tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43867917268581511142024-03-05T23:01:56.333-06:00Let's CommuniCATEI'm a talker. Sometimes a writer. Forever a thinker. Always a laugher. Come on in and get to know me... I am currently a consultant in the Technology Component of Region 14 Education Service Center located in Abilene, TX. I have a passion for people, an enthusiasm for education, and I'm thrilled with technology. Join me on the adventure of 21st century instruction!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-16585417079159424662016-09-23T15:45:00.000-05:002017-08-11T14:11:36.377-05:00Be More Dog #IMMOOCAs of yet, I am completely inept at foretelling the future. However, I plan out my day, my work, my vacations, and even the grocery shopping with an almost absolute certainty. I am often well-prepared, calm, and equipped for the tasks before me. Except when I'm not... Because life happens, there are unforeseen variables, and people don't always operate on my schedule.<br />
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I'm faced with change... And my perception of change and the possibilities or opportunities that I choose to embrace as a result will have a great impact on what happens next.<br />
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And so... I want to "Be More Dog."<br />
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And as an educator... I want that for students, teachers, administrators and the system as a whole. Changes, though often scary, can reap benefits far beyond the obvious. And let's face it... we really are helping students develop skill sets for an unforeseeable future.<br />
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Embrace the change! Go Dogs!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-3679333757717368872016-04-15T14:51:00.000-05:002016-04-15T14:53:55.276-05:00COMPILE: Make a Difference!<div class="MsoNormal">
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spring COMPILE was filled with communication, creativity, collaboration and
critical thinking. From starting out on a <b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://www.goosechase.com/" target="_blank">Goose Chase</a></span></b> for
random objects with an unknown team to random content and grade levels to
explore through making, all of our participants rose to the challenge and pushed each other
to envision a more innovative learning environment for our students.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Our morning project content:</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt;">·</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://youtu.be/df6uwNkuyUM" target="_blank">Intro
to #COMPILE Teacher Makers</a></span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt;">·</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://youtu.be/Qjty-Z7JZUw" target="_blank">ELA
Grammar Sort – Digitize It!</a></span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
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Rube Goldberg Machine – Film It!</a></span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
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Grade Plant Cycle – Design It!</a></span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
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Sentence Structure – Code It!</a></span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt;">·</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://youtu.be/QuvvMc3HpYE" target="_blank">Math
Classification of 2D and 3D Objects – Code It!</a></span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt;">·</span><span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://youtu.be/xJReKN-yl1U" target="_blank">11<sup>th</sup>
Grade ELA Tone Word Reference Guide – Craft It!</a></span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
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(Our 65 lbs. supported by one sheet of paper really was impressive… but those 4<sup>th</sup>
graders who could support 225 lbs. still have us beat!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-78313394736601605662015-11-20T09:56:00.002-06:002015-12-16T12:08:07.894-06:00Breakout EDU and Learn like a PIRATE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://txeduchat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/3m3x4q3qi8jH6jS9A7hwE9t5AcRyXEImui3rMcdRmFBf03JOLAnYhh_-IbwzzBlDFPATMysXCQmRmn0QmLD3vrYLilBw8eZPm44T2k_0ypgsAPAFVHv1rr8gGFWBmtLm3X2nmx7eM04CJjzhTeEhJ4CHWdv2O7zwWutYTYJfGX_NiH38f99SzQEwSHR0S53C9J5P_h_vL9RwBu4KIjr1LxXZPe8JJoL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #0b5394;"><img border="0" src="http://txeduchat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/3m3x4q3qi8jH6jS9A7hwE9t5AcRyXEImui3rMcdRmFBf03JOLAnYhh_-IbwzzBlDFPATMysXCQmRmn0QmLD3vrYLilBw8eZPm44T2k_0ypgsAPAFVHv1rr8gGFWBmtLm3X2nmx7eM04CJjzhTeEhJ4CHWdv2O7zwWutYTYJfGX_NiH38f99SzQEwSHR0S53C9J5P_h_vL9RwBu4KIjr1LxXZPe8JJoL.jpg" height="200" width="168" /></span></a><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQ5_U41VAAARB-H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #0b5394;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQ5_U41VAAARB-H.jpg" width="150" /></span></a>Yep! You read that right... <b>COMPILE</b> teachers had a jam-packed day this fall exploring the new <a href="http://www.breakoutedu.com/" target="_blank"><b>Breakout EDU</b></a> concept and <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Like-PIRATE-Students-Collaborate/dp/098821766X" target="_blank">Paul Solarz's <i>Learn like a PIRATE</i></a></b>.