Genius Hour for Five Weeks for the Teacher.

During my just finished sabbatical term, awarded by the New Zealand Ministry of Education I came across a twitter chat #geniushour.  This chat has a number of teachers who have developed in their classrooms what is called a genius hour. Students are able to decide what they are going to learn about and become expert in and then do that for the hour. Denise Krebs talks about it here. I was interested in this so stayed for the chat that day. I thought it was a great idea and perhaps at some time I would like to try it out. I say perhaps as I have other plans as well, and there is always that ongoing tug between many conflicting 'good' learning activities to do in the classroom.

However it got me thinking about my own experience of a ten week paid sabbatical that teachers in New Zealand may apply for  - and only five of it is to be spent on professional learning, the other five is for holidaying.  What a fantastic concept.  I could choose what I spent my time on, I am sure everyone that takes it develops their own programme to suit them as a person.  You do have to put your proposal in beforehand and if that is approved then it is up to the teacher to proceed in whatever way they like. Very self-regulated learning, which is the best type of learning I believe.

I am not sure where this concept arose for teacher sabbaticals, whether it was the Unions who initiated it or what, but I sincerely hope that the New Zealand Ministry of Education continue with this practice, as I would love for every teacher in our country to be able to receive this opportunity if they so wish.  I have worked in education since the seventies and it certainly felt to me that I mattered and I was valued, when I was awarded the time.

I hope I used the time wisely and well.  I was just into my exploration when I was regretting that I hadn't proposed that I follow a path of becoming better acquainted with children's literature.  I wished I had thought about attending the International Reading Conference, however while it was always a dream of mine I forgot about it at the time of the proposal.  There are always paths we don't travel, although I admit that being a reader anyway, much of  the holiday time was spent reading by the fire! So in a way the best of both possibilities.

Here is a summary of what I spent my time doing.  As yet it is all "pie in the sky", if you like.  I still need to incorporate some of this into my classroom.  I realise with all the conflicting pulls for our classroom time at school I won't be able to spend the time I would like.  I plan to build slowly - although I don't even have the actual plan yet - just a lot of ideas mulling around that need to be written down.

As part of the five weeks I spent quite a bit of time learning how to edit a video in Premiere Elements 10. I carried the whole process through because I felt that if I am going to ask my students to do something then I should do it as well - makes me far more compassionate as they deal with the task.  I find otherwise I can be  too demanding - but when I do it I realise all the struggles!  I made this video  with my parent and staff community at school in mind as an audience.

It's Monday What Are You Reading?

It is Monday and again I am joining in the meme over at Mentor Texts.
Hop on over and join in over at the Mentor Text Blog. Just click on the picture below.

This last week I read See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles.  A very moving book that addresses a number of issues.  Mainly my sympathy was with 

Fern and the sense that she had at times that she was invisible especially to her mother.    I loved how Sara, Fern's older sister steps up and gets Fern and Holden to the homecoming dance.  The book bravely addresses the issues of a death in the family and homosexuality.  

I am not sure whether I will introduce this to my class, only the very older ones perhaps. If you've read it when would you introduce it into a class library? I wonder as mine I think are just say a year too young. (10-12 year olds)

Origami Yoda while still addressing issues important to middle graders, was far more lighthearted and I found myself chuckling a few times. I know there will be many readers in my class for this one.

I read this for my own professional reading.  I found it very helpful , especially the middle section that explored the telling of narrative.  Even if I was never to do digital storytelling in the classroom, this section gives a good approach to planning a narrative where there is tension and character development and change.  Something quite hard for younger writers to grasp. This book has given me some ideas on how to help them.

Apart from that I am going to try digital storytelling and I found this book very useful.

This coming week I will be reading Franny K Stein Mad Scientist  Lunch Walks Among us by Jim Benton and Marty Maguire Digs Worms by Kate Messner.

Digital Citizenship

As I settle into my sabbatical ten weeks - almost half way through it, I am beginning to explore digital citizenship.  It has been a natural progression from where I began with my digital storytelling and movie making.

We have been thrust into digital citizenship and sometimes it is a matter of feeling our way.  I am a "catcher upper", the whole digital age does not come naturally to me.  At primary school I only knew what a TV was from the pictures in American and British magazines.

My first twenty years of teaching did not involve anything digital!  I was a teacher in a classroom with just the ideas of the teachers on the staff and occasionally teachers at professional development.  There was some connection and quite a lot of disconnection.  I am a reader, so I gleaned some ideas from books, but even they were very limited.

