Packing my bags for Model Schools Conference

Which gadgets to take, and which ones to leave home?  Currently, I have a heavy computer bag and a smaller one.  In preparing for this trip, I have decided to try to pack my cloths in a carry-on bag and take my smaller computer bag with me.  So, I have to decide what to carry.

Items on my want to carry list:

1. Laptop & power cable

   From view album

   
   
2. iPod video & cable
   
   


3. Podcasting Recording Device
   


• ZOOM H4
• Rechargeable AA batteries w/charger
  

• AC adapter for the ZOOM
  
  


4. Still Camera
• Sony Cyber-shot
  



• Sony charger w/extra battery
  



• Misc: Flash drives, pens,  (small stuff)
  
5. Video Camera
• Panasonic PV-GS160
  
• Charger
  
  
6. Computer bag (smaller one)
   

Now if all this will fit into the small bag.  If not, I guess I will check my luggage and hold my breathe that is will make to the airport. 

Twitterrific Version 2.2

Ok...calling all Twittheads, coming to a conference room real soon- Cmd-B will now open up a list of folks tapping the keys as they Tweet their hearts away. If you have your laptop out and you have updated to the latest version of Twitterrific, you will notice your friends avatar image will have a white outline. Does anyone worry about this but me? I am still not sure I will try installing Twitterrific on my classroom iBooks. If so, it will be setup on a special user account which is not available to students all the time. For example, I my install Twitterrific on a user account for use during a specific technology part of the class.

On second thought, I need to check our district's Internet Use Policy. I do not think they will allow students to use Twitter. AIM is blocked already. "Disruptive" technology strikes again.

Version 2.2 - TBD

WWDC Special Edition

New Features

• Twitterrific now scans for other users on the local network using Bonjour. When your friends are "close by" their avatar image will have a white outline. You can also use Cmd-B to see a list of all people on the local network that are using Twitterrific and their last tweet. Hopefully, this will be effective in environments where Twitter users are in the same physical space (such as WWDC.) Thanks to Jack Dorsey for the idea.

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Classroom Management: 101

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Define Class Rules (a.k.a. Classroom Procedures)



The discipline committee must decide what sort of rules will be enforced school wide. Try to limit these rules to about four or five. I think that it’s easy to enforce a handful of rules that everyone knows and can even spout off the top of their heads; but when you get so many rules, that no one can remember without looking at the paper then you will have too many rules for everyone to enforce. My own school developed these rules. All rules should be stated in their positive format and not in negatives, i.e., instead of don’t hit people, we found a way to say this by our second rule:

1. Be in your assigned seat ready to work when the tardy bell finishes its ring.
   
   
2. Keep hands, feet, books, and objects to yourself.
   
   
3. Speak courteously to your teacher and fellow students.
   
   
4. Follow the teacher's directions.
   
   
5. Bring only those items which are essential to the educational process.
   
   

The class rules should be posted in every classroom and referred to often.

These are fine classroom rules.  However, just posting them on the wall does not insure they will be followed.  I have students that are learning disabled in reading.  They could care less about a "stinking" poster on the wall.  So, as part of our school's discipline policy, we spend class time teaching what these rules. Instead of calling them rules, I prefer the word procedures.  Also, in our school, we do not have warning bells and tardy bells, but we may add them this coming year.  I personally have to program our school's bells and when the power blinks, our bells shut down and they have to be reprogrammed.  So, before we go to tardy bells, someone is going to have to purchase one of those continuous power supply or backup batteries. [note to self: remember that.]



The hardest part of classroom procedures is for the teacher to get the students to buy into the system.  They have to see that you mean business and you are not going to let them slide if they do not follow the procedure.  If I let them get by with it one day, and then send them to the principal the next day, then chaos rules.  For me, instead of just posting the list, I use a flip chart and conduct a brainstorming session and just ask my students what the class procedures should be, if we are going to be in this classroom all year together and end up with all level threes and fours on our EOG tests and everyone passing to the next grade.  I teach middle school, grades 6, 7, and 8.  I have my list of procedures already formulated on paper so when students come up with something like- "bring paper", then one says "bring ya pencil", and one might say "bring your notebook", I list all these. After brainstorming, I ask them to look at the list and give them 2.5 minutes to discuss the list with the student next to them and see if any of the items on the list have anything in common.  The items listed above all fit nicely under procedure 5. Bring only those items which are essential to the educational process.



