No great insight, there, I would agree. Still, the new year is just about upon us. As so many will say (and really mean), 2009 has sped by.
Here's to a great 2010!
Best Wishes to All!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, August 07, 2009
We Chose The Moon
Last month many of us marked the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11's successful mission to the moon which included, of course, the first humans to step off onto its surface. On cable and network TV, not to mention newspapers (online and in print), there were many stories marking this achievement.
One site that I've found especially fascinating -- with its combination of high quality graphics and animation plus archival video and pictures from the mission and the training that preceded it -- is We Choose The Moon.
One unusual aspect of this site is that the entire mission is available, stage by stage. In other words, you can re-live this amazing mission in real time. Or you can start at any of the 11 stages of the mission.
And to think lift-off was back on July 16, 1969. Incredible!
One site that I've found especially fascinating -- with its combination of high quality graphics and animation plus archival video and pictures from the mission and the training that preceded it -- is We Choose The Moon.
One unusual aspect of this site is that the entire mission is available, stage by stage. In other words, you can re-live this amazing mission in real time. Or you can start at any of the 11 stages of the mission.
And to think lift-off was back on July 16, 1969. Incredible!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
PNAIS 2009 TechShare Conference -- Day Three
Session 1 -- Educator Track
Structuring an Online Conversation: The Why Not?
Presenter: Richard Kassissieh (Catlin Gabel School)
The focal point of Richard’s presentation was the video Skype conversation he showed us (on video) of an instructive and powerful online conversation between students in his classrooms at Catlin Gabel and a group of students in the Gaza Strip.
Watching and listening to these young people grapple with other cultures and listen to each other with such patience and effort to understand the unfamiliar or to revise previous assumptions about others, was, in itself, inspiring. It was a very good demonstration of the power inherent in some online tools in truly bringing us together as a global community.
Final Session -- Educator Track
Building Projects Around Common Goals & Lesson Plan Development
Presenters: Richard Kassissieh (Catlin Gabel School) and Jimi Robinson (Evergreen School)
Richard and Jimi challenged us to take a topic in our groups at each table (there were five tables) and, in this small group, come up with a plan and strategy for bringing that topic to our students or into a curriculum we were involved in. The subject that arose at our table was ways of using video in the classroom and tools that make video accessible and useful, ranging from which cameras to use to methods of distributing/sharing student video projects (i.e. SchoolTube, TeacherTube).
As the final session of the conference, there was also some time spent on thank yous and farewells.
.....and adieu
As I found in my previous participation in TechShare conferences, my time at the 2009 version was well-spent. I’m grateful that PNAIS offers this kind of professional development opportunity. One difference for me at this conference was the fact that I was one of the presenters. I’m glad that the presentation that Lillian and I did was pretty well-received. It was a very useful exercise and I learned a great deal in putting together the presentation and actually making the presentation in front of these TechShare colleagues.
I’m glad to have had the opportunity to attend this conference and I appreciate the support the school has given to make this possible.
Structuring an Online Conversation: The Why Not?
Presenter: Richard Kassissieh (Catlin Gabel School)
The focal point of Richard’s presentation was the video Skype conversation he showed us (on video) of an instructive and powerful online conversation between students in his classrooms at Catlin Gabel and a group of students in the Gaza Strip.
Watching and listening to these young people grapple with other cultures and listen to each other with such patience and effort to understand the unfamiliar or to revise previous assumptions about others, was, in itself, inspiring. It was a very good demonstration of the power inherent in some online tools in truly bringing us together as a global community.
Final Session -- Educator Track
Building Projects Around Common Goals & Lesson Plan Development
Presenters: Richard Kassissieh (Catlin Gabel School) and Jimi Robinson (Evergreen School)
Richard and Jimi challenged us to take a topic in our groups at each table (there were five tables) and, in this small group, come up with a plan and strategy for bringing that topic to our students or into a curriculum we were involved in. The subject that arose at our table was ways of using video in the classroom and tools that make video accessible and useful, ranging from which cameras to use to methods of distributing/sharing student video projects (i.e. SchoolTube, TeacherTube).
As the final session of the conference, there was also some time spent on thank yous and farewells.
.....and adieu
As I found in my previous participation in TechShare conferences, my time at the 2009 version was well-spent. I’m grateful that PNAIS offers this kind of professional development opportunity. One difference for me at this conference was the fact that I was one of the presenters. I’m glad that the presentation that Lillian and I did was pretty well-received. It was a very useful exercise and I learned a great deal in putting together the presentation and actually making the presentation in front of these TechShare colleagues.