In the early 90's I returned from a year's study leave to find a small Apple classic in my room.  For the first week I was so scared of it. Probably didn't sleep at the very thought of using it.  However gradually through the 90's my knowledge of using Apple computers grew as I interacted with the teacher next door and attended some professional development. However it was still very narrow.  We had a school intranet that connected our computers, but more often than not it didn't work and as for logging on to an email account, it took an hours one on one PD and I was still none the wiser, as the internet rarely worked.

By the mid nineties I bought my own first personal computer, and by then there was some limited access to the web and email.  $3000 for a PC with about 2gb of space!  Gradually I began to know the delights of being able to access places like Amazon and Audible.  Now I could buy books that once had not been available to me in New Zealand.

The last five years has seen my activity grow exponentially.  I began blogging with Edublogs with my class - a steep learning curve that I persevered with until I could use it in my classroom. I began to join the class blogging challenge and started to open the students up to the global world in just small ways.  The greater advantage for me was that I was beginning to see what other teachers were doing around New Zealand, Australia and the USA mainly.  Exciting and at times just down right overwhelming.

Now I no longer need depend on the PD offered in my limited area, I can seek it out through Blogging, Twitter, Facebook,Wikis, Webinars and You Tube to name some places. And of course there are more books - I love my Kindle!

I am so grateful to the many gifted, knowledgeable teachers who share what they are doing.  I am so delighted that I can listen to leaders about using technology in the classroom from all over the world.  Wow!

I am an ordinary teacher, teaching in an ordinary classroom - doing my best to keep up in some small way with the exciting events taking place in education today.

Realising that to walk with my students in their digital footprinting, I need to give some thought to digital citizenship I am off to read Digital Community, Digital Citizenship by Jason Ohler.  I am reading it on my Kindle. A plus because there is no expensive postage to pay on it. A minus because I can't pass it on to others when I have finished it.

How did I hear about Jason Ohler, well I clicked on some link that led to another link and I spent an hour yesterday listening to an address he gave in Portland in 2011!

The digital world is so big and here and there I dip my teaspoon into it!

Just before I end I want to share this video made by Jen and Teach Mentor Texts.  Here is a little example of the world I can enter into with other book lovers!  My favourite part? The very end with Colby Sharp!

Exploring Edmodo

My class and I joined Edmodo last year so that we could take part in a global project.  We have not used it for anything more, yet I have heard teachers on Twitter and in the blogosphere highly commend all that it offers. As part of my sabbatical term I wanted to identify tools that can have a positive impact on student learning and that the students may use in the context of a social network.

After spending time listening to some webinars and exploring around on Edmodo I have found that it offers a safe secure environment that has to some extent a Facebook like feel to it. It not only is an environment for students but for teachers as well.  It has many great features.

A teacher signs up and forms a group which has a code generated for it.  Students can then sign up and put in the code given them by the teacher, they then become a member of the group.  A teacher may have a number of groups and sub groups for students - so that there is large scope for differentiation.  Students can then make posts that fall into the timeline and other students can add to the conversation by replying, or they can post their own thoughts on something.  An important point is that students cannot direct message each other, everything that is written is in the public timeline. Teachers do have the choice of moderating this chat if they so wished before it goes public but I think this would hinder the flow.

One of the main features about Edmodo is that it is entirely private to the group -' a walled garden' as one of the webinar tutors described it. It is a place to learn the skills of online citizenship.  If a student makes a judgement of error here, it is an indication of where more teaching and learning needs to take place.  It is of course important that we continue to teach about being a good and safe digital citizen, and it needs to be ongoing.  Edmodo is one place where students can practice what that looks like.

Teachers and students can direct message each other however and so can teachers to each other. When we were taking part in the global collaboration project, the teacher who organised the joint group, was able to make the other teachers in the group jointly responsible for the group.

Parents can also join, a teacher gives them a code that then enables them to be able to read what their own child produces, but they are unable to see anything else.  I expect some parents would be interested, however I am not sure how many would do this. However the opportunity is there if they want.

How will I use Edmodo with my students in the future?

• Homework - setting an assignment and due date is very easy here. In fact it could be a place to set  class assignments set as well. It has a very nice calendar integrated into it so that each student can see what is happening when.
• Set up more groups - so that reading, maths groups can talk to one another and where I can set assignments for them.  For example I can place videos and games for them only to view.
• Set up quizzes and polls which are very easy to integrate in this environment.
• I will ask students to turn in certain assignments to me through Edmodo. There is the ability to annotate and respond to their work.  There is also a grading system which I won't use, I presume it can be ignored!  
• Google docs can also be worked with from within Edmodo, I haven't explored how this works yet but I will definitely use it. I have however synced my docs with Edmodo.
• Use it for back channelling for the students whenever it is needed.
• Encourage them to use it to discuss with each other books they are reading, give or offer help that is needed with a problem they don't understand etc.
• A place to communicate with each other. We have done that and the students enjoy it and while they do it they are writing!  
• For some form of collaboration in the future with other classes and schools.

