Welcome to Blogical Discussions with Bixby Educators

As a collaborative and constructive tool, blogs have found their place in education. Educators are using them as learning tools not only for their students, but for themselves.


Blogs in Plain English



Lee LeFever of the Common Craft Show

So What’s a Blog?
Let the 6 & 7 year olds from Room 9 at Nelson Central School educate you about what they think a blog is and why they love using them!



Let’s Talk About Blogs
How is a blog different from a website?
What does it mean to blog, be a blogger?
Why do you think you or your students might be attracted to this as a form of expression?
The first step to being a good blogger is to be a good blog ____________?

Education Professional Development Blogs
Webblogg-ed
Moving at the Speed of Creativity
Blogs on Educational Blogging

Classroom/Student Blogs
Arthus - NewlyAncient
Mrs. Cassidy’s Classroom Blog (1st and 2nd Graders)
Blogical Minds
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QUESTION!
If you were to integrate blogs or blogging into your curriculum or professional development, how do you think you would most likely do that?
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Add your comment to this post. Take a minute to think about the above question. (Or, share something else, if you choose) Click on the "comments" link below and then type your answer. If you don’t already have a Blogger account, you can comment as anonymous or other. Be sure to include your name somewhere so we know who you are. Read others’ comments and feel free to comment on their comments!

Thanks!
Lee Anne

The Look of Student Blogging

Wow, what a spark to the start my week! This morning I was trying to do a little blog reading. It is a great way to both start and end a week or day or whatever, when I can fit it in – kind of like professional meditation (?). Educational blogs are where I get so many of my ideas and resources. Anyhoo, I was reading a post by Will Richardson about how he was asked by a high school student to participate in an UStream broadcast during the NH primary. As with all of Will’s post, it was an interesting and inspiring read. But his post was not where I got the big spark this morning. It was from the student who invited Will to the conversation, Arthus. I was fascinated by his blog, Newly Ancient. Arthus is a high school student in Vermont. Here’s his intro:

Me (abridged version)
Arthus is an pompous 15-year-old student who currently attends Champlain Valley Union High School. When not absorbed in the easy work of school, he enjoys developing web applications and playing soccer. This promising individual hopes to go forward with a glorious career in web technologies and science. He is also interested in developing better writing skills and acquiring basic social skills. This blog is a fusion of all these interests and explores the educational opportunities the web presents with a personal touch. Apparently, Arthus also likes to talk in the 3rd person. If any of this sounds interesting to you, I encourage you to get in touch or feed me. Whatever you interest, this blog may offer some informative and entertaining parts if you sift through the dirt and sand.

I’m intrigued! A web developing, poetry writing (read some of it!), soccer playing, blog writing student contributing to the bigger picture of education. I want to know what inspires this kid. I want this kid in my classroom. I want to know what other kids in his classes are doing. I want all students to have this kind of voice. This is a fantastic illustration of what student blogging can look like. As an example, take a look at his “Annual Report” post. What a great project on so many levels.

Check out Arthus’ blog, Newly Ancient at http://myfla.ws/ .

Just sharin’
Lee Anne

All This Information!

Will Richardson had an interesting post on his blog yesterday that touched on several points ranging from teachable moments to the spin given to political coverage. What really got me thinking was idea of all of this information at our finger tips and it's still the old model of network and cable news that a majority of people get the "story". Anyway, I defiantly thought this was worthy of a rebloging.

The Curriculum of Politics    

FreeRice.com - Nourish your mind

About FreeRice

FreeRice is a sister site of the world poverty site, Poverty.com.

FreeRice has two goals:

1. Provide English vocabulary to everyone for free.
   
2. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.
   

This is made possible by the sponsors who advertise on this site.

Whether you are CEO of a large corporation or a street child in a poor country, improving your vocabulary can improve your life. It is a great investment in yourself.

Perhaps even greater is the investment your donated rice makes in hungry human beings, enabling them to function and be productive. Somewhere in the world, a person is eating rice that you helped provide. Thank you.

