Student Voices: Blogging

Let my 6 & 7 year olds educate you!

Today I asked my students two big questions:
"What is a blog?"
"Why do you like having a blog?"

We produced this nearly 3 minute podcast -
totally unscripted & very candid....
just 6 & 7 year olds speaking their minds!

I am using this as an introduction piece for my contribution to the New Zealand Time4 Online Conference. It's primarily an AUDIO piece as I didn't want to detract from the student's voices, but I have uploaded it to TeacherTube for flexibility of sharing - you will just see a few static images.

Enjoy... no doubt you'll have a few laughs :)

Online Learning Spaces

I have just read this post from David Warlick (as it's the weekend I am catching up on some of my blog reading). It's about the UK's Building School's for the Future Project.

This project " is the biggest single government investment in improving school buildings for over 50 years. The aim is to rebuild or renew every secondary school in England over a 10-15 year period."

Curiously enough amidst this huge project is quite a substantial goal hidden as commentary note 63 (viewable in the download here):
[Note the report is dated July 06]

This strategy describes the use of digital and interactive technologies to achieve a more personalised approach within all areas of education and children's services. It is an ambitious strategy covering all sectors for the next five years and beyond. An example of a specific aspiration is the target for all learners in every school to have access to a personalised on-line learning space that can support an e-portfolio by 2008

So my question is what do you think of this? Is this a worthwhile goal and realistic goal, and how long do you think this would take to implement?

Please participate in the below polls to let your views be known!
I'd also be interested in your thoughts via comments regarding this!

What can a teacher make?

I got this great message forwarded to me in a bulk email today from Phil, our I.C.T. Administrator. Normally I don't read these spammy bulk emails, but this one was fabulous... I don't agree with every point (specifically the "make" kids read and write) but you get the drift. Hope it brightens your day!

Always remember that you DO make a difference..

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.
He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided
his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:
"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher,
Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,
"You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second,
then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their
parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube
or movie rental...
You want to know what make?"
(She paused again and looked at each and every person at
the table.)
I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need
to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts
they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts,
they can succeed in life.
(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make,
I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they
are ignorant...
You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
What do you make?"

THERE IS MUCH TRUTH IN THIS STATEMENT:
"Teachers make every other profession "

Update: Check out this video on You Tube:

Ever get this feeling?

Paul, my school principal, used this video this morning at our Lead Teacher meeting. It relates really well to what we're trying to do with I.C.T. in our cluster.... sometimes it really does feel like we REALLY are trying to building a plane in mid flight!

... and that is ok!