Hello bloggers!
It has been a while, I know. As I sit here this fine morning, just drinking my cup-o-java and reflecting on what I have been doing, what you would find interesting, and in general, what to blog about this time...I have noticed that the truth is that I have learned little lately. Yep, I admitted it! My brain has not crammed as much in as I would like as of late, but I know also that life has been pretty hectic for me. Let me explain...
I have gotten married. I took the plunge! I am happy and things are going great. I drive about a half hour to work every day, with my husband, who works in the same town as me, and I tell ya - if driving together did not break us apart, then nothing will (it is like that old saying that if you can build a house or renovate together then you can make it through anything?) - same goes for driving together in the morning and after work. What's worse than waking up and realizing you both need the shower, need breakfast, need coffee and one is always running later than the other - sometimes that switches - but then you get into the vehicle, and realize you have forgotten something of importance, turning around you realize that this is not all that much of a relaxing good time to spend with your significant other! But to tell you the truth, I am really enjoying it and life is awesome!
I just thought I would throw in that food-for-thought today! :-)
Back to technology...sorry my tangent was a little lengthy!
My CPT 10 class just finished their first video project - a commercial! They were advertising for a pair of runners. It is pretty funny, and I will post it once it is all ready.
My CPT 20 class is taking a detour from their Game Show Skits and actually doing a "Save Our School" video. Our school is under review for closure, and the students at my school want to voice their opinions. What better way than to express them through an informational video! We will be presenting it to the committee at the meeting after the new year. The kids are taking it quite seriously, and it is hard to keep emotion out of the mix when they are dealing with so many different personalities. That is part of the learning process, but I think we are finding it (at least I see it) as more of a challenge on this project than with others. I will let you know how it all progresses. We have just been interviewing students, now we need to interview selected community members on their thoughts.
The issue with the CPT 10 common drive access has yet to be fixed....ugh....
Other than that? Life is good.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 06, 2008
update again
We are working on researching Canada's political parties for the upcoming Federal Election 2008. I have my students reading up on the issues and the promises that are being made by all the parties. They need to make their own decision on how they will vote for our Student Vote 2008, on Thursday Oct. 9. The students will do this research, then discuss as a class why, what, how, when and who - all about the parties and their thoughts. They actually seem really interested in it all and are putting lots of effort into their research. This is step #1 in showing them how to be responsible citizens. Woo hoo!
An update in my CPT class. Lovely technology sometimes I tell you....we are having issues with our common drive - which is what the students use to save their stuff - so their commercial stuff is not found at the moment....lovely. But, I found other things to do with them. Hopefully all is fixed within the next few days. :-)
Life is CRAZY lately. I am getting married this weekend, so needless to say I am SWAMPED with that PLUS school work (marking, prep). Ugh. I honestly will be happy when this is all done this weekend and life can go back to its slower-pace. I am looking forward to also spending more time in planning and being prepared for my classes and putting more effort into my school. I have been through a lot this year; moving to a new town and house, starting a new job, getting married.....wow! I know - people are surprised that my head has not exploded yet.
An update in my CPT class. Lovely technology sometimes I tell you....we are having issues with our common drive - which is what the students use to save their stuff - so their commercial stuff is not found at the moment....lovely. But, I found other things to do with them. Hopefully all is fixed within the next few days. :-)
Life is CRAZY lately. I am getting married this weekend, so needless to say I am SWAMPED with that PLUS school work (marking, prep). Ugh. I honestly will be happy when this is all done this weekend and life can go back to its slower-pace. I am looking forward to also spending more time in planning and being prepared for my classes and putting more effort into my school. I have been through a lot this year; moving to a new town and house, starting a new job, getting married.....wow! I know - people are surprised that my head has not exploded yet.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
What inspired me today...
Relating to what some other bloggers are posting about...
I was watching my students do research on famous philosophers for a History 10 research report today and again am amazed at some students abilities to show me just how valid Internet tools can be in a classroom.
I walked over to a students computer to see that he was watching a video on youtube.com. Here was my moment - my chance to discuss proper use of youtube to the class - when I noticed that he was not watching junk! He was watching a project that other students his age have done; a "Interview with Dead People: Thomas Hobbes" video. In which the students in the video were portraying the philosopher Thomas Hobbes while another student interviewed him (He could have dressed the part - but that is beside the point). I thought to myself - "WOO! PERFECT!" Not only did I get an awesome idea that becomes cross-curricular for my CPT and History course, but I have a new fun activity for my students!!! It also validaded that student's use of youtube for research. He was checking facts that the students were saying in the video and making sure he did not miss a word. It was gratifying to watch, even though it was not my kids in the video (soon maybe!?).
