The Virtual Classroom http://virtualstaffroom.net Conversations with leading teachers about technology in the classroom. Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:02:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ audio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyEducation/Educational Technologychris@virtualstaffroom.netChris BetcherChris Betchernoaudio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyThe Virtual StaffroomConversations with leading teachers about technology in the classroom.-33.9151.1vsrhttp://feedburner.google.com VSR35: Free As In Speech http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vsr/~3/Rk4KAmSdxns/ http://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/08/vsr35-free-as-in-speech/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:53:03 +0000 chris@virtualstaffroom.net (Chris Betcher) http://virtualstaffroom.net/?p=291 Mark Osborne from Albany Senior High School in NZ joins us to talk about the way his school leverages the power of Open Source software, cloud computing and hosted servers. We are also joined by Australian teachers Roland Gesthuizen and Peter Ruwoldt.

Other resources mentioned in the podcast

Enjoy!  Comments welcome as always.


]]> http://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/08/vsr35-free-as-in-speech/feed/ 1 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ noMark Osborne from Albany Senior High School in NZ joins us to talk about the way his school leverages the power of Open Source software, cloud computing and hosted servers. We are also joined by Australian teachers Roland Gesthuizen and Peter Ruwoldt. AlbChris BetcherMark Osborne from Albany Senior High School in NZ joins us to talk about the way his school leverages the power of Open Source software, cloud computing and hosted servers. We are also joined by Australian teachers Roland Gesthuizen and Peter Ruwoldt. Albany Senior High School – ashs.school.nz/ Mark’s Blog – theopensourceschool.blogspot.com/ Roland’s Blog – [...]audio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyhttp://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/08/vsr35-free-as-in-speech/http://virtualstaffroom.net/podcast/VSR35.mp3 VSR34: Short Notice http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vsr/~3/_9UIlckVLO8/ http://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/07/vsr34-short-notice/#comments Sat, 10 Jul 2010 05:33:13 +0000 chris@virtualstaffroom.net (Chris Betcher) http://chrisbetcher.com/virtualstaffroom/?p=151 After rustling these guys up on Twitter at short notice, Rob Newberry, David Wees, Linda Pilkington, Britt Gow and Suzie Vesper join us to talk about copyright, iPads and iPods, and pretty much anything else on their minds!

Suzie Vesper – @suzievesper
Britt Gow – @brittgow
Linda Pilkington – @linda_pilko
Rob Newberry – @robinthailand
David Wees – @davidwees

Copyright Links

iPods in Education Links

Suzie’s Wikis


]]> http://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/07/vsr34-short-notice/feed/ 3 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ noAfter rustling these guys up on Twitter at short notice, Rob Newberry, David Wees, Linda Pilkington, Britt Gow and Suzie Vesper join us to talk about copyright, iPads and iPods, and pretty much anything else on their minds! Suzie Vesper – @suzievespChris BetcherAfter rustling these guys up on Twitter at short notice, Rob Newberry, David Wees, Linda Pilkington, Britt Gow and Suzie Vesper join us to talk about copyright, iPads and iPods, and pretty much anything else on their minds! Suzie Vesper – @suzievesper Britt Gow – @brittgow Linda Pilkington – @linda_pilko Rob Newberry – @robinthailand David [...]audio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyhttp://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/07/vsr34-short-notice/http://virtualstaffroom.net/podcast/VSR34.mp3 VSR33: This Is Not Amazing http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vsr/~3/8evbgCNQq_c/ http://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/05/vsr33-this-is-not-amazing/#comments Sun, 30 May 2010 05:31:25 +0000 chris@virtualstaffroom.net (Chris Betcher) http://chrisbetcher.com/virtualstaffroom/?p=147 During the recent Australian ITSC Conferences run by Apple Australia, Chris Betcher gave the keynote address called This is Not Amazing.  This podcast is a recording of that keynote.

The ITSC Conferences took place on the Gold Coast, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne, and contained a significant unconference component that allowed participants to play and explore ideas rather than just get talked at.  However, there were still a few “talks”, and this keynote was one of them.  It’s based on the idea that, 10 years into the 21st Century, we need to stop being so amazed at things that ought to by now just be part of the way things are.


