This, That & The Other...

Posts are in a New Location!

2010-09-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

Current posts can now be read at the following blog -http://lightontheinside.blogspot.com/Thanks for reading and following!

Virtual Days Make a Difference....

2010-07-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

A regular school day. A beautiful summer day. A virtual day. What!?What do all three of these have in common? More than you think. As the District Distance Learning Coordinator - I see all three of these descriptions rolled into one.We are off to a great start for the North Carolina Virtual Public School 2010 summer session. Many of the students in our district have chosen to enroll in virtual

Antiques Roadshow – In the Classroom?

2010-05-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

Alright, let me say… very excited about this post. I love, love, LOVE the Antiques Roadshow. Not for the reasons you might guess of instant riches. But, instead… I love to hear about the history of each and every piece – and how the folks featured happened to have a connection to its history.So – how does this make ANY sort of sensible connection to your classroom? Glad you asked! Think about it

Post EOG Creativity

2010-05-21T05:54:00.000-07:00

Whew! End of Grade Testing is over. Finally. Now what?The students may feel like they have used every morsel of energy trying to recall all they have learned throughout the course of this school year. What can you give them that will get those creative juices flowing again? Something to get them talking. Help relieve the long awaited build-up and the stressful anticipation of test-taking all week

Technology and our Environment

2010-05-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

Going Green. Environmentally-Friendly. Eco-Friendly. There is much to think about and consider when we are outside. But inside the middle school classroom, students can learn a lot!Take a look at some of these links that give absolutely awesome explanations, activities and information on how technology and our environment can work together. There are various assignments that will surely get the

Learning at a Glance

2010-05-05T06:02:00.000-07:00

Webinars. Online Courses. Face-to-face workshops. eBooks. Digital papers. Websites. Podcasts. The list goes on and on for ways 21st century teachers can learn new skills. But, for today, if you are short on time – check out these quick presentations that give some pretty valuable and useful information at a glance.Web 2.0 Tools for Teachers http://www.scribd.com/doc/19576895/Web-20-

Choose Your Path

2010-04-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

As with all things in life, there are choices we need to make – and a path we need to travel. Well… there is no exception with that statement in the classroom as well! Check out these two “paths” and see if one or both will work for you/your students! Curriculum Pathways: 8th -12th GradesFree Curriculum aligned to NC Standard Course of StudyTo create an account, contact your Technology

Writing Resources... Constantly Updated

2010-03-16T12:28:00.001-07:00

Want access to an ongoing list of great resources and information that encourages writing in the classroom? Be sure to bookmark my wiki.... http://writingacrossthecurriculum.pbworks.com/ - I update it every time I run across a useful tool that could make writing appealing to the 21st century students in our classrooms! Know of resources I need to add? Post a comment/info here on my blog, or post

More Online Resources to Encourage Classroom Writing...

2010-03-15T05:57:00.001-07:00

Simply put... it is my mission to offer up any online resources pertaining to classroom writing that I think are just great!Create Media (Newspaper, Brochure, etc.) -http://interactives.mped.org/view_interactive.aspx?id=110&title=Create a Flip Book -http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/flipbook/Writing Activities -http://lesson-plans-materials.suite101.com/article.cfm/

NCTIES 2010: Eliminating Writer's Block

2010-03-12T12:03:00.000-08:00

NCTIES is always a much anticipated conference each year by North Carolinians who share a common thread and interest in education and instructional technology. This year, that excitement and anticipation was proven with a 40% increase in participant attendance! There were several sessions I attended… The first being my own! My session stemmed from my true passion for writing coupled with

It Takes A Village (and then some!)

2010-02-26T07:10:00.000-08:00

We’ve all heard the saying… “It takes a village to raise a child” but, what exactly does that mean? This proverb is believed to have derived from African culture years and years ago. It simply alludes to a big picture ideal that learning from more than one source (other than simply ourselves!) is needed and a huge benefit all the way around. As a mom, I have come to realize that in this

Null & Void

2009-12-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

Null – According to Merriam Webster, it means amounting to nothing or having no value. Void – Merriam Webster says void refers to anything that is not inhabited, contains nothing or is without something specified. How does THIS relate to technology you ask? Simple. If your use of technology in your classroom is not directly tied to curriculum… it should be considered null and

5 Ways to Step Back in Time

2009-11-13T10:40:00.000-08:00

History Buff? History Teacher? Regardless, there are various opportunities online for our students to step back in time. Check out some of these websites to bring history alive within your classroom. History Mystery This site offers games and activities on exploration, African-American History, Environmental History, Government & Politics, Social/Cultural History, etc.Grade Level: 4-9

Comfort Zone?

