Professional Resources

Video Self-Reflection Guide (pdf)

Video Self-Reflection Checklist (pdf)

3/21/13 Haven't posted anything lately, but just got an idea off of a tweet that I think is neat. We already do a "tech talk" every other Friday to help with 1:1 issues. Saw a post that called this time "appy hour." Thought the name was catchy and would draw more people into the meetings. Might make it more informal sounding and less intimidating for those not as tech savvy. Allows for more conversations about what is working and what is not working.

2/15/13 This absolutely BLEW MY MIND! This is an interactive graphic of live tweets in real time. There are so many ways to use this in the classroom, I am a bit giddy after watching it for WAY to long.

1/1/13 Thought it would be appropriate to start off a new year with some predictions. I received 21 things that will be obsolete in 2020 from a colleague of mine. Do you have any to add? Will any of these disappear sooner than 2020?

4/30/12 In honor of the first day of baseball practice here in Iowa and the fast-approaching end to our first year as a 1:1 school, I present you with If Education Were Like Baseball..., an intriguing look on the practices of baseball applied to a career in education. Enjoy!!

4/12/12

Had a group of teachers from Ed-Co who attended the 1:1 conference in Des Moines, and they brought back a TON of great ideas and plenty of resources. I have included a few here and have once again expanded the matrix below. Remember, new things tend to be added to the bottom, so head there if you are a returnee.

1 to 1 schools - blog site loaded with 1:1 school ideas

Web 2.0 Resources - ENDLESS Web 2.0 resources

Math Train - Youtube like videos that are math based

Pirate Pad - interesting collaboration site

ixl.com - Web based Math instruction

Poll Everywhere - Web-based real-time polls without the need for clickers; uses cells, web, twitter

2/23/12

Received an article titled Are We Raising a Generation of Helpless Kids? from a fellow coworker of mine. After reading the article, I have a hard time not saying "Yes" to the question. The real conundrum becomes how do we raise self-sustaining students who can learn and grow from failure when their parents aren't allowing it. Lots of thoughtful insight on this topic. Thanks for the great read Jenny!

2/4/12

Just stumbled upon an interesting article in the latest issue of NEA Today. There are some political over tones, but Professional Learning Deserves Professional Pay makes a strong case for the increase of student achievement being directed related to advanced degrees of their teachers. I am not sure why it struck me so much, and I wish there was more research to back it, but I am sure teachers will find something interesting to take from the article.

11/16/11

Okay math teachers, here is something for all of you. The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives has outstanding resources for every level K-12 in a variety of math areas, and many of them are tied to Common Core topics.

10/4/11

An interesting take on grading, learning, etc from a gamers point of view. Well worth the 9 minutes of time it takes to watch the video.