Dr. Strange's Fall 2009 EDM 310 Class Blog

EDM310 Has Moved

2010-01-28T08:46:00.004-06:00

You are now on the EDM310 Blog for the Fall 2009 semester. From now on we will not create a new blog every semester. So visit the NEW EDM310 Blog. Just Click and we will whisk you there instantly (if Google, Blogger and the Internet cooperate).

Mr. Chamberlain Skypes In

2009-12-12T09:34:00.006-06:00

Mr. William Chamberlain, exceptionally gifted technology teacher at Noel Elementary School in Noel, Missouri, outstanding role model for technology teachers throughout the world, and a major contributor to the extremely useful blog At The TeachersDesk visited EDM310 via Skype in November 11, 2009. Mr. Chamberlain has been a major influence in helping me reshape EDM310 into the course it is today. I am extremely appreciative of his guidance, comments, suggestions, and encouragement as well as his numerous comments and contributions to the students in EDM310. This is the unedited recorded Skype session with Mr. Chamberlain, lost connections and all. I am certain you will find it extremely useful as you continue your efforts to become a technology literate teacher!

Final Reflection Summary Results

2009-12-07T11:10:00.005-06:00

The results are in: Summary of Responses to Final Relection EDM310 Fall 2009

Deadline For Everything Changed to 5 AM Friday 12/4

2009-12-02T12:07:00.004-06:00

Deadline For Everything Changed to 5 AM Friday 12/4/09
That is 5:00 AM.
Links to all Student Professional Blogs are now posted. If the link to your Professional Blog does not work you must send me the correct URL before 5 AM Friday 12/4.
I see that several of you are just starting your Professional Blog. What can I say? "It is rather late!" is probably too mild.

Exams are tomorrow (or tonight in Fairhope).
Wednesday 6-8 PM Fairhope
Thursday 10:30-12:30; 1:00-3:00; 3:30-5:30. (TT11; TT 2; TT 4). You can take the final exam at a time that is not yours IF you bring your own computer.

If you have not Skyped me you must do so by 5 AM on Friday 12/4/09. Try today between 4 PM and 8 PM, tomorrow between 10:30 and 12:30 or between 1:00 and 5:30. It will be very problematic after 5:30 tomorrow night! This is a MANDATORY requirement for this course!

TT11 - Student Professional Blogs

2009-12-02T12:07:00.000-06:00

Keysha Boltz
Stephen Burrough
Dana Cook
Deidra Day
Jessica Debose
Erica Freeman
Margaret Hines
Mary Hutson
James Lankford
Dara McDowell
Frederick Patterson
Jahmarkus Rabb
Tia Robinson
Megan Stewart
Stephanie Tinney
Marissa Washington
Alex Williams

TT2 - Student Professional Blogs

2009-12-02T12:06:00.001-06:00

Catherine Bryers
Emily Carlson
Courtney Deflanders
Katherine Duren
Belinda Flucker
Jennifer Foreman
Kimberly Gilley
John Harville
Alexandria Hayes
Jamie Lynn
Sabrina McAnally
Lanadia Patrick
Tiffany Paul
Dillon Rogers
Ryan Rogers
Lindsay Sanders
Cade Somers
Samantha Sunderman
Autumn Wiggins

TT4 - Student Professional Blogs

2009-12-02T11:40:00.004-06:00

Erica Burrell
Alicia Cooper
Jenna Deangelo
Angel Dixon
Keating Helms
Margaret Horst
Olicia Jones
Kriston Killingsworth
Lachandra Lett
Haley Mills
Tresher Moorer
India Munden
Jessica Parker
Hillary Polchow
Amanda Reed
Courtney Rose
Melissa Russell
Caroline Shedd
John Woolf

W6 - Student Professional Blogs

2009-12-02T11:28:00.007-06:00

Heather Anderson
Anthony Capps
Marshalle Ely
James Fawcett
Robert Grainger
Lauren Greer
Laurin Karadimos
Rachel Kinard
May Laughton
Lacey Musgrove
Ashley Nichols
Ginger Parnell
Jessica Pose
Maggie Tarver
Kimberly Windham

Completing the Semester

2009-11-18T13:36:00.018-06:00

Here is a quick reminder of some of the things that you may need to complete.

1. Project 1 Your Blog including the following:
a. Your posts as assigned, including those I have added in the Class Blog
b. A summary (or individual posts) on comments4kids
c. Pictures and links that work. Pictures must include complete alt and title tags. Pictures are required after October 4, 2009.
d. Your presentation must be in a post on your blog
e. Your blog must contain a post related to Project 11. See Number 11 Below.
f. Your blog must contain a post related to your PLN (Project 6). See Number 6 Below.
g. Your blog must contain your post for the last blog assignment due December 2, 2009.
h. In the small column of your class blog you should have, in this order, the About Me gadget which also contains your picture, Contact Me (An HTML/Java Script gadget) with contact information (at least your gmail), a Link List gadget named Important Links with a link to the class blog and a link to your professional blog (and any other links that you have deemed important during the semester), and other gadgets such as Followers, Blog Archive, etc.
1A. Comments On Your Classmate's Blogs. You were to comment on at least 2 blogs of classmates every week starting September 20. It is impossible to catch up with this requirement. But there are 3 weeks left in which you can do what you were supposed to do. This assignment may affect your grade if you are "on the bubble" between two grades or in determining the grade for your class participation or both.
2. Project 2 Presentation This must be embedded in your blog.
3. Project 3 An iGoogle Page with an RSS feed for the class blog. Although I do not think that everyone complied with this requirement, I will accept it that you did since most of you apparently did read the class blog on a regular (more or less) basis.
4. Project 4 Professional Blog Due 12/2/09. You must add a link to your Professional Blog in the Important Links area on the side of your class blog. In addition, email the URL of your Professional Blog to me.
5. Project 5 Form You should have shared with me (To Edit) your spreadsheet that resulted from your form. This is NOT the same as having emailed me the form!
6. Project 6 Personal Learning Network In a separate post on your blog, describe your current PLN (for education related matters). Name names. Describe how your PLN has been acquired. Indicate how actively you make use of it. Discuss how you intend to continue it in the future (adding to it, making use of its members, providing assistance to its members).
7. Project 7 Skype You need to Skype me so that I can verify that you have installed your webcam and that it works as required and that you know how to use Skype. Tue 11/24 and Tue 12/1 would be excellent days to do that. You can also keep monitoring my availability. This Friday until 4 or so would also be good. Saturday, Sunday Monday between 10 and 4 (except for lunch) will also probably work most of those days. You can try over Thanksgiving but do not count on me being available much of that time).
You should have my list of who has Skyped me in your Google Docs.
8. Project 8 Comments4Kids You should have completed these assignments shortly after they were assigned. You should also post a summary of your comments4kids activities (with examples) unless you have posted individual reports as you carried out the assignments in which case you need do nothing more.
9. Google Earth Tour was cancelled. I hope you work with Google Earth on your own. It has lots of possibilities!
10. Project 10 Podcast Your podcast should be posted now or no later than 9 am 11/19/09. If your podcast is not on the Podcast Blog by 9 am on Thursday 11/19, contact me IMMEDIATELY!
11. Project 11 PresentationMake a separate post on your blog for your Project 11 Presentation. Most should have a link to a movie, a YouTube or a Google Presentation. If you do not have a link to an "artifact", write two or three paragraphs summarizing the content of your Project as well as detailing the process you used in presenting your information. If you have any questions, Skype, call or email me.

Actually that applies to all of the above. Skype, call or email me with questions.

Catching Up? Five Warnings For Everyone

2009-11-15T17:43:00.012-06:00

A number of you are making a mad dash to catch up with your blog posts. I won't say "I w*r*ed y*u", but I will caution you of five problems you must avoid when you race to catch up. Actually, these comments apply to everyone.
1. You must meet the requirements of the assignment. In the last set of blog instructions you have fewer posts, but the instructions are more detailed and complex. To catch up you must follow the instructions.
2. Avoid fluff and words without content. Sometimes students catching up think they can avoid reading or watching the assignment and just write "fluff" instead. If you were expecting cake but got only a cardboard picture you might be more upset than if there were only an empty plate. At least you would know what you were getting. Personally, I don't like cardboard cake.
3. Avoid PLAGIARISM! You might be tempted to see what others have written, maybe even copy (or slightly change) what another student has written, or copy hunks of material from the site itself without proper attribution. These are VERY DANGEROUS. If you plagiarize you are subject to VERY severe penalties,including dismissal from the University. Don't plagiarize! I have already encountered three posts which could possibly involve plagiarism and which I will review to determine exactly what happened.
4. You have been required to include pictures and links to your blog posts for some time now.
5. Don't forget that there are some blog requirements that I added through blog posts.

