The Suits

Thank you,
Karen

Sent from a blackberry wireless device.

Africa

Technology in TILT: Trinkets, Toys or Tools

I have recently been in conversations around the district where people have asked me about the "toys" that TILT teachers get as prizes. I have also heard some of the items you use in your classrooms referred to as "trinkets." These statements were not meant to be compliments to our program, but I think they underscore the ignorance of people who are "on the outside looking in."

By definition, a trinket is a small ornament or item of jewelry that is of little value. A toy is defined as an object, esp. a gadget or machine, regarded as providing amusement for an adult.

I would like to educate those that question the use of small technology "gadgets" as teaching tools in your classroom, but I need your help. Please...let's start a discussion aimed at enlightening those who do not understand.

Do you have:
A laptop
A Projector
A FlipVideo
An ipod
Speakers
A USB Storage Drive
A GPS
A Cell Phone
A Microphone
A Mimio
A Digital Camera

...anything else??? If you have ANY of these, could you please help me educate those who do not understand by explaining briefly how you use them in your classroom. You can be as brief or as in-depth as you want. Let's make this post the most commented on issue.

Skype Nerds

Just like the kids...these two techno nerds are skyping, cool but they are sitting right next to each other!!

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Billings West High
Health Enhancement
(406) 655-1311 672-6634

View from the Drake house

Winter Wonderland

SNOW!.jpg

Well...the weatherman was right! We got some snow. This is from our backdoor in Briarwood. Share your picts!
Desiree Caskey
Technology Integration Specialist

Multi-Tasking Muddling Teen Brains?

I listened to NPR on my way to work this morning and heard this story.

Studies with adults have shown that when we multi-task we are actually less productive because the brain has to disconnect and then recreate thought processes as we bounce from task to task.

After reading the article, I wondered if the same is true for the kids of Generation M - a group who learned multi-tasking behavior from the cradle. Do their brains experience these same "brown-outs" or have they adapted/evolved/adjusted?

So my question for all of you is - do you think your students multi-task more productively than you do - or are we all just muddling our brains?

- Karen

Quick Survey for MEA

Creating Online Slide Shows

This is an example of a quick slide show I created on Slide.com. You can also use Moblying.com. They are extremely similar.