<br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For those of you new to the idea of <b>COMPILE--Collaborative On Mentoring & Planning Innovative Learning Environments</b>--it is merely an open-agenda professional development time for educators who WANT to be encouraged to try new things, innovate the learning process, go beyond the proficient, and get excited about education. Mostly made up of teachers from Pre-K through 12, technology directors, curriculum directors, instructional specialists, integration specialists, and principals all attend. Sometimes students come too... The group and content are both organic in nature and meet at least twice a year. Join us sometime!)</span></h4>
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BREAKOUT EDU</h3>
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As facilitator for the day, I set up two adjoining spaces for participants to experience the <i>Time Warp</i> game from <b><a href="http://www.breakoutedu.com/games/" target="_blank">Breakout EDU</a></b>. For those of you unfamiliar, it's simple really -- a wooden box is locked with numerous and various, well, locks. The object is to locate and analyze various clues in the room containing the box and... you guessed it... OPEN THE BOX. Include the competitive nature spurred on by a timer, and you have a frenzy of educators who just want to win... What we all discovered in the powerful reflection that followed was... What exactly does "win" mean or look like? Opening the box prior to the end of the countdown? Finding and understanding all clues? Opening the box before another team? Reflection is indeed powerful and the greatest "take aways" prompted comparisons to the classroom when students who get all the "right answers" but don't know how they got them, when students who take longer time to complete some assignment but really understand the outcome are often under recognized, and when there is often some reward for being "first" regardless of comprehension. Conversations turned to differentiating the instruction with similar tools, differentiating the utilization of this tool, new game ideas for various age groups and content areas, the expectation of integrated technology and perhaps most importantly, the recognition of the proverbial "<a href="http://www.p21.org/about-us/p21-framework" target="_blank">21st Century Skills</a>" that our students will hone in this engaging way.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Angela, Inst. Tech, Clyde ISD:</u> “LOVE this
idea!!!! This process creates a whole new heightened level of engagement for
learners!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Six middle school teachers from Abilene ISD:</u> “I
like the aspect of the breakout. I would like to see the lessons offered, though.” {tied to standards}<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Shelly, Junior High Teacher, Wylie ISD:</u>
“Breakout Edu was a fantastic new tool for my tool belt. Anything to get the
students working toward a goal through as many outlets as possible is a win
win.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Stephanie, High School Teacher, Comanche ISD:</u>
"I found this workshop to be very enlightening. My mind is now swimming
with ideas for implementing technology in my classroom that will facilitate a
higher level of learning."<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Leanne, High School and College Credit Teacher,
Comanche ISD:</u> "I thought the experience with Breakout EDU was very engaging... can't wait to learn more about it!"<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Scott, High School Teacher, Snyder ISD:</u> “The
group interaction during our breakout activity was insightful as a student, a
teacher, and a reflector from both perspectives. Our group was able to realize
post-op that we "worked through the process" even though we did not
"win". This too was a very worthwhile peak into multiple directions
that this approach can be utilized in PD with peers and possibly within our
respective classrooms.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><b style="background-color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Misti, High School Teacher, Clyde ISD:</u> “I
definitely want a box!!!! I see so many advantages to using it in my
classroom! I loved the conversations that
took place before, during and after trying to open the box.”</span></b></i><br />
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Learn Like a PIRATE</h3>
