Using Pinterest for Education Purposes:
Again this is a technology that friends wanted me to try a year ago! All I could think of was the article that compared Napster (downloading free music, which dates me) to Pinterest (downloading free stuff). I told them that I didn't want to be that test case where I was downloading other people's stuff without following copyright rules or properly citing my sources and giving the proper people their due recognition and then taken to jail. I also heard only that people were getting craft ideas for their kids at home (no kids at home) and recipes (can't cook and do not like to cook!).
Well, I decided to give it another look after Julie Morgan was in a technology class at the Lisa's DCC. Others went on and on about all these ideas Julie has gotten and was sharing from other educators. I highly respect Julie and her education insight, so I went to look at it with new eyes.
I found many ideas for my writing strategy class, nice bell ringer ideas, etc.... In doing the Summer Challenge I went in and made some more boards. I was just finding ideas and stuffing them on one or two boards, not very user friendly. I have now organized my boards into Reading, Writing, Strategies, Vocabulary, Technology, and Classroom Ideas. In looking at the district board I can't wait to start perusing them to find even more ideas!!!
So..... for those again skeptical to join the Pinterest World, don't wait, dive in!
Monday, May 27, 2013
Using Class Badges in the Classroom:
At first I was thinking, well....... I'll do this as an assignment for the Summer Challenge, but as I was doing the tasks for this part of the Challenge my mind started to think about the possibilities!
I decided that I would not do my Classes right now, but do my special education students that I have in PRIDE time, which is a homeroom type setting. This year we continued to work on our technology with our sped students, especially 4th quarter when we went to one on one with the iPad Minis.
My schedule for the year had been the following:
Monday- Goal setting day, we checked grades on infinite campus and set goals for the week, and how to complete late work
Tuesday- Strategy day, we worked on different apps that would help us in our classes
Wednesday- Vocabulary day- we learned and then used apps like Evernote, Flashcards, Quizard, etc.to put our content vocabulary in to study from
Thursday- Creation day, we learned and then used in content classes presentation apps such as Pic Collage, Haiku Deck, Comic Life, WordCollage, Explain Everything, Puppet Pals, Snapguide, etc.
Friday- I'm Determined day, we worked on our Power Points to present at our IEP meetings
In thinking about how I want to run my PRIDE time next fall, I thought I could use the Class Badges instead of the sticker chart in the front of the room. I developed badges for weekly goal setting, putting English, Science, and History vocabulary onto their iPad minis, completing their power points for their IEP meetings, and then one for actually attending and presenting their power points. I am thinking also badges for using technology for content classes such as their book reviews for Mrs. Fuller, etc.....
Some might think that this is kind of elementary for Jr. High, but I used Class Dojo App for one of my Strategy Classes last year that was having some behavior issues, and them seeing visually on the SMART Board their Dojo points for the day made some better behaved and better at working with their classmates! So I think this will be a new twist to try for next fall.
At first I was thinking, well....... I'll do this as an assignment for the Summer Challenge, but as I was doing the tasks for this part of the Challenge my mind started to think about the possibilities!
I decided that I would not do my Classes right now, but do my special education students that I have in PRIDE time, which is a homeroom type setting. This year we continued to work on our technology with our sped students, especially 4th quarter when we went to one on one with the iPad Minis.
My schedule for the year had been the following:
Monday- Goal setting day, we checked grades on infinite campus and set goals for the week, and how to complete late work
Tuesday- Strategy day, we worked on different apps that would help us in our classes
Wednesday- Vocabulary day- we learned and then used apps like Evernote, Flashcards, Quizard, etc.to put our content vocabulary in to study from
Thursday- Creation day, we learned and then used in content classes presentation apps such as Pic Collage, Haiku Deck, Comic Life, WordCollage, Explain Everything, Puppet Pals, Snapguide, etc.
Friday- I'm Determined day, we worked on our Power Points to present at our IEP meetings
In thinking about how I want to run my PRIDE time next fall, I thought I could use the Class Badges instead of the sticker chart in the front of the room. I developed badges for weekly goal setting, putting English, Science, and History vocabulary onto their iPad minis, completing their power points for their IEP meetings, and then one for actually attending and presenting their power points. I am thinking also badges for using technology for content classes such as their book reviews for Mrs. Fuller, etc.....
Some might think that this is kind of elementary for Jr. High, but I used Class Dojo App for one of my Strategy Classes last year that was having some behavior issues, and them seeing visually on the SMART Board their Dojo points for the day made some better behaved and better at working with their classmates! So I think this will be a new twist to try for next fall.
