This Week In Ed Tech

Moving to Squarespace

2009-12-20T14:38:00.000-08:00

I'm moving my blog to Squarespace. For all my subscribers, I'm working hard so you shouldn't experience any hiccups in your subscription. I was happy with blogger, but I needed more flexibility to add multiple pages, a discussion board, and overall expandability. Those who have subscribed on your Kindle, I'll be curious to know if the migration is smooth for you.

My domain is still http://www.thisweekinedtech.com

Let's continue the conversation at Squarespace!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-18T21:47:00.000-08:00

This year, with the help of some great on-screen talent (my principal, Beth Feaster), I produced this fun holiday e-card for our school to send around the district. Enjoy!

Happy Holidays from Coronita, 2009 from Buzz Garwood on Vimeo.

Great Interactive Math Tools: Just a Click Away

2009-12-09T19:45:00.000-08:00

Looking for a great math site with tons of engaging activities? You owe it to your students to visit Johnnie's Math Page. Many websites offer math activities for children, but most lack math content. The links Johnnie has chosen are interesting and engaging. The layout makes it easy to find fun and interactive math games, and even a little homework help. Johnnie has conveniently organized math activities from across the web by topic. For parents and teachers, there are worksheets, as well as links to other math teaching resources.

I first became aware of the site while teaching intersession about six months ago, and sharing my SMART interactive whiteboard with a first grade teacher. Being a sixth grade teacher myself, I wondered whether or not the games would seem too juvenile for my more "sophisticated" students. I was pleasantly surprised to find many math activities perfectly suitable and extremely fun for even my most discerning brainiac. Now, my SMART board serves up great math activities to enrich my high-performing students, and remediate my struggling learners.

It's one thing to play a math game on a computer - it's just you and a mouse. But toss in the big screen of an interactive whiteboard, the audience watching, and the fact that you're standing there in front of it - it takes math gaming to a whole new level, both for the player, and the rest of the class watching. Choose from games ranging from numbers, geometry, fractions, multiplications, measurement, statistics, and probability.

Originally created in 2005, Johnnie Wilson created the site to support his math coaching work for teachers in Pajaro Valley Unified School District in California. He is presently working as a Math Curriculum Coordinator at an international school in Europe. Contact Johnnie (johnnie@jmathpage.com) if you have any suggestions for new sites, as he is always trying to make it more user friendly and comprehensive.

Thanks, Johnnie, for bringing the best of the online math games together in one, well organized website. Great fun! Keep it up!

Edublog Awards Now Open!

2009-11-30T21:17:00.000-08:00

Nominations for the 2009 Edublog Awards are open. To learn more, visit The Edublog Awards Homepage. This year, I would like to nominate:

Best individual blog:-Kelly Tenkely, http://ilearntechnology.com/

Best individual tweeter:-Kelly Walsh, http://twitter.com/EmergingEdTech

Best resource sharing blog:-Kelly Walsh, http://www.emergingedtech.com/

Best teacher blog:-Kelly Tenkely, http://ilearntechnology.com/

Best educational tech support blog:-Chris Dawson, http://education.zdnet.com/

Best elearning / corporate education blog:-Ed Tech Magazine, http://www.edtechmag.com/k12/index.php

Best educational use of audio:-Dan Schmidt, http://www.intelligenic.com/blog/

Best educational use of video / visual:-Tony Vincent, http://blip.tv/file/2720638

Thank you to my fellow educator/bloggers! I appreciate all the hard work and dedication you put into sharing your ideas through your edublogs. You are all a valuable part of my learning community and continue to be instrumental in shaping the way I approach instruction. I'm grateful to you all.

Maps Go Techy

2009-11-24T11:53:00.000-08:00

With over 2,000 interactive maps, games, and activities, Geography takes a giant leap beyond crayons and colored pencils. Rand McNally and mimio have partnered to give teachers more interavtive teaching tools for their classrooms and to help make learning Geography fun!

Rand McNally Classroom
More than 2,000 online maps - including reference, thematic, history, earth science and outline maps - with a search tool allowing users to find content; Interactive history maps, Reference articles and statistics for every continent, country and U.S. state; dozens of lesson plans that can be edited and printed, along with interactive games and activities that make learning fun; Weekly current-events articles, "Traveling Teddies" online postcards and geography Q&A; User's guide and tutorial with information on how to integrate the site into social studies, reading, math and science; and State-by-state correlations.

Pricing
Price is based on an individual school purchase of a 12-month subscription service of $0.99 per student, with a $299.00 minimum and $749.00 maximum price. Individual teacher plans, called "Basic Plans" start at $49.99/year and increase based on additional features, such as access to lesson plans and state correlations. They also offer a reduced price for two or three year paid plans.

Follow this link for a 14-day free trial.

Is "They Might Be Giants" The Next "School House Rock?"

2009-11-16T19:32:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, songs from the School House Rock collection: "Conjunction Junction" and "I'm Just a Bill" reenforced good sentence structure and taught me how a bill becomes a law. Those songs also taught me that music can make learning a lot more fun. It's been several decades since School House Rock produced hits like, "Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here!" but recently, the music group "They Might Be Giants" released a song aimed at teaching kids a little science.

Their new song, "Meet the Elements" is a great way to kick off a science unit on the Periodic Table of the Elements. Thanks to the creative minds of this talented, albeit quirky, music group, even the most intimidated and apprehensive learners can learn a little something new in this upbeat, fun, and unique introduction to the elements. Music can be such a great tool for student engagement. Show this video to your students. Challenge your students to make their own song about an academic topic and maybe they'll be the next School House Rock, or They Might Be Giants.

iPod touch in the Classroom

2009-11-16T19:02:00.000-08:00

I came across this informative video of how a school in the U.K. is using the iPod touch in the classroom. It's exciting to see students' faces light up when they are engaged and this video is testimony to the notion that technology is clearly the hook, and kids are definitely nibbling!
The above video by Leon Cych is titled "What Happens When You Give 32 Children in a Class an iPod touch Each?" The 7 minute movie was filmed at Burnt Oak Junior School in the U.K. Eight-year olds there have been using a class set of iPod touches for a couple weeks. The video interviews the class teacher, headteacher, and students about the experience.

The students have used about a dozen apps, including Dictionary.com, WorldView webcam viewer, and the Safari browser. Peter Barrett, the class teacher, mentions that the Internet students see in Safari is filtered by the school's system.

Watch for a student to demonstrate how to copy and paste. When asked how he knew about copying and pasting, he said that he just discovered how to do it by tapping on the screen. This goes to show that youngsters learn to use iPod touch quickly, allowing them to focus on learning tasks, not the technology. The teacher says, "The speed at which they are learning is amazing."

Carol Richardson, the headteacher, observes, "It's quite clear that children are highly motivated when using the iPod touches."

Apple Introduces New Licensing Program

2009-11-04T00:51:00.000-08:00

Under Apple’s old licensing program, schools had a difficult time keeping their Apple software current and compliant, largely due to unpredictable upgrade cycles on the part of software developers. Schools usually make a big software purchase up front and then forget about it – that is, until something doesn’t work like it used to, and they’re forced to upgrade. And this is typically several revisions down the line. The new Apple Education Licensing Program makes it easier for schools to keep their Apple software up to date by offering a new annual coverage plan, giving schools a consistent set price and date that won’t fluctuate from year to year.

Most importantly, the new bundle structure allows schools to receive new releases that become available during the year. In addition, the Mac Software Collection and professional applications can be licensed for students to use. Under the new program, they can even take their applications with them after they graduate (legally)!

Schools can also choose the way they wish to distribute Apple software: such as their institution’s secured network or physical media kits. Apple charges a one-time, 10% enrollment fee when they sign up for a license, but Apple will waive the fee if schools enroll before December 13, 2009.

Included in the Mac Software Collection bundle is the latest Mac operating system, iLife, and iWork. Schools are required to cover 100% of the institutionally-owned or leased Mac computers, and at-home licenses for faculty and staff can be included in the total count. The Mac Software Collection bundles range in price, from $899 for up to 25 seats; to $199,999 for up to 10,000 seats. Other titles available for license include: Aperture 2, Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Express, Logic Studio, and Logic Express. Licenses for Apple’s IT applications are also available.

10 Uses for a Document Camera in Your Classroom

2009-10-30T23:22:00.000-07:00

Our school just purchased document cameras for the entire upper grade. If you're new to the world of document cameras, here are ten ways you can use a document camera in your classroom.

1- Place a book under the document camera. As you read aloud to your class, students can see the picture or even follow along with the text.

2- Place math manipulatives (clock, blocks, money, a protractor) under the document camera. All the students can watch as you or a student work a math problem with the manuliputives.

3- During oral reports, students can place their visual aids under the document camera. Students are inspired to add much more detail when they are aware their work will be displayed in this manner.

4- Place a piece of lined paper under the document camera. Project the lines onto the whiteboard, and students can view handwriting demonstrations with "real paper."

5- Place a digital timer under the document camera. Students can watch the countdown projected on the wall as they finish their assignment.

6- Place a mealworm pupa in a clear container and place it under the document camera. When it's ready to come out, watch it emerge.

7- Show student work samples. Choose a student who will let you edit his or her paper to model proper editing, or show off a "perfect sentence."

8- Use the title button to display the objective on the top tenth of the screen throughout the lesson.

9- Use the freeze button when teaching math. Freeze the image of the problem. While students are working on the problem, unfreeze the image, and Voila! There's the solution.

10- For fun, point the camera at your face and say something - anything! From their next homework assignment to your school's announcements - Kids enjoy watching you get a little silly.

What are some ways you use a document camera in your classroom?

Turn 100 Words Into $100K

2009-10-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

What school wouldn't benefit from some serious tech dough? If you're like most tech-savvy teachers or administrators, you've got a wish list a mile long. How would you spend $100K? One laptop per child? Does your school need a new media lab? Just look over the prize list below and consider how all that computer equipment, software, and consumer electronics products could benefit your school and write a 100 word essay about it. That's it.

Just do it! What have you got to lose? If your school is in need of technology, you'd be crazy not to nominate your own school. Anyone 13 or older can enter! What a great challenge for your middle or high school students. What if the 100 word essay that wins is a student from your own class? Wouldn't that be awesome! It's also a great way to involve the parents and family members in your community.

Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope Education Essay Contest benefits U.S. elementary, middle, and high schools through the delivery of new digital technologies and software. Individuals throughout the U.S. are invited to nominate a public or state-accredited private K-12 school to receive Samsung and Microsoft product donations by submitting an essay on "How the consumer electronics, computer equipment and software awarded through Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope could benefit your school."

