Thanks for the invite. I read that you are a technology specialist. My title was computer intergrator. I taught computers to 1st-6th graders. I mostly worked with teachers and melded computer skills with the curriculum. My job was cut and now I teach 4th grade. I miss technology but I also like the challenges of 4th grade. What does your job entail?
Thanks for the invite Elizabeth. Technology is the up and coming thing (or rather it is already here) for school. About 4 years ago, we were told about the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in our district and how they were creating newletters, websites, etc. I can remember asking our school board what would happen by the time those kids got to 7th and 8th grade. I was "assured" technology would be there for them. Hah! Our laptop labs are falling apart because they are so old and used. Many of our teachers know nothing about computers....but they are learning since we now are mandated to put grades and lesson plans on the computer. We have LCD projectors, but they are always in use and you need to book one a month in advance. SMART boards are great, but they too are unavailable. I need technology for use in the classroom...especially for my special ed kids.
thanks for the invite! enjoyed reading your blog here. lots of food for thought. how do you manage with so many ongoing ict projects? i'm really amazed. are your teachers as enthusiastic about using ict tools as you? over here, it's been an uphill task getting teachers to use them.
I just read your discussion entry on being famous and I had to laugh because I too had that dream ever since I was a little kid. We used to put on pretend concerts in my neighborhood just to be on stage. Later, I was in a fairly successful college band and thought that was my ticket, but alas...no. I gave up on the dream when reality set in and I got busy with work.
Then recently/unexpectedly, I was thrown into the spotlight and discovered how unnerving it can be. I am adjusting, but it was hard to go from quietly doing my job in the classroom to talking on news shows.
Fame is a funny concept. It really amounts to people paying attention to you; and we all experience it at different levels during different times in our life. What's important is that people are paying attention to you for good reasons. You have quite an audience in 2.0 and are clearly offering sage advice and reflections. So you have achieved fame.
I like your idea of a blog reflecting on what it's like being teacher of the year. I'll put one up at some point. At first it was complete craziness. There were tons of cameras at the event and I gave many interviews for TV, radio (WBZ & NPR), and newspapers. Later I appeared on a few radio shows to talk about the award and the profession. I then appeared on the Chet Curtis report on NECN.
Things have quieted down a bit now, but will pick up when my contact information is released to every school district in the state. Then I'll begin traveling to give workshops, lectures, etc.
It is very fun, but my workload is going to increase 10-fold. It is no longer a sabbatical year. I continue to work in my classroom on top of all the traveling. However, I wouldn't trade it for the world.
I'd love to hear your opinions on my living textbook website. It contains a lot of questions that I hope promote critical thinking. The address is http://www.pass-ed.com/Living-Textbook.html.
Hi Elizabeth,
Your blog is wonderful and thought-provoking. Thanks so much for replying to the posting on Dweck and leaving a link to your blog. Upon your recommendation, I got and read Mindset (I'd mostly read about Dweck, and had read a number of her shorter articles). You're right--that book should be read by all educators and parents. I'm planning to go over a lot of her stuff with the kids in my class as well.
(Hey--we could design some lessons together for the kids, about Mindsets...want to?)
Anyhow, thanks for your thoughts!!
Thanks for the invitation, Liz, oh, and you recommended Mindset and I bought it and am enjoying it. Now have to add you to my Twitter list, too. -- Pamela
How interesting - p.d. on the basis of the book. Especially in our field of ed tech, mindset can be a stickler, can't it. So freeing that up - wow. Another old book I keep going back to, which isn't new but just makes sense, is "The Human Side of School Change - Reform, Resistance and the Real Life Problems of Innovation" by Robert Evans.
Him Liz,
I too have seen the "When I Become a Teacher" video at recent workshops/trainings. I know what you mean about wondering how teachers will take it. As far as how's it's used when presented to teachers, I think Mark Benno, self proclaimed "Curriculum Evangelist" and Apple guru, used it best. After showing the video during a session he called “Teaching and Learning for Tomorrow and Today” he connected to moments in the video when the audience laughed. He said ( I took notes), “I can tell by your laughter that you probably recognize some of these teachers from neighboring counties.” and “I can also tell by your laughter that like me you taught with the teacher who taught for 1 year 25 times.” I thought he deflected and diffused well. The segue worked and I wondered what does our laughter show us? How can we use that when working with teachers to lighten tough discussions? Just thinking about it.