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<span style="color: white;">Before lunch, participants had the pleasure of a quick Skype call with author <b><a href="https://twitter.com/PaulSolarz" target="_blank">Paul Solarz</a> of <i>Learn Like a PIRATE</i></b>. Educators in the state of Texas know a new teacher evaluation tool known as the <a href="http://www.pngisd.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/446867/File/Skyward%20EAPLUS/Ruberic%20only.pdf" target="_blank">T-TESS has dimensions specifically focused on student-centered classrooms</a>. This book could be a guide tool for many teachers struggling with the implementation of the concept.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs905OvSEGSlEVOdVb72iJO69kBi0azEhCARsaHFlH_tVK8-a5iNFfLiJOs5juxS2SnFkXkCtJ5Ii4_EkPcqD6IgNv8EfUgwL7GhkJL9Xe3c4C0GW80mkjMYTzZ6WDzV53MWLjs9RsA8E/s1600/Learn+Like+a+Pirate+Sketch+Note+by+Melody+Collier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs905OvSEGSlEVOdVb72iJO69kBi0azEhCARsaHFlH_tVK8-a5iNFfLiJOs5juxS2SnFkXkCtJ5Ii4_EkPcqD6IgNv8EfUgwL7GhkJL9Xe3c4C0GW80mkjMYTzZ6WDzV53MWLjs9RsA8E/s400/Learn+Like+a+Pirate+Sketch+Note+by+Melody+Collier.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketchnote by Melody Collier, Hawley ISD</td></tr>
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<span style="color: white;">The afternoon brought in 26 kids from Hawley ISD's theater arts class. These students performed examples of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/learnlap?src=hash&lang=en" target="_blank"><b>#learnLAP</b></a> elements for us, demonstrating Active Learning, Peer Collaboration, etc. through, among other things, flying themselves as a jet pack. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Students then sat with educators and discussed the things they wished their teachers knew and did... like "get to know me" and establish a relationship... Give me choice and multiple ways to learn...</span><br />
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What have you learned from your students?</div>
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It's your turn! Let's CommuniCATE!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-71228000447722150592014-11-30T16:25:00.001-06:002014-11-30T16:25:22.557-06:00How One Flat Classroom Became Animated...<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b>Merkel High School</b> located just under 20 miles west of Abilene, TX is undergoing a <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/merkelisd.net/cultureshift/" target="_blank"><b>Culture Shift</b></a>... Community members, parents, students, teachers and administrators are consciously taking steps to bring more non-traditional approaches to learning into the classrooms...<br />
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In a more "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Classroom_Project" target="_blank">flattened</a>" educational environment, students are encouraged to gain depth of learning outside of the four walls, textbooks, and teachers that have historically been the basis of knowledge acquisition.<br />
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In her first efforts at modeling how we learn from experts outside of the classroom, Animation teacher Ashlei Adams (<a href="https://twitter.com/mhstechteach" target="_blank">@MHStechteach</a>) sought the connection with someone in the animation industry... An email, a Google search, a Tweet, and a text later (ok...maybe not that exact order, but close enough) and Ms. Adams' students had booked a Skype call with former Pixar assistant editor <b><a href="http://davidcondolora.com/" target="_blank">David Condolora</a> (</b><a href="https://twitter.com/davidcondolora" target="_blank">@davidcondolora</a><b>)</b>.<br />
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Students devised questions, and the teacher handled logistics. How fun for me that I was invited to watch, learn, and listen!</div>
<br />
And learn I did! About animation...yes... but even more! I was validated in my belief that...<br />
<i style="font-size: x-large;">"real world" expertise can bring laughter, smiles, enthusiasm, and a level of engagement completely unattainable by traditional instruction</i><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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Some of the students, via their teacher, emailed me quotes they would want shared with the world... Pretty cool!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpCbg1kue1tQnSHfEUxbJswIt4yBjxSAI6vGUyUQWuVCb0NsiXgUfIrcMB_R6ZaySCrZgLuRU0XeUGJJQyuYxLJVKKmbLjkC4gf2aOLuhznafG78CBYY6npFt9_s1oW1ieCWdmwyj1nk/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpCbg1kue1tQnSHfEUxbJswIt4yBjxSAI6vGUyUQWuVCb0NsiXgUfIrcMB_R6ZaySCrZgLuRU0XeUGJJQyuYxLJVKKmbLjkC4gf2aOLuhznafG78CBYY6npFt9_s1oW1ieCWdmwyj1nk/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_TmWamvItLcVcEhrg2vEPyOMWXMUHEeOAXpsqAllTBwS-b5UO8P7CL_rN4_76aVz3wG5Hg7lCH8-Y0gAeHwqYjZptrzj8K9Y2S9MsnZY70YT_sDFpz-e3wULKdm0Q7rrjtRDEemEscc/s1600/IMG_3187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_TmWamvItLcVcEhrg2vEPyOMWXMUHEeOAXpsqAllTBwS-b5UO8P7CL_rN4_76aVz3wG5Hg7lCH8-Y0gAeHwqYjZptrzj8K9Y2S9MsnZY70YT_sDFpz-e3wULKdm0Q7rrjtRDEemEscc/s1600/IMG_3187.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>Alee</b>- "He helped me have a better insight into how
creating an animated film really works!"<br />
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<b>Alexis</b>- "It was cool to get a chance to talk to an
actual professional from the industry."<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>John</b>- "It was interesting to hear what software