Grand Prize package (1): Winning school will receive $210,000.00 awarded in the form of $100,000.00 of the following Samsung merchandise:

-Thirty (30) 24" LCD Monitors

-Fifty (50) 16" Screen Notebook PCs

-Ten (10) Color Laser Printers

-Five (5) Multifunction Laser Printers

-Twenty (20) HD Digital Camcorders

-Sixteen (16) Digital Cameras

-Six (6) Blu-ray players

-Two (2) 32" LCD HDTVs

-Two (2) 37" LCD HDTVs and Two (2) 40" LCD HDTVs;

-$100,000.00 of Microsoft software;

-$5,000.00 grant from DirecTV (awarded in the form of a check) and the DIRECTV GOES TO SCHOOL® package;

-$5,000.00 in Best Buy @15 Gift Cards (certain terms and conditions may apply on use of gift cards as specified by Best Buy);

-one (1) Classroom Assistant Dog - not sure how that prize fits in to the mix...

-Total Estimated Retail Value (“ERV”) of the Grand Prize package is $210,000.00.

First Prize package (15): Each winning school will receive $50,000.00 awarded in the form of $24,000.00 of the following Samsung merchandise:

-Twelve (12) 24" LCD Monitors

-Ten (10) 16" Screen Notebook PCs

-Two (2) Color Laser Printers

-Five (5) HD Digital Camcorders

-Seven (7) Digital Cameras

-Two (2) Blu-ray players and Two (2) 37" LCD HDTVs;

-$24,000.00 of Microsoft software;

-a $2,000.00 grant from DirecTV (awarded in the form of a check) and the DIRECTV GOES TO SCHOOL® package.

-Total ERV of each First Prize package is $50,000.00.

Second Prize (5): Each winning school will receive $10,000.00 in Best Buy @15 Gift Cards (certain terms and conditions may apply on use of gift cards as specified by Best Buy).

-Total ERV of each Second Prize is $10,000.00.

At first, nominations were due by November 1, 2009, but that deadline has been extended to December 1, 2009. Nomination guidelines are available on the Samsung website.

Clicker Wars: Senteo vs. Renaissance

2009-10-03T18:48:00.000-07:00

My sixth grade students performed very well on the California State Standards test in Math. So well, in fact, that in a recent conference with my principal, she asked me what I believed was the highest contributing factor to this success. "Besides good teaching...?" I asked as I theatrically fogged up my fingernails and buffed them on my shirt... Well, there is one thing -- last year, my students were given more immediate feedback than in any previous year.

We were using the Senteo Student Response System, i.e. "Clickers." These responders have one leg "up" on Renaissance Responders in this: Senteo's provide instant feedback directly on the clicker! The ones from Renaissance do not. Granted, they do display the number of answers scored correctly. And yes, teachers can set a preference that allows students to see their score as a percent (or number) correct, but that's not the kind of feedback I'm talking about. Renaissance needs to make it so that the moment a student submits his or her test, each child's Renaissance Responder should display an "X" next to wrong responses, and a "✓" next to correct ones, similar to how Senteo does it!

I can not overstate how important instant feedback is to children. I am aware of a work around: I can print out a report for each student after each test. This is not a viable solution for two reasons: 1) it's not instant enough. I want my students to immediately go over their test and check their understanding. It's not enough to know they missed three out of 12. They need to know which three they missed so they can analyze their results, reflect, and repair their understanding. 2) It wastes time, money, ink, and paper. I have to take time to distribute a class set of print outs to students, waste 30+ pages worth of ink, and 30+ pages of paper. I'm trying to cut down on paper usage, not increase it.

I hope Renaissance addresses this issue as soon as possible. I'm certain their developers can make this happen. Until they do, I don't mind using the Renaissance Responders for anonymous responding, but Monday morning, I'm going back to the Senteo Response System when I need to give formative assessments because instant feedback is critical!

Integrating iPods in Education

2009-10-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

iLearn Technology is an edublog written by technology specialist Kelly Tenkely. In her latest issue, the author explores six ways the iPod can be used in the classroom to support learning. Kelly suggests which iPod is best for education and discusses how podcasts, slideshows, videos, text files and eBooks, the Internet, and applications can be a viable part of curriculum. Her online magazine (eZine) called "iLearn" is also noteworthy and well worth a look, especially if you appreciate (or are at least open to) the Apple/Mac platform and have an interest in integrating technology into the classroom.

Web Grading Made Easy -- And Free!

2009-09-18T18:32:00.001-07:00

Every year, I flip back and forth between whether or not I should use a paper-based gradebook or a software one. Around the beginning of the month, I started asking my colleagues what they use, and a couple of them (Thanks, Teri and Christine) told me how happy they are using SnapGrades for their grading system. I've tried many options -- from the government-issue brown (why are they brown, anyway?) paper-based gradebooks, to computer software solutions, including Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet. I've tried MicroGrade, Gradebook, and even a Google Docs Gradebook template. Until this week, none have impressed me as much (and as quickly) as SnapGrades. I am hooked on SnapGrades for several reasons.

But first, what is it? SnapGrades is an Online "Web-based" application that lets teachers create and maintain an Online gradebook that is customizable to meet their own personal grading needs. There's a little work involved: you have to first input your students' names, set up the classes or subjects you teach, and that's about it. The best part is: it's free. The site constantly updates, so there's no "save" button required, which is a huge headache reducer.

There is a paid membership available. $49.99 for the year buys you a single user license. For about the price of one Mocha Frappuccino per month, you can give parents and students Web access to grades 24/7. You also get the ability to send Email alerts, Spanish translation, administrative access, and report cards school-wide. A word of caution: bear in mind that when you give parents and students Web access to their grades, you're placing an expectation upon yourself that you will be current with your gradebook maintenance (which may or may not be realistic). For example, there are times when you may want to factor in classroom participation points (which can have a positive or negative impact on a your students' grades) and you may not wish to factor in those points until you get closer to your grading deadline.

You had me at iPhone. The idea that I can add an assignment, input students' scores, and have it automatically update my gradebook, all from my iPhone! is truly remarkable. Another notable feature is the ability to weight assignments in a straightforward way. For example, in my Math class, I choose to make quizzes worth one assignment; exams are worth two assignments; midterm exams are worth three assignments, etc...

If you aren't committed to a gradebook solution, or are unhappy with your current one, do yourself a favor and try it. Visit http://www.snapgrades.net.

Kindle 2: Why Schools Aren't On Board...Yet

2009-09-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

As a proud owner of the PRS 500 e-reader, I commend Sony on their integration of e-ink before the Amazon Kindle. It's truly a remarkable piece of technology and the PRS 500 has served me well: it has forever changed the way I purchase and read books, much the same way the Palm Pilot changed the way I organized my life.

But there's a new kid on the block, and it's called the Amazon Kindle 2. Being able to download a book, magazine, newspaper, or blog while soaking in the sun at the beach feels like a magical experience. That sounds great, coming from a teacher during his summer break, but what about the average student in the classroom? What are the educational implications? Most kids I talk to would love to trade in their 30+ pound backpacks, filled with outdated, over-priced text books for a portable, flexible, lightweight e-book reader such as the Kindle 2, but is the world ready for this? Is it time?

Not yet. Three big obstacles stand in the way: Price, Publishing Considerations, and Color. First, the price of the device needs to come down -- way down. Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle 2 back in July, 2009 from a whopping $359 to $299. This was a great move for people who were on the fence, but in order to get schools on board, there needs to be a sub-$100 consumable device in this space -- one that won't make teachers paranoid to let it go back and forth from school to home.

As for publishing agreements, education leaders need to create some kind of licensing agreement with publishers and perhaps even invent a system whereby kids can digitally "check out" books from a "cloud" library.

Color. I don't know what kind of technology would be required to pull off a color e-reader, but the world is in color and it's hard to convince people they should be content with black and white, no matter how crisp and clear it is (and the text and images do indeed jump off the screen on the Kindle 2). In fact, novels, newspapers, blogs, and even the content of most magazines are a pleasure to read on the Kindle 2, but compared to an eye-popping, full color image in a social studies or science text book, it pales in comparison.

I'll post a more detailed look at the Kindle 2 in an upcoming review, but for now, suffice it to say: Fix these three issues and you'll see a huge move towards e-book readers in the education sector.

Write That Novel This November

2009-08-21T22:43:00.000-07:00

Can't wait! I know it's going to be crazy, but I'm really into the book "No Plot? No Problem!" by Chris Baty, founder of NaNoWriMo "National Novel Writing Month." It's the kick in the pants I need to crank out my first rough draft of my first novel. November will mark the beginning of a 30-day adventure and I'm really looking forward to it. If you have "Write a Novel" on your life's to do list, then I recommend jumping in and going for it with me this November. The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days, which is between 1,600 and 1,700 words per day - every day - for 30 days. The key is to write a lot and not be overly critical of your prose. Chris mentions the importance of choosing quantity over quality during this month of craziness. First drafts are never perfect novels the first time, anyway, so Chris encourages writers to just write - even if at first you have no plot, no characters, or no setting. The imagination can come up with these things as you go.

There's even a NaNoWriMo for kids, which I'm encouraging my own sixth grade students to participate in along side me. As a teacher, I don't want to be one of those teachers for whom someone coined the phrase, "Those who can, do, and those who can't, teach." When it comes to writing, I want to teach from the point of view of one who has written a novel himself, and therefore, teach with some degree of authority on the subject.
To learn more about NaNoWriMo for kids, click here.
If you're an adult, and want to jump in with me, click here for more info. Talk back. Let me know if you're inspired, like me, to write that novel.

Is Your Child Obsessed With Webkinz World?

2009-07-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

1) When your child wakes up in the morning, does he or she log into Webkinz before everyone else wakes up?

2) When you ask your child what she wants for her birthday, does she say, "Either a Webkinz, Zum, or Charm?"

3) When you go out to the store, does your child ask you for a Webkinz?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you may have a child that's wa-a-a-y too into Webkinz.

As most parents know, Webkinz World is a wonderful and safe place for your child to play Online, but has your child become a little obsessed with the friendly and imaginitive enviornment lately? Because so many children find Webkinz so much fun, it can be difficult to limit your child's time on the computer. Here are some tips (straight from Webkinz' website):

1. Use Webkinz World as a reward. Your child will be able to play in Webkinz World AFTER he or she has finished homework, done a few chores, etc.
2. Decide what you believe is an appropriate amount of time for your child to be on the computer and discuss it with your child ahead of time. Set a timer, if need be. When the timer goes off, so does the computer.
3. Encourage offline play with the Webkinz plush toy; encourage your child to draw pictures of the rooms they'd like to design, make pictures of their Webkinz, and have parties for the Webkinz. Invite some friends over in the real world and celebrate Webkinz.

