kathyhj-mili23+1

Thing 21 - YouTube and More

2008-02-12T18:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, YouTube has come to my classroom - video from La Tomatina, Pamplona, Sesame Street and others with Tito Puente, and others I can't remember now. I'm so glad SPPS has decided to allow us to use it; there are many videos available that weren't before.

I tried Teachertube and found it to be for elementary teachers mostly; Spanish has some sites, but they are not very good. Yahoo! for teachers hasn't been launched yet, but I'd hoping they include more than just elementary things. Spanish things would be helpful, too, because they are harder to find!!

So many things are available now, and I appreciate the opportunity to find them.

Thing 19 - Just for Fun

2008-02-12T17:41:00.000-08:00

Cool spot!! I'd like to use some of the images to make my lessons and worksheets more interesting, and I'd like to use the information here to make slide shows for my family pictures which I am inheriting from my recently deceased brother and my mother's collection which have landed in my house!! (Yes, that's not school, but this new knowledge gets carried home, too!!)
There are lots of possibilities so it means experimenting, and that'll be fun. Other projects to put in the to-do file!!

Thing 17 - One new thing

2008-02-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

I never imagined that I would use it, but You Tube has become a source for current video that I use in class to show celebrations and places in the world that we don't have money to buy for school.
This computer and the projector have allowed me to explore places and use sites that never would have been accessible last year at all. Just today I used the set-up to enlarge an online painting for Spanish V,VI so we could analyze and talk about it. That never could have happened before, and it's bookmarked so I can find it readily again. Yes, I use streaming video from companies, but I also use this because I can pick and choose, without extra cost, the many available resources on line. It's great!! and the opportunities are endless!!

Thing 12 - Search Engines

2008-02-12T17:19:00.000-08:00

Wow - I had no idea there are so many search engines; I especially like the ones that compare the typical engines used. Sometimes they come up with totally different stuff, and it's really good to get the wider variety with the side-by-sides.
I didn't like the "map" engine; maybe kids do, but it was too busy for me. I wasn't sure where to go with it and it didn't seem to be as relevant as some of the more traditional ones.
I added Jux2 to my "repertoire" just because it seemed to offer the widest possible number of choices in the search. Great stuff!! I'll make sure the kids know about it, as well as the others from that site.

Thing 7- Research Calculator

2008-02-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

The research calculator process I explored in December but didn't have a chance to comment on it. Having specific goals and deadlines helps me as a teacher, because sometimes it's hard to know how much time to allow for certain steps of the research process. Having everything laid out in a logical and timely sequence helps both the kids and me because it's been compiled by people who have done the research!!

It's a time-saver for me!!

Thing 32 - Wiki

2008-01-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

As we searched for our scenario about the length of time educators may keep downloaded broadcast tv video, we discovered that there are many complicated laws about copyright, but that educators do have more latitude than many groups.
We found the best source at http://www.ucop.edu/ucophome/coordrev/policy/9-24-85/html#appB; this is a university, and the law cited is very specific about how long and how much material may be kept.

Use www.ciconline.org for cable in the classroom issues, since cable has a different set of guidelines.

Posting the guidelines for educators and students is a good way to be able to specifically point out to students that what they produce needs to be cited.

Use "copyright, broadcast, retain" to search.

Thing 15 - Collaboration with Media Specialist

2007-11-28T17:50:00.000-08:00

---Describe your experience with collaboration, a successful collaboration you have been part of. What made it work?
Collaboration with our Media Specialist, Linda Wise is a great experience!! She knows so many things and resources to use, and is always willing to help by finding new web sites or things I can use in class and adding (after verifying them) sites to our long list of resources. What a positive asset to the kids' research and learning experience.

---What do you see as barriers to collaboration? How can the barriers be overcome?
Is collaboration worth it?
Barriers - I see only one as the school day and times are structures now, and that's time. It takes time to work together and time to find resources to use for students. Once the projects are set up they are invaluable and can be updated or adapted easily. Planning far in advance can overcome the time crunch, and the collaboration is well worth it; evaluation of the project and collaboration can be done by student results and comments, with the project ready to go for the next year.

Dribbling

2007-11-28T17:21:00.000-08:00

---How did the lessons work? Any changes you implemented? Are there lessons you need you couldn't find? Are they skill related or subject specific? Do you have other lessons you use to teach the research process that you can share?
There's a problem; the lessons are for topics that I don't cover in class, as they are subject specific. However, I have used lessons like them from the Walker Art Museum, from a Frida Kahlo website and the Smithsonian. They are FANTASTIC because the work is done for me, and I only need to check to see what sites are no longer functioning. It's so much easier than reinventing the project.

