Jan 27 2009
As I am busy editing some of my learning objects, I will dump some of them here to organise later. The object of this learning object (!!) is to give a quick overview of the new features of Outlook 2007.
The powerpoint can be downloaded here
Jan 25 2009
I am always inspired by Tom Barrett and what he gets up to in his class and within his e-learning community. This morning he lets us know (via twitter) about his latest collaborative little project (conducted in Google presentation) called “# (and growing) Interesting Ways* to use your Pocket Video Camera in the Classroom”
This is the first time I have used Google docs presentation and it was a very enjoyable experience! Very simple and easy to use. So the main aim is to create (collaboratively) a slideshow with ideas for using video capturing devices in the classroom. Once you get to the presentation, you can chat to others viewing it and ask questions.
To become part of this little project…
Check out Thirty Five Interesting Ways to Use A Pocket Video Camera in The Classroom here!
Jan 25 2009
To familiarize students with basic lab skills, as well as integrate math into science, students will learn the techniques of massing objects, measuring volume and displacement, and identifying the meniscus of a liquid. The difference between mass and weight is addressed, and demonstrated through the use of differences in gravity on other planets
An updated way of looking at Bloom’s Taxonomy
Good slideshow
Backlash growing on using web 2.0 technologies at uni
Backlash growing on using web 2.0 technologies at uni
Free Technology for Teachers: Math TV – Video Mathematics Lessons
Math TV provides an extensive collection of high quality mathematics tutorials.
Calculating Grades with Rubrics: Determining Numeric Scores from Analytical Assessment Tools
Analytical rubrics are ideal for skills assessments but can be adapted to provide a traditional numeric grade.
Looking for ideas and strategies about classroom management, lesson planning or discipline? This topic is full of professional development resources.
Writing in Mathematics: Mathematics Writing Explains a Problem and How to Solve It
An overview is provided of the importance and why writing in math is different. A recommended checklist is provided to help students write clear math papers.
A very nice summary…
You will find information about all aspects of assessment, including research and readings, online workshops, new assessment tools and resources. There are also links to other organisations.
You will also find the resource Consider the Evidence – Evidence-driven decision making for secondary schools on this page. This resource is designed to assist schools review their use of data and other evidence.
Design & Architecture Movie – Inventing with Polygons
Chuck Hoberman’s inventions are more than just technological marvels; they’re works of art. See how basic principles of geometry help him create extraordinarily strong, expandable structures.
Running time 2:29 minutes.
This is hilarious! Why we should be teaching geometry in school
Row flares at ‘watered down’ maths claim
A CLAIM by a maths educators’ organisation that the matric maths standard was “watered down” to boost the matric pass rate was refuted yesterday.
The iPhone Could Be The Ultimate Study Machine
With gigabytes of storage, dimensions comparable to traditional note cards, and a full color screen, the iPhone is the ultimate study companion. And, unlike many of its smartphone competitors, the iPhone and iPod Touch have huge appeal for the younger crowds that generally flock to study materials.
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Jan 18 2009
Rob’s thesis on online communities of teachers in SA
Distributed communities of practice : an exploration of a distributed community of practice of South African Life Science teachers
Learning Clip – Free resources for Y3 maths
Learning Clip is an online resource to support teachers, teaching assistants and parents implementing the renewed primary mathematics framework
Key Competancies- what it means for teachers and schools
The NZ Key Competencies – What this means for teachers and for schools
Cool Text: Logo and Graphics Generator – Annotated
Cool Text is a free graphics generator for web pages and anywhere else you need an impressive logo without a lot of design work. Simply choose what kind of image you would like. Then fill out a form and you’ll have your own custom image created on the fly.
What Really Happened In The Middle East: An example of how to tell a history
Now I am looking for a historical story from a palistinian point of view
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
A comprehensive online resource that outlines our approach to learning and development to support children and their families from birth through to adulthood.
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Jan 17 2009
Using this ‘Twitter for Gmail’ gadget, you can easily tweet from your Gmail inbox without having the hassle to log into Twitter each and every time. The best part is that, unlike some other Twitter applications and gadgets, apart from having the ability to send messages (tweets) a user can also view the tweets by his friends and followers from within Gmail inbox itself. (Source)
How to:
Jan 16 2009
I received a tweet from one of my twitter contacts (loisath) which told me that I have been tagged in her “7 things about me” meme. So the first thing I did was to go and see what it is all about by reading her blogpost about the topic. Basically you have to write a blogpost describing 7 things about yourself that people do not need to know about you. You then tag 7 others to do the same and then let them know. This results in everybody basically spreading the idea virally and it gets promulgated almost in the same way as a chain e-mail letter.
I then looked up what a MEME is (not the sound that sheep make apparently) and found a very good blogpost explaining it in a friendly non-scientific way from Gary LaPointe. According to him it is “lists of questions that you saw somewhere else and you decided to answer the questions. Then someone else sees them and does them and so on and so on”. In essence it is:
So let’s get back to the the question that formed the basis of this meme: “7 things about yourself that people do not need to know about you”. Why would anybody need to know this about me? Isn’t it an invasion of privacy and poses a security risk? Will it be a “cultural unit” as posed in the definitions stated above? Hardly. In a way it does resemble the sheep-like action of sheep following one another in a thoughtless manner. So what would encourage me to immitate this meme and behave like a sheep?
Firstly, I have always liked sheep- they are wooly and cuddly and cute. Secondly, my rule of thumb is to do something if it at all encourage learning and collaboration. So the question for me is did I learn something? The answer of cause is, yes. I learnt a new word (meme) and what it means in different scenarios and I learned about the person that asked me to partake in the meme. From her answer, I at first thought that she was local (from South Africa- especially the bit about her aiding and abetting the theft of a microwave) which made me very excited to encounter another blogging local teacher! But, alas she was not, which made me realise that we indeed live in a global village and have so much in common (especially the cannot-spell-admisssion)! So from a collaborative point of view, she has strengthened her networking with me with her invitation ( I will now keep an eye out for her as I feel I know here just that little bit better). Thirdly by asking people to extend this meme, you can get some exposure for your blog (good old marketing tactic)!
When I started thinking about 7 things that people will not know about me….I realised that I am definitely not shy (as opposed to private), leaving very little that people do not know about me. So here goes:
Each player starts with seven random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to choose seven people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!
7 things that you did not know about me… (definitely harder than it looks)
So how do you choose 7 people? Okay, as I have been trying to get local teachers to blog, I think it will be useful to give everybody a common topic to get us started for the year. Also this can be a good way of extending your network to include people who do not know you.
So here is my tagees, with reasons why I chose them:
(I just love this new meme word and am definitely going to pronounce it mêêêê- mêêêêê (like the sound a sheep makes)
Jan 11 2009
welcome to jitterbug! discover great independent music for kids. we hand pick the good stuff… you won’t find Barney here. your child will laugh, bounce and dance (ours do)!
SCoPE: Seminars: Open Educational Resources: January 19 – February 8, 2009
This seminar will explore ways to find resources, issues with creating and licensing them, and techniques for starting to share, both institutional projects and personally.
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
