[Replicable Practices] Stop your students from yawning because of another Power Point presentation. Teachers Create Boss Presentations with PowToon!

PowToon For Education

Part of every teaching dilemma or more specifically part of the planning process when creating a lesson is finding ways to attract (buzzword: hook / engage) students into what knowledge or skills you are trying to share with them. Being an avid user of Microsoft Power Point for many lessons I had noticed that students were becoming bored or uninterested in Power Point presentations. Too much is too much. Not only were my students becoming unusually rowdy but they had a look on their faces that suggested "Again? Give us a break from Power Point." Searching for alternatives I remembered attending a meeting about technology in the classroom and jointing down a brief note on a new presentation tool called PowToon.

PowToon yells out to Teachers and enthusiastically says - "Flip your classroom, inspire, engage and delight your students."

Copied directly from About PowToon:

"allows users to create colorful, visually engaging animated Powtoons (presentation - cartoon mashups) with drag-and-drop simplicity...PowToon wants to also make a difference in the education sector and our tool is designed to allow education professionals (and students) to create content that is visually engaging, captivating and fun to make.

[Replicable Practices] Flickr . . . Flickr . . . Flickr Fun

Signing up for a free Flickr account was simple. The wonderful thing about the signup process was that any user has three options (the more options the better). Each user can sign up for a new account (associated with Yahoo), use an existing Yahoo ID or they can use an existing Facebook ID or Google ID. I already had a Yahoo Account (Renaissance Professor) therefore I did not have to memorize another signup name and password for a site that I may or may not use.

I am finding myself daydreaming about other nostalgic places and therefore decided to revisit a couple of childhood communities. I took a couple of snapshots with my iPhone 4s (enabled Geo-tagging), signed up for a Flickr Account, uploaded the photos, changed their privacy settings to public, reviewed the license agreement and tagged. I then decided to map the photos on the Flickr map. The process was easy and I can see how this tool can be addicting.

Here are the set of three photos that also mark earlier milestones in my life:

Avon Ave by Renaissance Professor, on Flickr

Keele Subway Station Outdoor Waiting Platform by Renaissance Professor, on Flickr

Keele Subway Station by Renaissance Professor, on Flickr

These spots are very important to me because this is where I grew up. What and where would I explore today? I cannot count the number of almost falls I had running down these steps at the Keele Subway Station. Never wanting to miss my bus as I heard the rumble of its engine as the bus pulled into the bay.

My photo experience and using Flickr was a positive one. Uploading pictures was easy. It took a while to get all the settings in the Flickr account just right but once they were set they became the default for every other photo I uploaded. I really liked placing the photos on the Flickr map. Enabling the Geo-Tagging feature on the phone is a great feature.

Teachers can use Flickr and associated tools in many ways. Consider an interactive and visual story line for writing assignments, historical associations to modern landmarks or photo journalism to virtually any topic.

[Replicable Practices] Discover Flickr

Before creating a free Flickr account I decided to explore The Tour and read the FAQ. I rummaged, searched, explored and discovered and interesting image that I share with you below. I suggest you do the same.

Angele Menard by H.A.T. Photography, on Flickr

This old barn can be found at the Adamson Estate, which forms the eastern boundary of Port Credit, Ontario. Why is this old barn significant? The barn represents an important milestone in my life, awhile back I also had my photograph taken at that exact spot.

More on Flickr in my next blog post.

[Replicable Practices] Tricking my students to write an Opinion Essay. What I mean is Creating Comics & Cartoons

The students in my class are very opinionated. I often hear them get into fiery discussions with their peers about who is the best basketball player, favourite recording artist or favourite team in any given sport. They are also very good at coming up with advantageous reasons as to why they should not be in school uniform or why they should not receive a zero for an assignment they may or may not hand in. However when student's are asked to write an opinion essay they become so burdened, listless and lethargic in getting pencil to paper (fingers to keyboard). Of course I go over with the class countless examples and writing guides on how to write and effective opinion essay but somehow they do not seem to enthusiastic about it (I do not blame them, since the my old way was a snooze). Personally I happen to think it is the term 'essay' extinguishes their writing flame despite the fact that they can argue with some incredible points of view. One idea that I would like to explore to further my own replicable practices when it comes to delivering a lesson about writing an opinion essay is through the use of Comic Creators.

