Friday, December 4, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
You Tube?
If you are a teacher, I would like to introduce to you a concept that may change the way you view your instructional delivery practices and effectiveness. Recently, I have been speaking to my teaching staff about how we can use the Internet to enable us to be more effective and efficient as educators.
Educators may view the Internet as just an "information" highway. Most staff use it as a search and research tool when they want find a piece of information to show or give their students. Our new information source is terrific, however, the emphasis on obtaining information I feel is only fifty-percent of an effective education equation.
As educators, we create, gather and deliver information to and for our students. That is our business. We have great debates over selected information. Much of our current curriculum discussions focus on course expectations and whether or not we need to teach such things as the Lord of the Flies or Gifted Hands. These discussions are vital and necessary for student success because how do you have success if can't deem what information is important?
Teachers must determine what information is going to be taught to their students. However, I feel that is only half of what we should be asking. What about the delivery of that information? I am not talking about strategies that we use in the classroom. However, I am referring to our current delivery model in which a school has seven different teachers teaching the same thing. How do you accurately measure the effectiveness of your information and skill development when a school has no standardization in the delivery? How do get seven teachers to deliver at a consistent rate and provide a quality lesson every single time for every single student? How do teachers overcome the varying level of expertise, staff absenteeism, and lack of staff preparation in their college program?
Just as schools have standardized their information through mapping, state standards etc.. I feel equally important is the standardization of its delivery. High schools, middle schools and elementary schools have multiple teachers teaching and using same information but with the varied results. The difference in results ends up being what I call the "human" factor that each administrator ends up chasing around the building.
Knowing that educators, like others, have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some teachers are great presenters while others are solid project managers, and some are even better relationship builders. In our current day school system, a teacher is expected to be all for all students. How is this possible? Is not expected in any other job is it? A person in sales isn't expected to be the best day to day manager, marketing director, and accountant. A sales person uses their strengths in building relationships and presentation skills in order to provide the best service for their company. Obviously, a company is expected to hire another expert in a different area in order to use their strengths. A teacher, however, has to use all their skills and not necessarily in their areas in their areas of strength. What if a teacher lacks in one area of expertise within their content area, poor organizer etc... in education, we say they are a failure. I feel it is possible to use people's strengths and enhance our educational system despite staff weaknesses.
In the era of digitizing content, teachers can use can programs such as Camtasia from Techsmith to create department or grade level content that can be shared by everyone. It can used as tutorials for students and new staff ie...subs and beginning teachers, as well as for daily classroom delivery and content. This allows a school to eliminate the individual decisions that have to made about content and the mode in which it is delivered. It also allows a teacher to help students master a concept rather than be concerned about just covering it. Lastly, it helps students!!! It allows students to hear a consistent message from all staff and it effectively measures their learning because it is consistent in content and delivery and it is available all the time.
As I noted previously, I feel that the digitization of content through programs like Camtasia is crucial to a school's success. In addition, I also feel that being able to automate the delivery of content to student's e-mail account will also provide real benefits to students. By automating the delivery of content, enables a school and its students to always being on the same page. Imagine students getting the same lecture on the same day despite being absent or on a school field trip. Imagine a student being able to refer to the same lecture if their notes are incomplete or if they switched classes or were trying to study for a final exam. Imagine if a teacher had delivered video examples of poor research papers for students so when they are drafting them they don't make the same mistakes as others did (no names of course). Imagine, if a teacher who was weak in the writing process, could use another teacher's instructional example.
By digitizing their educational content, staff can use web services such as www.wiziq.com and social networks such as Twitter or Facebook. It allows staff to play upon their strengths and capitalize on others to provide support. By using this model the information is not only is available to students just in school but also outside of school. Furthermore, the information can be shared, evaluated, and adjusted by all staff.