programs are used in the animated film industry."<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Brittany M.</b>- "I appreciated the advice he gave us on
how to pursue animation after graduating High School."<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Angel</b>- "It was more interesting than regular
classwork!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAtSMPD7GYkdW5LgIheSqUXa_EpwtDfCywf3KvtoeSk5ZrQU31Eqy4XCYnkWN-GbQtKRGiMi4yMWvBUPNsJSpp-VtoxhR-Ll40tFH1Iu-51mFakIOcp1qwOpBJK1-WJr5VjMi0M_89Ho/s1600/IMG_3222.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAtSMPD7GYkdW5LgIheSqUXa_EpwtDfCywf3KvtoeSk5ZrQU31Eqy4XCYnkWN-GbQtKRGiMi4yMWvBUPNsJSpp-VtoxhR-Ll40tFH1Iu-51mFakIOcp1qwOpBJK1-WJr5VjMi0M_89Ho/s1600/IMG_3222.PNG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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It seems their expert enjoyed the experience too!<br />
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How are you, as educators, flattening your classroom?<br />
<br />
It's your turn! Let's CommuniCATE!<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-90043371702198121592014-11-06T11:37:00.000-06:002014-11-06T11:39:27.062-06:00Great Googly Moogly! It was a Monster Match!I had such a great time on Oct. 30 after being invited into a <b>Google Hangout</b> between classes at two of my districts (<a href="http://www.clyde.esc14.net/" target="_blank"><b>Clyde ISD</b></a> and <a href="http://www.merkel.esc14.net/" target="_blank"><b>Merkel ISD</b></a> in Texas) about 35 miles apart. (Merkel would also have a classroom that did Monster Match with a class in <a href="http://www.highland.esc14.net/" target="_blank"><b>Highland ISD</b></a>.)<br />
<br />
Fifth grade students had a blast creating monsters and then using their <a href="http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter110/ch110a.html" target="_blank">English/Language Arts TEKS</a> for process writing through the sharing of a <b>Google Doc</b>. It didn't hurt that this Halloween-themed option was just plain fun!<br />
<br />
Listening and speaking skills were also covered as the students revealed their monster challenge of recreating another class's monster through <b>Google Hangouts.</b><br />
<br />
Below is a <b>Google Slides</b> presentation of the lesson plan and process... Here is a link to the scrolling presentation as well... <b><a href="http://goo.gl/kxPRr6">http://goo.gl/kxPRr6</a></b><br />
<br />
NOTE: Merkel fifth graders enjoyed the fact that their monsters and stories were part of a Haunted Hallway for Pre-K and K students on Halloween. Monsters were accompanied by ooey-gooey items of spaghetti, grapes and gelatin.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="620" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17ugs_l63cLVg3Y7SfcjV-cW-FFB7ODTQj5JwJpwcCck/embed?start=true&loop=true&delayms=5000" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="620"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-83147871722981230412014-10-23T10:45:00.001-05:002014-10-23T10:45:39.048-05:00Groovy 7th Graders Learned to Research -- And it was FUN!Last week, I received an email invitation to spend an upcoming day exploring a student created museum approach to the 1960s. That's the kind of email I will clear my calendar for!<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I ventured out to Wylie ISD and found myself on the <a href="http://jhs.wyliebulldogs.org/" target="_blank">Junior High</a> campus. Within minutes, three 7th graders eagerly showed up to escort me down to their 1960's walkthrough museum. I was checked to be sure I had a QR code scanner on my "smart" phone and a set of earbuds...<br />
<br />
Let the learning for this former history teacher begin!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCuItFl3Af5TFis2k7WQdjbUmMFc5SR8Zd-LcDqFy6W56xiyzut_jTkMxcimAFXgX6Zz6AsZQZzgwI46nzC-veTjOiHONf8fM6OHpmFcpq7PHLUjEUHYX-2w0LihxdPAZcLTO0BoNiUQ/s1600/Wylie+Kids+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCuItFl3Af5TFis2k7WQdjbUmMFc5SR8Zd-LcDqFy6W56xiyzut_jTkMxcimAFXgX6Zz6AsZQZzgwI46nzC-veTjOiHONf8fM6OHpmFcpq7PHLUjEUHYX-2w0LihxdPAZcLTO0BoNiUQ/s1600/Wylie+Kids+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50dVRexchMIcDEkrULKnWBQnHbPB8rv06oaNtMwRd3CYcaj_l51qGD8GNHiiZdEezV1E6SA8pesvXbj4JpziPRQJoqa_dqMUwElnD_QAg8kXFpMDxofjAJAj4_MqBhV4fnVb3_nPZo2w/s1600/Wylie+Kids+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50dVRexchMIcDEkrULKnWBQnHbPB8rv06oaNtMwRd3CYcaj_l51qGD8GNHiiZdEezV1E6SA8pesvXbj4JpziPRQJoqa_dqMUwElnD_QAg8kXFpMDxofjAJAj4_MqBhV4fnVb3_nPZo2w/s1600/Wylie+Kids+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Oh... Did I mention this was an ELA class? Yes! The <a href="http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter110/ch110b.html" target="_blank">TEKS</a> to be covered and learned by the students were centered around research papers, citations, primary sources, and writing... It took me at least ten questions before the students articulated that bit of information... They were more interested in explaining the "fun" they had in learning and show off their knowledge of the 1960s.</div>