I work with folks in TeacherLine. PBS Teachers includes TeacherLine, Shop PBS for Teachers and the PBS Teachers Web site. My focus is on the site and working with producers to help them create high quality classroom resources associated with primetime programming.
Hi Liz, I'm so glad you are enjoying "The Human Side ..." book. My copy has tiny post it notes and folder over pages - but your posting makes me go back to it now. It was recommended to me by a LS head who recommended it in response to my frustration at integrating tech.
Hi Elizabeth - on your FirstClass question: I teach online at Antioch University and they are looking to get rid of FirstClass just as soon as they can and move to a newer, full featured system. Even Microsoft Outlook would be an improvement. I used FirstClass as a base system for online teaching - it has a system that used "conferences" or containers with names for groups to submit mail messages. The owner of the conference can set privileges for anyone who wants to use the conference. Lots of menus and boxes to check....very clunky in my opinion and hard for users to add materials such as powerpoints and videos. That's my experience...
Yes! I really want to collaborate. We could use google docs if you'd like, or any form of communication. Getting some Dweck lessons--or mindset lessons--or creative-passionate-risk-taking-learner lessons would be very meaningful. I'm open to anything; would really like to work with you.
Help
I just joined and started an intro but I hit a return or tab and I guess posted the incomplete intro and now I cannot find the thing to finish it. Can you direct me to it or is it just that there is a delay in posting?
Thanks
hello!! stumbled across your site first after i joined and found it interesting. Curious as to if your school allows your students to create Gmail accounts. Also we are also planning of starting a book review database and would love to hear how it is going.
Thanks for your message. Yes I have a page over at Joyce Valenza's Ning...sadly don't get over there that much. For some reason this one seems more compelling to me at the moment! I am also busy with a couple of wikis related to work, my own wiki and also a blog, and some MySpace sites. Plus Twitter! I am really enjoying that! In the last few days I have had time to play around with the sites more than usual. Starting Monday it is back to office hours and work at my real job, not that all this is not job related! Thanks again for stopping by my new little place!
Hello Elizabeth, I spent many years near Watertown (in Newton and Boston) while I was an undergrad at Emerson in the Back Bay. Thank-you for your work and efforts as a host of this wonderful community of educators-technologists. Regards, Arnie
Sorry, I meant subject music. You have math, reading, art, etc., but no music. I am a music teacher and would love to invite my music teacher friends, but I'm sure they would be able to blog easier if we had a music area to go to. Does that make more sense? Thanks for the quick responce.
Great, Elizabeth. That's exactly what I was recommending. Summer has traditionally be a slow time for MASCD, but if you want to chat about potential presentations, I could talk to people I know and get back to you with options you can consider.
Skype ID: drichards1
Hi Elizabeth, I'm new at this classroom 2.0 business and wonder how I can send a message to the people who have accepted me as a friend? Do I need to send emails separately or is there a link to email all my friends or something like that?
Hi Liz, No sooner had I sent the message to you than I found out how to do it exactly the way you just mentioned. Many thanks though in getting back to me.
Hi Liz, can you tell me how to add tabs at the top of the page that are hyperlinked like resources wiki (external link) and faq (internal link)? I have a ning site where I want to do the same.
Thanks, Dennis
I thought you might find this Web 2.0 periodic table interesting. Full integration with Wikipedia and lots of data visualization on the Properties tab. Ptable.com
I'm a high school teacher working to create a semester-long course for freshmen in 21st century skills. We're using the ISTE standards as a start and are now working on what students will actually do. I have many ideas, but figured there must be something like this already going on somewhere. Do you have any tips about building a course like this? Thank you.
Enjoying following and learning from you on Twitter! Your work is very, very helpful - and you often provide the very resources I really NEED! I'm just joining Classroom 2.0, so befriend me, please!
Hi, Liz. how about the book set in New Zealand, The Whale Rider, do you know it? I'd like to get my English students in touch with some kiwis via wiki. Any advice?
