Using Web 2.0 for Future Post Secondary Plans

As your eyes are being opened to the mind blowing number of Web 2.0 sites that are currently available, you might wonder how in the world you can use all this "stuff".  Sure most of you know all about several social tools such as Facebook and Twitter to name a few.  Isn't there more?  Isn't there more to Web 2.0 than the coolest new social hangout?  The answer is YES!  Yes, there is more available than you can probably wrap your head around.

I would hate to blow your mind so early in the semester, so we will just take a quick look at a general overview of Web 2.0 and then pick one of those tools you could start using now to get ready for your post secondary plans.

Web 2.0 is a term used to describe a second generation of the Internet/WWW.  This second generation web is interactive and often referred to as the Read Write Web.  Previously, websites were static; this old web, web 1.0, was also called the Read Web.  I bet you can figure out why!  Web 2.0 changes pretty much everything from web design to business to education to friendship circles.  Below you can see a list of some of the popular site types.

TYPE                                            EXAMPLE

Blogs                                             Blogger
Microblog                                     Twitter
Wikis                                             Wikispaces
Social Networking                        Facebook
Social Bookmarking                     Diigo
Podcasting                                    iTunesU
Photo Sharing                               Flickr
Video Sharing                               YouTube

Let's take a close look at one of these, wikis.  Wikis are websites that can easily be built collaboratively using a basic Word type interface for users to edit and create.  How could you use this for your future post secondary plans?  Why not get started creating your own eportfolio?  An eportfolio is an awesome addition to your college applications. 

You can use a free wiki such as wikispaces and begin building today!  By starting before graduation you have time to include numerous files, pictures, and information.  Did you know many college students create eportfolios to accompany their job resumes?  You could consider this your trial run!  Here are some things you might want to include:

About Me
Community Service
Courses
Clubs/Organizations
Letters of Recommendation
Personal Hobbies
Projects
Resume
Recognitions and Awards
Writing

Don't get too bogged down thinking you dont have enough to put in an eportfolio.  Just start with a basic cover page and the "about me" section.  Do have others help edit and give suggestions.  This could help bring in extra cash while applying to college.  My oldest son had great success getting additional money after they viewed his eportfolio, and it wasnt some huge website.  It made him stand out.  If fact they even mentioned that they rarely had someone turn in anything other than the application.  Dont forget to look at other people's portfolios for examples.  Whether they are paper portfolios or eportfolios from high school or college students, they can give you numerous ideas.

Have fun diving into the world of Web 2.0!  There is a whole other world out there!

Blogging 2012

During the fall semester, you will have a blogging assignment each week. We will actually edit this post during class:) The grade on this assignment will focus on different writing skills weekly BUT will be build comprehensively each week.

Revisit today's "Daily journal," what do you think our first skill focus will be? Revisit the links provided and take notes as needed.

How to create a catchy blog opening 
How to create a catchy title

Blogging in similar to what you already do in English classes, except length is typically less than 250 words and it is more interactive in nature because you include links to allow your reader to dive deeper into some of your topics/key words.

Got More Code?

When first beginning the journey of coding, most feel they are looking at a foreign language, but just a few days later you begin to recognize pieces here and there that make sense.  My students have begun traveling this road and just a short time later are creating multiple html/html5 pages.  It didn't take long before various students were finding other codes to integrate with the html.

One such code popping up around the room was javascript, so I invited a guest speaker, Phillip Kilgore, to dig a little deeper into the world of code.  Basically we have been dealing with static webpages, but as we have explored previously, your generation is all about Web 2.0.  What does this mean? You naturally want something dynamic.  Don't you like it more when you can interact with a website, not just read? Well today is your lucky day!  Not only will you have an introduction to javascript, but you will also have a chance to ask about particular elements you would like to add to your webpages (see online classroom for these files).

Did you miss the presentation?  Here is the presentation file to learn more (or even just review).



Are you thinking about majoring in a computer science related field?  Make sure and check out LSUS!  This is where Philip is completing his masters and actually works as a researcher.

Getting Started Coding with HTML

Html files are just normal text files with the extension .htm, .html, or .shtml.  You can think of html as learning how to "talk" to the computer in its language, so it will display what you want.  We will be using Text Wrangler in our class to create the html files.  Let's take a look below at basic html:


<html>
<head>
<title>The title of your webpage goes here</title>
</head>
<body>The body text goes here.  These are the words that appear on your webpage.</body>
</html>

You will begin the document by typing <html>.  This communicates "Attention Computer, I am speaking html to you." You always end the document by communicating "Attention Computer, I have completed talking to you in html."  This is done using </html>.  Numerous html code components are open and shut in the same manner.