In addition, digitizing content streamlines a school's instruction as a teacher and their supervisors can use it to evaluate a single source and/or use it as a single prescribed method, as well as, create a baseline for the evaluation of learning and teacher effectiveness. Evaluators can ask if their content is wide or deep? Do we need to add additional support? What areas do we need to add it to? Who is my strongest teacher to go over this content, building relationships or a project? Thus, a school has the ability to use the strengths of their staff and makes it easier to make strategic adjustments with knowing exactly what has been taught and for how long, therefore eliminating numerous staffing issues. For example, your strongest grammar teacher can create a video similar to the one below. It can be used by everyone. A classroom teacher can then add additional exercises to ensure comprehension and understanding. This standardizes the content and delivery. It can be measured.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBWpbDLu74c
A teacher who is a strong relationship builder could provide students access to a Twitter, Facebook accounts, Google Groups opportunities for students to inform and mentor one another. A strong relationship builder could lead an on-line chat for an on-line Wiziq.com study support group. In addition, a teacher who is extremely well organized could provide core assessments that could be completed on-line and can create QR bar codes that can be placed on each students assignments. Students could then use their cell phones to scan QR code which contains helpful links for support or further learning opportunities.
All these opportunities would be available in each subject area because teachers would be working in areas of natural strengths rather than in areas in which they are not comfortable. They could share among themselves and with their students. Using a digital format such as a Internet lecture video allows a student to view a lecture 24 hours /7 days. Lastly, it also provides opportunities for students to gather work from school if they are absent and/or suspended, as well as for review later for final exams.
Now go digitize:))
Educators may view the Internet as just an "information" highway. Most staff use it as a search and research tool when they want find a piece of information to show or give their students. Our new information source is terrific, however, the emphasis on obtaining information I feel is only fifty-percent of an effective education equation.
As educators, we create, gather and deliver information to and for our students. That is our business. We have great debates over selected information. Much of our current curriculum discussions focus on course expectations and whether or not we need to teach such things as the Lord of the Flies or Gifted Hands. These discussions are vital and necessary for student success because how do you have success if can't deem what information is important?
Teachers must determine what information is going to be taught to their students. However, I feel that is only half of what we should be asking. What about the delivery of that information? I am not talking about strategies that we use in the classroom. However, I am referring to our current delivery model in which a school has seven different teachers teaching the same thing. How do you accurately measure the effectiveness of your information and skill development when a school has no standardization in the delivery? How do get seven teachers to deliver at a consistent rate and provide a quality lesson every single time for every single student? How do teachers overcome the varying level of expertise, staff absenteeism, and lack of staff preparation in their college program?
Just as schools have standardized their information through mapping, state standards etc.. I feel equally important is the standardization of its delivery. High schools, middle schools and elementary schools have multiple teachers teaching and using same information but with the varied results. The difference in results ends up being what I call the "human" factor that each administrator ends up chasing around the building.
Knowing that educators, like others, have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some teachers are great presenters while others are solid project managers, and some are even better relationship builders. In our current day school system, a teacher is expected to be all for all students. How is this possible? Is not expected in any other job is it? A person in sales isn't expected to be the best day to day manager, marketing director, and accountant. A sales person uses their strengths in building relationships and presentation skills in order to provide the best service for their company. Obviously, a company is expected to hire another expert in a different area in order to use their strengths. A teacher, however, has to use all their skills and not necessarily in their areas in their areas of strength. What if a teacher lacks in one area of expertise within their content area, poor organizer etc... in education, we say they are a failure. I feel it is possible to use people's strengths and enhance our educational system despite staff weaknesses.
In the era of digitizing content, teachers can use can programs such as Camtasia from Techsmith to create department or grade level content that can be shared by everyone. It can used as tutorials for students and new staff ie...subs and beginning teachers, as well as for daily classroom delivery and content. This allows a school to eliminate the individual decisions that have to made about content and the mode in which it is delivered. It also allows a teacher to help students master a concept rather than be concerned about just covering it. Lastly, it helps students!!! It allows students to hear a consistent message from all staff and it effectively measures their learning because it is consistent in content and delivery and it is available all the time.