FreeRicehas a custom database containing thousands of words at varying degrees of difficulty. There are words appropriate for people just learning English and words that will challenge the most scholarly professors. In between are thousands of words for students, business people, homemakers, doctors, truck drivers, retired people… everyone!

FreeRice automatically adjusts to your level of vocabulary. It starts by giving you words at different levels of difficulty and then, based on how you do, assigns you an approximate starting level. You then determine a more exact level for yourself as you play. When you get a word wrong, you go to an easier level. When you get three words in a row right, you go to a harder level. This one-to-three ratio is best for keeping you at the "outer fringe" of your vocabulary, where learning can take place. There are 50 levels in all, but it is rare for people to get above level 48.

Wikivid - You are going to love this!

I learned about a new video resource today from one of our participants, Chris Putnam. Wikivid! Here's how they describe it:

Wikivid creates video-courses made up of links to free video tutorials from
around the web. During our "alpha" stage, content is limited to software
tutorials only, but the vision is to add video uploads and more. Add your
own video links, edit existing pages, learn, & enjoy! Use this link to test your video settings.

The videos are short and pretty well planned. They are still in the building stage, so the choices are little bit limited, but still, there is a lot here. For example, what do you want to know about PowerPoint? They seemingly have a video that covers most queries.

Poke around on Wikivid and see if you find anything you can use.

Thanks Chris!
Lee Anne

FREE - Screencasting Software - Screen-o-Matic

I was reading an eNewsletter I get from the November Learning Group, and one of the topics was on this free screencasting software, Screen-o-matic (gotta love that name), and I felt compelled to share this information with our loyal consortium members. There are several (not free) tools out there to create slick presentations, or screencasts. Here on the Eighth Floor, we use Adobe Captivate. In fact, we teach a rather fun class on using Captivate. (next class is on March 26th)

So, I can hear you saying (we on the Eighth Floor have those sorts of ears) what exactly is a screencast and why is this such popular technology to use in and for the classroom? Here's what the November Learning Group has to say in their article:

Show your students how to become directors, publishers and producers. Help them create authentic, content-rich tutorials for their classmates and audiences
around the world. Screencasting is a quick and easy-to-use tool that can help you
create slick demonstration tutorials in any subject area, using any computer
application. The software allows you to record a movie of what you are doing on
a computer. Along with your movie, you can record voice-over audio to provide a
series of instructions.

No, it is not as slick as Captivate - but did I mention it is free? I played with it a little and found it to be pretty darn easy to create a quick screen cast. Here is my clever first attempt: http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cil1QELN. I admit that I didn't look at the tutorial as a good learner should, and I am sure that shows! http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cii3lYtk

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Here are a few of their FAQs:

1. What platforms/browsers are supported?
We're using a Java applet (requires Java 1.5) to do the screen capture and playback so theoretically it should support all major platforms and browsers. That said there are some issues with certain combinations of platforms/browsers. Here is what we've tested on so far:
All Good! - Windows Vista / IE 7.0
All Good! - Windows Vista / Firefox 2.0
All Good! - Windows XP SP2 / IE 6.0
All Good! - Windows XP SP2 / IE 7.0
All Good! - Windows XP SP2 / Firefox 2.0
All Good! - Windows XP SP2 / Opera 9
All Good! - MAC OS X / Safari 2.0.4
All Good! - MAC OS X / Firefox 2.0
Minor Capturing Issues - Linux (Redhat Fadora Core 3) / Firefox 2.0 Please let us know if you use Screencast-O-Matic on any other platform/browser combinations!

2. How much does it cost?
Nothing! It's completely free.

3. Can I export my screencast to flash, quicktime, windows media, etc?
You can export your screencast to quicktime (.mov) format.

4. Can I get better image or audio quality?
The quality of the screen image and audio is reduced since we want to have fast downloads for watching the screencasts. If you'd like to have better quality let us know and we'll work on making that available!

