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!