Why do we do book reports?

I am just going to get this out in the open... I do not enjoy reading for pleasure. I prefer playing basketball, football or golf; the idea of sitting for hours and reading makes me queasy. My apologies to all those who love to read. I enjoy building things or creating projects; at the end of the day, I need a sense of accomplishment. As you can imagine, I had many heartaches growing up in school trying to read a book and then writing a three to eight page paper on what the book meant. Can you say? "Cliff Notes???" I remember reading a book on Earving "Magic" Johnson and one about "The Fonz"; the rest are vapors lost in the wind. Do you think I am the only kid like this? I understand the importance of reading a book and there may be some merit to writing a synopsis about the book, but what is the real reason we want students to read the book? What is the skill we want them to establish? How do we get them interested in reading? How do we motivate them? I know...make them write a paper on it. hmmm, How about make a poster out of construction paper and crayons? hmmmm...(A lot of companies are using construction paper and crayons in their workplace...probably not). or How about this....

Have students use digital projects to make their books come alive. Here are some ideas that could help revamp "book summaries":

1. Students create a storyboard of sequence for their movie trailer
2. Students use "Windows Movie Maker" to create movie trailers to get students excited about their book.
3. Post it on your school website
4. Organize a "movie screening" (bring popcorn)
5. Students should provide: details about the plot, characters and settings to promote their movie.

Other Ideas:
www.storybird.com
www.kerpoof.com (teacher accounts available)
www.xtranormal.com


references:
"A Book Report Your Students Will Love", Keith Ferrell, Dec-Jan. 2010-11, Learning and Leading.

Microsoft Outlook Web Meeting Request

How many times have you emailed someone or had someone email you about an event and then you had to reply and then go back to the calendar and add all the information into your calendar. Stress no more. I have created this short, informative and inspiring video to ease your anxiety and stress. Click below to watch how to create a meeting request in Microsoft Outlook.

http://tinyurl.com/bgisdoutlookmeeting


I was so excited about my last blog...One person commented. Thanks Mom

Google Tips

I found this article about Google Tips and thought you might like it.
Google Tips for the Classroom

Microsoft Office E Book

Here is a great resource for help with Microsoft Office. I liked pages 13 and 14 for someone interested in how and why you work on your design of documents and presentations.

http://www.bgreen.kyschools.us/userfiles/991/Classes/6926/Microsoft%20Office%20EBook.xps

TeachMeet KY

I just wanted to say that the TeachMeet KY was a great success. Please visit the wikispace link below to learn more: http://kentuckyteachmeet2010.wikispaces.com/

Interwrite Workspace Lessons

Since we have updated to the Interwrite Workspace 8.8, there have been some changes to how you can upload lessons via the internet or from your content gallery. Please check out this link to watch a short video on how to get lessons:
http://www.bgreen.kyschools.us/olc/page.aspx?id=20279&s=1422

Teachers gotta Teach

I was fortunate enough last week to listen to a presentation by Dr. Holliday (KY Commissioner of Education)in which he discussed how we need teachers to teach with high standards in mind. He shared some of the new Senate Bill 1 ideas, such as: the content standards, new balanced assessments,testing accountability and so on. What impressed me most was he began his presentation with slides of students. He proposed we think about where we want those kids to be in 20 years. Now that I have past 40... things come into perspective more than they used to when I was young, handsome and in shape...well I was at least young one time. I am always pleased to hear Joe Tinius speak because he genuinely cares about the students and staff. So much so, he even said in front of the Commissioner of Education that testing was important but not our most important concern... It was for our kids and helping them achieve in life...test or not. I absolutely agree. We have students who do not know their fathers, whose mothers are on crack, they are facing abusive situations or have families who have to worry about how to pay for their electricy, rent or food. I like technology. I think we must use it to engage our students. However, we need to love and care for our students and we need to be good teachers. I hope you teach because you like teaching, if not...
Some good things:
1. 5 more teachers in the last 2 weeks have decided to use their interwrite tables
2. I have seen several teachers using their interwrite software to show interactive strategies.
3. Internet Safety week is coming and the high school has students coming to the elementary schools to talk about it.
4. the junior high and high school are creating videos on internet safety

Internet Safety Week

Please remember that the BGISD District Wide Internet Safety Week will be from Sept. 20 to Sept. 24. Many important activities will be taking place during the week.

