NING
http://www.ning.com
Social Networking 2.0
Interactive
Multimedia
Scalable
Public/Open community
Private/Closed Community
Local
Global
Get your feet wet – Explore!
•http://www.classroom20.com
•http://nextgen.ning.com
•http://digistories.ning.com
•http://eflclassroom.ning.com
•http://k12opensource.ning.com
Couple the power of NING with the capability of Elluminate to bring members together for sharing information, planning, and problem-solving. How? Consider the limited, free, cross-platform service provided for by Elluminate, or the fuller, yet economic version.
ELLUMINATE:
http://www.elluminate.com
Free for three (3) simultaneous connections. Hint: Three connections could be equal to three rooms with ten people each. The cost for additional connections is very reasonable…as low as $33.00/month.
To view a recorded demonstration, or to schedule a live, online demonstration go to http://www.elluminate.com/demo/live_demo.jsp
I’d be glad to go through these services with you and your staff. Please contact me to schedule a demonstration. Sessions include file sharing, PowerPoint-sharing, audio and video, co-browsing, markups on whitespace, and more!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Journaling & Reading: Lost Arts?
Do you feel like students aren't writing enough, or that getting them to write is like trying to floss fish teeth? Try appealing to their "inner digital native". A simple and easy way to get them up and running in no time is at http://www.notebookg.com
As far as reading: Consider the iTouch or Amazon's Kindle. Pricey? Maybe OR maybe not. If the goal is to get children to read, the medium in which the written word is consumed is wide-open. You can always start small. You can also ask to see a demonstration. That's why I'm available to you as your county technology integration coordinator. Give me a call and ask to arrange a demonstration of the iTouch or the Kindle. I'd be glad to come into your classroom and let you see them first-hand!
As far as reading: Consider the iTouch or Amazon's Kindle. Pricey? Maybe OR maybe not. If the goal is to get children to read, the medium in which the written word is consumed is wide-open. You can always start small. You can also ask to see a demonstration. That's why I'm available to you as your county technology integration coordinator. Give me a call and ask to arrange a demonstration of the iTouch or the Kindle. I'd be glad to come into your classroom and let you see them first-hand!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
TED
There's YouTube (sorry - if you're trying to access this extremely beneficial site from school, it'll be blocked), TeacherTube, GodTube (now called Tangle), Facebook (yet another blocked website), Blogger, MySpace (you guessed it - blocked), Ning, TBD, and a host of other Web 2.0 sites that provide dynamic content.
Take social networking to another level! Consider TED as your next stop to gather information and exchange ideas with others, upload and download videos, and acquire new, global perspectives!
A visionary think-tank I am fortunate to be a member of, Master Minds, held a teleconference today. One of the "speakers" we listened to was Benjamin Zander, a classical music afficionado. We discussed how the related arts MUST be made part of the STEM approach to assessment, and how they were, for the most part, being overlooked. We also discussed left and right-brain studies as they relate to assessment and the arts.
What I'd like to introduce to you, however, is the immense potential for gaining new insights and networking potential with educators from all over the world! Check out TED. You won't be sorry!
Take social networking to another level! Consider TED as your next stop to gather information and exchange ideas with others, upload and download videos, and acquire new, global perspectives!
A visionary think-tank I am fortunate to be a member of, Master Minds, held a teleconference today. One of the "speakers" we listened to was Benjamin Zander, a classical music afficionado. We discussed how the related arts MUST be made part of the STEM approach to assessment, and how they were, for the most part, being overlooked. We also discussed left and right-brain studies as they relate to assessment and the arts.
What I'd like to introduce to you, however, is the immense potential for gaining new insights and networking potential with educators from all over the world! Check out TED. You won't be sorry!
Collaborating With Others - It's How We Grow & Learn
One of the blessings of networking with colleagues is the knowledge that's shared. In doing so, all reap the benefits of growing - even more so when that knowledge is "brought home" to those with whom we associate.
Janet Bennincosa, a friend and colleague in Harrison County, wears one hat, and one hat only - Technology Integration Coordinator. She has developed a set of resources that I'd like to share with you. It's packed with information focusing upon 21st Century Tools, resources, and curricular resources, K-5, covering all content areas. I know you'll find some very useful resources that you can put to use.
Click on the URL below:
http://www.wvschools.com/harrisoncounty/csos/elementarycsos.html
Monday, February 2, 2009
Music & Technology in the Classroom
There are a wealth of resources available to the classroom teacher, whether choral or instrumental, that can be used to augment the music program and bring technology into the curriculum. These resources can also be used to enhance instructional delivery.
One such product is a piece of hardware called the MusicPad Pro Plus, from http://www.freehandsystems.com/products.html This product is an electronic-touch-screen based notebook. Scan your music, save it to a flash drive, then insert the drive into the MusicPad. It can then be opened up and read sheet music electronically. Pages can be turned by touching the screen or optional foot pedal. The unit comes with a stylus that permits one to make markups to the music, then saves the markups for rehearsal. The unit will also connect to a digital projector so your students can view the music on a large screen. You'll then be able to see their faces as they read the music behind you. No more "hidden faces" looking down at the music! I have such a device. It's easy to learn how to navigate this piece of equipment. It mounts on a music stand and is portable. It has a battery that is good for 2 or so hours between charges.
Another item is a free piece of software called Anvil Studio. This program creates midi files that can be played on a computer or through a clavinova. You can then accompany the clavinova with another instrument such as a trumpet or guitar. Chad Davis, a local musician, has used this program with great success. Get the program from http://www.anvilstudio.com
Another program that is similar to but much more versatile than Anvil Studio is one called FL Studio. The demo version is fully functional, but will not save your projects, HOWEVER, it will allow you to export them as .wav or .mp3 files. The program allow for multi-track composition and looping. I've not worked with it but have seen it in action. Local musician Dusty Merrill has used it with success in our church as part of the worship and praise team. It is VERY impressive. The fully functional version is $99.00. The demo version, though, should do what you want it to do if .wav or mp3 files will meet your needs. Download FL Studio from http://flstudio.image-line.com
Charlie
One such product is a piece of hardware called the MusicPad Pro Plus, from http://www.freehandsystems.com/products.html This product is an electronic-touch-screen based notebook. Scan your music, save it to a flash drive, then insert the drive into the MusicPad. It can then be opened up and read sheet music electronically. Pages can be turned by touching the screen or optional foot pedal. The unit comes with a stylus that permits one to make markups to the music, then saves the markups for rehearsal. The unit will also connect to a digital projector so your students can view the music on a large screen. You'll then be able to see their faces as they read the music behind you. No more "hidden faces" looking down at the music! I have such a device. It's easy to learn how to navigate this piece of equipment. It mounts on a music stand and is portable. It has a battery that is good for 2 or so hours between charges.
Another item is a free piece of software called Anvil Studio. This program creates midi files that can be played on a computer or through a clavinova. You can then accompany the clavinova with another instrument such as a trumpet or guitar. Chad Davis, a local musician, has used this program with great success. Get the program from http://www.anvilstudio.com
Another program that is similar to but much more versatile than Anvil Studio is one called FL Studio. The demo version is fully functional, but will not save your projects, HOWEVER, it will allow you to export them as .wav or .mp3 files. The program allow for multi-track composition and looping. I've not worked with it but have seen it in action. Local musician Dusty Merrill has used it with success in our church as part of the worship and praise team. It is VERY impressive. The fully functional version is $99.00. The demo version, though, should do what you want it to do if .wav or mp3 files will meet your needs. Download FL Studio from http://flstudio.image-line.com
Charlie
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