A great place to get started learning code is online such as W3Schools and Lisa Explains It.  Once you have a basic understanding of code, you can simply test it out online such as with the Tryit Editor on W3.

Of course the Internet is always changing and the new web standard is actually HTML5.  Don't worry this won't involve too much of a transition.  In fact, You can quickly see the new (and eliminated) code using an HTML5 Tag Reference sheet.

What are some of your favorite html/html5 codes you have tried?

Web Design and Web 2.0

  When you think back to a time without the Internet, it is sometimes hard to remember for some and for others the Internet has always been here.  Have you ever wondered what was the first communication between computers?  lo.  Yes, "lo" was the first transmission in October 1969!  The actual word was "login" but the system crashed after the first two letters were transmitted.  Sometimes a crashing failure is just the beginning of a whole new world!

Being an 80's teen, I can definately remember life without the Internet especially as mainstream as it is now-a-days.  Can you believe that only 1% of information flowing through two way communication in 1993 was from the Internet?  By 2000 this had increased to 51% which was right before the term "web 2.0" was coined by Tim O'Reilly in 2004.  This marked the beginning of a dramatic shift in the Internet.  By 2007 this number was increased to 97%.  Wow, what a difference!

This shift from a read only web, Web 1.0, to a read write web, Web 2.0, has made a dramatic impact on web design.  In the past, the ability to design websites was limited to those with the ability to code using language such as html.  When the shift of the Internet first started, software was being produced to allow people to create websites with no code experience.  People with experience in common software such as PowerPoint could have a website.  Other software such as FrontPage and Dreamweaver was produced for even more control over the design elements.

This Techie Tiders website is a great example of how the shift of the Internet has opened the world of web design to anyone.  Using blogs, wikis, and numerous other online tools allow even people with just basic computer knowledge to have a presence on the web.  Even social networks such as Facebook are being used for websites. 

How else has this Internet shift helped web design?  Just a few years back you would need to purchase software to create dynamic text, edit photos, and so on.  Now you have numerous sites from which to choose.  A great example of this is Photoshop software. There are dozens of site that now allow you to edit photos or create your own images such as Pixlr. There are tons of other examples.  What other ways has Web 2.0 had an effect on web design?

Welcome to Web Design!

Are you excited about getting started on the new semester?  Have you ever felt "out of the loop" with technology?  Ok maybe not as "out of the loop" as the walkman man! LOL

While we discover the world of web design, you will be immersed in everything geeky.  Ok, not everything, but you will discover a world of possibilities outside of Facebook and gaming.

Have you heard of the 365 day project?  Basically it is a project where you document your year through daily pictures.  Numerous sites even have easy ways to post such as Flickr, and others have themes to help you come up with ideas.  Some people have taken the idea and added their own twist, such as Paula Naugle.  She is posting a picture of one tweet from the day that helped her learn and connect with others.

We are going to have our own twist to this project.  You will be in this class for 44 days, so we will run a 44 day techie project.  Each day you will write a blog post including a picture of the day.  This picture will be of something techie from a screen shot of a awesome site to a graphic you have created.  These blog posts can be in our online classroom or you can choose your own platform such as Posterous or Blogger.

I'm looking forward to seeing things through your eyes:)

Techie Tuesday: Online Resources

With the billions of websites out there, it is sometimes hard to find the exact ones you would like to integrate into your daily life.  Where can you go to find the perfect websites?  Sorry, but there isn't a quick answer to this.

Know What You Want

You need to first know for what type of site you are looking.  Maybe you are having trouble keeping up with your favorite websites.  You know the drill.  I found the most awesome site on (insert fav topic here), and now I can't find it. You need a bookmarking site!  I personally love Diigo.  It isn't enough to just sign up for a site. You have to also prepare to use it.  How can you do this?  Here are a couple of examples:

• Use the Browser Add-on for your work and home computer.  This makes it super easy to "click and add" a website.
• Use tags.  By tagging the websites, you are able to search by topic.  It's like your own digital filing cabinet.
• Use your smart phone.  Most smart phones have the capability to automatically save websites to your bookmarking site such as Diigo.  An app will even allow you to access your sites on the go!