Week 13

2009-11-14T12:15:00.004-06:00

We completed most of the Project 11 Presentations.

We had a wonderful Skype session with Mr. Chamberlain. I hope to have that video posted soon. I have been slowed down by a terrible cold and my trip to Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Week 14: Closing Assignments, Catch-up time, Foliotek, Final Examination Comments,and Whatever else is needed in a particular class to complete our work for the semester.

Room 10 Shares Their Skype Recording

2009-11-09T14:01:00.002-06:00

Room 10 has posted some of the conversation we had when Skyping them last week. After you go to their post, click on the link to hear their recording.

And don't forget to leave a comment. It's all about commenting!

Joe McClung Skypes Class

2009-11-08T09:31:00.006-06:00

Mr. Joe McClung, 8th grade science teacher in Fayetteville, Arkansas discusses his first two years as a teacher with EDM 310. I asked Mr. McClung to discus his initial year in Noel, Missouri with Mr. William Chamberlain where he received an induction into the use of technology from, in my opinion, the master of all teachers in the use of technology in the classroom. Unfortunately, I forgot to record much of that conversation. When I remembered to start recording, Mr. McClung was addressing my second question: What can you tell EDM 310 students about how to react when school technical support staff set the agenda with technology rather than the instructors? And what can one do when super cautious district administrators frustrate efforts to engage students in creative uses of technology? This part of the interview was disrupted by problems with data transmission which the EDM 310 students jokingly ascribed to "political interference." When our discussion was resumed, Mr. McClung provided the students with an excellent, common-sense approach, to using technology in the classroom and graciously answered questions from all students, even those who had supported Auburn rather than his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks in the previous week's football game. Of course Arkansas had defeated Auburn 44-23. A good time was had by all. Thank you so much Mr. McClung. The students were so impressed with you that one even volunteered to move to Arkansas and manage your campaign for School Board, Mayor, Governor - whatever!

Russ Goerend Skypes Class

2009-11-07T17:41:00.003-06:00

What a week! We have had three outstanding teachers visit EDM 310 and share their passion for teaching with my students. I asked Russ Goerend, who teaches in a large school near DesMoines, Iowa, to discuss his use of blogging and the importance of commenting on blogs. I also asked him to talk about the ways in which he encourages creativity in his students. He concluded with a lively and stimulating discussion with the W6 students.

Jabiz Raisdana (Kaia's father) Skypes Class

2009-11-07T12:44:00.004-06:00

Mr. Jabiz Raisdana (IntrepidTeacher), father of Kaia and a teacher in the British International School in Qatar, spoke with EDM310 on Thursday November 5, 2009. He discussed his reaction to the events surrounding Kaia's blog and the importance of the human aspects of this story rather than the technological. He also answered a lot of questions about blogging, teaching, and international schools. Thanks, Jabiz. It was great!

Professional Blog Instructional Movies Now Available

2009-11-07T05:14:00.005-06:00

There are 3 Professional Blog Movies:
1. Creating a Professional Blog. This movie covers the steps necessary to create a blog (any blog) and also addresses the naming of the Professional Blog as well as the selection of a URL for your Professional Blog.
2. Professional Blog Content. This movie discusses what you need to prepare (think about and write) to create a Professional Blog. It covers the writing of approximately nine lines of text about you and your interest in teaching (The About me... section) and at least 6 posts that describe the attitudes, aptitudes, approaches, tools, etc. that you will bring to your classroom. At least one of these 6 posts must address the use of technology in your classroom. Although I have not mentioned this before, you could also add an audio or video message to your blog. If you are interested in doing this (I hope you are), do it. If you need help, ask me!
3. Professional Blog Layout. Your Professional Blog must use the Layout tools to achieve a "different", more professional look. This is to teach you some of the ways that you can alter the standard Blogger look, as well as to enhance your Professional Blog's appearance. You will need to have contact list (email address, Skype address, Twitter address, phone number, etc.). You will also learn how to create links to specific posts in this movie. Each post has a unique URL (called a permalink). You will learn how to make use of permalinks in this movie

Kaia and Room 10 - Why Blogs and Commenting On Blogs Are So Important

2009-11-05T11:50:00.020-06:00

In an earlier post I discussed why blogging, and commenting on blogs, was so important. I gave two examples: my interactions with Room 10 of Pt. England School in Auckland, New Zealand and the series of interactions between Kaia, a three year old blogger (through the medium of her father Jabiz Raisdana) who lives in Qatar, Mr. Chamberlain and his 6th grade class in Noel, Missouri, and my EDM 310 students in Mobile, Alabama. Both examples continue to grow and a summary follows with links to all of the currently extant parts of the continuing interactions. First, however, I must add to the Kaia story.

After my students began to visit the original parts of the Kaia story (see below for links 1, 2 and 3 under The Kaia Story), Mr. Raisdana tweeted me and asked to Skype my class to thank them for posting so many comments to Kaia's blog which had pleased her (and her father) very much. I immediately said "Fantastic!" and the Skype visit was held last Thursday November 5 with my TT 11 class. One student, Dillon Rogers who is in the TT2 class and who has been quite taken by these interchanges, told me that she would be unable to attend class on November 5 and asked to be remembered to Kaia and her father. I said I would do that. Then a few days before the scheduled Skype visit I was reading Dillon's Blog and saw that she had taken the issue into her own hands and had made a movie for Kaia. The movie was Dillon reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear. Kaia watched that movie and asked to make a movie for Dillon. her father made a movie of Kaia reading Baby Bear, Baby Bear to Dillon. After Kaia's father had skyped my class, I showed both movies: Dillon reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Kaia reading Baby Bear, Baby Bear. My class wanted to do something for Kaia also so they recorded a spontaneous rendition of "i'm A Little Teapot".
What will happen next? I have no idea. But I am certain that these two expanding interactions among the students of Room 10 in Pt England School, Margaret, my gradddaughter, EDM 310 students, Mr. Chamberlain's students, Kaia and her father will continue and they will be replicated, ultimately, in thousands of similar interactions with people widely separated by geography, culture, age and many other things but closely linked through a common set of experiences and their humanity.

Think about this. We are changing the world! It is certainly something to celebrate!

Here are the links to the various elements of the story as they currently exist. Visit all of them. Read the comments. Visit the links within them. If you get lost, return here to pick up the story again. These are powerful stories of what technology can do to bring people together.

The Kaia Story

1. Kaia takes pictures and writes about them in her blog.
2. Mr. Chamberlain's class responds with comments and a Voicethread.
3. Kaia's father reflects on the above events and considers whether he likes what is happening. I see this post and the two parts of the story above. I make these three elements an assignment for all of the students in EDM 310. One of my students sees the same series of interactions and joins the conversation on his own. The conversation widens to Australia, elesewhere in the United States and beyond.
4. Kaia's father and I plan a Skype session with my class which will be missed by one of my students, Dillon Rogers. She reads Brown Bear, Brown Bear in a movie she makes For Kaia.
5. Kaia reads Baby Bear, Baby Bear in a movie she and her father made for Dillon.
6. Kaia's father, Jabiz Raisdana, Skypes my class.
7. I show my class Dillon's movie and Kaia's response. My class records a spontaneous rendition of "I'm A Little Teapot" for Kaia.
There are many other branches of this story unfolding, I am sure, as I write this. Why don't you add to this story also? Just comment on any of the related blog posts and you will be added to the growing web of participants throughout the world.
NOTE: I have added (1/27/10) some of the many other things that have happened since I first wrote this. The story continues!
8. Kaia's father posts his view of the unfolding story in Last Child on the Web
9. Kaia's original blog post This, This, That is honored as First Runner Up in Edublog's annual Most Influential Blog contest.