My Twitter Experience:
I first made a Twitter account in 2011 when taking a technology class from Lisa P. I made 2 tweets and then my account has been dormant until this past few months. I would hear Mickie, Beth, and Lisa talk about this person, or this idea, or did you see that on Twitter. It peaked my interest, so I dove into that dormant account and started with fresh eyes.
With the help of the NPS techies I started with a few names they suggested, and then bravely entered the # chat arena on Wednesday nights for #nebedchat. Wow, did not know what I was missing!!!
The beauty of twitter is not like email, if I don't check it for awhile, no big deal. I don't have to answer to anyone, just read and learn!
I have an app called Pocket that I forward any articles that I don't have time to read until later, which is great for those snow days or Saturday mornings!
I am reading the book "Teach Like A Pirate" (which I found out about on a tweet!), and I made a funny tweet to the author saying that I was so wrapped up in his book that I did an extra twenty minutes on the treadmill this morning. The next day I had a tweet back from this author with a personal message that he should market his book as an exercise book! How funny! This is the power of Twitter, connecting with real educators, authors, and people of like interests!!!!
I will be adding the # chat #tlap to my Monday nights from now on along with #nebedchat to my Wednesdays next fall again.
Start small and follow people that can help you in your career. Un-follow people who tell you what they had for breakfast, they are just a waste of time!
Going to edcamp Omaha for the 2nd year was cool to meet some of the people that you follow on Twitter, we all have the same goals, to be life long learners!
Twitter is what you make of it- and it can be very helpful or a waste of time- choose wisely who you follow!
I first made a Twitter account in 2011 when taking a technology class from Lisa P. I made 2 tweets and then my account has been dormant until this past few months. I would hear Mickie, Beth, and Lisa talk about this person, or this idea, or did you see that on Twitter. It peaked my interest, so I dove into that dormant account and started with fresh eyes.
With the help of the NPS techies I started with a few names they suggested, and then bravely entered the # chat arena on Wednesday nights for #nebedchat. Wow, did not know what I was missing!!!
The beauty of twitter is not like email, if I don't check it for awhile, no big deal. I don't have to answer to anyone, just read and learn!
I have an app called Pocket that I forward any articles that I don't have time to read until later, which is great for those snow days or Saturday mornings!
I am reading the book "Teach Like A Pirate" (which I found out about on a tweet!), and I made a funny tweet to the author saying that I was so wrapped up in his book that I did an extra twenty minutes on the treadmill this morning. The next day I had a tweet back from this author with a personal message that he should market his book as an exercise book! How funny! This is the power of Twitter, connecting with real educators, authors, and people of like interests!!!!
I will be adding the # chat #tlap to my Monday nights from now on along with #nebedchat to my Wednesdays next fall again.
Start small and follow people that can help you in your career. Un-follow people who tell you what they had for breakfast, they are just a waste of time!
Going to edcamp Omaha for the 2nd year was cool to meet some of the people that you follow on Twitter, we all have the same goals, to be life long learners!
Twitter is what you make of it- and it can be very helpful or a waste of time- choose wisely who you follow!
The 10 Skills Modern Teachers Must Have
The 10 Skills Modern Teachers Must Have was an interesting article. Teachers have been so wrapped up in 21st Century Skills for our students, that we forget skills that we should have and develop.
1) Building Your PLN: I feel that I have been doing better at this one this year by rejoining Twitter and really using it. By the advice of Lisa, Mickie, and Beth I have started to follow some amazing people that give me ideas every week. I follow #nebedchat on Wednesday nights, and will start #TeachLikeAPirate on Mondays when I am free after Memorial Day on Monday nights. I have also started using Pinterest which again fills my board with Writing and Vocabulary strategies to use in my classes.
2) Establish Real Relationships: In past years I have always been busy doing this and that at school, but this year I have tried to at least once a week have a study/brain session with Lisa P. to talk about sped issues or technology or both! Beth will come when she is free, which is nice since I have really gotten to know her better this year also. It is always nice to discuss issues with like minded people.
3) Understanding Where Technology Fits in Education: This year I have also gone from "How many new apps can I find" to "How can I use a selected few apps well and meaningfully in my classes". Technology is great, but it must be infused in the curriculum, not just an add on for fun!
4) Know How To Find Useful Resources: I use my Flipboard App on my iPad to keep up with selected Tweeters that shared useful tips and resources every day. Tony Vincent is a great resource for great apps and ideas. And of course I use my resources at the Junior High- Lisa, Beth, Mickie, and Jen.
