How Do We Get from Here to There?

Change of Address

2008-07-16T21:47:00.000-07:00

It's time for a blog change of address. All new blog posts can be found at http://howdowegetfromheretothere.edublogs.org/. Thanks to those who have stopped by this last year. Come check out the new digs!

Links Saved Today 07/15/2008

2008-07-14T17:34:00.001-07:00

Thinkfinity
tags: lessonplans, resources, parent, student, teacher
Captioner: Add captions to your digital photographs!
tags: flickr, photos, captions
tektek.org > Gaia Dream Avatar
Possibly one option for students to set up avator vs. photo on VoiceThread, etc.
tags: avator, generator
Picnik - edit photos the easy way, online in your browser
tags: photos, editing, flickr, image
Custom Receipt Maker
tags: generator, receipt
The Generator Blog
tags: generator, blog, web2.0
Text To Picture (TXT2PIC) - Write Text On Any Picture Or Choose Image Template
tags: generator, sign, text, graphics
GlassGiant.com - Make pictures for your Facebook Photos!
tags: generator, photos
fd's Flickr Toys: Do fun stuff with your photos
tags: photos, flickr, web2.0, design, generator
MagMyPic - Fake Magazine Covers with your Photo!
tags: generator, photos, magazine, images
Remember everything. | Evernote Corporation
"Capture what you like, find it when you want

Stop forgetting things. Capture everything now so you will be able to find it all later.
Things to capture:

* Webpages
* Wine labels
* Whiteboards
* Scribbles
* To-dos
* Photos"
tags: productivity, notes, web2.0, bookmarking
Imagechef
tags: generator, design, image, sign
Says-It.com
tags: sign, generator, graphics
YackPack - Simply Connected
tags: collaboration, audio, messaging, voice
social bookmarking for images on vi.sualize.us
Bookmark images found on the web
tags: web2.0, photos, graphics, bookmarking
Free teleprompter/autocue service. Cueprompter - The online prompter.
tags: teleprompter, presentation, tools
Ghotit Dyslexia Literacy Assistance.
Take a look at the text-to-speech service for IE also.

"Ghotit offers unique writing and reading online services for people who suffer from dyslexia, dysgraphia or people who are not native-English speakers."
tags: spelling, writing
Special Ed in the 21st Century
tags: specialeducation, ning
EdTech Solutions - Teaching Every Student
tags: assistivetechnology, blog, web2.0, specialeducation, karenjanowski
flickrCC
tags: flickr, photos, search, copyright, web2.0, photo, digitalstorytelling
Team WhiteBoarding with Twiddla - Painless Team Collaboration for the Web
Thx to Lisa Parisi for link
tags: collaboration, whiteboard, web2.0, tools
Imagination Cubed
Thx to Lisa Parisi for link
tags: whiteboard, collaboration, design, drawing
Grazing for Digital Natives » home
tags: wiki, web2.0, resources, edtech, technology, multiple_topic
Fix your jerky, dark, low-res videos from your mobile phone or digital camera for free with FixMyMovie.com
tags: editing, web2.0, media, movies, video, tools
WritingFix: Our Homepage for the 6 Writing Traits
tags: writing, 6_traits, lessonplans
WritingFix: Interactive Writing Prompts & Lessons for Teachers and Students
tags: writing, languagearts, lessonplans
The Internet Picture Dictionary
Thx to Isabelle Jones for link
tags: reference, dictionary, language
phpFormGenerator - create professional web forms in minutes
Thx to Isabelle Jones for link
tags: form, generator, web2.0
movingforward » home
Scott McLeod colaborative wiki re: ed tech presentation resources
tags: wiki, web2.0, resources, edtech, presentation, presentations, professionaldevelopment

Links Saved Today 07/12/2008

2008-07-11T20:30:00.001-07:00

usmpodcast2008 » home
tags: podcasting, vodcasting, digitalstorytelling, example, wiki
Copyright issues in the classroom and beyond
tags: copyright, fair_use
» 10 Tools to Combine, Mix, Blend Multiple RSS Feeds
Thx to Miguel Guhlin for link
tags: rss
Timetoast Timelines | Create timelines, share them on the web.
Thx to Kate Olson for link
tags: timeline
100 Unbelievably Useful Reference Sites You’ve Never Heard Of | Teaching Tips
tags: reference
The Leitner System - Internet Flashcard Database
System for how to study and retain information effectiveley and efficiently using flashcards
tags: flashcards, study

