jds blog

MathsMovesU

2010-09-26T15:19:00.001+10:00

MathMovesU is an interactive virtual world where middle school students can interact with algebra, geometry, decimals, fractions, and word problems through topics they are passionate about like sports, music, and fashion. As students navigate through MathMovesU they will encounter math problems delivered through games, polls, and fun facts.

Innovative learning in Sydneys Northern beaches

2010-09-26T08:00:00.001+10:00

Time's 50 best sites

2009-11-26T10:46:00.002+11:00

Time has selected 50 of the best websites for 2009. Which ones have you tried?

Creative Commons: What every Educator needs to know

2009-03-02T20:42:00.001+11:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Creative Commons: What every Educator needs to know

View more presentations from Rodd Lucier. (tags: culture creativity)

Creative Commons

2009-03-02T20:20:00.004+11:00

Creative Commons: what every educator should know.This slide share program created by Rodd Lucier, http://www.the cleversheep.com, is a good starting point to learn about Creative Commons and teaching our students about using and acknowledging images found on the web. Learn more at creativecommons.org.
In the slide show the following sites are listed as being of great value to students
www.opsound.org for free music
www.picol.org for free images
www.archive.org for 1000's of free images and films
www.blip.tv.com

Australian Poetry

2009-02-13T19:40:00.001+11:00

A Pod of Poets is a series of eleven, 40-minute podcasts of Australian poetry, read by the authors. The poets come from all over Australia; some are emerging talents and some are established; several of them are on the school syllabus.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/poetica/features/pod/

The Innovative educator

2009-02-13T19:30:00.001+11:00

From OZTLNet comes this link to a great blog post:
25 Random Things Innovative Educators Can Do To Enhance Teaching and Learning
This is an interesting blog about innovation in teaching and learning. This
post gives 25 ways to enhance teaching and learning, with links on articles
that you can follow up.

The person writing the blog is the professional development manager for
educational technology at the NYC Department of Education.

http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2009/02/25-random-things-innovative-educators.html

Lots of great games to play and create

2009-02-13T19:04:00.002+11:00

Welcome to What2Learn. Make your own revision games, play one of the 9,000 games on this site or sign up for FREE access to the main system.
http://www.what2learn.com/

Conquering technophobia

2009-01-26T22:38:00.002+11:00

Old dog, new tricks: Tips for technophobic teachers

Stephenie Meyer

2009-01-26T22:23:00.001+11:00

Did you know that Stephenie Meyer first saw Edward and Bella in a dream? Watch the Youtube video.

Favourite quote

2009-01-26T22:09:00.001+11:00

Have no fear of perfection – you'll never reach it. Salvador Dali  

Celebrate Astronomy

2009-01-26T21:52:00.002+11:00

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy
Celebrate Astronomy provides a range of resources and activities, including a discussion forum, wikis and a database activity. Students will have the opportunity to find out more about astronomy and share their knowledge with other project participants.

Make your own songs

2009-01-26T21:39:00.002+11:00

Songsmith generates musical accompaniment to match a singer’s voice. Just choose a musical style, sing into your PC’s microphone, and Songsmith will create backing music for you. Then share your songs with your friends and family, post your songs online, or create your own music videos.

Try a winning and new search engine

2009-01-26T21:33:00.002+11:00

iSeek was the 2008 winner of the best alternative search engine. Has an educational search option.
And Leapfish is in beta format and claims to be the fastest search engine on the planet. Looks interesting.

Create your own Picture Books

2009-01-06T14:41:00.001+11:00

If you have always wanted to write a children’s book. Now you can do both easily and for free at www.biguniverse.com. Read more at http://wirededucator.wordpress.com/2008/08/06/big-universe-great-for-educators-the-child-in-us-all/

Digital Storytelling

2009-01-06T14:20:00.003+11:00

The following sites were posted on IASL-Network
So many choices .. Photostory or iMovie come quickly to mind. Here are some other suggestions:
Digital Storytelling
http://teachdigital.pbwiki.com/ds
Wes Fryer has this useful wiki for his presentation on the topic of digital storytelling. His list of digital storytelling options is more comprehensive than this one.

Stapleless Book:ReadWriteThink
http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/stapleless/
Great little tool. No audio . Good for younger students and imaginative adults.