Room 10, Pt. England School, Auckland, New Zealand
1. I have my students participate in Comments4Kids (also on Twitter #comments4kids). I use Room 10 as my example in class and comment on this blog by third graders in New Zealand.
2. My students begin to comment on Room 10's blog. I get a thank you from, Mrs. Lavakula, Room 10's teacher.
3. Room 10 makes a movie to thank us.
4. I learn that schools in New Zealand are populated according to the SES of parents and that Pt. England school is at the bottom of that criterion. (But at the top, it appears to me, in the creative use of technologies!)
5. I make a movie to thank Room 10.
6. My grandchildren attend our annual family at the beach during the 3rd week of October. My 9 year old granddaughter, Margaret, watches Room 10's movie and wants to make a Movie for Room 10 which I post to the EDM 310 Class Blog. And Margaret tells me she goes to computer class (in Rochester, NY) every day but "we don't use them much."
7. Room 10 thanks me and Margaret through their teacher in an email and in comments on the EDM 310 blog. And others comment as well. You can see the connections expanding throughout the world!
8. Room 10 and I Skype each other. Room 10 sings and my class responds. Room 10 records some of our conversation.
9. I get a personal comment on my blog from Othaniel. Remember these are third graders doing this on their own!
10. We arrange another Skype visit for December.
11. Room 10 continues their blog posts.

Why don't you pay Room 10 a visit? Actually, why don't you pay Pt. England School a visit? You will find a school that has embraced technology and is using it wisely, creatively, and with great success! And leave them comments on their blogs! That is the most important part because you are their audience. And you become part of the growing world wide conversation that is taking place!

Celebrate this growing world wide exchange of information and ideas! This is REAL learning taking place!

Resources to Improve Your Searches

2009-11-03T05:49:00.033-06:00

Click on any of the following resources and you will find information that will improve your searches and the searches of your students.
1. Google for Educators - Custom Search Engine
2. Thirty-Four Interesting Ways to Use Search Engines in a Classroom
3. Google for Educators - Web Search - Classroom Lessons and Resources
4. Lesson Plans for Teaching Web Search Strategies
5. Google Launches 9 New Ways to Search
6. Google ... Time Based Search
7. More Google Search Options
8. Google Internet Stats
9. Google Squared
10. Soople - "Easy Expert Search"
11. Google Insights for Search
12, Google Wonder Wheel and Other Search Options
13. Tin Eye
14. How To Choose A Search Tool
15. Google Music Search
16. Search Books and Magazines
17. Search Scholarly Articles
18. Search Financial Issues and Data
19. Search Blogs
20. Translate Text
21. Search YouTube
22. Search Images
23. Search Videos
24. Google Maps
25. News
26. Product Search

Week 11

2009-11-02T11:37:00.010-06:00

Professional Blogs
We created a new blog which will be a Professional Blog. The URL should be yourlastnameyorfirstnamepb.blogspot.com I discussed how to alter the Layout to conform to the requirements for the blog:
1. A Professional Picture that replaces the standard About Me gadget. This is a Picture Gadget and is in the small column at the top.
2. A new About me text (9 lines or less) that will stay above the Posts. This is a Text Gadget.
3. At least 6 posts describing the Attitudes or Aptitudes or Approaches or Skills or Tools that will distinguish you as a teacher. Links to examples can be found in a post of the class blog. My Professional Blog, which can also be an example, can be accessed through a link in the Important Links area on the class blog. You must discuss technology in at least one of your posts.
4. A Contact Me list in the small column immediately underneath you picture. This is an HTML/Java Script Gadget.
5. Links to the specific posts you place in your Professional Blog. This is a Link List Gadget.

If you missed this class, I am preparing a movie which covers this material. Write the text for the posts. Then follow the instructions in the movie when iot is posted. Due December 1, 2009.

Forms
We discussed the creation of Forms. I have added Creating A Form in Google Docs to the instructional movies. Your form should be complete and emailed to recipients no later than Tuesday November 3. We will look at your data soon.

Skype Sessions
TT11 Skyped Room 10. A blog post describes that event.
W6 had a Skype visit from Mr. Joe McClung. I am working on that movie and a post to accompany it.

ALEX and ACCESS - My Comments On

2009-10-31T13:58:00.003-05:00

Because all of you are required by the State of Alabama to review these two programs, and because what you write is often similar to what others write, I may just comment "Noted and Posted". At other times something you write may trigger another reaction. but if I only say "Noted and Posted," don't worry. It saves me a lot of time on a topic that I am weary of.

Mediacom Working Again

2009-10-31T12:32:00.003-05:00

Mysteriously, without human intervention, Mediacom is working again. Skype me this afternoon if you wish. Breaking for lunch until 1:15. Back after that until 5:30 or 6:00.

Technology Disruption

2009-10-30T17:45:00.006-05:00

Mediacom decided to take a vacation at 10:30 this morning. I have had no telephone (land line) service or high speed internet access since then. And it is still out and the technician now will not be here until Monday. So Skype, podcasts, and items requiring large file uploads will be delayed. Sorry.

I do have G3 access through my Verizon Mi-Fi. But I have a 5g a month limit and then it gets expensive.

Hurry Mediacom!

I'll keep you posted.

International Singing Contest with Room 10

2009-10-28T12:16:00.003-05:00

We had a great time when we Skyped Room 10 yesterday. Everybody was excited, including me! I forgot to start recording the session until after the members of TT4 had introduced themselves on Skype. The video that I did capture is filled with lots of questions, answers, waving hands, and laughter. As I wrote to Mrs. Lavakula, "What a Blast!"

One of the wonderful things that happened during our Skype session with Room 10 yesterday was the International Singing Contest! Watch it to see who wins - Room 10 or EDM 310. It takes less than 10 minutes to see it all.

Podcasts Are Beginning To Be Available Today

2009-10-28T12:04:00.007-05:00

Podcasts are now becoming available on the EDM 310 Podcasts Blog and on iTunes.

We also have our first videocast, Ms. Kimber's Puppet Interviews which is available on YouTube. I am not sure when it will be available on iTunes. It may remain only on YouTube. I'll keep you posted.

I must point out that this video was made with Windows Movie Maker 6.0. It is delightful!

Windows 7 Now Available

2009-10-28T11:16:00.004-05:00

Interested in Windows 7? You certainly should be if you have Windows Vista, unless you are satisfied with it. Students can get a great price ($29.99) by clicking HERE and then clicking BUY (you won't have to buy if you don't want to). Thanks Stephen Burrough (TT11) for this link.

If you have XP, expect some problems. You have to backup everything and then reinstall everything, including applications from their original discs.

Surprised about a note on Windows from a Strange Mac fan? Check out this The Teeter Totter Mac vs. PC ad (click the Teeter Totter ad instead of the one that starts playing automatically), especially if you have XP.

Amazing Things Are Happening

2009-10-27T08:33:00.005-05:00

If you have not read Anthony Capp's post Believing, Inventing and Implementing Technological Pedagogies , do so. It is now a requirement for this course. Add it to the required blogs posts for November 1. And read the exchange of comments that have been posted by Jim Fawcett, Anthony, Dr. Miller, me and others that may be added after this post is posted. Contribute your thoughts there as well, if you wish.

This is just another example of how the world and education have changed. Are you ready for this world? I know that many of your are still hesitant, and are perhaps hopeful that I am wrong and that you will not have to embrace the new era and be a different kind of teacher than you had intended or hoped to be. But it is here, like it or not.

I celebrate the new opportunities that we have and find this interchange remarkable and profoundly moving when we think about what real learning can be!

Week 10

2009-10-23T07:31:00.004-05:00

We discussed Google Earth and in the Wednesday night class we started working on Google Earth Tours. But Google Earth was uncooperative in a lab setting in Fairhope. As Mr. McClung advised, sometimes you have to scrap what was planned and change directions. So the Google Earth Project is cancelled. I urge you to try it on your own. I think it will work much better out of a lab setting. But as far as the class is concerned, the project is cancelled.

