Build ambulance garage in Copper Harbor, MI | Pepsi Refresh Everything

You read about Copper Harbor and the Queen there. Just got a request from Princess Karly the Queen's loyal golden retriever... the folks and dogs there are vying for a Pepsi grant to build an ambulance barn. They certainly would appreciate your vote. Takes a few minutes but, hey, if you are ever in the Keewena and you fall off your bike or break a leg you'll be glad you voted so you won't have to wait 45 minutes for the squad to arrive.


Build ambulance garage in Copper Harbor, MI | Pepsi Refresh Everything

Rain, Fog and Other Stuff

Tomto and I always say we hope the folks along our riding route need the rain because precipitation seems to ride with us on our motorcycling tours. A few years ago on a trip to Everett, WA across US Rt. 2 the rain found us just after we crossed the Mackinac Bridge to the UP and didn't let up until we hit eastern Montana. The rain and mist caused the cancellation of fireworks in Duluth on the 4th of July that year.

This year we seem to have broken the string of wet days. After we left Door County, WI we were dry all the way to Marquette, MI. From Marquette to Copper Harbor we had a few showers but not enough to challenge our GoreTex Aerostitch riding suits. Our stay in Copper Harbor was dry and sunny except for the fog bank and mist that rolled in on our last night there. By morning light the sun had returned and we rode away from the Land of Make Believe with the sun smiling down on us.

However, somewhere between Houghton, MI and Ashland, WI the rain gods found us again. We started looking for a motel in Ashland and finally found one that fit our criteria (cheap, close to food and drink) in Eagle River, WI. The Lumberman Inn also welcomed pets... the owners' standard poodle roamed the halls and the cheerful barks of other canine guests could occasionally be heard. Unfortunately, the "close to food and drink" bar and grill next door was permanently closed and for sale. We had to settle for A&W hot dogs and root beer from down the street. We spent a rainy night at the Lumberman but rode off to Duluth in the dry.

This time our stop at the Rider's Wearhouse in Duluth was dry and undramatic. Last time we had to lay over a day to wait for the Mecca of distance riders to open its doors after a stormy Independence Day weekend. The GPS I'd snitched from Loretta's car when we left Door County led us directly to the store-that-looks-like-a-warehouse in the industrial section of old Duluth. The Wearhouse is not much of a shopping experience, the display area is about the size of a normal family room. The glass cases are haphazardly filled with items from the catalog and the walls are hung with sample tee shirts and other gear riders might want or 'need'. I bought a light weight dry bag and a tee shirt I'd long admired in the catalog... it has a picture of nun smoking a cigarette sitting astride a vintage Montessa motorcycle. The words: "Where there is sin, there I must go". I know, I know, not so funny when I see it here but it struck my funny bone and I had to have it, now I don't know where I can safely wear it.

While we were shopping Tomto struck up a conversation with another customer. As it turns out he is a participant in the famous/infamous Iron Butt Rally held every two years. A kind of uber-scavenger hunt/competitive long distance motorcyle ride thing. This middle-aged ordinary looking guy was telling Tom about hitting a cow during the rally a couple of years ago. He was riding through open range in New Mexico at night and a cow wandered out in front of him and he hit it square in the side. His Aerostitch Roadcrafter suit and his helmet saved him from serious injury but the encounter ended his Iron Butt prize chances for that rally. He says he's still trying to get the cow shit out of his suit.

No more rain until we reach Nipigon, ON. Threatening clouds and showers send us eventually to the Beaver Motel (not cheap, not close to food and drink and the worse possible motel name to phone your wife about).

The town of Nipagon is slightly off Canada route 17 which is the major east-west route through southern Ontario. It has definately seen better times. Lots of closed store fronts. Gritty, weather and time-worn streets. Small groups of teenagers with little to do hanging around the convenience store/Subway near the center of the business district. But, near the center of what was once the main street is Paddle-to-the-Sea Park and Library. The park is dedicated to the 1941 Children's book of the same name. The book tells about a toy canoe called Paddle-to-the Sea built by a First Nation boy near Nipigon. The canoe follows the waters of the Nipigon River to Lake Superior and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean. Follow this link for the full story of the park, the book, and the movie: Paddle-to-the Sea