5. What is the max length a screencast can be?
Right now they are limited to 15 minutes each for free hosting.
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For more on screencasting and a quick list of free and not free tools, read Alan November's quick article.

Just Sharin'
Lee Anne

Wikipedia vs. Britannica?

Do you think Wikipedia, as an encyclopedia, is as accurate and up to date as Britannica? Or, stated another way, is collective knowledge = paid editors?

As I was reviewing material for my class on Wikis tomorrow, I ran across this in an article by Karl Kapp, Embracing Informal Learning: Understanding the tools of informal learning and their impact on organizations. On page 8 he shares this:

The British journal Nature—a reputable scientific journal first published
in 1869—published a peer-reviewed article examining a range of scientific entries in both the Encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia through a rigorous peer review process and found few differences in accuracy. "The average science entry in Wikipedia contained around four inaccuracies; Britannica, about three [21]." The researchers found eight serious errors such as misinterpretations of important concepts in 42 reviews, there were four such errors found in each encyclopedia. Additionally, the reviewers found factual errors, omissions or
misleading statements in both. Wikipedia had 162 of these types of errors. The Encyclopedia Britannica had 123.

Essentially, the accuracy of the paper-based encyclopedia created by
paid editors and researchers was about the same as the collective encyclopedia created by visitors to the Wikipedia site—volunteer writers and editors [22] The implication? Collective knowledge is as accurate, reliable and helpful as edited and carefully reviewed knowledge. The openness of Wikipedia and wikis in general
helps to ensure accuracy. When a person browsing the site sees something they believe is wrong, they update it. The openness of the information ensures its accuracy. The concept of freedom of the press taken to the nth degree and it works.

It got me thinking. Am I telling my students to only trust people who are well paid to share information?

Just Sayin'
Lee Anne

Online Professional Development Opportunities

While it is true that the Eighth Floor is primarily thought of as a technology learning center for educators, there is more to us than may meet the eye. There is an "AND" in there! We are a technology AND learning center for educators.

So, where is the AND, you may be asking? Well, check it out: http://eighthfloor.org/services.html

We have made available some pretty cool online professional development courses. Most of them have nothing at all to do with technology -- there's the AND. The Eighth Floor, in partnership with Knowledge Delivery Systems (KDS), has put together a customizable list of online professional development courses with our area educators in mind.

Why are YOU interested in these online courses?
1. They are available 24/7/365. (That means over holiday breaks, too)
2. You set your own schedule.
3. KDS has developed a wide variety of timely topics of interest to all educators.
4. While some classes dealing with tech integration are available, that's not the only focus.
5. You get a lot of learning for your dollar.
6. Group rates are available.
7. Proven quality course content.
8. Proven quality online facilitation.
9. We've done all the "leg" work; only the "clicking" is left to you.
10. Your continued professional development is as important to us as it is to you.

Sample Courses:
Classroom Management
Differentiated Instruction
Leadership
Aiding Students with Learning Disabilities
English Language Learners & Cultural Awareness
Teaching Diverse Learners
Preparing Students for High-Stakes Tests
Coaching & Mentoring to Improve Student Learning
Improving Literacy in Secondary Schools
Anger Management & Effective Discipline to Prevent Violence
Hands-On, Discovery-Based Mathematics
(New courses are currently being developed)

Take a moment to look at this PDF that details all the classes and lays out course content: http://eighthfloor.org/Forms/courses.pdf

If you have any questions at all about these courses or group rates, please feel free to contact
Dr. Lisa Cole at lcole@eighthfloor.org.

Thanks!

Even Something Completely Del.icio.us Needs a Backup Plan

If you have taken a Web 2.0 course on the Eighth Floor, then you know how extraordinary I think social bookmarking is and how much I depend on my Delicious account. For nearly three years I have been building a repository of internet resources for our consortium members - and me, of course. Hundreds (plural) of sites on anything from elementary lesson plans to Podcasting tools to YouTube videos that explain skills better than I can. I have been collecting all those resources on my Delicious account. Many of you were part of my Delicious network. We had a great network!

