ShowMe

Based on an article by Audrey Watters

Original Publication Date June 26, 2011

Audrey Watters will be blogging from the ISTE Conference currently taking place in Philadelphia and gathering information on “the latest and greatest in education technology” (Watters, 2011).  To begin she introduced me to ShowMe an application for the i-Pad.  According to Watters, ShowMe combines interactive whiteboard technology with the i-Pad.  This eliminates the need for expensive hardware.  Teachers and students can write on the i-Pad and record their voice. ShowMe produces a video that can be uploaded to You-Tube or embedded on a website, much like the Kahn Academy videos.  The software also has the capability to import images to the lesson.  Watters reports that the application is incredibly easy to use.  She believes that this is due to the developers paying attention to what “teachers and students need from the tool” (Watters, 2011).

Creating educational videos without tons of equipment could be revolutionary.  Once i-Pads and the ShowMe application get into the hands of students and teachers they will begin to create and share videos, creating a library educational content.  It is the hope of San Kim, the founder of ShowMe, that individuals will “build hundreds of Kahn Academies.  That's a goal that puts teacher- and student-generated content at the center of education, one enabled by a simple, but smoothly functioning app.” (Watters, 2011). 

I think it’s time for me to research grants to purchase i-Pads for every student!

Watters, A. (2011, June 26). How consumer technology & user generated content are changing ed-tech [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_consumer_technology_user-generated_content_are.php

Making the Case for Social Media in Education

Based on a Blog by Steve Johnson

Original Publication Date:  3/11/2010

I think we are all aware that social media, Facebook and other social networking sites have permeated life outside the classroom.  We have access to them every minute of the day either through the computer or our smart phones.  They have quickly become society’s method of communication.  However, at the majority of schools social networking sites are blocked.  My school is no different.  The author, Steve Johnson, believes that blocking these sites is not only impossible, due to the personal devices students carry, but also a disservice to our students.

Blocking the sites also blocks the opportunity to instruct students in the appropriate and responsible use of social networking sites.  He states that “we teach sex ed, we teach healthy living, we teach about drugs, we teach character ed, and on and on.  We do these things each and every day, yet we are ignoring the aspect of our students’ lives that is larger than all of these things” (Johnson, 2010). The author continues to provide “talking point” when discussing lifting social networking filters.  He states that is our duty as educators to help students understand the implications of social networking as well as becoming a responsible cyber citizen.  We need to “start modeling responsible use of social media and encouraging them to follow our lead” (Johnson, 2010).

As stated in a previous post, social media is becoming our first impression for potential employers and college admission personnel.  Johnson states that “45% of employers researched social networking sites of prospective employees” (Johnson, 2010).  Not only is it important to stop inappropriate posting and photos but to encourage a positive use of social networking to highlight accomplishments. 

The community at large is using social networking sites to move “toward a model of shared knowledge building” (Johnson, 2010).  If schools continue to ban social networking sites we are stopping students from participating in this type of learning and handicapping them in becoming successful adults who contribute to a community of learning.

Lastly, schools are wasting time and energy trying to block social networking sites. Most students carry smart phones which have the capability to connect to social networking sites at any moment.  “They are carrying an unfiltered access point in their pocket” (Johnson, 2010).   Social networking can be a positive tool if used appropriately and educators have the opportunity to demonstrate positive responsible usage.

Johnson, S. (2010, March 11). Making a case for social media in education [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/social-media-case-education-edchat-steve-johnson  

Skype in the Classroom

Based on “Skype in the Classroom Launches to Connect Teachers & Students Worldwide” by Audrey Watters

Originally Published on 2/27/2011

Read Write Web

Skype is a free web application at allows users to connect via video over IP (VOIP).  Many teachers have used this free service in a multitude of ways almost since its introduction.   I remember sitting in a training several years ago when the presenter demonstrated using Skype to connect classrooms.  We connected to his son’s class at an International School located in Washington DC and the students read us a few stories.  His son told us that his class frequently uses Skype to connect to other classes from around the world.  In addition, he uses Skype to bring experts into the classroom.  This teacher is not alone and the use of Skype by educators across the globe has not escaped the attention of Skype. 

Skype has launched a free “Skype in the Classroom” resource to connect educators.  It has a threefold purpose.  “It’s a place for teachers to connect with each other, find partner classes and share inspiration” (Skype in the Classroom, 2011).  To create a profile at Skype in the Classroom (http://education.skype.com ) just log in using your current Skype account information.  If you have not already downloaded and started using Skype that can be accomplished at http://www.skype.com .  Once teachers have logged in to Skype in the Classroom they can browse the directory and projects to find connections, resources, help, and experts for classroom “visits”.  

Using Skype to make connections will really open up the world to our students.  The possibilities are endless when you think of world languages, culture exposure for social studies, authors, and the experts in all areas.  And best of all it’s FREE! 

