Comments on: POO POOS (Not Really the End in Mind, Is It?)

By: Maura

Maura — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:19:24 +0000

I had to laugh today and I know you’ll appreciate this one! The kids have been working on a Movie Maker project directly tied to their school folders on the network. We have not had good luck internet in my room until Buildings and Grounds came and ran a new line yesterday. So frustration has been HIGH to say the least. I’ve been keeping my cool and remembering that I am not in control of internet bandwidth so I just postpone their due date so they have enough time. Well today they were diligently working and I was buzzing everywhere helping what felt like thousands of students when one loudly exclaimed “Mrs.K- You’re a techno-genius!”
Aaahhh in their eyes it’s all been a fun adventure!

By: Brian C. Smith

Brian C. Smith — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:19:06 +0000

Maura, I think the question you pose is extremely important... what is the essential project or question? What do we intend for students to know, do and share as a result of instruction or active participation an learning experience. I keep thinking about what Chris Lehmann, principal of the Science Leadership Academy, says about technology use for learning:

Technology needs to be like oxygen, ubiquitous, necessary and invisible.

In a nutshell, decide on the purpose of a learning activity (something we should be really good at as educators) and think about the ways we present information, share or collect learning information from students. They ways in which we do these things may be great starting places to integrate technology. Are students going to share their learning with just you, the teacher, with just their class, or with a wider audience? Defining these objects often helps to pinpoint certain technology tools to investigate and ultimately use.

By: Maura Kerkezis

Maura Kerkezis — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:59:05 +0000

I remember the “Blog” drop last year and was overwhelmed with everything I wanted to try in the classroom. I have set up the blog however as a link from my school web page. Now it just becomes me reminding myself to show the kids and create an assignment. However- I have 200 kids so I need to pic a class for specific assignments!

I am excited to try a podcast and to Skype another classroom. The troubles for me are- what is the essential project or question for contacting the other room. I need to think outside the box and find something of interest and related to the curriculum so as to make it worth while rather than a filler!

By: Brian C. Smith

Brian C. Smith — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:28:53 +0000

Google’s start page is configured to open your mail in another window. This is good for a couple of reasons. One, you get more real estate to read/compose emails. Two, you don’t leave the Start page where Google Talk is open for people to instantly contact you.

Jean, you might consult with Matt Riccione who has had students use a blog for sharing work and happenings about their class.

By: Jean Waldmiller

Jean Waldmiller — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:43:50 +0000

I’ve been using the start page with more ease yesterday than the day before… not really sure how but I’m not opening a whole new window every time I open an e-mail! I’m really thinking about Brian’s thoughts of using a blog as my website instead of adding a blog to my current site. To allow kids/parents/grandparents to comment… Right now I’m in the list stage to really figure out my purposes, what I like and what I really wish I could do.