One mom I know recently implemented these tips with her own daughter. As she was walking by her daughter's room one afternoon, she saw something she hadn't seen in weeks: her daughter was actually playing with her Barbies. "It's been weeks since I've seen her actually playing with real toys again," she said. Visit http://www.webkinz.com to learn more about Webkinz World.

Meet Flip Video and Flip Share

2009-07-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for sub-$200 camcorder for use in the classroom, one that you can take on field trips or hand off to one of your students and not worry about him or her breaking it, then you need an easy-to-use, solidly built camcorder. Enter the Flip Video Ultra and the Ultra HD camcorder.

I had the opportunity to review the Flip Ultra this week and I enjoyed the whole experience. In addition to its digital zoom, play and trash buttons, and a big red record button, there aren't any other buttons or menus to distract yourself with -- It's literally a point-and-shoot camcorder and it's refreshing not having to become immersed in a lengthy manual or having to learn a complicated (and often under-used, anyway) set of features. A student can borrow it, carry it in his or her backpack with their books, and you don't have to worry about it being destroyed.

Rugged Design and Innovative, Flip-Out USB Connector

Inside its durable body is a flash-based hard drive, which means there are no moving parts (so the chances of it surviving an accidental drop are very good). Sometimes I like to just flip the switch and watch the USB connector shoot out from its spring-loaded housing, just like a switch blade; however, I am a little concerned about the long-term durability of the USB connector. Since I tend to use the camcorder plugged into my laptop, the camera's weight adds a degree of stress to the interior hinge. I suppose one could always plug the Flip Video camera into an external USB hub to reduce the chances of it breaking off. Regardless, it's very convenient not having to search for a USB cord to plug the camera into the computer.

It's Quick and Easy to Share High Quality Videos

With the flip-out USB connector and simple uploading software, video clips can be easily uploaded to your blog, YouTube, or attached to an e-mail. I'm off-track at the moment, so I'll upload some more content from the classroom in the coming months. Until then, here is a video I shot at the Orange County Fair this Saturday. I have posted the YouTube link (Keep in mind, you can't get a feel for how well the video looks from YouTube due to how much they compress the movie files). Uploading to YouTube was as easy as typing my username and password. Whether you're a professional video editor or have never edited a day in your life, this software is fun and easy to use.

Convenient On-Board FlipShare Software

"On-board" means that as soon as you plug in the camcorder using that cool flip-out USB connector, the software prompts you to install it. This is nice, because there are no CDs or additional software to download. It's compatible with both Windows and Mac. Once installed, all your clips are displayed on the screen. I love how easy it was to edit the video. It was very intuitive, especially if you are familiar with Apple's older version of iMovie.

Each clip is editable: simply grab the handles at the beginning and/or ending of one (or all) of your clips to trim them as you see fit. You can upload one clip, or string them together in an easy-to-use movie editor. With click and drag ease, simply place the clips in the order you want them to appear in your movie. Type the text you want to appear for the title and closing slides and then choose your music. You can choose from among Flip Video's seven royalty free songs or select from your own collection of MP3s. I used the song "Bouncin' Round" from Flip's selection of loops, just to keep the project enclosed inside the Flip ecosystem. I opted to use the "music only," setting, even though I had the option to duck the sound (making it either softer or louder than the audio from my clips).

The Price Is Right

The Flip Ultra (2nd Generation) Details:

• Easy-to-use, handheld camcorder featuring one-touch recording and instant playback

• 4GB of built-in memory captures up to 120 minutes of video

• Dimensions: 4.25" x 2.19" x 1.17"

• Bright, larger 2" no-glare screen

• Includes two AA batteries

• Watch videos instantly on TV with included connector cable

• Available in four different colors: black, white, pink, and yellow

• Full VGA video at 30 frames per second progressive scan

• Records high-quality H.264 videos that work with most video applications, including Windows Media Player, QuickTime Player, and iTunes

• Pre-loaded FlipShare software works on any PC or Mac:

• Save, organize, and edit videos with ease

• Email videos and video greeting cards

• Upload videos directly to MySpace and YouTube

• Capture snapshots from your videos

• Order DVDs and have them shipped anywhere in the world

Where to Buy:

Available at Amazon.com, Best Buy, BestBuy.com, K-Mart, Sam's Club, Sears, Staples, Target, Target.com, TheFlip.com, Wal-Mart, Walmart.com, and other leading retailers.

Suggested Retail Pricing: $149.99

More Camcorder Reviews

If you're setting up a video production studio for your school, visit camcorderinfo.com and read in-depth reviews about a wide range of camcorders. There are a myriad of features to consider: such as mic input vs. the on-camera mic; tape or hard drive; HD or Standard; the list goes on.

Check out this great post about how one teacher uses his Flip Video Ultra in his classroom. Mr. Warner writes about using it to record performances, school trips, interviews, and impulse recordings. He also shares a couple tips that include how to make a makeshift tripod using nothing more than blu-tac. He also shares some fun recordings, including a pet rat and a finger puppet show, recorded by his first graders.

Innovative Teacher Summer Camp Winners Announced

2009-07-07T21:55:00.000-07:00

Learning.com had an overwhelming number of applicants, many of them with outstanding project submissions including innovative concepts for cross curriculum lessons and units. Although I was not selected for Teacher Camp, my project demonstrated "significant originality in topic and design" (according to my rejection letter -- at least that's what I thought it was). Therefore, I was delighted to learn as I read on, that my letter had a little surprise. I was invited to be part of the Innovator Finalist Team, a select group of fifteen teachers that will receive Learning.com product offerings and services free of charge during the 2009-2010 school year. The focus of the Innovator Finalist Program is to support me in additional development of innovative lesson plans and cross curriculum units that will be useful in my classroom, and shared through my Digital Learning Environment (DLE) to a national audience of educators.

As part of the Innovator Finalist Team, I will receive thirty, one year, free of charge student subscription licenses to Learning.com's award winning Easy Tech, Aha!Math and Aha!Science products. Learning.com will also provide free of charge Webex’s throughout the school year to provide me with professional development and training on utilizing Learning.com’s curriculum content and the tools of their Digital Learning Environment to create innovative lesson plans and units for my classroom students. I'm looking forward to using and reviewing Learning.com's product offerings and sharing insights with educators on how they can get the most out of this new set of tools.

Engaging Students Using Robotics

2009-07-04T03:00:00.000-07:00

All humans must share some innate fascination with robots. Who among us hasn't imagined a future with robot housekeepers, butlers, or personal servants? Robots have certainly captured the imagination of Hollywood with movies like iRobot, Disney's WALL-E and DreamWork's Robots. Kids and adults alike can't seem to get enough of them.

In an effort to both satisfy my own interest in robotics and hopefully inspire some of my students along the way, I requested two robot kits to review from two different companies. To my delight, both companies sent me kits to try out, so as soon as they arrived, the fun had begun. The first was the Lego Mindstorms NXT. I quickly passed it off to a couple of students who volunteered to assemble it, but I wasn't sure how long the kit would hold their interest. First of all, since it's made by Lego, I figured it's kind of a toy, so I didn't know if it would be too juvenile for them. In addition, they would be giving up their lunch recesses to work on it (and sixth graders love their recesses as much as anyone). To my surprise, they wanted to work on this robot week after week for over a month! Every day, the boys made more and more progress. I remember the first time they programmed it to move. They were so excited.

About The Lego Robot

The Lego Mindstorms NXT offers modern interfaces such as USB and Bluetooth (as for the Bluetooth interface, the cell phone we used was able to see the robot, but was never able to actually control it). They ended up using the serial port. This kit offers a cool set of sensors including an ultrasonic ranger, a sound sensor, light sensor, and touch sensor, along with three servo motors, designs, and software to program commands into the robot's main CPU.

Lego hosts an online store and offers volume discounts, a community of like-minded lego mindstorm fans, activities, support, and an education center for that offers lessons for teachers who integrate lego robotic products into the curriculum. One robot kit costs $249.99 from their website. To learn more, click here.

About Boe-Bot Robot by Parallax, Inc.

I released two other students to work on a more complicated robot kit by Parallax, Inc., known as the Boe-Bot Robot. These two students were tenacious, giving up not just their lunch recesses, but voluntarily coming in after school as well. This kit involved reading a fairly thick manual, connecting wires, assembling hardware, installing infrared sensors, resistors, capacitors, installing and running a computer programming application to assign commands, and more.

There were days when the boys were utterly stumped. They'd look at each other and wonder why a light wouldn't turn on, or a motor wouldn't move. But even though it was hard, neither student ever gave up. One day, I overheard one say, "I bet we hooked that wire backwards." The other responded, "I guess we shouldn't have skipped that part of the manual." One student summed up the experience matter-of-factly, stating, "This was challenging." The other student said, "It was frustrating, but in a good way."

The company's website suggests a 1-2 hour build time, but it took my two students easily twice that. One Boe-Bot kit sells for $159.99 and is available from their website. To learn more about Boe-Bot, click here.

This was a great experience for my students for several reasons. Both build teams became familiar with reading step-by-step instructions, following technical diagrams and charts, and learning the vocabulary of a new discipline. The process taught them the importance of trial and error, reading complicated directions, the value of teamwork, and the reward that comes from persistence.

Introduction to iTunes U and Mobile Learning

2009-07-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

What Is It?
There's a lot more to iTunes than music and movies. iTunes U is part of the iTunes store filled with educational audio and video content you can take anywhere on your iPod or iPhone. Everything in it comes from top universities, museums, PBS stations and other cultural institutions. It's all free--so you don't have to be a student to benefit from some of the world's brainiest people. There are over 175,000 educational audio and video files from all around the world and new tracks and new providers are added all the time.

A Little History
iTunes U was announced at Cupertino, California in 2007. The service was created to ultimately control access to educational audio and video content for college students. Member institutions are given their own iTunes U site that makes use of Apple’s iTunes Store. The online service is free to use for everyone in the pipeline. Content varies from course lectures to sports highlights with plenty of material in between.

How Do I Use It?
When you come to iTunes U, you'll find lots of ways to explore. You can check out popular downloads or other featured content or check out a category you're interested in, such as business or fine arts. You can also explore by visiting individual universities and other providers on iTunes U.

To start learning about a topic, just click on it. You'll land on a course page with all the related files, called tracks, down below (video or audio recordings of each class session). If you want to download all the tracks, click "get tracks." To get just one, click "get" or "get movie." iTunes creates a folder with the provider's name in your playlists so it's always easy to find your tracks.

Many courses or series are ongoing and you can subscribe so you can automatically receive each new episode whenever it's available. iTunes will download episodes to the Podcast section of your library. Tracks will be waiting for you when ever you're ready to learn something new. You can play your new downloads in iTunes, or sync to your iPod or iPhone and learn on the go.

