Ruth’s Ruckus2

 Universal Design for Learning handout

7 things you should know about wikis

Wiki roles handout

Wiki Grading rubric

Graduated yesterday…I am now Dr. Ruth…

You know, I get on a lot of mailing lists…I’m not sure if I signed up for all of them, but this one seems to be a good one.  I just got an email from Shell Education about a new podcast that they have released.  It’s on teaching idoms…so I went to the site and they have a few good podcasts that would be helpful to all of you teaching language arts.  So go check out Shell Education Podcasts - each podcast comes with a handout for you to use with your students. 

WOW…I just finished a class in Second Life.  Riptide, one of the DEN in SL leaders, gave a class on using the camera and taking pictures in Second Life.  So now I need to practice.  My skills are still pretty aweful.  Not that Ripide didn’t try…I’m just am a slow learner.  So we learned to pan and zoom and take pictures wih special effects. So I took one of myself doing a backflip in slow-mo…Take a look.

Backflip!!

It’s great to have a PLN.  You learn so many things from some great folks.  Dyane Smokorowski from Andover, KS shared the notes from a presentation on video in the classroom.  Check it out…lots of ideas on how to use a flip video camera in he classroom.  Don’t have a Flip?  No problem - borrow mine.

We’ve got new books in the library.   Kidspiration in the Classroom for Reading, Writing, and Math.  The books have tons of lesson plans on how to use Kidspiration 3 for instruction.  Remember - Kidspiration is one of the most powerful tools we have for non-linguistic representation (you remember Marzano?).  The books come with a CD which has a pdf file of the lessons on it.  I have also placed a copy of the files on the media drive (y: drive).  If you need a refresher on how to use Kidspiration, let me know.  I would be happy to sit down and go over it with you.  If you would like me to co-teach a lesson using Kidspiration, I’m sure I can find or make an appropriate template for your class.  If you question the use of Kisdpiration for instructional or  remdiation activities, tak a look at this case study published by Inspiration.  The case study tells how a teacher at John Tyler Elementary (here in Portsmouth) is successfully using the software application.

 The Discovery Educator’s Network is sposoring a free day of professional development on Sunday February 22.  If you are at all interested in using digital images, sounds and video for instructional purposes, you should register and plan to attend.  You can find all the details on Matt Monjan’s blog.

Several of you have made inquiries into the possibility of seeing the inauguration in your classrooms.  Many have also asked if streaming will be allowed for this one event.  Unfortunately, streaming news content will not be allowed for this historic event.  The reasons are two-fold:

• Our internet connection (traveling through IRC) is fixed and will only allow so much data to pass through it each second. It would only take 100 individuals streaming an MPG4 stream to “clog” our “pipe”. Meaning, no connectivity at all. No phones, SASI, Financial system, Café Enterprise etc…
• The 20th is the first day of online SOL testing. Granted, testing is usually completed by this time; however, this is an un-timed test and it is possible to have students testing when the inauguration begins. If we have any delays during the beginning of testing, we might need to extend the testing window which could cut into the inauguration activities.

 So since streaming is out of the question, what can you do?

• If you are teaching at Brighton, I am sure that you are aware that the reception of the cable signal to the building has been a little sketchy. I understand from some teachers that at this time they can receive cable signal, but the connection wires from the TV to the cable jack need periodic adjustments. Teachers who are able to receive the cable signal may be able to use their TVs.
• At Brighton, teachers who have MCPS systems as well as those who have been upgraded to Promethean Boards have a unit that will receive TV signals. This signal can easily be boosted for better clarity with a simple pair of “rabbit ear” antennae.
• Classrooms at Brighton that do not have MCPS/Promethean equipment or cable access as well as all of the classrooms at Victory may be able to use one of the TV/VRC units provided by Media Services. Here again, this signal can easily be boosted for better clarity with a simple pair of “rabbit ear” antenna.

What’s the bottom line? Most of you will need to find “rabbit ear” antenna if you want to watch the inauguration.   Funny…30 days ‘till rabbit ears will be obsolete, but you may need them for Tuesday…I suggest you try radio shack or a thrift store…