Flip Book : ReadWriteThink
http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/flipbook/
Be sure to see this. You might be able to use it as a tool in the library or classroom.

Animoto
http://animoto.com
Upload your own images. Add music or voice. Animoto now has a text option. Animoto has limited controls for a student who wants to tell his story but it is a lot of fun to use with photos/text/music. There are educational terms available. Here's an example of an animated Animoto with limited text http://animoto.com/play/vamFQrga6hlB1R3SjgaQ1A

Comic Solutions
http://comiqs.com/
http://www.toondoo.com
In ToonDoo, for example, you can upload your own images and enhance those with various graphics that are provided. You can create a library of Toons that can be turned into a Toonbook. No audio. Fun.

Voicethread
http://voicethread.com
http://voicethread.com/about/k12/ [K12]
Popular digital alternative that is intended to link your audio with your images. Example of a storybook in Voicethread ? http://voicethread.com/#home.b2962.i26130

Slideshare
http://www.slideshare.net/
Create a "book" using Powerpoint and then use Slideshare to make it available to others.

Mixbook
http://www.mixbook.com/
Mixbook.com allows you to create photo books. Mixbooks can be shared online or as printed books. New ? add your own stickers for a scrapbook effect. It costs to print a book.

Blurb
http://www.blurb.com/
Similar to Mixbook. Create personalized book online. Printing available. Book on how to make a Blurb book is at http://www.blurb.com/create/book/htmab . Costs to print.

Bookrhttp://www.pimpampum.net/bookr/
http://technogogy.org.uk/bookr/bookr.htm [Video tutorial]
Helpful tutorial. UK site.

Scrapblog
http://www.scrapblog.com/
Multimedia scrapbook.

Iron on T-Shirt tranfers

2009-01-06T14:04:00.000+11:00

DLTK's Crafts for Kids Printable Iron On T-Shirt Transfers

Book Marks

2009-01-06T14:01:00.001+11:00

You can make bookmarks yourself, of course, from any of the bookplates we have on show. But we've started you off with bits from some of the bookplates we know are favourites, and here they are.

Colour book Plates

2009-01-06T13:58:00.001+11:00

Create colourful book plates quick and easy to use

Book reviews

2008-07-20T15:33:00.002+10:00

A couple of great sites to find current book reviews. One is Australian and the other from a Teacher Librarian, Frederick Muller, in the US, he posts for LM_Net
http://mullerinthemiddle.blogspot.com/ and Aussie Reviews it reviews the best of Australian books, films, music websites and more
http://www.aussiereviews.com/

Fototrix

2008-07-07T18:18:00.004+10:00

From Fototrix comes this fun way to make your own cartoons. This one is a preset cartoon that you just simply create your own text for.
1950s-home-computer-pc comic strip

2020 Summit Final Report

2008-07-07T16:25:00.003+10:00

Not sure if I will read the Report but I thought for future reference it is worth noting the site states:
The Prime Minister announced the public release of the Final Report of the Australia 2020 Summit on 31 May 2008. This report is intended to provide a record of the Australia 2020 Summit and recommendations on each of the discussion areas for consideration by the Australian Government. It is based on ideas put forward by participants during the Summit discussion sessions, outcomes from preliminary Summit events and ideas generated from public submissions received prior to the Summit.
http://australia2020.gov.au/final_report/index.cfm

Image generator

2008-07-06T16:11:00.001+10:00

Have some fun with this site, create magazine covers, postcards, transpose your photo to other people, make graphics with your text etc. Lots of fun http://www.imagegenerator.org

Flowers with dew

2008-07-06T16:10:00.001+10:00

flowers with dew, originally uploaded by jk10976.

First time I have used Flickr to automatically post a photo to my blog. So easy!! will continue to do this in the future. If you haven't tried to do this simply select a photo at flickr, above the photo select blog this add your blog and from then on flickr will automatically upload the photos.

Top 10 Search Engines

2008-07-05T22:29:00.003+10:00

The top alternative search engines
http://altsr.us

Tag Galaxy

2008-07-05T22:23:00.002+10:00

http://www.taggalaxy.de/
Take a minute and try it yourself, and be sure to mouse over, click and drag, go to full screen mode (bottom right), double click on the sun or a planet, grab and spin the image ball (the inside of any sun) - just play with it.

