Feels Like Christmas!

Welcome to our Pre-Christmas "Educational Technology" sale...well, not really a sale since it's all FREE.  Once you check these out, you will understand my enthusiasm.

BEST APP I have ever seen:  Splashtop

PROS...Splashtop allows you to control your desktop (PC, laptop, netbook...) from your IPad over WiFi.  Your IPad (IPhone, Droid...) turns into a mobile version of your desktop computer.  You can access documents, work on programs that normally are not available on IPad (Smart Notebook, for instance), watch flash videos (yes, I said it...flash), play online games and access documents from your hard drive.

CONS...Slight lag time when playing flash games, but that is to be expected since you are accessing another computer via wifi.

ADDED BENEFIT...Since you can control your desktop with your IPad at this point, if your desktop PC or laptop is connected to a smartboard...you can control the smartboard as well.  To be honest, I haven't tested this out yet, but have it on good authority from my techie co-workers that this will work nicely.  Think of the ability to walk through class and still use your Smartboard while you help a student at THEIR desk.

Look for me at school for a demo!


BEST "I Should have thought of this" ONLINE TOOL:  YouTube for Schools and the KHAN Academy

PROS...YouTube Education and the KHAN Academy collect educationally-related YouTube videos and provide a safe access point for students and teachers to find relevant and meaningful videos for classroom uses.  I particularly like the KHAN's selection of videos (almost strictly for MS/HS) and how they incorporate videos with exercises and the ability for students to post questions.  Social media at its best in the classroom.  Tons of math demonstration videos.

CONS...Videos are selected by the organization running the site, which means you are stuck with what they think is appropriate.  At this point, the videos look pretty solid to me.  A great way to categorize YouTube videos and find them easily.


BEST "New" Website to Follow:  Edudemic

Well...it's new to me!

PROS...The subtitle of the site really tells it all, "Connecting Education & Technology."  Great lists of tips and tricks, newsworthy items, lists of useful websites, and even some irreverent educational humor litter this site.  For the most part, there are some excellent ideas and inspiration for your own ideas here, as well as trending items in technology.

Sample Items:

• 30 Great Blogs by Students
• 9 Tools for Using Wikipedia in the Classroom
• Today is Update Your Parent's Browser Day (article)

I will definitely add the feed to my list of daily reads.

CONS...Slightly overwhelming to start, too many links upfront but they are broken up nicely on the navigation bar at the top.


I hope this is a start, maybe some tools for you to peruse over holiday break.  Please have a safe and healthy holiday season. -P

The Reader's Guide Meets the Campfire

I like what Thomas Frey, futurist (yes, apparently that is a title), has to say about the nature of libraries:

...libraries are going through an age of rebirth. Intent on making them the crown jewels of the community, cities from Vancouver to Prague are investing heavily in public libraries, producing opulent, multi-story structures equipped with cutting-edge technology. From rather hidebound monuments to knowledge laboratories, libraries are now evolving into interactive research and leisure centers. Yet this change, impressive as it is, is only the beginning.

This is our current digital transformation in the library profession.  But as I begin to visit more school libraries, not just those I work at regularly, I see that school libraries have a long way to go.

In professional discussions with technology committees, teachers, students, parents and virtually anyone who will listen, I like to be the voice of reason when it comes to technology or social media use in classrooms and libraries.  I believe in the Total Cost of Operation (TCO) method of integrating infusing technology and media into our curriculum.  How much does this cost?  What is the maintenance and upkeep?  What type of training do we need to do first?  Is this a device or skill that transcends into everyday life?  How are student needs being met? And so on...

I think, for the most part, we are moving in the right direction.  I'd like to move faster...wouldn't we all?  The trends that I find disturbing relate directly to the state and nature of library operations in schools...or what I will refer to as the "roadblocks" of our new information centers.


Roadblock #1--The One and Only Authority Syndrome

The last 6 libraries I visited had PRINT (yes, print...as in paper) copies of the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature.  I must be naive, but I thought HW Wilson stopped printing that 15 years ago.  At $235 for previous years and close to $500 for the current year, isn't that money better spent elsewhere?

I do admit that the Reader's Guide is great on those chilly early autumn days when I watch Badger games outside with campfire...

