Professional+Development


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The Blogmeister: Smart Passwords [] //Rating: C Rated by: M. Elias// This is a short blog about creating a "Smart Password" to avoid students hacking into your blogs by David Warlick. There are a few resources found on this site under "classes and students" to the right with a few blogging tips, but other than that I feel that it is more of a personal blog. The posting about creating "smart passwords" is important but the rest of the site does not appear to be as resourceful. Some of the blogs are also written in a language that is foreign to me. I would rate this resource as a "C" or average as far as its utility for teachers.

Weblogg-ed: Lawsuits? What Lawsuits? [|Insert Link here] //Rating: B Rated by:// R. Turian This blog is maintained by Will Richardson, author of [|Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms]. He discusses various topics t hat both pertain to his book and also further the knowledge he can offer others. The entry linked above is on the topic of using blogs in the classroom. At a recent NECC conference Richardson observed a principal suggesting he is not able to use blogs in the classroom due to the possibility of lawsuits and the safety that may be compromised. You can read the link to see what Brad Jupp's reaction to this comment was. I believe the power in this entry was not in the entry itself, but in the comments shared between readers. This sparked a conversation among professionals that are interested in bringing change to the field of education. I rate this resource a B.

Learning in a Flat World [] R//ating: B Rated by:// R. Turian This blog is written by Britt Watwood from VCU's Center for Teaching Excellence. He authors this blog from a personal perspective and his topics are anything from recent book reviews to the play by play of a recent conference he has attended. I have referenced his entire blog instead of one particular post because I have found the ones dated since June to be of interest. His take on the current need of technology integration in the classroom is a breath of fresh air. I rated this blog a B because he does not always engage me nor does he write about topics that I always am interested in. I believe this blog is aimed more toward a teacher of teachers or a district leader who has the power to implement change.

Think Like a Teacher [|http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/2009/06/27/edubloggercon-2009/#commentsAbove] //Rating: B Rated by:M. Brittingham// This blog, “Think Like a Teacher” by Candace Hackett Shively, is written to make us all consider how we can take the great ideas of technology and implement them into our schools. She is realistic about professional development and asks the question “How we can get those who are ‘less excited’ about technology to take part and really make a change?” I give this blog a B as it promotes thinking about ways to implement professional development, but does not really add new information. Perhaps the discussion generated will give us the answer to the question of technological involvement for teachers at all stages of their careers.

[] //Rating: D Rated by: L. Clatterbuck// I chose to list this blog in this category due to the fact that is was about a Professional Development workshop hosted by SpyHop. This TeachersCount Blog was written by Cathy and discussed her workshop on moviemaking for classroom teachers. She provided a list of the various projects that she learned while at this workshop including: a public service announcement, book trailer, and a stop-motion project. It sounds like this was a very informational and interesting workshop and one that I would be interesting in attending. However, it really does not explain how to perform these projects, discuss the tools needed to make these movies, and it doesn't provide any examples. I would rate this blog a D. It sounds like a great conference and listed a few ideas of movies to make, but it really doesn't provide much else. Music Technology In Education. Dr. James Frankel's Blog on all Things Technology http://jamesfrankel.musiced.net/2009/07/18/nyu-summer-institute-of-music-technology-high-school-program/ //Rating: B Rated by: K Lioi// This web site is essential to be aware of the changes in technology. It highlights the latest technology in music education. Some of the links are //class wikis, book reviews// and //cool links//. This was a good site for ideas about music technology and programs available. This site is currently holding an "Open Call For Composers of All Ages for a Wiki Composer Project". There was also useful information about high school programs available in the summer.
 * Learning to Make Movies: SpyHop in Utah**

A Year of Reading. //**To Teachers who read a lot.**// [] //Rating: A Rated by: K Lioi// This blog is written by two teachers that have more than 20 years teaching. Franki is the author of Beyond Leveled Books (Stenhouse), Still Learning to Read (Stenhouse), and Day-to-Day Assessment in the Reading Workshop (Scholastic). She is also a regular contributor to [|Choice Literacy]. Mary Lee is the author of Reconsidering Read-Aloud (Stenhouse). A Year of Reading is a wonderful blog of book reviews. There are great resources for teachers that include links to a Poetry Blog, International Reading Association, and I.N.K. Interesting non-fiction for kids.

