University of Wyoming Football Game - & My Blackberry

I am experimenting with posting pictures from my Blackberry Curve. I can really see a need for a Blackberry for every student! :O)

Can you imagine the type of collaborative projects we could do with other classrooms around the world...sounds like the basis for a grant to me.

Blogging In Billings

Wow! I am so proud of my TILT teachers - taking the initiative to create classroom blogs to use with their students and parents. AND...teaching other teachers around the district to do the same! I think you are going to find some great information and classroom ideas from these folks:

Here is a list (some are by invitation only, so not listed):
Connie Jensen - 2nd Grade
Jamee Wilson - 3rd Grade
Julie Betts - 3rd Grade
Doretta Lambert - 3rd Grade
Sandy Anseth - 5th Grade
Dan Erikson - 5th Grade
Sara Olsgaard - 6th Grade
Elizabeth Waddington - Middle School Art
Susan Veit - Middle School English
Marjorie Zeedyk - Middle School Reading
Doug Van Zee - Freshman Health & PE


Some Ideas of How to use a Blog:

• Communicate with parents about classroom activities, homework assignments, and school events. (replace your classroom webpage)
  
• Post Internet resources for students to use for research projects
• Post assignments for students
  
• Journaling for students
• Book Reviews
• Collaborative Activities
• Creative Writing
• History
• Put lesson content for students that are absent on your blog
• Post classroom calendar events
• post assignments based on literature readings and have students respond, creating a kind of portfolio of their work.
• post prompts for writing.
• provide examples of classwork, vocabulary activities, or grammar games.
• provide online readings for your students to read and react to.
• post photos and comment on class activities.
• publish examples of good student writing done in class.
• show case student art, poetry, and creative stories.
• create a literature circle.

A Little Font Humor

This YouTube Video was shared by Poly Drive Elementary librarian Kelli Delaney. I think it is terrific!

Do You Believe in Me?

This is a keynote speech from a young man from a Dallas elementary school. If you needed a reminder of why you do what you do...here it is!

Welcome Back: Classroom Ideas for Gadgets

Many of you purchased digital cameras and camcorders over the summer and may be wondering how you can use them in your classroom. Here are some ideas for using these gadgets in the classroom.

Digital Camera Ideas:

1. Photos of vocabulary words.
2. Bulletin board photo journal of classroom activities.
3. Create a digital scrapbook of student’s year: art, handwriting, portrait photos, etc.
4. Create a personal or classroom alphabet with pictures.
5. Use pictures for concept illustration (art, math, science).
6. Make an electronic portfolio of student work for Open House or parent review.
7. Create an “About the Author” section of student writing books.
8. Use the camera to create a video yearbook.
9. For math ask students to take pictures of angles in the classroom or school yard.
10. Story Starters: Show a picture and have students write a story based on the picture.
11. Provide a series of photos and have students write a story using what they see.
12. Help students with vowels sounds with pictures
13. Take pictures of objects in different positions to study prepositions
14. Take pictures of objects or students showing different actions for verb identification
15. Take pictures of a tree throughout the year to study growth, seasons, weather...etc.
16. Decisions, decisions. Take a picture of a scene and ask the students to make a decision about what happens next.
17. Take two pictures and compare them using a Venn diagram.
18. Identify the parts of speech in a picture.
19. Create clock "flash cards."
20. What else?
    

Using a Video Camcorder:

1. Record early readers to document progress (share at parent/teacher conference).
2. Create a short video for the manners of the week.
3. Document student behavior for parents, counselors, principal. (positive and negative)
4. Document your teaching for self-improvement.
5. Document experiments for students who were absent.
6. Allow students to interview each other on a topic. (review items for a test)
7. Have students create a "how to" video for a HEPE activity.
8. Have students create safety videos for other students or your school website.
9. Record concerts or school activities for parents or absent students.
10. What else?
    

Welcome Back! It is going to be a GREAT year.

Welcome back for another exciting school year. I know that we are just like the kids...these past months have drained our brains of most of what we have learned over the last school year. Well, I have put together a list of resources that will hopefully jump-start your thinking and get those synapses firing once again. Enjoy!!