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The teacher, Mrs. Ann Hurst, approached her content by allowing her students to utilize their own voice and choice in exploring the research process. In fact, this started out to be a project over the Titanic, but after the students brainstormed things that interested them and voted, the 1960s emerged as a time period the students clamored to know more about.</div>
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What was difficult? According to Alex, Anna Claire, and Reid, that would be "CITATIONS!!!" and "figuring out how to validate our resources on the internet!"</div>
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The breakdown of the process:</div>
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Students chose their own groups and topics, as well as made sure each student in the group had job responsibilities (true PBL fashion). The research and writing began, then the students chose a way to "present" their papers. Most groups selected the creation of a <a href="http://www.showme.com/" target="_blank">ShowMe</a> or an <a href="https://animoto.com/" target="_blank">Animoto</a>. Utilizing four iPads brought into the classroom, the student groups rotated, shared, collaborated, and presented their papers... Campus Instructional Technology Specialist Coach Luke Hurst assisted with any technical questions the students had.</div>
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Then the museum construction began. Administration allowed the students to decorate an empty room with 60's flair. Students posted pics and QR codes by year around the room. All visitors walk through with a "smart" device and scan QR codes posted near pictures and descriptions of poignant people and events from the 1960s. The reward is a ShowMe or Animoto with student selected or drawn representations coinciding with student read research papers. An old turn table softly plays 60's music in the background and visitors are taken back in time to the Vietnam War, Alcatraz Prison, and the first Super Bowl to name a few.</div>
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A job well done, 7th grade Bulldogs!</div>
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The museum is open for the remainder of the month.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-4196145296918979132014-03-19T13:43:00.000-05:002014-03-19T13:43:55.454-05:00Do I Really Want Data-Mining to Disappear?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;">Google Apps for Education has recently come
Under Fire in the courts (Education Week… <a href="http://goo.gl/53UZgK">http://goo.gl/53UZgK</a>)
and is perhaps inadvertently causing a maelstrom of activity as educators
struggle through the dilemma of adequately identifying and defining “data-mining”
and its impact on student privacy. Has a line been crossed? Are our students at
some type of identifiable risk? And is it all Google’s fault?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Really?!?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;">Data-Mining per se has, is, and will
continue to occur in varied forms or fashions simply because our world is
CONNECTED, SOCIAL, and CONVENIENT – BY AN OVERWHELMING DEMAND… As such, we, as
consumers, actually DESIRE data-mining – if not, we lose that which we have
grown to expect, especially from our world of technology. By slapping the hands
of Google, Dropbox, Apple, broadcast communication commercials in general, even
school yearbook ads, we are in essence “biting the hands that feed us.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;">As a small child pushed in the cart at the
grocery store, I refused to try the fruit-flavored snacks the kind employee was
passing out as store samples. My mom sheepishly explained that I didn’t like
fruit… The “Samples Lady” never offered me fruit again and/or tried to sell my
mother on such a product (not the same response when it came to chocolate)…
Data was “mined”… Permission wasn’t
given to keep records on me, but it was stored in someone’s memory and for the
express purpose of not wasting time and knowing when a profitable sale would be
made. Was that the end of my privacy???</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;">I remember
being a high school student and enjoying the TV we received in class by being a
Channel One school… We watched about 15 minutes of news each day that included teen
targeted ads like Doritos and Nike… Channel One has fabulously evolved into a
current events curriculum-supported concept that encourages and engages student
participation through quizzes, social media, etc. But picking apart the concept
of data-mining reveals that they too use information from our students… (<a href="http://www.channelone.com/privacy-policy/">http://www.channelone.com/privacy-policy/</a>)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: white;">One of the
first storage concepts I fell in love with as an educator was Dropbox… Good
bye, flashdrives!!!! Many of our schools have encouraged students to utilize
this service personally for years. But what about protecting their privacy?!? (<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/privacy">https://www.dropbox.com/privacy</a>)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"> Then there
is our ever-popular iPad/Apple movement in education… Really? No data-mining?