How will I use it for myself?

• Join communities of teachers who have same teaching interests and who share ideas and questions.
• Explore publisher communities to see what they have to offer.
• Interact with other teachers there so as to widen my PLN.

I also like the fact that schools can form their own groups.  A group of teachers from the same school form a group and share their ideas, the same with a school district.  I am sure there are a number of environments where something similar may take place, however I believe the simplicity of this environemt recommends itself.

Places to learn more about Edmodo are the following webinars or blog posts:

• Social Networking Made Easy with Edmodo  
• Webinars by Edmodo Many of these are archived so you may watch them in your own time.
• A Teacher's Guide to Edmodo  By Henrietta Miller.

Edmodo is a place where students can be connected and actively involved, where they can use their thinking and language skills, relate to others, participate and contribute and above all learn to manage themselves within a social networking site.

Video Making - Advice Needed.

These times I am learning about digital storytelling.  I have read the book Digital Storytelling by Adam Brice and Richard Lambert this last week.  I have now decided to narrow down my focus in digital storytelling to the actual making of videos with students. I did have visions of doing a whole lot more, however I realise it is just not possible.  I need to really focus in on what I want to do.

 I have some excellent material from the book on how to introduce film making to the students - I now realise I am not a movie goer and am really illiterate in this area.  However I am going to use the suggestions in the book- which means watching some movies that they suggest and learn a little more.  I also came across Mrs Pack on Twitter #6thchat, she works with her class and a general media studies class.  I enjoyed watching what she has achieved with her students.  She also has a lesson guide to download.

My question has now turned to what gear to use.  I do have mobile devices - iPad, iPod touch, digital camera and a Kodak play sport camera.  These are useful and could be used and I do use them.  However I want to also increase our range of tools to shoot video so that we have a more polished end result.

I would like:

                                     A video camera with jack inputs for  mic.
                                     Something like a Panasonic SD 90.

                                     Microphone - shotgun and lavalier

                                     Tripod - we have one at school

                                     Eventually some lighting

I want to get some editing software that goes beyond windows movie maker and iMovie on the mobile devices.  That means that whatever video camera I might get, needs to have a recording format compatible with the software.

While I am an Apple person at heart, we have PC computers at school. That means I can't get the better version of iMovie. My Principal did offer that next time my laptop is up for renewal that we get an Apple one for me.  I sort of turned that down, as everything else in the school is PC, however maybe I could take that option - if still an option!

 I want something that will be easy for the students to do the necessary editing - cutting, putting in music, voice over or whatever.  I want them to be able to fade in and fade out.  Even if I did get an Apple laptop, that would mean only one computer available to students for editing. (Yes I gave in a while back and let students use my computer - its the only one with a decent Windows movie maker! Or it could be to do with the server and levels of administration rights.)

I will also explore an easy to use software tool for editing movies on Window's computers, there is probably an upgraded Windows movie maker or the such like.

To all teachers who have worked with video making in the classroom I would really be interested in what you are using - especially if you are a PC school!  However I would also welcome those who use Apple to give me their thoughts.

I'ts Monday, What are you Reading?

Monday has come around again and I am joining in the meme over at Mentor Texts.
Hop on over and join in at the Mentor Text Blog.

This last week I have read and enjoyed:

The Flying Beaver Brothers and The Fishy Business by Maxwell Eaton 111. A graphic novel for approximately 8 to 11 year olds. I enjoyed it and think some of the students will too.

Babymouse and Puppy Love another graphic novel by Jennifer and Matthew Holm.  I know the Babymouse fans and animal lovers in the class will like this one.

Marty Mcguire by Kate Messner and Brian Floca.  I really enjoyed this one and will be looking forward to reading about her digging worms!  This book will be enjoyed by the younger readers in my class and I intend matching them up with Marty.

As I am learning to work with iMovie on my iPad I made a little book trailer for Marty Mcguire, nothing special but gave me the sense of how iMovie on my iPad can work for students making book trailers.  Once I mastered the ability to put the music I wanted onto my iPad I was happy!  Sometimes small things take a bit of time.

