I love Richard Byrne's Free Tech 4 Teachers blog. He has so many amazing ideas and uses for free web tools. I don't always have time to read his blog, but I follow him on Twitter just to keep up.
He touches on everything--from Google tools to sites teacher can use to create videos to cool timeline sites. I can't even touch on the whole of his blog. I must admit, I've even used it to help me with this blog--I've learned a thing or two (or three or four) from it.
Check out the site and see if you agree with me. I bet you come away from it with at least one new idea you can use right away. And I bet you'll be back to see what else Richard shares with us!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Extended Essay
It's time for me to start working with our junior IB students getting ready to begin their IB Extended Essays. I have talked about this before--it has become one of my favorite parts of my job. The Extended Essay is a 4000 word research paper IB students must complete as a part of their IB diploma. The work is mostly done independently and begins in their junior year and is completed their senior year. This paper is probably the biggest piece of academic research these kids have ever completed! And when they complete it, they feel such a sense of accomplishment and also relief to have it behind them.
I am the school's EE coordinator but since I don't see all the students together in a class like a teacher does, I use some online tools to help direct the students. My favorite one of all is, of course, Libguides. I put together a Libguide specifically for our EE with links to the IB handbook, our databases, our subscription for Noodletools, some formatting guidelines, and even some sample papers. I even shortened the URL with the help of bit.ly so it's easier to remember-- bit.ly/IBextendedessay.
Last year was my first year as coordinator, and I learned so much. This year I'm tweaking the process even more, but I have to say I am very proud of this Libguide. And just to show off a little--I've had several schools in other states ask to copy it as the start for their EE guides. That's the best feeling of all! Not only can I help my own students, but I'm giving other librarians a place to start instruction as well.
If you get the chance to check out my EE Libguide, let me know what you think. I've looked at it so long, I'm not sure I can find the problems in it. So I'd love some fresh eyes to look it over!
I am the school's EE coordinator but since I don't see all the students together in a class like a teacher does, I use some online tools to help direct the students. My favorite one of all is, of course, Libguides. I put together a Libguide specifically for our EE with links to the IB handbook, our databases, our subscription for Noodletools, some formatting guidelines, and even some sample papers. I even shortened the URL with the help of bit.ly so it's easier to remember-- bit.ly/IBextendedessay.
Last year was my first year as coordinator, and I learned so much. This year I'm tweaking the process even more, but I have to say I am very proud of this Libguide. And just to show off a little--I've had several schools in other states ask to copy it as the start for their EE guides. That's the best feeling of all! Not only can I help my own students, but I'm giving other librarians a place to start instruction as well.
If you get the chance to check out my EE Libguide, let me know what you think. I've looked at it so long, I'm not sure I can find the problems in it. So I'd love some fresh eyes to look it over!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Adult Literacy
So what happens to those kids who unfortunately leave our educational system and still can't read? I know they exist--I see them on a regular basis. The ones who laugh about never reading a book or the ones who tell me they hate the library--what sort of future do these kids have? Some turn into adults that can't read. We as educators tend to focus on teaching children to read but honestly don't always think of the difficulties adult have when they can't read. My dear friend Megan is working with the Literacy Council in Birmingham, Alabama as a volunteer these days. She was recently featured on a PBS program entitled Spotlight on Education where she talks about her work with these adult learners.
She brings up some interesting points. Adults who can't read can't find streets when they are lost--they can't read the street signs. Sometimes these adults just want to be able to read stories to their grandchildren--simple things the rest of us take for granted.
What really struck me about this--I know as teachers we struggle with those students who don't/won't/can't read in our classes. But when we give up on these kids, they become the kind of adults Megan is now helping. When I listen to Megan talking about the struggles those adults are having, I feel guilty for all the times I threw up my hands with a kid. Wish I could have a do over with so many of them!
Here's the show--Megan comes on about 30 minutes into it.
She brings up some interesting points. Adults who can't read can't find streets when they are lost--they can't read the street signs. Sometimes these adults just want to be able to read stories to their grandchildren--simple things the rest of us take for granted.
What really struck me about this--I know as teachers we struggle with those students who don't/won't/can't read in our classes. But when we give up on these kids, they become the kind of adults Megan is now helping. When I listen to Megan talking about the struggles those adults are having, I feel guilty for all the times I threw up my hands with a kid. Wish I could have a do over with so many of them!
Here's the show--Megan comes on about 30 minutes into it.
Watch April, 2012 on PBS. See more from Spotlight on Education.
Friday, May 4, 2012
STAAR Test results are in!
Found this video via Twitter. I'm not brave enough to share it with my principal but it's too funny to keep to myself! Enjoy!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Vintage photos
Okay so this is really fascinating--some vintage photographs from the Library of Congress showing libraries and librarians from the early 1900's (I started to say the turn of the century....but that doesn't fit any more!) What I love about the pictures is not the fact the librarians are hand stamping books, etc. but the fact they are helping kids. I'm glad that part of our job hasn't changed!
Here's the link to the rest of the pictures. Enjoy!
Here's the link to the rest of the pictures. Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
TED Ed videos
I'm sure by now you've seen the new TED Ed website to help with flipped classrooms. The site provides some premade videos but allows the teacher to customize the lesson. Supposed to help a teacher with flipping a classroom.
I think it's a great idea but as I've said before, I see the potential for misuse of this comcept as well. A good teacher would take this idea and fly with it. A poor teacher would use this as a substitute for teaching--it's basically watch a video and answer questions at home. It's what you do as a follow up in the classroom that counts. And that's honestly my concern. Without followup, then all you have is an assignment to watch a video at home.
This blogger says it better than I can--Teach Paperless. And here's the video from the TED Ed site explaining how the site works. Great concept--great idea--I just hope teachers use it properly.
I think it's a great idea but as I've said before, I see the potential for misuse of this comcept as well. A good teacher would take this idea and fly with it. A poor teacher would use this as a substitute for teaching--it's basically watch a video and answer questions at home. It's what you do as a follow up in the classroom that counts. And that's honestly my concern. Without followup, then all you have is an assignment to watch a video at home.
This blogger says it better than I can--Teach Paperless. And here's the video from the TED Ed site explaining how the site works. Great concept--great idea--I just hope teachers use it properly.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
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