Engaging Educators Monthly Newsletter
Inside: Page 2 From the Classroom:
Issue 2 June 1, 2011
How we used QR codes to enhance a Social Studies project
Page 3 Summer Film Series: Docs about music from Snag Learning
Summer Film Series: Page 3
More online at EngagingEducators.com
Page 4 Subject Spotlight: Four terrific sites for use in Science class
Page 5 Looking Ahead:
Subject Spotlight: Page 3
How to start planning for your fall global collaborative projects
Page 5 Blog Spotlight:
QR Codes: Page 2
This month we look at an amazing educational technology blog
PhotoSource: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonynetone/2656957748/
Monthly Manifesto: Comment Commentary Feedback is the breakfast of champions. --Ken Blanchard
We’re using the bully pulpit this month to
So here’s our challenge to you (and to
promote something we think everyone
ourselves): take the time to leave more
should do more of: commenting on blogs.
comments. There are many reasons this is
Think about it. How often do you read a helpful or thought provoking blog post?
a valuable use of time. Here are a few: •
Blogs are social in nature. They are
How often do you leave a comment on
meant to function as virtual
these posts?
conversations. Add your voice by
If you’re anything like us, your answers were “quite often” and “hardly ever.”
leaving a comment. You’ll find the discussions that follow great blog more on
2
From the Classroom: QR Codes Lead to Learning The Amazing Race Project, based off of the television show, is a project we’ve been running annually for the past five years. The project is the culminating experience for our students in social studies. In the beginning, students simply competed in the Amazing Race that we, the teachers, created. However, this project has evolved and
Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mathplourde/4639156283/
improved over time. Five years later, our students have created the clues
into moderate or
These clues were then placed on
and are now in the middle of
challenging clues. Groups submitted
hidden Google Site pages. The
completing the race.
their clues through a Google Form
pages were given essentially random
embedded on a Google Site. Each
names (actually they were English
We spent a week (about 5 hours)
group had their own page and form,
Premier League teams, which is
modeling and writing clues. Before
so we could track each group’s
random to most children in America,
students actually began writing
progress. Students used their social
but not to their nerdy teachers!).
clues, we discussed different levels
studies book as a reference guide
Next, we entered each clue page into
of clue sophistication. We expected
but did most of their clue creating
Google URL Shortener where the
each group to write at least two clues
through Google searches. Each team
quick response (QR) code was
from each of the five regions of the
of three had their own laptop to use.
Screen-captured and printed. We installed QR reader software on
United States studied this year. We encouraged students to begin by
After the week was up and nearly 200
writing simple clues and then
clues were written, we selected our
challenged them to revise the clues
top 10 student-written clues.
More on 4
Learning Network. The best
people are actually reading what
bloggers nearly always respond
you write. Leaving a comment
to thoughtful comments or
gives a needed ego
questions. It’s a great way to
boost…which in turn keeps the
posts are sometimes as
interact directly with the authors
bloggers blogging.
beneficial as the posts
of your favorite blogs.
Monthly Manifesto Continued from Page 1
themselves. •
six desktop computers. The race
It builds your Personal
•
So get commenting today. A great
It makes bloggers feel good!
place to start is an awesome blog like
There’s a great deal of
ours!
satisfaction in knowing that
Action! Engaging Educators Launches Summer Film Series Engaging Educators is pleased to
role of music in the fight to end
announce a partnership with Snag
Apartheid.
Rappers, Divas, and Virtuosos:
Learning, the educational arm of the online documentary library Snag
development. Mariem Hassan, Voice of the
The Buena Vista Social Club
Saharawis
Films. Our first venture is a summer film series, designed to expose teachers, parents and students to some of Snag Learning’s best films. Each month, we’ll feature a group of documentaries about a different theme. We think you’ll enjoy exploring these movies so much that come fall you’ll be ready to integrate Snag Learning into your curriculum. We’re kicking things off this month with the theme of music! Take a look
This short film not only profiles This film tracks the efforts of
Hassan and her music, but also tells
guitarist/composer Ry Cooder, who
the story of the Saharawis, the
travels to Cuba in an attempt to
mistreated refugees of Western
reunite a group of pre-Communist-
Sahara in Africa. Also documented is
era folk musicians. Middle school
Hassan’s quest to bring attention to
students and older will enjoy this
their travails. It’s a perfect fit for
inspiring, vibrant film.
students in grades 8 and up.
at some of these music-themed documentaries hand-picked by the
Girls Rock!