Links Saved Today 07/11/2008

2008-07-10T22:32:00.001-07:00

Bitstrips: Page One
tags: comics, cartoon, web2.0
cliotech: Digital Storytelling as THE Disruptive Change Agent for the 21st Century Learning Revolution - Annotated
tags: digitalstorytelling
JakesOnline!-Digital Storytelling
tags: digitalstorytelling, resources
Digital Storytelling Cookbook
tags: digitalstorytelling, resource
CDS: What is Digital Storytelling?
tags: digitalstorytelling
Using Technology to Tell Stories » Blog Archive » 2 Thumbs Way Up for Voice Thread and why!
tags: digitalstorytelling
Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling
tags: digitalstorytelling, howto
Top 10 reasons for implementing storytelling
tags: digitalstorytelling
Story Boarding Template
tags: digitalstorytelling, templates
wfryer's bookmarks tagged with "digitalstorytelling" on del.icio.us
tags: digitalstorytelling, bookmarks, wfryer
Digital Storytelling Finds Its Place in the Classroom
tags: digitalstorytelling, teaching
Tips For Digital Story Telling
tags: digitalstorytelling
RockYou.com - Photo sharing, slideshows
"Add music, videos, themes, movie posters, instant posting, and more!" + notes, countdowns, effects and text
tags: photo, slideshow, video
SchoolTube :: Home
Free, "safe" alternative video sharing site for teachers/schools
tags: video, sharing
Royalty Free Music, Free Sound Effects, Free Royalty Free Music Loops
tags: music, audio, sounds, podcasting, digitalstorytelling
Educational Vodcasting - Home
Jonathan Bergman and Aaron Sams of Woodland Park High School in Colorado Springs started vodcasting Chem lectures for students to view at home and then spend class time working on experiments, problem solving, projects, etc.
tags: podcasting, vodcasting
Educational Leadership - Association for Supervision and CUrriculum Development
Summer Issue is focused 21st Century Skills - Thx to Angela Maiers for link
tags: news, article
Welcome to Webware 100 Awards 2008
"These are the 100 best Web 2.0 applications, chosen by Webware readers and Internet users across the globe."
tags: web2.0, applications, tools
Web2-Directory
Thx to Kate Olsen and Angela Maiers for link
"Web 2.0: Comprehensive Directory to a ton of social networking sites."
tags: socialnetworking, web2.0, tools
bubbl.us - free web application for brainstorming online
tags: mindmapping, brainstorming
educon20 » home
Chris Lehmann - Science Leadership Academy - Educon Conference January 2008
Guiding Principles of EduCon 2.0:
1) Our schools must be inquiry-driven, thoughtful and empowering for all members
2) Our schools must be about co-creating -- together with our students -- the 21st Century Citizen
3) Technology must serve pedagogy, not the other way around.
4) Technology must enable students to research, create, communicate and collaborate
5) Learning can -- and must -- be networked.
tags: wiki, conference, education
Why Educational Change is Hard - Practical Theory
Chris Lehmann post re practical applications and limitations for ideas in Clay Shirky's book Here Comes Everybody
tags: Shirky, book, blog

Links Saved Today 07/10/2008

2008-07-09T21:30:00.001-07:00

EdTech Solutions - Teaching Every Student: Free Technology Toolkit for UDL in All Classrooms - Spread the Word!
Free Technology Toolkit for UDL in All Classrooms - Karen Janowski
tags: assistivetechnology, resources, tools
Youth Plans » home
tags: no_tag
Geek to Live: Lifehacker's guide to weblog comments
tags: digitalstorytelling, comments, how-to, blogs
Digitally Speaking wiki / Voicethread
tags: voicethread, wiki, tutorial, digitalstorytelling
Voicethread 4 Education » Best Practices
tags: voicethread, digitalstorytelling, best practice
educationalsoftware » VoiceThread
tags: voicethread, digitalstorytelling, wiki
Voicethread 4 Education » home
tags: Voicethread, digitalstorytelling, wiki
TuneCab: Convert any music or movie to unprotected media formats
Thx to Lisa Thumann for link
tags: audio, music, converter
g4_timezones
Thx to Larry Ferlazzo for link - Interactive Time Zone instruction from Harcourt
tags: interactive, math, time
Google Earth Design: 10 Questions to ask about your Google Earth Project
tags: google, googleearth
The Educational Technology Site: ICT in Education --> Articles Home Page
tags: technology
Free Web 2.0 Books
tags: web2.0
Swurl
tags: socialnetworking, aggregator
edubloggercon » home
tags: NECC2008, conference, wiki, edubloggercon
Techlearning > > Aligning Research with Classroom Practice > July 1, 2008
tags: no_tag
Techlearning > > The Top 10 Great Things Technology Leaders Do > July 1, 2008
tags: no_tag
bit.ly, a simple small url service
tags: url
Bit.ly: Please Use This TinyURL of the Future - ReadWriteWeb
URl shortening service
tags: url

NECC - It's Not About the Technology. It's About the People.