In the TT classes we covered the Layout changes necessary for your Professional Blog. I hope to have a movie that covers this published this weekend.

Bring your Professional Blog content (and a professional looking picture of yourself) to class next Tuesday or Wednesday (except the 4:00 class which needs to have that by Thursday).

Tuesday at 4:00 we will be Skyping Room 10. All are welcome. Do join us for this exciting event!

Wednesday night at 7:00 Mr. McClung will be visiting via Skype. All are welcome to that session in Fairhope as well.

And Coming Soon - a Skype visit from Mr. Chamberlain. More details to follow.

A Reminder from Mr. Chamberlain

2009-10-21T12:28:00.007-05:00

Anthony Capps reminded you that you are leaving an intellectual trail with your blogs. I demonstrated in class how easy it is to find that trail with a simple Google search. Now Mr. Chamberlain has written a most important post for At The Teacher's Desk which takes Anthony's warning one step further by reminding all of us that the trail we are leaving includes all digital materials that we post everywhere on the net. Read his very important post It Is Imperative We Help Our Students Create A Positive Digital Portfolio.

How Is Your PLN Coming Along? And Twitter?

2009-10-21T12:13:00.003-05:00

Don't forget you should be developing your PLN and mastering the effective way (the "Strange way") of using Twitter. This new post by Mr. Chamberlain entitled Teachers Need to Become Social Networking Experts will be very useful in your efforts to build and appreciate your PLN and Twitter!

Week 9

2009-10-21T11:27:00.002-05:00

In week 9 we discussed the Professional Blog assignment, completed teams for Project 11, and reviewed several new features in Google Docs (Documents) including translations and block indent features.

Storytelling by Anne-Marie Holmwood

2009-10-20T21:28:00.002-05:00

This is a delightful example of another way of presenting or telling a story.

Please leave comments for Anne-Marie on her blog post The Story.

Margaret Comments on Room 10 Blogs

2009-10-18T09:23:00.011-05:00

Click Margaret's picture to see her movie for Room 10.

hi Room 10,

I like your moovie's. i made one for you.
Margaret

Hello Room 10,

My granddaughter Margaret is at the beach with us for our annual family reunion which we call CoJo (Connie John). She watched the animations of Saadiya, Evan, Daley and Gloria. She is 9 years old and in the 4th grade. She had never made a movie before. She tells me they don't use computers much in her school but she wanted to make a movie.

Click to see Margaret's movie for Room 10.

John Strange

Looking For A Great Teaching Job?

2009-10-18T09:18:00.004-05:00

Room 18
Pt England School
Auckland, N.Z.

Pt. England School is adding another section for students now in Room 18. Click on the picture to see is an ad the students in Room 18 made for the vacancy created by their teacher taking maternity leave. Now another section for these students will be added.

A fantastic opportunity at an exceptional school! The opening won't last long!

Learn More About Presentation Possibilities for Project 11

2009-10-14T18:28:00.006-05:00

Amy Perry, a student in Dr. Alec Couros' Social Media EC&I 831 class at the University of Regina has prepared a list of movies used to demonstrate different approaches to story telling. Her list is on her post Digital Storytelling.

These will be useful if you are exploring different presentation techniques.

A longer list is available on Dr. Couros' blog post: 90+ Videos for Tech & Media Literacy.

The Benefits of Using Blogs in Classrooms

2009-10-14T11:58:00.010-05:00

While reading blogs last night (of students in a graduate course on Social Media taught by Alec Couros (@courosa) at the University of Regina) I realized that several of them might benefit from a short demonstration of the power of blogs. So I put this collection together for all who might be interested in why blogs and blogging are so important, I think, to all teachers and students. When I have a bit more time I will elaborate on this in my Dr. John Strange's Strange Thoughts.

I would love to have your reactions after you watch and look at this series of blogs. Leave comments!

The whole exercise should take about 30 minutes to do.

The Power of Blogs and Commenting on Blogs:
Read and listen to this exchange with Room 10 at Pt. England School, Auckland, New Zealand to understand the power of blogs:

1. I had my students comment on kids blogs as a result of Mr. William Chamberlain (@wmchamberlain also see #comments4kids) and the wonderful teachers who join him At The Teachers Desk". Many of my students visited Room 10 and left comments there.
This is the Thank You that the third graders (yes, 3rd graders!) sent to me and my students: Thank You Dr. Strange! Read my post which contains a thank you from the teacher. Then click on either the picture or the link provided and you will go to Room 10's blog. Read the post there and watch the wonderful movie Room 10 sent me. I was crying by the end of it!

2. I also got an email from Ms. Dorothy Burt (@dorothyjburt) which provided me with some very important information about Room 10, Pt. England School, and the kids who go there: An Email From Dorothy Burt.

3. I have now replied to Room 10. In my reply you will find the students in Room 10 are now known to many, including the President of the University of South Alabama. Watch My Reply to Room 10.

Not convinced about the power of blogs?

Well, watch this exchange of blogs and comments:

A blog by a three year old (her father is the medium through which she posts):
Dear Kaia

Mr. Chamberlain on his blog titled Dear Kaia: Voicethread and Video

Kaia's Father Muses: Intrepid Teacher: Singing Hearts

I could add many more wonderful examples. Here are two additional links to stir your interest:

Point England School, Auckland, New Zealand. Kids can often show you the way!

Pt. England School Never Ceases to Amaze Me!

Finally, look at this post of Anthony Capps, one of my students this fall: You Are Creating Your Intellectual Trail - And It Can Be Googled!.

Gettysburg Address in Wordle

2009-10-13T16:59:00.003-05:00

Demonstration of Wordle using the text of the Gettysburg Address.

Wordle Declaration of Independence

2009-10-13T11:56:00.001-05:00

Our test

Room 10 Asked 4 Questions - Here's My Reply

2009-10-12T11:34:00.011-05:00

Click on My Picture To Watch My Reply to Room 10

If you have difficulty playing the movie, select a smaller size.
You can see Room 10's movie to me by visiting their web site Room 10, Pt. England School, Auckland, N.Z.
I have some very important information about Room 10 on my earlier post Room 10 If You're Not Convinced About the Power of Blogging.... I urge you to read it as well. And also read my post Pt. England School Never Ceases to AMAZE Me!

Sample Professional Blogs By Students

2009-10-12T11:02:00.005-05:00

Here are some sample Professional Blogs (Project 4) done by students. Do not concern yourself with the way in which they used Blogger. Instead, concern yourself with the content - as an example. Yours will be different, because you are a different person. But these will give you ideas, as well as the attitudes, aptitudes, approaches and skills that I list on Dr. John Strange's Professional Blog .

Kimberly White
Kathleen Scrivner
Courtney Rose
Michelle Kennedy
Helen Ramsay
Megan Green
John Dunlop
Angel Jackson
Amber DeVore

Theses are just examples. Not necessarily the best - just examples. If you are interested in seeing more, go to the Spring 2009 Class Blog and you will find links to all of my classes' Professional Blogs.

Week 8

2009-10-12T10:30:00.007-05:00

In Week 8 ...
1. We completed our midterm reflections. If you were absent on Tuesday or Wednesday night, I must have a written medical excuse AND you must complete the midterm reflection which you will find in your Google docs. Open the Midterm Reflection... document and follow the instructions contained therein.
2. We discussed the revised syllabus which will be used for the remainder of the course. Well, I may still have a few more changes. You know me!
3. If you are not yet adding links and pictures to all of your blog posts, you should be!
4. If you are not commenting on other students' blogs (at least 2 per week), you should be. That is now a requirement.
5. We discussed briefly your Professional Blog (Project 4). You must review my example (available under Important Links on the Class Blog).
6. I urged you not to fall behind in any of your work, especially your blog posts. Some people are very far behind and will find it difficult to complete this project.
7. We spent a great deal of time discussing Project 11. You should be ready to provide me with your topic, your team, and the presentation method you will use at the start of class tomorrow!
8. You must have Skype installed and working (audio and video) by the end of this week. Don't forget to Skype me and to use it with your fellow students, especially the members of your Project 11 team.
9. I have added to the class blog better instructions on adding links, images, and alt and title modifiers to your blog posts. If you still have trouble, Skype me (or call or email).
10. I briefly discussed my ideas about converting EDM 310 into a "web enhanced" (the University's term, not mine) course next semester. We are definitely going to try some aspects of this. Your comments and suggestions are encouraged.