Search for What Fits You Best

Maybe you are looking for an online site on which to keep notes.  Honestly you have to search and find the one that fits your style.  Here are a few examples:

• Wikispaces
• LiveBinders
• Diigo
• Evernote
• Google
• Jjot 
• Zoho

Talk to Others

Oh, you want something even more "real life"?  How about couponing?   I'm sure you have watched at least part of an Extreme Couponing episode.  I must admit I have been greatly intrigued by the amount of savings.  I've even tried out a few tricks using the Sunday Circular and weekly sales.  There is a big difference in what I am doing and the $1000 savings you see online, which brings up another key component in finding online resources, TALK to others!  Yes, this seems like a simple option, but sometimes it is used last or not at all.  If you are looking for something, there is someone else that is already using it (or looking for the same).  If you can't find someone, turn to a social site such as twitter and ask others!

FYI Another colleague (friend) and myself have truly been interested in couponing.  We have looked around, but not found the huge deals "like TV".  Through talking, we found out that another one of our colleague's, Peggy Lacobee, is having great success with couponing.  She is actually presenting Techie Tuesday for this week on just that! Here are a few resources she shared:

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/
http://www.couponsthingsbydede.com/
http://coupondivas.com/

What resources would you like to find? Do you have a favorite to share?

Techie Tuesday: Widgets, Widgets, Everywhere

You have finally selected a website name and maybe even found the perfect template. What now? Well, It's time to bring your site alive with the incorporation of widgets!

There are so many options, I think it is easiest to just give you a "get started" list. In no time you will be finding your own!  Many of these can be accessible right from your phone which automatically updates your website.

1). Clustr Map
This is a great way to track visitors to your site. You and your students can easily see traffic and all the countries visiting!

2)  Dropbox
Do you have files you would like to share with your students?  Dropbox allows you to uplaod files to make them accessible for your students.

3)  Google Translator
This is an easy way to make your website translate into another language.  A visitor just selects the desired language via drop down menu.

4)  Google Calendar
This widget allows you to embed your calendar right on your website.

5)  Photos
There are numerous ways to embed your photos directly on your site such as shutterfly, picasa, photo bucket, flickr, and more.

6)  Voki
A talking avatar for your website!  What a fun way to give announcements or welcome visitors to your site;)


There are so many out there from word of the day to measurement converter to a dictionary.  Honestly this list can go on and on and on.  But you dont have time to keep reading all this!  Get out there and try some out yourself;)  Visit Google widgets as well as widget box for more!

What are your favorite widgets?

Student Picks for Rule of Thirds

During this week's WOW time, students posted their favorite rule of thirds photos in our virtual classroom discussion board.  Everyone was able to "like" their favorites.  Are you ready to see the winners?

Taylor S

Claire C

Haley M

Can you pick out how these photos follow the rule of thirds technique? 




Stop back by soon for the leading lines student picks!

Will L

Techie Tuesday: Using Blogger to Create a Class Website

Are you looking for a free, quick way to create a class website and still have the ability to personalize the design?  Blogs are a great way to take your class online.  I recently merged my personal blog, student blog, and class website into one site~the one you are reading now;)

Before you get started, you need to think about a few things:

• Objectives for creating the website
• Know your audience
• Think of possible challenges
• Research

One of the best research avenues is having a variety of examples to get an idea of what you want.  You will also want to look at this as building your own website and follow those basic directions such as what not to do, gathering a list of items to include, plan, and evaluate. While evaluating, make sure you are think about the accessibility of the site.  I am honestly still working on this step, and the previous accessibility link is exactly where I am starting.

 I spent most of my time looking at sample class websites.  After I created a great doodle of what I wanted to include such as pages, column sections, and widgets, I searched and searched for just the right template. You would think this would be easy, but I soon found out that I was pretty picky...ok, I actually knew that, but finding the right artist was a challenge.  Here are some of my favorites:

• http://www.giselejaquenod.com.ar/blog/blogger-templates/
• http://shabbyblogs.com/
• http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/

My absolute favorite was Louise Franks Designs.  She has an awesome collection of free blogger templates, scrapbook kits to make your own, and  even Blogger tutorials.  If you have seen my classroom, you know she has "hit the nail on the head" with the design she created for my class website!!

Well, it's time for you to go get started! My class would love to visit your site when finished or as it evolves, so post a comment with it's link.

Pictures Can Say a Thousand Words

The following post is by our student guest blogger, Anterrica M. 