Yoozila a new Web 2.0 interface

2008-07-05T22:07:00.002+10:00

Wordle

2008-06-19T15:11:00.005+10:00

Here's a tool that allows you to enter text into it and make word clouds. You can edit the fonts, colours, backgrounds and print or share.
http://wordle.net.

Love A Book!!

2008-06-05T20:38:00.002+10:00

A great idea from Orange City Library. Love is in the air on February 14, known for centuries as Valentine's Day and now Library Lovers' Day too. You are invited to take part in a "blind date", with a book at Orange City Library. Come into the Library to receive your Library Lover's heart sticker and take home an extra book (your "blind" date). You never know what journey it may take you on. Also be inspired by the red hearts and their famous romantic literary quotes on display. It is the place to be this Valentine's Day whether single or attached. Or give the gift that lasts a lifetime and enrol someone you love as a library member.
It could also be used at any other time as a great way to promote either new books or great books that are no longer read.

A Wonderful site from The British Library

2008-06-05T18:04:00.004+10:00

The link to this site came from OZTLNet it is called Turning the Pages and provides access to such wonders as Leonardo's notebook, illuminated manuscripts, Mozart's musical diaryfrom The British Library. The miracle of modern technology enables the user to turn the pages and look inside these wonderful books and also listen to them being read. Amazing!!

Let us give thanks to Librarians

2008-06-02T19:46:00.003+10:00

Writer and Professor Junot Diaz in an opinion piece in the SMH on the 26th May talks about how a librarian may have actually been responsible for keeping him on the straight and narrow. He also give thanks to Literature he says "Literature is in my estimation best understood as a record of our human selves: of our frailties, of our follies, of our errors, of our limitations, of our fears, of our delusions, of our evasions and of our vulnerabilities." It opens the door to compassion in our brief lives.
A great read.

Books alive and well

2008-06-02T19:40:00.004+10:00

This article comes from the Guardian newspaper, UK, entitled Books are thriving despite the Internet. The article talks about the time taken over publishing books, as opposed to the Internet, where it all happens instantaneously, has not stopped the popularity of books.
Onward marches the book!!!

Fallen asleep

2008-05-26T20:14:00.003+10:00

Have not had a chance to write anything but have been doing lots of reading these past weeks. A couple of things that have come my way. Firstly thanks to Judy O'Connell for this great little site the "One Page Guide" Tim Davies One Page guides are an excellent way to introduce staff to Web 2.0. You can freely use his One Page guides and adapt them if you need to as long as you acknowledge Practical Participation.
Try this Survey Creator using your web browser selecting from over a dozen questions.
And for no particular reason love this picture from flickrcc

Webbies

2008-05-05T20:19:00.008+10:00

The leading international award The Webby Awards,
http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php? honours excellence on the Internet including Websites, interactive advertising and online film and video and will be announced on May 6th. Under Education is an excellent website FactCheckEd,http://www.factchecked.org , the site states their aim is to:
"help students learn to be smart consumers of these messages, not to accept them at face value; to dig for facts using the Internet, not to stop looking once they get to Wikipedia; and to weigh evidence logically, not to draw conclusions based on their own biases." Its lesson plans include one on the accuracy of Wikepedia. The site FactCheckEd Under the guide to lesson plans is a lesson called Wikiality. The lesson plan examines the ease with which Wikipedia entries can be altered (either innocently or maliciously). Discusses the accuracy of Wikipedia as an encyclopedia and consider the usefulness of any encyclopedia as a source of information. It also searches Wikipedia for specific factual errors. Looks a great way to get our students considering the usefulness of Wikipedia.

