Monday, February 4, 2008
Getting the Conversation Started
Hello! Welcome to the blog for Irving ISD Elementary Instructional Technology Specialists. We are excited about instructional technology in Irving, Texas! This blog will be an opportunity for us to discuss, share ideas and hold a virtual dialog about what is happening with technology in our elementary schools.
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12 comments:
I just arrived and got the informaiton about the two classes I am faciliating tomorrow. This is a way you can get into the paid classes for FREE! You just have a few duties at the beginning and end of sessions and help the hand out papers or supplies. I am very excited about coming to TCEA this year. :)
Jenette Morgan
Great tip, Jenette! Let us know how those sessions go...
I attended a session this afternoon about free online and open source software for the classroom. Here are two interesting resources that I plan on investigating further:
-Portaportal (www.portaportal.com) used to store and access weblinks
- The Global Classroom(http://globalclassroom.us) used as an online learning center
I attended the same workshop as Lorie and learned quite a bit about portaportal, it is similar to what Jerame showed us. This one is free, she also showed us more open source items including the new Beta Google earth. This one free too and has many uses. The new Google earth and poraportal are both items I will look at more closely later.
The global classroom (Moodle) is similar to Blackboard that we use in Irving but it is free. However there are many thing Blackboard does that this doesn't.
This one of the two classes I am getting for free, simply by facilitating.
Jenette
It was inspiring to hear the keynote speaker today. Sally Ride, shared her first hand experience as an Astronaut, and how she was inspired by her teachers. While presenting, she shared the inspiring photo as they cruised on the space shuttle over Florida peninsula. What a privilege our students have to be able to simulate the same experience flying over Florida, or anyplace else using freely available software such as Google Earth, and Google Maps.
A New Perspective:
I have to say that this whole experience has been fantastic, overwhelming, and exhausting. I'm loving it all and my brain is fried but I want more. I feel like Neo in the Matrix when he began receiving all of the information from the port in the back of his head. There's so much information out there. One thing I did take today pertained to doing newscasts. The session I attended featured speakers from Rona ISD in South Texas. They used basic recording equipment to do some outstanding newscasts of their school. It opened my mind to exciting possibilites that I can't wait to begin constructing. CONGRATS SAM ON YOUR AWARD!!!
I am enjoying reading about what's going on since I couldn't attend. I can't wait to hear more about all the exciting sessions everyone went to.
I found what I was looking for! the RM Tuff Cam. I had seen an advertisement for the cameras earlier and wanted to see one and try it. They look like little radar guns and seem to be quite durable. The take pictures and video, then dock and upload. I'd be interested to see how it works for students. They cost $180
Check it out.
https://www.academicsuperstore.com/market/marketdisp.html?PartNo=865687
I attended Podcasting, iPods & eBooks...Oh My!!! The presenter had a website that contained some good information on podcasting. Check it out: http://www.coppellisd.com/153020102783633370/site/default.asp
Hey! My head is spinning! About the time that I start feeling comfortable with technology.......it all explodes and then I realize that I don't know as much as I thought I did. I went to a great session on Web 2.0 and it was awesome. I love how the web has become a place to collaborate and share back and forth. There is a website that was shared for teacher websites at www.protopage.com (this is free). It has tons of widgets for teachers to use on their websites. It also allows for audio recordings. I'm thinking that this would be an awesome tool for some of my dual language teachers. Check it out and let me know what you think!!!
I also liked the looks of the tuff camera. Angela, I am definitely ordering. We also saw a fantastic document camera for under $700 from AverMedia. Then I rode to airport on shuttle next to an animator from Los Angeles who has worked on major motion pictures. He repped StopMotionPro. Loved this conference. Natalie
Great conference. I too angela plan to order the tuff camera. Also AveMedia had a great document for under $700. Saw new ways to integrate and reach more students in more tech ways. sally ride was amazing!! Also learned more about creating tours on google earths. Endless! possibilities
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