If there's something in particular you want to learn about, you can use the iTunes store search field to find it fast. Filter the results by iTunes U. You'll see all the tracks that are relevant to your search. You can also view the courses, series, or programs the tracks come from.

To learn more about how Apple helps teachers connect with their students, click here.

A Legendary Meeting

2009-06-27T23:24:00.001-07:00

July 19, 1969, man landed on the moon. One day later, July 20, man walked on the moon for the first time and my dad got to see it first hand. He got my then 14-day old brother and myself, only a year old, out of our beds, sat us on his knee in front of the TV and told us that when we grow up, we can say that we witnessed the day man first set foot on the moon.

Today, nearly forty years later, my dad, Dr. Gerry Garwood Jr., and my family and I got to meet a legend, Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon. Barnes & Nobles at the Grove in L.A. hosted this book signing event. For my dad, meeting this legendary astronaut was special for several reasons. For one thing, that first moon walk happened on his birthday. Conicidentally, it was also the day he got baptized and publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ.

About The Book

In Magnificent Desolation, Aldrin recounts his exciting near disastrous lunar landing as well as some of his own personal trials and successes.

Laptops For All: Are You Ready?

2009-06-16T20:48:00.000-07:00

Last week, I wrote an article for Ed Tech Magazine (to be published anytime now), about key considerations when implementing a one-to-one program at your school/district. The two factors that topped my list were: 1) good classroom management software; and 2) professional development. In an effort to keep my article to the 600-word limit, I was forced to trim some of the fat; but as any steak lover knows, fat adds flavor! So, here is a collection of some of the "fat" I trimmed.

In addition to classroom management and teacher training, defining your goals, entertaining key questions, and going wireless should be considered.

Define your goals

What do want your students to do? Is it enough to for them to merely "use" technology for technology sake or are there learning outcomes that require a one-to-one laptop program? Here's a great resource: At the time of this post, one website in particular, lessonplanet.com, offers 893 lesson plans involving laptops for use in the classroom. Much of the groundwork has been laid, so there's no need to reinvent the wheel.

Questions before you jump in

-What if the laptop breaks down, gets a virus, or otherwise becomes unusable?

-What about extended warranties? What happens when it breaks down?

-In three years when it’s time to replace it…what then? If so, where’s that money going to come from?

Benefits of Going Wireless

One advantage to a one-to-one laptop program is the ability to go wireless. Most traditional “wireless” access points still need to be wired to the Internet to broadcast their signal. For large wireless networks, Ethernet cables need to be run through walls and ceilings; however, in a wireless mesh network, only one node needs to be physically wired to a network connection like a DSL modem. That one wired node then shares the Internet connection wirelessly with all other laptops in its vicinity. Nicholas Negroponte’s One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) and Intel’s Classmate computers both operate using mesh networking, a technology which allows each laptop to receive a WiFi signal, then broadcast that signal out to other nearby computers. The more laptops (nodes), the further the connection spreads, creating a wireless “cloud of connectivity” that can serve a small classroom or a city of millions.

One Time at Teacher Innovator Summer Camp...

2009-06-14T20:29:00.000-07:00

Wanna go to camp? The camp, which starts in July 22, is designed to show teachers how to create and adapt online lessons using Learning.com tools, provide insight into how teachers can more effectively integrate technology into the classroom, and build journaling and project-based learning skills.

The camp is open for Teachers at the K-8 level and will be under the direction of Michele Douglass, Ph.D., a teacher, district curriculum director and professional development instructor. Learning.com is even offering selected teachers a full year's use of Learning.com online curriculum for their classes, a $2,000 stipend, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Portland, Oregon – where Learning.com is headquartered!

The application process involves a simple personal information form, the creation of a lesson using a learning.com template, and faxing a signature form. I've cleared my calendar and I'm gonna give it my best shot. Are you gonna go for it, too? What have you got to lose?

Learning.com is a pioneer in providing premier, Web-enhanced instruction and assessment tools.

Online Video Tutorials are a Great Way to Learn

2009-05-31T15:42:00.000-07:00

Want to learn some of the most exciting and powerful applications but don't have the money to drop on a private instructor or the patience to read through a community college Online course? lynda.com hosts an Online Training Library and offers CD-ROM courses that include such subjects as Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Office, digital photography, Web design, digital video, and many others. lynda.com's all-star team of trainers and teachers provides comprehensive movie-based training to an international membership of tens of thousands of subscribers.

Who is it for?
People with even the slightest interest in computers would be wise to invest in themselves and master key software titles. Whether you're a budding tech-head or an advanced geek, lynda.com's breadth of training videos can move you closer to your goals. Considering the speed at which technology evolves, the Online Training Library is also a great solution for keeping your skills current. lynda.com's library subscriptions begin as low as $25 a month, with no long-term commitment required.

I recently looked into taking a Dreamweaver course through my local community college Online. I liked the price $99 (which is a steal compared to the $1,200 price-tag for a three-day small group course I've seen advertised around L.A. and Orange County); but when I looked over the syllabus, I discovered that I'd have to read every lesson and have no audio or visual interaction with the instructor at all. I have nothing against reading, but multi-media instruction should be visual. For the same price, I could have four months of access to thousands of hours of video tutorials!

You've gotta try it!
The first couple "chapters" of any topic are free with a 24-hour trial account. So, sign up. Then, pick a topic you're interested in and begin your lesson. You will hear a knowledgeable instructor's voice and his or her computer screen will appear before your eyes. It's like you're being guided by the hand!

Learn more about lynda.com.

Wanted: The Right Tools For The Job

2009-05-20T23:08:00.000-07:00

Growing up, most of us were taught that jealousy is wrong. But what if all you want is simply the right tool for the job? Personally, I want my doctor to upgrade to the best medical equipment available, especially if he's about to operate on me. In fact, if he was comfortable with his dilapidated x-ray machine, or his beat-up stethoscope, I'd think there was something wrong with him.

It's a question of equity. A righteous jealousy is merely wanting the right tool for the job. Would anyone look down on a mechanic because he wanted to upgrade from a wrench to an air compressor? During the Civil Rights marches of the 1960s, did anyone consider Martin Luther King, Jr. jealous when all he wanted was equal rights for all people? Why should teachers be any different when it comes to wanting the right tools to meet the needs of their students?

A Little Field Trip
So today, my principal, myself, and some of the teachers at Coronita Elementary school visited Todd Elementary school to learn how the staff has integrated technology into their curriculum over the past two years. Todd's principal, Grace Eden, along with classroom teachers Angela Helmer and Ed Cavillo, demonstrated their interactive whiteboards, document cameras, wireless pads, and student responders. Afterwards, we visited their English Learner lab, complete with dance pads tethered to computers, and touch screen computers.

Dance To Learn
One of the dance pad games we tried involved matching an animal with its characteristic. As a two- or three- word description drifts across the top of the screen (ex. hooves, gallop, four legs), the player stomps his or her foot on the part of the dance pad that corresponds with the location of the animal's name on the screen (i.e. horse). Points are awarded for speed and accuracy. It's these kinds of technology rich, whole-body kinesthetic learning activities that make the children enrolled in Todd's 2-hour after school EL program want to stay even longer.

Breaking New Ground
Since Todd is one of Corona-Norco Unified School District's newer schools, Grace Eden had the opportunity to make key decisions about the kind of tools with which they would outfit their school. For example, instead of deciding to purchase brand new overhead transparency projectors, DVD players, CRT televisions, and other traditional pieces of equipment, she insisted that each classroom should be equipped with more current and effective tools, such as interactive whiteboards, student responders, and document cameras. Any money that would normally have been spent on "old school" technology was going to be spent on "new school" tools. To learn more about Todd's use of technology, check out this article featuring Todd Elementary by RIMS CTAP, published back in January, '09.

Passionate About Teaching
As a strong proponent of educational technology, it's a huge encouragement to me, my principal, Beth Feaster, and many of my colleagues, to see fellow teachers across town like Angela and Ed, and a principal like Grace Eden, putting technology in the hands of students and teachers, modeling best practices, and ultimately being passionate about teaching.

Bottom line: Teachers need new tools to truly engage students and enhance their learning. There's nothing wrong with an overhead projector: but compared to a document camera hooked up to an interactive whiteboard-- forget about it! It's like the difference between a typewriter with ribbon vs. a word processing program on a computer. There is simply no contest. It's time for ALL stakeholders to embrace the tools of tomorrow because tomorrow is here. And teachers, you're not being jealous or covetous to want the right tool for the job.

Students Click Their Way To Success

2009-05-19T22:03:00.001-07:00

"Thumbs up - Thumbs down" is a widely used way to informally check whether or not your students understand what you’ve taught them. But who actually counts kids' thumbs? And aren't most student responses held suspect because they are so worried about feeling judged by their peers? They look around to see who has their thumb up or down before they respond... Now, imagine if your students could send you their responses privately, with the click of a button. What if their responses could be tallied and displayed immediately in a bar graph or pie chart on an interactive whiteboard or projection screen. Wouldn't that be much more accurate? Wouldn't that be cool? Let me assure you: it is.

What are they?

Most people call them "Clickers." They look like little TV remote control units, and they work in sort of the same way. Generally speaking, they all do roughly the same thing: provide a direct wireless connection between a teacher and his or her students. Student response systems include a radio frequency (RF) remote for each student in a given class, a central receiver, software, and some form of assessment software, which tallies student responses, records attendance, posts test results and provides individual feedback.

Enhances Interactive Teaching and Learning

The brand of student response system I've been testing for the last few months is the Senteo interactive response system. Like all student responders, they're designed to enhance interactive teaching and learning. It starts when the teacher either displays or speaks a prepared or ad hoc question. Students can then anonymously key in answers with their remote. Responses are tallied and displayed on a projection screen or interactive whiteboard instantaneously.

Variety of Question Types

To assess student understanding, you can use a variety of question types, including true or false, multiple choice, numeric response and more-than-one-right-answer. Decimals, fractions and negative numbers can also be incorporated into questions and answers.

Immediate Feedback

Student response systems provide immediate feedback to students, teachers, and even parents. Once a student completes a test, his or her score is revealed directly on their own responder. This eliminates the typical wait-time a student normally endures after a test. It used to take me an hour to grade a math test and sometimes it took me a few days before I even sat down to grade it. Now, I can spend that time designing lessons to remediate the ones who performed poorly. Furthermore, students are afforded time, right then and there, to analyze their own results: noting which problems they missed and correcting their own mistakes.

Export to Spreadsheet

From a record-keeping stand point, nothing beats the "export to spreadsheet" feature. These scores can be easily imported into your existing electronic gradebook system (if it supports the "import" feature) or printed out and integrated into a paper-based system. There is even an option to send an e-mail to each student's parents the moment the test is over. (When I told my students I intend to enable this feature in the coming weeks, they looked as if they'd just walked out of a horror movie).