2009-11-04T07:38:00.000-08:00

So – at first this may seem unrelated to technology – but… give me a second… How many times have we reached our comfort zone? At some point in life, we all reach a zone of comfort where we feel like we have the bull by the horns. The tall, tall ceiling is our limit – and we reached it. We are on top of our game – masters of our roadmap. Simply put, we think we are just plain good. Hmmmm… does

Can We Skype You?

2009-10-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

Recently, one of the schools within our district had a memorable experience.... they were able to talk one-on-one with a local TV celebrity. How did it happen? Did the students visit the TV station? Nope. Did the TV personality come to the school? Well... not exactly. Technology brought the two together using a computer, a web cam, a projector and Skype.Skype is definitely not new to the tech

Books at the Mall (National Mall, that is...)

2009-09-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I had the privilege of going, once again, to the National Book Festival in Washington, DC. What did I see? TONS of people and TONS of books! There were several well-known authors on site… Nicholas Sparks, Judy Blume, John Grisham, Walter Mosley, Ken Burns, Steven Kellogg, James Patterson, and Paula Deen – just to name a few.In addition to the authors, there were countless big

Train, Work, & Learn

2009-09-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

"You've got to train for it and work for it and learn for it." This was what I consider an impressive charge from President Obama Tuesday in his message to America's students. Interesting thing about those words? That not only applies to our 21st century students of today - it applies to us as educators, as well.Train for it... well, pretty obvious what he means... But, as educators, we have to

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

2009-09-03T06:43:00.000-07:00

Today's blog post is inspired by a book I am currently reading... Laurie Richlin's "Blueprint for Learning". What caught my eye, instantly, was a simple, yet very thought-provoking sentence. "Every action we take as instructors is based on our expectation that our students will be able to change something that they know, feel, or can do." Wow!As an instructor of teachers (and a former instructor

Top Ten Teacher Tips for the New School Year!

2009-08-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome Back Educators!New year. New students. Fresh start. I know your list is extraordinarily long for the things you must do to set your class up for success. But, there are a few things you need to move to the top of that list - immediately.Based on the ever-famous David Letterman countdown - let's look at the list from the bottom to the top! Incorporating these ten items is a sure way to

Simple, yet Great Sites – Vol. 2

2009-07-30T08:22:00.001-07:00

Sometimes - we all run across websites we think are simply great. They can be very simplistic in nature but achieve huge things! Well... here are a few educational sites that I want to share with you.Curriculum: Art#1. renaissanceconnection.orgThis site allows students to travel 500 years into the past and look at the many art innovations. You can also create/add your own innovation ideas! Great

The ABC's of your OS

2009-07-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

2000. XP. Vista. Snow Leopard. What do all of these have in common? They are absolutely necessary for your computer to even function! Operating Systems (commonly referred to as simply “OS” provide the backbone structure for your desktop, laptop, or notebook computer. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, an operating system is a “program that manages a computer’s resources, especially the

Ashe County Technology Conference 2009

2009-07-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

As you may have already read in an earlier post, Emory and I were given the opportunity to present last week at the 2009 Technology Conference in Ashe County, North Carolina!Technology Conferences are always exciting - you go in with a great expectation and huge anticipation for learning, seeing, and hearing something that will inspire you back at your desk. This time, though, things were a

21st Century Labs Vol. 3

2009-06-25T17:12:00.001-07:00

As the summer progresses, and the labs become closer to being ready for student use... many questions seem to arise...1) Regardless of the budget, is there a particular classroom design that has just proven most successful (in other districts)?2) Is it just the "stuff" that makes the 21st Century Lab design "work"? Or, does the physical "layout" of the room make the most difference?3) Does the

Standard Course of Study... in an instant!

2009-06-25T16:57:00.000-07:00

The NC Standard Course of Study should always be in the forefront of your mind. Always. But, here in the 21st Century, what can you do to immediately blend the SCOS with technology? Lots!Check out these resources that align the NCSCOS with technological skills that are sure to engage your students instantly. Key word? Instantly.netTrekkerWhat IS netTrekker? As defined by netTrekker, an online

Meet Mr. Marzano

2009-06-10T13:21:00.001-07:00

Speaker. Trainer. Author of 30 books. Writer of 150 articles. Educator.In education, there are constantly terms thrown around like Marzano’s Instructional Strategies and Marzano’s Standards.Who exactly is Marzano? Internationally known, Dr. Robert J. Marzano, has made it his mission to study, research and impact our educational society today. He has done dozens of research projects, carefully

21st Century Lab: New Directions

2009-06-08T08:34:00.000-07:00

Questions to ponder for this week? There are several as I jump into my research for effective, efficient, productive and successful 21st century lab designs....1)How big of a role does budget actually play?2)How long does it take, realistically, in planning a 21st century lab overhaul?3)Do 21st century lab designs reflect general and overall interior design thought-processes?

