What is the purpose of this blog?

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Plurk - a new take on social networking!










Plurk is a social networking site that allows you to work in real time with other people. For example, you add people to your Plurk group and then you can post a question to your page and live plurks will come back to you from other people on your network. It seems like it would be a great tool for teachers to network and share live and to use with students too. Plus it's a great alternative to Facebook. Try it: http://www.plurk.com

The Symphony of Science!

The creator of these videos describes it this way "The goal of the project is to bring scientific knowledge and philosophy to the masses, in a novel way, through the medium of music."

An awesome way to bring scientific facts to people in a music video way! Here is the site symphonyofscience.com and below and example of one of the videos on youtube.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Wednesday Video Recap

Take 10 minutes and follow my day at the Texas Computer Educator's Convention. It was fun filled! Will post a Thursday video recap too later tonight!

Sitting in on Free and Simple Web 2.0 Talk


















Christopher Gardner was awesomely inspiring, excellent story. It sure was nice when he finally came out after all the bureaucratic Texas educators back patting, ugh... Now I'm watching a presentation on free and simple web 2.0 stuff. I'm actually a web 3.0 guy but whatever...

Oh my! He just asked people if they knew what Wikis were...

Waiting on Keynote Speaker Christopher Gardner























But I have to sit through all the Texas educator awards and blah blah bureaucracy...

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Cell Phones, Eh...

Attending the "Cell Phones ON!" workshop today, highlighting ways to utilize cell phones in the classroom. Seems like a good concept but the trainer is less than magnificent. Oh well, things kick into high gear tomorrow with the Keynote speaker Christopher Gardner (from Pursuit of Happyness fame) and then all the concurrent sessions and exhibitors I will be tracking. Excited!

Monday, February 8, 2010

TCEA Video Update - Thinkfinity Training

Sometimes I feel sorry for teachers...

Benchmarks, Standards, Lesson plans, Learning objects, Motivational activities, Assessment tools, Classroom management, Experiential learning, Accountability, Bloom's Taxonomy, Multiple Intelligences, Collaborative learning, Concept mapping, Curriculum mapping, Dual mode delivery, Emergent Literacy, Experiential learning, Feedback, Grading rubric, Inquiry-based learning, Learning outcomes, Meta-competence, Module, Performance criteria, Portfolio Assessment...

Oh my...

A Mac in a Sea of PC's


















Seems like I am the only cool guy here with my MacBook. What the heck are they thinking?

First cool link from Austin - Science!

sciencenetlinks.com













I'm in Austin!
























Flew in last night to Austin and am at my first workshop, a Thinkfinity Training. Check out Thinkfinity.org for more information about this wonderful resource. Hope to have a video update by tonight. I need more coffee though...

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Heading to the Biggest Educational Technology Convention in the Nation!























I'll be spending all next week at the Texas Computer Education Association Convention. I'm really looking forward to exploring and reporting on all that is up and coming in the world of technology and education. I'll be posting video, photos and text directly from the convention so come back all next week to see what I've discovered. Bon Voyage!