Dean Shareski Teaches us How to Use Green Screen

Link to Dean's Viddler VideoDean Shareski's keynote captivated my two classes. Many of them commented on the wiki, and Dean did a great service to all of us by sharing how he did the Flat Classroom keynote (and blogging it.)This is great, because he has modeled and shown them the power of asking and collaboration and connection! Dean, you are great!!If you're using video at all, this is a must see. I don't have any money in...

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7 Steps to a Flat Classroom

No time to blog the content, but thanks Ken Kern for recording this in Maine. Slides and presentation resources are on my wiki.tag: flatclassroom, education, teaching, ACTEM, teacher, the world is flat, presentation, innovation, classroomKen K...

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My Favorite Wow2: Ewan McIntosh and David Jakes

I think one of my favorite Wow2 shows is the one with David Jakes and Ewan McIntosh.It was so lively and so very real. We talked about change and how to impact education and much more. http://www.edtechtalk.com/audio/download/2394/Wow2.02-45-2007-10-10.mp3tag: David Jakes, Ewan McIntosh, education, teaching, reform, innovat...

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Dean Shareski's Flat Classroom Keynote and an Update

Sometimes people come through for you in such an incredible, amazing way, you just want to cry! Dean Shareski's Flat Classroom Keynote Rocks!Dean Shareski has just "delivered" our keynote address for the Flat Classroom project.For those of you who are following the project, you know that we've remixed the project working to get students to incorporate the six senses of the conceptual age as outlined in Dan Pink's Book, A Whole...

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Playground Pain Limits Classroom Gain

A simulpost with TechLearningAll the technology in the world and the excellent teaching in the world doesn't matter a "hill of beans" if kids aren't watched properly on the playground.How can we tell students to have excellence in the classroom when the PE coach sits idly by as the children rough-house and the bullies roam free?We often...

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My Opinions on Curriculum

I spent a little time with Dr. Pfister's Principles of Curriculum Improvement course at Illinois State University.Here is the ustream -- if you forward the first one to minute 5 and then it gets started. Oh, and I can't believe it -- I'm actually putting myself up without my makeup. Oh well.There are some important thoughts I have on curriculum, how to influence teachers to use technology, and how I WISH things would change....

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Google introduces Google Finance tab on iGoogle and Gadgets API for market data

AnnouncementOctober 24, 2007Since launching Google Finance, we’ve been listening to user feedback and have added a number of features that offer users more comprehensive financial and stock information in one central location. We’ve rolled out a couple updates to more quickly connect users with the financial information they are looking for:Google Finance tab on iGoogle – A dashboard of financial gadgets created by the Google...

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The Nielsen Company and Google Establish Strategic Relationship

Nielsen to Provide Demographic Data for Google TV AdsNEW YORK, NY and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (October 24, 2007) – The Nielsen Company and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced today that the companies have established a multi-year, strategic relationship. As a first step, the relationship leverages Nielsen’s experience in television audience measurement to bring demographic data to the Google TV Ads™ advertising platform. By combining...

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Google Maps tracking California Fires

Knowing how to use Google maps can save your life.This article about how a Google map is being used to track the fires in San Diego and the fact that life radio streaming coverage is being used shows me just how far things have come.These things aren't just gadgets, they are life saving. They are important.They are part of being able to function in the world. To be literate.To survive.The digital divide grows larger as we increasingly...

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Wikinomics: Let your Students Talk to Don Tapscott

One of my favorite new books is Wikinomics by Don Tapscott. It is an incredible book that is "right on the money" as we say here in the south.Mass Collaboration has changed everything... it has transformed my classroom and made such projects as Flat Classroom and Horizon Projects possible. There is a great opportunity out there for you courtesy of Taking IT Global:"Don Tapscott, the author of the best-selling book Wikinomics,...

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The Powerful, Rich efolio experience

Recently I received an e-mail from someone working to justify efolios for preservice teachers at a college. Here was an excerpt of the letter:"Thank you for writing me back...I did write an introduction to the manual which lists the student benefits of creating an online portfolio. My professor has been trying to convince all instructors of ... [removed to protect privacy] how they can also benefit by having their students...

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If my friend Scott, a double amputee can run an ironman, what's your excuse

Just when I needed more motivation on Monday, comes through this e-mail about a friend of mine Scott Rigsby. He graduated the year ahead of me and had a terrible accident that almost ruined his life.He's the first double amputtee to complete an iron man. Here's the story from the AJC.IRONMAN TRIATHLONDouble amputee struggles, succeedsAtlanta's...

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Motivational Monday: Samwise Gamgee's Wisdom

This is one of my favorite scenes in a movie. It is worth watching on a Monday." Sam: It's like in the great stories Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must...

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Join the debate on education

OK, guys, I'm going through all of the old e-mails and although I'm a little late on this one, The Economist is debating education. You can still join in. Please do! The following is from Jeff Koo from the Economist.Received via E-mail on October 1st "I saw your blog, Cool Cat Teacher Blog, and am delighted to invite you and your readers...

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Does your class want to be a sounding board for Flat Classroom?

We have an open call for sounding board participants for Flat Classroom. (This is modeled after the amazingly successful peer review aspect of the Horizon Project.)This is an excellent way to expose your student to global collaboration using 1-2 class days. There will be more on this later! Just reply here, direct twitter me privately or e-mail me at coolcatteacher at gmail dot com.We're also assembling professionals who wish...

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How are you using digital media and arts?

As a favor to my super cool Cable in the Classroom editor-friend, Ellen Ullman, I'm posting the following question.Comment and you may be contacted about including what your school is doing in the Cable in the Classroom magazine. (Be sure not to comment anonymously or if you do, e-mail me at coolcatteacher at gmail dot com with your contact information.)I think it is great that magazines are including thoughts from the blogosphere.Digital...