Here is the next big important step I have found that works for me: Thumbs up, thumbs down, and I am not sure.  After the class has found commonality and formulated our list which is usually very close to the one above, we vote.  Thumbs up if you can live with all the procedures, thumbs down if you can not, and thumbs sideways if you are still not sure.  Polling the students helps them see that everyone else knows they know the procedures.  If a student is trying to be cute, and gives a thumbs down, or really does not want to follow the procedure, then the discussion of why we are in school, what are your career goals, what would your mama say will not help.  I simply ask the student to spend some time with me after the class so we can talk.  If I have a student that is authoritative defiant, they just want to pick a argument, I have to remove them from the group.  I have experienced students that want to try to win every point of the discussion and I have a prearranged signal with my school counselor.  I have a phone in my classroom and I hit the three keys to his extension and just say, "could you please give me some time".  This means our code for come to my room and look for a student about to snap.  You might ask well how does he know it is your room?  Our phone system has a sort of caller id. 



So, what is the purpose of writing a blog post about classroom rules/procedures?  I am not doing it for my readers, this is for me to reflect and share.  If you read this and think this is nothing neither fresh nor blending-edge, congratulations.  If you have a new middle science teacher and you want to help them but do not have the time, email them a link to my blog.  If you have constructive points you want to add, leave a comment.  If you think my little classroom management reflection is worthless, keep your comments to yourself and have a nice summer. 

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eBay and Jericho

Last night, I watched an episode the CBS TV series Jericho. It was one of few that I messed. It was titled "Black Jack", (original airdate: 2/28/07). This morning I was listening to a CNN news report. The story was about the recent PCWorld article. The article reports on how eBay is trying to reduce fraud. A light bulb came on in my head. I remembered the general idea of a line in "Black Jack" that goes something like this:

As the characters walk into a secured, guarded, "barter town" in a search for needed equipment, one of the characters commented that the compound was "sort of like eBay". The booths with their vendors, and shoppers are shown peacefully bargaining and trading on the surface it looked easy. The camera cuts to a shot of a body that had been hanged as punishment for stealing, another character commented..."maybe not".

As a fan of Jericho, and someone that has been spammed by eBay-look-a likes, and one that stays away from eBay, maybe I will change my mind about using eBay. Maybe not. EBay will not hang fraudulent eBay folks. Someone is always going to keep trying to beat the system.

I do know that I will be watching the new series and the reruns of episodes July 6th.

Wikimapia in my science class

This looks like something teachers could use. It is free. This example shows our campus. I can see my students could use this to illustrate blog posts as they research coastal resources, landforms, changes of earth's surface, freshwater, and much more.

Reviewing for the EOG is over!

This week, our students will take the most important test in their lives- the dreaded EOGs. Are they ready? Will they be rested and clear minded?

We shall see.

Surviving Spring Cold-Motorcycle Rally Week-EOGs

Coughing, scratchy throat, chills, no energy and to top that off- gas prices that border on insane. These days it is a challenge to stay positive. This week has been motorcycle rally at Myrtle Beach, and at 11 p.m., I can hear the rumble of their motors as they pass along the highway nearby. I am not really sure what a spring cold has to do the motorcycles, much less what it has to do with education. But, it is what our classroom must be like to our kids. They have the rumble of their personal lives pounding in their heads much like standing beside the highway and watching to flashy bikes parade to the beach. They, like me, have their minds elsewhere. Still, high stakes testing, and the fear of failure, hovers over their environment like a spring cough. Never able to get comfortable. Then when they think they have it under control, it is something else.

To make my spring cold bearable, I my antihistamines, cough drops, expectorants, and soft tissues. I can pull up videos of motorcycle riders on the web and watch news coverage on a South Carolina TV station. Most of my needs are meet. On the other hands, the needs of my students, preparing for their EOG and EOCs is not very warm and fuzzy. We make them sit in a classroom, drill and practice, review and recite, and feed them popcorn and pat them on the backs and tell them how well they will do if they just try.

