Learning in Maine

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Thinking about using Internet resources in the classroom is like …

Asking students to conduct Internet searches is like …

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Storytelling

Profession Storyteller
"Share a Story - Change the World"

Maine Organization of Storytelling Enthusiasts Page

Moose Storytellers

Monday, March 9, 2009

SEEDLINGS Podcasts at Bit by Bit

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Choosing a Web Application

"A tool should have a low floor, wide walls and high ceiling" ~ Mitch Resnick and Seymour Papert.

We have been bombarded with web apps for the past couple of years. It is overwhelming for even those of us who spend a great deal of our time trying to be aware of what is available.

The first issue is to have a place that collects and organizes these new tools. Simple Spark is a favorite spot for me to check out what is available. Then there is, of course, Go2Web20, which is perhaps a bit glitzy, but helpful nevertheless. And there is also Webappsreview.

The next issue is to actually choose the best tool for what we want to accomplish. The tool needs to be so easy-to-use that even beginners can quickly make use of it, and yet, at the same time, needs to offer the ability to offer higher level options for those who are growing in skills. When the learning-curve gets in the way of what we need to accomplish, I would suggest that we need to reconsider. Clunky and archaic systems that get in the way of efficient learning have no place in education. It shouldn't be a complicated ordeal to accomplish a simple task. Teachers are pragmatic and will use what works well as there is no extra time to spend endlessly troubleshooting.

Richard Byrne's Free Technology for Teachers gives reviews of the latest apps and sites . . . and suggests ways they might be used in the classroom.

My current favorites: #1 Ning, #2 Google Sites

What are your favorite web tools?

"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." ~ Albert Einstein

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Road Runner Culture

"Slow down, you move to fast . . ."

Edupunk

I just happened upon the term Edupunk. Although the term might not contain the best connotations, the ideas within it strikes a chord in me. It touches upon my biases about citizenship and governmental and corporate control.

Take a look . . . see what you think.

Stephen Downes: Introducing Edupunk
D'Arcy Norman
The Wired Campus: Frustrated with Corporate Course Management Systems
Ken Carroll: Edupunks Need to Grow Up
Is Teaching a Subversive Activity?
David Warlick: What's This about Edupunk?
Brian Lamb: abject learning
Jennifer Jones - Injenuity: Viral Professional Development

Friday, March 6, 2009

Maine Community Heritage Project

See call of participation below:

The Maine Historical Society, in partnership with the Maine State Library, is seeking Maine communities to participate in the 2009-2010 program cycle of the Maine Community Heritage Project (MCHP), an innovative program that promotes collaboration between local schools, historical societies, and public libraries through the exploration and celebration of local history. The MCHP grows out of the Maine Memory Network, the Maine Historical Society's nationally recognized statewide digital museum, and is supported by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services.

The MCHP is a year-long program designed to mobilize Maine communities around the exploration and sharing of their local history. Each participating community will build a website on the Maine Memory Network that gathers and radically expands access to historical images, documents, and information related to the history of their community.

Applications from local partnership teams—each of which must include a local school (grades 6-12), library, and historical organization are now being accepted. Eight communities will be selected to participate in the program which will run from July 2009-June 2010. Participating communities will receive extensive training in digitization, access to powerful yet user-friendly online tools, guidance and support from full-time project staff, and funds of up to $7,500 to support project activities. All Maine communities are eligible to apply. The application deadline is: April 9.

For an application, or to learn more about the MCHP, please visit here or contact Kristie Littlefield by email at or by calling (207) 653-9287.

Image Power

Wow . . .you need to check this out. Maine's own, Sharon Betts, just blogged about Time Space: World on Sharon's Share blog. This is yet another powerful, yet simple to use, online tool to make connections with photos and events. Along with one of my favorite tools, Cooliris (formerly PicLens), it is easy to scan the planet for that needed image. Just think of the possibilities!

There is an embedded version of Cooliris below, but to gain the full power of its capabilities, a browser plugin needs to be downloaded here.

Additional Photo Resources at the LIM Wiki