Skype. (2011). Skype in the classroom. Retrieved from http://education.skype.com

Watters, A. (2011, February 27). Skype in the classroom launches to connect teachers & students worldwide [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/skype_in_the_classroom_launches_to_connect_teacher.php

What Has Podcasting Done for You? Great Things Often Begin in Small Ways

Based on a Blog by Jim Moulton

Original Publication Date:  4/25/2007

Podcasting is easy to use but can have huge benefits for student literacy.  Students can utilize this web 2.0 technology to record their own writing or the writing of others.  The author stated that students read and reread text to “get it right” before they begin recording.

During morning announcements a middle school principal would read “words of wisdom” from history.  Since it was the same person reading the text five days a week most of the students had “tuned out” and missed the important truths the principal had hoped to convey.  To refresh this idea the principal utilized podcasting and the voices of his students.  Every seventh grade student participates in creating podcasts and one is featured at the end of the morning announcements.

In creating the podcasts, students not only “hear” the inherent truths from Eleanor Roosevelt, Gandhi, and Winston Churchill they spend hours researching, reading, and rereading to understand the content so they are able to record a meaningful podcast.  The podcast project is turning the “tuned out” students into active contributors to the learning community.     

Moulton, J. (2007, April 25). What has podcasting done for you? great things often begin in small ways [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/what-has-podcasting-done-you

Interview 2.0: Using Social Media to Prepare Students for the Workplace

Based on a Blog by Andrew Marcinek

Original Publication Date:  8/21/2010

Web 2.0 is a powerful tool and if used responsibly can be a valuable in the employment arena.  Social media has the potential to positively or negatively impact college acceptance or the future employment of our students.  Most students are using social networking on a daily basis without learning how to use the social networking sites responsibly or to leverage them to their advantage.  The author, Andrew Marcinek, believes that using social networking to highlight personal work and contributions can be a good marketing tool and a dynamic introduction.  The author states that “We are conducting silent interviews daily by what we add to our profiles” (Marcinek, 2010).

Whether we realize the impact of our social networking sites, everything we add to them becomes part of who we are and can introduce us to prospective employers and college admission personnel.   “It is defining who we are before we even open our mouths.  Everything we post, tag, and comment on become our voice, our personality.  There is no room for explanation or follow up” (Marcinek, 2010).  So why not use the sites to shine a positive light on our accomplishments.

Many, if not all, social networking sites are blocked in schools.  The author would like to see the restrictions lifted and students shown how to use them effectively.  “These tools can put up a roadblock OR help you arrive at your desired destination.  If we deny access, we stunt the digital growth and presence of our most talented learners” (Marcinek, 2010).  At the very least, students need to be taught that their digital footprint is “written in ink” not pencil and once on the web, always on the web.      

Marcinek, A. (2010, August 21). Interview 2.0: using social media to prepare students for the workplace [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/using-social-media-for-interview-20

Ten Simple Strategies for Re-engaging Students

Based on a Blog by Andrew Marcinek

Original Publication Date:  11/21/2010

We’ve all experienced classes where students are bored and disconnected from the instruction.  Whether we were the student or teacher we know that this is unacceptable, but happens frequently.  The author, Andrew Marcinek, of “Ten Simple Strategies for Re-engaging Students” experienced just that.  Instead of waiting for a new year or to gradually implement new techniques Mr. Marcinek developed ten new expectations for his English 101 course. 

His first rule is “Have Fun”.  One of my colleagues at the Career-Tech Center has told me that if you’re not having fun, the kids aren’t having fun, and why bother.  His point being that when students are not excited about learning they may “jump through the hoops” to get a grade but true learning never actually takes place.  Mr. Marcinek also expected his students to become experts on the subjects they were covering and to enjoy the research process.

Secondly, he wanted learning to extend beyond the walls of his classroom.  Although he didn’t have but one computer and eight outlets, the majority of his students owned personal devices that connect them to the outside world.  The technology students carry with them on a daily basis provide the opportunity to expand learning beyond the classroom.  Unfortunately, in our school at least, cell phones and personal electronic devices are restricted to non-classroom time.  We need to open this policy to allow students the opportunity to explore and dig into their research.

Next, Mr. Marcinek expected his students to write to a broader audience.  Usually, students would write a paper, he would edit and grade.  Using simple web 2.0 applications, students have the opportunity to produce work for an authentic audience.  By opening up their writing to the community at large they are becoming contributors to the learning environment.

Web 2.0 technology also offers students the opportunity to collaborate with others around the world. The author states “The ability to share and learn from each other is limitless” (Marcinek, 2010).

By utilizing web 2.0 applications, students will be sharing their research and making their learning “transparent”.  The project was designed to incorporate constructive criticism and students were expected to provide and expect feedback from fellow students.  He also encouraged students to take risks and stop worrying about making mistakes, as they are just steps in the learning process. 

The author expected his students to not only “write about the world but to engage in it” (Marcinek, 2010).  Although these expectations were designed for an English class they could be easily adopted for any content area.  I think students would welcome this change and be enthusiastic about learning, writing for an authentic audience, and the opportunity to contribute to the learning.

Marcinek, A. (2010, November 21). Ten simple strategies for re-engaging students [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/reengaging-students-andrew-marcinek