my version of transparent, collaborative leadership...with a Teamann twist

Twitter TalkN

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I had several requests for additional Twitter resources, 🙂 which makes me sooooo happy!

  1. The Beginner’s Guide to Twitter. This blog post offers great advice on getting started with Twitter.
  2. VIDEO: A beginner’s guide to Twitter. The video is specifically for business use for Twitter, but the accompanying article offers great suggestions for those just starting out with Twitter.
  3. How to Use Twitter: Tips for Bloggers. The tips here are beneficial reminders for both bloggers and microbloggers.
  4. Ten Top Twitter Tips. Find helpful tips here–including understanding how to use “@” and “d.”
  5. Birds of a Feather Twitter Together. This informative article cuts through some of the Twitter confusion nicely and will have even novices feeling more comfortable.
  6. Twitter Etiquette. This wiki page offers tons of information on Twitter etiquette and ways to help manage your Twitter experience.
  7. Mastering Twitter in 10 Minutes…Or Less (Version 2). Download this free tutorial to get a working knowledge of Twitter right away.
  8. Want to learn Twitter? Watch this video. As they say, grab a cup of coffee and watch this video to learn how you can start using Twitter.
  9. Lunch ‘n Learn: Twitter for Beginners. Check out this video presented by Birmingham City University.
  10. Twitter Guide for Beginners. This simple overview will hopefully break down the basics for you.
  11. Twitter 101: Clarifying the Rules for Newbies. This article takes a look at three Twitter mistakes and explains how to avoid them.

Have fun! Don’t forget to follow me: @8amber8, the Luna feed: @Luna_Lions, and the district: @gisd_news!

tweetN,

9/8 #tichat

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Tonight’s chat topic was the role of the technology integration specialist and and how to balance tech support with curriculum integration.
I think what really came across was the need for technology to not be used in isolation but across the curriculum. Educators today must use ( MUST use) any and all available resources to ensure the success of our students. We’re no longer in a one size (or one assignment!) fits all mentality anymore. Technology allows for that differentiation across the board, across the grade levels, and across all subjects.

Tech supportR,
Amber

Mystery Skype

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I have to get this idea down via blog so that I don’t forget to tell all you LL’s about it come Fall. If you weren’t already aware, our awesome PTA bought web cams for all the classrooms that didn’t already have one. (YEA!) I know several classrooms that had some Skypeccess this year, 🙂

One of the great things about Twitter that it can be tailor made to suit YOUR grade level or interests. (or even Nate Berkus…or say, ummm, Troy Aikman, ;))

One of the most beneficial chat lists I’ve come across are the ones that pertain to your grade level. (A list of chats can be found here.) I was following along with a 5th grade chat the other night and the idea of a mystery skype came up. I asked what in the world that was and tada. A new idea was shared.

Basically, your students have no idea what class you are skyping with. The goal to cooperate as a team to try to figure out the location of the mystery class.

 


There are only a few rules to Mystery Skype. Students have to ask closed questions with yes or no answers. Classes went back and forth asking questions to help them find the location. If a class asked a question that received a yes answer, they got to ask a follow up question. Think of how you, as the teacher, could facilitate your students into creating social studies, geography, mathmatical, or scientific questions. You could specifically seek out a class in an area that relates to a place in a story you are reading, or has a tie in to a science lesson.

I know what you are thinking, my LL’s. Where in the world would I even FIND a class to Skype with? Ala Twitter, here ya go…

Also, before any of you already start deciding that this was a 6th grade class and there’s just no way your little kiddos can do it, yea huh, yes you can. Create a list of questions FOR them and let them use their thinking skills! you help LEAD them in the right direction…FACILITATE their discovery! 🙂

To read more about @mr_avery and his chat session including the roles some of his students played throughout the chat, check out his blog!

I know I’bve told you before what a big fan I am, but seriously, Twitter offers a nonstop stream of views, ideas, opinions, and activities. Get yourself in the flow or get left behind!

all a’twitterD,
amber

Space Shuttle Endeavor

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One of my FAVORITE tweeps is @ktenkely. She sends out an “iLearn” email every single day with all kinds of fabulous. Here is today’s with all of space sassiness.