Photography can be a very interesting thing!  Most people think photography is capturing things that are happening at the moment, something people do for a living, or even just picking up a camera and taking a picture of themselves.  This is all true, but photography can be way more than that.  Photography is a type of art.  Most people do not realize that photographs and paintings are very closely related, and pictures can say a thousand words.

Photography is more than just picking up a camera and aiming at something.  There are many techniques that come along with the art form of photography.  The "Rule of Thirds" is one technique where you imagine that the image is divided into a tic-tac-toe board.  This tic-tac-toe board consist of two horizontal lines, as well as two vertical.  These lines can be used when capturing a picture of a person.  You should line their eyes up on one of the horizontal lines.  If you are capturing some type of tall object, you should line it up on either of the vertical lines.

By the way, have you ever noticed that all of the parts in a picture go together? I thought this was a very cool concept.

Organizing Your Wire Chaos

Are you suffering from wire choas? For some of us, the more geeky we become the more our life is taken over by masses of crazy cables for each gadget we own.  In a 21st century classroom, this can be especially true due to buildings not equipped for all this fabulous technology integration.  You can only imagine the crazy chaos of cables being magnified with the addition of extension cords, surge protectors, and more extension cords.

As teachers, we search for the most cost effective solution for our everyday issues, so why should wire choas be any different.  Here are a couple of free ways to organize your technology cables with ease:

1)  Bread Ties Labeling 

2)  Binder Clips organize the cables to stay off the floor

3)  Paper Towel rolls, swimming noodles, or zip ties organize the cables in neat sections.

4)  Create your own charging station from a shoebox wrapped in your favorite scrapbook paper.

Even though it is great to find free ways to organize your cables, there are two that are worth mentioning that are relatively inexpensive.

1)  USB Wall Socket

2)  Hidden Surge Protector





Of course this is just a quick view into the multiple ways you can organize your wire chaos.  What are your favorite ways to organize your geeky gadgets?

Welcome to the 2011-2012 School Year!

9/6/2011 UPDATE:  The new class website is almost complete!  If you recently found us, please check back in a week!!

Are you ready for the new school year?  This site is currently under construction, but will be up-and-running very soon.  New for this year, this site will be used as both our school website and blog! For the first week of school (Unit 1), we mainly focus on our online classroom which is located at http://mindenhighschool.edu20.org .  The Edu 2.0 site is our class LMS similar to Blackboard and Moodle which you will use in college.

We will begin using this page during our 2nd unit when we become immersed in the World Wide Web and Online Communities!

I'm looking forward to an awesome year;)

Diigo Links (weekly)

• I Education Apps Review - iDevice Initiatives - Schools

  Been meaning to add this to IEAR for a while ... Schools doing iDevice Initiatives - http://www.iear.org/idevice-initiatives-schools/ #iear
  – Scott Meech (smeech) http://twitter.com/smeech/status/46325789259595776

  tags: twitter iear packrati.us

• Visual Notes from My Digital Literacy Course | Angela Maiers Educational Services, Inc.

  RT @surreallyno: Visual Notes by an amazing student http://tiny.cc/hi2v0 by @AngelaMaiers plus Digital Literacy Course (module 1) slide ...

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• New eBook from @SimpleK12 - Integrating Podcasts Into the Classroom: http://bit.ly/hiFLHN #edtech

  New eBook from @SimpleK12 - Integrating Podcasts Into the Classroom: http://bit.ly/hiFLHN #edtech
  – Kyle B. Pace (kylepace) http://twitter.com/kylepace/status/46152283909664768

  tags: twitter packrati.us edtech

• Recommended Link from Russel Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk

  'iTunes university' better than the real thing - http://tinyurl.com/lmy46c
  – russeltarr (russeltarr) http://twitter.com/russeltarr/status/46178822734880770

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Facebook's New Anti-Bullying Tools Create a

  Facebook’s New Anti-Bullying Tools Create a “Culture of Respect” http://on.mash.to/e2WNjg #edchat #cpchat
  – Eric Sheninger (NMHS_Principal) http://twitter.com/NMHS_Principal/status/46017032264753152

  tags: cpchat twitter packrati.us edchat

• Reinforce the Writing Process through Musical Creation

  Reinforce the Writing Process through Musical Creation http://goo.gl/fb/DLj4a
  – TheInspiredClassroom (inspired_clsrm) http://twitter.com/inspired_clsrm/status/45800568874221569