Sept. 21 - Parent Internet Safety Night 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Bowling Green Jr High Auditorium.

Each school will also be involved in either a Video or Poster Contest. Please watch for winners at each school.

All teachers are expected to have lessons and discussions about the importance of using the internet wisely and efficiently. Below are some valuable resources that can help:

Allen's TRT Internet Safety Website
Office of Attorney General CyberSafety
BGPD Website
Netsmartz Website

Windows 7 and Office 2010 Help

I have been working on our BGISD technology support pages. I have added videos created by Microsoft to help you learning about Windows 7. They seem to be quite helpful. Windows 7 Videos

I have also added links to Microsoft training courses on Word, Powerpoint, Excel and Outlook. Check them out. Microsoft Office Training Courses

I would be glad to come to your school and do some training.

Time Toast Timelines

Below is an example of a Time Toast Timeline I made. Although it is supposed to be funny, I can certainly find tremendous educational value in this tool. Rob Paugh, our new TIS at BGJrHS, uses this tool and really likes it. Click on the photos and give it a try and see if you like it. Always remember to protect student identity when setting up accounts. The website is www.timetoast.com

SchoolPointe

Now that I have 15 followers...it is more fun to write a blog post. Before only my mom and Lee Jordan would read them.

I have been very encouraged on the implementation of the new website SchoolPointe. Two years ago we introduced Microsoft SharePoint as a web service to our faculty and schools; it was a great tool, but often difficult for the novice and apprentice users. Using that service allowed us to share and collaborate in a manner we could not previously. SchoolPointe presents opportunities for all users to create a professional looking site in efforts to collaborate and share data.

Please blog back on "Ways you think the website can be Used"

i.e: parents can download permission slips...

Web 2.0 Tools discussion from the Big Timers

This article takes a look at 3 big time educational technology leaders and they share their favorite web 2.0 tools. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2010/08/01/3-for-3.aspx?Page=1

Of the nine they talk about, I like:
1. Twitter: I have a blog post on this one.
2. Google Docs
3. Ustream

We have used all three of these tools in our school district. I find it encouraging to read an article about big timers and know that we are right in the game.

Frosty Winners

The frosty winners are:

Deana Clark

Gerri Hurt

Janet Martin

Shannon Bryant

Dianna Wolf

Tracy Imel

Gary Fields

I will bring you guys one next week sometime.

Animoto

I have found a website I really like for creating pictures into video. If you go to www.animoto.com/education, you can create a free account for educators which allows you to make full feature videos. The main reason I like this site is because the music used is free and there are no copyright infringement. Students can select pictures of their choosing and then select pre recorded music from up and coming artitsts. Generally the music is not "cheesy". Average time for me to create a video is 3-5 minutes; when I am finished it is a professional looking media.

Now that our district has SchoolPointe, you can share or embed the video links to your classroom website and be free of creating dvds and such. As a parent, I would appreciate seeing some of my child's work online.

Here is an example of an animoto I created:
http://tinyurl.com/bgisdanimoto

Google for Administrators

Terri Stice and I are conducting a professional development on Google tools for administrators. The group is very talented and intersted in the topic

Professional Development with Cool Teachers

Today we learned about skype, twitter, thinkfinity and more. It was a great group of teachers who certainly love what they do for a living.

SchoolTube - Prezitation at BGHS

SchoolTube - Prezitation at BGHS

Here is a very nice tool students at Bowling Green High School used to present book reviews. Mrs. Duarte shared this tool with Mrs. Hatcher and both teachers and students appeared to like the opportunity to use a new "tool" to share their story. Check it Out!!! Make sure you choose to set up student accounts, which do not post their email addresses or personal information. Here is the direct link to set up for students: http://prezi.com/profile/signup/edu/


www.prezi.com

Twitter, Twitter, Twitter

Click Here to Start the Show Tweet Tweet



There is so much more to http://www.twitter.com/ than what a lot of people think... Educators across the world are now sharing information in blazing fast speeds. Here are ways I use twitter to help me:

1. I can tweet a presentation to a group and they can have access immediately

2. I can become aware of events like: TeachMeetNashville (which was great) which do no advertising whatsover using paper.