Growing up on-line

2008-04-26T15:13:00.002+10:00

Just how radically is the Internet transforming the experience of childhood?
Watch the 7 programs on teen life on the web. Makes for great viewing.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline

Jigsaw creator

2008-04-26T13:13:00.012+10:00

What an amazing site guaranteed time waster but lots of fun if you like jigsaws. JigZone is the website. You can even turn your favourite photos into jigsaws. So have fun. Try the puzzle below as a starter. And are they more than just fun, maybe even educational? Read the comments at this site.
http://www.talewins.com/help/jigsawed.htm

Beware of Books

2008-04-13T19:03:00.002+10:00

From EDNA share your love of reading, learn about new books to look for, share opinions, accept challenges, and publish book reviews. The web site states "Beware of Books participants will probably, but not necessarily, be 15-19 years. This is a place where you can discuss books, publish book reviews, and occasionally meet an author." Kerrie Smith is asking us to join up and promote reading in our schools.
http://www.ozprojects.edu.au/course/view.php?id=27

21st Century Learner

2008-04-13T18:18:00.005+10:00

Thanks to Mandie Gardiner on OZTLNet for these links to 21st Century learning. The message is clear that our students are not passive consumers of other people's information, but are becoming active content creators using technology as their preferred way of working. We need as teachers to make them information literate, digitally literate and critically literate. From YouTube:

Also view from TeacherTube
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?
AND
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?
And you might find interesting Digital Chalkie a Web 2.0 video wiki
http://digitalchalkie.wikispaces.com/

sputtr

2008-04-08T21:12:00.005+10:00

Combined a new search engine sputtr with www.classtools.net and snag-it softare that allows you to capture any part of a screen. The classtools site has a number of useful classroom tools for teachers.

Click here for full screen version

Digital Storytelling

2008-04-07T20:14:00.003+10:00

Jason Ohler "Through creating electronic personal narratives, students become active creators, rather than passive consumers, of multimedia. They combine oral, written, digital and art literacies as they become heroes of their own learning stories"
http://www.jasonohler.com

Belonging

2008-03-27T21:48:00.004+11:00

Victor Davidson on OZTLNet posted this link to a HSC and Education Forum run by Randwick City Council for Library Professionals. There are two PowerPoints of particular interest for the new HSC English Topic Area "Belonging". Helen Sykes has made suggestions for choosing appropriate related texts that will be a good starting point for Library collections and English teachers looking for ideas. Jeannie Baker's book Belonging gets a mention and you might like to have a look at an interview she gave regarding her book
at http://www.jeanniebaker.com/focus_web/belonging_interview.htm

E-Literature

2008-03-25T14:11:00.004+11:00

Thanks to the great T/Ls on OZTLNet for these links to e-Literature. My posting on Inanimate Alice was the first time I had really looked at this type of literature but it seems Alice is not alone. Have a look at some of theses sites I really liked the Vasalisa Project:

Word Circuits Gallery

Rocking Chair: The Vasalisa Project

Directory of E-Literature

And from last year's Refugee Week this e-Book

BOYS BLOKES BOOKS

2008-03-17T20:23:00.003+11:00

http://boysblokesbooks.edublogs.org/
Boys blokes books is a blog set up to support the Boys, Blokes, Books and Bytes program, run by the Centre for Youth Literature, State Library of Victoria.
Another blog worth dipping into, as its name suggests, they recommend titles to turn our boys onto reading.

A reading blog worth watching

2008-03-17T20:17:00.003+11:00

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/services/education/youthlit/readalert/
Read Alert, a blog about Youth Literature from the State Library of Victoria, has some interesting postings scroll to the end and view the book shelves, like nothung you have ever seen!!!

Comic Creator

2008-03-09T11:51:00.004+11:00

I should be on comission with the English Department as this is my sixth posting for you guys. This site was on OZTL Network Listserv and came from Barabara Barxton, a T/L always willing to share her expertise. I haven't created a comic yet but at first glance it seems user friendly. So I hope your kids get a lot of fun out of creating their own comics. Grateful for any feedback.
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/comix.php
Also have a look at this other site from Bill Zimmerman you might be able to use for relective writing
http://www.billztreasurechest.com/

Search Engine

2008-03-03T20:58:00.006+11:00

A Search Engine, http://studysearch.com.au that I am not familiar with, the web site states is a customised Google search engine developed for Australian Primary and Secondary school students so I will give it a try with my classes over the next week and let you know how it shapes up.