Resources For Using Technology In Your Classroom

District Resources:
Links for Teachers & Students: http://www.billings.k12.mt.us/tilt/
• Access to Important District Resources
• Search Engines
• Educational Websites for Both Teachers & Students
• Technology Standards and Guidelines
• Technology Tutorials


Educational Blogs:
Montana Link Share Project: http://tiltlinkshare.blogspot.com/
Top 100 Technology Tools: http://www.c4lpt.co.uk/recommended/top100.html
Weblogged - Read/Write Web: http://weblogg-ed.com/


Other Great Educational Websites:
Apple Learning Interchange (ALI): http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/
NOVA Online: Virtual Tour of the Moon: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tothemoon/explore.html
The Discovery Channel: Planet Earth: http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/planet-earth/planet-earth.html
PBS – Yellowstone Park Virtual Tour: http://www.pbs.org/edens/yellowstone/tour.html
The Futures Channel: http://www.thefutureschannel.com/index.php


Great Web 2.0 Sites:
Del.icio.us http://del.icio.us
Blogger http://www.blogger.com
SchoolTube http://www.schooltube.com
TeacherTube http://www.teachertube.com
VoiceThread http://voicethread.com


Get them all! Visit Desiree’s Del.icio.us Site http://del.icio.us/caskeyd

Posting from Blackberry

Today I am demonstrating how to post to Blogger from a wireless phone. In the email settings tab of the blog, you can choose an address to send a message to and Blogger will automatically post it as the most recent article!

I will try and add an image of last nights storm clouds as well to see if it shows...

Doug Van Zee

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

MCCE Summer Technology Conference a Success!

MCCE Sumer Tech Conference

The Best of Series by Larry Ferlazo

I stumbled upon this blog the other day while researching new web 2.0 applications. I forgot all about what I started researching and became immersed in this very informative blog post. Larry has spent a lot of time compiling these sites and you can spend a lot of time exploring them! Although I might change a few of his lists slightly, I learned a lot and added to my collection of resources.

Visit My Best of series to explore!

Google Earth

What is Google Earth? Google Earth is currently available for download as a desktop application, although you need to be connected to the Internet to use it. Every time you open Google Earth, it automatically connects to Google's servers, giving you access to terabytes of geographical, political and social data. See related article on HowStuffWorks.com

• Click here to begin to explore Google Earth


• Click here to download Google Earth
• Classroom activity "Size Is Relative"(.pdf)
• Click here to learn about 5 cool, easy things you can do in Google Earth
• Google Earth Users Guide
• Google Earth BLOG
• Content Area Google Earth ideas
• .KMZ file resources: kmzlinks.com : Google Earth Gallery :
• Other Links
  
  Getting Started with Google Earth
  About Google Earth Files - KML/KMZ
  Google Earth Help / FAQs
  3D Modeling Tools and Resources
  Recommended Reading/Blogs
  Google Earth Related Blogs
  Sightseeing Sites
  Google Earth Conversion Tools
  Google Earth for Teachers
  GPS Visualization Tools/Software
  Google Earth Storm Tracking/Weather
  Google Earth Games
  Other Google Blogs

MCCE Summer Tech Conference: Power point files

For attendees of the PowerPoint sessions, please use the link below to explore template files and some other Power Point options.


Power Point

Powers of 10

Embedded Video

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Another Successful Year for TILT

TILT showcase fun

For some quick snapshots of the event, see the collection on Picasa Web Albums. If anyone is worried about their posterior or tongue sticking out...it is private. You may share the link or download the photos as you wish.

p.s. the giraffes love their new sib and are belted in ready for tomorrow's commute.

Jazzed about Jooce

Holy All-In-One Tools, Batman!

If you have not had the opportunity to explore this AWESOME website, you are in for a real treat. Jooce is a one-stop everything website. With a free account you can email, chat, save files, share pictures...instantly share all your videos, pictures, and songs with friends as well.
The really cool thing is Jooce actually turns your browser into what looks like a computer desktop. You have a control panel to make the environment personalized, you can even set the wallpaper!
I think the thing I like best about it is the interaction it has with the user...it is just fun to play with even if you don't use it as your sole technology tool.

This is currently in my top 5 technology tools now...

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Preparing for the Showcase

Everyone:
I will be in the Board Room all afternoon to set up the tables and such. You are welcome to come at anytime. The event will start promptly at 5:00.