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Blooms & MI

  Livebinder of Blooms resources - just a start atm http://ow.ly/4byXH
  – pam_thompson (pam_thompson) http://twitter.com/pam_thompson/status/45822487325446144
  RT @pam_thompson: Livebinder of Blooms resources - just a start atm http://ow.ly/4byXH

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Helping Hands for Hannah

  HELPING HANDS our students are trying to help a little girl in need by selling $1 "hands" PLEASE READ http://t.co/0TGNMkQ
  & RT
  HELPING HANDS our students are trying to help a little girl in need by selling $1 "hands" PLEASE READ http://t.co/1DLZ39W
  & RT

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Ten Sites Supporting iPads In Education… A Post Of Resources! | 21 st Century Educational Technology and Learning

  RT @21stcentskills: Ten Sites Supporting iPads in Education . . . . A Post of Resources http://bit.ly/eLzOkE Great learning tool. Will ...

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Coming Together to Give Schools a Boost - NYTimes.com

  RT @TraciGere: Great #measurement case study! Data used as a tool for progress in education, not punishment http://ow.ly/4auIr
  Great #measurement case study! Data used as a tool for progress in education, not punishment http://ow.ly/4auIr
  – Traci Gere (TraciGere) http://twitter.com/TraciGere/status/45290437984006144

  tags: measurement twitter packrati.us

• Edudemic » The 25 Best School Websites

  Edudemic » The 25 Best School Websites http://ow.ly/4bkpj @FullSail is on this list
  – Chris Johnston (chrisjohnston) http://twitter.com/chrisjohnston/status/45657626402496512

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Return to Sender -- THE Journal

  Good argument for the integration of #edtech in schools http://bit.ly/hNowGk #edchat #cpchat
  – Eric Sheninger (NMHS_Principal) http://twitter.com/NMHS_Principal/status/45464202390945792

  tags: cpchat twitter packrati.us edchat edtech

• 15 Apps for Recording Skype Conversations (RT @russeltarr)

  15 Apps for Recording Skype Conversations: http://tinyurl.com/ocoshq
  – russeltarr (russeltarr) http://twitter.com/russeltarr/status/45317906338291712

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• High School Students

  High School Students rejoice! http://bit.ly/dGGboB
  – Patrick Higgins (pjhiggins) http://twitter.com/pjhiggins/status/44589012895277056

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Hamlet's Facebook Page: Nice classroom idea for historical/literary characters (RT @russeltarr)

  RT @russeltarr: Hamlet's Facebook Page: Nice classroom idea for historical/literary characters: http://tinyurl.com/yzevs42

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Learning with 'e's: 2020 Vision

  RT @timbuckteeth: 2020 Vision: http://bit.ly/f3XKtp What do you think education will look like in 2020? #learning2020

  tags: twitter packrati.us learning2020

• Google to Provide Virtual Tours of 19 World Heritage Sites (RT @russeltarr)

  RT @russeltarr: Google to Provide Virtual Tours of 19 World Heritage Sites: http://tinyurl.com/yhn62zv
  Google to Provide Virtual Tours of 19 World Heritage Sites: http://tinyurl.com/yhn62zv
  – russeltarr (russeltarr) http://twitter.com/russeltarr/status/44396833178533888

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• The Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning: Online Consulting Resources

  tags: portfolio

• Teaching Portfolio

  tags: portfolio

• Creating a Teaching Portfolio | The Teaching Center

  tags: portfolio

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Are You Ready? Jump In...

Are you ready to jump into elearning? WE ARE! At our local high school, we have begun building a self paced online learning environment.

As mentioned previously, we are using Edu 2.0 as our LMS platform. Where are we receiving direction? I'm glad you asked! If you have ever thought of jumping into elearning, below are some must have resources. Best of all, they are FREE.

• eBooks via The eLearning Guild


• "How to" via iNACOL


• Standards for Program, Teachers, and Courses


• Content Standards via Common Core

Why are we traveling this adventure?  OUR STUDENTS;)  Even though we are currently running a "rough pilot" of what we will officially begin next year, there have been numerous successes.  In fact my next post will be on just that...student success!