Let's try to break the habit of doing what we did in the past because we did it in the past.

P.S....all these articles are listed in Badgerlink...and they are FREE (for Wisconsin)!

Roadblock #2--The Dinosaur Syndrome

Reference books are the dinosaurs of the information age.  Like all good dinosaurs, they look nice on the shelves but gather a lot of dust.  They have a certain level of "gravitas" for research, meaning they are heavy and cost too much.

Call me crazy...but who reads reference books?  I can spend 15 minutes teaching a student how to find a one-paragraph entry in an encyclopedia, almanac, or other content specific reference book or 15 seconds teaching them how to find the same information on Infoplease with links to other articles.  Once done learning how to use the encyclopedia, the student can use those lookup skills on other alphabetized reference books.  But not all reference is made equal, some are chronological, some are thematic, some are location-oriented.  Once done learning how to use Infoplease (or other similar database), the student is able to search anywhere because search engines and databases are made virtually equal.

Call me a revolutionary...but as our students hit the "real" world, they will be expected to find and use information rapidly, accurately and remotely.  Let's teach them to use computers, phones, and tablets to do this.

Roadblock #3--The Study Hall Syndrome

As Frey describes, libraries are becoming interactive research and leisure centers.  If I have a study hall of 15-25 students in the library every hour of the day, how can we promote research and leisure activities?  How can we host a class that wants to use the library to research if we don't have space for them?

But in so many of the schools I visit, the library is not only the "land of misfit toys", home of all the equipment and furniture that people don't want, it is also the home of students who don't have class that hour.  We need to change our perspective of the library as a PLACE to hold things (books, AV equipment, people...) to an interactive SERVICE or a PROGRAM, providing information and technology expertise to students, staff, administrators and parents.

Libraries (and librarians or media specialists) are no longer reservoirs or a places of finding information, but  gateways, facilitators, cheerleaders, information experts, advocates, collaborators, conspirators and consultants.  

I, for one, am pushing the transformation.

Antiques of the digital age

I came across this yesterday at one of my schools and it raised a question for me...

Are flash drives a technology tool we've outgrown?  This one is 256MB, btw...I don't think they make these anymore.

The question really pertains to "cloud" computing and the ability to store data (documents, pictures, etc...), just as data, on the web...in the "cloud" so to speak, and have them all in one location, a matter of backup.

On Tuesday, I downloaded the free app, Box.net, on my IPad and included with that is a deal to get 50GB of online storage for life.  Being a huge fan of online storage, I jumped at the chance.  I also recommend it for everyone else...the deal ends soon.  Another good site is 4Shared...around 15GB for free.

I use cloud storage for a number of reasons:

• I tend to take my IPad everywhere and hate carrying my laptop (with plug and mouse) due to size, apparently 6 pounds is too heavy.  It is no longer convenient.  I can access all my files (and view them) on my IPad, IPod Touch or phone (currently a junky Blackberry).  PLUS, the IPad doesn't do USB very easily.
• I can access online storage from pretty much anywhere...via WiFi or 4G wireless.
• I have a tendency to a) run over flash drives, b) not have them when I need them, or c)not have my computer when I need to view a file on a flash drive.
• FREE=GOOD
• Secure, convenient and little chance of losing my files, unlike my twisted desire to run over my own flash drives.
• As part of the social media pantheon of tools, you can actually SHARE your files with others at your own discretion....either professionally or personally.

As of right now, I uploaded 250 files on Box and used 1GB of space.  Just storage.  Check it out.

Storage fun facts for today...

• 1976--5.25" Floppy Disks--1.2 MB (Dual sided)
• 1981--3.5" Floppy Disks--1.44 MB of storage
• 1984--Compact Disks--about 650MB
• 1994--ZipDisks and Drives--100 MB of storage
• 1995--DVDs--about 4.7 GB
• 1997--Memory Cards--various
• 2003--Blue Ray--25 or 50GB
• What's next?

Power of Social Media

Being a devoted follower of Mashable, I read their articles religiously every day.  I subscribe to their feeds and read virtually every article published...and they publish a LOT.

Mashable is an excellent site, first and foremost, for tech and gadget news and trends.  They give honest and frank opinions on all manner of gadgets, market trends, etc...Something a little different than the standard review.  Combined with CNET, you can get a detailed view of virtually every new gadget (TVs, phones, tablets...) out there.  

