Two Quick Non Painful "Things"

Check out this Kid Safe Search Engine that a BGISD 3rd Grade teacher has been using called:

  
KIDREX

AND...

Great Article on how to flip classrooms using video that you may have not considered.

Tools I Recommend That Help You Work Smarter Not Harder

Learning is such a wonderful part of our lives.  Even though I am nearing the half of a century mark, I love to be a learner more each day.  One of the best parts of being an educator is that we are surrounded by learning, whether we facilitate the learning, or we are the learners.  Unfortunately, times have been very difficult for many of you and I sense much frustration.  As new standards and new initiatives weigh heavily on teachers, it saddens me to see less opportunities for new and innovative strategies to be implemented.  Part of my job is to research new strategies as it relates to technology and I am trying diligently not to "bombard" teachers with... "try this and try that" mentality.  I will continue to look at new engaging tools for you, but for now I am focusing on tools that help you "Work Smarter - Not Harder".  Below are a few examples:

1. Google Apps For Education - All of the tools below are Collaborative, Easy and available to students grade 3-12.  This is a no-brainer!  If you have not embraced these Google tools, you will quickly find yourself behind.  If you know how to use Microsoft Office tools, then this has a minuscule learning curve.  Don't delay on this one.  It makes student work and your work, much simpler.  Trust Me!
1. Google Docs
2. Google Sheets
3. Google Slides
4. Google Forms
5. Google Drive
2. AirPlay/Air Server - this tool allows a district owned ipad to send it's display to another computer connected to the projector so all students can see what is on the ipad.  Great success.  Requires a program downloaded on a host computer for a cost of less than $10.
3. Doceri - This tool has multiple benefits.  1. It allows a teacher to use a district owned or personally owned ipad or ipad mini to connect to their teacher workstation and control that computer.  It allows for teacher and student mobility.  Several teachers are using this to record lessons they teach on the interactive board and once completed simply stop recording and then send the video to youtube (which we all have a youtube account with our school Google Account).  Teachers can share the videos with students, parents other collaborative teachers to modify and/or reinforce student work.  

Summer Time Technology Access - Access your files and Windows 7 Desktop from Home

Google Drive:  Access Everywhere and Anytime!

Every BGISD teacher and administrator has a BGISD Google Account!  AND  Students Grades 3-12 have BGISD Google Accounts!!!  #GameChanger

AND

VMWare View - Allows access to your Windows 7 Desktop so you always have your files available at home!  Click the image below for access to your BGISD Windows 7 desktop.



                                              

Click here for more information on how to install VM Ware View iPad app, Windows Program or Macintosh Program

Google Tips You Will Like! - Creating Folders and Inserting Copyright Free Images

Here is a couple of great videos you may like that show you how to create folders and insert images with automatic bibliography posts.







If you are trying to view one of these at school during the testing window when youtube is blocked.  FEAR NOT... Just click on the link below and you can have access to my google folder with how to videos

Allen's How To Google Videos

Times Are A Changin

How exciting it was to miss school for snow days last week.  For me, March 3 was my 24th wedding anniversary and I was fortunate to spend it with my lovely wife.  However, missing does create issues and many schools in our area have missed over 10 school days because of snow.  It is all fine and dandy until you start thinking about all the instruction our students will miss prior to testing events such as:  THE ACT.  Now that I have a son who needs a really good score to get a scholarship (which saves me money), it means even more.  Many teachers around the country are using video conferencing tools to stay up with their students who miss school.  Several options are at your fingertips:

1. You can make a video of instruction and put on Edmodo (which many of you already use)
2. You could use Microsoft Lync and work with up to 250 students at one time.  YES 250!
3. You could have a Google Hangout with your students
4. You could ustream
5. You could upload a video to Youtube, your Google Drive or Schoolpointe

It seems increasingly more probable that the near future will require teachers to utilize video tools like I just mentioned.  Perhaps an AP group could get a lecture or review from home while the teacher is at home or school or Panara or Starbucks or Public Library or "you get the point".  I know some of you would disagree with this approach and feel like it is just another thing for you to do.  I hope those in that camp begin to realize it isn't just something else you have to do, but it is an opportunity to work "smarter" and provide convenience and inspiration to others.  As I see what happens across our state, our country and the world, I realize we have much to do.  But it is exciting work!  Really? We have the ability to look at a computer and then send that discussion to over 250 people...Anywhere...In the WORLD.  Should you feel this is exciting news and/or you have comments or suggestions, please let me know.