Can't Find A Picture For Your Post?

2009-10-12T10:16:00.004-05:00

Then try a Wordle. Go to Jonathan Feinberg's Wordle site. Use your text for your post for the text. Or repeat certain key words. The number of times they are repeated determines their size. Don't forget to complete the alt modifier and the title modifier for the Wordle. You should use this form for the title modifier: title="Source: Jonathan Feinberg http://wordle.net"

I will do a movie this week on how to do Wordle

Project 11 - New Topics Added

2009-10-12T10:11:00.003-05:00

As I read your blog posts this weekend I found many excellent ideas for additional Project 11 topics. And I saw that you were beginning to digest the various presentation techniques that you could use. Be sure to think about your desired topic and to form your group.

If you have any other suggestions, email me!

Pictures and Links on Blogs

2009-10-04T13:09:00.005-05:00

All assigned blog posts must, after today, contain a picture and a link. In addition, all pictures must meet the accessibility guidelines.

If you have questions about how to do this, see the handout and the video that covers adding images and links to blogs.

Week Seven

2009-10-04T12:15:00.015-05:00

In Week Seven:
We completed podcasts.
We took a look at Google docs, reviewed the major tools within docs, and tried out the new language translation tool.
We looked at using Delicious in ways that allow exchange of bookmarks among users. For more information on Delicious, watch these short videos: Delicious in the Classroom and Social Bookmarking in Plain English
I discussed wikis and thoroughly demonstrated how to join and make use of the class wiki on Technological Literacy
I demonstrated how you can set A Google Alert.
That's Week Seven in a nutshell!

Pt England School Never Ceases to AMAZE Me!

2009-10-03T14:43:00.006-05:00

Room 18
Pt England School
Auckland, N.Z.

When a temporary vacancy came about because the teacher of Room 18 at Pt England School took maternity leave, the kids in Room 18 developed a video advertising the position. To take a look at the video just click the picture. It is a wonderful example of what all kids should be doing, and all schools as well!

In Just One Minute!

2009-09-30T06:32:00.006-05:00

Who is Gary P Hayes? How might you find out? Here is a starter: He describes himself on Twitter as Innovation Lab Director, Emergent Media Maker, Virtual World creator, Blogger, YouTuber, Multi-instruMentalist, Metaversian, Harpist from Sydney, Australia. See what else you can find out about him. He is obviously a very interesting person. At least I think so. You might want to follow him in Twitter!

Remember, the whole point of using Twitter (and learning in general) is to be curious, ask questions, and then see if you can find the answers - usually with a little help from your friends.

I strongly recommend that you visit Mr. Hayes' Social Media Count where you can watch the counts change every second! This is like have a new Did You Know? every second!

Mr. Joe McClung Responds to Your Comments

2009-09-30T04:39:00.002-05:00

Week 6

2009-09-26T08:34:00.003-05:00

We...
Practiced for videocasts/podcasts
New Material:
Demonstrated how to add pictures and links to a site.
Demonstrated how to complete an alt modifier in the img tag so that a blind person will hear what the image is
Demonstrated how to add a title modifier to an image tag so that we could acknowledge the source of an image with a "floating box" that appears over the image when the cursor moves over it (Sort wait, lasts maybe 10 seconds). Repeats every time cursor moves over image)
Discussed why you must alwas include the source of the images you use, even if you must say "Source unknown."
If you need to review how to do any of these, see the appropriate handouts and videos on this blog.
Googled our own names
Discussed the implications, especially that we are leaving an "intellectual trail"
Introduced Google Alerts
Began a discussion of Search
Demonstrated how we can share bookmarks in delicious
Demonstrated Google UK's page of random internet data. You will find the link in my delicious bookmarks which are accessible by clicking the link above. Note the URL when you get there. That is the pattern to be followed for other links to my delicious bookmarks.
Demonstrated Google Squared (same way to link to as above) and began a discussion of the implications of this search technique for research and learning (and teaching), still under development by Google

Next week: Videocasts/podcasts. Come prepared!

You Are Creating Your Intellectual Trail - and It Can Be Googled!

2009-09-23T12:54:00.014-05:00

I rarely make a student's post required reading for the class. But Anthony Capp's (W6) post: "How to: Make Your Own Podcast" is an exception, not so much for the way in which he analyzed the podcasts he listened to (which was excellent in its own right), but because of what he wrote about the consequences of his work in this class, especially his blog: "... I saw another post related to "digital footprinting" which I learned is the result of someone googling your name and what matches are found. I never really thought about this as a potential resume type flag. But now that I am aware, I realize how important it is for me to be actively producing a trail that I can be proud of-- I want to be googled well. This is even more motivation for me to be active in my networks whether they are my residential community, school, work, or online affiliations (which can be any or all of the formentioned)!"

REMEMBER: You are creating your intellectual trail with the work you do in this class. Practically all of it can be googled. Make it an outstanding trail!

Note: I added the bold and red and corrected a typo (potential) in the quotation I used from Anthony's post.

Blog Posts - Are You Falling Behind?

2009-09-23T12:48:00.002-05:00

Three important comments.
1. Some students are not doing ALL of the blog assignments every week. Just doing a portion of the assignments is NOT satisfactory.
2. You must have something to say in your post that demonstrates you did what was required. A general post like "It was good" is NOT satisfactory!
3. It is VERY hard to catch up if you fall fare behind in your blog posts. DO NOT FALL BEHIND! This is one of the 12 projects you must complete (fully) in order to get a C or better in this class!

Did Not Do Your Presentation?

2009-09-23T12:46:00.001-05:00

Bring your medical excuse to me and we will arrange a mutually satisfactory date for your presentation. Remember, you cannot get a C or better in this course if do do not satisfactorily complete all 12 projects. Your presentation is on e of those projects.

You should contact me as soon as possible.

Week 4 and Week 5

2009-09-23T12:44:00.002-05:00

We had presentations from students.
We had a Skype visit from Mr. Joe Dale.
We continued Comments4Kids.
Podcast assignments were made, teams were formed, and initial team meetings were held.

What Do We Know About the Students Taking This Course?

2009-09-21T18:19:00.003-05:00

This is a report on all students taking EDM 310 this semester (8 classes)
How old are you? Over half are 19-22 (53%). Teens and 20's make up 82% of the classes. The 30s are 15%, 40s 2% and 50s 1%.
Most of you (71%) do not have children living with you.
Most of you never read a newspaper, or do so only occasionally (59%). Only 10% of you read a newspaper every day.
Most of you (99%) watch videos. 44% of you watch more than 4 hours of video every week.
Half of you own an iPod or an iTouch, 70% of you own some MP3 player. 51% of you listen to music more than 2 hours a day, 27% listening 3 or more hours a day.
98% of you own a cell phone. 25% of you own a smart phone; 11% own an iPhone, 8% a Blackberry.
34% of you send 50 or more text messages a day. Eight of you report sending more than 200 text messages a day!
Most of you are Facebook users: 81%.
Over half of you have a MySpace account: 54%.
44% of you spend an hour or more a day on your social network accounts.
59% of you read less than a book a month (not counting class assignments).
94% of you own a computer. 91% of you own a PC.
5% of you still have a dial-up connection to the internet and another 5% have no access to the internet at all.
64% of you have a digital video camera, 87% of you have a digital camera that takes still pictures.
82% of you claimed to be proficient in word processing at the start of the class.
94% of you had never participated in a podcast before this class.
19% of you are taking an overload (more than 5 classes)
59% of you work half time or more.
91% of you intend to enter the teaching profession and another 5% say they probably will.
54% of you want to teach in an elementary school, 18% kindergarten, 15% middle school and 35% high school. (You could select more than one so % is greater than 100)
The most desired subject areas were Sports (19%), Literature/Reading/Writing (18%), Social Science (13%), Math (10%).
91% of you think that teachers should be "technologically literate" (no definition was given for this term).
Only 19% of you thought you were not technologically literate when you entered this course (again, no definition of this term was given)

And that is YOU!