2008-07-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

The National Education Computing Conference (NECC) is finally over. The excitement had been building for months. With tools and sites like Ning, Twitter, Diigo, Plurk the excitement reached a fever pitch in the last few days leading up to the big event. I was lucky enough to be there this year, but it meant digging into my own bank account to do so. It was worth it!

I've been avoiding reading others reflections until I could complete my own. After a few false starts, here it goes.

Bottom line = This was a conference that focuses on technology, but the real value is in people.

Having the opportunity to meet some "friends" face-to-face was incredible. I'm one of those who feels isolated as the one, or one of the few people who promotes true technology integration in the classroom. Reading blogs and participating in social networking via Classrom 2.0, Twitter, Ed Tech Talk, along with various other Nings, and wikis has allowed me to connect with others who are trying do the same. I've been able to share, learn, discuss, and disagree. Finally getting to be in same rooms with many of the people I've known only in an online environment was amazing. Personalities are now attached to the URLs and avatars. Discussions in hallways, session rooms, over meals, and in the Blogger's Cafe were fun, funny, challenging and inspiring. Meeting new people only added to this experience. My brain is now spinning with possibilities for further work and collaboration in the coming year.

As for sessions, they were very hit-and-miss for me. Some sessions were great and others were very poor. Frustration had to be kept in check as the number of sessions I couldn't get into grew and grew. Thanks to the efforts of people in many of those sessions, recordings were made. Thanks to the efforts of people who couldn't even attend NECC this year, links to those recording were posted and promoted. MANY thanks to all of them for allowing me to have a nice long list of sessions I still have to catch up on :^)

Many discussions at NECC and after have focused on tools vs. practical use. To me, this is a critical discussion that must continue. There is supposed to be a very real purpose for all the tools we spend so much time discussing and trying out. The tools mean nothing without a valid application. Some tools are for professional development. The more critical issue for me is whether or not they can increase student learning experience and improve learning outcomes. If I can't demonstrate how a tool provides for effective and efficient use of teacher time in increasing student learning, the effort is useless. Real examples of real classroom use is an important component that I think was under-represented in sessions. The table and poster sessions are one piece. Hopefully NECC and other conferences will encourage more people to include this direct link to student learning in regular sessions as well.

I still have so much more to review, learn and absorb that it will take me at a few more weeks to take it all in. Thanks to everyone who helped make NECC such an incredible experience for me.

Here are links to some of the recorded sessions in case you weren't there, couldn't get in, or just want to take another look. Some may have duplicate entries.

NECC Video on Demand

NECC Webcasts

School 2.0: Progressive Pedagogy and 21st Century Tools

Women of Web 2.0 live from NECC08

Summer To-Do List

2008-06-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but it seems like my to-do list for the summer keeps growing and growing. I thought that maybe if I posted it publicly, I might hold myself more accountable for getting at least some of it accomplished :) Somehow, I think I will probably end up adding to the list as the weeks go on.

Personal

Help friend dealing w/ breast cancer
Train/fund raise for 60-mile breast cancer 3-day walk
Clean out drawers, closets, and garage
Doctor, Dentist, Optometrist
Jury Duty
Weekend in San Francisco
Plan and co-host summer Tapas party
Summer concerts
Read, rest, and generally relax

Technology/Work

Prepare for NECC, attend NECC, try to absorb learning from NECC
Create classroom page on new school/district web site
Facilitate digital storytelling w/ summer writing workshop students
Prepare podcasting projects details for new class and Student Council
Work to convince district re: development of teacher best practices page and technology integration resources page on new web site
Develop training for colleagues re: digital storytelling and new web site
Develop audio/print components for moving level 3 CELDTs to level 4
Develop WebQuest/Filamentality project for effective web use/digital safety lessons
Develop new GATE after-school projects
Prep beginning of school materials
Learn new math adoption materials
Attend Nancy Fetzer training
Participate in grade-level prep meetings
Sort through Diigo lists and CUE conference resources

So...how is your list shaping up? I know I'm not the only one with a year's worth of projects to do in one summer.

