More Teachers Helping Teachers

After viewing this video, I'm starting to consider a switch to a career solely in classroom technology...just cool.

Just flat out cool.

Check out how technology and creativity came together in Goochland County schools in Virginia.

Any Good Science Needs an Experiment

Another update from the good folks at Promethean.  They are now working with schools in the UK

The blog post can be found by clicking here.

The 8 week training/trial will take a special look at the changes in teaching and learning behavior.

Good luck guys, hopefully the kids across the pond will be as enthralled as I was when I first saw this phenomenal teaching tool.

Two IWB brands living together.

I was spending some time at the Education I.C.T and Learning Blog today and they had an interesting predicament.  Though I would call it a blessing rather than a burden, they have both Smart boards and Promethean Activboards to choose from at their school.  Click here to see how they are incorporating this technology in their classrooms.

The Virtual Field Trip or the Death of the Permission Slip?

"Follow me kids to a place where you wouldn't get beat up for dressing like this"

Wasn't this the vision of the Internet about 10 years ago?  Kids seeing distant places from the comfort and cost effectiveness of their classrooms?  Well hey it's here and what do you know it is actually working.  Check out this article about the schools in Niagara, NY and their distance learning experience.  Imagine following a revolutionary war soldier into battle and seeing through his eyes in real time at the real scenery.  Technology in the classroom is all about improving the level of engagement and until we invent time machines that work without leaving people stuck in alternate dimensions this will have to be the alternative.

WOW and Distance Learning

I'm assuming my hours logged onto World of Warcraft with people across the nation won't count as distance learning education.  However, it's interesting to see classrooms incorporating online gaming into their distant learning sessions.  I've been reading much about the improvement of this form of education.  I can only imagine how fun it would have been to learn English grammar rules in the 8th grade, while watching a Chinese 5th grader cover the same material.  Nowadays it's not just two classes that can see each other...they are bringing in shared lesson plans, quizzes and even games where the two classrooms can compete.  These are truly inspirational times and you've got to be happy with the way the education system is keeping up with technology.  Just got to keep an eye out on the roll call for a youngster named Leroy Jenkins.

A door closes as one opens

I talked about the Promethean Activboards in the past and how much I like the way they engage children in the classroom.  Well it seems Promethean isn't alone in the journey to alter the classroom.  Well June brings the end to most public school terms and this is when schools start to figure out budgets and the purchases of new equipment.  This is where the world of ICT plays a huge part.  Not only is there a great space for improvement when it comes to education technology, but everyone involved can actually feel good about what they are doing.  SMART Technologies is the producer of interactive whiteboards much like the ones brought to schools by Promethean.  Since competition breeds innovation I'm happy to report on this brand and their efforts.

Here is there classroom remote Senteo, that allows students to respond and vote from their seats and see the results.

Here is the SMARTboard in action

Pencils, Paper and touch screens

PC World ran an article this week about the increase in technology used in the classroom.  Technology in the education system is one of the more interesting aspects of my profession.  Whether it be Promethean interactive whiteboards, projectors, shared monitors, or laptop programs, the education system seems willing to take on new ideas.  

Youngsters are attracted to technology as much as anyone.  They practically drive the cell phone market in the states.  It should be the duty of teachers, principals and super intendents to investigate these advances thoroughly and educate themselves on how to effectively use them as tools to engage students more deeply.

Just a quick thought.

Promethean: Good things growing in my back yard

Not a lot to cheer about these days in ole Atlanta.  The Falcons are back to being the Falcons.  The Hawks still sorely miss Domonique Wilkins.  There is light though.  Promethean the producer of interactive whiteboards and Activstudio software, based in ATL took home a couple of Codie awards this week at the SIIAs (Software Information Industry Association).  Check out this video from Baltimore (can't believe this is gonna be the last season of The Wire btw).

At least the world of ICT will give Atlanta something to cheer about...until the demise of Ted Turner that is.