To pay or not to pay, is that even a question?

I recently was asked to evaluate MediaChalk, a one of a kind creative learning solution that assists in actively capturing the attention of students around the nation. So vague. So, I watched their demo video. Looks like Xtranormal. So, what would make one better for a teacher to use in the classroom than the other. $$$$$$$ MediaChalk offered a site license for $300. I am not seeing such amazing things that would get my to pay for MediaChalk, when I can use Xtranormal for free. I am really enjoying the openness of so many programs for education.

Webspiration

Well, the web has certainly been an inspiration for many things in my life. Most of all, it is my PD portal. I like to read blogs, search for classes to take, etc. But, this is a twist on being inspired by the web. Webspiration is map out ideas, organize with outlines. Ok, so nothing new here when you think about Inspiration and Kidspiration software. But, through Webspiration users can map out ideas, organize with outlines AND collaborate online with teams or colleagues. Should Kidspiration and Inspiration be worried? Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

You've been daused, now daus me.

Back in the Blog Again

I have been away from my blog for too long. I really need to make posting more routine. I find such value in reading others' blogs, and sometimes I forget how important it is to reflect on my own learning.

In planning a spring break trip to Disney for my 3 and 41/2 year old. I found a GREAT website: www.tourguidemike.com Ok, so it is a pay site - $20, but worth every penny. "Mike" asks a number of questions to ultimately spit out a customized trip itinerary from where to stay to where to eat to which park to visit on which day. Even spelled out how to use Disney's FastPass system. We had an amazing time! Technology took all of the souring the web and library. It always amazes me as to how things can be automated.

You' ve been daused.

i LOVE learning!

It has been too long since my last post, but I have been busy. From the Teach42 blog, I found great videos about Conquering Technophobia from Discovery Streaming. It led me to six other videos about web 2.0 tools. What a teaser to encourage me to dig more. i LOVE learning! Check them out:
http://cdwg.discoveryeducation.com/web2.0/
http://cdwg.discoveryeducation.com/web2.0/video.cfm

Today I did a presentation to staff using these videos and giving the teachers time to explore as Dembo and Davidson say. I was jazzed. People learning, sharing, collaborating. Yeah! THEN (duh duh duh), I met with my department. I was disappointed in the reluctance to try something new, to think of the students first, to take on a challenge. Why are educators the first to expect to get new tools in the classroom and the last to actually use them?

you've been daused

Innovation time

I am really liking having a period of my day designated to tech "innovation." I have time to play, search, and experiment. I spent some time working with SMART Notebook 10. Really fun interactive elements to add to my lessons. I also started working on prezi. It is much tougher than I anticipated. I like its features, but can't seem to get it to work for me. I welcome any suggestions. Also, I have found a great new blog called Instructify. Ooooh, there is a new post with a better version of xtranormal... kerpoof! Check it out!

OneNote

I took on a challenge today of making OneNote work for me. I actually use a student planbook to sketch out my lesson plans, then I type them into Blackboard in a nice and neat table. Finally, I attach all of the appropriate documents. Many steps, I know. I am a big planner and organizer. I love the idea of OneNote. It is an electronic version of a three ring binder. Really cool. I can take notes, add documents, draw and write with my tablet, and much more that I haven't even tapped into yet.

I thought I would try to get away from my multiple steps of planning. I have created a notebook for my lesson plans. I can even save them as a pdf to post on Blackboard. I want to see how the documents I drop into my notebook translate in the pdf version. Check out the file, if you can and the online demo. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/onenote/HA101686341033.aspx

The Blackboard saga continues

People are feeling more comfortable with Bb on their own. I helped two teachers move and arrange assignments and folders the way they wanted them. I find that teachers have the skills, but just don't trust themselves. I guess there is the fear with technology that once you delete it is gone forever.

I have made two more jings about making a course available and changing the entry page. (I will post these, once I figure out how to shrink the screen size of an embedded jing.) I would like to start my Bb course with a blog, but I cannot wrap my mind around how to start it. I appreciate Kim G. for having me as a student in her course that starts with a blog as the entry point. I also appreciate K.C. for encouraging me to play with the colors and fonts on my blog.