Connecting

One of the themes of this course is connecting with people you didn’t already know for your project. Ginny and I were able to meet today to talk about a project related to teaching technology integration. We came up with an overall plan for who we would like to get involved, and what we hope to get people talking about. We hope to connect with people who work with educators and technology integration, from the University perspective as well as from the on-school-site perspective. Ginny and I also discussed the fact that I use ISTE standards in working with teachers and students, and UT uses NETS standards.

Technology Integration

In Saturday’s class, Ginny shared a very interesting project idea addressing technology integration in the classroom. For this class, I think I’m going join her in this project. We are piloting a netbook project for lower school students next year, so integrating technology in the classroom will be a critical issue. I found online USF’s technology integration matrix. I’ve also been combing isenet.ning.com for technology-in-the-classroom discussion topics and ideas.

Across the divide

Often fine arts subjects become an after-thought amid today’s high-stakes testing environment. Fortunately, that’s not the case at our school. This morning I had the opportunity to meet with our art teacher and library media specialist to look for interdisciplinary learning ideas. I’m excited about the possibilities we covered…from promotional posters and pursuasive book trailers to developing websites, and many more ideas in between. We talked about the importance of allowing students to self-select reading material and research topics, while keeping the focus on inquiry-based learning and critical thinking skills. Keep an eye out here for news about our projects this Spring!

The Teacher and the Learner

I’m pursuing my EdS in Instructional Technology, and hope to finish this summer. There are obviously many challenges to working full time while trying to complete grad school. As I begin a new semester (chasing 6 credit hours), I’m reminded of how often the roles of instructor and learner merge for me, and similarities which exist for learners of all ages. As I peruse the course objectives for each of my classes, I can’t help but think how the content I’m learning can benefit the students I teach during the school year. Idea after idea pops in my head for new ways to share content, and new methods for inspiring technological inquiry. At the same time, I catch myself thinking about all the work involved, and hoping I’ll be able to pull together meaningful projects to submit. Turns out I’m on both sides of the coin once again…teacher and student at the same time.

10 for 2010 – Tech Tips and Ideas for a New Year

Click here to view the Professional Development slide show for ESK faculty January 4, 2010. Topics covered include sources for copyright-free images and sound files, free software for sound editing and movie-making, as well as a list of websites worth checking out.

Codec Drama

As middle school students work on their instructional videos, some are encountering difficulties with movie file extensions. It can be so frustrating as a student (and teacher) to have to convert videos from .avi to .mpeg to .flv. Windows Movie Maker is especially challenging in this aspect. These are days I long for a room full of Macbooks…

P.S. As one class ended hearing a student walk a way saying “That was fun!” made all the codec drama worthwhile.

Who’s teaching tech?

The foundation of a strong educational technology program is support of an institution’s academic curriculum. A recent blog post,“We Are All Technology Teachers,” presents the benefits of embedding technology into classroom instruction. Instead of viewing technology as a stand-alone enrichment class, more is accomplished by using these tools every day across the curriculum. Much like a language immersion program, students absorb more content in a more meaningful way when it is taught in context. This leads to a needed shift in technology support. Rather than spending hours creating and implementing a free-standing technology curriculum, time may be better invested in showing teachers how to use technology to make their classroom instruction even more innovative and effective.

Refeuling

It’s easy, as a teacher, to find yourself in survival mode. The simple goals of providing unique and enriching educational environments for every student in your class, devising innovative curriculum plans, and communicating with other faculty members, parents, and administrators leave little time for rejuvenation.

The opportunity to be on the other side of the fence is a great way to get recharged and inspired as an educator. I’m fortunate to be attending TETC in Nashville this week. More than 200 workshops and presentations are available for technology teachers to absorb new technology tools and instructional strategies. I already have a list of ideas I can’t wait to share with the teachers back on campus.

Just a few things to check out…audacity, camstudio, soundzabound, cueprompter

Esknoxville.org – new edition

VY Creative, our web designer, has updated our website. You’ll now see links to videos we’ve produced here at school, tweets to keep you up-to-date on campus life, and a link to the ESK Facebook page. We are looking forward to using the website, in conjunction with social media tools, to increase communication with current and prospective families, as well as our growing group of alumni.

Chapel Video

Here’s the link to a video shown during Monday’s middle school chapel. Many thanks to the second grade teacher who shared it. The next time you’re sitting at the ball field listening to boos, cleaning up vandalism done by an rival, or answering your child’s questions about sportsmanship, remember what it really takes to be a winner.