West Boylston MHS Technology PD

Texting Until Their Thumbs Hurt

sarahkyriazis — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:23:38 +0000

interesting article and comments to the blog about teens and texting. Thanks Mr. Beverage for sharing with the staff!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/health/26teen.html?8dpc

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/texting-until-their-thumbs-hurt/

Posted in 1

Project Spectrum: Autism and Google Sketchup

sarahkyriazis — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:15:11 +0000

Project Spectrum was created to give people with autism the opportunity to express their creativity and develop a life skill using Google SketchUp 3D modeling software. More information can be found at http://sketchup.google.com/spectrum.html

Posted in 1 Tagged: autism, google, google sketchup, special education

WBMHS PD Update

sarahkyriazis — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:43:39 +0000

Here are some technology teaching tools that teachers have created this year . If you would like to learn how to make/use these in your classroom, visit the lessons in this blog.

Ms. Springer, Spanish Blog http://springersspanishclass.blogspot.com/
Ms. Bell, West Boylston High School Library Page
Ms. Nummelin, Super Spanish Websites Blog, http://superspanishsites.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Kyriazis and Mrs. Avery, Web 2.0 Tools Blog for VHS students, http://westboylston.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Kyriazis Winter Technology Lessons Blog Intro to Web 2.0, http://introwebtwopointo.blogspot.com/

Tagged: blogs

What are they saying?

sarahkyriazis — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:23:22 +0000

As teachers and as parents, it is important we know what our kids are saying when they are instant messaging (im) or texting on their cell phones… keep this glossary handy. There is a language for chatting and a language for texting. This website lists it all http://www.swalk.com/.

Posted in West Boylston Middle High School Tagged: instant messaging, swalk, texting

Pixton

sarahkyriazis — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:31:42 +0000

pixton.com

Express yourself in a whole new way!

Make comics

Award-winning click-and-drag comic creator
Customize everything right on the page
Move characters into any pose
Use in any web browser, Mac or PC
Certified for use on interactive whiteboards

Share anywhere

Send by email, embed in blogs or social networks
Pinpoint friends & fans on a world map
Print with the click of a button

Add your twist

Remix and switch up the storyline
Make a guest appearance in comics
Create your own ending

Watch animation teaser
Watch 30-sec trailer
Educational version

Animate

Bring your comics & avatars to life with animation

Set keyframes, let Pixton do the rest

Rendered to video for easy upload

Remix with your friends

Connect globally

Make friends & fans around the world

Automatic translation on comics in 40+ languages

Website in Portuguese, Romanian, Dutch, Polish and growing

Rebrand Pixton

Engage audiences like never before with your brand

Put your skin on our Pixton comic creator

Power content with Pixton technology

Fully customizable feature set

Short-term or long-term campaigns

Posted in 1 Tagged: interactive web comics, pixton

Nineteen Interesting Ways to Use Google Docs in the Classroom

sarahkyriazis — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:26:01 +0000

http://docs.google.com/Present?docid=dhn2vcv5_8323t58h3ft

Tagged: google docs

Google Maps: Swine Flu

sarahkyriazis — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:28:09 +0000

Here is an example of the web 2.0 tool, google maps being used on a global level to track the swine flu. I am going to give you the link instead of embedding it because this map loads slowly, but is a very interesting use of a web 2.0 tool.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&source=embed&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950&start=0&num=200&ll=19.311143,-88.59375&spn=141.931288,351.5625&z=1

Tagged: google earth, google maps, swine flu, web 2.0

Edline adds Interactive Classroom

sarahkyriazis — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:13:22 +0000

This description from Edline explains what features are available in the Interactive Classroom

(This is the link to the online tutorial: https://www.edline.net/HelpContents-teacher.page#special)

Bring classroom web pages to life with online discussions, electronic homework hand-in, interactive assignments and online assessments.

Online discussions that maximize participation
Integrate online discussions with instructional content on any web page to engage students at the point of interest. Leverage your Edline data to easily target or restrict certain users or groups within your classroom. Teachers can review comments before they are posted.

Interactive assignments
Easily post homework that integrates online practice exercises, quizzes, or worksheets. Students complete the learning activities online.

Homework hand-in
Quickly create a homework “drop-box” where students can submit documents or other files to hand in their homework electronically.

Flexible online tests & quizzes
No experience or knowledge of HTML required. Select from a variety of question types: multiple choice, single choice, open-ended, etc. Choose from several different components: text entry fields, radio buttons, drop-down lists, file attachments and more.

Automatic grading
Assignments can be graded automatically with no intervention by the teacher. Grades can be transferred to your gradebook and SIS.

Track and review student responses
Track which students have and have not submitted a response. With a single click, send an e-mail reminder to users who have not submitted a response.

Analyze results
Use Edline’s statistical analysis and item analysis capabilities, or download responses and data in a variety of standard formats (CSV, XML, etc.) for use in third-party databases, reporting engines or analytic tools.

Keep parents informed
Let parents or guardians know the status of a student’s work.

Posted in Edline Tagged: Edline

sexting, texting and other internet safety issues

sarahkyriazis — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:04:19 +0000

iSAFE is a non profit group that advocates for internet safety. Teachers, parents and students can all take free online courses to become certified educators of the iSAFE philosophy.

Here is a link to their latest newsletter. (pdf)

It contains some very interesting information including:

What is Web 2.0
You Sent What? which talks about children sending pornography through text messages
Online Pharmacy Update
Safe Gaming Website

Check it all out here:

http://www.isafe.org/imgs/pdf/newsletter/2009/i-educator-0304-09.pdf

Tagged: internet safety, web 2.0

Doodle for Google WBMHS Winners

sarahkyriazis — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:11:54 +0000

These are the 6 winners that were sent to the national Google Competition. They can also be viewed on the right hand side of the hall on the way to the VHS lab.

Posted in West Boylston Middle High School Tagged: art, Doodle for Google, WBMHS