The Educators' Royal Treatment

Mr. Royal's Friday Folder: 7/31/09

Welcome to Mr. Royal’s Friday Folder for July 31, 2009. You should find some interesting, useful, as well as fun URLs here. Hanging the contents of the Friday Folder on the fridge is not recommended, but if you do, send the image.

You have to love this. I think Adora has a lot to say.

http://www.adorasvitak.com/Main.html

To Kill A Mockingbird for all. Should enhance an English lesson

http://www.goodreads.com/book/2657/ebook/download/pdf?source=

There are a lot of educator resources here, and it’s as simple as abcteach

http://www.abcteach.com/

The Big Deal Book: prepare to stay awhile at this educator resource site

http://www.bigdealbook.com/

Looking to do some Folktales with your class

http://www.indiana.edu/~afrist/outreach/Beaver/Folktales.htm

Time for school supplies; check this site

http://www.schoolspecialty.com/

Create a free classroom Website

http://www.schoolrack.com/

Teacher Furloughs, Budget Cuts, and Long Memories

by Ken Royal

Looking bad if you don't give back, or give in

Budget Cuts are one thing

Anyone who has taught has listened to the sounds of the budget vultures each year. Sorry, you have to do with less, or without. Sorry, we need back that money you were granted last year. Sorry, but we teachers can't afford to look bad.
I've seen vacation days taken back when winter weather caused too many school closings, and workshop days replaced for in-school half-day sessions, but this is different.

Furloughs are another thing

In two nearby Connecticut towns, the custodial and secretarial unions opted for furloughs and give backs, but teachers didn't. It was played up big, and the teachers looked bad in the local news. Not too different now as when I started at a salary of $5,000, in similar bad times, and well before the Education Enhancement Act of the 80s. Most teachers then wouldn't think of ruffling feathers, and considered the needs of students beyond the paycheck. Lucky to have a job was pretty much the thoughts then, and now. I have just one warning. Abusing the power a bad economy gives districts now, can come back to haunt later. A few district near me, never were able to attract as many teachers as other districts, because of games played in the name of budget cuts. That stigma remains, even when an administration changes, too. Just leaves a bad taste.

What I've heard: Days without pay, and very large classes

One teacher from Georgia told me that his district is being furloughed three days, and the first one is the day before the students start! And that there is the hovering possibility of seven more furlough days. Another teacher from Arizona said that so far only the Wednesday before Thanksgiving had been selected.

This Arizona teacher also told me that his 5th grade class would be 31 students this year, his fellow teachers would have 34, and that he could expect the next 3 students to arrive at the school for that grade. Give me a break, this is what it was when I began teaching. And think about it very carefully before you say this to me: "Well, I had 40 kids in my class, and I turned out OK." There is no way you can wash that and make it smell sweet today.

Sure, it's a time of belt tightening; everyone is doing it. Just think beyond today when cutting for today, because tomorrow will come, and memories last.

Networking for Language Teachers : Sharing to Grow

by Isabelle Jones
UK

I have found that the “Sharing to Grow” concept is always a lot harder to sell to colleagues than expected.Teaching is after all an essentially individual activity-it is about you and 30 children, isn’t it?

As we all know, it is and it isn’t. As an individual activity, it is easy to rely on habit, recycling activities that we feel work in the classroom. However, with educational technology developing at high speed, the life-cycle of  classroom activities seems to be getting shorter and shorter, with more and more needed to get that “wow factor” out of classes.

This is when networking is turning from an optional extra to an essential way to ensure we remain fresh and creative in the classroom…

 

In addition, languages have been put under even more pressure in England since 2004, when they were made optional post-14. In the face of competition between schools and leagues table, languages have always come out looking like the poorer relative. Severity of grading in languages is well-known and as more emphasis is being put on raw exam results, a lot of schools have been put under pressure to downsize their languages departments in favour of more “student-friendly” non-academic subjects. Student engagement is now linked with subject survival and as a consequence, networking to share ideas and resources can be an effective way to deal with those added pressures and keep teachers’ morale up.

 

However, there are quite a few barriers to developing the “Sharing to Grow “ Approach:

*”This takes too much time. I am better off carrying on with what I am doing”This is not an option! Time investment does not have to be huge. The most effective way is actually to make it gradual to ensure that the changes are embedded and hopefully supported by the Faculty/department. If only a minority embraces change, the impact will be minimal.

*”I don’t want to take the risk to give and not get anything back”You always get something back, but it is often not ready to use. There is no “One size fits all” in teaching and resources are only as good as the way they are adapted to different groups of students and delivered to them.

*”I  may not like what I get back”

The actual resource might not suit you for different reasons, but the idea is there and it is always better to start from something rather than nothing.

*”What I do might not be good enough to be shared”A resource might look good but how it is used is what makes it effective. It is very hard to assess how good a resource is as what works great with one group might be a complete fiasco with another. We have to make the necessary adjustments-that is why we are the professionals!

 

Sharing to Grow can be done Face-to-Face, locally or online using a variety of tools. In fact, I have found mixing online and Face-to-Face gives more value to the time spent networking and can focus face-to-face conversation as a little is already known about other people’s background.

 

What is a friend?   

Face-to-Face

Check out your local networks (SLN)  and subject associations-like ALL in England. It is also worth looking at subject association worlwide to see how they promote languages and the kind of activities they have. I have found some good downloadable resources from Australia and New Zealand in the past and was always very interested to read about “language advocacy” in Australia and the United States.

Online

I am an avid Diigo user and I have found Diigo groups a very good way to keep updated with new tools and sites of interest. I set up my own Diigo group, “Resources for Languages” in an attempt to enlist more language teachers worldwide. I also feel it is important that EFL teachers should mix with MFL teachers as we are all language teachers with common methodology and ideas that can easily be transferred from one language to another. There is also a wealth of EFL resources and methodology available worldwide which would be foolish to ignore.

