CTAP Siskiyou Web 2.0

Innovative use of blended learning, using a  rotating centers approach: Teacher instruction, Group work, Technology group. They are able to do more differentiated instruction within this model and looks like they're using some digital curriculum or an LMS. 

This is a helpful look at the stages many go through as they begin the journey of building a PLN. I've read a couple of posts by those extending themselves into the realm of connected relationships online: Chez Vivian "Oh, what a tangled web we weave" - http://goo.gl/CFnKv & Fenella Olynick: "Staying the Course: Connections, Reciprocity, and the Web" http://goo.gl/H8UKp

An award-winning English teacher and tech. coach/trainer, Alice shows how the CCSS recognizes the importance of technology in the classroom and gives specific ideas for meeting a number of standards. Definitely worth checking out!

Nice introductory video on using Twitter for PD and how to get started.

Online portfolio for teachers - FREE. I would encourage especially pre-service teachers to consider using a tool like this to help provide something more engaging than the standard resume. One of my goals this summer is to use something like this or a blog resume to document my work, experience, skill sets, and learning. 

Protecting your Digital Identity and that of others - Common Craft. Good video to use with students. 

Although this is written with younger students in mind, there are some good ideas of the skills all beginning bloggers need to learn, how to organize posts in a spreadsheet and track posts using Feedly, an RSS reader. Some good ideas for the classroom teacher. If 4th graders can blog, why not older students?

Ideas on how to embed and use Google Forms to track the understanding of students when watching assigned videos, either lectures or other videos. Using the form makes is easy to compile the response of students and provides for discussions and additional teaching of concepts. This teacher copied and pasted the response into Wordle and it gives a sense of what students found to be of significance in the video.

Great idea! RT @rwootenits: A1 I share my response in this short video: http://t.co/8FX8ppkOEh It's called S.H.A.R.E. #caedchat

Create animated gifs and loop in video. Also learnhow to clip an image outline

"Can computers really grade essay tests? The National Council of Teachers of English say "no," even if there is new software that says "yes."" Read the pros and cons in this article and judge for yourself. Can software do an ADEQUATE job of grading essays?

A very personal look by Vicki at handling difficult situations in life. Inspirational.

Information adapted from the Buck Institute for Education's (2011) PBL in the Elementary Grades: Step by Step Guidance, Tools, and Tips for Standards-Focused K-5 Projects

"In Project Based Learning (PBL), students go through an extended process of inquiry in response to a complex question, problem, or challenge. Rigorous projects help students learn key academic content and practice 21st Century Skills (such as collaboration, communication & critical thinking)."

Some ideas on how Google+ can be used effectively in professional learning, collaboration, etc.

Problem-based learning and project-based learning provide a rich opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge, expand their repertoire of technical skills, and enhance their appreciation of thinking tools, processes and strategies. The larger goal is for enhanced performance under challenging conditions that demand strategic reasoning, insightfulness, perseverance, creativity, and craftsmanship to resolve complex problems.

For those wanting to know more about the theory of Connectivism, this is a good academic introduction with research citations.

Good discussion on CIPA compliance and who is in charge of determining what is appropriate or not. This discussion articulates why a filtering company shouldn't be in charge of telling me what is appropriate or not. There is no standard that can be applied by a 3rd party provider.

"Speaking and listening. We do it every day for countless reasons. Routine interactions, brief exchanges, or thoughtful diatribes propel us through everything from the most mundane tasks to critical life events. Therefore, it's not surprising that speaking and listening have earned a prominent place in our K-12 standard documents, including the widely endorsed Common Core State Standards (CCSS). "