I’m glad to have had the opportunity to attend this conference and I appreciate the support the school has given to make this possible.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
PNAIS 2009 TechShare Conference -- Day Two
Session 1 -- All Attendees
Developing Best Practices around Digital Citizenship
Presenter: Jimi Robinson (Evergreen School)
Using the ISTE definition as a starting point (“Digital citizenship can be defined as the norms of behavior with regard to technology use.”), Jimi took us through the highlights of a presentation he uses on this subject. Other subjects he helped us explore included what specific behaviors constitute digital citizenship, the notions of digital etiquette and netiquette, what responsibilities fall to technology leaders, informational literacy, as well as copyright/fair use and the Creative Commons initiative.
We spent some time reflecting on the question of Internet Safety including some of the findings of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force and their report, Enhancing Child Safety and Online Technologies (from the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University). We took a look at some of the important central findings posed by this report with respect to what parents can use to keep minors safe on the Internet (e.g. technology can play a role but cannot be the sole input to improved safety for minors online; the most effective technology solution is likely to be a combination of technologies, etc.).
The message in this session for me was all of us in schools can do much more to inform ourselves, along with parents and students, on the issues surrounding Internet safety. More than an opportunity to further inform ourselves, perhaps we are obligated to do this.
Session 2 -- Educator Track
Tech Training for Teachers: A Technologist’s and Librarian’s Story
Presenters: Lillian Godreau, Harold Johanson (Lakeside School)
This was the presentation that Lillian and I put together to talk about, reflect on, and gather suggestions for tech training for teachers.
Our focus was to tell our “story” of the TechTalk Thursday series we put together during the ’08-’09 school year. Through the mechanism of a PowerPoint presentation, we explored the issues we faced and the challenges in trying to come up with an effective (and, we hope, well-attended) series of technology trainings that would bring new tech tools and practices to the teachers in our building. We shared some of the content we presented and the things we thought worked well and the things we plan on tweaking for next year.
Our “story” seemed to be well-received and, in the discussion/Q&A period, we did get some useful suggestions and reflections based on what others at the session had tried at the respective schools.
Session 3 -- Educator Track
Web 2.0: Embracing the Monster
Presenter: Cheryl Wolotira (Northwest School)
The subtitle of her presentation was: Social Media in Schools. Cheryl did an effective job of showing us the many, many tools available (that fall within her definition of Web 2.0). She began by talking about wikis, blogs, social networks, RSS, IM, and the notion of personal learning networks (PLN).
This latter concept is quite intriguing. The idea is that, with the wealth (or, better yet, torrent) of online information from which one can choose every day, it can be useful to think about what places one uses on a regular basis to sort through the deluge. We all develop habits of finding the information that we think we need to know. Knowing those specific sources/tools you come to rely on can be helpful in analyzing what information is of value to you. Being aware of your PLN may help you let go of sources that end up not repaying your time and attention and moving on to better sources. Reflecting on this whole notion of a PLN seems to have potential in some of my work at the Middle School in the coming year.
I was glad to see that Cheryl took time to point out some of the potential down- and upsides of this informational onslaught, not only on adults but also on kids. Three downsides she talked about: a) inappropriate content; b) the distraction factor; and c) potential for cheating. Upsides included: a) like-minded people can readily share and communicate; b) communication is easy and quick; c) collaboration, collaboration, collaboration; and d) none of us is as smart as all of us.
In addition, Cheryl highlighted the following specific tools:
Wordle -- http://www.wordle.net/
Eyeplorer -- http://eyeplorer.com/show/
VoiceThread -- http://voicethread.com/#home
Animoto -- http://animoto.com/
Tidyread -- http://www.tidyread.com/
Free Tech 4 Teachers -- http://www.freetech4teachers.com/
Session 4 -- Educator Track
Video Chroma Keying
Presenter: Ethan Delavan (Seattle Country Day School)
Ethan gave us a demonstration (with a partial hands-on component) where he set up a green-screen, lights, and video camera to demonstrate the relative ease in video taping people in a technique that allows one to make those people appear to be various places on the globe though the subjects were actually taped in a studio and the pictures were overlaid on the green-screen area.
The technique is used routinely by TV weatherpeople. In schools, chroma key can be a useful technique for placing students in places without having them actually having to travel there for a wide variety of video projects and presentations.
Developing Best Practices around Digital Citizenship
Presenter: Jimi Robinson (Evergreen School)
Using the ISTE definition as a starting point (“Digital citizenship can be defined as the norms of behavior with regard to technology use.”), Jimi took us through the highlights of a presentation he uses on this subject. Other subjects he helped us explore included what specific behaviors constitute digital citizenship, the notions of digital etiquette and netiquette, what responsibilities fall to technology leaders, informational literacy, as well as copyright/fair use and the Creative Commons initiative.
