ISTE 2013 Presentation

"Extending Your Research Program Beyond the Library Book Stacks"

That is the name of our ISTE workshop.  Participants will be learning how to set up and use Weebly (a free website creator) and Edmodo (a free private learning network that I use with my 5th GATES group). And we are SOLD OUT!!

Kristina had most of the information created and I've gotten to add a few elements (after I explored and learned how to use the programs!).  My main contribution is sharing my use of Edmodo and how to conduct research with elementary students while Kristina addresses uses and research with older students.

Although it is still in progress (and ISTE is just two days away!), take a look at the QR code to our presentation. (I use Google Goggles but you can use any QR reader app).

ISTE 2013

This is the BIG NEWS of my summer!!

I will be attending ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) in San Antonio!!  This has been a bucket list item for me to accomplish before I retire--actually hoping to attend in Philadelphia in 2015.  Not only will I be attending but I will be presenting!!  Well, a more accurate description would be "helping" in a presentation with Kristina Holzweiss, a librarian from New York that I've NEVER MET!!  How is that for crazy!?

Last spring (possibly in March or April 2012) I was highlighted as a "Spotlight Educator" for Edmodo.  I had contacted Edmodo on a few specific points as I was presenting my use of Edmodo with my 5th grade GATES (gifted/talented) classes at the Oklahoma Technology Association/Encylo-Media conference in February.  I guess they found my use and situation interesting because they wrote up a short article on me.

I'm not sure how my name came up but Kristina contacted me through Edmodo to tell me that she was writing up a presentation proposal for ISTE and asked if I would be interested to present with her.  First of all, I couldn't get past the concept that a presentation proposal would be accepted from two people who did not know each other!  Second, I was in a major "pity party" mode at that particular time as my main principal/supporter had retired the previous spring and I was concerned about my newer principals understanding my library situation and program goals--especially in light of a new teacher evaluation system this year.  So I said "yes."  What did I have to lose?

In December, Kristina contacted me that our proposal had been accepted!  Now our presentation was dependent upon people signing up to join us.  This is where it really gets serious.  Attending ISTE is not inexpensive as registration is $344.00 (includes one-year ISTE membership) plus you have travel and lodging expenses.  But our BYOD workshop requires paid registration of an additional $49.00!  It's one thing to make a presentation at a state conference but these people are paying EXTRA to attend our session!!

I've been so impressed with Kristina--she is an ambassador for Edmodo and moderates two communities I follow.  She has also been published in School Library Journal and she maintains a great library webpage.  And she has two small children at home!!

Kristina has put together a great presentation and I've learned to use EdCanvas and Weebly as a result.  She is allowing me to share in her spotlight.  I am touched beyond words.

 More to come on the actual presentation!

Summer 2013

I started this blog several summers ago as a way to remind myself of specific edtech sites I wanted to explore and to reflect on how to use them in my library.  Looking back to see that I posted ONE blog last summer makes me think that I should change my blog name to "Random Thoughts & Whatever!"

My "web presence" has been more regular on Scoop.It, Pinterest, and Learnist.  I have a number of boards on those sites addressing Common Core, EdTech Tools, @myLibrary, and iPads in Classroom.

At this point, I want to make these notations:
    Wallwisher is now called Padlet;
    My Google Reader is dissolving so I've moved to Feedly;
    I created a library Symbaloo page this past year with a connected Symbaloo page for 5th grade American
         Revolution links; and
   my 5th grade GATES kids were not "into" Edmodo like last year's group.

Summer goals at this point are to develop skills with Google docs, Dropbox, Evernote, and iPad apps.  My school district presented an iPad to each certified teacher on our last day of school with the intent that our district will be moving to a 1:1 iPad initiative provided a bond issue passes this fall.  Having an iPhone has helped me to have some knowledge with the iPad although I have not explored any real classroom uses.  I haven't come up with a reasonable classroom use for the Smule Guitar app!!

Just so I am sure to post more than one blog this summer, I'm writing the REALLY BIG summer news in my next post.  Hint:  ISTE 2013!!

Becoming an EdTech Star this Summer!

Although I am still working to clean and organize my libraries, school is over again for another year.  Summer is when I really try to catch up with my RSS and Twitter feeds and when I have time to write and reflect about what I read on this blog.  Anyone is welcome to read or follow my ramblings, but understand that blogging is a way for me to focus and reflect on my personal learning goals.

