything surprise you?  What would you teach your students about safe and ethical use of technologies?

Which NETS*S address this issue?

photo credit: alicebarr via photopin cc

A Smile as Big as the Moon

ABC is airing "A Smile as Big as the Moon" this Sunday, January 29, at 9 p.m. and it looks like a good one!  It's the story of a high school football coach and special education teacher who took a class of special education students to NASA’s Space Camp. 

The movie, which stars John Corbett, is based on the memoir by teacher Mike Kersjes. It gives an inside look into the way one educator empowered special needs students who were often bullied by others to find compassion and respect for everyone.  
 

Mike Kersjes is the name of a real special-education teacher (and football coach), in Michigan. Mike doesn’t talk down to his “special” students. He respects them, and he believes they’re capable of achieving great things.

Mike hears about Space Camp, a competitive education program at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Even though it’s designed for gifted science students, Mike decides participating in the summer program would do wonders for the self-esteem of his young students, one especially who wants to be an astronaut.

He faced incredible obstacles in trying to make his improbable dream become an inspiring reality. At first, school administrators refused to buy in. The folks who ran the camp were less than encouraging; they’d never had a group of special ed kids apply before.

But it was after they were finally given the green light that the real challenge began. How to get kids with Down syndrome, Tourette’s, learning disabilities and emotional problems to leave their baggage behind, to coalesce into a team, and to tackle a bunch of extremely smart students from top schools around the country?

After 9 months of rigorous training preparation the class molded itself into a working team where they turned in a performance so startling, so surprising that it will leave you breathless.

Mike Kersjes had an impossible idea. Yet he made it happen. A truly triumphant story of the power of the human spirit. You won’t want to miss it!  (from the Hallmark Hall of Fame site)

Sounds like I'll need to keep the Kleenex handy!  If you watch it, leave a comment here.  And get your assignment done early so you can watch and enjoy it!

photo credits: Pzado via photopin cc
Amazon, Hallmark Hall of Fame

Technology and College Students

How much technology do you really use?  If you haven't completed the technology survey in the class wiki yet, do it now.  It won't take you long and I'm really curious about what students are using everyday.  My guess it's more than it used to be and it's less than it will be!

A recent study by Educause revealed some interesting statistics about technology and wifi:

• Only 78% of students feel that wifi is extremely valuable for their academic success. 
• 60% of students said they wouldn’t attend a college all if it didn’t offer free wifi.  
• 47% of students believe technology makes professors better at their jobs
• 30% of students found their instructors to be incapable of getting technology working without student aid.

Another study by Online Colleges found that more US college students prefer a hybrid of online/offline education than a pure experience in either direction. Check out this infographic for more interesting statistics.  Do you think it accurately depicts you?




Via: Online Colleges Guide Click here to see a zoomable version.

Another Digital Kiddo

This week in the class wiki, the presentation of the week is a double feature, two short videos of pre-school digital natives.  I found them amazing.  Do a search on YouTube for baby and ipad and you'll see some as young as 2 weeks old "using" an ipad.

So what happens when they get older?

Meet Thomas Suarez, a 6th grade student at a middle school in the South Bay of Los Angeles.  This video has almost 2 million hits on YouTube.  Will you be a teacher who will learn from his/her students?




Photo: Wayan Vota via photopin cc

Why Use Technology?

In this podcast, Josh Stumpenhorst, Chicago 6th grade language arts and social studies teacher, talks about classroom technology. Interviewer Ken Royal says, "Listen to a fresh voice with new ideas for enhancing student learning and projects by using technology. Great teaching advice for veteran and new teachers."  You can follow Josh on Twitter at @stumpteacher.

 

Listen to internet radio with royaltreatment on Blog Talk Radio

Something to Think About

Two questions that could change your life!

From a new book by Daniel Pink, Drive:  The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.    Pink is the author of A Whole New Mind:  Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. I highly recommend both!


You might also be interested in this interview with Pink talking about schools and education:  "Carrots and Sticks are So Last Century" in which he asserts 'The time has come to tap "the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world."'  Really intriguing.


