Tech Talk for TJ Teachers

Students can create their very own product when you teach them how to use digital stroytelling. You can use Photo Story 3 (free download), Primary Access, Voice Thread, or even PowerPoint. It is not difficult at all and students learn a lot because they are actively invloved in the learning.

Look at these resources to learn more and get ideas.
http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/
http://techteachers.com/digitalstorytelling.htm
http://yorkcountyschools.org/Technology/VSTE/storytelling/storytelling.html

TeacherTube is the same thing except the videos are for professional and/or educational purposes.   For instance if you want to know what a wiki is go on to TeacherTube and search wiki or if you want to see another teacher use the SMARTboard to teach math there is a video of that too.  It is free so go ahead and check it out, create a login, and begin using the videos.  The best thing about this is that TeacherTube is a network of teachers collaborating so you can share videos that you have created too.

Many of you are probably saying what in the world is Web 2.0?  I had the same questions until I went to the VSTE conference a few years back.  Since then I have been exploring Web 2.0 tools for personal and professional use.  Now I think I am ready to dive into the instructional realm.  Web 2.0 is a phrase that has been coined to describe Web usage that enhances creativity, information sharing, and collaboration.  Those are all things that are done in school or for educational purposes…so let’s get started.

Each week I am going to focus on a new Web 2.0 tool until I run out (that could be a long time there are a lot).  Today I am going to start with social bookmarking.  My two favorite sites for this are www.delicious.com and www.portaportal.com . 

Delicious is great for personal and professional use, but I do not recommend sharing it with students.  What does delicious do?  It is a FREE online bookmarking resource that allows you to share resources with other users.  For example the elementary ITRT’s in Louisa all use delicious and if one of us saves a good website the the others have immediate access to it.  Another great feature is that it is web-based so I can add to it from anywhere.  To check out my delicious page go to http://delicious.com/hurdaj or setup your own at www.delicious.com .

Portaportal is a great way to save instructional links for a class or grade level.  Again it is a free online resource that allows you to save links.  To preview a portal go to http://guest.portaportal.com/bus .

If you setup a delicious or portaportal account please share or if you have other ideas on Web 2.0 this is a great collaboration tool.

From what I heard on Friday many of you want to blog.  That is great news for me.  What better way to learn how to blog then to start posting.  I am giving you the oppurtunity to use this blog that I have setup to see what a blog is and also to contribute to a professional blog.  This will be a great place to share ideas that we have for using blogs, integrating technology, or just great ideas that may help your colleagues!!  My challenge to you is to contribute something to this blog at least once a month.  I will hold up my end of the deal by posting weekly on topics that may interest you.

So I will begin by sharing a website that has actitives for the first day/week of school: http://www.suelebeau.com/firstday.htm

The 07-08 school year is almost over in Louisa County.    As you begin to think about summer vacation and things you want to try for next year consider some new technology tools.  For instance maybe you want to start blogging.  To do so you can setup a free account at www.edublogs.org.   Maybe there is something else you want to learn about.  Make it your summer goal to learn how to use a new piece of technology so that you will be comfortable using it in your classroom!

No, I am not talking about AR.  AR is a good thing but it should not be the only way that computers are used.  I am referring to something that will make your students think and create things on their own.  Check out the website www.readwritethink.org .  Click on “student materials” and you will be given a list of  40+ activities that will extend on what you are already doing in class. 

Blog?? You may be saying to yourself “what is a blog?” Well here you are!  You are reading a blog and now I am going to ask you to post a comment.  Then you can say you have “blogged.”  Please post a comment and tell me whether or not you have blogged before and if you have any ideas on what benefits this or any blog may have.