2 Cents Worth is worth more than that today

2 Cents Worth is worth more than that today!
Check it out here.

A good paper on classroom blogging

Found this paper on the NECC program site:
Using weblogs to promote literacy in the classroom.
Looks pretty good:
http://www.firstmonday.org//issues/issue9_6/huffaker/

David Warlick's comments from NECC

David Warlick is really blogging from NECC! He has great comments on the conference.
Try his blog at this link.

Heating up for NECC

NECC, the big technology and learning conference is about to begin in Philadelphia. Last year, I learned lots from the online handouts. As a matter of fact, the idea for this course came from one of Bernie Dodge's presentations. So I'm on my way to the conference website to see what I can find. The website is here.

Showing insert photos

SHANNON2
Originally uploaded by lanihall123.

This is a demonstration!

Working on a blogging course

I am setting up a new course on blogging, wikis, and webquests for teachers through Ashland University. The LMS software I am learning is good (eCollege), not as good as Blackboard but offers lots of possibilities. Hopefully this blog will grow and prosper as I continue to learn.

Canceled but still going!

schoolnet1,
originally uploaded by lanihall.

Here we are at the Schoolnet Conference and our workshop is canceled! The workstations all have viruses. Isn't technology grand! We're canceled but the committed sardines are still here!

Important considerations for teacher bloggers!

Will Richardson's blog today has important considerations for safety for teacher bloggers!

View it here.

Remembering the power!

engaged,
originally uploaded by lanihall.

As I get ready to travel to Collumbus for the SchoolNet conference, I ran across this picture which brought back so many memories. Middle school students, one computer to a classroom, teachers working valiantly to integrate technology into the curriculum despite tremendous challenges. I would visit classrooms and see the power of technology pull students into learning! Surrounded in their everyday lives by technology, but so little access to use it as a tool for learning in school. What a disconnect! The conference is exciting but the teachers there return to districts struggling to survive financially with few and/or outdated resources. Hopefully the workshop will be able to impact some children's learning in a positive way.

2 Cents Worth is worth lots more

I have been familiar with Darvid Warlick's work for many years. I used to introduce teachers to the Glcbal Grocery List project many years ago. I am pulled to his blog on a daily basis also. He has inspired much of the upcoming workshop I'll be giving. His vision and "story" are ones that can transform American public education.

The Read Write Web

Will Richardson's blog is great reading. His term "read-write" web and its implications for active student learning, his enthusiasm for learning, his humility, and his insight pull me to his blog daily. Oh that I had had the luxury of time to read his work in these last years; perhaps I might have been able to introduce my students to this tool for learning.

Discussions on Black History Month

diversity
Originally uploaded by lanihall.

Recently, there have been discussions on some of the listservs I read concerning "Black History Month."

Should a month be set aside? Should the history we teach be inclusive all year round?

Perhaps this image says it best!

A Tremendous page on Constructivism

This is a great page for anyone interested in a constructivist classroom:

The site comes from the University of Toronto.

This is a test of flickr

MVC-156S
Originally uploaded by lanihall.

This test of flickr shows the notes possibilities for teaching and learning.

WOW!!

Check out www.flickr.com

A great project!!

"Imagine if you can, a weathered old cowboy out on the Great Western Cattle Trail around 1860, driving Texas long horn beef out toward Dodge City, Kansas. His huge Texas fedora is pulled low over his eyes to keep out the dust the cattle kicked up. The prairie is without fence for as far as he can see. The old west is still alive."

Follow that same trail today with Elderbob. The project begins on Labor Day. You can post comments and questions.

http://www.elderbobonthetrail.blogspot.com

Teacher Rules and improving learning and teaching

This is an insightful article that suggests your creating your rules for you as a teacher can improve teaching and learning for your students.

http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/articlelibrary/feature_38.asp

I think the rules she suggests are valuable and can change the entire sense of community and learning in a classroom.

George Lucas Foundation Online Modules

After a month of medical challenges, I'm back to developing this blog for whomever might find it of value.

The George Lucas Foundation has done wonderful work on learning and technology. Their online modules can be found at http://www.glef.org/foundation/courseware.php.

The entire website is one with lots of food for thought!!!! Engaging kids in serious work.

Webquests

We should have taken a close look at Webquests in Teaching Professions. Particularly now that there are design patterns with some great examples of each.
They can be found at this link.

What power for learning!!

The main webquest page at this link has so many resources.

Ed Reform

Now that I have an opportunity to read the posts on the lists to which I subscribe, I've reviewed this Ed Reform Website which offers resources galore for old and new teachers!!!

First Blogging attempt: How can this be used as a tool for learning and teaching?

It's been a while since I had time to review Bernie Dodge's work. He's working to extend webquests and to blogs and wikis.

His work here prompted this blog.

I hope it can become useful in looking forward to technologies that enhance teaching and learning and that some of my former students join me on this adventure.