Witnessing the Unseeable cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by ZeRo`SKiLL

Martin Luther King Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"

Although the holiday for Martin Luther King was first observed in the 1980s, a number of civil rights leaders felt that it shouldn’t be just another three-day weekend of shopping. So in 1994, Congress designated the third Monday in January as a national day of service calling it a "day on, not a day off." The Corporation for National and Community Service leads the effort and created the website MLKDay.gov to help volunteers find projects.

So do something to help someone else today.

Here are some resources with information about Martin Luther King and ideas for your classroom:

• Infoplease:  Biography, Timeline, Quotes and More
• Martin Luther King Day Resources
• Martin Lunther King:  Lesson Plans and Multimedia Resources
• MLK Resources for Teachers
• Education World:  Martin Luther King Day

(Webdoc; An interactive poster creator. This Webdoc by Vincent.)

What Do Teachers Need to Learn?

Here's a great song and video about how technology is impacting students...
...and, hopefully, teachers--

...and, of course, future teachers.  That's what this class is about: Changing tools and techniques to make a difference!

Are you ready to learn what your students need you to know?

Do you know how to use technology to engage students?

Do you know how to teach them to search effectively?  To analyze, synthesize and create information in a variety of formats?

Your students are counting on you!  What will you learn? How will you change?

 Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcleod/3105191883/in/pool-858082@N25/

What's New

It's my favorite time of the techo year.  First, there's the Consumer Electronic Show going on right now in Las Vegas where they introduce all the latest and greatest--some of which will show up in our schools in the near future. Here's Walt Mossberg from Wall Street Journal showing some of the more interesting finds:


Then, right close to home, there's FETC, the Florida Educational Technology Conference. It's coming up from January 23rd to the 26th right here at the Orlando Convention Center.  It's one of the largest and most popular educational technology conferences for educators.  There are lots of new products and new ideas there, too.  FETC features hundreds of workshops, sessions and exhibits all focused on using and integrating technology to improve student achievement. If you ever get a chance to attend, don't pass it up! 

FETC also offers a free virtual conference in the spring and fall. Stay tuned.  I'll let you know!

Teach Yourself Anything

I recently read a great blog post for anyone interested in teaching and learning.  It is The 27 Principles for Teaching Yourself Anything.

All 27 are worth considering, but I especially like #2:

Showing up is just the beginning. It’s no longer enough to show up to class, do the homework and take the the tests. That’s table stakes. This is as true for formal education as it is for life. You must be willing to take what you learn and test, experiment and apply it to things that matter to you so you can see what actually works, what’s worthwhile and what’s a waste. No one else can do that for you.

Numbers  4, 11, 16, 18, 21 and 27 will take you a long way in this course--and in life!  The author sums up his advice this way:

We are entering a new world of education.

One where we decide what enters our brain. We decided what matters most. We get to build our curriculum. We get to take control and be responsible for learning the things that will make the biggest difference in our lives.

This "new world of education" is the one in which you'll soon be working.  Read the principles.  Apply them.  Learn to learn.  Learn to teach. Start with this course.

Images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19801909@N00/123120605/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/45581782@N00/21055837/

Google Is More Than a Search Engine

You now know how to do better searches on Google or any other database...and why it's important to help students learn to search more efficiently and effectively.

I remember not that many years ago (okay, maybe 10 or 12?) when I would teach about searching, people would snicker at the very mention of the word "Google."  No one is laughing now!

Here's a few things you might not know about Google's search.  Did you know that you can:

1. Convert units. Whether you want to convert currency, American and metric units, or any other unit, try typing in the known unit and the unknown unit to find your answer (like “how many teaspoons in a tablespoon” or “10 US dollars in Euros”).
2. Do a timeline search. Use “view:timeline” followed by whatever you are researching to get a timeline for that topic.
3. Get around blocked sites. If you are having problems getting around a blocked site, just type “cache:website address” with website address being the address of the blocked site to use Google’s cached copy to get where you are going.
4. Use a tilde. Using a tilde (~) with a search term will bring you results with related search terms.
5. Use the image search. Type in your search word, then select Images to use the image search when trying to put a picture to your term.
6. Get a definition. If you want a definition without having to track down an online (or a physical) dictionary, just type “definition:word” to find the definition of the word in your results (i.e.: “definition: serendipity” will track down the definition of the word “serendipity”).
7. Search within a specific website. If you know you want to look up Babe Ruth in Wikipedia, type in “site:wikipedia.org Babe Ruth” to go directly to the Wikipedia page about Babe Ruth. It works for any site, not just Wikipedia.
8. Search within a specific kind of site. If you know you only want results from an educational site, try “site:edu” or for a government site, try “site:gov” and your search term to get results only from sites with those web addresses.
9. Search for a specific file type. If you know you want a PDF (or maybe an MP3), just type in “filetype:pdf” and your search term to find results that are only in that file type.
10. Calculate with Google. Type in any normal mathematical expressions to get the answer immediately. For example, “2*4″ will get you the answer “8.”
11. Get the Time. Enter “what time is it” and any location to find out the local time.
12. Get the Weather.  Enter "weather" and any location to get the weather forecast.
13. Find a term in a URL. This handy trick is especially useful when searching blogs, where dates are frequently used in the URL. If you want to know about a topic for that year only and not any other year, type “inurl:2009″ and your keyword to find results with your keyword in URLs with 2009 in them.
14. Use Show Options to refine your search. Click “Show Options” on your search result page to have access to tools that will help you filter and refine your results.
15. Search for a face. If you are looking for a person and not just their name, type “&imgtype=face” after the search results to narrow your results to those with images of faces.

And that's just the beginning! For more ideas about using Google, Google Earth, Google Maps, Google Docs, GMail, Google Sites, Google Voice, Google Mobile, Google Chrome, Google + and all things Google see 100+ Google Tricks That Will Save You Time in School.

Cartoon by Google Blogoscoped

How to Get a Better Online Education (and a Better Grade!)

It's January 2 as I write this (although I won't publish it until the first day of class 1/9), and I'm thinking about the beginning of the semester and this class.  What advice can I share with you that will give you the best chance at success in this course?  Do your best.  Of course.  Read the text book.  Given.  But what are the real secrets to getting the most out of this course.

I just read a great article from Edudemic called 5 Steps to Getting a Better Online Education. You can click on the link to read the article yourself, but I've got to say the advice is excellent!  Here's the 5 steps and my comments related to this class:



Step 1:  Get to Know the Course and Its Platform
If you've never taken an online course before--or you haven't taken one in Webcourses, spend some time with the Webcourses at UCF tutorial link from the homepage of the class.  You'll have a much better idea of where to find things as the class goes on.

Even if  you have taken a class, you probably haven't taken this one.  So go ahead, click on all the links available to see where they go and what they do.  The more familiar you are with the course and Webcourses, the better you'll do (and the faster you'll do it!)

Finally, be sure to download and print the syllabus and the course schedule.  They outline all the topics, due dates and policies.  While the schedule may change a bit as time goes on, you'll have a much better understanding of where we are headed.  You will be notified if anything in the schedule changes and the most current version of the schedule will always be available from the home page.


Step 2:  Participate! Participate!  Participate!
Of course, you'll do the assignments, but you'll do better if you go beyond that.  Use the open discussion boards, the chat, coursemail.  Contribute your ideas and tell us about what you've been thinking related to technology in education.  If you find good resources share them. Ask questions.  Answer any questions your classmates post; your help will be appreciated and hopefully reciprocated.


Step 3:  Network Like There's No Tomorrow
Talk among yourselves. You'll find people much like yourself in this class.  You'll also find people very different in background and experiences.  Talk to them all online.  Dig deep.  Really get to know them and let them get to know you.


Step 4:  Don't Leave Your Work Until the Last Minute
Ah, if I had one thing to suggest, this would be it.  If your work is due on Sunday, aim to have it done by Friday or Saturday.  Things happen:  computers crash, servers go down, power goes out, people get sick, your job demands extra hours.

Also, I suggest checking into the class at LEAST 3 times a week. Look for announcements, changes, links to resources that might help you with the assignment. Look ahead at the next module to see what might be expected.  And when there are group projects, start extra early.  Be a leader, not a follower.  Contribute your fair share and more if you can.


Step 5:  Put Your Learning Into Practice ASAP!
Find ways to apply what you're learning.  Use it in another class or in another assignment for this class. Think about ways you might demonstrate NETS*T competencies in your portfolio or in a future interview.  Bookmark the tools, links and resources you might find useful in your next courses or in your own classroom.