More importantly, however, is Mashable's ability to go beyond "this is cool!" and search for meaning in the transitions our society is going through...the meaning and importance of social media, important news and trends that affect everyone not just us tech-geeks, and tools that we can use in relevant and meaningful ways in our lives.

Today, I read an interview with Shaq's social media advisor, Amy Jo Martin.  She has some important things to say about social media and how to use it to create a personal brand as well as how to reach out to followers in highly personal ways.  My favorite quote from the interview:

The ability to be able to communicate with people one-on-one and still be able to do so in a scalable way is extremely powerful. Brands being able to really unwrap the layers and interact with people triggers more loyalty and response and becomes a whole new layer of how we communicate. When you remove the traditional gatekeepers of communication, the potential is just infinite. It’s really only limited by the spread of technology worldwide and how long that takes. (AJM)

I am finding that as I begin to let go of my "gatekeepers", I am beginning to see more and more of the value (and opportunities) that social media can play in education.

• Creating a SCHOOL brand using Twitter and Facebook
• Using social media to connect in meaningful ways with the community and parents
• Teaching students how to create their own identity with social media tools in responsible ways--the importance is that colleges and employers are now beginning to look at FB and Twitter as part of the interview process.
• Using our students' prior knowledge (i.e. technology) to enhance their own ability to create, share, publish, explore

Sometimes I am overwhelmed with the possibilities.

Truly Unbelievable Apps!

I am becoming an app junkie.  Isn't acceptance the first step in recovery?

Two magnificent photo apps I discovered recently have my head spinning with possibilities.

360 Panorama by Occipital...using your Iphone, Ipod Touch or Ipad, you can take 360 degree panoramic images of your surroundings.  I would love it for that fact, but it goes beyond just taking a photo.  360 Panorama allows you to share the photo similarly to an interactive tour (as in real estate)...I can't really describe how cool this is:

Hiroshima Japan

Oakfield Elementary Library (pardon the shaky camera work!)

Possible uses in the classroom:

• Event photos to share with parents and the community
• Share your classroom
• Your very own...Where's Waldo (with students)
• 360 degree storytelling

Halftone...turns normal photos into classic newspaper/comic strip versions with captions, talk bubbles and action stamps.  I might be showing my age at this point, but I love the look of old comic strips.  Here's a sample (yes, this is my oldest):

Combine Halftone images (of school, students, events, family...) with a comic strip generator like Chogger and you have:

• Creative writing projects and visual stories
• Awesome means of focusing on Six Traits (particularly ideas and voice)
• Automatic engagement in the writing/storytelling process with emphasis on combining visual images AND text to tell a story...a task I view as much more challenging than just writing.
• An interesting way to make cards, announcements, etc...for parents!  I can guarantee a Father's Day card made by one of my sons would go over big...
• As a librarian...great way to make personalized bookmarks or nameplates

Can you tell I am excited?  I think I found my new family Christmas card...

The comfort of a warm blanket

A thought struck me as I was watching "Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown" with my children the other day.  Actually, a couple thoughts struck me but we can get into that in a bit.

As I look at my own practices at home, work and school, I find myself looking at my own "warm blankets"...things I do over and over because they are comfortable, familiar, unchallenging...They are my own safety net, just as Linus' blue blanket is his.  I think it would be safe to say that we all have our warm blankets.

What are yours?

A couple of weeks ago, I gave a presentation to a large audience about Social Media in Schools.  I have to admit...this is not my specialty.  As Principal J will tell you I am a "lurker"--someone who reads Twitter but doesn't tweet.  I am working on it, though.

We discussed, as part of the presentation, some transitions our society is experiencing currently.  The major transition that we, as educators and parents, face is that this generation of student, particularly at the elementary level, understand technology inherently.  They understand how and when to use technology to accomplish objectives and they understand what technology or device to use.  They are able to use it with little to no instruction.  They are able to create, build and share with technology as second nature, as an extension.  To my children as well as those I work with in districts, technology is NOT a tool, but an aspect of life.

