Concurrent Session #7 - Geocaching for Beginners

Presented by Kevin Merritt from Greenville County's Instructional Technology office, this is the one new thing I learned at conference that is totally new to me and I'm most excited about using! Make sure you check Kevin's website for handouts and ideas for lessons. Fun, fun, fun! A quick search of the Internet on "geocaching lessons" renders great results and a search in OnePlaceSC pulled some great articles - both for adults and kids.
You can integrate geocaching (real and virtual) into any content area. Use existing caches or create your own! http://www.geocaching.com/



Tips:

• Hand-held GPS units last longer than car GPS units but they can be used


• Take a pencil to sign log books


• Containers to create your own cache (research this before you attempt - there are guidelines) - ammo boxes (from Army/Navy store), pill bottles, Rubbermaid containers


• Take a camera!


• Beware of GeoMuggles


• Experienced members of the group agreed that Garmin is a good brand. Don't spend a lot of money. More expensive models have more but unnecessary functions.


• Some phones that are GPS enabled can be used, but may require additional subscription costs.


• There is software you can purchase that will load locations to multiple GPS units (good for classes)


• Check descriptions for locations before you plan your visits for terrain conditions, pet restrictions, etc.


• Check with ranger stations at parks for lists

Concurrent Session #6 - Exciting Writing with Technology Tools

Fran Mauney - Formerly a first grade teacher, now working with Title 1 schools integrating technology in the classrooms.

Check her wiki for more workshops, handouts and more. Most activities seem geared for elementary school but many ideas could be adapted for older students.



Fun Activities:

Make classroom books - use your own photographs. Print and bind to send home or maybe create e-books



Integrate Technology with Writing Menus: (Layered Curriculum)

1. Look at your standards


2. Decide what your students have to learn for this unit


3. Use multiple intelligence verbs to design projects

Cross-curricular units - create graphs, writing samples, create t-searches (t-shirts with iron ons), etc. Students choose from a variety of projects in different categories to earn points for their unit. Some students are better in some areas than others. Allow them to choose the best way to express their knowledge of the subject.



Creating Wikis:

Can be used as part of Writing Menus. Students could have assignments to find websites, post writing, edit writings, upload pictures. Get started with www.pbwiki.com or www.wikispaces.com



Technology "Toys" to Inspire Writing:

• Promethean Board
• Intel Microscope
• Kidpix, Kidspiration, Photo Fantasy, http://www.mywebspiration.com/
• Interactive Lessons
• Laptops
• Karaoke Machine
• CD Player or iPod
• Digital Cameras to record stories
• MovieMaker
• Document Cameras
• Video cameras
• (not technology, but Immersion Table)

Concurrent Session #5 - OnePlaceSC: One Username, One Password and ONE Integrated Search!

I attended the session on OnePlaceSC and I was so glad to get a refresher on some really great resources available to teachers in SC! OnePlaceSC is one stop searching for StreamlineSC for videos, images, lesson plans and more (United Streaming); ITV and ETV programming; KnowItAll; PBS Kids; Teachers' Domain; Annenberg Media; DISCUS and PBS Teachers. To search OnePlaceSC you use your same login and password from Discovery Education Streaming.

There are lots of other related links to explore:
Streamline Resources for Media Specialists - Presentation materials, handouts, how-tos, workshops and more!

Professional Development Listing - Professional development videos on a variety of subjects.

Educator+ - The resource for educational professionals (professional development videos on demand)

Instant Replay: Anytime, Anywhere Learning - Video on demand

Teacher Center - Once you login to Discovery Education Streaming, check out the "Teacher's Center" for some very cool tools including the Discovery Education Atlas, Quiz Builder, Writing Prompt Builder, Lesson Plan Library, Discovery Educator Network and more!

Student Logins for Discovery Education Streaming - see your site administrator for the special code for students to use to create logins. It's very important that each user has their own login and password.

Concurrent Session #3 - Math Maddness in the Media Center

Cathy Eoute and Amy Ray from Berea High School did a wonderful job of illustrating how media specialists and teachers can collaborate to effectively integrate technology, writing across the curriculum and 21st Century Standards into a math standards-based lesson that results in an authentic assessment that students acually enjoy!
Cathy collaborated with Amy to help teach her students to create movies illustrating concepts in math. Amy uses these movies as an introduction or review for units.

Equipment:
Cathy has some great ideas about really focusing on making quality video using relatively inexpesive equipment and making the best use of the equipment she does have. Cathy purchased 7 licenses for Adobe Premiere Elements and installed them strategically on computers in the media center so that they are easily accessible for small groups.
Project Timeline:
Students were required to create storyboards and write scripts before they were allowed to even touch a computer. Amy outlined the math requirements for their projects and Cathy took care of copyright education, research and instruction for filming and editing their videos.

Concurrent Session #4 - Connecting With Readers Using Web 2.0 Tools

I attended "Connecting With Readers Using Web 2.0 Tools" - Cristina Connell from Gettys Middle School had some great ideas for using some new tools to pep up blogs and webpages and I can't wait to get started - especially with Screencast-o-matic. I played around with it last night and it is super easy to use. The only drawback is that I really don't like to hear recordings of my voice but I will have to GET OVER IT. Maybe I could get some kids to do it for me??? Some ways I want to use it in the library and for my teachers:

• How-To use the library webpage for kids (and adults!)


• How-To use our OPAC - Destiny Quest (again, for kids and adults!)


• How-To use NetTrekker, OverDrive, Soundzabound, DISCUS...


• Booktalks


• How-Tos for students using their Student Home Directories and Portal


• Reminders for students about how to save their narration and pictures correctly when using MovieMaker


• For teachers who can't attend my Technology Tuesday inservices - snipits of what we did that day in class (although they won't get credit for attending :( )

Now, in the classroom I am sure there tons of ways - let me know if you think of others:

• Computer Technology classes - how to perform different opperations


• How to use CD software that comes with textbooks


• For ELA - how to format a Works Cited and how to find citation information from electronic sources.

I am looking forward to spending some time this weekend exploring Cristine's blogs to get even more ideas! Here are two more links she provided with great information:

• Toolbox for Web 2.0 tools


• Library Chat with Bibliocat features examples of how to use Screencast-o-matic.