5 Image cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by svenwerk 
bs-iv-folie-9-gruppenzusammenarbeit cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by algogenius

Your Textbook and More!

You are the very first group to use the newest edition (7th!) of Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating Technology in a Connected World.  Yes, the copyright is 2012!  It's so new that the ink might even be a little wet!

You should know that one of the authors, Dr. Glenda Gunter, is on the UCF faculty and is also responsible for much of the content in the course.  The text is used by thousands of students in teacher education programs throughout the world!

If you're having trouble finding it, you can order it online.  Just do a Google search on "textbook rentals" and you'll find dozens of deals.  Amazon has it: http://amzn.to/wS2Rie and at Chegg you can rent it, too:   http://bit.ly/z7NBEM
I didn't "shop it out" but I'm sure you can find it locally or online.

Throughout the pages of the web course you'll see a note about checking out the textbook's companion website.  The website is even newer than the textbook, and as a result, not every page in your course will have a link to the site, but you can always find it in the right hand column of the class blog.  (You'll probably see something like [update textbook site} along the way.  That's where the link is supposed to go...and someday it will!)

Once you get to the site, you may need to register.  Do it.  It's a simple process and will allow you to see TONS of good stuff related to each chapter.  If you need it, the ISBN number for the book is 9781133526551. Once you're there, you'll find chapter by chapter resources like:

• Checkpoint & Practice Tests- Quiz yourself on the chapter contents
• Teaching Today - Real-world examples of technology in the classroom
• Apps Corner- Educational applications for iPad, iPhone, Blackberry and other mobile devices
• Digital Media Corner - Links to videos and webpages that show you what the chapter talks about
• Assistive Technologies Corner - resources for delivering instruction to students with physical, cognitive or sensory challenges
• Crossword Puzzle - New York Times has nothing  on your textbook.  Use vocabulary from the chapter to complete the puzzle online.
• Key Terms & Flashcards - A summary of key terms and a virtual deck of card to help you review them

You may also find video clips, learning games, links to educational sites and more! So check it out!

The 30-Day Challenge

It's a new year! Time for new opportunities and new challenges.

So here's a challenge for you: Try something new for the next 30-days! 

Why? Watch this short TED-talk:






Now, choose a challenge. It doesn't have to be but,  of course, I'd like it to be something related to this course. For example:

• Check in on the eme 2040 course at least once a day.  
• Spend 15 minutes a day reading the textbook.
• Spend 15 minutes a day thinking--just thinking--about the module and activities for the week and how those apply to you, the new teacher.
• Explore one of the links in the right hand column of this blog.  Just one!
• Start a journal about your journey to becoming a teacher and write in it every day. (You can do it online privately for free with a program like Penzu.  There's a Penzu mobile app, too, so you can do it anywhere!)
• Find an article about educational technology and read it, or at least skim it.  (You'll find some possible links in the class blog and class wiki!) Share your thoughts with the class in a discussion or on Twitter.
• Sign up for Twitter and follow the hashtag #edtech to see what teachers are doing with technology.
• Post an item of interest to Twitter using the #eme2040 hashtag.
• Do your assignment early and then check the discussions to see if anyone needs help with his/her assignment.
• Check the class blog and/or the class wiki once a day.
• Do the challenge of the week--a little each day. 
• Day 1: Read the challenge.  
• Day 2: Read about the tool.  
• Day 3: Read how it is used in education. 
• Day 4: See some examples, 
• Day 5: Do the challenge.  
• Day 6: Review it to be sure it's the best you can do.  
• Day 7: Turn it in and think about whether or not it is a tool you'd want to add to your "toolbox."
• Find a podcast or video about educational technology and watch it or listen to it--orparts of it--each day.

It doesn't have to be big.  It just has to be!  The secret, as Matt Cutts says, is to do it before you go to sleep.

Image cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by Sukanto Debnath

Happy New Year

Author Neil Gaiman published a New Year's post that has already become a favorite of mine.

You can read it here.

Today a tweet alerted my to the poster version and I share it with you!

I love the New Year!  It's always full of possibilities.  Surprise yourself!

Image via http://dreamripples.tumblr.com/post/14900943949