Smithsonian Channel

If you have ever been to the Smithsonian Museum, you know it is a magical place.  I never really wanted to go to a museum, until I went.  I could have just wandered through the museum for days and learn and imagine so many wonderful adventures.  Now, if you can't take students to this marvelous place, you can enjoy the adventures through the internet.  Check out how this honey badger deflects the needles of the porcupine.

Honey Badger VS The Porcupine

Blogger Recommendation

I was honored that Ross Lebrun mentioned me in the blogger list.  I didn't think anyone reads my blog, except my mom.  Ross and I met in New Jersey at Teachmeet New Jersey.  I had the privilege of presenting there 2 years in a row.  My colleague, Will King and I started Teachmeet KY and we really enjoy how events like Teachmeets allow us to meet folks like Ross.  We discussed how portfolios should be real tools to assist students in the scholarship and job search debate.

I will now share 11 facts - some personal and some professional - about me that readers of my blog probably don't know...

1.  I am a Christian

2.  I grew up the son of a Plumber and the son of a Preacher.  Both were sometimes messy, but both have helped mold me into who I am today.  Crawling under dirty houses, makes me appreciate my coosh desk job when days seem rough and I am nothing without my Christian lifestyle.

3.  Neither of my parents graduated from high school.  My dad could not read until he was 35 years old.  He weighed 1lb and 3/4 ounces at birth.  He is 79 and about 200lbs today.  I have so many college degrees, I can't count them.  I am that because of my parents.

4.  My son is an actor singer with IMDB credits and an album on iTunes:  check it out: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/away-with-the-wind-single/id778229590 (shameless plug)

5.  I wanted to be a broadcaster, but met my wife and we decided to both be educators.  It has been a good life.  I am now the voice of the Bowling Green High School State Champion (3 times) Football team.  I like it.

6.  I have a really smart and beautiful wife who pushes me to be better everyday.  If she wasn't around, I would play Madden Football and eat pizza all day.

7.  I once rapped on the Jay Leno Stage.

8.  I was a worship pastor for many years.  No one thinks I can sing, but I can...

9.  I spent a lot of time in Los Angeles California helping my son pursue his acting dream.  We met lots of people and saw a lot of "interesting" things.  I am most proud of meeting a Jewish Warmup Guy for the Disney Channel.  We became friends and he even came and taught improv to teachers in KY.  Lots of Fun!

10.  I was an Assistant Principal and I want to write a book about my experiences.

11.  I like to make people feel comfortable and good about themselves.  

Task 2: Answer Ross's 11 questions:

1. What would you do with a lottery win of $50,000?

Apply it to the principal on my house

2. What was the first thing you read that you remember loving?

Curious George

3. Diving - Sky or Scuba?

scuba

4. What is your favorite season?

Spring

5. Would you move for a job?

yes

6. Have you monetized your blog? Do you plan to?

no - I can't even get many readers...

7. Are you a cat or a dog person? There can be only one!

DOG

8. Pick one musical instrument to learn now that you're an adult. Why that one?

guitar - it's portable and the chicks love guys with guitars

9. To where did you fly on your first flight? Does anything about the experience stand out as significant?

Miami -  It was the first time I was on a big boat, took a taxi, went out of the country and flew.  

10. Do you play video games? If not, WHY? If yes, which system/games?

I like the sports games

11. What was the first CD you ever bought? Do you still have it?

Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill

Third task is to write questions for other bloggers to answer:

1.  What is your typical workflow using technology?  (what tech tools do you use the most)

2.  What professional athlete would you be and why?

3.  What movie would you most want to emulate in life?

4.  What profession would you choose other than your current?

5.  What would you do if you inherited $500,000?

6.  What is your favorite movie line?

7.  What song gets you out of a bad mood?

8.  Describe your perfect day.

9.  Play a sport or read?

10.  Which car would you drive if money was not significant?

11.  Beach or Snow Skiing?

My last task is to nominate 11 bloggers that I want to see join the More Homework Meme: (in no order)

1. Alice Keeler

2.  Gina Crabtree

3.  William King

4.  Terri Stice

5.  Adam Taylor
6.  Kyle Schutt
7.  Dianna Wolfe
8.  Kyle Calderwood
9.  Donnie Piercey
10. Trey Huntsman
11.  Natalie Croney

Here's how it works:

1. Acknowledge the nominating blogger.

2. Share 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.

4. List 11 bloggers after you write this.  

5. Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer and let all the bloggers know they have been nominated.  Don’t nominate a blogger who has nominated you.

Go on, you have homework to do.

All the best.