Inanimate Alice

2008-03-01T21:19:00.004+11:00

I was blown away by this digital book. There are only four episodes on the site at the moment but I would have to say I have never read!! a novel like this before. Is this the future of reading, multimedia novels? I like it, will wait to see if there is a future for this kind of novel. Watch, read and listen at
http://www.inanimatealice.com/index.html

English Learning Area

2008-02-22T12:24:00.009+11:00

http://wwwfp.education.tas.gov.au/English/ideas.htm
From the Tasmanian Education Department try the For Teachers "Teaching and Learning Units" LOTS of good ideas

English Webquests

2008-02-20T11:55:00.013+11:00

This great site from New Zealand, has some excellent webquests, http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/links/resource_query.html?type=Individual+Webquests&sitearea=Classroom that you might like to try with your class. or if you are looking for EVEN more ideas go their Home Page, http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz for a host of teaching resources and ideas

Crossword creator

2008-02-19T21:58:00.002+11:00

Useful website to create crosswords for your class
just give EclipseCrossword a list of words and clues, and it does the rest. In seconds, you'll have a crossword puzzle with just the words you want
You can create a web page designed to be printed, or you can choose from different types of interactive pages that your visitors can play right in their web browser, without installing new software.
http://www.eclipsecrossword.com

Readwritethink.org

2008-02-12T17:00:00.000+11:00

The International Reading Association
Hundreds of fabulous ideas for Literature and Literacy lessons
Also try http://www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/index.asp
Student Materials Index which offers a collection of online Student Materials to support literacy learning in the K-12 classroom. These interactive tools can be used to supplement a variety of lessons and provide an opportunity for students to use technology while developing their literacy skills. Click on the name of each interactive for a brief description of the tool and a list of the ReadWriteThink lessons that use the tool. From there you'll also be able to directly access the tool and use it in your classroom.

http://www.readwritethink.org

Evernote

2008-02-11T22:48:00.000+11:00

www.evernote.com
A capturing software that is FREE

Librarian Chick

2008-02-04T21:10:00.000+11:00

Links to free resources for students and teachers http://www.librarianchick.com
AND
Free and open source software, web applications and software http://foss.librarianchick.com/

Ban those bird units

2008-02-02T17:20:00.001+11:00

Besides lots of golf, swimming,walking on the beach, wining and dining I also did lots of great reading. All of the titles mentioned in my blog will be available for loan in the LRC so if you can find some time!! in your busy day they are worth a dip into. Ban those Bird Units is a book that sets out models for teaching in an information rich and technology rich environment.The authors chose this rather strange title to highlight certain types of assignments that have a common pattern of "finding stuff" to keep the teacher happy. Cut and paste the "stuff" in a word processor, add an image, maybe a border or some word art and hey presto another teacher focused task handed in. The authors have designed models to use in the classroom, library, computer lab. to enrich student learning to ensure deep knowledge and deep understanding of the research task. The book is full of practical examples for teachers to adopt or adapt. An excellent Library/Information Centre/Resource Centre does make a difference to student academic achievement the following website has links to PowerPoint presentations that can be used to inform staff http://www.lmcsource.com/tech/power/2nd/power2.htm
Other titles that you might like to read include:
Real Wired Child by Michael Carr-Gregg a self-help book for parents on dangers lurking on the Internet. Teachers would find it also a valuable read.
Guided Inquiry carol Kuhlthau et. al. discusses learning in the 21st century

WiiMote

2008-02-02T17:11:00.001+11:00

Our IT trainee, David Matesa, showed me this YouTube video on how to turn a wall into an interactive whiteboard for minimal cost, have a look, it's amazing.

Have a look at Jimmy Lees' website and check out the Steadycam another great and money saving idea http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/

2008, holidays are over!!

2008-02-02T17:03:00.000+11:00

But I can't stop dreaming!!.......
Better get back to reality and dive back into work

In2Edu

2007-12-17T15:17:00.000+11:00

Integrated thematic unit learning resources, that provide a basis from which rich learning tasks can be undertaken. Out of New Zealand but lots of relevant units
http://www.in2edu.com/downloads/freeware.php http://www.in2edu.com/

For the Scientists from the Centre for Learning Innovation

2007-12-17T14:53:00.000+11:00

Murder Under The Microscope
http://www.microscope.edu.au/
Scientists speak
http://www.cli.nsw.edu.au/cli/news/index/science_talk.shtm