]]> http://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/05/vsr33-this-is-not-amazing/feed/ 0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ noDuring the recent Australian ITSC Conferences run by Apple Australia, Chris Betcher gave the keynote address called This is Not Amazing.  This podcast is a recording of that keynote. The ITSC Conferences took place on the Gold Coast, Adelaide, Sydney, PerChris BetcherDuring the recent Australian ITSC Conferences run by Apple Australia, Chris Betcher gave the keynote address called This is Not Amazing.  This podcast is a recording of that keynote. The ITSC Conferences took place on the Gold Coast, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne, and contained a significant unconference component that allowed participants to play and [...]audio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyhttp://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/05/vsr33-this-is-not-amazing/http://www.virtualstaffroom.net/podcast/VSR33.mp3 VSR32: Be Very Afraid http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vsr/~3/XHmwF0L_SK8/ http://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/02/vsr32-be-very-afraid/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:29:41 +0000 chris@virtualstaffroom.net (Chris Betcher) http://chrisbetcher.com/virtualstaffroom/?p=143 Be Very Afraid is the brainchild of Professor Stephen Heppell, a gathering that brings together students from all over the UK to showcase some incredible ICT related projects. In this episode we hear some Stephen’s personal insights about BVA.


In this episode I have the great pleasure of having a chat with the enigmatic Professor Stephen Heppell.  With a story for just about every occasion, Stephen is a absolute mine of great insights and perspectives about the future of education.

Be Very Afraid is one of Stephen’s many educational projects.  It brings together students from all over the UK to showcase some incredible ICT related projects. There is some truly amazing learning taking place here.  In this episode we get to hear some of the backstory to BVA as well as a few of Stephen’s personal insights about it.

We finish with a chat about education in general and some really wonderful insights into getting the best from our students.

A special thank you to Stephen for his time, and to Lys for helping me set this up.


]]> http://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/02/vsr32-be-very-afraid/feed/ 0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ noBe Very Afraid is the brainchild of Professor Stephen Heppell, a gathering that brings together students from all over the UK to showcase some incredible ICT related projects. In this episode we hear some Stephen’s personal insights about BVA. In thChris BetcherBe Very Afraid is the brainchild of Professor Stephen Heppell, a gathering that brings together students from all over the UK to showcase some incredible ICT related projects. In this episode we hear some Stephen’s personal insights about BVA. In this episode I have the great pleasure of having a chat with the enigmatic Professor [...]audio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyhttp://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/02/vsr32-be-very-afraid/http://www.virtualstaffroom.net/podcast/VSR32.mp3 VSR31: The Culture Shift http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vsr/~3/9-PxkWsTXqw/ http://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/01/vsr31-the-culture-shift/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:27:29 +0000 chris@virtualstaffroom.net (Chris Betcher) http://chrisbetcher.com/virtualstaffroom/?p=139 Pamela Livingston, Leslie Wison and Ben Jones know an awful lot about implementing successful 1-1 computing rollouts.  In this episode we dig into the core ideas behind a successful 1-1 implementation.

Pamela Livingston, Leslie Wison and Ben Jones know an awful lot about implementing successful 1-1 computing rollouts. They have all had extensive experience with some huge state-wide rollouts of laptop devices to students.  In this episode we dig into the core ideas behind a successful 1-1 implementation.

Pamela Livingston – New Jersey

Ben Jones – Sydney

Leslie Wilson – Michigan


]]> http://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/01/vsr31-the-culture-shift/feed/ 0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ noPamela Livingston, Leslie Wison and Ben Jones know an awful lot about implementing successful 1-1 computing rollouts.  In this episode we dig into the core ideas behind a successful 1-1 implementation. Pamela Livingston, Leslie Wison and Ben Jones know anChris BetcherPamela Livingston, Leslie Wison and Ben Jones know an awful lot about implementing successful 1-1 computing rollouts.  In this episode we dig into the core ideas behind a successful 1-1 implementation. Pamela Livingston, Leslie Wison and Ben Jones know an awful lot about implementing successful 1-1 computing rollouts. They have all had extensive experience with [...]audio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyhttp://virtualstaffroom.net/2010/01/vsr31-the-culture-shift/http://www.virtualstaffroom.net/podcast/VSR31.mp3 VSR30: The Whiteboard Conundrum http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vsr/~3/KH3YIZUtjVs/ http://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/11/vsr3-the-whiteboard-conundrum/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:25:24 +0000 chris@virtualstaffroom.net (Chris Betcher) http://chrisbetcher.com/virtualstaffroom/?p=135 In this episode as we speak with Rob Newberry, James Hollis, Danny Nicholson, Martin Levins and Stuart Walsh, five experienced and opinionated IWB users and try to explore some of the bigger, deeper questions behind the use of IWB technology.

