KidCast: Global Podcasting Geography Quiz

via KidCast: "Where in the World? is a global podcasting geography quiz that is being collectively produced by students all over the world.

Students and classes from all over are recording podcast episodes that describe their communities without giving away its name or exact location.

Listeners can use geography and deduction skills to use the clues and discover the exact location. An email is given at the end of every posting, so you can email them with your guess. If you guess correctly, you'll get a postcard back from the producers!"

• Download detailed instructions to participate in the Where in the World Quiz Show!
• You can subscribe to WHERE IN THE WORLD right here!

This activity is a great way to integrate podcasting and geography into your classroom. The Where in the World project is being sponsored by KidCast.

We are big, big fans of KidCast and Dan Schmit. If you haven't already, pick up a copy of Dan's book KidCast: Podcasting in the Classroom, or even better yet, listen to his podcast. KidCast is a "must listen" for any educator interesting in using podcasting in the classroom.

Web Resources

• KidCast
• BlendedEdu + KidCast
• Bernie Goldbach > Podcasting
• NYT: Students and Teachers Hit the Podcasts

Silver in San Francisco

David Silver has left his position at the University of Washington and joined the Department of Media Studies at the University of San Francisco. In addition to his new job, David also has a new blog--Silver in San Francisco.

Congratulations!

Almost from the get-go, way back in 2002, we've blogged about David Silver and the Resource Center for Cyberculture Studies. David is also a co-founder of the September Project.

So take a moment, update your bookmarks and check out David's new blog. It's a great resource for anyone interested in online learning communities, cyberculture, and social media in the classroom.

Web Resources

• Resource Center for Cyberculture Studies
• The September Project
• September Project Listserv

"Managing Courses, Defining Learning"- An LMS Review

According to the latest Educause Review - July/August 2006 issue sounds like everyone wants a 'mash-up' for their future L/CMS. The article, "Managing Courses, Defining Learning: What Faculty, Students, and Administrators Want" reviewed higher education faculty, administrators, and students during 2005 to see what they like-dislike in their current L/CMS and to see what they dreamed future systems should incorporate.

"Stakeholders across the spectrum want an anytime, all-the-time, personalized experience of teaching and learning— one that utilizes all the currently available social tools, intuitive tools, smart agents, and interactive environments of Web2.0
and social computing."

Faculty said they want more technology options built into the L/CMS like YackPack, where they can leave audio messages for their students; IM- so they can instantly connect to students or Skype where they can conference or chat individually; collaborative tools like Flickr, Facebook, Blinklist, StumbleUpon; and SMS- (commonly know as text-messaging) to text students about important dates or projects due.

I agree- create L/CMSs all inclusive so faculty don't have to add these extra tools to communicate with learners in their course content. Faculty can link to these tools now in their courses on Moodle, but they have to set them up all individually. Putting all the pieces together in one place would make setting up your course in an L/CMS easy-peasy!

Though I have to disagree with the article's comments on open-source L/CMSs. I have used Moodle for the last 2 years and we do not have to cross our fingers and hope it works; it works great. We only have to hold our breath for other more important crisis'.

New School Year Begins

Hard to believe that next week the new school year begins for the PSS on our island. Teachers are gearing up their classrooms and thinking about their curriculum.

What are ideas to inspire, motivate and engage your students?

• Think Interaction- students need to interact with each other, experts in the field and the Instructor; develop project-based learning activities
  
• Think Colloboration- students are social and learning is social; develop teamwork- "think-pair-share" into your curriculum
  
• Think Problem Solving- students like detective work; inquiry-based learning lets student problem solve and come up with answers; develop questions that promote critical thinking skills
  
• Think Engagement- students like hands-on work- work that puts their minds to work.

An interesting comment I heard at a conference recently:
"Interaction starts in the mind; not the mouse"

Get ready for the ride - Enjoy 2006- 2007!

Web Resources:

• Buck Institute for Education
• YouthLearn
• Edutopia
• MarsProject
• FIRST LEGO League

Connecting Students through Video Conferencing

Chatting recently with a Sociology Instructor she mentioned that due to our island's isolation she is very limited to exposing her students to speakers with topics that would benefit them.

She expressed how she would love to have her students virtually attend the 2006 Honors Seminar Series that will be presented by PTK.org via satellite this fall. This venue would provide one opportunity for them to connect with the rest of the world. Emerging technology can connect your students to guest speakers virtually.

