Each year I learn something new and am affirmed at what I know already when it comes to digital learning. Thanks to all who exposed me to something new. I enjoyed learning from David Warlick like I always do and hearing Alan November was a true treat. I think either one of these two could be a strong speaker for us to have at Durham Academy to propel the desire for authentic 21st Century learning. I am more convinced we need to have a digital device in the hands of our students sooner rather then later or never.
New tricks:
Keynote – send to iPhoto enables you to make titles for podcasts, slideshows, and other uses.
Excited to get my hands on:
Leopard Server and Client: The tools that are loaded on the server appear to answer many of the questions we are looking for to build our web presence for teachers and students.
The wiki and blog tools with settings for teacher controls looks like the answer to getting our teachers and students communicating with 21st Century tools. From what Mike Kole said, there is granular control for what is public, private, published and by whom so teachers can blog and students can blog while still maintaining the security needed to protect students. If students can write in a blog and or a wiki, would an iPod Touch or iPhone be the tool that would fit the digital device needs? With a browser and a keyboard could a student not interact with their content and even Moodle?
Podcast Producer looks awesome for creating content and distribution of content with again the same granular controls that the wikis and blogs posses. Options include audio podcast, video podcast, screencast, or import any file. Once recorded it follows a workflow that is built in or can be created that can post it to the blog, send for approval, etc…
Home Directory synching to an iPod so a student can take their entire home directory with them. This can be set to be the only place it is backed up or as a dual back-up with a server and the iPod.
iPod cart with Modality Content: The new iPod carts can be updated from one computer and charged while in the cart. They can fit 20 per shelf with 2 shelves in each cart. I think the Lower School could utilize this technology and make it a part of the students daily work. I can see the time when the school would have a subscription to the Modality content so if they have an iPod it can be synched to it.
Laptop Initiative Info
Leadership is key as any successful program has at its core a visionary leader
Dr. Mark Edwards is in Mooresville Graded School District He is the former Superintendent of Henrico County
Laptop bag by Higher Ground: http://www.highergroundgear.com/laptrap.html
They will filter off site use of computers – iprism
Maine Learns
K12Blueprint
Friday Institute
Did You Know Video
Restructure the Learning
See my blog on Alan November
The session that Julie Williams, Carrie Williamson and I did called Digital Dynamite in a Language Arts classroom was very well attended and went well. It is clear that teachers are looking for ways to use some of the new tools available via Moodle but also the old standards of PowerPoint or Keynote. I am happy that Julie asked me to help present as it was good for me to put myself out there.
The conference attendance did seem really low to me from my attendance in the past. I can remember being in standing room only sessions and that was not the case this year at all. In fact Alan November spoke to about 40 people in a hall that could hold 500. What is up with that?
I did hear that many public schools have cut back funding for teachers to come to conferences like these so I am grateful to Durham Academy for sending not only myself, but also Carrie, Julie, Liz Coleman and Randy Bryson.
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