Morning dawns, at least it is time for the sun to come up in Nipigon. It's raining and worse yet visibility is waning... lots of mist and fog. We ride off with only the room-made coffee in our bellies. The next town with a cafe and gas station is Schreiber, ON (Celebrating 125 Years of being a railroad town). We stop for a real breakfast thinking we'll wait out the rain and fog. No such luck, the rain is steady and the fog is getting worse. We finally leave and ride through Terrace Bay which should be the most picturesque part of the Canadian route around Superior. We see nothing in the town. The fog is so thick we only sense the presence of water on one side of the road and perhaps a gas station on the left. It's so foggy we can't stop for fear of being run over by one of the many semis that run this road night and day. We ride for maybe 3 hours with only the painted lines on the road to guide us. Every few minutes headlights of oncoming vehicles pop out of the fog and whiz past, their tail lights disappearing in the rearview mirrors almost immediately. Fortunately we are able to ride at a pace that keeps the trucks at bay, traffic does not stack up behind us at least. At last we arrive on the outskirts of Marathon, ON. On the right is a trifecta oasis: The Airport Travelodge, a gas station/convenience store AND a restaurant with a beer license. It's only 1:30 but they have a clean room and let us register. Cost is no object for this stop but it's no more expensive than last night's minimalist Beaver Motel.

We are out of the rain and fog with wifi and satellite TV.

Dinner at the Harbor Haus

Returning from the source of 41 we stop at the General Store for Bell's Two Hearted Ale and some Keweenaw micro brew to replace the stock in the Doll House fridge. We shower and dress in our cleanest dirty clothes to have a final evening meal in Copper Harbor with Phoebe and Sue. The best restaurant in town is the Harbor Haus, a German themed place with a faux half timbered outside, huge copper clad double entry doors (these doors face the southwest and absorb so much heat from the sun the owners have installed a special cooling device to blow air over the doors) with a sign that warns that the doors may be hot enough to burn fingers. Inside we are warmly greeted by the hostess and bartender and immediately escorted to Phoebe's special table by the large plate glass window on the upper level. As guests of the Queen Tomto and I get the seats facing the harbor. While being seated the bartender has been busy creating the Phoebe-tini for the Queen. This special drink (don't remember all the ingredients but it it is served in a martini glass and the shaker is left on the table). The rest of us order drinks and peruse the extensive menu. In addition to fresh fish entrees there are some German items including beef rouladen with red cabbage and German potato salad. Ican't pass on the
German sides and order a German beer to keep the theme going and to avoid mixing alcohol types since we had a beer on the deck after dressing for dinner.

The food, conversation, and service were great but the show of the evening was the weather. As we ate a fog bank appeared out on Superior and slowly moved from west to east across the harbor vista... quite spectacular in the still brilliant northern evening light.

Monday in Keweenaw

Monday in Keweenaw

Breakfast at the Tamarac... special treatment for the Queen and her court, quick service so P&S can make their meeting. Phoebe and Sue have a 10 o'clock with the Copper Harbor Improvement Association planning for "Thunder in the Harbor" motorcycle rally on the coming weekend. We learn later that Phoebe is charged with soliciting gift certificates from local businesses for the rally raffle. Only the local commercial camp ground fails to donate. Who could deny tribute to the Queen?

Tomto and Dave ride the Brockway Mountain scenic road, We almost turn back after a couple of spectacular turnouts thinking that we must surely have reached the top... but noooo, the summit has a gift shop and great views of Superior with a passing freighter to the west. On a clear day, they say, you can see Isle Royal. To the east and south is a big chunk of Lake Medora. To the north are views of far off Keweenaw Mountain Lodge golf course. The road down the west side of the mountain takes us back again to Eagle Harbor (too fancy for the Queen, but has good dump facilities). South on the coast road (Rt. 26) and eventually to Rt. 41.

Here we decide to look for the birdseye maple outlet we saw featured on the Tamarac place mat. I think I remember it's in Laurium but when we ask in the Laurium lumber store we find it's really a few miles back 41 in Mohawk. In Mohawk we follow signs to a (actually 'the') side street where we find a warehouse building with a small showroom tacked on the front. Inside are an amazing array of birdseye maple object... some art some utilitarian. This business finds and makes things from maple trees that have a genetic defect which creates the characteristic swirls that are the 'birdseyes'. Identifying trees that have the birdseye gene is an art in itself. We learned that sometimes clues in bark pattern are fairly obvious, mimicking patterns in the wood. However, most of the time the bark pattern gives no obvious clue to the untrained eye. The ability to find a birdseye in the wild is a significantly valuable skill. As we learned from Phoebe who is contemplating selling some timber off her 22 acres at Oleanna a birdseye tree can bring as much as $40,000. The wood is used, of course, in making furniture, music boxes and other decorative objects. It is also found in the steering wheels and interior decor of luxuary autos such as Lexus and Jaguar. In the shop were examples of the veneer pealed from birdseye logs... many linear yards of eighth inch thick veneer can be shaved from a single log.