Teachers are not just sources of information, we have to coach students. Sometimes, it is not pretty. Surviving EOG and EOCs in North Carolina is like trying to stand be side a highway with a group of puppies on motorcycle rally week with a spring cold.

If it don't kill you, it has to make you stronger.

Mobile App for Classroom management

Just ran across something interesting for use in managing my resources for my classroom on the go. Google calls it iGoogle Mobile. I have been trying to adjust my iGoogle resources to include some useful resources. One resource has to include our Standard course of study. Also, a link to a bookmark list of lesson plans correlated to the goals and objects. How about links to a blog with daily assignments or classblog with RSS. The list seems endless. I am really pumped about this tool.

North Carolina Strawberry Festival, Chadbourn, NC

My daughters are home for this year's festival.  It is hard to believe it is time already for the parade.  My students have been talking all week about going to the parade and all the excitement they are expecting.  Not real sure what they are inferring, and not sure I want to know.  I am going to the parade, and hope they have a nice time.  Ok, that is all I am going to say about that.  I feel sure they will experience some educationally enriching events...



The weather this year is much cooler than average.  Last year, it was too hot.  I just read the weather forecast I subscribe to from WECT-TV.



It has been a few years since we have had rain on the parade, but unless George Elliott is way off, we will be fine for the parade.  Just carry your wind-breaker, baseball cap, and an umbrella.



I will post photos later today.

<blockquote>Greetings from George Elliott at WECT-TV! Here's my outlook...



We need the rain, and although it looks like a weekend event, we'll have to take what we get. Showers will increase across the area today and especially tonight, and most likely linger into the first part of Sunday. Some spots could see an easy half inch, with isolated higher amounts if an isolated t'shower passes overhead.



A complex storm system to the west will transfer energy along the Carolina coast tonight through Sunday, and this will develop a potent offshore low pressure area. In the process, showery weather will spread across the area, and winds will pick up Sunday into Monday as the storm system offshore intensifies and high pressure from the Northeast builds down the eastern seaboard.



Precipitation should end as the storm system moves (but stalls) east of us by late Sunday into early next week. Eventually, the storm center to our east will weaken and will move farther out to sea.



Mostly cloudy with patchy showers developing today; high lower 70's. Northerly wind becoming easterly 4-16 mph.



Cloudy with showers likely tonight; low around 60. Easterly wind 4-16 mph.



</blockquote>

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Signs

While waiting for our family dog, Gavin, to finish his appointment at the groomer, I stopped by a local WiFi hotspot to kills some time.  It is very generous of the kind folks at NCEZ.net to leave a wireless port open.  I have known about this free WiFi hotspot for some time, but never really took time to try it.  Thanks guys! 



As I was coming out of the groomer's, I walked into a fellow educator.  The first thing out of her mouth was Congratulations.  Well, I thought she was talking about our daughter's recent graduation from college, or her engagement.  But, to my surprise, the teacher, said I read that you are retiring.  Well, I almost could not say anything.  Then she told me that our local NCAE newsletter had listed my name as one of the teachers retiring this year.  I just laughed and told her that it was a mistake.  I was definitely not planning to retire.  I bet I checked the wrong box on a recent form we filled out for our local NCAE.  The form has two parts.  One part was for retirees to be included as retiring at our May banquet.  The other part was to say you were planning to attend and eat, and celebrate the retirement of others in our district.  Geez, this is embarrassing.  I guess I should just not go to the banquet.  Everyone there will be like- oh, congratulations.  I will spend the whole time explaining how it was a mixup and, well-- crap.



To top that, I was sitting at the table, eating my microwaved leftovers from San Jose Mexican Restaurant and the Jehovah's Witness folks rang the doorbell.  And guess what,  it was a retired math teacher, that I worked with for many years.  Smiling and asking about how I had been and that she did not know I lived here and small talk.  Then she asked me if we were closing down the alternative school I work at. 