[Replicable Practices] Educational Merits: Blogging in Education

Grab yourself a blog in 3 steps

What is a blog?

Comments:

I share with you a Google Scholarly Search using the term: Blogging in education. I particularly enjoy:

Downes, S. (2004, September). Educational blogging. EDUCAUSE Review, 39(5), 14-26. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE Review/EDUCAUSEReviewMagazineVolume39/EducationalBlogging/157920

Taken from the Educase Website:

Stephen Downes (http://www.downes.ca) is a Senior Researcher with the E-Learning Research Group, National Research Council Canada, Moncton, New Brunswick. Comments on this article can be sent to the author at stephen@downes.ca.

My Blogs
  

WordPress	Blogger
Replicable Practices	Replicable Practices
My Philosophy	My Philosophy

Please look forward to another [Replicable Practices] post in which I explore Tumblr.

[Replicable Practices] As you see it because you are the storyteller! Storify

Storify - All the stories happening on social media

Guided Tour

How to write a newspaper article is a skill that I guide my students through in a series of lessons. The reason why I really enjoy these lessons is because I only initially share with my students some guidelines. The rest is up to them. Through student exploration, research, polling and a culminating whole class example the lesson and curiculum expectations get processed through.

I am excited to try this new tool and incorporate it into my next series of newspaper writing lessons. English teachers and media teachers might also want to explore this site.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions page and view the videos below to become familiar with Storify.


Storify from Storify on Vimeo.


Storify Overview from Storify on Vimeo.


Getting started with Storify from Storify on Vimeo.

[Replicable Practices] CBC Learning and Blog

The Canadian Broadcasting Centre better known as the CBC is Canada's national public broadcaster. For years I have been watching their top quality TV programs and special documentaries. More often then not I have found inspiration relating their programming content within the context of my lessons. By doing so I have developed interesting lessons and lesson extensions and have hopefully sparked a curiosity within the students. I share with you a CBC Learning Blog that hopefully you can use the ideas found within to develop your own replicable practices. Thank you CBC.

New Link: CBC Learning

[Replicable Practices] Ontario kids can read well, but they don’t have to like it

Ontario kids can read well, but they don’t have to like it

Author: Kate Hammer
Published Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 5:00AM EST
Last updated Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 7:09AM EST

Directly copied from the article:

Students in Ontario are among the most proficient readers in the world, but those bragging rights may have come at a cost: The joy of reading.

A new report released Monday by education advocacy group People for Education finds that while literacy and standardized test scores have climbed over the past decade, the number of students who report that they like to read has dropped, from 76 per cent of Grade 3 students in 1999 to 50 per cent in 2011.

Be sure to also check out the video attached to the article:
How one teacher uses Smart boards to entice students to be 'part of the show'

[Replicable Practices] Blogging in Education

I share with you a Google Scholarly Search using the term: Blogging in education.


I particularly enjoy (PDF):

Downes, S. (2004, September). Educational blogging. EDUCAUSE Review, 39(5), 14-26. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE Review/EDUCAUSEReviewMagazineVolume39/EducationalBlogging/157920

Taken from the Educase Website:

Stephen Downes (http://www.downes.ca) is a Senior Researcher with the E-Learning Research Group, National Research Council Canada, Moncton, New Brunswick. Comments on this article can be sent to the author at stephen@downes.ca.

[Replicable Practices] Sir Ken Robinson - RSA Animate: Changing education paradigms

Robinson, S. K. (Lecturer) (2010). Changing education paradigms [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zDZFcDGpL4U

Comments:

I had to watch the video a few times before I began to understand the concepts that Sir Ken Robinson was referring too. When I think of education reform I think of it in terms of Newton's Cradle.

