CDC Podcast "Electronic Aggression"

I was researching internet safety and came across this podcast on electronic aggression from the Center for Disease Control. It was very interesting.

Free Training Opportunity Free Access to Learn360

The following information is just cut and paste from an email sent by Corin Richards. I did not write it. Even so, I hope you take this chance to see how you can use it in your classroom.

Please join us Monday February 22nd, 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm for a free Learn360 training.   This is a web-based training, so the location is your choice.  This is not a sales presentation, Learn360 is a service provided to all schools in Willamette ESD area.   We encourage you to attend this training to learn how to take full advantage of this valuable service. This online opportunity has a participant restriction so fill out the quick registration at the following website: http://tinyurl.com/yezbnff

Intro to Learn360 Webinar – This training covers all the basics. From streaming and downloading videos and other media from over 50 educational producers to creating customized playlists and sharing them with fellow educators, this webinar leaves attendees with a solid understand of the site as well as encourages them to explore some of the new features, which exist in the new My Learn360 section. My Learn360 employs web 2.0 technology and creates a safe and easy-to-use environment for educators to use the features such as: blogging, podcasting, creating online assignments and quizzes, creating online classroom environments that allow educators to communicate with students and continue the classroom outside of the typical classroom environment. 

Video streaming programs have proven to be valuable to educators at many levels: building background knowledge, addressing that teachable moment with just the right video clip, embedded video in interactive white board software, realia for ELL, meeting the demands of the 21^st century learner and more.

If your educators want to learm more about streaming media in their classrooms, or if they want to improve on their current practices, this webinar is for them. A fast, fun way to showcase all of the different ways to use digital media in the classroom.

We are limited to 25 attendees per meeting.    To assure we do not turn people away, we ask that you register for this training by filling out the short form at: http://tinyurl.com/yezbnff. Once you register, watch for more information about accessing the meeting.   If this class is full, we will schedule another class with the time TBA. If you are interested in a different time and date, please reply to this message and you’ll be alerted directly if there is another date and time available.

She missed a perfect opportunity...

I think it is ridiculously funny that I am in my Master's of Education program in Information Technology and I ask Kira for a copy of the paper that she is writing in my Google Docs account. She missed out on a great opportunity to do the typical middle school, "Gosh, don't you know anything. You are so old." Although a virtual beating may ensue. I would have virtually enjoyed the exchange. :) You know, do the whole turn your head to the side so the toddler doesn't see you laugh at something they did that was hilarious but not something you want to promote. It is harder to get them not to notice or to brush it off as they grow in their cognitive ability... imagine that!

Amie Hazelwood and Family

My Voki

Podcasting A How-To Guide

You can download a copy of the How-To Guide on Podcasting at the following link. It walks you through, step-by-step how to create both an audio podcast and a video podcast for both Mac and PC. Just make sure you are reading the appropriate section and you will have your first podcast available in a snap. I suggest using freeware. For Mac use Garage Band. For a PC you can use Photo Story 3 and choose an appropriate format at the end and you are ready to go. You can also use Audacity to record audio only. If you use Audacity you MUST download the LAME ENCODER and be able to locate it for Audacity the firtst time you use it. From then on the free software will not ask for you to locate the LAME ENCODER. Another free software is Windows Movie Maker. In this you can import video and get slightly more technical with your work. Have fun!!

http://sites.google.com/site/mrshazelwood/

Professional Opinions Wanted

Maybe a blog can be a way to share disguised information to be able to problem solve difficult situations that are in need of some extra minds. For example:

"It takes a village to raise a child."

This is a real case. The name was changed to protect the child's identity.  True feedback would be supremely appreciated.

Most have heard this potent message.  So in thinking of the brain rules I have a request for advice and feedback. Teachers... Students... Parents... Adults... Children...

After looking at the brain rules again I was refreshed and found possible answer to a problem that I have been struggling with since "John", a child I volunteer with (regular respite care) started middle school.

To put it gently, VERY GENTLY, it didn't go well AT ALL!  "John" has cerebral palsy, brain damage that leaves one half of his body partially paralyzed. "John" has above average intelligence and exceptional problem solving skills.  However, recently he decided that he was interested in attending physical and occupational therapy so his disability would be less noticeable to his peers. Also, since starting his transition into adulthood he has struggled with tardies, fights, inappropriate comments and profanity and all sorts of behavior problems.

There is a medication that is linked to helping the damaged neurons to fire as though they were normal and healthy.  It was prescribed over Christmas break. Prior to break his tardies were in every class multiple times a week. Since returning to school after the break the only tardy he holds is in his first period. So getting to school on time is the issue. The medicine seems to be helping but I do not believe it is a cure or an end to the issue.Since starting that new medication he is able to maintain focus enough to make it to his other classes on time. Hurray!!! It is wonderful to see him take pleasure in meeting expectations.

Knowing that the semesters are about to change in two more weeks, I would like to propose to the staff that we take away one of his electives and he starts school at the beginning of the 2nd period bell (no longer having a graded first period. In fact having no first period at all.) Every day, instead, I will attend a yoga class together with him at the Kroc Center which will increase our face-to-face connection time, give him a relaxing exercise to start off the day (which hopefully will allow for him to carry that throughout the day), increase his attention to detail from an authority in a non-threatening way, relieve stress from the previous day or from dreams in the night, and include sensory input that is desperately needed for his atrophied muscles. As a bonus that will allow me to drive him to school ensuring that he is on time for his first class of the day.

I believe this will help build upon the success he has worked so hard for over all of this time. It sounds like the school is willing to give it a go at the turn of the new term.

Feedback? Thoughts? Ideas? Concerns?

Ok, Hit me with your best shot. Fire Away!