Learning with Skype

Teachers all over the world are using Skype to make learning more exciting and memorable. Students find videoconferencing motivating when they talk to an author about a book they are reading or ask questions of another class halfway around the world. Check out some of their projects and get started yourselves.

Some articles from educators using Skype may give you some ideas about projects, how to make connections with classes and experts or with those who want to practice their language skills:
http://record-eagle.com/sunday/x998539803/Teachers-find-learning-tool-in-Skype
https://sites.google.com/site/chattingacrosstheusa/
http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com

Try social networking

My New Year's resolution is to be more faithful to posting on my blog.

For your New Year's resolution you might consider signing up for some teacher blogs or Twitter posts. They are very informational from new sites you don't have time to find but might find handy to ideas on how to use different technologies. I watched a one-hour Skype demonstration last week that I found quite useful. Try these to start: http://www.teachhub.com/, http://ilearntechnology.com/

You'll see Skype in a chapter of the new book I'm working on now.

Google Science Fair

On 11 January, 2011, Google is launching its inaugural Google Science Fair, partnered with NASA, CERN, National Geographic, Scientific American and the LEGO Group. The goal is to create a new STEM competition that is more open, accessible and global than ever before. Google is reaching out to educators prior to launch to extend an invitation to schools and teachers to get involved early in its global competition.

To sign up for fun and free resource kits for your classroom or school (with bookmarks, stickers, posters and more!) and a reminder notification when GSF registration opens, go to the Google Science Fair at: http://www.google.com/sciencefair

Finding K-12 Grants

Grant Wrangler is a free grants listing service. This site makes it easier for teachers, librarians, and parents to find funding, including grants and awards for arts, history, mathematics, science, technology, and more. From the Voice of Democrary Scholarship Program for social studies to grants for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to ones for your school library, you can find examples at Grant Wrangler. They even list grants for teachers.

Subscribe to their newsletter to find the most up-to-date listing of grants for K-12.

Understand grant programs available to you and how you can meet the requirements for each program.

Librarian roles

Library media specialists have a twofold teaching role:

• They are teachers of students, facilitating the development of information-literacy skills necessary for success in all content areas, and they are in-service trainers of teachers, keeping abreast of the latest information resources and technology.


• Library media specialists also must embrace technology to be effective. They must ensure that school networks extend the availability of information resources beyond the walls of the library media center, throughout the building, and, in the best cases, into students' homes

The school year has started. Let's begin training both our students and teachers to be better users of technology.

Multiple Intelligences and Web 2.0

Espoused by Howard Gardner, the eight (8) multiple intelligences can be enhanced in your classroom using Web 2.0 tools. For example, let's say that some of your students seem to learn best through "interpersonal" intelligence, that is learning best through interaction with others-- activities to promote collaboration, discussion and social engagement

Here are some ideas. Your students can write their own blogs, create their own social networks and wikis, share SMART Board files, and collaborate in real time using Google Docs. Video conferencing (like Skype) and video tools (Animoto) are also ideal for learners who like to act interact face-to-face.

One of your goals as a teacher is to encourage exploration and inquiry, promote global citizenship, and deepen knowledge and understanding. Web 2.0 tools provide the technology, and your classroom activities are only limited by your own imagination!

A new school year

School is getting close to starting if it hasn't already. School supplies, school clothes for the kids and for the teachers, it's time to think about this year's lessons, students and all the myriad of details that goes into a school day.

If you haven't already incorporated new technologies into your lessons, now is the time to start. Review my Website at http://sites.google.com/site/bevseducationalwebsite/ and take a look at my book Using Web 2.0 Tools in the K-12 Classroom at the Neal-Schuman Website http://www.neal-schuman.com/bdetail.php?isbn=9781555706531.

Check the blog and Website often for new ideas for using technology in science, social studies, language arts and with second language students.

Good luck in the new school year!