Hmmmm… (<a href="http://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/">http://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/</a>)
And I once again want to point out that for the most part, we WANT them to
figure out some things for us based on our usage, what web sites we go to, our
needs for updates, etc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: white;">Referring back
to Google and the lawsuits they are facing, the conflict seems to surround
commercial gain from educational purpose. I contend the benefits to our students,
schools, and staff and ultimately our new and improved COMMERCIAL products
stemming from the data mining far outweighs any semblance of privacy violation…</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"I don't think there's another product on
the market that provides the same level of power to its users, regardless of
price," said Henry C. Thiele, the assistant superintendent for technology
and learning for the 6,800-student Maine Township High School District 207 in
Illinois.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">(later in the article)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Of course, the problem extends far beyond Google,
Mr. Evans </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">said </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Cameron Evans, Microsoft's chief technology officer for education)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. A growing number of companies rely on "freemium"
business models in which they provide technology services to schools in
exchange for access to an increasingly comprehensive body of information about
students-including "ambient" data about where they are located, what
devices they are using, with whom they are interacting, and more.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: white;">And if
Microsoft is truly claiming that Office 365 doesn’t do the same… perhaps due to
their verbage in policy… consumers might beg to differ… compare wording… not
really “different”. <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/privacystatement/en-us/core/default.aspx?CTT=114">http://www.microsoft.com/privacystatement/en-us/core/default.aspx?CTT=114</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;">I don’t work
for Google (but I love my GAFE and personal Gmail though), I am a huge Microsoft fan
(have a PC and a Surface Pro with a Live account tied to my Google), can’t live without my iPad,
iPad mini, Mac Air or iPhone… And am ever thankful that I can post to Instagram
or Twitter about my recent rug purchase on Overstock and receive ads helping me
cost effectively furnish my new home!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: white;">Your turn...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: white;">Let's CommuniCATE!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-39621634713782706632013-05-29T15:14:00.002-05:002013-05-29T15:14:26.003-05:00I created a Five Card Flickr Story!!!<span style="font-size: large;">(Better late than never!!!)</span> <br />
<br />
<hr />
<h2>
<a href="http://5card.cogdogblog.com/show.php?id=32034">Five Card Story: Thank God for HOPE!</a></h2>
a <a href="http://5card.cogdogblog.com/show.php?suit=5card">Five Card Flickr</a> story created by @christycate<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40216275@N04/3955913862/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3955913862_474a29dd1c_d.jpg" /></a><br />
flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40216275@N04/3955913862/" target="_blank">Dr. Martinjj</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29096601@N00/5161628778/"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1177/5161628778_151e0eccec_d.jpg" /></a><br />
flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29096601@N00/5161628778/" target="_blank">bionicteaching</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/serenae/6262553924/" title="next part of the adventure by Serenae, on Flickr"><img alt="next part of the adventure" height="333" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6179/6262553924_2ac59fd70f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/serenae/6262553924/" target="_blank">Serenae</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29096601@N00/6110500555/"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6110500555_e52b80b5be_d.jpg" /></a><br />
flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29096601@N00/6110500555/" target="_blank">bionicteaching</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29096601@N00/5113203230/"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1181/5113203230_522cf3749c_d.jpg" /></a><br />
flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29096601@N00/5113203230/" target="_blank">bionicteaching</a><br />
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<em><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">One can't help but look around at the beautiful scenes of nature and the innocence of children and see HOPE! Hang on, friends! There's always tomorrow!</span></strong></em></div>
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<strong><em>Your turn...</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Let's CommuniCATE!</em></strong></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-60319843045751145952013-05-29T14:58:00.002-05:002013-05-29T14:58:45.435-05:00Ugh! Wake Up!!! You are a BLOG, you know!!!So it's been awhile...<br />
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Don't ask... I'll just tell you...<br />
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Life happened... Illness, family, job, tired, blah, blah, blah!<br />
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And then the excuses started that I always used to NOT start a blog in the first place...<br />
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1. I don't really have anything to say that anyone wants to read...<br />
