Verizon Thinkfinity

Verizon Thinkfinity is such a wonderful web portal to rich educational web resources. I have recently applied to be a Verizon Thinkfinity National Cadre Trainer. I feel I have much to offer and believe wholeheartedly that the resources available are high quality and contain tools that will help "children reach their highest potential" (Pasco County).

I am an Educator

I feel I was "called" to this profession, one I am proud to have been a part of for 35 years. After 25 years in the classroom (N-8), I decided to become an Instructional Technology Specialist. Although my focus has changed to coaching teachers in the use of technology, I feel that I have a good insight into the demands on today's teacher.

Many teachers are leaving the profession during their first five years. The demands on today's teacher are phenomenal. School districts who adopt new programs, textbooks, professional development expectations and so forth are forgetting the need for the time needed to adequately prepare for lessons. Too many meetings, paperwork, assessments are interfering with the teaching and learning process. Our school day is the same length as it was back in the 1920's, but look at all the things to learn that have developed.

To do the best job for students we need to have initiatives and policies fully backed with the necessary funds to make it happen. Perfect example is the use of online testing when schools are not equipped with enough computers to basically 'shut down' any other use for 3-5 weeks of the school year. We need educators with vision...where are we heading and what is the ultimate goal?

January FETC 2010

Time is drawing near for this year's Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC) held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. FETC is a division of 1105 Media Inc. and this year's conference will have more than 200 Concurrent Sessions, more than 70 Professional Development Workshops, and an exhibit hall with 500+ companies. Participants will have an opportunity to network with folks about the latest in technology and educational resources. I look forward to attending and meeting folks I've communicated with during the year on Skype, Twitter, and FaceBook. Educators discovering ways to incorporate the latest Web 2.0 tools in the classroom are an exciting group!

FETC Virtual Conference

The FETC Virtual Conference is being held today until 6PM. Interact with participants and exhibitors. Go to the auditorium to listen to guest speakers. If you are unable to stay online for a long period of time, go to the Media Center and pick up some white papers to check out later. This is a perfect venue for those of us with busy schedules and no budgets for travel and such.

Consultant work

I have really enjoyed the past couple of months working with BigUniverse.com. It has been very rewarding and I've met wonderful individuals virtually. Working strictly "in the clouds" has been a new experience. My role allowed me to draw upon the skills I have been working on for the past decade. I learned new software programs, communicated via Skype and used Google Business (docs, spreadsheets, calendar, and gmail). Hats off to a company that has a great product and a 21st century work environment!

Good Find from Twitter

You can always count on learning something from reading the tweets on Twitter. This article, 100 Helpful Web Tools for Every Kind of Learner, is a real find! Check it out, as it is organized by learning style.

BigUniverse.com

I first posted about BigUniverse in January and I’ve really come to appreciate what this site offers. The site includes the opportunity to create a virtual bookshelf, rate books, and recommend them to others. There is also an authoring tool built in so subscribers can create and publish their own books. With school budget cuts across the country, this is a wonderful way to increase access to books in our K-6 schools. Older students would welcome the authoring tool.

Google Certified Teacher

What a fabulous experience being at Google in Boulder, CO. I learned so many things and previous learning was reinforced. I am ecstatic to be part of this closed community.

Web 2.0

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Web 2.0

View more presentations from Rob Kovi.

Teacher Toolbox

The following site is made with Google Docs and is a nice collection of teacher tools for use during the school year. https://docs.google.com/View?id=d9vcd73_70dw2bgjgr

Another collection of tools can be found at this wiki.

How to Set Up a Blog Using Blogger

How to Set Up a Blog Using Blogger

Shared via AddThis

Google Invitation Received and Accepted!!

http://www.google.com/educators/gta.html

The GTA is in Boulder, CO this year and I am going!! Wow, I am soooo excited. It is a fabulous opportunity and one I will take full advantage of. I plan on sharing what I learn with colleagues.

Sunny Sunday in Tampa

Okay, so it rained last night while we were at Tia's Tex Mex. Today it is sunny and we are already working on Audio...using Audacity, since it is cross platformed.

Remember with Audacity you need the Lame Encoder. Check here.