Wikis

2007-12-13T23:16:00.000+11:00

Thanks to the latest IEU Newsletter for these great Wiki sites.
Seven things you should know about Wikis
http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/EL17004.pdf
Supporting student collaboration through the use of Wikis
http://www.commons.ucalgary.ca/documents/ITBL_eLearningTools_wikis_web.pdf
How Wikis work
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wiki.htm
Make way for Wikis
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6277799.html
Using Wikis in education
http://www.scienceofspectroscopy.info/edit/index.php?title=Using_wiki_in_education
Ways to use Wikis in education
http://wikiineducation.com/display/ikiw/Ways+to+use+wiki+in+education
Wikis in the classroom
http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/wikis/index.htm
Victorian Dept of Education
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/teacher/Global/Wiki.htm
Wiki links for Education
http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/go/highered/hot_topics/pid/646
Free Wiki spaces
http://www.wikispaces.com

Student Edubloggers

2007-12-13T23:06:00.001+11:00

Check out these student bloggers writing on a variety of topics, read the plagiarism article it is an excellent example of the depth of thinking that these students bring to this blog, as they say they are sharing their ideas through a global netwotk
http://students2oh.org/#share

Blogs In Plain English

2007-12-13T06:35:00.000+11:00

This YouTube video explains the value of blogging and why they are an important communication tool

AmazonKindle Book 2.0!!!

2007-11-30T12:34:00.000+11:00

What a fabulous reading device, finally an electronic book that is user friendly and that I can take to the beach!! To read more about the Kindle and watch a video of what it does visit the Amazon site
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Amazons-Wireless-Reading-Device/dp/B000FI73MA

Social tools in schools taking root

2007-11-29T22:10:00.000+11:00

Some interetsing research on the impact of Web 2.0 on our students, it is not all bad news at all.
Read the article
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=2&hid=105&sid=21d980d9-826d-4c51-b622-3eaea44ac35c%40sessionmgr108

AMOW

2007-11-28T17:36:00.000+11:00

HSC ALL MY OWN WORK is being taught to every Year 11 student. This is an outline of the program, every teacher should be aware of the principles involved as the dialogue with our students needs to start in Year 7
AMOW - IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL HSC STUDENTS AND ALL TEACHERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT-
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Ethical Practices
Intellectual Property
Plagiarism
Acknowledging Sources
Copyright
WHAT DOES IT CONTAIN??
• Has five modules
1. Scholarship Principles and Practices
2. Acknowledging Sources
3. Plagiarism
4. Copyright
5. Working with Others
WHAT DO STUDENTS NEED TO UNDERSTAND??
• good scholarship
• copyright law and intellectual property
• respecting the integrity of works created by self and others
• the difference between appropriate and inappropriate
• collaboration in completing school assessment tasks
• correct referencing, bibliographic and citation conventions
WHAT CAN TEACHERS DO??
• Be informed and proactive re HSC All My Own Work
• Introduce these outcomes from Year 7
• Keep reinforcing
WHERE CAN YOU FIND MORE INFORMATION??
• More information (including a great glossary) is available at the Board of Studies website: http://amow.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/

Bio-poem

2007-11-23T18:42:00.001+11:00

Went to a great one day seminar on guiding our students through the research process this week. Ross Todd a Professor at Rutgers University delivered three workshops with the message to avoid mediocity in what we do in the classroom and library. Challenge our students to create answers NOT make answers. One little idea that I loved was the Biopoem. Instead of the find out about... scenario students have to use their research to write a biopoem. Fantastic idea. To see a sample of how to write a Biopoem have a look at this website http://www.readwritethink.org/lesson_images/lesson398/biopoem.pdf
OR
http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/biopoems.html
How much better than the old Who What When How Why scenario

Animoto

2007-11-23T18:35:00.000+11:00

Have a look at this fantastic piece of software. I created this liitle show in just a few minutes, haven't worked out yet how I will integrate into a lesson but the kids will have a lot of fun using the software.
http://animoto.com/play/c2c624118ff65a0bb3658b2647936e71

Bibliosphere News: Life After powerpoint – 50 Ways

2007-11-21T17:47:00.000+11:00

Thanks to Marita Thompson for this great site. If you are just starting to use PowerPoint you may not want to go any further!! but the breadth of ways to encourage our students to present the results of their research is truly amazing. Great site for ideas for the Make-A-Scene competition
Bibliosphere News: Life After powerpoint – 50 Ways

