Teacher Creates Global Ning: Needs Educators for Collaboration

Although this project is geared toward High School students and teacher, the concept would work well with Junior High and ambitious Elementary students as well.  Global Nation is a website that invites students and teachers from all over the world to share about their cultures.  I have seen postings from students in Afghanistan and even Indondesia. 

The website states: "The purpose of this forum is for educators to collaborate on a Unit of study called Globalization. Educators will join together to create a Unit of study on Globalism in which their students will be able to use distance labs and advanced technologies to teach each other about each other. The purpose of this program is to promote world peace through understanding. I think it is important for us as educators to start thinking about education in a global perspective. Never before in history has the world been this inter-connected. Technology has made it possible for us to communicate with each other in ways no one would have imagined just a few years ago. Texting, twittering, Facebook, Myspace, emails, blogs, webcasts, podcasts, and other technologies have created a global village of sorts. There is a tremendous cultural lag behind this technological revolution, Sure, we can communicate with each but do we really understand each other. It is the duty, the responsibilty of every educator to prepare their students for a world in which peace can only be achieved through true understanding. This understanding comes from education" (Strelec).

Strelec, J. (2010). Global nation: a global way to educate. Retrieved from http://globalnat.ning.com/

Newseum

OK for all those teachers who love to incorporate current events in their teachings, here is an engaging and interactive way to do so! I am providing a link to a screencast which shows how this tool works as well as a screencast provided by Mr. Tooke, from Wilkerson Intermediate and how incorporates it into this curriculum. Carpe Diem and best of luck! Technology Rocks!
http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cQiqY6fo5
http://screencast.com/t/aMBc446Q

5E Process

Persuasive Presentation on Prezi

The TCEA 2010 Conference

I had the luxury of attending the TCEA conference in Austin and came away with some good ideas for my fellow educators who are striving to find Web 2.0 tools for their instruction as well as potential technology based products for students.

Here are a few ideas:
Mixbook.com - similary to animoto
Prezi - nonlinear powerpoint presentation tool
Elluminate - share webinars (fees associated)
Twiddla - an online whiteboard

There's plenty more and as I play with some of the other ideas, I will be sure to share!

February - WE WROTE A GRANT

This has been an exciting and a busy month! The sixth grade team has submitted a proposal for a $42,500.00 grant for the sixth graders to have a "one to one" ratio of iPod Touches! We find out tomorrow if we got it (I'm pretty certain we have!). This will be a great endeavour for our kiddos especially since many of them lack the tools at home for accessing missed assignments or missed class lessons (students can access screencasts or webinars!). As with many other school districts accessibility to computer labs or mobile carts hinder the teacher's ability to actively integrate technology into our student's "products." We might use technology within our direct teach or shared learning but budget constraints prevent student utilization and implementation. So! Hopefully the iPod Touches will help us with that situation. I know Mansfield ISD has implemented iPod Touches in their PK and up classrooms (http://www.mansfieldisd.org/index.htm). I will keep you posted on our progress!

ScreenToaster.Com - How to Glog for Students Introduction

Record your screencast online

Glogster - Please note some links may be password protected for privacy issues