I started thinking about ways to connect students who are so geographically isolated that it is very costly to bring in guest speakers. Skype might be one answer.

Skype is an Internet telephony that works from computer to computer, or computer to telephone. Recently I had the chance to try Skype from my computer. While chatting I was thinking how this FREE technology would allow instructors to have guest speakers ‘talk’ to their class; all you need is an Internet connection, a computer, and a Skype account.

Also, it would be a great way to have a panel of experts discuss topics and students ask questions right in your class.

Now add a video web cam and you have a live video presentation. Unfortunately, video conferencing is not available for a MAC, bummer. I had to do a little ‘bricolage' but I found that if you have a new Apple MACBOOK with Windows XP along with your iSight web cam - it works!

You are limited to one videoconference though, you couldn’t have an entire panel discussion with everyone on the panel presenting ‘live’ via video. Another excellent idea is that a Skype videoconference could be held for synchronous chat sessions for online courses, bringing the speaker to your students synchronously!

It is exciting to think how emerging technology can transform the way you teach, in ways that will improve student learning.

Yahoo! Teachers of Merit 2006

What an amazing experience we had at the Yahoo! Teachers of Merit Program! Thanks to Mark for putting this video together!

Time to Update Your Science Curriculum

Take some time while on break this summer to think about updating your science curriculum. You can easily use new technology to capture the interest of Generation Y.

Think of using ‘everyday’ classroom technology such as computers and microscopes, along with digital cameras, video cameras, and document cameras for adding visual images to enhance your instruction.

Use images from your photo collection in Flickr to make slideshows, add imagery through video clips from your latest summer vacation trips, add images from Google Maps or Google Earth for Physical Geography content or add images and clips from the culture of the people in the countries you visit.

Take students virtually into science experiments through visual imagery, show scientific examples; show them a real coral reef. Make your presentations come alive through 3-D imagery.

All these visual learning components are easily achieved and instead of pointing to a ‘spot’ on the globe in your classroom take your students on field trips and provide opportunities for them to observe through their own eyes how people in other countries live and what other countries’ geographical terrain is like.

Be sure to check out the 50 Most Popular Science Blogs and get excited about updating your science curriculum for Fall.

Communicate with your students through visual imagery, it will grab their attention, enhance your curriculum and improve student learning.

mLearning Toolbox: Thai Technology

Recently in Bangkok, near the MBK Mega Shopping Mall, I stumbled upon these sidewalk sculptures. Look closely at what is in his hand...ahhh a pda!

There were many different sculptures each situated on a sidewalk bench and each displayed different technology tools. If you have been in Bangkok you must know that hundreds of people must walk pass them each day, as busy as Bangkok.

Which is the point-technology is ubiquitous- everywhere we go. The Net Generation is so familiar they just walk by, nothing new to them. So why in education do we revert to lecturing, paper writing and test taking? We're missing a perfect opportunity.

Podcasts & Electronic Field Trips

The web is not just for text anymore, more web sites are using audio & podcast broadcasts to grab the 'ears' of users and to transfer information and learning.

Check out the podcasts from Colonial Williamsburg: Past and Present. This interactive website contains teacher lesson plans, photo slide shows, online exhibits, and online field trips. The website also makes use of a new technology- audio files or podcasts- so people can listen on their computers or their portable music players to learn how people lived in the 18th century.

Today's learners are not only readers, they want to learn and learn in new ways, through media they are accustomed to using. Just ask any young person with earbuds hanging from their necks which medium they prefer.

Some other sites that make use of podcasts for learning:

• The Smithsonian
• The Boston Freedom Trail
• Monticello- Home of Thomas Jefferson

Think how you can use podcasts in your curriculum in such ways as learning a language, math, science, literature, or history. Take your students on an electronic field trip when a "real-time" trip isn't possible.

You can build even you own electronic field trips by adding pictures to Flickr, creating a slideshow, then add podcasts websites to complete the trip with audio providing your students with opportunities to travel virtually.

Grab the attention of the young wired generation by adding voice and audio and entice them to learn more. Nice hook!

The Real World: NECC 2006

Overheard in the exhibit hall at NECC 2006:

Lady #1: "Oh my gosh! It's so great to finally meet you!"

Lady #2: "Yes. So great to meet you too. Oh wow....you look nothing like your online avatar!"

Lady #1: "Yeah...this "in person" stuff is kinda strange at this point. I mean we've been friends online and on the phone for over a year!"

(big hug)

Lady #2: "Yes. The web is a wacky place......."