My Life With Twitter (So Far!)

Twitter.  Phew!  I had to learn everything about it!  I am a product of my environment- we still have and read hard cover books, and even check them out from the library on occasion.  I am so blessed to be a substitute teacher!  I walk into a room with the policies and procedures in place and the lesson plans on the desk.  I enjoyed visiting on Twitter about everything all the other teachers do in their classroom, but I think my presence in the lunchroom of a new school gives me a lot of the same.  Going to a new place nearly every day is a terrific challenge, and I learn something new every day and even take a few photos in the event that I would ever teach full time.

I enjoyed following Joan Rivers on Twitter!  She gives me a giggle nearly every time.  What a stress relief to be able to laugh for a second!  For instance, Joan Rivers‏@Joan_Rivers   ‘For Season 2, the cast of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" wants a per-episode raise from 4,000 to 10,000. Absolutely! Pork rinds are expensive.’   Joan Rivers‏@Joan_Rivers  ‘ Dina Lohan's advice to Amanda Bynes’s parents is, "Just be around.” She probably should have added, “As well as sober and coherent.”’

 I don’t believe I will remain a Twitter user.  I have an addictive personality and have found myself spending way too many hours glued to my computer or phone.  I remind myself of that daughter in the funny commercial when the grown kid is talking about how boring her parents have become because they only have 5 friends online.  In reality, they are out enjoying their lives with their friends while she sits home on the computer.  That’s my plan.  Want to visit with me?  Meet me at the park bench!  

Screenr Video Demonstrating Photo Cropping For Class Presentations

Animoto for the classroom

Animoto is a free (for educators) web-based tool that can be used to create multimedia instructional videos for the classroom, with utility for still images, video and music.

It's very user-friendly and easy to navigate.

As with any teaching technology, it's use should be integrated into the overall instructional plan and not be used as a surrogate for instruction nor a diversion from instruction.

Here's a link to my project, done on the recently passed Neil Armstrong, the Apollo 11 astronaut who was the first man to walk on the moon.

http://animoto.com/play/QCHZeogqIuSe0mRLxeJeZQ

Flipped Classroom Twitter Resource Article Reviews

Article 1:
http://blogs.stvrain.k12.co.us/instructionaltechnology/odds-n-ends/flipping-your-classroom-making-the-most-of-media /
The first article deals with the overall approach to how a teacher integrates the concept of a flipped classroom into the classroom learning environment. The author takes the approach that the objective of the "flip" should be to maximize instructional time via use of the technololy, not to necessarily make the use of thecnology the educational goal unto itself. I agree wholeheartedly with this premise. While many of us use technology in our day-to-day lives, just as many will not. There's no PC or Powerpoint on a construction job site, for example. The technology has to reinforce the curriculum, not become the curriculum.
Article 2:
http://edudemic.com/2012/06/survey-results-67-educators-report-flipped-classroom-improves-test-scores/
The second article relates the results of a teacher survey (what teachers and how many aren't detailed) whereupon 67% report increased standardized test scores as a result of their use of the flipped classroom. While this isn't a study, it does indicate some enthusiasm amongst students and the teachers for this model. I'm obviously all for improvement in test scores, but I'd be interested in a longer term study. Flipped classrooms have the advantage of novelty now; they'll become tomorrow's composition books and pencils in time. I was surprised at the sheer volume of resources on this subject on Twitter. I hadn't even heard of flipped classrooms until this course and I've taught in just about every district in the Omaha metro area. Great subject!