I blogged about my school’s BTG Conference this weekend here where Chris Toy and Kim Cofino are also presenting (I’ll hopefully be able to post on that if I can make it to their session). I myself presented on Essential 2.0 Tools for Teachers and Students. It was kind of tough to narrow the list down as everyone is coming from a different place and are at different IT stages. Most of the tools I suggest are not new and if you are a regular reader of this blog, you have probably encountered them already. I presented using this wiki which I encourage you to look at if interested. Embedded below is the document version provided as a faster reference (also included in the wiki). In my opinion, most of these tools should be standard in classrooms now.
Media literacy skills have been important for decades as the news media transitioned into entertainment and a few international corporations consolidated control over information. While media literacy was important in the 1960s, it was sorely neglected. It may be even more crucial today but remains unattended by many school programs.
Digital Images for Education is “an unrivalled online image library, comprising over 500 hours of film and 56,000 photos, will be available free of charge for at least 25 years to UK higher and further education institutions from Summer 2010.”
Edutopia released the pictured PDF, which is available for download here. (However, you will need to enter your details to access it.)
What’s Inside the PDF:
1. Break the Digital Ice
2. Find Your Classroom Experts
3. Get Off to a Good Start
4. Think Globally
5. Find What You Need
6. Make Meaning from Word Clouds
7. Work Better, Together
8. Open a Back Channel
9. Make It Visual
10. Use the Buddy System
Our new school year began this week. As in any international school setting, teacher/student turnover occurs every year. Sometimes it may be as high as thirty percent. To get everyone on the same page, why not consider experimenting with some new tools for your class/grade level projects? (Remember though, pedagogy first, tools second.)
I have posted many of these before and most essentials are filed under the “Cool Web Tools” tab above here on this blog. I have also made some further additions to my Creativity 2.0 wiki (pictured below). If you are busy, skim through and look for the RECOMMENDED! sites as pictured right.
I have done my best to make the navigation on the wiki simple. I would advise starting with the Presentation section. You may also find something useful under the “Other Good Stuff” area too. Click on the picture below to take you to the wiki. If you have any further recommendations, I’d love to hear from you! Lastly, consider looking at Alan Levine’s 50+ Web 2.0 Ways To Tell a Story. (Remember, most 2.0 tools require sign up.)
My job position has changed this year. I am teaching grades 6-9 Art as well as grades 1-3 Drama. My involvement in IT at my school may be minimal. However, it should not affect the posts on this blog. Let’s face it, all teachers are in IT now.
For the best professional development this year, start twittering and get a strangle hold of your RSS feed/Reader. I find Google Reader the easiest. If you already have a gmail account, you are pretty much set.
Art Threat: a web magazine about politics and the arts. They write about political art of all genres, discuss policy as it pertains to culture, and showcase artists whose work inspires social change.
Better Posters: a resource for improving poster presentations.
Digital Ethnography: a Kansas State University working group led by Dr. Michael Wesch dedicated to exploring and extending the possibilities of digital ethnography.
eLeaning Infusion: some good information here especially if your considering using digital portfolios.
Tom (& Co.) over at Bionic Teaching are developing a rubric for both teachers and students. Their “…goal was to provide a place to codify [their] views on 21st century practice- to show the mix of pedagogical changes, 21st century themes and sound use of technology. This allowed for teachers to self-reflect and analyze their own practice. They could then work with their ITRT to choose a focus for the year and work on increasing their demonstrated skills in that area.”
It’s an easy to follow 4 pages broken down into:
Research and Information Literacy
Communication & Collaboration
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Creativity & Innovation
One page is below. Click here to view the remaining document and leave them a comment.
In a world in which information is like air, what happens to power?
New technologies and a closely related culture of collaboration present radical new models of social organisation. This project brings together leading practitioners and thinkers in this field and asks them to determine the opportunity for government.
This website features all material being created during the making of the film.
There’s an article in the new issue of IBWorld magazine entitled Schools 2.0.
Teachers and students are using technology to make connections with each other across the IB community, and extend their links with the rest of the world. It may be a good introduction to those unfamiliar with some 2.0 tools and terms, their possibilities and a few activities.
It’s my second post today but I really need to share this one. It’s an excellent site a colleague has passed on to me (thanks Brian).
The Mobile Learning Institute’s film series “A 21st Century Education” profiles individuals who embrace and defend fresh approaches to learning and who confront the urgent social challenges that are part of a 21st century experience. “A 21st Century Education” compiles, in short film format, the best ideas around school reform. The series is meant to start, extend, or nudge the conversation about how to make change in education happen.
Here’s a sample of some of the videos (surprisingly, there are no embedding options but they do allow you to download them).
In this film, Larry Rosenstock, describes a vision for education that blends the head, the heart, and the hands. High Tech High embraces learning that flows from personal interests, passion for discovery and a celebration of art, technology and craftsmanship.
I have posted many of these before and most essentials are filed under the “Cool Web Tools” tab above here on this blog. I have also made some further additions to my 
