NetSmartzKids: “Know the Rules”
March 20th, 2009NetSmartz-UYN: “The Password Rap”
March 20th, 2009“Seeing is Believing: The Power of Information Visualization”: Jeff Giddens energizes educators throughout his GaETC 2008 workshop
November 12th, 2008Jeff Giddens Super e-Sleuth, Uncovers Hundreds of Information Visualization Tools and Resources
Remember when you were small and your father/mother used to tickle you until it hurt? Well I was so tickled by what Jeff Giddens had to share with his participants in his GaETC workshop that I implored him to continue flooding my brain with new concepts and ideas even though it grew virtually painful to find space to store all of his incredible resources.
Jeff, co-author of the SEGA Tech blog, is an Instructional Technology Consultant with the First District RESA ETTC in Southeast Georgia. Jeff, and his fellow colleagues, helps educators in Southeast Georgia use technology efficiently and effectively to enhance the learning experiences they provide for their students in the classroom.
I attended Jeff’s GaETC workshop entitled, “Seeing is Believing: The Power of Information Visualization“. Jeff has a true passion for science and technology, and therefore it is no surprise that his expertise resides in the integration of technology into middle and high school science classes. Having met and worked with Jeff at previous conferences over the past few years I was confident that he would deliver rich content and offer concrete examples of how technology can enhance student engagement, learning and skills. To say the least, I was not disappointed.
Information Visualization is a powerful means of helping students comprehend complex concepts. Throughout the workshop, Jeff taught us how to make hard-to-grasp ideas more understandable through the use of visual media. He introduced us to a number of free digital resources dedicated to the creation of 3D models, virtual worlds, and other effective instructional graphics. We all walked away with a multitude of new ideas and techniques for making learning more engaging and meaningful.
I could not even begin to catalog the numerous best practices he shared throughout his workshop so I will just pass on one suggestion: Subscribe to his blog SEGA Tech and spend some time reaching into the recent past by reviewing his archival posts. Oh, and one more thing … you may want to have del.icio.us bookmarking tools installed prior to visiting as you will definitely want to save and share the vast number of engaging resources Jeff has highlighted. Be ready to expand your personal set of technology resources exponentially!
“Growing Up Online” – A PBS FrontLine Special definitely worth watching!
November 12th, 2008Over the past few weeks I have had the privilege and opportunity to participate in several thought-provoking and engaging discussions with parents in our school community surrounding the concern of Internet Safety and their children. After reflecting on these conversations, I have decided to republish a post that I wrote months ago in response to the PBS Frontline Special: Growing Up Online. I encourage you to read, watch the program (either in its entirety or just the areas of interest to you) and then respond via commenting on this blog post below. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and feelings surrounding this vitally important topic.
TerraClues – [A LET.IT Happen! Tech-Treat]
November 12th, 2008Internet Safety Parent Seminar – Online Resources
October 25th, 2008I have compiled the following list of resources for the Trinity School Parent Community in alignment with the Internet Safety Parent Seminar that I facilitated on October 23rd, 2008. Below you will find direct links to the most informative and valuable online Internet Safety Resources I found throughout my extensive research on the topic. If you have any questions about the seminar, the resources below or Internet Safety, please feel free to contact me.
A Vision of Education Today
October 22nd, 2008Being in the forefront of the shift in education to meet the needs of today’s digital learners, I want to share two very inspiring and awakening videos with you. The first video focuses on the student of today and their needs, while the second video shares with you a view of what today’s teacher aught to be in order to meet the educational needs of today’s learners.