Here is the video that inspired me today!
I was watching my students do research on famous philosophers for a History 10 research report today and again am amazed at some students abilities to show me just how valid Internet tools can be in a classroom.
I walked over to a students computer to see that he was watching a video on youtube.com. Here was my moment - my chance to discuss proper use of youtube to the class - when I noticed that he was not watching junk! He was watching a project that other students his age have done; a "Interview with Dead People: Thomas Hobbes" video. In which the students in the video were portraying the philosopher Thomas Hobbes while another student interviewed him (He could have dressed the part - but that is beside the point). I thought to myself - "WOO! PERFECT!" Not only did I get an awesome idea that becomes cross-curricular for my CPT and History course, but I have a new fun activity for my students!!! It also validaded that student's use of youtube for research. He was checking facts that the students were saying in the video and making sure he did not miss a word. It was gratifying to watch, even though it was not my kids in the video (soon maybe!?).
Here is the video that inspired me today!
Monday, September 22, 2008
An update and a food for thought....
I hope everyone's school year is going well, as mine is shaping up to be a good time. I am teaching - like I said - a bunch of new subjects, but am enjoying it all. I started teaching the Communication Production Technology 10 and 20 courses, which are a lot of fun but kinda scary at the same time for me. I am not too familiar with the in's and out's of film editing or shooting films but I am a work in progress, learning along with the students; as we all know that sometimes that is the best way (let them teach you and save yourself the work!) But seriously, I am enjoying it. Does anyone have any good ideas for CPT 10 or 20 assignments that have worked for them? Let me know!
My CPT 20 kids are starting off with a 5-10 minute game show skit, and my CPT 10 students are starting off with 60 second commercials. I am excited about working with "new" technology (new to me that is!), and applying all I have learned and heard about from our ISITS committee last year. Even though I am no longer in Lsky I am still there in a virtual world community sense.
We are doing PLC's across the division and they are talking about setting up wiki's for each group if they want - I love the idea but worry that some may not enjoy it as much as I. As a fan of wiki's, I am advocating at how user-friendly they are compared to some other options out there. Any ideas to help me get through? :-) I know, I know, charm the pants off them with my own amazing wikispace....I know that is what you're all thinking! :-)
I still struggle with "pushing" people to accept technology in classrooms and actually use it to enhance learning - not as the "easy way out" by giving them an assignment and just letting the students do whatever they want for it. For example: If you allow them to use powerpoint but they do not really know the program, and what a good presentation looks like, then for goodness sake show them some examples of what you want! Modeling is the best method when it comes to technology. From our digital citizenship presentations that we should all hear (our students included), digital citizenship does not just have to mean the internet - it can encompass all areas of technology (including programs, tools, methods, etc.)
I think we as teachers need to keep up to date on what is going on in current technological initiatives in not only your division but province wide, nation wide and globally. Each will impact you and your students, and as teachers it should be if it is not written somewhere already that our professional responsibility has reached a new height - not only do we have to give students breakfast, monitor their work, coach them sports, model good behavior and/or whatever else falls under the list -but we must include technological responsibilities. Keep up to date, maintain a blog and/or webpage, keep contact with parents and students through mediums of the 21st century, have a bloglines (or similar) account to keep updated on growth of others who are influential voices in technology such as the Vicki Davis's Cool Cat Teacher, Dean Shareski's Ideas and Thoughts from an Edtech or Clarence Fisher's Remote Access (Just to name only a few!). Big task? Maybe, but I think it is a worthwhile investment in our futures and a will make a large impact on our students and their employable abilities.
What do you think?
My CPT 20 kids are starting off with a 5-10 minute game show skit, and my CPT 10 students are starting off with 60 second commercials. I am excited about working with "new" technology (new to me that is!), and applying all I have learned and heard about from our ISITS committee last year. Even though I am no longer in Lsky I am still there in a virtual world community sense.
