on-line

Check out your peer's work!

5/8 6:17 p.m.

My apologies for this being so late. Mother's Day celebration was a bit more celebratory than anticipated. Hope everyone enjoyed their day!

I can hardly believe I am sending this to you--my last correspondence with a unique, talented, and much respected group of students!

Your final assignment can be found here:

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/final+week+option


 * 5/1/11 1:46 p.m.**

Geez, can you believe we are down to the end? I know things must feel a bit on edge. So I'm providing a reflection assignment. This is the one most important to me. Reflection and self analysis are the keys to life long learning and improvement.

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/Final+Assignment

(Teacher story is included in assignment)

And (as stated again):

1. In order to earn an "A" as a course grade, you must submit EVERY SINGLE assignment and each assignment must be exemplary.

2. Your final wiki is due at 5:00 p.m. today (as well as your digital media project).

Digital Media: due 5/1 Final Wiki: due 5/1 (5:00) Self Reflection: assigned 5/1, due 5/8 RSS feed: assigned 5/8, due THURS. 5/12


 * 4/1/11 1:41 p.m.**

Geez, can you believe we are down to two weeks? I know things must feel a bit on edge. So I'm providing a reflection assignment. This is the one most important to me. Reflection and self analysis are the keys to life long learning and improvement.

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/Considerations++for+final+wiki

And (as stated again):

1. In order to earn an "A" as a course grade, you must submit EVERY SINGLE assignment and each assignment must be exemplary.

2. Your final wiki is due today at 5:00 (along with your media assignment).


 * 4/24/11 2:45 p.m.**

And now we are most thankful that we are quickly approaching the end. I am reminded of an old Chinese proverb:

= “To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping” =

And so we go on, looking toward the end, but focusing on completing each assignment to the best of your abilities (plus 10 percent!)

This week's assignment has TWO parts. Each part must be completely different.

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-Media

Also, PLEASE check the gradebook to ensure that I have not made a mistake (or you have overlooked something).

You are also STRONGLY advised to begin serious finalization on your wiki.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I also want to make sure you are clear on dates. YES, you have an assignment that will be assigned the week of FINALS. This is because I MUST give a final (or final assignment) and since I do not believe that teaching can be assessed in a paper-pencil format, I am giving you an assignment.

And finally,

1. In order to earn an "A" as a course grade, you must submit EVERY SINGLE assignment and each assignment must be exemplary.

2. Late work. PLEASE BE ADVISED that I will NOT accept any late (or resubmitted) work beyond next Sunday (5/1) at 5:00 p.m.

3. Wiki due date. As stated in the Course Information page, your final wiki is due SUNDAY 5/1 at 5:00 p.m.

4. Inclusions in the wiki. I am including the link (and embedded rubric) for your final wiki. My suggestion to you is that take a few hours and look over your wiki and GRADE your wiki using the embedded spreadsheet. If you fill in your scores in the appropriate column, the spreadsheet will add your score and calculate it so that your grade will be calculated.

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/Considerations++for+final+wiki


 * Assignment || Date Assigned || Date Due ||
 * Digital Media || 4/24 || 5/1 ||
 * Final Wiki ||  || 5/1 ||
 * Final reflection || 5/1 ||  ||
 * RSS || 5/8 || 5/12 (Thursday) ||

And for your reading enjoyment, a teacher story-of-the-week:

[|Lessons learned.doc]


 * 4/17/11 11:42 a.m.**

Greetings to all! Wow, we are getting dangerously close to the end of the semester. That has to be exciting and, at the same time, a bit stressful.

This week's assignment is ready:

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/Web2.0-revisited

NOTE: remember that you have to complete 10 lesson plans. Ideally (no REALLY ideally) you want a technology product in each assignment, demonstrating that you can integrate technology in multiple ways throughout a unit of instruction. So, this week, you need to complete three Web2.0 tools. Look at your unit--how many lessons do you have? After this week, you only have ONE MORE assignment.

BTW!! RIGHT NOW, while you are thinking of it, you need to create an account with next week's tool and request an educator upgrade. PLEASE do it now, as it takes them awhile to approve this.

Go to: http://animoto.com/education and SIGN UP NOW!!!

Just so you know, I'm taking my grandson out so we can buy the new ipad and I will NOT be grading until well into the evening. My apologies!!

For your reading enjoyment, this week's teacher-story-of-the-week:

[|Currriculum story.doc]


 * 4/9 6:55 p.m.**

Hi everyone!

Knowing this time of year tends to be stressful, I will remind you: eating an elephant for dinner is done one bite at a time. Plan your days and your time carefully.

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-DS

A few words of advise:

1. If you usually wait until Sunday morning to start assignments for this class, that would be a habit you would want to break this week. This assignment is worth 250 points!

