Project Learning: Schools That Work

As we begin to shape our ideas about the future of WCS and technology integration, I feel it important to observe different types of schools. Members of our Technology Steering Comittee will be visiting The Nueva School & High Tech High next week. My gut tells me that we will see learning constructed in a similar fashion to the video below. In my opinion, the best "takeaway" from this video is the idea that Project Based Learning and 1-to-1 Computing go hand in hand... Neither should exist in a vacuum. Enjoy!

P.S. Check back to the blog for daily journal entries of our Tech Trip next week... I will do everything I can to upload pictures and possibly video of all that we see and do to extend the learning for all who couldn't be there!

Click Here to Learn more about Project Learning on Edutopia

Featured Strategy

Project Learning Meets 1-to-1 Laptop Technology

Location
King Middle School and 
Casco Bay High School, 
Portland, Maine

Target Audience
Grades 6-12

Mission
To transform the learning process with technology-infused projects that benefit the community and promote high academic achievement.

Edistorm, by: Pete McKay (http://www.theteacherlist.ca/)

Edistorm takes the metaphor of sticky notes on a boardroom wall and brings it online allowing anyone - anywhere to brainstorm with only a web browser. Each user picks their favorite ideas and Edistorm brings the best ones forward. And now the best part - the makers of Edistorm have now permit qualified academic users to use Edistorm at no cost. Academic users can create one active private storm and unlimited Solo and Public storms for FREE! You're able to archive a storm at anytime (rendering it read only) and instantly create another private storm. And - for the first 30 days you can create as many private storms as you want.

Twitter Followers: Feed the Obsession With TweetDeck!

I wanted to give a little follow-up on my September Tech Visits with a recommendation on the subject of building a PLN using Twitter. I absolutely LOVE this resource for teachers and would like to suggest a supplement to your use of the application. I use a 3rd party Twitter feed called TweetDeck. It is a GREAT site that can live on your desktop and update you to new tweets on your Twitter home page. I love it because it feeds my need to check Twitter frequently with a small alert in the corner of the screen on which I am currently working, allowing me to multitask during the day. It also can house the searches I like to follow, like #wcsteach, #edchat, #edtech, and #TeacherTuesday, each in a separate column. It will require your computer to be unlocked to be a permanent fixture, but to me it is worth the effort!

Simply click on the link in this article, register, download... and ENJOY!

-Laura Cusick

Attention: Math Teachers!

Mr Robbs Math Video’s–hundreds of them!

On September 21, 2010, in Curriculum, Math, Teachers, Video, by Cyndi Danner-Kuhn

Welcome to WOWmath.org
(Formerly Mr Robb’s World)
Why the name WOWmath? Well, I have found that many students and parents say “WOW!” when they see all that I offer. I have also received many comments on my YouTube videos/channel that say “WOW that was helpful!”. So, I hope that this site will make you say “WOW” as it helps you in your math class.
Mr Robbs YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/RobbWorld

The Power of the PLN: What Administrators Need to Know and Be Able to Do

November 13, 2009

by Don Lourcey

I will let this Slideshare preso speak for itself and provide a practical view of how a PLN can build capacity as a professional. This is a great preso by Mark Woolley. As leaders, and models in chief, lead the way. Model for your staff the power of community, the power of connection, and the power of creation. Dabo Swinney, coach of Clemson, told the leaders on his team, “If you don’t, they won’t.” Is that not apropos to the role of the administrator (district and school) to learn by doing, playing in the sandbox, and modeling for our staff’s acceptable and professional uses of Web 2.0 technologies, not in isolation, but integrated and aligned to school and district improvement goals and the mission, vision, and core values of the school or district. Because if YOU don’t, THEY won’t.

Powerful Personal Learning Networks PLN

View more presentations from Mark Woolley.

Mind-Mapping, Cartoon, Movie & Audio editing all in one tool!

On August 16, 2010, in Apps, Music, Video, WoW Whats on the Web

by Cyndi Danner-Kuhn 

 

A site that merges many sites together. Creaza offers a mind-mapping tool, cartoon creation, movie editor, and audio editor.
- Video about the Mind-mapping software.
- Video about the Cartoon software
- Demo/Video of the Video Editor (Does take some time to load)
- Video about the Audio Editor
Of course, like everywhere, you have to register.  Creaza seems to have many useful tools all in one place.  Use audio tracks you make in the audio editor in the video editor and the video editor offers a ton of options. I would absolutely watch the videos first.
http://www.creaza.com