Using Technology in the Classroom - Edutopia

Edutopia bloggers and writers made short videos to talk about how to use new media in the classroom. They discuss using different tools such as a GPS device, YouTube, wikis, Twitter, and the Wii gaming system. How do you think you could apply any of them to your own classroom?

Who Determines Your Need for Information?

I came across this TED video this morning and was mesmerized by the profound insights I gathered. Just who (or what) is deciding what I should be finding on the WWW? "As educators, it is this type of information that we need to be sharing with our students and discussing impacts on news, education, politics, and the future". (http://www.edtechintegration.com/) Watch this video and then share the information and the video with your students. Amazing!

Copyright Issues

In my master’s degree program we did a large amount of research. One of the topics I chose to examine was copyright and fair use laws. All teachers need to be aware of these laws.  In my experience, most teachers are either not aware of these laws, or just ignore them.  In fact, I was unaware of the information of which I collected in my research of the topic. I believe teachers should be aware of repercussions of not following copyright laws and fair use policies.

Perhaps your school gives professional development about copyright and fair use policies. Most schools have fair use policies in their faculty and/or school policy handbooks. If not, I am linking my Delicious files and an “Overview and General Information on Copyright and Fair Use Law Websites” list I created in order to assist teachers when they had questions about copyright and fair use.

There may not be a “copyright cop” in your building, but you should know your responsibilities regarding fair use and copyright policies.

Have you ever thought about copyright issues when you made copies from a textbook or workbook? Share your questions and opinions here!


Photo courtesy of: http://www.copyrightauthority.com/copyright-symbol/

'Gen Y' Teachers

I wanted to share this article from Education Week with you. Something that I took away from the article was that younger teachers are used to the "social-ness" of life because of websites like Facebook and Twitter. I also understand that they want to share more and would like their teaching practice be more "transparent." Do you think that's true, Gen Y teachers? Do you think you share more of your teaching experiences because of your social awareness and ability to post on FB, Twitter, or a blog?

The author cited a study conducted on charter school teachers who were "coached" rather than evaluated. In some teaching experiences (mine, for example), first-year teachers are helped along by teachers in their building or on their grade level. What about first-year teachers who are placed in rural schools where they are the only teacher on a certain grade level? What if the person who is assigned by the school to assist you is contrary, uncooperative, or simply burned out?

What are your thoughts? How can we "experienced" teachers help you?


Picture from: http://lopezdelagomez.com/2/Work.html

Technology Resources - Teachers' Domain

"Teachers' Domain is a free digital media service for educational use from public broadcasting and its partners. You’ll find thousands of media resources, support materials, and tools for classroom lessons, individualized learning programs, and teacher professional learning communities".


Register on the website for brilliant resources to integrate with your curriculum, or view for your own use. You can also browse Teachers' Domain resources by your individual state educational frameworks, national standards, or by Common Core State Standards.

The website features videos from Frontline and Nova, along with other PBS educational media.

Two thumbs UP!

Truth Tuesday II – Risky Business

Today’s truth: “We can do more and learn more when we’re willing to risk.”

I like security! I like to be cuddled up on the couch in my comfy jammies, wrapped in a snuggly quilt, and creating a safety zone around myself! I like the security of a contracted job, locks on my doors and windows, a safe neighborhood, and passwords to my private stuff.

However, I also like to experience wonderful new people, places and activities. What does that make me? An anomaly, I guess.

Here are some risks I have taken in my professional life:

• As a 27 year old divorced single mother, I went back to college to get my teaching degree.
• After teaching three years of 4th grade I was moved to teaching 1st grade.
• I piloted Saxon Math curriculum for my district.
• I changed districts after 14 years because of my desire to have a self-contained classroom and my school preferred me to teach only Reading.
• I was one of the first users of a Smartboard in my school.
• I changed districts again when I found out I could work as a school librarian while completing my master’s degree and obtaining my LMS certification.
• I taught and was the librarian at an inner city school.
• I moved from the inner city to a small country school district to be a librarian.
• I started my own company after being laid off from that little country district because of budget constraints.

My personal life is also filled with risky business, but I won’t go into that. This is just to say, risk SHOULD be your business! Take a risk; try something new, for goodness’ sake! This goes for us “old” teachers too. Deciding that you don’t need to learn that ‘new technology stuff’ is like me hiding under my quilt on the couch. Students take a risk every day learning new things; we should be able to risk new ways of teaching, too.

My favorite quote is “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten”. Change is good.