August 2009 Blog Posts (124)

In too many ways, August can be the tail that wags the dog.

One of the biggest problems I have with our current national assessment system is that they have almost mastered the art of shaming and belittling those who do not make the cut while doing an exceptionally poor job of of recognizing those who have made strides in a positive direction or really give an exceptional effort at doing more with less. It's as if under-performing the task of meeting their objectives deserves a SHOUTING DOWN FROM THE ROOFTOPS while those that make gains,… Continue

Added by Alan Sitomer on August 27, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

Digital E-learning

Though class room education cannot literally be replaced by e-learning online education has its own advantages. Students are familiar with the digital tools and given an assignment they use online resources effectively and learn in self directed manner. Today's net generation like to discover new things and learn from hands on experience. when they look for information online, not only will they try different search engines, they will also search for interactive materials. From the educator’s… Continue

Added by judy jacob on August 27, 2009 at 4:09am — 2 Comments

School Policy and Student Expectations - Diverging Realities

Reposted from Meg's Notebook

A review of a couple of research papers which cover the role of Web 2.0 in education from very different perspectives: one looks at school administration and policies, the other at student / youth… Continue

Added by Meg H on August 26, 2009 at 9:44pm — 1 Comment

Learning Design Tool

Hi everyone

I’ve just joined and am looking forward to being part of this group. I've been busy developing a recently released product – the Learning Design Tool. This is an online product designed to assist users write quality instructional design. Currently this is in a Beta format - I'm collecting feedback until the end of September at which time the Tool will be redeveloped and released later in the year. Here's the link for anyone who would like to have a look -… Continue

Added by jo jenson on August 26, 2009 at 6:17pm — No Comments

School Technology Discussion

My school was assigned a new principal this year. He and I have chatted several times about what technology is in the building. He came from a technology rich high school. As he has walked our building, he has been surprised at the lack of technology many classrooms.

I was tasked to provide my principal with ideas on what technologies we should add at our building. Currently, there are two classrooms that are very technology rich. Many classrooms do not have more than a teacher… Continue

Added by Glen Westbroek on August 26, 2009 at 4:00pm — No Comments

The "If Only" Chip I'd Gladly Cash In: KIds Coming in as Blank Slates

There are a lot of "if only" type scenarios when it comes to reaching teen readers -- especially reluctant teens readers -- but I'd say if there was one "if only" chip I could be given to cash in and nevermore be able to moan about how difficult the task can sometimes be to get kids to read books, I'd say that I'd lay claim to the "If only our students came to us as blank slates" chip, take my winnings and shut my trap.

Because the truth is students don't come to our… Continue

Added by Alan Sitomer on August 26, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

Screen Recorder Software in Computer Science Teaching

Abstract: This paper introduces the main functions of the screen recorder software. Combined with the characteristics of computer science courses and teaching methods commonly used, screen recorder software is playing a more and more important role. Practice has proved that screen recorder software improves the learning and teaching effectiveness. It is a helpful tool to facilitate teaching of professional computer science courses.

As students of the major of… Continue

Added by Tim on August 26, 2009 at 1:00am — No Comments

GradePad “Pro” Version submitted to Apple

Last week, on Friday August 21, we submitted the updated version of GradePad. This is a very exciting update for us in that it allows users of GradePad on an iPhone or iPod touch to use a GradePad.com account to import and export data.

GradePad 1.2, an iPhone app for teachers, will make it easier for teachers to import class lists, create GradePads, share GradePads with others, and export your assessment data to… Continue

Added by Mike Palmquist on August 25, 2009 at 11:53am — No Comments

Portal Applications for Higher Education

This week and next I will be discussing two distinct approaches to implementing portal applications in a higher education environment.

