Four Bright, Shining Faces

In the last blog, I mentioned bright smiling faces… I can’t resist writing one more post about a Waiver Day because there were 3 particularly bright faces – and one particularly hairy one -- who shared some of their expertise on the second Waiver Day.  Here's a shout out -- and some resources for when you're ready to try out any of their ideas.

Who wouldn't love these faces?!

Kristen Dennis:  I couldn’t resist posting a picture of some of the extensive wiring in her classroom.   But if you've been in her classroom, you know the abundance of electricity in her room doesn't just come from her use of technology.  

 Kristin shared with everyone a classroom website she utilized at the elementary school (she’s currently building the MS version).  She uses a free website builder called WIX. Her website can be found HERE.  And – if she didn’t show you on Waiver Day, there’s a video of Kristin on stilts and juggling as she talks to her students about the “art” of life.  It’s on the TEACHERS tab on the website (scroll down to the video and she’s about 20 seconds in).  If you’re interested in viewing some other teacher Wix sites for inspiration and ideas for your own website (whether it’s a google site, Wix, Weebly, or other), you really have to check out this web site with sample teacher Wix sites and tutorial videos… a great resource.

Justin Fickes   I emailed Justin to see if he minded my poking a little fun at his beard.  He was ok with it, of course, because he's cool that way. He also has a cool-looking Weebly website which features another great thinker with well-known hair. Weebly has an easy to use drag and drop menu for adding elements.  

Justin also shared some info about the use of green screens.  A couple of sources for you:  Jason Ohler, an expert on digital storytelling (I have his book on digital storytelling in my room if you want to have a look) has posted a nicely detailed project description using the technology.

Jeff Wills:  When I popped into Jeff Wills’ room to ask if I could take a quick picture of him working, he just smiled and replied, “I work?!” 

I think Jeff is a real 1:1 teacher’s teacher – generous, patient, and always optimistic.  He shared with us his use of Socrative student response system that also creates quizzes and games.  Here’s an in-the-classroom video of a teacher using Socrative.

Adam Britton knows what he wants to accomplish with his students and shared with us that he is already planning for next year’s 1:1 by recording some video tutorials for his students (who won't need to wait until next year to utilize them): one of them is embedded below.  

       
Some time this year we’ll have a session on screencasting; for now, here's another look at Adam's really useful, detailed review of screencasting resources.  Adam is a committed 21st century teacher ready to talk tech.

Thanks again to all these teachers who shared!  Remember... this blog is meant to serve as an archive for resources. When a teacher wants to try something out, it can be on that teacher's time -- so resources (both human and technological) will be identifiable whenever the teacher needs them.  These teachers and others (and I) are eager to help anyone who needs it.  Just let us know!