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Showing posts from June, 2012

Sites for Teaching Yourself

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Here are some great sites to teach yourself some new topics over the summer. #1 - Teacher Training Videos by Russell Stannard.  I have used these tutorials to learn about tons of websites and tools.  The site is not the easiest to navigate through.  I often use the tabs at the top of the page and the left sidebar to help find what I am looking for.  Some of the tutorials I've used are: Today's Meet (chat platform) Glogster (online poster) Voicethread (collaboration tool) #2 - Learn it in 5  has simple how-to videos that are mostly under 5 minutes.  There are a lot of topics to learn about.   Click here for the video library.   I recommend watching: Twitter Basics  (social networking) Video Flipping  (Flipped Classroom Lessons) Skype  (video conferencing) #3 - Common Craft  These are my favorite; probably because they are very visual.  I like the paper slide video format and how they explain complicated subjects in a simplistic way. Try viewing: Cl

My Professional ePortfolio

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This past week I've been working hard to update my professional ePortfolio.  I first made this ePortfolio two years ago and it amazes me how many of my pages were out of date in such a short time.  I feel it is my obligation to keep my portfolio current since it took a lot of time to start it up.  Another bonus is that it gives me a great reflection on all that I have accomplished as an educator over the past two years.  If I do say so myself, I have integrated some really impressive technology into our classroom.  My portfolio centers around the ten Wisconsin Educator Standards and is based on technology, since that is where my passion lies.   I would like to share my ePortfolio with all of you in hopes that perhaps you will start one of your own.  My ePortfolio is in the format of a wiki.  Other options might be a Prezi, Google Site, Google Presentation, video, blog or even a three ring binder. Click here to view my ePortfolio. Even if you make just one page of you

Have you Heard of a Libdub or a Flashmob?

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As the school year came to an end, many school districts found ways to celebrate through social media and video creation. Today I would like to share with you three awesome and creative displays of school pride made by the students. First is a Libdub (a combination of lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video) made by the school district of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Next comes a libdub from the Fond du Lac School District in Wisconsin.  (This is my personal favorite!) And lastly, here is a flashmob from Eastwood High School in El Paso, Texas. I love to see students using their communication, collaboration and creativity skills to make these entertaining videos.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching all three of these.