---Would you recommend this dribbling lesson list to others?
I would recommend this source to teachers of these classes.

Thing 13 - Database exploration

2007-11-28T17:07:00.000-08:00

We spent a good afternoon exploring databases for November's meeting; everything was positive about it, and I learned a lot. At first I wasn't able to find much for Spanish but ended up using several. My first steps have been to explore all of the databases to see what's available for my classes.

I have been able to find several resources that are useful; additional time spent has added a couple of resources as well. My work will eliminate the frustration students would have at trying to find resources to use, and I know where to look as well.

I would give them the topics to look for, then give them the choices of databases to look at, ask them to try each one, and then talk as a class about what they found and how useful it is to them.

Having the time in our session saved me lots of my own time; thank you.

Thing 16 - Using MnLINK

2007-11-13T11:00:00.000-08:00

ILL - I've used inter-library resources before but students probably haven't. The trick is to be enough ahead in planning that students can find the books they need. The planning refers to me, too!
I can help students use this resource by having them work on their topic early and then immediately having them send for the materials they need. When they arrive, then the research and information can be utilized in plenty of time to finish the paper.
My biggest struggle? Planning with enough time to find the resources. In spanish we move fast through topics.

Thing 11 - Google

2007-11-12T18:18:00.000-08:00

Google - It just keeps growing!! The bane of some educators, but I love it! When I need current events and images for Spanish class, Google is where I go. Google is great for finding educational activities that students can do, supplements for the articles and authors that I use in class, and short videos about places and events.

I regularly use Google maps, Web search, image search, video, definitions, advanced search; having read about some of the other features for searching I will use them also. A question: where's the Cheat Sheet mentioned? I couldn't find it.

With the projector, using Google has become even easier to show students how to find pictures (art, festivals, events, etc) and also grammar exercises.

Google actually has opened up the world because now we have the images and activities that once were only available in hard copy. Now I don't have to search through catalogs, spend money, wait for hard copy that I may not like, etc. It's available at my fingertips, and can be modified to fit what I need for class.

It may not be perfect for research, but it's great for my classes.

Thing 6 - Tchr Guide to Resrch Pro Calc

2007-11-10T15:24:00.000-08:00

Teaching research is harder than doing it for myself; I already know how to narrow a topic and love finding the answers to questions. For students, however, there are some problems - they don't know how to narrow topics enough, or sometimes what they're interested in. This teacher's guide gives me the resources to have students think and plan about what they are looking for.

I don't use research on a formal basis much in Spanish class; we work primarily on vocabulary and usage by listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at a level where the only research done is to find sites that reinforce what we do in class. Students are not to the point where they are finding answers to detailed questions that are found in history, science or other classes. We use contemporary sources such as newspapers, holiday sites, audio, video, etc. that do not require a narrowing down to a specific question. It is, however, valuable to know that these sources exist, and I am now able to help students whom I discover have questions from another class about how to do their research.

As for keeping sane to do the planning, etc of research projects - the sanity comes after the first time a research project is attempted with students. Keeping detailed records and notes on the topics used, where resources are, etc are essential to managing the project for the following years.

Support from other members of the department and the media specialist are essential to be successful in research.

Thing 4 - Using Libraries

2007-11-08T18:29:00.001-08:00

I don't know where it went, but I did a blog on libraries; they have been an integral part of my life since my mother, aunt, and sister were librarians and I went to school for the education. Reading and libraries have always been a place my family used, for pleasure reading and research. Public and school libraries always have the answers to so many of my questions, and I try to encourage kids to use them and now the computers that hold so many of the answers they're looking for.
Libraries have changed so much in my lifetime, and we have one at our school that is so up-to-the-minute because of the efforts of Linda Wise. She has done so much to introduce the staff to innovations and usable information. With the aid of her and the equipment we have for this project students are being introduced to the many resources they have to augment their education.

Thing 3 - RSS

2007-11-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

Well, it's done, and I'm still not sure how to use the feed lines. I found help and tried using the instructions sent by email, but....
I'm not sure exactly how much time I'm actually going to be able to read other people's blogs, but have enjoyed reading people's comments.

Thing 5 - Urban Planet

2007-11-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

I know you told us not to do several blogs in one night, but I've been working at the "things" over the last two weeks and, 2) I now have a student teacher so I'm not swamped with paperwork every night and have time to write the blogs!!

