Hi,
I can't believe that the course ends tomorrow! I've enjoyed "talking" to all of you. I think I might keep my blog up and running. I'm just getting started in the blogworld and I would like to modify my blog...do some more experimenting. I've found 2 sites that show how blogs are being used in school programs. They are really quite inspiring.
http://edublogawards.com/edublog-awards-2007-finalists-announced/
http://2007.weblogawards.org/polls/best-education-blog-1.php
I hope you have blissful holidays. Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Wikipedia
Hi,
I remembered this CBS news story about Wikipedia from last year. Imagine my joy when I found it! The reporter examines the perils of this popular site. John Siegenthaler's experience is truly scary. Some American universities have gone so far as to "ban" Wikipedia. If a student uses Wikipedia as a source, then professors won't mark the paper. Should we follow suit? Wikipedia can be a valuable teaching tool. We can use Wikipedia for comparison purposes. Students need the skills to find reputable information on the Web. Why not help them to do so?
I thought about purchasing the video of this story for my library.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/10/sunday/main2244008.shtml?source=search_story
I remembered this CBS news story about Wikipedia from last year. Imagine my joy when I found it! The reporter examines the perils of this popular site. John Siegenthaler's experience is truly scary. Some American universities have gone so far as to "ban" Wikipedia. If a student uses Wikipedia as a source, then professors won't mark the paper. Should we follow suit? Wikipedia can be a valuable teaching tool. We can use Wikipedia for comparison purposes. Students need the skills to find reputable information on the Web. Why not help them to do so?
I thought about purchasing the video of this story for my library.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/10/sunday/main2244008.shtml?source=search_story
History of the Holidays
Hi,
I am sitting here sipping tea and waiting for the winter storm to hit. Has anyone had a snow day yet this year? I haven't had one in my whole career.
Anyhow...the History Channel in the United States explores the history of holidays. It has an American bent to it, but it contains some useful nuggets of information. Canadian holidays are ignored. Still, it is worth a look.
Stay warm and healthy!
http://www.history.com/genericContent.do?id=53343
I am sitting here sipping tea and waiting for the winter storm to hit. Has anyone had a snow day yet this year? I haven't had one in my whole career.
Anyhow...the History Channel in the United States explores the history of holidays. It has an American bent to it, but it contains some useful nuggets of information. Canadian holidays are ignored. Still, it is worth a look.
Stay warm and healthy!
http://www.history.com/genericContent.do?id=53343
Sunday, December 9, 2007
The Archives of Ontario: Instant Lessons
I came across a pamphlet from this government agency that trumpeted: Instant Lesson Plans!
This is not the most user-friendly website out there. Plus, the grey background does little to inspire or fire the imagination. The home page doesn't even have a link to teacher resources or lesson plans . This agency falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and I stumbled into press releases about new rules for gift cards during my search. I had to do a formal search for "lesson plans" to find anything that could be used in a classroom. This site is not very exciting at first glance, but the lesson ideas sparkled within its dullness. The sepia-toned photographs are exquisite, especially for "Five Women and their Diaries". Teacher resources start with Grade 6.
http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/ENGLISH/education/index.html
This is not the most user-friendly website out there. Plus, the grey background does little to inspire or fire the imagination. The home page doesn't even have a link to teacher resources or lesson plans . This agency falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and I stumbled into press releases about new rules for gift cards during my search. I had to do a formal search for "lesson plans" to find anything that could be used in a classroom. This site is not very exciting at first glance, but the lesson ideas sparkled within its dullness. The sepia-toned photographs are exquisite, especially for "Five Women and their Diaries". Teacher resources start with Grade 6.
http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/ENGLISH/education/index.html
Monday, December 3, 2007
The Web 2.0 World
In yesterday's New York Times, writer Alex Wright draws a parallel between the modern way of communicating (blogs, Facebook, etc.) and the oral culture of ancient tribes. One professor states that Web 2.0 satisifies a primal need within us because we want to be told that we exist. It's true, anything posted on the Internet will survive time and last forever (which is a good and a bad thing).
Wright also raises concerns about what might eventually happen to our oral culture. We spend so much time talking online that we spend less and less time talking face-to-face. Web 2.0 is another form of communicating and it has changed the shape of our social landscape, but I don't think traditional forms of conversation and social exchange are doomed. Look around (even in your own library), we still need actual human contact in the non-virtual world. After having been bedridden for a number of days with sinusitis and a throat infection, I yearned to go out and talk to people.