Love them or hate them, interactive whiteboards seem to have become a part of today’s modern classroom.  There are many teachers who see them as a wonderful ‘window to the world’, able to open their classrooms up to a plethora of digital experiences, make learning richer and more engaging in the process.  Then there are others who see IWBs as the devil incarnate, a scourge on the educational landscape that sets our classrooms back by thirty years. They claim them to be setting the sage back on the stage and ruining the student focused nature of the classroom.

The truth is that interactive technologies are whatever you make of them. Join us in this episode as we speak with five experienced and opinionated IWB users and try to dig into the deeper questions behind the use of this technology.

As always, we encourage you to continue the conversation in the comments below. Or if you want to engage in this conversation a little more deeply, take a look at www.iwbrevolution.com


]]> http://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/11/vsr3-the-whiteboard-conundrum/feed/ 0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ noIn this episode as we speak with Rob Newberry, James Hollis, Danny Nicholson, Martin Levins and Stuart Walsh, five experienced and opinionated IWB users and try to explore some of the bigger, deeper questions behind the use of IWB technology. Love them orChris BetcherIn this episode as we speak with Rob Newberry, James Hollis, Danny Nicholson, Martin Levins and Stuart Walsh, five experienced and opinionated IWB users and try to explore some of the bigger, deeper questions behind the use of IWB technology. Love them or hate them, interactive whiteboards seem to have become a part of today’s [...]audio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyhttp://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/11/vsr3-the-whiteboard-conundrum/http://www.virtualstaffroom.net/podcast/VSR30.mp3 VSR29: The C Word http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vsr/~3/1duD2Cbb-tM/ http://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/09/vsr29-the-c-word/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:23:58 +0000 chris@virtualstaffroom.net (Chris Betcher) http://chrisbetcher.com/virtualstaffroom/?p=131 This episode is a roundup of thoughts, ideas and impressions from delegates at the recent IWBNet Leading a Digital School Conference on Australia’s Gold Coast.

I wandered around on the last day with my iPhone voice recorder and asked a few people for their thoughts on the event and how they might put some of their ideas into practice.  It was a terrific conference with a basic message about the need for change as we lead our schools forward into the 21st century.

Be sure to check out the links below (including the Twitter stream…)

And of course, your comments are always welcome below!


]]> http://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/09/vsr29-the-c-word/feed/ 0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ noThis episode is a roundup of thoughts, ideas and impressions from delegates at the recent IWBNet Leading a Digital School Conference on Australia’s Gold Coast. I wandered around on the last day with my iPhone voice recorder and asked a few people foChris BetcherThis episode is a roundup of thoughts, ideas and impressions from delegates at the recent IWBNet Leading a Digital School Conference on Australia’s Gold Coast. I wandered around on the last day with my iPhone voice recorder and asked a few people for their thoughts on the event and how they might put some of [...]audio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyhttp://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/09/vsr29-the-c-word/http://www.virtualstaffroom.net/podcast/VSR29.mp3 VSR28: All This Scratchin’ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vsr/~3/5XVPTvoTdZs/ http://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/07/vsr28-all-this-scratchin/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:21:49 +0000 chris@virtualstaffroom.net (Chris Betcher) http://chrisbetcher.com/virtualstaffroom/?p=127 Bill Kerr and Peter Ruwoldt  teach in South Australia and have been using Scratch extensively with their students for quite a while. Peter was very involved in Scratch Day, an annual event to promote Scratch, and he shares some of his insights about this.

Scratch is an easy to learn programming tool developed by MIT and is finding enthusiastic users all over the world.  In this episode we have a chat to two experienced Scratchers, Bill Kerr and Peter Ruwoldt. Peter and Bill both teach in South Australia and have been using Scratch extensively with their students for quite a while, so they were the ideal people to chat to in order to find out more.

Peter was also very involved in Scratch Day, an annual event to promote Scratch, and he shares some of his insights about this.

Links from this episode:

Enjoy your Scratchin’!