Blogs

2007-11-12T22:31:00.000+11:00

Want to start your own Blog here are some websites to get you thinking and doing:
http://www.podkids.com.au/
http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/go/schooled/school_theme_pages/pid/542
http://stingyscholar.blogspot.com/
http://wordpress.org
http://www.blogger.com/home
http://www.bloglines.com/
http://ihistory.wordpress.com/
http://learnerblogs.org/

iPod stuff

2007-11-12T22:16:00.000+11:00

Broaden the use of your iPod
http://stinkbot.com/Tubesock
http://www.iquizmaker.com
http://www.ipodgames.com
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/podcasts

Bubl Information Service

2007-11-12T21:49:00.000+11:00

BUBL from the University of Strathclyde uses the Dewey Decimal Classification system as the primary organisation structure for its catalogue of Internet resources. As a Librarian I like it's arrangement and the content looks good.
http://www.bubl.ac.uk/

What do you see?

2007-11-12T21:32:00.000+11:00

Have a look at this article from The Telegraph, are you a Left Brain/Right Brain?
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22535838-5012895,00.html?from=mostpop

If you don't know what you want, StumbleUpon!!

2007-11-12T15:52:00.000+11:00

Channel surf the internet with the StumbleUpon toolbar to find great websites, videos, photos and more based on your interests. StumbleUpon learns what you like and makes better recommendations
http://www.stumbleupon.com

Flickr Creative Commons

2007-11-12T15:44:00.000+11:00

Fabulous copyright/shared photos from Flickr
http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net

3D photo imaging

2007-11-12T15:43:00.000+11:00

http://labs.live.com/photosynth/whatis/threedimensions.html
http://phototour.cs.washington.edu/

Cheap as chips

2007-11-12T15:37:00.000+11:00

An interesting article on purchasing a computer for less than $500
http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_docid=11CB7CE00C958EC0&p_docnum=6&p_queryname=2&p_product=AUNB&p_theme=aggregated4&p_nbid=K62R62CWMTE5NDg0MTcwNy4yMjkyOTQ6MTo2Om1hcmlhbg

Want some GREAT photos?

2007-11-11T22:38:00.000+11:00

Try the Flickr Creative Commons for great photos http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net/

Librarian's Manifesto

2007-11-07T12:46:00.000+11:00

File recovery

2007-11-01T21:59:00.000+11:00

Lost computer documents? try www.pcinspector.de

ReachOut Central

2007-11-01T21:49:00.000+11:00

The organisation behind this website, www.reachoutcentral.com.au, hopes teachers will encourage their students to access this site aimed at improving the mental health of our students. In the game, players become characters who have moved to a new town and need to establish themeselves, cope with change and make new friends. It is for young people between the ages of 16 and 25. It has information on depression, self harm, anxiety and body image. Looks good.

Facebook and MySpace

2007-10-31T07:03:00.000+11:00

Really enjoyed the holiday the month went too quickly. The Sunday papers were full of this story. The darker side of social networking. Read these two articles form the Sun Herald, as teachers we absolutely must be aware of the other face of these very accessible tools for our young people and continue to educate them about their appropriate use.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/facebook-security-loophole-warning/2007/10/28/1192941408684.html

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/year-7-sex-filmed-police-investigate/2007/10/27/1192941400125.html

Top 100 tools for learning 2007 « HeyJude

2007-09-20T07:20:00.000+10:00

Top 100 tools for learning 2007 « HeyJude

2007-09-16T07:48:00.001+10:00

One for the English Department

2007-09-13T15:52:00.000+10:00

A great site for book lovers. Check out the booklists they are very useful
http://www.insideadog.com.au

How not to use PowerPoint

2007-09-10T20:38:00.001+10:00

Tony Buzan on creativity and learning how to learn

2007-09-10T18:46:00.000+10:00

Wiki

2007-09-09T17:46:00.000+10:00

There are many free sites where you can set up a Wiki for your class to use. Here is just one example that I created earlier this year with an Ancient History class. Unfortunately they failed to take advantage of it as a learning resource but I think it is a great way for students to share information with their classmates and for teachers to post notes and useful sites.
http://ancienthistory.wetpaint.com/
Or you might like to try
www.stikipad.com