Our space: http://wiki-land.wikispaces.com
Since your looking for Web 2.0 APPs I recommend you take a look at WiZiQ's virtual classroom and authorSTREAM's Web based power point viewing platform.
Well, you're right. There does seem to be a problem. I'm going to submit a trouble ticket right now. When I change the main page's forum view to list discussions by "newest discussions" yours is right up there (btw, I deleted the duplicate if you're wondering). But when I change the view to latest activity (meaning, the top discussion was either posted or commented on most recently), many of the discussions seem to disappear.
Hi, Elizabeth! I forgot to add a personal message when I sent the colleague request. (Can I blame it on having too much turkey?)
I am an Instructional Technology Coach for 3 elementary schools in a rural system in Georgia. I, too, am interested in bringing Web 2.0 tools to the classroom.
Just wanted to introduce myself... I look forward to working with you!
HI Elizabeth,
I just got the go-ahead to design an elective class for our highschool about technology tools for college bound. Did you ever develop any type of consensus about what you might offer? I would love to hear any ideas you came up with-I am just in the planning stages.
Matt Clausen
Apr 23, 2007
Robert Parks
What do you teach? What age group and subjects?
Bob
May 6, 2007
Leigh Belair
I would love to discuss the role of technology in the classroom with you sometime...
Leigh
May 20, 2007
Mr. Parisi
Thanks for the invite. I read that you are a technology specialist. My title was computer intergrator. I taught computers to 1st-6th graders. I mostly worked with teachers and melded computer skills with the curriculum. My job was cut and now I teach 4th grade. I miss technology but I also like the challenges of 4th grade. What does your job entail?
May 20, 2007
Connie Walsh
May 20, 2007
yunise
May 20, 2007
Paul Fairbrother
Paul
May 21, 2007
eraser
May 21, 2007
Mary Woodard
May 21, 2007
Ray Tolley
I'm desperately trying to find out about how VLEs are being implemented in schools - everywhere.
If you have any opinions or know of anybody with views aboput VLEs or PLEs please let me know.
You're doing some exciting things, keep up the good work!
Ray T
May 21, 2007
Mike F.
I just read your discussion entry on being famous and I had to laugh because I too had that dream ever since I was a little kid. We used to put on pretend concerts in my neighborhood just to be on stage. Later, I was in a fairly successful college band and thought that was my ticket, but alas...no. I gave up on the dream when reality set in and I got busy with work.
Then recently/unexpectedly, I was thrown into the spotlight and discovered how unnerving it can be. I am adjusting, but it was hard to go from quietly doing my job in the classroom to talking on news shows.
Fame is a funny concept. It really amounts to people paying attention to you; and we all experience it at different levels during different times in our life. What's important is that people are paying attention to you for good reasons. You have quite an audience in 2.0 and are clearly offering sage advice and reflections. So you have achieved fame.
Jul 12, 2007
Mike F.
I like your idea of a blog reflecting on what it's like being teacher of the year. I'll put one up at some point. At first it was complete craziness. There were tons of cameras at the event and I gave many interviews for TV, radio (WBZ & NPR), and newspapers. Later I appeared on a few radio shows to talk about the award and the profession. I then appeared on the Chet Curtis report on NECN.
Things have quieted down a bit now, but will pick up when my contact information is released to every school district in the state. Then I'll begin traveling to give workshops, lectures, etc.
It is very fun, but my workload is going to increase 10-fold. It is no longer a sabbatical year. I continue to work in my classroom on top of all the traveling. However, I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Jul 14, 2007
Andrew Pass
I'd love to hear your opinions on my living textbook website. It contains a lot of questions that I hope promote critical thinking. The address is http://www.pass-ed.com/Living-Textbook.html.
Thanks for your help.
Aug 3, 2007
Connie Weber
Your blog is wonderful and thought-provoking. Thanks so much for replying to the posting on Dweck and leaving a link to your blog. Upon your recommendation, I got and read Mindset (I'd mostly read about Dweck, and had read a number of her shorter articles). You're right--that book should be read by all educators and parents. I'm planning to go over a lot of her stuff with the kids in my class as well.
(Hey--we could design some lessons together for the kids, about Mindsets...want to?)
Anyhow, thanks for your thoughts!!