Mr. Joe Dale Visits EDM 310

2009-09-19T16:27:00.011-05:00

On September 15, 2009, Mr. Joe Dale, long time French teacher on the Isle of Wight, internationally known podcaster and blogger, and highly respected ITC consultant throughout Europe, vised three EDM 310 classes via Skype. Here are the recordings of his visits with the three classes. I know that you will find them informative! Thanks, Mr. Dale. Later Mr. Dale edited the Skype visits and posted an edited version on his blog in a post which he called Skype Home Alabama. Thanks again Mr. Dale!

TT 11 Class

2009-09-18T12:12:00.002-05:00

Confusion over Comments4Kids

I have put a new list of Comments4Kids Assignments on the spreadsheet. If you have already done a post for this week, that's OK. But if you haven't, do the one I have just added to the spreadsheet. And if already have done one, consider doing another so some student won't be left out! Thanks.

Did You Know 4.0

2009-09-14T17:11:00.002-05:00

Did You Know 4.0 is now available! Add a review of this new version to the assignments already given for September 20, 2009.

Jim Fawcett Reflects on EDM310

2009-09-10T10:35:00.002-05:00

This morning I met Jim Fawcett in the hall on te main campus. He was excited about the prospect of turning his presentation last night into a video. I demonstrated how I could make a movie from the presentation I captured on my Mac last night in class. In a little while (after my 11 class) his movie will be available here. Since we were practicing with video, I interviewed Jim using my iPhone and immediately transferred the video to You Tube. Here is that video, a brief demonstration of what you will be doing with faculty later in the semester.

The movie is also accessible through a URL Jim Fawcett Reflects on EDM310

Blogs Where We Thought Comments Were Off

2009-09-09T11:56:00.008-05:00

Wrong again. But that does not matter as long as we find out! Just click on the title of the article written by the 8th grader and you will be take to the entire article and comments will be available.

If your ran into this problem, please get started catching up with last week's assignment. As you can see from the eighth grade English class (in Virginia) blog English 8, the students are expecting you!

Comments4Kids Assignments Now Posted

2009-09-09T11:16:00.009-05:00

1. Assignment is on your spreadsheet in Google Docs
2. See all special instructions
3. Single person assignments so if you don't do yours some kid will be left out. DO NOT let that happen.
4. One blog RBS 4th Grade works a bit differently. There are 43 entries into a Table of Contents on the left of the blog. Each entry in the Table of Contents is a post by a kid. Click on the TC number assigned you.

Then click on the icon shown here (looks like a piece of paper and a cloud, or the speech icon in a comic book) to get to the Comments area. It is to the right once you see the paragraph or more written by the kid.

5. Start as soon as possible. The teachers expect comments tomorrow. If you have not watched the video in link on the previous post, do so! Then you will understand how important this assignment is!

If You Are Not Convinced About the Power of Blogging and Commenting...

2009-09-07T17:44:00.011-05:00

...just read this thank you from Ms. Priscilla Lavakula, teacher of Room 10 Pt England School, Auckland, New Zealand and then watch the video.

"Hi Dr Strange,
The children and I have made a movie for you and your class. We will also will be posting it on our blog. It's just to say thank you to you and your students for leaving us lots of lovely comments. The children have also included questions.Thanks again.

Kind regards
Priscilla Lavakula"
Teacher, Room 10
Pt England School
Auckland, New Zealand

In a separate in an email to me, Dorothy Burt, eLearning Team Leader at Pt England School said that the children in this school came from the poorest families in New Zealand, few having technologies in their home. She went on to explain why they blog:
"We actually blog as part of our approach to Schooling Improvement via 21st century literacy, and we have a researcher working along side us to see how our literacy improves as we blog. Our research shows so far that access to technology AND the response from an authentic audience are the two biggest motivators to our students to write. And the classes/students who blog have had some amazing improvements in their test scores.

We have lots of blogs at our school. They can mostly be accessed form here.
http://www.ptengland.school.nz/index.php?family=1,451

And I blog about the pedagogy behind our student blogging here....
http://manaiakalani.blogspot.com/2009/02/literacy-cycle.html"

If you read this, and aren't blogging and having your students blog, you I recommend you get started immediately!

A Wordle of EDM310 Class Blog

2009-09-07T12:11:00.006-05:00

This is a Wordle created by linking the EDM 310 Class Blog to Jonathan Feinberg's wonderful Wordle page.

To see a larger version of the picture, just click on it.

Picture Too Large for Google Presentation?

2009-09-07T07:11:00.002-05:00

If Google tells you that it can't upload your picture into Google Docs/Presentation, what do you do? Watch the new movie (second from last in Instructional Movies by John H Strange on right)Reduce Picture Size with Picasa.

This will work for PCs and Macs. But Mac user will probably find it easier to use iPhoto. I'll do a quick movie on that later today.

You can also use Adobe Photoshop Elements which is on all the computers in OUR lab classroom (not other labs). I will do a short movie on that techniques as well later today.

I Need My Teachers To Learn

2009-09-05T11:30:00.003-05:00

John Strange says I found this video on At The Teachers Desk posted by Mr. William Chamberlain. I urge all teachers and aspiring teachers to watch it and think about the message in it. Also, my students should think of it as an example of one technique that could be used for their "Substantive Presentations" due near the end of the semester. Listen to the song written by Kevin Honeycutt from ESSDACK Video. Check out other YouTube Videos Directed/Edited by Shawn Gormley (otherwise known as changingworldbyfilm).

Mr. Chamberlain said:
I found this video on Wesley Fryer's blog Moving at the Speed of Creativity. I think this is an excellent example of how to create content that is powerful and meaningful. Watch the video below and listen to the message. Do you think this video might change the way someone you know thinks of using tech in the classroom?

Mr. Needleman's Visit

2009-09-05T06:36:00.008-05:00

On Tuesday September 1 Mathew Needleman visited (via Skype) two of my EDM 310 classes. This was very exciting for me and, I think, for my students as well.

On the previous Thursday, when leaving the TT 11 class, one student mentioned that she had a comment on her blog from "some guy named Mathew that I don't know." Immediately behind her, the student said "Yeah, I had a comment from him too. Isn't that the guy who wrote the movie?" I interjected, "What? You got a comment from the author of 'Mr. Winkle Wakes', Mathew Needleman?" "I think so. How did he find us?" I guessed as to how he found us (and was wrong it turns out). The students left. And then, checking my email I had one from Mr. Needleman volunteering to speak to one of my classes the next Tuesday. I could hardly wait. What serendipity! A chance to demonstrate the power of their assignments to comment on kids blogs (see the post immediately below this one).
In my email thanking Mr. Needleman for his visit, I explained why I assigned my students to comment on other kids blogs (as Mr. Needleman had done for several of my students). I include this here because it is important for my students, and other teachers, to understand the power of the new communications technologies. Oh yes, and all of this is FREE! And thanks also to Mr. Chamberlain (@wmchamberlain) who taught me how important it is to leave comments!

I make the assignment to my students to comment of kids blogs around the world because I want to:
a) Encourage comments on blogs they visit
b) Get them to see what kids can do with blogs (kids - not students in a college class!)
c) Get them to see real classes that use technology - and to understand its role in the curriculum
d) Let them identify teachers who could be helpful to them when they start teaching
e) Get them out of a classroom into the world
f) Use the technologies themselves

And now, take a few minutes and listen to Mr. Needleman and the conversations he had (after a brief introduction) with my students! It skips a bit since, even in our labs, there was insufficient broadband to have a perfect transmission of the video and audio. But that did not matter to TT 11 and TT 2. Enjoy. And don't forget to leave a comment!

Your Comments4Kids Are Having An Impact

2009-09-05T05:20:00.003-05:00

An Email from Dorthy Burt in New Zealand:

Dear Dr Strange

We were very pleased to have you visit one of our class blogs yesterday and leave our students such warm feedback. They (and of course their young teacher, Priscilla) were thrilled to hear from you.