As I noted previously, I feel that the digitization of content through programs like Camtasia is crucial to a school's success. In addition, I also feel that being able to automate the delivery of content to student's e-mail account will also provide real benefits to students. By automating the delivery of content, enables a school and its students to always being on the same page. Imagine students getting the same lecture on the same day despite being absent or on a school field trip. Imagine a student being able to refer to the same lecture if their notes are incomplete or if they switched classes or were trying to study for a final exam. Imagine if a teacher had delivered video examples of poor research papers for students so when they are drafting them they don't make the same mistakes as others did (no names of course). Imagine, if a teacher who was weak in the writing process, could use another teacher's instructional example.
By digitizing their educational content, staff can use web services such as www.wiziq.com and social networks such as Twitter or Facebook. It allows staff to play upon their strengths and capitalize on others to provide support. By using this model the information is not only is available to students just in school but also outside of school. Furthermore, the information can be shared, evaluated, and adjusted by all staff.
In addition, digitizing content streamlines a school's instruction as a teacher and their supervisors can use it to evaluate a single source and/or use it as a single prescribed method, as well as, create a baseline for the evaluation of learning and teacher effectiveness. Evaluators can ask if their content is wide or deep? Do we need to add additional support? What areas do we need to add it to? Who is my strongest teacher to go over this content, building relationships or a project? Thus, a school has the ability to use the strengths of their staff and makes it easier to make strategic adjustments with knowing exactly what has been taught and for how long, therefore eliminating numerous staffing issues. For example, your strongest grammar teacher can create a video similar to the one below. It can be used by everyone. A classroom teacher can then add additional exercises to ensure comprehension and understanding. This standardizes the content and delivery. It can be measured.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBWpbDLu74c
A teacher who is a strong relationship builder could provide students access to a Twitter, Facebook accounts, Google Groups opportunities for students to inform and mentor one another. A strong relationship builder could lead an on-line chat for an on-line Wiziq.com study support group. In addition, a teacher who is extremely well organized could provide core assessments that could be completed on-line and can create QR bar codes that can be placed on each students assignments. Students could then use their cell phones to scan QR code which contains helpful links for support or further learning opportunities.
All these opportunities would be available in each subject area because teachers would be working in areas of natural strengths rather than in areas in which they are not comfortable. They could share among themselves and with their students. Using a digital format such as a Internet lecture video allows a student to view a lecture 24 hours /7 days. Lastly, it also provides opportunities for students to gather work from school if they are absent and/or suspended, as well as for review later for final exams.
Now go digitize:))
Organized?
If you have trouble organizing yourself Evernote is a great way to do so. Here is an article that describes what Evernote can do for you and your life.
http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/14-practical-ways-to-use-evernote-guy-kawasaki
http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/14-practical-ways-to-use-evernote-guy-kawasaki
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Parents: There Are No Stupid Questions
Teachers,
Often you have parents seek advice. Here are some helpful tips that you can give your parents.
I received a nice piece of information regarding some parenting practices from CARE and our Make a Difference Coalition.
There are a number of questions that you can ask your young adult before they are allowed to go out with friends.
- Where is the location of the activity, and what phone number can they be reached at?
- What time does the event start and finish? For school events, those should be publicized.
- Will a responsible adult be present?
- With whom is your young adult going to the activity?
If the teen has not earned the privilege to participate in any activity due to poor grades, incomplete homework or poor behavior and lack of fulfilled responsibilities at home, the teen should not be allowed to participate.
Greg Green
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Article Worth Reading
http://www.edutopia.org/adopt-and-adapt
This article pertains to teachers and technology.
This article pertains to teachers and technology.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education District Passcode
1EF7 - 81E8
This is your pass for over 40,000 videos to show to your students through United Streaming and Discovery Education
1EF7 - 81E8
This is your pass for over 40,000 videos to show to your students through United Streaming and Discovery Education
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Post A Discussion Board into Your Blog!
Want to have an on-line discussion with parents and/or students please go to http://www.coveritlive.com. Cover it Live on-line service allows for you to embed a discussion board right into your blog so that you and your students can colaborate on line. Try it during class for a classroom review/study sessions and reflection piece.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
What a Teacher Can Do!
