A littlw update.

So I had the interview. I think it could have gone better.  I find it hard to talk about myself. I dont even take pictures of myself. When I looked into the job and had the interview, I really began to enjoy the prospect of the job.  I really would like to work there. I beleive it would be a good fit. I hope they thi k so as well. Waiting g to see if I get the 2nd round of interviews. 🙄🙏🤞

Going back into the rabbit's hole

Wow!!  I had forgotten all about this blog.  I used it when I was working on my Masters but when I finished I dropped it like a hot potato 🥔.  I didn't even know it was still open. You know that some programs close your account when you don't use it.  

So I'm thinking of starting again and just write what I feel and do. Sometimes I may write a lot and other times not so much. Let's give it a try.  

Later today I have an interview for a job. I'll discuss that later. I currently have a job so I'm going to see what this one is all about and if it is a better fit.  I will say that my mom hit the nail on the head. She knows me.  As I mentioned I have job and I was starting to debate and feel guilty about the interview. My mom told me to stop. I have been miserable for years at my old job because I was worried too much about letting down the people I worked with that I just stayed put. She told me this time I owe nobody anything. I need to start being selfish. Ouch. But it was true. So let's see how it goes today and if I even have to make the decision. 🤞  Keep you posted!!

The end of the rabbit's hole

The Time is Here!

This journey down the rabbit's hole has been interesting.  There were several obstacles to cross.  Many obstacles were useful in helping me grow my knowledge of technology. Others were not so useful and shrunk my motivation sometimes. I have a new respect  for some of the artifacts (especially for data) that I learned in my classes.  I met wonderful characters along the way. The teachers pushed me to do my best and knew what I was capable of accomplishing.  They helped to take me out of my comfort zone and try new experiences.  I had support from my fellow cohort, of which I could never have done it without them.  Overall it was a wonderful experience and I believe I can see the light at the end of the rabbit's hole.  Off to use my new found knowledge and distribute it to the wonderland of teaching.

Useful Websites & Apps learned at ISTE 2011

Hello my fellow teachers. I was given a great opportunity to go to ISTE 2011 in Philly. It was a great experience. Met slot of great people and learned many new things. Here are some of great things.


WEBSITES

Memorize. You can create interactive activities such as flashcards. There are wizards that help you create different types of flashcards. You also have the ability to share the ones you make.



Taxedo If you like Wordle this puts a twist. You can make the word clouds into shapes.

Alice.org  is a free site that teaches students how to computer program in 3D.  There different types according to grade level.

TinyURL.com.  You can take a lon URL and create a shorter one.  This would helpful for students and teachers.

PoLL Code.  You can instantly create free polls.  They can be place on teacher websites.  They are quick and easy for taking a poll.  Students can use it for gatherin information for projects or math graphing.


Tammy's Technology Tips for Teachers.  Tammy Worcester was a presenter at ISTE.  She presented several quick and easy projects to do with Google.  She also has several books available.


APPS

The following apps are for iPads and iPhone.  the was the main tools of use throughout the conference.  You can check the Android Marketplace for similar or same apps.Some are free and other do cost a bit.


eduTeacher is the first and very useful one.  I have already used it and found great things.  It is website but better yet there is an App for it in both.  This provides link to websites and other apps that can be use in education.  You can also contact other teachers and share.

Dragon  is a dictation app

Leafsnap  is a field guide app.  It allows you to take a picture of a leaf to find out what type of tree it came from.

StoryKit create your own ideas of the story.  It is like a wiki for books.  There is also IDLC Books for Children that has a collection of children story books with stories from other countries and with other languages.

PuppetPals  HD,  Toonastic kids can create projects using toons.  Toonastic uses story mapping to create their ideas.

Qwiki are short infomational videos .  There are captions underneath and it also reads aloud.

 
These are just a few websites and apps.  If you can't make it to an ISTE conference at least try to become a member.  Their magazine alone is a great tool with many ideas. You can also receive discounts and connect with other teachers for collaboration.

WIKI: EDRD Reading Strategies

NETST 3
GaPSC  Standard 4 Element 4.1
(1 1/2 Hours)

I am taking an elective for Reading Endorsement.  I am learning a whole lot of things about reading and writing.  I have changed my ideas about using strategies in class that involve reading and writing.  Along with learning more about reading and writing I have been allowed a chance to share some of my knowledge about technology.  I have asked my professor Dr. Synder to setup a wiki to post the teacher presentation/notes, parent presentations, and reading strategies.  I first discussed and showed the other teachers what a wiki was.  Showed them how use one.  I also discussed a few other Web tools.  I invited the teachers to sign up and add their own content ot the wiki.  I hope that they will see the benefit of having a wiki to be to collaborate together. the wiki is posted on PBWorks.  It is called EDRD Reading Strategies.

ISTE Last Day

NETST 1
GaPSC  Standard 3  Element 3.6
The final day was bitter sweet.  I wasn't going to be there long because there was an airplane to catch.  I decided to walk the Exhibit Hall.  Wow!  Talk about huge and how much technology there really is out there for education.  There was a bit for everyone.  For teachers, students, administrator, IT, and anyone in education.  I checked out many booths.  Looked into some of the technology that is already in my school.  I went to check if there were any new upgrades.  Looked around at some of the new things.  I also gather information on some of the technology that has been discussed at my school of possibly obtaining.  I have already shared some with my AP and will continue to discuss the rest of the technology.

ISTE 3rd Day

The Global Learning Imperative:  How do We, as Teachers, Help Empower Our Students to Take Their Learning Experience Global.
NETST 1-4
GaPSC:  Standard 4  Element 4.3

One of the key things is to teacher students empathy.  Have students see things from other people cultural perspective.  "Global Empathy is the missing piece. There times were the schools have no alignment between their mission statements and networking."  (Alan November).

Many schools have a mission statement or vision that they want their students to be global learners.  They want to have students to collaborate with other students in other countries.  But... as many of us teachers have faced when they try to go globally the dreaded "Firewall".  Most teachers are hit with the excuse of District Policy.  Alan November presented a school were the walls came down and the students went globally.  The teachers  were given the ability to access outside the school.  The students were able to connect globally.  The students had lab partners in other countries.  The teachers would teach globally instead of just in their classroom.  The student projects were very student based and the teachers would just facilitate.
Teachers need to talk to their principals and other administrators to see about changing policies.  Having a proper lesson plan to present would help.  Just go for it.  The students are the important factor. 



Student Showcase, Birds-of-Feather and Posters.
NETST 4 -5
GaPSC  Standard 1 Element 1.1

Spent the afternoon looking at student projects done at their schools.  Students from those schools were the ones that presented their own projects.   Went to other sessions were teachers gather to network and share ideas or tools that they use in their classroom.  the teachers were the ones presenting.