Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives

Today was an interesting one in regard to the use of technonolgy. I sent my Hmong Culture and society students to: www.cia.gov for lots of great information on the country of China. I am teaching a two week unit on China and the technology timing could not be better. I was able to share information at the CIA and also share some other websites. Things go so much faster at in the computer lab if one can first demonstrate with the use of a computer and projector.

In my history classes I shared a wonderful short dvd piece that was produced by American Family Insurance called Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives. Very good. It visually cited people who overcame hurdles and went on to do great things. Included were Michael Jordon, Michelle Kwan, and Henry Ford to name a few. Students in all classes wanted to see this approximately four minute piece-twice. I believe the "big scree" appeal was one reason but not the only one. Everyday seems a new techy adventure. I am fortunate to be able to share these great things!

This and that with technology

For about a year now I have had an opportunity to dabble with the use of an LCD projector now and again. Well now that I have one to use all the time, I increasingly use my software that accompanies The Americans the district textbook for teaching U.S. History. Every chapter and section has pre-fabricated power points that are very cool. BUT. . .you can also create your own power-points if you know how and use them with their template. So I am excited to learn as I just had my first exposure to power point at last Friday's staff development day. I need to look more closely to see if these are one of our Things too! I desperately want to learn how to use power point.

And still loving the wirelessness of my laptop in my condo! See everyone tomorrow!

More thoughts on information literacy and technology

Several things I would like to ramble on about briefly


Tuesday, November 6 (Election Day)



Several weeks ago I was asked to be the building coordinator of the on-line version of Kids Voting (check out http://www.vote.spps.org/) this year at Como Park. From the get-go I had the sense that most staff were probably not to enthused as to bring their students to vote in our computer lab at Como Park Senior on Election Day. Non Social Studies teachers (unfortunately) really don't make connections with their classes and the need for Civic involvement and responsibility in many cases in my opinion. It is like me not getting all worked up about "green" stuff like Global Warming, etc. in my classes and Advisory.



After about one or two weeks I decided to move participation into the relm of Social Studies teachers. I requested that they send their students to the computer lab during their respective classes. I received no opposition to this at all in the days since my request was made. Well come right before Election Day (a day or two before) sure enough, there were several reasons why my Social Studies colleagues could not bring students to the lab to vote. So I "let go" and brought my students. A few other colleagues did as well. It seems that Como Park's participation mirred that of other high schools. See below:



'Kids Voting St. Paul' mock election has its lowest turnout ever

Pioneer Press

Article Last Updated: 11/07/2007 12:36:24 AM CST
First-time candidate Keith Hardy got the most votes for school board, and fellow newcomer Kevin Riach edged incumbent Tom Conlon in the Kids Voting St. Paul mock election Tuesday. Melvin Carter was the top vote-getter among City Council candidates.
A bit more than 3,000 secondary students in district and charter middle and high schools participated Tuesday. The voting was done online at school sites.
This year's turnout - about 17 percent - was the lowest ever for Kids Voting St. Paul, executive director Roger Barr said. It's hard to generate interest among students - or their parents - in a year where there are only local races and no mayoral contest, he said. "I think our turnout is going to mirror the city turnout."
Kids Voting St. Paul, which was formed in 2000, is a chapter of Kids Voting USA, which seeks to educate K-12 students about the electoral process and allows them to vote in simulated elections.
The students' picks for the board were Hardy (2,089 votes), incumbent Kazoua Kong-Thao (1,835), incumbent Anne Carroll (1,493) and Riach (1,098). The four not making the cut were Conlon (1,045 votes), David Peterson (936), Jennette Gudgel (831) and Bernard Ruppert (790).
The City Council results were as follows:
Ward 1: Melvin Carter, 431; Debbie Montgomery, 69
Ward 2: Bill Hosko, 286; Dave Thune, 140
Ward 3: Pat Harris, 340; Gerald Mischke, 107
Ward 4: Russ Stark, 190; Terrance Bushard, 60
Ward 5: Lee Helgen, 208; David Haas,





So the bottom line is that I will try to market Kids Voting more in advance next year. I do think I will run it again through the Social Studies classes. Additionally, I am well aware that there will be much more excitement furing a next year's election because it is a "Presidential" year.





The last few items briefly:



Friday, November 9 (Staff Development Day)



I took crash courses on how to create a Power Point (I have lots to learn) and how to create a Podcast (sorry I had to leave early Leslie). Then I showed interested staff how to put music onto a computer from a cd and then transfer it from the computer library and load onto an IPod. This was a bit challenging because I have loved owning an IPod but much of my musica was initially put onto the machine by a former student. My participation Friday reinforced my skills in how to do this.



Friday evening I purchased a Microsoft LifeCamVX-6000 camera for my computer AND A Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router. Now I can see my friends "real time" that I correspond with in Vietnam on my desktop computer AND I can go wireless with the MacBook all over my condo. Very cool toys/accomodations. . .expensive but cool.



Whew! This has been the week of technology!



Bye for now!

Thing # 10 Google/You Tube

Well I took the real You Tube plunge this weekend. You see I have shown students some You Tube clips in recent weeks including Shift Happens, and some campaign '08 soundbites from the candidates on their Road to the White House trail. I found out (at home this weekend) that some You Tube searches could not be viewed due to the mature nature of the subject entered into their search engine. This led me to registering (and creating a User Name and Password) with You Tube so I can access those. I do feel however that I cannot and will not show any You Tube clip requiring me to log-in. This means the due to the mature subject matter my audience at school is too young and thus it is inappropriate. This makes sense to me perfectly. Additionally, I would never share a clip with students before viewing it first myself.


Lastly, why can't we share video clips from CNN? Frequently they have the clips I really want to share but cannot show at school due to the firewall that has been put up in SPPS to block their videos.

In any case, it is all very informative and also important for me to continue to learn how these search engines work. Also we all might want to discuss the nature of ethics and the appropriate use of these videos in our school.

Thing #4 Getting to Know My Public Library

What is your experience with public libraries and librarians? Long time user? Scared away by mean librarian in your youth?
My affiliation with the Saint Paul Public Libries goes all the way back to my childhood days. I used to regularly go to the old Hayden Heights Branch Public Library (now the House of Clocks?) at Arlington and White Bear Ave. Scared away by a mean librarian? On the contrary. I remember how kind and gentle Mrs. Kramer was to me. I can even remember telling her how excited I was to get ready to take my big trip to California (1975). She in turn would tell me different stories or otherwise assist me.

What would you improve about your library and its services?
I would not change a thing. You see my library for some years has been the Lexington Branch Library. Now a new library Rondo Community Libary has replaced it. I would not change a thing that I can tell thus far. It is a great library! The only thing I have misgivings about is selling food and treats in it! I don't think I agree with that. But it is a great library and under the fine direction of Alice Neve.


How do you use your public library to support your teaching?
Mainly checking out dvd's or videos. I do also use their books from time to time. I also like to go there with the laptop and take advantage of the free wi-fi service. Though today it was down.

Thanks for reading!

I appreciate everyone's patience. I am still trying to feel my way around blogger.com, bloglines. com etc. I get so terribly tired of pin numbers and passwordss. Life seemed so much less complicated before. In any case expect to hear lots more from me!