 

Ning

I love Ning  groups and the way they are very user-friendly to exchange news, ask questions through the forum, share pictures, videos as well as to upload resources to be shared. They are also quite reassuring for beginners as they can be closed as well as moderated to avoid spamming. I have set up a  Ning to support our local languages network but a brilliant example is the Talkabout Primary MFL Ning, the first Ning I ever joined, which focuses on Language learning and Teaching in Primary schools.

 

Flickr

As language teachers seem to spend a  disproportionate amount of their time looking for suitable visuals, opening a Flickr account and connecting with colleagues is an excellent way to share resources. I am also a member of several languagesFlickrgroups and I have encouraged my colleagues to join as well as take pictures when they go to France or Spain.

 

MFL resources

This  website and yahoo group is great to liaise with other language teachers, whether you need to buy new textbooks or discuss the latest National policies. It is perhaps more useful for UK-based teachers but I am sure that the resources posted and the ideas discussed would be of interest to the vast majority of language teachers worldwide.

Twitter

Twitter is a great way to connect with other teachers but it does not work for everybody as it can take some time to follow a group a people you can really connect with. Some people are also put off by the Twitter mix of professional gems and personal trivialities.At the end of the day, it is always easy to unfollow somebody if you feel you are not really sharing anything meaninful with them-if that is your aim when using Twitter. I have found Twitter to be one of the most fertile source of ideas and links to CPD opportunities and I would really encourage anybody to give it a go. And no, it is not about celebrities or navel gazing… Although it can be if that is what you are into…

 

Last but not least,video conferencing is a great way to link with a wide range of colleagues that may not be living locally. The success of the recent MFL Flashmeetings set up by Joe Dale are proof of it and I am hoping that local networks will pick up on the idea and open up their meetings to other people. I also feel Skype has a lot of potential for training, contacting colleagues abroad or keeping in touch between meetings, with the flexibility of the msn-like chat, video calls, access from mobile phones-all for free…

Blogs, Wikis, or Nings? Part 2

by Tara Seale

In an earlier post (Bogs, Wikis, or Nings? Part I), I brought up the question of where should teachers and students post content on the web with so many choices.  If you are interested in learning about Nings, please visit my earlier post.  In this post, I will focus on the use of wikis in a classroom.

Wikis

What is a wiki? A wiki is a website that allows online editing by one or more users with the ability to link several wiki pages together.  A wiki is simple to use and share with others which makes it a popular tool in the classroom.  Graphics are normally minimal on a wiki page, and the focus is on the written content or the incorporated links.

I currently use pbworks when I create a wiki, but I have used wikispaces and wetpaint.  Because my school district is switching to Google Apps this year, I will most likely use Google Sites in my classroom, which functions much like a wiki page.  If you have no prior knowledge of how a wiki page functions, I suggest watching the Commoncraft video Wikis in Plain English.

My favorite way to use a wiki page is as a quick website that provides information and links to other teachers.  I recently taught a workshop called Instructional Technology in a Literacy Classroom.  Instead of making copies of handouts that participants would later lose, I created a pbworks wiki page with minimal time.  I also like to use a wiki page to provide my students with essential handouts, assignment due dates, and links to websites that we regularly visit in class.  Last year I created a pbworks wiki page for my 9th Grade English Class. Although in both wiki examples that I have provided I am the sole creator, wikis were really created to enhance web user collaboration, Wikipedia for example.  My students did add a wiki page link to my 9th grade English class wiki and posted writing samples on their wiki pages, but I typically did not use a wiki page for writing collaboration.  I found that Google docs worked better for peer editing and collaborative papers, which students later posted to the wiki page.  The wiki page worked more like a digital writing portfolio for my students.  The nice thing about a digital writing portfolio is that students can access it at home or school, other people, such as parents and peers, can read the students' writing and leave comments through the comment feature.

I have used wikis with other educators several times.  When I co-present a workshop, it only makes sense to use a wiki page.  It cuts down on meeting time with my co-presenter because we can both add links, videos, and information to the wiki page that we want to include in the presentation.  In another instance, my school district created a district wiki page in order to align our language arts curriculum and create a book list by grade level.  The wiki page was simple enough that teachers who were unfamiliar with using a wiki page were able to edit and add the information related to their grade level on the appropriate wiki page link.  We also used a wiki page to write a district technology plan. 

I think wikis are an extremely useful tool for educators, and I will continue to use them in my classroom.  My students prefer the Ning because asthetically it provides better visuals and graphics, and students enjoy dressing up their personal Ning page.  A free wiki page is not visually stimulating, but it does serve its purpose to provide essential information without distractions.

If you are interested in learning more about wikis or creating your own wiki, pbworks provides handouts for presenters that explain all of the features available with a wiki. 

Online PD: What to Consider When Evaluating Web-Based Programs

By Donovan Goode

It’s that time of year when stores are stocking their shelves with back-to-school supplies, parents and students are evaluating the latest tech gadgets for school, and teachers are putting final touches on lesson plans and materials. While everyone prepares, teachers are also thinking about professional development opportunities in the coming school year.

Online professional development provides teachers with a convenient, flexible, and often more affordable, option to brush up on their skills and gain the recognition they need for recertification, or a salary increase. Many programs adapt to the teacher's individual learning needs and offer an immersive media-rich learning environment. If you’re a teacher thinking about taking an online course—maybe for the first time, or just looking for alternatives to past online learning experiences—here are five things to consider when reviewing the myriad professional development options available on the Web.

Self-Paced vs. Facilitator-Led Courses

This is a personal choice. Some online professional development opportunities enable you to proceed at your own pace without an instructor. Other online courses are facilitated by veteran educators who are trained in teaching courses on the Web. The facilitator’s responsibility is to guide learners, encourage discussion and participation, answer questions, and provide feedback on your work.

