Another useful URL

http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/social-bookmarking-websites.

This website was recommended by Dr. Rubin

Useful url

http://www.delicious.com/

Like a Phoenix rising triumphantly from the ashes....

You don't get to be that beautiful piece of pottery unless you've gone through the fire. Old Eagle has had his wings singed a time or two this term, but the WebQuest has transformed this Eagle into a Phoenix. Just like the Phoenix rising triumphantly from the ashes, I felt like a new being once the WebQuest file had been uploaded. It is done. It is finished. It is over. Amen.

delicious.com Wasn't this supposed to be a site about CUPCAKES?

I've really had a time trying to understand how to use the new and improved delicious.com just when I was getting the hang of the old delicious.com.  And what's up with that name...delicious.com?  I find nothing delicious about it. Everytime I would look for/at bookmarks with/on/for delicious.com, I'd get hungry.  After spending so much time on the computer and eating, I would have gained 10 pounds if my teaching position wasn't as mostly a P.E. teacher. I'm just glad I'm still young enough to keep up with them. And with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, you don't sit and just let them play outside, even on nice days like today.

I uploaded a file for the assignment for delicious.com.  I can see the value of it.  I was able to search for articles on physical educatin, health, wellness, fitness, and coaching. Those are saved, and I did share some of the bookmarks with others in the class.

One thing that bugs me is that I had added all the people Dr. Rubin listed in a message as being on delicious.com to follow them.  When they changed formats, all those people were gone.  I tried adding that list back, but delicious.com said they didn't have any links.

My lunch and planning time are over, and it's time for the second half of the day. Ahhh. I think I can see the weekend.

This is Old Eagle wishing you well and nothing but blue skies.  Stop sometime today and marvel at His wonder.

Discovery Education

Discovery Education

Whether you're a newbie feeling IN OVER YOUR HEAD or a veteran teacher IN A RUT, you'll find ideas and plans to keep you energized. Even if you have everything completely IN CONTROL, be sure to check out the creative ideas and time-saving tips to help keep you on top of your game throughout the entire school year. 

Thought this was a great website to share.

Singing the WebQuest WebBlog Blues (aka HELP ME!)

Have you ever just wanted to throw up your hands, wave a white flag, or cry "uncle"?  Well, that's pretty much how I feel at this moment.  Let me elaborate.

The assignment due for tomorrow is to create a web blog.  I'm not exactly sure if by "create a web blog" means what I have done right here on blogger.com.  And if it IS the blog I'm supposed to create, how do I upload it before its due to be uploaded tomorrow night?

The Old Eagle blog has been a place to write about the assignments I've done, web pages I've liked, or discussion on education and educational technology.  I have tried to make each post relevant and correct in content.  Old Eagle has learned a lot, but there's still a lot Old Eagle can learn.

That's where the WebQuest assignment comes in.  I printed off the assignment for the WebQuest so I didn't mess anything up.  First thing I was to do was set up an account at http://www.zunal.com/.  Got that done.  I know all the parts that should be included in a WebQuest.  The next part of the assignment says to "use PowerPoint to create the project."  How do I use zunal and PowerPoint at the same time?  Is the PowerPoint for Dr. Rubin's purposes only? 

When I checked out the WebQuest PowerPoints, and went to click on the links listed in the PowerPoint, I was not directed anywhere.  Was I supposed to go to a link or was that, again, only for "looks?" 

In the majority of WebQuests I looked up, there were usually only 3 jobs listed (3 members to each group).  On our instruction list, we are to divide the students into groups of 4.  Maybe that isn't a big issue, but it is still confusing to me.

So much to do and so little time. I'd appreciate all the help I can get.  I would like to "enhance the appeal of my blog posts", but unfortunately, it's time for Old Eagle to fly away.

But before I end this post, I'd like to share a link with you.  It's a WebQuest on how to do WebQuests.  http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestwebquest-es.html.

Anticipation Guide...It WORKED!

I chose the Jim Valvano ESPY award speech http://www.americanrehetoric.com/speeches/jimvalvanoespyaward.htm for my topic to complete this week's assignment.  I was able to pull the video up and show it to my health/wellness classes.  The students didn't know who Jim Valvano was (made me feel old) and didn't have a clue about who Arthur Ashe was (the person for whom the award is named.)  At least some of them (mostly the boys) had heard of the ESPY's and knew they were awards given by ESPN.  It surprised me that they listened with attention, and seemed moved by the speech. After showing the video to the classes, though, I decided that they needed some background information, so I made up a "Prior Knowledge Questions" page.  It had 4 questions that I knew they would be able to quickly find the answers to during computer lab. I think by adding the Prior Knowledge Questions, it made the Anticipation Guide more effective, and watching the video a little more meaningful. If you haven't seen this speech, I encourage you to do so. 

Purcell: Wary of the technologically aware - Aurora Sentinel: Columnists

Purcell: Wary of the technologically aware - Aurora Sentinel: Columnists: My new cell phone calls people on its own.

Using Anticipation Guides in Reading - PrometheanPlanet

Using Anticipation Guides in Reading - PrometheanPlanet

Anticipation Guide | Classroom Strategies | Reading Rockets

Anticipation Guide | Classroom Strategies | Reading Rockets

Just When You Think You've Got Things Figured Out....

