Technology

What is it? How is it used? When is it used? Why should it be used? Who should use it? Where do you find it? These questions can be asked about the emerging technologies and the ones people are currently using. What, when, why, who, how, and where? We asks these questions now just like people asked these questions when things were invented in the past.

Education asks these questions everyday. They are asked in the schools and admin buildings. What do we need to help our students achieve? How do we come to a happy medium between what network systems considers appropriate and what the educators want to use? Why do we need this tool over this one? Who should purchase then train everyone how to use? Where do we store it/lock it up? These technologies are available but until these questions are asked and answered the schools continue to be slow to implement.

Our students are digital natives. At home the same questions are asked then answered. What do we need to help our child achieve? (computer, online access, video gaming system with internet access, portable devices, cellphones)? How do we come to a happy medium between how to educate our digital natives (allow cellphones during instruction, allow students to have electronic devices at school)? Why do we need this tool (because my parents wanted, I got it for a present, it’s fun)? Who should purchase then train (my parents/grandparents, aunt/uncle; I don’t need training. I can figure it out myself)? Where do we keep it (in my child’s room, family room, it’s portable, not a school)?

As long as we continue to have questions without the answers, our students will be further along with technology at home then at school. Let’s answer the questions and open the networks so we can teach our students the what, how, why, who, and where technology can best impact their learning since they already have the answers.

It’s August

It’s August. Some of us are already at work and others are waiting to return. This year I was Rif’ed from my ITRT position and will return with the other teachers. I’ve enjoyed the time to relax this summer and to reflect on my technology skills as a tech facilitator. This reflection has allowed me to investigate how I plan to utilize technology within my SPED classroom. I hope everyone has a great August whether it is at work, on vacation or just waiting for the school year to begin.

How to Help: Haiti Earthquake

Most of us are wondering how to help the people of Haiti. What can we do to help? Click on the link above to find out about the Clinton/Bush Haiti Fund. This link also shares how the various government agencies are assisting the people in Haiti.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Where in the World is Gizmoz?

At one time we were wondering where Hall was in the world. Now I am looking for the original Gizmoz site. It is gone. The original site was used to create the famous Gizmoz  Girl . I used this Gizmoz clip in most of my videos. At one point I found the Beta version of Gizmoz however they caught me and fixed it so I would could not access it. So where oh where is the original Gizmoz site?

I sent a letter using the contact section of the current Gizmoz site asking them where it went and will they offer the original site to educators. Below is the letter. I will keep you posted with the response.

Hi,

I am very curious about what happened to the original Gizmoz site? I used that site quite frequently as an instructional technology specialist. The Gizmoz clips were perfect for teachers to use and to incorporate into their daily instruction. I used the site to create quick clips that I downloaded then uploaded into Windows Movie Maker along with Discovery Streaming videos (currently have rights to do so). The combination of these items allowed me to create instructional tools for teachers to use within their classrooms. Please, if possible, bring back the beta site for educators to use. Thank you for reading. I look forward to a speedy response. Have a wonderful day!

Denise Thomas

What does the file extension .hd2 mean?

Have you ever wondered what a particular file extension meant? Have you ever received a file and didn’t know what kind of file it was? Have you ever needed to convert a file and didn’t know which extension to use for the conversion? Well this site, the File Extension Resource will help. Click on a letter once you reach the site and it will provide you with the file extension, its file type and a brief description of what the extension means. When you click on the # symbol you will see extensions that begin with numbers or symbols. You can use the left sidebar to locate file extensions by file type (which may save time)  So, according to this resource .hd2 is a 3D image file type, which is a Poser Hand Pose File (whatever that means) . Can you find this one?  .q9r

Have fun!

A Great Start to the Year!

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and a great start to the new school year. I am excited because I’m starting without a cast (I had a cast for three months then therapy for 7). I had the opporunity to rest and to also enjoy having both of my college kids home at the same time. Yeah, can you believe that… I actually enjoyed it.

I have several people to email and some to send videos so bear with me as I get these items sent. Oh Lance, I also owe you a post.

So everyone enjoy this school year and let’s get ready to (uh! not to rumble) increase our STAR potential.

Photos from DEN Event-ETLC

Here are the photos from ETLC, Roanoke, VA. The booth was small but Alex, Matt and Darnai were able to attract a lot of attention  . Later that day I attended the DEN hospitality event from 6-9 pm. I was able to encourage several of my colleagues to attend . In fact, Diane and I were able to get two of our colleagues to join the DEN. If you want to see more, locate Discovery Educator Network group on Flickr (unable to see right now-not sure if someone has to release them. I can see them when I log in).

PS. The food was delicious    and the Discovery Holiday game and prizes were great!

i-Report from ETLC: Roanoke, VA

Hello everyone,

The ETLC is being held in Roanoke, VA at the Hotel Roanoke. Of course, my room isn’t in the hotel but more on that later. The sessions are great but so far the best thing was seeing Matt, Darnai, and Alex from Discovery. They are located at what appears to be the smallest booth in the vendors area. I will post a picture tonight.

Now, the hotel. I’m staying at the MainStay. All rooms have a full kitchen but you don’t have to worry about food. Breakfast is served every morning and two employees provided the hotel guest with a home cooked meal last night from 5-6:30. The couple stated they do this every Wednesday. Yummmmy. It was simply delicious. Hmm! Enough about food. Well, more on the conference later tonight.

Discovery Writing Prompt Builder is SUPER!

Have you tried this yet? If not, then I suggest you do. It took me fifteen minutes to build this prompt. You can pull up the the site ahead  of time as a activity for the students to complete while you are conducting a reading group. It can be assigned as a homework assignment (be sure all students have internet at home). All they have to do is type in their first and last name, watch the videos then complete the prompt. It is simple.  If I can do this prompt with one hand in fifteen minutes (cast on the other due to a fractured wrist), then you should be able to do it in less time. Go ahead, MAKE A PROMPT!

Internet Safety-Presentation

My presentation at a Technology Fair for Private Schools in Norfolk, VA was about Internet Safety. I sat up last night trying to think of a simple way to explain how to implement into schools. The Virginia Department of Education published a wonderful resource aligning Internet Safety with VA Standards of Learning. My district, Norfolk Public Schools, published an Internet Safety Manual (will link updated version as soon as it is uploaded to the website-blog won’t let me upload)  that is aligned with VDOE guidelines. The manual includes daily tips that are read to students via daily news shows or PA system (hopefully all schools are using something other than the PA system to deliver news and information).

My Internet Safety Presentation (some links may not work from blog) stated the “why” and  “how’ Internet Safety can be taught in schools. I started out with the videos (link to other video) that can be found on the Norfolk Public Schools Internet Safety Forum website. After I established the “why” I discussed the 2006 General Assembly approved legislation for Internet Safety .  After the “why” I discussed “how” to begin implementation after looking at the following: school/district policy, student expectations (scroll down to computer access), and consequences. I finished by referencing several resources and websites. My presentation was well received so I believe I will present this information again-maybe at VSTE.