Regardless of the instructional delivery format, consider a program that allows you to be a part of a learning community and interact with others enrolled in the course to get the best value for your money. You can develop relationships with other teachers across the country and build a professional learning network that you can call on for help over the span of your career. 

Self-Contained Courses

Self-contained courses provide all the materials needed to complete the course so you don’t incur additional expenses for books, software and other supplies.

Graduate Credits

Besides higher education institutions, some professional development programs offered by districts, companies and organizations grant graduate credits, in addition to continuing education units and professional development points.

Course Rigor and Participation

While more convenient than face-to-face, graduate-level online professional development courses require a significant amount of participation, commitment and time. Determine how a particular course will fit into your schedule, and what you hope to gain from completing the course to ensure a successful, pleasant learning experience. 

Applicable to Your Classroom

A hallmark of high-quality professional development—whether online or face-to-face—is real-classroom application. Review the course syllabus and materials to determine if the program offers practical instructional strategies that you can apply directly to your classroom to impact learning. Courses that require you to have access to a classroom to complete coursework is a key indication that you will gain job-embedded learning experiences and immediately use what you've learned with students.

Enrollment for the Fall/Winter 2009 term of PBS TeacherLine’s online courses for prek-12 educators is open. Courses begin in October. Check out the most popular courses (designated by a “TF” symbol next to the course listing in the online catalog), and the newly updated ISTE Capstone Certificate Program.

SchoolPictures.com Likes Ike: Student Portraits Generate Dollars

by Skip Cerier

Eisenhower High School, in Shelby Township, Mich., like many schools across the country, has been struggling to stretch its budget dollars to the limit in a tight economy. Faced with some of the biggest cuts in state education funding in recent memory, administrators in recent years have turned to a new school picture program to help subsidize their finances. While looked upon skeptically at first, the move has generated tens of thousands of dollars in contributions.

Eisenhower, or “Ike” as it is often referred, has seen a much-needed boost to its budget through checks from SchoolPictures.com, the Michigan-based firm it uses for annual portrait photography for its sophomores and juniors. During the first four years it worked with the company, it received $72,200 in donations.

SchoolPictures.com is a Michigan-based firm that contributes funding to supplement education from the sale of student portrait packages. It has donated more than $2 million to schools all across the state of Michigan during its first four years of operation.

Some Eisenhower High School projects wholly funded or purchased in part by SchoolPictures.com funding have included:

• Microscopes for science classes
• State student council conference for about 1,000 students from across the state
• Speakers to discuss ways to increase student achievement
• Breakfast on test day to students taking the ACT exam
• Senior picnic on the last day of school
• Staff appreciation events

“That money enables us to do all kinds of extra things for students that positively impact the school environment. These are purchases and activities that would otherwise have not been possible without SchoolPictures.com,” said Amber Bronson, activities director for Eisenhower High School. “I believe everybody in the building has had the opportunity to be touched by donations from SchoolPictures.com in one way or another.”

For more information check http://www.SchoolPictures.com.

bing and Yahoo Singin' Same Song: Good for Education?

2 + 3 = 1?
Microsoft + Yahoo = #1?
Does this Cyphering add up?

by Ken Royal

Is it possible that the teaming of Microsft's bing search with Yahoo's Internet resources and delivery will give Google a run for its money? It's possible, but I don't think it will happen very quickly. And it will take some real ramping up on the education front for it to happen in schools. Educators may not know what processor they're computer is using, but most have Google in their vocabulary.

Google Search and Google Docs have become a way for education to pretty safely, and cheaply have teachers beef up lessons, as well as give teachers and students virtual and shared desktops.

Business-wise, Google Analytics and AdSense are everywhere. It will take some work for Microsoft and Yahoo to do it, but it is quite possible they can, together, turn the tide. Sitting down to a beer with President Obama, and maybe convincing him that he should say that he uses The bing, or The Yahoo in an upcoming speech won't work.

Here's the education bottom line: That MSFT and Yahoo team up can be brilliant for districts, teachers, and students. Microsoft and Yahoo have the advantage of going second, and with all their assets, can improve upon everything, and make it more creatively education useable and friendly. Wouldn't it be interesting if the change from Google to bing and Yahoo really took off, because your son, daughter, or grandchildren brought the idea home from school with them?

Microsoft and Yahoo, give me a call if you go at the education side. I know plenty of smart educators, who can give you a few tips. ;>)

U.S. Census Bureau Reports State Per Pupil Spending

U.S. Census Bureau Reports:

New York State spends close to $16,000 per student, New Jersey just  a couple hundred dollars behind, and Long Island $21,000, although that may be closer to $25,000 now. The least amount was spent in Utah, a little under $6,000 per student. The average spent per students was a little under $10,000.

Reasons given for that high cost per student in some states is the high cost of living, special education, and math and reading services and support.

Here's a link to the Census Bureau PDF -
http://www2.census.gov/govs/school/07f33pub.pdf It's dated 2007, but issued July 2009.

I wonder how this will change, with the economy turned upside down?

Encourage Students to Let Their Hair Down & Take Risks!

by Wendy Zachrisen

Take a professional lesson from this fun video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

Go ahead! Throw out some of the boring traditional ways you've been doing things in favor of creating learning environments, lessons and projects that truly inspire and innovate!

Don't let kids get obsessed with just getting the "correct answer". Learning happens when kids feel comfortable enough to take risks...and make mistakes!

Vernier, and Its Workshops Still Going Strong

Vernier is a pretty amazing company, and has been for quite awhile. In a time when most companies would think of cutting back some in-your-face contact, Vernier still holds an incredible number of workshop events. In a lot of ways, it is true to its beginnings and a still sort of that original Ma and Pa science kit and parts company. Today, Vernier is as happy online as it once was in the catalogs that I used to get as a science teacher. Check out where to find one of their workshops in a city close to you http://www.vernier.com/workshops. If you haven't visited their site, you're in for a treat as well. Make sure you see their training videos.