2. Plan the project well. It makes the creation stage go much quicker and easier.

And for your reading enjoyment, this week's teacher story of the week.

[|Creative story.doc]


 * 04/03** (2:42 p.m.)

Anybody need a break? You know that mean technology teacher that drives you to the edge? Well, this week you get a BREAK! This assignment CANNOT take more than 50 minutes to complete --start to finish! So dig in--

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-YT

Don't forget to send me an email when you have finished your Embedr playlist and written a lesson plan describing how you will use these in your unit.

And for your reading enjoyment, this week's teacher story of the week. I had such a similiar experience my second year of teaching.

Welcome back from Spring Break. We've entered into the home stretch of the semester. Now is the time to beef up your attitude, work, and commitment to finishing strong!
 * 03/27** (8:26 p.m.)

As I shared earlier, you should have a fantastic time with this assignment. Most students share with me that this is among their top three favorite assignments of the semester.

So, here we go:

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-Podcast

Don't forget to send me an email when you have finished your three podcasts. Remember, this one is due 5/3, along with your presentation assignment.

Along with a great tool to work with, I am also including a fabulous video! Remember Ken Robinson? Well, this is a second speech he did--you should enjoy the video teacher-story-of-the-week.

[] Bring on the revolution

And, if you missed his first one:

[] Are schools killing creatively?

Hi everyone! No, I did not change my mind on giving an assignment over Spring Break! But in case anyone wants to get a jump start on this one, I wanted it to be available.
 * 03/20** (9:08 p.m.)

You should have a fantastic time with this assignment. Most students share with me that this is among their top three favorite assignments of the semester.

So, here we go:

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-Podcast

Don't forget to send me an email when you have finished your three podcasts. But, remember, this one is due 5/3, along with your Presentation project.

Along with a great tool to work with, I am also including a fabulous video! Remember Ken Robinson? Well, this is a second speech he did--you should enjoy the video teacher-story-of-the-week.

[] Bring on the revolution

And, if you missed his first one:

[] Are schools killing creatively?

Happy Sunday!
 * 3/13** (2:30 p.m.)

This week's assignment is located here: http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/PowerPoint+alternative

REMEMBER: you have TWO weeks to complete this assignment (because I expect an exemplary product). It is due on 4/3 (as Spring Break falls into that timeframe). Please do not misunderstand--I am not giving you a "free" week. The product will be graded on the fact that you received twice as much time to do the project. Once you have completed your presentation, either embed it (if you chose a Web2.0 tool) or upload your powerpoint to SlideShare.net and embed THAT code. Either way, embed the code

Some significant things to know: --There will be an assignment sent out on 3/27. That assignment will be due in one week and at the SAME time as your presentation assignment (on 4/3). --If you have an incomplete (or missing) assignment, you have until 3/27 to complete it--after that point, I will not accept it.

And for your reading enjoyment, this week's Teacher-Story-of-the-Week. Don't miss this one--it's moral lessons is one that needs to be engrained in your heart. I see this often in new teachers and in the veterans, have lived it myself.

Greetings to all! This week's assignment is ready. PLEASE read carefully your task this week. I'll be back to grading this evening and the gradebook should be up-to-date before I retire for the evening.
 * 3/6 3:38 p.m.**

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/Research-RM

And for your reading enjoyment, this week's Teacher-Story-of-the-Week. Don't miss this one--it offers you a perspective of how students see us, as teachers, and how teachers see students...and never the twain shall meet.



Thanks to all for such great work--I appreciate that it is a bit difficult to learn Word just for the sake of "one day you may need it" as you can now easily post information on a wiki that replaces much of Word. This is a requirement of the University and does have merit.
 * 2/26 8:13 p.m.**

This week's lesson can be found at:

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-Web

NOTE that there are TWO sections to the assignment: the scavenger hunt/field trip AND the 10 annotated websites.

And for your reading enjoyment, this week's Teacher-Story-of-the-Week. Don't miss this one--it's moral is something you cannot teach without understanding in your soul.




 * 2/12 10:51 p.m.**

This week's lesson, "Basic Word", is ready for your perusal.

Thanks to all for such great work on your unit ideas--can't wait to watch these unfold.

For your enjoyment, the teacher story-of-the-week (a video totally worth watching!)


 * 2/6 3:09 p.m.**

Sorry this posting is so late. Big weekend. Hope everyone enjoyed putting the basics of your wiki together.

I've taken the liberty of revamping this week's assignment and hope it is less stressful and more helpful in developing your unit of instruction.

For your reading enjoyment, the teacher story-of-the-week. This one is one not to miss. It's about college, it's about teaching, it's about life!