We should all be inspired by this
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechmrhollandsopus.html
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechmrhollandsopus.html
Great Site for Speeches to Show Our Students
Check out this site which contains videos and audios of all the great speeches in history from movies or the actual footage. www.americanrhetoric.com
Here is the movie list
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/moviespeechesg-l.htm
Here is the movie list
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/moviespeechesg-l.htm
Great Site That Lists All The Teacher Tools for Modern Day Teaching
I found a great site that list all the tools that teachers need to go on the web and bring their classes alive. Here is the link http://www.suelebeau.com/freetools.htm
Greg
Greg
Students Want Technology
Meloney found a great article regarding students and their craving for technology.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/related-top-news/?I=57889
Thanks Meloney for sharing with all of us!
Greg
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/related-top-news/?I=57889
Thanks Meloney for sharing with all of us!
Greg
Monday, April 13, 2009
Response to Intervention (RTI)
Many of us have been hearing about and learning about Response to Intervention (RTI). We as educators have been doing this for some time. It has usually been done on an individual basis however, through our assessments and self analysis of our students we have and will continue to strive to answer the question if our students are not learning what is the next step?
We have responded by doing several things already:
We have responded by doing several things already:
- Modified our students' schedule i.e. labs
- Offered more credit recovery options
- Developed an extensive on-line help center
- Developed teacher blogs
- Developed on-line tutoring
- Adjusted policies
As we dive into RTI, we will be evaluating our current students needs and continuing to implement programs that allow our students to be successful.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Music has a Positive Influence on Math
Music can have a powerful effect on mathematics. Anthony Messina has provided a great video for all of us to watch. Thanks Anthony!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#23469396
Greg
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#23469396
Greg
Friday, March 6, 2009
Texting Can Improve Reading
Interesting read submitted by Tracey Kasom
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6640877.html?desc=topstory
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6640877.html?desc=topstory
Dropout Prevention
I had the opportunity to go to an in-service with our counselors on Wednesday and we covered a lot of good topics. Therefore, I felt that we needed a place to post teacher/administrative in-service information that is relevant to all of us. As you attend your in-services please jot a couple of interesting notes so that I can share it with everyone.
- According to the lasted research, 62% of all 9th graders decide whether or not they will finish high school by November of their first semester.
- Nationally, 32% of students do not complete high school
- After leading the world in high school completion rates, throughout the 20th century, the United States ranks 21st of 27th advanced economies.
- Dropout rates for high school students tripled in the last 30 years
- 82% of America's prisoners were high school dropouts
- A difference in a not getting a high school diploma and a college degree is $3,000,000 in lifetime earnings - US Census
When you are talking to your students there are some great statistics for them to hear.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Power Up Your Professional Learning Network
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Praising a Child and the Research Behind It
Often as educators we often give praise out of habit. Here is the research on praising a child.
http://www.highlandschools-virtualib.org.uk/ltt/inclusive_enjoyable/praise.htm
http://www.highlandschools-virtualib.org.uk/ltt/inclusive_enjoyable/praise.htm
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Screenrecorder
Here is the latest new and free screen recorder http://www.utipu.com/app/. This application allows you to screen record step by step instructions, rubrics, paper reviews, powerpoints and then allows you to upload it to your youtube account to post on your blog. The service is free.
Greg
Greg
Pod Casting
For those jumping into the digital age this something that you could do very easily for your students. A podcast is just an audio broadcast on the Internet. A good service to develop a pod cast is called Gcast and it allows you to make a broadcast right from your own home phone. This service allows you to review daily lectures, homework assigments etc.. Furthermore it develops a code that allows you to review things and leave a broadcast on your blog. Great for lectures, book readings etc..