Having spent a non-productive but interesting day touring the Keweenaw south of Copper Harbor we motor back north on 41, through the great tunnel of trees, past the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and Golf Club, right at the only flashing yellow light in Keweenaw county, east to find the source of Route 41. Past the Fort Wilkins campground, past the recreated Fort itself, and in a mile or so we reach a the end of the paved road and a sign that proclaims "The Beginning of US Route 41".

(see post with link to US Route 41 info)

U.S. Route 41 - Wikipedia

Here's a link to the Wikipedia entry that explains the route and termini of US 41. Tomto and Dave visited the beginning terminus east of Copper Harbor, MI. Most of us are familiar with 41 in Florida where snow birds drive too slow.

U.S. Route 41 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Queen of The Keweenaw

In a previous post I may have referred to Phoebe as the  unofficial mayor of Copper Harbor... in retrospect I may have understated her status in the North Country.  Phoebe's influence extends as far south on the peninsula as Calumet where she ruled over the elementary school of 800 students.  As a long time school administrator she has a good handle on what constitutes "best  practices" in teaching and learning and is not shy about encouraging incorporating these practices in classrooms. As in most places and positions many folks believe that the current practices are just fine and that what worked for mom and dad will do OK for the kids.  She has a scrapbook of articles clipped from the local paper attesting to the controversies strirred up by this southerner who dared to challenge the status quo.  She had many supporters in teachers and parents who could see beyond the past and had high hopes for kids of the 21st century but in the end the Queen abdicated that portion of her realm to the citizens who view the future in their rear view mirrors.

Currently she not so much rules but presides over the social and promotional aspects of the upper Keweenaw Peninsula.   In the day and a half Tomto and I spent with Phoebe and her friend Sue we were on a whirlwind tour of area  happenings, restaurants, and bars.  We were regaled with tales of political intrigue, local characters, history and gossip.  One of our first stops was at the Eagle Harbor "Junk Day" where even the mundane discarding of accumulated castoffs is an opportunity to meet and greet the subjects  (or in the case of a township official who has offended the Queen) to ignore the subject.  That tripped to the Queens outpost of Oleanna, her little cabin in the wood on Lake Medora where she is currently doing battle with newcomers who are attempting to bring inside plumbing, electricity, and street lights to  what is, and always should be an area of rustic retreats.

After a  beer and a climb down to the lake to start the gasoline powered pump to refill the elevated water tank we were off the the Delaware Copper Mine that is operated by a subject who runs the closed mine as a tourist attraction.   Back on US 41 we stop by the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, a miniature Yellowstone Lodge look-alike ,  for another beer and a chat with a couple of OSU faculty members who spend their summers golfing and goofing around Copper Harbor.

Dinner a the Mariner where Phoebe is 5 minutes getting to the best table in the house while she chats with several loyal subjects.  More beer.  After dinner we visit Zik's Bar where the Queen once presided as  the bartender.  At Zik's we meet more locals including Brian one of only 5 people in the world who is qualified to repair Fresnel lenses used in light houses.  He just got back from working on the Bald Head light in NC where, on an island of only golf cart transportation, his cart was towed because it was too shabby.

  Ross told of how his grandparents played host to the crew of a grounded freighter while they waited for the lake to freeze so the cargo of hundreds of 1927 Chryslers could be offloaded and driven across the ice.  They were paid $18 for their trouble.

There are only 72 full time residents of Copper Harbor but apparently thousands of stories. After a frothy nightcap we retire to the Land of Make Believe, the Doll House and a good nights rest.

Looks like it will take another post to finish Copper Harbor.

Catching up... Copper Harbor & Keweenaw

Still catching up.  Dateline Iron River, WI Wednesday July 21.