Diigo Links (weekly)

• John Burroughs High School Academic Honesty Policy

  tags: honesty plagiarism elearning

• Interactivate: Activities

  Fantastic #math interactives http://bit.ly/YwOob #education
  – Eric Sheninger (NMHS_Principal) http://twitter.com/NMHS_Principal/status/39011699168260097

  tags: education twitter math packrati.us

• Get The Math

  Algebra 1 teachers should share this website with their students http://www.thirteen.org/get-the-math/.
  – Paula Naugle (plnaugle) http://twitter.com/plnaugle/status/38998163142623232

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Best Lesson Plan Websites

  I just updated my Top 12 Lesson Plan Websites / http://tinyurl.com/mnb667 #edtech #K12
  – Heidi Reina (LearningReviews) http://twitter.com/LearningReviews/status/37627607604400128

  tags: twitter K12 packrati.us edtech

• Hottest Apps used by Apple Distinguished Educators

  More apps...
  
  http://www.adesontheweb.com/ADEs_on_the_Web/ADE_Hottest_Apps_Blog/ADE_Hottest_Apps_Blog.html

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• I Education Apps Review - I Education Apps Review - Mobile Learning Devices / iPads (iPod Touches) as 1-to-1 Solutions for teacher and or students? Is this practical?

  Mobile Learning Devices / iPads (iPod Touches) as 1-to-1 Solutions for teacher and students? Is this practical? http://bit.ly/fceAB9 #iear
  – Scott Meech (smeech) http://twitter.com/smeech/status/38622415458271232

  tags: twitter iear packrati.us

• YouTube - A Football Game Gives Hope

  This is my kind of football team:) Everyone is somebody!!
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52AOPQvCTv4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• How Bill Gates' Favorite Teacher Wants to Disrupt Education | Fast Company

  How Bill Gates' Favorite Teacher Wants to Disrupt Education http://bit.ly/fqyKed
  – Fast Company (fastcompany) http://twitter.com/fastcompany/status/38389987728818176

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Facilitating Online – WikiEducator « TaiChi that's me!

  Facilitating Online - WikiEducator http://wp.me/p1dmuA-1a
  – Jane Scripps (acethat) http://twitter.com/acethat/status/38423738529615872

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• YouTube - PS22 Chorus "LANDSLIDE" Fleetwood Mac (acoustic version)

  RT @wmchamberlain: This is the reason why the arts need to be a part of schools: http://youtu.be/f2p5augniQA Passion needs to be a sign ...

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• FaciliTips

  RT @jenny_wood: Quick tips for online facilitation: http://www.fullcirc.com/community/facilitips.htm #yam
  Quick tips for online facilitation: http://www.fullcirc.com/community/facilitips.htm #yam
  – Jenny Wood (jenny_wood) http://twitter.com/jenny_wood/status/38466911008329729

  tags: twitter packrati.us yam

• Free online teleprompter.

  Had students practicing speeches for their English classes using http://cueprompter.com. ICT classes becoming cross-curricular!
  – Peter Vogel (PeterVogel) http://twitter.com/PeterVogel/status/38314095862087680

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Some Resources For Moving Beyond Textbooks | Connected Principals

  RT @gcouros: Some Resources For Moving Beyond Textbooks | #cpchat http://bit.ly/fk9Irl #edchat
  – Kyle B. Pace (kylepace) http://twitter.com/kylepace/status/38086900136943616

  tags: cpchat twitter packrati.us edchat

• Digital Literacy Tour

  for educators - from Google & iKeepSafe: 'Digital Literacy Tour' http://bit.ly/anKixF (a useful resource) #yam
  – Colin Warren (colwar) http://twitter.com/colwar/status/38169775083487232

  tags: yam twitter packrati.us

• bit.ly statistics for (teachwithyouripad - home)

  RT @nathan_stevens: Adding more ipad projection apps to the wiki http://bit.ly/aUwlpA+ Several apps added VGA #edapp #apps #mlearning #e ...
  RT @nathan_stevens: Adding more ipad projection apps to the wiki http://bit.ly/aUwlpA+ Several apps added VGA
  – J. Brown (techieteacher) http://twitter.com/techieteacher/status/38038337059164160

  tags: e twitter apps packrati.us mlearning edapp

• Student Agreement Form

  tags: studentcontract elearning

• Recording posted of interview with David Perkins on Making Learning Whole. http://bit.ly/dV005U

  Recording posted of interview with David Perkins on Making Learning Whole. http://bit.ly/dV005U
  – Steve Hargadon (stevehargadon) http://twitter.com/stevehargadon/status/37705776923414528

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Facilitating Online 2011: Are you ready for FO2011?

