New Jersey

Wednesday’s Web Tool of the Week #6: 

Quizlet.com 

·       What is Quizlet?

• Quizlet is a free website that lets you (and your students) make flash cards by yourself or collaboratively with a group. You can then share for review online, or print for offline use.   
  
   

·       Why use Quizlet?

• Think about the alternative: “Paper” Flashcards that students make, but then lose or don’t use. 
• It was created by a FIFTEEN year-old high school student! Check out his story below!!
•  Help students study faster and more effectively.  
•  After Quizlet flash cards are created, it’s easy for you to help struggling students by having them review with the online tools.  
• Use the online tools for teacher-led whole class review. 
• Quizlet lets you know which words students are frequently getting wrong. 

·       Some Suggested Uses:

• Test Review:
  • Before a test, have students form study groups and give each group a set of key terms. They define them, post them on Quizlet, and print them out for you to verify. Students then use the flashcards to review for their exam. Note: Groups larger than 6 may run across some technical challenges if they are editing their flashcards online at the same time. 
• Quick Review Activity For Class:
  • Have a projector, short on time? It’s faster to create a flash card set on Quizlet and go through the online review tools with the class then to create a review PowerPoint.  Try it out! 
• Use with Special Education:
  • The organization and directness of the online review tools give EXCELLENT structure for students with learning disabilities. 
• Standardized Testing:
  • Quizlet is an efficient way to review for state exams, SAT’s, etc.

If you’re not into Video Tutorials, here are some written instructions for creating a set of Quizlet flashcards:

Instructions for Creating a New Set of Flash Cards

1) Create a user account: www.quizlet.com
2) Go to “Create Set.” If this is a group set of flash cards, appoint one person to create the flash card set and to write down the web address generated for the new flash card set.
3) Create ”Title” and “Tags.” 

4) Set access levels for ”Users” and “Editors.” Users are who can view the flash cards and Editors are who can change or add/delete flash cards. You can require users and editors to have a password to use your flash card set.
5) To add terms, you click the “+ “button, to remove a card, you click the “-” button. There is no undo,  “-” deleted slides can not be retrieved unless you exit without saving, which will delete all changes made since your last save. Click “Save” when you are done. 

Short Cut: You can import pre-made terms by clicking “Import into this set.”

***Make sure to adjust the formatting to fit their requirements on how to distinguish between terms, definitions, and additional terms.***

Instructions for Adding Terms to an Exisitng Flash Card Set:

1) Log in, then go to Flash Cards: at the website created for that specific set of flashcards (the “/” at the end of the web address is required).
2) Click “Edit.” Type in password if the teacher/student has set a password.
3) Go to the bottom, click “+”: Clicking “+”  adds space for the terms and definitions you wish to add.
4) Click “Save” when you are done adding your terms. 
5) Be careful with clicking “-”.  Clicking “–” will delete the terms. If you do this on accident, exit the screen without saving.

Instructions for Using a Flash Card Set:

1) Go to flashcards at the website created for that specific set of flash cards (the “/” at the end of the web address is required).
2) Proceed with your review.

Student Review Tools Available:
1) Familiarize: Go through them like virtual flash cards.
2)Learn: Computer will ask you to type in your responses for review.
3)Test: Computer will generate a mock test.
4)Scatter: Review game where you review by connecting matching terms.
e) Print: Print preformatted flash cards or study list.

On Saturday, October 24, 2009 join thousands of educators online and in-person as the DEN team goes house to house to explore the many digital treats available to educators today.  During this unique professional development event you have the flexibility to attend online or in-person at one of many regional events hosted by the DEN Leadership Councils.

Check out the schedule on the National DEN blog.

Click here to register for the virtual sessions.

OK- you might be wondering what’s up with the title of this post…

My son freaked out this morning when I was blasting Spandaeu Ballet in the car (yes, I LOVE the 80’s ). He begged me to change the channel, and when I asked him why, he said it was because “Boys don’t listen to love songs. Girls like love songs and guys like rock!”