Some external catalyst or motivation begins the motion to reform education. In this case the catalyst for educational reform is the preparation for the changing economy in the 21st century and the the maintenance of cultural identity. Both in my mind very valid starting points to trigger reform. Using Newton's Cradle then the ball represents the idea of an education reform. Once the ball or reform is released it goes through a series of cultural and societal institutions.

Each institution takes a piece of that reform, absorbs it, and in turn (hopefully??) uses it to change educational practices. However, if with each transfer of idea the only thing that takes place is the absorption the reform eventually stops. In other words the pendulum stops swinging since all energy has been used. What needs to happen in order to keep the pendulum swinging is a reinvention and application of a particular educational reform so that new reforms can contribute back and redistribute ideas (energy) back to the institutions thus maintaining momentum.

Educators need to embrace the new reforms which in many cases do not come from the professionals or other institutions but from the learners themselves, the students. I like to think of myself as the student rather than the teacher.

[Replicable Practices] Lifelong Learning

Young, S. H. (2011, July 31). 15 steps to cultivate lifelong learning. Retrieved from http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/15-steps-to-cultivate-lifelong-learning.html

Comments:

After reading the article I could not help thinking back to the summers I had spent with my grandfather and grandmother. There was never a summer day that went by where my grandfather did not repeat his personal motto to me. He would say:

Michael take time to learn anything and everything you can. Learn a skill no matter how big or how small, one day you will be thankful that you learned that skill, it will serve you well. Learn it, set it aside but do not forget it.  (Ernesto Salerno)

The 15 steps to cultivate lifelong learning speaks to me on a very personal level. Step 2 "keep a to learn list" and step 3 "get more intellectual friends" are two steps that I am very thoughtful in carrying out. It would be a challenge to have everything on your to learn list crossed off since the list is continually growing however it keeps the learning process moving forward, creating many sub or side lists to work from. Surrounding myself with  intellectual friends can be intimidating and uncomfortable but it is within that uncomfortable feeling that learning takes place.  My career as a teacher has certainly helped me carry out both steps.

[Replicable Practices] Ontario Ministry of Education: Think Literacy Library

The Ontario Ministry of Education using the student success umbrella presents the Think Literacy Library. 

Teachers can find:

• Subject-Specific Strategies, Grades 7-12
• Professional Learning
• Professional References: Boys' Literacy Teacher Inquiry

[Replicable Practices] Strategic Reading Resource Center

Has developed a great web resource that is "designed to help secondary teachers integrate strategic reading instruction into their curriculum." The subsidiary site contains links to a number of excellent resources.

Copied directly from the site:

• Strategy Tool Box - Brief descriptions of reading strategies for teachers to use in their classes.
• Teacher-Tested Strategies - Practicing teachers used these strategies and created a database of what works.
• Web Links - Links will take you to other strategic reading sites.
• Research - The Department of Education site to inform educators about research supporting strategic reading in secondary education.
• Bibliography - Great resources in print and media that can help teachers help their students.

 

[Replicable Practices] Please Sir, Honestly ... I know how to write a paragraph! OSSLT Preparations

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Prep

This is a the second in a series of posts that examines some of the resources I had bookmarked when I was preparing replicable practice resources for my GLE2O1 class. The primary way that I used and modified this resource was to help prepared the students for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test.

1. Improve your English with WritingDEN! (Tips-O-Matic for Sentences / Paragraphs / Essays)
2. Writing Fun by Jenny Eather (Using text organizers to assist students with the writing process)
3. Persuasive Writing Websites for Teachers and Secondary Students
4. District School Board of Niagara and Westlane Secondary School present Summer Literacy Project
5. Digital Literacies - Persuasive Writing by Kevin Cummins (Slideshare Presentation)

[Replicable Practices] Wellbeing Toronto

A new site was launched about the City of Toronto. A valuable tool for several reasons. It helps satisfy the curiosity that Torontonians have about where they live. Comparisons can be made between neighbourhoods to help people make decisions. Students can use the site through a number of school subjects such as careers, civics, geography, urban planning, business, environmental studies, math etc. Teachers can use another visual and technological means to give students other perspectives.