  Are you ready for Facilitating Online 2011? http://facilitatingonlinecommunities.blogspot.com/2011/02/areyoureadyforfo2011.html #FO2011
  – SarahStewart (SarahStewart) http://twitter.com/SarahStewart/status/37709749311115264

  tags: FO2011 twitter packrati.us

• SMART Board

  Using Smart Boards? Here is a LiveBinder w/ some good resources http://is.gd/F0TtbZ #yorkdukes #iwb
  – Maryna Badenhorst (marynabadenhors) http://twitter.com/marynabadenhors/status/37477849522774016

  tags: yorkdukes twitter iwb packrati.us

• Google Apps for ePortfolios

  ePortfolios in google http://bit.ly/gonH7r #guug11
  – Matthew Mobbs (mjmobbs) http://twitter.com/mjmobbs/status/37471669039661056

  tags: guug11 twitter packrati.us

• A Smaller, Cheaper iPhone Is Coming | The Atlantic Wire

  RT @Larryferlazzo: "A Smaller, Cheaper iPhone Is Coming" The Atlantic http://bit.ly/gQerzs

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Created by Russell Stanard for www.teachertrainingvideos.com

  Screen casts for using blogger. Very complete http://bit.ly/RXZw3 #tesol #blogging #efl #elt
  – Russell Stannard (russell1955) http://twitter.com/russell1955/status/37224837625679872

  tags: elt efl twitter tesol blogging packrati.us

• storiescomealive - greenscreening

  #petec2011 - Green Screening for Dummies - http://tinyurl.com/4azwvj6 full house this late in the day!
  – Al Tucker (altucker) http://twitter.com/altucker/status/37252925117960193

  tags: twitter petec2011 packrati.us

• ipad2educate - home

  http://bit.ly/fMhJE5 Very useful wiki on iPads in education from @rboltz & @amyjshoemaker #petec2011 #1to1
  – Rich Kiker (rkiker) http://twitter.com/rkiker/status/37125802386530306

  tags: twitter petec2011 packrati.us 1to1

• Suspended for Blogging… Here we go again! | TechIntersect

  RT @billgx: Another teacher suspended for blogging. http://goo.gl/p7pxf Do we really want to discourage teacher blogs? Doing a good job. ...

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Tech Tools Used to Boost Literacy - National Writing Project

  Tech Tools Used to Boost Literacy - National Writing Project http://t.co/Kdwtvvh #nwp
  – KevinHodgson (dogtrax) http://twitter.com/dogtrax/status/36749809633198081

  tags: nwp twitter packrati.us

• Into the Book: Teaching Reading Comprehension Strategies

  Anyone use Into the Book with students http://bit.ly/uXOlw Great strategies to improve comprehension. #elemchat
  – Paula Naugle (plnaugle) http://twitter.com/plnaugle/status/36554170848772097

  tags: twitter elemchat packrati.us

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Quick Exit?

Have you been called to a meeting just to learn of a new project so vast it will take years to complete? In the back of your mind, you know a quick exit is in order, but you stay. Why? You know kids will be reached. You see the big picture. Most importantly, your brain has already etched pictures of students needing this opportunity.

What is the project? A self paced eLearning opportunity for students.  Before you start to chuckle to your self, yes, I realize the astronomical amount of work ahead.  Unfortunately, so do my two colleagues also called to the meeting and they both have one foot out the door.  I too was standing on the threshold needing to get a better grasp of the project and more importantly make sure we are on the same page with administration.

Our principal's directions were pretty broad which gave us lots of room for "out of the box" thinking and creating.  Basically, she wanted a self paced academy for students at risk of dropping out. Seat time has been waived by the state of Louisiana, student schedules would be flexible, and a strong career component was needed. Oh, and she wanted it to begin in a little over a month with a few students.

My colleagues (and friends), Caroline Croad and Ashley Hooter, and myself began to brainstorm over the next few days to discover how this would look for our students.  This was followed by general research to present back to administration to ensure we are all on the same page prior to moving forward.

What was our general rough sketch?

• Start small and double in size each year until reach max


• Full running program will take at least three years due to non funding and approximately 200 hours needed to create each course


• Change student focus group from only at-risk to a variety including TOPS and early graduation needs at an approximate 50% ratio between at-risk and non at-risk students


• Courses offered based on Career Diploma and TOPS/Core 4


• Interactive elearning format addressing higher order thinking skills not just software based


• Use of our existing LMS  - Edu 2.0


• Integrate PBL possibly through a cross curricular project per semester


• Existing credit recovery software, A+ would be a supplement while we are developing courses, but they would have resources available via LMS.