Hi everyone! Hope your weekend is productive! This week, you will be starting one of the most foundational products for this class--your wiki. Read and think carefully, plan thoroughly, and enjoy!
 * 1/30 8:25 a.m.**

Also, don't forget. Once you create your wiki, you need to:

1. Send me your URL (address) of your wiki. It will NOT have a "www." in it. It will simply be something like: http://yourname.wikispaces.com

2. Change your outlook signature to include your wiki address. Not sure how to do this? Read me!

NOTE: Every year, I struggle with a few students who look at the EXAMPLES done by former students and model theirs after the exemplars. Make SURE you read my inclusions, as I usually change this based on former student feedback.

OK, back to my grading!

The Teacher-Story-Of-The-Week is video: Click here to enjoy!!

Greetings to all! As I am getting caught up in your blogging posts, I will share out that this week's assignment is ready for you! But before I do that: **IF YOU POSTING YOUR BLOG AND YOUR "NAME" WAS A BIT MYSTERIOUS (i.e., I might not know who you are to give you credit in the gradebook because your user name is not specific), could you let me know your posting name.**
 * 1/23 4:46**

This week is an important task--not just for this class, but as a teacher. As a teacher, you focus on two things: WHAT you teach and HOW you teach it. This lesson is all about giving you practice with the WHAT you teach. The reason this is important for this class is because you can't integrate technology into your curriculum and think about your teaching strategies if you don't know WHAT the curriculum is!

I do know this is a difficult task, especially if you've never done it before. It took me years and years to "master it" and I'm very sure I still have much to learn. But, each journey starts with a single step--so here we go!

http://cooltoolz.wikispaces.com/RM-S%26S

Let me know how you are doing!

By the way: I always share a favorite teacher story-of-the-week, and here' this week's tale:

Welcome to class! I'm assuming you have listened to my initial screencast and have a good feel for this course. This is where you will come each Sunday to get your assignment. I try to post by 3:00 p.m. each Sunday, but occasionally I get delayed--I will send an email message sharing with you that the week's assignment is ready.
 * 1/16 11:30 a.m.**

Please don't work ahead more than a week--I ALWAYS change the wiki (because that's what you do as a teacher--adjust your teaching to meet the needs of your students) and I would not want you to begin an assignment that I significantly change.


 * //Your tasks, this week (due by next Sunday)://**

--Visit a few of the active links on the navigation bar:


 * 1) The “About 3610” has a bit to read, a podcast to listen to, and some videos to watch. These are NOT optional.
 * 2) Visit the “Course Information” page. This will give you lots of information: a weekly overview of course topics, assignments with due dates, dates assigned, and points. Make sure you scroll to the bottom of the “Course Information” page, as there you will find the course syllabus (which you SHOULD read), and links to online tools and programs we will use in class. You can actually get a jump start on this course.
 * 3) Spend some time perusing the “Project Examples”: these are the semester-end projects done by your former colleagues. The entire website and all projects are done through week-by-week contributions.
 * 4) Email me (cstocke1@mscd.edu) with: (a) a brief introduction of yourself as a learner, a teacher and a technologist; (b) an assurance you have read this information; (c) YOUR full email MSCD email address (seriously, I don’t have it—when I send a “class email”, your email address is not visible). For example, my full MSCD email address is: cstocke1@mscd.edu. I need your address to sign you up for the online gradebook. Once I have received this FIRST ASSIGNMENT, you will receive an email from [|www.Engrade.com]. DON’T DELETE IT!!!! Follow the link in the email, choose your own username/password combination and you will have access the gradebook. Super simple, super important, super free; (5) any questions you have. This is the first of your required assignments for your “ALL WORK IN” grade.
 * 5) Watch this "Welcome to Class" screencast and ensure completion of the tasks on the last slide (@http://www.screencast.com/t/NmVhNGU0NTY);
 * 6) Complete the section entitled "21st century - Week one" (remember, there are 4 sections--READ ME, SEE ME, TEACH ME, TRY ME).

//**When you are done:**//

1. Send me an email with the requested information. 2. Go spend 10 minutes of quiet alone time giving yourself accolades. Do this second task for several reasons: first, it is well deserved. You need to be proud of yourself that you have started a new semester of school, you are moving forward with your life. And the direction you are moving is toward a dream you have. WOW! Secondly, as teachers, we often receive very few external accolades. Yes, we get a monthly paycheck; yes, we get a great retirement plan; yes, there are full benefits (albeit, they are a bit expensive). And once in awhile (and I mean in a very long while), one might receive a thank you note from a student long ago graduated. But the daily successes (and failures) must be evaluated, critiqued and stand as learning blocks. And it is only through personal courage that we can, and must, pat ourselves on the back for our successes and bear the burden (and responsibility to change) of our failures. So go!