Blog-less for Now

2008-03-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

O.k...so I'm not the most prolific blogger anyway, but in order to focus on other priorities, I won't be adding any new blog posts until summer. For anyone who doesn't already know about them, I'd suggest Twitter and Diigo as great new resources. Please also check out Classroom 2.0 for great ideas and collaborative thinking.

Hope to see you at NECC in San Antonio!

CUE 2008 - Day 2

2008-03-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

10:00 – 11:00 “Digital Storytelling 2.0: What’s Next?” – David Jakes
http://www.davidjakes.org/

I always really like David Jake's sessions, because he is so practical when it comes to using tech in real classrooms. Simple...to the point...with real impact on student learning

The pictures/video builds the script into what the original narrative might have been. It extends the writing. The final product often has a second track of meaning.

Used IKEA lamp video to demonstrate the power of visuals

Digital Storytelling changes: New media, new tools, new composition strategies, new networks, new messages

Flickr Storm tutorials on Djakes site.
- Keyword (1st for obvious literal meaning, 2nd for emotional meaning)
- Creative Commons license terms (attribution – student just needs to make a list of attributed names at the end of the presentation)
- Select
- Click change (adjusts size)
- Save as (build attribution directly into the file name)
- Capture URL of photo set file name and save into word doc.
- Could save as a preselection of images for students to use

CC Mixter for music creative commons music)
- Artist uploads a capella
- Someone else adds musical accompaniment
- There might multiple versions available

Jam Studio 2.0
- Create own background music

Jumpcut - Create your timeline online

Transitions, Pans, and Zooms
- Think about them like punctuation (VERY cool concept)
- No transition = no punctuation
- Cross fade = period
- Fade to black = new paragraph
- Slow Zooms = vastness, space or focus viewer
- Quick zoom intensifies drama
- Slow pans = left to right
- Create discomfort with right to left pan

AFI Screen nation (new coming spring 2008) – publishing student video

11:30 - 12:30
The Google Universe – Chris Walsh
http://googled.wikispaces.com/universe
Not the same of Google Teacher Academy, but related materials

Google -originally called “Back Rub”

“Google can’t turn information into knowledge”

Two important words “Even More” – Type that in search bar to get more tools + click “I’m Feeling Lucky” – other google tools – Check out “Search Features”

Advanced Search - file type, search within domain name restrictions (ex: UCLA), or type (ex: .edu)
Google not yet ready to provide web site reading level info for students

Google search bar is also a calculator

iGoogle
Google Alerts – emailed news alerts on topics of choice

Google Docs - Can track changes and work collaboratively in real time and track changes.

Interesting Note: - Legally, you can’t set-up Gmail (or any other) email account for students under 13/14 (?) without written permission from parent.

1:30 – 2:30
Writing and Vocabulary Instruction Using Technology – Arnie Uretsky
Special Education Teacher
auretsky@ideaslive.com

Start w/brainstorming (Keep it to only a few – focus on students being able to recreate independently)
- Scholastic Graphic Organizer Sites
- Tools for Reading and Thinking
- Kreative Komix
- Writer’s Companion
- Vocabulary Companion
- ReadWriteThink.org

3:00 - 4:00
Education2.0: Web-Based Apps for the Classroom - Jonathan Brubaker
http://del.icio.us./mia_sarx/cue08

The Power of RSS (XML) - automated web surfing
“Perpetual Beta”
WebBrowser at the Platform
Fast Internet Connections

Move from what program should I use to what website should I use

“The web is platform agnostic”

http://del.icio.us

Google Docs
http://www.zoho.com
Box.net – online file sharing and storage w/ 1gb free storage
Scribd (ipaper – flash widgets to embed documents into web page)
Quizlet.com – create and share flashcards – also creates test for you
Flashcard Friends
Keybr.com – typing program
Visuwords.com – online graphical dictionary
Zamzar.com – file coversion (can take link for youtube video and convert into an avi or wmv, etc. file)
Mangolanguages.com
PIcnik – photo editing
Fotoflexer – photo editing
vi.sualize.us – bookmark and tag photos
animoto – animates uploaded photos to music (free for short pieces, pay for longer ones)
gliffy (free “inspiration” type software
scratch – create games w/o knowing program language
Visible Body – 3D like using Google Earth for the body
Weird Converter.com
VLC Media Player (videoLan)– can play any media file (any DVD, flash, avi, etc.)
Stock.xchng – online images (not filtered)
Worth1000.com – a picture is worth 1000 words – photos via photo contests) – use for journal topics, odd photos