3. I can learn about new ideas and strategies for teaching by following "very smart" Tweeters

4. I can catch up on news and world events as they happen.

5. I can share and view pictures of events immediately

6. I can connect with smart people all over the world and United States

7. I DON'T SHARE DUMB THINGS LIKE: "I am standing in line at the grocery store"



My Twitter name is: allenraymartin

Revised Flip Camera Info

I found this on Robert Byrne's Blog site:
http://tinyurl.com/BGISDFlip

Bowling Green City Schools are beginning to utilize the flip cameras in the classroom. They are extremely lightweight and versatile.

Here is a link to create a library for you to store your flip camera videos:
http://tinyurl.com/bgisdflipstorage

The newest flip camera creates videos in mp4v format which is problematic for Windows Movie Maker users. I have created a wiki on how to avoid the conflict in file types, just click here:
http://tinyurl.com/yydluhs


If you want to purchase a camera with your own funds, check out www.digitalwish.com and you can purchase two cameras for one price.

Google Earth

I think Google Earth is one of the most fascinating tools available to teachers today. Most of the students and teachers realize by now that you can type in your address and look at your house using Google Earth; but there is a lot more to the tool. Check out this link to see a short tour of what Google Earth offers: http://tinyurl.com/yc3utbh

One great feature is that once in google earth, you can go into the add new gallery section and tour journeys already created by other users, for instance:
1. View all the major league baseball stadiums
2. View the location of the titanci and see the 3d image (underwater)
3. View the journey of a book, such as "Into The Wild"
4. The opportunities are endless

Check out my sharepoint site for a few ideas: http://tinyurl.com/ybc7gcc

The link below is just a fun site to see what goes on while the googlers create the imagery for Google Earth:
http://mashable.com/2010/03/27/must-see-google-street-view/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29

Al's Favorite Technology Tools

I wanted to make a list of some of my favorite tools I use on a regular basis:

1. Skype


2. Animoto


3. Twitter


4. Google Earth


5. Xtranormal


6. Blogger.com


7. Drop.io


8. Google Docs


9. Picasa


10. Wordle

Over the next few weeks, I will try to give a description of each tool.

BGHS EDU Class

I am not sure how many know that Mrs. Eisenhower at BGHS teaches an EDUcation class to our high school students. I have met with them about three times in the last couple of years and it is one of my favorite things to do. I went to meet with them about helping us at our District Technology Showcase on May 13, 2010 and solicit help to do things like registration and set up. Once I got there we began a discussion about what good teaching looked like. They decided they may want to do a presentation about Engaging versus Non-Engaging lessons. We discussed: animoto, google apps, sharepoint, prezentation, xtranormal, movie making and more. I was encouraged about who could potentially be teaching our kids in just a few short years.

Knowledge Is Power

This makes me think of the Schoolhouse Rock: Knowledge is Power
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3753723

oh the memories: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6lcOSFnhW0

It’s what we know and how we use it that matters.

Flip Camera Video Ideas

I found this on Robert Byrne's Blog site:
http://tinyurl.com/BGISDFlip

Bowling Green City Schools are beginning to utilize the flip cameras in the classroom. They are extremely lightweight and versatile.

Here is a link to create a library for you to store your flip camera videos:
http://tinyurl.com/bgisdflipstorage

The newest flip camera creates videos in mp4v format which is problematic for Windows Movie Maker users. I have created a wiki on how to avoid the conflict in file types, just click here:
http://tinyurl.com/yydluhs


If you want to purchase a camera with your own funds, check out www.digitalwish.com and you can purchase two cameras for one price.

Bowling Green Junior High Training

Thanks for meeting with me today. I know you have a lot of responsibilities and the upcoming assessments are on the horizon. I just want to show you some tools that I have seen other teachers use that could assist you in your classroom. Here are the topics I am talking about today.

www.schooltube.com -- This is a great resource for you to work with students uploading videos to a secure site. As a moderator, you have the ability to approve or deny videos they can upload. A good idea to

How to get started: http://www2.schooltube.com/TeachersandStudents.aspx
How to register: http://www1.schooltube.com/Registration/Default.aspx
How to set up a channel: http://asset5.cdn.schooltube.com/Document/8771218b8c874504a6621d8fffc7e93f
How to moderate: http://asset5.cdn.schooltube.com/Document/f10764b1cff94ab084587fea6206f7ec
How to upload a video: http://portal.b-g.k12.ky.us/Technology/HowTo/Uploading%20Videos%20to%20School%20Tube.aspx or http://www2.schooltube.com/Files/Tabs/Help/Helpful%20Hints_3.pdf

Serving Students with Special Needs

This session was a vendor driven presentation on einstruction materials. I was disappointed because there was minimal discussion on strategies for the classroom. Fortunately, we have all the hardware tools necessary in our district; we need more training and opportunities to share with each other.
This is one that you say. "We are already doing good."