It's an interesting read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/weekinreview/02wright.html
Wright also raises concerns about what might eventually happen to our oral culture. We spend so much time talking online that we spend less and less time talking face-to-face. Web 2.0 is another form of communicating and it has changed the shape of our social landscape, but I don't think traditional forms of conversation and social exchange are doomed. Look around (even in your own library), we still need actual human contact in the non-virtual world. After having been bedridden for a number of days with sinusitis and a throat infection, I yearned to go out and talk to people.
It's an interesting read.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/weekinreview/02wright.html
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Wish this book was around when I was young
Danica McKellar left the Wonder Years and studied math. She has written Math Doesn't Suck to inspire girls to explore the world of numbers and equations. It might be worthwhile addition to any school library. Had it been around when I was a young thing, I probably wouldn't have developed math phobia.
http://www.penguin.ca/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781594630392,00.html
http://www.penguin.ca/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781594630392,00.html
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Will the Kindle save literature?
Here's a link to a Newsweek cover story about Amazon's newest venture: the Kindle.
I checked Amazon.com's site and the Kindle is sold out. I'm not sure if it is available in Canada. The blogs that I've checked either love the Kindle or hate it. Some declare it too clunky and unwieldy and the software to be flawed. Others hail it as revolutionary.
It's true, book buying has dropped recently. I had lunch with a friend of mine who works in book publishing and he says that publishers are doing anything to sell books. Christmas is their big push to sell as much as they can. According to my friend, the situation is desperate. Publishers want to jump onto the ebook bandwagon to save their bottom lines. The Kindle will change over time and become more streamlined. It's price will drop too. It costs $399 (U.S.), which is a bit pricey.
Part of me finds the Kindle intriguing: it has wireless connectivity. You can buy book with one touch and it is downloaded right on to your Kindle.
Will it change the way in which we approach reading and literature? I'm not so sure. Maybe it will just provide more options for readers. I remember when movie theatres went into a tailspin with the advent of VCRs and cable movie channels. The thing is, people still like to go out to the movies. Granted, I go to the movies a lot so my evidence is anecdotal. I'm not sure if movie theatres are suffering due to poor attendance. I do know that when I saw Casino Royale, Notes on a Scandal and The Queen last year, the theatre was jammed. Plus, microwave popcorn doesn't even smell remotely close to the movie-theatre variety.
I am not convinced, however, that the Kindle will replace books. On my subway ride home the other day, I observed many riders engrossed in a book. And I know I mentioned this earlier in the course, but reading a book is a tactile experience. The Kindle would be great for travelling though. You wouldn't have to lug a sack of books with you through the airport for example.
What does the future hold for school libraries?
http://www.newsweek.com/id/70983
I checked Amazon.com's site and the Kindle is sold out. I'm not sure if it is available in Canada. The blogs that I've checked either love the Kindle or hate it. Some declare it too clunky and unwieldy and the software to be flawed. Others hail it as revolutionary.
It's true, book buying has dropped recently. I had lunch with a friend of mine who works in book publishing and he says that publishers are doing anything to sell books. Christmas is their big push to sell as much as they can. According to my friend, the situation is desperate. Publishers want to jump onto the ebook bandwagon to save their bottom lines. The Kindle will change over time and become more streamlined. It's price will drop too. It costs $399 (U.S.), which is a bit pricey.
Part of me finds the Kindle intriguing: it has wireless connectivity. You can buy book with one touch and it is downloaded right on to your Kindle.
Will it change the way in which we approach reading and literature? I'm not so sure. Maybe it will just provide more options for readers. I remember when movie theatres went into a tailspin with the advent of VCRs and cable movie channels. The thing is, people still like to go out to the movies. Granted, I go to the movies a lot so my evidence is anecdotal. I'm not sure if movie theatres are suffering due to poor attendance. I do know that when I saw Casino Royale, Notes on a Scandal and The Queen last year, the theatre was jammed. Plus, microwave popcorn doesn't even smell remotely close to the movie-theatre variety.
I am not convinced, however, that the Kindle will replace books. On my subway ride home the other day, I observed many riders engrossed in a book. And I know I mentioned this earlier in the course, but reading a book is a tactile experience. The Kindle would be great for travelling though. You wouldn't have to lug a sack of books with you through the airport for example.