I laughed inside so hard that I just couldn’t resist sharing this ‘Connorism’ with you- and this post is about a music video so it’s not really that much of a stretch…

It’s been three days since I got back from our amazing journey in China. I’ve consistently been waking up at 4 am each morning, but hopefully that will pass, and even if it doesn’t, I guess it’s just good practice for school starting, right?

A lot of people who followed our adventure have been asking me about the penguin that kept showing up in many of my pictures.  Well, that’s ‘Pengi’, my son’s favorite stuffed animal.  Before I left for China, I asked my son to pick out a travel companion for me- someone who would keep me company and could report back to Connor (my son) about all of our amazing adventures.  He chose ‘Pengi’.  It really helped both of us.  Pengi kept me from getting homesick and, because I posted all of my ‘Pengi’ pictures in real time on Twitpic, Connor said he felt like he was part of my trip and didn’t mind as much my being away for so long.

As soon as I got home, Connor and I used Animoto to make a music video of Pengi’s adventures . I can’t say enough, or get enough of this amazing and EASY web 2.0 tool! Not only is it easy enough for us “old folks” to use, it’s also perfect for little kids. My son made his first Animoto music video in Kindergarten, and the two of us working together on the China project gave us the chance to connect about my trip and made my son feel a part of it.

They also have an education account which is wonderful because it allows you to manage classes and easily help students with their work by logging in to their content.

If you haven’t tried Animoto yet, DO IT TODAY!

Hope you enjoy this little recap of our adventure in China.  I hope it gets you exited to pack your own curiosity and go!

Know a NJ Teacher Who Rocks?  

Garden State Teacher Awards Program

Who is eligible?

Nominated teachers must be full-time classroom teachers  at a public or non-public school in New Jersey. For the 2008-2009 school year, teachers must spend the majority of their assignment time teaching students in grades Pre-K to 3^rd grade, 4^th to 8^th grade, or 9^th through 12^th grade. Nominate a teacher

Teachers may be nominated between November 10, 2008 and February 20, 2009. Anyone may nominate a teacher but teachers may not nominate himself or herself. The Greater media New Jersey “Teachers Committee” will select 72 teachers from the final nominations. Nomination forms are available online at Greater Media radio stations: WDHA [http://www.wdhafm.com/]; WMTR [http://www.wmtram.com/]; WMGQ [http://www.magic983.com/]; WRAT [http://www.wrat.com/]; WJRZ [http://www.wjrz.com/].

Winners will be honored at an awards banquet, receive special gifts, and will become lifetime members of the program.

(NEW YORK- July 28th) – The Siemens Foundation, Discovery Communications and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) have joined together to inspire student achievement in sustainability through a comprehensive education initiative, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. Announced today, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge is an unprecedented partnership between three industry leading organizations that are committed to educating, empowering and engaging students, teachers and communities in environmental sustainability.

Kicking off the 2008 school year in September, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge
is the first and only national K12 sustainability education initiative aligned to state education
standards and uniquely tailored to match students’ growing comprehension abilities throughout their
school aged years. By partnering with Discovery Education, a division of Discovery Communications, which provides scientifically proven, standards based digital media tools and resources to classrooms nationwide, and the NSTA, the largest science teacher organization in the world dedicated to improving science education and increasing student learning by engaging all teachers of science, the Siemens Foundation will serve as a pioneer in recognizing sustainability efforts within the K12 education system.

“As a leader in environmentally relevant businesses, Siemens knows the answers to tomorrow’s
critical environmental questions are in the minds of today’s students,” said James Whaley,
President, Siemens Foundation. “Uniting with Discovery Education and NSTA complements
Siemens’ commitment to the future and to those who are going to create it. We look forward to
unleashing this tremendous reservoir of potential through the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge.”

“Education and the environment have always been part of Discovery’s core mission and we are
proud to be a partner in encouraging students to learn about and create sustainable solutions through the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge,” said David Zaslav, President and CEO, Discovery Communications.

