Well, it happened! Tonight at 8PM EST, we welcomed #1stchat into the world of Twitter's many educational chat series. I have been present and followed along with edchat and several other level specific chats when the topic seems to be something that I can benefit from. That is the best part about it really. You don't have to be a teacher of a specific level to fit in, rather just an educator or person with a similar interest or something to contribute. The more involved I get into similar twitter groups, or the closer the relationships I build with members of my PLN, I am amazed at what I take away from these experiences. The one thing I do wish is that others that don't understand would see what a valuable resource it is and truly an inspiration! In just over the 2 or some odd weeks that #1stchat has been in the works, I have met wonderful people, whom I may not have come across, such as the organizer Christine Yarzebek (@CYarzy). She is a great person who has really contributed a lot to my learning as well as the many others who have come to be apart of this wonderful close nit group of First Grade Educators. I have also been able to have more conversations with Laura Komos (@Komos72), whom I first met a few months ago at EdCamp Chicago. After connecting with her I followed her on twitter and have found her blog to be an interesting read that I am looking forward to following more closely as I think I will find things to implement in my classroom as well. http://delightfuldaily5cafe.blogspot.com/ Here she talks about implementing the Daily 5 in her classroom, which is becoming much more popular throughout my district and staff. Alright, enough with my ramblings, but these are just two short examples of the ways that my presence on Twitter and being an active participant in online chats such as #1stchat have helped me to grow personally and professionally. I cannot think of a better way of spending my summer vacation that interacting with other excellent educators that are truly an inspiration to me and help me to strive to be even better! I hope that you con see the positives in being an active member on Twitter as well as participating in some chat that may interest you and help you to grow as an individual as well.
It is my new goal to begin blogging more often and get into a habit of writing down the things that inspire me and new things that I am learning. Until next time, go out and do something great and wonderful!
~Tim @teach1tech
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
iPad2 in hand and at my fingertips
It's been forever since I last blogged on here, however it is my hopes to start getting more into this and learn my way through life as a blogger. Here's some new excitement in my life:
Last Friday I was able to finally take the dive and purchase the new IPad 2. It had been a long time coming and I was very ready to have one. Last year when the 1st generation came out I was more skeptical along with many others. I also knew if it was anything like the iTouch a second generation would be on it's way. I am also sure there are others to follow the 2nd for Apple, but have been able to research enough to know this is in fact a good buy. As a teacher I saw what a wonderful tool this could be for my classroom as well as how it would benefit my professional life as well. It's only been about a week, and I have discovered so much and know that I have only just begun to clear the icing on this cake. To me that is exciting. I will share my discoveries as well as the experiences that I have as I utilize this in my classroom. I am excited for the possibilities! It is opening even more wonderful doorways.
Until next time!
Last Friday I was able to finally take the dive and purchase the new IPad 2. It had been a long time coming and I was very ready to have one. Last year when the 1st generation came out I was more skeptical along with many others. I also knew if it was anything like the iTouch a second generation would be on it's way. I am also sure there are others to follow the 2nd for Apple, but have been able to research enough to know this is in fact a good buy. As a teacher I saw what a wonderful tool this could be for my classroom as well as how it would benefit my professional life as well. It's only been about a week, and I have discovered so much and know that I have only just begun to clear the icing on this cake. To me that is exciting. I will share my discoveries as well as the experiences that I have as I utilize this in my classroom. I am excited for the possibilities! It is opening even more wonderful doorways.
Until next time!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Smart Board Basics
Am I a blogger? Well, that is my hopes. Also to bring the information to one place in hopes that I will begin to "infect" some of my staff! Over the past few years, I feel like I have been infected with the edtech bug, but it is something I completely embrace and find an interest in. I work with some amazing educators, but let's face it the whole time concept is prevelant in their lives, as in everyones. It's not the easiest to work all day, and then go home and delve into more technology knowledge online. And if you have a family, that is almost impossible. Well, it's not, but to most families it makes it much more difficult. One of my goals is to provide technology tidbits for my staff and district by beginning this blog, but also to give back to the wonderful members of my PLN (and beyond) who have served as great mentors in modeling the process of blogging! It is a new adventure and I look forward to seeing where it takes me!
As one of my first blogs, I was asked to help provide some training to our summer school staff on how to appropriately utilize the Smart Board systems in my school. My district has 4 elementary buildings. My school being the newest just opening in the fall of '09. We have rooms ready for 21st Century learning and are blessed to have the technology that the other schools have limited access to. Some of the staff from the other buildings have little to no training on this equipment and our Administration wanted to ensure that our equipment is used appropriately for the benefit of the students in which we serve.