We are not sure how you came across our blog, but incase you know nothing about us, we are a primary school in Auckland New Zealand. In NZ schools are ranked by the socio-econimic status of their parents (true) so we are 1a which is the poorest you can get. 66% or our students are Pasifika (parents from the Pacific islands and 33% are NZ Maori.
Our students are amazingly clever kids and love learning, but because of lack of funds their homes do not have a lot of technology. So it is not easy for them to get comments from family and friends on their blogs. This makes the possibility of visits from people such as yourself and your students especially important to us.

We actually blog as part of our approach to Schooling Improvement via 21st century literacy, and we have a researcher working along side us to see how our literacy improves as we blog. Our research shows so far that access to technology AND the response from an authentic audience are the two biggest motivators to our students to write. And the classes/students who blog have had some amazing improvements in their test scores.

We have lots of blogs at our school. They can mostly be accessed form here.
http://www.ptengland.school.nz/index.php?family=1,451

And I blog about the pedagogy behind our student blogging here....
http://manaiakalani.blogspot.com/2009/02/literacy-cycle.html

Thanks once again for your interest

Dorothy

A Tweet from Susan Carter Morgan in Virginia (@scmorgan)

Layout Information Incorrect for TT 11

2009-09-04T17:19:00.002-05:00

I gave you incorrect information for the links to mail.

The links should not include http://

Remove the 7 characters above, SAVE and all should work OK. Remove from both email links if you did two.

A revised video is available that corrects the mistake.

Sorry! But it won't be my last mistake I assure you.

Project 6 Starts - Comments4Kids

2009-09-03T13:59:00.001-05:00

Your assignments are on a spreadsheet. I sent you an invitation to view the spreadsheet to your gMail account. Instructions are now available in the Syllabus and Handouts area of this blog. A video will also be posted regarding this assignment. But get started now.

Transcript of Did You Know? 3.0 Now Available

2009-09-02T16:16:00.001-05:00

Courtesy of Anthony Capps (W6). Can be found in Syllabus and Handouts.

Thanks, Anthony!

Check This Blog Daily

2009-09-02T15:51:00.001-05:00

You are responsible for checking this blog daily. I am continually posting to it and you are required to keep those posts and changes in mind as you do your work.

One reason for a working RSS feed is to keep up with this blog!

Trouble Leaving Comments with Firefox

2009-09-02T15:48:00.001-05:00

For the second straight week I have been unable to leave comments using Firefox on a Mac. I have reported that to Google. If you are using a Mac, use Safari. It works. If you are using a PC, try using Safari. You can download it free from Apple. Or download Chrome from Google. See if it works. Firefox was working OK on a PC the last time I tried, as long as you have signed in first. But you never know. Please report other difficulties to me.

Week 3

2009-09-02T15:32:00.008-05:00

Here's what we covered in Week 3:
1. Mr. Mathew Needleman Skyped in to the class. The recording of his visit will be available no later than Friday midnight on the class blog under Important Links.
2. We covered RSS Feeds. and we introduced iGoogle. There are instructional videos on both. You must have an RSS of the class blog feed working on your iGoogle page by next week.
3. We covered Layouts. You must have two new Layout Gadgets working by next week on your blog. They are; a Gadget foe Email Me using your gMail address and another email address if you use another address. The second Gadget you must have by next week is an Important Links gadget with a link to the class blog. There is a video on the class blog under Instructional Video that covers this material.
5. Assignments were made for the first round of Project 8. You were emailed (to your gMail address) a spreadsheet with the assignments. You should do these on THURSDAY every week. There is also a written set of instructions on the class blog under Syllabus and Handouts. You must read that handout before you begin to make your comments. You must also post to your class blog after you have completed your weekly assignment. These assignments will continue throughout the semester.

AND...
We did not get to:
a. You must have an Evernote account. I hope to have a video on Evernote up on the class blog by Friday or Saturday. If you missed class this week, watch for it.
b. We covered three tools for shortening URLs. I hope to have a video on these tools up on the class blog by Friday or Saturday.
c. We started a discussion on Search techniques. More will follow. I hope to have a video on search techniques up on the class blog by the end of next week (9/11).
d. Forms
4. You must create a Delicious account and begin using it. There is a video on the class blog under Instructional Videos. Did only in W 6

AND in TT 11 I provided incorrect instructions for the mailto: code. The correct code should NOT have http:// in it. Please go to Layout and correct by removing the http:// The code should read (after the a tag beginning) href="mailto:...
Sorry about that. First mistake I made yesterday. (Well among the first 100. We learn from mistakes. Do not be afraid of them. Use them to learn!)

We will get to these things in Week 5.

New Videos and a New Handout

2009-09-01T06:31:00.002-05:00

I have revised the video on Layouts in Blogger. The new video can be found in the Instructional Videos by John H Strange section to the right under the title Blogger - Layout

I have prepared a handout (available in the Syllabus and Handouts section to the right) explaining how to use Delicious and how to add some important Delicious tools to Firefox. It is called Delicious and Firefox. In addition, I have prepared a video to accompany that handout. The new video can be found in the Instructional Videos by John H Strange section to the right under the title Delicious and Firefox: Using Delicious.

Comments on Your Posts

2009-08-31T09:59:00.001-05:00

I have just finished TT 2 and TT 4. Making progress! Only W6 and the assignments due last Sunday are still to be dealt with.

Do Not Remove Comments Before You Consult With Me

2009-08-30T16:05:00.003-05:00

I will repeat what I said in class this week.

I do not anticipate the need to remove a comment made on your blog, but two people can remove a comment: the owner of the blog and the person who posted the comment.

If you believe it is necessary to remove a comment that has posted to your blog, do not do so until you have consulted with me and I have approved its removal.

Are You Keeping Up?

2009-08-30T15:55:00.003-05:00

Does the link to your blog work? If not, contact me immediately.

Do you have your picture on your blog? If not, please post your picture immediately. Instructions can be found in the handout Getting Started With Blogs.

Are you up to date on your posts? It is virtually impossible to catch up at the end of the semester. Do not get behind in your assignments!

Comments On Your Posts

2009-08-30T15:39:00.001-05:00

I have been trying to get the instructional videos posted ahead of when you need them. That has slowed me down in commenting on your blogs. I have completed TT11 and will probably finish TT2 today. The other classes will be finished as soon as possible. Tomorrow I will be making instructional videos on Delicious, Evernote, Instapaper and perhaps Posterous.

Three Additional Instructional Movies Now Available

2009-08-30T06:47:00.003-05:00

I have been busy! I completed three more instructional videos: RSS Feeds (replaces an earlier movie); iGoogle and Google Reader. They are all listed on the right under Instructional Videos by John H Strange.

Two New Instructional Movies Have been Added

2009-08-28T16:16:00.003-05:00

I have added a new instructional movie - iTunes: An Introduction
I have also added a movie covering the Settings area of Blogger - Blogger Lesson 4: Settings

Both can be found in the list of instructional videos on the right.

Additional Assignment for Tuesday 9/1

2009-08-27T17:33:00.001-05:00

Mr. Needleman has asked that you watch Video in the Classroom Introduction before he speaks to the class on Tuesday. Please post a comment on your blg after you have watched this short video.

Week 2 - What We Covered

2009-08-27T10:41:00.003-05:00

1. Student Blogs. Are they working?
2. Comments. My comments on your blogs. I will comment on all your posts in Week 1 by midnight Sunday 8/30 and at least 1 post every week (which may combine my thoughts on all your posts).
3. I will read all your posts every week.
4. You will begin commenting (requirement) on other student;'s blogs in Week 3, but you can start now if you want.
5. We will start comments4kids (Project 8) one week earlier than expected. Expect to begin that project next week. I will be visiting with the teachers at St. Christopher's School in Richmond, VA on Friday (8/28) morning by Skype. They want you to participate in commenting on their kids blogs (private high school). In addition, teachers in Missouri, South Carolina, Arkansas, New Zealand and Australia started their comments4kids program this week. We will join them next week.

I will distribute instructions in the first class next week. Those instructions will also be on the class blog.