Wellbeing Toronto

Copied directly from Wellbeing Toronto:

Wellbeing Toronto is a new web-based measurement and visualization tool that helps evaluate community wellbeing across the city's 140 neighbourhoods. Using geographic information software, Wellbeing Toronto allows you to select, combine and weight the significance of a number of indicators that monitor neighbourhood wellness. The results appear instantly on easy to read maps, tables and graphs. This free tool supports decision making and seeks to engage citizens and businesses in understanding the challenges and opportunities of creating and maintaining healthy neighbourhoods. You can also find detailed demographic information about each neighbourhood.

[Replicable Practices] Please Sir, Honestly ... no more OSSLT Preparations!

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Prep

This is a the first in a series of posts that examines some of the resources I had bookmarked when I was preparing replicable practice resources for my GLE2O1 class. The primary way that I used and modified this resource was to help prepared the students for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test.

University of Manitoba Virtual Learning Commons

The University of Manitoba Virtual Learning Commons hosts a series of resources designed to help their students to improve their writing.

The resource can be adapted and modified to match the level of learning for any student.Make sure to click the Plagiarism and Academic Integrity link for the main resources I used.

Plagiarism and Academic Integrity

[Replicable Practices] Please Teacher Can We Watch A Video? Wingclips.com

Conversation Sparkler

Ask a student what they learned in school and almost all of the time their memory becomes foggy, hazy, blurred and even forgetful. Their replies are short, elusive and dodgy. A word stumbles out of their mouth..."nothing."

Ask the same student if they can describe their favorite movie or to recite their favorite movie quote and magically they are transformed into giving an accurate, detailed and succinct reply.

Whenever possible I try to incorporate video clips into my lessons. Very popular in lesson introductions but also useful to reinforce concepts or to be used as conversation sparklers.

WingClips.com

 WingClips.com is a website that I often refer to when I need "movie clips that illustrate and inspire." The website is subscription based (there is a free sign up with limitations). You can search the video clips library through a search box or you can select clips based on movie title, scripture (requires registration), category or theme.

[Replicable Practices] Hey You, Opportunity is Knocking so GetInvolved.ca

What do you need to graduate from an Ontario High School?

In addition to the 18 compulsory, students must complete the following: (PDF)

• 12 optional credits
• 40 hours of community involvement activities
• the provincial literacy requirement

Where can I find opportunities to complete the 40 hours of community involvement activities?
  
Getinvolved.ca is a companion website linked to a TVO television series. On TVO, Get Involved is 25 documentary shorts celebrating people from 7-70 who are making a difference in their schools, in their community and through their work. They are stories of inspiration. The website was created was created to transform that inspiration into action.

Hey You, Opportunity is Knocking so GetInvolved.ca

[Replicable Practices] YouTube: Test Taking Strategies

An expectation in the General Learning Strategies (GLE) class is to model test taking techniques. I have found the Paul Devoto's YouTube Channel that covers this topic.


A description Paul has wrote for his Test-Taking Strategy Videos:

This series shares the best strategies for improving your score on multiple-choice tests. The episodes are produced by Paul Devoto and hosted by math teachers at Jonas Salk High-Tech Academy middle school in Sacramento, CA

[Replicable Practices] Knowledge Ontario: Building the Digital Citizen

Knowledge Ontario is a premiere digital collection of resources. You must explore the digital collections and databases in order to appreciate the vastness and extent of the content that is found. In addition there are many links that I offer up to the students to extend lessons beyond the general and specific curriculum expectation.

Knowledge Ontario

Knowledge Ontario Mission Statements:
"To provide Ontarians with the digital tools and resources they need to build stronger, healthier communities and participate fully in the 21st century knowledge economy."