Classroom+20+Summaries


 * Please do not make changes to this page, as it is part of my individual grade, Thanks*

Live Classroom20 Archieve Session

Voicethread

This discussion included the founders of Voicethread, Steve Muth and Ben Pappell. The original concept of Voicethread was a family photo sharing site. In the first week, they received 90% of their feedback from teachers. They now focus on using this for education. They discussed how feedback from users drives the changes made to Voicethread. Their goal is to have an accountable and transparent environment so school districts will allow their teachers to use this site in the classroom. There are many new features included in Voicethread. One new feature is the use of flikr for pictures and video. Another new feature is Voicethread Universall for vision impaired people. The feature I found most interesting was the group feature. Teachers can create a group of students in one Voicethread, that only the students have access to. This allows the Voicethread environment to be safe and collaborative at the same time. I will continue to use this web 2.0 tool in my classroom.

May 7th Mobile Motivation: Real World Learning with Mobile Devices Shelly Terrell

This discussion included the definition of mobile learning and mobile devices. The mobile devices included in this discussion were mobile phone, smartphone and handheld computer (ipad, tablet, etc.). Shelly said she uses this hardware in ESL classrooms where students are learning English in school. She stresses the positives when using mobile devices in the classroom, anytime, anywhere, portable, and free (as most students have one of these devices). She recommended reaching out to parents, so the students will have permission to bring these devices to school. The last thing she reviewed were some interesting apps, including storyrobe, wikitube, sekai camera, star chart, ar soccer, and quickmark. Some of these apps are free and some are not. In our school we do not have an acceptable use policy for student owned mobile devices; however we did receive 40 ipod touches. I have requested some cheap apps for my history classes to use. I can not wait to use them in the classroom. Of course as with anything the powers that be have not figured out how to use the educational license for apps, but as soon as they do I will be the first to use these ipod touches in the classroom. The possibilities are endless.

= Ryan Hudson Live 2.0 = = For my live webinar I listened to Mark Fenske as he talked about his book. Mark is the co-author of //The Winner's Brain: 8 Strategies Great Minds Use to Achieve Success// //. // One thing he talked about was why we want to take the easy route. He feels as though we have evolved into that sort of society and stated that we need to realize that most things in life require hard work and time. If you want something to last for a long period of time and build on it you have to train your brain rather than doing something only once. Doing an objective only once will most likely be forgotten instead of being processed on permanent basis for future use. The analogy he used to describe the brain was as if it was a ship. Mark explains that the brain takes a lot of time to get everything to work together but once you have your brain trained to process what you are doing, then it will be more likely to hold on to what you are trying to process. I found this webinar to be very useful and of great benefit in helping me understand not only my brain but also my students. =

**__05/14/11 Webinar (Live)__** **__CR20 LIVE Weekly Show-Featured Teacher: Cheryl Oakes__** I watched/listened to the live Webinar with Cheryl Oakes. I found the session very informative. This was the first time I had ever participated in a live Webinar outside of our Wimba classroom. I thought that the format was well designed, especially for a new user. I thought that the facilitator did a good job to make sure the “newbies” were comfortable with using the interface. The idea of polling and reviewing what the actual terms of Web 2.0 were a good set-up point for me as a viewer. It was able to help to re-assure the footing I thought that I had on the subject. The sites that were introduced were great. (//Talk about adding to our toolbox of goodies… wow//) (//I have been playing with screenr…//) But, I think what I took away the most from this Webinar was the discussion and overview of universal design and how it applies to the everyday classroom. I (and I don’t think I am alone) think that our District could be a little more open with some of the technology and sites. (//although, we are probably better off than most… so this is more a wish list than a complaint//) But, I wholly agree with this ideal that this universal design of motivation, multiple student demos, interest, and choice is the future for education. Even the portal we used for the Webinar is a foreshadowing of where we could be going. I believe that this universal design will help to continue to grow the success of different learning theories (ARCS) and how it could be effective for a vast and increasingly changing learner population. In conclusion, I enjoyed the live Webinar and look forward to attending others in the future.

Wally Maines 05.17.11 **__ 05/07/2011 Webinar (Archive) __** **__CR20 LIVE Weekly Show-Featured Teacher: Shelly Terrell Mobile Motivation: Real World Learning with Mobile Devices__** I reviewed the Webinar (archive) with Shelly Terrell. Ms. Terrell was using practical applications for mobile devices in education. In our district (and fortunately in my school) we have access to hand held mobile devices. It was interesting to see the uses that we introduced on how to use this technology in the classroom. I know personally, I would be lost now with my phone. It has become the computer (//mainly internet access)// at my side at all times. I use it mainly as a research tool when I am on the go or stumped. My students love to use the Ipods. But, I have found it difficult to cross them into using/viewing it than more than a toy. (//they are annoyed they cannot play music//). This Webinar was able to introduce new ideas that we can use as educators with these devices. I mean, these hand held items have taken over… I never thought I would see in my lifetime a phone that is as good as my home PC. I can only imagine what the future holds. As the markets build, as suggested in this video, education would be remiss to not tap into it as a resource. The ideals of anytime, anywhere, lightweight, and portable should be taken advantage of to support education. Ms. Terrell noted the great uses of building language skills with this type of devices. Can you imagine how other subjects could grow and benefit from all the time learning “on the go”? It is a valid and strong argument into introducing and mastering mobile devices in the classroom.

Wally Maines 05.17.11