2. It's been too long between posts...<br />
3. How embarrassing!<br />
4. No one will ever follow again!<br />
<br />
You know the routine...<br />
<br />
But the fact of the matter is we all have something to say -- whether in words, pics, thoughts, actions, etc...<br />
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In the classroom, we constantly harp on communication skills, and quite frankly, encouraging and enabling a child to express his/her story in a comprehensive manner is what it's all about...<br />
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The platform? Meh! I personally use Twitter right now for PD, but have recently used Twitter to communicate with my 16 year old niece who lives 800 miles away more than ever before... In fact, via that platform and Vine, I may know more about what's going on in her Story of Life than her parents do!<br />
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With my own parents? Oh... with Mom it's the good old-fashioned telephone, and with Dad, it's email...<br />
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With the majority of my friends, I communicate with text and with the majority of my co-workers it is Google Chat...<br />
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So here I am with you... spouting my story and taking up the OLD BLOG once again!<br />
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It's your turn...<br />
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Let's CommuniCATE!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-28330477144729191472013-02-02T23:03:00.000-06:002013-02-02T23:03:08.260-06:00I Made It into a Soon-to-Be-Viral Video!The power of the #etmooc in joining together everyday strangers around the globe with a passion for learning gives me such an adrenaline rush! I have to admit it!<br />
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I began to get an inkling of this internal high as my PLN grew on <a href="https://twitter.com/christycate" target="_blank">Twitter</a> over the years and random names and faces offered me ideas, resources, and insight.<br />
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But how do you explain that to someone who just doesn't get it?!<br />
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Then I joined a little online class that was free and intrigued me... #etmooc... For those of you who aren't familiar, it is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) on Educational Technology... Sooooo the best online course I've taken!<br />
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Over the past couple of weeks, being Connected has been the topic of discussion and such a simple pop culture phenomena as the lip dub possibly explains my fascination of having a PLN better than any words I could write... Consider that in less than 1 week, well over 50 of us from around the globe came together with one common goal... That's the recipe for problem solving, collaborating in the true sense of the word, and establishing relationships where learning is a fantastic byproduct. So blessed to be living in this day and age!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-16153975424830144182013-01-26T18:29:00.000-06:002013-01-26T18:29:14.643-06:00I have something to say! -- What is it?!No, I am not entering the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer's yet... I am, however, reflecting on the crazy of my life since the New Year began and feeling two things:<br />
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Overwhelmed and Excited!<br />
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As I mentioned in an earlier post, I entered the <a href="https://twitter.com/christycate" target="_blank">Twittersphere</a> several years ago to ultimately expand my knowledge base around my (for lack of a better word) job. I love my vocation (labeled Instructional Technology Consultant) because it speaks to my God-given love and desire of teaching and envelopes it in my enthusiasm for "the latest and greatest" in the tech tool world.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbYMTTfz6EQ6eAjlBbqauq5KjnZiGzLlx2J71GEJrTzbmA9oYtyh9OvVp565DTb90tVcrhw0zIGX-ggc5vaVbZFKuQ6JRmT3R0KtyhDGlFEFqOYY9UvVBP2jMmQGVQwpI-Ssms2S0ENU/s1600/My_Twitter_Page.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbYMTTfz6EQ6eAjlBbqauq5KjnZiGzLlx2J71GEJrTzbmA9oYtyh9OvVp565DTb90tVcrhw0zIGX-ggc5vaVbZFKuQ6JRmT3R0KtyhDGlFEFqOYY9UvVBP2jMmQGVQwpI-Ssms2S0ENU/s400/My_Twitter_Page.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Twittersphere</td></tr>
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I grew my one-sided Professional Learning Network or PLN (is that really possible? -- I'm speaking of my "lurking" syndrome) to a comfortable/manageable level--a hundred or so "experts" in my field that I found to offer thought processes similar to mine and who apparently had way more time than I did to stamp down their digital presence by sharing "new-to-me" tools and ideas.<br />
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Exactly when did that stop fulfilling my professional growth need? I can't put a finger on it...<br />
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All I know is that in the middle of the crazy, I, with no prompting, no grad course ahead of me, the guilty of crying "I hate online courses!" randomly and suddenly clicked on a link and registered for #etmooc.<br />
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What?! I signed up with no pay for a 10 week online course!?<br />
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Yep! <b><span style="font-size: large;">And I can't keep up with the adrenaline rush!!!!</span></b><br />
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Granted, moocs are different and the almost 100% student-centered approach is what gives me an almost personal relationship with oh, I don't know, 1700+ participants!<br />