]]> http://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/07/vsr28-all-this-scratchin/feed/ 0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ noBill Kerr and Peter Ruwoldt  teach in South Australia and have been using Scratch extensively with their students for quite a while. Peter was very involved in Scratch Day, an annual event to promote Scratch, and he shares some of his insights about this.Chris BetcherBill Kerr and Peter Ruwoldt  teach in South Australia and have been using Scratch extensively with their students for quite a while. Peter was very involved in Scratch Day, an annual event to promote Scratch, and he shares some of his insights about this. Scratch is an easy to learn programming tool developed by MIT [...]audio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyhttp://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/07/vsr28-all-this-scratchin/http://www.virtualstaffroom.net/podcast/VSR28.mp3 VSR27: Raising The Bar http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vsr/~3/mOrWUpRPI44/ http://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/05/vsr27-raising-the-bar/#comments Mon, 18 May 2009 05:18:59 +0000 chris@virtualstaffroom.net (Chris Betcher) http://chrisbetcher.com/virtualstaffroom/?p=123 Jarrod Robinson, Ben Jones and Shane Roberts are not ones for sticking with the status quo. Our conversation explores some very cool tools being used for integrating technology with PE, such as Bluetooth broadcasting, QR codes and the Wii Remote.

Raising the Bar is an expression that comes from athletics, where high jumpers will keep pushing themselves just that little bit further… it also describes well the sorts of thinking you’ll find coming from these amazing Physical Education teachers; Jarrod Robinson, Ben Jones and Shane Roberts.  Not ones for sticking with the status quo, our conversation with these guys explores some very cool tools being used for integrating technology with PE, such as Bluetooth broadcasting, QR codes and the Wii Remote.  Beyond the fun tools though are some very deep ideas about some genuinely powerful pedagogy.

This episode is a little longer than most, since Shane joined us late in the conversation and raised some interesting conversation about the use of non-synchronous discussion tools. Overall though, these guys created a great podcast that is a must-listen.
Links mentioned in this episode:

Ben
Blog - http://bloglearningrhhs.blogspot.com
Jarrod
Blog - http://mrrobbo.wordpress.com
Twitter - @mrrobbo
Shane
Blog - http://shanetechteach.edublogs.org/
Twitter - @shanetechteach

Blue Magnet Bluetooth server  - http://www.bluemagnet.com/

QR Code Generator - http://qrcode.kaywa.com/

WiiMote Project - http://www.wiimoteproject.com/


]]> http://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/05/vsr27-raising-the-bar/feed/ 0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ noJarrod Robinson, Ben Jones and Shane Roberts are not ones for sticking with the status quo. Our conversation explores some very cool tools being used for integrating technology with PE, such as Bluetooth broadcasting, QR codes and the Wii Remote. Raising Chris BetcherJarrod Robinson, Ben Jones and Shane Roberts are not ones for sticking with the status quo. Our conversation explores some very cool tools being used for integrating technology with PE, such as Bluetooth broadcasting, QR codes and the Wii Remote. Raising the Bar is an expression that comes from athletics, where high jumpers will keep [...]audio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyhttp://virtualstaffroom.net/2009/05/vsr27-raising-the-bar/http://www.virtualstaffroom.net/podcast/VSR27.mp3 VSR26: Cold Snap http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vsr/~3/nVrbu-Yp79w/ http://virtualstaffroom.net/2008/10/vsr26-cold-snap/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:17:19 +0000 chris@virtualstaffroom.net (Chris Betcher) http://chrisbetcher.com/virtualstaffroom/?p=119 In a bit of a departure from the usual format for the show, in this episode we play a recording of a Skype call between our three Year 5 classrooms at PLC Sydney and Anthony Powell, a communications technician at McMurdo base in Antarctica.

The Year 5 students were doing an integrated unit of work on Antarctica and we managed to arrange this call for the kids to have a chat to Anthony about life in Antarctica and to ask him a few questions.  The three classrooms were connected to the call individually in a group conference call.

It’s a nice example of how Skype can be used to break through the walls of a traditional classroom and bring kids into contact with real people in faraway places.  The next step will be that the students take this raw recording and chop it up to use in their own podcasts about Antarctica.


]]> http://virtualstaffroom.net/2008/10/vsr26-cold-snap/feed/ 0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ noIn a bit of a departure from the usual format for the show, in this episode we play a recording of a Skype call between our three Year 5 classrooms at PLC Sydney and Anthony Powell, a communications technician at McMurdo base in Antarctica. The Year 5 stuChris BetcherIn a bit of a departure from the usual format for the show, in this episode we play a recording of a Skype call between our three Year 5 classrooms at PLC Sydney and Anthony Powell, a communications technician at McMurdo base in Antarctica. The Year 5 students were doing an integrated unit of work [...]audio,education,podcast,virtualstaffroom,betcher,chrisbetcher,technology,edtech,blog,iwb,technologyhttp://virtualstaffroom.net/2008/10/vsr26-cold-snap/http://www.virtualstaffroom.net/podcast/VSR26.mp3 Chris BetchernonadultThe Virtual Staffroom