• Career component will be a key component

We didn't take a quick exit.  In fact, we are pretty excited about the possibilities.  This gives you only a brief look into our project, but we will update regularly.

Do you have any tips or ideas? We would love to hear them!

Diigo Links (weekly)

• What Are the Seven Reading Comprehension Strategies? (RT @russeltarr)

  What Are the Seven Reading Comprehension Strategies?: http://tinyurl.com/ykevbdz
  – russeltarr (russeltarr) http://twitter.com/russeltarr/status/31365967699251201

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• ktitraci - home

  .@4goggas woops here is link to good tech, glog resource wiki http://ktitraci.wikispaces.com/ #educon
  – Melissa Techman (mtechman) http://twitter.com/mtechman/status/31352031838998529

  tags: twitter educon packrati.us

• Welcome to Prekindergarten...the Right Beginning!

  Pre-made boardmaker/PowerPoint materials (use resource link) - http://prekese.dadeschools.net/
  – Chris Bugaj (attipscast) http://twitter.com/attipscast/status/31362062751895552

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/01/prweb4995504.htm

  Apps for children with special needs are showcased at the #Macworld 2011 #Mobile Apps showcase http://ht.ly/3KdfX #EdApps #EdApp #mhealth
  – Smarty Ears SLP Apps (SmartyEars) http://twitter.com/SmartyEars/status/30054322653888512

  tags: EdApps Macworld twitter mhealth Mobile packrati.us EdApp

• Tidertechie

  New Blog Post: Feeding My Addition http://tidertechie.edublogs.org/

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• jenniferbarnett - My Web Wardrobe

  RT @PeterVogel: RT @JenniferBarnett: My Web Wardrobe - Your Classroom's Digital Dress for Success http://bit.ly/dihbZy Very creative!

  tags: twitter packrati.us

• Introduction to Stats Course

  tags: probability and statistics elearning

• RSS Feed for the outstanding YouTube videos for history teachers #historyteacher (RT @russeltarr)

  RSS Feed for the outstanding YouTube videos for history teachers #historyteacher: http://tinyurl.com/62634vs
  – russeltarr (russeltarr) http://twitter.com/russeltarr/status/29131246026104834

  tags: historyteacher twitter packrati.us

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Feeding My Addiction

My addiction to High School Reform began many years ago when my then principal, Mr. Morris Busby, purchased the SRN study kit. Nowadays you can find thousands of resources focused on High School Reform from around the world. But most include at least one of the following:

• Data driven


• Small schools (or school within schools) with around 200 students


• Personalization


• Rigor


• Relevance


• Establishment and regular integration of stakeholders

My first large scale high school reform project was the creation of a Freshman Academy which was the vision of my current principal. After a field trip to Zachary Freshman Academy, a group of us knew this was for our school.  We started planning immediately, literally on the car ride back home.  Several months of planning passed including data analysis, research, and too many meetings to count. Though some key planned elements weren't able to be integrated, the first two years were filled with success:

• 82% promotion rate to 10th grade (baseline)


• 92% promotion rate to 10th grade


• 93% promotion rate to 10th grade

My key involvement ended at this time.  Unfortunately numerous elements changed school-wide and items were still not integrated during the third year, and we were back to where we started data wise (actually worse). Three constants still remain dedicated teachers, 1:1 technology integration, and the belief that a fully integrated academy would work. Hopefully when our first Freshman Academy students graduated next year, we will be able to revisit the original plan and  fully implement. The proof is in the numbers;)

What does the Freshman Academy need? Honestly just some of the basic components:  location back on their own wing, class size around 22, scheduling where core teachers share same students (two "teams"), and HEAT, Help Eliminate Academic Tardies (for students not completing work).

So how am I currently feeding my reform addiction?  Well, I'm a computer education teacher.  If you were currently looking for a US public high school without internet access, it might be a case for Sherlock Holmes. Yet in 1994 only 35 percent of all public school had internet access.  Likewise elearning is starting to become a staple in higher education facilities. How long before the same is true in high schools around the world?

Well, that time is now for Minden High School. We are currently creating an online academy.  It is set up as a "school within a school" so we never plan to enroll over around 200, but are starting slow with ten students. Stay turn for a walk through on this experience!  Do you have any experience with elearning? If so, what tips do you have?

Diigo Links (weekly)

• Personalized Baby Gifts at Personal Creations

  tags: baby gifts christmas

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.