Tomto & I left Ann & Fred's around 10 on Sunday.  Stopped as mentioned before at Kavela's for a pasty and rode on to Copper Harbor.  US 41 which begins life at the  tip of the Keweenaw and eventually mkes its way to Florida where it is most famous for its slow-driving snow birds leads us directly to  the only flashing yessow traffic light in Keweenw county.  Left turn at the light, a hundred yards on the left: The Land of Make Believe.

But the road to get there, young US 41!  Pretty uneventful for the first 30 or so miles.  Tiny villages that appear to be "rode hard and put away wet", lots of old cars and abandoned buildings, here and there evidence of the once flourishing copper mining that loaned its temporary glitter to the peninsula.  The largest town, Calumet, has a nice old 19th century  high school right on 41, it's  now renovated and integrated with more modern mile and elementary schools.  The whole connected complex is joined to a wood burning, smoke stacked plant that provides heat for all the buildings.  Down town Calumet has recent been redone with the help of federal grants... restored store fronts, new/old brick streets, standardized 'olde' signage.   some charm but with a sense of resignation to the inevitable: Almost a Ghost Town.

Ah but the last ten or 15 miles!  My most vivid memories of my last visit to Copper Harbor are of that road.  It's a tunnel of trees and when the sun is shining (and it was each time we traversed that section) the road is dappled with lacy shadow and light that is mesmerizing.  It's the highway itself that is the view, not vistas or grand buildings (there virtually none), only a brief glimpse of Lake Medora's shore and a short run along the stone fences of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge golf course.  Tomto and I have ridden the infamous "Tail of the Dragon" in North Carolina...300+ turn in 11 miles or something like that.  Sports car drivers and go-fast bikers come from all over to ride that road which is littered with car and bike parts of over-enthusiastic drivers.  The approach to Copper Harbor, while not quite as twisty is more beautiful and certainly more serene than the Dragon.  Still, the thrill of negotiating the gentle curves and dips gives one a sense of being one with the machine.  All-in-all a more zen-like and satisfying experience for old guys.

More to follow about our visit in the Land of Make Believe and our hosts Phoebe and Sue.

Door County to Copper Harbor and Beyond

Coming to you from beautiful Iron River, WI this post will be brief because we've been on the road today and suffered through rain and heat.  Plus I'm typing on the tiny XO keyboard that makes me crazy.  Tomto and Chemo had a great stay in Marquette with Ann and Fred... got to see all their toys and collections, even sailed on the 40+ year old Dutch sail boat in Marquette Harbor.  In addition to their vehicle collection (power, sail boats; Cesnna 172, Buel and Ural Motorcycles fred is restoring a classic Triumph MC and a rare Honda trials bike.  Ann's  collection of Native American artifacts would send our friend Jack's had spinning... everything from porkupine quill baskets to some really nice kachina dolls.

Our overnight stay included grilled fresh Lake Superior whitfish, homemade blueberry pie, a tour of the city and Northern Michigan campus as well as great conversation and accomodations.  It was great to see Ann and Fred again, especially in their home environment.
Sunday it was on to Copper Harbor with aa brief stop in Hancock for a past at Kevala's Cafe.

More to follow.

Tom & Dave's Excellent Adventures - No Country for Old Men Tour

Here's a link to the website that chronicles old guys doing mildly adventurous things. I'll be adding docs and pics from previous trips as time goes by.

Tom & Dave's Excellent Adventures

Some educators question if whiteboards, other high-tech tools raise achievement

Food for thought. I know many of you have Smart Boards, here's a piece that asks some probing questions. For one, "Do whiteboards just allow teachers to teach in the old way with a new device (is the Smart Board just a glorified chalkboard)?" Good question, I think. One measure of change might be to determine if kids are finding ways to use the whiteboards to teach the teacher or other students. What do you think, Smart Board users?

Some educators question if whiteboards, other high-tech tools raise achievement

Wayne's Day | The Forum for Education and Democracy

Many of you have mentioned the pressures of preparing kids to take high stakes exams that are foisted on schools and teachers by No Child Left Behind legislation and other misguided efforts to improve education by testing and punishing schools who can't raise test scores. The author of this article is George Wood who 15 or so years ago was a professor of Education Administration at Ohio University. He was teaching his students how to become public school administrators and decided he did not have the experience to teach others how to run schools in these difficult times. He took a leave from his higher education position and became the principal of Federal Hocking High School. He still has that job as well as being the executive of "The Forum for Education and Democracy". I know George, he is an authentic, "what's-best-for-the-student" educator. Hear what he has to say about high stakes testing and pass it on to everyone who will listen.