Did your students get to see the shuttle launch this morning? What a great way to start a Monday! Seeing a launch never gets old for me, there is always a sense of wonder and anticipation during count down and launch. To celebrate the launch of Endeavour, I thought I would share some of my favorite space websites. In no particular order:

1. We Choose the Moon– An interactive that drops students right into history where they get to witness, and take part in, the Apollo 11 launch and mission.

2. NASA Clickable Spacesuit– An interactive for students to learn about the parts of a spacesuit.

3. Planet Quest: Alien Safari– An interactive exploration adventure that encourages students to find bizarre and extreme organisms that live on Earth.

4. Eyes on Earth 3D- Lets students track missions as they are happening with the satellites that are collecting information about Earth from space.

5. Moon Zoo– Gives students the chance to study the lunar surface while contributing to real science.

6. NASA @ Home and City- Students explore 3D environments where they discover common household and city items that have roots in space exploration.

7. Solar System Scope- A 3D real-time look at celestial positions with planets and constellations in the night sky.

8. NASA’s 50th Anniversary Flash Feature– Best. Website. Ever. An incredible interactive timeline that highlights each decade in the United States space program from 1950 to 2000.

9. European Space Agency– Kid-friendly information about the universe, life in space, lift off, useful space, earth, and more.

10. NASA’s Be a Martian– Students virtually explore and learn about the human-robotic partnership that makes virtual exploration of Mars possible.

11. NASA Space Place– Fun online games, animations, projects, and fun facts about Earth, space and technology.

12. NASA Interactive Timeline– A multimedia timeline that begins in 500BC and follows the search for extrasolar planets to modern discoveries.

13. Moon in Google Earth– Take tours of landing sites narrated by Apollo astronauts, view 3D models of landed spacecraft, zoom into 360* photos of astronaut footprints and watch rate footage of the Apollo missions.

14. NASA Images– Find amazing images of the universe, solar system, earth, aeronautics and astronauts.

15. Google Sky– Students get up close and personal with the solar system, constellations, the Hubble Telescope, backyard astronomy, Chandra X-ray Showcase, GALEX Ultraviolet Showcase and the Spitzer infrared Showcase.

16. Buzz Lightyear in Orbit– Teaches students about the next space mission with Atlantis.

17. Station Spacewalk Game– Play the role of an astronaut and repair the ISS.

18. NASA 101– Learn about what NASA does.

19. NASA Anatomy: How Space Technology Improves Human Health- Students learn about how NASA impacts daily life and health.

20. Apollo 11 Launch– Step into the moonshoes of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong while discovering the lunar landing.

21. Spooky Space Sounds– Listen to real sounds from space.

22. Hubble Celebrates 20 years– View imagery from the Hubble Telescope and learn about history of the Hubble.

23. Galaxy Zoo- Explore the universe and really help scientists.

24. Climate Time Machine– Take an interactive tour through Earth’s climate history.

25. NASA Edge– Students look behind the scenes at NASA with entertaining and informative videos.

26. NASA 360*– Learn about NASA’s past, present and future and how NASA has improved life on earth with these videos.

27. NASA e-clips– Learn about innovative applications of science, technology, , engineering and math through short NASA videos.

28. TEDx NASA– Inspiring talks from TEDx NASA.

29. NASA @ Twitter– Students can follow NASA on Twitter to get up-to-date information on space exploration and discovery.

30. Your Age on Other Worlds– Students can find out how old they would be on other planets.

31. iWas Wondering Astro Game– A scavenger hunt in outer space.

32. Study Jams Solar System– Students view a video and slide show about the solar system.

33. Pipo Club– Travel through the Universe with Pipo.

 

Have a great day!

 

Amshuttle

Tweet Outside the Box

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Thank you for attending the “Tweet Outside the Box” session at the Region 10 Technology Conference today, 🙂
Here is the link to the prezi.
Here is the link to the “Flutter” video.
Here is the link to the Listorious site and the “educational” relevant lists.
Here is the link to the educational hashtag page, as well as a very basic “getting started” guide.
Here is the Connected Principals website, my profile page on Twitter, and an article on whyadministrators should tweet that I wrote for a member of my PLN.
Thanks again for attending (or reading, my LL’s!) and let me know if I can answer any questions for ya!
a’Tweetssentingly,
Amber