All in all, student responders are effective tools that should be in every teacher's tool box. But as with all technology, the price tag can be prohibitive. The Senteo Response System 32 Pack goes for about $2K. But if integrating technology is a priority for your district, then it's an investment that can lead to an enhanced learning and teaching experience for everyone involved. To read more about the topic of Clickers, check out "7 things you should know about clickers."

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7002.pdf

More Tech, Please...

2009-05-07T22:14:00.000-07:00

If your public school is anything like my public school, then you need more funding for technology-related purchases, not less. Unless you work at a brand new school that's decked out with all the latest high-tech gear, then you probably have to beg and borrow to attain anything more than you presently have. You may even feel like Oliver Twist asking for more porridge when you consider the state of technology at your school. Unfortunately, funding for technology is limited, so we have to be very creative about acquiring more than our ration of computers and tech tools. Here are three ways to build your classroom's technology inventory.

1) Ask. A couple years ago, I asked my principal if we could purchase an iMac for our school's video production program. That year, a certain amount of money happened to be ear-marked specifically for technology purchases. If I had not asked, that money may have gone unspent because in education: if you don't use it, you lose it. Some administrators are not aware of the specific tools you need until you ask. It's equally possible that your principal may be waiting for you to show some initiative; the last thing any principal wants to see is a large sum of money wasted on technology that collects dust in a closet because no one really wanted it in the first place. So ask! The worst thing that can happen is they say no. It's more likely they'll say, "Not yet." If that happens, be sure to ask the following year.

2) Write grants. A quick Google search for education grants will reveal a variety of funding agencies and organizations eager to fund innovative projects written and submitted by creative teachers like yourself. If your idea doesn't have a direct technology focus, keep at it. Work with your proposal until it includes some kind of technology component. You must have a technology element to justify your need for technology-related items. A word of caution: You'll most likely lose more grants than you'll win, so be prepared for disappointment. When you eventually win one, it's an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Then, go out and purchase those tech items for your class!

3) Donate. A wise boss once taught me that I could cover at least 10 more sandwiches with mayo if I would simply scrape the mayo jar with a rubber spatula instead of a metal knife. I had been wasting company money! Now, whenever I upgrade a piece of technology in my personal life (whether it be a tech gadget, computer, mouse, whatever...) I slip it into the classroom ecosystem. For example, my old iMac G3 is now an extra word processor. My old Palm IIIc runs math games that some students use to improve their basic math skills. I recently bought a new Kodak all-in-one printer and promptly donated my old Lexmark printer/scanner to the classroom. I plan to use this to scan and ultimately upload student work to my students' ePortfolios. Of course, donations are also a tax write-off. So go on, breathe life into your old, unwanted gear.

How are you expanding your classroom's technology inventory? Share your thoughts!

Generate Your Own Crossword Puzzles

2009-04-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

During Language Arts this week, we created our own crossword puzzles. Not only are crossword puzzles a great way to support new vocabuary, they are also a welcomed change of pace from the typical styles of writing I require my students to write, such as essays, narratives, and journal entries. One of my students showed me a website he likes to use to make his own crossword puzzles. I checked it out, and found it to be a valuable, free (free is good) resource.

Click here for a sample puzzle I generated for my students.

The Crossword puzzle maker is used to make simple crossword puzzles. It turns out that good crossword puzzles of the type found in newspapers are fairly hard to generate, and require a pool of lots of words, not all of which are used. This program puts all of the words you specify into a simple crossword puzzle. Use the "Printable HTML" button to get a clean page, in either HTML or PDF, that you can use your browser's print button to print. This page won't have buttons or ads, just your puzzle. The PDF format allows the web site to know how large a printer page is, and the fonts are scaled to fill the page.

The puzzle that is generated will remain on this server for about two months. If you want to ensure that you have a copy of the generated puzzle, make sure you save a copy. For puzzles with more than about 15 words, this takes longer. As the number of words increases, the wait increases exponentially. However, if you want a puzzle that is larger than what fits with this form, go to the Large Puzzle page.

If you want to make a permanent collection for yourself, you can use your browser's "Save As..." function to save the puzzle on your computer, and then later load that puzzle by browsing to your file by using the "Browse" button at the bottom of the page where you make puzzles. One of my favorite features is the fact that you can solve the puzzle online, which adds a level of interactivity and spontaneity.

You can perform the following actions on your puzzles:

See your puzzles. You get an index of all of the puzzles you have created, so you can find an old puzzle (as long as it isn't older than two months).
Delete a puzzle. Be careful...When you delete puzzles, they are gone forever. There are no "Are you sure?" or "undelete" options.
List a puzzle for public view.
Unlist a puzzle from public view.
Edit an existing puzzle. This lets you create a new puzzle based upon one of your existing puzzles so that you can create variations, or fix spelling errors.

Visit a SMART Showcase school and win!

2009-04-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

If you visit a SMART Showcase school between May 15th and June 15th, you’ll get to see SMART products in action and have the opportunity to win a full classroom solution!

SMART Board 600i interactive whiteboard system
SMART Document Camera
SMART Audio
SMART Response
One full day of onsite training
Information session with a SMART education consultant
Media release written by SMART’s public relations team
Coverage in a SMART publication
Visit http://smarttech.com/showcaseschools09/index.html for more details!

Gizmos Support Science & Math Standards

2009-04-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

In my quest to explain to my daughter how to calculate slope, I found a very good explanation online. Not only did it do a great job explaining the concept, there was even an online quiz which gave instant feedback. ExploreLearning offers a catalog of over 450 modular, interactive simulations in math and science for teachers and students in grades 3-12. They call these simulations Gizmos. Gizmos are fun, easy to use, and flexible enough to support many different teaching styles and contexts. Gizmos are designed as supplemental curriculum materials that support state and national curriculum standards; in addition, Gizmos help teachers bring research-proven instructional strategies to the classroom.
I intend to use this in my own classroom a lot in the next 30 days. Why for just 30 days? Because that's how long my free trial will last. I don't think our school is in the financial position to drop about $700 for a one year subscription to ExploreLearning's website; though from my initial exposure, it appears to be well worth it.

The graphics, explanations, and movies are just what some students need to truly understand complex concepts. My first demonstration will be the Gizmo on Plate Tectonics. Move the Earth's crust at various locations to observe the effects of the motion of the tectonic plates, including volcanic eruptions. Information about each of the major types of plate collisions is shown, along with their typical locations on Earth.

SMART Introduces Lessons That Count Contest

2009-03-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

What’s your formula for success?

Have you created a fantastic math lesson? Do you have a great way to demonstrate how a difficult math concept solves a real-world problem? Well, SMART wants to see it! Grab your video camera, and show them how you use SMART products to create innovative math lessons.

The Lessons That Count contest gives you the opportunity to share your formula for creating and delivering successful, interactive math lessons. By entering this contest, you could win a SMART Board 600i interactive whiteboard system.

Learn More and Enter the Contest

Lesson, camera, action!

To enter the Lessons That Count contest, send SMART a two-minute video that offers a glimpse into how you teach a math concept, encourage student participation or present an ingenious lesson that gets everyone engaged.

Smart is looking for videos that show innovative, fun and effective math lessons and display how SMART products have enhanced your classes. In addition, they request a one-paragraph description of the concept you are demonstrating and the SMART products you've used.

The contest begins on March 14, 2009, (International Pi Day) and ends on May 15, 2009. The winner will be selected by a panel of SMART judges, and they will announce the winning entry on June 1, 2009. All finalist videos, including the winning video, will be posted on SMART's TeacherTube channel.

The winner will receive a SMART Board 600i interactive whiteboard system and the winning video will be featured in the June issue of EDCompass newsletter.

Resurrect Your Old Technology

2009-03-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

Before you think you just ran across a blog that hasn't been updated in years because of the picture of a Palm IIIc, keep reading. This week, my principal asked me to focus on helping students brush up on their multiplication facts during our two-week intersession. I remembered how much fun my students enjoyed using Palm Handheld PDAs in years past, but the ancient classroom set of Palm IIIc devices I had won in a grant several years back were collecting dust on their chargers. Even though I had concerns about lost styli, outdated firmware, and the fact that I hadn't tried to sync a Palm device in over three years, I hesitantly reached into the cobwebs and pulled out a freshly charged Palm IIIc.

After a failed attempt to locate the Palm desktop CD that came with the device nearly a decade ago, I found Palm's desktop manager for Windows XP at Palmone's website and downloaded and installed it, plugged in my cradle, performed my first hot sync in years, and was immediately transported back to 2001. No... "Gone" by 'N Sync didn't spontaneously start playing on my computer, but that old, familiar three-toned, ascending trill reverberated in my ears, indicating that yes, the PC and Palm were back on speaking terms. Then, there was the issue of software-- No problem. I downloaded a few trial basic math fact applications from Handango.com, taught my students how to beam apps to one another, and my students were instantly engaging in fun math games like Missle Math, Herbert's Math Time, Bunny Math, and Math Champ. This week, I found a new appreciation for old technology and a special place in my heart for trial apps! Just because it's old, doesn't mean it's broken. I'm so glad I didn't sell these things on e-bay like I wanted to last year.

USB Thumb Drive: Like Being In Westside Story

2009-03-16T23:28:00.000-07:00

Compact and sleek, the Store 'n' Go Retractable USB Drive is a stylish way to take your data with you. A convenient capless design allows you to connect to your PC or Mac through a retractable USB connector. Store everything from corporate data files and business presentations to photos, video clips and music, all readily accessible on any computer with a USB port!

I've used this USB drive for about 3 months, and it is still going strong. What's great about this drive is that it's sturdy and reliable. But my favorite thing is its Sharks vs. Jets-style retractable USB connector. OK-- it doesn't snap out automatically like a real switch blade-- and I don't feel any safer carrying in around, but it does lock into position once out. Occasionally, I find myself sliding the connector forward and back humming, "When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way, from your first cigarrette to your last dying day..."

