Of course, they are! And the teachers who inspire students! Just announced yesterday, during the DEN Streamathon, if you are a DEN member, you can receive a free limited edition DEN sweatshirt hoodie during the Classrooms Are Awesome campaign!
To receive this wonderful gift, upload a 1-2 minute video, podcast, or other multimedia resource of how you use DE resources in your classroom to engage students. Videos, podcasts, etc. must be received by November 15th at 8pm. EST.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
A Day in the Life...
Sorry about the delay in my update today. It's not much of an update, unfortunately, as my allergies decided to rage again yesterday afternoon and evening and I didn't get to listen to the sessions as I'd intended.
The one session I really got to enjoy though was the Day in the Life of DE Streaming with Lance Rougeux, one of the DEN managers. His presentation was set up as if you were a student going through a day of school with DE Streaming in every class. We went from a mock setup of 7:30 in the morning down to about 2:30 in the afternoon. We started with Language Arts/English first and how to use DE Streaming with literature circles, guided reading groups, and writing prompts. More on this later.
Next we went to Math class and learned that DE Streaming also has some flash interactive games available. By using differentiation, teachers can have one group working on an activity and another group of students working at the interactive white board (iwb) with the flash activities. Lance also reminded us not to forget to use the curriculum standards when searching for resources, which is another good way to perform a search in DE Streaming.
Next we were off to Social Studies class. Lance showed us the Discovery Atlas in the teacher's center. This looks amazing, especially for Geography. Then we were shown how to take a DE Streaming video and add it to Google Earth. It's much easier than you would think. Streaming has a special new "share" button on the content pages of each video. Click on this button and copy the embed code. Then go into Google Earth, create a placemark and paste the embed code into the body of the placemark. Viola! When the students click on the placemark, they will see a link to the video.
In Science class, students would watch a video from Mythbusters and fill out a worksheet, making sure the busters followed the scientific method and steps in their experiments.
Finally, it was almost time to go, but not without homework! A new website from CDWG and Discovery Education will show teachers how to get over their fear technology. http://cdwg.discoveryeducation.com/web2.0 is especially for Technophobes, this website will be a guide to helping you integrate technology. So for homework, we need to try some of the strategies and report back. What do you think of this site?
I'll be bringing more later and the address with the archived sessions.
The one session I really got to enjoy though was the Day in the Life of DE Streaming with Lance Rougeux, one of the DEN managers. His presentation was set up as if you were a student going through a day of school with DE Streaming in every class. We went from a mock setup of 7:30 in the morning down to about 2:30 in the afternoon. We started with Language Arts/English first and how to use DE Streaming with literature circles, guided reading groups, and writing prompts. More on this later.
Next we went to Math class and learned that DE Streaming also has some flash interactive games available. By using differentiation, teachers can have one group working on an activity and another group of students working at the interactive white board (iwb) with the flash activities. Lance also reminded us not to forget to use the curriculum standards when searching for resources, which is another good way to perform a search in DE Streaming.
Next we were off to Social Studies class. Lance showed us the Discovery Atlas in the teacher's center. This looks amazing, especially for Geography. Then we were shown how to take a DE Streaming video and add it to Google Earth. It's much easier than you would think. Streaming has a special new "share" button on the content pages of each video. Click on this button and copy the embed code. Then go into Google Earth, create a placemark and paste the embed code into the body of the placemark. Viola! When the students click on the placemark, they will see a link to the video.
In Science class, students would watch a video from Mythbusters and fill out a worksheet, making sure the busters followed the scientific method and steps in their experiments.
Finally, it was almost time to go, but not without homework! A new website from CDWG and Discovery Education will show teachers how to get over their fear technology. http://cdwg.discoveryeducation.com/web2.0 is especially for Technophobes, this website will be a guide to helping you integrate technology. So for homework, we need to try some of the strategies and report back. What do you think of this site?
I'll be bringing more later and the address with the archived sessions.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
DEN Streamathon Tomorrow
The Discovery Educator Network (DEN) will be hosting the 4th annual DEN Streamathon tomorrow, a 12 hour day of Discovery and DE Streaming goodies! And again, it's FREE! 
Most of the sessions from the day will be re-broadcast tomorrow evening after school hours for those of you who can't catch it during the day. Sessions will also be archived and available soon after.
Here are the sessions I think will ones not to miss:
A Day in the Life of DE Streaming at 5pm
Back to School Changes in DE Streaming at 6pm
and The Discovery Educator Network 2009-2010 at 8 pm
Click here if you still need to register.