Writers speak

2007-09-03T14:30:00.000+10:00

http://www.cli.nsw.edu.au/cli/WritersTalk/

2007-08-29T07:31:00.001+10:00

Action Required to Make Education Australia’s Advantage

2007-08-28T20:19:00.001+10:00

Too many young Australians are being left behind by our school education system, a discussion paper released today by the Business Council of Australia has found. Read their findings:
http://www.bca.com.au/Content.aspx?ContentID=101154

Guided Inquiry: keeping our students engaged in their learning

2007-08-27T21:09:00.000+10:00

What is Guided Inquiry?
"Guided Inquiry is carefully planned, closely supervised targeted intervention of an instructional team of school librarians and teachers to guide students through curriculum based inquiry units that build deep knowledge and deep understanding of a curriculum topic, and gradually lead towards independent learning. Guided Inquiry is grounded in a constructivist approach to learning, based on the Information Search Process developed by Kuhlthau, for developing students’ competence with learning from a variety of sources while enhancing their understanding of the content areas of the curriculum." It is a work in progress, spearheaded by Ross Todd, founded on Carol Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process http://www.cissl.scils.rutgers.edu/guided_inquiry/introduction.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sybasigns
http://www.cissl.scils.rutgers.edu/guided_inquiry/slim.html

Bibliosphere News: REFUGEE WEEK 2007 - June 17-23 Theme: The Voices of Young Refugees

2007-08-27T21:07:00.000+10:00

Bibliosphere News: REFUGEE WEEK 2007 - June 17-23 Theme: The Voices of Young Refugees

Ma and Pa Kettle Maths

2007-08-27T20:58:00.000+10:00

Project Based Learning (PBL)

2007-08-26T08:26:00.000+10:00

Mark DeVries and I had the good fortune to be invited to a two day workshop run by the staff of Parramatta Marist to learn about PBL. I think it has great potential as a learning framework for our students, especially those who are disengaged with their learning. If you want to know more about PBL have a look at this video http://www.edutopia.org/begin-end and others on the edutopia.org website. Mark and I are happy to talk to you if you want to know more or are interested in getting your classes involved in a project.
Websites that you might like to view www.bobpearlman.org/Articles/21stCenturyLearning.htm
PowerPoint presentations www.edutopia.org/teachingmodules/PBL/PBL.ppt
To view some projects http://www.newtechhigh.org/Website2007/index.html or look at the Queensland Department of Education rich tasks http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/newbasics/pdfs/richtasksbklet.pdf
Read my notes at zoho.com
http://writer.zoho.com/index.do;jsessionid=967050AEF1CA74250D62389CFDB6A74C

Write-A-Book-In-A-Day

2007-08-24T16:13:00.000+10:00

What a wonderful writing experience the 5 teams at Marian had writing their books. You can view their photos and listen to what they had to say on our website
http://www.mariancollege.nsw.edu.au/new/library

Nova Science

2007-08-15T19:00:00.000+10:00

A wealth of fabulous videos and podcasts for Science, take the time to have a look it is worth it http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/

Bibliosphere News: In2Edu - Education treasure trove!

2007-08-15T18:58:00.000+10:00

Bibliosphere News: In2Edu - Education treasure trove!

Bibliosphere News: Be Cybersmart: Researching the Internet Wisely

2007-08-15T18:41:00.000+10:00

Bibliosphere News: Be Cybersmart: Researching the Internet Wisely

Bibliosphere News: Discover Information Literacy

2007-08-15T18:20:00.000+10:00

Bibliosphere News: Discover Information Literacy

Talking photos at Blabberize

2007-08-14T17:47:00.000+10:00

Create a talking photo!! http://www.blabberize.com The mouth in the photo opens and talks in time with the voice track. can be used as a party invitation by linking to www.crush3r.com

BEST SITES IN AUGUST

2007-08-08T17:59:00.000+10:00

Each month I will highlight a website, software and new learning resource that you will find useful and hopefully fun to use. If you would like to learn more about these resources please see me for some PD time. This month of August I would strongly recommend you look at:
SOFTWARE OF THE MONTH
http://www.voicethread.com
Allows you to create presentations using digital images, audio and text
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
http://www.unitedstreaming.com
4000 videos, lessons, images, quiz maker
LEARNING RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
Encyclopedia Britannica http://school.ed.com.au/ to find out more please see me for an overview of the knowledge bank, lessons, videos that are on offer