http://www.podcastingnews.com/2009/02/20/why-go-to-class-at-all-lecture-podcast-listeners-outperform-class-attendees/
Greg
http://www.podcastingnews.com/2009/02/20/why-go-to-class-at-all-lecture-podcast-listeners-outperform-class-attendees/
Greg
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
How School of Choice Has Influence Us and Social Media Could Help
I placed this video on my blog for you. I feel that the school environment is changing rapidly and that we react quickly to it. I have included this because this video correlates to the school environment and school of choice. If you just change the pickle concept and replace it with the school concepts such as school of choice, IB program, CPC, Butcher, On-line credit recovery, etc.. then it makes all the sense in the world to do the things that we are doing.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
I Think That This Is the Best Video I Have Seen Yet Regarding the Future of Education
We have started this process of going Web 2.0. I have started this drive for us with the blogs, camtasia videos, twitter etc.. We need to embrace it and not run from it. Here is a video you must watch! We will have a collaborative discussion on it this afternoon.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Easy Explanation What a Blog Can Do
Here is a site in which can help explain what a blog can do for you.
http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/blog/blogbasics.cfm
http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/blog/blogbasics.cfm
Monday, January 19, 2009
Powerpoint Tutorial for Teachers
I found a super site for teachers giving them a complete breakdown of how to operate Powerpoint.
http://oregonstate.edu/instruction/ed596/ppoint/pphome.htm
http://oregonstate.edu/instruction/ed596/ppoint/pphome.htm
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Interesting Video on Writing
He makes a really great point about experience of students during the video.
Monday, January 5, 2009
English Teachers Help on You Tube
Attention English Staff Members
Check Out Videos You Could Post on Your Blog Today!
Video at you tube. Just search mrthoth and you will have access to 23 videos on grammer.
Check Out Videos You Could Post on Your Blog Today!
Video at you tube. Just search mrthoth and you will have access to 23 videos on grammer.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Dear Staff,
Because it is 2009, I wanted to give you something that would benefit tremendously. Instead of worry about everyone having a website, I have decided that we each need to have a blog, therefore, simplifying our on-line dilemmas.
A blog is an online forum in which a teacher can dedicate a page just to their class. It is controlled by you. You can post assignments, videos, announcements, etc. . I have created this blog to show you what I want it intended to do. It can be a great resource for you. So, instead of a website you can post things on your blog that can be helpful to your students and their parents. To simplify it even more, I have created some videos and pulled video off the Internet so that it is an easy transition for you. I have also included some information regarding excel, PowerPoint, and some simple uploading functions that you may have questions about. I need to have everyone create a blog by January 16th and turn in their web address www. name of blog. blogspot.com. to me by that date.
If you have a blackboard page or web page please continue and you can just post announcements on your blog and link it to your other services. I feel certain that this will help us turn the corner in a lot of areas and also help me communicate to you as I hope these pages do. Have a great day.
Because it is 2009, I wanted to give you something that would benefit tremendously. Instead of worry about everyone having a website, I have decided that we each need to have a blog, therefore, simplifying our on-line dilemmas.
A blog is an online forum in which a teacher can dedicate a page just to their class. It is controlled by you. You can post assignments, videos, announcements, etc. . I have created this blog to show you what I want it intended to do. It can be a great resource for you. So, instead of a website you can post things on your blog that can be helpful to your students and their parents. To simplify it even more, I have created some videos and pulled video off the Internet so that it is an easy transition for you. I have also included some information regarding excel, PowerPoint, and some simple uploading functions that you may have questions about. I need to have everyone create a blog by January 16th and turn in their web address www. name of blog. blogspot.com. to me by that date.
If you have a blackboard page or web page please continue and you can just post announcements on your blog and link it to your other services. I feel certain that this will help us turn the corner in a lot of areas and also help me communicate to you as I hope these pages do. Have a great day.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Math Teachers Check This Out
I recently saw a video from a gentleman who created the The Khan Academy on You Tube. It has over 600 hundred math tutorials like this one. http://www.khanacademy.org/
Excel Tutorial Part One
This is a beginning training video covering the basics of Excel. There will be several videos to follow to receive a more in-depth look into it.
Powerpoint Help For Beginners Part One
This video is part one of a basic view of Powerpoint for anyone who struggles with making a presentation.
Hello Everyone!
Hello everybody and welcome to my Clintondale High School Blog. I will be posting helpful tips for students, teachers and anyone who is interested in education. Feel free to follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/clintondalehs or e-mail me at greeng@clintondaleschools.net to receive our on-line newsletter.
Greg Green
Greg Green
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