We spent some time reflecting on the question of Internet Safety including some of the findings of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force and their report, Enhancing Child Safety and Online Technologies (from the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University). We took a look at some of the important central findings posed by this report with respect to what parents can use to keep minors safe on the Internet (e.g. technology can play a role but cannot be the sole input to improved safety for minors online; the most effective technology solution is likely to be a combination of technologies, etc.).
The message in this session for me was all of us in schools can do much more to inform ourselves, along with parents and students, on the issues surrounding Internet safety. More than an opportunity to further inform ourselves, perhaps we are obligated to do this.
Session 2 -- Educator Track
Tech Training for Teachers: A Technologist’s and Librarian’s Story
Presenters: Lillian Godreau, Harold Johanson (Lakeside School)
This was the presentation that Lillian and I put together to talk about, reflect on, and gather suggestions for tech training for teachers.
Our focus was to tell our “story” of the TechTalk Thursday series we put together during the ’08-’09 school year. Through the mechanism of a PowerPoint presentation, we explored the issues we faced and the challenges in trying to come up with an effective (and, we hope, well-attended) series of technology trainings that would bring new tech tools and practices to the teachers in our building. We shared some of the content we presented and the things we thought worked well and the things we plan on tweaking for next year.
Our “story” seemed to be well-received and, in the discussion/Q&A period, we did get some useful suggestions and reflections based on what others at the session had tried at the respective schools.
Session 3 -- Educator Track
Web 2.0: Embracing the Monster
Presenter: Cheryl Wolotira (Northwest School)
The subtitle of her presentation was: Social Media in Schools. Cheryl did an effective job of showing us the many, many tools available (that fall within her definition of Web 2.0). She began by talking about wikis, blogs, social networks, RSS, IM, and the notion of personal learning networks (PLN).
This latter concept is quite intriguing. The idea is that, with the wealth (or, better yet, torrent) of online information from which one can choose every day, it can be useful to think about what places one uses on a regular basis to sort through the deluge. We all develop habits of finding the information that we think we need to know. Knowing those specific sources/tools you come to rely on can be helpful in analyzing what information is of value to you. Being aware of your PLN may help you let go of sources that end up not repaying your time and attention and moving on to better sources. Reflecting on this whole notion of a PLN seems to have potential in some of my work at the Middle School in the coming year.
I was glad to see that Cheryl took time to point out some of the potential down- and upsides of this informational onslaught, not only on adults but also on kids. Three downsides she talked about: a) inappropriate content; b) the distraction factor; and c) potential for cheating. Upsides included: a) like-minded people can readily share and communicate; b) communication is easy and quick; c) collaboration, collaboration, collaboration; and d) none of us is as smart as all of us.
In addition, Cheryl highlighted the following specific tools:
Wordle -- http://www.wordle.net/
Eyeplorer -- http://eyeplorer.com/show/
VoiceThread -- http://voicethread.com/#home
Animoto -- http://animoto.com/
Tidyread -- http://www.tidyread.com/
Free Tech 4 Teachers -- http://www.freetech4teachers.com/
Session 4 -- Educator Track
Video Chroma Keying
Presenter: Ethan Delavan (Seattle Country Day School)
Ethan gave us a demonstration (with a partial hands-on component) where he set up a green-screen, lights, and video camera to demonstrate the relative ease in video taping people in a technique that allows one to make those people appear to be various places on the globe though the subjects were actually taped in a studio and the pictures were overlaid on the green-screen area.
The technique is used routinely by TV weatherpeople. In schools, chroma key can be a useful technique for placing students in places without having them actually having to travel there for a wide variety of video projects and presentations.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
PNAIS 2009 TechShare Conference -- Day One
Session 1 – All Attendees
Global Education
Presenters: Vicki Butler (SAAS) along with other members of the TechShare planning committee
Vicki started us off thinking about the ways in which the integration of technology can enhance involving our students in the issues of the world we live in. We watched a PowerPoint presentation she used to help identify the issues.
Soon we were invited to break up in groups and accomplish a couple goals. One was somewhat practical in that organizers had brought with a clutch of video cameras (most were Flip) and wanted us to have our own opportunity to have some “hands on” experience using this video technology. A second goal was to use those video cameras to record images or scenes that, in our small group’s view, somehow identified the global connection we saw in the things around us.
These exercises were a nice way to bring focus to the group on our coming days together since many of us had spent a significant chunk of the day traveling by car to get to Welches.
Session 2 -- Educator Track
SmartBoard Presentation and Demo
Presenter: Jimi Robinson (Evergreen School)
Jimi had brought a portable SmartBoard to the conference and used it for his presentation.
