EDT 546

Day 8 Readings

2008-06-25T22:58:00.000-07:00

Carmean & Christie Article on E-Portfolios

Here, here, well said and don't we teachers need a new way or an updated way to show our wares? Even though we are digital immagrants can't we learn the new language? Wil we still be understood with our heavy "accented" presentations? Slowly we will move away from the ubiqutous powerpoint and move into the podcast, vodcast,or streaming video....
I can't wait, no, I must set the pace or the tone with staff and district and up the ante in the Career Ladder field. Hmmmm, maybe that is my calling with my doctorate? We will see.

The Professional Portfolio
Great "ammunition" to go on my hunt of improving the career ladder process and bringing it into the 20th century.

Preparing a Teaching Portfolio

Sounds more like an evaluation document than showing what the teacher has accomplished.

Day 7 Readings

2008-06-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

Preparation: The Key to a Relaxed, Effective Presentation
Great hint: sing the presentation to get it memorized! What is it about memory that is so tied to songs? I can sing for the the Nestle Quick jungle from my childhood-did I try to memorize it? No, it just stuck in my brain, How about LSMFT - Anyone know what that stands for? It was a jingle in the 50's. Harriet, there might be something to that music stuff.......

Getting Them on Your Side: Creating a Persuasive Presentation
Oh how funny/strange! I worked at Crate and Barrel in chicago for 12 years. I was trained by Gordon Segal, the owner, about features and benifits of products. Everytime Gordon spoke to the staff for some new items in the store, I was sure I HAD to have it also. He was down-to-earth approachable guy. He almost always convinced me that the $9.95/flute champagne would make anything taste better and give me a more romantic evening. Features and benfits - now why don't I use that in my math lessons with the sixth graders? Hmmm, it is because I don't have them at the tip of my tongue. I need to do some more work!

You're the Boss: Creating a Great Informative Presentation

Hmmm, interesting the five Ws and one H? Where have I seen that before? It continues to be good advice. Just like - use a storyboard. That random thought or two in your head will not carry you all the way through the presentation. A plan will!

Final Thoughts: Concluding Your Presentation Well

I needed to hear/read that! I don't know that I plan for a conclusion. I know that at least once I have stopped abruptly and thanked the audience. Awkward silence then they left. This is an area that I painfully know that I need to work on. Wrap it up in a tidy package, and send them on their way!

Day 6 Readings

2008-06-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

Taking Digital Picture: Top 10 Tips

Good basic tips, that flash outside often gets me - as in I forget and my people are in a shadow. then I have to use photoshop to bring the subjects out of the shadows.

1001 Educational Uses for a Digital Camera

Great ideas! the first one I clicked on I had to save and mark as a first assignment for the new school year. Interview classmates to find information to make a speech of introduction and then use a picture of the subject as a focal point while the speech is being given.

Scanning Tips
Good tips for the first time scanner. I have used our scanner to reproduce old family pictures so that I have 3 copies of them to put in 3 scrapbooks for my siblings and I. One was a degerotype (sp) of my grandfather's father's grocery store in Chicago and the horse drawn delivery wagon.
Oh yes, scanners come in handy. I have a project waiting for me when all the schooling is finished - scan my Peace Corps slides to digitize and organize them into readily available themes.

Day 5 Readings

2008-06-19T22:41:00.000-07:00

Using Fonts Effectively in Your Multimedia Presentation
This article gave good advice. I especially apppreciated the 24 karat rule. I need to look at the serif fonts to understand what the author means by having fuzzy edges.

What Are Your Visuals Saying About You?
The point is made that your visuals - presentations are an extension of yourself and group. You need the presentation to make a good first impression. The cutesie clipart pictures are not professional. Low quality graphics are frustrating to your audience. If the "sale" is worth it, use the correct graphics and the best color. don't lose the sale, promotion, or whatever for want of a better graphic.

Incorporating Photographs in Your Multimedia Presentations
Good hints and suggestions about using a scanner to scan a photo right into the photo editing software. Quality is the big message here. It makes me think of the old computer adage - garbage in - garbage out. You want the best on the screen, so look for the best to put into your presentation.

Day 4 Readings

2008-06-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

Intellectual property vs real property what a hot issue. If I put my blog online and say something really brilliant, does it remain my property or can anyone use it? Is knowledge a openly traded commodity? Should we guard our knowledge, never put it out there for others? If I write something for the Net, should I expedt it to stay there, untouched by any keyboard? Or if I upload something to the Net, do I expect it to be downloaded, massaged, and put into other sites or forms? Look at the shareware sites, that used to be free software. Well, it is still free but "things" have been added to that software, that the user will end up buying the software instead of dealing with the pop-ups and gremlins from the freeware. But I digress, I see the problem, as well as two sides of the issue. Do I think it is fair that people should be paid for making a product, i.e. movie, music, book.

Day 2 Readings

2008-06-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

Defining Tools for a New Learning Space: Writing and Reading Class Blogs was the article I read from Merlot by JOLT

Storyboards
There are many types of them. Free software or special programs you can buy. However, they all say the same thing....plan, plan, plan. Make sure you have an idea before you shoot the commercial.
Make sure your plan is being consistant.
Have pictures along with your narration.
I particularly liked the pdf and can see me using it with my sixth graders for a baginning of school year project. Small groups make a movie to introduce themselves to the class and teacher. this will set the tone for the school year of hands-on learning.
It will also help when I have my math class working on their podcasts to explain fraction problems. they will have already learned one method for planning a presentation.

2008-06-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

Day 1 Reading

2008-06-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

I am trying to have a more constructivist math classroom. My action research project is on students being more actively engaged in their learning. Part of that learning is collaborative and the other is using technology. I am excited to see that I am on the same track as others . As well as seeing the students excited to use the technology to showcase what they have accomplished

Constructivism, Technology, and Me

2008-06-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Constructivism and the Computer

Ha! That is my new motto, constructivism and my math class! I love it I feel like I am on the cutting edge of teaching practices. Students need to be focused and engaged in their learning. Many of our students are digital natives where I am a digital immigrant. My students have grown up with technology around them so they are not intimidated, but instead, enjoy using it in the classroom. I am using technology in the classroom to enhance the student learning of the fraction curriculum.

There are many good suggestions

Day 1

2008-06-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

Here I am blogging and beginning the presentation class.