The Swivel Chair

Grade 4 technology projects

January 20th, 2009

Over the past month, fantastic learning with technology has happened throughout 4th grade. A project that began as introduction to imovie culminated in 4TD completing their own movies on a book they had been studying. The Sideways stories had their premiere in our theatre last week to an audience of parents and friends. The atmosphere was electric!
It began with students armed with a digital camera in pairs visiting the Pearl Tower Museum and photographed away, documenting their trip and the artifacts.
I then uploaded all the photos to my picasa account which allowed the students to access all the photos and simply drap and drop straight into imovie….you’ve got to love imovie…even on a mini mac!!!
Using Picasa allowed the students to visit the albums on several occassions returning to find a better shot to document their experience.
Once 12-20 slides were chosen students added their voice describing the trip. We had made sure that a selection of chinese songs were available on itunes and whammo!!!! A fantastic photostory comparing old and new Shanghai. The slideshows are on Mr Dentons blog.
What happened next was the big change in how technology is being delivered at Shanghai American School. Todd Denton learnt imovie with the students and realized the endless possibilities………..filmed a selection of short stories students had been studying. Editing wasn’t a problem, as the editing skills had been established through the slideshows, and having the students work in groups of 4 - 5 meant the creative juices and technical ability was all there. Becoming a consultant and offering suggestions and work arounds meant students, teacher and Tech integrationalist all learnt the possibilities are endless when a committed team approaches a task.
The sideways films will be posted in the coming days.
Well done 4TD!

Tags: elementary picasa, integration, Teaching, Tech
Posted in Teaching, tech tips | Comments (1)

Itunes and China

January 7th, 2009

With Macworld beginning it was interesting to hear that itunes is finally going free DRM. Not that this will affect me at all but it is finally good to see that end users will be able to control the music they have bought. It is probably one of the biggest and important strangle holds on music by the big record companies that has finally been released. It is interesting to see that for you to unlock a song you bought on itunes you will have to pay a further 30 cents, for a song you have already bought!!!!….mmmmmm…..how many people will be doing this?
So as music begins to be freed up, to see in the news that China is cracking down on the big search engines and what is appropriate for us to see, takes us a step backwards…..or sideways if you live in China and used to it already. Students and staff have become quite adept at working their way around the Great firewall, but why should this have to be the norm? Living and working in China allows me the opportunity to understand censorship. Yes it is bad, and I know I am not as nearly affected by it as some citizens around the world but being aware of it and understanding how to deal with it is the most important step if you are living with it already. Australians……….let’s hope internet censorship doesn’t head down that slippery slope. And lastly…. facebook? Breastfeeding pics banned? Come on guys…..I had to check my reader to make sure I didn’t read this on The Onion!

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)

Ordinary People by Neil Young

January 5th, 2009

Artist I am listening to this week…

“Down on the assembly line, they keep puttin’ the same thing out. But the people today, they just aint buying’. Nobody can figure it out. Well they try like hell to build a quality end, they’re working hard without a doubt. They’re ordinary people. And the dollar’s what it’s all about. Hard workin’ people. But the customers are walkin’ out.”

As I listen to this epic 18 minute song from Chrome dreams 2, I can’t help but think of the state of the world and the problems financially and more recently Gaza. Once again Neil delivers with a thought provoking and timely reminder (for me anyway….Chrome dreams 2 came out last year!) about who we are…….ordinary people.

Neil Young - Ordinary People (Part 1)

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Here’s what captured me today…

December 15th, 2008

I have been grappling for weeks now as to my use of online space, and how and what I want it to be. And now I am quite comfortable with changing what it’s going to be used for……ramblings, tech tips, social media etc.

This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Creating a job description for Ed Tech Integrationalist K-5

October 27th, 2008

As one half of our Elementary tech team moves on, now comes the daunting task of filling his shoes. As we think about what an Educational Technologist does these days? it’s hard to really nail it down….sure we know the key words, support, develop, collaborate, integrate, but what are we actually looking for? It’s not like one specific characteristic is going to fit this puzzle. These notes are only the beginning of our development of this description and any ideas and help will be used!!!! Having it written down too, helps those that don’t do it daily understand what it is we actually do. Thanks to Duke University for the extremely handy ideas……….

As part of the technology team the Educational Technologist will analyze and implement strategies to infuse and advance academic programs through the innovative use of technology. Work with faculty to understand the teaching/learning environment, review technological options related to teaching needs with faculty, and teach faculty to use new technology. The Educational Technologist will work closely with faculty, the school’s academic leadership, information technology leadership, as well as related personnel within the school and other schools

Provide support and apply structures to fully support staff in the development and expansion of integrating technology into existing practices. Providing and use 21^st century learning tools for faculty and students in a flex schedule approach. Assist and support staff in achieving their personal learning goals in relation to the integration of technology.

Collaborate with faculty on the seamless integration of technology into existing curriculum. Develop with the classroom teacher programs that will enhance and build on current units of work. Create theme based units of work in collaboration with other faculties and schools around the world.

