Just reviewed the latest Lee LeFavre videon on Social Networking/Media. Lee cleverly compares the creation of a town called Scoopville--the best ice cream makers in the world apparently, with the creation of Social Media promotion. In this zaney little "video" (all of his videos look whiteboarded) the ice cream HQ no longer is the only game in town making ice cream. People can make their own. When they do, they need to create ways to share information, get reviews and comments on their culinary creations.
Whala! Social media presentation 101. When we become the creators of information/products and invited others to see what we have done via etechnology, you have social media!
Great and easy to understand.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Jing Project "Tell A Story in 5 Frames"
View my screencast at: http://www.screencast.com/t/NzVhNjQyYT
Here is the script as well in case you want to read along. Enjoy!
The Eyjafjallajokull Caldera is located on one of Iceland's smaller ice caps located in the far south of the island. It is situated to the north of Skogar. Initial eruptions of the volcano lasted for a period of siz days in April 2010 with activity continuing into June.
Sesmic activity begain showing up as early as 2009 and fradually increased in intensity until March 20th 2010, wen a small eruption was triggered.
Although these eruptions were very small compared to other volcanic activity, its powerful blasts resulted in ash and fire causing major disruptions to air travel across Europe. In fact, debris from Eyjafjallajokull created the largest disruption of air travel in Europe since WWII.
In this first photo, you can see the rise of teh ash clud which ultimately reached a height of 9 kilometers or 30,000 feet.
Although Iceland is an isolated Nordic island, arctic winds drove the great ash plume to the south shutting down most major airports across Europe including Glasgow's International Airport shown in the sign here in picture 2. Additional airport closings included: London, Paris, Berlin, Dublin, Madrid and Rome.
This next photo captures the beginnings of the second phase of the eruption which started on April 14. An estimated total of 250 million cubic meters of pyroclastic material was ejected. the viscous material shown here in picture 3 is being ejected from the caldera which stands approximately 1,700 meters or 5,500 feet high. Although this volcano has erupted several times since the last ice age, the second phase was raqted as a class 4 eruption. Though large, it pales in comparison to the class 5 eruption of Mount Saint Helen's in 1980 or the 1991 class 6 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
As the activity ceases, picture 4 shows a fissure or vent opening, approximately 150 meters or 500 feet in length, releasing the less violent, viscous lava at a temperature of 1,000 degrees celsius or 1,800 degrees farenheight, in a slow moving stream.
By May 21st, almost 2 months into the eruptions, the second phase has subsided to the point that no further lava or ash was produced. Although the ash and lava effects will be felt far into the future, picture 5 shows a welcome end to the day, as a sun sets on the ash filled skies over Northern Europe.
Here is the script as well in case you want to read along. Enjoy!
The Eyjafjallajokull Caldera is located on one of Iceland's smaller ice caps located in the far south of the island. It is situated to the north of Skogar. Initial eruptions of the volcano lasted for a period of siz days in April 2010 with activity continuing into June.
Sesmic activity begain showing up as early as 2009 and fradually increased in intensity until March 20th 2010, wen a small eruption was triggered.
Although these eruptions were very small compared to other volcanic activity, its powerful blasts resulted in ash and fire causing major disruptions to air travel across Europe. In fact, debris from Eyjafjallajokull created the largest disruption of air travel in Europe since WWII.
In this first photo, you can see the rise of teh ash clud which ultimately reached a height of 9 kilometers or 30,000 feet.
Although Iceland is an isolated Nordic island, arctic winds drove the great ash plume to the south shutting down most major airports across Europe including Glasgow's International Airport shown in the sign here in picture 2. Additional airport closings included: London, Paris, Berlin, Dublin, Madrid and Rome.
This next photo captures the beginnings of the second phase of the eruption which started on April 14. An estimated total of 250 million cubic meters of pyroclastic material was ejected. the viscous material shown here in picture 3 is being ejected from the caldera which stands approximately 1,700 meters or 5,500 feet high. Although this volcano has erupted several times since the last ice age, the second phase was raqted as a class 4 eruption. Though large, it pales in comparison to the class 5 eruption of Mount Saint Helen's in 1980 or the 1991 class 6 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
As the activity ceases, picture 4 shows a fissure or vent opening, approximately 150 meters or 500 feet in length, releasing the less violent, viscous lava at a temperature of 1,000 degrees celsius or 1,800 degrees farenheight, in a slow moving stream.
By May 21st, almost 2 months into the eruptions, the second phase has subsided to the point that no further lava or ash was produced. Although the ash and lava effects will be felt far into the future, picture 5 shows a welcome end to the day, as a sun sets on the ash filled skies over Northern Europe.