Password tip – create a base +rule for sites (ex: first three letters of site)

Comuter Using Educator (CUE) Conference 2008, Palm Springs, CA

2008-03-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

For more info CUE website

Live Blogging---I apologize ahead of time for any typos. I'll try to post notes on speakers and suggested web sites as I attend each session

Thursday, March 6, 2008

12:30 – 1:30

"102 Great Technology Curriculum Activities for the Elementary Classroom" - Gary Garfield, Suzanne McDonough - Cancelled

"Integrating the Internet into the Primary Classroom" - Gayle Berthiaume
del.icio.us/tag/gayleinternet
Candlelight Stories.com
Book Hive – youtube videos of storytellers
Bookpop
Little Fingers (pre & K)
One More Story.com
Primarygames.com
Gamegoo
Scholastic sites – online games, activities – English and ELL
Giggle Poetry
Literacy Center.net
Enchanted Learning
Mad Libs at Fun Brain
It’s My Life (PBS)
Sesame Street
Panwapa (new as of October – geared for 4-7 year olds) - create avatar, interactive - Teaches
global awareness, character education, endangered animals
ali.apple.com - Apple Learning Interchange – teacher, not student centered - includes copyright-free photos for ed use

How to Manage in the Classroom
- whole group (computer lab, large screen tv)
- small group
- older student computer buddies
- volunteers
- centers (sign-up)

Assessment
- observation (walk around, still and video camera)
- portfolios
- rubrics
- online surveys (surveymonkey.com)
- assessment tools (can't see link)
- student interviews

Candidates

2008-01-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

Now is the time when many of us are starting to think about how to decide on which presidential candidate to vote for. While these should probably not be your only method of research, here are a couple of candidate matching quizzes to get your brain thinking.

Select a Candidate
Which Candidate is for You?

Maybe Low-Tech is What We Need

2008-01-03T18:41:00.001-08:00

"I don't have time to learn something new." "I don't have time for my kids to use the computer." "How can I have my students use the computer for projects if I don't have one computer per child in each group?" These are all issues/ideas that get in the way of teachers integrating more "technology" into the curriculum.

Hopefully some low-tech projects will help. We have begun using simple recordings. The first recordings were of the sight words students need to assist with reading and writing. Audacity was used to record the word lists. The recordings were then exported into Windows Media Player so they could be played via computer or burned onto CDs. CDs can be used on portable CD players in the classroom (we just received some) or sent home for practice. Parents were happy about this possibility because many felt uncomfortable with their own English pronunciation skills.

So where to from here? I'm hoping teachers will now begin to record student stories to include with written copies in classroom libraries. Programs such as Photo Story and VoiceThread would also be great tools for recordings.

Disaster Brings a Reality Check

2007-10-25T09:37:00.000-07:00

As a resident of San Diego County I, like many others, was evacuated from my home. Unlike many others, I have a home to go back to. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by the fires. I also want to thank the firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and relief workers who are working so hard during this difficult time.

Throughout the county, schools are closed for the week and students won't return in my district won't return until at least Wednesday, October 31. Many staff members have been effected and air quality is very poor. All schools will have to the cleaned and air filters replaced before students can return.

I volunteered with other teachers at Qualcomm Stadium to help children who were evacuated with their families spend a little time with art, books and other activities. As we were walking through the corridors of the stadium, we stopped frequently to check the television monitors for news coverage. People, especially teenagers, were using laptop computers to check news and communicate with friends and family. Back at home, television, cell phones, and computers were (and still are) critical tools to keep up-to-date on news, family, friends, etc.

Because the fires have been changing so frequently the news has scrambled to keep up. As a result, some news has been at least temporarily inaccurate. I also found different information when searching online. I was reminded how important it is to teach students how to evaluate the information technology brings. They need to know how to check multiple sources, how to look for "official" information, and how to evaluate what they find. It isn't enough to have access to information, you have to know how to think through that information.