Getting around in Moodle

by Carla Beard

Moodle offers so many options to students and teachers that it's not hard to get lost. Let's look at some of the ways we can navigate in Moodle.

Students can move among multiple Moodle sites using their "Courses" links in the upper right corner of their home page, underneath the bread crumb trail.

The bread crumb trail appears immediately underneath the full name of the class in the upper left corner. Each name in the trail is a link that can help students find their way to specific pages and files. Usually the trail is easier to use than the browser's "back" arrow. It's the best way to navigate within a specific Moodle class.

From the home page we can link to files, to web sites, and to text and web pages composed on Moodle. In each case, when a student clicks on the link, a completely new screen opens up. It's not hard for students to lose the Moodle home page.

When I'm establishing the settings for the link, I always set "Windows" to "New Window." That way, when a student clicks on a link, they don't lose track of where they are. The file is available, and the Moodle desktop is also there, usually behind the file. Someone who accidentally clicks out of the linked site will see the Moodle home page and will be able to click back in.

There you have it -- three ways to get around in Moodle. Students can navigate among classes, within a class, or between Moodle and a file.

Mr. Royal's Friday Folder: 7/24/09

Here are a few Friday Folder links to try. Hanging them on the fridge is not recommended, but I'd love to see that image.

Try a little Vocab Sushi

http://www.vocabsushi.com/

Atlanta Girls' School combines STEMs and iPods with hands on science

http://www.ags411.org/istem/

Use this tool to upload Google My Maps directly to Garmin GPS, or convert them to GPX format.

http://www.takitwithme.com/

Try a pre-release of Microsoft's Windows 7. Read the info completely before you do.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx

Caught this at the SAS blog about the National Governors Association's education stand

http://blogs.sas.com/sascom/index.php?/archives/554-National-Governors-Association-prioritizes-education.html

21 Things for the 21st Century Educator

http://21things.weebly.com/

Skype an Author Network

http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/

Royal's Whiteboard Secret

Pssst...closer, I don't want anyone hearing this whiteboard secret.

I'm an old chalk pusher—blackboards, greenboards—I've pushed chalk on them all. So, let me share a little secret with you—when I go to conferences to check out the whiteboard solutions from mimio to Promethean to Panasonic, I'm really SMART, even eInstruction has no clue, nor eBeam, although Hitachi and PolyVision may have figured me out—not sure.

With finger or wand, I pretend I'm back at the board in front of a bunch of 1st-graders—and I draw something. Usually it's cats, frogs, a characature of me, and if I have time, it's an elephant.

Everyone is thinking—hey he can draw—but what I'm really doing is getting an idea of what it takes to write on, and work the darn things. All the cool software stuff is wonderful, but if it's not responsive under the pressure it takes to draw, well that tells me something.

I do it every time I get to try a board, too. If this secret gets out, I'll know it for sure. Someone at a whiteboard solution booth will ask me how they've done on my whiteboard drawing test—and I'll know you've been talking! Loose lips sink ships—and mums the word.

Blogs, Wikis, or Nings?

by Tara Seale

For teachers who are creating content on the web or engaging students in the creation of web content, the choices of where to post the content is a valid consideration.

I usually incorporate Nings, Wikis, and Blogs into my my classroom curriculum.  This is the first of three separate blog posts to critique each of these web 2.0 tools.

Nings

A Ning allows users to create their own social network.  In the classroom, this format is useful in enhancing online discussions and student collaboration.  For the teacher, belonging to a Ning is useful for connecting to and learning from other educators in an online environment.    I belong to several professional nings which have provided me with resources and information to implement technology and to employ engaging teaching techniques into the classroom.  I recommend Classroom 2.0 for teachers who are interested in belonging to a network made up of a variety of educators at all levels and in all disciplines.  At the time of this writing, Classroom 2.0 had approximately 30,000 members.  I also belong to the NCTE Ning and the English Companion Ning which specifically focus on providing support and exchanging ideas for a literacy classroom. 

Nings can also be created for classroom use.  I have discovered that in an English classroom, Nings can are useful in engaging students who are involved in a lengthy, difficult read.  My 9th grade English students participated in a Ning called Verona Lifestyles, which I created specifically for the class as we read Romeo and Juliet.  Students signed up and became a member of the Ning as a character of the play.  My students responded to and posted blogs and forum comments on the Ning while in character.  Not only did the Ning activity increase the students' interest in the play, but students were forced to closely read the play to understand the complexity and motivations of their character in order to create a believable persona.  Incorporating this fun, engaging, and creative activity balanced out the difficulty students were having in trying to interpret the archaic language of the play, kind of a reward for their hard-work. 

Student response to using a Ning was extremely positive.  Out of the three possibilities, Nings, Wikis, and Blogs, my students claim that working with a Ning is their favorite.  I find that the Ning has a Facebook feel to it which students find familiar.  They are able to upload photos and post comments on the walls of other Ning members.  I tend to use Nings as a companion to a novel we are reading or as a class project, such as, the ning I created for students who wrote their life philosophy papers for NPR's This I Believe.  I believe students selected the Ning as their favorite web tool because they associate a Ning with high engagement related to a fun project, and of course, that is how I want my students to feel. 

I usually present the Ning as wondrous tool that will allow the students to communicate in a social network for a given period of time.  My hope is that the excitement and time constraint will inspire them to put forth their best posts and efforts knowing that we will eventually move on and explore how to interact and publish using other web tools, which is why my students also post content on the web using wikis and blogs.

If you are interested in creating your own Ning network, go to the Ning in Education website and look under highlighted resources.  Watch the recorded session about building a Ning network from scratch. 

Check back for my next post regarding the use of wikis in a classroom.

Bubble-in Test Answer Sheets Go Green

Everybody Is Getting Into the Green Act!