This week's assignment was to work on the delicious.com site.  I have been looking for websites that will further my knowledge of using technology in the classroom. I've also bookmarked sites that just plain interest me. Some have to do with health, physical education, and coaching.  Some have to do with other areas of education.  Then there are the sites that I bookmarked just for fun.

I have no idea if what I've done on the delicious.com site is what is required for this class.  Is anybody else confused with delicious.com or with this web blog we're supposed to be doing?  I have no problem understanding the quizzes. You read the chapters, then take the tests.  Straightforward.  It's the assignments that I don't completely "get."  I'm frustrated.  And if this blog is not the place to vent my frustrations, then I don't know where it would be.

I've begun to work on the anticipation guide - our next assignment.  I've chosen the speech, and it is one that I can use in my class.  I've got some questions in mind, and I think this assignment shouldn't be too hard.

 I looked on the classroom blog and there were 21 comments.  Seven of them - one-third - of the comments are from me. I haven't seen anybody else's blogging on here - just mine  Guess I just talk (or type) a lot.  I come by it honest, though. My dad is one of the best yarn spinners around.  Just ask anybody in Carter County.

This is Old Eagle saying happy fall y'all...as it will officially be autumn on the 23rd.

Power Point Assignment

I had never created a power point presentation before completing the one assigned for the technology class.  I would like to have had a lesson on creating a power point, though...something I could read rather than look at a power point to learn how to create a power point.  It would have been helpful if I'd seen what each of the buttons would let you do.  My project was very simple.  I put in some features that made each slide come in at different angles.  It was confusing trying to find the correct format for how I wanted to place text and clip art on the page.  I didn't include a self-test or questions at the end, so I had points taken off for that.

Some teachers, though, get too carried away using power points.  It's just like using anything else...overuse kills the effect.  I had a college teacher tell our class, "If you come into the class and stand on your head, the class will pay attention to you.  But if you come into class everyday and stand on your head, then it becomes mundane and BORING."  It's no longer something new.

This is Old Eagle telling you that I'm gonna be keeping both feet on the ground.  I'll not stand on my head, but I might try to fly.

iPods, iPhones, and IPads...OH MY!

iPods, iPhones, iPads.   Kindles, Nooks, Tablets, and Readers.  While looking through the weekend sales papers, I noticed that CVS had a Craig Wireless Touch Screen Tablet for $99.99.  It is described as a 7" mobile internet device.  There's also a LookBook Wireless Reader for $59.99. It has a 7" full color screen aned comes with 150 FREE books.  CVS?  Isn't it a drug store?  Since when have they gone into the electronics business?  While Walgreens didn't have any electronic items on sale, a check with the local store confirmed they carried the items.  So I continued my search for more "hot deals on top tech."  Toys R Us has any MP3 Players @ 50% off their original price.  For $49.99 you could get the Polaroid 8GB touch Screen MP3 Player with Video AND a $10 gift card..  A Kindle Wi-Fi could be had for $114.99 also a $10 gift card with purchase. If you buy an ASUS Eee Pad with Android 3.0 Honeycomb for $399.99, you'll get a $30 gift card for free.  And we all love things that are FREE.

While you might expect to find these electronic gizmos in an electronics store, the availability of them at drug stores, toy stores, and department stores is a testimony to the availability and affordability of products either not invented or was only used by hi-tech or wealthy people.  

We have been studying how technology has changed the way people receive information and how schools use such technology in the learning process.  Most of these devices weren't available when the textbook was published, so they are not included. 

 The one thing that bothers me with all this new technology is the small size of the screens.  The tablets are a little better, but once you hit 40, your iBalls just don't see as well as they used to.

TGIF

A "week" in Technology for Educators goes from Monday to Sunday, with most assignments being due on Sunday night.  The second week of class (officially named Week 1) will end on September 4, and our assignments will be due on that date.  I finished taking my test.  Didn't have a perfect score, but I did pretty good.  Some of the questions were confusing - I think that's how they're supposed to be.  I do not like doing true/false questions, and there were a lot of them on Test 1.  I am almost finished with my Theorist paper.  Hope to finish it tonight so I can upload it, and be finished for the weekend.  While I'm still unsure if I'm doing things the way Dr. Rubin wants it, I'm plugging along....This is Old Eagle wishing you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.  See ya on the flip side.

Seymour Papert

The Swing of Things

I study when I can, and sleep when I can. Tonight, I can't sleep, so I thought I'd blog. Started reading on chapter 2, but found it a bit dry.  One thing that bothers me is when the author uses the word in the definition of the word.  Sometimes I feel that I have a handle on what's being discussed because it's a review of previous classes, then I feel totally lost....like that woman who said she was a hairdresser and didn't currently teach.

I have also given some thought to Connectivism. While making connections with others and forming webs, we take the human factor out of the equation.  You already see that when, instead of getting up to talk to someone in another room, you text them instead.  This lack of social interaction concerns me. Any thoughts from anyone?

First Blog Attempt

I am a student in a graduate class called TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATORS.  I wish I had read TECHNOLOGY FOR DUMMIES before attempting this class.  I am going to record my journey , as will my fellow classmates.  I'm looking forward to learning something totally new for me.  I may need help from my 12 year-old nephew.