7-23-11

I am looking forward to examining software and hardware.  As part of my responsibilities, I purchase hardware and software for students and teachers to use.  It is nice to have time to look into what is out there.  During the school year it seems we are all pressed for time and this assignment gave us time to look at what is out there.  I am anxious to see what everyone came up with.  This is what the PLN is all about.  There is no way any one person could know about it all.  Divide and conquer!!!

I shared the Pecha Kucha idea and the dubbed videos with one of the other TAG teachers.  We are looking at incorporating the ideas this year with our TAG students.  Again, the PLN has come through.  Thanks.

The information on the rubrics was a good review and reminder about matching the rubric to the objectives.  Sometimes, I think that gets lost along the way.

6-17-11

This week the homework was a killer.   I was definitely pushed out of my comfort zone in revamping the PowerPoint.  I felt really uncomfortable moving away from the pages of text that I was used to.  Don't get me wrong, I completely see the value of it.  But, it is not easy.  I found it very challenging and it took a lot of time.  Then when I reviewed my finished product, I wondered if it was any good.  It was very hard not to be over critical of how I put it together.  I have a new respect for the people who make this look easy...it's not.  This will take a lot of work.  I can't wait to have the kids try this.

I liked playing with Animoto.  I can't wait to put that to use in school. 

I continue to enjoy Presentation Zen.  Chapter 7 was great.  I loved looking at the examples.  They were very clever. 

To be honest, I am not looking forward to putting together the Pecha Kucha.  Not because I don't like the concept.  I think it is neat and it will be fun to create the story of a balloon rally.  Iam not looking forward to it because I hate hearing my recorded voice.  I know, it is vain. 

7-10-11

There was a lot to take in in the reading this week.  I get all of the concepts that we read about and discussed in class.  My biggest problem with all of this will be me.  I know that I do not like to take risks with this type of thing.  But, I also realize that status quo for presentations is just not effective. So, I will attempt to do some changes to the PowerPoint to make it more effective, even though I will be stepping out of my comfort zone. I will have no problem taking the concepts from the reading and encouraging my students to use them. I am all about encouraging risk taking in my students.  So, if I am going to do that, I guess I have to try it myself.

I will be taking animoto and voicethread back to school this year and using them with my TAG students.  I am sure that other teachers that I work with would like to have these as options for differentiation.

I am enjoying all of the examples of stories that I have listened to.  I hope to incorporate these stories this next year as well.  They will make excellent examples for my students.  I know that a few of the language arts teachers would enjoy doing these types of projects with their students.

7-2-11

In your blog, discuss your thoughts on this second lesson.  What way can you use digital stories in what you do?

I guess when I thought of digital stories I always thought of it as having to do with fictional material.  Now I know that is not the case.  It is a medium you can use to tell any "story".  After learning about the six principles that make a message stick, I realize you can apply those to any presentation to make it more effective.  I can use digital stories and the six principles to present information about Service Learning to new staff members this year.  I can use them to introduce myself to the new sixth grade students. They can be used when I give new staff and students the library orientation.  I will even be able to apply them when budget cuts come up and I have to justify why my job is necessary.  I think they will help me make a lasting impression.  I realize that this is just the beginning and as we practice more with the techniques, we will become better presenters.  I can't wait to discuss this with my TAG students this year. 

6-26-11

I was very worried about the first class because I was in South Dakota. I found a McDonald's with wi-fi and was set to go.  The first class went smoothly.  Only, I have to be honest, I was overwhelmed.  There was a lot to take in and I wasn't in a great environment for it.  That is one thing I definitely learned about me and online learning - I need to be in a place where I can concentrate on the tasks at hand. 

I was also nervous about the topic of digital story telling. I've worked with my students to create documentaries this year.  They did a wonderful job.  My fear is that I won't have the creativity and the ability to risk take like they did.  It was easy to encourage them to take risks, but I worry about that for myself. I hope that this class will help with that.  After watching all the examples and looking at the links, I know there are many tools out there that I will be able to refer to to help me through the process.

3/23/11

LIBRARY LESSON

 (Louis Question) – How has our class and this week’s activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss two things that you have learned about this week.

•  This class has reinforced the importance of  PLNs.  I would not have learned about half of the things I did without the help of all of the people in this class.  Thanks to all of you!
• All of the assignments were extremely helpful to me in learning my job. The database project and the library lesson were great.  I loved seeing what everyone is doing/using. 
• The class discussions were very valuable too.  I was able to use information from each class discussion the next day.
• From today's class, I really enjoyed looking a the Kafka website, and Chris's website.  I will be able to use the information from these sites immediately.

3-16-11

 Describe 2 highlights that caught your attention during the Online Database presentations. 

• I really liked Kari's idea about emailing the Culturegrams resource pdf to the teachers. It is a great way to get teachers hooked on the product.  I need to do an inservice on this.
• I also liked Megan's WisCareers.  I am going to check with the guidance department to see if they use this, otherwise I will suggest it for their Career Pathways class.

  (Louis Question) – How has our class and this week’s activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss two things that you have learned about this week.

• There is so much out there to learn about.  This just reinforces the idea of the PLN.  There is no way  to find out all about everything on your own.
• Many of the ideas I saw tonight will be valuable to my co-workers.  I will be sharing many things I learned tonight.  Again, a valuable way to show how useful you can be.