Urban Planet is something that I've wanted to do something with for a couple of years. I set up the site but not until this year have I actually tried making is usable for students. So far I have put resources for students to use (only in Sp V,VI so far) and the culture points documents along with the course descriptions. My intent is to have something for the kids to use as a resource and also to have their parents have access to it. Keeping it current is the big question at this point; having a student teacher will help for a few months, so I'll take advantage of the time to upload other documents, video, etc. Urban Planet has great possibilities for teachers, just as email and online grading has opened communication between parents/students and teachers.

Thing 10, Copyright and Plagiarism

2007-11-01T16:31:00.002-07:00

Does this take the place of Google, the thing that's listed on our original list? I did this one earlier this month but it didn't get saved somehow, so I guess I'll start again.

Plagiarism is rampant and students don't seem to see anything wrong with plagiarism; they will copy anything and change a few words to call it their own. It's very easy in Spanish to tell if they have used another source because of the words and sentence structure they use that are not within their capabilities. One of the things I want to do with students this year is to use specific examples of what they should do to avoid plagiarism and I want to work especially to come up with research topics and ideas that are good questions as set out by the information I read. The criteria to do that and the steps to develop good topics will be very helpful to me and my students.

Well, I found what I wrote earlier; I'm not sure how it ended up there, but... here it is.

Plagiarism is rampant in research and projects with students; they will copy anything (or make a few changes) and say it is their own. Since I teach Spanish, there aren't as many opportunities, but still I have had kids turn in writings that were not their own.
I have found that keeping the assignments on a "personal" basis, meaning that they are writings about themselves keep them more honest, although a few students have tried translation sites to write their paragraphs. (It's really easy to see those!)
For Dia de los Muertos my level 5/6 students had a lot of questions to research on line; most of the sites were in English so they had to change the material to fit words they already know and they had to cite the sites they used. As they become more advanced in their Spanish and online searches, the topics will have to be more carefully thought out, as suggested in the site on how to make a plagiarism-free research project.
October 28, 2007 6:04 PM

Thing 10, Copyright and Plagiarism

2007-11-01T16:31:00.001-07:00

Thing 9, Streaming Video

2007-11-01T16:24:00.001-07:00

I was first introduced to streaming video two years ago when we were introduced to United Streaming and I used it for Spanish classes. It is now a permanent part of one unit and I want to try to use more of it with my projector, providing I can find some in Spanish. I have used the You Tube part of video several times already this year to add depth to cultural things like: La Tomatina, San Fermin bull running, etc. I plan to use more of it as I develop the units.

Webquest

2007-10-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

I'm working on setting up a Webquest for Day of the Dead and have found so many sources it's hard to weed them out; planning to use them for an advanced class limits the sources available and now that I have lots of options I'm ready to start with the details. Hopefully someone can help with the process so students can begin their search of this really interesting holiday in Mexico.
Using the projector and laptop have added so much to my classroom. I can show video never available to us before, pull in exercises that classes can participate in without having to run off papers and kids watch and interact with this technology so much more than with overheads, etc. What an advantage!!
I'm still struggling with the 23 things and how to do them, so I'm hoping we get some guidance on Wednesday, and I need to spend more time reading some of what people are writing. There just aren't enough hours in the day!!

Using the Macbook

2007-09-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

I've been really busy the last two weeks; beginning a new year is so fast-paced and the little details seem to be harder to get done. Our classes are huge this year so that hasn't helped. I love the new projector and laptop, but have been so frustrated trying to figure out how to do things on a Mac that I know how to do on a PC. I would have appreciated more "get-acquainted" time as well as some sort of instruction for basic operation so I don't have to spend so many "where is it?" moments. As to the blogs from other people and the required items, I don't know where to find a lot of them so will wait until our meeting to ask.
As for now, I'm using the puter/proj to show a lot of scheduling, video from on-line and how to find resources. As I become more used to the mechanics, I intend to develop more of my lessons based on online resources and am excited to have the equipment to do it. I'm looking forward to the next meeting to visit with other participants, even the ones in my building!! There's no time otherwise!

Thing 1

2007-09-12T16:41:00.000-07:00

Understanding Information Literacy has already taught me about blogs and how to create my own account, metronet and Saint Paul's technology initiative. The district is much more progressive and forward-looking than I thought; I wish they would follow through with the technology in our building!!

I hope I'm ready to go!!!