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Cool Tool #2: Kill the Tyranny of the Urgent USE Inbox Zero Strategies

This isn't a tool per se, and yet it is. Listening on the plane last week coming back from Maine, I heard a simply transformative podcast. Merlin Man of 43 folders sharing with Google his Inbox Zero Strategy.Video:Audio: http://www.43folders.com/2007/08/03/inbox-zero-audioThis strategy of handling my e-mail has not only made my days more...

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Cool Tool #1: Show Yourself Widget

I have been recently reminded that I need to remember to tell people HOW to do things and point out some really cool tools out there. So, I'm beginning a series called Cool Tools.Show Yourself WidgetCool Tool #1 is a must use tool for bloggers, the Show Yourself Widget takes all of the places you share and puts it in a neat, tidy widget...

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Moderators needed for When Night Falls

Vinnie Vrotny has just let me know about this. If you're interested sign up at http://whennightfalls07.wikispaces.com/Moderator+Sign-Up. They especially need European, Asian, and South American moderators. (I wonder if there are some being held in languages other than english.)Here are the details from Vinnie:"At this point in time, there are 8 time slots for the When Night Falls event which are unmoderated. I am not asking...

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Google Announces Third Quarter 2007 Results*

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Tonight at 7pm with Claudia Linden at Discovery Educators

OK, guys -- if you've ever wanted to give feedback or listen to Linden Lab's take on Education and Second Life -- tonight over at Discovery Educators is your chance. Read more about this session and enroll. Space is limited to first come first serve so sign up!!And remember, if you can go and don't -- don't complain when Linden does things you don't like!tag: linden labs, second life, education, teaching, discovery educators,...

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If you're in Georgia on October 25th

Hey, I wish I could go to this -- please spread the word:Thursday, October 25th, 2007 2:00 p.m. Join us at the Georgia Public Broadcasting260 14th Street, NWAtlanta, Georgia 30318 We hope you will join us to learn and exchange ideas with our panel about the issues facing families when it comes to online safety and security. Our panelists come from public and private organizations in Georgia that are committed to keeping...

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Don't give up! Keep trying! The encouragement video for you!

Whatever your beliefs, you should see this video. It is a message to all of you leaders out there who are reading this blog.At the end the coach says:"You are the most influential player on this team, if you walk around defeated, so will they."Don't give up. Don't quit. It may seem insurmountable but you must continue to press forward to innovate and improve things. I needed this video today!tag: inspiration, encouragement,...

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David Warlick for Wow2 anniversary tonight

Wow2 anniversary show tonight with David Warlick -- starts in 4 minutes.tag: Wow2, David Warlick, education, teach...

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Build the affordable, usable laptop lab: What would you do?

When I needed a dream computer lab -- I asked and you planned it. So, now I'm looking to propose a dream laptop lab. The only problem is, the budget is very limited.Is it possible to have an effective, working laptop lab with 20-25 computers -- a projector and printer for less than $30,000 -- or less than $20,000?What do you think?I hope that my friend Steve Hargadon (who has linux working nicely on his laptops) and other open...

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Google Analytics Unveils New Features, Urchin Software

AnnouncementOctober 16, 2007Today at the eMetrics Summit in Washington, D.C., Google announced new features to its Google Analytics™ web service such as site search reporting and event tracking, and an updated version of Urchin™ software. This enhanced feature set makes essential Web 2.0 information more accessible and comprehensible, and enables Google Analytics users to better understand their users and to act on reporting information...

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Flat Classroom Students Want to Share Xbox Live ID's

Sometimes things take us in a direction we cannot predict. When Elizabeth Helfant's Flat Classroom Project kids asked if they could share Xbox Live ID's with the other members of flat classroom it left us with our mouths agape.And then.... why not?If they can play with strangers, why not with "virtual classmates" and aren't these the kind of connections -- social one's that make things stronger?I'm still a little bit agast......

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Ok, so what do we call it if not Backchannel Bouncer

The ustream/ backchannel work in the sessions last week far exceeded my expectations (see Diane Hammond's kind post.) I used a ustream for audio (and a little vid if they wanted to see me) -- and a Google presentation. (See my wiki for more info.) Before the session started, I went live with the ustream, greeted the guests, and then began!What's in a name?So, here is the question -- what should we call the person (or people)...

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Google to Host Analyst Day

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – October 15, 2007 – Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) announced today that it will host an Analyst Day meeting on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 in Mountain View, California. Presentations by Google’s management team are scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (1:00 p.m. Eastern Time) and conclude by 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time (5:30 p.m. Eastern Time).This event will be made available via Webcast at investor.google.com/webcast....

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Computer Safety and Security Wiki

I am having students from this year edit the work of last year's students. This is a great exercise. I really like the avoiding viruses page -- while not perfect, it is a good overview, particularly the slide share at the top of the page.And I love the effective online privacy wiki as well.Back to grading!The point is that sometimes students should not only create from scratch, but should edit something previous students have...

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Blogging from the conference

I'm testing the blog.tag: blogging, ACTEM, maine, conference, education, beat...

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You're invited to my presentations on Friday, October 12th

Simulpost with TechLearningThe Maine technology conference has been delightful thus far -- I will have so much to blog when I get back. The people here are great! So let me tell you what I've planned for today, and how you can join in.No Google JockeysAnd this morning, podcasting phenom Bob Sprankle coined a new term. I backchanneled during my wiki presentation (which was useful for a thousand reasons.) Last night, I looked...

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