This summer, my main goals are to refine my use of some edtech applications and to determine how to implement Common Core in my library program. I have created a "file" for Common Core topics on Pinterest as well as Scoop.It.  I also have a LiveBinder and a Symbaloo page for this topic.  Why so many types of curation applications?  The main reason is to give me a purpose to use the various programs and to determine which actually meet my needs and goals.  I plan to include Common Core topics in this blog over the summer as I try to find my direction to follow these standards.

For now, I have been racing through my feeds trying to catch up--which of course I never will.  There are some "recommended" bloggers I follow on my Google Reader that I think I need to drop so I can focus on those that really give me solid articles that apply to my current needs.  I also have some duplicates between my RSS and Twitter feeds that I should probably clean up.  I set up a TweetDeck a few years ago but have really started using it again this past year to be able to view Twitter and Facebook on one page. 

So bear with me as I get this blog up to speed again.  For now, join me in this article on Becoming an EdTech Star from Free Technology for Teachers.  Of the 10 items included in the article, here is the one that pushed me today.

"2. Start a blog or revive a dormant blog. Create a schedule for writing and stick to it. If you only have time to write for an hour a week, that's fine but do it consistently. Writing will force you to think and reflect. Publish your writing even if you don't think it's perfect. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. You can always write an addendum to the original post."

What about you?  Where are you in your personal learning journey?  I would love for you to share with me!

Excited over Edmodo!

School is well under way and I'm here to report that Edmodo has exceeded my expectations so far this year!! I had to wait a year to get permission to use this free private learning network with my 5th grade gifted/talented (GATES) classes.

In retrospect, it was a good thing to have to wait. This year's group of kids seem very appreciative of the honor to be the FIRST in our town to use the site. Additionally, schedules have changed at my three schools so that I have had to change my pullout program. Now, instead of meeting with each group one day each week, I am following my library lesson schedule to have three days of GATES classes a week per group. This means that I do not have weekly face-to-face time with the kids but we do get to have a more intense time of instruction and activity with these back-to-back sessions.

With the help of Edmodo, I actually believe that I am delivering a better gifted/talented program this year. We have three consecutive days of project work on our SAILS historical era curriculum and then I supplement the program through Edmodo with assignments, polls, home response activities, current event responses, and more!

We start the year with a learning style survey so students can view HOW they are smart. I direct them to view their top three outcomes and evaluate if they agree with the results of the survey. Although most of my students were identified through our district criteria with one or more high percentage scores on spring achievement tests, some were referred and went through an interview process to qualify. Thus we look at ways we are "gifted" beyond academic, such as music, art, body, and others. I set up folders to "Explore Giftedness" in those areas. Most recently students could explore musical options, like a virtual piano, a percussion keyboarding site, and CodeOrgan to create music. We explored Thinkfinity's ARTSEDGE activity on "Spooky Sounds and Scary Tales" to listen to classical "scary" music. I have created a folder on art that includes some great drawing tools as well as links to art tutorials. The folder on "body smart" includes some line dances as well as educational jump rope rhymes.

Recent current events have included earthquakes in our state so I provided a link on earthquakes that included some interesting animated illustrations. Around Veteran's Day, I provided a heartwarming video about a soldier and his efforts to transport stray dogs that saved his life while serving overseas. They also participated in a poll to identify the military branch a family member or friend served in with the opportunity to make a response.

Students can check the calender to view upcoming site sessions, assignments, and school schedules. They can filter the posts to specifically view assignments, polls, or teacher posts. They can "turn in" their work after they have met the activity's criteria to view, read, and respond. They can go to the grade section to verify that they completed the assignment and view their score. This provides a great level of accountability that was missing in last year's program.

Parents have been provided with a special code to allow them to view calendar, assignment, and grade sections of Edmodo. They also have the option to receive notifications from Edmodo.

A great plus for me is the avenue of communication as students can post a public response or direct post to me. Students are not able to direct post to another students--their posts are public to the users of their identified groups. I receive email notification for every response made by students so I can easily monitor the program even though I may not be logged in.

Edmodo has helped me to develop a better program for my GATES students. Edmodo provides great tech support and I receive great tips and ideas from the Edmodo communities that I join. All of this--and it is free!

This has been a great experience this year--I'm very excited to have the opportunity to use this fantastic resource!! Thank you, Edmodo!!