So as I (we) race to "integrate" technology into our curriculum, or align technology standards, or define 21st Century skills, our children and students already have technology INFUSED into their lives.  Tremendous difference...integrate vs. infuse.

The bulk of my presentation focused on HOW to use SM tools in small and large ways with students and staff, how to facilitate creativity and sharing, how to think outside of our normal "box", how to even put down the warm blankets that we are familiar with and use every year to develop a new set of skills or lessons that encourage students to take responsibility and accountability for their own education, how to be proactive instead of reactive.

I am beginning to understand that "integrating" technology is the blue blanket I have held onto for the last several years, a mantra for a world which passed me by when I wasn't looking, a way to label a destination that has moved.  

When my 10 year old tells me he wants to make a website and a blog, I know I missed something important. 

So, as I put aside my inner "Linus", here are some ideas to get started:

1.  Experiment with a "Flipped" education.
2.  Have your students create their own e-portfolio (wiki) for your class...this works at all ages
3.  Try one or more of these ideas!
4.  Follow other professionals on Twitter...LOTS of good ideas out there.
5.  Make your own blog.

Please post ideas you have or want to try...always more out there.

Good helpers are hard to find

With the holidays coming up and the thoughts of thousands of Christmas cookies filling my head, I thought this video would be fun to share.  I have four awesome helpers at home, but I don't think they compare to these two little guys.

Hard not to enjoy this experience, even knowing how much work it will take to clean up all that flour!  

Jane McGonigal: Gaming can make a better world

Jane McGonigal, in Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World, argues that applying game theory to education and life will encourage innovation, increase our creativity and make our work more productive.

McGonigal describes four things that gamers are good at:

• Urgent optimism--the belief that tackling problems immediately will pay off in the end...the idea of the "Epic" win.
• Gamers can build a tight social fabric in a short period of time. Collaboration and trust are required to play games (of any sort).
• Blissful productivity--Gamers play games, and play them for so many hours, because they are optimized as a human being. Their productivity is increased to its maximum potential and they are happy working hard.
• Gamers are also believe in Epic Meaning--a belief that their activities mean something great and relevant.

Her research and ideas are incredibly interesting.  First, the thought of applying game theory to life (and for us, education) is a marvel concept.  As a basketball coach, it's the difference between practice and games.  A player might learn skills or techniques during practice, but you really don't learn how to PLAY until you play the game.  A student can learn a formula, but unless he or she can apply it, building a house for instance, does the formula have worth?

Second, games, contests, competitions are inherently engaging, first-hand experiences.

Third, I think competition in doses is extremely healthy, regardless of whether it is against a computer, another person or another team.  Games encourage "hopeful" competition or Urgent Optimism.

Let me know what you think.

Getting My Geek On...

Google and the Summit

I spent several wonderful days last week at the Google Summit in the Dells.  I really should get paid to sell Google products because I seem to be highly addicted and sell them to others...yes Blogger is a Google product.  Ease of use and access and uniform interfaces across multiple platforms makes using them an experience.

Two products I like the most:

1.  iGoogle...everything at your fingers!  The ability to customize your Chrome browser is awesome.  Here's what I have so far...

The ability to put email, calendars, documents and news all at the same place keeps me from opening 10 different windows at one time.

2.  Chrome...quickly becoming the standard browser.  Chrome is easy to use and customize (see above) and the Chrome store has TONS of free "apps" to use to enhance your productivity and enjoy the "Google" experience.  Angry Birds is even free...not that it will enhance MY productivity...

Math Humor

This makes me laugh every time...

Graphic Novels

Now for a topic near and dear to my heart...graphic novels. Growing research demonstrates that, contrary to popular opinion, reading graphic novels takes more cognitive effort than reading traditional, all-print materials. (Lavin, 1998; Bylsma, 2007) Readers are bombarded with art and print through a series of panels, word balloons and captions which detail the novel's characters, setting, plot and action. GNs require readers to be actively engaged in the process of decoding and interpreting a range of literary devices--narratives, metaphors, humor, symbolism, and point of view--in way that reaches multiple intelligences. GNs are also an excellent way to engage developing readers.


Recently, graphic novels have also branched into the realm of non-fiction and biographies.