We are doing PLC's across the division and they are talking about setting up wiki's for each group if they want - I love the idea but worry that some may not enjoy it as much as I. As a fan of wiki's, I am advocating at how user-friendly they are compared to some other options out there. Any ideas to help me get through? :-) I know, I know, charm the pants off them with my own amazing wikispace....I know that is what you're all thinking! :-)
I still struggle with "pushing" people to accept technology in classrooms and actually use it to enhance learning - not as the "easy way out" by giving them an assignment and just letting the students do whatever they want for it. For example: If you allow them to use powerpoint but they do not really know the program, and what a good presentation looks like, then for goodness sake show them some examples of what you want! Modeling is the best method when it comes to technology. From our digital citizenship presentations that we should all hear (our students included), digital citizenship does not just have to mean the internet - it can encompass all areas of technology (including programs, tools, methods, etc.)
I think we as teachers need to keep up to date on what is going on in current technological initiatives in not only your division but province wide, nation wide and globally. Each will impact you and your students, and as teachers it should be if it is not written somewhere already that our professional responsibility has reached a new height - not only do we have to give students breakfast, monitor their work, coach them sports, model good behavior and/or whatever else falls under the list -but we must include technological responsibilities. Keep up to date, maintain a blog and/or webpage, keep contact with parents and students through mediums of the 21st century, have a bloglines (or similar) account to keep updated on growth of others who are influential voices in technology such as the Vicki Davis's Cool Cat Teacher, Dean Shareski's Ideas and Thoughts from an Edtech or Clarence Fisher's Remote Access (Just to name only a few!). Big task? Maybe, but I think it is a worthwhile investment in our futures and a will make a large impact on our students and their employable abilities.
What do you think?
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
update info, and COOL TOOLS!!!!
To answer a few questions to my fellow listeners.....
Life is good out here. I moved and got a job in the Horizon SD - so I am officially out of the division - which makes me sad, yet excited. I am hoping to keep contact will all of you through my blog and email, so keep in touch all - keep up the comments! I am getting married in the fall and look forward to spending more time with my fiance until then.
Enough about that!
Again and again I am always drawn back to my bloglines account and find the Cool Tool blog really interesting because of their varied and extreme tools and information that they post about. As you may have noticed, I have enjoyed reading about cool new technologies that "help" make life easier. I have been away from my computer for a while - at least blogging, and I have just recently looked at it, only to find more Cool Tool items - a few I would like to share with you:
Cool Tool: GoBidet
-a remote control toilet washer - a high-powered spray attachment that an adjustable arm attachment for your toilet!!! Check it out!!
Cool Tool: Best Home Chemistry Lab Book
-a kid friendly book with tons of chemistry experiments. Enhance your children's learning at home by blowing things up!! haha! Just kidding! :-) Check it out!!
Cool Tool: Sleeptracker Pro
-a watch that you wear to help track and monitor your sleeping patterns - it can figure out when you are at your most rested, when you are starting to wake up, etc. Very neat for people who are frequent travellers - especially across time zones and have trouble adjusting. It is a watch, an alarm and a life saver - Check it out!!!
Life is good out here. I moved and got a job in the Horizon SD - so I am officially out of the division - which makes me sad, yet excited. I am hoping to keep contact will all of you through my blog and email, so keep in touch all - keep up the comments! I am getting married in the fall and look forward to spending more time with my fiance until then.
Enough about that!
Again and again I am always drawn back to my bloglines account and find the Cool Tool blog really interesting because of their varied and extreme tools and information that they post about. As you may have noticed, I have enjoyed reading about cool new technologies that "help" make life easier. I have been away from my computer for a while - at least blogging, and I have just recently looked at it, only to find more Cool Tool items - a few I would like to share with you:
Cool Tool: GoBidet
-a remote control toilet washer - a high-powered spray attachment that an adjustable arm attachment for your toilet!!! Check it out!!
Cool Tool: Best Home Chemistry Lab Book
-a kid friendly book with tons of chemistry experiments. Enhance your children's learning at home by blowing things up!! haha! Just kidding! :-) Check it out!!
Cool Tool: Sleeptracker Pro
-a watch that you wear to help track and monitor your sleeping patterns - it can figure out when you are at your most rested, when you are starting to wake up, etc. Very neat for people who are frequent travellers - especially across time zones and have trouble adjusting. It is a watch, an alarm and a life saver - Check it out!!!
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