“The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will engage science teachers and allow
students the opportunity to think like scientists, learn more about key environmental issues, and to develop critical thinking skills that will help them to make informed decisions regarding stewardship of the planet,” said Dr. Gerry Wheeler, Executive Director, NSTA.

Designed to equip students in every grade level with the tools and inspiration to develop innovative green solutions for schools, homes and communities, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will transform participants into active citizens for a greener tomorrow. The program begins by helping young students understand the basic concepts of sustainability and why it’s important to protect the environment. At each subsequent stage, the concepts expand to engage students beyond their classrooms, into their communities and to the global world.

·K-2:

• My Classroom: Introduce students to the importance of “being green” and provide opportunities for active learning and engagement.

· 3-5:

• My School: Inspire students to think beyond their classroom — using science and math skills to take their school “green.”

· 6-8:

• My Community: Empower students with tools to apply the Scientific Method to real world “green issues” in their local communities.

· 9-12:

• My World: Connect students with real world scientists as they tackle today’s “green challenges” — moving from insight to global action.

In September, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge launches with a national middle
school competition where teams of students will identify an environmental problem in their
community and will research and recommend a reproducible environmental improvement program. Teams will then provide an explanation about how other communities across the country can launch similar environmental improvement programs.

The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will expand to kindergarten and elementary
school students in 2009 and to high school students in 2010, complete with standards based
lesson plans and teacher materials, student projects and prizing to foster learning, team work and problem solving around sustainability.

For more information about the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, visit
http://www.wecanchangetheworldchallenge.com.

About the Siemens Foundation:
The Siemens Foundation provides over $4.5 million towards science, technology, and engineering and math initiatives annually. Its signature programs, the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology and
the Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, reward exceptional achievement in science, math and technology. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow’s scientists and engineers. The Foundation’s mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens’ U.S. operating companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.siemensfoundation.org.

Right now we are sitting in Hall Davidson’s opening keynote for the 2008 DEN Leadership Council Institute- It’s in your Pocket: How to Use Cell Phones in Your Classroom.

Qustion: What do YOU do in your classroom with cell phones?

Answer (for most of us): Mostly take them away!

Here are a few of his main points:

• Although the debate about cell phone use in schools is a good one, if we continue to try to ban them we are just fighting a losing battle. Why? Of all the stakeholders in our students’ education, who will be most vehement about ensuring those students have cell phones in their pockets? PARENTS!
• Who forbids cell phone use? The Taliban, and a High School near you (Even Fidel Castro came around!)
• 60% of U.S. homes don’t even have a land-line in their house anymore. One student said: “”Why should I have a phone where I’m not?”
• Education follows Business- Nokia (largest cell phone maker in the world) is currently rolling out IP video technology. There business plan is all about allowing buisness to know what’s going on in there buildings. They expect to see almost a 400% ROI in less than 15 months.
• Education Technology can follow business model by using video to control the outflow of information from their schools in a positive manner & allow everyone to know the GOOD things going on in our schools.
• Cell Phone Video can track students location

Some Mobile Media Solutions for Education:

• Qik.com allows live video feed from your cell phone (doesn’t work on all cell phone types yet- but it will soon…)
• Gcast.com can podcast phone conversations automatically to the web. What a great tool for primary source interviews!
• Jott.com can post text messages automatically to your Twitter account
• Polleverywhere.com will instantly take polls & post the results for you. The results even do live updating as you view them- very cool!
• You can update your mobile setting in YouTube to post video automatically from your cell phone.

Hall’s closing message about our students & cell phones: OUR “non-work” time has been “ruined” by mobile devices, why shouldn’t there’s be too?!

Right on Hall- Let’s get students to start to use mobile media tools in school for good, not just for “evil”

In downtown San Antonio, Texas, the 2008 National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) kicked off June 29 with a keynote speech by celebrated author James Surowiecki and a challenge to radically change education.

Now in its 29th year, NECC is hosted by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), and is the largest educational technology conference in North America.

