Ed Tech: The Blog

Go Go Google Gadget: Using Google to Support Virtual Collaborations

Go Go Google Gadget: Using Google to Support Virtual Collaborations

Custom home page content: iGoogle!

Google Scholar- a shortcut to searching the world of academia. Google Educators is a recently launched program for teachers. Google SketchUp for 3d modeling. Google Docs for collaborative projects.

Wow- all of a class of students have a Google account and use Google Docs & Gmail! 2nd Graders!

Google Page Creator, used to create a home page for her class.

To find it all, just Google it!

Now on to the new stuff!

http://keciaray.googlepages.com/googlegadgets

We're beginning by creating a Google Page, then adding gadgets. The Gadgets look the same as the Widgets on my iGoogle page.

It really doesn't seem to like Safari, the Mac web browser. That's a bummer!

Breathing Life into Your Curriculum: Google Earth Advanced Placemarks

We're going to see how to put media into Google Earth for use with students.

Placemarks are added by clicking the pushpin. They default to the center of the screen you're on. To re-edit, right click and choose properties. Simple editing, returns, spaces, are held. Adding urls are as simple as copying and pasting them right in.

The advanced part is that you can use html in placemarks! Formatting, links, hosted images, hosted Flash, formatting via tables- it all works. Looks like it's time for a review of html tags!

Interesting note- a kmz file is a zip file!

Google Earth: Put the World in Your Hand

Download presentation handouts: http://www.beavton.k12.or.us/ed_links/presentations/NECC_08_Workshop_Handout.pdf

Some nice step by steps in the handout! This is a model lesson presentation. I'm in the peanut gallery.

The lesson is utilizing Google Earth & kmz files. She had the kmz file uploaded for students to utilize. She directed them from the front using an interactive board. She used layers in Google Earth to bring up Panaramio. Lots of pictures of the placemark she is showing. Pam is showing how to make changes by linking to a different picture. Also changing the text in the description. Once you're done, click ok and it autosaves the changes in the file.

According to her, pictures on Panaramio does a good job of not allowing inappropriate pictures. They also have a link to report inappropriate images.

NECC Opening Keynote

First, a personal note, UGA VI, Damned Good Dog!

James Surowiecki on "The Wisdom of Crowds"

From Mr. Surowiecki's book, he shared with us the story of Sir Francis Gaulton. He took the guesses on guesses of livestock weight guessing and averaged them to find that the average was pretty close to the actual weight. From that, the group had a pretty good idea.

If a group can work well together, the results can be much better that the work of one. Technology gives us the ability to work with the group in a different way.

Some technology examples include Google, Wikipedia, and del.icio.us. He didn't mention Technorati, but it should be in his list. Can you think of others?

What conditions need to be met to make groups smart?
A way to aggregate individual opinions to a group opinion. Obviously, technology can help with this.
Diversity (fundamental!) Diverse groups are better at solving problems than homogenous groups. He means cognitive diversity, primarily. Errors made by individuals cancel each other out. People in the group must be able to think for themselves.

Best group decisions not out of consensus, but conflict. Groups are smartest when individuals are acting in that manner; as individuals.

Technology allows those who might not contribute to contribute.

NECC 2008 I'm here!

I'm baaaaack! No, in San Antonio! The town is just as nice as I remembered! The people have been easy going, from the taxi driver in, the hotel staff, and especially the shuttle bus drivers! I just wish the Hotel Mimosa would get the wireless working up in my room! It hasn't worked since we came in Friday and they know for certain the problem is on their end.

We've had some great food and drink, especially Mi Tierra at Market Square! Market Square itself is pretty amazing itself. After walking around there we rested a bit then had dinner at Blue Star. It was good, not so far Mi Tierra is tops on our list! We made the mistake of trying to pick up a couple of things at the River Center Mall. It reminded me of why I avoid malls!

If I can find a cable or card reader, I'll share some pics here!

Technorati Profile

NECC 2008 San Antonio!

NECC 2008 is almost upon us! It seems I just walked out of the Georgia World Congress Center! I'm very much looking forward to the conference! Unfortunately, I did not manage to make it onto the blogger list, though considering my frequency, I'm not sure they would have accepted me ; ) The past year has gone by in an amazing rush- I guess that's what happens when you have kids..

Here's my schedule, courtesy of an export from the conference planner, an import into iCal, another export to a Google Calendar: