Joel Zehring » technology

Computer Projector Activities

Joel Zehring — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:57:10 +0000

As computer projectors trickle into some schools (and flood into others), many teachers are wondering: What am I supposed to do with this thing? Our staff did a pair of seminars to share ideas and find some new resources for use with projectors in the classroom. Whether you use one to replace your old-school overhead or dive head-first into Web 2.0, there’s a little bit for everyone. Check out the wikis to find some new tech tricks, or add some cool sites of your own.

Projector Activities (K-3)

Projector Activities (4-6)

Timeshifted staff meetings

Joel Zehring — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:36:51 +0000

I’m convinced that we can conduct weekly staff meetings through a blog. The principal posts the topics, and the teachers post questions and discussion points in the comments.

Of course, staff members don’t have to give up meeting together. The staff can use the blog as a teaser for the next meeting, posting topics and initiating conversation. Staff members can ask questions and comments for the principal to address in the flesh and blood meeting.

I’ve been in too many 45 person conversations about adjusted lunch schedules: everyone has an opinion, but 85% never get stated. This way, staff members can comment on their own time, and every staff member speaks at the same volume: silent.

Additionally, I’m guessing 40% of comments and questions in staff meetings could be prevented if the staff members were required to write out their those statements and read them.

Packaged for mass consumption

Joel Zehring — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:35:32 +0000

Lessons, student projects, committee minutes.

Teachers are producing massive amounts of educational and professional development material, and most of it is sitting in files in cabinets in their classes (if we’re lucky; I have a paper piles from August that I haven’t filed yet).

As professionals in education, teachers must take their products and package them for use in other classrooms, schools, states, and even countries.

With the development of free social networking and online collaboration tools, teachers have extremely powerful and flexible tools for distributing their educational products and implementation ideas.

Post the minutes of that tech committee meeting on a blog so I can join in the conversation. Take 15 minutes of your computer lab time and show your students how to put their science reports on a wiki. Video your lesson and put it up on teachertube so I can borrow from your style.

By posting products online, you give other teachers the ability edit, modify, remix and improve these products, leading to richer, more comprehensive experiences for students.

Grab Bag Links for January 10, 2008

Joel Zehring — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:51:46 +0000

From reader James Gill:

I have a favourite link I would like to contribute. It is an excellent interactive math site for K-6 students:

Rainforest maths by Jenny Eather

I also really liked dance mat typing, a BBC for schools website.

Dance Mat Typing

Thanks, James!

If you have links you’d like to share, send them my way. – Joel

Innovation marches on

Joel Zehring — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:14:24 +0000

This is not to say I told you so. Rather, consider it a next step in the argument.

Public educators have a responsibility to embrace this kind of innovation and move it from the laboratory to the classroom. Why? First, it’s way cheaper than some other interactive whiteboard solutions. Second (and more importantly), this kind of innovation serves as an example of what we hope our students will aspire to in the future. Why not involve them in research and development in the present?

Johnny Chung Lee has made the source code available online, which means testers and developers can work together to shape this technology to fit many different needs. Step right up to the future of educational technology.