This, admittedly, was pretty much all review for me. However, based on the amount of energy and interest displayed by others in this session, there apparently are a number of people still unacquainted with SmartBoards.
There was also brief mention of some alternate hardware (i.e. Mimio, Promethean Activboards) which were used by some of the other attendees in their schools.
Global Education
Presenters: Vicki Butler (SAAS) along with other members of the TechShare planning committee
Vicki started us off thinking about the ways in which the integration of technology can enhance involving our students in the issues of the world we live in. We watched a PowerPoint presentation she used to help identify the issues.
Soon we were invited to break up in groups and accomplish a couple goals. One was somewhat practical in that organizers had brought with a clutch of video cameras (most were Flip) and wanted us to have our own opportunity to have some “hands on” experience using this video technology. A second goal was to use those video cameras to record images or scenes that, in our small group’s view, somehow identified the global connection we saw in the things around us.
These exercises were a nice way to bring focus to the group on our coming days together since many of us had spent a significant chunk of the day traveling by car to get to Welches.
Session 2 -- Educator Track
SmartBoard Presentation and Demo
Presenter: Jimi Robinson (Evergreen School)
Jimi had brought a portable SmartBoard to the conference and used it for his presentation.
This, admittedly, was pretty much all review for me. However, based on the amount of energy and interest displayed by others in this session, there apparently are a number of people still unacquainted with SmartBoards.
There was also brief mention of some alternate hardware (i.e. Mimio, Promethean Activboards) which were used by some of the other attendees in their schools.
Monday, July 13, 2009
PNAIS 2009 TechShare Conference -- Introduction
This year’s TechShare Conference (sometimes referred to by organizers as an “un-conference” to suggest its relative informality and friendly spirit) was held at a resort in Oregon. Alla B , Lillian G, and I carpooled from Seattle to Welches, OR. The conference sessions started at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 28.
As has been true in other TechShare get-togethers, an attempt was made to offer a thread of subjects to appeal to two of the primary groups who attend these conferences: educators and network and/or technology administrators. My plan was to attend those sessions with an educational focus.
As has been true in other TechShare get-togethers, an attempt was made to offer a thread of subjects to appeal to two of the primary groups who attend these conferences: educators and network and/or technology administrators. My plan was to attend those sessions with an educational focus.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Our National Parks
I hate to start out any post by saying something like.....the older I get the more I appreciate.....but when it comes to our system of National Parks here in the United States, I would have to say that I am growing more and more appreciative to those who made the effort and took the time to bring about this set of national treasures.
A Ken Burns PBS series called: The National Parks: America's Best Idea will air in September, 2009. Click here to visit this great website.
A Ken Burns PBS series called: The National Parks: America's Best Idea will air in September, 2009. Click here to visit this great website.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Fremont Solstice Parade 2009
I simply can't help putting up at least one thing about the 2009 version of the Solstice Parade in dear Center-Of-The-Known-Universe Fremont. Saw some of it live and in person yesterday and was once again smiling big time most of the day just from the palpable fun and enjoyment on the part of the many, many, many Seattleites there. Click here for some photos (thanks to the Seattle P-I)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Earth Day 2009
What better way to mark another Earth Day than to visit a site like Encyclopedia of the Earth. Their goal is to be "a new electronic reference about the Earth, its natural environments, and their interaction with society."
What a wonderful resource!
What a wonderful resource!
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Trying Windows Live
I’ve just downloaded and begun experimenting with the various components of Windows Live. This bundle of programs – including Mail, Messenger, Writer (which I’m using now to post this to my blog), Movie Maker [beta], and more – that will apparently be part of the upcoming version of Windows, Windows 7.
Fun to give things a whirl!!!
Thursday, April 02, 2009
My First Post About Banking
As of today no one can any longer say that I never posted about a banking system, let alone the one in Switzerland.
I've had some fun (and learned a thing or two) at the HowStuffWorks site. Here's their "how" on how the Swiss banking system works.
I've had some fun (and learned a thing or two) at the HowStuffWorks site. Here's their "how" on how the Swiss banking system works.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
For Fans of Mark Twain
Guess what? He has an official website and it looks both interesting and funny (his memorable quips, for example). Well worth an amble into the world of Twain.
Click here.
Click here.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Protecting the Liberty Bell
If there's any enduring symbol of the founding of the United States and the freedoms that we value, it's the Liberty Bell.
The National Science Foundation has this website which documents the efforts being made to protect this important part of our heritage.
You'll learn something!
The National Science Foundation has this website which documents the efforts being made to protect this important part of our heritage.
You'll learn something!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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