 Adding a //Touch// of Technology <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] //Rating: A Rated By: C DeRosa// This is a free resource for teachers. It is set up so that you can search via topic or author. It is user friendly and an active blog. This blog is about the use of the Ipod Touch in the classroom. It includes discussions on preparing teachers and when and how to limit the use of the tool for students. It also discussed student feedback and how educators can use student feedback as a resourceful reflection tool. I rate this blog overall an A as it can be searched by topic, in which there is an entire category for technology as well as other pertinent topics.

<span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">The End of School as We Know It? [] <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//Rating : A// //Rated By : C DeRosa// <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This blog is about schools demographics changing from being based on geographical location, to student choice in choosing what school to attend. It is written in conversation format between many educators. The comments are direct and well discussed. I would rate this blog site an A for its organization and wide variety of topics. There is a tool bar next to the title allowing you to print, view comments, bookmark, or e-mail the article.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Learning With the Read/Write Web [|http://www.weblogg-ed.com] //Rating: A Rated by: Shonda Williams//

This blog is written by Will Richardson. This blog would be very beneficial for teachers who would like to learn how to use different kinds of technology in their classrooms. Will Richardson could be contacted, and he could do presentations to teach and train teachers to use technology more effectively. The resources linked to the blog have some very useful information on everything from wiki to social and safe learning.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"> || <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">**A Chat with Mary…… A blog for teachers** 25 More Ways to use Discovery Streaming [] //Rated by: Michele Cahoone// Mary Frazier is a former classroom teacher turned Integration Technology Specialist. I found her blogs to be funny as well as informative. The link here describes other ways to use Discovery Streaming in the classroom. Discovery Streaming is a great resource but your school or district must subscribe. The Discovery Channel has bought the rights too many popular educational movies, quizzes, and even worksheets. You keep an online file of the videos you like and download them when you need. This is great if you use it in conjunction with your Smart Board.
 * //Rating B+//**

//<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">The Future of my Kids Work // [] //Rated by: Michele Cahoone// Will Richardson, our textbook author, has so many posts and blogs it is difficult to stop reading once you get started. He loves using web 2.0 technologies and helping others learn it as well. This blog is bringing attention to the workplace of the future and what skills our children might have to use.
 * Will Richardson**
 * //Rating A//**

Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">**// Aspects of Change: A Time for Learning //** [] //Rated by: Michele Cahoone//
 * //Rating B+//**
 * Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach is an involved in many aspects of education and has such a large list of blog topics; it will make your head spin. She works with Will Richardson and creates cohorts that teach educators 21st Century Skills. This one of the main blogs and contains her philosophy of 21st Century Learning. **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Special Education Law Blog **http://specialedlaw.blogs.com/** //Rating: A Rated by: Mary Beth Hale//

Charles Fox maintains a blog which provides information for parents and teachers of children with special needs. He adds a touch of humor to the sometimes too-serious world of Special Education. A lot of parents and some teachers, too, do not know as much about working with a child with special needs as they should. This blog is an excellent resource from the perspective of Mr. Fox. He also provides several links to other resources that could be useful to parents and teachers alike.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">Mathematics Education Research Blog [] //Rating: B+ Rated by: Christine Kelly//

Reidar Mosvold is an Associate Professor in Mathematics Education at the University of Stavanger, Norway. His blog is an extremely well researched and informative one. He posts regularly about scholarly research in the field of mathematics education. The only draw back is the overwhelming amount of information can make it difficult to mine for nuggets applicable in the classroom. It is much heavier on the theory than the practicalities of teaching.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">The Innovative Educator [] //Rating: A Rated by: Christine Kelly//

Lisa Nielsen does a fabulous job with this blog which provides readers with information ranging from professional growth opportunities to how to use wikis in schools. As a Technology Innovation Manager for the New York City Department of Education, she shares her knowledge and insights as well as linking to other blogs with important technology information. The site is updated regularly with thought provoking posts regarding the uses of technology in the classroom and the future of American schools.