Wayne's Day | The Forum for Education and Democracy

Wikispaces - Tours

When instructional time is limited choices have to be made about what to include and what to leave for the next time. Wikis were a casualty of EDUC 675 2010 planning. Several of you have mentioned wikis in your writing and so I've posted a link here to get you started if you are interested. Once you complete the introductory tour you'll find more videos on adding features to your wiki. EDUC 675 2011 will most likely include a wiki project... just have to figure out how to make room for it. Any ideas what to change to make Wikispace? ;-)

Wikispaces - Tours

Education And The Future of Technology

We've all seen similar videos but this one is a bit more professionally done. Would be a great intro to a discussion on why more technology and Web 2.0 tools in school. Perhaps even a discussion on the topic of a total overhaul of how schooling is done. Creativity, collaboration, and problem solving are the skills that will allow our kids to survive in the world we cannot know.

Education And The Future of Technology

The Bear - Film by Jean-Jacques Annaud

If you ever need a story starter... regardless of your grade level, here's a great one. Might be scary for younger kids but I think they would love to re-tell the tale in their own words. What do you think?

The Bear - Film by Jean-Jacques Annaud

Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! | Video on TED.com

Most of you have heard Sir Ken Robinson's 2006 TED talk on education and creativity. Here's his latest. I don't know how it will come about but his vision of personalized education is certainly one to which I subscribe. Perhaps technology and a new generation of educators (you all) will bring it about.

Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! | Video on TED.com

Internet4Classrooms - Helping Students, Teachers and Parents Use the Internet Effectively

Christine Allen posted a link to this site on her Blog... I took a quick look and found it very useful for a wide variety of teachers. Take a look and let Christine know what you think(callen43@wowway.com).

Internet4Classrooms - Helping Students, Teachers and Parents Use the Internet Effectively

Filters: If not me, then who?

I just re-read a post from one of our classmates complaining about the lack of "flash" software on school computers which essentially blocks the use of ANIMOTO.  The overzealous use of filtering is a fairly common problem for teachers.   Here is what I suggested to our classmate:

I read this post earlier and missed the opportunity to express my opinion that teachers need to be proactive with the people who control school information technology departments. Find out who is in control and build a case for less restrictive filtering. Use Animoto as an example of good things that are being excluded. Do a demo, get an exception for one class if necessary.

May 17, 2010 8:12 AM

To paraphrase Hillel, "If not me, then who?  If not now, then when?"

Simple Techniques Can Make You A Great Teacher : NPR

Not exactly Web 2.0 stuff but it's about teaching and that's what we do. NPR often has good education segments. I think the book featured here is a starting place for a spirited discussion about what makes a great teacher. See if you agree.


Simple Techniques Can Make You A Great Teacher : NPR

Leonard Waks on "The Web 2.0 Educational Revolution: Are We There Yet?"

Jill Yonchak put this link on her blog... I'm re-posting it here hoping to reach more of you. Leonard Waks is posing some provocative ideas about the future of teaching and learning. If you haven't tapped into a live online interview this would be a good time to start. Just follow the links at the appointed time. At the very least, read the description of the interview on the Web 2.0 web site

Steve Hargadon: Leonard Waks on "The Web 2.0 Educational Revolution: Are We There Yet?"

Interview with John Taylor Gatto

Too late to catch the live interview but I believe you can listen to the recorded stream. If nothing else read the quote from John Taylor Gatto in this piece, lots to think about here. Also, note the title of his second book: "Weapons of Mass Instruction". Sounds like a good read.


Steve Hargadon: Live Interview Tonight with John Taylor Gatto, Critic of Compulsory Schooling

iCue > Welcome!

Another site from my source in Lakota SD (she passed on the HippoCampus site, too). This is also for secondary teachers. Video quizes on current events. Should work well on SmartBoards. Who can resist Tiki Barber at the end of the intro?

iCue > Welcome!

HippoCampus

Here's a site that may work for secondary teachers... I've heard good reviews and there is not much advertising. In addition to math these subjects are covered:

Algebra

Algebra (Spanish)

Curso de Álgebra IA

Curso de Álgebra IB

American Government

Biology

Calculus

Calculus (Spanish)

Environmental Science

Physics

Psychology

Religion

Statistics

US History

I can imagine the 'Algebra in Spanish' as an interesting site for Spanish teachers.