21st Century Labs VOL. 1

2009-06-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Beginning today, I will begin to write various posts as I delve into my research and study of 21st Century lab design for my internship.Professional Development Goals:- Determine how layout and design of 21st Century labs impacts learning- Determine types of technology needed for successfully outfitting modern-day labs- Determine how different types of classroom/lab environments impact learning

What Exactly ARE 21st Century Skills?

2009-06-03T07:07:00.001-07:00

We read about it. We hear about it. The Senate has a bill that supports it. But, what exactly ARE 21st Century Skills?Incorporating the following into the curriculum delivers 21st Century Skills… · INTEGRATING CORE SUBJECTS & 21st CENTURY THEMES· LEARNING AND INNOVATION SKILLS· CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING· COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION·

It's A Zoo Out There!

2009-05-27T10:26:00.001-07:00

Studying animals and their habitats, life cycles, characteristics, or anything even remotely related? With the state of the economy, you may not have the classroom funds to visit the zoo but there is a way to bring the zoo to your room!Check out the Smithsonian National Zoo at http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm and find some awesome resources. Yes, resources!There are many valuable tools found

Lights! Camera! Action!

2009-05-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

Every student in your class can be a film producer. Yes, every student. Questions you may ask yourself…Why would I want them to produce a film?What good would it do?How would that even fit into my curriculum?Which types of equipment, tools and resources would I need to make it happen?When would I have time to add this type of project into my curriculum?All very good questions! Here are some

Tech Help

2009-05-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

Technology is not JUST for fun. Nor is it only intended to connect us through networks, engage us with multimedia and great visuals or indulge us with shortcuts that are efficient and productive. Now, don’t get me wrong, (or get it twisted) - those things are pretty awesome. But, I want you to know that technology can also truly serve up some life-changing moments.Equality. We all know what it is

Simple, yet Great Sites - Vol. 1

2009-05-08T12:30:00.001-07:00

Sometimes - we all run across websites we think are simply great. They can be very simplistic in nature but achieve huge things! Well... here are 5 that I want to share with you.1- http://www.rhymezone.com/Writing poetry? Stuck on a word that rhymes with "__" Check out this site... it adds to your creative juices by quickly giving you rhyming words!2 - http://www.ocrterminal.com/Need to convert

Imagination at Work

2009-05-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

Imagination. Webster defines it as “The act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality.”Personally, I define imagination as the ability to incorporate personal perspectives, ideas, and visuals to change or impact a goal, topic or thing CREATIVELY. Overall, using the imagination causes impact to output – whether

Left or Right?

2009-04-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

Left Brain. Right Brain. Visual Learner. How do you learn? Better question? How do your students learn? In trying to embrace 21st Century Skills initiatives, be sure you have the answer!Any of my former students who happen to be reading this blog will probably smile. If they can think back to a few years ago, they will remember that these questions were presented to

Definition of a Disc

2009-04-16T06:12:00.000-07:00

With the increased output of so much digital media – terminology and technical lingo has grown by leaps and bounds.How do you figure out exactly which disc you need for what? How do you make sense of it all?Let’s get back to the basics… check out these definitions to some of the common terms and acronyms seen today for the most common types of media storage.CDCompact Disc. Optical storage device,

Tech Girls

2009-04-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

Eileen Collins. Kathryn Clark. Charlotte Barnum. Ada Lovelace. Susan Kare. Recognize any of these names? Lots of folks probably don’t! Who are they? Women who have made significant contributions to the fields of math, science and technology! Increasingly, there has been some staggering statistics that show fewer and fewer girls wanting to pursue careers in technology. This statistic must change

Needle in a Haystack!

2009-03-25T12:57:00.000-07:00

Google is great. Really great. But sometimes, we need to refine what we are searching for beyond what regular search engines offer! Check out these alternative routes to find exactly what you’ve been searching for!Visual learner? Check out THIS search engine. It provides a (flash-enabled) visual map of the items found based on your keyword search. You can even narrow down search results by

My Tweet. Your Voice.

2009-03-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

Technology in the classroom. 21st Century Learning. Technological and educational collaboration. What do all of these things mean? Well… let’s find out what it means to you!Be creative... tell me (USING ONLY ONE WORD) what students gain from using technology in their classrooms.How do you respond? By using Twitter.com! What is Twitter? An online tool that allows you to collaborate/talk to others

Communicate, Collaborate, Connect

2009-03-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the 2009 NCTIES conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. NCTIES is the acronym for North Carolina Technology in Education Society. “The mission of NCTIES is to provide leadership in educational communications and technology by linking all who hold a common interest in the use of educational technology and its application to the learning process.”The

Can You Hear Me Now?

2009-03-04T13:05:00.001-08:00

Telecommunications: “The science and technology of the communication of messages over a distance, especially using electric, electronic or electromagnetic impulses.” (Definition courtesy of http://en.wiktionary.org)VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): “VoIP is voice communications transmitted over the Internet.” (Definition courtesy of the network glossary found on http://www.logicalpackets.com)

Yes We Can!

2009-02-25T12:44:00.000-08:00

Yes We Can. Three small words that have been branded by President Obama as words of hope, empowerment and change. Yes we can applies to so many things – even in education.Yes we can engage our students as we strive to embrace 21st century learning techniques. Yes we can provide an environment creative enough to inspire new heights and excellence from each of our students. Yes we can empower our

Is it your footprint, or just your shadow?

2009-02-18T11:36:00.000-08:00

Retrace your steps. Follow in my footsteps. These boots are made for walking. Follow my lead.These are all common sayings for where your footsteps can take you. But, what about online? Did you know that you create “digital footprints” every time you visit the world wide web? You also have something called a digital shadow that follows you!What exactly are digital footprints? In a nutshell… your

What Can You Convert?

2009-02-11T10:20:00.000-08:00

File Conversion. Today, most saved files need to be used, viewed and accessed by many different users. Guaranteed – those users are not all using the same software applications. So, what do you do? You convert your file into another format. What are some options? There are plenty.ZAMZARhttp://www.zamzar.com/· Free online service· Convert images, songs, videos, and documents· Files you convert can

What is on your virtual bookshelf?

2009-02-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

Reading. The gateway to knowledge. Magazines. Newspapers. Journals. Books. All common sources for finding the information and wisdom you hope to gain. All of those options are now literally at your fingertips.Check out these sites offering free (complete text) ebooks...http://www.free-ebooks.net/http://pdfbooks.co.za/http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Pageebooks – Just for kids…http://

How Stuff Works

2009-01-28T12:56:00.000-08:00

Inquisitive students in your class? Need a new direction to point them towards for answers? Check out howstuffworks.com! This website was first known as “the” place to go for how common gadgets worked. It quickly evolved, and now, this site has become a place that offers answers and great, simplistic explanations on all kinds of topics and processes.There are now TONS of questions your students

Are You Blue?

2009-01-21T13:24:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of Digital Blue? Their name is becoming common among kids in some classrooms across the globe these days. Digital Blue is an innovative technology company that specializes in products for today's youth. What are they known for? Their Digital Movie Creator which easily allows kids to become film directors and executive producers of their own movie productions. Digital Blue has gone

Web Proxy

2009-01-14T13:16:00.000-08:00

We have all heard the terms “Web Proxy” but is there true understanding of what those words really mean? To understand this process, let’s first answer a few questions.What is a proxy server?A proxy server is a computer that offers a network service which serves as a middle-man in allowing a person/computer to connect to a website indirectly.How does a web proxy work?You are essentially allowed

Web Versions?

2009-01-09T13:20:00.000-08:00

The World Wide Web has progressed tremendously over the past 10 years. I remember vividly the days of html programming before WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) editors came along. The days when animation was “the” going thing on a website are long gone. Instead, we have evolved to the dawn of a new era we are now entering called Web 3.0.Before fully appreciating Web 3.0, we must first

What Makes a Technology Rich Curriculum?

2008-12-17T09:45:00.000-08:00

Is it just the stuff? Gadgets like student response systems, document cameras, scanners, global positioning systems, laptop carts, digital cameras, slates, SMART Boards, ActivBoards, etc., etc. The list of “things” available to incorporate into our classrooms is astounding.But, technology rich curriculums don’t begin nor end with just stuff. Add to that ever-growing and very long list resources

Can Wii Come into the Classroom?

2008-12-11T07:20:00.000-08:00

Wii. Wii. Wii. Quite the buzzword these days. But, what exactly is the “Wii” and how can we utilize it for learning? Both are very important questions and imagination has lead the way in providing the answers. According to the official Nintendo site, the Wii is a social gaming experience. That is a pretty high level description when you compare it to “regular” old school games like Frogger, Pac

Use the Chalk!

2008-12-04T12:54:00.000-08:00

Hotchalk.com is a web-based teacher community which provides lesson plans, activities, digital content, and professional development. This resource is free to teachers and students and requires a user account and password. Hotchalk offers TONS of videos and numerous lesson plans on just about everything including math, science, music, language arts, computers, physical education, social studies,

Let the Creativity Flow

2008-11-26T06:37:00.000-08:00

Gale Cengage Learning defines creativity as “The ability to create inventions, produce works of art, or solve problems using an original, novel, or unconventional approach.” Let’s take a moment to bring that exact concept into the classroom. How would creativity look in a 21st Century Classroom? It depends upon the individual teacher’s creativity, of course.Incorporating technology is an easy and

You want me to write about what? And...you want it written where?

2008-11-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

“Today, class, I want to encourage writing skills”… Easier said than done, right? Not really. Give your students a direction and then let their imagination, creativity and life experiences lead their writing oasis.How exactly do you encourage your students to open up and let the words flow? Easy! With writing prompts. Writing prompts are loosely guided topics, with minimal directions, that allow

Swap Knowledge

2008-11-07T07:10:00.000-08:00

Love to read? Have a personal library of books you’ll never read/refer to again? Want to learn more about instructional technology or increase your computer skills? Try visiting paperbackswap.com for books on the subject of your choice. Costs? Minimal!How does paperbackswap.com work?1. Set-up a free account2. You post the titles of books you are willing to swap (post as often & as many as you

What Did She Say?

2008-10-24T10:10:00.000-07:00

English. Spanish. French. Text. What? Texting is not officially classified as a language, but it is being used like one. Don’t be surprised if you begin to notice the numerous texting abbreviations creep their way into your classrooms!How do you speak the language? What does it all mean? Here are a few rules of the game, courtesy of Wikipedia…Single letters can replace words*be becomes b*see

Open Door… MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Yale

2008-10-17T13:11:00.000-07:00

Interested in taking an online course? Better yet, want to enroll at an “ivy-league” institution? Walk through your open door!What do you need?*Computer*Internet Access*Printer*Motivation*TimeCheck out these institutions and their ample offerings… Did I mention the courses are FREE?Stanford: http://www.youtube.com/profile_play_list?user=stanforduniversityAlong with their own YouTube channel,

Learn Something New... from iTunes U

2008-08-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

Music. Movies. TV shows. Audio books. These are items most folks expect when they download iTunes onto their computer. But now, iTunes is becoming a valid source for something else… educational resources.Apple’s iTunes U is nothing new. This portion of the renowned media store has offered ample resources in the past, but they were mainly geared toward collegiate level students. At a recent

Sharing the Workload

2008-08-07T07:11:00.000-07:00

In years past, sharing your assignment with another student was absolutely unheard of! It left the door open for cheating, giggling and an unproductive environment! How did you prove which student did the work? Who learned the most? Did they learn anything at all, or use the time to catch up on school happenings? Many questions were left unanswered with simply “sharing” work. That was then. This

1 Knol = 1 Unit of Knowledge

2008-07-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

When you think of search engines, Google pops into your mind first! What else does Google offer? Google Earth, Google Docs, Gmail, You Tube, iGoogle, Google Finance, Google Health, GOOG-411, etc. The list is now extensive.But, the time has now come – they are expanding upon their market even further. Google is presenting their latest tool – a free internet encyclopedia simply dubbed “Knol” –

What kind of environment are you creating?

2008-07-25T05:40:00.000-07:00

Years ago, “learning spaces” was an approach to technology and education that was not thought about in the scope of overall preparation for teaching. Interestingly enough, it has a great impact on students today. Think about it from a realtor’s state of mind… location, location, location! In education, we can relate. It may not be the actual location but it is definitely the environment created

Fresh Perspective – Old Concept

2008-07-24T05:25:00.000-07:00

Webster defines collaboration this way: “to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor”. With 21st Century Learning Skills, how should we define collaboration? Quite similar to Webster but with significant focus on output.Is collaboration necessary in our classrooms today? Simple answer, a resounding yes! Who benefits the most? The students.Collaboration is all

Go out of this world… but stay in your seat.

2008-07-23T11:51:00.001-07:00

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is already known for their scientific discoveries, amazing inventions, world-wide partnerships, out-of-this world explorations and breath-taking photographs. But, did you ever stop to imagine them as your personal assistant in the classroom? NASA experts are as close as your computer.Options are varied. If you teach science, technology,

What 21st Century Learning Means to Me

2008-06-08T18:37:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this, you are already an active member of the technological revolution that has swept the globe. By reading this blog (and probably by bookmarking several others), you have already committed to opening up your mind to perspectives beyond your own. Does everyone out there embrace this type of technology as a way to see what the grass is like in another yard? Maybe. Maybe not.