Measuring Student Technology Literacy

Discussion about k-12 student technology literacy with David Couch. The group shared they wanted consistency in what too should be used and how will it be assessed. David Couch shared his philosophy on the matter which included the following questions:
Can we do it?
Could we do it?
Should we do it?
How much is it? Who pays?

He asked the question "Why do we need to look at measuring literacy?" Some discussion included:

• the current data (8th and 12th)

Some of the frustration of measuring this data includes that many states measure technology skills in various ways and levels. A state may rank high nationally but has no real measurment in place, i.e. if you can use a mouse you are proficient. Therefore they look "better" than Kentucky. Another discussion was "Do this federal govt say you should or you shall" The conclusion at this point was that it is a "should" and therefore many are not as driven to push legislature for money to pay for assessment. How is this a part of the program of studies? or CATS testing?

Essentially, there are no reall answers: It could end up not even being assessed....

KySTE 2010 Differentiating Instruction with Targeted Content KET

Wiki address for presentation: http://mooreketresources.wikispaces.com
New KET Encyclomedia Web Address: http://ket.unitedstreaming.com

We need to use the above link for united streaming from now on. This will help with data collection and communication to the legislature so that we can continue to use this tool.

The video collection inside of united streaming is excellent; however, creating the classes and then assigning activities, lessons and other media to the student appears to be problematic due to the many steps it requires to complete the action. I am not sure that teachers will spend the time to make this happen.

A colleague and I were discussing that the persons responsible for creating products must keep the average teacher in mind if we hope to get the most success in implementing into the "real" classroom. It seems everyone wants to get all kinds of "tools" out there, but how about getting quality, student and teacher tools to the stakeholders who need them most.

KySTE 2010

My first session was Not Reality, Actuality by Mr. Keith Barnes

He showed a free tool that mixed reality with virtuality. I found it to be a little sketchy on the educational value. Essentially it was R2D2 come to fruition. A teacher could illuminate a molecule and provide a virtual 3d image. The best application I see educationally would be for students to build a pop-up storybook. From a commercial standpoint you could try on shirts, jewelery, etc and see what it would look like on prior to purchasing. The application I would enjoy using is that it could eventually in a virtual world place a tree in your yard to see what it would look like.
Website to begin: http://www.daevision.com/
http://blogs.bullittschools.org/keithbarnes

Future Blogs

Will Be Shorter.

My curiosity drives my technology

Increasingly in the last few years, my curiosity of how things work and how we can make life more efficient has driven my technology skill development. I have the opportunity to be surrounded by some very talented technology people. It all starts with Monica McCoy: She is the one who insures our schedules are in tack and quizzes on the projects we are working on. Her excitement toward improving each of us ignites my sticktoitivness on all the projects I participate. She is awesome. Sharon Logsdon: she is the coldest woman I know (literally not figuratively, she always has the heater on). Sharon makes me think and keeps me on my toes; her fiery passion on making sure everything works makes me walk with my eyes wide open and watch for potential pitfalls. She is awesome. Steve Kirtley: He is the tall one who ponders and contemplates efficiency all the time. It is so much fun working with him; especially on Monday mornings when he comes and tells tales of how he did a gigapan or went canoeing or hanggliding or kayaking or biking on the weekends, all the things I never do. He is awesome and cool. Jay Morgan: He is one of my former students. The problem is that he doesn't remember having me as a teacher... I must have made quite an impression. Jay's talents are amazing. He speaks a language of technology that only his wife can love; me I just stand in amazement when he speaks. The gsi transliteration that the msi jigawatt defragged while modulating for virtual memory expansion on the bandwidth infrastructure of vpn progressiveness...speaks volumes. He is awesome. and then there was Lee Jordan: THE MAN: Just so you know he had an email address in 1973. The knowledge he possesses is mind boggling. He has more ideas than Hogan's Goat (I don't know where that phrase came from???) I appreciate his drive, wisdom and patience. It is great working with someone who is organized, a characteristic I struggle with...

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