Lesley+Meyer

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 * Monday **


 * Big Idea:** The big idea for Teaching with Primary Sources was learning how to use the extensive website, specifically the teacher's materials which can be used in the classroom. There are many lesson plans, with PDF's of primary sources which can be easily printed and used in the classroom. An example of a lesson is to present students with primary sources relating to the specific topic being studied, and ask students what they observe in the picture and what they think that means.

The big idea for Creating a Google Enhanced Classroom was to acquaint the class with all of the different tools Google provides. Not only did they discuss the features of the usual tools, such as the calendar, forms, documents and e-mail, but they also introduced the class to 2 new tools, Google Squared, and Google Wave. Google Squared builds a large chart/square, with different responses to what the user types into the search area. Google Wave looks like a great tool, allowing users to edit/interact in real time.

The last class I attended on Monday was called HEC-TV Live! Connecting Classrooms with the World. It was at this class that I met a woman from Global Nomads. Both of these content providers connect classrooms with different countries in the world as well as various museums etc. This looked fascinating. They use Polycom equipment. This is the big idea I want to implement in my classroom as a result of attending ISTE, purchasing and using video conferencing equipment in my classroom to bring the world to my students and teach them to become global citizens. The first class I took on Tuesday was on Google Wave and how to use this in the classroom. This showed a new way to have students collaborate and work on a project in real time. This was very interesting, especially the use of the bots to perform the various functions. The big idea was how to use technology to promote collaboration between students.
 * Teaching with Primary Sources
 * Creating a Google Enhanced Classroom
 * HEC-TV Live! Connecting Classrooms with the World.
 * http://www.loc.gov
 * type in google squared or google wave
 * http://www.polycom.com
 * http://www.gng.org
 * Tuesday **

The second class I took was Enhancing Active learning with Technology. The big idea again was how to use various types of technology to promote collaboration between students, especially in a pair/share setting. We were shown Scriblink, Twiddla, and Dablleboard.

The last class I took on Tuesday was Gaming Across the Curriculum. The class showed us different educational games which can be used in the class, especially to teach first amendment rights. That was called " Do I have a Right?" I'm just not sure how I'd use this in my class.
 * Google Wave
 * Enhancing Active Learning with Technology
 * Gaming Across the Curriculum

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 * Wednesday **


 * Big Idea:** Again, the big idea was how to provide a forum for students to collaborate, but in addition both of the classes below discussed how to reduce paper in your classroom and have it more technology based. Google Apps allows a certain number of students to be enrolled for free with gmail, google docs etc.

The second class I took talked about making a website, having all assignments there including any worksheets, and having student submit all homework electronically through gmail.
 * Using Google Apps Education Edition to Improve Learning
 * Making a Paperless Classroom for less than $100.
 * Just type in Google Apps Education Edition to sign up.


 * Keynote and other Special Sessions **


 * Big Idea:** The Keynote #2 was very good. There was a panel of different people, from businessman, to student to educators, who discussed what needs to be done to bring innovation and excellence into education today. The 3 main characteristics brought up by one of the panel members was we need to bring new skills (including technological) into the classroom, teach and have students learn using these new skills, and finally to create global citizens. Students should not be consumers of knowledge, but be active and learn how to be problem solvers.

The playground session I went to has the same big idea as keynote #2, and that is to create a global citizen. The equipment allows you to connect with people/museums etc, throughout the entire world. It is excellent to use with the Promethean Board.


 * Keynote #2 - Innovation and Excellence: Buzzwords or Global Imperative
 * Playground session using video conferencing equipment
 * http://www.polycom.com
 * http://www.tanberg.com

Final / overall reflections on how you plan to integrate what you learned at ISTE into your classroom ) I want very much to implement the video conferencing into my classroom. I will be starting the grant writing process in order to try and acquire this equipment. I teach world geography, which include visiting every continent on the face of the earth, and discussing various problems evident in these locations. Example are global warming, deforestation, pollution in the Great Lakes etc. The video conferencing equipment will allow me to deliver this curriculum in a far superior manor. It will allow students to actually see and experience these various locations. This will be done through the various content providers, to which I was introduced during the conference.
 * Implications for your Classroom ** (