Schools & Kids Flock To Gaggle Blogs

2009-02-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

What Is A Gaggle?
A gaggle is a flock of geese, but when you type www.gaggle.net into your web browser, you discover that Gaggle is also the name of an amazing communications tool for students, teachers, and parents. Although there are several features of Gaggle that make it a truly outstanding online resource, including e-mail, chat rooms, parent accounts, and homework drop boxes, this post will focus mainly on Gaggle's blogging feature. My sixth grade students are the first and (at the time of this writing) the only elementary school in our district to take advantage of gaggle.net's blogging capabilities. All of my students have created their own blog and they maintain their blog on a weekly basis. At this point, some readers may ask, "What is a blog?" You are reading one now, but for a more detailed definition, Wikipedia suggests that:

A blog (a contraction of the term weblog) is a website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Built In Safety Features
One amazing feature that I appreciate, both as a teacher, and parent, is the built-in safety controls. If a student attempts to publish a questionable word or image, Gaggle immediately blocks the post from publishing and generates an e-mail to me with a link to the potentially offensive post. I can then review the post and choose to either block or unblock it. I've never had a student try to slip in a curse word or suggestive image, but one time a student was blogging about a video game in which the main character could "pimp" his ride. Gaggle caught the word "pimp" and blocked the post from happening and immediately sent me an e-mail indicating the questionable word. I then e-mailed my student and suggested that she not use the slang word "pimp," but instead find another way to explain it: maybe the video game character could "decorate" his ride, or "paint and apply designs" to his ride. This safety feature is one major reason the whole Gaggle eco-system works.

Total Control
Another great feature about Gaggle.net's admin privileges is the ability to you peer into your student's account any time. My students are fully aware that I can look into their blogs, make changes, read e-mails, visit chat rooms, and inspect all digital lockers, anytime. I tell them to never post anything that could potentially embarrass them. I see everything!!! Then I usually let out one of those sinister Hollywood-style laughs, moowahahahahahaha... All my students understand and respect these boundaries.

How To Get Started
Begin by setting up an admin account for yourself at http://www.gaggle.net and indicate how many student accounts you would like to manage. I asked for 34. Gaggle will then confirm your e-mail address and school at which you teach, and give you permission to set up an account for as many students as you request. Before I set up my students' unique usernames and passwords, I set up my own blog and published my first post, just as a warm-up exercise. This made it easier to teach my own students how to do it. At the time of this writing, my students are using the free service, which means we all see ads on our blogs. There is also a paid plan without ads. I just tell my students to ignore the ads for the most part, but once in a while- to go ahead and click an ad so Gaggle can make a few cents in ad revenue- granted, it's worth more than a few cents, but with State budget cuts as they are, we really appreciate free accounts!

Set Usernames and Passwords
Next, create a username and password for your students. I used the first name and last initial to generate them. For example, John Doe is "johnd" or Sally Mae is "sallym." If the username you first pick is taken, you may have to dip down into more letters in their last name, or you can just add a number. For example: John Doe may be "johnd1," etc. There is no right or wrong way about this- just generate a system for coming up with usernames that works for you. It's easier to set up their passwords: you can create one generic password for everyone. Once a student logs into their account for the first time, they are given the opportunity to create their own unique password. If a students forgets it, your administrative rights allows you to let them reset it. There are other choices you have regarding controls. For example, you can allow students to comment on each others blog. You can also restrict or allow people from the outside world to make comments.

In an upcoming blog post, I will detail how I got my own students blogging: from setting up a classroom blog schedule to exploring the effective use of blogging as a way to meet content standards for Language Arts. I'll cover how to help students come up with catchy blog topics, titles, and blog post ideas, as well as share ideas for keeping them motivated to blog. Now, fly on over to Gaggle.Net and get your students blogging!

Send Them To Geek Camp!

2009-02-06T22:20:00.001-08:00

My two children get to learn computer skills anytime they want to. All they need to do is ask, and I'm always more than happy to unload what I know. But not all children have someone willing or able to teach them the necessary technology skills that have become so important in today's information age. No, it's not really called Geek Camp, but that's essentially what it is. It's called Giant Campus. I found this fascinating quote today:

Giant Campus offers summer programs in everything from 3D modeling and robotics to Web design and C++, and more. They also offer immersion programs in game development, movie making and a program for young entrepreneurs called Project CEO.

If only they had camps like this when I was a kid! Imagine your child walking away from summer camp with the skills to produce a film, create a video game, build a website, or run a small start-up company? These are the kind of real-life skills I want my students to have.

What Is Student Engagement?

2009-02-03T22:38:00.001-08:00

It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If this is true, and if the video you are about to see is about five minutes long, with each frame compressed to 15 frames per second, quick- how many words is that? Answer: 4.5 million.

The sixth grade teachers at Coronita Elementary: Mr. K, Mrs. McKeon, and I -- Mr. Garwood, decided to show what student engagement looks like for a sixth grader during a typical day at our school.

Can Your Globe Talk?

2009-01-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

Have you ever laughed at someone (or yourself) for not knowing the location of a particular country? Sadly, geography skills among school children in the U.S. are no laughing matter. That's why I was particularly interested in reviewing the GeoSafari Talking Globe by Educational Insights. Assembly was quick and easy. Once assembled, the globe spins freely and the entire unit feels very sturdy.

In the base of the globe is an interactive geography quiz game with dazzling lights and sound effects to guide and reward young learners. One to four players choose quiz categories (USA/ Canada, World, All) and answer response times. It's an effective teaching globe, as well as a fun quiz machine. Clear speech, fun sounds, and international music add entertainment and educational value.

The Talking Globe features a 12-inch geopolitical globe, automatic scoring, adjustable volume, question repeat, help button and jacks for optional AC adapter and headphones (not included). Measures 14" x 14.2" x 18.9". Four size C batteries may be used instead of the AC adapter. It comes with a one year manufacturers warranty. The globe lists at $124.65, but I've seen it for as low as $95.05 at Amazon.

Pros: The GeoSafari Talking Globe has a seemingly endless number of geographical questions to maintain students' interest. There are over 10,000 questions for third-graders and up. Question repeat is helpful, especially when hearing the name of a country for the first time. The option for AC or battery power offers flexibility and portability. Assembly couldn't be easier: just one spring and nut to screw the base to the frame and globe. No tools required. The entire unit is durable.

Cons: On occasion, the voice sounds unclear. This is likely due to the fact that some locations are unfamiliar to the average learner. The Talking Globe is not upgradable. As political boundaries change, a USB port would allow for expansion with a PC. Also, a "hint" button would give the learner a much-appreciated clue, such as, which continent or body of water to begin searching when faced with a particularly difficult question.

Overall impression: If you are a teacher or parent who wants to increase your young learners' knowledge of Earth's geographical names in a fun and interactive way, consider GeoSafari Talking Globe by Educational Insights. If you balk at the hundred dollar price tag, consider that even a decent classroom globe is over $50. That's more than half way towards a globe that can play games and talk! In today's media-rich age, doesn't a talking globe sound far more engaging than one that just spins?

Have Drums, Will Rock!

2009-01-12T22:47:00.000-08:00

The Sound X SMI-1458 Digital Drum Machine will provide countless hours of fun and education to the beginning drummer, but that's not all. This drum set is going to be the center piece to the greatest rock and roll band in the world! My sixth grade students have been beating up on this for over a week now, and it's holding up well. It comes with a 90 day manufacturers warranty, but I bought a two year extended warranty through Sam's Club because by this time, next year... who knows.

This drum set includes a dual zone snare drum, 3 tom pads and a bass drum pad as well as the standard hi-hat, crash, ride, crash, drumsticks, headphone and a stool. Dual zone means that when you whack the drum, it has two levels of sensitivity. For example, if you strike the ride cymbal hard, it sounds like the bell of the cymbal; if you strike it softer, it sounds like the warm ride.

Here are the specs:

4 drum pads

3 cymbal pads

1 hi-hat control dedal

1 bass drum pedal

Drum sticks

Stool

Headphone jack & USB ports

Metronome function

1 headphone

108 voices

10 pre-set drum kits

5 user drum kits

40 pre-set patterns

1 user pattern

AC Adapter(DC 9v)

Connecting Cables

Output Jack(Stereo)

Dimensions: 33.5"L x 47.2"W x 49.2"H

Pros: The lightweight, yet durable frame allows me to set up in a small area near the back of my classroom. The red cymbals and frame accents make this drum set stand out. The metronone is an educational feature that allows players to practice in time to develop their groove. A headphone jack and USB ports round out the professional features of this kit. I have the kit hooked up to my Fender 15 watt amp and it provides plenty enough volume to jam with a couple kids on their own electric twangers.

Cons: Drum pads are limited to a small degree of movement. This forces drummers to conform their own playing style to fit within a tight, predetermined space. This can be frustrating to some drummers who like their drums a bit more spread out. Sometimes, the dual zone sensitivity feels inaccurate. You have to strike the drum with just the right velocity to get the sound you want. Strike it too soft, and it won't even register. Strike it too hard, and it triggers the louder of the two zones.

Overall impression: Professional level features such as the open/closed hi-hat control and dual zone snare capabilities are unheard of on an electronic drum set at this price. I'm a drummer, and although it's not anywhere close to the Roland V-series line of drum kits in overall quality, it's a fraction of the price! I got ours for under $300 at Sam's Club. It's sturdy, fairly responsive, and perfect for those about to rock!

A great big shout out to the Corona (CA) Kiwanis Club for helping us attain this capable electronic drum kit! Bands are forming at Coronta Elementary, and we are looking forward to rockin' the district in the coming months!

My Fingers Are Peachy Again!

2008-12-15T20:43:00.000-08:00

One day in the teachers' lounge, I looked down at one of my colleagues hands, and noticed his fingers were colored purple, red, green, and blue. As I listened to him describe to another teacher his overhead transparency woes, I reflected how only a few months ago, my own fingers used to look exactly like his! Having access to the SMART document camera for the last few months has revolutionized the way I teach, not to mention that it's given me back my natural, fleshy coloration.

I used to have to run to the lounge to make a simple transparency. Now, any time I want to show students a handout, a drawing, student work, realia, or any other visual aid, I just fire up "Notebook 10," SMART's whiteboard software, flick on the document camera and take a snapshot of the image. Just this week, a student brought in his pet gecko as part of his visual aid for his oral news report. The little guy was a mere two inches long, but under the SMART document camera, he was as large as a poster. I then saved the image for later use. If I ever need a picture of a gecko again, it's right there.

By combining 5.2x optical and 8.0x digital zoom, the SMART Document Camera displays images that are sharp and vivid. You can also automatically focus your images and adjust the brightness for varying light levels. The document camera’s head and arm rotate, so you can easily view an object from different angles. The camera lens can also be aligned to the eyepiece of a microscope without requiring an optical adapter. The SMART Document Camera’s control panel is intuitive, with a simple interface that allows you to conveniently control all the camera’s functions. You can also control it directly from a menu in Notebook software 10. The LED lamp even allows you to use the camera in a darkened room. You can save images even if your document camera isn’t connected to a computer by using an SD Memory Card (not included).

The camera connects to any digital display device, such as a computer monitor, projection screen or television, using a VGA cable. You can also connect it to a SMART Board interactive whiteboard through a computer using a USB cable. The document camera weighs only 6.4 pounds (2.9 kg), so it’s easy to move around the room. You can also secure it in your room with a Kensington cable lock. The SMART Document Camera comes with a standard five-year warranty.