You may not know the company, but Apperson Education Products has been around since 1955. There's probably a story there, but what did strike me today was that the company is taking a green step to cut down its product's carbon footprint. Apperson is know for making those bubble-in test scanners, announced that their answer sheets will now be 100% recycled paper.
While this move was probably inevitable, with so many states demanding the use of recycled materials, the company decided to do it this Fall (2009). Usually, these green initiatives carry with them added cost for users, but in this case,"We are absorbing the costs, because it is not only environmentally responsible, but it is the right thing to do for our educators and students," said CEO, Bill Apperson. 
I'm thinking that it's good news for district budgets, too.

Students may still need to bubble in the answers, and teachers will still need to scan them, but beginning in the Fall, it will be environmentally sound if you use Apperson's recycled bubble-in paper.

Why Is Microsoft Moodling Around?

For companies small and large it has become more important to be part of a collaborative approach to developing solutions for the education community. It's not just about the hardware, or even the technology anymore. The approach is what I considered the right one years ago—figure out what you want to do, and then decide how you're going to get there. So many districts are figuring out how to use Moodle (a free open source solution), and in many cases learning about it from teachers. This move by Microsoft, for education, just makes common sense.

Microsoft has just made open source life a lot easier with its Live Services Plug-in for Moodle.

Microsoft Live@edu integrates e-mail, calendar, instant messaging, and search into an existing Moodle (single log in) environment. Download the plug-in free at Microsoft Education Labs. For more, check out Microsoft on the Issues.

Director's Note: Make sure to check how to Moodle guest posts by Carla Beard—right here at The Educators' Royal Treatment.

Students Explore Computer Art Through Digital Image Editing

by Colin Hussey

Students at St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, N.M., are, in most ways, just like high school students across the country; classroom lectures often do not hold their attention for long. But Visual Arts Teacher Michael Knight has found at least one way to keep his computer art students engaged throughout the semester – by using a digital image editing software program.

Knight, who previously taught traditional fine arts courses including painting, drawing and photography, introduced the computer art class six years ago to the private high school. What started with little more than a dozen students in a single class section has steadily increased enrollment to more than 120 students in multiple classrooms being taught by Knight and other instructors. His computer art and animation classes are now among the more popular electives at the school.

“Digital image editing motivates my students because it keeps them active. They just want to work. Their end-of-the-year questionnaires said they enjoyed the class and they wished all subjects were like this,” said Knight. “What I like about Serif’s PhotoPlus software and other products is that you can make them as easy or as complicated as you wish.”

Knight always begins his 18-week computer art course by teaching students how to operate programs including PhotoPlus, software that enables students to change, manipulate and configure digital images in limitless ways. With Serif, students can develop the fundamental design skills upon which they can learn more complicated design techniques, he said.

Students use their own images for their projects, Knight said. Using digital photos they capture as well as traditional hard copy photographs they scan into the computers or photograms (images created on special paper in sunlight), students are able to change the image in countless ways on their computers.

 “They start by looking for photos with different patterns and textures such as what is found in architecture, portraits and animals. Some have gone to the zoo, and some have taken photos around campus. They cover a whole range of subjects,” said Knight. “Then, they use programs like PhotoPlus to improve the contrast, or change the color basics of it, or invert it, or play with special effects. They create digital pieces of artwork.”

Other PhotoPlus have seen students isolate single colors in an image, or to break a photo down into a black and white image. Students have also created original print designs for silkscreening and abstract images of faces and still life works.

“Anything you introduce in the classroom has got to be easy to use or else the kids will get bogged down with learning the program, instead of engaging in the activity. You’ve got to introduce easy things first and then build up from there. Serif is a good starting point and from there they can learn more in-depth manipulations rather than just a quick change of color,” said Knight. “With other programs the starting points are so complicated. It’s like beginning to study French with a fourth-year book.”

Recently, Knight’s computer art and animation classes were opened up to all students, not just seniors. Students as young as freshmen are always finding new ways to use digital image editing programs that Knight had not anticipated.

“The world of education is really going to blow up in the use of computers in learning,” said Knight, whose own children, aged 13, 10 and 8, have used Serif products. “Since they are growing up using technology in education, it is not a foreign concept they have to learn. That’s where the evolution in education needs to focus – with young kids.”

Knight, who has been teaching for about 45 years, said educators have to stay current with technology to understand what children will respond to in class. He has seen an uptick in the average grades of his computer art students since incorporating more hands-on digital elements into his lessons. He believes the success is due in large part to student’s becoming more interested in their projects while using programs like Serif’s.

“I didn’t know anything about animation. So I had to learn it myself. I’m just an educator really. I’m just trying to give the kids the best tools possible to help them succeed,” said Knight.

Two School Districts Each Stream More Than 1 Million Videos

Are you using online digital content to reach your media-savvy students?  

How many videos has your school streamed?
Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, and Prince George’s County Public Schools in Md. are among the first school districts in the nation to view one million videos through Discovery Education streaming.  This is part of a growing trend we are seeing – school districts nationwide showing a strong commitment to engaging students through digital media, such as streaming videos and other interactive online resources.

Discovery Education streaming, the digital video-based learning resource scientifically shown to improve academic achievement, offers teachers and students a library of up to 9,000 full-length videos segmented into 71,000 content-specific clips tied directly to state and national standards.  Searchable by keyword, content area and grade level, the video content and other digital assets from Discovery Education can be easily integrated into curriculum to engage today’s students in learning.

Discovery Education streaming is provided to Northside Independent School District (ISD) educators and students through local public broadcaster KLRN.  A student at Clark High School made the millionth view, streaming “Assignment Discovery: An Inside Look at the Flu.”  To recognize the milestone, representatives from KLRN and Discovery Education presented Clark High School with video resources for science classes, and highlighted Superintendent John Folks for his dedication to engaging students with 21st century learning tools and services (see picture!).