The Kartal
Snag Learning staff: Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony
In this film about a Rock and Roll Camp for girls ages 8-18, we are provided with an engaging look at the power of both music and camaraderie. Great for middle Perfectly suited for high school social studies, this film tells the story of the
school students and older, this doc lends itself to discussions about feminism and character
This one-minute short film features a unique Indian musical instrument called the kartal. You’ve probably never seen one played before and if this is the case, you’ll find this clip fascinating.
In our next issue: A complete ISTE wrap-up featuring all the things we learned at this year’s conference.
Subject Spotlight: Science Science teachers—check out these sights for some fantastic interactive resources: •
National Science Digital Library—Huge collection of resources.
•
EdHeads—Awesome interactives on a variety of topics.
NOT In our next issue:
•
*From the Classroom: Lectures Work Best
Dynamic Periodic Table—Elements like you’ve never seen them. A must for chemistry teachers.
•
Solar System Scope—An interactive look at the universe.
*10 Reasons Teachers Shouldn’t Tweet
Be sure to subscribe to our blog to have sites like these and much more delivered straight to you!
On to ISTE!
From the classroom… Continued from page 2
Engaging Educators is hitting the road this month for the annual ISTE
began with a simple clue being
conference. This year’s shindig is in
given orally just to create a small
beautiful Philadelphia June 26-28.
stagger in groups receiving the first
We’ve completed week one of two
real clue of the race. After a team
for the Amazing Race. Students
successfully answered the toss-up
unanimously agreed that it was the
question, they were given a QR code.
best week of social studies all
They ran, not walked, to the nearest
year. And teachers agreed,
room with a QR reader, scanned their
unanimously, that it was the most
code, wrote the clue down, ran back
learning done by students in
to their laptops, and began trying to
social studies this year. This
solve the question. Upon solving the
project is incredibly adaptable,
clue, they received their second QR
and we look forward to the new
code and so on. We created a few
shapes and technologies it will
road block and detour questions to
take on next year. You can always
help add a little flare to the project
find more information about our
and to allow us to regulate how long
Amazing Race Project on our
the race would actually take to
website by clicking here.
Whether you’ll be there or not, stay tuned to our blog and twitter feed for regular updates. If you are planning on going, we look forward to meeting up with our faithful followers. Fill out this survey so we can talk tech in Philly!
Follow us @engaginged
complete.
Blog Spotlight: iLearn Technology
Engaging Educators
It’s one thing to write about
resources galore. And each blog
educational technology resources.
post includes a section headed “How
But it’s another to write about HOW
to integrate this into the classroom,”
to use said resources. This is exactly
which is a terrific way to help
Visit us on the web: http://engagingeducators.com
what Kelly Tenkely does on her blog
teachers.
Follow us on twitter:
iLearn Technology.
http://twitter.com/engaginged Another great feature of this blog is
Whether it’s a new site with great
the monthly newsletter Project PLN,
games or a site that turns a PDF into a
which Kelly has a hand in publishing.
flip book or an in-depth report on the academic value of the popular game Angry Birds, iLearn Technology has
Learn. Teach. Engage.
No matter what grade you teach, iLearn Technology is definitely a blog to follow.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for Collaborative Projects It’s never too early to start thinking
•
Challenge 20-20
Education, and Classroom 2.0.
about next school year, right? Okay,
•
Global Virtual Classroom
Both are free and both have
maybe it’s too early. But if you’re
discussion forums that are
thinking of getting involved in a
If, on the other hand, you’d like
Collaborative Project with one or
to start your own project, now is
more other classrooms, now is
a good time to start looking for
actually the best time to start
participants. Three great
preparing.
networks to join are The Global
frequently used by teachers seeking collaborative partners. Just post a message about your project idea and see what happens!
Education Collaborative, Skype If you are interested in joining an existing project, here are three sites
Summer Reading: A Whole New Mind
to consider:
Summer is the perfect time for
brained thinkers in careers such
putting a dent in the ol’ BTR
as medicine, computer
(books to read) pile. At the top of
programming, and engineering,
ours is A Whole New Mind: Why
to a need for more right-brained
Right Brainers Will Rule the Future
traits such as empathy and
by Daniel Pink.
creativity.
A Whole New Mind is a fascinating
Hopefully you’ll join us in reading
look at how the paradigm has
and reviewing what appears to be
shifted from a demand for left-
a terrific book.
•
Flat Classroom Project
Tutorials and More! Visit EngagingEducators.com Check out our resources tab!