Could be a link from your web site.

HippoCampus Algebra - Algebra IA - Homework Help

Step Back From the Baggage Claim

I refer to this book in the presentation that introduces Project #3 in Google Docs. I encourage you to visit Jason's site and at least view the video there. For Project #3 I've taken liberties with his metaphor but the message is similar: too often we are so occupied with our own immediate tasks that we fail to see solutions that could make our work both easier and more productive.

Step Back From the Baggage Claim, Jason Barger, motivational speaker, inspirational speaker, business speaker, speeches, Travel Gracefully, columbus, ohio, Airport book, self-help, self help, motivational consultant, inspirational consultant, motivational consulting, inspirational consulting, Life Lessons

Transcendentalism by Miriam Drew on Prezi

Transcendentalism by Miriam Drew on Prezi

Here's an example of Prezi done by a teacher, at this location there are some student examples, too. Amazing stuff, sort of Wordle mets PowerPoint.

Prezi - The zooming presentation editor

This site came highly recommended by a teacher friend in Lakota SD... check it out, does presentations like Google Docs Presentations. May be better with more tools, I have not used it. Let me know if you give it a try.

Prezi - The zooming presentation editor

Heigle Christmas Card (Picasa)

This is our 2009 Christmas card done with Picasa. Can't you see a class newsletter or end of year card for parents with a collage of kids and classroom events arranged on one page. You can print the page or email it. Kids can choose the pics or make their own.

Picasa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Instead of a direct link to Picasa here's a link to the Wikipedia page about Picasa. Its a great Web 2.0 photo manipulation and storage place. We did our Christmas card with Picasa last year.

Picasa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Netflix Founder Acquires Online Education Start-Up - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com

I learned about this from Cheryl's blog... if you click on the Dreambox link in the article it take you to the site where you can see a preview of the software. Thanks Cheryl!

Netflix Founder Acquires Online Education Start-Up - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com

coweb2intro.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)

Example of a Podcast... this one explains Web 2.0. Good for review of what we are about in 675.

coweb2intro.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)

ABCya! Kindergarten | Kids Computer Games & Activities

I know some of you are K and pre-K teachers... here are some tools that look like they may work for you.

ABCya! Kindergarten | Kids Computer Games & Activities

The Lodge Does The Canopy

An Animoto video I made from pics and video clips my wife took on her Hocking County Canopy Tour.

The Lodge Does The Canopy

SchoolTube Videos

More videos from teachers and kids... there is a games tab, check it out.

SchoolTube Videos

Favorite Links - jonathanwylie - SimplyBox

More classroom idea links. This is one teacher's list of favorite websites. If you review this site be sure to review the host site "SimplyBox", a place to keep all your favorite links (this is the Web 2.0 tool) not the actual sites stored by Jonathan Wylie in the 'box'.

Favorite Links - jonathanwylie - SimplyBox

The Amazing Web 2.0 Projects Book - The Education Technology Blog

Jackpot! For those of you who have been wondering if this course was "all hat and no cattle", that is, all theory and techie stuff and not much classroom application here's the mother load of Web 2.0 classroom projects. "The Amazing Web 2.0 Projects Book", Terry Freedman (ed) is loaded with projects that use apps we've sampled and dozens of others. The book is a free e-book that you can download as a .pdf file and (groan) print on paper if you need to. It's cross referenced by topic and age/grade. It would be service to the class if you'd critique some of these lessons on your blog... you can count each lesson reviewed as a blog entry you need to do before the April 21 class.


The Amazing Web 2.0 Projects Book - The Education Technology Blog

Michael Specter: The danger of science denial | Video on TED.com

For everyone who teaches science or current events... what does science denial and anti-intellectualism mean to teachers and schools? How could you use this video with colleagues or parents... or with high schools students?


Michael Specter: The danger of science denial | Video on TED.com

EG - The Entertainment Gathering

50 speakers on creativity and innovation... two of my favorites: David Pogue, Technology writer for the New York Times and Mike Rowe the Dirty Jobs guy. These videos may be for your edification only or maybe as an introduction to a creativity push with colleagues or high school students. What to you think? In the best of all possible worlds how might you use one of these as a hook to get the creative juices flowing?


