Attend a Live Webinar

The webinar that I attended was on Thursday, April 18^th at CB South.  Several business teachers attended a live webinar about a Financial Literacy computer simulation.  A representative from Everfi, Andrew Porter contacted me several weeks ago about setting up a Web meeting.  I thought this was perfect to find out about the software and also attend a Live Webinar. 

Andrew scheduled the meeting and we all sat together in one room and listened and watched the computer screen.  The Webinar went well.  He introduced the software, which included (8) modules on Financial Literacy.  He had a presentation that we looked at on the screen and he also logged in to show us how easy it was to use.  We also used the audio features to ask him questions about how this could work for our business students.  I liked the format of the meeting.  We were able to see the program and he also was able to change what we saw on the screen based on our questions.  I would participate in another meeting like this, because I am able to both see and hear responses to questions.

I like this format for students.  Possibly a Webinar or chat session could be used once or twice a week for students who are struggling with a class and/or homework assignments.  The webinar is helpful because the meeting can be customized to the needs of the participants and the presenter.

Seven day Social Immersion Challenge

I setup a new Photo-a-day 365 photo challenge.  The account was easy to establish.  I chose a theme of images related to our new puppy.  It was a fun experience.    I enjoyed reading the tweets and following #Edchat.  Twitter had many interesting comments and I found that I could spend hours reading and exploring resources for educators were being referenced.

Integrating social media

Attached is an introductory assignment using Voki.  Voik allows students to create a customized Avatar.  The Avatar will be inserted into a Glogster page that students create about their personal background.  The voki will then be inserted onto the Glogster page.  All students can view and comment on what they see in Glogster.

Integrating Social Networking

I have a current introductory lesson where students create a Voki on the first day to introduce themselves to me.  The lesson has two goals one for me to get to know the students and two for students to be introduced to a Web 2.0 technology.

I will add a Web 2.0 lesson to the assignment.  Students will also create a Glogster page that highlights information about them.  I will ask the students to insert the Voki onto the Glogster page. 

This new activity will expand the simple Voki and students will create a thorough introduction about their personal background.  All students in the class can view the Glogster pages.  I will ask the students to write a short reflective response about each Glog they view.

Here is an example of the instructions:

Students will understand:

v  Creativity, innovation, and critical thinking are essential for success in a technologically advanced world.

v  Responsible digital citizenship requires effective oral, written and online communication and collaboration skills.

Create a Personal Voki

20 pts.

Create a Voki that reports personal identification information and favorites. This assignment helps students become familiar with a new web tool.

Objectives:

·       Create an “About Me” report using Microsoft Word.

·       Create a Voki that summarizes the report.

Activities:

1.     Type in a MS Word document – print & hand in. (10 pts.)

2. Write a brief summary about your personal information such as:

a. Name

b. Birthday

c. Grade & favorite subject

d. Favorite hobbies and sports

e. Favorite places to visit in the summer

f. A short-term goal

g. A long-term goal

Voki requirements: (10 pts.)

Use the following website to create the Voki (Avatar)

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=4779950&height=400&width=300)

1.     Select an appropriate background.

2.    Choose the character style – character, clothing, bling

3.    Include the MS Word personal summary – voice recording

4.    Add a player

Grading – I will view on your screen.  It is not necessary to provide or save to an email  

 Glogster – Interactive Poster
Adv. Web Design – Personal Glog

Directions: Create a Glogster page that contains the information about you.  Include the custom personal logo and background information about you.  Also include the background theme (wall)& images from the (2) sports & (2) activities that you participate in. The final steps will be to add the Voki  to the Glogster page.  Content should include the following personal information. ( Grade, family make-up, school subjects that you like, career aspirations, personal motto, favorite sports and hobbies.)

·       Glogster website – http://www.glogster.com/edu

·       Use the assigned student Glogster login & password.

                                                     

Steps	Actions to Perform	Points Available	Points Earned
1.	Creation of a personal Glogster Page       Customize– o    Background/Wall o    Text – personal background o    Graphics/Images o    Links	5
2.	Creative and Professional Theme        Theme background – image or color       3 Hyperlinks  - online sites       Use at least (6) images       Titles & labels on all objects.	5
3.	Content Creativity and Professionalism       Home Page – Main page introduction & subtopic sentences         o     (2) images       Favorite Sports  – full details including new events o    (2) Images       Favorite Clubs – full details including new events o     (2) Images	10
4.	Multimedia       Voki embedded into Glogster poster	15
5.	Works Cited – does not need to be part of the site.       Format = Title, date used, <URL>.       Spelling and grammar	5
Project Totals:		40

7 day social networking immersion

Here is a link to the 365 Photo site -

Our newest additional to the family - Dexter Kutz

http://365project.org

Why I became a teacher video

Below is a video created using an IPhone 5 & images added through IMovie.

Mobiles in the classroom interview

I spoke with a Math teacher at one of our high schools, CB West, who used QR reader’s in the classroom to solve math problems.  Students used their cell phones to scan math problems that were displayed throughout the room and in the hall.  The class worked with partners to solve 18 math problems that were linked to the QR codes. Students thought that was an interesting and innovative way to incorporate technology and math. 

As far as making the project successful, she made it very clear that the class should use their cell phones for the math activity only.  Our district established a byod (bring in your own device) last year and that allows this activity to be possible.  Students are able to use their mobile phones and laptop computers for activities that are teacher directed and supervised.  

As far as the activity working out technically she said that surprisingly it worked well.  The students were in teams of 2-3 students and that reduced the necessity of everyone having access to a cell phone.  She said that she used the QR math activity with several classes and the kids enjoy the freedom of using their phones and also working on the problems in a new and interesting way.