For this project, I utilized JING to capture short video tutorials to lay the beginning foundations of how to utilize the equipment and provide some beginning professional development. I have never used Jing and after today, I am a huge fan. One thing I like is these can be shared many times over, without having to hold a direct Prof. Development session myself. I can provide support beyond the basics that are covered in these short video segments. Second bonus, its FREE and easy to use! Thank you!
*Click the links below to connect with each video tutorial. Each is just under 5 minutes in length!
1. Power On Smart Board
http://www.screencast.com/t/NjNlMGJl
Description: How to turn on your Smart Board Pole Vault system and orient the board prior to use!
2: Smart Board and Document Camera
http://www.screencast.com/t/MmFhOWY1OWQ
Description: This tutorial discusses important things to remember about using the correct pens while working with the Smart Board as well as shows you how to turn on the Document Camera and project the images onto your Smart Board as a teaching aid.
3: Using Smart Notebook 1 (Part 1 of 2)
http://www.screencast.com/t/MzJhZTE0N
Description: Intro to Smart Notebook. I go through the different tools along the toolbar so that you know what each of the tools does.
4: Using Smart Notebook 2 (Part 2 of 2)
http://www.screencast.com/t/OGUxYzI0Z
Description: This segment completes the toolbar in Smart Notebook as well as highlights briefly the gallery that is provided in the program to find visuals to add to your Notebook content. At the end I recap a few important reminders!
5: Smart Exchange (online collection of Smart Lessons ready for you to download!)
http://www.screencast.com/t/MDk0ODQxMDgt
Description: This is a great online tool to search for Smart Board lessons that are already created. Be sure to try this out!
Alright, there is a documentation of my journey. Next, I need to learn to keep things a little more brief and simple, however, I felt that these all went went together well. I hope you enjoy and have taken something away from these tutorials. If I can be of any further help please do not hesitate to contact me! I would be glad to help!
Until next time!
As one of my first blogs, I was asked to help provide some training to our summer school staff on how to appropriately utilize the Smart Board systems in my school. My district has 4 elementary buildings. My school being the newest just opening in the fall of '09. We have rooms ready for 21st Century learning and are blessed to have the technology that the other schools have limited access to. Some of the staff from the other buildings have little to no training on this equipment and our Administration wanted to ensure that our equipment is used appropriately for the benefit of the students in which we serve.
For this project, I utilized JING to capture short video tutorials to lay the beginning foundations of how to utilize the equipment and provide some beginning professional development. I have never used Jing and after today, I am a huge fan. One thing I like is these can be shared many times over, without having to hold a direct Prof. Development session myself. I can provide support beyond the basics that are covered in these short video segments. Second bonus, its FREE and easy to use! Thank you!
*Click the links below to connect with each video tutorial. Each is just under 5 minutes in length!
1. Power On Smart Board
http://www.screencast.com/t/NjNlMGJl
Description: How to turn on your Smart Board Pole Vault system and orient the board prior to use!
2: Smart Board and Document Camera
http://www.screencast.com/t/MmFhOWY1OWQ
Description: This tutorial discusses important things to remember about using the correct pens while working with the Smart Board as well as shows you how to turn on the Document Camera and project the images onto your Smart Board as a teaching aid.
3: Using Smart Notebook 1 (Part 1 of 2)
http://www.screencast.com/t/MzJhZTE0N
Description: Intro to Smart Notebook. I go through the different tools along the toolbar so that you know what each of the tools does.
4: Using Smart Notebook 2 (Part 2 of 2)
http://www.screencast.com/t/OGUxYzI0Z
Description: This segment completes the toolbar in Smart Notebook as well as highlights briefly the gallery that is provided in the program to find visuals to add to your Notebook content. At the end I recap a few important reminders!
5: Smart Exchange (online collection of Smart Lessons ready for you to download!)
http://www.screencast.com/t/MDk0ODQxMDgt
Description: This is a great online tool to search for Smart Board lessons that are already created. Be sure to try this out!
Alright, there is a documentation of my journey. Next, I need to learn to keep things a little more brief and simple, however, I felt that these all went went together well. I hope you enjoy and have taken something away from these tutorials. If I can be of any further help please do not hesitate to contact me! I would be glad to help!
Until next time!
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