August 2010 Blog Posts (75)

5000 Grant

Ok here is the story. My principal just informed me I have 5000 to spend in my science classroom. I already have a model classroom ( projector, doc camera, audio, 4 computers). Where to go from here? 6th grade Science Objectives: Biomes, Symbiosis, Solar System, Weather, Climate, Electricity, Circuits, Energy. SO I need to suggestions on Good, Proven classroom software or other tools. Thanks Looking forward to what you have to say.

Added by Robert Capes on August 12, 2010 at 9:29am — 3 Comments

Moving Beyond the Tools:

This is also cross-posted on Speed of Creativity

My name is Beth Still and my blog is Nebraska Change Agent. I was honored when Wes invited me to guest blog during his absence. This post is cross-listed on my…

Continue

Added by Beth Still on August 12, 2010 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

Moodle Server

Happy days,

I just setup our test Moodle server.

If you want to know more about Moodle checkout www.moodle.org.…

Continue

Added by Juan O'Shea on August 12, 2010 at 1:30am — 2 Comments

A video with some suggestions about how to use YouTube in the classroom

I think this video has some interesting ideas I wish services like YouTube existed back when I was in school and that they could have been used in some of the ways suggested in this…

Continue

Added by Rudy on August 12, 2010 at 12:30am — No Comments

Blog moved to website

Hi! Please check out my new blog which I have combined with my website. You can see it at http://www.mrstg.com .

Added by Michelle TeGrootenhuis on August 11, 2010 at 12:44pm — No Comments

Instructions for LiVE

Continue

Added by Mau Buchler on August 10, 2010 at 6:47am — No Comments

Why YOU matter much more than you think...

Educators are constantly using their energy and resources on others. Their students are their number one priority, and consequently educators

are always filling the buckets of others. Educators dedicate

their lives to the development and growth of others...but wait, who

fills the buckets of educators? Who is there to tell the educators they

are doing a great job, and if they need anything somebody will always

be there… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 9, 2010 at 5:58pm — No Comments

Blogging in Education Today (part 2 in a series)

This week we’re learning about teachers using “classroom blogs”

Last week we started this series examining the current state of blogging in education by looking at how today’s teachers are using blogs. Our first post focused on teachers blogging about various experiences and ideas, with the intended audience essentially being other…

Continue

Added by Kelly Walsh on August 9, 2010 at 1:50pm — No Comments

The Internet has been nominated for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its POSITIVE IMPACT on humanity.

Click ---> https://www.youtube.com/internetforpeace <---…

Continue

Added by Michel Reverte on August 9, 2010 at 6:44am — No Comments

What's my job?

Do you ever wake up in the morning before work and think to yourself, "I

need to find a new job." If you are human the most likely answer is

"yes." Should you feel guilty about this feeling? Should you focus on

the negative parts of your job, and totally ignore any of the positive

parts? I would answer "no" to both of these questions.

As educators we have the luxury

of facing a litany of setbacks and struggles. Yes, I… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 9, 2010 at 6:37am — No Comments

Would anybody like some change?

As I often do, I speak with my wife about issues and theories related to

education. Though my wife is not a full time teacher, she does teach

as an adjunct professor at a local community college. Thus, I feel she

is knowledgeable and a worthy audience when discussing educationally

related topics.

Our most recent discussion revolved around how education needs to be

more effective and applicable to the ever changing needs of the student

population. There… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 9, 2010 at 6:34am — No Comments

How high can you JUMP?

Last year I volunteered to lead a program called JUMP. JUMP is aimed at helping freshman students who are struggling academically and/or

socially. At first I was somewhat hesitant because I have never lead a

program quite like this. In short, we were able to accomplish some

great things, but looking toward the future we also have a lot of room

for improvement for a more effective and efficient implementation of

this… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 9, 2010 at 6:31am — No Comments

Where is the value added?

I am 26 years old. I like to play video games. I like to play computer games. I think I am somewhat computer savvy. I am a member of

generation Y. So, naturally I use Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Google,

Youtube and blogging on a daily basis, right?. "Jain," which in German

means yes and no.

I will give most of the credit to a friend, fellow cohort member in my

doctoral program, mentor and educational inspiration, Chris… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 9, 2010 at 6:29am — No Comments

What motivates you, me and students?

As a human being I am inclined to believe that we are self-motivating and self-driven. We yearn to explore and discover as much as possible

about the magnificent world around us. We derive our energy and power

from our self-motivation and drive, and without this ability to discover

and explore on our own, we will most certainly become zombies.

Now, to some people, becoming a zombie… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 9, 2010 at 6:27am — No Comments

A chance to grow...

Last year I approached my building principal about starting a book club. The main goal of the book club was to help teachers grow both personally and

professionally. To my astonishment, not only was my building principal

supportive of my idea, he also provided the book club with the financial

backing to purchase almost one thousand dollars worth of books.

As…

Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 9, 2010 at 6:22am — No Comments

The utilization of classroom assessments...

A year and a half ago I started my Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership. As a teacher, this program has been influential in helping

to shape my philosophy of education. In particular, I have really begun

to analyze and critique the assessment policy I use in the classroom.

Last school year I was part of a committee that was reading and evaluating

the ideas presented in Rick Stiggins' Assessment for Learning model… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 9, 2010 at 6:20am — No Comments

The unspoken hero of education...the sharing of experiences and knowledge

Last night as I was sitting in my doctoral class I was reminded why I thoroughly enjoy the cohort format of educational leadership classes.

By no means am I the smartest, most intelligent or most knowledgeable

person in my class. To be honest, I would say I am probably closer

toward the bottom of the class in terms of my educational experiences

and knowledge. As weird as it might sound, I am completely okay with

being toward… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 9, 2010 at 6:17am — No Comments

Teachers...it is time for you to step up...

Educators in America and around the world face a daunting task. Educators are asked to teach every student regardless of their ability,

their desire to learn, and their family or socioeconomic situation. As I

am sure you are aware, education can also be one of the most rewarding

careers in the world. However, in order to be a great educator you must

accept the responsibility of affecting the lives of children. Last

year I read… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 9, 2010 at 6:15am — No Comments

What are we so afraid of?

When was the last time you left your house without your cell phone? Can you remember the last time you did not access the internet in a 24 hour time frame? When was the last time

you opened a book to find an answer? If you are anything like most

Americans, I would be willing to bet you never leave your cell phone at

home (at least knowingly), you access the internet several times a day,

and… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 9, 2010 at 6:13am — No Comments

7 proven strategies that WILL engage your students...

Over the last 5 years as an educator, I have learned so much about student motivation and student engagement. Recently, I started reflecting on my current practices and strategies I have used to engage

my students over the years. The program I am with has doubled in size

from roughly 140 students to over 280, so I feel confident these

strategies can, and will work.

1. Don't just care...really…

Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 8, 2010 at 5:39am — 1 Comment