Last week the unthinkable happened. I deleted my account. In the process of deleting a few dummy accounts, I committed a slip of the mouse and deleted my REAL account. I'm sure you all heard my tragic wail of "Nnnoooooooo!" all across the land.

I learned several things from this experience. One, clicking on the back button 50 times, even 1/10th of a second later, won't reverse the action. Two, the people at Delicious can not be suckered into reviving your account by the promise of "a lot of money." And three, I should have backed up my account. The third lesson is the one that really slaps me in the face. Hello! Don’t we all know to back "things" up? Don't we all know to save, save, save, and save even when we haven't done anything worth saving?

So here's the moral of the story, kids. Back it up! Most every Web 2.0 tool can be saved or backed up one way or another. Just do it.

I am beginning the slow and painful process of personal healing and rebuilding my account. If you were part of my network before, I invite you to add me again. I’m still "lamorris". Yes, I jumped right back on and reclaimed my logon. If you aren't sure what social bookmarking is, watch this video and get out there and create your own account.




Now, if you want to know how to make your new Delicious account dance, come take the Social Bookmarking class on the Eighth Floor.

Happy tagging!
Lee Anne

What About Blogs? - Oct 2007

Welcome to the Eighth Floor class, "What About Blogs."

We thought you might be interested in looking at a few of the blogs we find particularly relevant to education and technology integration. There are thousands and thousands of blogs out there. You will find blogs on any topic, from pet grooming to dissertation research. People of all ages are drawn to blogging as a form of expression.

As a collaboration and communication tool, blogs have found their place in education. Many teachers use them for professional development and continued learning.

Check out the following education/professional development focused blogs:
Webblogg-ed
Moving at the Speed of Creativity
Teachers Teaching Teachers
Blog of Proximal Development
2 Cents Worth
The Good Habits Blog
Blogs on Educational Blogging

Several teachers are using blogs in the classroom as a tool for collaboration and communication. They find that blogging results in much more authentic learning for students.



Here's Room 9's Blog: http://room9nelsoncentral.blogspot.com/

Check out the following education/classroom use blogs:
Mrs. Watts Second Grade Computer Classroom
Miss Baker's Biology Blog
AP English Literature and Composition
English 12
Maybry Online.org - Classroom and Teacher blogs
Applied Science Research Blogs Alan November - Examples in Education
Mrs. Cassidy's Classroom Blog (1st and 2nd Graders)
Blogical Minds

Check out the following education/safety focused postings and articles:
MySpace Education
Change Agency BlogSafety.com
Blogs, Fair Use, and Paying to Play

Blogging Tips and Tricks:
Web Blog Basics
Blogs - Anatomy
Bogs for Learning
Evaluating Blogging
Blogging Best Practices
Top 10 Blog Writing Tips

Being as this is a class about blogging, we think you ought to do a little, well, blogging. (Those of you reading this who are not enrolled in the class, please jump in!) We’d like you to share some of your thoughts or concerns about setting up and using blogs either professionally or in the classroom.
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Here are some questions to get you started thinking:
- What do you want to know about blogs?
- What do you already know about blogs?
- How do you think you can use blogs?
- How do you see others using blogs?
- What are you concerned about when it comes to blogs?
- What experiences (good or bad) have you already had with blogs?
- How important is digital literacy for our students?
- OR anything else you would like to blog about.
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YOUR TASK:
Come up with at least one idea for using or creating a blog - it doesn't even have to be "school" related, and post a comment at the bottom of this post. Share any other thoughts you might have. If you can't think of something to "DO" with a blog, then share something you have learned about blogs or blogging.

Post your thoughts as a "comment" by clicking on the “comments” hyperlink at the bottom of this post. You can contribute as “other.” Be sure to include your name somewhere. Read others’ comments and feel free to comment on their comments.

Thanks!
Lee Anne