VoiceThread

Here's an example of a really easy way to share a podcast using the VoiceThread site.
Listen to a story from Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar:

Trying something called Voice Thread

I subscribe to several newsletters that are delivered to my email inbox. Recently, I saw an article on a site where podcasts could be posted as comments around a picture or video. Since I am still waiting for the italk microphone for my ipod and don't know when they will ever deliver it, I decided to try it. The site is called Voice Thread and is free to educators. I have been waiting to find a fast convenient way to record students reading and this provided a way for students to take turns reading from a story. It took quite awhile one afternoon, but the class was excited about it and it wasn't too hard to accomplish. The results can be seen here: http://voicethread.com/share/25478/

Geeks Book Circle

Doing a lot of new things lately. Read the book Geeks by Jon Katz and had a "book circle" discussion last month. One of the participants was good enough to post the pictures and audio to her website: http://web.mac.com/mskellyteach/iWeb/geeks/Welcome.html

David Warlick Technology Summit

David Warlick came to talk to Jefferson County Public School personnel. I like the way he makes his presentation materials available online. No paper notes and handouts. One small problem for me was that we were not told that there would be a wireless connection available. I should have known, but the venue was the Arvada Center for the Arts, which I didn't think was wired. I didn't bring the notebook computer, although I sat next to the principal, who had brought hers.

The presentation was good, the venue was great, the wireless connection was too slow. I'm beginning to see a new etiquette among presenters. They make their work and their presentation materials available to the general public.

I was inspired to begin a blog on educational matters and thoughts after this random thought: As geeks must step out of their world to fully participate in life, the world of computers is emerging and we must step into that world to fully participate in education, eventhough it may at first seem a little "geeky" or awkward.