5:00-5:45
Dinner: Taco bar provided by The Soup Place (Thank you Nancy Smith)
Awards: This year there are some special awards
Prizes: You will receive a ticket when you walk in the door and we will draw for prizes.
Video: Just something in the background for you to watch.
Note: You will be given a packet of items. There will be a colored card in your packet. Please sit at the table that has the same color table-tent as your card.

5:45-6:00
Setup your section of the showcase - look for your nameplate and place your items there.

6:00
Start Your Presentations! I just mean be ready to explain your showcase and explore other TILT member's work. Please make a concerted effort to visit all the other TILT teacher exhibits.

1st Year Teachers:
Because you are the student, please focus on the technology that you have explored and found valuable. You will write up a 1 page paper describing the technology and how you have used it. If you used it with your students (or your students used it), even better.
Showcase at least one project that you have created using the technology mentioned in the paper. Your showcase can be in any form you choose. Some examples are: multimedia presentation, video, binder of paper, plackard (three-fold style), brochure, pictures....there is no limit. Remember to make a copy of your 1 page paper for Desiree.

2nd Year Teachers:
Because you wore your teacher hat more this year, please focus on your curriculum and how you introduced technology into an activity to enhance your students' learning. In your 1 page paper, explain the classroom activity, the technology used and whether your integration was teacher-directed or student-centered. Your showcase can be in any form you choose. Some examples are: multimedia presentation, video, binder of paper, plackard (three-fold style), brochure, pictures....there is no limit. Remember to make a copy of your 1 page paper for Desiree.

Note: There are always exceptions to any directives, right! If you have actually started entering the "phase 3" and want to showcase a "Mentor" project...you are welcome to do that.

7:00
We are done! If anyone wants to stick around and help clean up, that would be greatly appreciated. :O)

Thanks for another successful year.

My Favorite Technology Tools

Recently, I was sitting in the back of a room during a technology workshop. The speaker was asking, “How many of you use ____?” Each time I raised my hand. Finally, the lady next to me shoved a notebook and pen at me and said, “What are your 10 favorite tools?” It made me think…this is what we should be sharing in MCCE (along with the support and purchasing questions). So here are my favorite tech tools (available for both mac and pc) in no particular order:

Flock: new social browser - I think I like it better than Firefox!

VoiceThread: web 2.0 story-telling tool (kind of)

Inspiration: concept mapping software

Google….Everything!! …Docs, News Reader, iGoogle, Earth, Timeline, Gmail and more

Blogger: blogging software (Word Press is new to me)

Del.icio.us: social bookmarking - this is flocking amazing! Sorry, inside joke. My username is caskeyd…add me to your network!

iTunes If you think this program is just to play music...think again. You can get audio books, rent movies, watch TV shows....and that is just the entertainment part. Podcasts are free, contain all kinds of educational information, and...you can create your own! That is so cool.

TeacherTube, SchoolTube & YouTube: these video sharing sites will let you expand your bag of tricks and resources. You can find information on pretty much any subject and it is a social site, so you can upload your own videos and share them!

Other Tools (Fun & Function):

MooURL: Have a long URL, use this tool to shorten it when you are sharing with friends.

VLC: media player…opens multiple types of video including flash (.flv) and exports to multiple file types. Very handy!

UnPlug: an extension for Firefox that lets you extract media from websites.

VoiceThread: an online story creation tool that is super easy to use

Jooce: a cool website that turns your browser into a desktop environment - use this to share media files.

Skype: Chat software with video capabilities

SlideShare: a website where you can post and share your powerpoint shows.

Blog Sighting!!

Check out this neat blog. It adds a nice dimension to using technology in the classroom. you can even sign up and send your kids to the moon. :)

Growing Up Online

This is a very interesting look into the digital world put on by PBS and Frontline. It is definitely worth watching.

Visual Statistics: Using GapMinder.com

If you have not heard of GapMinder, you need to check it out!! And then, you need to share this site with your co-workers. This site has some great visuals that can be used in math, social studies, science, health, business...almost any classroom.

Learn about trends in the world (climate, population, technology, health and more). To get started, go to this site and click on the GapMinder World Link. You will be impressed with all off the information you can uncover.