Computer Lab Favorites

Computer Lab Favorites

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/clf/

These online activities are designed for elementary through middle school. They address a variety of skills.

Click on “Language Arts” for activities like “Poetry Idea Engine,” “Character Scrapbook,” and “Pick the Perfect Word.”

Some activities are related to specific titles, but students can use them even if they are not reading that book.

Online Videos

You want to use a video... What if your school does not allow the use of YouTube?

Here are some alternatives:

• John Locker, subtitled the "Online Learning Network," has videos on a variety of subjects. They can be embedded into a web page. Use the search facility and categories. http://johnlocker.com/



• TeacherTube, the alternative to YouTube, has videos addressing various topics. http://www.teachertube.com/



• SchoolsTube, like TeacherTube, is intended to be an educational substitute for YouTube. It's relatively new, so there's not much there yet, but it is very promising indeed, and includes audio too. http://www.schoolstube.com/



• SchoolTube, which has lots of videos and pictures for use in the curriculum, as well as lesson plans and other resources. http://www.schooltube.com/

Rubistar site

After my graduate class last night, I found out that posting this site may help lots of educators.

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php

In addition, here are some others you may like to use in your educational pursuits:

QuizStar Construct online quizzes that can include multimedia. http://quizstar.4teachers.org/

Arcademic Skill Builders Educational Games for students to polish math and language skills. http://arcademic.altec.org/

PersuadeStar Provides tools for students to write persuasive essays. http://persuadestar.4teachers.org/

Classroom Architect Design a floor plan for your classroom. http://classroom.4teachers.org/

Equity Locate resources and tools to help you meet the needs of a diverse classroom. http://equity.4teachers.org/

TrackStar View thousands of online lessons or quickly create your own. http://trackstar.4teachers.org/

Assign-A-Day Post your own online class calendar with hyperlinks and projects. http://assignaday.4teachers.org/

Casa Notes Assemble take-home notes in English and Spanish. http://casanotes.4teachers.org/

PBL Checklists Make custom checklists for multiple projects. http://pblchecklist.4teachers.org/

Teacher Tacklebox Locate top-rated Tracks, WebQuests, and ThinkQuests for your subject. http://4teachers.org/intech/lessons/

Web Poster Wizard Make and post a simple Web page within minutes. http://poster.4teachers.org/

NoteStar Assist students with collecting group notes and citations for papers. http://notestar.4teachers.org/

Think Tank Helps student set up topics for reports. Use alone or with NoteStar. http://thinktank.4teachers.org/

KidsVid Help teachers and students use video production in class support project-based learning. http://kidsvid.altec.org/

Firstbook Blog Site

I found this blog and thought I would share it with you. Feel free to link it to your blog.

http://blog.firstbook.org/

First Book is a nonprofit organization with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. Through hundreds of local Advisory Boards, the First Book National Book Bank, and the First Book Marketplace, the organization provides an ongoing supply of new books to children participating in community-based mentoring, tutoring, and family literacy programs.

First Book has provided more than 50 million new books to children in need in thousands of communities nationwide.

Midterm for Tests and Measurements Class

This is where you will post (using the comments):

1. 1 multiple choice question (with answer)


2. 1 essay question (with answer)

This is due: Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Once I have all the questions, I will post which essays MAY be on the exam.

If you need help, contact me!

**Only Ed301 (Tests and Measurements) students should respond to this blog. Thanks!

Teachers' Virtual Lives Conflict With Classroom

Take a look at this ongoing case involving a teacher and MySpace:

Teachers' Virtual Lives Conflict With Classroom

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4791295

Any thoughts?

Acceptable Use Policy Wiki Site

In response to Mark's, Katie's, and Francine's interest in school's AUPs (see comments in my Chats in Elementary Schools? posting below), take a look at this link:

http://landmark-project.com/aup20/pmwiki.php

This website is a dynamic document designed to support teachers, school media specialists, and education leaders in developing, maintaining, and enforcing AUPs.

Enjoy!

Beginning Teacher Website

Here is a neat website for beginning teachers. They have a section on student teaching and teaching tips.

http://www.inspiringteachers.com/index.html

This site claims to be a community of educators networking for mutual growth and support in the teaching profession. Their mission is to empower teachers and provide strategies to help them not just survive, but thrive in the classroom.

Enjoy and save this site for when you enter the classroom or become an administrator.

Chats in Elementary School?

After my first venture into the Virtual Classroom with my GE555 graduate class last night, I wanted to see what you thought about using chats with your students.

I found this article about using chats with younger students.

http://www.ifets.info/journals/4_3/grigsby.pdf

Do you have ideas on how this could be effective or not? Do you think using a chat room is appropriate or inappropriate at a certain age?

I am interested in what you think.

Education Today and Tomorrow video

Take a look at this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnh9q_cQcUE&feature=related

Any thoughts?

Definr.com Website

Take a look at this excellent Language Arts site (online dictionary):

Definr http://definr.com/ The site bills itself as an “incredibly fast dictionary,” and it is. It provides definitions and synonyms only.

If you’re looking for syllables, etymology, or antonyms, try www.m-w.com.

Comments to Each Other

I just wanted to let you know that I see many people commenting on each other's blog introductions. This is an excellent way to let each other know that you are "listening".

Keep up the excellent work!

Also, here is a link to the top 100 educational blogs. Maybe ours will be next!

And, keep blogging!

Do IM and Video Games Have an Effect on Academic Success?

Take a look at this article to see:

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/08/27/01apa.h28.html

Any thoughts?

Blackboard Info

Hello all!

I just received a note from the HelpDesk at SPC about the new version of Blackboard and the problems some of you have been encountering.

Here is the advice I received:

Recently, there has been some confusion regarding how students log into the new Blackboard system. When a student's account is first created in the new Blackboard system, they are given a default password of SPc + last four digits of their Social Security Number.

Please note that the new Blackboard works independently of the old Blackboard system. Therefore passwords could be different if students had previously changed it on the old Blackboard system.

If you encounter a student who is having difficulty logging into the new Blackboard, it's likely their using the wrong password. Inform the user to use the password convention described above. If they still cannot log into new Blackboard, have them call the helpdesk at extension 7800 and they will reset the password.

Finally, if a student or faculty would like to change their password, they can do so by clicking "Course Tools" within any course, then "Personal Information," and finally "Change Password." This will allow the student to change the password to something they are more comfortable with (e.g. their password for old Blackboard).

Hope this helps!

How to Start a Blog

Take a look at this site:

http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=163100418

Any thoughts?