What does the future hold for school libraries?
http://www.newsweek.com/id/70983
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Blogs...wikis...flickr...and more!
A thought-provoking blog
I put this link in one of my responses in EC3. I thought I would post it here too because it is so impressive. This is Ellyssa Kroski's blog. Ellyssa is a reference librarian at Columbia University and she also has her own information consulting firm. Her blog gives a glimpse into the literacies of the future.
http://infotangle.blogsome.com/
I put this link in one of my responses in EC3. I thought I would post it here too because it is so impressive. This is Ellyssa Kroski's blog. Ellyssa is a reference librarian at Columbia University and she also has her own information consulting firm. Her blog gives a glimpse into the literacies of the future.
http://infotangle.blogsome.com/
Check out her Virtually Me section on the right side. It is really inspiring. Please try it. Trust me, you'll spend a lot of time exploring it and other finding fabulous links.
Ellyssa's enthusiasm has prompted me to create my own Flickr account.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Veropedia
Apropos of our last chat...
Here's a new version of Wikipedia that cannot be edited. It is trusted by teachers, students and academics of all sorts. An article about Veropedia appeared in the Toronto Star not too long ago (you have to pay to search the archives though).
http://veropedia.org/
And a word about blogs. I was discussing blogs with a student last week. A thought occured to me. Employers often do a "blog" search before hiring prospective employees to find out what they might be saying about their former bosses, and what their interests are, etc. In fact, an employee was fired from a magazine that is published by Conde Nast in New York for her comments about her employer on her blog. The student made connections to Big Brother.
Alas, another teachable moment wings its way to us.
Here's a new version of Wikipedia that cannot be edited. It is trusted by teachers, students and academics of all sorts. An article about Veropedia appeared in the Toronto Star not too long ago (you have to pay to search the archives though).
http://veropedia.org/
And a word about blogs. I was discussing blogs with a student last week. A thought occured to me. Employers often do a "blog" search before hiring prospective employees to find out what they might be saying about their former bosses, and what their interests are, etc. In fact, an employee was fired from a magazine that is published by Conde Nast in New York for her comments about her employer on her blog. The student made connections to Big Brother.
Alas, another teachable moment wings its way to us.
McCord Musuem in Montreal
http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/en/
I love this site! This will engage students with sound, animation, real video, photos, and virtual tours. Look for Online Tools (on the right). Go to Edu Web and click on Games, located under See Also. The interactive games will teach history with a bit of mirth. I tried two games: Mind Your Manners 1920s and Mix-and-match Victorian fashion (I didn't fare so well on this one; I had trouble selecting the sleeves) .
On the left hand side, check out Tools Developed by Teachers, under Share (on the left). This fabulous forum contains units and individual lessons.
There are photographs, primary sources and virtual exhibits galore!
I love this site! This will engage students with sound, animation, real video, photos, and virtual tours. Look for Online Tools (on the right). Go to Edu Web and click on Games, located under See Also. The interactive games will teach history with a bit of mirth. I tried two games: Mind Your Manners 1920s and Mix-and-match Victorian fashion (I didn't fare so well on this one; I had trouble selecting the sleeves) .
On the left hand side, check out Tools Developed by Teachers, under Share (on the left). This fabulous forum contains units and individual lessons.
There are photographs, primary sources and virtual exhibits galore!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Something neat from Google!
www.google.com/literacy
This site was created by LitCam, Google and UNESCO's Institute for Lifelong Learning.
Literacy ideas and initiatives abound at this site. There are book clubs, links to scholarly articles, blogs, and more. Google even used its famous "maps" feature to design a literacy locater, which includes links to literacy organizations around the world. You can zoom in on literacy happenings in your own neighbourhood.
There are many resources for students and teachers.
This site was created by LitCam, Google and UNESCO's Institute for Lifelong Learning.
Literacy ideas and initiatives abound at this site. There are book clubs, links to scholarly articles, blogs, and more. Google even used its famous "maps" feature to design a literacy locater, which includes links to literacy organizations around the world. You can zoom in on literacy happenings in your own neighbourhood.
There are many resources for students and teachers.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Curriculum Connections
Hi All,
I've been derelict in my duties and I neglected my blog. I love the time change though.