The millionth streamed video for Prince George’s County Public Schools was “The Magic School Bus Gets Charged,” and was viewed by a class at Oakcrest Elementary School.  According to Dr. William Hite, Jr., Superintendent, Prince George’s County Public Schools, “I credit the educators of Prince George’s County for their hard work in reaching this important milestone.  This accomplishment is a testament to their dedication to engaging students in learning through the integration of digital media into curriculum.”  This summer, Discovery Education and Prince George’s County will recognize this milestone with a ceremony at the district.

3 Student Collaboration Solutions

I was asked my opinion of ePals, eChalk, and Saywire as collaboration tools and solutions for K12.
My thoughts are in this video:

Moving Items in Moodle

by Carla Beard

I had just set up resources for my students to use as we studied vocabulary. I realized, though, that I had mixed the thesaurus resources and the online dictionaries together, and I wanted them separate. Fortunately, Moodle makes it easy to move items to the right, to the left, and vertically.

When editing is turned on, each item in Moodle has a row of icons to the right.

The first icon, the arrow pointing to the right, allows the user to indent an item about 5 spaces. Doing do will cause another arrow to appear, this one pointing to the left. The user can click on the right arrow to indent another 5 spaces to the right or can click on the left arrow to move everything back to the left margin.

The next icon looks like half an arrow pointing up and half an arrow pointing down. This controls vertical movement. When the user clicks on that icon, the item is cut and disappears. Moodle inserts a number blank boxes vertically. When the user clicks on one of those boxes, the item is pasted in that location. (The first time I clicked on that icon, I didn't know that Moodle would cut the item. I thought it had been deleted, and there was a moment of panic before I clicked and it reappeared.) 

The remaining icons offer other options. Click on the hand holding a pencil to edit or update an item. Clicking on the X will delete. The "eye" icon indicates that students can see this item. Click on it to hide the item from students. (This is useful when you're planning a pop quiz.) The last icon, which looks like a PlaySkool person, indicates that users who click on this item will not be separated into groups. When users are separated into groups, the icon looks like 2 PlaySkool people.

When I had things the way I wanted them, the block looked like this, organized and ready for students to use:

 

Mr. Royal's Friday Folder: 7/17/09

Just a few Friday Folder links to share. Hanging them on the fridge not recommended, but I sure would like to see that picture.

Have a large image or file to send? YouSendIt is a free solution—and best of all it works. I’ve upgraded to send multiple files and folders.

http://www.yousendit.com/

Have you seen the AVerPen? You can get a pack, or just one. Uses the same software as AVerMedia’s document camera, but this is a palm-of-the-hand tool.

http://www.avermedia-usa.com/presentation/product_averpen.asp

Here’s mimio’s Connect Educators’ Resource. Get some lesson plans, activities, and even Ask A Master.

http://www.mimioconnect.com/

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Nspired Sweepstakes from TI

Algebra Nspired and Geometry Nspired Sweepstakes

The bottom line with education technology contests and sweepstakes—you have nothing to lose, and a whole lot to gain—for your classroom or school. Take some time and check this one out.

Here's what to do:

Enter the Algebra Nspired and Geometry Nspired Sign Up Sweepstakes at  www.algebranspired.com or  www.geometrynspired.com before May 31, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.

What you could win:

One Grand Prize Package will be awarded from among all eligible entries received between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.  A second Grand Prize Package will be awarded for all eligible entries received between January 1, 2010 and May 31, 2010. 

Each of the two (2) Grand Prize Packages consists of: thirty (30) TI-Nspire or TI-Nspire CAS Handhelds, including Professional Development, TI Connect-to-Class Teacher Software, and either a TI-Nspire or TI-Nspire CAS Teacher Edition Bundle. (US value: $7,625 each)

There will also be Eleven (11) monthly prize packages awarded from among all eligible entries received at the end of each month during the contest.

The Monthly Prize Package consists of either a TI-Nspire or TI-Nspire CAS Teacher Edition Bundle, which includes a TI-Nspire Handheld and TI-Nspire Computer Software – Teacher Edition. (US value: $240)

 Monthly Prize Winners are eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing for the period in which their entry was received. Total Sweepstakes prizes are valued at $17,890 US.

TI's Education Website: http://education.ti.com/

School Pictures: Worth More Than 1,000 Words

by Skip Cerier

SchoolPictures.com is a Michigan-based firm that contributes funding to supplement education from the sale of student portrait packages. SchoolPictures.com has donated more than $2 million to schools all across the state of Michigan during its first four years of operation.

Dexter High School in Dexter, Michigan, is an example of a school that has benefited from  SchoolPictures.com funding that has supported a wide variety of projects and other events including:

•    Purchasing T-shirts for a student mentoring program that paired seniors with freshman to help the younger students settle into high school life

•   Sponsoring a staff retreat at the local YMCA, including training, transportation and lunch, to kick off the new school year

•    Rewarding students with an ice cream social after successful completion of state standardized testing

•    Purchasing items to promote school spirit and support the student sections at football and basketball games

“I admit that I was skeptical at first, but I liked the idea of SchoolPictures.com putting money back into the hands of schools,” said Dexter High School Principal Kit Moran. “I wondered what the catch was, but decided that we didn’t have anything to lose. And, I was right. I remember SchoolPictures.com coming with the first check on picture day, and I thought, ‘Whoa!’ People don’t usually do that.”

For more information check http://www.SchoolPictures.com.

Look to the Education Private Clouds!

by Ken Royal

If you are not looking at private cloud solutions, you need to be. Web-based, anywhere—student, faculty, school, and district desktops make spending a few hundred on a netbook worth it, especially if the private cloud set up only costs between $5 and $10 per student. 

A company called Stoneware has been moving in this direction for about ten years, but the time is here to have it really happen—in a big way. They’ve teamed up with Dell to make it happen, but the beauty of the solution is that you can enter your private cloud desktop environment with any device, from smart phones to thin clients, so the hardware truly makes way for the learning environment without getting in the way.

