Internet Archive

At the AIMS Retreat, Patrick Bassett of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)gave a presentation in which he used some very, very old video film clips. They were at once hilarious and informative. In one three minute commercial (remember when commercials were THREE MINUTES LONG?), there is an entire plot for how a woman is going to clean something or other. In another video clip, students are introduced to "High School Health Class." The tone used, the production values, the language are all valuable teaching tools for introducing the concept of context and even culture. He found them all on the Internet Archive. Check it out! Here's an old McDonald's commercial:

Online Publisher

I'm looking at a proof copy of my first novel. Ethan's Misadventures in Midgaard (Book One of the Warrior Draig Series) was completed about three years ago. I had an agent, and could have gotten it published...but I would have had to make some changes that I felt were unacceptable. They just were not in the spirit with which I wrote the book. So, I let it go. I was too exhausted to search for another agent and try again. I probably only received 10 rejection letters before I realized I was not cut out for "the game." So, I kinda forgot about the book.

But then, last year my father died. He had always wanted me to get that book published and I felt it was a kind of memorial to make that happen. Right about the same time, I heard about an online publisher. On this site, your book is published with an official ISBN, they arrange for publicity, and are available online on Amazon/Barnes and Noble, and of course in bookstores. With a "vanity publisher" you pay to have the books published yourself. In this case, bookstores and people buy it if they think it worthwhile. So, if you have an unfinished novel in your drawer, or book of family recipies, or children's picture book, get it published! You can buy my book on Amazon by clicking here:
http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Draig-Book-One-Misadventures/dp/0615214347/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219861494&sr=8-1
I can't help but feel closure.

Document Camera Forum

Teachers at my school are somewhere between being the sheep and the shepherds. In my division, Lower School, teachers have actually reached the point where they are asking for hardware, rather than being "introduced" to hardware they are expected to use. It's a lovely moment I am trying to savor. This spring, teachers in first and fourth grades have requested document cameras. Fairly frothing with excitement that they had requested something of me, I quickly agreed to research it and provide one or two for a pilot program. Of course, I will stand by my word, but after doing a bit of research I remain unconvinced that the document camera will be used as little more than a 21st Century Overhead projector. I guess that can be ok, since all technologies should be improved over the years.

Ben Rimes over at The Tech Savvy Educator posted about the topic recently and he's mostly in favor of them, citing an article by Leigh Carter called "Today's Learners Thrive with ELMO in the Classroom." He's right, it's a convincing article on how it can be used. I'm still not sold. But then, I guess that's my job: helping teachers to see beyond the obvious first uses of the tool. *Sigh*.
Image credit: www.visualedtech.com

Network Upgrade: Almost Done

The saga is coming to a close. We finally chose a vendor: CTI in Hunt Valley. They were not only the most timely in getting back to us, attentive and professional, but they were quite accommodating about working with us on pricing. We're going Gigabit, people! Woo hoo! We also decided to install a middle school lab--the wireless laptop cart was a failed experiment for our current staff for many reasons, some of which included our failure to provide enough support for those teachers. Even though it may be perceived as a step backwards, it's what our teachers have asked for and what they need. Isn't that my job as technology coordinator? To figure out how to help MY teachers, given their own talents and circumstances? So, it's back to a wired lab. It's still going to be a fully integrated experience, not a "class" that happens outside of curriculum goals. It will simply be wired rather than wireless. That fact alone will increase their desire to use the laptops: no startup time, no sloppy wires issues, no time required to put them back, no problem accessing the network. The actual upgrade will happen this summer.

Curriculum Videoconferencing: Read Around the Planet

Thanks to this month's EDTECH Magazine, I learned a new term today. "Curriculum Videoconferencing." I love the way it rolls off the tongue. "Curriculum Videoconferencing." I love the fact that it encompasses the notion of setting up videoconferences that tie directly to classroom curriculum. According to the article, "Knocking Down the Walls":

“Curriculum videoconferencing” comprises three main types of instructional events: connecting to content providers, such as zoos and museums; participating in organized student projects, such as Read Around the Planet; and creating and generating classroom-to-classroom collaborations. Students can be motivated through interaction with experts and peers; access to real-world learning with authors, specialists and scientists; and exposure to other viewpoints, which promotes cultural understanding. "

One of the projects highlighted within is Read Around the Planet. It's too late to get in on the action for this year, as the project ended in March, but you can plan early for next year. I will! The only question I have is about the "setup requirements." The article by Janine Lim references H.323 videoconferencing protocols. Does it really have to be so formal and complicated? Can't we use Skype?

Google Earth Pro: Not Quite As Simple

Google Earth Pro for Educators, Free! Wow! So Easy! Whoa nelly! Not so fast. I received an email back from my request explaining a few things:

"This wide distribution of Google Earth Pro is provided for one full year as a means to increase the use of Google Earth in core curriculums.

In return, we ask for your yearly contribution to a forum of educators facilitated by the Google Earth Community at http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php/Cat/0 or http://groups.google.com/group/google-for-educators. There, you will be joined by other educators seeking collaborative opportunities with their peers for the benefit of students. Whether it be information in the form of a lesson plan or in a detailed testimony outlining your successes, these contributions will foster incentives for creativity and innovation which that can ultimately evolve into Google Earth enhancements geared specifically toward curriculum development.

To participate, please return your completed application to GEEC@google.com. Should your organization qualify you will receive notification via email with detailed instructions on how to set up your account and register for Google online support.

Information required:

1. Your name (key contact person)
2. Organization / Institution
3. A brief description of the Institution / Organization
4. Full mailing address
5. Telephone number
6. User name (complete email address that will be assigned to the license key)
7. Institution's web address
8. Your Institution's Tax ID (if applicable)
9. Your Institution's 501-3 number (US only, if applicable)
10. A description of the intended application including grade level(s), discipline(s) or subject.
11. What features in Google Earth Pro are important to you and how do you wish to use them in your classroom.
12. Number of computers you are requesting to download this software on.
13. Prior license key information. "

So, this all isn't quite as simple as it seemed, and it appears you get the product for one year only. Then, I wonder, are you required to pay the $400 yearly fee per computer? Or do we go back to the free Google Earth version? Anyone know?