An understanding and sound base knowledge of existing technology. Willingness to provide technological support to faculty and have a sound understanding of computer operating systems.

Review professional literature and stay informed of technology trends worldwide to constantly evaluate programs and web 2.0 tools to effectively meet the needs of students, faculty and administration. Participate in activities and stay abreast of trends worldwide to meet the needs of students and faculty in all academic areas.

Tags: job description, Shanghai American School, Technology
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (2)

Netvibes in our community

October 20th, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Using Picasa

October 6th, 2008

The first part of this presentation shows us how easy it is to upload and share photos with your community………

The second screencast takes you through embedding slideshows into your blog……..

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

How do you do that?

September 29th, 2008

Since the start of the year we have been working extremely hard at developing forms of communication from staff to our community. With the heavy load at the beginning of the school year, classroom teachers have a lot to contend with….then we introduce ways of getting connected to parents, other team members, schools to collaborate with etc. Staff have whole heartedly embraced technology and beginning to develop their own space. Some are old hands leading the way others actively seeking ideas to improve. It is amazing to see all of us learning from each other and staff genuinely interested and asking…”how do you do that?” A lot of energy….and I think technology wise that this catch cry is a really good thing to have.

Which in turn is making our job a lot easier and a lot more fun!

From after school sessions to one on one time we are moving at an extremely high pace and one I know has to continue. Now comes the balance of keeping the learning alive and consolidating what we have already learnt…and this is just the staff.

What about the kids???? They are flying…….. with the introduction of google apps and gmail plus their own blog /portfolio the learning is intense, focused and enjoyable. That’s 5th grade…..4th grade is right into Google Earth getting ready to present their landforms project in GE and saving it as a kmz file.

This 6th grade ning is an excellent next step and hopefully we will have some takers in elementary interested in pursuing one of these. Hearing about the excellent use of nings in person from Kim Cofino at the learning 2.008 conference makes me extremely keen to find some staff who will work with me in creating these.

All of Elementary’s blogs are attached to our Principal’s blog which I encourage you to view. Along with a husband and wife team, Jacob and Sarah Toa, trying to find new ways of communicating and presenting information!!! I can hear the evening conversation……”how did you do that?…I want one”

So over the coming weeks the camtasia screen casts have to start to allow staff an easy way to have their “how do you do that?” questions answered. First one this week will have to be Picasa’s beautiful features.

Tags: Cofino, espudong, jacob Toa, Sarah Toa
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (2)

Edubloggercon at Element Fresh, Shanghai

September 18th, 2008

To be sitting in the garden room with an illustrious group of bloggers, technology specialists, and amazing integrationalists re-energizes you completely. It’s great to be connected as the world shrinks via the web but to see and meet and hear these people allows you to complete the connections we have all made.
So we have broken into smaller groups and discussing teachers Professional Learning Network. Allowing staff to embrace the ideal that to learn is OK! We are not the “knower” of all.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Google apps in Elementary

September 14th, 2008

As our school rolls out gmail accounts for all students, I am impressed daily with what can be done with google apps. Everytime I head to my account I am trying some of the products on offer. Let’s start with the products that will help staff…. The calendar goes without saying, but as students start using the applications and if we can get all staff using it….wow! At the moment I rally can’t live without the calendar. Not only does it provide for me at school, running our self contained accommodation back in Australia and being able to communicate with our manager Moira and the cleaner by all of us viewing each others entries is powerful. To have grade levels synced this way is top of my priority list.

Next Picassa3, and the ease at which you can manage your photo albums then send to the web….THEN….create slideshows for your blog, and have parents download what they want???!!!! Wow. So often amazing photos are taken only to be treated the same way I treat my freezer…..throw food in there and never get it out. This way staff upload photos and parents have a home to go to…somewhere to visit regularly to find that perfect snap of their child. Flicker was good but as a tool in the classroom Picassa wins hands down….not to mention geotagging and sending your images to google Earth. staff such as Todd Denton, Kimbra Power, Sarah Toa, and our principal….with a little help….Mr Dennis Bissmeyer are all using Picasa.

Google docs and the collaborative nature of this application will no doubt become a staple in middle and high school, especially with the teacher having the ability to set groups, track changes and contributions made, then add comments on the document for all members of the group to see!!! I love it.

I see knols, perhaps being used in Elementary especially for science and social classes.

I am trying to love Google reader but it just doesn’t do it for me…Tim Munnerlyn swears by it, but I am a netvibes person through and through…I am trying though!

With wikis and chat search engines for every topic you can think of it really is your one stop shop…..I can hear the grumblings of…not another sign up form…..but that won’t last long as we roll out Picasa then google docs……So sign up for an account if you don’t have one………and then as google says….Try something new. As a man I used to know would say……I’m excited!

Tags: DBissmeyer, googleapps, kpower, netvibes, Picasa, stoa, tdenton
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (2)

© 2012 The Swivel Chair | Design by DemusDesign | Choice theme by Theme Lab and Linux Web Hosting. Powered by WordPress