EG - The Entertainment Gathering

Arthur Benjamin's formula for changing math education | Video on TED.com

Four minute video for everyone who teaches math... a modest proposal. What do you think? Even elementary age kids understand probability at some level. While you are in TED check out some other videos and give us a blog entry.


Arthur Benjamin's formula for changing math education | Video on TED.com

Creatively Speaking, Part One: Sir Ken Robinson on the Power of the Imaginative Mind | Edutopia

Watch this video, step back from your day-to-day work, imagine how you can help the kids you work with live in the world Sir Ken Robinson describes. How would you like to break out of the the boxes that shape your creative efforts?

Creatively Speaking, Part One: Sir Ken Robinson on the Power of the Imaginative Mind | Edutopia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dpQGaP7sHM

Your reactions to this video? What do you need for yourself and your classroom to fulfill this vision?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dpQGaP7sHM

A MUST-SEE for Every Educational Administrator in the World - Classroom 2.0

Just read about this video in Jill's blog... you've got to see and listen. I'd love to see blog posts reacting to the message. While you are in the site subscribe to Classroom 2.0

A MUST-SEE for Every Educational Administrator in the World - Classroom 2.0

''Green'' Activities & Classroom Resources: Environmentally Friendly Lessons (Grades K-12) - TeacherVision.com

I love when other people do my work for me... some really dedicated folks spend hours surfing the 'net to find web sites on a topic, write brief descriptions and publish the list on a web site for others to use. Your assignment to review 6 web sites and publish on your blog descriptions is sort of the same deal. Anyhow, here's a site with lots of links to "green" activities.

Let others know when you find interesting links.


''Green'' Activities & Classroom Resources: Environmentally Friendly Lessons (Grades K-12) - TeacherVision.com

10 Simple Google Search Tricks - NYTimes.com

Some more search tricks for Google...

10 Simple Google Search Tricks - NYTimes.com

Web 2.0 Teaching Tools: Top 5 Quiz Generators for Online Educators

High school teachers take note...

Web 2.0 Teaching Tools: Top 5 Quiz Generators for Online Educators

The One Computer Classroom

Some of you have written to say you have limited access to computers in your classrooms. Several years ago there was a book published under the title " The One Computer Classroom" that was pretty good for helping teachers use limited technology resources in the classroom. On a whim I Googled "the one computer classroom" and got several interesting sites including the one below. You can do your own Google search... or just click on the link below for some ideas. Let me know what you find, add your finds to your blog or post a document/discussion in Google Groups.


The One Computer Classroom

Google Translate

Holly Walliser reminded me that she is a Spanish teacher and I remembered Google Translate. If you are a language teacher, work with students who speak languages other than English or just want to add some interest to a social studies class you need to know about Google Translate. You can add Google Translate to your iGoogle page for easy access.

PS. Not sure how it deals with 'naughty' words in case it falls into the wrong hands ;-)

Google Translate

Bubble Making Activities and Recipes

Maybe some of my recent posts have been a bit too techie for some of you... here's one that is low tech, high touch and lots of fun. Over the Easter weekend we had a couple of family gathering with many kids, most of whom were under 10 years old. On a trip to Walmart I picked a bubble wand in what looks like a giant test tube... the bubble stuff inside must be stronger than the usual stuff that comes in after-wedding bottles because it make some pretty big bubbles... some 8 to 10 inches in diameter. The kids and adults loved it... we all stayed outdoors and chased bubbles for a long time. This sent me on a quest to find recipes to make even larger bubbles. The link below is to a site that has links not only to bubble making recipes but to lesson plans that make science connections to bubbles. Sound like a great springtime activity to me. Let the class know if you do a bubble activity.

Bubble Making Activities and Recipes

What a Difference a Year Makes

Last year at this time EDUC 675 was struggling to find emails for everyone.  This year we are just sorting out which email addresses work best for everyone.  The EDUC Survey indicates that many of you are bloggers, have experience with presentation tools, are Wordle fans, many of you are Google Docs users and at least one of us is a Skype user.  I'm looking forward to learning so much from all of you... as a former boss of mine used to say, "All of us are smarter that any one of us". 

Keep your eye on my blog... every time I see an interesting site I'll add it as a blog entry (you can do the same to your blog).  I'll keep documents in the 'file' section of Google Groups.  Future assignments/projects will refer to sites (on my blog) and documents (on Google Groups).