Flickr Pic With Notes
Check out my photo w/ notes: http://www.flickr.com/gdisharoon/5007595223/
I chose a tourist map from our summer trip to Mystic Seaport, CT. What a beautiful little town! Roll over my notes for key locations!
I chose a tourist map from our summer trip to Mystic Seaport, CT. What a beautiful little town! Roll over my notes for key locations!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Aviary Screen Capture and Image
Screen Capture and Image
http://www.aviary.com/artists/gdisharoon/creations/mcdaniel_college_steel
There are so many bells and whistles with this feature that I really didn't know where to begin. You know you are low on ideas when you struggle with finding a simple URL to capture and begin manipulating! Once I settled on "disturbing" McDaniel College's images, I really did try to use some of the really amazing tools on the site.
I really liked the metal glow feature (as you can see). I really like the simplicity of zooming and cropping which I was probably most familiar with.
I guess what I was going for was an image that transformed the classroom into a moment caputured in time. I hope you enjoy it.
http://www.aviary.com/artists/gdisharoon/creations/mcdaniel_college_steel
There are so many bells and whistles with this feature that I really didn't know where to begin. You know you are low on ideas when you struggle with finding a simple URL to capture and begin manipulating! Once I settled on "disturbing" McDaniel College's images, I really did try to use some of the really amazing tools on the site.
I really liked the metal glow feature (as you can see). I really like the simplicity of zooming and cropping which I was probably most familiar with.
I guess what I was going for was an image that transformed the classroom into a moment caputured in time. I hope you enjoy it.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tell A Story in 5 Frames With Flickr
Check out my newest (and currently - ONLY) new story on Flickr!http://www.flickr.com/photos/gdisharoon
I believe that telling a story in 5 frames with Flickr provides teachers and librarians with a tremendously good opportunity to encourage literacy across the curriculum. First and foremost, it requires students (and teachers) to be precise and economical--that is, telling a story with little to no words, forces the reader/user to use what has been provided to infer what happened, what's happening and what will happen next. I like the idea of potentially using 5 frames to help students create, talk about and share processes. Questions like, what's happening here, what's going to happen next, how do you know, are great opportunities to think through process and outcomes. Assignments using this siteware could include having students create and present video journals. Ideas may include: something I feel passionate about, what I did this summer, what my family means to me, something impactful in the world that I would like to change, etc.
Secondly, this platform provides students and teachers with an opportunity to think across the curriculum and integrate key links between subjects. For example, I am working on an integrated unit plan on volcanic activity in Science and Math (5th grade) and want to incorporate Social Studies and ILA. A 5 frame story is a great way to continue the Science/Math themes but explore what we have learned in difference ways either through Writer's Workshop (using what we know about science/math related information) to write about what happening in the photos or synthesize what we have learned to create an entirely new narrative. For example, I love the idea that volcanoes can be both destructive and creative forces. In Social studies I may build on the destructive properties we learned in science and math and use the descriptive narratives in ILA to talk about how volcanoes can be creative--where cultures are created and how those cultures incorporate volcanoes and volcanic imagery all throughout that culture.
For me supporting balanced literacy in the classroom means giving my students an opportunity to read, write and present (share) information that they have learned (preferably by making connections across the curriculum). I believe that telling a story in 5 frames with Flickr is an excellent way to use technology to achieve that goal.
I believe that telling a story in 5 frames with Flickr provides teachers and librarians with a tremendously good opportunity to encourage literacy across the curriculum. First and foremost, it requires students (and teachers) to be precise and economical--that is, telling a story with little to no words, forces the reader/user to use what has been provided to infer what happened, what's happening and what will happen next. I like the idea of potentially using 5 frames to help students create, talk about and share processes. Questions like, what's happening here, what's going to happen next, how do you know, are great opportunities to think through process and outcomes. Assignments using this siteware could include having students create and present video journals. Ideas may include: something I feel passionate about, what I did this summer, what my family means to me, something impactful in the world that I would like to change, etc.
Secondly, this platform provides students and teachers with an opportunity to think across the curriculum and integrate key links between subjects. For example, I am working on an integrated unit plan on volcanic activity in Science and Math (5th grade) and want to incorporate Social Studies and ILA. A 5 frame story is a great way to continue the Science/Math themes but explore what we have learned in difference ways either through Writer's Workshop (using what we know about science/math related information) to write about what happening in the photos or synthesize what we have learned to create an entirely new narrative. For example, I love the idea that volcanoes can be both destructive and creative forces. In Social studies I may build on the destructive properties we learned in science and math and use the descriptive narratives in ILA to talk about how volcanoes can be creative--where cultures are created and how those cultures incorporate volcanoes and volcanic imagery all throughout that culture.