There will also be one hour sessions per subject area (Math, Literacy, Science, and Social Studies) on how you can use DE Streaming. I'll check back in tomorrow night after the DEN session on how everything went and the archive location.
Most of the sessions from the day will be re-broadcast tomorrow evening after school hours for those of you who can't catch it during the day. Sessions will also be archived and available soon after.
Here are the sessions I think will ones not to miss:
A Day in the Life of DE Streaming at 5pm
Back to School Changes in DE Streaming at 6pm
and The Discovery Educator Network 2009-2010 at 8 pm
Click here if you still need to register.
There will also be one hour sessions per subject area (Math, Literacy, Science, and Social Studies) on how you can use DE Streaming. I'll check back in tomorrow night after the DEN session on how everything went and the archive location.
Ahh...Fall!
Fall is my favorite time of year and today marks the Autumnal Equinox. Isn't this a great picture to mark the day?
Fall to me represents kids back in school, leaves turning glorious colors, apples ripe for picking, spending time with friends in cool air wrapped in sweaters and blankets at a Friday night football game or Saturday night bonfire roasting marshmallows and making s'mores and the arrival of one of my favorite nights of the year, Halloween. Not sure what is it about this festive night, I don't like creepy or scary things, but I love the magic of the night. My parents met while working for a civic organization on a Haunted Halloween house, so maybe that has something to do with it.
Fall is like my new year's, I get back on track with work, and start refreshing myself and other teachers on all that's new in technology. I sent out an email yesterday to staff members about new volunteers for the technology committee and I've been swamped with emails asking me about it! I love it!
If you're interested in learning more about the Autumnal Equinox, here are a few websites to fill you in:
What is the Autumnal Equinox?
www.examiner.com from Baltimore
www.examiner.com for younger kids (age 5 and up)
Weather and the Autumnal Equinox
Have a great day!
Fall to me represents kids back in school, leaves turning glorious colors, apples ripe for picking, spending time with friends in cool air wrapped in sweaters and blankets at a Friday night football game or Saturday night bonfire roasting marshmallows and making s'mores and the arrival of one of my favorite nights of the year, Halloween. Not sure what is it about this festive night, I don't like creepy or scary things, but I love the magic of the night. My parents met while working for a civic organization on a Haunted Halloween house, so maybe that has something to do with it.
Fall is like my new year's, I get back on track with work, and start refreshing myself and other teachers on all that's new in technology. I sent out an email yesterday to staff members about new volunteers for the technology committee and I've been swamped with emails asking me about it! I love it!
If you're interested in learning more about the Autumnal Equinox, here are a few websites to fill you in:
What is the Autumnal Equinox?
www.examiner.com from Baltimore
www.examiner.com for younger kids (age 5 and up)
Weather and the Autumnal Equinox
Have a great day!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Introduction to Computer Labs '09
This past week 6th and 7th grade Language Arts classes and 8th grade Science classes stopped by the computer lab to catch an introduction to technology at our school. We went over computer lab rules, which include respecting and properly using the technology available, what is an appropriate use of school computers, Internet tips, and possible consequences for not following these rules.
We also did an activity with the Qwizdom remotes and the computer lab rules and then learned how to sign onto the computers and our Schoolfusion site. While on Schoolfusion, students learned where the link is to check their grades online and how to sign up for their teacher's class pages so that both students and parents will receive updates.
The computer labs and mac carts are available for check out through the resource calendars on GroupWise.
We also did an activity with the Qwizdom remotes and the computer lab rules and then learned how to sign onto the computers and our Schoolfusion site. While on Schoolfusion, students learned where the link is to check their grades online and how to sign up for their teacher's class pages so that both students and parents will receive updates.
The computer labs and mac carts are available for check out through the resource calendars on GroupWise.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
DEN Webinars - They're FREE!
One of the reasons I love being a member of the Discovery Educator Network is that I get to learn so much! It really is a great community of educators who use technology and Discovery to help their students and fellow colleagues. One of their learning experiences is just getting started, their FREE online webinars.
Nearly 100 webinars have been scheduled for this year and include several different series in a range from product demos to educators sharing their finished lessons. Every Tuesday night, join a webinar focusing on media integration, new technologies, DE streaming and a wealth of other topics. On Fridays, get product demos and learn about all the different Discovery Education products. There will also be other webinars with: Science Class with Brad Fountain. It's a monthly science class for you and your students. Also, EdTechConnect where every month some of the most notable names in the EdTech community will inspire you and stretch your thinking.
My favorite webinars are always the Shining STAR's, where the Star DEN members share ideas and lessons they've done in the classroom. Very inspiring stuff!
