Voice Thread

This is what I posted in Voice Thread:

Video 1: ADHD- I'm glad he said it, because I've been thinking the same thing for years. I believe that only about 10% of those diagnosed actually have "something" that is ADHD. The rest of the students suffer from the neglect of consistant discipline. Teachers can't truly discipline students like they could before the 1980's, therefore, medication has to subdue the students that lack respect for others. I also think some of the ADHD is the result of a lacking education system that doesn't give the students anything to be respectful of. Sometimes it is the fault of the teacher or the system.
Our education system is old, out-dated, it was created in a different time for different reasons. Somewhere along the way we forgot to change the system and keep up with the rest of the world. Now we find ourselves "teaching to tests" that are the "true measure" of how our students, teachers and schools are doing. And we must test them because everyone should go to college. I very much agree with Mr. Robinson's assessment that we are devaluing degrees. College isn't required for some of the most essential jobs on Earth. And for those that are suited for those jobs, this education system and it's requirements have to seem rather silly. And those same people that aren't "smart" because they don't conform to this testing sytem are written off by others, or write themselves off because they don't have the opportunities to pursue their talents.
Kids have more stimulus now than ever. If we don't incorporate more technology into our schools we will continue to have a rise in the number of cases of ADHD, Autism(the wide umbrella), etc. Everyone has the right to succeed and the right to fail. As Mr. Robinson said, this failure can't be stigmatized. It must be viewed as a way for the student to NOT do something. And a way that works for the student should be explored.
So what will I do? Elementary teachers work under a multitude of requirements. The curriculum is laid out, the state has programs and tests that the teachers must use, administer, and record. There isn't much, no, any time to vary from the script. However, I can help provide teachers with resources in technology that change the way that the script is delivered. Alternative ways of teaching the basics, getting the teacher and the student out of the book and into a digital experience that offers more than one correct answer. The most important thing that all teachers can do is something that Sir Ken Robinson never spoke of, but expressed very well. That is to keep a sense of humor that comes from a common sense approach to learning and a third-person view of ourselves. We are so afraid to fail that we would rather get things right while having no fun or missing the intangibles of the experience. I always learn more when I'm having fun, so I'm going to try and have my students do the same.

NETS T: Definitely, again, another project that covers all five standards. As it was used in this project, the Voice Thread allowed us to Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership(#5) specifically. When this is used with our classes it will directly impact #2-Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences.

Bender converter

The YouTube video I chose was Funny Pranks II.  Two guys stand across from each other on a street and pretend to have a rope stretched from one side to the other.  As cars approach, the two guys act like they are pulling on the rope to impead the drives.  Hilarity ensues.


NETS T- This covers all four areas as the video is from YouTube and is free to be reproduced(#4).  1, 2, 3, and 5 are without question covered by this activity.

Jing #2

Here is a Jing assignment with video instead of a picture.  The procedure for capturing the video is the same as a picture.  Sound can be added to the video to create, in this case, a fully functional step-by-step demonstration of how to complete a task.  The task doesn't have to be computer related.  You could use video or graphics from anywhere online or on your computer to share information.  As long, of course, as you follow copyright laws, you can capture any subject matter.

I chose to show parents and students how to go to their teacher's home page and use one of it's functions.  I noticed that once I said "right click" when I meant to say that you click on the X at the top right of the screen.  Before I would actually use this I would make that correction.  Discovering how to actually post the link in the blog was a little tedious.  There's a lot terminology there that the average person, me, wouldn't totally understand.  I have posted a link, I'm not sure if it should be the actual video or not.  I tried embed the video on this page, but I was told I needed Adobe Flash.  I'll keep working on that.

Very cool tool.  I've often wondered how these were made.  Now I know!  I'm almost reluctant to share the information with my teachers.  I want them to think I'm really great with technology!  This is a good card to have up your sleeve.  I will definitely be using this on my Resouce website to share with my school.

Where do I begin on the NETS T.  They're all included in this.  By posting responsible images you also include #4, ...Citizenship and Responsibility. 

http://www.screencast.com/t/Y42qPA0TZH

Jeopardy

Very cool tool to use in the classroom from probably about the 4th grade and up.  Here is the link to my Jeopardy game.  At http://jeopardylabs.com/ you use a template that looks very similar to the real Jeopardy game on television.  However, there is no Alex Trebek.  You may enter a title for you game, subjects, as well as the questions and answers.  Or is that answers and questions?  Afterall, it is Jeopardy.  Anyway, the point is that your Jeopardy game is custom made by you to fill your need.  The game can be used as a review for a test or quiz, or it could be the actual test or quiz.  Another possible use could be to have Jeopardy act as a closure tool by reviewing the week, the day, or individual class periods.  The best part is that after you have created your game, you are given a link where you can play the game, as well as a link that allows you to edit.  This is all done through the use of a password that you create before starting the process.  And if you don't want to create your own.  There are possibly hundreds of templates already made and waiting for you to browse through.  This is possible because after a game is created, that template becomes public property.  So all-in-all this is a great resource to include technology into your classroom.

NETS T- 1a, 1d, 2a, 2c, 2d(if you used this tool for assessment), 3a, 3b, 3d, 4(I haven't been listing 4 in this section of my responses, but as I think about it, #4 should be listed with every activity because no matter how simple or complex the tast, teachers should promote the spirit of this standard in every lesson), 5a.  Surprising that a simple, easy to use site like this could touch on so many standards.