Yes Tech!

A first grade teacher in my district just got a new webcam and is anxious to post some video on her classroom blog.  She asked me if I knew how to use Flixn.  I’ve never heard of it, so I figured I’d give it a try.  The program is very easy to use!  And it does not even require a log-in.  I look really tired and am having a bad hair day, so I apologize.  However, if you are a blogger and have a webcam, this program is worth taking a look.

Kudos to Barb, who has her first graders writing more than ever before… due to her blog.  The students love getting comments and sharing their writing with others. If you have a moment, they would love for you to make a comment.  Thanks!

Jean Buller, a sixth grade teacher at Clifford Smart Middle School, assigned her students to write songs to go along with the astronomy unit they were studying.  When I heard of this, I encouraged Jean to podcast.  With some brief training, Jean was using Audacity to record the students, converting to mp3s and posting the files to her website.  I had the pleasure of assisting her for a portion of the day while the students were performing.  The students really enjoyed watching their classmates sing their songs.   They were also very excited to be able to share their creative works with their family and friends!  Jean reported that her students did remarkably well on the unit test and she attributes their success to this activity.  

I happened to have my Flip videocamera in my purse (I don’t go anywhere without it… I never know when I might need it!)  One group of students had choreographed a dance to go with their song.  I grabbed them and took them into the hall to record their performance on video.  Enjoy!

A 4th grade classroom in my district is blogging - teacher and students!  Their blog is called Team 401 and is hosted by Blogmeister.  A 4th grade teacher in California saw it and invited the class to become pen pals with her class.  The students left comments about the idea and want to do it.  I will enjoy seeing the effects of their blogging experience this year.  Check it out!

A high school geometry teacher in my district is now podcasting (actually his students are).  The students have published three episodes and have done a fantastic job explaining what they have learned.  Please visit and add an encouraging comment.   http://gtreehouse.podbean.com/ 

This entry will be unique for me; no mention of technology.  I just stumbled upon the blog of CaliforniaTeacherGuy and want to spead his idea, because I think it is brilliant.   In an effort to encourage his students to think and to voice their opinion, he has banned the words “I don’t know” from being verbalized in his classroom.  Instead, his students can substitute the phrase, “I’m not sure, but I think…” 

I wish I had a classroom to try out his theory, because I think this simple rule would make a tremendous impact in creating a culture of learning and risk-taking (they go hand-in-hand).  This idea is just as good as substituting “What questions do you have?” for “Do you have any questions?”

I urge any classroom teachers who read this blog to try these two strategies for a week or so and see what happens.  I’d love to hear how it goes.

Sarah Banks Middle School is one of Michigan’s Freedom to Learn (Laptop Program) Showcase Sites for the 2006-2007 school year. Winning applications were those that showed successful implementation of one to one teaching and learning so that powerful technology and instructional integration are fundamental to the classroom. Requirements included having effective, vision-into-action teams (principals, teachers, technology coordinators), who have overwhelmingly demonstrated technology integration best practices. The FTL team at Sarah Banks Middle School have committed to providing core activities that will be offered statewide. 6th grade teachers Mark Lada and Randy Micallef use interactive whiteboards, tablet PCs, videoconferencing, and the CPS the evaluation system as part of their instructional practices. Additionally, students and teachers are podcasting and creating instructional video.

To learn more about the events and support that will be offered in 2007, please visit the FTL Showcase website. We extend an open invitation for administrators, technology personnel, and teachers to visit. We can also set up a videoconference or chat session if you are unable to come to Walled Lake.

 Today I worked with Katharine  Keeble-Chapman, the Media  Specialist/Computer Resource Teacher at Maple  Elementary School. Katharine wanted to learn  more about podcasting. She was amazed to learn  that the process is quite easy. Together we  planned and recorded the first “Podcasting is Elementary” audio clip. Katharine plans to use it to introduce the idea of podcasting with a group of 5th graders. She believes that the students will be anxious to create their own podcasts in the near future! Listen to our podcast, “An Introduction to Podcasting.”