Pros: The SMART document camera works seamlessly with SMART's Notebook 10 Whiteboard software. Cut back on the amount of time you spend preparing lessons by creating digital content instantly during a class. You also don’t need to fuss with transparencies or markers for overhead projectors. There are numerous display options, including USB and VGA.

Cons: Occasionally, the one light used to illuminate objects beneath the camera can cause certain glossy images to produce a glare. The price tag is steep. The SMART 280 lists at $999, but can be found in the mid- $900's on the Internet. The price is even lower when purchased as part of a package deal from a local SMART dealer.

Overall impression: Prior to using the SMART document camera, many teachable moments had to be tabled because there was simply no way to show a tiny image to the entire class. Teachable moments were put on hold because making an overhead transparency was impossible until the next break. Now, with the click of a button, even students in the nosebleed section can see even the smallest details. And when the moment requires that a given image be displayed quickly, it can happen lightening fast! But perhaps the best part is: my fingers are peachy again!

King of Technology

2008-10-25T09:08:00.001-07:00

My Intersession class, made up of mostly fifth graders, entered a music video contest. The winning video will receive a classroom makeover worth $25,000 in new technology. We could write a parody of any song, and we chose The Sounds, Queen of Apology and turned it into King of Technology. Although we did not move on to the finals, we had a great time working on this video.

Virtual Author Series: Great Fun

2008-10-12T20:50:00.003-07:00

When I was in fifth grade, a famous author came to our school and read us one of her stories. Even as a child, I knew it was going to go down as a memorable moment. Last Tuesday, the latest MYVisit Virtual Author Series gave my sixth graders the opportunity to watch a LIVE stream of a fantastic children's book creation team, Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin. This Author and Illustrator of the children's book Click, Clack Moo, spoke to a group of second graders -- but thanks to modern technology, (Apple, Simon & Schuster, The Booksource, and Ball State University), we felt like we were part of the action. Just before 9 AM Pacific, I visited the website, tested the stream, and within minutes, my sixth grade classroom was transformed into an extended virtual classroom. I think part of the reason this event held my students' attention for the entire hour was because they knew they weren't watching some prerecorded video; it was a LIVE event, happening across the U.S., right before their eyes.

Author Doreen Cronin gave some great advice for approaching writing. Among her numerous tips, Doreen indicated that a white sheet of paper can be intimidating, even for an accomplished writer as herself. She always hears a small voice in her head that tells her she's not a writer and can't do it. When she hears this discouraging voice, she draws a tiny box on the bottom of the page and puts a mark in it, then closes the box. From that point on, anytime she feels like she can't do it, she reminds herself that those negative thoughts are locked in the box and can't effect her anymore.

During the 55 minute event, I passed a laptop around the room and students posed questions and comments on the forum for the ladies to answer at a later date. Here are a few responses from my students:

* I really like this whole book talk. I think it is very educational for kids and grown ups who like to write stories. -Crystal
* Hey Doreen, how do your book ideas come to you? Does it just pop in your head or do you see something that gives you an idea? I am curious. -Nathan
* Hey, I really like your books. I also have a question... Betsy how long you were drawing? -Brianna
* Doreen...What voice in side of you said that book writing is going to be your bread and butter? -Omar

One way I think the experience could be improved is if there was an event moderator who took questions from some of us in the virtual community rather than to limit questions to the LIVE audience. Overall, the event was well worth our time and I'm looking forward to the next round of authors.

Learn more about MYVisit virtual author series and follow links to Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin's official websites!

SMART Board 600i - First Impressions

2008-09-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

In the coming months, I will be writing a lot about the SMART Technologies line of products, in particular, the SMART Board 600i. Several weeks ago, I approached SMART Technologies in an effort to attain a review unit of the SMART Board 600i in my classroom. I also asked Prometheum, a leading competitor in the interactive white board market, if they, too, would like to participate in my review. As of today, Prometheum has not responded. A couple of weeks ago, SMART Technologies indicated their interest. And last week, they installed a SMART Board 600i in my classroom. Since its installation a mere five days ago, I have already used the device in Language Arts, Writing, Social Studies, and Math. The moment I used it in one subject, I felt energized to use it in another. Even at this early stage, I can already see why interactive white boards are a must-have tool for teachers.

Today, I used the SMART Technologies document camera, connected to the SMART Board, to snap a picture of a page in our math text book. I then invited students to come up and solve some problems on the SMART Board. One at a time, students approached the interactive white board, selected one of the four dry erase markers, and began to write directly onto the enlarged image of the math page. Some students took a little longer getting used to the markers than others. Each marker is simply a prop designed to look and feel like a real dry erase marker. They come in four colors: black, red, green, and blue. One problem is that an incidental palm press confuses the white board about which press it should respond to -- the palm press or the tip of the marker. But students master this skill within seconds. By pressing firmly and deliberately, and by resisting the urge to rest their hand on the board, they find they can write on the board with success. After the math lesson, I saved our work as a PDF which I now have the option of either uploading it to my class website, archiving it for later, or printing it out for students.

The students' reaction to the SMART Board has been very positive. When they see me power it up, they suddenly become very excited because they know that in a moment, I am going to invite volunteers to come up and perform some kind of learning activity on it. In the coming weeks and months, I'll post more observations about the SMART Board 600i; review the SMART Airliner Wireless Slate; SMART Notebook software and lesson activities; and the Senteo interactive response system.

Computer Assisted Creating

2008-09-15T16:58:00.001-07:00

The computer is more than just a tool for remediation; it's a powerful tool for creating digital content. While remediation can be an effective use of students' time on a computer, I'm beginning to believe my students think that's all the computer is good for. Their first activity as a new transfer to our school is to take a computer-based reading test to reveal their reading level. Later that week, they take another computer based assessment to determine their math level. Each week, my students take a series of drill-n-kill basic math quizes in the computer lab. After that, they can take a test on the latest book they read. If they're lucky enough, they might be able to print out a picture or article on one of the classroom computers for their oral news report. Some students attend our after school program and work on English language development software programs while other kids focus on computer-aided reading improvement software.

Aside from creating an occasional word processing document, my students don't create a shred of digital content. This is beginning to frighten me. With the number of jobs requiring 21st century computer skills, how can I sit back and NOT teach kids to use technology to create products such as flash animation, podcasting, blogging, photo manipulation, web design, presentation software, game development, computer aided design, the list goes on. In order to get my students used to the idea of using the computer as a creative tool, I'm going to let them start their own blog. I'm using Gaggle.net. One of my students wants to have a sports blog and discuss the best plays of the weekend. Another student is going to blog about taking care of her various pets. A few students are going to write reviews of video games. I don't care what they blog about -- I'm excited to see how my students will respond to becoming content producers and not just consumers. How empowering!

Great Printer + Great Customer Care

2008-09-08T15:01:00.001-07:00

A great printer + great customer support = an awesome experience with my Kodak 5500 series All-In-One printer. It's a flatbed scanner, it's a dual-side photo copier, it takes a variety of memory cards, it's Mac and PC compatible, it prints beautiful pictures, in short, I love it! The best part about this printer is the inexpensive ink -- you'll pay easily half what you pay for other brands. I used to spend a lot of money on ink, but that was in the pre-Kodak era. Although this ink-sipping printer is the Prius of printers, its halo was tarnished this week when I suddenly found I could no longer print black. Scrolling through the menu on the printer, I did all the things one does before they break down and call customer support: cleaned the print head, deep cleaned the print head, calibrated the print head, even sacrificed a new black ink cartridge. Nothing worked. After a Google search, I found I was not alone. Other users had reported a similar problem with their own Kodak 5500 series printers. Fortunately for me, I was not among the first to encounter this issue, so I was able to easily follow the well-paved Internet trail blazed before me through forums, blog posts, and reviews.

If you have problem with your Kodak 5500 All-In-One printer, do what I did: call Kodak at (800) 421-6699. Listen through the recorded mumbo jumbo until you can dial extension 04 (that's the number zero and the number four). When you get a live agent, tell him or her that you are aware of known issues with the print head. It's refreshing to have a customer service agent, like the one I spoke with at Kodak, treat me like I wish I could always be treated. He listened to my problem, took down my information, and said a new print head was already in the mail. Not only that, but he threw in a couple extra print cartridges for my trouble. Now that's customer service! As a footnote, the Kodak agent recommended I clean the print head once per week (much more often than my usual practice) due to the print cartridges propensity to drying out. All in all, I highly recommend the Kodak for it's high print quality, and now, for its great customer support.

Best Buy Teach Grant - Another Great Opportunity!

2008-08-31T20:26:00.001-07:00

Creatively integrate interactive technology into your curriculum and win! Some of us are doing this already. Others have a great idea, but haven't put it down on paper. Here's your chance to get that piece of equipment or those high tech resources you've always wanted for your class. Teachers, if we want our students to have access to up-to-the-date technology, we have to be proactive and aggressively pursue funding opportunities like this. Here's a line from Best Buy's Teach Grant promo page:

Best Buy Teach Awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 will be granted to programs that engage students at any grade level by creatively integrating interactive technology into the curriculum. All awards are in the form of Best Buy Gift Cards.

I've won this grant before, and you can too. I purchased an Apple Powerbook for use in my classroom video editing program. It also doubles as the digital hub for my classroom presentations.

Each year, big companies allocate X number of dollars towards philanthropic endeavors. In return for their contributions, they receive huge tax breaks and a high degree of positive press. Teachers who are willing to expend some effort, creativity, and persistence are eventually rewarded. My attitude has always been, some one is going to win this grant money, so why not me! So go for it!

The guidelines for this grant are somewhat more involved than other grants I've recommended, such as the 100 word essay for Samsung's Hope For Education Grant, but don't let the extra work intimidate you -- there is plenty of time to work on this. The Best Buy Teach Grant is due October 12, 2008 and winners will be announced online on March 2, 2009. Get creative! Get excited! Think outside your four walls and dream big. What does your classroom need to enhance student learning? What would you buy with $2,500 if Best Buy handed you a gift card and said, "Spend this on your classroom?" I can think of a lot. How about flash drives for students to use all year? What about a class set of Palm PDAs that students can use as eReaders: you can beam PDFs to every student to supplement your lessons. What about a few camcorders or digital cameras to encourage student journalism...? Your kids will love this! What's your idea?

This year $2 million will be awarded to accredited K-12 public, private, parochial, magnet and charter schools in the United States and Puerto Rico through the Best Buy Teach Award program. Additionally, $10,000 Best Buy Teach Awards will be granted to up to fifteen (15) schools serving 9th grade students that display the greatest creativity in their programs/projects and the clearest vision of how to increase the school's use of interactive technology. Best Buy Teach Awards of $10,000 are NOT in addition to the $1,000 - $5,000 awards. The emphasis on 9th grade classrooms aligns with Best Buy's new @15™ philanthropic focus.

