Deb Norton Tech

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

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  I first made this ePortfolio two years ago and it amazes me how many of my pages were out of date in such a short time.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

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.