6. We discussed how to use iTunes to find the podcasts which you are assigned to "dabble" in for this week's blog posts. A movie is now available to acquaint you with iTunes. If you have any questions, watch the movie. Still have questions? Email me or call me. It is important that you get a sense of how the podcasts are done. Some are real conversations. Some are scripted. Some are speeches strung together. Some are fun. Some are dull. Think about how you want to approach your podcast. We will practice the podcast in Week 6 in class (Attendance Required) and record the podcast in Week 7 (Attendance Required).
7. Students completed a math diagnostic and a survey on plagiarism. If you missed this class, you must bring me an official excuse and take complete these either before or after class next week, or at a mutually agreeable time.
8. We put your pictures on your blog. If you have not completed this, see the video. I think this is in Creating A Blog but it may be in the Adding Pictures and Links video.
9.We discussed how to prepare your presentation in Google Docs. See the movie for more information.
10. We discussed how to get started thinking about your Personal Learning Network. There are 3 handouts (Twitter for Beginners, Using Twitter Effectively and Creating your PLN) and the Twitter video (being posted by 9 pm Thursday 8/27.
11. I announced that Mr. Needleman, the author of Mr. Winkle Wakes, called me on Skye today. He will visit the TT 11 class next week. I will record his visit and share it with the other classes. He has asked that you watch a video before he speaks with the class. I have made that video an additional blog assignment. the link is in the post immediately above this post.

Some New Instructional Videos Available

2009-08-27T06:41:00.001-05:00

A new video on Twitter is now available and can be found under the Instructional Videos by John Strange on the right.

A REVISED version of How to Create A Presentation in Google Docs is also available. The earlier version had trouble with the audio. It is in the same section on the right.

Tuesday/Thursday 11 Student Blogs

2009-08-20T10:41:00.009-05:00

Keysha Boltz
Stephen Burrough
Dana Cook
Deidra Day
Jessica Debose
Erica Freeman
Margaret Hines
Mary Hutson
James Lankford
Dara McDowell
Frederick Patterson
Jessica Pierce
Jahmarkus Rabb
Tia Robinson Not attending class. No posts.
Megan Stewart
Stephanie Tinney
Marissa Washington
Alex Williams No posts since August 23

Tuesday/Thursday 2 Student Blogs

2009-08-20T10:40:00.003-05:00

Catherine Bryars
Emily Carlson
Courtney Deflanders
Katherine Duren
Belinda Flucker
Jennifer Foreman
Kimberly Gilley
John Harville
Alexandria Hayes
Jamie Lynn
Sabrina McAnally
Lanadia Patrick
Tiffany Paul
Dillon Rogers
Ryan Rogers
Lindsay Sanders
Cade Somers
Samantha Sunderman
Autumn Wiggins

Tuesday/Thursday 4 Student Blogs

2009-08-20T10:38:00.007-05:00

Erica Burrell
Alicia Cooper
Jenna Deangelo
Angel Dixon
Keating Helms
Margaret Horst
Olicia Jones No posts. Not attending class.
Kriston Killingsworth
Lachandra Lett
Haley Mills
Tresher Moorer
India Munden
Jessica Parker
Hillary Polchow
Amanda Reed
Courtney Rose
Melissa Russell
Caroline Shedd
John Woolf

Wednesday 6 PM Student Blogs

2009-08-20T10:34:00.007-05:00

An Additional Blog Assignment for August 23, 2009

2009-08-19T13:21:00.003-05:00

In 2008 Mathew Needleman created a short movie entitled Mr. Winkle Wakes in response to the 2.0 version of Did You Know?

Did You Know 3.0 is an assignment for your blog posts for August 23. Add Mr. Winkle Wakes to that assignment.

TueThur Classes: By Thursday Class (8/20)

2009-08-19T10:01:00.003-05:00

1. Have your Google GMail account. If you did not include it in the survey, send me an email from that account and ask me to add it to the survey.
2. Set up your blog. Be sure you follow the instructions on the handout. Watch the video if necessary. ZIf you have trouble, we will solve your problems in class.
3. Begin to work on your Blog Assignments due Sunday 8/23 at midnight. If your blog is not yet set up, make yourself notes on what you will write.
4. Come prepared to have your picture taken.

Week 1

2009-08-18T05:37:00.001-05:00

I will take your picture and post the pictures on the internet so that you can use them in your blog.

I will review the Syllabus. A link to the Syllabus is posted on the right. I am trying to go "green" this year and not print class materiasl. If you want to print them you may do so. But if you process them on your computer you can save a tree or two.

I will record what I say and what happens on the computer screen as I review the Syllabus. In fact, I will record everything I do. This is a demonstration of the new set of tools that you will be using when you teach. My goal is, by the start of next semester, to have instructional videos completed for the entire course. Classroom time will then become lab, discussion, help times. This semester we will be working toward that goal.
I will pay special attention to these parts of the Syllabus:
ATQS Standards and Foliotek
My views on teaching, learning, grades, etc.
The course objectives, especially 1 and 2
The necessity for PRACTICE and Keeping Current With Your Blog Posts!
The Google Class Calendar
Projects Required for This Course
Required Equipment
ALL Projects Must Be Completed

If you have not yet created a Google account, you will do that. There is a video available to assist you in that process as well as printed instructions.

Once you have created a Google account, you will create your blog and begin posting. Again, links to printed instructions as well as video instructions are available on this blog.

I will discuss grades. I hate grades! In 1970 I started the College of Public and Community Service at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. It was a competency based program. There were no grades. This course is close to that - close to Pass/Fail. I will explain why I am so passionate on this subject.

I will review the Blog Assignments. In doing so I will emphasize this point: You cannot afford to get behind in your blog posts!

I will ask you to complete a Google Documents Form for this course. This will provide me with information to help me determine whether I need to modify the course. It is also an example of one of the Projects that you will do in this class.

Welcome to EDM310!

2009-08-14T16:15:00.001-05:00

Email, Word, Excel and a Database Won't Cut It Anymore

This video is also available on YouTube. You can watch it there by clicking here. Because YouTube uses Flash to play the video and my gallery plays Quicktime H.264 movies, the quality of the video will not be as good on YouTube as it is on my movie.

The text of what I said in the video follows.

Several years ago this course used to cover Word, PowerPoint Excel, and a database like Access. Some of you may think it still does. You are incorrect. Email, Word, Excel and PowerPoint Won't Cut It Anymore.

Information is growing at an exponential rate. Information is not just words, but pictures, videos, sounds and graphics. There are few editors anymore. Everyone can be an international publisher - instantly - with the potential to reach a world wide audience. Books, newspapers, even emails are being replaced by tweets, SMS and MMS messages, video chats, podcasts, Skype calls, and YouTube.

The classrooms in which you will teach, if they continue to exist, will be very different from the classrooms in which you were taught. The things you will have to know and do will be very different from those your teachers experienced.

iTunesU now has more courses online than all the courses taught at the University of South Alabama. And more are being added everyday.

All of this is primarily the result of a profound, rapid and breathtaking change in communication. I can talk with and see people throughout the world instantly and without it costing me a cent. My videos can be on YouTube 4 minutes after I take them, ready to be seen by millions of people.

Printed materials are disappearing. Newspapers are dying or becoming electronic in form. Textbooks are being replaced by e-books (or no books). Reading and writing have become watching and listening.

We don't really know what schools should be like in this new world where information no longer resides in libraries but in clouds instead, where "all information is in all places at all times," where there are no editors or moderators of what gets "published", where videos and audio are as important, or more important than the printed word, where time and space have collapsed and it now takes only a microsecond to transfer information (in any form) from one place to all places in the universe (well ,at least on this planet), where privacy no longer has meaning, or very little if there is a bit left.

Are you ready to be a teacher in this new world? Do you have any idea of what the world of learning will be like tomorrow? Are you excited about learning and eager to share that excitement with others? Can you survive in a classroom where you will certainly not "know it all" and where many of your students will know a lot more about some things than you? Are you ready to practice your profession in a world in which collaboration is more important than individual action, where information is dispensed in 140 character tweets, where YouTube videos multiply at a rate that far exceeds the world of publishing's most successful era, where videos and audio are listened to and watched more than books are read? Sounds like chaos? Well, you may be correct!

You are about to encounter the chaos of the new world in EDM310. Welcome aboard!

This video is also available on YouTube. You can watch it there by clicking here.