Something for Everyone

This is amazing news for 3rd party providers as well, because they can be a part of the desktop environment, too. Have a special supplemental program—no problem, it has a space on the private cloud desktop. Google, moodle, ePals, whatever—no problem.You can put whatever you need or want on that desktop. The technology question "What do you want to do?" overrides all the geek talk few understood. Answering that one question just got easier.

And there’s room for everyone in the private clouds—students, teachers, parents, administrators, and community. It’s easy to include all in this Webnetwork—district network and hosted Internet application’s place.

Other companies are getting up to speed as well. While I was at NECC 09, I interviewed president Jonathan Bower, and marketing director, Arne Bergby, for a company called it’s Learning, and their solution is very similar to Stoneware’s.Believe me, there's plenty of room in this space for K-12 competition, as well as at the higher education levels. Just thinking about the whiteboard possibilies for this, gets me fired up.

I have to credit my recent conversation with Mark Weston, Dell’s education strategist, an amazing individual, for enlightening me about private cloud possibilities, beyond my own limited thinking. It is far too easy to get stuck in yesterday’s solutions, without thinkers who understand shifting paradigms.

Less than a week later, at NECC 09, I had a similar private cloud conversation with Anthony Salcito, general manager for Microsoft Education. It is funny, how fast what I learned became part of the way I think about education solutions—Now.

Education Need to Get Into the Clouds!

This private cloud idea has to get in front of educators, administrators, and school technology movers and shakers. Regardless the company involved, the idea is bigger than all of them, and it can be done now. Can you imagine what this would do for building student digital portfolios—throughout school life and beyond?

There is so much good in all this. 3rd party education marketplace vendors should be thrilled, anyone with anything that can get to the Internet wirelessly, should be ecstatic, and districts with ever-tightening budgets and no idea how to make technology plans work today, have an easy-to-understand solution to consider.

So, if you are still looking at technology solutions the way I did, when I was a technology specialist, and just dreaming a solution in the clouds. It’s no longer a dream—it’s here for real—in the form of a private cloud.

I recommend trying the pilot demo at Edu4U.

"Fly me to the Danger Zone"

By Bob Longo
Executive Vice President of “The Americas” for Etech Group

Making enterprise decisions in school districts, or at the state level, is serious business. This includes areas like networking, security, interoperability, stability, "Big Boy" technical support, and various "plumbing" issues, multi-content delivery & management capabilities, utilities, 21st Century resources & tools and more.   Another pressing issue is regarding Open Source technologies versus ones made available from sources like software and systems providers, both for-profit and non-profit.

It would be hypocritical of most folks from the so-called "Vendor World" to poo-poo Open Source solutions, as many use them within their own shops to reduce costs or tap into the Open Source knowledgeable talent pool.  Partnering with Open Source solutions providers is another area that traditional vendors are doing in order to create a robust and valued solutions ecosystem.  Or incorporating Open Source components within other more proprietary components of an overall system is another strategy.  And Open Source solutions also provides a playground for IT people and other education technology sophisticates to test and experience select Open Source Technologies or solutions. And last but not least, Open Source solutions can provide viable enterprise solutions when the right ongoing support and continuous improvement & innovation strategies are carefully evaluated and put into place.

So what is the big deal.  Technically there isn't one, that is if everyone, including education technology decision-makers, fee-based vendors, Open Source enthusiasts, and even government policy and education & education technology industry associations, use some serious uncommon, "Common Sense". 

This is probably not more difficult than to do an "honest to goodness" low-tech "T-Chart" analysis.  What are the pro's and con's, in your organization for using Open Source solutions/technologies or fee-based vendor solutions/technologies.  Similarly a thorough, and again, honest, "Total Cost of Ownership" (TCO) analysis should be considered.  The door must swing both ways here.  Just because a fee-based company is charging does not mean that their products are "Best of Breed" or that their company has great support, or has a strong longer-term product roadmap, or that they have 1st class testing and QA systems in place to insure quality & stability.  Or just because an individual can download Open Source technologies for no charge, does not mean that it is free, especially when the plan is to deploy a mission critical, enterprise solution.

This piece is simply to provoke more thinking on every interested party's part.  How do we discuss and talk about these options in the education environment? How do we not make rash acquisition decisions in these chaotic budget times?  Whether you are making a long-term decision to purchase a vendor solution or to invest in a reasonable support strategy (internal, insource, outsource...), alll of these issues should be evaluated.  Don't just find folks who tell you what you want to hear.  Talk to smart and experienced people on both sides of this question.  Ask for lots of peer references, especially ones who have had problems and required some serious intervention to keep their enterprise systems up & running.   Roll-up your sleeves there is a lot to do here to minimize organizational risk! 

Graphics and Moodle: Size Matters

by Carla Beard

Graphics add pizzaz to documents and web pages. The right graphic can capture the attention of an adolescent learner and make a concept clearer. And certainly a well chosen graphic makes a big difference in  a tool like Moodle.

Because Moodle is so flexible, it's possible to use graphics in a variety of sizes. It might be a good idea to consider how a graphic will be used before importing it. Bigger isn't always better.

A typical Moodle screen can handle a graphic that is 600 pixels wide. That width fills the entire screen, like this:

(Hmmm ... it appears the blog won't let me publish a graphic that big. Imagine that is stretches from side to side in this blog and is about 1/3 taller than it is. Big. Distractingly big.)

This would make a striking graphics for the opening of a Walden unit. As time went on, however, the graphic would just be something students have to scroll past in order to get to other resources. Graphics this size should be used sparingly and judiciously.

A good compromise might be to use a graphic that's 300 pixels wide and center it, like this:

 

It still captures a student's attention without becoming an obstruction.

