Every once in a while NEA picks up some great features. This one is just what I have been looking for… without taking the time to look. I’ve wanted to do podcasts with teachers/students, have it all setup ready to go, and no takers. So, I need to put together some demos right. Well, that is where everything comes to a stop, because I just don’t get to it.

This NEA article will serve as a great intro to teachers and, the connecting article from Will Richardson with tips on podcasts is a lead to step 2.

I already have Richardson’s book Blogs, Podcasts and Wikis- so everything is in place.

I think my pitch should be – “Engergize your end of year projects and keep kids motivated through those glorius May days!”

Another article I’ve found recently gives some other tips…

Interestingly, this article led to another by Stuart Glogoff, who introduced me to blogging 4-5 years ago. I love all the connections!  This article focuses mostly on college level instruction using blogs, but has some great examples and results from surveys that support the dynamic results that blogging can bring.  (You do have to join the free website to read the article)

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on Wednesday August 16, @04:29PM
from the they-don’t-build-em-like-they-used-to dept.

An anonymous reader writes “Yesterday, Voyager 1 passed 100 astronomical units from the sun as it continues operating after nearly 30 years in space. That is about 15 billion kilometers or 9.3 billion miles as it travels about 1 million miles per day. Scientists still hope it will find the edge of the solar system and get into interstellar space.”

It is good practice to write justifications for our use of such networks as tools for learning and increasing student achievement.  How do we do it safely? How do we know it works?  How do we collect data?  I will have to incorporate answers to these questions into my teacher handouts… and share with admin.  No telling what new sites will be blocked this year. 

Links from this post to several different articles discussiong the activities that schools and universities are already taking to block student access to Myspace. 

Here’s my letter to Senator Stevens.  Much to my dismay he appears to be the sponsor of the DOPA bill.  My letter to Senator Murkowski was much the same.

Dear Senator Stevens,

 

I am the School Library Media Specialist at Colony Middle School in Palmer, Alaska.  I am sure that you believe that the DOPA legislation will help protect students from the extreme dangers of the Internet.  Yes, I agree that there is some potential to encounter online “predators,” especially from places like Myspace, but DOPA is not the answer.  Teachers, schools, districts and Universities are already aware of the hazards of some of these places and have already taken action to prevent student access. 

 

To go beyond preventing access Mat-Su school district has subscribed to a curriculum called iSafe (http://www.isafe.org/ )that is taught to students through the school libraries and classrooms. iSafe also has a program for parents, and many schools educate parents about Internet hazards and safety through PTA and other parent forums. 

 

The DOPA legislation will do nothing to improve what schools are already doing to help keep students safe.  Students must learn how to keep themselves safe.  Parents must learn what the dangers are and how to reinforce the importance of safe Internet use with their children.  Teachers and librarians do this consistently when using the Internet as a resource for learning.

 

Learning is the key word here.  The Internet, including some “social networks” offer tremendous learning opportunities that totally motivate students to read, write and think.  Educators all over are discovering the learning power of the read/write web, and how to do it safely.  We are working to teach students how to be productive citizens in their future.  A future that will rely on their ability to work with whatever new technology develops.  They must learn how to make technology work for them and their community.

 

Please remove the DOPA legislation from the Senate vote, and work to empower schools to improve Internet safety education.  The key to a healthy, productive society is education- not restriction.

it’s something at least!

British engineers are converting street vibrations into electricity and predict a working prototype by Christmas capable of powering facility lights in the busiest areas of a city.

Energy- Another special interest of mine.  (I started college majoring in Resource Management, moved to Alaska, got sidetracked and ended up a librarian…. ya never know.)

We had a recycling class at school last year.  It was a hot thing. Students were enthralled with the whole idea of energy conservation.  It gave me cause for hope.