In keeping this year’s event theme–”Convene, Connect, and Transform”–ISTE President Trina J. Davis challenged attendees to really transform education through the use of technology, not just implement small changes. Davis described five ways attendees could make a difference in their schools:

1. Become powerful advocates for change. Regardless of who inhabits the White House next year, educational technology must play a more prominent role in our national education policy, Davis said–and educators should do everything they can to ensure that it does.

2. Share your knowledge and your passion. Help others take steps to ensure their growth as teachers, Davis said–so they can help students grow as learners.

3. Showcase your work, and students’ work, in innovative ways. Invite parents and community leaders into your schools, Davis said–or take students’ projects to them with the help of podcasts and other technologies.

4. Dream big. Have high expectations for your students, Davis said, because the possibilities that educational technology offers are “endless.”

5. Use all of the resources available to you as you try to effect change.

“Collectively, we can have a real impact around the globe and be effective change agents,” Davis concluded.

AS I read over this call-to-action, I can’t help but smile to myself as I think about how DEN members are doing each and every one of these things on a DAILY basis!

Keep on fighting the good fight everyone

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Liberty Science Center is about to open Wildlife Challenge, an amazing new outdoor experience.  It will open on July 14. Young students can visit Wildlife Challenge this summer to test their survival skills like never before!

“Could you make it as a wild animal living among the streets, sidewalks and sewer pipes of the urban jungle? Find out in our first-ever outdoor adventure exhibition. Scurry like a squirrel, burrow like a rat and soar like a falcon as you explore the challenges that face city wildlife every day. Designed with fans of Liberty Science Center’s former Touch Tunnel in mind, Wildlife Challenge is an adventure and exhibition rolled into one great experience. It’s free with the purchase of an exhibition ticket.”

I’ve become very interested lately in a project called the Intrepid Classroom: a self-proclaimed exercise in EduPunk.  In short, “communities creating and using inventive teaching and inventive learning for themselves without the aid of paid professionals. Education Everywhere.”

Intrepid Classroom is a place where students of all ages from around the world can go to meet each other, share ideas, and decide what they want to learn to help the world. The goal is to focus on the following topics: conflict resolution, global sustainability, peace activism, music and art as agent for social change, technology as a tool for social justice, but they are open to any other topics that readers suggest. The hope is to create a fluid, organic curriculum that engages all participants.

Here’s the latest “assignment” posted in the classroom:

“Do a bit of research about DIY and the punk ethics and see what you can produce to show you understand the concept of punk as it relates to your learning and education. Use any tools you have at your disposable both digital and old school, then present your work on the Ning, the wiki, youtube, or your own blog. Don’s ask for clarification, don’t ask for what is acceptable; don’t ask anything just do it. Create!”

Curious?  I sure was, and I’m glad I followed up.  Check out these links to find out more:

The Intrepid Classroom:

• Blog
• Wiki
• Ning

There seems to be some really interesting thinking going on here & I’m excited to see students OWNING THEIR OWN LEARNING!

Are you searching for the perfect way to have some fun while enhancing your career as a science educator? NSTA’s Conference on Science Education in Charlotte is the solution. Join us Oct. 30–Nov. 1, 2008, for an informative getaway. You will build your content knowledge, hear the latest in cutting-edge research, participate in hands-on workshops, and also enjoy social functions, field trips, exhibitor giveaways, and networking events. Save the most on conference registration when you register by September 19.

• Journey back in time to experience everyday life in Pompeii the day before it vanished. Discovery Place, Charlotte’s premier education center for science and technology, is featuring “A Day in Pompeii.”
• Don’t miss the NSTA Exhibit Hall, with more than 500 of the world’s leading science education companies and organizations, showcasing the most current products and technologies. Bring a friend and an extra tote to help carry all the giveaways you can take back to your classroom.
• Get to know your colleagues as you Brave the Waves at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Participants will explore the hiking trails, rock climb, or sit back and enjoy the scenery at a café overlooking the park.
• Make your conference experience count! Document your professional development with an NSTA transcript of attendance. Earn one graduate credit with 12 hours of program attendance through Framingham State College.

To register, visit www.nsta.org/charlotte.