In this weeks News Reporter, "Alternative School to close in June".  Ok, news flash, it is not North Whiteville Academy.  Come on Fuller Royal, "Nakina Alt to close in June" may have been a better title for a dang front page "news crier".  Controversy sells newspapers, but it also confuses the public.  It took me several minutes of talking with the well-educated/retired/math teacher/Jehovah's Witness.  I know the parents of our kids and community members will be thinking 'oh well, we might as well close ours too'.  Wrong.  The students attending North Whiteville Academy are making progress.  They are mastering math, reading, technology skills, and most importantly interpersonal skills.  I appreciate the kind comments from the News Reporter Editorial comment:

North Whiteville Academy, the alternative school component of Whiteville City Schools, has been a success, but it deals with fewer students who get more individualized attention. Maybe the county’s twilight schools, which will divide alternative school candidates among the three county high schools, will do a better job with fewer students per teacher. Source: http://www.whiteville.com/pages/2007WEBPAGES/APRIL2007/4.26.07/editthurs.html

It must be a day for signs.  



Maybe it is just that time of year. My lawn, which is mostly weeds, needs mowing.  The weather is nice and warm.  It is 87 degrees F.  The Moon is waxing, and according to an astrological timetable, based on the Moon's signs, showing the best days for certain activities it is one of the best days: Go to the dentist. Monday, April 30- Best days: Begin diet to gain weight.  What? Gain Weight?  I need a nap.

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Is It A Podcast Recorder?

After watching an Apple Webinar on electric guitars and Garageband, I was ready to buy a copy of one of the commercial software and device to connect my electric guitar to my MacBook Pro. Then I remembered the Handy 4 from ZOOM that I have been using to record my podcasts in my classroom. BONG! I found this on a site:

Zoom’s New H4 Handheld Recorder Packs A Huge Feature Set Into A Tiny Package, Creating A Tool Everyone Can Use.

Combination XLR-Quarter-inch Inputs
The H4, with its two phantom powered XLR-1/4" input jacks that support direct connection of external microphones, is the solution to an infinite number of recording situations. You can also use the H4's Hi-Z rated phone inputs for direct connection of guitars, bass, or any other line-input device.

Input Level Optimization for Detailed Sound.
The H4's excellent dynamic range allows you to consistently match the input level to the source. Whether you're recording a band's live performance, a solo vocalist, acoustic instruments, a classroom lecture or even a subtle soundscape, the H4's automatic gain control lets you limit peaks to -6 dB during Rec Stand-by position. And its built-in level meter and separate Low / Mid / High gain settings for the built-in stereo mics mean you can monitor operation and make adjustments on the fly.

Portable Multi-Track Recording
Capture vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, drum machines and other instruments on separate tracks with the H4's 4-track mode. The H4 allows simultaneous recording on two tracks and simultaneous playback on four tracks. Level and panning can be adjusted for each track individually. Punch-in recording and track bouncing make editing a breeze. Other features include a versatile tuner for guitar and bass, a metronome for use as a rhythm guide and A|B repeat capability.
*While in 4-track mode, the H4 records as 16-bit/44.1kHz WAV files.

Onboard Effects With Microphone And Amp Modeling
The integrated DSP effects processor with 32-bit architecture employs the latest modeling technology to replicate the most famous guitar, bass and microphone sounds. The array consists of 4 microphones (SM57 / MD421 / U87 / C414), 12 guitar amps and stomp boxes such as Fender, Marshall, Vox, and Mesa Boogie and 6 bass amps and preamps including Ampeg, Bassman, and Hartke. We've also included a compressor / limiter to prevent input signal overload, Zoom Noise Reduction (ZNR) and other studio quality effects such as chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, and reverb. The effect memory of the H4 accommodates 60 patches. 50 presets are already programmed for applications such as direct recording of guitar and bass as well as mic recording of vocals and acoustic guitar.
*In stereo mode, only mic modeling and the compressor / limiter effects can be used.
*Mic modeling effects are only for use with the built-in microphones.