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Yes, you read that right! LOL! And I already love these people! Some are those PLN "experts", some are pinching themselves to discover they are enjoying the process, some are so overwhelmed they are paralyzed, but most find their fit and feel the excitement...<br />
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What will my learning outcomes be? That will continually be revealed long after the course is over, I'm sure, but I see a huge shift in my PLN. Did you notice I initially defined it as Professional Learning Network? I find a peace and comfort in the reality of my Personal Learning Network.<br />
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Connection matters!<br />
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Your turn...<br />
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Let's CommuniCATE!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-72312141756708533932013-01-16T20:55:00.002-06:002013-01-16T20:55:42.531-06:00Open Up! -- I Know You're in There!Well... I removed the privacy lock from my personal Twitter account today (<a href="https://twitter.com/christycate" target="_blank">@christycate</a>). I honestly haven't thought about the fact that it was in place in quite a long time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TQh4J6hLB0cUvzfgU-Kt4Bo1FlQchslONaKn9ttlw1XqDwoGOeXaGP5SiXnEvHksGMzMIi96v-gOU8nzaTbDEGBaRLUjyRO-zf-01ODIiyJ_-F0UMX3w0My9FZbVex6oemKCBt_MseA/s1600/twitter-follow-achiever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TQh4J6hLB0cUvzfgU-Kt4Bo1FlQchslONaKn9ttlw1XqDwoGOeXaGP5SiXnEvHksGMzMIi96v-gOU8nzaTbDEGBaRLUjyRO-zf-01ODIiyJ_-F0UMX3w0My9FZbVex6oemKCBt_MseA/s1600/twitter-follow-achiever.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
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You see, I was first inundated with Twitter by Alan November (<a href="https://twitter.com/globalearner" target="_blank">@globalearner</a>) several years ago at a Texas ASCD (<a href="https://twitter.com/txascd" target="_blank">@txascd</a>) conference. We communicated via the stream for several days and I returned to my day job, ready to offer all the fabulous resources I was gaining from others in a professional outlet. After discussion with "the powers that be", it was determined that I could set-up a Retweet feed tied to a work Twitter account. My personal account could do all the "Following". (Thank the Lord for <a href="http://hootsuite.com/" target="_blank">Hootsuite</a>!) Being new to the social media land (I have refused the Facebook and stand by my decision), I became quite adept at the "lurker" mentality and absorbed resources like a sponge. (Twitter is hands-down my favorite PD outlet to date.) Suffering from the "newby" approach of "please don't follow me, I might not have a clue what to tweet" coupled with the educator "protect-our-kids-by-filtering-everything mentality" left me with an urgent sense to protect my account.<br />
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Haven't thought about it much sense...<br />
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Until today, when our <a href="https://twitter.com/etmooc" target="_blank">@etmooc</a> webinar reminded me that the point of professional Twitter truly becomes moot without an open, free-flowing stream of thoughts, ideas, and networking. I may have to start including RT or MT before everything I tweet, since I honestly believe "there is nothing new under the sun." If I don't, please know that I'm not assuming original thought, I'm merely the one with the thought at the time.<br />
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So welcome, Follow Me... I'll Follow You!<br />
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Your turn...<br />
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Let's CommuniCATE!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-70190547821888567152013-01-15T13:15:00.001-06:002013-01-15T13:15:08.252-06:00Suspense and Uncertainty -- Will they lead to triumph?LOL! May this be me as I enter this blogger world!<br />
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Your turn...<br />
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Let's CommuniCATE!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386791726858151114.post-44156532730510014342013-01-15T09:06:00.000-06:002013-01-15T09:06:36.850-06:00Confession: I've always hated the idea of a BlogI know... It doesn't really make sense on paper...<br />
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<ul>
<li>I won a county essay contest in the 8th grade. </li>
<li>I made "good grades" in writing/ELA as a student. </li>
<li>One of my required high school journal entries was published in my grandfather's book. </li>
<li>I was a senior English teacher for 2 years, for heaven's sake. </li>
</ul>
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And I really have a hard time putting my thoughts in writing. Find it stressful, really.<br />
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I love to talk! I am a communicator by nature, but expressing myself in written form always seems like that homework assignment that I'm forcing myself to do. (Sorry for the lack of transparency to all my former students.)<br />
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But alas, I love to read, I believe in the benefits of collaboration, chances are I enjoy YOUR blog, and my @etmooc facilitators have asked for this method of communication.<br />
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So here I sit... Bracing myself to one day admit that I truly enjoy the benefits of the ole blog.<br />
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Your turn...<br />
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Let's CommuniCATE!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00113800510012260157noreply@blogger.com0