For me supporting balanced literacy in the classroom means giving my students an opportunity to read, write and present (share) information that they have learned (preferably by making connections across the curriculum). I believe that telling a story in 5 frames with Flickr is an excellent way to use technology to achieve that goal.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Classroom Blogs
I took a look at 3 different classroom blogs. Here's what I found:
Grade 5/6 - Ottawa, Canada - Elementary
http://mysm2000.edublogs.org/
Very interesting blog. Using edublog and Studio 22, the teacher conducts a book club where students either read a book (or part of a book) and respond by blogging or interact with a book they are reading by writing a letter to the author or character in the story and recording and reading it. There are several excerpts here to preview.
In addition, students conduct news programs, things they find interesting and record them as well. It's a great way to conduct projects within various units and use technology to complete the projects in a new and exciting way.
Collaboration Nation A Middle School Social Studies Blog - Middle School
http://pbogush.edublogs.org/
Another very interesting way to tackle the blog. The teacher sets up a series of topics/questions that the students can post to. Each theme incorporates a Social Studies topic or objective (for example, what is a hero and provide some examples throughout history. why are they heroes).
A great assignment on its own right? Well the teacher goes a step further by actually creating a blogging club that links to the main blog site. Each student member designs his/her own blog page and responds to the topics. The users are accessible from the main page to see what each student is blogging about.
http://grade11fld.edublogs.org/ - High School
An 11th grade Foreign Languge Blog that has resources such as links to studying grammar to glogster poems that the students wrote in the class---GREAT IDEA!!!!This blog also has a link to an international collaborative project (an exchange with Portugal) that this class is engaged in as well as the class calendar and other useful links.
I really liked what I found in these 3 classroom blogs. I loved the Glogster Poem idea. What a great way to not only have students write poetry but have them engage using technology. It's also a fantastic way to archive information and share with parents, families, administrators, teachers, etc.
I particularly like the aspect of using blogs almost as a class guide and diary. You get a real sense for what the class is involved with throughout the year. I do like the international exchange opportunities here (penpal blog).
Blogs can also be as simple as a way to de-clutter students by storing information electronically.
Grade 5/6 - Ottawa, Canada - Elementary
http://mysm2000.edublogs.org/
Very interesting blog. Using edublog and Studio 22, the teacher conducts a book club where students either read a book (or part of a book) and respond by blogging or interact with a book they are reading by writing a letter to the author or character in the story and recording and reading it. There are several excerpts here to preview.
In addition, students conduct news programs, things they find interesting and record them as well. It's a great way to conduct projects within various units and use technology to complete the projects in a new and exciting way.
Collaboration Nation A Middle School Social Studies Blog - Middle School
http://pbogush.edublogs.org/
Another very interesting way to tackle the blog. The teacher sets up a series of topics/questions that the students can post to. Each theme incorporates a Social Studies topic or objective (for example, what is a hero and provide some examples throughout history. why are they heroes).
A great assignment on its own right? Well the teacher goes a step further by actually creating a blogging club that links to the main blog site. Each student member designs his/her own blog page and responds to the topics. The users are accessible from the main page to see what each student is blogging about.
http://grade11fld.edublogs.org/ - High School
An 11th grade Foreign Languge Blog that has resources such as links to studying grammar to glogster poems that the students wrote in the class---GREAT IDEA!!!!This blog also has a link to an international collaborative project (an exchange with Portugal) that this class is engaged in as well as the class calendar and other useful links.
I really liked what I found in these 3 classroom blogs. I loved the Glogster Poem idea. What a great way to not only have students write poetry but have them engage using technology. It's also a fantastic way to archive information and share with parents, families, administrators, teachers, etc.
I particularly like the aspect of using blogs almost as a class guide and diary. You get a real sense for what the class is involved with throughout the year. I do like the international exchange opportunities here (penpal blog).
Blogs can also be as simple as a way to de-clutter students by storing information electronically.
Library Blogs
I recently visited 3 different library blogs to look at what School Libaries are up to--more specifically, what they are blogging about.