It's a USB Audio Interface
The H4 also will function as a direct audio interface for your computer. Connect the supplied USB cable and record directly to your computer. And the H4 comes bundled with Cubase LE from Steinberg so you can start to produce and edit music straight away. Thanks to the direct hardware monitoring function, there is no latency problem, you can hear what you're recording as you're playing it.
*Effects can only be used when the sampling rate is 44.1kHz.

Drag and Drop File Transfer
When the H4 is connected to a computer via USB, it also functions as an SD card reader. This allows you to drag and drop audio files to your computer like you would pictures from a digital camera. Create a media player sound library, tailor a recording with a waveform editor, then mix and master with a DAW. Then create your own CDs, send files by e-mail, or use them for podcasting. The possibilities are endless. The H4 will even function as a portable MP3 player.

Source: http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-ZOO-H4.html#

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April Showers Bring May Flowers-- Right?

The wind and rain has howled since yesterday afternoon. At least the official tornado warnings have been dropped in our area. Our family dog has spent most of the day running under the chair. I am not sure exactly how much rain has fallen, but it was over two inches. Water is standing every where around the house.

Now, just a few words about motivating my students tomorrow, after six days out of school.

• Plan in shorter time segments.
  
• Vary activities.
• Bring children's books and novels into your lesson.
• Actively involve students in the lesson.
  

Making Google Maps in the Classroom

Ok, so check it out, dawg…here’s an example of what you can do with the new “My Maps” feature from Google. Go on…go look.

Now, if your head ain’t swimmin’ with ideas like mine is… My children don’t know it yet, but they just became the map makers for all travel related to the Richardson family. (And we just figured out that the whole clan is going to Australia this summer.) I can’t wait to show them this.

I know this isn’t news, but this is the kind of stuff that still gives me butterflies. Stupid, I know. It’s also the kind of stuff that I want to go running into schools with, shouting “Look what our kids can create! Look what they can contribute!”

It’s a great time to be a learner, isn’t it? Very cool… Check out Step #19 in the directions

By Will Richardson.

If any of my students go out of town during vacation, I hope to challenge them make their own map.

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Twittervision

Now that Twitter is taking the web by storm, here is a mash - up of Google maps and Twitter allowing you to see all of the Twitterers (Twits?) posts in real time posted on a world map.
Twittervision Thanks to Gaping Void .

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April- Time for Spring Vacation

I have been very slack posting in the past few weeks. Sometimes, reading and listening provides inspiration to the writing process. Sometimes is does not help. I listened to Bit by Bit podcast episode 17 with Alice, Cheryl, Bob, Cathy, Deb, and Michael come together in this Flat World over FlatBread. They mentioned in their conversation a web clone of ComicLife and it jogged my memory of how excited my students were about using ComicLife software on the Mac.

The Bear Facts, The Story of a North Carolina Treasure

To receive "The Bear Facts" DVD please use one of the following contacts to reserve your free copy. All educators including teachers, Museum employees, Parks Personnel, Scout Leaders and others are encouraged to request a copy.

Include the following information in your correspondence:

The Bear Facts DVD/CD
Your Name
Address of Educational Institution
Phone Number
Email Address
Requested quantity

Email: storemanager@ncwildlife.org

Mailing Address:
1710 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1710
Toll Free Phone: 1-866-WILDSHOP
(1-866-945-3746)
Local Phone: 919-707-0393

Local Fax: 919-707-0294

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Periodic Table of the Elements

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/periodictable/



This periodic table is really interesting in that the elements are hyperlinked to QTVR movies of samples. My favorite is the gold element. I downloaded the QTVR movie of a gold coin and showed it to my students on our digital projector. This might be fun to use with an interactive whiteboard. If the software would allow students to touch the element on the whiteboard and the whiteboard would react like a touch screen.



Have you ever tried this in your classroom?

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YouTube Fight Club - muy malo

“Doing it to Post on You Tube” « Haulin’ ‘Net

15 boys from Lee Senior HS in Sanford, NC were suspended and arrested for staging fighting events in the school lavatory prior to the school day. The 21st century kicker is that they were filming the fights and posting the New Media to You Tube.