I think our class size is stabilized at 18... 6 groups of 3.  See the class list in Groups to find your work group partners and exchange emails.  You are expected to read and comment on partners' blog entries every week (click on the word 'comments' at the end of each blog entry).  Comment on my blog once in a while.

If you get stuck or feel you are not getting all the info you need let me know.  I'll do my best to direct you to a source of help (I may not give you a direct answer).  Also, use your work group partners for help and email the whole group if you have a question that merits lots of input.  EDUC 675 is big on virtual community.

Again, we are about: Communication, collaboration, and creativity.  Let's keep the chatter going... do any of you Tweet?  What can we add to Google groups to facilitate communication?  Try working as a work group on a single document.  Look for stuff I don't know about.

As you can imagine I get dozens of emails and notifications about who has accessed what... if you can't access a document or don't seem to have the right permissions and you don't hear from me within 24 hours email me directly at heigle.1@att.net with a clear statement of what you need (what document, what site, etc.). 

Favorite Web Based Tools for the Class - Classroom 2.0

This site lists some interesting educational sites that can be used in classrooms...

Favorite Web Based Tools for the Class - Classroom 2.0

animoto - for education

Here's a cool freebie... Animoto is habit forming.  If you take pictures or movies in your classroom or if you want to promote yourself or a program sign up for Animoto for Education.  It's free and I use it for various projects (family events, school projects, etc).  We'll make an Animoto video in class at our April 21st meeting.

Dave


animoto - for education

Stuff to do before next time... - "Google Docs"

Stuff to do before next time... - "Google Docs"

Otterbein EDUC 675 '10 | Google Groups

Otterbein EDUC 675 '10 | Google Groups

A Science Odyssey: You Try It: DNA Workshop

A Science Odyssey: You Try It: DNA Workshop

Book Discussions - A Place to Talk about Books and Ideas That Matter

Book Discussions - A Place to Talk about Books and Ideas That Matter

Classroom 2.0

Classroom 2.0

Browse Videos - Common Craft - Our Product is Explanation

Browse Videos - Common Craft




Common Craft is a site that is an excellent source of videos that explain in plain English (other languages, too) how technology things work.  Take a look at Cloud Computing, for example.  Our Web 2.0 tools reside in the "Cloud" and this video may help you understand the underlying infrastructure of Web 2.0.

YouTube - iGoogle: A Mini Product Tour

YouTube - iGoogle: A Mini Product Tour

Introduction To IGoogle - Video

Introduction To IGoogle - Video

YouTube - Google Docs

YouTube - Google Docs

YouTube - Google Docs in Plain English

YouTube - Google Docs in Plain English

YouTube - How to create a blog with Blogger

YouTube - How to create a blog with Blogger

YouTube - Blogger Tutorial - How to Start Blogging with Blogger

YouTube - Blogger Tutorial - How to Start Blogging with Blogger

15 Awesome Google Search Tips and Tricks

15 Awesome Google Search Tips and Tricks

Posted using ShareThis

First post for EDUC 675 Sp 2010

I love this course! I teach it once a year and every year it's almost brand new. "Internet Tools and Practices" what a large, open canvas upon which to dab and dribble bits of color to enliven teaching and learning. As I hope you will come to appreciate, I find teaching one of the most creative of human endeavors. I enjoy the freedom and challenge of meeting individual needs, of using found objects to make new tools, of feeling the flash of intuition for myself and of seeing it in the eyes of others. I see teaching as a journey, one that began for me more than 40 years ago and one which I still find challenging especially in this, newish to me, medium of the internet. Teaching across time and distance deprives us of that instant feedback that in the classroom is comprised of body language, facial expression, voice inflection, and the inexpressible sense of being together in one place at the same time. But, the internet opens so many new doors for us as teachers it makes up for some of the lack of the "personal touch".

I love "new" and "change" and I find the possibilities of a "blended" course the best of two worlds: 1) access to the infinite set of tools and resources found online and 2) the brief but informative face-to-face meetings we have scheduled.

When you respond to this post say a few words about how you, at this moment in time, feel about online/blended teaching and learning. We'll look back near the end of the course and see if attitudes have shifted.

Connecting Students, Not Hardware - ISTEvision

Connecting Students, Not Hardware - ISTEvision

Foley_contest_Podcast_final.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)

Foley_contest_Podcast_final.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)

ISTE | Computing in the Clouds

ISTE | Computing in the Clouds