5) Manage Your Online Reputation: This is the biggest reason that I was tentative in jumping into all this Twitter business, and still won't do FaceBook. I use Twitter purely for education purposes. I am also very wary when at different functions people are snapping pictures and then the next day you hear that they have posted them on their FaceBook page. I have become bolder in telling these people that I do not want to be in these pictures and do not use my image on their pages when not for educational purposes.
6) Know How To Correctly Blog: This is what I will learn here, I have tried to use Wikispaces in the past with my sped department, but it is hard to keep up with it daily. I would like to use KidBlog this year with my classes since we will have the iPad Minis next fall also.
7) Slow Down: This is something that I need to work on. I get very excited about a new apps or technology and want to go with it. Again, by goal for next fall is to find a few great apps and technology and do them well.
8) Make Social Media Work for You: Again I do Twitter and Pinterest. I feel by using Flipboard on my iPad that I have selected 10 people to really follow, and that makes it doable for me to follow without taking all my time. Also I get a weekly email on Pinterest Boards that might interest me, that way I only look at a a few each week, and it does not take all my time searching.
9) Don't Be Afraid Of Falling: Been there done that one! When I find something I think will be great, and I try it with my class. They are the first to say, "This was not the best ideas that you have had!" Sometimes I jump in before practicing and using it myself to make sure it fits.
10) Know When To Disconnect: There were Wednesdays that I was just too tired or knew that I should be doing other things, and I missed #nebedchat, even though I really wanted to sit down and watch the ideas flow. It is hard to sometimes, but I need to remember that there are other things that take my time throughout the year and learn to balance them out.
1) Building Your PLN: I feel that I have been doing better at this one this year by rejoining Twitter and really using it. By the advice of Lisa, Mickie, and Beth I have started to follow some amazing people that give me ideas every week. I follow #nebedchat on Wednesday nights, and will start #TeachLikeAPirate on Mondays when I am free after Memorial Day on Monday nights. I have also started using Pinterest which again fills my board with Writing and Vocabulary strategies to use in my classes.
2) Establish Real Relationships: In past years I have always been busy doing this and that at school, but this year I have tried to at least once a week have a study/brain session with Lisa P. to talk about sped issues or technology or both! Beth will come when she is free, which is nice since I have really gotten to know her better this year also. It is always nice to discuss issues with like minded people.
3) Understanding Where Technology Fits in Education: This year I have also gone from "How many new apps can I find" to "How can I use a selected few apps well and meaningfully in my classes". Technology is great, but it must be infused in the curriculum, not just an add on for fun!
4) Know How To Find Useful Resources: I use my Flipboard App on my iPad to keep up with selected Tweeters that shared useful tips and resources every day. Tony Vincent is a great resource for great apps and ideas. And of course I use my resources at the Junior High- Lisa, Beth, Mickie, and Jen.
5) Manage Your Online Reputation: This is the biggest reason that I was tentative in jumping into all this Twitter business, and still won't do FaceBook. I use Twitter purely for education purposes. I am also very wary when at different functions people are snapping pictures and then the next day you hear that they have posted them on their FaceBook page. I have become bolder in telling these people that I do not want to be in these pictures and do not use my image on their pages when not for educational purposes.
6) Know How To Correctly Blog: This is what I will learn here, I have tried to use Wikispaces in the past with my sped department, but it is hard to keep up with it daily. I would like to use KidBlog this year with my classes since we will have the iPad Minis next fall also.
7) Slow Down: This is something that I need to work on. I get very excited about a new apps or technology and want to go with it. Again, by goal for next fall is to find a few great apps and technology and do them well.
8) Make Social Media Work for You: Again I do Twitter and Pinterest. I feel by using Flipboard on my iPad that I have selected 10 people to really follow, and that makes it doable for me to follow without taking all my time. Also I get a weekly email on Pinterest Boards that might interest me, that way I only look at a a few each week, and it does not take all my time searching.
9) Don't Be Afraid Of Falling: Been there done that one! When I find something I think will be great, and I try it with my class. They are the first to say, "This was not the best ideas that you have had!" Sometimes I jump in before practicing and using it myself to make sure it fits.
10) Know When To Disconnect: There were Wednesdays that I was just too tired or knew that I should be doing other things, and I missed #nebedchat, even though I really wanted to sit down and watch the ideas flow. It is hard to sometimes, but I need to remember that there are other things that take my time throughout the year and learn to balance them out.
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