Software install CD will be included for participants.
Using a script for recording- use digitally...reduces paper noise and simulates a tele prompter. Place it beside or above the Audacity program right on the desktop.

Moodle course will be designed and will be used to prepare the asset reviewers. MDE's will serve as asset reviewers again this year.

Video Karen Seddon is doing a demo on iMovie08 and iMovie09. We created a movie with audio...practicing editing tools.

Action research was discussed and Kate Kemker spoke about iTunes U.

Portfolios and Assessments
Reflect on what they learn and how they learned it.

Survey Monkey about summer availability only showed that people's plans change...so...read your emails, check the MDE Moodle, and stay in touch with fellow MDE's.

Saturday Afternoon

One of the Newspapers in Education reps is here and we are having about a 20 minute preso. Jeremy complimented all of us, not just those present, but all MDE's for the great people and educators we are.

This afternoon we have to play catch up. We will be spending an hour on the following: ICT, Telling Stories with Digital Images, and audio.

Sunday looks like Digital Video, Portfolios, Content Creation...

We are sitting through a presentation on Newspapers in Education...need I say more?
We need to be well versed in the program and the Herald Tribune. MDE's will do an elective session on this topic.
Check out eedition.heraldtribune.com for an idea. I think NY Times is available as well.

Please note that some of the writing here is for notes so I can remember what was discussed.

Gordon is ready to move on...I believe our topic is ICT (Information, Communication and Technology Skills)
Educators will be able to locate things on their computer, tagging, cite info, copyright, collaboration with wikis and blogs, and much more!

Adobe Reader tools- highlighting, quotes, etc. How to use a web browser search more effectively. How to use Edit>Find in the browser and locate key words on pages and in documents.

Web searches, include custom search for FCIT

Tagging: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ywC_ebiSb4

Be aware of Thinkfinity.org in order to share this resource with participants.

Delicious.com Social bookmarking, tagging, and network friends

Be on the lookout for log ons being sent via email for blogs and wikis that are on USF server.

Check out WORD 2008 and from the ToolBox, 3rd icon over, you have a citation maker!

Thinkquest.org

TIM...Technology Integration Matrix

Saturday Morning

Here we are...haven't started, but took 20 minutes to get wireless access. Now I'll be all set. Will send the address out for those who are interested. Feel free to share it.

People were selected to come from all over the state...N, S, E, W...
Nancy, Pauline, Po, Kristie, Lynn, John L, Kathy, Marsha, Karen, C David, Kristine, Darryl, Norma, Kathy Hobbs, Theresa, me, Sylvia, Kris, Gordon, Michael, Kate..
so in essence, all corners are covered with an informed MDE.

Spending time with introductions and finding out what people are doing...this part of the agenda was to end at 8:30.

Lots of changes coming up and will be shared!

TAR- 2 week deadline, must be done for travel etc. BEFORE travel in order to get reimbursed. USF and Kris will take care of it. Cars rented cost ends up around $22/day so much better than using own car. When pcard is used, we will have conf. numbers, if a PO is used, then no conf. #. Contact Kris for travel.

USF on a budget, there will be additional MDE's working this summer-not just us...okay!

Summer Training:
* numbers are not in...1 MDE to 12 participants will be the rough ratio.
* some beginner and some advanced institutes
* institutes limited to 100 people
* June 15 Gainesville, Gulf
* June 22 Polk USF facility in Lakeland
* July 13 Pensacola, Okaloosa (40 people)
* July 21 Orlando
* July 27 Collier
* August4 Tampa
If they can't travel, the program will travel to them.

Workshops listed on the web site may not happen with the numbers. Advertise the
workshops. MDE's may be asked to come in and teach a workshop. MDE's may be viewing assets.

FDE Institute 2009 Outline
MUST KNOW ALL OF THESE. Be prepared for all sessions. Assets from each section...
Day 1 Presentation Skills
Information, Communication and Technology

Day 2 Telling stories with digital images
Developing understanding with audio

Day 3 Digital Video
Elective 1, 2 (1.5 hours for each elective)
Vendor Fair at larger institute group

Day 4 Elective 3, 4
Portfolios and Assessment (Making an ePortfolio with their assets.)
We will have essential questions. Participants will make choices. Will zip and add ePortfolio as an asset.