The most flexible size, though, is about 125 px wide:

 

(This size is also best for vertical graphics.) A graphic that is about 125 px wide can be used in a glossary entry that will appear in a sticky block on your home page. It can be inserted into a quiz question, forum post, or label without becoming too distracting.

Use the right graphic for your situation. Bear in mind that bigger isn't always better.

Mr. Royal’s Friday Folder: 7/10/09

Welcome to another Friday Folder at The Educators' Royal Treatment:  Enjoy the 7/10/09 links. If you hang Friday Folder contents on the fridge--share the picture!

Here's a must see from the UK. It's Mark Clarkson's Techy Tips. Continuation of the sharing I've seen him do online. Great attitude, sense of humor, and he really tries out what he shares.
http://mwclarkson.co.uk/tips.html

DimensionM is an immersive video game world that engages students in the instruction and learning of mathematics. Pre-algebra and algebra objectives are covered through a series of missions.
http://www.dimensionm.com/

McGraw-Hill Education (MHE) launched the Center for Digital Innovation, as part of MHE’s New Education Imperative.
http://www.mhcdi.com/

Netop's newest update to its classroom management software is PrintLimit Pro,which now supports support Linux installations, as well additional enhancements for ease of use and reporting.
www.netop.com

The Association of Educational Publishers honored The Key to Tracker, published by Key Curriculum Press, with a 2009 Distinguished Achievement Award in the math curriculum category for grades 6-8.
http://www.keypress.com/x22311.xml

Vernier Software & Technology has added two new sensors compatible with its LabQuest application and Logger Pro 3 software. The new "Watts Up" meter helps students collect and analyze data on energy use. Perfect for Green Lessons.
http://www.vernier.com

Bill Zimmerman’s-- Bill’z Treasure Chest is worth a look. Try making your own comic strip.
http://www.billztreasurechest.com/

Artsonia is a kids online art museum.
http://www.artsonia.com/teachers/

AudioBook Classroom turns a computer into a reading, listening and learning station.
http://www.overdrive.com

10 Tips for Building Your Classroom Library

by Wendy Zachrisen

1. Don't Only Include Books
Research says that it doesn't matter what kids read--they just need to read a lot and on the right level. Books are great, but so are magazines, comic books, online text, postcards, catalogs, text on cereal boxes--whatever!

2. Select Books at Correct Reading Level
Cater to students' diverse reading levels. For independent reading, each child should read books right on, or a little below, her reading level. Plus, you'll want books at a slightly higher level for guided reading groups. Aim even higher and also make sure to have books on hand that advanced peers (or you) will read to other students. Kids may progress rapidly, so ensure your collection is large enough to "grow" with your class.

3. Find Books on All Kinds of Topics
Book topics can make or break a child's love of reading. You may be able to anticipate some topic preferences based on age, but better yet, survey kids at the beginning of the year to find out what they like!

4. Explore the World of Non-fiction
Many children gravitate toward factual books, especially ones with beautiful, real-life photography rather than illustrations. Animal fact books are almost always a sure bet. Don't forget books that are functional and hands-on (cookbooks, how-to crafting books, and more).

5. Consult Online Booksellers' "Favorites"
Internet bookstores like Amazon and Barnes & Noble provide favorites lists created by customers--many of whom are experienced parents and teachers. Search these sites to find lists of books recommended for children who are the same age as your students.

6. Let 'em Make Their Own Books
Students love to read books that they, or peers, make! Kids can write stories and then draw pictures for each page. They can even personalize their homemade books with family photos. Collate the books using construction paper, a hole-punch, and yarn. Or, reduce required prep time by purchasing sets of Make a Story Journals. Hey, you join in and make a book for your classroom too! Your lil' admirers will clamor to read it. :)

7. Ask for Recommendations
Tap into friends and colleagues for suggestions. Ask other teachers, your librarian, parents, neighbors, and anyone else willing to give their 2 cents.

8. Think Big!
Add giant-size books to your collection. Big books are just a little more fun, and children are captivated by their jumbo nature. Of course, these "giants" make it easier for children to see pages during shared reading, but please let kids read them during independent reading time as well!

9. Cater to Special Needs
Simply put, all kids have special needs. Anticipate common issues like attention difficulties. Select some books that have very simple page backgrounds, a lot of empty (and preferably white) space around the words, and words that are printed in the same, predictable location on every page.

10. Give Easy Access
Squat down at your students' height and make sure you can reach books safely and easily. Many teachers store books (grouped by reading level) in milk crates or on low bookshelves. I'm a big fan of sling bookshelves for really young children. These shelves display books with the covers, rather than spines, facing out. It's almost as if the covers scream, "Read me!"

Serif Design Suite Aligned With Federal Grant Program

by Colin Hussey

During last week’s NECC 09 show Serif Inc., a leading developer of affordable and accessible professional design, desktop publishing and graphics software popular with many schools, announced its award-winning programs comprising the Serif Design Suite have been aligned to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant program, which is run by the U.S. Department of Education. Serif worked with Educational Resources, one of the nation’s leading resellers of academic software, hardware, accessories, and supplemental products, to attain the designation which will enable schools to purchase Serif products using federal grant money.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant program supports local centers that give students from low-performing and high-poverty schools academic-enrichment opportunities through a broad array of before- and after-school and summer activities. The Serif Design Suite, which includes everything students need for bitmap and vector drawing, animation, desktop publishing and web publishing, will enable students involved in the program to achieve outstanding work across multiple subjects while developing their design and creativity skills to prepare them for the competitive workplace. From basic art lessons for elementary students to animation to reinforce chemistry compounds for older students, the Serif Design Suite is easily integrated into nearly any area of the curriculum.

Many educators are hitting harsh economic times while striving to maintain their high academic standards. Serif understands this financial pinch, and is pleased to have been accepted into the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant program which will help ease this burden. Teachers find the Design Suite programs easy to learn which translates to schools and programs utilizing the software in their classes more often and getting a better value for their purchase.