Very one wants to have their own 15 minutes of fame, but holding a pre-school bathroom brawl is taking it to a new level. I know a couple of teachers at Lee Senior and I can not wait to contact them and ask them which bathroom they have duty in now... Not to make fun of this, I do not blame the teachers or the school. If these kids wanted to fight, they could have held their matches anywhere they wanted. I still do not understand why the school? Was it because they had first period computer class and conspired to use the school's network to upload their videos? Is YouTube blocked on their network? If not, how many times were the movies viewed on the Lee Senior network?

The sad thing is that these kids are not going to be denied a education, they are probably heading for the Lee County alternative school program. So, watch out alternative school, you are going to have your hands full. Maybe Lee Senior should start a boxing program.

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Podcast Player for Teachers

Dave Winer has been thinking about the features of an ideal podcast player on his blog Scripting News. As a classroom teacher that has struggled to teach my students how to use Garageband on Apples, I agree with Dave’s wonderful characteristics. The recording feature is the trick. All my students have USB flash drive MP3 players. I load then podacast mp3 files on their devices so they can share them with their family and friends. This task is time consuming at best. So, to add RSS feeds to this idea device, wireless is a must.

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What? Huh? I am sorry, what did you say?

Last night, my daughter, my wife, and I attended a wonderfully pleasant wedding. At the reception, the DJ spun his magical mix of jazz, rock, hip-hop, Top 40’s from the 70's, 80's, and 90’s. I am not sure how close my old ears got to the speakers, but my ears are ringing a little louder today than usual. While reading my RSS feeds on Google Reader, I skimmed across this post from WIRED Blogs and had to comment on the article. It is: SPOT ON. My hearing is not what it once was. Add to that the dance music and I know I missed some really interesting comments made by fellow attendees at the wedding reception. I could see lips and mouths moving and could catch parts of what was being said. The people at my table must have thought I was ignoring them, but I could not hear what they were saying. The stress from trying to hear conversations made having a conversation a real challenge.

Not to be a grouch, I actually enjoy all kinds of music. So, if I cannot hear well, why not get a hearing aid? No. They are not cool. Call it vanity if you want, but hearing aids equates old age. Now, not go postal on me. This is my opinion. My father paid big bucks for a set of hearing aids. He would not wear them. He complained that they did not fit right. He kept leaving them here and there. My mother fussed constantly about him not wearing them or not putting in a battery, and on and on. I do not mind wearing ear buds while at the gym working out. IMHO, hearing loss is the redheaded stepchild of the worthwhile diseases, but it is a personal issue to me. This is a desperate predicament for all most all Baby Boomers.

While reading the article linked below, it hit me: iEar. Steve Jobs please design your fellow Baby Boomers something cool. iEars could be a big financial success and popular tech gadget. Imagine “digital hearing appliances” from Apple. Taking design clues from the original iBook and how it transformed the boring black laptop into a cool “must have”. Then it was the iPod. They are fabulously popular and user-friendly. Steve- your fellow aging Baby Boomers need a favor- design us a cool hearing aid. Could it have bluetooth, so we can hear our podcasts, music, iPhone, video, and Apple TV? Whip up support and the cool factor by celebrity endorsements. Maybe folks like Bono, Ozzy, Mick, and James Taylor to raise money for "iEars for Baby Boomers". I can see the ads for it now: [wide-shot] Are you tired of the What? Huh? Tell me that again? [two-shot] I'm PC and I cannot hear a thing you are saying. I'm Mac, and I am wearing the new iEar from Apple, Inc. I can listen to my iPhone, and all my Beatles music without having to drag around my laptop and iPod. [fade-to-white] iEar, from the corporation that damaged you hearing, we now offer these products to you at a low cost of 99 cents.
[TagLine] iEar: hear like a hawk. Now available at an Apple Store near you, or online at Apple.com.

WIRED Blogs: Bodyhack

As one scientist just put it at a briefing for reporters at the AAAS annual meeting, "hearing is considered to be the sort of poor cousin of vision. It also doesn't have the sex appeal of aids and malaria and other worthwhile diseases."

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