Share and discuss Technology Integration Matrix
All document handouts are in draft form.

We spent over an hour working through Presentations. Worked with Master slides, opacity, etc. Many of us had never delved into that.

On Moodle, at bottom of Portal Page, you will find the training institute information. Download zip files and you will get a good idea of what to expect.
It is now 11:30 and Jeremy Jackson is here for lunch. More later!

MDE Tampa Weekend

The next few entries will be a collection of info tidbits from this weekend in Tamps, May 16-17. Full day planned 8:00AM - 5:00PM on Saturday and 8:30-12:30PM on Sunday.
Jeremy Jackson will attend and provide lunch. I chatted with Jeremy today and it will be good to see him as always.

Tech4Learning Innovative Educator

Received notice today that I received a TIE...Am thrilled to be recognized for my efforts with Tech4Learning- especially with Pixie. This is indeed an honor and one I will share with the Pasco County Educational Foundation. It was through the Foundation that I received a grant to purchase copies of Pixie for Deer Park Elementary.

Gearing up for Summer

Here's a helpful link for tutorials of Apple's iLife suite: http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#iphoto

Looking at numerous applications for the summer: iLife and iWork for the Mac, Audacity, MovieMaker, PowerPoint, Tech4Learning's Pixie and Frames and Picasa.

Invited to Tampa for an MDE weekend May 16-May 17. Shall see what is in store for the summer. I will be doing 40 hours of summer school and work for USF when I am able.

Will be going to NY for my niece's bridal shower in June.

Teacher Humor

Attach0
And what are you planning for Mother's Day gifts this year?

MrsA - home

MrsA - home

Contains numerous links on Internet Safety, Copyright, Web 2.0, and lesson plan sites.

Pixie Fun

Jeremy Jackson stopped by today. I was happy to introduce him to several fourth graders who used Pixie for digital storytelling last month. Their work is posted here.

Looking forward to sharing Pixie with a class of first graders next. This is part of the job that is fun!

Dump Drone Slides

Cathy Moore points out some good reminders and offers tips on making your presentations better.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Post by Jeanne Rogers on Pixelpipe

Post by Jeanne Rogers on Pixelpipe

Posted using ShareThis

ePortfolio

The web site created during year one as an MDE is still available at
http://etc.usf.edu/portfolios/jrogers/. I was surprised to see it.
No way to update or change it!

Digital Storytelling Resource

One of my twitter followers has a good post on Digital Storytelling.
Some fine links.

http://educationaltechnology.ca/couros/1268

At FETC Orlando

Great people, good ideas.

Presented Curriculum Enhancement with Web2.0, Wednesday, January 21 4-7PM. Worked well with Chris and Hope. As one participant said in a subsequent email, "made a good tag team". Individuals were from Massachusetts, California, and Tennessee. Have the opportunity to continue to network with them, collaborate, learn from each other.
That is one of the best experiences offered through conference attendance.

On Thursday I met with AtomicLearning to discuss ways that service has assisted me personally, as well as how it is a help to my school and my district.

I was able to attend the keynote address by Phillipe Cousteau and came away with an increased awareness of just how the world has changed and that we must be vigilant in caring for the planet.

The reception and vendor time offered a new experience for me as I was invited to assist in the Tech4Learning booth. I am a grant recipient for Digital Storytelling with Pixie.

I headed back to Pasco County, FL on Friday morning as I had to return to work. This FETC was one of giving back to the profession.

MDE honored in Broward as finalist for TOY

RockYou.com

RockYou.com - photo sharing, MySpace slideshows, MySpace codes, MySpace music

This site, for creating a slide show, has no registration and might work well with students. You are invited to register, but may choose the skip button!

iMovie practice

I made a video. You might think, so what? I've used iMovie before, but this was different. I used the video as a means to practice GarageBand, iPhoto, and iMovie 08. By honing my own skills I gained confidence to be able to provide more assistance to other educators. As an MDE, I believe it is important to continue to increase our knowledge on all the digital tools available to us. If you don't use it, you lose it. That is really true in this digital world we live in. Stay in touch with what is going on by checking the MDE portal on Moodle and keep using digital tools available.