I got started using a wiki site of worldwide school library blogs (K-12). Here's that link: http://www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/links/index.php?title=School_libraries
Goldenview Middle School, Anchorage, Alaska http://goldenviewlibrary.blogspot.com/
The blog functions much like a wiki actually with pictures of students and activities the library hosts. It provides a great deal of information such as: when to return books that have been borrowed throughout the year, Summer Reading Lists, news and updates on themes, projects and contests the school and community host, specialist visitors and upcoming events. It's even got a great section called "Spine Poetry" where books are stacked up to create poetic statements
Dickens Elementary School, North Las Vegas, Nevada http://mrsbentheim.edublogs.org
This blog puts my personal blog to shame. It's the most beautiful and complex blog I have ever seen! It covers everything from recent updates from the librarian (Mrs Bentheim) to reports to the school principal and administration to local school news. In addition it is home to the library newsletter, procedures, policies and latest greatest activities in the school by grade. It comes complete with videos, graphics, newsletters, etc.
Ward Melville High School, East Setauket, New York http://wardmelvillelibrary.blogspot.com/
This blog is more along the lines of what I expected from a school library blog. It's not bad it's just not flashy. Postings include assignments and projects from various participating teachers, Summer Reading Lists, what's going on at the Community Libraries, professional development for teachers and much more.
After taking a look at just these 3 blogs (I looked at some others but there were a few broken or missing links) the possibilities of library blogging are endless both from a content, user and visual standpoint. It's safe to say that I was amazed at how accessable and complex these blogs were. Some common themes included: Available Books and Publications, Procedures, Policies and Newsletters, News (what was happening in the library), Grade level information, Projects, Teachers and Students. I think library blogs are a terrific way for teachers who have a limited time to engage with the library and school media center to read, present and discuss topics of interest. It's also a great way for families to ask questions and stay connected to what's going on.
I personally do keep a blog (though I am not as faithful as it would like me to be). I try to update it quarterly. I started with a monthly post but that's just not possible to keep up with.
I think teachers are pretty scared of blogs. For the most part I think they see them as time consumers with little reward. Since many schools seem isolated (and many are geographically) I think blogging is a terrific way to connect teachers and their classes with other schools/classrooms around the world. A great way to initiate blogging might be through the pen pal concept (blogpal?) To get teachers involved in the school I think librarians could pull together a quick You Tube type video (or live) to demonstrate what it is and how to use it. IF it's short and compelling teachers will come. Oh and it never hurts to serve food.
I got started using a wiki site of worldwide school library blogs (K-12). Here's that link: http://www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/links/index.php?title=School_libraries
Goldenview Middle School, Anchorage, Alaska http://goldenviewlibrary.blogspot.com/
The blog functions much like a wiki actually with pictures of students and activities the library hosts. It provides a great deal of information such as: when to return books that have been borrowed throughout the year, Summer Reading Lists, news and updates on themes, projects and contests the school and community host, specialist visitors and upcoming events. It's even got a great section called "Spine Poetry" where books are stacked up to create poetic statements
Dickens Elementary School, North Las Vegas, Nevada http://mrsbentheim.edublogs.org
This blog puts my personal blog to shame. It's the most beautiful and complex blog I have ever seen! It covers everything from recent updates from the librarian (Mrs Bentheim) to reports to the school principal and administration to local school news. In addition it is home to the library newsletter, procedures, policies and latest greatest activities in the school by grade. It comes complete with videos, graphics, newsletters, etc.
Ward Melville High School, East Setauket, New York http://wardmelvillelibrary.blogspot.com/
This blog is more along the lines of what I expected from a school library blog. It's not bad it's just not flashy. Postings include assignments and projects from various participating teachers, Summer Reading Lists, what's going on at the Community Libraries, professional development for teachers and much more.
After taking a look at just these 3 blogs (I looked at some others but there were a few broken or missing links) the possibilities of library blogging are endless both from a content, user and visual standpoint. It's safe to say that I was amazed at how accessable and complex these blogs were. Some common themes included: Available Books and Publications, Procedures, Policies and Newsletters, News (what was happening in the library), Grade level information, Projects, Teachers and Students. I think library blogs are a terrific way for teachers who have a limited time to engage with the library and school media center to read, present and discuss topics of interest. It's also a great way for families to ask questions and stay connected to what's going on.
I personally do keep a blog (though I am not as faithful as it would like me to be). I try to update it quarterly. I started with a monthly post but that's just not possible to keep up with.
I think teachers are pretty scared of blogs. For the most part I think they see them as time consumers with little reward. Since many schools seem isolated (and many are geographically) I think blogging is a terrific way to connect teachers and their classes with other schools/classrooms around the world. A great way to initiate blogging might be through the pen pal concept (blogpal?) To get teachers involved in the school I think librarians could pull together a quick You Tube type video (or live) to demonstrate what it is and how to use it. IF it's short and compelling teachers will come. Oh and it never hurts to serve food.