We're Off and Running

2007-09-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

The fourth week of school is about to end, our state test scores have arrived, and a new focus on technology has begun. The good news is that our scores are up. We met benchmarks thanks to significant instructional changes, and we're adjusting those changes in hopes of making further progress this year.

I've been fortunate enough to spend 1/2 of my day in the classroom this year, and the other 1/2 day working on instructional technology integration. One of my key tasks is to locate technology resources to support our Science and Social Studies curriculum. To address our students' needs, we teach those subjects using English Language Development (ELD) strategies.

1) Will the resources be used?
2) Will they be effective?
3) Will it justify my 1/2 time out of the classroom?
4) Is there a way to really know?

The pressure is on.

When is New Ready for Now?

2007-08-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

When is it appropriate to use something "new"? In several discussions on Classroom 2.0 (Ning), there has been a lot debate over the use of Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. Twitter inspired a particularly interesting debate.

I spent a lot of time this summer learning about various "new" tools and trying them out. Some I'll use personally, some I'll recommend to colleagues for professional use, a few I'll use with students and some are just not for me right now.

As educators with a large number of standards to teach and a relatively brief amount of time to teach them in, we have make careful decisions. The standards and the needs of our students have to come first. A good tech tool can help students learn and think in an engaging manner, that is effective and efficient in terms of time and money.

Some tools though aren't appropriate for classroom use and others are only appropriate in some cases. We won't really know until we try. It isn't about jumping on the bandwagon for everything new. I'm not going to use Second Life or Twitter in the classroom just because the are currently hot topics. I am though going to keep investigating, discussing, and testing these tools and others. Just because there is no clear need now, doesn't mean there never will be. Just because I can't think of an appropriate use, doesn't mean someone else won't come up with a way to use that tool that is engaging, effective, and efficient.

Thanks to all those who keep the debate and ideas flowing. Thanks also to those who remind us that standards and needs come first. Together we can help make educational tech decisions that are best for facilitating the learning of all students.

Using dotSub.com can help connect oral to written language

2007-07-26T23:39:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing a a lot about the video site dotSUB.com where user volunteers translate uploaded videos into subtitles in any of about two dozen languages.

I see this as a great tool for classrooms with even just the English subtitles. For English speaking students and second-language learners, it adds that connection between oral and written speech. A speaker at the Computer Using Educators (CUE) conference this year (I wish I could remember who) discussed a study showing how much better non-hearing impaired children read in households where there were hearing-impaired family members thanks to television subtitles.

Subtitled videos could also be used in other languages in parent education settings where some parents speak English and others do not.

I'm excited to try this out this year.

How do we make sure they can get to it?

2007-07-26T10:35:00.001-07:00

I love the fact that so many people blog about education to keep us thinking.

This morning I read a post on 2¢ Worth from David Warlick which was a response to a Twitter from John Pederson about ccLearn which has a mission to "minimize barriers to sharing and reuse of educational materials — legal barriers, technical barriers, and social barriers."

The post and and comments reflected the feeling many of us have that publishers need to get on board with the fact that people are making valuable educational information available online.

My comment was "I would love to see the textbook publishers catch on this issue and the fact that they don’t control educational information as much as they used to. Hopefully, I’ll also be able to one day solve the issue of how to handle those students (almost all of mine) who have no computer or Internet access at home. For the use of Creative Commons & Open Source web content to be truly equitable, we have to do a better job of helping students to gain access to it outside of school as well."

Maybe this is an argument for parent education. Even if those students don't have a computer at home, all (or nearly all) have televisions and telephones. If we can convince the parents of the value of the Internet and all that is available on it (in multiple languages) then maybe we can convince them to invest in a computer and basic Internet access.

"Assume"...You Know What They Say

2007-07-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

The assumption is that today's kids are surrounded by and are familiar with technology. They are using MP3 players, texting, instant messaging and spending all their time pimping out their MySpace or Facebook page.

Those aren't the students I work with. There are a few who have access to those technologies, but most others have only heard about them. They are from low-income families, and most are learning English as a second language.

Educators all over the world (and I'm one of them) are looking at how we can incorporate technology tools of all types into education in an effective and efficient manner in order to facilitate learning and a love of learning. As we do this, we need to keep in mind that some kids are starting from the very beginning. We can't "assume" that all kids have prerquisite technology knowledge, skills, or experience.

When considering technology integration, we can't just include those who already "have", we also have to think about those who "have not". They deserve the option to one day "have" also.