The Children's Cooperative Book Center at UW-Madison has an excellent list of graphic novels for all ages. My favorites include the Bone series by Jeff Smith, Lone Wolf and Cub by Kazuo Koike, and a the new series of Graphic Classics (Dracula, Frankenstein, Tom Sawyer, etc...). I would also encourage you to check out the works of Art Spiegelman...WOW.


In addition to reading graphic novels, your students (of all ages) are able to create their own graphic novels online through a variety of websites. This is a great way to emphasize aspects of the writing process (character development, dialogue...as well as Six Traits) in ways that are timely, immediate, and engaging.


10 Ways to Create Comics Online from Free Technology for Teachers is a great starter list of websites.

Social Networking in Schools

One of the questions, we as educators are beginning to grapple with is the increasing demand for social networking within schools. More and more studies demonstrate that students engaging in appropriate social networking strategies are learning high-level 21st Century skills that not only improve their ability to use technology creatively and meaningfully, but also improve their ability to CREATE content and willingness to share their creations with others. Most importantly, using technology and social media as part of classroom content increases students' engagement and achievement.


At this point, I am not willing to "jump ship" and let students swim for themselves. There are a number of high quality, teacher-guided social networking tools available to use as part of classroom content/activities. Both of these Web2.0 tools have entirely private (your class or classes only) permissions as well as teacher oversight/monitoring.


Twiducate


Online social networking tool in the vein of Facebook and Twitter but set up within your own class(es). Only students, parents and other invited participants can view or share information. Excellent means of sharing assignments, quick questions during class and working collaboratively. Review and suggestions


Kidblog


Yes! A blogging tool for elementary/middle school students...Teach students to create and share online digital content in a private (class only) manner. Great tool with applications for teaching writing, digital citizenship, collaboration and peer-editing/mentoring. Takes less than 5 minutes to get your classes set up and ready to go with individual login/passwords.


Mashable's 5 Fun and Safe Social Networking Sites for Kids


Mashable is my favorite "techie" news and update site. They have articles and blogs on most topics (software, gadgets, etc...) and include reviews and tests on most new Web2.0 tools. Along with CNET which is a more high-end review site, Mashable posts multiple articles every day. If you subscribe to one online RSS feed to read everyday, I high recommend Mashable. This list is a collection of sites for younger children to join social networks (with parental permission and supervision).

New Tools for Teachers

IPad App: ShowMe
Easy whiteboard for the IPad that includes drawing and picture tools (either snapping a photo or importing). The real added benefit is the recording tool that allows you to narrate and illustrate. Once done you upload your lesson, which is viewable through the showme site or easily embedded to a wiki/webpage, tweeted, or emailed to you. ShowMe also has a collection of lessons for you to browse for ideas. Reviews here.

Web Tool: StoryJumper
This online, interactive children's book maker has limitless potential at all ages. As part of the writing process, creating children's books is beneficial and challenging for all ages of students.

StoryJumper includes sample graphics to illustrate books quickly. For more advanced illustrations, students can import graphics/images from the web or scan photos or artwork they create themselves.

Hosted by StoryJumper, the books are easy to share with parents or grandparents and link easily to your class website or wiki. As an added feature, they look excellent on Smartboards!

Apps Galore

Just discovered a new wiki dealing with Ipod and Ipad apps for educational users created by fellow CESA6 educator!  I can't believe the amount of apps Paula has reviewed and the depth to which she knows these...WOW!

That was quick...

For the second time, I was amazed by how quickly technology has overtaken the life of kids...my kids in particular.  My son, for all his amazing intelligence and creativity, lost the ability for common sense and figuring out simple problems without technology.  Please understand this isn't some high level hardware or ultra-complex software.

Our children's brains, including my 9 year old's, are now wired differently than mine (or my generation).  They can do some pretty amazing things that sometimes takes me a little longer (and I LOVE technology and gadgets of all sorts).  They inherently know how to use technology to communicate, share ideas, research and be creative.  They can play games without instruction...and so many other things.

But once again my son demonstrated the disconnect between intelligence and wisdom the other day while at a restaurant.  This particular restaurant had faucets...yes manual faucets.  He kept running his hands under that water waiting for it to run...over and over.  Took several minutes of me LOL to finally get him to understand the mistake.  This is the second time.

Apparently technology has permeated even hygiene.