Aug 23, 2007
Pamela Livingston
Sep 6, 2007
Pamela Livingston
Sep 6, 2007
Lee Ann Spillane
I too have seen the "When I Become a Teacher" video at recent workshops/trainings. I know what you mean about wondering how teachers will take it. As far as how's it's used when presented to teachers, I think Mark Benno, self proclaimed "Curriculum Evangelist" and Apple guru, used it best. After showing the video during a session he called “Teaching and Learning for Tomorrow and Today” he connected to moments in the video when the audience laughed. He said ( I took notes), “I can tell by your laughter that you probably recognize some of these teachers from neighboring counties.” and “I can also tell by your laughter that like me you taught with the teacher who taught for 1 year 25 times.” I thought he deflected and diffused well. The segue worked and I wondered what does our laughter show us? How can we use that when working with teachers to lighten tough discussions? Just thinking about it.
Sep 7, 2007
Jenny Bradbury
I work with folks in TeacherLine. PBS Teachers includes TeacherLine, Shop PBS for Teachers and the PBS Teachers Web site. My focus is on the site and working with producers to help them create high quality classroom resources associated with primetime programming.
Sep 7, 2007
Pamela Livingston
Sep 28, 2007
Terry Smith
Oct 12, 2007
arthus
What a funny coincidence! Vermont certainly is a great and beautiful place.
Oct 16, 2007
Connie Weber
Oct 17, 2007
JoNelle
Oct 17, 2007
Daniel Craig
Welcome to my friends list :) I actually already thought that you were my friend. Maybe on another network :)
Dan
Oct 24, 2007
Charles Snelling
I just joined and started an intro but I hit a return or tab and I guess posted the incomplete intro and now I cannot find the thing to finish it. Can you direct me to it or is it just that there is a delay in posting?
Thanks
Nov 2, 2007
Kelley Irish
Nov 22, 2007
Christopher Fleming
Nov 22, 2007
Mary Ann Bell
Nov 23, 2007
Mary Ann Bell
Nov 24, 2007
Arnie
Nov 30, 2007
Christina Swedberg
Jan 17, 2008
Christina Swedberg
Jan 17, 2008
Christina Swedberg
Jan 17, 2008
Aj Sullivan
Jan 28, 2008
Aj Sullivan
take care
Jan 31, 2008
Dennis Richards
Skype ID: drichards1
Jan 31, 2008
Sue Wyatt
Feb 18, 2008
Sue Wyatt
Feb 19, 2008
Dennis Richards
Thanks, Dennis
Mar 6, 2008
Dennis Richards
Dennis
Mar 7, 2008
Michael Dayah
Mar 9, 2008
Andrew Taylor
I'm a high school teacher working to create a semester-long course for freshmen in 21st century skills. We're using the ISTE standards as a start and are now working on what students will actually do. I have many ideas, but figured there must be something like this already going on somewhere. Do you have any tips about building a course like this? Thank you.
Mar 11, 2008
Beth Holmes
Enjoying following and learning from you on Twitter! Your work is very, very helpful - and you often provide the very resources I really NEED! I'm just joining Classroom 2.0, so befriend me, please!
Beth
Jul 15, 2008
andrew bendelow
Our space: http://wiki-land.wikispaces.com
collaboratively,
andrew
Nov 1, 2008
Mark Cruthers
Since your looking for Web 2.0 APPs I recommend you take a look at WiZiQ's virtual classroom and authorSTREAM's Web based power point viewing platform.
Nov 2, 2008
Steve Hargadon
Nov 22, 2008
Steve Hargadon
Nov 22, 2008
Steve Hargadon
Thanks for the heads-up.
Nov 23, 2008
Paige Coker
I am an Instructional Technology Coach for 3 elementary schools in a rural system in Georgia. I, too, am interested in bringing Web 2.0 tools to the classroom.
Just wanted to introduce myself... I look forward to working with you!
Paige :)
Nov 27, 2008
Rseneta
I just got the go-ahead to design an elective class for our highschool about technology tools for college bound. Did you ever develop any type of consensus about what you might offer? I would love to hear any ideas you came up with-I am just in the planning stages.
Dec 2, 2008