Remembrance Day is coming up and there are a few sites with special sections for educators:
1.warmuseum.ca
This site has a Remembrance Day toolkit for teachers. It gives an outline of the history of the day and it abounds in military history.
2. Veterans' Affairs Canada http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/
This site in rich in peace and conflict history. Scroll down to Site Sections. Look for Youth and Educators. You'll find teachers' guides and webquests. The site gives many suggestions for marking Remembrance Day.
3. Historica http://www.histori.ca/
This is one of my favourite sites. There are a plethora of lesson plans and even a lesson plan exchange where teachers can swap ideas. The history department at my school uses Teacher Talk!, which is a forum for teachers.
4. The Dominion Institute Memory Project http://www.thememoryproject.com/
Look at the rollover menu at the top. Find Resources and click on Educational Resources. There are downloadable PDFs and photos. This site also focuses on peacekeeping missions. You may even arrange to have a war veteran come to your school to speak to the students. My school did this once and it was quite successful. The students were so moved in a way that teaching and standard resources could not accomplish.
A few general sites for your teaching pleasure:
1. www.readwritethink.org
A TDSB board representative passed this on to the teachers and I thought I would pass it on to you. This site offers an impressive selection of lesson plans and curricular connections. It is created by and reviewed by literacy educators.
2.http://www.nytimes.com/learning/index.html
This is my all-time favourite site. I subscribe to The New York Times online and news alerts pop into my email inbox. My favourite way to spend a Sunday is to read the Times (the actual paper version) over a lovely brunch. The Sunday Styles section is my indulgence. Anyhow...the Times has many great ideas for educators.
I've been derelict in my duties and I neglected my blog. I love the time change though.
Remembrance Day is coming up and there are a few sites with special sections for educators:
1.warmuseum.ca
This site has a Remembrance Day toolkit for teachers. It gives an outline of the history of the day and it abounds in military history.
2. Veterans' Affairs Canada http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/
This site in rich in peace and conflict history. Scroll down to Site Sections. Look for Youth and Educators. You'll find teachers' guides and webquests. The site gives many suggestions for marking Remembrance Day.
3. Historica http://www.histori.ca/
This is one of my favourite sites. There are a plethora of lesson plans and even a lesson plan exchange where teachers can swap ideas. The history department at my school uses Teacher Talk!, which is a forum for teachers.
4. The Dominion Institute Memory Project http://www.thememoryproject.com/
Look at the rollover menu at the top. Find Resources and click on Educational Resources. There are downloadable PDFs and photos. This site also focuses on peacekeeping missions. You may even arrange to have a war veteran come to your school to speak to the students. My school did this once and it was quite successful. The students were so moved in a way that teaching and standard resources could not accomplish.
A few general sites for your teaching pleasure:
1. www.readwritethink.org
A TDSB board representative passed this on to the teachers and I thought I would pass it on to you. This site offers an impressive selection of lesson plans and curricular connections. It is created by and reviewed by literacy educators.
2.http://www.nytimes.com/learning/index.html
This is my all-time favourite site. I subscribe to The New York Times online and news alerts pop into my email inbox. My favourite way to spend a Sunday is to read the Times (the actual paper version) over a lovely brunch. The Sunday Styles section is my indulgence. Anyhow...the Times has many great ideas for educators.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Web 2.0
Hi Everyone,
One of Joyce Valenza's many roles is as a teacher-librarian is Pennsylvania . She's an expert on Web 2.0. Her passion for school libraries shines through her library manifesto and home page.
I found a link to Joyce Valenza giving her library manifesto. It is really worth a listen. http://a330.g.akamai.net/7/330/2540/20070822155906/www.schoollibraryjournal.com/contents/media/SLJ_SIGMSForum_Joyce_Valenza.mp3
Her homepage is also really impressive. Here's a link:http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/jvweb.html
One of Joyce Valenza's many roles is as a teacher-librarian is Pennsylvania . She's an expert on Web 2.0. Her passion for school libraries shines through her library manifesto and home page.
I found a link to Joyce Valenza giving her library manifesto. It is really worth a listen. http://a330.g.akamai.net/7/330/2540/20070822155906/www.schoollibraryjournal.com/contents/media/SLJ_SIGMSForum_Joyce_Valenza.mp3
Her homepage is also really impressive. Here's a link:http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/jvweb.html
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
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