Some upcoming webinars are:
Tuesday, September 22
H1N1 Preparedness, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Creating Class Communities, 7pm - 8pm (Learn how to leverage online tools to create vibrant classroom communities that sustain student engagement and empower students to learn from each other).
Friday, September 25
PowerMediaPlus, 1pm - 2pm (educational media-on-demand for Teachers and by Teachers, blends standards-based multimedia with state-of-the-art curriculum integration tools in an unparalleled and affordable system).
Tuesday, September 29
Shining STAR's! 7pm - 8pm
Thursday, October 1
Discovery Student Adventures, Pack Your Curiosity! 1pm - 2pm
Click here to register for any of these events!
Find the entire listing of webinars here!
Nearly 100 webinars have been scheduled for this year and include several different series in a range from product demos to educators sharing their finished lessons. Every Tuesday night, join a webinar focusing on media integration, new technologies, DE streaming and a wealth of other topics. On Fridays, get product demos and learn about all the different Discovery Education products. There will also be other webinars with: Science Class with Brad Fountain. It's a monthly science class for you and your students. Also, EdTechConnect where every month some of the most notable names in the EdTech community will inspire you and stretch your thinking.
My favorite webinars are always the Shining STAR's, where the Star DEN members share ideas and lessons they've done in the classroom. Very inspiring stuff!
Some upcoming webinars are:
Tuesday, September 22
H1N1 Preparedness, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Creating Class Communities, 7pm - 8pm (Learn how to leverage online tools to create vibrant classroom communities that sustain student engagement and empower students to learn from each other).
Friday, September 25
PowerMediaPlus, 1pm - 2pm (educational media-on-demand for Teachers and by Teachers, blends standards-based multimedia with state-of-the-art curriculum integration tools in an unparalleled and affordable system).
Tuesday, September 29
Shining STAR's! 7pm - 8pm
Thursday, October 1
Discovery Student Adventures, Pack Your Curiosity! 1pm - 2pm
Click here to register for any of these events!
Find the entire listing of webinars here!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
DEN Streamathon 09!
Good morning!
I hadn't realized it's been so long since I last posted. I am going to need to work on that! Today, I have a great opportunity for those looking for some online experience. The Discovery Educator Network (DEN) is having their annual streamathon on September 23rd from 9 am - 8 pm. There's always great sessions every hour. Register here and take a look at the schedule of events:
All times Eastern
9 AM - Back to School Changes in DE streaming
10 AM - A Day in the Life with DE streaming
11 AM - Streaming the Solution: DE streaming in the Math Classroom
12 PM - Supporting 21st Century Literacy with DE streaming
1 PM - Back to School Changes in DE streaming
2 PM - Dialing in the Digital Compass: DE streaming with Social Studies
3 PM - Multimedia Einsteins: DE streaming with Science
4 PM - Homework Gone Digital
5 PM - A Day in the Life with DE streaming
6 PM - Back to School Changes in DE streaming
7 PM - Crunching the Numbers - Using the DE Admin Tools to Show Your Success
8 PM - The Discovery Educator Network 2009-2010
I hadn't realized it's been so long since I last posted. I am going to need to work on that! Today, I have a great opportunity for those looking for some online experience. The Discovery Educator Network (DEN) is having their annual streamathon on September 23rd from 9 am - 8 pm. There's always great sessions every hour. Register here and take a look at the schedule of events:
All times Eastern
9 AM - Back to School Changes in DE streaming
10 AM - A Day in the Life with DE streaming
11 AM - Streaming the Solution: DE streaming in the Math Classroom
12 PM - Supporting 21st Century Literacy with DE streaming
1 PM - Back to School Changes in DE streaming
2 PM - Dialing in the Digital Compass: DE streaming with Social Studies
3 PM - Multimedia Einsteins: DE streaming with Science
4 PM - Homework Gone Digital
5 PM - A Day in the Life with DE streaming
6 PM - Back to School Changes in DE streaming
7 PM - Crunching the Numbers - Using the DE Admin Tools to Show Your Success
8 PM - The Discovery Educator Network 2009-2010
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Free Posters!
Just saw a great blog post from Free Technology for Teachers. Values.com is currently allowing educators to download FREE PDF inspirational posters. They look really cute! Go to this page:
Values.com | Downloads
and scroll down to the bottom and you can see their collection. If you're at my school, pick out the ones you want and we can turn them into posters!
Way cool!
Shared via AddThis
Values.com | Downloads
and scroll down to the bottom and you can see their collection. If you're at my school, pick out the ones you want and we can turn them into posters!
Way cool!
Shared via AddThis
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