I am going to divert from the type of tools and resources I typically post about (free or low cost web based resources and apps for educators and the instructional process) to take a look a powerful type of application that is becoming increasingly popular in higher education (as well as K-12). Portal applications allow designers and users to… Continue

Added by Kelly Walsh on August 25, 2009 at 6:30am — 1 Comment

Don't Do Stupid Things... But if You Do, Don't Get Famous for Them or Post Pics of It on the Internet

So everyone realizes that virtually every Human Resources person worth their salt at almost any decent-sized organization in this country checks the internet as a means of doing a background check on potential future employees, right? I mean this is something I talk about with my high schoolers. Putting pics of yourself doing beer bongs, smoking out of real bongs, taking off your clothes or being absolutely SMASHED out of you mind on the internet is a bad idea. (Note: I am not naive… Continue

Added by Alan Sitomer on August 25, 2009 at 6:30am — 1 Comment

New How-To Video!

Calling all Remixers!

We just released a new How-To demo which gives you all of the important tips on how to use the Remix America editing software.

Students with more experience in editing can switch from the Easy Editor to the Advanced Editor. The layout of the Advanced Editor is a little more like iMovie and it has a couple exclusive features. For example, the Advanced Editor allows two layers of soundtrack, so you can insert a song AND do a… Continue

Added by Erika Johansson on August 24, 2009 at 2:24pm — No Comments

The Weekly Update: August 17 - August 23

Check out popular blogs and important stories from last week... MORE

Added by Shawn Roner on August 24, 2009 at 8:42am — No Comments

test

Added by Patrick L on August 23, 2009 at 2:28pm — No Comments

Athazagoraphobic (*) or MSPDS - Multi-Syllabic Password Displacement Solution

Athazagoraphobic* Multi-Syllabic Password Displacement Solution

(MSPDS - or How to create passwords that are easy to remember)

As an instructional applications analyst of a rather large school district in west Texas (EPISD), I have not only to remember several passwords for different accounts at different computers, but these passwords have to make sense so that I don't have to be consulting my Palm Pilot constantly. A password-generating solution came to me after… Continue

Added by Alan Hodson on August 22, 2009 at 4:42pm — 1 Comment

TSA, LAX and My Low-Cut Shimmery Underwear on Security’s Conveyor Belt

Walking through the airport to go do some PD for a school in Texas this week (BTW, I’ve been on the road WAY too much this summer) I found myself, as all of us inevitably do when we travel, in a security line.

A security line that was going absolutely nowhere.

Goodness, I said to myself, don’t we all just love how efficient airports are these days? And with nothing to do other than to contemplate the inner machinations of brilliance on display and try to take a… Continue

Added by Alan Sitomer on August 22, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

Children and Worries

The school year is starting again. Using books is a great way to start discussions and get children to open up about what they are thinking. Books that can be projected on to SmartBoards are even better. Children have a lot of worries and the year 2009 brings more worries than prior years. These worries are carrying over to our youth. Why not combine the power of technology and the power of books to open the children up to a discussion that can free children of some of these worries and start… Continue

Added by Bernice Wonderly on August 22, 2009 at 5:50am — No Comments

A few laughs: who don't they help through the week?

Do we need a longer school year filled with more intensive learning for our nation's children? How in the world can you not vote yes when you see some of the products of our current system?

And if you need more proof, here's another 4 minutes worth of goodies...…

Continue

Added by Alan Sitomer on August 21, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

Opening the Doors to Web 2.0 for 21st Century Enrichment in K-12

Today marked a turning point in the history of our school district. We officially implemented a progressive social media policy which now allows us to begin offering Web 2.0 integration into our curriculum. Things began to change with a new district leadership team last year who fostered a belief in 21st Century technology. On the Friday before the semester started this year we held a rally where our Superintendent showed teachers A Vision of K-12… Continue

Added by David Ligon on August 21, 2009 at 1:35am — 4 Comments

Less dizzy, more confounded.

I am over the dizzying speed of web tool introduction, and have settled into overload mode. After a couple of days off my seat and out on the golf course I am now ready to enter the realm of "Why do I have to use all of these tools and abandon my current teaching methodology?"

After all I like sugar. Oh, honey is great in tea but it makes my oatmeal clump up. Sweet and Low artificial sweetener is besides artificial, bitter, I like bitter beer, and bitters in my whisky, but not in my… Continue

Added by Artie O'Connor on August 20, 2009 at 6:52pm — No Comments