This week I am reading:

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Writing about Reading by Janet Angelillo  (this will be ongoing as I want to absorb it - so into slow reading.)

Archive of this months #titletalk.  Not being in class these times I was able to attend this month, it was fantastic but so fast, I need to go back and glean all the pearls.  

Using Google Search Story

Today I have been following some of Kevin's work on Digital Storytelling here and as I read I found out an answer to a question I had yesterday about screencasting and one of his videos.  It is made using Google Search story.  He encouraged his learner to make a story about teaching which I am about to do soon.  But just while I was exploring it I tried one about my country.



And here is my teacher google search.


I think this would be fun for students to do. For example it would be a great beginning of the year activity for them to introduce themselves.  I am sure we could come up with many ideas when we put our minds to it together.

If you have made your own would love if you left a link.  If you haven't I challenge you, do one right now. It will take very little time.

Sabbatical Adventure Begins.

Well actually it began a little inauspiciously with a trip to the Doctor for antibiotics.  Can you believe it, first day in and I get sick!  Typical teacher story I guess!  So five weeks to explore and learn about what interests me.

However today I have started to feel the excitement of taking time to think about, learn about and increase my skills in the area of digital storytelling mainly.  I have just been searching on my computer for my application form for the sabbatical. Can't find it. Luckily I made a blog post about it here, so  I have my map!

As I read through it my first thoughts are - "Way too much!"  However one step leads to another and I think while I will keep the map and questions in mind, I will go where my interest at the time takes me. I sense I will focus on digital storytelling and only include the rest if I have time.  Over the last year  I have been saving web pages that I have come across into Diigo, so I have plenty to start with.  You know, all those interesting pieces of information you just don't have time to explore as you are caught up in the nitty gritty of everyday school life.

People have asked me are you going to travel, visit other schools?  Well I don't plan too, but who knows.  The beauty of the web is I can visit the USA, or Auckland or Christchurch or wherever, and never leave my study room. I can attend a online seminar or if I can't attend the seminar led by a teacher who's work I admire,  I can view his Prezi and interact with him on his blog.    So I have started exploring  Kevin's Meandering Mind blog, he is  an active teacher, learner and person who shares his learning story so that others may learn too.  I quickly peruse his post when he writes, but now I have the time to really dig deeper into it.

Today because of a screencast I watched on Kevin's prezi I have spent some time exploring software that would enable me to do that.  I have Jing downloaded but didn't go too much further into it because it does not have a file format suitable for uploading to say You Tube. I spent quite a bit of time looking at Screenr, Screencast etc.   What do I want - something that is:
                                                                     free
                                                                     has audio and video
                                                                     allows a little editing
                                                                     has a friendly file format and allows music to be placed.  (Couldn't find a free one - I guess you could have it playing on your computer as you screencast.  I trialled that, sounds a little tinny but would be an option.)

Finally I settled on Active Presenter and here is a little screencast I made exploring this software. I haven't got a full handle on it yet. I suggest you watch it in full screen as it is not clear when in the smaller size.

Ten Week Paid Sabbatical.

At the end of last week I found out I was one of the small group of fortunate teachers in New Zealand to be awarded a 10 week paid sabbatical in 2012.  Half the time is for learning and half the time is for relaxing and living a leisurely life!  I am delighted to be given the time. I really look forward to it.

                                                                   

My goal for my sabbatical is:

To investigate how I can use tools of the twenty-first century to develop in my Year 5 – 8 students, digital literacy and network literacy.

To investigate how I can do this in a way that empowers them to be intelligent and critical producers and consumers of a full range of media texts.

The questions I will investigate are:

·         How can I effectively use digital story-telling, podcasting, vodcasting, voicethread and other tools to empower my students  to be critical thinkers about what they and others produce?

·         Are there benefits to using such sites as Facebook and Twitter in a primary classroom?  What other ways are available for networking and collaborating?

·         How can I develop the reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and presenting abilities of my students through these tools?

·         How can these tools meet the diverse needs of students in our senior school?

·         How can I encourage a process and product that empowers students to engage in work that has the mark of excellence? 

I will explore:

How other teachers are already using these tools through reading about their experiences with them on their blogs and wikis and attending webinars.  I will read books and articles from teacher magazines that refer to the literacies I am exploring.

A book called, Digital Storytelling by Richard Lambert and Adam Brice to develop my ideas and learn from the experience of those who have already been very successful in the digital storytelling field.

Each tool I learn about I will ‘play’ with, developing my own skills so that I can share them with my students.

·