Archive for October, 2009

Two Links to Educational Resources and a Thought Provoking Video

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

The following links are interesting blogs that feature resources for teachers.
http://langwitches.org/blog/
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/
Big Thinkers: James Paul Gee On Video Games  http://www.edutopia.org/james-gee-games-learning-video

October 25-29 Vista Class

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

This week students completed on their Photo Story 3  slide shows using the Ken Burns affect.  Students also will be creating Halloween cards and posters.  They will also start working on the country brochure project.  Details of this project have been sent to each students Think Quest website.

October 19- 23 B Block Vista

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Students are using a collaborative rubric to evaluate each others’ research projects.  They will also critique their own projects before I give them a final evaluation.  Student projects can be viewed on the student thinkquest.org websites.  Starting Wednesday, students will create photo slide shows in Microsoft Photo Story 3.  They will make use of the [...]

Ken Burns Speaking to Team Vista

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Ken Burns will be speaking to Team Vista on Monday October 26 via Skype.  Mr. Burns has agreed to discuss the process of making a documentary film and will take student questions.  This event is part of the kick-off for the Vista video research project.
The following are the general C-Span topics:
“One of the country’s greatest [...]

Repost of Beginning of The Year Thoughts

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Thoughts at the beginning of the 2009- 20010 school year
By Rick Davidson

During the past two years, I have done a lot of thinking about the best way to integrate computer technology into all curriculum areas. I have read articles on what 21st century businesses are looking for in employees and and I have talked [...]

Check Out Things You Really Need To Know By Stephen Downess

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Click on this link to check out an interesting article by Stephen Downes. http://www.downes.ca/post/38502

October 13-16

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Students are finishing their thinkquest research projects and are now, using a rubric, critiquing each others projects online.  In particular students will be paying attention to the quality of the research, the correct formatting of  works cited, creativity, and presentation.

Examples of Good Student Blogs

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Lauren
Abbey
Tips for Using Blog In The Classroom
“Teachers can make the process of blogging easier for their students by setting an example.  If a teacher has a blog, it makes students want to blog, too.”  Lauren

More Food For Thought

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many
There’s a place for tech in every classroom.
by Edutopia Staff
“Technology is ubiquitous, touching almost every part of our lives, our communities, our homes. Yet most schools lag far behind when it comes to integrating technology into classroom learning. Many are just beginning to explore the true potential [...]

October 6-9

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

This week is NECAP testing.  The class is now working an on-line research project that will be  created in thinkquest.com.  The full instructions have been posted on my thinkquest site as well as on the student’s sites.  The goals of this unit are to help students differentiate between valid and invalid information on the Internet, create a properly [...]