Learn more at https://bestbuyteach.scholarshipamerica.org/

Roz Rows the Pacific - Almost to Hawaii

2008-08-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard of Roz Savage, it's only a matter of time... Within a few short days, she will arrive on Waikiki Beach. Roz plans to be the first woman to row across the Pacific. She's very close to reaching Hawaii, which is a huge milestone. There, she plans to bathe in fresh water, wash her hair, get dressed up, and among other luxuries, enjoy a caramel latte. Then, after a few weeks, she'll be on her way to Australia. What's admirable about Roz is her determination and commitment to the environment. But what makes this adventure even more compelling is the way she uses modern technology to communicate with people, young and old, about her adventure -- in real time. My students and I first began following Roz during last year's Pacific-crossing attempt. Although plagued with rough weather and equipment failure which ultimately led to postponing the voyage, she maintained her blog up to the end. Students begged me to check it every day for the latest Roz updates, which were transmitted from her row boat, the Bracade, via satellite. In addition, the more hardcore fans signed up for text-message updates from Roz, sent directly to their phones. Messages ranged in topics from the horrible weather to happier moments: For example, the time she was being escorted by scores of dolphins.

In addition to maintaining a blog and sending text messages, Roz participates in a weekly podcast with Leo Laporte called Roz Rows the Pacific, available on the TWIT network. Audience members can post questions or comments in the chat room, e-mail, Twitter, and by calling into the show. Each episode is recorded live each week, and uploaded as a podcast. Shows can then be downloaded to a variety of devices such as iPods and computers for playback. One memorable moment was when I logged into Leo's chat room during the show. I relayed to Leo that my class of sixth graders are big fans, and that my daughter really loves following Roz. Leo then shared this information with Roz, who then promptly gave a shout out to my sixth graders and even mentioned my daughter by name! When I played that portion of the podcast to the class the next day, my students were beside themselves. Roz's hi-tech row boat is equipped with satellite navigation equipment, including a TomTom GPS. Her location is updated on her website using a BETA version of Marinetrack Event Viewer Console. It's a map that shows her up-to-the-second position. Some of her video clips are also available on for viewing on Youtube.

To follow Roz, visit her website: http://rozsavage.com

Make Contact: Ask a NASA Astronaut a Question

2008-08-22T14:53:00.003-07:00

What was it like to walk out into space for the first time? Is fixing the telescope like fixing a car, with all of its little parts? What does it feel like being in space, and how would you describe the takeoff? These are just some of the questions children (and adults) are asking astronauts -- but these astronauts are not answering these questions on the ground...they're answering these questions from 220 miles above the Earth. Astronaut Greg Chamitoff, aboard the International Space Station is ready to take your questions. Here is your chance to hear direct from space. Click Here to submit your own questions. Each week, questions will be transmitted to Greg from Mission Control and his answers to a few of them will be available.>View Greg Chamitoff's answers to your questions Make contact! Take advantage of the opportunity to communicate with a real live astronaut while he's on the job.

Teachers, Jump on this Grant Opportunity!

2008-08-20T21:35:00.001-07:00

How many times have you thought to yourself, "If money was no object, I'd buy my students..." Grants are one way we as teachers can attain the resources we know will benefit our students in an outside-the-box manner. This grant is very easy to enter: it's an on-line essay with a 100 word limit. Anyone can enter! Read contest rules carefully - if a student under 18 enters, the parent must have an email address. Entries are open now. Contest will run until August 31, 2008. Read this selection from the grant's website:

Each year the program challenges students, teachers, parents or anyone who knows of a school in need to write an essay regarding the importance of technology in education, and how it can benefit a school in their community. Essays are evaluated by an independent judging committee, and winners earn various awards of Samsung products for their designated school. In the four years since its inception, the program has awarded more than 250 U.S. schools with over $7,000,000 in Samsung electronics and Microsoft software. In 2008, the top winner receives a grand prize of over $200,000 worth of Samsung technology, Microsoft software and cash grants from DIRECTV, as well as the SCHOOL CHOICE® educational television programming package.

Click Here to read more about this grant and to enter. Forward this post to your students and parents. Consider offering the essay topic as a writing prompt or as a "homework challenge." Good luck!

Simple Username and Password Management

2008-08-18T23:15:00.001-07:00

One problem our school's technology committee began working on is how to handle the exorbitant number of username/passwords we as teachers have accumulated for the numerous off- and online applications we use: from Accelerated Reader to UnitedStreaming, there are at least 20 different applications or websites that require a username/password or some long website address we may or may not remember in our moment of need.

One low-tech but effective solution, suggested by Mike (Mr. K as he's known to students) is to design an editable username/password table in Excel spreadsheet which can then be e-mailed to the entire staff. The form will come be pre-filled with our school's most commonly used applications and website addresses leaving the username/password column blank. Teachers can simply input their own unique username/password in the appropriate row, save the file on their computer desktop or print it out. They can tape this under their laptop or stick it in a file in their desk. It's kind of like having our own personal phonebook for our username/passwords.

One word of caution: This solution is not recommended for critical data such as online banking, Amazon, or other sensitive information.

Streamline your School's Computer Repair Cycle

2008-08-15T00:54:00.001-07:00

When one of our classroom computers have a problem, we have to first locate our school's computer tech person, which can be difficult because we are usually in the middle of teaching. And once we find the individual, she has to come in our room and identify the problem. If she can't fix it, she has to write up a work order. This all wastes too much time. One step in the right direction is to design a computer REPAIR FORM in Microsoft Word, save it as a template, then e-mail it to the entire staff.

This template can then be saved to the teacher's desktop and filled out whenever a computer problem occurs. Teachers can simply fill in the information: i.e. computer make, inventory sticker number, teacher name, room number, problem, etc. and print or e-mail the form to the tech lab person. If she thinks it's a problem she can fix, she can attend to it at her earliest convenience. If she can't fix it, then she has all the information right there in front of her to input into the system to submit the work order.

Keyspan Presentation Remote with Laser Pointer

2008-08-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

If you're fortunate to have an LCD projector in your classroom but tired of being strapped within arms length of your computer during presentations (so you can be close enough to tap the space bar to advance the slides) then you need this device! The Keyspan Presentation Remote with Laser Pointer is a great two-in-one device. I have used this now for about two years, and it operates as well now as it did when I first began using it. I especially love the thumb-mouse to navigate to websites from the back of the room. When technology works, it's like magic!

If you threw out your quick start guide, you may have forgotten how to operate this gizmo. Here's a refresher: The remote has two modes which are controlled via the Mode button, which is a white button, located at the bottom. When the Mode button is not showing a green light, the remote is in Standard mode. When the Mode button is lit green, then the remote is in Media mode.

To turn on the Laser Pointer, hold down the Laser Pointer button (blue button) AND the Mode button (white button) simultaneously. The Mode button will blink red when the Laser is activated. To deactivate the laser again, hold down the Laser Pointer button (blue) and Mode button (white) simultaneously again until the Mode button flashes rapidly.

Another great feature is the media controls. Lots of times, I'll be streaming a clip from the Internet. With the Keyspan Presentation Remote with Laser Pointer, you can pause, rewind, and fast-forward from anywhere in the room -- great for adding your own, personal, LIVE commentary.

Cell Phones Headed Back To School

2008-08-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

Last month, one of my students called her mom during recess to complain that girls were teasing her. Within a few minutes, the girl's mother appeared in the front office and demanded that the principal investigate the situation immediately. As it turned out, the girl admitted that she, too, was involved in the name-calling. We all informed her that she should have sought the assistance of one of the adults on duty, but she admitted she preferred to call her mother on the cell phone instead. This begs the question: Should students be allowed to use their cell phones at school? This week, one school board ruled to give it a try:

"A trial policy approved by the Grand Blanc Board of Education on Monday will allow students at Grand Blanc High School this fall to use their cellphones before or after school, between classes or during lunch. The new rule also applies to iPods, pagers, CD or MP3 players and other electronic gadgets. But the classroom -- or any area during class time -- will remain a "sacred place," free of calls and text-messaging." --quote from Sally York | The Flint Journal, August 5, 2008

I, for one, wouldn't be caught dead without my cell phone -- it's my life-line to the world. If I receive an e-mail from my boss, I try to respond right away. If I get a voice mail from my wife, I'll listen to it at by break and call her back when the students are at recess or lunch, which is my earliest convenience. But should students carry cell phones on campus? If so, under what conditions should they be allowed to use them? I have no problem with cell phones at school, as long as they do not interfere with the learning experiences I have prepared for them. The Grand Blanc, Michigan Board of Education seems to side with me and are going to give it a go. In the long run, I think cell phones and other gadgets on campus will win. What do you think?

Send and Receive School District E-mail

2008-08-08T23:06:00.000-07:00

When Apple announced iPhone 3G support for Microsoft Exchange, I had no idea how easy it would be to set up and how convenient it would be to use. Now, I'm no longer tethered to my desktop or laptop computer, checking for the latest action item. One five minute call to my school district's IT department and I was reading my corporate e-mail on my iPhone! And it couldn't have come at a better time. Our new principal is an e-mail powerhouse. So, if you're wondering how you can set up Microsoft Exchange on the iPhone 3G, it's quite simple.

On the iPhone, press Settings; then press "Mail, Contacts, Calendars." Press "Add Account"; Then touch the Microsoft Exchange logo. If you don't know your username and/or password, you'll need to ask your principal, computer lab tech (if you have one) or the district's IT department. Input your username and password, the same thing you use to retrieve corporate web e-mail. The only information you need from your district's IT department is the server name. If you are part of the Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD), it's: doowa.cnusd.k12.ca.us

You'll be given the option to sync your mail, contacts, and calendar items. I played it safe and only opted to sync my mail. With MobileMe services so new, I didn't want to confuse the system and possibly break things by syncing everything. However, if you're feeling brave, try it for yourself and tell us about it! Good luck!

Apple Brings Authors to the Classroom

2008-08-08T21:44:00.000-07:00

The MYVisit Virtual Author Series is a great opportunity for your students to interact with some of todays best children's book creators LIVE! Each visit brings the author into your classroom via interactive video, discussion forums, and downloadable learning activities to create a unique learning experience that expands some of today's most popular children's titles.

On October 7, 2008 viewers will meet Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin, author and illustrators of Duck for President. Each MYVisit consists of a 45 minute web-based broadcast, Live Q&A, a Discussion Forum, and curriculum models. You'll also have access to various web-based videos after the live broadcast.

You have to register to receive access to web-based curriculum materials. Click Here to register. The registration process requires you to submit your phone number -- not sure why!?