Wiki
I just watched the Lee LeFavre, Wikis in plain English---hilarious. Not only was it extremely well presented but it was fun to watch. This would be a great great video to show kids in a library media presentation on wikis or help teachers get on board the wiki bus. It makes something that could be very complex very manageable and reminded me of the smart UPS commercials--I think they are called UPS Whiteboard? I am a fan.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Pagecast Sharing
Hello again readers,
It's been 3 months since my last online session. Yes, I know, you're disappointed. Me too. Blogging is a not an excercise its a ritual, a routine a full-time way of life.
Anyhoo, I have just started a new course (by the way I only have one left and student teaching!!!!) towards my Master's in Education. I can hardly contain myself.
This blog entry is quite interesting (to me) as I have been perusing various pagecasts (no I didn't know they existed before this either). Another thing you know about me is that I am led by 3 things: Food, Music and Art. I have looked at 3 pagecasts.
Art
I loved this one. It's a new pageflake apparently and it's chock full of all kinds of different artists from all over the world contributing their drawings, paintings, sketches, cartoons, doodles, etc. I think this is just a great way to not only get your work "out there" but a great way to connect with other artists, share space, collaborate, find new inspiration etc. I am particuluarly interested in the art produced from various travels or as a diary of ideas. Some really beautiful pieces here. Take a look: http://www.pageflakes.com/DebiLynn/23879026
Food
Everybody eats right? But not everybody cooks. I love this pagecast called Gayla's What's Cookin. She's got everything in here! From what herbs to grow in your garden to creative cooking by emptying your fridge to international cuisine to the latest/greatest cookbooks out there. I was specifically looking for comfort, everyday meals with a twist. And people..........here it is. How does Coconut Mango Flognarde sound? Don't know what a Flognarde is.......well take a look and find out. http://www.pageflakes.com/gatraylo/21185737
Music
One of the best things I can think of is listening to some great music, drinking a nice wine with friends and making some great cuisine. I often use iTunes to figure our what's new (Lyle Lovett has a new album out!) and I love the feature that makes recommendations based on what you have already purchased. I am a HUGE fan of Blues and Alternative Country. While I was snooping around looking at pagecasts, I came across this one: Messy Blues. It sounds like a great combination of cooking and blues music right. It's also in Spanish which is interesting because there are not that many Spanish speaking blues artists out there. Anyway, have a look see.
http://www.pageflakes.com/messyblues/12245003
That's it for today. As always, in my hope to remain relevant, I hope that I have impacted you all in some small way.
It's been 3 months since my last online session. Yes, I know, you're disappointed. Me too. Blogging is a not an excercise its a ritual, a routine a full-time way of life.
Anyhoo, I have just started a new course (by the way I only have one left and student teaching!!!!) towards my Master's in Education. I can hardly contain myself.
This blog entry is quite interesting (to me) as I have been perusing various pagecasts (no I didn't know they existed before this either). Another thing you know about me is that I am led by 3 things: Food, Music and Art. I have looked at 3 pagecasts.
Art
I loved this one. It's a new pageflake apparently and it's chock full of all kinds of different artists from all over the world contributing their drawings, paintings, sketches, cartoons, doodles, etc. I think this is just a great way to not only get your work "out there" but a great way to connect with other artists, share space, collaborate, find new inspiration etc. I am particuluarly interested in the art produced from various travels or as a diary of ideas. Some really beautiful pieces here. Take a look: http://www.pageflakes.com/DebiLynn/23879026
Food
Everybody eats right? But not everybody cooks. I love this pagecast called Gayla's What's Cookin. She's got everything in here! From what herbs to grow in your garden to creative cooking by emptying your fridge to international cuisine to the latest/greatest cookbooks out there. I was specifically looking for comfort, everyday meals with a twist. And people..........here it is. How does Coconut Mango Flognarde sound? Don't know what a Flognarde is.......well take a look and find out. http://www.pageflakes.com/gatraylo/21185737
Music
One of the best things I can think of is listening to some great music, drinking a nice wine with friends and making some great cuisine. I often use iTunes to figure our what's new (Lyle Lovett has a new album out!) and I love the feature that makes recommendations based on what you have already purchased. I am a HUGE fan of Blues and Alternative Country. While I was snooping around looking at pagecasts, I came across this one: Messy Blues. It sounds like a great combination of cooking and blues music right. It's also in Spanish which is interesting because there are not that many Spanish speaking blues artists out there. Anyway, have a look see.
http://www.pageflakes.com/messyblues/12245003
That's it for today. As always, in my hope to remain relevant, I hope that I have impacted you all in some small way.
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